#c. j. leede

[hasmoneanbulbasaur]

Currently reading Maeve Fly by C. J. Leede

I love this section that asks: "Where are the brutal women with no abusive backstories?"

[myriad--starlings]

I'm reading an ARC of American Rapture by C.J. Leede and literally 20 pages in I feel sick to my stomach and had to put the book down for a moment because once again this is an author writing the absolute horror show of fundamentalist Christianity so so accurately it's nauseating

[maniculum]

I'm doing a College class on Ancient Foods. My focus is on Honey like the different recipes and usages in Medieval era. I found like a couple recipes, a thing on religious relation ("Milk and Honey of Paradise") /Crusades, medicinal use, and possibly bees/beeswax because I was struggling to get something.

Y'all have any recommendations?

(I've brought Zoe in on this one; the following is a collaborative effort. Also I'm assuming you have access to your university library so you can get ahold of the cited material below quickly and for free.)

Can you include beverages? Honey is the main ingredient in mead, which should give you a lot to talk about. Susan Verberg is the premier researcher on medieval mead, and has some excellent works on both mead making and honey production. She has a website at https://medievalmeadandbeer.wordpress.com/ where you can find both her formal publications and her blog.

If you do want to talk about beverages, there were other medieval drinks that used honey. Some citations for you:

Breeze, Andrew. “What Was ‘Welsh Ale' in Anglo-Saxon England?” Neophilologus, vol. 88, no. 2, 2004, pp. 299–301.

Fell, Christine E. “Old English ‘Beor’." Leeds Studies in English, vol. 8, 1975, pp. 76-95.

You can also go into cultural symbolism; here are a couple on that:

Enright, Michael J. Lady with a Mead Cup: Ritual, Prophecy, and Lordship in the European Warband from La Tène to the Viking Age. Four Courts Press, 2013.

Rowland, Jenny. “OE Ealuscerwen/Meoduscerwen and the Concept of ‘Paying for Mead'." Leeds Studies in English, vol. 21, 1990, pp. 1-12.

Also you might want to look into the general concept of the "mead of poetry" from the Old Norse sources. You can find the origin story for that in the Prose Edda, I believe.

Definitely check out https://www.foodtimeline.org for recipes with honey during the period - they have more than you'd expect. There's also a few medieval cookbooks you can parse through. Here's an online one you can sort through that does a great job modernizing the translations: https://www.medievalcookery.com/etexts.html

As for honey itself -- there's actually quite a bit of research on that! Honey was quite a specialized trade, and most of the medieval world used it for sweetener, so there's a good amount of research.

A few leads:

honey as an alternative to sugar, which was expensive, imported, and could indicate class

honey grading: honey was graded based on location/provenance, type (lavender, orange blossom, etc.), and also by grade. However, their method of grading was very different to our modern one.

honey as a preservative, not just for flavor

Articles on this subject:

(DEFINITELY this one!!) Fava, Lluis Sales, et al. “Beekeeping in Late Medieval Europe: A Survey of Its Ecological Settings and Social Impacts.” Anales de La Universidad de Alicante. Historia Medieval, no. 22, 2021, pp. 275-96, https://doi.org/10.14198/medieval.19671.

Wallace-Hare, David, editor. New Approaches to the Archaeology of Beekeeping. Archaeopress, 2022. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctv2b07txd.

Verberg, Susan. “Of Hony: A Collection of Mediaeval Brewing Recipes for Mead, Metheglin, Braggot, Hippocras &c. — Including how to Process Honey — from the 1600s and Earlier,” 2017. Academia.edu.

If you want to look more into the medicinal usage, Cockayne's Leechdoms, Wortcunning, & Starcraft collects all the medical & scientific texts of the Old English period. It's old enough to be public domain, so it's available on the Internet Archive and HathiTrust in searchable form, meaning you can just ctrl-F "honey" and see what comes up.

Let us know how it goes!

[skippyangel16]

The Couple Next Door my thoughts…

Link here for a ‘real’ review from that neck of woods👇

👏👏👏

👆This just about sums it up for me, a real review from a real paper not a paid promo success piece from Hello or channel 4 blowing its own trumpet. If you google the series IBMd has it rated 5.2/10 at the moment of writing. (Saying something is brilliant does not make it so, unless you want to brainwash. Kenneth springs to mind taking a whole year+ to talk up Belfast so he would finally get that Oscar for the not so outstanding Belfast 🙄)

The Guardian Nov 2023 promo it as The couple next door a sexy fantastic time …4 stars but then by the 3rd Dec it’s no longer raving about it with an honest review.👇

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/dec/03/the-couple-next-door-channel-4-swingers-thriller-review-slow-horses-3-arena-being-kae-tempest-the-doll-fctory?CMP=share_btn_link Barbara Ellen exert from review 3 Dec 2023 still the guardian…

Exert from link above by Barbara Ellen..

Well for me TCND started off with a ‘OMG not again!’ for the opening shot. I said to hubby ‘I hate it when they do that!’. The second scene supposedly set in Leeds wtf? Why didn’t they find a more convincing housing estate…then (Sam) Danny picking up the washing machine…dear god it made me cringe and that’s just for starters!

Sam…I could not get past his ‘Yorkshire’ accent?… well he did his best, it came through well some of the time. It’s sad but production were aware they were not going to predominantly film in Yorkshire or substitute location with a suitable comparison so why the need for him to do a Yorkshire accent? They could have set this story anywhere. Why not let Sam do his normal Scottish accent ? Far more sexy! Bad decision imo.

I could go on…especially the ladies dress code for a casual UK BBQ, LMAO. For sure my neighbour and I need to up our game at our next one! Seductive dresses, tits out and heels on! Husbands can’t wait…🤣

Does it appear Sam was hired for his body?…absolutely! Is he typecast as the guy who does sex?…looks like it. If he wanted to up his stakes as a good actor imo this was not the project. Can he do chemistry with anyone but Caitriona?… barely, but this was his best effort so far. Sex scenes and build up no 🔥 for me. I found it more cringe so fast forward came into play. Seems Sam is okay with full nudity and grinding again so can’t wait for OL S8! No need for J&C sex scenes to be PG…

Continuity, script, direction, production…dear god did outlander do it?

Out of all the actors Jessica De Gouw (Becka) stood out with a consistent performance.

Gripping? Nah, wanted to give up many times but finally got past ep 3 and pace seemed to increase so eventually got to the end which was then suddenly abrupt.

I wanted to like it, but for me it was blah…should have been amazing! Fail is more down to script, direction and production, had a giggle most of the way through at the script and said wtf and why a lot? ….🤷‍♀️still they all had fun making it and got paid!

For those who thought it enjoyable and hot I am really pleased for you! Sex for sex sake came to my mind, script all over the place one minute quite good another that’s shit.

For me in the words of a true Yorkshire man…

Maybe if I had a couple of wines with the cheese and knew it was not going to be a quality drama but a cheesy soap it would have gone down better.

Strikes me his fate in life is to be an alcohol god, that’s his true path…acting gave him his wife and family and that’s all he needs from it. It appears it’s not in his destiny for it to do anything more than that…🤷‍♀️JMHO

So if you haven’t seen it and want to then I suggest lots of wine and lower your expectations to a tv movie or soap and you will probably enjoy it and think it’s better than it was…🤪

[ourshadowstallerthanoursoul]

An audience with... John Paul Jones

(from Uncut, April 2010 - link)

You’re stuck on a deserted island, you have one instrument you can bring. It is: a) piano, b) bass or c) mandolin? (Gary Attersley, Ontario, Canada)

Oh… that’s horrible! I’ll probably get Hugh Manson – the guy who builds all my bass guitars – to build me some monstrous instrument that encapsulated all three! Hugh and his brother Andy Manson once actually designed me a triple-necked guitar with 12-string guitar, six-string guitar and mandolin on it! Andy also designed a triple-necked mandolin. But I guess if it really came down to it on a desert island, it would have to be the piano, because you can do so much on it. You’re a whole band. The bass is not much fun on your own.

John, it’s so good to see you so engaged with today. Any advice for old farts who can’t move on? (Andrew Loog Oldham)

Who are you calling an old fart? I dunno, Andy, you tell me! Ha ha. He’s done a good job of staying up to date. Andrew, of course, gave me the name John Paul Jones. I was John Baldwin, until Andrew saw a poster for the French film version of John Paul Jones. I thought it ’d look great in CinemaScope, as I wanted to do music for films. I imagined it saying “Music By John Paul Jones”, over the whole screen. I never realised then that he was the Horatio Nelson of America!

I know that you’ve been getting heavily into bluegrass lately – who are some of your favourite bluegrass artists of all time? (Ryan Godek, Wilmington, Delaware)

Apart from Bill Monroe, you mean? Oh, there’s loads. I’m friends with the Del McCoury band, I love that style of classic bluegrass. I love Sam Bush’s Newgrass stuff. And of course there’s Nickel Creek, Chris Feely, Mike Marshall. I love it all, really. One thing I like about bluegrass is that you don’t require amplifiers, drums and trucks. You can pull an instrument out of a box and get on with some instant music making. I carry a mandolin around wherever I go. I also like the fact bluegrass musicians play more than one instrument. There’s a tradition of them swapping instruments. In bluegrass bands I swap between double bass, fiddle and banjo.

One Butthole Surfers anecdote, please? (Dave Grohl)

Ha! I was brought in to produce the Butthole Surfers’ 1993 album, Independent Worm Saloon. I guess it was to give it a heavy rock vibe, but it didn’t work like that. They were actually incredibly hard-working in the studio, but I do recall running up a phenomenal bar-bill at the San Rafael studio. And then there was Gibby [Haynes, Butthole Surfers’ frontman] and his… eccentric studio behaviour. Gibby did one vocal take shouting into his guitar. He held it out in front of his face and screamed at it. Ha! He was trying to find out if it picked up through the pick-ups, which it kind of did. And that was pretty good.

