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In its purest form, art is about taking an idea and converting it to a medium that conveys that idea. 

The artist works in whatever medium they are most comfortable in, and that result may, in turn, spawn escalation of that idea into other forms through other mediums.  

You see this a lot in music, where the classical genre is used to create an iconic rock masterpiece like Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, Elvis’ interpretation of Chuck Berry or the myriad of rap artists that have sampled icons like Marvin Gaye or Stevie Wonder.  When it comes to novels, the writer typically has only the words to craft an idea.  Good comics involve the careful balance of storytelling in two dimensions, while movies take us into the third dimension by adding movement and intonation, and Marvel has done a fine job over the last decade telling a myriad of stories leading up to the creation and later destruction of the Infinity Gauntlet.

With the last movie Avengers: Endgame, the Marvel Cinematic Universe takes a huge step towards the comic universe.  Like any producer taking up a legacy like this, there are several forcing functions, including the studio, the creators, the comic book fans, and the in-the-closet-geeks who like capes, but won’t admit it.  From speaking to those on both sides of superhero fandom, I was surprised to hear some of the lawnmower brethren border on blaspheming Avengers: Endgame, while many of their husbands/wives were those irritating folks who cried loudly through a good part of the 3-hour movie.  Then it dawned on me, some of those moments of joy that we comic universe fans cheered for, went completely over some folks’ heads.  To that end, we here at BGN thought that we would provide some context to some of the easter eggs provided for the comic geeks of all ages in order to explain why some of us were screaming like Marla Gibbs doing a cameo on the live version of The Jeffersons when certain events occurred.  Here are three big of the bigger ones:

Steve Rogers (Captain America) transfers the mantle to Sam Wilson (Falcon)

Over the last three years, the character of Captain America has taken a beating. But before that in issue #25 of Captain America (2014), the fanboys erupted in what was seen by some as racist rants, as Sam Wilson assumed the mantle.  Of course, that was not even the first time that Sam Wilson, much less someone other than Steve Rogers had donned the tights and flung the shield as in issue #7 of Civil War. Cap was assassinated, and the mantle was offered to Hawkeye, who declines, which seems appropriate as we are well aware Hawkeye was a bit of a scoundrel. Then, of course, Bucky Barnes took up the shied in issue #34 of Captain America (2008).  Many others wore the suit and/or donned the shield over the years, but in the end, the mantle has seemingly always returned to Steve Rogers.

The most recent scandal was the reveal that Captain America had actually been a Hydra protégé and trained for years, something along the lines of Black Widow, to infiltrate and take over the world as he did in the first issue of Marvel’s 2016 series Captain America: Steve Rogers.  Of course, the offense of Captain America being anyway remotely tied to the Nazi-leaning Hydra drew outrage “on both sides” and the character’s good name was restored when it was revealed that Steve Rogers had been split and safeguarded away by Kubik the Cosmic Cube.  This is good as how could Cap wield Mjolnir (Thor’s original) hammer if he was not worthy, even though he did while he was Nazi Cap?  Which leads us to Thor’s cinematic universe hammers, Mjolnir and Stormbreaker.

Thor’s Hammers – Mjolnir and Stormbreaker

The seed for Thor’s doubt of his worthiness was explored in the first Thor movie, allegedly resolved, but played within Avenger’s: Age of Ultron when at a party the various male Avengers were all trying to lift Thor’s hammer, Mjolnir.  No one could even budge it except for Captain America who barely and almost imperceptibly wiggled it.  So, the joy of seeing Cap summon the pain on Thanos during Infinity War with Mjolnir also had you want to jump out of your seat.   In the comic universe, Captain America, at the time going by the moniker The Captain, hefts Mjolnir skyward in the fight against Egyptian god Seth and his lieutenant Grog, the god destroyer in issue #390 of Thor (1988).   

Back to the movie, the only way that scene could have only been better was if the last wielder of Mjolnir in the comic universe, Jane Foster, had summoned the lightning, which occurred in issue #25 of Thor: God of Thunder.  The mantle was transferred upon Thor Odinson’s loss of confidence in himself when none other than Nick Fury whispers something that shakes Odinson to his core, leaving Mjolnir on the surface of the moon, which allows the mantle of Thor to pass to Foster (see Issue #7 of Original Sin).

Then there is Stormbreaker, which in the cinematic universe was created by the Eitri, last dwarf on Nidavellir after Mjolnir was destroyed by his sister Hela in Thor: Ragnarok.  In comicality (I know it is not a word), the real Mjolnir was destroyed by Jane Foster in issue #705 of Thor (2018), when she threw it into the sun attached to Mangog.  In the comic universe, Stormbreaker, on the other hand, was originally crafted for Beta Ray Bill in issue 337 of Thor (1993), and awarded to him/it by Odin after he/it spared Thor’s life after besting him in a duel.  But the real power rests with the Infinity Stones and the gauntlet required to wield them.

