#Magic Mongo

[its-to-the-death]

Battle of the Gingers Wave 1 Preliminary Round #22

Whoever gets the most votes moves onto the next round

[qqueenofhades]

I got political whiplash on Threads. First, everyone was screaming, “All is lost!” I came back an hour later, and everyone was screaming, “We Ride at Dawn!”

The right-wingers are in panic mode. Steven Miller was practically screaming on Feckless news. 🤣

I mean. The right-wingers' entire mentality, the fuel for the January 6 attempted coup, the recent SCOTUS President God-King Immunity ruling, and all the rest, is premised on the simple fact that the president is indeed, Almighty God King who serves for life and will never, ever willingly give up his power. So that's how I can guarantee that the GOP, because they are short-sighted fascist morons, did not plan for this. Their entire strategy was built around attacking Biden, because they hate him. Like, really hate him. He defeated Trump the first time and there was still a good chance that he could do it again. Trump got impeached the first time for trying to extort Zelenskyy for dirt on Biden, because he didn't want to face him. That's why they went after Hunter on largely bogus charges, tossed around the idea of impeaching Biden, actually (uselessly) impeached Mayorkas, etc.

And yet, because Biden (even if he was forced to do it) decided to step away and voluntarily give up his presidential power instead of wrecking American democracy to hold onto it, that has broken their little shriveled fascist brains. They literally can't comprehend it, and I can guarantee they're now shit scared about having to face Kamala, a brown woman, who is the epitome of everything their tiny evil brains hate. As noted by those bangin' fundraising numbers, there is also a lot of excitement around her. And suddenly, after MONTHS of "this election is a referendum on which old and mentally declining man you hate more," that has been removed as a factor. (Watch the media suddenly forget all about age and/or mental competency as a factor now that Biden is out. Does it apply to Trump, you ask? CRICKETS.)

Kamala is going to mop the f'n floor with Trump at the next presidential debate, and I guarantee that the GOP knows that too. Because yes, if Biden had another bad debate, or if he has a bad case of COVID that might end up giving him long-covid symptoms or keeping him off the trail for days or weeks, that would have been very, very hard to recover from. Now the GOP is the one stuck with an old, mentally baffled, virulently hated presidential candidate and the most pro-Russia, anti-woman, demonstrable-sellout whitebread VP pick imaginable, that they had to choose because Trump nearly got the last one killed and he wasn't interested in the job again, for some weird reason. And as we have pointed out before, this is the last-chance saloon for Trump in any number of ways, and he has been demonstrably overconfident the last few weeks as the media was consumed with discussion of Biden's stumbles rather than Trump's manifold unfitness, treason, felonies, and all the rest.

I don't agree with Biden on everything he has ever done in his long career in public service, but I will say that I don't think he would have actually done this if he wasn't eventually convinced, for whatever reason that might be, that it was the right decision. And my one big fear about him stepping down was that the party would instantly fracture, people would start flogging unrealistic Magical White Boy replacements, and otherwise insist on an "open mini-primary!" or some other fucking bullshit. Now, there are still a few idiots trying that, but by and large, the Democratic power apparatus has instantly thrown its weight behind Kamala. That doesn't excuse them for the weeks of wibbling Anonymous Sources self-sabotage beforehand, and I still vote that we destroy the billionaires at our next opportunity, but if we can stick with that and keep up those mongo fundraising numbers, we might indeed actually have a better chance than before, and that was what this was all about.

As I noted yesterday, Black women have been disproportionately influential in taking Trump down (think Leticia James, Fani Willis, etc) and there is undoubtedly a huge, HUGE amount of poetic justice if Kamala can be the one to stick the knife in his greasy orange gut once and for all. I can likewise guarantee the GOP is well aware of that, and the fact that while they can yell even louder and trot out the same old racist, sexist, misogynist fearmongering dirtbag attacks they used on HRC, that is a strategy with demonstrably diminishing returns (it sure as hell isn't going to help them win any more female or suburban or black voters or anyone else we always hear about how they're Making Inroads with). And we're not going to talk about how it's Obvious that America would never elect a black female president. Obama won two terms. Even with all that weight of frothing misogyny and DECADES of Republican smear machines, HRC won the popular vote and was ratfucked out of the Electoral College by the slimmest of margins, after a massive interference campaign by the Russians. It is fucking possible, we are going to do it, and the Republicans are so, SO FUCKING SCARED of having to live in an America run by a brown woman, that can only be for the good.

Kamala Harris 2024. Let's go.

[hollowed-theory-hall]

What are your thoughts on Harry being a healer? Do you think it would suit him?

Honestly, I think Harry could be a good Healer. Like, if he works in the magical ER in St. Mongos, it will give him something interesting to do, and he would get to help people. He's also pretty sanitised to violence and injury, so he won't get queasy about anything he might see in St. Mongos (plus he sustained plenty of injuries himself, so he's familiar).

Also, he watches Tonks cast Episkey on him once in HBP, and then he can manage it perfectly on his first try:

“It was an accident, I’m sorry, Demelza, really sorry!” Ron shouted after her as she zigzagged back to the ground, dripping blood everywhere. “I just —” [...] “I can fix that,” said Harry, landing beside the two girls, pointing his wand at Demelza’s mouth, and saying “Episkey.” “And Ginny, don’t call Ron a prat, you’re not the Captain of this team —”

(HBP)

So, he's good with healing spells, potions when he has good instructions and no one is breathing down his neck (also seen in HBP), he can research when he needs to, he has really good memory, he's in general kind and empathetic, and he is very calm under pressure and around injuries. Others also tend to feel like he knows what he's doing and they'll be alright even when he is panicking internally — so, yeah, Harry could actually make a good healer.

