#supreme being icons

[editfandom]

TIME BANDITS, S01E02 | Taika Waititi as Supreme Being

[daydreamerdrew]

Strange Tales (1951) #154

[phantomrose96]

Have you considered some of the responses ur getting may not be containment breaches but people kinda rightfully annoyed someone who owns works for a company actively complicit in genocide, who's uniquely privileged to own a home suddenly has an opinion when it could finally affect you? you can tout it like it's for others and ppl shouldn't need to advertise the shit they do off-site to prove they care—but in the same way you know someone's about to be racist or a pain in the ass b/c of the language they use the way you talk abt this shit is a dog whistle for some of us who are already in the trenches.

it's ur blog but if asks are open and u force me to see that bullshit i ain't keepin quiet

Goodness. I need you to know this is deeply not normal.

It is just so deeply not normal to look at someone's blog, which contains a fraction of a fraction of their life, and come to the conclusion that I have too many good things happening, and I haven't sufficiently proven to you that the depth of my moral character also includes caring about other important causes, and therefore me asking people not to elect a fascist dictator is a "dog whistle" for me being a bad person.

Like I cannot reiterate enough how supremely not normal it is to look at someone's anime-icon blog and conclude you know me, like this is somehow the first thing I've ever cared about, and you can patch over the gaping holes in this conclusion by hand-waveishly calling it a "dog whistle" for--again--me saying please don't elect the fascist billionaire.

I'm asking you to hear yourself. This is not normal.

[thatmooncake]

What are your favourite TSAMS characters?

…Okay one unskippable cutscene on Nexus, then I go sleep in a hole

So I don’t tune in as much as I once did but anyway, Nexus is one of my faves in SAMS for a few reasons including but not limited to the following:

- Identity issues go brrrr - guy has had impostor syndrome since the day he was born and has never caught a single break. His first assignment on waking up with no memories was to fight god and to his credit he rose to the challenge from day one not just for his own sake but for his family.

Originally used his fuzzy sense of attachment to his old identity as motivation to be better than his former self, got lost along the way and ended up using that same motivation to become a twisted facsimile of that notion of “improving himself” who couldn’t let go of those he’d cut ties with and ended up hurting them instead.

Even his new form still looked like what he said he didn’t want to be anymore. In almost every way, he became the very thing he hated.

- Tragic - we lost him, gang. He died but we lost him looong before that. We lost New Moon after watching him grow for a year. He was so sweet - up until he wasn’t. He was only a baby narratively speaking and his inexperience showed. He was a victim of his own bad choices (so many bad choices) and the manipulations of others, again and again.

Came to view attachments to others as worthless because he felt powerless to stop himself from losing everything after being dealt blow after blow and learning nothing was safe no matter what he did. Held himself to such an impossibly high standard still trying to control everything that sought to threaten him and his family that he ultimately snapped.

Spent like a month being tormented by visions of losing his whole family and ended up making that a reality through his own actions and choices (but NOT without the help of Dark Sun who admittedly orchestrated the whole thing and got away with it). Died serving as a template for the very thing he tried desperately to escape.

It’s hard not to want to imagine a better ending for him where he’s either actually able to be reached or at least gets to kill some people about it.

- Haunts the narrative while simultaneously being its personal punching bag - everything from Nexus’s name to his chosen physical form to his worldview are fodder for endless jokes to this day even after he’s been dead for months. People talk about him like he’s got cooties. He’s edgy, he’s ridiculous, he says mean things and didn’t tend to think things through. At the same time, his image lingers, and so does the fact that he couldn’t be fixed and couldn’t be saved.

Characters who have canonically accomplished far worse are viewed with more sympathy, making Nexus infinitely more versatile in that he’s fun to hate on but also a character you kinda want to pluck from the garbage heap he’s been tossed into and imagine what he could have been in a more sympathetic light or if his villain arc had been given a bit more breathing room. People will be crying about that for a long time.

Tl;dr - soggy idiot bastard who belongs in a trash can, iconic, been dead forever but imagination reigns supreme.

My other faves are Ruin (does he count as SAMS anymore? Anyway I want to bully him and admire his theatrical bitchery and study him in a test tube), Dark Sun (karma Houdini grrgrrrgrr but his twisted fascination with Moons and mysterious backstory/low energy persona has got me a little hooked), and the main two (they’re not my Sun and Moon but their dynamic is fun and they make me laugh when I do tune in).

Thanks for the ask!

[redroses07]

F**k It I Love You /// Michael Langdon

Michael Langdon x Fem!reader

Summary: Reader is a witch, but her and Michael seem to have a special connection. So what happens when her coven has to oversee Michael taking the test of The Seven Wonders. Will she stay loyal to her coven, or herself?

CW: Swearing, Kissing, Alludes to smut, Sexual themes, some violence.

WC: 3.2k

A/N: Hey guys!!! My first full fic after my year long disappearance!!! I really like this and I'm super excited to post it! I'll definitely make a part two if this does good, or upon request. With perhaps smut? Anyways I hope everyone is doing well!! Love y'all and as always, enjoy! ♡⋆˙

You sit in your lonely, over sized room at Miss Robichaux's academy, awaiting this afternoon's daunting task. You and the rest of the witches on the council, including Zoe, Myrtle, and Cordelia, were to visit Hawthorne school for young warlocks.

It was a place where none of the witches, including you, enjoyed visiting. Mostly due to the crude and pompous attitude of the warlocks towards you and your sisters.

It's not your fault that warlocks were naturally inferior to witches. Come to think of it you had never met a warlock who was so much as tolerable. Well...that is until a few months ago.

This particular visit to Hawthorne was something no witch, or warlock for that matter, had ever thought would come to pass.

For the first time ever, the test of the Seven Wonders will be performed on a warlock. A young man named Michael Langdon.

From the beginning Cordelia, your coven's supreme, had refused to perform this test deeming that it would be suicide. That was until Michael brought two witches, Queenie and Madison, back from the dead.

While this changed her mind, it also raised her concerns about Michael.

Cordelia had called a meeting with you and the rest of the council prior to your departure. She had described a darkness in Michael, one she had never seen in someone before. She described his energy as almost inhuman, something otherworldly.

"I am warning you all, proceed with caution." Cordelia had said.

While you smiled and agreed like you had been made to do, you had other thoughts on your mind.

You had connected with Michael from the moment you first met him, and in a way you had never experienced with another. Your fellow witches had been standoffish and dismissive to him, most likely feeling threatened by his power, you didn't feel the need.

He seemed to feel comfortable around you from the beginning. You didn't know if it was because you were the only witch who cared enough to treat him like a human being, or if there were other reasons. Despite that, conversation with Michael came easy, and the more interactions the two of you had the closer you became.

What was originally a simple act of kindness turned into prolonged eye contact and uncontrollable eye contact. The increasingly frequent visits to Hawthorne began to feel less like a punishment and more like a reward.

No matter, your sisters came first, which meant you had to push your growing emotions away.

