Marvel
The highly anticipated trailer for the upcoming Captain Marvel movie, Marvel’s first solo woman-led film, has finally been released. As a die-hard member of the Carol Corps, let me be the first to assure you that it is indeed absolutely amazing. For a short trailer, it packed in a lot, including action, adventure, mysterious origins, and even aliens. I mean, what more could you want!
Netflix
Lately, it has become nearly impossible to keep up-to-date on everything; staying on top of the incredibly fast-paced news cycle is overwhelming enough. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, we miss news about things we actually like (I nearly missed the She-Ra trailer, which borders on blasphemy in my world, for example). This is where Geeks in Art is here to help; by rounding up all the nerdy news you need to know that you may have missed over the past week.
Marvel
Staying on top of your favourite comics can be difficult, especially if you have an otherwise incredibly busy life. I know I can barely remember to put on pants when I meet the medicine delivery person at the door (because I also can’t remember to actually pick stuff up when I am out). For those of us with scattered brains and busy lives, trade paperbacks and graphic novels are the best way to enjoy comic books and the medium as a whole.
When I got invited by another mom to go see Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 2 I very eagerly said yes, because it looked awesome. Then it was brought to my attention that I had not seen Volume 1 yet. So a mere one hour before I was leaving to go see Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 2 I finished Volume 1.
Marvel’s Guardians Of The Galaxy
L to R: Gamora (Zoe Saldana), Peter Quill/Star-Lord (Chris Pratt), Rocket Raccoon (voiced by Bradley Cooper), Drax The Destroyer (Dave Bautista) and Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel)
Ph: Film Frame
©Marvel 2014
Oh My God !
I had no idea what I was missing out on.
After a brief but necessary look into Peter Quill’s heartbreaking beginning the Star Lord quickly sets a different tone with his top notch dancing skills set to the soundtrack of ‘Awesome Mixed Tape #1’.
Also I want to point out that I spent the entire movie thinking that Peter would open the gift from his mother at the moment of ultimate doom and it would be something to suddenly save the galaxy. It did turn out to be a very ‘awesome’ gift but it didn’t quite save the galaxy.
Rocket the genetically and cybernetically modified raccoon is accompanied brilliantly by his tree-like humanoid Groot.
Basically all of our good guys are on the run from someone so in order to stay alive (and hopefully get rich) they must form what is at times a very uneasy alliance.
Of course our misfit heroes manage to save the day, and their journey there is chalked full of some fantastic humor. Seriously just so funny.
Rocket Raccoon and his tree like body guard Groot
The end of Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 1 leaves us with some important clues into Volume 2.
As the Ravagers leave Xander, Yondu remarks that it turned out well that they did not deliver Quill to his father as contracted.
Peter Quill learns that he is only half human, his father being part of an ancient unknown species.
Star Lord finally opens the gift his mother gave him early on, and it’s ‘Awesome Mixed Tape #2’, I love this.
The Guardians of the Galaxy have their criminal records expunged and they leave together in the rebuilt Milano (Peter’s ship) with a sapling cut from Groot.
Spoiler – it’s hilarious and wonderful.
I really enjoyed Groot the body guard but Baby Groot is freaking adorable.
Baby Groot is freaking ADORABLE!
Yondu’s remark regarding Peter’s father give us some insight into the main theme of Volume 2, unravelling the mysteries of Peter’s parentage.
As Marvel Studios continues to expand their Marvel Universe prepare to accept some old foes as new friends.
Of course our now beloved ragtag heroes find themselves once again on the run from powerful beings.
To avoid giving away too much of the story before everyone has had a fair chance to watch it I won’t go too much into Volume 2, but I am thrilled to see more of Nebula.
My eagerness for Nebula is at least partly due to my fascination with Karen Gillan ever since she portrayed Amy Pond, which is a completely different fandom but I wanted to be Amy Pond.
Karen Gillan shaved her signature red locks completely off for her role as Nebula in Volume 1 and even did it on camera. She reports being grateful that for Volume 2 they only needed to shave the lower half of her head.
Karen Gillan’s hair growing out after her role as Nebula
It is one of those rare franchises that I will be watching multiple times.
I loved it !!
