The Marvel Universe Welcomes Another Doctor

While DC might be squirming under the loss of an actor in one of their upcoming films this week, Marvel is welcoming an actor into their universe. David Tennant--most notably known for his role in the long running British series Doctor Who as the Tenth Doctor-- has been cast for the upcoming Marvel/Netflix joint venture project A.K.A. Jessica Jones. Proving that Marvel has a thing for timelords (I don't blame them), having previously cast Christopher Eccleston (Ninth Doctor) in Thor: The Dark World as Malekith.

UK fans have long since enjoyed the Scottish actor in his many stage productions as part of the Royal Shakespeare Company and other theaters (Hamlet, Richard II, Much Ado About Nothing), countless TV appearances including: Doctor Who, Broadchurch (Gracepoint in the US), Casanova, Blackpool and such film credits as: Fright Night, How to Train Your Dragon, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, The Decoy Bride.

So what does Marvel have in store for it's fans? Tennant bathed in purple. Yes, you read that correctly. He has been cast to play a major villain opposite the show's heroine Jessica Jones--Krysten Ritter, Don't Trust the B**** in Apartment 23 and Breaking Bad. Tennant will play the Purple Man, real name Zebediah Killgrave. Killgrave has the uncanny ability to control people's minds by way of pheromones he produces and the power to heal himself. Oh, and he also happens to have a purple skin tone as his name would suggest. Now, how purple Marvel plans to make the former timelord turned Jessica's blast from the past super villain, is yet to be seen.

For those of you unfamiliar with A.K.A. Jessica Jones. The series centers around Jessica Jones, a super hero whose short-lived and tragic career has left the young woman trying her hand at detective work in New York City. She often finds herself enthralled in cases involving people with special abilities which of course makes it hard for her to put her super hero past behind her and start anew. Think Super Girl meets Veronica Mars (for lack of a better reference).

This is the second of two Marvel related shows that Netflix is premiering, the first being Daredevil. The two Marvel characters do share a connection (in the comics) and a villain. So it makes sense that Marvel and Netflix would tackle these two series together.

I can hardly wait to binge watch both. But until then, I look forward to seeing who else is announced to round-out the cast along side Ritter, Tennant, and Mike Colter (Luke Cage).

Welcome to the Marvel Universe Doctor!

Suicide Squad Loses It's Flagg

I was racking my brain for a topic to write about tonight. It's been a week since my last blog post and that is far too long. But, I was not coming with anything. So what is a girl to do? Go to Google! When an idea is lacking, it's sometimes just easier to browse the web until you strike gold. I haven't been keeping up with super hero movie news, aside from the breaking trailers buzzing all around the interwebs.

So imagine my surprise when one of the first articles I come across happens to be an update on the DC based Suicide Squad movie. You will recall, Suicide Squad is a DC Comics movie set for 2016 surrounding various DC villains which announced his main cast a couple months back. It is now another update to it's cast with has caught my interest. Tom Hardy (from Dark Knight Rises, Inception and Warrior fame) has backed out of the movie vacating the role of Rick Flagg.

This is supposedly due to rumors that the new script is focused heavily on the Joker, considered a "guest star" of the movie, rather than it's title characters. But then, as stated it is a rumor and it's entirely possible that he left the movie for another reason.

Personally, his leaving the film is neither here nor there for me. I don't know much about the Suicide Squad or the Rick Flagg character. Would he have made a good Rick Flagg? I guess we'll never know. But this will open it up for someone who doesn't already have a DC movie under their belt to give it a shot. I think I actually prefer that better. It will be interesting to see who they find to replace him.

Birthday Musings

Here I sit, a hotel room in Flagstaff, Arizona, watching Top Gun (Yes, I feel the need...the need for speed). It's gone from the eve prior to my birthday, during the course of this movie, to being the day I escaped the womb. Literally, emergency C-section to keep me from being deprived of oxygen, but as crazy scary of a start to life as that was--28 years later life is pretty great. I'm able to enjoy a lovely birthday weekend partially away from home. 

Even a short trip out of town, up north, is a wonderful getaway. A chance to relax and unwind--it makes such a difference compared to staying at home. It's funny how that works, even though you could have the day off and spend the whole day inside the house doing nothing--you're never as well rested then when you go to some place different.

We're heading back today, so with that in mind, I should probably get to sleep (Especially since I also just watched Six Days & 7 Nights, while writing this as well). I just wasn't tired, probably all the coffee I had earlier. The plan is a birthday breakfast at The Galaxy Diner before we head back down to Phoenix. I'm not sure what the plan will be for the rest of the day yet. Sunday I have a get together planned, which is looking a bit slim in attendance but I didn't want to do anything too big. Much later on Sunday, I'm going to go to a bar that does karaoke. If there's one thing I definitely want to do during my birthday weekend...it's drink with friends and sing rock songs until my throat bleeds (ok, that may be slightly over exaggerating, but at least until it's sore). It's going to be awesome.

So on that note...happy birthday to me! Goodnight!

Discover Your Inner Geek at Phoenix Comicon!

Yesterday marked the beginning of the annual volunteer meetings for Phoenix Comicon. As far as first meetings go, it was impressively packed. Late comers were asked to listen to the meeting from out in the hallway because there was not enough seating. It's a good problem to have. I don't recall any previous year where we had this many people turn out for the very first meeting. It is a testament to the ever growing popularity of Phoenix Comicon and the increased willingness of folks wanting to give their time to making this such an awesome convention. It made me happy to see such a great turnout of volunteers.