Put him in St. Mongos' in Spell Damage or Creature-Induced Injuries, I think, he could find it interesting. And again, he'd be helping people, which I think Harry would like about this sort of job.

Not sure if it's my top pick, but I think he'd be good at it, and he might enjoy it more than he'd initially think.

(It would be funny for his patients. Like, what do you even do when The Boy Who Lived Twice is your doctor, yk?)

[noneedforflowers]

✿ No Need for Flowers DEMO ✿

The demo is finally here!

You can play No Need for Flowers, a new Touhou-inspired bullet hell game about dragon girls, right now!!

Try it out on Steam:

... And itch.io!:

ABOUT THE GAME:

Play as a dragon priestess on a quest to stop a mysterious necromancer from destroying the world...

NNFF features classic high-action danmaku gameplay veterans can appreciate. Its easy to learn mechanics makes it great for people new to the genre too! There's a lot of quality of life such as a snappy in-depth practice mode, replays, smooth easy-to-read graphics, and more!

This game also has a strong focus on its story and characters, with dynamic boss sprites with simple but fun animations, expressive animated dialogue portraits, and there's even an unlockable bestiary containing the backstory of all of the bosses you meet!

Also, the music (composed by Princess Sylvysprit) is really REALLY good!! (Demo OST album releasing soon...)

This demo contains the first 3 stages. I really hope you enjoy it.

Developers: 🐊Game by Mongo 🎵Music and SFX by Princess Sylvysprit

[zahri-melitor]

Newish Comics:

The Nice House by the Sea #2: check in with Walter's House! They just got a dog!

The Flash #12: if I close my eyes to things like Si Spurrier clearly doesn't care about Bart's actual characterisation, this was very Flash and very metaphysical-love-powers-the-Speed-Force in the way its crowning issues tend to go. Solid cap to the opening run.

I would have liked, you know, if at some point someone had more explicitly acknowledged Linda has had post partum depression since Wade was born, but at least we got her to mention that her existing issues were amplified and exploited, not imposed out of nowhere. (Not that we always need comics to do PSAs but goddamnit this was an opportunity for a PSA about a serious issue reaching a target audience who probably don't get as many messages about checking in with and on friends/relatives who have recently given birth)

Green Arrow #15: please let Cissie and whoever Red Canary (Sienna) is go home. Why are they here, Williamson. It's fine, Roy's a good team commander, Ollie got to acknowledge his relationship with Lian, but oh god if you dumped Cissie and Sienna somewhere maybe you could use that space to give Mia and Emiko some actual characterisation???

(Also Ollie's at-least-triple-cross gets more complicated, why does anyone, ANYONE out there think OLIVER QUEEN is going to agree with Waller about heroes needing to be depowered???)

Zatanna: Bring Down the House #3: this remains fun, Zee finally casts some magic, and Constantine turns up to help out (by causing problems).

Batman: The Brave and the Bold #16: okay fine, Tim Seeley managed to wrap his Nightwing & Deadman story up with themes I like. Second story is straight 'why we have cops'.

Montoya story: hey Tot! Also, outing Renee, AGAIN, is how we're playing the intro into getting her back to the Question full time? Uhhhhhh.

Final story: never going to be mad about Karen and Mal hanging out being a couple and being superheroes.

Gotham City Sirens #4: oh thank goodness it's over. Good for Alexis just staying evil for evils sake.

The Warlord #65: this week in Skartaris Jennifer Morgan makes it very clear she's actually Homo Magi given how fast she picked up magic.

Love the aesthetic, honestly. Picks up Travis' costume notes.

On the downside because we're dealing with the past again, Mongo Ironhand is back. Hi, irritating dwarf. Because apparently DC and Marvel aren't being hugely litigious at this point in time, Mongo is still trying to become the Sorcerer Supreme of long long ago Skartaris.

Anyway Machiste tries to brain Mikola, Mikola and Mariah finally see each other again, and Travis is so annoyed he's missing out on some quality fighting between his various friends he convinces Jenny to take them both back in time to sort everyone out.

[howhow326]

African Mythic Creatures pt. 3!!!!!!!!!

(Honestly wasn't sure if I would do this again, but here it is!!! Part one is here, Part two is here.)

Abiku (Yoruba, Nigeria)

"Born to die", Abiku are tree (specefically Iroko & Baobab) spirits that incarnate themselves as human children, only to die before puberty. And they do this again, and again, and again... if that sounds familiar, it is because Abiku are the Yoruba counterpart of the Igbo Ogbanje spirit. Unlike Ogbanje, Abiku do not seek to intentionally bring pain to their human mothers... except when they do. Additionally, Abiku are extremely associated with monkeys. According to legend, a pair of monkeys began stealing food from a farm. The farmer killed them, unaware of the magical powers that monkeys have (source: am a monke, trust me bro). The ghost of the two monkeys became abikus, reincarnating themselves as the twin children of the farmers wife only to die after a few years, and again, and again, and again... it was only after the farmer stopped killing other monkeys, per the advice of a local Babalawo, that the abiku twins stopped dying young, growing up to be humans with the powerful mystic abilities that all twins have (source: am a twin, trust me bro).

