Newcastle Comic-Con: The first Great Geek event in the North-East

This weekend saw Comic Con arrive in Newcastle at The Metro Arena with tickets from as little as £8 per day, per adult. The North-East of England is slowly growing it's dominance in terms of Geek Culture, however up until now, event wise, it was pretty poor. Although the city holds two impressive comic/popular culture stores, Forbidden Planet and Travelling Man, this comic-con was the first to really offer something to the popular culture table: And take it from me it was epic!

Fiends, Jedi's, Hero's and villains all made their way to the stadium. I, however, chose to go for a more subtle look, a power ranger, pre-morphed... I thought that was a nice enough little quirk for losing my Comic-Con virginity...

The Flash Extended trailer has 'zoomed' to our screens - and its awesome!

The arrow spinoff show The Flash, (portrayed by the painfully attractive Grant Gustin) has been teased at us for months now, with characters from The Flash appearing in Arrow over the course of the last two months of the second season , and having the marketing materials slowly drip fed to us. The powers that be at The CW have gave us an extended trailer. Portraying what is to come in the pilot episode and the overall season, and showing us what to expect from Barry Allen: The Flash.

The trailer implies that the night Barry Allen got his powers, he may not have been the only one. The teaser shows us his team and a mysterious man whom seeks to  recruit Barry and his team from, Star Lab, in order to search for other 'Meta-Humans' like himself. We see the death of his mother and the a first glimpse at The Flash's arch nemesis Zoom aka 'The Reverse Flash', who just happened to be the one who murdered Barry's mother. Honestly, theres just so much in this trailer (probably due to the five minute length)- but seriously, if you didn't want Arrow give this a watch and you'll be right up to 'speed'. And if you did, give it a watch anyway! It's worth it!

Oh and he casually woke up with a six pack... Now that's just not fair.

The Flash is set to air this fall on The CW.

Anthony Steward Head is still up for Buffy The Vampire Slayer Spinoff 'Ripper'

For years there has been talk and meetings, pitches and ideas for a spinoff show from Buffy The Vampire Slayer focusing on everyone's favourite watcher Rupert Giles (Head). Of course our prayers weren't answered and the show never became reality like 'Angel' did, however all hope isn't lost.

'The Night Gwen Stacy Died' A Novel By Sarah Bruni

I will openly say that this book was nothing like I anticipated. When I first ordered the book I though it would be a novelisation of the comic book arc of the aforementioned name. I presumed that the novel would span over the 24 hour period of the loveable Gwen Satcy, the first love of Peter Parker (Spider-Man) and her inevitable death. This was not the case. This book focused on a young woman working in a gas station who meets a boy who identifies himself as Peter Parker and run away together. This novel was so much more than I expected, it surpassed my hopes and has actually become one of my favourite books of all time. With a deep and dark psychological background, hilarious characters and strong allegory to issues of The Amazing Spider-Man. This book was a wonderful roller coaster of emotions.

The Gwen Stacy Syndrome

Throughout comic book literature we have seen many women (usually lovers of male superheroes) pay the ultimate price in order for the protagonist to feel pain. This has been apparent through many films, books and other media platforms however most people do not know where this originated from. Cue Gwen Stacy.

Originally within The Amazing Spider-Man comics (and the Amazing Spider-Man 2 film adaptation) Gwen Stacy is the first love of Peter Parker (The Amazing Spider-Man) who falls victim to The Green Goblin- her murderer. The comic books killed off Gwen by The Green Goblin throwing her of the Brookyln Bridge in the very first portrayal of The Night Gwen Stacy Died (or the George Washington Bridge depending on which comic book series was followed) whereas the film adaptation had her fall from the heights of the Clock Tower. Either way within The Amazing Spider-Man and Marvel universe this is a milestone where multiple theories of feminism through comic book mediums were born. And no matter which series or adaptation that you follow it always leads to the same outcome on the same night: The Night Gwen Stacy Died.

Support LEGO and 'ideas' of The X-Mansion

This morning a LEGO representative came upto me on campus to fill in a short questionnaire on the new Adult Range of LEGO Watches. Who knew LEGO were branching out in that direction? I defiantly didn't. So it got me thinking: What else do LEGO do? And that's when I found LEGO 'ideas'.

Batman Prequel 'Gotham' gets a Trailer

Fox has finally released a trailer for their upcoming Batman prequel series 'Gotham' and we're so excited!

The series will focus on a young Commissioner Gordon and will include many heroes and villains from The Batman and DC Universe such as The Riddler, Catwoman and The Penguin, just to name a few. The show is said to lead all the up to Batman 'putting on the cape-'-so a pretty long run is presumed if everything goes to plan. We're hoping for a dark, gothic 'Smallville' like show (except way, way better). I've got high hopes with this show!

What do you guys think? Pretty awesome! This will be worth waiting for! Gotham is due to air this Autumn. 

What do you guys think? Pretty awesome! This will be worth the wait! The series is due to air this Autumn.

The Evolution of Fox's Jean Grey

Mutation. Due to evolutionary advances within homosapiens people have adapted abilities through the X gene. Passed on through the paternal bloodline some individuals have mutated, and this has given them extraordinary gifts. Jean Grey is one of these 'mutants'.

Originally shown as Marvel Girl, Jean Grey is a natural at both telekinesis and telepathy. Fox's adaptation is closely linked to the original Jean Grey. A doctor of psychology and teacher at Xaviers Institute for Gifted Youngsters, Dr Jean Grey would seem to have her life mapped out. However these are not the elements that have made the character a cultural icon. Jean Grey represents the inner turmoil innately in all of us - human or mutant alike, of whether we are naturally good or evil. Jean Grey is a tragic victim to the Phoenix Force. Originally a separate entity Fox decided to create a more dimensional and tragic character by making the Phoenix force the alter ego of herself, her subconscious. With a lust for pain, death and power, unaware of this Jean Grey is ultimately doomed by herself with no knowledge of the beast that grows inside of her.

