#mythologic geekery

[alpaca-clouds]

Mythologic Geekery: Ba'al

Given that I now have the theory that he might play into Nocturne - and the fact I wanted to speak about Abrahamitic and Semitic mythology this and next week either way... LET ME TALK BA'AL!

So, first things first: Ba'al originally was a title within several of the semitic languages, being best translated with "Lord". So several male gods used the honorific over the time. But within both Babylon and also the Canaanite culture the name became mostly associated with the god Hadad. (While the Phoenicians associated the name with El(ohim) - but I am gonna talk about Elohim next week and he is a bit different, because he never became a demon.)

Hadad was a good mainly of weather (especially storms) and of fertility, being associated with the harvest and agriculture in general. Statues of Hadad were also used in fertility rituals.

From Ba'al Hadad came Ba'al as a god on his own. And while he was usually not the head god of a pantheon, he very much fulfilled the same role as Zeus in the pantheon. Being association with weather and these things. Interesting enough he had also a reverse version of the same kinda myth like Persephone associated with him: According to this myth the hot and dry summer months were the time of the year he was forced to live in the underworld.

What happened, though, with the Hebrew culture was that YHW subsumed the same role within the pantheon that Ba'al originally fulfilled. So he basically took that role and on the longterm subplanted Ba'al. And when the Abrahamitic culture turned towards Monotheism around YHW, Ba'al first became one of the false idols. Those idols that the folks prayed to in the desert while Moses was on the mountain. (Also Ba'al was among the idols people in Mekka prayed too that Mohammed then worked against.)

So, when Judaism took of they used Ba'al to build out their demonology. Now, again, Ba'al is technically a title, but a lot of people do agree that the fact that the demon got called Ba'al Zebub (Lord of Flies) was for the reason that Ba'al was the god they were trying to subplant.

Now technically Ba'al Zebub also references another god (Ekron). Now, the role of Ba'al Zebub (or how you might more easily recognize the name: Beelzebub). Within early Judaist sources Ba'al Zebub is mostly associated with death and sickness. Hence also the name: Lord of Flies.

As mythology shifts over time, by the time of the Testament of Solomon Ba'al Zebub was called "the Prince of Demons", who also was said to once have been an angel who rebelled against God for which he was cast into hell. And yes, if you think about Luzifer here: This was probably the source for that. I will talk more about Luzifer next week.

And then came Christianity. While within the gospels Ba'al Zebub was still in the same role of "prince of demon", later Christian theology started to decide that he and Satan were the same character. Something that happened around the same time that Satan became seen as more and more "evil" (something he is not within the original Hebrew mythology). And the Christian theology turned Ba'al Zebub into Beelzebub, as which we still have him around to this day.

[ravencromwell]

The poem evokes human greatness and human vulnerability. People are “godlike” in their courage and skill, but even the greatest mortals fall and clutch the dust between their bloody fingers. The beautiful word minunthadios , “short-lived,” is used of both Achilles and Hector, and applies to all of us. We die too soon, and there is no adequate recompense for the terrible, inevitable loss of life. Yet through poetry, the words, actions, and feelings of some long-ago brief lives may be remembered even three thousand years later.

--Emily Wilson's introduction to the Iliad

[zepskies]

10 'Til Midnight

Pairing: Professor!Dean Winchester x Student!Reader

Summary: A chance encounter outside of the classroom shifts the way you see your professor. Forever.

AN: Here’s a one-shot for @chevroletdean's 500 follower celebration! This also fulfills a request for one of my lovely Patreon members, @redhoodieone, who wanted to see AU Professor!Dean with a plus-sized student!reader. The reader is a graduate student (mid-20s) and Dean is in his 30s in this, so not really a wide age gap, but we’re still flirting with a gray area here lol.

Word Count: 4K

Tags/Warnings: graduate student!reader, plus-sized!reader, Shakespeare geekery, mythology and other nerdy classic lit. references, AU Brady sighting, sexual tension, mutual pining(?)

The ash cloud of exhaust rose up from the sidewalk steam grates. It infiltrated your nose as you hurried down a few well-worn concrete steps and into the bowels of the subway, a transition into deeper darkness.

To you, that acrid, mini plume of pollution was the smell of New York City; old cigarette buds and weed hash, fresh tequeños and hot dogs wafting from the open door of the bodega on the corner, mixed with a whiff of piss.

This was the city of broke creatives clinging to their fragile dreams with both hands, usually while the natives rolled their eyes. You were one of those shiny happy people with a dream and the battle-tested will to make it happen, especially tonight. You finally got to see a play on Broadway, an excellent production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

You replayed your favorite scenes in your mind like 1940s movie reel, except it was live in technicolor. An unconscious smile spread across your lips, but you had to hurry. Your train was about to leave in…

You checked the time on your phone—ten minutes to midnight—and compared it to the digital sign up ahead. Your eyes widened.

Shit! One minute?!

You had no choice but to try and run in your heels. That had you skidding to the open doors as they began to close, but you just managed to slip inside, albeit literally slipping with a yelp.

A man saved you by grabbing hold of your arm and waist before you fell, bunching the fabric of your coat beneath his hand. You gasped when you stared up at a familiar face. A sharp jawline covered with stubble, just neat enough to be respectable; dark brows shaded over green eyes, trained on you; bowed lips pursed with confusion.

“Professor?” you said, breathless and shocked.

He was just as baffled, but he finished helping you up as your name fell from his lips.