Eloko (Mongo, DRC)

The line between ghost and living monster in folklore all over Africa is seemingly nonexistant, a motif that repeats itself in the Eloko. The Eloko (plural: Biloko) are kind of dwarf-like being that dwell within the Congo rainforests, and they are the spirits of the ancestors who live in the forest. Biloko are also maneaters that like to target the wives of hunters who follow after their husbands into the bush. Biloko have grass for hair, bulging eyes, mouths that can open wide enough to swallow a person whole, long and razor sharp claws, are dressed in forest leaves, and carry magic bells that hypnotize people. If you hear the sound of a bell while within the rainforest, do not dare go near it. If Biloko had any memories from their previous life, they are long gone by now. All that remains is their grudge against the living...

Emere (Yoruba, Nigeria)

Another west african spirit that incarnates itself as a human child, Emere set themselves apart from both Ogbanje and Abiku in that they do not die young. Instead, Emere children have the ability to travel between the material world and spirit world at will, like a child that vanishes and comes back without telling theur parents where they have gone. Emere have intense spiritual powers, even stronger than witches, and are naturally extremely beautiful. Emere incarnate themselves because they want the best of both Heaven and Earth. Despite that, they give unconditional support to Heaven while on Earth, and are smart enough to hide their goals. But like other spirit children, Emere do die early. Graduations, Weddings, the birth of their first child, Emere's last day on Earth are always their happiest moment.

Mmuo (Igbo, Nigeria)

Brits have Fairies, Japanese have Yokai, and the Igbo tribe of Southeastern Nigeria have Mmuo (which can be translated as either 'spirit' or 'ghost'). While the word Mmuo includes all supernatural entities in Igbo culture, such as the extremely powerful and worshipped Alusi, it is more common for Mmuo to only be used for lesser spirits. Ancestor spirits, Nature spirits, and stranger beings are all called Mmuo and they can be good, evil, neither or all. What truly sets the Mmuo apart from other spirits is that they openly interact with humans during Masquerade festivals (called Mmanwu).

The Ajofia is the Mmuo of the Evil Forest, a kind of community graveyard where evil doers are allowed to rot above ground which prevents their body from returning to the Earth Mother's womb. The Ajofia spirit appears as a 10 foot tall mass of black hair billowing smoke covered in animal skulls, human masks, and living bugs. Despite the fear it inspires in people, it is a noble spirit of justice that doesn't hesitate to punish the wicked and is respected by the community.

The Mgbedike is a spirit associated with war, bravery, and men. They appear as a beastial man with bull horns, sharp teeth, and other intimidating features. Their dance during the Mmanwu is fierce and aggresive.

The Agbogho is the spirit of maidens, representing with the Igbo femminine ideal (Note: all of the masquraders in a Mmanwu are men, including the Agbogho). They appears as a beautiful, pale (cuz ghost), young woman, and perform a graceful dance that emphasizes their legs.

The Ijele is the king of the Mmanwu, appearing as a tower that 45 different Mmuo dance atop as it closes the Masquerade festival, and it has the power to bring good harvests and draw in evil doers with it's magic mirror before punishing them.

[princesssarisa]

"Faerie Tale Theatre" Role Association: Seasons 1 through 3

To honor Shelley Duvall in a silly yet fun way, I decided to finally do what I've been meaning to for some time: play a complete game of Role Association for the characters of Faerie Tale Theatre.

That is, describing the story using the names of the actors' more famous characters. @thealmightyemprex and I once did this together, long ago. I thought I would try doing it myself now, starting with the show's first few seasons.

The Tale of the Frog Prince

The Genie is turned into a frog, and only a kiss from Inga can break the spell. Odo is Inga’s father, while Debbie Dunham and Kramer are Genie’s parents. Brave Sir Robin narrates.

Rumpelstiltskin

Wendy Torrence is ordered to spin straw into gold for Lots-O’-Huggin Bear after her father Sarge lies that she can. Tattoo agrees to spin it for her, but at a price.

Rapunzel

Olive Oyle is hidden away in a tower by her abusive foster mother Gloria Swenson, until she meets and falls in love with Prince Lir. Cornelius narrates.

The Nightingale

Ned Kelly is the Emperor of China, who learns the value of friendship from Hillary Whitney and a bird with the voice of Wendy Torrence. Commander Adama is the Prime Minister, while Harold, Iroh, and Mr. Wing are other members of the court.

Sleeping Beauty

Rita the Cat is cursed to die by Ellen Griswold, but Grandmama Addams softens the curse to a 100-year sleep, from which Superman’s kiss will wake her. Father Mulcahy and “Hot Lips” Houlihan are Rita’s parents.

Jack and the Beanstalk

Dave Stohler lives in poverty with his mother Jessica Tate, until Blinkin gives him magic beans that grow into a beanstalk, which leads him to the castle of gigantic couple Ted and Edith.

Little Red Riding Hood

Emily Hobbs goes into the forest to visit Grandma Gilmore and encounters Alex DeLarge, who sets out to prey on them both. The Mayor of San Francisco and Ida Sessions are Emily’s parents.

Hansel and Gretel

T.J. and Savannah are the children of poor woodcutter Wimpy, who get lost in the woods and are nearly cooked and eaten by Mrs. Potiphar.

Goldilocks and the Three Bears

Addie Loggins intrudes into the house of papa Mongo, mama Alma Cox, and their son Paco. Dick Solomon and Rosie are Addie’s parents and Randall Peltzer is a forest ranger.

The Princess and the Pea

Stephen Waltham falls in love with Sally Bowles, but to test her worthiness, his mother Dr. Lesh has her sleep on twenty mattresses with a pea beneath them. Dr. Jack Bardofsky is a court jester and Chris Hargensen is a mean-girl princess.

