Rest in Peace: Chadwick Boseman

Actor Chadwick Boseman passed away yesterday. As an outsider, I was stunned; I thought he had many more years of movies to make. Evidently he had been suffering from colon cancer for some time, but kept it from the public.

As his best-known role was King T'Challa, the Black Panther, I can't help but connect Boseman's sense of privacy to that of T'Challa. When Christopher Priest wrote his story "The Death of the Black Panther", he wrote T'Challa (suffering from an aneurysm) as concealing his health problems from all of his close confidants. It's the way of the stoic -- and perhaps of the public figure who wants to preserve a few ounces of their personal identity.

I've always seen Priest's T'Challa as the definitive version and Boseman's interpretation wasn't entirely the same - Boseman's T'Challa was a little warmer and more humane than the cold statemsn who Priest wrote. Perhaps Boseman's Panther would be better likened to Don McGregor's -- a vital and earnest man.

Outside of his appearances as T'Challa, the only performance of Boseman's I've seen is the film 42, where he played Jackie Robinson. I liked that movie quite a bit. It's sad that his life was cut so short; he was only a year older than me. Carpe diem.

He passed away on the birthday of the Black Panther's creator, Jack Kirby. It was also baseball's Jackie Robinson Day.

"It's All Lies." Jack Kirby: The Epic Life of the King of Comics review

I was fortunate enough to have a very good friend ship me a copy of Tom Scioli's Jack Kirby: The Epic Life of the King of Comics, a comic book biography of the man who was quite possibly the greatest man the comics medium has ever seen.

I've always thought of Tom Scioli as a Kirby-infused artist. Certainly that's what I understood based on his work on Godland and American Barbarian. But in Jack Kirby: The Epic Life of the King of Comics, Scioli doesn't mimic Kirby - only when he's recreating Kirby's own drawings. Instead, the main body of this story is told in a style more reminiscent of a Fantagraphics publication (I should mention this is published by Ten Speed Press, who have been quickly building up an impressive list of graphic novels in the last few years). Kirby is depicted with eyes so enormous, he looks almost like an anime figure! Almost every page is laid out in a six-panel grid.

The book begins before Kirby's birth by relating how his parents met and continues past his death, showing quick glimpses of his legacy and of the many films made about his creations. It's an amazing tome; I learned many things about Kirby I didn't know, such as his intent that the Fantastic Four story about the Enclave would be a commentary on objectivism, but Stan Lee nixed it.

Stan Lee certainly does not come off well in this book; it's hard for him to come off well, as Kirby's story is told primarily through Kirby's perspective, and when you get right down to it, although they collaborated for more than a decade, it was (no matter how Stan tried to frame it) a business association, not a friendship.

There are only two things I want to criticize: first, that the pacing of the book seems lopsided. Scioli goes into great detail about Kirby's work prior to Marvel in the 60s, but once he reaches Kirby's most popular era he speeds up the pace, breezing through much of it. All of Kirby's life and career are represented here, but the Marvel Comics era feels light.

Second, that for all the time Scioli spends on Kirby, I don't feel he gets across what made Kirby a great comic book creator. His focus is almost exclusively on the popular characters Kirby created. Okay, but was he any good as an artist? Heck, in their brief Kirby in Comic Book Comics, Fred Van Lente and Ryan Dunlavey put more effort into explaining how Kirby laid out his pages than anything in Scioli's near-200 pages.

But these are very minor quibbles. This is an excellent biography and it will hopefully inform people who are interested in Kirby about his life and work in an easy-to-digest narrative.

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (season 6) creator credits

I found season 6 of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. to be of lower quality than the previous seasons. Frankly, it was more the kind of program I first imagined it would be -- the sort of tiresome plots which marred the Netflix shows. However, the performers were still game and when the show switched from plot-heavy stories to character-driven stories, it still perked up.

My full list of Marvel Cinematic Universe creator credits is here. Your corrections are always welcome! 

 

Jack Kirby: co-creator of the Inhumans, a sub-species of humanity who possess superhuman abilities (Fantastic Four #45, 1965); of the Kree, an extraterrestrial race (Fantastic Four #64, 1967); of Nick Fury, a formidable soldier (Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos #1, 1963); of S.H.I.E.L.D., an international espionage agency; of Nick Fury as the director of S.H.I.E.L.D.; of Life Model Decoys, S.H.I.E.L.D. androids designed to mimic human behaviour; of Hydra, a terrorist organization which battles S.H.I.E.L.D. (Strange Tales #135, 1965); of the Hydra logo, a skull atop octopus arms (Strange Tales #151, 1966); of extraterrestrial robots being sent to observe events on Earth (Thor #132, 1966)

Stan Lee: co-creator of the Inhumans, a sub-species of humanity who possess superhuman abilities (Fantastic Four #45, 1965); of the Kree, an extraterrestrial race (Fantastic Four #64, 1967); of Nick Fury, a formidable soldier (Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos #1, 1963); of S.H.I.E.L.D., an international espionage agency; of Nick Fury as the director of S.H.I.E.L.D.; of Life Model Decoys, S.H.I.E.L.D. androids designed to mimic human behaviour; of Hydra, a terrorist organization which battles S.H.I.E.L.D. (Strange Tales #135, 1965); of the Hydra logo, a skull atop octopus arms (Strange Tales #151, 1966); of extraterrestrial robots being sent to observe events on Earth (Thor #132, 1966)

