The Marvel Comics Neflix Superheroes Series’ Merger

So, Marvel Comics and Netflix have signed a deal to stream
Daredevil, Power Man, Iron Fist, Jessica Jones, and the
Defenders as Netflix’s Originals.
The deal may or may not come as a surprise to some streamer. Especially after Netflix success their original series Borgias, Hemlock Grove, and
the more recently renewed for a second season House of Cards, which will return on Valentine Day in 2014.

But, you might say, “. . .
comic books superheroes”? Well, what better place than Netflix to produce series that can explore and/or exploit the
nuances of the superhero and his/her nemeses. The most recent blockbuster
movies have followed a trend of darker and bolder hero the best example are Superman
kills for the first, Batman more brute than gentlemen and Iron Man
and his deadly army of robotic clone. 

Netflix is fertile for opening up that world in which younger viewers would not
understand that yes, sometime a hero must blur the boundaries of right and
wrong to bring the justice about. So, why not develop for internet viewers
streaming comic based series that can surely compete with the movies, cable and
broadcast television.

Here is a brief description
of each of Marvel’s Comics heroes to
dominate Netflix’s streaming viewers attention
as early as 2014.

Daredevil: 

As a Stan Lee comic hero, Daredevil has had a
regular appearance in Marvel Comics
since 1964. He is the alter ego of Matt Murdock. Murdock is blind
but that does not stop him from training his remaining sense, which were heightens
during a radioactive exposure, and fighting crime.

As a film, Daredevil (2003) was for whatever reason
a major flop for Marvel and its star Ben Affleck. To semi-quote the
actor was, 'The only movie I regret is Daredevil - it just kills me”.

Hopefully, for Netflix that Marvel’s writers can produce a script worthy of the character. 

Power Man:

The first Power Man
was discovered by Daredevil and often collaborates with Iron Fist. Power Man (Victor
Alvarez) is the sole survivor the horrific destruction of the building in
which he, his mother, and 106 other lived and died. As to the origin of his,
during the destruction the building, he absorbed the ‘chi’ of all the deceased
people in self-defense and was then able the reform his bold into an iron-like
shielding. 

Today’s Power Man
is Luke Cage
and he too is often partner with Iron Fist. He is Harlem borne native and
he grew up as a member of the gang, The Rivals.
After a betrayal by another gang member and close friend, Cage is sent
to prison. While in prison Cage meets research scientist Dr. Noah
Burstein, who recruits him for experimental in cell regeneration in order to
create a super warrior based on a variant of the ‘Super-Soldier’ experiments he
used to create Warhawk earlier. Captain America is thought to be
the first ‘Super-Soldier’. 

A relatively new
character, Power Man has appeared in Marvel
Comics since 2012 and has made many appearances as a teen crusader in the
animated cartoon, Ultimate spider Man. 

Iron Fist:

 

Danny Rand, adventurer and formerly co-owner of Rand-Meachum, Inc., his alter ego
is Iron Fist. Unlike Power Man, his iron-like superpower come
from great
concentration and training that allowed him to harness his spiritual energy, or
chi. In doing so he augment his physical and mental capabilities to peak
superhuman levels. His best friend is Power Man and the two characters
appear in many Marvel Comics. 

With two characters having similar superpowers, it
is likely that the two will appear in one Netflix
series. Iron Fist first
appearance was in 1974, Marvel Premiere
#15.

Jessica Jones:

Now, we have a little
return of some girl power

.

Like Power Man, Jessica Campbell Jones has had two incarnations. Thee first is Jessica Jones alias are that Jewel,
Knightress, and currently
Power Woman. Jessica first appearance was in Amazing Spider-Man Volume 1- 4. She was
one of Peter Parker classmates. Jessica major power is her strength,
which is off the scales. She can lift a car as one lifted a toothpick. She
gained powers after being doused with a chemical substance spilling from a
truck that a first left her in a coma for two years. Today she is married to Luke
Cage.

Jessica Jones second incarnation is that of a Skrull (a race of
green-skinned humanoids from the Andromeda Galaxy.). For a long time she believed she was the
human Jewel and later hid her shape-shifting abilities to blend in and
to be accepted. Besides her ability to shape-shift, this Jessica has all
the power of the first. These powers are superhuman strength, superhuman durability, the Skrulls unarmed
combat techniques, marksmanship, and she is telepathic resistance, telepathy
being a skill that Skrulls often use against its enemies.

What incarnation will Netflix’s Jessica Jones possess?

Jessica Jones is a supporting character in the Young Avengers series and the New Avengers. 

 

Last but not least, The
Defenders:

The
Defenders first appeared as a feature in Marvel
Feature #1 on December 1971. They included a superhero team comprised of
the Hulk, Namor, and, Silver Surfer and the group was leader was Dr Strange. Later
on Valkyrie, Nighthawk, Hellcat, the Gargoyle, Beast,
the Son of Satan, and Luke Cage gradually replaced the Hulk
and Namor. In The New Defenders
of the late 90s only Valkyrie, the Beast, and the Gargoyle
were featured as regulars. 

