Comics Over Time

COMIC CONNECTIONS: Shazam! Fury of the Gods - All About the Big Red Cheese

Episode 36 - All About the Big Red Cheese
This week we are taking a major diversion from our normal path, and taking a look at Marvel’s Distinguished Competition.  That’s right, we mentioned a while ago that we would be starting to branch out a bit, and with the new Shazam! Movie appearing in theaters this weekend I wanted to get Duane up to speed on the original Captain Marvel, one of the oldest heroes in comics – a character that once was more popular than Superman himself!   
This Week In Comics
Brian Michael Bendis Announces Fortune & Glory Sequel 
Marvel Teases the Debut of a New Spider-Man Hero 
Recommendation: DC stories for new comic readers
Morrison’s All-Star Superman
George Perez’s Wonder Woman
Alex Ross’s Justice
This Week's Stack
Shazam Vol. 1 (1973)
Shazam! Power of Hope (2000)
Shazam! The Monster Society Of Evil (2007)
Creator Focus: Jeff Smith
2 Minute Recap and Discussion Topics
Shazam Vol. 1
This is VERY MUCH a kids book, but also VERY meta aware, with numerous references to “I remember him from when I was a kid…he doesn’t look a day older.”
Kid superhero, no surprise, was well liked by kids
“Mr. Binder” is a reference to Otto Binder.  Wrote many classic Captain Marvel stories, and also co-created Supergirl.  
Very much feels like the first Shazam film
Quick history of Captain Marvel and why Shazam is used 
Shazam! Power of Hope
Alex Ross is like no other comic artist.  He is our Norman Rockwell.
Many of his characters are based on real people, who serve as models for his illustrations.  The model for Shazam has been the same person for decades.
This is a simple, powerful story. 
Tells a wonderful story with some action and makes you think after finishing it. 
Shazam! The Monster Society Of Evil 
A very fun story, and a love letter to the whole history of CM/Shazam 
Has a very “old fashioned” feel 
Not something to think too deeply on 
Adults aren’t cast in a friendly light throughout this.  
Call back to older Villains – Dr. Sivana. Has a “friend” (Tawny) who can change forms?  
The “Big Red Cheese”? What on Earth is that?
Final Thoughts
What's Next
Shazam: Fury of the Gods comes to theaters this weekend!
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: Ant-Man

Episode 35 - Ant-Man Movie Review
This week we are heading back to the world of Ant-Man, this time for a look at the 2015 movie that started it all for the Langs and Pyms of the MCU! 
This Week In Comics
Agatha Harkness Reunites With Scarlet Witch in Marvel's Contest of Chaos Event
https://comicbook.com/comics/news/agatha-harkness-scarlet-witch-marvel-contest-of-chaos/
Unstoppable Doom Patrol Creative Team Previews New Leader, Team, and Purpose
https://comicbook.com/comics/news/unstoppable-doom-patrol-creative-team-previews-new-leader-team-purpose/
The Ant-Man movies have been a big (and often bad) influence on the MCU
https://www.polygon.com/23617440/ant-man-marvel-cinematic-universe-mcu
Recommendation: Elfquest Humble Bundle
https://www.humblebundle.com/books/elfquest-complete-dark-horse-collection-books
Film Facts
Tagline: Heroes don’t get any bigger.Released: July 17, 2015Runtime: 117 minutesBox Office: worldwide: $519,311,965  / domestic: $180,202,163Budget: $130,000,000IMDB Rating: 7.3/10 Stars: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Corey Stoll, Michael Pena, David Dastmalchian, Tip “T.I.” Harris and Michael DouglasDirected: Peyton ReedScreenplay: Edgar Wright, Joe Cornish, Adam McKay and Paul Rudd
2ish Minute Recap
Discussion Topics
Scott Lang’s Ant-Man. The Same, but different
Paul Rudd plays himself (or every other character he ever plays) 
Hank Pym and Hope Van Dyne
A Matter of Scale
And Exhausting Final Act?
Darren Cross
The Quantum Realm
Tidbits 
From the comics 
Face Off!
Which Did it better? The Comics or the Movie
What's Next
Shazam #1 (1973)
Shazam! Power of Hope (2000)
Shazam! The Monster Society Of Evil (2007)
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: Ant-Man - The Trial of Hank Pym

