Victor de la Cruz

“The problems we face still exist. We’re not going to solve them for you. We’re going to solve them with you.”

From: Kingdom Come

Genre: Comics

Who said it?: Superman

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from DC Comics’ graphic novel Kingdom Come. Written by Mark Waid and beautifully illustrated by Alex Ross, Kingdom Come is an Elseworld story where a retired Superman returns to action to reform the Justice League when a new breed of superheroes start to take their vigilante crusade too far.

The quote comes near the end of the story. After the United Nations kill a majority of the new superheroes and Captain Marvel/Billy Batson, Superman goes on a rampage at the UN building. He is only talked down by a minister named Norman McCay, who the Spectre told was going to decide the fate of the world. McCay tells Superman what he’s doing at that moment is precisely why the world is scared of them as they don’t have the power to fight back. Superman backs off and, deciding he cannot force his ideology on others, delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: We shouldn’t rely on other people, no matter how powerful they might be, to solve our problems. We have to get into the dirt and do the work ourselves. Also, we might like the solution they give us as they don’t know what we need; we’re the only ones who know what is required.

“You have the ring. And I see your Schwartz is as big as mine. Now, let’s see how well you handle it.”

From: Spaceballs

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Dark Helmet

The story behind the quote: This quote comes from the 1987 Mel Brooks comedy parody Spaceballs. A clear satirical take on Star Wars, Spaceballs generally follows the plot of the sci-fi epic but done in a much more silly tone, poking fun at sci-fi tropes.

The quote comes from near the end of the film. Dark Helmet (played by Rick Moranis) stops Lone Starr (played by Bill Pullman) from pushing the self-destruct button on Spaceball One/Mega Maid, which is in the process of sucking off all the air from the planet Druidia. Dark Helmet then activates his Schwartz, a ring analogue version of Star Wars’ lightsaber. Lone Starr activates his Schwartz and this is when Dark Helmet delivers the quote before the two get into a comedic battle with each other.

Geek wisdom: Having anything, be it a talent, skill or object, is useless unless it’s, well, used. If it’s not, then there’s no point of having that talent, skill or object.

“I don’t trust a guy without a dark side. Call me old fashioned.”

From: Avengers: Age of Ultron

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Tony Stark

The story behind the quote: This quote comes from the second Avengers movie: Avengers: Age of Ultron. In the film, Tony Stark creates a machine that is supposed to help defend to world but the machine, called Ultron, decides the best way to save humans from themselves is to enslave them.

The quote comes in the middle of the film when the Avengers seek refuge in Hawkeye/Clint Barton’s secluded home. Iron Man/Tony Stark (played by Robert Downey Jr) and Captain America/Steve Rogers (played by Chris Evans) are reflecting on how Ultron defeated them. Tony Stark then comments on how Steve Rogers got out remarkably unscathed. Steve Rogers asks why that seems to bother him and this is when Tony Stark delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: Every single person has flaws and it’s okay to admit what they are. In fact, the more you try to hide them, the more people will think you’re trying to hide something.

“If every instinct you’ve had is wrong, then the opposite would have to be right.”

From: Seinfeld

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Jerry Seinfeld

The story behind the quote: This is another quote from the mega-hit sitcom from the 90’s, Seinfeld. This week’s quote comes from the appropriately entitled episode from the final episode of the 5th season, appropriately titled “The Opposite.”

During the episode, George Costanza (played by Jason Alexander) laments how all of his decisions have been bad and led him to being jobless and moving back with his parents. He then proclaims he will start doing the opposite of his instincts. When a beautiful woman looks at his direction, George hesitates to go talk to her as he thinks it would be a terrible decision but Jerry reminds him of what he said earlier by delivering the quote.

Geek wisdom: Sometimes, your gut instincts might be wrong. It may feel right but it might be a smart move to take a minute and actually think about it instead of going with your instincts.

“Everybody gets one.”

From: Family Guy

Genre: Television, Cartoons

Who said it?: “Spider-Man”

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from the extremely popular cartoon Family Guy. Fun fact: the show was initially cancelled after three seasons due to poor ratings. However, after the show started being aired on Cartoon Network and DVD sales went through the roof, Fox quickly pushed through with a new season… four years after it was initially cancelled.

The quote is actually uttered a couple of times throughout the series but is always said by the Family Guy version of Spider-Man. However, in both times, it involves someone falling from a great height only for the person plummeting down to be caught in a spider web. The person who was saved will thank Spider-Man before the Marvel superhero delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: You can’t expect for people to save you all the time. While there are going to be times when people will come to your rescue in your time of need, you can’t always expect this to happen. Sometimes, you have to take action and save yourself.

