Sunday 9 April 2017

Doctor Who Series 8 Re-Watch Snippets

In the lead up to Series 10 of modern Doctor Who, I've decided to re-watch all of Peter Capaldi's era as the Twelfth Doctor. For those who don't know, Series 10 will be Capaldi's last full series, with only a Christmas Special before he steps down as the current Doctor. This will be in parts, so stay tuned.



'Deep Breath' gets better and better the more I revisit it. Capaldi is more nuanced and subtly vulnerable than the Doctor's ever been. He's a real actors actor. I think if you first watched this an weren't sure Capaldi was right for the role, watch it again. You'll be pleasantly surprised. Also, the sheer terror Coleman portrays when she's seemingly abandoned is a thing to behold. 5 foot 1 and crying, you never stood a chance!

'Into the Dalek' is the kind of episode you really need for every Doctor. Capaldi's tweaked his performance slightly, or at least watching it immediately after his first story makes it appear different, because he's almost charming in his stern demeanor. Love his look, too. Danny Pink's former-soldier past is obviously a theme that runs throughout the series, as is death and the after life and the Doctor's questioning of whether or not he is a 'good man'. When the Doctor turns down Journey Blue despite thinking shes a good person because she's a soldier is absolutely part of Modern-Who's ongoing anti-war and violence message. While I think I appreciated the sentiment back when Eccelston and Tennant were denouncing it, I much rather the more moderate, measured and fair assessment we get throughout Capaldi's run to date. You can stand against things like war while still respecting the soldiers who fight them. I actually think the least interesting thing about this episode is the Daleks themselves. I love 'em but they don't really provide any new insight, despite the fun the sci-fi shrinking gimmick and exploring inside a Dalek casing provides. 'You are a good Dalek' too closely echoes the sentiment from the phenomenal 2005 episode 'Dalek'.

'Robot of Sherwood' is a fun little story that really let's Capaldi play up his Doctor's humorously humorous side by putting him in a story against an actual hero of legend....who he can't stand. Its not groundbreaking stuff, but it's solidly entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable. A sword fight with a spoon, a silly archery contest, being chained in a dungeon and lots of banter: just the kind of early installment you need in a new Doctor's era to prove you can have fun with him, no matter what kind of man he is. Capaldi clearly loves playing the comedy up but never over eggs it. Clara fangirling is lovely to see as well.

'Listen' is a perfect episode. What's hiding under your bed? I don't think I need to say much that hasn't already been said. The best thing for me is watching a William Hartnell who's just a scared little boy hiding in a barn and knowing that Peter Capaldi's Twelfth Doctor is still a scared little boy who runs and hides.

Side-note: so far Series 8 has mentioned Clara's imminent demise repeatedly. Foreshadowing?

'Time Heist' is a plot over character kind of episode that doesn't satisfactorily deliver on it's concept but it is still fairly entertaining. A lot of nice ideas in there but the supporting characters aren't fleshed out quite enough. I do like it, I just don't love it. Capaldi gets to play another aspect of his Doctor; manipulator. Nice. I realize I haven't talked about the Clara/Danny subplot but that's because it's cute and in offensive, despite the implications of the previous episode suggesting they have a future. Obviously it gets ramped up next episode...

'The Caretaker'. The mundane, sweet little romantic subplot meets bonkers space and time hijinx at Coal Hill School. This one is the opposite of the previous episode, focusing more on character than plot. Its a great watch. Capaldi is willfully ignorant and somehow hilarious as the titular caretaker. Danny seems like a really decent guy who is clearly trying to move away from the shadow of his past. Clara is very flawed but relatable trying to juggle this life and lie. The best scenes are Danny and Twelve clashing: the soldier and the officer. The utter disdain both hold for what the other represents is superb. This is a running theme. A great midpoint for the series.

