4 out of 5
MODERN MARVEL: PART 6
This is a second installation where a single storyline is going to be the center of the article, but there’s a good reason for that. That reason is: science
“The day crossovers became too literal”
Th
is is a second installation where a single storyline is going to be the center of the article, but there’s a good reason for that. That reason is: science! Or at least, comic book science! The next major story arc, which is THE major plotline that has led to Marvel as it currently is today, is decidedly NOT kid friendly, in that it requires a fairly advanced grasp on Marvel’s own special brand of history and scientific logic. Which I will now try to seamlessly explain in two pages. Be forewarned, this may be confusing.
In Marvel Comics, whenever a major event happens, one that could go either of two ways, it goes both ways, creating two different timelines. For example, in the standard timeline, President Kennedy was shot, which also created one where he wasn’t. Then later those two timelines each branch again, into ones where Reagan was assassinated, and ones where he lived ( Kennedy died/Reagan lived would be the one WE live in, of the four possible timelines coming from just those 2 events). In addition, whenever a time-traveller goes back within his own timeline, his presence causes another branching point, with the future he came from now a tangential branch of reality, to which he cannot return, while a NEW future timeline is created by the split, featuring the changes his or her presence has made. As a result of these comic-science facts, Marvel has a nigh-infinite multiverse (though Marvel fans like to poke fun at DC for being the one with infinite worlds) out there, and even have layers of bureaucracy set up to manage it.
The first of these layers is the TVA, or Time Variance Authority. These desk jockeys are tasked with overseeing the multiverse, pruning timelines too dangerous to exist, and generally preventing time travellers from wreaking too much havoc. They greatly suck at their jobs (the lower level functionaries, one of whom is created each time a new timeline is, are literally faceless, so, no surprise there). The second layer is the Watchers, a race of beings who, due to what amounts to the earliest recorded violation of the prime directive (non interference in alien cultures, as if you needed to be told), sit in silent vigil over the worlds of the multiverse. As their name suggests, they watch, gather information, and spend the downtime they somehow still have to gaze into other timelines of the multiverse and comment on them. In addition to this there is an organization called the Captain Britain Corps which selects and empowers a single individual from each timeline of the multiverse (each of which is called a brane. What we think of as the “regular” Marvel universe in the comics being Brane 616, with the Earth of that universe consequently being Earth 616), whose job it is to protect and police his or her universe. Basically think the Green Lantern Corps, but differently coloured (Attention editor: NOT a spelling error, that was intentional) and far more British.
Normally, none of that stuff matters. Until one day when the TVA manage to miss an event that will put them entirely out of business. On one Earth an event happens that causes that timeline to implode at the point of that Earth, effectively creating a gap in the multiverse. The two timelines on either side of that gap (quantumly speaking) sway into the Earth-shaped hole, and collide with each other, causing gaps where they were, which leads to an inexorable chain reaction of timelines slamming into each other. Each time that happens (an event called an Incursion) one of three terrific things happens:
- Earth A is destroyed, while Earth B (and the rest of both universes) lives.
- Earth B is destroyed, while Earth A (and the rest of both universes) lives.
- BOTH Earths, and with them, their entire universes, are destroyed.
Due to one Earth’s destruction, THOSE are the stakes for the deadliest game the Marvel multiverse will ever play. A game it will (eventually) LOSE.
The Preamble: The Incursions have come to Earth 616, and only one group on Earth is aware of them, understands them, and is trying to stop them while still preserving their Earth. Unfortunately, that group is a new iteration of the Illuminati, that group of well-intentioned ne’er-do wells who shot the Hulk into space a while back, leading to World War Hulk (see Modern Marvel 3). The TOO clever Illuminati have been battling Incursions and destroying the (thus far) unpopulated alternate Earths that have come swinging their way, while keeping this a secret from the world (even going so far as to erase the knowledge from Captain America’s mind, because he adopted the position that it might be better to die, or abandon and destroy their Earth to live elsewhere in their now safe universe, than to wind up blowing up an alternate Earth filled with people just to ensure their own planet’s survival) and hunting for a pseudo science explanation/solution to the problem. Unfortunately for the Illuminati, an alien race has discovered both the Incursions, and the fact that the destruction of Earth would save the rest of the universe from annihilation. And they are FAR less sentimental about the situation.
- Infinity
The Heroes:The main heroes of Earth stand united against an invasion of their galaxy by the alien Builders, an ancient race who designed most of the inhabited sections of the universe and the races that live there. Of course, with the exception of the Illuminati (Black Panther leads this team, which consists at this point of Iron Man, Black Bolt, Namor (he and Black Panther still have major friction over Namor’s attempted genocide of T’challa’s people during the Pheonix Five debacle, but they both acknowledge having bigger problems), Reed Richards, Doctor Strange, and Beast), the heroes (ostensibly led by Captain America) have no idea WHY the builders are attacking, but DO build an interstellar alliance of major alien races to fight them. Also of note: Thanos has returned to Earth, hunting his son Thane.
