Re:tro Re:view - Fanastic Four: First Steps #1!

The prequel comics was released on July 9th with the film opening on July 25. The comci has the Marvel blocky logo seen in the movie and the faces of all of the four, a classic faces in the logo box, a welcome return! Then, we have the comic “authorized by the Future Foundation”! Love the in universe comic detailed events glimpsed in the film. This has the cover artwork that is a tribute to Jack Kirby’s cover for Fantastic Four #1 (1961)! It was a mostly blank cover with a building and citiens to the side, Giganto bursts from the street, Kirby had him titled to the right annoyed by the Human Torch’s flame. Then, grasping Invisible Woman, in the original she had turned her legs invisible, but here she has put up a force field bubble! 

Next, the Thing was seen from behind, here he is bashing Monstro’s face! Then, Mr. Fantastic who was struggling with ropes for some reason and now has his arm wrapped around Monstro’s wrist. A terrific cover by Phil Noto! The comic with a page from the Future Foundation on the back page has Marvel Comics credits with writer, Matt Fraction and artist, Mark Buckingham. Fraction was consulting producer for the 2021 Hawkeye mini-series and had runs on the Fantastic Four comic. Buckingham was writer and artist for a story in this year’s Fantastic Four Fanfare #2 and also art for the two part story in Fantastic Four #65-66 (2003). There is an introductory letter from Lynne Nichols, chief of staff of the Future Foundation, played in the film by Sarah Niles. 

She says the comic recounts their first adventure, features commentary by the FF, and builds reading and visual skills for S.T.O.R.M. (Science, Technology, Organizing, Reading, Mathematics), a great 818 universe version of STEM. I wonder if these students are in the Fantastic Sciene with Mr. Fantastic show. We get an introduction to the team with a White House photo with Jackie and President John F. Kennedy. Interesting to see their qualifications, Ben Grimm, commander, USAF, Dr. Susan Storm, Phd Archaeology, and Johnny Storm, Eagle Scout, BSA? No language specialization? Great likenesses of the actors by Buckingham! The narration has the flowery descriptions and aliterations "meticulosuly monitored by miracle technologies" of Stan Lee. 

We see the Excelsior rocket on its first flight, the blast of “celestial radiation”, and then the return with Reed wrapping his arm around Ben’s rocky transformation, and Susan turning her legs invisible, a nod to the Kirby cover? It looked like they transformed with the rocket in the sea, but here they are in the comics’ rendition of the rocketship resting on a grassy area. We move to “Rocket City, USA!” This is the Huntsville, Alabama’s nickname that has NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. In our world, fairly flat land, but the 828 universe has it in a crater surrounded by futuristic buildins and a white box in the center, Building Q. Robots that look like H.E.R.B.I.E. monitor them. We get a quote from Reed Richards, with a veritcal panel and Reed's face, from Science Dad Magazine #91! 

The others are restless, but Reed has them self-quaratine when he thinks it's safe. Ben takes his frustration on the robot! Then, we get Ben's comments saying Reed worries like his Aunt Petunia! This comic is filled with comic references and fun parts of the 828 world. Ben tells the others to calm down and smashes the robot he calls K.E.R.B.I.E. (Kinetic-type Experimental Robot Biomimetics-Integrarted Electronics), Kirby! If the K.E.R.B.I.E. are not regulars in the comic, I'm not buying any issues! Ben gets into an argument with Johnny since his rocky transformation changes him permeanantly. Then, we get a two page ad for the Flaming Hearts Fan Club! We have photos of Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm. These retro ads are like the staple of pre-modern comics with X-Ray Glasses and the like. This is similar to ads that were in Alan Moore's 1963 limited series that was his tribute and hilarious send-up of the early Marvel Comics.   

Fraction is able to take the concept and tie it into the movie, perfect! Reed tries to tangle his arms around the two battling team members. He tries to get Sue's attention, but she is busy on the comnputer. She sees what is happening and then sends force bubbles on their heads to have them gasping for air! Her comment is that even Fantastic things need oxygen. Her telecast is Kids of S.T.O.R.M., a rival to Reed's show? She stands as the others are recovering on the floor. Sue says there's "trouble in Manhattan."! We move to Delancey Street in Mid-Town Manhattan where Mole Man's Drilling Machine shattering the street. This makes me think of the Iron Mole from Edgar Rice Burroughs' nvoel, At the Earth's Core (1914). the Moloids start to attack Wall Street. Then, Mole Man, his Harvey Elder name is not used, takes the microphone declaring war on the surface world! 

Perfect likeness for Paul Walter Hauser! 

 

Five+FantasticCars out of Five! 

