#jam city created a character who loves fashion

[mizutoyama]

I don’t know why Muggles starting to wear turtlenecks is exciting…

I mean, yeah, they were popular in the 80s, but it’s not like it was the first time Muggles were wearing them.

I mean, I could imagine Andre being excited for maybe neon colours or sequins or anything extravagant from the 80s, but turtlenecks? Once again, JC shows how abysmal their fashion knowledge/sense is.

Also, according to Wiki, they’re called roll-neck in the UK

[dankusner]

 ‘Ice Cold: An Exhibition of Hip-Hop Jewelry’, a cultural trip through jewellery design

‘Given hip-hop’s roots in New York, the chance to tell this story in this city is very special’

Hip-hop’s official 50th birthday was 11 August 2023.

And while there’s still time to celebrate that milestone, this party is not due to end any time soon.

‘Ice Cold: An Exhibition of Hip-Hop Jewelry’ runs at the American Museum of Natural History in New York until January 2025, and so there's ample time to join in.

Among the oversized gold chains and diamond-studded pendants is a glitter ball of legendary names – The Notorious B.I.G., Jam Master Jay and Erykah Badu among them.

But ‘Ice Cold’ aims higher, going way beyond the brilliantly audacious designs to illuminate hip-hop jewellery as part of a multi-layered trajectory of style, politics and sociocultural trends.

Following the success of Run-DMC’s 1986 hit ‘My Adidas’, Adidas struck a first-of-its-kind endorsement deal with the group, presenting each member with a 14ct gold sneaker-charm pendant. This version is by jeweller Erwin Hesz

As Sean Decatur, president of the museum tells me from New York:

‘The exhibition is not purely an academic or voyeuristic exercise, but one in which voices of the artists come through very clearly. And, given hip-hop's roots in New York City, the chance to tell a cultural story that resonates with this city in this very strong way was very exciting for us.’

While the ‘Ice Cold’ curatorial team included hip-hop great Slick Rick, industry label executives, film-makers, jewellers and academics, it is guest curator, the journalist and author Vikki Tobak, and her meticulous research for Ice Cold: A Hip-Hop Jewelry History, who inspired the show.

A YouTube Originals docu-series, ICE COLD, by Karam Gill, was also created.

A$AP Rocky jewelled Lego Man pendant; Tyler the Creator jewelled Bellman

Coloured gems are a recurring motif in contemporay hip-hop jewels: 14ct-gold, sapphire, ruby, diamond and enamel Lego pendant, designed for A$AP Rocky by Alex Moss X Pavē, 2022; diamond, sapphire and various-colour gemstones Tyler the Creator Bellhop necklace with operable briefcase, by Alex Moss, 2021

‘I've been in love with hip-hop since the early 1990s when my first job was working at a small record label with early artists including Jay Z and Gang Starr,’ Tobak explains. ‘So, I fell in love with the music even before I knew it would be a profession.’

Having worked on the management side, her interest in hip-hop jewellery evolved naturally.

‘I think when you have a love of hip-hop to the level I did, you understand the many layers beyond the music: the style, the politics, the socio-cultural elements.

So, I always recognised the fashion and jewellery as part of hip-hop’s evolving identity – a culture within the culture, if you will.’

‘Ice Cold’ crosses five decades of jewellery design in hip-hop, from the gigantic 9ct, hollow-gold chains that set rappers apart in the late 1970s through Flavor Flav’s comic 1980s clock pendant that prompted rap’s entry into the mainstream, to Roxanne Shanté’s ‘R’ signet ring, signifying her role as the only female rapper of Juice Crew collective.

The story weaves through 1990s diamond-set record-label pendants, demure opal and white gold grillz for Erykah Badu, and Ghostface Killah’s gobsmackingly gargantuan five-pound Eagle armband.

The current mood, meanwhile, is represented by Nicki Minaj’s Barbie necklace and Tyler the Creator’s CAD-drawn character pendants, signaling a return of the pop humour and outsize forms of the early designs.

Erykah Badu wears eagle teeth grillz; Slick Rick's diamond-studded eye patch and costume crown

‘People always think of hip-hop as remixing and reinventing things, and that goes across all aspects of it, including the jewellers,’ says Tobak. ‘Also, entrepreneurialism is very much in the spirit of hip-hop and, at the beginning, there weren’t any fashion houses who wanted to dress hip-hop creatives nor jewellers catering to the hip-hop crowd. And, though not necessarily by choice, a lot of the early jewellers, immigrants from the former Soviet Union, parts of Asia, the Caribbean, were in tune with hip-hop’s DIY spirit. The “Let's go for it, right? Let's be bigger, let's be bolder with our jewelry, let's show the world who we are” design drive is, in part, an extension of that entrepreneurialism.’ Today, as big brands understand its marketing power, Tobak believes: ‘you might say hip-hop, and the luxury world are lockstep’.

So how did ‘Ice Cold’ end up on show in the American Museum of Natural History?

‘We've had a gems collection at the museum since the late 19th century,’ Decatur explains. ‘But we have always used objects from the natural world to highlight their meaning in the context of human culture, and jewellery design is part of that.’

The notion of Ice Cold being an opportunity to do something particularly special, then, he says, was clear to everyone involved:

‘When some of the artists who've loaned works for the exhibition saw it for the first time, it was really moving to hear their stories of having come to the Natural History Museum as kids,’ says the clearly delighted museum president.

[cyarsk5230]

PARTNER

The 10 Most Important Moments In Hip-Hop History (Sponsored Content)

Written By SPIN Contributor

| July 20, 2023 - 1:24 pm | Updated 22 hours ago

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Hip-hop works fast – and to be involved is to celebrate the past but to not miss the future. As the 50th anniversary of hip-hop is upon us, the mission to shock, puncture, and uplift people is still concretely pertinent.

Brought to you by get.hiphop, helping artists to strengthen their brand with a .hiphop domain name, here are the ten most important moments in hip-hop history, involving Southern rap stalwarts, petulant geniuses, streetwear fashion, rappers with eclectic taste, and traditionalists with untimely deaths.

It’s a bunch of different things y’all, indicative of the glorious diversity of hip-hop.

ALSO READ

Sinead O’Connor Was Planning Album, Tour, Possible Biopic Before Her Death

10. “Wu-Tang Is For the Children”

Although rappers interrupting awards shows to dubiously fight for their place in history shows up later on this list, when Ol’ Dirty Bastard of the Wu-Tang Clan did it, it felt zany and radically thrilling. After losing to Shawn Colvin for Song of the Year at the 1998 Grammys, Ol’ Dirty Bastard — draped in a red blazer and white flag — arrived on stage to proclaim “Wu-Tang is for the children!”

Hip-hop would continue to miss out on major awards. To see Ol’ Dirty go on stage wasn’t a drunken moment from one of music’s wildest entertainers, but a plea to take hip-hop seriously at the Grammys. As we know, hip-hop still might have a long way to go before receiving its props at the Grammys.

9. Def Jam Records Is Formed

The record producer Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons founded the seminal rap label in 1984, signing Run-D.M.C., the Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, LL Cool J, and DMX, among others. If the ‘80s was the golden age of hip-hop, then Def Jam was ground zero for the time.

8. Eric B. & Rakim Usher Release Paid in Full:

Jay-Z once said that when Rakim released his first record, the gap between him and other rappers was as wide as it has ever been. The God MC was crisp and lucid; efficient and seasoned. Paid in Full was the benchmark that all rappers looked at if they were serious. If Big Daddy Kane was an exploitation character, then Rakim made it cool to be smart.

7. Rap City Debuts

Rap City was a showcase for talent and the varied elements of hip-hop, showing the outfits, a rambunctious swagger, and clear-eyed raps. Hosted by hype-men Joe Clair and Big Tigger, the program was seminal for any hip-hop fan. It’s not possible to pick the best moment, but here are some of the highest highlights: the Dipset freestyle with Cam’ron in a bucket hat counting cash made people into fans; Lil Wayne rapping “Live From The 504” with Birdman behind him, was a showcase for one of rap’s child prodigies turned legend. Or it might be when Bone Thugs showed up. It was a different style of rapping than Rap City was used to. All that mattered was if you could rap.

6. Pharrell Creates Billionaire Boys Club

Billionaire Boys Club isn’t the first fashion line created by a hip-hop artist — Rocawear and Sean John had their moment in the sun, too. But BBC felt different, and was different. It’s credited with being the first fashion label to combine Black streetwear with high fashion, which eventually became the mission of Virgil Abloh, who died in 2021. Debuting in the “Frontin’” video, Pharrell Williams’s fashion line completely eradicated the idea that hip-hop clothes could not be considered chic and high fashion.

Now, 20 years later, Pharrell is running Louis Vuitton’s men’s collection! This marks the beginning of that journey. Hip-hop hasn’t been the same after Pharrell introduced his label to high fashion.

5. ASAP Yams and ASAP Rocky Bring New York Back With 2011’s Live. Love. ASAP

In the aftermath of the boom bap – Jay-Z and G-Unit and Dipset’s reign – New York had lost its footing to the hooks of the Southern rappers who roared like bears finding food. All that philosophical and five-percenter talk went stale. It became a land of 808s and snares over sardonic one liners.

Then ASAP Rocky’s Live. Love. ASAP came around. ASAP Yams, his partner, had told Rocky to learn how to rap like everyone. That is where the deeply-pleasing and broad-raging music on that mixtape comes from. “Bass” sounds like it could have been a Bone Thugs song; “Trilla” sounds indebted to Houston. All the while, the Harlem-bred Rocky was nonchalantly charismatic. Live. Love. ASAP was the moment that New York became whole again.

4. Kanye West Interrupts Taylor Swift

It wasn’t Kanye West’s place to interrupt Taylor Swift at the 2009 Video Music Awards — it wasn’t West’s category that she won, it was Beyonce’s. And it was gauche — an example of the emotional awareness and intelligence that West has lacked throughout his public life. Award shows are a formality for television — a place where celebrities perform and legacies get built. Taylor Swift winning over Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” — which many think was superior to Taylor’s “You Belong With Me” – wasn’t this blow to Black creativity. Black artists will always shine, it’s in our blood.

The only person this served was Kanye West and his fragile but massive ego. His need to interrupt was from a grim need for attention. West might have been right that night, but he has been wrong plenty of other nights. This night changed Kanye West’s relationship to popular culture and stretched the racial tension and gender dynamics between Black men and white women further.

All that came to head on The Life of Pablo’s “Famous”, where he says; “I feel like me and Taylor might still have sex/I made that bitch famous.”

3. Outkast Proclaims “The South Got Something to Say”

Just thirty years ago, people above the Mason Dixon Line didn’t take Southern rap seriously. Even after Andre 3000 proclaimed that “the South had something to say” at the 1995 Source Awards, people didn’t think Southern rap was the graceful ballet that East Coast rap was.

That was dumb, considering that UGK and Outkast were at their peak at the same time. At the Source Awards, Andre put the whole rap map on notice, and the South hasn’t looked back since. Some now consider Atlanta the capital of hip-hop.

2. DJ Kool Herc Hosts His “Back to School Jam”

On Aug. 11, 1973, 18-year-old DJ Kool Herc threw a “Back to School Jam” for his sister Cindy in the South Bronx — in the rec room at 1520 Sedgwick Ave. What was intended as a neighborhood celebration changed the course of music, as Herc unveiled a new technique involving looping the drum and percussion breaks from his record collection. In an instant, two of the foundational elements of hip-hop came together in an utterly unique way. Herc invented “the break” by using two turntables – and two copies of the same album – to extend a song’s instrumental, which was often its most highly percussive portion. During these sections, he’d invite dancers to improvise over the beats, leading to the birth of breakdancing. Hip-hop soon exploded in the Bronx and beyond, and though Herc’s own music never became as well-known as other genre pioneers, his skills as a host and DJ created rap music as we know it. August 11 is now Hip-Hop Celebration Day and International Hip-Hop Day.

1. The Notorious BIG and Tupac Shakur are murdered

Both men were charismatic, both men were larger than life personalities, both men were murdered within a year of each other. If Biggie is for the rap heads, then Pac was a cultural figure on the level of Bob Marley. Pac was dynamic at rapping. He could have sounded like he was from anywhere. He rapped with vigor instead of a sniper’s accuracy. He was his own creation. All Eyez on Me is a love letter to Bay Area rap, and has some of the more elastic flows of Pac’s career. (He is the best rapper on “Got My Mind Made Up”, with Redman and Method Man on it).

On the other hand, Biggie once rapped “I’m seeing body after body and the Mayor Giulaini ain’t trying to see a Black man turn to John Gotti.” On hit singles like “Mo Money Mo Problems,” he alludes to federal agents tapping his phones. Notorious bent the line between street politics and pop music. When we lost these men, hip-hop lost two generational talents that had feuded with each other for no reason. Hip-hop was on the precipice of taking over the globe, and has become the premier musical genre for an entire generation. When you think of what they could have done peacefully coexisting, their murders seem all that much more tragic.

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[nyeddleblog]

My Fanfics so far...!

Hello, I know I haven't uploaded much in here for a while, but I would like to share to you my upcoming projects in case you're interested. I normally use Wattpad, because it's the platform I'm most used to (I've been using it since I was eleven years old); and it's the one that gives me the tools to conceptualize my stories the way I want to.

(I know people don't really think that Fanfiction is real writing, but for me it is! And I conceptualize my whole stories, create my characters very deeply and construct a whole universe around them. You could also check my pinterest to check their respective moodboards because, being a designer, conceptualization is everything for me)

Most of these have only one or two chapters uploaded, but the whole story is settled and I only have the writing left.

Amortentia. (A Marauders Fanfiction)

A story in which a muggleborn tries to get a grasp on her surroundings and gains more reasons to fear the unknown, as well as it slowly lures her in. Settled during the Marauders era, and going from first year to the years after Hogwarts.

LIRWELL AND ANGEL'S PORT SERIES.

The Lirwell and Angel's Port series is a saga of Fanfictions intertwined, that occur inside the same universe, and mainly inside the city "Lirwell" and the town "Angel's Port". It's filled with horror and paranormal shit because that's my jam. Both cities are fictional and created by me. It has a lot of lore, so I would recommend to read them all. Coven. (A My Chemical Romance Fanfiction) A story settled in 2008. It's a paranormal college Au, in which the band sees themselves tangled with a coven of witches inside an unsettling city where everything seems to go wrong. Copycat. (An Andrew Garfield, Robert Pattinson and Tom Sturridge Fanfiction) A story settled in 2014. It's about a horror podcast and how their hosts keep defying the current serial killer in the city that keeps coming closer and closer to them. Demonia. (An Oscar Isaac Fanfiction) A story settled in the present day, where Simone and Oscar work together but she slowly submerges into paranoia when she starts studying demonology. Truth. (A Kit Harington Fanfiction) A story settled in the present day. It's about an ambitious journalist lured by the darkness that surrounds this city and a young policeman that keeps giving testimony of extraterrestrial sightings. Poltergeist. (A Tom Holland and Timothée Chalamet Fanfiction) A story settled in the present day. About a three college students living inside a haunted house, where one believes, one doesn't and the other is just tired. Unknown. (A Finn Wolfhard Fanfiction) A story settled in the present day. This story is about a girl who is new in town, discovering the marveling world surrounding her, and a boy trying to lure her into hunting cryptids with him. Blood. (A Louis Partridge Fanfiction) A story settled in the present day, where Pascal finds Louis, who disappeared a week before, and shelters him from the serial killer who kidnapped him.

