Comics Over Time

MOVIE SPECIAL: Across the Spider-Verse

Episode 53 - Across the Spider-Verse Movie Review
This week we get a chance to visit about quite possibly the most fantastic comic book movie ever created – the still-in-theaters Across the Spider-Verse.
This Week In Comics
Marvel 2023 San Diego Comic-Con Panels and Schedule Revealed 
https://comicbook.com/comics/news/marvel-san-diego-comic-con-2023-panels-schedule/
New on Marvel Unlimited this Week
https://www.marvel.com/comics/calendar/week/2023-06-18
#1s this week: Planet of the Apes #1
Other characters with new books this week include: Cosmic Ghost Rider, Rogue & Gambit, I am Iron Man and Spider-Gwen Shadow Clones.
Recommendation: Parker Girls.  Terry Moore, Abstract Studios.
https://abstractstudiocomics.com/2022/04/20/announcing-the-new-series-parker-girls/https://bit.ly/2021ComicsGNs
*Spoiler Warning*
Film Facts
Tagline: NoneReleased: June 2, 2023Runtime: 140 minutesBox Office: Worldwide: $619,674,077 / domestic: $351,963,302 (so far)  Budget: $100,000,000IMDB Rating: 8.9/10 Stars: Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, Brian Tyree Henry, Luna Lauren Velez, Jake Johnson, Jason Schwartzman and Oscar IsaacDirected: Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers and Justin K ThompsonScreenplay: Phil Lord, Christopher Miller and Dave Callaham
2ish Minute Recap and Discussion Topics
Beautiful Animation 
Brilliant Voice Acting 
Allegory is dead in the modern world
Miles as the Prowler 
Easter Eggs that are Relevant, Cool and Spectacularly Geeky
"Let's do things differently this time"
Different versions of the SAME film
And then it just ENDED 
Not all great though... 
Animator Crunch 
Live action flops, and Animated triumphs 
Tidbits 
From the comics 
Face Off!
Which Did it better? The Comics or the Movie
Correspondence
Letter from Amanda
What's Next:  
Dan on vacation. Duane with a guest host
Logan (2017) 
Signoff
Questions or comments
We'd love to hear from you!  Email us at questions@comicsovertime.com or find us on Twitter @comicsoftime.
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Music Intro and Outro created by Lesfm.

COMIC CONNECTIONS: Ultimate Spider-Man / Spider-Verse – Uncle Aaron is on the Prowl...er

Episode 52 - Ultimate Spider-Man / Spider-Verse – Uncle Aaron is on the Prowl...er
We are a bit behind, as there have just been too many new movies and TV shows coming out lately, but this week we are taking a look at Miles Morales in preparation for a discussion on the Across the Spider-Verse movie that has become this summer’s biggest box office hit. 
This Week In Comics
Marvel Just Gave Miles Morales His Own Iron Spider Armor
https://comicbook.com/comics/news/miles-morales-new-iron-spider-suit-revealed/ 
Miles Morales: Spider-Man #7 is available now from Marvel Comics. 
New on Marvel Unlimited this Week
https://www.marvel.com/comics/calendar/week/2023-07-02
No books listed on the website again (at the time of recording)...
Recommendation: Kickstarter comics
https://www.kickstarter.com/discover/advanced?ref=nav_search&term=comics
This Week's Stack
Ultimate Fallout #4 
Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #1-12 
2 Minute Recap and Discussion Topics
Ultimate Fallout #4 
Not really much to this story – it was the second story in the book.
Much needed context to whom this is and how he got spider powers – comes during Ultimate Comics Spider-Man. 
Everyone seems to assume it’s the same Spider-Man as before – despite new reports the original Spider-Man has died. 
The Kangaroo and onlookers keep saying the costume is in poor taste. 
Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #1-12
Start of the book deals not only with Miles, but with the fallout from Peter’s death to his friends and family 
Gwen gives him his calling – with great power comes great responsibility 
Book title changed between #3 and #4.  Odd, but not unprecedented. 
His uncle (Aaron Davis) is not a great criminal
But he does immediately know that Miles is the one in the mask 
Miles is a good kid- through and through
Final Thoughts
What's Next 
Across the Spider-Verse (2023) 
Signoff 
Questions or comments
We'd love to hear from you!  Email us at questions@comicsovertime.com or find us on Twitter @comicsoftime.
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Music Intro and Outro created by Lesfm.

