I must be a masochist if I am to report about Marvel comics.

“How hard is it? You just read comic books and talk about them!?” You may be saying. Well – Not really I say back to you. Marvel doesn’t need my press, and they really don’t want it either. So they don’t make it all that great or all that easy to do any kind of advance reporting on their books. I can inform all of you my brethren nerds on all the press releases of the comings and goings of Marvel, but why in the hell would you read it?!? Are you not a nerd? Do you not have regular titles that you love? Do you not already know what you like? Is it not true that if someone’s opinion of a title you never gave a chance before is going to change your mind – it is going to be a friend, not some chick who doesn’t get paid to spread her unwelcome opinion on the nerdsphere? Yes? Exactly. Thank you.

I am still mentally recovering from the “Holiday season” so do forgive me True Believers for being less than with haste in reporting this weeks news worthy Marvel tidbits.

Regardless, Here is the Weekly Watcher on all things Marvel:

Axel Alonso has been promoted from Vice President, Executive Editor to Editor-in-chief. How this will really effect things in the Marvel universe I don’t have any idea. I can honestly say I that I never really paid much attention to WHO editor in chief was EVER. No matter who was doing the job two things always remained the same to me. 1) The artwork always mattered first. Great stories with shitty art are intolerable, bit a shitty story with jaw dropping art is still a wonderful mental vacation. And 2) Cross universe story events (Like the newly announced “Fear itself” campaign) DRIVE ME INSANE! Yeah – some times you end up with a great (yet confusing) read like Civil War or Secret Invasion, but sometimes you get an Onslaught, or Age of Apocalypse. They might be very invigorating and refreshing to the vetted nerd – but can be just mind boggling hard to follow for the newbie comic reader. And it seems like Marvel has gotten REALLY dependant of these in the past 5 years. Fingers crossed this is for the best.

In other Marvel related news Stan Lee is getting a star on the Hollywood walk of fame. I don’t know if that holds the weight to it that it used to, as it really is just a gimmick for the Hollywood chamber of commerce. But it is cool for Stan – the man has earned it. What ever IT really truly is or means. I really don’t know. Its not like any of us are going to travel cross country for the ceremony. But as a marvel fan I am all for giving the man his due. Even if that due is a large engraved chunk of tinted concrete.

Marvel also HAD a sale going on its comic app. Oh did you miss that? Whoops. My bad. Maybe next time.

Here is the list of everything that is officially for sale as of the 3rd of January 2011.
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #647

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #647 MCNIVEN VARIANT

AVENGERS ACADEMY #6 (HA)

AVENGERS ACADEMY #6 MCKONE VARIANT

AVENGERS, THOR & CAPTAIN AMERICA: OFFICIAL INDEX TO THE MARVEL UNIVERSE #7

BULLSEYE: PERFECT GAME #1

CAPTAIN AMERICA: MAN OUT OF TIME #1

CAPTAIN AMERICA: MAN OUT OF TIME #1 ADAMS VARIANT

CHAOS WAR #1 2ND PRINTING VARIANT

CHAOS WAR #3

GENERATION HOPE #1

GENERATION HOPE #1 DJURDJEVIC VARIANT

GENERATION HOPE #1 LAND VARIANT

HAWKEYE & MOCKINGBIRD #6

IRON MAN LEGACY #8

IRON MAN/THOR #1

IRON MAN MAGAZINE #4

MARVEL HOLIDAY MAGAZINE 2010

MARVELMAN FAMILY’S FINEST #5

MARVELMAN FAMILY’S FINEST #5 PHAM VARIANT

NAMOR: THE FIRST MUTANT #3

NOVEMBER 2010 SNEAK PEAKS

OZMA OF OZ #1

OZMA OF OZ #1 ALPHONA VARIANT

OZMA OF OZ #1 SHANOWER VARIANT

PUNISHER: IN THE BLOOD #1

SCARLET #3

SCARLET #3 MALEEV SKETCH VARIANT

SCARLET #3 OEMING VARIANT

SPIDER-MAN #7

STRANGE TALES II #2

TASKMASTER #3

TRON: ORIGINAL MOVIE ADAPTATION #1

TRON: ORIGINAL MOVIE ADAPTATION #1 LARROCA VARIANT

WARRIORS THREE #1

WOLVERINE #3

WOMEN OF MARVEL #1

X-MEN: TO SERVE AND PROTECT #1

YOUNG ALLIES #6

YOUNG ALLIES #6 ADAMS VARIANT

Collections On-Sale:

AVENGERS/X-MEN: MAXIMUM SECURITY TPB

ESSENTIAL AVENGERS VOL. 4 TPB (ALL-NEW EDITION)

HEROIC AGE TPB

KABUKI VOL. 1: CIRCLE OF BLOOD PREMIERE HC

KABUKI VOL. 1: CIRCLE OF BLOOD PREMIERE HC LIMITED EDITION VARIANT (DM ONLY)

PUNISHERMAX: KINGPIN TPB

SENSE & SENSIBILITY PREMIERE HC

SIEGE TPB

SPECTACULAR SPIDER-GIRL: THE LAST STAND TPB

SQUADRON SUPREME BY MARK GRUENWALD OMNIBUS HC

SQUADRON SUPREME BY MARK GRUENWALD OMNIBUS HC HALL COVER (DM ONLY)

THOR BY J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI OMNIBUS HC COIPEL COVER

THOR BY J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI OMNIBUS HC TURNER COVER (DM ONLY)

(For more information on any of these titles, and on upcoming mighty Marvel releases, please visit http://marvel.com/catalog/?date=2010-11-03 or contact your local comic book retailer at 1-888-comicbook.)

