Open Thread: Avengers Age of Ultron

We've probably all seen Age of Ultron at this point. You've probably all moved onto Mad Max (which looks and sounds amazing) and Tomorrowland (which looks amazing but sounds disappointing) by now, but I haven't, ergo this post! I saw it last weekend and I've been thinking about it a lot since. I'd like to read people's thoughts on the latest entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It's a pretty solid popcorn movie but I also think it will prove to be one of the better and often argued over entries in the current Marvel canon. Below are some starting points on the film and MCU in general.

Spoilers for all Marvel films up to now can be expected in the comments! Please, if you've seen any of the leaked set pics from the new Captain America, keep it under wraps for now. I've been trying to avoid them for the most part, although sometimes a rare small pic will slip under the radar.

• The trailer for Ant Man
• SPADER!ULTRON: Y/Y?
• The seemingly controversial Nat/Bruce relationship
• Bruce and Tony: are they wholly responsible for Ultron's behavior?
• Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch!
• Hawkeye's surprising back story, so surprising almost none of the Avengers knew about it.
• Could this be the most religiously loaded Marvel film to date?
• How do the events of this film shape the MCU and how SHIELD/the Avengers operate?
• Tony's special big shiny suit - yeah, that one
• Thor in the bath scene, also known as "why is this happening? am I on drugs right now?"
• Anyone else disappointed the GOTG didn't make a cameo?
• DAT MID-CREDITS SCENE

Eisner Noms for 2015 Yield Nods To Manga Field

The 2015 Eisner Awards Nominations have recently come out - and hey, it looks like manga is once again getting some recognition! A full list of the nominations can be found at the Comic Con website, but the most important category of nominations for manga fans can be found below:

Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia

All You Need Is Kill, by Hiroshi Sakurazaka, Ryosuke Takeuchi, Takeshi Obata & yoshitoshi ABe (VIZ)
In Clothes Called Fat, by Moyoco Anno (Vertical)
Master Keaton, vol 1, by Naoki Urasawa, Hokusei Katsushika, & Takashi Nagasaki (VIZ)
One-Punch Man, by One & Yusuke Murata (VIZ)
Showa 1939–1944 and Showa 1944–1953: A History of Japan, by Shigeru Mizuki (Drawn & Quarterly)
Wolf Children: Ame & Yuki, by Mamoru Hosada & Yu (Yen Press)

I'm torn between the Moyoco Anno and the Sakurazawa/Takeuchi/Obata/ABe titles, to be honest. And then there's Master Keaton! And a Shigeru Mizuki title, from a publisher not as well known for manga as the others, which is pretty awesome. I don't think there's a dull title in the bunch.

Looking at the other titles, briefly, I see that the new Ms Marvel (Kamala Khan) got some nods too. Awesome! I've only read the first trade paperback but I adore Kamala and her series. I'm kinda frumpy over MIND MGMT not getting any nominations, but I'm hoping it has gotten some recognition through the Eisners before? I don't see how it couldn't.

Some other favorites of mine getting noms through Eisner this year: Matt Fraction's Hawkeye, Lumberjanes by Stevenson et al, Seconds by O'Malley (YOU GOTTA READ SECONDS RIGHT NOW, SCOTT PILGRIM FANS), Noto's Black Widow (which will win best cover artist if there is any justice in the universe).

I don't read as many U.S. comics as I do manga so what titles in this list should I be looking at?

Captain Sikh America Fights Bigotry With Cosplay

Thanks to Colorlines for the video link: Watch Captain Sikh America in 'Red, White, and Beard'. If you recognize Vishavjit Singh, the man behind the Captain Sikh America costume, it's because he's gained popularity in the past year. He's been interviewed, featured in a Facebook advert, and now has a short online film centered around him and his project of fighting intolerance in America. You can even follow him on Twitter!

The full Red, White and Beard film can be found below:

Singh is a ridiculously talented, brave individual. I hope his costumed approach wins even more hearts and exposes more of America's issues in 2015. Plus, his costume is seriously cool looking. Are we sure that isn't really Cap's shield he's wielding? He handles it like a pro. I'm pretty sure that if we handed Singh the handle to Mjolnir, he would be able to swing it around like a whiffle bat.

Open Thread: Guardians of the Galaxy

It seems like recently the only movies I bother to see in theaters are Marvel films. Case in point! I got to see Guardians of the Galaxy this weekend, specifically Sunday morning in a packed theater room, which should prove that Marvel films still have the power to fill seats no matter what time it is.

It's the oddest film so far in MCU's Phase Two: it doesn't have any clear connection to any of the other films outside of the Collector, who was in the after-credits scene for an earlier Marvel film. Plus, there are a lot of comic continuity heavy references - not too many to confuse newbies, but it definitely keeps comic books readers in a good mood.

It wasn't the greatest Marvel film to date - I thought Karen Gillan's turn as a super-villain was wasted, I wanted more Gamora, and my mom wants to know who Star Lord's dad is (I know but ssssshhh comics) - but it was loud, colorful, fast-paced, and fun to watch. I described it to my sister as Marvel meets Space Dandy with a better soundtrack, and I stand by that comparison.

And yes, you must stay until the end of the credits. You don't want to miss the Easter egg Marvel stuck on this one! And, of course, keep an eye out for an in-film cameo from Stan Lee, but that's to be expected at this point.

