Golden Age Marvel Universe – Fire V Water: Dawn of Business

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August 11, 2016

Golden Age Marvel Universe — The relatively derivative Angel … oh, and the first-ever Marvel superhero crossover

I’ve covered the first Marvel comic and the Golden Age Civil War. I’ve reviewed a few familiar names with unfamiliar faces. I discussed the Golden Age origins of Captain America and Bucky and rated the top ten Timely Comics B-Listers and sidekicks. What makes Marvel comics so tantalizing, though, isn’t just the quality and quantity of their heroes. Instead, it’s the fact that those heroes coexist in a shared universe. Indeed, if not for the concept of operating within a shared universe, certain MCU movies of today wouldn’t exist, most notably Marvel’s The Avengers. But, those who think that the first-ever Marvel comics crossover occurred in 1963 with Avengers #1 (cover date September 1963) operate on a misconception. Instead, the origins of the Golden Age Marvel Universe date back to June 1940 in Marvel Mystery Comics #8.

So, let me the Timely Comics Watchamacallit peel back the passage of the years as one might peel back the flap of a comicbook’s Mylar bag. Read on, True Believers …

Golden Age Marvel Universe – Cop On Fire

The first hints at a Sub-Mariner/Human Torch crossover dropped in Marvel Mystery Comics #7 (cover date May 1940). The Human Torch story in Marvel Mystery Comics #7 shows the Torch, now Constable Jim Hammond of the NYPD, hunting down and arresting a racketeer. But, after solving the case, the Human Torch hears that the Sub-Mariner is destroying New York City! The final panel of the “Human Torch” story shows a perplexed Jim Hammond scratching his head asking who the Sub-Mariner is.

Golden Age Marvel Universe – Electric Eel

Although Namor’s reasons for wreaking havoc on the surface world aren’t always clear, this time is different. The undersea prince is taking revenge on the people of New York City for electrocuting his royal person! In response to his killing spree in Marvel Comics #1 (cover date October 1939), Namor is convicted of murder in Marvel Mystery Comics #6 (cover date April 1940) and sentenced to death by electrocution.

Namor’s trial proves to be more about the threat he poses to humanity than his guilt or innocence as a murderer, and, since the state is systematically drugging him, the undersea prince can’t escape from his cell. Luckily for Namor when the time of his execution comes, the electric chair only serves to re-invigorate him (lucky!). He makes his escape and returns to Atlantis.

Namor returns to New York City to take his revenge at the beginning of his story in Marvel Mystery Comics #7. He crashes a ferry into an ocean liner, destroys an elevated train and its tracks, tosses the Empire State Building’s spire into a crowded street, and beats up half of the NYPD. The final panel shows Namor telling Betty Dean, a police officer sympathetic to the mighty fish-man, that he’s only just begun his reign of terror. Betty warns Namor that the police will send the Human Torch after him but Namor simply says, “Let him come!”

Golden Age Marvel Universe – Fire, Meet Water

Marvel Mystery Comics #8 shows Namor destroying New York City in order to attract the attention of the Human Torch. And, for the first time in what later became Marvel comics, a character with his own title makes a guest appearance in another character’s story. Carl Burgos‘s Human Torch appears at the end of the Sub-Mariner story. And, Bill Everett‘s Sub-Mariner appears at the end of the Human Torch story. This Golden Age crossover does a pretty neat job of telling the same story from two super-viewpoints.

Laying the groundwork for basically every future meeting of superheroes in the Marvel Universe, Namor and Jim’s introduction devolves quickly into name-calling. Both heroes attempt to best the other. The heroes meet on a bridge, but after some threats and property damage the Sub-Mariner escapes into the water.

Golden Age Marve Universe — “Darn vacuum tubes!”

Despite it’s boring stalemate ending in Marvel Mystery Comics #8, Namor and Jim’s first meeting must have been a hit with the readers! Marvel Mystery Comics #9 (cover date July 1940) featured a continuation of the crossover in that issue’s Human Torch and Sub-Mariner stories. Once again, the elemental foes fight, but this time they fight in all kinds of places. They destroy a reservoir and an airplane, and threaten several New Yorkers’ lives. And, once again, the battle ends in a stalemate. Namor traps Hammond in a vacuum tube, and, unable to get any oxygen, Hammond can’t turn up the heat.

