Between the Panels

In the last couple of months, I, like so many others, have been completely swept away with the game taking the online competitive hero shooter world by storm, Marvel Rivals . I mean, how could I not! With solid gameplay, beautiful art direction, and so much care and attention to detail, the obvious love and admiration the developers have for the characters and their source materials makes this humble comic book nerdy giddy with glee. I fought my way through to Diamond rank in season zero, and am hoping I can hit Grandmaster this season, shouting many a loud “AGAIN!” as my main man, James Buchanan “Bucky” Barnes , aka The Winter Soldier , busts out DPS like the Juggernaut busts through walls. Now, while ol’ Buchanan (as I affectionately refer to him) may be my main, I’ve been very conscious to ensure I’m not locked into him being the only character I can contribute to a team with. My heals with Luna Snow , or combo heals and DPS (damage per second) with Cloak and Dagger make for an e...

We look up to our heroes, right? That's what we are supposed to do; I mean that's what they are there for isn't it? They are the ones that are supposed to be the gleaming example of how we can conquer over the dark times in our life. Heroes are supposed to be the ones that challenge us in our core to level up past what we are facing. Wow, start off on a positive note why don't ya; am I right? But, I think there is something to be ask here on what happens to us when our heroes fail? What happens to our core when we have someone that we look up to that lets us down or does something that breaks our faith in them? Really, it's devastating.... You're whole world feels like it is shook and you can feel directionless. The game  Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League hits this idea further, when you play as a villain and you are needing to take down heroes (Batman, Superman, The Flash, etc.) because they have been corrupted and are destroying the world. Like, that...

If you have been following Star Wars content since 2019, you have likely heard of the series The Mandalorian . Some people have mixed reviews on the latest content, but I want to get into what has become The Mandalorian's most iconic line " This is the way ". Within the series, you find out that the Mandalorians were a group of people who had been eradicated by the Empire for their precious metals to make weapons and use for currency.  One of the things that added to the Mandalorian culture was their strict adherence to certain rules, which acted as a pathway for them in all that they did.  This path would often be affirmed with other Mandalorians in the uttering "This is the way". Part of these tenants was not removing your helmet, devotion to family and the Mandalorian race, as well as being prepared as one global warrior clan.  The Way was something that was taught at birth and driven to the very identity of your being. The most notable marking of a Mandalor...

Having kids and being a nerd are fuel for some really fun and crazy events in our home.  Just this weekend I was able to watch Teen Titans with my kiddos and we get quite invested in the characters.  My daughter in particular was moved emotionally when Raven was feeling powerless and on her own in one of the episodes.  More than just intense entertainment that my kids connect with, it stirs into the hearts of  kids' imagination and sense of wonder .  Mark, my son, loves Spider-Man! For a time his adoration of the wall crawling hero encouraged his imagination to create his own version of Spidey and would lead to awesome chats about what super powers he wished he had.  The cool thing about those chats is that it shows me a heart that sees a world of possibilities; a world of awe and wonder.  I know as a kid, and maybe more recently than that, if I found a cardboard tube, I almost always transformed into a Jedi with a lightsaber ready to battle an evil ...

If you are a 90's kid, like me, or love playing older games for fun you might have a twinge go up your back when you hear the phrase " Hey, listen! " However, if you are not familiar with this and are questioning my sanity (thank you btw), I am referring to Navi , the blue fairy that follows Link around in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time videogame.  Navi acts as a navigational guide and if you need some redirection you would hear the prompted phrase previously mentioned.  At first it is kind of cute, but it can get irritating when you get distracted with side missions/quests, as we all do. Ultimately though, Navi is there for your progression in the game and supporting you in your journey . At times when you need that direction, Navi can be a big help. We can be a lot like Link when we are starting out our journey in faith.  We are primed for adventure and ready to make an impact in the world, we have this voice/partner in the journey like Navi: the Holy Spirit ( ...