Rigas' Blog-0-Matic

Marvel's Avengers Review

2012-04-30T14:51:00.000+01:00

The Avengers, Earth’s Mightiest Heroes! A band of exceptional beings come together, in our time of greatest need, to fight the evil that no single hero could handle on their own. The movie event team-up, over seven years in the making, bringing six heroes together (seven if you count Hulk twice) to save the world.

Read the rest of my review here at the @rcade!

From the Vaults: Hunter Killer

2012-04-09T12:52:00.000+01:00

Let' start out with a little background, I have been wanting to watch this for a long time, but could never find the DVD when I was looking for it, but thankfully due the psychic nature that is Netflix's suggestions It popped up. This a interesting little movie, filmed in the Mexican desert over a seventeen day period, with a shoestring budget. The end result looks amazing and unless you knew it was a "small time" indie production you wouldn't be ridiculed for thinking it might be something from the Expanded Universe or even sandwiched into the Firefly universe somewhere. This incredibly polished production is a shining example that high quality sci-fi ( or non sci-fi) productions don't need millions of dollars, thousands of people, buckets of CG or need to come from "Hollywood"

Hunter Prey opens with what appears to be a group of space marine types who were escorting a prisoner when their ships crashes. They are all wearing helmets and armour, because of the harsh environment. Pretty soon the marines are whittled down to just Centari 7 (Damion Poiteir) chasing down their mysterious prisoner Jericho (Clark Bartram) whose existence somehow threatens his pursuers entire race.

The movie is essentially about one man hunting the other, while this could be quiet boring as a premise the introduction of a ticking countdown clock until Centari 7's back up arrives and the fact Jericho stole a communication device early on to allow the two men to have an ongoing conversation despite the fact they are rarely in the same place at the same time. It's this conversation that allows the main story and its mystery to unfold, it also allows us to explore the two different cultures and ideals of these two very different men, that may not be so very different after all.

I seen a lot of people slating the armour as a cheap Mandalorian knock off, and I wont argue that they don't look similar, but they also don't look cheap. From the offset the production looks great and highly polished. It's always very well lit and in focus. Not relying on cheap tricks like darkness, shadows and shaky out of focus shots to cover up cheapness of sets/costumes or CG.

Subtlety is the name of the game in Hunter Prey, that is mostly a strength and sometimes a detriment. The way they subtly flesh out the universe, you really feel there is a lot going on outside of the small window we are looking through. The space marines are clearly from a highly religious culture, they also have very advanced body modification technology to adapt to the harsh environments of the planet. Clea (Erin Gray) one of the main characters is an advanced AI, that assists and controls the marines power suits. She appears in voice only, with no fancy smancy 3D hologram as is the standard these days with AI characters. Possibly cause of budget or again to be subtle. It all just happens, there is no grand expository dialogue, But occasionaly this gets the better of the movie, where a little more tell instead of show would have been helpful in understanding the motivations of the main characters. But this is easily forgiven since it is choosing imaginative story telling instead of tired tropes that abound in so many other productions.

Hunter Prey is a real gem of low budget Sci-Fi that can easily compete in the big leagues. Despite it's abvious budget limits, not being tied down by big studio politics and other limits that come with having the Hollywood behind it really shines and shows what can be down. Hunter Prey is more important because it shows what can be done "cheaply" by an independent team and will hopefully it will open some eye and inspire some more amazing productions in the future.

You can check out Hunter Prey like I did on Netflix stream or grab it on DVD from the usual places.

Mobile Suit Gundam AGE Wallpaper

2012-04-04T19:26:00.000+01:00

My current desktop, thought I'd share it.

The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes Episode Guide 19 The Kang Dynasty

2012-03-24T11:53:00.001+00:00

For an index of all episodes go here.

Original Air Date: 09/01/2011 Production Code:018

Writers: Sebastion Montes

Director: Brian Reed

Titles Assembled: Hawkeye, Hulk, Captain America, Iron Man, Giant Man, Wasp Thor and Black Panther.

The title is a reference to the 2001 storyline called the "Kang Dynasty" which this whole Kang storyline is a somewhat loose adaptation of. In the story Kang actually suceeds in taking over the Earth for a while, which is noteworthy as the first time a Marvel villain (bar Doctor Doom mind controlling everyone) actually won, for a while. Perhaps even more controversial was the fact that the story was released around the time of the September 11 attacks ( though written and produced before them ) and featured the entire population of Washington DC being killed, Marvel still decided to go ahead with the story with only minor changes.

We start off with the grim reality that Kang's invasion has taken about 75% of the Earth. Fury has located Kang's base ship The Damocles, It's also about to fire its main weapon, and its pointed right at New York. How are we going to stop this? The Avengers are going into space!

"Only Nick Fury can have a five way conference call with one man"

We see the team in their spiffy red and silver space suits, walking dramatically to the Quinjet with a unit of Ultrons in tow. Even Thor who probably doesn't need one, But didn't want to feel left out. Because its certainly not to sell cool action figure variants! Why are there no toys of this show yet?

The Quinjet launches and heads to space, but isn't fast enough, Kang fires his weapon, but Thor awesomely steps up and SAYS THEE NAY SPACE LASER! He deflects takes the beam right in the face, but with Mjolnir sends enough feedback to knock the weapon offline, but sadly Thor is also taken off the board, the Ultrons have to catch him and bring him back to Earth.

"KANG uses kirby krackle it's super effective"

Now in space, Kang can see who is coming for him and launches a squadron of Scarabs to deal with them. After the first wave, all but two Ultrons are left. Iron Man decides to take a little EVA, and bring Jan along. She is notably shocked since she doesn't believe she can do much good in space. There is a nice look at Jan's character here, She is the most "real" member of the team, the Joe Everyman relatable character. It really shines through here when she first sees the Earth from space. She doubts herself among the heavy hitters, but still manages to be a strong confident female role model and not a damsel in distress which she could very easily have been relegated to.

From the outside, Jan and Tony clear a path for the quinjet to land. Hulk knocks on the door of the airlock and the Avengers are inside the Damocles. But a forcefield seals the breach but traps Tony and Jan outside. Hulk, Cap, Hawkeye, Giantman and a couple of Ultrons are ambushed by some speedsters. The team is pinned down by the trio, always zapping away at the last instant preventing the Avengers from landing a single blow. Then we switch perspective and everything stops, except for Kang's "speedsters" they are not in fact speedsters at all, but Time Manipulators. They are moving normal speed but the Avengers seem to be standing still, This is how they are able to avoid them so easily. Hawkeye manages to suckerpunch them with a flashbang arrow. Giving the team the opening they need to take down Kang's elite guard. Outside Jan tricks some of the Scarabs to blast a hole in the hull allowing them entry.

"Alas poor Ultron"

Meanwhile in the Damocles command centre Kang is being briefed on the situation. There ships in Wakanda are being destroyed, they have multiple hull breaches and the elite guard in the airlock aren't responding. Jan using her size to allow her to move through the ventilation tubes without being seen. She stumbles upon Kang's love, Princess Ravonna, in her stasis pod. But she is promptly taken by surprise by Kang's soldiers.

Cap's team comes upon the ships time drive, tripping the security Kang's ~~gunmen~~ robots appear. It's not long before Pym is taken down and the team is overwhelmed by sheer numbers. Just as things look like they can't get any worse, they do. Kang appears to deal with the Avengers personally. Kang swiftly takes them all down, even Hulk is no match for his advanced technology. Leaving Cap and a lone Ultron. Kang speeches it up at Cap. Telling him he has to do this to protect the future of all humanity. Cap alludes to him not being the first would be conquer he has taken down, ~~The Nazis~~ Hydra. Thankfully all this jibber jabber gives Iron Man enough time to arrive on the scene.

"These two will just keep giving speeches at each other til 31st century"

Kang prepares to give another speech and Iron Man just shoots him in the chest before he can even get a word out. Iron Man might be outdated by Kang's standard but he has managed to adapt his weapons to be more effective against Kang. Allowing him to take out the robots. Cap tell him we need to take out the Time Drive. Iron Man tells us he intends to use it instead. He uploads all the information about the future tech to Ultron.

Ultron starts hacking into Kang's systems while Cap and Tony run interference. We see a a pretty good fight, where we never actually see Cap land a punch (hurray weird US TV broadcast standards) Utron successfully takes control of the time drive and sends Kang's fleet back to there own time. Kang unleashes his fully power Kirby Krackle beam in rage. Just as Ultron his about to send the Damocles back too, Jan appears and stops them. She tells them about Ravonna and tries to reason with Kang to find a peaceful way out of this. Kang refuses and tries to charge them, but Cap knocks him the eff out. Iron Man orders Ultron to stand down.

"How does Cap miss that punch?"

Now the aftermath, Shield starts the clean up of all the damage and takes control of the Damocles. Thor is in recovery, Reed Richard and Herbie² are attempting to care for Ravonna, all seems to be returning to normal. 'Aslo Ultron seems to be turning more evil (BUTWHODIDNTSEETHATCOMING). Iron Man gains some perspective on Caps man out time situation and Kang is placed in prison 42. Kang ominously tells us Cap will destroy everything, his betrayal is only the start and the worst is yet to come.

So concludes the Kang Trilogy.

Check Your References:

1. Silver Centurion armour
2. Fantastic Four Cameo

That Old Skyrim Feeling

2012-02-07T19:45:00.002+00:00

The worth of any creative endeavour can be summed up in “Did it make you feel anything?” Whether you loved it or hated it, the evocation of that feeling is the goal of the creators. So here are a few of the emotional highs that have stuck with me in a post Skyrim universe.

In Skyrim I was never one to take companions along with me, the reasons were well I was the Dragonborn, the Dovahkiin a mortal with the blood of Akatosh flowing through me, a master of the Thu’um, I didn’t need a normal person to help me on this is journey. My character was a Khajiit, an outsider to Skyrim so it felt more natural that he wouldn’t take people along with him. Another reason is gameplay, they get in the way when you try to stealth, or get in the way of your magic blasts, which leads to the third reason here is a very real danger of them dying, and Skyrim Rigas did not want that on his kitty conscience. I am telling you this because three of the four tales you will hear are related to the few times I was involved with a companion.

I was wandering east of Dragon Bridge, probably picking flowers or somet other equally bad ass and dragonborn destined type activity. When I found an empty shack with a dead Nord in the bed, poor guy died of old age and in his diary he talks about Meeko and hopes he will be okay. I assumed it was his son or something and moved on leaving him in peace. Not too far away from the shack, when I was back on the road this dog ran up to me. It was of course Meeko. One of the options was something like “Sure why don’t you come with me for a while.” I mean how could I not! Damn you Skyrim pulling on my heart strings. If I didn’t find the shack with that diary entry I probably would have hurled a fireball at the dog coming running at me without even thinking. So Meeko and Rigas had some adventures, we slew bandits, cleared out the Frostflow Light house of a nasty Chaurus infestation. We even killed a dragon or two.

"Arruuooff"

But then one day we were fighting our way through a Forsworn camp, and somehow poor Meeko fell, (obviously I know it was one of my attacks that hit when I couldn't see him ). When the entire camp was sorted I looked around for my companion he was nowhere to be seen. So I went and looked around thinking he got stuck on some scenery, but alas I found his corpse and I felt sad, then I felt angry, then I slaughtered every single Forsworn I could find as bloody retribution to my fallen comrade to blaze a trail for him into the halls of Sovengarde. I mourned my friend and remembered why I don’t bring companions on my journeys.

