#I don’t know if I ever mentioned this but I’m a huge Spider-Man fan btw 😭

[joker-daughter]

That's the worst thing for me I think : even the hypothetical / in development projects sound like mistakes to me 😭 like it's THAT bad

I need to rant a little

I liked spider-man as a fun blockbuster movie when I was younger but I think the production and writers are not handling the character well. He portrayed him at the best of his abilities and overall, people liked what he did. From a creative pov, it's not stimulating. NEXT

Uncharted was fun to show off his movie star status but it's just so.. bland. Ruben has no vision as a director, CGI looks ass (no fault to the workers but just the state of CGI for Sony movies these days). Can't stand Mark. Dialogues are boring and the treasure hunter genre is so outdated. NEXT

I read some pages of the Winner here and there and it doesn't sound interesting, it's giving CW drama. The comparison to Challengers will be endless. NEXT

I think we moved past the need for Biopics. But that's my personal taste. NEXT

again

[imnotgoinghome]

Peter Parker

Peter Parker, the famous Spider-Man. While being an Avenger seems cool, he got teased a lot for being a cinnamon roll. He can also be an idiot sometimes, hope someone can put up with him. I know the Avengers can’t, most of the time.

Series:

FYI: They all go to the main pages of the series, you’ll find the chapters there

Alive or Just Breathing? - I would like to warn y’all now; this will be a series, marking my first series ever. Hope y’all enjoy this. Also, this is a sad story with what I hope to make a somewhat happy ending but I haven’t decided yet…

Peter Parker didn’t have an easy job. And after a while, him being gone tended to take a toll on the people he loved . After getting into a fight, he begins to wonder if he can fix your already broken relationship or if it’s coming to an end for good.

Blurs:

True love - Yes, this is based off the song by Pink (ligit includes lyrics). Not gonna lie, it’s not great but it’s fun, sooo…

Peters way of cheering you up is different then you expected

Time flies when your in love -This one was just wrote in a short amount of time, so it’s not great but I still kinda like

One simple bump in the shoulder can lead to so much more

Peto Burrito - Y’all really liked this one, I’d say fan favorite?

Peters always cute, even when he’s sad

A Sleepover with Secrets - I wrote this one a long time ago and it always cracks me up that I never thought of a summary for it and ligit just made it a quote from the story

“Can I tell you something”

She was wrong - Death is implied. Do with that information what you will. Once again with the quote summary thing, like is it that hard to make a summary?

“I can’t believe she’s really gone”

Crushing - Yes this has a part 2. Are you surprised? The part two wasn’t originally planned, but I’m kinda glad it happened. Third times a charm with the quote.

“You’ve never felt that way about someone?”

The Letters that Meant Nothing - Please just go read the first one (Crushing), then this, makes it easier on me… but I can’t control you so do whatever you want

Brad Davis was determined to get you to go out with him, will letters work?

The Past, the Future, and the Present - Based on a request by oyasumimosura. Also, just FYI, this is more about you then you and Peter. I think Peters mentioned like 5ish times, not 100% sure tho.

The powers you never wanted, caused the things you never wanted to happen

Physically Close - Thank you prompt list. This is definitely a fan favorite. Once AGAIN with the quote. And I’m not kidding when I say the “summary” is what inspired the whole story.

“Y/n, I physically can’t get any closer to you, it’s impossible”

PDA - I’m gonna say it now, if you don’t like PDA, just don’t read it. I mean it’s not bad, but I know some people don’t like it. So if your one of those people and you read this, just keep in mind that I tried to warn you

PDA had never been your thing, but you’ll accept Peters

The Pictures on Your Phone - Btw, in the beginning, I set it up like you were in a place like Main Event or a place like that. But honestly, imagine what you want to.

After finding pictures taken by you on his phone, Peter realizes that his feelings aren’t what he thought they were

Against All Stereotypes - I completely thank my brain (and Pinterest) for this. I hope you guys like it, and I’m well aware that I suck at posting on time but it’s fine

Who would have thought of a Nerd and a Popular Girl being friends?

I Think I Like This Story - For the people wondering, not this I’m not a part of my story ‘Alive or Just Breathing’. Chapter 3 is in the works, trust me but right now I just need a break from thinking about it. It’s not easy for me to write sometimes and I know I just came back from a HUGE writers block, but sometimes we just needs break, ya know? I also have been on vacation so that’s one reason why Chapter 3 Isn’t out yet, but I’ll get working on it soon, trust me. Anyways, hope you guys like this story. It’s just a cute short little blur but I think it’s cute and I hope you guys will too.

With overwhelming stress and anxiety, all you wanted was to get away. But what you failed to realize, was that this get away wasn’t going to end like the rest.

Holiday Specials:

Christmas but 10 Times Better - I know it’s been awhile, but I’ve been in serious writers block!!! So I hope you guys like it!

Christmas was a special time of year, but you had someone who made it ten times better

[hellzyeahthewebwieldingavenger]

Amazing Spider-Man v5 #30/831 Thoughts

I really enjoyed it but there are some tiny issues.

There are two kinda sorta continuity errors that I have to get out of the way up top.

The first one isn’t as severe as I thought. Reading it on the train home I thought Spencer had made a huge mistake when he recreated the scene of Harry’s coming home party. Namely that Aunt May was there. From my recollections that wasn’t the case. But getting the pages from the original issue (ASM #105 btw) side by side with this I discovered I was mistaken and in a huge way no less.

