On Learning the Marvel Method

marvel-comic-logoLast summer I got an email from a friend who works in the video game field. She wanted to know if I’d be interested in talking to her boss about writing something. I said “sure,” and then this crazy adventure began.

Now, to be fair, this wasn’t the first time she’d contacted me about something like this nor the first time I’d said yes. The last time it happened we tried to make it work and, for a variety of reasons, it didn’t. No hard feelings, just wasn’t a good fit. Still, it was nice to be thought of again. So I sent her boss an email with all my bona fides and awaited his reply. Continue reading “On Learning the Marvel Method”

Is There a Perfect Order to Watch the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) Movies?

Well… there might be?

Or there might not.

The truth of the matter is that with Avengers Endgame showing up in less than a month, an event which is the culmination of 11 years and 21 feature films, a lot of people, including me, are trying to catch up and reinvesitigate everything leading up to this momentous occasion. All of which led me to wonder what is the best way to deal with the rewatch (not to mention that at some point in the future, I’ll be doing it all over again with Monki, I hope) Continue reading “Is There a Perfect Order to Watch the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) Movies?”

Disneyland Shanghai – March 22

thumb_IMG_9763_1024Aside from the shows, though, Shanghai was a fun city, even though we didn’t really get the chance to see a lot of it. On Thursday, with one show under our belts, Zack and I headed out early in the morning to go to Disneyland Shanghai. To be perfectly honest, this was the one thing I was really looking forward to. Knowing we were going to have a heavy schedule, I was hoping to get at least a few hours to explore this version of the Happiest Place on Earth. I had already asked Zack if wanted to go with me and we invited Anton (our sound guy) to also come along, but he had “studying” to do (which is like kryptonite for teachers – can’t argue him out of it). Continue reading “Disneyland Shanghai – March 22”

Short reviews

The Hunchback of Notre-DameThe Hunchback of Notre-Dame by Victor Hugo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Interestingly, I’d never actually read this book. I knew the story, of course. Everyone knows the story. The story is about Quasimodo, the hunchbacked bell ringer at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, and how Esmerelda, the young gypsy, is the only person who is nice to him and so he falls in love with her. And while that is what it’s about, it’s also about so much more… And so much less.
Continue reading “Short reviews”

Review: Avengers: Age of Ultron

avengers-age-of-ultronAvengers: Age of Ultron, as far as I’m concerned, works. Now, to be fair, I’m a fanboy. I’m predisposed to like it and be far more forgiving than others who don’t know Marvel from marvel. This doesn’t mean I can’t find fault with certain elements (I do) but it does mean I’m more willing to give it a bit of lead. I’m also not so tied to the source material that I’m going to freak out becuase something happened on screen differently than the way it happend in issue #183 of the comic. Intention and execution count for a lot with me, as do target audiences and the desire of the writer/director (not to mention the studio) to please as many people as possible. Continue reading “Review: Avengers: Age of Ultron”

2015/1981 Marvel Desktop Wallpaper Calendar | Andertoons Cartoon Blog

This is incredibly cool! Due to the cyclical nature of, you know, the laws of the physical universe, there are only a handful of different variations on the annual calendar. It so happens that this year, 2015, matches up perfectly with 1981. 1981 when Marvel comics put out an absolutely brilliant calendar featuring all their heavy hitters.

Artist Mark Anderson decided to scan the pages for his own calendar this year. Then he generously made the scans available to others (Thank you!!). Anyone want to go in on a piece for your own wall?

2015/1981 Marvel Desktop Wallpaper Calendar | Andertoons Cartoon Blog.