“You okay?” he asked.

You nodded and thanked him for the save, still catching your breath.

“Here, sit down,” he said, gesturing to a couple of empty seats on the subway. You joined him in sitting, though you ignored the stare of the guy standing closest to you who was holding onto a rail. He wore jeans and dirty hipster Vans, a brown bomber jacket and a gray beanie. The stench of weed and cheap cologne clung to him.

And his gaze followed you until you sat down. Slightly unsettled, you were subtle in the way you angled yourself toward the man beside you.

Professor Dean Winchester.

He really was the last person you expected to see on your way home tonight. You still couldn’t believe you ran right into him!

But then, you noticed the playbill sticking out of his coat pocket (his coat looked more expensive, a dark charcoal gray with a high collar, and it suited him).

“Oh, you…you saw the play too?” you said in excitement, showing him your own playbill that you fished out of your purse. You’d told him about it a month ago, after his lecture on fairy lore. You thought he might enjoy a play that was all about the convergence between the fairy realm and the human realm.

He’d admitted that he’d never seen a Shakespeare play live, but he said he’d look into it. You didn’t think he was actually taking you seriously though.

“Uh, yeah, I did. I’ve never been a big Shakespeare guy, truth be told, but you hooked me,” he said. When he smiled, it made the corner of his eyes crinkle a little.

You couldn’t help but smile too every time you noticed that…even though it made your cheeks warm in a blush. He really had no business being this handsome. And the suit? All crisp and black, paired with a classic, off-white dress shirt and a black pinstripe tie.

Clearly he’d dressed for the occasion of going to the theater, because usually he was one of the chillest professors you knew. He showed up to class in jeans, boots, plain henleys and jackets, though never without his watch, a classic leather time piece with a silver watch face and bold black numbers. It was so vintage, you’d asked about it once when you met with him to talk about one of your essays on Native American burial practices. He’d told you that the watch belonged to his father, who passed away a few years ago now.

“So what’d you think?” you asked. “Weren’t the sets beautiful? It was so ominous and creepy in the ‘forest,’ and ethereal too, like the fairy realm part of it.”

He nodded, smiling slightly wider at your enthusiasm. “Yeah, was a good production. The actors were top-notch.”

“Oh, incredible. That was the best Bottom I’ve ever seen.” You paused, realizing what you said, and a nervous giggle tumbled out of your mouth. “Well, the character. Not the ass—donkey—whatever. You know what I mean.”

The man laughed, rich and deep and washing over you pleasantly, even though you half covered your face in embarrassment.

“Can’t argue with you there. The ass was hilarious,” he smirked.

Another giggle, and you flipped through the playbill again to distract yourself from looking at his ruggedly chiseled face. Why, oh why did he have to be so fucking attractive? And somehow he was still single. You’d heard some of the girls in your class whispering about it after class one day—a full-on engagement that fell apart two years ago.

“But really, the actors who played the couples in the love quadrangle were awesome,” you said. “Helena was my favorite.”

He raised his dark brows. “Really? The girl who gets shit on the most in the play?”

That was another thing. He didn’t really talk like any professor you’d met in your life. You let out a snort.

“I don’t want to be her, I just think she did so well at showing that vulnerability,” you explained. “There’s nothing worse than being in love with someone who doesn’t even see you, you know?”

He tilted his head, his amusement fading as he listened. You felt emboldened to continue your thought.

“In her mind, she’s probably thinking, ‘Well, even if he’s yelling at me, at least he’s acknowledging I exist,’” you said, “which is incredibly sad and isn’t giving Shakespeare many brownie points for feminism, but it’s a reality that some women go through.”

After a moment, he seemed to see your point with a nod of his head.

“That’s fair,” he said, arching a brow. “Though I gotta hope you don’t let any guy talk to you like that.”

You shook your head with a smile, but before you could answer him, your phone slipped off your lap and tumbled to the dirty subway floor. You twisted away so you could reach down and grab it, but you caught that whiff of cheap cologne again. Gray beanie guy let go of the rail and bent down to scoop up your phone before you could. You offered a polite thank you and went to take it back, but he held it out of reach at the last second, giving you a teasing smile.

“How about I put my number in first, so you can call me when you get home,” he said. “I’m Brady, by the way.”

That oh-so-gracious offer was followed by a glance down your dress. You sat up straighter, adjusting the collar of your coat back over your neckline with a weary huff.

“Ah, you know what, I’m good with just my phone…please.”

This was why you kind of hated the subway. You didn’t know when you were going to have to interact with a creep trying to steal your phone, shoot his shot, or look down your dress as a consolation prize.

You held out your hand expectantly, but still, “Brady” didn’t take the hint.

“Aw, what, you have a boyfriend or something?” he asked.

“Oh my God. Are you fucking serious?” You sighed and decided a white lie was best here. “Yes, I have a boyfriend. Now give me my phone, please.”

“Hmm. Is it like beginning stages, or...?”

“Jesus Christ, dude.”

“Hey, I’m just saying, maybe we can grab a bite to eat, theeen you know. If things are going well, we could take things back to your place,” he said, his brows popping with sleazy suggestion. He still held the phone away from your grasping hand in frustration.

“Hey,” a deep voice cut in. 

You hesitated, glancing back at Professor Winchester. He glared up at Brady with a stony look that you’d never seen on him before.

“Give her the damn phone,” said the professor. His tone boded no argument.

Still, Brady pushed his luck.

“What, you her boyfriend or something?”