COMIC CONNECTIONS: Secret Invasion - Epic Action or Spy Thriller?

Episode 51 - Secret Invasion - Epic Action or Spy Thriller?
This week we are catching up on some of the comics that share a name (or at least some story beats) with the new Secret Invasion Disney+ show starring Samuel L. Jackson.
This Week In Comics
Marvel Announces Tony Stark and Emma Frost's Wedding
https://comicbook.com/comics/news/iron-man-tony-stark-emma-frost-wedding-marvel-x-men/
Official Release: https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/tony-stark-emma-history-relationship
X-Men #10 goes on sale on September 6th. The Invincible Iron Man #10 goes on sale on September 27th.
New on Marvel Unlimited this Week
https://www.marvel.com/comics/calendar/week/2023-06-25
Women of Marvel #1 and Avengers: Rage of Ultron #1
15 books in total – Photon, She-Hulk, Carnage, Punisher, Wasp among those characters with newly released books this week.
Recommendation: Secret Invasion #1-5 (2022/2023)
Available in Marvel Unlimited
This Week's Stack
Fantastic Four #2 (1961) 
Secret Invasion #1-8 (2008) 
Secret Invasion #1-5 (2022) 
Creator Profile: Leinil Francis Yu
2 Minute Recap and Discussion Topics
THE CLASSICS - Fantastic Four #2, Avengers #89-97 
Skrulls seem bumbling early, but not later
Kree are also awful.  Thomas saw the war as an allegory of what happened to small islands fought over by Japan and the US in WWII. 
Not nearly as one-sided as it is shown in the movies, where the Kree are extremely powerful and the Skrulls are a defeated refugee population
Story kicked off the Vision/Scarlet Witch romance, opened up a lot of the Marvel “cosmic” universe, and has been a key building block for Marvel.
Art is fantastic, with the Neal Adams (#93-96) being among some of my favorite comics ever.
Secret Invasion #1-8 (2008)
** You can use code SECRETMU at Marvel.com/redeem to get the first 2 books of this series within Marvel Unlimited. Offer expires 9/1/2023 before 11:59 pm ET. 
There are so many characters, and so many storylines that are picked up and dropped 
First 7 books told a logical story without noticeable interruptions. Book 8 was “after the fact” with narration. What happened between books 7 and 8 and where did it happen? Did we missing anything important?
 I didn’t know who some of the characters used were/are? 
Unanswered Questions
Modern Appearances - Meet the Skrulls #1-5 (2019), Secret Invasion #1-5 (2022) 
Meet the Skrulls is very much like “The Americans” TV show.  Or Invincible maybe.  A classic cold-war spy story just moved to interplanetary scale. 
Main protagonist is Alice Walker, the middle child.   
Rumors are that Emilia Clark’s “G’iah” is based on the mom Gloria / G’iah  
2nd Secret Invasion is really a Maria Hill story.  Fury spends a lot of it kidnapped, and Stark is nearly as much trouble as he is help. 
Skrulls are more sympathetic, in that there are two sides.  Some are working with Stark, and not trying to invade. 
Key Concepts for the TV Show
At there core, Skrull stories are nightmare fuel straight out of McCarthy.  They are about who can be trusted and who is “real” and they are based in a fear of outsiders.  Skrull stories are always in danger of being apologies for Great Replacement racial and ethnic conspiracy theories.
The two Secret Invasions take very different strategies for telling a similar story.  Which did you like, the sprawling action epic or the more personal spy thriller? 
Final Thoughts
What's Next - Miles Morales & The Spider-Verse
Ultimate Fallout Vol 1 #4
Ultimate Comics Spider-Man Vol 1 5 #1-12
Signoff 
Questions or comments
We'd love to hear from you!  Email us at questions@comicsovertime.com or find us on Twitter @comicsoftime.
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Music Intro and Outro created by Lesfm.