The History: The main alien races who join earth in this interstellar alliance are the Kree, the Skrulls (who got over the desire to invade Earth after the last time, they swear), the Shi’ar, the Brood, and the extra-dimensional creatures of the Annihilation Wave. All of these have long and storied histories, usually featuring them fighting Earth (or fighting OVER it), but thanks to Captain America being an intergalactic badass, they now join together to fight FOR it.
The Story: This event basically has two stories, one set on Earth, and the other in space. The covers of the series would lead you to think the Thanos storyline was the main one, but the interstellar war is bigger not just in scale, but in ramifications for the Marvel Universe. The Avengers are defending the galaxy against an aggressive warlike race, but you could easily say that the Builders, whose goal is to sacrifice one tiny part of the universe they built and shaped, to save ALL the rest of it, are actually the good guys. They want to excise a festering wound before it rots the whole body. The heroes don’t realize that, nor do the other alien races who stand between Earth and the Builder Fleet, so the Illuminati dupe them all into thinking the Builders are planning to wipe out everyone, and form a galactic alliance to protect themselves purely on a basis of that lie. Thanks to Captain America (whom the Illuminati previously brain-washed), they succeed in space, and Thanos gets beaten by his son and Black Bolt on Earth, but the reader is left torn, knowing that the REAL threat, the Incursions, have NOT been stopped, and that sooner or later, the other timelines are going to be vital, life-filled worlds like their own, and that the Illuminati have developed bombs capable of destroying those Earths, and MAY choose to use them, so it isn’t clear if the Good guys won, or the bad guys.
The Verdict: The Thanos story is filler, overall Marvel Universe-wise, but there’s nothing quite like plucky underdogs winning an interstellar war, at least in my book: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
RATING:
4 out of 5
The North remembers.
In the universe of Game of Thrones, scenes’ before the opening theme are constant for the first episode of every season. For example, two great scenes that come to mind are the three Night’s Watchmen hunted down by White Walkers in season one or Tywin Lannister melting down house Stark’s sword Ice for Jamie and Geoffrey, season four. On the other hand, the opening scene of season is just plain horrific but awesome at the same time. Nothing is more satisfying then watching all the men of House Frey choke on their own blood after being reminded of the Red Wedding. It was an absolute grand-slam and took off perfectly from where we last saw Aryain season 6.
The North remembers.
Right after the credits we get a quick reminder of the army of the dead, and with more bad news; Giant white walkers. But thankfully we are intercepted by Bran warding into one of them which seems like a very useful ability (what’s next dragon’s or an ice dragon?). He is now with
the Watchers on the Wall and back in the mix, hopefully heading for Winterfell where he can inform Jon he is a Targaryan (This will be hype! I wonder if he can be burnt by fire!). Bran’s story has taken a back seat to other prevalent Starks but it’s nice to see him in the mix, demonstrating his power.
Next, we have psycho Cersei and her sane, lover brother Jaime. I still can’t forgive him for pushing Bran from the tower but I am starting to come around. The disapproving way he has been looking at Cersei dating back to last season says it all. From confronting her about
Tommen’s suicide, to questioning her about the enemies created (Targaryans, Tyrells, Starks, Dornish, and Half the Iron Borne) and the lifeless dynasty they will continue. He keeps his position with Cersei discussing what allies they have left but Jaime is clearly becoming distant and realizing the extent of his lover/sister’s delusion. I forecast a remake of the tale of “The King Slayer” retitled “The Queen Slayer”. In the mean time, the diabolical Yuron Greyjoy, the new king of the Iron Islands rekindles the bond between the Lannisters to move him into a prime position to become King of The Seven (three at this point) Kingdoms. He is presented as a lot more cunning and rounded character kissing up to the Queen and promising her a gift, whether that be Tyrion, and/or a thousand ship armada. What will be interested is how Jaime responds to a marriage between them, because Cersei and Yuron have a demonistic chemistry. She even abides by him making hand jokes and death threats (killing his brother, telling her to do the same). This was a fantastic scene all the while, and it really shows if Cersei get’s close to Yuron and isolates Jamie she will create yet another enemy.
We then get to a short snippet of Samwell Tally’s horrific, grotesque life as a server at the Citadel preparing to become the maester of Castle Black. There is a massive scene which shows him preparing food, cleaning and handling old people plumbing. What’s intriguing is the un-thrones like comedic cut between him doing his daily work; It’s funny and it’s not a bad idea to lighten the tone up because Tyrion used to be the comedy for us in the earlier seasons. Samwell helps the archmaester with the dissection of a corpse where he confirms his thoughts of the White Walkers. What was kind of cheap for me was his simple way of finding dragon glass through a book in the restricted section. It seemed too easy for Game of Thrones, like something you would see Hermione Granger find in the “restricted section”. Hopefully there is more too this but it was kind of stale and forced
Oh wait, Ed Sheeran? I didn’t see it coming, and I thought it was weird but acceptable. It was obviously him having an in with the producers and wanting a cameo role, but he has pure, angelic voice and creates a sympathetic feeling for the Lannister troops that brings out the non-assassin in Arya. She tells them she’s on her way to kings landing to “kill the queen” and it’s not taking seriously which shows how dangerous she has become. But what I see from this is season two when Mellisandre said there is a darkness in her. This darkness has come to fruition and it will be interesting to see how this is received by the remaining Starks. Besides the randomness of Ed Sheeran, I thought this really grounded Arya.
