My Experiences With DC Universe's (Streaming) First Year

Has it been a year? Has it really been a year since the official launch of the DC Universe Subscription service?

According to an email in my inbox today, yes. Yes, it has.

Meaning as an early adopter, three months remain on my subscription. Since a fifteen months-in-review doesn't carry the same overtones as a year-in-review, it's time for my assessment of the subscription service's first year.

For those stumbling upon my blog for the first time, I refer to DC Universe as a subscription service instead of a streaming service because it offers far, far more than a mere streaming service.

A streaming service doesn't have a community section for fans to engage each other on...

Community section:

Admittedly, I haven't participated on the forums. Lurked (read but not participated) some threads; but no commenting. Other than the occasional chatter on social media, I reserve much of what I would state there on here. Unlike social media, I feel incredibly awkward sharing a link to one of my blog posts on a company forum in which users participate anonymously. Mayhap one day I will de-lurk there.

I consider DC Daily to be company outreach to fans to boost engagement while informing them. Haven't watched more than one or two although I should. Would probably feel like I was getting more of my money's worth if I watched those clips...

What I have participated in frequently has been the sweepstakes. I have plenty of contests in order to win pretty much every other week.

Uh, I have not won anything. One day, one day. I will blog about winning a contest and it will be glorious.

Movies

What really made DC Universe feel like a steal initially was the presence of recently animated movies. Don't need to buy the DVD or Blu-Ray of say Batman Ninja. I can watch it on DC Universe. Big wigs who own and run DC and Warner Brothers fret not. Movie watching hasn't been a thing for me whenever I am using the platform.

Considering this year marks the 30th anniversary of Keaton's Batman, I do plan on remedying the lack of movie watching soon.

Comics

Back when DC Universe debuted, the comics selection would rotate. Not only did the rotation ceased; but the selection has expanded. Comics as recent as the first couple issues of Doomsday Clock are available on the platform. Sure, months have passed between issues; however comics released roughly a year ago are becoming available. Given how I don't really keep up with monthly comics, I can 'wait for the Network' more and more.

Granted, I would need to read the digital comics available on DC Universe first. I marked some series as favorites. Added some issues to a 'To Be Read' list. However, I haven't read any digital comics except for the first five issues of Gerard Way's Doom Patrol run shortly after the first episode of Doom Patrol.

Turns out binge-skimming those Way Doom Patrol issues were the best thing for my opinion on those issues. Called it quits on Young Animal and was about purge those issues from my collection until I did so. Only reason why I am buying Doom Patrol Weight of the Worlds from my local comics shop is because of both the show and the late night I spent skimming those issue on DC Universe.

What I mostly use the comics for is research when deciding whether to purchase an Omnibus. I check if those issues are available online. Then, like the old days, I make my decision based on the covers. Bought the Joker Bronze Age Omnibus because I went through the contents on the list.

Television Shows

Previously, I remarked on how happy of a fanboy I am shows such as the live-action Superboy are available. Hadn't watched the 'Halloween' themed episodes of Superboy during last October. Decided I would wait until this October to do so.

Besides, I was busy watching shows like Doom Patrol. Excellent, excellent television. Captured the feel of Morrison's Doom Patrol while using the original Doom Patrol (most were, uh, dead prior to Morrison's run) as the cast. The references to the Silver Age material were cool. Doom Patrol season one was both edgy yet the best super team origin story on television beating the previous record holder of the Arrowverse Flash season one. I avidly watched each episode weekly with the exception of three episodes near the run.

Needless to say, I eagerly awaited Swamp Thing as result. The first episode was a great example of horror television. Unfortunately, the execs desired not only a change in direction but canned the series. Coinciding with start of summer, I didn't have the heart to follow the show week-to-week knowing that was it. Another October goal. Hopefully, I don't feel like those who discovered Firefly after that show's cancellation.

Now Titans Season Two began, or will begin. Really don't want to fall behind like I did Swamp Thing. A tricky feat. Never saw season one. Got a lot of catching up to do!

On this note, think I am going to spend some time on the DC Universe Subscription Service.

Next time.

Initial Thoughts on DC Universe Streaming / Subscription Service

Couple weeks ago, IT launched. Mid-month strikes me as on odd time to kickoff a monthly streaming/subscription service yet DC decided it was the perfect time to officially launch its new DC Universe. Haven't binged any movies or television shows. Didn't chat all things on DC using the forums. Can't say I've spent hours reading any of the comics offered online. What I did do was sample enough of everything (except the forums) to get an initial first impression of DC Universe. Since October is literally a day way, now makes a good a day as any to give my two cents. If I waited until October, I may as well as wait until I've done all the above, right?


Forums: Pretty much stated in my opener, I never used them. Honestly, I don't really plan to. Unless of course actual folks on DC visit the forums. Then, I will participate gleefully. Interacting with creators is tremendous fun indeed.


Television: While none of the Arrowverse shows are available on DC Universe, there are plenty of gems. The cancelled-before-its-time Constantine is here. Birds of Prey. Heck, the live-action Superboy, which was among my wishlist when I was 'deciding', is among the shows offered. There's animated shows such as the classic Superfriends as well as Bat-man: the Animated Series. Initially, I thought only the first season was available for each show. Thought it was very strange that multiple seasons were mentioned until I noticed a dropdown box wherein the user can select a specific season.


The quality of the video is top-notch. Matches quality offered by the likes of Netflix and Hulu. Speaking of Hulu, fast-forwarding through an episode of Batman:TAS did NOT trigger any breaks for advertisements. Leads me to believe, there are no commercials! Another neat feature is one's progress on an episode is saved so you pick up right where left off. You can also add a series to your favorites.


Movies: Among the initial offerings are the Christopher Reeve Superman films along with the animated movies of which DC recently released a tenth anniversary collection. As a recent purchaser of said collection, only a small handful of them are available for streaming on DC Universe upon initial launch. So I don't feel foolish along that front... Did feel the movie selection was a bit low; but it is the initial launch. Other than that I haven't streamed any of the movies yet so that awaits further comment.


Comics: Initial selection is quite extensive.  Most recent comics offered digitally, ala Marvel Digital Comics - digital issues aren't available for purchase at the moment, stop at Rebirth issue 1s. That said, there's samplings of New 52, post-Crisis, and in-between. Dark Knight Returns is available to be read digitally online. Personally, I am pumped Johns/Eaglesham's Justice Society of America's first eleven issues are offered. Looking to become familiar with Captain Marvel/Shazam before the upcoming Shazam! movie? Well, Ordway's Power of Shazam! awaits your perusal.


I've read a smattering of comics online via several platforms from Nook Digital Comics to Dark Horse Digital to Marvel Digital Unlimited on my PC. Have to say DC Universe perfectly aligns the page with screen! Art and lettering is perfectly readable. No shrinking nor enlarging is required. Don't have to toggle from panel to panel nor toggle from panel readout to full page layout. Like television shows, DC Universe saves your progress on a given comic. Plus, titles can be added to a favorites list.


The two cons I see with the digital comics is there is much duplication among titles (which is rather odd) and I haven't noticed a search option yet. If offerings rotate, the bloated list is fine. Otherwise, searching through the comics library will become a hassle once it expands.


