#the first ghost costume award goes to this guy

[eggirrum]

I swear that something absolutely radical is soon gonna be finished, but I keep getting sidetracked and art blocked.

So while fighting my lactose intolerance today and eating a whole can of corn, have medjed.

Thank you to @pricklypinefawn for that one idea in the top right corner.

[canonicallysoulmates]

🎃Halloween themed wincest fic rec🎃

This fic rec is, primarily, Halloween themed but you’ll also find some horror as well as just in general autumn themed fics all to, hopefully, get y’all in the spirit of the spooky season!

There’s all sorts of ratings, some weecest, a non-related Hocus Pocus AU, hopefully you’ll find something to your liking among all of these fics.

As always please head all warnings and tags as some of these fics do contain graphic and heavy topics. 

Happy reading, and Happy Halloween my fellow wincest shippers! 🎃

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Halloween 

Eight-Legged Freaks. by anniespinkhouse

Sam/Dean (Wincest) Outsider POV. Takes place early in season 8 but no particular spoilers except for Sam’s hair. Biddy owns a candy store. She also talks to spiders. When FBI agents Sam Smith and Dean Jones investigate a possible haunting, on Halloween evening, the consequence of Dean eating too much candy is disturbing. It’s a race against time for Sam to find a way to return Dean to normal.

The Rocky Horror Sam Show by RockSaltandCherryPie *

Sam goes to a Halloween party and dresses up like Frank N. Furter but ends up looking more like a girl than anything else.

the one that lives behind his heart by Addie_D_123 *

Dean is the spark, Sam is the fire.

The Witch's Dance by brimstonegold and virtualpersonal *

It's either coincidence, or irony, but Sam and Dean find themselves hunting for a witch at The Witch's Dance, a party being given at the local haunted mansion on Halloween. What they find is not the kind of dance they expected.

hell is empty; all the little brothers are here by bellaaanovak

Dean just wants to make the rundown house they’re squatting in look cool for Halloween, but Sam isn’t so excited about strangers in corny costumes knocking on the door for candy. Not when there’s a gang of ghouls wreaking havoc in the neighborhood, anyways.

Greaspaint and Fairy Dust by Syls Darkplace (sylsdarkplace)

It’s Halloween. Sam’s least favorite holiday, and what should be the investigation of a simple salt and burn goes awry when Dean gets caught with his hand in the candy cauldron.

Here is where you’ll stay by belyste

Sam, Dean, and haunted hayride. Halloween!fic. 

A Winchester Halloween by ello_kitty *

 A short story about how the brothers spend the holiday.

Triple XY Or The Hunter, His Bitch And Their Offspring by mpregloveranon

This is the answer to this Halloween!Prompt over at the spnkink_meme. Without reveal to much already I’ll just keep the summary really short. After being cursed Sam is knocked up by his brother. On Halloween he is heavily pregnant with triplets and completely miserable. Dean feels sorry for his baby brother, especially because he pissed the witch off who cursed Sam, and takes good care of him.   Throw in raging hormones, some schmoop, some angst and cute little kids and you’ll get the idea what this fic is about. ;)

Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) by Ignited *

It’s Halloween, and the locals aren’t clued in to the fact that those things going bump in the night are much more than fabric and latex. Sam and Dean learn this fact the hard way as the clock winds down and a town’s about to be overrun by monsters.

The Witches of Salem by Revenant 

There's a legend in Salem, of three sisters accused and hung for the crime of witchcraft, but not before they had killed several of the local children and placed another under a terrible curse. It is said that on Hallowe'en night, when the moon is full, the witches will rise again when a virgin lights the Black Flame Candle.

A little over three hundred years later, Sam Winchester is passing through town trying out his newly awarded independence on what he suspects will be a simple salt-and-burn; why can’t things ever go like he plans?

Why not stay and be caught? by deirdre_c *

Sam wishes to go to The Palace.

Pretty Princess by orphan_account *

Sam is excited to go to a Halloween Party… And then his first heat hits.

Take a Good Look by BewareTheIdes15 *

Sam, Dean, and a haunted house with a mirror maze - sounds like pwp to me!

Kids These Days by Magz (sparklepocalypse) *

Halloween parties are never simple when there are Winchesters involved.

Thy Back to the Forest (and Thy Front to Us) by PetraPan *

For the last three years in Stillwater, Oklahoma, children have disappeared—always five young girls, always on consecutive days, and always during the week of Halloween. By the day the Winchester's pull into town, Sam is enrolled for school, he’s stuck once more on research duty, and Dean already has a date. Sam juggles his new schoolwork, the case, and the ever-growing bitterness at the desire he feels for Dean as best as he can, but at some point he can no longer manage all three. With their father constantly absent and a nasty time constraint, Sam and Dean struggle to figure out who—or what—is taking young girls, just as they struggle to find the balance between brothers and something more.

Sugar Sweet by fallingintodivinity

“What’s all this stuff?” Sam asks warily. He gingerly picks up a bottle of red fluid and squints at it.

“Fake blood!” Dean says cheerfully. “It’s cherry-flavored,” he adds helpfully.

“But why,” Sam says, bewildered.

“Dunno,” Dean says. “It was on sale. Tastes pretty good, actually. Here, lemme show you.”

Halloween by EasyTiga *

Sam and Dean go to a Halloween party for a case and at least one of them can't keep their mind on the mission because of the outfit choice.

Hush Little Baby by hellhoundsprey *

Together with his friends, Sam visits a haunted house. It's Halloween. (Sam is 16, Dean is 20.)

Halloween and High Schoolers by onesillygoose *

I'm realizing how bad my summaries are. Anyway... Sam gets invited to a Halloween party. Dean tags along. Things never go as they should for the Winchesters.

Pumpkin Patch by KissingWinchesters

It's Halloween and Dean decides to steal a giant pumpkin.

VII - One candy left by KissingWinchesters

There’s a piece of melting, sticky caramel pressed into the centre of Sam’s back.

Candy, Pumpkin Spice, And Orgasms by KissingWinchesters

Dean takes Sam to a quaint town on Halloween. Their relationship develops.

He Never Saw the Look by orphan_account

Sam's got a secret. He's in love with his big brother. Little does he know, Dean shares the same dirty little secret.

Pretty Little Thing by Miss_Lv *

Teenager Dean goes to a Halloween party for some fun, he spots a pretty little thing and chases her all evening, flirting, and eventually cornering her. Once his got his hands on her though he realizes she is actually a he, but he's fine with that. Sam snuck out after Dean just because he could, he picked a costume he knew Dean would never recognize him in. After spending the evening being chased by his brother Sam ends up in a semi public place with Dean all over him. Sam's stupid crush on his own brother is not helping matters either.

this way comes by estrella30 *

Written for spn_halloween based on prompt #127: Sam goes to a Halloween party his first year at Stanford and gets dragged off by a guy in a mask who makes out with him. He discovers it's Dean, and the making-out continues with a vengeance.

🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃

Horror

Diamond Dogs by kassidy *

Prompt: Supernatural, Sam/Dean, werewolfism - one turns and takes the other down (interpret as you will) for dark_fest LJ comm

A Silent, Creeping Killer by lily rose (annabeth) *

Not long after Dean picks Sam up from Stanford, Sam and Dean go undercover as an engaged couple to investigate the murder of a lesbian hockey player in small-town Connecticut. Along the way, they meet dedicated lovers, frightening ghosts, and the possibility that their ruse might be becoming all too real. How will they handle their changing feelings for each other? Who will protect the lovers and tenants of the Windsor boarding house? And what does all this have to do with the play 'Arsenic and Old Lace'?

darling by allwellandgood 

Dean is dead. Sam has a theory that nothing will ever hurt again.

I Wonder as I Wander by dollylux

Bobby sends Sam and Dean to investigate a strange town.

Let Me Take You Far Away by orphan_account *

Season 10. It's exactly what they need. A vacation. That's how Dean can make everything else go away. Cas was right. That's all they need. A nice, little vacation.

🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃

Fall/Autumn themed

Death of the Petals by doctor__idiot

Dean has always thought that fall held some sort of magic.

Where You Are [Is Where I Belong] by non_tiembo_mala

Sam is stuck in class on a beautiful fall day. His mind wanders and it always ends up on Dean.

Hazy Hunter's Moon by GhostlyVoid *

Sam saves a hunter who got attacked by a werewolf, knowing exactly what trouble he's inviting into his home. The hunter, Dean, is predictably less than thrilled owing his life to a witch.

Delicious Autumn by sammichgirl

Dean just wants to give Sam a great day full of some favorite things.

Autumn Leaves by dragonspell *

In the weak light of early morning, the autumn leaves are starting to paint the woods in reds and golds and a burning orange. On some level or another, Dean knows that it’s beautiful; he does. He's just got to find Sam first.

[forthegothicheroine]

Opinions on Into the Dark Movies

I’ve seen a lot, though not all, of the Blumhouse series of Into the Dark, direct to Hulu horror movies themed around various holidays.  Some of them suck.  Some of them are surprisingly good!  Most are mediocre.  Still, I keep watching.  Rather than try to rank these movies, I’m just going to give a few of them awards.

Favorite Movie: Pooka Lives

If you were there for the height of Slenderman blogging, this will hit you hard!  The first Pooka movie was a psychological thriller and definitely interesting, but the horror-comedy sequel was the thing that touched my heart.  It’s all about how the internet creates memes that completely change from where they start by the whims of each new viral art piece.  While watching it, I said “according to Twin Peaks, this would be a a tulpa” at one point, and then Felicia Day said “I’ve got it, it’s a tulpa!”  She heard me!  Rachel Bloom kills Whil Weaton in the opening!  All you really need to know going in is that Pooka is a stuffed animal bear-rabbit-monster who repeats words in a “naughty” or “nice” voice.

Most Effective Horror Movie: I’m Just Fucking With You

Somebody on the Bloody Disgusting website said the stuff in this movie is worse torture than Saw or Hostel- but the kicker is, the torment is mostly mental and emotional.  An unlikeable internet troll checks into a sleazy motel, only to discover that the guy in charge of the place is a nastier troll than he’ll ever be.  This bespectacled, southern-accented slacker just keeps pulling pranks, each one more mean-spirited than the last, until they escalate to murder and the total destruction of our hero’s remaining humanity.  The constant neon-lit look of the motel is super intense, but the most important thing about this is that it shows you how really fucking annoying the Joker would be if you actually met him.

Sexiest Villain: Pilgrim

Look, I dunno.  Brother Ethan is just the sexiest evil Puritan you’ll ever find, as small as that pool may be.  He’s totally invested in what he’s doing, he fully believes in the lessons he’s teaching, he’s maybe a ghost or a trickster spirit or something, he has a great accent, he has a great laugh, and he has great piercing eyes.  Also he has this ongoing dynamic with the final girl that’s maybe sexually charged or maybe isn’t, but the whole thing is definitely a battle of wills and beliefs between them and that is hot.  Honorable mention goes to the hitman in The Body, but he only looked hot, he didn’t actually act hot, and there’s a difference.

Most Believeable Villain: New Year New You

Maybe the murders aren’t all believeable, but “Get Well” Danielle is!  Once a loathesome high school bully, she has now found fame and fortune as a loathesome social media influencer, and a culture that supports vapid self-promotion is one she thrives in.  Are the others in the movie any better, though?  They hate her, but isn’t it partly because they want to be her?  Don’t we all kind of want what she has, even while disdaining every part of her that got her where she is?

Movie I Could Have Written Better: Uncanny Annie

This movie about an evil board game sucked, but it didn’t have to!  There’s so much a horror comedy could parody about the modern board game scene.  It could have been an incredibly complex game with mutliple expansions where you’re two hours in and still haven’t gotten to using all the mechanics.  It could have been a super artsy Euro game with stunning evil art but instructions that are very poorly translated into English.  I work for a book and game store!  Give me a chance, I could script a greatdark parody of the the Arkham Horror franchise!

Movie That Might Have Been Scarier Without the Supernatural: Pure

I actually really respect the whole setup of this movie.  The notion of a “purity camp” father-daughter celebration is stunning and sickening, the fathers are holding their daughters to impossible standards and threatening to remove their love if they ever fair, the girls can’t trust that anyone they meet won’t reveal their secrets to the Reverend, and the camp itself looks like if that Midsommar farm was just No Fun Allowed.  Anyway, I don’t think they needed a weird rewriting of Lilith.  It’s a psychological cult horror, so let it stay that.  The girls can kill their dads at the end without any supernatural power.

Best Cheese: School Spirit

As soon as I saw the trailer and realized this was a Breakfast Club pastiche, I was in, baby.  You’ve got the prep, the class clown, the stoner, the nerd, and the delinquent all in for detention.  They resist the mean disciplinary teacher, they bond, they share secrets, they get high, they see beyond their cliques, and a masked slasher murders them one by one.  The villain reveal is ridiculous but kind of charming, a fun riff on the Norman Bates archetype, and the final girl’s speech to the killer at the end should be on all those “Good for her!” female character gif compilations.

Best Villain Outfit: Midnight Kiss

I love that giallo-killer-meets-gimp-suit look!  So creepy, yet so believeable for a club scene!  (Or at least, it would fit in with my memories of Folsom Street Fair.)  The movie itself isn’t super interesting as murder mysteries go, but it’s not bad, the whole thing is super stylish, and it is neat that almost the whole cast of characters, from heroes to villains, are gay.  But yeah, great costume, great party scenes, great beach house, shame about all the murders.

Movie I Wish I Hadn’t Sought Out Spoilers For: Culture Shock

I was trying to decide if I should see these movies and looked at lists of which ones were the best and then I looked into this one and...I spoiled the entire reveal.  It’s a great reveal!  I’ll try to avoid spoilering it here, but in this Spanish and English language movie, our heroine goes from dodging cartel men while trying to cross the border to existing in a beautiful, multicultural suburban town...where they dress like it’s the Tranquility Lane part of Fallout 3, and nobody will let her hold her infant son.  One of the more serious attempts at making a good movie, and I think it succeeds.

Movie That Does a Plotline Better Than Hannibal Did: Flesh & Blood

This movie, while following a pretty typical “Lifetime Movie” style plot (she says, never having seen a Lifetime movie), it understands one important thing: a story about a girl struggling to escape the influence of a pseudo-incestuous serial killer father figure is her goddamn story.  This will have to be my Abigail Hobbes fix fic.

Worst Movie: Tree House

Man, of all the horror movie characters not to get killed...

[theassthatquits]

Blupjeans Week Day 2 - Ghost

Lup Taaco founded the premier science camp for teens - Camp Rocks! - this side of Faerun almost a decade ago. She did it by herself (mostly) and has the awards, articles, and accolades to prove that it’s a success.

So where does Davenport, her investor, get off going behind her back and hiring someone new without consulting her? Sure, enrollment has plateaued in the last couple of years, the main complaint being that they needed to shake up their staffing and curriculum, but she had it handled. She could take care of it herself, this was just a bump in the road. She didn’t need the help of some fancy doctor, this ‘Dr. Hallwinter’ that Davenport worked with at the university.

Lup scoffed while thumbing through his resume and cover letter. Top of his undergrad at Neverwinter U, a triple major in chemistry, astronomy, and physics. A brief stint working at a funeral home - a little weird, but everyone goes through a quarter life crisis, right? Returning to school a couple years later to get his masters and PhD and now taught at the same university while simultaneously doing interplanar research with Davenport. At the bottom of his resume with “related skills” he put ‘huge nerd’, as if that wasn’t obvious enough.

“Well, at least he knows what he’s talking about,” she muttered to herself as she threw the papers aside. There was no use fighting it now, she had spent weeks arguing and it wasn’t getting her anywhere. And it wasn’t like this was a bad idea, it just wasn’t her idea. This was her camp, after all.

---

Okay, maybe this Dr. Hallwinter guy wasn’t such a bad fit. They got off on the wrong foot, having a couple of heated discussions (fights) about things that she could barely remember. But now, she was standing in the corner of the pavilion, watching him give a very animated lecture on stars and planets. Angus McDonald, one of their first campers and the only one who came every single year, kept raising his hand to ask new questions and Hallwinter loved it. The two of them could go back and forth for hours, talking about theories and experiments and life itself. Angus had signed himself up for all of Dr. Hallwinter’s classes for the summer and loved every minute.

And he wasn’t so bad to look at, she supposed.

Lup was snapped out of her reverie by the class laughing very loudly at some Fortnite reference he made. Without realizing it, she smiled too. Dr. Hallwinter looked up at that moment to see her and his grin grew even bigger. With their eyes locked together, he dabbed and the class lost it all over again. When she giggled at that, she could have sworn he was blushing.

---

Every year towards the end of the summer the staff throws a “spooky soiree” to celebrate the end of camp. Everyone dresses up in a science-themed costume, they use the different things they have learned to create gruesome and cool decorations and effects, and they end the night with a ghost story bonfire. It’s easily Lup’s favorite night of camp. She loves amazing all of the younger kids with the cauldrons of “witches brew” (just dry ice in some punch) and grossing them out with the “eyeballs” (peeled grapes). This year she sewed some LEDs into her black vest, creating stars and constellations. Lup glowed in the dark and she fucking loved it.

She was in the middle of a (spooky) explanation of the witch's brew when she caught sight of Dr. Hallwinter walking up to the party. He was wearing a white shirt with lines drawn across it like a measuring cup and a long red robe over it. She was pretty sure he was wearing a graduation cap, too, which would mean…

“Holy shit you’re a graduated cylinder!” Lup shouted at him from across the way.

Immediately squeals of “language, Miss Lup!” began in front of her and she apologized to them as Dr. Hallwinter walked over with a smile on his face.

“Sure, am! This is pretty much my only Halloween costume, but I do love it.”

“Well, it certainly works for you, Dr. Hallwinter.”

He blushed before saying, “Lup, please just call me Barry. We’ve been having this discussion all summer. The only other person who calls me Dr. Hallwinter is Angus.”

As if to prove his point, Taako swooped in at that moment in a chef’s costume with the letters “FE” written on his shirt and yelled, “Excellent costume, Barold! You look even more like a nerd than usual and that’s saying something.”