The battle finally wraps up in August 1940 on the first page of Marvel Mystery Comics #10. Betty Dean convinces Namor to release the Human Torch from his oxygen-free prison. The Torch calls off his hunt for Namor as long as Namor swears to never bother humanity again. Riiiight.

Golden Age Marvel Universe – Business As Usual

The subsequent Human Torch and Sub-Mariner stories in Marvel Mystery Comics #10 are pretty standard fare. The Torch puts an end to a gasoline racketeering syndicate. Namor, scorned by his people for not destroying humanity, defends his undersea kingdom from pesky Americans Luther Robinson and Lynne Harris. Robinson and Harris get theirs though. Namor eventually kidnaps and has an Atlantean doctor surgically alter them! Both get gills and an additional resilience against cold. No big, right?

Over the course of the next few stories, Namor realizes that the Axis powers are worse than the Allies (duh). He endeavours to do what he can to stop the fascist forces in their tracks. It’s in Marvel Mystery Comics #17 (cover date March 1941) that the elemental foes work together for the first time.

Golden Age Marvel Universe – Namor and Jim

As any seasoned Marvelite knows, tense meetings of superheroes are almost always followed by superhero team-ups. The Golden Age of comics proves itself no exception to this rule. In Marvel Mystery Comics #16 (cover date February 1941) readers saw the Human Torch and the Sub-Mariner investigating potential invasions of the US by Axis forces.

Namor, working with his captive “friends” Lynne Harris and Luther Robinson, foil a German plan to build an invasion tunnel. After doing so, though, Namor overhears a Nazi lieutenant raving about Japan’s similar invasion tunnel. Knowing he’ll need help destroying the Japanese tunnel, Namor sends his surgically altered American friends home and decides to call upon his old nemesis Constable Jim Hammond, the Human Torch.

Taking care of any past hostility in a couple of panels at the top of their story in Marvel Mystery Comics #17, the Human Torch and the Sub-Mariner agree to join forces in order to stop whatever invasion the Axis powers have planned. They find a seemingly active volcano in the middle of the Bering Strait but determine that the volcano is actually an entrance into a vast tunnel filled with a Japanese invasion force.

Namor and Jim cause a cave-in that kills the advance guard of Japanese soldiers. Luckily, the two heroes escape! And, after some very effective sabotage they destroy the tunnel, save some POW’s, and eliminate several troops of Axis soldiers. All in all, a successful, if bloody, wartime venture, and, as Subby himself says sociopathically in the final panel, “We had a lot of fun doing it!”

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‘Aquaman’ Villain Confirmed: What You Need To Know About Black Manta

By

Kris Solberg

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August 11, 2016

This week, The Wrap announced that Black Manta would be the villain for Jason Momoa’s upcoming Aquaman adventure, confirming what many fans had anticipated when the film was first announced. Manta is one of Aquaman’s main adversaries since his creation by Bob Haney and Nick Cardey for Aquaman #37 in 1967.

Since his creation, he has been given several different origin stories. During a 1993 Aquaman series, his origin stated that he’d been a captive aboard a ship for an unnamed period of time. While in captivity, he had suffered sexual abuse at the hands of his captors. Once he had spotted Aquaman in the water and tried to signal him for help to no avail. After being forced to take matters into his own hands, he hated Aquaman for what he represented in his mind and vowed to rule the sea as his vengeance. During the New 52, Aquaman accidentally kills Black Manta’s father following Manta’s murder attempt of Arthur Curry’s father. Vowing revenge for Aquaman’s actions, Manta tried to kill Aquaman’s family. He kills Vostok-X, a member of the Others, causing Aquaman to vow he would kill Black Manta.

