Keisha Chilufya Behind the scenes with - The Mediator Online
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# Behind the scenes with Keisha Chilufya
I'm Zed Imagines' new
mascot.. "The Chief of
Afrinnovation." I need
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through your support.
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H
appy new year everyone! New year, new beginnnings so the
saying goes and here at Zed Imagines we're looking to start
2019 with you on a high. As you may know, The Mediator is
continually growing in scale, scope and we hope you will go
with it on this new journey that again promises to evolve and
hold quality and improvements from feedback as its pillar.
Thanks for reading The Mediator, enjoy.
IMAGINE A NATION, IMAGINED BY A NATION.
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16
what's
inside
REVIEWS
8 15
22 29
22 29
Behind the scenes with Keisha Chilufya NEWS REGULARS
CONTACT US TO HIRE OUR DESIGN SERVICES
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THIS IS YOUR SPACE
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IMAGINE A NATION, IMAGINED BY A NATION.
The Pains of Growing
Alessia cara
shares the strain of adulthood
REVIEWS
8 15
//REVIEWS//
Meek Mill
Championships
Hip-Hop/Rap • 2018
7
.8
/10
Tracklist
1. Intro
2. Trauma
Review 3. Uptown Vibes (Ft. Fabulous &
Annuel AA)
4. On Me (Ft. Cardi B)
A Mediator Short: A "proper" Meek Mill review
[An overture blares softly in an aristocratic lounge] 5. What's Free (Ft. Rick Ross & JAY-Z)
Aristocrat 1 - "What do you think of that fellow, the Meek 6. Respect The Game
of Millz', new compilation, Championships?" Aristocrat 7. Splash Warning (Ft. Future, Roddy
2 - "It does play like the music of the commons, but it Rich & Young Thug)
would be unjust to not commend the sheer ferocity of 8. Championships
the chap's success paradigm." Aristocrat 1 - "Quite right, 9. Going Bad (Ft. Drake)
his intros are just marvelous, some of the greatest in the 10. Almost Slipped
'game' one could argue. Although, the thump of the bass 11. Tic Tac Toe (Ft. Kodak Black)
does cause a fracas in my library" Aristocrat 2 - "Also,
12. 24/7 (Ft. Ella Mai)
dedicating it to his city's sporting triumph? What honour."
13. Oodles 'O Noodles Babies
Aristocrat 1 - "I concur, plus behind his inarticulate speech
lies decent lyrical talent." "Except when he isn't trying to 14. Pay You Back (Ft. 21 Savage)
flaunt his affluence" he further muttered. Aristocrat 2 - 15. 100 Summers
"He was an honour student, you know." Aristocrat 1 - "That 16. Wit The Shits (W.T.S) [Ft. Melii]
does make him distinguishable, excelling institutionally 17. Stuck In My Ways
and a graduating from what Mr. West called the 'ghetto 18. Dangerous (Ft. Jeremiah & PnB
university'. While on the subject of being scholarly, JAY-Z's Rock)
contribution on the record 'What's Free', superb, wouldn't 19. Cold Hearted II
you say?" Aristocrat 2 - "Agreed, that shii was fire tho!"
*ahems* "deserving of ovation" Aristocrat 1 - "Indeed,
the best featured verse by far, unsurprisingly since the
remaining guest are hip-hop's B list; Future, Rick Ross,
Fabulous, Ella Mai except Cardi B and Drake ofcourse who
were basic" Together - "I like that it puts me in grind mode!"
8
//REVIEWS//
Keisha Chilufya
Kwesi's Daughter 2.0
Gospel/R&B/Soul • 2018
7
.7
/10
Tracklist
1. Crazy
2. Sanity's A Dream
Review 3. Light Up (Ft. Kunkeyani Tha Jedi)
4. Interlude (Byenda's Poem)
5. Breathe
Keisha Chilufya before this was a hearsay name to me,
that's before I picked up her new E.P Kwesi's Daughter 2.0 6. That's Not Funny
#KD2 and was instantaneously transformed into a fan 7. KD 2.0
coming away from it. First impression (cover art), screams
"DARKNESS!" instead of the beautifully expressive gospel
album it actually is, but that's its draw. This isn't music
for the passive listener because its positivity isn't overt,
it's gloomy bursts of life wisdom. However, KD2's sound
production is synthesized to appeal to those with tastes
for melodies and catchy hooks to zone out to but creates
such an immersive audio experience that it's hard to
ignore Keisha's brilliantly thought provoking lyricism. In
fact, the deep, metaphoric, strong lyrical content is where
the EP really finds its strength. It will take its listeners
on an introspective journey that will have them question
their social reality, life choices and have them conquer the
fear of confronting negative emotions especially since the
reference material is real and raw almost like an auditory
bio. The Vocal performances over its 7 tracks are also
notably good, Keisha has an easily identifiable voice that
sounds best at low pitch vocal ranges (silent criticism)
and its only guest Kunkeyani Tha Jedi's contribution on
the song "Light Up" was well written and delivered. A
miscellaneous inclusion, the "That's Not Funny" skit was
genius and that can be said throughout the album.
9
//REVIEWS//
Alessia Cara
The Pains of Growing
Pop/Rock • 2018
8
.4
/10
Tracklist
1. Growing Pains
2. Not Today
Review 3. I Don't Want To
4. 7 Days
5. Trust My Lonely
Alessia Cara's 2015 debut 'Know It All' received critical
praise for displaying maturity beyond her age and 6. Wherever I Live
it comes full circle with her sophomore album; 'The 7. All We Know
Pains of Growing' all about blossoming into adulthood. 8. A Little More
The album exudes character, honesty and affirms her 9. Comfortable
identifiable sound but most of all its themes and lyricism 10. Nintendo Game
are exceptionally intelligent and relateable (her greatest 11.Out Of Love
strength). Over the 15-track album, Alessia beautifully 12. Girl Next Door
vocalizes her discontentment with the pressure of the 13. My Kind
unknowns of adulthood while expressing hope for the
14. Easier Said
future and chronicles the lessons learnt thus far, making
15. Growing Pains (Reprise)
it one of those albums from which its adolescent audience
can actually derive value. 'Growing Pains' serves as
the album's upbeat prologue to the emotional trip of
self discovery on diverse matters that lies ahead; life's
chaos, love, contentment, growth and more, all layered
over perfectly suited melodies. I'll select a few songs to
demonstrate this. 'Not Today' for example is a song that
says each level of growth always reveals there's a new
level to grow towards but has such a feel good vibe, it
sounds hopeful. '7 Days' a dark toned conversation with
God about why the opressive, divisive, social order exists;
maybe cause it makes damn good TV (for him)? Trust My
Lonely' channels old Beyonce on a song about cautious
love. More unique blends are on the album, so go listen.
