Before Barbenheimer, there was Grant Morrison's The Invisibles (1994-2000)

 

Grant Morrison made Barbenheimer cool before it was cool! Join us for a trip in the Wayback Machine to the distant year, 1994 and the birth of Grant Morrison’s multi-dimensional epic, The Invisibles, the repercussions of which are still felt on this side of the Mayan Calendar! Watch the video for a preview of our new feature on the channel featuring an issue by issue walkthrough of The Invisibles. Oh, and go out and see Barbenheimer today! Barbenheimer[a] (/ˈbɑːrbənˌhaɪmər/ BARB-ən-HIGH-mər) is an Internet phenomenon that began circulating on social media before the simultaneous theatrical release of two blockbuster films, Barbie and Oppenheimer, on July 21, 2023, in the United States and several other countries. The word is a portmanteau of the films' titles. The dramatic difference between Barbie—a fantasy comedy by Greta Gerwig about the fashion doll Barbie—and Oppenheimer—an epic biographical thriller by Christopher Nolan about physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, scientific director of the Manhattan Project, which developed the first nuclear weapons during World War II—prompted a comedic response from Internet users, including memes and merchandise. Polygon described the two films as "extreme opposites", and Variety called the phenomenon "the movie event of the year". The films' simultaneous release was initially an instance of counterprogramming. As their release date approached, instead of Barbenheimer creating a rivalry, many suggestions to watch the films as a double feature emerged—as well as in what order to watch them—and cast members of both responded by encouraging audiences to watch the films on the same day. Celebrity participation in this trend included actor Tom Cruise, who purchased tickets to watch both while his latest film, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, was scheduled to be still playing in theaters. Both films received critical acclaim and exceeded box-office expectations.[6] While the phenomenon began as a joke about the two films' seemingly endless differences, some media commentators have pointed out some similarities between them; both films have been analyzed as exploring existentialism and the theoretical notion of the Anthropocene, both have an Oscar-nominated director and screenwriter and a large ensemble cast, and both were produced by a husband-and-wife production company (Margot Robbie and Tom Ackerley's LuckyChap Entertainment for Barbie, and Nolan and Emma Thomas' Syncopy Inc. for Oppenheimer). The Invisibles The Invisibles is a comic book series published by the Vertigo imprint of DC Comics from 1994 to 2000. It was created and scripted by Scottish writer Grant Morrison, and drawn by various artists throughout its publication.[1] The series loosely follows the doings of a single cell of The Invisible College, a secret organization battling against physical and psychic oppression using time travel, magic, meditation, and physical violence.[2] For most of the series, the team includes leader King Mob; Lord Fanny, a transgender Brazilian shaman; Boy, a former member of the NYPD; Ragged Robin, a telepath with a mysterious past; and Jack Frost, a young hooligan from Liverpool who may be the next Buddha. Their enemies are the Archons of the Outer Church, interdimensional alien gods who have already enslaved most of the human race without their knowledge. Follow me: Comic-Jutsu: https://comicjutsu.blogspot.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/jtmcroberts Phil K. Twitter: https://twitter.com/fatjitsu Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jtmcroberts/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jtmcroberts/ MVP Mutant Radio: https://mvpmutantradio.blogspot.com/ Protofunk by Kevin MacLeod (http://incompetech.com) is licensed under a Creative Commons license.

Grant Morrison's The Invisibles Omnibus Predicts the Future in Gorgeous Collection 1994-2000

 

Join us for another episode of Rarities as we take a look at the gigantic The Invisibles omnibus from DC/Vertigo. The Invisibles is quite possibly the most important comic book created and we take a look at some of the reasons why as we flip through this gorgeous collection. The Invisibles is a comic book series published by the Vertigo imprint of DC Comics from 1994 to 2000. It was created and scripted by Scottish writer Grant Morrison, and drawn by various artists throughout its publication. The series loosely follows the doings of a single cell of The Invisible College, a secret organization battling against physical and psychic oppression using time travel, magic, meditation, and physical violence. For most of the series, the team includes leader King Mob; Lord Fanny, a transgender Brazilian shaman; Boy, a former member of the NYPD; Ragged Robin, a telepath with a mysterious past; and Jack Frost, a young hooligan from Liverpool who may be the next Buddha. Their enemies are the Archons of the Outer Church, interdimensional alien gods who have already enslaved most of the human race without their knowledge. Follow me: Comic-Jutsu: https://comicjutsu.blogspot.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/jtmcroberts Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jtmcroberts/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jtmcroberts/ MVP Mutant Radio: https://mvpmutantradio.blogspot.com/ Protofunk by Kevin MacLeod (http://incompetech.com) is licensed under a Creative Commons license.

