So, is 2016 the year of “The Super-Hero” in regards to cinema? With six films slated, are we expanding the comic universe for better or for worse? First and foremost, lets differentiate the DC and Marvel realms into a pro and con faction. Then lets delve into the styles of each brand, to distinguish if each version is over-saturated or properly immersed with proper substance.

Starting off with DC, the irony is that for years Marvel was considered to be the genre that deployed characters who were social misfits, and not necessarily accepted by society. DC comics depicted the heroes to be envisioned as immortal Gods, but the movies in this case are subtly reversed. While the Marvel movies do showcase their heroes being flawed, such as Tony Starks PTSD, or Scott Lang being an ex-con trying to support his daughter, there still is an element of cartoonist caricatures. DC inserts gritty darkness such as Superman being labeled as an omnipotent threat, or the Suicide Squad bringing out the worst in humans to “get the job done.” Regardless, lets start off with Dawn of Justice, and Suicide Squad. Can these two entities thrive in this cinematic bloodbath while competing against four other Marvel films.

Dawn of Justice: March, 2016
Pro: We have established in other article renditions that the dynamic between Batman and Superman stems from a clash of the titans perspective. Two separate warriors that fight for the same cause, but take separate roads in defining their proposed endgame. While Batman in this case plays a world weary being, Superman is depicted in the early stages of gaining societies trust. What makes this so fascinating is that while the forces of evil are bound to cause chaos, the issue is the way in which two forces such as Superman and Batman cause a complex ripple of agreement that often make us question what being “good” really is? Can two sides of the same coin coexist, or properly align a balance to uphold justice? This cataclysm may ignite a fuse similar to that of Marvels Civil War, but making it unique in which the battle is from the perspective of two super-heroes that surpass forces of nature. A civil war not by the governments terms, but by the powers that which override mere mortals.

Con: Does over-saturation become a boiling point that takes away from proper character development? With Wonder-Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg, and the Flash rumored to take part in the shared DC world, this may leave a limitation to a full spectrum of a characters full potential. Rather than place them into separate entities first in order to see their full dynamics, they are merged under one title. I only hope this does not go in vain.

Suicide Squad: August 2016
Pro: It is often rare when the “anti-hero” is taken from the panels and placed onto the big screen. With exceptions like The Punisher, there are not many “expendable” characters utilized for extreme cases beyond that of the super-hero. What puts this film on a whole different level, is the human condition of not helping ourselves in liking an aspect of at least one Suicide Squad member. We acknowledge that they are the ones we would not want to be, but we must confess that we enjoy the dirty work that others will not do. Thus, the ensemble piece done here provides layers of evil that has the audience root for the most “sympathetic” or most daring member within the team. This causes more questioning unlike anything we have ever discussed. Is Killer Croc a misunderstood monster? Is Deadshot a criminal making sacrifices for his family? Is Harley Quinn just a socio-path we can’t help but sadistically fall in love with? Lets be honest, who doesn’t want to see The Joker being as sick as he is in order to lay all the cards out on the table. This is a mission that obviously might cause casualties, and like Agatha Christie’s “And Then There Were None” who will be left standing?

Con: Will there be character development at all? Is it possible that substance can be replaced, only leaving this film with no goals to be met? In other words, will this turn out to be like 1997’s Steel, or Catwoman (2004) and Elektra (2005), failed attempts at spin-offs. Lets be honest, we just don’t know, so lets hope we don’t end up on the path of 1984’s Supergirl. I’m just saying…..

Now, shifting over to Marvel and heading over to phase 2, what can we expect? Lets start off with….

X-Men: Apocalypse May, 2016
Pro: With Days of Future past correcting and redeeming the time and continuity of the X-Men franchise, what can we expect? Perhaps with time moving forward, and this version taking place in the 1980’s, we can gain more development with the insertion of Cyclops, Storm, and Jean Grey. Better yet, maybe we can finally gain some justification with Psylocke and Jubilee, along with bringing Night-Crawler back to the fold. It makes me wonder if En Sabah Nur will be a one-off character or not. With that said, perhaps we may have future potential for an Age of Apocalypse time line, where an all out altered state of reality puts mutants in jeopardy. Days of Future past already established an altered time line, but perhaps Apocalypse can cause his vile grasp to make his parallel universe a permanent one. Plus with word on a Fantastic Four/X-Men Crossover, perhaps X-men can evolve within their own pocket-universe with other forms of super-beings. Fingers crossed…..

Con: Lets not beat around the bush with Apocalypse looking like Ivan Ooze from Power Rangers. Unless that is just one rendition of his evolutionary stage, lets hope that image does not end there. Regardless, the X-Men series never went full throttle with spin-off movies with the exception of Wolverine and Deadpool (see below). At least they know the meaning of ensemble and that team films are not necessarily meant to be broken off into different sects…..

