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RVA Comics X-Change: Issue 26

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Welcome back, comic fans of the beautiful River City! Welcome to this week’s special birthday edition of your RVA Mag Comics X-Change! I have a few hot recommendations for you that I just might take off my save-for-later list, and then after that, we’re going to take a second to talk about Tom Holland’s Spider-Man leaving the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe), and what that means for the future. 

Grab that cold iced coffee and let’s dive on in, comic fans!

Ghost Spider #1, by Seanan McGuire and Takeshi Miyazawa

Once again we are gifted with the return with one of my favorite newer Marvel characters, Spider-Gwen. While the character of Gwen Stacy is of course not new to the Spider-Man Universe, Spider-Gwen is a little fresher. In Ghost Spider, Gwen wants to start anew and does something I think we’ve all pondered a little at some point – goes to another dimension. 

Absolute Carnage vs. Deadpool #1, by Frank Tieri and Marcello Ferreira

Carnage and Deadpool both check into the same therapy institution? Whatever could be the worst thing that can happen? Considering they are also in a group therapy session together, I’m sure absolutely nothing. 

Pretty Violent #1, by Derek Hunter and Jason Young

Gamma Ray has had super powers since she was a baby, so it only makes sense that she should be a superhero and save the world, right? Probably, except when you factor in the fact that her family is full of criminals who hunt and kill heroes. Awkward. If you were a fan of I Hate Fairyland, this is sure to be right up your alley. 

Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #11, by Tom Taylor and Juann Cabal

Our beloved MJ is finally back, and from the looks of the cover, it appears that she is donning the classic red and blue suit as well. I guess we’ve hit the jackpot, beloved readers. 

Fearless #1, by Seanan McGuire, Leah Williams, Kelly Thompson, Claire Roe, Carmen Nunez Carnero, and Nina Vakueva

This summer Marvel gives us a gift in the form of a female-hero anthology series. Captain Marvel, Storm, The Invisible Woman, and even Netflix favorite Jessica Jones can be found starring in this multi-part series focusing on stories featuring different women from the Marvel Universe. 

As you’ve undoubtedly seen this week, Sony won back the rights to Spider-Man from Disney. This means a lot of things for the friendly neighborhood Avenger and the future of his roles in the narratives going forward. It may be the last time we see Tom Holland hanging out with Thor and Rocket, but on a heavier note, it also means that all of the work done to set up Phase 5 of the MCU may be in jeopardy. 

The Infinity Arc not only set up the pacing for the new heroes being introduced into the MCU (Black Panther, Doctor Strange, Captain Marvel, and others), but established Spider-Man’s long awaited role in the franchise. As it stands, where Avengers: Endgame left us with Tony Stark’s death, and after the events in Spider-Man: Far From Home, there’s a strong implication that Spider-Man will be carrying the bulk of the story as Phase 5 moves on. 

With Spider-Man now back out of the picture, that leaves all of these storylines out in limbo (not to mention billions of dollars in potential film revenue). However, that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Spider-Man being taken back out for a while could actually end up helping the MCU as it moves forward, crafting a new version of the franchise for upcoming generations. 

It has long been a popular complaint with the MCU, that the films, and even the individual scenes within them, are cluttered with too many characters. As the original cast of Avengers, and maybe even Spider-Man as well, move on, this leaves room for new superheroes to move in and build new stories. The female empowerment scene that a lot of folks called cheesy? Now we might actually see the female-led Avengers film it paved the way for.

While the door may not be entirely closed on Spider-Man and the stories he built in his time in the MCU, if nothing else, this shift has opened up room for other characters that previously would not have had much space. So we may have lost a spider, but we’re likely to gain quite a bit more. 

See you next time, comic fans.

RVA Comics X-Change: Issue 12

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Welcome back, fellow comic book fans! Here comes the newest installment of your go-to column for what is new and coming in the land of comics. This week we are over-analyzing the quickest Avengers: Endgame teaser trailer we could have asked for. and topping it off with some nice and cute recommendations just in time for Valentine’s Day. So cuddle up with your sweetheart and let’s dive on in.

This past Sunday, the Avengers: Endgame teaser trailer made its debut during the Super Bowl. Thirty seconds later and I was emotionally compromised for the rest of my night. Before we go on, let’s watch it again.

There is so much to unpack, but here we are. The first thing we must truly focus on is the fact that, if nothing else it is made crystal clear, we know Captain America is going to be of one of the larger focuses of Endgame. To anyone following casting news, this comes as no surprise, as Chris Evans has made it clear that this will be his final MCU film (at least for awhile).

Much of Cap’s focus is on him in a veteran’s recovery meeting, possibly mourning Sam, if not the rest of the Avengers. He could also be mourning the loss of his majestic beard, like the rest of us.

Another thing to note is Natasha Romanoff (aka Black Widow) seen going hardcore with her training mode, signalling that this film is finally give her something to do again. No one is more excited for her than me, except for maybe Hawkeye, who is making his shift into Ronin this arc. Finally, the trailer ends with what is left of the gang on Earth, walking off the base to go solve some spooky mysteries, but also to smash Thanos’ big dumb face.

It’s easy to get hyped up — after all, that is what good advertising does. But if Avengers: Endgame does not end up being if not the best MCU film of all time, or at least the best MCU film of the year, I will be equal parts confused, disappointed, and shook.

