Category: Comic Books

With nothing else to do here today in hot ‘n’ sunny AZ, I saw “Avengers: Infinity War.” Last night I did some preparatory homework by watching “Thor: Ragnarok” on Netflix.

Without having the very confusing Thor movie under my story arc belt, I would have been lost trying to follow the start of the even more confusing Infinity War. Having not seen the Black Panther movie, I ended up nevertheless suffering from continuity exhaustion.

The only thing I didn’t see listed in the closing credits was the kitchen sink, but it must have been in there, because everything else was! Without giving anything away, one comment I will make is there’s a scene in Infinity War that’s identical to Captain America being rescued in Avengers #4 — except it isn’t Cap, it happens in space, and the Avengers aren’t the team that does the saving.

Oh, wait. There was one other thing I didn’t see in the closing credits. Steve Ditko’s name. He co-created Spider-Man and created Doctor Strange. Maybe he’s in there but I missed it.

After “The Americans” finished up its run, the thought came to me that the series has one huge trait in common with “Breaking Bad.” The villain(s) in each TV show is hiding in plain sight, successfully concealing his bad guy identity from a law enforcement agent with whom he has a close relationship. I’m sure others must have pointed out this similarity in fan forums, but I don’t follow them.

With “The Americans” the identities of Philip and Elizabeth Jennings are false fronts. In contrast, Walter White in “Breaking Bad” transforms into Heisenberg. In a way it’s like Clark Kent being Superman’s made-up identity, while Bruce Wayne becomes Batman. Except they’re good guys!

This comic book panel is from Dennis the Menace #10, May, 1955. Approved by the Comics Code Authority, it shows Dennis’ bare butt sticking out and his parents sleeping together in the same bed.

Okay, so the record isn’t vinyl, it’s mylar. But for what’s it’s worth the audio on the player below was captured when this 50-year-old flexi-disc was played for the very first time.

“It’s a real fucking mess over there. I think his money will be gone in a few weeks… Stan and [his daughter] JC are literally being picked apart by vultures.”

This upsetting update on Stan Lee in the Daily Beast isn’t something I want to be reading on a Sunday morning that’s one hour shorter than it was last week.

Extra: Mark Evanier’s thoughts on Stan’s condition and situation are at this link.