From the Wayback Machine, Ethan and Aaron uncover a lost episode – this time one that was right on the heels of seeing last year’s huge blockbuster, The Avengers!
Joined by Ed Douglas, they rank and discuss the Marvel Movies, which have come so far in less than a decade!
In this issue, we try to overcome some technical problems with the Bagged & Bored Cast returning to our side once more. We apologize for the quality of the audio on this one, but a perfect storm of weather and transportation issues made this issue a little haphazard.
However, we do our best to act our part as producers of a new film version of The Fantastic Four in We Make It. After that, the gang takes on a Top 6 of our favorite movie heroes. We wrap things up in this issue with a Watch This conducted by Ethan on Torchwood.
About The Fantastic Four
The Fantastic Four is a fictional superhero team appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The group debuted in The Fantastic Four #1 (November 1961), which helped to usher in a new level of realism in the medium. The Fantastic Four was the first superhero team created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist and co-plotter Jack Kirby, who developed a collaborative approach to creating comics with this title that they would use from then on. As the first superhero team title produced by Marvel Comics, it formed a cornerstone of the company’s 1960s rise from a small division of a publishing company to a pop-culture conglomerate. The title would go on to showcase the talents of comics creators such as Roy Thomas, John Byrne, Steve Englehart, Walt Simonson, John Buscema, George Pérez andTom DeFalco, and is one of several Marvel titles originating in the Silver Age of Comic Books that is still in publication today.
The four individuals traditionally associated with the Fantastic Four, who gained superpowers after exposure to cosmic rays during a scientific mission to outer space, are: Mr. Fantastic (Reed Richards), a scientific genius and the leader of the group, who can stretch his body into incredible lengths and shapes; the Invisible Woman (Susan “Sue” Storm), who became Reed’s wife, who can render herself invisible and later project powerful force fields; the Human Torch (Johnny Storm), Sue’s younger brother, who can generate flames, surround himself with them and fly; and the monstrous Thing (Ben Grimm), their grumpy but benevolent friend, a former college football star and Reed’s college roommate as well as a good pilot, who possesses superhuman strength and endurance due to the nature of his stone-like flesh.
Ever since the original 1961 introduction, the Fantastic Four have been portrayed as a somewhat dysfunctional, yet loving, family. Breaking convention with other comic-book archetypes of the time, they would squabble and hold grudges both deep and petty, and eschewed anonymity or secret identities in favor of celebrity status. The team is also well known for its recurring struggles with characters such as the villainous monarch Doctor Doom, the planet-devouring Galactus, the sea-dwelling prince Namor, the spacefaring Silver Surfer, and the shape-changing alien Skrulls.
The Fantastic Four have been adapted into other media, including four animated television series, an aborted 1990s low-budget film, the major motion pictureFantastic Four (2005), and its sequel, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007).
About Torchwood
Torchwood is a British science fiction television programme created by Russell T Davies. The series is a spin-off from Davies’ 2005 revival of the long-running science fiction programme Doctor Who, which has a family audience. Torchwood, however, is aimed at a mature audience. As a show, Torchwood has transitioned its broadcast channel every year since its inception, moving from BBC Three to BBC Two to BBC One, and acquiring US financing in its fourth series.
It follows the exploits of a small team of alien-hunters, who make up the Cardiff branch of the fictional Torchwood Institute, which deals mainly with incidents involving extraterrestrials. Its central character is Captain Jack Harkness (John Barrowman), an immortal and ex-conman from the distant future who has lived on Earth since the 19th century. Captain Jack first appeared in ‘The Empty Child’, the 9th episode of the 2005 series of Doctor Who. Under Jack’s leadership, the formerly morally ambivalent organisation operates under a much more humanist ethos. Other than Barrowman, the series’ initial main cast consisted of Eve Myles, Burn Gorman, Naoko Mori and Gareth David-Lloyd. Their characters are each specialists for the Torchwood team, often tracking down aliens and defending the planet from alien and nefarious human threats. In its first two series, the show uses a time rift in Cardiff as its primary plot generator, accounting for an unusually recurrent alien presence in Cardiff. Gorman and Mori left the programme after the second series, with Kai Owen promoted from a recurring role to the main cast in series three. After David-Lloyd’s departure in series three, the fourth series will feature two new main cast members.
