The Punisher: One Last Kill Teaser, My Thoughts

The Mighty Marvel Cinematic Universe marches on! The franchise has touched various forms of media, including, naturally television. And coming soon is another television special starring Marvel's resident lethal vigilante: Frank Castle, the Punisher.

The Punisher: One Last Kill has Jon Bernthal reprise his role as Castle. He's previously appeared in various other Marvel series: Daredevil, Daredevil: Born Again, and will also appear in the film Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Bernthal also co-wrote the special with the director, Reinaldo Marcus Green. This upcoming special will see Frank Castle finally try to live a life of peace, but sadly as it goes into these things, Frankie will have to pick up his guns one final time. This special also will introduce iconic Punisher villainess Ma Gnucci to the MCU. Let's look at the trailer!

Bill, he's busy meditating. Come back later. 

That'll hurt.

I get the feeling Frank's an atheist.

Frank forgot to shut off the tub faucet again!

"OH GOD FIRE HURTS WHY DID I LET MY LEGS GET ABLAZE I NEED WATER!"

Frank loves his new hoodie and he wanted to show it off. I don't blame him. It's a nice hoodie. Seems cozy.

Remember kids, if your assault rifle has no bullets left in it, you can still beat up people with it.

"Man, I can rock a hoodie!" 

The bulletproof vest with the skull painted on it always looks cool. It's always nice to see it in live action.

I think this will be a fun watch. While the Punisher is not exactly my favorite of Marvel's menagerie of mayhem-fighters, I have enjoyed Jon Bernthal's performance as Frank, and I have enjoyed some comic stories with him in it. I also am curious as to how Ma Gnucci will be portrayed here...and if she'll end up mauled by polar bears like in the comics. Thanks for reading this blog entry! If you liked it, show it off! Take care of yourselves and each other! See you next time!

International Beaver Day

 Today is International Beaver Day!

Beavers are mammals native to North America and Eurasia. In fact, they are considered the national animals of Canada. 

They are members of the rodent family. They are the second biggest rodents on Earth, as they can weigh up to 110 pounds. They are closely related to gophers, kangaroo rats and kangaroo mice. They are also nocturnal but can be active in twilight. Beavers form families kind of like humans, with monogamous pairs. Beavers have their kits in the spring or summer, taking about 3-4 months to gestate. 

Beavers are known for their big buck teeth, flat scaly tails, and their love of building. They are semi-aquatic animals, living regularly on land and water (their back feet are webbed). But the thing beavers are most known for...is building dams. They love building dams. Building dams are a beaver's life. It's why in pop culture; beavers are portrayed as construction workers and associated with industriousness. They don't just build dams for the heck of it, they do it to create ponds for them to live in.

Beavers construct their dams from mud, tree branches, rocks, and vegetation. They also use a substance called castoreum, a substance that is generated from special glands to help mark their territory. Beavers are also known for their incisors, which constantly grow throughout their life. Examinations of their brains have shown that they are rather intelligent critters. 

Beavers predominantly live in fresh waters, like lakes and ponds. They also prefer wider slower streams and don't like areas that flood a lot. They are primarily herbivorous, but they can adapt to various environments by eating barks. They also are known to cache away food for the winter. 

Beavers are known as a keystone species, as their activities can have a major impact on their environment. They create wetlands, which can help purify water and prevent soil loss. Other animals like muskrats and otters have been known to shelter in beaver lodges. Their presence can increase the amount of salmon and trout in the area. They can be as seen as nuisances by humans, as they can wreck crops and even roads. Beavers have also been known to attack humans in defense of their territory, or if they have rabies. 

So yeah, beavers are fascinating creatures. And they are an important part of maintaining biodiversity. They're pretty neat. Thanks for reading this blog entry! If you liked it, show it off! Take care of yourselves and each other! If you like what I write, please make a donation to my Ko-fi! See you next time!

Happy Easter!

Hello, to all my blog readers! I just want to wish you all a happy and wonderful Easter Day today!