Overall, my initial impression of DC Universe is very favorable. A heavy user might worry about the size of the initial content. If this is your only streaming service and your first foray into digital comics, I could see one binging through the library within maybe six months. On the other hand, I don't forsee myself exhausting the initial launch within twelve months of my subscription. Maybe by the fifteenth month. However, the original programming such as Titans and Doom Patrol will have debuted by then. Quality-wise, I am quite pleased as well. We'll see how my opinion changes once what's new is well-acquainted.


Periodic updates to come.


Next time!

Price Seems Right For DC's New Subscription Service

Took the last couple weeks off from blogging. During that time SDCC occurred as well as the announcement of DC's new subscription service's, DC Universe, price point. The latter is the topic for tonight's entry.


If you recall, I expressed my excitement for the new subscription service. So much, I was probably going to give it a try. After reading what the price will be, it's practically a given.


For the curious, you can read up on prices along with DC Universe's contents here.


Not bad. Not bad at all. I already pay $7.99 a month for Hulu and $10.99 a month for WWE Network. So $7.99 is well within my comfort zone for the time being. Heck CBR did a price comparison with a streaming services, cause DC Universe is primarily a streaming service, here.


For the most part I agree with CBR. The depth of backlist isn't huge. Quite frankly, it's still unknown how much DC television and film will be available. However, all the other bells and whistles along with the possibility for no commercials improves the package.


Plus there's the comics and community forum. While the latter isn't important to me, the former is pretty much the deal maker for me. If DC Universe truly has a rotating selection of a thousand comics, it'll be worth it for the digital comics alone.


Heck, one could potentially make comparisons to Marvel's Digital Unlimited. The price is a little less than Marvel's monthly subscription but on par for the annual subscription. Which is kind of weird because the annual subscription for DC Universe is cheaper than its monthly... Goes to show Marvel Digital Unlimited is better purchased on annual basis as opposed to monthly...


Yes, Marvel Digital Unlimited has an ever expanding back catalog. While DC Universe's rotating catalog troubles me, the rotation may force me to actually read the comics as opposed to adding them to my watchlist indefinitely.


Plus, unlike Marvel Digital Unlimited, the meat and potatoes of DC Universe is the television and film media. One isn't just using DC Universe to read comics.


So all things considered, the price point practically secures my purchase of a subscription. In fact, the extra three months added to pre-ordered annual subscription calls to me. Fifteen months for annual subscription prices? Hello! I've had an annul subscription to Marvel Digital Unlimited on and off for years. Saves quite a bit of hassle; and I'm not pressure to "use a month's worth" each month to get my money's worth.


There you have it. Consider me a pre-order adopter of an annual subscription holder to DC Universe.


Next time.

DC's New Subscription Service Looks Promising

When the news broke over DC starting its own streaming service, I was favorably inclined but leery about paying for another streaming service. The DC fanboy in me was excited at the prospect. However, I don't keep up with Hulu, Netflix, WWE Network, and regular TV. Heck, Britbox and GFW/TNA/Impact/whatever they're calling themselves now are on my radar too. DC's new streaming service's offerings would need to be deep.


New programming I can't get elsewhere.


Old programming I'd really need to scrounge for.


Today, I details and teaser trailer for the new subscription service have been unveiled. Bleeding Cool News reported some details here.


Heck, DC released a teaser trailer for the new DC Universe subscription service as well here.


Titans, Doom Patrol, the next season of Young Justice definitely checks the box for new programming.


Is Swamp Thing a new iteration or the old show?


Snippets from the animated movies, old movies like Supergirl, and the short-lived TV show Constantine certainly satisfy the old material criteria. Okay, okay, Constantine is available on CW Seed. I'm excited for the potential such older shows such as the 90's Flash and Superboy could become available as well. Rights pending of course....


All that? A Hulu-like price is reasonable.


A community forum is a nice touch. How many use message boards nowadays with social media though?


Being able to read older DC Comics. What do we have here now... Depending on the depth and size of the selection this could very well be a DC Digital Comics Unlimited tacked onto streaming service. Although I suppose even if it's limited to more recent offerings along with evergreen stories it wouldn't be so bad.


If DC Universe is *cough* universal in scope and demonstrates signs of expansion with the new content over time ala the WWE Network, I would be willing to pay WWE Network prices.


Verdict: The DC Universe Subscription is mighty tempting. Think I will sign up for the Beta in August.


Next time.

Bye Bye 2017, Hello 2018!

For some, 2018 is here. For me 2017 is almost over, while for others 2017 will last a little longer. Regardless a New Year is upon us.


I was going to provide a Top 5 or Top 10 blog entries of 2017, but I am not quite sure what criteria to use! None received any comments. Sure, I could consult Google Analytics; but how many were hits generated from actual readers? Furthermore, timing is everything. Some entries received more attention than others due to luck of the draw.


A couple that I will highlight was the two that pertained to the old Fox Kids (Spider-Man, Spider-Man Unlimited, X-Men) shows plus Iron Man Armored Avenger and X-Men Evolution and whether they were leaving Hulu or not. As fate would have it, those vintage Marvel cartoons only remained for a month longer than when notice was originally given. Since that time, it was announce Disney would buy a ton of Fox properties including an additional 30% stake in Hulu. So will those cartoons return to Hulu, be reserved for the Disney's announced streaming service, or both? Guess time will tell.


A New Year means New Year's Resolutions! Here are 10 comic strips from GoComics concerning the annual promises! You can read them here.


Those strips basically sum up my approach to New Year's Resolutions this year. So you failed your 2017 resolution didn't you, Matt? Sigh, I didn't read anywhere as much as I intended to read when I made that resolution. Old new habits are hard to break.


So I wouldn't call these New Years Resolutions per se as they're mainly things I want to do but I won't cry if I don't.

1. Read more. Yes, yes, that was last year's resolution. Some folks pledge to exercise, I plan to read more.
2. Read more comic strips. A little more redundant but I consider reading strips very light pleasure reading, which I've ignored because I've been reading news instead.
3. GoComics and DailyInk - Signed up for premium membership of GoComics about a month ago. Just have to get back into the habit of reading the strips. As for DailyInk (King Features Sydicate's version of GoComics), I plan on subscribing tomorrow. Yep, as of January 1st, I will finally get a subscription. May even cover the Amazing Spider-Man newspaper strip.
4. Watch Royal Rumble and WrestleMania. Missed last years. Would like to see this years. Still up in the air about subscribing to the WWE Network though...
5. A Britbox account - going through some British TV and Doctor Who withdrawal. However, it is another streaming service. So who knows? Okay, that is rather punny.
6. Learn how to include cover images on this blog. Since I've taken the plunge and started inserted videos, there's no reason not to include cover images for any comic book reviews I may do. Just need to learn how...

So that's my obligatory New Years post.


Happy New Year 2018!

Halloween 2017: All Hallows' Eve

Might as well cut to the chase:


Happy Halloween!


Must confess I didn't do too much Halloween-related today. Not trick-or-treating. Didn't eat any candy. Was going to read the DC House of Horror one-shot after watching tonight's episode of DC's Legends of Tomorrow set during Halloween but after fast-forwarding through the episode (yeah, I know shouldn't do that) I discovered next week's episode is set during the Victorian era and may feature vampires. So I figured I will watch that episode later.