Brian Michael Bendis: co-creator of Elena "Yo-Yo" Rodriguez, a superhuman ally of Daisy who has superhuman speed (Mighty Avengers #13, 2008); of Quake, Daisy JOhnson's codename (New Avengers #20, 2006); of Daisy Johnson, a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent with the superhuman power to control seismic energy; of Daisy's gloves used to help control her powers (Secret War #2, 2005)

Jonathan Hickman: co-creator of Hive, a parasite-like creature, infecting various people (Secret Warriors #2, 2009); of Yo-Yo Rodriguez having both of her hands cut off by agents of Hydra (Secret Warriors #3, 2009); of Yo-Yo Rodriguez using prosthetic hands (Secret Warriors #8, 2009)

Roy Thomas: co-creator of Quinjets, the personal aircraft of the Avengers (Avengers #61, 1969); of the Kree depicted with blue skin (Captain Marvel #1, 1968); of the Ghost Rider, a supernatural hero (Marvel Spotlight #5, 1972); of the round eagle logo used by S.H.I.E.L.D. (Strange Tales #154, 1967)

Mike Ploog: co-creator of the Darkhold, the book of sins, a tome of mystical knowledge and spells which corrupts those who wield it (Marvel Spotlight #4, 1972); of the Ghost Rider, a supernatural hero (Marvel Spotlight #5, 1972)

Bob Harras: co-creator of Al MacKenzie as an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. #1, 1989); of Aphonse "Al" MacKenzie, a spy affiliated with S.H.I.E.L.D. (Nick Fury vs. S.H.I.E.L.D. #3, 1988)

Stefano Caselli: co-creator of Hive, a parasite-like creature, infecting various people (Secret Warriors #2, 2009); of Yo-Yo Rodriguez having both of her hands cut off by agents of Hydra (Secret Warriors #3, 2009)

Gabriele Dell'Otto: co-creator of Daisy Johnson, a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent with the superhuman power to control seismic energy; of Daisy's gloves used to help control her powers (Secret War #2, 2005)

John Buscema: co-creator of Quinjets, the personal aircraft of the Avengers (Avengers #61, 1969); of the Xandarians, an extraterrestrial race (Nova #1, 1976)

Jim Steranko: co-creator of the Hydra logo, a skull atop octopus arms (Strange Tales #151, 1966); of the round eagle logo used by S.H.I.E.L.D. (Strange Tales #154, 1967)

Gerry Conway: co-creator of the Darkhold, the book of sins, a tome of mystical knowledge and spells which corrupts those who wield it (Marvel Spotlight #4, 1972)

Paul Neary: co-creator of Aphonse "Al" MacKenzie, a spy affiliated with S.H.I.E.L.D. (Nick Fury vs. S.H.I.E.L.D. #3, 1988)

Alessandro Vitti: co-creator of Yo-Yo Rodriguez using prosthetic hands (Secret Warriors #8, 2009)

George Evans: co-creator of the S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy where agents are trained for the organization (Marvel Super Action #1, 1976)

Mike Friedrich: co-creator of the S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy where agents are trained for the organization (Marvel Super Action #1, 1976)

Marv Wolfman: co-creator of the Xandarians, an extraterrestrial race (Nova #1, 1976)

Charles Soule: co-creator of Flint, a young Inhuman with the power to control rocks (Inhuman #3, 2014)

Joe Madureira: co-creator of Flint, a young Inhuman with the power to control rocks (Inhuman #3, 2014)

Mark Gruenwald: co-creator of Aida, a human-like artificial intelligence (Squadron Supreme #1, 1985)

Bob Hall: co-creator of Aida, a human-like artificial intelligence (Squadron Supreme #1, 1985)

Gene Colan: co-creator of the Kree depicted with blue skin (Captain Marvel #1, 1968)

Marc Sumerak: co-creator of Holden Radcliffe, a business executive interested in super-science, particularly robotics (Machine Teen #1, 2005)

Mike Hawthorne: co-creator of Holden Radcliffe, a business executive interested in super-science, particularly robotics (Machine Teen #1, 2005)

Gary Friedrich: co-creator of the Ghost Rider, a supernatural hero (Marvel Spotlight #5, 1972)

Felipe Smith: co-creator of Robbie Reyes, the Ghost Rider (All New Ghost Rider #1, 2014)

Tradd Moore: co-creator of Robbie Reyes, the Ghost Rider (All New Ghost Rider #1, 2014)

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (season 5) Creator Credits

The fifth season of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. spent a fair bit of time in space -- which is not where the show seems to be at its strongest. But still a strong season of television. This series has turned out to be much better than I ever assumed.

My full list of creator credits for the Marvel Cinematic Universe is located here.