Not only was Aunt May there but about 95% of the whole scene plays out identically to ASM #105. Seriously even the placement of Randy and Gwen, seen from behind in the original issue, is the same.

Even the dialogue is near identical, there are very few additions to it and the changes are essentially minor, saying the same things with some tweaks to the wording.

There is that annoying 5% though, however since the scene is clear from Peter’s memory it’s entirely possible (especially since he’s in the middle of a fight) that he’s misremembering some details. Case in point Gwen’s got her iconic headband in the flashback which is absent in the original issue, and her hair is noticeably shorter. If intentional this would be a brilliant conveyance of the tricks memory plays upon us. If unintentional, hey it’s easily No. Prized and not a big deal.

The more significant error is more to do with characterization. Peter makes the point that he feels guilty and responsible for Absolute carnage because he brought the Venom symbiote to Earth….buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuut David Michelinie himself did a story all about that towards the end of his ASM run. In said story a drugged Spidey does briefly believe this, but then when the drugs wear off essentially disavows this. He’ll still fight the symbiotes of course but he refutes that every evil act Venom and Carnage commit are his fault merely because he brought the symbiote to Earth without knowing what it was.

Again, you can No. Prize it somewhat.

Moving on this issue is very interesting in regards to it’s existence as a tie-in.

As an Absolute Carnage chapter it currently doesn’t seem particularly essential.

And yet Spencer uses it to propel his own story along. I mean honestly who’d have thought you’d get major movement on the Kindred subplot in an Absolute Carnage tie-in?????

In this sense Spencer demonstrates how you can turn a forced tie-in to your own advantage.

Not only do we get major clues regarding Kindred (see this really great post to look at some of those).

but we also get a pretty great examination of Norman Osborn. It’s not comprehensive but for the angle it’s going for it’s very much on the money. It acknowledges Norman as the worst of the worst and cleverly uses his current status quo to the story’s advantage.

We contrast Norman’s prior dominance and scare factor with the depths he’s been reduced to at the start of the story whilst also depicting him as technically more powerful than ever before, able to physically dominate Spider-Man with ease. And all the while emphasising the point that Norman won against Spider-Man years ago because of the emotional scars he inflicted, with the dialogue playing out in tandem to Norman’ physically beating Peter too.

That’s making lemonade out of lemons right there!

Now are Kindred’s words accurate about how Norman won against Spidey years ago?

Yes and no.

A point I bring up time and again to jackoffs who are either fans of other villains or for whatever reason hate Norman on principle and denigrate his feats, is that Norman doesn’t merely want to kill Spider-Man.

Norman in essence has primary and secondary objectives in regards to his conflicts with Spider-Man and fulfilling any of them counts as a win of somekind in his book.

Yes he wants to kill Spider-Man but more significantly he wants to break his spirit. On these fronts Norman acknowledges and is frustrated by his thus far failure. The fact that Peter remains heroic, remains having a fulfilling life for himself in spite of every nasty thing Norman and other people have done to him enrages Norman.

However Norman is if nothing else, sadistic. And for him inflicting a scar, especially an emotional one, is itself a form of victory. In PPSM #75 although Norman is frustrated that the Clone Saga hasn’t broken Peter’s spirit and that he cannot outfight Peter he vocalizes to Peter that killing Ben Reilly was still a win for him and even as he was caught up in a huge explosion he laughed about having still won because he took away Peter and MJ’s baby. In the bonus pages to that story in the trade releases he mentions how things turned out quite nicely, even though he didn’t actually beat Peter.

From the point of view of scarring Peter for life of inflicting wounds he has to live with Norman absolutely did win a long time ago. This is conveyed in the story by Peter dredging up memories in response to Norman’s presence, memories that by rights should be happy but are in fact painful BECAUSE of how Norman has tainted his life. He has of course killed Flash, Gwen, kind of killed Harry and hurt himself and MJ. It’s just a great use of classic continuity and an issue rarely revisited at that.

I also sort of like the idea of Norman being scary because he represents the cynicism of aging and the illusion of optimistic youth. Now that does kind of smack of ‘Spider-Man is about youth!’ but I dunno if that was Spencer’s intention. It’s a nice idea nevertheless as Norman in Spider-Man always represents a kind of dark father figure, not necessarily always to Peter specifically but in general. So Norman’s age is definitely an important component to who he is.

Spencer in (I think) putting all that across demonstrates that he gets this often misunderstood character.

The Kindred stuff itself is interesting as we see another side to him, see how personal this is and how a chance encounter has set him off. We have confirmed he’s modelled himself after Norman, which might be in reference to his look or his general attitude. It should be noted that his outfit does have shades of the Goblin, especially the hood.

Let’s switch over to the art.

Ottley is back and everything looks great especially Carnage!...but...I’m afraid his rendition of the V-man leaves something to be desired. I dunno what it is, maybe I’m just too used to seeing Venom drawn by Stegman at this point, but Ottley’s take doesn’t quite work for me. I think it’s something to do with the eyes.

One final little problem is regarding Normie.

I brought this up in my thoughts post about Absolute Carnage #1 but it bears repeating...does Normie know who Spider-Man is?

I only skimmed Red Goblin because...y’all know why...but I don’t recall Normie learning the truth about Peter so with that said Pete half unmasking to him seems odd if the kid doesn’t know.

I did like merely seeing Normie and acknowledging he’s Peter’s godson though as it’s something I’m annoyed went ignored for so long.

Over all another great issue with some slight problems but highly recommended.

