#it's super interesting with what we know now that even Mattel still thought these were going to be Target exclusive as late as July 2019

[tippenfunkaport]

I'll never not be mad at Target and Mattel for how badly they botched the rollout of this toyline, but please look at these adorable pictures of ND Stevenson and the voice actors seeing the dolls for the very first time!

[apocalypse3dx]

The FTC thinks YOU are a Child

Y'all ready for the rant of the month, well strap in, because here it comes! Apparently, due to some shady business tactics, used by certain YouTube Channels who were clearly pushing products aimed at children while pretending to be an unbiased review (the channels, I believe, where operated by the product manufacturers themselves but they paid a child presenter to host the channel and the review) Google/YouTube lost a $170,000,000 law suit to the FTC, because YouTube gathers analytic data on YouTube views, and thus illegally gathered data about minors without their parents consent and provided targeted advertisements and links (these only apply if you DO NOT use the YouTube Kids app/page, so for fucks sake, if you have kids who watch YouTube, have them use the kid friendly version!) Why am I so pissed about it? Because due to this whole issue YouTube and FTC are ganging up to start punishing any YouTube Channel that provides what they call "Child Attractive" content. So let's say you make a video about how you found your old G.I. Joe Mobile Battle Platform, or your original 1980's Barbie Dreamhouse, in your attic and how much you loved it as a kid, or how much it sucks in hind sight, if YouTube or the FTC flags your video or channel, you will no longer get Recommended to other viewers, you cannot earn ad revenue, viewers cannot leave comments, you may be banned from hosting live-streams, your video will not show up in searches... Essentially, your video is dead, and possibly your channel to. So if you've spent the last 10 years building a YouTube channel based on retro toys, comics,adult collectibles, etc. until it becomes so popular that it becomes your career, you're screwed. And it gets worse, if the FTC decides that a video/videos are in violation of the COPPA Act (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act) then YOU (not YouTube, YOU the video creator) face a fine of $42,000 per video... Are they insane?! Why should you care? Well, That's a good question Skippy, I'm glad you asked... Maybe you don't have or want a YouTube Channel... Maybe you think it's a silly way for an adult to make a living (well aren't you a ray of sunshine?!) Doesn't matter, from New Years onward, if you watch a video related to toys, vintage toys, actions figures, collectibles, Barbie, dollhouses, cartoons, etc. then YouTube, and the Federal Trade Commission will assume that YOU are a CHILD!If it wasn't bad enough your parents or co-workers judging you, now the Government has decided that no adult human being could possibly like cartoons (despite the four most popular animated TV shows of the last three decades all carrying a TV-MA rating), or Toys (Except half of all Hasbro and Mattel's business coming from adult collectibles),or Video Games (come on, do I even have to say it? GTA, Fallout, Assassin's Creed, BioShock all rated M for Mature) or comics (have you even tried to read a comic book in the last two decades? It's like a soap opera with super powers)! No YOU MUST BE A CHILD! Well to that I say... FUCK YOU FTC!!! Fuck you... Now as it happens, several of my favorite YouTube Channels deal with either vintage toys and cartoons from the 1970's and 80's or collectible action figures. These channels, like RetroBlasting, Toy Paloy, Toy Galaxy, Pixel Dan, etc., do not cater to kids, and never have. Half of them wouldn't really interest anyone under 25. But they are in the cross hairs with any other channel that talks about toys, and it's ridiculous. And what's scarier is that once channels like this are purged (more then a few YouTube creators have already jumped ship) there with still be kids on YouTube. Kids in need of something to watch, and Google is still gathering data... so in 6 months, we're gonna have to go through all of this again, except this time it could be Video Game reviews and Lore videos on the chopping block (If they take down Oxhorn, so help me, I'll riot!!!) or videos about things like 'Weird stuff you never noticed in classic cartoons" or "Details Disney didn't want you to see", and channels like Dorkly, What Culture, Looper, Nerdist, etc. are gone... But the kids will still be looking for something to watch... You get me? Marvel and the Avengers, Star Wars, Star Trek, Transformers,GI JOE, He-Man, MASK, The X-Men, My Little Pony, Strawberry Shortcake, ThunderCats, Silver Hawks... pretty much anything my generation grew up with (And pretty much ANYTHING ever mentioned on an episode of Robot Chicken) is in danger of becoming a 'buzz word' that will get a content creator in trouble for talking about it! Then what are we supposed to talk about, THE FUCKING WEATHER?! Well,(and it goes without saying, but all of this only applies to folks in the US) you can tell the FTC to fix the problem instead of blindly groping for a bandaid... The FTC has asked for comments on the matter (a sign that they KNOW this ain't gonna work) so you can go here to leave a comment or suggestion https://www.regulations.gov/comment?D=FTC-2019-0054-0001 Check Out this RetroBlasting Video for info on what to do about it!

Or you can check out this video by Retroblasting (in fact, if you grew up in the 80's check them out anyway) where Mike, one of the owners, explains the problem, and has links to a form letter you can send in (saves you from having to type a page full of "fuck off, fuck off, fuck off" and it was composed by a Media Lawyer. So it may actual get through to them... Either way, I suggest you do something, we've already had a ton of creators (adult artists mind you) get kicked off of Blogspot and then Tumblr because we got lumped in with perverts and pedos, now even lovers of old toys and cartoons aren't safe because the government has no problem making sweeping generalizations. Companies and even the government need to learn that the way to solve online problems is not to over react and punish everyone in sight (isn't that the online equivalent of saying "we all look alike"?) but to come up with a well thought out and reasonable response that actually addresses the matter at hand. Thanks for reading this far, Stay Classy Tumblr!

[everafterrebel]

DC Superhero Girls 2019 Bumble Bee Doll Review

Hi all! I thought I’d do a review of the new line of DCSG’s dolls. I per-ordered all 7 new dolls several months ago, and they were suppose to come out June 1st, but seeing how there were no new pictures of them anywhere online and the Amazon listing that I had used to order them in the first place kept saying they were unavailable I wasn’t sure if I was actually going to receive them or if the release date was pushed back and they just never updated their listing; but nope! Here’s Bumble Bee! Almost 2 weeks late, but at least she came. My account was charged for the other 6 dolls as well, and I’ll try to do a review on them when they finally show up. (That could be another week or two...)

But anyway, Let’s get to it:

Here we’ve got the back of her box, featuring a very short blurb about Bumble Bee/Karen Bleecher and the rest of the dolls in “wave 1″.

Here she is straight out of her box with everything she comes with; just the doll, which tbh I kind of figured she wouldn’t come with anything else.

Now we have her back side straight out of the box.

Both her wings can rotate 360 degrees and they have sparkles inside the plastic. They can’t be removed.

The googles on her mask can move up and down. Her helmet is kept in place with plastic ties and clear rubber bands which obviously weren’t put on straight as her mask is crooked. You could probably get it to fit better if you undid the ties, but I’m not going to.

In this closeup of her face you can see that her-right/our-left eye has some very noticeable paint smudges; there is a black mark coming out from the middle of her eye and some white paint off to the side of her eye as well as her-left/our-right eye having some green paint running down her face. With three decently sized defects on the face of the doll it’s a wonder how she made it through quality control. Seeing how this is the first doll to arrive and thus my first impression of the line this is not a great way to start. If you’re really picky about these types of things I’d recommend waiting to try and find them in stores and hopefully they’re not all this bad.

Otherwise, she does have a pretty face.

Her hair is a mix of brown, lighter brown and electric yellow streaks. It looks like it has a slight wave, but that’s probably just from being in the box. I doubt they attempted to actually give their only curly haired doll, curly hair.

Her boots can come off to reveal her super tiny feet. She can stand on her own while wearing the boots, but not without them. Her feet aren’t perfectly flat and to have a slight incline. (She could wear the world’s shortest heels.)

Her “gantlets” can be removed too, to show that she does have wrist articulation. I’m not sure if her hands are suppose to be removable or not, she doesn’t come with instructions and the box didn’t say you could remove them, so I’m not going to risk it. Her wrist joints are actually pretty good. It’s a shame that she didn’t have elbows or knees. She also has one molded “gripped” hand and one “free” hand. Gen 1 Bumble Bee had this hand set too and I’m not sure why because neither of them come with anything to hold.

Her outfit is made out of REALLY CHEAP feeling material. I’m not an expert on identifying fabric, so I have no idea what it’s called but it feels like the type of material you would find on a dollar store or bootleg doll.

Her outfit can be removed to show her skin colored torso. Unlike the Gen 1 dolls, the Gen 2 dolls (or at least Bumble Bee) don’t seem have molded on underwear.

Her outfit has two Velcros in the back with a hole for her wings.

Just for fun, here we have my Gen 1 Bumble Bee next to Gen 2 Bumble Bee. Gen 1 is quite a bit taller than Gen 2, as well as having painted accessories, a full outfit, full articulation, a student ID card........

Now here’s a side by side of their faces. You can tell that Gen 1 was going for a much more realistic look, while Gen 2 went for a more cartoonish style. I have to admit that I prefer Gen 2′s lip color.

I’m not quite sure if you can tell from these pictures, but Gen 1 is actually a few shades darker than Gen 2 which was something I was wondering about given how Gen 2 Bumble Bee is lighter in the show than Gen 1 is, so I was wondering if it transferred over to the dolls, which it did.

