Unpacking the Power of Power Pack

And we did it. We made it to the last issue of FF. What a fun little series. Hickman put together some compelling stories and weaved them through this and Fantastic Four.

We should take a moment to think about what we learned from our review of this series, FF, over this past year or so. Time has been spent on this book, and beer has been drunk. That all being said, what has been read and what has been discussed.

We started with everyone thinking that the Human Torch was dead, and the hiring of one Mr. Peter Parker aka Spider-Man. This changed the team dynamics and beat of the team. We started with the team at a low point, but we end with a stronger and more knowledgeable family.

There was also the introduction of the Future Foundation. This is the team that has our boy Alex having something mover tangible than what happened to him in the New Warriors, but not by much. At least he was treated like he had intelligence and not just a paper weight.

But the Future Foundation was a great idea. A group of smart kids solving the world's problems. They were a weird group of punks who brought something different to the conversation.  THe ensemble could have been used more effectively at certain points, but it was not bad. 

We discovered that AIM (Advanced Idea Mechanics) having the bright idea to free The Wizard from prison and making him their leader proves that their ideas really aren't too advanced as they gave him back at the end of the series and asked for a do over.

We learned that having Spider-man on your team is a great idea, while having Dr. Doom is an occasionally good idea if you can stand the Doomness of him. Also, inviting The Wizard, Diablo, The Mad Thinker and The High Evolutionary to stand with you for some out of the box thinking is a great way to to get betrayed and stabbed in the back when the chips are down by people that you just fed lunch to. 

A surprising number of issues deal with Black Bolt and The Inhumans interacting with the Supreme Intelligence and the Kree...we both found these issues, storylines and interactions to be boring, unwelcome and a distraction from important things, like what the Future Foundation kids are up to in their own title. Unfortunately, what they are often up to is standing off to a side, quietly observing the actions of other characters while storylines unfurl around them and their contributions amount to them being able to say that they were there too.

Speaking of surprises, a surprising number of beings were turned into pets. Dr. Doom to a multiversal Reed Richards, a couple of multiversal Reed Richards' to a Supreme Intelligence, Johnny Storm to Annihilus, Annihilus to a resurrected Johnny Storm, and Galactus to a Franklin Richards.

All in all it was a fun series and a worthwhile read, but it really shined when it dealt with the title holders of this series, the kids. Their developments, their growths, their failings and their foibles, their interactions and all the things that make them the foundation of the future. 

Check out the artwork at: https://jeffandrickpresent.wordpress.com/2024/10/29/ff-23-run/

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We are sliding into an ending of this series, so it is time to tie up a storyline or two. In this issue, we get a nice little tale featuring Bntley. No, I did not make a mistake there. Sometimes the best little stories focus on the most evil individuals. That is why the story of my life will be awesome.

Looking at the pictures we have chosen here, I was thinking about really focusing on the story in the book, but then I had an idea, and I wanted to see if it would float. Tell me if you can see what I see.

This of course leads to a massive panic when a shark attack does occur on the crowded beach. Everybody freaks out and a giant food fight occurs. I blame John Belushi.

First up, we have a crazy man who wants to close down a beach because he is a little afraid of the water and there was just this little old shark attack. How crazy is that....and this guy?

So our heroes need to go out and find this horrible monster with sharp teeth. In order to do so, they need to board onto an appropriate vessel to carry them out onto their dangerous mission.

Farewell and adieu to you fair Spanish ladies

This of course leads to the climax of the film. Our hero must take down the monster, but they only have a rifle. Oh no...whatever will they do?

Insert a big explosion that rocks your socks off and blows your mouth apart.

Now we come to the end our story. Our heroes are looking off into the distance, forming a new and awkward relationship

The end!

I hope you all enjoyed this reenactment. If you did not, I really do not care. Have a good day!

