#Billy Banx Jr.

[ojisanmansion]

[kurayamineko]

[honorableintentions]

[sterling-silvers]

BURN THE WITCH, LIMITED SERIES: CHAPTER 4  - Kubo, You Son of Bitch...

BURN THE WITCH, LIMITED SERIES: CHAPTER 4 - If A Lion Could Speak, We Wouldn’t Understand 9.0 out of 10

Kubo, you son of bitch… It’s like you read my last chapter and catered this week’s chapter for me, personally. What the last chapter was lacking, this chapter made up for in droves. 

I asked for differentiations on how spells work between the Pipers and the Inks; he gave that to me – while the Pipers seem to use verbal incantations, the Inks appear use “Release Codes” where there is a “spell in a can” that activates quickly upon a timed discharge. 

I asked for depth in terms of the world; he gave that to me – a new type of Dragon was introduced in the form of a Marchen: One of seven dragons named after a particular thematic fairy tale (Snow White, Red Dress, Golden Axe, Bubbles, Sugar House, Band of Animals, and Cinderella). Essentially, a Marchen is a single specific dragon, with an individualized set of traits and abilities that are unique to it; they’re basically Legendary Pokemon.

Specifically, Elly is Cinderella (it was hinted at because of the “Ell”): Cinderella is the dragon that has six talons; can use Stealth Scale (an ability where the dragon disappears for a moment to reappear later on); molts in the moon light; has a crown on its head; and flaps sentient Star Ash that causes light explosions on contact with something tangible.

I asked for a better battle display; he gave that to me – Bruno, Noel, and Ninny worked together to cage Cinderella and use its own explosive power against it. That is the strategy and power conjunction I wanted to see from Kubo and he delivered it.

Moreover, Kubo added upon the parts of the story that are already great. Bruno has become my favorite character in this story by far because of how well Kubo is able to utilize him for the story. His design is simple yet spectacular and the way he uses is spells is striking: he’s a tagger and even uses a bandana mask when he goes into battle. His spells – called “Release Codes” – are contained within his assortment of spray paint; one Code even looked like word graffiti art. I’m not one to power scale but, it should be noted that Cinderella was one thing that was able to draw blood and noticeable damage to him so, his rank as a Director of the Inks seems earned. In addition, his character is far from one note – he seems to be chaotic good: he’ll do his job ultimately but, he’s not above bending the rules and catering situations to progress his career and standing; plus, he’s smart and has a rhyme to his bombastic reason. However, he is not above paying back and offering favors for those who help him (this is the most Grimmjow thing he’s done so far but, I still say he’s a fusion of Renji and Bazz B), even if it means he won’t get a promotion in term of rank and or reputation.

Aside from those immediately noteworthy moments and concepts, the chapter itself was just solid in terms of having things come full circle with the ideas and mechanics Kubo has introduced into this sect of the world. Kubo gave a great reason why Balgo should be kept alive in reference to the Marchen; Billy Banks Jr., is not a useless character and is actually far more competent and apt than he leads on (he seems to place certain pieces and people in particular places); also, the hints at rapport between Billy Banks Jr., and Sullivan Squire were addressed and teased a bit more (I am more interested to see how exactly these two connect with each other). 

The connective tissue is there and that’s what I wanted from the story – it really feels like Kubo has put the story before any particular character and that is why the characters work because they serve the narrative.

At the heart of it all, Burn the Witch Chapter 4 is a 9 out of 10 chapter because of the way it not only made up for what it lacked in chapter 3 but also how it took those additions and tied them so sufficiently into the “finale” – there is enough here for it to just conclude while also having enough there to continue. The overall framework of how the story will go was established nicely.

One thing that was not made clear but, I wish was referenced is if the reason the Marchen are known to be so strong is because they ate a witch/wizard and became immortal. This was mentioned by the Disguiser Dragon Shelby back in the one-shot chapter of Burn the Witch and with the way Kubo wrapped this up so tightly, that could have been made clearer. Also, I didn’t notice Cquntnire Milieve’s scanty design until someone pointed it out to me: as he said “There's horny, then, there is unnecessarily horny”. It didn’t both me but, I can see how this can irk some people. Nevertheless, let it be known, this was not just return to form for Kubo; it was an ascension. 