 

Jack Kirby: co-creator of the Avengers, Earth's Mightiest Heroes (Avengers #1, 1963); of Captain America, Steve Rogers, legendary super-soldier of World War II; of the Red Skull, Captain America's wartime nemesis (Captain America Comics #1, 1941); of the Inhumans, a sub-species of humanity who possess superhuman abilities (Fantastic Four #45, 1965); of the Kree, an extraterrestrial race (Fantastic Four #64, 1967); of Loki, an Asgardian god and villain (Journey into Mystery #85, 1962); of the Absorbing Man, Carl Creel, a criminal with the power to absorb the properties of whatever he touches (Journey into Mystery #114, 1965); of Baron Wolfgang von Strucker, a German officer (Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos #5, 1964); of S.H.I.E.L.D., an international espionage agency; of Hydra, a terrorist army opposed to S.H.I.E.L.D. and their salute "Hail Hydra! Cut off the head and another shall take its place!"; of Life Model Decoys, lifelike androids built by S.H.I.E.L.D.; of the flying cars used by S.H.I.E.L.D.; of Tony Stark affiliated with S.H.I.E.L.D. (Strange Tales #135, 1965); of Jasper Sitwell, a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent who wears glasses (Strange Tales #144, 1966); of the Hydra logo, a skull atop octopus arms (Strange Tales #151, 1966); of Tony Stark, a brilliant inventor (Tales of Suspense #39, 1963); of the Cosmic Cube, a cube-shaped container of massive cosmic energies (Tales of Suspense #79, 1966); of extraterrestrial robots being sent to observe events on Earth (Thor #132, 1966); of the Kree responsible for creating the Inhumans; of the Terrigen Mist, superhuman crystals which grant the Inhumans their abilities (Thor #147, 1967)

Stan Lee: co-creator of the Avengers, Earth's Mightiest Heroes (Avengers #1, 1963); of the Inhumans, a sub-species of humanity who possess superhuman abilities (Fantastic Four #45, 1965); of the Kree, an extraterrestrial race (Fantastic Four #64, 1967); of Loki, an Asgardian god and villain (Journey into Mystery #85, 1962); of the Absorbing Man, Carl Creel, a criminal with the power to absorb the properties of whatever he touches (Journey into Mystery #114, 1965); of Baron Wolfgang von Strucker, a German officer (Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos #5, 1964); of S.H.I.E.L.D., an international espionage agency; of Hydra, a terrorist army opposed to S.H.I.E.L.D. and their salute "Hail Hydra! Cut off the head and another shall take its place!"; of Life Model Decoys, lifelike androids built by S.H.I.E.L.D.; of the flying cars used by S.H.I.E.L.D.; of Tony Stark affiliated with S.H.I.E.L.D. (Strange Tales #135, 1965); of Jasper Sitwell, a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent who wears glasses (Strange Tales #144, 1966); of the Hydra logo, a skull atop octopus arms (Strange Tales #151, 1966); of Tony Stark, a brilliant inventor (Tales of Suspense #39, 1963); of the Cosmic Cube, a cube-shaped container of massive cosmic energies (Tales of Suspense #79, 1966); of Glenn Talbot, an officer in the US Air Force who battles rogue superhumans (Tales to Astonish #61, 1964); of extraterrestrial robots being sent to observe events on Earth (Thor #132, 1966); of the Kree responsible for creating the Inhumans; of the Terrigen Mist, superhuman crystals which grant the Inhumans their abilities (Thor #147, 1967)

Bob Harras: co-creator of Al MacKenzie as an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. #1, 1989); of Werner von Strucker, the son of Baron Strucker who is used as a pawn by others because of his family's reputation (Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. #2, 1989); of Hydra taking over S.H.I.E.L.D. from within (Nick Fury vs. S.H.I.E.L.D. #1, 1988); of Aphonse "Al" MacKenzie, a spy affiliated with S.H.I.E.L.D. (Nick Fury vs. S.H.I.E.L.D. #3, 1988)

Roy Thomas: co-creator of Bobbi Morse's name (Astonishing Tales #8, 1971); of Bobbi Morse as an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Astonishing Tales #13, 1972); of Quinjets, the personal aircraft of the Avengers (Avengers #61, 1969); of the Kree depicted with blue skin (Captain Marvel #1, 1968); of the Ghost Rider, a supernatural hero (Marvel Spotlight #5, 1972); of the round eagle logo used by S.H.I.E.L.D. (Strange Tales #154, 1967)

Brian Michael Bendis: co-creator of Elena "Yo-Yo" Rodriguez, a superhuman ally of Daisy who has superhuman speed (Mighty Avengers #13, 2008); of Quake, Daisy JOhnson's codename (New Avengers #20, 2006); of Daisy Johnson, a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent with the superhuman power to control seismic energy; of Daisy's gloves used to help control her powers (Secret War #2, 2005)

Jonathan Hickman: co-creator of Hive, a parasite-like creature, infecting various people (Secret Warriors #2, 2009); of Yo-Yo Rodriguez having both of her hands cut off by agents of Hydra (Secret Warriors #3, 2009); of Yo-Yo Rodriguez using prosthetic hands (Secret Warriors #8, 2009); of Daniel Whitehall, an agent of Hydra (Secret Warriors #11, 2010)

