#this is eddy’s influence you can’t tell me otherwise

[st-louis]

do you think he came up with this one himself or

[pedgito]

yay congrats on 1k!!! can i request “who’s going to stop us, huh?” with eddie <3

maybe with the goody two shoes!reader if the trope helps, if not tHATS OKAY <33

author's note: for my 1k celebration. this wasn't where i originally intended for this to go, but this is just a look inside my thoughts at 7 in the morning as i wrote this, forgive me.

cw: 18+ (minors dni), fem!reader, innocent!reader (sort of), fingering, eddie being a wonderful and adorable boyfriend

word count: 1.5k

Eddie twirled the frilly material of your pristine, pink bow around his finger, a little strand of your hair getting caught. He laughs softly, smoothing out the perfectly curled ponytail, admiring the way your cheeks blush a deep shade of red, the heat of his breath ghosting over the back of your neck.

No matter how hard you tried, you always ended up in these situations. 

Eddie was a terribly bad influence—always getting you in trouble with your parents, getting you to skip glass, god forbid your grades drop, which luckily they hadn’t, but they were on that very thin teetering line and you were fed up. Fed up.

But, then you looked at him and you couldn’t help it. 

He was the reminder you needed, to not take everything so seriously, allow yourself to breathe, think, and do something for yourself for once. He had, essentially, ruined all other men for you. No one compared, not even Jason.

“Did you pass that big test you were so worried about?” Eddie speaks softly, his chest pressed against your back, head tilted over your shoulder. He hovered, so desperate to always have a hand on you. You loved it.

“Mhmm.” You acknowledge, fingers dancing across his hand that was resting against your hip, dipping underneath the cute, white button up you had worn that day. “How did your English paper turn out?”

He whips the schoolwork from his pocket, unfolding it in front of you. “Solid C minus, can’t complain.” He tells you, a smile evident in his voice. He tosses the flimsy paper to the side, having only held onto it to show you, in hopes you might be willing to reward him for such diligent work. “You’re wearing the skirt again.” He comments absently, hands exploring lower, twisting the material in his fingers. 

Luckily, you two had enough privacy here, in the wooded area where he did most of his after school deals. Otherwise, people might start getting the wrong idea—not that it wasn't obvious what you two were getting up to. Eddie was definitely aiming to get somewhere, but you weren’t too confident that you could meet him halfway. 

“I am.” You agree, crossing one leg over the other, the laces of your white converse knocking together as you leaned back into him. “What’s the big deal?”

Eddie chuckles darkly, deft hand sliding between your thighs, wedged between where they had been crossed. Eddie was determined, not one to let up too easily. You really couldn’t find it in yourself to argue, either. But, you did have things to worry about. The idea of someone walking up on you two, in such a compromising position—it was mortifying.

“Eddie,” You whine in protest, watching the skin on his hand flex over his knuckles, his fingers digging gently into your thigh. All you have to do is part them…just a smidge, “we can’t.”

“Who’s gonna stop us, huh?” Eddie challenges, your legs parting easily, falling victim to his delicate touches, hand trailing up the inside of your thigh, ghosting over the thin material of your underwear. “No one comes out here.”

“You say that—“ You say on an exhale, hands planted on either side of Eddie’s legs, struggling to hold yourself upright with the pressure he was pressing against your already soaking wet cunt. He was teasing, like the menace he was, not daring to slip a hand under the fabric. 

“I know it.” He whispers into your ear, a single digit dragging up and against your covered clit, drawing a soft gasp from your chest.

“Eddie.” You protest again, words hanging on your tongue but never leaving, the heat in your lower abdomen growing as he finally, finally dipped a finger inside your underwear, running through your folds.

“Hey,” He shushes, “You’ve been so worked up and worried, let me do this.” And you have, he’s seen it. All month you’ve been nothing but a giant ball of stress, taut and ready to explode at any minor inconvenience. You never had time like this anymore, always shoving your face into a book or another pile of homework you had to finish before the day was over. 

He just wanted to take care of you. 

“Okay,” You sigh quietly, breath hitching as he dipped a finger inside of you, curling slightly as he dragged his thumb over your clit, moving in small, gentle circles, “just be careful.”

