Between Books - Black Widow: Forever Red

After reading Guardians of the Galaxy: Rocket and Groot Steal the Galaxy and reading a Red Widow short comic story in Mockingbird: S.H.I.E.L.D. 50th Anniversary #1,  I thought another Marvel prose book and another Red Widow story was a combination I wanted nothing to do with.  It seemed like the anti peanut butter and chocolate combination.  And throw in the fact that the newest Marvel prose book was Young Adult fiction, really meant  Black Widow: Forever Red had not chance with me.  But I decided it was my duty to at least borrow the book from the library.  Though I doubted that it would be worth the time needed to read it.  Would my assumptions prove correct?

Black Widow: Forever Red by Margaret Stohl introduces us to Ava Orlova, a Russian girl, saved by Black Widow from Ivan Somodorov, the same monster who trained Natasha Romanoff at the Red Room as a child assassin.  After her rescue where she expected to be bonding with her red headed hero, Ava was dropped off in the United States by Natasha at a S.H.I.E.L.D facility never to hear from her rescuer again, she thought.  Ava runs away and strikes out on her own.  But she is haunted by dreams of a boy and his life.  Ava runs into the dream boy, Alex Manor at a fencing tourney at just the moment Black Widow reenters Ava's life.  But sadly for the teens, Ivan Somodorov is also attempting to recapture Ava and exploit her special relationship with Black Widow.  The international adventure the three charge into reveals secrets about all three heroes as they attempt to stop Somodorov from using his last Red Room experiment from gaining influence on the world's governments.

Here let me cut the suspense.  I really enjoyed Black Widow: Forever Red.  I found the new teen characters to be interesting and I wanted to know more about their backgrounds and struggles.  I understood Ava's resentment at Natasha Romanoff for abandoning her to S.H.I.E.LD., but I also understand why Black Widow kept her distance from a girl who looked like and had a background similar to her.  Alex is sprinkled in as the apparent normal teen pulled into the world of spies and secrets.  But Alex also is more than what he seems.  Finally, Stohl made me suitably tense by placing transcripts of a Line-Of-Duty Death Investigation between chapters.  As a reader I knew someone died, but if it was a hero or villain...well that took time to be revealed.

Additionally, the book is one that Marvel Cinematic Universe fans are likely to enjoy.  The books features Agent Phil Coulson as along with Tony Stark supporting the Black Widow in her investigations.   And the transcripts feel like the Natasha Romanoff from Captain America: Civil War in her tone and attitude.  So even if this book is not part of the MCU, it does lack the logo so its inclusion is not really confirmed to me, it is fully in the spirit of the cinematic offerings. And MCU fans are sure to feel at home in these pages. 

I enjoyed Black Widow: Forever Red as both a book fan and a Marvel fan.  My assumptions were truly turned on their head as I found Ava to be more interesting than her earlier appearance in a short comic story.  And unlike the earlier prose contribution, the story was engaging, full of interesting characters and a very enjoyable read.  Now I just hope that we might see more prose stories from Marvel when before I felt as if they were not needed.  And I would be more than happy if Stohl took a turn at writing the next prose title. 

Mousey Movie (TV) Preview - Marvel's Agents of SHIELD Full Trailer (and Once Upon a Time in Wonderland)

Usually I would refrain from posting about a full trailer so soon after a teaser, but I love this trailer.  Avengers' fans, I give you Marvel's Agents of SHIELD full trailer, watch and enjoy!

Here are my thoughts on this show that I am even more excited about now!

• When Coulson steps out of the shadows to welcome Agent Ward to the next level, well I got excited.
• I think they are going to wait until the last possible moment to tell us how Coulson is back.  Honestly, they may wait years to let that little secret out of the bag.  Maybe you have to be Level 8!
• Does everyone in S.H.I.E.L.D. know Coulson is back, or is this a Secret Avengers scenario?
• It looks funny! 
• I do not care that they have ripped the emotional heart out of The Avengers! #CoulsonLives
• Everyone in the Between Household gave this trailer a thumbs up!
• It looks to me like not everyone on the team will be by the book, which could create tension.
• I love that Coulson is back, I may have already mentioned that!