Jim Steranko: creator of Baron Wolfgang von Strucker as supreme leader of Hydra (Strange Tales #155, 1967); of Hydra being a group which splintered out of Nazi Germany (Strange Tales #156, 1967); co-creator of the round eagle logo used by S.H.I.E.L.D. (Strange Tales #154, 1967); of the Hydra logo, a skull atop octopus arms (Strange Tales #151, 1966)

Gary Friedrich: co-creator of Bobbi Morse's name (Astonishing Tales #8, 1971); of the Red Skull funding the creation of Hydra (Captain America #148, 1972); of Lance Hunter, a British agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Captain Britain #19, 1977); of the Ghost Rider, a supernatural hero (Marvel Spotlight #5, 1972)

Stefano Caselli: co-creator of Hive, a parasite-like creature, infecting various people (Secret Warriors #2, 2009); of Yo-Yo Rodriguez having both of her hands cut off by agents of Hydra (Secret Warriors #3, 2009); of Daniel Whitehall, an agent of Hydra (Secret Warriors #11, 2010)

John Buscema: co-creator of Bobbi Morse as an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Astonishing Tales #13, 1972); of Quinjets, the personal aircraft of the Avengers (Avengers #61, 1969); of the Vrellnexians, an extraterrestrial insectoid race (Thor #212, 1973)

Sal Buscema: co-creator of Graviton, Franklin Hall, a Canadian scientist who experiments with the power to control Earth's gravity field (Avengers #158, 1977); of the Red Skull funding the creation of Hydra (Captain America #148, 1972)

Paul Neary: co-creator of Hydra taking over S.H.I.E.L.D. from within (Nick Fury vs. S.H.I.E.L.D. #1, 1988); of Aphonse "Al" MacKenzie, a spy affiliated with S.H.I.E.L.D. (Nick Fury vs. S.H.I.E.L.D. #3, 1988)

Dwayne McDuffie: co-creator of Deathlok working with S.H.I.E.L.D. (Deathlok #2, 1990); of Cybertek, a cybernetics firm which designs Deathlok as a living weapon (Marvel Comics Presents #62, 1990)

Jackson Guice: co-creator of Deathlok working with S.H.I.E.L.D. (Deathlok #2, 1990); of Cybertek, a cybernetics firm which designs Deathlok as a living weapon (Marvel Comics Presents #62, 1990)

Gabriele Dell'Otto: co-creator of Daisy Johnson, a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent with the superhuman power to control seismic energy; of Daisy's gloves used to help control her powers (Secret War #2, 2005)

Mike Friedrich: co-creator of Thanos, an extraterrestrial conqueror (Iron Man #55, 1973); of the S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy where agents are trained for the organization (Marvel Super Action #1, 1976)

Joe Simon: co-creator of Captain America, Steve Rogers, legendary super-soldier of World War II; of the Red Skull, Captain America's wartime nemesis (Captain America Comics #1, 1941)

Keith Pollard: co-creator of Werner von Strucker, the son of Baron Strucker who is used as a pawn by others because of his family's reputation (Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. #2, 1989)

Bob Hall: co-creator of Al MacKenzie as an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. #1, 1989); of Aida, a human-like artificial intelligence (Squadron Supreme #1, 1985)

Charles Soule: co-creator of Lash, an extremely powerful Inhuman (Inhuman #1, 2014); of Flint, a young Inhuman with the power to control rocks (Inhuman #3, 2014)

Joe Madureira: co-creator of Lash, an extremely powerful Inhuman (Inhuman #1, 2014); of Flint, a young Inhuman with the power to control rocks (Inhuman #3, 2014)

Rich Buckler: co-creator of Bobbie Morse as an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Astonishing Tales #13, 1972); of Deathlok, a cybernetic man (Astonishing Tales #25, 1974)

Jim Shooter: co-creator of Graviton, Franklin Hall, a Canadian scientist who experiments with the power to control Earth's gravity field (Avengers #158, 1977)

Mike Ploog: co-creator of the Ghost Rider, a supernatural hero (Marvel Spotlight #5, 1972)

Alex Maleev: co-creator of Elena "Yo-Yo" Rodriguez, a superhuman ally of Daisy who has superhuman speed (Mighty Avengers #13, 2008)

Gene Colan: co-creator of the Kree depicted with blue skin (Captain Marvel #1, 1968)

Alan Moore: co-creator of Earth referred to by the number "616" (Daredevils #7, 1983)

Alan Davis: co-creator of Earth referred to by the number "616" (Daredevils #7, 1983)

Herb Trimpe: co-creator of Lance Hunter, a British agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Captain Britain #19, 1977)

Alessandro Vitti: co-creator of Yo-Yo Rodriguez using prosthetic hands (Secret Warriors #8, 2009)

Marc Sumerak: co-creator of Holden Radcliffe, a business executive interested in super-science, particularly robotics (Machine Teen #1, 2005)

Mike Hawthorne: co-creator of Holden Radcliffe, a business executive interested in super-science, particularly robotics (Machine Teen #1, 2005)