Chaos. (A Marvel Fanfiction)

Gabriela Espiga is a fashion designer who doesn't know how to say no, and has to create a full set of suits for different superheroes to get their protection.

Creation. (Another Marvel Fanfiction)

In which a group of girls that should have died gains superpowers and try to create a group to help each other.

Cryptic (A Moon Knight Fanfiction)

In which Victoria Martínez is scammed and sees herself forced to share an apartment with a crappy roommate as she slowly falls in love with the neighbor next door. (Don't be fooled, it's quite dark)

I Fell In Love With a War. (An Adrian Chase Fanfiction)

In which Jolene Singh is being blackmailed by her boss but Vigilante offers to kill him; but her emotional instability surpasses her.

Watercolor Eyes. (An Edward Nashton Fanfiction)

In which Edward Nashton and Amelia Lin met each other when they were little and now she became everything he hates.

A Cure I Know. (A Battinson Fanfiction)

In which Bruce Wayne has to deal with an eleven year old girl appearing on his doorstep and calling him dad; and his PR Manager keeps bothering him about being more 'approachable'. (Based on this post)

[bbwoulfc]

ML NY Special Review

Finally finished my review on the ML NY Special and it’s going to be a long review, I won’t lie.  I will be breaking this down in two sections.  First section will be focused through the perspective as a professional (animation industry) and the second section through the perspective as a viewer and ML fan.

I won’t deny, I will be criticizing a few things and really give large opinionated thoughts; I’m sure it will piss people off, but I’m gonna be honest and I don’t give a damn.  I’ve been here since the beginning and I’m gonna go all out.  It wouldn’t be the first time I pissed people off.

Again, keep in mind these are my views/opinions as a professional and as a viewer/fan.  If you can’t handle some of the strong opinions that will come from this review, then keep moving on.  Don’t waste your time if you can’t handle certain characters or subjects being discussed in a different light.

If you wish to continue, then click the “keep reading” option.

As an animator, this is one of my favorite things to do with animated shows or movies.  I absolutely love breaking things down and giving opinions on the whys, whats, and hows.  Never do I aim to prove my opinions right.  My goal is to simply make you think and consider.  And if you don’t agree then that’s completely fine.  That’s how it works.

Now, the NY Special has definitely exceeded the quality than what I expected.  I absolutely love SAMG as a company.  I think this is by far one of the best that SAMG has produced for Miraculous as a whole.  Even better than the origin episodes. The lighting is probably the best I’ve seen in a 3D animated tv series, by far. It was stunning and gorgeous and worked well with the given mood that was set throughout the hour of the special.  I would say there are two scenes in particular that I felt were the best lit scenes. 

The first scene is definitely near the beginning when the class landed in NY and where traveling in the bus.  They stopped either at the hotel or museum and the shot was the buses in front of the large building where you have the other city buildings around it.  That shot was gorgeous; the orange hues falling on top of the buildings and gaining that purple and blue shadows was great.  It’s honestly one of my favorite complementary color schemes to use when lighting most scenes in animation.  It helps achieve a nice balance when setting mood but also to get a nice glance at the shapes of the models in the scene.  Perfection.

As for the second scene, I would have to say it was the moment Adrien left and Marinette was biking to chase after him and she fell.  That moment the scene focused on Marinette on the ground and in the rain spoke many volumes.  The color tone of the scene was perfect and captured the common traits used in many shows and films to further drive the sense of sadness and overall emotional effect; using the traditional trait of rain made the scene work and stand out during the struggles that Marinette was dealing with. 

The rain in general was outstanding on it’s own.  Liquids in animation are tough, not an easy thing to do. The way the rain was animated was probably the best rain I’ve seen in most 3D animated tv series.  I will even say it beats the rain from the origin episodes which is amazing because it shows the growth alone that SAMG has come from since the first season of the series.  

They create stunning quality work and by far are the best of the best from all the companies that ZAG uses or had used for the show.  I won’t lie, I still can’t fathom how Jeremy/ZAG could let such a company go but Jeremy isn’t the greatest with the money, so it’s not a shocker.  It definitely shows that man doesn’t know how to properly run a company and treat a show.  I honestly blame him for pretty much the entire outcome of the series and that’s my god honest opinionated truth as a professional. 

The pacing of the special I felt was good, though I do think it would have been nice to have had an extra 30 minutes to help flow areas a bit better or more, but I can understand the time constraints, especially after hearing about how Thomas stated that the special was going to be two hours originally. And I will be honest, I wouldn’t have minded that.  I think it would have been fantastic to have had a longer span episode special, but I understand a lot of the struggles that no doubt the team had endured.

Overall, some issues, but 10 out of 10 on animation and quality output.

Now the second section; viewing through the eyes as a viewer and fan.

As a fan of ML, I will not beat around the bush, I truly believe this special was disappointing plot wise.  And I don’t blame Thomas and his team for the issue.  As stated previously, my anger and frustration is more on Jeremy/ZAG for everything that has come from ML as a show and especially the result of the NY special.

My biggest issue with the special was the focal point: Adrinette.

How many damn times must I hear, “they’re meant for each other” or “aren’t they perfect together” and so forth.  I get it. You can adore Adrientte but I don’t need it shoved down my throat every five minutes.  I don’t give an ounce of care that Adrien and Marinette are endgame and that they’re “soulmates”.  The romance between those two means absolutely nothing to me.  It was cute and fun in the beginning when the series first started, but I’m tired of it.  I don’t care about the love square.  I don’t care about the “soulmate” trope when in reality anyone can be someone’s soulmate with the right care.  That was no doubt the biggest issue for me in the entire special.  

In my opinion, it would have been perfect if it wasn’t Adrinette centric.  This was the best moment to show Marinette is improving herself but it had to become fan service because god forbid it felt like they needed to please the Adrinette shippers that their ship is still valid. If we’re judging this based off the season 3 finale, I won’t lie, this special fit better as a season 2 finale or mid season 3 than the end of season 3.

I’m seriously more disappointed that the special wasn’t more on Marinette and herself as a character.  They were in New York, another strong hub for fashion.  This was a perfect opportunity to explore more of her interests as a fashion designer and maybe meeting some new people.  Who knows, maybe even Jagged Stone as an international rock star. But overall it was a lost opportunity to expand more on her for the sake of shipping.  

I think it would have also been cool to see her and Chat Noir maybe learn some methods/training from the US heroes and get a glimpse into a world of heroism that is different in cultures and circumstances.  Which honestly made sense to me how US heroes didn’t care about identity because Ladybug and Chat Noir have magical based items that are no doubt more powerful and outside sources that I’m sure would be willing to destroy to obtain it.

Another problem I had was how I felt we were robbed without having Kagami and Luka go to New York. Or if anything, more with Luka than Kagami. I love Kagami with all my being, but I doubt her mother would let her go to New York.  But imagine Luka being there. We could have had a flipping jam session between Luka and Jess.  I felt we were cheated, it would have been amazing to see two incredible guitarists jam it out and two people who have a passion for music find a friend in each other. I would have given anything to have had that moment.

Though in general I would have enjoyed anything else if it just wasn’t Adrinette centric.  I’m positive everyone in the fandom is on the same page that they’re “soulmates” but there’s more that can be done than a damn ship that has followers that attack and annoy anyone who doesn’t ship them.  Because, god forbid, Adrien and Marinette apparently aren’t allowed to be happy with others. I swear, half the fandom (hardcore adrinette shippers) treat Adrien more as an object than the ML characters themselves. 

Nothing against the ship, but it’s just not for me and that’s okay.  I simply can’t relate to Adrien as a romantic choice of a character.  When Luka came into existence, I was in awe. I found a character I could relate too because I was as close to similarity than any other character in a show before.  And that’s something I’ve noticed with this fandom, hating characters because to them they’re nothing but boring.  

Fans need to understand that one will not understand everything in a show, especially characters.  Just because you hate a character and find them boring doesn’t mean they’re terribly written.  You as a viewer simply can’t relate to them and that’s completely fine.  There will always be some who can relate and understand while others don’t, but that shouldn’t be a reason to argue against people who love a certain character.

And I’m being serious, I enjoyed the 30 seconds of Kagami and Luka with their love interests more than the hour of Adrinette.  It’s just overall sad.  There is so much potential that could have been the special focus wise but felt it was there to show why Adrinette is “superior” when it’s really not.  They’re only one of many ships that are equally good.  It comes down to how it’s portrayed and done.

However, since I know we’re stuck with Adrinette no matter what, I’m going to end this review with this as a food for thought but again, this is a simple opinion.

There was one thing that stood out and caught myself and some of my friends in a ML server attention.  In the NY special there were strong moments that revolved around bikes.  So, out of curiosity, I searched for symbolism meanings about bikes during the server’s conversation and it might hint to what might happen or what might come in the future of the show.   

The bike symbolizes the moving circle of life. 

Seeing a bicycle is a hint that you will reach somewhere. This could either be your motivation or your future plan. Cycling refers to the different moods that a person feels. Bicycles are also related to the ups and downs of life. For instance, riding a bicycle gives you both smooth edges and rough pebbles on your journey. The smooth edges are related to the happy times of your life and the rough pebbles denote the challenges of life. 

So, if we want to use this to break down ML, this in a way, represents Lukanette and Adrinette.  Luka are the smooth edges in Marinette’s journey.  He’s the one that calms her, helps her think things through, focuses on what Marinette wants to do rather tell her what she should do.  Never once does he tell her to do this or do that, but simply asks her what it is she wants. Luka, is pretty much her guide. The happy times as Marinette where she appears happiest without the burdens and overwhelming stress of her other life.  Whereas Adrien is the rough pebbles in her journey, the challenges to properly talk with the one she views as a love interest or simply to build that perfect friendship/relationship.  Yes, they’re friends, but they’re not as strong as friends like Marinette and Alya or Adrien and Nino. Adrien is a challenge in her life and always will be until she learns to let go and mature.   

The other moment that stood out with the bike was the moment Marinette was pressured to chase after Adrien to get him to stay.  She chases after him on a bike but falls off in the end. 

Falling off the Bicycle: This indicates that you are losing your self-confidence. 

Spend time with your loved ones and take suggestions from the experienced people. Join a course on building your personality and motivation. Do things that interest you the most and this will surely help to bring back your confidence level. This indicates a frenzied lifestyle and the need to slow down. 

This here makes me believe that Luka is the “experienced people” in Marinette’s life.  Other than Kagami, Luka is the only mature one in Marinette’s life in her friend group.  He’s one of the biggest motivators in Marinette’s life as of recent.  Putting her interests at heart that have helped her build her confidence.  We know Marinette has a frenzied lifestyle with everything that she has on her shoulders as well as her passions.  And Luka is one of the very few, if not, only one in her friend group that can calm Marinette and help her slow down and simply relax.

I know Adrinette is endgame, but I won’t deny when I say if there was anything that ML could do, is that they make Adrigami and Lukanette endgame.  So many shows always pair the two main characters, always.  If there is any message that I would have loved to see come from a show like ML, it would simply be “Your first love/crush will not always be the one and that’s okay. That your first crush/love could be the greatest friendship you ever have. And the second chances in your life are just as valuable as the first and may be even better for you.”  

Fans might hate Kagami and Luka, but as far as I’m concerned from everything I’ve watched since the beginning, the only reason you’re getting your Adrinette in the end is all because of Luka.  If it weren’t for him majority of the time, y’all wouldn’t have half of your love square moments.  So, Luka is the true MVP in my book.  Because unlike many of the others, he doesn’t put pressure on Marinette and that’s what Marinette doesn’t need right now, more pressure.  

Adrien and Marinette might be endgame, but those two need people outside of their classmates because everyone is too tunnel vision.  Luka and Kagami are the only ones that will help Adrien and Marinette mature, cause those two will not be able to do it themselves.  So, if you want your Adrinette, you’re gonna have to suffer through Lukanette and Adrigami.

[ramblings-of-a-mad-cat]

i can’t believe how much older Orion looks in comparison to his actual age. he looks like an actual grown man when in reality he probably isn’t even 18 yet. i mean if he really is only 2 years older than MC then he’d be a 6th year rn. Rath looks older too but not to the same extent imo, like she can still pass as a teenager with her appearance. idk why JC exaggerated Orion’s so much if he’s barely older than us. they didn’t even bother putting the same effort into the original prefects even though the age difference between them and MC is bigger. maybe it’s to make him look “wiser” or something but it’s still weird.

I know, right? Maybe it's just the facial hair. Not many characters have it and by in large, I think it's something that we see and just immediately associate with adulthood, even though kids can grow facial hair by the time they leave middle school. I think it's just an instinctive thing, or maybe a cultural one with what we treat as signs of childhood and adulthood. Another part is probably his fashion sense, I would guess. Could just be a personal opinion, but his outfit really plays into his maturity. He just looks cool, in a way that isn't very "kid." if that makes sense. I'm probably not conveying this well, but my interpretation of Luca's relationship to him is that Luca basically idolizes the guy, and for as much as I love his hair...I kind of wish his reward was that jacket, because it's just so boss. (As is Charlie's, by the way, and I want that one too.) It is curious because you're right, Rath looks older too, but not as old as Orion. Which is funny because she literally has a taller and bigger sprite whereas Orion uses the same model as MC. He doesn't even use Bill's model.

Ultimately, I also believe a lot of it comes down to his personality. He feels almost ancient, like the first wizard who walked the earth. (That is my affectionate title/nickname for him and I am unabashed) He really feels like he's seen a lot, and knows a lot. I listen to him and maybe he doesn't always make sense to everyone, but I just can't help but trust him. It feels like he's on another level, speaking wisdom that I'm just not following. He's almost like Yoda, or like Dumbledore but without all the problematic garbage. As to why his personality is so pronounced as being older than MC, compared to the Prefects...well, they took a different approach with the Quidditch cast than with the Prefects. They made four different Prefects for the four Houses, but as a result they had to make them all carbon copies of each other, so the scenes wouldn't be too different. For Quidditch, they just composed a cast of characters who, like Rowan, were House-Aligned with MC. I bet that if Jam City had simply created one Prefect and had them go to whatever House MC does, that character would have been A) far more memorable and B) had greater focused placed on their mentorship relationship to MC.

[recentanimenews]

FEATURE: Looking for a New Show? Check out Hime's Helpful Recommendations!

  If you’re reading this now, then chances are you’ve checked out anime sensations that is Jujutsu Kaisen or The Promised Neverland. But what is there to do when you’re stuck between episodes and waiting a whole week for the next exciting installment? Or worse ... what do you do when you've finished your binge? Luckily, there are plenty of anime in Crunchyroll’s catalog for you to check out!

  When it comes to scary demons, dark magic, and captivating stories, there’s no shortage of shows that can satisfy your cravings. From your genre-defying battle shows, popular fantasy worlds, or quirky titles with crazy fights, you're sure to find something from this list that will quickly become your next favorite binge:

  That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime

    Fantasy world anime are all the rage these days, and one of the most popular right now comes in the form of an adorable amorphous blob slowly building up their own nation in That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime.

  As 37-year-old Satoru Mikami suddenly began to take a spiritual transition from one life to the next, they unwittingly made requests that resulted in their reincarnation as a lowly slime in an RPG-like high-fantasy world. In this new life, they gain new abilities and use their apparent charisma to acquire powerful allies and develop their own nation that unites all species under his guidance. 