#FantasticFourFirstSteps, #MattFraction, #MarkBuckingham, #PhilNoto, #LynnNichols, #ReedRichards, #BenGrimm, #SusanStorm, #JohnnyStorm, #MoleMan 

Strolling Through The (Theme Park) One Day: Knott’s on a B-Day!

 I have been busy past my birthday so took yesterday, August 10th, to celebrate, i.e. have fun, at Knott’s and Ghost Town Alive! So I picked up my birthday button at Customer Service, next to the gate, and I will mention I got about three mentions from cast members at Disneyland. Knott’s, it’s about two or three employees, and every character at Ghost Town Alive! Of course, I already went to Ghost Town two times already, so I wanted to do different things. I saw at the post office, Theadora `Teddy’ S Delmundo. Note that many of the characters wander around Calico. The regulars are characters who work at locations like Ryder `Ry’ Dinkle who works at the post office. Theadora had a number of people bringing her messages. 

            Nell Elliott choosing volunteers at the Schoolhouse, Ghost Town Alive, Knott’s Berry Farm, photo by the author. 

At the bank, I talked to Cookie Lemon, whom was looking for some work with the town out of funds. I carried a message to Henry Wexler, the town planner at Town Hall. In front of Town Hall, Brett Eastly came out and formed two lines to bring in the new bride and groom! I don’t know if this is a couple who would like to walk down a wedding line, a married husband and wife, or soon to be wed, but a fun event. I went into Town Hall and found Henry Wexler, he wrote a response. Then, I went to see the new mayor, Brett Eastly, he was working at the post office! I was about to return the message and then heard the Schoolhouse bell. It was a little tough to squeeze into that seat, my school days are sometime ago! 

The teacher was Nell Elliott and her lesson was creating a mythological creature on a large paper. This had volunteers go up to draw part of the creature with a colored pencil. Then, volunteers to give it a name and factoids! The resoluting beastie was the “Ear Arm Eyesucker Uniclops Colossus!” Nell posted it outside of Town Hall. I returned the message to Cookie and then went to find some vittles. I ended up at the Boardwalk BBQ. $19.99 for Rotisserie 1/2 Chicken, I added Dirty Rice on the side, and picked up the Single Day Bottle, $19.99 for drinks all day. I used it three times. You can use it again for $8 drinks all day. I caught the end of the Native American Dancer with the Hoop Dance. My next task was getting pressed pennies. 

                                 The Hoedown finishing the day at Ghost Town Alive!, author’s photo.

The U.S. Treasury is ending production of pennies so pressed pennies will be an unique collectible. There was a bank of pressed penny machines past the restrooms and before the Calico Rapids ride. It was $3 for three pressed pennies. As Frank Sinatra sang, “Every time it rains/It rains pennies from heaven.” Then, I got my gold from my last visit, certified at the Assay Office by Ophelia Cinch. I was a little tired, but decided I would wait around for the Hoedown. I did meet Kid Friday. There was a large treasure-like chest. It was opened and filled with instruments; drums, a washboard, and xylophones to kids who were formed in lines. Behind them were kids who had stick ponies. Everyone else followed behind them. 

The coordinators for the Founder’s Day Parade were Henry Wexler and Theodora S Delmundo. Henry led the musicians, pony riders, and rest of the parade through Ghost Town. It was interesting to see the other visitors watch the parade pass by. This led to the Calico Stage. Mayor Brett Eastly and Judge Roy Bean gave updates to the town. Crazy Kirk and the Hillbillies provided music as the dance started. My dance partner was Dirk `Itchy’ Scoggins. Now, I'm tellin' y'all, it tougher than ticklin' a twister to dance with a bulky cellphone in the pocket. It was turn, toe tap, slide, slide, slap left hand three times, slap right hand thrice, slap kneeds, next meet in the middle, back, and then switch places. Next, switching partners twice before a promendae. It finished with a stroll around Ghost Town before reaching the stage. Ghost Town Alive runs until September 1st, a little more than three weeks, so don’t miss it! 

#KnottsBerryFarm, #GhostTownAlive, #TheadoraSDelmundo, #RyderDinkle, #CookieLemon, #HenryWexler, #BrettEastly, #NellElliott, #NativeAmerianDancer, #OpheliaCinch, #KidFriday, #JudgeRoyBean, #CrazyKirkAndTheHillbillies, #DirkScoggins 

Librarium of Geek Veritas: Merlin: The Lost Years!