10//REVIEWS//
The 1975
A Brief Inquiry Into
Online Relationships
Alternative Pop/Rock •
8
.9
/10
Tracklist
1. The 1975
2. Give Yourself A Try
Review 3.Tootimetootimetootime
4. How To Draw/Petrichor
5. Love It If We Made It
British alternative pop group, The 1975 have made classics
out of every single album they release and with ABIIOR 6. Be My Mistake
they're 3 for 3 (they have a reputation now for album 7. Sincerity Is Scary
titles so long they need to be abbreviated). The 1975 is an 8. I Like America & America Likes
extremely unorthodox band so finding familiarity in their Me
influences might disarm you enough to create intrigue 9. The Man Who Married A Robot/
and eventually see their appeal. Their musical style is Love Theme
reminiscent of the golden age of british pop both sonically 10. Inside Your Mind
and in controversy almost as if they were trying to be 11. It's Not Living (If It's Not With
reincarnates of the era. Yet, their songs don't feel entirely
You)
retro because they've manage to harmonize modern
12. I Always Wanna Die (Sometimes)
day's digital wizardry with the past creating a sound that
has no residence in any time period and none of their
albums exemplifies this more than this one. Despite not
having a particularly unified narative, it loosely borders
on a technophobe pointing out the destructive nature of
the internet on humanity. No, its nothing Pulitzer Prize
worthy! It's fun most times, incorporating many popular
genres including but not limited to electronic, blues,
R&B, Rock and even trap! It's chock full of surprising
contradictions; it's nostalgic and current, has drug
referencing obscenities at times covered up by its almost
illusionary innocence of sunflowery pop and hopelessly
romantic with a splash of humour mixed in. All of this
merged together is just brilliant, 2018 album of the year.
11//REVIEWS//
Cassper
Nyovest
Short and Sweet
Hip-Hop/Rap/Kwaito • 2018
8
.0
/10
Tracklist
1. Welcome Welcome
2. Ayoba
Review 3. Skeptedata
4. No Pressure
5. Who's Got The Block Hot? (Ft.
Cassper Nyovest's 2017 hip-hop album 'Thuto' enjoyed
huge commercial success but somehow he surpassed Frank Casino)
that with with the release of a surprise album 'Short and 6. Remote Control (Ft. DJ Sumbody)
Sweet' celebrating the music of his youth, Kwaito. Being 7. Hase Mo States (Edit)
broadly defined by hip-hop, this would obviously spotlight 8. Tseya Ukwe (Ft. DJ Sumbody)
his diversity but actually in my opinion this sounds more 9. Move For Me (Ft. Boskasie)
intuitive almost as if its creation was effortless. Each one 10. Gets Getsa
of its 11 tracks is distinct both within Kwaito as a genre 11. Sponono Sam (Ft. Shwi
and the vibe it radiates; one minute you're listening to Nomtekhala)
the hip-hop bangers 'Who's Got The Block Hot?' and
'Ayoba' the next 'Move For Me' a sure dance hit, a vibe
'Skeptedata' to 'Remote Control' that has its place as
one of this year's house hits, yet all of it is Kwaito! Two
possible hinderances though; first its lyrics require you
to be bilingual to be completely understood and second
if you don't normally listening to Kwaito it might take a
while to pick all of this out. Cassper's fans identify with
him as an artist who creates an intimate experience out of
every album. Short and Sweet carries the same intimacy
without airing his dirty laundry. Its experimental nature
aims to explore a new sound and create a vibe, so it lacks
the conscious rap lyrics dissecting his every thought but
that doesn't diminish how expressive it is, as a matter of
fact quite the opposite. It is surprisingly so, especially for a
playlist of the year's club smashes.
12//REVIEWS//
Mr. Eazi
Life Is Eazy Vol. 2:
Lagos to London
Afro-Pop • 2018
7
.8
/10
Tracklist
1. Lagos Gyration (Intro) [Ft. Lady
Donli]
Review 2. Surrender (Ft. Simi)
3. Dabebi (Ft. King Promise &
Maleek Berry)
Mr Eazi's 2017 debut album, Life Is Eazi Vol 1: Accra to
Lagos documented his meteoric rise gaining a fan base 4. Suffer Head (Ft. 2Baba)
from Ghana to Nigeria eventually Africa and beyond due 5. Property (Ft. Mo-T)
to its positive reception setting favourable conditions for 6. Pour Me Water
global penetration, gracing stages across Europe including 7. Keys To The City (Ogede)
the 'Late Late Show with James Corden'. Life Is Eazi Vol 2: 8. Shasha Kushasha (w/ Distruction
Lagos to London is a record of his success since gaining Boyz)
international fame. Eazi is young, creative, rich and in love 9. In Molue To London (Skit)
(with Temi Otedola, google her) the music of L.I.E Vol. 2 [Ft. Broda Shaggi]
oozes this, so nothing original but what is, is the tracklist's
10. Miss You Bad (Ft. Burna Boy)
sequencing which is divided in two; one half, home brewed
11. Attention (Ft. Lotto Boyzz)
and the other half made for international appeal joined
together by the skit "In Molue To London" (Molue is a term 12. Yard & Chill
nigerian locals use to refer to big buses), smart ey? On 13. She Loves Me (Ft. Chronixx)
the Lagos side, he covers the breadth of Afro-pop, picking 14. Chicken Curry (Ft. Sneakbo)
rhythmic beats more identifiable with home; there’s the 15. London Town (Ft. Giggs)
fast-paced “Surrender,” reinterpretation of shaku shaku
style on the Diplo produced EDM banger “Open & Close.”
The London side is just as varied, it begins with the
soothingly romantic of the Burna Boy collaboration “Miss
You Bad”, fluid and preppy mid-tempo cuts (“Attention”),
infectious Caribbean vibes (“She Loves Me”), and also
dipping into grime inflected afro swing on “Chicken Curry”
and the Giggs assisted, pre-released single “London
Town.” Mr Eazi shows his intentions of global stardom.
