Nerd Alert: Marvel Edition

All our hosts gather for the finale of WandaVision! Start off with highlights of our realtime reactions, then dive deep in our review of the episode and the series itself, as we try to find the perfect food metaphor to describe our (mixed) feelings about the finale. We discuss the emotional goodbyes, the Quicksilver “plot twist,” how Ty and Agatha worked (or didn’t work) as villains, and our ongoing #FindFranklin campaign. On a broader scale, we analyze Marvel’s ongoing struggle with writing anti-heroes and the limitations of the MCU continuity in creating a self-contained story. Hit us up on our website: nerdalertgirls.tumblr.com! Or you can contact us directly at nerdalertgirlspodcast@gmail.com or Twitter @NerdAlertPod.

For the penultimate episode, Bridgette has ugly cried and is not ashamed of it. Today, Bridgette and Genn delve into Wanda’s heartbreaking backstory and the true origins of her powers, as we also ponder Vision’s future (or lack thereof) and the upcoming magical girl showdown with Agatha. We also tie in the Spider-Man: No Way Home teaser and ask how WandaVision may play a role in the upcoming movie. Hit us up on our website: nerdalertgirls.tumblr.com! Or you can contact us directly at nerdalertgirlspodcast@gmail.com or Twitter @NerdAlertPod.

For Black History Month, we are highlighting our favorite Black characters, writers, artists, and cosplayers in Marvel and geek fandom. Genn gushes about the best moments of Nancy Whitehead, the unsung hero of The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl. (Did you know she’s low-key best friends with Loki?!) Caroline names fantastic cosplayers on Instagram who explore a myriad of Marvel movie and comic book characters. Bridgette covers several writers and artists who have told the stories of characters such as Captain America and Black Panther - then she fangirls over Michelle Jones from the Spider-Man movies. Good times. Be sure to follow all these amazing people to see what they’re working on next! And if you decide to buy any of the books we mentioned, we highly recommend you purchase them from your local independent book or comic book seller. Genn’s Recommendation: Nancy Whitehead in 'The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl' By Ryan North Art by Erica Henderson Caroline’s Recommendations: Follow Krystina Arielle Tigner on Instagram

Caroline and Genn put on their tinfoil hats for this week’s WandaVision speculation. Who is Agnes (or Agatha) and why is she messing with Wanda? What is Monica’s physical and psychological connection to Wanda’s cosmic radiation field? Is Señor Scratchy as innocent as he seems? Today’s conversation also includes shipping Wanda and Vision (finally), the long-awaited post-credit scene, the future of the X-Men and the multiverse in the MCU, and color symbolism for the characters. Let's get nerdy, y'all. Hit us up on our website: nerdalertgirls.tumblr.com! Or you can contact us directly at nerdalertgirlspodcast@gmail.com or Twitter @NerdAlertPod.

Don’t let the charming homage to Malcom in the Middle fool you! It may seem cheerful, but it’s actually horrifying... much like WandaVision as a whole. Genn and Caroline speculate about the new mental and physical strains on Wanda, the possibility of Young Avengers, Darcy as a metaphor for fandom life, and Monica’s potential future as a superhero. This episode also includes no small amount of saltiness about Black Widow’s death. Yes, that still bothers us. Hit us up on our website: nerdalertgirls.tumblr.com! Or you can contact us directly at nerdalertgirlspodcast@gmail.com or Twitter @NerdAlertPod.