Barry laughed. “Thank you, Taako, or should I say Iron Chef?”

Taako bowed deeply. “At your service, sir.”

“Dr. Hallwinter, sir!” They saw smoke before they saw Angus and Lup was a little alarmed before she realized that it was part of his costume. The boy had dressed up like a volcano with fake lava and smoke coming out of the top of it. “Look, it works!”

“All right, buddy!” The pair high fived and a weird fuzzy feeling struck Lup while watching the two of them.

“I think they’re about to start the scary stories over by the bonfire, are you coming, sir?”

“Pshh am I coming? Miss Lup asked me if I could host the festivities. Now you go get a good seat and I’ll be right over to start us off.”

Angus saluted him and ran off, eager for the frights ahead.

“Hosting the ghost stories, that’s a big deal Barold. Lup has hosted the bonfire herself for the last - oh, I don’t know, 2 decades?”

Barry turned to Lup, confused. “Is that true? I don’t want to impose or ruin any traditions.”

She waved him off. “Nah, it’s fine. We got off on the wrong foot, think of it as a peace offering.” Stepping closer to him and putting a hand on his shoulder, her voice got quiet. “You’re a member of this family, Barry.”

It was a good thing it was so dark, otherwise she would have seen his face turn a deep red. “You said my name.”

“Yeah, yeah, go get ready to spook some kids, Bluejeans.”

“Bluejeans?”

“You’ve worn the same blue jeans every single day since you started, even when we do activities by the lake. I’m absolutely convinced that you only packed that one pair for the entire summer.”

He sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck. “Well, you’re not entirely wrong.”

“Barold. My dude. You only packed one pair of jeans, no shorts, no swim trunks, for an entire summer at a camp?”

“There might have been a slight mishap on the way here in which I lost my shorts, swim trunks, and half of my underwear.”

No one moved or said anything for a second before Taako finally said, “Barry, you know we go into town once a week to get food for the camp, right?”

Barry just stared into space, regretting all of his life choices that led up to this moment. Lup busted up laughing, harder than anyone had seen her laugh all summer. As she wiped a tear from her eye, she patted his shoulder and said, “Well, I guess you know for next year, right?”

He raised an eyebrow playfully. “Next year, huh?”

“Well, I guess I shouldn’t make any promises until I see how well you do at our bonfire fright fest. Speaking of which, we should definitely be heading over there. I am a little nervous to see how Magnus has been keeping the kids occupied.”

---

Lup stood in the back of the crowd, letting Barry take over the hosting responsibilities of the bonfire. It was one of her favorite parts of camp, but it felt right to let him do it. He was doing really well, enhancing his performance with shadow puppets from the fire and interspersing the scary parts with science puns to ease the nerves of the younger kids. She found it absolutely adorable.

“I think Barold is giving you a run for your money, Lulu.”

“He’s better than I expected, that’s for sure.”

“I’m glad you gave the guy a chance. He’s a good dude.”

She smiled. “He is, isn’t he?”

Taako took a moment, watching his sister watch Barry. “You have the hots for him, don’t you? Jeezy creezy, I should have seen this coming. Those arguments you two had at the beginning were spicy.”

“What?!” Lup said, a little too loudly, face flushing. “I do not have the hots for Dr. Bluejeans. He’s just funny and good with the kids and very smart and looks good in jeans and oh my god I have the hots for Dr. Bluejeans.” Her eyes got wide and she clutched Taako’s arms. “Taako what the fuck am I supposed to do?”

“Lulu, I say this with all the love in my heart: don’t follow your instincts. Right now, your instincts are telling you to let him walk away tomorrow and not say anything, and they are dead wrong.”

“Ughhh but what if he doesn’t feel the same? It ruins the professional relationship we have and then I have to ban him from the camp and then Angus will hate me and we will lose our best customer.”

“Something tells me he also feels the same way.”

“But how do you know that?”

30 minutes earlier

Lup went ahead before the boys to make sure that Magnus hadn’t started a revolution of sorts and that left Barry and Taako to quickly clean up the food before following. Barry’s eyes lingered a little too long on Lup as she was walking away.

“Barold. Are you checking out my sister?”

“What?! No, what makes you think that?”

“I rolled a Nat 20 on perception, Barold. Legally you cannot lie to me. Now tell me: do you have the hots for my sister?”

Barry covered his face with his hands. “Maybe? Yes. Absolutely. Completely. As soon as she called me a poorly-dressed poser on my first day I was done for.”

“Rad. You should do something about that.” Taako started walking towards the bonfire, witch’s brew in hand.

“What, like tell her?”

“Tell her, kiss her, fight her, just something so I get to stop looking at you two making eyes at one another,” Taako yelled back without stopping.

“What - we don’t make eyes at one another, that’s not…she makes eyes at me?”

“Yeah, I think you’re good, my dude.”

The kids started clapping, signaling the end of the story that Magnus was telling.

“All right, thank you Magnus. Very scary, that story about zombie dogs. I think next up we have everyone’s favorite camp director, Miss Lup!”

The kids cheered and Lup had to pull herself together to nail this story that she was definitely going to pull out of her ass because she most certainly hadn't prepared anything.

“Are you kids ready to get the pants scared off of you?”

They screamed enthusiastically.

“All right, this story is about our very own Lake Igneous here at Camp Rocks. Legend has it that there was a woman who used to live in these woods by herself, not letting anyone else get near her. She refused help from anyone that came by, wanting to do everything alone and remain independent. The campers nearby could hear her blowing shit up in the woods and they knew to steer clear. One day, a man stumbled into her home, lost and confused. She lit off several explosions in an attempt to scare him off but he didn’t want to leave.”

As she talked, her eyes found Barry’s.

“He saw how lonely she was and helped her blow shit up. Eventually she grew to really like the man and really enjoyed blowing things up with him.” Barry laughed at that. Lup, suddenly remembering that this was supposed to be a scary story, abruptly tore her eyes away from his.

“They thought it would be a good idea to light some fireworks on the lake, so they took a boat out to the center and created the biggest and most beautiful explosion known to man, taking both of them out. They sacrificed their lives for the dopest light show, and sometimes, on a very clear and quiet night, you can see them in the lake, hand in hand.”

Lup bowed to signal that the story was over and she took her place back next to Taako.

“Lup, that was...pretty rough, not going to lie. Not your best work, that’s for sure.”

“I just got so distracted looking at his dumb face.”

“Yeah, that whole story was glaringly obvious.” She glared at him.

“I just need to get through this night without further making an ass of myself.”

He snorted. “Good luck.”

--

After the bonfire had wrapped up and all the kids were sent to bed, Lup sat at her favorite spot down by the lake to stare at the stars. She always sat here on the final night, reminiscing over the summer.

“Mind if I join you?” Barry’s voice came out of nowhere, but she would be lying if she said she didn’t expect it. Lup didn’t respond, just patted on the ground next to her. “So, your story was -”

“It’s okay, you can say it was shit, because it was. I definitely did not prepare this year like I usually do.”

“-good. I really liked it.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. Especially the part where they die a fiery but beautiful death.”

She snorted and he took the opportunity to move closer to her, their shoulders touching.

“Thank you for letting me join the team this summer.”

“I would say you’re welcome, but I honestly didn’t have much choice in the matter.”

“I know. Thank you for giving me a shot.”

“Again, not much choice in the matter.” He laughed. “You turned out alright. Better than I was expecting.”

“High praise from Miss Camp Director.”

“Would you be interested in coming back next year?”

“Absolutely. Pretty sure Angus would boycott if I didn’t show up.”

“He would just show up on your doorstep. Expect a lot of emails this year. So I’ll see you next summer, then?” He hesitated. “Unless you already have other commitments, it’s fine, don’t worry about it.”

“Lup, I’ll definitely be here next summer. I was just hoping that maybe we could see each other a little sooner than that. Like maybe this Saturday, dinner?”

She smirked. “A little forward, aren’t we, Dr. Bluejeans?” His face dropped.

“Oh, God. Did I totally misread this situation? Fuck, I am so sorry, I am going to just walk into this lake and never come back -” Barry started to get up, mortified.

“Barry, stop.” He looked at her, eyes wide in embarrassment. She shifted so her face was directly in front of his. “You didn’t misread this situation.” And then she kissed him.

@blupjeansweek2021

[steve0discusses]

Yugioh Ep 32 S4: Most Disturbing Kid’s Show Award Goes to This Episode

I often talk about how wonderfully effed up Yugioh is. What a freakin delight, how effed up this kid’s show is, somehow still remaining a Y7 kid’s show, despite everything it tries to do to get pulled off the air.

Y’all this was a filler season and it didn’t even have Bakura in it so...why did it go so edge? Don’t get me wrong, I’m thankful for how many levels of “OK THERE, KID’S SHOW” it was.

But what the hell was that, Yugioh?

Anyway we start off completely normal in this foggy ass graveyard--Halloweens in this season so I’m down for this. Halloween is also...cancelled...this year, so at least I can celebrate it somewhat in a Yugioh episode. Then again, can you imagine how many people would be dressed up as sexy Covid?

So I don’t really talk about the card game mechanics on here, and (full disclosure to any new people) I don’t know how to play this game. But, considering that this card doesn’t usually send you to distant graveyard memories IRL, lets get into it.

We’ve clarified before that Card Graveyard is a place--like an actual place--but that it isn’t the same place that the cards vibe in within the Puzzle necklace. It’s a separate place, but ALSO not the same place as the Shadow Realm, either. Card Graveyard is just...some other third place we never talk about.

TBQH I think the people who make this show have kinda forgotten how many random pocket dimensions we’ve made that are basically the equivalent of hell (including California, PS), and are just like “no one will write a blog about it and list them all in one place, we’ll be fine.”

We’ve only seen Tristan bum out here once in like S1 and he spent most of his time running away from the Grim Reaper. But, if you remember correctly, the Grim Reaper is currently hanging out and living his best life haunting some park in Japan, so now instead of the Grim Reaper it has...this?

So is this a memory stored within the card graveyard, or did Dartz literally take Raphael to the card graveyard and tell him this was a real ass graveyard?

We’ll never know! It gets very vague from here on out!

(read more under the cut)

First off, I’d like to welcome our new guest star--the Rain--there’s a lot of rain in this episode, and we animate it by just making all of our characters glow. This comes through fine in animation, but in caps I just want you to know that no one has gone super Saiyan, they’re just...wet.

PS get a gander at Raphael’s baby boy mutton chop mustache. They somehow got longer with time? And also, when soaked his hair is just as spiky. Everyone on this show has unparalleled hair gel. The real heart of the cards.

Anyway, Dartz shows Raphael a bunch of gravestones and is like “Get it???”

and me, the audience, was like “no???”

The headstones, by the by, aren’t...normal, either, they have Orichalcos symbols on them instead of words. So like...it sort of infers that his family was taken by Orichalcos, too. I mentioned before that it sorta feels like Dartz caused the whole shipwreck to munch up a bunch of yummy souls, and maybe he did in the Japanese version--cuz like...

...why else do all these headstones have Orichalcos symbols on this graveyard that you can only access through a card god like Dartz or Yami?

Just throwing that deep lore out there, and the fact that Raphael can’t really see it or understand is either because that didn’t happen or...Dartz totally killed his family, right? And that makes this relationship between the two of them extremely effed up?

This is a great show for kids with separation anxiety.

Which is...somewhat convincing of a motive for Raphael. He gives Raphael a way to move on from his trauma in the past, and it’s not a GREAT way to move on--but it’s falls in line with things Dartz has done with his other card generals by offering false redemption.

Like Mai needed to move on from her insane jealousy, so Orichalcos was her way to prove she was better than Joey Wheeler (which, honestly, no one needed proof of). Alister needed to move on from his dead brother, so Orichalcos was his way to get revenge. Valon also had a backstory but a bunch of it got deleted in the English version apparently so...

And Rex and Weevil needed...cards? I guess? I think they just needed a ride, mostly. And Orichalcos can give you a ride. It’s not like we had Uber in 2003 and clearly they were not fit for Caltrain.

And like Gurimo.............existed...?

Anyways, they’re looking for justice that they can see. Justice for their pain. To make that pain worth something for more than just suffering. A system where this type of thing can’t happen anymore. But the thing about justice is that...eh...it’s probably not done through cards that kill people.

OH OK, KID’S SHOW.

Mmmmm take in that burying up your grave imagery. Again, this show is rated Y7 for 7 year olds, and I think that’s amazing.

Anyway, this is symbolism that is so heavy handed that it really needs no explanation, so he’s just gonna dig dig dig for...days I guess? Relive his trauma over and over again? Dig up that past like you’re a popular artist on twitter and you gotta make all of your followers relive that time you got called out because you offended a hell ton of people?

(Which is so many people on art twitter right now, ps, you don’t even know which one I’m talking about because It’s SO MANY of them. Art twitter during Quarantine is like watching the fall of Rome but it’s freakin Art Twitter. Everyone’s the freakin worst and just poopin all over themselves as they roll all the way down the steps.)

But I want to know. Who’s grave this is? It has a slightly different meaning if it were his family’s or his own. I guess I’ll have to save it for the fanfiction.

And so to add another level of spook, Raphael’s card mom shows up and kinda just stands there with a sad face?

Raphael’s reaction to seeing his card just alive and hanging out was “I’ll get to you in a sec, I gotta do some unforgivable evil, first.“

WHERE DID THEY GO?

These two shots are like nearly back to back. They’re just GONE. No explanation.

And yes I’m gonna talk about the outfit because it makes no freakin sense, even for a Yugioh card. Granted, this was a show made in Japan, for kids, with a budget that had a limit. A lot of people get involved with these productions, many aren’t artists or historians versed in American History, just basic ass business people. That be TV.

But her outfit looks waaay too modern. Like she’s gonna go to a musical festival, drop acid and climb on top of a statue and take a bunch of instagram selfies and regret all of them 4 years later. If these are Atlantean cards, this is not an Atlantis outfit to match with Dartz, who has been dressed vaguely medieval. So whyyyyy would this girl be dressed more like a vague old western costume bought at a discount so she could vogue in front of installation art at Burning Man in 2008?

Anyway, I won’t even get into the bird that is slowly devouring her face as a stand in for a headdress or wtv. Just a lot of stuff happening here and I just wanna say, Yugioh did it so you won’t need to. Just delete that desire. Yugioh already did it so you are now free from wanting to draw...anything like this problematic situation on your own OCs.

And then Yugioh predicts exactly how I’d feel about this outfit.

And she then lights ON FIRE and falls dead into the grave he just buried for her.

And in case you were like “kinda on the nose there, Yugioh, that got DARK” she climbs out of his own grave with a spooky ass face and no more coconuts to share with her bros and he’s like...

Rapheal’s reaction was like...Ya OK I can get used to this, and Yami is just pointing at the scene desperately trying to follow Raphael’s brain waves.

And like, this is YAMI.

Yami just walked through Yugi Hell earlier today. He’s seen some stuff. He’s already undug his own grave this morning in a more poetic card sort of way. But Raphael’s memories of literally digging up his family’s graves with his bare hands because Dartz told him to was...stuff he didn’t want to see today. (especially since it’s super suggested Dartz was the one who...murdered them in the first place, like I know it’s a reach but...it just feels like we were supposed to reach that conclusion)

But whether or not Dartz put the bodies here or gave Raphael a bunch of phoney graves, Raphael is still essentially siding with the guy who ruined the only thing he has left of his family--this paper card mom--and turned it into an undead evil Mom. And it just had...no freakin impact on Raphael at all.

Like what?

He just murdered your card mom. This is fine?

Card shenanigans continue and Raphael eventually realizes what he should have realized like 10 years ago when he was digging up graves and killing card Mom’s. That maybe it’s a bad idea. So Raphael decides to sacrifice his remaining monsters to “free” them from the graveyard and basically commits suicide. There’s no other way to say it, really. He kills himself.

But wait, right when you figure this episode will end like every other Orichalcos fight before it...They decide not to.

Like an angel from heaven, our drunk ass looking music concert reject descends from the clouds, along with all of Raphael's dead family members!

Yeah.

I REALLY didn’t expect them to show up. This was so much content it’s like...an entire season of any other TV show. I say that a lot with Yugioh but these episodes really like to just jam-pack it in there.

And here I thought I’d actually have to take them off the Death Count one day. Here I thought 4 kids would do something to like...prevent this many dead kids, but I was wrong.

Everyone’s HELLA DEAD.

it’s both vindicating to actually say that, despite 4kids, these kids absolutely died, but also disturbing because even Raphael is like “ah, the hallucinations today are really swell, right?”

NO, GHOST CHILD.

DON’T TELL ME THAT.

And I’ve been over before how “heart of the cards” is a catch-all phrase that can mean literally anything in this show, and it’s not the first time that cards have kept someone’s spirit around. No word on his family members if they are thrilled to be trapped in a Pharaoh situation, or whether they only occasionally drop from the heavens, or whether they have actually been the spirit that was within each of these cards the whole time. I don’t know.

And so the card family “cures” one of the most evil people on this show.

He’s fine now. This guy murdered the hell out of Yugi, our main character, but don’t think nor worry about it. This isn’t the show to worry about such things.

This show has Marik.

Bro and I were talking Star Wars the other day, and mostly about the Kylo Ren arc and how a lot of people happened to dislike that particular ending. Mostly about how there is a difference between your character being redeemed and being forgiven. I think this children’s show wants to redeem Raphael, but honestly, much like Kylo Ren--he’s just forgiven. And that’s fine. You don’t need to have your characters redeemed. We can stop at forgiveness.

And also, Yami forgives him immediately because he knows he can’t throw a single damn stone, his house is made out of 2 mm of extremely problematic glass.

Man, RIP Weevil, right?

Weevil who just pretended to rip up a card that could have been Yugi and got tossed off the freakin Caltrain? Raphael got off so freakin lucky and I am boggled he’s still alive. He freakin killed Yugi!

The injustice to Weevil right now, omg. Not like I enjoy Weevil. I super don’t enjoy that character. But DAMN. Yami murdered Weevil for even mentioning Yugi. Just feels like there’s a bit of a hypocritical line here in how the justice is dished out and...that tracks for a Pharaoh so I’ll just let it go.