How’s the violin coming along? (Sean, Berkshire)

I started about three years ago. With the guitar, or the piano, you can sound OK quite quickly. With the violin, it takes much longer. Once you get past the first six months of scraping, of muttering to yourself, “What is this fucking horrible noise on my shoulder?” you get the odd musical bit, and you think, ‘Oh, this is starting to get good.’ And you continue with it for a while. I’m getting into country fiddle playing, Celtic folk songs, a bit of swing. Basic stuff, but very satisfying.

Why not record a second ‘Automatic For The People’ with REM? (Franz Greul, Austria)

They haven’t asked me! But doing the string arrangements for that album was a great experience, actually. They sent me the demos of their songs, and we went into a studio in Atlanta, with members of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. They were great songs, something you can really get your teeth into as an arranger. And I’ve been good friends with them ever since.

How did you first meet Josh Homme? And is he still a notorious party monster? (Rob Hirst, Kippax, Leeds)

Well, I think we’ve all calmed down rather a lot. Dave introduced me to Josh at his 40th birthday party. It was a ridiculous themed place where they have jousting with knights. As Dave said, it was like somewhere you’d have your 14th birthday party. Or maybe even your 4th. Anyway, Dave sat Josh and I together for a blind date. Which was reasonably embarrassing for both of us, surrounded by people going “prithee this” and challenging each other to duels. But we survived the trauma and went into the studio the next day, and just started jamming. And I knew immediately it was going to be something special.

If Them Crooked Vultures had Spice Girls-like nicknames what would they be? (Paul Jones, Liverpool)

Dave would be Smiley Vulture. He can’t stop grinning. Josh would be Slinky Vulture. He’s a slinky kinda guy. And I’d be Speedy, I guess. Or Jumpy. So there you go. Smiley, Slinky and Speedy. Or does that sound more like the dwarfs?

I remember you being a pretty funky bass genius back in the day! What memories do you have of those sessions? (Donovan)

The sessions with Don and Mickie Most were great, because we were given a free hand. I usually got leeway, because I was the sort of Motown/Stax specialist, so producers in the mid ’60s would get me in for cover versions of American records, and none of them could write bass parts convincingly enough, so I was London’s answer to James Jamerson, I guess! And I was certainly encouraged to get kinda… funky when I worked with Donovan.

How did it feel to see Jimmy Page and Robert Plant venture off in their own project in the ‘90s without mentioning a word of it to you? (Danny Luscombe, Hull)

Oh yeah, I was pissed off about it. The surprise was in not being told. It’s ancient history now, but it was a bit annoying to find out about it while reading the papers. It came just after Robert and I had been discussing the idea of doing an Unplugged project. Then I’m on tour in Germany with Diamanda Galás, I turn on the TV and see Robert and Jimmy doing it, with someone else playing all my parts! I was pissed off at the time. You would be, woudn’t you? But… it’s all in the past, isn’t it?

Did you listen to much work by Josh Homme or Dave Grohl before you were contacted in relation to joining Them Crooked Vultures, and if so, how did you honestly rate it? (Ralph Ryan, Lisronagh, County Tipperary)

I did like the Foo Fighters and Queens Of The Stone Age, before I’d met either of them. There’s a tendency for people – especially musicians from my generation – to say that there has been this terrible decline in musicianship, that today’s bands haven’t got the chops, blah blah blah. But that’s not true at all. There’s always some people for whom technique on an instrument isn’t necessary. They can get their ideas across without being able to have the chops. But Josh really does have the chops, he just doesn’t feel the need to flash them about all the time. In fact, there were a few riffs he gave me that I had to simplify, because they were bloody difficult to play. I really had to work at it, where he could just flick it off. He is an astonishing musician.

Were you serious when you told Peter Grant that you wanted to jack it in to become choirmaster at Winchester Cathedral? (Brian Fisher, Manchester)

Ha! That was a tongue-in-cheek joke, although I was serious about leaving Led Zeppelin in 1973 unless things changed. But Peter did sort things out pretty quickly. What kind of choirmaster would I have made? A bloody good one! Listen, any way that they’ll pay you for making music is just the best situation in the world. I’d do it for nothing. I don’t care what music it is. I just love it all. The rubbing of notes together. I love it all. I would be very passionate about whatever I decided to do.

What was the worst session you ever did as a jobbing session player? (Adam Burns, Castleford, West Yorkshire)

I generally have fun memories of that time. I’d criss-cross London playing two or three sessions a day, going between Trident and Olympic and Abbey Road and Philips in Marble Arch, you know. You’d be backing Shirley Bassey, Cat Stevens, Lulu, whoever was paying you. The worst experience was a Muzak session. With Muzak sessions, the music was deliberately boring. I distinctly remember one session where I embellished the bass part a little bit, just so that it wasn’t so boring for me to play. They said, “No, you can’t do that. Any interest in the music will distract people’s attention from when they’re meant to be eating.” Or standing in a fucking lift. For fuck’s sake! So I was like, “OK, thanks, bye!”

[woundposting]

can i read your thesis pleaaaaaseeeeeeee?

owww i'm sorry but i don't feel comfortable sharing it online mainly because of privacy / professional issues :( however if you're into abjection, feminist and queer readings of the body, horror/monster theory i'm happy to recomend some amazing works (much better than mine!)

- Clover, C. (1992) Men, Women, and Chain Saws: Gender in the Modern Horror Film. Princeton: Princeton University Press.

- Mittman S., Hensel, M. (ed.) (2018) Classic Readings on Monster Theory. Leeds : Arc Humanities Press. pp. 43-54.

- Creed, B (1993) The Monstruous Feminine. Film, Feminism, Psychoanalisis. New York: Routledge

- Halberstram, J (1995) Skin Shows. Gothic horror and the technology of monsters. Durham: Duke University Press.

- Haraway, D. (1991) Simians, Cyborgs and Women: The Reinvention of Nature. New York: Routledge.

- Kristeva, J (2016) Pouvoirs de l’horreur. Un essai sur l’abjection. Paris: Éditions du Seuil.

- Gelder, K. (2000) The Horror Reader. London: Routledge.

- Grosz, E. (1990) Jacques Lacan. A feminist introduction. London: Routledge.

- Grosz, E. (1990) The body of signification. In: Abjection, Melancholia and Love (ed. Benjamin, A., Fletcher, J.) London: Routledge.

- Grosz, E. (1994) Volatile bodies. Toward a Corporeal Feminism. Indianapolis: Indiana University Press.

- And of course... Bodies That Matter by Judith Butler!

[dummystudies]

i have non stop been reading lately. This month i have finished The Rape of Nanking by Iris Chang, Night by Elie Weisel, and Maeve Fly by C. J. Leede. I am currently reading The Deep by Nick Cutter, and Walks Always Beside You by Gary J. George.

If anyone sees this, my storygraph is ketamineio if anyone wants to be friends or start a buddy read :)

[identity-library]

Disability (TV Shows)

A:

Action Pack (2022)

Eon (Down Syndrome)

Adventure Time (2010)

Finn Mertens (Amputee)

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2013)

Akela Amador (Blind, Prosthetic User)

Daniel Sousa (Amputee, Crutch User)

Gordon (Blind)

Leo Fitz (Brain Damage)

Alladin (1994)

Mechanicles (Low Vision)

All The Light We Cannot See (2023)

Marie-Laure (Blind)

American Dad (2005)

Artemis (Unspecified Disability, Wheelchair User)

American Dragon: Jake Long (2005)

Peg Leg Pat (Amputee)

A Million Little Things (2018)

Eddie Saville (Paralyzed, Wheelchair User)

Amphibia (2019)

Angwin (Blind)

Lysil (Blind)

Stumpy Stumpson (Multi-Limb Amputee)

Arrested Development (2003)

Buster Bluth (Amputee)

Jack Dorso (Paralyzed)

J. Walter Weatherman (Amputee)

Marky Bark (Prosopagnosia/Face Blindness)

Rita Leeds (Unspecified Intellectual Disability)

Arthur (1996)

Binky Barnes (Allergy - Food)

Buster Baxter (Asthma)

Carl Gould (Autistic)

Francis Haney (Dyslexia)

Fred (Colour Blind)

Fritz Langley (Arthritis)

George Lundgren (Dyslexia)

Jenna Morgan (Allergy - Food)

Jessica (Allergy - Food)

Keith Powers (Autistic)

Lydia Fox (Paralyzed, Wheelchair User)

Maria Pappas (Stutter)

Marina Datillo (Blind)

Mr. Morris (Asthma, Allergies - Dust, Food, Pollen)

Nemo (Allergy - Food)

Nigel Ratburn (Hard of Hearing)

Pickles the Clown (Allergy - Animal)

As We See It (2022)

Harrison Dietrich (Autistic)

Jack Hoffman (Autistic)

Violet Wu (Autistic)

Atypical (2017)

Sam Gardner (Autistic)

Avatar: Legend of Korra (2012)

Ming Hua (No Arms)

Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005)

Combustion Man (Multi-Limb Amputee)

Teo (Paralyzed, Wheelchair User)

Toph Beifong (Blind)

B:

Battlestar Galactica (2004)

Felix Gaeta (Amputee)

Big City Greens (2018)

Bill Green (Amputee)

Big Mouth (2017)

Caleb Linden (Autistic)

Lars (Paralyzed, Wheelchair User)

Breaking Bad (2008)

Walter White Jr. (Cerebral Palsy)

Bluey (2018)

Dougie (Deaf)

Bob's Burgers (2011)

Courtney Wheeler (Congenital Heart Condition)

Rudolph "Regular Sized Rudy" Stieblitz (Asthma)

Bones (2005)

Zack Addy (Autistic)

Buzz Lightyear of Star Command (2000)

Zeb Nebula (Amputee)

C:

Call the Midwife (2012)

Sally Harper (Down Syndrome)

Chicago Med (2015)

Isidore Latham (Autistic)

Colin from Accounts (2022)

Colin (Wheelchair User)