“How did you know? I love this song!”

From: White Chicks

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Latrell Spencer

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the comedy film, White Chicks. The film stars Shawn Wayans and Marlon Wayans as two FBI agents who disguise themselves as the daughters of a wealthy family in order to protect them from kidnappers.

The quote is mentioned near the end of the film. Professional basketball player Latrell Spencer (played by Terry Crews) wins a date with Marlon Wayans’ character. In an attempt to annoy Latrell to force him to end the date quickly, Marlon Wayans’ character turns on the radio and plays Vanessa Carlton’s “A Thousand Miles.” This backfires as, after delivering the quote, Latrell starts singing along to the song.

Geek wisdom: Never judge a book by its cover. You may make presumptions on the likes and dislikes of a person based on their race, religion or their upbringing. However, you don’t really know what makes them tick. You may have a lot more in common than you realize.

“I don’t have friends. I got family.”

From: Furious 7 AKA Fast and Furious 7

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Dominic Torretto

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote essentially comes from the entire Fast and Furious franchise. While the films started as a homage to street racing culture, later films evolved into a ludicrous action franchise with over-the-top fighting and highly improbably action sequences. Strangely enough, it’s when the films transitioned to what it is now is when it became the multimillion dollar franchise it is today.

The specific quote in question comes from the 7th film. After a manhunt, Dominic Toretto (played by Vin Diesel) and his crew confronts Deckard Shaw (played by Jason Statham). A standoff ensues when Shaw pulls a pin from a grenade. Shaw insinuates that one of their friends might actually be working for him. This is when Dom delivers the quote.

As a laugh, here is a montage of all of the times when the idea of family was brought up during the first film all the way up to the 7th Fast and Furious movie.

Geek wisdom: Family is more than just being bonded by blood. Family will be there for you when you need them the most.

“This is fine.”

From: Gunshow and memes

Genre: Comics

Who said it?: Question Hound

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote come from the webcomic, Gunshow. Gunshow was drawn by KC Green, who just so happened to draw a lot of comics which, like this one, became the inspiration for several meme. This is probably his most famous one, though.

The quote comes from the strip entitled either “On Fire” or “The Pills are Working”. In it, an anthropomorphic dog named Question Hound is sitting at his dining room table enjoying a cup of tea while his entire house is on fire. He delivers the quote and states that everything is okay, despite him starting to melt from the heat.

Geek wisdom: Pretending that everything is normal when things are definitely not is not healthy. When a problem arises, especially grave ones, pretending things are going to be okay won’t make them disappear. It’s best to take action to solve them.

“Old Dick may have gotten the formula right. But the one ingredient he forgot was ‘love'”.

From: The Powerpuff Girls

Genre: Television and Cartoons

Who said it?: Professor Utonium

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote is another submission from DJ Miller, who has helped us with a quote from Avatar: The Last Airbender, Kung Fu Panda, King of the Hill, Forrest Gump and Arthur. This time, the quote comes from the Cartoon Network show, the Powerpuff Girls.

The quote comes from the episode “Knock It Off.” In the episode, Dick Hardly, Professor Utonium’s old college roommate, creates knockoff versions of the Powerpuff Girls to sell to anyone who has enough money. The Powerpuff Girls try to stop his plan but are eventually captured and are slowly drained of their supply of Chemical X. Professor Utonium tries to save the Girls but Dick Hardly captures him as well. Even so, the Professor expresses his love for the Girls and they reciprocate. This leads the knockoff Powerpuff Girls created by Hardly to turn on their creator and free the heroes. After they all escape, the Professor delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: It may take a Mom and a Dad to make a child, but the most important ingredient to give a child is love.

“We should never take things for granite.”

From: Rick and Morty

Genre: Television, Cartoons

Who said it?: Rick Sanchez

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from Cartoon Network’s Rick and Morty, which is aired during their late night programming schedule called Adult Swim. The show follows the sci-fi misadventures of the nihilistic and cynical drunkard Rick Sanchez and his rather paranoid and nervous grandson Morty Smith. The show has become a huge hit due to its dark humor and creativity.

The quote comes from the episode “Morty’s Mind Blowers,” the 8th episode of the 3rd season. The episode deals with both Rick and Morty trying to recover their memories. One of the memories involves the duo escaping from aliens and taking refuge behind some blast doors. The two mention the people they’ve lost during this mission and this is when Rick delivers the quote, which causes Morty to chastise the smartest man in the multiverse for the gaffe as that’s not now the saying is supposed to go.

Geek wisdom: Even the smartest man in the multiverse can make mistakes. So take it easy if you make a blunder or two. Nobody’s perfect.