Comics Over Time

MCU REVIEW: Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Episode 27 - Captain America: The Winter Soldier Movie Review
Last week we read some early Falcon comics, as well as a great run by Ed Brubaker that introduced the Winter Soldier to the Marvel Comics universe.  We now follow that up by taking a look at the second Captain America movie, which featured both of these characters in key roles. 
This Week In Comics
The Joker is... Pregnant? 
https://comicbook.com/comics/news/the-joker-pregnant-mud-baby/
Fall Guys Reveals Invincible Crossover
https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/fall-guys-invincible-skins/
Magic the Gathering Comics are…actually good??
Film Facts
Tagline: In heroes we trust
Released: April 4, 2014
Runtime: 136 minutes
Box Office: worldwide: $714,421,503 / domestic: $259,766,572
Budget: $170,000,000
IMDB Rating: 7.8/10 
Stars: Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Anthony Mackie, Sebastain Stan, Samuel L. Jackson and Robert Redford
Directed: Anthony and Joe Russo
Screenplay: Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely
2ish Minute Recap
Discussion Topics
On Your Left – Sam Wilson
Scarlett Johansson/Black Widow was dynamite again in this one 
Brilliantly done action sequences
Liberty and Security 
Don’t Trust Anyone: Fury, Shield and Hydra
The Winter Soldier Reveal
“We are all dealing with the same stuff.  Guilt… Regret…”
The Carter Girls
Tidbits 
From the comics 
Face Off!
Which Did it better? The Comics or the Movie
What's Next
Marvel Super-Heroes #18 
Guardians of the Galaxy (2008) #1-6 
Guardians of the Galaxy (2013) #1-3 
Guardians of the Galaxy (2020) #1-4 
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 Winter Soldier - Sam and Bucky

Episode 26 - Falcon and the Winter Soldier
This week we put the spotlight back on Captain America, with a focus on two of his most important supporting characters – Bucky Barnes and Sam Wilson.  Both of them have a long history with Cap, and today we are sampling a few key old Falcon comics from the 1970s as well as taking a look at the brilliant re-introduction of Bucky as the Winter Soldier in 2004. 
This Week In Comics
We went long this week so this is going to be released separately. Dan and Duane talked about their best of 2022. Look for that later this week!
The Story So Far: Captain America
Creator Focus: Ed Brubaker
This Week's Stack
Captain America #117 and #170
Captain America V5 #1-14
2 Minute Recap and Discussion Topics
Captain America #117 and #170
Sam Wilson Introduction / Captain America helps create a hero
Sam Wilson Meeting Black Panther and gets wings
Captain America V5 #1-6 Out of Time
Red Skull Dies?
Aleksander Lukin and the Cosmic Cube
Weird memories that aren't right
Captain America V5 #7 Interlude
Jack Monroe - Who is he and why it matters
Tragic Story Told Well
Introduction to the Winter Soldier
Captain America V5 #8, 9, 11-14 The Winter Soldier
Bucky and the Winter Soldier
Cosmic Cube
Sharon Carter / Agent 13
Why Cap Matters, What Cap Means
Captain America V5 #10 House of M Event Book
Event Interruptions Are Awful
Interesting "What If" Story that would be better received when not engrossed in the main story
Final Thoughts
What's Next
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
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: Thor: The Dark World

Episode 25 - Thor: The Dark World Movie Review
This week we head back to 2013, for the first Thor sequel.  Thor: Dark World was hit or miss with fans when it came out.  And it remains so today.  Set in the early part of phase 2, which ended with Civil War, this movie nonetheless pointed the way towards the future of the MCU, with cosmic components, hints at the importance of the infinity stones, and reliance on heavy CGI and darker palettes.  
This Week In Comics
Henry Cavill out as Superman
The Red Goblin debuts 
Too Dead To Die OGN
Film Facts
Tagline: There was darkness.
Released: November 8, 2013
Runtime: 112 minutes
Box Office: worldwide: $644,783,140 / domestic: $206,362,140
Budget: $170,000,000
IMDB Rating: 6.8/10
Stars: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Christopher Eccleston, Rene Russo and Anthony Hopkins
Directed: Alan Taylor
Screenplay: Christopher Yost, Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely (Based on a story by Don Payne and rewrites by Robert Rodat).
2 Minute Recap
Discussion Topics
Face Off!
Which Did it better? The Comics or the Movie
What's Next
We won't be publishing a show next week, as we are rushing about for various holiday-related events.  We return in two weeks, though, with a look at some books that are relevent to the 2nd Cap movie, Captain America: The Winter Soldier:
Captain America #117 (Lee/Colan) and #170 (Engelhart/Robbins)
Captain America V5 #1-14 (2004)
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: Thor: Dark World - War of the Realms