Pinocchio

Pee-Wee Herman is a puppet carved by Saul Bloom and brought to life by Maria Portokalos. Kramer and Rocko are two con artists who lead him astray, and Waternoose turns him into a donkey.

Thumbelina

Two-inch tall Princess Leia is stolen from her mother Berta and nearly forced to marry first Castor Oyle, then the Penguin, before finding true love with Tommy Ross.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Cora Crawley is taken in by seven dwarfs after fleeing from Julia, who wants to kill her because Nicholas Medina claims that Cora is more beautiful than she is. Eventually Julia poisons her, but in the end, she revives and marries Frederic.

Beauty and the Beast

Janet Weiss becomes the prisoner of Count Dracula and eventually learns to love him. Chief Hubbard is her father, while Morticia Addams and Helen Henny are her sisters.

The Boy Who Left Home to Find Out About the Shivers

John Cage isn’t afraid of anything, so he spends three nights in Count Dooku’s haunted castle with the promise of marriage to Dooku’s daughter Max. Bob Cratchit is an innkeeper, Stu Pickles is a clergyman, and Frank Zappa is a hunchbacked servant.

[doe-earth-n]

The final chapters of the Season 2 arc & other Information regarding Earth N

There are six chapters remaining for the Season 2 arc. Then, I'll be starting the Season 3 arc as well as the side story "Beginning of a New Life".

Beginning of a New Life - set during the Season 3 arc; Richie and Tori settle in together; an old enemy is involved when Ming kidnaps Richie, prompting Duncan, Tori and a visiting Amanda to enlist help from the Defenders of the Earth, with a visiting April, to save Richie.

Now for the upcoming six chapters for the last chapters of the Season 2 arc:

Will They, Won't They? - Set during “The Vampire”; During a trip to the beach, there are implications of romantic relationships between Richie and Tori, as well as Rick and Jedda; Tori's surfing skills are also introduced to the series.

Suspended Sabotage - Set during “Warmonger”; When Rick is missing and LJ acts weird, Tori and Richie work together to get to the bottom of what is going on.

High Ground - Set during “Pharaoh's Daughter”; The Defenders get a glimpse of Immortal activity when Richie gets swayed by a female Immortal and she challenges Tori to a duel to rescue him.

Clouded Issues - Set after “Legacy” and before “Prodigal Son”; Tori checks in with Amanda and is informed about the death of her teacher Rebecca, then Tori and Richie realize they have to return to MacLeod upon the fact the issue is something the Defenders can't help them with.

Framed - Episode: “Prodigal Son”; Richie is framed for a set of murders by an Immortal who is after Duncan MacLeod, and Tori helps Duncan clear Richie's name; Tori and Richie meet Duncan's neighbor in France, Maurice.

Game of Peril - Episode: “Counterfeit”; Tori and Richie join forces when Duncan comes across a woman who is a Dead Ringer for Tessa, and they befriend Joe while dealing with a very much alive Horton.

It's going to be fun to get this going as well as starting on the Season 3 arc. I think things are going to be intense once we reach Season 4 and Season 5. "The Magic Within" is currently in the works as well, as chapter 5 is in the works. I'll wait to resume When Worlds and Dangers Collide when I reach the Season 5 arc, since that's when the story is set after all, the story is set after DoE ends. As for "Facing the Past", I can still work on that since it doesn't mess with the canon of the other stories.

Plus, Connor MacLeod makes cameos through two of the three M rated stories. He is the original Highlander after all as he was the main character in the 1986 Highlander movie as Duncan MacLeod is the main character in the 1992 Highlander series.

The DoE finale is as follows: the Necklace of Oros story arc is the last huge story arc, followed by "The Adoption of Kshin" which would be the finale in the 65 episode series. Then we have the arc in the Season 4 arc which is the finale not only to the Year Long Tour, but also the DoE finale that I dubbed "Love in Dangerous Times". Zorelda kidnaps Tori's fiance Richie and challenges Tori to a duel for his freedom. Amanda, Methos and Duncan join forces with the Defenders to help out with Mongo while Tori duels with Zorelda.

[thehyperrequiem]

Right Hand Man Quadrilogy (Shrek Parody) Cast

Right Hand Man 1 - “Once upon a time, in a far away swamp, there lived an stickfigure named Right Hand Man (Puffballsunited) whose precious solitude is suddenly shattered by an invasion of annoying cartoon characters. They were all banished from their kingdom by the evil Queen Chrysalis (Kathleen Barr). Determined to save their home--not to mention his--Right Hand Man cuts a deal with Chrysalis and sets out to rescue Prince William Zeppeli (Joe Ochman) to be Chrysalis's groom. Rescuing the Prince may be small compared to his deep, dark secret.”

Right Hand Man 2 - “After returning from their honeymoon and showing home movies to their friends, Right Hand Man and Reginald Copperbottom learn that his parents have heard that he has married his true love and wish to invite him to their kingdom, called Far Far Away. The catch is: Reginald’s parents are unaware of the curse that struck their son and have assumed he married Pomegranate Cookie, not a cybenetic stickfigure with horrible hygiene and a talking autobot pal.”

Right Hand Man the Third - “When Hop Pop suddenly croaks, Right Hand Man (Puffballsunited) learns he will have to rule the land of Far, Far Away, unless he can find a suitable heir to the throne. The most-promising candidate is Reginald Copperbottom's (Puffballsunited) cousin Giorno (Phillip Reich), a teenage slacker in a medieval high-school. Right Hand Man and his trusted companions, Bumblebee (Bumper Robinson) and Samuel Rodriguez (Philip Anthony-Rodriguez), set out to bring Giorno back but find their mission is a bigger challenge than they expected.”

