Most Anticipated of 2014

Counting down my most anticipated superhero and comic book shows of 2014. I should note, there are also a number of TV shows in the works like DC's Hourman and a slew of Marvel characters (Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Iron Fist, and Luke Cage ) for Netflix leading up to a Defenders miniseries. I have not included them on the list because they are still in pre-production mode, though surely I hope they see the light of day. I am also really looking forward to the Batman Beyond and Batman: Black and White DC shorts but have no idea if they will really be out this year or not. Anyways, away we go.

Onscreen History of Falcon

The Falcon made his print debut in 1969 within the pages of Captain America #117 and is the first mainstream African-American comic book superhero. The Falcon has to deal with many of the same challenges as Aquaman. His winged costume and avian telepathy make him hard to take seriously-though he looks to spruce up his image by teaming with the Star Spangled Man in Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

State of the Upcoming Marvel Movie Slate - 2013 and Beyond

Hoping to build on the success of Marvel's The Avengers which has eclipsed $600 million domestic (nearly $1.5 billion worldwide), movie production of properties based on Marvel characters are moving full steam ahead. Along with Marvel Studio's own post-Avengers Phase 2 plan, there are more movies in development for the X-Men franchise, Spider-Man, and a couple of other new kids on the block. With fresh Comic Con scoop, lets take a look at the current slate of Marvel movie's currently being churned out of the machine.

Ranking Superhero Movie Theme Songs

The time has come to rank the top superhero movie themes of all time... well at least of the last 40 years. In order to make the cut, there were a few basic rules. 

1) The theme had to come from a movie. Sorry Wonder Woman, Justice League Unlimited, and Greatest American Hero, you will have to duke it out another day.

2) The original song couldn't just be in a superhero movie, but needed to be the actual theme music. Sorry Star Spangled Man.

3) The theme needed to be memorable, recognizable, and enjoyable. You may say "D'uh" but 2003's Hulk theme for example fit the character and can be easily recalled, but I don't ever desire to listen to it.   

And off we go...

Retrospective 2011 - Part 3

While May ushered in the summer season, things really got out of control in June and July with the release of two more Marvel movies, one from DC, the third Transformers, a direct to video movie tie in and a new live action series. 

X-Men: First Class

After X2, the X-Men franchise had been on the downward slide until X-Men: First Class attempted to reinvigorate the franchise. Even though some of the most popular mutants could not fit into the movie while maintaining series continuity, First Class still delivered an excellent story by adding depth to the characters of Magneto and Xavier. Perhaps due to ill will against previous X-Men films or because of the absence of Wolverine, the film failed to crack $150 million in the US. Still, good reviews and home video sales may be enough to ensure X-Men's second class get their deserved screen time in a sequel.

Captain America II: Death Too Soon (1979) - Discount Review

Heroes: "Captain America" with a really big helmet.

Villains: Count Saruman Dooku as General Miguel

Diabolical Scheme: Miguel heisted a concoction that accelerated aging and used it to hold an exposed city ransom.As for his fate, "He chose poorly."

Caps Howling Commandos Get an Extra Wail

Most of the time its obvious why deleted scenes were left on the cutting room floor, but sometimes they leave you wondering why they didn't make the final print. In this scene from  the upcoming Blu-Ray release of Captain America: The First Avenger, we would have been treated to an excellent scene of the Howling Commandos in action facing an extremely fake looking tank =).

The Marvel Empire Strikes Back in 2014

And they said the superhero genre was dead. Ha! After Sony's stunning snatching of the May 2, 2014 opening weekend for the sequel to the still in production Amazing Spider-Man, Marvel Studios was leaving nothing to chance. Marvel has officially nabbed both the May 16 and June 27 weekend in 2014 for as yet undisclosed Marvel movies.

Captain America Overtakes Green Lantern at the Box Office

After his second weekend at $117 million, the Star Spangled Man with a plan has been promoted past Green Lantern in both the domestic and worldwide box office earnings. Although Cap's earnings have slowed, he still looks to land somewhere around $160 million domestic, which will most likely be enough to earn the franchise a sequel... Major America perhaps?