The next encounter was during the Theives guild quest line, during one mission you are forced to use Mercer Frey as a companion. So we were cutting our way through the undead, he was kinda cool he had a magic sword that sets Draugr on fire like I did. I started to think hope he is available as a companion when this quest line is over. But what happens? turns out he is a traitor and I ended having to kill him. Le sigh.

"Sure I have your best interests at heart."

In Skyrim there are sixteen Deadric Prince, the equivalent of dark gods. Each has a quest that gives you a daedric artefact. I was going through this quest line. About halfway through I started the Azura quest to cleanse her soul gem that had been stolen by someone. Anyway long story short I fix the gem and bring it back to her. Then Azura says thanks, gives me a reward and says she will disappear from the world for a while. leaving her most devoted acolyte, Aranea Ienith, who was tending her temple all her life. when you talk to her she asks what will she do now, her god has abandoned her. Being my fault, even though I was helping her out. I felt guilty so I couldn’t just leave her up here on this lonely mountain to I tell her to come with me while I finish up the rest of the Daedric artifact quests. But when I was done I felt bad dismissing her. So in my current save file I have her as a companion.

"Take me with you, I'm small an don't eat much."

When I completed the main quest, I was over level 50, wielded a sword and shield given to me by god like beings. I was a walking demi-god capable of cutting my way through any opposing army. So Alduin the World Eater went down in an easy and kinda anti-climactic way. So when the mission was over and I left the realm of Sovengarde (after splitting some mead with Meeko of course) I was greeted by Paarthurnax, the dragon who rebelled against his brothers and helped mortals master the Thu’um. When I was standing there talking to him. I glanced left, Dragon. I glanced right, Dragon. I looked up, many flying dragon. Behind me even more dragons. So my mind went to oh shiz Skyrim! did you just fake me out and are going to force me to slice through twenty dragons and have to kill my dragon mentor! So as the dialogue continued I steeled myself for the onslaught that never came. I breathed a sigh of relieve as my friend took flight with the rest of the draconic horde and left the lands of Skyrim.

"Dragon to right of them, Dragon to left of them, Dragon in front of them. Volley'd and Thunder'd"

So that was a couple of my high points in Skyrim, there are of course many many more, like the time I Fus Ro Dah’d that Draugr and he landed perfectly back in his crypt but if I told you all those stories this post would never end. But next time we share split some Moon Sugar around a camp fire besure to ask me, and I will regale you with takes of Khajiit adventure. Until then stay Safe and watch out for Dragons.

Skyward Sword

2011-12-03T14:21:00.002+00:00

Can you believe Zelda has been around 25 years? and it's been 13 years since Ocarina? I couldn't believe it either. Anyway Skyward Sword is the 25th anniversary game and it is quiet frankly amazing. if want to read my thoughts on it check out my full review on the @rcade.

Elder Scrolls V Skyrim - The Review

2011-11-16T18:07:00.001+00:00

Recently I was tasked playing Skyrim and then writing a review of it. Check it out here on the @rcade.

BBC The Fades Episode 01

2011-09-22T15:45:00.000+01:00

The Fades is a new fantasy horror series from the BBC, set in a nondescript urban area in England. Following Paul, a young boy haunted by terrifying dreams of creatures moving in the darkness and future covered in apocalyptic ash, and what's worse is that those dreams has started coming true.

Before we continue there are some spoilers below.

The creatures that Paul is seeing are the Fades, the spirits of the dead that can't move on. The Fades and non corporeal and cannot interact with our world, the just are, doomed to this torturous existence they no doubt go slowly mad. But one Fade has other ideas, he has found a way to comeback, to become flesh again. He seems to do this by stealing the life force from anything he can, There are a lot of bird corpses around the place. If he manages to break through, others will follow. The world will be over run, and we are all doomed. Few know about the Fades and even fewer can see them, even fewer still have abilities like Paul being able to have visions of what's to come.

"The Unlikely Hero"

As fate would have it best friends Paul and Mac are poking around the derelict buildings of an old shopping centre, looking for props for Mac to use in his home-made horror movies. Mac is a movie buff, constantly spouting trivia and references to whatever movie he thinks fits the situation. Given what kinda show this is we got a lot of the Sixth Sense and Nightmare on Elm Street References in the first episode. The friends get separated and Paul stumbles upon Neil who is fighting the creature he has seen in his dreams. This only serves to traumatise Paul even more, who is already in therapy for his crippling nightmares.

Though all is not so bad for Paul he has his best friend Mac, and a potential love interest, Jay, the best friend of his belligerent twin sister. Trying to impress her one day by smoking ( oh the things we do for love ) manages to spark up a conversation. There is some flirting! and Jay confides in him and she thinks he is special, and wishes she could be different herself, instead of being a "hairbrush princess" who just going drinking in the woods.

"The Warrior and Mentor"

Then there is the group of people who seem to know what's going on. Sarah, the seer who was attacked by the Fade. Neil the warrior of the cause and Helen, a vicar who is has the power to heal others with a touch. After the events of the first night, Neil tracks down Paul, in an effort to recruit him. In doing so he explains what the Fades are. The exposition wasn't as ham fisted as it could have been all things considered.

Later on, Paul and Mac decide to follow Jay and her pack of "cool" friends up into the woods. Where Paul encounters Neil again, and we see the spirits of the recently dead. This time they are glowing with an internal light. They are drawn to the woods because it is one of the few passing points left, a place where the spirits ascend to somewhere else. But since "man invented concrete" places like this are getting less and less, which is why the Fades are increasing in number. It's not about Heaven or Hell, nothing as grand as that "It's just death" as Neil says. Either they pass on, or they don't are are doomed to be a Fade forever.

"The Love Interest"

What are the visions Paul has? is the world covering in ash a literal representation of what will happen, or just at portent symbolising the evil that threatens us? Who knows . . . tune in next week to find out.

That was the first episode for me, I really enjoyed it, and will be watching more. A great start to the series. An interesting premise, likeable characters, creepy setting and an awesome looking monster. What more could you want? I highly recommend and urge you to check this out on BBC Three Wednesdays at 9.00pm or on the BBC iPlayer, and support it however you can.

Cloud 9

2011-08-06T20:20:00.002+01:00

Couldn't be happier with how this one turned out.

X-Men: Schism - Femverine

2011-07-31T19:16:00.001+01:00

The current X-Men event, Schism is predicted to end with Cyclops and Wolverine having a falling out (a Schism) leading to Wolverine leading his own team of X-Men in the new book "Wolverine and the X-Men" launching in October 2011 as part of the other event, X-men: ReGenesis.

Most are speculating some kind of idealogical dispute between the two X-Men, but I expect it might be because Cyclops doesn't approve of Logan's new lifestyle choice.

Sketch: Rogue

2011-07-26T16:13:00.000+01:00

Quick (well about 4 hours all together) Sketch of Rogue.

Quick Venom Doodle

2011-07-13T21:38:00.000+01:00

Quick Venom Doodle

The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes Episode Guide 18 Come the Conqueror

2011-07-12T14:25:00.000+01:00

Now part two of the soon to classic Kang Saga.

For an index of all episodes go here.

Original Air Date: 19/12/2010 Production Code:018

Writer: Eugene Son

Director: Vinton Heuck

Titles Assembled: Hawkeye, Hulk, Captain America, Iron Man, Giant Man, Wasp, Thor and Black Panther.

We begin this episode continuing from where episode seventeen left off, with Kang swearing vengeance. His ships being materialising all over the planet. They being launching drop pods from which emerge Kang's robot army. While Kang watches from high orbit with a smile on his face.

Earth's Military are fighting back, but taking a beating. Even the helicarrier task force lead by Nick Fury. Fury puts a call out for the Avengers. Of course the Avengers are already on the scene and fighting back against the robot army¹. The Avengers seem more than than capable to take these things down, but they have numbers on their side, too many robots, too little time. ~~Genius McSmarty Pants~~ Black Panther theorises that it must be Kang given the design of the robots. Kang launches a second wave of robots, he calls them Scarabs. Thor and Wasp are fighting them in the air, Wasp's powers seem woefully ineffective against them.

"Lots of crying kids in this one . . . War is Hell"

Back on the Shield carrier the second wave looks like its coming in to finish them off. Thankfully Ironman intercepts them. Thor be Ironman's side is revelling in battle, claiming he can smash more then the Hulk². Ironman asks at least to pretend to be concerned. Thor states he has faces such overwhelming odds before defending Asgard. (plus he is a God).

Ironman scans a Scarab and confirms this is Kang, then a giant floating Kang head appears to gloat and tell us he is really her to save Earth from the coming onslaught³. Under his rule, Earth will be strong. With that all the Scarabs the Avengers had defeated just stand right back up like nothing had happened. They were playing possum, Now the real fight begins. Cap starts giving everyone orders, Hulk gives Cap the stink eye but follows them anyway.

"Gamma Stink Eye"

Of course Black Panther is still able to effortlessly take these things down. Hawkeye runs out of arrows, they are being corralled, things looks grim, But Wasp flies in with a Quinjet (she got bigger stingers) which thankfully seems to do some damage. They Avegners regroup and try to figure out why these thing are attacking the city. Nick Fury calls and tells them, its not just the city Kang is attacking tactical target all over the planet.

We see Scarabs flying over the Great Wall of China, on the pyramids, London⁴ and Wakanda. Back in the mansion Fury is briefing the Avengers, telling us every major city has fallen or will soon and we are running out of time. Pym is having trouble coming to terms with the destruction on this scale, and Fury asks Stark for help with the flying disks. Cap tells T'Challa he needs to go take care of Wakanda ( I like to think Cap dislikes him as much as I do, and sends him away every chance he gets ). They decide they need to find Kang and take the fight to him. Stark is the only one who can do it. They rest of the Avengers go back out there to try and buy him as much time as they can.

"T'Challa I don't know how to tell you this but . . . Your Off the Team"

The Scarabs stilling thick in the skies of New York, Wasp is actually being useful and flying the Quinjet rather skillfully and taking out some Scarabs in the process. We see more terrified civilians and crying kids running away and Hulk and Hawkeye (BFF) attacks in scarabs on the bridge. There is some great banter here. The remaining scarabs combine in a giant centipede monster thing (yeah, I know right!?). Which takes the combined might of Hawkeye, Hulk, Cap, Pissed off Giant Man and Thor to destroy. Janet jokingly points out the futility of what they are doing against and enemy this numerous. Stark still can't locate Kang, the enemy is everywhere, New York is burning around them. This is War. Cap looks across the rivers and tells us the same, and to win a war you need an army. Janet says she knows where to find one.

In prison 42 the Avengers walk in, we see all the Ultron jailer units creepily lined up. We have our army. Pym voices his concern, and I couldn't agree more this is a bad Bad BAD idea. but they have no other choice they need them to even up the odds. Pym alters the Ultron's programming to include the concept of violence, turning its eye and Kirby Krackle mouth red ( See BAD!) Stark still not able to find Kang is getting more and more frustrated. ( I bet he is thinking real hard about that emergency bottle of brandy in his desk right now )

"So Ultron . . . This is a good idea that won't backfire right?"

