Showing posts with label Jack Kirby. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jack Kirby. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 30, 2025

#IReadsYou Movie Review: "THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS"

The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025)

Running time:  115 minutes (1 hour, 55 minutes)
Rating:  MPA – PG-13 for action/violence and some language
DIRECTOR:  Matt Shakman
WRITERS:  Josh Friedman, Eric Person, and Jeff Kaplan & Ian Springer; from a story by Eric Pearson, Jeff Kaplan & Ian Springer, and Kat Wood (based on the Marvel Comics by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby)
PRODUCER:  Kevin Feige
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Jess Hall (D.o.P.)
EDITORS:  Nona Khodai and Tim Roche
COMPOSER:  Michael Giacchino

SUPERHERO/SCI-FI/ACTION and FANTASY/DRAMA

Starring:  Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Joseph Quinn, Ralph Ineson, Julia Garner, Natasha Lyonne, Paul Walter Hauser, Sarah Niles, Mark Gatiss, and Matthew Wood (voice)

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is a 2025 American superhero movie and science fiction film from director Matt Shakman and Marvel Studios.  The film is based on Marvel Comics' Fantastic Four, which was created by artist Jack Kirby and writer Stan Lee and first appeared in the comic book, The Fantastic Four #1 (cover dated: November 1961).  It is also the 37th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the second reboot of the Fantastic Four film franchise.  In First Steps, the Fantastic Four is forced to balance their family life and their superhero life as never before when a god-like space being and his enigmatic herald arrive and mark Earth for destruction.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps opens on Earth-828  in the year 1960.  It introduces “The Fantastic Four,” a quartet of astronauts turned superheroes.  First is the highly intelligent scientist, Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), who as “Mr. Fantastic” can stretch any part of his body to great lengths.  Next is Reed's wife, Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), the founder of the “Future Foundation,” a global demilitarization and world peace organization.  As the “Invisible Woman” Sue can generate force fields and turn invisible.  Then, there is the brilliant pilot, former astronaut, and Reed's best friend, Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), a.k.a. “The Thing,” whose skin has been transformed into a layer of orange rock, which grants him super-human strength and durability.  Finally, there is Sue's younger brother, Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn), who as the “Human Torch,” can engulf his body in flames, control fire, and fly.

The world honors The Fantastic Four for what they have given humanity, so when Reed and Sue reveal that they are expecting a child, the world celebrates and prepares for the new arrival, while also wondering if the child will also have super-powers.  However, the celebrating is short-lived.  A metallic-skinned, seemingly-female alien arrives from space, riding a surfboard.  This “Silver Surfer” (Julia Garner) is the herald of Galactus (Ralph Ineson), a planet-devouring cosmic being, and he is coming to devour Earth.  Now, the members of The Fantastic Four face their toughest test ever, and the price they must pay to save the Earth may be too high for even them to pay.

I actually enjoyed Tim Story's two Fantastic Four films the aughts, Fantastic Four (2005) and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007).  Director Josh Trank's 2015 reboot of the franchise, Fantastic Four, had a lot of good ideas, but alleged studio interference turned the film into a wreck.  The Fantastic Four: First Steps is not at all a wreck.  Its intense action sequences had me gripping the armrests of my seat at the local movie theater.  The villains are great.  Galactus is awesome and even scarier than the gargantuan “Celestials” of Marvel Studios' 2021 epic, Eternals; he seemed unbeatable.  Julia Garner's Silver Surfer is 10 times the herald the one in Rise of the Silver Surfer is.  This Silver Surfer, whose original name was “Shalla Bal,” is like a velociraptor on a surfboard.  She chases our heroes with the unrelenting hellish fury of the “Headless Horseman” that chases Ichabod Crane in “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” segment of Disney's The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949).

On the other hand, the heroes of The Fantastic Four: First Steps come across as too mild-mannered.  They are so accomplished that everything seems to come too easy for them.  Even when they are angry with one another, that anger lacks passion.  In fact, I'd call the cast and characters dispassionate.  It is as if the film's director, Matt Shakman, who does an excellent job overall, wants his leads to be inoffensive.  I like the casting of the leads, but they need to breath a little more fire.

In the end, I like that Disney and Marvel Studios finally take the opportunity to honor the late Jack Kirby (1917-1994), the comic book writer-artist who created the Fantastic Four with the late Stan Lee (1922-2018).  There are several nods to Kirby, and this is long overdue.  That makes me love First Steps even more.  It is almost a great film, and its special effects and inventive and imaginative retro-futuristic elements endlessly fascinate me.  The Fantastic Four: First Steps is hugely entertaining, and these are the right first steps to bring the Fantastic Four into the cinematic prominence they deserve.

A
★★★★ out of 4 stars

Wednesday, July 30, 2025


The text is copyright © 2025 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Saturday, May 31, 2025

I Reads You Juniors: May 2025 - UPDATE #58

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon.

Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like these, BOOKS PAGE, GRAPHIC NOVELS, or MANGA PAGE and BUY something(s).