I was also wondering about the differences in their hair, they both have a mix of brown and lighter brown hair but as you can see Gen 1 Bumble Bee doesn’t have the additional electric yellow streaks. Also while her hair isn’t super curly, Gen 1′s doll at least put some effort into giving us the curl that the character has in all other forms of media, unlike Gen 2 which put in no effort what so ever to get her hair looking anywhere close to the way it looks in all other forms of media that she is in, including the box art of this very doll.

BFFs ♥

In the end, she was only 10$ and if she had a better face paint and actual curls, I’d be ok with it. As it stands however, I don’t know if I’d recommend her. It feels like Mattel just tried to do the bare minimum, and couldn’t even do that given the fact that they thought it was ok to send customers products with very visible paint defects; and if you add on the fact that Gen 1 Bumble Bee was retailing for only 3-5$ more and has curls, painted accessories, good quality fabric clothing, a removable wing backpack, full articulation (plus she has that “athletic” muscular body) and adding on the fact that I also bought my Gen 1 Bumble Bee online and she has no visible paint defects... I’d honestly recommend that you try to pick up one of her instead while you still can if you’re interested in a Bumble Bee doll. She’s going for under 15$ right now on Amazon.

[kurojishiyo]

I just wanted to talk about Voltron Force in some way

You know what? I’m going to make a separate post for my actual opinions and “reasons to watch Voltron Force” BUT I’m not a good writer. I don’t know exactly how to articulate words well enough to really capture my opinion, but I can definitely throw in some research in that can give context and maybe some trivia for you to really appreciate the series.

I made this blog because I wanted to talk about weird quirky facts about the franchise because (to me, because I get hyperfixated on the stupidest shit) it’s actually quite interesting.

Before the show actually aired

So this all technically started way before 2011 when the series even aired. I can stretch this back to Voltron: The Third Dimension, but that’d be too much. I’ll start with the Devil’s Due comic which launched in 2003.

The Devil’s Due comics are significant. They are the first true reboot of the Defender of The Universe franchise, whereas Third Dimension (VTTD) before it served as a sequel to the 1984 show. The changes it did bring over evidently influenced future entries in the Voltron franchise.

One thing to thank the Devil’s Due comics is cementing that Keith is definitely not white. In the comics he’s Japanese and Chinese mixed, and even adopting his surname from his original Golion counterpart, Kogane, albeit mispronounced constantly.  The Dynamite comics that came after would retain this, whereas Voltron Force would make him more ambiguous and give him darker skin.

Like many things in Voltron: Devil’s Due would be cut short, with its third arc being rushed, and having its final chapters only published in a mass omnibus (which got many pages out of order grrr). Though before the omnibus’ release, WEP (the IP owners of Voltron) would partner up with animation company Kickstart Productions to work on a new Voltron series as early as 2005. Kickstart would provide an animation test based on the Devil’s Due comics.

Again, things get blurry from here in terms of how development actually rolled out. Between this time to when VF actually aired, Super Robot Wars W would have Golion make a debut in the game, where they clearly credit Toei as the copyright holder, and a year later there would be a legal dispute between WEP and Toei over the legal rights as the movie was in development (important). 2010 was when the rights were settled, and that marked just the right time to make a new show.

(From EJ Su’s DeviantART)

Kickstart was busy developing the series along with Classic Media’s help. The series was initially pitched as Panthera Force. Again, many characteristics of the Devil’s Due comics would leave their mark on VF, even having EJ Su, the main artist of the second volume of the comics (and his art still holds up really well to this day might I add), would help in developing concept art for the show.

Panthera Force was initially pitched to center on new pilots being the main focus of the show, with the original crew being the mentors. Of course, as we all know they only kept three of the proposed five characters, Daniel, Vince, and Larmina. The two that didn’t make it were Imam and Bruno, a reformed Drule and an actual fucking lion respectively. Again, we can only make guesses as to why they scrapped the other two new characters, maybe it would be a chore juggling five old pilots, five new pilots, and the villains all together. Maybe they had a personal attachment towards the original cast or they’re worried about the current fanbase that loves them. I wouldn’t know, I don’t work for WEP or Kickstart.

Oh also… here is where Mattel comes in.

Spoilers: Voltron Force got cancelled

Okay so we all know the story: Voltron Force only had one season and it was cancelled. The official reason is that they simply did not have the budget to continue it as a show, and instead continued the series through its comics… which were intended to release alongside a season 2 of the show.

But I’m here to talk about why there was no funding. I think it’s incredibly easy to simply pin the blame on the fact that it had to do with few people liking it thus low ratings. And yes, that does make up part of it, but I believe that it’s actually more of a symptom than an actual cause.

So remember when I said that WEP and Toei had a legal dispute over the franchise right because of the movie being in production? While multiple companies had a bidding war over who would get the production rights to the movie, Mattel would partner up with WEP for the Voltron toy license in anticipation of the movie being made.

And yes I know a lot of you don’t care about the toys, but we have to realize the nature of the relationship with toy sales and show funding. It’s an unfortunate model that has resulted in the demise of many shows not making it because of lackluster toy sales. But here’s the thing: Voltron Force is a toy commercial for toys… that don’t exist…

Mattel would test the waters with the Voltron license by making toys of the classic robot in their Matty Collector line to mixed reception. We do know that they made prototypes of Voltron Force toys but they sadly never came to be, as Mattel cancelled their partnership with WEP seeing as the movie was never made. There is no point in keeping a license that isn’t making you money, and no movie definitely cemented that. What could have been major funding for the TV show was now lost.

Now as for the ratings; again it would be extremely easy to blame it all on people just not liking it, and yeah that may be a factor, but I think something worth pointing out is what channel it aired on: Nicktoons. From what I’ve been told, Nicktoons has a reputation in which cartoons move from the main channel to there as a way of “killing them”. Certain shows would see that cycle where they would be moved over to Nicktoons shortly before they’re cancelled.

Voltron Force had a lot going against it, and even the actual show does have its budget restraints very visible. Having budget cuts and low viewership continued rubbing salt in the wound. We have to remember that this was before Dreamworks came into the picture. It would just make sense to scrap everything before and work on something new now that a reputable animation company is in charge.

However, Voltron Force would continue through its Viz comic line. To reiterate, these comics were intended to release while a second season would air. But an actual continuation to show’s cliffhanger would be in the 30th Anniversary book.

(for some reason the Voltron Force comics also keeps how the show inserts unfitting DOTU styled artwork in the background)

Final thoughts

There’s something very sad writing about this. Sure Voltron Force’s cancellation isn’t as scandalous as theorizing about what really happened with VLD’s production, but overall I can see that there was a lot of potential for what could have been. Of course there are a lot of things that aren’t executed in the best way, and the most visible is the art style which is the easiest to judge at a single glance.

But you really have to admire that there were people that really wanted to make a Voltron for the new generation, and we have to realize that many resources simply weren’t there for them to make that task easier. Sometimes I say that Voltron Force was simply made during a very difficult time, and as it went through an era of companies backing in and out on Voltron’s involvement, everything ironed out for VLD to come in to a bigger fanfare.

[baehkhun]

Cosplay Models

Need to buy X-Males t-shirts online? Whether you will have a love for The Avengers, Incredible Four, Thor, or X-Males there are a lot or t-shirts and different merchandise to personal. My childhood included a love for 60s and 70s Marvel and DC comics, and my capacity to draw originates partly from studying the stories I read in these days. We worked for a year collectively on the piece to plan and draw it. Toy corporations like Hasbro and Kenner used to supply thousands of Batman motion figure than is launched yearly with some variation in it. Transformers 2, the science-fiction movie is the latest sensation, and is essentially the most awaited film of the year. Let's take the movie Avatar for instance. From time to time I went back to the sport to take a couple of extra screenshots to extend a plot. Within a few minutes, I started making comedian strips. Not like his different comic strips, in Battling Boy, the hero is a kid, who's on a mission to save the town.

In reality, the opposite series of battling boy turned fashionable. To conclude on this matter, I think it's an important thought to give our kids the funny comics created approach-again-when, comics from your and my childhood. To read a narrative in adventurous manner is quite exciting for all the kids. You've to beat the limitations of speech bubbles and the issue of telling a narrative body by frame. Admit it you have! I’m sure you've heard this standard online store. Since Youngsters's Graphic Novels are really simply an old thought with a fancy new title, why shouldn't you discover taking old profitable comicbook concepts and reinventing them for a new era? The concept was to convey the same which means with phrases that I steered by means of colors, textures and pictures. Popular Online Comics solidify a that means of a word because footage help which means to words. The nomination was a serious achievement for an artist who had - fairly literally -started out small, drawing Post-it note sized comics and hiding them in different people’s work in bookshops. The first comedian strips appeared in Germany in 1865. It was about two boys who're getting punished for at all times entering into mischief.

Furthermore, if we're trustworthy with ourselves, we all know that a number of mischief is downright funny. Why are outdated coins price greater than at this time's coins? Full collections will fetch too much more than random particular person comics. Our goal is to present our readers an excellent piece of entertaining and educational comics on which is able to grow up not one of the longer term generations. These blockbuster films plays an important role within the comeback of comics. Individuals who want to cherish their childhood recollections with the comics; they can easily find cheap comics to start their comic collection. In this present day of "I would like the newest and latest," we really find that some of the actual treasures are things of previous. Comedian books are detailed tales. Apart from conventions, yard gross sales and used ebook stores can also be extraordinarily cost effective sources for collectible comic books. A comic e-book adaption in addition to a novel publication is being carried out for the movie's promotion. That assumption is unsuitable and is an insult to the whole comedian book neighborhood.