Community (2009)

Abed Nadir (Autistic)

Jeremy Simmons (Paralyzed, Wheelchair User)

Covert Affairs (2010)

August "Auggie" Anderson (Blind)

Craig of the Creek (2018)

Jackie (Deaf)

D:

Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood (2012)

Chrissie (Unspecified Disability, Crutch User)

Daredevil (2015)

Matthew Murdock/Daredevil (Blind)

Stick (Blind)

Dead End: Paranormal Park (2022)

Hercules (Unspecified Limb Difference)

Nora Khan (Autistic)

Zagan (Amputee)

Deca-Dence (2020)

Natsume (Amputee)

Dirty God (2019)

Jade (Facial Difference)

Doc McStuffins (2012)

Wildlife Will (No Legs)

Doug (1991)

Chad Mayonnaise (Paralyzed, Wheelchair User)

Dragon Tales (1999)

Lorca (No Wings, Paralyzed, Wheelchair User)

DuckTales (2017)

Black Heron (Amputee)

Della Duck (Amputee)

E:

Elena of Avalor (2016)

Cristina (Unspecified Disability, Wheelchair User)

Empire (2015)

Lucious Lyon (Amputee)

ER (1994)

Kerry Weaver (Congenital Hip Dysplasia)

Extraordinary Attorney Woo (2022)

Woo Young-Woo (Autistic)

Extreme Ghostbusters (1997)

Garrett Miller (Paralyzed, Wheelchair User)

F:

Fairy Tail (2009)

Gildarts Clive (Multi-Limb Amputee)

Family Guy (1999)

Ellen (Down Syndrome)

Joe Swanson (Paralyzed, Wheelchair User)

Stella (Deaf)

Fear the Walking Dead (2015)

Wendell Rabinowitz (Paralyzed, Wheelchair User)

Fireman Sam (1987)

Hannah Sparkes (Unspecified Walking Disability, Wheelchair User)

Josie Phillips (Amputee)

Fish Hooks (2010)

Chief (Amputee)

Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends (2004)

Wilt (Amputee)

Fullmetal Alchemist (2003)

Edward Elric (Amputee)

Fullmetal Alchemist (2009)

Edward Elric (Amputee)

G:

Game of Thrones (2011)

Bran Stark (Paralyzed, Wheelchair User)

Jaime Lannister (Amputee)

Tyrion Lannister (Dwarfism)

Gargoyles (1994)

Halcyon Renard (Unspecified Illness, Wheelchair User)

Glee (2009)

Artie Abrams (Paralyzed, Wheelchair User)

Becky Jackson (Down Syndrome)

Glitch Techs (2020)

Miko Kubota (ADHD)

Goldie & Bear (2015)

Marian Locks (Unspecified Disability, Wheelchair User)

Gravity Falls (2012)

Mr. Poolcheck (Amputee)

Grey's Anatomy (2005)

Arizona Robbins (Amputee)

Christina Yang (Dyslexia)

Lucas Adams (ADHD)

Nick Marsh (ADHD)

Virginia Dixon (Autistic)

Growing Up Fisher (2015)

Mel Fisher (Blind)

H:

Hailey's On It (2023)

The Professor (Partially Blind)

Hamster & Gretel (2022)

Gretel Grant-Gomez (ADHD)

Harley Quinn (2019)

Barbara "Babs" Gordon/Batgirl (Paralyzed, Wheelchair User)

Sy Borgman (Amputee, Wheelchair User)

Hazbin Hotel (2024)

Lute (Amputee)

Vaggie (Partially Blind)

Hawkeye (2021)

Clint Barton/Hawkeye (Deaf)

Maya Lopez/Echo (Deaf, Amputee)

Heartbreak High (2022)

Quinni Gallagher-Jones (Autistic)

Heartstoppers (2022)

Felix Britten (Wheelchair User)

House (2004)

Gregory House (Limited Mobility, Cane User)

Human Resources (2022)

Alice Wong (Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Wheelchair User)

I:

Inside Job (2021)

Andre Lee (Tourette's Syndrome)

Reagan Ridley (Autistic, Amputee)

In the Dark (2019)

Murphy Mason (Blind)

J:

Jessie (2011)

(Future) Jessie Prescott (Partially Blind)

K:

Kim Possible (2002)

Betty Director (Partially Blind)

Felix Renton (Paralyzed, Wheelchair User)

Sheldon "Gemini" Director (Amputee, Partially Blind)

L:

Land of the Dead (2005)

Charlie Houk (Intellectual Disability, Partially Blind)

Lilo & Stitch: The Series (2003)

Clyde (Amputee)

Locke & Key (2020)

Logan Calloway (Double Amputee)

Loudermilk (2017)

Roger Frostly (Limb Difference)

M:

MacGyver (2016)

Matilda "Matty" Webber (Dwarfism)

Mighty Ducks: The Animated Series (1996)

Baron Von Licktenstamp (Amputee, Partially Blind)

Duke L'Orange (Partially Blind)

Miles From Tomorrowland (2015)

Gong Gong (Unspecified Disability, Wheelchair User)

Milly Molly (2008)

Ellie Zelig (Blind)

Mixmups (2023)

Giggle (Spine Curvature, Wheelchair User)

Pockets (Partially Blind)

Mom (2013)

Adam Janikowski (Paralyzed, Wheelchair User)

Mr. Munson (Blind)

Monster High (2022)

Bunny Earickson (Down Syndrome)

Deuce Gorgon (Dyslexic)

Finnegan Wake (Limited Mobility)

Meowlody (ADHD)

Twyla Boogeyman (Autistic)

Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur (2023)

Eli (Unspecified Disability, Wheelchair User)

My-HiME (2004)

Mashiro Kazahana (Unspecified Disability, Wheelchair User)

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic (2010)

Kerfuffle (Amputee)

Scootaloo (Underdeveloped Wings, Limited Abilities)

Stellar Eclipse (Unspecified Disability, Wheelchair User)

Twist (Speech Impediment)

N:

NCIS (2003)

Carol Wilson (Dwarfism)

Delilah Fielding-McGee (Paralyzed, Wheelchair User)

NCIS: Los Angeles (2009)

Hetty Lange (Dwarfism)

Joelle Taylor (Amputee)

NCIS: New Orleans (2014)

Patton Plame (Paralyzed, Wheelchair User)

Never Have I Ever (2020)

Rebecca Hall-Yoshida (Down Syndrome)

New Amsterdam (2018)

Elizabeth Wilder (Deaf)

Lauren Bloom (ADHD)

New Girl (2011)

Winston Bishop (Colour Blind)

Ninjago (2011)

Bob (Deaf)

Cyrus Borg (Unspecified Disability, Wheelchair User)

Jacob Pevsner (Blind)

No-Eyed Pete (Blind)

O:

OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes (2017)

Doctor Greyman (Unspecified Disability, Wheelchair User)

Red Action (Amputee)

Once Upon a Time (2011)

Blind Witch (Blind)

Seer (Blind)

Only Murders in the Building (2021)

Theo Dimas (Deaf)

Paulette (Wheelchair User)

Our Flag Means Death (2022)

Black Pete (Cleft Lip, Lisp)

Israel "Izzy" Hands (Amputee)

P:

Panic (2022)

Dayna Mason (Wheelchair User)

Parenthood (2010)

Max Braverman (Autistic)

Paw Patrol (2013)

Rex (Unspecified Disability, Wheelchair User)

Pelswick (2000)

Pelswick Eggert (Paralyzed, Wheelchair User)

Peppa Pig (2004)

Mandy Mouse (Unspecified Disability, Wheelchair User)

Percy Jackson and the Olympians (2023)

Hephaestus (Unspecified Disability, Cane User)

Person of Interest (2011)

Harold Finch (Chronic Pain, Limited Mobility, Cane User)

Phineas and Ferb (2007)

Heinz Doofenshmirtz (Multi-Limb Amputee)

PJ Masks (2015)

Ivan/Ice Cub (Paralyzed, Wheelchair User)

Polly Pocket (2018)

Lila Draper (Diabetes)

Rahim (Deaf)

Puppy Dog Pals (2017)

Lollie (Paralyzed, Wheelchair User)

Pupstruction (2023)

Roxy (Amputee, Wheelchair User)

Q:

R:

Raising Dion (2019)

Dion (ADHD, Asthma)

Esperanza Jimenez (Osteogenesis Imperfecta, Wheelchair User)

Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja (2012)

S. Ward Smith (Blind)

Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure (2017)

Hook Foot (Amputee)

Hook Hand (Amputee)

King Edmund (Amputee)

Lord Demanitus (Partially Blind)

Roswell, New Mexico (2019)

Alex Manes (Amputee)

RWBY (2013)

Yang Xiao Long (Amputee)

S:

Sesame Street (1969)

Ameera (Spinal Cord Injury, Wheelchair/Crutches User)

Aristotle (Blind)

Julia (Autistic)

Katie (Unspecified Disability, Wheelchair User)

Linda (Deaf)

Tarah (Unspecified Disability, Wheelchair User)

Tyrone "Traction" "TJ" Jackson (Unspecified Disability, Wheelchair User)

Sex Education (2019)

Aisha Green (Deaf)

Isaac Goodwin (Paralyzed, Wheelchair User)

Shake It Up (2010)

Cecelia "CeCe" Jones (Dyslexia)

She-Ra and the Princesses of Power (2018)

Entrapta (Autistic)

Tallstar (Amputee)

Silent Witness (1996)

Clarissa Mullery (Unspecified Disability, Wheelchair User)

Sofia the First (2012)

Cassandra (Blind)

South Park (1997)

David Nelson (Dwarfism)

James "Jimmy" Vulmer (Limited Mobility, Crutch User)

Kyle Schwartz (Asthma)

Nathan (Down Syndrome)

Ned Gerblanski (Amputee)

Philip Argyle (Diabetes)

Scott Malkinson (Diabetes)

Sophie Grey (Diabetes)