For those of the Christian faith, Easter is basically the day that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ three days after he got crucified. Here in the United States, where I live, the holiday often falls on a Sunday, so it has not been declared a federal or public holiday. State and federal employees don't work on Sundays anyway, that's why. And many cities hold Easter parades. You can read more about Easter, it's history, and it's traditions here.

One of the most iconic symbols of Easter is the Easter egg. The egg is meant to symbolize rebirth and new life, which makes sense, considering what Easter is supposed to represent. Another Easter symbol is of course, the Easter Bunny. Originating among German Lutherans, the Bunny is a Santa Claus-like figure who gives colored eggs (and originally toys) to good children. You can read more about the bunny here.

I hope your Easter was a wonderful one. If you don't celebrate, that's fine. I hope you still had a great day and have a very happy spring. Thanks for reading this blog entry! If you liked it, show it off! Take care of yourselves and each other! If you want to giv this blog a little additional support, please make a donation to my Ko-fi. See you next time!

International Carrot Day

Today is International Carrot Day!

Carrots are biennial root vegetables, meaning they take generally around two years to complete its life cycles. Carrots are generally orange in color thanks to their high amounts of beta-carotene, a red-orange pigment. While carrots are generally orange, they actually can come in a variety of colors. There are variants of carrots that can come in red, yellow, purple, white, even black. These all came about thanks to the domestication of the wild carrot.

Carrots were originally grown for their leaves and seeds. In the 1st century AD, Greek physician Dioscorides described the carrot, saying the root can be cooked and eaten. While wild carrots originally grew in Europe and Southwestern Asia, they would spread all over the world. The Moors brought the plant to Spain in the 8th century. The modern carrot's history can be traced to Afghanistan in the 10th century. The 12th century saw cultivated carrots in China, and they'd come to Japan in the 16/17th century. It was also around that time that it would be introduced to Colonial America.

The orange carrot as we know it was born thanks to Dutch farmers in the 18th century. Even though there is evidence the color did exist as far back as 512 AD, it would be around this time that it was a known stable variant. There was a legend that the Dutch bred this variety to honor William of Orange, but the reality likely is that the Europeans embraced this variety because they thought it was prettier in soup. Yeah.

There is one fun urban legend around carrots. You see, carrots are rich in Vitamin A, which is good for eye health. When I was a kid, my mom told me a tale that British pilots would eat lots of carrots to give them good night vision, allowing them to make nighttime bombing raids during World War II. That was propaganda to hide the fact that they were using radar. 

Carrots have a very fascinating history, so enjoy one today! Thanks for reading this blog entry! If you liked it, show it off! Take care of yourselves and each other! And if you want to give this blog some additional support, please make a donation to my Ko-fi! See you next time!

Amazing Spider-Man #233 (October 1982)

If you ever watched the trailer to the upcoming film Spider-Man: Brand New Day, you may have noticed a cameo by a red and black-wearing man with what looked like a spike in his boot. That man was an actual character from the comics: the Tarantula.

There have been several Tarantulas over the years. The first was Antonio "Anton" Miguel Rodriguez, who debuted in Amazing Spider-Man #134 (July 1974), created by Gerry Conway and Ross Andru. Conway drew inspiration from the political upheavals in South America going on in the 1970s, with the US supporting the oppressive regimes that rose up in the era, like in Chile. Additional inspiration was drawn from a conversation he had with fellow Marvel writer Don Glut, which postulated that that larger countries in the Marvel Universe would not be the only ones that had superhuman beings and superheroes of their own. Smaller countries would likely have them, too. Which is something that does make sense in the MU when you think about it. 

Conway intended Rodriguez to be a South American version of Captain America, but the character would be rather short-lived. Rodriguez would get killed off later in the 1980s, but he would be revived decades later in the Clone Conspiracy storyline. Other characters would take up the mantle of the Tarantula, including Anton's daughter Jacinda and former Hero for Hire Maria Vasquez, who was unrelated to the other Rodriguez Tarantulas. There had been other characters that have used the Tarantula name, but that's not important here. 