These comedian guides provide you with the kind of knowledge you want like where to get the uncommon and helpful comics and the place you will get first situation comics as effectively as the again subject ones as nicely. By promoting and buying and selling comics you will be there were the art work is most enjoyed and valued. Moreover, that is where you get the meet fellow fans and catch up on the newest within the comedian books world; information that may prove invaluable. Some comic books editions are collector's items and if preserved in mint quality situation. Books are limited because the reader cannot physically see what the author envisions. Are those behaviors to be condoned? Eyes develop into circles or dots, mouths are lowered to curved strains, and noses or feet are triangles. Get the most recent news. Those who already consider large abilities of our web site, confess that it is admittedly the most convenient and simple approach to be in contact with the latest innovations of the world of comics.

Properly aware of the advantages that come from reading comics. Which Marvel comics do you have to learn before (or after) Captain Marvel? Repetition. Go back to your DC Titans every day newspaper and look at the comics’ web page. The cartoonist is utilizing repetition to identify the character. Due to this fact, we could say that it has nothing to do with a altering trends, whatever is new and trendy, photo to pop artwork print stays within the midst of its identified usability in subject of artwork. I seemed, and there before me was a pale horse! There actually is one thing for everybody. Cosplay additionally means costume play and the fans often come to the comedian conventions dressed in costumes. Eight delectable Expansions that adopted added to the joy of the sport play. Then by all means, use it. Through the use of these exaggerations, it doesn’t matter what different particulars I include. The possessed doll first hit the screens within the 1988 horror basic 'Child's Play'. Corey Haim, the lead of the original horror film, and Corey Feldman, the two Coreys, reprise their original roles. However, in 2003 Hasbro would relinquish control to Batman's rights to Mattel. You also get preferential remedy in some cases and entry to special occasions and performances.

Best Walking Dead Collectible Action Figures and Graphic Novels The Amazing Spider-Man hasn't been considered one of the most popular super heroes. I tend to be of your Batman and Wolverine sort of guy myself. However, I can't sell Spidey short when talking about his history successful summer blockbusters. He's been in some hits which are considered to be thousands of comic movies ever. The next work for balance box office glory from Spider-Man is reboot and yes it stars a new cast which has a somewhat familiar story. Only time will tell how whether or not this can live up to past glory of their predecessors.

First some definitions, specifically just what comic, a graphic novel, along with a Manga. A comic can be a format to provide a medium, within our case a tale. A graphic novel is only a longer comic. However, parents often get concerned once they hear graphic novel, mistakenly thinking it's got something to do with graphic such as inappropriate adult material. Graphic in our case merely means art. Graphic novels are certainly not a genre boost the local tissue. There are graphic fiction, graphic nonfiction, graphic mysteries, you get the idea. Finally, Manga is a Japanese term for their comic medium which enable it to be quite fun for kids since it reads from right to left. Kids often love this given that they can easily conform to the format but their parents generally battle to read them. Loki, he in the golden horns who had earlier made life difficult for Thor inside movie Thor, runs a pact having an unknown race, an alien race, may help him extract his revenge, if he opens a portal for them to attack Earth. Loki does what he could be told, and steals the Tessaracat (a McGruber if there ever was one), and opens a portal for your other world to fight Earth. Loki steals the Tessaract, requires a band of scientists and Hawkeye under his command, and opens a portal that literally brings the aliens onto Earth.

But as companies use digital comics to reach new potential markets, will the entire process of comic writing and drawing should evolve at the same time? Until now, the phrase "digital comic" has often been employed to describe a print product scanned right into a computer. Even webcomics, which are released digitally, in many cases are designed specifically to be gathered into print editions; in fact, this is often the goal of webcomic creators, since the digital versions are free. But a lot more creators are coming up with truly digital comics, involving screen technology to see stories in a manner that print cannot. Will this customize the convention of writing monthly comic scripts with twenty-two pages of content? Or will storytelling chapters be broken into shorter or longer sections, with corresponding changes in release schedules? And will these creators still try to collect their stories into print versions, knowing some of the storytelling itself is going to be lost from the conversion to print? Stay tuned, the subsequent couple years should provide some interesting new answers.

Owning and paying attention to a radio or perhaps a radiogram would be a wonderful experience, particularly when it turned out capable to grab stations from around the globe. The fact that they crackled and were packed with a number of interfering noises simply didn't matter at all. Of course, there were no such thing as television with an alternative source of information.

[artificialqueens]

Hi, I'm The Emotionally Repressed Girl Who Ran From Her Latent Homosexual Feelings for Ten Years, Trixie Mattel! (Trixya) - Iris

Hi, Hello, Good day, friends!

I… don’t know what the fUCK I’m doing. But that’s okay because I love Trixya, and I’m willing to do anything for them!

Well, okay, like I said it’s my first try at actually writing and publishing a fic, so I’m bearing my soul(my soul is comprised of Trixya obvi) and hoping y'all enjoy this as much as I do. Constructive criticism is very much appreciated! This is a pretty indulgent fic for me, and it’ll primarily focus on the nine years prior to the first chapter! Lots of soft!Trixya moments tbh. They perform Rocky Horror with all your favorite queens(including the OG Queen herself), and honestly, I’m just excited to write it for you lovely guys, gals, and nonbinary pals! I really hope you enjoy yourselves and don’t hate me for the angst that is to inevitably come!m Say hello to me at @wewouldbeheroes on Tumblr! I’d really appreciate the company!

Chapter 1: Fishnet Stockings, High Boots, & Delicate Conversation in Present December

Snow danced in the mid-December air as Trixie urgently walked down the cultural district of Boston, her hands shoved in the pockets of the long-coat that she borrowed from her mom. She was shivering and trying to remind herself why she thought a damn dress was a good idea for this climate. The air whipped under her skirt, and her teeth clattered for the third time in the last ten minutes. She was already exhausted, and the cold wasn’t helping. Why she thought booking a red-eye from Milwaukee to Boston was a good idea, she’ll never fucking know. Saving money? Fuck money, she’ll take the sleep and decent food, thank you very much.

           One month ago, Trixie Mattel got a call she’d never expect in a million years. RuPaul Charles, her director from a cabaret in Boston she worked at, nearly ten years ago, had somehow found her number, despite having no contact in all this time. God knows how, but Trixie always said RuPaul works in mysterious ways. They reminisced on the phone for hours, about old performances, and old friends. Trixie enjoyed the conversation, despite the fact she hadn’t had much to contribute. While Ru was off being a newlywed with his husband Georges, Trixie was working back in small town Wisconsin, helping her mom with her siblings and taking a receptionist job at the local elementary school. She can’t say she particularly disliked her entire existence, or that Wisconsin was just a reminder of everything she ever hoped she would never be, but it wasn’t all bad, that’s for sure. She contemplated leaving, but she wanted to help her family. And as her step-father so lovingly put it: “It was her duty,”.

So, there she was, in a dead-end town. Most of the kids from school had married by now, she was twenty-eight after all, and her friendships had all but fallen apart after Trixie had left for Boston. Most of them had even popped out a child or two, and Trixie found it hard to relate and/or enjoy one second of their company. So, when RuPaul had asked Trixie to spend a week at the Cabaret for a reunion performance she was hosting, how could Trixie ever say no?

After confirming her attendance, Trixie threw herself in bed, fully panicking. Was everyone going to be there? What if she was the only one to show up? What if she decided not go, and was the only who didn’t? She did enough damage when she left last time. What if they all hated her? What if she saw Katya? Of course, she’ll see Katya, she was as much a part of that cast as anyone else. How would Katya react to seeing her? Things would be weird, of course. Would she be prepared to handle that? Maybe Katya would just ignore her the whole time? Which honestly sounded like a pretty good option.

Her family, naturally, tried to discourage the trip. And they almost succeeded, too, especially with thoughts of Katya running wild in her head (like maybe Katya would throw a drink on her when she first saw her??), but Trixie realized if she didn’t go now, she never, ever would. She would just have to cross the Russian bridge when she got to it. She packed her guitar, her harp, and her suitcase and left for the airport the next morning.

           Trixie’s last time in Boston was potentially one of the best and worst times of her life. That was when things were changing for her. For better or worse, Trixie still wasn’t sure. She was only nineteen at the time, and how much can a nineteen-year-old comprehend about life-long lessons and impact? She found parts of herself she didn’t even know existed. And she loved that. But she also found a Pandora’s Box worth of things she didn’t dare try and open. And it didn’t take much for her to plunge back into Wisconsin, after barely making a home on these busy city streets. She did like it here in Boston. She liked the diversity, the hustle and bustle of city life. There was always something to occupy yourself with here. It wasn’t like Wisconsin, and that, perhaps, was the best part.

           Trixie, desperate to relieve herself of the cold, cut through a few alleys to get to the Cabaret, it’s funny, how well she still knew the Boston streets. She walked into a shabby-looking building, with broken lights, chipped brick, and ripped, wet, paper signs just outside the door. It’s clear the place had seen it’s better years, but Trixie didn’t seem to notice as she retched open the doors to get out of the cold. Warmth flooded her body, and she silently praised Ru for always being a cold blood.

