There's suddenly a whole lot of it about. I wandered into Topshop a while back and found they had loads of stuff, including, for some reason, lots of body suits. What have I missed that makes bodysuits popular or fashionable again? Are we now progressing to 80s sports wear? Was 80s dayglo not enough? Anyway I digress. Back on topic.
Marvel (pun so not intended) at all the underwear available:
So with all this cool stuff why was when I went in the shop most of it the available stuff was pink? They had the Batgirl pants and bra (Babs hair is pink, not red, on the bra), the red WW pants and the pink infused WW bra, and all the Supergirl stuff was pink. Because Kara is known for wearing pink. Obviously. One thing that is missing from the website is white boy shorts with a pink Kara picture on the back (a la the WW pants), and a pink S logo on the front.
If they'd had the yellow and red Supergirl pants or Supergirl body (good for dressing up I reckon) in I'd have (probably) bought them. And if they'd had the bras in anything approaching a feasable size I'd have definitely bought one. As it was I tried on the WW body..it's not a good look.
So, I think I'll be sticking with my mens' superhero underwear. Most definitely not pink and witht he added advantage of not riding up your bumcrack.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Adorable little Dinah/Ollie strip
This is how I picture them teasing each other at home.
(Taken from the a GL comic. A whole range of Hembeck strips ran at one point, all gently poking fun at DC's heroes.)
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Kilowog gets the Socialist bug
Lovely cover, good 3 parter story and a great copy of the Soviet style posters:
The story was inspired from a trip the writers took to Russia (back in the 80s) and led them to think how they could do a GL story set in the Communist system. And so the Rocket Reds were born.
The story was inspired from a trip the writers took to Russia (back in the 80s) and led them to think how they could do a GL story set in the Communist system. And so the Rocket Reds were born.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Back to mocking Hal
When I say mocking does that infer that I shall be commenting upon and disparaging my subject? Because I beleieve most of these scans speak for themselves. The first one demonstrates how cold Hal is, and in the second one he demonstrates his unique fighting style. Which isn't as swish as Guy's, I'll have you know.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Before we mock Hal some more, let's look in on Guy
Specifically, let's look at his rescue style:
Very smooth. Get another villain on your side, punch a wall in, steal your 2nd chosen villain in a a haz eof green light, and, this is the important bit, completely ignore your 1st villain while he dives for, eats and leaves to scratch at the wall in bloody submission, a prison guard.
And say nothing throughout this incident.
Smooth, Guy, smooth.
Ok, this was during the first crisis, and he had just woken up from his coma and was therefore an absolute bastard. However, I do enjoy the purity in both the comic story telling and the essence of all 3 characters as shown.
Very smooth. Get another villain on your side, punch a wall in, steal your 2nd chosen villain in a a haz eof green light, and, this is the important bit, completely ignore your 1st villain while he dives for, eats and leaves to scratch at the wall in bloody submission, a prison guard.
And say nothing throughout this incident.
Smooth, Guy, smooth.
Ok, this was during the first crisis, and he had just woken up from his coma and was therefore an absolute bastard. However, I do enjoy the purity in both the comic story telling and the essence of all 3 characters as shown.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Red Robin #11
Or, the one in which I was getting the tie ins. Because gee by gum, this were good!
Timmy is all elite ninja fighting type person, recognises Steph as becoming na elite ninja type person, then he's all bad ass thinky detective type person. Dick!Batman questions him then trusts him, Steph makes a further short appearence and gets an excellent ex (?) girlfriend one liner. and Prudence calls Damian a filthy bastard midget.
And cos I'm not buying Batgirl I won't see how Timmy solves the situation. Waaahhh! Nevermore, I'm relying on you to give me a full breakdown!
Timmy is all elite ninja fighting type person, recognises Steph as becoming na elite ninja type person, then he's all bad ass thinky detective type person. Dick!Batman questions him then trusts him, Steph makes a further short appearence and gets an excellent ex (?) girlfriend one liner. and Prudence calls Damian a filthy bastard midget.
And cos I'm not buying Batgirl I won't see how Timmy solves the situation. Waaahhh! Nevermore, I'm relying on you to give me a full breakdown!
Friday, April 09, 2010
Odd Green Lantern stories part 2
This appeared as a back up on in one of the old comics. Not sure which one, but it amused me so I thought I would share:
Thursday, April 08, 2010
Odd Green Lantern stories part 1
I love old comics. The plots are really long winded and ridiculous. Take this for instance:
Is that not a really convuluted way to defeat your enemies? Are there not so many ways this plan can go wrong?
Well, yes it is are and yes thee are. If your plan can be destroyed by Mr Hal *I'm confused by hippies* Jordan then you probably need a new one.
Is that not a really convuluted way to defeat your enemies? Are there not so many ways this plan can go wrong?
Well, yes it is are and yes thee are. If your plan can be destroyed by Mr Hal *I'm confused by hippies* Jordan then you probably need a new one.
Wednesday, April 07, 2010
Tuesday, April 06, 2010
You'd think they'd have training in this sort of thing.
First Aid I mean. Considering the amoung of casualties in any superhero/villain fight, surely all heroes would pick up some basic first aid training. I guess Hal was asleep that day because this:
probably isn't the best way to treat someone who might have a broken back. I'm sure you're not meant to move them. Certainly, if you're gonna carry them in your arms I don't see why you'd imagine up a bed to strap them into.
Monday, April 05, 2010
Back to the Green Lanterns
There is so much smugness in this panel. Hal reading about himself, his assumption that he 'has it', the fact he doesn't think they've caught his best side. (and because I've been reading Sally's blog too long, my first thought was of course not, it's not his backside).