“Always am, aren’t I?” He says, brushing your bangs away from your ear, kissing gently at the tip of your ear, his fingers doing all the dirty things you wanted his mouth to do to you. 

You nod jerkily, moaning out as he dipped a second finger inside, hands grasping the wood of the picnic table, leaning further into Eddie’s chest. He laughs, shifting to help keep you upright, his movements inside of you never faltering. You gasped, a high pitched whine as he hit that delicate sweet spot inside of you.

“Eddie,” You sound desperate, a broken sob leaving you mouth as he picks up his pace, “feels so good.”

“Yeah?” He’s so fucking smug all the time, “Pussy feels so good around my fingers, bet it would feel even better around my—“

“Eddie.” Your tone is more forceful, a warning. You two hadn’t even had sex yet, it was one of the main rules you had for yourself, at least until you’ve managed to get through the semester with perfect grades, then you could allow yourself that one, very simple indulgence. And you wanted Eddie, so badly that it hurt. He understood, too—he didn’t ever seem upset about it, but he was attracted to you, in every way possible. So, could you really blame him?

And if his hands and mouth were this good, you weren’t sure how you would be able to keep it together when you finally had the chance to take him fully, the feeling of his dick pressed against your back already intimidating enough. 

“Sorry, princess.” He apologizes, picking up his pace gradually. He focuses his attention on your swollen, sensitive clit—watching the way your body jerks slightly, on the brink of another blissful orgasm at the hands of Eddie ‘the freak’ Munson. “Just thinking.”

You still couldn’t grasp how or why Eddie had taken any interest in you at all, you didn’t feel special. But, Eddie made it very clear that you were so much more than what you saw yourself as. 

You moan out, feeling yourself clinch around his fingers, your arm desperately coming up to wrap around his neck from behind, pulling at his jacket, his hair, anything. You felt like you were finally going to explode now, all that pent up stress and anxiety at its tipping point.

“It’s okay,” He murmurs, your shoes planted against the seat of the table, rutting up against his hand. You were red with embarrassment, feeling meek at how badly you wanted this, “enjoy it, sweetheart. You deserve it.” 

And you do. You do fucking deserve it.

You cry out, bound to attract attention—some few black crows scurrying away from their branches at the sound, Eddie’s hand flying up to cover your mouth as you ride out your orgasm against his hand, hips chasing his fingers as he held on tight, waiting until you were finally still to let go. 

“That never gets old.” Eddie laughs softly, wiping his wet fingers on the black handkerchief that hung from his pocket, helping you situate yourself more comfortably, your underwear feeling sticky and cold now, Eddie’s hand no longer providing the warmth you needed. “I didn’t take you for a screamer.”

You swat Eddie on the arm, pointing a painted nail in his face, “What did we talk about?” You ask petulantly, waiting for him to answer. A grin breaks out over his face.

“No distractions until the semester is over.” He tells you, sounding entirely too flippant about it. “But hey, you weren’t saying no.”

You sigh, giving up. He was right, you couldn’t resist him, not like this. 

“All that Eddie, Eddieee,” He mocks playfully, imitating your soft moans, “seems like you were enjoying yourself, if I’m not mistaken.”

“Oh, don’t even go there,” You warned Eddie, knowing exactly where your mind was going, “have you forgotten what you sound like with your dick in my mouth?”

And it really shouldn’t turn Eddie on, the way you speak so openly and raw about it, it was like hearing you curse, something that was just as much of a rarity as this. 

Eddie holds his hand up in defeat, surrendering to your deadly gaze. You smile triumphantly, giving him a chaste peck on his lips. “Now, get me home before my parents decide to give me another lecture about you.”

Eddie nods dutifully, two fingers coming up to his forehead in salute. “As you wish, princess.” 

And truly, you couldn’t resist the gloriously peeved off expression your parents had whenever you’re loud, head banging, rock music loving boyfriend dropped you off to your house everyday, feeling their blood boil just a little hotter. 

