January 2015
Bilbo Baggins
Geek Origin
Bilbo first appeared as the protagonist of the Hobbit published on September 21st 1937.
Fascinating Fact
The author of the Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien, gave his secretary a poem sung by Bilbo before he leaves Middle Earth forever called Bilbo’s Last Song. A copy of the poem can be found if you click here.
February 2015
Shazam
Geek Origin
Shazam first appeared in Whiz Comics #2 in February 1940.
Fascinating Fact
Shazam was known for most of his existence as Captain Marvel. As Captain Marvel he was referenced in the song, ‘The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill’ on the Beatles’ White Album
March 2015
Mr. Spock
Geek Origin
Mr. Spock first appeared in episode 1 of the original Star Trek series in 1966.
Fascinating Fact
The actor who played Mr. Spock, Leonard Nimoy, sang a song about our First Character of the Month entitled ‘The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins’ which can be viewed here.
April 2015
Ghüs
Geek Origin
Ghüs first appeared in issue 12 of the ongoing comic book Saga by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples.
Fascinating Fact
Aside from possibly being the most adorable comic book character ever, Ghüs also has a psychic link with his pet walrus Friendo.
May 2015
The Vision
Geek Origin
The Vision debuted in The Avengers Issue 57, published in October of 1968.
Fascinating Fact
The Vision fathered two children with the Scarlet Witch in the Marvel Comic Book Universe, although their fate was not a happy one.
June 2015
Jurassic Park T-Rex
Geek Origin
The Tyrannosaurs Rex roamed the earth up to 65 Million Years Ago .
Fascinating Fact
Early rumors for the upcoming film Jurassic World have the original Jurassic Park T-Rex reprising his role from the original.
July 2015
Saruman
Geek Origin
Saruman debuted in the Fellowship of the Ring first released on July 29th 1954
Fascinating Fact
The late great Christopher Lee, who played Saruman, was the only member of the Lord of the Rings cast to have met Author J.R.R. Tolkien.
August 2015
Henry Pym
Geek Origin
Henry Pym debuted in Tales to Astonish released in January of 1962.
Fascinating Fact
In the comic books Henry Pym, the original Ant Man, is responsible for the creation of the dreaded Avengers villain Ultron. He based the A.I. off his own brain.
September 2015
James ‘Batman’ Gordon
Geek Origin
James Gordon first appeared in the first panel of Detective Comics #27 in May of 1939 alongside Batman.
Fascinating Fact
James Gordon is currently Batman, having assumed the identity after the original Batman’s apparent death. Gordon is also staring in the show Gotham, which returns this month. All things considered the character’s having a pretty good month.
October 2015
Ashley Williams “Ash”
Geek Origin
Ashley William’s first appeared in the Evil Dead released on October 15ht 1981.
Fascinating Fact
Joel Coen of the famed Coen Brothers got his start editing the Evil Dead.
November 2015
Uhtred of Bebbanburg
Geek Origin
Uhtred first appeared in Bernard Cornwell’s the Last Kingdom, released in October 4th 2004. Although he is partially historically based on Uhtred the Bold who lived around 1006 A.D.
Fascinating Fact
Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin is quoted as enjoying Cornwell’s depictions of battle in the Last Kingdom.
December 2015
Luke Skywalker
Geek Origin
Luke Skywalker first appeared in Star Wars on May 25th 1977.
Fascinating Fact
George Lucas initially intended to call Luke Skywalker, “Anakin Starkiller” but abandoned the name in favor of the one we know and love because it was less aligned…with the Dark Side.