Sandor Clegane and the brotherhood without banners are now at a place he would rather not be; an old victim’s house where Clegane took their silver and resources. They find the father and daughter dead, holding each other. This almost creates an epiphany for the character, asking why the child dies, and fellow brother Beric Dondarion should be brought back. Then the flames get him, showing him the army of the dead and the reality of the larger issue at hand. I think we will see a more compliant hound the rest of this season. I’ve loved this character from the beginning and his arch is getting much broader for the better. I predict a positive change in attitude for the hound.
Finally, the Queen of Dragons, Breaker of Chains, Denarys Stormborn is finally home. From season one this is the only thing she has wanted. But now, she has an army of unsullied, the Dothraki and there gigantic Dragons. The final scene of her tearing down the Baratheon banner and taking her spot among her ancestors war table was breathtaking. It was a long, drawn out scene but the character deserves this and it has been a long time waiting. Fire and blood seem to be the strongest motto of any house right now, and it will for sure be enforced upon the Lannisters. My prediction although is that she won’t penetrate King’s Landing because of Cersei’s ruthlessness and George R.R Martin curveball tendency. Whit I think everyone is looking forward to is the meeting with Jon Snow that will eventually happen. It will be interesting if she commands him to bend the knee (he better not, he’s the rightful heir of the Taragaryan house and not a usurper like Daenarys)! This episode was a great starting block for the season while still providing notable and exciting action.
Rest in peace, watermelon.
The latest episodes in ‘Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid’ were very interesting to watch.
One was definitely a fanservice episode, and heck, even the producers know that! Episode 7’s title contains the phrase ‘The Fanservice Episode, Obviously’, so that cracked me up.
Episode 7 focuses on the elements of anime that will appeal to any nerd out there. By that, of course I mean bathing suits and comic conventions! Cue the beach episode!
Tohru and company decide to go swimming for the day. Kanna’s adorable as always, while Lucoa doesn’t realize just how sexual she is toward a small boy.
Like, really? You think wearing a very sexy swimsuit in front of a lot of kids on a beach is okay? And why do you insist on torturing Shouta with your breasts? It’s obvious that he’s tempted, but stop trying to seduce small children.
Of course, they’re dragons, so hilarious antics ensue. Tohru and Kanna get carried away in a swimming race, making water splash up everywhere. Also, a crab and watermelon are murdered. RIP.
However, one aspect that I thought was a nice touch was the backstory we got for Tohru. It wasn’t much, but Tohru and Kobayashi have a deep and meaningful conversation about their family’s lives, as well as how humans and dragons are different from one another. Fanservice episodes usually focus on that alone, but fortunately that’s not the case here.
The second half of Episode 7 focuses on Comiket. Tohru and Kobayashi help Takiya run a booth, and we learn that Fafnir is also participating by attempting to sell powerful curses. Wow, didn’t see thaaaaat coming at all.
Tohru notices otherworldly creatures in their true forms at Comiket, as they reveal that this is a great way to show their true forms. With Kobayashi’s permission, Tohru exposes her wings and tail, appearing to others as if she’s cosplaying as, well, a dragon maid.
Episode 7 was very nice because there were many heartfelt and adorable moments.
Meanwhile, Episode 8 FINALLY introduced the dragon that I keep on mentioning in my reviews. Her name’s Elma, a dragon who is a rival of Tohru’s. Elma accuses Tohru of disrupting the human’s ways and tries to force her to return to the dragon world. This doesn’t succeed, however, as Tohru sends her to an open field and leaves her there.
Unable to get back home, Elma stays in the human world and begins working at Kobayashi’s company. Kobayashi teaches Elma how to use computers and technology so that she can keep her job. Of course, this prompts Tohru to become jealous, smelling the scent of another dragon off Kobayashi like a dog does with a human. I won’t reveal how the episode ends, but it ends in a positive manner for Tohru.
Overall, I really loved these two episodes because they made me feel warm and fuzzy. They appealed to the emotional senses through a heartfelt conversation between Kobayashi and Tohru. Elma is also an innocent sweetheart who only wants to bring harmony to the human and dragon worlds. And I can’t wait to see more of her in the upcoming episodes.
I feel like in these two episodes alone, we learned so much about Tohru and her feelings for Kobayashi. She really wants to understand the human world and will do anything to stay with Kobayashi.
I’ll up my rating to a 4.7. These episodes were both fun, and we finally got the new dragon! Bless.
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