CAP Proves HYDRA's Worth in SECRET EMPIRE FREE COMIC BOOK DAY SPECIAL - SPOILERS

Maybe now it's time to start worrying about this whole HYDRA thing.

via The Nerd Machine

http://www.newsarama.com/34383-steve-rogers-proves-hydra-s-worth-in-secret-empire-free-comic-book-day-special.html

Eight Tips for Going to a Convention

By: Willden Doherty (@Willden)

Convention season is here! With a variety of conventions coming up, there a variety of ways to make the most out of each experience. Having been to a good amount myself, here are some tips I can provide from personal experience.

• Bring a Backpack/Purse

Make sure to have a bookbag or purse to carry with you during the convention. This is one of the most important things to have. It will allow you to bring personal items you might need. If you can’t find a carrying bag right away, you can store smaller merchandise in there.

• Bring Water and Snacks

We all know that food at conventions is expensive. The goal is to purchase food there once to make sure you get at least a decent meal. By bringing water and small snacks, you will be able to provide yourself some energy throughout the day. Keep an eye out for food truck or any place nearby the convention center. Those are probably cheaper options.

• Bring Both Cash and Credit Cards

It is good to have a decent amount of cash with you before going to the event. There will be ATMs, but they charge and the lines can get long. When meeting people for autographs and photo ops, cash is the main use of currency. Make sure to bring at least two cards with you for purchases at the booths.

• Plan Ahead for Panels

Before going to the event, make sure to get a list of what panels you want to see. You will want to keep track of the time and location of the panels, though usually you are given a guidebook that will provide a schedule and map. Many conventions also have free apps to download that will include this information.

• Bring a Phone Charger

Purchase a portable battery charger to bring with you. While there are phone charging stations, they can take up unnecessary time. Having a portable phone charger allow you to keep moving. You can find them on Amazon for a decent price. Buying one or two will last you for a long time and you can use them for every convention.

• Bring a Poster Tube or Buy One There

When going to your first convention, find a booth that sells poster tubes, buy one, and keep it for reuse at other conventions. Find a way to attach the poster tube to your bookbag if you can. It’s easier than using the strap it comes with and it becomes easier to carry. You can also use it as a barrier to give yourself space and will be less likely to hit someone.

• Be Prepared for Long Lines

There are many lines at conventions for autographs and panels. Some can be a couple of hours wait time. While you’ll want to be sure to bring a book or portable gaming device to entertain yourself, it’s also a good opportunity to talk to other attendees and make new friends this way. If you are going to a panel in a smaller room, the room might not clear out. If that’s the case, be sure to get into the room a couple of panels beforehand to allow yourself to get better seating when people leave. The bigger panels will clear out in between, so just make sure to arrive early enough to get in.

• Go By Yourself or in a Small Group

Going to a convention with friends has its advantages and disadvantages. You can split up then meet back up to attend a panel of similar interest. It helps having people to talk to while waiting in line. Going by yourself, however, allows you the freedom to do whatever you want. There no time spent waiting for others. You can move at your own pace throughout the floor and it’s easier to attend panels.

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via The Nerd Machine

http://www.nerdhq.com/eight-tips-for-going-to-a-convention/

DC Wonder Woman Sweepstakes

DC Wonder Woman Sweepstakes

This is Your Chance to Be Our Grand Prize Winner!

Read more

DCE Editorial
via DC Comics

http://www.dccomics.com/blog/2017/05/05/dc-wonder-woman-sweepstakes

KENAN KONG Carries On a SUPERMAN Tradition in NEW SUPER-MAN #11

On your mark, get set...

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http://www.newsarama.com/34375-kenan-kong-carries-on-a-superman-tradition-in-new-super-man-11.html

Marvel 1st Look: SECRET EMPIRE: UPRISING #1

Uprising bridges Secret Empire #3 and #4,

via The Nerd Machine

http://www.newsarama.com/34382-marvel-1st-look-secret-empire-uprising-1.html

Batman (1989): Retrospective

By: Kimberly Kuxhause

Before I begin with my review of 1989’s Batman, I want to begin by saying that I am reviewing it as a movie buff, not a comic book reader. I realize there are a lot of differences between the comics and movies, but I’m not here to talk about them. I want to focus on Batman, its legacy, and what it meant for the modern day superhero scene.

Surprisingly enough, the first superhero movie I ever saw wasn’t a Superman film, but Batman Returns. As such, I have a certain reverence for the film, the superhero, and the cast and crew that made the Batman films possible. The first movie in Batman’s modern canon premiered in 1989 and starred Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson, and Kim Basinger. In hindsight, the casting choice seems natural. Keaton has always been the Batman and Jack Nicholson plays one of the most iconic Jokers to date. However, at the time, the casting was less than obvious. In researching information for this article, I noticed that in most of Keaton’s prior roles, he was cast as a comedic actor. The choice to make him Bruce Wayne was a risky one, but it paid off.

The origins of Keaton’s moody and split personality Bruce Wayne / Batman are almost entirely unknown to the new Batman fans and as Vicki Vale learns more about his past, so does the audience. He conveys his tortured past and witty quips with silent conviction. It’s not a stand-out role, but there are moments when his outstanding acting skills shine through the darkness of the film, like when Wayne frantically provokes the Joker at Vale’s house or when he jokes with Vale and Knox at his own party. Yet Wayne fades a bit into the background when Nicholson’s electric Joker comes on screen. In arguably one of the best Joker portrayals the world has seen, Nicholson creates a chaotic and unstoppable mess in Gotham city. His Joker is unafraid of spontaneous homicide and putting his life on the line to wreak unparalleled havoc. Combining the “world’s first fully functioning homicidal artist” and an unstable vigilante billionaire transforms the movie from a triumphant superhero film to a struggle for survival. At the end of the film, Batman reigns victorious over the Joker, yet there is infinitely more work to be done.

Batman became a well-rounded, stylized film not just due to its actors, but also because of the artistic team behind it. Burton’s usual flair in the film is unmistakable, coming across in the dramatic gothic sets and bright costumes. Batman set the stage for the darker movies of the Christopher Nolan trilogy. It proved that audiences would enjoy darker superhero films instead of the campy heroics of the 1960s Batman television show. The choice to introduce the Batman, then flashback to his origins allows the audience to discover his twisted backstory with the characters, which envelops them into his world. He is also less of a morally conflicted individual, as it seems he is more okay with killing than Christian Bale’s Batman incarnation. The death of the Joker came as a surprise to me. While it obliterated the potential for a Joker sequel, it did prevent a tireless rehash of the same motifs while also opening the way for the Penguin to take the stage in the next movie and become an icon in Batman history. I can’t really complain about that.

Batman was a great start. It cultivated that dark tone while adding a frenzied, lawless atmosphere to a deteriorating Gotham. We saw how the criminal minds of Gotham controlled it and how much they needed a hero to emerge from the darkness. After such a box office success, a Batman sequel was a certainty. The question was, what direction would it take next?

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http://www.nerdhq.com/batman-1989-retrospective/

This Week in Marvel Special - Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Part 1

For Part 1 of this SPECIAL This Week in Marvel Podcast, Marc Strom & Patrick Cavanaugh are on-set of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Listen in as they chat to special guests including stars Chris Pratt, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, and more!

via This Week in Marvel

http://marvel.com/podcasts/10/this_week_in_marvel?utm_campaign=&utm_source=&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=podcast_series-10&