DCEU REVIEW: The Flash

Episode 50 - The Flash Movie Review
This week we sped back to the theater for the second big-budget superhero flick of the month – DC’s The Flash. FYI - Longer than normal episode. 
This Week In Comics
Robert Kirkman Launches Transformers and GI Joe Shared Universe 
https://comicbook.com/comics/news/robert-kirkman-transformers-gi-joe-crossove-comics-universe/
New on Marvel Unlimited this Week
https://www.marvel.com/comics/calendar/week/2023-06-18
Two new #1s this week: The X-cellent #1 and Hellcat #1
Other characters with new books this week include: Red Goblin, Miles Morales, Hulk, Wolverine, and Captain Marvel.
Recommendation: Keep buying comics in whatever form you love.
Comichron data: https://bit.ly/2021ComicsGNs
*Spoiler Warning*
Film Facts
Tagline: Worlds CollideReleased: June 16, 2023Runtime: 144 minutesBox Office: Estimated to be roughly $130 million / domestic: $55.1 millionBudget: $200,000,000IMDB Rating: 7.4/10 Stars: Ezra Miller, Sasha Calle, Michael Shannon, Ron Livingston, Ben Affleck, Maribel Verdu, Kiersey Clemons and Michael KeatonDirected: Andy MuschiettiScreenplay: Christina Hodson
2ish Minute Recap and Discussion Topics
Recap in parts with discussion
A Microwavely Hot introduction
Michael Keaton
Slacker Barry
Sasha Calle
Batcave electrocution scene 
Solid “Comic Book” Story
Cameos and Deepfakes 
Online Backlash to the film 
Trailers spoiling good moments 
Who killed Barry’s mom? 
Why mess with the best part of Flashpoint, by not making Michael Keaton Thomas Wayne? 
Tidbits 
From the comics 
Face Off!
Which Did it better? The Comics or the Movie
What's Next: Disney+ Secret Invasion
Complete Event Book List: https://www.marvel.com/comics/discover/133/secret-invasion-the-complete-event 
Secret Invasion #1-8 (2008) by Brian Michael Bendis and Leinil Francis Yu
Signoff
Questions or comments
We'd love to hear from you!  Email us at questions@comicsovertime.com or find us on Twitter @comicsoftime.
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Music Intro and Outro created by Lesfm.

COMIC CONNECTIONS: The Flash - Flashpoint

Episode 49 - The Flash - Flashpoint
This week we are diverting our attention to comics from the DC universe, in preparation for The Flash.  This long delayed and scandal plagued movie promises to wrap up the current DC movie universe and set the stage for a new normal under James Gunn’s leadership. 
This Week In Comics
“Stan Lee” Documentary debuts June 16th on Disney+ 
Trailer: https://youtu.be/rN45yyu_rCw
Variety review: https://variety.com/2023/film/news/stan-lee-review-tribeca-festival-1235639764/
New on Marvel Unlimited this Week
https://www.marvel.com/comics/calendar/week/2023-06-11
Predator #1 and books for Silver Surfer, Scarlet Witch, Fantastic Four, Black Panther, X-Men and Moon Knight among them.
Recommendation: The Endless Vessel by Charles Soule.
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/endless-vessel-charles-soule/1142040817
This Week's Stack
The Flash Vol 3, #8-12 
Flashpoint #1-5 
Creator Profile: Geoff Johns
2 Minute Recap and Discussion Topics
The Flash Vol 3, #8-12
Essentially a villain origin story that also is a Flash origin story 
Shows the importance of family to the Flash books 
Also shows the lack of respect that Flashes have for time and time travel. 
Lead directly into Flashpoint books
FLASHPOINT Vol 2, #1-5
“You traded the life of your mother for the rest of the world!” 
Nearly all the Justice League heroes have gone bad or are depowered. 
Brilliant twist with the reveal of how everything happened
The last six pages are one of the greatest gifts ever given to a comic character.  
Lead to a complete reboot of the DC universe
Key Concepts for the movie
Barry’s mother is murdered when he is young, and his father is wrongly convicted for the crime 
In the comics, a time-traveling speedster called Reverse-Flash kills Nora Allen as a way of hurting the Flash 
During Flashpoint Barry goes back to save his mother, and unwittingly sets in motion temporal changes that destroy his present.  Primary among these are that Superman has been locked away in a lab since arriving on Earth and Batman is now Thomas Wayne, with Bruce dying in the alley instead.
Because Superman isn't around to protect, a world changing event threatens everything. In the comics it was Wonder Woman and Aquaman feud. In the movie it looks like an attack by General Zod.
Final Thoughts
What's Next
The Flash (2023) Movie. In theaters this Friday.
Signoff 
Questions or comments
We'd love to hear from you!  Email us at questions@comicsovertime.com or find us on Twitter @comicsoftime.
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Music Intro and Outro created by Lesfm.

