New Article live on Department of Awesomology.

Hi guys,

My review of Sega's tie-in to The First Avenger, Captain America: Super Soldier is up over at the Department of Awesomology. Check it out here. Does it make the grade? Well. . .therein hangs a tale. Check it out, comment here or over at DOA.

Until next time,

Stac

First Among Equals: Captain America: The First Avenger.

Hi guys,

My (slightly) more restrained take on Captain America may be found over at the other site I work with, the very cool Department of Awesomology. Stop by, read, enjoy the movie, then if you like the site and our mission statement, maybe sign up and hang out. We're not officially live yet, but we're getting ready to take the plunge.

Stac

Post-View Show- Captain America; The First Avenger.

Later.

Later will come the deeper analysis, the introspection and the critical thinking necessary to judge a work of fiction with any degree of impartiality. For the moment, I trust you will indulge me as I completely lose what little hold I have over my self-control and urge you to see this film immediately. It is easily the best film Marvel Studios has produced, and (in my humblest of opinions)the best film of Summer 2011. There. I said it. The gauntlet has been thrown to the ground.

Now this may be my post-viewing enthusiasm bubbling forth, and perhaps subsequent viewing will cool my feelings toward the piece. I freely admit I'm a Golden Age/Pulp nerd; set something in the 1930s-40s, throw in some weird science, a diabolical arch-fiend out to take over the world and a stalwart hero to oppose him and I'm in like Flynn. But this movie not only met my expectations, it exceeded them. Joe Johnston and his team have done what I never would've dreamed possible: they have created a film that is a tonal and character 180 degrees from the pinnacle of contemporary superhero movies (Chris Nolan's The Dark Knight) while still managing to make it a complete and total equal in terms of entertainment.

I may need a good night's sleep to mull this over on (it's about 3:15 in the morning as I type these words and the mixture of fatigue and giddiness could be coloring my perceptions) but I encourage you, nay, implore you to seek this film out. It's just plain fun in a way that I think most cinematic blockbusters rolled off the assembly line just aren't anymore. The good guys were true blue, the bad guys delightfully nasty, the good fight was fought, and a hero came into his own. My usual tag of 'recommended' seems pale and inadequate. See this movie and let me know what you think. Me? I loved it. It's easily my favorite Marvel movie of all time, and stands shoulder to shoulder with Sky Captain And The World of Tomorrow, The Phantom, and the Fleischer Superman cartoons as a vision of old school heroism and adventure.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to collapse into a satisfied but exhausted heap.

Stac

Ps. Staying until after the credits would be very, very wise. Have a bucket handy to collect your face after it's melted off.

Insert placeholder for new piece here.

Hi guys,

I know, I know. Life keeps happening to me while I make other plans, so for the future let's agree TCD will be updated every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Makes things a bit simpler and removes a bit of the 'when's he gonna update' stuff. To be fair I have done some reading and have material ready to go, I just need to apply butt to chair and my late start today didn't help matters (damn Heavy Rain. .).

Tonight though, I will make a pledge. As I'm off to see a movie about a man with a shield, I'll come back and share my completely uncensored chain of thought regarding Captain America: The First Avenger, even before I compose my Official review for the Department of Awesomology. That seems a fair and even agreement between gentlepersons.

Talk to you later,

Stac

No article, but there is an article. Wha. . .?

Recently I've become a contirbuting member of a fun site called The Department of Awesomology, where I've taken on the position of resident comicbook guru. I posted an article on the Roger Stern/John Byrne Captain America collection War & Remembrance. Feel free to check it out, and tell 'em The Canadian Defender sent you!

Stac

The Most Awesome Thing Encountered Today.

Rapper MC Esoteric has created a tribute to the Silver Age of Comics with his Serve or Suffer album. I need a copy stat. A full article on the artist and his process can be found here. 'Cause the only thing cooler than being a comicbook fan is being a comicbook gangster. Werd.

Stac

My vote for Captain America.

The more I hear about the Captain America movie the more relieved I am. Joe Johnston directed one of the all-time best comic-to-film adaptations with 1991's The Rocketeer, and I thought his stuff on Hidalgo was just rock-'em, sock-'em adventure fun. I breathe a sigh of relief at the news the film is in his capable hands.

Speaking of the flick, y'know it never occurred to me until just now but Nathan Fillion would make an excellent Steve Rogers. They might have to digitally weaken him a bit for the pre-Erskine treatment, but he could really pull off the whole super-soldier look with six months physical training.

And come on, the irony of a Canadian playing the Sentinel of Liberty? Delicious.

Stac