#his fashion in the 60s was truly so fun | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

applepieshy · 6 months ago

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I had an idea to redesign vox because I didn't love that a character obsessed with modernization would wear a top hat and bowtie. then after a brief stint into madness where I read my partner's historic costuming textbook I drew.... all this.

(side note: the idea of vox being a trans man who transitioned AFTER death was super compelling and absolutely inspired by @prince-liest so while this is not direct fanart of their series I wanted to give a shoutout anyway!!!)

okay some TRULY unhinged rambling about historic costume below the cut YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

1950s: for this design I very much did not want to go to the typical a-line housewife look, because I feel that is unfitting for vox's character. instead I went for a more business look, but there is still a level of femininity that he would have been expected to perform. i wanted to express his discomfort with that through the pose and expression, though at the time he wouldn't necessarily have a framework for why he hated it

1960s: this one was very fun. i loved the idea of vox beginning to eschew some of the expected feminine presentation, and he no longer wears makeup, jewelry, or hose (though its hard to tell in black & white); however, he's kind of at war with himself in this time period. he's obsessed with seeming perfect and having a respectable image, so he would not go in for the counter-culture movements that were so big in the 60s. he's still kind of riding those coattails though, pushing those boundaries while still not acknowledging his queerness.

1970s: to me, it was very important that the gender hit as he entered the world in color. in my mind the gender euphoria is physically manifested in a wizard of oz situation - he can become who he always has been. anyway, gender aside, I think it was very important to me personally that he wore an ascot. it was for my mental health.

1980s: I wanted the 1980s to be the period where he began to gain some power and notoriety because of the de-regulation of television during this period to allow more ads, mirroring real-world history. I think if the 70s were when vox gained some real confidence, the 80s are when he got an Ego (tm). "business casual" also began to become more acceptable in this time period, and the t-shirt/suit jacket combo was very important for me to include, as to me it epitomizes the commercialism and machismo of the 80s.

1990s: this was actually the decade I was the most nervous to design, and yet I think it turned out the best? the 90s are known for grunge, which I think is NOT vox's style at all. I decided instead to lean hard into the yuppie look, which I know is more associated with the 80s but was definitely still a thing in the 90s. I also allowed a little hip-hop influence in the form of a gold chain from val, which is not something I think vox would ever pick on his own.

2000s: if the 90s were the decade I was worried about and turned out great, the 2000s are the decade I thought I had down SO GOOD and then totally floundered in execution. I still love the bubble-mac inspired head, and I tried to make his clothes as "round" as possible. I also like that this is the time where his saturation got cranked. however, I don't know if I'm in love with the vest and super bright sneakers, because again, looking back on it, he kind of looks like he works at a movie theater or best buy or some shit lol,,,

2010s: I think it's telling that this is by far the closest to his canon design (2014 tumblr lookin ass). I really wanted to pull from that hipster tech bro era, but unfortunately that aesthetic has a veneration for "retro" which again, is not fitting for vox. I still think he would wear the bowtie during this time because, well... he sure does in the show!

2020s: this was fun because I had an excuse to pull from haute couture design rather than street fashion because of the introduction of velvette into his life. I truly do not think velvette would let vox and val walk around in the outfits that they do because it would be an actual embarrassment LMAO. for this, I wanted his decorative "robes" to be evocative of the time he depicted himself as a priest AND of a cape/robe of an emperor. he does think of himself as that bitch, after all.

#vox #trans vox #vox redesign #vox hazbin hotel #hazbin hotel #hazbin fanart #my art

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ethicaltreatmentofcowplants · 23 days ago

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with cc by @ice-creamforbreakfast and @surely-sims!

everyone, i apologise for the quality of these pictures. truly atrocious. the moschino stuff pack is fired.

LILAC: So this is our first fashion feature where we spotlight a cc creator (or two). Hopefully it won’t be our last, but we know what a flake the Watcher is.

ARAMINTA: She has good intentions.

LILAC: Yeah, and we all know what the road to that Dine Out pack is paved with. Anyway, I don’t think we can entirely blame her for the screencaps this time. Dodo is maxed out on photography, Moschino pack, and this is the best you can do?

ARAMINTA: Quite. I can… understand photographs regularly being ruined by the flash when one is first acquiring the skill. At Level 5, however, the Watcher shouldn’t need to delete over half the captures from her screenshots folder.

LILAC: Plum right she shouldn’t. Anyway. Minta, what do we think of Poppy?

ARAMINTA: Oh I love it - and her! How about you?

LILAC: Well coming from @ice-creamforbreakfast and @surely-sims, I was expecting quality. What I was not expecting was just how versatile this set would be, especially considering that it’s based on a 60’s spy aesthetic. I knew that you’d find things you like but you’re the Pattie Boyd to my Anita Pallenberg. You’re Kensington Gardens while I’m more Haight-Ashbury. But these Daffodil glasses and this turtleneck from the Daphne set? Sweet - I mean, groovy.

ARAMINTA: Well-made clothes stand the test of time, regardless of era.

LILAC: Yeah? And with these two, you know that you’re guaranteed a great product. The Watcher’s downloaded like every single item of theirs to her cc folder.

ARAMINTA: Speaking of versatility, how did you find the cut?

LILAC: Perfect. As a curvier girl, I know that I always look amazing. But the problem is that CAS doesn’t always look amazing on me. This though? Actually does the deity that is Indya Drake justice - and that woman has curves like an Indy 500. The stretch test? These pass.

ARAMINTA: EA, take note. Your favourite item of the set?

LILAC: The Wolfsbane dress. In the black and white palette. And you?

ARAMINTA: The Larkspur dress. Absolutely timeless.

LILAC: And Dodo? I bet I know what yours is.

DODO: The Holly set. But I think I’d like it better on the floor.

ARAMINTA: Really, you should put it in the hamper - oh, Dodo!

LILAC: Well if that isn’t a ringing endorsement, then I don’t know what is. You may get your wish later, Dodo, but for now we’re taking these to the clubs.

DODO: Yeah? Have fun.

ARAMINTA: Oh, do come too!

LILAC: You won’t look out of place. In fact, Rosamund and I put together the perfect ‘fit for your new ‘dirty smelly hippy’ ethos.

DODO: Fantastic.

DODO: And I’m not smelly!

LILAC: Only because you have someone to help you with the soap.

DODO: Yeah, about that. I’ve kind of forgotten and need a reminder?

LILAC: Later, Tarzan. Jane is coming out with me, and so are you.

poppy was last sighted here & here. catch her if you can! dodo's clothes by @ice-creamforbreakfast

indya by the ever talented @cinamun. dodo is loaned by @akitasimblr (likely much to his regret)

#simply lilac #simply lilac fashion feature #sims 4 cc #other people's cool stuff #my sims #lilac moon #araminta hearst-irsay #other people's sims #dodo harper #yeah the moschino pack came in clutch with the announcement shot of lilac and minta #but now it's in my bad books #also can confirm that free love was autonomously practiced by 'tarzan' and 'jane'#my eyes everyone...

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randomly--accessed--memories · 2 months ago

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60s Mindbreak:

I imagine Velvette would still be capable of extending empathy to people outside her friend group (since she doesn’t have Vox and Val encouraging her to lose her humanity).

[She does fantasize of killing Niffty and usurping her title as The Fashion Overlord though, but I don’t think this Velvette is hardened enough to kill anyone.]

Niffty forces all her employees to wear exclusively 50s fashion, Velvette despises this!

Would Velvette try out the Hotel and be a guest alongside Angel Dust? (Unless Val is dead and Angel’s doing Hell knows what.)

The friend group of Velvette, Angel Dust, and Cherri Bomb sounds kinda fun.

-=-=-=-

Another way to interpret this is as a roleswap:

For whatever reason Alastor doesn’t target Husk, so Husk gets to keep being the Gambling Overlord.

Since Valentino doesn’t have Vox to keep his temper in check he got into trouble he couldn’t get out of (maybe that’s how his antenna is damaged in this AU). He’s forced to sell his soul to Alastor for survival.

This Valentino isn’t as terrible a piece of garbage as cannon!Val since Al snatched him up before he could commit his worst actions.

Valentino is a lot less impulsive than his cannon counterpart (though still impulsive). He’s pretty bitter and somber here. That fire in him was snuffed out. I imagine he would become a chain smoker to cope.

-/-/-/-

Maybe without Valentino dragging him down Angel Dust becomes the Overlord of the movie/porn industry (with a mafia flavoring to all of it) instead. Then he could join up with Husk and Niffty to become this AUs equivalent of the Vees. (What would their name be? I’m not sure if you could make a good acronym with A/D, H, & N. Maybe a word relating to their themes? Fashion, gambling, and mafia/movies. Bug, cat, and spider)

-/-/-

I know it would be unlikely, but I think it would be sweet if Velvette, Valentino, and Vox still end up being friends.

Valentino could act as a sorta mentor to Velvette, like cannon Husk and Angel Dust (minus the romance).

Him and Vox and kinda friends, he finds him endearing most of the time. (Vox has a giant crush on him, Val is oblivious to it).

Velvette likes showing off modern tech to Vox, who’s in absolute awe of it all! After Velvette and Valentino find out what Alastor did to Vox they become fiercely protective of him (like Vaggie in regular RAM).

Random thoughts

Velvette would probably end up at the hotel, but not of her own free will. In Vel's opinion, redemption isn't possible and she's got a pretty sweet gig as an overlord's personal assistant/favorite model, but when Niffty "asks" her to go spy on what's going on in there, she doesn't have much of a choice.

Velvette still goes by her sinner name, but Niffty always calls her "Vicky/Vicki." It's a manipulation tactic she uses on all of her employees/contractees; using their human names in order to create a sense of intimacy and reinforce the "big, happy family" thing she's going for. Velvette's not a fan.

