#richard o'brian

[oxymoron-pleonasma]

Richard O'Brian

[hgeeky]

My year in books 2024 - book series

Over the year I managed to read 140 books (including audiobooks), not including the 4 I started and still have on the go, and 3 that I started and abandoned.

I read quite a few series, here are some thoughts on those (spoiler free). I'll probably follow up with another post or two for other fiction and non-fiction.

Rivers of London by Ben Aaranovitch

I've now read all 9 of the main novels (although I read the first two in 2023), plus Tales from the Folly and What Abigail Did That Summer, all as audiobooks.

Kobna Hollbrook-Smith is an incredible narrator

I absolutely adore the blend of magic, folklore and police bureaucracy. The acronyms and procedure are set out in a way that feels so true to life - with all the quirks that come with how these things translate into practice. And it makes the magic somehow more believable. Plus the characters are so often charming.

I'm looking forward to working my way through the novellas and graphic novels while I wait for the next instalment.

The Aubreyad/Aubrey-Maturin series by Patrick O'Brian

I managed all 20 of the completed novels, my first complete circumnavigation (at some point I'll try to get my hands on the unfinished 21st book)

This is very much thanks to @elodieunderglass posting about it here, which encouraged me to seek out the audiobooks (my library has the Ric Jerrom ones)

I had attempted Master & Commander once, many years ago, because a lot of my family like the books. My grandfather especially liked them, and I wish I had known him better (he died in 2000). But I couldn't cope with the naval jargon at the time and gave up.

I did enjoy the film, and I've enjoyed Hornblower on TV and the Sharpe books, so I do generally enjoy that sort of thing and the audiobooks turned out to be perfect for me.

Ric Jerrom does a wonderful job with the characters and I could let a lot of the naval jargon wash over me (occasionally I did look things up to try to get a better handle on things).

Jack and Stephen are now my blorbos for sure.

And I absoutely love how much O'Brian managed to fit into these books - the natural history, the mores of the time, even the politics, as well as the action, adventure and romance.

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

I find these books rather moving, as well as fun

The combination works wonderfully for perking me up, helping me embrace life and find the joy in it, and that's always worth something

In fact it's remarkably impressive

The blend of characters is wonderful, the range of perspectives and personalities really helps me look at the world afresh, and not take things for granted so much.

Jackson Brodie by Kate Atkinson

I read the first one in 2023, and 2-5 in 2024

I've long adored Kate Atkinson's books, and I've read at least two of the Jackson Brodie books before (1 and 4) but thought I'd give the whole series a go

Perhaps not entirely as successful as some of her other books, I did still enjoy them all. I think Big Sky (number 5) was my favourite.

Phryne Fisher by Kerry Greenwood

I really enjoyed the TV adaptation a few years ago so I thought I'd give the audiobooks a go when I saw that my library has them

They are light and easy-going, with grate narration by Stephanie Daniel

I read the first one last year, and got through 2-8 this year. I particularly enjoyed 3 (Muder on the Ballarat Train), 4 (Death at Victoria Dock), 5 (The Green Mil Murder) and 8 (Urn Burial). I didn't mind a bit that I could remember some of the plots from the TV show.

The Locked Tomb by Tamsyn Muir

I gave Gideon the Ninth a go after seeing a lot of posts about it on here, and finding I could get it through Audible plus (which I get occasionally when I can get a discount)

It was an absolute headfuck of a fever dream for most of it and I loved it

Eventually I used some credits to get Harrow and Nona and loved them too. Harrow was also a headfuck but I think I'd got slightly more into the swing of things for Nona.

I went back to relisten to Gideon to see what I made of it, after having more context and it was good in a different way. I enjoyed having more things make sense and I appreciated many of the characters a lot more.

The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkein

When I found out my library had the audiobooks read by Andy Serkis, I thought it would be rude not to borrow them

I enjoyed The Hobbit the most.

I found Return of the King a bit of a slog. It all felt too ponderous when it was focused on humans, elves or dwarves, but fortunately the hobbits, ents and orcs gave it a lot more life and helped get me through.

Edit: Oops I forgot The World of the White Rat!