  As far as fantasy world shows go, this rags-to-riches story has a little something for everyone. There are few things as inspiring and necessary in our world as seeing an insignificant slime creature rise up the ranks and unite everybody. Packed with compelling world-building, exciting fights, and a spoonful of emotion, Slime scratches plenty of itches, and the ongoing second season will definitely leave you begging for more.

  Demon Slayer

    There are plenty of great anime centered around fighting denizens in the dark, but Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba certainly stands out among them all.

  Tanjiro Kamado’s tough but rewarding mountain life was suddenly disrupted when his entire family was mauled by a demon, with his little sister on the verge of becoming one herself. But after showing his potential as a fighter and vowing to protect his sister who still clings tenuously to her humanity, he is recruited to undergo demon slayer training in order to harness his latent abilities and find a way to return his sister to normal.

  Ufotable, Inc. is an anime studio renowned for its unparalleled animation, and Demon Slayer is the perfect example of the team’s skill. The show is renowned for its seamless integration of digital effects to generate flowing animation and has previously topped our list as one of the best anime of the 2010s. Since its premiere, Demon Slayer has raked in several Newtype anime awards, and its first opening — “Gurenge” by LiSA — topped Oricon’s digital charts for weeks. With all these accolades under its belt, Demon Slayer is most certainly well worth checking out. 

  Mob Psycho 100

    If stylish animation and gorgeous fight scenes are up your alley, look no further than the psychedelic psychic battles of Mob Psycho 100. 

  Shigeo “Mob” Kageyama is an abnormal boy trying to live a normal life, despite his unique telekinetic abilities leading him to crazy situations. Under the misguided tutelage of con artist psychic Arataka Reigen, Mob takes on several malevolent spirits while trying to navigate his turbulent adolescence. Through his adventures, he slowly but surely develops his understanding of human emotion, especially when they gradually build up to various explosions of psychic energy.

  Mob Psycho is packed with stellar action and hilarious gags, but still finds room to offer a refreshingly heartwarming story about trying to be your own self. With two seasons' worth of episodes, this is a great option for fans of people throwing telekinesis at each other.

  Overlord

      The only thing more interesting than a fantasy world show is a fantasy world show with a villain as the main protagonist. Enter Overlord.

  The massively successful, highly interactive MMO, YGGDRASIL, is about to have its servers shut down after 12 years. Momonga, the skeletal leader of the strongest guild of the game, makes it a point to stay on until the final minutes of service. When the countdown runs out, Momonga’s player finds himself inhabiting the world as his character and still commanding his guild, Ainz Ooal Gown. Taking on the name of his guild, Ainz Ooal Gown begins to expand his rule with an iron fist while trying to find any other players who may also be trapped in the game with him.

  Overlord is unafraid to make its protagonist undergo some dark transformations. Despite Ainz’s intentions to create a stir in this new world and unite all species under his rule, he becomes gradually less hesitant to use his immense power to achieve his goals by any means necessary. With its dark overtones and unique protagonist, Overlord truly makes a name for itself among the genre. 

  Hunter x Hunter

    Love the action genre but wish the formula could be tweaked a little bit? The infamous Hunter x Hunter may just have what you’re looking for.

  Gon Freecs is a young boy who sets out to become a professional Hunter while searching for his missing father. Along the way, Gon learns how vast and diverse the world is as he meets new companions, fights terrifying monsters, and becomes stronger at every turn. There’s no telling what new adventure or threat awaits Gon and his friends as the world of Hunters opens up wide to them.

  Subversion is the name of the game when it comes to this popular and influential series. While there’s plenty of intense action to be had, Hunter x Hunter isn’t afraid to go deep into mafia politics, race relations, and even gender identity. At almost every opportunity, Hunter takes the usual tropes and turns them upside down to tell a story that’s all too raw, emotional, and impossible to look away from.

  Garo: Vanishing Line

    Jujutsu Kaisen director Sung Hoo Park has plenty of notable works under his belt, including directing The God of High School. But you might be surprised to know that JJK isn’t his first foray into demon-slaying action. He also directed Garo: Vanishing Line.

  While searching for her missing older brother, Sophie is led to the metropolis of Russell City where monsters known as Horrors prey on humans in the night. Luckily, she comes under the protection of Sword; as Garo, the strongest Makai Knight, Sword and his crew are tasked with defending the city and eradicating Horrors.

  As part of a popular tokusatsu (live-action with heavy special effects) franchise, Garo is known for its modern gothic aesthetic and compelling action. Vanishing Line continues that tradition in spectacular fashion with intense fights and an exhilarating soundtrack, not to mention an intense first opening by Jam Project of One Punch Man fame. From start to finish Vanishing Line never takes its foot off the pedal and is sure to keep you pumped all throughout its high-octane 24-episode ride. 

  The Rising of the Shield Hero

    Fantasy world shows often put their protagonists up on a pedestal, but the eponymous Shield Hero is practically dropped into adversity from the get-go.

  Naofumi Iwatani is one of four different high schoolers plucked from their dimensions into a fantasy world in peril. As each of them is armed with different weapons to combat the impending threat, Naofumi draws the short stick by becoming the Shield Hero, who is traditionally marginalized and maligned by their peers. To make matters worse, he is accused of debauchery amongst royalty and shunned by the entire kingdom he was summoned to protect. Broken and disillusioned by this strange new world, the Shield Hero must now climb his way to redemption alongside other unfortunate souls neglected by society.

  A Cinderella story in every sense of the word, The Rising of the Shield Hero draws its appeal from its protagonist having to overcome the odds and fight back against the forces that oppose him. While it can be hard to sit through when it comes to raw emotion and some questionable content, this anime has plenty of inspiring moments as marginalized folks work their hardest to become heroes of their own repute.  

  Attack on Titan

    Chances are you’ve at least heard of the anime sensation that is Attack on Titan, and with the show approaching its end, there’s no better time to see what all the hype is about.

  Humanity has spent thousands of years walled off from the outside world in order to keep Titans away lest they feast on humans. Eren Jaegar has long wondered what the world beyond the walls was like, but he gets a rude awakening when Titans break down the walls and begin a violent invasion. Vowing revenge on them, Eren joins the Survey Corps and swears to do everything he can to eliminate every Titan in existence.

  This popular anime is known for its unparalleled animation and mysterious story that takes several unexpected turns. As long as you can stomach the violence and sit through some terrifying visuals, there’s something for everyone in Attack on Titan from heart-warming relationships to intrigue and high-stakes drama. As the show comes to a close with its final season, there’s no better time than now to jump onto the giant-slaying phenomenon.  

  Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World-

    Nothing messes around with the rules of the fantasy world genre quite like Re:ZERO: Starting Life in Another World. 

  In typical fantasy world fashion, gamer shut-in Subaru Natsuki is summoned into a medieval fantasy world rife with magic and monsters at every turn. For all intents and purposes, he now lives in a game world, especially whenever he dies and comes back to life sometime before his death like a checkpoint revival. With his newfound power, Subaru attempts to survive in this strange new world and help out his growing band of companions, especially when it comes to Emilia, a young elf who’s in the running to become queen of the Kingdom of Lugunica.

  Re:ZERO is rife with powerful drama as Subaru uses grim knowledge of his past lives in order to do good. This darkly compelling fantasy has been praised for its complex world and nuanced characters, and has even accrued many Newtype anime awards in 2016, including best director and best protagonists. If you like the idea of traversing murky corners and tough moral choices, then Re:ZERO might just be your next big obsession.

  Which of these shows do you think you'll check out? Comment below and tell us!

      Carlos (aka Callie) is a freelance features writer for Crunchyroll. Their favorite genres range from magical girls to over-the-top robot action, yet their favorite characters are always the obscure ones. Check out some of their pop culture editorials on Popdust as well as their satirical work on The Hard Times.

  Do you love writing? Do you love anime? If you have an idea for a features story, pitch it to Crunchyroll Features!

By: Carlos Cadorniga

[stragglewort]

Uncommon OC Questions! For Ardolf: 1, 2, 14, 18, 33, 38, 45, 50 For Martin: 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 21, 36, 49 And 25, 41 and 43 for both! ＼(＾▽＾)／

Whoa, that’s a lot. You always know exactly how to pander to me. I’ll do my best! These are probably going to be some pretty long answers, though. 

________________________________________________________________

First up, Ardolf:

1.) A little-known talent of your OC?

Hm, for Ardolf? It would probably be his ability to work with children. Like, if he had been in a modern setting, he probably would’ve gone into family medicine or pediatrician work. Though he’s not a terribly charismatic person, he is pretty soft and fatherly and has high-key adopted nearly every child we’ve come across in the D&D campaign I use him as a character in. 

Otherwise? Whistling. He’s really good at whistling.

2.) What trait does your OC like best about themself? (Eyes, guitar skills, random bird facts, etc)

He’s extremely proud of his practical doctoring skills. Though he’s learned healing magic and divination now that he’s gotten older and wiser, he grew up in the Greymouth Clan – a house of human doctors and surgeons that almost specifically worked with hands-on medicine. Give him some bandages, some leaves, and a bit of elbow grease and he can patch you just as well as any spell! (Though maybe it’ll take a bit longer. He really just wants to be as helpful as possible, even after he can’t cast anything).

14.) Happy birthday! What kind of present would your OC want?

Anything from the heart! It could be a song, a poem, a letter, or even a neat looking rock. He hasn’t celebrated his own birthday for years and just the gesture of someone remembering would probably make him tear up. Had he been a bit younger, freshly baked sweet or herb bread would’ve been his jam! That’s only changed in the recent years because, you know, lycanthropy makes eating that sort of thing real difficult.

18.) Something that makes your OC laugh without fail? Carved pumpkins, gourds, and really anything that has a face when it probably shouldn’t.

Like, a goofy face? A scary one? A half-baked monstrosity that could barely count as a Jack-O-Lantern? Doesn’t matter, it’ll get him every time.

33.) A song that reminds you of your OC?

There’s too many to choose! Probably Kind Folk – instrumental by Kenny Wheeler and Brian Dickinson, Secunda by Jeremy Soule (from the Skyrim soundtrack), or The Bygone Days from Porco Rosso. Kind of just dependent on the scene!

38.) Random thunderstorm! How does your OC react?

He’d probably around and watch it go by. The thunder gets a little uncomfortably loud, considering his hearing is all lycanthropic, but something about rain and a nice mist reminds him of home at the times when he’s farthest away.

45.) What kind of self-esteem does your OC have?

A very poor one!

Though he does try to keep his chin-up, as he’ll say, the first word that would pop in his head to describe himself would be something like ‘monster’ or ‘creature’. Though his lycanthropy is something he wasn’t born with, and he’s spent a good portion of his life fighting against it, he’s begrudgingly settled on the idea that it’s a part of him he cannot control. And that tends to be a bit of a bummer sometimes! Though he tries to, he has a very difficult time separating the wants of the curse with his own – and though he’ll say he and the beast are two different beings (and ultimately, he’s right) he worries, deep down, if that might not truly be the case.

50. What is your OC’s happy place?

On the top of a mountain somewhere – close to his family – close to his friends – watching the clouds of morning mist roll across the peaks. Mostly anywhere safe, warm, and together with people he cares about.  

________________________________________________________________

On to Martin!

3.) Is your OC good at keeping secrets?

Hahaha, no. 

He certainly tries! But if he gets off on a nervous tangent (which is about 60%-85% of his dialogue) he has a tendency to overshare. Quiiite a bit.

4.) Your OC’s worst habit?

He cannot keep quiet. Half of the time he’s speaking, he’s usually not even sure what he’s saying! But boy will he say it. And he’ll say it in staggering, stuttering bulk. See above.

10.) Would your OC prefer to live in the city, the suburbs, or the country?

He has no idea. The suburbs?

A close-knit community, nice, quiet, everyone-knows-everyone and that means everyone knows who he is and maybe they’ll use that to catch him off guard. 

The city? 

So many people that he’d be faceless, could be safe! But also very, very unsafe. Notoriously unsafe. Wait, doesn’t he live in a city? If something happened would authorities even have time to help him? What if there’s so many people that they gang up on him? Hold on.

The country?

That’s isolated, safe, lovely – but what if it’s so isolated that if something bad happened no one would hear him calling! What if his neighbors were strange and odd, then what would happen? He’d be stuck with them! And the land prices!

If he’d have the choice, he’d probably live in a Minecraft house. On peaceful.

15.) Something that grosses your OC out?

Ironically, considering he’s a vampire spawn, blood! He’s super, extremely squeamish and cannot stand the stuff.

20. An obscure/ridiculous fear your OC has?

Honestly if you talked it up right, you could convince this poor man to fear anything. I cannot pinpoint just one. (Though high-key, reality television. He knows it’s usually fake, but what if it wasn’t? What if someday he’s just trying to watch TV or go grocery shopping and all of a sudden a camera crew shows up Truman Show style? Horrifying.)

21.) Does your OC have any type of disability, whether it be mental, physical, etc?

Mhm. Overarchingly he suffers pretty majorly from Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorder (something that I plan to cover/work with pretty majorly in the stories) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (something he had been working with since before the whole vampirism thing). After the vampiric attack/turning, he also has some unnamed disorders he’s working with (I, as the author, have applied them as symptoms of his pseudo-vampirism, and didn’t want to apply real-world diagnosis to avoid some really poor misguided diagnostic attempts!) such as a whole lotta’ paranoia and general poor-coping with being a half-undead. He also has some pretty major ticks (specifically an eye twitch he, for the life of him, cannot get to stop).

36.) Your OC’s favorite fashion era? (20’s, 70’s, etc)

I’d say 90s grunge. But that’s kind of a stretch, and probably more of an excuse to not futz with his hair and wear clothes three times his size. 

49.) Your OC’s most prized possession?

:･ﾟ☆✧ The friendship he creates with the other Ghoul Parade protagonists :･ﾟ☆✧

In his apartment (which, mind you, is extremely cluttered and it the apartment equivalent of that Pepe Silvia picture) he has a small battery powered waterfall set up on what used to be his kitchen counter. It has a frog at the top that spits water into small pots that then pour into each other, and if he presses a button it’ll turn on some very soft LED lights. That. That is one of his most prized possessions.

29.) Someone does something awful in front of your OC. How do they handle it?

That depends on what sort of awful we’re talking about. He instinctively wants to help – to really help – and will go as far as putting himself into a hypothetical (or literal, who knows!) line of fire if someone’s really in danger. Though smaller things, in more everyday situations, he usually finds himself freezing up.

________________________________________________________________

And now, for both!

41. Does your OC like/make puns?

Yes. Absolutely. Without a doubt.  

43. Your OC wakes up with a coin super glued to their forehead. How do they react?

Ardolf would probably spend the whole morning trying to pry it off, before either succeeding or just giving up and asking one of his friends to help. To which they’d probably have no better luck. He wouldn’t be angry with whoever did it! More just kind of flustered until ultimately laughing it off. 

And Martin probably wouldn’t notice for some time (he doesn’t really keep any mirrors in his house. He can very-well see himself in them, but something about the connection they have to vampire lore makes him uneasy) and wouldn’t notice until someone pointed out. He’d then drop everything and take hours trying to figure out how someone got into his house to put a coin on his head. Why they did it. What kind of coin it was. If it was really, actually a coin. All to probably learn that he somehow did it himself in some freak minor mishap. Yes, that’s absolutely what he would do. 

