The following is a video from my YouTube channel, Jack’s World. It’s the third video of my ongoing series regarding the prospect of rebooting Ultimate Marvel. This one covers my vision for a new Ultimate version of the Avengers. Please check out the first video for the full story regarding this effort. As always, I welcome feedback and comments. Enjoy!
Tag Archives: Captain America
New Comic Book Day December 29, 2021: My Pull List And Pick Of The Week
By now, I think everyone should be fully recovered from their Christmas festivities. Depending on how festive things got, your place might not be entirely clean. Kids and adults alike can make a hell of a mess when they’re excited on Christmas morning. I know this because I’ve made quite a few messes over the years.
Whatever the state of your holiday hangover, today is a momentous day of another kind. It marks the final New Comic Book Day of 2021. For comic book fans, that’s often noteworthy for a number of reasons. The end of the year often coincided with preludes, epilogues, and teasers for what’s to come in the next year. It’s also a chance to look back on everything that happened in the past year and just appreciate it.
Now historically, the last New Comic Book Day of the year has been fairly light in terms of noteworthy releases. You almost never see major milestone issues or the end of major events on this week. More often than no, a lot of filler issues get released this week and that’s perfectly fine. Not every week can be a blockbuster release.
Personally, I’ve often used this week to look back and see which comics or collections are worth adding to my collection before the new year begins. In the same way this week tends to be light on major issues, the first couple months of the new year tend to have major releases that are poised to set the tone. I’m already saving my money accordingly.
For this week, though, I’m content to enjoy the post-holiday afterglow with a simple stack of comics. They don’t have to blow my mind. They just have to help me relax and appreciate the conclusion of another holiday season. For those still recovering from the festivities, I hope this final New Comic Book Day does the same.
Here is my final pull list and pick of 2021. Enjoy and here’s to an awesome 2022.
My Pull List
The Joker Presents: A Puzzlebox #14
My Pick Of The Week
Timeless #1
Filed under Jack's Quick Pick Comic
New Comic Book Day December 22, 2021: My Pull List And Pick Of The Week
When you love comics as much as I do, every New Comic Book Day feels special. Thanks to digital comics through Comixology, waking up on Wednesday morning often feels like Christmas. I get out of bed, grab my iPad, and see a nice collection of new comics to enjoy with my morning coffee. It’s nothing short of heavenly.
However, there are some days that are objectively more special than others. The New Comic Day before Christmas definitely qualifies. This year, the calendar has been extra generous. Today, I get to enjoy a nice batch of new comics. Three days later, it’s actual Christmas. That’s almost too much joy for me to process.
On top of that, comic publishers tend to release extra stuff before Christmas. I think that’s largely a result of many writers, editors, and artists traveling for the holidays. It usually means the week after tends to be pretty light. That only makes enjoying this particular New Comic Book Day more vital.
There’s just something inherently special about reading comics under the light of a Christmas tree. It’s enough to make me feel jollier than Santa himself. In recent years, it has become one of my favorite holiday traditions. I encourage all my fellow comic fans to give it a try. Christmas is already special. Adding comics to the mix only makes it better.
To that end, here is my rather lengthy pull list for this week, as well as my pick. Whatever you’ve got going on today, take some time to really appreciate this day. It’ll make the act of reading comics, as well as the holidays, even more special. Enjoy!
My Pull List
The Last Avengers Story: Marvel Tales #1
Ms. Marvel: Beyond the Limit #1
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow #6
X-Men: The Trial Of Magneto #5
My Pick Of The Week
Avengers Forever #1
Filed under Jack's Quick Pick Comic
New Comic Book Day December 1, 2021: My Pull List And Pick Of The Week
The week after Thanksgiving is often bittersweet, especially if your stomach is still recovering. Between going through all your leftovers and starting on Christmas shopping, at least for those who try to be proactive around the holidays, it can be exhausting. If you had to travel at any point, then that just compounds everything. That’s often why the week after Thanksgiving is often a week of recovery.
How we go about recovering varies from person to person, but as a comic book fan, New Comic Book Day has always been a big part of that process for me. Even though this year wasn’t quite as stressful as others, especially when compared to last year, Thanksgiving was still a stressful time, but for all the right reasons. By now, I’ve finished all my leftovers. I’ve digested all my meals. I’ve done all my Black Friday shopping. I am ready to get back into the swing of things.