[scrawnydutchman]

Why “Super Best Friends Play” is the Hypest Let’s Play Channel on Youtube

Let’s players are a popular, albeit divisive lot on youtube. On one hand, many go on record saying the Let’s Play format is cheap, lazy and maybe even a bit exploitative, as when it comes down to it it’s basically just some random people playing a game you could play yourself instead. On the other hand, many others love Let’s Players because they think there’s something endearing about seeing other people experience the things you love in their own unique way and it’s a very down to earth way to get to know some of your favorite online personalities. So where do I land on this? Well, I think Let’s Play is like any other format in that there’s a right and wrong way to do it. If you fall into basic tropes you can tend to blend in with other generic personalities in your field. If you do it, you gotta have a charm and an appeal that really stands out and can grow a dedicated fan base if not a particularly large one. That’s where Super Best Friends come in. I’ve been following the shenanigans of Matt, Pat & Woolie (and for a time Liam) ever since I first saw the Machinima episode on Spider-Man games I’ve had years of entertainment that both genuinely intrigues me on some solid game design and makes me laugh to tears. The Best Friends Zaibatsu are some of the earliest pioneers of the “group” format of Let’s Play in the same vain as Game Grumps, Achievement Hunter and Funhaus, where the appeal is not in a single persons interaction with a game but in a groups interaction with both the game and each other. It reignites the feelings of playing alongside a good friend and having some laughs fucking around with a videogame. But even with the charming concept of watching some good friends bond over their love for media, it wouldn’t work if important elements weren’t in play. Super Best Friends Play is the hypest Let’s Play channel on youtube for the following reasons: They have distinct likable personalities, they give genuinely interesting insight on the games they play, they’re downright hilarious, they genuinely put in effort for their presentation and they use their means to hugely benefit other communities.

Likable Personalities

The format of group let’s play is arguably a completely different ballpark than just doing a let’s play by yourself because it conveys a different challenge. The challenge is to be entertaining as part of a group, NOT to be funny on your own. It’s easier said than done because there are many cases in which one member receives way too much attention or another is becoming increasingly toxic. It’s why removing and adding new members to your group can be such a risky move for your fan communities; the chemistry of the group becomes completely different (Dan-era Game Grumps is an entirely different beast from Jon-era Game Grumps). Luckily the Best Friends have wonderful chemistry with each other that never gets old. Matt’s always the endearing leading man with the golden laugh, bottomless bag of Simpsons references and hilariously derailing one liners. Pat always brings his deadpan wit and sarcastic tone (and makes for a great straight man as a result). Woolie is the Zaibatsu’s hype man; knowing how to make any epic moment a million times better with his reactions. Former member Liam was often the quiet sensible one but when he got a laugh MAN was it a big laugh. They’re all such colliding personalities but they come together in such an endearing way that makes the whole experience lovable but not overbearing. These guys are a fundamental part of my sense of humor today. It’s the reason that unlike other let’s play series on Youtube the Zaibatsu let’s plays have great rewatch value. It also helps that they actually complete most of the playthroughs they start (cough *Game Grumps* cough). Whether they’re referencing old media, getting hype over a great game moment, laughing their asses off or are getting in stupid arguments (I recommend the “shitting pants” argument from the L.A. Noire series) watching the Best Friends is always a great time.

Great Insight on Games

So remember that old anti Let’s Play argument about how commentating over recorded game play is so easy anyone can do it? Well, I have a rebuttal. Yes, anyone can do it . . . that doesn’t mean everyone SHOULD do it. Aside from personality being a driving incentive for anyone to sit through a 10 minute video of some random person playing Detroit: Become Human, one would argue you should also present some knowledge of the game you’re playing. Otherwise it doesn’t matter what game you’re playing; there’s nothing distinguishing one let’s play series from another. Every episode of Conan O’Brien’s Clueless Gamer is just Conan’s unfunny improv set to canned audience laughter as he does a show out of necessity and not out of passion. Not knowing about the game can also cause other impeding issues such as the series taking forever to progress or the player becoming unlikable as they disregard fundamental aspects of the game (DarkSydePhil). When it comes to knowing something about the games they play, Super Best Friends not only express intoxicating passion for the medium but also express some applied knowledge on game design which makes for more interesting commentary. It’s very appropriate since the lot have been game testers on a number of titles. Whenever they have something to say about how to activate bugs, tight controls, decent polish on mechanics or even how well the games narrative is woven into the gameplay it teaches me a little more about how the medium works. They’re also clearly very passionate about their favorite franchises, such as Matt’s take on the Final Fight series above (I recommend you check out all of the Best Friends independent channels btw, which I will link to below):

Matt: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiP_FwGyJQ_6P8k5ON5mncQ

Pat: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpmNJI_KhjkpXw1UPmtC3-Q

Woolie: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyOJzQzyDGihKpTO3-zyhYg

Liam: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7zkWVkHBSMGpfHVgaFqr1A

They’re Downright Hilarious

I really don’t have a lot to say here. I know humor is largely subjective and these guys spout so many obscure references you may not even get a lot of them, but . . .goddamn . . I don’t think anybody on the entirety of Youtube has made me laugh as hard or as consistently as these guys. For the best of the best, I recommend their Spider-Man Machinima episode (my introduction to them), the Punch Out Outtakes (which oddly enough is funnier than the actual episode) Their L.A. Noire playthrough, Their Punisher Playthrough and their Gang Beasts Fisticuffs. You can see all you need to know about their chemistry, wit and delivery. Links to all below

