Normally, these Retro Reviews we look at a single thing, most often a single issue of a comic, and then break it down. We look at the actual story, toss in a bit of historical context, and finally a whole lot of my personal experience with that comic (or movie, etc.). This is different. Today there is really no review, but it’s all about Avengers: Infinity War.
I had notes written for a typical comic book retro review, looking at a specific issue of Tales of Suspense. I’ll get to that at some point in the future, as it kind of sort of relates to Infinity War, but as I said today is all about the movie that’s been playing in a loop since we went to Target yesterday. Another quick aside, I could watch this movie over and over, it ranks up there with only a handful of films such as The Empire Strikes Back.
Now go back with me if you will. It’s 1992, the X-Men cartoon is THE BEST SHOW ON TELEVISION and the prior year, wielding the massive power of the Infinity Gauntlet, Thanos is destroying the Universe. Then Infinity War ratcheted up the crazy. 1992 was a hell of a year to be 10. Between repeated viewings of Empire Strikes Back (recorded of the network broadcast on VHS with commercial breaks when I forgot to hit the pause button), I’d read these universe-destroying Marvel stories (DC as well, but that’s not the focus today).
I sought Marvel in other media. Thankfully, Saturday morning at 11:00 AM I could watch X-Men: The Animated Series. In all honesty, it is probably still the best X-Men adaptation to date. However, like everyone I wanted live action. I’d read the casting call section in Wizard and dream.
What I thought I’d get? Something akin to The Punisher or Captain America films that came out in the late 80s and early 90s (click the links to read detailed breakdowns of each). Watching them now, they’re quite terrible, but as a kid I thought they were great. I thought that’s all I’d ever get, that and the Hulk crossover TV movie specials of the same era.
I would never have believed you were you to tell me that I’d be watching Infinity War as the Marvel movie to end all Marvel movies. Like the best comic book crossovers, it expects that you know the characters. Therefore it gives them little moments that make you feel and then a whole lot of excitement and action. Infinity War is exactly that. Were I to watch this without the context of nearly 20 other movies, I’d probably be lost, but I am a fan. I’ve spent my entire life with these characters, I know them, I love some, despise others, and now I get to hang out with them. Thanks, Marvel. I’d be happy to advise on how to handle the X-Men now with that Thanos-like purchase of Fox.
Josiah Golojuh is a writer, who still doesn’t believe Infinity War exists as a movie (find his collection of short stories here), he’s also a YouTube commentator (where among other things he talks about mighty Marvel).