Ray Gill: co-creator of the Patriot, Jeffrey Mace, a hero (Marvel Mystery Comics #21, 1941)

Art Gates: co-creator of the Patriot, Jeffery Mace, a hero (Marvel Mystery Comics #21, 1941)

Bart Sears: creator of Jeff Mace affiliated with S.H.I.E.L.D. (Blade: Vampire Hunter #3, 2000)

Mark Gruenwald: co-creator of Aida, a human-like artificial intelligence (Squadron Supreme #1, 1985)

Steve Ditko: co-creator of Glenn Talbot, an officer in the US Air Force who battles rogue superhumans (Tales to Astonish #61, 1964)

M. C. Wyman: co-creator of Rick Stoner, the original director of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Fury #1, 1994)

Barry Dutter: co-creator of Rick Stoner, the original director of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Fury #1, 1994)

Roger Stern: co-creator of the Fear Dimension, a plane of existence where all fear is manifest (Dr. Strange #32, 1978)

Alan Kupperberg: co-creator of the Fear Dimension, a plane of existence where all fear is manifest (Dr. Strange #32, 1978)

Doug Moench: co-creator of Deathlok, a cybernetic man (Astonishing Tales #25, 1974)

Frank Miller: co-creator of John Garrett, an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Elektra: Assassin #2, 1986)

Bill Sienkiewicz: co-creator of John Garrett, an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Elektra: Assassin #2, 1986)

David Gallaher: co-creator of Anton's mind occupying a Life Model Decoy body (Hulk: Winter Guard #1)

Steve Ellis: co-creator of Anton's mind occupying a Life Model Decoy body (Hulk: Winter Guard #1)

Jeph Loeb: co-creator of Anton, a Russian agent (Hulk #1, 2008)

Ed McGuinness: co-creator of Anton, a Russian agent (Hulk #1, 2008)

Howard Purcell: co-creator of Jasper Sitwell, a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent who wears glasses (Strange Tales #144, 1966)

George Evans: co-creator of the S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy where agents are trained for the organization (Marvel Super Action #1, 1976)

Ron Frenz: co-creator of the Absorbing Man working for Hydra (Captain America #24, 1999)

Tom DeFalco: co-creator of the Absorbing Man working for Hydra (Captain America #24, 1999)

Don Heck: co-creator of Tony Stark, a brilliant inventor (Tales of Suspense #39, 1963)

Larry Lieber: co-creator of Tony Stark, a brilliant inventor (Tales of Suspense #39, 1963)

Matt Fraction: co-creator of Daisy Johnson as a leader of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Battle Scars #6, 2012)

Cullen Bunn: co-creator of Daisy Johnson as a leader of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Battle Scars #6, 2012)

Chris Yost: co-creator of Daisy Johnson as a leader of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Battle Scars #6, 2012)

Scot Eaton: co-creator of Daisy Johnson as a leader of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Battle Scars #6, 2012)

Skip Dietz: co-creator of Maston-Dar, a Kree soldier who battles Inhumans (Inhumans: The Great Refuge #1, 1995)

Robert Brown: co-creator of Maston-Dar, a Kree soldier who battles Inhumans (Inhumans: The Great Refuge #1, 1995)

Jim Starlin: co-creator of Thanos, an extraterrestrial conqueror (Iron Man #55, 1973)

Kurt Busiek: co-creator of Graviton wearing a dark blue costume with three red circles across his chest (Thunderbolts #17, 1998)

Mark Bagley: co-creator of Graviton wearing a dark blue costume with three red circles across his chest (Thunderbolts #17, 1998)

Gerry Conway: co-creator of the Vrellnexians, an extraterrestrial insectoid race (Thor #212, 1973)

Arnold Drake: co-creator of Hala (Captain Marvel #8, 1968)

Don Heck: co-creator of Hala (Captain Marvel #8, 1968)

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (season 4) creator credits

By season 4 of the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. television series, I was beginning to think the show was running on fumes -- then in the second half they delivered a very strong storyline with LMDs. Good on them!

My full list of Marvel Cinematic Universe creator credits is housed here. Your corrections are most welcome!

Stan Lee: co-creator of the Avengers, a team of super heroes (Avengers #1, 1963); of Madame Hydra, a high-ranking female leader within Hydra clad in green with green-tinted hair (Captain America #110, 1969); of the Skrulls, the aliens who inspired the Chitauri (Fantastic Four #2, 1962); of the Inhumans, a sub-species of humanity who possess superhuman abilities (Fantastic Four #45, 1965); of the Kree, an extraterrestrial race (Fantastic Four #64, 1967); of Mister Hyde, Dr. Calvin Zabo, a criminal scientist who gains superhuman strength from a chemical formla (Journey into Mystery #99, 1963); of Nick Fury, a capable soldier; of the Howling Commandos, a World War II team of soldiers (Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos #1, 1963); of Eric Koenig, an ally of Nick Fury (Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos #27, 1966); of S.H.I.E.L.D., an international peacekeeping and espionage organization; of Life Model Decoys, S.H.I.E.L.D. technology used to create lifelike android replicas of agents; of Nick Fury as director of S.H.I.E.L.D.; of Hydra, a terrorist organization who battle S.H.I.E.L.D.; of Hydra's salute "Hail Hydra!" (Strange Tales #135, 1965); of the Hydra logo, a skull atop octopus arms (Strange Tales #151, 1966); of Iron Man, Tony Stark, a brilliant industrialist who wears advanced armor (Tales of Suspense #39, 1963); of Black Widow, Natasha Romanoff, a super-spy (Tales of Suspense #52, 1964); of Peggy Carter, intelligence operative and wartime love interest of Captain America (Tales of Suspense #75, 1966); of Glenn Talbot, an officer in the US Air Force who battles rogue superhumans (Tales to Astonish #61, 1964); of the Terrigen Mist, superhuman crystals which grant the Inhumans their abilities (Thor #146, 1967)