I had actually wanted to look at the issue in which Rodriguez debuted, but I'm afraid I do not have it. However, I did have access to another story in which he plays a significant role...and would lead to his downfall and death later on. This is Amazing Spider-Man #233!

The cover is a John Romita Jr and Al Milgrom piece. I love this cover. It's pretty darn funny. You see Tarantula come down and try to bring down Spider-Man with his trademark boot blades, but thanks to his Spider-Sense and superhuman strength, our man is easily able to avoid it and send the South American assassin to dreamland with a Mighty Punch. It's a good and funny cover, my only complaint is that it seemingly does not fit the tone of the interior story at all. You'll see what I mean.

"Where the @$%# is Nose Norton?"
Writer: Roger Stern
Penciler: John Romita Jr.
Inker: Jim Mooney
Colorist: Glynis Wein
Letterer: Diana Albers
Editor: Tom DeFalco
Editor-in-Chief: Jim Shooter

The story begins with J. Jonah Jameson being as cheerful as he usually is known to be, demanding to know where on Earth a man named "Nose" Norton went off to. You see, "Nose" is an informant, and he has some juicy information the Bugle could use to expose the Brand Corporation. Jameson paid good money for the info, and the old skinflint fears that "Nose" made like Steve Miller and took the money and ran.

Sitting in the office with him is his wife Marla, and his fellow Buglers Robbie Robertson and Ned Leeds. Robbie tries to assure Jameson that Norton will surface, as the cops are looking for him. Ned adds that that there are whispers of some out-of-town muscle that is looking for "Nose" as well. And it does not take a Sherlock Holmes to figure out that said muscle is after Norton because of what he knows.

Jameson, ever the brilliant mind he is, theorizes that Spider-Man is also after Norton as the web-slinger fought the villain known as Cobra (as in the long-running Marvel villain, not the ruthless terrorist organization determined to rule the world) just as Leeds was about to get the info from Norton in issue #231. Leeds naturally finds it ridiculous. 

Of course, Leeds finds Jameson's theory dumb, because Spider-Man was the one who saved him, Betty Brant, and Norton from the Cobra. Also, Jameson is so obsessed with smearing Spider-Man that if he stubbed his toe on a sidewalk curb, Jameson would scream that Spider-Man deliberately put that curb there.

As such, Leeds refuses to let him use the expose to commit libel. Robbie has Leeds's back, saying that dragging Spider-Man into it will make the paper look bad. I can imagine that under Jameson, the Daily Bugle has had to print many a retraction about the Web-Head over the years.  As this is going down, Peter Parker is swinging his way back to the Bugle's building. It's then the Parker Luck strikes again.

It's not mentioned here, but someone covered the outside handle with gum as well.

Yeah, no going in that way. Peter has to use the elevator shaft to make his way inside. Once he does, he goes to wash his hands, as elevator cables are friggin' filthy.

After he gets that handled, Jameson shows up in the newsroom, and he's making an announcement. 

It was then that the Daily Bugle workers knew he had gone utterly mad.

Yeah. $1,500. In the 80s, that's a nice chunk of change. Considering how much of a skinflint scrooge he is, the rest of the Bugle staff see it as a sign that Jameson is that desperate to find Norton...or he has some serious health issues. Our man Peter sees dollar signs in his eyes. That money would be very helpful to him. Not to mention with his powers, he has the best chance of finding Norton.  

On his way out, he passes by a blonde beauty named Amy. She's looking for Lance Bannon, another Bugle photographer at the time. However, the man is late. Again. Get him a watch! 

She learns about Peter from another staffer...and it inspires her.

"I always wanted to be a femme fatale..."

Yeah, the Parker Luck combined with the Parker Rizz...it's a dangerous combination. But this is a book about Spider-Man, right? What's he up to?

This is why nobody wants to play pool with you, Pete.

Well, looking for the Nose, of course. The sight of the webslinger gets the pool players running.

Our man uses his webs and powers to get some answers. Unfortunately, Peter makes a goofup.