The professor didn’t bother to answer the question, but he stood from his seat, his long coat draped down all six feet and change of him, broad shoulders and calm confidence. He stared down at the lankier, scruffier pothead. Then he held out his hand.

Brady shifted back on his heels, seeming to realize that he didn’t want this version of Midnight on the Orient Express—the kind that ended up on the 6 o’clock news the next morning. With a roll of his eyes, Brady dropped the phone into your professor’s hand, complete with a dickish quirk of his lips. Professor Winchester gestured at him to fuck off.

“Walk away,” he said.

To your astonishment, the Brady just tossed him a “fuck you, bro,” and went to the other end of the car. You stood up too, just as the subway pulled to a stop. Professor Winchester handed you the phone.

“Thank you,” you said quietly.

“Is this your stop?” he asked, still glancing back with a suspicious eye at the asshole still glaring at your backs.

You nodded, biting your lip.

“Okay, come on,” the professor said. He laid a guiding hand on the small of your back and joined you in stepping out of the subway car. To your relief, Brady stayed on the train.

“Thank you,” you said again. “Really, you didn’t have to miss your exit for me.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Dean said, with a shake of his head. His frown was still in place just thinking of that fucking loser. “I’ll have better peace of mind knowing you got home safe.”  

Once you told him that your apartment was another few blocks away, he knew he was going to be walking you home. You told him you weren’t that new to the city, but in his mind, it still wasn’t a safe neighborhood for a young woman to be walking around by herself at this time of night.

He had no other motive than that, however…

He’d been pleasantly surprised to see you tonight. You were a flash of scarlet that tumbled into his arms, the scent of your floral perfume teasing his nose before he caught sight of that little dress clinging to your curvy form, ending just a couple inches above the knee. But you drew your wool coat closer to your body, hiding the tantalizing flash of red from view.

It was for the best, he thought, as he cleared his throat and tried to find something else to focus his eyes on while you two walked together. He couldn’t help but land on your face again, on your pretty painted lips.

A deep, full-bodied red.

It was a familiar shade. You’d worn it before, while chewing the end of a pen absently in concentration during one of his lectures on the difference between skinwalkers and shapeshifters—those long, pointed nails tapping a quiet rhythm against the plastic. It was one of your many quirks, but only now did he realize how much he’d actually noticed about you. If nothing else, he always knew he had your attention.

He also knew you were getting a master’s degree in English, and you were taking his class as an elective. You’d actually sought him out before the semester started to make sure you got a spot in his class.

“Sorry, sir, I know it’s early. I’ve just been trying since last year to get into this class, and I really wanted the chance to take it before I graduate this year.”

He’d shifted in his swivel chair with his jean-clad legs casually crossed. He bounced a tennis ball against the wall, as was his habit. (Mostly because it bothered Benny, who had the office next to his.)

The repetitive bounce really helped him to think sometimes; it was basically his version of a fidget spinner.

“You like mythology that much, huh?” Dean asked.

“Oh, yeah!” you said, as your eyes lit up. “I find it so fascinating how every culture in the world has their own stories that have still survived for thousands of years. Some of them even overlap. Like, maybe it’s technically a different creature, but they have the same name, just in another language. Or it’s the same creature, different backstory. It’s like any novel I’ve ever read—similar tropes, but the style, the packaging. That’s what becomes new and creative.”

Amusement tugged at Dean’s lips.

“Same candy, different wrapper, right?” he offered. His reward was your bright smile.

“Yeah, exactly.”

He’d approved your request without a second thought. Unlike 95% of the students who came and went through his classes, you weren’t just smart. You cared. You had a passion for this stuff…and it mirrored his own.

“So, uh, you liked that play, huh?” he asked. Wanted to rub his hand over his face right after. Smooth, Winchester.

But it succeeded in brightening your eyes again.

“Oh yeah. People tend to think of it as one of Shakespeare’s sillier plays, but it drops some interesting ideas about love, for example.” All while you spoke, you spun vivid gestures with your hands.

Dean’s remained in his coat pockets, but watching you made his smile deepen. He liked when you got like this, so animated and alive with your thoughts. It threatened to draw him out of his somewhat jaded shell.

“Oh, yeah? Like what?” he asked. Not because he really wanted to talk about what some sixteenth-century ye olde-y English douche thought about love, but because he wanted to hear you explain it.

You didn’t disappoint.

“Well, there’s the famous Lysander line, ‘The course of true love never did run smooth,’” you said, “but that’s not even my favorite. That’s boring. That’s every rom-com ever, from Harry Met Sally to While You Were Sleeping, all the way to He’s Just Not that Into You, and Crazy, Stupid Love.”

Dean had to interject. “You watch a lot of chick-flicks, don’t you?”

Your lips puckered, but the amusement in your eyes answered his question.

“Like I said, I think Helena is the most underrated tragic figure in the whole story. Yeah, she’s pretty much a doormat, following Demetrius around even though he claims he’s in love with her best friend. Even though he curses at her, threatens to kill her if she keeps annoying him, following him around like an abused puppy. We can agree, he’s like, the biggest asshole in existence, right?” you said.

“Oh, very much agree. You want some coffee?” Dean asked, pointing to a guy selling warm pretzels and drinks from his vendor cart on the side of the road. It had stopped snowing a few days ago, but the February air was still sharp and bitterly cold at this time of night. If only it were midsummer.