Stan Marsh (Asthma)

Thomas (Tourette's Syndrome)

Timmy L. Burch (Unspecified Disability, Wheelchair User)

Speechless (2016)

J.J. DiMeo (Cerebral Palsy)

Spirit Riding Free (2017)

Eleanor Kimble (Unspecified Disability, Wheelchair User)

Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)

Geordi La Forge (Blind)

Star Wars Rebels (2014)

Kanan Jarrus (Blind)

Station 19 (2018)

Robert Sullivan (Chronic Pain)

Stumptown (2019)

Ansel Parios (Down Syndrome)

Supernatural (2005)

Bobby Singer (Paralyzed, Wheelchair User)

Eileen Leahy (Deaf)

Pamela Barnes (Blind)

Superstore (2015)

Garrett McNeil (Paralyzed, Wheelchair User)

Nicki (Dwarfism, Wheelchair User)

S.W.A.T. (2017)

Dominique Luca (Dyslexia)

T:

Teamo Supremo (2002)

Larry/Laser Pirate (Partially Blind)

The Baby-Sitters Club (2020)

Stacey McGill (Type 1 Diabetes)

The Big Bang Theory (2007)

Emily (Deaf)

Sheldon Cooper (Autistic)

The Casagrandes (2019)

Carlos "CJ" Casagrande Jr. (Down Syndrome)

The Dragon Prince (2018)

Amaya (Deaf)

Claudia (Amputee)

Leola (Autistic)

Sol Regem/Anak Araw (Blind)

Villads (Blind)

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021)

James "Bucky" Barnes (Amputee)

The Flash (2014)

Hartley Rathaway/Pied Piper (Deaf)

The Ghost and Molly McGee (2021)

Juniper "June" Chen (Autistic)

The Good Doctor (2017)

Shaun Murphy (Autistic)

The Lion Guard (2016)

Ono (Low Vision)

The Little Mermaid (1992)

Gabriella (Deaf)

The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1888)

Papa Heffalump (Allergies)

The Office (2005)

William "Billy" Merchant (Wheelchair User)

The Owl House (2020)

Dell Clawthorne (Partially Blind)

Eda Clawthorne (Amputee)

Hieronymus Bump (Low Vision)

Luz Noceda (ADHD)

The Proud Family (2001)

Bebe Winans (Autistic)

Johnny McBride (Paralyzed, Wheelchair User)

The Rookie (2018)

Tim Bradford (Unspecified Learning Disability)

The Secret Saturdays (2008)

Solomon "Doc" Saturday (Partially Blind)

The Sex Lives of College Girls (2021)

Jocelyn (Unspecified Disability, Wheelchair User)

The Simpsons (1989)

Anton Lubchenko (Amputee)

Bart Simpson (ADHD)

Carl Carlson (Diabetes)

Charles Montgomery Burns (Limited Mobility)

Dia-Betty (Diabetes)

Dubya Spuckler (Partially Blind)

Duffman (Dyslexia)

Gary Coleman (Dwarfism)

Hans Moleman (Limited Mobility)

Herman Hermann (Amputee)

Jasper Beardsley (Amputee, Diabetes, Limited Mobility)

Jitney Spuckler (Scoliosis)

Joe C. (Celiac Disease, Dwarfism)

Kearney Zzyzwicz (Dyslexia)

Krusty the Clown (Heart Disease)

Ling Bouvier (Diabetes)

Maya (Dwarfism)

Melvin Van Horne (Lactose Intolerance)

Milkhouse Van Houten (Allergies, Asthma, Lactose Intolerance)

Monk Murphy (Deaf)

Ralph Wiggum (Intellectual Disability)

Rod Flanders (Diabetes)

Sideshow Mel (Lactose Intolerance)

The Suite Life of Zack & Cody (2005)

Bob (Dyslexic)

The Walking Dead (2010)

Connie (Deaf)

Hershel Greene (Amputee)

The Wild Thornberrys (1998)

Bethany Gibson (Cerabral Palsy, Wheelchair User)

The 100 (2014)

Raven Reyes (Chronic Pain, Nerve Damage)

This Close (2019)

Kate (Deaf)

Michael (Deaf)

Thomas and Friends: All Engines Go (2021)

Bruno (Autistic)

Total Drama (Franchise)

Cody (Allergies)

Jay (Allergies, Lactose Intolerance)

Mickey (Allergies, Lactose Intolerance)

Hezekias "Zee" (Limb Difference)

U:

V:

Voltron: Legendary Defender (2016)

Takashi "Shiro" Shirogane (Amputee)

W:

X:

Y:

Years and Years (2019)

Rosie Lyons (Spina Bifida, Wheelchair User)

Yuki Yuna Is a Hero (2013)

Sonoka Nogi (Paralyzed)

Togo Mimori (Paralyzed, Wheelchair User)

Z:

#:

101 Dalmatians: The Series (1997)

Tripod (Amputee)

101 Dalmatian Street (2019)

Da Vinci (Autistic)

Dawkins (Autistic)

Delgado (Unspecified Disability, Wheelchair User)

9-1-1 (2018)

Christopher Diaz (Cerebral Palsy)

9-1-1: Lone Star (2020)

Mateo Chavez (Dyslexia)

[phantom-le6]

Ramble of the month February 2024: 90’s MCU phase 5 – transitioning from Secret Wars to Infinity Wars

Having spent much of last month and a fair bit of this one working on submissions to literary agencies for my autism book, this month’s ramble and the one for next month took a bit of a back seat, and as such I’ve still not been able to vary myself away from delving further into my hypothetical Marvel and DC film universes.  Apologies to anyone who, like me, were hoping to vary things more.  However, hopefully what we cover in this ramble and the next will make up for it, and as April will be Autism Awareness time, I can guarantee something different for then.

By this point, I’m sure readers don’t need as much of a recap on what these posts to do with my 90’s-based MCU are about.  Long story short, I’ve done what the meme makers don’t; looked at the comic book and real-world history of Marvel from that era to create an actual 90’s based MCU instead of putting 90’s actors into a present-day MCU.  However, as we’re into a fifth phase and well past the 1990’s, we should at least quickly review phases 1-4 first.

Phase 1:

1992: Fantastic Four, Hulk, Iron Man

1993: Thor, Spider-Man, Ant-Man & The Wasp

1994: Captain America: Fantastic Four 2, Iron Man 2

1995: X-Men, Avengers, Daredevil

Phase 2:

1996: Spider-Man 2, Thor: Land of Enchantment, Silver Surfer

1997: Hulk vs Wolverine, Fantastic Four: Doomsday, Iron Man 3

1998: Captain America: Society of Serpents, Daredevil 2, X-Men 2

1999: Avenger 2, Spider-Man 3, Doctor Strange

Phase 3:

2000: Fantastic Four: World War III, Thor: Ragnarök, Daredevil 3

2001: Hulk: Rise of the Leader, X-Men: Fall of the Mutants, Avengers: Under Siege

2002: Doctor Strange 2, The Captain, Spider-Man 4

2003: Captain Britain, Fantastic Four: Enter the Negative Zone, Ghost Rider

Phase 4:

2004: Black Panther, Captain Marvel, Secret Wars: Part I

2005: Excalibur, Defenders, Ghost Rider 2

2006: X-Factor, Secret Wars: Part II, Heroes For Hire

2007: Namor the Submariner, Doctor Strange 3, Iron Man: Enter The Mandarin

As discussed in previous rambles, phase 1 was all about establishing the MCU and its characters, phase 2 was about the expansion and development of the continuity, while phase 3 was mostly about many characters and teams losing, being put on the back foot and so on.  Phase 4 then covered Secret Wars, which temporarily deprived Earth of some major MCU heroes to put them through a real alien war, and in the process also allowed some other heroes to come to the fore.  Phase 5 then becomes about following on from some of those plot threads while beginning the set-up for this MCU’s version of the Infinity War.  So, let’s quickly show you the phase 5 slate and then get right into the details of these would-be films.

Phase 5:

2008: Spider-Man 5, Fantastic Four: Unthinkable, Ms Marvel

2009: Elektra, Black Panther 2, Defenders 2

2010: X-Men: Proteus, Spider-Man 6, Ant-Man 2

2011: Silver Surfer 2, Avengers vs X-Men, Ghost Rider 3

Spider-Man 5 (2008) Directed by Matthew Vaughan

Peter Parker/Spider-Man = Wil Weaton

May Parker = Marg Helgenberger

Flash Thompson = Ben Affleck

J. Jonah Jameson = J.K. Simmons

Joseph "Robbie" Robertson = Denzel Washington

Betty Brant = Parker Posey

Ned Leeds = John Barrowman

Eddie Brock = Wentworth Miller

Randy Robertson = Taye Diggs

Harry Osborn = Ryan Phillipe

Mary-Jane Watson = Alison Hannigan

Herman Schultz/Shocker = Patrick Muldoon

Felicia Hardy/The Black Cat = Elisha Cuthbert

Roderick Kingsley/Hobgoblin = Michael Keaton

Quentin Beck/Mysterio = Nathan Fillion

Captain Jean DeWolff = Jessica Biel

Detective Stanley Carter/”Sin Eater” = James Marsden

In the first three Spider-Man films, we built up to Peter befriending the Osborns and dating Gwen, only for the Green Goblin/Death of Gwen story arcs to play out in Spider-Man 3.  The fourth film then gave Peter a clash with the Sinister Six as he struggles to come to terms with Gwen’s death.  Following Secret Wars, Peter now has the alien costume, and so film 5 is basically the alien costume story arc.  Sounding a little too much like the Raimi/Maguire Spider-Man 3?  Trust me, it’s not like that and for two key reasons.  Firstly, I’m not trying to shoe-horn Venom in for the third act, just set him up for another film.  Second, I’ve chosen Wentworth Miller of Prison Break and The Flash fame to play Eddie Brock, and that’s far from being our only change.

