Episode 67: Comics to Movies - Fantastic Four

September 17, 2020 by Kurt Onstad

The Fantastic Four have been in three movies so far, but haven’t joined the MCU just yet. But, a new piece of casting news points to that happening sooner rather than later, so now is a good time to see what past movies have gotten right, and what they got wrong in adapting Marvel’s First Family to the screen.

I was tempted to do this “Lost in Adaptation” style, like one of my favorite YouTubers, but didn’t want to be accused of stealing his format, so instead I go movie by movie, rather than “what was kept,” “what was changed,” and “what was left out entirely.”

Still not sure how turning invisible will help. You’re still stuck in his grasp, Sue.

Way to read the room, Reed. “I’m just a misshapen Thing!” “Well, I’ll call myself Mister Fantastic!”

And now Killmonger’s aflame? What is it with Human Torches graduating to MCU roles, and what happened to poor Jay Underwood?

Episode 63: Original Sin (What Happened to Nick Fury Sr?)

July 23, 2020 by Kurt Onstad

Following up on Episode 51, where we found out how Nick Fury started looking like Samuel L. Jackson in the comics, we discuss the miniseries Original Sin, and how that led to a whole new status quo for the original Nick Fury. Warning: If you don’t like eyeballs by themselves, do not scroll down.

I shot the Watcher…But I did not shoot the Deputy.

That is not a mask. His head is actually one giant eye. How he sleeps without an eyelid is anybody’s guess.

We learn later he only said three words, even though it looks like a lot more in that caption.

RODE Microphones Contest Episode - Comic Book "Doctors"

June 25, 2020 by Kurt Onstad

For a little more “normal” content, enjoy this short mini-sode written as an entry to a contest sponsored by RODE Microphones, about comic book characters who use “Doctor” in their superhero/villain name, and whether or not they have earned that title.

Episode 58: The Replacements - Robin

May 14, 2020 by Kurt Onstad

In this recurring feature, we look at the various heroes that have replaced the original, and what happens to them after their tenure is over. Maybe it’s because he’s a sidekick and not (usually) a solo hero, but Robin is one of the few cases where the original never actually came back. Instead, we’ve had a parade of Robins, which we’ll discuss in this episode.

Some of you Dark Knight Returns fans may ask where Carrie Kelly is. However, with these “Replacements” episodes, I only stick to what is in mainstream continuity, and Carrie has never been Robin in the main DC Universe, which is why she is not included, and Stephanie gets the “first female Robin” title.

Pretty soon, Dick will have spent more publishing time in this costume than he did as Robin.

Spoilers: The answer is “No.” (But later, “Yes.”)

Featuring a new innovation for Robins…pants!

Jason Todd also wore this costume verrrrry briefly, but it’s most associated with Tim in this continuity.

Stephanie is also the only Robin to have a previous vigilante codename…Spoiler.

…and then forgotten. (Sorry Steph, you apparently didn’t make the cut for the Robin family photo.)

Episode 50: Story Length and Continuity Conundrums

February 13, 2020 by Kurt Onstad

How much back reading is required to get into comic books today? Elyse (of the OHotMU or Not? podcast) wrote in to ask this question among others. We look at how comic story lengths have changed over time, and how continuity has become a more important factor in the tales of today.

I briefly quote Tom Brevoort in his blog post on the “Five-Year Rule.” If you’d like to read his full thoughts on this, go click that link!

The first time Batman gets a full issue story, and of course he has to share it with three other characters…

The first part of “Zatanna’s Search.” Of course, she’s not going to find much with her eyes closed.

11 pages is “Feature Length.” That’s a really short feature.

Amazing Spider-Man #31-33. One of the classic tales of all time, and the first one starring Spidey that is longer than two issues.

Avengers Forever: A great story, but not recommended unless you know your Avengers history. For instance, there are two Hank Pyms pictured above.