[boogiewrites]

Choking On Sapphires 60

Title & Song: It Must Be Love

Characters: Alfie Solomons x Genevieve (OFC)

Word Count:  5900+

Summary: Genevieve and Alfie escape the oppressive schedule and work of London for a holiday in Paris. The free time does them both good, as they find themselves both lamenting about each other and considering how their time would be best spent in Paris. They say Paris is for lovers...and it certainly would seem so.

Warnings/Tags: Language. FLUFF. Gen getting embarrassed. Memories. Alfie being a grump but trying not to be for Gen’s sake. Paris!

**Chapter song is It Must Be Love by Madness**

Click on my icon then go to Mobile Masterlist in my bio for my other works and chapters. (Had to do this since Tumblr killed links, sorry.)

It took plenty of planning and patience but surely with its practice you would be rewarded. You pack your trunks, you call your uncle Altar to let him know you’re coming to Paris and to send some of his workers over to your place. You’d have a driver, a cook and a maid to take care of you both during your stay. You take a boat first class, then a train of the same and arrive in your old home of Paris. Alfie tried to contain his complaints for he didn’t care much to travel but he knew it was important to you and he thinks of it as paying his dues before being rewarded once you reach your destination. By the time you're exiting the train, a cart with your trunks behind you, you're both feeling rather tired and grumpy.

"Oh there he is!" you say with relief as you pick up your pace to a boy that had driven you around last time in front of a town car of your Uncle's. Alfie is looking at his pocket watch and only half paying attention, just keeping his eye on you, following you as you moved like a frightened pheasant through the group of people. "Benji! Bonjour! Bonjour cher!" you say with matching kisses to his young and angular face. Benji was an errand boy for your Uncle, a strong and stout thing despite his baby face.

"Hello Lil- uh, Genevieve." he corrects himself with a laugh.

"This would be my dashing companion Mr. Alfie Solomons who will be joining me on this holiday." you say placing a hand on Alfie's shoulder to give him a supportive rub.

"'Ello lad. Benji, was it?" he gruffs out.

"Yes, sir." he says with a nod and polite smile. "We have your apartment warmed and stocked Genevieve. I'll put your luggage away, there are refreshments in the car." he says quickly before moving to your trunks.

You and Alfie take off your coats and sit inside the vehicle, yawns and stretches and bored looks on your faces. You see him watching the boy as he ties things to the roof after filling the back.

"This child is supposed to be lookin' out for ya?" he says with a quirked brow.

"Alfie, shush." you say with a weak pat to his arm. "He's a lot tougher than he looks. He helped me last time I was here. He's a sweetheart so be nice."

"But what if we run into trouble?"

"Then it's you, me and Benji, dear." you roll your eyes. "There are guns under the seat and men stationed outside my apartment. If you would PLEASE just stop being so uptight for a moment, we're here you can breathe now."  you say with an exhausted tone and an expression to match.

He lets out a grumpy Hmmph of a sound and sits with his bottom lip tucked under his mustache.

"Where would you like to go first Miss?" Benji calls from the front seat.

"To the apartment, please, I believe we're both in need of a rest after that trip." you say while side eyeing Alfie who returns the same glance to you. ------- Once he sees the nice street you'll be staying on, the men out front, the cautious but friendly doorman, his mind starts to ease. Inside there are two women waiting, both of which you greet with hugs and their first names.

"Would you draw us a bath please, Yoni. Then we'll take tea in the bedroom and have a nap." you say while your coat and gloves are taken.

Alfie's face softens as he sees your apartment, it was hard to remain grumpy in such a light and airy place. The white high walls with elaborate border, the tall and thin windows with billowing curtains from the wind from the balcony made it very pleasant. A view that would be even more stunning come nightfall to be seen from any window he looked. Everything was black, white and grey, all still elaborately decorated with filligree to your tastes, but it made the place feel huge and clean. A wall of heavy framed paintings went up alongside the stairs to the second level. There was a fireplace and a seating area adjacent a tall window, a piano, bookcase, and easel all sat in front of each other just left out of the small entryway. To the right, a kitchen that was concealed from where he stood, a small room he assumed was a bathroom and a dining table in the middle of it all with a chandelier hanging over it draped in crystals. The air is crisp and cool from the open windows, they must have them open to air out the place, he thinks. He stands and takes it all in before feeling you take his hand and tug him towards the stairs.

"Come love, let's wash London off of us and start on a better foot." you say with a subtle smile as he follows you up the stairs after a polite nod of greeting to the women.

You pull him into the tub, both of you enclosed in the marble tomb of the bathroom as your belongings are brought up the stairs. A closed window leaves room for the small fireplace to keep the room cozy. You both sink into the large tub, even larger than your one at home at opposite ends and soak.

With a lighter head and heart, leaving the residue of London behind in the oiled bathwater, Alfie finally speaks without grit in his voice. "Your place is lovely, Gen." he says in a breathy whisper, looking out over the city from above the roof tops of the shops on the streets surrounding you.

"Merci." you smile with closed eyes, head laid back on a folded towel against the lip of the tub, your hair piled on top of your head. "Are you feeling better Fie?" you ask with an indifferent tone.

"Believe so yeah. I hate travelin'." he mumbles, letting his head rest back like yours.

"I'm glad you are willing to sacrifice for me mon Fie." you chuckle.

"Hush." he laughs. "It's hard to leave the work behind innit? When I'm so used to lookin' over me shoulder constantly."

"I understand," you say in a sigh. "But we don't have to here. Breathe in that crisp air and exhale the London fog. We can relax now, Alfie. Let that grumpy exterior fade away. I want to have a happy bear the next few days, not a grumpy one." you say with a sweet tone.

"Happy bear, eh?" he chuckles again. "Since when am I a bear to you? First I'm hearin' of it."

"My big Russian bear," you say in a thick Russian accent. "So big. So strong. Much fur for little woman to stroke." you end the playful words with a giggle and you feel him kick your leg lightly. "What? You don't want to be my big bear?" you grin, lifting your head to find an amused look on his face, your voice back to normal.

"I ain't opposed to being your big bear but your accent is heinous." he lets out a loud laugh and you splash water at him.

------

You crawl in bed to nap, but a nap soon turns into sleep after you wake up and find the night settling in. The bed is comfortable and the fire is warm and the music from the street creates a perfect peaceful ambiance. You whisper and ask if he'd rather stay in, keep warm and rest more and of course he agrees. So your first night in Paris isn't exactly romantic, but a good nights sleep and a tight cuddle with no time limit did more good for you than a night out could have.

The next morning is spent waking up with a good, slow snog that was despertaely needed by both of you. You sigh and moan into one another, hands with simple and firm caresses against each other's warm skin under the soft covers of the white bed sheets. The sunlight pours in from the two tall, lean windows on either side of the bed. No one distrubs you, but the smell of breakfast soon wafts in from downstairs and you both feel the pangs in your stomach.

You both move slowly and relish in the fact that you can. Your eyes stay sleepy for far longer into the morning than they ever did in London. You perched in his lap to eat. He has a traditional English Breakfast and you have a Parisian one. Fresh croissants and brioche from the bakery down the street with butter, jam, and fruit juice. You take your cup of cafe au lait upstairs with you as you go to get ready for the day.  He sits and reads the paper, looks over the books on the shelves, the paintings on the walls and takes in the unfinished painting that sat on the easel of the skyline. He eventually makes his way upstairs after being told you were out of the bath and finds you perched in front of a large vanity, with clothes strewn about on the bed. With a kiss to the top of your head beforehand, he worldlessly makes his way into the bathroom. You pick your newest outfit, something you'd been looking forward to wearing that Freddie had sent you. And you were excited as always to push the envelope.

You come out of the bathroom in your new outfit. A fitted shirt, long sleeves, and trousers with wide legs, looking like a skirt almost nipped in at your waist. With a few buttons undone on your shirt, your hair pulled back with bejeweled combs, it was impossible to mistake you for a man but the feeling of wearing pants still gave you a bit of a sway to your step, even in heels.

"You...you wearin' that?" Alfie asks with a cautious tone, looking you up and down.

"Yes, Freddie sent it to me, isn't it wild?" you beam happily, putting on your jewelry in the mirror.

"It is." he nods, brow shifting in thought. "Trousers innit?" he says just to clarify in case his eyes were acting up again.

"Yes. They are so comfortable, my goodness. I'm warm and I can sit however I wish. Jealous you boys get them to yourselves, hardly fair."

Alfie knew he could be a bit old fashioned and being with a woman younger certainly made him more aware of this trait at times but you'd always been so distinctly feminine he never thought about you wearing trousers before.

"You don't like them, do you?" you ask as you turn, twisting your ring on your finger. He sees your bouncing chest with the loose neckline, the hourglass figure of the belted waist and he certainly didn't hate it by any means.

"I dinnit say that now did I?" he shakes his head. "I've never seen you in trousers before." he says with a higher inflection. "I've thought only women who wished to be men wore such things."

"Well now it seems menswear inspired is something many powerful women are embracing. I feel like Marlene Dietrich in these." you grin. "And these are Chanel for christ's sake, it's not as if it's not designer." you say with a hint of defense in your voice.

"I'm not critisizing, love, don't get in a huff." he says with a bowed head and outstretched hands. "It's just a bit of a shock. I've yet to find something you don't look gorgeous in, don't take it as an insult, it's not meant to be. If they make you happy that's what's important innit." he says, taking your hands.

"Yes it is." you give him a nod and side-eye him for a moment, weighing the words to see if they were true. "Good to see you can still be charming," you say in a softer tone, as he rolls his eyes at you as you tease him. You lean in to give him a kiss. "I feel lovely, you look handsome as always so let's go out and have a good day, yes?" you give him another peck.

He knows he's still trying to lose that hard edge, the habit of being miserable and he desperately wants to. He wants to be soft with you, have you swooning again and melting into his arms. So he tries to set the tone that you deserve. He reaches inside himself to pull out the man in love with this fiesty, vivavious beauty that stood before him, remaining herself and polite despite his poor form. It only took a few moments, seeing the shine of your eyes, the bounce of your hair and chest that made the scent of lavender fill his nose.

You see his eyes shift and feel him take a deep breath, you tilt your head up at him. "What is it darling?" you ask with a kind smile.

"You. It's always you innit, my love?' his voice is breathy as his arm wraps around your waist to keep you close, your rest your hands to his chest, caught by surprise at the affection but welcoming it fully.

"Is it?" you answer cheekily with a smile that he matches.

"It is." he whispers, a bejeweled hand moving your cheek. "What is it my little flower wishes to do today, eh?" he asks, thumb gently stroking your cheek.

"Anything with this charming man in front of me." you coo with a wrinkled nose.

"Ah. But she is a charmer herself." he brushes his nose to yours. "I'd love to go see your second home through your eyes today, my pet. Will you show me what you love about this place? Tell me how it molded you so I might understand?" he speaks softly and slowly and you're right back where you'd hoped this trip would put you.

He sees your eyes soften, then flutter as a loving glance is shared between the both of you. "I would love that as well." you repsond softly. "I'd like some basic merriment and money spending, then to go to the Louvre. It's been so long since I've been."

"Than that is what we shall do." he states matter of factly.

"As long as you don't make fun of me for crying at the paintings." you say with a bashful smile.

"I'd never." he says with a winning grin as he presses his plush lips against yours that connect you both back to each in the deep and adoring way that had alluded you in London.

------------

You exit your apartment and elect to walk, You were close to so many bustling boulevards and avenue's that it would've been a shame to waste the cool morning air to the inside of a car. You introduce Alfie to the two men who will be shadowing you for the day, knowing it would ease his mind you'd requested them from your Uncle for the duration of your stay.

You stroll like two young pups in love, hand in hand down the streets that were well into being full of life at this point in the day. The smell of bread, meat, and wine move in phases as you pass cafes and shops. The artists and performers doing their song and dance on the sidewalks or arguing over movements in iron backed cafe chairs with passion. It made you feel young and full of dreams again. There was a freedom you felt in Paris you couldn't grasp anywhere else. Here you were always under the protection of your Uncle's last name, you were to be as opinionated and quirky as you wished. You were among artists, and that was where your heart lay.

You move to a quieter street, pointing to the shops and houses of friends and designers you knew from your previous life there. You didn't bore him with specifics but you let him know how much of your time had been spent with these people in these places, elaborating on why fashion meant so much to you. He'd never considered it art before but after your bright eyes and passionate words told him of your studies in fabric and paint alike, he understood how it could be seen as such.

You talking hadn't bored him but now he sat in a boutique, the only man in the place, he kept looking at his pocket watch in between you being dressed and undressed by posh employees. You would spin on a pedastal and ask his opinion and they were all favorable of course. Around the tenth gown, he felt a familiar twitch in his face, the tapping of his toes and he knew he would upset you with feigned interest if he stayed much longer. So on your next reveal, he politely asks to take his leave, stating he'd seen some places he'd like to go as you finished here.

"You can go whenever you like darling. Thank you for staying this long, I forget how terribly dull it can be for anyone besides myself when I get caught up in it." you coo with the same air you had on the night of your birthday. Regal and bestowing a blessing on him with your graciousness. "But tell me first, I can't decide between the blue or the red. Which do you prefer?" you ask, a slender finger pointing to two gowns that hung on the wall.

"Why not both, love?" he says with a cheeky grin, kissing your cheek. "C'mere Miss," he says, beckoning a woman closer who had been enthusiastically helping you the entire time. You had an air of money and upper class about you and he couldn't blame her for fishing for a strong sale. "Get this beautiful creature whatever she wishes." he says, laying a stack of bills in her hand. He could hear the mewls and gasps collectively from the women that surrounded him.

"Alfie, darling..." you purr and push your chest together, wrapping your arms around his neck from your raised positition on the platform. "You don't have to do that."

"Nonsense. I'm spoiling you, yeah?" he says with a sarcastic scolding tone. "You can have ya fun here and I'll go spoil meself in that watch shop we passed, eh?" he grins wide.

"You keep throwing around words like spoil along with that money you're going to make a woman accoustomed to such things." you giggle.

"It's been too long since we've lived a little innit? You deserve these lovely things for all the hard work you've been doin'. You need some new things to wear to your speeches and your fundraisers now, yeah? Can't have a rare jewel like you wearin' what everyone else is, can we?" he says with a charming inflection to his complimentry words.

"What a sweet talker the Paris air has brought out in you Mr. Solomons." you purr and pout.

"Or perhaps it's only you, sweetheart." he says with that same smile that still made your knees knock when directed at you, just as it had almost a year ago now.

------

He drops off his watch to be polished and cleaned, wandering into a jewelry shop with you in mind as it seems in customary in Paris for him to do now. Last time it was a bee that would've bankrupted an ordinary man. What would it be this time, he wondered? He walks slowly across the rows of glass cases, considering each piece with a poetic sentiment to tell you behind it. He recalls the night he gave you that bee. He was just as intoxicated by the look of revealing a gift to you as he always had been.