Under any other circumstance you would be excited to see your friend, but the Seven Wonders weren't just any other event. Especially after Cordelia's warning, so unfortunately today was going to be stressful no matter what.

"Hurry up everyone, time to go!" you heard Cordelia call, annoyance in her voice.

You jumped up, not wanting to anger her further, fixed your hat, and headed down the stairs.

You, Cordelia, Zoe, and Myrtle all gathered in a circle in order to transmutate to Hawthorne collectively. Queenie and Madison also joined you, Madison wearing her iconic scowl.

You stood next to Zoe, your favorite among the council. Not that you disliked the other witches...but Myrtle was a little batty and Cordelia was well...Cordelia.

"Prepare yourselves sisters." Cordelia said softly, a serious look on her face.

Next thing you knew, your group was standing outside the strange structure that was Hawthorne School for Exceptional Young Men.

The six of you walked in, all trailing behind Cordelia.

You passed through the dark corridors, trying to hide the fact that you hoped Michael would appear around the corner.

When you and your magical companions made it to the room where the testing would take place you were greeted by warlock Ariel Augustus.

Out of all the warlocks you despised he was by far the worst, there was just something so off-putting about him. Yet you still shook his hand and gave him a half-hearted smile.

You gave the room a quick glance, looking for Michael.

"And when will Michael be joining us?" You asked Ariel.

"I would like to get this over as quickly as possible" You add, in an effort to seem disinterested.

Ariel looks at you with a sour face before looking over your shoulder towards the door.

"Well, it looks like you've got your wish because here comes the young warlock now." Ariel replies with distaste.

You turn around, and are faced with Michael's golden locks and icy blue eyes. He's wearing his usual, a long black cloak over his school uniform, yet he somehow manages to make the basic outfit look better than ever.

"Hello Michael." You say formally, keeping your serious composure. All while the two of you exchange a playful look, agreeing that these formalities are ridiculous.

Michael greeted you and the two of you drifted off to the far side of the room where you pretended to make small talk.

"God, this is so stressful." Michael says to you, breathing out a frustrated sigh.

Around others Michael had the tendency to put on a show, but never for you. With you, he was free of judgement.

"It'll be okay, just trust your instincts. You've got this." If Cordelia knew you were giving Michael advice you would surely be punished, but she doesn't need to know.

Michael shifted on his feet and looked at the ground, failing at hiding the blush creeping up his pale cheeks.

You almost reached out to give him a hug of reassurance but then remembered the others in the room. If you were being honest with yourself you really did have feelings for him, although reality told you that would never work out.

"Can we all just shut up and get on with this shit." Madison announced with an eye roll.

It was never a dull moment with her around.

"Yes, yes." Myrtle said.

Everyone took a seat as Cordelia began to explain the rules of the seven wonders.

You and Michael stood near each other behind a couch.

You figured since your lower bodies were hidden from the others it would be safe to reach out and squeeze his hand for reassurance.

You slowly put Michael's hand in yours and ran your fingers across his knuckles. His palms were sweaty. You truly believed you were the only one who sympathized with him on this, and you were glad you could give him that.

You and Michael made eye contact and exchanged a look of longing.

You broke the eye contact to look at Zoe who was giving you a look as if to say "stop what you're doing." She knew, of course she knew. Zoe was your best friend, of course she could tell when you liked a boy. Even if the circumstances were far more dire than your average high school romance.

You drop Michael's hand but he reaches back over and pulls it back, signaling "stay"

You sigh, what on earth were you getting yourself into.

"Okay, now if the rules are understood, we may begin." Cordelia announced, while scanning the room.

No one objected, and Ariel motioned for you all to follow him.

You felt the warmth of Michael's hand leaving you, and you were released from your own thoughts. You looked over at him to see him slowly walking towards the exit.

"Come on," Michael called back to you giving you a half-hearted smile.

You hurriedly caught up with him and the rest of the group, although the both of you remained at the end of the pack.

Ariel led you down a series of dark corridors. They all looked the same, and you began to lose count of the amount of turns you had taken.

Good luck getting out of here if you needed to make a break for it, you thought to yourself.

When you finally reached your destination, everyone gathered in the center of the large room. It looked just like every other room at Hawthorne, drab and dungeon-like. The only difference here was that it was larger and relatively empty.

Cordelia stood in the center of the room, a stern expression on her face.

"The first of the seven wonders, Telekinesis." She pointed to Michael, calling for him to join her in the center of the room.

You watched him as he walked towards her. He did almost too good of a job at hiding his nerves, walking with such effortless grace. You were almost envious.

Michael pointed to a candle hanging on the wall along the far side of the room. The candle quickly floated into his grasp.

The warlocks applauded, looking thrilled with his performance.

Telekinesis was the easiest of the seven wonders, and one any basic witch or warlock could easily achieve. So, naturally you and your fellow witches remained unimpressed.

"Next is Concilium, or mind control." Cordelia explained, gesturing for Michael to begin.

Michael also demonstrated this with ease, making Zoe and Madison perform a dance before everyone's eyes.

The next four Seven Wonders, Transmutation, Divination, Pyrokinesis, and Vitalum Vitalus, were all demonstrated by Michael perfectly. Even better than yourself you had to admit, which was odd considering how inexperienced he was.

The further the test progressed, the more concerned the members of your coven looked. You were torn, as you usually were when it came to Michael. Part of you shared your coven's concerns, after all, a male supreme would change the course of all of your lives. The rational part of you did not ever want to see a world where the powers of a warlock surpassed yours. Yet another part of you, the part that cared for Michael, wanted him to succeed despite all other factors.

Although the hardest test of the Seven Wonders, Descensum, had yet to be tested. And you knew Cordelia wouldn't let Michael get off without adding a catch.

"Today, I'm not asking you to perform this wonder...I am asking you to conquer it." Just as you had expected, Cordelia was going to twist the rules.

Cordelia proceeded to ask Michael to retrieve the long lost Misty Day from the underworld, where she was banished after being unable to achieve the seventh wonder.

You glanced over at Michael, who stared Cordelia dead in the eye. You weren't surprised that he looked unfazed, he had in fact done this before when he brought Madison back from the dead.

Despite that, the warlocks were outraged, arguing with Cordelia about the task's unfairness.

"It's okay, I'll do it." Michael said calmly and definitively, shutting everyone up.

You gave Michael a concerned look, which he combated with a soft smile.

Michael laid down on the floor, getting in the position needed for the task. He began reciting the spell, which was a jumble of Latin words.

Michael then fell into a deep trance, signaling that the process of Descensum had begun.

Now all that was left to do was to wait.

You walked to the back of the room and sat in a chair next to Zoe and Queenie. You tapped your foot on the floor nervously, your heel making a repetitive clicking noise.

You waited in silence for about ten minutes, your eyes glued to Michael just in case.

"My god how long is this supposed to take, some people have things to do." Madison huffed, and as if on cue Michael shot up into a sitting position.

You, along with everyone else, rushed forward in anticipation.