Niffty probably isn't as fixated on the 50s in this scenario since fashion is all about staying up-to-date. She still enjoys incorporating retro motifs into her designs though. Velvette's stuck with a pair of cat eye glasses that she thinks are tacky as hell (aaaaand now I'm reminded of HellSerVants).

Oof, Val would not be having a good time under Alastor. Husk's smart and levelheaded enough that I don't think Alastor's ever done anything truly gruesome to him, but Val such a defiant, overly sexual loudmouth that I feel like Al probably spent the first decade or so of their contract disciplining him. That's probably how his antenna got fucked up in this scenario and I'm not sure his wings would be long for this world either. He's been with Alastor and Vox for between 20-50 years though, so he's learned how to behave himself by the time of the main story (at least when Alastor's around). But yeah, Val's pretty miserable, although his real personality occasionally manages to shine through (for better and for worse).

I think I prefer the Mafia Overlord Angel to Porn/Sex Work Overlord Angel. Maybe he took over his dad's syndicate after he died (either by Angel's hand or someone else's).

I don't think Niffty, Husk, and Angel would form a formal partnership in the same way as the Vees (I think that's something sort of unique to Vox among other overlords), but maybe they're casual allies/friends here.

Vox and Val have an interesting relationship. Val never knew the "real" Vox since he was broken before Val even arrived in Hell, but he ends up growing fond of him nonetheless. He thought Vox was sort of pathetic and annoying when they first met, but as the years go on, Val starts to notice traces of the person Vox used to be ("Oh. You're bad.")– the person he'd fall in love with under different circumstances. By the time they end up at the hotel, they're pretty good friends (Val might've even been the one to give Vox a place to stay after Alastor went MIA (or he could've just bounced around in the grid for seven years, either works)). Val eventually comes to resent Alastor for robbing him of the opportunity to meet the original Vox, although he can still see the value in the one that exists now.

Vox is conflicted over having feelings for both Valentino and Alastor. He knows he can't ever pursue things with Al, but it still feels like a betrayal to have a crush on someone else. He doesn't talk about it, but it's something that's obviously going on in the background with him.

The Vees finding each other in every universe and becoming friends at the hotel would be super sweet. Velvette wasn't anticipating making friends at all, let alone with these two weirdos, but she's glad she did.

#velvette (au)#niffty (au)#valentino (au)#vox (au)#angel dust (au)#compound aus #neutral #storm-ismyusername #60s Swap AU

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positivelybeastly · 8 days ago

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X-Men #5

Late, but who cares? Let's go.

So, I've made no secret that I thought Kwannon wasn't really being given enough to do, these last few issues of X-Men, and it's for the same reason I'm happy to see Greycrow here - Zeb Wells' Hellions was amazing. It was one of the few Krakoa era titles that actually bothered to examine the moral double standards of the era, that really took advantage of its unique status quo, that looked at mutant resurrection and thought, okay, how can we mine this, not for obscure background cameos that will make a person on Twitter happy, but for actual drama? It was a truly great series, and I was hoping it would be followed up, if only in small ways.

I do like that Kwannon and John have a cabin together. With how they left off, it felt very personal and intimate between them, like they truly didn't need anything else to be content with one another, and neither of them struck me as people who need action to be fulfilled - or, rather, they don't see action as a means for enjoyment. As Kwannon says here, it merely gives them purpose. So far, so good.

Wasn't expecting an Amelia Voght callback, of all characters. Then again, this is a Jed MacKay joint.

Psychics and death, name a more iconic X-Men duo.

It is interesting that we get kinda sort of confirmation that Quentin remembers being a head, since I would've figured that the Cerebro cradles were down and he'd have lost those memories, but I suppose it's also possible he could have just heard about it second-hand and been like, wow, I got turned into a head in a box? Weird.

Yeah, no, you don't get to call Scott Slim, Quentin. Only Hank, Bobby or Warren get to do that. And Jean, if she's feeling quirky.

Can I also say something? I actually dig Quentin's fit? I don't know if that says something about my fashion sense or what, but I actually like this look for him more than . . . pretty much any other look he's had. Granted, that's not saying much, given his other uniforms were black blazer with t-shirt, the 60s retro-futuristic mutant fascist attire, or the bland melange that was his X-Force uniform, but I do actually like it. Purple and checker pattern work.

So, this whole issue is an homage to New X-Men #121, which was part of Marvel's Nuff Said initiative, and it, along with all the other issues published that month, had pretty much no dialogue in it, it was all told purely through art. It's not a direct homage, of course, since dialogue is happening, but I appreciate the lampshade being hung on it here, with Quentin both pointing out that this isn't like the other homage, and then not-so-subtly pointing out why it isn't like them.

Because Quentin can't shut the fuck up.

Honestly, that's a fun spin on it. That's how you iterate on something you've seen before.

I'm a sucker for mental landscapes. Always have been, always will. I just like getting to grapple with a character's psyche in a tangible way, it's why I like series like Silent Hill or Star Trek's many telepathic episodes. And if I had to break down why I like them?

Well.

Pretty much.

You really could've just called this New X-Men volume 3, Jed, and I don't think anyone would've objected. That being said - I couldn't have given less of a shit what happened in Marauders volume 2, so seeing that Cassandra Nova is back and wasn't consigned to the dustbin because of that series is a win in my book. She's a top tier villain, tbh, one of the best new X-villains of the last 20 years, and her particular incisive methodology for breaking down heroes' psyches feels like it's perfectly suited for the team of this book.

As she demonstrates.

Ahhhh, good foreshadowing earlier, good stuff. And I have to say, Stegman's Sabretooth is fucking top tier. Excellent rendition of the big man himself (whom I already miss, even if he does have a miniseries coming up very soon).

This is a great sequence, tbh. Like, poor Quentin - this is actually the most anyone has made me feel for Quentin since Aaron, about ten years ago - but in terms of threat and character exposition, it's very good, with some excellent art and very Nova-esque deconstruction. I also particularly like this panel composition.

His head is in a smaller panel. His head is literally in a box.

Good stuff, tbh. Again, this is the most useful Quentin feels like he's been in a while, because if he did anything of real worth in X-Force other than die, I'll freely admit that I do not remember it.

Hank, Scott, do you . . . wanna get them some paper towels, or . . ?

Overall, not a bad issue - definitely not as memorable as the original psychic rescue, though.

Now, originally, I was gonna say, you can't hold that against it, it's not easy to match Morrison, that's just common sense, but then again, most writers don't directly invite the comparison, so, I really hope Jed is cooking up something long term and satisfying, because constantly referencing Morrison is all fine and dandy, but it needs to go somewhere.

Still, I'd say the title has been squarely good thus far, and it still has room to get better and better, so I'm gonna give it time to breathe.

Also?

Our expert panel of judges have concluded that Hank McCoy once again wins the title of Original X-Man with the Dumpiest of Dump Truck Asses. Thanks for trying, Scott, but, uh. Your nickname is Slim for a reason.

Conner, you and I are gonna fight.

Damn right. It's not Hank's fault comics readers don't read anything from before 2010 . . .

#outofmuffins #blood tw

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kookielookie · 3 months ago

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Just let me play Klaus Hargreeves from The Umbrella Academy again.

Roleplay search. Please only interact with the post if you are interested in writing!

I’m a 21+ writer who is literate and writes multi-paragraph to Novella style responses in the third person. GMT Timezone and a regular responder hoping for the same. That said, real life always comes first to me and I deeply respect my roleplay partner and their time.

I have zero limits and I’m a huge fan of angsty stories with darker themes (taboo is fine with me) but I also like fluffy scenes. Discord preferred. I’m OOC friendly! I love writing side characters because I truly believe friendships and familial bonds are just as important as the main romance.

I’m open to all sorts of plots for the below pairings. I’ve included a few tidbits but I have hundreds of ideas in my head for them all. That said, I’d love to come up with something together and work as a pair to make an awesome plot.

Pairings

- Klaus/Diego

• Open to anything here with no solid ideas. Pushing Daisies style detective drama with Diego and Klaus solving crimes using the dead? Together in the 60’s AU with them having to find a way to have a life there while waiting on the others to show up, inadvertently playing house. Commission Diego or Klaus as the Lila type character.. Up for so many things :)

- Klaus/Five

• I’ve got a couple ideas for this. TW for suicide in the first!

• After a safe landing into the present, things mostly go back to normal except that Klaus isn’t coping. He chooses to die and is accepted up by the Lil girl in the sky. Except that Five isn’t happy with this and goes a day back in time to stop it. Then it happens again a week later. He goes back. So on and so forth. Eventually Five realises that the best way to stop this is by giving Klaus reasons to remain.

• The second idea is a loose concept with the Handler picking Klaus up and keeping him for a few years prior to her collecting Five. She moulds him into someone obedient enough to stay where he’s been put and makes him firm on the belief that leaving would be stupid. As Five joins the commission, The Handler takes him to Klaus just so he also knows that leaving would be the worst possible thing. They can spend time with each other so long as Five completes his missions. The consequences of stepping a toe out of line aren’t worth thinking about.

• I’ve got a bit of an idea of a plot, one that starts mostly as smut and develops as we go on. I’m thinking, at some point in the timeline, we find them taking a break. Five is stuck in this body and that comes with being overwhelmingly turned on. I’d love for him to go to Klaus and for them to come to a no-strings-attached arrangement where Five can experiment all he wants until he’s bored. But, as time goes on, it becomes less business and he is certainly not getting bored. Cue him realising he’s got feelings.

From there, I am open to any and all directions. Angst aplenty. Apocalyptic shenanigans.

