#He is just a little guy!!

[ninjamuffin654]

Some reasons I dislike Stranger Things, and some reasons I LIKE Lockwood & Co.!

I'm sure that I will be argued with for saying this, but Stranger Things isn't actually that good. (I have just finished watching season 2 with my parents)

It COULD have been brilliant, but it just falls into repetitive storylines, and makes a bunch of really disappointing choices with its characters that just make the narrative feel lazy. Which sucks.

Some spoilers below.

EG: Joyce, Hopper and Bob. Joyce and Hopper work amazingly together, as FRIENDS. They've both had incredibly traumatic and scarring experiences that have left them damaged and broken people. But their friendship allows them to find support from someone who, like they themselves, has been through those things and can help them when they're in distress. Romantically? No, absolutely not. Joyce is continuously shown to be trusting and forgiving, personality traits that her shitty previous partner used against her as tools for manipulation. By contrast, Hopper is regularly shown to be possessive, protective and more than a little controlling, as we can see in his relations with El. Put all that together into a romantic relationship, and you get a really unhealthy environment for them both.

But then there's Bob. Sweet, kind, supportive, gentle Bob. A man who truly adores Joyce and her children and wants nothing but the best for all of them. As my mum put it, he is a fucking incredible example of nontoxic masculinity, and a really refreshing break from the "evil stepfather" trope that is so often seen in media. But nope! Sorry! Despite his amazing character and incredible potential to be something really good for the show, the poor guy is lost to us within the season. Rip Bob you absolute fucking icon.

And there is so much more, too. Out of all the characters, the only ones who really grow and develop as people (in a noticeable way) are Steve Harrington and Dustin. Steve goes from being a selfish, entitled, stuck up shithead to a guy who is reeling from the realisation that his actions have consequences for him and for people he cares about in a single season, and he CONTINUES to try and change himself as the show goes forward, actively trying to be a better person. He and Dustin, the only one of the kids (other than maybe will) to really mature or stand up to the entitled brat that is Mike Wheeler, have a really lovely friendship and it makes me very happy to see how supportive of Dustin Steve is.

Plus the show kind of doesn't do a whole lot with ANY of the girl characters. Max is Just Kind Of There, Nancy is a bit one dimensional, Barb (I am so mad about how much potential she had) died before she ever got to do anything awesome, and Eleven is essentially just the same as Max but is also the magical maguffin they use every so often to get rid of the big bads.

But yeah. Overall, Stranger Things, whilst a decent show, really isn't anything super special. It is, as my mum once again put it, like sugary cereal. Really great on the first taste, but only to be eaten in small amounts so you don't get sick of it.

"But Ninja!" I hear you cry. "If you think this show isn't that great, what shows do you think are?"

I'M GLAD YOU ASK.

Allow me to introduce to you a delightful new series that recently aired on Netflix called Lockwood & Co., based on a young adult book series of the same name.

The show follows the adventures of the titular Lockwood & Co. a team of three teenagers who work together to hunt ghosts, as they begin to uncover a mysterious and immensely dangerous hidden web of conspiracy that could majorly change their whole world view.

Everything about Lockwood & Co., from the costume designs to the soundscaping to the visuals is absolutely incredibly done. The three main characters of Anthony Lockwood, Lucy Carlisle and George Karim, as well as the rest of the cast, have depth and facets to their characters that make them really fun and get you invested in their adventures.

Whether it's Lockwood constantly behaving like an absolute jerk, but learning that acting that way endangers those around him and can get people killed, Lucy gaining a sense of independence and confidence (and getting to push lockwood almost in the thames in one bit which was funny) in spite of constantly being surrounded by cruel and manipulative adults (including her own mum), or George just being the most neurodivergent guy ever and a sassy menace who has to learn that not even he knows everything, you genuinely feel for the characters, and relate to them whether in spite of or because of their flaws.

In addition, a major overall theme that Lockwood & Co. does really well, but Stranger Things not so much, is that the government (and adults) cannot be trusted. Constantly, over the course of the season's 8 action filled episodes, it is reinforced to the viewer that the adult run authorities of this world will do ANYTHING to retain the status quo, and they do not give a single flying fuck for who gets caught in the crossfire. The main characters constantly have to combat cruel, vicious adults who, despite living in a world where children and their ghost detecting skills are one of the most valuable things around, don't give these kids the authority they deserve, or respect for risking their lives nightly. Instead they do everything they can to manipulate and control them, benefitting off of the mass child death the ghost hunting industry causes.

Overall, Lockwood & Co. is an amazing show, with some amazing actors, and I can definitely reccomend it.