"Where's Misty?" Cordelia demanded angrily.

Michael said nothing. He stared blankly at the wall, breathing heavily.

Before you could stop yourself you leaned down to check if he was okay, but just as you placed your hand on his shoulder someone's tight grip pulled you back.

"Watch out!" Zoe yelled, as she yanked you towards her.

You stumbled over your feet, nearly losing your balance. You looked below you and your eyes widened at what you saw.

Misty had seemingly appeared out of nowhere, and right where you had been only moments before.

You were in shock, and apparently so was Cordelia.

She dropped to the ground and pulled Misty into a tight hug, tears falling from her face.

You looked over at Michael, who staggered back towards a table in the corner of the room. He looked exhausted, and you fought the urge to ask him if he was okay.

Your focus shifted when you heard Misty call your name.

The curly haired woman gave you a long teary eyed hug, and you only now realized how much you had missed her. You made a mental note to thank Michael for this reunion later.

"Cordelia!" Queenie yelled, and once again you were forced to shift your attention.

Cordelia was hunched over, blood running down her nose. She looked weak, like she had after seeing Queenie and Madison return.

"What's happening?" Madison shouted.

"What happens every time a new supreme rises, the old one begins to fade." One of the warlocks said proudly.

"You're a pathetic pompous ass!" Myrtle spat, pulling Cordelia close to her.

You followed her example and stepped closer to your supreme, putting your hand on her shoulder in reassurance.

"There is no denying it...Michael is the new supreme." Cordelia huffed before nearly collapsing to the floor.

You gasped, scrambling to help her back to her feet. Once Cordelia was stable again Myrtle and Misty carried her to a private room to help her recover.

"Well...I guess we will reconvene later." Ariel announced to the rooms remaining occupants.

As everyone began to file out of the room you saw Michael head in your direction. You began walking over to meet him when Zoe grabbed onto your arm once more.

She pulled you in the opposite direction and loudly announced, "Can I talk to you for a moment."

Before you had time to object she had pulled you out of the room and down one of the many dark corridors.

"Zoe is everything o-" She cut you off.

"Do you know how dangerous what you're doing is?" Zoe scolded.

Your stomach dropped.

"What do you mean..." you replied, acting clueless.

Zoe sighed in frustration.

'I'm your best friend, you think I don't see how you two look at each other?"

Dammit. Was it that obvious?

"Zoe, I know it's wrong. I know the coven will disapprove. I'm sorry. I'll make it go away, I promise." You sounded defeated.

Zoe pursed her lips. "Listen, I'm not saying you have to stop. I'm just saying be better at hiding it. Cause you know what will happen if Cordelia finds out."

You sighed, she was right. Cordelia would be furious if she knew, especially since she was already so suspicious of Michael. It would likely even be grounds for being burned at the stake.

"I'm just saying be careful is all, but other than that my lips are sealed." Zoe said.

You nodded in agreement and smiled at your friend.

"Be safe." Zoe hugged you quickly before walking off to go check on Cordelia.

You turned on your heel and walked down the hall, a long sigh escaping your lips.

As you turned the corner you felt someone's strong grip pull you down a darkened hall.

"What the hell-"

You looked up to see Michael looming above you.

"Jesus, Michael you scared me." You gasped, hand on your fast beating heart.

"I heard everything, everything Zoe said to you." Michael said, his piercing blue eyes burning into yours.

Your heart dropped into the pit of your stomach.

"Michael. She's right you know. I mean my coven hates you, what would they think?" You explained.

"Shhhh.." Michael whispered as he brought his index finger to your lips.

"I don't care, what we have is more important."

"Don't you agree?"

Michael took your hands in his and brought them to his chest. He looked at you in a pleading, almost desperate way.

"Michael, I-" You said unsure of your actions. You knew the consequences of betraying your coven, but were you ready to embrace them? you didn't know.

"Please..." Michael stammered.

You felt his hot breath against your already warm skin. The strong scent of his cologne filled your nostrils. everything about him was irresistible, it was all just too much.

"I can't wait any longer. I need this, I need you." Michael said.

That was it for you.

"Oh just fuck it." You said before pressing your lips harshly to his.

You pulled Michael down by the front of his shirt to better adjust to his height.

The kiss was short lived, but that didn't stop you from wanting more.

Thankfully Michael felt the same because he reached for the nearest door and opened it, pulling you inside.

He kissed you sloppily and hungrily as he yanked you through the doorway. He slammed the door behind you while continuing to kiss you.

"Is this a closet?" You asked, looking around at the small space.

"I believe so..." Michael replied, smiling at you.

You laughed and kissed him again.

Michael pushed you into the corner while kissing you slowly. He bit down on your lip, drawing a significant amount of blood. You let out a soft moan as Michael sucked at the small wound.

Michael broke the kiss and gazed at you lovingly.

"God you're so beautiful."

You smiled, trying to hide your flustered reaction. He made your heart do back flips.

Michael kissed you on the cheek, then your lips again.

"Everyone's probably looking for me, I can't be gone too long. After all I am the supreme now." Michael said with a smirk.

"Just a few more minutes please." You whined, pulling him into you.

'Well, I guess I can make time for you." Michael kissed you harshly as if this was the last chance he'd ever get to.

His hand snaked down your back and stopped to tightly wrap around your waist. You couldn't hear anything except heavy breathing from the both of you.

You reached up, lacing your fingers through Michael's hair. You pulled at the long blonde locks.

Michael put his hands under your thighs and hoisted you up around his waist. This gave his easier access to your neck and chest, which he began pressing desperate kisses to.

Michael nipped and sucked at your neck and parts of your slightly exposed chest. Only then did you feel something poking you beneath where your legs were wrapped around Michael's waist.

"Well someone's excited." You stated.

"What can I say?" Michael laughed softly.

You smiled, rolling your eyes at his sarcasm.

"Want me to take care of that for you?"

Michael's face turned red, clearly embarrassed. As much as he tried to hide behind his 'bad boy' persona, he truly was just an awkward guy.

"As much as I'd love that it'll have to be another time. Unfortunately I have more important things to take care of." Michael sighed.

You frowned, disappointed. He was right.

"How about this. Tomorrow night we meet, and we can finish what we started." Michael inquired, tracing his finger across your jawline.

You smiled,

"That works for me."

On that note you and Michael exited the cramped closet. But before stepping out into the hall Michael pulled you in for a hug. He wrapped his arms around you lovingly, and you sank into his touch.

"I love you." Michael whispered so quietly you could barely hear him.

"I love you too." You replied with no hesitation.

Michael kissed you on the forehead before stepping out into the hall.

"Till tomorrow, my love." Were his parting words as Michael disappeared around the corner.

You laughed to yourself, what an adventure this was going to be.