This was the most jam packed episode so far, yet we have come out with more questions than answers - despite Bridgette proving to be right about every theory she’s had. Today Bridgette and Caroline discuss our mutual love for Evan Peters’ Quicksilver, ponder Sokovian politics and Hydra, and explore the possibility of Wanda becoming a villain in the MCU. We also bring back our Eye On Ty segment for the shady S.W.O.R.D. Director and pick up where we left off with our plucky trio of Darcy, Jimmy, and Monica. Also, we need a Wicked AU of WandaVision, like, yesterday, and we think you'll agree by the time we're done. As promised, here’s a playlist of Evan Peters’ top Quicksilver moments from Fox’s X-Men movies: Quicksilver Meets Wolverine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzsAOjT-n2s Quicksilver & Magneto Prison Break: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJUPJCrdaMc Quicksilver Kitchen Scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9GFyZ5LREQ Quicksilver Saves Everyone From Exploding X-Mansion: https://www.youtube.com/wat

As we break free of the sitcom reality, Caroline and Bridgette discuss the thickening plot and the fresh and familiar faces that both delight and intrigue us. Let’s count the ways we love DOCTOR Darcy Lewis and Jimmy Woo! We also talk about what’s going on with Monica Rambeau and her mom, Director Ty(!) and S.W.O.R.D., the disappearing beekeeper, and (dead? not-dead?) Vision. Hit us up on our website: nerdalertgirls.tumblr.com! Or you can contact us directly at nerdalertgirlspodcast@gmail.com or Twitter @NerdAlertPod.

Babies arriving faster than microwave popcorn. A neighbor casually sawing concrete walls. A woman getting yeeted out of the sky. Just another day in good ol' Westview! Genn and Maddie recap and review episode 3 of WandaVision, where bizarre twists and turns keep us guessing about who's in charge of this sitcom world.  Hit us up on our website: nerdalertgirls.tumblr.com! Or you can contact us directly at nerdalertgirlspodcast@gmail.com or Twitter @NerdAlertPod.

With our signature wit and outrageous conspiracy theories, Bridgette and Maddie recap and review the first two episodes of WandaVision. It was weird. It was mysterious. It was funny. Most of all, it left a strange feeling in our gut. Today, we break down the new characters, sitcom tropes, Wanda's dark past, and Vision’s surprising comedic chops as we foray into the next stage of the MCU. Hit us up on our website: nerdalertgirls.tumblr.com! Or you can contact us directly at nerdalertgirlspodcast@gmail.com or Twitter @NerdAlertPod.

Who shall win the crown as the supreme Marvel villain? Wrapping up Phase Three, we shower our appreciation on Erik Killmonger, draw surprising conclusions about the MCU’s biggest baddie Thanos, and decide who shall reign alongside Malekith over a kingdom of mediocre darkness. Includes references to Voldemort and Caroline’s ongoing hate affair with Tony Stark. Let’s end our series with a bang - or an evil cackle, if that’s your preference! Hit us up on our website: nerdalertgirls.tumblr.com! Or you can contact us directly at nerdalertgirlspodcast@gmail.com or Twitter @NerdAlertPod.

As the MCU evolves, so do the villains. We wrap up Phase Two and continue halfway through Phrase Three as The Evil Ficus Strikes Back. We touch on our personal favorite MCU baddies (i.e. Hela, the queen who literally slays), as well as a few ficuses (i.e. Darren Cross, another bland white guy in a suit). Let’s see who has the chops to be an effective thorn in our heroes’ sides! Be sure to stay tuned for Part III of our series. Hit us up on our website: nerdalertgirls.tumblr.com! Or you can contact us directly at nerdalertgirlspodcast@gmail.com or Twitter @NerdAlertPod. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nerd-alert-girls/message

Here are our first reactions to the trailers for the WandaVision, Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Loki, and What If? series coming next year on Disney+. These television shows provide many opportunities to develop the lesser known MCU characters, while also grappling with the legacy of the characters who have passed on. What are our hopes? Our fears? Our theories? Let’s dive in! Hit us up on our website: nerdalertgirls.tumblr.com! Or you can contact us directly at nerdalertgirlspodcast@gmail.com or Twitter @NerdAlertPod. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nerd-alert-girls/message

What makes a great Marvel villain? We argue that character complexity may not be necessary for an effective or memorable villain. Do they have a memorable look? A clear role in story? Are they hilarious? Terrifying? Or could they be replaced by an evil ficus and the movie wouldn’t miss a beat? With special guest Caroline, we venture through the MCU's Phase One and Two on a quest for the best villains. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nerd-alert-girls/message