He remembers how you were just recovered from being attacked, just walking upright again. He remembers your delicate and slender neck as his fingers grazed the previously untouched skin. What a little kitten you'd been at that time, so soft and fragile while you'd healed. When he'd seen how resilient you were after the attack, staying strong and getting your house in order before finally letting your facade drop in front of him, he wonders if perhaps it was then he started to think of you as a prospect for a partner. He'd never seen a woman handle a situation like that the way you did. He knew a sound mind was required in his line of work and that in order to not feel like he was babysitting, his lovelife required a woman of such distinction. He scratches his beard and wonders if he'd already known he'd cared about you to such a degree. He'd bought the necklace to help cheer you up, a gift to celebrate a job well done with Abielle but, that wasn't it entirely was it. A striking, one of a kind woman deserved things of the same description and he aimed to give those to you if he could.

His eyes move over the lovely but common pieces. He should get something to signify your time spent here together. That would be appropriate, he thinks. He hadn't been neglectful exactly but he certainly felt he should be spending more time with you than he was. Especially with how early it was in your courtship. He was lucky you were so understanding and empathetic to his situation as women before quickly grew tired of canceled plans. He knew buying something was a mere patch on a situation but he knew you liked to feel special and giving you gifts certainly seemed to make you happy. And that was ultimately what being with someone was about wasn't it? Trying to work to keep each other happy. You held up your end of the deal, being understanding and not demanding things of him. All you'd really asked was for him to go on holiday with you and it wasn't as if this was a punishment of some sort for him. He knew he needed to make up for lost time, yet again.

With you on his mind, the sapphires catch his eye. At first, he considers a necklace. Perfectly reasonable gift, something that draws attention to his two favorite girls besides yourself. But his lips purse when he realizes that it wasn't just his attention that would be drawn to them. He huffs noisily out of his nostrils, shaking his head in reconsideration. Bracelet's perhaps, he ponders the shiny circles of gems. Allowing himself to get nostalgic as more memories come to mind. The one forming currently was the night he'd taken you to the opera. What an emotinally stirring night that had been for him. He recalls your dainty wrists drapped in gems over your black opera gloves, how they caught the low light and glinted as you held the viewing spectacles and trembled with emotion. That sinful dream inducing gown you'd worn had haunted him for weeks after. The tears you'd shed for the tragic lovers stole his heart that night. A softness to you he'd never imagined possible. Tears like little diamonds, shimmering as they fell down the planes of your heartbroken face. He must take you to the opera here, he thinks. He'd love to see that vulnerable goddess again. He sees a pair of sapphire earrings in a display. At the ends of round stones set inside diamond circles hang a teardrop shaped stone. Sapphire tears for his emotionally charged enchantress. Tears to wear to serve as a reminder you no longer had to let them fall for love lost's sake. By giving you these tears, he would offer to try with everything he was to not give you cause to shed them yourself. This is the gift to remember Paris with. He informs the jeweler of his decision and waits as they're polished and packaged.

He recalls Claire's warning of you not believing in romance and he feels a fluttering in his stomach. A subtle smile appears on his face, thinking of how he'd somehow, despite all his glaring faults had managed to capture the heart of a divine being like you. He hopes one day he can ask you how he did it, a question for a day after confessions of love he imagines. And what of that, he considers, his brow furrowing. He'd known he was a lost cause when it came to you for some time now, perhaps the first time he met with you he'd known somehow. Perhaps he'd only wanted it to be true then but as the rings in the case catch his attention, he can't help but wonder when he would tell you how he truly felt. He'd expressed plenty of things of magnitude to you and none of them were said casually. But the utterance of I love you was something that was supposed to be special wasn't it? Something you made time to discuss properly since it was only second on the list of heavy things you must face with someone. It sat between children and marriage and none of these things he took lightly. Besides his mother, there was only one girl, long before the war that he'd ever said such a thing to. But unlike then he was certain in more things in his life than he ever had been and you were at the top of that list. The rings sit and taunt him. Calling him a coward, they glint with winks that dare him to do what he should admit he's known for a long time that he wanted to.  They sing for him like sirens to allow himself to be swept away in it, to feel the love that you do in this city and to give you what you deserved and he craved Honesty and stability. They mock him to make another purchase for you in Paris. ------- You call to Benji who was sitting in a car on the street you were at. Under the instruction of Altar, he wasn't to be too far from you at any given time. He wasn't going to let something happen to his darling niece while she was on holiday. You have the boxes and bags put into the car, telling him where you were off to so when Alfie emerged he would know where to find you.

You trot into a women's delicate's boutique. Lingerie, leisure, and sleepwear in every soft fabric imaginable greet you as you hear a little bell ding with the closing of a door. You peruse, your fingers light on the sesitive fabrics. You chew your lip and consider what mood you'd like to set for your time here in Paris. You'd brought plenty of silk with you but the thought of new teases was certainly more appealing to you. You wanted to give Alfie something he'd never seen before, you wanted to feel as soft as a breeze and as beautiful as a sunset. Satiney bras laid out over matching tap shorts catch your eye, high side slits with lace hems to match, a different approach to your usual of wearing a skirt for easy access. Perhaps you should take to sleeping in these. They'd certainly be nice for summer. It wasn't as if you got to sleep in the same bed as Alfie that often anyway and you weren't opposed to buying something you'd only plan to wear for this holiday but you didn't know the next time you'd get to come to Paris, so you should just buy things for all seasons now shouldn't you?

A delightfully round woman breaks your train of thought as you hold a sapphire blue slip, a color that resounded time and time again for you and Alfie.

"Bonjour Miss." she says, clasping her hands in front of her as she looks over the piece you're holding.

"Bonjour." you sigh out with a smile.

Surely a smile of a new bride, the pink in your cheeks gives it away the woman thinks. "Visiting Paris for your honeymoon? Or picking out something for the husband?" she says with a playful chuckle.

You consider correcting her for a moment, opening your mouth to correct her but instead you find yourself displaced in time. Why bother to correct her? Perhaps one day you'd be back here, married and looking for something just the same. Except perhaps you'd be looking at the pieces in white. "We're here on holiday, yes." you say with a bright smile. "My ring is being seen to where he orignally bought it here." you start fabricating a story so quickly giving you a thrill you hadn't felt since your party days of lying and stealing from aristocrats.

"Oh lovely," she says with a nod, pointing to the pice. "How long have you been married Mrs.?" she inquires.

"Solomons. Mrs. Solomons." you say and a rather child like giddiness comes across your face. "Just over three months now."

"Oh new love," she says with a sweet lilt. "Looking for something to make the holiday special?" she says with a cheeky smile.

"Yes. That and I don't know when I'll be back as we live in London and he's a very busy man, so I'd like some pieces for other occasions as well." you begin. Before you know you know it, she's sizing and fitting you in corsets and you're talking about your wedding day. A chuppah covered in flowers, a dress so long you made a joke about having your siblings have more children just to carry it for you, a ring that could sink a ship it was so big. You carried on in your fantasy and you found yourself happier in it than any other you'd spun off the cuff before. Wouldn't that be lovely? You'd thought to yourself, stealing your own ideas from your fake wedding tales. You get light headed at the thought of walking down the aisle, of him certain and handsome at the end of it. You're own personal Yom Kippur, leaving the old life behind and starting a new one with this new joined soul. It certainly would be a wedding for the ages.

You leave with more bags and boxes to add the collection already in the car. You've stocked yourself up for the incoming warmer months and bought a few things to keep warm in the mild Paris nights. You'd left wearing new undergarments, black lace now sliding across your skin under your menswear inspired outfit. Alfie waits for you by the car, leaning against it and looking intimidating as always. You scamper across the street, hands straining with the handles of bags and his face shifts into softness from the frown as he sees you. Your hair and chest bounced, a shuffle of your heeled feet towards him as you greeted him with a lilt like a little bird, a peck to his lips.

"You've been busy I see." he grins, taking the bags from your hands and putting them in the car as Benji took a load to the other side.

"I have, darling." you can't help but wrap your arms around his neck, riding high on stories you'd spun for the woman in the store. The stories about being-

"Mrs. Solomons!" you hear called out behind you and your eyes go wide.

"You forgot this one. Can't forget this little number," she says with a wink, handing you a wrapped box. "Wouldn't want him missing out on this one." she tries to sell the surprise to your so-called husband. "And this must be the infamous Mr. Solomons. Lovely to put a face to the name, sir." she says with a small, polite bow. "You're very lucky. Your wife is a lovely woman." she says sweetly.

As the woman speaks, you feel the blush rising to your face and the heat of Alfie's taunting glare. You knew the bloody look he'd have on his face, you didn't even have to look. He'd caught you being naughty and now he would be giving you a mixture of a smirk and a grin that would pop the bubble of your fake marriage you'd been so happily living in the past hour or so.

"Yes." he nods, looking down at you, and you still not turning back to him but acting intersted in the box in your hands. "My wife is such a curious little creature isn't she?" he chuckles and you know the deepness of it to be teasing. "Such a vision sometimes I wonder how I did get so lucky, yeah? Sometimes I wonder if she's even real." you could've smacked him if you hadn't been the one being embarassed.

"How wonderful to hear a man speak of his wife in such a way. We should all be so lucky." she says with the purest of intentions. "Have a wonderful holiday, and congratulations on the marriage." she says, bowing out to scurry back to the shop.

You stand without speaking for a few moments, Alfie's face couldn't look more amused. He held in a laugh at the embarrassed look on your face he'd never seen before. Oh, how he wanted to tease you about this, to never let you live it down, as was in his nature. But the mood he was in from the reminiscing and thoughts he'd been contemplating while in the jewelry shop had him realizing another angle, the more touching one.

"And what was that...Mrs. Solomons?" he gets out before snorting out a laugh, he couldn't help it.  

You purse your lips and gather yourself, turning back to meet his eyes. "She assumed and I didn't feel the need to correct her."

"Mmm Hmm." he says, voice still full of tease. "Ya didn't, eh?" his laugh turns softer, handing the box off to Benji.

"No." you try to say with confidence and it fails.

"Genny..." he says with a deep voice, putting his hand on your face. "I've never seen you turn so quickly into a beet before." he says with a chuckle.

You shake your head out of his hands and push them down. "She thought I was on my honeymoon." you say with a whine to your voice.

"And are we?" he asks with a charming grin.

"No." you say, a smile now appearing on your face. "We're on holiday. You needed to get my ring fixed where you originally bought it." you start to snicker.

"You back to spinning your lies again? Being in Paris brings out your naughty side, does it?" He knew of your stories of lying, stealing and running cons on people in your youth. He loved the stories and the fact that you could, it was another thing he'd loved knowing you were capable of.

"I started and it just...kept coming." you admit with a bashful laugh. "Perhaps it is the city, making me want to act naughty." you shrug.

"According to her tone, you had intentions on acting naughty with whatever is in that box."

"If you're lucky." you taunt. "Perhaps what I already have on underneath this is naughty as well?" you say, pulling the shirt to the side just slightly, showing a black and lace strap.

"Lying and lingerie look good on you..." he says leaning in and kissing you. "Mrs. Solomons." he grins with a wrinkle of his nose.

"You aren't going to let me live this down are you?" you sigh against his lips.

"Not a fuckin' chance, sweetheart." he laughs and shakes his head.

@fangirlfreakingout @jaegeeeeer @cosettewinchester @lookuptheskyisfalling-blog @brianaisasongbird @cry5t4l-w4rri0r @iliveonchocolateandnetflix @jess2464 @hardygal69 @thegarrisonpublichouse @a-flock-of-angry-pigeons @pootle @negansdirtygirl22 @musingsby-night@wtf-is-wrong-with-this @shine-dont-shadow @inkinterrupted @vale0413 @lafayettes-baguettes-1 @sxlomons @aphnxrising @emerald-bijou @elaenom @give-jack-a-lightsaber @anrm1 @ultrablackwidower @tinastarkandco @arrowswithwifi 

[brevoorthistoryofcomics]

As I understand things, the Neal Adams image that was used on the cover to this issue of SUPERMAN was sitting around in editor Julie Schwartz’s flat files, an inventory piece or just something that Neal had done to amuse himself. Writer Marty Pasko saw it and wanted to use it on one of his issues--so he came up with the idea of adding the green coloration and the cover copy and making it fit the story in this issue. Either way, it’s a very strong piece, and I can see why Pasko would want to have it on the front of one of his books.

I bought this comic at my local 7-11 as usual. It was the middle of Pasko’s tenure as the regular writer on SUPERMAN, a run that’s mostly been forgotten today but which I really loved. While hewing to the core principles of the character, Pasko constantly tried to push things forward in terms of the relationships and the drama. he also invented a few lasting villains and friends for the Man of Steel--or reinvented them in the case of Metallo here. There had been a one-shot villain by that name in the 1940s, but this Metallo referenced the one from the 1950s--himself a one-shot villain who died at the end of his one outing against the Metropolis marvel. This new Metallo was the brother of the original, whose artificial body was powered by green kryptonite.

Last issue, Metallo had struck Superman down, and now in true super-villain fashion, he leaves Kal-El to die amidst fragments of kryptonite while he goes off to attend to other business--even though his ultimate game is to take Superman’s indestructible heart for his own. Falling dew awakens the Man of Steel, and he’s able to crawl to an underground river which whisks him away from danger. But on his way back to Metropolis, he happens across a team of SKULL agents--the criminal organization that’s been plaguing the city--and in order to get Superman off their tail, they fire an anti-matter missile towards the city.

Superman is ultimately able to catch and dismantle the missile before it can do any harm (he indicates that it’s an anti-matter missile potentially capable of wiping out all positive matter, a hell of a weapon to fire off indiscriminately to cover an escape attempt.) But the SKULL agents are felled in Superman’s absence by Metallo, their hearts replaced with lumps of kryptonite through teleportation, his signature move. And when Superman returns to teh scene, he discovers what the SKULL men were up to--they’ve been stockpiling kryptonite, clearly to use against him--their truck is full of the stuff in ingot form. So Superman has two conflicting problems to deal with.

Superman returns to WGBS and his identity as Clark Kent, where his associate producer Martin Korda hands him a bulletin for Clark’s news program that he could only have written with advance knowledge of Superman’s battles with Metallo and SKULL. Clark tosses Korda’s office and find enough evidence to lead him and Lois Lane to a secret SKULL lair, where Metallo is in the process of attacking the few remaining SKULL operatives. Superman jumps into the middle of the fight.

Unfortunately for Superman, this is just what Metallo has been waiting for, and he uses his teleportation ray to swap out his kryptonite heart with the man of Steel’s indestructible one, causing Superman to instantly turn green and fall to the floor, dead. Metallo then turns his rage towards the SKULL men, but all of their weapons melt before they can be used, and the police outside use coordinated broadcasts on their car radios to create interference waves that jam up Metallo’s artificial body and keep it from working. 

Then Superman stands up, still alive obviously, and explains the climax to Lois: having deduced that Korda was Metallo and also that his body was vulnerable to certain radio waves, Superman went to Kandor, got the heart of a recently-deceased Kandorian citizen, kept it in a lead box on his person, then swapped it into the path of the teleport beam that Metallo used on him, while simultaneously painting himself green to fake kryptonite poisoning. Then, he arranged for the police to attack using the frequency tat would stymie Metallos body. Simple, right? This way, all of the villains were taken out, and Superman also saved Metallo’s life by giving him the heart that he needed. In the wrap-up, back at WGBS, Clark Kent is dumbfounded to learn that his new co-anchor is going to be his old childhood sweetheart Lana Lang--which will definitely mean difficulties for Superman’s relationship with Lois Lane.

And the Metropolis Mailbag this time out includes a letter from Peter Sanderson, who would go on the assist with the research for CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTH and it’s follow-up the HISTORY OF THE DC UNIVERSE. But he is probably better known as Marvel’s master historian for many years, where he worked with Mark Gruenwald in writing the OFFICIAL HANDBOOK TO THE MARVEL UNIVERSE.