Spider-Man: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gea09ImEtmM

Punch-Out!!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOwQXNxcRRM

L.A. Noire: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bPqjD_zg5g

Punisher: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wznGw9fJNCc

Gang Beasts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhFGjK_ZUEk

They Put In Effort For Their Presentation/They Largely Benefit Other Communities

*this is just one of many outstanding animated intros commissioned by Super Best Friends, courtesy of Volta Bass*

If there’s one thing I can always use as a defense for most Let’s Play internet celebrities, it’s that they use their means to really benefit other communities. Say what you want about Markiplier, but there’s a reason he was awarded celebrity of the year by the Make-a-Wish foundation. Say what you will about Ihascupquake but she played a fundamental role in launching Jaiden Animations very successful career. Needless to say the popularity of Let’s Players has had a hugely positive effect on countless communities and that’s something we could always use more of, especially in an age where a lot of role models are . . . not great.

Super Best Friends is not only a great example of this, but is probably the best example I can think of. Why? Because they do more to benefit both the indie game community and the animation community than any other let’s player despite being one of the smaller channels out there (criminally small I might add). T.E.C 3001, Skullgirls, Shovel Knight and Divekick ALL owe a great deal of their success to the Zaibatsu’s funding and influence and each game has some sort of mention of them attributed. Also, as an animator myself I HIGHLY appreciate the Zaibatsu for their regular employment of animation talent like 2Snacks, Plague of Gripes, CrankyConstruct and Volta Bass. Because of how much they hire such talent every new series has a stunningly gorgeous intro and outro for each episode. These guys are an indication that some Let’s Play Channels larger than them have to STEP UP THEIR GAME when it comes to hiring talent and making strides in the indie community. *P.S, if anyone in the Zaibatsu is reading this, I would be honored if you would have me do an animated intro/outro for a series. Just say the word and I’m there*. 

But their effort doesn’t stop at hiring other talent. They also do great in providing their own entertaining edited content. Just look at this intro they made for Saturday 

Morning Scrublords: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljDcHWHKueM&t=286s

One will notice this hilarious intro is a parody of their already amazing intro for Friday Night Fisticuffs. And this isn’t the only variation of the intro they’ve ever done either. That’s what I like about these guys the most; they’re genuinely passionate about being entertaining. They aren’t just let’s players; they do a little but of everything from sketches to animated adventures to podcasts to livestreams. You can tell they have a huge blast doing all of it.

In conclusion, if anyone wants to start a genuinely entertaining Let’s Play Channel, they ought to take some notes from the Best Friends. They’re great because they diversify, they put their money and time into making great content, they have solid insight, clear passion and they’re goddamn hilarious. For these reasons, they will always be the HYPEST LET’S PLAY CHANNEL ON YOUTUBE.

[stormblessedcastiel]

The MCU Generation

So I’ve been thinking about Marvel a lot lately. Specifically Infinity War. And I have some Feelings™, so I just thought I’d share. This is probably going to be long and super inaccurate and cringe-y, I don’t mean to offend anyone, but I just wanted to get it out of my system. BTW there will be lots of spoilers.

Iron Man was released in 2008, and many people including me consider it the true beginning of the cultural phenomenon that is the Marvel Cinematic Universe. I was eight years old when it came out, man that makes me feel old. I didn’t really know much about/pay attention to/care about superheroes much at that point, but my dad liked those kinds of movies so I had watched things like the Tobey Maguire spider man movies and Christopher Nolan’s batman movies (the first two were out at that time). They didn’t really hold much interest for me at the time. Iron man rolled around and dad seemed excited about it, but it still just seemed like another comic movie that the family would maybe re-watch if it were on TV or something. No big deal, right? Well, time went on and I started to hear talk about a bigger story. Iron man 2 came out when I was 10, and introduced nick fury and Natasha Romanoff. Still, I paid little mind to the film besides casually enjoying it like any other decent action film. Then came Thor. One year later, we got the first taste of the universe outside of Tony Stark, and that universe was much larger than I had anticipated. Looking back, the first Thor movie was definitely not the best superhero film ever made, but it did a lot of things right. Most importantly, it set the stage for more heroes who quickly joined ranks. It’s at this point that I feel the MCU really started to gain traction, at least from what I was hearing. My eleven-year-old self was beginning to view this collection of movies as something with potential, something to get excited about. In that same year, Captain America: The First Avenger hit the big screen. This is where I became truly and totally hooked. I don’t know what did it, but something about the story, the characters, or the message seemed to grab my full attention. This was the movie that had me craving the next installment. It probably helped that at about twelve years old I was starting to enter the social media world, if only in small doses. I discovered Pinterest and quickly realized that other people around my age (maybe a few years older) were talking about these movies, interacting with each other, making jokes and edits and headcanons. If I wasn’t invested in the MCU characters before then, that changed rapidly. Seeing other people’s takes on what the heroes thought or did off camera, speculation about subtext relationships, comparisons and continuations of themes from the comics, all mushed together to bring me closer to this Story than I had ever been before. So I was ready for Avengers. The Big One. The superhero movie that did what no superhero movie had done before. It brought together a cast from multiple movies into one glorious world-saving group. By this point, everyone could see that this franchise would make an impact. It truly was an entire universe, and we had just touched on the surface of this super team potential. Fans were everywhere; people at school, on the street, in commercials had their favorite heroes’ logo somewhere on their clothing or bag. There had never been (or I maybe just never noticed) such a widely spread media infatuation. 

