My Life So Far...

The story of my life.

[avenging-aj]

How Tokusatsu Entered My Life

I haven’t posted anything for a year.  I want to talk about my love for Tokusatsu.  Tokusatsu is Japanese for “special filming”, a term for live-action film or television drama that makes heavy use of special effects.  Tokusatsu entertainment often deals with science fiction, fantasy or horror, but films and television shows in other genres can sometimes count as Tokusatsu as well.

I was first exposed to Tokusatsu back when I watched Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.  What I liked about the show is how five teenagers are granted unique gimmicks called “Morphers” to transform into superheroes wearing coloring spandex suits and piloting mechas called Zords to fight giant monsters.  I also like seeing how the 3 or 5 Zords combine to form one awesome Megazord!  Power Rangers had a huge impact on my childhood.  I would watch the show everyday after school and on weekends.  Plus, I would try to get my hands on the latest Megazord toys since the Megazords are one of the many things I like about Power Rangers.  I even like it when two Megazords are combined to form an even more powerful Megazord! 

When Power Rangers celebrated its 20th anniversary, the store brand company Bandai released new Power Rangers toys as part of its Legacy Collection toyline.  During college, I got my hands on the DX Legacy version of the first Megazord from MMPR Season 1.  Then later on, I got myself the Legacy Power Morpher, Legacy Dragonzord, Legacy Falconzord and Ninja Megazord and the Ninjetti Power Coins!  I failed to get them doing the 90s when I was young but I got a second chance to getting them.

After Power Rangers became a huge success, other Toksatsu shows came in to the United States.  Haim Saban, the founder of Saban Entertainment and producer of the Power Rangers franchise, acquired the rights of other Tokusatsu shows from Toei Company, creating VR Troopers, Big Bang Bettleborgs and Masked Rider from from several Metal Hero and Kamen Rider Series shows.  Saban even created its own Tokusatsu series entitled Mystic Knights of Tir Na Nog.  The series was set in medieval Ireland and featured four, later five knights who transform using the power of the elements at they protected their kingdom from evil.  Some of those series lasted for a season or 2 but they were good series to watch.  I wished they did a crossover with Power Rangers.  Maybe it would have saved some of the series.

During high school, I discovered the truth about Power Rangers.  Power Rangers originally came from Japan when Saban acquired the rights from Toei Company to use original Japanese footage from the Super Sentai series.  Sentai is Japanese for Task Force.  Each season of Power Rangers was based off a Super Sentai Series.  For instance, the first 3 seasons of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers were based on Kyoryu Sentai Zyuranger, Gosei Sentai Dairanger, and Ninja Sentai Kakuranger.  I realized that when watching Power Rangers where they were scenes with Japanese words in the background.

The First Super Sentai series I watched was Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger, where the idea of Power Rangers: SPD came from.  As SPD was set in the future, Dekaranger was set in the present where a police force make sure that all aliens abide by intergalactic laws, and has advanced extraterrestrial technology at its disposal.  I realized that the Super Sentai franchise have a good amount of action and humor in its series.  After finishing watching Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger, I decided to watch other Super Sentai shows that came after it.  One of most favorite Super Sentai series would have to be Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger.  The series focuses on a band of young space pirates called the Gokaigers coming to the planet Earth to find the “Greatest Treasure in the Universe”.  They have to fight the Zangyack Space Empire and luckily for them, the Gokaigers have an unique power to fight back.  They have the ability to use Ranger Keys to transformed into a past Super Sentai Group!  That was awesome!

Then, I got into another popular Tokusatsu franchise, Kamen Rider.  The Kamen Rider franchise started in the 1970s, the same time as the Super Sentai franchise.  In every Kamen RIder TV shows, the main character uses a special belt or driver to transform into a superhero to fight monsters that are hurting people and ride around in an unique motorbike.  In each series, there would be an organization that tends to be either ally or an enemy to the main hero.  The main character also have the ability to change into different rider forms.  Some footages from classic Kamen Rider shows such as Kamen Rider Black RX were used for Masked Rider, the American version of a Kamen Rider show.

