From Iron Man to Infinity War - Marvel’s Journey to World Domination

From Iron Man to Infinity War - Marvel’s Journey to World Domination

After initially struggling financially, Marvel released Iron Man in 2008. This was the pre-Disney Marvel, still weighed down by deals done to release Spider-Man and X-Men to Sony and Fox respectively. These stories were arguably their most marketable intellectual properties, and it was to be that they wouldn’t stand to make further money (initially purchase aside) from them for quite some time. Pre-Disney, Marvel realised they needed something new. That’s when the idea for a Marvel Cinematic Universe came about. …
AI Comic Pod Awards 2016

AI Comic Pod Awards 2016

As the year draws to a close, it seems only fitting to write one last article and it will sum up our recent 2016 Awards podcast and the accompanying Twitter polls as promised. A huge thank you to everyone who has taken the time to vote and share these polls, your engagement is so appreciated and there's been some great debate about these results which is what we want! We hope to do more interactive episodes like this in the future …
Ultron: The Rise of Rogue AI

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

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 …
Heroic Ethics: Spider-Man, My Idol

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 …
Marvel vs DC in cinema | A story of the Tortoise Vs the Hare

Marvel vs DC in cinema | A story of the Tortoise Vs the Hare

A war rages, two powerhouses of cinema are vying for your attention, both striving to outdo one another. Their aim, to win the hearts, minds and wallets of comic lovers the world over. Can the young pretender (DC Warner Brothers), wrestle the mantle from the experienced veteran (Disney Marvel)? Early signs point to no, but you can bet your life they'll throw everything at it. The key however is, will they do it wisely? Will they find financial and critical …
Iron Man: Battling The Cold War And The Bottle

Iron Man: Battling The Cold War And The Bottle

Created by Stan Lee and introduced in Tales of Suspense #39 (1963), Iron Man was originally created as a Cold War hero determined to protect Americans and defend the world from Communism. He was to explore America’s role in technology and business in the fight against communism. In early 60’s stories of Iron Man he fought villains like the Mandarin, Red Barbarian, and the Crimson Dynamo. All Cold War political battles, as he was the next war hero after Captain …