[deviousdeviltry]

CHAPTER ONE: THE DAY

ㅤTHE PRINCESS OF THE MILLARD

ㅤTHE YOUNG FILMMAKER IS BACK

ㅤWITH HER CONTROVERSIAL MOVIES!

ㅤJakarta was never relieved for her to breathing in ever since her mother introduce her to the country, when she was in young back then. It remains unusual than Singapore or Hong Kong, she hasn’t get used to it, yet.

But today was different, wholly different.

Jakarta was her final choice. This city is filthy, and deep in the thrall of unending unsolved issues. Be it the tragedies, the community, and everything about Jakarta was rough for her to accept and eventually leads her to think of lingering for more. Apparently, she couldn’t think of any countries. Five years ago, her long journey brought her to many countries, and she barely realized that. She was living her best life without anyone on her side—even Eldias and Edeline.

But Eldias’s black card helped her. A lot.

Las Vegas and her friday night to do striptease in El-Mortez, or Italy and her night she spend to tease one of mafia leader for her to gets something unusual.

Jakarta, her mother’s hometown, barely give her serenity she needs. People in the town might already wonder about her presence in Hong Kong, she barely revealing herself even in the corner of the city—just, as usual, the daily life that everyone would take a look at her as the daughter of a veteran actress and former child artist who still caught public attention with her taste on fashion. They already began to wonder why Keara didn’t appear in her lovely mansion, why Keara barely exhibits her vintage Chanel collections in the street. In fact, she only staying in Hong Kong for a while—due to filming her movie, within a blink of eye, she will fly back to Jakarta as soon as she wrapped up her movie. No matter the amount of complain she threw whenever she staying in Jakarta, the city still feels home for her. Yet, her mother name in Hong Kong and China are enormous, not even one in the city don’t recognize her, as the veteran actress. Wong Kar Wai, Ang Lee, and many more filmmaker names are her best partner in the past and now, on her second movie’s premiere—THIRST, she decides to not gain public attention by not attend the important occasion, again. She already prepared everything, anything, from a long moment ago. That she won’t bother to attend her movie’s event.

The level of her being unbothered was reached to its widest. Keara doesn’t care about any, but now, as she watches the trashy gossip on the small screen, it finally entered.

ㅤ“The princess of The Millard family

ㅤseemed love something controversial ㅤabout her movies.”

She couldn’t control her expression of annoyance as the infotainment seemed to act to understand everything about her. Even the fragments of her life.

Yet, they won’t know the actuality, they will only dream to know one.

Media and their filthy ass. They keep whacking and connecting the dots she keeps it invisible, as much as she could. Her movies, the arts she created were about her—in a different perspective. Nobody knows, she was the main character of the movie she made. Yet, she keep, bury it deep inside, made it into riddles for them to solve. The spotlight she gets by her own way, she worships it. The glass of Pinot Noir and her satin pajamas were the only who accompany her to watch the gossips session.

ㅤ“On her debut movie, it’s about a wild-

ㅤlong journey of life. But, we found out ㅤthat it seems related to her life in Las ㅤVegas!”

ㅤ“The second one, it’s about femme

ㅤfatale and we found out too. It related ㅤwith Felix Han’s sui-cide case.”

About her second movie made one eyebrow raised, her brow furrowed in another annoyance. Her second movie just held the premiere one month ago and people already made their own theories. What’s up with these people suddenly act like Sherlock Holmes? Still, no matter how tough they tried to dig in, they won’t find anything. The power of The Millard family itself will never let anyone tempt to touch the princess of the family.

They will only accept and admit how they babbled about her, it’s all about assumptions.

By imagining it, a chuckle crammed the entire room for a while with her sultry voice. She takes a sip of her wine in her grip, that’s her best companion along with her satin pajamas. Not to mention the shitty gossips session as well. One thing Keara always wondering, will they stopped to be curious about the movies she made? Will they ended providing her the spotlight she craved? Will they remain never exhausted of all these riddles she made? Countless questions are wandering around in her mind, a grin occurs on her visage, perfectly. By thinking about the more spotlight she’ll get, secretly revealing about her entire life provokes people to suspicion; is it real?

They think they know her. No, they don’t.

About her living her life, the choice—the path of life she made. It’s not one business to judge, it’s her business from the beginning.

She stood up, choose to not give any fucks to the infotainment as well. Her fingers grabbing one cherry to fill her red lips. Pairs of hazel orbs decide to stare at the apartment’s view; countless cars and the awful traffic jam in Jakarta are her favorites to watch now. Suddenly, she felt pairs of veiny arms wrapped around her waist. Yet, she won’t bother to know one, she already realizes.

ㅤ“But as the princess remains silent

ㅤabout her movies. Is this her answer of

ㅤsaying everything the media says is

ㅤtrue?”

[helloworlddemo1122-yahoopar-blog]

2018 Tribeca Film Festival Puts Focus on Women in Time’s Up Era

In the wake of the Time’s Up movement, which aims to eliminate the imbalance of power in the workforce and bring gender parity behind the camera, the Tribeca Film Festival becomes the first major film festival to pro-actively attempt to balance its representation; an effort championed by festival co-founder and CEO Jane Rosenthal and EVP of Tribeca Enterprises Paula Weinstein. Of the feature films presented this year, nearly half are directed by women -- 46 percent of the 96 titles -- the highest percentage in the festival’s history. Among them are Oscar-nominated Amy Ziering (The Bleeding Edge), Guardians of the Galaxy star Karen Gillan making her directorial debut (The Party's Just Beginning), festival opener Lisa D’Apolito (Love, Gilda), documentarian Madeleine Sackler with her first scripted feature (O.G.) and Susanna White (Woman Walks Ahead starring Jessica Chastain).

Of the filmmakers participating in the Tribeca Talks: Directors Series, three of the five slots belong to Lesli Linka Glatter, Laura Poitras and Nancy Meyers, with the Tribeca Talks: The Journey making its debut with a conversation with Sarah Jessica Parker, who stars in the Tribeca world premiere of Blue Night, about her career both on and off-screen.

Perhaps the most direct connection to the Time’s Up movement is the legal defense fund and the festival’s inaugural New York event: a day of conversations with women raising awareness about inequality in the workplace. “While you will see some of the leaders of the movement -- Ashley Judd and Julianne Moore -- you’re also going to have conversations about the farm workers, what's going on in legal aid, what goes on with human resources,” Rosenthal tells ET. “So, it's really a day that will hit more than just the entertainment business.”

Of course, the draw is the films and TV shows being presented -- and female-centric narratives are among the highlights ET previewed ahead of the festival, including a documentary that examines Barbie’s place in a modern era (Tiny Shoulders: Rethinking Barbie); scripted stories about a woman reigniting long-dormant passions after returning to the Orthodox Jewish community where she grew up (Disobedience with Rachel Weisz and Rachel McAdams), estranged sisters driven to extremes when their mother dies (Little Woods starring Tessa Thompson and Lily James) and a girl forced to attend gay conversion therapy (The Miseducation of Cameron Post starring Chloe Grace Moretz).

Here is ET’s selection of the must-see films and TV pilots at the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival, which runs April 18 to April 29 in New York City:

The American Meme

This intriguing new documentary takes a deeper look at what it’s like to be a viral sensation -- and the darker side to internet fame. Paris Hilton, Brittany Furlan, DJ Khaled and more are featured in the film, offering unique perspectives on their relationship with social media, fandom and the many ups and downs of celebrity. (Directed by Bert Marcus; April 27)

All About Nina

Mary Elizabeth Winstead plays an aspiring standup comedian, who ditches her abusive boyfriend (Chace Crawford) for Los Angeles. Winstead’s performance recalls her work in Smashed as her hard-drinking character navigates the pitfalls of making it big and the notion of love, thanks to an all-too-patient suitor played by Common. (Written and directed by Eva Vives; April 22)

All These Small Moments

In this heartwarming coming-of-age tale, Howie (Brendan Meyer) navigates the pangs of adolescence and his parents’ (Molly Ringwald and Brian d’Arcy James) crumbling marriage. The only thing keeping him going is the mysterious presence of Odessa (a radiant Jemima Kirke, also in Untogether with Jamie Dornan). (Written and directed by Melissa Miller Costanzo; April 24)

Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable

After losing her left arm in a shark attack, Bethany Hamilton got back on the board and took the surfing world by storm. Soon, she was winning ESPYs and Teen Choice Awards and sharing the screen with Carrie Underwood in Soul Surfer and competing on The Amazing Race. Now, she’s tackling motherhood as she looks at what’s next in her career. (Directed by Aaron Lieber; April 20)

Disobedience

Rachel Weisz, Rachel McAdams and Alessandro Nivola star in a story about a woman (Weisz) forced to face long-dormant emotions and feelings after reuniting with childhood friends (McAdams and Nivola) from her Orthodox Jewish community from director Sebastián Lelio, who won an Oscar for A Fantastic Woman. (Co-written and directed by Sebastián Lelio; April 24)

Duck Butter

Alia Shawkat co-wrote and stars in this film about two woman who engaged in a romantic and sexual experiment: to spend the next 24 hours together, having sex every hour. But putting their relationship in a vacuum has some unexpected results. (Co-written and directed by Miguel Arteta; April 20)

Every Act of Life

Audiences get a closer look at the life and work of playwright Terrence McNally through interviews with Angela Lansbury, Audra McDonald, Chita Rivera, Edie Falco, Larry Kramer and more. McNally also opens up his early life -- particularly relationships -- and how they shaped his journey. (Directed by Jeff Kaufman; April 23)

Fabled

Part of Tribeca’s Pilot Season, which premieres independently produced TV pilots, Fabled reimagines classic fairy tales in real-life situations, telling them through the perspective of its female characters. The premiere episode, "Anodyne,” brings together Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz and Alice from Alice in Wonderland after the two are committed to a mental institution. (Directed by Jennifer Morrison; April 23)

The Gospel According to André

“The André Leon Talley,” as he was referred to by Tyra Banks on America’s Next Top Model, invites audiences into his world, offering a deeper look at his humble beginnings in the South to his rise in fashion media and his legacy as a longtime fashion journalist, breaking ground as a black man in white-dominant world. (Directed by Kate Novak; April 25)

Howard

The life and career of playwright and lyricist Howard Ashman is revisited in this intimate documentary that tells the full story of the man who “gave a mermaid her voice and a beast his soul.” Known for the hit songs he co-wrote with Alan Menken for Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid, the film provides the full context behind those classics and his journey from childhood to his death from complications with AIDS. (Directed by Don Hahn; April 22)

Jonathan

Building off the breakout success of Baby Driver, Ansel Elgort stars in an unexpected film the mundane life of Johnathan (Elgort), who shares an apartment with John (Elgort). The sci-fi drama plays out like an extended episode of Black Mirror, but is grounded by the actor’s performance. (Co-written and directed by Bill Oliver; April 21)

Little Woods

Tessa Thompson and Lily James played estranged sisters struggling to survive in an economically-depressed North Dakota fracking boomtown forced back into each other’s lives after their mother dies. The film is another showcase for Thompson, who has a jam-packed 2018 with Annihilation, Avengers: Infinity, the return of Westworld and Creed II. (Written and directed by Nia DaCosta; April 21)

The Miseducation of Cameron Post

Following her breakout success with Appropriate Behavior, Desiree Akhavan is back with a new tale about a woman dealing with her sexuality -- this time about Cameron (Chloe Grace Moretz) who is sent to gay conversion therapy after getting caught having sex with another girl on prom night. (Co-written and directed by Desiree Akhavan; April 22)

Momentum Generation

Before the likes of Bethany Hamilton and the current generation of surfers, there was the Momentum Generation, including Kelly Slater, Rob Machado, Shane Dorian, Kalani Robb and Taylor Steele. The new documentary looks back on their rise in the ‘80s and how they made Americans legitimate stars of the surf -- and pop culture -- world. (Directed by Jeff and Michael Zimbalist; April 21)

Nice

Part of Tribeca’s Pilot Season, Nice is a new potential series about Teddy, a black sheep of her conservative Korean-American family dealing with the unexpected return of cancer. It’s created by and stars Naomi Ko, who made a brief but memorable appearance in 2014’s Dear White People. (Directed by Andrew Ahn; April 23)

Rest in Power: The Trayvon Martin Story

From executive producer Jay-Z comes a new docu-series based about the life of Trayvon Martin. Based on the book of the same name by Martin’s parents, the film examines not only Martin’s life, which was cut short at 17 when he was shot and killed in Florida, but also the rise of the #BlackLivesMatter movement that followed. The first episode premieres at Tribeca before debuting on Paramount Network. (Directed by Jenner Furst and Julia Willoughby Nason; April 20)

RX: Early Detection a Cancer Journey With Sandra Lee

The 2015 breast cancer diagnosis of Semi-Homemade Cooking host and chef Sandra Lee and her subsequent battle to survive is the subject of this harrowing documentary short from Emmy-winning producer and former Good Morning America producer Cathy Chermol Schrijver. The film premieres at Tribeca before debuting later on HBO. (Directed by Cathy Chermol Schrijver; April 26)

Songwriter

What does it take to write an Ed Sheeran chart-topper? Songwriter provides an intimate inside look into the creation of the hit album, Divide, while giving fans a rare look at archival footage of Sheeran’s childhood and glimpses of Sheeran’s romance with Cherry Seaborn. (Directed by Murray Cummings; April 23)

Stockholm

The absurd true story of a bank robbery not going quite as planned when a group of bank clerks insisted on defending the thief who had taken them hostage is the subject of Stockholm starring an eccentric Ethan Hawke and Noomi Rapace, who shines in a rare non-sci-fi role. (Written and directed by Robert Budreau; April 19)

This Is Climate Change

The four-part virtual reality series will take audiences inside impacted parts of the world through an immersive, 360-degree view. Following the Sundance Film Festival premiere of “Melting Ice,” an episode featuring Al Gore, the remaining three parts -- “Famine,” “Feast” and “Fire” -- will make their debut here. (Directed by Danfung Dennis; April 21)

Tiny Shoulders: Rethinking Barbie

Barbie has an image problem and it’s up to the makers behind the hit Mattel doll to update her place and presence in a modern era that reflects women’s progress and more diverse perspectives on body image and beauty. The film, featuring interviews with Gloria Steinem, Roxane Gay and more, premieres at Tribeca before streaming on Hulu. (Directed by Andrea Nevins; April 25)

We the Animals

Based on the lyrical, coming-of-age novel of the same name by Justin Torres, We the Animals tells the story of three brothers living with their troubled parents in an economically-depressed part of upstate New York. The magical realism blends together elements of Beasts of a Southern Wild with the same kind of grounded reality of Moonlight. (Directed by Jeremiah Zagar; April 22)

Woman Walks Ahead

Jessica Chastain portrays activist and artist Catherine Weldon, who retreats to North Dakota after the death of her mother to paint a portrait of Sioux chief Sitting Bull, in this cinematic real-life tale about a woman defying the odds in the Old West. The film screens at Tribeca before premiering on DirecTV Cinema May 31 and debuting in theaters June 29.(Directed by Susanna White; April 25)

Zoe

Filmmaker Drake Doremus offers up another romantic tale in a sci-fi world, following Equals with Kristen Stewart and Nicholas Hoult. This time, Zoe explores the notions of love between humans and androids -- known her as “synthetics” -- and what it means to be “real.” Ewan McGregor and Lea Seydoux lead an ensemble cast of outstanding performances, which also includes Theo James and Christina Aguilera. (Directed by Drake Doremus; April 21)

 -- Additional reporting by Rande Iaboni

 RELATED CONTENT:

Tribeca Film Festival: Robert De Niro Says He Would Join 'Big Little Lies' as Meryl Streep's Husband

Tribeca Film Festival: Anna Wintour on Film

Tribeca Film Festival: How Kristen Stewart and Nicholas Hoult Lost Themselves Shooting That Sexy 'Equals' Scene

Tribeca Film Festival: How James Franco Uses His Famous Friends to Make Hollywood Movies His Way

[sjon5719]

7 Simulation Games like The Sims

Wishing to delve into a fantasy world? You might be wondering about how it may be possible but It has now become easier than one may imagine. Everyone loves to go into a world full of fantasy. The gaming world in the past was more focused on war and bloodstains, as everyone wanted to win the battle without getting hurt. Nowadays, people wish to roam the streets of New York City where pubs and thug lifestyles are visible. Here are some of the most popular games that let you take a look at city life.

