NOC Review: ‘Echo’ is Hard Hitting and Emotionally Resonant

January 11, 2024January 14, 2024 Mike Manalo

Marvel Studios has heard the complaints from everyone post-Endgame, and has decided to create a dedicated banner specifically for one-off character stories: Marvel Spotlight. Like the comics that inspired the moniker, these shows will focus on telling stories about single characters that can be easily decoupled from the grander arcs of narrative building within the MCU. And the first series to be released under the Marvel Spotlight banner is Echo.

Marvel, Reviews, Streaming1 Comment

‘Echo’ Changes the Game and the Frame for the Marvel Cinematic Universe

January 11, 2024March 28, 2024 Dominic Mah

The question looms over every Marvel Studios release these days: “Is it a game-changer?” Does this latest show/movie/sequel change the formula, or rekindle the magic or… accomplish anything? Marvel’s new series Echo certainly serves as a frame-changer, centering a Native American character who also happens to be deaf and an amputee.

Interview, Marvel, Streaming2 Comments

‘Echo’ Star Alaqua Cox on Motherhood and Deaf Representation in the MCU

January 3, 2024January 4, 2024 Dominic Mah

It was a pleasure to talk with Alaqua Cox about Marvel’s Echo, premiering January 9 on Disney+ and Hulu, with assistance by an ASL interpreter. We’ll be sharing more from the Echo press event over the coming week.

Animation, Marvel1 Comment

Exploring the Multiverse at Marvel’s ‘What If…?’ Season 2 Premiere

December 13, 2023December 23, 2023 Kelly Martinez

New episodes of Marvel’s What If…? are just around the corner. Season 2 of the animated series premieres December 22 on Disney+, throwing viewers back into the multiverse at the hands of The Watcher (Jeffrey Wright). As part of Phase Five, the series “questions, revisits, and twists” classic Marvel Cinematic Universe moments.

Marvel, Movies

Building a Universe with the ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ VFX Crew

December 8, 2023 Mike Manalo

Crafting any studio blockbuster is a challenging endeavor. Worlds and galaxies begin with the ideas of a gifted writer or director (or both in the case of James Gunn), but have to become reality. And that’s really where so much time, energy, and effort from hard working individuals, such as the VFX team from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 come into the picture.

Marvel, Movies

Lessons in High Evolution with the ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ Hair and Makeup Team

December 7, 2023 Mike Manalo

Gamora. Nebula. The High Evolutionary. Humanimals. Believe it or not, these specific larger than life characters aren’t made using VFX. They’ve been meticulously brought to life by some of the most unsung heroes in the entire entertainment industry: the incredible hair and makeup crew of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3!

Marvel, Theme Parks

‘The Marvels’ Take Flight at Avengers Campus

November 14, 2023November 14, 2023 Michael Lee

The Marvels is the first time Marvel Studios has delivered a female-led ensemble, with two of the film’s leads being POC. And now, just as Avengers Campus has done with nearly all MCU feature films that have been released in the past, they are welcoming Carol Danvers, Kamala Khan, and Captain Monica Rambeau at Disney California Adventure.

Interview, Marvel, Streaming

Tom Hiddleston Reflects on the Rewarding Journey of ‘Loki’

November 14, 2023February 14, 2024 Sophia Soto

Tom Hiddleston executive produces and stars as the title character in Marvel Studios’ Loki. In the MCU, he has portrayed the character for a total of six films (so far) and the incredible season 2 finale is currently streaming on Disney+.

Hard N.O.C. Life, Marvel

Hard NOC Life 324: Happy X-Men (Strike is Over)

November 13, 2023February 5, 2024 Hard NOC Media

Hard NOC Life is back! Keith gets the band back together as Dominic and Britney break down The Marvels, Loki Season 2, and what was nerd poppin’ when they were on hiatus. Later, Keith is joined by Broadway star James Monroe Iglehart to discuss his latest role in Spamalot and what theater has in common with pro wrestling.

Marvel, Movies

The MCU Makes More Major Movie Moves

November 10, 2023November 10, 2023 Mike Manalo

It’s no surprise that the strikes have more or less caused major motion picture studios to re-strategize and re-asses their release schedules for the coming year. And naturally, with a franchise as interwoven and high profile as the MCU, Marvel Studios is being forced to do the same. This week, news was officially announced that four huge films, Deadpool 3, Captain America: Brave New World, Blade, and Phase 5 capper Thunderbolts would all be affected by the strikes.

Marvel, Movies, Podcasts

The Middle Geeks Episode 59: ‘The Marvels’ Review

November 10, 2023November 10, 2023 Swara Salih

Maryam and Isa once again join us to review the latest installment in Kamala Khan’s journey in the MCU, The Marvels.

Marvel, Movies, Reviews

‘The Marvels’ Finds its Savior in a Teenager

November 8, 2023November 8, 2023 Laura Sirikul

Marvel has been getting a lot flack lately, especially with the upcoming release of The Marvels. The film itself went through multiple reshoots and pushed its release twice. To many, especially the “film bros,” this marks the sign of a disaster waiting to happen. But, the end result of The Marvels wasn’t that bad.

