Comic Book Review: Nick Fury Agent of SHELD #16 - Marvel Comics (1990)

Apogee of Disaster part 2
"Uh, Houston, We Got a Problem"

Written by DG Chichester
Pencils by Herb Trimpe
Inks by Romeo Tanghal
Colors by Andy Yanchus

Nick Fury and the Agents of SHIELD are in outer space on a mission to stop a man named PEter Lohan and his group of technicians from launching a satellite from a stolen space shuttle.

I received this comic book from the TeeBlox subscription service as part of their monthly t-shirt plus extra goodies.  This was a series I never got into when I was younger but I thought it might be fun to give it a read and let everyone know what I think about it.

Although this is the sixteenth issue in the series and part two of the overall "Apogee of Disaster" story line, it was easy to figure out what was going on.  The characters each had lines that made you understand where they were coming from and the way they were written, a person almost would not even need the balloon arrow to let you know who was talking.  It was definitely a fun read.

One of the things that caught my eye for this comic book cover was Nick Fury's signature cigar inside the spacesuit.  That is only for the cover but there is a reference to him needing a space suit to be able to do so within the comic book.  Back in 1990 maybe, but now that Disney owns Marvel, no more smoking in the comics, movies or television.

Herb Trimpe is the artist for this book and that made the book that much more fun.  The outer space scenes looked great and the interiors of the space ships looked fantastic.  Herb Trimpe has drawn so many great comics(first person to draw Wolverine in a comic book!) and it was cool to see him drawing the Agents of SHIELD in these perilous space combats.  This comic book exceeded my expectations.

What older comics have you picked up recently?  What comic books should Maskerpiece Theatre in the future?  Find us on social media and let us know.

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Agent Carter: Ep 1 Season 2 Recap

Season 2 begins immediately where season 1 left off. Agent Carter and the men of the SSR seem to be working strategically to capture Dottie Underwood, soviet spy. Team work prevails and Dottie is captured and brought back to SSR headquarters for detainment and interrogation. Meanwhile near Los Angeles California, newly appointed West Coast station head, Daniel Sousa has stumbled upon a most curious and chilling discovery. The decision is made to send help and Agent Carter is off to Hollywood. 

Working closely with Sousa once again Carter finds that things and people don’t function the same as in New York and a new approach and strategy must be found. Agent Carter and team are trying to solve the mystery of the freezing, glowing people when things become even more complicated. A new secret order of influential people adds further difficulties. Unbeknownst to Agent Carter, this new evil force is pulling the strings from the shadows. The team is slowly building towards a discovery when the newest member of the team finds himself in peril. With little time left, Agent Carter realizes that perhaps Jarvis was right. Maybe there isn’t a single person who can carry the weight of the world on their shoulders, alone and everyone needs backup. 

I was not disappointed in the level of fun delivered in this show. It continues to exude that special charm from season 1. It’s a delight seeing Agent Carter, Sousa and Jarvis back in action. There are a few new faces as well that have promise to bring their own unique flair to the show, adding wit, laughs and ulterior motives. 

It’s clear that the special effects team is the same group as in “Agents of SHIELD” and that doesn’t bode well for this show. I do understand how Peggy Carter is part of the SSR (Strategic Scientific Reserve) and that certain anomalies will appear that only her and her team can handle. I would prefer they not appear so fake or CGI specific. The charm of season 1 relied in part on the predominant use of practical effects (the cars exploded or caught fire, buildings blew up, guns were shot, people were punched and kicked, etc). I was not a fan of the glowing frozen people or mysterious ooze that creates black holes. It reminded me more of events I’d see in “Agents of SHIELD” and I don’t care for that show, at all.

I’m hoping as this season continues we will see a departure from the bizarre and a return to practical. I do enjoy the science fiction and the bizarre however I did not believe they were well placed in this premier episode. I want this show to maintain it’s charm and barely, if at all, connect to that unimaginative and poorly written show, “Agents of SHIELD”. This show can stand on its own as it proved in season 1. It doesn’t need to connect to the other show. There are decades of time and stories to join with before the events of that other show occur. Stay away from what doesn’t work and get back to what delights and entertains me and everyone who agrees. 

I’m not giving up on Agent Carter and I hope you don’t either. We have a few more episodes of possible redemption. I have faith that when Peggy Carter saves the day, she will also save the show.