And also, looking at that sunshine and I’m pretty sure they’ve been up over 48 straight hours. No one’s slept since Yugi died, right? I mean Yami is fine. We know from Bakura that puzzle people don’t need to sleep, or eat, or have blood in their body. But like Seto really needs to get Mokuba to bed.

(Although I am 85% positive that Mokuba is still part Noah Kaiba so it is...also unlikely that kid sleeps anymore, just leaving Mokuba’s future therapist so much to unpack.)

The GALL of this show right now.

Of all the generals--they saved RAPHAEL? Arguably the worst one?

I would take even Alister. I would take even Weevil.

Raphael?

I mean if he ends up as the next Duke Devlin, just driving us around for the final season of this show I guess I’ll accept this but, damn.

Raphael?

Are you sure, Yugioh???????????????????????????????????

Can’t we just let that guy die? He’s basically dead already, Yugioh. This guy does NOT want to be alive anymore. Literally everyone he cares about is super dead and now he doesn’t even have Card mom because she sacrificed herself to save his soul. This GUY.

I can’t believe Mai is dead but we still have Raphael.

The same disappointment when I watch British Bake off, man, they just...sometimes they save people and I’m like...no man...that one can’t bake. Just because they pulled something off last second does not mean they get to the semifinals. Raphael can’t bake.

Anyway, the episode attempts to end on a cliffhanger but like.

Just want to reiterate how common and boring Earthquakes usually are to a Californian. This was the most normal thing in this episode.

Man.

Freakin Raphael.

Anyway, if you just got here and is like “I don’t know who the hell Raphael even is,” Yeah, I know, I didn’t think twice about the dude until like just now, but if it’s because you’ve never seen my recaps before, I’ll direct you to the link to read these in Chrono order:

https://steve0discusses.tumblr.com/tagged/yugioh/chrono

Anyway, stay safe and have a very happy and safe Halloween alone eating your own carmel dipped apple slices.

[starryseo]

costume. | bang chan

this gif is so cute oml

pairing ↠ chan x gender neutral!reader

genre ↠ fluff!!

wc ↠ 1564

summary ↠ chan really likes couple’s costumes. 

warnings ↠ a tiiiny bit of swearing. woojin is in this fic bc i wrote it before the news; pls don’t read if you’re not comfortable doing so.

a/n ↠ hope this makes u smile!

"We should do a couple's costume," Chan suggested for the fifth - sixth? - time. "I saw a Robin Hood and Maid Marian costume earlier that we'd look so hot in. I'll even let you have first pick."

You groaned, ignoring him for the fifth, or sixth, time.

And then you groaned again, interrupting whatever it was he was just about to say.

"Once again, Chan, I would like to remind you that we're not a couple."

"That can be changed very quickly," he said, stopping his search through his cupboard to shoot you a smirk, "Y/n, would you do me the honour, make me the happiest guy in all of Korea, and go out with me? Please?"

You stopped scrolling on your phone, raising a brow to perfect the bored expression you were sending his way. "I'm positively swooning, how can anyone say no to that?" You fall back onto his bed with a huff, continuing to scroll on Instagram once more.

"Great! C'mon, babe, let's go get our costumes!" He slammed his cupboard shut, turning to pull you up and off his bed. "What do you want to be?"

"Single."

"Ha ha," he shoved your shoulders before pulling you closer again, "Seriously though?"

You placed your hands on his shoulders, grasping tightly to hold him together, because you knew what you had to say was going to make him crumble.

"I'm sorry, Chan, but I already have a costume."

Promptly after your big reveal, Chan had pushed you out of his room and muttered, "We're over." You were too busy laughing at his theatrics to stop any of that, your snickers increasing when you hear him sigh, scoff and sulk behind the locked door.

"Chan," you called, inhaling deeply to control your laughter, "C'mon, open up. Don't be a baby, baby. I can still help you find a costume!"

Silence.

Aside from your choked chuckles.

"Can you stop being a drama queen, man," you groaned, knocking on his door. "Chan, c'mon!"

Unsurprisingly, more silence.

"Alright, fine, I'll be Robin Hood, okay? You happy now?"

You thought that would bring him out of his blues, but he still wouldn't reply. You knocked again, much more softly, before calling his name.

"Just leave him," Woojin said, coming from the living room. "He'll be fine in, like, 5 minutes." He rolled his eyes, a teasing grin on his face though. "C'mon, the guys have set up Mario Kart."

You joined the rest of the boys as Woojin magically got Chan out of his room - in 3 minutes! - to join in on the fun.

He sat on the seat furthest away from you, shooting you a glare, so you knew he was still mad at you. You rolled your eyes at him, adoring the way he pouted and crossed his arms. He was over the top, yet endearing. A deadly combination.

Some time through playing games, you all decided to place bets on who would win, daring the losers to do random things. Seungmin dared Jisung to not speak for 20 minutes (which he failed after 7 minutes), Minho dared Hyunjin to take his shirt off (20 minutes later and he’s still blushing), and Felix dared Changbin to cuddle him for the rest of the day.

When Chan and Woojin were battling it out, Chan lost. Only by a split second, but all his demands for a rematch fell on deaf ears as Woojin cheered victoriously.

"I dare you to let me pick out your Halloween costume!"

"Fine," Chan huffed, sending a pointed look in your direction when Woojin mentioned the costume.

You grinned at him, but he turned away, his pout returning.

When Jeongin moved to get more snacks, you seized the opportunity to flank Chan's left side, immediately draping yourself on his shoulder.

"You done being a baby?" you teased, linking your arm with his. He tried pulling away, but stopped his futile attempts when you wrapped your other arm around his, too. Instead, he simply turned his face away, suddenly intent on watching the Minho v Felix round. "C'mon, Maid Marian, talk to me."

"Only if you tell me who you're going as."

"No can do, Channie," you sighed, "it's a surprise. You gotta wait til the party like everyone else."

"C'mon," he whined, "I won't tell anyone, I promise."

"Nope," you grinned, "Wooj already knows, I can't tell anybody else."

"Seriously?" he exclaimed, "That's so unfair, y/n, I wanna know!"

You shrugged your shoulders, pinching your fingers to pretend to zip up your lips.

"I hate you," Chan grumbled, leaning his head on your shoulder.

"Love you too."

It was Halloween day. Finally. Costumes had been bought, decorations were hung and food was prepped, all tasty and delicious and begging to be eaten.

Just like you all had agreed, the ten of you were wearing the longest coats you could find to cover your costumes. Minho and Jisung had even gone the extra mile to put paper bags over their heads, probably - hopefully - to cover their makeup.

You drew numbers out of a conveniently-placed magician's hat, the numbers dictating the order of the costume reveal.

Hyunjin was first, in a beautiful Captain America suit. He even pulled out a fake shield - from inside the sofa? - to complete the look. Next was a mummy Seungmin: you have no idea how he managed to keep all the layers wrapped so well, but Seungmin was nothing if not insanely talented.

A vampire Jeongin - whose contacts made the youngster actually look pretty terrifying, especially since they glowed in the dark - was next. Then Minho who, upon shredding the paper bag, was revealed to be the Joker.

"You asshole!" Jisung had yelled, jumping from the sofa when Minho took off his jacket too. "We had a deal."

"Holy shit, you actually did it?" Minho laughed, much to everyone else's confusion.

Jisung, who was next anyway, harshly ripped off his own paper bag.

The long, golden locks were a nice touch, but you definitely loved the blue face paint drenching his face.

"You gotta take the jacket off too, man," Minho chuckled.

Jisung was vehemently opposed, shaking his head, but Hyunjin and Minho tackled him, ripping the cover to reveal Jisung in a flowing white dress.

"Isn't Cap supposed to be the good guy?" Jisung grumbled, crossing his arms as he glared at Hyunjin.

"Not anymore," Hyunjin smirked, tossing over Jisung's jacket, though the damage had been done.

Jisung made a very cute Smurfette.

Once everyone's laughter had died down - which took a very, very, long time, because one look at Jisung caused a giggling domino effect to erupt - Woojin revealed himself to be Cupid. He even had wings and a cute heart shaped bow and arrow set. Felix was the angel to Changbin's devil and they both pulled off the duality stunningly well.

You were next to go and you could see the excitement rolling off Chan in waves. He immediately sat up, cheeky grin plastered on his face as he raised his brows, desperately awaiting your big reveal.

Just to tease him, and he rolled his eyes when he caught on to your actions, you undid your jacket as slowly as possible.

Peter Pan.

The fun-loving, Captain-Hook-hating, youngster was who you decided to dress up as. You took out a hat from your jacket pocket to complete the look, twirling the sword that came with the costume around on your finger.

Whatever expression you thought you'd see on Chan's face, you definitely weren't expecting to see him that shocked and confused, his mouth dropping open slightly. You thought you'd see a teasing grin or him laughing, but not this.

"You asshole!" Chan imitated Jisung, turning to face Woojin. "You did this on purpose!"

"No idea what you mean," he let out airily, but by the smirk on his face, you knew he knew.

"Ooh, is Cupid playing matchmaker?" Minho taunted, "It's your turn, Channie!"

Chan huffed as he stood up, shooting Woojin a vicious glare, before facing you for the reveal. He looked nervous, cheeks tinted a light pink, and it was cute watching him bite his lips as he fumbled to open his jacket.

A green dress. You would have joined the others in laughing if you weren't 100 percent sure that dress belonged to a certain tinkering fairy.

Chan certainly did make a pretty Tinkerbell. His muscles were a bit much though in the tight dress, but you weren't exactly complaining about the view of those. 

"Best couple's costume award definitely goes to Chan and Y/n," Hyunjin grinned, shooting you a thumbs up.

"You're welcome!" Woojin hollered, laughing harder when Chan flipped him off.

"That's so unfair," Felix whined, "they didn't even plan that!"

As the boys argued over who would get what awards for the night, you turned to a still-pink-faced Chan.

"We're in a couple's costume," he smirked, "It all worked out in the end."

"Tink's just obsessed with Peter," you argued, "they're not a real couple."

"Just like us then, yeah?"

"Oh, definitely."

"Is Chan flirting with Y/n? Is that seriously all he's got? No wonder it's taken him this long to make a move."

Chan grabbed your hand, making a swift escape to the safe confines of his room.

If anyone asked what the two of you got up to after that, you were simply telling ghost stories. 

[cosplayinamerica]

I was digging through my tumblr and found probably the first cosplay interview for Cosplay in America - Maridah. The interview was posted Aug 24, 2010

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

I’ve seen Maridah at Fanime and Anime Expo for the past two years. When I started this book project, she was cosplaying Saber and completely mobbed at both cons I saw her at. I decided to shoot her an email to ask about her cosplay.

Well, first of all, tell me how you got into cosplaying ?

I attended a magnet high school for theater, so I had taken a few costuming classes. This was around the same time I became interested in anime and wanted to go to a convention. At the time ‘cosplay’ was just starting to gain interest in america, and it seemed like a fun idea for me to show up to a con in a costume if I was going to go…I ended up making 3 costumes for myself and a couple for friends for that first con. One of these was an Auron from Final Fantasy 10 for a friend, which meant working with leather and all sorts of things I hadn’t tried before in school. From the get-go I was taking on challenges, something that I think has stuck with me. As soon as the convention started I was hooked. I made so many good friends that first con, and cosplay really appealed to my interest in making costumes, so it was a perfect fit.

I had ask folks on my Facebook/Myspace as to what questions they like answered. Two of these questions is “How do you pick which character you want to portray?” and “Do you enjoy group or solo cosplay more?”

I love group cosplay. I have made so many good friends through cosplay, and cosplaying with them is great. Even if it’s people I’ve never met before, I’d rather have people to pose with and chat with. If I’m posing alone, it’s okay, but standing around by myself can be really boring. The costumes that I have had the most coverage of at cons were solo costumes, and while it is great to have that recognition of hard work on costumes I’ve wanted to make, I still end up wishing I had friends involved.

It’s sort of up to chance what I end up cosplaying, and each costume is done for different reasons. Only a portion of the costumes I start for myself get done. I’ve given up making a lot of my costumes sewing stuff for others. Hopefully I can turn that around a bit! I have a list of things I want to do, but this list ends up being ignored quite a bit because there are so many factors. I try to pick costumes of characters I like, but occasionally I pick ones I feel are more look appropriate.

It is really random what ends up being made in the end, though. Half the stuff I work on is picked according to what show friends want to do because I like doing group work. The other half is stuff I really want to do, even if it’s on my own sometimes. The end result is aways the same with every costume, regardless of motive. I’m over budget, but it’s fun~

Can you tell me about what you wore to Fanime ’09 and about the construction of it ? How long did it take ? Was it harder than you thought ?

For Fanime 2009, I wore Armored Saber from Fate/Stay Night. It was about a month and a half before the con when I started working on it.

The majority of the costume is made of a thermoplastic known as Sintra. I patterned out each piece of the armor, then transfered the paper pieces on to the plastic. I used a scroll saw to cut it all out, which took several days of work. I sanded the edge of each piece to give them a slight bevel and a cleaner look. I used a dremmel to take off sharp corners and fix up shapes if they didn’t line up right or couldn’t be cut to shape with the saw. I used boiling water to shape the smaller pieces, and a heat gun for the side panels. After shaping them, I primed the pieces, sanded them, and sprayed them with paint, then used a clear coat to seal them.

Not every piece of armor worked out as planned, so a few pieces were remade last minute out of thick craft foam.

The sword was made out of balsa and wood putty. The wood was sanded and sealed, and sprayed in the same way as my armor. I was short on time, so it ended up being rushed. I drafted out my own pattern for the dress. The sleeves are reinforced with thick interfacing to keep the shape they have. The base wig was found locally. I bought loose hair and made a few wefts on my sewing machine and the braid. The wig was styled in an evening, and involved hairpins, a little hot glue, and a ton of Got2BGlued hairspray.

The costume was about as hard to make as I expected it to be. Difficult, but not impossible for me. I had not worked with many of the materials I made it from before and it was a learning experience.

What were folks’ reaction to your Saber when you were out at the cons ?

It was different depending on the person. Generally other cosplayers were just intrigued, and wanted to know the ins and outs of the construction. Little kids seemed to think I was something akin to a character at Disneyland, and wanted pictures, which was adorable. I had some guys who seemed to think I was a mannequin or something, and seemed mystified by my ability to talk, which was funny. I met some cool people who liked the series and they gave fan approval on my hard work. Others were quick to ask me where I bought everything, and seemed skeptical of my answer. It was a totally mixed bag, but over all, I had a lot of people interested in photographing the costume and there was plenty of positive feedback. It was a good experience.

Did you do any of the Masquerade ? I thought your outfit was pretty awesome and curious if you entered any contests.

Thank you! I haven’t entered a masquerade. I’m not really into competing, honestly. I might consider being part of a group with friends some time in the future, but I don’t see myself ever entering a masquerade on my own. I’m honestly not motivated enough to deal with the hassle of getting signed up, doing rehearsals, etc. If more conventions had hall cosplay contests, I would most certainly give one a shot, but there aren’t many of those that I know of. It also kind of goes against why I cosplay. I just really like to make the costumes and I want it to be fun to wear them. I don’t need a trophy to tell me I did something well. I get that award every time someone asks for a photo.

A friend of mine suggested this question : If you could cosplay anyone and time, money and technology were of no concern, who will it be ???

If I could, I’d want to make an awesome Motoko from Ghost in the Shell with a full scale tachikoma I could ride in. That’s pretty close to impossible, but I can dream, right ?

And finally, I’ve been asking everyone what cosplay means to them ?

Cosplay is a important hobby for me. I love the process of making something well. It’s a hobby that lets you exercise so many skills, and it’s always challenging. That’s partly why I love it. The big thing for me is the people I’ve met because of it, some of them have become dear friends I hope I can always call that, even when we’ve moved on to other hobbies and interests.

Okay, thanks a lot ! Hope to see you out at future cons ^^

www.maridah.com

[angrypedestrian]

THE TIME IDIOTS EPISODE 504 TITLED “The Start of Courtney’s 2020 Emmy Campaign” MY THOUGHTS:

I only watch the last 3 minutes of each episode of the flash and I feel like last week basically ended the same way as this week with the yearning from the mirror?

no i will not learn anything further about this show and its plot i do NOT care

PREVIOUSLY: we are kinda even building the big bad the first half of the season this time, aren’t you guys proud of us??? Please??

Charlie has incredible pants

she also said cocked

and those are my thoughts on THAT

Gary is ready to go get his MAN

also that sounded like chef boyardee fuckin italian my good dude no wonder it didn’t work

gary: NO GHOSTS GET TO HAVE SEX WITH JOHN UNLESS I’M THERE

this will be the last time I mention it, I swear, but I just...really hate the intro

Y’KNOW for a show that doesn’t remember roughly 15/10 of its own rules and plot points, you would think we could just hand wave away the one bathroom thing at this point. But no, THIS is the bit they decide to keep running with. 

i-don’t-know-what-i-expected.png

what was caity doing this week, i can’t remember? was she just getting ready to direct the next ep?

Captain Pantsuit!