I think he was after something more like this:
(And aren't the colours on that panel just divine?)
Or maybe this:
Or would he prefer this:
(and does that mean his truth is in his nuts?)
Or would he prefer this:
Argh Hal, you are a smug twat.
(This week will be a GL week)
Sunday, April 04, 2010
I kept meaning to blog this...
One of my friends is teaching English in Palestine at the moment and he has just started a blog commenting on life over there. It's pretty interesting so I urge you to go check it out.
Saturday, April 03, 2010
Over the Rainbow! Vote for Tegan!
Any folks watching Over the Rainbow? It's a BBC programme to find the next girl to play Dorothy in the West End in London. Anyway, ya'll should vote for Tegan Edwards.
This is an utterly biased request as I know her mum. But, after having watched the first 2 shows from last week I do actually think she's is one of the best ones. So, if she gets through on the wild card vote, vote for Tegan!
Please? She is rather good.
This is an utterly biased request as I know her mum. But, after having watched the first 2 shows from last week I do actually think she's is one of the best ones. So, if she gets through on the wild card vote, vote for Tegan!
Please? She is rather good.
Blackest Night is over
Boo hoo. Well I got #8, so be warned, thar be spoilers ahead. arr...
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So, this was all quite exciting. Sinestro got chucked out of the White Corps. All the resurrected heroes became White Lanterns and brought Black Hand back to life, then destroyed Nekron. The Anti Monitor is alive again (that'll spell trouble), Maxwell Lord is alive again (and still mind controlling people, which will lead to even more trouble), Arthur and Mera got reunited (and I nearly cried but that's because I have the hangover blues today), and Kendra remembers all her past lives and fell into Carter's arms (won't that mean they are due to die again soon?).
Not everyone has been resurrected tho - Green Arrow, Ice and J'onn J'onzz are back, which is great. Boomer isn't, which makes me sad. I thought he was great as Kara's friend and his character had a lot of promise, especially when we look at what he went through in Blackest Night. I would have really liked to see Gen (half of Firestorm) back but oh no she's still dead. Bah.
I'm happy that Osiris is back but where are Black Adam and Isis? And of course Ralph and Sue aren't there. Not that I am too bothered about them but lots of people, in the DCU and in the fanbase, do care about them. Also, where are Garth and Dolphin? I love Dolphin and didn't feel that we got enough of her when she was around.
I wonder how much the dead ex Black Lanterns remember of their time as corpses? Not much I bet, judging by their reactions (which was very nicely done). I would like to find out but as I won't be buying Brightest Day, the rest of you comics bloggers will just have to keep me up to date.
I'd also like to know what happens to Black Hand. He's been taken away by the Indigo tribe, chained up and looks sort of mind controlled, which doesn't seem very compassionate, but then again maybe this is their way of being compassionate to the rest of the universe. They've never been particularly friendly or supportive of other Lanterns/heroes so these actions of kidnap don't surprise me.
I reread all of Blackest Night this evening, just the main series mind, and came to the conclusion that it reads much better with all the tie ins. The main story is like a brief overview of the events, and while it isn't neccessary to know what's happening in each spin off mini, you will get a deeper enjoyment if you read the tie ins. Without the tie ins it seems rushed and brief. It's also very dependent on having a good knowledge of the DCU and it's history.
What else can I say about this? The fold out splash page thing made me feel like I was fourteen and reading Smash Hits!. There's been some great action figures come out of this event. If I had the money and space I would be buying:
Black Lantern Wonder Woman
Black Lantern Hawkman
Black Lantern Hawkgirl
Black Lantern Aquaman
Black Lantern Martian Manhunter
Indigo Ray Palmer
Red Lantern Mera
White Lantern Wonder Woman? Do you think they'll do one?
But, that would double my action figure collection so is probably a no no. Oh well.
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So, this was all quite exciting. Sinestro got chucked out of the White Corps. All the resurrected heroes became White Lanterns and brought Black Hand back to life, then destroyed Nekron. The Anti Monitor is alive again (that'll spell trouble), Maxwell Lord is alive again (and still mind controlling people, which will lead to even more trouble), Arthur and Mera got reunited (and I nearly cried but that's because I have the hangover blues today), and Kendra remembers all her past lives and fell into Carter's arms (won't that mean they are due to die again soon?).
Not everyone has been resurrected tho - Green Arrow, Ice and J'onn J'onzz are back, which is great. Boomer isn't, which makes me sad. I thought he was great as Kara's friend and his character had a lot of promise, especially when we look at what he went through in Blackest Night. I would have really liked to see Gen (half of Firestorm) back but oh no she's still dead. Bah.
I'm happy that Osiris is back but where are Black Adam and Isis? And of course Ralph and Sue aren't there. Not that I am too bothered about them but lots of people, in the DCU and in the fanbase, do care about them. Also, where are Garth and Dolphin? I love Dolphin and didn't feel that we got enough of her when she was around.
I wonder how much the dead ex Black Lanterns remember of their time as corpses? Not much I bet, judging by their reactions (which was very nicely done). I would like to find out but as I won't be buying Brightest Day, the rest of you comics bloggers will just have to keep me up to date.
I'd also like to know what happens to Black Hand. He's been taken away by the Indigo tribe, chained up and looks sort of mind controlled, which doesn't seem very compassionate, but then again maybe this is their way of being compassionate to the rest of the universe. They've never been particularly friendly or supportive of other Lanterns/heroes so these actions of kidnap don't surprise me.