13//REVIEWS//
ZAYN
Icarus Falls
R&B/Pop/Contemporary • 2018
7
.3
/10
Tracklist
1. Let Me
2. Natural
Review 3. Back To Life
4. Common
5. Imprint
Zayn Malik seemingly commited career suicide when he
broke away from one of the biggest pop groups of this 6. Stand Still
generation, One Direction. Many sceptics, me included, 7. Tonight
believed he would soon become a distant memory but 8. Flight Of The Stars
it turned out One Direction's name would be the one to 9. If I Got You
fade into oblivion after his debut Mind of Mine in 2016. 10. Talk To Me
After 2 years of anticipation, his sophomore, Icarus Falls 11. There You Are
following its predecessor's themes is sensual ice chill 12. I Don't Mind
modern R&B withup a few surprisingly sublime pop 13. Icarus Interlude
moments. The 27-track length is indicative of data dump
14. Good Guy
which is a strategically sound choice in the statistic
15. You Wish You Knew
driven streaming-age. And it is that, in part but Icarus
Falls is actually a double album, cleaved in two by 'Icarus 16. Sour Diesel
Interlude.' The album opens beautifully with Zayn in 17. Satisfaction
love, something loosely resembling love on 'Let Me.' It’s 18. Scripted
followed by a slew of love songs, some of which leap from 19. Entertainment
speakers a bit more readily: The sparse, snap-assisted 20. All That
“Back to Life” turns a lover into a lifesaver; the sumptuous 21. Good Years
“I Don’t Mind” rides a laconic groove with hope and 22. Fresh Air
swagger. Then come the aforementioned interlude and the 23. Rainberry
back half of the album, the new mood somber mood with
24. Insomnia
songs like 'Good Guy', 'Good Years' and 'Entertainer' Icarus
25. No Candle No Light (Ft. Nicki Minaj)
Falls, as a high-concept pop album, is fine. It shows off
Zayn’s reluctant enigmatic charisma and love-song-ready 26. Fingers
voice .True, it’s long, but given that its whole concept. 27. Too Much (Ft. Timbaland)
14//REVIEWS//
Clean Bandit
What Is Love?
Dance/Pop • 2018
6
.4
/10
Tracklist
1. Symphony (Ft. Zara Larsson)
2. Baby (Ft. Marina and the Diamonds
Review & Luis Fonsi)
3. Solo (Ft. Demi Lovato)
4. Rockabye Baby (Ft. Sean Paul &
Since breaking out in 2014, Clean Bandit have displayed
mastery at orchestrating chart toppers (holding 9 top 10 Anne-Marie)
hits and 4bn streams to date) so as you would imagine 5. Mama (Ft. Ellie Goulding)
compiling an album wouldn't be challenging. This second 6. Should've Known Better
album already five singles three of which were No 1s. Still, (Ft. Anne Marie)
hearing these songs side by side does helpfully expose 7. Out at Night (Ft. KYLE & Big Boi)
some of Clean Bandit’s methods. While their 2014 debut, 8. Last Goodbye (Ft. Tove Styrke &
New Eyes, was built around pop-house and string-section Stefflon Don)
flourishes, What Is Love? draws opportunistically on more 9. We Were Just Kids (Ft. Craig David
recent chart trends such as Latin pop and diluted dancehall
& Kirsten Joy)
(and Afro-pop on the homefron. Which would be fine if
10. Nowhere (Ft. Rita Ora & KYLE)
it at least produced remarkable pieces of music, so why
are they successful then? My theroy is that their hits are 11. I Miss You (Ft. Julia Michaels)
created in a laboratory using data from human guinea pigs 12. In Us I Believe (Ft. ALMA)
and embedded within their symphonies is a mind control 13. 24 Hours (Ft. Yasmin Green)
frequency emitted each time one of their songs are played. 14. Playboy Style (Ft. Charli XCX &
That may be a tad far-fetched, Ok let's at least agree that Bhad Babie)
their music sounds like output from an AI music composition 15. Beautiful (Ft. Davido & Love Ssega)
engine. It also sees the band continue their teamwork-based 16. Tears (Ft. Louisa Johnson)
approach to music-making. Each track sports at least one
starry guest, be it Demi Lovato, Zara Larrson or Craig David,
Davido as well for African fans – a reliable indicator of chart
success (collaborations account fot about a third of hit
songs). Despite it's uninspired tracklist, What Is Love? will
have at least one of your guilty pleasure songs.
15//FEATURE//
e i s h
K e of h a C
A v o i ci l u f y a
Ch elling her gospel t r u t h
ho p e , t
Keisha Chilufya is thee artist to look out for in Zambia's independent music scene right now!
The release of her second EP 'Kwesi's Daughter 2.0' #KD2 last December shows her prowese
as a talented, hyper-creative, incredibly diverse songstress and lyricist with global ambitions,
and it doesn't hurt that her music preaches hope and will help reconnect with your spirituality.
In honour of this huge career milestone, The Mediator would like to cheer her on as she
pursues her mission to make inspirational and impactful music for anyone who might be
suffering through any tragedy, emotional trauma, suicidal thoughts or anything similar to
show them that there is always hope in the face of any adversity. What sets Keisha's gospel
apart is that it isn't purely worship, instead it divulges her personal demons and reaches out
to God to take on their burden with lyrics filled with wisdom and depth (full album review
on page 9). Sonically, #KD2 features different genre infusions like Soul, R&B and trap so it
definitely isn't your typical list of hymns and I could go on and on about it but just go pick it
up. All of that said, this article looks at Kwesi's Daughter 2.0 through the eyes of its creator to
give you a behind the scenes look at the compilation's creation.
17" Heart was
but a flow
The Beginning
The journey to Kwesi's Daughter 2.0 has
been a long, arduous journey for Keisha
that has been three and a half years in
the making. She got her first taste of
performance art in a christian creative
collective known as J.O.E (Jesus Over
Everything) Nation eventually going on to
release her own music, first during a brief
stint as a rapper on song titled "Christ Kid"
then scrapped her rap persona to show off
her talent as a vocalist on a solo debut "All
I Know" in 2015 that became available
on the online African independent music
platform Retunes and so the talent we
would later come to know as Keisha
Chilufya was born.
Art Influences
Keisha's art is her life and her life
is her art as her music is an and of
itself of a product of her life experience
growing and evolving just as she has.
Her form of expressionism stems from a
state of depression non-idealic home-a rock,
wer still bloomed "
- Keisha Chilufya
life situation. Her childhood image of her a Rock but a flower still bloomed." Though
mother, Kwesi, was a chronically depressed, the centrepiece of her music is perosnal,
alcoholic - a lifestyle that caused Keisha to it also offers gems of wisdom on life,
witness her mother's death at the tender age love, individuality, overcoming fear and
of 9. Her trauma was further exacerbated by depression, drive, ambitions and whatever
her feelings of being a social misfit among else life is about (like I said before KD2 full
those that had a stable nuclear family. review on page 9). With all the passion that
Instead of using this as a crutch to excuse Keisha puts into producing quality music
detrimental behaviour, Keisha overcame that's also true to herself, when she says
what for most would be an insurmountable her music is bigger than any sort of acclaim
mountain of emotional distress and found or accolades and more about making an
her strength, independence and purpose in impact it's actually believeable.
music even though the process itself was
not without difficulty.