"I also lost a bet thanks to you, you webbed jerk!"

Yeah, he accidentally grabbed an undercover cop and ruined a bust. The Parker Luck strikes again. 

The scene shifts to the blue waters and warm sun of Miami Beach. People come here to surf, tan, and have a good time, and for one man, he just wants to sit at his table and have a smoke. He gets visited by a Senor "Smith". Smith wants to hire this man to kill Norton. You see, this is Anton Rodriguez, laying low under a pseudonym. Smith offers coverage of all expenses and will provide some new equipment...as well as $250,000. In 80s money, that's a very nice chunk of change. Anton is all like "You got yourself a Tarantula". 

So, now we got the players set, both after Norton. Both Anton and Peter are after him for different reasons, the only commonality is the need for that sweet cash. But where has Norton himself been hiding out? Well, he's naturally been laying low in his apartment above a bar in Staten Island called Murray's. But the cabin fever has gotten to him, and the Nose needs to get out. I know the feeling.

"This beer smells so good..."

That may have ended up being the last beer that the Nose would enjoy. One of Smith's men spots him and calls it in.

Elsewhere, Ben Urich also gets a call to head to Murray's. He rushes there, being followed by Spider-Man. 

Peter meets Ben on the Staten Island Ferry, and the two head to Murray's. They find the Nose.

"Hey there, Nose! Did you get that thing we sent you?"

Peter's Spider-Sense goes off, signaling the Tarantula has arrived. 

"BEHOLD MY GLORIOUS FOOT!" 

Anton knocks Ben aside. Peter moves to save the reporter, allowing the assassin to make off with the Nose. He goes to interrogate the terrified informant, but's all an act.

You see, Tarantula knows Ben is watching him, so he's trying to mess with Urich by portraying Nose as a cowardly liar. Spider-Man shows up and engages the Tarantula. 

Peter easily tosses the South American assassin into a garbage scow. Yeah, people tend to forget that Spider-Man is a powerhouse in his own right. Sure, he's no Hulk, Wonder Man, or Thor, but he is hardly the stereotypical 98-pound weakling. Anton tries to stick our man with his poison-tipped boot blades. These new ones are now retractable. Spidey webs his boots to the ground. 

Meanwhile, Ben tries to talk to the Nose. However, Norton is too freaked out, pulling a gun on him. The two then hear what are presumably New York's Finest calling for everyone to freeze. Tarantula reveals another new trick. 

"I am invincible because I have the power of jazz hands!"

Yup, he now also has retractable poison blades in his gloves. It's a respectable upgrade, but Peter Parker still has a couple big advantages: His Spider-Sense and his superpowers. This allows our man to take down the Tarantula easily. He hears gunshots and goes to check it out.

"He also threw shoes at us! Who throws a shoe?! Honestly!"

Ben is alright, as he hit the ground when the shots started flying...although he has got to quit smoking. I'm not making a joke, Ben does say that. The men who shot Nose are private investigators, claiming they shot him in self-defense. They had been after Norton because of his activities as a fence. A fence is someone who buys stolen goods to be resold at a profit. Fences will often use legit businesses like pawn shops as a front, a way of "laundering" the stolen goods.

Spider-Man finds the whole thing a bit convenient. These two guys happened to show up and shoot Norton while Spidey was trying to stop the Tarantula from killing him? Yeah, it does sound a bit convenient. Luckily (or unluckily, depending on who you ask) Nose is still alive. He needs an ambulance. Spidey also wants the cops called to take care of the Tarantula...who also has vanished. Someone evidently has, so it's time for Spider-Man to make an exit...and Peter Paker to make his entrance. Peter's camera has gotten some pictures. Hopefully, they have photos of the supposed PIs shooting Nose first. Our man isn't sure, but he's willing to find out.

