#both serving as villains in the mcu

[missenchantedd]

Big day for my parents 🥰✨

(Loki season two and The Marvels starring Tom Hiddleston and fiance Zawe Ashton)

[cybertron-smash-or-pass]

I mean yeah voice actors voices are hot but also like in appearance

Corey Burton is a cutie

You know what, that's valid

You must go on a vision quest to see what the MCU is blind to (and by that I mean go find one (1) weird indie movie youve never heard of and watch the whole thing). Then you will be cleaned of your corporate media sins (/lh)

Oh good, I get to talk about this dumbass show (beloved)

RiD 01 as a whole is a SILLY fuckin show. Like they took the sillygoofy nature of g1 and went "bet," then cranked it 10 times higher. G1 still had its somber moments. Character work. Genuinely threatening and downright cruel villains. RiD 01 has occasional complex characters, but 90% of the time, this show is a fairly low-stakes comedy that's going full camp.

The autobots are dysfunctional and just straight up weird. Three of them are brothers, and it's not a trio anyone would EVER expect. Prowl is a fucking narc. Brawn is here but he's named X-Brawn bc I guess he had to get that Xtreme rebrand for the 2000s. He's also closer to Ironhide than anything, complete with the Texas accent. Their other brother is named Sideburn, he's the bumblebee equivalent as the Designated Kid Appeal Character, but he's also, and I shit you not, a sex pest about red sports cars. Not just bots with sports car alts. Any red sports car. He will drop everything to go chase a sexy red car and he catcalls it the whole time. The TFA constructicons have NOTHING on this guy. He gets so aggressively horny on main his narc-ass cop brother has to arrest him for it.

Optimus is here, and he's got his own family trouble. He has a brother too, and it's fucking Ultra Magnus. Magnus hates his guts because OP got chosen as Autobot leader and he didn't. At one point they find a cache of blank protoforms, Megatron gets to it first, and has one of them scan both himself and Optimus when he comes online, which results in Scourge, my lameass emo boyfriend i was defending through the whole Scourge War. He's literally just, like, Their Kid and he fucking hates his autobot dad so he lives with Megatron instead to try and make him proud of how Evil and Competent he is.

Megatron has like. Too many altmodes. Just too many. One of them sort of kind of counts as a sports car, that is partially red, Sideburn gets horny about it. Finding out it was Megatron did not stop him for asking for a date. Canon bisexual before IDW, even in the English dub.

The main villains serving Megatron are the predacons and they're about as threatening as team rocket and roughly half as competent. One of them is a squirrel voiced by Steve Blum. The second in command is SkyByte and he's so fucking bad at being evil. He writes poetry (which Optimus roasts the shit out of). He takes online personality quizzes and then gets legitimately upset if he doesn't get the results he wants. This was the plot of an entire episode. He has a crush on Megatron and fantasizes about doing a good job for him. He doesn't like scourge because he thinks he's Meg's new favorite. He does circus tricks on command. He has a soft spot for kids and he was so nice to them while actively trying to be evil that he ended up with a fanbase in-universe that followed him around and encouraged him to be a good guy. He is the EPITOME of a skrunkly little loser boyfailure AND he's a shark. What more could you ask for.

This is not even a quarter of the insane shit that happens in this show. It has NO chill, ever. If you want to see pure, unbridled chaos from robots that are usually at least a little more serious and intense, I literally cannot rec it enough. A lot of hot robots too, tbh. The things id do to Midnight Express...

Beeussy

[fictionadventurer]

Maybe the most iconic superhero movies (and superheroes) are the ones that address one of two core questions:

Type 1: What do you do when given great power? Help others or seek your own gain? Serve others or dominate them?

Type 2: How do you respond to tragedy/loss/being wronged? Let it make you bitter or compassionate? Seek justice (for the good of society) or revenge (to satisfy your own emotions)?

Superman is the prime example of Type 1. Batman is Type 2. Spiderman fits both types, which might explain why he has risen to a special level of popularity.

These questions are ideal for a hero's origin story, but they can also create satisfying sequel stories when the villain addresses one or both of these questions.

Raimi's first Spiderman movie has both the hero and the villain choosing opposite answers to the first question. Spiderman 2 involves a villain who turns to crime when faced with loss. Into the Spiderverse features several Spidermen whose loss drove them to heroism facing a villain whose loss motivates him to tear worlds apart.

Good Superman movies grapple with the choice of what one does with godlike power. Batman movies feature villains with tragic backstories that drove them to crime. The first MCU Captain America movie, like the first Spiderman movie, features a hero and villain given the same powers that they use for exact opposite ends.

Other types of stories can be told involving superpowered people, but I think answering one of these two questions is what makes it a superhero story.

[wynnerichport]

So... You Wanna Hyperfixate on the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

As a neurodivergent person, I know what it's like to come across a piece of media and start to obsess over it. To the point where it consumes all of your thoughts and waking hours. One of my personal favorites is the M.C.U., or the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

However, there is a lot of incomplete information out there on this franchise, so I've got you covered.

What is the Marvel Cinematic Universe?

The Marvel Cinematic Universe, or M.C.U., is a multi-media franchise adapting characters and storylines from Marvel Comics, and is comprised of films, television series, short films, web series and even, appropriately enough, tie-in comics. Beginning in 2008 with the film "Iron Man", it has continued to flourish and produce new entries until the present day. For the purposes of this post, we will be covering only live-action and animated entries in the franchise, totaling 70 entries as of June 2024.

What is the Marvel Cinematic Universe About?

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is divided into two Sagas, both of which are further divided into Phases. Phases are a grouping of projects, while Sagas are a grouping of Phases.

The two Sagas of the MCU are the Infinity Saga, comprising of Phases 1, 2 and 3, and the Multiverse Saga, comprising of Phases 4, 5, and 6.

The Infinity Saga revolves around the six building blocks of reality, known as the Infinity Stones, and how they impact the lives of the groups of superheroes known as The Avengers and the Guardians of the Galaxy, as well as the quest of the power-hungry alien Thanos to obtain the six Infinity Stones. The Infinity Saga is comprised entirely of movies, specifically the first 23 movies in the franchise, with the 23rd, Spider-Man: Far From Home, serving as an epilogue to the entire Saga.

The Multiverse Saga, currently ongoing and roughly at its midpoint, revolves around the Multiverse, a collection of infinite alternative realities where events unfolded just slightly differently, resulting in vastly different outcomes. The villain of this saga is slated to be the time-traveling, reality-hopping Kang the Conqueror, as well as his Variants, or alternate reality counterparts. The Multiverse Saga is comprised of the 24th film (Black Widow) onwards, as well as the 13th television series (WandaVision) onwards. (See below for full film and series listings.)

There is also an unofficial Saga formally known as The Defenders Saga, comprised of Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist and The Punisher, culminating in The Defenders. The series Echo has retroactively been added to The Defenders Saga.

What is included in the Marvel Cinematic Universe?

As mentioned above, we will be tackling everything except the tie-in comics, which results in 70 entries across the following formats; films, television series, short films, web series, animated series and telefilms.