Episode 24 - War of the Realms
This week we are getting Duane ready for his first ever viewing of the oft maligned Thor: Dark World.  Its Thor’s second solo movie, and in it he is trying to save Asgard (and Jane Foster!) from the dark elf Malekith.  We already read a bit about Malekith in the Walt Simonson Thor run we covered back in Episode 10, but now we are going to see what he’s been up to more recently, with a couple of series from around the time of the movie. 
This Week In Comics
Superman: Lost 10-issue miniseries Starting March 2023 
https://comicbook.com/comics/news/superman-lost-miniseries-announced-dc-christopher-priest-carlo-pagulayan/
Doctor Strange is soon to be not-dead again, around a year after the much-hyped Death of Doctor Strange storyline.
https://comicbook.com/comics/news/marvel-new-doctor-strange-series-jed-mackay-pasqual-ferry/ 
Dan Recommends: LOVE EVERLASTING from Image Comics
https://imagecomics.com/comics/series/love-everlasting
Duane Recommends: X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)
Creator Focus: Jason Aaron
This Week's Stack
Thor: God of Thunder #12-17 (2013)  
War of the Realms #1-6 (2019) 
2 Minute Recap and Discussion Topics
Thor: God of Thunder #12-17
Malekith, the Accursed’s Revolution 
League of Realms 
Unintended Consequences 
This Thor is more like a god out of mythology
Well, that was dark.
War of the Realms #1-6
Fantastic, Epic Story – This felt like an Avengers type story
The Storm of Thors
Story progression - payoffs for reading since 2012
Final Thoughts
What's Next
Thor: The Dark World (2013)
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 Holiday Special

Episode 23 - Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special Review
Well, we are back in the current day again, as Disney+ debuted their second Marvel Special last week.  The special is a (mostly) live action sci-fi sitcom episode that features the Guardians of the Galaxy searching the galaxy – and Hollywood – to find the perfect Christmas gift for Starlord.
This Week In Comics
Tarantino and Downey Jr.
Duane/Dan are reading: 8 Billion Genies   
https://imagecomics.com/comics/series/eight-billion-genies
Show Facts
Released: November 25, 2022 
Runtime: 44 minutes  
Rating TV-14  
IMDB Rating: 7.1/10  
Stars: Dave Bautista, Pom Klementieff, Sean Gunn, Chris Pratt and Kevin Bacon 
Directed: James Gunn  
Writers: James Gunn 
2 Minute Recap
Discussion Topics
Tidbits
Drax and Mantis
The Marvel Universe is Very Self Aware
Music and the Old 97s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQOb1fybgW0
Oddest lore reveal
CGI and Practical Effects
Is this the future of Marvel?
What to read after watching the Holiday Special
X-Men #143 (1981)
Moon Knight: Silent Knight (2008)
Correspondence
Message from Kyle
What's Next
Thor: God of Thunder #12-17 (2013) 
War of the Realms #1-6 (2019) 
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: Iron Man 3

Episode 22 - Iron Man 3 Movie Review
Man, is it good to be back in the world of Marvel’s early continuity.  This week we head back to 2013 for the third and (so far last) solo Iron Man film.  Iron Man 3 has a plot taken directly from the comics, and story elements that caused more than a few complaints from long time fans.  It is one of the most interesting, and one of the most polarizing, of the early Marvel films.
This Week In Comics
Deadpool Gets Iron Man-Style Armor in a Unique Sideshow Statue 
https://www.cbr.com/deadpool-armorized-iron-man-hot-toys/
Eternals Calls Out Marvel Fans Who Don't Read the Comics 
https://screenrant.com/eternals-calls-out-marvel-fans-who-dont-read-comics/
DC may or may not be rebooting everything, in an event called Dawn of the DCU.
Film Facts
Tagline: Prepare for Heavy Metal 
Released: May 3, 2013 
Runtime: 130 minutes
Box Office: worldwide: $1,214,811,252 / domestic: $409, 013,994
Budget: $200,000,000 
IMDB Rating: 7.1/10 
Stars: Robert Downey Jr, Gwyneth Paltrow, Guy Pearce, Ben Kingsley and Don Cheadle
Directed: Shane Black
Screenplay: Drew Pearce and Shane Black
2 Minute Recap
Discussion Topics
Extremis plotline
Mandarin – shoehorned in
Tony Stark and PTSD
Tennessee and Harley
The end, but not the end
Air Force One Rescue
Tidbits 
Face Off!
Which Did it better? The Comics or the Movie
What's Next
Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (2022)
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: Iron Man 3 - Enter the Mandarin