If you want this to make any sense, check out the pictures at our website: https://jeffandrickpresent.wordpress.com/2024/10/18/ff-22-you-are-whatever-you-want-to-be/

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Are you all ready for some bad Ronance....or Romance...or Space Opera? Well, it is what it is and this is it. We have Ronan and Crystal and two space races that really...really....really do not want them to be together. What shall they do? Why not call up Sue and Reed, cause they are the poster children of good ideas.

I could get all clever and fun, but I am not going to because I have other things to do tomorrow. So instead, I am phoning in and audible from Lady Gaga, and we are going to see what happens.

Rah, rah-ah-ah-ah

I want your ugly, I want your disease

I want your drama, the touch of your hand (hey)

You know that I want you

I want your horror, I want your design

I want your psycho, your vertigo shtick (hey)

I think that all makes sense. I don't know.

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It is time for us to talk about the Inhumans...again. They are like a pennies that keeps on showing up. They just appear in my pants pocket right when I am about to wash my jorts. Then they fall out of my pocket. Then the dryer makes a bunch of noise. Stupid Inhumans.

Anyway, it is time to tell you a little tale about a man and his fam in space. Join us, won't you.

A man in black sat in a throne, but he did not talk about a ring of fire or that his name was Sue. No, he sat there and brooded and thought.

The man had an awesome palace that he sat in. He took it from one end of the universe to the other. Mostly looking for people to fight, but also for love.

Speaking of lovers, the man had many wives, amongst many races. This meant that he had an awesome group of fighters that served him with a might love. I think that I have said love one too many times.

These mighty warriors now how to make an entrance. In fact, they went to school for it.

These mighty warriors told the man that they would serve him for ever and ever, and they would buy him ice cream and....

Ok. I really do not know what I am talking about, but you should read this book.

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Check out the pictures from the book at our website: https://jeffandrickpresent.wordpress.com/2024/10/04/ff-20-deus-ex-inhuman/

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Are you all ready for a fantastic romp through the jungle with a bunch a kids.....cause that is this comic. Hand on heart, no lies spoken or seen. This is just a simple straight forward story with a new character. So grab your juice box and put on your khakis.

A-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh

In the jungle, the mighty jungle

Weeheeheehee, dee heeheeheehee, weeoh aweem away

Near the village, the peaceful village

Weeheeheehee, dee heeheeheehee, weeoh aweem away

Hush, my darling, don't fear, my darling

Whoa, whoa, whoa; whoa, whoa, whoa; whoa, whoa, aweem away

You can see the awesome art at:  https://jeffandrickpresent.wordpress.com/2024/08/20/ff-19-safari/

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Ok...here is my challenge. I need to write up some summary on this book without alluding to Cheech and Chong, Kevin Smith, 420, Jamaican candles, Afroman, Mary Jane, or anything in that oeuvre. Instead, I need to focus on the content, and humanities battle against gods. I am soooo going to fail.

Ok, we can do this. Focus on the content. I mean, it is not like there is nothing to talk about. Reed and T'challa go to the City of the Dead for goodness sake. How cool is that?

And....AND...Three super powered ladies bring the PAIN to an Egyptian god. That is epic, legendary, and fantastic. Plus, countless heavy metal songs have been written about less.

Dead skeletons attacking heroes, evil seeking power held by the good guys, cats and dogs fighting....I mean, this book has it all. Totally filled with wholesome destruction

Did I mention giant cats eating people? That is a completely normal, everyday experience that is in no way tied to anything that could be considered.....well....

OKAY...OKAY...this is nothing but a big drug trip. Are you happy now!

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Heavy sits the panther mask that sits upon the brow of a soverein.....Thankfully that is all Shuri's problem since T'Challa has given up the crown and role of protector of Wakanda. That is a lot for us to talk about, but instead, we are going to talk about something else.

We are going to talk about ThunderCats, the original cartoon from the '80s. Why would we do that, well it was because both Jeff and I just felt that someone wanted us to talk about it. I mean, you just need to look at some of these pictures. We just have to present what we have been given.