That's where I'll leave off for now. Until I stop reveling in nostalgia, I remain

frogoat 

Sunday 19 March 2017

Wild Thing: Random Appearances

There's nothing earth-shattering or particularly interesting about cameo-appearances in comics. Usually, writers use them as a quick nod to fans or sometimes a character is used as simple canon-fodder to make a threat look more credible. That said, I think the following Wild Thing cameos belong in the first camp....though the first one is probably a little of both?


This first cameo is a weird one. Well, I guess both cameo's are weird, but you'll see what I mean. This story takes place during the massive multiverse-altering event Secret Wars. In a short story printed in Secret Wars: Battleworld #3, Mojo has taken various Wolverine-related characters from across every domain of the patchwork Battleworld and pitted them against one another in a battle royale fight to the death. The story focuses on a pacifist Wolverine who refuses to fight. Wild Thing (or, possibly an alternate-reality version) appears in a single panel of the story....apparently dead or dying after being bitten by a vampiric Wolverine. That's gotta suck.




The second cameo is similarly odd and coincidentally also features various Wolverine-related characters. Deadpool: Too Soon? #3 (which collects Deadpool: Too Soon? Infinite Comic #5 and #6)  presents Deadpool trying to solve the mystery of who is beheading his 'friends'. In an attempt to warn some of them, he pays a visit to Spider-Ham who is in the middle of a baseball game between a team of Spider-Men and Wolverines, the Amazing Arachnids and the Seething Snikters. I am not making this up. Anyway, one of the Snikters is, of course, Wild Thing. What the heck is she doing there? Deadpool does speculate that the team is comprised of clones, so that might go some way toward explaining things....sort of. But not really. The issue is penciled by MC2-alumni Todd Nauck, so it's likely just a fun Easter egg.





There you have it, folks. While the nature of the Secret Wars event has a built-in explanation for why Wild Thing is meeting (and possibly being killed by) alternate Wolverines, the Deadpool cameo just raises more questions. It may be worth mentioning that Wild Thing hasn't made any appearances in MC2-centric stories since before Secret Wars. Maybe she's stranded in another reality? Maybe I'm overthinking....

Until I stop scouring comics for cameo appearances of obscure characters, I remain

frogoat

A Late Discovery- Red Queen in Gaming

Obviously, I don't pretend to know everything there is to know about the MC2. I doubt even the great and legendary Ron Frenz and Tom Defalco could make that claim, though they'd come close. That said, I've endeavored to note, cover and document every appearance of any MC2 character in other media, be it film, television or video game. Which brings me to my point, at last. I've just discovered another appearance!

Hope Pym, better known as the villainous Red Queen appeared in an electronic collectable card game called Marvel: War of Heroes published by DeNA and Marvel Entertainment. The game was officially released on mobile devices on October 18th 2012 and the game was shut down on May 31st 2016.


As for Hope Pym, she appeared on digital cards which were collectable within the game, specifically called '[Angry Daughter] Red Queen'. The artwork appears to be taken from the previously published American Dream mini-series which featured pencils by Todd Nauck. I'll include links to where I found this information:

http://marvel-war-of-heroes.wikia.com/wiki/Angry_Daughter_Red_Queen
 
 http://marvel-war-of-heroes.wikia.com/wiki/Marvel:_War_of_Heroes
 
http://popnerdtv.com/the-end-of-a-digital-era-marvel-war-of-heroes/?cbg_tz=-600

If I discover any other MC2 characters amongst the various cards in this now-defunct game, I will, of course, make another post.


Until I stop discovering new little bits and pieces relating to my favourite fictional world, I remain

frogoat

Thursday 16 March 2017

Stinger in Marvel Avengers Academy



It's only just come to my attention that Cassie Lang, also known as Stinger has been added as a playable character in Marvel Avengers Academy. Developed by mobile game studio TinyCo, Marvel Avengers Academy depicts classic Marvel characters as college students in an academy of the players design wherein the 'Avengers' combat super-villains and master their  super powers. Or so I read. I've never played the game before.