Happy New Year Everybody! And welcome to 2011. I hope you’ve all had a wonderful, safe holiday season. I know you’ve all been playing your new video games, reading your new graphic novels, and watching old seasons of your favorite shows on their new DVD and Blu-Rays that you got for Christmas. But now that the holidays are over, we’re finally going to be getting games again.

It’ll be another week or two before things really start picking up, but there are exciting times ahead. So if you’ve already finished your Christmas games (and are sick of of getting pwned by xX13yogirlXx in Black Ops) then it’s time you put that gift card to work preordering something new. There’s lots of stuff ahead, these are just my highlights by week for the next three months:

DC Universe Online is available on January 11 for PC and PS3. If you like MMOs and/or DC Comics get this game! We’ve had at least two contributors from Big Shiny Robot involved with the beta and both gave it high praise (PS3 and PC). The collector’s edition comes with a Batman figure, a Geoff Johns penned comic book, art book, online comic Legends Issue #0 and some in-game weapons. Preorders from Amazon or GameStop will both net you a playable Batman in arena battles – plus the Amazonian Gauntlet (Amazon) or Joker’s Confetti Bomb (GameStop).

If that game is somehow not enough to keep you entranced for the rest of the year, January 18 is a huge day for PS3 owners. First, we finally get our shot at saving the universe as Commander Shepherd in Mass Effect 2. Plus, there’s LittleBigPlanet 2. The first game in this series had its flaws, but it was crazy good fun and ridiculously innovative. This iteration promises to expand on Sony’s “Play. Create. Share.” mentality in huge ways. The collector’s edition will include a 7″ plush Sackboy, book ends, 11 DLC costumes and 5 Sackboy avatars for PSN. Preorder bonus from GameStop is a Clu (Tron) costume and some additional animal costumes.

Next stop, January 25th. The big releases this week seem to be a couple of sequels to games I have yet to play: Two Worlds 2 and Dead Space 2. Both are available on PS3, XBox360 and PC. I’ve heard good things about the first Dead Space and I’ve read some comics from the universe that make it seem appealing. The collector’s edition includes a replica plasma cutter, soundtrack, lithograph and an in-game suit with weapon. Pre-order gets you a free copy of the downloadable game Dead Space: Ignition plus an in-game Rivet Gun at GameStop or Hacker Suit at Amazon.

February 1st looks pretty dull, unless you’re still playing Rock Band. Country Track Pack 2 is only $30. The Outdoor Living expansion for Sims 3 is also available.

Picking up speed again in the second week of February is Test Drive Unlimited 2. Actually, I know very little of this racing game, I just couldn’t resist the bad pun. My real excitement this week is You Don’t Know Jack. This irreverent trivia game has always been enjoyable for me since my nephew gave it to me for Christmas over a decade ago. I don’t know how well it will translate to console but I’m looking forward to screwing my neighbor once again.

If you’re even reading this, you probably don’t need me to tell you why you’re excited for February 15. Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds is highly anticipated for comics and fighting fans alike. Do yourself a favor and get the special edition for a steel case, combination comic and art book, two DLC characters (Shuma Gorath and Jill Valentine) and free month’s subscription to Marvel digital comics. GameStop will give you some character decals (with move lists) from Fathead for preordering.

As much as I love great, long-running series I’m a big fan of new IPs entering the video game market. That’s why I’d like to plug Bulletstorm for February 22nd instead of Killzone 3. Ha, see what I did there? Actually, I’m more inclined to play Bulletstorm simply because I’m not a fan of FPS and this one seems both more attractive and more accessible. First, there’s an easy mode that’s designed just for people who don’t like the FPS genre but still want to experience the story. Second, the “leash” mechanic and trick shot kills just sound fun. What’s more, for a limited time, you get a free upgrade to the “limited” edition that gives you an extra weapon, boots, armor, experience points and upgraded leash. Neither of the big two seem to have a preorder bonus on this one.

Depending on your age and how long you’ve been a gamer, March 1st may be one of the happiest days of your gaming career. By that I mean the return of Twisted Metal! Actually, I may be jumping the gun on this because I don’t think it has a solid release date. GameStop has it listed as March 1, while Amazon has it for December 31 (which is their default for an unknown date in a particular year). Plenty of hype has been tossed at it coming this quarter as well as mentions of Spring 2011. So, even if the date is wrong, you’ll do well to watch for this one. I’m anxious to see what they can do with this on on PS3 hardware.