“Uh, you know what, I could go for some tea. Thank you,” you said. But you didn’t let that derail you from your thoughts on Shakespearean love. You were still waxing literary analysis while you dug into your purse to find your wallet, but by the time you got it out, Dean had already paid for both drinks and a large soft-baked pretzel.

Your brows furrowed. “Oh! I meant to pay for my part—”

“Don’t worry about it. Here, take half,” Dean said, and he shot you a smile while handing over your hot tea and half of his pretzel. He got your eyes to light up for a different reason as you took the treat. You thanked him with a sweeter smile.

Then you took a bite, and you kept talking.

“But then she says, ���Love can transpose to form and dignity.’ It can make us act like idiots, right? I mean, back in high school I wrote my boyfriend’s essays for a whole year because I didn’t want him to fail English, and let’s face it, he could barely spell his own last name.”

“Yikes,” Dean chuckled. Sounded like a GED and a gas station job in that guy’s future.

“Right? And what did he do? He dumped me the week before prom because he knew Ruby Summers would put out.” You rolled your eyes, accepting Dean’s sympathies with a gracious nod and a dismissive hand wave. Still, he hoped all you’d given to that guy was your time.

"Well, the guy you're seeing now better be treating you right," he said.

You blinked, your brows furrowing a bit in confusion, until realization dawned on you.

"Oh, I don't have a boyfriend," you said with a small chuckle. "That's just what I tell pushy weirdos on subways."

Dean was tripped up for a second, but he eventually quirked a smile.

“So anyway, my favorite bar of the whole play is what Helena says in Act 1,” you said. “‘Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind.’”

In that moment, Dean’s eyes were a little too captivated.

But you broke the spell.

You glanced ahead to continue along the crosswalk with him, taking another warm, soft bite of pretzel.

“And that’s why Cupid’s always painted like a blind baby…or something like that,” you said. You laughed a little, and you seemed to realize just how long you’d been yapping his ear off. You came to a stop at what he assumed was your apartment building, but you suddenly got quiet. Embarrassed.

“Sorry, once I open my mouth on this stuff, I can’t really stop unless someone stops me and tells me I’m literally killing them with words that don’t make sense.”

“You’re making a whole lotta sense to me,” Dean replied. And he realized that he meant it. He rubbed his chin in thought. “Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind. I like that.”

Your mind seemed to be a hamster wheel on steroids, but he kind of liked that too.

“Well, did you like the play?” you asked, smiling in embarrassment. “Sorry, can’t remember if I even asked you that yet.”

He laughed softly. Even if you had, he didn’t mind answering again.

“I like it more now, hearing you talk about it,” he said. But maybe that was too honest. He padded it with something more appropriate, as your instructor. “It makes sense, since you’re an English major, but your passion always comes through in your essays. I’m really glad you decided to take my class this semester.”

You demured further at the praise. “Oh, thank you. It really is my favorite class so far this year, but…that’s because you’re the one teaching it. You're really good at telling stories. You make them simple and easy to understand, even when we're talking about hell hounds and old ghost stories, or the uh, Oedipus complex, or something.”

Dean smiled in amusement, but it was his turn to be touched, even if it surprised him too. You were just so honest and free enough to speak your mind. It was refreshing.

“Well, thank you. Glad to hear at least one person’s getting something out of it,” he said, his smile warming for once.

You smiled too, looking at him through your lashes. “All right well, thanks again for walking me home. I’ll, um…see you on Monday-ayy!”

You stepped up onto the first stair leading up to your apartment and caught an icy patch with your red-bottomed heels. A gasp fell from your lips as your arms spun out to catch yourself on anything that could keep you from falling, and that happened to be Dean—specifically his coat, and then his biceps when he moved in fast to keep you upright.

He ended up gathering you into his arms while you clung to his coat. Your red nails bit into the dark fabric. In his mind’s eye, he could imagine them popping the buttons of his dress shirt, carving shaky lines of heat and pleasure across his skin.

Fuck. He bit the inside of his cheek hard to rid himself of that image, his jaw ticking in response. But another one just replaced it when his gaze met yours, half-lidded and shocked, but…contemplating.

Hot breaths mingled in between, puffing visibly on the cold air.

“God, I’m sorry!” you breathed.

“Don’t worry about it.” He cleared his throat past the slight roughness in his voice. “You all right?”

“Yeah. Yeah, um…Take Two,” you said, laughing weakly.

You aimed to let him go and continue on up the stairs by yourself, but Dean couldn’t stop himself from trying to help you. He held your elbow at least, with a hovering hand by your waist in case you slipped again. When you finally made it to the door, you paused and turned to look at him over your shoulder. Again, that look in your eyes said you were debating something in your mind.

“You okay?” he asked again.

You nodded. “Yeah, I just, um…you know what? Never mind. Uh, good night!”

Dean nodded, giving you a casual salute. He didn’t leave until you got in the building safely, but for his entire long walk home, your face wouldn’t leave his mind. That look of internal conflict, like you’d been weighing some kind of pros and cons. He had to wonder…

Had you been about to invite him up to your apartment?

But no. Fucking no. He dismissed that thought as soon as it came. He was almost ten years older than you.

Didn’t stop Catherine Zeta-Jones from hooking up with Michael Douglas. She’s barely pushing fifty while he’s halfway into Senior Depends.

Second problem. Career ending and reputation ruining and his own clock punch at the local 7/11—kind of a problem.

You were a student.

Grad student, came a whisper from the back of his mind.