A nice batch of new comics on a Wednesday morning just makes that process easier. It’s not just a direct result of awesome comics to start my day, although that is a big part of it. It helps get me back into my routine, of which New Comic Book Day is often built around. Regardless of any holidays, Wednesdays are often special in their own right. It’s a weekly treat that ensures I always have something to look forward to. I hope other comic fans feel the same way and experience the same joy.
Even if you’re done with Thanksgiving and ready for Christmas, the first New Comic Book Day after Thanksgiving can act as the final desert of sorts. It can also help get you into the full holiday spirit with Christmas coming in just a few weeks. In terms of a holiday treat, what more do you need? As always, I’m providing my pull list and pick for the week. Reading them on an full stomach is optional, but encouraged. Enjoy!
My Pull List
Death of Doctor Strange: Spider-Man #1
Detective Comics 2021 Annual #1
Hellboy: The Bones of Giants #2
Red Sonja 2021 Holiday Special
X-Men: The Trial Of Magneto #4
My Pick Of The Week
Avengers #50
Filed under Jack's Quick Pick Comic
New Comic Book Day November 24, 2021: My Pull List And Pick Of The Week
When you love comics as much as I do, every New Comic Book Day feels special. It’s a magical time of week and thanks to digital comics through Comixology, waking up on Wednesday mornings is like waking up on Christmas. It’s a wonderful feeling, getting out of bed and downloading a fresh batch of comics to go along with your morning cup of coffee. It helps make every Wednesday special in its own right.
That said, some New Comic Book Days are inherently more special than others, albeit indirectly.
The Wednesday before Thanksgiving has always been special to me. Even before the days of digital comics, it was often the day when I began my Thanksgiving preparations. That usually meant cooking deserts for the family or helping out with relatives arriving from out of town. No matter what it entailed, I always found a way to fit new comics into the mix and somehow, that always made it more special.
That’s very fitting in so many ways. This is the time of year where we step back, count our blessings, and give thanks to the things we value in our lives. I certainly value the friends, family, and loved ones I share this day with. I’m also deeply thankful for the joy that New Comic Book Day brings every week and today, I want to convey that gratitude to everyone who makes it happen.
To the writers, artists, editors, and tech people working at Comixology, I sincerely thank you. On behalf of comic fans like me, we are grateful for everything that you do for us. In that spirit, here is my pull list and pick for the week. Hopefully, it helps everyone work up an appetite in preparation for Thanksgiving tomorrow. Enjoy!
My Pull List
Symbiote Spider-Man: Crossroads #5
X-Force: Killshot Anniversary Special #1
My Pick Of The Week
Hulk #1
Filed under Jack's Quick Pick Comic
New Comic Book Day November 17, 2021: My Pull List And Pick Of The Week
Every now and then, we have one of those weeks that just feel so busy, hectic, frustrating. The reasons vary, but the feeling is often the same. Everything just seems so stressful from the moment you wake up until the moment you fall back into bed.
Naturally, a lot of those weeks tend to coincide with this time of year. The holidays are fast approaching. People are making travel plans, preparing Christmas lists, and organizing how they’ll carry out the festivities. Add work, school, and an ongoing pandemic to the mix and it’s a hell of a shit storm. It’s also weeks like this that help us appreciate New Comic Book Day even more.
When I was in college, this was often the time of year when a lot of projects were due. It was also when the professors often gave us tests and quizzes to make sure we didn’t coax through the holidays. It made for quite a few restless nights and I don’t know how I could’ve managed without new comics to look forward to. I even had a special stack of comics that I would often go back to when I just needed to decompress from it all.
The contents of that stack has changed over time, but every New Comic Book Day has given me a way to supplement it when necessary. For the past couple years, it has definitely been necessary. I get the senese we all need an escape more than usual and for me, new comics are a tried and true method that works. They also help ensure the stress of weeks like this don’t dampen my holiday spirits.
As of this moment, I am in the middle of one of those stressful weeks. I suspect I’m not the only one. As rough as it is now, rest assure we’re halfway through. Let New Comic Book Day help you make it to the weekend, knowing a nice holiday feast awaits us next week. To assist, here is my pull list and pick for the week. Enjoy and hang tough!