A more reliable date is March 8, 2011. That’s an important one if you’re an RPG fan as it sees the release of Dragon Age 2. This much-anticipated sequel will come in a “signature” edition, but it seems there’s nothing limited in the actual package. Huh? What you get with that version is download codes for a bonus mission and character, soundtrack, in-game weapons, and “additional downloadable items.” Does this seem like a weird limited edition to anyone else? Also odd, GameStop and Amazon don’t have a preorder offers up yet – but Amazon does say you’ll need to preorder the limited edition by 1/11/11.

March 15 th doesn’t look very special unless you’re excited about Yakuza 4. Instead, you should be looking ahead to Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars. Again, there is some confusion about the release date. I think Amazon has it as February 15 but my sources say it has been pushed back. Whenever it comes, it’s going to be fun. If you’ve been skipping the LEGO games because they’re “for kids” you’ve been missing some good times – plus, it’s Star Wars!!!

That pretty well wraps up first quarter. The last week does have a handful of games that could be exciting (Final Fantasy something or other for PSP and a WWE game) but I don’t tend to trust release dates that far ahead and they don’t sound that spectacular. Remember to check back each week for new releases. Also, Spring/Summer 2011 is going to be huge so be sure you don’t miss the 2nd quarter preorder breakdown.

Today’s column is a bit of a Christmas present for my sister. One of the first comics she gravitated towards was Cloak & Dagger and she asked me to do a column on them, and seeing as I don’t have all the material on the column I had in mine, I’m more than happy to do this one. It may lack some of the humor that is usually a staple, but I don’t think it’s necessarily appropriate for such serious characters with an origin steeped so much in the real world (minus super powers, of course). It’ll still be nice an informative though, so envelop yourself in darkness and light and prepare for… The Secret Origin of Cloak and Dagger!

As our story opens, the teenage superheroine known as Dagger is bedridden in a New York hospital. She looks to be in a pretty bad way, and her partner, Cloak is hell-bent on seeing her. Between the two heroes stand Father Delgado and Brigid O’Reilly, a policewoman. Cloak, being composed of living darkness isn’t deterred for long, and we discover why he was so keen to see Dagger:

The look of pure anguish on Cloak's face is a testament to Rick Leonardi's art.

You see, Cloak & Dagger have what we call a “symbiotic relationship”. They need and sustain each other. The two bystanders realize this, but want to know how this came to be, and so they are teleported by Cloak to Holy Ghost church, where the story really starts. Dagger starts, revealing her real name is Tandy Bowen, she relates that she was the daughter of a rich mother and stepfather. Her mother was always too busy to have time for Tandy, even when she got the lead in Swan Lake! The trials and tribulations of the young girl continue when her fellow dancers belittle her for her talent being “bought”. Tandy takes offense at this, the only real happiness she thinks she has in her life and asserts herself.

"-- Because I made myself good!"

Tandy leaves the studio and is offered a ride home by Rob, a sleaze that only wants one thing (you know what I mean). Against her better judgement, she goes home with him, but blows him off when he makes one double entendre too many. Once home, Tandy’s stepfather makes a sincere effort to get her to open up, to offer her the love she so desperately seeks, but she only sees him as a stand-in for her real father. Present Tandy now realizes that if she had let him in, things would have been so much different, but hindsight and all that. Sadly, being an awkward teen, this doesn’t sink in, and she crawls to the only person who she thinks loves her, that scuzzy Rob guy. It’s heavily implied that they had sex, and then Rob left, leaving Tandy even more vulnerable. Feeling empty and alone, Tandy runs away to New York City looking for a better life, but as we return the present, Dagger says she found Cloak instead.

Taking the cue, Cloak picks up the story there. The life he used to lead is wildly divergent from Dagger’s. Where she felt there was no love, Cloak, or rather, Tyrone Johnson, has very supportive parents. Tandy comes from an affluent background, and Ty is impoverished. He like Tandy, has a passion though, his being basketball. In fact, the one thing that Ty would love to get rid of is his crippling stutter. Feeling down, Ty is comforted by his friend Billy. Billy assures him that if they stick together, the world will be their oyster, and he can even act as an interpreter for Tyrone!

Yup, this is going to end well.

As the youths walk home, they witness a robbery. The perp gets away, and the shopkeep dies in Billy arms. Being a young black man covered in blood at a crime scene is not the best bargaining position, so Billy beats feet. A cop arrives on the scene, and thinking Billy is the criminal, goes to shoot him. Ty, to his credit tries his hardest to explain the situation, but his stutter prevents it from happening, and we get one of the most tragic scenes of this whole sordid tale.

Tragedy, thy name is Marvel.

His world devastated, and in trouble with the law for a crime he didn’t commit, Tyrone also runs away to New York. The two teens meet in an odd way. Tyrone, already thinking himself labeled as a criminal, sees Tandy on the street, obviously well off and plans on mugging her. He would have done so… but somebody beats him to it. Instead, he stops the mugger and in turn, Tandy treats him to dinner, where they tell each other their respective stories. Things seems to be looking up for both of them, when they’re accosted by a group of people who offer them shelter, but are obviously not on the up and up. Tyrone agrees to go along with them, to keep Tandy away from danger, but she inserts herself anyway. They are “escorted” to the docks, where they are promptly blackjacked and taken to an undisclosed location. They find they are imprisoned with a bunch of other runaways, and are wary of their fate. They find out all too soon:

There is a word for Simon Marshall, but it can't be spoken in polite company.