TREATS - From AnotherCookie:  There is a new online cookie retailer. It is called "AnotherCookie?" and the cookies are delicious.

NEWS:

MARVEL/DC - From EWMarvel and DC Comics have announced that "Deadpool" and "Batman" will crossover in two one-shot comic books.  First, writer Zeb Wells and artist Greg Capullo will produce "Deadpool/Batman," which is due from Marvel on September 17th, 2025.  Arriving on a later date from DC Comics is "Batman/Deadpool," from writer Grant Morrison and artist Dan Mora

COMICS - From THR:  Writer Mark Millar and artist John Romita, Jr. have announced a new three-issue miniseries, "Psychic Sam."  It will be funded via Kickstarter and development on a film adaptation has already begun.

From KickstarterMark Millar and John Romita, Jr.'s new comics project, "Psychic Sam," includes a "Kickstarter" campaign.

From Vimeo:  There is a trailer for the new comic book project from the team of writer Mark Millar and artist John Romita, Jr. ("Kick-Ass").
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EN MEMORIAM - From BleedingCool:  American comic book writer, Peter David, has died at the age of 68, Saturday, May 24, 2025.  A prolific comic book writer, David may be best known for his 12-year run writing "The Incredible Hulk" for Marvel, which earned him an Eisner Award.  He co-created the character, "Spider-Man 2099" with artist Rick Leonardi.  He also had notable runs on "Aquaman" and "Young Juctice, among others, for DC Comics.  David also wrote "Star Trek" comic books and novels.  David wrote for animated and live-action television series, and he also wrote video games.

From BleedingCool:  Collaborators, peers, and colleagues celebrate, mourn, and remember the novelist and comic book writer, Peter David, who died Saturday, May 24th.
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DARK HORSE - From AIPTComicsDark Horse Comics will publish the 24-issue series, "Elfquest: The Final Quest" (2014-18), in a single, 624-page hardcover edition at the cover price of $69.99. It is due February 2026.

DIAMOND - From BleedingCool:  Our long national nightmare is over.  Universal Distributions and Ad Populum have official bought Diamond Comic Distributors out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings.

DC COMICS - From ComicsBulletinDC Comics has announced an upcoming "Superman" five-issue miniseries, "Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum." It will be produced by the creative team of the Image Comics series, "Ice Cream Man": W. Maxwell Prince, Martin Morazzo, and Chris O'Halloran.

From DCBlog:  Writer-artist Sophie Campbell talks about her ongoing "Supergirl" series.

EISNER AWARDS - From BleedingCool:  The nominations for 2025 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards have been announced. The nominations are for works published between January 1st and December 31st, 2024.   This year’s nominees were chosen by a panel of five judges:  Robert V. Conte, Kacy Helwick, Meg Lemke, Eitan Manhoff, and Rocco Versaci.  The winners will be announced the evening of July 25, 2025 in a ceremony held during the 2025 San Diego Comic-Con International.

DC STUDIOS - For YouTube:  Of course, Warner Bros. Discovery/DC Studios drops the first official "Superman" trailer.  The film is due July 11, 2025.

AWARDS - From BleedingCool: The Glyph Comics Awards 2025 were presented this past weekend (5/9 to 5/11) at the East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention, in Philadelphia.  The top winners were the horror comics anthology, "Shook! A Black Horror Anthology" and "Hammer."

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics writer, Jonathan Hickman, says that Marvel will publish comic books based on Fox's former sci-fi drama, "The X-Files."  He also says that "The X-Files" comic books will crossover with other Marvel titles.

From NegromancerLeroy Douresseaux offers a review of the new "Star Wars #1" from Marvel Comics.

IDW - From BleedingCool:  Starting later this year, IDW Publishing with start publishing "Event Horizon: Dark Descent," a prequel comic book series to the 1997 science fiction-horror film, "Event Horizon."

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Just in time for the 45th anniversary of the 1980 film, "The Blues Brothers," is a graphic novel, "The Blues Brothers: The Escape of Joliet Jake," which is due in October 2025 from Z2 Comics.

EN MEMORIAM - From CBR:  The longtime Marvel and DC Comics artist, Jackson "Butch" Guice, has died at the age of 63, Wednesday, May 1, 2025.  Guice may be best for his long career with Marvel where he drew every major character at one time or another.  His big break was drawing Marvel's "Micronauts" series and the four-issue limited series, "X-Men and the Micronauts." His work with DC Comics included a run on Action Comics from the early to mid 1990s and on the cult series, "Resurrection Man."

From BleedingCool:  The comic book industry remembers veteran comic book artist, Jackson " Butch" Guice, who died Thurs., May 1st, at the age of 63.
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JACK KIRBY - From Forward:  This article looks at how Jack Kirby's Jewish upbringing influenced his art and storytelling as the first career retrospective of the great artist, "Jack Kirby: Heroes and Humanity," debuts May 1, 2025 at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles.