Deadpool: February, 2016.
Pro: What is there not to say? Spinning out of the X-Men universe, we might actually get the Deadpool we all were waiting for so patiently. With the crazy charisma of Ryan Reynolds, in conjunction with a R-rated setting that has our favorite mental-case breaking the 4th wall, have we ever seen a spin-off that was fully prepped to manifest the best of its fruition? With Marvels first R-Rates flick, its possible that Reynolds redemption from a poor attempt with Green Lantern, to a character he was born to play, might just get it right this time. Maybe this can be the stand-in that will replace the “milked” Wolverine films. Saying that, how do we feel about Logan and Wade crossing paths?

Con: Can all the rated R hype, over-estimate Deadpool? Lets be honest, Wade Wilson was always a crazy merc, but not the Merc With a Mouth we all know. He was not always that same anti-hero leeping beyond the panels, but an ex-millitary villain just looking for his next pay-day. So lets hope we just don’t get this generic side to Mr. Deadpool. First person to prove me wrong, gets a Chimichang.

Captain America: Civil War May, 2016
Pro: With hints of Stark and Rogers arguing over the contemplation of taking responsibility, and Cap discussing the fall of democracy in Winter-Soldier, the Captain America movies at this rate just keep getting better and better. SPOILER: With a cameo at the end credits of Ant-Man reuniting Cap, Falcon, and Bucky with hints of joining forces with Scott Lang, we can see factions beginning to take formation. The irony is a military man breaking orders for a cause greater then those that make the laws, indicating a fight for the people who live under the powers that be. With Black Panther taking place, most likely because of the destruction of Wakanda (probably representing the registration act at this point), and Spider-Man finally taking his rightful place in the shared Marvel cinematic universe, this can branch off into so much potential of secondary characters. The question is, which side will fall and which will remain? I for one see this as a harsher backlash then the Infinity Gauntlet…..
Con: I am not even gonna try at this point…..

Doctor Strange: November, 2016
The pro’s and Con’s of Stephen Strange stem from those who have held his story within their grasp. The only live adaptation we had was a made for TV 1978 version. Although it had a low budget, it actually had quite the serious tone. You see, Doctor strange is rare in which rather than gain meta-human abilities through radioactivity, evolutionary mutation, or through an alien artifact, Dr.Strange dives into the occult. The occult can be fascinating by combining spirituality with complex themes of magic and science. Dr. Strange can surprise us with alternate dimensions that surpass our minds wildest dreams and aspirations. Taking us on a journey that goes beyond the realm of mere mortals, and into a plane of existence that cannot contain human stability, this Sorcerer Supereme is a great indication of how for countless centuries people pushed their minds far beyond their deepest potential. This problem comes from Dr.Strange never really holding single issue comics for an extensive periods of time. So like its comic book counter part, will Dr.Strange be one of those exceptions like the Blade trilogy that actually out does its source material, or can it takes us beyond leaps and bound.

Gambit: October 7th, 2015:

Now, how can we forget our favorite Cajun thief from New Orleans, Louisiana? Nick named “Le Diable Blanc” (The White Devil), Remy “Gambit” LeBeau represents a character stemming from a shade of gray. With his suave French accent, savate martial arts ability, and kinetic energy blasts, this mutant depicts the bad boy that all fan-boys want to be, and all fan-girls want. Giving X-Men fans a near heart attack, rumors speculated that Channing Tatum pulled out of the Gambit Spin-off, but when confirmation hit that Tatum came into terms with Fox, and that Rise of the Planet of the Apes director Rupert Wyatt agreed to direct, the buzz came in. Although, Wolverine always took the spot for having a huge demand in regards to a solo-journey, it was a proper depiction of Gambit that folks always had such great aspirations for. Representing the “Thieves Guild Clan”, Gambit was a mutant shrouded in mystery. One never knew if he was a loyal warrior, or manipulative survivalist to the X-Men. After all, the intrigue was never knowing his next motivation in regards to his end-game. Making his debut in Uncanny X-Men #266 (1990), Gambit always embarked on controversial adventures from siding with Mr.Sinister, to becoming a key “witness” to an alternate timeline. Either way, with a disappointing depiction from actor Taylor Kitsch playing Gambit in Wolverine: Origins, can Tatum do justification to this former Horseman of Death? Well if Bryan Singer can bring X-Men back from the depths of obscurity, lets see what “Magic Mike” can bring to the table.

Thus, with this battle royal of Super-Hero movies, will 2016 reach a boiling point that burns the unique wonder of super-hero archetypes, or will it evolve to a never ending trend of fandom?

By: Adam Vega