The overwhelming number of scarabs are starting to overcome even Thor and Hulk, but thankfully the Ultron swoop in to take some of the pressure off. Cap and others arrive back on the scene finally seem to be making a dent in the scarabs. Wasp and Hank are still in the Quinjet playing independence day with one of Kang's disks. The Quinjet gets destroyed by the Pyms shrink down small enough to infiltrate the ship. Hank exposits that the ships must have a temporal stasis device that allows them to remain in out time, and if we can destroy it the ship might return to it's own time. Jan decides to blast it now, regardless of what kinda exotic particles or funny radiation that might leak out or the fact they are still ON THE SHIP! Luckily the ship jut poofs away with no ill effects, I'm just saying someone should have a talk with her is all.

Armed with this information the other Avengers and Ultrons start boarding the ships and destroying the time consoles. But there are still hundreds of ship all over the Earth, but the battle for New York is over. Stark still frustrated and punches his really expensive table and has a revalation, Kang isn't on Earth, but above it and begins scanning high orbit and sure enough there is it, Kang's command ship, the Damocles.

I really like the Hulk Hawkeye relationship that is being developed here. They have a great banter and dynamic. It's a surprising duo that I never would have predicted.

Tune in next time for the shocking conclusion.

Check Your References:
1. They kinda look like they could be from Gurren Lagann.
2. The contest between Hulk and Thor is kinda like Legolas and Gimli
3. The coming Onslaught? maybe it was just a throw away word or a reference the 90's storyline leading into the Heroes Reborn universe or again it could be me reading way too much into this.
4. That's Black Knight on the horse.

Mr Rigas goes to @rcadecon

2011-07-10T15:59:00.000+01:00

As of starting writing this @rcadecon was a week ago, its only now I've recovered enough to muster the energy to write this (Take this as a positive sign). For those of you who don't know @rcadecon is the mixed media convention of gaming and geekatude, created by the people of the The @rcade, It was my first convention and this my story.

The Journey

@rcadecon 2011 was held in the D4 Hotels Ballbridge, and I live in the far remote west of Ireland. So getting up to Dublin for a simple country boy was an adventure in itself. So I brought my wife with me, so I didn't accidentally just walk into the Liffey or something ( well actually it was her idea to go to begin with ). So we got up before 5 and headed to Westport for the 07:15 train. The tea on the train was unexpectedly nice! That started a trend that would continue for the entire weekend. I'll spare you the details, but train -> LUAS -> Taxi -> Arrived at hotel and settled in awaiting the festivities to kick off.

Guests

There were six special guests this year.

Travis Willingham and Laura Bailey

Voice Actors extraordinaire, trust me you have heard their voices, too many to list here, just check the wiki and you will see.

Sonia Leong

Sonia is a multi-award winning comic artist and illustrator, her work has been featured in film and television as well as having been displayed in various museums and galleries.

Hayden "Dock" Scott-Baron

Dock is an artist, professional graphics designer, gamer and movie fanatic who has worked for the BBC, Barrons and Harper Collins

Robert Curley and Barry Keegan

The writer and artist behind the "The League of Volunteers" among other things.

Panels

There was a voice actor panel and a comic book panel, sadly I didn't get to either because of so many awesome things happening simultaneously, but my wife did go to the VA panel and when we met up afterwards she had these videos to show me, I if wasn't sitting down when I saw them I would have been floored with the awesomeness.

Workshops

A preliminary glance at the timetable we kinda decided that the Workshops will be handy places for a time out to rest between the other more exciting, oh boy was I ever wrong. When I saw it at first I thought the steampunk workshop is the only one I really want to check out, for some possible inspiration for a side project i'm working on. On Friday we met Tab Kimpton of KhaosKostumes at his trader table, checked out his costumes and had a general chat. That was enough for us to decide we had to go to ALL his panels. They were super informative and very entertaining on many levels. He had a crossplay, steampunk and special effects make up panels.

Sonia Leong had a panel on Manga, just a general who, what, where, when of Manga and some tips are tricks on drawing style, I found it very informative and fun to attend.

We also caught the tail end of the Armour Workshop, I never knew how versatile Yoga Mats could be, it was a real eye opener.

Trader Room

Great selection to be found in here anime, art work, cosplay, toys, comics and all sorts of other treasures. One particular highlight for me was Gurinder of GundamNation, mountains of gundam and other models and a whole bushel of anime DVDs. Artists Alley was also living in the same place as the trader room, I picked up some awesome Transformers sketches and prints from Ger Hankey and my wife got some manga from Sonia Leong and prints from an artist named Kaci ( sorry, can't remember any of her information )

Gameroom

There were fantastic Console and LAN rooms set up, before we arrived I had assumed i'd be spending a lot of time in here, but there was so much going on we actually spent very little time in here. But going by my luck we were in the upstairs game rooms when the zombie apocalypse happened, did I not mention that? We were invaded by zombies on the second day of the con. As zombies go there were pretty well behaved and didn't leave body parts all over the place.

Anime Room

Really great addition, this would be get my mark for greatest simple idea, so whoever thought this one up, I owe you a sandwich. Great place to sit when need to rest or check out random anime. caught the last ep of Gundam Wing, forgot how awesome it was, and how great the music is too.

Maid Cafe
Where a herd of maids sell you tea, coffee and sparkly cheese cake. What more do I need to say.

Charity Auction

Didn't know what to expect going into this one, had a great variety of stuff here from, a Captain Planet DVD signed by someone from the show, manga, anime, clothes and accessories, a Dagger wielded by the Highlander himself(Duncan Macleod)! original artwork and all sorts of other things I can't remember. I can't remember because my little geek mind was blown. The main event was a custom made life sized Master Sword and Hylian shield, This was an amazing piece of work. If I could go back and change something it would have been to bring a lot of €€€ to bid on this sucker. It was amazing item and went for over €400 in the end. The real highlight was when the bidding started, the orchestral zelda theme started up and Link! Link himself walked out onto the stage, drew the sword (didn't time travel for some reason) and started posing with it. You could feel all the fanboys hearts sell as this happened.

My Personal Top 5 moments (in no particular order)

At the Laura Bailey and Travis Willingham autograph signing session, I handed Laura my copy of Final Fantasy XIII to sign, Travis saw I was wearing my 80s TMNT Michelangelo Party Dude t-shirt and just burst into singing the TMNT theme song, quickly followed by Laura. So I was a little awestruck at this point and had to be gently guided out of the room for some quiet time.

Even though I didn't make it to the panel since I was at the Manga Workshop, but the two videos my wife took (linked above) were just amazing. Travis' KaMeHaMeHa made the entire building shake, and seeing Duke Nukem perform the fusion dance is a memory I will treasure forever.

The whole Link/Master Sword/Charity Auction was a highlight for me too :)

And my last highlight is this amazing sketch I got from Ger Hankey.

All in all it was amazing, we are definitely going back for @rcadecon 2012, and maybe a few of the other cons that are around the country, my convention cherry is certainly popped and I have the convention sickness now. Really looking forward to meeting all you guys again.

In the meantime, I've got plenty of manga, anime and a few Gundam kits to build to keep my busy.

Also Zombies!

Michelangelo

2011-05-20T20:41:00.002+01:00

Thank or Blame @defuzz for linking awesome turtle images earlier that inspired this

Sketched and inked in Mange Studio EX 4.0, Colour attempt coming soon.

Update: Coloured Version

Sketch

2011-05-12T18:29:00.000+01:00

Just sketched this in Manga Studio Ex 4.0 and thought I would share.

Enjoy.

The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes Episode Guide 17 The Man Who Stole Tomorrow

2011-04-10T17:01:00.002+01:00

This is the first part of the Kang Trilogy

For an index of all episodes go here.

Original Air Date: 19/12/2010 Production Code:017

Writers: Andrew Robinson

Director: Sebastion Montes

Titles Assembled: Hawkeye, Hulk, Captain America, Iron Man, Giant Man, Wasp Thor and Black Panther.

The title is a reference to 1979 full length novel by David Michelinie where the Avengers fight Kang in the 40th century. It was also the name of a storyline in the New Warriors in the 90's but that had nothing to do with Kang or the Avengers.

We begin in high of orbit of the Earth as Kang's time ship materialises, one of his minions is reading out a status report of various systems, mainly weapons and cloaking technologies. Kang wants to know the when they are, it is chronal date 0028241.423, the very early twenty first century. Kang is staring at Princess Ravonna, who is still in stasis after the events of "Meet Captain America". His minion informs us that the target is located, in a place called New York City. So it begins.

"I don't care how big or HD your screen is if its hung crooked"

In the Avengers Mansion, Cap and Tony Stark are having breakfast, well Stark is, Cap is reading the Newspaper while doing one handed push ups. He asked Tony what is a futurist, since they didn't have those in the 40's. Stark explains that its a person who tries to anticipate the needs of the future, and in his case create the technology to facilitate it. He gives the example that they were both reading the newspaper, just Tony's was delivered digitally and displayed holographically. Cap asserts he likes paper newspapers (and record players). He points out a picture of Iron Man fighting a giant robot and from the picture its clear he doesn't know how to fight and asks to meet him in the Training Room¹.

News travels fast in the Avengers Mansion, Hulk and Hawkeye take seats to watch the epic bout. Cap and Tony enter the instant Boxing Ring. Needless to say Tony can't lay a hand on Cap, and lands on his ass a lot. Cap tries to instil in him that he relies on his armour too much, and needs to able to fight without it. Tony just blows him off saying he has a suit to handle everything. On a side not we never actually see them hit each other, quick cuts just before the point of impact. Probably some censorship thing, can't have the heroes actually hitting each other or it will destroy children's minds and cause the downfall of civilisation.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, the peanut gallery"

Meanwhile uptown at the ~~potential crossover~~ Baxter Building, Thor Antman and Wasp are leading ~~Captain Cold~~ Blizzard to entrance to the Negative Zone Prison 42². Pym explains that after the Breakout Reed Richard, Stark and himself got together to brain storm ideas on how to stop it happening again. The prison was idea number 42.

After a pretty cool transition we are inside the prison, that seems to be run by Ultron! who seems polite for now. Gives us a short bio on Donald Gill aka Blizzard aka Captain Cold. Ultron then wraps him in a force field to transport him to his cell. Here we get to see just how immense prison 42 really is. Each cell seems to have it's own personal Ultron unit serving as warden and guards. I probably don't need to tell you one homicidal Satan robot is bad enough but have an army, running your prison. Pym that's just asking for trouble.

"Who wouldn't trust that face"

Back in the mansion Cap and Tony are suiting up ( for no real apparent reason) and exchanging there own personal philosophies again. Tony is about getting better smarter tech to anticipate the threats before they become threats. Cap is about getting the basics, training, not having to depend on technology that can fail.

Just then a portal opens up and Kang in his Kirby-Tech Floaty Chair emerges. Kang tells them he comes from the future to introduce him to his little friend. Ironman's forcefield it able to fend off the first blast and Jarvis activates the mansion defences.

"Lets not fight in front of the kids any more"

Kang's technology just shrugs off everything the mansion throws at him and promptly blows them all up. He has Iron Man by the throat an is amused by how primitive his armour is. Cap tries to blind side him with a shield throw, but Kang stops it with one finger.

Back in 42 Pym is explaining the Negative Zone to us Thor. He also explains about all the Ultrons, they cant be hurt or corrupted like human guards and are programmed to help rehabilitate the inmates. Pym notably proud of himself, and Jan states what we are all thinking "That's a lot of Ultrons Hank!" When there Avenger's ID cards send out the alert calling him back to Earth.