Stinger was introduced to the game during the 'Young Avengers Mini-Event' on the 17th of February along with Hulkling and Wiccan. In-game dialog between Cassie and the Scott Lang version of Ant-Man featured in this game confirm that Cassie is in fact his alternate reality daughter. From what I have been able to discover, Stinger may have been only available for a limited time only.




The classic Stinger costume from the MC2 appears as Cassies third costume, unlocked at Rank 5. It's worth noting she also sports a purple version of her 616-counterpart's Stature identity. Beyond that, I can't really gather much more information. I've been unable to find anywhere that identifies a voice actor for Cassie/Stinger, sadly. I'll keep digging to see if I can turn up anything, but for now, that's all I have to share.





Until I start to see a decline in appearances of MC2 characters in other mediums, I remain

frogoat

Saturday 24 December 2016

Mayhem for Spider-Man Unlimited

I covered it months ago but now it's finally materializing: Mayhem will soon be playable in the Spider-Man Unlimited mobile game. There is no official release date yet. Here is the leaked card art:

Mayhem


What I wasn't expecting and what I'm pleased to share with everyone is the addition of Spider-Girl to the game. What? She's already been in the game for two years? Oh....but this is the REAL Spider-Girl, April Parker, dontcha know? 

Spider-Girl (April Parker)


This appears to be April's costume prior to her downward spiral into Mayhem. I hadn't thought this costume would be on the cards for the game. Maybe there is hope for other MC2 Spiders. Gerry Drew, anyone?





While I continually find Gameloft's dedication to representing MC2 characters, I'm still baffled by their lack of attention to detail, such as the newly available Black Suit Spider-Girl's first appearance being given as Spider-Girl #97, when it actually debuted back in Spider-Girl #75. It's even featured on the cover, so it's not that hard to figure out. Let's hope in future they either correct this information or at least pay more attention in future.



But nevermind all that. Tomorrow is Christmas and it's about time I headed to bed.


Until I stop spending time (...and money) on this bastion of MC2 representation in other media, I remain

frogoat

Tuesday 13 December 2016

Black-Suit Spider-Girl and Earth X Venom Hitting Spider-Man Unlimited

It looks like with the newest update of the mobile phone game Spider-Man Unlimited set to arrive shortly, MC2 fans will be treated to a few familiar playable characters.



Of course, the release times aren't know yet, but assets from the game, along with material officially released by Gameloft make mention of Black-Suit Spider-Girl, Spider-Venom and Venom (May Parker).



The Venom of Earth X has also been referred to as 'Venom X' so obviously the titles are still up in the air at this point.

The update also sees some major changes to the game's rank-up system and a new filtering system for the player's team of Spider-folks.

Until I stop being excited by this stuff, I remain

frogoat












Friday 2 December 2016

The Evolution of Mainframe in Animation

I decided there might be just enough to make a third video in the series. So here is Mainframe's two appearances in Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. I mean he does evolve and change, so that's gotta count for something, right?





Until I can make an animation entry for Spider-Girl, I remain


frogoat

Saturday 19 November 2016

The Evolution of American Dream in Video Games


The Evolution of American Dream in Video Games

After the previous video, I kinda felt like continuing. So, please enjoy this,admittedly shorter, second entry in the 'MC2 Evolution' videos:




Sadly, I don't think there is enough for a third video in this 'series' unless--

Until I learn how to edit videos more efficiently, I remain


frogoat 

Thursday 17 November 2016

Tuesday 1 November 2016

Happy Halloween

Thought I'd put up a brief little post to wish everyone a Happy Halloween and mention all the tremendous work my pal Al is doing over at http://www.spidey-dude.com/ to celebrate not only the spooky holiday, but also the twentieth anniversary of the end of the Clone Saga and May 'Mayday' Parker's Birthday. Obviously,  I'm aware it's a day late for me, but I'm sure internationally Halloween is still in full swing. Anyway, don't eat too much candy and dress for the occasion. We miss you, Ben! Happy Birthday, Mayday!