So if you're not yet totally talked out about GOTG, drop your feelings in the comment section! And I hope you're not, because didn't it just come out this week? Personally, if GOTG follows the most recent comics, I can't wait to see them hanging out in space with Tony Stark.

Open Thread: The Winter Soldier Has Arrived

Spoilers! Spoilers! Spoilers everywhere! If you haven't seen the latest Marvel film, turn away now!

I can't even write a coherent post. The Winter Soldier was over two hours of everything that makes a great Marvel Cinematic Universe film! If you love Captain America, you will love this film. I already know people who have seen it multiple times - and it only opened in the States this Friday!

Let's talk about Captain America and the Winter Soldier, the Falcon and Black Widow, Nick Fury and Maria Hill, and everyone else. Let's talk SHIELD and other factions, let's talk secret bases and talking computers, let's talk best friends and new friends and girls that Steve should totally ask out on a date one of these days. Let's talk about that Stan Lee cameo - and if you love Community, let's talk about that Danny Pudi cameo! And if you watch Agents of SHIELD, let's talk about how this changes everything on that show.

And don't forget about the mid-credits and post-credits extra scenes! Never leave a Marvel movie until after the end of the credits! It's not a throwaway gag scene like at the end of Iron Man 3, I promise!

Open Thread: Thor 2

Spoilers for the Marvel Cinematic Universe series in the comment section, probably!

I saw Thor 2: The Dark World this morning and if this is how Phase 2 is going to be rolling out, with this and Iron Man 3 to start, than Phase 2 might end up being stronger in storytelling and character development than MCU's Phase 1. I also love the look of Asgard in this latest film, especially the Rainbow Bridge which seems less shiny and more plausible, if that makes sense.

So let's talk about all the great things that made Thor: The Dark World a blockbuster film!

• Heimdall, who was awesome!
• Sif and her Warriors Three, who were also awesome!
• Thor, who stood up for his girlfriend and has clearly developed since The Avengers!
• How amazingly funny this movie is, given some of the plot twists and that the war between Asgard and the Elves isn't exactly bloodless.
• JANE FOSTER AND THE POWER OF SCIENCE. Also, lovable Darcy and Dr Selvig, who is lovable in an entirely different way. Can we have Jane/Darcy/Selvig spin-off?
• The Dark Elves, which were actually interesting villains - and the main Elves were played by the Ninth Doctor from Doctor Who and Mr Eko from LOST, making them that much cooler. Although I can only imagine what a pain it is to sit for all that make-up every day.
• L O K I
• Stan Lee cameo!
• And yes, stick around for after the credits - both times!

News Round-Up: San Diego Comic Con Edition

For those who couldn't make SDCC 2013, here's a good idea of some of what went down and what you may have missed.

• Anime News Network did extensive coverage of SDCC from the otaku point of view, including panels by Kodansha Comics and Udon Entertainment and the fan-driven panel Best and Worst Manga 2013.
• Tom Hiddleston brought the house down at the Marvel panel, in authentic Loki gear no less. Also at the Marvel panel: news on the sequels for both Captain America and the Avengers (Age of Ultron!). Marvel has more info about SDCC at their website.
• Doctor Who: The trailer for the 50th anniversary special was revealed, and while actual video of it hasn't been released yet, the transcript alone is a bombshell enough. Spoilers, sweetie!
• Meanwhile, at The Black Panel, creators, artists, and actors of color discussed their work and bringing the truth about their experiences. And yes, there's video of it!
• In other comic news, yes, there is going to be a Superman/Batman film in 2015. I might actually watch it if they called it "World's Finest".
• Naturally, SDCC 2013 brought the best of cosplayers out in full force. So many great costumes, so little time! Do I spy an Attack On Titan character?

Open Thread: Iron Man 3

Spoiler warning: Post and comment section will have spoilers for the new Iron Man film.

Yesterday morning, I saw the latest in the Marvel Cinematic Universe: Iron Man 3, the first true blockbuster film of 2013. And I have so many thoughts! Most of them are about Tony Stark, genius billionaire playboy philanthropist, but also include Pepper and Rhodes and a surprise throwback to the first film in the first three minutes of the film. Problem is, I can't possibly collect them all into a coherent post right now.

So let's have an open thread on the latest Iron Man film! Let's talk about what you enjoyed and did not enjoy. Feel free to come at it as a fan of the films or a fan of the comics or both! Below are some aspects of Iron Man 3 worth discussing:

- The multiple Iron Man suits
- Tony Stark's anxiety issues from the events of The Avengers
- Pepper Potts!
- The Mandarin as villain/terrorism in the MCU
- The after credits tag!

Also, point out the Stan Lee cameo!

Awesome Piece Of 'The Avengers' News Of The Day

I can't believe that Marvel isn't intentionally leaking these clips, I just can't. Anyway, in anticipation of the upcoming DVD/Blu-Ray release of not only the Avengers but also the impressive looking Avengers Assembled 10-disc box set (with sweet Tesseract action), we have the original opening scene for the film, featuring SHIELD agent Maria Hill being debriefed.

Note: This scene will only be accessible on the Blu-Ray, not the DVD-only release.

So, um, good job Marvel. I kinda wish they had stuck with this as the opening instead of the awkwardly placed opening that hits theatres. Also, JUST TAKE MY MONEY ALREADY.