A terrifying story of bodily possession, invasion, and alien menaces! It's a pity THAT story couldn't be the plot for this one.
NOTE: This episode, due to its length and because it's in HD, is also available in standard definition and a version split into two parts.
HD Version:
SD:
SPLIT PART ONE:
SPLIT PART TWO:
Monday, October 24, 2011
Spider-Man: Planet of the Symbiotes
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250 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 250 of 250First thought: Wow.
I'm not really up on Pokemon lore, so I can't comment on the Missing Number bit, but I am impressed at how well 90's Kid was handled. You told us that he was much more than he appeared ("wysiwyg-- or is it?") but it wasn't clear if his Hidden Depths would make him the hero or the villain. I guess we know now (and we also have a pretty good idea about the origin of BL 90's Kid).
Also, I have to comment on your acting. You can really bring it when you want to. While we only saw a little of Entity Kid, he was distinct from your other characters.
Finally, for anyone reading this: the last scene in much creepier if it is viewed in full screen.
So, did you plan this twist from the beginning, or were you serious when you said, months ago, that someday you were going to just take fan speculation and run with it?
"So, did you plan this twist from the beginning, or were you serious when you said, months ago, that someday you were going to just take fan speculation and run with it?"
Planned from the beginning. Haven't decided when to do that idea. XD
I was actually kind of upset that so many fans managed to decipher the poem and figure out some of the clues.
Flipping brilliant - who else would ever have thought to write a villain storyline around a freaking pokemon glitch. I bow to you sir.
"I was actually kind of upset that so many fans managed to decipher the poem and figure out some of the clues."
It's ok Linkara. I'm sure lots of people didn't notice the clues or figured it out. Besides, even if they did figure it out, it's clear they were still very impressed with the reveal.
I have to admit I was ultimately disapointed in the revelation of what the entity was. A pokemon, and here's my problem, this a comic book review show, and I expecting the clues to lead to something comic book related. I mean I looked trough previous episodes multiple times hoping to find out what the damn poem meant from the comics you read from Star Trek Elite Force to now. So having the big villain be a non-comic background was a big let down.
Hey Linkara? You don't have to post up this comment if you dont want to, as long as you read the message.
Some people might not know who MissingNo is, so would you be able to explain it in your next video?
"I was actually kind of upset that so many fans managed to decipher the poem and figure out some of the clues."
Mysteries aren't defined by how hard they are to solve. They're defined not simply by being solvable, but also by the entertainment (suspense, terror, anger, surprise, etc.) a reader gains from the tale.
It doesn't matter whether or not they themselves could solve it on their own: it's the journey to reach the answer that makes it worth while.
While not all the questions can or may be answered, there has to be some resolution to the story, otherwise the readers have just been trolled.
You sir, are no troll.
This has to be your most longest episode yet and I am still amazed you got this done in like a week, seriously takes me a week to do a 5-10 minute video 0_o.
Ok I thought you review was fair and was well done as per usual, I agree there were some good ideas but it just was really poorly executed mayhaps if they thought more on how to make the idea more tension heavy and epic, it could have been interesting read but also kept consistenty in how the Symbiotes worked heck even give certain types of Symbiotes some unique characteristics/abilities might have spiced things up.
Also very great way to end the video on it just goes to show its always the ones you least suspect, though I had my suspicions since keeping close eye on characters and stories and reviewing villains for a long while I tend to have my theories to many possible situations that may arise. Great work and keep it up Linkara ^_^.
"Some people might not know who MissingNo is, so would you be able to explain it in your next video?"
Already planned on doing so. ^_^
"I have to admit I was ultimately disapointed in the revelation of what the entity was. A pokemon, and here's my problem, this a comic book review show, and I expecting the clues to lead to something comic book related. I mean I looked trough previous episodes multiple times hoping to find out what the damn poem meant from the comics you read from Star Trek Elite Force to now. So having the big villain be a non-comic background was a big let down."
Well, I'm sorry you're disappointed. However, it should be noted that MissingNo. ISN'T a Pokemon, it's a glitch. And in this case, I've transformed it into a legend and otherworldy entity beyond its humble beginnings - so much so that it pretty much is far beyond what it began as.
I do, however, agree that there's a stunning lack of comic book-related enemies and mythos in a show about comic books, and I do intend to rectify that with some long-term storyline stuff next year that I plan to do. I would argue, though, that most of the villains of the show are already not related directly any specific comic book or the like and instead Atop the Fourth Wall can expand into geekery and nerd-related subjects across the board, with comic books simply being the main focus, since in comic books we find every genre and material usually ofund in other mediums (movie tie-ins, toy tie-ins, TV tie-ins, etc.).
"This has to be your most longest episode yet and I am still amazed you got this done in like a week, seriously takes me a week to do a 5-10 minute video 0_o."