I reread all of Blackest Night this evening, just the main series mind, and came to the conclusion that it reads much better with all the tie ins. The main story is like a brief overview of the events, and while it isn't neccessary to know what's happening in each spin off mini, you will get a deeper enjoyment if you read the tie ins. Without the tie ins it seems rushed and brief. It's also very dependent on having a good knowledge of the DCU and it's history.
What else can I say about this? The fold out splash page thing made me feel like I was fourteen and reading Smash Hits!. There's been some great action figures come out of this event. If I had the money and space I would be buying:
Black Lantern Wonder Woman
Black Lantern Hawkman
Black Lantern Hawkgirl
Black Lantern Aquaman
Black Lantern Martian Manhunter
Indigo Ray Palmer
Red Lantern Mera
White Lantern Wonder Woman? Do you think they'll do one?
But, that would double my action figure collection so is probably a no no. Oh well.
Friday, April 02, 2010
Gearing up for the election
And the tories haver come out with some quite hideous posters:
For those of you not familar with UK politics, the man in the pictur eif the leader of the opposition, one Gordon Brown, PM and leader of thre Labour party.
There are 2 things I despise here, one is negative campaigning, never been a fan of it. The second is
the implication that the Tories would have done anything different.
In the 80s they sold off our nationalised industries
They caused massive unemployment (and rioting)
They always increase the gap between rich and poor
I highly doubt they'd have been able to handle the national debt differently
They always favour the rich with tax rates (because they are the rich) and penalise the poor (then leave no support systems in place for the poor)
They also want to do everything on the cheap, including sending soldiers to war
They highly dislike spending money on things like pensions (and actually Brown's government has introduced a new system whereby all companies must provide pensions for their staff, the Tories would never have done this).
The only thing a Tory government may not have done is let prisoners out early. Tories would be more likely to leave them in gaol to rot in inhumane conditions.
Don't be fooled guys, Labour may not be perfect but the Tories wouldn't have done anything differently. Labour has actually delivered good things, like the minimum wage, like repealing Section 28, like bringing in Civil Partnerships, like making the buying of sex illegal when the sex worker is beign controlled by someone else (regardless of whether the buyer knows this or not), like introducing devolution. They have made far more noises about changing the electoral system than the Tories ever have (or will).
Labour aren't perfect but the Tories are worse.
Having said that, I'll probably vote Green. Maybe. My constituency is actually quite likely to get a Green MP in, I'm not sure if that would be good for the city or not.
For those of you not familar with UK politics, the man in the pictur eif the leader of the opposition, one Gordon Brown, PM and leader of thre Labour party.
There are 2 things I despise here, one is negative campaigning, never been a fan of it. The second is
the implication that the Tories would have done anything different.
In the 80s they sold off our nationalised industries
They caused massive unemployment (and rioting)
They always increase the gap between rich and poor
I highly doubt they'd have been able to handle the national debt differently
They always favour the rich with tax rates (because they are the rich) and penalise the poor (then leave no support systems in place for the poor)
They also want to do everything on the cheap, including sending soldiers to war
They highly dislike spending money on things like pensions (and actually Brown's government has introduced a new system whereby all companies must provide pensions for their staff, the Tories would never have done this).
The only thing a Tory government may not have done is let prisoners out early. Tories would be more likely to leave them in gaol to rot in inhumane conditions.
Don't be fooled guys, Labour may not be perfect but the Tories wouldn't have done anything differently. Labour has actually delivered good things, like the minimum wage, like repealing Section 28, like bringing in Civil Partnerships, like making the buying of sex illegal when the sex worker is beign controlled by someone else (regardless of whether the buyer knows this or not), like introducing devolution. They have made far more noises about changing the electoral system than the Tories ever have (or will).
Labour aren't perfect but the Tories are worse.
Having said that, I'll probably vote Green. Maybe. My constituency is actually quite likely to get a Green MP in, I'm not sure if that would be good for the city or not.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Celtic myths and Silver Banshee hits Smallville!
So, the book reading first. I got a lil carried away buying candles for Ostara a couple of weeks back and came out with a book entitled 'Women in Celtic Myth', by Moyra Caldecott. My mother is Irish and I grew up reading lots of Irish myths, folk tales and stories as they have always really intrigued me. Glamorous and battle filled, with tragedy, passion and magic animals, 6 year old me was most definitely bowled over by them.
Anyway, this book turns out to be rather good. Caldecott has rewritten several stories, of Irish and Welsh origin, and then provides commentary on each tale, and provides references for where she got the stories from! In my limited experience, this is quite rare in books of this type.
This is the book cover:
and you can buy it from Amazon here.
If Irish myth tickles your fancy, I can also highly recommend Pat O'Shea's The Hounds of the Morrigan. It's a YA book, and long at 480 pages but oh my is it worth it. It's a quest story of 2 young kids tasked with locating a pebble with an imprint of the Morrigan's eye on (from when Cuchulain wounded her) and along the way they encounter many of the key players in Irish mythology. This book is wonderful and I have lost count of how many times I have read it.
And in kind of linking with this, Silver Banshee is coming to Smallville! Check out these pictures:
I'm not too sure what I think of her costume..the make up is good, but the hair? I'll have to wait and see what she's like on screen.
And just because I'm still enamoured with him, here's a lovely picture of the lovely Justin Hartley:
*letch letch*
Anyway, this book turns out to be rather good. Caldecott has rewritten several stories, of Irish and Welsh origin, and then provides commentary on each tale, and provides references for where she got the stories from! In my limited experience, this is quite rare in books of this type.