MCU Films (aka Marvel Studios)

Iron Man (2008)

The Incredible Hulk (2008)

Iron Man 2 (2010)

Thor (2011)

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

The Avengers (2012)

Iron Man 3 (2013)

Thor: The Dark World (2013)

Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

Guardians Of The Galaxy (2014)

Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

Ant-Man (2015)

Captain America: Civil War (2016)

Doctor Strange (2016)

Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)

Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

Black Panther (2018)

Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

Ant-Man And The Wasp (2018)

Captain Marvel (2019)

Avengers: Endgame (2019)

Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)

Black Widow (2021)

Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings (2021)

Eternals (2021)

Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)

Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness (2022)

Thor: Love And Thunder (2022)

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)

Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania (2023)

Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)

The Marvels (2023)

MCU Short Films (aka Marvel One-Shots)

The Consultant (2011)

A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Thor's Hammer (2011)

Item 47 (2012)

Agent Carter (2013)

All Hail The King (2014)

Team Thor: Part 1 (2016)

Team Thor: Part 2 (2017)

Team Darryl (2018)

Peter's To-Do List (2019)

MCU Television Series (aka Marvel Television and Marvel Spotlight)

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2013-2020)

Agent Carter (2015-2016)

Daredevil (2015-2018)

Jessica Jones (2015-2019)

Luke Cage (2016-2018)

Iron Fist (2017-2018)

The Defenders (2017)

Inhumans (2017)

The Punisher (2017-2019)

Runaways (2017-2019)

Cloak & Dagger (2018-2019)

Helstrom (2020) - [1]

WandaVision (2021)

The Falcon And The Winter Soldier (2021)

Loki (2021-2023)

Hawkeye (2021)

Moon Knight (2022)

Ms. Marvel (2022)

She-Hulk: Attorney At Law (2022)

Secret Invasion (2023)

Echo (2024)

MCU Web Series

WHiH Newsfront (2015-2016)

Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Slingshot (2016)

The Daily Bugle (2019-2022) - [2]

I Am Groot (2022-2023)

MCU Animated Series (aka Marvel Animation)

What If...? (2021-2023)

MCU Telefilms (aka Special Presentations)

Werewolf By Night (2022)

The Guardians Of The Galaxy Holiday Special (2022)

[1] While Helstrom was originally meant to tie in with a Ghost Rider tv series, itself a spin-off of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Ghost Rider was scrapped and later statements from the show runner and some actors put its connectivity into question. However, the show itself slots in perfectly into the tapestry of the MCU and can be treated as equally as any other part of the franchise.

[2] The Daily Bugle is divided into three "seasons"; one marketing Spider-Man: Far From Home in 2019 on YouTube, one marketing Spider-Man: No Way Home in 2021 and 2022 on TikTok, and one marketing the movie Morbius (which is NOT in the MCU), also in 2022 and also on TikTok. This third "season" is non-canonical to the MCU and can be disregarded.

What Are Some Storylines To Look Forward To?

Anti-Superhuman Sentiment: A huge undercurrent throughout the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe, both films and television series, is an aversion to superhumans, which could eventually evolve into the anti-mutant hysteria of the comics when the X-Men arrive to the MCU.

Gods and Mythology: From the Asgardian pantheon with Thor to the Egyptian pantheon with Bast, Osiris and Khonshu, to the Vodou pantheon such as Papa Legba and Baron Samedi and the Greek pantheon with Zeus and Hercules, gods and mythology and alternate dimensions are present in several series of the MCU.

Demons and Witchcraft: I tried to avoid naming direct entries in this section in order to maximize surprises, but these themes are ones that truly ingrain Helstrom into the rest of franchise, tying into Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Agent Carter, Runaways, Cloak & Dagger, WandaVision and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

Where Can The Marvel Cinematic Universe Be Watched?

Disney+ has the vast majority of the MCU entries, at 62 of the 70 entries.

Hulu has two of the entries, the television series Cloak & Dagger and Helstrom.

Additionally, if you get a premium subscription to Hulu, you can also watch Spider-Man: No Way Home, which is otherwise unavailable to stream.

The CW App has one of the entries, the television series Runaways, due to being removed from Disney+ in May of 2023 as a result of cost-cutting measures. It can be streamed for free.

YouTube has all three of the web series; Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Slingshot, WHiH Newsfront and The Daily Bugle. Compilations of all individual episodes are searchable. Though 3 of the 10 WHiH Newsfront episodes are on Disney+ as special features for Ant-Man.

The final entry, the short film Peter's To-Do List, is only available physically on Blu-Ray copies of the Spider-Man: Far From Home film.

If you would like to request the missing entries to show up on Disney+, you can click on this link. Scroll down to the bottom of the page, look for the box labeled "Give Feedback" on the right hand side of the page, click on "Submit Feedback" in blue. A window labeled "Share Your Feedback" will appear with a drop down menu captioned "Select a feedback type". Click on "Request a movie or show" and you will be prompted to type in 3 titles. Be sure to use the official names for the missing entries, which will be listed below. Once you've entered your 3 selections, click "Submit Feedback", and you will receive a quick message that your feedback has been submitted.

WHiH Newsfront

Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Slingshot

Marvel's Runaways

Marvel's Cloak & Dagger

Peter's To-Do List

The Daily Bugle

Helstrom

Spider-Man: No Way Home

Welcome to the MCU. Hope you survive the experience.

[acosmicdisappointment]

— enzo.

is that EMILIO SAKRAYA? oh, no, that’s LORENZO "ENZO" PERNAS, a TWENTY-SIX year old PERSONAL TRAINER AT GIMNASIO O2 AIRE who uses HE/HIM pronouns. they currently live in LAS TIERRAS DEL SOL IN QUILPUÈ, and the character they identify with most is THOR ODINSON FROM THE MCU. hopefully they find their own little paradise here in el país de los poetas!

BASICS.

FULL NAME. lorenzo pernas NICKNAME(S). enzo, zolo, lorry (ONLY by his mother) AGE/BIRTHDAY/ZODIAC. 26 / august 16th / leo SEXUALITY. bicurious BIRTHPLACE. berlin, germany HEIGHT. 6'1" EYE COLOR. dark brown ILLNESSES/CONDITIONS. a charismatic manipulative asshole TATTOOS/PIERCINGS/SCARS. eyebrow piercing (left), chest tattoos, minor scars from boxing (faint scar near his left eyebrow now covered by a piercing; facial scar (right side), knuckle scars, large scar from his right shoulder across his back now covered by tattoos) FC. emilio sakraya

PERSONALITY.

fiercely protective brave charismatic loud insensitive arrogant

HISTORY.

tw: manipulation, parental neglect if you will, body image — Enzo was a product of yet another forbidden romance between a wealthy married businessman and a singer/waitress. His father was a well-known charismatic yet manipulative public figure while his mother was a simple and humble individual. At that time, his mother wasn't aware of his father's other family (or that they were the other family) — He witnessed firsthand the power of manipulation. His father used guilt trips, gaslighting, and emotional blackmail to control those around him. He kept telling her that he would leave his family for them but he really wouldn’t. — As a child, Enzo became adept at reading people, understanding their vulnerabilities, and exploiting them to his advantage. This early exposure to manipulation shaped Enzo's worldview, leading him to believe that manipulating others was a necessary skill for survival (yikes) — Enzo constantly fought for affection and attention from his father. This struggle has left him with a deep-seated need for control and validation. — Moving to Valparaiso made it harder for Enzo to win his father's favor. The good boy act obviously didn’t work so he did the total opposite. — Enzo became a little reckless and he found out he thrived on attention. He enjoyed the thrill of keeping people guessing about his intentions, often blurring the lines between friendship and something more. Enzo was skilled at creating a sense of intimacy without ever truly committing, leaving those around him unsure of where they stood. — Enzo's inability to be clear about his boundaries left his partners feeling uncertain about where they stood, leading to misunderstandings and heartache (hi luna) — Somewhere in the middle of all that, Enzo found his love for fitness. The work he does for his body is an extension of his mask. He learned that if he works hard enough, he can use that appearance as leverage to get what he wants and he can use that to further whatever serves his narrative.

EXTRAS.

to read to see to listen

HEADCANONS.

