#okay so there is a christmas comic with venom in it

[venom-ass-daily]

From Venom: Lethal Protector II issue #3

[yuriinadress]

OKAY OKAY VENOM 3!!!!!!

SPOILERS AHEAD

Okay so much less Eddie and Venom than I expected but honestly.... I kinda enjoyed it??????? I really liked the scientist characters and the alien family, they were actually really fun.

Venom kept dropping dad hints at eddie???? AND WE DIDN'T GET SLEEPER????? You can tell they wanted to do that plotline soooooooo bad

Also the car scene! GOD THE CAR SCENE!!! I was melting the whole time. Venom singing along with Martin's family had me giddy.

I loved Reef, he was so cute. They had me convinced that he was going to be Dylan for half a second.

10/10 action

Loved Christmas and Teddy

Things that were in the trailer but not in the movie:

Part of Mrs. Chen's dance scene (just the part they showed in the trailer, the rest of the scene was there)

The wink from the airplane scene

Venom did NOT apologize for knocking tuxedo dude out (which honestly makes a lot more sense 😂)

A lot of the dialogue from the casino scene is different

Yeah, um, my goodness, there were a lot of emotional scenes for Venom and Eddie in this one. I think my favorite was the car scene when Venom said Eddie would be a good dad (God i was tearing up). Kelly Marcel and Tom Hardy went in HARD on the soulmate stuff.

And of course, the last battle scene. First off, thought they were gonna kiss. The tension was insane. Then, I thought Eddie was trying to let himself bleed out so Venom wouldn't have to die (I was this close to crying). Of course, we all knew it was coming, but Venom sacrificing himself like that?!? I was heartbroken! AND THE REACH WHEN I THOUGHT HE WAS GONNA GO BACK TO EDDIE BUT HE GRABBED THE DOOR TO PROTECT HIM????? I WAS DEAD!!!

Okay, now for some things I didn't love but I didn't hate:

End flashback scene was some insane tonal whiplash. Could've been better

Flashback was cheesy as hell

No Anne and Dan :(

Yeah, after Venom's death, I feel like they ran out of time to write a more satisfying farewell. It felt like a completely different movie

Wish they named the symbiotes

Additional stuff:

Great soundtrack

The mid-credits scene seem to imply a king in black sequel which I am totally for but seeing how this is supposed to be tha last Tom Hardy movies, is it for SM4? A different Eddie Brock? Idk, guess we'll see. Or not.

This is definitely a movie for the comic fans (the lab symbiotes, the codex, the knull, king in black). It was nice seeing the special thanks to all the Venom writers and recognizing the names.

Anyways, yeah. Great movie, can't wait to see it again, I will probably find other things to ramble about later :)

[abysshare]

Normally i don't do this because like. While I'm well aware i can have my own opinions, i still don't want to make anyone feel bad for me being a disliker ( maybe hater? ).

Spoilers / talking about the new Venom movie below. If you liked it I'm glad you did! If you want to explain in why in comments, feel free! /genuine

I'll start with: i had a bad-ish day so maybe everything soured my mood and i wasn't ready i. The end. I also picked the wrong ticket and had to watch it in 3D < not a 3D fan due to being sensitive to flashing lights.

What i did like:

Implications of being bonded since v1

Knull ( surprisingly, i hate the comic story though I'm gonna be so real. But its been awhile since i looked up the plot/story ).

Agony and the Christmas themed Symbiote

Horse.

Dancing.

The blue symboite and that fire symbiote ( so pretty?? I loved the different powers and such. I want to draw both of them ).

The symbiote hunter, shes gorgeous.

What i Did NOT like:

Toxin being erased entirely.

They killed of Carnage and Cletus in 2 so this whole thing flopped without them IMO

You can see where Disney or Sony whoever wanted this or that but when Tom or whoever didn't want it, it got scrapped and had messy left overs.

Too much action and too much comedy ( the dancing was fine, but the hippie family deal went on a bit too long imo ).

Why was Agony introduced but not the other three? Specifically Scream at least?

Knull having his own thanos moment for sony, a spin off or whatever they're doing.

Eddie's ENTIRE attitude.

That Montage was ASS. Hate that song too.

Too much going on imo

I would have loved to have a genuine queer moment, a kiss, a "i love you", literally anything. I can MAYBE understand if they tried but Sony or Disney said no ( fuck them ) but still. And no i was one of the few that hope there wasn't fucking or kiss with HARD tongue ( i am ace and also these two are my dads to me, it would've been awkward ). Yeah i see some people saying "Its textual" !!!

Yea sure thats nice but aren't you tired? It doesn't have to be queer baiting but like. I'm so tired.

Even if you remove that um? Its not.. that great.

I'm WILLING to watch it again and read positive sides. Because my mood just may have soured.

i think my biggest issue if i take everything away what i just said, is Eddie just going back to being annoyed at every little thing Venom does or wants. ITS OKAY to be concerned about being found by the hunter, but even before then hes just so done. And even during? He should've been concerned. Or Yeah he CAN be annoyed / irritated, but it should be with care. This felt like he was back to thinking of Venom as a tumor, something he just needs to get rid of.

It was vastly upsetting as someone who has partners. Like.. it would be okay if this was the second or first- but it isn't!!!!! And yeah couples fight, but they didn't even do that. Couples have disagreements! But they didn't even talk it out or anything.

Also like? One of my things that bugged me was, when Eddie was complaining about his feet, and we knew Venom couldn't fully take over..... why didn't Venom just yk. Cover his feet for him and walk? That would have been a subtle sweet gesture while they could've still been bantering and so on.

If they had like. Argued, fought, had an emotional moment at the end, Eddie was upset he never got to apologize- i could see it. But thats another thing- he wasn't even THAT upset...

Its fine to not be a super empathetic person, fuck i dont always cry appropriately either. But he didn't show Nothing and not in a "i'm a no empathy person" way.

Idk!!!!!!!! My brain is scrambled.

People have said a lot of what i have problems with already but idk i just!!! Feel the need to put it out there.

Also i missed the second end credit scene :,)

Note: I'm not angry or completely a hater. More so neutral and not a huge fan of some things.

[mischief-lies-and-stories]

Loki Collection Update 1/4

I mentioned in my last collection update that I got a gift card to my local comic book store for Christmas. I finally had a chance to stop by today to pick some stuff up. I’m saving some of the gift card for this month’s Immortal Thor issue (and hopefully next month, too, if I don’t find something else to spend it on when I pick up the January issue in a few weeks).

Thor: First Thunder issue 1: I think I might have this one already, or at least the graphic novel of the entire run. But (as is the case for a couple other issues for this haul) I also had a coupon for $5-worth of specific issues, so it was worth it.

The Mighty Thor issue 700: Another coupon purchase, though I don’t think I already have this, and I think Loki is in more of this issue than the previous one.

Asgardians of the Galaxy issue 4: The theme with this haul is, if Loki’s on the cover or appears in the issue, it’s mine now. I have not read or purchased any of the other issues in this run.

Thor issue 3: Another issue I think I might already own, but coupon purchase. I think when I mentioned the piece of Thor and Loki kneeling to Hela, this is what I meant, though looking at it now, that’s not Loki I don’t think. I think it’s Baldur. Whatever, both Loki AND Thori are in this, so I’m thrilled.

Iron Fist issue 5: Again, I see Loki, I buy. I have another issue from this run, but I don’t know anything about Iron Fist. I just keep buying the issues with Loki on the cover.

Loki: The Liar graphic novel: Yes, I already have all the issues from this series (and multiple variant covers). But it’s the compilation, so I needed it.

Battleworld: Thors issue 1: Another coupon purchase. I think Loki’s in it, but my boi looks like shit and it’s one panel.

Loki: Agent of Asgard issue 5: Okay, listen. Loki looks good on this cover. And Verity is also on it, they look like they’re gonna commit a heist (which, like, they do, but not in a casino like this is implying). It’s possible I already have this one, too. God, I really need to update my inventory list.

Marvel Comics 2024 calendar: This was free, and I probably wouldn’t have taken it if I’d looked at all the months before I left. But I was looking at it while paying for my comics, and didn’t finish looking at it. Unfortunately no Loki comics on the main month pictures. But there are also some icons on holidays (like Cap on Memorial Day and Eddie Brock—in the suit so technically also Venom is there— with whatever his (their) son’s name is on Father’s Day). So there was also this:

God of Mischief on April Fools Day. Yep.

Sadly December 17 is blank (but you can bet I’m putting a Loki sticker on it ASAP).

[sunnydaleherald]

The Sunnydale Herald Newsletter, Wednesday, January 11 – Thursday, January 12

BUFFY: Okay, Soliloquy Girl, I just wanted to ask about your egg. CORDELIA: My egg? BUFFY: Yeah. Your egg. The one Mr. Whitmore gave you. CORDELIA: It's in my bear. BUFFY: So, your egg isn't acting odd or anything? CORDELIA: It isn't acting anything. It's an egg, Buffy, it doesn't emote.

~~Bad Eggs~~

The Sunnydale Herald is looking for at least one new editor. Contributing to the Herald is a great way to get your Buffy on! Find out more here.

[Drabbles & Short Fiction]

Changing All The Time by badly_knitted (Buffy, PG)

Split Second Decisions by JaneRemmington (Buffy/Spike, T)

Tiaras & Crowns by FanFreak611 (Cordelia, Buffy, T)

Try not to hate the light by Anewhope303 (Buffy, Dawn, G)

right where you left me by magesamell (Buffy/Cordelia, T)

change like the weather by magesamell (Buffy/Cordelia, T)

Tru Flowers by watcherless (Buffy/Faith, E)

Common Denominator by BeatriceEveryTuesday (Buffy/Cordelia, T)

Into The Woods by Grundy (Spike/Katniss, not rated, Hunger Games xover)

You're Good. by CorinaLannister (Fred/Willow, G)

A Quiet Night In by Cornerofmadness (Fred/Willow, T)

Lucky in Love by honeygirl51885 (Buffy/Spike, PG-13)

[Chaptered Fiction]

Bring Him Home - Ch. 1-4 by Acb6293 (Buffy/Spike, M) COMPLETE!