Between Astra and Charlie the fashion game on this season has ratcheted up like 10,000% and I am a fan

john: you know the ethereal screaming? not helpful

natalie: fine then you get rabbit masked children

gary: I PREFER THE SCREAMING

(also if you aren’t following nelly @starcitysirens you need to be, she is legends’ fandoms foremost Constantine scholar and she is doing the lord’s work in attempting to make sense of all of this)

I would also ask for discontinued condiments. That’s literally all I would do

Gideon and I would be best snack friends

“I’m parched from that dry interaction!!!!!”

i CACKLED

WHERE IS TALA’s EMMY

nora and ray LOVE each other

mick is JEALOUS

feelings are symptoms ray shut the fuck up

mick is right you are wrong

Gideon knows about like liking someone, she is the horniest AI that has ever existed

Behrad cannot stop touching nate because they are in LOVE

but behrad the lei goes with your shirt so well tho let ava have her moment

asdfghjkl;’ lei miserable

how long have the writers been holding onto that one

nate you are being outwardly horny towards zari you need to chill at least two degrees

did zari swallow a translator? because that would have been an incredible scene we were DEPRIVED of. i know see note above about forgetting 15/10 of plot points, but.....what happens when she speaks french? is jean-paul hearing english? french? WHAT. IS. HAPPENING.

anyWAYS zari’s POWER

nate, ready to bottom at any moment, catching that purse

nate: did you see? i CAUGHT it

behrad: that is my SISTER. You are my BOYFRIEND

I am checking insta during the commercial and jes posted an....unfortunate number of pictures with variations of “YAS QWEEN” on them and i am....

tired

there is a High Level of Fashion in this exchange between astra and this lady whose name i did not catch

the Neal McDonough Memoria Can Get lt award is to the costume design in this episode cause god fucking damn

altho RIP to the rest of the season’s budget lol

best be looking forward to party city’s hottest lewks for the rest of the season

Mucous Membrane??????

this is for ME

ava don’t be a fuckin COP with this see something say something shit

that’s how you get bloomberg!!!

huh looks like nate retained one braincell for the sake of exposition

good for him

lol the whole budget was spent on costumes we couldn’t even spend money on a new actor to play marie antoinette 

i mean, i am glad for courtney tho bc she deserves to have fun and also the WORLD

Also! a good reminder that behrad and zari both don’t drink!

Zari: Marie Antoinette is.....kinda incredible

zari: game recognizes game

time for a MAKEOVER

(makeover makeover makeover makeover makeover makeover MAKE O VER)

you get bonus points if the song is stuck in your head now

oof that young punk john look is...bad.

it’s real bad, but not in a real punk way 

gary: I DO NOT LIKE RABBITS I HAD A BAD EXPERIENCE AS A CHILD

i am glad courtney, jes, and tala seem to have had a great time with this episode

but PLEASE stop saying yas qween for the love of christ

oh my FUCKING god

they literally spent the whole budget for the season on this episode

that headless cgi was.....so horrendous god fucking bless

oh back from commercial it’s still bad

the cgi spooky house is also real real bad

courtney is fuckin KILLING me this episode

phil how could you fucking THROW her and brandon AWAY

gidGET

zari stop being RUDE

gideon you gotta appear to new zari as a your hot self, that’ll probably get her to remember

fuck i just saw marie antoinette’s electra heart makeup that is so fucking spot on it is GENIUS

well done makeup department

LES-LAY

the way tala said that fucking sent me

smorez. fucking SMOREZ

who is under that smores head. 

phil if it’s you you legally have to tell us

As a person currently in a long distance relationship, this interaction was fairly accurate

honestly really loving behrad’s whole casual look here

the body is still marie antoinette why would you not call her by her name you big dummy

how long has ava been waiting to spray something right into nate’s eyes?

since the moment they met? sources say perhaps

A fire gun is what marie antoinette DESERVES

nate you are such a dumbass i love you so much

Really love to be getting two different shows in the same time block so far this year

how long until the two plotlines actually intersect?

i’ll give it another 2 or 3 episodes

the LOOM OF FATE???

from ANGELINA JOLIE’S WANTED (2008)????

crossover of the century

WHO DOESN’T LIKE FLANNEL

it is COMFY

embrace COMFORT zari 2.0

EAT A CARB

LIVE YR LIFE

as an aside, that is a beautiful fucking doughnut

and now i want a doughnut

goddammit

that montage....i miss....zari

don’t get me wrong i love zari 2.0, but...i miss zari 1.0

i need to rewatch s3 and 4

AVA AND ZARI MADE A FRIEND

SEE MOM I MADE ONE (1) FRIEND

ava: i don’t have a mom

zari: well we don’t need to talk about that

well that is a fun way to incorporate dangerous habits all in one fell swoop

NEXT WEEK: I DO NOT trust this show to do asian history again....however the scooter bit IS funny

[eisforeidolon]

Episode: Back and to the Future

I get why, thematically, they chose that song for the previouslies that kick off the final season. However, from my perspective I just do not think it actually works at all.  It is far too sedate for the action it’s recapping and the scene it cuts into.  The juxtaposition of such different paces is just ... odd.

I guess I'm supposed to feel all sad and shit from the lingering shots of dead!Jack's burned out eye holes?  Maybe if he'd had a personality other than being an amorphous shifting blob of unbelievable power and permanent intellectual infancy I was supposed to care about because of the number of times they had the other characters say he was their son/family/awesome.  As is?  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I wish I could say I was surprised that the veritable army of animate corpses making a beeline for the Winchesters and Cas just … somehow … let them escape and run away.  I'd have been a lot more surprised if the writers had actually bothered to do the work to get the characters out of the corner the last finale put them into, at this point.  Then there's the bit where the writers shove some nonsense into Dean's mouth to try and make it seem like this whole thing with Chuck isn't a sudden random asspull to go for the most absurdly overpowered villain they could think of for the last season.  Totally believable, oh yeah.

Although the idea of a sewer running through a graveyard including right to the wall of a crypt does not exactly seem likely to me, I do actually give the writers points for having that not actually work as an escape route.  Also awarding some points for them remembering that as an angel, Castiel should be able to see demons.

As other people have already pointed out, considering what he did to the Novak family and how haphazardly he handled Claire, especially?  Him bitching about any other creature defiling somebody's corpse is pretty fucking hilarious.  Though I'd possibly be more sympathetic if demon!Jack didn't already show a 500% more interesting personality in thirty seconds than actual!Jack did in two seasons.  So far as I’ve been concerned, the only think Jack has really had going for him is Alex, so Alex as a different character, even a demon, I’m calling a win.

I honestly do not get the decision of trying garner fan nostalgia by bringing back ghosts from previous seasons if they're just going to arbitrarily make them kill anyone at random for kicks.  Would it have been that hard to have shown “Bloody Mary” killing one person who might have had a secret where someone died?  Because I could buy it for one of those teen girls, but not both.  Or limiting the “Woman in White” to attacking men along highways who might possibly be unfaithful?  Maybe we're supposed to believe that they're all just so pissed off at having spent all that time in hell that they have completely lost touch with what originally tied them to earth and drove them to kill in the first place?  I don't mind them no longer being tied to a physical location since they were banished and unnaturally returned, but to be so disconnected to what drove them to become angry spirits seems much more intrinsic to who and what they were.  I guess even the ghosts lose their personalities to become cardboard in the hands of Dabbernatural.  

Oh, look, mysteriously, big G God's tantrum opening up hell is not actually big enough to impact the whole planet – or even, you know, more than the literal next town over.  This is my surprised face.

Then we get to the bit where the Winchesters find an abandoned car with a bloody mess inside and are all, “Look at this Woman in White kill!  Obviously it was a Woman in White!  Totally the specific one we sent to hell!  Because … car!  And, uh, blood!  And, oh, because the fucking script says so.” REASONS, YO.

Aren't all garage doors required to have an emergency pull for if the power goes out?  Obviously the script required the pair of VotW end up stuck hiding in the garage, which, uh, a ghost can't find people hiding now?  Did I miss something in there that explained that silly convenience that makes the ghost even less spooky in an episode that really really fails on that count even more later on?

I guess maybe I should be happy that it's Castiel that gets hit with the dumb characterization stick to necessitate Sam & Dean not work together to clear out the town? Look, at this point, considering the way the writers have had him act as a constant disaster zone of idiotic choices and betrayals for several seasons now, my ability to sympathize with Cas is a wee bit limited.  To have him now sulk like a toddler and refuse to work with the demon to help the Winchesters save an entire town full of people and prevent the spread of angry hell ghosts to the world beyond that? Because oh noes it's wearing Jack's face and he was just sooooo attached?  Even though all of them supposedly thought of Jack as their kid?  He doesn't even try to offer up alternatives to working with the demon with the very convenient solution, just whines about it? 

So basically this billions of years old angel somehow has less fucking practicality than the Winchesters (despite how easily he killed the shit out of his fellow angels when it suited his plans).  Not to mention that by refusing, he's saddling Dean with having to work with demon!Jack. The human guy who was just recently convinced he had to kill Jack for the good of the world after Jack killed his mother, only to have a change of heart when he saw Jack’s understanding, only for Jack to end up killed anyway – you know, emotions a hell of a lot more conflicted about their supposed kid's than Castiel's?  Castiel is just fine with that!  What a self-centered dick.

I liked Dean's conversation with Rowena on the phone and his response to her presumable demand to ask more nicely.  I laughed at Sam accidentally shooting Cas and Cas' resultant reaction.  I thought it was curious that they had the demon bring up Dean's time as a torturer in hell, though I'd be pleasantly surprised if it was anything but a way to segue into the Cage getting opened.  One utterly wasted Michael storyline is apparently not enough for Dabb!  Maybe it's just supposed to be some kind of weird demon idea of flattery, but I did find their interactions interesting.  I would be intrigued by the weird flashes when Cas was trying to heal Sam (Another angel power that actually works for once?  Wow!) … if Dabb hadn't already yammered on about what it means in an interview.  That dude is absolutely allergic to leaving any kind of major storyline an open mystery or letting it retain any intrigue for fans to speculate about.  I was not impressed with Sam getting damsel-ed to be saved by Castiel at least twice.  Come on, show.

As I speculated before and said above, I’m fine with the Chuckified nature of their release meaning some rules don’t apply.  I could maybe even understand the thought process that them being out in the daytime, without being limited to darkness, was scarier? I just wish anyone behind the camera was awake enough to actually look at the aesthetics of what they did here and realize that no, it's really really not.  The whole thing just looked so embarrassingly mediocre - pantomime actors in bad bargain basement costumes silly.  I think it was @hippychick006 that suggested gifs of the whole end portion looked like they should be set to Yackety Sax?  The context of the episode does not in any way negate that. Just … wow.  Like with the wire fight, I am flabbergasted that this made it to air without somebody finding the brakes.

I'm not sure if the writers actually made a failed reference by having the Woman in White say Dean was the one who took her home when it was Sam, or if they meant to imply he and Sam together had been there/responsible and Dean was the one she was addressing.  Regardless, I'm not impressed with how all the ghosts Sam & Cas were being confronted by just … stood there to be shot one by one for a while.  And then … ran … literally ran … chasing them down the street instead of doing the whole ghost teleport thing.  There are way, way too many times in this episode where the guys get away or win a fight because reasons and there is absolutely no tension in that.  Even if it didn't also look ridiculous.  Dean’s part of the confrontation was a little less absurd in that respect, at least.  And the spell effects actually looked reasonably cool.

I'm a little annoyed at myself that the obligatory brother scene at the end of the episode kind of works on me.  Though I’m not particularly impressed with Sam's conclusion that God is totally going to leave them alone now.  Sure, Chuck has a long habit of leaving when he's bored, but he isn't leaving this world because he's bored.  You guys actively pissed him off!  Yet Sam treats it like a foregone conclusion Chuck will have buggered off instead of sticking around to watch his previously favorite but now uncooperative toys suffer and die first. Though I'm not sure if that's a writer issue, actually, or just a legit choice I don’t care for.  I could see Sam insisting on trying to sell a potential positive side with no room for doubt with as fatalistic as Dean is being.  I could also see it just being one of those things Sam convinces himself must be true because he's reasoned it out in his head and refuses to consider alternatives may exist.  Like how he was so convinced it could only be God planting visions in his head back in season 11.  Still, I like the callback and I can even see why Dean is the most immediately cynical and pissed off, so hey!  There was actually one whole entire scene I enjoyed in there!

[thefederalistfreestyle]

What “Hamilton” in San Juan Means to Puerto Rico (The New Yorker):

Last Friday evening, as spectators streamed into the Centro de Bellas Artes Luis A. Ferré, San Juan’s main performing-arts center, a man in a Colonial waistcoat, breeches, and cravat spoke into a microphone in the plaza. “We want everybody to join this fight for Puerto Rico to become the fifty-first state,” he said. He was joined by about a dozen demonstrators from the pro-statehood group Sociedad Civil Estadista, holding signs that said “We Want to Be in the Room Where It Happens” and “We Are Not Throwing Away Our Shot.” “Alexander Hamilton was a good man,” the speaker continued. “He was one of the Founding Fathers. He was an intellectual author of this nation. So thank you, everyone, and welcome to Puerto Rico.”

Across the plaza—and across the island’s political spectrum—a Ph.D. student named Zorimar Rivera Montes stood beside steel barricades wearing a backpack. “My doctoral dissertation is partly on ‘Hamilton’ and its politics,” she said. She didn’t have a ticket but was hoping that something would turn up. Rivera Montes was raised with an “anti-colonial upbringing,” she said, and supports Puerto Rican independence. The opening-night spectacle, she observed, was “laced with so many ironies. Hamilton was born in the Caribbean. And now we have his ghost coming back to the Caribbean. He was the founder of the American debt system, right?” She went on: “I’m very curious to see how a Puerto Rican audience connects to the story of Alexander Hamilton. Hamilton is big in the U.S., because that’s your forefather.” Her friend Gisela Rosario Ramos added dryly, “There’s a new Founding Father: Lin-Manuel Miranda.”

How did a bastard, orphan son of a whore and a Scotsman get dropped in a bruised-but-not-forgotten spot in the Caribbean, sixteen months after Hurricane Maria devastated the island? It all had to do with Miranda, the show’s Pulitzer Prize-winning author and star, who was returning to the title role on a tide of good will, for the first time since leaving the Broadway production, in 2016. In the wake of the hurricane, which knocked out the island’s power grid and caused some three thousand deaths, Miranda has become a tireless fund-raiser and champion for Puerto Rico, where his father was born and where he spent summers as a child. He released a charity single and helped raise forty-three million dollars in relief funds. He urged people to “keep Puerto Rico in your hearts” from the red carpet of the Academy Awards. And he currently appears in a Web series from the tourism outfit Discover Puerto Rico. Around the island, pretty much everyone referred to him as Lin-Manuel.

[. . .]

Luis Miranda was one of the driving forces behind bringing “Hamilton” to Puerto Rico. The original plan was to stage it at the University of Puerto Rico’s Río Piedras campus, driving money and attention to an institution that needed some love in a neighborhood far from the tourist center of San Juan.

But the well-intentioned plan fell apart just before Christmas, after talk spread of possible demonstrations over staff-budget cuts. A practice of restricting police presence on campus raised security concerns. The producers scrambled to move the show to Bellas Artes, a Lincoln Center-like facility in Santurce, a neighborhood described by one resident as “the hot-shit center of hip San Juan living.”

Luis Miranda told me that the last straw, for him, came when he ran into three students after a production meeting. “One of them says, ‘Oh, yeah, we have dedicated entire classes to discuss if this is good for the University of Puerto Rico or not.’ ” He blanched. “I’m listening to this discussion, and I’m thinking, Is this for real? I remember looking at one of the kids and saying, ‘You know what? We made the right decision to come to Puerto Rico. We made the wrong decision of going to the U.P.R. theatre.’ ”

Although “Hamilton” poured more than a million dollars into renovating the university theatre, there was still disappointment on campus. Sylvia Bofill, who teaches playwriting and dramatic history there, told me, “The impression of students was, they felt somehow it was going to be more approachable, that they were going to be able to see the play.” (A thousand of the ten thousand lottery tickets were set aside for students.) “I think, at the end, it was a loss both for the university and the production. It would have been great for the students to have a forum with Lin-Manuel to ask questions about the controversy.”

The day before the première, outdated “Hamilton” banners still hung around campus. Classes had not started, so there were more stray cats than students in the main quad. Near the theatre, I spotted a young woman with curly hair painting a bench with the word “humanidades.” She had specks of white paint on her cheek, and introduced herself as María Rosa López, a science student.

“It’s complicated,” she said, of the “Hamilton” drama. Her English was spotty, so her friend Christopher Pacheco, who was helping her paint, translated. “They should have consulted at least with the students,” he said. “The government is saying it’s the workers’ union’s fault. They didn’t want a protest here, so they moved the play. But they weren’t going to protest. It was just an excuse. The government wants to close the university down.”

When I asked why, López reverted to English. “They don’t want people to get educated.”

Pacheco added, “Education here is not good. They’re closing a lot of public schools.” Tuition has gone up, they noted, to a hundred and fifteen dollars per credit. “The costs have only gone higher, and the buildings are deteriorating,” Pacheco said.

A clocktower rang, and they returned to painting.

Around Bellas Artes, “Hamilton” fever had taken hold. At Lote 23, a food-truck park near the theatre, venders had seen cast and crew members stop by. The guy at the alcapurria stand knew the exact hours of their lunch breaks, and a woman who worked at the fried-chicken place had taken a selfie with Lin-Manuel two days earlier.

[. . .]

By six o’clock, the plaza was packed: camera crews, ticket-lottery winners, demonstrators, the Hamilton historian Ron Chernow, V.I.P.s in suits and cocktail dresses. Zorimar Rivera Montes, the Ph.D. student, pointed out David Bernier, a former candidate for governor of Puerto Rico. She was skeptical of all the hoopla. Like others I met, she had been irked by Miranda’s initial support for Promesa, the act establishing the financial-oversight board. He has since recanted and endorsed debt forgiveness over debt relief.

But something else was nagging at Rivera Montes. As she e-mailed me a few days later, after scoring a ticket, “The play is as catchy and fun as I remembered the soundtrack to be, but watching a celebration of the American Revolution on Puerto Rican soil felt nothing short of perverse. I find it is colonialist that we have to be thankful to Miranda for whatever crumbs of help he throws our way.”

I spoke to Dan Santiago, the pro-statehood speaker in Colonial garb. (He had bought it at a costume shop in Florida, where he relocated after the hurricane.) Hadn’t Hamilton fought to overthrow imperial rule? “That’s something that people talk about,” he said, “but what’s important in democracy is the will of the people. The independence movement in Puerto Rico doesn’t gain more than three per cent of the votes. I’m pretty sure that, when Hamilton wrote the Federalist Papers, he was trying to convince everybody that this new form of government was going to be the best thing for the colonies. And it was so good that it became the most powerful nation on the face of the earth. That’s the nation that we want to be part of.”