During childhood, you must have played a lot of games which had a boring character doing the same activity every time you played the game, but now it is time to take the jump into the world of the simulation games in which you live like a real person. The Sims-like games are great fun to those who want to get themselves out of this world riddled with pain and discomfort and set out on a journey to a fun world without buying tickets and passports. Whether you are willing to build others’ houses as a builder, wander the streets of a great city, or run escaping from prison, these games would be great fun to play.

My Time at Portia

Thinking of settling yourself with a bag and baggage in a big city? Portia would be a great place to settle in. The greatest thing about Portia is that it is easy to reach with no tickets and passports. Just simply download the game on your device and start taking a tour of the exciting world.

In My Time at Portia, you can join a community of different people as in real life. You can make friends with them if you find them interesting. You can find a bride for yourself to marry, have children, and decorate your house. In this life simulation game, you almost feel as if you are a king in real life. You should give it a try as it is more interesting than you may be speculating while reading here. The marvelous game is available on platforms like PC, PS4, and Nintendo Switch.

Stardew Valley

Working hard like a farmer is not really what most of the guys love. Being a farmer has been a difficult task and doesn’t carry any fun with itself. In Stardew Valley, you will never say no to farming. In this game, you are a farmer who looks after his valley and makes attempts to make it prosperous and better. There is a community of people in this game. You can be in the sphere of their friendship. From fishing, cooking, digging the ground to raising farm animals, the game has everything that one wants.

The characters in this game live in their houses like a resident in real life. You will sink into hours of fun in Stardew Valley without being aware of how much time has passed. You can play it on Android devices too, apart from PC, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and PS4.

Two Point Hospital

Being a doctor in real life really requires a lot of qualifications and degrees but here in this game, you find a golden opportunity to showcase your capability and take care of sufferers. You are assigned multiple tasks of taking stock of the situation in the sim hospital and keeping eyes on staff so that everyone does their part of work without shirking their duty. In Two Point Hospital, you have sim management, mechanics, and technicians who work for making the hospital equipped with more facilities in case of need. Your task in the game is to enrich the hospital’s reputation and grow it to a higher degree. The simulation video game, Two Point Hospital, is a good simulation game where you have to train the hospital staff and boost the hospital’s dignity. There is a lot of fun hidden in the simulation game that keeps you engaged for hours.

Cities: Skylines

Just managing family and friends can be difficult for many, but here you have the entire city to manage. Be it a natural disaster, pollution, or traffic jams on roads in the city, this is all you have to go manage. The game is great fun. You can enjoy it for a couple of hours without realizing the time. It’s very interesting to know we can manage the city by sitting at home just by turning on the PC. The game is not available on Android and iOS

The simulation game represents life in a city that is totally managed by you. In the simulation video game, you have control over everything, whether it is mayhem, conflict, and threats like pollution and traffic jams. You can deal with every situation in your own way. There is a lot to enjoy in this game.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

The simulation game takes you on a journey to your own artificial world where you design everything with your own hands. You can create your own clothes tailored to suit your needs and appropriate to fashion, decorate your home in an attractive manner, send letters to your relatives just like in real life. In the A-1 game, you find everything that is required to create a world of imagination. The game lets you decorate the entire island that you have recently inhabited. Isn’t it fun to play? This game is available on platforms like Nintendo Switch, PC, and PS4. The game lets you feel as if you are living a childhood life. You can catch fishes, pluck fruits, and catch flying bugs too. It’s a never-ending world of fun. The fun games like Sims truly lets you pass your boring time with fun and ease.

Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles

The game is one of the most loved games when it comes to playing Simulation games. The game is a blend of fun and joy. It brings your imagination out. It lets you take an insight into the world of imagination. Yonder’s world of Gemea may be the perfect place for you if you are hankering for making a visit to the world where you can live with other creatures. You can be a pal with other residents there, and do a couple of jobs that you find are really worth doing. If you have been in search of top-notch games like Sims, it is the great one for you to slake your thirst for playing a simulation game.

Fantasy Life

As the name suggests, the game lets you adopt different occupations, Whether it is a chef, tailor, or gardener. You can be in the profession of your own choice in Fantasy Life. You can make your living how you want. It’s very interesting to see yourself turn in different characters. Apart from crafting, getting married, having children, and having pets, the amazing game has everything that fills it with colors of fun.

SOURCE:- 7 Simulation Games like The Sims

[doomedandstoned]

Texas Doom Crushers

DESTROYER OF LIGHT

Unleash Chamber of Horrors!

~By Stephanie V. Cantu~

This summer, DESTROYER OF LIGHT released a doom masterpiece, capturing an atmosphere of cold dungeon dwellings that moan of sorrowful riffs and vocal passion. ‘Chamber of Horrors’ (2017 - Heavy Friends Records) successfully reaps raw emotion and is dark in tone, lyrical content, and musical temperament. The cover artwork by Adam Burke perfectly sets the atmosphere for the record’s journey into torment and terror.

I would especially recommend any fans of OM, Yob, and High On Fire to check out this album and give it a good listen. The Austin, Texas band has taken on a natural evolution of sound, a leap in wisdom and mastery, showing the artistic intelligence as it has instinctively progressed since their 2012 debut. As if being revealed fresh from the Veil, the new LP exudes mystery and ethereal qualities that remind me of occult gatherings and tribal sacrifice. Seven tracks clock in at 45 minutes, with the opening track beginning our hell-sleigh ride into the dark descent of the Chamber of Horrors.

WHISPERS INTO THE THRESHOLD

Chamber of Horrors by Destroyer of Light

The album introduction blends theatrics and instrumental tension in true doom metal fashion. The mounting pressure and slow climb of the guitar and drums sets the mournful fate that is to befall. Clanging chains that oppress your limbs rattle about, promising no salvation as sharp Whispers Into The Threshold speak evil incantations into your ear.

INTO THE SMOKE

Chamber of Horrors by Destroyer of Light

A riff born in Iommi’s graveyard breaks the clouds of mist at your ankles as you step Into The Smoke. Enter hypnosis, with sludge vox reminiscent of Mike IX Williams from Eyehategod, as rhythmic drone progressions rehash everything we love about traditional doom metal song structure. When the singing aspect of frontman Steve Colca's vocal performance comes to light, we hear an introspective sorrow that is quite distinct from the torment of the sludgey verses. We find here a soulful voice taking on qualities of Middle Eastern influence, containing tones similar to mantra chanting. The guitar leads are awesome on this one, too, even jamming through the vocal verses. Destroyer of Light is not afraid to experiment musically, while still keeping very true to proper song structure and development.

THE VIRGIN

Chamber of Horrors by Destroyer of Light

Incense vibes dominate this track, bringing us into prayer for the soul of The Virgin that is to be placed upon the altar. Sacrificial rites and hooded robes are the occasion, and if you have a flaming torch at hand it would do quite well. I particularly enjoy the angry vocal outbursts that contrast effectively with the soothing singing sections. This type of delivery reminds me of King Diamond when he does alternate expressions of different characters, always keeping things thematic. Songs like this construct a pathway for visionary journeys to take place through lyrical storytelling.

In this case, we’re led into the crypt for a sacrifice, and we hear twin harmonies of agony from both Steve Colca and doom vocalist Suzy Bravo of Witchcryer. The combination of male and female vox on this one adds a majestic value to the cinematic nature of this track. We hear the cries of the virgin intensify in torment as the ritual progresses. Heavy doom and witch sacrifices bring the blood, making this record a winner already, just three tracks in.

There is a spiritual ring to this one, creating an atmosphere conducive to ancient meditation and stoner groove. Destroyer of Light keeps it heavy and super tradish, making an honorary ode to doom metal, while still remaining fresh. Can’t stress enough the perfect alchemy that balances these new tracks. Destroyer of Light demos prowess and musical chemistry in producing soundscapes that evoke emotion and transport you to their realm.

TWILIGHT PROCESSION

Chamber of Horrors by Destroyer of Light

We have here a complimentary groove of rhythm and lead guitar trade-offs, a sort of slow funeral transition resembled by this melancholic guitar segue. After the death of the virgin in the previous track, we allow the heaviness to sink in with this soothing, bluesy Twilight Procession.

LUXCRUSHER

Chamber of Horrors by Destroyer of Light

This has to be my favorite song on the record. Steve Colca shows his versatile prowess in vocal delivery on this trademark Destroyer of Light banger. There’s a unique flair to the vocals, with an underlying primordial rage seeping through the verses. At times, it can almost sound like the singing is in some cryptic, ancient language. The stoner mantra and incense vibes return, furthering the meditative groove we heard earlier on the album. Destroyer of Light brings down the Eye of Ra in this LuxCrusher and desert vibes go arguably further when we enter subtle Egyptian territory on the five-string at certain key moments.

We’re given steady, hypnotic rhythm guitar breakdowns interwoven with electric leads, drum fills, and sonic distortion as the track unravels. The bass brings a distinct depth and richness that complements the thick, heavy atmosphere of sound. I particularly enjoy the lyrical writing on this one. The words betray a certain wisdom that comes from an intimate knowledge of these otherworldly dimensions.

Midnight worship at the shrine Sonic ritual slowing time Eyes behind the altar gaze You're pulled into an altered haze

PRISONER OF ETERNITY

Chamber of Horrors by Destroyer of Light

Before us is an ode to those ancient ways of mysterious alchemy. A potion of immortality has claimed our frontman, who stands before us as a Prisoner of Eternity. Centuries pass us by in this Destroyer of Light track, as we hear the words of a sorrowful doomed fate.

Is there a way to die? Centuries pass me by, empires rising, falling All who I loved are dead; I hear the voices calling Oh god, just let me die, can't stand eternal waiting

The drums take spotlight in this song, with every cymbal clash and snare hit adding a sort of aggression. The guitars sing in harmony, as a well-composed orchestra of doom takes over. Every instrument adds a masterful varnish as it chimes in, setting this band apart in musical refinement. There is vibrato in the guitars that adds such a wicked appeal, triggering a palpable spine tingle as it creeps its way up your back. We also get a primo axe solo towards the end of the track, just before the finishing vocals lay us down to die. All in all, there is no band that compares to the perfect fusion of stoner and doom that Destroyer of Light conjures.

BURIED ALIVE

Chamber of Horrors by Destroyer of Light

A slow doom crusher closes the record, imbuing wisdom upon our fragile minds as we faintly cling to life...in the Chamber of Horrors. The opening verses move us steadily along before we become Buried Alive into a grave of heavy sound. Bow before the Altar of Damnation and rebuke your righteousness, as you realize the Earth will soon be your tomb. Haunting lyrics promise no salvation for our end as the record moves into completion:

You dread of dying but you’re the living dead

Stop wasting time Just kill yourself No need to live You’re no messiah

God’s not your friend Until the end You're all alone Buried alive

We hear some of the most vicious vocalizations of the album on this track, characterized by Steve's monstrous, low-growling incantations. The song ends with the sounds of a dungeon door falling heavier upon our fates.

☠

Destroyer of Light is:

Steve Colca (guitar, vocals) Keegan Kjeldsen (guitar) Kelly "Penny" Turner (drums)

Chamber of Horrors was mixed by Matt Meli at Orb Recording Studios in Austin and mastered by James Plotkin.

Buy Destroyer of Light’s ‘Chamber of Horrors’ vinyl here.

I’m lucky to have had the opportunity to witness this band’s magic several times, as they tour very often. Their stage performance is an Orange amp worship ritual and a séance of frequencies. Destroyer of Light just completed a 2017 summer tour run with Goya that went through the Southern Bible Belt and Midwestern United States, making a pit stop at the Electric Funeral Fest in Denver.

You can catch Destroyer of Light on the road with DUEL in just a matter of weeks, leading up to the Stoned Meadow of Doom Fest this fall:

Sept. 27th - Dallas, TX (Renos Chop Shop) Sept. 28th - Oklahoma City, OK (Blue Note) Sept. 29th - Lawrence, KS (Replay Lounge) Sept. 30th - Sioux Falls, SD (Stoned Meadow of Doom Fest)

Follow The Band.

Get Their Music.

Destroyer of Light in Portland (film by Billy Goate)

[its-just-like-the-movies]

July 2017 Viewing Log

I beat my previous record!! 43 motherfuckers!! And so many 2017 features to boot, too. It’ll be neat to see what happens to my viewing patterns once school starts. Moving in the 10th, semester starts the 22nd. It’ll be a jam.

The Beguiled (17, B): I miss some of the 71′s psychosexual mess but this is a legit interpretation with its own interesting tone and style. - 07/01/17

 Mulholland Drive (01, A): Getting better acquainted with Lynch and seeing this a second time have done wonders for me. I’m in a dream place. - 07/02/17

Practically dares you at all times to question its unreality, its presentation, sometimes beats you to the bunch. But fuck is it real.

XX (17, B): As uneven as any respectable horror anthology, with admirably singular approaches. Clark & Lynskey, Kusama & Kirk stand tallest. - 07/03/17 (review)

Black Christmas (74, A-): Nasty atmosphere has room for zesty textures. Conveys potent thesis on misogyny without prurience. Fuckin’ scary. 07/05/17

The Forbidden Room (15, B-): Never as much fun for me as it was for everyone making it. Impressive as an exercise but I can’t get too worked up. - 07/05/17

Orlando (93, A): How much does & doesn’t change over 400 years? As much Potter’s, Powell’s, Swinton’s as it is Woolf’s. - 07/05/17

Can I say my other favorite thing about Orlando is that is possesses an economy that Woolf, wonderful as she is, clearly did not have.

Dolores Claiborne (95, C+): Script, actresses strive for poignancy that Hackford isn’t dexterous enough to fully match. Flawed, but compelling. - 07/06/17

(talking to someone about Judy Parfitt) So amazing with Bates! And I’m impressed with how well she handled old age. She coulda contended if it was released in November.