The Night We Met - Ch. 1 by apathetic_from_hell (Buffy/OFC, not rated)

Alliance - Ch. 1 by chemeli88 (Buffy/Spike, G)

I Do! - Ch. 2 by Dusty (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

The 12 Days of Christmas - Ch. 10 by RavenLove12, Geliot99 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Break Even - Ch. 11-12 by violettathepiratequeen (Buffy/Spike, PG-13)

The Odd Couple - Ch. 11-13 by honeygirl51885 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Shaping Trust - Ch. 4 by Desicat (Buffy/Spike, PG)

Buffy meets Venom: A Symbiotic Bond is Formed - Ch. 6 by DeamonQueen (Buffy/Spike, Adult Only)

Hold My Hand Even Though I’m a Sinner! - Ch. 17 by CheekyKitten (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Mirror, Mirror - Ch. 2 by scratchmeout (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Spiderwebs - Ch. 2 by Willow25 (Buffy/Spike, R)

The Odd Couple - Ch. 13 by honeygirl51885 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

take me home - Ch. 12 by HappyWhenItRains (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

A Road So Rough - Ch. 9 by cawthraven (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Ties to the World - Ch. 12 by The Danish Bird (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

If Only - Ch. 24 by MixSaysRawr (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Seven - Ch. 36 by Holly (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Merry and Xander - Ch. 6 by calikocat (Xander/Larry, Merry Gentry crossover, FR21)

These Endless Days - Ch. 1 by violettathepiratequeen (Buffy/Spike, PG-13)

Buffy and the Lost City of the Dead - Ch. 6 by JaneRemmington (Buffy/Spike, R)

Origins - Ch. 27 by Niamh (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

The Other Side of the Door - Ch. 4 by myrabeth (Buffy/Spike, M)

Buffy Finds Marcie, Again - Ch. 5 by ILLYRIAN (Buffy, Giles, Willow, unrated)

[Images, Audio & Video]

Cosplay: Drusilla cosplay by themanwhoisontheearth (Drusilla, worksafe)

Giset: 4.10 Hush [Giles / Olivia] by andremichaux (Giles/Olivia, worksafe)

Fan Video: Willow/Faith. i love the willow/faith ship ... by invisible-pink-toast (Faith/Willow, mostly worksafe - all canon clips)

Artwork: A collection of emotional baby girls. by oveliagirlhaditright (Tara, Willow, Anya, Spike, Buffy, worksafe)

Artwork: and they were roommates... by willowthewiccanwitch (Buffy/Willow, worksafe)

Icons: buffy summers icons (3/?) by aeoncss (Buffy, worksafe)

Artwork: lost in a warm night by MalvyDaina (Buffy/Faith, worksafe)

Banners: Banners (Happy New Year) by RachM (Faith, Buffy, worksafe)

Banners: New Willow Banner by HowiMetdaSlayer (Willow, worksafe)

Artwork: The Odd Couple - Ch. 12 by honeygirl51885 (Buffy/Spike, NSFW)

Banners: because I love you Banner by NMCIL (Buffy/Spike, worksafe)

Banners: Banner #1 by NMCIL (Spike, Buffy, worksafe)

[Reviews & Recaps]

how much I love the episode Wild At Heart [4x06] ... by girl4music

Buffy the Last Vampire Slayer [comic book miniseries review] by Marisa Quinn-Haisu

BTVS Season 4: Growing Into Yourself by Andrew Heard

I ranked the seasons and shocked myself... (SPOILERS ALL SEASONS) by ShadowdogProd

PODCAST: Red Himbo - Angel S03E22 - Tomorrow by Pop Culture Role Call

[Recs & In Search Of]

[Darla and Spike fic recs] list of stories rec'd by somekindofadeviant and jackieisgreat

Fanfic recs [any site and any ship] requested by PixelatedBoats

[Community Announcements]

Reviewing Buffy the Vampire Slayer as a group? by AprilLutkaWings

Coffygifs is hosting the first ever COFFY APPRECIATION WEEK... Jan 8 - 14 (Cordelia / Buffy gif and art and fic prompts)

[Fandom Discussions]

i love s1-4 wolfram and hart... by stellernorth

[post series double date with Fuffy and Spangel] by secretlyasummers

[Giles actions in S6] by iron-widow-1

[Spike and Buffy in S6 are not having casual sex] by clockwards

a part of me wishes buffy had ended during season five... by anthonythevampireslayer

[Thoughts about Kendra and the Cruciamentum] by oveliagirlhaditright

[comics: how the teams in BTVS and ATS communicate - or don't] by oveliagirlhaditright

[what if Xander convinced Cordelia to let go of her visions when she was scared of being the Zeppo of her group?] by oveliagirlhaditright

[ideas for lines if Spike didn't lose his soul] by symbioticsimplicity and imsodishy

Who do you prefer Giles with? by Angelkiss

Killing off a main character - always the plan? [Doyle and Wesley joining] by Mr Trick

If the Sunnydale police did their job by Taake

Need opinions on a buffy item for a friend! [suggestions for quotes and images for a quilt] by EarthAdorable7278

[discussion of BTVS movie] by Kilfner

How different do you think the show would be if it was written by an actual feminist? by Waarm

Angel (first time watcher) [arguments to watch ATS] by not_another_mom

[discussion of reasons people may watch BTVS but not ATS] by Almighty_Push91

Did Buffy ever learn how to drive? [discussion of her driving and her running speed] by spiritualdesai

What scene from Buffy or Angel made you cry for the first time? by Reddevil8884

Who's your favorite character and why Numfar? by 5Abi22

For OG fans when s7 was airing… by mangoicerag

[wants more BTVS content and review of the whole series] by PersonalYesterday865

tweet like buffy the vampire slayer is real by Captainoats88

For comic book readers [Warren] by ThickPeanut136

[Question on the] value of Buffy comics [for resale] ... by StuckInNov1999

If there was a prequel about a previous slayer [one not already established] what time period would you like it to be set in? by nazia987

So, how would Glory and Drusilla have reacted to each other? by BookerTea3

[Did you like] the sharing of powers? I mean from your viewers point. by ThickPeanut136

Sums up Angel with Spike perfectly 😂 by AAlmighty_Push91

Why did Tara go back to Willow? by Ajacentmagic

Tara knew the vibe was off, she was very intuitive ❤️ by Opening_Knowledge868

Appreciation post for the end scene of Judgement [2x01 ATS Faith and Angel friendship] by LightBlueSky55

[Articles, Interviews, and Other News]

Happy Birthday Buffy: A Love Letter To Our Favorite Vampire Slayer On Her 42nd Birthday by Horror Press

Instagram: promo video for new show Wolf Pack by Sarah Michelle Gellar

Submit a link to be included in the newsletter!

[sineala]

Holiday comics

This month I've been asked to talk about winter-holiday themed storylines! It's been miserably hot where I am; winter sounds nice right about now. I don't think many of the comics I'm going to name are going to be new to you. You can probably guess what they are! But maybe you'll have fun sitting down and reading them. Put on the air-conditioning and get some ice water.

Marvel has had a whole bunch of holiday issues over the years, and I'm not going to talk about anywhere near all of them. The most recent one I can think of is last year's King In Black Iron Man & Doctor Doom team-up, which features Tony and Doom facing off against a symbiote-possessed Santa Claus. I've never really enjoyed any symbiote-themed Marvel comics -- although I really liked the Venom movie, go figure -- so it's not one of my favorites, but it might be your kind of thing.

My favorite issue in this genre obviously has to be the Avengers vol 5 Annual. This was the annual that came out during Hickman's Avengers run. It's not written by Hickman -- it's by Kathryn Immonen -- and it has nothing whatsoever to do with the events of the run. You can read it without any familiarity with the rest of the run, I promise. It's definitely the happiest issue in that entire Avengers run. It's probably one of the happiest issues of Avengers that you will ever read. I had gotten into Steve/Tony comics relatively soon after this issue came out, and I remember seeing panels on Tumblr without attribution and not knowing if they were canon or fanart or edits. (I kind of enjoy the fact that comics fandom has this problem, actually, even if that means breaking people's hearts about that "solid dick" panel every so often.) And then it turned out they were canon!

You've probably all read it, but this particular annual is set on Christmas Eve. Almost all the team has cleared out for Christmas, leaving a skeleton crew to watch the tower. Specifically, Steve. Tony asks Steve if Steve's going to be okay before leaving for his private island. It's very sweet. But then the actual plot kicks into gear, and some kids who had been taking a tour have stayed to cause mischief, and it's up to Steve to stop them. And also, additionally, Tony and several other Avengers, because when Tony said "private island" he meant that he was shutting himself up in a bathroom with a swimsuit and swim fins and a crab floatie. Yep.

This is also the issue with the famed "Captain Handsome" line because not only is Tony a guy who has canonically used "Captain America" as his own password (good going, no one'll ever guess that) he gives everyone else their own personalized passwords to the tower, thereby making Steve identify himself as Captain Handsome, which I think says an awful lot about Tony.

Anyway. It's the best, and if you haven't read it, you definitely should.

Marvel also puts out a lot of one-off holiday specials that are usually anthologies of winter-themed holiday superhero stories. There were a few of them in the 70s under the title "Holiday Grab Bag," which I have not read. They were revived in 1991 under the title "Marvel Holiday Special." They don't do them every year, I don't think, but there have been a fair number of them.

So obviously these don't all have the Avengers in them, though the Avengers often make cameos; I skimmed through them just to check. It's also probably worth noting that although they are mostly Christmas-themed in nature, they aren't all entirely Christmas-themed; there's a story in the 2011 issue that has Ben Grimm and Kitty Pryde celebrating Chanukah, and the 1992 one has a funny story of Doc Samson attempting to tell children about Chanukah and embellishing it wildly to keep them interested, so that superheroes and nuclear weapons are now involved in it. He is not invited back.

They do have a few stories that might be of interest in the specials. The 1991 special has a story called "Precious Gifts" (by Len Kaminski, who you may remember from early-90s Iron Man) where Steve is volunteering at the VFW for Christmas (as Steve, not Cap) and meets a woman who wants to talk to him about how sad she is that her brother died in WWII and she doesn't even know how. Steve of course asks what her brother's name was. And she says his name was James Barnes, and that's pretty much when Steve's brain bluescreens.

This is Rebecca's first appearance in canon; she later shows up at the tail end of Jurgens' Cap run and then again during Brubaker's run; I haven't actually read either of those. MCU Stucky fandom really ran with her as a character, but here in 616 she and Steve don't know each other at all. He didn't seem to know Bucky had a sister at all, and she didn't know Bucky was Steve's partner, so after Steve figures it out he goes back (as Cap) to tell her about Bucky so she can at least know that Bucky died bravely, and he gives her a patch from one of Bucky's uniforms. It's very touching. I'd never read it before, so I'm glad I found this.

(I really like the scene with Steve interacting with the children at Rebecca's house, because I think it captures two key facets of Steve's character: (1) the angst about how he will never have a normal life and a family, and (2) his terrible sense of humor. "What's Thor like?" "Big." I feel like one of the things I would like MCU fandom to know about comics Steve is that he is, pretty much, Steve "Dad Jokes" Rogers. Not, like, as pithy hero banter, but in everyday conversation.)

This issue also has a Christmas-themed splash page of Steve and Diamondback that I think is pretty cute. Steve is holding up Rachel and Rachel is holding up Steve's shield so it serves as the star on a Christmas tree.

The 1992 issue has an Iron Man story entitled "Holidays on Ice." An ice-themed villain is angry that he can't find a job, so he decides to go ruin the Stark Enterprises holiday party, which was going pretty well until then. Tony suits up and of course defeats the villain handily and then offers him a job, because, well, he's a nice guy and it's Christmas. This is exactly who Tony Stark is, as far as I'm concerned. It's sweet.

The 1994 issue has a Cap story where Steve is chasing human traffickers on Christmas Eve (cheerful, right?) into a farmhouse "where [his] grandfather lived sixty years ago" because I guess someone didn't know Steve was the son of immigrants. Maybe it wasn't canon yet. Steve saves the kid and reminisces about Christmas, the soul of America, human trafficking, et cetera. I would recommend the previous Cap story over this one.

I think the last holiday special I can recall that had Steve and Tony actually interacting was a Gwenpool Holiday Special, and that was way back before Secret Empire (but after Secret Wars), while Steve was still old. I don't recall much about it except that they were attending the same party.

