Dr. Janina Scarlet, author of Superhero-Therapy, sat down to discuss the psychology of the heroes and villains from Guardians of the Galaxy. Dr. Scarlet discussed the impact of Quill, Gamora, and Nebula with each losing their parents, to Groot being the model of compassion.
Dr. Scarlet also described her work with active duty military service members and veterans with treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and using comic book characters in their treatment.
We also discussed how much we enjoy Anthony Mackie’s Falcon and thoughts on Captain America Civil War. Dr. Scarlet also shared how the Winter Soldier could be treated for his own psychology injuries.
We live in an age of miracles: 2014 was a fantastic time to be a geek. Jess and I sat down with some of our great friends to discuss Scandal, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the best action scenes from 2014, and Star Wars Rebels.
Join us as we visit with Vivian O’Barski from The Learned Fangirl, Political Consultant and Novelist Gerry O’Brien, Jessica Bennett, stunt woman, actor, and educator, and Judge Judge Matthew Sciarrino, on all things geek in 2014.
Agent Carter started with a bang as a fun Marvel spy-thriller. There were many great geek references from Roxxon to Leviathan. Keep up the good work.
The story centers of Howard Stark having his “Bad Babies,” advanced weapons so dangers that they are kept locked in a vault under his house, stolen. This results in Howard Stark being grilled by a Senate Committee on his technology, invoking some comparisons to Senator Owen Brewster antagonizing Howard Hughes in real-life 1946 as a wartime profiteer.
The only legal term verbally charged against Howard Stark for Stark technology getting in the hands of US enemies is treason. This certainly is the most serious charge against Stark, but there could have been others.
Treason is “levying War against them [The United States], or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.” United States Constitution, Article III, Section 3.
Treason is the most obvious charge against Stark and providing advanced weapons to a hostile foreign power would certainly qualify. However, there are two other laws Stark could have violated that do not require the foreign power to be an enemy; providing the information to ANY foreign power would violate the law.
Howard Stark could have been charged with violating the Espionage Act of 1917, which prohibited the providing any information relating to national defense with the intent to injury the United States to a foreign nation. The peacetime punishment for such a crime was 20 years and in times of war, 30 years. Espionage Act, June 15, 1917, 40 Stat. 217, § 2(a). Alternatively, as seen in the Rosenberg case, death.
Stark could argue his “Bad Babies” were not created for the US government to be used for national defense, but given the destructive power of the implosive weapon, probably would not be effective if a foreign power got its hands on the technology. Moreover, given Stark’s close ties to the SSR and US Government, it is arguable that anything Howard Stark creates is for national defense.
Stark could also be charged under the Atomic Energy Act of 1946, which provides against providing foreign nations any “Restricted Data” with the intent to harm the United States in prison for life and a $100,000 fine in present day. 42 U.S.C.S. § 2275. “Restricted Data” means all data relating to the “(1) design, manufacture, or utilization of atomic weapons; (2) the production of special nuclear material; or (3) the use of special nuclear material in the production of energy, but shall not include data declassified or removed from the Restricted Data category pursuant to section 142 [42 USCS § 2162].42 USCS § 2014(y).
It is not clear what exactly are all of Stark’s “Bad Babies,” other than one of the weaponized implosive devices the size of a baseball could cause all matter to collapse into a large sphere. While it would require a physics expert, there has to be some nuclear fusion to create that sort of gravity weapon. This sort of weapon arguably would fall under the Atomic Energy Act, which would be further charges against Stark.
Words cannot express my joy that The Legal Geeks made the ABA Journal Blawg 100 for a second year in a row.
I feel like Grooting.
Thank you all very much for this wonderful honor. We are deeply humbled you enjoy The Legal Geeks.
