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.

 

Want to Win an AT-AT?

If you just asked the question, “What’s an AT-AT?” Thank you for stopping by. This particular blog posting is NOT for you. No hard feelings, Gentle Reader; I’ll see you next time.

Still here? Good. It is no big secret; I am a geek. If you are a geek too I HIGHLY recommend that you go to: http://www.wired.com/underwire/2010/05/celebrate-empire-strikes-backs-birthday-win-a-killer-at-at/.

“Why?”

I’ll tell you why – to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the film, “The Empire Strikes Back”, Wired Magazine is giving away a new version of an old classic – an All Terrain Armored Transport. I have no doubt that you know that these are the weapons the Empire unleashed on the rebel base on Hoth. Yeah, it’s pretty iconic. Epic, dare I say.

“What do I have to do?”

Excellent question! All you have to do is comment about why YOU deserve such a favor. That’s it. Nothing more, nothing less.

Here is what I posted…


I’m not alone in saying that “Star Wars” changed my life. Seriously; “Star Wars” made me want to discover stories (in whatever form they materialize) and then, tell them. I think I saw it three times during that summer of 1977. And then George Lucas’s Empire really grew due to the magic of toy merchandizing. My favorite toy was my “Millennium Falcon”. It was choice. It held a slew of figures and had that cool 3D video game table from the movie. Oh yeah, it rocked.

When “The Empire Strikes Back” came out 30 years ago I remember being stunned; immobilized in the theater chair. [Gratuitously Unnecessary Spoiler Alert] How could Darth Vader by Luke’s father?! How is Leia going to rescue Han from Boba Fett? What is Luke going to do without a lightsaber? Why is Lando wearing Han’s hand me downs? [End Unnecessary Spoiler Alert] And then the next wave of toys came. I remember begging for a “Kenner” AT-AT Walker and, low and behold, for my birthday I got one! I loved that thing; it was like a multi-jointed Old Yeller without the rabies and need to go outside. What a great toy. When “Return of the Jedi” came out and I was pleased to see that an AT-AT had a cameo appearance on that forest moon of Endor. AT-AT’s need work too.

Time passed as time always does. I maintained my collection but, by this time, I had to pay the rent. It was a sad day but I sold my entire “Star Wars” collection; all for a roof over our heads (did I mention I was now married? No? Well now you know that too). I sold my childhood that fateful day and winning this “Hasbro” AT-AT would bring a bit of that back.

Say, you guys don’t happen to have an extra Millennium Falcon hanging around, do you?


…There. That wasn’t so bad was it?

Now try your hand at it! However, I must warn you… I have already picked out a space in the Chicken’s Lair where the AT-AT will grace.

Good Luck.