So yes, Ty and Tandy are also given the drug, but there is something about them that causes their reaction to the drug to be a bit different. Actually, it’s later revealed that the drug activated some latent mutant powers, but that’s neither here nor there. As the other runaways lay dead or dying, Tandy and Tyrone manage to break away from their captors, but find themselves daunted by the frigid river separating them from the mainland. Having no other alternative, they try to make their way across, when things start to happen to them. Tandy starts glowing brightly, while Ty became enveloped in total blackness. With only the guiding light of Tandy, he and she help each other to shore…

And things will never be the same...

You might think the duo are home free after that ordeal, but fate is kind of a jerk. Tandy seems to be unable to move, but Ty’s strength seems to have increased. They stop for a breather, and only then does Tyrone see that he’s become some sort of living shadow! Unable to cope, he envelops himself in yards of discarded cloth, which will inspire his present moniker. Another side effect of the ordeal is that Ty has lost his stutter, but gained an insatiable hunger, always gnawing at him. Just then, the two are confronted again by their captors, and Ty is in for a fight. Suddenly, Tandy wakes from her catatonic state, and instinctively saves Ty by throwing what she calls “daggers of light” The battle over, the troubled teens are faced with what they’ve become…

And no, that 80's movie is not about us.

Their tale told, Cloak and Dagger throw themselves at the mercy of their companions. Brigid says they’ve suffered enough, and even though they are vigilantes, she won’t be pursuing them. And what of Father Delgado? What will he do?

With all the misery in this book, I can't blame him.

As bleak as this story is, it is masterfully told by both Bill Mantlo and Rick Leonardi. Other writers have tried to tackle these characters in subsequent years, but to my taste, no one injects as much pathos as these two. I hope you enjoyed this sordid tale, and I’ll be back next week with something much more lighthearted.

This story was taken from Cloak and Dagger (mini-series) #4 January 1984

The Geek Show Podcast has a spy deep inside of Disneyland who is called Agent X for his own protection.  He’s brought scoops to the podcast before and has even inserted references and hidden treasures throughout the areas of the park he’s worked on honoring Geek Show…  (As a guest panelist, I’m told he even slipped in a reference to “Swank-mo-tron” in Disney’s Elec-TRON-ica.)

On one of the most recent episodes of the Geek Show Agent X sent a message packed in an envelope full of token’s to Flynn’s arcade.

According to this spy, there are talks and rumblings about a Disneyland attraction in the future that involves the Marvel characters.

I know this report sounds vague on substance, but there are hints of more details to come.  And details were sparse to protect the spies job and identity, but he’s a man on the inside and it’s being confirmed on the inside that there is a Marvel project for the park.

So…  There you go.  Marvel attractions at Disney theme parks.  What does this mean for Universal Studios Islands of Advenutre?  Only time will tell.

Listen to the Geek Show Podcast for more updates from Agent X.

And if there are any readers with any more information about this, we’d all love to hear it.

I’d also love to hear what kind of ride you’d be interested in seeing for a Marvel themed Disney ride.  Personally?  I’d love to see a Pirates of the Caribbean type-ride taking through amazing scenes of Marvel battles…  Pirates is a ride that holds up rather well and inserting Marvel characters with Disney’s animatronic technology sounds like it could be mindblowing.

On the other hand, this could turn into another Buzz Lightyear of Star Command ride.

“Fear above all else seems to be the great motivator” – Joe Quesada

Marvel held a press conference today to announce their summer event for 2011.   Joe Quesada started off the conference talking about times being tough with the economy, divides in belief, and other things to be afraid of. This led to the announcement of “Fear Itself,” a seven issue mini series starting in April written by Matt Fraction and drawn by Stuart Immonen.  There is also a prologue issue in March written by Ed Brubaker and drawn by Scott Eaton. The Marvel Universe will refelct what is happening in the real world and what happens when despair becomes the norm. Will heroes fall to fear? Or will they rise up? The story will follow the Marvel Heroes against the God of Fear. The best we have to offer against the worst of the gods.

They showed a teaser video followed up with some words from Matt Fraction about the event.

We were then asked, “Who will be the 8 most worthy on the planet?” But were left at just that tease.

We were told “There is a concealed act at the heart of the Marvel Universe that once revealed will change everything,” which I believe will be revealed in the “Fear Itself” prologue which is set in World War II and involves Captain America, Namor, and the Invaders. The dominoes for this event have been in motion and setting up for almost 2 years. Some will be obvious and some won’t.  This will involve the entire Marvel Universe. From the X-Men to Dracula and the Hulk.

The price point will be 3.99 for the mini series, with a 45 page first issue. If you want the core story all you will have to read is the mini series. However it will be spilling over into the rest of the MU with tie-ins, one shots, and ancillary mini series. None of the required to get the story, but will enhance the experience telling you what is happening with the characters you choose to follow. Tom Brevoort said  “We’re trying to build each tie-in to tell a solid story in and of itself that feeds into the larger story.” Overall it will have about the same amount of tie-ins as Secret Invasion.