World of the White Rat - T Kingfisher

I didn't start at the beginning and I've not read everything

I gave the books a go thanks to Audible Plus and now I'm in love with them

Swordheart is my favourite, I've now listened to it twice

I've also covered the first 3 Saint of Steel books and have number 4 ready and waiting

I've also listened to quite a few other T Kingfisher books which aren't in the same world (or at least, not obviously) and loved those too - more on those in a separate post (if I manage it)

[thekenobee]

I have read Sharpe’s Prey

(and I come bearing gifts)

[dc-vs-marvel-tournament]

[artphotographyofmen]

Plastic Man by Richard Wawiernia

[randomrichards]

TWISTERS:

Storm chaser returns

Clashes with a YouTube star

Taming tornadoes

[nitpickrider]

My god even the slightest amount of imagination of what the Nazi empire could do with even a small platoon of Plastic Men... Eel is probably one of those heroes who is DEEPLY aware of what his abilities could be capable of in the wrong hands. Freedom Fighters 1

[cinesludge]

Movie #94 of 2023: Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World

[deonald]

##

[dc-megatournament]

A Master List of fighters in the “Batman vs Everyone” tournament so far

If a characters name is in red, their poll as been posted already.

If a character isn't listed here, they haven't been submitted.

DC

Alfred Pennyworth Amazing Man/Will Everett Ambush Bug/Irwin Schwab Animal Man/Buddy Baker Aquaman/Arthur Curry Arsenal/Roy Harper Artemis Atom Smasher/Albert Rothstein Azrael/Jean Paul Valley Aztek/Uno Batgirl/Cassandra Cain Batman Beyond/Terry McGinnis Batwing/David Zavimbe Batwing/Luke Fox Batwoman/Kate Kane Big Barda/Barda Free Black Canary/Dinah Laurel Lance Black Lightning/Jefferson Pierce Black Orchid/Susan Linden Blue Beetle/Jaime Reyes Blue Beetle/Ted Kord Bluebird/Harper Row Blue Devil/Dan Cassidy Booster Gold/Michael Jon Carter Captain Atom/Nathaniel Adam Captain Cold/Leonard Snart Captain Marvel/Billy Batson Catwoman/Selina Kyle Citizen Steel/Nathan Heywood Cyborg/Victor Stone Deadman/Boston Brand Detective Chimp/Bobo T. Chimpanzee Doctor Fate/Kent Nelson Doctor Fate/Khalid Nassour Doctor Fate/Linda Strauss Doctor Light/Kimiyo Hoshi Dr. Mid Nite/Charles McNider Element Woman/Emily Sung Elongated Man/Ralph Dibny Enchantress/June Moone Etrigan/Jason Blood Fire/Beatriz da Costa Firestorm/Jason Rusch Firestorm/Ronnie Raymond Flamebird/Bette Kane Geo-Force/Brion Markov Giovanni Zatara Godiva/Dorcas Leigh Green Arrow/Connor Hawke Green Arrow/Oliver Queen Green Lantern/Guy Gardner Green Lantern/Hal Jordan Green Lantern/Jessica Cruz Green Lantern/John Stewart Green Lantern/Kyle Rayner Green Lantern/Simon Baz Gypsy/Cynthia Reynolds Hawkgirl/Kendra Saunders Hawkman/Katar Hol/Carter Hall Hawkwoman/Shayera Hol/Shiera Hall Huntress/Helena Bertinelli Ice/Tora Olafsdotter Jade/Jennifer-Lynn Hayden Jesse Quick/Jessie Chambers Jim Gordon John Constantine Katana/Tatsu Yamashiro Lobo Madame Xanadu Man-Bat/Dr. Robert Kirkland Langstrom Manhunter/Kate Spencer Martian Manhunter/J’onn J’onnz Maxima Metamorpho/Rex Mason Mister Miracle/Scott Free Mon-El/Lar Gand Nightshade/Eve Eden Nightwing/Dick Grayson Obsidian/Todd Rice Onyx Adams Oracle/Barbara Gordon Orion Phantom Stranger Plastic Man/Patrick "Eel" O'Brian Plastique/Bette Sans Souci Powergirl/Kara Zor L/Karen Starr Powerhouse/Naomi McDuffie Queen Hippolyta Raven Red Hood/Jason Todd Red Tornado/Ulthoon Robin/Damian Wayne Robin/Tim Drake Rocket Red/Dmitri Pushkin Rocket Red/Gavril Ivanovich Shade, the Changing Man/Rac Shade Spoiler/Stephanie Brown Starfire/Koriand’r Stargirl/Courtney Whitmore Starman/Mikaal Tomas Star Sapphire/Carol Ferris Steel/John Henry Irons Supergirl/Kara Danvers/Kara Zor-El Superman/Clark Kent/Kal El Swamp Thing/Alec Holland The Atom/Ray Palmer The Atom/Ryan Choi The Flash/Barry Allen The Flash/Jay Garrick The Flash/Wally West The Question/Renee Montoya The Question/Vic Sage The Ray/Ray Terrill The Signal/Duke Thomas Troia/Donna Troy Vibe/Cisco Ramon Vixen/Mari McCabe Wonder Woman/Diana Prince Wonder Woman/Nubia Zatanna Zatara