Right Hand Man Forever After - “Long-settled into married life and fully domesticated, Right Hand Man (Puffballsunited) begins too long for the days when he felt like a real toppat. Duped into signing a contract with devious (Poptropica) Rumpelstiltskin, he finds himself in an alternate version of Far Far Away, where Toppats are hunted, Rumpelstiltskin rules, and he and Reginald have never met. Right Hand Man must find a way out of the contract to restore his world and reclaim his true love.”

(In loving memory of Steve Hardwell, you’ll always be our All-Star)

Right Hand Man (Henry Stickmin) as Shrek

Bumblebee (Transformers Animated) as Donkey

William Zeppeli (Jjba) as Princess Fiona (Human)

Reginald Copperbottom (Henry Stickmin) as Princess Fiona (Ogre)

Queen Chrysalis (My little Pony) as Lord Farquaad

Blitzwing (Transformers Animated) as The Dragon

Bendy (Bendy Series) as Gingy

Henry Stein (Bendy Series) as The Muffin Man

Newton (Littlebigplanet) as The Magic Mirror

Cioccolata (Jjba) as Thelonius (With Secco as extra)

Licorice Cookie (Cookie Run) as Monsieur Hood

Bandit (Showdown Bandit) as Pinocchio

Octavian (Poptropica) as The Big Bad Wolf

Oliver, Jorge, and Mya (Poptropica) as The Three Little Pigs

Charley, Barley, and Edgar (Bendy Series) as The Three Blind Mice

Various Characters as the Fairytale creatures, knights and townsfolk

Tea Knight Cookie (Cookie Run) as King Harold (Human)

Eclair Cookie (Cookie Run) as Queen Lillian

Dark Enchantress Cookie (Cookie Run) as The Fairy Godmother

Pomegranate Cookie (Cookie Run) as Prince Charming

HollyBerry Cookie (Cookie Run) as Doris the Ugly Stepsister

Samuel Rodriguez (Metal Gear Rising) as Puss in Boots

Speedwagon (Jjba) as Shrek (Human)

Cheetor (Beast Wars) as Donkey (Horse)

Humanized! Bandit (Showdown Bandit) as Pinocchio (Human)

Grim Matchsticks (Cuphead) as Mongo

Hop Pop (Amphibia) as King Harold (Frog)

The Lost n Found Botbots (Transformers Botbots) as The Dronkeys

Wildberry Cookie (Cookie Run) as Simon Cowell

Giorno (Jjba) as Artie

Professor Fitz (Flipline Studios) as Merlin

Espresso Cookie (Cookie Run) as Snow White

Crunchy Chip Cookie (Cookie Run) as Cinderella

Moonlight Cookie (Cookie Run) as Sleeping Beauty

Elder Custard Cookie (Cookie Run) as Rapunzel

Pirate Cookie (Cookie Run) as Captain Hook

Bowser (Mario) as The Cyclops

Various Minor antagonists (Jjba) as The Trees

Gretchen Grimlock (Poptropica) as Evil Queen

Jasper (Steven Universe) as Mabel the Ugly Stepsister

Red Velvet Cookie (Cookie Run) as Lancelot

Various Bad Guys as The Villains

Captain Caviar Cookie (Cookie Run) as The Ship Captain

Fancy Pants (Fancy Pants), TSC (Alan Beckman), and Hat Girl (A Hat in Time) as Fergus, Farkle, and Felicia

Rumpelstiltskin (Poptropica) as Rumpelstiltskin

Cookatiel (Mario) as Fifi

Akira Otoishi (Jjba) as Pied Piper

The Toppat Clan (Henry Stickmin) as The Ogres

The Wall Staff (Henry Stickmin) as The Witches

[stonegearstudios]

Flash Gordon Original Strips Readthrough

Week 3!

And I've actually finished the Flash Gordon movie now. Was a fun watch with my watchparty, Brian Blessed was having a great time.

Strip 9

This is what we come to pulp for

So, we're fighting more not-dino's this week. First half is mostly just the fight, not much to talk about. Flash slashes one, get's grabbed by the other, Thun wakes up, kills the other with his bare (cat) hands, very swashbuckling.

I had wondered last week if the fellow that fell in was there to show that some of Ming's people weren't evil, or if he would betray them after being saved. Well, it turns out the answer is... neither? He just never wakes up, but Thon comments that he's just another poor victim of the emperor so... I guess we call that a half win? For now.

Swordsmanship is vital in the deadly game of POLO

Dash through the tunnels, despite the fact that the sword was originally Thun's Flash seems to be more handy with it, must have been all those Polo duels he got into back on earth.

You can really see the prototype of Chewbacka I think in Thun, as he crushes the enemy with bare (cat) hands.

Finally, we emerge on what had been the climax of the movie, Dale being wed to Ming. Man, Ming is moving even faster in the comic, it's been a few hours at most!

Strip 10

The Idol has had to much to drink, the Idol is going to have a little lie down now

We burst in on the wedding and Flash socks Ming right in the jaw and Ming... has no response and crumples to the floor. Huh.

No magic spells, no gadgets, it kinda takes the starch out of Ming. Imagine if Luke had punched Palpatine unconscious in A New Hope, kinda would be hard to take him seriously after that eh?

Even as they escape down a rope ladder (because of course there was a secret trap door under the idol) it's not Ming ordering his soldiers to GET THEEEM!, one just crawls over and cuts the rope on his own.