Jack Kirby: co-creator of the Avengers, a team of super heroes (Avengers #1, 1963); of Captain America, Steve Rogers, a patriotic World War II hero who gained his abilities from a Super-Soldier Serum; of Abraham Erskine, the inventor of the Super-Soldier Serum; of the Red Skull, a notorious Nazi agent (Captain America Comics #1, 1941); of the Skrulls, the aliens who inspired the Chitauri (Fantastic Four #2, 1962); of the Inhumans, a sub-species of humanity who possess superhuman abilities (Fantastic Four #45, 1965); of the Kree, an extraterrestrial race (Fantastic Four #64, 1967); of Mister Hyde, Dr. Calvin Zabo, a criminal scientist who gains superhuman strength from a chemical formla (Journey into Mystery #99, 1963); of Nick Fury, a capable soldier; of the Howling Commandos, a World War II team of soldiers (Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos #1, 1963); of S.H.I.E.L.D., an international peacekeeping and espionage organization; of Life Model Decoys, S.H.I.E.L.D. technology used to create lifelike android replicas of agents; of Nick Fury as director of S.H.I.E.L.D.; of Hydra, a terrorist organization who battle S.H.I.E.L.D.; of Hydra's salute "Hail Hydra!" (Strange Tales #135, 1965); of the Hydra logo, a skull atop octopus arms (Strange Tales #151, 1966); of Iron Man, Tony Stark, a brilliant industrialist who wears advanced armor (Tales of Suspense #39, 1963); of Black Widow, Natasha Romanoff, a super-spy (Tales of Suspense #52, 1964); of Peggy Carter, intelligence operative and wartime love interest of Captain America (Tales of Suspense #75, 1966); of the Terrigen Mist, superhuman crystals which grant the Inhumans their abilities (Thor #146, 1967)

Roy Thomas: co-creator of Bobbi Morse's name (Astonishing Tales #8, 1971); of Bobbi Morse as an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Astonishing Tales #13, 1972); of Ultron, the robotic enemy of the Avengers (Avengers #54, 1968); of Quinjets, the personal aircraft of the Avengers (Avengers #61, 1969); of the Ghost Rider, a human who becomes the Spirit of Vengeance, assuming the body of a fiery skeleton and imbuing his motorcycle with fiery tires and a fiery trail; of Ghost Rider using his poweres to target evil people; of Ghost Rider's leather jacket with rectangular stripes (Marvel Spotlight #5, 1972); of Jeffrey Mace aspiring to be like Captain America (What If? #4, 1977)

Brian Michael Bendis: co-creator of Victoria Hand, a S.H.I.E.L.D. officer (Dark Avengers #1, 2009); of Elena "Yo-Yo" Rodriguez, one of Daisy's fellow recruits with superhuman speed; of James, one of Daisy's fellow recruits, with the power to generate flames, including a fiery chain (Mighty Avengers #13, 2008); of Quake, Daisy JOhnson's codename (New Avengers #20, 2006); of Daisy Johnson, a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent with the superhuman power to control seismic energy; of Daisy's gloves used to help control her powers (Secret War #2, 2005)

Gary Friedrich: co-creator of Bobbi Morse's name (Astonishing Tales #8, 1971); of Eric Koenig as an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Captain America #146, 1972); of Lance Hunter, a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent (Captain Britain #19, 1977); of the Ghost Rider, a human who becomes the Spirit of Vengeance, assuming the body of a fiery skeleton and imbuing his motorcycle with fiery tires and a fiery trail; of Ghost Rider using his powers to target evil people; of Ghost Rider's leather jacket with rectangular stripes (Marvel Spotlight #5, 1972)

Felipe Smith: co-creator of Robbie Reyes, the Ghost Rider, a mechanic and resident of Los Angeles who transforms his Dodge Charger into his flaming vehicle, the Hell Charger; of Gabe Reyes, Robbie's wheelchair-bound younger brother; of Eli Morrow, Robbie's corrupt uncle who causes him to become possessed by the Ghost Rider; of Canelo, Robbie's employer; of Canelo's Auto and Body, where Robbie works as a mechanic (All New Ghost Rider #1, 2014)

