Catching up on all the Marvel TV shows and movies has officially become my summer mission as I get ready for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which is going to be in theaters at the end of this month! I’m so close to the finish line, just need to watch the latest season of Daredevil: Born Again and the new Punisher special. I took a break from Marvel last year after the first season of Daredevil: Born Again (I just liked the Netflix Daredevil show better), but the new Spider-Man trailer and Avengers: Doomsday dropping in December brought me back to get caught up once and for all. There were two movies and four TV series to watch, so I hunkered down, got some snacks and a comfy blanket, and got to watching.
Thunderbolts* totally surprised me. Despite hearing mixed things, it turned out to be an awesome watch. The only thing that threw me off was Bucky’s hair…does that style really say congressman? Maybe that’s the joke. Either way, Lewis Pullman as Bob/Robert/Sentry/The Void was a highlight, and this movie became not just a favourite Marvel movie, but a favourite movie in general!
Then came Ironheart. After seeing RiRi Williams in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and What If…?, my expectations were high. While every storyline in the show was compelling, the blend of magic and tech didn’t quite click. RiRi’s tech journey, The Hood’s magical antics, and the witches’ dynamic all deserved their own spotlight. Still, the season finale had an incredible twist that was worth the watch.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps followed and is honestly the perfect pick for anyone, Marvel newbie or not. You don’t need any background on Marvel to enjoy it, and the story stands completely on its own. Completely refreshing and fun aesthetic, plus great performances from the entire cast!
Next up was the animated ones, which aren’t really required watching, but I really enjoyed the What If…? series so I was eager to see what the animation wing of Marvel had up their sleeves since the end of that series. Eyes of Wakanda was an easy binge with a really cool concept, following Wakandans across generations reclaiming their stolen vibranium from various points of history. The way each protagonist became a mentor to the next was such a smart way to show the ongoing legacy. Marvel Zombies was a fun, spooky, and surprisingly gory watch. It picks up where an episode from season 1 of What If…? left off and delivers a wild zombie apocalypse twist on the Marvel universe. Fingers crossed for a season 2 soon!
Wonder Man turned out to be a gem! We follow Simon Williams, a superpowered actor trying to make it in a Hollywood that bans heroes from the screen. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II absolutely deserved that Emmy nom, and the country music as part of the soundtrack was such a fun touch. Who knew Buck Owens, Linda Ronstadt, and Dolly Parton would fit so perfectly in a Marvel show? Can’t wait to see what happens in season 2!
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