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.

Comics, Interview, Marvel

Utkarsh Ambudkar Discusses ‘Marvel’s Voices: Avengers’ #1

December 5, 2023December 5, 2023 Sophia Soto

Utkarsh Ambudkar wrote Iron Man’s tale in the latest anthology in the Marvel’s Voices series, Marvel’s Voices: Avengers #1. The comic book, which hits stands on December 6 and gives Earth’s Mightiest Heroes their Marvel’s Voices spotlight, will also include stories for Captain America, Photon, and Ghost Rider.

Animation, Marvel, Streaming1 Comment

Freak Out About the ‘What If…?’ Season 2 Trailer with Us

November 27, 2023November 27, 2023 Kelly Martinez

Marvel is ringing in the holiday season with a trip through the multiverse. The studio has released the official trailer for Season 2 of What If…?, which is slated to premiere on Disney+ on December 22.

Marvel, Movies

A ‘Madame Web’ Trailer Exists and None of You Jerks Told Me About It?

November 25, 2023November 26, 2023 Dominic Mah

I mean, I’m a Spider-Man/Spider-Verse person, seriously. Not in the sense that I saw Venom, or the one with Leto, or know when Kraven the Hunter comes out, but I’m still shocked that an official Madame Web trailer has been live for a whole week and I’m just watching it today. Internet! What’re you doing, man?

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+.

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, 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.

Comics, Interview, Marvel1 Comment

Iman Vellani Discusses ‘Ms. Marvel: The New Mutant’ and Why the Character is so Timeless

August 29, 2023August 29, 2023 Sophia Soto

Iman Vellani, who additionally stars as Kamala Khan in Marvel Studios’ Ms. Marvel, is making her Marvel Comics debut with Ms. Marvel: The New Mutant. The limited series will be four issues and the first one will be on sale tomorrow, August 30.

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.

Interview, Marvel

Cobie Smulders on ‘Secret Invasion,’ How the MCU Has Evolved, and Her Fans

June 30, 2023July 2, 2023 Sophia Soto

Cobie Smulders has played Maria Hill in the Marvel Cinematic Universe since The Avengers, which was released back in 2012. Following her introduction, she has appeared in many projects and most recently can be seen in Secret Invasion. This interview will contain spoilers for the first two episodes.

Interview, Marvel, Television

Samuel L. Jackson and Olivia Colman Talk Marvel Studios’ ‘Secret Invasion’

June 21, 2023June 22, 2023 Sophia Soto

Samuel L. Jackson, who is also an executive producer, and Olivia Colman star as Nick Fury and Sonya Falsworth in Marvel Studios’ Secret Invasion. The first episode of the thrilling, new espionage series is now streaming, exclusively on Disney+.

Interview, Marvel, Television

Emilia Clarke and Ben Mendelsohn on ‘Secret Invasion’ and Iconic MCU Duos

June 20, 2023June 22, 2023 Sophia Soto

Emilia Clarke and Ben Mendelsohn play G’iah and Talos in Marvel Studios’ Secret Invasion. The thrilling, new espionage series premieres June 21, exclusively on Disney+.

Hard N.O.C. Life, Movies

Hard NOC Life 316: ‘Rise of the Beasts’ Maximizes the ‘Transformers’ Franchise

June 12, 2023 Hard NOC Media

On Hard NOC Life, Keith and Britney roll out a review of the latest Transformers film, Rise of the Beasts. Britney also celebrates the 30th anniversary of Jurassic Park, while Keith previews The Flash.

Marvel, Movies1 Comment

‘Captain America 4’ Announces New Title with Behind the Scenes Photo

June 6, 2023June 14, 2023 Mike Manalo

May 2024 is on your left and coming fast, folks! And with it, soaring on top in his new position as Captain America is Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson. Last time we saw Sam, he was rightfully earning back the shield (after giving it up to a museum six months after saying he’d do his best). And now the partner has become the master as he heads into theaters with the latest installment in the Captain America series, now titled Captain America: Brave New World!

Hard N.O.C. Life, Marvel

Hard NOC Life 315: Across the Spoiler-Verse

June 5, 2023 Hard NOC Media

On this Hard NOC Life, Britney brings special guest host Liam King, lead singer of the bands STMNTS and Again in May for a spoiler-filled review of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.

Animation, Marvel, Reviews

‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ Swings Further and Higher to Be a Masterful Sequel

May 31, 2023June 2, 2023 Michael Lee

The best thing about Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is that it’s an irreverent love letter that dares to challenge and satirize the Webslinger’s mythology. By introducing Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) into the cinematic universe, not only did we see the Spidey persona in a whole new way, but we also got to see the social impact of representation. Now Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse puts a twist on the themes explored in the first while diving into the complex themes of individuality.