Posts Tagged ‘fox’

Locke and Key Coming to Fox

September 3, 2010

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Reports are swarming the internet that Fox has picked up acclaimed graphic novel series Locke & Key. According to Variety:

Twentieth Century Fox TV is producing along with DreamWorks TV and Kurtzman and Orci’s K.O. Paper Products banner. DreamWorks’ Justin Falvey and Darryl Frank are exec producing along with K.O.’s Heather Kadin and IDW Publishing’s Ted Adams. Steven Spielberg had been involved with the project early on but he’s no longer an exec producer.

“Locke and Key” comes from Joe Hill, Stephen King’s son, who has created a world about brothers who live in a mysterious New England mansion.

Wonder Woman Ditches American Heritage for Globalism, According to Fox

July 3, 2010

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Wonder WomanFox News is at it again, this time attacking DC for it’s recent redesign of Wonder Woman (we’re still undecided on the change).  In a pretty fascinating article with subtle jabs, they never outright call the redesign anti-American, the global news corporation attempts to make mountains out of mole hills.

The most direct assault is in the headline calls the new costume “globalized” and in the first paragraph says she’s been stripped of her “patriotism.”

The article in a quotation does point out that the character isn’t an “American” at all and is Amazonian.  So does the red, white and blue really fit the character?  Isn’t the lasso, ww, star and eagle iconography more important to carry over?

In the end I’d expect a return to the “traditional” costume closer to a movie release.  No matter what your thought on the new design attacking it as un-patriotic and globalist is beyond silly.

FOX News Attempts to Drop Kick Kick-Ass

April 8, 2010

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We figured it was just a matter of time before FOX News turned it’s focus on decrying the soon to be released movie Kick-Ass.  For those who don’t know about the comic book turned movie, it focuses on the idea of what if super heroes were real, and why hadn’t anyone tried to be one.  The main protagonists of the series tend to be male teenagers and FOX’s focus, Chloe Moretz, the 13 year old girl playing the character Hit Girl (who was 11 at the time of the filming).  Fans of the comic series already know this girl lives up to her name, wielding guns, swords and swearing like a sailor (expect her to steal the show).

FOX thinks an a movie rated R shouldn’t include such a young heroine as it’s star (we’ll skip over the violent movies FOX’s parent company has released).  Never mind there’s been numerous R movies in the past that included children and included children either as victims of violence or perpetrators.

From their story Joanne Cantor, Professor of Communication Arts at University of Wisconsin-Madison had this to say:

Seeing an attractive young girl playing such a violent role gives the message that this type of behavior (and language) is not outrageous. It makes it harder for parents to declare such behavior out-of-bounds when popular movies glorify it or make it humorous.  People may be able to understand that the movie is tongue-in-cheek, but that doesn’t necessarily undo the desensitizing effect of the movie.  Younger children may not be able to see it in theaters, but when it comes out on DVD, children of all ages will have access to it — and young children have less capacity to discount what they see.

Let’s dissect that nugget of wisdom:

  1. “Seeing an attractive young girl playing such a violent role” – Why can’t women play violent roles?  Why can’t they be attractive and do it?  Uma Thurman was pretty violent in Kill Bill, was that ok because she was an adult?  Is it ok because she’s attractive?
  2. “Younger children may not be able to see it in theaters, but when it comes out on DVD, children of all ages will have access to it..” – So, movie theaters card for kids for R movies but movie rentals or sales don’t?  What proof is the access greater?  Isn’t this an issue of parenting and controlling what you want your kid to see?  But lets move on….
  3. “and young children have less capacity to discount what they see” – Cause adults are so good at this.  No adult has ever taken what they’ve learned from lets say FOX News and then threatened violence.  Oh wait.

When it comes to the swearing, I’d suggest FOX do some of that field reporting and see how kids actually talk these days.  Spend some time on the DC metro with a few teens, and I’m sure you’d hear a few “F” bombs if not worse.  Matthew Vaughn, the film’s director had this to say about the swearing including the use of the “C” word:

“The script didn’t say the C-word, but it was in the comic,” said director Matthew Vaughn. “There had been some fanboy speculation and advance complaints that the film would shy away from reproducing that memorable line. Yet I still thought, ‘You know what? This is too far. I can’t do it.’ But we did all these takes and it just wasn’t having any impact.”