Throughout his history, Black Manta’s real identity has remained hidden. During 2010’s Brighest Day storyline it was confirmed that his first name is Dave, but his last name is still a secret. During an earlier arc it was confirmed that Black Manta was a black male, and during one arc he stated that his motivation for taking over the sea was to give his oppressed people a place to rule. However, this motivation is not a consistent thread throughout all of his appearances.

Black Manta is believed to have enhanced strength and endurance, as well as being highly skilled in hand to hand combat and martial arts. He’s a great tactician, and quick to master new technologies. His suit is bulletproof and equipped with artificial gills, which enables him to breathe underwater. The suit also allows him to go to great depths without experiencing the usual side-effects of diving that far below sea level. He sports an array of weapons, though most notably he can fire an optic blast from the eye of his helmet.

He has been featured in several animated TV shows and movies, such as being a recurring antagonist in Young Justice (2010-present) as well as being the secondary villain in Justice League: Throne of Atlantis (2015). His appearance in the upcoming Aquaman film will be the first time the character transitions over to live action.

The film, which is set to be directed by James Wan, is based on a treatment written by Geoff Johns and James Wan. Johns was the scribe for Black Manta’s appearance during the New 52, so it might be that we will see that iteration of the character on screen. Johns and Wan’s treatment was re-worked by Will Beall into a manageable script. At present, no casting information has been announced for Black Manta, but whoever takes up the fight against Aquaman will join Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, and Willem Dafoe in the film when it hits the big screen in 2018.

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Top 5 Moments In ‘Red Hood And The Outlaws’ #1

By

Anthony Wendel

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August 11, 2016

SPOILER ALERT

Red Hood’s journey through the criminal underworld is going smoothly. After the setup for what to expect in Red Hood and the Outlaws: Rebirth, Jason is now deep into his quest to bring the bad guys down from the inside. This first issue didn’t disappoint, and here are the top five moments which really stood out.

5. Black Mask’s Bio

A good two page splash needs to be able to help illuminate a part of a story while at the same time justifying so much space. In a very impressive spread, Jason pulls up all the information he has on Black Mask on his computer and it offers some great details. Newspaper headlines, photos, and records are all display and serves as a great introduction for anyone who hasn’t read about the Black Mask before.

4. Reunion

Meeting Ma Gunn again, one of the first supervillains he ever faced, would be hard enough. Having to save her from a well placed bomb is even worse. Still, after a very impressive flashback to having to save Batman from her in the early days, Jason finds himself in the present and having to dive away from a blast with Ma Gunn in his arms. Not exactly a Kodak moment.

3. Lady Gotham

While standing on a ledge overlooking the city, Black Mask romanticizes about the city of Gotham. He talks about how others use and abuse her but he has always been about doing everything he can to make it the best place possible. It’s another impressive splash page and it features the kind of villain monologue which really helps you understand the Kool-Aid he is trying to sell, and even makes tempts you to take a sip.

2. Piece of Cake

Having to prove himself to Black Mask, Jason sets out on his first errands for his new boss. He describes it as being a piece of cake, but this cake involves planting explosives and stopping a train to grab its cargo. If this is what the easy tasks he’s given look like, it’s scary to think what he’ll have to do from here on out.

1. Great. An Amazon.

Artemis the Amazon Warrior ends the issue by kicking open a door and making herself known. Sure, the cover made it painfully obvious she was coming but the art of the scene, complete with showing her large ax across her shoulders and the fact she’s probably going to be try and crush the Red Hood’s helmet sold it. It easily stole the number one moment of the issue and will make the readers eager for the next one to be released.

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What were your favorite moments from Red Hood and The Outlaws #1? Leave a comment below and let us know.

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Episode 87: The Best And Worst Of Seth Rogen

By

Matthew Sardo

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August 11, 2016

Seth Rogen’s ‘Sausage Party’ is out this week and we thought it would be a perfect time to discuss the best and worst of Rogen’s 17-year career.

The 34-year-old Vancouver native has been a content machine since his first appearance in 1999 on ‘Freaks and Geeks.’ Yet, for every ‘Pineapple Express’ Rogen balances the scales with a ‘Green Hornet.’

