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'Captain America: The First Avenger' Stands Out in a Glut of Comic Book Films

Marvel Studios recognized that by mining other genres through the superhero lens, it could continue to keep comic book films fresh and entertaining to audiences and sidestep the constant predictions of imminent superhero fatigue.

Film

Losses, Journeys, and Ascensions: 'The Life of Captain Marvel #5'

Carol Danvers life will never be the same. That's a good thing.

Comics

Jean Grey Exercises the Power of Emotional Intelligence in 'X-men Red #11'

Jean Grey and Cassandra Nova have their final showdown in a war of ideas, wherein Jean applies a different tactic to quell the conflict.

Comics

The Animated 'Batman: Mask of the Phantasm' Is Still the Only Bat-Film That Gets It

Despite a long history of live action films with wildly varying tones, Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is still the only theatrically released Bat-film to truly understand the character and how best to build a story around him.

Film

On Melodrama and Family Ties in Marvel's 'X-Men: The Exterminated #1'

Cable's death doesn't bring much drama in Marvel Comics' X-Men: The Exterminated #1, but it will have a dramatic impact on future X-men comics.

Comics

How Marvel's 'X-men: First Class' Classed Up the X-men Films

Matthew Vaughn's X-Men: First Class refocuses the series onto its political and socially conscious origins, as well as the philosophical debate at the core of Magneto and Xavier's relationship.

Film

Bar Fights, Final Journeys, and Dystopian Futures in Marvel's 'Dead Man Logan #1'

Old Man Logan's time is almost up, but he's prepared to go down being the best he is at what he does.

Comics

Jon Morris' 'The League of Regrettable Sidekicks' Is Itself a Victim of Questionable Standards

Mere mediocrity on the part of the superhero sidekicks doesn't seem a high enough bar for inclusion in a tome such as The League of Regrettable Sidekicks.

Books

A Journey of Damned Souls (to a Point) In Marvel's 'Weapon X #26'

Greg Pak and Fred Van Lente tap into hellish themes, but not enough to affect hardened souls.

Comics

Behind Every Superhero Is One of These Clowns: 'The League of Regrettable Sidekicks'

Many of Jon Morris's characters in The League of Regrettable Sidekicks are proven to be a reflection of their times not only culturally but in terms of the evolution of the genre, as well.

Jon Morris

Books

An Uncanny Deconstruction of Superheroes in 'Uncanny X-men #1'

A new kind of existential threat strikes the X-men, but it has little to do with hatred, fear, or killer robots.

Comics

Class, Clones, and Killer Robots in Marvel Comics' 'X-23 #6'

The family dynamics between Laura and Gabby are on full display in X-23 #6, but not much else.

Reviews

'Thor' Blasted the Comic Book Superhero Genre Away from Earth

Kenneth Branagh's Thor (2011) took the largely Earth-based, sci-fi genre into the realm of supernatural space fantasy, leading the way for a wider array of comic book superhero films.

Film

Ascent of a True Queen: 'X-men Black: Emma Frost #1'

Through flexible morality and uncanny sex appeal, Emma Frost establishes a truly regal status.

Comics

Carol Danver's Past Has a Twist in 'The Life of Captain Marvel #4'

A surprising revelation changes the history, but not the spirit of Carol Danvers in Marvel's 'The Life of Captain Marvel #4'

Comics

'What If? Punisher #1' Toys with Spider-Man

What if Spider-Man's concept of power and responsibility were different?

Comics

Pop Ten

The 70 Best Albums of 2018

Fracturing to Survive in Tanya Tagaq's 'Split Tooth'

Jackie Chan's 10 Best Films

The Best Progressive Rock/Metal of 2018

The Best Metal of 2018

Say It Loud! 100 Great Protest Songs: Part 1 - Beethoven to Janis Ian

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