[whateverisbeautiful]

Richonne in Retrospect - The 💋 List

(every Richonne kiss ranked)

#4: The First Kisses (6.10)

The iconic, game-changing, OG Richonne kiss scene. 🤩 This is where Richonne's physical intimacy really took flight and man does it never get old seeing Rick and Michonne's very first kisses. Still as fire today as it was all those years ago, so of course it had to secure a spot in the Top 5. ❤️‍🔥 Reflecting on this scene in retrospect, knowing how many golden kisses would be in store for the remainder of Richonne's journey - including a miniseries with 100+ kisses - it makes me all the more appreciative of this season 6 scene that birthed Richonne's official romance and launched the many kisses to come 👏🏽...

It's this scene that proved that the longstanding chemistry between these characters pre-canon would elevate perfectly as Rick and Michonne finally acted on all their love and desire and became an official couple. I love the way their comfortable conversation and the mints lead to a handhold, which leads to them slowly looking into each other's eyes, which leads to their first soft and slow kiss, which then leads to the two going all in and making out in pure bliss. Slick Rick managed to get on top of Michonne with a quickness on that couch, and I love how Michonne was all the way here for it.

The way they can't help but smile throughout all these passionate kisses just lifts my spirit. This whole scene means so much to me and it warms my heart that this moment means so much to the characters too. They've found the one they were meant to love and the one their soul's most needed. And to see that bring them so much joy in this moment is great.

I often note how Rick and Michonne have had partners before but never like this. They kiss like they know this is different. Like they now know what true soulmate love should be. And again, I love the enthusiasm they both express over finally being together in this way. I'll never get over the fact that this kiss wasn't rehearsed. I love that. ☺️ Especially because Richonne's love already was so organic and then this kiss being a true first for the characters and actors makes it so compellingly organic as well.

All that sexual tension between Rick and Michonne had been brewing since the early prison days and the time had finally come to act on what their eyes had so often looked like they longed to do. These are 100% the kisses of two people who were already deeply in love. This next step in their relationship was just so right and you can tell every part of them knows this is right too. It feels like in this moment they're not just acknowledging they're in love and that they've been desiring each other for the longest - they're also acknowledging that this is who they want to spend the rest of their life with. This is it. I love that they seem to know that so quickly and that they never look back.

And considering my Richonne obsession began about here, this scene had quite the impact on my life as Rick and Michonne Grimes became and remain my ultimate definition of what true love should be. This is one of TWD's most joyous moments and it means everything to see Rick and Michonne experience their very first hot and heartfelt kisses and get such a rewarding win in embracing a love supreme with each other. ♥️

[justhereforsubsevika]

Sevika hcs! (if she lived in 2024)

-She's an actress and gets supremely pissed off when straight actresses are called lesbian icons instead of her

-She loves Chappel Roan but acts like she doesn't (you found out because caught her doing the HOTTOGO dance in her bedroom and she threatened to break up with you if you ever told anyone)

-She loves to sing and her range goes from baritone to alto

-She only wears tailor-made suits

-Her pajamas are her merchandise and she has no shame in that

-She eats an actually disgusting amount of protein and flexes every 3 seconds

-HUGE fan of metal. Is constantly asking if there are edits on youtube shorts of her to a metal song

-Facebook warrior

-Huge stan of Patti Lupone and when they met for an acting gig they screamed about how much they hated Trump for a good hour

-Has a scrapbook and gets very frustrated when her prosthetic gets glitter on it

-Whenever she goes round Jinx's she complains that isha will want to play princesses, but somehow still ends up in a tiara and blue eyeshadow before long

-Desi and Welsh, has a disgracefully thick Welsh accent (I do realise that has nothing to do with her being in 2024 but it makes sense I promise)

-Used to work at big Tesco when she was young and ran it like the armed forces

Anyway yes that concludes my Sev hcs and it's my first post so please go easy on me if you disagree !

[diminuel]

...what if the proposal/marriage scene be like that one iconic scene in pirates in the Caribbean where the mcs are fighting in a literally war while also in the middle of a massive whirlpool?

Nothing scream a chaotic monkey fam proposal/marriage more than yelling your vows whilst slaying down marines in a whirlpool

I can see that happening too, especially if they are on the decisive battle field at the end, a battle so long in the making, that Dragon dedicated his life to.

And they end up in the same part of the battle even though they must have engaged different enemies considering what fractions they belong to.

And Dragon is not letting this chance pass up, bloodied and bruised, staring death in the face, he asks what he should have asked 20 years ago. Hell, he had wanted to ask when his heart skipped a beat for the first time when looking at Crocodile. They hadn't needed it back then. But now was the time for declarations.

Ideally, someone brought a transponder snail to the battle and it's being televised to the world that the supreme commander of the Revolutionary Army and one of the commanders of Emperor Buggy are getting hitched in the middle of the battle deciding the fate of the world. X'D

[fayewoodss]

hello I am here to ask what art movements you relate to the dream team

Okay, let's do this! LONG POST! *cracks knuckles* 😤

George

I'm starting with George bc I'm a shameless Golo and he lives in my head like a worm.

I immediately associate George with expressionism. Now, this may seem strange considering his personal aesthetics are very designer streetwear and techwear, which in many way is the opposite of expressionism. However, in a lot of his wardrobe and overall personal tastes, he does have small bits of appreciation for expressionism.

For example, this Supreme shirt of his displays the piece "Reaper" by artist Josh Smith. Josh Smith is a contemporary post-modern artist and not from the original expressionist movement, but his work holds a lot of traits to expressionist artist Edvard Munch. Though I do have criticisms of Supreme and their foundation being in appropriation of Barbara Krueger, taking her anti-consumerist work and messaging to create a consumerism giant, I do admire that they've grown to collaborate, credit, and pay artists through their clothes.

(Josh Smith with Supreme and Edvard Munch)

Expressionism is very broad in style and artistry because it was the movement all about expressing personal taste and emotions through art, rather than capturing scenes as close to reality as possible (impressionism). I shared a post a few days ago about George's precious Discord profile pictures and both of them displayed a broad and vibrant spectrum of color, one being a palette knife piece and the other being a splatter piece. Now, these aren't necessarily expressionism. Like Josh Smith's work, they are post-modernist and abstract contemporary, but the usage of color and freedom in strokes puts them in a similar category.

Now, my final reasoning for George being expressionism is purely just Vincent Van Gogh. I am biased as George is my fave and Van Gogh is my fave, but recently a theory emerged about Van Gogh that he was likely red-green colorblind. When we look at Van Gogh's color palettes. He heavily relies on blues and yellows that fall within the protanopia color spectrum, whereas when he uses greens, reds, and oranges, they are often used as shading for blue and yellow. There are instances where he uses red and green with intention (his self portraits and the painting of his room), but even then when he uses red-green, it is not in a way that follows usual color theory.

It is impossible to know if Van Gogh was actually colorblind or had a color deficiency, but I do think it is a strong theory that supports his art and adds a new layer of perspective to it. Especially considering he was very unsuccessful in his lifetime and his artwork was often considered jarring and not appreciated.