           Expectations were rather high, as Ru always kept his cabaret as elegant as possible. Nice furniture, the smell of incense and a bit of alcohol reminded her more of home than her actual home did. And, she wasn’t disappointed. Barstools were neatly pushed in where they weren’t being used. High dining tables scattered the house, with equally high chairs, padded with nice, velvet cushions. Even the stage had a fresh coat of black paint on it, and the curtains had been replaced in the last ten years, she noticed. This was home to her, she wondered why she left.

          “… Trixie?”

           Oh.

           In an instant, Trixie felt her stomach drop to the floor. Already? She thought. She faced the bar, and the voice that came from behind it.

           “Katya. Hey.” She said shortly. This was not good. Not good at all. She hadn’t mentally prepared herself for an encounter this early. She braced herself. She braced herself for the potential yelling, for a drink to be dumped on her head. Anything.

           But nothing came.

           “I didn’t think you’d come to the reunion. In fact, Ru didn’t even tell me you were invited.” Katya shifted her weight and cocked her hip out as she looked Trixie up and down.

“Why wouldn’t I be?” Trixie, deciding it was probably okay to move towards Katya, inched her way over to the bar.

Katya shrugged. “Dunno. I’m just surprised you came.”

There was a pause and Trixie took their momentary lapse in conversation to give Katya the same scrutinizing eye. She was slim as ever, clad in a white and black checked dress. She couldn’t see her legs behind the bar, but Trixie would put money on those muscular thighs being clad in fishnets and high boots. Katya’s hair had grown, in fact, it looked like it hadn’t been cut in the last nine years. Long, blonde waves, darker at the roots that cascaded over her shoulders. It had lots of volume, and Trixie can’t remember a time Katya’s hair looked like it had so much effort put into it.

           “So,” Katya spoke up. “Can I get you a drink?” Trixie was pulled out of her daze, and back into the reality of her current situation. Her stomach flipped again.

           “Oh, uh, water would be nice.” Trixie sat down on one of the barstools and began to notice the place was practically empty. There were a few lowly looking men, scattered at tables, but that was it. Trixie’s brow creased, the place used to be packed. “So,” she began, watching Katya move about behind the counter. “How have you been?”

           “Fine.” Katya set the glass down firmly in front of Trixie and popped a straw in the top before going about cleaning up a little.

           “That’s good to hear.” Trixie nodded, fiddling with the straw and staring at it as if it was the most interesting thing in the room and not Katya.  

           Katya pursed her red-streaked lips. “You?”

           “No complaints.”

           “You still living in Wyoming?” Katya finally looked up from the impeccably clean shot glass she was wiping down.

           “Wisconsin.” Trixie corrected, finally deciding that her water deserved more than to just be played with and ogled at. She took a sip and cringed at the pink ring her lipstick left on the straw.

           “Mm.” Katya nodded slowly and tossed her rag beneath the counter, before folding her arms over her chest and gazing at Trixie coolly.

           Trixie shifted in her seat. “So, who’s all coming to this… thing? Our whole cast?”

           Katya looked down at her feet and back up again. “Uhm, Adore is flying in from Cali, I know. Violet still lives here and so does Kim.” Katya’s eyes roamed the room as she thought. “Plus, you, me, Bianca.” She paused. “We haven’t heard from Aja, yet. Oh, and Ginger is trying to get time off her rehearsals, so we’ll see.”

           “Alaska?”

           “No, I don’t think so. She hasn’t responded to anyone’s phone calls so…” Katya shrugged. “She’ll probably show up unannounced. She always like to make an entrance.”

           Trixie smiled at the thought. “Probably.”

           There was a beat of silence as the two ran out of things to say, yet again. Katya was fiddling with an end of her hair, and Trixie went back stirring her water.

           “How’s Ru? And Georges?” She knew perfectly well how they were.

           “Oh.” Katya smiled briefly, and Trixie got a glimpse at those perfect teeth. “They’re really good, still… really in love and… super gay.” Katya chuckled.

           “What about you? Still a lesbian?” Trixie regretted the words as soon as they passed her lips. Something passed over Katya’s face, an unidentifiable emotion and she crooked her lips and laughed.

           “Yeah, Trixie. I am.” Katya bit her lip. “Seeing anyone in Wyoming?”

           Trixie investigated her cup again. “Nah, no. Not a lot of pickings in Wisconsin.”

           “Not a lot of lesbians?” She mused.

           Trixie sucked in a breath and pretended she didn’t hear the question. “So why is Ru planning this little reunion performance?” She asked, her eyes elsewhere as she hoped Katya wouldn’t press the previous issue.

           Katya was silent for a moment. “A lot of us have moved on, Trix. We had good times, it’s been almost ten years and none of us even… text. Or follow each other on Instagram.” Katya shrugged. “You didn’t have to come, you know.”

           “I wanted to.”

           “…Well, I’m glad you did.” Katya pursed her lips again, giving Trixie a hard gaze. Almost a challenge. She didn’t respond, and, instead, rapped her nails against the bar counter. Trixie felt bad. What was she supposed to say to that? She knows Katya’s implications, and she wasn’t a lesbian. So why entertain the idea that they could ever be anything more than friends? Or even that? Katya was the soul reason it was so hard for her to come back here. She could face nearly everything else, she really, really could. She could face the girls scolding her for just disappearing almost ten years ago, she could face Ru, despite never calling like she promised. But facing Katya, was a whole can of worms she was so unwilling to open.

         “Trixie?”

          “Hm?”

“Let me take you on a tour, for old times sake?” Katya offered, coming out from behind the bar.

           “Don’t you have to work?”

           Katya surveyed the restaurant with haughty smirk. “Oh, yeah, customers are fighting for my attention.” Trixie glimpsed at the house again. The same lowly guys were minding themselves at their tables, doing God knows what.

           “Yeah, that’s true.” Trixie responded with a laugh. “Yeah, okay, a quick tour.”

           “Great, cunt, let’s start in the office.” Katya grinned softly in that Katya fashion, and came out from behind the bar, untying her apron as she did. And lo and behold:

           Fishnets and high boots.

[laetro]

Rita Lux: Fantasy Art that Takes You Back to Your Childhood

Ritalux’s fantasy art and character development is filled with her childhood experiences!

What happens when you grow up in an extremely creative environment, with your mom being an animator for all the big studios? You become an artist, or even better, a fantasy artist! Raised in Burbank, CA, Ritalaux’s childhood experiences and exposure to drawing and comics motivated her to pursue an art career. She then went on to study illustration and character design at Otis College. Her early career days included storyboarding for animations and commercials before moving on to illustrations and concept art for toy companies and then video games. Along with Disney, Ritalaux’s clients include Riot games, Mattel, Hasbro, and Illustration Entertainment.

Q. What does fantasy art mean and what inspired you to create illustrations in this category?

Rita: Fantasy art is I think anything magical and out of the ordinary. Everyone thinks fantasy is a small genre, but it’s actually visible in most cult classic and popular classic entertainment. Most comic books, popular sci-fi movies are fantasies. It’s the most fun entertainment genre I think, so that’s what drew me to work in this realm.

Q. Did your childhood exposure to creativity encourage you to become an artist? Tell us about those childhood memories.

Rita: I grew up in a home where art and entertainment were everywhere. My mother was an animator for Disney and worked for a lot of other popular animation studios. The Disney animation building was our daycare when my sister and I were kids. When we were in middle school (and outgrew the daycare) we would walk around and wander the Disney animation art department, play video games and hang out in my Mom’s office after school every day. I would look at all the concept art and storyboarding art on the walls and wanted to work on that kind of art when I grew up. When I was a kid, I was a big comic collector. From a young age, I would copy comic panels and learn to draw in that style. I was always encouraged by my parents and my mom’s animator friends to pursue a career in entertainment if I chose to. They would give me drawing tips as well as a kid, and that helped me a lot. Because they encouraged me to do art, they gave me the confidence to do it professionally. My mom would also give me solid professional advice so I was prepared for what would be necessary.

Q. Do you think comic books and superheroes have an influence on your style of creating illustrations?

Rita: Yes totally. I collected comics as a kid and was highly influenced by superheroes. I learned how to draw from comic books because they hire the best illustrators in the world to create them. Comic art is super under-rated in my opinion as the artists have to completely realize and interpret everything. The idealized figures also got me into bodybuilding, just like Frank Frazetta. He kind of emphasized the idealized fit body for a new generation, looking at the advancements in bodybuilding and being fit himself. I’m just a lean tall female myself, not even close to a fitness competitor, but it got me interested at a young age in being fit for life. I think the comic style of strong figures is one of the more empowering role models for me. The inclusivity of so many different types of characters in X-Men for example has been super cool.

Q. How do you go about creating illustrations as per the brief given?

Rita: I sit and think first and take notes. Then move on to sketching the chosen idea. Sketching and ideation are the foundations of any successful illustration, so if I’m designing something, the idea has to be solid first. I go through several rounds of sketching before I choose a direction. Then refine a line drawing, then color/tone. Then add effects after.

Q.Which mediums or software do you use to create the fantasy illustrations?

Rita: Photoshop primarily.

