Comic-Con 2015

Well another Comic-Con is in the books and from what I’ve read and heard from people who attended, it’s done nothing but add more anticipation to next year’s line-up of movies. The most popular comic convention of the year took place last weekend in San Diego, California. Fans came from all around to dress up or cosplay as they call it and have fun with others who share their love for DC or Marvel. Comic-Con is also the place to go to get great deals on memorabilia, meet famous celebrities and get a first class look at upcoming movies. The convention never fails to amaze and this year was no disappointment to the fans who were able to attend.

DC wowed the fans by displaying costumes, bringing in the new batmobile for fans to gaze over, and showed fans what to look forward to with new seasons like Arrow. Stephen Amell stopped by to show fans the new attire he’ll be dawning when the show returns October 7^th. Marvel’s presence wasn’t as strong as it should be considering its dominance over DC. Fans were hoping to get a sneak peek at Captain America: Civil War or hear news about other heroes like Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity Wars or Thor: Ragnarok but nothing happened which stinks. Marvel was still able to grab the attention of the audiences with previews of their other two movies coming out this year.  

Marvel and DC pulled out everything they had for next year’s movies and fans got more than what they wanted with sneak peeks for Deadpool, Batman vs. Superman, X-Men Apocalypse, and Suicide Squad. For decades the cinemas have been conquered by Marvel with their ongoing success but now it seems like DC is catching up with their much anticipated Batman vs. Superman: Dawn. With the promise of a new trailer to show, fans were overwhelming pleased with the first look at Lex Luther and Wonder Woman. The new trailer also gives a wider explanation into why these two titans will collide and how Lex Luther’s is involved.

Another trailer revealed is Suicide Squad which features the return of the Joker now played by Jared Leto. Some haven’t agreed with the look of Jared Leto as the Joker which some have considered a colorful Marilyn Mason. After seeing the trailer though it’s clear that David Ayer is taking this film completely serious. Suicide Squad focuses on some of Gotham’s most dangerous criminals like the assassin Deadshot, Killer Croc, Captain Boomerang and the sexy psychopath Harley Quinn. They’re brought together by Amanda Waller who runs a government agency that recruits villains to commit operations that the public aren’t meant to know.

Think of them as a supervillain version of the dirty dozen but only difference is there’s no parole for these villains, just the promise to live another day only to die next time. Leading the group is Deadshot played by Will Smith who has received praise for his portrayal as the man that never misses. He’s had a run of bad luck with his movies since the release of After Earth so this film may be what he needs to rejuvenate his career. This film will also be the first time to see the ever popular Harley Quinn on screen played by Margot Robbie hot off her last film The Wolf of Wall Street. Another first timer making his big screen debut is Marvel’s Merc with the Mouth, Deadpool.

Deadpool is going to be the first movie coming out next year in February to set the bar with the burden of having to compete with Batman vs. Superman later on in March. Deadpool is a mutant armed with a variety of fighting skills, advance healing abilities and a filter free mouth full of witty things to say that leave the audience wondering, “What the hell?” Fans have been waiting to see the comedic anti-hero for the longest time. While one’s run is starting early next year, another run is finishing in May in the form of the X-Men.

X-Men Apocalypse will be coming out on and it will mark the end for two who will make their final appearance as their characters. This will be the final X-Men film we see Jennifer Lawrence as Mystique and Hugh Jackman will be done with Wolverine after this and Wolverine 3. This may not be a big deal for Jennifer Lawrence who has only been in two films but for Hugh Jackman, it’s the end of an era. He was the break out start when the franchise started and it sky-rocketed his career gaining him lead roles and A-list status. No rumors yet on who could possibly replace him in future films.

Whoever takes up the claws will have a huge shoes to fill but no matter who replaces Jackman, Marvel has lost an icon. Another icon that will be saying goodbye next year is popular film maker and comic fan in his own right, Kevin Smith. He has stated that after Clerks 3 he will be retiring from directing after the film is finished. It’s been a long run for Kevin Smith and to hear him not making films anymore is heartbreaking at best. Clerks 3 is scheduled to be released on August 1^st 2016 but it’s early so things change.

It was a memorable event this year that was fueled by movies that fans have been waiting to see for the longest time and ended with heartfelt goodbyes. This was most likely DC’s year at Comic-Con as fans really seem to enjoy the darker, more adult version of their superhero films. For people like myself who grew up watching the red underwear and the star spangled bikini, it’s an adjustment. Some people still disagree with the direction DC has gone but in the end it’s about what sells and after this year’s Comic-Con it’s clear. People are ready to open the wallet next year when arguably the two most popular characters in comics finally go head to head.