I enjoyed this issue. But then again, I am a fan of Roger Stern's Spider-Man run in general. We get a couple bits of humor with Spider-Man accidentally ruining a sting and having to find another way into the Bugle's offices, some set up of a bit of drama with Amy Powell, and plenty of action with Spider-Man fighting the Tarantula. Peter easily beating him does make a bit of sense. Anton at this point is only human. He's a good fighter, but Peter has actual superpowers. He's super-strong, presumably more durable than the average man, and got great reflexes. Not to mention his Spider-Sense. It's a nice solid entertaining little story.

John Romita Jr turns in some fine art on this issue. What is interesting is that we're starting to see his style slightly differ from his legendary father. There is still a slight bit of Senior in the style, mainly in how he renders women and Spider-Man himself in full costume. I do wish he had stuck to this, as it looks really good. 

As I said earlier, this issue would lead to the downfall of Anton Rodriguez. In the next couple issues, agents of the Brand Corporation would subject Anton to an experiment in an attempt to give him powers like Spider-Man's, presumably to make him a better match against the Wall-Crawler. However, a battle between Spider-Man and the Will O' The Wisp would wreck it, causing Anton to get powers...but also to slowly mutate into a giant spider. In his giant spider form, he would leap into the gunfire from some cops. Anton would remain dead for decades until as I said earlier, he would be resurrected (with his humanity restored) in the Dead No More: The Clone Conspiracy storyline. 

If you want to read this issue yourself, I got the scans from the 2013 trade paperback Amazing Spider-Man: Mark of the Tarantula. It will also be included in the upcoming (as of the time of this writing) 2026 trade paperback Amazing Spider-Man Epic Collection Vol. 13: Nothing Can Stop the Juggernaut. Thanks for reading this blog entry! If you liked it, show it off! Take care of yourselves and each other! If you want to give this blog some additional support, please make a donation to my Ko-fi! See you next time!

12th Anniversary

Today is a very special day on this here little blog, as we are celebrating our 12th Anniversary!

On this day, 12 years ago, it was my 30th birthday. I thought it would be fun to have a blog where I wrote about stuff that I like. Since then, I have done a lot on this here little corner of the Internet. I've written many reviews of comic books...hopefully I've made some folks aware of what I consider some hidden gems in the superhero genre. I've written Text Plays of Pokémon fan games I've been playing. I've also even written a couple short stories on here: "Out the Window" and "Hard Road to Takeoff". Please, give them a read. I'm pretty proud of them. 

Arguably the most popular blog post I've ever written was my review of Justice League of America #221 (December 1983). It's gotten over 20,000 views. I guess people really like cat-women.

I have had a ton of fun writing this blog over the past 12 years. I want to thank everyone who has ever read this blog, enjoyed it, and left a comment. I hope that you continue to enjoy my little silly corner of the Internet, and that I can continue to give you all a bit of joy here. Thanks again for reading my blog! If you liked it, show it off! If you want to give this blog a little bit of additional support, please make a donation to my Ko-Fi! See you next time!

April Fools' Day

 Happy April Fools' Day,  everyone!

April Fools' Day is the day of jokes and pranks. It's a practice that has been celebrated for a long time in the Western world. The exact origin of this holiday is unknown, but one theory is that it may be linked to Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales. One of these tales is of a rooster that got tricked by a fox. It was believed the fox tricked the rooster on April 1. However, the text itself may have been copied wrong.

In France, the first known reference to the day was made in 1508 by poet Eloy d'Amerval as "April fish", which is still said that way in French-speaking Europe. In the UK, the first known reference appeared in 1686 by writer, philosopher, and pioneering archaeologist John Aubrey. Various countries around the world have had their own versions of April Fools' Day. However, Spain and Spanish-speaking countries have a "December Fools' Day", as their version of this day occurs on the 28th of December. This day has also incurred its fair share of controversy, as some pranks can be seen as going too far and being hurtful.

This day has also become an inspiration for pop culture. For example, a 1986 slasher film of the same name.

Regardless, I hope you had a good day today and managed to avoid getting pranked too badly. Thanks for reading this blog entry! If you liked it, spread it around! Take care of yourselves and each other! If you enjoy what I write and want to give this blog a little additional support, please make a donation to my Ko-fi. See you next time!