Episode 34 - The Trial of Hank Pym
In the MCU Hank Pym has been portrayed as a grumpy but loveable genius, sort of an older, more family-driven version of Tony Stark.  He loves his daughter, mentors Scott Pym, never stops searching for his lost wife, and even seems to be a defacto grandfather for Cassie in Quantumania.  To say the least, this is a retcon from his history in the comics, and this week we are taking a look at one of Hank Pym’s lowest moments – the Avengers run in which his wife leaves him and he is expelled from the Avengers.
This Week In Comics
Unforgiven: Marvel Series Pits Spider-Man vs. Vampires 
https://comicbook.com/comics/news/spider-man-unforgiven-1-preview-marvel-comics-vampires-forgiven-event/
Invincible Creators Debate If He Can Beat All Might, Chainsaw Man, & More. 
https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/invincible-creators-debate-my-hero-academia-chainsaw-man/
Skybound Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/lSMpoLOuiRU
Superfight! by Robert Kirkman: https://store.skybound.com/collections/superfight
Recommendation: Black Cloak from Image
https://imagecomics.com/comics/series/black-cloak
This Week's Stack
Tales To Astonish #27, 35 and 44
Avengers 212-214, 217, 222, 224, 227-230
Creator Focus: Larry Lieber
2 Minute Recap and Discussion Topics
Tales To Astonish #27, 35 and 44
First appearance of a superhero, but this is not a superhero story.
Horror / suspense story with a science-gone-bad twist
In #35, Hank now has a costume and super-power, but this still is not a traditional superhero story
In #44, Pym’s original origin is no longer heroic or tragic enough.
Creepy relationships between middle-aged men and young women.
Very atomic age.  Glorification of science, stridently anti-communist
Avengers 212-214
Domestic Abuse is a tough topic to address in a comic
https://www.moviemaker.com/how-ant-man-hank-pym-accidentally-became-a-wife-beater/
“I’ll bet Tonto never went to this much trouble for the Lone Ranger”
Also touches on issues of economic power, with Jan having all the money. 
Avengers 215-227
Hank disappears then comes back and is tricked into helping Egghead - which gets him landed in prison.
The male Avengers and Jarvis are relatively blasé about Janet and her feelings while seeming very concerned about Hank.
Sexual politics remains a bit part of this run.  Hawkeye and She-Hulk for instance. 
Janet does take over as leader/chairperson of the Avengers
Avengers 228-230
Both Jan and Hank end up acting in about as adult a fashion as could be hoped.
Hank finally admits that he made serious mistakes, and understands he has broken things he can’t fix.
She-Hulk is depowered, and her interaction with Hawkeye is also unpleasant.
Marvel’s take on a “modern” liberated woman.
Final Thoughts
What's Next
Ant-Man (2015) Movie Review  
Announcement: We've joined The Collective!
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: Ant Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

Episode 33 - Ant Man and the Wasp: Quantumania Movie Review
This week we checked out Marvel's newest offering, the third installment of the Ant-Man franchise.  This movie had a lot to do, as it introduces us to a new hero, builds out a whole new, tiny world, and starts the ball rolling on Phase Five of the MCU.  How did it do?  There's a lot to talk about.
This Week In Comics
Marvel Announces New Daredevil & Echo Series
https://comicbook.com/comics/news/new-daredevil-echo-series-revealed/
Star Trek Announces History-Spanning Crossover
https://comicbook.com/startrek/news/star-trek-annual-2023-crossover-idw-publishing/
Recommendation: American Comics: A History
https://www.jeremydauber.com/american-comics-a-history
Film Facts
Tagline: This February, Enter the Quantum RealmReleased: February 17, 2023Runtime: 125 minutesBox Office: worldwide: $225,000,000 / domestic: $104,000,000 (Thu – Sat numbers)Budget: likely $200,000,000IMDB Rating: 6.6/10 Stars: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Jonathan Majors, Kathryn Newton, Michael Douglas and Michelle PfeifferDirected: Peyton ReedScreenplay: Jeff Loveness and Jack Kirby
2ish Minute Recap
Discussion Topics
Kang the Conqueror
M.O.D.O.K. 
Cassie Lang
Janet's Big Adventure in the Quantum Realm
Hank's Ants To the Rescue! 
Lord Krylar - What the heck was that? 
VFX
Tidbits 
From the comics 
Face Off!
Which Did it better? The Comics or the Movie
What's Next
Tales To Astonish #27, 35 and 44 
The Trial of Hank Pym (Avengers 212-214, 217, 222, 224, 227, 230) 
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: Ant Man and Wasp Quantumania - There’s an App For That

Episode 32 - There’s an App For That
With the MCU returning to the story of Ant-Man and his many tiny friends next week, we are taking a look at the 2015 Ant Man comics that delve into Scott Lang’s relationship with his teenage daughter Cassie. 
This Week In Comics
Chris Browne, Hagar the Horrible Cartoonist, Dies at 70
https://comicbook.com/comics/news/chris-browne-hagar-the-horrible-cartoonist-dies-at-70/
Marvel to Explore Hulk's Origin Story Through a Found-Footage Documentary
https://comicbook.com/comics/news/marvel-hulk-annual-found-footage-documentary/
This Week's Stack
Marvel Premiere #47 and #48 (1979)  
The Astonishing Ant-Man #1-13 (2015) 
Creator Focus: Nick Spencer
2 Minute Recap and Discussion Topics
Marvel Premiere #47 and #48
Scott Lang steals the armor... And then gets to keep it? 
Quick Read - Lots of fighting. Not much of a resolution
Geared to an older audience
The Astonishing Ant-Man #1-13
Felt a bit like She-Hulk
Scott Lang’s daughter, Cassie Lang has had an eventful past/present
What’s the deal with Machinesmith and Griz?
Scott Lang - poor decision maker
Lots of cameo appearances 
Final Thoughts
What's Next
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (Comes out this week!!)
Signoff 
Possible post-credit spoiler for Quantumania...
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: Avengers: Age of Ultron

