Category: MARVEL-Related

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Digital Songs & Albums Jazz, Blues, & New Age MARVEL-Related Music & Radio Shows Soundtracks (Digital)

THEME FROM ANT-MAN (by Christophe Beck: Ant-Man movie soundtrack)

SUMMARY:                                   RUNNING TIME: 2:46 Min.

Released in 2015, composer Christophe Beck performs the main theme of Marvel’s first Ant-Man film co-starring Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, & Michael Douglas.   

REVIEW:

Fashioned like a 1960’s heist film theme, with some artistic flair reminiscent of Mission: Impossible, Christophe Beck crafts an ingenious instrumental.  Not only does this theme have a wonderfully up-tempo jazz flavor, its catchiness will likely grow on listeners.  The way Beck blends the old-school heist ambiance with an appealing contemporary sound makes the “Theme from Ant-Man” a dynamite track to catch.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                     8 Stars

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Digital Songs & Albums Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) MARVEL-Related Music & Radio Shows Pop, R&B, Soul, & Dance Soundtracks (Digital)

PINK GORILLA (by HLM: Ant-Man movie soundtrack)

SUMMARY:                                  RUNNING TIME: 3:46 Min.

Released in 2015, electronic music composer HLM performs this dance instrumental for Marvel’s Ant-Man film starring Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, and Michael Douglas.   

REVIEW:

It’s a full dose of funky electronica.  The pulsating sound is catchy – at times, it’s reminiscent of 80’s-style video arcade games.  Still, a little goes a long way.  Clocking in at nearly four minutes proves too much of a good thing, as HLM might have trimmed “Pink Gorilla” a full minute or so.  The familiar last few bars signaling that this tune is now over adds an amusing touch of whimsy for this fun tune.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                   6½ Stars

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Digital Songs & Albums Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) MARVEL-Related Music & Radio Shows Soundtracks (Digital)

SMOTE & MIRRORS (by Michael Giacchino: Doctor Strange movie soundtrack)

SUMMARY:                                    RUNNING TIME: 6:29 Min.

This track by composer/conductor Michael Giacchino appears on 2016’s Doctor Strange film soundtrack.   

REVIEW:

Simultaneously ominous and grandiose, “Smote and Mirrors” is a delight.  There isn’t anything distinctive about this darkly heroic track (including its back-up choral vocals), the track could fit any number of medieval fantasy-adventure films.  Yet, Michael Giacchino’s classical scoring instincts are admirable.  “Smote and Mirrors” is an ideal option for any epic instrumental playlists.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                    7½ Stars

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DC-Related Digital Songs & Albums Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) MARVEL-Related Music & Radio Shows Rock & Symphonic/Metal

SUPERHEROES (by The Script: No Sound Without Silence)

SUMMARY:                                          RUNNING TIME: 4:05 Min.

It’s the second track off The Script’s 2014 album, No Sound Without Silence.  The credited composer is Mark Sheehan.   

REVIEW:

Despite the song’s title, this track isn’t about Superman or Spider-Man, etc., at least not directly.  Referencing everyday ‘super-heroes,’ The Script effectively balances a set of likable lyrics with a contemporary rock melody.  Even more so, the uplifting message powering the lyrics’ realism is commendable.  Although it’s perhaps too repetitive at the end, “Superheroes” makes a solid option for various  contemporary rock playlists. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                   7½ Stars

Note: Another download option is 2017’s “Something Just Like This” by The Chainsmokers & Coldplay, from the album: Memories … Do Not Open.

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Classical DC-Related Digital Songs & Albums Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) MARVEL-Related Music & Radio Shows

THE LAUNCH: CONDUKTOR’S THEME (by John Morris Russell & The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra: Superheroes!)

SUMMARY:                                   RUNNING TIME: 4:50 Min.

Composed by Pete Anthony, this original orchestral piece is performed by conductor John Morris Russell and The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra for their 2012 cover tribute album, Superheroes!  It’s Track # 10 for the album.

REVIEW:

Perfectly suited for the album’s theme, it’s a terrific sci-fi/fantasy overture for the imagination — either for super-heroics or blasting off into deep space.  Well-performed by The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, its classical-themed originality is a definite plus.  In that sense, “The Launch: Conduktor’s Theme” can hold its own against the DC & Marvel movie instrumentals covered on Superheroes!         