In Restrospect...
The Kwesi's Daughter EPs
With those influences, by now you would
"I would tell you my younger self, to go to
google to find out the root of her sadness
and despression so you'd know that an
have a rough idea of how profoundly actual condition people around the world
expressive and meaningful a project with suffer from, And to my fans I'd like to thank
title would be for her. On the surface, them for letting me influence their minds
they both address her mother's flaws and and if it had a positive impact on anyone
honours her inspite of them, yet she vows battling suicidal thoughts, depression or any
that her upbringing will not be a determinant emotional or psychological issues that to me
of the person she becomes or as she put matters more than any award or recognition.
it on the KD2's opener, 'Crazy' "Heart was That's my purpose."CONTACT US TO HIRE OUR DESIGN SERVICES
AND ADVERTISE YOUR BRAND'S OFFERINGS.
THIS IS YOUR SPACE
Call or Whatsapp
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IMAGINE A NATION, IMAGINED BY A NATION.Hands On:
HADES
Here's our verdict
REVIEWS
22 29//REVIEWS//
7.7
Shadow of the Tomb Raider
"Lara's final adventure is the trilogy's most
ambitious but only a shadow of itself..."
? Shadow of the Tomb Raider is the third
and final installment in the rebooted
therefore, it must be protected from
the clutches of Trinity whose leader
TR trilogy with Eidos Montreal leading
wants to use it to reshape the world.
development (taking over from Crystal
Well intentioned, Lara tampers with
Dynamics). News of its development
it and now must right her wrong to
sprung from rumours and an image leak
preserve our current reality.
a few weeks before last year's E3 and a
trailer confirmation followed. It released
on PC, PS4 and Xbox One on Sept. 14th
GRAPHICS
Part of Tomb Raider's legacy is
STORY-LINE industry-leading visuals and Shadow
of the Tomb Raider's graphics quality
Set after Rise of the Tomb Raider, SOTTR is simply outstanding (even in this
follows Lara Croft, now a more seasoned and highly competitive generation). Lara
obsessive archaeologist seeking to unearth explores diverse locations ranging
the secrets of her father's research. On this from Cozumel, Mexico to Peruvian
expedition Lara is joined by Jonah whom jungles and an ancient hidden city
together track down a divine articfact that if (including their own array of hidden
disturbed could provoke a Mayan apocalypse, tombs), each built with immense
detail, illumination and shadow effects
making it beautifully immersive.
22Lara like many past british explorers left her civilized life behind to
live among an ancient undiscovered tribe and invade their business.
GAMEPLAY
In Tomb Raider games, narrative takes
precedence which tends bound games to some
Lara celebrates the day of the
sort of linear progression. In the past two
dead in Cozumel, Mexico....
releases, its creators maintained a balance
between open exploration and linear story
progression. Shadow of the Tomb Raider,
however, attempts to embellish the game's
"openness" with the goal of a game that has
a multitude of gameplay possibilities and an
intense story to match (but ultimately falls
flat although that doesn't mean there aren't
intermittent highs). Primarily the gameplay is divided into
three elements; puzzle, exploration and combat (each
with its own adjustable difficulty) which has always been
characteristic of Tomb Raider but this time they feel
more distinct unlike in previous games where they would
overlap to create some of the most memorable heart
racing sequences in gaming. This does happen on occasion
in Shadow but more often than not if you're in the game's
climbey bits, its confined to that, in a puzzle situation, same
thing and so on, shedding some the franchise's dazzle
("Let's bang it!" lol). Where it shines, is in the new stealthy
approach to combat, its puzzles and hidden tombs, its
living environments as well as new means of traversal.
Most drastic of these changes is those made to combat. As
fun it was to spray bullets at every bad guy (kinda miss it),
Croft Manor hosts Young the new combat system favours stealth over brute force
Lara's imaginary expeditions demanding more tactical approaches from players and the
added abilities accentuate this quite nicely but there aren't
nearly enough combat sequences for you to fully enjoy it.
23//REVIEWS//
8.6
Hades
"SuperGiant Games enlivens the Dead Cells
formula with their trademark style..."
? SuperGiant Games, the studio behind
the classics, Bastion and Transistor
who like most parents express their
lack of faith in his divergent ambitions,
bring their newest game, the survival/
but lets him try anyway. That's not
action RPG, Hades announced and
even his worst problem, his escape
launched on the night of the 2018
is an unrelenting fight through an
Game Awards. It is currently in early
ever-changing, unforgiving hell. Well,
access on Steam's newest competitor
he's not entirely alone, his family from
platform, the Epic Games Store as of
Olympus offers help (from a distance).
7th December with continual updates.
STORY-LINE GRAPHICS
SuperGiant Games have maintained a
Hades, thrusts you into the underworld characteristic visual style consistently
domain of the greek god Hades, playing as with their release catalogue; isometric
his son, prince Zagreus who dreams of a life top-down cel-shaded graphics (which
beyond the confines of the dark realm of for simplicity's sake means it looks like
damned drifting souls and hellish demons three-dimensional cartoon). For the
to ascend to Olympus. So he makes his graphics elitist that would disqualify
intentions of escape known to his father, it from their library but the attention
to detail makes it a visual delight that
could impress anyone.
24Dungeons riddled with demons and booby traps
all designed to put your escape to a fatal end.
GAMEPLAY
Hades enlivens the 'Dead Cells' formula with
SuperGiant Games' trademark style and that
alone should be reason to rush and give it a go
but there's so much extra stylistic distinctions
that make it an experience all its own. An
abstract of Hades' gameplay is that it has
you battle through procedurally generated
dungeons fighting against waves of bad guys
until you clear the area and move on to the
next one. If that proves too overwhelming,
you will be killed, reminded that "There is no There's no place like home especially
when you have to DIE to get there...
escape" and then respawn in a pool of blood in your home's
living area. This gives you a chance to talk to the game's
NPCs who will give you handy tips, reveal its narrative but
mostly mock you for dying again (especially your father,
Hades). This gives you a chance to recuperate from the
frustration of having to restart at the beginning, reflect in
your bedroom mirror about whether this is all worth it or
not then access the mirror's upgrades and purchase a few,
practice on your humourous training dummy, look at the
size of your undertaking and then go back out there to fight
even harder in a newly generated environment so even then
you never know what to expect. Don't worry it isn't all ill-
fated, each respawn is a lesson, plus you'll get new combat
enhancements courtesy of Zagreus' god aunties and uncles
enabling you to wreak even more havoc as you battle your
Athena, one of Zagreus' many way out of hell! Honestly this is one of those games that
helpful aunties and uncles remind you why indie devs exist plus if you're not satisfied
with the game so far, it is in early access so you could help
improve the game with your feedback.