Marvel

Ant-Man/Hank Pym Beast/Hank McCoy Big Hero 6 (Hiro Hamada, Baymax, GoGo Tomago, Honey Lemon, Fred, Wasabi No Ginger) Black Cat/Felicia Hardy Black Panther/T’Challa Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff Blade/ Eric Brooks Bucky Barnes Captain America/Sam Wilson Captain America/Steve Rogers Captain Marvel/Carol Danvers Daredevil/Matt Murdock Doctor Doom/Victor Von Doom Echo/Maya Lopez Elektra Natchios Elsa Bloodstone Emma Frost Ghost Rider/Johnny Blaze Green Goblin/Norman Osborn Hawkeye/Clint Barton Hulk/Bruce Banner Human Torch/Johnny Storm Iceman/Bobby Drake Invisible Woman/Sue Storm Iron Man/Tony Stark Jean Grey Jessica Jones Jubilee/Jubilation Lee Luke Cage Magik/Illyana Rasputin Moon Knight/Marc Spector Mr Fantastic/Reed Richards Ms Marvel/Kamala Khan Nightcrawler/Kurt Wagner Rogue/Anna Marie LeBeau Sharon Carter She-Hulk/Jennifer Walters Spectrum/Monica Rambeau Spider-Man/Miles Morales Spider-Man/Peter Parker Spider Woman/Jessica Drew Squirrel Girl/ Doreen Green Storm/Ororo Munroe The Punisher/Frank Castle The Thing/Ben Grimm Thor Wasp/Janet Van Dyne Wolverine/James “Logan” Howlett Wolverine/X-23/Laura Kinney Zheng Shang-Chi

Other Comics & Media

Avatar Aang Barbie Beetlejuice Ben Tennyson Buffy Summers Bugs Bunny Captain Jack Sparrow Cosmo and Wanda Deku/Izuku Midoriya Donald Duck Dracula Eda Clawthorne Elsa Finn & Jake Godzilla Goku Grumpy Bear Hatsune Miku Heather (TDI) Jenny Wakeman/XJ-9 Jerry (Tom & Jerry) John Wick Kim Possible Ladybug/Marinette Dupain-Cheng & Cat Noir/Adrien Agreste Light Yagami Link Luke Skywalker Mario & Luigi Megatron Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (Jason Lee Scott, Zack Taylor, Kimberly Ann Hart, Billy Cranston, Trini Kwan, Tommy Oliver) Monkey D Luffy Mystery Inc (Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy, Scooby) Nimona Percy Jackson Phineas & Ferb Pikachu Pink Panther Power Puff Girls Puss in Boots Regina George Rick Grimes Sailor Moon/Usagi Tsukino Saitama Sanderson Sisters (Winifred, Mary, Sarah) She-Ra/Adora Snoopy & Woodstock Sogeking/Usopp Sonic the Hedgehog Stan Pines Star Butterfly Steven Universe Stitch/Experiment 626 Strawberry Shortcake The Bride/Beatrix Kiddo The Cullens (Carlisle, Esme, Edward, Jasper, Rosalie, Alice, Emmett) The Doctor The Warner Siblings Walter White Word Girl/Becky Botsford

Spawn/ Al Simmons Hellboy TMNT (Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, Michelangelo) Cassie Hack Invincible/Mark Grayson Sara Pezzini The Darkness/Jackie Estacado The Crow/Eric Draven Vampirella Cyblade/Dominique Thiebaut Madame Mirage/Angela Temple

