Avengers: Endgame, Source Material and YOUR Library
Avengers: Endgame, Source Material and YOUR Library.
-Jamison Reynolds, Director of Marketing Strategy
As many of you know, tickets for Avengers: Endgame went on sale today. The IT staff at Fandango and AMC Theaters certainly know. They had… a rough morning. What you may NOT know is TLC has a bona fide comic book and graphic novel “expert” on staff. Before joining us at TLC, Drew owned and operated his own comic book store as well as his own online store!
While discussing the latest release of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) Captain Marvel, Drew and I started discussing the deviations from the books to the movie, and in some instances how they were improvements. I personally do not know the source material to the level of detail Drew does and it got me thinking… what if Drew could help those of us that a) love the MCU movies but do not know the books nearly as well, b) link some of the movies to great source material so library staff can help borrowers in their respective libraries and c) give shout outs to some of our customers that have these in the stacks? Thus, this post was born.
Over the next few weeks this blogpost will be a living document, with Drew adding context to some of his favorite books and how they link to MCU films. These are in no order.
4.2.19
Up first is Captain America: Civil War (2016)
Book is Civil War by Marc Millar and artist Steve McNiven
Drew: Civil War by writer Mark Millar and artist Steve McNiven changed the landscape of the Marvel Universe when it was published in 2007. The idea of heroes fighting heroes has been a constant since the early days of comics, but usually it is over a simple misunderstanding. This time it is not as simple. When young heroes fight a villain out of their league, they cause a small town to be destroyed. As a result, the government decides that heroes need to become registered agents of the law or be considered criminal vigilantes. Tony Stark (Iron Man) and Steve Rogers (Captain America) end up on opposite sides in a fight that affects every hero – from Spider-Man to Punisher to the Fantastic Four. And every war has casualties…
The story by Millar balances introspective character moments with large scale superhero brawls – all drawn exquisitely by Steve McNiven. And the developments in this book had repercussions beyond just the Iron Man and Captain America books – especially for Peter Parker. Overall, this is the textbook definition of what a comic “event” should be – exciting, unpredictable, and thought-provoking.
Here’s a shout out to Handley Regional Library for having this great offering available in the stacks now!
4.3.19
Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
Book is Planet Hulk by Greg Pak (primary writer)
Drew: Thor: Ragnarok changed things up by being a Hulk movie in disguise for a good chunk of the film. When Thor’s “friend from work” shows up, he’s in full gladiator gear and obviously a crowd favorite. For an entire story revolving around Hulk fighting in an arena on a strange world, check out Planet Hulk, by writer Greg Pak. Not only does this move Hulk into the realm of space fantasy, but it also introduces everyone’s favorite ghost-kicking stony activist, Korg (and his insectoid buddy, Miek, too!). Full of nods to the far corners of the cosmic Marvel Universe, Planet Hulk is a perfect example of why Hulk is strongest one there is!
Check out Samuels Public Library with a copy in their collection!
4.4.19
Iron Man (2008)
Book is Invincible Iron Man Vol 1: The Five Nightmares by Matt Fraction & Salvador Larocca
Drew: 2008’s Iron Man began what would become the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Having a pretty good idea of just how perfect Robert Downey Jr was going to be as Tony Stark, Marvel launched a new Iron Man series immediately after the movie came out, designed to be accessible to people who had only seen the film. Invincible Iron Man by writer Matt Fraction and artist Salvador Larocca tackles the core of who Tony Stark is and shows why he’s is usually his own worst enemy. Fraction went on to write Invincible Iron Man for the next four years – and it all starts here!
You can hurry over to New Hanover’s Main Branch to get a copy now. You may have to ask for help for one though, its currently in shelving!
4.9.19
Doctor Strange (2016)
Book is Doctor Strange: The Oath, writer Brian K Vaughn
Drew: In 2007’s Doctor Strange: The Oath, writer Brian K Vaughn (Y The Last Man, Saga) tackles the Sorcerer Supreme with artist Marcos Martin bringing a very Silver Age Steve Ditko vibe. When his friend Wong is diagnosed with terminal cancer, Dr. Strange embarks on a search for a cure. But this is Strange’s world, and nothing is ever that simple. This story genre-bends from mystery to superheroics to character drama, and this book served as one of the inspirations for the Doctor Strange feature film.
Los Angeles Public Library is utilizing ebook integration to bring this to their borrowers!
4.17.19
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
Book is Winter Soldier, writer Ed Brubaker
Drew: Ed Brubaker started a new Golden Age for Captain America when his run began in 2005. And he did it by breaking the cardinal rule of comics – “You can’t bring back Bucky.” In “The Winter Soldier” Cap’s former WWII partner Bucky returns as a brainwashed Soviet assassin with cybernetic upgrades, setting the stage for a global political espionage thrill ride. Marvel Studios planted the seeds for a similar return in the first Captain America movie, and then went all in with 2014’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Next year will see Disney launching a Falcon and Winter Soldier series on their new streaming service, and eager fans can get an idea of what to expect by exploring Brubaker’s run.
Check out Martinsburg-Berkeley County Public Library (The library system TLC’s Headquarters resides in) who has a few copies in the stacks!
