#she could still be queer as a miles clone

[uncharted-constellations]

If 616 marvel canon were to bring back Ultimate Jessica Drew (Peter Parker’s female clone from 1610) how do you think they should do it? Because Jess herself was assumedly wiped out during the incursion, and while its possible she escaped doing spider-verse shenanigans or came back when that universe rebooted, theres been no indication of her existence in like 8 years outside of ATSV concept art.

Option 1 is that she’s just been traveling the spider-verse, and upon finding her reality rebooted tracks down Miles. Problem with this one is that Miles doesn’t seem to Remember that he’s from another dimension for the most part other than a few flashbacks, but that could be a fun arc on its own, considering they haven’t really brought it up much yet and that could be a way to continue it. Might be a bit bogged down for newer readers who haven’t read ultimate verse however, but you get to keep character development this way.

Option 2 is getting cloned anew, potentially by Doc Ock experimenting with creating another superior body for himself so you can keep that original origin. This gives her a more clean background that doesn’t require reading back into ultimates and you could maybe play around with her having some of Docs memories. Unsure of if she would have any of Peter’s memories or not, or exactly how much she’d have. Obviously Ben and Kaine only currently have limited memories up to Peter’s early college years but Doc had access to many more of his memories.

Option 3 which is more of a nod to, but have her instead be a female clone of Miles, either made by the Assessor like his other clones or by Roxxon after one of their many scuffles with the Champions. It would be more of reference to the old character and her mentor-mentee relationship with miles, but you could flip it around a bit and have it be something new. They could also take some design aspects of the currently popular ATSV Jess, like the bike, the jacket, the glasses. (It sounds weird but they did retcon in the SLJ Nick Fury by making him the old Nick Fury’s secret son so like, i could see them doing it)

[total-drama-brainrot]

Marathoned through what I can find of season 2, here's my thoughts so far:

Nichelle is a queen, an icon, literally the first total drama character to show self-improvement and character growth without being an antagonist. Can't wait to see her continue to show up everyone, though I wish we got to see her form actual friendships instead of just girlbossing 24/7.

Mkulia is more canon than literally all of the relationships. They're so fun to watch as antagonists, and I can't wait to see where the cheating arc goes. The fact that they've shared confessions since they formed their alliance? The lesbians are eating good this season. Also Julia in particular is just really well written and voice acted? She sounds like an actual teenager her age. It's 👌 chefs kiss.

Speaking of the cheating arc, the rift between Bowie and Raj because of the team's under-the-table methods is such an on-the-nose way to play it. The "boyfriend kisser" arc of World Tour handled a literal cheating scandal super poorly, but this season is handling its' 'cheating' scandal really well in terms of how it dissolves trust in a relationship. Can't wait for Bowie's guilt to reach it's apex, we never know what he'll do when it does.

Raj really does see the best in Bowie, unfortunately his glasses are a little too rose-tinted to see that Bowie is more than happy to continue enabling Julia and MK, so long as they keep winning. I'm not sure if this will lead to a breakup or a heart-to-heart, honestly this series could go either way, but it isn't called Total Drama for no reason. Keeping my fingers crossed that it'll work out.

Another relationship I unfortunately saw coming from a mile off is RipAxel, though I can't say I'm upset about it. A lot of people saw Axel as queer, myself included, and Ripper is, well, Ripper. But they had a season one Duncney vibe going on in Axel's brief run last season. Something about the misogynistic guys (Ripper called himself an alpha at one point?) and the competitive latinas 🤷‍♀️.

Their actual dynamic this season is different enough from what I thought it'd be that it's refreshing. I guess it works in a very Roger and Jessica Rabbit type of way (if Jessica Rabbit was a butch teenager), and if you're third eye is opened enough to see it as yuri it's a win. (The poetry scene was really sweet, in a way.)

Prialeb came out of nowhere though. For a character who was essentially a Justin clone last season, I really do like the direction Caleb's character is going in. He's got that competitive mindset, and is trying to flatter Priya into an alliance by being friendly/flirty, but the narrative doesn't really make it clear if he's aware that he's manipulating her Alejandro style or if he really is just oblivious enough to see his approach as platonic/friendly. Holding out for some aro or ace (or aroace 🤭) representation with Caleb if they go with the second narriative, but the "only ever had one girlfriend" line hints more towards him being gay than ace.

I'm predicting Priya's foil being her crush of Caleb. It's gonna lead to her elimination. I love the fact that that, despite being hypercompetent thanks to her upbringing, she's terrible with things like relationships and feelings.