In Greek mythology, the golden apples of Hesperides in Hera’s garden were guarded by a dragon. The Norse gods also believed in their own version of immortal golden apples, harvested by the goddess Idunn. Sounded a bit like Eden, right? As in, the Judeo-Christian Garden.

As in, forbidden fruit.

What did they all have in common? There was always a consequence for the taking and sampling part. The question was, is the price worth how good it tastes?

Remembering the feeling of your soft curves under his hands, Dean had a feeling it would be more than fucking worth it.

But he shook the thought from his head, his fingertips digging into the soft insides of his coat pockets.

He was your professor. That was where those thoughts should end.

You didn’t even see him that way…did you?

You shucked your heels off as soon as you got inside your apartment. You heaved a deep sigh and shed your purse, your coat, your earrings and necklace, which you set down on the nightstand in your bedroom. You sat on the edge of the bed and fell back onto the creaky mattress.

Your hands came to rest lightly over your stomach, a safe place, while you thought back to how Professor Winchester held you so tight. Secure. Gentlemanly.

How he looked at you, his green-eyed gaze falling to your lips, like he was contemplating the best way to close that distance, bowing his head those last few inches and…

You forcibly shook your head. He was your goddamn teacher.

It didn’t matter that he was probably the youngest faculty member on campus, and you were a twenty-five-year-old graduate student. Whether or not the man was “age appropriate,” he was still your professor. You couldn’t think about him like that.

And he absolutely didn’t look at you like that…

Did he?

AN: Sorry again for all the nerdy lit. tidbits, but I had fun. 😂 I'm thinking about expanding this into an actual little series, so let me know what you think! ❤️

⋆˙⟡ Follow @zepskieswrites (with notifications on) to get notified every time I drop a new chapter. ❤️

Join My Patreon ⟡ Get early access to new stories, bonus content, and first looks at upcoming stories; send me requests, and more!

Dean Winchester One-Shots List

Dean Winchester Masterlist

Main Masterlist

Dean Winchester Tag List (Part 1):

@luci-in-trenchcoats @lamentationsofalonelypotato @winchestergirl2 @deans-spinster-witch @roseblue373

@hobby27 @kazsrm67 @foxyjwls007 @mostlymarvelgirl @kaleldobrev

@globetrotter28 @midnightmadwoman @lyarr24 @ladysparkles78

@waywardxwords @waynes-multiverse @twinkleinadiamondsky @my-stories-vault @0ccvltism

@rizlowwritessortof @k-slla @jackles010378 @alwaystiredandconfused @nancymcl

@this-is-me19 @spnwoman @illicithallways @pieandmonsters @deansbbyx

@mimaria420 @stoneyggirl2 @fics-pics-andotherthings-i-like @cheynovak @jollyhunter

@deanwinchestersgirl87 @rachiem4-blog @leigh70 @aylacavebear @jessjad

@kmc1989 @siampie @rubyvhs @masked-lost-girl @spnbabe67

@deanbrainrotwritings @alwaystiredandconfused @supernotnatural2005 @impala-dreamer @spnaquakindgdom

[disneytva]

WonderCon 2024 Sets GARGOYLES 30th Anniversary Panel With Reunion Of The Crew And Cast.

In celebration of all things comics, sci-fi, horror, cartoons and general genre entertainment geekery, WonderCon returns to the Anaheim Convention Center in Southern California from Friday, March 29 to Sunday, March 31. Comic-Con San Diego’s more manageably-sized sibling event nevertheless has plenty to pack your schedule if you love all things animation.

Gargoyles fans are getting a treat as for the series 30th anniversary a reunion panel is among the events of the convention.

30 Years of Gargoyles - Sunday, March 31

11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. | North 200A

Gargoyles, an animated series that mixed mythology, complex themes and Shakespearean storylines, instantly attracted viewers of all ages in its first season. Though betrayed by the very ones they have sworn to protect, Goliath, his family, and Eliza taught impressionable minds about trust and understanding the other side. A cartoon that stood out from its peers at the time, it spawned comics, video games, and a newly announced live-action reboot. Cast, crew, writers and others will discuss how Gargoyles has inspired fan conventions and why it’s been consistently named one of the best animated series for three decades.

[ravencromwell]

I'm incapable of letting a post about monster parenting go by without reccing Max Gladstone's "A Kiss With Teeth." While there are no cupcakes--or bonding with kids bff--, there is Vlad. Gradually allowing his son into every aspect of his life. Even the scary ones. While weeping that this parenting thing: harder than being Count Dracula, man by a mile. Concealing his monstrosity from the human world who would fear him, while not being devoured by his human accounting mask. And trying so very, very hard to rekindle the spark with his beloved while simultaneously resisting the urge to chomp on his son's lovely school teacher. With a beloved who has kicked his ass once, and will cheerfully do it again if that's what it takes for him to understand the only monstrosity he's perpetrating right now is fleeing his family in fear of hurting them. It's got the _vibes of this post, if not its specifics is what I'm saying.

I like stories where a normal human child is being raised by a sinister supernatural being who is totally malevolent except when it comes to their kid. Those are so much better than the “kids are scary” changeling type horror movies.

[whitemagewithcoco]

really, dashboard... really!? lmao

@animatedtext @greatest-greek-games

[weeinterpreter]

Zeus: Son, the world doesn't revolve around you.

Apollo: Well...