Suddenly, there was a screech from the middle of the plaza. It came from Gustavo Rosa, a seventeen-year-old from Toa Alta. He had been taking a picture with the show’s producer, Jeffrey Seller, when his high-school theatre director surprised him with a ticket. Immediately, camera crews descended on him.

“I’ve been taking musical theatre for seven years now,” he said, shaking. “I’m exhilarated. Oh, my God.”

[. . .]

Alternating between English and Spanish, he fielded questions about the ovation at the top of the show (“I felt my hair move”); about the security concerns at the university (“If there’s the slightest chance something goes wrong, I cannot have that on my conscience”); about his reading from the celebrity astrologer Walter Mercado (“I know the future, but I’m not going to tell you”); about his first visit after the hurricane (“To see an island without leaves—I never thought I’d see winter in Puerto Rico”). He said that “Hamilton” would bring people to Puerto Rico to spend money, “but they’re also going to see blue tarps, and they’re also going to see how much is left to be done.”

A reporter asked, “What spoke to you tonight, as you were standing there for the first time here in Puerto Rico?”

Miranda answered, in Spanish, that “Hurricane” had been particularly emotional—he hadn’t been able to get through it in rehearsal. The line about the silence in the eye of the storm had reminded him of what members of the Puerto Rican diaspora had felt during Maria, not being able to reach family and friends. “That quiet,” he said, slipping back into English. “That terror.” Then he said something everyone could agree on: “That’s the thing about this show: you put it at this angle, and suddenly you see different things come out.”

full article here

[thesassybooskter]

GOOD GIRLS LIE by J. T. Ellison: Excerpt & Spotlight

AVAILABLE DECEMBER 31ST 2019/ MIRA

Goode girls don’t lie…

Perched atop a hill in the tiny town of Marchburg, Virginia, The Goode School is a prestigious prep school known as a Silent Ivy. The boarding school of choice for daughters of the rich and influential, it accepts only the best and the brightest. Its elite status, long-held traditions and honor code are ideal for preparing exceptional young women for brilliant futures at Ivy League universities and beyond. But a stranger has come to Goode, and this ivy has turned poisonous.

In a world where appearances are everything, as long as students pretend to follow the rules, no one questions the cruelties of the secret societies or the dubious behavior of the privileged young women who expect to get away with murder. But when a popular student is found dead, the truth cannot be ignored. Rumors suggest she was struggling with a secret that drove her to suicide.

But look closely…because there are truths and there are lies, and then there is everything that really happened.

J.T. Ellison’s pulse-pounding new novel examines the tenuous bonds of friendship, the power of lies and the desperate lengths people will go to to protect their secrets.

  Buy Online: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Apple Books

Add to Goodreads

  Excerpt

8

THE WARNING

The room next to ours looks exactly the same, like it’s out of a sleek, modern hotel. The “something” Piper offers is a black satin sheath with a black lace overlay. Simple. Elegant. An Audrey Hepburn movie costume. She hands it over, the price tag still dangling from the collar. Rents can be paid with such a sum.

“You can keep it. I have another almost identical,” Piper says.

I demur and hand it back. “Thanks. I’ll take my chances with the dean.”

 Piper shrugs and hangs the dress back up in the wooden wardrobe. “Suit yourself. If you keep your robe tight, maybe she won’t notice. It’ll be in your wardrobe with your uniform skirts—standard issue, everyone gets them. The seniors’ stoles are black with a white stripe, we lowly sophomores are blue. Freshmen are red—they stand out, trust me, I felt like I had a target on my back all last year—and juniors are dark green. Graduation stoles are different, multicolored based on your area of study, just like a college. I’m ready for the black-and-white stoles, they’re so much easier to match. Our blue—” she pulls the stole out of her gown; it is a sickly pewter blue and doesn’t work with her coloring at all “—is a pain, I look terrible in it. Though you can imagine how I clashed with the red last year. You will need to get some dressy clothes, though, we have a lot of formal events.”

She closes the wardrobe and faces me, looking me up and down with cool, inscrutable blue eyes. She would look severe if it weren’t for the freckles. They ruin the seriousness of her demeanor. She will always look like a girl, not a woman, even when she’s fifty.

“You might as well stick to black. It goes with everything, looks good under the robes, and your coloring is perfect for it.”

“Black. Right.” The color of mourning. I’ve been in black a lot recently.

“I’ll take you shopping if you want. There’s a nice little boutique around the corner. Next to the laundry, which is part of the restaurant where we eat on the weekend, Jacob’s Ladder. It has a pool table, too. It’s not exactly couture, but they’ll have a skirt or two that will work. What else do you need to know? Oh, stay away from the handyman. He’s a creeper. And remember not to walk alone along the back path through Selden Arboretum if you take the shortcut.” Her voice has taken on the warning edge I’ve already heard several times this afternoon.

“Not another ‘I won’t graduate’ legend?”

“Oh, no. The arboretum is haunted.”

“Haunted. A path? Ludicrous.”

“Seriously. It cuts through the woods, and a girl was murdered there.”

“How horrible. When?”

“Ten years ago. That’s when Dean Westhaven—the current Dean Westhaven, I mean—took over from her mother. It’s why she’s so young. She was only twenty-five when it happened. The board sent Westhaven the elder packing over the bad PR. The student, Ellie Robertson, she was the heir to some massive New England fortune, I don’t remember whose. Her dad has serious pull and, after the whole incident, got the dean removed.”

“The incident? That’s a mild word for a murder.”

“The school’s verbiage. They’re always in publicity mode. Ellie had been complaining to anyone who would listen, the dean, school security, teachers, about a townie who was stalking her and the dean didn’t do anything about it. One night, late, the guy followed her home from the laundry and killed her behind the dorms. Raped her, too. There are varying stories about the damage he did to her face, but supposedly, he carved out her eyes and took them home with him. They found them on his mantel. Really freaky shit.”

An intense shiver goes down my spine. “I’ll say.”

“So seriously, you never walk the arboretum path alone. Even if it’s not haunted, it’s creepy and not safe. It’s outside the walls.” This last is said with such earnestness I simply nod.

“Outside the walls equals not safe alone. Got it.” “And stay out of the attics. They’re totally haunted. Supposedly, one of the secret societies found several sets of infants’ bones up there a few years ago, in between the ceiling and the wall. I don’t know what they were doing there.”

“The society?”

“The bones. They were probably the children of some of the girls who lived here, stillborns and the like. You’d think they’d bury them, the graveyard is actually pretty cool.”

“Brilliant. Haunted attics with infant bones in the walls. This sounds like a stellar place.”

“Well, Goode is old, and when you get old, you get weird. Oh, I almost forgot, be careful in the tunnels.”

“The tunnels?”

“There was an Underground Railroad through here. You know what that is, right?”

“Vaguely. To do with slavery, yes?”

“We were a safe haven from the plantations down South to the free North. Pretty cool. The grounds are littered with tunnels and old cottages, but they’re totally off-limits. They’re dangerous, and most of them have collapsed in on themselves.”

“Where would I find one?”

“I don’t know, actually. I’ve only been told to stay away.”

The deep, resonating peal of a very old bell shudders through the building, making me jump nearly out of my skin.

Piper intones, “For whom the bell tolls… Don’t worry, Ash. You’ll get used to it. Even when the hauntings happen, the bells toll and chase away the ghosts. They don’t like the noise.”

She smiles, and I feel a spark of hope. She might be a friend, eventually.

“I can’t imagine why not. It’s unbelievably loud.”

“It’s really not to chase away ghosts. It’s so we never try to use not hearing the bell as an excuse for being late.”

“Right. Brilliant.”

Camille sticks her head in the door. “Are you two coming? You heard the bells, we’re going to be late. Ash, why haven’t you changed yet? Hurry! I don’t want JPs on my first day!”

“JPs?”

“Judicial points. It’s like demerits. Get five and you’re stuck in Saturday school. Hurry!”

Mum’s voice rings in my head. Pride goeth before the fall…

“Hey, Piper? Thanks for the warning, and the offer of the dress. I would appreciate borrowing it. But just for today, until I get some of my own.”

“Sure thing,” Piper says, handing it over. I run back to the room, strip, and throw the dress over my head, careful to make sure the price tag is tucked into the collar. I fully intend to hand it back after dinner, though I should probably have it cleaned. The trainers I’m wearing will not do. I have a pair of black flats tucked away in my bag, shoved into the shafts of my beat-up Dr. Martens. I dig through the bag; the boots are at the bottom. The second dong of the bell shakes the building, and by the third, I’m out in the hall, fully clothed, gowned, and shod, and we are racing down the stairs with the rest of the stragglers, out the back of Main Hall toward the chapel.

  About J. T. Ellison

J.T. Ellison began her career as a presidential appointee in the White House, where a nuclear physicist taught her how to obsess over travel itineraries and make a seriously good pot of Earl Grey, spawning both her love of loose leaf and a desire for control of her own destiny. Jaded by the political climate in D.C., she made her way back to her first love, creative writing. More than 20 novels later, she is an award-winning New York Times and USA Today bestselling author with thrillers published in 27 countries and 15 languages. She is also the EMMY-award winning cohost of A WORD ON WORDS, a literary interview TV show. She lives in Nashville with her husband and two small gray minions, known as cats in some cultures. She thinks they’re furry aliens.

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  GOOD GIRLS LIE by J. T. Ellison: Excerpt & Spotlight was originally published on The Sassy Bookster

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New York Comic Con 2019: Dates, Tickets, Schedule, Panels, and News

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NYCC 2019 is almost here! Here are the highlights to look out for from this year's New York Comic Con

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It's time for New York Comic Con! NYCC 2019 is one of the biggest weekends on the geek entertainment calendar, and that's appropriate considering that the comic book industry and the origin of superheroes is so centered on New York City! We've got a quick and easy guide to the show for you right here that should answer most, if not all, of your questions.

And if you're looking for something else to do in the off hours when you're not checking out panels and hunting for cool stuff at NYCC, we have a guide to other amazing pop culture attractions in the city!

New York Comic Con 2019 Dates and Hours

NYCC 2019 runs from October 3 - 6 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City. Check out the hours for each day below:

Thursday: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

New York Comic Con 2019 Tickets

If you're late to acquiring your New York Comic Con ticket this year, you're in luck! As of this writing, Thursday badges are still available for sale at $55.

Looking for badges for the other days? The NYCC team has partnered up with Lyte to create a safe, official badge exchange/buy-back program. If you're unable to make it to NYCC for any reason, you can resell your badge and give another fan the chance to attend. If you've missed out on the badge type you want, simply put your name on Lyte's reservation list in case one becomes available instead of going to an unreliable third-party seller.

New York Comic Con 2019 Schedule: Panels and Guests

Below, you can find a schedule featuring what we here at Den of Geek consider some of this year's can't-miss panels. (For a complete run-down of NYCC 2019 panels, click here.) All times are in Eastern time and all descriptions are courtesy of New York Comic Con. Click the links for more coverage:

Thursday

A Conversation with Christopher Eccleston: 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Hop in the TARDIS for a look back at Christopher Eccleston's adventures in time and space as the Ninth Doctor! The actor will discuss his roles in both film and television including Thor: The Dark World, The Leftovers, and the beloved and long-running sci-fi series, Doctor Who. Moderated by Constance Gibbs (writer, editor: Black Girls Create, host: Who Watch: Time and Relative Blackness in Space).

Behind Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Unprecedented stagecraft. Thrilling storytelling. Magic like you’ve never seen on stage. Join members of the cast and creative team of the record-breaking stage production, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, as they come together to take a behind-the-scenes look at the “wildly imaginative continuation of J.K. Rowling’s wizardry saga” (The Hollywood Reporter). Featuring never before seen photos, videos, and live performances, take a look behind the curtain and find out what goes in to bringing the magic of the Wizarding World to life on stage, eight shows a week.

The King's Man and Free Guy: 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

20th Century Fox will be at New York Comic Con with Criminal Masterminds, British Intelligence Agents, Despondent Bank Tellers & Biker Girls for An Insider’s Look at The King’s Man and Free Guy. This panel will introduce both films and feature exclusive conversations with the cast and filmmakers. The King’s Man is Matthew Vaughn’s origin story of Britain’s very first independent intelligence agency hitting theaters in February, and Free Guy is an adventure-comedy directed by Shawn Levy starring Ryan Reynolds as a forlorn bank teller who discovers he is a background character in an open world video game, in theaters in July.

Follow our The King's Man coverage here.

Follow our Free Guy coverage here.

Jack Kirby's Warrior Women: 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

With the Eternals and New Gods movies in development, Jack Kirby is about to get red hot again. Kirby didn’t just co create much of Marvel, he developed a wide cast of women characters that have stood the test of time. What makes Kirby’s women characters like Big Barda, Jean Grey and even historical figures like Ma Barker so lasting? We’ll be looking at what works, what’s flawed and why it’s worth it. With moderator Elana Lavin (Graphic Policy), Heidi MacDonald (The Beat), Jay Justice, Cecil Castellucci (Batgirl, Female Furies), Meg Downey (Game Spot) and Adriana Melo (Female Furies).

Spider-Man Spectacular: 2:45 - 3:45 p.m.

The return of Spider-Man 2099! The hype for Ghost-Spider, Miles Morales, Mary Jane, and more! Join This Week in Marvel cohosts Ryan Penagos and Lorraine Cink for a deep dive into all things Spidey with writers Saladin Ahmed, Seanan McGuire, and Leah Williams plus artist Pat Gleason. Hold onto your butts for news, reveals, swag, and more!

DC Meet the Publishers: 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Join DC Publishers Dan DiDio and Jim Lee as they dish the latest news on the World’s Greatest Super-Heroes! Filled with humor, breaking news and even the occasional superstar surprise guests, this panel is the place to be to find out what’s in store for your favorite DC heroes and villains!

The Grudge: 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Sony Pictures Presents: The Grudge: A reimagining of the horror classic. Appearing in person--- Sam Raimi, Betty Gilpin, Lin Shaye, Nicolas Pesce, and Andrea Riseborough.

Follow our The Grudge coverage here.

1917: 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Sam Mendes, the Academy Award-winning director of Skyfall, Spectre, and American Beauty, legendary Academy Award winning cinematographer Roger Deakins and more take you behind the scenes of their thrilling new epic, 1917, about two young British soldiers on an impossible mission, in a race against time, to cross enemy territory and deliver a message that will stop a deadly attack.

Follow our 1917 coverage here.

DC World's Finest: 5:15 - 6:15 p.m.

Be sure to drop in on this panel to hear from DC’s hottest talent about their latest works and how they’re making DC and The World’s Greatest Super Heroes the home for fans of great superhero storytelling worldwide! The creative talent behind some of DC’s most popular characters are on hand to give behind the scenes details on their stories and how they put their own unique voices to the heroes and villains that DC fans have come to know and love (and hate)!

Big Mouth: 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.

Get comfortable being uncomfortable with your favorite puberty-driven animated series Big Mouth! Join Nick Kroll and cast, along with executive producers as they take on NYCC with hilarious clips and commentary from the highly-anticipated third season. Filled with complicated friendships, hormone monsters, musical numbers, and everything in between, Big Mouth is bringing its most heartwarming and raunchy moments to Comic-Con with a super-sized panel not to be missed.

Follow our Big Mouth coverage here.

Servant: 8:00 - 9:00 p.m.

An exclusive event with master storyteller M. Night Shyamalan as he introduces Servant, a new psychological thriller series coming to Apple TV+. Servant follows a Philadelphia couple in mourning after an unspeakable tragedy creates a rift in their marriage and opens the door for a mysterious force to enter their home. Please join M. Night Shyamalan, Tony Basgallop, and the cast including Lauren Ambrose, Toby Kebbell, Nell Tiger Free, and Rupert Grint.

Follow our Servant coverage here.

Friday

Harley Quinn Pop-Up Gallery: All-day

This fun, interactive exhibit at the Hudson Yards Loft, just steps away from the Javits Center, will invite fans to experience the evolution of DC’s most delightfully deranged Super-Villain. From her first comic book appearance to her upcoming animated series and her next big-screen adventure, get a sneak peek at all things Harley Quinn including special edition cover art, original and exclusive art from the new animated series as well as model sheets, sketches, collectibles, props, costumes and more. The exhibit will feature art by Amanda Conner, Jim Lee and Bruce Timm, among others. No badges, tickets or reservations required!

Billy Dee Williams Spotlight: 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

He went from smuggler and gambler to war hero and general and now he takes over NYCC! Join Lando Calrissian himself Billy Dee Williams as he recounts his time as the loveable rogue and his return to the Star Wars franchise. Moderated by Derek Maki.

Tor Books - Magic and Mayhem: 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

2019 is the year for breaking all the rules. Gone are the days of simple good-versus-evil narratives; these are complicated times that call for complicated characters. Pop culture has clearly shifted its attention to the messy, the morally ambiguous, and the weird. In short, fans want magic, and they want mayhem. Magic X Mayhem features an eclectic mix of daring new speculative fiction authors and new voices from Tor Books and Tor.com Publishing. Come join Annalee Newitz (The Future of Another Timeline), V.E. Schwab (Threads of Power), Charlotte Nicole Davis (The Good Luck Girls), Tochi Onyebuchi (Riot Baby), and Myke Cole (The Killing Light) as they discuss how they are breaking traditional rules of genre fiction - and how magic and mayhem live in both fantasy and science fiction realms and the real world alike. Moderated by Lauren Shippen, creator of the Bright Sessions podcast and author of The Infinite Noise.

Lord of the Rings Movie Reunion: 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

They’re taking the hobbits to NYCC! Join Billy Boyd (Pippin) and Sean Astin (Sam) as they share their stories from the epic Lord of the Rings trilogy. Moderated by Clare Kramer (Buffy the Vampire Slayer).

World of Capcom: 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Capcom’s been on a monstrous roll of acclaimed titles from some of the most popular video game franchises in the industry. Join moderator Mike Lunn (Capcom) and special development team members all the way from Capcom Japan for updates and announcements on the company’s latest games!