As for the DC comic, I may read it tomorrow. Speaking of comics, while I didn't attend Halloween Comicfest, I did pick up some of the comics when I played Shadowrun Missions yesterday. They are: The Friendly Ghost Casper, Donald Duck's Halloween Scream, Shiver, Ghostbusters: Happy Halloween, and Hellboy and the BPRD 1953 The Witch Tree and Rawhead and Bloody Bones. With any luck, I'll be able to spend a huge chunk of Halloween day 2 (ie All Saints Day) reading comics!


What I did do was take advantage of One Book Shelf's Halloween sales and bundles. Discovered that the Barovia modules for Adventurers League (AL04) were cheaper via the bundle (@ 40% off) and thus the better option. While I was at it, I picked up the Mummy: the Curse (nWOD) bundle and a Monster comics bundle (has the Doctor Mirage trade from Valiant). Then I realized I could pick up the core book and all five supplements for Palladium Book's Dead Reign much cheaper than normal. For those unfamiliar with Dead Reign, it is Palladium Book's post-zombie apocalypse setting. While I already own a copy of the core book, I don't have easy access to it and watching The Walking Dead puts me in a zombie apocalypse mood. Don't know if I would ever run it though.


Then I check out some Halloween-related links:


The pumpkin genome has been sequenced.


Here's a quick history of pumpkins. Fun fact: Europeans had never seen them before coming to North America.


The pumpkin produces a compound that is a natural disinfectant!


I must confess I haven't seen the newest version of the movie IT. Here's how Stephen King's work such IT parallel the Cthhulhu Mythos.


Viking zombies and the means of dispatching them can be read about here.


Now, I think I am going to watch some Halloween movies!


Next time.

Halloween '17: Walking Dead S6 Part 1 Marathon

Much I did while anticipating Halloween last year, I binge-watched a season of The Walking Dead. Okay, unlike last year, I did not engage in a marathon viewing of an entire season such as I did with Season 5. Started much too late to repeat my performance with Season 6; and there's still plenty of other shows, movies, and comics I want to experience this Halloween season. So I stopped with Episode 8 since that's around the time the show underwent hiatus. Also, I didn't record these episodes like I did Season 5. Instead, I watched Season 6 (what I will dub Part One) via Netflix. Since Netflix doesn't have commercials, my stream-of-conscious thoughts per episode will be from recall.


First Time Again

• The black & white flashbacks were kind of neat from an experimental point of view. However, I would have preferred to see some of the scenes via color such as the grand shot of the walker herd pinned behind the two trailers.

JSS

• Last year, I theorized that Ennid (or however you spell her name) was the daughter of the leader of the Whisperers based on some stuff I gleaned from the comics. Yeah, about that... I was wrong. Unless the flashbacks are misleading, Ennid most definitely isn't one of them.
• So how'd the raw turtle she ate not sicken her?
• Have to say the 'I won't kill anyone and all life is precious' Morgan is the perfect counter-balance to the 'the world is death, savagery, and no place for the civilized' of the Wolves.
• Carol is badass.

Thank You

• Michonne and Glen's interactions with the new Alexandrians was kind of neat.
• Nothing ever goes smooth in Walking Dead-land.
• Rick is a badass and how's he getting out of this one!
• Similarly, how is Glen...

Here's Not Here

• How Morgan transitioned from out-of-his-mind *ahem* clearer to the tranquil staff-wielding badass.
• Eastman was pretty cool.
• Of the eight episodes I marathoned over the last several days, I enjoyed this one the most.

Now

• Hmm, I must've missed the part when Michonne and crew returned...
• Clearly, Rick out-racing the walker herd from the RV won't be shown...
• Talked about decomposed walkers! Wonder why no one noticed they were gone...

Always Accountable

• Could the group of men be connected to Negan and the Saviors?
• Tarp covered zombies.... Missed out those two were connected to the two girls.
• Being dependent on insulin shots during a post-zombie apocalypse is not a good thing.
• Talk about scorched earth!
• Probably the best Abraham moment during the entire series! Wonder what he'll do with the rocket-propelled grenade!
• Love recurring motifs such as oil & gas company.

Heads Up

• Spencer is quite the loose cannon although him attempting to shimmy along the line was cool until the hook came loose.
• Glenn surviving by crawling out from Nicholaus's corpse under the dumpster was kind of neat. Although I found it curious the walkers lost interest in him. Could it be too many dead walkers masked him?
• One of these times the Glenn won't escape certain death. Like when Negan appears such as in the comic...
• Yep, my Ennid theory is definitely wrong. Sigh.
• That tower doesn't look too healthy... Speaking of which I didn't put two-and-two together that Spencer shot the driver and that's why the truck ran into the tower and not the wall.
• And down it goes!

Start to Finish

• Here's the zombie carnage we've been anticipating!
• Not surprised Morgan defeated Carol as he's had training.
• Hey, Eugene was useful! Lockpicking for the win.
• Love the return of the zombie guts camouflage!
• Negan is coming!

And thus ends my Halloween Walking Dead marathon. Since I have Netflix I am pretty sure I will watch the remainder of the season (already skimmed through Episode 9 *cough* *cough*) and Season 7 by next Halloween. Or who knows maybe I'll wait until next Halloween season to watch them. I certainly will blog about it though!


Only 4 more days until Halloween!


Next time.

Follow-up to Vintage Marvel Animated on Hulu along with Marvel's Inhumans First Impressions

Friday the 13th is winding down and I figured I cap the day with... a non-Halloween/horror post. Cause it's not just Friday the 13th, today is three days after the supposed expiration of vintage (okay 1990s vintage, sheesh!) Marvel Animated shows on Hulu along with the third week (and fourth episode) of Marvel's Inhumans.


First off, everyone such as myself who had those old Marvel animated shows (Fox Spider-Man, X-Men, Spider-Man Unlimited, X-Men Evolution, Iron Man Armored Avenger) at the bottom of their queue can relax. After the 10th when I logged onto Hulu to check to see if those shows expired, not only had they not expired but Hulu treated them as brand new shows! Don't know why but it certainly provides more time to watch them. Right? Hoping this doesn't mean they are "new" shows for a couple months and then expire.


Second, speaking of Marvel shows of more recent vintage, today marks the initial broadcast of the fourth episode and third week of Marvel's Inhumans.


Now, I understand Marvel's Inhumans didn't start with the best acclaim. I suppose much of that had to due with the first two episodes being shown on IMAX first. Got to say, those first two episodes are be-yoo-ti-ful. Much glossier than the more recent two. Folks also paid money to see it; and the IMAX showing didn't contain a couple exposition scenes the television debut had. While I felt the first two episodes were stellar, I did watch them on the television. As a movie that I paid money for, I don't think I would have enjoyed it as much. Plus, the bad press could be because the Inhumans are new and unfair comparisons with the X-Men are being made.


Okay, I am not a fan of Maximus terragenesis on the show being transformed into a human and not a super-genius who's very, very off his rocker. Well, Maximus does come across as both very bright and high on the megalomania scale on the show though. Perhaps, the lack of Kirby tech is glaring omission?


While watching the first couple episodes, I got a Basilisk vibe when each of the characters demonstrated their Inhuman power as each power was deployed to strategic effect in a surprising manner. Much like the ninjas in that anime/manga demonstrate their unique gifts. Black Bolt and Medusa's romantic relationship, although much less tragic, along with the "dueling" families also contribute to that impression. Okay, I am kind of reading into that comparison a little too much. Haha! The body count is much, much less than Basilisk.