So while ABC released this trailer they also released one for Once Upon a Time in Wonderland.

 Confession time, I am really behind on Once Upon a Time.  So this trailer took me by surprise. 

Here are my early thoughts, not really knowing anything about this show:

• It appears they will be pushing the romance factor heavily.
• I do not really see any familiar faces, in fact I am not really sure how it spin off from the original other than the fact they used some footage from the first show.  Maybe I have just not gotten to the proper Alice episode yet (I'm really behind).
• At the moment I do not think I will be watching this new offering on a regular basis.  That probably means I will not watch at all since I am guessing they will be building a story throughout the season.  

What do you think? 

Mousey Movie (TV) Preview - Marvel's Agents of SHIELD

Sadly, I am a little behind on Once Upon a Time so I knew I would not be able to catch the preview of Marvel's Agents of SHIELD live.  But luckily in this day and age, well everything gets put online. 

So won't you enjoy this first preview with me:

First thoughts?

• Coulson is back and Clark Gregg is cool as ever.  Seriously, don't touch Lola!
• There will be action.
• There will be a smaller TV budget.
• They will by reminding us that this show will tie-in with the Avengers Initiative.
• I will be worried about story and production quality until the third episode mostly because I think they will go all out in episode one.  
• I will be watching.   
• Clark Gregg could probably read the phone book as Coulson and I would watch it.  

What are your thoughts? 

Between Books - Battle Scars

Some moments get a lot of hype. In 2012, Peter Parker “died” within the main Marvel universe. In early 2013 Damian Wayne the current Robin in the DC universe was killed. I apologize if I spoiled something for you, but both of these story arcs led to major news coverage in the mainstream media. Yet, I heard nothing of something I believe is a major shift in the Marvel universe from 2011. Marvel released a miniseries titled Battle Scars written by Christ Yost, Cullen Bunn, and Matt Fraction. Seriously you may have never heard of this series, but you need to Disney fans, because its conclusion the Marvel print world and Marvel Cinematic Universe were reconciled. Because at the end, Nick Fury in the print world was African American and stylized after Samuel L. Jackson!

The trade paperback Battle Scars collects all six issues written by Yost, Bunn and Fraction and illustrated by Scot Eaton. The story follows U.S. Army Ranger Marcus Johnson, whose mother an “innocent” school teacher is killed while his is serving overseas. When Johnson returns for her funeral he discovers that he has a bounty on his head and some of the world’s most dangers assassins including Taskmaster and Deadpool are looking to collect, dead or alive. Though put under the protection of S.H.I.E.L.D., Johnson escapes their custody to solve the mystery of why someone killed his mother, targeted him, and the identity of his father who he never knew. While on this journey, he is assisted by a fellow Ranger named Cheese. The two ordinary men bring their training and friendship into a world of superheroes and super villains. By the time the action packed story concludes, the image of Nick Fury is reconciled with the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

I enjoyed this story. I did not pick up the trade thinking I would need to think deeply. What I was hoping for was escapist adventure, and the creators delivered that in spades. This story is full of action. It is really fast paced. And you come to sympathize with Marcus as you want to help him uncover the mystery around him. Because I had seen much of the plot in internet searches earlier I was spoiled to some key point story points and reveals. But I still wanted to keep up with Johnson as he uncovered the mystery surrounding his life. Additionally, I really liked the character of Cheese. Though he lacks flash, his skill and loyalty shine throughout the story.

Again, minor spoilers, at the end of this issue S.H.I.E.L.D. gains two key agents. The first Nick Fury Jr., is an African-American with an eye patch and movie matching scars. If anything the biggest difference between this Fury and the movie version is a Captain America stylized uniform, a gift from Cap himself. Additionally this Nick Fury Jr. is a field commander not the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. This role is continued into the Secret Avengers series which launched in 2013. The other agent is Phil Coulson, suit and all. The writers make it clear that this version of Coulson is a highly trained fighter, who is as expected a Captain America fanboy. We get glimpses of Coulson in this book in the midst of fire fights and the reader understands he is a man of action. I like how he is depicted here more than Secret Avengers where he seemed more like a salesman than a hero to me. I would say if the Marvel Cinematic Universe was able to develop the Fury/Coulson back story that we find in Battle Scars, Coulson’s final act in The Avengers would have even more impact!