Pokémon 20th Anniversary: 12:15 - 1:15 p.m.

Catch Veronica Taylor at NYCC! Celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Pokemon with the actress who voiced Ash and May for over 8 seasons. Hear more about her career and how to be the very best!

Star Wars Books: 12:15 - 1:15 p.m.

New York Times bestselling author Matthew Reinhart and his frequent collaborator Kevin M. Wilson are joined by fellow authors Chelsea Monroe-Cassell and Marc Sumerc to discuss the creation of some of the most anticipated Star Wars books of 2019. Hear how Star Wars: The Ultimate Popup Galaxy, Secrets Of The Jedi and Galaxy's Edge: The Official Black Spire Cookbook were imagined and created.

DC Nation: 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

For more than 80 years DC has built a storytelling legacy full of iconic characters, immersive experiences and memorable tales that have thrilled and inspired generations. Spend some time with the voices behind these incredible stories and hear about their plans to continue this hallowed tradition at DC.

Resident Alien: 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

Be the first to see Alan Tudyk (Firefly, Rogue One) as an alien in SYFY’s upcoming comedy series! Join Alan, along with cast members Sara Tomko (Once Upon A Time) and Corey Reynolds (The Closer), and writer/executive producer Chris Sheridan (Family Guy) for the world premiere screening of Resident Alien’s first episode, followed by a special Q&A. The series, based on the Dark Horse comic, follows a stranded alien’s attempts to fit into small town American life while continuing to pursue his own mysterious agenda.

Follow our Resident Alien coverage here.

Marvel Cup o' Joe: 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

Join Marvel’s Chief Creative Officer Joe Quesada and special guests as they look back across decades of Marvel history and share their personal experiences from some of the most defining moments in the Marvel Universe! Don’t miss this intimate behind-the-scenes look at some of your favorite Marvel characters and stories. PLUS - attendees of the panel will receive an exclusive variant comic to be announced!

My Hero Academia: 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

Join Funimation as they discuss the hit anime series, My Hero Academia, with the English voice actors Justin Briner (Deku), Ricco Fajardo (Mirio), Kellen Goff (Overhaul), Justin Cook (Kirishima), and Colleen Clinkenbeard (ADR Director/Yaoyorozu). Prepare to go Plus Ultra! with a special Season 4 screening, a Q&A with guests, giveaways and more.

Follow our My Hero Academia coverage here.

Lucasfilm Publishing: 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

Storytellers from all over the galaxy come together to talk about what's next for Lucasfilm Publishing, including new & upcoming titles, as well as exciting reveals and announcements that will impact Star Wars publishing for years to come.

Are You Afraid of the Dark?: 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.

Just in time for Halloween, let’s celebrate the return of the Midnight Society! Light the campfire and grab the Midnight Dust, because we’re telling you the tale of how Nickelodeon’s iconic horror series has been reimagined for a new generation. Featuring stars Lyliana Wray (Top Gun: Maverick), Sam Ashe Arnold (Best. Worst. Weekend. Ever.), Miya Cech (Rim of the World), Jeremy Ray Taylor (It Chapter Two) and Rafael Casal (Blindspotting). Writer/executive producer BenDavid Grabinski and executive producer Matt Kaplan will also be on hand to share stories from the making of the limited series and show an exclusive clip.

Follow our Are You Afraid of the Dark? coverage here.

Marvel Games Panel: 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Get an inside look at the latest and greatest from Marvel Games! Attendees will see exciting new content from Marvel's Iron Man VR and Marvel's Avengers, with many unannounced surprises and panel exclusives. Host Angelique Roche (Marvel’s Voices) and Josh Saleh (Marvel’s Let’s Play) will be joined by Bill Rosemann (VP & Creative Director, Marvel Games) and other special guests from titles throughout the Marvel Games family!

Rick Baker Spotlight: 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Rick Baker is the winner of seven Academy Awards and is credited with revolutionizing makeup effects in the movie industry with some of the most celebrated monster and creature creations ever to grace the silver screen. His credits include An American Werewolf in London, Harry and the Hendersons, Michael Jackson’s Thriller, and the Men in Black franchise, on which he collaborated with Emmy-nominated actor Vincent D’Onofrio, star of such film and television hits as Full Metal Jacket, Ed Wood, The Cell, and Daredevil.

Marvel Comics - Next Big Thing: 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

From War of the Realms to House of X to Absolute Carnage, 2019 was jam-packed with all-new thrilling tales – but what’s next for the Marvel Universe? Editor-in-Chief C.B. Cebulski, Donny Cates (Absolute Carnage, Guardians of the Galaxy), Al Ewing (Immortal Hulk, Marvel Comics #1000), and Dan Slott (Fantastic Four, Tony Stark: Iron Man) are here to tell you! What universe redefining events will Incoming lead to in the coming year? And – what other senses-shattering stories loom on the horizon at the House of Ideas? Find out in this can’t-miss panel!

Archie Comics 80th Anniversary: 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Welcome to Riverdale, a small town filled with adventure, horror and excitement! Join your pals and gals from Archie Comics for exclusive breaking news, announcements, and a Q&A about your favorite comic book characters! Plus, get a peek ahead at Riverdale Season 4 on The CW, Katy Keene, and Netflix’s Chilling Adventure of Sabrina!

DC Wonder Comics: 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Curated by best-selling writer Brian Michael Bendis, DC’s Wonder Comics imprint has released to both critical and fan acclaim, combining new takes on characters from DC’s past with all-new heroes, all of whom are now part of DC’s ever-expanding continuity. Find out first hand how Bendis talked them into going on this wild ride, and what’s next on the horizon for this pop-up imprint!

All Elite Wrestling: 4:15 - 5:15 p.m.

All Elite Wrestling (AEW) is giving fans a new wrestling experience for the first time in 20 years. AEW is about more than wrestling. It’s a movement fueled by fans, offering fun, gripping and authentic athletic matches every week. AEW’s diverse roster of world-class wrestlers is poised to bring a new spirit, freshness and energy to wrestling. Join Chris Jericho, Jon Moxley, Brandi Rhodes, Awesome Kong (Kia Stevens), Nyla Rose and Jungle Boy (Jack Perry) for a ringside view of the revolution on TNT this fall.

Adult Swim's Primal: 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Emmy-winning creator, Genndy Tartakovsky (Dexter's Laboratory, Samurai Jack), brings his newest and most daring work to NYCC. This half-hour new series follows a caveman at the dawn of evolution and a dinosaur on the brink of extinction. Bonded by tragedy, this unlikely friendship becomes the only hope of survival in a violent, primordial world. Genndy Tartakovsky’s Primal roars to life in a 5-night special event, starting Monday, October 7th at midnight (ET/PT) on Adult Swim.

Follow our Adult Swim's Primal coverage here.

Paul Reubens Spotlight: 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

He’s a loner, Dottie. A rebel. Join us in celebrating the career of one of comedy’s most beloved characters, Pee-wee Herman!

Marvel's Runaways: 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.

Marvel’s Runaways is headed back to Madison Square Garden with an action-packed panel you won’t want to miss! Be the first to experience the premiere episode of the highly-anticipated third season with the stars and creative forces of Marvel’s Runaways. After the exclusive screening, join Jeph Loeb, Head of Marvel Television, along with the cast and executive producers, to discuss what’s to come in season three. All episodes of Marvel’s Runaways season three drop on Friday, December 13th only on Hulu.

Follow our Marvel's Runaways coverage here.

Batman '89 30th Anniversay: 8:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Join Michael Uslan, the Originator and Executive Producer of the Batman movie franchise (as well as Executive Producer of Joker) as we celebrate this revolutionary film that changed Hollywood and the world culture! He’ll be presenting an extended version of his TED Talk on the ten year human endurance contest to get the first ever dark and serious super-hero feature film made. Q&A to follow along with the first trailer that staggered the media and changed the perception of fandom and the world!

Saturday

Angel 20th Anniversary: 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.

On October 5, 1999 Angel, the incredible spin-off from Buffy the Vampire Slayer debuted. On October 5, 2019 we reassemble the cast on the stage of the Hammerstein Theater to honor a truly groundbreaking show on its 20th Anniversary. Moderated by Clare Kramer (Buffy the Vampire Slayer).

DC Year of the Villain: 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.

What happens when the villains of the DC universe finally got the upper hand? What kind of chaos will entail? Join the brains behind DC’s Year of The Villain as they take you on this twist of heroism and see what’s to come for the future of our favorite DC heroes. It’s looking pretty evil right now!

The Walking Dead Universe: 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

The Walking Dead is a story that started 10 years ago with one man trying to find his family. That family grew and gradually communities took shape. They fought and survived, thrived and gave birth to a new generation. Season 10 picks up a few months from where we left off, with the collected communities still dealing with the after effects of Alpha and the Whisperers horrific display of power, reluctantly respecting the new borderlines being imposed on them, all while organizing themselves into a militia-style fight force, preparing for a battle that may be unavoidable. The Whisperers are a threat unlike any they have ever faced, and the very idea of whether civilization can survive in a world filled with the dead hangs in the balance. The series’ milestone 10th season returns on October 6.

The Expanse: 10:45 a.m - 12:00 p.m.

The Expanse will host a world premiere screening of the first episode from the Amazon Prime Video series’ highly-anticipated fourth season! Season 4 marks a new chapter for the crew of the Rocinante, as they join the land rush and embark on a U.N. mission to explore the newly discovered, Earth-like planets that exist beyond the Ring Gate. The first planet to be settled, Ilus, is one rich with natural resources, but it’s also scarred by the ruins of a long dead alien civilization. While Earthers, Martians and Belters maneuver to colonize Ilus and its natural resources, tensions rise between the opposing nations, but these early explorers don’t understand the true threat of this new world and are unaware of the larger dangers that await them. Following the premiere screening, join the series stars and showrunner for an in-depth conversation and exciting updates about what fans can expect when the new season launches on Amazon Prime Video on December 13th.

Follow our The Expanse coverage here.

Jack Ryan: 12:00 - 1:15 p.m.

Join stars and producers from Amazon Prime Video’s Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan for a world premiere screening and a Q&A session on the Javits Main Stage.

Follow our Jack Ryan coverage here.

Snowpiercer: 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Set more than seven years after the world has become a frozen wasteland, Snowpiercer centers on the remnants of humanity, who inhabit a 1001 car, perpetually-moving train that circles the globe. Class warfare, social injustice and the politics of survival play out in this riveting television adaptation, produced by Tomorrow Studios, based on the acclaimed movie and graphic novel series of the same name. TBS offers a brand-new sneak peek of the highly anticipated post-apocalyptic sci-fi thriller along with a panel featuring stars Jennifer Connelly, Daveed Diggs, Alison Wright, Mickey Sumner, Lena Hall, Sheila Vand, Steven Ogg and EP / showrunner Graeme Manson.

Follow our Snowpiercer coverage here.

Lincoln: 12:15 - 1:15 p.m.

Universal Television presents NBC’s new drama, Lincoln at New York Comic Con 2019. Inspired by the best-selling book The Bone Collector, former NYPD detective and forensic genius, Lincoln Rhyme, joins forces with intuitive young officer, Amelia Sachs, to crack the city's most confounding cases as they also race to take down the enigmatic Bone Collector who brought them together. Join the cast and executive producers of Lincoln for a Q&A session.

Follow our Lincoln coverage here.

Star Trek: Discovery: 1:00 - 1:45 p.m.

Over 50 years ago, the world was first introduced to what would quickly become a cultural phenomenon for the ages. Star Trek broke barriers then and continues to do so now, inspiring people of all generations and walks of life with its celebration of cultural diversity, scientific exploration and the pursuit of uncharted frontiers. Today, the Star Trek universe continues to thrive, exploring all new missions for Starfleet. CBS All Access invites you to join Sonequa Martin-Green, cast and producers of its hit Star Trek series including Star Trek: Discovery and Sir Patrick Stewart, cast and producers from the highly anticipated Star Trek: Picard.

Follow our Star Trek: Discovery coverage here.

Devs: 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

From visionary screenwriter/director/filmmaker Alex Garland (Ex Machina, Annihilation) comes FX’s Devs, a high-tech suspense thriller about a young software engineer who investigates the secretive development division of her employer, which she believes is behind the murder of her boyfriend. Please join Alex Garland and cast for an exclusive sneak peek and must-see conversation about this electrifying new limited series. Devs premieres on FX in 2020.

Follow our Devs coverage here.

Star Wars Books Panel: 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

New York Times bestselling author Matthew Reinhart and his frequent collaborator Kevin M. Wilson are joined by fellow authors Chelsea Monroe-Cassell and Marc Sumerc to discuss the creation of some of the most anticipated Star Wars books of 2019. Hear how Star Wars: The Ultimate Popup Galaxy, Secrets Of The Jedi and Galaxy's Edge: The Official Black Spire Cookbook were imagined and created.

Star Trek: Picard: 1:45 - 2:30 p.m.

Over 50 years ago, the world was first introduced to what would quickly become a cultural phenomenon for the ages. Star Trek broke barriers then and continues to do so now, inspiring people of all generations and walks of life with its celebration of cultural diversity, scientific exploration and the pursuit of uncharted frontiers. Today, the Star Trek universe continues to thrive, exploring all new missions for Starfleet. CBS All Access invites you to join Sonequa Martin-Green, cast and producers of its hit Star Trek series including Star Trek: Discovery and Sir Patrick Stewart, cast and producers from the highly anticipated Star Trek: Picard.

Follow our Star Trek: Picard coverage here.

Lost in Space: 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Danger, New York Comic Con! The Robinson family is back, but have you seen our Robot? Get an exclusive first look at Season 2 of Netflix’s visually-stunning, epic family adventure, Lost in Space, before the series returns later this year! Separated from The Resolute and stranded on a new mysterious, exotic and toxic planet the Robinson family, alongside the conniving Dr. Smith, charismatic Don West and... of course... Debbie the Chicken, must work together to find their way back to the mothership and Will’s beloved Robot. Join the cast as they unveil a sneak peek and break down what’s to come on their great adventure through space in season two.

Follow our Lost in Space coverage here.

Marvel Fanfare with CB Cebulski: 2:15 - 3:15 p.m.

This is your chance to meet the head of editorial at Marvel! In an exclusive and intimate panel experience, Editor-in-Chief C.B. Cebulski, along with living legend Chris Claremont, will talk about anything and everything involved with Marvel Comics. Who were their favorite characters as kids – and have their favorites changed? Who is on Chris’ dream team of X-Men? Ask these questions and more in the Q&A! Plus – attendees will receive an exclusive Absolute Carnage: Miles Morales #2 cover featuring a CLASSIFIED image that you won’t be able to get anywhere else!

Tacoma FD: 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.

After lighting up movie screens with films like Super Troopers, Club Dread and Beerfest, Broken Lizard’s Kevin Heffernan and Steve Lemme have translated their brand of comedy to the small screen with Tacoma FD, a new breakout comedy on truTV about the fun and hijinks that take place inside a firehouse in one of the wettest cities in America. Join Heffernan and Lemme -- along with series co-stars Eugene Cordero (Black Monday, The Good Place), Marcus Henderson (Snowfall, Get Out), Gabriel Hogan (Condor) and Hassie Harrison (Southbound, The Iron Orchard) -- as they reveal all of the “behind-the-mustache” secrets about making films, the genesis of their first TV series, what happened when they met the REAL Tacoma FD and what’s on tap for Season 2!

Follow our Tacoma FD coverage here.

Castle Rock: 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

J.J. Abrams and Stephen King’s hit psychological horror series returns! Set in the Stephen King multiverse, Castle Rock combines the mythological scale and intimate storytelling of King’s best-loved works, weaving an epic saga of darkness and light, played out on a few square miles of Maine forestland. In season two, a feud between warring clans comes to a boil when budding psychopath Annie Wilkes, Stephen King’s nurse from hell, gets waylaid in Castle Rock. Panelists include series stars Lizzy Caplan, Tim Robbins, Paul Sparks, Yusra Warsama, Barkhad Abdi, Matthew Alan and Elsie Fisher, along with co-creator and showrunner Dustin Thomason. Castle Rock premieres Wednesday, October 23, only on Hulu.

Follow our Castle Rock coverage here.

Full Frontal Election 2020: 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

Since 2016, Full Frontal with Samantha Bee has been leading the late-night zeitgeist of political satire and social commentary with new inventive delivery, formats, and technology! Just before this landmark Emmy-winning show premiered, Samantha took to the NYCC stage to give a special sneak peek of her show for the NYCC audience in fall 2015. Now four years later, she is excited to return to NYCC with a panel that will tease next year’s biggest blockbuster yet: “Election 2020,” as well as give Con goers an exclusive look at her newest mobile game, which is themed around next year's presidential election.

X-Men Dawn of X: 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.

The Dawn of X is about to break! Join Editor-in-Chief C.B. Cebulski, Senior Editor Jordan D. White, and merry mutants Ed Brisson (New Mutants), Tini Howard (Excalibur), and Benjamin Percy (X-Force) on NYCC’s Main Stage in a discussion about the revolutionary new status quo for the X-Men. Plus – be the first to hear exciting new announcements for the Children of the Atom! Stay until the end of the panel to receive an exclusive variant cover version of Powers of X #5, featuring a stunning Dawn of X-inspired image by Arthur Adams!

Harley Quinn in Comics: 5:15 - 6:15 p.m.

Harley Quinn continues to have an important role in the DC Publishing line. She’ll be celebrated at the convention with a panel, hosted by Damian Holbrook, and featuring writers and artists currently working on the following titles that will be promoted at NYCC (Room 1A21).

Outlander: 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Join the creators and cast of the hit STARZ Original Series for a discussion on the series so far and what is to come in Season Five.

Follow our Outlander coverage here.

Wynonna Earp: 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Don’t stop Earping! SYFY’s hit series and the 2018 People’s Choice Award Winner for Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy Show is back and better than ever. Join show creator Emily Andras, with cast members Melanie Scrofano, Dominique Provost-Chalkley and Katherine Barrell as they look back at favorite moments in the series and discuss the upcoming fourth season. Hell yeah, Earpers!