DIAMOND - From BleedingCool:  The bankruptcy saga of Diamond Comic Distributors may be winding down.  The Baltimore Bankruptcy Court has approved the sale of Diamond to Universal Distribution and Sparkle Pop (a holding company for Ad Populum).  Universal Distribution will pay $49,634,950, plus or minus a few other factors. Sparkle Pop will pay $7,459,050, though with certain provisos for payments owed to NECA and WizKids, brands owned by Ad Populum. That's a total of around $57 million. Alliance Entertainment, which offered more than 70 million at the bankruptcy auction, are currently suing and filing complaints.

DC COMICS - From GamesRadar:  There will be a new "Batman #1" from writer Matt Fraction and artist Jorge Jimenez.  Launching in September 2025, this new "Batman" series will offer a "revamped aesthetic," a "throwback" costume, and a new Batmobile.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Who gets what creator credits in "Thunderbolts*" from Disney/Marvel Studios.

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APRIL 2025 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for April 2025
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for April 2025
From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for April 2025
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for April 2025
From BleedingCool:  Cosmic Lion for April 2025
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for April 2025
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for April 2025
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics "Summer of Superman" titles for April 2025
From BleedingCool:  DSTLRY Media for April 2025
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for April 2025
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for April 2025
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for April 2025
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for April 2025
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for April 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for April 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "One World Under Doom" titles for April 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Ultimate: titles for April 2025
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for April 2025
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion / 2000 AD for April 2025
From BleedingCool:  Sumerian Comics for April 2025
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for April 2025
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for April 2025

MAY 2025 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Blood Moon Comics for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Cosmic Lion Productions for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics "Absolute DC" titles for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Dstlry Media for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Free Comic Book Day 2025 titles for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "One World Under Doom" titles for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Ultimate Comics" titles for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Massive Publishing for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion / 2000 AD for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics "Conan" and "Solomon Kane" titles for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Udon Studios for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Valiant-Alien Books for May 2025

JUNE 2025 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze Comics for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  AMP Comics for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  Dren Comics for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  Dstlry Media for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainent for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Energon Universe" titles for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Spawn" titles for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  Keensport Entertainment for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "One World Under Doom" crossover titles for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Ultimate Universe" for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Ultimate Comics" with "Scarlet Witch" for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics' "Ultimate Spider-Man: Incursion #1" for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion / 2000 AD for June 202
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  Udon Entertainment for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  Zenescope Entertainment for June 2025

JULY 2025 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Abrams for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  Afterlight Comics for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  AMP Comics for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  Bad Idea for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  Bliss on Tap for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  BOOM Studios for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  Cosmic Lion Productions for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics "Superman" titles for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  Devil's Due Studios for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  Heavy Metal Magazine for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics Skybound "Energon" titles for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Ghost Machine" titles for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Spawn" titles for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Bring on the Bad Guys" titles for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "One World Under Doom" tie-in titles for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  Massive Publishing for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  Midnight Factory for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion / 2000 AD for July
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  Uncivilized Comics for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for July 2025

AUGUST 2025 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  AMP Comics for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  Bad Ideas for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  Cosmic Lion Productions for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics "Absolute Comics" titles for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Energon" titles for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Ghost Machine" for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Spawn" titles for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics' "Bring on the Bad Guys" titles for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics' "One World Under Doom" titles for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Ultimate" titles for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  Panick Entertainment for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion / 2000 AD for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics "Conan" and "Solomon Kane" titles for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for August 2025

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Tuesday, April 15, 2025

#IReadsYou Review: ORION #15


[This review of "Orion #15" is the first comic book review that I ever wrote for my “Negromancer” blog, the original version, way back in mid-Summer of 2001.  For a few years, I wrote my comic book reviews under the column title, "Why I Love Saturn," which I took from Kyle Baker's 1990 graphic novel, "Why I Hate Saturn."

Recently, I was able to recover my files from two early aughts hard drives.  Beginning with this review, I am going to go back and re-edit all my original “Negromancer” comic book reviews and post these updated versions to my “I Reads You” blog.  I hope you enjoy the trip back in time.]

ORION #15
DC COMICS

"Why I Love Saturn" Episode One

STORY: Walter Simonson
ART: Walter Simonson
COLORS: Tatjana Wood; Digital Chameleon (separations)
LETTERS: John Workman
EDITOR: Joey Cavalieri
COVER: Walter Simonson with Tatjana Wood
56pp, Color, $3.95 U.S., $6.50 CAN (August 2001)

Orion and The New Gods created by Jack Kirby

“At the Edge of the Abyss”

Orion is a DC Comics superhero character that first appeared in New Gods #1 (cover dated: February 1971) and was created by writer-artist Jack Kirby.  Orion is the son of the super-villain, “Darkseid” of “Apokolips,” who traded him to “Highfather” of “New Genesis” in a peace deal between the two planets.  Orion has powers similar to that of Superman, and he rids a device called an “Astro-Harness.”  In 2000, DC Comics began publishing Orion, a 25-issue series written and almost entirely drawn by Walter Simonson (best known for his run on Marvel Comics' Thor from 1983-87).