Fury and Coulson, Together for the First Time!

Marvel has reconciled itself. No longer is the Nick Fury of the Marvel print world an old crusty Caucasian. He is now an African-American, who looks like a younger version of Samuel L. Jackson. I think this is a good move for Marvel as it may help bring movie fans to the comics. I just don’t understand why more was not made of this as help spread the word, Agent Coulson is in the comics!

Comic Corner - Secret Avengers #1

Marvel and Disney have an interesting situation on their hands. The Marvel Cinematic Universe is widely popular, and in 2008, Samuel L. Jackson began to firmly establish himself as Nick Fury in Iron Man. Anyone who has only been exposed to this second level Marvel character, on the big screen, can only visualize Fury as Jackson. So for those who explore comics because they enjoyed the Avenger Initiative may be surprised when the stumble upon Fury in print. Yes, Nick Fury in the Ultimate Universe is stylized to look like Jackson, but in the mainline Marvel Universe, Earth 616, super spy Nick Fury is a gruff Caucasian man. In this universe Fury is more along the lines of Clint Eastwood than Samuel L. Jackson. And though this is a comic universe where things can be changed with a brush stroke and a few lines of story, his ethnicity is a little harder to change since Fury has been Caucasian since 1963. So how does one reconcile Marvel history with the expectations of those who have only seen the movies? I believe Marvel thinks they have found their solution in Secret Avengers.

With issue 1 in February 2013, Secret Avengers caught my attention for two reasons. First, it advertised that Agent Phil Coulson was featured. I am a big Coulson fan! Second, it would feature an African-American Nick Fury. The full cast of the title includes S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Maria Hill, Hawkeye and Black Widow. With 4 members of The Avengers cast, this title is clearly reaching out to fans of the movies. And then adding an African-American Nick Fury completes the attempt to bring movie audiences to a print title. And honestly, though Avengers is in the title, this really is a S.H.I.E.L.D. book. But I personally feel the title choice was to help readers coming from the Cinematic Universe, as they are not yet familiar with Avenger ID cards, an Avengers mansion or self-governing superheroes not backed by S.H.I.E.L.D. But the Avengers label is likely needed to help lead new readers to the concept that this title is related to the movie franchise. Another link to the movies is Hawkeye’s costume, which is far from his traditional over the top purple costume.

As the story opens in Secret Avengers #1, Hawkeye is being taken captive in a foreign land, on a mission that Hawkeye has no knowledge of, in an undisclosed location. This leads to a series of flashbacks where Coulson recruits Hawkeye and Black Widow to serve as Black Ops agents for S.H.I.E.L.D. The duo is introduced to their new field commander, an African-American Nick Fury dressed in a Captain America inspired uniform. The team hits the ground attempting to capture a dealer in black magic before his skills can be used to strike a vital title in the United States. Throughout the book we learn there are secrets upon secrets ranging from why Hawkeye and Black Widow took this assignment to what S.H.I.E.L.D.’s full motivation for using these former Avengers. The story provides hints to action that could happen in future issues and the secrets that can be revealed but the main story is fully resolved in this introductory issue.

Secret Avengers is part of the Marvel NOW! reboot, restructure, reset, or whatever "re" word you want to use. Basically this is a good opportunity to reconcile the print and the cinematic world. And since other changes are occurring, now is the time to bring an African-American Nick Fury into Marvel mainstream with the least disruption. I do understand that Nick Fury is already modeled after Jackson in the Ultimate universe, but I can see how cinema fans want their preferred Fury in the main universe and not a secondary, though exciting, Marvel storyline. At the same time, they also make it clear that this Fury is not the same one that has been around since 1963, a move which should satisfy long-term fans.