Saturday 22 October 2016

Mayhem Coming to Spider-Man Unlimited







A recent interview on Marvel.com has shed some light on upcoming additions to the mobile device game Spider-Man Unlimited. Gameloft's Vitaliy Gladiyenko discussed the future updates, including the addition of more Symbiote characters to the game along with the introduction of 'Collections' which will aid players in sorting and finding their favorite characters. For me, the most exciting new character coming is the Spider-Girl's own Mayhem, aka April Parker. Here's a quote from the interview:

Marvel.com: Can you clue us in to what other Spidey heroes and symbiote villains we might see in this story?

    Vitaliy Gladiyenko: Sure! Besides some of the symbiotes, that have been released by now, you'll be able to play as five brothers and sisters: Scream, Lasher, Agony, Phage, and Riot. There will be also some exclusive additions to the roster, like Kingpin Venom, Eddie Brock as Toxin, Venom X, Mayhem, Mania, Scorn, and some others. As you can see, it's really raining symbiotes!

The interview can be found at this link:
 http://marvel.com/news/video_games/26887/symbiotes_invade_spider-man_unlimited









It's nice to see another MC2 addition coming down the line again. I'm still convinced someone working on the game is a fan. I wonder if we'll get the symbiotic Spider-Girl costume seen in Spider-Girl #100 at some point? Or how about Earth X Venom?








Until they make Lil' Benjy a playable character, I remain

frogoat





Sunday 2 October 2016

Spider-Girl 'Theme Song'


Spider-Girl 'Theme Song'

 

By Normie Osborn

'Spider-Girl! Spider-Girl!

Don't she make your little head whirl!

My little, brown-eyed Spider-Girl!

She does one heck of a Spider Twirl!

Hey There! There Goes that Spider-Girl! '



-What If (vol. 2) #105/ Spider-Girl #0


Saturday 2 July 2016

American Dream Added to Marvel Heroes 2016

Gazillion's Marvel Heroes 2016 has added new costumes for Captain America to celebrate the 4th of July. One of these costumes is of particular interest for any MC2 gamers and fans out there: Shannon Carter AKA American Dream. According to Comicbook.com and Gamasutra American Dream will be an 'Enhanced Costume' with brand-new animations and a new voice-over. Melissa Disney will voice American Dream.






Shannon Carter is only the second MC2 character to be added to the game, following May 'Mayday' Parker AKA Spider-Girl who was voiced by Mary Faber when she was added as an 'Enhanced Costume' for Spider-Man in 2015.


Until I figure out how to play the game properly, I remain

frogoat


Sunday 15 May 2016

The Mystery of Jimmy's Sister



Just a brief post today. I came across a little something while looking through early issues of Spider-Girl recently. 

Jimmy Yama, the nerdy friend of May ‘Mayday’ Parker is mentioned in the letters page for Spider-Girl #4. In a letter speculating about the connection between Jimmy Yama and Zane Yama, also known as the Avenger J2, the letter-writer suggests Jimmy and Zane are brothers. Obviously, as we learn in Spider-Girl #8, Zane and Jimmy are cousins. Curiously, however, whom ever addressed readers’ letters for this issue (I’m assuming series writer/editor Tom Defalco) mentions in response ‘Jimmy has an older sister, but no brothers. (He does however have many cousins.)’




While the latter statement references the soon-to-be-revealed familial connection between Jimmy and Zane, it is the first part of Tom’s answer that really grabbed my attention. Jimmy has a sister? Does that ever come up again?  


Well, let’s take a look. We are introduced to Jimmy’s parents -Catherine and Donald- in Spider-Girl #8. Jimmy’s family are at the Queens County Courthouse discussing the charges against Jimmy (following his fight with ‘Moose’ Mansfield) with Donald’s sister Sachi Yama, who is the Assistant District Attorney. Sachi is Zane Yama’s mother and Cain Marko aka the Juggernaut is his seemingly-dead father. Now you know the story! So Jimmy’s mother, father, aunt and cousin show up to support him, but not his unseen sister.