But the one of these that you definitely want to read is the Marvel Holiday Special 2005, which has an Avengers ensemble story by Jeff Parker; if you're familiar with comics because of their Steve/Tony potential, you'll probably recognize his name because he wrote several of the first issues of Marvel Adventures: Avengers, and though this is a early New Avengers-era story it definitely has that MA:A dynamic. It's not particularly shippy as far as the Steve/Tony goes but if you enjoy Comics Being Comics, you should know that this story is called "Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santron!" and features the Avengers fighting, um. Santron. Santa-themed Ultron. Yesss.

Anyway, it has the Avengers attending a holiday party at the Sanctum Sanctorum, because why not, and it's generally amusing and has some great team dynamics and I love Santron. There is an unfortunate subplot involving all the male Avengers maneuvering to get Jess Drew under the mistletoe which I think was supposed to be funny but to me came off as kind of creepy. But other than that, I really enjoy this issue.

That's all I can think of as far as holiday special issues go, but there are of course issues of regular comics that just happen to be set in or near various winter holidays. I actually can't think of any holiday-themed Cap issues, but I can think of a couple of Iron Man ones. You probably think I'm going to talk about the second drinking arc, but I'm not -- well, okay, not directly -- because even though that definitely features winter it's not really very holiday-themed. But there are other issues that fit the bill.

Iron Man #313, published in 1995, is called "Resolutions," and I feel like New Year's Eve definitely counts as a winter holiday. Which is when it's set. It's by Len Kaminski, who you may remember from several paragraphs ago as the guy who wrote that story about Bucky's sister. Ha. He's clearly very good at winter-holiday-themed character moments, because that's what this issue basically is. If you've read it, you know exactly what I mean; if you haven't read it, I highly recommend it. It's one of the only issues from this era of comics that I bothered to track down in paper.

So the entirety of Iron Man #313, pretty much, is about Tony going to an AA meeting on New Year's Eve and recounting his entire history of alcoholism up to this point. If you need a convenient refresher on Tony's drinking problem, this is actually a pretty good issue to pick up; there are later issues that recap Tony's alcoholism, like Matt Fraction's Invincible Iron Man #500.1, but this issue features the motivations and characterization that get the most play in fandom.  This is the issue where Tony recounts a New Year's Eve he spent as a child. The one where his father forced him to down hard liquor, which Tony did in an attempt to impress him. (Tony describes his father as "not a bad man," because Tony is not a very reliable narrator where his father is concerned.) Anyway, yes, this is that issue. It's dealing with the fallout of Tony drinking during the Vor/Tex arc, though if you love yourself I would suggest not reading the Vor/Tex arc and just reading this. It's good.

The only other issue I can think of that's at all holiday-themed is the arc toward the end of Iron Man volume 3, "You Can't Always Get..." (IM v3 #62-63), which is itself a sequel to "Jane Doe" (#51-52), which I would recommend reading if you enjoy Tony funding a women's shelter and generally being a really good human being. As far as I can remember, the first arc isn't holiday-themed; the second one takes place during the Christmas season, but the women's shelter from the first arc plays a big role here.

Mostly what you will want to read here is Tony and his girlfriend Rumiko going Christmas shopping in #62. The issue opens with them going shopping and Tony carrying all the bags and also taking Ru to go see Santa Claus. After that, they're walking down the street talking about what they really want. And Ru asks Tony what he wants, being as he's The Man Who Has Everything. His reply is: "Something money and power could never buy... something I've been searching for all my life. Someone to watch over me."

Fandom tends to feel like that quote is a pretty telling look into Tony's psyche, as far as I can tell. I think we all like it. So, yeah, that's worth reading.

I'm bad at writing conclusions, but anyway, yeah, that's all of the winter-holiday comics I can think of that are Steve, Tony, and/or Steve/Tony-related; I went through the Marvel Holiday Specials so you did not have to. Definitely read that Avengers annual if you haven't, though. It's a good one.

[sxvxrxssnape]

Coffee & Tea

Snapetober 2020: Day 11 - Scars

There’s more than one type of wound that needs to heal for them to move forward, but Minerva is determined to help however she can. They just have to live with the scars.

The wound pains her even though it is not hers.

Minerva watches as Severus unwraps the bandages around his neck for the final time. She has been watching Poppy unwrap blood-soiled bandages and replace them with fresh ones time and time again, not just on Severus, but on several others, as the days have ticked past. 

This time, as the wrappings come undone, there is the barest hint of rust tainting them. The wounds have finally closed. There is a small table beside him, laden with an assortment of potions and a scrap of flannel. She watches as he opens the first bottle, pours the anti inflammatory onto the flannel and attempts to pat the wound. 

“Let me help.” she breaks the silence, surprising him out of his reverie. She wonders if he was even aware of her presence. He eyes her hesitantly and she can feel the despair rolling off of him in waves, can see the brokenness in his dark brown eyes. 

He nods. 

She closes the distance between the two of them and thinks about how this is the first time in over a year that she’s stood so close to him. She takes the flannel and starts to dab at the puncture marks on his neck, wincing in sympathy when he flinches. 

“What’s next?” she asks, eyeing the line-up of colorful bottles. 

He hands her a bottle she does not recognize, but she trusts him. The thought sends her reeling as she pours a tincture that smells of eucalyptus and witch hazel onto a clean corner of the flannel and repeats the process of gently patting the wound. She trusts him. 

And, oh Merlin, does that make her ache. 

She studies Severus carefully as she puts her hand out and waits for the next potion. He looks as if he’s shrunken into himself, rumpled and sickly and pale in his grey hospital robe. Exhaustion sits so heavily on his face, she wonders if there is enough rest in the world to help him. His hands are trembling, one more than the other, and she knows it’s permanent. An unfortunate aftereffect of a prolonged Cruciatus; she doesn’t know how long ago that happened, doesn’t know how to ask. He hands her a small pot of healing cream. 

With gentle fingers, she rubs the thick paste into his skin until it disappears. He cannot stop himself from hissing in pain and she makes soft noises on a whim. She wants to say something, has wanted to say something since they first found him in the Shrieking Shack barely clinging to life. Ever since her stomach twisted and her heart skipped when Harry was facing Voldemort for the final time.

“Severus Snape was never yours.” Harry had yelled. “He was always Dumbledore’s.” She’s hesitant to admit her head has been a little fuzzy ever since. She wants to say something, but she just doesn’t have the words. 

She hated him. 

He had betrayed them all, had killed Dumbledore and stood by Voldemort’s side as they seized the castle. She hates herself a little, for never realizing the truth. How long had she and the man in front of her been friends? How many times had she depended on him to help her out, back her up, or just plain be there for her?

“I can hear you thinking.” Severus croaks out and he sounds absolutely wrecked. 

“I’m sorry.” Minerva sighs and accepts the strip of bandage dipped in Essence of Dittany. She drapes it over the snakebite and keeps it in place with a temporary sticking charm. He moves his hair back, covering the small square, and looks relieved to be able to do so. “Severus, I -”

“Please, don’t.” he whispers, and even as soft spoken as those two words are, his voice is still dry and gravelly, making him cough. There are two untouched potions left and he picks up the pain reliever, swallowing it back once he’s able to breathe.

The lines of pain fall from his face, but he still looks weak. It will be another few days of bedrest before he can stand on his own again. The venom that coursed through him nearly finished him off, but his body will heal, and so will the wounds on his neck.

Minerva wonders if their relationship is far too broken to fix, or if time will heal that too. She holds nothing against him, knows the truth now and understands. Still, she cannot look at him in the same way anymore, fears they will never be the same. 

He reaches for the final potion and Minerva recognizes the orange of the Invigoration Draught. She takes it from him and puts it out of reach. “You should rest, instead. There will be plenty of time to take this later.”

He nods and lays back down, sleep already settling in. 

–

The scars pain her, even though they are not hers. 

Minerva watches as Severus wraps a light grey scarf around his neck and tucks the ends into his buttoned up winter coat. The scars are faint, a bubble of light pink that barely sticks out against the paleness of his throat, but she knows they feel larger than life to him. 

He still dabs them with Dittany every night, but it hasn’t made a difference in months now. Still, she knows it brings him comfort so she says nothing about it. 

They walk the path to Hogsmeade together, their boots crunching over day-old snow and their breaths creating faint wisps of silver in the cold air when they exhale. December has arrived and with it, Christmas is creeping. There are boughs of holly decorating the lamp poles that light up the still-dreaming streets of the small town. 

They look at each other and share a look, thinking of how quickly the wizarding town has bounced back from the events in May. It makes something warm burst inside of her. They enter the Three Broomsticks and choose a corner table. 

It is still early, especially for a Saturday. They left the students in the care of Flitwick and Pomona, decided they could use a break for the morning. Running a school is a big responsibility, so they do it together now; headmaster and headmistress. 

“We should allow the students a Hogsmeade weekend before they go to break.” Minerva brings up, as she flips through the menu Madame Rosmerta has brought. It feels pointless, considering she always orders the same thing. 

“Stock them up on sweets and then send them home to their parents?” Severus asks, a faint smile on his lips. “Better them than us.”

Madame Rosmerta returns with mugs full of hot coffee and tea, confirms they want their usual and leaves them alone again. Minerva sips her tea and pretends not to notice when Severus sloshes a bit of coffee as he picks up his cup. His hands still tremble, despite the many nerve regeneration potions he’s taken. 

They sit in silence and it still feels a little off. They’ve finally talked about what happened, about the nightmare of the year they both experienced. They finally grieved the loss of Albus together, finally shared what they had been thinking whenever they passed each other in the halls that wretched school year.

They had gotten very drunk off of Lucius’ expensive whiskey (and that was a strange relation that had been formed after Voldemort’s end. She thinks he’s only trying to save what little reputation they have left, by throwing money and expensive gifts at every avenue they can think of. She’s tired of carrying hatred in her heart and so she accepts his gifts, accepts his request to reinstate him onto the Board of Governors, and lets Lucius Malfoy be) and she saw Severus break down in tears for the first time in years.  That alone was her proof that he trusted her still.

She just needed to trust him. 

Their friendship has been shaky, as if the foundation has been rebuilt upon uneven ground. Some days she looks at him and all she can feel is hurt, but she reminds herself that isn’t him. He didn’t come back from the brink of death feeling like before; there are scars he’s desperate to hide, but he’s done what he can and now he has to learn to carry on. 

Their friendship feels the same way.

They have to learn to carry on, for both of their sakes. Madame Rosmerta returns once more and she sets plates in front of each of them before taking her leave again. Severus pulls out a small vial of potion and she frowns as he drinks the pain reliever. 

Healing will take time, in every sense of the word. She wonders if it’s the nerve damage in his neck that’s bothering him today, or if it’s his left arm. She knows he won’t answer in such a public space, despite the near-emptiness of the room, so she doesn’t ask. 

She cuts into her poached egg, watches the yolk break and spill over crisp bacon and toasted bread. Their silence feels off, but it’s also as comfortable as it’s ever been. She watches him cut into his own breakfast, smiles faintly at his choice of pancake toppings, and wonders if the scars in their friendship are there to stay, or if they can heal a little more. 

Minerva has missed his presence in her life, is glad to have him back, sarcastic comments and sharp tongue and all. Perhaps things will never be as they were. Still, as the honey drips from his lips and he struggles to close his mouth around the comically large bite he’s just taken, something in her lifts.

She cannot help but laugh at him and he scowls at the sound, but his eyes are soft despite his furrowed brow and she knows they will be okay.

