Zack Krafsig
Bio
My mind is a tar pit of useless knowledge and trivia pertaining to comic books, movies, television, literature, gaming, Kevin Smith, memes, cooking, history, science-fiction, fantasy, and big-and-tall men's clothing.
Stories (22/0)
Conan the Doomed
Savage Avengers Annual #1 After defeating the Marrow God, trekking across a frozen wasteland, and forging new alliances on the battlefield, Conan the Barbarian makes his way to Porto Alegre and finds himself in a brothel run by the local cartel. Upset that the women he paid for refused to touch him, he demands his money back from the owner of the brothel, who rebuffs him. Conan proceeds to kill the man and his soldiers before complaining about this new world he finds himself in. He equates the alcohol to piss and the declares guns to be the weapons of cowards. After he’s done grousing, the women of the brothel ask Conan to kill the rest of the cartel, as they kidnap women and sell them into slavery. As payment, they present Conan with a bag of diamonds that they’ve been stealing from their captors. Conan takes the gems and admits that, though he prefers to get paid for it, he would’ve killed the slavers for fun, before sleeping with one of the newly freed women.
By Zack Krafsig3 years ago in Geeks
The Case for MODOK
For those who don’t know, MODOK (Mental Organism Designed Only for Killing) was once a brilliant human scientist named George Tarleton. Tarleton was originally only a technician in the employ of the nefarious Advanced Idea Mechanics (AIM). In order to better study the recently created Cosmic Cube, Tarleton’s bosses subjected him to experimental mutagenics, creating MODOC (Mental Organism Designed Only for Computing). As is so often the case in these Frankenstein-esque stories, MODOC rebelled, killing his bosses and becoming MODOK, the new leader of AIM. Ever since then, he’s been a consistent thorn in the sides of many of Marvel’s heroes, most notably Captain America, Iron Man, and the Avengers.
By Zack Krafsig4 years ago in Geeks
The New Mutants Movie Review
At long last, the final film in the 20th Century Fox X-Men line of films, The New Mutants, has been released. Set in a dilapidated mental healthcare facility, the film focuses on the titular team of young mutants uncovering a sinister conspiracy while also fighting their own personal fears and demons. With a promising cast and beloved comic book property, this movie was hotly anticipated… until Disney decided to buy Fox and shelved the movie. After its April 2018 release date was postponed 4 times, The New Mutants then spent three years in limbo before Disney decided to dump it in theaters this past weekend on Friday, August 28th, 2020. And ‘dump’ is more than appropriate when describing this movie.
By Zack Krafsig4 years ago in Geeks
X-Plaining the Dawn of X: Hickman and Yu’s X-MEN
With HOX/POX acting as a relaunch of Marvel’s X-Men titles, it’s fitting that the first ongoing monthly book to spin out of HOX/POX is X-Men, written by “Head of X” Johnathan Hickman with art by the legendary Leinil Francis Yu. Unlike the other X-titles, X-Men serves as a bit of an episodic series, with most of its chapters not exactly relating to other issues, but instead mainly serving as a way to build this new world, so to speak. Introducing new enemies, establishing Krakoa’s position on the world stage, and creating new mythologies.
By Zack Krafsig4 years ago in Geeks
Conan The Avenger
In 2018, Marvel Comics announced that it had reacquired the rights to publish and print comic books based on the works of Robert E. Howard, namely Conan the Barbarian. Along with relaunching previous 70’s ongoing titles Conan the Barbarian and Savage Sword of Conan, the Cimmerian made an official, canon jump to the mainstream Marvel Universe (Earth-616). First appearing in the event miniseries Avengers: No Road Home, Conan has continued to appear as the central character in both the Savage Avengers ongoing series and the Conan: Battle for the Serpent Crown miniseries.
