I’ve noticed people love characters like Iron Man and Captain America nowadays.At the same time, those same people probably don’t know Black Panther or Captain Marvel. That should soon change. With Marvel and DC Comics’ huge lineup of super hero movies, almost everyone will know who these fan-favourite superheroes are.
Starting in 2015, the sequel to Marvel’s massive hit The Avengers is set to release with the subtitle Age of Ultron. In 2016, a boatload of superhero movies are set for release including the highly anticipated Deadpool and Suicide Squad. Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice and Captain America: Civil War will feature DC Comics and Marvel’s biggest superheroes against each other (Superman-Batman, Iron Man- Captain America). The sequel to the critically acclaimed X-Men: Days of Future Past is planned to be released as well with the subtitle Apocalypse.
In 2017, the first ever Wonder Woman movie is planned to release as well as Justice League Part 1. Guardians of the Galaxy 2 is set to blow fans away with new characters and hilarious outer space adventures in The Milano. The movie I’m most excited for is Black Panther – the first black superhero in his own movie. I’ve been waiting forever to see this and the character is planned to appear in Captain America: Civil War!
In 2018, the wave of super heroics will continue with Marvel Studios’ first female movie: Captain Marvel. This intergalactic heroine took the comic world by storm in July 2012 when her new comic series became a huge success. The character also proves that comic books don’t only belong to boys. Diversity is not only welcome but highly requested. The otherworldly adventures continue with the Inhumans and Avengers: Infinity War Part 1.
The biggest name absent from this lineup is Spider-Man. The series’ future has been in question since The Amazing Spider- Man 2 did not receive the positive reception Sony was expecting.
With all of these superhero movies, my biggest worries are that everyone will get sick and tired of superheroes after a while. There are over six superhero movies in the works for 2016 and 2017 has even more with some unannounced at this moment. Not every film is likely to succeed. I would like to see the film industry slow down with the superhero movies and focus on quality more than quantity.
The animated shows have really impressed fans, including The Spectacular Spider-Man, The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, Young Justice, Green Lantern The Animated Series, Ultimate Spider-Man: Web Warriors, and Beware the Batman. Fans are anticipating the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy animated series planned to air this year as well.
Live-action shows are flooding in including Arrow, The Flash, Daredevil, Gotham, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and Agent Carter, with many more in production.
The mainstream audience and young children are really becoming familiar with superheroes, thanks to their new surge of popularity. Spider-Man, Superman, Batman, Iron Man, and Hulk are wildly popular. At the same time, characters like Black Knight, Photon, Orion, Shining Knight, and Haunted Tank still belong to the hardcore fans (like myself). Either way, superheroes
are becoming accessible to everyone through movies, TV shows and Free Comic Book Day. If you’re interested, you can join the wave of superhero fandom too (if you haven’t already)!
By GERVAISE BRANCH-ALLEN