Still, Mongo continues to be full of random deathtraps (and underground rivers) as the now trio are caught in a whirlpool.

Strip 11

... We need to get that lion man a helmet, don't we?

Through the gaping stone mouth, over the falls, and... nothing! Well aren't we lucky! Except for Thon of course, but they don't know about CTE yet so it's all fine.

Except not, time to get introduced to more of Mongo's violent inhabitants, this time shark men and their ROCKET SUBMARINES, because of course rockets just improve every vehicle, don't they?

Apparently this underground river was connected to a sea or something because they travel for over an hour to reach not-Atlantis. We meet another beastly king, Kala, and apparently in the time it took for the group to wash down the river a bit, Ming got up, put out the word about the fugatives, and that spread so random shark men could grab them. As a reminded it took over a hour to travel to their city.

This culture believes in the banana hammock

Of course, Flash can't meet a king without getting thrown in his death arena for a one on one fight to the death. Will there actually be death this time? Or will Flash just throw him around a bit then they become buddies?

Strip 12

Deadly wresting or intimate dance? You decide!

Interestingly this comic starts with a text recap, which none of the others have done before (it also completely omits the Dr). Given this is strip 12, we'd be about 3 months in to Flash's run so did they think people needed the reminder? Did they just need to fill a panel? I dunno, back to the wrestling.

Flash wins by not killing the King, and of course when he wakes up (without brain damage, or maybe not) he thinks Flash is cool and lets them go. Interesting that the shark men don't have gills of any kind, they have to use air helmets just like Flash.

EXCEPT IT WAS A TRICK! Yes, the king actually shows some brain, telling Flash that he can go... and then trying to kill him when his guard is down. Of course he does this with a unsupervised death trap but it's still something for Mongo

Dale's been lifting weight's and decided to rip her own way out :V

Interesting that Flash: 1, couldn't get out on his own, 2, was saved by a unknown figure with a yellow arm. Now I wonder if that fellow they saved back a few strips ago has come back? Flash doesn't have time to think about it though. Dale, as is damsel fashion, has already gone missing again.

That will have to wait for next time though, because as the strip says, To Be Continued

[bamboomusiclist]

5/14 おはようございます。Natural Four / Heaven Right Here on Earth cu5004 等更新しました。

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[hollowed-theory-hall]

Okay, so first of @mirrorofliterature, thanks! Honestly, I just got a very bleak impression of the Wizarding World from the books and write what I notice. And I agree it's likely many half-bloods and muggleborns (regardless of the size of their society) find jobs in the muggle world.

Next, I want to respond to @fandoomrants points, thanks for responding, too. I agree with some of your points and disagree with others still.

1. I agree with you on this one. Part of my point was that most positions in the Ministry of Magic are probably not actually required. And it's not really everyone, there are shops and makers of various products, at least 10 book publishers and multiple periodicals, a radio, there are magical musicians we know of, book authors, quidditch players and coaches, and St. Mongos, which you've mentioned in your original post.

I personally think this and some muggleborns and half-bloods who work in the muggle world pretty much covers it for the size I believe their society has.

2. While the patrons is one that is probably trickier to learn without a teacher, I don't think it's impossible to do. Also, while the patrons proved incredibly useful to Harry, it's important to remember that the average British wizard isn't going to encounter a dementor (or lethifold) in their life. Aurors who are allowed in Azkaban are probably thought it as part of Auror training, but really, if you don't go to Azkaban semi-regularly you have no reason to know how to cast a patrons.

3. Speaking of auror training, aurors clearly do have some training. I assume healers in St. Mongos go through something similar. Teachers, we clearly see there is no training.

I agree with you there should be, I'm just saying it how it is. There isn't.

I also don't think this one is necessarily a plot hole. In the Victorian Era, there were Dame Schools, which were schools where an older woman would teach children what she knew. There was no standard for who could teach in a Dame School or what training they should have. The Wizarding World is old-fashioned in many ways, this just happens to be one of them.

4. You're right, it is worrying. Dumbledore makes a lot of questionable hiring decisions, Hagrid is one. He also hired Lockhart. Actually, I'd say Dumbledore is bad at managing a school in general, but that's a whole different can of worms.

As for why it's done that way, well, historically, Hogwarts existed before the Ministry of Magic. Sure, there is a board of governors that can fire teachers, but almost all power about the school is in the headmaster's hands.

I'm not saying it isn't worrying, I'm just saying it's not really a plot hole. Like, I can understand historically why it would be like this considering Hogwarts was around before the ministry.

5. I disagree with this point.

I think caring about your students and being passionate about teaching them is more important than being brilliant in your field. A passionate and motivated enough teacher would learn what they need so they could help their students. But that's not really about Harry Potter.

As for Snape, I don't think he's a competent teacher. He's a brilliant potioneer and spell creator, but he's crap at teaching any of it. Mostly by choice.

In book 6, Slughorn mentions alchemical theory for creating antidotes and expects all sixth years to know it. Only Hermione and two other students know what he's talking about. And it makes sense. We see Snape's lessons, he never discusses the theory or the why of potion making. He just gives them a recipe and sends them to brew. He doesn't even give his students the tips about ingredient preparation he wrote about in his potions school book Harry learns from in book 6.

The half-blood prince's school book kinda shows how bad of a teacher Snape is. Harry laments about how the prince is a much better teacher than Snape and Harry learns potion making and silant casting from the prince, things Snape fails to teach him. Snape's hatred of his students is the cause of his lack of effort in actually teaching them.

A student who isn't among his favorites that succeeds in potions does so despite Snape, not because of him.