MCU REVIEW: Spider-Man Homecoming

Episode 48 - Spider-Man: Homecoming Movie Review
So this week it feels like we have gotten lost in time, somewhat.  We are talking about a Spider-Man movie, but NOT the $120 million dollar opening weekend blockbuster that just released.  That comes later!  This week we are heading to the first MCU Spidey movie from 2016 – Homecoming starring Tom Holland! 
This Week In Comics
J. Michael Straczynski Is Returning to Marvel For a New Captain America Run 
Interview: https://gizmodo.com/j-michael-straczynski-captain-america-2023-reveal-1850499840
Official Release: https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/j-michael-straczynski-returns-to-marvel-captain-america-1
Jed MacKay’s Moon Knight run is meeting it’s Knight’s End
https://www.gamesradar.com/jed-mackays-moon-knight-run-will-come-to-a-close-with-knights-end/
Official Release: https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/moon-knight-25-knights-end-teaser
New on Marvel Unlimited this Week
https://www.marvel.com/comics/calendar/week/2023-06-04
Spider-Man: Unforgiven, Murderworld: Game Over, Spider-Gwen: Shadow Clones, Hallow’s Eve and I am Iron Man #1 all debut on Marvel Unlimited this week.
Recommendation: Wool, the first book of the Silo series written by Hugh Howie and read by Edoardo Ballerini
https://hughhowey.com/books/wool/
Film Facts
Tagline: Homework can wait. The city can’t.Released: July 7, 2017Runtime: 133 minutesBox Office: worldwide: $880,166,924 / domestic: $334,201,140Budget: $175,000,000IMDB Rating: 7.4/10 Stars: Tom Holland, Michael Keaton, Robert Downey Jr, Marisa Tomei, Jon Favreau, Jacob Batalon and ZendayaDirected: Jon WattsScreenplay: Jonathan Goldstein, John Francis Daley, Jon Watts, Christopher Ford, Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers
2ish Minute Recap and Discussion Topics
Recap in parts with discussion
No Origin Story
Tony Stark, the Mentor
Tom Holland felt like Peter Parker/Spider-Man from the comics
Michael Keaton is a better version of the Vulture
Tidbits 
From the comics 
Face Off!
Which Did it better? The Comics or the Movie
Correspondence
Phases email from Amanda
What's Next: DC's the Flash
The Flash (vol. 3) #8–12 
Flashpoint #1–5 
Signoff
Questions or comments
We'd love to hear from you!  Email us at questions@comicsovertime.com or find us on Twitter @comicsoftime.
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Music Intro and Outro created by Lesfm.

