Category Archives: Marvel
6 Best and 6 Worst Superhero Costume Changes
What would superheroes be without their iconic costumes? The bright colors, the capes, the logos, the masks; it’s all part of the grand spectacle of the superhero. And what’s not to love? You wouldn’t expect athletes to play basketball in jeans and t-shirts, would you? Superheroes need their uniforms too.
And all the best superheroes have more than one – some good, some bad.
That’s a lot of Iron Mans
There are a lot of reasons for a superhero to change his or her costume. Maybe somebody new has taken up the mantle, or maybe it’s simply a change in the season, or a change in technology. Take Iron Man for example. He started with that big, bulky metal thing, but once he got his hands on his own equipment, he designed the sleek red and gold battlesuit. Or maybe the hero is getting a new comic series, and they need a new look.
Whatever the reasons, superheroes change their costumes all the time. And I’ve put together my list of the 6 best and the 6 worst superhero costume changes. I’d love to hear your thoughts and your choices in the comments!
All-Winners Squad is Amazing!
Marvel Comics is a place that’s willing to make fun of themselves, and this video is a great indication. I guess it’s the first episode of a new ongoing series about 7 lamewad Marvel characters forming the new All-Winners Squad! I assure you, non comic readers, all of these characters are real and have appeared in multiple comics.
You can read more about this series here. I’ll do my best to keep bringing you funny episodes!
Review: X-Factor #240
The latest issue of X-Factor focuses on Layla Miller, and it’s a very good issue, even if it’s a little over my head. This issue probably bears repeated readings. It’s a take on the classic film Run, Lola, Run, and I am damn glad I saw that film back in college. If you haven’t, then how about The Simpsons episode ‘Trilogy of Error’ with the robot Linguo? It’s similar enough that this issue will make more sense. It’s basically a look into Layla’s ability to “know stuff” and how that is seriously messing with her head these days. It works well because it’s a very contained story, giving us a lot of depth into a character that we still don’t know that much about.
X-Factor #240
Layla Miller, or Butterfly, is really the only character Peter David created for X-Factor, instead of just re-using old, forgotten X-Men. He’s always had a good handle on Layla, and he really makes her latest problems shine in this kooky story.
Comic rating: 4/5: Good!
Layla was originally created as just a plot device by Brian Michael Bendis for his event comic House of M. I can still remember Bendis crowing on the Internet about how Layla was going to be the biggest, most important character in the Marvel Universe. In the end, Layla was really only a plot device that magically allowed the heroes to see through the illusion of the House of M and return to their old lives. After that, it seemed like she was added to X-Factor because nobody knew what else to do with her. Once Peter David had his hands on her, he basically ignored everything Bendis wrote for her in House of M, literally using the ‘it was all a dream’ cop-out to explain away Layla’s parents, and I think PAD has even established that Layla was putting on an act when she helped out the heroes.
The whole “I know stuff” schtick is an entirely PAD creation.I don’t think Bendis has given Layla a second thought after House of M. But no biggie. Layla has been very kickass in X-Factor, and this is a fun issue for her and her recent troubles.
Join me for a full synopsis and more analysis after the jump.
Review: Avengers vs. X-Men #8
There’s no denying that Avengers vs. X-Men #8 is a definite step up in quality and clarity from last issue, but holy crap this is a frustrating comic. I’m trying to stay objective in this, I really am. But speaking as someone who supports Cyclops and the X-Men, Marvel doesn’t seem to have any idea what they’re trying to say with this story. Everything reads as if they’re trying to paint the X-Men as the overwhelming bad guys and the Avengers as the scrappy underdogs. But while that may be implied, at least in my opinion, it is not reflected in what actually happens on the page.
Avengers vs. X-Men #8
Or maybe I’m just reading this comic wrong. I just don’t know anymore. Suffice to say, this was an entertaining issue with a great fight scene and actual emotion and nuance pushing the narrative forward. Unfortunately, it’s just so damn frustrating!
Comic rating: 3/5: Alright!
I’ll get to specifics when I get to the synopsis, because I don’t want to spoil anything here in the opening segment. But basically the X-Men are painted as evil, violent monsters who must be stopped – but other than Namor attacking Wakanda, the X-Men have done nothing wrong. In fact, they’re doing great things that are making the world a better place. But they must be stopped, just because. Meanwhile, the Avengers are pig-headed bullies who are blindly following an arrogant and stubborn Captain America. Even Black Panther and Beast, who dared to question him two issues ago, are still gladly following Cap’s command.
Yet there are specific and actual lines of dialogue in this issue that reveal Captain America to be the jackass I said he was, who’s only interested in being right. It boggles the mind. If Marvel had decided to just go for it and have the Avengers be heroes and the X-Men be villains, maybe I’d like this comic book more. But they’ve so greatly smudged the two sides that it’s just getting too frustrating to fully enjoy.
At least the art is still great. This time by Adam Kubert. Marvel got some major art talent on this series. Join me after the jump for a full synopsis and a better explanation about what I’m getting at.
Falcon to Appear in Captain America Sequel
Casting news for Captain America 2 has revealed that the superhero Falcon will be making an appearance. Much like Iron Man got to team up with War Machine in Iron Man 2, it looks like Cap’s also going to get a sidekick!
Complete with wise-cracking bird sidekick of his own
This is pretty cool news. War Machine was a great addition to Iron Man 2, handled with class and style that made sense for the story. So I’m confident that Marvel Studios will find a good way to introduce the Falcon. It shouldn’t be too hard. Just make him a SHIELD agent assigned to help Steve Rogers adjust to life in the 21st century. We already know that’s going to be a major focus of the movie anyway.
And much like Black Widow appearing in Iron Man 2, the fanboy in me just loves a good superhero guest appearance in the movies.
Actor Anthony has been linked to the Falcon role. I’ve apparently seen a few movies with him in it, but he didn’t leave any kind of impression. Still, more power to him.
The ‘Mack’ Daddy himself
For those who do not know, the Falcon has been a friend and partner to Captain America since 1969. Honestly, it’s one of the weirdest partnerships in comics. What the heck does a guy who dresses like that and calls himself the Falcon have to do with Captain America? His only super-power is the ability to communicate with birds. The wings that make him fly are part of the costume. Falcon can’t fly on his own. He’s like Aquaman of the air. In any other context, he’d be a D-list nobody.
But Falcon was created in the context of the Civil Rights movement and Vietnam, when Stan Lee and company wanted an African-American hero who could be a social figure as well as give Captain America some street cred. It worked, and Falcon has been around ever since. So I think he’d be a great addition to the Captain America sequel.
Though I’d recommend a few changes. First of all, lose the ability to communicate with birds. It adds nothing to the character and could come off as really silly. He can keep his pet falcon Redwing, and maybe be intuitive about Redwing’s calls, but nix the actual power to talk with birds.
And the costume has to change. That bright white and red number has got to go. Having a wing suit isn’t a problem at all. SHIELD in the Marvel Movieverse is already full of codenamed agents with unique abilities, like Black Widow and Hawkeye. So it works out fine if they have a guy named Falcon who has a wing suit. That part is easy. It’s the color scheme that wouldn’t work in the movies. So like they did with Hawkeye, I recommend just going with Falcon’s Ultimate costume for inspiration. Then maybe give it white and red trim.
And guns, lots of guns
Now there’s a movie-ready character!