Then came phase two. Iron man 3, Thor dark world, captain America winter soldier, guardians of the galaxy, age of Ultron, and ant man. These came out between my 13 and 16th birthdays. In my opinion (back then and now), none of these movies were quite up to par with those of phase one, but nostalgia may have already been clouding my judgement, even after just a few years. However, they did give us more characters to love, and also let us enjoy learning more about our old faves. I think this phase was Marvel kind of trying to find their footing in this huge undertaking they just opened up, trying to figure out how to write their stories now that they had to feel like they were in such a large universe?? I don’t know, it just feels like Phase One took place in a box the size of a fridge, and Phase Two now had to try (or at least start) to fill out an entire swimming pool. I was still excited with every new movie announcement and was happy to watch them, but after age of Ultron I feel like I lost a bit of steam. So much that I didn’t see Antman at all when it came out. It just didn’t seem worth it.

Phase Three. Civil War. I think this movie is the turning point for the MCU, into a much darker and somber tone. Inner conflicts among the avengers that have literally been boiling for years come to a head, we see so many characters in the same place, see their stories starting to turn in different directions from each other and we, as fans, are starting to get torn apart. Team Iron Man, Team Cap, and social media is stronger than ever, and more prevalent in my life. We don’t even get a solution at the end of the movie. It ends with both sides hurt, betrayed, and with no clue where to go from here, just like us viewers. It’s fair to say that I was re-invested in this universe once more. Though it hurt, I think Marvel needed to introduce some real, lasting damage to its characters. I feel like this movie took itself more seriously as well. That was 2016. After that, we got Dr. Strange, GotG volume two, Spiderman homecoming, Thor: Ragnarok, and Black panther. While these movies were not perfect either, I think they got a lot closer to what marvel wanted to make their universe feel like. They know what they’re doing now, and we fans got some great new characters out of it, along with a fun new take on some old ones (I’m looking at you, Mr. Waititi). I do want to mention a couple little things about some of these. Spiderman was worrisome for me, because the character had had two separate franchises in the last decade or so. That’s a pretty quick turnover. Let it be known that my fears have been quelled, and Tom Holland is my true Spiderman. (Tobey will hold a special place in my heart though. Sorry Andrew, better luck next time). AND THEN. The sensation that was Black Panther. This was when I was really getting into social media; tumblr, youtube, deviantart, all that jazz. It is also when I started college, so imagine that absolute upheaval of perspective. This movie was so important for minorities, and it caused such a stir just as my life was turned 180 degrees on its head. I didn’t know what to think. But I loved it.

Everything was going good. Marvel was hitting its stride again, life was changing, and my mind was expanding and finding out things that I had never considered before. I was 18 years old.

Then it happened. The one everyone had been waiting for for several years. “The endgame.” 

Infinity War.

Let me tell you what it was like when I sat down in the theater that cold spring day. I had heard whispered rumors. About loss, about death. I brushed them off as speculation, trying not to latch onto any spoilers. I wanted to be totally oblivious as to what was about to happen, so I could experience it as mine and only mine the first time. I sat down in that dark theater with my parents, brother, snacks, tissues, and blanket. Mind you, the tissues were for allergies that had been acting up the past few days. I never cried at movies. Never. The trailers played, my family and I whispered to each other about needing to keep an eye out for this or that film when it came out. Then the lights dropped to almost nothing. We settled in for the long haul as the Marvel logo began to play. You know the one, where it shows clips of the past movies, coming together to form the name of the company? Except this one said “MARVEL STUD10S.” Did you get that? There was a number 10 in the name. I was confused for a minute or so, until it dawned on me that the Marvel Cinematic Universe had been making movies for ten. years. More than half my life. I was still in elementary school when the first Iron Man came out. And now here I was, a year into college, about to watch characters that I had grown up with and come to love, in the movie that people were saying destroyed their souls. At that moment, I knew I was in trouble. I was right. Straight off the bat, we lost my favorite villain who really just needs a hug, one who really was instrumental in bringing the Avengers together in the first place. Loki Odinson, in his own words. Right up till the end, he was a trickster, but he loved his family. He and Heimdall were the first hard losses, though seeing all of Asgard torn to shreds was a wake-up call that no one was prepared for the utter destruction that had been avoided until this film. No more clean Disney kid-friendly-ness anymore. Throughout the movie, we got to see reunions, long-awaited meetings, even more characterization and growth (geez marvel, how did you even fit that in? This is the endgame movie? How are you still teaching us new things about these people?) torture, fighting. The tension to the final battle was mounting, and at some point it became clear to me that the Avengers would not be together when this threat arrived. And as anyone who has ever seen a horror movie can tell you, splitting up only leads to death. Now, here’s where my memory gets a little fuzzy. Things were happening so fast, switching from group to group of heroes trying desperately to stave off the destruction of everything we’ve ever known. Things are going wrong all over the place, no one knows where anyone else is or what they’re doing, people we love are fighting each other because they’ve never met before now. What I do remember is when we get to the fight on Titan. Half of the Guardians, Tony, Peter, Strange. Tensions are running high. When Thanos arrives, I have no Idea what’s about to happen. They start fighting, and we finally get a demonstration of some of the more amazing feats the Infinity Gauntlet can pull off. The upper hand swings back and forth so many times, but finally the heroes get their plan to work, they’ve got Thanos on the ground, the Gauntlet is almost off. And Quill… ruins it. What else can he do? He just found out that his love is dead. So he messes everything up. Thanos gets free, pummels everyone into the ground, and then… gets the stone. Strange gives up the stone, even though he swore he would let a child die before he would ever give up such a dangerous object. What the hell Strange???? Was my immediate reaction. I knew it had to be more than just some newfound compassion for these people he met a day ago (was it actually a day?? Has all of this only happened in one short day?) Obviously the doctor has a plan, but this still seems like the worst possible idea. Now to earth. We get some truly awesome moments here; Bucky and cap’s reunion, Shuri showing off her mad science skillz, epic fight moves against hordes of zombie lizards, Thor’s entrance, his little banter with Steve, “I am Groot” “I am Steve Rogers,” Scarlet Witch dropping in at the last second with that massive power move. Everything seems like it’s going ok, and then suddenly, its not. Everything drops so suddenly into Not OK Town that I can still feel the whiplash. People are scrambling to get to each other, calling for backup, getting knocked down and thrown around, and then Thanos makes his entrance. He practically wipes the floor with our remaining heroes. The only thing standing between the universe and total ruin is Wanda. I’ve been preparing for a scene like this the whole movie, but it didn’t hurt any less to finally see it. Vision begs Wanda to destroy the stone, to destroy him, we all know that she has to give in. That’s what heroes do. So she says goodbye to the man she loves and uses her power on him. Now I don’t know about you, but I feel like I’ve seen this scenario play out before. I’m expecting someone to get there at the last minute and just fricken’ knock Thanos out cold, or maybe discover that Shuri had enough time to basically detach the stone from Vision, even if it didn’t look like it. But no. Wanda destroys the mind stone and Vision actually dies at her hands. Even after all the death that’s already happened in this movie, I was still surprised and devastated.