• Being me your ideas too! Them stuck in the 60’s together waiting for the others to land? Five ending up the same age. Forced to survive together, Five getting a job… Klaus being Klaus.

• Just… Five being ‘I hate everyone but him’ and them being the definition of someone will die / of fun!

- Klaus/Axel

• A few more scattered thoughts. The Swedes being assigned to watch the Hargreeves in the 60’s and Axel being in charge of Klaus (can also do the same plot in the modern era) or a cute slice of life thing with Axel returning to the modern times and courting Klaus all old fashioned like. Open to anything:)

Alphonso/Klaus

• Completely wacky and random pairing here but essentially you’d be making Alphonso an OC as his backstory is all up to you (I do still want him to have that asshole frat boy antagonistic attitude we saw) to write against my Klaus. Four on Four! Plotty thought includes a world where the Kugelblitz is slower and Alphonso and, possibly, Jayme don’t get Harlan’d. I’m thinking we start with a physical relationship where Alphonso finds Klaus that time he’s with Reginald and, after some verbal sparring and plenty or irritation, they end up hooking up. With some time, this can grow.

Interact with this post or DM me if you are looking to write together! I would love if you messaged me first and lmk what you were most interested in ❤️

#klaus hargreeves #the umbrella academy #tua #tua roleplay #tua rp #the umbrella academy roleplay #the umbrella academy rp #harcest #kliego #klive #alphonso hargreeves #alphonso klaus #klaus alphonso #klaus diego #diego klaus #klaus five #five klaus #axel the umbrella academy #the umbrella academy axel

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rubykgrant · 2 years ago

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Because of REASONS, I remembered my Scooby-Doo character designs from a few years ago. I decided to touch-up the picture a bit and fix a few things. So, here they are again! If I were to totally make my own “dream version” of Scooby-Doo, this isn’t exactly the “style” I’d prefer them in (something a little closer to the classic), this is just a cute and simple style I use when I want to get an idea for basic body-types, hair, and outfits. As for the story, I’d toss together all my favorite things from every previous version, but the basic plot would go like this; the kids all originally met when they were very little, trick-or-treating on Halloween, and solving the mystery of some mean older kids who were stealing candy. During middle school, they wound up moving away from each other for various reasons... but all reunited in high school! They had a fairly normal time, solving mundane mysteries and such. After graduation, they decide to take a road trip together, and THAT is when they truly become Mystery Inc. A mixture of the old-school plots, some new adventures, and yes- sometimes the spooky things ARE real! I’d honestly aim for it to be PG-13, it doesn’t need to be turbo-edgey and grim-dark, but they can say swears. There would one F-bomb in the whole show, and Freddy gets to say it~

(some character notes below)

I drew Velma first because I’ve always wanted to update her outfit as sort of a sleeveless sweater-dress kind of thing. I gave her red shorts instead of a skirt, and I think it somehow made her look more sporty but still cute. Some orange high-tops sort of bring it together. I wanted her hair to have something like a flapper-girl style, and I kept classic style square glasses because she works them (and still can’t see without them). Velma is easily the most adorable. She’s still the “smart one”, but she doesn’t know EVERYTHING about EVERYTHING; history, science and chemistry, literature, and math are what she excels at. She also has a near photographic memory, and although she understands a lot about technology (in terms of software/programming/coding), she isn’t too great with machines. Some background for her; Velma is mixed Japanese/Mexican and Jewish. She’s also trans and a lesbian~

I knew I wanted Daphne to look really fashionable, but also in something simple and comfortable. I gave her a purple halter top/skirt with a leg-cut on one side, and loose lavender jeans. She almost never has pants in her main outfit, but I think it gives her a fun nostalgic look of the 60s and 70s. I moved her green scarf up to her hair, and gave her matching green earrings. I like the idea that because she’s a little clumsy (Danger-Prone-Daphne) she’s taken lots of athletic lessons to try and make up for it; she’s done ballet, gymnastics, Karate, boxing, archery, played different sports like soccer/basketball/baseball/tennis, swimming lessons, and equestrian classes. Basically, when she’s in “alert-mode”, she could probably handle just about anything… but when she’s not paying attention she tends to trip (though, she’s kinda of backwards-lucky by stumbling into clues this way). Daphne can speak several languages fluently, she’s got perfect pitch, is super sensitive to textures so she can recognize any material, and has a gift for being very charming and intuitive. Some background for her; her dad is Iranian, and her mom is Scottish. She’s also bi~

I always wanted to give Fred a blue jacket. I just think it suits him. He’s also got light-blue jeans, and a white long-sleeve shirt (with a red collar to replace the ascot haha). He’s got a little bit of a farm-boy vibe (hence the belt and work boots). He’s all about cars and other machines, a real Mr. Fix-It, and he loves taking stuff apart to see how it works. As a result he’s pretty good at his other hobby besides mechanics… TRAPS. Fred also practices being an escape artist, so if he ever gets caught he’ll be able to get out of almost anything. Although he’s certainly not “stupid”, he has a tendency to be a bit oblivious and a little too headstrong. He’s got a heart if gold though, and everybody who knows him would agree that he’s endlessly kind. Some background for him; Fred’s parents went missing around when he younger, and so he’s had a few different foster families. He doesn’t get reunited with his folks until much later (learning more about his family, he finds out he’s mixed Italian/Norwegian). He’s also bi~

Shaggy doesn’t need much changing (if I altered too much, he just wouldn’t look like Shaggy anymore). I have him a white long-sleeved shirt under his classic green one, changed his brown pants into cargoes (all loose fitting, Shaggy likes it baggy), and gave him some black sneakers. He’s naturally still got long hair and a scruffy chin (plus some sideburns). Even though he’s a well known scardey-cat, Shaggy has a deep love for horror movies and fictional spooky stuff doesn’t seem to bother him. His various fears and phobias have actually made him a safety expert; not only does he usually carry a back-pack with a fully stocked first aid kit, he knows how rescue somebody who is drowning, all the safety procedures for different vehicles/aircraft, CPR, and survival tactics (he actually knows more medical facts than Velma). Despite being so thin and lanky, he is almost always eating, sometimes thinking with his stomach rather than his head. He’s always happy to share though, and he even cooks great meals for his friends (mindful of allergies and what-not). Some background for him; he’s Canadian First Nations and Jewish on his mother’s side. He’s also trans, bi and ace~

Scooby was maybe the most difficult to draw… he’s so iconic, and I wasn’t sure how to draw him in this style but still make him look like Scooby. I’m not sure if I succeeded, but I think the result isn’t too bad. Shaggy found Scoob as a pup, and they have been best friends ever since. Like Shaggy, Scooby loves to eat and hates to be afraid, but he’s only a coward when something threatens him; if a monster or villain is going to hurt one of his friends, Scooby always comes to their defense. People forget that he’s actually a very big strong dog because he’s usually so gentle and silly. Scoob knows all sorts of trick from the typical “sit/roll-over/shake” to more impressive stunts. Although he loves attention and praise, the best way to get him to do anything is to bribe him with a Scooby Snack! He’s a very smart animal, and the fact that he can communicate when he smells or hears something suspicious that people might miss is a real asset for solving mysteries. Like any good dog, Scooby is loyal and lovable~

#scooby-doo

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fuckyeahfightlock · 3 months ago

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Hi Poppy! How was your trip? :D

Ooh, lots of fun! It was hub's and my 25th wedding anniversary trip, the first trip we've taken, just the two of us, since our honeymoon. It was my husband's first trip outside N. America (my second; we're so adventurous).

Edinburgh was lovely as always and I got to visit (twice!) my favourite painting of Achilles Lamenting the Death of Patroclus by Gavin Hamilton.

It's so much more beautiful in person, and I could talk about it all day. Just ask my Facebook friends, they'll tell you that's no lie.

"Enbra" was P A C K E D with tourists, shoulder to shoulder every damn where, but that's to be expected in summer. We took a day trip to Rosslyn Chapel (made famous in The Da Vinci Code, but that's not why we went), visited the National Gallery and the National Museum of Scotland (Dolly the cloned sheep is preserved there, and they have a very good Fashion gallery, including a few items by Alexander McQueen), and took a tour of a whisky distillery (with tasting!). I tried Irn Bru and Monster Munch, both for the first time. We went in Boots once, to get an emery board (my nails all decided to crack, peel, and become snaggly/scratchy for the duration of this trip, it was weird), and there was a DJ! Hilarious. Scottish people are lovely and kind, and no matter how fashionable/dressed up an Edinburgh woman is, she wears sensible shoes. I admire this immensely.

We spent a day in Melrose, Scotland, which is south of Edinburgh in what They call "the Borders" area of the UK. Melrose Abbey was impressive, we had lunch in a very British hotel restaurant (like the one in Fawlty Towers), and experienced how truly dog-mad Scotland is; we met about 60 local dogs and only about 40 local people. I swear you must get a dog with the key to yr flat, there. We also visited a small museum of Roman artifacts from the site of a nearby fort.

Spent one evening/overnight in Berwick-Upon-Tweed, the northernmost town in England--it was still light out at 10:15 when we left the restaurant where we ate dinner--which may be a name familiar to you if you are a fan of my fight!lock stories. Solely because it was a long journey by train from London, and sounded quaint, I sent John there to do some doctoring when he wasn't with Sherlock. Turns out it's the closest place to get a train to London, from Melrose.

London was London-y. We did all the things: the Tower of London, walked the south bank of the Thames, Big Ben/Parliament, stood at the fence of Buckingham Palace awaiting a guard change that never happened, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Borough Market, Camden Market/Camden High Street, V & A Museum, National Gallery.

A definite highlight was seeing Richard III performed by a fantastic all-female cast in Shakespeare's Globe theater. Absolutely recommend seeing Shakespeare at the Globe if you go to London; a completely unique experience.