——–

A/N: After grief, I needed something…soft.

I needed to FIX things.

[acecademia]

What else are you into? (I can't tell if Tumblr sent this.)

Hi, nonny!

You can probably tell from my previous posts and literally my everything, but outside of academia, I really love young adult literature and also fanfiction 😂 I managed to somehow turn my interests directly into a career, so like, I'm winning at life lmao

I also really like video games, especially story-heavy games. My brother has an MFA in game design, and he's always sending me links to new video games and analog games to check out (analog games being like board games, card games, tabletop games, etc.). (I'm super lucky in that regard--I get the best birthday and Christmas gifts.) Other than that, I spend a lot of time binge-watching Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube amongst other streaming services/platforms. I'm also very into baking, creative writing (mainly YA fantasy and sci-fi), and crochet!

If we're specifically talking about fandoms or media that I'm into, there's an overview of some of my faves (that got super out of hand) below the cut (leaving out books because I covered that in a previous post, though I did forget to mention in that post that comics-wise, I also love DC Bombshells)

Movies:

Clue (1985) - my favorite movie of all time and is basically my sense of humor in one ~90-minute package. My friends hate watching it with me because I have seen it at least 50 times (not an exaggeration) and know every line by heart

Star Wars - lowkey fuck the sequel trilogy tho VII had some promise before they ruined it, also I wanted to marry Luke Skywalker as a kid so like take that as you will

The Old Guard - immortal gays who literally can't be killed? Sign me the fuck up

MCU - the early years mainly, but also like Spider-Man, Captain Marvel, and Black Panther were all *chef's kiss*. Also, #TeamIronMan

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse - hell yeah finally getting some Miles Morales and Spider-Gwen content!

Birds of Prey - it's just such a fun time and so refreshing to see an action movie made by women. Also plz put Ivy in the next movie because I need my wlw crime content

Venom - it's a good time, y'all

Moana - one of my favorite undergrad memories is going with my friend to see this like two weeks early at a special advanced screening

Beauty and the Beast - look, I'm a librarian, of course I've wanted to be Belle and have that library since I was a small child

Love, Simon - I cry every time I watch the "you get to exhale now" scene and the scene with his dad apologizing and accepting him. It warms my little queer heart 😭😭😭

TV:

Avatar: The Last Airbender

Young Justice

9-1-1

Julie and the Phantoms

Leverage

Psych

Lucifer

Shadow and Bone

BBC Merlin

Supernatural - not like as a serious thing anymore, but I was in deep years ago

Teen Wolf - see: the comment about Supernatural, but also I stopped watching around season 4 and just read the fanfic because that whole show was a mess

Would I Lie to You?

Musicals:

Newsies

Bandstand

Fun Home

Bonnie & Clyde - fight me, it was good

A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder - I don't think I've ever laughed harder at a show than when I saw the tour

If/Then

Legally Blonde

A Chorus Line

Allegiance

Wicked - I'm a basic bitch, I know, but I've seen the tour twice for my birthday

Phantom of the Opera - specifically Phantom 25. I will accept no other cast unless they finally manage to make the French-language production happen and Sierra Boggess is able to reprise her role

Games:

Gone Home

Dragon Age

Tomb Raider

The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask - I love most of the series, but Majora's Mask is my all-time fave

Fallout

Assassin's Creed

Overwatch

The Sims 4

Music:

Fall Out Boy

Lindsey Stirling

Aly & AJ

Taylor Swift

Marie-Mai - love me some French pop

Olivia Rodrigo

Paramore

Meet Me @ the Altar

Panic! at the Disco

Web:

Carmilla

The Lizzie Bennet Diaries

Jenny Nicholson

Jessica Kellgren-Fozard

Bernadette Banner

Karolina Żebrowska

Philip DeFranco

Jill Bearup

Kitboga

STRANGE ÆONS

Sarah Z

Lindsay Ellis

Rachel Maksy

Buzzfeed Unsolved - RIP 😭😭😭

Standup:

Dara O'Briain - the funniest man alive. I have literally laughed so hard at some of his jokes that I've legitimately had trouble breathing

John Mulaney

James Acaster

Sarah Millican

Steve Hofstetter

Iliza Shlesinger

Hasan Minhaj

Okay, that's way more information than literally anyone ever wanted to know about me, and also I'll probably remember like 3 million things I forgot to mention as soon as I post this 😂

[sshoujo-ais]

Movie tag game

tagged by @lolita-self-ships! normally i don’t do tag games on here but this one looks interesting

Top 3 faves:

1. Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse

this is hands down the best animated movie of all time, and dethroned wreck it ralph as my favorite animated movie of all time when it came out. the story, dialogue, humor, soundtrack, characters are all EXCELLENT, but that’s all nothing compared to the movie’s unique and inventive use of its medium. so many CGI animated movies try so hard to emulate realism, but they’ve all forgotten the kind of magic that 2D animation used to be able to capture. not spiderverse. spiderverse not only does that, but so much more that could only be achieved by a 3D CGI movie that’s explicitly emulating a 2D style. the whole thing genuinely looks like a comic book leaping to life in front of your very eyes and it’s BRILLIANT. i’d give this movie an 11 out of a possible 5.

2. Thor: Ragnarok

okay, so two marvel movies are in my faves. but honestly even if i weren’t into the MCU as much as i am, i’d still love ragnarok, just because it’s... i’m gonna be honest here, it far outclasses all the other MCU movies thanks to its unique tone and cinematography that taika waititi brought to the table with it. it’s a farce of the MCU, and i mean that in the best way possible. with that said, the lighthearted tone present throughout and the fact that it throws jokes at you a mile a minute does nothing to detract from the more serious moments, including a couple genuinely heartfelt exchanges between thor and loki that did more for their relationship than both of the previous thor movies combined.

also, jeff goldblum is there and you can’t go wrong with that.

3. Pokémon Movie 3: Spell of the Unown

on its own, spell of the unown is an excellent movie that delves into the psyche of a little girl ridden with PTSD after the disappearance of the sole parent figure in her life, which just happens to be told through the lens of the pokemon series. IN THE CONTEXT OF THE POKEMON SERIES, spell of the unown blows all other pokemon movies out of the water. combine what i just said about dealing with serious issues that could genuinely be affecting any viewer, which are handled respectfully and accurately by the by, with the fact that resident pokemon non-master ash ketchum ends up saving the day not because he’s the chosen one, or because of some deus ex machina the plot decides to throw at us at the last second, but thanks to his own ingenuity and set of skills he’s acquired over the years as a trainer. there are no world-ending stakes or some rich evil bastard hellbent on capturing legendary pokemon, the closest thing we have to a villain is a lost and confused little girl grappling with loss, and her desire for her father to be brought back given the form of a majestic fucking lion. oh, and the visuals in this movie are gorgeous af too. hands down the best movie the pokemon franchise has produced to this day. yes, better than detective pikachu. don’t @ me.

Top 3 movies I hated: (if you like these movies that’s all well and good, this is just my personal opinion. but probably don’t read what i have to say about them because i’m about to come down on them with some venom and you’d just get upset lol)

1. Neverending Story 3

fucking inexcusable. i loved the neverending story as a kid, and i still do. the meta narrative blew my goddamn mind when i was little. the second movie was okay, it didn’t live up to the first movie but it still had a similar level of charm and wonder (and also happened to be a pretty good isekai). the third installment in the series... hurts me. none of the characters act like they did in the previous 2 films, the writing suffers from the “cool radical” trends of the 90s, and the visuals are fucking atrocious. look at that image (which i put there because this site doesn’t even have a gif of this garbage thank god). that doesn’t look like any falcor i know. get that shit out of here.

2. Mars Needs Moms

couldn’t find a gif of this one either, but i think that’s for the best. the uncanny valley-ness of the motion capture animated movie style that thankfully i’m pretty sure has disappeared after this movie killed it, speaks for itself. but unlike polar express which at least is an interesting kind of bizarre throughout, or christmas carol which uses the uncanny valley to its benefit and is genuinely haunting in its retelling of the classic tale, mars needs moms just has nothing going for it, visually or in terms of story. i saw this movie as part of a “bad animated movie bingo” that me and my irl partner were doing, and it was by far the worst of all of them. i think the biggest insult is that one of the other movies on that bingo was ant bully. fucking ANT BULLY. which is a movie i actually like for the record. how dare they compare ant bully to this hunk of garbage. let’s just move on.

3. The Last Airbender

hey remember when m night shyamalan completely shat on the best animated series of the last decade? cause i do! not much to say about this one that hasn’t already been said honestly. you’d genuinely have a much better experience reading the show’s summary on wikipedia than watching the movie. or, like, just watch the show itself, it’s fucking excellent. the last airbender movie isn’t just a bad adaptation though, it’s also a cinematic dumpster fire on its own merits, again thanks to none other than m night shyamamalama-sama-kun. the only good thing about this movie is that it got my mom and brother to actually check out the show. could have easily just cut out the middle man if you ask me.

tagging @husband-of-lucoa @duchess-aegir @lovewithinthedarkness​ @sosoftandsweet​ and @dokiquents​ :3

[symbioteburnout]

Send me a “🔥 “ for an unpopular opinion.-- 🔥🔥🔥

-||[ Unpopular Opinion ]||-  NO LONGER ACCEPTING

(Sorry these are late)

@brightengale

Okay, now that I’ve ranted about my distaste for the current state of Venom… It’s time for me to rip into Spider-man (Sorry Spidey fans ^^;)

I’m not as much into Spider-man as I used to be. Part of it was a burnout from the movies (I mean, seriously, they’ve rebooted Peter twice), and how unlikeable he’s honestly become in the comics. Not to mention how repetitive his story often is. I had no interest in the MCU Spider-man, and the only reason I went to see Homecoming was because a buddy invited me (and I never get invited out very much so it was nice to feel included for a change), and I pretty much cringed through the whole thing.

I was initially going to give Spider-verse a pass but then went to see it with my brother since we have a tradition of going to the movies around Christmas. (We basically were trying to choose between Spider-verse and Bumblebee and wound up picking Spider-verse at random). I loved Spider-verse, partially because we had a fresh story with a different character.

I passed on Far From Home.

My biggest problem with Peter as of late, is mostly how a lot of his stories are often repeats of the same tired plotline. Peter is having a good time, good things are happening to Peter, uh-oh something bad happened to Peter and now he’s back to square one. Like, every time Peter seems to grow as a character, someone at Marvel inevitably hits a reset button on him to reduce him back to this whiny character who’s always complaining about how his life is so hard because he can’t balance being Peter and Spider-man. Not to mention how this has made him pretty unlikeable in my eyes.

Lately, I’ve begun to categorize a lot of Peter’s books as ‘Poor Me; a Peter Parker story’, because that’s literally what most of his books have become.

Seriously Marvel, let Peter grow already! (and since you love retcons so much, RETCON ONE MORE DAY!)

[hellzyeahthewebwieldingavenger]

“After the disappointment of the Andrew Garfield-led Amazing Spider-Man movies, everyone’s favorite wallcrawler has been having a renaissance. Entering the Marvel cinematic universe in 2016's Captain America: Civil War, the webslinger fully redeemed himself with well-crafted live-action film in Spider-Man: Homecoming.”

 Yes...okay...that was definitely what Homecoming was....

 “and a wildly successful spin-off film Venom, ”

 I mean financially successful sure...