For the first time, I fully understand why Black Bolt doesn't and will not kill Maximus. The difference between watching on screen versus a static page.


Next time.

Apparently, Hulu's Marvel Animated Shows Are Leaving Later This Month

When I first returned to Hulu after a several years' hiatus, I added a slew of (vintage) Marvel animated shows to my watch list. The nineties Fox Kids shows Spider-Man, Spider-Man Unlimited, and X-men. X-Men Evolution and Iron Man: Armored Avenger too. X-Men Evolution has been available on Hulu for about as long as the streaming service existed.


My intent was to watch those shows much like a stroll down nostalgia lane at my leisure. Other shows took priority. Mostly because many were expiring. There's certain irony here...


A couple days ago I checked the expiring section of my watch list which is my custom. Lo and behold, all the aforementioned Marvel Animated shows are set to expire! I scroll over and discover that as of this moment, all those shows are supposed to leave Hulu on the 10th. Of October.


Okay, okay, I have observed Hulu will push the expiration of show past the initial date by weeks or a couple months. In theory, I could binge watch a show or two.


The problem is other than Spider-Man Unlimited those other shows ran twenty-plus episodes. I ain't got time to binge-watch all of 'em! There's other shows that I don't want to eventually play the same game as the expiring-priority game is a zero-sum game indeed. Furthermore, the new television season has begun. Hulu is like a back up DVR and provided I view an episode in a timely manner an indirect way of influencing ratings. So unfortunately, I won't be making an effort to watch any of the classic (boy I feel old writing this!) Marvel Animated shows on Hulu.


Hopefully, the notice that Spider-Man, Spider-Man Unlimited, X-Men, X-Men Evolution, and Iron Man: Armored Avenger is expiring on the 10th of October (or later during the month) is meant to boost viewings on the shows can remain on Hulu for a little bit longer. Or return.


Don't believe Disney's proposed streaming service is starting anytime soon...


Next Time

Stranger Things, Adventurers League, and New Players

Recently, I discovered the joy of the Netflix series, Stranger Things. In addition to being an eighties movie pastiche, Stranger Things is celebration of 80's pop culture, fads, and trends. Among them is a game of particular fondness of this blog, Dungeons & Dragons. While I am not quite old enough to have played the Red Box bought from a toy store, I am old enough to have seen the advertisements. As I lamented previously, I don't recall ever seeing any of those D&D games in stores although I kind of looked...


Trip down memory lane over. Back on topic. Anyway the kid group plays D&D, which winds up playing a major role in Stranger Things. I may quibble about accuracy; but how consistently were the rules played from group to group back in those days. Especially among kids. I mean look at Monopoly. How many people actually read those rules? May not have had the disdain I held against board games for as long as I did if we had... In any case, the Dungeons & Dragons play in Stranger Things does reflect play accurately among kids of that age group. Whatever that age group is as I am not sure how old they actually are...


As an aside, the Upside-Down is a smashingly great idea that WotC should capitalize on. Sure, there's echoes of it here and there but it was never a cornerstone of any D&D game I ever participated in. When the 'Demogorgon' hops from plane to plane is very reminiscent of monsters travelling to and from the Ethereal Plane. Sure, there's the Plane of Shadow but that didn't really become into its own until 4th Edition. The Upside-Down could serve as fodder for really nasty Umbral realm or a post-apocalypse Penumbra in World of Darkness games.


So watching Stranger Things does really inspire me to play D&D. Particularly simpler D&D. Since there isn't any nearby OD&D, B/X, BECMI, or retro clone games occurring in the area, fifth edition is probably as close as I'll get. Wouldn't you know my local FLGCS runs Adventurers League games.


Recently I sat at an Adventurers League table hosted by my FLGCS and other than the adults, such as myself, playing and DMing I'd swear it was like watching the cast of Stranger Things (okay maybe younger...) game! There was same intense passion, excitement, and energy. Tactical combat? We don't need no stinking tactical combat was the mantra. Combat happened. They went full bore. In short, the one encounter adventuring day.


Adventurers League doesn't do the one encounter day. AL doesn't do 'OMG it's Demogorgon!' day. It does three encounters although the final encounter does include a boss like 'Demogorgon', ie Big Bad. Adventurers League is designed for the convention audience in mind. The serious player who wants to be challenged each encounter until final battle when they just have their weapons and cantrips against the Big Bad.


Except unlike the days of the RPGA, AL mods can be run at home or at game stores. Unlike the days of Red Box or pre-4th edition D&D (although 4th wasn't that expensive), I can't imagine young players as young or younger than the Stranger Things group plunking down $150 for the core set to play D&D. So they aren't going to play at home. They will probably play at a store. So instead of gaming among each other they'll be gaming with teens and adults. Participating in D&D play that doesn't necessarily fit their natural 'all spells at once' style.


Don't get me wrong that can be fun for a 2 hour 1 - 4 level mod that doesn't follow the typical mode of tough, tough, very tough with maybe a short rest allowed in between. Otherwise, it falls on the adults to shoulder the way through the mod while ensuring the new, young players have fun. Which is all fun and games until an adult's PC dies. Character death is one thing but no one wants to cycle through characters when they otherwise wouldn't.


Yet there's gold in them hills. Stranger Things does and has inspired a new crop of young players to try a game beloved to many gamers, Dungeons & Dragons. Adventurers League at FLCGS serve as the vehicle to try the hobby that it table-top role-playing. It would be folly not to compose modules suited to those young players play style. If not one 'Demogorgon!' encounter, but a trio of meh, meh, 'Oh, no the 'Demogorgon'! Furthermore, such a style reflects D&D's natural play style. It was only when I started playing organized play game did I encounter the tough, tough, and tough style of module. Gaming sessions wavered from the trivial to the epic. Not only would younger, newer players enjoy that style, more experienced, older players would as well.


I know I would.


So here's a call for some simpler two hour and four hour modules that new, young and older, experienced  players who just want to emulate the D&D we see in Stranger Things courtesy of Adventurers League.


Next Time,


Happy Gaming

So Maybe the 2017- 2018 Television Season Will Be the Charm?

Last fall, I decided I would do something different. I had realized that I couldn't recall enough of a given television episode to blog about afterwards. The 2015 -2016 season had started out relatively strong with quick snippets of a show's episode that week. Then I befall behind, which led me to the conclusion notes were needed. Took notes I did.


Taking notes worked... I covered the Flash's Christmas episode. The Ghost Rider arc for Marvel's Agents of SHIELD received steady coverage from me. I actually did take notes for shows that I didn't blog about. Got to the point when enough episodes for various shows aired that I decided to wait to lump them together.


Yeah, it is mid-July now.


Most if, not all, those shows are available on Netflix now. Not exactly current or tied to the 2016 - 2017 season anymore.


Plus, I would delay watching entire shows.


Once I started watching shows on Hulu I decided that I preferred not taking notes as it removed me from the experience too much.


On the other hand, I do like providing my two cents on specific episodes.


So the notes I took for 2016 - 2017 will vanish into the aether. Once I re-watch a show or catch up I may blog about it. In fact, I may follow my approach with movies and not blog until I've seen it a second time.