 T.A. Barron has captured some of the old magic in Merlin: The Lost Years, the story of the young Merlin. The book is the first in the Merlin Saga by Barron running a total of twelve books! A film is currently in development at Disney with Michael Matthews, director of the sci fi teen film, Love and Monsters (2020). The attached writer is Philipa Boyens who wrote the story for the anime film, The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim (2024). Merlin made an impact played by Nicol Williamson in the adult fantasy, Excalibur (1981). A lively adaptation was the animated Disney film, The Sword in Stone (1963), based on T.H. White’s brilliant 1938 novel. This had the older Merlin teaching the boy Wart to prepare for his destiny. 

There was a BBC series, Merlin (2008-2012) that starred Colin Morgan as a teen Merlin, a fun adventure. The Kid Who Would Be King (2019) had a Merlin as an older teen played by Angus Imrie moving fingers in pantomime gestures to cast spells! There is a map, spoilers alert!, I wish it was instead in the back. T.A. Barron provides an author’s note telling about following the character of Merlin. He said he found “an unexplained gap in the lore”, Merlin as a boy. The best part of Barron’s style with the novel is that he has a sense of the ancient stories, but giving it a twist, and created a magical books, great for kids and all readers! It begins with a 13th century ballad, “Of Arthur and Merlin”, in Middle English which might be confusing for readers. 

The prologue has an older Merlin looking back at his youth, looking at his time “long ago”, remembers the Galator, and also the baby Arthur. It starts in a third person look at the boy, seeing him from the outside. He is unconscious washed up on a beach. Barron is able to say it is Wales, called Gwynedd in those days, and the boy is seven years old. He wakens and finds that there is a pain in the back of his head. Also, that he has no memory of himself! The boy finds that he has pointed ears!, an unusual trait, that is not remarked on by other villagers. He hears a moaning and then notices a pain between his shoulder blades. The pain is a mystery that runs through most of the book. 

The search for self identity is fantastic. It brings the readers in and takes the character on a journey of his discovery. He finds that it is woman with yellow hair and in a blue robe. The boy is suddenly in danger and pulls the woman to an old oak. I’m trying to stay away from spoilers, but I suspected that the threat is something out of Celtic myth. We see again in italics, the perspective of Merlin, I think in this case it is prophetic vision, called precognition now. The italicized point of view is a look at the past and then the future(?), interesting. Merlin wakes up five years later, he still feels his shoulder pain, he’s on a straw pallet. They are in the village of Caer Vedwyd. The city of Caer Myrddin is to the south. I also knew that Merlin was called Myrddin which is his name in Welsh. 

He sees an ant struggle to carry a worm. I keep thinking that everything he notices is symbolic to his life. I wonder if the ant is a nod to T.H. White. In the Book of Merlyn, he is transformed into an ant and learns about society from a colony of ants. He is in a hut with Branwen, the woman whom he found on the beach, and is now sleeping. The boy doesn’t think Branwen is not his mother because she is so distant. She had also told him that his name is Emrys. This is the Welsh name for Merlin. He is known by this name through most of the book. She is a storyteller and likes to tell him about “giants and gods, the monsters and quests, in the Greek myths.” The hut is filled with the herbs and flowers that Branwen uses in her poultices. Emrys likes the smell of all of them except dill which makes him sneeze, nice detail. 

He sees a pendant on her neck and then the word “Galator” comes to his mind. This is also a mystery for a good part of the novel. Emrys thinks back when Branwen healed a monk with a “Christian blessing” and a “Druid chant” which offends the monk. It is interesting that Branwen uses all traditions. When she wakes up, Emrys asks her about the Galator which shocks her. Branwen keep silent, so Emrys walks out of the hut, All of his years spent at the village, Emrys doesn’t think of it as home, the villagers basically shun them and think Branwen uses black magic. Emrys hears an inner voice tell him, “An owl is coming”, he turns as an owl passes! I also think this may be another nod to The Book of Merlyn with the owl named Archimedes. In The Sword in the Stone, Archimedes was memorably voiced by Junius Matthews.  

Five+ Galators out of Five! 

#MerlinTheLostYears, #TABarron, #Emrys, #Branwen 

Re:tro Re:view - Superman Treasury 2025!

Superman gets the Treasury sized edition in Superman Treasury 2025: Hero for All #1 by Dan Jurgens! He had created the ultimate splash page comic book that finished “The Death of Superman” storyline in Superman #75 (1992). The regular cover is by Bruno Redondo that has Superman orbiting the Earth with a wink, another angle to the ending of Superman The Movie (1978). Redondo is the interior artist. Jurgens cover has Superman flying from Earth surrounded by phantom faces of the people of Earth while two beams strike our homeworld. One of my favorites is the cover by Scott Koblish which has Superman flying nezt to Krypto and above a collage of all of this allies, Wonder Woman, Batman, Jimmy Olsen and Lois Lane, all of the variations of Kryptonians including Supergirl and Power Girl! 