25//REVIEWS//
8.1
Hitman 2
"Hitman's groundbreaking technological
advancements are duplicated for its sequel..."
? Hitman 2 is the direct sequel to 2016's
Hitman developed by IO Interactive,
kill at a time. All the while 47 and his
handler Diana Burnwood under order
under new publishers Warner Bros from Providence must uncover and foil
following the dissolution of IOI's the plans of a threatening adversary
partnership with Square Enix. This is from 47's past - yet another mystery.
the 7th standalone Hitman game overall
realeased for the PS4, Xbox One and PC
on 13th November 2018 and has been
well received since release.
GRAPHICS
Hitman received acclaim for
STORY-LINE breathtaking visual quality and two
years on the visual improvements
Continuing the plot of the first Hitman are minute but are still exceptional.
game (in fact playing Hitman before Hitman Improved lighting and shadow, more
2 is highly recommended), we will once detailed textures bring to life the
again see through the cold and clinical added environmental diversity from
eyes of master assassin Agent 47 as he the first game (plus for anyone who
infiltrates the world's rich and powerful elite cared to notice 47 has received a
underground, altering the world events one slight facelift). These improvements
spill over to Hitman 1's levels.
26That's the way hitmen get festive (classic fireworks
display), making "the world your weapon"
GAMEPLAY
Hitman 2 (like its predecessor) is best
experienced online with a constant stream
of "remixed" in-game missions, user created Hitman attends the races in LA,
content in the form of 'Contract Missions', exemplifying the living world.
timed "elusive" targets and the brand new
Sniper Assassin Mode. That doesn't make
offline play pitiful. Its main menu is designed
to mimic an espionage central intelligence
network UI (encouraging you to cycle through
the game content) and when you finally
decide which unlucky mogul will perish at
the hands of Agent 47 in the mission select screen, the
mission dossier is narrated by the sexy, high intent voice
Success is making it to 47's of Diana until eventually you're on location ready to get
hit list. bloody hands. In 2016's Hitman, the scale of the living
world behaving independently and how your actions ripple
through its reactions was incredible and its sequel expands
it 2 to 3 times fold! Prime examples are Mumbai and the
LA map hosting an F1 race which are densely populated
and humungous yet each NPC feels purposefully alive
when undisturbed and more impressively reactive when an
action meriting an intelligent response is exerted on them.
Mission locations are distinct sandboxes, each with unique
sets of opportunities, landmarks and scenery, layout and
collective behaviour satisfying "free play" advocates while
still offering a more guided approach through 'mission
stories' that reward you with a cinematic kill. Hitman 2 is
another showcase of what's possible in the wonderful
world of software emgineering but feels like Hitman's
groundbreaking tech has been duplicated.
27//REVIEWS//
8.2
FIFA 19
"The Champions League joins the most
realistic football simulator yet ('til next year)..."
? EA Sports' annual football simulation
franchise makes its 26th entry with
addition pervades all of FIFA's game
modes; play it directly in Kick-off, as a
FIFA 19. Expectedly it was announced at new career or season and play rising
the 2018 E3 conference and anticipated star Alex Hunter's third season story
as the first FIFA game to include a long- (which now has a protagonist trio)
time requested UEFA Champions league with champions league ambitions.
experience (the only licensing right
PES had to hover over FIFA). It released
on Sept 28th on all major systems.
GRAPHICS
Due to its annual release cycle,
STORY-LINE graphical improvements are only
really noticeable in retrospect but
The Champions League joins the most on closer inspection the visuals have
realistic football simulator yet ('til next been updated, more realistic skin
year) realizing (or virtualizing) every textures and sweat, better looking
FIFA fans dreams of playing for the most crowds and all but nothing really eye-
coveted club trophy in all of Europe (I hope popping. That being said the game
PES is working on licensing rights for an still looks incredible although if you
interplanetary football league). This new had outlandish expectations it won't
blow your mind..
28FIFA's pre-match ceremonies are now so realistic,
they make each game an ocassion...
GAMEPLAY
This isn't an entry that completely reinvents
the way we play, better to think of it as an
expansion. This doesn't mean all we have is a
release package with only updated squads and
that's the end of that. It introduces a handful
of new mechanics to gameplay including a
new shooting mechanic, tighter ball control
as well as my favourite new way to play The
Journey with 3 intersecting storylines. There
are also new ways to kick-off that bring
back the arcade style play reminiscent of The Journey's Danny Williams,
Alex and Kim Hunter. (L to R)
FIFA 98's indoor football called 'House Rules' that adds
some fun match variations; for example Long Range (long
range goals score 2 points), Survival (every goal scored
eliminates a random player from the scorer's team) and
more to add playfulness to what is now the pinnacle of
sports simulation (translation: starting to take itself too
seriously). Then after pre-match training mini-games
(introduced in FIFA 11) and the increasingly impressive
pre-match ceremony enactments, a fixture commences
and you can see just how refined FIFA has become over
the years (although it hasn't changed much from FIFA 18),
the game is just awash what feels like infinite plausible
gameplay possibilities, in-game player reactions, off-the-
ball intelligence, near-perfect physics making it hard to
see how much more evolution its gameplay can have for
The game's opening match the years to come, although, stuff like substitions, player
entrance. reactions to gameplay halts and such need more variation.
Regardless, FIFA 19 is another solid entry into the world's
leading sports simulator, let's see about next year.
29//FEATURE//
//FEATURE//
Since
its
host/creator
Geoff Keighley
introduced the first
annual celebration of
videogames as an art form 5 years
ago, The Game Awards just like gaming
itself has continued to innovate by finding
middle ground between an all out spectacle and
the sophistication of critique. This makes for unique post
show conversation that's a hybrid of fan-boy enthusiasm
and analytical debate. This year's edition was the greatest show
of all of them; spectacular musical performances, recognizeable
guests and (although mostly not AAA) fresh, new, hype-
worthy game reveals. Honestly had such a hard time
picking the exact focus of this feature but to keep
it timely I opted for the [sexy-computerized
human voice] "World Premiere"
announcements that I found
most exciting and will look
forward to playing next
year.