Today the Defenders have taken the place of the
disbanded Avengers and consist of Doctor Strange, Captain America,
Wolverine, Janet Van as the Wasp - Dyne, Captain Marvel, Thing
(from the Fantastic Four), Cable, Hulk, and Star-Lord.
The group is a resistance against Morgan le Fay who has conquered half
of Earth.

Of these noticeable
characters, which of them will make the cut as main characters in the
miniseries for Netflix?

The Marvel Comics Neflix Superheroes Series’ Merger

So, Marvel Comics and Netflix have signed a deal to stream Daredevil, Power Man, Iron Fist, Jessica Jones, and the Defenders as Netflix’s Originals. The deal may or may not come as a surprise to some streamer. Especially after Netflix success their original series Borgias, Hemlock Grove, and the more recently renewed for a second season House of Cards, which will return on Valentine Day in 2014.

But, you might say, “. . . comic books superheroes”? Well, what better place than Netflix to produce series that can explore and/or exploit the nuances of the superhero and his/her nemeses. The most recent blockbuster movies have followed a trend of darker and bolder hero the best example are Superman kills for the first, Batman more brute than gentlemen and Iron Man and his deadly army of robotic clone. 

Netflix is fertile for opening up that world in which younger viewers would not understand that yes, sometime a hero must blur the boundaries of right and wrong to bring the justice about. So, why not develop for internet viewers streaming comic based series that can surely compete with the movies, cable and broadcast television.

Here is a brief description of each of Marvel’s Comics heroes to dominate Netflix’s streaming viewers attention as early as 2014.

Daredevil: 

As a Stan Lee comic hero, Daredevil has had a regular appearance in Marvel Comics since 1964. He is the alter ego of Matt Murdock. Murdock is blind but that does not stop him from training his remaining sense, which were heightens during a radioactive exposure, and fighting crime.

As a film, Daredevil (2003) was for whatever reason a major flop for Marvel and its star Ben Affleck. To semi-quote the actor was, 'The only movie I regret is Daredevil - it just kills me”.

Hopefully, for Netflix that Marvel’s writers can produce a script worthy of the character. 

Power Man:

The first Power Man was discovered by Daredevil and often collaborates with Iron Fist. Power Man (Victor Alvarez) is the sole survivor the horrific destruction of the building in which he, his mother, and 106 other lived and died. As to the origin of his, during the destruction the building, he absorbed the ‘chi’ of all the deceased people in self-defense and was then able the reform his bold into an iron-like shielding. 

Today’s Power Man is Luke Cage and he too is often partner with Iron Fist. He is Harlem borne native and he grew up as a member of the gang, The Rivals. After a betrayal by another gang member and close friend, Cage is sent to prison. While in prison Cage meets research scientist Dr. Noah Burstein, who recruits him for experimental in cell regeneration in order to create a super warrior based on a variant of the ‘Super-Soldier’ experiments he used to create Warhawk earlier. Captain America is thought to be the first ‘Super-Soldier’. 

A relatively new character, Power Man has appeared in Marvel Comics since 2012 and has made many appearances as a teen crusader in the animated cartoon, Ultimate spider Man. 

Iron Fist:

 

Danny Rand, adventurer and formerly co-owner of Rand-Meachum, Inc., his alter ego is Iron Fist. Unlike Power Man, his iron-like superpower come from great concentration and training that allowed him to harness his spiritual energy, or chi. In doing so he augment his physical and mental capabilities to peak superhuman levels. His best friend is Power Man and the two characters appear in many Marvel Comics. 

With two characters having similar superpowers, it is likely that the two will appear in one Netflix series. Iron Fist first appearance was in 1974, Marvel Premiere #15.

Jessica Jones:

Now, we have a little return of some girl power

.

Like Power Man, Jessica Campbell Jones has had two incarnations. Thee first is Jessica Jones alias are that Jewel, Knightress, and currently Power Woman. Jessica first appearance was in Amazing Spider-Man Volume 1- 4. She was one of Peter Parker classmates. Jessica major power is her strength, which is off the scales. She can lift a car as one lifted a toothpick. She gained powers after being doused with a chemical substance spilling from a truck that a first left her in a coma for two years. Today she is married to Luke Cage.

Jessica Jones second incarnation is that of a Skrull (a race of green-skinned humanoids from the Andromeda Galaxy.). For a long time she believed she was the human Jewel and later hid her shape-shifting abilities to blend in and to be accepted. Besides her ability to shape-shift, this Jessica has all the power of the first. These powers are superhuman strength, superhuman durability, the Skrulls unarmed combat techniques, marksmanship, and she is telepathic resistance, telepathy being a skill that Skrulls often use against its enemies.