The first Kamen Rider show I watched was Kamen Rider Kabuto.  The show was about individuals chosen by insect-based gimmicks called “Zectors” to transform into Kamen Riders to fight against an alien race called Worms that are a threat to humanity.  The Worms have the ability to mimic a person’s appearance, memories and personality traits and move at the speed of light.  The riders have a “Clock-Up” system that allows them to move at the speed of light as well, giving them a good fighting chance.

Since then, I have been watching other Kamen Rider shows that came before and after Kamen Rider Kabuto.  I’m currently watching a Kamen Rider show on Amazon Prime entitled Amazon Riders, (original name: Kamen Rider Amazons) a homage series to Kamen Rider Amazon, which came out during the Showa era in Japan.  Some of my favorite Kamen Rider series are Kamen Rider Decade, Kamen Rider Build, Kamen Rider Gaim, Kamen Rider Ex-Aid and Kamen Rider Blade.

Now, I’m still Tokusatsu fan!  I’m still waiting the current Super Sentai and Kamen Rider shows.  I still collect some of Power Rangers/Super Sentai toys such as the zord and morphers.  The toys that I have collected the most are the Ranger Keys from Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger.  I have a toy treasure chest like the one from the show filled so many ranger keys.  I have all Red Ranger keys and some of them in sets of each of the 36 Super Sentai heroes.  I still want to get collect the keys of every sixth/extra ranger of each team.

I’m even collecting so many different Kamen Rider belt/drivers and S.H. Figuarts.  So far I have 8 DX Drivers and so many gimmicks for each of them.  My goal is to collect all 20 S.H. Figuarts versions of the 20 Primary Kamen Riders of the Heisei Era.  So far, I have 12.  I even noticed that Tokusatsu have an impact on fans in the United States as well.  At conventions, I would see someone dressing up as a Power Ranger or a Kamen Rider, even in the heroes’ civilian forms.  It is almost at conventions where I got to meet some actors from Power Rangers who played some of my favorite rangers on TV and I even got to meet the original Japanese actors from Kyoryu Sentai Zyuranger!

So that’s how I got into Tokusatsu.

[avenging-aj]

The Return of the Four

It have been confirmed!  The Fantastic Four, MARVEL’s First Family are coming back!  After years of absence, the team is making their big return in a new monthly series that will be written by Dan Slott, the current writer for Amazing Spider-Man and soon-to-be writer of the upcoming Tony Stark: Iron Man series and illustrated by Sara Pichelli.

The last Fantastic Four series ended in 2015, before the Secret Wars (2015) event.  At the end of Secret Wars, Reed, Sue, and their children sent out to restore the Multiverse.  During that time, Johnny Storm (The Human Torch), joined the Avengers Unity Squad in Uncanny Avengers and became an ambassador with the Inhumans and Ben Grimm (The Thing) joined the Guardians of the Galaxy and later on, joined S.H.I.E.L.D. in Infamous Iron Man.  Peter Parker than bought the Baxter Building to keep it “safe” until the team’s return.  Unfortunately, Peter had to sell the building after Parker Industries was forced to close shop for good.

Finally, there have been some interesting things leading up the Fantastic Four’s return!  In the MARVEL Legacy one-shot, Franklin and Valeria Richards make their return in MARVEL comics.  In the on-going series of Marvel 2-in-1, Johnny and Ben turn that their powers are slowly fading and they have to use a device Reed left behind called the Multisect, to travel through the Multiverse to reunite with their family.

I’ve been reading the Marvel 2-In-1 series because I’ve been rooting for the Fantastic Four’s return!  I’ve been re-reading all the Fantastic Four comics, from Hickman’s work to the last series before Secret Wars.  I’m excited that Dan Slott will be writing the series.  I love his work in Amazing Spider-Man in the last 10 years and I know that he will do a Fantastic job writing for the First Family this summer.  Slott is planning to write 55 issues of the Fantastic Four, which would get them to reach issue number 700!

The Fantastic Four will make their return in August 2018, starting with number 1 of their re-launched series!

