Photo of the Day

Another epic piece by Livio Ramondelli. Apocalypse rising.

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Photo of the Day

Apocalypse by Salvador Larroca.

Photo of the Day

The one, the only – Apocalypse. By Dave Wilkins.

-R1

Comic Book Cartoon DVD Review: X-Men Vol. 1

With the growing amount of Comic Book cartoons coming out on DVD, we thought we’d let you know what’s worth picking up and what’s not. First up, X-men cartoons (90s version) – Volume 1!

Review: Storm making grand speeches before fighting; Rogue’s “sugah” and southern sayings (“You look ’bout as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rockin’ chairs); Gambit’s talking in third person; and Jubilee taking over the usual role of the annoying Kitty Pryde. All things I loved about the 90s cartoon. I’m sure I’m biased because this is cartoon I grew up with, but I definitely think it’s the best and most accurate cartoon adaptation to date. Wolverine is angry and harboring a love for Jean, Beast sounds like a Harvard scholar, and they’re all wearing their best uniforms.

On Disc 1, in the premiere “Night of the Sentinels (Part 1 and 2),” the creators took quite a risk. Instead of opening with X-men’s most well-known villains such as Magneto, Apocalypse or Mr. Sinister, they opened with an episode surrounding Sentinels. The only not-so-great part about this episode, and this Volume in general is the addition of Morph. Although I don’t have anything against Morph, it seems like they kind of just stuck him in here. Of course, as you’ll see, Morph is in here considerably less than the rest of the cast. “Enter Magneto” introduces Magneto and Sabretooth with epic destruction, as they should be. “Captive Hearts” has our first Wolverine-Jean moment, as well as our introduction to Callisto and the Morlocks as Callisto tries to make Cyclops her sperm donor. And, of course, our first look at Gambit in his speedos ;). “Slave Island” introduces Moira McTaggart, Master Mold, and Cable. “The Unstoppable Juggernaut” introduces Professor X’s no good stepbrother, the Juggernaut (duh) and Colossus, as well as Rogue’s first absorbing freak out.

Disc 2 opens with “The Cure.” In this episode we meet Angel (how he keeps those wings tucked in his jacket, I’ll never know), Mystique, Apocalypse, Pyro and Avalanche. We also get our first bit of Rogue/Gambit flirtation that will inevitably continue on for the rest of the season (yay!). In “Come The Apocalypse” we see Angel become Archangel, Apocalypse’s Horseman, Death. “Days of Future Past (Parts 1 and 2)” takes us to 2055 where Wolverine is still fighting the good fight. This is the classic episode where Bishop goes back in time to our present to alter history with the hopes of improving his present. It has a very “Terminator” feel to it. It also features Nimrod and Forge, and lets us in on the fact that Mystique was once Rogue’s foster mother. “Till Death Do Us Part” shows Cyclops’ and Jean’s first wedding that ends up being null and void. We also first see the human we love to hate, Graydon Creed, leader of the Friends of Humanity and Mr. Sinister. We also get to see the Nasty Boys with one of the best named characters in comics – Gorgeous George!  This episode gives us a taste of what in the comics would become a creepy obsession for Cyclops and Jean on Sinister’s part. The volume ends with “Whatever It Takes,” an episode about Storm’s home village and the Shadow King.

Overall, Volume 1 is a must have in your collection! Oh and P.S. the 90s X-men opening theme IS the end-all, be-all for opening themes. Don’t let anyone tell you different! If they had it for my phone, it would be my ringtone to this day.

Best Episode: “Night of the Sentinels” – you’ve got to see where it all begins. “Days of Future Past” is also a must-see.

Episode You Can Skip: “Cold Vengeance” gets a little slow but it sets up “Slave Island,” which is a more interesting episode.

Fun Easter Eggs:

• In “Deadly Reunions,” as Professor X is in Sabretooth’s mind, see some fun special guests, such as Deadpool, Omega Red and others.
• “Slave Island” shows mutant extras Northstar, Aurora, Sunfire and others.
• “Days of Future Past (Part 1)” shows some kids running with a video game in their hands featuring The Punisher.
• In “The Final Decision,” when Professor X probes Gambit’s mind, we see Ghost Rider.
• In “Till Death Do Us Part (Part 1)” Morph says “Making copies!” a la Saturday Night Live. This has nothing to do with anything, just thought it was kind of funny 🙂
• In “Whatever It Takes” Morph transforms into Deadpool, Omega Red, and Maverick.