I want to thank the editors of the ABA Journal for selecting us and for such a kind description of our blog:
The dictionary may define a “geek” as someone with “excessive enthusiasm for and some expertise about a specialized subject or activity,” but we would quibble about the word excessive. We hope that Josh Gilliland and Jessica Mederson never stop sharing their pop-culture enthusiasm with us. This year, we especially enjoyed the series of posts that coincided with the movie release of Guardians of the Galaxy. Their podcasts also should not be missed.
The ABA Journal is the flagship magazine of the American Bar Association, and it is read by half of the nation’s 1.1 million lawyers every month. It covers the trends, people and finances of the legal profession from Wall Street to Main Street to Pennsylvania Avenue. ABAJournal.com features breaking legal news updated as it happens by staff reporters throughout every business day, a directory of more than 4,000 lawyer blogs, and the full contents of the magazine.
I have had a lot of fun the past year using action figures, shooting video with green screens, and finding new ways to be creative. I want to thank New York State Court Judge Matthew Sciarrino for his friendship, sharing our blog, and joining us for the occasional podcast on Doctor Who or Star Wars. Judge Sciarrino introduced us to New York political consultant Gerry O’Brien, an amazing geek in his own right with his book 1901: Theodore Roosevelt, Robot Fighter. I had a blast discussing the legal and political fallout of Captain America The Winter Soldier and Agents of SHIELD with Judge Sciarrino and Gerry.
Jessica and I also had our first celebrity podcast when Matt Weinhold joined us to discuss Doctor Who, after Jess qualified Matt as an expert under Federal Rule of Evidence 702. I met Matt back when my family owned Rooster T . Feathers Comedy Club while I was in college, who is a wonderful person, and geek extraordinaire.
A lot of people have ReTweeted and promoted us over the past year, including the talented Madeleine Holly-Rosing, author of the Boston Metaphysical Society, San Diego Comic Fest, and our friends at The Geekie Awards. There are many others and thank you so much for your support.
I want to especially thank Jessica for continuing our adventure on The Legal Geeks. Jess is an outstanding lawyer, dedicated mother, and has a wicked sense of humor.
Voting is now underway in each of the 13 categories of the ABA Journal Blawg 100. We were so honored to win the For Fun category last year. We ask for your vote once again. If you could please vote for us in the For Fun category, we would greatly appreciate it.
To vote, please visit the ABA Journal, register, and vote for The Legal Geeks in the For Fun category.
We love comic books. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy a rip-roaring discussion on comic book care, women in comics, and super-hero lawyers.
How was She-Hulk’s defense of Captain America? Moreover, why does Jess love Wonder Woman? And Just who is the new Thor? Check out my theory on Agents of SHIELD and Captain Mar-Vell in our new video and audio podcast.
The She-Hulk “Fogler v Rogers” courtroom drama focused on Daredevil representing the estate and family of an American who collaborated with Nazis, most likely convicted for treason, suing Steve Rogers for the death of Sam Fogler (the deceased plaintiff’s brother) in 1940. Granted, the evidence that the deceased Plaintiff was convicted for treason never came out during the trial due to the information being classified was a small wrinkle is an otherwise good defense for a nonsuit.
It is a rare day to see a comic book storyline focus on a trial. Sure, it skipped discovery and motion practice. That being said, it was three issues focused on a wrongful death lawsuit. It can be forgiven for not following Professor Thomas Mauet’s Fundamentals of Trial Techniques.
Trial Procedure: Who Called Captain America to Testify?
Normally in a trial, the Plaintiff presents their case, followed by the Defendant. The procedural flow for testimony of a witness is direct examination, cross-examination, redirect examination, recross-examination, and continuing thereafter by redirect and recross-examination. Cal Evid Code § 772(a).
In the story, it appeared the Plaintiff called Defendant Steve Rogers to testify during the Plaintiff’s case-in-chief. Was this proper, or did Murdock need to wait and cross-examine Steve Rogers during the Defense’s case-in-chief?
