#cartoon characters i think. god bless. (<- having gravity falls thoughts again)

[intertexts-moving]

hiiii ^__^

[redrobin-detective]

Before Gravity Falls there was Mystery Incorporated

I've seen a lot of posts on how the new Ducktales is the successor to the hole Gravity Falls left behind but it kind of upsets me that there's still not a lot of love for Gravity Falls' precursor: Scooby Doo Mystery Incorporated (2010-2013).

I started watching the show as it aired due to being a longtime Scooby Doo fan so I thought, why not? I ended up really falling in love with the show, with it's complex portrayal of plot and characters and having a lot of the same qualities we later loved in GF. Here are some reasons why, if you're in a void and missing Gravity Falls, you should check out MI.

- It's characters are likable. This is the most fleshed out version of the Gang, ever, in any incarnation. Scooby Doo kind of gets a rep for just being about random kids solving mysteries but MI really took the time to make them people, albeit occasionally silly cartoonish people, in a real world. They have parents who interact with them, they go to school, they get into trouble time and again for their meddling. You'll never look at the Gang the same way. (Also Velma is totally in a lesbian relationship by the end, it's not outright said but it's pretty much shown. It's beautiful. They're so cute.)

- The villains are complex. Speaking of fleshed out protagonists, the antagonists are fascinating as well. Again, Scooby Doo is known for lame people in costumes but the bad guys of MI are just as human and fleshed out. They're pretty sympathetic at times too, not in a way of 'oh I identify with your scheme' but in a 'look at how far you have fallen from your ideal, look at what you've been reduced to'. The conflict between the Gang and them gets pretty emotionally charged when you realize how easy it would be for our kids to follow that same path.

- It's got heart. While the mystery takes up a good portion of the time there's a lot of internal development with the Gang, their families and their lives. There's some decently emotional scenes throughout as they struggle to balance this too big mystery with their lives and their friendships. As the stakes keep getting higher and higher, there's a struggle to stay the same lovable gang of meddling kids. There's even a death or two which really hit hard.

- It's got an actual plot. For the first time a Scooby Doo series has an actual long-running plot. It's very slow burn, taking almost 1.5 seasons before all the pieces start falling together. Clues are littered in almost every episode and just when you think you understand, something else comes up and jams up the works. At least twice I though I'd figured it all out only to be shocked where we ended up. Really fascinating to watch unfurl.

- It's scary at times. GF is the cartoon that terrifies children but MI was creeping me out long before it aired. Like GF, MI has a lot of creepy interdimensional monstery things and goddamn if it didn't freak me out a couple of times because that's not what you expect in a Scooby Doo cartoon. There are a couple of really creepy images and some plotlines that make me wonder how they got it made.

- It's hilarious. I see so many gifs of Alex Hirsch's amazing snappy dialogue from GF but man if I didn't laugh my ass off at Mystery Incorporated. It's got that same absurdist and off the wall humor mixed in with a good helping of meta and innuendo. Everything that comes out of Fred's mouth is a gem and even the side characters (Sheriff Stone is a blessing my god) get some good lines. I still laugh remembering some of them.

- It's fun. Yes it's got great characters and plot and yes it's creepy but, like GF, it never quite loses that lighthearted atmosphere. There's a couple crossover episodes with other Hannah-Barbara shows (such as all the forgettable SD knock-off mystery series of the 70's and the best cameo from Blue Falcon/Dynomutt with a brief look at the Johnny Quest gang). It's tongue in cheek humor but also a fun homage to an era of cartoons I'd nearly forgotten about.

- It's got a little bit of everything. I was sad when the series was on that it didn't get more attention because it really did have a little something for everyone. No perfect show exists but it filled that niche of "absurd but serious cartoon mystery show with a well developed cast" that I didn't know I needed until Gravity Falls. Some episodes are better than others and there's more than a few cringe worthy moments. But I genuinely invested from the start and was happy to see, like GF, it got the opportunity to tell it's story and end on their own terms.

Point is, it's 2 seasons, 28 episodes I believe. Give it a shot on a rainy day if you're bored and looking for something that's equally parts spooky and fun. No one could have predicted the route this Scooby Doo story would have gone, but if you let yourself enjoy the flow, you'll enjoy the journey getting there.

[grunklejam]

For the benefit of that one anon, I guess.

1. Name

Jordan.

2. Nationality

British.

3. Age

Ancient. (27)

4. Birthday

28th July.

5. Zodiac sign (or your primal zodiac sign)

Leo.

6. Gender

Male.

7. Sexuality

Heterosexual, but biromantic through the hizzow.