Baby Variant Cover - Pointing Out this Team is Low on Powers

Of course it is Fury and Coulson that I laid down my money for. This young and new Nick Fury is modeled after Jackson. He also is a character with unclear motives, much like the movie version. The biggest difference is this Fury is fighting and leading in the field while the Jackson version is largely directing from the bridge of the Helicarrier. I do have a lot of questions about this Fury. It appears that I can find answers to some of these questions in a title called Battle Scars which concluded before Secret Avengers. That series also introduces Coulson to the Marvel mainline universe. I have to admit that I did really enjoy Hawkeye’s reaction to this new Nick Fury! Hawkeye and Fury discuss if the name Nick Fury and James Bond are actually code names for agents and not specific people. It kind of cracks me up to watch a Marvel character attempt to reconcile Bond canon which is far from as complicated as Marvel fictional history. I must admit that I have not warmed up to this version of Coulson. I have seen an animated version of Coulson in Ultimate Spider-Man which is part comic relief straight man and part action hero. This Coulson in this single issue is, well, a used car salesman. I feel like the Coulson in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is a straight up guy. This guy on the other hand feels a little slimy as he plays let’s make a deal.

The graphics are, in my opinion, solid in this issue. They really help set the stage for a tale that it more spy story than superhero epic. The settings are dark and filled with the back alley type settings you would expect from a black ops team. Sadly, unless the images are super cutting edge, I really do not take full notice of them until they are distracting from the story.

From the business side, I can see why Marvel and Disney both want Secret Avengers. In this title, Marvel brings the movies and Marvel tradition together in a way that could bring new readers to print, paper or digital. I found Secret Avengers #1 a solid endeavor. But with limited money, and new Dole Whip shirts to buy, I will probably wait to borrow the collected trades of this series instead of following it month to month.

Mousey Movie Review - The Avengers

I have been waiting years for the fulfillment of a promise.  In Iron Man Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury told us he was looking to get the Avengers together.  Now Marvel and Disney have paid off on this promise, and most fans will not be disappointed.  If you like action films, if you enjoy things going boom, and if you love superheroes, The Avengers is probably going to be a hit for you.  Here are my initial thoughts about the film after a very early morning viewing (as spoiler free as possible):

·         Laugh-o-Gram:  I underestimated how funny this movie was going to be.  Quick quips, puns, and fun dialogue are traditional comic book tools.  And we have seen some humor in the past films.  But in The Avengers the fun lines are ramped.  I really should have expected this because Joss Whedon wrote the story and screenplay.  Overall my experience with his work is limited.  But the one franchise of his that I love is Firefly which shares this type of witty dialogue.  I quote Firefly lines all the time!   I cannot really tell you all of the lines that clicked with the audience because I missed some payoffs because everyone was drowning out the audio laughing.  I do think Whedon gave the best lines to Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark/Iron Man who continues to shine in this role.   

·         Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.:  We have been introduced over the years to agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. including Nick Fury, Phil Coulson, Black Widow and Clint Barton/Hawkeye.  These agents have also been support but never the stars.  In a film with heavy hitters like Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and Hulk the characters that get the most development are these agents along with the newest member of S.H.I.E.L.D. Maria Hill.  With the big guys we have seen them developed in their own films, so it honestly fells like these are the characters who should be built out further.  Honestly, these are the characters you will probably look forward to the most in the future.    

·         Reality Check:  So villain wise this is probably the most ambitious of the non-human villains to date, therefore a ton more of CGI.  Yet I still felt like these alien invaders fit within our world and were believable.  I think an element that works to help establish reality are heroes with basic earthly weapons.  Having Black Widow and Hawkeye with guns and bows sprinkled throughout scenes with CGI villains and heroes helps to ground the image in our world.   

·         Fearless:  The Avengers breaks the expected conventions.  So be prepared for a ride.  In The Incredibles we get an education on some of these clichés, like monologuing for example.  In The Avengers the story breaks these clichés.  Characters do the things that you would want to do in the real world.  If this was a horror movie, somebody on the screen would say “hey don’t be foolish and walk into the woods unless you want to die first.”  And the story takes risks.  I had done a really good job avoiding spoilers and I am glad I did because within the first 15 minutes something I had not expected had happened and changed what I thought of the story rolling out in front of me.          