Matt Murdock was within his right to call Steve Rogers to testify during the Plaintiff’s case-in-chief, because “[a] party to the record of any civil action, or a person identified with such a party, may be called and examined as if under cross-examination by any adverse party at any time during the presentation of evidence by the party calling the witness.” Cal Evid Code § 776(a).
There are best practices for direct examinations: The lawyer only does 10% of the talking with questions to the witness; the witness does 90% of the talking by telling their story. Most times this is done chronologically to make sense for the jury and for foundation. Questions may not be leading on direct examination. Cal Evid Code § 767.
After direct examination, there is cross-examination, where the adverse party questions the witness. Here, the lawyer does 90% of the talking with leading questions. Cal Evid Code § 767. The attorney exercises as much witness control as possible and above all else, avoids questions that start with “why,” to keep the witness from explaining away issues.
Redirect can follow, where the attorney can ask question to rehabilitate the witness if there were any attacks on their credibility during cross-examination.
Jury Instructions in a Wrongful Death Case
Causes of action have elements that must be proven for a case to be successful. For wrongful death, the Plaintiff has the burden to prove that Samuel Fogler was killed due to the negligence or wrongful act of Steve Rogers (and ignore the comparative fault of Harold Fogler). If the Plaintiffs did meet that burden of proof, the more complex issue would be determining the correct damages. Below please find California Jury Instructions for Damages from the Death of an Adult, as applied to the fictional case:
If you decide that Estate of Harold Fogler has proved their claim against Steven Rogers for the death of Samuel Fogler, you also must decide how much money will reasonably compensate the Estate of Harold Fogler for the death of Samuel Fogler in 1940. This compensation is called “damages.”
The Estate of Harold Fogler does not have to prove the exact amount of these damages. However, you must not speculate or guess in awarding damages.
The damages claimed by Estate of Harold Fogler fall into two categories called economic damages and noneconomic damages. You will be asked to state the two categories of damages separately on the verdict form.
Estate of Harold Fogler claims the following economic damages:
The financial support, if any, that Samuel Fogler would have contributed to the family during either the life expectancy that Samuel Fogler had before his death or the life expectancy of Harold Fogler, whichever is shorter;
The loss of gifts or benefits that Harold Fogler would have expected to receive from Samuel Fogler;
Funeral and burial expenses; and
The reasonable value of household services that Samuel Fogler would have provided.
Your award of any future economic damages must be reduced to present cash value.
Estate of Harold Fogler also claims the following noneconomic damages:
The loss of Samuel Foglers’s love, companionship, comfort, care, assistance, protection, affection, society, moral support[; [and]/.]
The loss of Samuel Fogler’s training and guidance.
No fixed standard exists for deciding the amount of noneconomic damages. You must use your judgment to decide a reasonable amount based on the evidence and your common sense.
For these noneconomic damages, determine the amount in current dollars paid at the time of judgment that will compensate Estate of Harold Fogler for those damages. This amount of noneconomic damages should not be further reduced to present cash value because that reduction should only be performed with respect to future economic damages.
In determining the Estate of Harold Fogler’s loss, do not consider:
Harold Fogler’s grief, sorrow, or mental anguish;
Samuel Foglers’s pain and suffering; or
The poverty or wealth of the Estate of Harold Fogler.
In deciding a person’s life expectancy, you may consider, among other factors, the average life expectancy of a person of that age, as well as that person’s health, habits, activities, lifestyle, and occupation. According to Worldbank.org, the average life expectancy of a male in the United States is 79 years in 2014. This published information is evidence of how long a person is likely to live but is not conclusive. Some people live longer and others die sooner.
In computing these damages, consider the losses suffered by all plaintiffs and return a verdict of a single amount for all plaintiffs.
2-3900 CACI 3921.