The  floor was opened to questions from the press in attendance and twitter. These were taken from Marvel.com’s live blog of the event.

Q: How much political and societal stuff is going into the story?

A: You will absolutely see the real world interject itself. It’s undeniable that there’s a certain something in the air right now. Tapping into that is what we do at Marvel and it brings out the best in our creators. But it’s all through the eyes of our heroes.

Q from Twitter: What characters will be involved? Captain Britain? Phobos?

A: Secret Warriors might be a good bet for Phobos. Captain Britan and Nightmare–a little early, but we’re getting closer, so information will be coming out.

Q: How does this tie into the first arc Avengers with the map of time? (Seen in Avengers #5)

A: Go back to that map and you will already see some portents; you’ll see more once Fear Itself starts.

Q: Is this already the end of the Heroic Age?

A: Our characters have always battled the darkness around us. The threats they’ve faced have never been a game of Tiddly Winks. This is a major challenge our characters will face. It’s not a movement back to darkness and death, though there will certainly be some of that.

Q: How much politics will we see in this story?

A: If we do our job right, we will see a lot of ourselves and our humanity in this story, and Matt Fraction is the right guy here who is very in tune with politics, social issues and morality, and every creator also has their own views, which makes it fun.

Q: Will what’s going on with FF tie in to Fear Itself?

A: Whatever’s left of the Fantastic Four will be involved

Q: How long have you been seeding Fear Itself?

A: Around 18 months to two years. It will become more clear.

Q: Will this affect any of Fraction or Immonen’s other books?

A: Matt will continue on Thor and Iron Man, Kieron Gillen is helping him out on Uncanny X-Men. Stuart is coming off New Avengers to do Fear Itself.

Q: Will Steve Rogers be back as Cap ala the teaser image?

A: Right now Bucky is involved in a trial. This image could mean anything. Don’t count Bucky out too quick.

Hey there nerds!

Have you resorted to last minute panic shopping for your nerdy loved ones?
Well if you want something that you can rest assured your beloved True Believer doesn’t have their sweaty lil’ mits on yet here is a list of marvel titles that hit the shelves on the 22nd!

(….and if my family is reading this… Black Widow collection … Wink-wink nudge-nudge)

Comics On-Sale:
CHAOS WAR: DEAD AVENGERS #2 (CW)
DEADPOOL #30
FANTASTIC FOUR #586
INCREDIBLE HULKS #619
INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #33
INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #33 TRON VARIANT
KLAWS OF THE PANTHER #4
NAMOR: THE FIRST MUTANT #5
PUNISHER: IN THE BLOOD #2
SECRET AVENGERS #8
SPIDER-MAN #9
SUPERIOR #3
THOR: WOLVES OF THE NORTH #1
ULTIMATE COMICS DOOM #1
ULTIMATE COMICS DOOM #1 VILLAIN VARIANT
ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #151
UNCANNY X-MEN #531
WHAT IF? DARK REIGN
X-MEN #6
X-MEN #6 MEDINA VARIANT
X-MEN LEGACY #243

Collections On-Sale:
BLACK WIDOW: THE NAME OF THE ROSE PREMIERE HC
HIT-MONKEY: YEAR OF THE MONKEY TPB
MARVEL UNIVERSE VS. THE PUNISHER HC
MARVELS: EYE OF THE CAMERA TPB
SPIDER-MAN: THE REAL CLONE SAGA TPB
THOR VS. SETH, THE SERPENT GOD TPB
X-MEN NOIR: MARK OF CAIN GN-TPB
X-MEN: SECOND COMING HC

*CW = Chaos War tie-in

Yeah, you read that right. Thor doesn’t really strike me as something people would boycott but America seems to have a group of crazy people to match up with everything. Here’s an excerpt from slashfilm.com

Anyone who has ever seen Idris Elba act, be it in something brilliant like The Wire or even something awful like Takers, knows he’s reason enough to buy a ticket for a movie. His inclusion in Kenneth Branagh’s Thor is one of the film’s most exciting pieces of casting, in my opinion.

However, that opinion is decidedly not shared by the Council of Conservative Citizens who plan to boycott the upcoming Marvel film because Elba plays the Norse god Heimdall who is generally depicted as being white. You can’t make this stuff up.

Yeah, bunch of fucking douchebags. So I propose we all go see Thor at least twice to show them we don’t care, deal? Deal.

Update: These assholes are a whites only “American” christian movement. So lets make that seeing Thor 6 times at least.

When I write up Secret Origins columns, most of the time, I showcase a character I have some sort of already established affinity for. This week, in an attempt to diversify, I decided to tackle a character who, while I knew their origin, I kind of wrote off as “just ok”. But then I read an issue I got in the quarter bin that was not only a great introduction tot he character, but showed how cool he could be! I’m just going to get into it. Enjoy the Secret Origin of the Master of the Mystic Arts, Doctor Strange!

As our story opens, A video crew has arrived at Dr. Strange’s Sanctum Sanctorum. It seems Strange has agreed to give a television interview as a favor to his friend Morgana Blessing. They’re greeted by Wong, Dr. Strange’s manservant, and Sara Wolfe, his business manager and secretary. Quick introductions abound, and we’re told the interview will start as soon as the good Doctor makes his presence known. Let’s just say Mrs. Strange’s son Stephen knows how to make an entrance.