But they couldn’t just end it like that, could they? Marvel Studios needs to drink every last drop of pain from their fans. 

Thanos moves back the clock. He takes the stone. Vision’s sacrifice was in vain, Wanda had to watch her love die for nothing. Nothing that anyone did made a difference. Since Avengers came out in 2012, these characters have been fighting to keep this evil at bay, to protect the stones, even before they knew it. And now none of it matters. Because Thanos the Mad Titan has all the infinity stones. It’s all over in my mind, I wait for the quintessential Villain Laugh™, the gloating, and then whatever evil thing Thanos has planned. But wait! Thor to the rescue with his brand-new hammer-axe! My heart leaps as he skewers the big purple raisin. He gets his revenge for Loki, for Heimdall, for all of Asgard, for us. Except. except. “You should have gone for the head.”

Wait,

snap. .

.

. My body is rigid and I can only stare unblinking in confusion at the screen. What’s going on? What did you do? WHAT DID YOU DO? Thanos disappears. Everything is quiet. “Where did he go?” Steve asks in confusion, mirroring all of our thoughts exactly.

“Steve?”

We see Bucky walking towards us, and then he just…. Dissolves. Into dust. what’s going on what was that My mind is sluggish. I don’t understand.

Wakandan warriors disappear in the wake of the battle. T’challa tries to help Okoye up but then he’s gone. Groot. Wanda. Sam. Mantis, Drax, Quill, Strange.

And oh god. 

“Mr. Stark? I don’t feel so good.”  Oh god no.  “I don’t know what’s happening, I don’t want to go, I don’t want to go, sir, please, I don’t want to go… I’m sorry.”

Gone.

Through this whole thing, it is silent. No music. Just emptiness, confusion, fear.

And that’s where we’re left. The audience is motionless. I do not cry at movies, but my throat is tight like a noose and my sleeves are soaked from wiping away tears.

Like all good Marvel fans, we remain still in our seats. I try to comprehend what just happened to me as the white credits scroll over a void and dramatic music accompanies them. We wait for our first end-credit scene. Instead, what we get is a fading of the music. Avengers: Infinity War shows from the center of the black screen, and a familiar melody plays. A few slow, simple notes on a piano. The triumphant theme of our heroes, earth’s mightiest protectors. It sounds lonely now. The last note plays, and the title dusts. And I almost scream.

If you’ve read this far, wow! Thank you for reading my absolute monstrosity of a garbage post! It’s been a few months now since Infinity War, and I’ve had time to think. What I figured out was this; when I’m older-old enough to be a parent myself-and looking back on my childhood, these are going to be the movies I remember like my dad remembers Star Wars. I was so lucky to be just the right age when this all started to enjoy every single one, and to remember experiencing them all for the first time. I was just the right age to forge a bond with the characters and their world. I think it was a special kind of bond that only occurs when you’re young but not too young, one that weaves webs of innocence and nostalgia through your most transformative years, and grows with you as you become a new person, and stays with you like a friend even as you see things so differently than when you first started out. What I’m trying to say is that I feel like I grew from child to adult just as the MCU did. We grew together. I don’t know if anyone my age feels the same, but these movies feel like the first big mainstream thing that really belongs to my generation. Like they came at the perfect time to shape me. It feels like they were made for me.

[hedgehog-goulash7]

Listen, Tony Stark Death Speculation Squad (heavily influenced by some clever yet by no means portentous Lion King comparison): It ain’t gonna happen.

Well, I should temper that - unless RDJ wants it to happen, for Tony Stark to go out with a dramatic flourish.

But - there’s absolutely no evidence you’re going to pry his fingers off Tony Stark at any point soon. I’d be more likely to think we hear at some point about him re-upping his MCU contract, possibly in a way to let him have the freedom to do more movies outside MCU.