Episode 21 - Enter the Mandarin
With the Avengers movie behind us, we are now going to dive into the MCU’s second “phase,” which was kicked off just like the first phase was – with an Iron Man movie.  Iron Man 3 sees our hero facing off against a shadowy adversary called “the Mandarin” while trying to protect the president and defend against super-powered adversaries created by the Extremis treatment.
This Week In Comics
Shazam! Fury of the Gods Cast to write Tie-In Comic for DC 
https://comicbook.com/movies/news/shazam-2-fury-of-the-gods-cast-write-tie-in-comic-dc/
The Return of Doctor Strange to the comics begins this week
https://comicbook.com/comics/news/doctor-strange-returns-to-life-tradd-moore-fall-sunrise-preview/
Creator Focus: Don Heck
This Week's Stack
Tales of Suspense #50 (1964) 
Iron Man: Enter the Mandarin (2007) #1-6 
The Invincible Iron Man (2004) #1-6 
2 Minute Recap and Discussion Topics
Tales of Suspense #50 (1964)
Short Story
Mandarin is old and very stereotypical 
Pepper Potts not treated well in this one either 
Lots of potential for the character
Iron Man: Enter the Mandarin (2007) #1-6
Mandarin Origin
Iropn Man gets Beat - several times
Different (but great) artwork
The Invincible Iron Man (2004) #1-6
Extremis
Stark in trouble - interview
Stark takes the serum
Final Thoughts
What's Next
Iron Man 3 (2013)
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: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Episode 20 - Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Movie Review
This week we both took a trip out to our local theaters, and saw Black Panther: Wakanda Forever on its record-breaking opening weekend.  Few sequels have ever faced so daunting a challenge as this film, as the loss of Chadwick Boseman to cancer two years ago left a hole that for a long time it seemed would be impossible to continue on without.  How did they do, both in terms of honoring Boseman and in terms of making a movie worthy of his memory.  We’ll talk about it,  the short answer is pretty well.  Pretty damn well indeed.
This Week In Comics
Voice of Batman, Kevin Conroy, passes away at 66
https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/kevin-conroy-batman-voice-actor-dies-at-66/
Finding Batman: https://www.dc.com/blog/2022/11/11/read-finding-batman-by-kevin-conroy-j-bone-and-aditya-bidikar
Legendary Marvel and DC Artist Carlos Pacheco Dead at 60
https://comicbook.com/comics/news/legendary-marvel-and-dc-artist-carlos-pacheco-dead-at-60/
https://usa.detailzero.com/art/58546/San-Roque-says-goodbye-to-cartoonist-Carlos-Pacheco-its-most-universal-neighbor.html
Donate to help cure ALS: https://donate.als.org/give/287064/#!/donation/checkout
New trade Namor, the Submariner collects classic Namor stories
https://comicbook.com/comics/news/namor-the-sub-mariner-comics-mighty-marvel-masterworks-black-panther-wakanda-forever/
** SPOILER WARNING ** 
Film Facts
Tagline: Forever 
Released: November 11, 2022 
Runtime: 161 minutes 
Box Office: 84 million Debut on Friday (second biggest debut in 2022 – Behind Dr Strange in the Multiverse of Madness) 
Budget: $250,000,000 
IMDB Rating: 7.4/10 Currently 
Stars: Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Tenoch Huerta and Angela Bassett 
Directed: Ryan Coogler 
Screenplay: Ryan Coogler and Joe Robert Cole 
2 Minute Recap
Discussion Topics
Letitia Wright as Shuri – Powerful performance
Tough at times to match
Namor – Complex character
Brilliant Story
Other moments worth mentioning 
Where does this film rank in phase 4? The larger MCU? 
Face Off!
Which Did it better? The Comics or the Movie
What's Next
Tales of Suspense #50
Enter the Mandarin #1-6
Iron Man (2004) #1-6
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.