Strange... Dr. Strange.

More pleasantries are exchanged, as Stephen explains he dressed in his Sunday best, as he felt it’d play better for a TV audience than a more casual outfit. We’re introduced to the crew from Independent Video, the cameraman, sound man, and Sylvia who doesn’t say what her job is. Dr. Strange is trying his best to make everyone feel at home, seeing as how odd he might look to an outsider. He has Wong fetch some tea, Strange sits down and removes his cloak and:

"That's (Cloak of) Levitation, Holmes!"

Indeed, let’s begin. First off, Morgana asks Strange if he’s always been into the occult. With a bit of a knowing smile on his face, Stephen starts to explain how, in his younger days, he was only interested in his own bottom line. Back in Flashback land, we see a younger Stephen Strange, as one of the foremost surgeons in the world. He got to be a cocky and arrogant s.o.b. only offering his superior skills to the people who could pay him the most. One fateful night, Strange is driving home when the unthinkable happens!

That's what he gets for going to the Tony Stark School of Driving.

After the accident, Strange is relatively unscathed, aside from slight nerve damage in his hands, which prevents him from holding a scalpel as steady as a surgeon would need to. At first you’d think he might be ok with that. His great renown could still rake him in the beacoup bucks as a consultant. Ah, but “Stephen Strange assists nobody!”. Not too appealing of a character yet, is he? Just wait. After exhausting his fortune trying to find a cure, Stephen is at the end of his rope, when he overhears a couple of sailors talking about a Mystic in Tibet than is said to be able to cure anything. Grasping at straws, Strange sells the last of his possessions, and treks across the Himalayas for months until he finds the mountain retreat of the Ancient One!

Within moments of arriving, the Ancient One probes Strange’s mind and it seems it’s a bit of a two-way street. The Ancient One learns all about Strange, and Stephen finds that not even the Ancient One can cure his nerve damage. Still, Strange is invited to stay at the retreat, it being winter and all, finding his way back would be near impossible anyway. Then Strange meets he who will become one of his most persistent enemies, Baron Mordo. Mordo was the Ancient One’s disciple in the mystic arts. Things progress, as things are wont to do, until one day where Strange discovers Mordo trying to murder the Ancient One with magic! Mordo discovers Strange and puts a verbal whammy on him to prevent him from warning the wizened old man. Strange was still allowed to talk about other things, so as to avoid suspicion. The result of this is the moment that will change Strange’s life forever.

"Yes my son, watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat!"

Once these fateful words are spoken, we’re threaten to a mystic montage, which seems to be the standard for origins of this type. Strange gets training in the mystic arts, as well as the physical. Years pass, and in addition to getting his distinguished gray temples look, he is finally challenged to a battle by Mordo. Strange proves himself Mordo’s better, and the Baron is banished. Both combatants know they’ll face each other again (and they do). Strange trains for seven more years, and the Ancient One has news for him. It’s time to leave…

"Plus, well, I can't afford my own place!"

The Ancient One explains that everyone must find their own path when it comes to combating evil. He presents the Doctor with the all-seeing Eye of Agamotto and a look into a crystal ball-like device. It shows him a rather dilapidated brownstone, showing Dr. Strange the next phase of his new life. Cut to said brownstone, located in New York’s Greenwich Village. It seems this particular property has a history of weird occurrences, which is advantageous for the doc in two ways. It’s now a mystical hotbed of activity, and it is priced to sell! After a few modifications, including the iconic round rooftop window, Dr. Strange is ready to hang up his mystic shingle. Before he can start though, there is quite the persistent knocking at the door. Yes, that’s right, this week you get two Secret Origins in one! Behold the Secret Origin of Wong!

Short, sweet and to the point, Wong in a nutshell.

And so, Dr. Strange became a practicing sorcerer. We cut back to the present, where Wong and Sara are surprised that Strange would be so absolutely forthcoming. Morgana goes on to ask Dr. Strange what exactly can he do. As he motions for his cloak to float over and drape itself on his shoulder, Strange explains that magic is really a study of different forces and how to direct them. His brand of magic cannot create something from nothing, you see. Morgana practically plotzes, gushing that Strange’s adventures must be impressive indeed. Strange gives a quick recap of his many campaigns, the people he encounters, both friend and foe. He pauses, talking about his one time love, Clea. He says he mourned for quite a while when she went back to her home dimension. Going as far to say if the so-called video people had chosen to attack him then, they may well have prevailed. Everyone does a double-take at that remark, but Dr. Strange is nobody’s fool.

No sir, I do not.