Wielders of the Infinity Gauntlet

The Avengers have reassembled after their travails through time and stand around the gauntlet constructed by Tony Stark to harness the power of the Infinity Stones.  If they were familiar with issue 30 of Ultimate Comics: The Ultimates they would stand clear as Stark’s gauntlet fizzled under the power of the Infinity Stones.  But instead, they remember Thanos’ scars and damage of wielding the Infinity Gauntlet, when they confronted him earlier and debate who is powerful enough to handle all the Infinity Stones. 

Of course, Thor, the demi-god, believes he is “worthy,” but Professor Hulk, who was first seen in issue #377 of the Incredible Hulk is the most logical choice.  Now in the comic universe, it turns out that close to half of the cinematic universe has wielded the Gauntlet.  The Hulk did in issue #25 of Ultimate Comics: The Ultimates, Captain America in issue #3 of the New Avengers, Spider-man in the Avengers and the Infinity Gauntlet (2010), Black Panther uses the Gauntlet starting in issue #6 of Secret Wars (2015) and rounding out the good guys (sort of) is Adam Warlock and Nebula in the Infinity Gauntlet series.  There are a few other heroes who have donned the Gauntlet with all to most of the Infinity Stones including most recently Gamora in the recent Infinity Wars mini-series. However, the most satisfying wielder of the Infinity Gauntlet is the most beloved Inhuman of all, Lockjaw.  After killing one of the Pet Avengers, Lockjaw uses the Infinity Stones to defeat Thanos in issue 4 of Lockjaw and the Pet Avengers. The ultimate dog accessory, the Infinity Gauntlet dog collar!

The folks at Marvel used 22 movies to lay the foundation for the epic conclusion in Avengers: Endgame. Through each movie, comic nerds noted all the little differences some good and some bad.  It seems like the writers pivot-charted the interactions of all the cinematic Avengers in the comic universe and did the best they could to push the universes together. 

The executive producers of the latest Star Trek and Star Wars franchises have attempted this to varying degrees.  The reason it feels like Marvel was actually successful was that it was done ever so subtly in the previous movies and even more so in Avengers: Endgame, with a jab about Captain Marvel’s haircut here, a huge moment there as Captain America lifts Mjolnir, or less subtle with the devolving of Hawkeye into Ronin.  Regardless, they pulled it off.  Marvel made an adaptation that had the comic nerds howling with glee, and normal folks in total amazement at the sheer magnificence of it all.   Regardless of which group you fall into Avengers: Endgame was epic.  Keep your eyes peeled, in the near future BGN, will take a look at more movie moments that made us smirk in the movie and more interestingly are making our comic book collections jump in value.    

E.Angel is an engineer and holds a BS in electrical engineering from North Carolina A&T State University.  In her spare time, she works at her comic book store – Brainstorm Comics and Gaming – when she is not writing.  She’s a real nerd who loves all things Star Wars and Star Trek, and is an avid gamer. E.Angel can be reached at e9of10@gmail.com or on either game platform as Bunnehs Sister.

The post Avengers: How Marvel Masterfully Integrated The Comic Book Universe with the Cinematic Universe appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.

After her movie debut five years ago which gave a certain amount of closure to the character, fans weren’t sure if we’d ever get to see Kristen Bell’s detective extraordinaire Veronica Mars grace any of our screens ever again. Luckily, a new limited Veronica Mars series is coming this July on Hulu, and we finally have our first full length trailer for it. You can check it out down below.



This time, the season long mystery takes a different approach, as a series of bombings have the citizens of Neptune, CA scared for their lives. And once again, they need  Mars Investigations on the case. In addition to much of the original series cast returning, other well known actors have joined up for this new season. The trailer gives us our first glimpses of J.K. Simmons and Patton Oswalt, who may or may not be suspects in the bombings.

But as much as we love Veronica Mars for the high stakes mystery of it all, we know lots of fans of the original show are all about the Veronica/Logan love affair which fueled the original series. And it seems we get plenty of that here. The former high school sweethearts reunite once more in this new trailer, after seemingly not having seen each other for years. Jason Dohring’s Logan mentions in the trailer that he’s “back for extended leave” from serving in the Navy, although his reasons for needing the leave are a mystery. But if anyone will figure it out, it’s our favorite PI.