Our second installment of boobs and leather jackets! Just kidding (well, mostly). Special guest Caroline returns to discuss Marvel women’s fashion for more of our favorite female characters in the comics and the films. Today, we cover MJ’s spin on the “girl next door” aesthetic, the fabulous Ruth Carter’s critically-acclaimed work in Black Panther, Hope’s spiky shoulder pads of villainy, and more. Follow Ruth Carter @therealruthecarter on Instagram and @iamRuthECarter on Twitter. Also check out her website: ruthecarter.com Meanwhile, you can hit us up on our new website: nerdalertgirls.tumblr.com! Or you can contact us directly at nerdalertgirlspodcast@gmail.com or Twitter @NerdAlertPod. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nerd-alert-girls/message

What are the best comics featuring Miles Morales as Spider-Man? Genn and Bridgette gush about their favorite artwork, storylines, and moments with Miles in Marvel comics. We cover the highlights from Brian Michael Bendis and Sara Pichelli’s introduction of the character in Ultimate Spider-Man, to their return for Miles Morales: Ultimate Spider-Man, to Civil War II and Champions, to Saladin Ahmed and Javier Garrón’s ongoing Miles Morales: Spider-Man. If you love Miles as much as we do, take a tour with us through the Marvelous Miles Comic-verse. Hit us up on our new website: nerdalertgirls.tumblr.com! Or you can contact us directly at nerdalertgirlspodcast@gmail.com or Twitter @NerdAlertPod. Episode cover art by Annette Ramirez. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nerd-alert-girls/message

What makes Miles Morales the cinnamon roll and fan favorite Spider-Man that we adore? His love of his family. His magnificent bromances. His heart of gold. His Afro-Latino identity and culture. We’re diving into these topics and more throughout every iteration of Miles Morales - from the comics, to Jason Reynolds’ young adult novel, to the Into the Spider-Verse film. Come along on Miles’ journey as a breakout superhero as he struggles with identity, balancing relationships and heroics, and the fear of a dark side to his powers. Hit us up on our new website: nerdalertgirls.tumblr.com! Or you can contact us directly at nerdalertgirlspodcast@gmail.com or Twitter @NerdAlertPod. Episode cover art by Annette Ramirez. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nerd-alert-girls/message

We break down the WandaVision trailer and ask the real questions. Who (or what) created this new reality where Vision is alive? Will Quicksilver appear - and if so, which version? Will we get more invested in the Wanda/Vision romance? Let’s put on our fangirl caps and hypothesize. Hit us up on our new website: nerdalertgirls.tumblr.com! Or you can contact us directly at nerdalertgirlspodcast@gmail.com. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nerd-alert-girls/message

BOOBS. Now that we’ve got your attention, let’s talk about Marvel women’s fashion, from the superhero costumes to civilian attire. With special guest Caroline, we take a look at a lot of boob armor, boob windows, leather jackets, boob sculpting… Hm, sensing a common denominator here… We also analyze what style says about the characters, translations from comics to movies, and what’s practical (or not) about female heroes’ costumes. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nerd-alert-marvel/message

Today, we hope to honor the legacy that Chadwick Boseman has left on us as a person, as an artist, and as a cultural icon. We read excerpts from Ryan Coogler’s beautiful letter about Chadwick Boseman and talk about his influence on T’Challa as a character and Black Panther as a film. Read Ryan Coogler’s full statement: marvel.com/articles/movies/marvel-studios-black-panther-director-ryan-coogler-on-the-legacy-of-chadwick-boseman

Genn is watching the series finale of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. with only the pilot episode as her context - while Bridgette cackles in the background. We’re providing realtime reactions to the finale highlights: Agent Mack is bae, FitzSimmons is true love, the villain has an awful rat mustache, and Grant Ward and Daniel Sousa may or may not be the same person. No S.H.I.E.L.D. training required to have some fun with us!