What is your favorite Seth Rogen character or film?

Did we mention our podcast has been nominated for Best of the Bay. Click the link to vote: https://creativeloafing.wufoo.com/forms/m1krmkzj0jrgmdb/

Thank you for your time and help.

Articles mention in this podcast:
‘Sausage Party’ Review: Hilarious Mixture Of John Waters and Walt Disney

Do you have a question that you would like answered during the show?
Email your questions to matt@popaxiom.com.

If you are looking to sponsor the podcast email matt@popaxiom.com as well.

Never heard of Matt Sardo?
For starters, he made the Kessel Run in less than 11 parsecs. Prior to that, he gave Doc Brown the idea for the flux capacitor and led the Resistance to victory over SkyNet – all while sipping a finely crafted IPA. As a radio host, he’s interviewed celebrities, athletes and everyone in between. He’s covered everything from the Super Bowl to Comic-Con.

Who is EJ Moreno?
Is he a trained physician? No. Is he a former Miss Universe contestant? Possibly. But what we know for sure is he’s a writer, filmmaker, and pop culture enthusiast. Since film school, EJ has written & directed several short films. He’s used his passion of filmmaking to become a movie critic for MonkeysFightingRobots.com.

Places you can find the show:
iTunes
Stitcher

Reviews are greatly appreciated – How to Rate and Review a Podcast in iTunes

Thank you for listening!

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Let’s Embrace a David Fincher ‘World War Z’ Sequel

By

Larry Taylor - Managing Editor

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August 11, 2016

Yesterday, news hit that Brad Pitt was heavily recruiting his old buddy and frequent collaborator, David Fincher, to direct a sequel to Pitt’s problematic blockbuster, World War Z. The courtship has, according to Variety, grown from casual conversation to extensive meetings:

According to sources, Fincher and Pitt met two weeks ago to discuss the possibility of Fincher boarding the zombie tentpole. The talks were initially lukewarm, but sources now tell Variety that negotiations are much further down the road and that no other director currently has an offer.

This would mark the fourth teaming of the superstar and super director, who previously worked together on Se7en, Fight Club, and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

Immediately, fans who knew better were #MadOnline about the prospect of the great auteur David Fincher lowering his lofty standards to wallow in such mediocrity as a zombie tentpole sequel. “Has he learned nothing from Alien 3?” was a common battlecry. But what’s so horrible about the prospect of a filmmaker as keen and detailed as Fincher tackling a major studio sequel again?

Let’s think about this. World War Z‘s source material, the Max Brooks novel, is a sharp geopolitical thriller. It travels the globe and touches base with a number of different cultures across the world who’ve been affected by the zombie apocalypse. It’s teeming with possibilities, and Brad Pitt knew that going in to the original film. Except he and director Marc Forster butted heads almost from the beginning. Forster scrapped the original plan to set up the film as a documentary-style drama, claiming it was “too intellectual” (seriously), and had Matthew Michael Carnahan re-write the story as an action adventure.

Then the studio interfered, shrinking the scale of the film to focus on Brad Pitt’s Gerry Lane (and his scarf) trying to save his family. Damon Lindelof came in to redo the ending, the budget soared to $190 million, and Pitt was ultimately disappointed with the absence of geopolitics, which was what drew him to the project in the first place. Nevertheless, World War Z brought in over $200 million worldwide, the largest gross of Pitt’s career, and a sequel was inevitable.

Personally, I didn’t care for World War Z. It had its moments, but the final act is a complete mismanaged disaster. Still, there’s room for something wonderful in this story and the world surrounding it.

Fast forward to the Fincher news. For fun, let’s theorize that Pitt’s production company, Plan B, has pushed for more creative control over the sequel. The original, despite critical indifference, was a big hit for Paramount, and the brand has been built – albeit delicately. There is a fanbase, and Pitt is a box-office draw when he’s in the right project. Pitt clearly wants Fincher to come aboard because he still believes in the story Max Brooks crafted in his novel; that story, more about the aftereffects of the zombie war, would actually fit perfectly in a sequel to the 2013 picture. It could be the chance for Pitt to make the movie he wanted to make from the beginning.