The first series premièred on BBC Three and on BBC HD in 2006 to mixed reviews but viewing figures which broke records for the digital channel. As such it returned in 2008 where it aired first on BBC Two, receiving a higher budget; criticisms of the first series, such as its uneven tone, were largely smoothed out, and the show received yet higher ratings and better reviews. The third series was given a larger per-episode budget and placed on the network’s flagship channel, BBC One. BBC budget cuts in 2009 meant, however, that the show was limited to five episodes, which Davies elected to present as a serial, taking the titleTorchwood: Children of Earth. Despite airing in July evenings, typically a graveyard slot, stripped across five nights in one week, the show received unexpectedly high ratings at home and abroad and for the most part, reviews hailed it as excellent. A fourth series, co-produced by BBC Cymru Wales, BBC Worldwide and US premium entertainment network Starz will air in 2011 as Torchwood: Miracle Day.
In this issue, the RedPhoneZone takes the producer’s seat once again and asks what they’d do with Captain America. In the Top 6 this week, we get into the swing of Thanksgiving with the Top 6 Geek Things We’re Thankful For. Finally, we tell you about AMC’s The Walking Dead and why you should Watch This!
About Captain America
Captain America Comics#1 (March 1941).
Captain America is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 (March 1941), from Marvel Comics’ 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby. Over the years, an estimated 210 million copies of “Captain America” comic books have been sold in a total of 75 countries. For nearly all of the character’s publication history Captain America was the alter ego of Steve Rogers, a sickly young man who was enhanced to the peak of human perfection by an experimental serum in order to aid the United States war effort. Captain America wears a costume that bears an American flag motif, and is armed with an indestructible shield that can be thrown as a weapon.
An intentionally patriotic creation who was often depicted fighting the Axis powers of World War II, Captain America was Timely Comics’ most popular character during the wartime period. After the war ended, the character’s popularity waned and he disappeared by the 1950s aside from an ill-fated revival in 1953. Captain America was reintroduced during the Silver Age of comics when he was revived from suspended animation by the superhero team the Avengers in The Avengers #4 (March 1964). Since then, Captain America has often led the team, as well as starring in his own series. Steve Rogers was apparently killed in Captain America vol. 5, #25 (March 2007), although he was later revealed to be alive; in any case, the Captain America series continues publication with Rogers’ former sidekick, James “Bucky” Barnes, having taken up the mantle with Rogers insisting he continue in that capacity at least for now while Rogers operates as an intelligence agent in his own series, Steve Rogers: Super Soldier.
A film based on the character, Captain America: The First Avenger, has been confirmed for release in 2011. The role of Captain America will be played by Chris Evans.
About The Walking Dead
The Walking Dead is an American post-apocalyptic horror television series developed for television by Frank Darabont and based on the comic book series of the same name by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore and Charlie Adlard. It premiered on the AMC network on October 31, 2010 with a 70-minute premiere episode, during the network’s “Fearfest”. AMC has renewed the series for a second season of 13 episodes.
The Walking Dead series is based on a monthly black-and-white American comic book series published by Image Comics beginning in 2003. The comic was created by writerRobert Kirkman and artist Tony Moore, who was replaced by Charlie Adlard from issue #7 onward, although Moore continued to do the covers through issue #24.
The story chronicles the travels of a group of people trying to survive in a world stricken by a zombie apocalypse. The series won the 2010 Eisner Award for Best Continuing Series at San Diego Comic-Con International.
Artwork for the cover of Invincible Iron Man vol. 2, 25 second printing (June 2010 Marvel Comics).
In this issue, the RedPhoneZone jumps back into the grind when We Make It with Iron Man 3. What would we like to see in the third installment of the Marvel Films blockbuster franchise? Then, we take on our Top 6 Character Entrances on Top 6. We wrap things up this issue with Watch This of the 2010 direct-to-DVD Warner Bros. animated release of Batman: Under the Red Hood.
About Iron Man
Iron Man is a fictional superhero who appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character debuted in Tales of Suspense #39 (March 1963), and was created by writer-editor Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber, and artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby.
