The recent struggles faced by the MCU, with underperforming projects, departure of key personnel, and complex storytelling, raise questions about its future. While it’s going through a challenging phase, it’s important to acknowledge that several real-world factors, like contractual issues, tragic events, and external pressures, have contributed to these challenges. There’s hope that with a clearer path ahead, the MCU can overcome these obstacles.
official_looking_timeline_for_the/In recent times, Marvel Studios has faced criticism for its abundance of content on Disney+, which has diluted the impact of its projects. While some MCU shows have succeeded by exploring characters and experimenting with storytelling, others have fallen short by relying too heavily on epic battles and convoluted plots. The overemphasis on explaining intricate time travel and multiverse concepts has also made the narrative more complex and less engaging for viewers.
Additionally, the departure of key actors and the effort to elevate secondary characters have posed challenges for Marvel. The loss of iconic figures like Iron Man, Captain America, and Black Panther has left a void that supporting characters are struggling to fill. The introduction of new characters hasn’t always yielded the desired results, and some projects have faced delays.
Despite these challenges, the MCU continues to expand with new characters, storylines, and timelines, making it increasingly difficult to follow and maintain viewer engagement. As it navigates these complexities, Marvel must strike a balance between quantity and quality, focusing on storytelling and character development rather than relying solely on spectacular battles and intricate plotlines. Ultimately, the future of the MCU remains uncertain, but there’s hope that it can regain its former glory by addressing these issues and delivering compelling narratives that resonate with audiences.
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Welcome back GiGa Community; as you all know, at fifteen years old, in 1992, I had an opportunity and pleasure of interning at Marvel Comics in Manhattan, New York; Spider-man office to be exact. It was during that year that I had delved into the comic book industry, soaking it all in, down to my very fabric of my soul. I loved all of the intellectual properties, their stories, and the craft; I knew I wanted Comics to be a part of my future life story. I was a fan of some characters, and ambivalent to others, but never the less, just like family I loved them all (Some more than others of course); the environment moved my soul. To this day, I still find being an artist to be one of my first loves, and comic books satisfied that yearning. The culmination of efforts between a writer, penciler, inker, letterer, colorist, and editor was to me, an amalgamation of geniuses at work. I love and respect the craft.
GiGa: GeekMagazine was contacted by Sigma Comics asking for an honest review of their newly released comic series, Calico. I was unsure of who this new IP was that was entering the competitive arena, so I did superficial research, watched an interview, and a review; it seemed to be worth the read. The first complimentary comic came and as busy as I am, I opened it and felt the cover art seemed acceptable for a comic book in 2021, but I didn’t have a peaceful undisturbed moment to read it, so I left it on my desk to be ready for the day I found a free opportunity to read it, then write a review. My family and I left the house for a few hours, and when I returned I went straight to my office and hadn’t realized the comic was no longer on my desk. A few seconds after I sat down, my daughter calls me, “Papi, look what Ivi did”!
Ivi Snow knew She really did it this time.
Ivi Snow is one of my two white German Shepherds, she is 1½ years old, so I am accustomed to finding “surprises” when we come back home; I thought it was poop again. A minute later my daughter comes to my office holding my complimentary issue of Calico in shreds. Needless to say I was peeved and Ivi knew it. Then I remembered what the premise of the comic was. “NYC HAS A NEW ANTI–HERO. Every day millions of animals are abused and killed. Animal rights groups and charities try to help, yet the savagery continues.” Sigma Comics appears to be committed to fighting animal abuse. I laughed at the irony of this moment and took a picture of her with the destroyed comic, apparently, she enjoyed the comic. I couldn’t read it, as a substantial part of the first few pages were now gone. With that above picture attached to an email to Sigma comics, I humbly apologized and requested another review copy, I was willing to pay for it at this point, but the great people at Sigma found humor in the event as well and sent me another. When the next copy arrived I kept it in my safe this time, and that night when I was done with work, I read it before I went to bed. I opened the cover and this time, I was able to really absorb the content. I applauded the first impression, it was transparent in showing their allegiance to the cause, “American Humane”, as a parent to two German Shepherds, I was sold.