Follow our Wynonna Earp coverage here.

DC House of Horrors: 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

From Sandman, House of Secrets, House of Mystery and Weird War Tales, to the creature feature suspense of Swamp Thing and the esoteric terror of Animal Man, DC’s fantasy, supernatural and horror comics have kept readers’ hearts pounding and fear thriving. Now is your chance to meet a new generation of DC horror creators as they discuss their plans for the next era of the macabre. Come learn how these writers and artists will build on a legacy of terror and new nightmares.

Castlevania: 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Get an in-depth look into Frederator Studio's Castlevania - the hit Netflix Anime Original Series - with members of the cast and the creative team!

Follow our Castlevania coverage here.

Reprisal: 7:00 - 8:15 p.m.

From the executive producer of The Handmaid’s Tale, comes Hulu’s new drama series Reprisal. Premiering at New York Comic Con, the hyper-noir story follows a relentless femme fatale (Abigail Spencer) who, after being left for dead, sets out to take revenge against her brother and his bombastic gang of gearheads. The thriller examines the intricacies of family – both the one you’re born with, and the one you make along the way. The series stars Abigail Spencer, Rodrigo Santoro, Mena Massoud, Rhys Wakefield, Madison Davenport, Gilbert Owuor, David Dastmalchian, W. Earl Brown, Craig Tate, Wavyy Jonez, Shane Callahan, and Rory Cochrane. All episodes of Reprisal will premiere on Friday, December 6th.

Sunday

Riverdale: 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Special Video Presentation and Q&A –– Now that the Gargoyle King has been revealed, The Black Hood is dead and Hiram is in jail, can Archie and the gang have a normal senior year? Riverdale returns for its second appearance at New York Comic Con, to discuss the new mysteries of season four, including the shocking finale flash forward and what it means for Jughead and the others. Join us for a special video presentation followed by a Q&A with series stars Mädchen Amick, Marisol Nichols, Mark Consuelos and Skeet Ulrich and executive producer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa. Riverdale’s season four returns October 9, airing Wednesdays at 8/7c on The CW.

Follow our Riverdale coverage here.

Impulse: 11:00 - 11:50 a.m.

Special Video Presentation and Q&A –– The critically acclaimed series Impulse is back for season 2. Join a panel with director Doug Liman (Jumper, The Bourne Identity), showrunner Lauren LeFranc (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D) and stars Missi Pyle (Dodgeball, Galaxy Quest), Callum Keith Rennie (Jessica Jones, The Man in the High Castle, Battlestar Galactica) and Maddie Hasson (God Bless America, Twisted) as they take you through the suspenseful sci-fi drama and have the chance to watch never before seen footage.

Follow our Impulse coverage here.

Manifest: 11:35 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Special Video Presentation and Q&A –– Last season’s breakout hit drama returns with more heart-pounding mystery and answers to some of last season’s biggest questions! When Montego Air Flight 828 landed safely in New York after a turbulent but routine flight, the crew and passengers were relieved. Yet in the span of those few hours, the world had aged five years and their friends, families and colleagues, after mourning their loss, had given up hope and moved on. Now, faced with the impossible, they’re all given a second chance. Join the series cast and executive producer/creator Jeff Rake, as they delve even further into the mystery of Flight 828, and offer a special sneak peek at some exclusive new footage! Manifest���s second season will air midseason on NBC.

Follow our Manifest coverage here.

Roswell, New Mexico: 12:15 - 1:00 p.m.

Special Video Presentation and Q&A –– Following the shocking season one finale, where Max used his powers to resurrect Rosa while not realizing that he was sacrificing his own life in the process, join Roswell, New Mexico as it returns for its second appearance at New York Comic Con! In season two, Liz mourns her lost love by seeking comfort in science, both earthly and extraterrestrial, as Rosa turns to Kyle to help her find her place in the unfamiliar territory of 2019. In their grief, Isobel explores potentially dangerous methods of self-defense, and Michael spirals into some old bad habits, putting his relationships with Maria and Alex at risk. Join us for a special video presentation followed by a Q&A with series stars Jeanine Mason, Nathan Dean Parsons, Michael Vlamis, Lily Cowles and Tyler Blackburn and executive producers Carina Adly MacKenzie, Chris Hollier and Julie Plec. Roswell, New Mexico will return midseason on The CW.

Follow our Roswell, New Mexico coverage here.

She-Ra: 12:15 - 1:15 p.m.

Join cast and creators for a discussion of the hit animated series.

Follow our She-Ra coverage here.

The Dragon Prince: 12:15 - 1:15 p.m.

Creators Aaron Ehasz and Justin Richmond and Senior Writer Neil Mukhopadhyay give you insider information into their plans for the future: including an exclusive sneak peak of season 3 of The Dragon Prince, as well as a discussion about how everything fits into this grand, emerging saga. You'll see some never before seen exclusive Dragon Prince content and there will be a special gift for everyone who attends!

Follow our The Dragon Prince coverage here.

Women of Marvel: 12:15 - 1:45 p.m.

From comics to games, animation and more, the Women of Marvel assemble to celebrate nerddom and all the people who help make it great! Join the conversation as some of the best talent in the industry discuss the creative process, working in entertainment, and what they’ve got planned next.

Harley Quinn Original Animated Series Sneakpeek: 1:05 p.m.

Fans will get a chance to catch an early look at DC Universe’s adult animated action-comedy series Harley Quinn at The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden.

Follow our Harley Quinn coverage here.

Batwoman: 1:30 - 2:45 p.m.

Pilot Screening and Q&A –– Armed with a passion for social justice and a flair for speaking her mind, Kate Kane soars onto the streets of Gotham as Batwoman, an out lesbian and highly trained street fighter primed to snuff out the failing city’s criminal resurgence. But don’t call her a hero yet. In a city desperate for a savior, Kate must overcome her own demons before embracing the call to be Gotham’s symbol of hope. Join cast and producers for a screening of the pilot, followed by a Q&A. From executive producers Greg Berlanti (Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl), Caroline Dries (The Vampire Diaries, Smallville), Geoff Johns (Arrow, The Flash, Titans) and Sarah Schechter (Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl). The cast includes Ruby Rose (Orange Is the New Black, The Meg, XXX: Return of Xander Cage), Rachel Skarsten (Reign, Fifty Shades of Grey, Lost Girl), Meagan Tandy (Survivor’s Remorse, UnREAL, Teen Wolf), Nicole Kang (You), Camrus Johnson (Luke Cage, The Sun Is Also a Star), Elizabeth Anweis (Twin Peaks) and Dougray Scott (Taken 3, Hitman, Mission: Impossible 2). Marcos Siega (You, God Friended Me, Blindspot) directed the pilot, for which he also served as executive producer alongside David Nutter (Game of Thrones, Arrow, The Flash). Batwoman premieres October 6, airing Sundays at 8/7c on The CW.

Follow our Batwoman coverage here.

Batman Beyond 20th Anniversary: 1:45 - 2:45 p.m.

Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, Batman Beyond won two Emmy Awards and three Annie Awards as it captured the imaginations of a new generation of Batman fans, setting new standards for super hero storytelling with innovative designs, outstanding voice acting and an intriguing approach to DC’s iconic characters and stories. The series also spawned an acclaimed animated film, Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker. Come celebrate the series’ 20th anniversary and its upcoming remastered Blu-ray box set release with key members of the Batman Beyond creative team, led by the voices of Batman & Terry McGinnis – Kevin Conroy (Batman: The Animated Series) and Will Friedle (Boy Meets World, Kim Possible). Batman Beyond: The Complete Series Deluxe Limited Edition box set arrives from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment on Digital starting October 15, 2019 and in a stunning Blu-ray box set on October 29, 2019.

Nancy Drew: 2:00 - 3:15 p.m.

Nancy Drew is a brilliant teenaged detective whose sense of self had come from solving mysteries in her hometown of Horseshoe Bay, Maine – until her mother’s untimely death derails Nancy’s college plans. Devastated by her mother’s passing, Nancy swears off crime-solving but when a socialite is murdered, Nancy finds herself embroiled in a ghostly murder investigation. A supernatural presence begins to haunt Nancy’s investigation and she discovers that the current crime has an astonishing connection to the unsolved murder of a local girl. Whether the ghost is here to help, or hinder Nancy remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure: Nancy’s going to have to unravel the clues from both the living and the dead to solve the crimes. Please join series stars and executive producers for a sneak peek of the first episode followed by a panel discussion. Nancy Drew will air Wednesdays this fall on The CW.

Follow our Nancy Drew coverage here.

The Orville: 3:15 - 4:15 p.m.

Emmy-nominated series The Orville is back for season 3 and heading to New York! Join the dynamic crew of the U.S.S. Orville: Adrianne Palicki, Penny Johnson Jerald, Scott Grimes, Peter Macon, Jessica Szohr, J Lee, Mark Jackson & Chad L. Coleman and Executive Producers David A. Goodman, Jon Cassar & Brannon Braga to celebrate the show and learn about its exciting, new adventures on Hulu!

Follow our The Orville coverage here.

Charmed: 3:30 - 4:45 p.m.

The much-anticipated reboot of the iconic series Charmed is back for its second season and our Charmed Ones are thrust into a New World Order unlike anything they’ve ever imagined. After the tragic loss of their mother, three sisters came together to discover they are formidable witches, and under the guidance of their Whitelighter Harry, the Power of Three successfully stopped the impending apocalypse. But saving the world is a tall order, especially when you’re not even sure what your place is in that world and now the whole magical community is looking to you. Between vanquishing supernatural demons, tearing down the patriarchy and maintaining familial bonds, a witch's work is never done. Please join series stars Melonie Diaz, Madeleine Mantock, Sarah Jeffery, Rupert Evans and showrunners Liz Kruger and Craig Shapiro for an exclusive sneak peek of the season 2 premiere of The CW series followed by a panel discussion. Charmed airs Fridays on The CW.

Follow our Charmed coverage here.

We'll update this with more info as it becomes available!

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Sep 30, 2019

NYCC

NYCC 2019

from Books https://ift.tt/2n1fTfl

[aboutcaseyaffleck]

Q&A: Casey Affleck goes under a sheet for ‘A Ghost Story’

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Casey Affleck plays the ghost in the new David Lowery film, “A Ghost Story.” For most of the movie, expanding wide Friday, he’s silent and cloaked in a white sheet with eye holes cut out as he returns to his home to look in on his still-living partner played by Rooney Mara. It’s a weird, wild, sometimes funny and breathtakingly gorgeous film that will leave you thinking about the big ideas of love, life, eternity.

Affleck, coming off of a best actor win for “Manchester by the Sea” and an awards season marred by intense public scrutiny around a past civil sexual harassment lawsuit, is dipping his toes back in the spotlight to promote the film. He spoke to The Associated Press about his year and moving on.

This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.

AP: Congratulations on “A Ghost Story.” It is not a scary film per se, but it has truly haunted me. AFFLECK: It’s been great how much people have responded to it. Usually you have some sense of what a movie is going to be and this is probably the film that turned out most differently than what I expected.

AP: The ghost costume you have to wear is incredible. AFFLECK: I can’t think of another single costume in another movie where so much of the movie depended on it working. The sheet looks simple but it wasn’t just a sheet and it was hard to get it to look that way. It was a perfect balance of not being exactly scary, but not seeming silly and also not seeming slapdash.

AP: How did they convince you to be in a movie where you are acting through a sheet most of the time? AFFLECK: I may be unusual, I can’t say for sure in this regard, but when I heard that I was like, “I’m totally in.” The idea of being hidden somehow was so appealing to me. And David doesn’t have to persuade me. I have so much fun working with him and Rooney and his producers. It was a three-second conversation.

AP: People have really latched on to that long take of Rooney eating the pie. AFFLECK: There was quite a bit of build up to that. What kind of pie is it going to be? Where is the pie coming from? Who is making the pie? Rooney had strangely never eaten a pie which is the weirdest thing. There are lots of things I haven’t eaten, but you’d think a pie is something you’d have come across at some point.

AP: It’s a fairly contemplative film, do you think it has a broader audience than just cinephiles? AFFLECK: I don’t really consider myself a cinephile. I have pretty mainstream tastes. I have an appetite for some difficult movies like Tarkovsky movies or Bela Tarr movies. But I also kind of really just love “World War Z” too. And I love this movie. I think it’s really, really moving and romantic and sweet and full of ideas that I wasn’t really aware of. A good movie tends to bring out all of these ideas from other things that you read and this movie does that in a way that’s really accessible. I don’t think it’s a weird, esoteric, experimental art house movie at all. It’s very touching, just not dumbed down.

AP: You’ve worked with David three times now, what do you think his future holds? bI think he’s one of our most interesting directors. I would bet that he has a very long career marked by very different types of movies in the same vein as the Coen brothers or Stanley Kubrick. And I bet, just like those guys, there will be a few masterpieces in there.

AP: And you’re directing a feature now too called “Light of My Life”? AFFLECK: Just finished a first cut. It’s torture. You have to sit there with something you wrote, acted in, were there every day directing. You see the first (cut) and think, “Wow, I’ve made one of the worst movies of all time.” I’ve been reassured by directors who I really love who make great movies that that’s always their experience too.

AP: Finally, the year was coupled with both a professional high in your best actor win and intense public scrutiny of you personally. Do you have any reflections on that experience? AFFLECK: There were very high moments and there were some difficult challenges. Winning an Oscar was such a high it was an out of body experience. I was genuinely honored by that and the other awards for “Manchester.” Publicizing a movie is, you know, something that I’m used to. That’s part of my job and I have no complaints talking about the work. The challenges of being spoken about personally in the media were very sobering and they really hurt, especially my family which is what I really cared about. And it was confusing because it was all so at odds with my core values. The more kindness and compassion we can find for all people, the better all our lives will be. And I believe harassment of any kind is completely unacceptable. Bullying and mistreatment of anyone is totally abhorrent. Everyone should be treated with respect in the workplace and anywhere else. That’s what I teach my kids and it’s how I try to live my life. However, I couldn’t and can’t talk about it as it related to me because everyone involved signed something saying we wouldn’t talk about it and that it has been settled to the mutual satisfaction of all parties. That’s all we can say. So I am just trying to move on. Period. Ultimately, I am really glad that there’s a heightened cultural awareness around those issues. I took my kids to the Women’s March in Vancouver where I was working and there were a lot of people there. It was a family event and I got the sense that this generation of kids growing up, my own included, are going to be filled with a sense of activist empowerment and they’re going to be loud voices for social justice. I think that that might be the silver lining.

[gokinjeespot]

off the rack #1222

Monday, July 23, 2018

 The rains finally came. I hope it's enough to save farmers' crops. Now we don't have to worry as much about wild fires like what's happening in northwest Ontario and parts of BC. We have friends living close to both fires and I'm worried they may be in danger.

 Kick-Ass #6 - Mark Millar (writer) John Romita Jr. (pencils) Peter Steigerwald (digital inks & colours) John Workman (letters). An unbelievable getaway concludes this story. I was very happy with the way this ended. Mrs. Lee's story continues on September 19.

 Runaways #11 - Rainbow Rowell (writer) Kris Anka (art) Matthew Wilson (colours) VC's Joe Caramagna (letters). This is a good issue to start with if you want a very good comic book about family. There's no big super villain threat or world shattering event, just the kids trying to live their odd lives and loving each other. I want to be Molly's granddad.

 The Life of Captain Marvel #1 - Margaret Stohl (writer) Marguerite Sauvage (art flashbacks) Carlos Pacheco (pencils present day) Rafael Fonteriz (inks present day) Marcio Menyz (colours) VC's Clayton Cowles (letters). It's time to give Carol Danvers another crack at the racks with this new book. Marvel's Captain Marvel has come a long way since the Kree in the green costume first hit the racks in 1967. The original was named Mar-Vell and was a Kree soldier so the super hero name was a no brainer. It was a big deal for me when Mar-Vell died of cancer. That story by Jim Starlin was a milestone. Carol Danvers has had many transformations since she first appeared soon after Mar-Vell did. She went from being Ms. Marvel (1977) to Binary (1982) to Warbird (1998) and finally to Captain Marvel (2012). Lots of costume changes too. I vaguely remember Carol receiving her super powers and taking on the mantle of Captain Marvel and now she is even starring in her own Marvel movie hitting theatres next spring. There's a rich history if you want to go back and read those old stories but the creative team did a splendid job of starting this new series off with all you need to know to see what Captain Marvel and especially Carol Danvers is all about. I like the new costume. Still not a fan of the sash.

 Batman #51 - Tom King (writer) Lee Weeks (art) Elizabeth Breitweiser (colours) Clayton Cowles (letters). Cold Days part 1. I laughed when I got to the final panel. Saw that coming when the jury started their deliberations. So forget the wedding that wasn't. This new story is the murder trial of Mr. Freeze. He is accused of killing three women and it was the Batman that had him arrested. Guess who got called in for jury duty? Two things tickled my fancy. Lee drew the prosecutor looking like a certain blind attorney and with Bruce Wayne sequestered someone has to keep Gotham City's criminal element fearful. Substitute Batman gave me a chuckle. Tom King solidifies his position as one of my favourite comic book writers right now.

 The Magic Order #2 - Mark Millar (writer) Olivier Coipel (art) Dave Stewart (colours) Peter Doherty (letters). This issue starts off with the origin story of Cordelia Moonstone and it's a hoot. She's one of the good guys but only because of family. When we jump back to the present, the evil magicians continue to kill the good magicians. This war with magic is a treat to read. I hope there's a variant cover for #3 because the one printed in this issue is super sexy and would shock some people.

 Old Man Hawkeye #7 - Ethan Sacks (writer) Ibraim Roberson (art pages 1 - 19) Marco Checchetto (art page 20) Andres Mossa (colours) VC's Joe Caramagna (letters). Flashback 45 years to find out why Clint has a vendetta against the Thunderbolts. This issue is a great example of the difference between a comic book with a "Parental Advisory" warning and one with a "Teen+" warning. Showing what the bad guys do to the good guys during this super hero versus super villains fight would upset delicate sensibilities. I can't wait to see Clint get bushwhacked.