George's color blindness is also fascinating to me, as per his own on stream tests, he has tested both as severe and mild, so unless we had George's vision, we don't realize exactly how much color he truly can see. But in the parasocial box in my mind, I think he would enjoy Van Gogh and expressionism as a whole.

(Vincent Van Gogh, original work left, work with protanopia filter right)

Dream

In my collage post, I mentioned impressionism for Dream, and while I do believe that to an extent, I personally think Dream might fit more into illustration and outsider art.

Illustration is an easy one to talk about because so much of his brand is simplistic and stylized in a very graphic and illustrative way. His very icon, the black and white Microsost paint smiley on the eye straining neon green, is playful, memorable, and recognizable. It's easy to replicate and remember, and through the artists and designers on his merch team, it's able to be reimagined and expanded upon.

For some context, I originally went to school for illustration, but very quickly switched into fine arts, so my knowledge of illustration as an industry is not as deep as it could be, but I know that reproduction and recognition are definitely pushed as important.

Stepping away from Dream's own branding with illustration, I think there is a strong connection from Dream to outsider art as well.

I am a huge fan of outsider art. I took multiple classes on it.I love outsider music and poetry. It is overall a movement I greatly enjoy. However, as a disclaimer, the origins of outsider art as a movement and category for art are very dubious and unethical. I won't get into all of it here, but when outsider art was initially coined, it was very exploitative of the mentally ill, disabled people, people of color, etc. I think as time has gone on and outsider art and artists alike gained audiences that were more appreciative and good faith, it has transformed into something more wholesome and celebratory.

Dream is a self-made individual. He didn't go into YouTube, content creation, and merchandising with previous learned knowledge. He's very open about being self-taught in most of his skills and endeavors. Outsider art at its core is about the uninitiated and the self-taught pursuing artistic endeavors without the fear or stress of the institution of art.

Daniel Johnston is the most notable artist within outsider music, but he was also a visual artist as well. His work is naive and honest, even when it is hamfisted and fumbled. He is genuine and truthful, but often to a fault. But he grew a cult audience that loved and appreciated him, even through his worst moments.

A little personal interjection, but I am a huge fan of Daniel and his work spoke to me through high school as someone who spent most of my life with undiagnosed autism. His death genuinely shook me and I remember the day he died so vividly that in some ways I'm still grieving. I recommend exploring his music with my whole chest, even if it may not be to your taste.

I do think in the modern world, a lot of people drawn to outsider art and the act of being self-taught in fields of interest are neurodivergent. Dream has been very open about having ADHD, and even mentioned possibly being on the [autism] spectrum (though that question was asked in a very invasive way, so I take Dream's answer with a grain of salt). I think that adds another level of connection/relation to outsider art.

I could go on and on about outsider art and how amorphous it's definitions have become, but I'll stop there for now.

(Works of Daniel Johnston)

Sapnap

In my opinion, I think Sapnap is the most open about his interests and personal aesthetics. Even if it's not a direct comment on it, he has the most furnished and decorated office, he has a clear and consistent sense of style with favored brands and imagery, and he's a big fan of anime and adult animation. He also advertises the most out of the Dream Team, so, like, get the bag, but also I'm going to tease him with art movements that directly comment on consumerism and advertisement.

Right away, I think appropriation and pop art.

Appropriation can be a scary word as we often hear it in the context of theft or bigotry. Even within the world of art, appropriation is a touchy subject as we try to define what is transformative appropriation and what is plagiarism, reference back to Supreme and Barabara Krueger.

I actually saw a Barbara Krueger show in real life, and it was nothing short of breathtaking. It was overwhelming and in your face. It was uncomfortable and eye-opening. It both meant nothing and everything as you were faced with false advertisements, bold statements, and consumerist culture.

(Barbara Krueger at the Art Institute of Chicago, 2021)

The biggest name in pop art is Andy Warhol, and when it comes to Warhol, you either hate him or you love him. The man is surrounded by controversies, both good and bad, but I won't deny his influence on contemporary art. I think his bold colors, high contrast, and play on reproduction in art all fit Sapnap's personal aesthetics, similar to Dream with illustration. But in more modern pop art, I think a lot about my friend and colleague David Hernandez. David's art is provocative and at times uncomfortable, but he uses a lot of ideas and concepts from pop art and appropriation to appeal to a more modern audience, playing into nostalgia growing up in the age of the internet in a way that is reactionary. His work can be very NSFW and outright gooner brained, so if you do seek out his art, be warned of that nature. Still, his skill is insane because he uses acrylic, oil, and spray paint to make pieces that feel as if they were done digitally.

(David Hernandez)

I hope these make sense, and maybe you even found a new artist/art movement to enjoy! I do think there is flexibility within these and plenty of other movements and artists that fit these creators (like impressionism with Dream even though I didn't include it), but these stand out to me the most as fitting their identities and personal aesthetics and interests.

If anyone has more they want to add or discuss, please reblog and/or comment because I would love to hear from others on this!

[blueiscoool]

“House of Life” Among New Discoveries at the Ramesseum Temple in Luxor

An Egyptian-French archaeological mission has made a series of highly significant discoveries at the Ramesseum temple (commissioned by Ramses II), located on the western bank of Luxor, Egypt. The discoveries, the result of cooperation between the Conservation and Documentation Sector of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, the French National Center for Research, and the Sorbonne University, have brought to light new elements that allow for a deeper understanding of the history and function of this iconic temple.

Among the main findings are a series of tombs from the Third Intermediate Period, storerooms for olive oil, honey, and fats, as well as wine cellars. Additionally, textile and stone workshops have been identified, along with kitchens and bakeries. These elements point to a much more complex economic and administrative activity than previously documented.

One of the most remarkable discoveries has been that of the so-called House of Life, an educational institution attached to the temple. This find is exceptional not only for providing the architectural layout of this teaching center, but also for yielding a collection of archaeological objects related to educational activity, such as remains of drawings and school games. This is the first physical evidence of the existence of a school within the Ramesseum, also known as the Temple of Millions of Years.

In the eastern sector of the temple, structures were found that, according to archaeologists, would have functioned as administrative offices. Meanwhile, studies carried out on the buildings and storerooms in the northern part indicate that olive oil, honey, and fats were stored there. A large number of wine jar labels were also found, confirming the use of the area as a wine cellar.

In the northeastern area of the temple, numerous tombs from the Third Intermediate Period were discovered. These contain funerary chambers, burial shafts with canopic jars, well-preserved funerary objects, nested sarcophagi, and a total of 401 ushabti figurines carved in ceramic. Human bones were also found scattered in the area.

The Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sharif Fathi, praised the mission’s efforts to reveal new aspects of the religious and social role of the Ramesseum in ancient Egypt. For his part, the secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Mohamed Ismail, emphasized the importance of these discoveries, as they provide key information about the temple’s complex history, founded during the New Kingdom, under the reign of the Ramesside pharaohs.

Ismail explained that the temple not only served as a place of worship, where rituals in honor of the pharaoh were carried out even during his lifetime, but also fulfilled administrative and economic functions. The new evidence points to the existence of a complete hierarchy of civil officials who managed the redistribution of stored or manufactured goods, which benefited the local community, including the artisans of Deir el-Medina under the control of royal authority.

