It's a great time to be a nerd. Sure, we bloggers and critics like to worry, over-analyze, and bitch about our geek obsessions. I can only speak for myself and say that it comes from a genuine place of love and enthusiasm. That being said, there are still days where I probably come off like a jaded, ungrateful asshole. But then you get a day like yesterday... You see, I went to bed last night living in one world, only to wake up and discover that the world now contains a video game called Tiny Death Star and
the news of a Marvel/Netflix team-up, with four new Marvel TV shows coming soon to an internet near you, culminating in a Defenders miniseries. And Daredevil, one of my favorite comic book heroes, is leading the charge into this brave new TV world. The only way this day could get better is if Matt Smith changed his mind about leaving Doctor Who or if Nicholas Meyer was chosen to write and direct the next Star Trek movie. Of course, if either of those things happened, I'd probably die of a brain aneurysm of joy - so it's best I enjoy what I have. Before this gets too treacly, let's state the facts of the case. I'm a thirty-four year-old male and an all-around smart-ass. I'm a lifelong supporter of superheroes - somewhere between a casual fan and a serious comic book reader. I own a healthy collection of graphic novels and I've seen every comic book movie out there - but I can't get behind the soap opera-y continuity in comics that comes from the continuous run of a monthly publication. That's why superhero movies - and now TV shows - have a greater appeal. I was introduced to Daredevil thanks to Kevin Smith's Guardian Devil. I've been a fan ever since. I wouldn't say I'm a leading authority on the guy, but I'm qualified to make a few observations on what fans will want out of a TV show starring The Man Without Fear. Also, download Tiny Death Star. You won't regret it.
. A Quick Aside On The Marvel TV Universe...
This article began as an examination of all the Marvel TV shows. Then, I realized I don't know a damn thing about Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, or Iron Fist. Here's a quick summation of what that article would've been: 1. I have no idea what this means for Marvel's Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. This show needs more time to grow even if it has largely underwhelmed so far (I'd be happy to discuss my thoughts on the show in the comments below). Yesterday's ridiculously huge announcement really kicks the legs out from under this show. Why would casual fans with a finite amount of time to watch TV want to tune into the only Marvel show with commercials that doesn't have a single superhero in it? Here are a few taglines for ABC to use when that fateful days occurs: "You still love Agent Coulson, right?", or "You know, the one without any superheroes in it..." 2. I still want that Peggy Carter show - more than I want Daredevil, actually. Hayley Atwell was terrific in Captain America: The First Avenger. In fact, I'd argue that she's a stronger candidate to lead a Marvel spin-off show than Agent Coulson. Of course, I'm biased I live for retro sci-fi set in the first half of the 20th century. 3. I don't know jack about Iron Fist, but I do know this that costume isn't doing him any favors. That being said, I'd love to have a straight-up kung fu show with the production values that Netflix and Marvel could provide - with real back-to-basics fight choreography. 4. I plan to actively support the Jessica Jones and Luke Cage shows. Why? I want more strong female and African-American characters on television. After watching the first episode of Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D., I was incredibly disappointed to discover that J. August Richard's character, the superhero driven mad by his powers, was not a regular cast member. Not only would his inclusion have given S.H.I.E.L.D. an actual, you know, superhero - it would've provided the show a sorely missing voice. And I was even more disappointed when it occurred to me that this character was not included in a show that has not one, not two, but three young, pretty twenty-somethings in designer clothing who all serve the same function in the story.