This is the book cover:
and you can buy it from Amazon here.
If Irish myth tickles your fancy, I can also highly recommend Pat O'Shea's The Hounds of the Morrigan. It's a YA book, and long at 480 pages but oh my is it worth it. It's a quest story of 2 young kids tasked with locating a pebble with an imprint of the Morrigan's eye on (from when Cuchulain wounded her) and along the way they encounter many of the key players in Irish mythology. This book is wonderful and I have lost count of how many times I have read it.
And in kind of linking with this, Silver Banshee is coming to Smallville! Check out these pictures:
I'm not too sure what I think of her costume..the make up is good, but the hair? I'll have to wait and see what she's like on screen.
And just because I'm still enamoured with him, here's a lovely picture of the lovely Justin Hartley:
*letch letch*
Thursday, March 25, 2010
WTF Amanda Palmer?
I'm wondering how much coverage this will get in my regular blog reading, and I'm wondering if somehoe people might miss it, so I'm posting it here.
Amanda Palmer has apparently been complaining about how Lady Gaga is a sellout, cos she's advertising stuff in her videos (I think). So she then tweeted this:
ironic product placement is only ok if you take no money & beyond that give all the income to something ironic. like the Klan
Link
Screencap
What the fuckity fuck? I'm trying to work out if there could possibly be some background to this, or a long conversation that would somehow make the above make sense. I can't think of anything that wouls ever make the Klan ironic, or make it ok to give money to them. I gather it is likely Palmer will say the tweet is a joke. Now, sometimes I am aware that I need jokes explained to me, buut even so, I do not see the humour in that statement.
[EDIT - This got brought up over on Shakesville, a commenter named Tiara the Merch Girl posted the following:
"Just to clarify: she doesn't actually dislike Lady Gaga, and has come out in support of her in the past. I suppose her mention of KKK is a sarcastic portrayal of irony - there was some discussion beforehand about how people are using "irony" to justify everything from racist remarks to poor music."
Yeah, I don't think that makes Palmer's tweet OK either]
Amanda Palmer, whatever you may have meant, you're a fucking idiot.
An LJ'er named sparkymonster has done a pictorial post demonstrating the difference between product placement and murdering black people, and has included some other good links.
(I originally picked this up at the Seeking Avalon blog, thanks for posting this Willow)
Amanda Palmer has apparently been complaining about how Lady Gaga is a sellout, cos she's advertising stuff in her videos (I think). So she then tweeted this:
ironic product placement is only ok if you take no money & beyond that give all the income to something ironic. like the Klan
Link
Screencap
What the fuckity fuck? I'm trying to work out if there could possibly be some background to this, or a long conversation that would somehow make the above make sense. I can't think of anything that wouls ever make the Klan ironic, or make it ok to give money to them. I gather it is likely Palmer will say the tweet is a joke. Now, sometimes I am aware that I need jokes explained to me, buut even so, I do not see the humour in that statement.
[EDIT - This got brought up over on Shakesville, a commenter named Tiara the Merch Girl posted the following:
"Just to clarify: she doesn't actually dislike Lady Gaga, and has come out in support of her in the past. I suppose her mention of KKK is a sarcastic portrayal of irony - there was some discussion beforehand about how people are using "irony" to justify everything from racist remarks to poor music."
Yeah, I don't think that makes Palmer's tweet OK either]
Amanda Palmer, whatever you may have meant, you're a fucking idiot.
An LJ'er named sparkymonster has done a pictorial post demonstrating the difference between product placement and murdering black people, and has included some other good links.
(I originally picked this up at the Seeking Avalon blog, thanks for posting this Willow)
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Things I have learned
Working does wonders for your self esteem.
I am definitely aiming to get a job part time, 3 or 4 days a week, in order that I can keep up my signing, get qualified and evantually get a(nother) job in that field.
This may mean I am skint for the next 3 or 4 years. I think I am fine with this.
Finding part time work that pays well (or enough) may be tricky.
Working out a plan, aims/goals, and what's important to you is a vital thing to do. This should prevent me having another wobble when my part time temp work (that I got with a previous employer a few weeks ago) ends next Wednesday.
Of course, I may change my wants and goals next week, or tomorrow. This changeability of mind is a thing that I do. I am simutaneously unable to live in the present, whilst also stewing on things and being unable to make links with better/worse times that have come before, or will come in the future - I have no idea if that makes sense or is even good English.
Applying for jobs and prepping for interviews takes soooo long, but is good practice even if you don't want the job (must remember that!) (I've had one interview earlier this week and have another one next week).
Apparently my stress levels no longer show themselves as mouth ulcers , now they have progressed to the bad back and indigestion stages instead. Wonderful.
Having said that, I think I am prepared for being unemployed again. I feel much stronger than I did 2 weeks ago, a lot surer of myself, and a lot more capable. Even to the extent that I cannot remember or fully connect with how I felt when I was melting - this non rememberance/feeling is another thing that I do and that it occured again came as no great surprise to me. C'est la vie.
Oh, and everyone who left me a concerned comment: You're all wonderful. Your kind words and thoughts meant a lot to me and I am truly touched. Thank you.
I am definitely aiming to get a job part time, 3 or 4 days a week, in order that I can keep up my signing, get qualified and evantually get a(nother) job in that field.
This may mean I am skint for the next 3 or 4 years. I think I am fine with this.
Finding part time work that pays well (or enough) may be tricky.
Working out a plan, aims/goals, and what's important to you is a vital thing to do. This should prevent me having another wobble when my part time temp work (that I got with a previous employer a few weeks ago) ends next Wednesday.