I'm sure I'll think of something. Or who knows? Maybe I'll actually follow the format this 2017 - 2018 television series and provide weekly updates.


Next Time.

Geek Culture Sure Relies on the Net Quite a Bit

A blog entry or two I mentioned that I was finally able to watch wrestling again. Why? I didn't have cable; and the internet was subject to data caps. Sure, I could watch a wrestling match now and then. However, my available data would be significantly less. Rationing internet use isn't fun at all. Curiously, the amount of data consumed for what would be considered the simplest things, not talking watching wrestling matches here, would become more and more over the years...


Ah, what does this have to do with geek culture as I ascribe within the title, you may ask? Wrestling fans are geeks of sort as one does not just simply watch one or two hours of wrestling a week. Following geek culture requires quite a bit of data. Just think of how much one streams a week! From trailers to television shows to movies, not to mention video games, the internet is the realm of the geek. Thus to follow geek culture one must use the internet quite a bit. Besides, I frequently said I would explain my absence from wrestling one day. Here it is.


Instead of following wrestling bit by bit on social media, I can watch shows on Hulu, Netflix, or the WWE Network (or insert wrestling promotion). Also don't need to stock up on wrestling DVDs although there are some I'll still pick up.


Speaking of DVDs, remember when one can walk into a brick and mortar store and see aisles brimming with quite a variety? Yeah, not so much now. Nowadays, one is lucky if one can find a show past a certain season! Has Marvel's Agents of SHIELD had more than one season available on DVD? If it has I must have missed it.


You know where I can find seasons of Marvel's Agents of SHIELD? Netflix. While I waited what seems like years, cause it has, for Daredevil Season One to come out on DVD, I can watch both seasons plus all the other Netflix Marvel shows as well. Without hoping for a long, long time that it will soon arrive on DVD. Can also watch the new Voltron, Inspector Gadget, and Danger Mouse as well. So without the internet, reliable, non-rationed high speed internet, one simply does not have access to segments of geek culture.


Sometimes I wait quite a long time before watching a show. Too long. Plus, it's nice if my viewing of show attracts attention similar to a Nielsen family. That's what Hulu is for. Legion is great adaptation inspired by the X-men character Legion. The show does a terrific job reflection the unstable nature of the main character's mental state as each episode shifts in tone from one episode to the next. Although I think there's one character that's more Morrison than Claremont. Furthermore, Legion is very dark compared to all the other comic book based shows on the air in a very sophisticated fashion. Don't have cable so I couldn't have watched it. Plus thanks to Hulu the powers-that-be have another measurement of support. Same goes true for the NBC show Timeless. While I DVR'd Timeless, I fell behind that I eventually gave up and deleted my recordings. However, I was able to watch the show about a time travel show that illustrates how much one act can have profound effect on the timeline. All under the backdrop where the black hats aren't necessarily black hats. Really enjoy. While I may not like how Hulu goes about expiring shows, it does motivate me to watch it. Otherwise, I wouldn't have marathoned Timeless and discovered how much I greatly enjoyed it.


Video games - in the age of DRM do people actually truly own their video game? And it's a complete game? Nope. Heck, PC games are rarer in stores than DVDs! After years, Steam finally stopped working for me. Steam works again now.


The role-playing game industry is almost as bad. As much as I championed 4th edition D&D, WOTC's ill-advised 4th ed version of the OGL, the GSL (?), practically killed any variety of the RPG market in stores. As such, many RPG product are generally available primarily in ebook form. Plus there's software support and gaming via online.


Went from being avid anime watcher to barely watching any anime. Anime is too expensive for me to buy it completely unseen. So once I could watch anime on Hulu once more, I watched the anime Phantasy Star Online 2 The Animation. Yeah, that was another reason I had hankering to play some Phantasy Star when I downloaded Phantasy Star 2 for my phone... Great series. Not my Phantasy Star but it had enough Phantasy Star elements. Kind of wish the game would become available to play here in the States after watching it... Heck, I've even started watching a couple 'new' series that are airing on Hulu, Chronos Ruler and In Another World with My Smartphone. Been a very long time since I last watched an anime series on a weekly basis and not had the option to binge it. Heck, it's nice to watch anime regularly again!


So there you go. My rather long-winded account on how I can now fully experience geek culture (while arguing why the internet is necessary) as my internet experience is no longer constrained.


Next time

Interesting News: March 2017

Back during January, I did an installment of 'interesting news', which was a collection of links I found of interest. Never did do a part two although my Rebirth entry included some of what I would have included. As March comes to close, I figured I'd do a March installment. While much of it will be from March, I may include links to comics, role-playing, games, and wrestling news stories as far back as January. Or until I get tired as I am blogging stream-of-conscious and all...


Classic D&D modules return! - Tales of the Yawning Portal whetting your appetite for classic Dungeons & Dragons modules? The classic modules not enough but want 5E stats as well? Well, if you checked out the link, Goodman and WotC are collaborating to do exactly that in glorious hardcover editions. Really hope these are available at FLGCS everywhere because I want 'em!


Marvel's Generations - Okay, the concept of Marvel's Generations has me intrigued - 10 rookie heroes partnered (somehow) with the hero that inspired them has the potential to be a groundbreaking work. Would be cool if Alex Ross provided the art but don't think that will happen. Don't think any resurrections (Logan, Bruce, Mar-Vell) will occur or last but I may be wrong. As Secret Empire will be raging, I may wait for the trade instead. Although, my attitude toward the series may change by then...


Shutter lens Spidey-eyes! - There will be limited number of emotive shutter lenses for a Spider-Man mask for any cosplay based on the CA: Civil War movie costume! Pretty cool to see them work. Would be cool if more were made in the future.


On the chances of MCU crossovers - Alas, it took the actor of the Falcon to point out explicitly why we haven't seen crossovers between the Marvel television series and films: they are different divisions. Rather sad that none of the heads of both departments could not be a frank with fans. Maybe we'll get an Agents of SHIELD/Inhumans/Defenders crossover someday?


Deadpool 2 Teaser - Did you see the movie Logan? Remember the Deadpool 2 teaser? Thought that it was just for fun and whet one's appetite? Well, you're correct.


100 episodes of The Walking Dead! - When The Walking Dead premiered, I didn't think the show would reach 100 episodes. As I am a couple seasons behind, I didn't know the series will soon reach such a milestone! Like the article writer suggests I bet the next arc is "All Out War!" Would be cool if the show ran another 100 episodes though.


Disney Afternoon 8-bit games return! - I grew up watching the Disney Afternoon block. The NES game DuckTales is one of those games I always wanted to play but never played enough of. As such I eagerly anticipate having the chance to play the DuckTales, Chip 'N' Dale's Rescue Rangers, and Talespin 8-bit games on my PC!


Christian-Angle-Dory Funk Jr-Jeff Hardy - Here's a nice little picture of wrestling history showing Kurt Angle, Christian, and Jeff Hardy being trained by the legendary Dory Funk Jr.


Frank Oz on ABC Muppets Failure - I stopped watching the latest iteration of The Muppets because it felt... off.  The mockumentary format just didn't click for me. In that, I agree with Frank Oz. As for "purity", I had no problem with the adult tones. The muppets weren't very likeable though.