On the back cover is Superman’s legendary villains with General Zod, above him is Bizarro, Black Adam, and Metallo’s Skull Ship, plus Cyborg Superman, Doomsday, Darkseid, Lex Luthor at the bottom. There have recently been facsimile editions of the Sueprman comics including All-New Collector’s Edition Superman vs. Shazam!, Superman vs. The Flash, and Superman vs. Wonder Woman! The Treasury size, 10” x 13.5”, is just the right size to give an epic scale to the comic book! “Superman: Hero For All” has a story by Dan Jurgens and Bruno Redondo’s art. We see the tall building of the Daily Planet, golden in the setting sun, shadows cutting across the lower building. Nice colors by Adriano Lucas. A narrator, an alien?, says that Earth’s humans call him Superman. On the roof of the buildingm we see Jon Kent, created by Jurgens, in Convergence: Superman #2 (2015), Clark, his parents, and Lois Lane. 

These are long horizontal panels that match the height of the Daily Planet building! Clark tells his parents that he wants them to take Jon to Smallville. Jon wants to stay in Metropolis, but his mother reminds him that the sirens are warnings about an attack. Jon is a teen and I don’t think it is that his father doesn’t think he could help, it seems like he doesn’t want another thing to worry about in the alien invasion. Clark puts his arm on his son and Jon wonders about his mother, but Lois has a job to do. A closeup of Lois and Clark together with sun to the side. Then we get Clark revealing his chest insignia breaking through the panel! Then, we get a two page splash cut by the story credits on the bottom. Superman flyi towards a massive mecha crushing Metropolis streets. The alien narration noted that Earth’s heroes think of Superman as an equal. Defeating Superman will let them take care of the other heroes. Superman is always the front line. Cries go up from the street of citizens shouting out the arrival of Superman! 

The alien mecha throws a fist which is caught by Superman in time to stop it from striking a building. Superman blasts it with his heat vision with no effext. He senses something. The robot’s eye blast shears through a building top! Citizens note Superman streaking away, then find him sliding down a street, closeup of his fist, and setting his boots. Then, a powerful panel of Superman flying with speed effects by Redondo, and Lucas! A red streak as Superman rams into the chest of the mecha! It unleashes a chest beam that gives Superman a headache, but he struggles on to knock the mecha into the harbor. The dark mecha shorts out at the bottom of the silty floor. Closeup as Superman’s fist smashes open the giant rogot! He zooms up out of the sea. Superman descends to a shadowy street to see Lois. He senses something about the battle and then a voice is heard to agree with him. They turn to see Lex Luthor who tells them he watched the fight on his security monitors. 

Luthor says that he detected a signal from the mecha “far from Earth.” Superman instantly zooms upwards as Luthor says he is “the loneliest being on Earth.” Luthor is highly intelligent, but Superman is the one factor he can’t understand, love it! Superman is flying above the Earth and thinking about the planet what he calls “the ideal place.” Then, he adds …to grow up” and then we see the farmhouse and barn at Smallville. The young Lana Lang, Peter Ross about to kick the soccer ball, Clark, and Lex is there. Lex is in a suit standing away from the blanket goal and soccer ball. The kicker is Pete Ross. Kenny Braverman pushes his way in front of Clark. He is a classmate who became the villain Conduit, introduced in Superman: The Man of Steel #0 (1994). Clark swing a kick that slames the ball into Lana! Clark has had years to adjust to his powers which is why he doesn’t crush fingers in a hand shake, etc. He tries to apologize when there is a call from Pa Kent. They turn to see a dark twister headed towards the house. 

Pa Kent calls for them to get into the storm cellar. Lana is worried, but Ma Kent follows them down. Clark wonders about Pa Kent when a tornado wind slams him down! Ma Kent covers Clark until Lex notes that it is over. Clark goes out to check on Pa, then we see his shadowed hand dripping blood! Clark screams holding Pa’s body while Ma cries. A great nod to the other Superman film and I almost thought he was dead until I remembered we saw Jonathan Kent at the Daily Planet. Then, we see the ringed satellite, the Watchtower for the Justice League! Black Canary and Green Lantern are on monitor duty. Green Arrow, Oliver Queen, asks about the long-range sensor alert. Canary,  Dinah Lance, says it is from the dark side of Mars. They discuss it when an emergency alert is sounded! A blast cuts through the Watchtower. The hull breach is sucking out air. Canary grabs Arrow’s ankle. He uses his bow to loose an arrow at the teleporter. They are taken into it and escape! The great alien ship overshadows the Watchtower. The cannons destroy the satellite. I like the Justice League guest stars and the power of these aliens. Superman For All is a cinematic Superman story that tests the Last Son of Krypton with a host of his supporting cast and guest stars, all from Dan Jurgens and Bruno Redondo! 