Damages would be highly difficult to determine, because the decedent died in 1940 (Nor would you use Worldbank.org). There was no guarantee Sam Fogler would have lived until his 90s and could have very well been killed during World War 2 if he had survived trying to save his brother Harold in 1940. Moreover, according to the Social Security Administration in 1930 the average life expectancy was only 58. Furthermore, in 1940 only 53.9% of males in the United States survived to age 65, according to the Social Security Administration.
Courts have instructed juries on life expectancies to consider “the age, state of health and respective life expectancies of the deceased and each plaintiff but should be concerned only with “the shorter of the life expectancies, that of one of the plaintiffs or that of the deceased. . . .” Francis v Sauve, 222 Cal App 2d 102, 120-121 [1963], citing Redfield v. Oakland Consolidated Street Ry. Co. (1895) 110 Cal.277, 287 [42 P. 822, 1063].
Determining the “just” damages from the circumstances of the case would require evidence of mortality tables from World War 2 to determine the deceased’s life expectancy for damages. If a jury determined that Samuel Fogler might only have lived until 1943, that would be the shorter life expectancy to consider for damages, instead of Harold Fogler’s long life.
Sam Fogler was studying to be a doctor, but he was not one when he died. It is speculative that he would have graduated medical school, completed residency, and passed his medical boards. As such, determining how much income Sam Fogler would have made is highly speculative, thus could require the jury to actually have evidence of Sam Fogler’s grades in determining whether to consider Sam Fogler’s employment goal in awarding damages for lost income.
Another significant oddity would be grandnephews and grandnieces bringing a lawsuit for a granduncle who died decades before they were born. While it would be equally strange for an estate to bring a wrongful death suit for someone else who died decades before, in either case, damages would be complicated.
Why Not a Freedom of Information Act Request to Impeach Harold Fogler?
Steve Rogers refused to answer specifics on why there were no official reports of Nazis involved in Samuel Fogler’s death due to the events in 1940 being classified. Steve Rogers should have disclosed this information to She-Hulk when she took the case, because they could have filed a Freedom of Information Act Request for the report that Hellcat stole for Steve Rogers.
There was no reason to have Hellcat steal the file (other then there is zero action in filing a FOIA request compared to Hellcat breaking in to a government facility). While it could have taken time for the FOIA request to be processed, it would be extremely unlikely the report would still be classified for events that took place in 1940. In present day, we know German U-Boats operated extremely close to US cities. Moreover, even in 1945 there were trials over whether a German immigrant committed treason for meeting with a German friend who illegally entered the United States by U-Boat to commit acts of sabotage. Cramer v. United States, 325 U.S. 1 (U.S. 1945).
Another option would be for Steve Rogers to call the President of the United States and ask for the file. Begin the conversation with, “Remember all the times I saved civilization? You know, from Nazis, the Kree-Skrull War, and Thanos? Yes, I need a report from 1940 to rebut evidence in a civil lawsuit. Can you help me out?” Unlikely any POTUS would say no. The file would likely be hand delivered by the Attorney General.
The National security concerns of 1940 would not prevent a FOIA request from being granted to Captain America as a defense in a civil lawsuit by someone who provided aid to Nazis on US soil in 1940.
The information about the Nazis operating in Los Angeles could also be used to impeach the credibility of the improperly admitted dying declaration of Harold Fogler.
California Evidence allows a party to attack the credibility of witness. Cal Evid Code § 785. One way to attack credibility of a witness is to show the witness was convicted of a felony (and in California it is any felony conviction). Cal Evid Code § 788. Impeaching a witness with convicted felonies that show the “former offender is a present prevaricator” are very powerful. People v Heckathorne, 202 Cal App 3d 458, 464-465, 248 Cal Rptr 399, 402-403 [1988]. Felonies such as treason, theft, and perjury bear a “rational relationship to credibility.” Id.
The fact Harold Fogler went to prison for his actions with the Nazis, which most likely would have been for treason, would have been extremely useful in impeaching the credibility of the Plaintiff’s claims against Steve Rogers. These facts would also completely carpet bomb the Plaintiff’s case into a nonsuit for trying to collect damages that originated from the deceased’s treasonous conduct in 1940.