Vaughn said that Moretz and her mom then agreed to do one take with the controversial word included, and Moretz has since come forth and said she would never use such a term outside of the role or else she’ll be “grounded for the rest of (her) life.”

FOX does give a positive side of such a young girl playing hero and being the one who saves the day:

Interestingly, Dr. Susan Lipkins, Psychologist and CEO of Real Psychology, believes the film could actually have a positive impact on young ones.

“I thought that is was kind of cool that it looked like the person with the best abilities was really a girl—a young girl, and I think that it’s really a reflection on how our society’s changing and how youth are way more capable than the older people, especially in this digital age,” Lipkins explained. “If anything it can be empowering to kids, to girls, it’s not a boy again who’s saving the world, but a girl who has power.”

But quickly the article shifts it’s focus on the psychological affects on the starlet.  Never mind young children have played parts just as violent in the past and seem to be doing fine.  Uproars like this seem to focus on young female actresses and such material (the boys can handle this I guess).  A few years ago Dakota Fanning dealt with a similar issue for her movie Hounddog which included a scene in which she was raped.  I’m hard pressed to find a similar outcry for a young male actor.

Expect more “think of the children” from FOX in the week leading up to the film’s April 16th release.

Tuesday Twitter Fun – Whaling, Glenn Beck and Abortion

February 23, 2010

It’s a decent week of Twitter posts on a range of subjects.

Comic book writer Ben Templesmith has two this week.  One covers his thoughts on whaling and the other about Delegate Bob Marshall’s statement on abortion and disable children.  You can follow him at http://twitter.com/Templesmith.

Ben Templesmith on Whaling and Sushi

Ben Templesmith on Delegate Bob Marshall

One of the men behind Lost and some time comic book writer Damon Lindelof asked for some political action to get his latest podcast posted.  Follow him at http://twitter.com/DamonLindelof.

Damon Lindelof Encourages Political Action

Ron Marz, who’s no stranger about speaking his mind, decided to comment on Fox television personality Glenn Beck.  You can follow Ron at http://twitter.com/ronmarz.

Ron Marz and Glenn Beck

IDW and Twentieth Century Fox L&M Partner on New Comic Book Series Based on “The A-Team”

February 23, 2010

Official Press Release

Two Original Titles Hit Shelves This March In Advance Of Upcoming Feature Film

[A-Team: Shotgun Wedding #1 cover]San Diego, CA (February 22, 2010) – In anticipation of the summer movie event The A-Team, starting in March, IDW Publishing, in partnership with Twentieth Century Fox Licensing & Merchandising (Fox Licensing), will launch two A-Team comic book series, entitled A-Team: Shotgun Wedding and A-Team: War Stories. The original stories penned and inked by some of the industry’s biggest names, will give fans an in-depth look at the upcoming action-adventure from Twentieth Century Fox – The A-Team – which will hit theatres June 11, 2010. Each series will be available as single issues in March and April, and collected into individual graphic novels in May.

“Like many, I was a huge fan of the original A-Team television series in the 80’s,” said A-Team comic editor and co-writer Tom Waltz.  “I’m happy to report, after reading the new movie script, the updated A-Team movie has all the wit, swagger and kick-ass action of the original series, but tells a story much bigger than was possible on the show.  For our comics, we’ve worked directly with the filmmakers to build a solidly action-packed foundation for a new generation of A-Team fans.”

“This comic project is the ideal collaboration between the studio, the production, the filmmakers and the publisher maximizing everyone’s talents for the best product. IDW has demonstrated their ability to bring on some of the best writers and artists in the comic book industry and work closely and effectively with all the constituents. The A-Team has a huge following and these comics, much like the upcoming film, contemporize this enormously popular action-adventure franchise and deliver fresh, compelling stories and art to the fans,” said Virginia King, Vice President U.S. Sales for Fox Licensing & Merchandising.

Taking inspiration from the eagerly anticipated feature film – The A-Team – the comic book series provides the back story for the characters in the film and documents several of the team’s first missions. War Stories features four stand-alone, bi-weekly issues that each focus on a different member of the team, offering details of their Desert Storm adventures as Army Rangers before each joins The A-Team.