Coquette (29, D-): Awkward, garish, strenuous, smacks of inconceivable bullshit applied on every conceivably level, cranked way past eleven. - 07/06/17

Atlantic City (81, A): Whole somehow greater than the sum of its parts. Perfect city to refract its characters. Perfect performers to realize them. - 07/06/17

Terms of Endearment (83, B/B+): Winger/Daniels stuff so my favorite, but the humor & emotional currents of each scene work like a charm. - 07/07/17

Jupiter Ascending (14, D+): Imagination abound, comfy with nonsense mythology, but fuck does it get boring. Badness isn’t even that novel. - 07/07/17

Hustle & Flow (05, A-): So comfy with a seedier protagonist than any music biopic in recent memory. Colorful, vulgar, ace cast, great beats. - 07/07/17 (review)

Godzilla (54, B): Can’t survive most dated effects but still carries plenty of raw power. Photography, score, sound invaluable assets. - 07/08/17

Get Out (17, A-): Look, I’m sure the fall will be stacked, but from here I can’t imagine not putting this goddamn gem in my top ten. - 07/09/17

Marnie (64, A-): Dangerously, perversely unpredictable, in character and plotting, right until the very last minutes. Lord, what the fuck. - 07/11/17

The Void (17, B): Grosser than I’m used to but gory, monstrous, ball-to-the-wall insanity the perfect antithesis for It Comes At Night - 07/12/17

The Bling Ring (13, B+): Crimes as commodified and celebrated as fashions, friendships, fuck ups. Hilarious, stylish, nasty as its characters. - 07/12/17

Bird (88, B-/B): Struggles to do right by other black characters, lighting iffy. But Whitaker and Venora take it a long way. Glad I saw it. - 07/13/17

The Interrupters (11, A-): Honors a group of people who deserve all the praise and attention we can give them. Powerful, brave material. - 07/13/17

That still feels like I’m grasping at straws for how to praise the film. I hope it did wonders for the Violence Interrupters.

Happy Together (97, A): I could just list everything this film did right or how its dangerously oversaturated red says everything. - 07/14/17

Viscerally might’ve been better. Passionately? The way that technically imperfect camera captures and shows the film’s story is such a marvel.

How To Survive A Plague (12, A-): Galvanizing, angry, properly honoring another group of people who deserve all the respect we can give them. - 07/14/17

Shadow of a Doubt (43, A): No wonder Hitchcock loved this one so much, even with all the perfect films he made. Wright, Cotten so perfect. - 07/14/17

A Quiet Passion (17, B+): Meek prologue gives way to an increasingly potent, electric, unwavering dive into Dickinson’s life and mind. - 07/14/17

Davies is a great director, but this film would not work without Cynthia Nixon’s prickly, intelligent, verbally and physically astute performance.

Like Hopkins in Nixon, she dives so deeply into her character she pulls off that rare feat of making the real person look alien next to her work. 

Whip It! (09, B+): Melina has decided her roller derby name will be Hermione Danger and that is that. Also why were Ellen and Alia gays. - 07/16/17

Endlesssly fun. Cast fills the film’s lovingly sketched cliches with warmth, heart, humor. Can’t wait to make all my friends watch it and love it.

Ah!!!!! I loved every minute of it.

In the Loop (09, B+): All the ways it shouldn’t be funny - all the ways it’s sort of terrifying - only make it funnier, and more powerful. - 07/16/17 (review)

Sounder (72, A): As light, tender, and thorough an examination of a family as I’ve ever seen, especially under these circumstances. Tyson!! - 07/17/17

I kept thinking about Cicely Tyson’s big open-armed, open-hearted run in Sounder and fuck if that wasn’t the most I smiled all night (7/23/17)

The Savages (07, B): Entertaining yarn, especially between siblings. Trips a bit. Linney and Hoffman add more texture, warmth than Jenkins. - 07/17/17

Last Men in Aleppo (17, A-): So these are what heroes look like, what survival is in a place like that. Its very existence feels dangerous. 07/19/17

Bottom of the World (17, D-): Hateful, especially around Scarlett. Nonsense logic turns it into a weird object. Bottom of the pile. - 07/20/17

Lovesong (17, C): The kind of pleasant, adeptly-made lightweight that’s as hard to criticize as it is to recommend. Leads help. Neat kid. - 07/20/17

Scott Pilgrim vs The World (10, B): Lapses, sure, but deliriously fun, and a feast for the ears. Such fun edits, cast. My favorite Wright. - 07/21/17

I do think it honors such dense source material, and I can’t even fathom how influential Wallace Wells was on my personality/gayness

The Salesman (17, A-): What’s the gulf between public and private humiliations? Ambiguities give way to even more powerful finalities. - 07/22/17

Dunkirk (17, B): So technically prepossessing it becomes a distraction to the film’s emotional currents. Completely affecting. - 07/23/17

The Lure (17, B-): Delightfully off the wall, with indelible peaks. But frequently feels more like riffs than a fully formed idea. - 07/23/17

The Big Sick (17, B): Would you believe it’s more charming and fun than Dunkirk? Messy, feels longer than it is, but so so worth it. - 07/23/17

Arsenic and Old Lace (44, B-): Works so very hard at fun, zany, and perverse that it has a hard time being any of those things. - 07/25/17

The Act of Killing (13, A-): As terrifying a recreation of history as 12 Years A Slave. And when history is alive, how does it see itself? - 07/27/17

War for the Planet of the Apes (17, B): Handsome. Over-scored but scored well. I like what it’s doing, but doesn’t engender much to add. - 07/28/17

The Player (92, A-): Satire that drowns its Hollywood send-up with such a light, finessed touch. Essential Altman, Robbins, Peroni. - 07/28/17

My Fair Lady (64, C): Wonderfully dressed, set, and scored, but lord is this a misogynistic dinosaur of a film. Every song long in the tooth. - 07/28/17 (review)

So deadly low on energy, and uncinematic. Almost every man a creep, almost every song awful. I liked Hepburn and Nixon. That horrid ending!!!!

Dog Day Afternoon (75, A): Look I’ll think of something more sophisticated later but that’s one of the most perfect films I’ve seen. - 07/29/17

Excitingly interacts with eveyr mode of filmmaking, genre it touches. Packed with energy. Hard to think of anyone realizing it better.

Pacino is astounding, but so it Durning Sarandon, Allen. And, of course, John Cazale. What a run he and Pacino had!

Right Now, Wrong Then (16, A-): Unbroken cuts, rich script, earnest leads and direction create real tension of lives being lived. - 07/30/17

Strange Weather (17, B): Desperate tale of maternal validation compellingly crafted, well-spun, acted to gold by Hunter & co. Great finale. - 07/30/17

[wallkickswillwork]

signal jamming

incoherency is comforting because of the narrative weve been fed our whole entire lives that in order to be palatable media must in some way be complete and have beveled, well-defined edges rather than being a mess of finger paints, bright colors, strange dialogues and verbiage, build trees of moods.

thoughts on: -futuristic anime, 90s anime and the unique sense of mood in toonami shows. they are a very good series of shows for people who are coming of age and who must slowly be forced to reckon with the industrialization and mercenary nature of adult life, as it is increasingly held captive by capitalism. there is also something essentially spiritual about it, especially shows like precure and dbz, where an interior or exterior-made-interior force is responsible for the protagonists' success in the face of an oppressive world-system. under capitalism, it frequently is the case that the entire world or entirety-of-world is against us. heroes must overcome overwhelming odds to leave their mark on a gauntlet of greats. -cowboy bebop, final fantasy 7, metroid as meditations on loss, urbanization, dating back to blade runner. this is a type of meditation that is present in much of cyberpunk, but its also not exclusively cyberpunk, and can extend in nature to non-cyberpunk works.

thinking about necrobarista and how its attempting to "resuscitate" anime, while this approach doesnt really examine what contemporary anime like jojos, precure, and slightly more dated anime like hidaske and nichijou do well. if we get all this tunnel vision for gurren lagann and flcl we can never look forward. i think a lot of the visual work that needs to be done is probably in movies. i think maybe there could be work done to marry cinema proper with its animated counterpart. steven universe seems like it gets it, and there are some anime that really seemed like they got it. i dont think were beyond salvation.

-listening to the whos "tommy" and thinking about how trauma and the humanity of that trauma is experienced and lived-through by the main character in socratic fashion. these stories are discussed by people whose actual, authentic experience of trauma irl is doubtful at best. they are great successes on stage who dont struggle in the sense that an actual victim would struggle. calls to mind how a lot of freuds patients would fabricate csa in order to fulfill the expectations of the therapist. but in other cases, actual patients with csa would repress their experiences or not feel comfortable discussing. so thats how i feel about gurus like meher baba or i guess alan watts. less trustworthy and more like scam artists. i do believe in what they teach, however. i think that a guru can teach the truth even if that guru is a liar. maybe its the truth, but the guru doesnt know it to be true, or else, the way the guru teaches it is untrue.

-for a while i imagined my own autism to be the result of childhood trauma that was repressed, but later emerged that those memories were fabricated, to my knowledge, and was left wondering.

-learning to regard the world with a sense of wonder from media like cowboy bebop and ff7. these worlds are jaded and decaying realities but there is a sense of awe at the vast, uncompromising reality. truly vast, sprawling and yawning cities and vast starry skies up above. beholding these things and beholding the starry skies and huge cities of our own planet surely stirs something in me.

-fantasy anime tends to go the joke route like slayers or else the route of "we are all kids, bro, stuck in an mmo" and i think this is mostly due to the admittedly antiquated setting of high fantasy in european trochets and history which to japanese people probably feel like white person set dressing and as they should, i mean. there are more high fantasy themes in something like inuyasha and japans history can be feudal, edo, the meiji restoration, primordial like princess mononoke, etc, so theres more wiggle room for historical works there. slayers et al is usually reduced to "characters moving around the forest" which is almost like this grand slice of the collective anime consciousness as it stands overlapping with, say, pokemon, to the extent where its one of the cliche anime things everyone thinks about, alongside high school, robots, nurses, etc.

-another thing to which we could probably ascribe the success of something like slayers to is wizardry and by proxy dragon quest. small graph paper monster garden games. the appeal is entirely mathematical so there are only a few directions that anime directors tend to run with it (goofy gag comedy if youre making a show or cut and dried authentic dungeon crawlers with moe characters instead of the usual dbz ones). going off what you definitely learn in japanese history class if youre a japanese student, for starters, there are thousands of years of chinese history, so you have romance of 3 kingdoms type stuff. or you have high school romances accounting for the various fire emblems where the appeal becomes game of thronesy "which of my characters in dragon quest land can i make kiss each other and myself", very good ground to cover as we start asking the important questions. theres samurai stuff as we already know, drawing on years of samurai media, kurosawas films and zen spirituality, art of the blade type stuff, jeet kune do in some instances and reaching so far afield as to probably raise some interesting and important questions about pan-asiatic cultural identity which this author (white) is ill-advised to answer. but reeling it back in, the question mostly being of history, and how a lot of fantasy media draws more from History proper as a codified cultural body than histories being individuated familial experiences. its true that when a work does something unique with history (earthbounds hippy dippy approach to the 1960s, undertales handling of furry culture, yume nikkis south american murals) its tended to be seen as that works "thing" as if because hulk hogan was an all american wrestler that precluded john cena from being same, or at least, embodying a similar if slightly modified niche. nobody can make a hippy dippy rpg now or something because itd just be called an earthbound ripoff rather than a loving homage. and i think thats wrong headed and how genres become stillborn rather than invented and developed upon. we have this vast morass of stuff from the 20th century and we could be developing various 60s, 70s, 80s fantasies. hindsight is 20/20 i guess. who knows, we could see bluff city become something in 50 years time.

i feel this is because of extreme stringent expectations of intellectual property laws and their dissemination into everyday discourse online. i dont really like or agree with monolithic cultural expectations like intellectual property or *shudder* advertising, but only to the extent where i can acknowledge that whether or not i agree with them is irrelevant to their all-consuming scope and the need for marxists to actively combat them. its one thing to say "x is bad" and another to clamor for urgency of fighting x, which is, if you believe what we read every day about global warming, too late, so its not important. nevertheless there are a multiplicity of settings that could be developed into genres and identities and ideologues that rarely are if only because it would be seen as "oh yeah like that other thing". people are fickle and develop dwarflike strange moods when it comes to defining what constitutes original versus hackneyed and derivative. i think its mostly dictated by star signs and the weather.

so lately if you follow me on twitter youve probably noticed im doing sort of a tweet concrete kind of thing where i post plaintext quotes from various media taken out of context. i decided to do this for a while, maybe a few weeks, because aesthetic blogs and the aesthetic style of blogging allow me to pool and channel my energies towards larger and more ambitious styles of writing. i usually get loaded on caffeine during this process and frequently watch large amounts of anime and meditate some. its definitely a process and its geared toward something hazily, vaguely spiritual but with pretentions toward being authentically publishable as theory. the idea also being i would like to make some money to support my livelihood, and i like to write, and am somewhat skilled at it, or at least experienced in kind of a ramshackle homespun sort of way. so if my social media presence is pretty boring and kind of weirdly nostalgic or else contrariwise if you feel it has improved lately thats the reason why that happened.

ive been getting very hazy and foggy mentally lately. i feel like it has to do with caffeination and lack of sleep. its important to get everything flowing properly, and sometimes depression and anxiety make that difficult to do. theres anxiety over unemployment, something im trying to remedy, and theres anxiety over theory and where to proceed next via theory. for years i was a devout buddhist in some ways, and meditated a lot, almost every day. i prayed to the bodhisattvas and copped to buddhist metaphysics, something which, based around personal life experience, i had every reason to believe was true. lately and in my own, strange way, ive begun to question this ideology and interpret it as part of a patchwork of ideologies, each one which attempts to describe a totality, a totality which is rarely if ever described properly by any ideology. grasping at straws in a structural sense, and feeling nonplussed but with no ground to run to, and im back on the boss level in super mario 64 where bowser smashes the ground to make it fall away. attempts at restructuring as this dissolution transpires only serve to create new protocols equal in scope to pre-existing paradigms. and there are plenty of people who dont struggle this much with religion and probably still go to heaven, or think theyre going to heaven, or something. hows marge and the kids. did jerry get that new promotion. mom just got back from vacation in cancun. smalltalk style concerns arising in every day transitionary speech feel distinct and very distant from these kind of hazy, pie in the sky questions. plato never wrote about the kind of stuff you see in a cheers episode. there are philosophy books that try to merge the two, but they usually get shelved in the comedy section.

so its mostly a matter of trying to absorb and contain new information, which abides in abundance, and trying to corral it into sort of a pointing arrow to direct me where to go, in my hewing, a feat not easily done. probably the endgame is in the crafting and solution of art, but what kind of art, and whether i have the tools at my disposal to even create it, is less easily answered. so for now, i guess, im absorbing, waiting, asking questions, and who knows, and who can say.

earliest memories of religion are of the greco roman religion and not knowing about the mystery religious rites but knowing about an abstract concept of wisdom and the ocean and extrapolating the existence of athena and poseidon in that way. later i have memories of exposure to christianity and buddhism and bahai but none of these things feel particularly useful to me at this time in my life. i can more readily receive a picture, a kind of enlarged image, of a broad religious landscape and some of the questions it attempts to provide answers for, or at least, a way of thinking about. the greco roman religion, for instance, is a presentation of a deleuzian multiplicity, and the monotheistic religions are a monad, but i also dont think either of these things can say the other is inherently undesireable. tolerance seems to be the best method, but also, and likewise, not dwelling specifically in any of them. acknowledging they all exist, but not being any of them. enjoying in surfeit the tension between multiplicity and monad. that there can be many things and one thing. like the album cover of dark side of the moon.