I have hit the milestone that always seemed like a far distant future: I turned 40.
While my feelings on my age are very reflective of Admiral Kirk in Wrath of Khan, I have lived in one of the best eras of geekdom EVER.
Being a geek means you appreciate the symbolism from the stories you love. Many of us love to quote films. We know the value of a moment in time. We also know that moments in time can be lost like tears in the rain, but for everyone who is a geek, we know that this, this is our time.
Let’s take a look at what I think are the best geek moments of the last 40 years:
Roll Out of Space Shuttle Enterprise (September 17, 1975)
The Space Shuttle Enterprise at the National Air & Space Museum Annex at Dulles International Airport in 2008.
The Space Shuttle Enterprise was rolled out on my first birthday. This event is a testament to how much people love Star Trek, as it was the fans that inspired NASA to name the test Shuttle Enterprise.
The 747 glide and landing tests of Enterprise paved the way for the first flight of the Columbia in 1981. I had the privilege of seeing the roll out of Columbia, because my father was in charge of the team that installed the tiles.
Roll out of Columbia.
Star Wars: A New Hope (1977)
A substantial part of my childhood was spent either watching Star Wars, or running around the backyard with my Y-Wing Fighter, or having light saber fights with my brother. Granted, I was so young when I saw the original Star Wars, I had confused memories in my early years of wondering where I saw a double sunset.
Battlestar Galactica (Debuted on my birthday in 1978)
What better birthday present for a four year old then spaceships and robots fighting?
The original Battlestar Galactica was an outright rejection of detente with the Soviet Union or pacifist leaders. Even the doomed Colonies President looked like Jimmy Carter, whose dovish policies resulted in the near destruction of humanity. Political overtones aside, Donald Bellisario created elements in Battlestar that would later be seen in Quantum Leap.
The 2004 reboot of Battlestar Galactica was not a reflection of Cold War politics, but the War on Terror. Lots of great issues and effectively ends with the opening quote of the original series: “There are those who believe that life here, began out there.”
Superman the Movie (1978)
Richard Donner and Christopher Reeve proved a comic book character could be a colossal box office hit. Without Superman the Movie, there would have been no Spider-Man, Iron Man, Avengers, or Guardians of the Galaxy. Add in a “super” movie score, and the bar was set for super-hero movies in 1978.
Star Blazers (Debuted on my birthday in 1979)
Battleships. In space. With a theme song that said, If we can win the Earth will survive.
Sold.
Star Blazers introduced a lot of “adult” concepts on a children’s TV show. Little things like genocide of the human race through nuclear war.
Captain Avatar’s dying words, as he looked at a picture of his dead son and irradiated Earth through his tears, echoed in my five year old mind for years: “The Earth. I am sorry I will not be here to see you green again. But I have seen you.” [Picture falls to the deck, Doctor comes in the stateroom and salutes his dead Captain.]
Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back (1980)
My mother took me to see Empire on opening day. We sat out on a beach blanket at the now gone Century 21 movie theaters in San Jose waiting hours in line. I can still remember the heat of that day in May 1980. She loved telling the story of how my feet stopped at the edge of the seat and for the length of the film, I did not move or blink. The audience reacting in total horror and shock of Darth Vader saying, “No, IAMYOUR FATHER,” is perhaps one of the most iconic moments in film.
Empire also taught us life does not always have a happy ending. Sometimes, you just survive to live another day.
Superman 2 (1980)
Kneel before Zod! Kneel!
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
We are simply passing through history. This, this is history.
Steven Spielberg and George Lucas brought the classic adventures of the 1930s back in full force, while fighting Nazis, and finding the Ark of the Covenant. Moreover, you are hard pressed to find a living male who did not want to be Indiana Jones.
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
I remember going home from seeing Wrath of Khan, looking out the car window at the night sky, trying not to cry.
