Spider-Man and Kingpin in the MCU

Ever since it was announced that Spider-Man will join the MCU and have his own reboot film, there has been speculation about whether or not Spidey will be Peter Parker or Miles Morales or some other version from the Spider-verse. Especially with the idea of the Civil War storyline looming in the third Captain America film, where will Peter be in his life?

Kevin Feige, the man who is overseeing the MCU, had this to say:

“We want to play with Spider-Man in the high school years because frankly there’ve been five Spider-Man films and the amazing thing about it is, even though there’ve been five Spider-Man films, there are so many things from the comics that haven’t been done yet. Not just characters or villains or supporting characters, but sides to his character. The most obvious being the ‘young, doesn’t quite fit in’ kid before his powers, and then the fella that puts on a mask and swings around and fights bad guys and doesn’t shut up, which is something we want to play with and we’re excited about.”

     -Collider.com 

I am quite thrilled that the MCU will see Spider-Man as the one and only Peter Parker. He'll be brought back to his origins, which will put him in an interesting place in the universe. In all the film versions, Peter has been at the end of his high school career. Tobey Maguire played him as the lovable geek and Andrew Garfield played him as the smart, somewhat angsty, popular kid (maybe popular is a strong word but he sure wasn't a geek). Both versions got the smart part right, but what about the smart-aleck? Where were the quips and puns and witty banter that is one of Spider-Mans greatest powers? I guess that's the writers fault. I can't wait to see how the Avengers, Doctor Strange, and Daredevil handle this kid who swings through New York and delivers the one-liners like a vaudeville act.

What is also interesting now is the  introduction of Wilson Fisk, or Kingpin, in Marvel's Daredevil on Netflix. This MCU Kingpin is ruthless and violent. Fisk will prove to be a formidable foe for our teenage hero, giving rise to a dynamic that will surely fit right in. The introduction of Kingpin will hopefully open up some wonderful villains and storylines in the MCU. 

Here's what wikipedia reminds us about Civil War and Spider-Man:

Fisk appears in the Civil War War Crimes one-shot, in which he offers information about Captain America's Resistance base to Iron Man, the leader of the pro-Registration forces in exchange for a reduced sentence. However, as his status in prison is threatened for collaborating with Stark, he betrays him. He then puts out a hit on Spider-Man and his loved ones after Iron Man convinced Spider-Man to publicly reveal his identity as a means of demonstrating his support for the Superhuman Registration Act. This results Spider-Man's Aunt May gravely wounded by a sniper's attempt to kill Spider-Man. After tracing the event back to Kingpin, Spider-Man confronts Kingpin in prison and badly beats in front of his fellow inmates. He decides to let the Kingpin live with the humiliation of his defeat, news of which will quickly spread through the Underworld. He vows, however, to kill the Kingpin if May dies.

Remember MCU creative folks, with great power comes great responsibility. I trust you can do it!

Daredevil - Episode 1 "Into the Ring" Review

Netflix Originals and Marvel Studios have teamed up to give the Marvel Cinematic Universe Daredevil. The series premiered today on Netflix with the first 13 episodes available for binge watching. Dark and gritty, Daredevil brings new a fresh feel to the MCU that is real and unpleasant. This isn't your hammer wielding Norse god or wise-cracking teenage superhero, Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) is a masked vigilante looking to uphold the saying, "Justice is blind."

The series opens dramatically with Murdock's origin story taking center stage and being told in a matter of minutes. A horrific car crash, Murdock as a young boy saves a life, and an unknown chemical from the crash has left him blind. Fast forward to the present and Murdock is a lawyer starting is own practice with best friend Foggy Nelson (Elden Henson). 

The first episode is all set-up for the character of Matt Murdock but doesn't get tied-up in his origin story, but rather begins to establish the universe in which Daredevil inhabits. No incredible technology like Tony Stark, no Asgard, no Goblins, and certainly no mutants, Murdock inhabits the very real and grounded setting of Hell's Kitchen, New York. Crime lords reign, violent murders are present, and corporations are corrupt. We are introduced to all of these things and more as the underbelly of New York crawls from the sewers and tests the skills of Murdock as both vigilante and lawyer.

The color scheme reminds me of a Guillermo del Toro movie, a very earthly, dark palette, with reds, yellows, and browns making up most of what we see on screen. Very different from the heightened reality that the Avengers or Spider-Man movies create. However, Daredevil does not ignore the Chitauri invasion, which actually builds the foundation for the plot of the first episode. It is nice to see continuity is present in the MCU. Daredevil also is dressed in the very classic black costume in the first episode. Eventually he will move to the trademark horned-red costume, but it is yet to be seen. 

Violence plays a large role in Daredevil, showing wonderfully choreographed fight sequences. they are generally dark since most take place at night, but you can clearly see the action. Also, they camera is not shy to continue to show the violence rather than let your imagination fill in the holes. You will see blood, you will see death, and you will see the unexpected and cringe worthy. But it all adds to this unique atmosphere being created for Hell's Kitchen. It is unpleasant, ruthless, and unjust. Daredevil takes care of what The Avengers, the X-Men, and Spider-Man do not, the everyday normal crimes, murders, and gang wars that seize control of the common man and leaves him helpless. 

While Daredevil has never been one of my favorite superheros, I think Netflix has brought justice to this vigilante and I look forward to watching the rest of the series. I was actually hoping to be disappointed in this series to prove my point as to why I dislike Daredevil, but I have been happily proved wrong and will continue to watch as the Kingpin tries to take over Hell's Kitchen. 

On to episode 2!