The weather was H O T and if you ever needed proof that first world countries aren't coping quickly or well with climate change, just ride the London tube, or spend time in almost any indoor space in Britain. There is no air conditioning. It's no wonder heat waves have been killing Britons for the last few summers; the infrastructure is not set up to cope with the temperatures they're getting. We stood aside at one tube station to let cops and medics rush by us to attend to someone who had just been taken off a train and left on the platform (as signage instructs passengers to do) because of fainting from the heat.

There is no such thing as a cold drink in the UK! You can go into a shop and buy a can of Coke or sparkling water, and it is cool, but not cold. When servers heard our accents they would put two ice cubes in our glass at restaurants, but that's not enough. The only truly cold drinks I had there all ten days were gin & tonics, Aperol spritzes, and ciders. Alcohol comes iced; everything else--even the tap water!--just doesn't come cold. It was my only complaint.

Thanks for asking! Great to be home, of course, but it was a lovely ten days.

#personal #Ask #holiday in the UK #long post

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mediumstrength · 10 months ago

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SXF MANGA REREAD: CHAPTER 1

The conclusion of the second season has left me alone and bereft please join me as I fill the void.

We start with some bitchin spy action

oh shit

Truly the first few chapters are why I think you see so many people upset about the series settling into a slow burn family comedy. You start off with some juicy Hollywood movie shit here. Assassination! Straight off the bat! Cars careening off bridges! Great stuff.

Now, it’s time for a little quick exposition. We got two countries, they don’t like each other, they are using spies, blah blah.

SHODDY WORLDBUILDING:

In Japanese they are straight up written Eastern Country and Western Country (with “Ostania” and “Westalis”) in furigana. Tatsuya Endo, please.

There is one spy who’s the best tho

Here he is!! It’s our boy!!

He’s bamboozled that bad guy out of those silly pictures!! Time to also be mean to the dude’s daughter.

lol what a dick

A NOTE ON FASHION:

“Robert” is not as fashionable as “Loid,” the double breasted suit was already on the way out in the early 60s (The SXF vibe seems to be early 60s? Except when it isn’t?) being replaced by the single breasted suits we generally see him wearing. Edgar also is wearing a double breasted suit, but he doesn’t seem like the type to worry about fashion trends.

Loid however does seem to really care about looking sharp, and I’m proud of him for that. It’s basically his only non spy-related interest. Maybe someday he will have two interests!

Loid gives Karen a new complex, and then waltzes out of her life. Onto the next mission!

SHODDY WORDBUILDING:

Berlint 😂

On the train to Berlint, Loid learns that he has to become a fake dad for silly bullshit reasons that are vital to world peace. This silly bullshit is called Operation Strix, and it is so, so important. The most important mission ever.

I wonder if there’s some significance to the name Strix? It’s a mythological creature, but also a genus of owl. In Japanese it’s written 梟, which literally means owl, so maybe the mythological part is not intended?? I want to know more.

The early art is weird at times

ON THE SPELLING “LOID”:

I hate it.

The real estate guy asks him if he has a girl or a boy, and he says he doesn’t know yet. I feel like I should hate these jokes where Loid says something mind-blowingly suspicious, but I actually love it every time.

Anyhow! On to step two: secure a child.

Tatsuya Endo has a real talents for making just the most detestable jerks. I love to hate you, drunk shitty orphanage guy!

It’s her!! It’s Anya!! The early art is, again, a little weird here.

The absurdly hard crossword puzzle is such a good gag.

Daughter acquired!

ON THE TRANSLATION “PAPA”:

I love it. There’s no real equivalent to “chichi” in English, so they went with something that means dad, but is also a little weird and a little baby talk-y. Perfect. I watched a couple episodes of a fan sub of the anime, and they translated it as “Daddy” which is cute but is simply not weird enough. Anya is a Weird Little Girl.

Anya immediately begins helping, by acting deeply weird and suspicious. We love it.

I love that Spy Wars is just always on somehow.

Onwards! They go out and do some shopping! Anya is a lot! Loid doesn’t understand her! He goes to his local library about it, which is kind of adorable? And gives an early glimpse into a fundamental aspect of his character. With enough information, Loid can accomplish anything. He is certain of this. He has built his whole life around this concept.

LOID HAS NEVER HAD FUN IN HIS LIFE:

You are accidentally playing hide and seek with your daughter somehow, with no idea that it is even happening. Amazing.

Anyhow he finally barricades her in the fucking house lol

It’s Franky!! I love you, Franky.

He tells Loid that his new kid legally does not exist, and has been returned to the orphanage 4 times, and Loid decides not to look further into any of that. Greatest spy in the west.

Meanwhile Anya is causing problems. I love her.

Edgar is back, which doesn’t make sense because the Edgar stuff was happening in another city, but I guess Edgar is just also in Berlint now for some reason.

We get a brief flashback to Anya’s time as an Eleven-style lab rat, which is sad. What does “studying” entail? I think we will all be sad when we find out ☹️

Loid returns and we are treated to a sick. ass. fight. Loid takes a guy out with a can of tuna. He breaks a chair over a dude’s head. I think there was some commentary from Endo (maybe in Eyes Only?) about how using improvised weapons just hits harder. We know more about cans of tuna than guns or whatever. We can imagine what taking a tuna can to the face would feel like.

What a dick.

Anyhow, Loid bamboozles the same guy with the same trick a second time, bravely rescuing Anya, and now it is time for a sad flashback

Don’t cry, little german boy.

Anyhow, the world where kids don’t cry thing should be so corny, but they really pull it off somehow.

For some reason he decides to walk back into danger and beat those guys up?

When did he have time to set these traps??

Sick

Loid kicks everyone’s asses, and then, there’s Anya waiting for him, and she wants to stay with him. This is the moment. This is the moment where he realized, subconsciously, that he loves her. Consciously is still a work in progress. But like, he already cares about her so much. It’s been been like 2 days, and he’s gone from “I hate kids” to “I can’t abandon this little girl who I callously adopted to use for my own purposes”

(…This is the plot of the Despicable Me, isn’t it?)

This little scene on the streetcar warms my heart. Papa is a cool liar.

Ok, jesus christ this chapter is long. I didn’t realize that we also have getting into Eden happening the first chapter??

Anya takes the entrance exam, her cheating plan, as usual, does not really work out, but she does her best and she passes.

Loid experiences a single moment of relief and collapses 😂 The man is so powered by sheer anxiety that his body doesn’t know how to react.

Anya gets the mail, there is a little cute cuddling, and then, the kicker! We need a mama!!

Chapter rating 4/5

A little too much stuff happens in this first chapter, on reread. The streetcar scene is such a logical ending! The Eden test, and then the subsequent complication of needing 2 parents felt tacked on, almost like that should have been padded out a little and made its own chapter, but also I am eager to get to my girl Yor so 🤷‍♀️

Looking back on some of their earlier interactions, Loid has not been thinking through Strix logically from the start. This kid has no birth certificate, and she has been repeatedly returned to the orphanage like a naughty puppy for no obvious reason. She is (allegedly) 6 and she solved a crossword where one of the words was “symplectomorphism” with no adult assistance?? There are some questions he should be asking here, but instead he’s buying her posters and snacks.

He hasn’t had anything to love in so long, you guys. He’s going to love this kid with everything he has, it’s just going to be a long, long time before he understands that it’s love.

#sxf manga reread #spy x family

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mariocki · 1 year ago

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Virgin of the Secret Service (ATV, 1968)

"A bomb, at Dawki, on Tuesday, killed nine enlisted men; an explosion in the mess at Chamba bereaved eleven British women; and furthermore, Major Hamilton lost three fingers of his right hand, a great loss! Major Hamilton was one of the finest polo players in the North-West Frontier."

That most prolific of TV writers, Ted Willis, might have been excused for resting on his laurels by 1968. He had two long-running hits under his belt already; Sergeant Cork (1963 - 1968) was just drawing to a close on ATV, whilst BBC juggernaut Dixon Of Dock Green (1955 - 1976) rumbled gamely on, and Ted himself was now Baron Willis of Chislehurst - he had well and truly made it. Never one to stay idle, however, Ted pitched a new series to ATV, something a little different: where much of his work until this point had concentrated on the police procedural, his new show was to eschew the groundings of realism in favour of dashing spies, exotic locales and grand comic book style adventures. So Virgin Of The Secret Service was born.

Even by the standards of mid-60s, non-ITC television, Virgin is pretty obscure, and there's precious little information out there about the series. I can make some informed guesses, but they are only guesses; clearly Ted wanted to try something different, and the series is certainly unlike anything he had created to that point - or indeed, much of what came after. Gone were methodical investigations and wise, older detective figures - in came sword fights and deadly tarantulas and exploding tennis balls. The subtle, wry humour of Cork and Dixon is replaced with outlandish, arch pastiche. Drawing heavily on the Boys' Own magazine style of serialised adventure story, with dashing heroes and foreign villainy clashing all around the British Empire of Old, the series is a larger than life tribute to a style of storytelling that had already fallen out of fashion.

Whether it was a success or not, I don't really know - like I say, there is very little information out there. I suspect not, and it certainly hasn't entered the public consciousness in anything like the way some of its' contemporaries have. Certainly it didn't last long - one series of thirteen episodes. I suspect - though I'm guessing again - that it was never conceived to be the sort of durable hit that Ted was known for. The sets and the costumes look impressively expensive, and the concept simply doesn't lend itself to multiple seasons of adventure. It is, though, for thirteen brief episodes, gloriously, brilliantly fun.