As a side note, The Avengers is not really a Mousey Movie except for links to the other films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.  But I will not be pointing fingers.  There is a lot happening in this film and I would not ask for them to force in hidden Mickeys just to impress a Disney fan!  No, I will take The Avengers as it is a popular and growing Disney franchise that we will love for years to come.  I am sure many of you will be assembling with your fellow avengers at a theater near you, maybe even for a second or third time. 

Mousey Movies - Thor

I have a love/hate relationship with Thor.  At first a friend phrased it as “The Best Weekend In New Mexico Ever!”  And after watching it for a third time I have decided it is completely unbelievable!  Don’t get me wrong, I will more than happily accept the story of a Norse god visiting New Mexico, finding himself, discovering love and thwarting his brother’s plans to rule over their home of Asgard.  Now, what I find unbelievable is that in this New Mexico small town that an S.H.I.E.L.D. agent can find a Whopper!  I grew up in small towns and let me tell you the local diner exists but you won’t find a major fast food franchise in a town this small.  Clearly Thor’s adventures happened in Product Placement, New Mexico.  Those living in Product Placement wash down a Whopper with a Dr. Pepper while reading USA Today followed by a Budweiser chaser.   As often as we hear that New Mexico is the Land of Enchantment, Marvel had to have taken some funds from the state budget!  Maybe John Carter could have performed better financially if Dr. Pepper was available on Mars! 

With that aside Thor has really grown on me.  The Son of Coal, Agent Coulson, is heavily featured and in many ways steals this movie.  Though the biggest scene stealer is clearly Jeremy Renner as he introduces his Avenger Hawkeye to the Avengers Initiative.  Thor is a action romp through New Mexico and the beautiful Asgard that will satisfy one’s need for escapist fiction.  And, there is a touch of the mouse in there:    

·         Hammer in the Stone:  The basic premise is that the Norse god of Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is bad tempered and makes poor choices.  After breaking a treaty with the Frost Giants, Thor’s father Odin (Anthony Hopkins) casts him out of Asgard and exiles him without powers on Earth.  Good parents discipline their kids!  Thor’s trusty weapon the hammer Mjolnir is also cast out awaiting the day that Thor is worthy.  Many attempt to pull the unmovable hammer from its resting place including Stan Lee!  One of them is Drunk Townie played by the very familiar Joel McCrary.  The goateed McCrary instantly struck me as a guy I knew.  And it’s because he is a very active actor.  Disney fans may not be aware McCrary voices Baloo in Kinect Disneyland Adventures.  But they may recognize him as Bobby Wasabi on Disney XD’s Kickin’ It.  McCrary is not the only familiar face from Disney television productions.  Isaac Kappy plays Pet Store Owner in Thor is also seen in the Disney Channel’s Lemonade Mouth as Mel the owner of an organic lemonade company.    

·         Dead Men Tell No Tales:  Stellan Skarsgård plays Dr. Erik Selvig the friend and mentor of Thor’s love interest Dr. Jane Foster (Natalie Portman).  Selvig has some doubts that the Norse god of thunder has really decided to spend a restful weekend in the Land of Enchantment.  It’s kind of strange for me to see a Skarsgård character doubting after playing Bootstrap Bill Turner in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End.  For heaven’s sake Bootstrap bill was part of the boat!  Skarsgård must have enjoyed this role which requires a lot less makeup because he is part of the cast for The Avengers and has been announced for Thor 2.       

·         Prince Charming:  Every good Disney movie needs a dashing prince.  Admittedly Thor is a prince, but we tend to think of fine gentlemen with swords not brutish men with hammers for our Disney princesses.  Josh Dallas plays the dashing, and well groomed, Fandral in Thor.  He is the master swordsman with that romantic look that could easily fit in a Disney animated classic.  Currently Dallas plays Prince Charming on the very Mousey Once Upon a Time on ABC, further showing Dallas’ princely virtues, or lack of on occasion.  

·         Beware the Maelstrom:  Thor opens in Tønsberg, Norway as the Gods battle the Frost Giants on Earth.  This of course takes me back to Epcot and the Norway pavilion!  I personally enjoy meeting not Thor but the princesses at Akerhus Royal Banquet Hall.  It’s not as pricey as eating in Cinderella’s Castle, though the view is not the same.  I recommend the open-faced beef sandwich.  And the deserts are always a hit with the family.  It’s a feast that Thor’s friend and fellow warrior Volstagg would give his stamp of approval to.  And the Maelstrom is one of the few rides you will find in the World Showcase.       