PS: I did enjoy, more than I probably should have, the scenes where Jarvis was dealing with or chasing the pink Flamingo.

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"Captain America: Civil War" and Spider-Man

Concept art via cosmicbooknews.com

Recently we celebrated the 53rd anniversary of “Amazing Fantasy #15” which features the debut of the classic American super hero, Spider-Man! From the pages of comic books to television and then the big screen, fans worldwide have enjoyed the adventures of Spider-Man and all the nefarious villains who stand in his way. He was just your ordinary high school student who was given super powers and then he put on a mask to protect the ones he loved and the people of the city he lived in. Spiderman could be anyone who has it in their heart to do right and protect their family, friends and fellow man; perhaps that’s what makes the character of Spider-Man so endearing all these years.

In May of 2016, directors Anthony and Joe Russo will be presenting the third cinematic version of Spider-Man in their new film “Captain America: Civil War”.  In the comic book world the "Civil War" story line was spread over several titles and ran for over 90 issues. Teams of heroes fighting heroes and villains fighting heroes with Spider-Man caught in the middle. It's highly unlikely that the movie will capture everything in the comic books but it's not hard to imagine at some point in the film Spider-Man will be recruited for Captain America's team and at some point also for Iron Man's team. It's a knock down drag out fight between heroes for what each side believes is best and the movie going audience should be in for a cinematic treat!

Tom Holland (previously in "The Impossible" staring Ewan McGregor and Naomi Watts as well as "Locke" staring Tom Hardy) has been cast by Sony and Marvel studios to play “Spidey” for the foreseeable future and it provides the movie going audience a chance to see a sixth Spider-Man film on the big screen in 2017.  Tom Holland now joins the ranks of Tobey Maquire (Spider-Man 2002 - 2007) and Andrew Garfield (Amazing Spider-Man 2012 - 2014) who have played Spider-Man on the big screen prior to Tom putting on the mask. He also joins rank with Paul Soles, (Spider-Man animated TV series 1967 - 1970), Nicholas Hammond (Spider-Man TV series 1977 - 1979), Christopher Daniel Barnes (Spider-Man Animated TV series 1994 - 1998), Neil Patrick Harris (Spider-Man Animated TV series 2003), and finally Drake Bell (Ultimate Spider-Man Animated TV series 2012 - current) who had/have the privilege of bringing the character Spider-Man to life.

As a film franchise it’s a challenge to argue reasons why another Spider-Man movie shouldn’t be made (even with the poorly received “Spider-Man 3” directed by Sam Raimi and  “Amazing Spiderman 2” directed by Marc Webb). With five films now in the can, the Spider-Man franchise has earned more than $3 billion dollars world wide and is the sixth highest grossing film franchise of all time. These types of figures alone provide the strongest argument for additional films in this franchise. Dollars make sense in Hollywood and the movie going public is saying loudly with the dollars from their bank accounts, “We want more Spider-Man!”  And in 2016 and 2017 John and Jane movie goer will get their wish. “Spider-Man” directed by Jon Watts staring Tom Holland as “Peter Parker/Spider-Man” and Marisa Tomei as “Aunt May” with a script being penned by John Daley and Jonathan Goldstein (best known writing for the films, “Vacation” and “Horrible Bosses 2”) is scheduled for tentative release in July of 2017.

Sony and Marvel haven’t yet officially announced who the villain(s) will be in this sixth installment but the gallery of villains who constantly try and thwart “Spidey” is packed with incredible characters. During an interview with Variety, Marvel studio head, Kevin Feige explained that this version of Spider-Man will be like nothing seen previously on the big screen and even went as far as to say he envisioned, stylistically, a "John Hughes" type movie for this particular incarnation of  Spider-Man. Also he went on to say “Right now we’re interested in seeing villains we haven’t seen before” to SlashFilm. That statement alone opens up so many doors for villains like, Black Cat, Scorpion, Shocker, Morbius, Carnage, Kraven the Hunter and Mysterio (Just to name a few).

Be sure to catch up on all the Spider-Man action by watching and/or reading his incredible stories available on Blu-Ray/DVD, Netflix or in the “Spider-Man” comics (of which there are many)! Also, be sure to see Tom Holland swing into action May 6th 2016 as Spider-Man when Marvel Studios releases “Captain America: Civil War!”

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