Wednesday, December 17, 2014

What DC Needs to Learn from Marvel: Consistency

Earlier this month DC announced the cast for the upcoming movie "Suicide Squad"

The cast included Will Smith as Deadshot.

The problem is there's already a person playing Deadshot: Michael Rowe in CW's "Arrow".

Also, it was announced there would be a "Flash" movie starring Ezra Miller as the Fastest Man Alive.

I'm sure it will include another origin story even though we just saw Flash's origin story four months ago as portrayed by Grant Gustin on CW's "The Flash".

Of course the movie "Flash" doesn't come out till 2018, so maybe DC is hoping the TV version isn't still on air to ruin it.

And don't get me started on "Gotham" apparently taking place at the exact same moment as the rest of these timelines.

The thing I like about the Marvel Cinematic Universe is it's all tied in together.

Phil Coulson has been played in Movies and Television by the same person: Clark Gregg.

"Marvel's Agents of Shield" has included cameos from actors like Neal McDonough who returned to his role as "Dum Dum" Dugan, Samuel L. Jackson who came back to play Nick Fury and Hayley Atwell who played Peggy Carter in "Captain America" and is returning for her own show this January.

For the Marvel Cinematic Universe it's all about consistency.

And it works!

Marvel movies and TV remain head and shoulders above anything coming out from DC.

Now, I know that some comic book purists might say, "But what about the Multiverse?"

DC Creative Chief Geoff Johns is using the idea of multiple universes as an excuse for different stories to be told in film and television independent of each other.

It's a tactic used for decades by the comic industry, and as a reader, I understand it.

But, don't expect that same kind of understanding from the average viewer.

Especially, if DC tries to describe the multiverse to that person for every movie and TV show.

It just gets as confusing as Superman's origin story in "Man of Steel", and viewers lose interest.

Plus, you know who else has a Multiverse? Marvel.

It helps explain the inconsistency between the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the Comics.

But, Marvel has done a brilliant job of keeping all the TV and Movies in the same universe.

It's a lesson DC needs to learn fast otherwise it's going to keep losing viewers and eventually readers to Marvel.

So what do you think? Let me know in the comments...


Thursday, December 4, 2014

I'm ready for a new companion

As series eight for Doctor Who was coming to an end last month we were getting word that Jenna Coleman was leaving the show as companion Clara Oswald.

Now we hear that she is not in fact leaving after the Christmas Special, but could stay for another series.

I have watched many companions come and go over the past 30+ years of watching Doctor Who, and I think it's time for her to go.

I liked Clara as souffle girl and the impossible girl, but this past season where she was just lying to everyone and seemingly so selfish, I started to not like her.

I know I'm not alone in wanting to see her leave, but I also know there are many fans out there who want her to stay forever.

Let me tell you my experience with my favorite companion that everyone else hated.

That's right I liked Adric!

I was in my pre-teens watching Doctor Who for the first time.

While I certainly liked watching companions like Sarah Jane and Romana, I was thrilled when a boy joined the Tardis crew.

Finally there was someone with whom I could identify.

It wasn't until many years later that I realized most people didn't like Adric, and were probably excited to see him go.

For me, though, it was rough because ***SPOILER ALERT*** Adric got killed off after saving Earth from destruction by the Cybermen.

Since then I don't think I've ever wanted to see a companion leave until now.

I'm ready for someone new, and unless something amazing happens during the Christmas show, I don't think I'll change my mind.

So, what do you think about Clara sticking around? Let me know in the comments...

Monday, November 10, 2014

The Doctor Disappoints

I have been dreading this post after Saturday night's Doctor Who finale, and I will worn you right now there are spoilers following.

So, if you haven't watched "Death in Heaven", and don't want to be spoiled don't read any further.

When Season 8 began in August I wasn't too thrilled with the direction it was going.

But as a true fan, I stuck with it in the hopes that it would get better.

And, in some cases it did.

There were some wonderful episodes like Flatlines and Mummy on a Train, but then came the final episode for the season.

"Death in Heaven" has to be the worst finale to the worst season since Doctor Who was renewed in 2005,

I will start with the good for the show: I was pleased with the performances.

Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman did a great job for what they were given.

I also enjoyed Michelle Gomez as the female version of the master.

She was fantastic as the evil Time Lady, although show runner Steven Moffat had no clear motivation for her.

Now for the bad, I was disappointed in the story line which was written with no purpose what so ever.

I don't always mind the death of an secondary character in any genre, but the death of Osgood really upset me.

She was a great character, and she could have done so much more.

Finally, there was the scene where we find out the Brigadier is now a Cyberman.

While it was moving at first, upon reflection, the realization that one of my favorite companions was now a metal machine was very disturbing.

All in all the show made no actual sense and the ending was awful.

I have truly enjoyed Moffat until this point, but I think its time to bring a new person in to guide this show.

This was Capaldi's first season as the doctor, and it should have been filled with fun and adventure.

Instead it was moody, dark and, at times, rather boring.

Maybe this will all be fixed in the Christmas special.

If not, I worry that come next August there will be few viewers who will be watching Season Nine.

So what did you think of the show? Let me know in the comments...



Sunday, November 9, 2014

Wizard World Rocks Tulsa

What an amazing experience in Tulsa on Saturday, watching the throngs of people at Wizard World's Tulsa Comic Con in the Cox Business Center.

I got there early and watched the line that stretched well out onto west 6th street flow into the exhibit hall.



In fact the sold out crowd had grown so large that organizers had to open the convention 15 minutes early likely to avoid traffic problems.

I posted a video of the various fans making their way under the Wizard World banner.

The special event included a great group of people from across the state and around the region.

There were an incredible amount of people Cos Playing characters from a variety of genres.

Links from Legend of Zelda

A Star Wars Family

Jedi OKC

Doctor Who and Green Lantern

WWII Captain America and Bucky Barnes

The event included local artists and vendors:

Jerry Bennett of OKC

Tee Happy AKA Blue Box Tees

And, panels from local groups:

The Tulsa Doctor Who Viewing Society

Nerdy Girls of OKC and Tulsa

Saturday night's event ended with a performance by World of Warcraft Composer Jason Hayes and his video game tribute band Critical Hit.



And finally, the Cos Play Contest:





















































A big thank you to Wizard World for bringing the largest pop culture convention ever to Oklahoma.

Now we need to focus on getting something in OKC.

Do you have a favorite? Let me know in the comments...