MARVEL 616

 Let's talk a bit about, MARVEL 616.

“What’s that?”  It’s a show on Disney+.  I just finished the first season and I loved it.

There are 8 documentaries about Earth 616.  And, in the MARVEL Universe, World 616 is us – it is our home-world.  These documentaries, filmed by 8 different documentarians, examine, “the intersections of storytelling, pop culture and fandom within the Marvel Universe.”

Brief breakdown of the documentaries…

1.       “Japanese Spider-Man.”  There were 41 episodes of Spider-Man that were produced in Japan that the western world didn’t know of until about 2009.  Interesting story. OH, and if the rumors of a Spider-Verse movie are true Shinji Tôdô NEEDS to one of the Spider-Folks.

2.       “Higher, Further, Faster.”  Representation matters.  It is important that kids can look around and see a hero that represents them.  It matters a lot.  Further, there are more women working as writers, artists, and editors, too.  Worthy episode.

3.       “Amazing Artisans.”  Technology has made the world all the smaller.  This episode follows two Marvel artists – contributors to Miles Morales and Moon Girl, both live in Spain and both meet their deadlines.

4.       “Lost and Found.”  This one made me giggle and then laugh out loud.  Paul Scheer is on a search to reboot a forgotten team of Marvel superheroes.  Good luck with that.

5.       “Suit Up.” Is all about cosplay at the New York Comic Con. 

6.       “Unboxed.” This one explores, “the relationship between toys and comics.”  Seeing the inner workings of Hasbro and Funko was fun.

7.       “The Marvel Method.”  This is how Stan Lee wrote.  He would come up with characters, a villain, and a plot and then he would give it to artists to tell the rest of the story.  Most comic writers these days use a script, which makes things easier for artists, pencilers, letterers, and editors.  Dan Slott, who had a 10 year run on, “The Amazing Spider-Man” is not one of them.  He uses the Marvel Method.  I loved this episode.  If you like to write – you too will LOVE this episode.

8.       “Spotlight.”  I didn’t know that Marvel produced high school plays for the stage.  This final episode of the first season follows two classes of kids producing two different plays – Squirrel Girl and Ms. Marvel.  This one is all about theater and the process of collaborative storytelling.  I loved those kids and their teacher - but I speak too much - go see it for yourself!  I dug it.

I am looking forward to season two of, ‘MARVEL 616’.  And Disney+, if you're out there, PLEASE greenlight Season Two!  You must do so, for there are still so many stories from Earth 616 to tell.