After a little over a year, the fifteenth issue brings to an end what could be considered the first major arc of Walter Simonson’s engrossing epic comic book series, Orion.  The story/epic begins in the first issue with Darkseid’s occupation of the town of Main Line, Nebraska in a bid to extract the “Anti-Life Equation” from the town’s inhabitants. Mentally exhausted and frustrated by his sire’s machinations, Orion meets Darkseid in combat and seemingly kills him in the fifth issue of the magazine. By the eleventh issue, Orion has mastered the Anti-Life Equation and begins to order Apokolips, New Genesis, and Earth in an attempt to end war, suffering and strife. 

Orion #15 offers Darkseid's returns.  But is Darkseid actually another opponent who seeks to engage Orion in battle?

THE LOWDOWN:  I must admit to being mostly disinterested in Jack Kirby’s New Gods and other “Fourth World” comic books that are not the work of Kirby (with the exception of an occasional mini-series or odd stand alone story here and there).  That was the case until John Byrne took over the mid-1990’s revival of the New Gods (Vol. 4, 1995-97) for the final four issues (#12 to #15) and  then, produced subsequent 20-issue series , Jack Kirby’s Fourth World (1997-98).

I was saddened to see Byrne extinguish the title, but I was curious after the announcement that Simonson would have a follow-up magazine that would focus on Orion.  It is in Issue #15 that we can see what Simonson does when he is really “on his game,” and as good as he has been, this issue is a career highlight precisely because he doesn’t rely on the fact that he can rest on his laurels because he is a mature and practiced veteran. His knowledge, ability and passage meet at a nexus that the best comic book creators rarely reach even in a career of standout work.

Orion is one of those rare “these days” books in which the title thrives not just on the popularity and strength of the characters, but primarily upon the skills of the artists involved.  Simonson’s tales are not only epic in scope, but are also melodramatic and operatic in execution. As in the best of serializations, Simonson weaves strong character development, directs engrossing plot lines, and executes the genre trappings with verve of an old hand who is an old master.

Orion is in fact a sad and pitied figure in the tradition of tragic royalty.  Blessed and cursed by birth and history and with power and a great warrior’s skill, he struggles to bring order to his universe precisely because he cannot find that same order anywhere.  His home of Apokolips is a nest of never ending intrigue, betrayal, and hypocrisy.  New Genesis, the enlightened opposite of Apokolips is more of the same except it has flowers, sunshine, and nice architecture.  Earth is the playground of misguided super powered beings that, in the long run, are actually largely ineffective.

It is in the world that the reader must see and engage the lead, which is not a slight of the other characters.  Even those that are not necessarily as developed as others, Simonson endows them with their own list of wants and needs and weaves them into the vast tapestry that is Kirby’s Fourth World. However, it is Orion that we must follow, because Simonson draws the reader to him; the reader sees the world only through Orion’s eyes. Yes, the others are interesting, but we view them always with the thought in mind of how he or she fits into Orion’s story.  Is he friend or enemy of Orion? What does she want of Orion? This is truly one of the standards by which other “solo” books should be measured.  Regardless of how “cool” or interesting a supporting player might be, that player is merely a piece on the lead’s board.  No supporting player should have a story or plot thread concerning him that does not directly affect the lead.

About Simonson art – what is there to say?  Like Byrne, he captures the sense of grandeur, scale, power, and dynamism that was in Kirby’s work, and executes it in their own inimitable style.  Rather than an homage or remake, Simonson continues the saga the way one storyteller would follow the others before him who were also painting, so to speak, on a larger shared canvas.  One can see Simonson’s considerable skill and talent in the vitality of the line work, the simultaneous grace and roughness of the inking, and the draftsmanship of a man who knows what he is doing.  The panel layouts and arrangement so much serve the story in plot and pacing that one knows that it could never be any other way – meaning he didn’t do it to make pretty original art for buyers who are easily wowed by the eye candy of a pinup.  Characters literally leap off the pages, and they pose with the grace and confidence of proven warriors and kings born.  There is pathos and drama that is better than some “movie” and is worthy of the theatrical stage. Every single panel matters, and Simonson wastes nothing.  There is no filler to snap the attention of those easily distracted.  This is quality work, good storytelling, and style over substance.

If you ignore so-called mainstream work, Orion can be your guilty pleasure that is not a guilty pleasure.  For the ones chasing alternate covers, “Ultimate” titles and revamps, there is good food at this table called Orion.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Walter Simonson and of Jack Kirby's “Fourth World” will want to find a trade collection of Orion (2000).

[This comic book also includes the back-up story, “Great Than / Less Than” from writer Kevin McCarthy, artist John Paul Leon, colorist Tatjana Wood, and letterer John Workman.]

A
★★★★ out of 4 stars

EDITED:  Sunday, April 13, 2025

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. “I Reads You”

In 2018, DC Comics began publishing trade collections of Walter Simonson's Orion, which you can find at Amazon.