The first page was gripping, showing an example of the atrocities committed upon animals and the visualization was almost too tough to bear, but I was roped in, I had to read on. We get our first glimpse into the soul of our Anti-Hero on page two, with tears running from angry eyes, the penciler, inker, and colorist nailed the conviction this character was driven by, and we’re then introduced to Calico “A one-man arsenal of destruction in constant pursuit of justice for the smallest and weakest among us…”
In his apartment he works his frustration on a double end bag, his thoughts speak poignant commentary as to the nature of life being nothing but conflict in every facet of existence and we see where his psychological state dwells; he’s scared and/or resentful of life and bitterly expresses this in his own twisted way. The Boxing Gym advertisement on page 5 could easily be dismissed as fictitious until a little research clarified that it is indeed a real business; as an ex-fighter boxer, martial artist, and ex-body guard myself, I respected that blurring between fantasy and reality as it was perfectly in line with the tale that I was uploading to my brain.
The writer then takes the reader on a journey through the life of Calico, recalling childhood memories of being bullied. This alludes to post traumatic damage; he hates bullies and had long since made the decision to suffer them no longer. We next accompany the protagonist from his apartment to a local boxing gym where he trains and prepares for an upcoming tournament, and while there, he loses himself in the art of combat. His thoughts become louder than spoken words; he’s a fighter with unfortunate luck, struggling skill, and lots of animosity. Here is where the reader learns this character has no reservation about the thought of condemning the abuser to death and that animals were his only friends since his youth.
Page 8 we’re given a full frontal nude of the hero in the shower after leaving the gym, even in the shower he’s consumed by antipathy as conveyed by more flashbacks of the same bully from his youth; he’s never recovered from those years. This memory was different, ironically, it was in this recollection where he was impressed by an alley-cat that scared off the bully and his dog, which serves as a perfect transition into revealing his super-hero outfit emblazoned with a black cat’s profile in front of what appears to be a moon. He also has a flying robotic AI assistant named Bumble that is a metallic sphere with one camera eye. Then, we’re back to his childhood memories, this time he evokes the very first time he inflicted pain by punching that bully in the face before fleeing the scene. Page 13 is where things escalate quickly, so I won’t spoil it for interested readers.
So here’s my honest review and rating:
Comic book Production: I feel the writing could have been more impacting and/or expansive; a name would have been nice to have, but it served its purpose; The art is what communicated the story the most. Lettering was great, the penciling and inking were acceptable as well, but gets a little hard to understand what’s happening during the murder scene.
The Character: His real name is never revealed, but from how Calico was insultingly called a “Dominican York” translated from Spanish, he is likely Latino. I think the character is less anti-hero and more of a deranged, sociopathic, villain with post-traumatic stress. He’s fed a list of targets by an unknown accomplice, he intends to kill, (and/or violate) which to me is the modus operandi of a serial killer. I couldn’t see the word “Hero” being applicable to this guy in anyway.
The full frontal nude, to me, was unnecessary, but being a student at the Art Institute of Atlanta I’ve drawn male nudes before, so I respect the art, 100%. That scene only became awkward after the second penis comment. Which helped me to get a better understanding of the mind of the protagonist as portrayed and communicated by the writer. I think the outfit really is too similar to Black Panther.
As per the multiple male phallus related comments and insults, along with, what I found to be excessive homo-erotic language, it seemed in my humble opinion, as if there’s other unresolved issues besides being bullied that Calico has never addressed. In one scene, I had to look at one scene under better light to understand that Calico actually violates or rapes his victim with a red hot pipe, all while making references to size; he says to his victim, “Relax! It’s only one-inch thick pipe. In penis size its only four-inch girth. You got this”. the last unnecessary thing I read that really nailed the coffin shut for me was the statement, “F*** em. Hard. in the @ss. With no vaseline”.
Concept: I personally, don’t think the character could have longevity, and if so possibly as a novelty act; appropriate for an 8-Issue Series. He possibly may develop a fan base, but with a very niche market. He is not a “Deadpool” type of anti-hero, I’d say this brooding character is damaged psychologically which easily could bleed over into villainy. I couldn’t see the Dark Knight tolerating this character, or working with him in any way, and would probably bring him to justice. In comparison to other anti-heroes, such as Hulk, Ghost Rider, Blade, or the Punisher, I’d say even Frank Castle wouldn’t see his motivations, means, or ends as acceptable. I see a more deviant sociopathic “Joker” kind of weirdness from Calico minus the smiles and laughing.