31//FEATURE//
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PSYCHONAUTS 2
The sequel to Tim Schaffer's 2005 classic, Psychonauts 2
returns two years after its initial announcement and this
time we receive a story trailer. It was almost equivalent to
freshman orientation to a game with many deep human
psychological themes. It follows a 10 year old runaway
circus acrobat who joins a team of psychic super-spies now
working from its headquarters, no place for a boy.
far cry new dawn
Far Cry: A New Dawn
is set in a colourful
post apocalypse where
salvage and scavenging
is the means of survival.
As is tradition with
Far Cry we have new
oppressors and they are
sexy, black and ghetto!
(In a good way...)
THE PATHLESS
From the creators of ABZÛ, Giant Squid,
comes another gallery worthy piece of
digital art, The Pathless. Play as an
Oriental veiled archer journeying
through mystical lands inhabited by
a flurry of spirit animals in which
she finds and bonds with an
eagle companion on her quest
to dispel the land's dark curse.
HAdeS
Hades is a a hardcore
action RPG experienced from an
angled top-down perspective
developed by Super Giant Games,
the creators of Bastion and
Transistor. The Greek
mythology inspired story
has you play as the son
of Hades looking to
escape his father's domain.
Fight your way through the
world's demons and gain new
abilities, all to escape death.
32MORTAL KOMBAT 11
Creative director of Mortal Kombat and
Injustice, Ed Boon's award presentation
eclipsed Forza Horizon's Best Sports/
Racing award win with the dark and
ludicrously violent (what MK is all
about) MK11 reveal trailer. The 2 and a
half minute trailer featured a battle
to the death between Scorpion
and Raiden who emerges victor
and killed by an alternate Scorpion.
Oh there was some trap music too!
OUTER WILDS
Obsidian, the team behind
acclaimed Fallout: New Vegas
return with a spiritual successor
in the form of The Outer Worlds.
Its plot has you take on the
role of a mercenary thawed
out of cryogenesis by a THE LAST CAMPFIRE
man who bears striking
resemblance to Doc My pick of the night for sure! Billed by Hello
Brown in a far away Games as a short, The Last Campfire looks
galaxy overrun by like the kind of indie fantasy adventure game
capitalism. Its world craving that hasn't been satiated for some time.
is full of enterprise You play as a cute little character that embarks
and vistas, huge on a journey that I'm sure will have profound
beasts and significance left open to our interpretation.
what look to
be memorable
CRASH TEAM RACING
characters full of
humour. Another Crash Bandicoot
remaster and it's Kart Racing!
This will awaken any gamer's
inner kid with the crazy, ridiculous
fun that is CTR. Bring a friend
local or online it's all upto you. But
where is the new Crash game?
Sayonara
wild hearts
Sayonara: Wild Hearts is a great
new semi-mobile experience
coming to the Switch in
2019. It's a pop inspired
runner-style bright
coloured light show
whose gameplay
looks absolutely
stunning.
33CONTACT US TO HIRE OUR DESIGN SERVICES
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+260976070407
IMAGINE A NATION, IMAGINED BY A NATION.A transformation
BUMBLEBee
reanimates 'Transformers'
REVIEWS
22 29//REVIEWS//
BUMBLEBEE
7
.7
/10 Directed by Travis Knight 1h 54min
"Finds its sweetspot where it all began... the 1980s...".
Hailee Steinfeld, Jorge Lenderborg Jr., John Cena, Jason Drucker g
?
Transformers soft reboots The Transformers movies seem to have a
the franchise with an haphazard chronology. Time-hopping from
E.T-esque heartwarming pre-history to the middle ages and even to
TRIVIA tale in which the fate of modern day but this, the latest installment, finds
worlds just happens to be its sweetspot where it all began.. The 1980s.
hanging in the balance! Before exploring that in more depth let's take
In the aftermath of the a look at how its creators breathed new life
war for Cybertron (the into a franchise on the brink of death. 2007's
most monumental event Tranformers was a huge evolutionary step for
in Transformer history), the sci-fi action genre but what really made
the Autobot resistance's it stick was the bond between Sam Witwiky
leader, Optimus Prime and his symbol of adoloescent freedom, his
entrusts Bumblebee with car (even better cause it was alive). Over time
finding a suitable planet to that took a back seat to creating awesome
ensure the survival of their action sequences which turned it into a slow-
race (earth apparently, motion demolition derby. 'Bumblebee', however,
humans need to appreciate recaptures the exact same emotional connection
our environment, cause of the first film in an action packed family movie
aliens sure do!). On the (although this shoots for a more inclusive G
other end of the war effort, rating as opposed to the PG13 of the first entry).
the Deceptacons whose Great recipe already right? But the nostalgia
sole mission is the total of the 80s time-period makes this by far the
anhiliation of the Autobots, most well developed Transformers story of
hunt Bumblebee to them all. The nods to the happiest decade's pop
counteract his mission. For culture, the family-oriented feel, a coming of
Bumblebee, earth turns out age tale, a jump back to the time period of the
to be more than a mission original "Transformers: Robots In Diguise" and
when he finds a friend in coinciding it with what we've already seen?!
angsty teen female. Transformers' fan wishlist complete!
36//REVIEWS//
SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE
8
.9
/10 Directed by Bob Perischetti, Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothman 1h 56min
"A new Spider-man universe, built from a multi-verse..".
Shameik Moore, Jake Johnson, Hailee Steinfeld, Mahershala Ali, Brian Henry G
?
Spiderman: Into The Disney's deal with Sony bringing Spider-man
Spiderverse finally brings over to the Marvel Cinematic Universe gratified
Miles Morales story to the superhero fan dream but kind of left Sony at
TRIVIA the big screen. Son of a loss, a fitting response? Start a new spider-man
working class parents (a universe, built from a multi-verse! Peter Parker's
cop and a nurse), Miles, story is undeniably overplayed so introducing
a black-hispanic teen the culture revolutionizing New Marvel Comics
from the Bronx whose character, Miles Morales is definitely refreshing
life is rearranged after (the debate surrounding this new set of diverse
he transfers to a private character reincarnations was so heated it made
boarding school for the it to the BBC!). Miles' big screen appearance
privileged. Naturally, he effortfully sought its own identity by deviating
struggles to fit in and seeks from everything conventionally associated with
comforts in his cooler/poor Peter Parker's Spider-man; obviously it has a
life choice uncle (his dad's largely African-American cast (but was surprising
brother). As if adjusting more authentically black than expected), it's
wasn't hard enough a 3D animated feature, heavily emphasizes
already, one of the city's its comic book origins (in narrative and visual
poorly secured radioactive style), is subtly loaded with humour frequently
spiders gives spider-like breaking the fourth wall and has waaay more
superhuman abilities spider-people! That rebellion from the status-quo
entangling him in the death is exactly what makes it for me, the best Spider-
of Peter Parker (the original man film ever created. The level of immersion into
Spider-man) in an unstable black culture was so deep I half expected to hear
earth shattering, inter- the N-word, the glitchy comic artpop visuals were
dimensional anomaly that amazing (pun-intended) and it was emotionally
brings alternate dimension heavy enough to feel real while still being age-
spider-people to his dime- appropriate, fantasy and funny. Plus whose ever
nsion. been able to resist an inter-dimensional crisis?