[sleepy-moron]

Okay so y’all have been freaking out over the @doriandrifting post about how Mike is the reason time stopped in the upside down and I agree because that theory is super interesting and it would be an extremely cool twist I’d be interested in seeing. Mikes connection to time and the overall plot of vecna is something that you probably don’t pick up on until someone points out a bunch of odd repeated details and then you can’t stop thinking about them. I have my own theory that’s similar in some ways but way more batshit and far less likely to happen.

It’s been sort of a pet theory of mine for the last month or so that Mike might also have powers but more so mild prophetic abilities or something a bit more akin to spidey sense. Basically I think there’s some outside force influencing his decisions and sort of guiding him in the direction of what “needs” to be done. He is the dm and a writer after all, it only makes sense that he’s the one who gets how the story should go. He’s also a paladin/ cleric according to the official material and that makes his status as a sever hindrance to Vecna’s goals fitting in the dnd lore sense. Both classes are tied to receiving powers from the gods and are really good at dealing with the undead while Vecna is an undead wizard who wants to become powerful enough to surpass the gods. Additional fun detail is that the two highest positions in the cult of vecna is the voice (which is actually a manifestation of vecna) and the high priest of the cult known as the heart of vecna.

Now all of this leads me into a very weirdly specific theory that I don’t necessarily think is plausible but it’s a fun idea and I wanted to share it with you guys. So basically there’s this force that like loosely guides Mike from the start of the series onwards until they finally defeat Vecna/the mind flayer (for the sake of this argument and my sanity I’m going with the idea that vecna either made the mind flayer or has sorta fused with it by the end of season four). In season five Mike winds up cursed or otherwise possessed by vecna because he is will’s heart and love is a serious threat to his plans for world domination. They basically do something similar to the plan to kill his physical body by either literally killing real world Mike or killing mental scape Mike via stabbing through the chest and killing the “heart”. (Will brings him back to life Mike is not dying in this for reals)

The they in question is Will and or El as a parallel to Kas the betrayer (sorry Eddie isn’t dead believers, if anyone is Kas it’s these two) and while they kill vecna and Mike a sort of chain reaction happens and a very vague imprint of the “proper” series of events gets sorta psychically attached to Mike, and since the upside down is still stuck on the day Will is missing it psychically links itself to Mike from 1983 as well bc time shenanigans so the whole show becomes a kind of retroactive predestiny thing (because the events that must take place don’t get locked in until Mike “dies” in a sort of Oroborus way). Also Will has powers related to light because eyeballs and true sight and also time bc using the sun to tell time and the light reactive particles in the upside down freeze the whole dimension starting from the point Will gets taken. This theory makes no sense but I am enamored with my nonsense brain worms and will not be stopping !!!! Seriously though if you don’t get it it’s not a big deal because I don’t really understand what I meant and I made this nonsense

[roguish-gallery]

Rogues + Internet/Social Media HCs!

Hello!!! this was requested by @geniusbee I struggled a bit with the initial prompt, so I kinda broadened the question, I hope you don’t mind! Once I got the ball rolling with this one, it was super fun to work on! Thank you again for your request!

If anyone wants to, feel free to send me send me more requests! I’d love to do more of these!

Everything is under the Read More bc this got LONG AS FUCK. (Slight TW for sexual references!)

Bane:

Doesn’t use social media. point blank

He’ll surf the web mostly for research or for communication purposes, but that’s mostly it... That being said sometimes he DOES look up stuff for fun because he’s a naturally curious guy who had limited access to education for the first 20-ish years of his life. It sends him down a rabbit hole of researching weird shit and sometimes you’ll catch him up at 4:00 am looking up how bread was made in Ancient Rome or what Cock and Ball Torture is bc he heard Joker say it once and he’s never EVER fucking heard of those words strung together like that before

Also… his fingers are simply too beefy for most keyboards. Dude tryna sit down and send Scandal Savage some fun cookie recipes she could try with her GF like

 Catwoman:

Not a lot to say here but tbh she probably has the most normal internet habits of everyone. Helps to promote cat shelter’s web pages, and will use some light hacking to find the locations of fur factories and animal abusers but that’s mostly it?