[helenkwara]

. ︵ . ︵ . ︵ . ︵ . ︵ . ︵ . ︵ .

❀ ┈ 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑜𝑟 𝑟𝑒𝑏𝑙𝑜𝑔 ⊱ 天啊 ─

፧ ʕ ˵• ₒ •˵ ʔ ꜛ ♡:: ﹫ 𝚏𝚘𝚕𝚕𝚘𝚠 𝚖𝚎 🙇‍♀️ ˚ | ⺌ ᭝. 𝑎𝑛𝑑᭞ 🐩 ⌟ 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥𝘣𝘺𝘦₊ 〄 ))

[dresspheres]

40 Icons | Billy Banx Jr | Burn the Witch

40 Icons for Billy Banx Jr from Burn the Witch.

Please like or reblog this post if you plan on using the icons.

Credit me if you edit them! Otherwise, credit’s very much appreciated.

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Preview

[ojisanmansion]

[ani-zuka]

“Blowing.” - Burn the Witch - October 2, 2020

[dvalshock]

I would love if Kubo would work more on Burn the Witch........ the world was fun and interesting and I love Noel and Bruno but MOST OF ALL.......... I want to know more about Billy Banx Jr.

[elfdragon12]

Hm, I decided to catch up on Tite Kubo’s Burn the Witch. I wasn’t terribly intrigued by the pilot, but maybe it’d be more interesting once he got into the actual story.

While I’ve been thinking of my overall impression of it, I started remembering one thing that Hirohiko Araki talks about in his “Manga in Practice and Theory” book--that being the importance of establishing the protagonist’s goals early on. We see this in a lot of popular Shounen Jump series. Gon wants to be a Hunter like his dad. Luffy wants to be the Pirate King (heck, the entire Strawhat crew have their individual goals). Naruto wants to be the Hokage. Emma and the kids want to live to become adults. Izuku wants to be a hero. Giorno wants to be a gang-STAR. And so on. These goals are usually stated by the end of the first chapter. Granted, this isn’t really a “one size fits all” piece of writing advice, but, it’s a helpful to give your characters goals so there’s something driving them through the course of the story.

So who are the characters of Burn the Witch? ... Hard to say. A one-shot and 4 chapters in and the main pair of girls seem to be primarily characterized by their rather basic red oni/blue oni relationship to each other. There’s some reference to wanting promotions, but there’s not much discussion on what that means to them (or much actual discussion at all, tbh). The third wheel guy has the strongest “goal” and that’s seeing the panties of one of the girls... Thanks, I hate it! I did like Bruno Bangnyfe, but that was more based on his look than his actual characterization. (I can be unfortunately weak for brash and cocky fighter types, okay!) The end of chapter 4 did have me interested in Billy Banx Jr because HALLELUJAH there’s something under the surface going on!

For Burn the Witch being Kubo’s third serialized SJ series, the pacing has been rather frenetic and rushed. It feels like Kubo just wants to get as many fight scenes in as he can. The official chapter one had 3 different monster encounters over 57 pages. One could have easily been sacrificed to give the story more breathing room, better flow, and give the characters more opportunities to just be people.

Ultimately, I just don’t think writing is Kubo’s strong point. I think he should take a look at Yusuke Murata’s book and partner up with a writer.