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The text is copyright © 2025 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like these, BOOKS PAGE, GRAPHIC NOVELS, or MANGA PAGE and BUY something(s).


Sunday, March 30, 2025

I Reads You Juniors: March 2025 - UPDATE #52

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon.

Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like these, BOOKS PAGE, GRAPHIC NOVELS, or MANGA PAGE and BUY something(s).

TREATS - From AnotherCookie:  There is a new online cookie retailer. It is called "AnotherCookie?" and the cookies are delicious.

NEWS:

EN MEMORIAM - From TheDailyCartoonist:  American cartoonist and comic book and comics strip artist, Hy Eisman, has died at the age of 98, Thursday, March 27, 2025.  He was the last artist to draw the "Little Lulu" comic strip before it was cancelled in 1984.  He drew the "Katzenjammer Kids" comic strip from 1986 until 2006 when it went into reruns.  In 1975, Hyman won a "National Cartoonist Society Award" for "Best Humor Comic Book Cartoonist" for his work on Gold Key's "Little Lulu" comic book.

DC COMICS - From DCBlogJeph Loeb, Jim Lee, and Alex Sinclair talk about the "Batman: Hush" sequel, "Batman: H2SH."

MARVEL STUDIOS - From ComicBookMovie:  The site has the full cast list of the 27 actors set to star in Marvel's 2026 film, "Avengers: Doomsday."

From ComicBookMovie:  That's not all folks. According to sources, more stars will be added to the cast list of "Avengers: Doomsday."

DIAMOND - From BleedingCoolAlliance Entertainment, a global distributor and wholesaler specializing in music, movies, video games, electronics, arcades, and collectables, has been selected as the winning bidder for Diamond Comic Distributors after its Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The proposed acquisition, which is subject to Bankruptcy Court approval, includes Diamond Comic Distributors (U.S.), Alliance Game Distributors (no relation to Alliance Entertainment), Diamond Select Toys & Collectibles, and Collectible Grading Authority.  However, there is no mention of the following Diamond entities: Diamond UK, Diamond Select Toys, FandomWorld, Gentle Giant, or Free Comic Book Day. 

BRITISH COMICS - From 2000AD:  The latest ediction of "The 2000 AD Creator Clips" is an audio interview with the great comic book artist, Simon Bisley ("Slaine: The Horned God," "Lobo").  It is available via "Soundcloud," and is the first of two parts.

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:  Writer Mark Waid and artists Jerry Ordway and Todd Nauck are producing a four-issue miniseries, "New History of the DC Universe." The first issue arrives Wednesday, June 25, 2025.

From DCBlog: DC Comics and Realm announced plans to launch "DC High Volume: Batman," a new scripted, always-on podcast series featuring direct adaptations of DC’s greatest "Batman" stories as exciting audio dramas. "DC High Volume: Batman" begins with the four-part adaptation of "Batman: Year One," by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli. The scripted audio series launches April 2, 2025, with new episodes appearing every Wednesday.
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COMICS - From BleedingCool:  What does a comic book artist make at Marvel and DC Comics when they're just starting out.  Supposedly, it's $160 a page for pencils.

IDW - From ComicsBeatIDW Publishing has announced three new "Star Trek" miniseries:  "Star Trek: Red Shirts," "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds – The Seeds of Destruction," and "Star Trek: Voyager – Homecoming."  All three are due later this year.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  After four years of rumors and teases, Joe Quesada reveals that he has his Marvel Comics project is a six-issue miniseries, "Marvel Knights: The World to Come." It features a story by Quesada and writer Christopher Priest and script by Priest. Richard Isanove will color the art.  The story will feature Black Panther and Captain America and the first issue is due June 4, 2025.

MARVEL/DC - From BleedingCool:  "Chew" artist and "Farmhand" creator, Rob Guillory, says he turned down a major Marvel or DC Comics revamp because of unsatisfactory page rage and a shaky guarantee of residuals.

BOOKS - From ComicsBulletin:  Author George R.R. Martin has given an update on "The Winds of Winter," the sixth novel in his "A Song of Fire and Ice" series of novels, from which the HBO series, "Game of Thrones," was adapted.  The update is that there is progress in the writing, but the book ain't coming out this year.

BRITISH COMICS - From BleedingCool:  British comics creator, R.E. "Becky" Burke," has been freed from ICE detention after three weeks and is being flown back home to Great Britain.

From BleedingCool:  There is now mass media coverage concerning the ICE detention of British comics creator, R.E. "Becky" Burke.  The BBC and ITV are covering the case, which has fortunately made her case more of a priority. There is currently a GoFundMe page in order to help pay her legal fees, provide her with money for food and essentials while in detention (jail), and for visa advisory support, among other things.

From BleedingCool:  British comics creator, R.E. Burke, has found herself caught up in an immigration melodrama.  She was taken into custody by ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) 11 days ago.  She has apparently been taken to a detention center in Tacoma, Washington. Her father, Paul Burke, seeks help in the matter.