Mike Ploog: co-creator of the Darkhold, the book of sins, a tome of mystical knowledge and spells which corrupts those who wield it (Marvel Spotlight #4, 1972); of the Ghost Rider, a human who becomes the Spirit of Vengeance, assuming the body of a fiery skeleton and imbuing his motorcycle with fiery tires and a fiery trail; of Ghost Rider using his powers to target evil people; of Ghost Rider's leather jacket with rectangular stripes (Marvel Spotlight #5, 1972)

Tradd Moore: co-creator of Robbie Reyes, the Ghost Rider, a mechanic resident of Los Angeles who transforms his Dodge Charger into his flaming vehicle, the Hell Charger; of Gabe Reyes, Robbie's wheelchair-bound younger brother; of Eli Morrow, Robbie's corrupt uncle who causes him to become possessed by the Ghost Rider; of Canelo, Robbie's employer; of Canelo's Auto and Body, where Robbie works as a mechanic (All New Ghost Rider #1, 2014)

Sal Buscema: co-creator of Eric Koenig as an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Captain America #146, 1972); of Peggy Carter's name (Captain America #162, 1973); of Peggy Carter as an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Captain America #169, 1974); of Roxxon Oil, a energy corporation with criminal intent (Captain America #180)

Mark Gruenwald: co-creator of the Watchdogs, an extremist militant conservative group who dress in body armor, carry rifles and threaten people who they believe are contrary to their ideals (Captain America #335, 1987); of Aida, a human-like artificial intelligence (Squadron Supreme #1, 1985)

Bob Harras: co-creator of Al MacKenzie as an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. #1, 1989); of Hydra taking over S.H.I.E.L.D. from within (Nick Fury vs. S.H.I.E.L.D. #1, 1988); of Aphonse "Al" MacKenzie, a spy affiliated with S.H.I.E.L.D. (Nick Fury vs. S.H.I.E.L.D. #3, 1988)

Jim Steranko: co-creator of Madame Hydra, a high-ranking female leader within Hydra clad in green with green-tinted hair (Captain America #110, 1969); of the Hydra logo, a skull atop octopus arms (Strange Tales #151, 1966); of the round eagle logo used by S.H.I.E.L.D. (Strange Tales #154, 1967)

Joe Simon: co-creator of Captain America, Steve Rogers, a patriotic World War II hero who gained his abilities from a Super-Soldier Serum; of Abraham Erskine, the inventor of the Super-Soldier Serum; of the Red Skull, a notorious Nazi agent (Captain America Comics #1, 1941)

Mark Millar: co-creator of S.H.I.E.L.D. overseeing the registration of the USA's superhuman population (Civil War #1, 2006); of the Triskelion, the fortress base of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Ultimates #1, 2002); of the Chitauri, an extraterrestrial race who invade the Earth (Ultimates #8, 2002)

Alex Maleev: co-creator of Elena "Yo-Yo" Rodriguez, one of Daisy's fellow recruits with superhuman speed; of James, one of Daisy's fellow recruits, with the power to generate flames, incluing a fiery chain (Mighty Avengers #13, 2008)

John Buscema: co-creator of Bobbi Morse as an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Astonishing Tales #13, 1972); of Ultron, the robotic enemy of the Avengers (Avengers #54, 1968); of Quinjets, the personal aircraft of the Avengers (Avengers #61, 1969)

Steve Englehart: co-creator of Peggy Carter's name (Captain America #162, 1973); of Peggy Carter as an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Captain America #169, 1974); of Roxxon Oil, a energy corporation with criminal intent (Captain America #180)

Dick Ayers: co-creator of Eric Koenig, an ally of Nick Fury (Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos #27, 1966); of Peggy Carter, intelligence operative and wartime love interest of Captain America (Tales of Suspense #75, 1966)

Gerry Conway: co-creator of Bobbi Morse, an adventurer (Astonishing Tales #6, 1971); of the Darkhold, the book of sins, a tome of mystical knowledge and spells which corrupts those who wield it (Marvel Spotlight #4, 1972)

Tom Morgan: co-creator of the Watchdogs, an extremist militant conservative group who dress in body armor, carry rifles and threaten people who they believe are contrary to their ideals (Captain America #335, 1987)

Don Heck: co-creator of Iron Man, Tony Stark, a brilliant industrialist who wears advanced armor (Tales of Suspense #39, 1963); of Black Widow, Natasha Romanoff, a super-spy (Tales of Suspense #52, 1964)

Paul Neary: co-creator of Hydra taking over S.H.I.E.L.D. from within (Nick Fury vs. S.H.I.E.L.D. #1, 1988); of Aphonse "Al" MacKenzie, a spy affiliated with S.H.I.E.L.D. (Nick Fury vs. S.H.I.E.L.D. #3, 1988)

Gabriele Dell'Otto: co-creator of Daisy Johnson, a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent with the superhuman power to control seismic energy; of Daisy's gloves used to help control her powers (Secret War #2, 2005)

Jonathan Hickman: co-creator of Hive, a parasite-like creature, infecting various people (Secret Warriors #2, 2009); of Daniel Whitehall, an agent of Hydra (Secret Warriors #11, 2010)

