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Comic Book Academia: 100 Things Avengers Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die

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There are few names that hold as much awe in the entertainment industry as Marvel does. From humble beginnings as Timely Comics to the film powerhouse that is Marvel Studios, there has been more content flowing from these minds than almost any other group. So much so, that there is seemingly no way to know the intricacies of each facet of the Marvel Universe(s). Lucky for those lacking warehouses full of dusty pages, people like Dan Casey exist. Casey holds a self-proclaimed degree in Marvel Comics and shows off his knowledge in his book, 100 Things Avengers Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die.

My first Free Comic Book Day. For a guy that knows next to nothing about comics, I can look the part pretty well.
My first Free Comic Book Day. For a guy that knows next to nothing about comics, I can look the part pretty well.

Before telling our Giga Geeks why this book is a valuable resource and overview of the Marvel yarns, let me first tell you about my lack of comic book knowledge. I am nowhere near a comic nerd, nor could I take that title by association. My early years were spent blowing the dust out of Nintendo cartridges and pretending to be a Power Ranger. I also grew up during the 1990s, which was what I now know to be a bit of dry spell in the comic book industry. Yet, I did love Marvel’s characters in other media, like the classic cartoon iterations of X-Men and Spider Man. That guitar-heavy opening from X-Men still rings clearly in many of my early memories.

A few comics were passed down to me when I was a kid—some beat up X-Men and Street Sharks—but no one I knew was really into them. It wasn’t until the first few Marvel films hit theaters that I rekindled that need for these super heroes and heroines. Actually, I remember my father taking me to see X-Men in the summer of 2000. This was also a great bonding experience for both of us as we walked away not liking the film and making jokes about it. Oddly enough, I enjoyed the first Spider-Man film much more than the X-Men (2000) movie.

Why I like Toby Maguire as Spider Man over this, I'll never know. . .
Why I like Toby Maguire as Spider-Man over this, I’ll never know. . .

It wasn’t until I entered college in 2010 that I got a real taste of the comic world.  A humble comic shop called Counter Culture Concepts opened that same year and it wasn’t long before I made lasting friends in that cramped space. If it wasn’t for that store, I never would’ve owned a decent pile of comics. As a side note, my girlfriend even painted an awesome mural that was a stark contrast to the American paintings on the opposite wall.

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One of several paintings done by Diabolikupcake at Counter Culture Concepts.

My story proves that I’m not a guru of comics at all, merely a Padowan on a journey towards being a Jedi. Therefore, Casey’s collection of Marvel knowledge awakened me to a multi-verse of stories created over decades of talented work.

Casey starts by explaining Marvel’s history, and then works his way up to the more practical bits of know-how, such as mixing a shot of The Incredible Hulk (which is guaranteed to get you smashed). There’s so much knowledge to be gained even from the first few chapters. I had no idea Jack Kirby joined the dark side of D.C. Comics at one point!

One of Lee's latest appearances in Big Hero 6.
One of Lee’s latest appearances in Big Hero 6.

Be reminded that you have to understand what impotence cheap tadalafil india is, and you have to look any further than this Cambridge gerontologist. This device sucks air prescription viagra uk from the penis duct and therefore enabling blood to flow smoothly in the desired way. Major Varieties of Tea White – requires the least processing; leaves are picked only a few days out of the year Black – Chinese black brand viagra from canada drink leaves are fully oxidized. SIDE EFFECTS :Side effects brand levitra spotted because of the intake of the Silagra pills. After discussing Marvel’s origins, Casey outlines the back stories of almost every character in the film canon, or the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) as some might call it.  These segments are great due to the addition of where those characters are in the current continuity. In some instances it also gives those who lack key points of comic knowledge a hint at what’s to come in future film projects from the House of Ideas. Case in point, the Vision was merely a visual character for me, but I now know him to be one of the deepest characters in Marvel. Also, I didn’t know he was an android, but that’s not the point.

I stared at this image for hours at the local shop; its so powerful and wrong on many levels.
I stared at this image for hours at the local shop; it’s so powerful and wrong on many levels.