·         The Walt Disney Parade: When using the high tech tools of the Product Placement, New Mexico library, Dr. Selvig picks up a book that reminds him of the childhood tales he heard and read about the Norse gods as a child.  The book appears to be Iain Lawrence’s The Giant-Slayer, a book that does not seem to have anything to say about Thor and his fellow Norse gods.   But you have to admit the title sounds cool.  In fact it’s a story about one child telling stories to another who is forced to use an iron lung!  Thor’s name does not even appear in the book, or Odin or Loki or the word Viking.  But why do I even bring this up?  Next to The Giant-Slayer on a book truck are three books in the “Walt Disney Parade” series.  They are Great Moments in Fiction with the Duchess from The Aristocats on the spine, Adventures in Fact with what appears to be a Buddha, and Fantasy on Parade decorated with a castle.  You cannot escape the Mouse!      

Though this movie is directed by Kenneth Branagh who has helmed many Shakespeare plays for the modern audience, don’t confuse Thor with a timeless classic.  It is fun and action filled.  You will enjoy your adventure to New Mexico.  And it’s a vital piece of The Avengers story, a building piece you cannot ignore if you want to understand the background of the villain Loki!  Enjoy…Enchanted New Mexico!

Dreaming Disney - Ultimate Spider-Man

To say that Disney is being aggressive in marketing May’s The Avengers would be understatement.  Yes, Disney fan, you must go see The Avengers and unlike John Carter the House of Mouse may have already convinced you.

The Disney synergy has begun for The Avengers, making it impossible for Disney fans to ignore the mousey heroes.  Soon we will see the Avenger crew plastered on three collectible covers for D23 Magazine (where was the John Carter cover, or even story) and turning over to Disney XD fans will find Disney preparing our kids for The Avengers with over an hour of Marvel cartoons.  One of them, The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes transparently links to the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s loftiest project.  But the other Ultimate Spider-Man is sneaking The Avengers into your living room. 

Teenager Peter Parker is the Spectacular Spider-Man.  Peter balances friends, high school, his super cool Aunt May (no crone here) and being a superhero.  Peter is a young superhero and youth means mistakes, as the Amazing Spider-Man lacks experience and mentoring.  So, Nick Fury the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. steps in to offer the mentoring the youngster many need to eventually reach Avenger status and fight alongside of Captain America, Iron Man and others.  Fury promises Parker that he can transform him into Ultimate Spider-Man.  Peter is not the only young hero that S.H.I.E.L.D. is training and they team up Spider-Man with their young stable including Nova, Iron Fist, Luke Cage or Power Man, and White Tiger.  And just for extra fun, Fury decides to send the entire team to attend high school with Pete!

This show is silly, witty, and quirky enough that both kids and adults will enjoy it.  Peter often breaks the fourth wall and shares his thoughts with the audience, thoughts that are not always heroic.  But they usually are funny.  It has a voice cast that delivers and the stories are well written.  In fact the stories are ones that use elements from the Spider-Man mythology that the hard core fan will enjoy while introducing the rookie to these characters and Spider-Man’s rogues gallery for the first time.

 So how does Ultimate Spider-Man tie into The Avengers?  First, the show makes heavy use of Nick Fury, the hero mentor and S.H.I.E.L.D.  And this Nick Fury is stylized after actor Samuel L. Jackson allowing everyone to know the tie-in between the cartoon and the movie.  The tie-in through S.H.I.E.L.D. is so deep that Clark Gregg voices Agent Coulson, who has been assigned as the principal of Peter’s high school so S.H.I.E.L.D. can keep an eye on the young team.  Second, Avengers have guest starred on the show.  The most obvious to date is Iron Man, and a version of Iron Man that is self-destructive and not a great mentor for young heroes.  It’s a version that will make most fans think of Robert Downey Jr.  Finally, Stan Lee is in the house!  Lee voices Stan the janitor, sharing his unsolicited wisdom to the youngsters of Midtown High.  