— almost ALWAYS loses his keys (don’t ask him why) — would be the type to randomly challenge you to a fight (literally anywhere and anytime) — absolutely LOVES TO EAT (gym bod who?) — but is allergic to shrimp (the maximum he can eat is 6 pieces) — knows how to sing and play the guitar (y’know boy's down bad when he serenades his partner) — a big attention whore (srsly give him attention and you automatically got him hooked) — often goes shirtless (a way for him to show his bod, he's cocky like that i hate him) — just got back from Germany (he's still trying to get his father's attention poor boy)

WANTED CONNECTIONS/PLOTS.

tortured man club — a little group chat of men who strive to be better both as a partner and a person (or not who knows) enemies — sigh hello to the members of the 'enlozers (enzo is a loser) club™' make him your villain idc ride or die — enzo's a great friend if you give him a chance more tbd! you can definitely slide into my dms to plot

[s-aint]

1, 12, 16, 18!

One , why did I pick this character?

I don't know; guess I'm a little fucked up. Kidding. Maybe? I like Bullseye because he's a sociopath without any excuses. Like, yeah, he had a shitty mom and dad, but his brain was probably scrambled from the moment he was born. There's no sob story here. He's evil, and that's that. No redemption arc to be hand. I like both his MCU and comic counterparts, but I really like his comic side because he's just absurdly deranged, funny, and human?? Unlike Hawkeye who trained to be a good archer, it seems Bullseye has always been innately and inhumanly good at hitting his targets with any objects. It's really cool. I like writing my heroes and I like writing my villians, and Bullseye really hits the spot for crazy. Adding to this — I think (most) people are drawn to villains as long as they have an attractive quality to them. "Yes, he's a serial killer, but he had a sad childhood." "Yes, he's a killer, but he's hot." Bullseye has no redeeming qualities nor should he. Wilson Bethel as great as he is at Benjamin is way too attractive. At the core, Bullseye is a villain's villain. Dreadful but fun, not handsome nor brooding.

Twelve , most unique trait about Bullseye?

Touched upon this in the previous answer, but he's stupidly insane with his accuracy. One of my favourite quotes from him is, "I'm Bullseye. In my hands, anything is a weapon." and that is a fact. You don't see it that much in MCU, but this man can literally kill people with a paperclip. As far as we know he's human, yet he has godly, demi-god, mutant-like powers. One of my favorite comic panels is a scene where's he's in an office, flicking paperclips outside the window, and it's just utter chaos.

Sixteen , personal ship biases for Bullseye.

Hmmmmm. SO, I don't think anyone in the right mind should be with Bullseye. There are plenty of people in their wrong mind, certainly. Bullseye has gotten laid in the comics which is just . . a trip. I really cannot imagine he'd be any good in bed; he's likely very selfish and sadistic. Daken and Bullseye would be really interesting to explore; I kinda dig it in a very weird manner. MCU wise however, he'll probably die a virgin. I do like Benjamin and Karen Page, but it's definitely more on the humor/creepy side of things as opposed to anything real.

Eighteen , how long have I been writing as Bullseye?

Good question. I've written as so many Marvel characters on and off for many years on different sites. As far as my memory serves, not very long. I wrote as Bullseye on my former blog, but it was only for a fraction of the time I had the blog. Few months I guess? Half a year? Fun thing about Bullseye is that I don't need years to develop him. He's a fucking psycho. I've had a good handle on him from day one because I read his comics years before writing him. We'll see what the new Daredevil uncovers and see if I modify my MCU portrayal any!

[clueless-fan-critic]

Deadpool and Wolverine: Fox's Marvelous Weapons for the MCU

Okay. This movie was made as a cash grab for Deadpool and Wolverine fans. And it's exactly what we all hoped for!!!

These two characters are the most iconic superheroes that FOX has ever greenlit and now they can finally work together as a team... sort off... if you ignore continuity... or not... But it's still pretty great huh?

Moving on...

Let's not beat around the bush and say this isn't technically our Deadpool and Wolverine because of the Multiverse complexity. Like the last time we saw Deadpool, he was time-traveling willy-nilly, not caring about continuity. And Wolverine, well, uhh... he died as an old man. So clearly, the movie is gonna explain this or straight up ignore it.

Honestly, I'm just happy that Deadpool and Wolverine are back in this new adventure from FOX to the MCU with a lot of violence for everyone to enjoy.

Deadpool, Deadpool, What'chu Gonna Do?

We start in the typical Deadpool-style of movie openings: fourth wall breaking, references, and inappropriately awesome lines and fights. The most morbid and hilarious part of the scene was Deadpool digging up Logan's very clearly dead skeleton and using it as a weapon against the TVA agents. But it's those "let's rewind" parts of a movie where the character explains how they got to the point we saw.

The plot is Deadpool feeling he has no purpose and gives up his life as a superhero (but not before reversing time, saving everyone, and leaving things in Deadpool 2 up in the air like where Cable is). He then gets captured by the TVA as his universe will die off because of Logan's death as Logan was an Anchor Being that kept it alive. Deadpool attempts to find another Wolverine to become an Anchor Being, ending up with "the Worst Wolverine." We then go through this journey of self-actualization as Deadpool and Wolverine fight to make themselves matter no matter what the TVA says.

I honestly loved the movie! It felt exactly like the previous Deadpool films without being repetitive and actually elevated and explored Deadpool's character even further. Even if you never seen Loki, it's not needed to quickly understand what's happening: Deadpool is part of MCU or "Sacred Timeline."

The Cameos... Oh, the Cameos!!!

Cameos in this movie not only feel natural to both the story and its in-universe logic, but also satisfies strong nostalgia feels and references galore. Deadpool's trip to find a new anchor shows up various Wolverines from different comic storylines. Even showing us height-accurate Wolverine, Wolverine vs Hulk, and one played by Henry Cavil minus CGI lips.

There are even cameos from past Fox/Marvel properties. Thus, Jennifer Garner's Elektra and Wesley Snipes' Blade return. Because the setting is the Void, a multiversal Mad Max-style world, it makes sense they would be here. Even Chris Evans reprises his role as Johnny Storm/Human Torch. Only to get defeated, humiliated, and killed within a couple of minutes. The cameo characters also drive the plot where it needs to be, especially X-23 who has a convo with Wolverine about being always the wrong person, but always showing up when it counts.

People will argue that this serves as forced fan service, but Deadpool was always a fan servicey character since his first legit movie. But actually seeing Mutants in the MCU has really got my ideas pumping for what might come in the future.

Mutant Saga Begins

It's quite possible that Deadpool and Wolverine will return in some way, shape, or form to explore the MCU's take of Mutants and the X-Men. Sure, Cassandra Nova won't be coming back, but there are plenty of villains to pit against the X-Men.

The Krakoa Era may definitely be the answer to revamping the X-Men in the MCU, acting more as heroes to mutants and villains to the heroes we've known.

Here's to hoping Disney and Marvel get the idea that we want movies which care about the audience instead of pumping them until they're full.

What I Hope...

Honestly, as a fan of superheroes and an off-and-on MCU fan, I had a lot of doubts about the sheer complexity and magnitude the MCU must deal with. But watching Deadpool and Wolverine actually made me go back to that point where superhero movies felt fresh and exciting. I really hope they do movies like this in the future.

[ginger-snap-talkin-nonsense]

What made you dislike Iron Man 2 more than Iron Man 3? I get Iron Man but 3 was only OK to me, until I learned the original plot they had in mind with Pepper Potts and it became my most hated one.