From BleedingCool:  There are more details emerging about the ICE detention of British/Welsh comics creator, R.E. Burke, in Washington state.  Her father, Paul Burke, says she is being held "onerous conditions for the past eleven days."
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COMICS/CONTEST - From BleedingCoolPuffin, Penguin's new kids' graphic novel imprint, has launched a contest for under-represented creators.  The contest starts May 2025.  The plan is to publish the winner's graphic novel in 2027.

BOOM STUDIOS - From BleedingCool:  "Fast & Furious" franchise director, Justin Lin, will direct a film adapation of BRZRKR, the comic book created by actor Keanu Reeves and comics writer, Matt Kindt.  The movie will be produced for Netflix.

WEBCOMICS - From BleedingCool:  Webcomics giant, Webtoon, reports a 153 million dollar loss, although sales rose to 1.53 BILLION dollars in 2024.

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:  Writer Nicole Maines talks about bringing the Secret Six back in the new six-issue miniseries, "Secret Six," with artist Stephen Segovia.

From YouTube:  DC Comics has produced a trailer for writer Jeph Loeb and artist Jim Lee's "Batman: Hush 2." It begins in Batman #158, which goes on-sale March 26, 2025.

FILMS - From Variety:  “Kirbyvision” is the name of a "definitive feature documentary" about legendary comic book artist and creator Jack Kirby.  It is in development with acclaimed filmmaker Ricki Stern set to direct.  Stern is best known for her work with her partner, Anne Sundberg, on such documentaries as “Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work” (2010) and “Reversing Roe” (2018).  Jack Kirby is the co-creator and creator of numerous Marvel Comics characters, including "Captain America," which he co-created with his one-time partner, writer-artist Joe Simon.  Kirby also created many DC Comics characters, most famously in "Fourth World" line of comic books.

COMICS/POLITICS - From BleedingCoolPresident Trump's 25 percent tariffs on goods from Canada, China, and Mexico apparently go into effect today. It also will reportedly affect the printing, distribution, and selling of comic books.

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  21 graphic novels sold over 100,000 in U.S. bookstores in 2024.  All of them were from Scholastic/GraphixDav Pilkey's "Dog Man" books dominated.

DC STUDIOS - From EW:  "Lanterns," the HBO Original Series from DC Studios, has begun production.  Kyle Chandler is starring as Green Lantern/Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre is starring as Green Lantern/John Stewart.

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:  Writer Tom Kings talks about bringing his 12-issue miniseries, "The Penguin," to a close.

ELFQUEST - From ForbesWendy and Richard Pini, the couple behind the long-running ElfQuest independent comics series, are donating $500,000 to Columbia University (NYC) to endow and conserve the school library’s growing collection of comics, graphic novels and related prose works.

DIAMOND - From BleedingCool:  Diamond Comic Distributors has sent out a letter about its upcoming Chapter 11 bankruptcy auction. "Bleeding Cool" has the text.

From BleedingCool:  Bankrupt-ass Diamond Comic Distributors has sent invoices to comics shops it claims owes it money - about 22 million dollar specifically, with about 5 million of that irrevocably lost.
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DC STUDIOS - From Variety:  The website offers this article that includes a lot of DC Studios news, including two "Batman" films, a possible "Teen Titans" film, and a second season of "The Penguin." There is also news about several new animated series based on DC Comics' properties.

FANTAGRAPHICS - From BleedingCool:  Fantagraphics Books has pulled out of Free Comic Book Day 2025, including pulling their "Lost Marvels" FCBD title. This story will be updated as information is available.

MARVEL/DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  The site has the full transcript of DC Comics Editor-In-Chief Marie Javins and Marvel Comics Editor-In-Chief CB Cebulski's announcement at "ComicsPRO" of a new Marvel/DC Comics crossover. There will apparently be two one shots, "Marvel/DC" produced by Marvel Comics and "DC/Marvel" produced by DC Comics, which will be published later this year (2025).

From BleedingCool:  There is big news out of "ComicsPRO," the comic book retailer summit held in Glendale, California.  DC Comics Editor-In-Chief Marie Javins and Marvel Comics Editor-In-Chief CB Cebulski followed the Keynote speech to take to the floor and announce a new crossover between the two comic book publishers. Two one-shots, "Marvel/DC" produced by Marvel Comics and "DC/Marvel" produced by DC Comics, will be published later this year (2025).

