Marvel logo w heroesBy Gary Nager

I know I’m not like most people, but I know I’m not alone these days when I say that the Marvel Universe is part of my DNA. I started reading Marvel (and its competitor, DC) Comics at about age 6, which means that I have been a fan of Thor, Captain America, Wolverine and the rest of the X-Men and Avengers for nearly half a century.

But, having seen all of the Marvel super hero movies and TV series (yes, including the cartoons, lol) that have come out the last few years, I know that there is definitely an ever-growing audience for all things Marvel. In fact, I know women in their 40s and 50s who love the movies, dress up for Comic Book Conventions (aka “ComiCons”) and can engage in heated philosophical discourses about which super hero would beat the snot out of another.

There’s also no doubt that Computer Generated Imaging (or CGI) has played a big hand in making the movies seem so much more real. We believe that Spider-Man can swing around Manhattan on super-strong webs, that Iron Man’s repulsor rays really can knock over a city bus and that Captain America’s shield and Thor’s hammer can magically return to their hands because we’ve seen these things happen, up close on a 60-foot-wide screen.

I can only wonder, therefore, how much of those “movie magic” CGI special effects will be incorporated into a first-of-its-kind show that is coming for a four-day visit to the Tampa Bay Times Forum.

According to a media release we received, “Marvel Universe LIVE!,” which invades the Forum Thursday, July 10-Sunday, July 13, will, “captivate audiences with an authentic and original story that brings more than 25 Marvel characters together on one epic quest.” The story is framed around the battle over the Cosmic Cube, the source of ultimate power and one of the most feared and coveted treasures in the Marvel Universe, that has been shattered into pieces by the Mighty Thor in order to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands. With the pieces scattered across the globe, Thor’s villainous brother Loki devises a scheme to clone its powers, a threat that could decimate the Universe.

To defeat Loki, Marvel’s most famous super heroes must band together, including members of The Avengers (Iron Man, Captain America, Hulk, the Black Widow and Thor), along with Spider-Man and Wolverine, must trek across the globe to retrieve the Cosmic Cube fragments and unite them. As the super heroes track the Cube, they will encounter some of their deadliest adversaries, including Green Goblin, Doctor Octopus, Red Skull, Madame Hydra, Electro and more, in the quest for the same fragments. These foes have no problem teaming up if it gets them closer to their ultimate goal of world domination.

“Marvel Universe LIVE!” launches new innovations in set design, aerial stunts, pyrotechnics and state-of-the-art show elements that bring movie-style special effects to the live entertainment arena. Audiences will see the awe-inspiring world of super heroes come to life before their eyes with a dynamic cast comprised of some of the industry’s most talented (and, I’m guessing, buf) stunt performers. Utilizing their talents and aided by a unique combination of never-before-seen arena mechanics, some of Marvel’s mightiest will come to life with profound results. These true-to-comic creations will be supported by innovative lighting design and transformative 3D projection that will take the audience on a journey around the globe with these timeless characters.

To support this massive undertaking, “Marvel Universe LIVE!” will not only utilize the entire arena floor, but also perform within a multilevel aerial space creating a unique experience that puts audiences right in the middle of the action in ways they could only dream about before.

I’m actually going (in costume) to a media preview showing before these shows start at the Forum, so I will post pictures and a review on our website (WCNeighborhoodNews.com) and on Facebook.com/Neighborhood News, in case you haven’t bought your tickets yet.

“Marvel Universe Live,” presented by Feld Entertainment and Marvel Entertainment, will be shown at the Tampa Bay Times Forum (401 Channelside Dr., downtown Tampa) Thursday-Friday, July 10-11, 7 p.m., Saturday, July 12, at 11 a.m., 3 p.m. & 7 p.m., and Sunday, July 13, at 1 p.m. & 5 p.m. For tickets and more info, visit Ticketmaster.com or MarvelUniverseLive.com. Please note that there is super hero violence, special effects, “safe pyrotechnics” and brief blackouts during the show, all of which could be at least somewhat inappropriate for young children, although the website says the show is, “suitable for Marvel fans of all ages.” Excelsior!

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