My Pull List
The Joker Presents: A Puzzlebox #12
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow #5
My Pick Of The Week
Shang-Chi #6
Filed under Jack's Quick Pick Comic
New Comic Book Day September 1, 2021: My Pull List And Pick Of The Week
This time of year used to be so bittersweet. The week before Labor Day was often the last week before I went back to school and, as I’ve noted before, I had a less-than-enjoyable experience at school. I would often dread each passing day in this week, knowing that at the start of next week, I’d be going back to a place that made me miserable for seven hours a day. It was nerve-racking, to say the least.
That was often the week I needed new comics the most. It was the week when I needed a quality escape the most. I dreaded school so much that anything I could look forward to was a welcome reprieve. I always made it a point to go to my local comic shop that Wednesday and buy some extra books to get me through. For that, I’ll always thank the owner of that shop for letting me go a little overboard.
Years later, this particular week isn’t nearly as nerve racking. For the most part, it’s just another week. However, I haven’t forgotten how difficult it was in my youth and how comics helped me get through it. I had so many issues back then and I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for the comics I love. I know that sounds melodramatic, but I swear it’s true.
I know a lot of kids are already back in school. I also know some are poised to return next week. To those kids who dreaded it like I did, I urge you all to hang in there. Be strong and be safe out there. You’ll get through this, just like I did. Hopefully, a stack of new comics will help in some way. Here is my pull list and pick of the week. Enjoy!
My Pull List
Aquaman 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1
Batman/Superman 2021 Annual #1
Star Wars: The High Republic #9
My Pick Of The Week
Dark Ages #1
Filed under Jack's Quick Pick Comic
New Comic Book Day August 18, 2021: My Pull List And Pick Of The Week
Last week, I went on my first extended vacation in over a year. I actually left the state, traveled somewhere nice, and enjoyed myself in ways that didn’t just involve lounging on my couch. It was a wonderful feeling. The fact that I got to enjoy New Comic Book Day on the beach on a nice summer day just made it so much more enjoyable.
Seriously, it was one of the most relaxing feelings I’ve had in quite some time. It was refreshing, therapeutic, and so many other things I don’t have words to describe.
Now, I’m back home and back in my routine. I’m still recovering from some nasty sunburns. I think I’ve used an entire bottle of aloe vera, but the worst is behind me. It’s a good thing too because I’m healed up just in time for another New Comic Book Day. I may not be able to enjoy this one on a nice sunny beach, but sometimes my couch and a nice cup of coffee is still plenty enjoyable.
My vacation may be over, but that’s the beauty of being a fan of comics and having a Comixology account. Every week feels like an event. Every week gives you something to look forward to. How you enjoy it is up to you. Last week, I got to enjoy it on the beach. This week, I get to enjoy it on my couch. Both can be plenty relaxing for all the right reasons.
I encourage others to embrace that feeling. To assist, here’s my pull list and pick of the week. Enjoy!
My Pull List
Miles Morales: Spider-Man Annual #1
X-Men: The Trial Of Magneto #1
My Pick Of The Week
Kang The Conqueror #1
Filed under Jack's Quick Pick Comic
My Top 5 Date Night (Superhero) Movies
When we have two things we love, it’s only natural to look for a way to combine them. Without that inclination, we wouldn’t have such wonderful combinations like chocolate and peanut butter or beer and buffalo wings. It’s almost an instinct, mixing the things we cherish in hopes of compounding the joy.
As a fan of romance and superhero movies, I’ve certainly had this inclination before. I’ve built dates around going to a superhero movie. When I was with my ex-girlfriend, we would organize our evenings around a particular superhero movie or TV show that we both loved. It made for more than a few memorable moments, the details of which I’ll save for my novels and sexy short stories.
I know I’m not the only one who enjoys mixing date nights with superhero movies. The massive box office haul generated by superhero movies essentially guarantees that at least one couple has built their date night around them. I have friends and relatives who have used superhero movies, both in the theaters and at homes, to supplement their date night.
With this being a thing in our current cultural landscape, I thought I’d craft my own short-list for the best superhero movies to see on date night. Keep in mind, this list isn’t about which superhero movies are the best or most entertaining. These are the movies that evoke just the right combination of emotions that help make a romantic evening more intimate.
