Marvel Summer Updates
Shenell Logan 23' Staff Writer
Summer is quickly approaching and with that, there is a new batch of Marvel content for fans and newcomers alike. As a Marvel fan since 2012, I am always excited to watch anything that Marvel has to offer. Unfortunately, phase four of Marvel’s projects has been an up and down journey. Phase four has brought unusual and confused disappointment for me and many fans alike, and I fear that Marvel may start to lose their iron grip on the film industry.
Although, the MCU may have its saving grace coming soon. Thor: Love and Thunder will be released this summer on July 8th, 2022. It will be directed by Taika Waititi, the same person who directed the beloved Thor: Ragnarok. Waititi’s excellent re-characterization of Thor’s character as a whole and his decision to take a more comedic approach to Thor: Ragnarok may have essentially saved Thor’s trilogy and his almost boring personality. Fans have the utmost faith in Thor: Love and Thunder being one of the few fulfilling films we’ve received since the end of the Infinity Saga. The film’s teaser trailer was unveiled on April 18th, 2022 and boy, did it give fans what they wanted. The teaser featured Thor himself along with the refreshingly clownish team, the Guardians of the Galaxy; a team I have been desperately wanting to see ever since Avengers: Infinity War. Fans were also given their first showing of the highly anticipated character, Lady Thor, aka Jane Foster. Her confirmation in the teaser trailer began a wildfire on social media with excitement spreading within everyone. I have very high hopes for Thor: Love and Thunder and its promising revival of the second half of phase 4.
Along with Thor: Love and Thunder, there are two other projects arriving this summer to Disney+. The first show, Ms. Marvel will be released on June 8th, 2022, with the second show, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, being released on August 17th, 2022. Ms. Marvel’s trailer was released by Marvel on March 15th, 2022, but I have yet to feel, see, or hear any real buzz about the show despite its looming premiere date. It was like the trailer was released, people saw it, gave their opinions on it and then it was forgotten. Fans know that the show is coming out very soon, but so far the discourse has been minimal. I must say that I am very disappointed that the powers of Kamala Khan, aka Ms. Marvel, have been changed. I understand the need to follow the multiversal theme of phase 4, but the original abilities of Ms. Marvel and how she acquires them are important to her overall character. It will be interesting to see how Marvel deals with balancing the new powers and the basis of her comic character.
Now, with She-Hulk… it definitely does look entertaining. It was nice to see Bruce Banner again after his weird cameo in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. But I can’t say that the trailer, which was released on May 17th, 2022, did Jennifer Walters, aka She-Hulk, any justice. The CGI for the character is close to the worst I’ve ever seen, not just from the MCU, but from my entire film and TV show watching experience. I was actually stunned at how unfinished and lazily done it appeared. This can’t possibly be the final product… Can it? For an official trailer, She-Hulk really set my expectations very low. I don’t feel invested in her story at all and the horrible CGI makes me want to forget I ever watched it. My opinion wouldn’t be as harsh if this were a teaser trailer, but this is an official trailer and this is what we get?
Marvel certainly seems like they want to introduce a new round of characters, which is completely fine, if done right. So far, it has been a messy and underwhelming ride. There doesn’t seem to be a clear direction as to where the MCU storyline is going, which is ultimately frustrating and hard to watch. Hopefully this summer we will all be able to indulge in some entertaining and worthwhile MCU content despite the Marvel community's worries.
Although, the MCU may have its saving grace coming soon. Thor: Love and Thunder will be released this summer on July 8th, 2022. It will be directed by Taika Waititi, the same person who directed the beloved Thor: Ragnarok. Waititi’s excellent re-characterization of Thor’s character as a whole and his decision to take a more comedic approach to Thor: Ragnarok may have essentially saved Thor’s trilogy and his almost boring personality. Fans have the utmost faith in Thor: Love and Thunder being one of the few fulfilling films we’ve received since the end of the Infinity Saga. The film’s teaser trailer was unveiled on April 18th, 2022 and boy, did it give fans what they wanted. The teaser featured Thor himself along with the refreshingly clownish team, the Guardians of the Galaxy; a team I have been desperately wanting to see ever since Avengers: Infinity War. Fans were also given their first showing of the highly anticipated character, Lady Thor, aka Jane Foster. Her confirmation in the teaser trailer began a wildfire on social media with excitement spreading within everyone. I have very high hopes for Thor: Love and Thunder and its promising revival of the second half of phase 4.
Along with Thor: Love and Thunder, there are two other projects arriving this summer to Disney+. The first show, Ms. Marvel will be released on June 8th, 2022, with the second show, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, being released on August 17th, 2022. Ms. Marvel’s trailer was released by Marvel on March 15th, 2022, but I have yet to feel, see, or hear any real buzz about the show despite its looming premiere date. It was like the trailer was released, people saw it, gave their opinions on it and then it was forgotten. Fans know that the show is coming out very soon, but so far the discourse has been minimal. I must say that I am very disappointed that the powers of Kamala Khan, aka Ms. Marvel, have been changed. I understand the need to follow the multiversal theme of phase 4, but the original abilities of Ms. Marvel and how she acquires them are important to her overall character. It will be interesting to see how Marvel deals with balancing the new powers and the basis of her comic character.
Now, with She-Hulk… it definitely does look entertaining. It was nice to see Bruce Banner again after his weird cameo in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. But I can’t say that the trailer, which was released on May 17th, 2022, did Jennifer Walters, aka She-Hulk, any justice. The CGI for the character is close to the worst I’ve ever seen, not just from the MCU, but from my entire film and TV show watching experience. I was actually stunned at how unfinished and lazily done it appeared. This can’t possibly be the final product… Can it? For an official trailer, She-Hulk really set my expectations very low. I don’t feel invested in her story at all and the horrible CGI makes me want to forget I ever watched it. My opinion wouldn’t be as harsh if this were a teaser trailer, but this is an official trailer and this is what we get?
Marvel certainly seems like they want to introduce a new round of characters, which is completely fine, if done right. So far, it has been a messy and underwhelming ride. There doesn’t seem to be a clear direction as to where the MCU storyline is going, which is ultimately frustrating and hard to watch. Hopefully this summer we will all be able to indulge in some entertaining and worthwhile MCU content despite the Marvel community's worries.