#Virgin of the secret service #Classic tv #Atv #1968 #Ted willis #Clinton greyn #Veronica strong #John cater #Noel coleman #Alexander Doré #Peter Swanwick #Robert D. Cardona #Paul bernard #Peter diamond #Larry adler #this is verbatim the post i dug out of my drafts #the fact that i never posted it suggests i wanted to add something but i couldn't for the life of me tell you what it was #bc i watched this show and wrote this post around 4 yrs ago #shrug #this will have to do #ETA: it occurs to me now that this may have been a stepping stone in getting the Lochinvar pilot i posted about a while back made #considering Peter Diamond worked on the series and Coleman and Doré both ended up in supporting roles in Lochinvar #this would have probably filmed in late '67 or thereabouts and Lochinvar was being shot in mid 68 #foods for thought

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nikrei · 1 month ago

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September Comics Round-Up

Did not make my schedule of one year per week but also 1967 had 17 titles to read so I think that's okay.

Action Comics (336-371) (1966-1969)

The superman understanding of the ancient Greek pantheon/mythos is the messiest bullshit i have ever seen. 1! Never acknowledges that wonderwoman exists! 2! Completely mixes up greek and Roman names for gods. 3! Sooo many randos get upgraded to gods usually Achilles but most notably just now: prometheus???

Superman (183-213) (1966-1969)

Okay one of the oddest conceits that they like to have superman do is, when he needs an emergency Clark Kent double, he finds a random amnesia patient about the same size gets them to dress up as him, and then afterwards cures their amnesia, which almost always wiped out their memories of portraying Clark Kent (i don't think it works that way??) Where is he finding all these people just wandering around?

Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen (91-117) (1966-1969)

Whelp, it's more Jimmy, nothing really new to say.

Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane (63-89) (1966-1969)

They are getting a bit more modern and experimental with Lois's fashion and hair and I'm really enjoying it. On the other hand I had to read, with my very own eyes, and editor letter response that said "everyone knows women can't keep a secret" in answer to why Jarvis gets to know Bruce's identity but Lois can't know Clark's.

World's Finest Comics (156-182) (1966-1969)

I think WF is #1 for number of "imaginary tales" but I particularly liked the one where the Kent's adopted Bruce after his parents death. Jimmy and Dick's friendship continues to delight.

Superboy (127-153) (1966-1969)

I love Insect-Queen Lana more than anything else going on in this run, lana's love of bugs and whole-hearted embrace of the weird body horror transformations adds such an interesting facet to her character I love her. Also it is extremely funny of them to deage ma and pa by editorial order via an alien tv director deaging them to please his possible sponsers.

Adventure Comics (342-376) (1966-1969)

This is starting to get a little bit plotty almost! I'm enjoying it a lot. I'm also enjoying that we are starting to get character building moments out of uniform. The Ghost of Ferro Lad story about had me in tears! However! Save me from anti-feminism sixties story that is supposed to be happening a thousand years from now.

Aquaman (26-43) (1966-1969)

Garth nickname collection: Little Sardine, Sardine, Tadpole, Little Minnow, Minnow. Orm has shown up! I'm really liking him actually his unknowing uncleness to aquababy is v cute and fun. Speaking of aquababy I am expecting him to die any day now I am constantly surprised that he's still alive.

Green Lantern (43-58) (1966-1968)

Loving the artist team on this honestly, everyone is so fluid and expressive, and Hal's waist is snatched all the time. The split into two bodies issue really made me fall in love with plain old Hal Jordan, he's just so good even/especially when he is just a guy. Also, I love it when Hal uses the invisible power lantern as a weapon.

Justice League of America (34-60) (1965-1968)

Same old justice league stuff. Issue 57 is one of the worst things I've read in a while and I'm so not surprised that it hasn't been collected in any trades (judging by its lack of digital colors)

The Brave and the Bold (58-81) (1965-1969)

1967 is truly a guessing game of "which flavor of racist will we be today?" Will we be anti-indigenous? Anti-asian? Anti-black (no, no then we'd have to admit black people exist, better scratch that and make it "anti-robot") I'm so tired they think they're being so progressive with these storylines about "look at how well this culture is assimilating! The mystic old ways of their people are at once the enemy and something to be revered. From a distance tho. Wouldn't want to get too close." Its not just a Brave and the Bold problem but a bunch of it just happened in a row in that title so this is where I'm complaining.

Doom Patrol (94-121) (1965-1968)

Okay I knew it would happen but i still cried when they died... literally took me two pages to go from "la-di-da" to tears damn..... Rita my darling I'll miss you!!! I can't believe that we don't get a reaction comic for Gar and Steve tho.... just bam, they're dead, it's over. People in the sixties u've really let me down by letting it end this way.... more people should have written in.

Hawkman (12-27) (1966-1968)

This continues to be really good! Despite being extremely 60s-brained they try as hard as possible to show katar and shayera as equals in everything they do, its not katar saving her every time (tho he does a lot of the time it is still 60s brained) recommended if you are interested in the hawks and thanagar!

House of Mystery (156-173) (1966-1968)

Dial H for Hero is a v fun little set up, and I am sort of obsessed with Robbie's little catchphrase/ exclamation "sockamagee!" They gave me one (1) issue where his friend who is a girl finds out his identity and gets to try out the dial herself, only to them have her bungle everything and lose her memory of it because she's "just a girl" I hate it here (the 60s). J'onn J'onzz continues in the backups and continues to boot be what i expect. He's investigating crimes now but he is also committing identity fraud to do it (impersonating a millionaire that he saw die)

Metamorpho (1-17) (1965-1968)

Rex <3 Sapphire forever i love them! They really go overboard on the 60s slang in this title to the point where I am really not sure that anyone actually talked like that. The way smaller titles bend over backwards to pretend superman doesn't exist for their plots to work is honestly a little endearing. Rex literally hanging out with the guy in JLA, but noooo aliens are mysterious and uncommon, and the president is Definitely gonna call Rex Mason about them. Not a huge fan of the love triangle introduced, and it gets down right bizarre at the end with a bit of a cliffhanger, but overall worth a read if you are into Metamorpho!

Teen Titans (1-13) (1966-1968)

Rereading because the titans are my darlings. I especially love the little bits at the start of the issue where they are just kids hanging out.

The Spectre (1-10) (1967-1969)

I really love Neal Adam's art it's got a really delicate touch and dramatic shading, and he does figures really well. Also a shout out to Jerry Grandenetti/Murphy Anderson for some truly inspired panel layouts and lettering stuff, you don't get a lot of this back in the 60s. They decided to tell an entirely different sort of story for the last two issues and it is not a neat transition tbh.

Showcase (73-80) (1968-1969)

Some fun character intros for the creeper, hawk and dove, bat lash (surprise fave, what a guy), and dolphin, and some other guys too.

Anywho, that's that for September! Here's how my spreadsheet is looking:

As u can see I have given in and decided to go back and pick up The Atom, so I have that to look forward to in October!

#im so so close to getting put of the sixties i can taste it #nik reads dc #monthly roundup

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findroleplay · 3 months ago

Note

Just let me play Klaus Hargreeves from The Umbrella Academy again.

I have zero limits and I’m a huge fan of angsty stories with darker themes (taboo is fine with me) but I also like fluffy scenes. I’m OOC friendly! I love writing side characters because I truly believe friendships and familial bonds are just as important as the main romance.

- Klaus/Diego

• Open to anything here with no solid ideas. Pushing Daisies style detective drama? Together in the 60’s AU. Commission Diego or Klaus.. Up for so many things :)

- Klaus/Five

• I’ve got a couple ideas for this. TW for suicide in the first!

• Being me your ideas too! Them stuck in the 60’s together waiting for the others to land? Five ending up the same age. Forced to survive together, Five getting a job… Klaus being Klaus.

• Just… Five being ‘I hate everyone but him’ and them being the definition of someone will die / of fun!

- Klaus/Axel

Alphonso/Klaus

Like and I’ll reach out 🌂☔️☂️

#roleplay #rp #the umbrella academy rp

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prpfz · 3 months ago

Note

Just let me play Klaus Hargreeves from The Umbrella Academy again.

- Klaus/Diego

• Open to anything here with no solid ideas. Pushing Daisies style detective drama? Together in the 60’s AU. Commission Diego or Klaus.. Up for so many things :)

- Klaus/Five

• I’ve got a couple ideas for this. TW for suicide in the first!

• Being me your ideas too! Them stuck in the 60’s together waiting for the others to land? Five ending up the same age. Forced to survive together, Five getting a job… Klaus being Klaus.

• Just… Five being ‘I hate everyone but him’ and them being the definition of someone will die / of fun!

- Klaus/Axel

Alphonso/Klaus

Like and I’ll reach out ☔️☂️🌂

give a like and anon will get back to you

#the umbrella academy roleplay #the umbrella academy rp #fandom rp #fandom roleplay #dead dove

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comicsforyall · 8 months ago

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The Original X-Men: Mutants Before the Metaphor

Marvel’s Merry Mutants

The Silver Age of comic books was picking up steam in the latter half of 1963. With the immense success from Fantastic Four, Spider-Man and other recent creations, Marvel was looking to add titles to their roster. Establishing a universe and core audience for their comics was seemingly at the forefront of the company’s minds. With perhaps a bit of a peak over at DC’s Doom Patrol, Kirby and Lee debuted the X-Men, a team of the ‘strangest’ superheroes of all. However a glance at the group would not necessarily back up the claim.

Looking at the new teen team, there’s not a lot of strangeness on the surface. Four teen white boys, with identical hairstyles of varying shades of blonde and brown, alongside one red headed teen girl isn’t exactly a circus act. However the makeup of the team showcases two major points for the series. First, the idea of secretly being different, of not outwardly displaying differences is a distinct theme for this era of X-Men. This is in slight contention with the development of the idea of the mutant metaphor in the ensuing many years, but that has not taken hold yet. The second implication of the included roster is a bit simpler, it’s just demographics.

