November 17, 2013 · 10:50 am

Kung Fu and Jive Turkeys: Heroes for Hire

Disney’s Marvel and Netflix announced recently that Netflix would distribute via its streaming platform a number of Marvel properties: Jessica Jones, Daredevil, Iron Fist, and Luke Cage. (First, can I point out how annoying the “Disney’s Marvel” tag is? We know- the Mouse buys everything. The Muppets, Star Wars, Marvel, ABC. No worries- this blog is not for sale.)

For my latest installment of Geek 101, let’s look at the last two characters in that group: Iron Fist and Luke Cage. Who are they and what does this mean for the Marvel storytelling universe- on both the large screen and the small.

Continue reading →

2 Comments

Filed under Geek 101

Tagged as , , , , , , , ,

October 14, 2013 · 9:16 pm

This Is My City

Darkness is my shield. Even now, poised in the midst of the city around me, the shadows protect me. Those whom I might hunt, pass me unaware. For this is my city, and the night is mine.

I am the Wraith.

I feel the energy of an active city moving around me. Gazing down at the street, from my perch, I watch a myriad of nameless citizens swept along in the tide of their own making. Always separated from the herd, I am yet drawn to it. My desire to be as one of them visceral but unconsummated. I want to be part of that energy.

But my mission demands otherwise. For this is my city, and the night is mine.

*********

Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Filed under Fiction

Tagged as , , , ,

August 11, 2013 · 12:33 pm

The Goon and the Pink Backpack

Last year, I wrote about my youngest son- aka The Goon- and his selection of a pair of purple-with-silver-sparkles Dora the Explorer sneakers. I shared my reaction to my son’s very clearly articulated desire for the things that we would normally describe as “girly”. A lot of folks read that blog post and I’m genuinely humbled by the reaction. For me, the events I wrote about are all good. I came away from them believing that my son is a wonderfully unique little boy who knows who he is. As a father, that’s about all I think really matters.

So about a year and a half later, we’ve moved into a new house accompanied by my father (Papa), who’s still living in our basement, and welcomed the addition of my mother-in-law (who will be known as Nonni in my writings), into our crazy, loving household. (Yes- my father and my wife’s mother both live with us. No- they are not together. Yes- it is just as crazy as you might imagine. Nonni and I are going to write a sitcom. See you in Hollywood…)

My boys are now 14, 6, and 4. They are smart, considerate, sweet young men. I’m a lucky Dad. Life is good.

Continue reading →

51 Comments

Filed under Essays

Tagged as , , , , , , , ,

August 4, 2013 · 12:14 pm

The Greatest [Wolverine] Story Ever Told…

… surprise- won’t be found in the latest movie!

A few days ago, I saw The Wolverine with my two comrades-in-geekdom. As I mentioned a while back, I had high hopes for this movie. From an early perspective, it looked like the newest movie’s story was based on a four issue mini-series published by Marvel Comics in 1982 written by Chris Claremont and pencilled by Frank Miller. These two guys are geniuses. Chris Claremont wrote X-Men for 17 years. Seriously. “Days of Future Past”- the storyline that the newest X-men movie is based on- that’s his, among a bunch of other equally epic ones. (The Brood, anyone?) Frank Miller was one of the artists that brought the pre-Giuliani grit of New York City to comics. Along the way, he also redefined Daredevil, cemented Batman’s eternal coolness in Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, and brought to life the epic last stand at Thermopylae in 300.

Sadly, the movie only skims the surface of the 1982 mini-series. It takes some characters and scenes but ignores the theme of the story. It is that theme that makes the story epic and the topic of this post. This is not a review of The Wolverine. A few moments on Google will find you a boatload of those reviews. Instead, let’s take a look at what Hollywood chose to ignore in that 1982 mini-series.

Fair warning- some minor SPOILERS for the movie below.

Continue reading →

1 Comment

Filed under Geek 101

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

July 21, 2013 · 9:49 am

Hello, My Name is Ultron and I Have Daddy Issues

At Comic-Con yesterday, Joss Whedon announced that the sequel to the blockbuster The Avengers will be titled The Avengers: Age of Ultron. The inevitable response to this: who is Ultron and why do I care?

Let’s take a look at Ultron as a character in Marvel comics.

Continue reading →

6 Comments

Filed under Geek 101

Tagged as , , , , ,