[tabloidtoc]

Star, May 27

Cover: Mark Harmon and Pam Dawber’s shocking untold story and dark secrets

Page 4: Hilary Duff is finally ready to walk down the aisle again 

Page 6: Contents, Don Cheadle and George Clooney and Matt Damon at the premiere of Catch-22 

Page 8: Kelly Clarkson’s health crisis 

Page 9: Barbra Steisand has a long-list of outlandish requests for her summer concert, Wendy Williams is in the process of getting rid of estranged husband Kevin Hunter but it may cost her big-time, Kim Kardashian’s plastic surgery was evident at the Met Gala 

Page 10: Ryan Gosling in an eco-warrior is driving his baby mama Eva Mendes crazy, fears for scary skinny Lily Collins, Star Spots the Stars -- Amber Heard, Rick Ross, Busy Philipps, Mary J. Blige and Lil’ Kim, Neil Patrick Harris, Chrissy Teigen and Darren Criss and Geoffrey Zakarian 

Page 11: Fame by A.J. Benza -- Bella Thorne’s neighbors are becoming red with rage over the blaring music that’s been booming from her purple-painted home in the middle of the night, Cuba Gooding Jr. had such a great time at a bar in Antigua that they skipped out on the tab, Colin Jost upset that Scarlett Johansson was caught cozying up to an unidentified male friend 

Page 12: Star Shots -- Tina Fey and Maya Rudolph and Amy Poehler, Will Smith and Jimmy Fallon, Olivia Wilde 

Page 14: Stars and Their Kids -- Hayden Christensen and daughter Briar Rose, Kylie Jenner and daughter Stormi, Busy Philipps and daughter Cricket, Vanessa Paradis and daughter Lily-Rose Depp 

Page 16: Met Gala -- Jeremy Scott and Violet Chachki and Stella Maxwell and Bella Hadid and Gwen Stefani and Tracee Ellis Ross, Lady Gaga, Kacey Musgraves and Katy Perry, Cara Delevingne, Michael B. Jordan and Jared Leo 

Page 17: Celine Dion and Katy Perry, please don’t wear feathers 

Page 18: Alex Trebek, Sienna Miller, Jennifer Lopez 

Page 19: Andy Cohen and Sarah Jessica Parker, Jason Momoa 

Page 20: Jake Gyllenhaal and Tom Holland, Rebel Wilson, Usher 

Page 21: Normal or Not? Eva Longoria, Jesse Metcalfe 

Page 22: Diana Ross, Whitney Port

Page 24: Fashion -- Best of the Week -- Billboard Music Awards -- Julia Michaels, Becky G, Eva Longoria 

Page 25: Paula Abdul, Ciara 

Page 28: Margot Robbie and Brad Pitt may end up being Hollywood’s newest and hottest couple 

Page 29: Demi Lovato and Wilmer Valderrama back on, Elizabeth Olsen’s relationship with longtime boyfriend Robbie Arnett is on the brink, Love Bites -- Gina Rodriguez married Jo LoCicero, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are expecting their third child, Keira Knightley and James Righton expecting their second child, Amy Schumer and Chris Fischer welcomed a baby boy 

Page 30: Mark Harmon and Pam Dawber -- things may not be as pergect as they seem for the longtime lovebirds 

Page 33: Drama on the NCIS set

Page 34: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle welcomed a son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor 

Page 36: Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger are hurriedly planning an intimate yet lavish California summer wedding that’s getting more extravagant by the day 

Page 38: Method Mayhem -- These actors went to extremes to get into character -- Zac Efron, Robert De Niro, Anne Hathaway 

Page 39: Heath Ledger, Jared Leto, Billy Bob Thornton, Natalie Portman, Shia LaBeouf 

Page 40: Kate Winslet, Christian Bale, Daniel Day-Lewis 

Page 41: Hilary Swank, Tom Hanks, Leonardo DiCaprio, Nicolas Cage 

Page 42: Double Takes -- Elizabeth Banks vs. Elizabeth Chambers 

Page 43: Shanina Shaik vs. Lindsey Vonn 

Page 44: Style -- Tie-Dye -- Laura Harrier 

Page 46: Travel essentials -- Blake Lively 

Page 48: Entertainment 

Page 51: Q&A -- Donna D’Errico 

Page 60: Parting Shot -- Tyra Banks amended her modeling name to Tyra Banx 

[originaljiraiyan]

Burn the Witch Chapter 3: Recap and Review

Burn the Witch Chapter 3: Recap and Review

Chapter 3 of Burn the Witch opens with Billy Banx Jr. leering outside of the Top of Horns meeting room. He’s confronted by Sullivan Squire, who asks “why he’s here.” Sullivan admonishes him for failing to “say goodbye” despite all she did for him. Confused, Billy wonders why Squire mentioned his Ninny and Noel at all. She tells him that the elimination of Balgo Parks has been approved. Sullivan…

[sterling-silvers]

BURN THE WITCH, LIMITED SERIES: CHAPTER 2 - Then Along Came Bruno!!!!