Starting in 1985 as a cartoon, this reenactment of this historical (or futuristic?) documentary is a profound look at the adventures of a scrappy group of refugees from the planet Thundera. These humanoid cats face countless struggles as they try to establish themselves on a new planet after their own was destroyed by environmental failures and an over-planting of catnip.

Me.....yow!

Look, there are a lot of questions that we have asked and never got clear answers. Like, how does this group think they are going to repopulate their race with six different species of cats. The only pair of the group that are from the same branch are brother and sister so....ew. And poor Cheetara seems to be sweet on Tygra who is really just a bore.

Let's leave the relationships and procreation aside and focus on their sweet crib. The Transformers crash on Earth and spend decades hiding out in their wrecked spaceship. The ThunderCats spend a hot minute scoping out the land, finding the best section of real estate they can, and knock out a state-of-the-art fortress in a couple of weeks. 

For every great protagonist, you need a really good villain to annoy your plans on an easy recolonization story. And we all know the natural enemy of all cats....mummies. Mumm-Ra is an interesting character. He wants power and is evil, I guess, but he also does seem to be the only main character of the series who is from the planet these cats are squatting on. So, does that make him the actual hero?

That is a Rabit Hole

Maybe I should move on from this observation before we dig a hole we cannot get out of.

Back to the villains, one last little thing. You have to love the idea that this small band of heroes were chased across the stars by four to five full tribes that have something like infinite members. Sure, there is a leader of each of the tribe, but it seems like they have a small host to use as cannon fodder when needed by the plot.

Whatever, we loved our silly cartoons.

You can see the art we were talking about here:  https://jeffandrickpresent.wordpress.com/2024/08/20/fantastic-four-607-inert/

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Eighties Action by Kevin MacLeod

********************We accidently uploaded the wrong file. If you heard this episode muddled, please redownload the episode and it should be fixed. We apologize for the mess up. *******************************

And we are back with Hickman and the FF baby!!! No more of those smelly Avengers and their academy of kids dealing with teenage angst. We are back with the real meat of smart children walking around universe shaking events. No time for teen drama, just time for lunch.

You read that correctly, lunch! Capital L to the U, followed by NCH. It is the meal that defines the middle of the day. It is the target we aim towards when we start our workday. It is the reason that sandwiches were invented. Bring on the mid-day meal!

Lunch is vitally important for no other reason than to keep away the dreaded hangry person. You know what I am talking about. That one person who becomes a rage monster when their blood sugar becomes a bit too low. Yeah. We know who they are. They may not say anything, but we know.

Now, where shall we eat? This is the question that haunts many a couples as they start to realize that hunger is amongst them. What should they do, where should they go? Will they search through the boulevard of broken dreams and attempt to find the ever-elusive perfect meal?

Where for art Thou, Burge-o?

But then you find that perfect place. That Mecca with the menu that serves the needs you have. You see that fortress of food, that cathedral of carbs. Oh, what a grand sight, it will provide the sustenance you need.

But then you realize that there is a wait, that they take reservations. So the wait begins...and no one likes to wait.

The wait is over, we have made to the table, and we have placed our order. The food is coming! The hunger will be abated! But, wait...did that waiter just spit into the food!!!!

AND THIS EXPERIENCE COST US HOW MUCH!!!!

Ok, well....I still hope you all enjoyed the show and our humor.

Check out our website at:  https://jeffandrickpresent.wordpress.com/2024/07/11/ff-18-what-do-you-call-the-opposite-of-a-field-trip/

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Insert the commencement music and put on the silly hats, and do not forget that you will be paying for this school forever. Welcome to the final issue of Avengers Academy.

There are many things we can discuss with the ending of this series. There are many silly tangents I could probably go on. The problem is that I cannot find a really appropriate or seamless segway. And so, I guess, I will need to talk about this book and what it means to me.....which is boring.