Also, who says David Fincher is “too good” to direct a sci-fi/horror sequel all of a sudden? The guy’s style is impeccable, often perfectly cold and distant, always captivating. But let’s not pretend he is a filmmaker who only deals in highly-intelligent subject matter. His last film, Gone Girl, was a (great) hyper-stylized indictment of America’s gossip journalism culture. Fight Club, another book adaptation, was a scathing criticism on the toxicity of male machismo. Se7en was a serial killer picture, Zodiac a newspaper thriller, and perhaps his best film was about a social media platform you’re more than likely reading this through right now.

Plus, and don’t tell anyone this, but Alien 3 is pretty effing awesome.

The subject matter of David Fincher’s work has almost never been haughty high-society – ironically, what many consider to be his worst film, Benjamin Button, is that very kind of highbrow thinkpiece material. What is so wonderful about Fincher’s directing is he takes subjects like this and adds a dead-serious tone and pitch-perfect style to elevate the story and enhance the cinematic language. The craftsmanship of a Fincher film is what makes him an auteur, not the topics he chooses.

Which is why the project, when you think about it beyond how you felt about the original World War Z, fits into David Fincher’s world. Besides the fact that it’s his buddy Brad in the lead role, and the subject matter – and the fact it’s a novel adaptation – fit Fincher’s skill set despite first glances, maybe Fincher wants another crack at a sci-fi franchise sequel. I can’t imagine he would come on board this time if they force a release date on him and stand over his shoulder telling him what to do and when to do it.

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Our Beautiful Melancholy: A Love Letter to John Logan and His Penny Dreadful

By

Curtis Waugh

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August 11, 2016

I am not a Godly man. At least not in the traditional sense. We seek answers to the unyielding questions of life and happiness through many wayward avenues. Whether it be through prayer, ritual or creative impulse, we as humans continue to navigate our paths to an understanding of the meaning of being that exact thing: human. Living in each our individual skins is irreplaceable and the experience is uniquely our own. The very nature of this sort of existence is inherently a lonely place. But for all our personality and our misdeeds and our monstrous creations and bedevilments, we are not as truly alone as it may seem. My purpose for religion, a belief, is to bring light to the path that allows me to travel it closer to others who are also stumbling in the dark. John Logan’s ode to our most human moments, Penny Dreadful, was my ember in the blackness. Watching this tale (among a very small handful of others) unfold was my way of experiencing God.

For a show whose details include demonic seances, a man who turns into a wolf-like creature, no less than three reanimated corpses and a central character whose choices in lovers are literally hellish, it may seem ridiculous to be able to gather so much poignant meaning from this pulp. John Logan and his superb team of writers and directors draw upon these classic literary horrors and tropes to make clear that the most horrendous of tales are nothing more than obstacles during moments where we choose to be human.

The heightened circumstance of Dr. Victor Frankenstein creating a reanimated life and his realization that life isn’t as simple or innocent as he hoped isn’t unlike a version of parentage. His Creature deals with a world he didn’t ask for and a Creator who can give him nothing more. Sir Malcolm Murray is a lost parent who has desecrated all ground behind him and is searching for his redemption amongst the monsters. A bloody past hangs around the neck of Ethan Chandler as he battles with a curse that leaves him fearful of hurting those around him. Vanessa Ives is a cursed woman, destined for doom but unwilling to give in completely to the demons. Like any good fiction, there are relatable qualities to all levels of circumstance. Even those including bloodthirsty beasts and an immortal man who owns a living portrait of himself.

Where Penny Dreadful surpasses many other works is in its heart and unwavering humanity. In a television landscape where we tune in each week and place bets on which character will die next, Penny Dreadful doesn’t give us any such simple tool on which to base excitement. The show reinforced the fact that living and trudging on especially when you don’t want to is the harsher reality to face. Death is the means by which people get let off the hook of life. Our destinies and fears aren’t pretty but they are our own. They’re our creations just as much as Lily was Victor’s. It’s our duty to not run from what haunts us. There is a time for life and a time for death. When Ethan doesn’t provide Vanessa her mercy in season one and when he does in the finale, it’s because their paths weren’t clear at one point and then clearer at another. The destination was more horrific than anyone hoped, but it was the correct one required to continue another journey.