If she isn’t already an influencer, she has definitely considered it. Will sometimes post selfies of her wearing stolen jewelry just to flex. Has a legion of simps.

Clayface

Unknowingly gets into kin drama without trying to

He has... so many theather blogs, musical blogs, and obscure film blogs... someone help him... somehow he regularly adds shit to ALL OF THEM. 

He’s that one bitch who hoards all the canon URLs and there’s nothing you can fucking do to stop him.

Harley Quinn:

Her computer is slow and buggy as shit because she’s got so many viruses from trying to download flash games. Edward refuses to fix her computers at this point because he knows it’s a lost cause.

She vlogs sometimes, actually! And she’ll drag her hyenas or any of the rogues/batfam/GCPD she’s hanging out with atm into it.

She likes to go onto anxiety or depression forums and anonymously leave nice, helpful advice :)

Joker:

Mostly on the dark web, doing… things that you do on the dark web...

If he’s ever on the clean web I promise it’s only to start kin drama or to dm fucked up shit to random people he finds.

Has been known to catfish when the mood strikes him

Also? He jumps onto RP forums and either plays the SHITTIEST Batman, or an eerily accurate Batman.

Killer Croc:

He likes looking up funny videos online!!! Also! Art tutorials!!

He likes to post his artwork online under a pseudonym. He doesn’t expect anyone to really pay attention to his work, but it’s always a very pleasant surprise when someone likes or leaves a nice comment on his art.

 He genuinely cherishes all of his followers and the kind interactions he shares with them.

Mad Hatter:

It’s just hat porn and hentai. I’m sorry.

Mr. Freeze:

Normal internet habits tbh. Doesn’t really go on the internet that often because he doesn’t particularly care about keeping up to date with what’s happening.

He used to have a Facebook where he’d post pictures of himself and Nora, but he can’t really do that anymore due to obvious reasons.

Penguin:

Lightly dabbles in dark web shit (for business purposes) but otherwise he’s like an old man on the internet. Checks the stock market and shit. Responds to his emails in a timely manner. He keeps track of everyone’s internet presence but that’s mostly because he enjoys drama and he doesn’t want to be out of the loop in case Eddie starts something again and he needs to know WHY Jervis and Pamela can’t be in the Iceberg at the same time without trying to kill each other.

He REFUSES to make a social media account for the Iceberg Lounge!!!! It is too classy for that!!!

Other than that, though… don’t tell anyone… but he keeps some tabs open on some 🥺🥺🥺 some bird forums and uh 🥺🥺🥺 m🥺🥺🥺 maybe some blogs he has that are all about Jane Austen and Star Trek: The Next Generation 🥺🥺🥺🥺 n-not like he LIKES Star Trek, though!!

Also in Batman #448 it shows that him and Batman canonically play chess with each other online and you know what? That’s cute as hell so I’m gonna say that they still do that.

Poison Ivy:

Surprising no one… she mostly blogs about botany

Will ONLY go onto other parts of the internet to like and share Harley, Selina, or Waylon’s posts and THAT'S IT!!!!

She is not above getting petty in the comment section!! If she finds a video of some clown over-watering their ferns she will absolutely let them know and she will not be polite about it.

Riddler:

Canonically has the best hookup and 100% is the most active online. Like yeah he does a lot of hacking shit but he uses the internet for legit stuff too.

PURPOSEFULLY looks himself up and will argue with anyone who talks smack about him on literally any of the search results. He WILL remember your username and he WILL publicly mock you for it when he freezes your laptop or when he takes over the broadcasting waves in Gotham again.

You KNOW he has a social media account for everything. He WILL talk about how smart and sexy he is and he WILL get around any attempts made to get him blocked, suspended, or banned. 

“You fool… I have 70  A L T E R N A T I V E  A C C O U N T S”

He is the self-proclaimed tech-guru of the Rogues. He WILL harass you if you are using the wrong web browser or if you have TOO MANY FUCKING TABS OPEN FUCK YOU FUCK YOU FUCK YOU.

He calms down somewhat once he becomes a P.I. He’ll take selfies at crime scenes and livestream himself when he’s finding clues or chasing someone down! He’s absolutely obsessed with it and he gets super popular. He knows that he shouldn’t broadcast himself solving crimes... but... the clicks... the views... his stans...