Late Additions as of 1/1/25

(Sorry i had to put these in alphabetical order, it was driving me insane)

Angus MacGyver Baldi Bingo Heeler Crazy Jane Darwin David Haller Eva-02 Gabby Kinney Gundam Aerial Gwen Tennyson Hello Kitty Hua Cheng Ichigo Kurosaki Jace Fox Katara Katsuki Bakugou Lan Wangji Luo Binghe Max Tennyson Mickey Mouse Midnighter Mizu Naruto Uzamaki Odysseus Prodigy/David Alleyne Sally Jackson Shen Qingqiu Terezi Pyrope Tigress/Artemis Crock Toph Beifong Ultraman Wei Wuxian Xie Lian

Late Additions starting as of 1/2/25

Danny Phantom

Dolly Parton

The Pope

The Shredder

Santa Claus

Amy Rose

Kirby

Jar Jar Binks

Velvet Crowe

Ozymandias

Uncle Iroh

Yami Yugi

Elric of Melninbone

Mariah Carey

Cybersix

Captain Kirk

Bluey Heeler

Joel Miller (TLoU)

Ellie (TLoU)

Edward Elric

Alphonse Elric

Winry Rockbell

Scar (FMA)

May Chang

Optimus Prime

Solid Snake

Ezio Auditore

Ryu (Street Fighter)

[alovelywaytospendanevening]

Photoshoots

These are my posts featuring photoshoots of actors and writers. This list will be updated continuously.

John Barrymore (1922–25)

Phillips Holmes (1931)

Douglas Fairbanks Sr. and Jr. (1932)

E. F. Benson (1934)

Douglas Fairbanks Jr. (1935)

Peter Glenville (1935)

Randolph Scott (1937)

Cary Grant & Randolph Scott (1940)

William Lundigan (1948)

Montgomery Clift (1949)

Richard Egan (1955)

Rock Hudson & George Nader (1955)

Hugh O'Brian, John Lupton & Clint Walker (1956)

Jeff Richards (1956)

Donna Reed, Carl Betz, Shelley Fabares & Paul Petersen (1958–1959)

Johnny Mathis (1958)

James Garner (1959)

Earl Holliman (1959–60)

James Franciscus (1960s)

Jeffrey Hunter (1962)

John Cheever with his family (1964)

Bruce Chatwin (1984)

Prunella Scales & Geraldine McEwan (1985–86)

[chernobog13]

Geoff Hunt's cover painting for the W.W. Norton & Company edition of Master and Commander (1969), the first of Patrick O'Brian's excellent Aubrey-Maturin series of novels set during the Napoleonic Wars.

The cover recreates the scene of Royal Navy lieutenant Jack Aubrey, newly promoted to Master and Commander (a ship's captain in all but actual rank) being escorted to his new command, HM Sloop Sophie, a 14-gun ship.

I heartily recommend the Aubrey-Maturin novels to everyone. You don't have to be into historical fiction, or a fan of maritime stories, to enjoy this series. The characters, O'Brian's understanding of the times, and his terrific writing and wit make each book an absolute joy.

Many people call Bernard Cornwell the greatest wrier of historical fiction today, and I agree with them. I always enjoy Cornwell's books, especially the Richard Sharpe series (set during the same time period as the Aubrey-Maturin novels). But as good as Cornwell is, O'Brian is even better!

[thiefbird]

Despite all my better judgement, I appear to be into Boat Media. Having thoroughly enjoyed Temeraire and Aubrey-Maturin, I am now looking to broaden my horizons. Do have any recommendations for further reading?

I do!

I don't think CS Forester has quite the same voice as an author as Patrick O'Brian, but the Hornblower series holds a fond place in my heart - I actually recommend the TV series with Ioan Gruffudd, Jamie Bamber, Richard Lindsey, and Paul McGann before the books, if you like the Aubreyad, which I rarely do; it has a bit more of the feel of daily life added to it than the books originally did, which may well have been the influence of O'Brian's writing, and it is an affectionate adaptation.

I have not read this yet, but @gabrielnovakgoestomyschool has been badgering me to read a Boat Media, the name of which escapes me, so I will have them give propaganda for it in the notes.