Burn Witch – Chapter 2: Ghillie Suit, improved upon that last chapter by providing consistent story progression, strong promise and execution of forward momentum, and distinct yet welcomed world building; for that it has garnered an 8 out of 10.

Narrative-wise, Kubo did a smart thing of having two storylines seemingly converge and operate at the same time. Even if it still seems like he’s still using the training wheels of Bleach by essentially retooling the “Rescue Rukia” arc at least he’s having that past narrative happen concurrently with this new one between Ninny and her ex- bandmate Macy Baljure. 

In addition, it seems like Macy might have been more than just a bandmate to Ninny; time will tell if the feelings were mutually requited. 

Moreover, Bruno Bangnyfe seems like he’s going to be a welcomed addition to the story (he’s basically an amalgam of Renji Abarai and Bazz B); I just hope he doesn’t get shafted like Renji and Bazz B. Nonetheless, he knows how to make a bombastic entrance and captivate the scenery. Don’t let me down Kubo; give him some good character development and a decent win-loss ratio - you OWE me that!

In terms of the realm, I like the fact that Kubo is still building the world that is Reverse London. At first, I was under the impression that the citizens of Reverse London were completely forbidden with interacting with dragons of any kind but, this chapter refutes and cleans up that sentiment rather nicely. If anything, it seems as if dragons, “humans”, and witches/wizards share a symbiotic relationship with one another; the depiction of this was like the Flinstones except replace dinosaurs with dragons. 

I like the fact that they going into detail between light dragons and dark dragons. I also would be remiss if I didn’t mention the fact that Macy – a human (at least so far, that’s what we know her as) – is able to control a dragon; I don’t recall a human being able to control hollows in Bleach so, there’s another distinction to give to the West Branch.

Moreover, there has been a new hard rule introduced to the world; any damage that happens in Reverse London will be reflected and felt in Front London. This actually works both in story and in the meta-sense as I was a bit perplexed why Reverse London and Front London looked so similar. Likewise, this is a staunch differentiation from the Soul Society as it was clear when we were in the material world and when we happened upon Soul Society based on the fact that one domain was modern looking and the other looked more rural/feudal Japan in terms of architecture and aesthetic. Here, the Londons look the same because they are more connected and there are grave consequences if one gets detrimentally damaged.

What I’m hoping they’ll dive more into is how exactly the ranking system of the Wind Bind works. As stated in the chapter, the Pipers are in charge of rearing and conversing the dragons and as so illegal rearing falls into their jurisdiction and responsibilities as well; hence why Ninny, Noel, and Balgo were on that particular mission. However, from the one shot it seemed as if the Pipers were below the Sabres; yet, Billy Banx Jr. was/is the commanding officer of Noel and Ninny and last chapter established that there are at least eight divisions, with a man named Tronbone Takkinen being the overall head of the Pipers. Based on that, my best guess would be that Billy is basically the lieutenant of the Pipers but, still based on the promotion there still some speculation as to the actual inner workings.

Nonetheless, the narrative momentum, emergence of appealing story threads and defining distinctions, along with a and gripping cliffhanger is why this week’s Burn the Witch earned an 8 out of 10.

[ojisanmansion]

[sterling-silvers]

BURN THE WITCH, LIMITED SERIES: CHAPTER 3 - The Hunt is On!