I don’t judge movies based on prior thought experiments when the final product was a great idea. Fact is I think Iron Man 3 is near flawless and a fantastic character piece about arguably the most complicated character in the MCU that people hated for confusing reasons to me. Like, really? You’re angry that Pepper didn’t get a movie despite Gwyneth Paltrow being Gwyneth Paltrow and her entire character up to that point being “argues with main character but in a 90’s sitcom relationship kinda way” when the actual plot of dissecting Starks complicated feelings of trauma and guilt and paranoia after everything that’s happened to him and also Pepper gets to be the best she’s ever been anyway?

As for Iron Man 2, it suffers from having two plots that could’ve both served as fully functional movies in their own right but instead splitting the difference which made it lesser than the sum of its parts. On one hand you have an interesting movie about Tony’s self destructive habits and how they hurt the people in his life that he refuses to admit love him. On the other you have a conversation about the American war machine and how when any new tech is shown to the US government they will use any means necessary to take it and use it to slaughter people in the Middle East. Both of these are fabulous ideas and I have mad respect for respecting the audience enough to do plot A after only one movie of set up and plot B in a post 9/11 world, but everytime one plot gets interesting it stops cold and the other starts, and the movie feels disjointed and like it’s not able to push as far as it wants. Same with the villains who both wind up feelings like weaker versions of what they could’ve been. Split focus costs two great ideas to become just good.

[old-lorarri]

★ : congratulations on achieving this milestone ! i absolutely adore your posts — you're definitely one of my favourite f1 ff writers on here!

─ paper rings . . . ❨ send me a description of yourself + a fandom and gender preference, and i’ll ship you with a character. ❩

could i please get a paper rings with f1's current grid ? also, sorry if the desc's too long T_T i tend to ramble on sometimes.. but anyways, thanks in advance <3

i'm currently a college student studying science (and kinda regretting it actually. kids, don't choose a hard major just because you want to 'challenge yourself and your knowledge' and you crave academic validation </3). my big three are cancer, capri & virgo. i'm an introvert who loves spending time alone in her room, away from the social life as my social battery tends to drain quickly. although, whenever i'm around my best friends, i can become quite extroverted and loud. i do try to be nice with everyone but i'm only truly comfortable & only open up to the ones i'm closest with. still then, there's always times when i can't tell even my loved ones everything and i tend to bottle up my feelings a lot.

my best friends say i'm the mum friend of the group because i'm always looking after them and taking care of them, making sure they're not getting into trouble (although i do love to play some pranks or tease them sometimes). i'm also the therapist friend and my friends always come to me for advices but honestly, i don't even follow my own advice sometimes (especially the ones related to love). as the middle child in my family, i've got my fair share of independence and i love this freedom. i'm also a perfectionist-procastinator which is such a pain most of the times. i usually either listen to music or clean around my room & house to relieve myself of stress.

taylor swift has been my idol since i was a baby and i definitely think i'm just a bunch of taylor swift lyrics put together. i also love k-pop & animanga and i'm also a mcu fan as well, with spiderman & iron man as my favourite avengers. my love languages are words of affirmation & acts of services and honestly, i get really happy even at the smallest acts of services & the shortest words of affirmation because they all mean a lot to me. i love tropes like e2l and academic rivals. i adore playing video games and i also love f1 & football. i got into f1 at a young age and the reason was michael schumacher & ferrari. i've been a ferrari girl since then and i also love team papaya as well. an exception also goes to rbr as seb's villain era @ rbr is one of my favourite f1 eras ever.

OSCAR PIASTRI

both of you are introvert

and the mom friend

you both are nice to everyone one

but not the type to be comfortable with everyone

oscar is definitely a solid emotional support

and stops you from bottling things up inside

you def play a couple pranks on oscar

loves that you are independent

def helps you work though your perfectionist-procastinatorism

will dance around the house with you, screaming taylor swift as you clean

tries to get into kpop and anime for you

will ask alot of questions

lot's of acts of serves!!!

will rewatch old f1 races with you

always says your a bit more papaya than ferrari

maybe slightly jealous of how much you love rbr seb?

[nerdy-bits]

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (Marvel Studios, PG-13)

When Guardians of the Galaxy came out in 2014, I didn't know a single person who knew who they were. No one knew who Starlord was, Gamora, Drax, Groot, Rocket Raccoon, none of them. It was one of the only times I walked into a theater for an MCU movie and thought, “Why am I here? I don't care about these characters at all.” Ironically, the other instance of this thought was before watching Captain America: The First Avenger. Luckily, I was very wrong on both occasions. What James Gunn did with the first Guardians movie was nothing short of a small miracle. The Guardians of the Galaxy were a middling hero team devised in the late 60s. One that, as I mentioned before, never really reached any amount of wide acclaim. When the team was rebooted in 2008, with the members seen in the movie that would come six years later, still its readership remained low. In May of 2023, the names Starlord, Gamora, Rocket, Groot, Drax, and Nebula are household names. 

Guardians of the Galaxy, as an MCU team, is unique. Preceding the now-inbound Thunderbolts, the Guardians are the closest thing to DC’s Suicide Squad. Though the Guardians aren't ostensibly villains, nor are they part of a government initiative to leverage villains into doing good things by holding a proverbial gun to their head, the Guardians of the Galaxy are all misfits and ne’er-do-wells. Peter Quill being a thief, Rocket an arms dealer, Groot being Rocket’s muscle, Gamora is essentially an assassin, and Drax is called The Destroyer. They are all bad people to differing degrees. So what James Gunn had to do with the first film was two or threefold: He had to introduce us to who these people were, convince us we should care about what they do, and then make us care about them both individually and as a group. To this day, the first Guardians of the Galaxy movie is one of the closest things to a perfect execution in establishing a relationship with unknown characters. 

Now, nearly ten years later, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 seeks to remind us why we cared, show us we were right to care, and make us root for our beloved misfits one last time. Ya’ll…it fucking rules. 

It’s been a while since we last saw The Guardians. We saw them off in Endgame, traveling with a disheveled and melancholic Thor, and then in Thor: Love and Thunder we saw them unload the God of Thunder, moving on to do their own thing. When the Guardians of the Galaxy  Christmas Special  came out Thanksgiving weekend last year, we got to see Knowhere (the Guardians’ base) rebuilt, and the introduction of Cosmo the Space Dog. We also fully establish that Starlord isn't doing well with the death/return/departure of Gamora. Guardians Vol. 3 picks up from there. Starlord is out of it, drinking himself into a stupor, the rest of the team is just kind of milling about in Knowhere, and the mood is pretty stale. Enter one of Marvel’s most powerful and heroes Adam Warlock, only the Warlock is here not to help, but as a repo man for the fabled High Evolutionary, the madman who turned Rocket into the creature he is today. This initial and shocking attack sends the guardians on a quest to save the life of a mortally wounded member. It’s a race against the clock film, with a little globetrotting heist film stirred in. 

Along this journey we are served up dollops of emotion. The film is framed around flashbacks illuminating Rocket’s journey under the knife and eye of the High Evolutionary. A villain portrayed brilliantly by Chukwudi Iwuji, and a villain that outshines so many villains in the MCU purely because of his acting. The High Evolutionary is a despicable, maniacal, monster of a man and each moment he is on screen your skin crawls. Truly, everyone in this movie is acting their whole asses off. Each performance is nuanced and intense, emotional and gripping. ITs something only a movie following two parts, like this one, can pull off. We all know everyone so deeply, we’ve grown to love them all, grown to admire their found family. So when this family of weirdos is put to a real test, one that threatens all of their lives in ways we haven't seen before, what comes through the cracks is this pure and natural love and passion. It works like glue throughout the film, like connective tissue, pulling each little bit you’ve ever remembered about this rag-tag team and placing it neatly in order for you to experience again. 