The studies also confirm that the site was already occupied before Ramses II built the temple, and that it was later reused as a large priestly necropolis after being looted. In later periods, during the Ptolemaic and Roman periods, it was used by stonecutters.

The head of the mission on the Egyptian side, Hisham El-Leithy, announced the re-exploration of the tomb of “Sehetep-ib-Re,” located in the northwestern sector of the temple. This tomb, originally discovered in 1896 by British archaeologist Quibell, dates from the Middle Kingdom and preserves funerary depictions of the owner on its walls.

The team has also completed the full restoration of the southern sector of the temple, from the hypostyle hall to the sanctuary, including the first courtyard. In this area, the pieces of the colossus of Tuya, mother of Ramses II, were reassembled and placed in their original location. Similarly, parts of the colossus of Ramses II himself were reconstructed and restored.

On the French side of the mission, archaeologist Christian Leblanc detailed that restoration work was also carried out on the royal palace adjacent to the temple’s first courtyard. Thanks to this work, the original layout of the building was recovered, which included a reception hall and a throne room. The king used this space to hold audiences during his stay at the temple.

In the area of the second monumental gate, part of the granite lintel was discovered, depicting a deified Ramses II before the god Amun-Ra, as well as remains of the decorative frieze that originally rested on a cornice with monkey figures.

The mission also cleared the northern and southern processional paths, where several findings from the Third Intermediate Period appeared. It was identified that this part of the temple was flanked by statues of Anubis reclining over small chapels. Many of these sculptures have been recovered and restored.

By Guillermo Carvajal.

[the-garbanzo-annex-jr]

by Emma Riva

Andy Warhol painted Mao, machine guns and Marilyn Monroe, but the public was scandalized in 1980 when he painted Jews.

The New York Times claimed that Warhol’s “Ten Portraits of Jews in the Twentieth Century” “reek[ed] of commercialism, and their contribution to art is nil,” and The Philadelphia Inquirer called the portraits “Jewploitation.”

But this month, Andy Warhol Museum Chief Curator Aaron Levi Garvey, a Jewish curator and historian originally from New York, installed them at the museum.

“I never understood calling these portraits commercial or vapid,” Garvey said. “What of Warhol’s work isn’t commercial? He worked with the idea of what an icon is.”

The 10 Jewish subjects that Warhol, art dealer Ronald Feldman and JCC of Greater Washington Gallery Director Susan Morgenstein selected in 1980 were actress Sarah Bernhardt; United States Supreme Court Justice Louis D. Brandeis; philosopher Martin Buber; physicist Albert Einstein; psychologist Sigmund Freud; comedians the Marx Brothers; Israel’s Prime Minister Golda Meir; songwriter George Gershwin; and writers Franz Kafka and Gertrude Stein.

The installation at the Warhol, Garvey said, was initially conceived as a gesture of solidarity coinciding with the five-year commemoration of the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting.

Then the Hamas massacre of Oct. 7 happened.

Fear of controversy over highlighting Jews during a period of escalating violence and brutality in Israel — as well as personal antisemitic threats that Garvey said were made against him via email and voicemail — could have caused the Jewish curator to postpone or cancel the exhibit. But he’s no stranger to anti-Jewish hate and decided to go through with the installation.

“People used to carve swastikas into my desk when I was in high school, and I experienced major antisemitism in college,” he said. “I want viewers of ‘Ten Portraits’ to learn and be open to dialogue.”

The portraits share a room on the fourth floor of the Warhol with Keith Haring’s “Untitled (Elephant)” — a literal elephant in the room alongside a figurative one, Garvey noted.

In the lineup of Warhol’s “Jewish geniuses,” as the artist nicknamed them, the views and figures represented are complex. Kafka abandoned Judaism. Bernhardt hid her Jewish identity. Stein supported the Vichy government of France, an actively anti-Jewish regime. Einstein is quoted as saying: “I should much rather see reasonable agreement with the Arabs on the basis of living together in peace than the creation of a Jewish state” in a 1938 speech entitled “Our Debt to Zionism,” even though he was offered the position of president of Israel.

One of the many things that makes “Ten Portraits” so timely and provocative is that it asks viewers to consider what being a Jewish icon means. All the portraits are of Ashkenazi Jews and speak to a certain image of Jewish identity. However, rather than Jacob Riis-esque tenement photography or depictions of Jewish suffering and tragedy, Warhol highlighted Jewish exceptionalism in the arts, government and sciences.

“I want viewers to think about all of these people in multitudes, in a non-linear fashion,” Garvey said. “It’s about Jewish exceptionalism but in a multitude of ways. All of the subjects contain multitudes. In the wall text, I put that Martin Buber was a Zionist philosopher. Someone told me I couldn’t say that, and I was like, ‘Well, that’s what he was,’” Garvey recalled.

Garvey said that the museum’s internal response to the installation has been mixed, including various complaints that misidentified Garvey’s ethnicity and some inflammatory antisemitic remarks. But nonetheless, Garvey and Warhol Director Patrick Moore co-signed an exhibition statement calling for peace and solidarity.

[brujadepinarrio]

🍯Virgin Of Charity🍯

The Virgin of Charity, known as “Nuestra Señora de la Caridad del Cobre,” and Virgen De La Caridad with many other names is the patroness of Cuba and a significant symbol in Cuban culture and the Roman Catholic Church. Her veneration began in the early 17th century. Around 1612, three individuals—two Indigenous Cubans and an African slave boy ventured into the Bay of Nipe to gather salt. While at sea, a violent storm threatened their small boat. Amidst the turmoil, they prayed for the Virgin Mary’s protection. Miraculously, the storm subsided, and they discovered a small wooden statue of the Virgin Mary floating on the water. The statue bore the inscription, “I am the Virgin of Charity,” and, despite being found in the sea, it remained completely dry. Interpreting this as a divine sign, they brought the statue to their village, where it became a focal point of veneration. 

The statue was initially housed in a chapel in the village of Barajaguas. Over time, numerous reports of miracles and favors attributed to the Virgin of Charity spread throughout the region, enhancing her significance among the Cuban people. In 1688, the Archdiocese of Santiago initiated an inquiry into the statue’s origins, acknowledging the profound devotion it inspired. 

In 1916, responding to widespread devotion, Pope Benedict XV declared Our Lady of Charity the patroness of Cuba. Her sanctuary, located in El Cobre near Santiago de Cuba, has since become a major pilgrimage site, symbolizing hope, unity, and resilience for Cubans worldwide, Today, the Virgin of Charity remains a central figure in Cuban spirituality, embodying the nation’s cultural and religious identity.

Indigenous syncretism:

The Virgin of Charity of El Cobre (La Caridad) embodies a rich syncretism blending Catholic, Afro-Cuban, and Taíno spiritual traditions. In Taíno belief, zemis/cemis are ancestral spirits tied to natural forces. The Virgin’s protective and maternal qualities resonate with the Zemis/Cemis Atabey and Itiba Cahubaba, reflecting the island’s layered spiritual heritage.