Enjoys gaming and modding whenever he has free time.

Scarecrow:

He hasn’t been in a classroom in years but if you looked at his internet habits you would think he’s still teaching psychology at Gotham U. Responds to emails responsibly (but NOT on weekends or after 10 pm!!)

Probably wouldn’t blog these days, but when he was younger he had a page where he would discuss his psychology work.

He mostly uses the internet for research or to order chemicals but he’ll often get swept up in some inane message chain with Harley and Eddie and he HATES IT.

He has like two dozen tabs open on his computer because he forgets about them and even though some of the tabs have been there for so long that he GENUINELY can’t remember why they were there, he keeps them because it makes Edward break into hives every time he tries to watch what he’s doing online. Giving Edward Nygma anxiety sweats is easy and free and should be done often.

Two-Face:

He uses incognito mode… whenever he needs to google embarrassing questions…

He likes to peruse the dark web but sometimes he enjoys hopping onto r/legaladvice and r/relationships and reads that shit like it's the Sunday paper.

If he’s bored or is having a bad mental day, he likes to look up all the Google doodle games that Google keeps archived. they’re all really cute and are a lot of fun to goof around with whenever he’s wanting to play something light and quick!

[ghostnebula]

Okay the whole town of derry is this fucked up place and anyone who drives through and stops for whatever reason gets kidnapped and tortured and given back to the earth in order to keep pennywise at bay and the losers are those tourists and have a horror movie esque traumatic experience OR the losers are the people who kidnap and kill travelers because pennywise is their god and they’re also all cannibals. That’s my 2 thots of the day, do what u will with that 🤍

Milo first off I love you, second I’ve stared at this ask long and hard, and I can’t stop thinking about all the different ways this could go, but I keep coming back to one in particular.

During the first encounter with It, the Losers are losing. They’re hurt and they’re exhausted and It’s going to take them down, they just know it, and they’re going to die like this, trapped in the sewers, and they just aren’t ready yet. So they try to strike a deal: It lets them live, doesn’t bring them or their families (future offspring/descendants included) any further harm. In exchange, they’ll help It. Provide for It. Stay right here in Derry and dedicate their lives to It.

And It agrees. 

The Losers are set free, find their way out of the sewers and back to the surface, and as they’re all standing in the sunlight, blinking numbly at each other, the horror of realization sets in. They’ve just agreed to all but sacrifice people to It, like some kind of fucked up deity, just to keep It sated. And isn’t that incredibly selfish? Isn’t it? To trade another life -- many other lives -- for their own? But even if they hadn’t, they would have died down there, and It would have continued to ravage this town in their absence. And how long until another group of brave and bold misfits like them stumbled across the truth? How long until someone else would have the guts to stand up to It? How long until someone would win?

So now they’ve got quite the fucking dilemma on their hands, because how is a group of thirteen year olds supposed to get away with kidnapping and sacrificing people to a seemingly-imaginary sewer monster that has a chokehold on all of Derry? Who the fuck’s gonna believe that shit?

Moreover: who the fuck are they supposed to feed to it?

Well, the first obvious answer is Sonia Kaspbrak. They have specific instructions to leave any offerings in the Neibolt house. It will come for them -- after all, It needs something to keep Its strength up, to help It recover from the damage they inflicted. It needs food before it can take a long rest.

Eddie tricks Sonia into coming down Neibolt Street late at night, by setting up an explosive argument and storming out of the house, snapping over his shoulder, “I’m going to the trainyards to be alone. Don’t come after me,” because she will. If he tells her not to, she always does. She can try to call the police, but the Losers all know she won’t get any answer, or if she does it will be a high cackling voice, asking her if she wants to float, or otherwise a “Mr. Robert Gray, what can I do for you today?” that won’t result in any help being sent along.

When Sonia’s Pacer comes crawling down Neibolt Street, window rolled down, aiming for the trainyards past the dead end, several Losers materialize out of the darkness, and a bat slips through the open window and catches her on the side of the head. When she wakes up, it’s somewhere damp and dark and reeking, and no one is around to hear her scream. 