Mimi
There is no way around it; we are living in some interesting, and stressful, times. Regardless of where you lie on the political spectrum, you have to admit that things in the States are anxiety-inducing. For everyone. It is obviously incredibly important to be as politically aware as possible. Positive change can only happen when it is initiated by the informed. But it is important to take time away from the political arena as well. Having a few geeky things to look forward to can help give you a bit of a reprieve from that stress.
Thinking about things you are curious about experiencing can also help when you begin to feel helpless or hopeless. Whenever I find myself in a low spot I remember the advice Matt Fraction (writer of Sex Criminals, Hawkeye, ODY-C, among others) gave one of his fans. Fraction received a question from a fan about feeling hopeless. In his response, Fraction suggested the fan find something that could hold his curiosity; something that he was excited to learn or experience or re-experience in the future. In that light, here are a few geeky things we can all look forward to.
I’ll be honest – Wonder Woman was never my favourite superhero. Don’t get me wrong, I have always loved her. But for whatever reason I was always drawn to the lesser known heroes. Batwoman, Black Canary, and Huntress were always higher on that list. Then I read Greg Rucka’s The Hiketeia
Gal Gadot’s brief appearance is, without a doubt, the best part of Batman v. Superman. In my eyes, she was perfect as Diana – strong, confident, and fed up with bs. I’ve been looking forward to this movie since it was announced. The recent trailer has made me seriously wish for a TARDIS or some way to wake up and have it suddenly be June 2nd.
I’ve written at length about my love for the Doctor’s new companion, Bill Potts. Now that we are five episodes in I can say, without a doubt, that she is my new favourite companion. The team of Bill and the Twelfth Doctor is perfection. The only horrible thing about it is that it will only last one series with the departure of Peter Capaldi (the Doctor) and the rumoured departure of Pearl Mackie (Bill Potts) later this year.
Still, together they are absolute perfection. This season seems to be revisiting old plot lines, consistently enough that I wonder if it is on purpose, as part of Steven Moffat’s swan song. The mystery of the vault is another intriguing aspect of the show. Who, or what, is there? Is it the Master? Missy? The next Doctor? The first Doctor? Amy Pond from series six’s “The Girl Who Waited”? River? River-as-Melody? Susan gone rogue? While we’re at it, what’s up with Nardole? There was definitely something strange about him in this episode. Is he the Master’s new form? Is someone else’s consciousness (maybe River’s?) stored in his head? Can Nardole’s interesting comments be explained away by a fascinating former life, and the fact that now his head is attached to an artificial/nuts-and-bolts body? This geek needs to know.
Most Star Wars fans have been looking forward to The Last Jedi since before it even had a name. In fact, I bet many of us began eagerly awaiting for Episode VIII immediately following the final moments of The Force Awakens. The promotional material for this movie, from the posters to the trailers, have been amazing.
This movie will be a bit bittersweet, especially for long-time Star Wars fans. It marks Carrie Fisher’s last appearance as the iconic Princess Leia. Fisher’s tragic death last year was a blow to the film’s fans as well as its cast and crew. Seeing her grace the big screen for the last time is sure to be emotional.
Even if you can’t afford to go, you have to admit that convention season can be pretty exciting. For starters, there are a ton of panels to follow. There is bound to be one to match almost every fandom. Cosplay roundups are always a fun part of following any convention. Looking at the creative ideas of other likeminded geeks can inspire new cosplay ideas, or even be the starting point for some fantastic fanfic.
The announcements are the other huge perk of convention season. Comic book companies and production companies often wait until there is a huge panel before making major announcements. These may include titles or release dates for upcoming films, casting announcements, book launches, and creative changes. For the nerd-at-heart, convention season is like Christmas.
The last season of Daredevil was so-so and Iron Fist was barely watchable. Still, I, and many other likeminded geeks, are incredibly excited for this series to begin. Why, you may ask? Well, for starters:
Jessica Jones, pictured using her super-strength the exact same way I would use mine
And also:
Think he’d want to get some coffee with me?
The series will follow Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist as they fight (villains and seemingly one another) to save New York City. Charlie Cox, Krysten Ritter, Mike Colter, and Finn Jones reprise their respective roles. We can probably expect to see an episode or two of “I work better alone” monologues and sullen looks, but after this, the series looks like it will be amazing.
