It Came From The Archives: “Thunderbolts*: Bleak But Amazing”
Thunderbolts* is a movie I don’t think about anymore, but every time I’m reminded of it, (like when I’m looking for something to pull out of the Archives) I remember how much I liked it.
Tagged: Marvel
The Top 10 Best Marvel Super Heroes Cards
Initially, while making this list for Marvel Super Heroes, I was worried. The monocolored cards were rough pickings for top ten options. Lots of characters I like, but all but a few cards were unimpressive for Standard play. When I went over it all, I only had half a list. But with the multicolored cards, the list rounded itself out easily.
Wonder Man: Excellently Acted
Never have I cringed so hard at the first moments (after a flashback) of a great show than Wonder Man. Though it establishes Simon as our main character effectively, it’s mostly focusing on his flaws, and they are brutal flaws for someone in his life circumstances. I wanted him to please, please just read the room and understand how bad a decision he’s making. I know enough about the world of movies and television to see how he was causing everyone else’s issues.
The Fantastic 4: First Steps Is A Pleasant Surprise
The Fantastic 4: First Steps is a weird movie for anyone who isn’t already knowledgeable of the MCU. The creators just assume you know how this franchise’s alternative universes work, for one thing. And while I can appreciate not bothering with another origin story plotline, explaining how the four of them got their powers with a quick montage is also a strange choice.
Thunderbolts*: Bleak But Amazing
Thunderbolts* (or, The New Avengers) is what you remember Marvel movies and shows being, back when it was a pretty sure thing that any given movie was going to be good, if not excellent. Somehow, the rhythms and plot progression that have now become standard work here. The comedy is funny. The action scenes are cool. The collection of very barebones characters doesn’t make the story flat or uninteresting.
Ironheart Episodic Coverage: “The Past Is the Past”
“The Past is The Past” is both an ending I’d want from a show, and way off from what I expected for this show specifically. Or any Marvel show, really.
Ironheart Episodic Coverage: “Karma’s a Glitch”
“Karma’s a Glitch” has the pacing and progression of a movie, and I loved that about it. The series has been building up for so long that just having a bunch of classic superhero moments chained together was deeply satisfying.
Ironheart Episodic Coverage: “Bad Magic”
I was so concerned during the first half of “Bad Magic.” Nothing seemed to be happening. Riri was sitting in her trauma, and getting increasingly paranoid, but I was genuinely worried that nothing would push the plot forward until the next episode.
Ironheart Episodic Coverage: “We in Danger, Girl”
“We in Danger, Girl,” could best be described as the consequences episode. Many, many plotlines set up over the last two episodes are all collapsing in. Basically, nothing is going right for the characters—and it was the perfect choice for this show.
Daredevil: Born Again Episodic Coverage: “Straight to Hell”
“Straight to Hell” is exactly the kind of finale I would want from this show if I had speculated one from the beginning. All the pieces of the puzzle slam together in a violent, intense, dramatic crescendo. And—amazingly—without absolutely ruining the storyline’s gravitas by wrapping things up too fast or forcing everything back into the status quo. I’ll say it again in the final paragraph, but this is quite the way to get people hyped for the next season. I am hyped for the next season. I cannot imagine how they’ll continue this storyline—or what it might do to the broader MCU canon.
Ironheart Episodic Coverage: “Will the Real Natalie Please Stand Up?”
“Will the Real Natalie Please Stand Up?” is a terrible continuation of Ironheart. It has a lot of fun moments. It highlights both the fun science fiction concepts it’s playing with—and, to a lesser extent, magical concepts—while giving us an action-packed, CGI-packed heist scene. But it also, jarringly, has the same “convenience” factor to its narrative that plagued “Bring Me Home,” but to a much, much, much worse degree.
Ironheart Episodic Coverage: “Take Me Home”
Ironheart’s first episode, “Take Me Home,” is one of the best opening Marvel episodes I can recall in terms of engagement. You get basically everything you need to attach to the story and get excited to see where it goes. Unlike Daredevil: Born Again, the plot is starting right away, no slightly non-sequitur hook required. There’s superhero-type stuff happening from the jump.
“So many people get shived!” – Merril
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