In this film, Peter’s occupied trying to stop a series of illusion thefts being committed on behalf of a new “kingpin”, who turns out to be the Hobgoblin, while also having to track down a notorious serial killer called the “Sin Eater”.  As the alien costume influences Peter ever more, the question becomes less will he stop all the criminals, but rather will he become one.  Matters are further complicated when costume thief Black Cat begins seducing Spider-Man and the alien costume pushes Peter to accept this despite his relationship with Mary-Jane.  The film culminates with a chance clash with the Shocker revealing the alien nature of Peter’s costume, forcing him to finally fight it off.  Eddie Brock gaining the symbiote is then handled in a credit’s scene.

Direction-wise, I picked Matthew Vaughan as he’s a proven superhero film director due to his work on X-Men: First Class.  He’s the fourth director to take a hand on Spider-Man solo film in this hypothetical MCU, with John Hughes having directed the first two, and 3 and 4 being handled by Frank Darabont and Martin Campbell, respectively.

Fantastic Four: Unthinkable (2008) Directed by Roland Emmerich

Reed Richards/Mr Fantastic = Tom Hanks

Susan Storm (Richards)/Invisible Woman = Meg Ryan

Johnny Storm/Human Torch = David Spade

Ben Grimm/Thing = Bryan Cranston

Alicia Masters = Heather Graham

Agatha Harkness = Angela Lansbury

Victor Von Doom/Doctor Doom = Goran Višnjić

Hauptmann = Ronald Guttman

Nick Fury = Tommy Lee Jones

Black Bolt = Pierce Brosnan

Medusa = Elizabeth Hurley

Crystal = Dina Meyer

Gorgon = J.G. Hertzler

Karnak = Alexander Siddig

Triton = Orlando Bloom

T'Challa/Black Panther = Chadwick Boseman

Namor McKenzie/The Submariner = Christian Bale

Barbara "Bobbi" Morse/Mockingbird = Rebecca Romijn-Stamos

Jericho Drumm/Brother Voodoo = Doug E. Doug

Having had the Fantastic Four directed by Leonard Nemoy (films 1-2), Steven Spielberg (films 3-4) and Ridley Scott (film 5), this MCU closes out their share of films under the stewardship of Roland Emmerich, notable for such films as Independence Day, White House Down and Midway.  This film adapts the events of the storylines ‘Unthinkable’ and ‘Authoritative Action’, but leaves the events of ‘Hereafter’ to the comics and begins introducing the Infinity Stones.  Since non-comics fans and fans who haven’t read those stories won’t get those references, let’s do a quick summary.

In the comics, Doctor Doom turned to magic for an attack on the Fantastic Four, which resulted in Reed and Sue’s son Franklin being taken to hell, and the team having to storm Latveria to get him back.  During the incident, Doom scarred Reed before being dragged into hell.  Afterwards, Reed seized control of Latveria to dismantle Doom’s arsenal and craft a permanent prison for Doom, one in which Reed would serve as warden.  However, when the rest of the team tried to stop Reed, Doom somehow began to possess each in turn, ultimately forcing Reed to kill Ben Grimm just to stop Doom.  The events of the Hereafter arc involved a trip into the afterlife to bring Ben back, in the process healing Reed’s scars.

In this film, Franklin is kidnapped and taken to a demon dimension, and Sue leads a rescue team comprised of her, Ben Grimm, Brother Voodoo and the Black Panther to save Franklin while Reed and Johnny attack Doom, aided by the Inhumans and Namor the Submariner.  The attack seemingly defeats Doom, after which Reed leads the F4 to Latveria, seizing control of the nation.  Fearing Doom is somehow influencing Reed, Nick Fury of SHIELD intervenes along with Mockingbird, Voodoo, Namor and T’Challa, only for the seemingly captured Doom to begin telepathically controlling the other F4 members.  Ultimately, Reed manages to force a feedback that wipes Doom’s mind, but in the process, Ben Grimm dies as he does in the comics.  With Ben’s death, the Fantastic Four decide to step back from hero work, becoming a think tank called the Future Foundation.

The bulk of the film’s cast is from past films, with the only new addition being mystical nanny Agatha Harkness, played by Angela Lansbury in better keeping with the comics version of the character.  As for the Infinity Stone I mentioned, that would be the mind stone, which Doom uses to control the various F4 members until Reed works out Doom is channelling the stone’s power and creates the feedback.

Ms Marvel (2008) Directed by Gates McFadden

Carol Danvers/Ms Marvel = Melissa Joan Hart

Michael Barnett = Brian Krause

J. Jonah Jameson = J.K. Simmons

Frank Gianelli = Rory Cochrane

Tracey Burke = Kate Mulgrew

Tabitha Townsend = Kyla Pratt

Lynn Andersen = Amanda Seyfried

Mystique/Raven Darkholme = Connie Nielsen

Rogue = Anna Paquin

Avalanche = Alessandro Gassmann

Fred J Dukes/Blob = Vince Vaughan

Pyro = Hugh Jackman

Irene Adler/Destiny = Sally Field

When it comes to trying to tackle Carol Danvers in films, one story that’s yet to hit the big screen is the story of her downfall against the X-Man Rogue back when Rogue was part of Mystique’s Brotherhood of Evil Mutants.  Indeed, the 90’s animated series of the X-Men is the only adaptation to handle this, and they did it by neatly sidestepping some disturbing backstory.  Long story short, there was a story arc in the Avengers comics around the late 70’s/early 80’s where Carol (then codenamed Ms Marvel) was mind-controlled and raped by an extra-dimensional being so he could be reborn in a body compatible with Earth, then after fast-growing to adulthood, his presence caused a bunch of time disruptions.  When Carol then agreed to go with this being, the Avengers made no effort to prevent this.

When Chris Claremont wrote Rogue into Avengers Annual 10 and showed Rogue rocking Carol’s powers, the question that came to be asked was why Carol hadn’t sought out the Avengers upon returning to Earth, and the answer was made clear.  The team hadn’t shown any real concern for Carol during her strange accelerated pregnancy, and then let her go off with a blatantly mind-controlling rapist from another dimension.  As such, telling the story of Carol clashing with Rogue and the Brotherhood should never be an exact re-telling.  Claremont’s story in Avengers Annual 10 was as much about correcting what the writer of the main comics at that time had written, and with film adaptations, you’re better off just taking a different path entirely.

In this case, we’re showing Carol working as an investigative journalist for a Daily Bugle-owned women’s magazine, who uses the Ms Marvel identity to tackle crime where needed.  This is based on her original run in the comics, so we have Jameson borrowed from the Spider-Man films while using the magazine staff from the comics for supporting roles.  As for the villains, roles from past films like Mystique and Pyro are combined with newly cast actors to give us our second MCU Brotherhood.  The film draws in a mix of acting talent, with Melissa Joan Hart reprising the role of Carol Danvers, and Trek alumni Gates McFadden directing the film.  McFadden has played the mutant Plague/Pestilence for three X-films before this and has some directing experience, making her a good choice for this project.

Elektra (2009) Directed by Roxann Dawson

Elektra Natchios = Leonor Varela

Stick = Scott Glenn

Stone = Sigourney Weaver

Kirigi = Daniel Henney

Frank Simpson/Nuke = John Cena

Matsu'o Tsurayaba = Hiroyuki Sanada

Kwannon = Kelly Hu

Turk Barrett = Gary Dourdan

The story of Elektra following her death in Daredevil is one Fox didn’t quite get right, in large part because they tried to incorporate plot elements and tropes that didn’t tonally fit with the character.  Having used two Daredevil films to set her up before giving the character a one-shot solo film, I think the best thing is taking those bits out.  Instead, we get the Hand going after the Chaste with Elektra in the middle, and when Elektra proves more than they can handle, they bring in the pill-popping assassin known as Nuke.  It’s a straight-up martial arts action film initially, but then becomes a more Punisher-like action film when Nuke comes on the scene.

Trek alumni Roxann Dawson takes the helm because she’s one of the few women I know of that would be directing anything back around this time.  Considering that films with female leads are often better handled by female directors, it makes sense to try and make this the case wherever possible.  The cast is either retained from past films of picked to be more comic-accurate.  Case-in-point, picking American actor Scott Glenn to play Stick rather than English actor Terrence Stamp.

Black Panther 2 (2009) Directed by Tim Burton

T'Challa/Black Panther = Chadwick Boseman

Shuri = Tatyana Ali

Ramonda = Alfre Woodard

T'Chaka = Courtney B. Vance

W'Kabi = Chiwetel Ejiofor

Okoye = Nia Long

Zuri = Joseph Marcell

M'Baku = Idris Elba

Nakia = Lupita Nyong'o

Monica Lynne = Kerry Washington

Baron Macabre = Sterling K Brown

Jerome Beechman/Mandrill = Joaquin Phoenix

Nekra Sinclair = Toks Olagundoye

Kevin Plundarr/Ka-Zar = Chris Hemsworth

Shanna O'Hara = Scarlett Johansson

Zaladane = Jolene Blalock

Everett Ross = Martin Freeman

In Black Panther 2, T’Challa becomes allied with Ka-Zar of the Savage Land when it turns out his hidden jungle in Antarctica houses a cache of Vibranium to rival Wakanda’s.  Most would-be Vibranium hunters baulk at trying to gain the Antarctic variety due to the dinosaurs, but soon both nations are threatened when the woman-controlling mutant Mandrill, his adoptive sister Nekra, the Savage Land priestess Zaladane and Wakandan criminal Baron Macabre team up.  Due to the inclusion of some of these villains, I opted to switch from Tim Story to Tim Burton from a directing stand-point.  This film also features a change of role for a couple of real-world MCU alumni.