Co-written by comics great Chuck Dixon (G.I. JOE) and Erik Burnham (Nanovor: Game Day), the series kicks off with Hannibal and B.A. in March, followed [A-Team: War Stories: Hannibal cover]by Face and Murdock in April.  Each team member’s story will feature a different artist in order to best bring out every character’s individual personality.  Hugo Petrus (Marvel Illustrated) will provide interior art for Hannibal, and Casey Maloney (G.I. JOE: Rise of Cobra) tackles B.A. in March.  In April, Alberto Muriel (Legion: Prophets) revives Face, followed by Guiu Vilanova (After the Fire), who delivers Murdock. Fan-favorite artist Michael Gaydos (Alias) will provide covers for every issue.

“I was a devoted A-Team fan from the first episode and love all of these characters. Pure action and excitement,” said Chuck Dixon.  “I jumped at the chance to join Erik and work on this property and it’s been better than expected. The dialogue and characterizations came so naturally to me, it was scary.”

Also starting in March, A-Team: Shotgun Wedding, a bi-weekly four issue series, gives fans a taste of the team’s missions after they’ve officially formed The A-Team.  This original adventure, co-plotted by the movie’s director, Joe Carnahan, and Waltz (who also handles the scripting) follows the team from frigid Alaska to sunny San Diego and onto a wedding cruise that becomes utter chaos. Artist Stephen Mooney (Angel: After the Fall) adds heat to every explosion,  while John K. Snyder III offers eye-catching covers.

Visit IDWPublishing.com to learn more about the company and its top-selling books.

A-Team: Shotgun Wedding #1 (of 4; $3.99; 32 pages) will be available in stores on March 10, 2010. Diamond order code JAN10 0987.

A-Team: War Stories: Hannibal ($3.99; 32 pages) will be available in stores on March 17, 2010. Diamond order code JAN10 0989.

A-Team: Shotgun Wedding #2 (of 4; $3.99; 32 pages) will be available in stores on March 24, 2010. Diamond order code JAN10 0988.

A-Team: War Stories: B.A. ($3.99; 32 pages) will be available in stores in March 2010. Diamond order code JAN10 0991.

A-Team: Shotgun Wedding #3 (of 4; $3.99; 32 pages) will be available in stores in April 2010.

A-Team: Shotgun Wedding #4 (of 4; $3.99; 32 pages) will be available in stores in April 2010.

A-Team: War Stories: Face ($3.99; 32 pages) will be available in stores in April 2010.

A-Team: War Stories: Murdock ($3.99; 32 pages) will be available in stores in April 2010.

About The A-Team
THE A-TEAM follows the exciting and daring exploits of a colorful team of former Special Forces soldiers who were set up for a crime they did not commit.  Going “rogue,” they utilize their unique talents to try and clear their names and find the true culprit. THE A-TEAM in theaters only June 11, 2010.

Liam Neeson, whose many credits include the Oscar-winning “Schindler’s List” and the recent box office hit “Taken,” portrays Hannibal Smith, a master planner of inventive missions requiring split-second timing, unusual skills and a team of incredibly proficient and…eccentric soldiers; Bradley Cooper, who shot to movie superstardom in the smash comedy “The Hangover,” is Templeton “Face” Peck, who can procure anything for the Team’s unorthodox and daring activities; Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, a professional mixed martial artist and a top rated UFC light heavyweight, is B.A. Baracas, the Team’s driver and muscle; and Sharlto Copley, who stars in the surprise summer hit “District 9,” is H.M “Howling Mad” Murdock, a gifted pilot – and certified loon.   Jessica Biel (“The Illusionist”) stars as Capt. Charisa Sosa, a former love interest of Face’s, but who’s now relentlessly pursuing the Team for a crime not of their doing.  Patrick Wilson (“Watchmen”) is Lynch, a mysterious CIA operative who is a key player in the Team’s most explosive mission.

Joe Carnahan (“Narc,” “Smokin’ Aces”) directs from a screenplay by Skip Woods (“X-Men Origins: Wolverine”), Carnahan, and Carnahan’s writing partner Brian Bloom (writing credit not final), based on the television series “The A-Team.”   The producers are Ridley Scott, Tony Scott, Jules Daly, Stephen J. Cannell, Alex Young, Iain Smith, and Spike Seldin.