Episode 31 - Avengers: Age of Ultron Movie Review
After spending last week reading Brian Bendis’s version of the Age of Ultron, we now get to compare it with Joss Whedon’s take on the same topic two years later.  Suffice it to say, there are some differences. 
This Week In Comics
DC Studios announcements cause DC Comics to sell out. But reprints coming
https://comicbook.com/movies/news/james-gunn-promises-sold-out-dc-books-will-be-reprinted-after-dc-studios-slate-announcement/
Scarlet Witch Series Debuts a WandaVision-Inspired Variant Cover
https://comicbook.com/comics/news/marvel-scarlet-witch-wandavision-david-nakayama-variant-cover/
Dan’s Recommendation: Legion of Super-Heroes movie
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt22769820/
Film Facts
Tagline: A new age beginsReleased: May 1, 2015Runtime: 141 minutesBox Office: worldwide:  $1,402,805,868 / domestic: $459,005,868Budget: $250,000,000IMDB Rating: 7.3/10 Stars: Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, James Spader and Samuel L JacksonDirected:  Joss WhedonScreenplay:  Joss Whedon
2ish Minute Recap
Discussion Topics
Ultron Origin different, but similar
James Spader as Ultron
The Twins
The Vision
CGI is questionable at some points
Suit of armor around the world / peace in our time
Avengers are discordant.  Ultron has harmony.
The Hulk and Black Widow thing
Tidbits 
From the comics 
Face Off!
Which Did it better? The Comics or the Movie
What's Next
Marvel Premiere #47 and #48 (1979) 
The Astonishing Ant-Man #1-13 (2015) 
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: Guardians of the Galaxy

Episode 29 - Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 1 Movie Review
This week the guys re-watch one of the most pleasantly surprising film from Phase 2... Guardians of the Galaxy from 2014. This was the first extended look at Marvel Cosmic and featured a group of characters most moviegoing people didn't know anything about. This could have been an absolute disaster. Instead, it launched the Guardians and James Gunn into the mainstream.
This Week In Comics
New Avengers run written by Jed Mackay starts in May
https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/avengers-2023-new-run-jed-mackay-c-f-villa
Amazon's Comixology Hit With Major Layoffs 
https://comicbook.com/comics/news/amazon-comixology-major-layoffs-revealed/
Film Facts
Tagline: You’re welcomeReleased: August 1, 2014Runtime: 121 minutesBox Office: worldwide: $772,776,600 / domestic: $333,176,600 Budget: $170,000,000* ($232.3 million)IMDB Rating: 8/10 Stars: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Lee Pace, Michael Rooker, Vin Diesel and Bradley CooperDirected: James GunnScreenplay: James Gunn and Nicole Perlman 
2ish Minute Recap
Discussion Topics
Intros of each character brilliantly engineered.
Loveable Assholes 
Each of them has tragedy, and yet have to decide to act bravely, and even foolishly to save the world.
Marvel Studios logo was all still comic images
James Gunn
Music 
Thanos 
Tidbits 
From the comics 
Face Off!
Which Did it better? The Comics or the Movie
What's Next
Age of Ultron (2013)
Guidebook to Marvel Cinematic Universe: Avengers: Age of Ultron (2016)
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: Age of Ultron - Humanity and Hubris

Episode 30 - Humanity and Hubris
This week we travel back into the 1960s for a quick look at how ULTRON-5 first entered the Marvel Universe.  After that, we will zoom forward to 2013, when our old friend Brian Michael Bendis shows us why it is very important to keep an eye on technological progress, especially if you happen to accidently create a villainous and nearly indestructible artificial intelligence that is bent on the eradication of the human race. 
This Week In Comics
Dawn of DC
Marvel Announces Captain America Vs Captain America
https://comicbook.com/marvel/news/marvel-captain-america-cold-war-steve-rogers-vs-sam-wilson-preview/
Recommendation: League of Comic Geeks
https://leagueofcomicgeeks.com
Dan's profile: https://leagueofcomicgeeks.com/profile/lumenii#
This Week's Stack
Avengers Vol 1 #55
Avengers Vol 1 #57-58
Age of Ultron #1-10
Creator Focus: John Buscema
2 Minute Recap and Discussion Topics
Avengers Vol 1 #55, 57 and 58
Evil AI and Nuclear Bombs
Jarvis
Hank Pym creates Ultron, who creates Vision
Age of Ultron #1-10 
The Idea of Ultron isn’t necessarily a bad one
Dystopia and Death!
Nick Fury is Always Ready
Wolverine breaks time
Sort of a “Wonderful Life” story for Hank Pym
Final Thoughts
What's Next
Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
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.