What incarnation will Netflix’s Jessica Jones possess?

Jessica Jones is a supporting character in the Young Avengers series and the New Avengers. 

 

Last but not least, The Defenders:

The Defenders first appeared as a feature in Marvel Feature #1 on December 1971. They included a superhero team comprised of the Hulk, Namor, and, Silver Surfer and the group was leader was Dr Strange. Later on Valkyrie, Nighthawk, Hellcat, the Gargoyle, Beast, the Son of Satan, and Luke Cage gradually replaced the Hulk and Namor. In The New Defenders of the late 90s only Valkyrie, the Beast, and the Gargoyle were featured as regulars. 

Today the Defenders have taken the place of the disbanded Avengers and consist of Doctor Strange, Captain America, Wolverine, Janet Van as the Wasp - Dyne, Captain Marvel, Thing (from the Fantastic Four), Cable, Hulk, and Star-Lord. The group is a resistance against Morgan le Fay who has conquered half of Earth.

Of these noticeable characters, which of them will make the cut as main characters in the miniseries for Netflix?

The Tragic Lives of Bonnie & Clyde, A Two-Night Miniseries, Lifetime's Lizzie Borden Took an Axe and Flowers in the Attic

The story of Bonnie & Clyde
aired this past and Monday  on A&E, History, and Lifetime, and some questions about the
direction of the plotline a part from the historical aspect of their lives
arise. 

Should feminist viewers rally at the bold inference
that Bonnie Parker (Holliday Grainger) was cause of Clyde Barrow
(Emile Hirsch) continual life in crime even as he protected continuing on?
Probably not the two outlaws were destined for a hard life the moment their
eyes meet. In the two-night miniseries that producers remained as faithful to
the facts of Bonnie and Clyde life as possible. Described as
being as iconic heroes in modern day folk culture, the story of Bonnie
and Clyde is anything but a tale of heroism. The miniseries is more of a
none-to-subdue cautionary tale that show what can happen to wayward youths, or
it should be one.

As for Bonnie meeting with the female reporter P.J.
Lane (Elizabeth Reaser), Lane is fictional character, and all photos
published by the press at that time were found by the police in the room that Bonnie
and Clyde shared and before abandoning it to evade capture. The photos were
found along with Bonnie’s diary of poetry and though many were playful
in nature the one photo of Bonnie cigar smoking gun moll was used to
stir up bias feeling against her. The only reason to create a character like P.J.
Lane is probably to show that women were working in more jobs that were
previous dominated by men. Being that newspaper reporting was one of those job, the struggle for women writers to
have their articles treated in the same accord their male counterparts was another
of the then ongoing and mostly unwelcome women rights issue.

It is also hard to believe that a man like Clyde
who ready had a criminal record before his meeting with Bonnie would be easily
persuaded by a woman to continue a criminal life, or that suffered from bouts
of premonitions. It was the times. It was the heart of prohibition and jobs
were hard to come by, especially for school dropouts and people with criminal
reorders. Clyde did as he wanted to do and he brought faithful but not
blind Bonnie along. 

In all, I found the 1967 loosely based historical
version of Bonnie and Clyde in which Faye
Dunaway and Warren Beatty played the title characters, just as informative as this fact-based
representation of two of America’s most infamous outlaws posing passing for
entertainment. However, the real life death of Bonnie and Clyde is
not surprising. To the law enforcement of the 30s, they were a phenomenon, like
an unknown infectious disease. They influenced others. The people of that era loved
their daring exploits while hating them for their brutally, and the same holds
true today. Therefore, like any disease, the Bonnie and Clyde phenomenon had to
be cured from society.

Lizzie Borden in life

The next historical based miniseries to be aired by Lifetime on January 25, 2014 is a biopic in which Christina Ricci stars role as Lizzie
Borden in Lizzie Borden
Took an Axe. This is story of a young woman who for reasons never entirely
explained (and remains one of the oldest cold cases in American history of
unsolved crimes) is said to have brutally murdered her father and stepmother
with an axe. In the 1892 in the town of Fall River,
Massachusetts, Lizzie was tried for the crime of double murder,
but lacking motive and evident she was never convicted. Nevertheless,
she faced ostracized from Fall River society during
the remainder of her life.

Fans of Christina Ricci remember her as Wednesday
Addams from the Addams Family and
the Addams Family Values films of the
early 90s.

After the trial and even today, there several
popular theories as to who could have killed Lizzie’s parents. Lizzie
was the first suspect. However, to the theorists there were at four other
suspects with motive who could have done the deeds. However, from the Lifetime poster, Lizzie Borden is portrayed as a sadistic killer. 

In addition on Lifetime,  Flowers in the
Attic, the miniseries based
on V.C. Andrews’ controversial novel Premiere January 18 at 8.7c. Cast includes Heather Graham, Ellen Burstyn,
Kiernan Shipka, Mason Dye, and Dylan Bruce