Of course, I may change my wants and goals next week, or tomorrow. This changeability of mind is a thing that I do. I am simutaneously unable to live in the present, whilst also stewing on things and being unable to make links with better/worse times that have come before, or will come in the future - I have no idea if that makes sense or is even good English.
Applying for jobs and prepping for interviews takes soooo long, but is good practice even if you don't want the job (must remember that!) (I've had one interview earlier this week and have another one next week).
Apparently my stress levels no longer show themselves as mouth ulcers , now they have progressed to the bad back and indigestion stages instead. Wonderful.
Having said that, I think I am prepared for being unemployed again. I feel much stronger than I did 2 weeks ago, a lot surer of myself, and a lot more capable. Even to the extent that I cannot remember or fully connect with how I felt when I was melting - this non rememberance/feeling is another thing that I do and that it occured again came as no great surprise to me. C'est la vie.
Oh, and everyone who left me a concerned comment: You're all wonderful. Your kind words and thoughts meant a lot to me and I am truly touched. Thank you.
Monday, March 22, 2010
The best part of last week's GLC?
Zombie refridgerator. Heck yeah! Supergirl was also pretty good, actually no, it was very good. I didn't buy Last Stand of New Krypton but still had no problem following the story. Kara was great, the Legion was good, Conner was fun, Alura is likeable and all in all it was a very good read.
I have also just used Skype for the first time. Colour me impressed. I am astounded that we have the tech to do this. Now, if they can just sort out the time delay/catch up problem and make it an effective method for signers to use I'll be really happy.
I have also just used Skype for the first time. Colour me impressed. I am astounded that we have the tech to do this. Now, if they can just sort out the time delay/catch up problem and make it an effective method for signers to use I'll be really happy.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Ostara
Ostara is named for the goddess Eostre, who (surprise surprise) is a fertility goddess. The day and night is of equal length, it's the first day of Spring, the weather has finally turned clement, so get out there, eat some eggs, and look at some daffodils!
And if you're in the UK, remember that the clocks go back next Sunday, not tomorrow, as I've been telling everyone, oops.
Enjoy the day folks!
And if you're in the UK, remember that the clocks go back next Sunday, not tomorrow, as I've been telling everyone, oops.
Enjoy the day folks!
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Totally out of context
From Green Lantern, obviously:
*snicker*
*snicker*
I feel a lot better than I did 2 weeks ago. Got temp work at one of my old employers, which has led to me feeling less useless and a lot more positive (hurrah!). Not willing to committ to regular blogging just yet tho. Enjoy the odd scan as and when I post them (GL vol 2 provides so much joy!)
*snicker*
*snicker*
I feel a lot better than I did 2 weeks ago. Got temp work at one of my old employers, which has led to me feeling less useless and a lot more positive (hurrah!). Not willing to committ to regular blogging just yet tho. Enjoy the odd scan as and when I post them (GL vol 2 provides so much joy!)
Monday, March 08, 2010
Tired, frustrated, stressed
I definitely have to take a break from blogging. I can't cope with everything I feel I have to do and I need to reduce my (self imposed) pressures. Being unemployed hit me somewhat harder than I thought it would do and I'm having difficulty with working out how to do the simplest things, like organising my day or looking up bus times. One of the most important goals I have is to not end up a quivering depressed wreck. Been there, done that, took several years getting over it, not planning to go back there again. I sort of feel like I'm living the spoon theory, except that I'm not that bad yet.
So, I'm stopping blogging at this site until I've got a job, or until I'm able to manage everything. There may be the odd post but on the whole I'm quitting for a while. I may try and do the occasional post for New readers... but, I won't promise anything.
So, I'm stopping blogging at this site until I've got a job, or until I'm able to manage everything. There may be the odd post but on the whole I'm quitting for a while. I may try and do the occasional post for New readers... but, I won't promise anything.
Graphic Medicine: Medical Narrative in Graphic Novels
[Cross posted from New readers...]
On 17th June 2010 the School of Advanced Study, in the Institute of English Studies, in the University of London (how's that for a mouthful?) will hold a one day inter-disciplinary conference aiming to explore the medical narrative in graphic novels and comics.
The website states that:
'many medical schools now encourage the reading of literature and the study of art to gain insights into the human condition. The melding of text and visuals in graphic fiction and non fiction has lots to offer medical professionals, students and, indeed, patients. Among the growing number of graphic novels, a sub genre exploring the patients and the carers experiences of illnesess and disability has emerged.'
Paul Gravett, Brian Fies and Marc Zaffron will be keynote speakers, delegate booking fees are £35 per person, or £25for speakers and concessions. More information on the website.
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I wish I could go. This looks really interesting. If anyone does go do let me know what it's like.
On 17th June 2010 the School of Advanced Study, in the Institute of English Studies, in the University of London (how's that for a mouthful?) will hold a one day inter-disciplinary conference aiming to explore the medical narrative in graphic novels and comics.
The website states that:
'many medical schools now encourage the reading of literature and the study of art to gain insights into the human condition. The melding of text and visuals in graphic fiction and non fiction has lots to offer medical professionals, students and, indeed, patients. Among the growing number of graphic novels, a sub genre exploring the patients and the carers experiences of illnesess and disability has emerged.'
Paul Gravett, Brian Fies and Marc Zaffron will be keynote speakers, delegate booking fees are £35 per person, or £25for speakers and concessions. More information on the website.
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I wish I could go. This looks really interesting. If anyone does go do let me know what it's like.