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JANUARY 2025 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  1First Comics for January 2025
From BleedingCool:  Abrams Comics for January 2025
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for January 2025
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for January 2025
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for January 2025
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for January 2025
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for January 2025
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for January 2025
From BleedingCool:  DSTLRY Media for January 2025
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Comics for January 2025
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for January 2025
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for January 2025
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Energon Universe" titles for January 2025
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Ghost Machine" titles for January 2025
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Spawn" titles for January 2025
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for January 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for January 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Ultimate Comics" titles for January 2025
From BleedingCool:  Massive for January 2025
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for January 2025
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion/2000 AD for January 2025
From BleedingCool:  Rising Empire Studios for January 2025
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for January 2025
From BleedingCool:  Udon Studios for January 2025
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for January 2025
From BleedingCool:  Zenescope Comics for January 2025

FEBRUARY 2025 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for February 2025
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for February 2025
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for February 2025
From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for February 2025
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for February 2025
From BleedingCool:  CEX for February 2025
From BleedingCool:  Cosmic Lion Productions for February 2025
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for February 2025
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for February 2025
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics "Absolute" titles for February 2025
From BleedingCool:  Dstlry Media for February 2025
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for February 2025
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for February 2025
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for February 2025
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics' Energon Universe titles for February 2025
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for February 2025
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for February 2025
From BleedingCool:  Magma Comix for February 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for February 2025 - full list
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Star Wars" Black History Month variants for February 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel "Ultimate Comics" for February 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for February 2025 - Part 1
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for February 2025 - Part 2
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for February 2025
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion / 2000 AD for February 2025
From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for February 2025
From BleedingCool:  Sumerian Comics for February 2025
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for February 2025
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for February 2025
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for February 2025

MARCH 2025 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for March 2025
From BleedingCool:  Abrams Comicarts for March 2025
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for March 2025
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for March 2025
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for March 2025
From BleedingCool:  Cosmic Lion Productions for March 2025
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for March 2025
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for March 2025
From BleedingCool:  Drawn & Quarterly for March 2025
From BleedingCool:  DSTLRY Media for March 2025
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for March 2025
From BleedingCool:  Fantagraphics Books for March 2025
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for March 2025
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for March 2025
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Energon" titles for March 2025
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Ghost Machine" titles for March 2025
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Spawn" titles for March 2025
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for March 2025
From BleedingCool:  Kodansha Comics for March 2025
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for March 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for March 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics' "Amazing Spider-Man" titles for March 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics' "One World Under Doom" titles for March 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics' "Ultimate Comics" titles for March 2025
From BleedingCool:  Massive/WhatNot for March 2025
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for March 2025
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion / 2000 AD for March 2025
From BleedingCool:  Seven Seas Entertainment for March 2025
From BleedingCool:  Shift Presents for March 2025
From BleedingCool:  Sumerian Comics for March 2025
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for March 2025
From BleedingCool:  TOKYOPOP for March 2025
From BleedingCool:  Udon Entertainment for March 2025
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for March 2025
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for March 2025
From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for March 2025
From BleedingCool:  Webtoon Unscrolled for March 2025
From BleedingCool:  Yen Press for March 2025

APRIL 2025 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for April 2025
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for April 2025
From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for April 2025
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for April 2025
From BleedingCool:  Cosmic Lion for April 2025
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for April 2025
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for April 2025
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics "Summer of Superman" titles for April 2025
From BleedingCool:  DSTLRY Media for April 2025
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for April 2025
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for April 2025
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for April 2025
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for April 2025
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for April 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for April 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "One World Under Doom" titles for April 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Ultimate: titles for April 2025
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for April 2025
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion / 2000 AD for April 2025
From BleedingCool:  Sumerian Comics for April 2025
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for April 2025
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for April 2025

MAY 2025 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Blood Moon Comics for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Cosmic Lion Productions for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics "Absolute DC" titles for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Dstlry Media for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Free Comic Book Day 2025 titles for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "One World Under Doom" titles for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Ultimate Comics" titles for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Massive Publishing for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion / 2000 AD for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics "Conan" and "Solomon Kane" titles for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Udon Studios for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Valiant-Alien Books for May 2025

JUNE 2025 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Energon Universe" titles for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Spawn" titles for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "One World Under Doom" crossover titles for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Ultimate Universe" for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics' "Ultimate Spider-Man: Incursion #1" for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for June 2025

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Friday, February 14, 2025

#IReadsYou Movie Review: CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD

Captain America: Brave New World (2025)

Running time:  118 minutes (1 hour, 58 minutes)
MPA – PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, and some strong language
DIRECTOR:  Julius Onah
WRITERS:  Rob Edwards, Malcolm Spellman & Dalan Musson, and Julius Onah & Peter Glanz; from a story by Rob Edwards and Malcolm Spellman & Dalan Musson (based on the Marvel Comics)
PRODUCERS:  Kevin Feige and Nate Moore
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Kramer Morgenthau (D.o.P.)
EDITORS:  Madeleine Gavin and Matthew Schmidt
COMPOSER:  Laura Karpman

SUPERHERO/FANTASY/DRAMA and SCI-FI/ACTION/THRILLER

Starring:  Anthony Mackie, Harrison Ford, Danny Ramirez, Shira Haas, Carl Lumbly, Tim Blake Nelson, Giancarlo Esposito, Xosha Roquemore, Johannes Haukur Johannesson, William Mark McCullough, and Takehiro Hira with Liv Tyler and Sebastian Stan

Captain America: Brave New World is a 2025 superhero and action film from Marvel Studios and directed by Julius Onah.  The film focuses on the character, “Sam Wilson,” as the superhero, “Captain America.”  Sam Wilson is a Marvel Comics character that was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Gene Colan and that first appeared in Captain America #117 (cover dated: September 1969).  Captain America is a Marvel Comics character that was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby and that first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 (December 1940).