Born Anthony Edward Stark, and usually called Tony, he is an industrialist playboy and ingenious engineer who suffers a severe heart injury during a kidnapping in which his captors attempt to force him to build a weapon of mass destruction. He instead creates a powered suit of armor to save his life and escape captivity. He later uses the suit to protect the world as Iron Man. Through his multinational corporation ― Stark Industries ― Tony has created many military weapons, some of which, along with other technological devices of his making, have been integrated into his suit, helping him fight crime. Initially, Iron Man was a vehicle for Stan Lee to explore Cold War themes, particularly the role of American technology and business in the fight against communism. Subsequent re-imaginings of Iron Man have gradually removed the Cold War themes, replacing them with more contemporary concerns such as corporate crime and terrorism.
Throughout most of the character’s publication history, Iron Man has been a member of the superhero team the Avengers and has been featured in several incarnations of his own various comic book series. Iron Man has been adapted for several animated TV shows and films. The character is portrayed by Robert Downey, Jr. in the live action film Iron Man (2008), which was a box office success. Downey reprised the role in the sequel, Iron Man 2 (2010), and also played the character in a cameo in The Incredible Hulk (2008). Downey will also play the role in the upcoming film The Avengers (2012) and the planned Iron Man 3 (2013).
About Batman: Under the Red Hood
This is the cover art for Batman: Under the Red Hood.
Batman: Under the Red Hood is a direct-to-video animated film based on the Batman storylines “A Death in the Family” and “Under the Hood“. The film is the eighth in the DC Universe Animated Original Movies line released by Warner Premiere and Warner Bros. Animation. It was released on July 27, 2010. The film stars Bruce Greenwood as Bruce Wayne/Batman, Jensen Ackles as Red Hood/Jason Todd, and John DiMaggio as the Joker. The screenplay was written by Judd Winick, who also wrote the “Under the Hood” run in the monthly Batman comic.
The two-disc special edition and Blu-ray also includes an animated short featuring Jonah Hex.
In this special episode, we take our four nominees for induction into the Facilitators of the Indomitable Order of the Zone of Ruthaz, and examine what makes them eligible for such a prestigious award.
The nominees this time around are Will Smith, Michael Keaton, Terrence Stamp, and Stan “The Man” Lee.
We’re also joined by John from over at the Bagged & Bored Cast, who takes on the duty of campaigning for the B&B candidate, Michael Keaton.
About Will Smith
Willard Christopher “Will“ Smith, Jr. (born September 25, 1968) is an American actor, film producer and pop rapper. He has enjoyed success in music, television and film. In April 2007, Newsweek called him the most powerful actor on the planet. Smith has been nominated for four Golden Globe Awards, two Academy Awards, and has won multiple Grammy Awards.
In the late 1980s, Smith achieved modest fame as a rapper under the name The Fresh Prince. In 1990, his popularity increased dramatically when he starred in the popular television series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. The show ran for nearly six years (1990–1996) on NBC and has been syndicated consistently on various networks since then. In the mid-1990s, Smith transitioned from television to film, and ultimately starred in numerous blockbuster films that received broad box office success. In fact, he is the only actor in history to have eight consecutive films gross over $100 million in the domestic box office as well as being the only actor to have eight consecutive films in which he starred open at the #1 spot in the domestic box office tally.
Fourteen of the 19 fiction films he has acted in have accumulated worldwide gross earnings of over $100 million, and 4 of them took in over $500 million in global box office receipts. His most financially successful films have been Bad Boys, Bad Boys II, Independence Day, Men in Black, Men in Black II, I, Robot, The Pursuit of Happyness, I Am Legend, Hancock, Wild Wild West, Enemy of the State, Shark Tale, Hitch and Seven Pounds. He also earned critical praise for his performances inSix Degrees of Separation, Ali and The Pursuit of Happyness, receiving Best Actor Oscar nominations for the latter two.
About Michael Keaton
Michael John Douglas (born September 5, 1951), better known as Michael Keaton, is an American actor, well known for his early comedic roles in films such asNight Shift, Mr. Mom, Johnny Dangerously, Beetlejuice, and for his dramatic portrayal of Batman[1] in Tim Burton‘s Batman and Batman Returns, as well as lead roles in other films including The Paper, Jackie Brown, Jack Frost and White Noise.