For those of you late to the Veronica Mars party, Hulu will be running the original three seasons of Veronica Mars from 2004-2007, as well as the 2014 crowd funded movie. All 8 episodes of the new series will premiere on Friday, July 26th on Hulu.

Images: Hulu

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Written by: Megan Maher

Ambitions is the new soap on OWN that will leave you wanting more!

This show takes you on an adventure through an intimate portrait of the many complicated and loving relationships of some Atlanta’s most elite and prolific people. This ongoing drama features the lives of many characters and their familial, platonic and intimate relationships. As someone who has never drawn to soap operas, I must say that Ambitions breaks the mold by providing in-depth story development that will leave you fantasizing about living in that world! It hits all of those universal dramatic beats that we all are familiar with, but these characters and their relationships are the secret ingredient that makes this show an event!

Ambitions is filled with a ton of characters and storylines that are sure to capture your attention, so I have put together a cheat sheet of everything to know going into it!

Key Players

Ice Queen of Ambitions

Stephanie Carlisle-Lancaster (Robin Givens)

Stephanie Carlisle is the wife of Atlanta Mayor Evan Lancaster. She is from a prestigious and affluent family in Atlanta, GA. Her true loyalty is to her own family’s prestigious law firm, Stephanie desperately wants to be in charge of the Carlisle family law firm.

Dirty Mayor of Ambitions

Evan Lancaster (Brian White)

Evan is a social climber whose political ambitions are so robust that he begins to lose all his morality and loyalty. Evan is willing to do anything to get to the next level in his career. Evan seems to be in constant competition with his wife trying to level up to the pedestal that he has put her on.

Princess of Ambitions

Amara Hughes (Essence Atkins)

Amara is a lawyer in U.S. Attorney’s Office who has newly arrived in Atlanta with her husband,

Titus. Based off the way Amara presents herself to the rest of the world you would think that she is the sweet and polar opposite of the Ice Queen Stephanie, but we quickly learn that they are two sides of the same coin with a rivalry that is sure to keep you tuned in.

Prince of Ambitions

Titus Hughes (Kendrick Cross)

Titus is an attorney who recently moved with his wife Amara (Essence Atkins) to Atlanta. Titus has been hired as in-house counsel for a big pharma company run by Hunter Purifoy, who is fighting a class action suit brought by the powerful Carlisle family. Titus on the surface seems to be a clean cut, good guy but he has made a major career change and temptation surrounds him. Can he remain the pure good guy? (I highly doubt it, but I am here for it!)

The Fav of Ambitions

Rondell (Brely Evans)

Rondell is Atlanta Mayor Evan Lancaster’s (Brian White) sister, who runs a not-quite-profitable restaurant called Thelma’s Place. Rondell represents the around the way girl who allows her passion for preserving her community to lead her path.

The Seamstress of Ambitions

Bella (Erica Page) is a fashion designer in Atlanta who designs all of Stephanie Carlisle’s dresses for her.

Do Not Trust Anyone!

It is no spoiler that a soap opera called Ambitions is filled with a plethora of characters that you should not trust. However, saying that each character has a “plot twist” moment does not do it justice. Each and every character, except for maybe Carly Lancaster (Kayla Smith), the daughter of Stephanie and Evan Lancaster have an “And I oop–” moment.  

One of the characters is put in a threatening situation and you will think you know who is responsible but as soon as it is revealed, I promise you, you will have an “And I oop–” moment.

Betrayal is the worst!

Like all great dramas, Ambitions unites all of its characters in the shared symptom of betrayal. All of these characters are guilty of betraying at least one other person on the show. Whether it was intentional or not, whether it was for love or lust, every single one of these characters has betrayed the person or people who have only tried to love them the best they knew how.

Have fun while watching!

Ambitions is a fun time! It truly is a multigenerational show that everyone can enjoy and the story has a great structure. It is not procedural per se like Law And Order but each act hits the nail on the head with cliffhangers. This show is rooted in its character development, therefore and it is almost impossible to watch Ambitions without being surprised. I can not wait to watch it while it’s on with Twitter in the background. There will be a plentiful amount of gifs and gif reactions that are sure to come from this show.

Everything is rooted in love!

As over the top and grimy as some of the events may be that occur on this show, everyone’s real ambition is rooted in love. Now, the love may be misguided and skewed, but it is still in its simplest form, love. Every single relationship on this show has some raw level of love which is why the betrayal of everything serves as such a major catalyst for everything and everyone.

Ambitions premiere June 18th at 10 p.m. ET/PT on OWN

The post Here Are The Key Players in the new OWN TV show ‘Ambitions’ appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.