This film is the fourth film in the Captain America film series and also the 35th entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).  In Captain America: Brave New World, Captain America must discover the identity of the mastermind behind a plan to launch the United States into a global war over access to an amazing new metal alloy.

Captain America: Brave New World focuses on Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie), who is still early in his tenure as the superhero, Captain America, replacing his friend, the original Captain America, Steve Rogers.  Wilson was once the superhero, “The Falcon,” and now, that mantle belongs to his partner, U.S. Air Force First Lt. Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez).  Captain America and the Falcon begin the film on a mission in Oaxaca, Mexico where they take on the “Serpent Society” and its leader, Sidewinder (Giancarlo Esposito), in a bid to intercept the sale of a canister of “Adamantium.”

Adamantium is the new metal alloy that was discovered on the “Celestial Island,” located in the Indian Ocean.  Celestial Island is really the gigantic carcass of the “Celestial Tiamut,” whose emergence was stopped by the Eternals (as seen in the 2021 film, Eternals).  The U.S., Japan, and India are vying to mine adamantium, and to that end, the three countries are working on a treaty that would create the infrastructure in which the three nations would share control of the island.

The current President of the United States, Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford), formerly known as General “Thunderbolt” Ross, asks Sam to be the face of the adamantium treaty as Captain America.  President Ross also wants Sam to join him in a plan to reform the superhero group, “The Avengers.”  However, the announcement of the treaty is interrupted by an assassination attempt.  Now, Sam's friend and mentor, Isaiah Bradley (Carl Lumbly), the Korean War veteran and once-imprisoned “super soldier,” is once again imprisoned because of the incident.

Despite a growing rift with President Ross, Sam decides to investigate the assassination attempt, and Joaquin joins him.  Shadowing them is a former “Black Widow,” the Israeli Ruth Bat-Seraph (Shira Haas), but even she can't stop Captain America and the Falcon from discovering the mystery of a man named Samuel Sterns (Tim Blake Nelson).  Can Sam Wilson stop a global war, and can Captain America really take on the creature known as the “Red Hulk.”

Captain America: Brave New World is the subject of an intense online and social media smear campaign.  When you, dear readers, come across someone using the word, “woke,” to describe it, you should know that in the context of this film, “woke” is Confederate pig Latin for the name “Anthony Mackie.”  People who complain that the story and/or the script are not good are against the film because of their grievances concerning an African-American actor, Antony Mackie, taking on the role of Captain America.  With that said...

Captain America: Brave New World ties into some other Marvel Studios productions.  Obviously, this film's “Celestial Island” subplot is related to events depicted in the 2021 film, Eternals.  The Disney+/Marvel Studios series, “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” (2021) is a prologue to Brave New World.  Surprisingly, Brave New World acts as a sort of sequel to the second film in the MCU, 2008's The Incredible Hulk.  There are also references to numerous other MCU films.

Captain America: Brave New World is a superb superhero movie and great action film.  Director Julius Onah has helmed a film that is a rampaging good time at the movies, doing this in spite of delays and reshoots.  He should take pride in making a Captain America film that is as good as or better than the previous three films in the series.  The action is great, and the conspiracy at the heart of the story is intense and shockingly personal.  The character drama is surprisingly potent and is both complex and complicated.  Plus, the Captain America vs. Red Hulk battle in the film's last act fell on me like a tree; it is so intense that for a moment I wished I was wearing an adult diaper while watching it.

With Captain America: Brave New World, Anthony Mackie not only proves that he is a true Marvel leading man who can carry a MCU film, but he also proves that he is a Hollywood leading man.  In subtle ways, his performance and speeches clearly define that which Mackie fights in the real world and Sam Wilson fights in his world.  Watching Mackie chop up this movie with his dramatic chops, I realized that it was long overdue that he lead a Marvel film.

I must also admit that Harrison Ford brings down the thunder in his role as President Thaddeus Ross, a.k.a. “Thunderbolt” Ross.  Ford dominates his scenes so much that only Mackie can really match him in Captain America: Brave New World.  Seeing Ford here reminds me of what a find dramatic actor he is and how he has always been fun in action movies.

Danny Ramirez, Shira Haas, Carl Lumbly, Tim Blake Nelson, Giancarlo Esposito, and Xosha Roquemore also deliver solid turns in their respective supporting roles.  They deserve to pop up in the MCU again, many more times.  I guess it is obvious that I am still buzzing from seeing Captain America: Brave New World last night (Thursday, February 13th).  I had not expected much from this film because I had listened to too much of the propaganda.  I love being wrong in these instance.  Captain America: Brave New World is going to be my favorite film of 2025 for awhile, dear readers, and I heartily recommend it to you.

A+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2025 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for reprint or syndication rights and fees.


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