Q. How was your experience working with Disney and Riot games like?

Rita: I worked doing freelance illustration for Disney for the consumer products department. They wanted to do a fashion illustration book with multiple artists to interpret the Princesses in a high fashion style. It was a fun challenge. Riot Games was a great challenge for me, as I was designing characters for “Legends of Runeterra.” It pushed me to understand how to design masculine fantasy characters better. I was learning a lot the whole time and it was really fun. I worked for them for 6 months and had some varied briefs. It helped me understand what is popular in the fantasy games genre.

Q. Tell us about your experience with Mattel Inc. for Barbie.

Rita: I have been working for Mattel for around 10 years now! I worked as the in house illustrator, where I helped to evolve Barbie’s look as the company changes Barbie’s look every 5 years or so for consumer products. I was a concept artist, illustrator, and retoucher for the brand. A few years ago, they came out with “Barbie Princess Power”, a superhero Barbie movie. They wanted to explore a style that had a comic feel to it. I begged them to let me take a stab at developing what that style could look like. The brand managers loved what I drew, and we started developing a style guide for the movie (for consumer products).

The movie is produced in 3d by Rainmaker entertainment and was already developed. They usually create a 2d art style and create assets to supplement the movie release. I had a passion for this, as I always thought of Barbie as a girl’s action figure in being an adult. And since Barbie represents “be anything you want to be” I thought she should look stronger, more vibrant, with fuller cheeks, more muscle tone, and more fun! Barbie before this had a thin, fashionable figure and a drab flat expression. So I hoped to bring to the brand more fun and vibrant look to her.

“At Mattel, they used to call me “Barbie’s plastic surgeon” because I would beautify all the art of the brand, but I preferred to be called “Barbie’s personal trainer”.

The head of the brand liked this new style so much that they changed ALL of the consumer products to this Comic style Barbie for the time being! So that means, the graphic illustrations you see on Barbie doll packaging is still this style I helped create! Hopefully, they keep this style for another few years, as it’s been her core art style for the last 3 years. This was a career highlight for me, as my experience in the animation world, and comic art upbringing helped me make Barbie look strong and more animated. At Mattel, they used to call me “Barbie’s plastic surgeon” because I would beautify up all the art of the brand, but I preferred to be called “Barbie’s personal trainer”. In my mind, if Barbie can surf, sail, and be a pilot or any other cool job, she had better look capable!

Q. What is your ultimate goal as an artist?

Rita: I like to develop my own intellectual properties, animated series, or video games specifically. So it would be a big goal to see my original characters and story in collaboration with a great team be developed and released with a good response.

Q. According to you what are the key features of a perfect client?

Rita: A perfect client is one that knows what they want, likes what I provide with minimal notes, and pays quickly. Most clients don’t know what they want specifically, as it is my job to help them discover that. So just a willingness to work collaboratively and be communicative of their goals and feedback is nice to work for.

[life-in-the-monster-haus]

Ghoul Squad Island Ghouls: Review!

Back by popular demand are more reviews for Adventures of the Ghoul Squad!

I will be reviewing each new episode after they are released! with screen shots and an in depth analysis.

lets jump right in shall we?

I stated in my first review that I don’t care for the theme song and the more I hear the more I still don’t... I wish they would have leaned more in the direction of James Bond that they were aiming for instead of the repetitive kidz bop sound it actually has.

Secondly the animation. in my first review I was undecided if I liked the art style or not and I have finally come to a conclusion on what’s bothering me about it. The art style used for the Ghoul Squad series falls into this weird valley of stylized but not stylized enough: I’ll explain.

The main 5 ghouls doing the exact same poses as their box art counterparts which I do not have a colored art for at my disposal but they DO use the box art silhouettes for the logo so I’ll use that.

Just looking at the silhouettes alone shows major differences in the art styles used here and I personally prefer the box art style because it’s more delicate, current and makes them look like actual high schoolers. The style used for the webisodes is clunky, I really hate their thick popeye arms/ankles and I feel like this art style infantilizes them. To be fair the original web series kind of suffered from this clunky popeye arm thing too but to a much lesser extent.

Now this does not mean I am against stylization as a concept, I frigging love the art for the vinyls so much.

However, the art for the vinyls is SO radically different and far removed from the box art style I can see it as it’s own separate thing where as the ghoul squad art is close- but not close enough, it’s just different enough that it bothers me but it’s not so different I can appreciate it on a new level. ( the same thing can be said for shows like Teen Titans Vs. Teen Titans Go!)

Anyways the show starts with Dracula being tech-illiterate and running back to his books which is kinda funny because I can’t even get my 80 year old grandmother to give up her old flip phone, I can’t imagine trying to get someone whose hundreds of years old up to date.

This might be the first time since the reboot we’ve seen consequences for them not doing their school work... I know, I was shocked they actually went to class as well.

Cleo didn’t do her humanology assignment so Dracula doesn’t let her go on the Island adventure. I wish she would have wanted to be there for more than JUST sand (sun, surf, pool  boys, etc) it makes her sound kinda one note and anyone who knows even the teeniest bit about the ancient Egyptians knows that sand was a constant curse upon them, getting into their food and eroding their teeth- but alas, I’m here to review cartoons not cover world history.

interesting footprints for someone whose wearing shoes.

Once they are on the island they run into native wild life, a ‘spider monkey” which is essentially just a regular monkey with extra arms, kinda uninspired I think.

I much prefer the spider monkeys in the pre-boot that had a bit more spider in them and I thought they were unique!

But that’s what the reboot was all about right? making things cuter? even if it’s at the cost of what makes them monster-like... :\

The subplot of this episode is Cleo working on her paper while helping Dracula navigate modern technology.

it’s not a bad subplot but I feel like him being loud in the same room she is trying to work in kinda undermines the good example he was trying to set by keeping her there in the first place...maybe a better subplot would have been if she had the flu or some type of mummy sickness and had to stay behind vs her being punished but not really being punished.

once we get back to the main plot Lagoona and Clawdeen find a scale that belongs to a fresh water monster! and I really like that they explain only salt water creatures can live in the ocean, kids may not know that fresh water creatures would live in water on the island instead of around it. However this does bring up the question: that if all the monsters have been in hiding and isolated from each other how does Lagoona know what a fresh water monster scale looks like? I’ve mentioned before in both my reviews for the movies and the first episode that erasing all the history the monsters had together was a mistake and this is one of the many problems you create when you do that... if monsters don’t interact with other monsters in this universe like what is stated in welcome to monster high then are there still feuds between the species? Fangelicas words in the first webisode imply that vampires and werewolves being friends is surprising so I want to say yes...but that doesn’t make sense when in universe they stated that all the monsters are in hiding and thus do not have their own culture because they are isolated from other monsters.I am well aware that for lots of people this may be a good thing as many people were growing tired of the whole Gil / Lagoona soap opera of his parents being bigots and her being a salt water creature but I liked that conflict, as someone in an interracial relationship myself I can empathize with them and those kind of problems with families don’t always have a nice ending like they do in after school specials sometimes they are ongoing, sometimes they never get resolved or sometimes something worse....but it does happen and I like that the pre-boot didn’t shy away from that but let’s see if the reboot follows in those footsteps.

I talk a lot of crap about the reboot designs, like I really hate Lagoonas eye color needlessly changing but one thing I do like is that she has more freckles! unrelated to the picture: I also like how they pointed out that printed books can become out of date.

If monkeys can’t talk HOW is this one activating the mapalog? does the mapalog just respond to any language you say at it? including spider monkey??? what are the rules!?!?!

Dracula being a weenie is getting kinda old. remember when we thought he was going to be all menacing based on his portrait in frights camera action?

yea...me too.

....Why....would any sea creature make their home on the side of an active volcano... is Gil living by himself!? where are his parents!? did he run away? if they’re not in the picture maybe there will be no Gil / Lagoona soap opera drama.

We finally see Gil! my boy! in his pre-boot look but with a new water breathing apparatus that just covers his gills instead of his whole head....super interesting how Gil has a varsity jacket in colors for a school he’s never heard of and a swim team he’s never been on. man you really do not wanna give that boy new clothes.

One thing I will say about Gils updated look is that he looks more Japanese? I’m not sure if it’s a conscious design choice by the Mattel team or if I am just imprinting @peppapigvevo‘s beautiful Gil head cannon on to Gil but either way I like it!

This is not at all how surfing works.

Cleo is so strong, dang.

GIL JUST PEACES THE EFF OUT! I genuinely laughed at this moment.

It’s still early in the series to judge it too harshly but I’m glad we got Gil! it’s also super interesting to see what monsters they are going to “find” first like....I wonder if that’s whose dolls sold the best? I have so many questions! we’ll find out if they have answers, in the next episode!

<- Previous Webisode Review.

[attract-mode-collective]

Everything Just Looks Better On Film, Even Rotoscoped Pixel Animation

The above, which was originally seen over at mendelpalace, hails from 1982 and was produced by Mattel, to advertise the Intellivision on the big screen, which played alongside movie trailers.

The futuristic newscast showcases the games Space Battle, Night Stalker, Utopia, Tron Deadly Discs, Boxing, Tennis, Skiing, and Star Strike, according to the uploader. He also states…

“This is a digital transfer from my personal 35mm film. Compared to other similar videos of this trailer, this is a higher resolution video but the original film stock is a little dirtier and has more wear. This digital transfer has been left in its raw state and no effort has been made to clean it up.”