Five War Corps Robots out of Five !

#SupermanTreasury2025, #HeroForAll, #DanJurgens, #BrunoRedondo, #AdrianoLucas,  #Superman, #Loislane, #Jonkent, #MaKent, #PaKent,  

Godzilla Trading Card Game Ideas!

A Godzilla card game! I've always wanted to develop one. There are two Godzilla card games out now. One from Japan, Godzilla Card Game, from Toho that has movie images, but no humans, tanks, maser guns? Another from UniVersus that has card art which has Kaiju battles, one against another, but no stomping and no humans! Here goes, the Kaijus have strength/defense, the highest stats are King Ghidorah, near the top is Godzilla, and the lowest is of course Minya. Players can choose to be Kaiju/Human or Kaiju/Alien decks. Multiple players can have more options with Humans like the U.S. and Aliens like Kilaaks to play. Aliens must control or destroy Godzilla, though like the video game, Godzilla: Save The Earth (2004), there are different versions of Godzilla; Godzilla 90s (Heisei), and Godzilla 2000 (Millennium). The objective for the Humans is to save the Earth and Aliens is to control the Earth. 

“Babygodzilla, Ruin Reborn” from a Magic: The Gathering, Godzilla Secret Lair set, based on Ikoria: Lair of the Behemoths. 

You card hand is initially seven, put a card face down for Ferocity Cards, to pay for cards. Players get one new card at the start of their turn. You select your Kaiju, it can't be the same version as an opponent, there are hundreds of Kaiju! They have types like what areas they can function, Rodan (Sky), Space Godzilla (Space), etc. and details like Tail or Wings. So if you get a card like Jet Jaguar, you can't use the Tail Sweep card! To play the Kaiju, use Ferocity cards, face down, from your hand. Godzilla would be an expensive card costing 6 Ferocity so if played early you would have no Ferocity! He could be played later. Kaiju can take different forms like Biollante's Flower Beast. Mothra has multiple forms, Larva and Imago, that can be present on the battlefield. A Kaiju shifting in a new form discards the previous form. You place a Kaiju at the Home Base, your side of the play area, and may play a Home Base card like Monster Island. 

This gives extra protection for your Home Base, if a card like Xilieans or UFOs occupy the Home Base, then you cannot play any other Kaiju! They may be destroyed by a Kaiju or Human Interpol Agents! If you use an attack or play cards like Godzilla's Flying Kick, then put the Ferocity card in the Discard pile. Kaiju can move through Sea like Godzilla or the air like Hedorah in Flying Form. So an opponent can move a Kaiju like Titanosaurus to attack the other Kaiju. Both sides can deploy ships like Destroyers, Sabre Jets, or land units like Missile Launchers. Their attacks can be shrugged off by a Kaiju's Defense, but may defeat Godzillasaurus! It can be transformed by a Radioactive event! Baby Godzilla can shift into Little Godzilla. A full barrage, 3 or 4 units, can injure a Kaiju enough to make it stop moving for two turns! You can deploy more Kaiju like King Caesar based on its Ferocity cost. A player will need the Team Up card for them to work together. 

Then, we have a Crossing Area like Sea or Ogasawara Island that Kaiju has to get past to reach the opponent's City. Aliens have an Alien Base. If both players have Sea, then the Kaiju if they can travel in the Sea can fight there. A Kaiju that is land based can be transported by the Tractor Beams of the UFO or the Kaiju Raft in King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962). Note that land based Kaiju can cross from Osaka to Tokyo. If a player has a Reporter at the Crossing Area in a helicopter, a Distress Signal can be played, then one defense for the City can be taken from the deck. So if a Kaiju is damaged, but not destroyed, it gets a Ferocity card making it a stronger Kaiju! Gigan makes a 2 point Claw attack on Godzilla, this gives the player with Godzilla a Ferocity card! Kaiju battles have attacks using Ferocity like Bite, Energy Beam, and Wing Gusts from Rodan and Mothra. If it gets three Ferocity cards, then it can use its Special Attack like Heat Ray! Kaiju don't get Ferocity from the Heat Ray attack, they are just damaged! 

                                                  Godzilla Card Game, “Godzilla Minus One” starter deck. 

