Peter Parker: The Relatable One
From billboards in New York's Times Square to toy stores, book shelves and even music stores, Marvel Comics' flagship character seems to be everywhere as fans await the latest Spider-Man movie. However, Spider-Man's enduring popularity has little to do with his ability to climb walls, his super-human strength, or his somewhat creepy-yet-cool costume.
Fans have loved Spider-Man because he has trouble paying his rent. He was not the most popular guy in school and does not always get the girl. …
Ultron: The Rise of Rogue AI
Ultron walks into a bar, and orders a drink. The bartender says, “We don’t serve robots!”. Ultron replies, “You will.”
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a reliable theme in science fiction. In the Avengers: Age of Ultron, the AI arises from one of several alien Infinity Stones, with a bit of dabbling by Tony Stark and Bruce Banner, who are trying to protect the planet from potential invaders. The evil AI, named Ultron, seizes on a directive to protect the planet …
Marvel Ranked - Your definitive guide to each and every film
It's your definitive ranked guide to Marvel's filmography, starting at the beginning of Phase 1 in 2008 with Iron Man, all the way through to Doctor Strange released this year.
To coincide with the release of the @AIComicPod's 1 year anniversary pod, Rory Greenfield, Stuart Bridson and Gags Tandon rank each and every Marvel release. No doubt it's been a challenge with the quality available, we really are spoilt for choice.
If you fancy listening to us talk about our rankings …
Superman: Our Jewish Hero
Superman's real name is Kal-El, son of Jor-El. The suffix El means “of God” in Hebrew, with Kal-El defined as “Voice of God”. Before Krypton's doom, Kal-El's parents put him in a Moses-like basket, sending him down the Nile of intergalactic space until he landed safely on Earth. Superman and Moses relied on their faith in the kindness of strangers and both had sets of parents who chose to send their sons into the unknown. This all sounds a bit …
V for Vendetta: Terrorism Justified??
In thinking my next idea for writing I wanted to a full length Alan Moore article and then thought better of it because his body of work is astonishing. What I will do is break down some of his finest works ever and hope that you appreciate him as much as I do. The first one I wanted to tackle is Moore's classic graphic novel "V for Vendetta". I know Stu and Rory already talked about the movie in a …
A Batman Family Secret?
I know, I know this isn't worth my time to read. The writer is just making up a bullshit theory blah, blah, blah. Give me 10 minutes of your time and let me explain.
For 80 years, Batman and Joker have punched and laughed their way into the greatest rivalry in comics. This have been countless stories written about the two but one that has been hinted about in comic book and movie lore. The Joker is Batman's brother.... Don't …
Sympathy for the Devil: Daredevil and Depression
I could write a puff piece about Matt Murdock (aka Daredevil) and tell you his background, creation, favourite books, TV show, etc... but I thought I would write something different though, something worth talking about even if it doesn't quite make everyone comfortable.
Matt Murdock is a blind lawyer in Manhattan's Hells Kitchen section who, in his downtime, dons a scarlet suit and fights crime as Daredevil. Most are familiar with him at this point because of the amazing Netflix …
Console to Cinema - Halo
The world of gaming is hugely diverse and immersive from the cute and fun to dark and depressing there is a game out there for everyone. The amount of detailed story that the industry churns out on a yearly basis you’d expect the transition from console to cinema would be a smooth one, well it isn’t.
Huge titles such as Halo and Metal Gear Solid have been expected to make their silver screen debut, but most seem to get stuck …
Heroic Ethics: Spider-Man, My Idol
I wrote this in part for Kaylon Karrim and his inquisitive mind! A huge part of Anfield Index and a guy I call a friend.
Looking back over the three categories of normative ethics under philosophy - Virtue, Duty and Consequential - what fails to emerge is a clear-cut, definitive category that encompasses what we think of when we think of a superhero. Each category has heroes who adhere to its principles but also is easy to criticize each category …
Supergirl: Another Dumb Blonde in Comics?
With the start of the Supergirl series, season two in fact, I thought I would focus on Superman's cousin. She is actually older than the Man of Steel which many don't realize. Most depictions of her are of a tiny doe-eyed blonde who most fan-boys can only dream of meeting! She's much more than just a fantasy for comic book fans.
First appearing in Superman #123 in August of 1958 she was created by Otto Binder and Al Plastino. Originally …