"Face it Rape Monkey, you are safer on that side"

Kang effortlessly flings Cap's shield back at him knocking him against the wall and throws Iron Man into the other wall. Kang turns back to go in kill the man he came here for, Captain America. but in typical Cap style he isn't where you left him. Iron Man tries to analysis Kang's technology to find out what's going on. What parts of is that aren't impenetrable to scans are totally incomprehensible to current level of technology.

Cap tries fisticuffs again, Kang's shield stop and hit from connecting. So he takes to time to explain his whole shtick to cap. He is Kang the Conqueror, he comes from the 41st century and has come back for sole purpose of eliminating Cap from the timeline. He blasts Cap back, Iron Man takes the opportunity to fire a full powered Unibeam at Kang, with seemingly no effect. Cap recovers quickly and tells Stark to stay focused.

"GRARRRGH!"

Iron Man tries to reason with Kang, asking why would he want to take out Cap, Kang's response is to save the world. We know from previous episodes this is true, Kang believes that somehow Cap is to blame for his Timeline being erased. Before he can explain more Hulk arrives and throws Kang through several walls. Hulk is actually able to get through Kang's fancy future force field. Hulk is more than happy to crush Kang into paste, but Iron Man stops him and wants him to explain what he meant about Cap and Saving the world. Kang explains his plan again in more detail. Then he lets off a electroshock gizmo than floors the Avengers, he is about to kill Cap when Mjolnir blindsides him ( do I need to start counting again? ) Kang summons his chair and transports the Avengers to the future to show them what has happened.

It's a wasteland, Kang against states that this is all Cap's fault, in an effort to get them to give up and let him kill Cap. We see New York as big pile of burning rubble. Kang tells us this isn't even his time, its just ten short years into the future. Everything is gone, every one is dead, even the sun is dying. No Kang tells us it was a war between the Kree and the Skrulls³ that did this. Yeah I know his argument for Cap being responsible kinda falls apart here doesn't it? Hulk has had enough talk from TALKY FUTURE MAN!

"Think I'll just post images of awesomeness from now one"

Kang then explains he is going to kill Cap, and then take over Earth and advance it with 41st century technology to prepare for the Kree and Skrulls. Cap says if he really is responsible he has to stand down. Iron Man starts a speech than sounds like they are going to capitulate to Kang, but in the end doesn't cause Kang is a Jerk and orders the Avengers to attack.

Of course like the 50 other times they tried it Kang shrugs off the attacks, Pym sends a mountain of cockroaches at Kang which separates him from his chair. The Avengers throw everything they got at Kang. The do more damage to each other than to Kang. Cap orders Iron Man to get to chair, its their only way back. Stark doubts his ability to do anything buy Cap tells him he is the only one who can.

"Shields Up"

Iron Man attempts to interface with the chair, while Kang continues to take the Avengers apart, that is expect Mr. Awesome himself. Black Panther manages to damage Kang's back with his claws, even apart hulk punching him in the face did nothing. He is just that good. But then Kang shoots him and I cheer! Stark tries to understand the chair as the awesome fights continues. Kang sees what Stark is trying and goes to stop him, The other Avengers try to run interference.

Just Thor and Cap stand between Kang and Tony now. Thankfully Tony is struck by inspiration and activates the chair. Stark cites Cap's earlier advice about going back to basics as what gave him the idea. Turns out that as advances as Kang's future tech is, it is still based on tech that was developed in the 21st century, Stark Tech infact.

"Ctrl+Alt+Del"

Stark transports every back to the present and turns Kang's stuff against him, and Thor hits him with Lightening II^TM. Kang swears vengeance and transports back to his ship the Damocles. Leaving the Avengers to ponder just what the hell happened.

Back on his ship Kang uncloaks a gigantic armada and prepares to conquer the Earth.

This was a really good episode, great action and a start of the three part story, So I urge you onto the next episode!

Check Your References:

1. Tony Stark has received combat training from Cap in the comics, which used to mean something but now it seems like half the Marvel universe has been trained by Cap, even some villains.

2. 42 in the comics, its pretty much the same as Pym explained here.

3. Kree/Skrull War was pretty big Avengers Story line in the early 70's following a war between the Kree and Skrull with Earth stuck in the middle.

The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes Episode Guide 16 Widow's Sting

2011-01-26T15:43:00.000+00:00

Here we go, a follow up on the Hawkeye and Black Widow storyline, also there may be some intrigue . . .

For an index of all episodes go here.

Original Air Date: 19/12/2010 Production Code:016

Writers: Kevin Burke and Chris Wyatt

Director: Vinton Heuck

Titles Assembled: Hawkeye, Hulk, Captain America, Iron Man, Giant Man, Wasp, Thor and Black Panther.

This is the début of a slightly altered title card, after the team shot, when the shows logo is show and a new Avengers Assemble badge is shown in the lower right.

We begin with MODOC telling us that Baron Strucker wants the Cosmic Cube, an amazing devices that can make your every whim a reality. In fact he isn't telling us, he is telling Grim Reaper and asking for more money. Seemingly MODOC is somehow building this thing. When they are interrupted by one of Hawkeye's arrows to Grim Reaper's chest. I guess an clandestine meeting in broad daylight, on the open docks, with alot of troops and two giant ships wasn't the most subtle idea. Hawkeye leaps into action and before he takes them all down he wants to know the location of Black Widow.

"Lets meet in a well lit area"

Hawkeye uses old ninja trick #57, "When facing a bunch of enemies that are surrounding you, pop smoke and lets most of them shoot each other". MODOC tell us he will destroy the avengers only for a sonic arrow to hit him in the face, and his stubbly little are are hilariously too short to reach it. So that's MODOC and A.I.M out of the fight. The Hydra Octo Tank rises up and scoops up it's troops including Reaper and makes its escape. Leaving Hawkeye and the fallen goons on the dock. Clay Quartermain shows up telling him Fury wants a word.

On the Shield Helicarrier Fury is chewing out Hawkeye for interfering in a Shield operation, all Hawkeye wants to know it the location of Black Widow, Fury isn't that forth coming but does give some exposition in case you forgot what's happened between Hawkeye and Widow or just missed the episodes. With the necessary explanations out of the way, Fury warns the Avengers off taking on Hydra. It's too big and complicated and tells them to go back to beating on super villains. It's what they are good at. Iron Man steps in an agrees with Fury, if the Avengers go in it will only make things worse. Stark tell him the Avengers have their own mission, The Breakout, and they need to stay focused on that and not judgement clouding revenge. Hawkeye says when he is needed by the team he will be there, but he is still going after Widow and he doesn't need Shield of the Avengers to do it, he will go on his own if he has to and walks out.

"Ya got a little schmutz on ya there Clint."

In the hallway Cap and Black Panther follow Clint. Cap and Panther tell him if goes on this alone he will get killed, They offer to go with him, I have an issue with this and will elaborate in my rant at the end. When Bobby Morse, Mockingbird walks into shot¹. I have a little rant about this too at the end. She is now a costume, turns out she took Hawkeye's spot on the Shield special ops team after he left, and has taken the code name Mockingbird. We also establish that its been three months since the events of "Hulk Vs The World". Mockingbird wants in on the mission, and against Cap's advices not to, Hawkeye agrees for her to come along.

They seemingly stole a Quinjet. Turns out Fury sent Mockingbird to give them the run around, but the aren't going to listen to her, they are following the signal of a tracer that Hawkeye places on Reaper earlier. He offers her a chance to join them or be Fury's stooge, she decides to help them.

"Hey Bobby we all have pockets and belts, What do you bring to the team?"

Grim Reaper is talking to someone and mentions the Fat Man². Hawkeye and Mockingbird attack, exploding Reaper's car and taking down some awesome looking Hydra goons. There is a very nicely choreography fight between Reaper and Hawkeye, but alas they fall to the overwhelming numbers of Hydra. Reaper orders them to be placed on the transport and that Baron Strucker will be most pleased with his gifts.

The Hydra ship flies off only to be shadowed by Panther and Cap in the Quinjet, Maybe this was all part of the plan after all. They discuss the plans, Cap being from the 40's isn't sure about sending Mockingbird into such a dangerous situation because she seemed like "such a nice lady".

"So . . . do you have record players in Wakanda?"

Then we cut the transport ship where she is trading dirty jokes with the Hydra troops meant to be guarding them. She then uses the old he this chains a little too tight, you mind loosing them a little line, and one of the Hydra goons actually falls for it and about to help her, (Reaper is so going to have him and his family killed later). (un)luckily Reaper enters and stops the shenanigans and tells Mockingbird is she doesn't keep her mouth closed he will close it permanently. Reaper and goons leave them alone. They blatantly say aloud that the Avengers are tracking them (Hopefully Reaper isn't outside the door listening like he was just seconds ago), and they flirt with each other.

The transport ship activates a cloaking device, causing the Quinjet to loose all ability to track it. It docks with a giant Hydra base where Von Strucker is getting a report from someone who is most likely Viper. She tells she made contact with the Yashida Clan³ saying that their leader Gorgon⁴ is open to negotiation. But then Black Widow walking in lists off a bigger and long list of potential allies that she has opened talks with (in a non Russian accent) namely, Count Nefaria and the Maggia⁵, aswell as Alexsander Lukin⁶. Viper not wanting to be outdone by Widow tried to brag about A.I.M completing something for them but is silenced by Strucker before she can finish.

"Dammit! If I had pockets I could have brought along my lock picks."

Reaper enters Strucker's throne room with his prizes in chains behind him. Strucker stands to gloat and readies his gauntlet ready to suck the life out his prisoners. Viper steps forward and advocates they keep them alive as they may be more valuable as bargaining chips. Strucker seems to agree and orders them to be taken to the dungeons.

Meanwhile back at the Avengers Mansion, Iron Man is yelling at Cap and Panther for losing Hawkeye. Pym tries to search for them with the satellites, while Cap and Panther give Iron Man some sass talk.

"STRUCKER SPARKLE FINGERS ATTACK!"

Back in the Dungeon Hawkeye and Mockingbird are talking. We learn that Hawkeye can never trust anyone and isn't too surprised Cap and Panther didn't swoop in and rescue them, understandable when your always surrounded by spies, double agents and Nick Fury. Mockingbird tell him Iron Man is probably thinking the same about him right now, since after all this is all really happening because a girl lied to Hawkeye. Widow appears at the door of Hawkeye's cell. He is naturally mad at her and tell her she is dead to him, and she has a look of someone whose puppy just shook hands with a lawn more. I find that really out of character and not believable in this situation, see my end rant for more on this. Widow walks off with Hawkeye banging on his cell and yelling at her.

Mockingbird urges him to calm down when he somehow unlocks both of their cell doors and escapes, I'm not exactly sure how he managed this so easily, it was an almost Black Panther level feat or someone else had to unlock it for him. All Clint says is that he picked up a few tricks growing up in a circus.

"Yeah, that's right! I called you a doody head."

In MODOC's lab we learn that the Cosmic Cube is very close to working and that it was originally envisioned as a way to keep siphoning money from Hydra and was never meant to work, but something has changed and MODOC wants to call Strucker.

Back on Hydra island, we see the A.I.M hologram fade as they end the call but we do not see what they talked about. When a goon runs up to tell him that Hawkeye and Mockingbird have escaped.

