Jon Hamm Versus John Hodgman

Welcome to “Jon Hamm Versus,” where we will take a look at possible contenders for the lead role of Steve Rogers/Captain America in the upcoming film “The First Avenger: Captain America,” slated for release on July 22, 2011. Today we examine the possibility of author/actor John Hodgman taking on the Steve Rogers role.

John Hodgman, one of the elite American intelligentsia, has implanted himself into the consciousness of American media/comedy devourers for the last few years. Ask one person, he’s the PC in the Mac vs. PC commercials. Ask another, he’s the celebrated author of two brilliant books. Ask still another, he’s the hilarious Senior Expert personality on the Daily Show. Ask some other dude, he’s the guy who travels the land with musical funnyman Jonathon Coulton. Ask still even another guy, he’s the guy who shows up as Mr. Know-It-All in things like Baby Mama and TV’s Battlestar Galactica. Ask an additional man, he’s a public radio personality who guest-writes for the New York Times. Ask another fellow, he’s a McSweeney’s contributor. Ask a guy named Bruce Campbell, he’s a literary agent. Ask maybe even one other person, and he’s potentially the perfect casting choice as Steve Rogers, AKA Captain America.

We here at JHSPCA absolutely do not agree with that last fellow, but we also don’t deny the remote possibility that Hodgman may in fact appear in a film from Marvel Studios. Hodgman exudes confidence and complete knowledge at nearly every event he attends or in every acting role his assumes. While he doesn’t have the physique, acting experience, athleticism, or chiseled American hero looks, it is not impossible for Marvel to back a guy who would be “unknown” in the mainstream but have the “geek appeal” that would attract comedy nerds, literary fans, and sci-fi dorks. In our opinion, it would be much cooler to see Hodgman play one of the scientists who developed the Super Soldier Formula, which transformed debilitated Steve Rogers into the U.S.’s finest specimen of humanity and strength.

Hodgman, if they call you in to play Steve Rogers I will concede that you are the best choice for the role. But if they call you in to play a scientist or doctor, well, I’ll say say that I’m the one who called it first!

Someone start a blog called HodgmanShouldBeCastInCaptainAmerica right away!

Meantime, Jon Hamm wins!

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Free Comic Book Day

In less than two weeks, Free Comic Book Day arrives! Free Comic Book Day is the day when specialty comic book shops across the globe offer free select comic books to anyone who visits their stores. It’s been a wildly successful program that introduces new kids of all ages to comic books of both mainstream and independent parts of the industry.

Captain America, as well as a plethora of other Marvel Comics characters, will be showing up in the 2009 issue of Free Comic Book Day’s “The Avengers.” Below is the cover and small snippet of Cap’s appearance.

We here at JHSPCA encourage you and your loved ones to visit a comic shop near you on Free Comic Book Day to find out about this art form. Not sure if your local store will be participating? Check out the official site to see if your favorite shop will have a free comic comic just for you! No official word from Jon Hamm about FCBD, but we’re confident he would back a program that promotes literacy and art among the citizenry.