Marvel as a company tends to be comics made by and for young white guys, often not for the better. The modern understanding is that the X-Men’s mutant metaphor is applicable to various oppressed groups, but that’s not really the case in 1963. The goal of this team seems to be much more for young boys to project themselves and their friends onto the teen superheroes, and their related drama. The series is not a progressive social commentary at this point, if it ever truly is.

Understanding the approach of the creator’s at this point is essential in enjoying these classic comics with the current and long running context of the X-Men. The story is light, the plots are relatively simple, and the character’s are consistently inconsistent. This has to be taken in stride with a story over 60 years old, and under the surface there are actually more persisting elements in the first nineteen issues than it may seem.

Meet the Original Five

Warren Worthington the Third, aka The Angel

Blonde haired, with white feathery wings, Warren Worthington is exactly what’s expected from someone with his code name. Besides being a bit of an overconfident rich boy, there’s not too much depth to the Angel. He spends about half his time dodging airborne projectiles, and the other half hitting on his younger teammate Jean Grey. The unfortunate side for Warren is that his haughty advances mostly serve as a foil to the reserved Scott Summers, and his own pursuit of Jean. Warren’s passes often result in Jean’s admonishment, and her thoughts indicate she is much more interested in Scott.

He’ll be more fleshed out and overly complicated down the road, though he won’t ever completely shake his womanizing behaviors. The flying X-Men comes out a bit boring in the debut run, but is certainly fun to see swoop around when drawn by Jack Kirby.

Hank McCoy, aka The Beast

Everyone’s favorite bouncing blue beast makes his start in a decidedly paler than expected fashion. The transformation of Hank into the hairy version of himself is so iconic across other media, it is a stark realization that the character does not begin with this in mind. Besides his outward appearance though, it is remarkable how much of Beast’s personality is already shaping up in the Silver Age.

A central point of Hank’s character is that his brain is as useful, if not moreso, than his mutation. Whether he looks like a regular teen, ape, or cat monster, he keeps the mind of a genius. Even as a normal looking guy, Hank is already insecure about others not recognizing this trait. Early on he adopts an overly verbose way of talking, clearly meant to showcase his smarts to those around him. It’s charming to read, but would almost certainly be unbearable in regular conversation. As seen in issue eight however, the way he uses his words may be the least concerning aspect of Hank.

Professor X leaves the team for a short while to battle the elusive Lucifer, after surprisingly graduating the team from the school. This progression, along with a traumatic incident involving an angry mob of humans, pushes Beast to exit the X-Men. The harshness of what happens and the speed at which Beast turns are compelling lines when connected to the long term moral failings that will besiege him. Even when he returns, the methods Hank employs are ramped up in intensity.

Since Unus the Untouchable (a mutant enclosed in a personal force field) easily defeats the X-Men in combat, Hank turns to his brain in an attempt to take down the villain. What he devises is questionable and borderline sinister. He whips up a device that increases Unus’s mutation, extending the force field that covers him further outward. This creates the practical issue of Unus being completely unable to touch anything, and he cannot manage to eat or drink. The X-Men use this as leverage, and tell him that should he ever try to join Magneto they will zap him with the ray again, and force him to die of malnourishment.

It sounds bad for Beast and the others, but to be completely fair Unus is a man trying to murder a bunch of teens so that he can join a madman in conquering the world. Still, with the long term arcs of Beast, and the idea that he always is willing to go a little further than other mutants in order to secure safety is cool to see established so early on.

Bobby Drake, aka Iceman

The youngest of the original five teens, Bobby Drake/Iceman, will face a continued character struggle that is exemplified in his uncreative name. For the vast majority of his publication history the threat of being generic or shallow will haunt the quickly named superhero. A consistent jokester, Bobby often falls into the trap of being just comedic relief in lieu of any personal depth. Arguably that is true even in the genesis of the series, but a couple of creative decisions boost the coolest X-Men up a couple of tiers.

First and largely unimportantly, the costume. Iceman’s costume is essentially just a pair of boots he slides on over his completely snowy exterior. It’s a charming and simple gag that goes with Bobby well. The most interesting aspect of his getup is the frozen layer he manifests for himself.

At the start of the series, Bobby is covered in a layer of fluffy snow. Kirby draws him with lots of curved lines, creating a rounded pile effect that is reminiscent of The Thing with a softer exterior. It’s a distinct look that may be unfamiliar, as it is not the typical look that Bobby will sport for the rest of his career. A bit unceremoniously in issue eight, Cyclops suggests to Iceman that he try and ‘harden’ his snow form into a harder ice material, and he is quickly successful. This quick but lasting development points to major themes for the character, including his vast capacities power wise, and his stark lack of self-awareness.

For the duration of the run, Kirby essentially utilizes Bobby’s ice as an artistic outlet and convenient plot device. It’s apparent that Iceman can essentially create anything with his ice, and this intense versatility helps to push the story. From teleportation via water, to revitalizing an entire planet, the throughline of being naively wielding great power will continue to come up. As he gains abilities though he doesn’t always develop personally, which results in a character with too much power and too little motivation. It’s funny that this potential flaw could be due in part to Kirby and Lee simply having fun with their character, and the trend continuing.

Some of Bobby’s displays of strength are done when he himself is not even in control of his body. As outlined by Taylor Lancaster for Screen Rant, when Emma Frost inhabits Bobby’s body in Uncanny X-Men 314 she unlocks levels of the powers that were previously unknown. He’s embarrassed and upset after the realization that she immediately was able to master and utilize his own mutation better than he had any conceived.

This characteristic of lacking self introspection is expanded on by Brian Michael Bendis later on in reference to the character’s sexuality. It is a neat throughline to track, since Iceman will be woefully relegated to a banter-fueled powerhouse of a plot convenience for large stints of his publication.

Scott Summers aka Cyclops

The fourth member of the starting five falls into a similar pattern with the rest of being relatively well established. Though these are dated comics, and in some senses shallow, there is still an undeniable kernel for the character of Cyclops that is already present. Perhaps due to superhero comic’s tendencies to reset characters to their established base, Scott feels firmly on track to fulfill his future roles. Even today when the character has evolved ten times over, there is still a likely chance that any adaptation of the character will mirror the personality seen in these pages.

The first highlight of Cyclops is slight, and that is his mutant ability, and in some instances disability. Laser eyes themselves may be one of the most run of the mill power sets, right up there with angel wings. However Scott is unable to control his optic blasts, and that decision from the creators alone adds a lot of complexity to him. Throughout the issues, all of his teammates are ‘mastering’ their mutations and generally expanding their capabilities, but Scott is never able to do this.

Cyclops remains reliant on his glasses or visor lest he unleash destruction. It’s a simple setup, but for fans it works time and again. He has a rollercoaster of a story ahead of him, but the concept of having to be so careful all the time and never truly being in control remains as an undercurrent and terminal anxiety. Ironically being in control is exactly something that Cyclops is known for, again just not of himself.

Many times over Scott will be touted as a ‘natural leader’ and will consistently be handed the reins of the X-Men, at least in the field. On the other hand, the leader role will just as often be stripped from Scott and given to someone with more experience, capabilities, or trust from peers. It’s a mix of character developments and the ever present editorial pull to reset the original five, coming together to create a somber scenario.

When following Scott it adds a lot to know that he will go through so much, and he will ever so slowly change, but eventually he will become fleshed out, with relatable ideals and flaws alike. He has a much more explicit arc in long running comics than a lot of characters, even more so than his preceding teammates.

These issues see the birth of the golden boy, and he does ascend to be the official leader. Of course it is taken from him in the end, and he never is able to match his teammates in mastery and scope of their mutations. Scott Summers has a lot to learn, and his lessons will be much more enjoyable for the reader than to him.

Jean Grey aka Marvel Girl

The last and certainly least well written of the original five is unsurprisingly the only girl on the team, Jean Grey. Pretty and stereotypical, while Jean is initially introduced as almost a viewpoint character for the reader, she is quickly relegated to girl to pine after for each of her boy teammates. Marvel’s overall writing of women is a well known weakness in almost all eras of the company, due in large part to their refusal to hire them to write. Setting the more antiquated bits aside, there is plenty to be appreciated around the growth of Marvel Girl.

Much like her chilly teammate, Jean Grey’s powers will only grow and grow over the years, to the point she will serve as the ultimate plot convenience when written poorly. She will be able to do essentially anything that is needed to move the story, but that is still far in her future. To begin, she can only lift small objects for a short time, though over the course of these issues that drastically changes.

As early as issue six Jean is lifting Hank in the air, demonstrating a marked increase in power since her recruitment. This continues with her establishing a patented technique of defeating the super speedster, Quicksilver, by simply lifting and spinning him in the air. In the tenth issue Jean is able to disassemble and rebuild a rifle, and a couple of issues later she shows that she can lift herself off the ground, in the introductory battle against the Juggernaut.

The seventeenth issue gives the first indication that Jean’s mutant ability is akin to the likes of Magneto, meaning it can essentially do anything. In a rush to return to the mansion, she utilizes her telekinesis powers to run and leap over obstacles for miles, alongside Beast. It’s a unique usage that shows just how versatile being a telekinetic can be. Altogether her gradual growth is another early indicator of later significant developments. Dealing with immense power in all facets, physically, emotionally, morally, etc, will be a massive recurring theme for Jean. Besides her capabilities though, there is little beyond her basic relationships that will define her personality in the long run.

The Mutant Metaphor or Lack Thereof

For the original team, there are plenty of character points that are long running and get their start in the opening run. However the underlying thematic framing of the mutant metaphor is simply not present in the way it will be for the majority of the series. Applying the analogy of mutants to most any oppressed groups doesn’t really work beyond surface examination, and isn’t explored by the narrative.

