Minute One Hundred Twenty Nine: From Tossing Tony’s Mask to Not Finished YetMatthew Costello, author of several works on politics and superheroes including Secret Identity Crisis: Comic books and the Unmasking of Cold War America, joins us in this episode!
In the one-hundred-twenty-ninth minute of The Avengers...Thor rips the face of Tony’s mask off. The image of the face plate laying in the rubble was something we saw in the alternate opening for the film. We talk a bit about what that would’ve meant to have seen it then. Hulk roars and Tony snaps awake then has a line about hoping no one kissed him. This shifts us into some talk about fan fic and other ways this scene may be interpreted, regardless of any intentions from the writers or director. That wistful look on Steve’s face... 
There’s plenty to discuss about camera technique in a post-climax scene, including the possible trope of the slow pull-back on our team. We also talk about the wrap-up of the battle and wonder why this ended up being put together without Clint or Natasha (despite the obvious reasons that they’re still at the tops of high-rises). And we wonder how Tony ever managed to spot the Shawarma Palace in the middle of his fighting. Tune in!
Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel!
Film Sundries

• Get your copy of Matthew’s book ‘Secret Identity Crisis: Comic books and the Unmasking of Cold War America’
• Watch this film: iTunes • Amazon • YouTube • Disney+
• Join the conversation on Discord
• Script
• Trailer #1
• Trailer #2
• Poster artwork
• Original Material
• Season 6 Show Art by Winston Yabo. Find him on Instagram
• Season 6 Music: “Message to the World” by Anthony Vega. Find him on Instagram

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