RDJ loves the MCU, he’s in his happy place there, and he’s getting paid, one could say, very handsomely. They take care of him, and in return they know they have the MCU’s greatest cheerleader and most effective media spokesman on their side. They don’t want to lose him. He’s huge box office, and he can make these smaller appearances to help them introduce new characters to the ongoing saga. (For example: I personally have never watched any Spider-Man movie from end to end -- it was just not a character who ever interested me that much onscreen, “Marvel’s greatest hero” or not. [I read the comics, btw.] But I’ll watch and am even enthusiastic about this upcoming one because of RDJ’s involvement just as much as because of Marvel’s careful introduction of Tom Holland, who’s terrific, in CACW. And I know I’m not the only moviegoer who feels that way.)

And -- even though Tony Stark has “died” several times in the comics, Tony Stark is also a figure who goes on ad infinitum.  It’s a role that can be played, even in a guest-star/cameo way (as SHIELD Director Stark or some other hot silver-fox Tony evolution) for years to come by RDJ as he continues to get finer with age. Do you think Marvel Studios would give that up if it could happen? Do you think RDJ would? I highly doubt it. He honestly loves the adoration of kids all over the world for Iron Man, and why would he or the MCU break the hearts of kids everywhere (not to mention, um, us older fans...).

So. Also, as we know, comic-book “deaths” are almost never forever. I could see a Tony “death” as a cliffhanger. But dead comic heroes are 99% likely to be re-engineered back in the next episode (I think we all know Superman won’t stay “dead” long - any more so than he did in the comics).

Anyway - speculate all you wish, Death Squad. But it’s not good business for the MCU to lose Tony/RDJ; it would traumatize little kids all over the world (and what heartless fiend would do that?); and I will bet you dollars to donuts it won’t happen. Or if it does, it’s a cliffhanger that will be ameliorated in the subsequent movie. Also - the supposed signs and portents are way too heavy-handed if people think they’re picking up on them already.  Feint, feint, misdirect, do something counterintuitive is more the MCU way.

[ask-the-phan-site]

Phan Cam: Horizon Heist: Day 5

>Once again at Cup O’Joe. I was just about to go on my break when I heard familiar voices.

(laughing) Really? That happened?

Please, if anything, it was the cat’s fault! He started it!

I can hear you, you know!

I admit, it wasn’t a very pleasant first visit to the dorm’s bathroom, but at least I cam out feeling revitalized. Of course, I’m guess the bathrooms at Oz Academy is probably a lot more fancy.

Harry: Come on, they’re not that fancy... But they do have bath lotions my dad had imported from Turkey. Along with fine soaps.

We rest our case.

Is this a private conversation or can anyone join?

Ryuji: Hey, Ren kun! Taking your break?

Ren: Just now.

>I join them at the table as Joe gives us coffee and some muffins.

Ren: You know, Peter didn’t want to peek, though he did get a nose bleed when Gwen was mentioned.

Harry: Really?

>Harry seems a little unhappy.

Peter: (embarrassed) Don’t remind me. I didn’t think I would fall for that. Don’t get me wrong, Gwen’s a nice girl, and a fellow scientist to boot, but...

Akechi: But something else?

Peter: I don’t know. I just find it more fun when you guys are around... And I know Harry likes it too.

Harry: Yeah, I do.

>Peter and Harry stare at each other intensely for a while until they looked away before anyone else could see.

?????: I saw that, you two.

>Suddenly, a young man puts Peter in a head lock and gives him a small noogie.

Peter: Hey, Flash, long time no see.

If by long time you mean just last week, then yeah, it has.

Harry: Alright, Flash, I think Pete’s having a hard time breathing.

Flash: Okay. What’s the magic word, Parker?

Peter: (starting to look a bit blue) P- Please?

Flash: Okay.

>Flash releases Peter’s head.

Peter: Thanks. Oh, hey, Flash, these are the students I told you about. The ones visiting from Japan.

Flash: Really?

>We introduced ourselves.

Flash: I hope you told them about me, Parker. If you haven’t...

Akechi: Eugene Thompson, isn’t it?

Flash: I prefer to be called Flash. But yeah, that’s me. Star quarterback of Midtown High and Spider-Man’s #1 fan. You should check my blog.

Ryuji: You sure like to boast.

Flash: That’s because I have a lot to boast about. It’s just a shame my blog doesn’t get enough visitors. You have the Bugle to thank for that.

Ren: Yeah, we know the feeling. Actually, I know someone who might give you advice. He has a blog, too. I can ask him if you like.

Flash: Hmm. Actually, that doesn’t sound like a bad idea. Alright, fine. If you help me with my blog, I’ll let you visit Midtown.

Ren: Now why would we want to visit?

Flash: Just thought I would show you there’s more to New York than nerd schools and this place.

Joe’s voice: I heard that, Thompson! This place is good, too!

Flash: Sorry, Joe!

That might actually be good, Joker. You never know what you might find in even the most ordinary of places.

Ren: Alright, Flash, I’ll give Midtown a visit when I can.

Flash: Sweet! It’s a deal then. But you better go on days when I have practice. Some of the teachers at Midtown aren’t too happy with people from Horizon.

>I can trust Flash. He’ll really be of help if I let him.

I am thou, thou art I… Thou hast acquired a new vow.

It shall become the wings of rebellion that breaketh they chains of captivity.