[alicedaydreams]

I’ve recently become obsessed with the musical @hadestown, which retells the myth of Orpheus & Eurydice. So it felt like a good time for a #fandomfriday post featuring 1 of my oldest & greatest loves: Greek mythology. The Odyssey is legit one of my favorite stories & so I feel so blessed to have this new translation of it by Emily Wilson & a riff on the tale in CIRCE by Madeline Miller, whose 1st book THE SONG OF ACHILLES (about the Iliad) is an all-time fave! . . What is something you’ve loved forever & anything in that wheelhouse still gets you every time? . . . #bookstagram #booknerd #blackmilkandbooks #bmolympusskaterdress #bookootd #bmolympusorangereversibleskaterdress #mythology #greekmythology #theodyssey #bookandoutfit #booknerdigans #bookflatlay #booklover #bookobsessed #geekchic #geekery #fridayreads #AliceRecs https://www.instagram.com/p/Bn_9mKwFrp0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=kiyaow7kasfz

[zenzgtandg]

Kratos unlocks Bluetooth

Reddit

[alpaca-clouds]

Mythologic Geekery: Ares

When it comes to Ares... he is an interesting god. Because we do not quite know where he comes from. Now, obviously war gods are quite common in mythologies. And within the Greek mythology they are so common, that half of the fucking pantheon has a war-aspect to them. Even motherfucking Aphrodite has an armored up war version of herself. Which almost makes Ares superfluous.

Within Mycanean Greece, there was the Enyalios as a war god, who later in Hellenistic Greece shows up as a son of Ares again. But some scholars assume that he was the prototype for Ares, especially as in some eras Enyalios was also an alternate name for Ares.

The other possible origin for Ares is, that like Hermes split from Pan, Ares might have split from Zeus.

The reason for this is two-fold. For once, there is the fact that obviously Zeus has a waring aspect to him (again, most Greek gods have this), but also... In almost all other Indo-European mythologies the war god is just an aspect of the god father (who often, but not always is the Sky Father).

The most notable examples of this are obviously Odin and YHW.

So, why did the Greeks have an exclusive war god?

Well, maybe because war was really important to their culture. We usually think of Greece as this culture of philosophers. But we cannot forget that it was also a culture of war. An aspect that obviously became more important, when the Romans entered the picture.

But yes, all in all Ares is kinda an anomaly within the Greek mythology, that we have not quite figured out yet.

[ravencromwell]

“Cowards and heroes have the same reward. Do everything or nothing—death still comes.” (9.409–10) Moreover, perhaps the trade was never worth it in the first place. Material wealth—such as treasure or animals—can be traded and recovered, but this loss can never be recouped: You can raid fine cattle or well-fed sheep, and you can trade to get tripods and horses with fine golden manes. But human life does not come back again after it passes through the fence of teeth. No trade or rustling can recover it. (9.524–29) The almost childlike simplicity and truth of the observation is overwhelmingly powerful. Teeth are a fence between the interior and exterior of the body, like a barrier that keeps animals inside their pen. But this little fence is too frail to keep human life locked inside. Achilles, an experienced looter and cattle thief, knows how easily animals can be filched from their original owners, and how hard it may be to track down a stolen horse or herd. To recover a lost life is not hard, but impossible.

--from Emily Wilson's Introduction to The Iliad

[rideroftherange]

So ‘Sisyphus’ was trending on Twitter and it was just Classics jokes!

[hungergamesbookshelf]

Name Meta: Annie

In the interests of procrastination I decided to take some time and talk about why I decided to name Annie what I did.

This was actually something I agonized over for longer than I care to admit. I’ve read a lot of different versions of Annie’s full name but none of them felt right to me and I was honestly pretty much decided that I was simply going to have her official, full name be simply “Annie.” It didn’t seem unlikely and is probably what Suzanne Collins had in mind.

Then, as I was idly scrolling through Behind the Name (which is a beautiful website and may or may not be my homepage) looking at names that begin with “An” when “Andromache” popped up on my screen and I just had a Moment.

Here’s the thing about me. I’m a huge myths and legends nerd (like so many people on tumblr) and I have Opinions about Troy and what went down there.

For those who decided to do better things with their life than geek out over ancient literature, I shall explain. There are approximately three people in the entire Trojan saga who are just all around decent people that you really feel like you can root for without reservation. Two of them are Hector and Andromache.

Hector is one of the Trojan princes, the elder brother of Paris (you know, the dude who started the whole thing by bringing home another man’s wife) and I kid you not he is just about as close to perfection as is possible for a mortal in a Greek myth.

And if I love Hector I freaking adore Andromache. (She’s the bomb)

Andromache is also something of a passive character in the story in the sense that she is involved, but it is other characters and their decisions (and the gods) who drive the action.

While all the drama and affairs and backstabbing is going on, Hector is over to the side with Andromache and their baby son Astyanax just being a sweet little family and when duty calls he steps outside the walls and leads the Trojan forces to protect the city. I ship them so hard guys. (And I’m not the only one. The Hector/Andromache tag on AO3 has 27 results)

Hector the tamer of horses, the hero of Troy. Hector the Golden who is given an ignominious death, leaving behind his wife and son to an unknown fate.

Sound familiar?`

I will say that Annie gets a happier ending than Andromache. She doesn’t have to watch her husband’s body be desecrated. She gets to go home and raise her son instead of being dragged off into slavery and her baby tossed off the wall of Troy.

But the name Andromache for me invokes a sort of sense of doom and grief that I felt suited Annie and her story well. Just because it ends in a slightly better way doesn’t mean there wasn’t a lot of pain.