Video of Captain America's Ending Scene, Official and in HD

In case you forgot to stay after the credits of Captain America: The First Avenger (or missed the leaked Avengers trailer), fear not. Marvel has officially released video footage of the Avengers, coming summer 2012. Watch it now in high definition, some assembly required. Screen grabs provided at no extra cost.

Captain America (1979) - Discount Review

Heroes: Some guy that calls himself Captain America

Villains: Mr. Brackett

Diabolical Scheme: Brackett planned to detonate a neutron bomb in Phoenix and then rob the irradiated gold repository. Honestly, I had a hard time understanding the scheme.

Captain America Declares Box Office Victory

Captain America made a mighty splash at the box office this weekend amassing $65.8 million. The total was enough to edge out Thor for the biggest superhero opening of the year (by just 100,000).

Image of the Captain America: The First Avenger Surprise Cameo

Obviously, spoilers to follow. According to the Reuters review, there is going to be a surprise cameo in the Captain America movie by none other than...

Captain America's Modernized Avengers Suit Revealed

After presumably defeating Hydra in the upcoming Captain America: The First Avenger movie, Cap will need a new, modernized look. Well, thanks be to Comic Con, the new suit has been revealed. Take a look at the concept art from Marvel.com and the images of the prop suit and helmet thanks to ComingSoon.net.

Watch the Leaked Avengers Trailer Now

Captain America opens this Friday and then all of the pieces will be on the table for The Avengers which will arrive in May 2012. This post credits Captain America scene will also be your first look at the Avengers doubling as a trailer. Get it while its hot.

See also:

Onscreen History of The Hulk
Onscreen History of Captain America
Onscreen History of Thor
Onscreen History of Hawkeye
Onscreen History of Black Widow

New Captain America Poster Captures Old School Vibe

 

Marvel has released another poster for next Friday's Captain America: The First Avenger. This poster gives me a nostalgic feeling reminding me of an '80's action adventure movie like Indiana Jones or Director Joe Johnston's 1991 superhero foray, The Rocketeer.

Hopefully the movie is able to capture some of the magic of those films as well and is able to attract an audience in the wake of Pottermania which just gave Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 the opening day box office record.

See also:
Captain America's Onscreen History

Nick Fury and Captain America to Meet Up After the Credits Roll

According an interview with Captain America directer Joe Johnston at ComicBookMovie.com:

The scene between Chris Evans and Nick Fury was cut together from AVENGERS footage, so I had nothing to do with it other than agree to put it after the credits.

Even though the details are light, we learn a few things from this one brief statement. 

1) There WILL BE a scene after the credits of Captain America: The First Avenger which continues the fine Marvel tradition. Don't be the guy that has to stop on the stairs to watch the scene because you weren't in the know. 

2) The scene will contain some sort of exchange between Captain America and Nick Fury. At least I assume it will be the character played by Chris Evans that meets Nick Fury rather than Chris himself. 

3) Just like the Thor post credits scene featuring Loki, Fury, and the Cosmic Cube, this scene will be directed by Avengers director Joss Whedon.

I guess I will stick around. 

Onscreen History of Captain America

Although Captain America: The First Avenger is set to position the Cap within the big screen Marvel movie universe, this will not be Captain America's first tour of duty. First appearing in 1941's Captain America Comics #1, Steve Rogers AKA Captain America is one of Marvel's oldest superheroes with a history of popping up onscreen throughout his 70 years.

The patriotic pummeler made his onscreen premier in the 1944 Captain America movie serials, though sadly he appeared without his now iconic shield.

In all the highly regarded 15-chapter serial had to hold fans of Cap over for more than 20 years until his next appearance.

In 1966, Captain America got his own night each week as part of The Marvel Super Heroes which adapted various Marvel storied directly from the comics.

In addition to giving Cap's mighty shield some screen time, the Captain America segments also provided a platform for the onscreen introduction of The Avengers.

In 1979, Captain America appeared in a made for TV movie which seemed a bit reactionary to the success of the live action Wonder Woman series. Although he was called Captain America, Steve Rogers was the son of a WWII agent who was nicknamed Captain America. He underwent a similar treatment of super soldier serum, and was recruited as a modern day agent with a tricked out motorcycle. His shield was in fact also the windshield on his bike.