 Tony Stark Iron Man #2/602 - Dan Slott (writer) Valerio Schiti (art) Edgar Delgado (colours) VC's Joe Caramagna (letters). I don't know why Alexander Lozano (cover artist) swiped Steve Ditko's Amazing Spider-Man #33 cover for this issue since Iron Man doesn't even come close to being caught in this situation. There are a couple of mysteries that make me want to keep reading. One is something cryptic about Tony's resurrection and the other is an old character who shows up unexpectedly.

 Thor #3/709 - Jason Aaron (writer) Mike del Mundo (art) Marco D'Alfonso (colour assists) VC's Joe Sabino (letters). If you're sad that the wedding of Batman and Catwoman was called off, come on over to this comic book to witness Hela and Balder's nuptials. The War of the Realms in Hel has turned out to be a lot of fun. When they get to the part of the wedding ceremony where they ask if anyone has any objections to the union, you won't believe who does. There's a lot going on in this story and I can't wait to find out what happens when Thor goes knock, knock, knocking on heaven's door.

 The Immortal Hulk #3/720 - Al Ewing (writer) Joe Bennett (pencils framing sequence) Ruy Jose (inks framing sequence) Paul Mounts (colours except where indicated) VC's Cory Petit (letters except where indicated). I like this new creepy and eerie take on the big green galoot. This issue is called "Point of View" and is about four witnesses' accounts of what happened in a church during a hostage situation involving the Hulk. There's the cop's story with Leonardo Romero (art); the bartender's story with Paul Hornschemeier (art, colours & letters); the old lady's story with Marguerite Sauvage (art & colours) and the priest's story with Garry Brown (art). It's funny how attitude changes what people see. The issue ends in Vancouver, Canada (Hello, The Comicshop) with a call from Walter Langkowski AKA Alpha Flight's very own Sasquatch. Oh, and what a great cover eh?

 Avengers #5/695 - Jason Aaron (writer) Paco Medina & Ed McGuinness (pencils) Juan Vlasco with Mark Morales and Karl Story (inks) David Curiel (colours) VC's Cory Petit (letters). Turns out this is "The Secret Origin of the Marvel Universe" so pay attention all you Marvel fans. This is so ridiculously over the top it's funny. Jason keeps ramping up the threats and the heroics with no end in sight. This reminds me of when Galactus first appeared. I want Jason Aaron to write a Ghost Rider book and a solo Loki book. If  David Curiel doesn't win an award for Best Colorist of the year he will be robbed. As far as super hero comic books go, this issue gets a 10 out of 10.

[demitgibbs]

Adam Rippon Talks Finding His Gay Power, Fetish-Inspired Costumes

Being yourself can take you places. If you’re Adam Rippon, born and raised in Scranton, Pennsylvania, it can take you all the way to Pyeongchang, South Korea, where the 28-year-old set fire to the ice last February, becoming the first openly gay male athlete to win a medal — a bronze — for Team USA in a Winter Olympics.

Rippon’s mere existence as a brazenly gay global inspiration with a tongue as sharp as the blades on his skates is notable. Writer Peter Moskowitz recently celebrated Rippon in a piece for Splinter titled “The Faggy Magic of Adam Rippon.” And at a Stars on Ice show in Detroit, Michigan, in April, Rippon garnered by far the most enthusiastic response, winning applause from tween girls, a squadron of proud queers, and suburban moms, alike. Reese Witherspoon loves him. So does Elmo. And like any good mother, Sally Field tried to set him up with her gay son.

Rippon would make his Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) debut a couple weeks after our call, slaying a Vogue-fortified cha-cha to RuPaul’s “Sissy That Walk.” I caught up with the phenom via phone as he put on his face inside the locker room of a Rhode Island arena (a Stars on Ice stop). Rippon opened up about how booze kills his wit game and what he tells guys on Tinder who want a second chance, all the while, being his irresistible self.

WATCH:

[Editor’s Note: This issue of Hotspots went to the printer before ABC’s live DWTS finale, so as you may know, Adam Rippon and his partner Jenna Johnson won the Mirrorball Trophy]

I want to give you a phone hug and say thanks for giving this 35-year-old man a new level of realness to aspire to.

I’m hugging you back.

You stood next to Britney Spears at the GLAAD Media Awards recently for a pic. I hear she liked the way you smelled.

Yes, she did. I congratulated her on her award, and she was like, “You smell really nice,” and I was like, “Thank you so much, ’cause that’s so important to me.”

Your fellow gay Olympian, [freestyle skier] Gus Kenworthy, kissed you on stage that night. How exactly would you describe your relationship with Gus at this point?

Umm [laughs], so, I mean, we’re just friends, obviously. His boyfriend was backstage laughing at him, and so he was just trying to be funny. Gus is a nut.

But you’re so close. And both of you being gay Olympians, it seems you’ve really bonded.

Oh, absolutely. We’re just like brothers — brothers who kiss, I guess. But no, I love him. He’s so nice, and we’re very good friends.

What was it like competing against Tonya Harding on Dancing with the Stars?

It’s not a super big deal, but I think she’s got a lot going on, so I’m just gonna let her do her own thing, probably. Probably best.

Team Tonya or Team Nancy?

Well, I mean, Tonya tried to kill someone, so I’m Team Nancy, probably.

What did you think of I, Tonya?

I loved it. I thought Margot Robbie [who played Harding] was great. Amazing.

Who would you cast as Adam in I, Adam?

Well, Margot did so well. So, maybe Margot Robbie?

Who inspires your on-ice style?

The skating world inspires it a little bit, and then…  you’re gonna know that I’m trashy. I look at like, um, sex stuff and stuff people wear — harnesses and stuff — and the design is quite amazing. I bring [stuff] to my costume designer, and we make them more appropriate for a competition.

For a PG audience?

Yes. Actually, it’s not for that audience. But I make it for them.

That harness you wore to the Oscars in March: Where is it?

It’s in [fashion designer] Jeremy Scott’s office. The suit was by Moschino, so it was from Jeremy’s office and he lent it to me. I’m obsessed with Jeremy. He’s amazing.

Do you get to keep these costumes?

I keep my own costumes. Because, like, I bought them, outright. But the Oscars outfit was for the runway — so, from the red carpet back to the office.

Hard to give that up. So many opportunities to wear something like that.

I know! Like to a wedding. The grocery store.

Were you a sassy kid?

I don’t think I realized how sassy I was till I was at the Olympics and people were like, “Ahahaha, you’re so sassy.” And I was, “Ahahaha… you think so?” And they’re like, “Oh yeah, you’re, like, sassy.” And I was like, “I just thought I was fresh?” And they’re like, “No, you’re sassy.” Oh. OK.

Who inspires your sassiness?

The person who inspires me to be sassy is my mom.

So it’s in the blood.

[Laughs.] Yeah, it’s definitely in the blood. It’s something I can’t control.

Born this way.

Born this way, for sure. Genetics.

Your future: What’s off the table? Where do you draw the line?

Like, I’m not gonna do porn. That’s drawing the line, I guess. I don’t think I would do a reality show — I mean, I did Dancing with the Stars. That’s a reality show. I’m not gonna do, like, Big Brother or anything.

You’re getting a lot of offers. What percentage are you turning down?

I’m talking a little bit to everybody. But honestly, my schedule’s so crazy right now, I barely even know where I am.

The media loves getting you drunk.

Here’s the thing: I don’t drink a lot. Barely anything. And so everyone’s like, “Haha, come on the show and just have drinks!” And I’m like, “OK.” So, I’ll have a little bit, but I feel like I’m way funnier not drunk. I’m not as sharp, I’m not as witty; I’m not myself when I’m drunk. I mean, I like to be in the moment. If I’m in the moment, I can focus, and then I can be quick and witty.

You’ve been on this wild ride: the Olympics, Stars on Ice, Dancing with the Stars. How will you spend a day off when you finally get one?

Um, probably napping.

The whole day?

The whole day.

You have a new man, Jussi-Pekka Kajaala. He’s very good-looking.

I do. He’s super cute, but more than that, he’s super nice and funny.

Before you met, what criteria did you have for a boyfriend?

I really wasn’t looking for anybody. I was on Tinder just for fun. If you’ve ever been on Tinder, you know how you swipe left and right, and it basically turns into this game?

Oh yeah. It’s like the new Hot or Not.

It’s absolutely that. My criteria for a good boyfriend would be somebody who has passion. Passion is super important to me because, no matter what you do, if you have passion for it, then that’s kind of what life is all about — that you have passion for something. [Laughs.]

I’m being so serious. Usually when I get asked this question, I’m like, “a job, goes to the gym” — which is also important.

How many people on Tinder believed you were really Adam Rippon?

Nobody gave a shit that I was Adam Rippon. But I can tell you that everyone I ever matched with who ghosted on me has messaged me since the Olympics. My favorite is, “Oh, it’s been a while. How ya doing?” And I’m like, “Bye.”

You give them more than they deserve, honestly.

Usually I don’t answer.

Do you expect there will be a day when an openly gay figure skater can just be a figure skater?

Yeah. And I hope there’s a day that an openly gay Olympian will just be an Olympian. But I think right now it’s important to share your story.

For me, it’s not being gay that I share; I share my coming out. It’s not like, “Oh, I’m gay and I’m powerful” — which is, like, so true. It was [during] my coming out experience when I started to really own who I was and that’s where I found a lot of power. I was always me, but I didn’t always own it. And when I owned it, that’s when I found I was my strongest.

Have you had any particularly moving exchanges with young queer fans?

Yes. There’ve been many. I’ve run into a few young people who told me they tried to kill themselves at one point, which is incredibly hard to hear, especially from really young kids.

It’s bizarre to be thanked for just being who you are, and for someone to tell you that you really helped them, it’s incredibly humbling. I was not expecting that kind of response after the Olympics.

Do you feel pressure to act or be a certain way because of that?

No more than the way that I’ve been acting.

Good. To end, which Golden Girl are you?

Probably Blanche. Isn’t everyone Blanche? And I’m a little — OK, I’m mostly Dorothy.

It’s the snark.

It is the snark.

from Hotspots! Magazine https://hotspotsmagazine.com/2018/05/24/adam-rippon-talks-finding-his-gay-power-fetish-inspired-costumes/ from Hot Spots Magazine https://hotspotsmagazine.tumblr.com/post/174210916115

[cynthiajayusa]

Adam Rippon Talks Finding His Gay Power, Fetish-Inspired Costumes

Being yourself can take you places. If you’re Adam Rippon, born and raised in Scranton, Pennsylvania, it can take you all the way to Pyeongchang, South Korea, where the 28-year-old set fire to the ice last February, becoming the first openly gay male athlete to win a medal — a bronze — for Team USA in a Winter Olympics.

Rippon’s mere existence as a brazenly gay global inspiration with a tongue as sharp as the blades on his skates is notable. Writer Peter Moskowitz recently celebrated Rippon in a piece for Splinter titled “The Faggy Magic of Adam Rippon.” And at a Stars on Ice show in Detroit, Michigan, in April, Rippon garnered by far the most enthusiastic response, winning applause from tween girls, a squadron of proud queers, and suburban moms, alike. Reese Witherspoon loves him. So does Elmo. And like any good mother, Sally Field tried to set him up with her gay son.

Rippon would make his Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) debut a couple weeks after our call, slaying a Vogue-fortified cha-cha to RuPaul’s “Sissy That Walk.” I caught up with the phenom via phone as he put on his face inside the locker room of a Rhode Island arena (a Stars on Ice stop). Rippon opened up about how booze kills his wit game and what he tells guys on Tinder who want a second chance, all the while, being his irresistible self.

WATCH:

[Editor’s Note: This issue of Hotspots went to the printer before ABC’s live DWTS finale, so as you may know, Adam Rippon and his partner Jenna Johnson won the Mirrorball Trophy]

I want to give you a phone hug and say thanks for giving this 35-year-old man a new level of realness to aspire to.

I’m hugging you back.

You stood next to Britney Spears at the GLAAD Media Awards recently for a pic. I hear she liked the way you smelled.

Yes, she did. I congratulated her on her award, and she was like, “You smell really nice,” and I was like, “Thank you so much, ’cause that’s so important to me.”

Your fellow gay Olympian, [freestyle skier] Gus Kenworthy, kissed you on stage that night. How exactly would you describe your relationship with Gus at this point?

Umm [laughs], so, I mean, we’re just friends, obviously. His boyfriend was backstage laughing at him, and so he was just trying to be funny. Gus is a nut.

But you’re so close. And both of you being gay Olympians, it seems you’ve really bonded.

Oh, absolutely. We’re just like brothers — brothers who kiss, I guess. But no, I love him. He’s so nice, and we’re very good friends.

What was it like competing against Tonya Harding on Dancing with the Stars?

It’s not a super big deal, but I think she’s got a lot going on, so I’m just gonna let her do her own thing, probably. Probably best.

Team Tonya or Team Nancy?

Well, I mean, Tonya tried to kill someone, so I’m Team Nancy, probably.

What did you think of I, Tonya?

I loved it. I thought Margot Robbie [who played Harding] was great. Amazing.

Who would you cast as Adam in I, Adam?

Well, Margot did so well. So, maybe Margot Robbie?

Who inspires your on-ice style?

The skating world inspires it a little bit, and then…  you’re gonna know that I’m trashy. I look at like, um, sex stuff and stuff people wear — harnesses and stuff — and the design is quite amazing. I bring [stuff] to my costume designer, and we make them more appropriate for a competition.

For a PG audience?

Yes. Actually, it’s not for that audience. But I make it for them.

That harness you wore to the Oscars in March: Where is it?

It’s in [fashion designer] Jeremy Scott’s office. The suit was by Moschino, so it was from Jeremy’s office and he lent it to me. I’m obsessed with Jeremy. He’s amazing.

Do you get to keep these costumes?

I keep my own costumes. Because, like, I bought them, outright. But the Oscars outfit was for the runway — so, from the red carpet back to the office.

Hard to give that up. So many opportunities to wear something like that.

I know! Like to a wedding. The grocery store.

Were you a sassy kid?

I don’t think I realized how sassy I was till I was at the Olympics and people were like, “Ahahaha, you’re so sassy.” And I was, “Ahahaha… you think so?” And they’re like, “Oh yeah, you’re, like, sassy.” And I was like, “I just thought I was fresh?” And they’re like, “No, you’re sassy.” Oh. OK.

Who inspires your sassiness?

The person who inspires me to be sassy is my mom.

So it’s in the blood.

[Laughs.] Yeah, it’s definitely in the blood. It’s something I can’t control.

Born this way.

Born this way, for sure. Genetics.

Your future: What’s off the table? Where do you draw the line?

Like, I’m not gonna do porn. That’s drawing the line, I guess. I don’t think I would do a reality show — I mean, I did Dancing with the Stars. That’s a reality show. I’m not gonna do, like, Big Brother or anything.

You’re getting a lot of offers. What percentage are you turning down?

I’m talking a little bit to everybody. But honestly, my schedule’s so crazy right now, I barely even know where I am.

The media loves getting you drunk.

Here’s the thing: I don’t drink a lot. Barely anything. And so everyone’s like, “Haha, come on the show and just have drinks!” And I’m like, “OK.” So, I’ll have a little bit, but I feel like I’m way funnier not drunk. I’m not as sharp, I’m not as witty; I’m not myself when I’m drunk. I mean, I like to be in the moment. If I’m in the moment, I can focus, and then I can be quick and witty.

You’ve been on this wild ride: the Olympics, Stars on Ice, Dancing with the Stars. How will you spend a day off when you finally get one?

Um, probably napping.

The whole day?

The whole day.

You have a new man, Jussi-Pekka Kajaala. He’s very good-looking.

I do. He’s super cute, but more than that, he’s super nice and funny.

Before you met, what criteria did you have for a boyfriend?

I really wasn’t looking for anybody. I was on Tinder just for fun. If you’ve ever been on Tinder, you know how you swipe left and right, and it basically turns into this game?

Oh yeah. It’s like the new Hot or Not.

It’s absolutely that. My criteria for a good boyfriend would be somebody who has passion. Passion is super important to me because, no matter what you do, if you have passion for it, then that’s kind of what life is all about — that you have passion for something. [Laughs.]

I’m being so serious. Usually when I get asked this question, I’m like, “a job, goes to the gym” — which is also important.

How many people on Tinder believed you were really Adam Rippon?

Nobody gave a shit that I was Adam Rippon. But I can tell you that everyone I ever matched with who ghosted on me has messaged me since the Olympics. My favorite is, “Oh, it’s been a while. How ya doing?” And I’m like, “Bye.”

You give them more than they deserve, honestly.

Usually I don’t answer.

Do you expect there will be a day when an openly gay figure skater can just be a figure skater?

Yeah. And I hope there’s a day that an openly gay Olympian will just be an Olympian. But I think right now it’s important to share your story.

For me, it’s not being gay that I share; I share my coming out. It’s not like, “Oh, I’m gay and I’m powerful” — which is, like, so true. It was [during] my coming out experience when I started to really own who I was and that’s where I found a lot of power. I was always me, but I didn’t always own it. And when I owned it, that’s when I found I was my strongest.

Have you had any particularly moving exchanges with young queer fans?

Yes. There’ve been many. I’ve run into a few young people who told me they tried to kill themselves at one point, which is incredibly hard to hear, especially from really young kids.

It’s bizarre to be thanked for just being who you are, and for someone to tell you that you really helped them, it’s incredibly humbling. I was not expecting that kind of response after the Olympics.

Do you feel pressure to act or be a certain way because of that?

No more than the way that I’ve been acting.

Good. To end, which Golden Girl are you?

Probably Blanche. Isn’t everyone Blanche? And I’m a little — OK, I’m mostly Dorothy.

It’s the snark.

It is the snark.

source https://hotspotsmagazine.com/2018/05/24/adam-rippon-talks-finding-his-gay-power-fetish-inspired-costumes/ from Hot Spots Magazine https://hotspotsmagazin.blogspot.com/2018/05/adam-rippon-talks-finding-his-gay-power.html