Rocket and Groot share their dynamic in new ways, Starlord and Gomora have some truly dynamite scenes navigating their new and nonexistent relationship, Mantis remains one of the best additions to the team as she and Drax foil each other, and Karen Gillan’s Nebula is a tremendous stand-in for the Gamora we lost in Infinity War. But this movie isn't merely old bits. It’s reimagined bits, moments illustrative of the ways family evolves and adapts. As you are recognizing the way these people interact with each other, you are also recognizing that the first time we met them, none of them would have been willing to do this. This Guardians of the Galaxy is stronger, closer, and emotionally available to each other in was the previous movies simply couldn't convincingly do with everyone. Furthermore we get more Kraglin and we get Cosmo. The Guardians of the Galaxy has changed so much in the comics over the years it begins to feel like dozens of heroes have claimed membership. In the hands of a lesser director and writer this can be a pitfall that lends to shallow writing and skin-deep characters. In James Gunn’s hands instead it lends to this tone of acceptance and love, resolute with making it clear: all types are welcome here, strange and broken as you may be. It’s downright endearing, and such a refreshing take in a world far too comfortable being unaccepting and cruel. 

James Gunn’s delicately procured playlist of songs is present again in this film, and just like the films that precede it, each song fits and feels like it was meant for each moment it is played in. Perhaps as a result or side-effect, sometimes the film’s score feels a bit out of place, but I rarely caught myself caring so much it interrupted my enjoyment of what I was watching. Perhaps because what you will be watching throughout the film is pretty outstandingly composed. Action scenes are cooperative and hectic, without losing fidelity or readability. In-fact, most of the action is so well shot and choreographed it plays out like anime fights, dripping in style and out of the box angles. I deeply appreciated this simply because superhero flicks, especially those featuring folks with similar powersets or fighting styles, can start to feel less like composed orchestras and far more like pop singles. And while Guardians Vol. 3 has its pockets lined with singles from the 80s and 90s, the format doesn't permeate or seep into the action. 

Also, for a movie in a freshly launched Phase 5 MCU, it feels like both the real and proper send off to Phase 4 and the best foot to start Phase 5 on. A dichotomy that is not easy to navigate and perhaps even harder to accomplish with a legible, parsable plot. We take everything we knew before and expand our knowledge, but we also wrap up our loose threads, tucking them into a neat-ish bow. In the process of doing this, James Gunn and his cast deliver what will end up being one of the more emotional Marvel movies released yet, content with plucking on heart strings like Redbone. 

Ya’ll, it’s just such a good movie. They did all the work they needed to beforehand, allowing them the runway to gracefully land this deeply heartfelt trilogy in a way most other properties are unable to. There are dark moments and joyous moments, funny and sad, furious and tender, and all of it fits because we know who these people are and we know how they feel. It all feels just so deeply earned and earnest. It may be a lot to take in for young fans, but this trilogy is nearly a decade old now, those fans that were young in the first film are adults now, and as those fans aged with the Guardians, the Guardians came to them with more deep and pointed stories about loss, brokenness, and family. Messages that will stick with people for years. 

If this truly marks the end of James Gunn’s involvement in the MCU then it is a masterful goodbye to some of the best characters in the whole MCU. If he decides to come back someday, well then I will be just as excited for whatever comes. But for now, go and see if the galaxy’s quirkiest band of misfits can worm their way into your emotions too. They sure found a way to pummel mine. In the best way.

@LubWub ~Caleb

[buckets-and-trees]

Sedition

a DARK crossover between the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Everyone knows the story of how Peter Parker, the Boy Who Lived. In the race to find the Infinity Stones during the first Infinity War, Peter was exposed to the Aether in a magical catastrophe after his parents - members of the Order of the Phoenix - found the Reality Stone in its liquified form. Driven to complete his collection, Thanos hunted down the child and his parents, killing them both in the confrontation, and stopped from gaining the Aether when it protected its host from Thanos's killing curse. The Wizarding World assumed the titan was dead, and his followers scattered to the wind or reformed and made penance.

Until Thanos returned thirteen years later, making his absence seem only a Blip in the respite of his pursuit to control all the stones, and thus not only all magic, but all elements of the universe, and every wizard and muggle in existence.

If there's any chance of stopping the mad titan, desperate players on both sides will have to band together or risk losing everything.

Content Warnings: murder, character death, political corruption, violence, torture, manipulation, mind control, betrayal, sexual situations - each piece in the collection will have applicable warnings listed, and any necessary additions overall will be added to this list

AUTHOR NOTE ON THIS PROJECT: I will be playing FAST AND LOOSE with pieces of canon from both the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. This is not a copy/paste retelling of HP with Marvel characters. You will see characters from both narratives. I will be crafting the storyline overall to serve the Sedition AU, not the existing storylines from the MCU or HP. I will be putting some of the 'hero' characters from the MCU into dark 'villain' roles, but I will maintain their core character identities.

Additional Notes: This concept was initially sparked by some incredible moodboards created by @ghostlytyrantpeach and a lively conversation that then ensued on a discord server.

Statement about me, HP, and she who should not be named

PART ONE: Unrest - Steve Rogers, Bucky Barnes

Currently revealed Character Roster:

Steve Rogers = Death Eater, no HP equivalent

Bucky Barnes = Death Eater, no HP equivalent

Voldemort/Tom Riddle → Thanos

Harry Potter → Peter Parker

Severus Snape → Natasha Romanov

Lucius Malfoy → Clint Barton

Narcissa Malfoy → Laura Barton

Draco Malfoy → Cooper Barton

Bellatrix Lestrange

Yaxley

Dolohov

Pius Thicknesse = Ministry Official, under Yaxley's control

Thaddeus Ross = Ministry Official, under Yaxley's control, true allegiance TBD

Alexander Pierce = Barty Crouch, Sr. adjacent/replacement, head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation

[open-hearth-rpg]

Open Hearth Video Roundup - November 3, 2023

Welcome to the weekly Open Hearth Gaming video roundup!

These recorded sessions represent only a portion of the games we play every week, and anyone is welcome to join the fun! If you'd like to play in games like these, join our Playabl community and click on the "Calendar" tab to sign up for upcoming games. To browse our entire library of session videos, please visit our YouTube Playlists page.

Open Hearth Gaming Calendar

Eotenweard: Northumbria (Session 4) Alun R. runs for José Feito, Paul Rivers, Sabine V., and Will H After last session's successful Revelation and resulting cliffhanger...we see the climactic battle to free the people of Brangarw from the influence of their malevolent priest, and conspiring leaders. There are competing claims of heresy, multiple pleas for aid from the Christ God, and a surprising response from...elsewhere. Then...despite both edging closer to death Solinus saves the innocent and Cadoc levels his lance in the name of Christ; Black Jell catches a villain...and let's him go; and Fynn confronts one of the Black Dogs of Annwn. Finally, back on the road following the path their god(s) decree for them, Solinus decides he needs a greater understanding of the power he serves...

Delta Green: Impossible Landscapes (Session 12) Shane runs for Blake Ryan, Mark (he/they), and Puckett The agents approach a demon for help finding the mysterious Hotel Broadalbin, but the route he suggests is bizarre, dangerous, and oddly connected to one of the agents' pasts.

Girl By Moonlight: Divine Engines (Session 3) Lowell Francis runs for Ethan Harvey, Patrick Knowles, Sherri, and Tyler Lominack The battle against the fallen cathedral world Leviathan is successful but takes its toll on the team. They return to the ship to regroup and try to rebuild themselves as a team. But the Bastion's jump to escape pursuit leads them to a star system Tav recognizes from the future--the site of Sia's death and his original time jump.