Stefano Caselli: co-creator of Hive, a parasite-like creature, infecting various people (Secret Warriors #2, 2009); of Daniel Whitehall, an agent of Hydra (Secret Warriors #11, 2010)

Bryan Hitch: co-creator of the Triskelion, the fortress base of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Ultimates #1, 2002); of the Chitauri, an extraterrestrial race who invade the Earth (Ultimates #8, 2002)

Bob Hall: co-creator of Al MacKenzie as an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. #1, 1989); of Aida, a human-like artificial intelligence (Squadron Supreme #1, 1985)

George Tuska: co-creator of Darkforce, a form of black energy which emerges from an alien dimension, has various uses including teleportation (Champions #7, 1976)

Bill Mantlo: co-creator of Darkforce, a form of black energy which emerges from an alien dimension, has various uses including teleportation (Champions #7, 1976)

Mike Deodato, Jr.: co-creator of Victoria Hand, a S.H.I.E.L.D. officer (Dark Avengers #1, 2009); of Quake, Daisy Johnson's codename (New Avengers #20, 2006)

Marc Sumerak: co-creator of Holden Radcliffe, a business executive interested in super-science, particularly robotics (Machine Teen #1, 2005)

Mike Hawthorne: co-creator of Holden Radcliffe, a business executive interested in super-science, particularly robotics (Machine Teen #1, 2005)

Ray Gill: co-creator of the Patriot, Jeffrey Mace, a hero who wears a blue costume with an eagle wing chest emblem (Marvel Mystery Comics #21, 1941)

Art Gates: co-creator of the Patriot, Jeffery Mace, a hero who wears a blue costume with an eagle wing chest emblem (Marvel Mystery Comics #21, 1941)

Bart Sears: creator of Jeff Mace affiliated with S.H.I.E.L.D. (Blade: Vampire Hunter #3, 2000)

Olivier Coipel: co-creator of humans affected by terrigen transforming from within a coccoon (Inhumanity #1, 2013)

Matt Fraction: co-creator of humans affected by terrigen transforming from within a coccoon (Inhumanity #1, 2013)

Steve Ditko: co-creator of Glenn Talbot, an officer in the US Air Force who battles rogue superhumans (Tales to Astonish #61, 1964)

Steve McNiven: co-creator of S.H.I.E.L.D. overseeing the registration of the USA's superhuman population (Civil War #1, 2006)

Scott Edelman: co-creator of Life Model Decoys turning rogue and replacing S.H.I.E.L.D. agents with their own duplicates (Defenders #54, 1977)

Juan Ortiz: co-creator of Life Model Decoys turning rogue and replacing S.H.I.E.L.D. agents with their own duplicates (Defenders #54, 1977)

Howard Mackie: co-creator of Ghost Rider wielding a chain as his weapon (Ghost Rider #1, 1990)

Javier Saltares: co-creator of Ghost Rider wielding a chain as his weapon (Ghost Rider #1, 1990)

Frank Robbins: co-creator of Jeffrey Mace aspiring to be like Captain America (What If? #4, 1977)

David Gallaher: co-creator of Anton's mind occupying a Life Model Decoy body (Hulk: Winter Guard #1)

Steve Ellis: co-creator of Anton's mind occupying a Life Model Decoy body (Hulk: Winter Guard #1)

Larry Lieber: co-creator of Iron Man, Tony Stark, a brilliant industrialist who wears advanced armor (Tales of Suspense #39, 1963)

Herb Trimpe: co-creator of Bobbi Morse's name (Astonishing Tales #8, 1971); of Lance Hunter, a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent (Captain Britain #19, 1977)

Rich Buckler: co-creator of Bobbi Morse as an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Astonishing Tales #13, 1972)

Barry Windsor-Smith: co-creator of Bobbi Morse, an adventurer (Astonishing Tales #6, 1971)

Don Rico: co-creator of Black Widow, Natasha Romanoff, a super-spy (Tales of Suspense #52, 1964)

Christos N. Gage: co-creator of Madame Hydra's real name, Ophelia (Iron Man: Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. Annual #1, 2008)

Harvey Tolibad: co-creator of Madame Hydra's real name, Ophelia (Iron Man: Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. Annual #1, 2008)

Frank Miller: co-creator of John Garrett, an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Elektra: Assassin #2, 1986)

Bill Sienkiewicz: co-creator of John Garrett, an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Elektra: Assassin #2, 1986)

Jeph Loeb: co-creator of Anton, a Russian agent (Hulk #1, 2008)

Ed McGuinness: co-creator of Anton, a Russian agent (Hulk #1, 2008)

New Black Panther essay at Sequart

My 2nd Black Panther essay is now available at Sequart! This one continues the subject of white privilege in Christopher Priest's Black Panther by looking at Hunter, the White Wolf.

Humor profiles at the Marvel Appendix!

My friends at the Marvel Appendix are currently hosting a special humor event, featuring profiles of characters from various humorous titles throughout Marvel Comics history.

My own contributions went up today: The Imp, Little Hercules, Stuporman and Super Baby! It's a fun little event and I hope you enjoy the profiles!