It’s all downhill from there. The Losers know they can’t be picking off too many Derry residents without raising any suspicions, but fortunately some bars in Derry are used as a pit stop on peoples’ travels, and the surrounding county roads serve as a quick route for anyone going to or from Bangor, so there are always unfamiliar faces in the gas stations or the restaurants, or broken-down vehicles in the dead of night (someone needing help with a tire, or someone who’s run out of gas before they could quite make it into Derry on their way up to Bangor, or someone who just doesn’t understand why it won’t start, and Eddie’s always there, always ready to lend a hand, and he’s the farthest thing from intimidating so they’re always caught off guard when things take a turn). Even while It sleeps, It will wake up to take what’s offered, to keep Itself sated, and strong enough to care for the eggs it nurtures in Its lair, far beneath the surface. If It gets too hungry, It threatens them. Swears that It will take one of them and make the others watch them suffer so they can learn the consequences of breaking a promise. 

Eventually that darkness they’ve become servants to begins to take its toll. It starts small: manic laughter while they chase someone, screaming, through a corn field none of them can get lost in; or going a little too far and killing their target, maybe on accident, though It will take the meat however it’s presented, as long as the taste of fear lingers. And then, more killing. More intentional killing, that is. Bill with his hands around a strange woman’s throat while Mike pins her hands down, a smile creeping across his face as her eyes roll, lips going blue. Bev bringing a rock down on someone’s head, over and over, until they’ve stopped begging, stopped making gurgling, anguished sounds in the back of their throat. 

There’s none of them left in their eyes the day Stan snatches the knife out of Bill’s hand and slices a chunk of flesh off their target’s torso, while they’re still writhing and screaming behind the gag, because if It eats them, why can’t they have a taste, too? And whether it’s been part of who they are all along, or they’re simply too deeply under It’s influence, they’d dare say it’s the best thing they’ve ever tasted, and they’re laughing and chatting and warm as they eat, not just from the fresh blood coating their hands and faces, staining their clothes and drying in their hair. They’re warm and content to be with their family, sharing a meal like this. The way things were meant to be. 

[nblesbianbenhanscom]

I, R, T

I. Do you have a guilty pleasure in fic (reading or writing)?

Um. No? Like I don’t feel guilty for making Richie cry, during sex especially, it’s my kink don’tcha know. I don’t really feel guilty about anything I write. I do worry people are gonna @ me, but I also know they are entitled to their opinion, and I’m entitled to ignore them, lulz.

Oh. Well. I mean. So far as reading goes... There is a certain series of fics running around with Eddie in lingerie that I don’t talk to you about because you don’t like that, but idk if it’s a guilty pleasure, just awkward cause like, you know almost everything about what I read. (Although there was also a Harringrove...) But I don’t feel guilty? Lol. Idk.

R. Are there any writers (fanfic or otherwise) you consider an influence?

Umm... Last year I started reading Nina LaCour’s books, and listening to some of her podcast, and she talks about leaning into the discomfort, which, when I remember, is helpful. Also, she talks about telling the story that needs to be told. She said we can only write the story we know how to in that moment, and to just trust the process. It’s what helped make Death Is Just So Full (shameless self plug) be what it is.

But like, in my 16 years of writing, what I’ve wanted to write like has varied.

What I really like right now, what I want to try and keep working towards, is leaning into the discomfort and the feelings. Like not just LaCour, but the fic that comes to mind the most is Until the Water Runs Clear. This fic deserves more love, honestly. When I read it, I cried in part because I knew I could never write like this. The honesty of this story is... amazing. Like, just the connection to emotion, it’s something I want to do more of.

But that requires me feeling and I’m in robot phase right now sooooo

Edit: You’re not a writer, but you’re a constant source of influence. You read just about everything I write before I post it and help me when things get rough. <3

T. Any fandom tropes you can’t stand?

I don’t like high school aus when there’s no need for it/it’s super shippy, but it’s because I’m a Grown Up (haha) and that’s just... a no for me. Like specifically, I don’t really get why there needs to be underage Harringrove if they are doing things past ST3. Like, they are both 18. Just let them be 18, and out of hs.