Cap and Panther are still flying around trying to locate Hawkeye, when Panther detects a communication on the Avenger's frequency. They have a location out in the middle of the ocean, and Cap sets a course.

Hawkeye and Mockingbird has fought their way to an armoury that seemingly has Hawkeye's bow and arrows, but If go back and look Reaper actually destroys his bow when they fought before being "captured". Maybe Hawkeye uses a standard issue Hydra Bow as well as being the true King of Wakanda?

"How Convenient."

With weapons in hand and ready to kick even more asses, they burst into Strucker's throne room. Trying his luck Hawkeye fires at Strucker who easily plucks the arrow out of the air. Hawkeye remarks Widow is his and Mockingbird can take the other one hundred and forty. The fight starts and its pretty awesome, Mockingbirds staff appears to be the staff of the Monkey King, which she uses to great effect. Her costume seems to lend her a gliding ability also. Viper throw a grenade which Hawkeye just picks up and throws back which always amuses me what that happens.

They battle isn't going so well, Hydra just has too much numbers, Hawkeye down to one arrow left decides to be heroic and tell Mockingbird to run for it while he holds them off. Yes Bobby run for it on the tiny artificial island in the middle of the ocean, no one ever said Clint Barton was the smart one. Thankfully before he can sacrifice himself Cap and Panther join the fight. Panther even has a new quiver of arrows for him . . .

"Extend Ryu Jingu Bang"

It isn't long before all the low level goons are dealt with, Strucker decides to cut his losses and activates the islands auto-destruct and begins his evacuation of the island with Widow guarding his retreat. Hawkeye has Widow in his sights, with just a regular pointy arrow, and is about to fire when he sees Viper take down Mockingbird, steps on her face and is about to finish her with a pistol. Clint fires and we get an awesome tracking shot of the arrows flights as it grazes Widows hair and knocks the pistol from Viper hand allowing Mockingbird to retaliate.

Strucker and Widow make it to a secure area and seal the door behind them, Hawkeye manages to squeeze through before it closes. Widow and Hawkeye! Round One! FIGHT! Before long they destroy each others weapons and have to go hand to hand. Widow clearly has the upper hand, delivering swift nerve strikes. Hawkeye goes down and Widow crouches over and and utters a goodbye. Strucker is pleased at Widows show of loyalty. Parts of the roof begin to cave in and Widows urges that they should leave. Before they leave Strucker wants to takes Hawkeye's life force with his gauntlet, its not looking good for our archer. Widows shoots Strucker from behind! ( but was really surprised by this? ) She picks up Strucker, apologises to the unconscious Clint and walks away her cover hopefully still intact. Nick Fury and his helicarrier arrives to get everyone out of there before the island totally destroys itself.

"Widow has a belt, hell even Strucker does and he is ~~a Nazi~~ evil"

And cue Nick Fury Chewing out Hawkeye, Cap and Panther. Cap said they took down the island which just pissed off Fury more, He didn't want Hydra Island taken down, not yet anyway. Well that's Fury for ya always in for the long game. He warns them against interfering in Shield matter again or he will personally end the Avengers. Fury dismisses them and they head back to the Mansion expecting another dressing down from Iron Man, but before that Hawkeye things Cap and Panther for helping, maybe he is learning to trust them after all. But alas he can't figure out why Widow saved him, which is very stupid on his part.

Strucker and Widow are waiting on a dock ( Hydra really needs to rethink its clandestine meeting locations ) when MODOC arrives and returns all the money Hydra has given them and tells Strucker the Cosmic Cube project was a failure and he will get back to him if he has any more weapons to sell him. Strucker can tell he is lying.

"Dun Dun DUUUUN"

If that wasn't enough for ya there is more, Mockingbird and Fury and in the Shield barber shop looking down on the corpse of Viper, but its not Viper its a Skrull!⁷

Check Your References:

1. In comics she is Hawkeye's wife, she died in the 80's but was a Skrull aparently . . . yeah . . . so she got better, we also seen he flying the shield craft in episode 05 Hulk Vs the world

2. Who could it be? King Pin maybe?

3. Clan Yashida, in the Marvel universe is one of the oldest and wealthiest families in Japan often associated with Wolverine and the Yakuza, notable members include Silver Samurai and Mariko Yashida.

4. The Gorgon, Tomi Shishido often Wolverine villian and recently associated with Hydra in Secret Warriors, he has the power to turn people into stone among other things. In the EMH Universe he seems to be leader of the Yashida Clan.

5. Count Nefaria is leader of the Maggia ( thinly veiled version of the Mafia in the Marvel universe ) He has various power and abilities.

6. Alexsander Lukin, was General in the Soviet Military, the Red Skull transfered his mind into his body with the Cosmic Cube. An awesome story starting in Brubaker's and Eptings Captain America volume 5, which everyone should read.

7. An event similar to this is what kicked off the Secret Invasion Storyline.

A Fun episode but I have three main gripes with it, first of all is the bad characterisation or Cap and Widow, First of all from what we have seen of Cap I don't find it believable that Cap would just go against all orders to run off half cocked on a suicide mission, all because Hawkeye just wont let it go. Cap had no involvement with Widow he just decides he wants to run off an play cowboy. Panther I can see it happening even Hulk but not Cap. As for Black Widow she is a hardened super spy I find it quiet silly that she acts like a scorned puppy when Hawkeye confronts her at his cell, what did she expect? and if she is meant to be double agent infiltrating an evil terrorist organisation she should be a bit tougher than that and not act like a twelve year old.

My third gripe is Mockingbird's outfit, first of all I'm not a fan of heroes ( either male of female ) running around fighting crime is such impractical outfits as not having pants. From the comics they chose her second outfit, which is just her first one minus pants, ever other version has been "practical" given she is a normal person not someone with crazy powers. It just bugs me.

Anyway rants over, see you next time for the start of the "Kang Trilogy".

Wookie and Ewok: A Forbidden Love

2011-01-23T23:55:00.000+00:00

Here is an entry for Twitter's @NateCosboom's #NATEWOULDLIKETOSEE Hashtag event!

Enjoy!

The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes Episode Guide 15 459

2011-01-15T14:42:00.000+00:00

This episode introduces us to the Galactic Empire of the Kree, and the some of the shenanigans they get up to, also Captain Marvel and Carol Danvers. It also answers some questions about Hank and Janet.

For an index of all episodes go here

Original Air Date: 12/12/2010 Production Code:015

Writer: Joelle Sellner

Director: Vinton Heuck

Titles Assembled: Hawkeye, Hulk, Captain America, Iron Man, Giant Man, Wasp, Thor and Black Panther.

The episode title is pretty self explanatory once you watch the episode, based on very similar character from the comics. Gotta give the creators kudos again for pulling this outta nowhere. I had no idea what it was and had to look it up.

We open with Hank and Janet visiting a research outpost high in the mountains, Janet is teasing/flirting with Hank when they meet Carol Danvers ( more on her later). Jan and Carol seem to be old friends. Turns out they need Hanks help with something they have discovered. The facility is a joint Shield Government deep space research centre using the most advance deep space radio telescopes available. Carol introduces us to Dr. Philip Lawson, lead scientist of the facility. Turns out Carol is a Major in the military and told him all about Hank. Jan comments on his "cuteness" earning a sour look from Hank.

"One of these days Jan, straight to the . . . Wait what?!"

Anyway . . . back to the important matters, Carol shows us the object they detected yesterday with their sensors. Its moving fast and seems to demonstrate intelligence with its movements, oh yeah and its heading straight at us. It goes through the telescope in orbit, hits the facilities satellite uplink and crashes into the mountains.

At the crater, whatever crashed is looking through a scanner¹, It scans a curious wolf, who growls at it and is promptly blasted to atoms.

"She says the jungle... it just came alive"

Back at the observatory, Dr Lawson is trying to get systems back on line. Hank estimates the crash site location. Carol adopts the Star Trekkin' method of first contact protocol of "We come in peace, Shoot to kill" , she grabs a gun and they head out.

On the drive out Carol gives Jan a talking to. Telling her if she keeps teasing Hank they way she does, he will end up hating her. This explicitly states they are not a couple as I was kinda assuming up to this point. They arrive at the crater, Hank flies there on an ant, I can only assume he has a thing about women drivers. They start to investigate. Hank assures them its safe, their was no biological component, so there can't be life. You know what happens when we assume Hank?

"I can't think of a funny caption, please make up your own"

Predator-vision is watching all this, and scans close on Carols weapon. They sense something is watching them when an energy blast shoots out the forest at them. We see it has a personal cloaking device¹. Janet panics and starts shooting wildly. They are faced with the age old problem of how to fight an invisible enemy. Hank summons an army of ants, who Carol ponders shooting . . ., The ants crawl all over the creature allowing us to see what it looks like².

The Creature sends a shockwave than blasts the Avengers and Danvers, sending them flying. It walks menacingly towards them, for the first time we see it in it's true form³. Hank recommends no threatening moves, since we don't know its motivations, it may be only defending itself. So the women decide to start shooting it ( take that gender stereotyping! ). Hank orders Jan to stop, The creature disarms Carol and then seems to lose interest in them, instead focusing on the observatory and walking off. Hank sends Carol back to the observatory to warn them while Hank tries to slow it down. Hank goes giant.

"This always works, every time"

Back at the observatory Carol is back and is telling Lawson they have a problem, when Hank's giant form ( as effective as ever ) comes flying in through the roof. The creature soon follows, Janet and Carol attempt to hold it back but there weapons are ineffective. The creature appears to be searching for something that is in the observatory. It tries to blast the power core, but Hank grabs it from behind sending its blast awry. The blasts some kinda of power box and explodes. Lawson shields Carol with his body, giving them both a probably unhealthy dose of radiation.

Hanks giant form performs up to par again by directing the rogue energy blast at section of the roof that falls on Jan, before getting zapped himself. The creature gets blasted from behind, but by who? where Dr Lawson was standing, now is a blue skinned alien warrior in funky space armour. He names himself as Geheneris HalaSon Mahr Vehl, Pluskomander of the Kree Void Science Navy⁴ and orders the creature to stand down. The creature ignores it and once again tries to blast the power core. This time it is successful, and it explodes.

"Mahr Vehl, Geheneris HalaSon Mahr Vehl"

The Observatory explodes spectacular, They manage to escape, but Carol is injured. They take her to a hospital where the other Avengers meet them ( Hulk, Iron Man and Thor ). Mahr Vehl is them briefing them on the situation. He tells us about his people, the Kree. One of the galaxies most ancient civilizations, and they are at war with the Skrulls⁵. Wouldn't you know it Earth is a very strategic location between the two empires. He explains the creature is actually a Kree Sentry robot, that is sent to "de-fang" any natives that could pose a threat before the Kree come and set up shop. Hank notes good thing it got destroyed.

Mahr Vehl tells us, it didn't Sentries can't be stopped so easily. He tells us that each Sentry contains a Nega-bomb capable of wiping out a planets entire populace, and giving the fight they just gave it, he can only assume its countdown is already active and probably less than an hour left.