Ultimate Spider-Man will help you get ready for May 4^th when the Avengers Assemble.  But it will also entertain and help your young Disney fan become immersed in Disney’s Marvel properties.  Michael Eisner would be proud of all this synergy!   Well played Disney!

Mousey Movies - A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Thor's Hammer

I’m never going to have the strength of Captain America.  I’m never going to have the godlike powers of Thor.  And I am not anywhere close to smart enough to build my own super suit.  But I can clean up well enough to look good in a suit!  So if there is any character I could ever strive to be in The Avengers it would be Agent Phil Coulson played by Clark Gregg.  Coulson is the non-super yet highly capable member of the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division or S.H.I.E.L.D.  Coulson is unphased spending his days surrounded by and managing Disney’s mightiest heroes

I am not the only one that thinks we need more Coulson, so does Disney and Marvel.  They have developed a small series of shorts called “Marvel One Shots” that center around Coulson and episodes in the development of the Avengers Initiative.  The absolute best is “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Thor’s Hammer” which bridges Iron Man 2 and Thor:

Never underestimate a man in a suit! 

The Agent Coulson goodness just won’t end.  Not only will he be included in May’s The Avengers but you can now enjoy a little bit of Coulson at home every week on DisneyXD with Gregg voicing Coulson on Ultimate Spiderman. 

Avengers Assemble!

Mousey Movies - The Avengers Primer

With John Carter behind us we move onto Disney’s guaranteed blockbuster, The Avengers.  Disney you say, why yes, yes it is.  Though we find Marvel characters and rides in Universal Studios Orlando, Disney owns the Marvel universe.  If you question whether or not the Avengers or Marvel is part of the Disney family, prepare yourself for an Avengers monorail wrap much like we saw with Tron Legacy.  Disney may not be able to host Iron Man or Captain America meet and greets in the parks due to the Universal contract, but the Marvel presence is soon to be evident in our favorite vacation spots.  Bob Iger at the 2012 Annual Meeting stated that there are plans to introduce Marvel characters into the theme parks.    

Captain America is Ready to Meet You, But Not at Walt Disney World!

As a kid who grew up reading The X-Men, The Amazing Spiderman, and the occasional Avengers I have been excited about what I have informally referred to as the “Avengers Project” for over five years.  And after Disney bought Marvel after the project kicked off, my interest went straight through the roof. 

Development of The Avengers actually started in 2005, years before Disney purchased Marvel Comics.  So in many ways, Disney inherited a string of blockbusters.  The concept was to release several Marvel hero movies and then have then all wrap together into one movie that included the stars of the previous films.  The connective tissue was a initially minor character, Nick Fury.  Nick Fury, played by Samuel L. Jackson in the Avenger movies, is the longtime director of S.H.I.E.L.D. (The Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division) a government agency working to ensure the overall security of the United States.  S.H.I.E.L.D. would appear first in 2008’s Iron Man in Agent Coulson, brilliantly played by Clark Gregg, but Fury would not appear until a short interaction with Tony Stark after the credits!  Though the role of Nick Fury was expanded in some future offerings, especially Iron Man 2, Fury has largely been a secondary plot point which guided viewers forward to this year’s The Avengers.  The following are quick summaries of the movies to date leading to The Avengers including which major characters key to the plot of The Avengers are introduced, as we know it to date:

Iron Man (2008) 

·        The audience is introduced to billionaire playboy and arms manufacturer Tony Stark, played by Robert Downey Jr.  Kidnapped in a foreign land the genius Stark develops the Iron Man suit of armor.  Stark struggles with balancing his own personal failings with becoming a public superhero and fights to save his technology and company from falling into the hands of his business partner and mentor turned bad.

·         S.H.I.E.L.D. comes out of the shadows to discuss with Tony the implications of his technically advanced suit of armor.  Agent Phil Coulson is charged with investigating the Iron Man technology.  The unintimating Coulson proves to be more than a man in a suit but an ally in Stark’s struggle to control his invention.

·         Nick Fury after the credits visits Stark on a recruiting visit to work with S.H.I.E.L.D.  