How Many Fighting Styles Does Shang Chi Know in Marvel Special Edition #15 with evil Fu Manchu

 This week, the Master of Kung Fu makes his debut inside the Comic Book Dojo! Join us as we break down the fighting style of the real Shang Chi, the Master of Kung Fu, in his origin story.

Zheng Shang-Chi[a] (English: /dʒʌŋ ʃɑːŋˈtʃiː/[citation needed] JUNG shahng-CHEE), also known as the Master of Kung Fu and Brother Hand, is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by writer Steve Englehart and artist Jim Starlin, debuting in Special Marvel Edition #15 (December 1973) in the Bronze Age of Comic Books, and starring in his own solo title until 1983. Described as the greatest martial artist alive, Shang-Chi has been trained since birth to be the ultimate fighter with a specialization in various unarmed and weaponry-based wushu styles, including the use of the gùn, nunchaku, and jian. Shang-Chi later assumes leadership of the Five Weapons Society and acquires the Ten Rings weapons. Shang-Chi was spun off from novelist Sax Rohmer's licensed property as the unknown son of fictional villain Dr. Fu Manchu. In later editions, his connection to Dr. Fu Manchu was underplayed after Marvel lost the comic book rights to the latter's character; to get around this problem, the publisher eventually renamed Shang-Chi's father Zheng Zu. Shang-Chi made his live-action debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021), where he is portrayed by Simu Liu. Follow me: Comic-Jutsu: https://comicjutsu.blogspot.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/jtmcroberts Phil K. Twitter: https://twitter.com/fatjitsu Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jtmcroberts/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jtmcroberts/ MVP Mutant Radio: https://mvpmutantradio.blogspot.com/ Protofunk by Kevin MacLeod (http://incompetech.com) is licensed under a Creative Commons license.

How Many Fighting Styles Does Moon Knight Know in Werewolf By Night Issue #32 (August 1975)! Savate + More!

This week, the original lunar warrior, Moon Knight, the werewolf slaying mercenary steps into the Comic Book Dojo. We'll break down Moon Knight's full first appearance in the pages of Werewolf By Night #32 as we talk about Savate, Crescent darts, and silver-plated cesti! It all happens right here in the Comic Book Dojo! SUPERIOR!!!

Moon Knight is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Doug Moench and artist Don Perlin, the character first appeared in Werewolf by Night #32 (August 1975). The son of a rabbi, Marc Spector served as a Force Recon Marine and briefly as a CIA operative before becoming a mercenary alongside his friend Jean-Paul "Frenchie" DuChamp. During a job in Sudan, Spector is appalled when ruthless fellow mercenary Raoul Bushman attacks and kills archeologist Dr. Alraune in front of the man's daughter and colleague, Marlene Alraune. After fighting Bushman and being left for dead, a mortally wounded Spector reaches Alraune's recently unearthed tomb and is placed before a statue of the Egyptian moon god Khonshu. Spector dies, then suddenly revives, fully healed. He claims Khonshu wants him to be the "moon's knight", the left "Fist of Khonshu", redeeming his life of violence by now protecting and avenging the innocent. While early stories imply Spector is merely insane, it is later revealed Khonshu is real, one of several entities from the Othervoid (a dimension outside normal time and space) once worshipped by ancient Earth people. On his return to the United States, Spector invests his mercenary profits into becoming the crimefighter "Moon Knight", aided by Frenchie and Marlene Alraune, who becomes his lover and eventually the mother of his daughter. Along with his costumed alter ego, he primarily uses three other identities to gain information from different social circles: billionaire businessman Steven Grant, taxicab driver Jake Lockley, and suited detective and police consultant Mr. Knight. It is later revealed Moon Knight has dissociative identity disorder (DID) (incorrectly referred to as schizophrenia in some stories) and that the alters known as Grant and Lockley originally manifested during his childhood. Other subsequent alter egos who do not assume the Moon Knight identity have emerged at other points during his adulthood, including a werewolf-fighting astronaut; impersonators of Khonshu, Spider-Man, Wolverine, Captain America, Iron Man, and Echo; and a red-haired little girl known as the Inner Child (who first appeared in the Ultimate Marvel continuity). It is debated in different stories whether Spector has genuine DID due to childhood trauma or if his similar symptoms are the result of "brain damage" caused by his psychic connection to Khonshu, a connection compelling his personality to shift between the four major aspects of the moon god's multi-faceted nature ("the traveler", "the pathfinder", "the embracer", and "the defender of those who travel at night"). Khonshu claims he created a psychic connection with Spector, Grant, and Lockley when the latter were young, decades before they became Moon Knight. In most of his stories, Moon Knight has no supernatural abilities beyond occasional visions of mystic insight. He relies on athletic ability, advanced technology, expert combat and detective skills, and a high tolerance for pain based on willpower, training, and experience. Since becoming Moon Knight, there have been multiple occasions when the character has died only to then be resurrected by Khonshu, implying he may now be effectively immortal until the moon god's protection is revoked (whether Khonshu has limitations on how often he can resurrect Spector is unknown). For a time, Moon Knight's strength and resistance to injury could reach superhuman levels depending on the phases of the moon, but this ability later vanished, while the Moon Knight identity is occasionally depicted as an independent alter ego of the others. The character has made appearances in various media outside of comics, including animated series and video games. Oscar Isaac portrays Marc Spector / Moon Knight, Steven Grant / Mr. Knight, and Jake Lockley in the Marvel Cinematic Universe live-action television series Moon Knight (2022). Follow me: Comic-Jutsu: https://comicjutsu.blogspot.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/jtmcroberts Phil K. Twitter: https://twitter.com/fatjitsu Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jtmcroberts/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jtmcroberts/ MVP Mutant Radio: https://mvpmutantradio.blogspot.com/ Protofunk by Kevin MacLeod (http://incompetech.com) is licensed under a Creative Commons license. https://youtu.be/tsX8FpLZGCY