 “In the midst of all his success, Spider-Man has quietly become one of the most inclusive and socially conscious superheroes of today.”

*raises eyebrow*

 Okay...go on...

 “Last week, it was announced that Spider-Man: Far From Home would feature two out transgender actors playing trans characters, the first big-budget superhero film to do so. Spider-Man: Homecoming also featured a queer character, as well as numerous people of color.”

  Wait who was the queer character in Homecoming?

 “It’s also worth mentioning that Spiderverse included a Jewish version of Peter Parker, who is typically portrayed as either secular or Christian.”

 ....ehhhhhhhhh....yes and no.

 In media adaptations barring maybe one (the 1994 show cos I do not remember where he got married) Spider-Man is portrayed as...I guess secular but really it’s more that they just don’t say anything.

 It’s not that the character is not a believer in a faith per se, especially if you go by older adaptations during times when hardly anyone was secular. It’s just that they, understandably, aren’t saying anything.

 In the comics Peter is some kind of Christian but probably a Protestant (unless you go by Amazing Grace where he is an atheist but that’s hot trash we don’t talk about) but we don’t really talk about it that specifically.

 We just know that he and his family celebrate Christmas and very, very occasionally Aunt May references going to church and that she, Peter and MJ believe in a monothetistic deity they refer to as ‘God’.

 And really apart from the Church thing there is no clue to Peter’s religion and Marvel probably (wisely) would rather keep it that way. He even got married in a civil ceremony!

 However in the SUBTEXT...he’s Jewish. And it’s basically an open secret that he is and always has been Jewish.

 “The Spider-Man video game also featured a wonderful easter egg for queer fans by having a giant rainbow flag, as well as several smaller ones, scattered around the game’s fictionalized New York City map. ”

 I mean that’s wonderful but I wouldn’t call that an Easter Egg so much as...it’s just what you’d find in modern NYC.

 “Even the Venom film got in on the fun, with fans shipping Tom Hardy’s Eddie Brock and the titular male alien-symbiote after the two kissed in the film. Sony even encouraged the pairing, releasing a romantic comedy-esque trailer for the film to promote the home release. While some complained of queer-baiting, most felt that it was all in good fun and included queer people in on the joke, instead of making us the target.”

 Again, good for them but I don’t think that was the movie actively trying to be positive towards queer people.

 Brock and Venom kissed when Venom was bonded to Brock’s ex-fiance and had a pronounced female form, being an adaptation of a character literally called She-Venom.

 And it was based upon a script written in the 1990s so really it was more the movie did it and then people took it as a thing that was shipping Venom and Brock (even though Venom is sexless). Brock and the symbiote have been shipped numerous times in the comics but the subtext has always been that the symbiote, if any sex, is female. In the Spec cartoon it is referred to as Symbi (a pun on Cyndi) and in the Spider-Girl comics it is marked out as female (granted this happens after it’s bonded to a woman).

 And again, headcanon away but like...that probably wasn’t intentional at all Sony were just being goofy or unintionally made something people took a certain way.

 “Indeed, even in the comics, Spider-Man has always been a fairly inclusive hero. Miles Morales was introduced in the early-2000s, taking over the mantel from Peter Parker for several years. ”

 Okay, this is so weird for me to be correcting such a praising point but lets really look at this.

 First of all Miles didn’t take over Peter’s role for several years he did it permanently.

 Second of all Miles is from 2011 so that’s not the early 2000s, that’s the early 2010s, but okay maybe that was a typo.

 Third of all, is it really all that logical to say this franchise that began in 1962 has always been fairly inclusive and then cite a character from 2011 as proof of this? Wouldn’t examples from during the FIRST quarter century have been more apt?

 Fourth of all...eh. Has Spider-Man been fairly inclusive from the start? Yes, no, its complicated.

 Look there were exactly 0 LGBTQ+ characters in Spider-Man until maybe the 1990s and even then I couldn’t off my head tell you who they were. Felicia Hardy is bisexual but we didn’t find out until the 2000s and it was most prominent in an AU. Really the most significant LGBTQ+ character who’s had the fact that they are queer be more than a one off reference was Max Modell and he debuted 2011 and IIRC wasn’t established as queer until 2012. In defence of Spider-Man the Comics Code literally FORBID any character be anything other than straight until the 1990s and even then it was relatively rare, even in X-Men which you’d think it wouldn’t be.

 If we’re talking POC again this one is a bit complicated Glori Grant, Joe Robertson, Randy Robertson are frequently appearing POC characters but not in every run and they aren’t usually as prominent as like Jameson, Aunt May, Harry Osborn, MJ, etc. Characters of other ethnicities are even less frequent and I don’t even know what we should make of Puma/Thomas Fireheart. I mean A for effort, they wanted a Native American character who wasn’t really a villain and wasn’t exactly a sterotype so there is that I guess.

 Again though...most other Marvel franchises decade by decade weren’t much better with this and we should give credit where credit is due to the same guy who created Black Panther writing a nuanced scene where 2 black people in the 60s separated by age discuss different approaches to civil rights with neither being proven right or wrong.

 When it comes to disabled people, outside of evil insane villains, forget it, there is nothing before Flash Thompson in 2008 unless you count Aunt May’s chronically poor health.

 “Spider-Gwen quickly became one of the highest-selling female superhero comics. Spider-Woman was a prominently featured bisexual character, and the female Asian-American hero Silk also had LGBT supporting characters, Rafferty and Lola, who were in a healthy relationship. Additionally, many view vampire villain Morbius, who is getting a spin-off film starring Jared Leto next year, as a metaphor for those suffering during the HIV crisis of the '80s. ”

 Again...Spider-Gwen and Silk are 2010s characters so that’s not ‘always fairly inclusive’.

 I don’t even know if Jessica Drew is bisexual, I’ve never heard that but I don’t think she is.

 Morbius as a metaphor for HIV...MIGHT be true if we are specifically talking about his 1990s solo-book which I’ve never read. But the character as originally created 100% was never about that because he was created in the 1970s before HIV was known about.

 “Unlike his Marvel counterparts Thor, Iron Man and Captain America, Spider-Man’s world has accurately reflected real world diversity for years.”

 ....Not really.

 I’m not even saying Spidey maybe haven’t been comparatively better at it than those guys but he’s deffo not been accurate.

 Plus to be fair to the other guys, Captain America and Iron Man have had at least one major black supporting cast member and in Cap’s case he was fairly candid about social strife and issues.

 And with Thor it’s not that fair to throw shade at him for not reflecting the real world given that 90% of this characters and stories are literally pulled from fantasy and myth. I don’t even know if there are any queer figures in Norse myth let alone poc.

 “While it’s a seemingly simple idea that any of us can be a superhero, it’s sadly still a radical concept in a endlessly growing film genre that has predominetly centers straight cisgender white men. ”

 Well that’s mostly because the comics the movies adapt are about those types of people.

 “That is because relatability and inclusion has always been core to Spider-Man’s appeal and message. It’s why the late Stan Lee decided that, unlike other superheroes who expose parts of their faces, Spider-Man had to wear a full-face mask.”

  Stan Lee only speculated that that was part of Spider-Man’s appeal, he never had any input on that design choice it was all Steve Ditko...who frankly was unlikely to have been thinking about that...

 “Even further, Spider-Man isn’t the king of a country, a billionaire, a woman out of a Greek myth, or a brilliant scientist. He’s just an average high-school kid from Brooklyn who always strives to do the right thing even while struggling to balance his everyday life and hiding a secret identity.”

 WHOA there buddy...Spider-Man isn’t routinely ‘a kid’ nor is he from Brooklyn.

 MILES is from Brooklyn but Peter, as evidenced by that great big caption in Captain America: Civil War, is from QUEENS.

 “And it’s the idea of balancing a secret identity with everyday life that has always allowed Spider-Man to connect with queer audiences long before comic writers were allowed to explicitly include LGBT characters.”

 ...I’m not denying this necesarrilly but whilst i’ve heard stories from poc who connected with Spider-Man I’ve never heard this about LGBTQ+ fans of Spider-Man.

“Indeed, perhaps the strongest part of Spider-Man’s inclusivity is the subtlety to which it has been done. While Black Panther, Black Lightning, and Wonder Woman rightly put issues of identity front and center, Spider-Man’s quiet diversity allows audiences who typically cry “SJWs are ruining my favorite characters” to actually see diversity showcased without it being overt.”

 Errrrrrr...sure....*represses memories of when Miles Morales was first announced*

 Lets um...wait and see what happens when those trans characters show up in the movie this year okay.

[thatsthepan]

This is my 2018 movie/TV show review that no one asked for! I just saw Mary Poppins Returns and figured I'd give my thoughts on all the movies I saw this year.

Let me know if you agree, disagree, or saw other movies and want to talk about any of them! My ask is always open:)

MOVIES

Winchester

l L O V E D it. I've always thought the Winchester mansion was interesting, and it's one of my favorite topics the Buzzfeed Unsolved boys covered. The movie surpassed my expectations, and Helen Mirren did amazing as the infamous Sarah Winchester. Creepy, thrilling, and the jumpscares were placed brilliantly.

Black Panther

THIS was a well-done superhero movie. I'm not a Marvel (or superhero movie in general) fan whatsoever, but this was art. Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira and Letitia Wright are three of the most beautiful, badass women you'll ever see (and I love Chadwick Boseman as well, of course!)

Truth or Dare

Not bad, but not the best. It had the creepy smile element that set it apart, and personally I thought the ending was pretty funny, but it's not in my top even 20 horror movies. It's more of a creepy thriller to me, as the "horror" aspect just seems comical to me. (I may be judging a little harshly since I love horror movies so much.)

Deadpool 2

What can I say, Ryan Reynolds is incredible and Deadpool is hilarious. Also Domino was the best character.

Incredibles 2

Very good for a 14-years-later sequel! As far as sequels go, I loved it-solid plot, funny, and 10/10 Jack Jack content.

Slenderman

GOOD ADAPTATION. I'm a diehard horror-movie fan, and adaptations of games or suburban legends just aren't good anymore. But Slenderman took a simple creepy concept and made it into something that actually creeped me out! I loved the game all those years ago, read the first creepypasta, and the movie was just as good.

Venom

Hilarious. Loved it. Doesn't deserve the hate it gets. Best romcom of our time. Tom Hardy jumped into a lobster tank for us and if that isn't top notch acting, then I don't know what is. Deserves awards.

Widows

Okay, it wasn't bad! Outstanding cast; Viola Davis was as amazing as she was in how to get away with murder, Elizabeth Debicki and Cynthia Erivo were badass, Michelle Rodriguez was just as cool as she was in Lost, and of course Daniel Kaluuya can act up a storm.

The Christmas Chronicles

A Netflix movie, but worth a review. I also don't cry during movies but this had me sobbing; it was funny, heartfelt, and a genuinely good Christmas movie.

Mary Poppins Returns

11/10 for score, choreography, and CAST my God Lin-Manuel Miranda has always and will always own my heart and I am in love with Emily Blunt. I don't usually like cutesy movies as much as this, but if you haven't seen it yet, do yourself a favor and SEE IT. It will have you smiling within the first ten minutes.

Movies I Didn’t See But Wish I Had: Love Simon, Ready Player One, A Quiet Place, Breaking In, Oceans 8, Mammia Mia, Christopher Robin, A Simple Favor, Halloween 2, Bohemian Rhapsody, Crazy Rich Asians, The Favourite, and Into The Spiderverse.