This is a video game technique charging up Special Moves. Both players have City cards like Tokyo and Alien Bases like Godzilla Tower. The Kaiju that gets past the Crossing Area then Stomps on the opposing city! This heals any damage to the Kaiju! A Harbor must be deployed if a Human player wants to send out ships and gives Kaiju with Sea entry to a City! Buildings and other structures can protect the City from Kaiju directly attacking the city. Landmarks like Tokyo Tower, offer greater protection, but takes away from the City's defense and gives the Kaiju more Ferocity! The players then get to deploy their units like Tanks, Jets, and Masers! Aliens get UFOs, can deploy Mechagodzilla, and Control Rays. These rays can take over an enemy's Kaiju! Attacks again pause the Kaiju from Stomping the city. So Alien players can deploy Tanks on their opponent's city too! Second round, they can play weapons like the Super X! 

The players with scientists at their City or Alien Base can deploy the Special Weapons like the Oxygen Destroyer which destroys Kaiju with Sea. Human players can deploy Agents to infiltrate the Alien Base! They might be captured, stop a control attempt on their Kaiju, or cause damage to it. The strategy is to build up your Kaiju with Ferocity, play Units like Maser Cannons, this makes the Kaiju ready to attack enemy Kaiju and stomp a City! Too quick and then the Kaiju will not have enough Ferocity. You will need a Roar card to challenge your Kaiju rival, this take away a Ferocity card! To win, the Alien Kaiju has to destroy a City and then control the Earth! The Human player Kaiju has to destroy the Alien Base and save the Earth! I think this trading card game concept captures the fun, flavor, and variety of Godzilla Films!

#GodzillaTradingCardGame, #GodzillaCardGame, #Toho, #UniVerses, #KingGhidorah, #Minya, #Godzilla, #Kilaaks, #GodzillaSaveTheEarth, #Rodan, #SpaceGodzilla, #JetJaguar, #MonsterIsland, #GodzillaTower, #Mechagodzilla, #SuperX, #OxygenDestroyer, #Rodan, #Mothra 

Godzilla in Focus at the Japan Foundation!

 Wednesday, July 30th, was a night at the Japan Foundation for a presentation of Godzilla in Focus: The Evolution of Japan’s Greatest Monster! The authors of Godzilla: The First 70 Years, Steve Rylfe and Ed Godziszewski, were the hosts of the evening. They are co-authors of Ishiro Honda: A Life in Film, From Godzilla to Kurosawa (2023). The book is comprehensive, there are sections on creating the suit, behind the scenes photos from Toho Archives, and interviews with filmmakers. There were a few attendees who brought copies of the book, but there was a table for Chevalier’s Books that had a few stacks of books. The event was organized with Abrams Books, the publisher, and Toho International. The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles is a non-profit organization that has programs that build cultural exchange for Japan and the U.S. The offices were in a tight building space, a lobby, a few rooms, and a speaking area. 

The popular kaiju first stomped on screen with the 1954 film, Godzilla, directed by Ishiro Honda. Rylfe and Godziszewski presented the different eras of the Godzilla movies and separated them into categories. This is interesting to understand the beast. So the first part was Atomic Terror with Godzilla and then a kaiju battler with Godzilla Raids Again (1955). This Kaiju war built the Showa era from 1954 to 1975. The authors didn’t go into detail for every film, but really pointed out what identified their categories. The book is really covering the behind the scenes, interviews, and analysis. This moved to a defender for children, the authors explained that the young audience was returning to watch the movies, and started changing Godzilla for those movie goers. Personally, I found the movie genre of the Godzilla films can be seen in the human characters; inventors with sci fi, pilots more in the action genre, and of course kid fantasy with the young boy in Godzilla’s Revenge (1969). 

                    Steve Rylfe and Ed Godziszewski at the Q&A part of Godzilla in Focus, Japan Foundation, author’s photo. 

Godziszewski and Ryfle hope to contact the actor for Ichiro Miki, Tomonori Yazaki. Godzilla became an ally to humanity from this point. The first era ended with Terror of Mechagodzilla (1975). Another interesting point made by the authors was that Toho worked how to refresh Godzilla. I think this may be what has made the franchise last over the years. The Heisei era kicked off with The Return of Godzilla, known here as Godzilla 1985. The American parts were directed by R.J. Kizer who was at the event! He told me that the Dr. Pepper product placement in the film was due to its successful commercials and decided to tie into the Godzilla movie! The era also gave a new origin to Godzilla with Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991). The dinosaur, Godzillasaurus, that gets mutated. 