Favorite Quotes:

• Wolverine – the ever-classic “I go where I WANNA go.”
• Storm – “Storm, Mistress of the Elements, commands you to release that child!” Rogue – “Lighten up on the speeches, Sugah.”
• Magneto – “I wonder how he’ll look, Charles, after so long… perhaps, a toupee?”
• Gambit – “How do you sweat so much, petite, and not lose weight?”
• Wolverine – “What’s the matter? Teacher’s pet got cold feet?” *Cyclops flashes his optic beams* “Anytime, pretty boy.”
• Storm – “Gambit, the term rec room does not mean you must wreck it.” Gambit – “Even Storm makes jokes now! What next?”
• Wolverine – “This kid’s crying… do something!”
• Rogue to Gambit – “Don’t you ever get tired of listening to yourself?!” Gambit – “Not when I’m talking bout you, chere.”
• Wolverine to Jubilee – “If you knew how much bubble gum I had to sniff to find you!”

-Rogue 1

Nerd Fight – Battle #6

It’s that time again. To reiterate, every Friday the Cupcake Rogues will randomly pick 2 characters to do battle – whether it be Marvel, DC, female, male, mutant, human, or human that pretends to be a mutant with magic (I’m looking at you, Juggernaut), they are all possible. Once we’ve randomly selected our two, they will go head to head in several categories with one being deemed winner. The winner will live on to fight another day, but a warning – with 200 possible characters, it may be awhile before round 2 🙂

Sixth week in the random selection:

Deadpool vs Cyclops

	Deadpool		Cyclops
Origin	Wade’s mother died of cancer when he was still a youngin’. His father was in the military and physically abusive. After joining the military for a short time, Wade began his career as a mercenary only for those he felt deserved to die. During this time he made a habit of using plastic surgery to take on a new identity whenever he failed an assignment. He was given Wolverine’s healing ability by the Weapon X program when diagnosed with terminal cancer.		Scott grew up in Alaska, where he could see Russia from his house! During a flight with his family his plane was attacked. In a desperate attempt to save their two young sons, Christopher and Katherine Summers strapped them to a parachute and sent them on their merry way. Scott would later awake with no memories (convenient) and no control over his powers due to a bump on the head he sustained when he landed. He would later be shipped off to an orphanage where he was bullied and experimented on.
Edge?	Draw – Both lost their parents at a young age and endured years of abuse and experimentation. It’s like they’re the same guy!! Only one’s less of a tool-bag (hint: Deadpool’s less of a tool-bag).
Powers	Regenerative healing factor (Thanks, Wolvie!), superhuman strength, agility, and reflexes. Expert marksman, swordsman and martial artist (not powers, but worth mentioning if you’re ever caught in an alley with him).		Cyclops has the ability to absorb solar energy and redirect it as a concussive laser blast from his eyes. (R2 has always wondered why there are seemingly tons of telepaths, yet no other dudes with laser eyes…)
Edge?	Deadpool – the guy can’t die. He’s had his heart ripped out and grew another one. Owned.
Love interest	Deadpool’s gotten a lot of tail considering he looks like a cross between Ryan Reynolds and a Sharpei. From Copycat to Diva to even Death herself. But no one has had a hold on Deadpool’s heart quite like Siryn, who was the first girl to love him post-disfigurement and insanity. Isn’t that precious?		After a little glimpse into his psyche we learn that Scott has lusted after 98% of the females on the X-Men roster. His most notable love interests have been powerful yet dull Jean Grey and super-bitch Emma Frost.
Edge?	Deadpool – Something about the Theresa/Wade relationship just warms the heart!
Costume	Red and black and weapons all over. That’s how Deadpool likes it. Oh, and yellow boxes. Let’s not forget his little yellow boxes.		Usually a variation of a bodysuit, sometimes with a jacket. He’s never without his ruby quartz visor.
Edge?	Deadpool – While you can always pick Cyclops out of a crowd, Deadpool’s costume has never made him look like a cross between a suppository and Gort from “The Day the Earth Stood Still.”
Most off-putting personality	Deadpool is crass, rude, and not afraid to punch a girl in the face when necessary. He also happens to be hilarious and insane. And he knows he’s in a comic… doesn’t that automatically make him smarter than everyone else around?		Who roams the mansion at night and wails about how he’s the only X-Man who can’t blend into normal society? Scott does!! Apparently ruby quartz lenses don’t allow him to properly visualize Beast or Nightcrawler.
Edge?	Scott – While the Cupcake Rogues don’t condone upper-cutting a chick to the face (no, not even Kitty) Scott is the whiniest bitch of a leader we’ve ever seen.
Best story arch	After killing a teammate during a mission, he was rejected from Weapon X and send to the Hospice, a government facility where failed superhuman operatives were treated. There he was tortured and used as an experimental subject by Dr. Killebrew and assistant Ajax, in which patients placed bets in a “deadpool” as to how long each subject would live. This caused Deadpool’s scarred appearance. When Wade kills his friend to end his suffering after Ajax lobotomized him, Ajax tore out Wade’s heart. However, his thirst for vengeance was so overwhelming that it jumpstarted his healing factor, which regenerated a new heart for him (but did not cure his scarred appearance). Wilson became Deadpool, killed Ajax, and helped break out his fellow patients.		When the X-men find out that Apocalypse has a machine that can allow him to take the body of Nate Grey (aka the X-Man), Cyclops sacrifices himself to save Nate. He willingly merges with Apocalypse. He is presumed dead until Jean and Cable find him in Egypt and separate him from Apocalypse, killing Apocalypse’s spirit in the process.
Edge?	Cyclops – re-growing your own heart is impressive, but helping to take down Apocalypse gets Scott some respect, even from us!
Hotness	Sure he’s scarred beyond recognition, completely insane, and not afraid to be an a*hole, but who doesn’t like a guy with a sense of humor?		Cyclops is tall dark and handsome. If you can get past the permanent case of pink-eye and dick-ish personality…You’re a better woman than I am.
Edge?	Cyclops – He may be a jerk, but he’s pretty. Not even turning the lights off is going to distract from Deadpool’s deformities.
Fiercest foe	Enemy T-Ray resurrected Mercedes Wilson, his former wife that he believed Deadpool killed. He tried to convince Deadpool that he was really Jack, a wounded mercenary that the Wilsons nursed back to health and then turned on them. T-Ray says he is the real Wade Wilson to try to break Deadpool’s spirits. When Deadpool was not phased, T-Ray simply shook his fist to the sky, swearing revenge, and walked off with Mercedes. Also, he later got 4 others to claim they were the true Deadpool. Umm, what?		Mr. Sinister – this guy just WILL NOT leave Scott alone. He’s so hell bent on getting his DNA that he actually made a clone of Jean Grey while she was thought to be dead on the off chance that Scott would fall in love with her. Predictably, he did and they got married and had little Nathan. Maybe Sinister should’ve just waited to snag a pair of Scott’s tighty whitey’s after a “therapy session” with Emma. It would’ve saved a lot of time.
Edge?	Cyclops – While T-Ray is relentless; Mr. Sinister is quite a bit more intimidating.
Biggest WTF moment	Deadpool has a ton of “imposters” in play, including maniac Deadpool who only says “No pickles.” There’s also heroic Deadpool, media Deadpool, killer Deadpool, feminine Deadpool, nerd Deadpool, inner child Deadpool, unrespected Deadpool, and the real Deadpool. Deadpools galore!		While Scott is still married to Madelyne, Jean pops up back from the dead. Being the upstanding guy he is, he tells Jean that while he will always love her, he’s with Madelyne and they have a child. He tells her to be happy with Wolverine…No not really, instead Scott shows that he’s the Grand Poobah of Douche-baggery and leaves his wife and baby for Jean.
Edge?	Deadpool – We’ve always known that Scott is a d-bag, but running around to find a massive amount of imposters of yourself and then teaming up with them? WTF? No pickles.
Person who should attempt an on-screen portrayal	Ryan Reynolds…. Hello, lover.		James Marsden sure knows how to play a guy with his panties in a bunch.
Edge?	Deadpool – Well, technically Wade Wilson as we haven’t seen the real “Deadpool” yet and Ryan Reynolds only played Wade up until that Baraka monstrosity – (at that point he was played by Scott Adkins). We hope Ryan does as he promises and keeps Deadpool true to the comics!

Deadpool: 6

Cyclops: 5

And the winner is…. Deadpool – close one, but the Merc with the Mouth beats the whiney baby with his panties forever in a twist.