Cap scored a follow-up TV movie in 1979 with Captain America II: Death Too Soon with a slightly more traditional costume... There was no Captain America III.

In 1981, Captain America returned to animation, spicing up the solo Spider-Man series episode, The Capture of Captain America along with nemesis Red Skull.

Cap also joined Spidey in several episodes of Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends.

The super soldier even inspired a little hero worship from Iceman at the Spidey and Friends costume ball (at which Spidey went as Spidey).

In 1985, Captain America did his duty by starring in a public service announcement warning against energy wasters the Thermal Thief, the Wattage Waster and the Cold Air Crook.

In 1990, Captain America did not return to the big screen. Although movie was made, it was not released theatrically in the US due to its poor production value. Even though the Red Skull was Italian, at least this Captain America was an actual WWII soldier. The movie was eventually found on home release.

An extended directors cut was planned to coincide with the 2011 live action Captain America: The First Avenger movie. Ironically, making the movie shorter, not longer, may have been the better improvement.

Captain America made the rounds during Marvel animations heyday in the 90's, first appearing in the 1992 X-Men series along with Wolverine in a WWII flashback episode, Old Soldiers.



An alternate version of Cap and his Avengers appeared in the episode One Man's Worth which depicted a modern day in a world without Professor X.

Cap also threw his shield in a few episodes of the 1994 Spider-Man animated series including one of the series final stories arcs retelling the Secret Wars.

The less said about 1999's The Avengers: United They Stand series the better, but even though Captain America was prominently featured in the title credits, he only appeared in a single episode, Command Decision with the C-string Avengers.

Although Marvel rolled out many of their heroes including the X-Men, Fantastic Four, Iron Man, Spidey, and Hulk, a Captain America series never moved beyond the planning stages.

Nevertheless, a promo for a Captain America series was produced in which Steve Rogers was a cover name for US Army soldier Tommy Tompkins.

In 2000, the X-Men: Evolution revisited the story of Wolverine and Captain America teaming up in the good ol' World War 2 days in Operation Rebirth in which the two combined efforts to save a young Magneto.

In 2006, Captain America got a real spotlight in the Ultimate Avengers movie which began during the second World War.

The movie continued to follow Captain America through his modern day thawing and a showdown with an engaged and inedible Hulk.

Captain America returned with his teammates later in 2006 in Ultimate Avengers 2: Rise of the Panther.

Although Captain America was only briefly mentioned in 2008's Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow, James Rogers, love child of Captain America and Black Widow is one of the film's primary kid heroes.

James had a force field version of Captain America's iconic shield.

In addition, the heroes ended up facing off against the Iron Avengers including a robotic Captain America.

Marvel Studio's first three live-action films contained Captain America Easter Eggs. In 2008's Iron Man Captain America's shield can be glanced on a table in Tony Stark's workshop.

In an even better hidden "egg" in a deleted scene of 2008's The Incredible Hulk, eagle eyes can spot Captain America frozen in a glacier along with his shield.



Finally, in 2010's Iron Man 2, a proto Captain America made a slightly more visible cameo once again in Tony Stark's workshop.

Captain America has also appeared in The Super Hero Squad Show in which he has been depicted as a leader who rambles about the 30s and 40s Grandpa Simpson style.

Most recently, Captain America has joined The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes as a key team member.

The super soldier will next appear in Captain America: The First Avenger hopefully giving the hero some much deserved live-action dignity.

Watch Captain America Throw His Mighty Shield

Call me a sucker for supers, but this is latest Captain America trailer is looking pretty impressive, well, at least after emaciated Cap gets beefed up. Looks like another winner.

Captain America: First Avenger, Last Hero of the Summer

Lest anyone forget, one hero has yet to debut on the big screen this Summer. This new poster is set to remind us. Will Marvel once again catch lightning in a bottle and launch yet another franchise with the Cap, or will superhero fatigue set in for general audiences? Either way, its been a good year to be a fan of superheroes.