TV SHOWS

Black Mirror

If you like super weird and futuristic technological plots, you will love this show. I'll admit it's more than a bit out there, but damn if I can't say some of the plot points had me shook. Complicated, well-rendered show.

The Good Place

This is one of the best shows I've ever seen, hands down. The characters are outstanding, the plot is both funny and put-together, and the whole show has the best dynamic. If you're going to invest in a show, I recommend this one!

Riverdale

If teen dramas are not up your alley, I wouldn't recommend this show. However, if you'd like to check in on good ol' Cole Sprouse, I would recommend, since he's one of the best characters. Riverdale is a lot at times, and on a good day it makes you sigh real hard, but the characters and cast are great and it puts a pretty good spin on Archie's Comics.

Lost

So I know this one is old, but I started it and I'm still not finished with it BUT (middle of season 5 and ready to die) that being said... yeah not a recommended show. It's just a LOT to keep up with and it does a lot of things that just piss me off, but I guess it is interesting sometimes kinda. If you're going to watch a show that took a giant hiatus, watch the X Files. That’s a good show.

And those are my reviews! I loved a lot of movies that came out this year, and hopefully 2019 will only be better!

[thelazyeye]

War Dogs - Chapter 8

Summary:

All of Richie’s walls are falling down around him. Every defense he’s ever made has weakened in this single conversation. Everything leading up to right now – the Barrens, the nightmares, the fight – has chipped away at Richie. He has no more Voices to hide behind. There are no more sideways smiles, no more jokes, no more shenanigans. 

Read it on A03

Tag List:

@tinyarmedtrex @richardtoz @aizeninlefox @bonehex @chocolatemangoose @godtozier 

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

There really are no words to capture the exact way one Richie Tozier is feeling other than by categorizing it as complete fucking shit. He is currently laying on the couch in his empty house. His parents were gone by the time he mustered enough strength to come downstairs and have a bowl of cereal. His stomach is in knots, his head is pounding, and his arms and legs are covered in small scrapes and scratches from attempting to chase after Eddie through the brush in the dark. It was for nothing, though. He never caught up to Eddie. He’s lying on his back, facing the ceiling with his eyes closed hoping the darkness will ease the pounding in his head. He fucked up in so many ways. He couldn’t get the sight of Eddie red faced and yelling out of his mind. His words kept ringing in his ears over and over again. Selfish. Yeah, he was. He was selfish for taking his dad’s vodka. Selfish for never asking Eddie how he was. Never asking any of them how they were. He never even asked Stan how he was. All he was good for was distraction and reckless fun. And hurting his best friends apparently. His best friends that were in love with him. Fuck. Eddie looked so upset. Eddie was so upset. And he was right to be. He sighed heavily and tossed himself over onto his side, staring blankly at the wall. When he turns his entire world spins, tilting in front of him. Eddie probably hates him. Eddie probably never wants see him again. Not after last night. Not after how bad Richie fucked everything up. Richie could feel the pity and shame rising up from the pit of his stomach. He could feel it working its way through his chest, his throat, his… oh wait. That’s vomit. He leaned over the side of the couch, reaching desperately for the trashcan and dragging it over just in time to catch this morning’s breakfast. Richie isn’t really sure what feels worse: the hangover or the emotional consequences that came with his choices. Probably the latter. His body feels like a war is waging inside of him. Every time he moves his stomach cramps, every time he opens his eyes pain shoots through his head. The only comfortable solution is to lay as still as possible with his eyes closed. It doesn’t take much longer for Richie to fall asleep. When he wakes up he feels considerably better. Well, physically. He can now stand up, which he does, and he can now hold down a glass of water, so he drinks one. It takes him a couple minutes to make his way around the kitchen, bathroom, and upstairs to his bedroom to put on a fresh set of clothes. He opts for loose cargo shorts and a ratty Depeche Mode shirt Stan got for him second hand at Christmas. After he changes and starts to feel maybe kind of like a person again, he debates calling Stan. He lingers on the idea for a while. Today is Stan’s morning for therapy which means he’s likely at home now. This also means Bill is with him. He could still call. He could explain to them what happened at the Barrens and maybe they could help him make sense of everything. Maybe they could tell him how to fix things with Eddie. But that would mean he would have to tell them everything that happened. The drinking, the midnight breakout. The confession. He couldn’t do that. The confession. Fuck. Eddie was in love with him. What the fuck was he going to do about that? In the roughly twelve hours it’s been between their fight and Richie standing in his bedroom, he hasn’t had time to really sit and think about anything that happened. He was trying not to, honestly. He was trying not to think about the tone of Eddie’s voice and the way it cracked on certain words. He was trying not to think about how Eddie screamed at him. Like, really screamed. He doesn’t think Eddie has ever yelled at him that seriously before. He was trying not to think about the look in Eddie’s eyes. He couldn’t give it one emotion. It wasn’t just anger, or hurt, or any one thing. It was everything Richie has ever tried to avoid. Eddie looked desperate, he looked destroyed. Richie did that to him. His stomach turned again, threatening another round of bile. He swallows it down and walks downstairs to the phone, picking it up and punching in the numbers on autopilot. The phone rings several times before a cheery voice comes over the line. “Marsh residence, Beverly speaking!” “Bev, hey.” He’s not sure why he called her. He isn’t sure what he wants from her. Did he want to talk about what happened? Was he looking for a distraction? “Oh. Hi.” she cuts, tone falling flat immediately. “Uhh, it’s Richie,” he tries, caught off guard by the immediate change in her tone. Maybe she doesn’t know it was him. A rock settles in his gut. “Yeah. I know.” “Uhh, okay. Listen, I was wondering if we could hang out. Maybe hit the bleachers?” His voice softens at the end. Bev is never this cold with him, never this standoffish. Its silent for a beat and Richie things about offering to buy Bev her own pack of cigarettes when the line cracks and he hears her speak again. “I don’t think so, Rich,” she says cooly. Not the answer he was hoping for. “Oh. Okay. Well maybe tomor-” “Listen, Rich,” she cut him off, “I’m not mediating for you and Eddie. You need to fix this shit yourself.” Well fuck. Looks like she knows. And judging by her tone, she knows everything. He’s quiet for a moment before beginning, “Bev-” “You hurt him, Rich.” Her words send a jolt through his chest. It’s sharp and painful, originating from deep within his ribcage and spreading down into his lungs. It makes breathing harder and nothing seems okay anymore. He knows he hurt Eddie, he fucking knows it, but to hear her say it makes it so much more real. Before it was only inside of him. It only existed in his head. Bev put it out there into the world. She made it a real, tangible force that could reach into his chest and rip his heart clean out of his body. “I didn’t mean to.” Richie croaks out. He didn’t even realize how close he was to tears until they were threatening to spill out over his eyes. She seems to soften at this, the hard edges of her voice melting away into the reciever. “I know, Richie. But you have to fix it.” “I don’t know how,” comes out in nothing but a broke whisper. “You’ll figure it out.” It isn’t what he wants to hear. He wants her to tell him what to do, to tell him out to fix it with Eddie but this is all he gets from her. He’ll take it. It’s better than the venom from before that’s still working its way through his system. They exchange quick goodbyes and then he’s standing in his living room listening to dead air through the phone. He knows he has to figure this out.  He has to fix this with Eddie. If he doesn’t, he could lose him entirely. Richie doesn’t know what he would do if that happened. All the Losers, yeah they’re great. But Eddie? Eddie completes him. Them. Eddie completes them. They’re lucky seven, not lucky six. If Eddie and Richie have a major falling out it’ll throw off the group’s dynamic. It’ll ruin their whole vibe. They’ll never be able to hang out together as a group again. No more movie nights at Bill’s house. No more group hangs in the Barren’s. No more secret Santa. No more cuddle puddles. No more throwing Eddie over his shoulder. No more pinching Eddie’s cheeks. No more falling asleep together on the couch. No more reading comics with Eddie in his room. No more climbing through his window in the middle of the night. Everything Richie has built his life around will come falling apart. And then what? What will be left? He has to fix this. He has no idea where to start and he knows that if he marches up to Eddie with no plan of action he’s going to make things worse. Eddie. Eddie, who’s in love with him. Eddie, who probably has wanted to kiss him for longer than he knows. Eddie, who’s late night cuddle sessions probably meant more to himself than Richie. Eddie, Eddie, Eddie. Richie slips his shoes on and heads in the direction of the Derry Public Library. He knows he’ll find someone there who can help him. When he walks in he looks around, searching for a familiar face. It takes a moment but he sees them. Sitting in the back corning, several books splayed around in front of them, were Mike and Ben. He made a beeline for the table, pulling a chair out and sitting himself down. He caught them mid-conversation, something about interstates and highways or some shit. They stopped when he sat down, looking up at him curiously. “Hey Richie. What brings you all the way out here to this fine learning establishment?” Mike implores, a smile dancing on his lips. Richie levels him with a lopsided grin. “Mikey boy, I felt my heart calling out to you. It brought me here. And you know I’d never set foot in this place without a damn good reason.” Ben snorts beside him. “Bullshit. We all know who your heart really belongs to.” Mike laughs, slapping Ben on the shoulder and grinning over at Richie. “Oh, we sure do!” Richie’s grin falters. This is the part where he is supposed to make an Eddie joke. Or a Mrs. K. joke. Neither of them feel right in his mouth. He rolls all of the possible responses around on his tongue before going with a simple, “Haystack gets off a good one,” with less tenacity than his usual banter. “Everything alright there, Rich?” Mike asks, eyeing Richie cautiously. Ben looks over now, too, concern replacing his previous expression. Richie hesitates again. He was tempted to cover it all up. He could do a voice, joke it off, talk about being bored with good ol’ Mrs. K. and wanting some new fresh MILF to bang. But isn’t this the whole reason he came here? He knew he would find Ben at least, the hopeless romantic. “Oh yeah, Mike. Don’t worry about lil ol’ me. Just casually falling apart at the seams,” Richie said in a damsel-in-distress type voice. His eyes were locked with Mike, a smile dancing on his lips. Mike, being Mike, took the bait. “Well, little lady. What could a nice young man such as myself do to stitch you back together?” Mike drawls, leaning across the table and resting his head in his hands. “Well, it seems I’ve made a mess of damn near everything!” Richie cried, leaning hard into a southern accent. This earns him several stern looks from nearby patrons. Ben glances around nervously before shhing them softly. Neither of them seemed to notice because they continued on. “Well, why don’t you tell Mikey here what’s wrong. Maybe I can fix it up real good for you.” Mike’s voice is honey sweet, dripping slowly from his lips. Richie’s smile falters, only for a second, and he opens his mouth to reply. Before he can, though, Ben stands up, gathering his books and motioning for them to follow him with a simple, “We’re not doing this here. You guys are too loud.” Together they leave the library and walk across to McCarron Park. There they sit in a small triangle, Mike to Richie’s right and Ben to his left. Ben is sprawled out, leaning back on his side and staring up at the sky. Mike, however, has his eyes trained on Richie. They started this thing and Mike wasn’t going to back down now. “So, little lady. Tell old Mikey here what’s ailing you.” He’s soft, but firm. Mike leavesYe no room for argument, no room for running away. “Well, you see,” he starts, drawling the words out. “My knight, sir Edward, is mighty mad at me,” “And why is that?” “I’ve made a mistake, Mikey.” Richie whines, “A terrible mistake. I’ve gone and outdone myself. A little bit too much of my sweet, sweet, spirits and sir Eddie has gone and got all of his panties in a twist over it.” It isn’t the absolute truth, but how else was he going to get his point across? “Tell me, Rich.” “That’s a long story mister Michael,” Richie warns. He starts ahead anyway. Mike and him bantered back and forth in their fake southern accents, both playing the part they had given themselves. He tells Mike of how he went down to the barrens to partake in a little bit of late night fun. He talks about how Eddie came down and found him. He talks about their dancing and how much fun they had together. He spends a good chunk of time talking about that. He would rather talk about the good parts. He would go back to that moment again if he could. He would give anything to be able to sweep Eddie back into his arms, hold him, sway with him, tease him. But he can’t and it’s his own damn fault. Eventually, after a sharp look from Mike, Richie falls into the most important part of the story. Mike watches him carefully. He looks at Richie like he’s studying him. Like he’s trying to read in between the lines for some hidden meaning Richie hasn’t figured out yet. Ben was now sitting up, staring at Richie, too, and occasionally sparing a glance at Mike. Richie paused, hesitating when he got to the climax of their fight. He has two options here. He can tell Ben and Mike the whole truth. He can tell them about Eddie. He can tell them what Eddie said and how he told Richie he loved him. Richie knows he can trust them. Mike and Ben are steadfast in their loyalty. He can tell them about how he doesn’t know what to do. He doesn’t know how to fix it. He can’t fix a broken heart. He’s Richie Tozier, he can’t even fix his own broken head. Or. Or, Richie can omit that part. He can tell them that Eddie stalked off into the night and was now furious with Richie and Richie wasn’t sure what to do. He wasn’t sure how to approach Eddie like this. Eddie has never been this angry at him before. He’s never been this serious. Eddie has never been this hurt. “Eddie said he hated me and then he left.” Richie whispers, his Voice lost back in the depths of his confessions. It falls from his lips involuntarily, like an automatic prayer. It isn’t the truth and he knows it. Mike and Ben know it, too, because the look they share is short but skeptical. Ben is the first to speak up. “I’m sure he didn’t mean that, Rich. You know how Eddie can get. He’s all emotion sometimes.” “Yeah, Benny boy. I know he is. That’s why I think he really did mean it this time.” Richie responds. “What about you,” Mike says next. He talks slow and carefully, picking his words like strawberries from a field. “How are you feeling in all of this. Do you hate him, back?” Richie’s voice catches in his throat and he hesitates. Mike is staring him down with meaningful eyes. His gaze is burning a hole through Richie’s head and suddenly everything begins to clock into place. It isn’t quite there yet, but the cogs are turning in the machine. Mike knows something. Mike understands Richie and this whole situation better than Richie does himself. Mike is better at reading between the lines than any other Loser. He understands the nuances, he sees the real meanings. “Of course not, Mike. I could never hate Eddie.” “Then how do you feel?” Ben asks, coming back into the conversation. Ben’s always been quick on the uptake and Richie has no doubt in his mind that he understands now, too. “I don’t know.” All of Richie’s walls are falling down around him. Every defense he’s ever made has weakened in this single conversation. Everything leading up to right now – the Barrens, the nightmares, the fight – has chipped away at Richie. He has no more Voices to hide behind. There are no more sideways smiles, no more jokes, no more shenanigans. “I think it’s time you figured that out, Richie.” Mike hums. His voice is calm and gentle but final in that way that only Mike is. Richie simply nods, thanks them, and picks himself up off the ground. He starts slowly towards home. That wasn’t what he went there for. He wasn’t sure what he wanted from Mike and Ben but he was sure as hell that wasn’t it. He was hoping for a quick fix. He wanted them to give him more advice other than figure it out, Richie. He can feel that inner machine whirling. He’s on the brink of something but he doesn’t know what. It’s frustrating to no end. Nothing is making sense. Why did Mike and Ben only ask about Richie and not Eddie and what happened? If they really knew like they seemed to, they would have asked Richie all about it. He knows he would have. He would have grilled any one of them for details. What happened? What did he say? Are you sure he likes you? Do you like him back? What are you go– Wait. Do you like him back. “Then how do you feel?” Ben asked him that. Was Ben asking if he liked Eddie back? Fuck. Richie can’t remember what he had said. He has no idea. He said doesn’t know. Why did he say that? He doesn’t know if he likes Eddie back? This is something he should know. But if he didn’t, the answer would be simple, cut and dry. If he didn’t like Eddie back there would be no confusion. Somewhere in the distance a clock strikes three. The sound of a gong echoes through Derry once, twice, three times. At the same moment the gears inside of Richie click into place.