The Heisei era also had a continuing character over the films, Miki Saegusa (Megumi Odaka) who starred in Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989) to Godzilla vs. Destroyah (1995) which closed that era. Odaka provides an introduction to Godzilla: The First 70 Years. The next period of movies was the Millennium era. The standout movie for me is Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla (2002). It brought back a popular rival, but based his cyborg body around the original Godzilla’s skeleton. This series ended with Godzilla: Final Wars (2004) which I think is a sad final film with Godzilla and his battles as side stories to The Matrix and X-Men rip-offs. The current Reiwa era had the co-creator of the anime Neon Genesis Evangelion  Hideaki Anno, reboot Godzilla in Shin Godzilla (2016). I think the best film is Godzilla Minus One (2023), a perfect ending for the book. Godzilla in Focus was a great presentation that gave insight on the cultural influences on Godzilla movies and it was great to meet Steve Ryfle and Ed Godziszewski! 

#GodzillaInFocus, #SteveRyfle, #EdGodziszewski, #GodzillaTheFirst70Years, #JapanFoundation, #Godzilla, #IshiroHonda, #GodzillaRaidsAgain, #GodzillasRevenge, #TerrorOfMechagodzilla, #Godzilla1985, #RJKizer, #GodzillaVsKingGhidorah, #GodzillaVsBiollante, #GodzillaVsDestoryah, #MegumiOdaka, #GodzillaAgainstMechagodzilla, #GodzillaFinalWars, #ShinGodzilla, #HideakiAnno, #GodzillaMinusOne 

Fantastic Four: First Steps Review!

Fantastic Four: First Steps is a feel good comic book movie with a strong cast and a Marvel movie that stands on its own! The film’s director is Matt Shakman who had directed all of the episodes of WandaVision (2021). The writing team consists of Josh Friedman, who created the sci fi show, Foundation, and television show, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. Eric Pearson is another of the film’s writers who also worked on Thor: Ragnarok (2017). Ian Springer is also a screenwriter, he previously wrote with Kaplan, the comedy, The Last of the Great Romantics (2014). Pearson, Kaplan, and Springer also contributed the story. Kat Wood is also a writer for the story, she also co-wrote the fansty film, Arthur & Merlin (2015). It all began with Fantastic Four #1 (1961) by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. The film is a tribute to the work of Jack Kirby and he is in the roots of this comic book film. 

The film opens with a simple, retro Marvel Studios logo and then we are shown that it is Earth-828. I instantly recognized the hopeful theme was by Michael Giacchino, one of the best parts of the film for me. A similar vision of the Space Age future that was in his score for Tomorrowland (2015). Earth-828 separates it from the rest of the MCU set on Earth-616. This is a new world and named for Jack Kirby’s birthday, August 28, his birth year was 1917. The year is 1964, this would be issue #22-33 well into Kirby’s run, and in our world, the launch of the Gemini I. It begins in the room of Reed and Sue Richards at the Baxter Building. They were wed in Fantastic Four Annual 3 (1965). Sue is in the bed in a robe. She is played by Vanessa Kirby who was The White Widow in Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One (2023). She also known for the historical drama series, The Crown, where she played Princess Margaret. Vanessa Kirby stands out as a strong character. 

Reed is looking around the cabinets to find Benadryl. Pedro Pascal plays Mister Fantastic. He is in a number of genre roles including Joel in The Last of Us and played Maxwell Lord in Wonder Woman 1984 (2020). Sue moves over a bottle of Benadryl and a pregnancy strip that is positive! A dramatic beginning for a superhero film! Reed says they have been trying to have a baby for two years, when they were married?, in the comics, it was in Fantastic Four Annual #5 (1967). Reed announced Sue's pregnancy in that issue. Then, we get The Ted Gilbert Show, in the style of Ed Sullivan, the host is played by Mark Gatiss. This year's Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning featured Gatiss as Angstrom. I just remembered Gatiss from The Doctor Who episode, "The Lazarus Experiment" (2007). The show recaps the mission taken by the four astronauts. This includes Sue's brother, Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn), and the best pilot and Reed's friend, Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach). 

Quinn is well known for playing Eddie Munson in the fourth season of Stranger Things. A Quiet Place: Day One (2024) also featured Quinn as Eric. Moss-Bachrach is known for playing Richard Jerimovich in the drama, The Bear. He also played David Lieberman in the Netflix superhero drama, The Punisher (2017).  A big part is that Thing is not tragic, the characters are different, and presented that way in the movie, so any such changes should be accepted if it is still an enjoyable film.Their flight, explained by Reed's interview, encountered a cosmic storm that altered their DNA. We see their powers at the landing. Their code names are not really used, except Mr. Fantastic, just their first names, no Invisible Woman (Sue), Human Torch (Johnny), and The Thing (Ben). It humanizes them, but takes away some of the superhero parts. Johnny can ignite parts of his body into flames and fly, without his catch phrase. Ben is a mass of orange rocks with incredible strength, he was dubbed by Sue who was shocked at his appearance, but here no one takes notice of Ben's look.

