Ranking the MCU Films (So Far) part 2

Posted by comiczombie on

Dare I try to do the nearly damn impossible and rank the film entries in the MCU?
It’s a very daunting task, because how do you choose between some of these? I made this list from scratch three times, and it changes shockingly little, so I’m sticking to my guns, I suppose!

The important thing to remember with the below list is that these are ranked not by cinematic achievement or a carefully plotted out chart or an algorithm to determine what are truly the best MCU entries. These are based solely on how much enjoyment I derive from them. You might think I’m a madman, or that finally (FINALLY!) somebody truly gets you, but regardless of whether or not you disagree with my choices (I’m sure Erik will have a completely different breakdown) I hope you enjoy reading!

You can check out part 1 here!

Continue reading →

House Ads 4

Posted by comiczombie on

I mean, what even needs to be said? It’s the best-selling issue in comics history.

I was a little kid when this book came out, and I remember seeing this ad in a book (I want to say it was X-Force #1?) I was so excited. I was calling my local comic book shop every week asking if it was out yet and when the guy finally, FINALLY told me that it was going to come in that week I was counting the minutes until I could finally read it (and stare at the amazing Jim Lee artwork, of course). I even got all of the different covers, the first (and only) time I got multiple copies of the same book just for the covers.

The X-Men have been one of Marvel’s most popular properties for decades, but this was them hitting a new level, and you could almost feel it coming, starting with this ad.

 

House Ads 3

Posted by comiczombie on

After introducing Azrael, who would go on to become the new Batman, it was time to introduce the man who would create a need for a new Batman. Enter: Bane, the man who would break the Bat!

Vengeance of Bane is a cool one-shot story that introduces Bane and tells his super effed up backstory growing up in an island prison in the horribly corrupt nation of Santa Prisca and does a serviceable job establishing why a man from this corner of the world would give two craps about Gotham City or the Batman.

It’s a pretty cool ad, too, as it gives Bane a sense of mystery and menace and teases his look without giving the whole thing away. Also, “the man who will finally break the Batman”? What could that possibly mean? No way some new guy takes out the Batman, right? They wouldn’t do that after just doing to Superman, would they?

WOULD THEY?!?!

Ranking the MCU Films (So Far) Part 1

Posted by comiczombie on

Dare I try to do the nearly damn impossible and rank the film entries in the MCU?
It’s a very daunting task, because how do you choose between some of these? It might have been easier to do a tier-ranking list, but what are you gonna do?

The important thing to remember with the below list is that these are ranked not by cinematic achievement or a carefully plotted out chart or an algorithm to determine what are truly the best MCU entries. These are based solely on how much enjoyment I derive from them. You might think I’m a madman, or that finally (FINALLY!) somebody truly gets you, but regardless of whether or not you disagree with my choices (I’m sure Erik will have a completely different breakdown) I hope you enjoy reading!

Continue reading →

House Ads 2

Posted by comiczombie on

Today’s entry is for an excellent little story that would have far reaching effects on the Batman titles for years: Batman- Sword of Azrael!
Written by Batman legend Dennis O’Neil and drawn by a young Joe Quesada, the story introduces the avenging angel, Azrael, aka Jean Paul Valley, who would meet and fight the caped crusader in this story, which would end with Batman bringing Valley into the fold to train him and help him overcome the brainwashing he had experienced since youth in the cultish Order of St Dumas.

The first of two stories that set up the (then) upcoming Batman: Knightfall, Sword of Azrael is the unofficial first part of the most massive Batman epic of its time and absolutely worth a pickup if you can find a copy.

(Calling Azrael a hero at this point, as the copy does, is a hell of a stretch, considering he is an assassin for a secret society with flaming sword gauntlets. But hey, he looks cool!)

House Ads

Posted by comiczombie on

One of the more underrated aspects about comic books is the in-house ads you find in some issues.

They’re often very memorable for a variety of reasons (not always positive), and more than a few of them are stuck in my brain forever, so I wanted to start talking about a few of them.

I’d like to start with arguably the most famous one to-date, the ad for the 900 number to call to vote to save or kill the Jason Todd Robin.

It famously didn’t go over so well for old Jason, and the ad below was what readers saw before having to make a decision…

CZ#57 : The MCU – Phase Five (Part 2: The Shows) – Podcast

Posted by ErikSlader on

Click here to listen to the new episode!

“I know what kind of god I need to be.” – Loki

Chris, Erik, and Zack (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podcasters Assemble⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Neat Cast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) assemble once again, continuing through The Multiverse Saga!

MCU Phase 5 Shows:

  • Secret Invasion
  • Loki (Season 2)
  • What If? (Seasons 2 and 3)
  • Echo
  • Agatha All Along
  • Daredevil: Born Again (Season 1)
  • Iron Heart

Be sure to listen to our previous MCU episodes as well:

  • Issue #9: Ranking the X-Men Movies
  • Issue #10: Ranking the Spider-man Movies
  • Issue #17: Spider-man: No Way Home
  • ⁠⁠Issue #18: Revisiting the MCU: Phase One⁠⁠⁠⁠
  • Issue #22: Revisiting the MCU: Phase Two
  • Issue #24: Daredevil and the Marvel Netflix Shows!
  • Issue #39: Revisiting the MCU: Phase Three (Part 1)
  • Issue #41: Revisiting the MCU: Phase Three (Part 2)
  • Issue #46: The MCU – Phase Four (Part 1: The Disney+ Shows)
  • Issue #47: The MCU – Phase Four (Part 2: The Movies!)
  • Issue #54: The MCU – Phase Five (Part 1: The Movies)

(Episode edited by Chris Carroll)

CZ #56: Random Grab Bag – 2026 Edition (New Comics, Trailers, and What Ifs!) – Podcast

Posted by ErikSlader on

Click here to listen to the latest episode!

“When Captain America throws his mighty shield!”

Chris and Erik bs for a couple hours about new comics / trailers, and what we would do with certain properties if given the chance…

On this Episode:

  • Captain America by Chip Zdarsky
  • Mortal Thor by Al Ewing
  • Daredevil: Born Again – Season 2
  • The “Spider-man: Brand New Day” trailer speculation
  • “Supergirl” final trailer speculation
  • “Lanterns” teaser trailer speculation
  • Unfinished / cancelled comics we would bring back
  • Cancelled shows we would revive
  • Comics we would adapt to movies or TV
  • Comic book movies we would redo or change
  • Comic book video games we want to see

(Episode edited by Chris Carroll)

CZ#55: One World Under DOOM! – Podcast

Posted by ErikSlader on

Click here to listen to the latest episode!

“Doom is wisdom. Doom is power. Doom is prosperity. And only Doom can save you.” – Dr. Doom

Chris and Erik talk all things Dr. Doom – from his debut in the pages of the Fantastic Four to “Secret Wars”, speculation about “Avengers: Doomsday”, and the latest Marvel Comics Event: “One World Under DOOM”!

Also on this Episode:

  • The first 4 teasers to “Avengers: Doomsday”
  • Mount Rushmore: (non-FF) Dr. Doom adversaries
  • Pitch Ideas: “Age of Doom” (Chris) and “Iron Man and Doctor Strange in Freaky Friday” (Erik)
  • The Best / Worst Dr. Doom adaptations
  • Essential Reads: Dr. Doom!

(Episode edited by Chris Carroll)