For a moment, think back on a movie premiere that you were excited for and also knew very little about. Is there one that didn’t have 50 years of comic book history or a series of books or a wikipedia with 500 pages of detailed entries from which you can roughly piece together the entire plot and post credit scene? Maybe something without a batcowl by Christopher Nolan, if you’re a fan. Both new potential Star Wars fans and 36 years-to-lifers have currently found themselves in a weird liminal space of innocent ignorance since the trailer was released on April 16th. In the last two weeks however, the Force Awakens‘ team has released character and cast details and will expectedly continue to do so as we crawl closer to that December premiere date. Every subsequent piece of news will drag us out of this space of unfettered anticipation and into a surge of updates and press releases. If you’re looking for analysis of any Star Wars news or coverage of the new canon Rebel series or comics, search elsewhere. Because I’m going full dark, sweetheart.
What was it like to not know what Star Wars was and then to know, man? I’m a relative youngling, so I first saw A New Hope when it was rereleased in theaters while sitting on my dad’s lap as he whispered the scrolling prologue into my ear. Years later, I’ve explored the established and unparalleled expanded universe (cartoons, Wookiepedia, comics, and books) none of which may make it into the new Disney films. This was a decision to be upset about until the release of a second teaser trailer which promised fans that the vision for The Force Awakens was better than any live action adaptation of our favorite moments from the Expanded Universe could ever be. We can still recapture that first ingenuous viewing experience while still expecting to see a film that can capture an audience for the next 35 years, because we know what Star Wars is and can be.
Imagine if you commit to going dark: the next piece of footage you will see will be this in a packed theater at midnight.
Of course, it hasn’t actually been that long since the prequel trilogy premiered and promptly disappointed thousands of expectant fans, but I’d argue some of those expectations are the problem. Without touching all of the controversy surrounding Joss Whedon’s Avengers: Age of Ultron, it’s undeniable that some of the criticism is fueled by people who had developed their own favorite versions of characters before the movie was even finished filming. Do you find yourself doing that already with The Force Awakens? Marvel fans obsessed over every teaser trailer and poster, analyzed every interview and rumor, and when Age of Ultron went in an unpredicted direction–well, saying people got upset would be a gross understatement at this point. Is it a mistake to corrupt our innocent hype with addicting pursuit of new expectations?
It’s probably not that serious, because in light of the Joss Whedon mess across social media, I feel like we all need a preemptive reminder that these are just movies. Besides, we Star Wars fans are made of nobler and less temperamental stuff. After all, we survived Jar Jar Binks. It’s not like anyone has ever cursed out George Lucas or his decisions with the franchise. Joke.
Click through to read about J. J. Abrams’ commitment to telling a new story instead of relying on references to the old. Delete your twitter now, J. J.
To be clear, I’m not judging everyone who is enjoying Rebels or the new books in order to feel ready for December, since I’ll be picking up all that stuff up December 19th. I’m just saying that I am ready now; I’m ready to be surprised and delighted by new characters, stories, and visuals, even if it means sacrificing the ability to natter every behind-the-scenes piece of trivia or history factoid to my most likely less-indoctrinated companion on premiere day. You’re welcome, future date.
Have I convinced you? Are you ready to bury your head in sands of the Dune Sea for the next 5 months? I promise it’s not that hard. Beware of social media and be ready to scroll rapidly past undesirable links and thumbnails worth of information. Movie theaters will become stressful places, so skip the trailers or bring headphones and keep a remote control close by when watching television. Or you know, just invest in a shielded helmet like Luke used in IV. If you find yourself in a Star Wars mood play around in the Expanded Universe of old, which I promise you’re still allowed to love. Welcome to the dark (not side) and reward your commitment with another viewing of The Force Awakens Trailer
Also, just because I (Kaitlyn) will not be posting about Star Wars VII news doesn’t mean that Sub-cultured won’t be covering it! Check back from now until December for updates on the Force Awakens’ situation.
Aquaman is the Embodiment of “Fine”
REVIEW | The Punisher Season 2
Colorado Anime Fest Wrap Up
Viz Media Announces Free Streaming Anime!
Sub Cultured is Headed to Colorado Anime Fest!