Sunday, March 07, 2010
James Robinson's response to Cry for Justice
From his twitter page.
It says:
"Oh and to all the fans and haters both of Cry For Justice 7, thanks for your comments. I appreciate your feedback."
Well, thats gracious at least
I was interested in buying Starman. Not anymore. Mr Robinson, you should be thoroughly ashamed of this godawful badly put together, badly executed, and badly written piece of tripe.
Arg, it wasn't even about Roy Harper for fuck sake. Lians' mother hasn't been given a look in.#
Arg.
Another edit - 2 remixes of CfJ.
It says:
"Oh and to all the fans and haters both of Cry For Justice 7, thanks for your comments. I appreciate your feedback."
Well, thats gracious at least
I was interested in buying Starman. Not anymore. Mr Robinson, you should be thoroughly ashamed of this godawful badly put together, badly executed, and badly written piece of tripe.
Arg, it wasn't even about Roy Harper for fuck sake. Lians' mother hasn't been given a look in.#
Arg.
Another edit - 2 remixes of CfJ.
Saturday, March 06, 2010
Where I weigh in and. give. my. thoughts.
So Cry for Justice huh? I always like it when the blogosphere explodes, it's fun. And Cry for Juastice has degenerated into being unbelieveably bad. Issue #1 was a bit dull with nothing happening. Issue #2 and #3 were hilarious. #4 was boring. Issue #5 had the Kara/Freddie kiss which didn't come to fruition and some truly bad costuming decisions for the ladies in the book. Issue #6 had Donna being awesome and saving the day, which I loved - see posts with Cry for Justice labels for my previous reviews. (And looking back through my old posts I've noticed some truly terrible typos - how do you all put up with me??!!)
Anyway, issue #7. There's been a hullabaloo. I was going to do a link round up but then I found out that WFA are doing Lian themed posts so I'm not gonna bother.
So, final issue, Prometheus is blowing up Star City, and many others, and all the the heroes in the DCU are out trying to fix this mess. In the process, Lian dies. Roy Harper's daughter, Green Arrow's granddaughter. This allows Ollie to get very very angry and kill Prometheus at the end of the book, with an arrow to the head.
Lian didn't need to die for Ollie to get this angry, given the mood he's been in during the last few years of his run he could have got very angry over Roy losing his arm and thousands of people dying.
Lian was quite a cute character, there's not enough young kids of heroes in the DCU, and now there's one less. Plus, given that a lot of us comics fans on the blogosphere harp on about wanting diversity in our comics, and I'm sure that DC are aware of this, to some degree, killing/getting rid of all the GA family kids (Sin, Lian, Connor), who just happen to not be white, seems a bit stupid. I don't think DC are deliberately getting rid of the non white kids, but unfortunately this is what they have done.
Her death was treated as throwaway and used only as a tool to motivate the other heroes. Or, Ollie. Cos no one else is given time to give a shit. I mean, if you're gonna try and positiona s a death as a pivotal moment in a story arc, at least demonstrate how it's affected the other protagonists, instead of just assuming all readers know who the kid is.
And, the whole issue was just badly executed. Every hero is involved, but we don't know how. I already blogged about the incredibly bad depiction of Mia, the women are all tits and ass with impossibly thin middles, Dinah is actually facepalming Lian's death, we don't get to see Roy's reaction to Lian's death, we don't spend long enough on her death, the art changes every few pages, Ollie does an inspirational speech which just comes off as cack handed and empty or devoid or all feeling, and not in an i'm so shocked i've just lost my gradnkid kind of way, and have I mentioned the bad art?
Some of the women's faces are just awful. I think the pencillers decided to go with this approach to female faces - in that to make faces feminine you must draw fewer lines. Hmmm. I think someone needs to re-assess their definition of female.
I actually quite liked the last few pages, of Ollie killing Prometheus. By this point I was convinced that Prometheus was a bad ass and so to see him get taken out like that was quite something. Unfortunately the information about how Ollie got in to the other worldly dimensional portal was contained in the latest JLA issue, not this one.
So, more bad writing. What a load of shit. Still, I bought it, knowing it was gonna be rubbish, so I can't complain about it being a waste of money. Although I feel I have every right to complain about it not being a good story.
Anyway, issue #7. There's been a hullabaloo. I was going to do a link round up but then I found out that WFA are doing Lian themed posts so I'm not gonna bother.
So, final issue, Prometheus is blowing up Star City, and many others, and all the the heroes in the DCU are out trying to fix this mess. In the process, Lian dies. Roy Harper's daughter, Green Arrow's granddaughter. This allows Ollie to get very very angry and kill Prometheus at the end of the book, with an arrow to the head.
Lian didn't need to die for Ollie to get this angry, given the mood he's been in during the last few years of his run he could have got very angry over Roy losing his arm and thousands of people dying.
Lian was quite a cute character, there's not enough young kids of heroes in the DCU, and now there's one less. Plus, given that a lot of us comics fans on the blogosphere harp on about wanting diversity in our comics, and I'm sure that DC are aware of this, to some degree, killing/getting rid of all the GA family kids (Sin, Lian, Connor), who just happen to not be white, seems a bit stupid. I don't think DC are deliberately getting rid of the non white kids, but unfortunately this is what they have done.
Her death was treated as throwaway and used only as a tool to motivate the other heroes. Or, Ollie. Cos no one else is given time to give a shit. I mean, if you're gonna try and positiona s a death as a pivotal moment in a story arc, at least demonstrate how it's affected the other protagonists, instead of just assuming all readers know who the kid is.