I'm super happy that Emma and Chase ended things again. They're terrible for each other. Also, Emma was way less likable this season? IDK if that's just me. Chase was never likable but he's at least funny to watch, especially when he's taking Ls.

Lauren's antagonist arc is brewing at Playa Des Losers (if that's still a thing?) so she's definitely coming back in the merge Izzy style. That, or she'll pull an Ezekiel and sneak back onto the island.

Millie's brief character arc about learning not to take advantage of people was cute, if undeveloped, but I can't say I liked her this season. Damien didn't deserve what she did, but he did need the reality check it gave him. And some therapy to help his fear of everything- the guy's an anxious wreak, and it's not so much endearing as it is pitiful to watch.

Wayne and Raj are my two beautiful sons who deserve the world. Zee has been delightful as always. No need for elaboration.

Chris is delightful this season. All of his lines are great, and what little we see of Chef is golden too. Good job to the writing team for our favourite geriatric couple.

My only real gripe with this season, which has been more and more apparent since season 1 back in 2007, is that the characters don't really feel like they're in a summer camp. Back in the OG island we had character interactions and dynamics outside of challenges that helped set the tone of the series; it felt like they really were teenagers at a summer camp, the challenges and eliminations came second to the character plotlines.

Whereas now, most of every episode is based in the challenge itself. Every elimination is based around something that character does during a challenge. Most meaningful interactions happen during a challenge. It feels more like a gameshow than the reality tv it's supposed to imitate. The only non-competition based conflict we get to watch is Emma and Chase's thing, which is more akin to influencers beefing than two teenagers at a camp having a rocky relationship (see: Duncney S1, Gwent S2 briefly, whatever happened with Gwourtney). I wish we got to see more of the character as they are, than the characters while they're actively in a challenge.

[ansheofthevalley]

People tend to do the same thing for Steve and Tony (Stony), as in fetishize their relationship, when you’ve already mentioned that there are plenty of LGBTQ people in the world of Marvel.

Hi nonny!

TBH, it’s hardly hot news that fandom in general like to fetishize mlm couples (especially if the characters are portrayed as straight). It’s usually straight women that fetishizes mlm ships (that’s a whole another problem I won’t get into now, otherwise this would be a very long post). I mean, I still remember the days of BBC Sherlock and Johnlock. I’m sure you do too, nonny.

Now, everyone has their own headcanons about characters and all. And that’s totally OK. But the MCU adapts characters from the comics (I know I’m totally coming across like a comic book purist, which I’m not, not really), and there are tons of wonderful LGTBQ characters in the comics. I’m aware that not all the people that are part of the MCU fandom read the comics, and that’s cool. 

I guess that my main issues with this are the following:

Like I said before, the MCU adapts the characters from the comics. But adaptation doesn’t mean carbon copy. Just like MCU’s MJ is not the “typical” Mary Jane we know, the MCU version is based on an alternate version of Mary Jane from the comics in which she was as much of a genius as Peter (I can’t remember the alternate universe). The same can happen with a character’s sexuality. Let’s use Jessica Drew aka Spider-Woman as an example. Her original version (Earth-616) is straight. But her Ultimate version (Earth-1610) identifies as a lesbian. Same can happen with Illyana Rasputina aka Magik, who in Earth 616 is established as straight, but she’s also established as bi and gay in different alternate universes. Other characters that can go this route are Wolverine and Hercules (both from Earth-12025, alternate universe in which they’re a couple) and Beast and Wonder Man (both from Earth-763, alternate universe in which they’re a couple). 

(I MEAN... Here you have two of the manliest, most macho-looking superheroes Marvel has, sharing a show-stopping kiss. JUST IMAGINE if we got something remotely close to it in the MCU).

I don’t have a problem with characters being queer when their comic counterpart are straight, as long as it makes sense whithin their narrative frame. Otherwise, it just becomes thoughtless representation and as a community we deserve better than that.