Atabey, the mother of fertility, water, and supreme creator mirrors La Caridad’s nurturing and life-giving attributes. Both are protectors of life and nature, especially through their connection to water.

Itiba Cahubaba, the primordial Mother Earth in Taíno mythology, symbolizes creation, motherhood, and ancestral lineage. She gave birth to the four winds, representing the cycle of life and the earth’s natural forces. The Virgin of Charity, often seen as a protector of Cuba and the sea, carries this same essence of creation, care, and protection over the island’s people.

This syncretism blends Taíno reverence for motherhood, nature, and water with the Catholic icon of maternal love and protection, preserving Indigenous spirituality within Cuban cultural identity.

African Syncretism:

The Virgin of Charity of El Cobre, Cuba’s patroness, exemplifies a rich syncretism that intertwines Catholicism with African spiritual traditions, notably Santería and, to a lesser extent, Palo Mayombe.

In Santería, a religion that emerged in Cuba from the fusion of Yoruba beliefs and Catholicism, the Virgin of Charity is syncretized with Ochún (or Oshun), the orisha of love, fertility, and rivers. Ochún is revered for her beauty, generosity, and association with fresh waters. Devotees honor her with offerings of yellow flowers and sunflowers, colors and symbols linked to Ochún, reflecting gratitude and faith. This syncretism highlights the blending of Catholic and Yoruba traditions, where the Virgin’s maternal and protective qualities mirror those of Ochún. 

Palo Mayombe, rooted in Central African (Congo) spiritual practices, also found its way to Cuba. While it shares some elements with Santería, Palo Mayombe focuses more on ancestral spirits and nature. In this tradition, the Virgin of Charity is sometimes associated with powerful female spirits or mpungu, reflecting her protective and nurturing aspects. However, the syncretism between the Virgin of Charity and Palo Mayombe is less pronounced compared to Santería, she is also syncretized with Mama Chola also known as Chola Wengue or Chola Nengue, a Mpungu/Mpungo of love,charity and beauty, as well sometimes fertility

This syncretic blending underscores the Virgin of Charity’s role as a unifying figure in Cuban spirituality, embodying the convergence of diverse cultural and religious influences

The Virgin of Charity of El Cobre, Cuba’s patroness, has been a symbol of unity, hope, and resilience throughout the nation’s history, playing a significant role in movements for social justice and national identity.

Abolishment, Rebellion, Revolution,& Connection To Cubans:

In the early 17th century, the Virgin’s image was discovered by three young slaves—two Indigenous brothers and an African boy—emphasizing her connection to the marginalized. This association deepened over time, especially among enslaved Africans and Indigenous peoples who saw her as a protector and symbol of hope. Her sanctuary in El Cobre became a refuge and a rallying point for those seeking freedom and justice.

During Cuba’s wars for independence from Spanish colonial rule, the Virgin of Charity emerged as a powerful emblem for the rebels, known as “mambises.” Fighters carried her image into battle, and leaders like Carlos Manuel de Céspedes and Calixto García paid homage to her, reinforcing her status as a symbol of the struggle for liberation. She earned the title “La Vírgen Mambisa,” reflecting her role as the spiritual mother of the independence movement. 

Beyond her historical roles in abolition and independence, the Virgin of Charity serves as a unifying figure for all Cubans, both on the island and in the diaspora. Affectionately called “La Cachita,” she transcends religious and cultural boundaries, embodying Cuban identity and solidarity. Her feast day on September 8th is celebrated by diverse communities, reflecting her widespread devotion. 

In essence, the Virgin of Charity of El Cobre stands as a testament to Cuba’s enduring spirit, symbolizing the nation’s struggles, triumphs, and unity across centuries.

Offerings Given:

Devotees of the Virgin of Charity of El Cobre, Cuba’s patroness, honor her with offerings such as yellow flowers, candles, coins, honey, and cinnamon. In Santería, she is syncretized with Ochún, the orisha of love and rivers, and offerings may include honey baths and altars adorned with yellow cloths and flowers. Notable gifts to her sanctuary include Ernest Hemingway’s 1954 Nobel Prize in Literature and a Cuban flag from Independence War veterans, as well many people play the violin in order for her, her feast day is September 8th so a lot of offerings to her are on that day

Until next time ✨🍯🎻

[sgiandubh]

The Lady and the Unicorn

This made the news a while ago, with the usual imbecile speculation on trademark infringement (that particular troll has no idea, of course, and I shall immediately explain what I think). Today, though, there seems to be some ironic reaction from S to the fact that Beyoncé's own white label bourbon, a supposed nod to her family's past, seems to closely mirror The Sassenach's bottle design:

People did not seem to have understood it at all, as they should have considered also the other story he immediately added to this one:

And of course, the Gay Troll went with her sad, tired, mendacious couplet about The Unicorn in the Room, heh. That particular cretin seems to have forgotten that a unicorn also means...

Or, for our beloved Spanish Mafia girls...

Of course, SS is still frolicking somewhere around the Minicorn Pasture (meaning that its market value would be, in my book, evaluated somewhere between 1 and 3 million USD - based on absolutely nothing else but common sense and my personal hunch), but his pun is just about S being confident that his business ventures will be successful, nothing more - as shown in the medals' story also featuring an unicorn, of course. And mark me, I see absolutely nothing hostile towards Beyoncé: it's just ironic and well, it has no legal implications whatsoever, as a design similarity does not qualify as a trademark or copyright infringement, except in very precise situations, such as when iconic brands are involved.

The above was not invented by me, but stated by the US Supreme Court, in its very recent (June 2023) decision in Jack Daniel’s Properties, Inc. v. VIP Products, LLC (you can read it all here, including Justice Kagan's very clear legal opinion on SCOTUS' interpretation: https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/22pdf/22-148_3e04.pdf). In a nutshell, the design of a product will always be protected by the provisions of the Lanham Act, only if unfair use (such as a parody of the product by a toy maker, as in Jack Daniel's decision, or a close copycat) could dilute a 'famous mark' (meaning by this either cause unjustified prejudice or cause confusion among the consumers). In all the other situations, the SCOTUS' legally binding precedent, in the Wal-Mart Stores, Inc v. Samara Brothers, Inc affair (2000), applies:

Or, in Justice Scalia's unanimous opinion: 'design, like color, is not inherently distinctive' . Neither that horse, nor that unicorn, are yet iconic and therefore the trademark infringement discussion is empty and void. As is the slanderous insinuation that SS copied a Japanese whisky brand's bottle design - Suntory's Hibiki being the brand quoted by the Mordorian experts.

If anything, Suntory's Hibiki eerily resembles that FMN gin bottle design - but why embarrass ourselves with facts, huh?

as compared to...