Girl By Moonlight: Divine Engines (Session 4) Lowell Francis runs for Ethan Harvey, Patrick Knowles, Sherri, and Tyler Lominack The team launches out to explore the mysteries of Tyrfing III, requiring them to disembark from the Engines to explore this silenced colony. After facing down and nearly being destroyed by mechanical guardians, the group comes face to face with the force which destroyed this world-- a face Tav recognizes as his own.

Free from the Shadow: Samurai Fantasy (Session 3) Lowell Francis runs for Cale P, Elle, Mike Minutillo, and Sherri We see the machinations of the clans go in various directions which seems to signal disaster. But progress on the Imperial project continues. With the aid of the Imperial Herald, the protagonists head to the site of an ancient duel in orders to uncover secrets. But they find a horde of undead and a more powerful being which lies dying belowground.

Hearts of Yokai (Session 2) Lowell Francis runs for Anders, Donogh, Matthew Doughty, and Sabine V. Mirage delivers her gift with unexpected results, Path and Scale have a moment or two of miscommunication, Lord Bloom deals with the location scouts and executes a party.

Hearts of Yokai (Session 3) Lowell Francis runs for Agatha, Anders, Donogh, and Sabine V. In the aftermath of Lord Bloom's party, Squeaktune returns. There's a moment of confession from Scale to Mirage, which sends Squeaktune scurrying away. Preparations for the ball celebrating the turn to the Court of Tides are interrupted by a flying dream sword--the pursuit of which leaves Mirage bleeding in the street.

MCU Sunday

Demigods (Session 3) Rich Rogers runs for Alex, Cody Eastlick, and Steven Watkins The new Warriors Three defeat Adam Mann and seek out the power behind the Mysticator Armor!

[theuntitledblog]

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023) - REVIEW

SYNOPSIS

When Rocket is seriously injured following an attack by Adam Warlock, the Guardians of the Galaxy recruit Gamora to hunt down Rocket's creator; the twist High Evolutionary to save their friend's life.

The rather disappointing Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania has led to some difficult questions being asked of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It would be foolish to say that this represents a genuine crisis, it is rather fair to say that this phase of the MCU has struggled with the overarching story and has left some questioning where is it all going. The Guardians of the Galaxy have always felt standalone in the way that James Gunn has approached their story and he does the same again here. While this doesn't answer any questions regarding the overarching narrative, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 gives the MCU a much needed boost with a crowd pleasing sequel that ticks off everything you'd expect to see on a Guardians checklist. A stylish soundtrack? Check. Colourful, crazy, imaginative and physics defying space locations? Check. Memorable characters and side splitting humour? Also check. Pushing the boundaries of just how dark the MCU has ever gone before? I didn't see this one coming and was definitely not on any checklist I would've had going into this. But it is this tonal shift and bold storytelling that helps set Vol. 3 apart from other entries.

While the trailers suggested a more darker aesthetic than what we had in Vol. 1 and 2, I seriously doubted whether any MCU film, particularly the Guardians of the Galaxy, would ever go to the sort of places that James Gunn takes us here. Let's be clear about it ... Rocket's backstory depicts the darkest, saddest and most horrifying concept yet seen in the MCU. So unsettling is some of the scenes that you would have to question whether it would be suitably for young children to come a long and see it. Don't get me wrong, this isn't a bleak film but the horrifying concepts being explored here is only heightened visually with a degree of gruesomeness I wasn't expecting either. Factoring into this also is perhaps the nastiest and cruellest villain yet seen in Chukwudi Iwuji's High Evolutionary who gives off some Kang vibes with his unstable and menacing performance. Rocket's origin steals the movie for me and helps elevate Vol. 3 to upper tier MCU levels but it's also to Gunn's credit that the rest of the film delivers.

The Guardians enjoyed great outings in Infinity War, Endgame and the recent Christmas Special and Gunn's writing builds upon these with Karen Gillan's Nebula and Pom Klemetieff's Mantis in particular getting much more to do this time around. But that doesn't mean that this is an imbalanced affair, in fact one of the things I admire most about Vol. 3 is that each Guardian is given something to do and moment(s) to shine. Yes this is a dark film at times but it is balanced with moments of levity and a strong emotional centre. Chris Pratt and Dave Bautista are as good as they've ever been in both their comedic moments and dramatic moments. Gunn is balancing a lot character threads; perhaps too much as he's balancing all the relationships between the Guardians, Rocket's backstory and Quill's unresolved issues with Zoe Saldana's alternate Gamora. Will Poulter's Adam Warlock doesn't get a lot of screen time and you do wish slightly more was done with him, Gunn gives him just enough to justify his presence in the film. Whilst it would've been tempting to provide a fan pleasing finale, Gunn is true to his word in the sense that this feels like a genuine finale for this set up of characters. Vol. 3 is a return to form for the MCU and it came at just the right time.

VERDICT

Vol. 3 is a fun, character driven thrill ride that also serves up dark and emotional themes that you might not have expected from a film called Guardians of the Galaxy. A complete triumph and perhaps the best film since Avengers: Endgame.

4/5

[claudia1829things]

MARVEL Television: The Conundrum of the MCU

MARVEL TELEVISION: THE CONUNDRUM OF THE MCU Sometime between the release of 2018's "THE AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR" and 2019's "THE AVENGERS: ENDGAME", Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige made an announcement that stunned a good number of Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) fans. He claimed that the ABC series, "MARVEL'S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D." was never part of the franchise. Not only did this news stun a good number of fans, but me as well.