How Many Fighting Styles Does Batman Know in Issue #232 with Artist Neal Adams June 1971

The Caped Crusader takes the center stage in the Comic Book Dojo this week as we look at the fighting style on Batman! Neal Adams made his mark by changing DC art for the better and his run on Batman has become nothing short of iconic. Batman is listed as a master of all forms of unarmed combat, but is he really? Tune in to find out! Superior!!!

The Batman is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, and debuted in the 27th issue of the comic book Detective Comics on March 30, 1939. In the DC Universe continuity, Batman is the alias of Bruce Wayne, a wealthy American playboy, philanthropist, and industrialist who resides in Gotham City. Batman's origin story features him swearing vengeance against criminals after witnessing the murder of his parents Thomas and Martha as a child, a vendetta tempered with the ideal of justice. He trains himself physically and intellectually, crafts a bat-inspired persona, and monitors the Gotham streets at night. Kane, Finger, and other creators accompanied Batman with supporting characters, including his sidekicks Robin and Batgirl; allies Alfred Pennyworth, James Gordon, and Catwoman; and foes such as the Penguin, the Riddler, Two-Face, and his archenemy, the Joker. Kane conceived Batman in early 1939 to capitalize on the popularity of DC's Superman; although Kane frequently claimed sole creation credit, Finger substantially developed the concept from a generic superhero into something more bat-like. The character received his own spin-off publication, Batman, in 1940. Batman was originally introduced as a ruthless vigilante who frequently killed or maimed criminals, but evolved into a character with a stringent moral code and strong sense of justice. Unlike most superheroes, Batman does not possess any superpowers, instead relying on his intellect, fighting skills, and wealth. The 1960s Batman television series used a camp aesthetic, which continued to be associated with the character for years after the show ended. Various creators worked to return the character to his darker roots in the 1970s and 1980s, culminating with the 1986 miniseries The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller. DC has featured Batman in many comic books, including comics published under its imprints such as Vertigo and Black Label. The longest-running Batman comic, Detective Comics, is the longest-running comic book in the United States. Batman is frequently depicted alongside other DC superheroes, such as Superman and Wonder Woman, as a member of organizations such as the Justice League and the Outsiders. In addition to Bruce Wayne, other characters have taken on the Batman persona on different occasions, such as Jean-Paul Valley / Azrael in the 1993–1994 "Knightfall" story arc; Dick Grayson, the first Robin, from 2009 to 2011; and Jace Fox, son of Wayne's ally Lucius, as of 2021. DC has also published comics featuring alternate versions of Batman, including the incarnation seen in The Dark Knight Returns and its successors, the incarnation from the Flashpoint (2011) event, and numerous interpretations from Elseworlds stories. One of the most iconic characters in popular culture, Batman has been listed among the greatest comic book superheroes and fictional characters ever created. He is one of the most commercially successful superheroes, and his likeness has been licensed and featured in various media and merchandise sold around the world; this includes toy lines such as Lego Batman and video games like the Batman: Arkham series. Batman has been adapted in live-action and animated incarnations, including the 1960s Batman television series played by Adam West and in film by Michael Keaton in Batman (1989), Batman Returns (1992), and The Flash (2023), Val Kilmer in Batman Forever (1995), George Clooney in Batman and Robin (1997), Christian Bale in The Dark Knight trilogy (2005–2012), Ben Affleck in the DC Extended Universe (2016–present), and Robert Pattinson in The Batman (2022). Kevin Conroy, Diedrich Bader, Jensen Ackles and Will Arnett, among others, have provided the character's voice. Follow me: Comic-Jutsu: https://comicjutsu.blogspot.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/jtmcroberts Phil K. Twitter: https://twitter.com/fatjitsu Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jtmcroberts/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jtmcroberts/ MVP Mutant Radio: https://mvpmutantradio.blogspot.com/ Protofunk by Kevin MacLeod (http://incompetech.com) is licensed under a Creative Commons license. https://youtu.be/tsX8FpLZGCY