Well, I should note that I recorded the storyline parts muuuch earlier this month - all the bits for this episode and the next were recorded in four hours one night and since I was the only one there (the stuff with Liz was recorded a little later) it made it easier to go straight through without interruption.
And even then, it took me three years to get to the point where I'm confident that I could hammer out a complete episode in four days (one writing, one filming, two editing), and even then I struggle with some steps along the way.
"Also, does this mean that you have access to infinite rare candies now?"
forget the candies, get the Master Ball!
When you have your final showdown with the Entity (assuming you have one; I'm not sure HOW exactly you can beat it), please have a Theme Music Power Up moment. That would be awesome.
Also, were all of those anonymous comments with lines of the poem and garbled messages, mp3 files, and that twitter account belonging to Harvey all part of the plot, or were they just some fan screwing with us? What about the Codex to that Brotherhood thing (can't remember the name of it)? If they were part of the plot, why did you keep denying it both on the blog and on your twitter account, considering those are usually posts made out of character?
There was also a couple comments actually signed "The Entity."
...You know, I think this video has more comments than any other videos on your blog.
I'm personally still wondering how MissingNo ties into when it first appeared, when he did the Star Trek Elite Force comic.
There's actually something Im curious about. If you're the only one left in the world, then technically who would you to speaking to in your next review?
Maybe you can say its like giving a message to anyone that may still be around on the planet.
Intriguing stuff. I'm not big on Pokemon so literally the only knowledge of Missingno. I had before I looked it all up like five seconds ago was the brief mention in the Dark Knight Strikes Again #2 review. But hey, the clues were all there, so I'll bite.
I guess I'll take this opportunity, then, as a big ol' Spidey fanboy, to throw out a few of my thoughts about Venom and Carnage, mainly as many of them run sort of conuter to Linkara's, while the subject is open. While I personally always liked the design and menace of Venom (go, Todd McFarlane), I've always felt he was absolutely wretched as a character, with only the flimsiest and most convoluted of backstories.
The details of Eddie Brock's history with Spider-Man are that Brock was a newspaper reporter who thought he'd gotten the confession on a serial killer called the Sin-Eater, who'd been appearing in the Spider-Man books at the time, when in reality he'd interviewed the killer's paranoid schizophrenic neighbor. This was exposed when Spider-Man caught the real killer hours after Brock's story with the "confession" was published, and Brock was disgraced. Being a complete clueless moron, Brock blamed Spider-Man for ruining his career, rather than the more likely fact that he was just a piss-poor journalist.
It seemed a tremendous leap in logic that Eddie Brock would go from suicidal and then homicidal over Spider-Man, all over something that was clearly his own fault. There's tons of potential there for character bits - while it could be argued that the symbiote was what truly drove him to want to kill, that it was feeding his hatred to suit it's own ends, or that maybe Brock was just too dumb to realize it was all his own doing - the problem I always had was: Nobody ever called him on it! For years, even going back to his first appearance in ASM #300, Brock's backstory has always been portrayed sympathetically. That's why the character never resonated with me. I found him to ultimately be a self-pitying, whiny bitch who really had no one to blame for his misfortune but himself. No Spidey writer even attempted to explore this until Paul Jenkins finally did SIXTEEN years Later in the Great Spectacular Spider-Man story "The Hunger:"
Spidey:
"...where do you attach the blame, Eddie? How come it's gotta be someone's fault...God, you're such a typical crook. 'It was my childhood, your honor. It was my boss. It was my neighbor's dog.' Or MY fault, right Eddie? But never yours."
I've actually always preferred Carnage - one note though he is - over Venom, frankly. Aside from the even cooler design (go, Mark Bagley), At least there's no psychotic self-delusion disguised as nobility with Cletus Kasady - he's a murdering bastard, he knows it, and he's perfectly okay with it. He's a straightforward villain rather than the pseudo-antihero everyone's always tried to make Venom.
I'm all for having a sympathetic villain when it's appropriate, but I've never bought Eddie Brock as such. Not even a little bit. That's why he's always failed as a character for me and with very few exceptions, I've always considered him one of the weakest Spider-Man villains. He's a great big twenty-three year ball of squandered potential.
Regardless, great review, and I look forward to the end of the Entity arc.
Ho .. Ly ... CRAP! reexamining the poem you basically TOLD us what was going on you are a genius and I am a complete moron
I identify another comic in the pile:
Objective Five #3 (The VERY SAME issue seen in the year two opening!)
Jeremy Aron Patterson
This was a great installment: a fun review and a very exciting segment of the Entity arc. I think that your acting at the end really sold it, by the way. As terrifying as it was to see the static behind MissingNo.'s eyes (and it was!), there was a moment before that when 90s Kid's mouth started to twitch, and his expression became something... not quite human. I never thought 90s Kid could actually look intimidating, but WOW. Well done.