[undertheinfluencerd]

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J #

Netflix’s highly anticipated action film Kate is out September 10. Starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead in the titular role, the film also features Woody Harrelson, Miku Patricia Martineau, and Miyavi. The film is directed by Cedric Nicolas-Troyan, who ComingSoon was able to chat with ahead of the film’s release.

“Meticulous and preternaturally skilled, Kate is the perfect specimen of a finely tuned assassin at the height of her game,” says the official synopsis of Kate. “But when she uncharacteristically blows an assignment targeting a member of the yakuza in Tokyo, she quickly discovers she’s been poisoned, a brutally slow execution that gives her less than 24 hours to exact revenge on her killers. As her body swiftly deteriorates, Kate forms an unlikely bond with the teenage daughter of one of her past victims.”

ComingSoon Editor-in-Chief Tyler Treese spoke with Kate director Cedric Nicolas-Troyan about the action flick, working with Woody Harrelson and Miyavi, and how anime had an impact on the film.

Tyler Treese: Woody Harrelson, what a great performance by him. He’s such a versatile actor and I thought he fit this role so well. Could you just speak to his performance?

Cedric Nicolas-Troyan: So Woody was like, when we were talking about the character of Varrick, we were looking for someone that’s going to embody warmth, but also can turn on a dime. Someone that can be like, you want to hug that person, but then the next minute you’re like, oh no, that guy is actually scary. Woody is just right there, top of the list because he has all those. He has made all those performances where you just kind of love the guy, like, oh, this guy is the coolest, and then all of a sudden you’re like, hold on, wait, what, he might be scary actually. It can turn like that.

He modulates his performance and those looks and those things. He does the smile and then he turns into a look and you’re like, oh. It brings a swagger, and also one thing that is really cool with Woody is that he loves playing. So when I was saying, “Okay, let’s play a little bit on that line. Let’s improv a little bit on this.” He was always up for it. So he brings that swagger and this and that kind of attitude to the film. I wanted to have that rock and roll attitude to have that swagger. So, he brings that all the time and he’s fun.

I saw that you mentioned that you’re a big fan of anime and Hayao Miyazaki as is an influence on your overall work. We see Tokyo Ghoul in one scene, but I’d love to know how anime really influenced this film and the style of Kate?

Yes, absolutely. I grew up with Japanese culture like Grendizer and [Message from Space:] Galactic Wars. All of that was big deals in France. So I was really drawn into that kind of anime culture very, very young and to this day my son is very much into it, so I never really kind of gave up. So that was a big part of the design and the look.

I wanted to find something that was connecting, and that’s why Tokyo Ghoul is in the film because I was looking for a connection with Kate and with the [Ken] Kaneki character has that connection. So to create those images that people who are [fans] of that kind of style, can be like, “oh yeah,” and they know why. People that don’t know Tokyo Ghoul, they’re going to be like, oh, it’s just a cartoon on the building. But people that know they’re going to be like, oh, I can see why Kaneki and Kate are together. Actually, I wrote a letter to the creator of Tokyo Ghoul to ask him to put it in the movie.

Awesome. The casting is just so inspired all around. I loved Miyavi’s role. What led to the samurai guitarist being brought into this film?

Well, Miyavi, he’s like he has that kind of striking look. He’s just so charismatic and I’d seen him in Angelina Jolie’s Unbroken, and he was reminding me of the Ryusuke Sakamoto character in Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence, and I thought it was like he had that really great presence. Then he has this amazing look, you know? So when it was about who is going to play Jojima, Jojima is the only person in the film that beats the crap out of Kate and literally should have win the fight [against Kate].

I wanted that one scene to have someone that you just kind of like, wow, and a friend of mine, Mr. Hide, who is a Japanese director, we were talking about him and he happened to be friends with him and he’s like, “Oh, you know, you should totally get him,” and he texted Miyavi and then Miyavi came to audition for me when I was in Tokyo. Right away, it was great. I’m so blessed he accepted to do the movie. He thought, “Yeah, that’s kind of fun. I never did that. Let’s do this,” and he just came in like, bam. He’s amazing.

The post Interview: Kate Director Cedric Nicolas-Troyan Talks Woody Harrelson, Anime’s Influence appeared first on ComingSoon.net.

#infinitywar #batman #robertdowneyjr #venom #avengersinfinitywar #comic #chrisevans #thanos #starwars #captainmarvel #marvelcosplay #blackpanther #wolverine #stanlee #memes #geek #toyphotography #love #steverogers #toys #actionfigures #drawing #spidermanfarfromhome #igcomicfamily #ps #marvelmemes #funko #funkopop #anime #comicbook

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[newtothewaywardparty]

The Ghost of an Idea 1

Stave One: Bobby’s Ghost

Okay, first of all, Bobby was dead. There’s no doubt about it. He had taken a bullet in the fight against the Leviathans, haunted Sam and Dean through his old flask, and finally hitched a ride out of hell through Purgatory before settling in Heaven. Then he busted out of Heaven for the chance to help the boys on one last mission. Bobby was as dead as a doornail. Dean knew it better than most. After all, Dean killed ghosts by trade, and had served his own stints in Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory.

The fact that Bobby was dead must be firmly established to understand what happened to Dean that Christmas Eve when everything changed for the worse.

And then, for the better.

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

PART 1:

Sam burst in the door of the bunker, stomping snow from his boots. Dean looked up from his laptop, startled, as Sam pulled the tip of a comically huge spruce tree through the metal door. A struggle between Sam, the tree, and an unseen force almost pitched Sam down the steep flight of stairs into the bunker. It was resolved successfully when Jack popped through the door like a cork holding the spruce’s trunk, wide grin plastered on his boyish face.

Dean gaped as his brother and the nephilim maneuvered the tree down the stairs. Sam hoisted the tip up as Jack dropped the trunk to the ground. The spruce was dark green, and even taller than Sam. Jack was practically bursting, hands on hips of his plaid flannel thermal jacket, cheeks pink from exertion and cold. “We got a tree!” he announced happily with obvious pride.

Dean felt his chest constrict with a familiar yet unwanted feeling he got whenever Jack was guileless and earnest. It reminded Dean a bit too much of his favorite angel, Cas. That wasn’t a reminder he wanted or needed right now. Instead of following his impulse to slap the kid on the back in congratulations, Dean shoved out his chair and grabbed his empty beer bottle.

“No shit” Dean barked, ignoring Sam’s reproving glare. What did Jack want, a fucking medal? It was a goddamned tree, not the cure for cancer. Who cared if Jack had helped to defeat Michael and Lucifer and had restored order to the dimensions? Nobody got merit badges in this line of work. At least, no one ever gave him one, thought Dean nastily.