Defenders 2 (2009) Directed by Stephen Sommers

Dr Stephen Strange = Johnny Depp

Namor McKenzie/The Submariner = Christian Bale

Bruce Banner/Hulk = John Cusack

Silver Surfer = David Wenham

Valkyrie = Diane Kruger

Kyle Richmond/Nighthawk = Josh Duhamel

Patsy Walker/Hellcat = Mena Suvari

Wong = Will Yun Lee

Clea = Keira Knightley

Jericho Drumm/Brother Voodoo = Doug E. Doug

Dr Anthony Druid = Mark Strong

Daimon Hellstrom = James Van Der Beek

Dr Tania Belinsky (Belinskaya)/Red Guardian = Beatrice Rosen

Dr Arthur Nagan = Julian McMahon

Dr Jerold "Jerry" Morgan = Stellan Skarsgård

Ruby Thursday = Alyssa Milano

Harvey Schlemerman/Chondu the Mystic = Stanley Tucci

Shuma-Gorath = Geoffrey Rush

The Defenders, Marvel’s superhero non-team, return for a second instalment at this point, and I’ve picked Stephen Sommers as director based on him directing a live-action GI Joe film around the same time.  In this film, the few routinely active Defenders learn via immigrant Russian doctor and superhero Red Guardian that a team of scientists called the Headmen have stolen the Reality Stone from AIM in an effort to seize world power for themselves.  Allying with Namor the Sub-Mariner, the Defenders seek to stop the Headmen while Clea joins with Brother Voodoo, Dr Druid and Daimon Hellstrom to try and bring back Doctor Strange from the extra-dimensional limbo he sacrificed himself to in Doctor Strange 3.  At the same time, the Silver Surfer seeks the Hulk.  The whole team then comes together when the Headmen open a portal for Shuma-Gorath, in the process transforming into their strange comic-style appearances.

Everyone from Dr Druid on down in the cast list is new.  As for why we’re skipping over the original male Red Guardian and focusing on the second female iteration for this MCU, there’s two reasons.  First, the second female iteration served as a Defender in the original comics, and second, these MCU rambles are focused on the main film continuity, which in this version of the MCU is strictly cinematic.  TV shows, while allowed as tie-ins, are optional content, and while I’d happily allow a TV show to dive in on Black Widow and some other characters, I think a film was and is a bit much for a character with so little solo comics content.

X-Men: Proteus (2010) Directed by LeVar Burton

Storm/Ororo Monroe = Halle Berry

Polaris/Lorna Dane = Jeri Ryan

Wolverine/Logan = Tom Cruise

Peter Rasputin/Colossus = Henry Cavill

Remi LeBeau/Gambit = Zachary Levi

Cyclops/Scott Summers = Patrick Swayze

Jean Grey = Milla Jovovich

Warren Worthington III/Archangel = Neil Patrick Harris

Beast/Hank McCoy = Alec Baldwin

Robert Drake/Iceman = Michael Weatherley

Banshee/Sean Cassidy = Liam Neeson

Dr Moira Mactaggert = Olivia Williams

Mystique/Raven Darkholme = Connie Nielsen

Rogue = Anna Paquin

Avalanche = Alessandro Gassmann

Fred J Dukes/Blob = Vince Vaughan

Pyro = Hugh Jackman

Irene Adler/Destiny = Sally Field

Professor Charles Xavier = Patrick Stewart

Kevin Mactaggert/Proteus = Iain De Caestecker

Joseph Mactaggert = John Hannah

Rahne Sinclair/Wolfsbane = Bonnie Wright

Danielle Moonstar = Selena Gomez

Jubilee = Chloe Bennett

Everett Thomas/Synch = Christopher Massey

Douglas Ramsey/Cypher = Devon Bostick

With the third X-Men film Fall of the Mutants having split the X-Men up, and a combination of the Secret Wars duology, Excalibur and X-Factor films following events for the divided team, this fourth X-Men film is intended to reunite some of the scattered team into a new whole.  It also gives Rogue her defection from the Brotherhood following the events of Ms Marvel.  In this film, Moira Mactaggert’s son Proteus emerges as a dangerous mutant and begins a rampage across to Scotland.  With Excalibur unavailable, X-Factor is summoned while the X-Men pursue Mystique’s Brotherhood to Scotland.  The two teams meet up and reunite when they find Professor X is also with Moira, having been recuperating on Muir Island since being released from a SHIELD hospital (this is set-up over end-credit scenes for Fall of the Mutants and X-Factor).

Direction-wise, the X-Men have been handled initially by Jonathan Demme and then Jonathan Frakes in films bearing their team’s name, while Excalibur was helmed by Christopher Nolan and X-Factor by LeVar Burton.  For this film, I’ve put Burton back in the director’s chair.  Casting-wise, I imagine same fans will be perplexed by my choice of Chloe Bennett for Jubilee.  This is because Bennett is of a mixed ancestry that includes having a Chinese mother, and while the ideal is always to try for exact representation from the comics, there aren’t many actresses active in Hollywood around the time of this film with even one parent of Chinese descent, let alone two.

As such, the question becomes which do you compromise; Jubilee’s racial background or her nationality?  My choice, compromise slightly on racial background and bring in some plot threads relating to prejudice against people of mixed race.  Quite honestly, characters of mixed race are among those groups under-represented in film and TV, so if I have to compromise, let me at least try and do so in a positive way.

Spider-Man 6 (2010) Directed by Matthew Vaughan

Peter Parker/Spider-Man = Wil Weaton

May Parker = Marg Helgenberger

J. Jonah Jameson = J.K. Simmons

Joseph "Robbie" Robertson = Denzel Washington

Betty Brant = Parker Posey

Ned Leeds = John Barrowman

Eddie Brock/Venom = Wentworth Miller

Randy Robertson = Taye Diggs

Mary-Jane Watson-Parker = Alison Hannigan

Flash Thompson = Ben Affleck

Felicia Hardy/The Black Cat = Elisha Cuthbert

Sha Shan Nguyen = Grace Park

Captain Jean DeWolff = Jessica Biel

Anne Weying = Michelle Williams

Principal Harrington = Viggo Mortensen

Lance Bannon = Hayden Christensen

Gloria "Glory" Grant = Candice Patton

In the sixth of our Spider-Man films, and the last to both start and end with Peter Parker wearing the webs, we showcase Peter and MJ preparing for their upcoming wedding, but the pair are stalked by Eddie Brock, who has now joined with the Venom symbiote and seeks to make Peter’s life hell.  He attempts to manipulate the Black Cat into being his co-conspirator as well, preying on her jealousy after the symbiote-free Spider-Man resists her seduction.  The story ultimately culminates in Venom trying to force Peter into a no-win situation where he has to choose who to save; Mary-Jane or Felicia.  Matthew Vaughan returns to direct, and we get a few extra supporting cast members in lieu of the various villains of Spider-Man 5.

Ant-Man 2 (2010) Directed by Peyton Reed

Hank Pym/Ant-Man = Michael Douglas

Scott Lang/Ant-Man II = Paul Rudd

Maggie Lang = Judy Greer

Cassie Lang = Joey King

William Cross/Crossfire = Ethan Hawke

Taskmaster = Jeffrey Dean Morgan

Alex Gentry/Porcupine = Nick Offerman

Janice Lincoln/Beetle = Naya Rivera

Having left Ant-Man alone in terms of solo films since phase 1, phase 2 marks a return for Hank Pym, who by this point has been out of action since a mental break-down forced him to retire.  Now of sound mind again, he tries to deal with tech thief Crossfire, who steals the prototype for a new, more aggressive variant of the Ant-Man suit, the Yellowjacket.  However, Hank’s old suit is not safe to use as it clashes with his neuro-chemistry, risking more mental break-down.  Even worse, it’s been stolen.  In tracking down the Ant-Man suit, Hank encounters desperate divorced father Scott Lang, who stole the suit to get money to cover his daughter’s medical treatment.

With this film, the aim is to pass the mantle of Ant-Man to Scott Lang in a more comics-accurate manner, while at the same time preserving certain casting that the MCU got right, hence why Pym, Scott and Maggie are all retained from the real MCU.  In terms of Cassie, I switched to Joey King as she’s had a remarkably steady record of employment for a non-Disney child actress, and I think she’s a great choice to take up this role for the remainder of this hypothetical MCU.  Direction-wise, I figured it best to stick with the choices of the real MCU and go for Peyton Reed, having had to go with Sam Raimi on the 90’s-made first Ant-Man of this MCU.

Silver Surfer 2 (2011) Directed by JJ Abrams

Silver Surfer = David Wenham

Thanos = Josh Brolin

Mentor = Michael McKean

Eros/Starfox = Joel McHale

Gamora = Zoe Saldana

Drax the Destroyer = Dean Cain

Adam Warlock = Chris Pine

Pip the Troll = Peter Dinklage

Nebula = Emma Stone

Mar-Vell/Captain Marvel = Jude Law

Following the events of Defenders 2, the Silver Surfer finds himself drawn into yet more Infinity Stone adventures when Kree hero Captain Marvel and the android Drax the Destroyer come to Earth with Adam Warlock, keeper of the Soul Gem.  Hot on their heels are Thanos and Nebula, each of whom has begun to seek the Infinity Stones.  Worse still, Mar-Vell is dying of cancer.  The film is meant to advance the Infinity Stones plot while also adapting the death of Mar-Vell from the comics, not to mention setting up for the Guardians of the Galaxy to appear in the next phase.

For direction, I’ve picked JJ Abrams based on his Star Trek and Star Wars work making him a decent choice for a space-based hero like the Silver Surfer.  In terms of casting, we have a few reprises from past films in this 90’s MCU and from the real MCU.  However, some shifts have also occurred, most notably with Drax due to wanting to use his original comics origins over the revised MCU/later comics version.  The would-be autistic representation of Bautista and Gunn’s Drax quickly become so much farce, so as an autistic person, I’d just as soon avoid that and go down the android route, thanks very much.