By Zack Krafsig4 years ago in Geeks
X-Plaining the Dawn of X: House of X and Powers of X
In July of 2019, Marvel Comics, Johnathan Hickman, Pepe Larraz, and R.B. Silva completely upended and revitalized the mutant-centric X-Men line of comic book titles with House of X/Powers of X. The twelve-part event comic brought many changes to the structure of the Marvel Universe, as well as ten new monthly series, two limited series, three one-shots, and more on the way. With the next major event, X of Swords (read as ‘Ten of Swords’) on the way this September, it seems appropriate to recap all the titles and changes that lead here. Starting with the pivotal HOX/POX
By Zack Krafsig4 years ago in Geeks
Excelsior
On November 12, 2018, Stan Lee died. His words crafted the Marvel Universe, introducing the world to beloved characters such as The Amazing Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk, The Fantastic Four, and so, so many more. Many of his stories featured a flawed hero facing insurmountable odds, enduring hardships, standing up for what is right, and somehow always managing to come out stronger than they were before. His stories were always meant to inspire readers to choose what’s right over what’s easy.
By Zack Krafsig5 years ago in Geeks
Namor, The Sub-Mariner: Marvel’s Preeminent Antihero
Spoilers for Avengers (2018) #8 - 9 An antihero, by definition, is a protagonist in a fictional narrative who lacks traits traditionally thought of as “heroic”. Rarely does an antihero do the right thing for altruistic purposes, almost exclusively motivated by selfishness. While Marvel has no shortage of antiheroes (such as Domino, Venom, Magneto, The Hulk, The Punisher, and Deadpool), one stands higher than others as Marvel’s truest antihero: Namor, The Sub-Mariner.
By Zack Krafsig5 years ago in Geeks
The Coming of the Final Host: The Story of the Dark Celestials
Four billion years ago, an Alpha Celestial known as The Progenitor crossed paths with a swarm of cosmic insects called the Horde. Becoming infected with these space bugs, the omnipotent space god grew ill and crash landed on the planet that would become Earth. The Progenitor died a slow and painful death, bleeding and vomiting its infected fluids all over the surface of a young Earth. The cosmic vomit mixed with the primordial stew, spawned more of the Horde, as well as creating life on Earth and turning the planet into a treasure trove of super-powered individuals.
By Zack Krafsig6 years ago in Geeks
Why 'Joker' Might Just Be the Best DC Comics Movie Ever Made
Over the course of just a few days, a slew of new details, photos, and footage from director Todd Phillips’ Joker movie have surfaced, and so far, it all looks very promising. The Joaquin Phoenix-led thriller is the third of four DC Comics related films being released next year, sporting an October 4th, 2019 release date. Filming began on September 10th of this year, with the first official photo of Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck (the man who would become The Joker) debuting on Phillips’ Instagram page six days later. Five days after that, Phillips posted a short video of Phoenix in classic clown makeup, indicating that this is the look Arthur will adopt once he becomes the titular Clown Prince of Crime. The very next day, set footage of Phoenix in full Joker attire was captured by paparazzi in an Upper Manhattan subway station. All these first looks and paparazzi shots are certainly making a good first impression. These sneak peaks, coupled with other previously announced details, could very well be teasing fans with what might be one of the best DC Comics films in a long time, maybe ever.
By Zack Krafsig6 years ago in Geeks
Five Things Fans Want from Marvel’s 'Spider-Man 2'
This article contains spoilers for Marvel’s Spider-Man. Marvel’s Spider-Man is a smash hit and Insomniac Games would be foolish not to start production on a sequel as soon as possible. It’s going to happen, sooner or later. And, like most video game sequels, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 (or whatever they’ll end up calling it) will expand upon its predecessor and add new missions, enemy types, characters, and so on. Of course, there will be returning elements from the previous game making its way into the new title, but that’s not a bad thing (depending on what returns). In that spirit, this article will list all the ways the potential sequel to Marvel's Spider-Man could improve upon its predecessor.
By Zack Krafsig6 years ago in Gamers
Ten Superheroes Who Deserve Triple-A Games
In the world of video games, a Triple-A game is a game considered to be of high quality due to it having the highest possible budgets for development and marketing. 2018 has seen the release of some great Triple-A video games and has even more highly anticipated ones yet to be released. One of this year’s most successful Triple-A games (both critically and commercially) is Marvel’s Spider-Man for the PlayStation 4 Pro. The game has been praised for its stellar storytelling, smooth mechanics, and spot-on characterization of the titular Web Head.
By Zack Krafsig6 years ago in Geeks