It doesn’t have to involve a major romantic sub-plot, although that helps. It also can’t be all spectacle and flare. There’s a time and a place for those kinds of movies, superhero or otherwise. For date night, the goal is to stir up passion and inspire romantic moments. Having seen pretty much every superhero movie multiple times, and also being a fan of romance, I feel uniquely qualified to craft such a list.
What follows are my top 5 superhero movies for date night. I imagine others will have a different list. I’m sure plenty will strongly disagree with my choice and ranking. That’s perfectly fine. This is just my assessment on which superhero movies are best suited for a fun, romantic date night. Enjoy!
Number 5: Captain America: The First Avenger
For those who cheered Captain America on in the final battle against Thanos in “Avengers: Endgame,” it’s easy to forget that he had a long journey to becoming the living legend we known and love. That journey began in “Captain America: The First Avenger” and while it didn’t gross $2 billion at the box office, it gave everyone a reason to root for Steve Rogers.
A big part of that journey involved a romantic sub-plot that was simple, basic, and inherently lovable. Before he became a Captain, Steve Rogers was just a lanky soldier who set his patriotic eyes on the beautiful, charismatic Peggy Carter. She wasn’t just a pretty face, either. She played an integral part in helping Steve become the hero he sought to be. It’s a beautiful story that just happens to have romantic undertones.
There’s plenty of action. There’s plenty of intrigue as well, in that this movie helped set the stage for the first “Avengers” movie. However, the heart and depth of Steve’s love for Peggy strikes all the right chords. It makes Captain America’s journey more personal. He’s not just this paragon of American ideals. He’s a man who seeks to serve his country and love a good woman.
It’s a simple story with lovable characters. That’s an essential combination for any successful date night movie.
Number 4: Wonder Woman
There are a lot of things that “Wonder Woman” did well. For a movie that had so much riding on it, both for the superhero genre and for female superheroes, the success it achieved at the box office is nothing short of remarkable. It’s only fitting that it checks most of the boxes for a good date night movie.
It’s an epic story full of gods, monsters, war, and humanity. Yes, there’s a great romantic sub-plot mixed in with Wonder Woman and Steve Trevor, but that sub-plot works because everything around it works. They both navigate unfamiliar territory together, sharing both the journey and the drama. Along the way, they help one another. They learn from one another. They make each other stronger.
At its core is the sheer heart it conveys. It has always been Wonder Woman’s greatest strength and this movie does everything necessary to capture it. Any couple seeing this movie will find moments that will make them smile and fill them with the urge to cuddle. The epic battles that Wonder Woman leads, along with Gal Gadot’s wonderful performance, is a nice bonus as well.
Number 3: Dark Phoenix
As big an X-Men fan as I am, I’ll be the first to concede that the movies have been hit or miss over the years. Some have been great. Some have been nauseatingly awful. However, even the most acclaimed X-Men movies rarely have the attributes of a good date night movie. That changed with “Dark Phoenix.” Of all the X-Men movies not associated with Deadpool, this one has all the traits of quality date night movie.
It’s not just a superhero movie. It’s not just a re-telling of one of the X-Men’s most iconic stories in the Phoenix Saga. This is a movie built on high drama and powerful emotions. Much like the Phoenix Force itself, the strength of the story and the characters involved stem from emotions. There’s love, loss, anguish, and sacrifice. Tears are shed, anger is shared, and the pain is palpable.
These are all core aspects of what made the original story in the comics so endearing. They’re also the sentiments that make a great date movie. The story isn’t all world-ending spectacle. It’s personal and emotional. What happens to Jean Grey and her friends in “Dark Phoenix” is both dramatic and powerful. It evokes the kinds of feelings you want to share.
There are plenty of other elements in this movie that are worth praising. I covered many of them in the review I wrote for this movie. While I wouldn’t go so far as to call “Dark Phoenix” the best X-Men movie, I’m comfortable saying it’s the best X-Men movie to share with a date.
Number 2: Deadpool
This is one of those movies that caught a lot of people by surprise in the best possible way. Without a doubt, the first “Deadpool” wildly exceeded everyone’s expectations, from X-Men fans to romance fans to fans of anything associated with Ryan Reynolds. Between the box office it generated and the praise it earned, it’s easy to forget that this movie is built around a love story.