Avengers vs X-Men (2011) Directed by Jonathan Frakes

Cyclops/Scott Summers = Patrick Swayze

Jean Grey = Milla Jovovich

Storm/Ororo Monroe = Halle Berry

Wolverine/Logan = Tom Cruise

Peter Rasputin/Colossus = Henry Cavill

Remi LeBeau/Gambit = Zachary Levi

Warren Worthington III/Archangel = Neil Patrick Harris

Rogue = Anna Paquin

Steve Rogers/Captain America = Brad Pitt

Thor = Dolph Lundgren

Janet Van Dyne/Wasp = Catherine Zeta Jones

Iron Man/Tony Stark = Tom Selleck

Jennifer Walters/She-Hulk = Lucy Lawless

T'Challa/Black Panther = Chadwick Boseman

Sam Wilson/Falcon = Will Smith

Peter Parker/Spider-Man = Wil Weaton

Professor Charles Xavier = Patrick Stewart

Carol Danvers = Melissa Joan Hart

Mystique/Raven Darkholme = Connie Nielsen

Avalanche = Alessandro Gassmann

Fred J Dukes/Blob = Vince Vaughan

Pyro = Hugh Jackman

Irene Adler/Destiny = Sally Field

Frank Bohannan/Crimson Commando = Harrison Ford

Louis Hamilton/Stonewall = James Brolin

Martin Fletcher/Super-Sabre = Peter Fonda

Dr Valerie Cooper = Malin Åkerman

Sebastian Gilbreti/Bastion = Bruce Greenwood

Congressman Rev. William Stryker = Eric Roberts

Forge = Jimmy Smits

There have been two occasions in Marvel comics where the X-Men and Avengers have been drawn into direct conflict, at least using multiple issues of a comic and to my knowledge.  The first is the 1980’s mini-series X-Men versus Avengers, where the Avengers attempted to arrest Magneto to resume his trial before the world court, while the Soviet Super-Soldiers sought to arrest Magneto for his actions in X-Men #150.  As Magneto was part of the X-Men at the time, this naturally put all three teams at odds with each other.  The second occasion was the AvX storyline in which Cyclops, Emma Frost, Namor, Colossus and Magik became possessed by the Phoenix Force, something the Avengers tried to prevent and later combat.

While this film draws on the basic concept of both series, that something sets the Avengers and the X-Men at odds with each other, it’s not about arresting Magneto or issues with the Phoenix force.  Instead, the issue is Rogue; her status as a mutant terrorist is used to convince the Avengers to apprehend the X-Men.  This is bad timing, as the X-Men are working with Rogue to help restore the mind of Carol Danvers.  The masterminds of the plot are rabid anti-mutant politician William Stryker and government advisor Sebastian, who in reality is a new form of sentinel in disguise.  Luckily, government advisor and secret mutant Forge is suspicious of Bastion and convinces NSA director Dr Valerie Cooper to set up a contingency plan.

As a result, the film builds to a climax where, after the intervention of Spider-Man ends a major fight between the two teams, Bastion unleashes his prime sentinels.  Enter Mystique’s expanded Brotherhood in their guise as community service government heroes Freedom Force, and the stage is set for a truly epic battle.  Direction-wise, I opted for Jonathan Frakes to helm this entry, and while many actors are reprising roles from past films, everyone from Crimson Commando on down is new to the MCU as of this film.

Ghost Rider 3 (2011) Directed by Mark Steven Johnson

Johnny Blaze/Ghost Rider = Connor Trinneer

Roxanne Simpson = Jessica Alba

Eric Brooks/Blade = Jamie Foxx

Rachel Van Helsing = Cote De Pablo

Daimon Hellstrom = James Van Der Beek

Vlad Tepish/Dracula = Mads Mikkelsen

Lilith = Felicity Jones

Mephistopheles = Jeffery Combs

Phase 5 of our 90’s MCU closes out by bringing Johnny Blaze’s time as Ghost Rider to its conclusion, in a story where Johnny teams up with Blade, Rachel Van Helsing and Daimon Hellstrom against Dracula and his daughter Lilith, who are secretly in league with Mephistopheles.  The film is partly an original plot and partly an adaptation of the end of the original Ghost Rider run of comics, though it’s far from being the last Ghost Rider film of this MCU.  Just as the comics would have others take up the Ghost Rider curse after Blaze, so too will this MCU move onto those later riders in turn.  Having used Tim Burton on the first two Ghost Rider films in this MCU, I’ve picked Mark Steven Johnson who handled the 2007 Nicholas Cage Ghost Rider film to take on this third instalment of 90’s MCU Ghost Rider.

This wraps up our look into phase 5 of this 90’s-based MCU; next month, we’ll cover phase 5 of our alternate DC movie universe.  Until then, ta-ta for now.

[readinthedarkpod]

It's officially spooky month and what's scarier than dealing with the healthcare system in the good ole' US of A? NOTHING! Except maybe the books Kristen and Laety are bringing this week.

Keeping with the theme, we also discuss the finer points of the Thriller genre, the most unhinged book protagonist of all time, and play a game where we try to guess the fake Kindle Unlimited title. The scares are endless. ANCHOR | SPOTIFY | APPLE PODCASTS | AMAZON MUSIC | GOOGLE PODCASTS Follow the hosts at @adxmparriish @laequiem @figonas @hazelsheartsworn

Books Discussed: Final Girls by Riley Sager Maeve Fly by C. J. Leede

Books Mentioned: The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix The It Girl by Ruth Ware The Folk of the Air by Holly Black American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis Lightlark by Alex Aster These Violent Delights by Micah Nemerever ⁠Join our book club, @wornpagelibrary!

[paulsemel]

Some people write what they know. In her new horror novel "American Rapture," author C.J. Leede writes what she knows...in a viral apocalypse. To learn how, and why, and other things, check out this exclusive interview. https://paulsemel.com/exclusive-interview-american-rapture-author-c-j-leede 📖🇺🇸⛪️

[ulkaralakbarova]

A victim of his own anger, the Kid is a Minneapolis musician on the rise with his band, the Revolution, escaping a tumultuous home life through music. While trying to avoid making the same mistakes as his truculent father, the Kid navigates the club scene and a rocky relationship with a captivating singer, Apollonia. But another musician, Morris, looks to steal the Kid’s spotlight — and his girl. Credits: TheMovieDb. Film Cast: The Kid: Prince Apollonia: Apollonia Kotero Morris: Morris Day Jerome: Jerome Benton Mother: Olga Karlatos Father: Clarence Williams III Billy: Billy Sparks Wendy: Wendy Melvoin Lisa: Lisa Coleman Bobby: Bobby Z Matt: Dr. Fink Mark: Brown Mark Jill: Jill Jones Susan: Susan Moonsie Brenda: Brenda Bennett Beautiful Babe: Sandra Claire Gershman Stage Hand: Alan Leeds “Jellybean” Johnson – The Time: Garry Johnson Jesse Johnson – The Time: Jesse Johnson Mark Cardenas – The Time: Marc Cardenas Jerry Hubbard – The Time: Gerald E. Hubbard Jr. Paul Peterson – The Time: Paul Peterson Taste M.C.: Israel Gordon …: Joel Thingvall Film Crew: Producer: Robert Cavallo First Assistant Director: Anthony Brand Director of Photography: Donald E. Thorin Supervising Sound Editor: Richard C. Franklin Additional Editor: Sonny Baskin Production Design: Ward Preston Set Decoration: Anne D. McCulley Stunt Coordinator: Al Jones Songs: Prince Executive In Charge Of Post Production: Anthony DiMarco Original Music Composer: Michel Colombier Production Manager: Mike Frankovich Jr. Writer: William Blinn Writer: Albert Magnoli Costume Design: Marie France Stunts: Ron Oliney Best Boy Electric: Peter Davidian Key Grip: Daniel R. Jordan Dolly Grip: Donald Schmitz Color Timer: Aubrey Head Makeup Supervisor: Richard Arrington Additional Editor: Mitchell Sinoway Assistant Sound Editor: Noah Blough Sound Editor: James Beshears Sound Re-Recording Mixer: Jim Cook Sound Re-Recording Mixer: Robert L. Harman Sound Editor: David Kern First Assistant Director: Britt Lomond Assistant Camera: Chris Squires Electrician: Jeffrey W. Petersen Script Supervisor: Kerry Lyn McKissick Additional Editor: Warren Chadwick Sound Editor: Marshall Winn Boom Operator: Douglas J. Schulman Sound Mixer: Bruce Bisenz Music Editor: Jim Harrison Producer: Steven Fargnoli Producer: Joseph Ruffalo Editor: Ken Robinson Casting: David Graham Best Boy Grip: Bill Fleming Sound Editor: Mike Dobie Stunt Double: Brad Orrison Key Makeup Artist: Lee Romanoff Additional Editor: Allan Schultz Lighting Artist: LeRoy Bennett Electrician: Edward R. Nedin Lighting Technician: Robert W. Peterson Sound Re-Recording Mixer: Neil Brody Props: Keane Bonath Construction Coordinator: Robert Scaife Camera Operator: Craig Denault Leadman: Howard McCormick Production Accountant: Jonathan Wolf Assistant Camera: Jack Lee Gary Casting: Peter Golden Location Manager: Kirk Hokanson Second Assistant Director: Don Wilkerson Makeup Artist: Susan Wenzel Stunts: Kathleen O’Haco Lighting Technician: Dean Hassen Lighting Technician: John Huddleston Lighting Technician: Dave Hetschiesch Production Coordinator: Maxine Davis Production Secretary: Jennifer Walton Property Master: Jim Johnson Props: Clare M.S. Fishman Costumer: Jimmell Mardome Costumer: Sonja Berlovitz Key Makeup Artist: Jayson Jeffreys Hairstylist: Earl Jones Hairstylist: Susan Caldwell Hairstylist: Todd Prost Electrician: Dennis A. Frank Electrician: Matt Rice Electrician: Bob Guthier Grip: Steve van Osdale Grip: Gerald Hoy Grip: Neal Dalen Grip: Craig Kinchel Grip: Joe Rice Unit Publicist: Bonnie Metzger Still Photographer: Robert Reiff Production Secretary: Geri Rosenberg Production Secretary: Barbara Sobocinski Production Secretary: Dona Lien Movie Reviews:

[yesterdaysnewstodayandtomorrow]

Sport Venue & Event Management Entry 2

Sustainability practice of a sports venue

The sustainability practices of sports venues such as those at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, have an increased level of importance with everyone becoming more aware of the effects of climate change. Climate Pledge Arena was named in 2021 by naming rights sponsor Amazon, though it was originally known as the Seattle Coliseum when it was first built in 1962. The venue mainly hosts music and sports events. It has been home to many sporting teams based in Seattle however it is currently home to the WNBA’s Seattle Storm, the University of Seattle’s men’s basketball team and the NHL’s Seattle Kraken (Warner, 2023). The stadium has undergone several renovations, with its most impactful occurring between 2018 and 2021, which was overseen by construction company Mortenson. Francis et al. (2023) suggest there has been a recent focus on environmental performance concerning stadium design and construction with countries and mega events committed to reducing carbon emissions. Sustainability was maintained when renovating through the use of existing materials. This included maintaining the original roof, and rescuing the curtain wall and windows systems of the stadium (Obando, 2021). To be the most responsible, progressive and sustainable arena in the world is the goal of Climate Pledge Arena. The arena was the first in the world to be awarded the International Living Future Zero Carbon Certification (Climate Pledge Arena, 2024).