I believe I may have mentioned it before, but I volunteer for Phoenix Comicon, as a coordinator for the Photo Booth. I'm a big fan of Phoenix Comicon, both as a volunteer and a geek. Prior to 2012, I had never attended the convention and so I was experiencing it for the first time by working it. It was fast pace and at times a bit stressful, but it was fun and an exciting atmosphere to be among so many people. I enjoyed it so much that this will be my 4th year in a row and I can hardly wait for that one weekend every year.

If you haven't guess it yet, Phoenix Comicon is a highlight in my year. But it's not just important to me, many others share those same sentiments. I work with some great people and have made some great friends at Comicon. We share common likes whether they be: comics, movies, TV shows, games. Then we take that enthusiasm and share it with thousands of people.

The best part: you don't have to geek out about the same thing as everyone else to feel included. Everyone is accepting and accepted, just there to have a genuine good time. You can meet a celebrity you've been a fan of for years, or become a fan of them by meeting them. You can buy comics and artwork or books and merchandise, supporting hardworking creators by doing so. You can dress up as your favorite character and get complimented by being asked to have your picture taken. There is something for everyone, young and old, at Phoenix Comicon. It's a family event, it's a networking event, it's a pop culture extravaganza.

Our previous motto was: to be the pop culture event of the Southwest. While it was a great motto, we've already achieved that and really it's more than that. Everyone has something that they love, that they're passionate about but may have felt like they did not have a place where they could express it. Phoenix Comicon is such a place--where you can add to your sonic screwdriver collection, get photos with Stormtroopers and Ghost Busters, spend hours sitting in rooms listening to favorite authors or actors discuss all sorts of things, meet up with old friends, make new friends, introduce a new generation to the things you grew up with...you can discover your inner geek.

It Has Begun!

No, not an ultimate martial arts battle to the death with a weird four-armed dude. That's next week, make sure you bring your own lightning god.

I am in fact referring to two very different occurrences: the return of favorite TV shows (the shows are back in town! You're welcome for that ear worm) and the return of Phoenix Comicon meetings (preparations and recruiting for the big show in May).

Today ends the hiatus of two Fox TV shows, Gotham and Sleepy Hollow. With the return of Gotham, we will begin to see what new adventures await our ousted detective Jim Gordon in the dark setting of Arkham Asylum. While Sleepy Hollow, picks up where our heroes Ichabod Crane and Abby Mills will have to deal with the repercussions of Henry having slain Moloch. 

Beyond that, we have the all new premier of Marvel's Agent Carter tomorrow, as Agent's of Shield is still on hiatus. Agent Carter of course referring to Agent Peggy Carter, founder of Shield and Captain America's old flame. I've been looking forward to this one. Yesterday marked the premier of the four-week musical extravaganza that is Galavant. I'm enjoying it so far and I have three words for you: Timothy Omundson's beard. That is all. Supernatural will be back on January 20th and The Walking Dead is due back in the beginning of February (the 9th, if I'm not mistaken).

Now to shamelessly plug my favorite geeky hobby/job, Phoenix Comicon. I spent all day Saturday with my fellow geeky coordinators our managers and directors plus our head honcho, the director of Phoenix Comicon--at a Leadership Retreat, where we discussed the successes of last year as well as what things we can continue to improve upon. It was a long day, but fun--reconnecting and catching up with our team and other folks from different departments. While the leadership retreat marks the beginning of the countdown clock for the leadership of Phoenix Comicon, the true countdown will begin at the first all hands meeting this Saturday, January 10th. So, dear readers, if you live in the Phoenix area and want to be a part of the pop culture experience of the Southwest, come on out. New volunteer orientation is at 9:15am (where info is given out on all the different departments) and the official meeting starts at 10:00am. The meeting usually lasts until about 12:00pm. This will be the only meeting for January and will continue again in February. I guess there's this sports type thing happening in between called the Super Bowl and is sort of a big deal. So folks will be busy with that, harrumph. I'm just kidding, sports fans, our city is hosting said sporting event...so that's good.

I am happy to be returning to my role of Photo Booth Coordinator for the fourth year in a row with a lot of the same people--we've had very little attrition on our team, except for a new manager. Apparently, last's year con broke the old manager. So our Onsite Tech Manager accepted a lateral move to become our Photo Booth Manager. He's a nice guy, easy to work with and he knows how to lead (needless to say we're pretty excited). He will finally break the curse, the Photo Booth Manager position has not been held by the same person for more than a year in over four years. Basically, it's our Defense Against the Dark Arts position. But the good news, he's already had the manager role of Photo Booth for a smaller show, so I've got high hopes.

Anyway, that's all which is fit to print for now. Farewell dear readers. 

Let Old Acquaintance...Oh You Know How It Goes

This is officially my first blog post of the new year, 2015. While my posts towards the end of the previous year were...sparse, this marks a new beginning to the continued effort that is this blog. The holidays are always a busy time even more so when you take on a second job for the season. It limits the time you have to focus on extra curricular activities (to coin a school phrase for lack of a better one). Although, I guess a more apt term would be passion. This blog is a passion of mine, one I enjoy and intend to keep going. 

My first New Year's Resolution (not randomly generated by a Facebook app) is related to this blog. It's to keep it updated more often, like it was in the beginning, and with more content. I try to keep up to date on all the "geek" news that interests me but it's been very Marvel focused so far and there is so much more out there. Superheroes are great as are the shows and movies dedicated to them but I'm leaving out other interests, such as: Astronomy (Space & NASA), Astro Physics (Stephen Hawking, Carl Sagen, Neil Degrasse Tyson, Brian Cox), Science, Science Fiction, etc.

So, stay tuned dear readers for new and exciting things. 2015 is going to be a great year!