37//REVIEWS//
RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET
7
.6
/10 Directed by Phil Johnston, Rich Moore 1h 56min
"A Beginners Guide To The Consumer Web/Web 2.0..".
Sarah Silverman, John C. Reilly, Gal Gadot, Taraji P. Henson, Jack McBrayer g
?
Six years after Wreck It In Germany (where movie tiltles are changed
Ralph's happy ending, to eliminiate any sort of prevarication) 'Ralph
interest in arcade games is Breaks The Internet' was probably retitled as
TRIVIA dwindling and characters 'A Beginners Guide To The Consumer Web/
are increasingly becoming Web 2.0' because that's exactly what it is! With
"gameless" (a videogame 2012's Wreck It Ralph, Disney took a movie that
character's equivalent of should've only resonated with the gamer niche
being homeless) yet for and broadened its appeal creating a passionate
best friends Ralph from the group of fans fantasizing about a sequel every
Wreck It Ralph game and chance they could so you can imagine our
Venelope Von Shweetz elation when news of a sequel broke (had to).
the glitchy princess of It turned out be not quite what we expected,
Sugar Rush happiness shifting focus from gaming (without abandoning
is routine suiting Ralph it entirely) to the distracting wonderful world of
perfectly but Venelope the internet, specifically; content creation, social
craves something more. media and e-commerce (the key elements of
Ralph tries to give her the Web 2.0). Take that, mix in some memorable
change she desires and characters, a good story and Disney magic and
in the process wrecks you have a cocktail that educates, is nostalgic
(as he would) her game and tugs on your heart strings. One important
leaving Venelope and all of aspect of RBTI's quality, is representation. The
Sugar Rush's inhabitants concept isn't impossible to fathom, however, the
gameless. To repair the imaginative portrayal of what would otherwise
game, Ralph and Venelope be I.T jargon such as the web as a domain,
need to find a replacement users - shown as avatars, browsers, algorithms
part before Sugar Rush and more, also the simplicity with which they
is decomissioned they explain the tenets of content creation was
venture online to find it. masterful (it is Disney after all). Technical review
I know, but it is a great educational family film.
38//REVIEWS//
CREED II
7
.9
/10 Directed by Steven Caple Jr. 2h 10min
"Hard-hitting emotional drama, literally and figuratively..".
Michael B Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson, Dolph Lungren 13
?
Creed II is the direct 2015's Rocky reboot, Creed, reimagined the
sequel to 2015's Creed 80s cult classic boxing drama continuing its
and spiritual sequel to my legacy as the generation's right hook of reality
TRIVIA favourite Rocky movie, envisioned through a sport that is all about
Rocky IV (1985) revolving accepting a challenge, psyching yourself up for
around deceased boxing it and fighting through it to emerge victorious
legend Apollo Creed's son, becaming the sports drama of this decade. Creed
Adonis Creed who finally II, its powerful sequel, serves up hard-hitting
becomes the World Boxing emotional drama, literally and figuratively in
Champion, a title holding a story that has the title character reconcile
deep sentimental value repressed anger anchored in the events of Rocky
for him, it being the title IV while presenting new challenges that could
his father died in the ring possibily carry the franchise forward, genius
trying to win. The joy of his I think... Looking at it in more detail, Creed II
victory is shortlived when a depicts Adonis as a character with duality;
new challenger arises. This Adonis, the boxer and Adonis, the man trying
challenger happens to be to build a life and do right by his family and
Viktor Drago, son of boxing maintaining both lives is a balancing act. If he
legend Ivan Drago whose fine-tunes his focus on boxing (can think of it
brutality killed Apollo more broadly, as career), his family life suffers,
Creed and he's his son's on the flip side trying to be a family man means
trainer (Ivan Drago was he has to hold off his ambition (real life right
defeated by Rocky, Adonis' there). One other thing I loved, was that in a story
trainer). So clearly this is where you're supposed to be in the protagonist's
a personal vendetta for corner, the antagonist isn't painted as a villain
Adonis that haunts him and instead Viktor Drago is so well humanized, you
complicates his home-life still empathize with him when traditionally that's
especially after he finds out where all your hate should be directed. Creed II is
he's about to be a father. a truly human story.
39//COVER STORY//
was for comic book enthusiasts; the father of all
STAN Lee creation, for lovers of film; the cameo king, for anyone
else; some famous old guy (MHSRIP). Which ever
way you look at, his influence on global pop-culture
is extremely apparent taking comic book art from
being a pursuit attracting ridicule to creating one of the most valuable entertainment
brands pervading nearly every form of entertainment media including film, televsion,
books, gaming and more. This astounding success came from Stan's ability to
create/co-create memorable fictional characters and stories that have continued to
entertain, inspire and give a voice for those who are socially inept by helping find
inner strength and belief by helping find the hero within themselves. In the process,
Stan introduced to the world household names like Spider-man, the Hulk, Captain
America, Iron Man, the Fantastic Four, Black Panther, the X-Men, the super-group
The Avengers and more, who in our minds stand as the last line of defence whenever
the world face a threat too grave for humanity to handle on its own. For that you
deserve a huge thank you, for not only revolutionizing the comic book industry,
creating stuff so cool it made nerds feel like futurenauts (The Marvel Cinematic
Universe) but making lifelong childhood memories. The only way The Mediator could
think how to was to give a little bio dedicated to Stan Lee.