Holy shit, I think I just got why the Entity's buzzing, high-pitched catchphrase is "huuummmaaaaan"...
What else would a Pokemon say when taking a human form?
I don't know why it's surprising to you that people hate Venom. The brain-eating, ecto-cooler drooling, lethal protector is the pretty much the only version people have seen. Beyond a promising start in Amazing 300 and that one story I recall taking place on an island, the crappy Venom was the one we got up until the whole mornic Anti-Venom thing. I had to roll my eyes at the Mac Gargan version eating people.
That being said I think everyone should give the Flash Thompson version of Venom a shot. I like his interaction with the symbiote...it's somewhat like Post Crisis Captain Marvel Junior where he needs the symbiote regain the use of his legs. Yet at the same time the symbiote brings about the worst of Flash's nature...the bully who is jealous of Peter Parker.
Re: Jeremy Aron Patterson
That's the one I couldn't identify!
Hmm, an Image comic... used in two openings... could this be the fabled Image book that Linkara has said is the "worst comic he's ever read"?
"Really just a "brain clicks" kind of moment, that the word heavy just connected with "The glitches are considered the heaviest," then the pieces fall into place with the poem and the glitches in the videos."
That does make sense and after rewatching the video, you do convey your brain slowly putting the peices together. Thanks for responding, can't wait for the final installment and where I don't have a comic shop, haven't read many comics in my life (Really want to read some after watching your show), I really want to read Revolution of the Mask when its completed (Or if its under a long hiatus, I'll try to get the two issues) because you are an awesome writer, Lewis = ) You could really go far in being an author, but you do fantastic as well doing Atop The Fourth Wall. Just follow your passions and you'll have my support throughout the way!
Awesome!
I can't wait to see how this battle - for the fate of the universe, no less (or is it all universes?) - turns out.
Okay, if I hadn't read the comments and looked it up, I would not have gotten it. :( Never played a Pokemon game in my life.
it was missing no. all this time. should have realized sooner. geaat ending by the way.
"Flash Thompson has the symbiote now. Joy? I hope we see a return of classic Venom"
Sorry bro. Flash Venom is becoming a secret Avenger.
I can't wait for next week. This is a fantastic story arc Linkara.
So... 90s Kid WAS a sleeper agent and the Entity IS Missingno. It's... surprisingly underwhelming. Oh, don't worry, Lewis, it wasn't your fault. It was the internet's. I read every piece of Wild Mass Guessing on TVTropes and many people pointed out this plot twist. I was expecting something different, y'know, screw with people's expectations and all. But seeing it being played straight didn't make me go "holy shit, they were right", it made me go ".....huh". Occam's Razor, I guess.
But, looking at the bright side, at least you're not going all M. Night Shylayman on us!
That's not to say the storyline was bad, quite the contrary. In fact, I'd say it's the best yet. You understand the medium you publish your works in and use it to its fullest. I should just really, really kept my expectations in check.
Amazing work as always, Lewis.
MissingNo....
Let my buddy borrow pokemon red to get a feel for the game, and he caught him niether of us knowing any better. That miserable bastard made my graphics glitch so badly my charizard nearly grew an extra face. Then he wiped my file. Put your foot in his ass for the weepinbell I wasted half of my fifth year on this planet training, would you Linkara?
Wow... just... wow.
Somewhere in the back of my head, I feel like I should've seen this coming, but just... WOW.
Now, taking into account the poem, and what the Tropers have been saying... This just makes just one glitch that much scarier.
Would I be wrong to guess that Vyce is... Dare I say it?
...
... Is he Red?
Actually, JLH: Issue one was seen in the YEAR ONE opening sequence.
J.A.P.
http://chitownsveryown.blogspot.com/
off-topic i know, but i just have to show you this, have you seen it before?
"off-topic i know, but i just have to show you this, have you seen it before?"
Heard about it, don't care about it. I freely admit my early stuff sucks and I was a preachy idiot who sucked at drawing.
They want to critique it and whatnot, they can go right ahead.
Why does everybody assume that you are going for a Pokemon comic, personally, I'd see that as I disappointment if you went that route.
While I get Linkara's worries about villains and long-term stories, somehow I think in a way the series has become something a tad different. In some ways, a lot of what the character and the stories have revolved around is more or less a nice wink and nod to 90s pop culture, way before it was in fashion. I mean considering that we've had for main adversaries:
-An evil Terminator duplicate (yeah the Terminator was 1984 but it really exploded in pop culture thanks to T2...in the 90s)
-A Lord Zedd homage
-And a Pokemon glitch (the game came out in Japan in the mid-90s, the US only had it since 1998)
Personally I wouldn't mind someday Linkara bringing back that random Digivice he got from that gag (saw a montage of his "I am a man" bits and it jogged my memory of that) but that's just acting silly. Otherwise, while I love to see the directions the series goes in, the themes do seem rather interesting with where we've been so far, even if it has been unintentional.