…and that’s it. Unless I’m mistaken, we don’t see Jimmy’s family again. So…do we assume he doesn’t have a sister or that she was merely absent (at college, maybe? She is older) for his court date. Is this a case of early installment weirdness? Does it even count if it's only mentioned in the letters page?

Until I stop re-reading old letters pages from 18 years ago, I remain

frogoat

Saturday 30 April 2016

Captain America: Civil War Movie Review



Being, as I am, an Australian and not an American (nor a Briton, for that matter) has given me the fortunate opportunity to watch the new Marvel film before many others. Hopefully that doesn't come across elitist because really, I'm just stoked that I got to see it so soon. My partner in life and I suited up appropriately, too. I in her Captain America shirt. She in mine. Don't read into that statement too much. Anywho, shall I give you a review? Warning: Potential Spoilers Ahead!


Thursday 3 December 2015

Playing Catch Up



While I was planning on making a more extensive post about particular topics soon-ish, I felt the urge to put keystrokes to computer screen and make another entry on here on my much-neglected blog. So I'll briefly touch on various little things not worthy of a full post (or perhaps not until later, when I find time) and see how far that takes me.




The mobile-platform game Spider-Man Unlimited continues to be the only video game I can find time for in my busy schedule. Considering I can play it anywhere (at home, at work, on the loo) certainly lends itself to my lifestyle far more than a console game. Rumblings behind the scenes at Gameloft have told us Spider-Ham and Spider-Ham related characters are coming very soon.



 Interviews with the development team previously indicated they would have to build a know new character model for smaller characters such as Spider-Ham However the most recent character added to the game, Annie Parker (from the Renew Your Vows story) appears to use a scaled down version of the female character model...which sometimes glitches back to the standard size while retaining the proportions of the smaller character.



But more importantly, the character comes with a new voice over. The credits of the game currently don't indicate any new additions to the voice cast and the dialogue can't simply have been designed for little Annie because when kicking an enemy, she'll sometimes exclaim 'Taste my hooves!' So, positing a theory here....I think this new voice over is intended for a female Spider-Ham related character....namely Swiney-Girl.



Moving onto comics now, I finished and thoroughly enjoyed the MC2 back-up stories in the Spider-Island mini series. I have some very mixed feelings about the actual events leading into the story (both Spider-Verse and Secret Wars) but I believe on it's own merits the entire 31-page mini-epic was a strong read and a welcome return to down to earth, emotionally based storytelling for Mayday. On a more personal note, the story ended around the one year anniversary of my fathers death. Seeing May struggling to define her role in her family while dealing with the guilt and anger she feels surrounding her fathers passing hit home for me. I generally try to avoid placing personal bias into my thoughts about a comic, but once again I find myself truly connecting with May's swath of emotions. Her journey in many ways reflects my own. Learning to live without a loved one after they die is something that permanently alters your outlook and irrevocably changes your life. I respectfully and sincerely appreciate Tom, Ron, Sal and the entire creative team for their dedication to portraying the fallout of such a life-altering event.

I'm very glad May is not stuck wearing her fathers old costume.


On a lighter note, the ongoing series Web-Warriors will feature Mayday's Spider-Girl--erm I mean Spider-Woman as a recurring member of the cast. Judging by the first issue, I like the concept of a reality-hopping team reminiscent of the Exiles comprised of Spider-People. I think the series could be a fun ride, but I do question how Friendly Neighborhood May can be if she is flitting about across the Multiverse. Obviously, it's not the writers fault May comes to the series a changed character from the one Spider-Girl fans remember, so I won't hold that against them. Honestly, I found the characterization fairly on-target, all things considered. But why hasn't she been on any of the covers?! I'm giving this a chance. Stay tuned, I guess.

Until I find the time to actually write a wordy and well-researched blog entry again, I remain

frogoat

Wednesday 16 September 2015

Look Who the Cat Dragged In!