How Many Fighting Styles Does Lobo Know in the Paramilitary Christmas Special 1992

 

The Main Man, Lobo himself, jumps headfirst into the Comic Book Dojo to slice and dice his way through his very own X-Mas book called the Lobo Paramilitary Christmas Special!  Join us for a look at all of the irreverence, depravity and gory glory within! 

Lobo is a character appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. The Lobo character was created by Roger Slifer and Keith Giffen, and he first appeared in Omega Men #3 (June 1983). Lobo is an alien from the utopian planet of Czarnia, and he works as an interstellar mercenary and bounty hunter.

Lobo was first introduced as a hardened villain in the 1980s, but he soon fell out of use with writers. He remained in limbo until his revival as a bounty hunter with his own comic in the early 1990s. Writers attempted to use Lobo as a parody of the 1990s trend towards "grim and gritty" superhero stories, but he was instead enthusiastically accepted by fans of the trend. This popularity led to the character having a much higher profile in DC Comics stories from then on, as well as starring roles in various series in the decades since.

Lobo made his live-action debut in the 2019 premiere episode of the second season of the television series Krypton, portrayed by Emmett J. Scanlan.

How Many Fighting Styles Does T'Challa the Black Panther Know in Fantastic Four #52 (1966)

 

Wakanda Forever, citizens! Welcome back to the Comic Book Dojo where we take a look at the fighting style of one T'Challa aka the Black Panther in his very first appearance from Fantastic Four #52! T'Challa and the Black Panther have evolved a lot over the years, so join us for a look back at the character's origin. 

Black Panther is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist-coplotter Jack Kirby. The character first appeared in Fantastic Four #52 (cover-dated July 1966) in the Silver Age of Comic Books. Black Panther's real name is T'Challa, and he is depicted as the king and protector of the fictional African nation of Wakanda. Along with possessing enhanced abilities achieved through ancient Wakandan rituals of drinking the essence of the heart-shaped herb, T'Challa also relies on his proficiency in science, rigorous physical training, hand-to-hand combat skills, and access to wealth and advanced Wakandan technology to combat his enemies.

Black Panther is the first superhero of African descent in mainstream American comics, having debuted years before early black superheroes such as Marvel Comics' the Falcon (1969), Luke Cage (1972), and Blade (1973) or DC Comics' John Stewart in the role of Green Lantern (1971). In one comic book storyline, the Black Panther mantle is handled by Kasper Cole, a multiracial New York City police officer. Beginning as an impersonator, Cole would later take on the moniker of White Tiger and become an ally to T'Challa. The role of Black Panther and leadership of Wakanda was also given to T'Challa's sister Shuri while he was in a coma for a short time.

Black Panther has made numerous appearances in various television shows, animated films and video games. Chadwick Boseman portrayed the character in Phase Three of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's films: Captain America: Civil War (2016), Black Panther (2018), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), and Avengers: Endgame (2019), and voiced alternate versions of the character in the first season of the animated series What If...? (2021).