New Star Wars Trilogy in the Works
The bad guy is always the most memorable.
They make it possible for the hero to prevail and make that movie stay with you long after you left the theater. The point here is get you all to find a villain you love to hate (or just plain love!) and who knows, perhaps you’ll stumble across one who will make you pick up a comic for the first time.
I first embraced villains as a young, messy haired girl of four. Speed Racer and Sailor Moon were my go to TV shows and many, many crayons met their deaths as I scribbled pictures of Snake Oiler and Queen Beryl. By the time I decided to pick up a comic book at age 12, all that was in reach was my father’s Wolverine and Amazing Spider-Man collection, which I devoured with gusto. Villains began to rule my life as I read about The Black Blade taking over Wolverine and then…I fell helplessly in love with Eddie Brock as Venom. I don’t know if it was the devious way they spoke, the gorgeous way they were drawn, or just that it was my first time reading comics, but either way, they were the best thing I’d ever come across. Needless to say, comics became a large part of my life.
So, what is a villain? He/She is a person capable of wickedness or responsible for specific actions of harm and destruction. From what I’ve seen, they also have a schnazzy wardrobe and in some storylines, even become the hero! First up is the stone cold adamantium insanity that is Ultron from Marvel Comics.
Ultron
“Hope is a human delusion.”
First “born” in 1968, Ultron is the creation of brilliant scientist turned hero, Henry “Hank” Pym, and while he was created with the best intentions, artificial intelligence doesn’t have a conscience. Unfortunately, this is his largest flaw since his AI was based on Pym’s own brain waves and without that human conscience, Ultron’s mental instability was enhanced by a tumultuous history of reactivation and deactivation, resulting in a slow descent into madness. His artificial intelligence was unparalleled, however, and after several improvements and upgrades, began his quest to destroy humankind, starting with his creator. Ultron followed closely in his creator’s footsteps, even going so far as making several creations in his image, including future Avenger, Vision, and a son, the Runaways member, Victor Mancha.
His various incarnations have ranged from being “infected” with human emotion to being reborn as a female. He has also forged several partners intending them to be his life mate and partner in destruction, but each turn against him. Now made from superior adamantium in his latest form, Ultron is virtually indestructible. Does this stop him from being destroyed? Alas, although the Avengers, S.H.I.E.L.D., Fantastic Four, and others have repeatedly destroyed Ultron, his offspring/creations have all had a secret program installed – the Ultron Imperative. This handy bit of programming subconsciously compels each of them to rebuild Ultron when he falls.
Currently, Ultron’s consciousness lies dormant inside the body of a Galadorian Spaceknight, and after being activated on accident, escaped the Avengers’ clutches. Iron Man predicts an apocalypse is nigh and sure enough, Marvel announced their event Age of Ultron, which began March 2013.
“Leap my dazzling sparks of atomic fire! With each instant, bring the moment of destruction closer for there is none that dare oppose me!”
Ultron’s powers include superhuman levels of strength, speed, stamina, durability, reflexes, subsonic flight, intelligence, and various offensive weapons on top of being a superb roboticist and strategist. Good luck fighting THAT guy cause I haven’t even reminded you that he’s made of indestructible adamantium and that even if you should overcome the odds and beat him, he’ll just rise up like a phoenix thanks to his programming foresight.
If you have liked what you have read and woud like to learn more, you can check out the following story arcs/episodes/collected issues:
* Siege event, especially issues #34-#37
* Ultimate Comics Ultimates 2
* And my personal favorite, although he admittedly shows up as a head here and there, is the 2011-2012 Moon Knight series.
* He appears as a primary antogonist in the Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes animated series
* He is main villain in the animated movie Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow
“Savor the symbolism of this moment. The ultimate defender of organic life drawn against the embodiment of technological perfection…as ever, technological purity will prevail.”
What villains do you want to see?
Leia Calderon
Editor
@ladyvader99
leia@ihogeek.com
REVIEW | The Batman Who Laughs – #1
REVIEW | Doomsday Clock #4
Review | The Lost Path by Amélie Fléchais
Emerald City Conversation with Jen Wang
REVIEW | Doomsday Clock #2