[avenging-aj]

Big News for Power Rangers

So many things are happening for the Power Rangers!  This year is the 25th anniversary of the franchise and to celebrate, BOOM! Studios and Saban Brands is presenting the first comic book event that takes place between Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and Saban’s Go Go Power Rangers.  In the first comic book event, Power Rangers: Shattered Grid, Lord Drakkon - an evil version of Tommy Oliver from an alternate reality and his army are going to travel though dimensions to execute an plan that will threaten the very existence of every Power Rangers ever.  For the first time ever, the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers will team up with other rangers from Time Force, Lightspeed Rescue, Samurai and other Power Ranger series.  

A week ago, a trailer for Shattered Grid was posted online.  The trailer was narrated by the original Green Ranger, Jason Frank David!  I’ve been reading Mighty Morphin Power Rangers since 2016 and I really enjoyed the story.  I’m catching on on Go Go Power Rangers so I will be ready for Shattered Grid.  Shattered Grid starts will a prelude issue in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers issue #24 and it will go on until August.

Recently this week, there have been some big changes.  Saban Brands change up the logo for Power Rangers and it looks cool.  Saban also stated that they will continue to air more Power Rangers TV series until 2021 and they have decided to end their partnership with Bandai.  Bandai have been making Power Rangers toys for 25 years and to think their partnership will come to an end.  Their partnership will end in April 2019 while Hasbro, the toy brand become Transformers, My Little Pony and MARVEL,  becomes to new master toy licensee for Power Rangers!  I wonder if Bandai continue on working on the Legacy toyline for Power Rangers until 2019.  So far, they have released the legacy Power Sword, Morphers, Helmets, Megazords and Dragon Dagger.  I’m still hoping there will be a legacy Shogun Megazord that is compatible with my legacy Falcon Zord.

And today, it was announced that Saban Brands will be doing an American adaption of Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters, Power Rangers: Beast Morphers.  Here is the synopsis for the series that was released at the panel of NY Toy Fair this year:

Set in the future, a secret agency combines a newly discovered substance called “Morph-X” with animal DNA to create the Power Rangers Beast Morphers team. The Rangers must fight off an evil sentient computer virus bent on taking over the source of all Ranger power, the Morphing Grid itself. Featuring never-before-seen leather suits and an all-new beast-themed arsenal (including dynamic new Zords), fans should get ready for a season full of secret ops and morphinominal fun.

This is the first time Power Rangers choose a Super Sentai source material by going backwards.  Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters came before Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger, which was used as source material for Power Rangers: Dino Charge and Dino Super Charge.  I’m excited about Power Rangers: Beast Morphers for next year.

Things are looking bright for Power Rangers this year.  So many things going on now with Shattered Grid, Beast Morphers, New partnership with Hasbro.  Big changes for Power Rangers!  I’m really excited for the franchise.  I grew up on Power Rangers throughout my entire childhood and I’m so pumped about the big news.  I know that I’m not the only one who feels the same way.  Happy Anniversary Power Rangers and may the Power protect you, always!

[avenging-aj]

Big News for Power Rangers

So many things are happening for the Power Rangers!  This year is the 25th anniversary of the franchise and to celebrate, BOOM! Studios and Saban Brands is presenting the first comic book event that takes place between Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and Saban’s Go Go Power Rangers.  In the first comic book event, Power Rangers: Shattered Grid, Lord Drakkon - an evil version of Tommy Oliver from an alternate reality and his army are going to travel though dimensions to execute an plan that will threaten the very existence of every Power Rangers ever.  For the first time ever, the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers will team up with other rangers from Time Force, Lightspeed Rescue, Samurai and other Power Ranger series.  

A week ago, a trailer for Shattered Grid was posted online.  The trailer was narrated by the original Green Ranger, Jason Frank David!  I’ve been reading Mighty Morphin Power Rangers since 2016 and I really enjoyed the story.  I’m catching on on Go Go Power Rangers so I will be ready for Shattered Grid.  Shattered Grid starts will a prelude issue in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers issue #24 and it will go on until August.