"Thor isn't even paying attention"

At this revelation Jan tells the Hulk to smash Mahr Vehl! I mean why Jan, he is clearly trying to help us and told us where the bomb was and on top of it all she isn't the team leader ever other Avenger there probably outranks her. Hank is once again the voice of reason. Mahr Vehl tells us he is a scientist, and was here to study humanities potential, since they are unique among all the civilisations they have encountered. They are special. Thor and Iron Man meet this with doubt and antagonism. Mahr Vehl pleads with them to let him help to stop the Nega Bomb. The Avengers agree and Janet tell Hulk to smash him if he acts funny. I'd like to note here for anyone who would like to give Hank Pym stick about the wife beating, Janet here is quiet clearly a big rascist!

The Sentry is taking a leisurely stroll to kill time until the Nega Bomb is ready to detonate. It decides a drive in theatre is the best place to end humanity. This is where the team catches up to the Sentry. The plan is to expose the core of the Nega Bomb that will shut it down. The hard part? all the Sentries armour in the way. Hulk tries it his way first. The Thor steps up but they Sentries countermeasures are too great. There goes that music again, clearly another great homage to The Day the Earth Stood Still.

"This year's blockbuster"

Hank goes Giant and is actually useful this time, he holds back to tentacles to allow Captain Marvel⁶ to get his shots in. He starts to get pasts it's head armour, when Janet decides to be jealous and racist and give Hank a hard time over him standing up for Marvel. This must have annoyed the Sentry too cause it launces a barrage of missiles at her. Hank shields her from the impact but is injured in turn. As he is loosing consciousness he is trying to tell Jan how much he loves science but only gets as far as "I love . . . " before blacking out.

With new found power from the anger of having Hank "die" before she could finish nagging him, Janet goes all out and flies through the tiny breach the Avengers had made in the Sentries armour. Once inside she starts blasting all and sundry, This is enough to shut down the Sentry to allow Hulk to rip its head off and tear its armour to shreds.

"HULK SAY KLAATU BARADA NIKTO"

This clearly got the attention of the Kree High Command, it projects a hologram of Yon-Rogg⁷ wondering what the flark is going on. Mahr Vehl implores Yon-Rogg to stop the Nega Bomb, telling him Humanity can be a valuable ally and doesn't need to be wiped out. Yon-Rogg doesn't see it that and bids him farewell to burn with the rest of Humanity.

Marvel starts working on the bomb. He can defuse it but there isn't enough time left before it detonates. The Hulk remarks he will probably survive⁸. With no time left Marvel picks up the bomb and flies it up into high orbit. The selfless act of sacrifice makes Jan feel guilty about being such a racist biddy now. Marvel gets as far away from the planet as he can before succumbing to the extreme low temperature and frosting up and beging to fall back to Earth along with the bomb. Iron Man catches Marvel and Thor takes the slack on the bomb tossing it far out into space.

"How'd you solve the icing problem?'"

Back in the hospital Carol and Hank are still unconscious, with their team mates standing a watchful vigil. Thor is whining that Iron Man had to catch him as he fell from orbit. Oh that Asgardian pride. Marvel warns that this isn't over, the Kree will be back and wont under estimate the Avengers this time. He says he will try to appeal to the Kree Supreme Intelligence for Earth's safety but they must prepare for the comming storm⁹. He says his goodbyes and teleports away.

Later Wasp is sitting with Hank, doing the standard apologising for being a jerk to the coma patient routine when Hank wakes up. Wasp wants Hank to finish what he was going to tell her when Carol wakes up and his floating about two metres about her bed and glowing yellow. This in case you hadn't noticed Carol Danvers is in fact the costumed (or will be) hero known as Ms. Marvel

Check Your References:

1. The scanner looks very predator-esque don't you think? as the does the cloaked shimmer effect.
2. Bears a resemblance to Gort from The Day the Earth Stood Still along with the musical cues? or is it just me?
3. The colours and proportions are also reminiscent of Eva-01.
4. Yes he is Captain Marvel, but not the red, black and yellow on you may be been expecting. They have gone with the straight up Ulimate version. which is pretty cool I must say. The way he orders the Sentry to stand down is pretty much the same as what he did in Ultimate Secret #1
5. The Kree Skrull war was story line that ran in the Avengers 89-97 way back in 1972.
6. The "blasting mode" Marvel assumes is the same as the one used in the comics or so I thought. but I flipped through my old issues of Ultimate Galactus and didn't see it. But I'm 100% sure I've seen that configuration before but can't find where, Maybe it was Ultimate Marvel and its homaging something else, Be sure to tell me if you what I'm thinking of.
7. In the comics Yon-Rogg is a Colonel in the Kree, he is a white skinned Kree as opposed to blue here.
8. He probably would he has survived point blank nuclear strikes on a few occasions and survived.
9. Refers to Operation: Galactic Storm a 19 part cross over even over many titles in 1992 that involves in Avengers intervening in another Kree/Skrull conflict to protect the Earth.

A very enjoyable episode, introduces some great Avengers concepts, the Kree and the Skrull. Carol Danvers is a great addition to cast. It really laid out what's going on between Janet and Hank. Maybe it was clear to a non comics reader, but I was kinda just assuming they were a couple of sorts. They probably are now after this. Really looking forward to more Kree and Skrulls. See you next time.

The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes Episode Guide 14 Masters of Evil

2011-01-08T13:42:00.001+00:00

Here we go with the Masters of Evil

For an index of all episodes go here

Original Air Date: 05/12/2010 Production Code:014

Writer: Christopher Yost

Directors: Sebastian Montes

Titles Assembled: Hawkeye, Hulk, Captain America, Iron Man, Giant Man, Wasp, Thor and Black Panther.

This is the first time we see all the team together in the opener.

The title is a reference to Masters of Evil, a group of super villains generally associated with Baron Zemo in some way. There has been about eight different incarnations of the team so I wont do into too much details.

When we start off we see Whirlwind zipping through the streets of New York, we catch a glimpse of the says news Headlines¹ before they are obliterated. Janet is hot on his heels. The Chase leads to a convenient construction site, Janet realises something is wrong when Whirlwind isn't responding to her witty barbs, that and when Enchantress reveals herself, followed by Crimson Dynamo, Skurge, Simon Williams and the Abomination. Janet clearly out numbered and out gunned decides to fight ( she is smart like that ) when she is shot in the back by Zemo. Let this be a lesson to all you would be super villains out there. This is how you take down heroes, separate them and crush them with overwhelming numbers.

"This Just in! The Thing Ate my baby!"

We start with T'Challa and Hawkeye talking about the team, Hawkeye goes through the entire roster listing out everyone's short comings, Everyone except Cap anyway. Panther tells us that his powers come from juices of a sacred herb, Hawkeye of courses eats some. Then T'Challa tell him is a deadly poison to anyone not of royal blood. So I guess that's the end of Hawkeye.

Later that night at the Mansion Tony is working on his armour. We hear him telling Jarvis to configure the suits of modular and interchangeable deployment to he will be ready for anything. Jarvis tells us that the Wasp's signal has returned. The lights go out and Crimson Dynamo and Zemo abuse Tony, and without his armour he goes down easy.

"Jarvis did you just hear a Crimson Dynamo? Nah, just my imagination"

Next up is Hulk watching dogfood commercials² but he is rudely interrupted but Enchantress and Abomination and kicked through a portal into the Realm of the Frost Giants Jotunheim³. That's Three down.

Now Cap is training in the Danger Room or whatever Tony called it, when Skurge and Simon Williams double team him. With Cap down Zemo gloats. Enchantress asks "What of Thor?" Zemo tells her not to worry for now only Thor and Ant Man remain. He uses Janet's ID card to send out the Assemble Signal.

"Now with 30% more Kirby Krackle"

Thor is taking Jane Foster for a walk and talking about his daddy issues. Their eyes meet and Thor is probably about to ask her to hold hands or something when his ID card beeps. So Thor flies into action.

Arriving at the Mansion Thor finds it deserted until Zemo emerges from the shadows, and tells Thor to kneel. I have to say Zemo is really quiet intimidating here. The rest of the Masters of Evil teleport in, needless to say THOR DOES NOT KNEEL! Combat ensues. Even when Enchantress somehow neutralises Mjolnir Thor still manages to put up a decent fight. but alas even the Thunderer must fall before such overwhelming power.

"Hammer Blocked"

All seems lost, but then we see Black Panther and Hawkeye survieling the aftermath, Hawkeye seemingly survived his taste of Wankanda magic juice, which can only mean either T'Challa exaggerated its poisonous properties of Hawkeye is in fact a scion to the throne of Wakanda. I know which theory I subscribe to. Clint recommends calling Shield and the Hulkbusters and hitting them hard and fast. Panther disagrees citing property damage and team mate safety. Really I think its because he is so awesome that he can solo the Masters of Evil.

We see Zemo walking the halls of the mansion, carrying Cap's shield as a souveniour, we learn from his conversations with Simon Williams ( who he calls Wonder Man for the first time ) that they have all been promised something to join the Masters. Williams gets his humanity back and Crimson Dynamo gets Iron Man. Zemo proceeds to where Cap, Stark and Janet and being held to gloat over them.

"Behold! Wakanda's True King"

Meanwhile Hawkeye and Panther stealth their way into the mansion, as Enchantress is having her way with Thor. Abomination is questioning why Zemo is the one giving orders, and Zemo swiftly demonstrates why, because he is better!

Hawkeye and Panther begin two separate attacks, Clint taking on Zemo, Enchantress and Abomination in the interrogation room and Panther taking Skurge, Dynamo and Wonder Man. The fights ends pretty fast. Abomination grabs Hawkeye and the other three walking with a disabled Panther in tow. With that Tony wakes up and chews out Hawkeye for not bringing in Shield. All seems lost again.

"And that's why he is in charge"

Zemo is gloating, he likes doing that, trying to decide who to kill first. When Hawkeye and Panther reveal they were just a distraction to allow Ant Man uninterrupted access to his lab. As if on cue Hank appears with a gun, and asks Zemo to stand down. Zemo orders the Master to tear him apart. The gun seemingly was for the express purpose of destabilising Wonder Man. With Williams gone Pym discards the weapon and shrinks down. Dynamo is able to track him. Pym runs at Abomination and gives him a swift and awesome Re-Bigulation kick, like his Re-Bigulation upper cut from Man in the Ant Hill.

Hawkeye and Panther manage to free the other Avengers! As you can tell it's on now! Stark runs out of the ordering Jarvis to ready his armour. Thor Mjolnir in hand summons Hulk back from Jotunheim, and Hulk is not a happy camper. Hulk charges Enchantress but her faithful servant Skurge tackles him. Cap takes the opportunity to take his Shield back from Zemo.

"Christmas Hulk No Like Magic Woman"

Simon Williams managed to re-constitute himself, Hank Pym tries to talk to him. Williams reveals he has to do what he is told of he will die, since Enchantress' magic is what is keeping him alive, and with timing Iron Man shoots him.

Now with all the Avengers Assembled, the tables are really turned and both teams clash in epic battle⁴. Once the Avengers have the upper hand, Enchantress teleports everyone away. Leaving Tony with a humongous repair bill. The Avengers have some banter, Most of the Avengers are kinda clueless as to what happened. Thor speculates that they have defeated many foes, and defeat does not sit well with them. Cap on the other hand thinks there is more to it based on Zemo's actions.

"Well that wasn't an intentional shot or anything . . . "

At the Master HQ there is bickering and Enchantress says it doesn't matter is all a game and they are her pawns. She walks off and secretly informs Loki of what happened.

"Dun Dun Dahhh!"