Let's just get the whole teenage hormone love thing out of the way. This was a series that dealt with teenagers, so you knew there was going to be romance and broken hearts. The interesting thing is that it was done pretty well. It was nice to see these relationships treated with some respect.

What about the fighting and action in these books. Come on, this is Marvel Comics, of course the action is going to be good. Yes, this book did bring in one of the many Wolverines that roam the Marvel Universe, but it is the best Wolverine, so there is that. But I digress, this was a very action-packed series that still managed to keep the story moving forward.

I was a little disappointed that we did not see more cool gadgets. Hank Pym is a main player in this book, but the tech was small....get it...and that was sad. But I guess that means that we just focused on the people not the things. So, I am ok with that.

The art work of this series was solid. There was nothing extraordinary or groundbreaking, but there was nothing that was awful, and that is just fine. Comic books can be artistic masterpieces, but they can also be enjoyable mediums to convey stories. This book had a good story tied with clean art, and we cannot ask for more than that.

Going back to the teenage story of it all, I think we can say that focusing on the issues of kids during a rough time of their lives allows the creators to touch on some good topics. Bullying is definitely an area that was addressed, and dealt with well. I mean, who does not want to see bullies get owned.

This is a thoughtful series that really develops its cast of characters well. There was a good storyline to follow and you ended up really carrying about the cast. I think that the introduction of new members helped keep things fresh, especially Julie because it put it on our radar.

I am sad that we need to leave this series. It was fun and interesting, and I wanted to read each issue. I know why we have to leave the series, but I am sad that most of these characters have disappeared into the lost pages of the Official Handbook.

To see the pretty pictures, go to: https://jeffandrickpresent.wordpress.com/2024/07/02/avengers-academy-39-commencement/

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Eighties Action by Kevin MacLeod

As the Avengers Academy winds down, the writers decided to do something fun and interesting. A good old fashion, fun chill book. Not and AvX, more of a chillax book. Using sport to do some fun goofiness.

Now, this could be a book about rivals beating each other up or continuing a tale of violence and revenge, but it is not. It is just some kids playing a game. But what about those real historical rivalries? What about the people that really hated each other?

The English and the French hated each other on an epic scale. From 1100 to 1800 they were almost constantly at war with each other. I know that there was real reasons for the animosity, but I truly believe that it came down to cooking styles. I have heard that chefs hold grudges.

If you are into hard rock, you might know this one. Kerry King vs. Robb Flynn. Machine Head got a career boost in the mid-'90s when they landed the opening slot on a few of Slayer's tours. But by 2001, Slayer frontman Kerry King had soured on Machine Head, calling them "sell-outs" who were "responsible for rap-metal.

Being a Pink Floyd Fan, I am well aware of this one. Artistic differences drove a wedge between Roger Waters and David Gilmour during the recording of their classic album “The Wall" in 1979. Waters, who viewed himself as the creative force behind the band's success, became increasingly disdainful of his fellow band members, whom he deemed musically inferior.

There may be no American feud more famous than that of the Hatfields and McCoys. The feud is said to have begun during the Civil War. The Hatfields from West Virginia sided with the Confederacy while Kentucky’s McCoy family remained pro-Union. Though a Hatfield may have killed a McCoy during the war, the feud really heated up in 1878. when an argument over the ownership of a pig ended with yet another death.

Power is a fiery fuse when it comes to inciting a feud, especially the fascinating historical feud between the Medici and Pazzi families. In 15th-century Florence, no family was as powerful as the Medici family. While the Pazzis probably weren’t the only other family to feel threatened by Medici power, they were the only ones to do anything about it.

You think the Game of Thrones was something, what about the Yorks versus the Lancasters. Today, a monarch’s line of inheritance is understood and accepted enough that a feud would be extremely unlikely. However, that wasn’t the case in 15th century England. When King Henry VI, a Lancastrian, proved to be an unstable monarch, his York cousins launched a plot to overtake the throne.

Feuds will occur, and we will see them in books. Just not in this one.

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