X-Men (the first in the original trilogy) introduces us to Dr Jean Grey. A political figure for the defence of the mutant community, a teacher at Xaviers institute and an active health practioner for the ever ailing X-Men. The title of Dr allows the audience to see Jean Grey as an educated, caring member of society who uses her knowledge to help and educate others. This allows us to view Jean Grey as a moral, kind and pious person. Along with her relationship with Scott Summers - aka Cyclops - we get the overall impression that she is an innocent person with a bright future ahead. A glowing career and a partner to begin a family with. This allows the impact of her tragic death at the end of X-Men 2 more tragic and devastating. As with all the characters we have met within Fox's X-Men universe Jean Grey was an innocent and tragic loss to not only the X-Men but society as a whole. 

Throughout X-Men 2 we see her natural abilities developing at an
alarming rate. The first time we see her within the film she is shown to have gained the ability of precognition - knowing what will happen, explaining the issue occurring with Pyro and Ice-Man along with a feeling that something bad is going to happen. Scott then goes on to explain that when she experiences bad dreams the whole bedroom shakes. This shows the huge contrast in her powers when during the first X-Men film she had to concentrate to "float a pencil". This allows us to see the growth of power within Jean Grey- without any conscious effort. This suggests from the earliest point in the film that Jean Grey is becoming more powerful subconsciously- our first hint that the Phoenix Force is growing and breaking through Jeans consciousness. When disassembling missiles fired at the X Jet, her eyes glow fiery red, obviously showing The Phoenic Forces presence.This allows her death to be viewed as not only heroic but tragic. As she is aware of the power she posseses, she utilises this to save her fellow X-Men whilst giving up her own life in the process. However not aware that her power is that great that it could suspend her in a cocoon of psychic energy. And at this period in time neither did we. Until The Phoenic Force is seen through the waters of Alkali Lake. 

Alive due to the psychic cocoon it is explained that Proffessor Charles Xaviers was aware of Jean's raw  power and that due to this she is classified as a level 5 mutant (5 being the highest on the scale). We are then shown Jean's history within Fox's universe. As a child she possessed alarming power,  meaning that Xavier created mental barriers within Jeans mind to minimise her power. This is a different spin on the original concept of The Phoenix Saga and The Dark Phoenix Sage. As within the comic universe The Phoenix Force used Jean as a conduit for its power, whereas Fox allowed The Phoenix Force to be the subconscious of Jean Grey herself. This alter ego is ruthless, powerful and almost 'non-human' possibly a theme that her mutation is that great that she has transcended humanity. Due to this and the destruction she left in her path (such as the death of Scott and Xavier) the X-Men had no other option but to kill Jean, The Phoenix. 

The Phoenix Saga seemed to have ended there. As had the trilogy. However due to the expansion of the universe and resurrection of X-Men as Fox's franchise, the film Wolverine again gave us a glimpse of  Jean Grey as a haunting presence returning to Wolverine. However, many people believe this is Wolverines mind projecting Jean to him and there is an interesting contrasting theory stemming form the comic book literature. That Jean Grey is now the The Phoenix of The White Crown. Locked in the 'hot white room'. This is a possibility as when we see Jean she is indeed in a white room and portrayed in white light and clothing. Has Jean transcended The Phoenix and became The Phoenix of The White Crown? I suppose we will have to wait and see if X-Men Days of Future Past addresses this? Or corrects the time line to save Jean's life? Luckily the film hits cinemas at the end of this month so hopefully we will find out. However I'm sure such a poignant character as Dr Jean Grey isn't finished evolving in Fox's universe, just as she wasn't in the comic books...

Buffy Season 10 is HERE!

As many of you may know the Joss Whedon’s beloved TV show Buffy The Vampire Slayer had a long and successful run of 7 aired seasons. Dying twice, and saving the world from all kinds of evil Joss didn’t want it to end there. But buffy on screen had ran its course. Therfore Joss decided to continue the ‘scoobie gangs’ journey through the medium of comic books. For those of you who didn’t know this check them out, they’re different from the show, as there is no limit of budget etc, but they’re still the unique characters we love.

SPOILER ALERT*

In season 8 we seen the evil ‘big bad’ Twilight, come to town and hunt the slayers down. Buffy, finding out Angel was Twilight, destroyed the seed of magic (the magic of our world), leaving a devasted Willow. Buffy’s rash action was due to the death of Giles, her mentor and father figure at the hands of Twilight- Angel, her true love.

Season 9 showed us the zompire race, a mix between vampires and zombies, and how the world was dealing with the seed of magic being no more. More to the point this showed us how Willow wasn’t dealing. Willow began a quest to restore magic whilst Dawn, the key, was slowly disappearing. This lead to a great battle in the Deeper Well (Illyria’s resting place), with Illyria ‘the old one’ her self on Buffys side and ultimately dying there. Magic had been restored. But the book of the ‘VAMPYR” first seen in the first episode of Buffy ‘Welcome to the Hellmouth’ was blank… And newly turned vampires from this point were not bound by the normal limits…

So here in season 10, we see the effects of this change in the effects of magic on vampires (they are immune to sunlight, and can turn into bats). Xander is seeing ghosts- a ghost to be exact. His deceased, ex-fiance Anya! And Giles, in the form of a child, is back! And Faith is back! What does this all mean? Anyone fathom a guess as to how this season is going to pan out? Feel free to comment below.