Quirky, inventive and handsome US actor who first achieved major fame with his door busting performance as fast talking, ideas man “Bill Blazejowski” alongside nerdish morgue attendant Henry Winkler in Night Shift (1982). Keaton was born Michael John Douglas on September 5th, 1951 in Corapolis, Pennsylvannia and studied speech for two years at Kent State, before dropping out and moving to Pittsburgh. An unsuccessful attempt at stand-up comedy led Keaton to working as a TV cameraman in a cable station, and he came to realize he wanted to work in front of the cameras.
Tim Burton cast him in the title role of Batman (1989) because he thought that Keaton was the only actor who could believably portray someone who has the kind of darkly obsessive personality that the character has. There was a great deal of fan anger over his selection, forcing the studio to release an advance trailer both to show that Keaton could do the role well and that the movie would not be a campy parody like the TV show “Batman” (1966).
Read more about Michael Keaton
About Terrence Stamp
Terence Henry Stamp (born 22 July 1939) is an award-winning English actor. Since starting his career in 1962 he has appeared in over 60 films. His title role as Billy Budd in his film debut earned Stamp an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor and a BAFTA nomination for Best Newcomer.
His other major roles include butterfly collector Freddie Clegg in The Collector, arch-villain General Zod in Superman (plus one of its sequel), drag queen Bernadette inThe Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, harsh guy Wilson in The Limey, the Supreme Chancellor Valorum in Star Wars – Episode I: The Phantom Menace,ghost antagonist Ramsley in The Haunted Mansion, Elektra’s master Stick in Elektra, Pekwarsky in Wanted, Maxwell Smart’s arch-villain Siegfried in Get Smart, council of high help Terrence Bundley in Yes Man and the July 20th plot Ludwig Beck in Valkyrie.
Stamp has won a Golden Globe, a Cannes Film Festival Award, a Seattle International Film Festival Award, a Satellite Award and a Silver Bear.
Stamp was born in lived in Canal Road, Bow, until German bombers forced his family to move to Plaistow. An icon of the 1960s, he dated the likes of Julie Christie,Brigitte Bardot, and Jean Shrimpton. After an extremely successful early career, starring in Modesty Blaise (1966), Poor Cow (1967), and Far from the Madding Crowd (1967), Stamp withdrew from mainstream films after his girlfriend, supermodel Jean Shrimpton, left him, and he and went on a 10-year sabbatical in India. He returned home in the late 1970s to star as the evil General Zod in Superman II (1980) and in 1984, delivered what many consider his finest performance as the supergrass in Stephen Frears‘ The Hit (1984). A few minor but colourful roles, topped by his performance as the transsexual, Bernadette, in The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994), have put Stamp back in the British conscious. His role of vengeful gangster in The Limey (1999) was created especially for him by its director.
Read more about Terrence Stamp
About Stan “The Man” Lee
Stan Lee (born Stanley Martin Lieber; December 28, 1922) is an American comic book writer, editor, actor, producer, publisher, television personality, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics.
In collaboration with several artists, most notably Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, he co-created Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, the Avengers, Iron Man, theHulk, Thor, Daredevil, Doctor Strange, and many other fictional characters, introducing complex, naturalistic characters and a thoroughly shared universe intosuperhero comic books. In addition, he headed the first major successful challenge to the industry’s censorship organization, the Comics Code Authority, and forced it to reform its policies. Lee subsequently led the expansion of Marvel Comics from a small division of a publishing house to a large multimedia corporation.
He was inducted into the comic book industry’s Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame in 1994 and the Jack Kirby Hall of Fame in 1995.
Read more about Stan “The Man” Lee
About the Bagged & Bored Cast
Bagged and Bored was started by Chris as a comic and pop-culture blog, seeking to share his love with as many people as possible he contacted his two best friends Paul and John to help spread the word. Soon realizing that they had a lot more to say than a simple website would allow, the Bagged and Bored Crew took their thoughts and audibly recorded them making them available on iTunes as the Bagged and Bored Cast for more people to experience.
About the Facilitators of the Indomitable Order of the Zone of Ruthaz
The Order of Ruthaz is a place for those actors, filmmakers, writers, artists, and other geek icons who have made such a legend of themselves so that they may be forever immortalized in history as BLANK “Fucking” BLANK.
Enter the Zone of Ruthaz to see who has attained previous honors in the Zone.