6. This one, I really don't know. I can speculate about them, but I don't have any canon answers or anything based on canon. And it is an interesting question.

We know Tom's job interview was in 1967, and Harry's first year was 1991. Assuming the curse followed the same pattern we see in the books, there were 22 DADA teachers (I assume the first year with the curse was the same teacher that thought up to that point). That is a lot considering the size of their population (and the Order of the Phoenix in the 1970s was around 25 people, so that's about the numbers we're talking here).

Like, yeah, I'm curious about these 22 and how Dumbledore convinced so many to come to teach a cursed position. (And how there even are that many wizards who know enough DADA that Dumbledore would consider them, then again, he gave the post to Quirrell and Lockhart so... maybe they weren't qualified).

But yeah, no answers about that.

No but I have so many questions about the wizarding world which always come to my mind whenever I think of HP. And every new question just branches into a couple of others.

Granted, some are answered and some are so largely fanoned that most people already believed it to be canon but still.

First of all, what do all these people do, like... I feel like you have a few options only. You can become an auror or work in the Ministry of Magic in general (but tell me, how many unoccupied positions there are?!), you can work in St. Mungo's or something, or you can be a teacher and basically... This is it. Yeah, we have people like Newt but I feel like not many are into these things and also, it's pretty dangerous, isn't it?

And another thing. Like, how do they learn some of the spells that are not studied at school? Okay, let's say pure bloods have someone to teach the but muggle born? Others? How do you know how to make a car fly or sth?

How there isn't some type of Wizard University?! Where one can actually specialise in a certain field, let's say medicine?

Also, can likee, everyone become a teacher? Because I feel like that's really the case... (Ok, I'm in fact a teacher and for a fact I can say where I work it's sorta like that too but it's not your typical school and these are schools that everyone from the country/region attends..)

Like, no degree, no nothing. Do they just check how good was the person at this certain subject or what? How dangerous they are? And people seeing how each time there's a new DADA teacher, lots of them dying or something, why do they keep applying?! Even if you don't know about the curse, why?

Honestly, I have so many questions about Hogwarts and wizarding schools in general that it can be a post on its own.

[hollowed-theory-hall]

my personal pet peeves in HP is whole second book, and medicine. especially medicine

starting with the sewers that Salazar invented about half a millennium before the Muggles and beyond. but these things have almost no effect on the overall effect, but hospitals do. the school infirmary and St. Mungus. it feels like jkr came up with Saint Mongoose only for book 5, because before when students suffered serious injuries (Basilisk and cat hair for polyjuice, I mean you) they were treated at school. the students literally waited half a year for the mandrakes to ripen! but for some reason the teachers are transferred to Mungos (McGonagall did not stay at the school after 4 spells).

either these are plot holes or I don't understand something

Like with many things in HP, you can read it as a plot hole, or you can read it as Dumbledore's manipulations at it again (which is what I always do).

If we're talking specifically about year 2, we know Dumbledore knows what the Chamber is and what the monster is. He was a professor the first time around 50 years ago when Myrtle died. He knew it was Tom back then so it's not that he has no clue.

I think he doesn't know for certain who Tom is possessing at first or how, and he lets it play out to both:

Learn more about Voldy

Test & teach Harry

Additionally, even if petrification isn't serious enough to be sent to St Mongos (playing devil's advocate a little), I refuse to believe mandrake leaves can't be imported year-round. I mean, they are a common enough potion ingredient and are used in sleeping potions and healing potions. So there must be a supplier for potioners from where they buy the specific parts of the mandrake they need.

So, I think there was a wee bit of a coverup going on so Harry could be the one to figure it out and face Voldemort. Like in first year:

“No, it isn’t,” said Harry thoughtfully. “He’s a funny man, Dumbledore. I think he sort of wanted to give me a chance. I think he knows more or less everything that goes on here, you know. I reckon he had a pretty good idea we were going to try, and instead of stopping us, he just taught us enough to help. I don’t think it was an accident he let me find out how the mirror worked. It’s almost like he thought I had the right to face Voldemort if I could. ...” “Yeah, Dumbledore’s off his rocker, all right,” said Ron proudly.

(PS)

“You see what you expect to see, Severus,” said Dumbledore, without raising his eyes from a copy of Transfiguration Today. “Other teachers report that the boy is modest, likable, and reasonably talented. Personally, I find him an engaging child.” Dumbledore turned a page, and said, without looking up, “Keep an eye on Quirrell, won’t you?”

(DH)

Dumbledore is testing Harry in his first 3 years. The first time Dumbledore isn't fully in on what's going on at Hogwarts and isn't aware of all of it is 4th year (and even then I'm pretty certain he knew Moody was an imposter, but I digress).

In general, I think, 2nd year is just another example of Dumbledore endangering students and sacrificing their education (by hiring Lockhart) to teach Harry a lesson and test if Harry is truly a Horcrux, which he suspected before:

“Couldn’t you do something about it, Dumbledore?” “Even if I could, I wouldn’t. Scars can come in handy...”

(PS) - when talking to McGonagall about Harry's lightning scar.

“I guessed, fifteen years ago,” said Dumbledore, “when I saw the scar upon your forehead, what it might mean. I guessed that it might be the sign of a connection forged between you and Voldemort.” “You’ve told me this before, Professor,” said Harry bluntly. He did not care about being rude. He did not care about anything very much anymore. “Yes,” said Dumbledore apologetically. “Yes, but you see — it is necessary to start with your scar. For it became apparent, shortly after you rejoined the magical world, that I was correct, and that your scar was giving you warnings when Voldemort was close to you, or else feeling powerful emotion.”