The Wrath of Khan has an impressive list of life lessons, from facing a no-win scenario, the challenge of aging, redemption of parents, and sacrificing yourself to save your friends, because the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.
Blade Runner (1982)
Ridley Scott’s science fiction epic has many dynamic questions on being human. Roy Batty’s final words always captivated me: I’ve seen things you people wouldn’t believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I’ve watched c-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhäuser Gate. All those … moments will be lost in time, like tears…in rain. Time to die.
The fact Roy Batty let Deckard live added a surreal complexity to the film’s villain, posing the theory that Batty had loved life more than he had before dying, which is why he did not kill the hero.
Return of the Jedi (1983)
I have very fond memories of seeing Return of the Jedi opening weekend. There was a sense of awe. People cheered when Vader threw the Emperor down the exhaust shaft.
And Vader did not yell “Nooooo” in 1983.
Star Trek III: Search for Spock (1984)
Sometimes, the needs of the one outweigh the needs of the many. Search for Spock had wonderful symbolism of loyalty between friends. The crew of the Enterprise was willing to destroy their careers in order to save two of their friends. The end result was another lesson in changing the definition of victory, when you have to destroy your own ship to save everyone.
Plus kick the bad guy off a cliff into lava.
Ghostbusters
I ain’t afraid of no ghost.
One of the most entertaining geek movies ever. One of the main villains is also the EPA and government regulations, proving not all evil spirits are undead.
Back to the Future
I remember seeing Back to the Future with my paternal grandparents in Ann Arbor, Michigan when the movie came out. A wonderful story with reckless driving, treason, collaborating with terrorists, and defense of others.
Man, this is heavy.
TimeCon 1985 & 1986
My first “geek” convention was TimeCon in 1985, celebrating Star Trek, Doctor Who, and a whole lot of science fiction. We got to meet James Doohan, Walter Koenig, George Takei, and Anthony Anthony.
Stark Trek IV: The Voyage Home
1986 was a year when Star Trek went mainstream with The Voyage Home. A great story that caught the attention of a much broader audience than traditional science fiction fans.
We also had a very short trial for our heroes. While they did have a solid necessity defense for stealing the Enterprise, sabotaging Excelsior, and destroying the Enterprise, they went with a guilty plea.
Aliens (1986)
Game over man. 17 days, we won’t last 17 hours.
Exhibit A you can have a science fiction blockbuster with a strong female lead. Bring on Captain Marvel.Agent Carter cannot get here fast enough.
Terminator 2
Come with me if you want to live.
Exhibit B that that you can have a strong female lead.
Jurassic Park (1993)
Steven Spielberg brought dinosaurs to life with both CGI and practical special effects.
A real game changer in film making.
Moreover, if you can create an extinct species, is it automatically on the endangered list?
1990s Science Fiction on Television
Star Trek the Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, X-Files, and Babylon 5 were all shows I watched weekly. I gave shows like Earth Final Conflict, Space Above & Beyond, Tek Wars, and Lexx, a chance, but never got into them.
X-Men (2000)
The first X-Men movie brought back comic book movies as a viable box office success. After years of defeat, from Superman the Quest for Peace to Howard the Duck,X-Men was a fun adaption of our favorite mutants.
Until X-Men: Last Stand destroyed it, then X-Men: First Class saved it, and X-Men: Days of Future Past, put us back on the right track.
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Peter Jackson brought J.R.R. Tolkien to life. The fact Return of the King won Best Picture and Jackson took home Best Director, demonstrated “sci fi” and “fantasy” films could clean house at the Oscars.
Spider-Man (2002)
The first two Spider-Man movies again showed comic book movies could be successful. And then Spider-Man 3 torpedoed the franchise.