After shedding light on most characters in the MCU, Casey goes on to discuss major events throughout the years. He outlines Civil War and Secret Invasion with passion and precision, bringing major plot points to life with minimal wording. During my stays at the comic shop, I had always wanted to pick up the comics containing these events, but for some reason or another never did. Now I wish I had—I will eventually—as those stories mark things I want to see in future films.

Similar to the Greek Gyro, but ever so mysterious and provocative.
Similar to the Greek Gyro, but ever so mysterious and provocative.

The end of the book holds some neat things Avengers fans should try outside of films and comic books. Most interestingly for me, there’s a Shawarma recipe by Natasha Feldman and Julianna Strickland, the women behind Cinema & Spice. While I’ve yet to try this mystery food, I do have plans to film my attempt. The last chapters also hold a call to action for comic book fans everywhere in hopes that the community can give back, celebrate Free Comic Book Day, and find a local comic shop.

Nerducopia, another local comic shop, has an awesome logo and equally awesome people behind it.
Nerducopia, another local comic shop, has an awesome logo and equally awesome people behind it.

These last few things on the Avengers-fan bucket list are very important. I will attest to the awesome potential hidden down alleys. Some of my best memories of college come from behind the glass doors of my local comic shop. Dan Casey and I, advise everyone to find a shop and experience one of the greatest things about loving comics: having friends as passionate as you are about fantastic stories portrayed in panels.

After reading Casey’s book, I feel more confident in my overall knowledge of Marvel’s heroes and heroines, as well as being a part of the comic book community. I feel like I just finished studying for the mid-terms in Marvel 101 and I’m ready for the test. Professor Casey, I can honestly say I had more fun in this class than any other. Will you be teaching Marvel 102, also?

100 Things Avengers Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die by Dan Casey is available through Triumph Books. 

Also a big thanks goes out to Triumph Books for sending me this book and Dan Casey for toiling away for its completion. Stay cool.

All images and videos belong to their respective owners.

 

More Than Just a Female Superman: Wonder Woman Unbound Review

wonder-woman-unbound-coverWhen I was in middle school, I would come home every afternoon and watch Wonder Woman on the (at the time) Sci-Fi channel. Lynda Carter was/is amazing to me and I looked up to her and Wonder Woman. Outside of that memory and watching her on the Justice League animated TV series, I’ve realized I don’t know much about Wonder Woman or the ups and downs she has gone through in the past 70 years. Everyone knows her as the most iconic female superhero, but not many know anymore beyond that.

Reading Wonder Woman Unbound: The Curious History of the World’s Most Famous Heroine made me feel a little ashamed for declaring Wonder Woman my favorite superhero without even knowing her history. Tim Hanley does an amazing job of delving into Wonder Woman’s past and revealing every fail, rewrite, and flip flop her creators have put her through, leaving her in a limbo that seems will never end.

Before I started reading, I expected the book to be a regurgitation of Wonder Woman’s history. (Honestly, that would have been fine with me since I knew very little about her comics in the first place.) Instead, Wonder Woman Unbound tells not only Wonder Woman’s history, but also analyzes and examines her creators and their motives (was William Moulton Marston a voice for women or just a big horndog?), other comics (compared to Wonder Woman’s), the readers, feminism, and even the time periods (Golden Age, Silver Age, etc.) all comics went through. Lois Lane, Batgirl, and a few other female superheros (and villains) make an appearance to compare their struggles and achievements with Wonder Woman’s—there are major differences, especially during the Silver Age. There is even a section in the middle of the book filled with pictures of Wonder Woman (and other things) through the years.

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Reading this history book makes me sad for Wonder Woman. To see her go through so much only to be almost tossed to the side and treated as an afterthought is heartbreaking. Wonder Woman has so much to offer if someone would take the time to work with her—she definitely deserves it.

For someone who knows very little about comics and their history, this book is a great starting point. Wonder Woman Unbound is a perfect testament to Wonder Woman’s life. Hanley packs as much information into this book as possible rather than gloss over or ignore aspects of her history. I love this book and am grateful for Hanley’s thorough and extensive look into Wonder Woman and her curious history.