Mind you, Feige not only claimed that "AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D." was never really a part of the MCU, but also other Marvel television shows that include the five Marvel Netflix shows, ABC's "THE INHUMANS" and the two shows that streamed on HULU - "CLOAK AND DAGGER" and "THE RUNAWAYS". The only Marvel TV series that escaped this situation was "MARVEL'S AGENT CARTER", which aired on ABC for two seasons, between 2015 and 2016. Feige and Marvel Studios also added that aside from "AGENT CARTER", the new television shows planned to stream on DisneyPlus would be considered canon. It has been almost four years since Feige made this announcement and I am still . . . well, not confused. Trust me, I am not confused. But nearly four years after Feige, I still harbor both frustration and annoyance over his announcement. My feelings increased tenfold when the pop culture media and certain fans of the MCU justified Feige's claims with a series of articles and posts on the Internet that not only declared the Marvel TV series not canon, but also accused the television shows of their failure to connect with the MCU films - especially "AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D.". One article, written for the SYFY website accused "AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D." of "breaking" the franchise, because the series' sixth season had failed to do a follow-up on Thanos' Snap from "THE AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR". I find this accusation ludicrous, because I found the five-year jump between "INFINITY WAR" and "THE AVENGERS: ENDGAME" unnecessary. And a part of me suspected that Disney Studios and Feige had insisted that the show stop trying to connect to the MCU films, due to their interest in setting up the DisneyPlus shows. I also do not believe the prevailing view that "AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D." and other Marvel television shows had failed to connect with the franchise's movies. If anything, they tried their damndest to connect with the films. I cannot speak for "THE RUNAWAYS" or "THE INHUMANS", since I have never seen them. As for the other Marvel shows, I have. In regard to those shows other than "AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D.", I have noticed the following: *The Chitauri Invasion from "THE AVENGERS" was mentioned in Seasons Two and Three of "DAREDEVIL" and one episode of "JESSICA JONES". In fact, Jessica Jones had an encounter with a woman who lost a relative during that particular incident. *The Raft, a prison for the super-impowered, was mentioned in several Season Two episodes and one Season Three episode of "JESSICA JONES". *Justin Hammer, one of the villains from "IRON MAN 2" was mentioned in "LUKE CAGE", along with his former company, Hammer Industries. Some of latter's tech was used against Luke Cage by his half-brother Eric Stryker aka Diamondback, including the Judas bullet, created from Chitauri metal. *Although the Roxxon Corporation was referenced in movies like "IRON MAN", "IRON MAN 2" and "IRON MAN 3"; it played a major role in both seasons of "AGENT CARTER", currently considered MCU canon by Marvel Films. Roxxon Corporation also played a major role in "CLOAK & DAGGER" and was referenced in "DAREDEVIL". *The WHiH World News, a television network, served as the main source of news for several MCU movies, including the IRON MAN films, 2008's "THE INCREDIBLE HULK", "THOR", "CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER", "ANT-MAN", "THE AVENGERS", "CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR" and "BLACK PANTHER". The television network also appeared in all of the Marvel Netflix shows - "DAREDEVIL", "JESSICA JONES", "LUKE CAGE", "IRON FIST" and "THE PUNISHER" - and "THE RUNAWAYS". *The Sokovia Accords, the United Nations document that regulated enhanced beings' activities, was introduced in "CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR" and was also used and mentioned in "SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING", "ANT-MAN & THE WASP", "INFINITY WAR" and "ENDGAME". The document was also mentioned in Season Two of "JESSICA JONES". "AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D." either mentioned or referenced the following from the MCU films: *The Chitauri Invasion, during which Phil Coulson was originally killed. *The Dark Elves Invasion and the Battle of Greenwich from "THOR: THE DARK WORLD". *Asgardians. *The HYDRA Uprising from "CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER", which served as part of the major narrative for the series' Season One. *S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Helicarrier 64, which was secretly repaired by Coulson and a team of technicians in late Season Two and used to save Sokovian citizens in "THE AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON". *The Kree made its first appearance as a corpse in the show's first season, before the release of "GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY". The aliens also appeared in the show's second and fifth seasons. They later appeared in 2017's "GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY: VOL. 2" and 2019's "CAPTAIN MARVEL". *Sokovia Accords - In "AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D.", Inhuman Agents Daisy Johnson aka Quake and Elena Rodriguez aka Yo-Yo were forced to sign the Sokovia Accords in order to continue working for the agency under Director Jeffrey Mace in Season Four. *The series' fourth season also mentioned the fugitive status of Steve Rogers aka Captain America and those who had joined him in his refusal to sign the Sokovia Accords. *During the S.H.I.E.L.D. team's travels through time in Season Seven, HYDRA's infiltration of S.H.I.E.L.D. ("CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER") was featured in at least three episodes. Also, two episodes focused on the Project Insight topic from the same movie. The series never mentioned Project Insight during the team's experiences in late Season One. Season One had a strong connection to both "THE AVENGERS" and "CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER", thanks to Phil Coulson's resurrection and the Fall of S.H.I.E.L.D. Late Season Two had a slightly less strong connection to "THE AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON", due to Coulson's search for and repair of a S.H.I.E.L.D. helicarrier used in the 2015 movie. Seasons Three and Four had only referenced events from "CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR" - Steve Rogers' fugitive status and the Sokovia Accords. However, Season Five managed to form strong connections to at least three MCU movies. The Kree, who have been featured in "GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY" and "CAPTAIN MARVEL", also appeared during the show's second season and played a major role in the creation of Season Three's main antagonist, Hive. But the Kree also served as the main antagonists of Season Five's first half, when Coulson and his team found themselves stuck in Earth's future. Upon their return to early 2018, the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents discovered that the Kree were members of an intergalactic political group called the Confederacy and that a top HYDRA mole in the U.S. military had formed an alliance with it. Season Five also featured the emergence of S.H.I.E.L.D. ally General Glenn Talbot, who became Graviton, thanks to an atomic element from Season One called the Gravitonium. As it turned out, the Confederacy wanted the Gravitonium. And the latter wanted it for a reason that connected the series to one of the MCU's biggest films. The Confederacy wanted the Gravitonium and a handful of Inhumans on Earth (including Agent Daisy Johnson) to use for protection from extraterrestrial threats to their worlds and Earth (thanks to their alliance with the HYDRA mole). And according to the Confederacy, one of those threats was Thanos, who had targeted Earth in his hunt for the Infinity Stones. In this scenario, the events of "THE AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR" played a major role in late Season Five's main narrative. In the episode, (5.19) "Option Two", "Agent Alphonso "Mack" Mackenzie’s old friend and former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, Tony Caine, had commented on an incident from the 2018 movie, in which some of Thanos’ minions appeared in Manhattan in search of the Time Stone possessed by Dr. Stephen Strange. In the following episode, (5.20) "The One Who Will Save Us All", an empowered Glenn Talbot learned from Quovas, one of the Confederacy aliens trying to get their hands on the gravitonium, of Thanos' impending arrival on Earth. Because of this news, an enhanced and mentally unstable Talbot aka Graviton decided to mine more gravitonium underneath Chicago in order to become more powerful and face Thanos. Unfortunately, in doing so, Graviton threatened to destroy most of the Earth. Needless to say, Coulson and the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents prevented Earth's destruction by defeating Graviton. They also defeated the Confederacy. And Thanos eventually used the Infinity Stones to initiate the Snap that wiped out half of the universe's population. Sometime between the series' fifth and sixth seasons, Disney Studios, Marvel Television, Mutant Enemy, and Marvel Films proclaimed that "AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D." and other Marvel Television productions (with the exception of "AGENT CARTER") were not part of the MCU. Mutant Enemy and Marvel Television made it clear that "AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D." would not mention the Snap or explore the post-Snap world on Earth. The events of the series' sixth and seventh seasons had occurred three to four years before the events of 2019's "THE AVENGERS: ENDGAME", due to the franchise's time jump. But what made these decisions even more insidious in my eyes was Kevin Feige's accusation that "AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D." had failed to connect to the rest of the MCU since it first aired. And many media outlets and MCU fans had simply swallowed his pronunciations like candy in some idiotic effort to give Feige and the movies a pass for failing to mention the series for several years. Not only do I find this insidious, I also find these declarations rather mind boggling. I just revealed how the series had worked harder to connect to the franchise’s films than the latter had done to connect to the series or any of the other Marvel Television productions. Film characters like Nick Fury, Maria Hill, Lady Sif, Peggy Carter, Jim Morita, Dr. List and Gideon Malick have all appeared on the series during Seasons One, Two and Three. After Season Three, I never saw one character from any of the movies during the series' remaining run. Nor do I recall any of the film characters appearing on the other Marvel Television productions, until Matt Murdock appeared on "SHE-HULK: ATTORNEY-AT-LAW". But the latter is a DisneyPlus production for Marvel and Feige. So, does that mean the three-season run of "DAREDEVIL" on Netflix is NOW considered part of the MCU? I find myself thinking about Chloe Bennet (Agent Daisy Johnson), who has angrily pointed out on numerous occasions in the past about the franchise’s tendency to ignore not only "AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D." in its movies, but in other MCU shows on the ABC network and on streaming television. After encountering one article after another or one forum post after another that accused "AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D." of failing to connect to the MCU, I had to spill my guts. I have said it once and I will say it again - I think Kevin Feige's statement about the past Marvel Television shows is full of shit. I think all of the suits from Marvel/Disney are full of shit. To me, the movies' failure to maintain a strong connection with the television shows struck me as a sign of how their bad handling of the franchise and excuses had produced a big pile of simmering shit known as the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

[hua-wangs-blog]

Marvel Comic Books vs. MCU Movie Characters: Unveiling the Differences

Marvel comic books and the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) have captivated audiences worldwide with their iconic characters and thrilling storylines. While both mediums share a common universe, there are notable differences between the comic book characters and their on-screen counterparts. In this blog post, we will delve into the distinctions, shedding light on the unique characteristics and adaptations that shape these beloved Marvel heroes and villains.