To conclude, while Stranger Things has a few things going for it, overall it doesn't do enough with its characters or story to make it a really investing or exciting show to watch. By contrast, Lockwood & Co is a pretty darn decent show so far, with a really great strong female lead and some really fun shenanigans with sound design and lighting.

[batcavescolony]

Katniss is such an unreliable narrator. She says "Then something unexpected happens. At least, I don't expect it because I don't think of District 12 as a place that cares about me" girl you deliver strawberries to the Mayor, you hunt and trade for the district, when you fell at Prim being chosen someone caught you, when you went to Prim people parted for you, when you volunteered EVERYONE stopped. Idk how to tell you but I think you're a pillar of the community.

[ayamemes]

love when his eyes do this

[zeropro]

[sixthrock]

reminder

[mmothmanners]

I often whisper 'hello ! i'm gale--' to myself because I just love the way he says that particular line.

Anyways here are some little Gale of Waterdeep sketches!

[can-of-pringles]

THERE'S BABY ALUCARD CONCEPT ART?!

BRO

[ugly-bug-starscream]

skyfire for my tfone au!! hes researching ways to obtain energon so he visits the mines and is a friend to all the miners

[kiwoa]

I met a new friend while wrapping presents.

[zhelin-thames]

Tiny baby ghost

idea from Prompt for @silverblueglitter

part 2 and 3 are out Masterpost

The summoning circle glowed an eerie green, casting sharp shadows around the Justice League's meeting chamber. John Constantine, sleeves rolled up and cigarette dangling from his lips, muttered the last words of the incantation. The room held a tense silence, broken only by the faint hum of the magical energy.

When the green smoke cleared, instead of the imposing figure of the Ghost King they’d expected, a scrawny teenager in a black jumpsuit with white gloves and boots appeared, looking distinctly unimpressed.

“Seriously?!” Danny Phantom groaned, throwing up his hands. “It’s a school night!”

The room collectively blinked. Superman and Wonder Woman exchanged confused glances. Batman’s eyes narrowed behind his cowl, while the Batkids—perched around the room like chaotic gargoyles—leaned forward, intrigued.

“This… is the Ghost King?” Nightwing asked, his voice skeptical but amused.

“Ghost King?” Danny repeated, holding up a hand. “Nope. Wrong guy. Try again.”

“Clearly, this is a child,” Robin said flatly, stepping forward with his arms crossed. “Either the summoning ritual failed, or we’ve been deceived.”

“Who are you calling a child, mini-Nightmare?” Danny shot back, floating an inch off the ground to look taller. “I’m fifteen. How old are you, eight?”

“I am fourteen, you insufferable spirit,” Robin snapped, glaring daggers at him. “And you are woefully unqualified to speak to me in such a tone.”

Danny rolled his eyes. “Yeah, okay, Robin Junior. Let me know when you grow a sense of humor.”

Red Hood, perched casually on a table nearby, barked out a laugh. “I like this kid already.”

Robin scowled. “You would.”

Red Hood swung his legs off the table, standing to his full height. “Alright, Casper, if you’re not the Ghost King, why’d this ritual grab you instead?”

“That’s a great question! Wish I knew!” Danny said, throwing up his hands.

Constantine frowned, stepping closer. “You’re definitely ghostly, mate, and half-alive by the looks of you.” His sharp gaze softened just slightly. “You’re a bloody halfa.”

Danny froze, eyes darting to the swirling green barrier still holding him in the circle (not really). “I’m a ghost. And yeah, I’m alive. What’s it to you?”

Batman loomed closer, his deep voice cutting through the room. “If you’re not the Ghost King, why does this summoning work?”

“Great question! Wish I knew!” Danny threw up his arms again, his ectoplasm glowing faintly in frustration. “I don’t even know who you are, and you’ve already ruined my night! or Maybe the universe hates me. That’d explain a lot!”

“Who even made this circle?” Red Hood asked, pointing at Constantine. “Did you check it? It’s glowing green. That’s ghost vibes, man.”

“Thanks for the observation, Red Hood,” Constantine said dryly. “What gave it away, the ectoplasm or the ghost?”

“You are in no position to demand answers,” Batman growled.

“Oh my god, you’re worse than my parents,” Danny muttered.

Before Batman could respond, the air grew colder. A heavy, oppressive presence filled the room as green flames erupted in the middle of the chamber. From the flames stepped Pariah Dark, fully armored and radiating raw power, his glowing eyes zeroing in on Danny.

The League tensed, weapons at the ready, but Pariah didn’t even look at them. Instead, his expression softened in a way that could only be described as paternal as he reached out and plucked Danny out of the circle like a child grabbing a stuffed animal.

“Who dares summon my child?” Pariah rumbled, his deep voice shaking the room. He cradled Danny in one massive hand as though he were the most precious treasure in existence. Danny, for his part, just sighed and leaned against one of Pariah’s fingers.