COMIC CONNECTIONS: Spider-Man Homecoming - Poor Uncle Ben

Episode 47 - Spider-Man Homecoming - Poor Uncle Ben
This week we are getting ready to talk about a Spider-Man movie, but perhaps not the one you were expecting!  We are looking at the first appearances of Peter Parker in the 1960s and then diving into his Ultimate universe incarnation in preparation for 2017’s Homecoming MCU film.
This Week In Comics
Image Comics Signs Exclusively to Lunar Distribution
https://comicbook.com/comics/news/image-comics-signs-exclusively-to-lunar-comics-distribution/
Intrigue at the Eisners
https://www.cbr.com/eisner-awards-thomas-woodruff-racism-abuse-allegations/
New on Marvel Unlimited this Week
https://www.marvel.com/comics/calendar/week/2023-05-28
#1s this week include Groot, the X-Cellent, Punisher War Journal: Base, Immortal X-Men and Betsy Braddock: Captain Britian #1
Recommendation: Image Leading Ladies Humble Bundle
https://www.humblebundle.com/books/leading-ladies-featuring-saga-monstress-and-more-from-image-books-encore
This Week's Stack
Amazing Fantasy #15 (1962) 
Amazing Spider-Man #1 and #2 (1963) 
Ultimate Spider-Man #1-7 (2000) 
Creator Profile: Mark Bagley
2 Minute Recap and Discussion Topics
Amazing Fantasy #15
Simple story that now is really almost more of a myth or fable
Not much has changed
Parker’s are a very real family, and Peter has very relatable problems.
Relatable to young readers
Ditko art is very linear and simple.  Cartoonish
Amazing Spider-Man #1 and #2
Jameson is a piece of work from the start
Many of Spidey’s rogues gallery arrive immediately
Twin needs of money and recognition drive him
John Jameson returns later, and becomes Man-Wolf
Artwork is similar but improved on Amazing Fantasy
Ultimate Spider-Man #1-7
Different Universe - denoted by name of series. Spider-Man for the next generation.
Started a very long run of books by Bendis/Bagley
Mary Jane is on the scene immediately 
Comic decompression
Harry Osborn is an interesting character who links Peter to Oscorp 
Final Thoughts
Correspondence/Comments
What happened to the podcast last week?
What's Next
Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
We lost track of Across the Spider-Verse in our planning. We will review that and Into the Spider-Verse later on. 
Signoff 
Questions or comments
We'd love to hear from you!  Email us at questions@comicsovertime.com or find us on Twitter @comicsoftime.
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Music Intro and Outro created by Lesfm.

MCU REVIEW: Doctor Strange

Episode 46 - Doctor Strange Movie Review
Everyone loves an origin story, right!?  So consider yourselves lucky, folks, because this week we look at the MCU introduction and origin of Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange! 
This Week In Comics
*Spoiler Story*
CBR.com link withheld to keep spoilers secret. Find out at your comic book store in the new release section next week (May 31) in Amazing Spider Man #26
New on Marvel Unlimited this Week
https://www.marvel.com/comics/calendar/week/2023-05-21
9!?!?! Different #1s debuting on Marvel Unlimited this week. 
Daredevil & Echo, Jed McKay’s Avengers, Storm, Danny Ketch: Ghost Rider, Carnage Reigns Alpha and Murderworld: Moon Knight among them. 
Recommendation: Strange New Worlds season 1 on Paramount+
Film Facts
Tagline: Open your mind. Change your reality.Released: October 25, 2016Runtime: 115 minutesBox Office: worldwide: $677,796,076 / domestic: $232,641,920Budget: $165,000,000IMDB Rating: 7.5/10 Stars: Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams, Benedict Wong, Mads Mikkelsen and Tilda SwintonDirected: Scott DerricksonScreenplay:  Jon Spaihts, Scott Derrickson, C. Robert Cargill
2ish Minute Recap and Discussion Topics
Recap in parts with discussion
Science vs Mystic Arts 
Benedict Cumberbatch feels like Dr. Strange
Faithful to Comic Origins
Really solid humor
Trippy Special Effects
Tidbits 
From the comics 
Appreciating Wong
Face Off!
Which Did it better? The Comics or the Movie
What's Next: Spider-Man: Homecoming
Amazing Fantasy #15 
Amazing Spider-Man #1, 2 
Ultimate Spider-Man #1-7 
Damage Control #1 2022 (just for background)
Signoff
Questions or comments
We'd love to hear from you!  Email us at questions@comicsovertime.com or find us on Twitter @comicsoftime.
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Music Intro and Outro created by Lesfm.