Recently this week, there have been some big changes.  Saban Brands change up the logo for Power Rangers and it looks cool.  Saban also stated that they will continue to air more Power Rangers TV series until 2021 and they have decided to end their partnership with Bandai.  Bandai have been making Power Rangers toys for 25 years and to think their partnership will come to an end.  Their partnership will end in April 2019 while Hasbro, the toy brand become Transformers, My Little Pony and MARVEL,  becomes to new master toy licensee for Power Rangers!  I wonder if Bandai continue on working on the Legacy toyline for Power Rangers until 2019.  So far, they have released the legacy Power Sword, Morphers, Helmets, Megazords and Dragon Dagger.  I’m still hoping there will be a legacy Shogun Megazord that is compatible with my legacy Falcon Zord.

And today, it was announced that Saban Brands will be doing an American adaption of Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters, Power Rangers: Beast Morphers.  Here is the synopsis for the series that was released at the panel of NY Toy Fair this year:

Set in the future, a secret agency combines a newly discovered substance called “Morph-X” with animal DNA to create the Power Rangers Beast Morphers team. The Rangers must fight off an evil sentient computer virus bent on taking over the source of all Ranger power, the Morphing Grid itself. Featuring never-before-seen leather suits and an all-new beast-themed arsenal (including dynamic new Zords), fans should get ready for a season full of secret ops and morphinominal fun.

This is the first time Power Rangers choose a Super Sentai source material by going backwards.  Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters came before Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger, which was used as source material for Power Rangers: Dino Charge and Dino Super Charge.  I’m excited about Power Rangers: Beast Morphers for next year.

Things are looking bright for Power Rangers this year.  So many things going on now with Shattered Grid, Beast Morphers, New partnership with Hasbro.  Big changes for Power Rangers!  I’m really excited for the franchise.  I grew up on Power Rangers throughout my entire childhood and I’m so pumped about the big news.  I know that I’m not the only one who feels the same way.  Happy Anniversary Power Rangers and may the Power protect you, always!

[avenging-aj]

Never Stop Giving Up

Today on Facebook, I read a friend’s post about her decision to quit her teaching job.  She felt that the school she worked at was making her life miserable.  Every day, she had to deal with so much negativity such as students throwing desks and books at her, being told to kill herself and students threatening to tell their parents that she beats them and called them the N-word.  After reading what she wrote, I’m glad that she quit that school.  I hope that experience does not discourage her from teaching.

A few weeks, I was wondering if becoming a teacher is worth it.  I’ve graduated from grad school two years ago with a Masters in Education.  Right now, I’m working at a 7-Eleven store since last year.  I was starting to lose my interest and motivation of becoming a teacher.  Mostly because I was tired of taking certification exams in order to become a certified teacher.   I felt like that the exams were a big waste of money and time because every time I take them, I don’t reach the passing score requirements.  I was starting to think it was a big mistake for me becoming a teacher.  

After being cheered up by friends and family, I’ve decided to give my goal of becoming a teacher another shot!  I remembered when my aunt planned to be lawyer, she had to take the bar exam multiple times until she passed.  I just have to take the rest of my exams as many times as possible until I have passed and have become certified to teach!  As of right now, I’m working at an after school program since September and I like it!  It’s a job that’s in my field of interest.  

What I’m trying to say here is that it can be hard to reach your goals and you just want to give up.  When things are not looking so well, don’t give up so easily.  Keep on working hard and have faith in God.  Once you do that, you will accomplish your goals!

[cracked]

12 Times Han Solo Used The Force Without Knowing It

[spatscolombo-deactivated2022030]

I need Han to accidentally be force strong, mostly because HE WOULD HATE THAT SO MUCH “Wow so you’re basically a self-taught Jedi” “WHAT–ARE YOU–I’M THE BEST PILOT IN–” “That’s force shit” “I’M AN EXCELLENT SHOT” “Yeah, because of the force” “I’M INCREDIBLY PERSUASIVE” “That’s the force making people believe your terrible lies against all reason ” “I’LL SEE YOU IN HELL”

[chocolatequeennk]

I can picture his reaction now…

Originally posted by gameraboy

No, but this is:

Originally posted by sterkiller

[derdoktorsschnabel-deactivated2]

Oh heck

[silentstephi]

George Lucas can pry Force Sensitive Han from my cold dead hands.

[moonblossom]

I love everything about this theory, but my favourite part of it by far is now utterly offended he’d be by the suggestion.

[wombatking]

Imagine how pissed off he’s going to be when he shows up as Rey’s force ghost guide. 