About IDW Publishing
IDW is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, California. Renown for its diverse catalog of licensed and independent titles, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry, including: Hasbro’s The Transformers and G.I. JOE, Paramount’s Star Trek; Fox’s Angel; the BBC’s Doctor Who; and television’s #1 prime time series CBS’ CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. IDW is also home to the Library of American Comics imprint, which publishes classic comic reprints; Yoe! Books, a partnership with Yoe! Studios; and is the print publisher for ComicMix.

IDW’s original horror series, 30 Days of Night, was launched as a major motion picture in October 2007 by Sony Pictures and was the #1 film in its first week of release. More information about the company can be found at IDWPublishing.com.

About Twentieth Century Fox Licensing & Merchandising
A recognized industry leader, Twentieth Century Fox Licensing and Merchandising licenses and markets properties worldwide behalf of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Twentieth Television and Fox Broadcasting Company, as well as third party lines. The division is aligned with Twentieth Century Fox Television, one of the top suppliers of primetime entertainment programming to the broadcast networks.

Captain America – Progressive. We Respond to Warner Todd Huston

February 11, 2010

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First most, we at this blog believe in free speech, no matter how wrong or heinous, it is guaranteed by the Constitution.  That’s a little document that this country is founded on (not to be confused with the Bible, which some folks thin).  Fox News, the Tea Party and some right-wing blogs have taken up arms against Ed Brubaker, Captain America and Marvel comics.  They’re decrying a sign in issue 602 of Captain America and one line of dialogue.  When the two are added together it implies racism.

One such person who’s screaming bloody hell is Warner Todd Huston, one of the bloggers at Publius Forum.  Taken from the website, here’s part of the where the name of this blog came from:

The name Publius was chosen as a paean to James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay who used the name as a pseudonym by which to pen The Federalist Papers, the famous defense of the Constitution that was originally printed as newspapers articles in New York. The articles were meant to convince New Yorkers that their state should sign onto the Constitution.

And here’s the irony and my issue.  A blog which takes it’s name from a man who defended the Constitution is attacking one of those things enshrined by that document, freedom of speech.  That folks is hypocrisy.  But there’s more issues with Huston’s blog post.  Let’s dissect it:

Sadly, this muscle bound hero that took on the whole Nazi army during WWII seems to be afraid of those American people who’ve joined the Tea Party movement. Not only is Cappy quaking in his little red booties, but he’s sure that the Tea Party folks are dangerous racists, too.

Captain America actually advocated for the U.S. entry into World War II a year before Pearl Harbor (nice little nugget of history).  However it isn’t Captain America that utters the dialogue that implies racism, it’s another character.  Also, Cap isn’t “quaking” about the protesters, it’s the militia group being lead by a rogue Captain America from the 50′s (long story).

Isn’t it wonderful that a decades old American comic book hero is now being used to turn readers against our very political system, being used to slander folks that are standing up for real American principles in real life — and one called “Captain America” at that?

Captain America is the personification of American values and progressive ideology, the definition of which can be summed up by “A person who actively favors or strives for progress toward better conditions, as in society or government.”

He fought against fascism in World War II before the United States entered the war, he embraced civil rights condemning racism, and recently he stood up against what amounted to the Marvel universe version of FISA and Patriot Act, two pieces of legislation that infringe on our rights.

This is a character that has fought for American ideals throughout his career and even stood up when he disagreed with the American government when he disagreed with it’s policy and felt it was working against American ideals.

In issue number 602 of Captain America, a new story line has begun called “Two Americas.” In it the current Captain (there have been a few of them, apparently) is on the trail of a faux Captain America that is mentally deranged and getting chummy with some white supremacist, anti-government, survivalists types going by the name of “the Watchdogs.”

Huston’s describes the group as white supremecist and anti-government.

In preparation for the infiltration, Marvel Comics depicts the two super heroes out of costume and observing from a rooftop a street filled with what can only be described as a Tea Party protest

Huston describes it as a “Tea Party” protest, at no times does Brubaker or Marvel.  In fact it’s described as an “anti-tax” protest in the comic book.