[saintfelina]

it girl: the dizzy dreamer

lets go back in time. to ukuleles, fringe and the dawn adorkable girls. icons like amelie and zooey deschanel reign supreme as the quirky girl rises to the top with her patterned tights and 1960s bouffants. theres something refreshing about her earnestness in these irony-pilled times that has you daydreaming about wanting to be the one dancing in the rain.

lotion: the body shops moringa body yogurt is a beautifully gentle white floral scent. it adds an easy femininity without being too uptight or prim.

perfume: bella by nina ricci may be on its way out, but the remaining bottled being coveted adds to the charm. its a bright fruity citrus with a surprisingly grounded rhubarb note that adds a nice greenness to keep it a little more complex than standard girly fruity scents.

[whateverisbeautiful]

Thank you to Andy & Danai

For playing the iconic roles of Rick Grimes and Michonne Grimes to perfection all these years. For giving my beautiful and beloved fav characters a profound amount of depth, chemistry, humanity, presence, and heart. ♥️

For coming back to us after years away to give Richonne a fitting and beautiful conclusion. For putting your all into crafting these six eps of TOWL both on screen and behind the scenes. For letting Rick and Michonne’s love be the undeniable thrust of every single scene (+ kisses in every ep, amen 😋). For infusing passion into every part of your performance from your intro in TWD, to the moment Richonne laid eyes on each other at the prison fence, to embracing their babies at the end of TOWL. 🥹

For genuinely understanding and valuing Richonne’s soulmatism and all the details that makes their love a love supreme. For EPISODE 4. For a wedding ring. For landing their love story with a gorgeous Grimes family reunion. 👏🏽

For giving Rick and Michonne the happy ending they so deserve together after everything they’ve been through. For inspiringly depicting the power of resilience, of grown healthy romance between equals who make the other feel safe, seen, and alive, and most importantly depicting the way love prevails. 👑

For being the ultimate captains that love and care for Richonne like we do. For fully capturing our hearts. For slaying in all ways - lines, looks, walkers, and more. For prompting me to make a blog and write thousands of words studying and celebrating Richonne’s captivating journey and engaging with so many great Richonne fans whose insights are so lovely and thoughtful. 🫶🏽

For taking Richonne’s love story to new heights and allowing it to reach its fullest potential. For giving us this abundant gift we’ll always treasure. Thank you to Danai & Andy for everything. Thank you for you. 💐

Andrew Lincoln, Danai Gurira, Scott Gimple, and everyone who helped craft this love story really did it. 🥲 They delivered. Andy & Danai gave us everything and more on this incredible journey. They are legendary talents and deserve so many flowers and appreciation. ‘Thank you’ is the biggest thing on my heart after witnessing this love story from the beginning to now, with their heartwarming happy ending.

Richonne started strong and finished strong. I’m forever grateful. I’ll miss them so much. I’ll love them always. 😌🤍

[tyrantisterror]

Say TT, what would be your top 10 T-rexes from media?

Ooo, tough one. I don't know if I can even rank them - I think I'll just share ten I love.

We'll start with the queen, the goddess, my inspiration, the T.rex(es) from Jurassic Park (and its sequels). An elegant design with so many iconic features, from the angry eyebrows to the overbite and of course the iconic roar. The franchise itself stops treating the T.rex with respect from the third movie on, but that doesn't stop it from being its flagship creature.

As villainous rexes go, I don't think any have surpassed that bastard Sharp Tooth, who channels the raw horror of the most fearsome fighting animal in the fossil record.

Every single moment of the T.rexes in Prehistoric Planet filled me with delight and childlike wonder - yes, even when one got chased away my quetzalcoatluses. It was just nice to see a dino documentary where T.rex doesn't die for once, and seeing rexes be tender and social was also something I deeply crave but rarely get to see in dinosaur media.

For dino documentaries that break my heart, the Walking With Dinosaurs rex reigns supreme. I know it's not a particularly accurate reconstruction (and in fact kind of mind bogglingly weird if you look at the details closely - what is going on with the area where her skull meets her neck?), but the story they tell with the rexes here is so tragic that it's burned into my mind. There's the one scene of a rex howling alone in the forest in search of a mate, where the narration notes that it's unlikely anyone will answer the call, that's just lodged into my memory as the ultimate illustration of romance-based loneliness. I feel that rex, man. I feel that howl into the empty woods.

I know it's not a "good" movie, but fuck it, I love The Last Dinosaur. I love the suitamation, I love how the T.rex is presented as this borderline supernatural threat in the vein of Moby Dick, I love that it actually gives us a T.rex vs. Triceratops fight (an odd rarity in dinosaur media despite it being a matchup that 1. happened a LOT in reality and 2. pits two of the most popular and fearsome dinosaurs against each other - "T.rex vs. Triceratops" is, like, someone who's so hot that no one ever asks them out because they think they have no chance).

There's a Japanese kid's movie about a girl who's trying to reconnect with her estranged paleontologist mother and ends up adopting a baby T.rex, and it's very cute and deeply emotional and has scenes of a baby T.rex in a Christmas cape and Santa hat evading the Feds because that's just what you have to do when you're a weird animal companion to a child. It love it. It's called Rex: A Dinosaur Story and I watch it illegally every year because there's no US release of it.

You Are Umasou is another Japanese piece of paleomedia aimed at children with a deeply emotional story about strained parent-child relationships that involves a T.rex - several T.rexes, actual, one of which invents the art of kickboxing to style over his opponents - and l also used to watch it illegally, but luckily Discotek Media released a blu-ray collection of it and its sequels (called "The Heart and Yummie Collection" in an atttempt to translate the pun of the original title that only kinda works), so now I can just watch it whenever, to my delight.

Fang from Primal is one of the most well-rounded T.rex characters in media and I love her so much, even if I can't watch the first episode of that show ever again. It's a shame that show never got a second season, I would have loved to see more of Fang's adventures in a prehistoric world full of dinosaurs and monsters. A damn shame that they didn't continue it - they certainly wouldn't have made the show be about ancient human civilizations with almost no monsters and a weird scene where a woman sleeps with a caveman covered in third degree burns.

Speaking of tyrannosaurs who get a great deal of characterization and team up with cavemen to fight dinosaurs and monsters in a fantastical prehistoric world, none have ever done it better than the original Devil Dinosaur. He lost all of that characterization and, like, any agency at all really when Jack Kirby stopped writing him, sadly, but at least he had a fun team up with Godzilla before he was reduced to a mindless brute and/or glorified pet in subsequent Marvel stories.

Finally we end with Gon, the star of the manga of the same name, a tiny little T.rex (well, arguments could be made he's more of a generic theropod, but he's been called a T.rex enough for me to count him here) whose anthology series tells some of the most dramatic, emotional stories about animals surviving in the harshness of nature without a single line of dialogue. Gon's stories range from the humorous to the downright tragic, and you can always tell what this little dinosaurs is thinking and feeling without him saying a goddamn word. Also he personally beat the shit out of every single fighter in Tekken, which basically makes him as powerful as twenty Gokus.