8. Your looks (add a picture or describe yourself

I am a 5′6″ tall man with very deep set, tired blue eyes, a large nose and soft cheeks, perpetually unshaven with huge sideburns and indents in my cheeks where the fatigue has hit. I’m extremely pale and tend to look a little bit ill 99% of the time.

9. What do you/did you study?

I did a BTEC in game design. It was useless.

10. What's your current job like?/What job would you like to have?

My job is alright. I’m a copywriter. Moving to a different company on Monday with a significantly higher wage. I’d love to pursue novel writing more after the release of my first book, but that’s a terrible idea of a profession and is exceedingly unprofitable.

11. Your birth order

Only child.

12. How many siblings do you have?

Only child.

13. Do you have good relations with your family?

Eh, kinda.

14. How many friends do you have?

A surprising amount considering I’m about as social as a solitary murder hornet.

15. Your relationship status

Engaged. Yes, really.

16. What do you look for in a SO?

They have to be @kyolicious

17. Do you have a crush?

@kyolicious

18. When did you have your first kiss?

I can’t remember how old I was, but it was a cuban musician who was off his face on rum.

19. Do you prefer serious and meaningful relationships or casual dating/one night stands?

I prefer being with @kyolicious

20. What are your deal breakers?

Racism, homophobia, lack of interest in history, lack of interest in learning, thinking cartoons are crap. Fuck you, cartoons are great. Oh, and feet stuff. Foot fetishists are degenerate. 

-

21. How was your day?

I have no coffee. It’s terrible. 

22. Favourite food & drink

Sirloin, cooked rare with a cocktail bitter garnish. My favourite drink is Plum Porter by Titanic Brewery, one of the best beers I’ve ever tasted.

23. What position do you sleep in?

Fucking all over the place. I’m terrible at sleeping. 

24. What was your last dream about?

Probably @kyolicious

25. Your fears

Since I was a kid, I’ve had an obsession with maintaining a legacy and being remembered. My biggest fear is being irrelevant or forgotten.

26. Your dreams

To drive more steam engines. To marry @kyolicious. To have my own home. To get recognition for what I create. To be able to smoke cigars again. To write another novel.

27. Your goals

To drive more steam engines. To marry @kyolicious​. To have my own home. To get recognition for what I create. To be able to smoke cigars again. To write another novel. 

28. Any pets?

Two cats. Karl Isambard, and Punk Maxwell Barnaby D’artagnan. (we couldn’t choose a name)

29. What are your hobbies?

Reading, writing, drawing, pixel art, baking, cooking, collecting antiques.

30. Any cool places in your area?

There’s lots of really cool historic sites in West Yorkshire and I feel blessed to live in such a prime place of Industrial Archaeology. My favourite by far was an abandoned railway line near my birth village of Horbury, which still had the rails in place and was beautifully overgrown. It was my safe place for years.

31. What was your last awkward situation?

Probably waking up.

32. What is your last regret?

Probably waking up.

33. Language/s you can speak

I am abysmal at languages. English is all I know. @kyolicious is teaching me Swedish, though. 

34. Do you believe in astrological stuff? (Zodiac, tarot, etc.)

Not particularly, but it’s fascinating.

35. Have any quirks?

I’m pretty much a giant ball of quirks. 

36. Your pet peeves

Chewing with mouths open, bare feet, loud noises.

37. Ideal vacation

It probably involves steam engines somehow.

38. Any scars?

Far too many.

39. What does your last text message say?

People still text?

40. Last 5 things from your search history

‘Keep reading tag tumblr 2020′ GPCS Firebox steam jets  Gravity Falls Wiki British Bangers American (long story) Amazon UK Saturnus Glogg

41. What's your [device] background?

Gorillaz.

42. What do you daydream about?

Probably story ideas!

43. Describe your dream home

A countryside cottage, with exposed wood beams, a bit of stained glass and a superb internet connection. A bath is a must.

44. What's your religion/Your thought about religion

I’m atheist. I generally believe religion and faith in general is a heavily important part of the human condition, and if it makes it easier for people to live, so be it. However, I’ve no time for it completely taking over people’s lives and views. Your view on what’s moral and what’s just should be based upon human perspective, not what’s in a mistranslated ancient book.

45. Your personality type

I honestly forget.

46. The most dangerous thing you've done

Probably a brief stint urbexing. 

47. Are you happy with your current life?

It’s always a work in progress. Always moving forward to an extent, but my cynical 

48. Some things you've tried in your life

Uh. That’s a very vague question. I’ve tried most things and disliked many.

-

49. What does your wardrobe consist of?

Lots of jumpers, tight fitting jeans, tons of band T-shirts, a selection of waistcoats, tailcoats, top hats and button up shirts.

50. Favourite colour to wear?

Red and / or black.