“I see you’ve still got your panties in a twist,” Sam said, throwing off his coat. Jack was busy setting up the tree stand. His grin had frozen a little at Dean’s dismissal, but his Christmas spirit seemed undeterred. He almost vibrated with good cheer as he hummed what Dean would never admit to recognizing as a Mariah Carey Christmas pop tune while he worked. Sam angled his body towards Dean, pitching his voice conspiratorially. “Is this still about that hunt last month?”

Dean’s face closed so fast against Sam’s understanding, sympathetic manner it practically clanged shut. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, Sammy” Dean replied. He turned on his heel and made a beeline for the kitchen. Between near-constant alcohol consumption and sleep deprivation brought on by relentless travel and hunting, Dean had been almost completely successful at blocking out what had happened on that hunt. Almost.

Dean ditched his empty beer bottle and rummaged in the bunker’s kitchen cabinets. His intake had been particularly heavy lately. Christmas Eve was a terrible time to run out of Hunter’s Helper. He should have asked Sam to pick some up when they were off singing carols and ice skating or whatever other Peanuts Christmas nonsense he had been up to with Jack in town. Fuck it, there had to be some ancient shit buried back in one of these cabinets, he thought desperately.

“Dean” Sam’s voice came from the doorway, where he leaned, arms crossed. Relentless bastard. “You’ve always loved Christmas. You’re usually the one wheedling me about it. I figured you’d be in here cooking gingerbread and cueing up Die Hard for Jack, making ‘ho ho ho now I’ve got a machine gun’ jokes. What crawled up your ass and died?” Sam’s face was a mixture of kicked puppy and nagging parent.

Dean whirled on him, jaw clenched. “Things change. People change.” Dean shrugged, trying to think of an excuse. Anything but the real reason. “We’re not exactly religious, and that normal apple-pie stuff just isn’t for us. We’ve got work to do, remember?” He turned away to continue rummaging for any alcohol, anything hard at all, to obliterate his memories of Cas and the hunt gone sideways and now this goddamn argument with his brother who just wouldn’t leave well enough alone.

Sam shook his head. “That’s exactly why we need this, Dean. Now more than ever.” Now that Mom was gone again, went unspoken but sat in the air between them. “This is Jack’s first real Christmas,” Sam continued with the air of a man laying down an ace “and I wanted it to be special. Pull out all the stops.”

“Ha!” exclaimed Dean, partially in response to Sam, and partly in triumph at unearthing an ancient bottle of cooking sherry. He unscrewed it and took a whiff, recoiling in disgust. “What are you going to do, put him in footie pajamas and hang out his stocking for Santa?” Dean said in a mocking tone. He put his lips to the bottle and swigged, wincing at the burn.

“Why the fuck not?” challenged Sam, throwing his hands up in exasperation. “Just because you and Cas had a fight doesn’t mean we shouldn’t show Jack the spirit of the holidays-”

Dean did an honest-to-Chuck spit-take, spraying gross cooking sherry all over the clean tabletop. “Cas and I did not have a fight, I told you.” Dean growled, low and dangerous. “He just flapped off to do some angel shit after the hunt. Like always. I’m not his keeper.”

Sam nodded. “Good to hear. I guess you won’t mind that I invited him, then.” Sam’s eyebrow quirked, questioning.

Dean minutely tightened his grip on the bottle’s neck. “What?” he gritted out through clenched teeth, even though he was sure he heard Sam just fine.

Sam threw his hands up again. “For Christ’s sake, Dean. It’s Christmas eve. We’re gonna decorate the tree, have a few brews, order Chinese take-out, watch a shitty movie, and exchange convenience-store-bought presents. You wanna boycott? Fine. But this is happening. With or without you.” Sam looked at him with something approaching pity. “Maybe you could get cleaned up. Join us?” Sam’s gaze narrowed to the bottle in Dean’s hands pointedly.

Dean scoffed and brushed past Sam. He retreated to his room to nurse the sherry while cranking up Metallica in his headphones. Dean closed his eyes, head leaned back against the headboard. The images memories rose, unbidden.

He and Cas, in sync as any dance partners, gracefully extinguishing a rugaru. The tang and buzz of sweat and adrenaline. Cas’ eyes sparkling in the dancing flames of the rugaru’s immolated corpse. Dean grinning, clapping Cas on the back, inviting him for a celebratory drink. Thighs bumping together below the bar as they downed shots. Eyes locking, lingering. Speech dwindling. Dean slapping money on the bar. Walking back to the motel room. Cas’ hand grazing Dean’s low back. Cas’ breath hot on the back of his neck. Dean fumbling, drunk, with the key, opening the door. Turning to push it shut, reaching past Cas’ shoulder. Cas standing there, in his space, (or was Dean in Cas’ space?) quiet and still, staring. Always staring.

Dean tilted the sherry bottle for a swig, but it was empty. Due to his recent semi-permanent bender, his tolerance was so high he wasn’t even buzzed yet. He dropped the bottle unceremoniously to the floor and grabbed his duffel.

Dean stopped short on his way to the Impala at the sight of three figures decorating the tree. Sam was on the floor untangling some old-school large-bulb multi-colored lights from a garage sale box. Jack was at the table, unpacking car air fresheners from their clear plastic bags to hang on the branches. 

And next to him stood Cas. Rumpled trench, blue tie, messy hair, the whole nine. Standing there looking gorgeous and distant, as usual. He smelled like cold, fresh air. He had probably just arrived, Dean thought, blowing in on the December breeze. Cas raised his chin minutely. “Hello, Dean.”

Dean worked his tongue to gather enough saliva for speech. Cas’ gaze, intense as ever, raked Dean up and down. Dean flushed, realizing he hadn’t shaved in days, was wearing dirty sweats and smelled like a locker room after a kegger. His eyes scratched in a way indicating they were probably bloodshot, too. Shit. Just the way he wanted this to go. Impressive, Winchester.

“Hey,” Dean managed finally. If Jack and Sam thought the situation was awkward, at least they had the decency to stay quiet.

Cas’ eyes fell on Dean’s duffel and narrowed. “Are you going somewhere?” he asked, raising his eyebrows, looking almost...hurt?

Dean scrubbed his scruff with a hand. “Yeah, uh, hunt. Some of us actually care about saving people, hunting things, remember?” Good one, Dean, he thought. Passive aggression. Not just for 1950s housewives anymore.

Sam scoffed aloud. “C’mon, man, Cas just got here. You’ve been hunting nonstop for the past month. You just got back. Take one day off to be with the people you love.”

Cas looked surprised at the mention of Dean’s hunting schedule. Dean ignored that and zeroed in on Sam with cold eyes. “Love, huh? ‘Love will save the day. Love will find a way. Love heals all wounds.’ Yay, love!” snarked Dean, dripping sarcasm. 

Sam’s face hardened into bitch mode, rock solid. Dean hoped, with venom, that it stuck that way. “Like our brotherly love?” Dean waved his index finger back and forth between his little brother and himself. “So codependent we have no other functional relationships? How we’ve screwed the world a hundred times over to save each other?” Sam sputtered like an engine with a dead battery, gearing up to respond, but Dean was too fast, whirling on Jack.

“Hey kid, remember your mom? No? Me neither, at least not really. Not Mary Version 1.0.” Dean knew he’d gone too far. Knows he was way out of line. Yet he didn’t seem to care enough to stop himself, even when he saw Cas tense out of the corner of his eye. “You know why? Oh, that’s right. They died and left us. Hell, mine died on me a few times over. They loved us, but it didn’t save ‘em. Didn’t leave us any less alone. And our fathers...well, even Cas is in the Deadbeat Daddy club.” Jack rocked back as though Dean had physically slapped him, but Dean wasn’t frozen mid-air in nephilim sound waves, and Jack’s eyes hadn’t glowed yellow, so Dean figured he was still golden. Ha.

“And you,” Dean said, turning to Cas but keeping his eyes shut so he didn’t have to look at him. “How haven’t we hurt each other yet?” Dean pointed his gaze at his shoes, unable to confront whatever expression Cas is wearing. “We’ve lied to protect each other, betrayed each other, gotten each other tortured and killed...shit, Cas, we even tried to kill each other a few times. But sure, yeah, let’s exchange presents by the fireplace, drink some nog, and have a Merry Fucking Christmas!”

Dean grabbed his coat from a chair at the table in the stunned silence. He started stomping up the metal stairs.

“Dean. You don’t want to be alone on Christmas. Don’t do this. Don’t push us away.” It was Sam, of course. He sounded so reasonable. Kind. Gentle. He deserved so much better than Dean. They all did.

Dean looked over the railing and saw them standing, frozen, in the positions they had been in when he had begun his tirade. Sam’s face was unspeakably sad. Cas’ gaze was down and away from Dean, like he was really fascinated with something in a corner of the library. Jack’s eyes were wide and wet.

Dean turned away and opened the door. He did not stomp, sigh, or yell. He did not slam the door as he closed it behind him. He did not say what was in his heart, the fundamental truth that ruled his life. A song stuck on repeat: Better to be alone than be left alone, better to be the one leaving than getting left, better to be the one pushing rather than getting pushed away.

Read Stave One: Bobby’s Ghost, Part 2:

[i-am-eurus-holmes]

Alphabet soup tag

Tagged by @nosferatuismisunderstood  thank you!!

rules: answer the questions in a new post and tag 10 blogs you would like to get to know better.

A: age | 15

B: birthplace | England 

C: current time |  19:17

D: drink you had last | Dr Pepper

E: easiest person to talk to | Either my irl best friend or @venom-for-free

F: favorite song | Don’t ask me to choooooosssseeee. Okay at the minute it’s probably what about us by P!nk

G: grossest memory | Does this mean gross as in disgusting or just bad? My worst memory is probably when my mum phoned me to tell me my stepdad had died

I: in love? | platonically with all of you

J: jealous of people? | Yes

K: killed someone | Not yet 

L. love at first sight or should I walk by again? | You can walk by as many times as you want I’m not gonna go out with you

M. middle name | Amber

N: number of siblings | one 

O: one wish | For all the legal stuff to be over so my mum sell the house and move back to the town I live in so I don’t have to live with my grandparents 

P: person you called last | I can’t remember the last time I called someone. My dad called me yesterday though

Q: question you are always asked | You know it’s just a tv show right?

R: reason to smile | Half term holiday

S: song you sang last | idk. P!nk’s new album is on in the car so probably something from that

T:Â time you woke up | I don’t know but I finally looked at my phone at about 8

U: underwear color | *subtly checks whilst trying to look normal because my mum’s in the room* black and white

V: vacation destination | America or Germany to visit tumblr friends and go to spn conventions/ comic con and Germany’s cool

W: worst habit | Leaving stuff till last minute then worrying too much then staying up all night to get it done

X: x-rays | I’ve had one on my ankle and several x-rays of my mouth because I had an extra tooth in my gums that had to be taken out before I had braces but my dentist kept messing it up so I had to have about 50 billion x-rays (It was like 2 years ago but I’m still annoyed because one of them was on Christmas eve)

Y: your favorite food | cottage pie or skittles 

Z: zodiac sign | Taurus

I tag: @venom-for-free @supreme-ferret-overlord @lady-caden @elementarymydearfandom @emotionally-compromised-idiot @againsquared @amanmangor @lucifersdaugther @trisscar368 @helloimthetrickster