41//COVER STORY// early life Stan Lee was born Stan Martin Lieber on December 22 1922 in Manhattan, New York to parents Celia and Jack Lieber. Stan also had a younger brother named Larry Lieber. His father trained as a dress cutter who only worked sporadically during The Great Depression of the 30s. As a child he was influenced by books and movies, particularly those with Errol Flynn playing heroic roles. During his teenage years, the family lived in an apartment at 1720 University Avenue in The Bronx. Lee described it as "a third-floor apartment facing out back". Lee and his brother shared the bedroom, while their parents slept on a foldout couch. Lee attended DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx and enjoyed writing so much his part- time jobs included writing obituaries for a news service and press releases for the National Tuberculosis Cente. He fantasized about writing the "Great American Novel" one day. At fifteen, Lee entered a high school essay competition sponsored by the New York Herald Tribune, called "The Biggest News of the Week Contest." Lee claimed to have won the prize for three straight weeks, goading the newspaper to write him and ask him to let someone else win. The paper suggested he look into writing professionally, which Lee claimed "probably changed my life." He graduated from high school early, aged sixteen and a half, in 1939 and joined the WPA Federal Theatre Project. [Images - Stan and family at age 9 (Left), Stan at 17 (right). Career With his uncle Robbie Solomon's help, Lee became an assistant in 1939 at the new Timely
Comics division of pulp magazine founded by Martin Goodman. Timely
Comics would eventually evolve into Marvel Comics by the 1960s, would
evolve into Marvel Comics.
His duties were prosaic at first. He was tasked with making sure the
artist's inkwells were filled, proofreading and erasing the pencils
from the finished pages for them. Stan would then realize his
childhood ambition to be a writer when he made his comic-book
debut with the text filler "Captain America Foils the Traitor's Revenge" in Captain
America Comics #3 (cover-dated May 1941), using the pseudonym Stan Lee as
he was embarrrassed to his real name because of the low social status comic
books had at the time. Years later he would adopt as his legal name. This initial
story also introduced Captain America's trademark ricocheting shield-toss.
He graduated from writing filler to actual comics with a backup feature, "'Headline' Hunter,
Foreign Correspondent", two issues later. Lee's first superhero co-creation was the Destroyer,
in Mystic Comics #6 (August 1941). Other characters he co-created during this period fans
and historians call the Golden Age of Comic Books include Jack Frost, debuting in U.S.A.
Comics #1 (August 1941), and Father Time, debuting in Captain America Comics #6 (August
1941). When Simon and his creative partner Jack Kirby left late in 1941, following a dispute with
Goodman, the 30-year-old publisher installed Lee, just under 19 years old, as interim editor.
The youngster showed a knack for the business that led him to remain as the comic-book
division's editor-in-chief, as well as art director for much of that time, until 1972, when he would
succeed Goodman as publisher.
Lee entered the US Army in early 1942 and served locally
as a member of the Signal Corps, repairing telegraph
poles and other communications equipment then later
transferred to the Training Film Division, where he worked
writing manuals, training films, slogans, and occasionally
cartooning. His military classification, he said, was
"playwright"; one of only nine men in the army with the title.
Vincent Fago, editor of Timely's "animation comics" section
filled in until Lee returned from his World War II military
service in 1945. While in the Army, Lee received letters
every week on Friday from the editors at Timely, detailing
what they needed written and by when. Lee would write,
then send the story back on Monday. One week, the mail
clerk overlooked his letter, explaining nothing was in Lee's
mailbox. The next day, however, Lee went by the closed
mailroom and saw an envelope with the return address of
Timely Comics in his mailbox. Not willing to miss a deadline,
Lee asked the officer in charge to open the mailroom, but he refused. So Lee took a screwdriver
and unscrewed the mailbox hinges, enabling him to get at the assignment. The mailroom
officer saw what he did and turned him into the base captain, who did not like Lee. He faced
tampering charges and could have been sent to Leavenworth Prison. Luckily, the colonel in
charge of the Finance Department intervened and saved Lee from disciplinary action.
In the mid-1950s, the company was generally known as Atlas Comics, Lee wrote stories in
a variety of genres including romance, Westerns, humor, science fiction, medieval adventure,
43//COVER STORY//
horror and suspense. In the 1950s, Lee teamed up with his comic book colleague Dan DeCarlo
to produce the syndicated newspaper strip My Friend Irma, based on the radio comedy starring
Marie Wilson. By the end of the decade, Lee had become dissatisfied with his career and
considered quitting the field
The marvel revolution
In the late 1950s, DC Comics editor Julius Schwartz revived the superhero
archetype and experienced a significant success with its updated version of the Flash,
and later with super-team the Justice League of America. In response, publisher Martin
Goodman assigned Lee to come up with a new superhero team. Lee's wife suggested that
he experiment with stories he preferred, since he was planning on changing careers and had
nothing to lose. He acted on that advice, giving his superheroes human flaws, a change from
the ideal archetypes that were typically written for preteens. Before this, most superheroes
were idealistically perfect people with no serious, lasting problems. Lee introduced complex,
naturalistic characters who could have bad tempers, fits of melancholy, and vanity; they
bickered amongst themselves, worried about paying their bills and impressing girlfriends, got
bored or were even sometimes physically ill.
The first superheroes Lee and artist Jack Kirby created together were the Fantastic Four, based
on a previous Kirby superhero team, Challengers of the Unknown, published by DC Comics.
The team's immediate popularity led Lee and Marvel's illustrators to produce multiple of new
titles. Again working with Kirby, Lee co-created the Hulk, Thor, Iron Man, and the X-Men with
Bill Everett, Daredevil, Doctor Strange and Marvel's most successful character, Spider-Man with
Steve Ditko, all living in a shared universe. Lee and Kirby gathered several of their character
creations together into The Avengers and revived characters from the 40s such as the Sub-
Mariner and Captain America.
Beside characters and narrative, Lee also challenged the way comic books engaged the
readership and built a sense of community between fans and creators. He introduced the
practice of regularly including a credit panel on the splash page of each story, naming not
just the writer and penciller but also the inker and letterer. Regular news about Marvel staff
members and upcoming storylines was presented on the Bullpen Bulletins page, which (like
the letter columns that appeared in each title) was written in a friendly, chatty style. His goal
was for fans to think of the comics creators as friends, and considered it a mark of his success
since at the time letters written to other comics publishers were typically addressed "Dear
Editor", letters to Marvel addressed the creators by first name (e.g., "Dear Stan and Jack"). By
1967, the brand was well-enough ensconced in popular culture that a March 3 WBAI radio
program with Lee and Kirby as guests was titled "Will Success Spoil Spiderman"
Throughout the 1960s, Lee scripted, art-directed and edited most of Marvel's series, moderated
the letters pages, wrote a monthly column called "Stan's Soapbox", and wrote endless
promotional copy, often signing off with his trademark motto, "Excelsior!" (which is also the
New York state motto). To maintain his workload and meet deadlines, he used a system thatYou can also read