There is clips showing Reed stretching from an explosion at the launch pad that is next to the Baxter Building. Then, we see him elongate his legs to kick an oranguatan, Peotr, one of the Super-Apes working for the Red Ghost. They first appeared with the Red Ghost in Fantastic Four #13 (1963) gaining intelligence from an accident on a Russian space flight. He is kicked off the launch pad and into the Hudson.  Sue uses her invisible force field powers to hold debris from an attack, love the rainbow reflections like from a prism, good way to show invisibility! We see a disaster downtown with Ben using the Fanasticar in its flight mode. It first appeared in the first issue of the comic and had pods to carry all of the FF. Here it is a sleek 60's concept car that has Ben in front and three seats in the back. In another battle, we see the Kaiju Giganto bursting from a street, recreating the cover of Fanastic Four #1 (1961)! 

Marvel had many Kaiju in monster comics before the debut of the FF. This a great nod to them which includes Fin Fang Foom, Titan, and a talking tree named Groot! Giganto was sent by the first villain, Mole-Man! The battle was told in the prequel comic, Fanastic Four: First Steps, written by Matt Fraction. Ted Gilbert introduces the team. These early clips has the classic Kirby designed outfits. He is also in the upcoming comedy film, The Naked Gun. Also mentioned is the Mad Thinker from Fantastic Four #15 (1963) and the Red Ghost.  Ben cannonballs from the Fantasticar into Hudson River and lugs a tanker by its anchor chain! Then, we see the Fantastic Four cartoon, This has the look fo the Hanna Barbera cartoon from 1967-8, and we hear Ben's catch phrase, "It's clobberin' time!" Johnny in Human Torch form flies over to extinguish a firestorm that has around two buildings!

 We see Reed hosting a science show, Fantastic Science with Mr. Fantastic. Reed's code name is used for this show which is like the 50's-60's kid show, Mr. Wizard. He bores the kids with his discovery of parallel dimensions. There is a Pan Am building that collapses. The FF take away Harvey Elder called Mole Man played Paul Walter Hauser. The true crime mini-series, Black Bird (2022), won Hauser an Emmy. Sue negotiates with Mole Man, she has formed a multi-nation group called the Future Foundation, Harvey's undeground world is Subtteranea. The foundation was created in Fantastic Four #570 (2010). We also see the placard of Latveria, nation ruled by Doctor Doom who first appeared in Fantastic Four #5 (1962)! It is great that Sue gets a lead role for the team.This was all for Ted Gilbert to introduce the Fantastic Four to a cheering audience. Back at the Baxter Building's kitchen, H.E.R.B.I.E. is preparing dinner while Ben watches, and Johnny grabs a box with a FF figure. 

The robot has tape reel eyes, spots that make a mouth, a trapezoid head, and a rocket ship-like body. H.E.R.B.I.E. is fascinating since he was introduced in the cartoon series, the New Fantastic Four. He made his comic debut in Fantastic Four #209 (1979). His name is an acronym for Humanoid Experimental Robot B-Type Integrated Electronics. Matthew Wood voices H.E.R.B.I.E., who also voices the Star Wars battle droids. Reed and Sue enter and Johnny says, "You're late" which stops them for a bit. He adds that they are late for dinner. Ben watches Sue and then says, "You're pregnant?" Johnny catches on and hugs his sister. We get a montage of H.E.R.B.I.E. busy child proofing the building, some funny moments with Ben. Reed has detected a deep space transmission. Johnny shows him designs for new suits. He is more thoughtful, less impulsive and wild like in the comics. He later tests Sue to examine for anything unusual about their infant, she uses her powers to make her belly invisible to see the baby. 

The child was born in Fantastic Four Annual 6 (1968). He was named after Sue's father. 

The only film that may comparable to this Fantastic Four is The Incredibles (2004) which also had a quartet of superheroes. The Parr family are all parents and siblings (plus Frozone!) and their use of powers is great. It was more of the 60’s spy design than Space Age. Here the powers and super-identities are minimized to focus on the drama of the story. I absolutely love that the Fantastic Four cast from the infamous, cancelled film get a chance to appear in an FF film out in the theaters; William Russell, an ABC newscaster is played by Alex Hyde-White (Reed Richards), Rebecca Staab (Invisible Woman) plays Carolyn Haynes, a reporter for Channel 9, Carolyn Haynes, also two Power Plant Workers, one played by Jay Underwood (Human Torch) salutes Johnny after the firestorm, and other Michael Bailey Smith (The Thing) plays the other worker next to him. There are mid-credit and end credit scenes. Fantastic Four: First Steps is a fresh, stand alone Marvel film with great acting that really shows the strength of Marvel's First Family! 

Five+ FantasticCars out of Five! 

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