“Dad, chill. They’re not trying to hurt me—” Danny shot a glare at Batman, “—yet.”

“‘Dad’?” Robin echoed, utterly baffled.

“They stressed him out,” Pariah continued as if Danny hadn’t spoken. “This is the third time in two weeks. Do you know how much sleep he’s lost? He has school!”

Pariah’s gaze darkened. “The third summoning this week,” he growled. “And for what? To disrupt his rest? His studies?”

“Studies?” Robin repeated incredulously. “This alleged ‘Ghost Prince’ is concerned with—”

“School,” Red Hood supplied helpfully, smirking. “That tracks. He’s just a kid.”

“I’M NOT JUST A KID!” Danny protested, his voice cracking slightly. Jason snorted.

Before anyone else could respond, Fright Knight materialized beside Pariah, his armor gleaming and his sword crackling with ghostly energy. He took one look at the summoning circle and grimaced.

“Shall I eliminate the offenders, my liege?” he asked Pariah, his grip tightening on his sword.

“No!” Danny yelped, waving his hands frantically. “No eliminating, no smiting! We talked about this, remember?”

Pariah sighed, his massive shoulders slumping. “They stressed you out,” he rumbled. “They should pay.”

“They’ll be fine,” Danny muttered. “Just… let me handle it, okay?”

“‘Fine,’ he says,” Red Hood muttered. “We’re seconds away from getting blasted into the afterlife.”

Robin's hand drifted toward his sword, his eyes darting between Pariah and Fright Knight. “This is absurd. We are the Justice League. Surely, we are not so easily—”

“Shut it, kid,” Consttantine interrupted. “Unless you want to test if we’re actually ‘fine.’”

Danny groaned. “Can we not do this right now?”

Wonder Woman stepped forward, her voice calm but firm. “We summoned you because we need the Ghost King’s aid to stop a catastrophic magical event threatening the world.”

“Then why not summon him?” Danny snapped. “I’m not the king!”

“Yet the ritual brought you,” Batman said, his voice a mix of curiosity and accusation.

Pariah’s gaze darkened. “The crown does not transfer unless challenged. And none shall dare challenge my son.”

Danny squirmed in his ghost-dad’s grip. “Okay, Dad, they get it. Can you not threaten to destroy the world for five minutes?”

Pariah huffed but gently set Danny down, though he remained close, a looming shadow of protective menace.

Constantine rubbed his temples, muttering something about “bloody teenagers” and “overprotective ghost tyrants.” Meanwhile, the Batkids exchanged glances, clearly plotting something.

Danny sighed. “Look, I’ll help you guys with your big, scary magical problem, but can we make it quick? I have a chem test tomorrow.”

[unfortunatelyphoenix]

So Danny got summoned by a cult the JL failed to stop. Problem, he's a little too hungry to care

I had 2 ideas for this so you can choose which one you want.

Danny had forgotten to eat for like 24 hours when doing ghost king shit, so when he finally got some food and felt himself being pulled into a summoning he decided that whoever it was could deal with him eating, so he grabbed his plate and kept eating. To say the cult and JL were expecting to see a massive eldritch king of ghosts and space sitting cross-legged like a teenager and eating (insert the most random food you wouldn't expect a regal king to eat) would be a lie.

Danny, with food in his mouth: You're the ones who summoned me while I was in the middle of eating, so you get to deal with it.

OR

Danny had forgotten he needed food, again, but just as he was about to sit down to start eating he suddenly got summoned by some random cult. So now he's standing in the middle of a summoning circle that's surrounded by cultists and heroes, but he doesn't care, he's now just disappointed in the world and a little sad.

Danny, looking an ancient god and king of space and terror, in the most pathetic and sad voice: My dino nuggies D:

[secretsimpleness]

Inquisitor Orlesians-Can-Burn-In-A-Ditch-For-All-I-Care Lavellan. + Josephine, Leliana, some noble / Dragon Age Inquisition (c) Bioware

[teddybeartoji]

sukuna has full-blown conversations with your cat when you're not at home . like you come home one day and find them in the bathroom – sukuna is shaving his face while the cat sits on the counter beside him, and he's just talking with the little beast. and it seems so serious, too, like they're both very into the conversation???? anyway it's a ridiculously endearing sight aaaand it also gives you the perfect material to tease him with lmao he'll click his tongue whenever you bring it up and most likely he'll counter you by telling you that you're just jealous..

[shitpostingkats]

Oh english is absolutely not his first language.

[blupoh]

analog horror needs to let go of daisy bell I am FED UP

[egophiliac]

buckle up lads we're going BACK INTO THE BOOK