“It’s hard to believe that one vengeance-crazed man has trapped both the Spider-Friends and the X-Men! But he’s more than a man. He’s part robot, part living computer, and his mad scheme of revenge threatens to destroy the entire X-Men mansion, and everyone inside!” That is the voiceover narration from season 3, episode 7 of […]
It was 1995. I had just moved to Southern California after college and it was my first San Diego Comic-Con. And for the first time, I was in line to meet Stan Lee. Comic-Con wasn’t the total madhouse that it is today, so it was conceivable to just go to the Marvel booth, wait in […]
It is with great sadness and dismay that I report that longtime Blastoff contributing writer D Jason Cooper has passed away. Jason started writing for us in October of 2012, and contributed faithfully and well ever since, producing over 68 columns in the past six years. Jason was a talented writer with a deep and […]
Supergirl’s fourth episode (“Ahimsa”) had a lot of great lines (“Americans, man. No idea how to drink.”) and moments. Lena and Brainy leaning on each other to solve the Kryptonite air problem was fantastic. It was particularly fascinating to see Lena coolly express her rage, before teaching Brainy how to compartmentalize. They’re surprisingly great together, […]
Supergirl’s third episode (“Man of Steel”) gave us Agent Liberty’s origin story. Presumably, we’re supposed to understand, as the audience, how a seemingly reasonable, kind man can turn into a hateful, xenophobic bigot. It checks all the stereotypes: blue-collar racist dad (Xander Berkeley), well-educated and learned person, loving family, generally seems to try to do […]
I can’t lie… I missed you. I dipped away for a moment, but Blastoff’s modernist is back. My name is Pat Shand, and I’m here at Blastoff talking about comics new and old… though we’re focusing a bit more on the old this month. I’m diving into 1987’s Justice League run by J. M. DeMatteis, […]
The Flash’s third episode (“The Death of Vibe”) was so much fun and full of family drama. You know, a typical Tuesday night. First, we have a new Wells! Sure, he’s a bit of a swindler, a French version of Sherlock Holmes, named Sherloque. Cisco quips that he smells like poutine, and I just about […]
Supergirl’s second episode (“Fallout”) had so many powerful moments that it’s hard to know where to begin. The writing has been absolutely exquisite, and I love all of the girl power moments (Eve, Lena, and Kara teaming up and kicking ass? Yes, please.). But I was particularly touched and moved by Nia, both the strength […]
The Flash’s second episode (“Blocked”) introduces us to Cicada, and it’s the least intimidating name I’ve heard in a while—especially for a dude who looks like a super evil Subzero, with a slight Zeus obsession. I mean, the lightning bolt of doom is an interesting weapon. And Cicada, name aside, is menacing and formidable. I […]
Supergirl’s season 4 premiere (“American Alien”) was pretty excellent. There was more to cheer about than not, even though the show tackled some difficult, relevant social issues. I mean, Kara was forced to confront her privilege, since she can “pass” for human. That was no small deal, and I loved that Alex reminded her to […]
The Flash’s season five premiere (“Nora”) was equal parts funny and touching. Mad props have to be given to Jessica Parker Kennedy, for her wide-eyed turn as Nora, Iris and Barry’s daughter. (Confession: I loved her on The Secret Circle, and I’m still mad that show got canceled. Don’t judge me.) Earnest, self-depreciating (“I’m not […]
As Fawcett’s Captain Marvel continued to grow in popularity over the 1940s, his cast of characters grew along with it, well past the core Marvel Family of Cap, Captain Marvel Junior and Mary Marvel. Here are a few other very frequently appearing friends of the Big Red Cheese: Among the first were the Three Lieutenant […]
Fawcett’s Captain Marvel first leapt off the printed page and into theatres in 1941, with the 12-chapter Republic serial The Adventures of Captain Marvel, starring Tom Tyler as Captain Marvel and Frank Coghlan Jr. as Billy Batson. It’s pretty faithful to the basics of the Captain Marvel mythos, even starting off with Billy’s visit to […]