Take for example the famously inaccurate casting of Professor Xavier as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Magneto as Malcolm X. At this point in the series, Magneto is a cartoonish, over the top villain who can only be rationalized as a deeply traumatized person. He does not have a cogent ideology and to relate him to any real world person is simply silly. Xavier and MLK though are a bit more comparable, but far from similar.

In the eyes of the public, Xavier is a non mutant expert on genetics, evolution, and human mutations. He advocates for assimilation and nonviolent compliance from the mutants, so they can integrate into society. MLK obviously never presented as a white man, and openly called for radical change and equality. Xavier is the white moderate, and anyone unaware of MLK’s opinion on the white moderate shouldn’t be.

Community of Freaks

Alongside the lack of metaphor, the story structure itself is distinct from that which will come to define the series. Long running plots, multiple threads weaving through each other, heaps of melodrama, and other staples of the X-Men universe are not seen in these issues. Instead and in line with the times, the stories are mostly self-contained, starting and wrapping up in a single issue or two. Though to say ‘story’ may be a bit of a stretch in some instances.

The experience of the first nineteen issues is not so much a singular narrative experience as it is a wild tour through a wacky corner of a wacky universe. Characters and concepts are introduced quickly and often, making the pace change depending on how thorough of a reader one is. There’s a lot of fluff in the dialogue, but also a lot of wit to make it worth it. At no point does there seem to be a logical endpoint, and through the whole run there is a palpable focus on building out the mutant community and filling its ranks. The universe feels poised to facilitate a much larger ensemble for a longer time than other superhero comics, with more of a focus on community and relationships.

Ironically it will be one of the few canceled comics started by Lee and Kirby a bit down the road, though when it comes back it will double down on pretty much all the melodrama and worldbuilding. It is genuinely impossible to gauge accurately how much of the heart of the X-Men comes from Lee and Kirby directly, or how much their work has inspired other creators on the title. While other authors will completely recontextualize it, these beginning issues lay the foundation for the community of muties that will attract readers for generations.

Y’all Seen This Jack Kirby Fella?

Very little feels as close to reinventing the wheel as analyzing and praising Jack Kirby’s artwork. It’s pure fun, but that’s no revelation. It’s remarkable how characters such as Magneto, Cyclops, Iceman, many of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants alongside others, are already iconically designed, and won’t have a ton of true changes in their looks for years. It is a bit disappointing and surprising that through all the many mutants introduced, they are consistently just normal looking dudes with powers. The costumes are more striking than any of the physical mutations that are introduced. There is surely some missed potential, given how the mutants will be portrayed later on it would have been interesting to see Kirby’s takes on some really radical looking mutants.

It’s clean, simple, and borderline tells the story itself. Some may feel it’s dated obviously given the limitations at the time, but honestly it holds up really well. The bold art even works pretty well when the comic is read on something as small as a phone. There is a real staying power to Kirby’s drawing that gives the issues lasting worth even in the modern context.

Graduating to Greater Things

They are the X-Men we know, not necessarily the ones we love. With less than twenty issues, Lee and Kirby leave a lot on the table. The heart of the series will captivate readers in masses, but that’s arguably not quite here. What is present is foundational groundwork that continues to influence the X-Men and the Marvel comics universe as a whole. Of course that is to be expected with these two creators, but nonetheless is impressive. While it may not resonate as strongly as it did once, the wit and pace of the story both in art and writing create a timeless good time.

Score: 65/100

Citation Station

The Cover Original Article

Emma Frost Proved Iceman's Powers Can Make Him a Mutant God, by Taylor Lancaster

Letter from Birmingham Jail, by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr

Marvel Comics: The Untold Story, by Sean Howe

X-Men, Issues 1-19

1-19 written by Stan Lee

1-17 art by Jack Kirby

12 art by Alex Toth

13-19 art by Werner Roth

#comics review #comics #marvel comics #marvel #book review #x men comics #book blog #books #review

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randomly--accessed--memories · 6 months ago

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Each cast member's relationship with Vox in RAM

Alastor – Alastor decided to break Vox on a whim. Seven years ago, during one of their fights, he managed to subdue Vox, which he'd never fully managed to do before; usually, they would fight to a stalemate or one of them would decide to make their escape before things could get really serious. With Vox at his mercy, Alastor found himself recalling a certain experiment he performed several years ago on the former overlord of the fashion industry. Alastor wanted to claim victory over Vox, make him suffer for his decades of insolence, and, most importantly, wind back the clock. Vox used to be his starry-eyed little protégé, hanging on his every word and doing exactly as he said. He missed that version of Vox (or rather, what that version did for him and his ego) and hated the crass, obnoxious megalomaniac he'd become. If that experiment had transformed Niffty into such a loyal, amusing thrall... why not try the same with Vox? Alastor took Vox into the basement of Vee Tower and did things to him that no one will ever know, broadcasting his screams to all of Pentagram City. Once he was satisfied with his work, he dumped Vox's mangled body in the lobby and completely vanished from the Pride Ring for seven years. He hoped that, whenever he returned, he'd find a Vox that was far more to his taste. And he got his wish. Or at least, he thought he did.

Alastor finds Vox's state quite amusing, and he derives a great deal of satisfaction from having such total control over him, but... he still misses the old Vox, in a way. Alastor enjoyed the challenge Vox used to pose. He enjoyed being able to banter with him. He enjoyed how, for 60 years, he and Vox perpetually feuded, but never truly defeated each other. This new version of Vox offers none of that. He's almost cloyingly docile with Alastor and absent-minded to the point of incompetence. There's only so long the novelty of watching his greatest rival reduced to a pathetic, feeble-minded wretch can last. Still, Alastor is unwilling to let Vox go. He's his toy now, and there might still be some fun to be had by dangling him over the Vees' heads until this nonsense with the hotel is finished.

Angel Dust – Angel's feelings about Vox are deeply complicated. He was one of the few non-overlords who knew that Vox was still alive and had lost his mind, due to his constant proximity to Val. Vox's condition was a constant source of rage, grief, and frustration for Valentino, and more often than not, he chose to take those feelings out on Angel. He wishes so badly that he could just ignore Vox or laugh at his suffering, but he can't. Seeing it up close every day isn't cathartic, it's just sad, and he hates that it makes him pity the man who happily enabled his abuser for decades on end. He'll never forgive Vox or become his friend, but, after several months at the hotel, he decides that he can at least be a better man than Vox ever was and not be needlessly cruel to him. Read more here.

Charlie – Vox grows to really like Charlie (just like everyone else tbh). She's just so endlessly patient and kind; she always treats Vox with respect and understanding, which makes him very eager to please her. If she sets him a task, whether it's related to hotel maintenance or the redemption activities, he'll try his best to do it right– and if he fucks up, he'll attempt to make it up to her somehow, even if his methods are kind of... extreme (Accidentally fried the hotel TV? Time to go steal a new one!). They're not super close friends, but there's a lot of affection between them.

Cherri Bomb – Cherri is unsympathetic to Vox once she finally meets him. She's not willing to forgive him for what he helped put Angel through for all those years and tries to get Angel to laugh with her about how he got what he deserved. As much as he'd like to, Angel can't bring himself to laugh along. She'd probably be the hotel resident most willing to mock or prank him (other than Alastor) once she moves in, but we'll see what happens in season two.

Husk – Husk does his absolute best to never exchange words with Vox unless there is literally no other option. Vox scares the shit out of him. It'd be one thing if Niffty was just a one-off– maybe something went wrong with her during Alastor's usual overlord-murder routine and he just decided to roll with it– but seeing explicit confirmation that, no, this is something Alastor can and will do to people just for shits and giggles is terrifying. Husk has no love in his heart for Vox as a person, but watching Alastor puppet him around and utterly rob him of his dignity makes Husk fear and hate Al all the more. If Husk steps too far out of line, what's to stop Alastor from doing the same thing to him, someone he actually has under contract and who no longer has access to the power that Vox and Niffty had when they were broken?

Lucifer – Vox has an ongoing delusion that Lucifer is one of his old bosses from his human life. He's constantly sucking up to him, trying to earn his approval so he'll finally give him that promotion he's been after. Lucifer finds this situation fun and plays along. He's not malicious about it– he genuinely just enjoys putting on a show and doesn't think it's doing Vox any harm. He may or may not care about who Vox used to be; if he does care, it's only in the context that Alastor is capable of doing this to his fellow sinners, and that's all the more reason not to let him continue to manipulate Charlie.

Niffty – Vox and Niffty instantly click. They're from the same time period and are both in similar mental states, so they get each other on a level no one else in the hotel can. Alastor specifically fucked with Vox's mind to make him more amenable to retro culture, so Niffty's 1950s sensibilities immediately make him feel at home with her. She's also the only one in the hotel who isn't even remotely bothered by his cognitive issues. Vox forgets what he's talking about halfway through a conversation and tries to leave to do something else? Niffty will come along happily, regardless of what they were originally doing. Vox fries electronics or shocks her by accident? Yay, pain! And now there's a mess for her to clean up! They just adore each other. Neither of them is cognizant enough to realize that they're both ex-overlords in the exact same situation– they just "naturally" get along completely separate from that. They're one hell of a double act, causing problems without realizing it and occasionally calming down enough to have sweet, quiet moments together. Out of everyone in the hotel, Vox will miss Niffty the most once he finally goes back to Vee Tower.