Warpath or Thunderbird on X-men the show? - Well, it seems either John or James Proudstar (aka Thunderbird and Warpath) may be in the upcoming X-men television show. That would be cool although I am concerned about the use of the name 'Sam'. I suppose I would also prefer James (aka Thunderbird II/Warpath) to be the Proudstar in question as I can more easily see him leading such an underground group. Plus think of the eventual comic book tie-ins...


Jean Grey Deleted Scene - There will apparently be a deleted scene in the Logan blu-ray referencing Jean Grey.


Hugh Jackman and Wolverine Mask - Haha! Here's a humorous picture of Hugh Jackman holding a Wolverine mask.


Christopher Daniels Interview - a nice brief interview with the new Ring of Honor World Champion Christopher Daniels. Forgot about his comics collaboration!


Bully Ray on his RoH appearance - I was pleasantly surprised to find out that wrestler Bully Ray appeared in Ring of Honor. Here's the man's words on what he thinks of the RoH product and what he hopes to bring to it. Think he'll bring much to the RoH product


Logan movie influences? - Here's a list of 15 movies that may very well have served as influences for the movie Logan.


Till next time.

Riverdale Won Me Over and Powerless is Okay

Caught the first couple episodes of Riverdale (Chapter One: The Rivers Edge and Chapter Two: A Touch of Evil) as well as the premiere of Powerless (Wayne or Loss). Not going to provide any spoilers just some quick thoughts.


Riverdale - Recall dreading hearing about some of the changes as well as the format (classic CW drama-isms). Then I mellowed out when I heard it would be more like Twin Peaks. Having seen the first couple episodes, I'd say it's a cross between shows such as Beverly Hills, 90210 (had to thrown that it in since Luke Perry is in the show. Kind of weird seeing him as the "responsible, sage adult") and Twin Peaks with a dash of Mark Waid's revamp thrown in. The show is faithful to the Archie characters while presenting them as realistic and modern as possible. Now, the show is much darker than the Waid revamp; but it's not quite Twin Peaks dark. While Riverdale is quirky, the locale and characters are small town quirky and not full-on David Lynch, Twin Peaks quirky. The murder mystery should be interesting. So far I've got four suspects although one is probably a red herring (pardon the pun). Overall, after two episodes, I've been made a fan.


Powerless - Love the opening credit sequence. Probably the closest we'll ever get to four-color, full of optimism, DC Universe on any screen. Think I heard Adam West's voice... While the superhero and super-villain scenes came across as incredibly corny, in part by the CGI, four-color super-heroics is rather corny on screen. Kind of why the Marvel heroes look the way they do. Speaking Marvel, or Marvel's Agents of SHIELD to be precise, remember the anticipation of the appearance of the big guns? Recall your disappointment when they didn't show? Other than the credit sequence, they're probably not going to appear. What is going to appear is nods, one-liners, quick references,  and D-or lower characters. So that DC hero or villain that you can't imagine ever appearing in the movies or Arrowverse? This might be the place. As for characters/actors, I liked Tudyk's and Hudgens acting. If anything, both carried the show (as by design probably). I'm probably going to continue to watch Powerless for Tudyk, the occasional nod to DC lore, and it's a nice lead in to Riverdale.


Till next time.

My Thoughts on Comic Book and Misc News of January 2017 Part One

My look at how quickly time flies. Was the beginning of the month since I last blogged. Plus I never did write my final installment of my 12ish Days of Blogging! As usual, life and burnout happens. After a couple days past the sixth, I decided my official final chapter just wasn't to be. Fret not the promised review is still forthcoming. In the meantime, I decided to get back in the swing of things with commentary on various news tidbits in the world of comic books and maybe some genre and RPG stuff too.


Sworn into office holding Captain America's shield - An elected official sworn into office holding Captain America's shield! Very, very cool. Politics can be quite heavy so some levity is always nice one in awhile.


Actual X-Men in upcoming X-Men Show - If there was one disappointing strike against Marvel's Agents of SHIELD show was that appearances from the characters that appeared in the movies turned out be much, much rarer than many expected. So kudos to those behind the upcoming X-men television series from FOX announcing actual X-Men will appear in the show. They're just coy about whom. Okay, fine. As long as the show doesn't wait until Episode 6 for Maggot to appear...


Avengers Project - Upcoming Marvel games courtesy of Square Ennix? Cool. I'd comment more but I, er, couldn't get the video to load...


Did Princess Leia's mission change? - Must confess I was too busy fan-boying at Leia's appearance in Rogue One to be bothered by the inconsistency in her mission. Here's the reason for the change or if you want to take the long path the novelization explains as well.


Uh, oh Game of Thrones cast getting into trouble - While filming for seventh season of Game of Thrones, the cast and crew got into trouble for not having any off-road permits for filming in Iceland. Who says there isn't bureaucracy north of the Wall?


MET: Werewolf Errata - By Night Studios released a shiny version of Werewolf for Live-Action Role-play. As is the case in the gaming industry nowadays, here's the errata. Did pick up a copy of the ebook recently so I'll comment more on that and the recent errata once I get around to writing a review...


Starlin has earned more in royalties for KGBeast?! - Recently, comics creator Jim Starlin, creator of Thanos, Drax, and Gamora, announced he's earned more on royalties from KGBeast than his Marvel creations. Say what?! KGBeast was in Batman vs Superman?! Guess, it was a minor appearance in his civilian identity. Don't recall it being a big part so that says much about how much in royalties Marvel pays creators from its films. Maybe they'll cut Starlin a bigger check seeing how several upcoming movies (GotG 2 and the two Avengers Infinity War films) owe a huge debt to him...


More GoT cast pics - More Game of Thrones cast pics along with cast sightings while filming in Iceland. Awesome.




Well, eight links/news stories is enough for one installment. Since January isn't over yet, there'll be a Part Two. January 2017 Part Two will include my commentary on DC's pricing changes for Rebirth. That may or may not be lengthy and veer and the ranting side. Time and my mood will tell.


Till next time.

12ish Days of Blogging: A Very Flash Christmas and the End of the Ghost Rider Arc

On the eleventh day of my 12ish Days of Blogging I give to thee: the winter finales of both the Flash and Marvel's Agents of SHIELD.  Both episodes debuted the same week as two other comics-related television show, Arrow and DC's Legends of Tomorrow. Highlights for those will come in a future post. While I have been watching the Flash, I haven't really done much in the way of write-up for it as I have Agents of SHIELD. As such, there are revelations that are still mysteries in earlier episodes. As such, when I blog about them don't be surprised at my 'ignorance'. I just couldn't pass up the chance to blog about an actual Flash Christmas Episode! Meanwhile, Agents of SHIELD ends the Ghost Rider Arc. Since the new arc starts Tuesday, no better time than now!