I’m also super not into any of the soulmate stuff. Like none of that they know they are soulmates because words show up on their skin, or they see certain colors, or anything like that. It just. Isn’t for me. It’s like Paul Rudd. I see the appeal, and I would never take it away from anyone, but I also wouldn’t stand in line for it (stolen from Jeff Winger from Community).

I’m sure there are others, but I’m not 100% sure what is considered a trope and what’s considered a something else.

[365daysofsasuhina]

[ 365 Days of SasuHina || Day Three Hundred Ten: Ethnic Food ] [ Uchiha Sasuke, Hyūga Hinata ] [ SasuHina ] [ Verse: Of Monsters and Men ] [ AO3 Link ]

Well...today’s the day. While she knows, in truth, there’s no avoiding what she’s about to do...Hinata still takes a sliver of comfort in knowing that she can, at least, make peace with it.

The last several months have been the oddest of her life. Being saved from one vampire by another, befriending said savior vampire, and slowly finding herself more and more familiar with a world so few know exist.

Of course...Hinata has known about monsters - or as they prefer to be called, Nightwalkers - for most of her life. Her mother’s bloodline, tracing all the way back to the ancient miko who claimed to speak to gods, makes her neither human nor monster. A strange in-between that most nowadays call witches.

Try as she might to ignore her lineage, ignore her nature...it came to find her in the end.

And now, her rare, thought-extinct powers have attracted unwanted attention in the form of her dear friend’s employer and coven leader, Madara. He’s made her a deal she can’t refuse. Not because the reward is tempting...but because to say no is almost certainly a death wish.

She tells herself that, so long as she has Sasuke to rely on, she can get through this. While she’s a complete novice with her abilities, Madara seems convinced they can grow, and she can master them...all for him to use against his enemies.

So, given she has little choice, Hinata has decided to give her answer: she’ll work for him as needed. Otherwise...she just hopes she can keep some semblance of normalcy.

Which is why, once she’s made her peace, she texts Sasuke.

Want to get some dinner?

Hopefully it sounds casual enough. Because according to Madara, Sasuke’s protective inclinations toward her have been born out of a growing affection. And while Hinata cares for him greatly...she just has too much on her mind to sit and puzzle out her feelings. She’s never really dated anyone...never really been in love. Had crushes, but was never bold enough to act upon them.

...and is it wise to pair with a Nightwalker, given what she is? She’s not human...but she’s not vampire, either.

...she’ll think about it later.

Thankfully, his reply is swift...and cuts right to the point.

Made up your mind?

The words earn a small smile and a soft snort.

Yes. Not that there was much to think about, huh?

...true enough. The usual place?

Mhm.

Be there in ten.

Reading the last message, Hinata idly runs the pad of her thumb over the cracks in her mobile’s screen. She really needs to replace it...just her luck she was grabbed when it was in her hand, dropped to the parking lot asphalt. But at least it still works...she’ll put it off a little longer.

Mind still eddying with thoughts, Hinata makes her way to their typical meeting place: her favorite little eatery she discovered while going to university. It’s more traditional in style, quaint, and just what she likes.

And, as usual, Sasuke beats her there.

“Car or feet this time?” she asks with a small smile.

“Feet. Couldn’t find my keys.”

“Showoff,” Hinata gently chides, letting him open the door for her. “But at least you’re still a gentleman.”

“Only for you. To everyone else, I’m an asshole.”

“C-consider me flattered, then.”

“You should be.”

That earns another laugh, the pair of them guided to a cozy corner table. Sitting with a relieved sigh, Hinata takes a moment to glance out the window beside her. The night life of her city plays out beyond the panes, all seeming so...normal. It’s funny how much her perspective has changed since she met the man now sitting across from her. How much more...aware she feels. She knows she still has much to learn when it comes to those like her companion...but to think that so many people are completely blind to a world just over their shoulder...it’s odd.

“Hinata?”

“Hm?”

“You spaced out there for a second.”

“Oh...s-sorry.”

Sasuke studies her face, dark eyes flickering over her features. “...you all right?”

