I realize that today’s comic probably would have went better with yesterday’s blog post. Or at least the second half of that blog post where I discussed how Universal was giving away the cow with the milk by showing our man with the plan – Tony Stark – in the opening seconds of it’s latest round of television spots.

Oh, well. No time like the present, right?

I am amazed at the marketing blitz currently going on for The Incredible Hulk right now. Frankly, I’m worried that it’s too much. I can’t turn my head without running into a commercial for it and it feels like every commercial I see has some kind of new footage.

As I mentioned yesterday, early reviews are coming back strong. Some saying it’s just as good as Iron Man. I’m excited to see the movie, but skeptical. Oh, Ang Lee! Why did you have to mute my expectations with your bland 2003 interpretation?!

Actually, I’m sure that’s exactly the reason we’re seeing so much coverage in the days leading up to the film’s release. It’s basically the marketers saying “Look, we know you weren’t pleased with the first movie and a franchise reboot 5 years after the original does seem a little soon… but look! Iron Man is in it and there’s going to be a lot of punching and kicking! Holy crap! Did you just see Edward Norton’s shoulder pop out of his socket?! Cool, huh?”

My partner in crime Joe Dunn mentioned Monday night during our recording of The Triple Feature podcast that he thought it was a little bit of a bait-and-switch to show Iron Man in the commercials for The Incredible Hulk. His assertion is that Iron Man isn’t going toe-to-toe with ol’ Jade Jaws and the less educated members of the audience might feel cheated.

Personally, I tihnk that’s kind of a leap. I mean, if the trailers had Iron Man flying around in his armor, that would be one thing. But having Tony Stark show up in a suit to talk to Thunderbolt Ross over drinks doesn’t imply anything.

:: Please take a moment to go outside and get some air if you find the ambient geekiness overwhelming ::

Any way you slice it, I’m officially on board for this movie now and I’m really looking forward to the midnight test screening I get to go to tomorrow. (I have to keep mentioning that because it makes me special.)

I’m a little worried that I won’t be able to stay awake, though. Recently, I’ve started working out 6 times a week for the first time in over a year. I was doing pretty well taking care of myself in 2005 and 2006. But after Henry was born, I completely fell off the wagon and gained back all of the weight I lost. So I’m participating in an intense 10-week exercise program to get me back on track.

I work out every night at 7:30 and come home shuffling around like Frankenstein. Last night I struggled to finish the comic before going to bed around 12:30 am – and that’s typically early for me.

On Thursday, I have to get the comic done by 11:30 to be out the door in time for the test screening. Then I’ll be up, watching the movie until probably about 2:30 am before coming home, sleeping for 3 hours and getting up for work at 6:00. I haven’t been to a
midnight screening since Star Wars – Episode III and that nearly wrecked me.

The things I do for the movies.

That’s it for me! Have a great Wednesday, everyone!