After this we find that the Captain’s plan is to send the black man into a redneck bar to pretend to be a black man working for the IRS and to get everyone all mad… because… well, you know that every white person is a racist that hates black civil servants, right?

Or how about Tea Partiers dislike civil servants and government in general?  There’s been violence from Tea Partiers which you can read about here, and here as some examples.  Huston himself implies violence is ok in a blog post he penned for RedState.com.  I’ve had friends who’ve been assaulted by Tea Partiers.

So, there you have it, America. Tea Party protesters just “hate the government,” they are racists, they are all white folks, they are angry, and they associate with secretive white supremacist groups that want to over throw the U.S. government.

In fact the Tea Party protesters do “hate the government.”  A simple Google search will show the myriad of signs that depict their sentiments.  In fact a few publicly advocate for an armed insurrection if they don’t get their way.  White supremacist groups are in fact encouraging members to engage in the Tea Party protests and get involved with the movement.

Nice going Marvel Comics. Thanks for making patriotic Americans into your newest super villains.

While I believe in the right for the Tea Party protesters to say what they want, and Huston to write what he wants, I also believe that Marvel has the right to print what they want.  That’s the essence of free speech and isn’t it’s defense, especially when you disagree, true patriotism?

Comic Industry Tweets Their Response to the Fox and Tea Party vs. Marvel

February 11, 2010

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The reaction from the industry was varied but seemed to mostly support Brubaker the person and condemn Marvel for caving in.  Below is some of the reactions.

Writer Mark Waid at http://twitter.com/MarkWaid

Mark Waid Tea Party Reaction

Writer Ron Marz had a few tweets at http://twitter.com/ronmarz.

Ron Marz tweetRon Marz tweetRon Marz tweet

Writer Gail Simone at http://twitter.com/GailSimone.

Gail Simone tweet

Blogger Caleb Andrew of ComicsAlliance.com at tweets at http://twitter.com/calebandrew

Caleb Andrew tweet

Fox and Marvel vs. Free Speech

February 11, 2010

Tea Bag the Liberal Dems Before They Tea Bag You!!


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Tea Party and RacismWe figured it was only a matter of time before this story blew up, and leave it to Fox News (the mouth piece of the Republican Party and primary cheerleader to the Tea Party movement) to once again take items out of the greater context and blow things out of proportion.

Fox has decided to cover Marvel comics’ Captain America #602 and particularly the Tea Party references throughout the story, particularly the above graphic from the series.

The brouhaha seems to be over a comment by the character Falcon that as a “black man” he wouldn’t be welcome in the Tea Party crowd, implying that the crowd is white and racist.  While the dialogue of the characters only describes the crowd as an anti-tax protest a sign that reads “Tea Bag The Libs Before They Tea Bag YOU!” is what a few are claiming ties the series to the Teabaggers, I mean Tea Party.  Ed Brubaker, the writer of the series, claims the sign was added by the letterer and Marvel (showing they have no balls and don’t stand behind free speech) has announced they will be removing the sign in future printings.

Never mind it’s a real sign from a real protest:

Tea Bag the Liberal Dems Before They Tea Bag You!!

Fox of course is just doing it’s journalistic job in pointing this issue out.  They aren’t taking sides at all or inflaming the issue.  From their article:

But the change may come too late to placate a chorus of critics who noticed the apparent jab at the Tea Party movement and who accused Marvel of making supervillains out of patriotic Americans.

I guess we can assume Fox backs threats of armed uprising (some might call this treason).  Here we have a “patriotic” American at a recent Tea Party protest.

We came unarmed (this time)

But Brubaker was adamant that he did not intend to imply that the group of protesters in the comic book were Tea Partiers.

“I was simply using them to show the mood in the country in various places outside Captain America and the Falcon’s usual home, New York City,” he wrote. “It’s very similar to other things we’ve done in the comic, showing leftwing protest crowds back during the election season in 2008.”

For anyone who has read Brubaker’s brilliant run on Captain America would know this has been the case.  In fact the month home foreclosures became national news, Brubaker worked them into his storyline.

Brubaker has received threats and harassment over the issue leading him to make this statement on Twitter:

Just FYI – insulting and threatening tweeters are blocked and reported.