At the point where Penny Dreadful comes to its logical end, it leaves you with just as many of the pained questions you came in with. Vanessa Ives led a life unenviable to most and her choices and those results were just as painful. But it was a life lived around people who loved her. At each and every turn Vanessa had the opportunity to shun the world and step off the cliff of darkness. Even when she had her moments of weakness and took the ugly dive, others who loved her were there to dig her back out of the abyss. Penny Dreadful painted a portrait of many tortured and cursed souls who understood each other and cared deeply for one another because of it.

Life is lonely. We are all Frankenstein’s Creature walking icy shores searching for anyone who might accept us. Life is a sad thing. I see myself in Victor Frankenstein trying desperately trying against hope to find love in the one thing that can never love him.

Life is also a beautiful thing. We can all be Vanessa and Ethan, accepting each other as damaged things but ones who can fix each other if we let them. We can all find our places, even if it is rigging blood spatter at the Grand Guignol.

Penny Dreadful is artful storytelling at its absolute pinnacle. From each stunning performance to every intricate set and gorgeous piece of music, it’s the culmination of people who really believe in the stories they’re telling and bringing them to the world. To say that I wish the world would have caught on and given it more timely recognition would be an understatement but also a self-serving one. It’s almost more special to discover something like Penny Dreadful amidst a calm sea instead of the torrents of hype. It doesn’t operate under any terms other than its own. Like going into a church and demanding answers, Penny Dreadful will leave anyone with an unopen mind and expectation of Glory cold at the door.

I came to Penny Dreadful an ordinary man who likes tales in the dark and blood and monsters. I left still this person but with a renewed optimism that there are others like me. I recognized myself and my world in that foggy Victorian London setting and felt alongside the characters John Logan has created and adapted. Penny Dreadful let me into its heart and there I found the smallest guidance in my continued path to God-Knows-Where.

Thank you, John, and every other soul who brought Penny Dreadful into being. Truthfully, “I believe in this world and those creatures that fill it. That’s always been enough for me.”

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Blind Stephen Lang Suggests You ‘Don’t Breathe’ Red Band Trailer

By

Matthew Sardo

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August 11, 2016

Sony Pictures released a red band trailer for ‘Don’t Breathe’ Wednesday night. Director Fede Alvarez co-wrote the thriller with Rodo Sayagues.

A trio of reckless thieves breaks into the house of a wealthy blind man, thinking they’ll get away with the perfect heist. They’re wrong.

‘Don’t Breathe’ stars Jane Levy, Dylan Minnette, Daniel Zovatto, and Stephen Lang.

The film scares up theaters on August 26.

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Jason Momoa To Bring Back ‘The Crow’

By

Anthony Wendel

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August 11, 2016

Jason Momoa just can’t get enough attention in the geek community it seems. On top of being a part of Stargate Atlantis, being the legendary Dothraki warrior Khal Drogo in Game of Thrones, and now playing Aquaman in the new DC Cinematic Universe, he has another iconic character he wishes to portray. He hopes to be guided back from the after life by the power of a crow.

Yes, Jason Momoa is now the prime candiate to be play Eric Draven, the main character of The Crow. The cult movie was originally a comic book by James O’Barr and told the story of a man whose soul was brought back from the dead by a crow to get revenge on those who killed him and his girlfriend. The role was originally brought to the screen by Brandon Lee who was unable to finish production because of an accident on screen. Three sequels came out but were not greeted with the same success as the original film. There was also a TV series called Crow: Stairway to Heaven but many fans forget it was ever made.

No word has been give on when the film will be released. Corin Hardy (The Hallow) is set to direct the film. He will replace F. Javier Gutierrez who was supposed to direct the film but has now moved into an executive producer role intead.