[fromchaostocosmos]

[azriona]

This just keeps getting better.

[ssree]

@esamastation

[avenging-aj]

Anime NYC 2017 Recap

Last Saturday, I attended an anime convention called Anime NYC held at the Jacob Javits Center.  It was the first anime convention in New York City I have attended for the first time in ten years!  The first anime con in NYC I attended was New York Anime Festival back in 2007.  As the years went by, NYAF was slowly absorbed by New York Comic Con and that was it.  However, Anime NYC was different from NYAF because it was a convention all by itself.

The con floors were set up nicely.  On the ground floor, one side of the Javits Center have booths for all the vendors that attended.  On the second floor where the escalators are at, there was the artist alley and on the lower floor, the panels and autograph sessions.  The only thing that I found annoying was going through bag checks on each floors.  At NYCC, you only go through bag checks once and that’s it.  For Anime NYC, you have to go through bag checks again and again when going to a different floor levels.

I walked around in the con to see what to get from vendors and met up with friends from high school and college.  I also attended a few panels.  The first panel I attended was the Sailor Moon panel since it was Sailor Moon Day!  The panel started off with performance by Yoki Ishida who sang the ending theme “Otomo No Policy” from Sailor Moon R.  After that, the panel introduced the English Dub cast of Sailor Moon.  The cast shared their favorite moments while working on Sailor Moon and advices that they would give to their characters.  My favorite moment of the panel when some of the cast have to do Guardians Challenges where they would have to do a Transformation and Attack switch.  The actors have to say each other’s character’s transformation and attack lines.  During the panel, they played a trailer of Sailor Moon Crystal Season 3.  However, they could not play the entire trailer due to technical difficulties.  At least I enjoyed the panel, that’s most important.  It inspired me to finish re-watch Sailor Moon Crystal and the original Sailor Moon seasons.  I hope they do an English dub for Sailor Moon: Super Stars!

The second panel I went to towards of the end of the con was the Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans panel.  At the panel were the English voice actors for the anime.  The cast consisted few of the voice actors from Sailor Moon and the voice actor of Mikazuki Augus.  I missed most of the beginning of the panel but towards the end, the panel had a Rock-Paper-Scissors game.  The game was a chance for the audience in the panel to win Gundam model kits.  I didn’t win but I enjoyed the panel.

In between the panels, I went to a Sailor Moon signing.  You would have to get a free ticket to the signing.  I was bummed that all the tickets were sold out fast and they were given out in the beginning of the day.  Luckily, a classmate of mine from high school gave me an extra ticket to the signing.  Thanks to him, I was able to get my Sailor Moon poster signed by the voice actors!

The pros: The con have so much room for vendors and artist alleys.  There was also a place where they arcade games like Tekken, Marvel Vs. Capcom, and Taiko No Tatsujin.  I was able to check out a Sailor Moon photoshoot hosted by @Rizuki.  You can find her on Instagram.  

The cons: Too many bag checks.  I was bummed of what happened to me at the con.  I bought Gundam Wing on DVD from one of the vendors at the con and when I got home, I couldn’t find the DVD.  I was upset!  I calmed down for a while and re-buying the DVD on Amazon to replace the lost DVD.  

I really enjoyed Anime NYC!  It was the best Anime con that I have ever attended.  I can definitely add Anime NYC on my convention list for next year!  You can check out the photos I’ve taken at the con on my Instagram page.  My Instagram username is @avenging_aj.  

[avenging-aj]

Thor Ragnarok Review

Yesterday morning, I went to see Thor: Ragnarok.  I won’t give any spoilers to those who haven’t seen it yet so here is the run-down.  In the film, Thor finds himself in the alien planet Sakaar where he has to fight the Hulk in the Grandmaster’s Contest of Champions and he must get back to Asgard to stop the Villainous Goddess of Death, Hela and prevent the destruction of his civilization.

The film uses elements from certain storylines such as Planet Hulk and the Ragnarok’s arc.  I was aware that the film made a some changes for the character Hela and how the Ragnarok arc was set up in the film.