You know what I like to do on Valentine’s Day when I’m done inhaling the charcuterie plate I crafted from the Aldi on Boulevard? I like to cuddle with my Valentine and read some cute comics, y’all. Trust and believe, I’ve got some for you.

Marvel’s Captain Marvel Prelude by Will Corona Pilgrim, Andrea Di Vito, et. al.

Obviously I couldn’t give you a list in an issue where we go into Avengers MCU discussion without bringing up Captain Marvel at least once. With her film barely a month away, now is the time to catch up on her and her history. I’ll admit that I got into Captain Marvel’s story relatively late, so some of these are brand new to me as well. Luckily for us, this trade paperback includes the cliff’s notes stories all in one handy-dandy package. Bless.

Betty & Veronica #3 by Jamie L. Rotante and Kelly Fitzpatrick

Why yes, I am back again with yet another Betty and Veronica rec of some kind, and I’m still not apologizing for it. B and V are all about that love and friendship while getting into quirky hijinks as they warm my cold, dark heart. Like Valentine’s Day!

The Life-Changing Manga of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo and Yuko Uramoto

Oh, oh yes, you read that correctly. The popular book, and now Netflix series, by Marie Kondo about getting your life together has been transformed into a manga. It is adorable, practical, and maybe, just maybe, it will help me break my lipstick-hoarding habits. Who knows!

My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness by Nagata Kabi

This is one that I’ve been curious about for awhile, and have heard nothing but strong recommendations for it. In this manga, Kabi tells an unfiltered, brutally honest autobiographical account of her life as she explores her experiences with depression, gender, and sexual identity.

I hope you now have some fun stories to keep you warm this Valentine’s Day. And if nothing else, just remember one thing: no one, and I mean no one, is having a worse day than Tony Stark.

Until next time!

Local Youth Activist Raising Funds To Help Girls See Captain Marvel

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In an effort to show kids the importance of representation, youth activist Lance Cooper previously took thousands of local children to see Black Panther. He hopes to repeat that success with Marvel’s forthcoming Captain Marvel film.

Lance Cooper likes challenges, especially ones where he can use his powers to help local youth. Last year, Cooper took almost 2,000 Richmond children to see Black Panther, the first superhero blockbuster with a black director and lead actor, as well as a predominantly black cast and crew. This year, he hopes to do the same for Captain Marvel, Marvel Studios’ first female-led superhero film.

Cooper hopes his new crowdfunding campaign can raise $18,000 to cover the cost of tickets and refreshments for 1,500 Richmond students and chaperones with the SM Youth Empowerment Program.

In the movie, actress Brie Larson plays Carol Danvers, an Air Force officer who gains her superpowers after exposure to an alien device. Her film will be the 21st addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and she will likely be the bold leader who moves the Avengers team into the franchise’s next phase — especially with news that Chris Evans will no longer play Captain America after Avengers: Endgame.

Captain Marvel flies into theaters on March 8 — International Women’s Day. That connection isn’t lost on Cooper.

“I’ll always believe it’s necessary to promote something heroic and positive for girls and help them find their inner superhero,” he said.

Cooper established the SM Youth Empowerment Program in 2016, inspired by the outreach his cousin, ex-NBA star Alonzo Mourning, did with children.

“It started as an after-school project to keep kids active, thinking and safe,” Cooper said. “With the help of crowdfunding and many people interested in seeing our youth succeed, we were able to turn it into something bigger.”

Cooper, an avid superhero fan, said it was only natural to use superhero films to connect with and empower the youth he works with on a daily basis. He used the release of Black Panther to show his students the importance and influence of black representation in film.

“I witnessed a lot of empowerment with that campaign. We even got recognized by Chadwick Boseman,” Cooper said, citing the film’s star. “It was a huge success.”

Turns out, Boseman isn’t the only Hollywood star to recognize Cooper’s efforts. Larson retweeted a link to his GoFundMe campaign through her Twitter account. Cooper, who described Larson as a “true superhero,” said she also supported his previous fundraiser to provide residents of Flint, Michigan, with clean water.

Frederick Joseph, who launched both initial film fundraising campaigns at the national level, worries the “#CaptainMarvelChallenge” won’t be as successful as the “#BlackPantherChallenge.”

He said the fundraising hasn’t generated as much support this time, and even Larson’s endorsement didn’t seem to jumpstart the donations. Joseph questioned if there is a “larger conversation to be had around how much support women receive and lack thereof.”

Because female-led movies are becoming more common,  the public may not understand how this film is a milestone for Marvel Studios, where women commonly have had secondary roles. Two years ago, rival studio Warner Bros., in partnership with DC Entertainment, released the film Wonder Woman, carried by female star Gal Gadot and directed by Patty Jenkins.

Cooper is focused on just one mission: getting the kids to the movies.

“ It is extremely important for girls of all colors to see characters that look like them portrayed in strong, empowering ways on the big screen,” Cooper stated. His campaign is aimed toward girls but will help all the students in the program experience the movie in the theater.  

He started fundraising on Jan. 25 and has raised about $900 so far. Last year, he raised over $24,000 for the “Black Panther” outings. If there are any campaign funds left over, Cooper said they will go toward various girl-centered organizations in Richmond.

By Serena Fischer, Capital News Service. Photos via CNS