The Forgotten Ms Marvel: Accepting Yourself For Who You Are With Sharon Ventura

The superhero code name Ms Marvel carries a lot of weight in the Marvel Universe, symbolising the same level of responsibility as titles like Captain America or Captain Marvel. There’s a legacy of strong female characters taking up the mantle, which started with Carol Danvers and more recently passed to Kamala Khan. 

Sharon Ventura also went by the title of Ms Marvel and while she’s a lesser-known character she is deserving of the moniker. Ventura has been through a lot in her superhero career, dealing with the trauma of rape, low-self esteem, depression and body dysmorphia. The story of the forgotten Ms Marvel deserves to be told.

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Sense Of Wonder Review: A Love Letter To Fandom And The Mental Health Benefits Of Comics

I love comics. It’s a passion that has built over the years and become a part of my everyday routine. Whether it’s reading comics, writing about superheroes, or looking forward to a new Marvel film, comics are a powerful source of positivity for me. In a mental health context, comics can infuse wonder and excitement into the mundane, which is part of why I enjoy reading them so much.

Comics massively influenced the life of the late great Bill Schelly. A comic book historian, biographer and long-time lover of fandom, Schelley passed away in September 2019. But his legacy lives on in the pages of his autobiography, Sense of Wonder: My Life In Comic Fandom – The Whole Story.

In his book, Schelley dives into the magic of comics and how they helped to keep him going through times of hardship. From coming out as gay, to tirelessly self-publishing content until he made it as a successful author, Sense of Wonder is the story of a man who never gave up on his dreams. Continue reading “Sense Of Wonder Review: A Love Letter To Fandom And The Mental Health Benefits Of Comics”

6 Reasons Why Comics Can Improve Mental Health

Mental health has become one of the most important topics in the world. Anxiety, depression and poor self-esteem are all issues that need to be talked about and destigmatized. Comics have helped me to feel more comfortable about my anxiety. They’ve made me passionate about wanting to promote positive mental health. Comics have the power to improve mental health and here are six reasons why. Continue reading “6 Reasons Why Comics Can Improve Mental Health”

Introducing The Comic Curators Video Channel

At the end of 2018, I’ll have been running The Comic Vault for two years. In that time, I’ve been able to express my passion for comics in a number of ways and I’ve decided to branch out further. It’s why I’m pleased to announce the start of Comic Curators, a YouTube channel that’s going to be used in tandem with the website. Read on to find out what you can expect from Comic Curators and my thoughts on making a video for the first time ever! Continue reading “Introducing The Comic Curators Video Channel”

Sympathy For The Daredevil: Matt Murdock And His War With Depression

Superheroes regularly face overwhelming odds to save the world. Sometimes, the greatest battles are fought within, and Daredevil is no stranger to dealing with personal issues. Matt Murdock has one of the most turbulent lives of any hero. From his earliest days, tragedy dogged The Man Without Fear. Over the years, Daredevil has faced a variety of enemies, but his greatest is surely depression.

Matt’s struggle with depression is a major part of the character. His mental health battles have featured in a lot of iconic stories, like Born Again and The Elektra Saga. Given everything he’s experienced, it’s little wonder Daredevil has suffered with depression. His journey makes him relatable, so I’m taking a look at how Matt has learned to handle his depression. Continue reading “Sympathy For The Daredevil: Matt Murdock And His War With Depression”

Sentry #3 Review: Setting Up For An Addiction-Fuelled Showdown

The role of a superhero is often defined by the people around them. Every traditional hero has a sidekick, love interest and archenemy, with each character enhancing the hero’s journey. Jeff Lemire’s Sentry series asks the question of what happens when the sidekicks and archenemies of the world are tossed aside and forced to live a mundane life. Sentry #3 pulls apart the traditional superhero narrative, turning it into a story of superpowered addiction. Continue reading “Sentry #3 Review: Setting Up For An Addiction-Fuelled Showdown”

Exploring The Link Between Superpowers And Dissociative Identity Disorder With Typhoid Mary

Mental health issues can strike in anyone, with the problems happening for a variety of reasons. Someone might suffer from anxiety because of child abuse, while another person may suffer from depression because their parents had it. Comic characters can be a poignant reflection of mental health, with Typhoid Mary being one of the strongest examples. Suffering from dissociative identity disorder, Mary Walker has three different personalities. The cause of her mental health problems are attributed to Daredevil, which makes her a compelling villain for The Man Without Fear. Continue reading “Exploring The Link Between Superpowers And Dissociative Identity Disorder With Typhoid Mary”

Sentry #1 Review: An Intriguing Issue Of Superhero Addiction And Mental Health

Everyone has their own definition of a superhero. Some people might see them as invincible powerhouses that can overcome any challenge. But many superheroes struggle with their mental health, and the Sentry is one of the best examples. Sentry #1, written by Jeff Lemire, sees the Golden Guardian return in a new series. Yet the return of Sentry also heralds the return of his dark alter ego, The Void. Sentry #1 brings up the idea of whether being a superhero can turn into a drug, so there’s a lot to be intrigued about.

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The Essential Reading List: Sentry

The Essential Reading List collects the major comics and arcs of a character in order to give readers a chance to discover who they are. This edition is focusing on the Sentry, a superhero that’s been put through the wringer every since he was introduced. Comparable to Superman, Robert Reynolds has the power of ‘one million exploding suns,’ meaning he’s one of the most powerful heroes in the Marvel Universe. Sentry is also one of the most unstable, due to the struggle with his darker half known as The Void. Sentry’s duality makes him a fascinating character. Here are the must-read stories that will give you an understanding of The Golden Guardian.

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Guest Blog: Anger Management With The Hulk

Anger management is the common name taken by a broad variety of techniques that help deal with anger. Violence, aggressiveness and rage are common traits or symptoms of today’s society. Anger is a basic emotion that triggers upon danger, either in real, physical hazards or with inner, psychological threats. And no one represents the pain of anger better than the Hulk, arguably the most most powerful Avenger.

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