Man, it’s been a little while since the last game culture wrap-up hasn’t? So long that this wacky Photoshop depicting Governor Chris Christie (courtesy of Kotaku) could be considered old news, but am gonna post it anyway…

I feel silly even commenting on it, but given my interest in video game attire… yes, I know about Atari’s Speakerhat. And yes, we are indeed living in the darkest timeline…

Whereas here we have a photo from back when Atari still did things that mattered…

The libraryandarchivesofplay explains…

“During the 1970s, designers at Atari created a multi-sided arcade game kiosk that allowed people to play up to six different games simultaneously. This undated photograph of an Atari Theater Kiosk depicts one young gamer playing Gran Trak 10 with the steering wheel control, while other children to the left of the image are engaged in a two-player game. The Atari Theater Kiosk was a high-visibility arcade attraction in public locations, such as shopping malls or subway stations.”

Back to the news, I have a new source and it is the Hard Drive section of The Hard Times. It’s hard to pick my fave headline and accompanying story, among such gems as “Climate Scientists Warn That All Super Mario Levels Will Be Underwater by 2025”, “Help! I Can’t Get Past the Part in Dark Souls 3 Where My Wife Threatens to Take the Kids and Go”, and “This Guy Made a Fully Functioning Computer in Minecraft That Blocks @notch on Twitter”.

Though the very best one might have to be “Band Paid in Experience Can Now Perform Spin Attacks, Wear New Armor”…

I also can’t choose which piece from Tino Valentin I like more; this possessed PC Engine…

Or this cheeseburger with a GameCube inside…

Am also rather fond of Pablo Calahorra’s Nintendo papercraft..

It’s a safe bet that most of you have seen Leonardo Gutierrez’s Super Smash Bears by now, but just in case (via it8bit)…

Speaking of Samus, here she is enjoying a glass of wine, courtesy of Sarracenian…

I also can’t stop staring at this Splatoon gif by tanyopo…

Was reminded of the original’s existence, while doing research on a “thing” regarding notable books that cover video game art and culture; here we have a review of CREDIT 00 - I love game graphics, perhaps one of the very first of its kind, originally published in 2004. Oh, also, the review is in German…

Apparently Batsugun is getting a manga adaptation?! Looks very nice as well (via miki800)…

Hey, Lego versions of the ships from Ikagura (via shmups). Neat!

I thought i had posted this old video mag cover previously, but it was something similar, perhaps similar enough in most circumstances to pass on it. But cuz I’m gaga for Xevious (again via the aforementioned source)…

Exhibit B (from you know who)…

I cannot emphasize enough how big of a deal Xevious was back in the day. The same could also be said of another beloved shmup of mine, Gradius. And on that note, Jeremy Parish’s most recent entry of his most excellent NES Works (formerly known as Good Nintentions… a name that I still prefer, sorry) is all about the game that made me want a Nintendo Entertainment System back in the day, and not Super Mario Bros like for most other kids…

Speaking of the NES, and returning to the subject of gaming mags, it’s time for yet another one of Classic Gaming Quarterly’s deep dives, and this one might what everyone’s been waiting for: the very first issue of Nintendo Power…

Spoilers: of all the magazine surveys that Chris Alaimo has done thus far, this was the first and only one that I found myself bored, though it’s not his fault. Cuz, at the end of the day, Nintendo Power was more or less just a vehicle to promote Nintendo and nothing but (obviously), which means we’re not only getting just a one portion of the gaming world circa its publication (never-mind that Nintendo was the only portion at the time, to a certain extent).

So there’s not a whole to talk about, though Chris does what he can, and makes some interesting observations, like the crazy hours the Nintendo Game Counselors had to work and if Sylvester Stallone ever saw how he was portrayed in the NES version of Rambo 3 (and if so, what did he think).

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; god bless old print MSX ads (via mendelpalace once again)…

Recently, gaijira  posted an oldie but goodie, which Eric originally shared back in the day, over at GameSetWatch. It’s of the Ika Drive from Invader! Squid Girl...

I still need to watch that show, cuz I still don’t know why the 32X attachment is regularly colored…

What I would do for a full sized version of the following. Which apparently, thus far, doesn’t include me just asking the source, who also apparently took it herself (hey, I’ve bene hella busy)…

Here’s something I saw some time ago, in a Slack channel that I’m a part of, but it was small so I never shared it. But thanks to arcadezen…

lunaticobscurity states “snk please make that tough-looking hair flip girl [from  King of Fighters ‘96] a character in kof xv”…

They should also add…

Been on a Jackie Chan kick as of late. Which might have been brought on by the Tekken kick I’ve also been on recently. Surely everyone knows the connection, but in case not (via mysterious0bob)…

When you graduated from high school or college, you probably received a year book, right? Which means you didn’t go to Hudson Soft’s school for video game design. Otherwise, you would have received the following, provided you graduated in 1991…

Hardcore Gaming 101 has the details. Basically, for their final project, students produced a game in which the player walks around the school and interacts with staff plus teachers. It also includes the various assignments that they had to make during class, worked into the “main game”, or so I’m assuming. Alas, details are a bit hazy and there isn’t even any footage, simply a slideshow; apparently technical limitations prevent any video from happening…

BTW, here’s what the class of 1995’s Graduation Album looks like, courtesy of videogamesdensetsu…

What happens when you machine translate a Famicom game? You get the following; crashcarnival has several other examples handy…

Speaking of the language barrier, I wonder if that’s why I haven’t seen anyone leave a comment on this image by francoisdourlen, regarding the fact that you can’t play Duck Hunt, at least with a NES Zapper, on a flat screen television…

Which piece of Sonic fan art screams “THE 90’S!!!” more; this illustration of the blue blur himself, by piroeoe…

Or this group shot  of the “bad boys” (and gal), by paperbeatsscissors…

Though there’s also this official illustration for that cancelled Saturn title, via a sticker set that came with some Austrian freeze pops, via sonicthehedgeblog (note how Sonic is where Shaq’s uniform, back when he was with the Orlando Magic)…

And on that note, it’s been a while since we saw what’s new over at The Most Famous Hedgeblog, right? Recent faves include this tender moment from Sonic’s origin story, via some manga published in 1991…

Robotnik sprouting Wolverine claws in the American comic, early into its run…

Sonic getting on Knuckles’s case in Sonic Advance 2…

Sonic getting down, again somewhere in Australia back in the day…

And Sonic giving Mario a hard time, back when they were frenemies…

Here we have pictures of a pigeon playing Phantasy Star Online, via… who else but… tinypigeonlord…

You know what they say about Doom, right (via gamefreaksnz)…

Remember that video I posted not too long ago, of folks playing Super Mario on a big ass, replica Famicom (plus Super Famicom) controller? Well here it is again, but this time with Mega Man (technically Rockman; via anthony10000000)…

As @NickPopovich states: “Man, this IKEA has got ALL the classics”...

And finally, my new fave PC-98 jam (here’s the previous one, for those who need a refresher; via radicalhelmet)…

Don’t forget: Attract Mode is now on Medium! There you can subscribe to keep up to date, as well as enjoy some “best of” content you might have missed the first time around, plus be spared of the technical issues that’s starting to overtake Tumblr.

[artificialqueens]

The Country Singer Ch1 (Trixya)

AN: okay so I’ve never written anything before so this is new territory for me. I’m hoping you all like it, I welcome any and all feedback. I’m from the UK so please forgive me if there’s words or phrases that sound odd, I probably haven’t noticed. I’m hoping to stretch this into a few chapters but I’m not good with setting deadlines for myself so we’ll see. Also the title is crap but I had no idea what to call it! Enjoy! 