As always SPOILERS




Flash Winter Finale "The Present"

• Ooh, Julian was actually an archaeologist! Talk about Indiana Jones vibe!
• H.R. has the Christmas spirit alright!
• Philosopher's stone - ancient hindu talisman that could create metas written by an Albert Desmond aka Julian.
• John Wesley Shipp Flash, okay Jay Garrick vs Mark Hamill Trickster. As a fan of the old CBS Flash show I approve!
• Savitar - first speedster. Sends a messenger to prepare - Alchemy
• HR secretly training Wally while wearing santa hat. Faster than Barry at that corresponding point in training. Meanwhile, Cisco is seeing Dante. Love the Garrick speech to Barry about spending the holiday with his loved ones
• Garrick vs Savitar and Barry vs Alchemy!
• Barry learns Alchemy's secret ID.
• Cisco is visited by Dante's "ghost" while Barry and Wally fight Savitar. Very cool.
• We learn Savitar is poltergeist of sorts who manifests through Alchemy. Alchemy is Savitar.
• Future Barry trapped Savitar. So Savitar from future - provides prophecy.
• Both Flashes join forces to hurl Savitar box into the Speed Force!
• Barry propelled to the future! Jay brings him back but not before Barry witnesses Iris's death. Wonder if it actually Iris...
• Another Jay speech about living one's life!
• Gang has a Christmas celebration together. Very Christmas-y segment. Enough to cement this episode's designation as the Flash's Christmas Episode.

Absolutely loved this episode. Hope their are future Christmas episodes in either the Flash's future or the other CW-DC television shows. Excellent way to end the Fall season too.




Marvel's Agents of SHIELD Winter Finale "The Laws of Inferno Dynamics"

• Coughing up diamonds, 'Aida is an android.' 'Sur, I was attracted to her but this goes against the Sokovia Accords. Does anyone remember Ultron?' May and Coulson having a romantic moment? 'Eli, you want to play with fire, let's play.'
• 'Eli is working his way through the periodic table from carbon to cesium.' Robbie speared by a shaft of carbon! 'Eli has worked his way to plutonium.'
• 'Between the radioactive plutonium and quantum energy fields bombarding you and the carbon spike, a normal person would be dead ten times over. But I guess you are not normal.' Double-spiked! 'In case you haven't noticed Phil, we're not a team that trusts. We are not a team at all.' 'Turns out you're not a god. You're just a petty thief.'
• Stealing energy from other dimension creates seismic rifts. Phil using a chain to pull Ghost Rider out but GR drops the chain to penance stare Eli as device sucks both to other dimension. Aida suffers pain... After absorbing seismic tremors, Quake propels herself into the air when she is discovered by the press. Fortunately, Mace does the PR thing saying she was an undercover agent.
• Phil says previous Ghost rider came back... Mac and Yo-yo finally kiss. Mace says all LMD work will occur on SHIELD property. PR guy discovers something when Aida kills him. Knew something was going to happen.
• Turns out is a beaten up Agent May! So the May that shares a bottle of wine with Phil is an LMD...

I was pleased with this episode. Understand they had to do something with Ghost Rider. Wished the Darkhold remained the mystical tome it is in the comics but there's still the rest of the season. Actually kind of wished the final had more mystical elements instead of the implied techno-magical elements present elsewhere in the MCU. Looking forward to the LMD arc. So does this mean Nick Fury will appear?


Till my 12th installment!

12ish Days of Blogging: Some Yuletide Links I Found of Interest

Since today marks day one of the traditional Twelve Days of Christmas and the march toward year's end, I've decided to do a series of twelve-ish blog posts. Alright, I mean blog twelve days in a row but give or take a couple days. Originally, I planned on Christmas/Holiday content appearing before and including on Christmas itself but the holiday happened. So expect plenty of Christmas-oriented stuff during twelve days of blogging. On the other hand, there may be several entries that aren't Christmas-oriented at all. My review of the Halloween Disney comic and commentary on New Year's Resolutions are among what I want to squeeze in before we're well into 2017.


So to start the 12ish Days of Blogging, I begin light by sharing several seasonal links that I found of interest. Some additional Christmas/Holiday/Yule like content that you may find of interest.


Ostrander on the Doctor Who Christmas Specials - Comics writer John Ostrander, Suicide Squad creator, provides a pretty nice overview of the Doctor Who Christmas Specials on ComicMix. My mileage on his opinions on each of the specials varies although there's some I haven't seen. Didn't realize until Ostrander pointed it out but, yeah, the Tenth Doctor, David Tennant, began and ended his time as the Doctor on Christmas. Rather neat coincidence.


CBR Superman Advent Calender - Leading up to Christmas, as part of Advent, Comic Book Resources had a daily countdown of Superman Christmas Stories and stories that contained elements no matter how minor of Christmas-theme. The screenshots are quite readable so much of each individual story can be read. Well, the nuts and bolts anyway. Some excellent Superman Christmas material here. Heck, I'm only two-thirds through!


Six Christmas Graphic Novels - Want to read some Christmas graphic novels that you can be certain you order from your local comics shop? Well, Diamond Comics Distributors have you covered with this list of six. I'm pretty confident if Diamond is listing these titles they have them in their warehouse. One of the six, Klaus, I hope to include during my 12ish Days of Blogging.


A History of Jingle Bells, Batman Smells - Here's an excellent essay on the origins and evolution of classic children's folksong Jingle Bells, Batman Smells. Seems to date back to the classic Adam West Batman sixties television show. Did you know there once was a line referencing Commissioner Gordon? I certainly wasn't aware of just how many variants there were of the classic children's folksong. Very interesting read.


Till Next Time!

Cody Rhodes as Black Bolt?!

November comes to a close. What better way to mark the occasion than a possibility for the role of Black Bolt. Oh and to write this post via smartphone! 

So whose the latest possibility for the role of Black Bolt according to the interwebs? Why, wrestler Cody Rhodes!

Say what?! You may ask. Well, Marvel hasn't said a thing but apparently Cody is a big and would love to play him in the upcoming eight episode (?!) first season. Sorry, no links. I , er, don't know how to include links on Blogger via smartphone...

Honestly, I think the former Stardust could do a decent job. His recent appearance on Arrow wasn't half bad. Heck, I would love it if he reprised the character later on. Cody has the charisma and build to pull off the role of Black Bolt. Years of wrestling experience required conveying oneself nonverbally. Something that's a must playing the king of the Inhumans. The only catch is would his television spark translate to the Big Screen? Sure, Cody dazzles on the silver screen but could he do so in cinemas worldwide as the Inhumans film has not been scrapped? 

I don't know the answer to that. Cody left the WWE because of glass ceilings. So he hasn't demonstrated if he can shine up at the top. So while I think Cody could do a stellar job as young Black Bolt on the television, how well he can carry a movie as the silent regal monarch eludes me. 

Then again, if such non A-lists stars such as Robert Downey Jr and Chris Pratt can not only carry a Marvel movie while becoming A-list, Cody has a good shot at the role as anyone else. Certainly not deserving of a Michael Keaton-like reaction. Last I recall that Batman wasn't considered a dud

As for my first experience blogging via smartphone? It was... an experience. Not bad. I kept it very simple. More familiarity is a must! Needless to say, I prefer blogging using my PC in the meantime.

Till next time whether it be by phone or PC.

Agents of SHIELD "Deals with Our Devils" Highlights

Gosh, time sure flies! Seems like just yesterday I began the month of November with Halloween-related posts followed up by a celebration of D&D's induction into a toy hall of fame. Now, November ends tomorrow. Quite fitting then on this penultimate evening, my (hope to squeeze one more post in tomorrow) penultimate November post be about highlight post about the latest episode of Marvel's Agents of SHIELD. After all, I did begin the month commenting on the episode that revealed Ghost Rider's origins. Timing is quite impeccable to. The very night of!