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                   7½ Stars

Note: Also recommended from this same album is the exclusive “To the Rescue!” TV tune medley  With voice-over work by Adam West, the tune homages George Reeves’ Superman, Lynda Carter’s Wonder Woman, The Super-Friends (with Wendy, Marvin, & Wonder Dog), the 1960’s animated Spider-Man series , and, of course, West’s own Batman.

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Digital Songs & Albums Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) MARVEL-Related Music & Radio Shows Soundtracks (Digital)

SPIDER-MAN AND HIS AMAZING FRIENDS {Cover: TV Series Theme} (by Dominik Hauser: single)

SUMMARY:                                   RUNNING TIME: 1:00 Min.

Composed by the late Johnny Douglas, his original version was the main theme for NBC’s Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends animated series on Saturday mornings from 1981 to 1983.  This track is cover musician Dominik Hauser’s 2012 rendition of Douglas’ theme.  His version is available as a single and also appears on at least one cover album: 2012’s Television’s  Finest, Volume 3: The 80s.  

REVIEW:

Hauser’s recreation is high-caliber.  Despite lacking the original version’s distinctive sound effects, it sounds just like the original theme.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                 8½ Stars

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Individual Tracks (CD's) MARVEL-Related Music & Radio Shows Rock, R&B, Pop, Soul, & Metal/Symphonic Soundtracks (CD's)

INVISIBLE MAN (by Theory of a Dead Man: Spider-Man movie soundtrack)

SUMMARY:                              RUNNING TIME: 2:39 Min.

Included on the 2002 Spider-Man movie soundtrack, this hard-rock track was recorded by Theory of a Deadman.  The tune was co-written by Chad Kroeger and Tyler Connolly.  It could be construed as a theme song for Willem Dafoe’s villainous Green Goblin in the film.     

REVIEW:

Including its loud metal overtones (unique to the soundtrack), this energetic tune ages impressively well.  Even better is that Theory of a Deadman gets right to business and ensuring that this catchy tune doesn’t overstay its welcome.  “Invisible Man” is an ideal choice for soundtrack and workout playlists.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                   8 Stars

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Categories
Marvel Comics MARVEL-Related Movies & Television (Books)

MARVEL HEROES & VILLAINS: MARVEL’S AVENGERS – THE POSTER COLLECTION

SUMMARY:

Released by Insight Editions in 2013, this 16 x 12” collection contains 20 double-sided posters from stills and movie posters of Marvel Universe films. 

Among the actors included are: Chris Evans; Jeremy Renner; Scarlet Johansson; Hayley Atwell; Tommy Lee Jones; Gwyneth Paltrow; Jeff Bridges; Terrence Howard; Sebastian Shaw; Hugo Weaving; Mickey Rourke; Don Cheadle; Idris Elba; Tom Hiddleston; Anthony Hopkins; Natalie Portman; Jaime Alexander; Samuel L. Jackson; Mark Ruffalo; Cobie Smulders; and Ben Kingsley. 

Specifically, the images and their flip-sides (none of which double up) are:

  1. Captain America/Hawkeye/Black Widow (Avengers) —Captain America (Captain America: The First Avenger)
  2. Iron Man movie poster–Iron Man 2 movie poster
  3. Iron Man falling (Iron Man 3)–Captain America: The First Avenger movie poster
  4. Marvel’s Avengers movie poster–Thor movie poster
  5. Iron Man 3 movie poster (Downey Jr.)–Iron Man 3 poster (Downey Jr., Cheadle, & Paltrow)
  6. Black Widow (Iron Man 2)–Black Widow (Marvel’s Avengers)
  7. Heimdall (Thor)–Black Widow (Iron Man 2)   
  8. Odin (Thor)–Hawkeye (Avengers)
  9. Loki (Thor)–Loki (Avengers)
  10. Thor (Avengers)–Thor (Avengers)
  11. Thor & Captain America (Avengers)–Thor (Thor)
  12. Hawkeye (Avengers)–Sif (Thor)
  13. Black Widow (Avengers)–Nick Fury (Avengers)
  14. Nick Fury (Avengers)–Hulk (Avengers)
  15. Hulk (Avengers)–Mandarin (Iron Man 3)
  16. Captain America (The First Avenger)–Captain America (The First Avenger)
  17. Maria Hill (Avengers)–Whiplash (Iron Man 2)
  18. Iron Man & War Machine (Iron Man 2)–War Machine (Iron Man 3)
  19. Iron Man (Iron Man 3)–Iron Man/Tony Stark (Iron Man 3)
  20. Tony Stark (Iron Man 3)–Iron Man (Iron Man 2)                      

REVIEW:

Its slick photo stock is remarkably sturdy, especially after the pin-up sheets easily pull out of this portfolio-style book.  The literal flipside is deciding which side of a poster to display, so keeping them intact inside the portfolio may work out best.  For what this poster book is, its overall production quality is impressive. 