Sir Pentious – Pentious is sent by the Vees to infiltrate the hotel and report back on how Vox is doing, as well as if the hotel has any vulnerabilities that they can exploit in order to rescue him. He isn't caught quite as quickly as he is in the main verse and instead choses to defect from the Vees after a few months due to how willing they are to kill everyone in the hotel as soon as they get Vox back. Pentious used to look up to Vox as one of the most powerful overlords in Hell and is caught off-guard by the state he's now in. Even as Pentious is playing double agent, he finds himself becoming very attached to the hotel and its residents, including Vox himself. Vox is supposed to be the hotel handyman, but he ends up breaking things more often than he fixes them due to his short attention span and volatile powers. Pentious finds himself helping Vox with his job more and more often; he has a lot of experience with wrangling mentally not-all-there people (or eggs, in his case) into successfully completing complex tasks, after all. Vox ends up liking Pentious a lot; they talk about mechanical stuff and Vox finds Pentious' big personality funny and interesting and attention-grabbing. They strike up a pretty sweet little friendship, which gives Pentious a bit of an ego boost that an ex-overlord likes him enough to consistently want to spend time with him. And at no point does Vox ever feel compelled to scream at Pentious to kill himself. Read more here.

Vaggie – Vaggie mostly kept her distance from Vox for the first six months at the hotel, like she did with most of the other residents. She doesn't trust easily, so it takes a while for her to open herself up to people. She sort of mentally filed Vox under the same category as Niffty: Erratic weirdos who Alastor brought to the hotel for God knows what reason, but who don't seem to be malicious. She struggled a lot with being patient with him and dealing with his destructive fits though. Her first instinct is to attack when threatened, so Charlie often had to get in between the two of them whenever Vox started losing control. Eventually, Vaggie starts picking up on the fact that something is off about Vox and Alastor's "friendship." Once she learns what happened to Vox, she finds herself empathizing with him quite a bit; she knows how it feels to be blindsided and left to rebuild your life from nothing, as well as what it's like to be an ex-monster hiding in plain sight.

Valentino – Valentino has not been doing well these past seven years. He was never known as an overlord with an abundance of self-control, but any he may have once had has gone completely out the window. He simply does not know how to deal with his emotions, so instead, he takes them out on everyone and everything around him, including himself. His reputation for needless violence towards his workers has grown exponentially every year since Vox's encounter with Alastor. He constantly starts totally unnecessary fights with other overlords and wannabe overlords just to give himself an outlet for his anger. He's abusing his body in a manner he hasn't done since he was alive and is doing so with increasing frequency. He's become a rabid dog that everyone in Hell knows needs to be put down, but no one can manage it because he and Velvette have become so powerful in Vox's absence.

But for some reason that even he can't understand, Val leaves most of that anger at the door when he goes into Vox's quarters to make sure he isn't driving his claws through his screen, or curled up in the corner of the room, screaming at memories from decades ago, or simply catatonic, unwilling or unable to move or speak. He becomes something that he never– not in a million, billion years– would've ever thought himself capable of being: a caregiver. A shitty one, probably, but a caregiver, nonetheless. He'll do his best to calm Vox down during his bad spells and, amazingly, manages not to retaliate when Vox lashes out at him. He'll try to provide what little comfort he can when it seems as though Vox is about to shatter into a million pieces. He somehow finds it within himself to be patient when Vox can't recognize him and asks the same questions over and over and over again. And never– not even once– has he been tempted to take advantage of Vox's vulnerable state. Why?! Preying on vulnerable people is his entire identity! Val cannot understand why– if he can't bring himself to take advantage of this weak, pitiful version of Vox– he doesn't just go back to his room, retrieve his angelic bullets, and put Vox out of his misery already. But he doesn't want to. Not really. Vox is his. And no matter what, he always will be.

Velvette – Velvette always considered herself "the backbone of the Vees." Well, now no one can deny that fact and she's infinitely less satisfied with her afterlife because of it. After it became clear that Vox was not going to recover, she took over his old position as CEO of VoxTek (now VTek). She'd always idly coveted Vox's power, but now that she has it, she's utterly overwhelmed. Between running both her and Vox's businesses, caring for a Vox who doesn't even recognize her most days, and having to deal with Valentino's self-destructive spiraling, she's simply spread too thin. Vox's situation on its own is so deeply emotionally draining, it's a miracle she still has energy to run the company. She knows she can't falter though, even for a minute. Everything, from her own power to Vox's personal wellbeing, is hanging on her ability to project strength and carry on like nothing's wrong. And on top of all that, none of the other overlords or the public in general give her the respect she deserves. They see her as a nepo baby who inherited the bulk of her empire from a man too arrogant to realize that sharing power is not generally considered a respectable strategy in Hell. It almost makes her as angry as Val, although she makes an effort to actually control that anger or at least put it towards something productive.

She never realized how much she loved Vox until she essentially lost him. She knew she had a good bit of affection for him, but she never would've anticipated that she'd be willing to go to such lengths for him. She's not a patient person, but she finds herself becoming one with Vox. She'll play along with his delusions if that's what he needs from her that day (even that horrible, gut-wrenching one where he thinks she's his seven-year-old, human daughter). She'll make whatever accommodations to the tower that are needed in order to keep him safe and as happy as he possibly can be, no matter how much they cost. She'll shout Val down when he reaches his breaking point and nearly lashes out at Vox, and then turn around and offer whatever comfort Val will accept when he breaks down over losing the only person he ever loved. The urge to be kind makes her skin crawl– she fully committed to becoming the most callous, impudent, self-serving version of herself years ago (with Vox's own guidance!)– and it makes her feel weak to love this deeply, but... she'll never stop. Not until all three of them are banished to the bottomless pits of Purgatory.

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wannabedjs · 8 months ago

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1983

Epic year for my music .A number of releases this year that set the format for “college radio”. You got REM, violent femmes, U2, new order, X, Billy idol, tears for fears, eurythmics, talking heads

A banner year for Pop music. Thriller got released late 1982, so that was a mainstay,then in 83’ a 24 y/o New Yorker named Madonna released her self titled debut album, Lionel Richie with a record that had five top 10 hits, Billy Joel- his top record-innocent man, U2, journey

Rock ‘n’ roll was more 60s rockin than 80s synth rock. x, quiet riot, ZZ Top, David Bowie, the police, Genesis, U2, Rolling Stones, motley Crew, and Def Leppard starting the hair metal bands.

And got some hard ass punk rock with acts like Bad Brains & Suicidal Tendencies…ALL I WANTED IS A PEPSI!!!!

Still fresh 40 years later

- [ ] Violent Femmes - ROY..recall being a freshman(1988) in high school and hearing Blister in the Sun for the 1st time. One of those music memories that easily outduels Alzheimer’s Disease

- [ ] Talking heads- their seminal release Speaking In Tongues

- [ ] Madonna - self titled. This record changed pop music . You got thriller released late 82 & then madonna in summer of 83 with 4-5 sure 🔥 hits.

- [ ] REM: Murmur. Debut which may be one of my fav REM records. 80s REM>>>90s REM

- [ ] John mellencamp- uh huh!! Has 4-5 classic American songs. Jackie O is a subtle highlight

- [ ] Bowie- let’s dance. Post Berlin trio, it’s Bowie crossing to middle America with songs like Let’s Dance and Modern Love..Stevie ray vaughn and Niles Rogers on guitars

- [ ] ZZ Top - eliminator. Straight up blues Texas rock.

- [ ] U2: War - full on rock n roll masterpiece with guitar driven politically charged songs.

- [ ] U2: Under the Bloody Red Sky- introduced Red Rocks to the world outside of CO. A truly majestic place that hosted the greatest over the decades. More on red rocks during 2013 year in review

- [ ] Genesis - genesis. Departing the DnD world of prog rock I believe made them better artists. Def richer ($$$) ones. Mama, illegal alien, That’s All…HITS!

- [ ] The Police: Synchronicity (A&M). Don’t know if ever listened to it cover to cover . The 4 hits off the record are all back to back midway through the record. Murder By Numbers a great last song.

Revisits and new finds

- [ ] ESG- come away with ESG. Damn! This sounds like a 2024 Z-ster release that would get a 8.5+ on pitchfork. 80s club music (find of the year)

- [ ] Cure - Japanese Whispers. An early-ish release w a couple solid goth/synth tracks

- [ ] Liquid liquid - tremendous! Funk, punk, hip hop. Contains the “Cavern” the original white lines

- [ ] Replacements -hootennanny. Lots of noise between a few good tracks. Sounds like they just recorded everything they did and put it out in this record

- [ ] Keith Jarrett - standards Vol 1. Trio s dejenette and Peacok. Got bias here. I’m a big Keith Jarrett fan & this is one have the best trios of all time and jazz, in my opinion.

- [ ] Def leopard - pyromaniac ..gotta give it props for 3 solid rocking songs (foolin, Rock of Ages, Photograph

- [ ] Lionel Richie- can’t deny the power of his pop R&B. 5/8 songs were top 10 hits

Random and Wierd shit!!!

- [ ] Lou reed. Finding out he just explains his daily life in NYC ..in song fashion. He’s got 30+ records over 30ish years. High Quantity will even lead to a low to moderate sum of quality.

- [ ] Daniel Johnston - hi how are you. Like WTF?!?!

- [ ] Rolling Stones - undercover. One of the stones worst albums. Though I’m not a stones fan. Title track only one worth a dime

- [ ] Billy Joel- innocent man. Pop stuff is good, doo wap 50s stuff is 💩 doo doo

Didn’t get to:

- [ ] X: More Fun in the New World (Elektra)

- [ ] Richard Thompson: Hand of Kindness (Hannibal)

- [ ] Eurythmics

- [ ] Billy idol- renal yell

- [ ] Yazoo- you me

- [ ] Bad brains - rock for light

- [ ] Quiet riot - mental health

- [ ] Tears for fears

- [ ] The fall-

- [ ] Omd

- [ ] Earth wind fire -electric universe

#1983 #best in music #year end review

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