And, the whole issue was just badly executed. Every hero is involved, but we don't know how. I already blogged about the incredibly bad depiction of Mia, the women are all tits and ass with impossibly thin middles, Dinah is actually facepalming Lian's death, we don't get to see Roy's reaction to Lian's death, we don't spend long enough on her death, the art changes every few pages, Ollie does an inspirational speech which just comes off as cack handed and empty or devoid or all feeling, and not in an i'm so shocked i've just lost my gradnkid kind of way, and have I mentioned the bad art?
Some of the women's faces are just awful. I think the pencillers decided to go with this approach to female faces - in that to make faces feminine you must draw fewer lines. Hmmm. I think someone needs to re-assess their definition of female.
I actually quite liked the last few pages, of Ollie killing Prometheus. By this point I was convinced that Prometheus was a bad ass and so to see him get taken out like that was quite something. Unfortunately the information about how Ollie got in to the other worldly dimensional portal was contained in the latest JLA issue, not this one.
So, more bad writing. What a load of shit. Still, I bought it, knowing it was gonna be rubbish, so I can't complain about it being a waste of money. Although I feel I have every right to complain about it not being a good story.
Friday, March 05, 2010
Blackest Night: JSA #3
Spoilers ahead.
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Well this was a whole lot better than I expected! A fine end to the mini.
The art was off - I wish artists would understand how boobs and boob windows worked. For example, look here. The lady's breasts are big. The window is big, but it is high, not wide, or low. Boob windows that are as low as those seen in this comic will not hold boobs in. They will spill out, even if you have Kryptonian super boobs. Especially if you have Kryptonian super boobs that are somehow pushed up, possibly by an invisible super bra. Push up bras are not very good at keeping you in one place. At leats mine aren't, and I have pretty large boobs. Gaah.
And her costume mysteriously changes to her old non windowed one for one panel.
Aside from that, the colours are nice and the story is good. We open with BL Superman giving us a run down on his life. Then we cut to the present moment and Mr Terrific is building a thunderbolt bomb that will wipe out the Black Lanterns in the area and it's up to the rest of the JSA to delay BL Supes. Unfortunately thsi Kal -L is trying to thrash Power Girl. When she's collapsed, he's ripping through the rest of the JSA like flies. Jesse Quick is running with her father, enjoying having him back, but knowing that it's not really real.
What I loved about this is how the heroes are not fooled anymore. Karen knows that this Supes is not real and she's doing her damndest to stop him. And stop him she does. The rest of the group are all clued up, even Jesse and they all work together to destroy them.
I don't have any scans of this comic, but I did find some scans of the latest Wonder Woman issue, which show just how awesome Power Girl is. She and Wondy are fighting, in America:
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Well this was a whole lot better than I expected! A fine end to the mini.
The art was off - I wish artists would understand how boobs and boob windows worked. For example, look here. The lady's breasts are big. The window is big, but it is high, not wide, or low. Boob windows that are as low as those seen in this comic will not hold boobs in. They will spill out, even if you have Kryptonian super boobs. Especially if you have Kryptonian super boobs that are somehow pushed up, possibly by an invisible super bra. Push up bras are not very good at keeping you in one place. At leats mine aren't, and I have pretty large boobs. Gaah.
And her costume mysteriously changes to her old non windowed one for one panel.
Aside from that, the colours are nice and the story is good. We open with BL Superman giving us a run down on his life. Then we cut to the present moment and Mr Terrific is building a thunderbolt bomb that will wipe out the Black Lanterns in the area and it's up to the rest of the JSA to delay BL Supes. Unfortunately thsi Kal -L is trying to thrash Power Girl. When she's collapsed, he's ripping through the rest of the JSA like flies. Jesse Quick is running with her father, enjoying having him back, but knowing that it's not really real.
What I loved about this is how the heroes are not fooled anymore. Karen knows that this Supes is not real and she's doing her damndest to stop him. And stop him she does. The rest of the group are all clued up, even Jesse and they all work together to destroy them.
I don't have any scans of this comic, but I did find some scans of the latest Wonder Woman issue, which show just how awesome Power Girl is. She and Wondy are fighting, in America:
Thursday, March 04, 2010
Green Arrow: Blackest Night #30
Spoilers ahoy!!
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Holy crop this was good!
First, the cover is a homage to an old cover:
Then...they kill Ollie.
This issue was fantastic. It garners many plus points.
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Holy crop this was good!
First, the cover is a homage to an old cover:
A homage, and gorgeous! on the homage, Ollie is saying 'The blackest night falls from the skies, the darkness grows as all light dies!'
The art inside is equally gorgeous. Except Mia is in her old red costume, and if this is in continuity, where's her black costume? And except for a couple of panels of Dinah, where she looks like shes' had neck broken. And the rest where her boobs look dangerously close to spilling out. (What is with bad boob clothing this week?). Connor's mum also looks black - I thought she was asian. Maybe i'm wrong. And the final shot is one of Dinah's arse.
Black Lantern Ollie is a complete bastard, and not just when he's trying to be. Not remembering Dinah's name but remembering her curves? Sleaze.
And then Connor turns up! Hurrah, I've missed him. And Mia, who proves how awsome she is. she's not distracted, she knows BL Ollie isn't the real him, and she coldly gets on with stopping him. Because what else can she do? Connor is not so focused, neither is Dinah. Connor knocks Ollie's beard and chin off his face!
This issue was fantastic. It garners many plus points.