I do not know if this is based on a book, but the miniseries To The Ends of the Earth was very good!

Similarly, I have not read The Terror, and I have heard that the show is better than the book, but I really enjoyed the first two episodes of The Terror! Unfortunately it is a show that requires me to actually pay attention, so it is taking a long time for me to watch it because I don't often have the spoons+time I don't want to be writing rn, but I have heard many good things and few bad.

I haven't read Treasure Island, Robinson Crusoe, or Moby Dick since high school(and I'm not certain I finished Moby Dick as that was right when my very severe adhd/autistic burnout started) but I very much enjoyed them then!

My last, but certainly not least, recommendation is Gone To Weather, an absolutely stunning webcomic by @focsle (beg pardon for the tag!)!

(And finally, watch this space - I'm working on an original Napoleonic War Boat Media novel, and I hope to have a finished first draft by the end of the year!)

[farsight-the-char]

Reed could defeat Ralph (but they would be friends, despite this).

Reed could not defeat Plastic Man, and this fact would Anger Reed.

Submitted by @theneonghosts

[thealmightyemprex]

Halloweenathon:Elviras Haunted Hills

So a few years ago I watched Elvira Mistress of the Dark and was utterly enchanted by it ,a well deserved cult classic that I found very endearing and heartwarming.So this year I decided to check out Elviras second feature ,which is very diffrent .....But still charmed the hell out of me

This 2001 film follows Elvira (Cassandra Petersen ) and her servent Zhou Zhou (Mary Jo Smith ) as on her way to a show in Paris finds herself in Castle Hellsubus where resides the tortured and brooding Lord Vladimir Hellsubus (Richard O'Brien )

OK so....I hvae to explain what this film is,cause it is NOT a Mistress of the Dark sequel and that might dissappoint some people......What it is ,is something definately in my wheelhouse but kind of niche.....A parody of the Roger Corman/Vincent Price Poe films (With a dash of Hammer ,though mostly Corman ).ITs basically a mix of Fall of the House of Usher and Pit and the Pendulem but Elviras there .Now I LOVE the Corman Poe films and this is a brillaint parody .The common thing said about parody is you MUST parody something you love ,and this is one of the most loving parodys I have seen since Young Frankenstein ,not the funniest,but so loving,with scenes taken directly from USher or Penfulum,the convulated plot ,the crumbling castle ,and especially the hammy acting .I think the most brillaint choice in the film has to be the casting of Richard O'Brian as the Vincent Price type character....Cause he NAILS it ,I mean O'Brian is a spooky cult icon in of himself(I mean he created Rocky Horror for crying out loud ) ,but he absoultely gets the angsty torment and maniacal villainy of a Price character while gobbling up bits of scenery and nailing the humor of the part ,all while doing his own spin,hes not imitating Price ,but he nails the type of character Price excelled at ,he gets the vibe down .The rest of the cast is pretty fun especially Mary Scheer as the villinous wife who is wonderfully over the top and Scott Atkinson who plays the conniving Doctor while doing an impression of George Sanders .Elvira is Elvira ,despite it being a period film she plays it totally modern and I think it works as if Elvira is stuck in one of the movies shes used to hosting on her show .As a comedy it worked for me,mainly cause I got what they were spoofing ,I laughed a good bit ,my three fave bits where the doctor explaining the depraved history of the family and all the ancestors are Richard O Brien while Elvira comments on their activities,O BRiens take on the Vincent Price Pit and the Pendulem monologue ,and especially the handsome heroic stabkle hand played by Gabriel Andronache  who isintentionally dubbed badly by voice acting legend Rob Paulsen

Not all the jokes land and Zhou Zhou feels like a bit of a one note and kind of mean joke .....But those are my only complaints

This is a very fun love letter to the Vincent Price movies of the 60's.If you are a fan of the Corman/Price/Poe films,this is a must watch ,if you like Elvira its a must watch ,if you like Richard O Brian its a must watch and if you are looking for a horror comedy this is a good one .ITs not for every one but its a fun time

@ariel-seagull-wings @themousefromfantasyland

@the-blue-fairie @countesspetofi

@theancientvaleofsoulmaking @filmcityworld1

@amalthea9 @barbossas-wench

@princesssarisa