After seeing this film, Thor: Ragnarok is the best film out of the Thor trilogy!  It has some great action sequences, a great cast and crew, music and of course, humor!  I’m still thinking about some of the funniest scenes from the film and I wished I can talk about them to everyone but I don’t want to spoil the movie.  I just want to say that Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston really brought out the best of their characters in the third Thor movie.  Catherine Blanchett really portrayed Hela well.  I feel like she was meant for that role.  

Thor: Ragnarok got my approval!  I give it an A+.  I recommend that everyone go see it this week!  You will not regret it.

[avenging-aj]

The Greatest Halloween Costume Contest Ever!

Hi Everyone.  I’m in the Halloween ComicFest Costume Contest for a chance to win a $500 shopping spree to any comic book store.  Voting is still going on until the 6th of November.  Please vote for me!  Click on the link to vote for me.  Also, share the link to others for their votes as well!  

[dailycwsupergirl]

[avenging-aj]

Hello Tumblr

Hello Everyone on Tumblr!  This is avenging_aj!  Sorry for being inactive in the last six months.  It seems like that I have been busy with so many things that I didn’t try to make time for Tumblr.  I need to work on that.

So far, I’ve been doing ok.  Busy working and having fun during my free time.  During the spring and summer, I’ve been re-taking my Teacher Certification exams.  I didn’t pass them but I’m going to retake them again later this month and hopefully, I’ll pass them for good.  I got a new job in the field of my interest.  I’m going as a teacher aide for an after school program in the Garden City School District.  I started since this past September and I like it.  My duties at the job are to supervise students from Kindergarten to 2nd grade and provide assistance in their homework.

During the summer, I’ve been doing a lot of reading!  I’ve been reading a lot of books lately.  So far, I have read my weekly comics, graphic novels, and regular novels like Kevin Hart’s book, I Can’t Make This Up, The Martian, and Family Don’t End with Blood: Cast and Fans on How Supernatural Has Changed Lives.  The books I’m currently reading now are Bonfire by Marvel’s Jessica Jones Lead Actress, Krysten Ritter and Wonder Woman: Warbringer.

I’ve been going to interesting events during the last six months.  I’ve been attending cons and shows such as NY Auto Show, Liberty City Anime Con, Eternal Con, Heroes and Villains Fan Fest and New York Comic Con.  I also went to a concert for the first time in years!  I got to see my favorite Japanese Rock band, One Ok Rock to perform in NYC this past summer!  I posted photos of these events on Instagram.

I’m going to blog about all the events I’ve attended this year soon.  I will also post about my top favorite comic book moments of 2017 soon, to make up for not doing one for 2016.  It’s good to be back on tumblr and I hope to be blogging more soon!

[avenging-aj]

I’m still here!

Hi Everyone.  Avenging-aj is still here.  I haven’t been active on this account for a whole year.  I have a lot to catch up on.  I’m going to post some of my events from last year and this year so I can be on speed.

[avenging-aj]

I’m Still Here!

Hi Everyone.  I’m still here.  In my last post, I was going through rough time, finding work and started to give up by faith in God.  However, my situation was turned around.  I was able to get a job.  It pays well.  I’m able to pay off my credit card bill and student loans but budgeting my money well.  The job is something I can hold on up until I can complete my Teacher Certifications.  So far, I re-took one of my Teacher Certification exams and passed it!  I’m studying to take another exam next month and take the last one in December.  Once I pass my exams, I will be able to get a teaching job.

I have a lot to post about now.  I’m going to post about what I have doing such as attending conventions, watching movies, the latest news in comics.  I’m still here and I’m not going anywhere.

[avenging-aj]

What’s The Point?

I’ve graduated from grad school last year and I still can’t get a job.  I have student loans and a credit card bill to pay off.  I can’t even enjoy doing some of my favorite hobbies such as collecting comic books.  There are jobs that I really want to work for but I can’t because of two things: 1. I have to complete a certain certification and 2. I’m over-qualified for everything else.  I tried praying to God but nothing’s happening. Why should I pray to God for anything if he’s not showing any signs that he listened to my prayers?  

I’m starting to lose my faith in God and myself.  What’s the point of my life anyway?  What’s point for everything?  