Many of the key attributes of sustainability are met by Climate Pledge Arena such as waste management, efficient lighting systems, public transportation, and water conservation. Their waste management has received TRUE (Total Resource Use and Efficiency) Platinum certification with over 90% of arena waste avoiding landfill executed with a focus on fan engagement and having the right sized bins and colour-coded bin bags. Debrah et al. (2021) explains the last decade has seen more youth have a greater awareness and positive environmental attitude, without the practical experience in how to best put waste management into practice. These simple colour codes are an easy way to engage the younger fans to practice sustainability. The lighting at Climate Pledge Arena is 100% powered by renewable energy with on-site solar panels on the roof and off-site locally purchased wind farms. Public transportation is the preferred method to reduce the carbon footprint of attendees so transportation is free to publicly ticketed events and games in the hope 25% of patrons use this. Climate Pledge Arena also has leading water conservation practices with ultra-efficient showers, waterless urinals and a rain-to-rink system where a 15,000-gallon cistern captures water from the high levels of rainfall in Seattle, which is used to create ice for the rink. Xu (2020) states the importance of rainwater utilisation systems in sports venues with the obvious scarcity of water resources. The arena has accomplished Silver LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification (Climate Pledge Arena, 2024).

References

Climate Pledge Arena. (2024). Sustainability. https://www.climatepledgearena.com/sustainability/

Climate Pledge Arena. (2023, June 22). How to Access your FREE Public Transit Pass with your Climate Pledge Arena Ticket [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RKUu9G6f4w

Debrah, J. K., Vidal, D. G., & Dinis, M. A. P. (2021). Raising awareness on solid waste management through formal education for sustainability: A developing countries evidence review. Recycling, 6(1), 6. https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling6010006

Francis, A. E., Webb, M., Desha, C., Rundle-Thiele, S., & Caldera, S. (2023). Environmental sustainability in stadium design and construction: A systematic literature review. Sustainability, 15(8), 6896. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15086896

Obando, S. (2021, October 20). On site: An inside look at the construction of Seattle’s $1.15B Climate Pledge Arena. Construction Dive. https://www.constructiondive.com/news/climate-pledge-arena-seattle-mortenson-construction/607484/

Warner, A. (2024, April 17). World’s Most Sustainable Sports Venues. Rotowire. https://www.rotowire.com/article/worlds-most-sustainable-sports-venues-71405

Xu, H. Z. (2020). Environmental Optimization Design of Rainwater Utilization System in Large Sports Venues under the Influence of Ocean Climate. Journal of Coastal Research, 104(sp1), 887–890. https://doi.org/10.2112/JCR-SI104-152.1

[slickstercast]

The latest and final album from The C J Smith Band will be available for streaming worldwide from the 11th May.

[444namesplus]

a abandoned abandonedmine abecean acrobatics aerin agea agent alawen ales alessia aleswell all aloys also ambush amelion an ancestor and anga another anutwyll anvil applewatch apprehension arcane are aren argonian arkved arms arpenia arrius arrowshaft as ash at atatar athrelor atrene aurus ayisha ayleids azani azura baalim baasha bag bak bandit bandits barren barrenmine barthel basin batul bawn bawnwatch bay beast become bedrock been belda beldaburo belletor belletorsfolly belongs bincal black blackheart blackwood blankenmarch bleak bleaker bleakmine bloated bloodcrust bloodmayne bloodrun blueblood boarding bodean bogwater boot border boreal both bottom bowl boy bramblepoint bravil break breakneck brellach brena bridge brina brindle brittlerock broad broken brotch bruma bulwark but by c cabin cadlew callia camonna camp can candle canulus capital capstone captive caractacus carandial carbo carmala cave cavern caverns cedrian cell ceyatatar chalman chance chapel charcoal chests cheydinhal chorrol city clans clavicus claws cloud coast coldcorn collapsed collapsedmine collarbone collector colovian completed copse corbolo count cove cracked crayfish creatures crestbridge cropsford crosier cross crowhaven crumbling crumblingmine culotte cuptor cursed

cursedmine cyrodiil dagny dark darkfathom dasek dasekmoor dead decker deepscorn deepwallow derelict derelictmine deserted desertedmine desolate desolatemine dirich districts dive divided dog doomed doomedmine door doublecross drad dragon dragonclaw drakelowe drunken dunbarrow dzonot each east echo echomine edge elenglynn empire empty emptymine endre entius estate exhausted exhaustedmine exit facian fallen fanacas fanacasecul faregyl farm farragut fat fatback fathis feed felgageldt fellmoor fieldhouse fighters fighting fingerbowl fisherman fissure five flask flats flecia float flooded floodedmine flowing fo foaming folly forest forlorn former forsaken forsakenmine fort frostfire fyrelight garlas garnet gate gernand ghosts glademist glen gnoll goblin goblins gold goodwill gottlesfont gottshaw gra graveyard grayrock great greenmead grey greyland grief gro group grove guild gutted guttedmine gweden hackdirt hale hame hand harcane harlun harm has hastrel haunted hauntedmine have haynote head heartlands heist held here hero hidden highcross highlands hill hole hollow home homestead horn horror horunn hotel house howling hrota hrotanda ill imperial in infested infestedmine inhabit inhabited inhabiting inn inside into involved irony is isle isles istirus it j ja jenseric jerall jim job kemen kindred king kingscrest knights kvatch labor lair lake lane large larsius last le leafrot leed level leveled leyawiin liberation linchal lindai lipsand listed lodge lonely lord lost lots luther mackamentain magia malada map marauders mare marked marksman marsh matius matron maw mazoga meeting mehrunes memorial mensa merchants mine mingo mirisa miscarcand mogens mongrel moor morahame moranda mortal moslin moss moths mountain mountains mouth muck n nagastani name namira narfinsel naso natural nayon nenalata nenyond new newlands newt niben nibenay nikel nine ninendava niryastare nisin nomore none nonungalo nonwyll nornal nornalhorst north northeast northwest not nothing now number oak

odiil of official ogres olav old omen on ondo one only ontus onyx or orc orrery orsimer other outlaw outside over pale panther part pass passwall patrolling pell pillaged pillagedmine pinnacle piukanda place plug plundered plunderedmine poppad possess pothole priory prison promises punk queen quest quests quickwater ra ramp range rayles razor red redguard redman redwater reed reedstand refugee region renegade repairing rest rickety ricketymine rielle ringleader river robber rock rockmilk roebeck roland roots rose roxey ruby rugdumph ruler rumare s sage saints sancre sandstone sardavar sava savlian scales scar scinia sea secret secrets sedor seeking sejanus selas sentinel septim seran sercen serpent settlements seven sewer sewers shadeleaf shadow shadowscale shardrock sharob shattered shatteredmine sheoth shetcombe shifter shinbone shivering shrine si sideways silorn silver silverfish silverhome sinkhole sisters skingrad sleeping slough small smoke smuggler some south southeast southwest split squandered squanderedmine st staff stallion stone strand strange strid suicides suitor sundercliff sutch swampy sweetwater system tack tail taken taking talwinque tap tarn tavern td teleman telepe temple the there they this thorn three throat thugs tiber tick tidewater timberscar time to toadstool tomb tong tooth top topal tor torbern totem tower trail training trap traps tried troll trossan trouble trumbe two twyll uderfrykte ultimate underpall undertow unearthing university unmarked urasek using vahtacen vale valley valus variela varondo varsa varus veins veyond view vile vilverin vindasel virtue vitharn vlastarus walker war wariel watch watchman water waterfront wawnet way weald weatherleah weedum welke wellspring wendelbek wenderbek wendir wenyandawik west weye weynon white whitmond wind with wood wooden yellow you your

[chaosbuzz]

GIFT EXCHANGE FOR LYS

SIRIUS 'PADFOOT' ORION BLACK

Then, in Yorkshire, the villages around Leeds have a nocturnal terror called the Padfoot. He is described as about the size of a small donkey, black, with shaggy hair and large eyes like saucers; and he follows people by night, or waylays them in the road which they have to pass. My friend, the Rev. J. C. Atkinson, of Danby, speaks of the Padfoot as a precursor of death; as sometimes visible, sometimes invisible, but ever and anon padding lightly in the rear of people, then again before them or at their side, and uttering a roar totally unlike the voice of any known animal. Sometimes the trail of a chain would be heard, accompanying the light quick pad of the feet. It was certainly safer to leave the creature alone, for a word or a blow gave it power over you; and a story is told of a man, whose way being obstructed again and again by the Padfoot, kicked the thing, and was forthwith dragged along through hedge and ditch to his home, and left under his own window.

William Henderson, 1879