Strange easily dissolves the video crew’s mystic disguises, revealing Demonicus, Adria, and Kaecilius, all former disciples of Baron Mordo. The pro and antagonists have a bit of a back and forth about when Strange knew they weren’t who they seem, but eventually, the tumultuous trio prepare to attack! All three villains attack at once and they are met with this:

Dr. Strange, with a PhD in badassery

Met with such ease, the bad guys decide to split up, so they can regroup later. Strange lets them run, as he comforts Morgana, knowing that it wasn’t her fault. She is concerned for him, because what if they escape? Strange, his jaw stern assume her “There is no escape.” The mystic marauders make their way through the sanctum, finding it more stymieing than even the most elaborate hedge maze. Strange is obviously toying with his prey here, and he leads them all into the same area, and if you thought the last image was badass, hold onto your pants for this one:

I think I just peed my pants a little.

Yes, they now face Dr. Strange in his astral form, no longer a physical being, but still able to dish out with the zappy zaps. The battle rages, with each side relating past stories with handy footnotes (I miss those in modern comics). During the course of the battle, it’s mention that the astral form is more vulnerable to attack, so the battle may still be won by evil! Strange thinks to himself that he needs to cut out the frivolity and end this before he indeed becomes overconfident. Before he can cast the crimson bands of cyttorak or whatever, Adria finds a mystic bauble that may yet turn the tide of battle. Unfortunately for her, it does, in Dr. Strange’s favor. She incants a turn of phrase and she and her companions find themselves trapped inside said bauble. As they dissipate, they beg Strange to save them, but alas, he cannot, as he describes exactly what this marble looking this is…

At least in the Rainbow Dimension, it's a never-ending party.

The day is won, so Stephen rejoins the mind to the body, and rejoins his compatriots. He assures everyone that he is fine, while Morgana continues to apologize profusely. Stephen assures her there is no need, and we learn that when Clea did leave, she said Strange’s place was with Morgana, and while he cannot find it within himself to love, he does want to start over as friends with her. The two stand, uncertain of what the future holds, but hopeful. That’s a story for another day, though.

So, what’d you think? Since I’ve read this, whenever they try to revive the character, I give it a shot, because of this story. I hope now you will too! See you next week!

Big Shiny Robot! was given the extreme pleasure of doing an interview with Joe Simon in honor of the release of his book “The Kirby and Simon Superheroes” and his illustrated autobiography that comes out in April 2011. It’s called “Joe Simon: The The Man Behind the Comics” and is available for pre-order.

The Superheroes book is a pretty tremendous read and a fun look at less-remembered comics from two of the masters of the form.  The autobiography looks at this point as though it will be a must read.  I would suggest checking them both out.

Jerk-bot did the honors with the interview, so without further ado:

Another name you should … you had better … know for comic book “credibility” is that of Joseph H. “Joe” Simon.

The 97-year-old has contributed to the industry as a writer, artist, editor, and publisher, over a career that spans more than 70 years. Simon is definitely best-known for his collaborations with legendary writer/artist Jacob Kurtzberg, better known by his pen name Jack “The King” Kirby, many of which were done during the so-called “Golden Age” of the comics industry (between the 1930s and 1940s).

Among their most famous creations are Timely/Marvel Comics’ Captain America. From there, the duo went on to work for that company’s chief rival, DC Comics, working on such characters as the Golden Age Sandman and Sandy, the Golden Boy. They also co-created the Newsboy Legion, the Boy Commandos, and Manhunter. Simon and Kirby are also credited with creating the romance comics genre, and their contributions to the earliest Western and horror comics genres cannot be overstated.

Simon has been doing limited press interviews for a series of volumes from Titan Books that reproduce some of his most-beloved works with Kirby. He graciously agreed to do an email interview exchange with Big Shiny Robot!, which is repeated in full here:

Joe Simon is seen here signing at NYCC (left) with Jerry Robinson. Photo courtesy Titan Books.

Big Shiny Robot!: Obviously, you’re best known for your working relationship with Jack Kirby. How did this come about in the first place? And any really funny anecdotes/stories about Jack you’d like to share?

Joe Simon: I met Jack when he was working in the bullpen at Fox Comics, erasing lines and doing art corrections, l and I was working for Victor Fox as his editor. The minute I saw his work I knew I was seeing something exceptional. We were both the sons of tailors–what we called schneiders–and my father had made me a suit before I came from Syracuse to New York City. Kirby said I was the only comic book artist he had ever seen in a suit.

BSR!: Titan Books has released volumes compiling some of your works with the King. How involved have you been in these projects? And what are your feelings about having these works see the light of day again?

JS: I’m totally involved in the books, and we have a great team here with our editor, Steve Saffel, and Harry Mendryk, who is doing an incredible job restoring the artwork so it looks better than it ever has before. Steve and Harry have collected decades of Simon and Kirby stories for an entire new audience to discover them, and we have a lot more to come–our next volume will feature the detective stories. What we appreciate most is the enthusiasm put forward by Nick and Vivian and the rest of the team at Titan.

BSR!: You and Jack have both been praised for your contributions to the superhero genre. But less known are your contributions and/or semi-creations of the romance comics, horror comics, Western comics and crime comics genre. How proud are you of these works, and how do you feel about where these genres have gone since then?