Wednesday, March 03, 2010
Save BBC 6Music and the Asian Network
So the BBC wants to axe 6music does it? The only radio station to play alternative music. The only one without witless presenters yammering away being loud and obnoxious in the mornings. I listen to 6 music and Radio 4. That's it. There is nothing else like 6music, and if you agree please go sign the petition here.
The petition is also for the Asian Network. I have never listened to this channel but I am pretty sure there's few outlets for stuff like the Asian Network, and without it we'd have a pretty whitewashed media. So if you're against the closure of this station, please also sign the petition.
The petition is also for the Asian Network. I have never listened to this channel but I am pretty sure there's few outlets for stuff like the Asian Network, and without it we'd have a pretty whitewashed media. So if you're against the closure of this station, please also sign the petition.
Tuesday, March 02, 2010
Long awaited comics rambles: The Flash: Rebirth #6
Well it feels long awaited to me. This week I would have got Gotham City Sirens and Teen Titans, had I not had to cancel titles. I miiiissss Gotham City Sirens. Teen Titans has been a bit boring lately, so I'm less upset about that, altho I hear Cassie finally started acting like a leader. And of course, there's the Rose backup. Waaaah.
Anyway, this week I will be posting individual reviews of comics. Because I have nothing else to fill blog posts with. Spoilers ahead.
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Flash Rebirth #6
I think I've said this before, but this mini has made me care about Barry. Now that I've seen a preview of the artwork for his ongoing, I'm even more keen to read his story.
As for the issue itself, I may be unpopular in saying this but I do not like the art in this. The pencils, particularly on the cover, are ugly, the inking is alternately heavy or minimal, and the colours are just so brash and sit oddly with the inking that overall it's just not a positive effect. I think everything is fighting with each too much. Having said that, the bad art doesn't detract from the story, which I loved.
We start with Barry trying to race back through time, chaisng Thawne, so that he can save Iris. He is struggling with this until Wally catches up and helps him along. These scenes are interspersed with Iris going to meet Barry for their first date, and Barry in his office about to get doused with chemicals.
Thawne reaches Iris and is raising his hand to stab her with a lightening rod. I find this weapon beautiful, it has an air of the relic about it.
Wally and Barry reach Thawne, stop him, and drag him through time to where the other Flashes are building something to stop him. On the way we see a speedster Black Lantern - not sure which one tho, I think it's Bart.
Back in the present they trap Thawne, sever his connection to the speed force and prevent him from running again.
Next up is a double splash page of the Flash parade - and we see Max beaming proudly at Bart.
The we see Thawne in Iron Heights - trussed up as he is in Blackest Night. The chief gorilla in Gorilla City says 'he's done something to our jungles'. Some mystery hands lean in to take control of a puppet Reverse Flash. Barry closes the file on his mother's death. The Rogues start work on their contingency plan. Barry finally slows down. The JLA throw Barry a welcome back party.
It's a really nice end to this end. Everything is wrapped up well and the panel of Dinah telling Ollie off for eating Barry's welcome back cake emphasises the family nature of the JLA. It gives a feel of a real welcome back into the fold. Barry's gone through a lot and now he's back with friends and family who love him, and there's good time ahead. Except for Blackest Night of course..
So after reading this, I feel ready for a Flash book dedicated to Barry. Sure, I'd love to see one for Bart as well, but I'm pretty sure that if I had the money I'd be buying Barry's series. I'll settle for issue #1 so I can get the ring.
Anyway, this week I will be posting individual reviews of comics. Because I have nothing else to fill blog posts with. Spoilers ahead.
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Flash Rebirth #6
I think I've said this before, but this mini has made me care about Barry. Now that I've seen a preview of the artwork for his ongoing, I'm even more keen to read his story.
As for the issue itself, I may be unpopular in saying this but I do not like the art in this. The pencils, particularly on the cover, are ugly, the inking is alternately heavy or minimal, and the colours are just so brash and sit oddly with the inking that overall it's just not a positive effect. I think everything is fighting with each too much. Having said that, the bad art doesn't detract from the story, which I loved.
We start with Barry trying to race back through time, chaisng Thawne, so that he can save Iris. He is struggling with this until Wally catches up and helps him along. These scenes are interspersed with Iris going to meet Barry for their first date, and Barry in his office about to get doused with chemicals.
Thawne reaches Iris and is raising his hand to stab her with a lightening rod. I find this weapon beautiful, it has an air of the relic about it.
Wally and Barry reach Thawne, stop him, and drag him through time to where the other Flashes are building something to stop him. On the way we see a speedster Black Lantern - not sure which one tho, I think it's Bart.
Back in the present they trap Thawne, sever his connection to the speed force and prevent him from running again.
Next up is a double splash page of the Flash parade - and we see Max beaming proudly at Bart.
The we see Thawne in Iron Heights - trussed up as he is in Blackest Night. The chief gorilla in Gorilla City says 'he's done something to our jungles'. Some mystery hands lean in to take control of a puppet Reverse Flash. Barry closes the file on his mother's death. The Rogues start work on their contingency plan. Barry finally slows down. The JLA throw Barry a welcome back party.
It's a really nice end to this end. Everything is wrapped up well and the panel of Dinah telling Ollie off for eating Barry's welcome back cake emphasises the family nature of the JLA. It gives a feel of a real welcome back into the fold. Barry's gone through a lot and now he's back with friends and family who love him, and there's good time ahead. Except for Blackest Night of course..
So after reading this, I feel ready for a Flash book dedicated to Barry. Sure, I'd love to see one for Bart as well, but I'm pretty sure that if I had the money I'd be buying Barry's series. I'll settle for issue #1 so I can get the ring.
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