“You said the dress code was sexy cowgirls not Dolly Parton’s church clothes!” Katya looked round from her mirror to see an exasperated looking Pearl standing in the doorway wearing denim hotpants and black gingham shirt that she’d tied at her waist. Katya giggled to herself,she hadn’t expected that the younger girl would get her choice of attire for the evening. She had chosen a bright pink pantsuit with a black sheer blouse that buttoned right up to her neck. And just to top it off a string vest with fringe that fell all the way to her knees.  “You mean I’m not working the fringe fantasy right now?” She responded wiggling her eyebrows at her unimpressed flatmate. “Besides, Dolly is a legend so thank you” The younger girl let out a sigh. “I don’t know why I didn’t expect this but never mind. Come on Violet is waiting and you know the longer we leave her the more things she’ll think of to whine about.” They were going out for Katya’s birthday and as per their tradition the birthday girl got to choose the location. Katya always seized the opportunity to try something new and this year was no different.  “She’ll get over it, all I’m asking is one night where she doesn’t wear 5 inch Louboutin’s and dress like a 40’s film star.” Katya turned back around to her mirror to finish applying her lipstick. “By the way, how did you find a decent country bar? It’s not exactly your normal scene"  “A friend of mine from work sings there some nights” Pearl said as she lounged against the frame of the door. Pearl was a freelance makeup artist but she worked part time on a MAC counter to bring in some steady cash. “She’s on tonight and I’ve never seen her perform so hurry your ass up” Says the girl who can make a sloth look energetic, Katya thought to herself as the other girl left for the living room. She finished touching up her lipstick and went to join her flatmate. In the living room Pearl was pouring shots for herself and Violet. She turned and presented Katya with a Redbull. “Bottoms up birthday girl! the energy levels of this group need a lift before we venture out.” Next to her Violet had just finished downing her shot and her face was screwed up, as she relaxed and opened her eyes again she got her first proper look at Katya’s outfit. “Damn Kat, I actually feel underdressed!” The raven haired girl exclaimed. Katya was doubled over laughing at the younger girls outburst unable to speak through her trademark wheezes. She managed to regain a little bit of composure. “Never in my life did I expect to hear those words. I should get a medal!” Violet rolled her eyes, like Pearl she had dressed in gingham on top but had a denim skirt instead of shorts. Violet didn’t do shorts (or anything casual for that matter), but for Katya’s birthday she had made an exception. The three roommates had been inseparable since design school and Violet didn’t know what she would do without them.  They had arrived at the club and settled into a booth. Violet stood up to get a round of drinks in and Katya watched as Pearls eyes followed the dark haired girl as she walked. Violet walked with a wiggle in her hips from stilletos she was wearing (guess cowboy boots must have been a step too far) and Pearl couldn’t seem to tear her gaze away.  “Close your mouth Pearlie before you start to drool!” Katya ducked the beermat that came flying at her head and grinned. “You can’t deny it I live with you both!"  "Your crazy imagination could be put to way better use Kat” Pearl smirked and shook her head but Katya could see thoughts streaming through the girl’s mind.  I may be crazy but this is not in my imagination and the sooner you both get over yourselves and realise it the better.  Violet came back with the drinks and the band that had been playing quietened. A voice boomed out across the bar. “Cowboys and girls please welcome to the stage our next country cutie. Miss Trixie Mattel!” “That’s her, my friend from work."  Katya looked up and had to stifle a gasp. On the stage was the most beautiful girl Katya had ever seen. She had bright blonde hair and more make up on her face than Katya had probably worn in her life. She was dressed in a pink mini dress with white cowboy boots and a huge bow settled in her soft curls. She batted her huge eyelashes and and giggled as she introduced her song to the audience.  "Thank you all you fine folks for having me up here to perform for you.” The girl spoke in an exaggerated southern accent. “I think this bar needs to liven up a little bit and I want to see some dancing out on this floor! I’m gonna dedicate this song to that lovely lady over there who outfit I want to steal” Trixie looked right at Katya and when their eyes met gave her a quick wink. The Russian girl blushed bright red and sank back into her seat hoping that her friends hadn’t noticed.  “Close your mouth Katya before you start to drool!” Pearl smirked as Katya rolled her eyes. “I don’t know what you mean! I’m just super impressed someone in the bar has impeccable fashion sense!” Violet turned at this and looked genuinely offended which amused Katya greatly. Anything to distract the attention from her still beetroot features. The music kicked in and the western wear Barbie doll wiggled her hips and shimmied as she sang. This did not help Katya’s situation as her eyes were drawn down, past a slim waist, across generous curvy hips and down to gorgeous thick thighs.  Barbara I want to bury my face in those thighs and never come out! Katya mused as she watched the girl move. Pearl, realising she wasn’t really getting a reaction teasing her roommate dragged Violet onto the dance floor. Katya watched as Pearl spun the smaller girl around causing her to giggle. They could be so happy if only they would admit it. Katya smiled. The song ended and the blonde downed the last of her Redbull. She stood up to go to the bar and get another. When she returned so had Violet and Pearl and sitting with them was the beautiful doll from the stage.  This should be interesting. Katya smiled and sat down next to Violet, Pearl broke off her conversation and turned to her. “Trix this is Katya my flatmate, Katya this is Trixie from work.” “Lovely to meet you Barbie! She said flashing a smile. "Loved the song, you’re really talented!” Katya watched as the tall girl flushed as pink as her outfit.  “Thanks, I’m no Dolly..” she said  shooting Katya a cheeky look “…But it’s good fun and brings in a little extra cash. I meant what I said by the way, that outfit, mine when you’re not looking!"  The Russian girl burst into fits of laughter at this comment and quipped "If you want to see me undressed Barbie girl you just have to ask!” wiggling her eyebrows suggestively. The younger girls blush extended right up to her ears as her mouth fell open. “Wow, subtlety not a strong point then!, Hey you don’t need to be Russian to compliment me, take your time!” Trixie giggled and stifled a snort at her own joke.  A living doll who tells terrible jokes! Mother, I may be in trouble here… Pearl was rolling her eyes so far back into her head Katya had to wonder if they would get stuck there. “I knew you two would get along, you’re both as bad as each other! Let’s get some more drinks in Vi we’re gonna need them!" 

The four girls sat and chatted in the booth for the rest of the night broken up occasionally by Trixie dragging them onto the dancefloor. Katya wasn’t much of a dancer so she just hammed it up, pulling out all the crazy moves she could think of to make the taller girl laugh. She hadn’t failed to notice the little spark when their hands met though, it sent shivers down her spine. 

That was definitely new, whatever it was.

The night came to a close and Trixie announced that she had to leave as she had work the next day. "Give me your phone Dolly” she smiled at Katya and typed in her number before handing it back. She turned to hug Pearl and wave to Violet before heading towards the door. Katya looked down at her phone and smirked to herself when she saw Trixie: Legend. Icon. Star. listed as one of her numbers. 

Later on Katya sat cross legged on her bed trying to work out what to text to the younger blonde.  She was going to text a terrible pickup line to try and make the other laughbut then she kept second guessing herself. 

What if she was just a naturally a little flirtatious?

Katya couldn’t pinpoint anything in the conversation that she thought was a definite flirt so decided to play it safe. 

Katya: Hey Legend, Icon, Star , here’s my number. Feel free to save it under whatever you see fit. :P xx 

[artificialqueens]

But, I'm a Choir Girl? (Trixya)- thevortex (5/14)

But, I’m a Choir Girl? Part 5 of 14

Once they reached the communal bathroom, Trixie turned on Violet. “Who do you think you are? Telling Katya about what happened. How dare you? You know what happened so why are you lying?” “What happened was you came in and destroyed my relationship!” “How did I? I didn’t even know you existed until after it happened! She never mentioned you.” “Wait��she didn’t?” “No Violet.” Trixie lowered her voice, and her tone became softer, as the truth of the situation was coming to light. “She never said anything. I’m sorry. If I would have known before…yeah, I wouldn’t have gone there.” Violet slid to the floor, staring at nothing, tears slowly beginning to threaten their exit. “Could you tell me what actually happened?” “Are you sure?” Violet nodded, her black hair shaking around her. “She went to my school, she was a senior when i was a freshman. She asked me to model for her art, of course I said yes. She invited me to stay for dinner after school. I learned that she was, well, a lesbian. I didn’t even think it were possible. We spoke over dinner about it and it dawned on me that I also felt a similar way. I guess I didn’t want to accept that I was probably one too. We talked. She invited me to stay, so I called home and made up something. Her parents weren’t in. She didn’t have a spare room. I was stupid enough to ask her what lesbians do. And I guess she showed me.” Violet swallowed hard, the tears falling freely now. She nodded slowly. “Continue, please.” “Well we did that. I won’t go into detail. But I ended up staying the entire weekend. I met her mother, she was lovely. We kissed in secret and spent a lot of time alone in the bedroom, to put it lightly. But when we went back to school, I uh, she ignored me completely. Acted like I never existed. Like we never happened. After she graduated I found out that she had spread a rumour about me being a bit handsy with girls, so I shut myself off. I got a boyfriend, and I stuck to my very heterosexual illusion. She never told me about you, or anything. I swear I wouldn’t have done anything if I had known.” “It’s okay. I believe you. I’m sorry for being so mean to you. Pearl and I had a fight that week, because her back had scratch marks that clearly weren’t mine. She told me that she went out and she had been roofied, and that she couldn’t remember your name properly, something like Tracy Martel, and that she looked like a Barbie. I saw you, and I knew. You were the one. Also doesn’t help that I realised how beautiful you are and I don’t blame her. But now Katya’s moved to you, so I’m super bitter.” Violet smiled sadly up at Trixie.Trixie’s stomach twisted at the mention of Katya’s name. “What was that about Katya?” “Oh me and her were a thing on the sly until a few days ago. But looks like you’re her new hobby.” “It isn’t like that.” Trixie grimaced. “You can have her.” “No it’s okay. I need to get over myself.” Violet stood up and brushed herself off. She walked over to Trixie and reached around her shoulders to pull her into a hug. “Thank you Tracy.”Trixie smiled and hugged her back. Boy was I wrong to assume. She’s quite sweet.