Then, of course, you have the canon LGBT characters (by canon I refer to characters present in the Earth-616 timeline). You have:

- Gay characters:

Union Jack

Northstar

Angela (Thor’s older sister, whose storyline in the MCU was given to Hela)

Sera

Korg (who already is in the MCU)

Phyla-Vell

Moondragon

America Chavez

Wiccan 

Hulkling

Iceman (one of the 6 original X-Men)

Karma (founder of the New Mutants)

Viv (Vision’s “daughter”)

-Bi characters:

Loki

Black Cat

Psylocke

Mystique

Electro (a Spider-Man villain)

Daken (Wolverine’s son)

Prodigy

Beetle (a Spider-Man villain)

Fuse

Noh-Varr

-Pan characters:

Deadpool

Julie Power

Xavin

-Trans characters:

Sera

Loki

-Genderfluid characters:

Loki

Xavin

Mystique

-LGBTQ characters that already are in the MCU (*):

Loki (Bisexual and genderfluid)

Valkyrie (Bisexual)

Nico Minoru (Bisexual)

Karolina Dean (Gay)

Xavin (Genderfluid)

Jeri Hogarth (Gay)

Joey Gutierrez (Gay)

Justin Hammer (Gay)

(*)I’m aware of the pattern here, the only openly LGBTQ characters are from the Marvel shows. Loki, Valkyrie and Justin Hammer have all been confirmed as queer behind the scenes

As you can see, there are tons of queer characters, some that even fit with the direction the MCU will be taking after Endgame:

You have America Chavez, Wiccan, Hulkling and Noh-Varr, all members of the Young Avengers. A notable member of this team? Cassie, Scott Lang’s daughter (she’s a teenager by the end of Endgame, so the timeline is just right for Marvel to bring the YA to the MCU). Also, in the Disney + Hawkeye series, it’s said that Clint will train someone. That someone could turn out to be Kate Bishop, another member of this group.

You have Iceman, Karma, Psylocke, Mystique, Daken, Prodigy and Deadpool, all members of the X-Men or groups affiliated with them. Since Disney acquiered the rights to the X-Men, we’ll see some of them soon in the MCU.

You have Phyla-Vell and Moondragon, characters associated with the GotG and the cosmic side of Marvel. Since one of the confirmed projects is the Eternals movie and it’s also said that the Captain Marvel sequel will take place in space, it’s possible these characters are introduced, since it seems the MCU is heading towards exploring the cosmic side of the universe. Marvel also confirmed that the Eternals movie will introduce its first openly gay character, so yay!

You have Ultimate Jessica Drew. She’s from the same alternate universe as Miles Morales. Since FFH confirmed the Multiverse theory, it can be possible this version of the character appears in the MCU, either as the MCU’s version of the Jess or as part of the Spider-Verse story-line. Also possible to make an appareance (but a little further down the line): Black Cat. She’s a love interest/rival to Spider-Man. There’s also possibility for Electro and Beetle to appear since they were both part of the Sinister Six.

You have Angela and Sera. Since Thor joined the GotG at the end of Avengers: Endgame, making it look like an adaptation of the Asgardians of the Galaxy run (or at least, the start of it), it’s easy to introduce, at least, Angela, since she became a rather popular character.

You have Loki and his upcoming Disney + solo series, which will take place in an alternate universe. The series is perfect for Marvel to explore the sexuality of one of its most popular characters.

You have Viv, the Vision’s daughter. Since we’ll get the ScarletVision Disney + series, it’s possible we get a version of Viv, or a mix of her and the children Wanda and Vision “had” (if you read House of M, you’ll know what I’m referring to). Viv is part of the series of new young heroes, along with Kamala Khan (Ms. Marvel), Riri Williams (Ironheart), Miles Morales (Ultimate universe’s Spider-Man), Spider-Gwen (Earth-65′s Gwen Stacy), Nadia Pym (Wasp), Lunella Lafayette (Moon Girl) and Gabby Kinney (a clone of Wolverine).

As I said, there are tons of awesome characters waiting to be introduced. Just because they’re not known to the GA doesn’t mean they couldn’t be great additions to the MCU. I mean, almost nobody knew about the Guardians when their first movie came out. Scott Lang and Stephen Strange were largely unknown by the GA when their movies came out. So yeah, I have great hopes for these awesome characters.

Also, support the Marvel shows that are giving us proper representation! Watch Runaways on Hulu and Jessica Jones and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D on Netflix.

[knifeonmars]

Capsule Reviews - Secret Wars Edition

Comixology recently had a sale on items related to their Secret Wars event from a few years back, and I decided to revisit some of the miniseries. I have to admit to a general fondness for Secret Wars and its various tie-ins, because they gave us a lot of series and ideas which just wouldn't have a place in the perpetual here and now of Marvel's normal line-up. Here's what I thought of some of them.