What do you think about Jason Momoa being a part of the Crow Reboot? Leave a comment below and let us know.

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Review: ‘Steven Universe’: Bubbled: Compact In The Best Way

By

Anthony Wendel

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August 10, 2016

Steven is stuck in a bubble.

SPOILER ALERT

The season finale of Steven Universe ends with a very simple episode. Steven gets stuck floating in space and his bubble shield is the only thing which is protecting him from certain death. While he is floating in the void of nothing he ends up running into one of the Rubies who comes along for the ride.

The episode becomes the kind where a hero and his enemy are stuck in a situation together and it allows them the time necessary to try and make a connection between each other. Unfortunately, despite all of his efforts this is one individual Steven just can’t reach. Still, you have the give the poor boy credit for trying to find the best in everyone.

The big reveal from the previous episode gets confirmed and Steven learns the truth behind his mother. She did shatter (kill) Pink Diamond because if she didn’t the Earth would never been freed. It’s a lot to process but it helps to take steps to move the series towards the much more mature story the creators were hoping to tell with the series. Much like Adventure Time, this show was always hoping to tell a much deeper story than one about a boy whose magical powers can be triggered by a good ice cream sandwich.

A lot happened this season. There was a lot of growth in the characters and a lot of movement in the overall story. Luckily the fans don’t have to wait for season four to come around as the next episode is scheduled to begin tomorrow. Sounds good but hopefully the next season won’t spend its middle with bland concepts like swapping bodies with Lars again. Also by the look of it, the Crystal Gems are keeping the Rubies’ ship. Time to go interplanetary!

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‘Legends of Tomorrow’ Season 2: Ray Palmer’s New Look, And Former Power Ranger Cast As JSA’s Stargirl

By

David Joseph

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August 10, 2016

Legends of Tomorrow promised big things upon its premiere, but Midseason, it had many DCTV Universe fans scratching their heads to try and understand the point and direction of the newly created DC Comics/CW show. Legends of Tomorrow Season 2, as hinted at in the Season 1 finale, will be dealing with a whole new threat to the timeline with the apparent aid of the Justice Society of America. Comicbook reported that Brandon Routh (Ray Palmer/The Atom) teased an unusual set photo for Legends of Tomorrow Season 2.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BIYYQDJBPXN/

The Legends of Tomorrow star did not elaborate on the reason for Ray Palmer’s “living off the grid” look, but he did make fans aware that the Flashpoint Paradox had not landed him on Oliver Queen’s castaway island Lian Yu. Though it could be one of several innumerable possibilities, it seems quite likely that Ray Palmer got stranded in time again.

Ray Palmer, Hawkgirl, and White Canary were stranded and left behind in the ’50s in Legends of Tomorrow Season 1 when the Waverider came under attack.

Speaking of the Justice Society of America, one of its many members that will be joining the team in Season 2 was just cast. Former Power Ranger Sarah Grey was just cast as the JSA member Stargirl, according to TV Line.

Two other JSA members have been cast, as Matthew MacCaull and Patrick J. Adams will respectively play Commander Steel and Hourman. Adams already played his titular character in the Season 1 finale, and MacCaull is no stranger to the CW, as he played a hitman turned zombie in CW’s iZombie.

Dr. Mid-Nite and Obsidian, also Justice Society of America members that will be part of Legends of Tomorrow Season 2, have yet to be cast.

The remaining members of the Season 1 team and the Justice Society of America will serve as the heroes of Legends of Tomorrow Season 2, and though not much has been discussed on the subject matter, the villains of the second season are the “Legion of Doom.”

CW’s Legion of Doom consists of Malcolm Merlyn, Captain Cold, Damien Darhk, and Reverse Flash.

Some of the aforementioned villains have been, at some point, working with the heroes of the DCTV Universe. What has caused them to turn to this Legion of Doom? Is the Flashpoint Paradox the reason for this, and the return of Reverse-Flash and Damien Darhk in Legends of Tomorrow Season 2?

Leave your thoughts, theories, and opinions below.

[Photos Courtesy of The CW/DC Entertainment]

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