ADDITIONAL FEATURES:

None.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:           8 Stars

Categories
Comic Books & Graphic Novels DC-Related Independent Publishers (Comic Books & Graphic Novels) MARVEL-Related

MYSTIC # 15 (2001 CROSSGEN Comics)

Lead Feature Written by Ron Marz. Art by Brandon Peterson; John Dell; Rob Stull; Mark Farmer; Andrew Crossley; Troy Peteri & Dave Lamphear.

Back-Up Feature Written by Ron Marz. Art by Fabrizio Fiorentino; Drew Geraci; Jason Lambert; & Troy Peteri.

Cover Art by Brandon Peterson; John Dell; & Andrew Crossley.

SUMMARY:

Published by CrossGen Comics for September 2001, the untitled lead feature depicts the mystical Jazzrat nightclub on the planet Ciress.  Seen in non-speaking background cameos: among others, there’s Dr. Fate; Gandalf; Doctor Strange & Clea; the Phantom Stranger; Scarlet Witch; Zatanna Zatara; Etrigan the Demon; Bat-Mite; the Spectre; the Titans’ Raven; the House of Mystery’s Cain & Abel; Timothy “Tim” Hunter (or it’s possibly Harry Potter); and the Seven Dwarfs. 

Giselle approaches artist Thierry to make amends.  Together, with their cartoony pets, they explore the abandoned Sanctum of Masters, which is now Giselle’s home.  Thierry shares his stunning portrait of Giselle with her.  The pets, meanwhile, make an ominous discovery

Elsewhere, Giselle’s sister, Genevieve, makes a covert pact with the six other Guild Masters.  Genevieve’s six-page back-up feature is entitled “Reconstruction.”  Seeking a means of rebuilding the Nouveau Cathedral, she intends to make an ominous bargain with the Chief Architect of the Construction. 

REVIEW:

Capably supported by high-caliber artwork, writer Ron Marz good-naturedly conjures up an entertaining tale that doesn’t resort to profanities; scantily-clad women; or even fight scenes.  Besides the fun in-joke re: the background cameos, the artists throw in another amusing gag as to Thierry’s other portraits.  Impressively, Mystic # 15 doesn’t do anything remarkable, but, as light reading, it’s an enjoyable experience.  

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

There’s a full-page series summary on the front inside cover. In addition to a two-page spread promoting new CrossGen issues, there is a single-page “Misspellings” letters-and-answers column.  A full-page cover reveal of Mystic # 16 is  included.      

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:            7 Stars

Categories
Comic Books & Graphic Novels DC-Related Independent Publishers (Comic Books & Graphic Novels) INDEPENDENT-Related (Comic Books & Graphic Novels) MARVEL-Related

THE OVERSTREET GUIDE TO COLLECTING (2018 GEMSTONE Publishing)

Written by J.C. Vaughn; Robert M. Overstreet; Amanda Sheriff; & Carrie Wood

Art by Brendon Fraim; Brian Fraim; House Imagi; & Marshall Dillon

Cover Art by Brendon Fraim; Brian Fraim; & Gabe Eltaeb

SUMMARY:

Released on Free Comic Book Day 2018, this 27-page book presented by Stephen A. Geppi consists of:

  • A 16-page lead feature that depicts an armed thief’s comic book store hold-up being thwarted by the ‘Man from Overstreet.’  Backed by full-page montages, the Overstreet ‘hero’ promotes Overstreet books that can help collectors discover the wonders of comics; original comic artwork; movie posters; concert posters; video games; tabletop games;  and, of course, the Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide.
  • A 6-page article detailing comic book grading and the scale of grading definitions (10.0 “Gem Mint” – 0.1 “Incomplete”).  Utilizing a Silver Age copy of The Atom # 25 as an example, a deterioration in the comic’s grading quality is explained.  The Overstreet Guide to Grading Comics is promoted.

REVIEW:

It’s an infomercial.  Beyond the ludicrous premise of a ‘robber’ baffled by Free Comic Book day, this issue is just okay.   

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Single pages focus on comic book pricing; collecting tabletop games; and Star Wars collectibles.  The applicable Overstreet titles re: these subjects are promoted.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                      3½ Stars