Blog # 11: An Old Bitter Man

I kept trying to think about what I haven't done for the blogs yet. As to avoid repetition and write on a new topic. While this is related already to the comic book blog I did (spoiler I know), I like to think it falls in line with my review theme and is just different enough to count. Anyway, on to the topic. I'm very much interested in the 'What if ...' and 'If this happened instead ...' sort of story lines in movies, TV and literature. The possible futures and tangential timelines that are created or take over is always a cool idea. Even so, Marvel comics ran a bunch of issues entitled "What If?" that outlined possible scenarios in the Marvel world. For example, one was if Spiderman joined the Fantastic Four, and thus, they were the Fantastic Five. Or another being if Captain America didn't vanish during World War II or if the Incredible Hulk  had the brain of Bruce Banner whilst transformed. Stuff like that really brings out the inner nerd in me and satisfies his wants and likes. So, comics always do this of course, run arcs or one shots, however, one really stood above the rest and became my favorite. That being and including the story line of Old Man Logan. A dystopian future following Wolverine, simply going by Logan, living with his family and making ends meet.

So the main story line is as follows: Super villains of the Marvel universe had banded together to overthrow and defeat all of the heroes. As it had been done before, this time, they were successful however. It was a war, and a brutal one at that, which tore the US apart and created new territories. Villains even turned on one another for power and alliance at points. The most intimidating and influential aspect was when Hulk went rogue, defeating A-Bomb (his rival) for his land. Within this world, the Hulk went mad and turned villainous seizing a good majority of the west coast. Inbreeding with his cousin the She-Hulk, over time, a whole (red neck and simply put dumb) Hulk family emerged and controlled near everything they could. Constantly harassing and pushing Logan and his family, Hulks would come to get his rent every month. Getting to a point he could not afford it anymore and had to make a decision he did not want to. He partnered up with the now blind Hawkeye, who once was the world's greatest marksman, on a mission. To get payed enough to last him a comfortable amount of time. 

He was to simply transport a suitcase and act as aid. He promised himself decades before to never retract his claws and fight, as he was used as a pawn in the war and killed the very heroes he trusted. As circumstance would have it though, Hawkeye had been killed in front of Logan, thus, bringing out Wolverine. In a vendetta against the Hulk, he rushed back to resolve his problem. Upon returning, he unfortunately found his family dead. Swearing revenge, he set out against Hulk and his whole family. Killing one by one in a massive slaughter, Wolverine finally made his way to Bruce. Turning into the Hulk to fight Wolverine, the Hulk had actually eaten Wolverine to end the fight. Massive and alone, the Hulk was sitting with his last child and relative. Soon thereafter though, Wolverine burst out killing both the Hulk (in the process of coming out of him) and his relative with the baby being the last to survive. And, instead of killing the child, Wolverine decided upon raising it as his own. Teaching it cause and rebellion to fight against the villains who took over, in spite of the Hulk and what he had done.

Blog #10: ... The Luckiest

Something expected from a male teenager I'm sure, I very much enjoy playing video games. It's a hobby that allows worlds of magic, adventure, war, competition or fantasy to be controlled and lived in. Portraying heroes, warriors, athletes, whatever it may be, with no real consequence. From getting my first Super Nintendo with Super Mario Bros.,  to now having an Xbox 360 and a wide selection of games, they're great entertainment. I've played my fair share of classic and staple video games too, specifically, including the Halo franchise.  A story that centers around a heroic and fearless soldier, Master Chief protects Earth from alien forces and their crusades. Set several centuries into the future, it follows the human race's expansion in science and exploration. As well, Halo has several books in relation to the games and is similar to the story of Ender's Game. Summed up in several words and phrases; tragic hero, space, unfortunate disasters, aliens, guns and explosions, Halo interests me.

In specifics, the story of Halo is as follows. From an early age, children who would demonstrate talents and skills beyond most are taken, replaced by clones, and intensely trained for years. Their life's goal is to become Earth's best soldiers and aids in defense. Named Spartans in homage to the legendary warriors of the past, they assume the most dangerous and crucial missions any could face. While Spartans were numbered in the dozens, after countless battles, missions, and even in training, few managed to survive. Of them, the protagonist John (Spartan 117) has been the most resilient and successful, dubbed the luckiest of the Spartans in fact. Although not the smartest, quickest or strongest, he has always been able to survive and achieve greatness. Dr. Halsey, the primary and most influential of the doctors and researchers on the Spartan project, always had a connection to John above others. And even so, transferred her knowledge and likeliness to an AI (artificial intelligence) Cortana to accompany Master Chief where ever he may go. Wearing suits of armor (appropriately named Mjolnir for certain marks), Spartans surpass traditional means of physicality and show superiority in battle, fighting for the UNSC, the United Nations Space Command.

Meanwhile, there are two alien factions that threaten Earth and mankind alike. One is the Covenant, consisting of brutish, enormous, agile and feeble races that combine to create its army. While the second is the Flood, parasitic life forms that harm both human and Covenant equally. Now, everything ties together as such; an ancient civilization called Forerunners existed several million years before the human race. The Forerunners attempted to eradicate the Flood as to prevent any troubles for any other sentient life to come. As a solution, giant rings called Halos (roughly the sizes of moons and seven to be exact) were spread across the galaxy in defense to stop the Flood. These rings are both hospitable and have an environment to each, and when synced together, are used as massive bombs to destroy any neighboring systems and life. Drastic but necessary, the Forerunners became extinct attempting to stop the Flood and engaging a Halo ring. Unfortunately, they were unsuccessful in doing so, but, left behind a legacy. Halo rings still exist and are trying to be found. Not understood completely by humans, the Covenant however believe it to be a part of a pilgrimage and are religiously motivated to comprehend and control the rings. It is a story hard to summarize, many more characters and plots to make the story truly great should be told, but, that is what the games and books are for.