Be very afraid, people. The special episode aka The End of Entity arc will truly SHOCK the world!!! How insane and special will I look forward to.
I loved the reveal of the true name of the entity, I think it is really cool that it is something from gamer past that a lot of us experienced in our child hoods and I really enjoy your take on it. My appreciation for the poem has also gone up now that I can see the references contained in it.
This was a grate review as always and, on a note that hasn’t been mentioned enough, I like the new opening credits.
As for the story line, I was looking forward to Halloween before but now… why can’t time move faster?! I can’t wait to see what happens next. I have to admit I knew absolutely nothing about MissingNo, because I wasn’t aloud a Gameboy as a child, but now I’ve looked it up and wow just wow. Poor 90’s Kid I wonder when he was taken.
Just one question though, if the Entity is MissingNo does that mean Lord Vyce is from the Pokémon universe and if so was he a Pokémon trainer before he became a conqueror of universes?
Well...that was awesome. Did not expect 90's kid. Even less did I expect Missing No. Fantastic.
Late reply is late.
I'm one of those people who like viewing glitch pokemon as eldritch abominations and trying to imagine what encountering them in-universe must be like. That said, this went beyond my expectations right into the realm of insanely awesome.
And then ended on a cliffhanger.
FFFFFFF- I don't know whether to love you or to choke you.
Gah... 20 more hours before the finale of this arc is posted! I can't take the suspense anymore! I must know how Missingno. is ultimately defeated and everyone is restored to life!
Haven't finished the video yet, but great Dutch angle use!
Otherwise the video is also great, but I just had to pause it and tell ya that:)
"It means more than just anarchism as a political system." Ⓒ Linkara
and this makes your "in every sense of the word" statement 'true' how exactly ?
i get that this is a figure of speech but it's also not doing the word its justice. promotion of the idea that decreasing government's power in any way means instantly introducing more disorder should end somewhere.
i have a bunch of dictionaries here myself. some skew on one side, some on other, some trying to stay neutral. and i would say that "anarchy" has more in common with "anarchism" than with centuries old governmental propaganda in hopes of destroying idea and original meaning altogether. but i also recognize that _sudden advent_ of anarchy in any nation _will lead to_ disorder and chaos. those just are not the same thing and shouldn't be treated as such.
I didn't think you could top the mindless mess that was the Silent Hill one shots but this decent into, well frankly mediocre badly written trash just leaves me injured. I know it was the 90's but for god's sake that sucked........
forklift training
What, Mary-Jane doesn't banter? I figrued the whole "You might wanna take (your spider-man costume)" was just Mary Jane making a lame joke... think playful banter. The posing might have been playful mock flirtation, too.
I don't know anything about Mary Jane's personality... I'm not a comic book guy, my only exposure to her character at all was the movies... but Spidey quips enough that it seems reasonable to me that she might start quipping back. Just sayin'.
It wasn't a GREAT quip, but it's the kind of lame half-joke family makes to each other in real life. I suspect the goal of the line was to lend a vaguely Lifetime Networky feel to the scene. It was kinda lame and it fell flat, but inside jokes between lovers in real life frequently do that.
I guess what I'm saying is that showing your lover your B-material can be a form of intimacy. This is why Inside Jokes exist. Think about the jokes you share with other members of Planet Awesome or TGWTG, that are too lame to actually use in a sketch or it would require too much explanation for a really weak payoff. Yet the joke persists. Your fellow reviewers reference it in long car trips and crowded hotel rooms. This is the kind of lame joke Mary Jane might be making, here.
Or think if like Iron Liz were to say "Don't forget this," and tossed you your hat when you were about to sit down and record a video.
I think that's what's going on in this line.
I KNEW IT!!! XD
At one point in the comic Linkara says "a character that looks like an older possessed 90s Kid" that turns out to actually be possessed.
Damn sir, just damn. You get lucky with the comics you pick to review for storyline episodes, don't you?
"Damn sir, just damn. You get lucky with the comics you pick to review for storyline episodes, don't you?"
Extremely. XD
Actually here's a quick nitpick: Those are the most extreme security guards EVER! I mean not only are they aiming a gun at a gun in a coma (even if it is Cletus Cassidy) ,but they're aiming it at a guy who's in a straitjacket and I think he's restrained to the bed, I don't know I'm only making assumptions here. Now I'm not a corrections officer or hospital orderly ,but even though the other restraints are a smart move for when he actually does wake up from the coma ,I'm pretty sure aiming a gun at a comatosed guy in restraint isn't a smart idea.
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