The Incredible Hulk (2008)

·         In this semi-sequel to the 2003 Hulk, Doctor Bruce Banner, played by Edward Norton, struggles with overcoming the Gamma radiation poisoning that turns the bookish scientist into the mindless and destructive Hulk.  Norton taking over the role from Eric Bana, plays a more cerebral Banner and is a character more familiar to fans of the 1970’s Bill Bixby The Incredible Hulk, than a smash everything brute. 

·         A cameo from Tony Stark after the credits notes that a team is being put together. 

·         Honestly this is the one Avengers movie that I have never watched more than once.  So I think many forgot its role in moving forward the Avengers story. 

·         Norton is replaced as Bruce Banner/Hulk by Mark Ruffalo in The Avengers.  In my opinion, Ruffalo’s appearance appears to be in the brainy Banner mold, not the hunkish and rock hard action hero.  

Iron Man 2 (2010)

·         Iron Man 2 was released after the Disney acquisition of Marvel and was promoted heavily by the Walt Disney Company as seen by the merchandise found in places like the Disney Store. 

·         Tony Stark returns and seriously loses his mojo as he faces death due to a heart defect.  He is also confronted by business rivals and a new villain that insists that Stark’s business and personal life should be his own.

·         Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, with the aid of Agent Coulson put Stark on a path to hopefully restore Tony’s groove.  Fury does question if Stark is able to cooperate with others and be material for the team he is assembling. 

·         Another S.H.I.E.L.D. agent The Black Widow, played by Scarlett Johansson is introduced.  The Black Widow is a martial arts and espionage expert assigned by Fury to keep a watchful eye on Stark and will return as a member of the Avengers.

·         Coulson is called away to a situation in New Mexico.  After the credits, Coulson calls back to report he has found something.  This scene leads us into the next Avengers themed movie. 

·         Many prefer the first Iron Man movie to the sequel but as a Disney fan this is my favorite due to its Mouseyness.  The parallels between Howard Stark, Tony’s father, and Walt Disney are impossible to miss. 

Thor (2011)

·         This film introduces another member of the Avengers team in the Norse god Thor, played by Chris Hemsworth.  Thor due to a poor decision making is thrown out of his home of Asgard by his father Odin.  Thor must find himself and his power again during a busy weekend in New Mexico.  As he finds himself, he struggles for control of Asgard and with his brother Loki, brilliantly portrayed by Tom Hiddleston. 

·         A post credits scene with Nick Fury hints that Loki will return.  The trailers for The Avengers confirm that Loki returns as a major villain.

·         It is revealed that the item Agent Coulson has found in New Mexico is Thor’s mystical hammer Mjolnir.  S.H.I.E.L.D. has a major presence in the story, guarding and investigating Mjolnir. 

·         Another Avenger is briefly introduced.  As Thor attempts to steal back Mjolnir from S.H.I.E.L.D. he is under the watchful eye of Clint Barton or Hawkeye played by Oscar nominated actor Jeremy Renner.  Hawkeye is a sharp shooter whose weapon of choice is a bow and arrow.    

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

·         Captain America: The First Avenger is the last piece of The Avengers puzzle at it introduces World War II era hero Captain America played by Chris Evans.  Lightweight Steve Rogers fails in his attempts to be inducted into the Army to fight the Axis powers.  Noticed by a government scientist he is selected for a program that gives him superhuman strength.  Under the name Captain America he fights a faction of Nazi scientific elite called HYDRA under the command of the Red Skull. 

·         The ending of the movie, sorry for any possible spoilers, transitions to the modern day as Nick Fury introduces an unaged Steve Rogers to the modern world.  After the credits, Fury returns to ask Rogers about joining a team he is putting together.  

Setup your Netflix queue or visit your local Redbox because you have your homework to finish before May 4^th.  The Avengers, unlike one of my favorites of this year John Carter is sure to be a hit for Disney.  And as a Disney fan we are sure to be seeing much more from the Avengers team and these individual superheroes to come.  Follow-up movies from Marvel Studios have already been announced including an Iron Man 3, Thor 2, and Nick Fury.   Superheroes are going to be supported by the House of Mouse for years to come!