[avenging-aj]

Top 5 Comic Books Events of 2015

Time for my Top 5 Comic Book Events of 2015

5. The End is 4Ever

After 54 years, Marvel’s First Family, The Fantastic Four have finally came to an end.  It was confirmed that the Fantastic Four will be cancelled in 2015 with issue #645.  I believed that Marvel decided to end the series was due to the issues between Marvel Studios and 20th Century Fox for the movie rights of Fantastic Four.  As a result, Marvel decided to cancel Fantastic Four and Fox went ahead to releasing the reboot film, which became the worst movie ever!  It had the lowest ratings on Rotten Tomatoes, even lower than Batman and Robin.  I’m so glad that I didn’t spend my money seeing that film after heading all the negative reviews.  I know that Marvel will continue on working on the characters in titles.  In the aftermath of the Secret Wars arc, Johnny Storm (Human Torch) is acting as an ambassador with the Inhumans and a member of the Avengers Unity Squad in Uncanny Avengers and Uncanny Inhumans and Ben Grimm (The Thing) is now a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy.  There’s no confirmation yet on Reed Richards and Susan Storm.  I don’t know if they will survive the Secret Wars aftermath.  For the Baxter Building, it has been bought by Peter Parker, having it as the NY base for Parker Industries and keeping it safe until the team is ready to come back together.  I’m hoping that Fox gives Marvel Studios the movie rights of Fantastic Four bach and maybe Marvel can re-launch the series again.

4. Clark Kent Faces The “Truth”

Truth is a Superman crossover that is told in Action Comics, Batman/Superman, Superman/Wonder Woman and Superman.  In this arc, Superman’s secret identity has been revealed to the world by Lois Lane!  Worse, he’s locked out of the Fortress of Solitude, fired from the Daily Planet, lost his most of his powers and his suit.  The only things he have left of his suit are the pieces of cloth from his cape.  Superman is back to wearing the old t-shirt and jeans look.  With everything taken away from him, Clark Kent embarks on a journey across the Unites States, seeking a way to get his pwers back and rediscover his heroic nature.  The Truth storyline leads up to the Savage Dawn arc in which the depowered Man of Steel must save the world from Vandal Savage.

3. All-New Batman

In the aftermath of the Batman arc, Endgame, Batman is presumed dead after his battle with the Joker.  Gotham City is in need of a Batman so, Batman’s longtime ally, Jim Gordon takes up the mantle as a police-sanctioned Batman.  Gordon uses a mecha style suit, sponsored by mega-corp Powers International.  Gordon becomes Batman because he is the only one capable of understanding Gotham the way Batman had done over the years and he feels that it is best there is a Batman who works with the system instead of working outside of it.  Being a police-sanctioned Batman is stressful for Gordon.  He’s not allowed to break the rules like his predecessor and he is forced to go after costumed vigilantes such as Red Robin, Red Hood, and even Batgirl!  He even bumps heard with a depowered Superman in the Truth story arc and the two have a hard time trusting each other.  And where is Bruce Wayne?  He’s alive and well.  Living a happy life but has no memories of being Batman.  In the current Batman arc, Superheavy, Bruce Wayne will soon get his memories back as Batman and help Gordon stop a new villain named Mr. Bloom.  It’s just a matter of time.

2. Mutants: Endangered Species, Again!

In the House of M arc, we all know that mutants in the Marvel universe became an endangered species thanks to the Scarlet Witch and three little words: “No More Mutants”.  Then, the mutant population have been restored by the Scarlet Witch, mutant messiah Hope Summers and the Phoenix force towards the end of Avengers Vs. X-Men.  Now, in the aftermath of Secret Wars, the Mutant population is now at the brink of extinction again.  Mutants are being affected by the Terrigen mists, which caused the emergence of NuHumans (New Inhumans).  Mutants who are exposed to the mist are unable to have children with the X-Genes and preventing new mutants from emerging.  X-Man and Avenger Rogue get affected by the mists and she’s fighting hard as the mists slowly kills her.  In order to save what’s left of the mutant population, Storm had the X-Men and other mutants teleported to X-Haven, which is in Limbo, safe from the Terrigen mists in the atmosphere.  X-Man Beast is working with Inhuman Medusa and others to find a cure for save the mutant population.  I hope the X-Men can find a way to save mutantkind from going extinct again.