Check your References:
1. Again the Excelsior Newspaper is used to reference the rest of the word, The Secret School is of course the X-men's school and Baxter building tenant replaced by aliens, is most likely a Skrull reference.
2. The dog food brand is a reference to Jack Kirby. I shouldn't have to explain who he is, but trust me even if you don't know his name you have seen his work.
3. Hulk getting sent to the frost giants is similar to the plot of Hulk VS Thor.
4. Both teams running at each other and then an explosion might be a reference to 90's X-men title sequence where something similar happens.

Another great episode, it jumped around a lot focusing on all the different characters, fleshing them out and maybe giving some set up for future story arcs. I'm really liking the Thor as an awkward lovesick puppy, its a cute angle they are going with. The Janet and Hank Image after the fight was a clever dig I thought.

See you next blog.

Apple iPhone Alarm doesn't work In New Years 2011

2011-01-01T15:17:00.000+00:00

Happy New Year everyone, I slept in rather late this morning. Which isn't too bad I suppose I had no appointments to be late for. I just assumed I had just slept through the alarm, Then I started reading on Twitter then there was in fact in a bug in the iPhone alarm.

Surely this is madness I thought, It can't be, something as simple as an alarm wont just stop working because its New Years. I mean its not like its Y2K or anything. An alarm is a relatively simple thing, if its the pre set time make noise.

if ( time = timeAlarmSet )
{
makeNoise();
}

Granted the actually code is probably a little more involved, but an alarm is still a relatively simple function. I'm a software engineer so I have some knowledge on the subject. But I think what has happened here is that in an effort to be smart and awesome like all Apple products ( cause they always succeed right? ) Someone thought they should try something clever instead of just make the alarm simple as it should be, and just moving on to the next exciting part of iOS development.

So now the iPhone alarm wont work until the 3rd of January 2011, alarms set to recur will still work fine. But somewhere along the way a bug has crept in that makes single alarms a kind of moot point. I'm sure nothing major will happen because of this, just a lot of people sleeping in the next few days, a lot of people will be late for work, hopefully without any repercussions. But its something that was so totally avoidable, it makes the second time that an oversight on something that should be very simple on Apple's part has resulted in great inconvenience.

Its just mind boggling to me as a producer and tester of software, that something like that get past testing, even more boggling is that it's from Apple and on devices with such crazy saturation. Its not like they aren't making money of this thing, or they have competition with similar market share. Granted I know making the alarm function may be boring compared to working on the Retina Display or FaceTime functions, but that is no excuse for this, you still have your job to.

I just wanted to make people aware, for whatever good it will do for the next three days.

In closing I just want to put out there. Imagine what might have happened if Apple iOS (whatever version is was) was the majority of the market share when Y2K or the "millennium bug" happened. Probably nothing would have happened. But when this like events like this, and that can get through it gives me pause, and makes kinda grateful for Windows. Maybe not, but hopefully it makes someone think.

I'm not Apple bashing, just ranting. Apple is here to stay and provides useful technology and services. I still plan on using their products for the foreseeable future, Just getting this off my chest.

See you next time, and Happy New Year again, especially to those people who will not be woken up for three days.

The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes Episode Guide 13 Gamma World Part 2

2010-12-29T14:30:00.001+00:00

Now for the second part of the Gamma World Experience, Again apologies for the lateness of these, never meant to fall so far behind. If its any consolation I'm snowed in. I probably shouldn't say that since it means I actually had more time stuck in my house to do it. So lets get down to it shall we.

For an index of all episodes go here

Original Air Date: 26/11/2010 Production Code:013

Writer: Michael Ryan

Directors: Vinton Heuck and Sebastian Montes

We follow on from the last part, where Leader has proceeded to phase two and has activated his Gamma Dome on a global scale. We see the Gamma energy passing through the city irradiating everyone it touches turning them into Gamma monsters, and what's even worse the dome is rapidly expanding well beyond the city limits.

Meanwhile blissfully unaware the Avengers are outside what's left of the Cube clearing up that mess, Stark informs us that nine Gamma villains are back in custody when the look around and see a new Gamma Dome and its heading their way.

"Good Job Avengers, Everything is fine, Lets just drop our guard and hang around here"

Hawkeye and Widow (Russian accented) tied up on the back of his sky scooter are heading towards the Avengers when they see the giant green dome. Widow (Non Russian accent) either recognises what it is of is just smart enough to know not to fly head first into is, urges Clint to head in the other direction. The head out with the dome chasing very close behind.

The Cube has been totally enveloped by the dome and everyone and everything therein is being transformed into Gamma versions of themselves. Everyone but Thor and Doc Samson. When Iron Man is transforming we see inside his chest and get a view of his heart¹.

"Everything is still fine"

Samson is quickly taken down by Panther Hulk, Thor tries to appeal to his allies better nature, but unlike last time it didn't seem to have any effect, I guess Cap doesn't just doesn't have any implied romantic feelings towards Thor . . . go figure. All the Gamma beasts pile on Thor, even his Asgardian might cant hold off such overwhelming numbers.

Hawkeye and Widow seem to have gotten to a safer distance, seemingly by crashing the pooty pooty scoot cloud cycle. Widow has managed to free herself, The both dive for their weapon and we have stand off until ~~Jeffrey Combs~~ The Leader interrupts, Hawkeye takes advantage and shoots Widow (Still Non-Russian) in the chest and gets +1 badass points for it.

"Clint Shot First"

The Leader like any good super villains monologues his entire scheme for us. He sees the world for what it is, and all the weakness and mistakes humanity has made. He is going to wipe it all away. His Gamma Dome will change everyone into stronger more power bodies, and with his power to mentally control them. He will make a better world, a Gamma powered paradise. Sounds like a good deal right?

During this speech we see glimpses of everyone around the world as the hear this message, we see Thor now unconscious, crowds of innocents watching on tvs, Pepper back in Stark Tower, Nick Fury, Hank in Wakanda with some stereotypical locals, Arnim Zola, Zemo and the Enchantress.

"Hello Children, Welcome to story time with uncle Leader"

While watching Hawkeye somehow manges to tie up Widow without moving. Widow says that with all the Avengers inside the dome, all hope is lost. Hawkeye says not all of the Avengers were inside and they have to find the Hulk. Widow says Hulk was last spotted in northern Canada early this morning. Hawkeye thanks her for the info, hops on his sky bike and jets off. Leaving Widow in the path of the dome and earning another +5 badass points.

Back with the Leader, Sterns had his Gamma powered Avengers bring both Thor and Samson to him for some much deserved gloating. Thor discovers he is without Mjolnir and Leader informs us that not even his Gamma powered Wrecking crew could lift it. Thor tells us only those worthy can life Mjolnir. Since Samson and Thor are unaffected by Gamma radiation they will have to take there place in the world as punching bags for the Leaders pets.

"Oddly enough story time with uncle Abomination wasn't that popular"

In Canada Hulk is fighting with the Hulk Busters with their Metal Gear Solid Gekkos. The guy with the cowboy hat ( and I still can't figure out who you are) calls in that the Hulk is down and ready to be captured, when Hawkeye uses his Anti-Helicopter Arrows™. Giving Hulk the opening he needed to punch some tanks. Hawkeye tells the Hulk he needs help to save the Avengers, Hulk fobs him off. Hawkeye earns +50 more bad ass points but getting in Hulks face and telling him he can either help him or be taken down! This seems to work and Hulk changes back into Banner.

Thor and Leader are engaging in a idealogical debate over why the Leader is entitled to lead this brave new world. it boils down to Thor giving the noble warrior's you are without honour argument, and Leader saying he is doing it to say mankind cause he is the only one smart enough to do it right. Both are valid and well thought out arguments. Which side are you on?

"Caption: Not Required"

Outside the Cube the Gamma Wrecking Crew are still trying to pick up Mjolnir to no avail, when lightening strikes the ground and the Hammer flies into the sky.

Bruce Banner uses his big brain to analyse all the data Hawkeye's pooty scoot scoot collected. He then created a temporary Gamma inoculation to protect people from the effects of the dome. Banner believe that if they can shut down the Gamma generator everyone should be okay, if it remains active for too long, the gamma mutation may become permanent. With all the brain work done, Banner Hulks up and jumps through the roof, silly Banner that was his own house, if it rains all his science stuff will be ruined . . .

"Not so smart are you now Banner?"

Gamma Abomination and Thor are trading punches, when Mjolnir smashes through the window. Thor does a heroic pose, ready to kick some ass. When the Absorbing Man envelopes him and takes Mjolnir's power for himself. All part of Leaders plan. Why he didn't just drive Creel out to the cube and have him do it that is beyond me. Maybe Leader just has a flair for the dramatic. Leader once more re-affirms his idealogical stance to Thor. Thor in response soils his britches. Gamma Abomination and Mjolnir Creel proceed to polish the floor with Thor's Asgardian face

Leader drops some numbers in fourteen hours the dome will have enveloped half the planet and another eleven after that the entire planet will have been consumed. Creel is probably sick of all Leader's jabbering at this point and dives out the window, using Thor to crushing his 100 floor fall. Leader make the rookie mistake of saying the line "No one is left to stand against me" So natural Hawkeye and Hulk bust through his wall.

"I really wish I didn't say that now"

Leader tries to impress his idealogical ideas on them, as he did with his debate with Thor. Hulk gives his classic rebuttal "Hulk Smash". So Hulk and Gamma Abomination face off. Leaving the Leader to Hawkeye. Leader calls in his Gamma Avengers. Luckily Hawkeye now has Anti-Gamma mutation Arrows™. The Avengers start to return to normal. The Leader pressed possibly the best designed emergency situation button ever.

Mjolnir Creel is pummelling Thor in the face, and getting more and more angry at Thor because he is refusing to fight back. Thor tells us he is concentrating , surely forming his arguments for his next intellectual debate with Sterns? Alas it was that, but something almost as clever on Thor's part. Since Creel absorbed his hammers power, a power that is Thor's alone to control. Thor realises he can control Creels body and sends him flying far far away.

"In case of everything going to Hell, Press button"

Leader now in his emergency robot, is shooting at Hawkeye. Clearly this wasn't part of the plan because Sterns is getting increasing frustrated. On the roof Hulk and Abomination are engaged in a titanic struggle. They are evenly matched until Abomination dials up his Gamma disc powering him up even further. He has Hulk on the ropes. Hawkeye uses an Anti-Gamma Mutation Arrow™. This de-powers Abomination to the point where Hulk can punch him all the way across the desert.

That's all the goons dealt with. Now the leader, still angry states he has calculated a thousand ways to crush Hulk and Hawk, and is about to elaborate when Mjolnir Creel falls from the sky crushing his robot suit. This time Thor poses, and damn does he do it well. So the odds are kinda swinging to the Avengers side, Hulk the strongest one there is, a God and Hawkeye versus the relative frail Leader. Instead of crushing him underfoot, Hulk decides they should destroy the Gamma Generator first. He just picks it up and flings it into orbit, resulting in the Gamma Domes collapse.

"Maximum Heroic Pose!"

The Leader's Gamma mutation seems to flare out of control, increasing the size of head even more, so much to the point where he can not even lift it himself. Leader laments about how it would have been perfect! Hulk shuts him up with a one liner.

With the dome gone, every one turns back to normal, and the Super Villains are contained, we only see Creel and Sterns being contained so the whereabouts of the others is uncertain at this time. With all the evidence Clay Quartermain decides Hawkeye isn't a traitor after all and it was Widow. With his name cleared he offers to re-instate him as Shield agent. Hawkeye declines and says he is going after Widow on his own. Tony offers him a place on the Avengers, and re-extends the offer to Hulk and the accept.