1. Origin Stories:

One of the key disparities between the comic book characters and their MCU movie counterparts lies in their origin stories. In the comic books, characters like Spider-Man, Iron Man, and Captain America have rich and complex backstories that span decades of publication. On the other hand, the MCU movies often streamline and condense these origins to fit within a single film or a series of films, necessitating changes to the narrative and character development.

2. Visual Design:

Another noticeable difference between the comic book characters and the MCU movie characters is their visual design. Comic book artists have the freedom to depict characters in various styles, resulting in diverse interpretations over the years. In contrast, the MCU movie characters are brought to life by actors and brought together by costume designers who strive to strike a balance between honoring the source material and adapting it for the big screen.

3. Character Development:

Characters in the comic books often undergo extensive character development arcs, facing numerous challenges and evolving over time. However, due to the constraints of the cinematic format, the MCU movie characters may experience condensed character development or different character arcs altogether. This alteration is driven by the need to craft cohesive narratives within the limited screen time available.

4. Story Adaptations:

The transition from comic book to film or TV series necessitates adapting the source material to suit the medium. This adaptation process can lead to altered storylines, modified character relationships, and the omission or inclusion of certain plot elements. While the MCU strives to remain faithful to the spirit of the comics, it also embraces creative liberties to appeal to a wider audience and maintain narrative coherence.

5. Expanding the Universe:

Marvel comic books have a vast and intricate universe, encompassing numerous parallel dimensions, alternate timelines, and complex interconnections between characters. While the MCU has successfully integrated various elements from the comics, it also introduces its own unique storylines, characters, and world-building, ensuring that both mediums can be enjoyed independently.

1. Natasha Romanoff (Black Widow):

- Full Biography: Natalia Alianovna Romanova, also known as Natasha Romanoff, was born in Stalingrad, Russia. She has a complex past as a talented spy and assassin, trained by the KGB. After defecting to the United States, Natasha became a member of S.H.I.E.L.D. and later joined the Avengers.

- Real Name: Natalia Alianovna Romanova

- Age: Varies across different comic storylines, but generally depicted as being in her 30s

- Personality: Natasha is known for her exceptional skills in espionage, martial arts, and marksmanship. She is intelligent, resourceful, and often maintains a calm and composed demeanor, even in high-pressure situations.

2. Wanda Maximoff (Scarlet Witch):

- Full Biography: Wanda Maximoff, also known as Scarlet Witch, is a mutant with reality-altering powers. She and her twin brother Pietro were born in Sokovia but later became members of the Avengers. Wanda has struggled with her powers and has a tumultuous history, often serving as both a hero and a villain.

- Real Name: Wanda Maximoff

- Age: Varies across different comic storylines, but generally depicted as being in her 30s

- Personality: Wanda is compassionate and fiercely protective of her loved ones. She is emotionally complex, often grappling with feelings of guilt and the immense power she possesses.

3. Tony Stark (Iron Man):

- Full Biography: Anthony Edward Stark, known as Tony Stark, is a billionaire genius and founder of Stark Industries. After being kidnapped and building a suit of armor to escape, Tony becomes the superhero Iron Man. He is a founding member of the Avengers and a prominent figure in the Marvel universe.

- Real Name: Anthony Edward Stark

- Age: Varies across different comic storylines, but generally depicted as being in his 40s

- Personality: Tony Stark is known for his quick wit, arrogance, and confidence. He is a brilliant inventor and strategist, but his playboy lifestyle often masks his underlying insecurities.

4. Steve Rogers (Captain America):

- Full Biography: Steven Grant Rogers, also known as Captain America, is a super-soldier who fought in World War II. After being frozen for decades, he awakens in the present day and becomes the leader of the Avengers. Steve is a symbol of justice, honor, and the embodiment of the American spirit.

- Real Name: Steven Grant Rogers

- Age: Varies across different comic storylines, but generally depicted as being in his 30s at the time of his transformation

- Personality: Steve is principled, courageous, and self-sacrificing. He stands for what he believes in and strives to protect the innocent. Steve embodies unwavering loyalty and is respected by his peers for his leadership skills.

Marvel comic books and the MCU movies offer distinct yet interconnected experiences. While the comic books provide a sprawling canvas for character exploration and storytelling, the MCU movies condense and adapt these narratives for the big screen, creating a visually stunning and accessible universe for a wider audience. By acknowledging the differences between the comic book characters and their on-screen counterparts, we can appreciate the creative choices made and revel in the ever-expanding Marvel multiverse.

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In Celebration of Love: X-Men Edition

For this Valentine's day, I made a list of my favorite couples from the X-universe, and here is why you should pay attention too 😏

Ororo Munroe x James Logan Howlett

Related Fanfics: Lone Wolf Cabin (Explicit), Trip to the Waterfalls (Explicit)

RoLo is my first-ever ship. Their dynamic is exciting. She is the unattainable goddess (or so she tells herself), while he is a man with a long past with nothing else left but his own animal side. Through time, Logan was a wingman to Ororo's X-Men leadership.

He was also there for Ororo right after she parted with T'Challa to serve her people, the mutants. It is only so interesting to see that Logan stood by her side, a supportive friend and a lover, while she was in a post-Wakandan era of finding her own purpose yet again.

Nature is a constant companion. Take a winter cabin, woods, and fresh air. Is it not liberating to see these two together?

Scott Summers x Emma Frost

Related Fanfics: Essense of Emma (Explicit), Uncanny X-Men: Sex & Cigarettes (Explicit)

Scemma infected me from the first pages of the New X-Men.

Emma is a complex character, a femme fatale. With a difficult past to reconcile with, she is one of the prime examples of a villain turning into a main character. Scott, on the other hand, seemingly clings to her corrupted nature at first. Next, he makes an active choice to be with Emma and to build his own life regardless of who is woman by his side. As the result, the two formed the most interesting power couple/fight couple.

They never lost their spark on the page. I also absolutely LOVE the "two leaders being together" dynamic. Usually, in a relationship, one of the parties assumes a submissive role. Here, Scemma gives me the air to breathe - a hope that two powerful personalities can in fact thrive together.

Destiny x Mystique

Related Fanfic: Viva Las Vegas (Explicit)

Ok. Hear me out.

The fact that two lesbian terrorists survived all censorship and, to this date, are one of the longest and most consistent power couples in the X-Men universe still baffles me. I like their ambition and shared sense of humor.

Are they good parents? Debatable. Are they fighting for the right cause? Depends. Are they ready to burn the world down for each other? Absolutely fucking yes.

Wanda Maximoff x Pietro Maximoff

Related Fanfic: Murder at Polaris Express (Explicit)

'Nuff said. Crucify me for this. 😏

There is nothing to be ashamed of. Incest is a taboo in our civilization for a reason - two genetically similar humans have low chances of creating a child with maximized odds for survival and top health. No-go. It makes total sense. But! I am waiting for a retcon explaining how they were both not-blood siblings and simply met each other under the circumstances of Magneto's found family.

I shipped them since around 2005. I shipped these two so hard, I persuaded my ex-boyfriend to dress up as these two troublemakers for Halloween. Yes. Ex-boyfriend. Yes, he agreed willingly. Yes, we went to a party like this. MCU's Age of Ultron made us horny, and I refuse to apologize for what my mind desires.