With the birth of another Sun Persona, I have obtained the winds of blessing that shall lead to freedom and new power…

Confidant: Flash Thompson

Arcana: Sun

Rank: 1

Ability: Good Pass

Allows you to ask Flash to take you to Midtown High on days when he has football practice.

Flash: Yikes! Speaking of practice, I’m gonna be late. I just wanted to drop by and check on you guys. See ya!

>With that, Flash leaves.

Harry: I know you can visit Midtown now, just don’t forget to visit Oz when you can.

Ren: Don’t worry, I won’t forget.

...

Harry: Is something wrong, Ryuji?

Ryuji: ...

It’s nothing. Come on, I really want to taste those muffins.

>After chatting with the others for a bit, they left and I went back to work.

>After serving customer after customer, work was over for the day. As I was getting ready to leave, a message came on my phone.

Hey, Ren. If you don’t have any plans tonight, can you help me out here? My part-time is running late because one of the models we hired can’t make it and the other is a little frightening to handle on my own.

Morgana: You should check on her, Ren. Lady Ann could use some help if this other model is frighting.

Alright. I’m on my way.

Great! I’ll be waiting at the Bethesda Terrace in Central Park.

>Later, at Central Park, I met with Ann.

Okay, what do you think?

Ren: You look great.

Ann: Thanks. ALTUS had me wear it for all the things we’ll do in a couple of months. Yours is ready as well. We were going to have someone else wear it, but he couldn’t make it. Besides, it seems to suit you better.

>I change into the clothes that were prepared for me.

I see what you mean... Now that I think about it, they look more like our Shujin uniforms.

Ann: I know, right?

>We go to the spot where the photography crew were waiting for us.

Morgana: So where is this other model you told us about? The one that was frightening.

Ren: And what makes him so frightening?

Ann: Well, that’s because modeling is just something he does on the side. His main job.. is wrestling.

???????: You can stop worrying now! The greatest warrior New York has ever seen in the ring is here!

Photographer 1: That’s a long title, don’t you think?

>A large muscular man shows up.

That’s because you’re not as awesome as I am! Now let’s get this show on the road! Who am I working with?

Photographer 2: With them, sir... BTW, I’m a huge fan of yours. You rule, Bonesaw McGee! That Spider can go to hell for all I care!

Bonesaw: Thanks.

>Bonesaw walks up to us.

Bonesaw: Children? What’s with models these days getting younger? ... The girl’s cute though.

You better not get any ideas.

Bonesaw: Relax, kid. Even I gotta be decent sometimes. Besides, I like mine bigger.

Ann: I still feel uncomfortable about that.

>After what seemed like two hours of shooting, we were done. Ann went back to Horizon ahead of me. I told her I’d be along later. I was changing back to my regular clothes when I heard panting and clapping outside the trailer. I look out the window to see Bonesaw doing push-ups. He seems to be very good at it.

Morgana: I’m surprised he has time to train outside in public this late. Guess he’s not worried about getting mugged with his big size and strength. Actually, that might come in handy, especially in the Metaverse. Joker, you should ask him to train you.

Ren: Don’t I already train with Ryuji?

Morgana: In the daytime, yes. But this guy might help you at night when Ryuji can’t do it.

Ren: Really? I suppose I could ask him.

>When I was done changing, I went outside to ask him. But as I got closer, I heard a ringing sound. Bonesaw reaches for something in his gym bag and takes out a phone. He answers it.

Bonesaw: Yeah? ... Don’t worry, I won’t forget to bring it. Right, I’ll be there after I have quick run around the park. I’ll stop by and get it on the way. You go on without me. And don’t forget to tell them I said good night. Thank you... I love you, too.

>He hangs up. Then, he turns around to see me. He approaches me with an intimidating glare. Thankfully, with my level of Guts, I’m not all that scared.

Bonesaw: You didn’t see anything. Understood?

Ren: I don’t see what the problem is. You were just talking to someone on the phone.

Bonesaw: Just don’t tell anyone. Now if you don’t want anything...

Ren: Actually, I was hoping if you can train me.

Bonesaw: In wrestling? I do hold classes. But then again, they’re usually for little kids. Someone your age would probably have a hard time showing himself. But then again, who wouldn’t want to train with the top champion? ... Tell you what, if you keep my phone call a secret, I’ll see if I can find any free time in my scheduled to train you at night. How about that?

Morgana: This might be your chance, Joker. You should take it.

Ren: It’s a deal then.

Bonesaw: Good. Actually, I might need your help again in some places if needed.

>Bonesaw has agreed to train me at night in exchange I would help him with some tasks. I think he can trust me enough for this.

I am thou, thou art I… Thou hast acquired a new vow.

It shall become the wings of rebellion that breaketh they chains of captivity.

With the birth of another Moon Persona, I have obtained the winds of blessing that shall lead to freedom and new power…

Confidant: Bonesaw McGee

Arcana: Moon

Rank: 1

Ability: Beginner’s Wrestling

Bonesaw will help you with strength training at a reasonable level.

Bonesaw: Since I was going to go for a run anyway, why don’t we start now?

>I guess training has begun. I run around Central Park with him. I had some difficulty keeping up with him a few times, but I manage to stay with him.

Bonesaw: A little sloppy, but not bad for your first time.

Ren: One of my friends is already a good runner, but we only train during the daytime, I’m hoping for some night training.

Bonesaw: Then look no further. I train at Crusher Gym in Hell’s Kitchen. Go there if you want to train with your’s truly.

>After another short run, we part ways for the night. I think my training has raised my Proficiency a bit... Even though it’s already maxed out.