1. All-New, All-Different Marvel Universe!

In the aftermath of Secret Wars, there is a new Marvel universe.  Marvel starts launching new titles that take place eight months after the events of Secret Wars.  The first two titles of the new All-New, All-Different Marvel Universe are the relaunches of Invincible Iron Man and Amazing Spider-Man.   In the new Marvel Universe, Miles Morales, Ultimate Spider-Man joins the Avengers, along with Ms. Marvel and Nova.  Daredevil’s secret identity is safe, Iron Man gets a kick-ass new suit, Old Man Logan joins the Extraordinary X-Men, as X-23 takes up Logan’s mantle as the All-New Wolverine, and Parker Industries goes Worldwide!  Plus, Peter Parker is doing the Iron Man/bodyguard trick, in which he is still Spider-Man but he has everyone believes that Spider-man is his bodyguard.  One of the new series of the All-New, All-Different Marvel universe is a new Iron man series where Tony Stark will learn about who is birth parents are after finding out that he was adopted.  I’m really excited about these new titles of the All-New, All-Different Marvel Universe.  I’m waiting when Spider-man/Deadpool comes out, along with the new X-Men crossover arc, The Apocalypse Wars that will focus on the return of Apocalypse which will take place in All-New X-Men, Uncanny X-Men, and Extraordinary X-Men.  Miles Morales’ ongoing series, Spider-Man will come out in February, which will explain what happened during the eight-months after Secret Wars.

Those are my top 5 comic book events of 2015!  I’m excited to see what new events will occur in 2016!

[avenging-aj]

Eternal Con 2015 recap

It has been a while for me to post a recap on anything.  This feels like my first recap post for years. 

Three months, I attended Eternal Con located at the Cradle of Aviation Museum.  This was the convention’s third year and also my first year attending it.  I wasn’t sure that I was going to Eternal Con since it was on the weekend after Special Edition: NYC and mostly, I would try to go to a convention once a month.  But I decided to go because of one main reason: 

MIGHTY MORPHIN’ POWER RANGERS!!!

The original actors from Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers were at Eternal Con: Austin St. John (Jason/Red Ranger), Walter Jones (Zach/Black Ranger), David Yost (Billy/Blue Ranger), and Karen Ashley (Aisha/Yellow Ranger)!  

I was so excited!  It felt like my childhood have come back to life!  So far, I’ve met Jason David Frank (Tommy/Green, White, Red Zeo, Red Turbo, and Black Dino Thunder Ranger) and Steve Cardenas (Rocky/Red Ranger, Blue Zeo Ranger) at previous conventions and meeting the rest of the original rangers who be legendary!  I got my Red Ranger S.H.Figuart signed by Austin St. John and got a photo op with him and Karen Ashley.  

After that, I went to the Power Rangers panel.  At the panel, fans got up to ask questions to the actors.  I asked them what their memorable moments were when they were Power Rangers.  Their memorable moments were visiting children at hospitals while dressed in their ranger costumes, bringing joy and happiness to the children.  

I really like Eternal Con!  It was a nice convention, I got meet the original actors from Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, and I got hang out with my friends there.  I would go back to Eternal Con next year.  Hopefully, the actors can come back next year and maybe Amy Jo Johnson (Kimberly/Pink Ranger) will join them this time.  I had a huge crush on her back in my childhood.

[avenging-aj]

Neville vs. King Barrett: Raw, Aug. 10, 2015

When Stardust tries to get involved in this battle on Raw, "Arrow" star Stephen Amell hops the barricade to even the odds.

Never mess with the Arrow!

On last episode’s show of WWE RAW, “Arrow” star Stephen Amell takes his involvement with WWE to the next level.  During a match between Neville and King Barrett, Cody Rhodes as Stardust was about to enter the ring after he was staring down at Amell who was in the audience and assaulted him.  This caused the actor the enter the ring, start attacking the wrestler until being contained by security.  As a result, Amell will be teaming up with Neville against King Barrett and Stardust in an up-coming tag teem match at SummerSlam, which will be held at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY on August 23rd!  

I hope I get tickets to see this match!