Conclusion: It’s a comic book, it fits the criteria. I wasn’t left feeling like I want to read more, but I am only one man, with one opinion worth 2 cents. I endeavor to say it could have been written for a broader appeal to a wider audience; for me, I feel the niche-aspect will leave some put off or uninterested. But somehow, I’m sure this will pull the targeted audience it was meant for. In the end, Sigma successfully this debut is a great accomplishment for the creators and production team and for that I salute and respect their creative vision, hard work, and love for the craft.
On Wednesday May 25, 2016, patriotic comic lovers the world over discovered that their beloved American hero and patron saint, Steve Rogers, aka Captain America, is a secret member of Hydra, the nefarious group who played a major role in WWII Axis forces. According to Marvel “Hydra is a world-wide subversive organization dedicated to global domination. At its height, Hydra was the most extensive, powerful, and dangerous such organization in history”, basically, the bad guys.
“What”?
Many are highly offended, others heart broken. It’s probably the same as telling a kid there is no Santa Clause for the first time; it probably hurts “Right There” provoking the “Say it ain’t so” cry. Some prefer ignorance to enlightenment, living a “What I don’t know won’t hurt me” mentality. People need their fairy tales, “please, don’t challenge the story.., even if it’s all a lie”. This news must sting like a slap to the face; for some.
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Nevertheless, the world changes as time moves along; evolving alongside humanity, whether we like it or not. I’m sure people who are 70 look at the world today and say, “That’s not how you wear a baseball cap! What is this? This place sucks”. It’s the natural passage of time that makes you feel your age; witnessing things changing at an uncomfortable rate. The next generation will swear this is how it’s always been, slow conditioning to accept a new standard of what can be called the “new norm”. Is change a bad thing? Not all, but there will always be a transitional period where things are a bit uncomfortable; it’s to be expected.
I remember during my time at Marvel Comics back in 1991, things were so much more different than the Marvel everyone knows now. Nick Fury was Caucasian, now, the majority of people will only know him as a black guy. That bothered me for a while until I realized that comics are a business. They don’t want it be a niche hobby like the 80’s. They want the comics industry to be big screen, commercialized, and mainstream. That’s where the money is; getting a larger audience. How do they do that? Simple, it’s what always made comics a bit edgy. Comics have always been a great platform to mirror and parody real life. There was a gay hero when that became a hot societal topic, Black Panther when society was going through that phase, etc., etc. etc.
Captain America was created during another societal phase ie. times of war, a time period of fierce war propaganda. The American public just wasn’t that “quick on the uptake” back then. They were easily fooled, easily frightened. So, heroes were created that were in-line with the propaganda of the time period. Remember, back then, radio and TV were law, and could do no wrong; now, the world and it’s people are much more informed. We’re a much smarter society than that of 1942, a time when people still gleaned most of their news from the printed papers, and word of mouth. People are beginning to educate themselves and are discovering for themselves the dark side of the “American Idea”.
Many of us have grown up, we’re smart enough to use the internet to learn the truth about America’s dirty dealings, and it was only natural that comics follow suit to reflect this new age of information. I think this shocking revelation bothers people because, we just don’t want to believe that anything “America” is a lie, or at the very least a boat load of half-truths. America has haystacks full of ugly secrets; all you have to do is start researching. Just do research on The Bush Family Nazi connection, to begin with. America has been in bed with the enemy, or secretly was the enemy, on many occasions in our country’s history. But, is anyone up in arms that this is a reflection of America’s true shadowy history? Nope. As long as we don’t challenge the comics. People like to read for entertainment, but not to expand their mind.
Then, there is also the claim that these turn of events, are an insult to its Jewish creators even though most uniformed people are unaware that Prescott Bush (George W. Bushes Grandfather), a representative of the American government, helped finance Hitler’s campaign with the help of Jewish Bankers (Warburg). This is history. And we’re angry about a comic?
In the end, it is evident that a spoiled and privileged country and its people simply don’t like truth and this is as real as it gets. It’s easier to fool someone then it is to convince them that they’ve been fooled. The revelation hurts so much more when you discover it’s not just in a comic book; it’s a hint at truth unspoken.
Overall, I personally, applaud Marvel for understanding that the public is a lot smarter then yesterday and much more informed. Thank you for creating a story that reflects REAL LIFE.
America has been in bed with the enemy, or secretly was the enemy, on many occasions in our country’s history. But, is anyone up in arms that this is a reflection of America’s true shadowy history? Nope. As long as we don’t challenge the comics. People like to read for entertainment, but not to expand their mind.