[andsewingishalfthebattle]

Anime Central 2021 Panels (...maybe)

Soooo ACEN has moved online this year, and is running their virtual con split between Twitch and Discord this weekend.

As we had provided some of the cultural content last year, ASIHTB was asked if we could provide a selection of pre-recorded educational and cultural programming for this year's event. Which we did, even bringing in authors and cultural experts to contribute more diverse content!

But when I checked the programming schedule to see when I needed to be online for the live panel Q&A, I discovered that of the 26 presentations we sent in, only two were actually listed on the final panel schedule. 😕 Laura was told by staff that more of our programs were going be added to the schedule, but it's now the day of the con and the schedule has never been updated, so I have no idea when, where, or if the rest of our videos will be run.

If ACEN doesn't show the videos, I suppose we can just put them up on our YouTube channel so you can watch them there after the con. (Bonus ASIHTB con!) In any case, here's the complete list of everything we prepared/recorded for the convention, along with panel times if we have them. For the rest... uh, I guess they might still be run off-schedule, or as filler or something? So keep an eye out if you're participating in ACEN Online.

Japanese Folklore and Mythology

Time: Friday, May 19 @ 4:30 PM CST (Discord)

What’s the difference between bakemono and ayakashi? Who’s that Pokémon, and why is it in a 200-year-old woodblock print? Does the story of Sailor Moon actually predate the Norman conquest of England? (Spoiler: YES, it does!) Get the most from your animé and Asian cinema experience when you understand the cultural background! Learn about Japanese mythology in this folklore primer, illustrated with video clips from animé and Japanese film.

Go West! The Saiyuki Legend

Time: Saturday, May 20 @ 3:30 PM CST (Discord)

From Dragon Ball to Gensoumaden Saiyuki, there's no shortage of adaptations, retellings, and wholesale lifts of one of the world's most popular folk tales. But most of the western world enjoying these retellings knows little of the original novel, and even less of the stories it itself combined and retold.

Let's look at the historic and cultural context for the original 16th century novel and the lore it collected into a single tale. We'll discuss some key adaptations as well, with the knowledge to enjoy them more.

The Phantom Thief: An Illustrated History

Time: ???

How did Edgar Allen Poe influence Sailor Moon? What do Norse gods, Joan of Arc, and Lupin III have in common? Who was the real-life Moriarty? Learn the origin of the kaitou, Japan’s archetypal thief, from his birth in Gilded Age literature to his high-tech 21st century incarnations. Follow this truly international antihero’s development through history with examples from animé, manga, film, and literature.

Patterns Lie! And Other Useful Sewing Facts

Time: ???

Learning to sew can be daunting, especially if you’ve never had formal instruction. We’re here to help! In this panel, we’ll cover selecting and reading a pattern, choosing fabric, cutting, pinning, sewing, pressing, finishing hems, and more — all without complicated sewing terminology! You’ll be sewing like a pro in no time. Bring your questions!

The History of Ramen

Time: ???

Favored by broke college students everywhere, ramen has a reputation as a cheap convenience food. But these twisty noodles actually have a fascinating history! Learn about ramen's (surprisingly recent) development and cultural background in this tasty presentation.

Ninja in History

Time: ???

Join celebrated authors Susan Spann (author of the Hiro Hattori mysteries) and Laura VanArendonk Baugh (author of the Kitsune Tales series) for a history-packed discussion of the fact and fiction of ninjutsu and ninja.

Japanese Fairy Tales

Time: ???

In the late Victorian and Edwardian eras, the Western world was fascinated by newly-available trade goods and cultural elements coming out of Japan, which had been closed off from the Western world for more than two centuries. One outgrowth of this trend was the repackaging of Japanese folk tales for American children. Join Alena as she shares translated stories from a 1904 volume of Japanese Fairy Tales.

Japanese Culture and History: The Bite-Sized Collection

Time: ???

As the oldest monarchy in the world, Japan’s had plenty of time for some amazing moments in history. Hear a few of the most important, most famous, or most fun -- from the Genpei War to the Meiji Revolution, from girl power to magical red cows, from archery contests to smallpox -- with illustrations, photos, ties to your favorite anime/manga, and plenty of geekery. These shorter videos range in running time from 4 to 45 minutes, so you can take your history in small bites or settle in for the whole marathon!

Individual videos cover:

Senjafuda

The Shitennou

The Akabeko

The Ainu

The 47 Ronin

Japanese Number Puns

Japanese Archery Challenge

Smallpox and the Great Buddha

Nakano Takeko

The Byakkotai

Dan no Ura

Koyasan

Nara

Shojin Ryori

The Shinsengumi

Shinto in WWII

The Eater of Dreams

One Ingredient Curry Rice

Yakuza: Facts and Fallout

[thegeekerynj]

Beasts of Burden: Occupied Territory #1-4 (Dark Horse Comics) Writer: Evan Dorkin (@evandorkin) and Sarah Dyer (@colorkitten)  Artist: Benjamin Dewey (@benjamindewey) Letters: Nate Piekos (@Blambot)

An Occasional Attempt to Read, Discuss and Review the Wonders of Comics

By: John Rafferty, cranky old man, and Fan of All Things Comics

Riding the IND 

Designed with the intent to acknowledge the Immense Contribution of the Independent Comic Press, and  highlight a more unique stable of products

==========================================

Greetings, Salutations, and Hi-De-Ho Neighbors!