BURN THE WITCH, LIMITED SERIES: CHAPTER 3 - She Makes Me Feel Special

7.5 out of 10

Story-wise, we get a quick cut away to Billy Banx Jr. trying to spy any pry in on the Crown Council Central Table; soon enough, he is caught by Sullivan Squire and she (I thought she was a guy at first; I’ll make an amendment now and say that she is the amalgam of Uryū Ishida and Soi Fon) informs Banx that an elimination order is underway for Balgo and Bruno has already taken the initiative to apprehend him – Squire is all but sure Noel and Ninny will be in the crossfire. There is definitely some indication that Squire and Banx have and or had a rapport with either; I’m curious to see how it will be either developed and or divulged later on.

We then pick off right where we left off with Bruno making an explosive entrance. Noel doesn’t recognize him but, Ninny does; Bangnyfe calls his subordinates to capture Balgo – who is easily identifiable based on the Pipers cape he’s wearing (this is a nice call back as it is revealed Bruno arranged that to happen so he could be set up for right now) and makes a false report that Balgo was the one responsible for the attack on the Realist building. Bruno goes on to tell the Pipers of Balgo’s impending execution order and that who ever claims him will gain everlasting notability. Upon hearing this, Noel insults his dye job (I think it looks cool…) which infuriates him.

As he preps to attack, Noel rushes down to rescue Balgo from the subordinate Inks; while Bruno is taken aback at his men being handled so easily, Ninny points her horn to the back of his head and asks, ultimately, was he responsible for bringing Macy to Reverse London. Bruno, candidly, admits that he did recruit her and moreover discloses that Macy is a Watcher – a person that can see dragons; it was only a matter of time until she would have made her way into Reverse London.

This information stifles Ninny a bit and Bruno takes that instant to kick the horn out her hand. Noel is able to catch Ninny’s horn and, in conjunction with her own, shoots a giant magic blast; during which, Ninny grabs Macy and with Balgo and Noel in tow, make their escape. When the dust clears, Bruno is unscathed and all but irked – he summons his own dragon, named Rickenbacker and he goes hunting. This is interesting because, I didn’t think others would have their own dragons but, this just back to the symbiosis between humans and dragons, I suppose. 

After Noel sets a cloth to hide themselves for a bit, Macy starts to explain how she found her dragon – Elly (who they just left behind) – and how she got into Reverse London; once again, it was Bruno that arranged her whereabouts – really seems like he a great master planner. Just as soon as it seems like they are getting a breather, Bruno breaks the cloth and displays that the execution order has been approved – Balgo is now Reverse London’s most wanted man.

All in all, this was a decent issue but, it seems to do little in terms of progressing the story. This would have more than fine if we would have been privy to the magic system of Wing Bind but, the “battle” ended up being nothing more than a quick skirmish and essentially a retreat and regroup. The overall outcome is not inherently bad but, the execution – moreover, the lack of execution – is what I had a problem with. Ninny, Noel, and Bruno just did some quick maneuvers but, this was the time to really lay down some spells showing how they operate and differentiate in usage between say, Pipers and Inks. For example, Noel places a cloth to cover themselves only for Bruno to break it later on. What was I supposed to take from this other than that it’s not as useful when a division leader is looking for you?

That being said, I will highlight two things I did like in this chapter. 1. Each Wing Bind Division has their own Zodiac Sign: Inks – Taurus; Anthems – Capricorn; Sacreds – Aquarius; Pipers – Aries; Sabres – Scorpio; Patchworks – ??? (still a mystery); Billionaires – Leo; Gallows – Libra. I missed that the first time around and this more than likely means there are four signs and or divisions that are not accounted for. 2. Also, Bruno’s dragon Rickerbacker shares his name with a guitar – this could mean that either Bruno, his magic, or the dragon itself is more music themed in terms of attacks. I suppose this means that the dragons can be seen as their version of Zanpakuto; moreover, that means this series is closer to How to Train Your Dragon than I realized. Nonetheless, in summary, there is substance here but there needs to be depth – Kubo knows and or should know how to give depth to his world. This chapter could have been a lateral move but, it did regress a tad based on the lack of intricacy his world and ultimately characters are failing to display. For that, it gets a 7.5 out of 10.