Firefly (2002)
What happens when you have an amazing show that is a creative adventure of a steampunk Western in Space where being a “Companion” is a respected career choice? You get cancelled after a dozen episodes (or fourteen counting the two unaired ones). Firefly suffered that initial fate, but because of its incredible fan base, developed cult status and spawned one movie.
You can’t stop the signal.
The Dark Knight Trilogy
Batman Begins, the Dark Knight, and Dark Knight Rises, again demonstrate comic book movies have depth and box office success. Sure, watching all three in a row can be highly traumatic, but an action-packed tour de force. Never mind Gotham looks like a fictional city, then Chicago, and then New York.
Marvel’s Civil War
I started re-collecting comics after many years because of Civil War. A very gripping story that walked the tight rope of making both sides look right, whether you supported the Registration Act or thought it looked like a massive civil rights violation.
The story’s ending with Captain America’s assassination and following shock waves in Fallen Son and James Barns/Winter Soldier ultimately becoming Captain America were fantastic.
I actually had to get Captain America #25 in Canada. Not one the local comic book stores had the big issue of Cap’s death and I was lucky to get the last issue in Vancouver on a business trip.
DC’s Sinestro War & Blackest Night
The Sinestro War in Green Lantern was a stunning war story that ultimately turned on the Green Lanterns shifting from law enforcement to war-making when the Guardians gave the Green Lantern Corps permission to kill members of the Sinestro Corps. The war is won, but at a cost that ultimately lead to the Blackest Night.
DC delivered again with Blackest Night, where death itself declared war on life. Heroes and villains alike are brutally killed by dead characters who rip out the hearts of the living. There were actually disturbing deaths before the battle was turned in the heroes’ favor.
There many symbolic moments of how the different Lanterns interacted, such as only the Blue Lantern representing Hope could calm the Red Lantern represent rage, or that Compassion was the rarest of all the Power Rings.
Star Trek (2009)
JJ Abrams brought Star Trek back after years of being off the air and the big screen. The return of Star Trek also showed a new era in science fiction film making, because fans who grew up watching the show and movies, are now making the movies.
The Entire Marvel Cinematic Universe
Marvel movies have set the gold standard for comic book adaptions. They range in depth from political thrillers like Captain America The Winter Soldier to a rip-roaring good times of Guardians of the Galaxy. I look forward to their future films.
The Day of the Doctor
Doctor Who for decades was watched on late night PBS in the United States. The fact the 50th Anniversary special was a global simulcast that broke world records stands as testament that being a “geek” is now mainstream. Also factor in the 3D showings in one night that had fans from five decades dressing up and cheering is just wicked cool.
That Time Being a Geek Helped Save My Life
On February 21, 1990, my bowel ruptured as a result of being undiagnosed with Crohn’s Disease for five years. What followed included nearly 70 days in two hospitals, three surgeries, and a whole lot of pain.
I spent my days in the hospital watching Star Trek and Raiders of the Lost Ark. I also read Tom Clancy’s Clear & Present Danger. My wonderful grandmother set out to find Stephen Coonts’ third book The Minotaur. I had to know what happened after Final Flight.
My very kind godmother worked some magic with her sister, a florist in Beverly Hills, who through several contacts asked Leonard Nimoy to send me a get well card. Being an outstanding human being, Nimoy delivered.
I was lucky to meet Leonard Nimoy in 2009 at a conference and thank him for sending me a get well card back in 1990.
Life is the Greatest Adventure
My first 40 years have been a great adventure.
I have seen two Space Shuttle launches, watched dolphins illuminated by bioluminescent plankton swim around a tall ship, borrowed aircraft carriers and battleships, and have traveled from Anchorage to Saint Thomas. There are many more adventures to have and I look forward to the days ahead.
Dr. Janina Scarlet, author of Superhero-Therapy, sat down to discuss the psychology of the heroes and villains from Guardians of the Galaxy. Dr. Scarlet discussed the impact of Quill, Gamora, and Nebula with each losing their parents, to Groot being the model of compassion.