JS: I’m especially proud of having created the romance comics, the most successful line of comics ever produced–each issue of Young Romance and Young Love sold a million copies and up. Those titles took a smaller publisher, Prize Comics, and gave them a huge hit. We were sitting on top with the big boys inside of a year, and they were stealing our ideas in an attempt to copy our success. Jack and I were on the way to see my wife in the hospital, where she had just given birth to our first child. We stopped in a candy store to pick up a card and saw a cluster of girls crowding around the comic book rack for the very first issue of Young Romance. That was when we knew we had a hit. We loved all of the different genres in which we worked, but the romance books hold a special place for me. It’s a shame that so much of the diversity we once had in comics has practically disappeared.

BSR!: Your most famous creation remains Captain America. How closely have you followed the character over the years? You criticized the “death-of” story line … what do you think the character represents, and why do you feel he is important?

JS: I haven’t followed the character too closely over all of the years, but I’m very happy that they kept the patriotic aspects of the character according to what I would have done, and that Captain America emerged as an icon for the readers. For the sake of the sales and trends of the times I did participate in the horrific death of Captain America. I was told about it in advance, and one of the top quotes in the New York Daily News was the statement “Captain America, gone just when we really need him.” Given the way the world is today, that’s probably truer than ever before. Strangely enough, when Jack and I created those first ten issues, with the exception of Hitler on the first cover, there wasn’t much politics in the stories–they were mostly horror and detective adventures.

BSR!: If given the chance, would you return to a Captain America project?

JS: I did a short piece for Captain America issue #600, and other than that, I’m just happy to draw sketches of him for friends and family.

BSR!: What are your feelings about the Captain America movie?

JS: I’m very excited about it. I don’t know the details of the story in the movie, though I have a great deal of confidence in the Marvel movie makers, and have been contacted by Stephen Broussard, the co-producer, several times. It’s apparent that they’re putting a great deal of energy and creativity into all of their projects.

BSR!: Do you have any projects or works that you would consider pitching for films?

JS: Our files are full of them, including the character Stuntman who actually was a movie stuntman. Fighting American, for sure–he’s the best one of all. It has so many natural ingredients, especially the villains. He started out as a 1950s Captain America, but immediately became his own character with a unique mixture of adventure and humor. He would look great on the big screen.

BSR!: What is your relationship, if any, with the “Big Two” comics companies today? Would you be open to doing work with either or both of them, if approached?

JS: Both Marvel and DC have been very good to me lately, and I have friends at both companies, even with all of the changes. But I don’t think I’m likely to be doing any work for them in the near future.

BSR!: As someone who’s worked with the major companies, and formed his own companies, what are your feelings about creators and artists rights? Are a lot of the problems finally being sorted out?

JS: I was very involved with creators’ rights from the very beginning, and even had a royalty arrangement with Martin Goodman at Timely Comics back in 1940, for Captain America. Jack and I didn’t even show the first romance comic to anyone until we had completed the first issue, and we had a profit sharing agreement with Prize Comics. I would like to think that we led the way for the creators of today, who have a much better opportunity to own their own creations and reap the rewards.

BSR!: What are your feelings about the future of comics? Are you involved in any way with digital distribution, and where do you think comics future lies?

JS: Back in the 1940s I was always pushing to start new companies and try new things. I spoke to an investor who had the opportunity to put real money into the business, and was told that comic books were a flash in the pan. I didn’t agree, and fortunately I was right. Over the years I’ve been told more than once that comics are dying, which led me to say that comics have been “dying” for fifty years. As long as there are people pushing to try new things with the medium, there will be comics.

BSR!: Coming from an art background, what are your feelings about being known (mostly) for your writing contributions to comics?

JS: I was working as a newspaper writer long before I worked as an artist, and one of my idols was Damon Runyon, who I met at one of the boxing training camps in upstate New York. The fact that comic books are a great vehicle for both was to my advantage. There’s a lot of back and forth about who wrote this and who wrote that, but the fact that my work blends in so well with Kirby’s work is what made the team work so well.

BSR!: You’ve begun painting again … is this fulfilling, and is there anything you’re working on as an artist?

JS: I’ve been painting for years, but in recent years I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with my daughter, Gail Reynolds, who is a wonderful painter, and that’s been especially fulfilling.

BSR!: How do you think your work and contributions will be perceived years down the road?

JS: Better? [laughs] I hope people continue to enjoy the stories for as long as they can, and for as long as Titan Books puts up with us.

Jeff Michael Vice (Jerkbot) is a contributing writer to MSN Entertainment and its Parallel Universe Web site. He reviews movies for X-96’s Radio From Hell morning program, the Mediocre Show and the Comcast television program Big Movie Mouth-Off. He is also a panelist for the Geek Show Podcast, and is mad for comics.

Um…. Wow. There’s not much I can say about this (other than my desire to NOT see this in 3D).

This is the Thor trailer I’ve been waiting for. For as much as I’m excited about Captain America and the Avengers and more Iron Man, my God’s name is Thor. He’s my favorite of the big three and always has been. Add to that the fact that Kenneth Branagh has always had my respect and admiration (seriously, you all need to see Dead Again), and you have my excitement circuits on overload.

Throw Natalie Portman into the mix and I might just lose my mind waiting for this movie.

This is Star Wars level excitement here if you can believe it.

Come on Branagh, old buddy, don’t let me down.

Where do you guys come in on this one?