(OotP)

But second-year proved it to him:

“You can speak Parseltongue, Harry,” said Dumbledore calmly, “because Lord Voldemort — who is the last remaining descendant of Salazar Slytherin — can speak Parseltongue. Unless I’m much mistaken, he transferred some of his own powers to you the night he gave you that scar. Not something he intended to do, I’m sure. . . .”

(CoS)

It allowed him to test his Horcruxes theory (the diary) and also test Harry. It accomplished a lot of things Dumbledore needed anyway, so he probably thanked Lucius in his head as he let it all play out.

I mean, we see how little concern Dumbledore shows over Katie and Ron who got hurt by Draco trying to kill him:

“You gave me your word, Severus. And while we are talking about services you owe me, I thought you agreed to keep a close eye on our young Slytherin friend?” Snape looked angry, mutinous. Dumbledore sighed.

(DH) - this is all Dumbledore really says about Draco endangering students.

“You have had a busy time while I have been away,” Dumbledore said. “I believe you witnessed Katie’s accident.” “Yes, sir. How is she?” “Still very unwell, although she was relatively lucky. She appears to have brushed the necklace with the smallest possible amount of skin: There was a tiny hole in her glove. Had she put it on, had she even held it in her ungloved hand, she would have died, perhaps instantly.

(HBP) - even when talking to Harry he is incredibly cold about it.

And in book 2, the board of governors did get involved and removed Dumbledore from the school because they, quite reasonably, were concerned he wasn't dealing with the danger seriously. Like, I know it was Lucius Malfoy who engineered it and he's not supposed to be in the right, but he kinda accidentally was in this case. Dumbledore probably hid a lot of information from the board and was weird about the whole deal, I mean, Lucius can bribe to his heart's content but I don't think the board would remove Dumbledore so readily unless Dumbledore's behavior supported what Lucius was saying in some capacity.

We know Dumbledore is incredibly cold and calculated and we know it's not out of character for Dumbledore to endanger students if it advances his goals and doesn't hurt anyone too much by his standards. What's a few petrifications if it means he can be sure he can kill Voldemort and learn more about his connection to Harry?

(Regarding Hermione and the Polyjuice in year 2 is even easier. Because I don't believe Hermione told her parents and Hogwarts wouldn't tell muggles about what's going on at school, so it would be quite easy to hush down for the sake of the grander plan. Also, it protects her, Harry, and Ron since what they did is kinda illegal, so Dumbledore not sending Hermione to St Mongos protects them from punishment, which works well for them and him in this case)

[noneedforflowers]

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[zahri-melitor]

New(ish) Comics:

Batman & Robin #5: I liked how much of this story was based at school. I disliked the teacher suggesting Damian should be attending college classes. NO! Bruce is right! This is a socialisation exercise! #KeepDamianInSchool2024!

Wesley Dodds: The Sandman #4: This is still so fascinating, as I know so little. Riley Rossmo drawing Art Deco was not something I thought I needed but it’s fascinating.

Outsiders #3: I'm...conflicted about this. Did I like Luke and Duke spending some time together? Sure. Do I think we needed ANOTHER book currently infested with 1000 different universe versions of Batman? No. For a comic that's trying really really hard to claim it's not about Bruce and it's about getting away from Bruce (why is your team called Outsiders then??) there is a lot of Bruce showing up.

The fish-headed Batwoman was amusing, though.

Speed Force #3: I am starting to feel like this is a comic I need to come back and read once I’ve read Teen Titans Academy. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad to see the formation of more social groups (and Ace and Jaime together was a lovely bro moment), but I’m begging people to stop pitching particularly Kory, Donna, Raven and Gar as hanging out or in social spaces with the teens. I know DC have done it way too many times over the years now but it never, ever makes sense. Still enjoying this series is aware of what’s going on in other titles, though.

DC’s How to Lose a Guy Gardner in 10 Days: this was a MIX. The Barry/Iris one was light and insubstantial (but very Flash). I think, funnily enough, my favourite bits were Vicky Vale dating Guy Gardner for an article (hah), the Heart of the Ocean ripoff in the Booster story, and the John Constantine story swerving rapidly into reminding you you were reading Hellblazer right on the last page.

The most frustrating parts of this, to my eye:

Unwillingness to properly commit to anything other than a heterosexual couple (Constantine got the closest but wouldn't show anything)

Seriously. You had EIGHT stories and only one of them was not a guy and a girl?

Okay fine Diana got asked out by both men and women but she actually wasn't interested in dating any of them so I'm not counting it.

Steph and Cass randomly running around the back of the Dick/Babs story. Either this is about Dick and Babs, so focus on THEM, or give in and stop queerbaiting Steph and Cass. Honestly for many reasons I think actually putting them together would be a terrible thing for both characters, but clearly DC likes the speculation (but not enough to DO anything about it).

Traya's still MIA since 2010 apparently. Thanks, Red Tornado.

The Warlord #34: this week in Skartaris Travis Morgan acquires the Hellfire sword from a village of dwarfs. The sword apparently makes him invulnerable to magic. He also reunites with Machiste and Mariah after getting magically transported to where they were by the sword. Machiste and Mariah finally get to tell Travis they're dating. However they get stuck in the far past, while the sword whisks Travis back to the present day.

One of the dwarfs is named Mongo Ironhand. He likes summoning and drinking martinis. (Really)

[thearcadearchives1981]

The Sid and Marty Krofft Channel is coming very soon- to make Saturday morning- every morning!!!!