"The start of a beautiful friendship?"

In the desert Abomination is crawling along minding his own business when he is confronted by Zemo, Crimson Dynamo, Wonder Man, Enchantress and Skurge. What could they possibly want?

Check Your References:

1. In most Iron Man stories, they begin with Tony having heart trouble of some kind, which requires him to build the armour to keep him alive. In the early years, not so much today the risk of Tony having a heart attack from stress or the suit loosing power was a very real threat and often played out in the stories. In the more modern stories the heart problems have been fixed in various ways depending on your continuity. The currently comic book incarnation has no heart problems at all. It was slowly replaced by his alcoholism as his "main" character flaw, which is now replaced with "overwhelms arrogance and sometimes total douchebaggery", I better stop before this note devolves into a rant. But either way I thought it was a very nice throw back.

Another great episode, forgive its lateness, between Christmas and this Evil Space Flu Nano Virus™ I have contracted my updates have been slow of late. So all I've really been able to do it sit on my backside and recuperate. One of the symtoms of the Evil Space Flu™ is outbreaks of nostalgia, so I have been re watching The Centurions and Tekkaman Blade, which I wholly endorse and recommend you check out if you don't know what they are, and re-watch if you do :)

See you next blog, hopefully sooner rather than later.

Seacons Greetings!

2010-12-21T18:01:00.001+00:00

Merry Christmas and Seascons Greetings to you all.

Picture taken by my wife.

The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes Episode Guide 12 Gamma World Part 1

2010-12-16T15:05:00.000+00:00

This is episode was originally aired alongside part two as a double feature, but for re runs and pretty much every other showing will be split up into two regular episodes so I've decided to split it up similarly into two posts

For an index of all episodes go here

Original Air Date: 26/11/2010 Production Code:012

Writer: Michael Ryan

Directors: Vinton Heuck and Sebastian Montes

"Please Produce these Jackets, I will by 50"

Titles Assembled: Captain America, Giant Man, Iron Man, Wasp, Thor and Black Panther

The Gamma part of the title is a clear reference to Hulk, it may also reference a post apocalyptic D&D game, and recently (2007-2008) spinning out of World War Hulk story line, was the World War Hulk Aftersmash - Warbound By the esteemed Greg Pak. Which involved the Leader creating a dome or Gamma energy similar to what he does here calling it Gammaworld.

We start off with the Avengers chasing a shadowy figure across the rooftops, except Panther who decides to run along a wall like Spiderman just because he can and is awesome . . . Meanwhile Cap is chasing the figure on his motorcycle . . . on the roof tops. While somewhat silly I can give this more a pass than Panther, there are three members of the team who can fly, one can grow giant size or the Quinjet could have just dropped it on the roof for him, also any chance for them to go all Ultimate Cap I guess.

"Just because I can"

We see the figure leap across the rooftops, if you are quick and have been paying attention you will realise they are chasing Clint "Hawkeye" Barton. He is also giving the the whole team a good run for their money. He gets the drop on Janet and then we have a Mexican stand off. A spot light from an aircraft overhead lights up the area, giving Hawkeye the chance to escape, even the Panther was standing right beside him and he got away, He is that good.

The craft is revealed to be Shield with Clay Quartermain in command, Iron Man starts to chew him out for letting Hawkeye escape. Quartermain says he needs the Avengers Help and Hawkeye doesn't matter, this is bigger than that.

"Quick Avengers! I need people who are expendable"

So we all jet off over the desert, Iron Man is grumbling to Quartermain about this, and Quartermain isn't giving up any information. Then we see it, The Cube inside a giant green energy dome. Iron Man scans it revealing its pure Gamma radiation and drops a throw away line explaining while Hank isn't there.

Doc Samson is there too it seems, and wants to know where Bruce Banner is thinking he was on the team. Cap is once again marveled by the modern age of green hair . . .

"Cap is missing Record Players"

Agent Quartermain shows us a video of what happened to the first team of agents that went in to secure the cube. They were quickly dispatched by Emil Blonksy, The Abomination. We get a nice picture of him with some date read outs, Apparently he has no hair at all, and could loose a pound or two. Samson gives us the low down Abonimation, but its worse than that.

Turns out the energy done will change anything it touches into a Gamma powered beast, as demonstrated by the three Shield agents standing next to it when it went off¹. Cap still looks grumpy. To make it worse its expanding, it will hit its first population centre in six hours, and major city in eight. So I guess we are on the clock people!

"Like kittens, world peace and walks along the beach"

Samson goes onto tell us about the Leader, As strong as the Hulk but evil and intelligent. Quartermain says he is inside with a whole group of Gamma villains and drops some names Absorbing Man, Zzzax etc. Quartermain wants to Avengers to go into the Cube and stop this. Probably because he wont have to fill out insurance paper work of they die like he does with his own people.

Now we have a slightly inappropriate shot of Black Widow meeting with her Hydra handlers. Who was in fact being watched by Hawkeye ( I Guess that explains the camera angle ). Hawkeye beeches the door, and props to Hydra goon ( whose uniform is pretty awesome I want a toy of that) he actually tries to radio it in before he is dropped. We see Hydra building some robot guys, but I feel i should recognise but couldn't really get a clear shot, then Clint starts blowing stuff up.

"I wouldn't wear it, but it looks good on you"

Back in the desert the dome is still expanding, Janet asked the question of how will they get in without being Gamma irradiated. Samson explains he has these convenient radiation suits. They haven't tested them but they will probably will work . . . Thor declines assuming he is immune to Gamma Irradiation, Clearly he hasn't read Hulked-Out Heroes: Thor. Iron Man also declines, modifying his armour so its lights glow green signifying Gamma immunity. The rest suit up and we are ready to go.

The Avengers, and a groups of ~~cannon fodder~~ Shield Agents stand ready to enter. Cap delivers and awesome Cap line and they are off. Once inside the done everything has a green tinge and a wasteland tinge. Also communications can't penetrate the dome so they are on their own.

"Fallout: New Avengers"

The three Shield agents we saw get irradiated appear, and a pretty awesome fight ensues. Samson shows off his newly augmented strength. Panther gets pummels a bit ^_^, Thor gets annoyed an Iron Man shows off cool hip electro shock plates that we will probably never see again. Thor reflects on how these are but pale reflections of the Hulk is his best Asgardian fashion.

Samson determines that once the people are moved outside the Gamma dome they should revert back to normal. Samson starts talking and I realise whose voice that is! "LIQUID SNAKE!" They determine is probably a trap and Thor should go in first.

"This is how we did it in '42 son"

Back to Black Widow who is in her evil Russian accent again. She is delivering the Hulk's blood to Madame Hydra for Von Strucker, and Hawkeye blows up more stuff. He makes a great big pile of Hydra goon and stands on them ( kinda creepy Clint ) before getting blind sided by Widow.

Back in the cube, the cannon fodder is going down horror movie style into the green mist. Its messing with Iron Man's sensors and he can't lock down any of the contacts. Quartermain drops another name, the U-Foes² which is nice cause It would have taken me about twenty minutes of googling to find out, and probably would have had to retype a lot, due to my limited Hulk knowledge.

"Seriously Clint?! What the F?!"

Turns out Samson had devices to drain Gamma powers, which the Leader has corrupted and used to enhance everyone's power level. Vector is delivering a perfectly good super villain speech when Panther just appears and kicks him in the back. This is a guy who was so powerful he warped the structure of reality itself and flayed the Hulk alive! What makes it worse, is that Vector actually goes down . . .

The rest of the Avengers inspired by Panther's amazingness . . . break free of their respective foes. Panther then starts giving orders . . . Thor epically takes out Zzzax. Vector laughs and says they are not trying to defeat them, only delay them until their Gamma protection fails. With that Janet mutates into a Wasp like creature instead of just going green, which I guess might be plausible depending where her powers come from in this universe³.

"Eeew, just eew"

Now we see the Leader in his control room, with his super villain standard giant TV screen wall. He says stuff, but its doesn't matter cause its Jeffrey Combs voice saying it. He also has the ability to mentally control any of the Gamma irradiated people with his Gamma headband device. Which he uses to send the Wasp after her allies.

Thor tries to appeal to her, and it seems to work for a moment, There they go hinting at Jan/Thor romance again. The ~~cannon fodder~~ Shield Agents who accompanied the team are now Gamma mutant zombie things and are lumbering at the Avengers. Iron Man is giving orders when Panther just decides to run off, cause you know he is better and Iron Man's stupid plans ( He is only like one of the seven smartest people on the planet) leaving just Cap, Iron Man, Thor and Samson.

"Telepathic Headbands: Get yours now while stocks last"

The U-Foes and Zzzax are now regrouping, threatening to over run what's left of the team on sheer numbers alone. Iron Man says they have to go for generator, and they have to go fast. Thor blasts the roof in an attempt to prevent them following.

Back in Widow versus Hawkeye, Clint's running away skill seems more than a match for Widows kicking his ass skill. That is until he knocks off her Widow's bite bracelet things and hits her with a "Tie you up and pin you to a shipping crate" arrow™. With that he cuts her down and tells her since he cant take her to Shield he will take her to the Avengers.

"Okay Clint now I'm starting to worry"

Back in the Cube, Zzzax compromises Cap and Iron Man's radiation suits, Just Thor and Samson are left to find the generator. They find the generator but its guarded by a Gamma powered Wrecking Crew, and as you all remember they have quiet the grudge again's the Odinson.

The first volley destroys Samson's suit, but he doesn't change. His previous irradiation must have made him immune to what the Leader is doing, as well as giving him the funky hair. Thor goes down hard. But look its the Panther who arrives out of no where and throws his magic energy knives into the generator making it explode.

"Hi Thor, Isn't continuity just a bitch?"

With the generator down, the done disappears and everyone reverts to their pre-dome forms. Panther plains states he couldn't get to the generator while the Wrecking Crew guarded it. So he had no problem waiting until he friends showed up so they could distract them by being murdered . . . youre a class act T'Challa.

Shield rounds everyone up, puts the villains in custody, but they couldn't find the Leader. Turns out he escaped along with Absorbing Man and Abomination. He reveals the Cube was a test run. Now they are ready for a full scale demonstration, he presses a button and a dome appears over the city in the distance . . .

"Just when you think its all over"

Check Your References:

1. Of the three shield agents, one changed into something like the Harpy, the Gamma form of Betty Ross Banner or Marlo Chandler (Mrs Rick Jones), Another agent turned into a grey version of the Hulk, various forms of the Hulk Ultimate, Mr Fixit have been this colour.
2. Think of them as an evil Gamma powered Fantastic Four, that's essentially what they are.
3. Ultimate Janet Van Dyne's power were mutant in origin so that might explain why she changed into a Wasp like creature . . .

I liked it a very fun episode, lost of action and great visuals. The Warbound series I mentioned at the start seemingly hasn't been collected in trade :( which is sad cause I enjoyed it as much as the series it spun out of if not more so. If you get the chance you should pick it up if you can.

World War Hulk Aftersmash - Warbound Series

Also the voice work is great Cam Clarke and Jeffrey Combs just perfect. Makes me want to go play Metal Gear now. In fact I think I will so until then see you next blog.