51. How would you describe your style?

Outdated, and anachronistic, no matter the occasion.

52. Are you happy with your current looks?

I hate how I look.

53. If you could change/add something to your appearance - impossible or not - what would it be?

Strip it off with a potato peeler, replace with Vincent Price.

54. Any tattoos or piercings?

Nope and nope.

55. Do you get complimented often?

More than I’d ever accept.

56. Favourite aesthetic?

Victorian Noir.

57. A popular trend that you dislike

Ear stretching. What’s all that about? I don’t understand.

-

58. Songs you're currently obsessed with?

With Love to an Ex by Gorillaz - Ft. Moonchild Sanelly.

59. Song you normally wouldn't admit you like.

Paris to Berlin by Infernal.

60. Favourite genre?

Punk.

61. Favourite artist/band/genre?

Gorillaz, easily.

62. Hated popular songs/artists?

I can’t stand Ed Sheeran. Most musicians I can dislike and go without hating, but I categorically despite the man and everything his work stands for.

63. Put your music on shuffle and list first 5

I don’t use one of those shuffle-doo-hickies.

64. Can you sing or play any instruments?

I can, but I’m exclusively terrible.

65. Do you like karaoke?

No.

66. Own any albums?

Over 1,500 at last count. About 250 physical.

67. Do you listen to radio? What stations?

I don’t.

-

68. Favourite movie/series?

Oh god, I love so many movies.

69. Favourite genre of movies/books/etc

Animated, detective, mystery, noir, horror, psychological, period.

70. Your fictional crush/es

I don’t have any. Genuinely.

71. Which fictional character is you?

M. Gustave from The Grand Budapest Hotel. With a sprinkling of Stan and Ford Pines.

72. Are you a shipper? List your otps, if so

Dipcifica from Gravity Falls. So much so that I’ve written a fairly successful series off of it.

73. Favourite greek god?

Gotta love Zeus. Lightning flinging prick.

74. A legend from where you live that you like

None very locally, but the Legend of the Chained Oak in Staffordshire is very close to my heart.

75. Do you like art? What's your favourite work or artist?

I fucking adore art, especially in comic books. Kev Walker is one of my all time favourite artists, matched very closely by Ben Willsher. I’d kill for that level of skill.

76. Can you share your other social media?

Instagram: Jamooneyart Twitter: Jamooneyart Deviantart: Jamooneyart That was easy.

77. Favourite youtubers?

Jim Can’t Swim, Ashens, Down The Rabbit Hole, Guru Larry and Internet Historian.

78. Favourite platform?

Platform 2 of York Railway Station. What?

79. How much time do you spend on the internet?

The majority of my fettered existence.

80. What video games have you played? Which one's your favourite?

The Civ series, Sea of Thieves, OpenTTD, Planet Coaster, Planet Zoo, Railway Empire, Anno 1800...

My favourite is probably OpenTTD. I’ve pumped obscene amounts of time into it. Can’t beat the classics.

81. Your favourite books (manga also counts)

Gorillaz - Rise of the Ogre, The Disney Studios Story, The Hound of Baskervilles, To Kill a Mockingbird, Notes on Noses, Judge Dredd: Satan’s Island, Judge Dredd: Origins - Day of Chaos, Judge Dredd, The Lion’s Den, Judge Anderson of Psi Division: Fallen Angel, The Ultimate Guide to British Comics, Tank Girl: Odyssey...

82. Do you play board/card games?

If I’m in the mood.

83. Have you ever been to a night marathon in cinema?

No.

84. Favourite holiday

Christmas.

85. Are you into dramas?

Oh yes. But I do love drama mixed into a more evocative genre.

-

86. Would you use death note, if you had one?

Na.

87. What changes would you make in the world, no matter how impossible, if you had the power to?

Erase bigotry.

88. Could you survive a zombie apocalypse?

Na.

89. If you had to be turned into a paranormal being, what would it be?

Cleuricaun. Those guys have a great gig.

90. What would you want to happen to you after your death?

Flytip my corpse, so I can inconvenience people one last time.

91. If you had to change your name, what would be your pick?

Albert.

92. Who would you switch your life with for a week?

One of those twats who’s a millionaire from advertising shit on instagram.

93. Pick an emoji to be your tattoo

Skull.

94. Write 3 things about yourself - only one of them must be true

I’m 178 years old. I know how to juggle antique glass Tiffany lamps. I find these types of question very tedious.

-

95. Cold or hot?

Cold.

96. Be a hero or be a villain?

Be a neutral evil.

97. Sing everything you want to say or rhyme?

Sing.

98. Shapeshifting or controlling time?

Controlling time.

99. Be immortal or be immune to everything aside from natural death?

Immune.

100. ..... or .....?

Wot.