That’s not just the musings of a self-professed romantic. That’s exactly what the movie says through Ryan Reynolds’ uncanny charm. Even the marketing for this movie teased its romantic undertones and for good reason. As funny, crude, and violent as Deadpool was, the movie was still built around romance and it was built well.
The love between Wade Wilson and Vanessa was genuine, sexy, and sweet. A lot of Deadpool’s motivations and antics were a direct result of his love for Vanessa. It’s the kind of love story that will make you smile, laugh, and even gag a bit. For any couple looking for a little of everything in a date night movie, “Deadpool” delivers all that and then some.
It’s the kind of romance that’s genuinely fun. No matter how serious you are with your lover, it’s important to have a little fun and “Deadpool” never misses an opportunity to have fun. That kind of spirit can only help anyone’s date night.
Number 1: Guardians of the Galaxy 2
Finding the perfect date night movie isn’t easy. Finding one that has just the right amount of fun, entertainment, and dramatic impact can test any couple’s patience. Sometimes, a movie is too serious and ceases to be entertaining. Sometimes, a movie is too theatrical, so to speak, and the drama just feels flat. Striking that balance is very challenging, but “Guardians of the Galaxy 2” proves it’s not impossible.
Of all the superhero movies I’ve seen, few hit me with as many feels as this one and it did so without going too heavy on the romance. While there were plenty of romantic elements throughout the story, the greatest strength of this movie was how it gets you to care about these characters. The fact that they include a talking tree, a rocket with a machine gun, and a guy named Taserface is secondary.
This movie had plenty of colorful moments that were funny and quirky. Like its predecessor, it dared to have fun with the genre. However, the fun never got in the way of the drama or the characters. There were elements of family, including parents and sibling rivalries. There were secrets and revelations that hit you in all the right ways. Even when you re-watch the movie, it still has an impact.
It evokes a wide range of feelings, more so than a typical romance movie. The sheer breadth of those feelings is what makes “Guardians of the Galaxy 2” an experience worth sharing. If you’re with someone who appreciates those feelings, then this movie will do plenty to satisfy. It’s the kind of movie that you can still enjoy by yourself, but it’s best when shared with someone special.
As I noted earlier, this is just my personal list. If you think there are other quality date night superhero movies, please make your case in the comments. I’d love to hear them. Given the rich slate of superhero movies planned for the coming years, this list is sure to change.
New Comic Book Day June 30, 2021: My Pull List And Pick Of The Week
I’m a firm believer that when you love something, you can combine it with damn near anything and make it inherently better. If you love chocolate, then it’ll make peanut butter better. If you like watching baseball, then watching baseball while naked will make it better. There are plenty of other examples I could give, but I’d rather not get too personal about what I do on a Sunday afternoon.
With comics, I’ve learned over the years that you can find many combinations to enhance the experience. I’ve woken up at 4:30 a.m. to read comics with a nice cup of coffee while sitting in my recliner. I’ve slept in, gone outside, and read comics on my iPad in a swim suit while I got a little sun. I’ve even read comics with a glass of whiskey before bed. I can safely attest that both experiences were enhanced considerably.
Now that we’re in the middle of summer and pandemic lockdowns are ending, we have an opportunity to enjoy things in new ways. If you love comics as much as I do, you’ve got a lot to work with, especially on Wednesday mornings. The only limit is your imagination, decency laws, and how your willingness to spend extra money on things that may seem wasteful later on.
Dare to be creative.
Dare to be a little crazy, even.
Comics give you that flexibility. With the 4th of July just a few days away, I have a few ideas as to how I’ll supplement my comic reading experience. I won’t share all the details. Just expect them to involve beer, hot dogs, and speedos. I don’t know how much that’ll inspire you. All I can offer is my pull list and pick of the week. I hope that helps. Enjoy!
My Pull List
Giant-Size Amazing Spider-Man: Chameleon Conspiracy #1
Power Rangers Unlimited: Edge of Darkness #1
Star Wars: The High Republic #6
The United States Of Captain America #1
My Pick Of The Week
The United States Of Captain America #1
Filed under Jack's Quick Pick Comic