Armor Wars

It's a latter day James Robinson book, so for me, there's kind of a cap on how good it could possibly be, but it manages to be at least that good. The premise of the mini sees an entire city dominated by brothers Tony and Arno Stark, who create the suits of armor keeping the city's plague-afflicted citizens alive. James Rhodes, here the local Thor, because in Battleworld Thors are basically the Green Lantern Corps, but working for a godlike Doctor Doom, is investigating a conspiracy which has resulted in the death of Spyder-Man, the local version of Spider-Man. The story's twists and turns play out pretty much exactly how you might guess, and the story's greatest sin is that it just never manages to get beyond a pretty potboiler "mystery" story. There's also a kind of inexplicable decision to focus on the two least interesting characters in the book, and of the characters in the series, they're the only two with more than a page's worth of characterization who don't die by the end. The art and designs by Marcio Takara are great, and he's a perfect choice for the series, but ultimately, Armor Wars is mostly an art showcase.

Ghost Racers

I love Robbie Reyes. Great design, neat gimmick differentiating him from previous Ghost Riders. Here's the thing about Robbie Reyes though; he's a thin character. Or at least, he was under the pen of creator Felipe Smith. Ghost Racers suffers from the same problems that Robbie Reyes debut series did, which is that art and designs are unparalleled (indeed seeing Felipe Smith and Juan Gedeon run wild with new looks for the classic Ghost Riders is the best part of the series) but the story is painfully stilted and chained to a hero with basically no personality. Robbie Reyes is nice and loves his brother Gabe, who is ambiguously disabled in a way that always feels like it’s just on the very of becoming outright ableist and who inevitably gets taken hostage. The writing is bad, unambiguously. It's weirdly dated, no one aside from the hero receives any real characterization (and what he receives is again, painfully thin), the potentially interesting mythology of the series isn't explored, and it ends with a meaningless call for rebellion or further adventure. A lot of the Battleworld books do this and I understand the impulse, but given that almost none of them had any bearing on the main Secret Wars series, it feels weirdly meaningless.

E is for Extinction

An odd duck, essentially a divergent take on Grant Morrison's X-Men circa just before his final couple of arcs. It, understandably, doesn't quite live up to the standard set by Grant Morrison's own writing but it is very fun. The ending is a tiny bit underwhelming but the art and the mood, while not for everyone, is quite charming, and the way it loops in the Battleworld conceit is great. I don't think it's one of the more provocative or interesting minis, but for anyone who enjoyed Morrison's X-Men or, say, X-Statix, they might find something to like here.

Runaways

Easily mini I was mostly looking forward to reading here. Here's a question: This is a 2015 miniseries written by Noelle Stevenson, now an acclaimed showrunner for her work on the Netflix She-Ra series, written right when she was exploding and becoming a breakout talent after years cultivating a style and audience on Tumblr and through her webcomic Nimona. How the hell did Marvel Comics not lock her down as a writer after this? It's insane that a talent like that slipped through their fingers. Anyway, the actual series is solid. Sanford Greene's art is great, Stevenson's writing is great and embraces the often implicit queerness that the mainstream Marvel Universe never really lets thrive. The story isn't exactly surprising as a standard YA dystopian yarn, but the character beats all work, and it's easy to get swept up in. It's kind of a shame that this, like many of the better Battleworld minis, is essentially forgotten, because this could easily have had a second life for non-traditional comic book readers in bookstores.

Siege

Kieron Gillen's farewell to Marvel Comics, with Filipe Andrade on art, it's most of what you could ask for from the project. The ideas for a mile a minute, the Battleworld conceit is taken full advantage of to create full skewed and not-so-skewed versions of classic characters, like a legion of cloned Cylcops or a version of Magik who is explicitly rather than implicitly queer. It's about a hopeless fight, so it's not exactly an uplifting story, but its sweet and cathartic, and by the final pages it becomes obvious that the whole thing is a metaphor for Gillen's work-for-hire career. It's also got a great Thing moment and ties into the central Secret Wars series more directly than most, so it makes my shortlist of recommendations.

Weird World

Set in a segment of Battleworld which would later be integrated, if only for a sadly short time, into the Marvel U proper, Weird World has Jason Aaron at his absolute most Jason Aaron, with tough warrior men monologuing about how sad they are and also how much ass they're going to kick, cartoonishly evil villains whose lackeys really need to unionize, and Mike Del Mundo absolutely crushing it with some all-time greatest Marvel artwork. Easily worth reading for the art alone, and the deranged, schoolwork doodles take on swords and sandals action delivers on every front. Unlike many of the other Battleworld minis, Weird World actiually ties directly into its post-Secret Wars sequel which means the ending is unfortunately truncated, but it's still a very fun book.