Marvel, Reviews

NOC Review: ‘The Marvels’ is a Light and Breezy Blast

November 8, 2023November 8, 2023 Mike Manalo

It seems these days I start out every MCU review with some comments about how we’re in an era where “the death of Marvel” is prominently in the zeitgeist. And sure, a damning article from Variety and some online chatter, along with some lukewarm or worse receptions for certain projects here and there would have you think such a thing is imminent. Perhaps it’s true. Or perhaps it’s audience or critical cynicism at its worst.

Marvel, Streaming

First Look at Marvel Studios’ ‘Echo’ with Director Sydney Freeland

November 3, 2023November 3, 2023 Mike Manalo

In November 2021, Hawkeye debuted as a lovely Christmas present to fans. It continued the adventures of everyone’s favorite archer Avenger, introduced the world to Kate Bishop, gave closure to Yelena Belova, brought back the Kingpin, and introduced a formidable new villain in Maya Lopez (Alaqua Cox). Now Maya is back, in her very own series: Echo!

Interview, Marvel, Streaming

‘Loki’ Costume Designer Christine Wada on Working with Tom Hiddleston and the New Season

November 3, 2023November 3, 2023 Sophia Soto

Christine Wada is the costume designer for Marvel Studios’ Loki. New episodes of the second season are released on Thursdays at 6 PM PT / 9 PM ET, exclusively on Disney+.

Interview, Marvel, Streaming

‘Loki’ Production Designer Kasra Farahani Talks Season 2

November 1, 2023November 3, 2023 Sophia Soto

Kasra Farahani is the production designer for Marvel Studios’ Loki. New episodes of the second season are released Thursdays at 6 PM PT / 9 PM ET, exclusively on Disney+.

Marvel, Movies, Video Games

How ‘The Marvels’ and Spider-Man Held Me Together: A Quantum-Entangled Timeline

October 16, 2023January 25, 2024 Dominic Mah

Don’t! You tell me to smile!
You stick around I’ll make it worth your while!
The Beastie Boys, “Intergalactic”

The last five years have not even been fooling around.

Marvel, Theme Parks

New Avengers Vault Opens at Disney California Adventure

September 18, 2023November 16, 2023 Michael Lee

Disney California Adventure guests get to be a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe at Avengers Campus every time they visit. They can interact with some of their favorite heroes during meet-and-greets, and go on adventures with them. And with the opening of the new Avengers Vault, they can bring back a little piece of Avengers Campus home with them as they can shop for superhero gear or Infinity Saga relics.

Marvel, Streaming

‘Loki’ Season 2 Gets a New Date and Time

September 18, 2023September 18, 2023 Sophia Soto

Season 2 of Marvel Studios’ Loki just time-slipped into a new launch date: 6:00 PM PT on Thursday, October 5! To celebrate, Disney+ has shared a new featurette with Tom Hiddleston, Sophia Di Martino, Ke Huy Quan, and executive producer Kevin R. Wright discussing what it means to be Loki in this upcoming season.

Conventions

Disney Announces D23 Expo 2024 Dates and Fan Events

September 10, 2023September 10, 2023 Michael Lee

D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event is a biennal one-of-a-kind fan experience like never before with spectacular shows, new venues, and multiple days of entertainment that will bring together the best of Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and more. Now, the studio has announced the dates and plans for the week-long event that will happen in August 2024.

Marvel, Streaming

Get Ready for More Mischief with Tom Hiddleston in Season 2 of ‘Loki’

July 31, 2023July 31, 2023 Sophia Soto

There is no better way to start your week than with a brand-new trailer and poster and today, Disney+ delivered just that for season 2 of Loki. The first season is the most watched Marvel Studios series on Disney+, so it’s only right that Tom Hiddleston is back once again as the beloved God of Mischief, who gets thrown into some new adventures with the TVA.

Hard N.O.C. Life, Marvel

Hard NOC Life 320: SNIKT Peek at Wolverine in ‘Deadpool III’

July 10, 2023July 10, 2023 Hard NOC Media

Keith and Britney are back for a new Hard NOC Life. On today’s episode, they break down all the news coming out of the Deadpool III set, including Jennifer Garner’s return as Elektra and Hugh Jackman’s comic-accurate Wolverine costume!

DC Comics, Hard N.O.C. Life, Marvel

Hard NOC Life 319: Artificial Invasion with Jamie Noguchi

July 3, 2023July 2, 2023 Hard NOC Media

Keith and Britney welcome fellow NOC podcaster and comic book artist Jamie Noguchi to Hard NOC Life! Jamie is here to explain what’s wrong with the A.I. opening credits to Secret Invasion. They also break down James Gunn’s choices for Clark and Lois in the upcoming DC Universe reboot, Superman: Legacy.