Well, here goes. For the curious, each bullet point represents segments between commercial breaks.




I apologize. While writing my Halloween-related posts I goofed and bumped AoS up a season. Probably got confused by my marathon viewing of the fifth season of the Walking Dead. It is actually in its fourth season.




Spoilers










EP 4 - 7 Deals with Our Devils

• Eli creating four separate spear shafts of carbon, killing four agents, and then creating a wall of carbon did an excellent job demonstrating the power Eli now wields. Director Mace agrees with Daisy? What is he up to? The Senator's brother has been locked into the cocoon phase of terragenesis for 7 months! Yep, that's where Simmons is. Meanwhile, Mac goes rogue and rides off on a motorcycle.
• 'Do we look that silly when we are on the comms?' Phil, Fitz, and Robbie have apparently been knocked out of phase into another dimension. They are much further within the other dimension than the ghosts were! Guess, Mace isn't doing a run around by referencing Simmons... although he is trying to save face. 'May, Mac is Ghost Rider now. But you can't hear us.' 'Don't let your brother know...' 'Too late. Sorry, Coulson but if I am to have my vengeance on Eli...'
• Hey Radcliffe turned down reading the Darkhold! Quite a shocker actually... Apparently, the final stage of terragenesis required was a but a touch as Simmons touches the cocoon. Got a hoot out of that. Aida using the Darkhold. Yeah, don't think this will end well... Daisy discovers Mac is now Ghost Rider!
• Ah, Robbie and his car do have a connection! For the first time, Robbie and Ghost Rider have a nice face-to-face conversation. Ah. Aida builds a Darkhold dimensional portal of which only Fitz and Coulson can see the progress. Phil begins to be sucked into the other dimension!
• Finally, Simmons helps the Senator's brother complete the process and begin emerging from cocoon, while saying Gemma's name. She's removed before the process is completed. Aida's portal brings Fitz and Phil back. Robbie makes a new deal with Ghost Rider, which is more favorable to GR, which pulls it out of Mac. Later on, Mac waits for Robbie to emerge from the portal. He agrees to help Robbie-GR exact vengeance on Eli.
• Aida is Darkhold creating a human brain. This can't be good.

Another excellent episode! A strong fall season indeed.


Till next time.

Halloween '16: MAoS Ghost Rider's Origin and Life Imitates Art

All Souls' Day marks my final official Halloween '16 blog post. As its All Souls' Day and the end of Mexican celebration of the Day of the Dead what better topics than origin Marvel's Agents of SHIELD's Ghost Rider and how a James Bond movie influenced the custom of the Day of the Dead?


Note: I had wanted to squeeze in some more comic book reviews of the comics I picked up Monday as well as Disney's Giant Halloween Hex #1. Alas, that wasn't meant to be as I wasn't quite in the right frame of mind for comic book reading and Giant Halloween Hex is a massive comic! Just flipping through the pages I can definitely tell that I will get my money's worth when I finally read it. So next Halloween?


While I am familiar with the Mexican celebration of the Day of the Dead, which spans from October 31st to November 2nd, I didn't know there is no Mardi Gras-like parade. Those who've seen the most recent James Bond movie, heck if you've seen the trailers, then you've seen the gigantic parade that 007 navigates through during the opening segment of Spectre. So yeah, cultural literacy fail on my part believing that such a spectacle was a normal practice. However, turns out the tourism authorities felt that they were missing out and such a parade was something they should have. So this very year, 2016, marks the very first, Spectre-like, Day of the Dead parade. Talk about life imitating art! As longtime James Bond fan that's simply amazing. You can check out some photos and read more about this amazing, if controversial, development on a Mexican Halloween-ish tradition HERE.




Now for the highlights from the episode that provides the origin for Marvel's Agents of SHIELD Robbie Reyes Ghost Rider:






Spoilers




S5-6 The Good Samaritan

• Show opens with a flashback during which the reactor (really a quantum matter device) creates a piece of carbon out of nothing! During celebrations a tipsy Lucy accidentally mentions a book to Eli. Modern day: Eli says the experiment was a failure as there wasn't enough power. Lucy responds that plenty of power is available at the new site. Eli voices concern that many lives could be at stake.
• Director sends Simmons, blind-folded, on a mission. No one can reach her throughout the episode.
• Gabe is led to believe Robbie is a secret agent...
• Director tell Coulson to prepare to be boarded as he plans to take Quake and Ghost Rider into custody.
• Fitz figures out that the device requires a massive amount of power.
• Han Solo and Admiral Ackbar references!
• Gabe is no slouch. He quickly realizes that the secret agent part is nonsense.
• Origin story time: Robbie was car racing with Uncle Eli's car when he allows Gabe to come along. The car is the same as the Ghost Rider car. They both discuss Uncle Eli not acting like himself, when all of a sudden a Molotov cocktail is thrown onto the hood! A car chase ensues when another car forces Robbie to do a rollover. Gabe's version of events was that while he was paralyzed he knew Robbie was okay when a good Samaritan came along and pulled him out and tended to Robbie. Robbie corrects him. Says that he blamed himself for the mess and that as he was thrown from the car he called out to anyone that he would do anything for his brother to be safe. Then he died. Yep, died. Yeah, pretty sure we can tell a Faustian bargain is coming...
• Origin continued: A classic deal with unsavory forces commences when a voice ask Robbie if he'll do anything to exact to vengeance. Robbie says yes. Then he sees classic Ghost Rider ride up to him on a motorcycle! Er, don't know if this is the demon or Johnny Blaze... Power is granted to him and Robbie becomes the Spirit of Vengeance!
• Director Mace figures out the containment unit is hidden.
• Ghost Rider busts out of the containment unit!
• At first there's a tussle, but Ghost Rider overcomes Director Mace beating him senselessly until Gabe stops him. I admit I marked out.
• Fitz deduces that the only place that could provide enough power was an old Isodyne facility. References to Peggy Carter, SSR, and the Darkforce from season two of Agent Carter!
• 'Must of predated the internet. How'd you ever get things done before then?'
• Flashback: Lucy talks about the book making them like gods while Eli mentions that he knew that attack was meant for him hired by Lucy's husband.
• Lucy - Robbie confrontation which ends rather badly for Ghost Lucy.
• However, before dying we learn that it was Eli that trapped the ghosts inside the chests! That he wanted the Darkhold for the power it could grant him. He actually beat Joseph in order to attain the book.
• May retrieves the Darkhold.
• Meanwhile, the power can't be turned. So while Mac is retrieving one of the perpetual EMP devices that the Watch Dogs used, Phil starts pulling tubing as Eli uses the Quantum Matter Device.
• There's a big wave. Eli emerges able to create a piece of carbon out of nothing!

Have to say the Ghost Rider origin didn't disappoint and for an episode that aired during the Halloween-All Saints' Day-All Souls' Day trifecta it didn't disappoint in terms of supernatural thrills and deals with the devil.  Plus in true Whedon-esque fashion, the Big Bad of the Ghost Rider arc is revealed after a classic betrayal! All in all, a fantastic episode!


With that is my All Souls' Day post and my last Halloween entry until next year. Although I may review Disney's Giant Halloween Hex #1 before next Halloween it'll be just a normal review.


Till next time.