Welcome, one and all, to the Show that Never Ends, the Sideshow that is my desire to report to YOU, Gentle Readers, what is amazing, wonderful and so extremely FAN-Tastical in the world of Independent Comics!

I’ll be your host for what I hope will be an enlightening, joy and thrill-filled ride through the last couple of months of the Indy World where, hopefully, at the end, I may have inspired you to dip your toe into some of the beauty I am describing here…

With that said, let’s begin our descent into ADVENTURE!

_______________________________________________________________

Beasts of Burden: Occupied Territory #1-4 (Dark Horse Comics)

Writer: Evan Dorkin (@evandorkin) and Sarah Dyer (@colorkitten)  Artist: Benjamin Dewey (@benjamindewey) Letters: Nate Piekos (@Blambot)

‘A great spiritual disturbance has arisen in the Zou Valley. There is HATRED there, and DEATH.

‘Only a complete fool would go anywhere near that place.

‘Complete Fools. That’s US, I’m guessin’.  RIGHT?

————————————————————————————————

W.C. Fields has been attributed the quote ‘Never work with animals or children.’

I am certainly glad the creative team has never taken this to heart.

‘Beasts of Burden’, in all its iterations, is the love child of Evan Dorkin. A long running set of stories for Dark Horse Publishing, these tales extoll the virtues of Wise Dogs, Apprentices, and Swifties, Dogs and Cats who have, through the Grace of Nature, been granted power which they use to protect the less fortunate, and humans. 

In many cases, these majestic beasts choose to work with Humans who understand the powers the Dogs and Cats possess, and as a result, all work toward protecting the World, together.

Beasts of Burden: Occupied Territory tells the tale of Emrys, a Wise Dog, and his Human, Jonathan Hope, who venture to Japan post V-J Day, in 1947. They are investigating the disappearance and gruesome murder of some US Soldiers in Northern Japan.

The story is rife with Japanese folklore and mysticism, bringing in mythological creatures from throughout Japan’s storied history. Each being gets spotlighted, and contributes to the story, which is a pleasant surprise, considering many would just drop some of these characterizations in as window dressing. 

As I read these issues, i kept hoping for a Kaiju… but I digress.

Well, let’s begin with the artwork. Benjamin Dewey is a master of this art form. His art style screams ‘Comfortable, friendly, expressive’, while his storytelling says ‘Come, sit  and read for a while.’.  The pages, panels and layouts are PRETTY. There are no steroided out super-dogs, no sharp angles / explosions of characters from the page. This is a TALE to be spun, and his will be one half of the medium to do the spinning.  

I am dutifully impressed every time I see this gentleman’s work. It is a talent that continues to grow, and I really can’t wait  to see where he goes next.

An aside, All 4 of the A Covers for the books are done by Ben Dewey.  His style is so distinctive, the owner of the geekery pointed out to me which covers he did, saying ‘These covers are beautiful. He does such pretty, distinctive work.’  

For me, it was the B Covers that got me, with Jill Thompson doing Issue 2, Stephanie (granddaughter of John) Buscema on Issue 3, and Evan Dorkin doing Issue 4. Every one as pretty as the A Covers, and complementary to the story.

Now, for the tale of the TALE and Tails… Evan Dorkin and Sarah Dyer really knocked this one out of the park. 

A well told story of two Dogs (a Wise One, and one not so wise) who are out of place, but unafraid to go forth and try to do what is RIGHT, for the sake of all. A tale as old as time, with Tengu, and Kitsune, Tanuki , Oni, Kappa and Jorogumo.

Not to forget the Shibi Inu guardian Temple Dogs.

In a story concerning Japan, it was important to look at ALL the context. The Time, the Placement of the ‘Big Bad’, and whether their reaction to what occurred was potentially warranted, based upon the understanding of the History.

The storytelling is not heavy handed or hamfisted. In many cases, when mythologies from different cultures are mixed, the Writer / s will resort to the typical superhero trope of ‘Let them fight it out, realize they have a common enemy, and gang tackle the Big Bad. 

Happily, this was not the case. the team of Dorkin and Dyer gave each set of characters a sense of rationality and purpose. Emrys and Mullins were investigating the disappearances, they weren’t looking to smash anything flat before talking. The Guardians were protectors first, thinking characters. The Oni and Jorogumo, well, they were serving their baser natures, which is what they were known for; while the Council, and Lord Yamanaya served their people, and not the Outside World.

All in all, Mythology treated with a loving respect which has been seen before from this team, whether on a Marvel Snapshot story, tales of rancid Dairy Products, a group of over the top fanboys… well, you get my drift, I am sure.

The dialogue was natural feeling, one could ALMOST hear a lilt of British accent in Emrys’ lines, where there was a feel of Bensonhurst in Mullins voice. Now, how much of that was attributable to the writing, or in combination with the artwork, I couldn’t say. 

I can say in reading these books 3 times, I heard the accents in my head every time. I’ll attribute it to well seasoned writing.

The most important aspect of this writing, it left me wanting more. Evan and Sarah have whetted my appetite for more stories about these characters.

I am looking forward to the slate of stories which has been proposed, and I hope that when the time / scripts come, Ben Dewey is there to do the pencils and inks.

Thank you, guys. You have made an Old Fat Guy very happy.

Out of 5🌶        🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶

========================================================

[thewightknight]

Like what you see? Be sure to check out Thewightknight on Patreon!

A few more embroidery pieces this week.