Trixie was flicking through one of the few magazines she had managed to smuggle into Straight Horizons in her suitcase. She was tucked up in bed, the clock on the wall showing her that it was 23:40. She had just reached an interesting article on dermatology when a light knock disturbed her concentration. In a panic to be caught with the vaguely sapphic contraband, she stuffed it underneath a pillow, cursing at herself when she felt one of the pages tear. “Yes?” Her large door opened slowly, the light from the corridor filtering in, and a small shadow formed on her bedroom floor. “Privyet.” It was Katya. “Please may I come in.” “I guess so.” Katya walked in slowly, closing the door behind her, taking extra care to not make much noise. She stood awkwardly by the door, unable to meet Trixie’s eyes. “Are you going to sit?” Katya sat on the edge of Trixie’s bed, and Trixie noticed her composure was different to its usual chipper self. “Are you going to tell me why you’re here?” Trixie asked, still unable to shake the bitter tone from their last encounter. Katya looked up, sad eyes quickly crinkling at the edges, sparkling with delight as her hand flew over her mouth to stifle a laugh. “So your hairs are not naturally curly?” Katya giggled, and pointed at the ridiculous curlers that adorned Trixie’s hair. The other girl couldn’t help but laugh along. “Damn my secret’s out. Promise not to tell anyone?” “I promise, Barbie.” She shifted to face Trixie fully, folding her legs beneath her. “I wanted to ask if you are angry with me for talking with Violet about  you. And if you are to say sorry.” “I’m not angry, don’t worry. I’m annoyed but not angry. Why were you talking about me?” “We, uh.” Katya gulped. “We were arguing. Because I stopped talking with her as much, then I talk with you more, so she mentioned Pearl, and to stay away from you.” “By talk, to you mean sex?” She asked. Trixie suddenly realised all that was between her and her surroundings was a satin nightdress that didn’t leave much to the imagination, especially as it was a cold night. “If that were true kukla, you are only girl here I have not talked to.” “So you want to talk to me?” “Yes.” Trixie felt a jolt of electricity shoot to her crotch. “But we barely know each other.” “Sorry I forgot to ask you to go for coffee date.” Katya deadpanned, and Trixie snorted in response. “No silly. What’s your name? Where are you from?” “You know my name, and where I am from, you are this silly one.” “Okay, do you live with your family?” Katya tensed at the seemingly innocent question. Trixie saw her jaw clench, and Katya stood up and left, without saying a word. Trixie sat there staring at the door and then to the interesting print left on her bed from where Katya had been.

Oh Katya.

The next day, Katya hadn’t said a word, not over breakfast, or lunch. Trixie kept mulling over their last conversation that they had had. She couldn’t quite figure what she had said that had caused Katya to cease her incessant rambling and laughing. Trixie never thought she’d admit it,  she missed the sound of Katya and her “unwanted” company. They were in the communal space, where Trixie met them all for the first time. Katya sat in the chair farthest away from the door, and when Trixie came in, she noticed Katya’s eyes widen, but still fixated on a certain floorboard. Her stomach twisted in guilt and Katya gulped. Trixie was excited to finally see her family after what felt like far too long away from them. She sat down next to two empty chairs, allowing room for her Mother and Father. It wasn’t long before various adults were squashed in between various not-so-adult teenagers. Trixie glanced over to Katya. Jeez. The woman to Katya’s left was a short, pointed woman, with eyes narrow and piercingly blue. Her platinum blonde hair was combed up into a tight french twist, accentuating her harsh cheekbones and jawline. Her father had his brow furrowed, dark eyes skipping from face to face, clearly judging the younger people, a clear look of disgust painted across his harsh features. Trixie could now see how she was so stunning, they were a picture perfect family, if you ignored the cold looks and Katya’s clearly petrified face.

Wait. Shit.

It just clicked.

Mrs Edwards cleared her throat. “Now everyone, the core of Christian values is a strong family. Which is why we are all here today.” Trixie’s mother squeezed her shoulder. “We are here to discover our roots. Why have we morphed, and submitted to the sin of homosexuality? Studies show it is to do with upbringing, or social influences in general. Now-” At this point Trixie had zoned out. Her mind had started to wander. It had been so long since Pearl. Three years in fact. She had forgotten how good she made her feel, and just how wrong it felt, adrenaline coursing through her system in the fear that Pearl’s mother could walk in and find them wrapped up in each other at any moment. Skin like silk, and a mouth like chocolate, she was addicted to how she felt that weekend. Her mind ran over the memory, skipping to that one moment like a broken record. Only every time Pearl whispered in her ear, her voice changed, and every strangled moan escaping Trixie became more and more desperate, her body arching to meet the touch of the Russian above her. Katya.

“Beatrice?” “Oh huh? Sorry, off in my own world.” She wishes. “What do you think is at the root of your homosexuality?” “Uhm, well. I guess when Dad lost his job, he was more of the maternal figure in my life. Cooking and cleaning. Mother was always at work, I didn’t have much of a female presence.” Trixie said, almost mumbling in fear of publicly embarrassing her parents. Mr Mattel blushed and hung his head in shame. “I also had an interaction with a girl a few years ago.” All heads turned to stare at her, including Katya. “But I don’t want to talk about that.” “Good!” Mrs Edwards announced. “It’s good to feel shame about homosexual activities. This will keep them at bay. Now, Katya?” Katya looked up, looking weak and frightened. Trixie was shocked. Katya was always the epitome of happiness, bounding around, making crass jokes and being a bit too sexual. This wasn’t her. “I don’t know.” Katya’s voice shook. “Da, she does.” Her mother piped up. “Back when she lived in Russia, she knew one of these disgusting lesbians, and she took Yekaterina away from us. Taught her the ways of Devil. She comes back from her church camp a lesbian. Marks on her skin, talking back. It was disgraceful.” Katya couldn’t help but smirk. “No, it was fun.” Katya looked over at Trixie and winked, who turned away to face the front. “This is what we mean. What is point in sending Yekaterina to America to get better. It isn’t working.” Her father bellowed and stood up. “Come Svetlana. Our plane leaves soon. Yekaterina, know that when this has finished, if you are not cured, you have no home in Russia.” The bitter couple left without another word, leaving Katya in her seat, looking bewildered and not quite knowing what to do. Mrs Edwards felt that it was best to conclude the session there. Katya bolted for the door, and Trixie’s heart sank. Now she understood. Once she said good bye to her parents, Trixie followed the corridor to outside. The bitter cold hit her like a sack of bricks, her arms automatically shooting up to wrap around her. Her eyes scanned the greenery, looking for the Russian girl. Nothing stood out, just fields and trees as far as the eyes could see, including a few benches. She was about to turn around and go back inside when a puff of smoke emanated from behind a tree. Katya. Trixie walked over to find Katya  hunched over herself, surrounded in cigarette butts. Trixie knelt down beside her. “Hey.” Trixie said softly. Katya nodded and continued to smoke, staring off into the distance. “I’m sorry about last night, I get it now.” “Do you? Do you get it?” Katya looked at Trixie, her eyes puffy and red from crying, clear mascara streaks visible on her high cheekbones. “Trixie, I see you with your loving family. You do not get it. I was forced here. I do not know America. My parents found me and a girl together. They lied in the meeting. They were on a business trip but came home early. They found me on the sofa screaming with my girlfriend’s face in my pussy.” Trixie blinked at Katya. She both wanted to laugh at her vulgarity and swoop her into a hug. But she also couldn’t help but notice a pang of jealousy at the word “girlfriend”. “I was forced to break up with her. My father beat me. My mother watched. I saw all love she had for me fade from her eyes. Russia is worse than America for gay people Trixie.” Katya sighed and looked down at her now burnt-out cigarette that lay delicately between her fingers. Trixie shuffled so that she was sitting next to her, and wrapped an arm around Katya’s waist, resting her head on the other’s shoulder. “I’m sorry for being so insensitive.” “It is okay. You couldn’t have known.” Katya’s hand moved to stroke the fingers that lay on her small waist, making Trixie’s stomach flutter. This wasn’t sexual, it wasn’t vulgar. It was plain, simple, and a little bit intimate. Trixie adjusted her grip to allow Katya’s fingers to slide between hers, holding each other in silence. Trixie kissed the ivory skin of Katya’s shoulder that was showing through her top. Katya pulled away, looking at Trixie with a confused expression. “Why are you doing this?” “Uh I’m sorry.” Trixie shrugged. “I thought it was appropriate. For comfort.” “You think kissing is comforting?” “If it’s from the right person, yes.” “You think you are right person for me?” Trixie shifted awkwardly. “I don’t know.” “Then why did you kiss me?” “I didn’t!” Trixie suddenly got defensive. “I kissed your shoulder. Completely platonic.” “Of course Barbie, I believe you.” Katya huffed sarcastically. “Alright then fine! Kiss me! See what good it does, see how comforting I am the-” Trixie’s irritated rambling was cut off by a soft pair of lips being placed gently on hers. She blinked wildly and stared at Katya, whose eyes were closed. The kiss itself was so gentle, and almost subtle. Trixie couldn’t help but let her eyes fall shut as she deepened the kiss. Her hand raised to cup Katya’s cheek, but before her hand could brush her skin, Katya pulled away. Trixie opened her eyes to see the moon reflecting off Katya’s, the light pooling in the green of her eyes, setting them ablaze with spots of silver. She scanned her face, looking for any hint as to how Katya was feeling. Her eyes flitted down to her mouth to find Katya’s plump bottom lip sitting perfectly between her teeth in a way that made Trixie’s breathing deepen. They sat like that, staring at each other, for what seemed like hours, investigating every detail of the other’s face. Katya smiled as she tried to count the freckles, and for a while she couldn’t take her gaze away from Trixie’s lips; so perfect and doll-like. It was only when Trixie spoke that she moved her eyes to look back up at Trixie’s. “Katya…” Trixie whispered. “Da, malysh?” “Could you do that again?” “Yes.” Katya’s voice was barely above a breath when she moved in for the second time, their lips connecting once more.