So, it's only taken me this long to pull this particular Spider from the portal. I can't tell you how happy I am right now.

 

 Until the next MC2 character is added to the game, forcing me to game hard to satisfy my obsessive need to collect everything MC2, I remain

 frogoat

 

Tuesday 11 August 2015

Costume Analysis: The Spider-Girl Unlimited Costume

 

The Spider-Girl (May 'Mayday' Parker) 'costume skin' used in the Spider-Man Unlimited game uses a distinctive mix of both the original Spider-Girl series costume design and the Amazing Spider-Girl updated costume design.


Love the cool pose but what is with the speech balloon?

 The adjective-less Spider-Girl series costume was obviously not designed for Mayday originally, being first worn by Ben Reilly. Despite being designed for a man, the costume works aesthetically for a female character. When the Spider-Girl series was relaunched as Amazing Spider-Girl, Ron Frenz took the opportunity to make some slight alterations to the design to further suit May.

Notice the BIG eye pieces on the mask with the distinctive pointy bit at the top? While the original Spider-Girl series featured this eye design, the Amazing Spider-Girl series matured the look with smaller eye pieces.

The web-shooters here are not from the adjective-less Spider-Girl run, instead more closely resembling the 'bracelet' look Ron Frenz refined for Amazing Spider-Girl. Arguably May's web-shooters design changed over time during the original series, but this design seems to be taken from the Amazing series. With me so far?

Another big thing to note is the lack of 'blue'  in the underarm or axillary region. The updated Amazing Spider-Girl costume had more blue coming across the chest, enhancing the 'feminine' look already apparent in the costume's design. So, together with the Amazing Spider-Girl web-shooter 'bracelets' and the Spider-Girl style eye pieces, the Spider-Man Unlimited game presents a hybrid of both designs.



Until I find more time to work on this poor semi-abandoned blog, I remain

frogoat

Thursday 9 July 2015

Mayday as Spider-Woman in Spider-Man Unlimited

The Spider-Man Unlimited mobile phone game created by Gameloft will soon be adding Spider-Island themed characters to it's already extensive roster. In addition to a new playable Spider-Island Mary Jane character, it looks like we will also be getting a new playable costume for the MC2's own May 'Mayday' Parker in the form of her current appearance as 'Spider-Woman' in the Secret Wars tie-in series Spider-Island which recently started publication.























Last year, the MC2's Spider-Girl became the first female Spider-Character introduced into the game. Then the MC2 took home another first with the Scarlet Spider (Felicity Hardy) becoming the first playable character introduced with the new 8-Star Rank called Titan. And now this! I wonder if there is an MC2 fan amongst Gameloft's development team?






















The recent Mary Jane love going on with the current 'Manga Mary Jane' Event which allows players to snag the new Mangaverse Spider-Woman aka Mary Jane and the upcoming Spider-Island promo image both make me very happy, too. These instances and past uses of Mary Jane over other female love interests within the game (for example the Valentines Day Event) suggests people at Gameloft know how important Mary Jane Watson is to the Spider-Man mythos. Good going, Gameloft!






















Until actually manage to obtain these new characters, I remain


frogoat 


Thursday 25 June 2015

Mainframe Returns to Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H.

Marvel has tweeted a clip of the upcoming season two finale to Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. which features a gathering of animated universes various heroes including the series iteration of Mainframe.






The Agents of S.M.A.S.H. series previously introduced the animated version of the MC2's own Mainframe in the Season 2, episode 18 'Wheels of Fury' where he was voiced by Jeffrey Combs. Appearing initially as an artificial intelligence created by Tony Stark, at the conclusion of that episode, he took on a form resembling his armored MC2 design.

  
The season two finale of Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H.  is titled 'Planet Monster (part 2)' and is set to be broadcast on June 28th on Disney XD.

Until American Dream shows up in a Captain America Corps animated series voiced by Tara Strong, I remain

frogoat