You can find the tweets supporting or condemning Brubaker through this search.

Of course we’d never say the Tea Party movement is littered with loons, we’ll let the photos speak for themselves.  All are easily available in a simple Google search.

You can find more photos over at the Huffington Post.

Really the shame or anger shouldn’t be directed at Brubaker, it should go to Marvel and Fox News for caving on free speech.

It’s funny while Fox defends the Teabaggers, who claim they believe in the Constitution (you know the thing this country was founded on and guarantees free speech), they are all quickly to piss on it when it comes to speech they disagree with.  I call hypocrisy.

So let’s review:

  • Marvel and Fox are against fee speech
  • Fox supports armed insurrection
  • Teabaggers are pro-Constitution except when it comes to free speech they disagree with

Ok, discuss!

Fox Files More Wolverine Suits

February 10, 2010

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We previously reported that an individual was charged with illegally sharing X-Men Origins: Wolverine online which had been viewed by 4.1 million people before the movie’s release.  According to an article in the New York Times, Fox has decided to file more suits against DVD pirates who subsequently leaked the film online via Craigslist.org, iOffer.com and Sell.com.

Fox employees, working under cover, gathered the evidence over the last year.

Although the complaints do not reveal the identity of most of the defendants — these people did not reveal their names in the transactions so Fox will now use subpoenas to obtain the information — it lists the sellers as living in many states. Five people were named: Kenneth Slater of Paxton, Ill.; Valerie Rosales of Stockton, Calif.; Ozy Smith of Oakland, Calif.; John Hegedus of Garfield, N.J.; and David Chung of Chicago.

“This kind of conduct not only violates the law, it’s just plain wrong,” Fox said in a statement on Thursday. “We filed these lawsuits today to protect our creative professionals and the intellectual property they spend years developing.”

The movie opened at number one even with the leak and the film managed to nearly triple in total gross revenue that it cost to make.  Really, in the end we should be suing Fox over releasing such a crappy movie.

Choice Quotes

February 10, 2010

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Cinderella: From Fabletown With Love #4

Safiya – It’s just like I’ve said, sisters.  The Anglo Fables talk about equality and independence, but are they really any better than our erstwhile masters?

Siege #2

Bucky – Steve, you need this.  You want to take the country back?  You need to put on the uniform and stand up.  The world needs Captain America.

and

Hellfire – I don’t get it… why are we recording this?

Nick Fury – What I just described to you is the textbook definition of treason.  It ain’t spy games and it ain’t cutesy crap.  We are declaring war on the United States.  I want it on record it was me who did this.  I want it known it was me.

Hellfire – Like, we’re just kids under your scary influence.

Nick Fury – You are.  Prepare to be taken as prisoner of war if we fail.  Prepare to be treated as an enemy of the state.  If we do not win, and you live, that is what is coming.  All the other things we’ve been working towards, all of it means nothing if we do not do this.  Osborn has to be removed.  He is a threat to the American way of life and that’s that.

Siege: Embedded #2

Clerk – We oughta nuke ‘em right outta there!  Just vaporize the whole lot of ‘em!  But we ain’t gonna, and you know why?

Ben Urich – Because a nuclear attack on American soil would be unconscionable?

Clerk – Because the President of these United States — a man I did not vote for, mind you, so I don’t know why he gets any say over me and mine — does not have the guts to stand up for his people!

and

Ben Urich – Because it gets people watching.  And talking about him.  And buying his books.  Controversy creates an audience.

and

H.A.M.M.E.R. Agent – Each ship has an Osborn-approved member of the press assigned to it.

T0dd Keller – Embedded journalists.

H.A.M.M.E.R. Agent – We’re ensuring cross-network saturation.  Even if someone disagrees with your network’s style, they are still seeing the Asgard event as we intend it to be seen.

Todd Keller – This is really happening isn’t it? We’re going to invade Asgard.

H.A.M.M.E.R. Agent – We are going to invade Asgard, Mister Keller.  You are going to tell the world why it’s a good idea.

Wolverine: Weapon X #10

Melita – My mom is black and my dad’s Mexican, but they don’t care what color my dates are so long as they’re Democrats.


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