“Mhm. I’ve just been doing a lot of...thinking lately.”

“Good thinking, or bad thinking?”

“Just...thinking. Not really good or bad.”

“Objective, then.”

“...yeah.”

“Speaking of...I’m honestly blown away by how well you’re handling all of this, y’know.”

That earns a blink. “...really?”

“Yeah. Sure, you’re not human...and you’ve been aware of us most of your life. But that’s not exactly a guarantee for understanding or keeping calm in the face of everything you’ve got going on.”

“...I guess I just...d-do my best to look and move forward. I don’t know...maybe it is weird, but I just feel...calm. I know there’s danger, but...for some reason, it doesn’t bother me.”

His brow furrows, clearly not quite comprehending.

Hinata takes a moment to think, trying to figure out a way to explain. “...I think...it’s because I know I’m not facing it alone. Because I know you’re there to protect me.”

Sasuke’s face goes slack with surprise.

In turn, she gives a small smile. “...hungry?”

“...uh...yeah, sure. This place only got traditional food, or is there anything, like...ethnic?”

“M-mostly traditional…? I always get the same thing, so...I guess I’m n-not the one to ask,” she replies with a small laugh into the cuff of her jacket sleeve. “Though...n-now that you mention it, that reminds me of a question I’ve always meant to ask you.”

“...okay. What held you back?”

“Mostly I just forget, but...I guess I’m not sure if it’s, um...offensive…?”

Sasuke can’t help a snort. “Trust me...I doubt anything that passes through your mind could offend me. Hit me with it.”

“Well...your kind need blood to survive...right?”

“Yeah. It varies a bit from person to person, but typically we can’t go more than about three days without before we start getting...dangerous. We usually try to get about half a liter a day, but some skip around, depending on their schedule.”

“...oh! I...didn’t know it was that strict.”

“Mhm. So, was that your question?”

“Well, partly. I’ve obviously seen you eat food, but...is that n-necessary for...someone like you?”

“What, regular food? Oh, yeah. See, uh…” He hesitates, gathering his thoughts. “The ‘needs’ of Nightwalkers are typically sort of...additional beyond the typical. Like...fiction often depicts us as undead, but that’s nowhere near true. I have a heartbeat, my blood pumps, my gut functions...I still need food, water, rest, and all that like anything else alive. I just need blood on top of that to satisfy and sort of...alleviate what makes me a...what I am.”

“Ohhh…”

“...you thought that would offend me?”

“W-well, I just...I honestly thought you...didn’t need to eat,” Hinata replies, tone quite sheepish. “And I don’t like making assumptions about people, let alone an entirely different...type of people. S-sorry.”

“Nah, it’s fine. Some species have it a lot easier than others. For example, most bestial lines - like...harpies, werewolves, nagas - they don’t really have a need like we do? There’s is more like...an instinct. You could, in a way, think of their brains as having two halves. A more human-like half, and the animal half. And suppressing the animal half for too long can make them...irritable. Or even affect their mental health. Some have mastered it and live almost completely like humans. But for most, they have to have breaks where they take their beast forms and live a little. Otherwise they’d go mad.

“But with the humanoid sorts, ours are usually more...conditional. Typically, it’s something that feeds off of another creature. My kind need blood - any kind will do, but humans are just the...best suited? It’s hard to explain. And like succubi and incubi need sexual energy. Sirens crave giving people pain, or even killing them...but most are satisfied just by being heard and adored. Stuff like that.”

At the mention of the middle sort, Hinata can’t help but go light pink. “I...I see. Do...do witches have any conditions like that?”

“Not that I know of, but...with how rare your kind became there for a while, a lot of information about you has probably been lost. Have you ever felt like there’s something nagging at you? Something you need to...do, or eat, or...whatever?”

“I don’t...think so.”

Sasuke leans his elbow atop the table, considering her as he rests his chin in a hand. “...it’s funny, but...no one really knows the origins of those like us. Nightwalkers, and witches - Twilightwalkers. Some say we evolved from humans, others say we’re cursed, but no one really knows for sure where we came from. But your kind seem to be a kind of...middle ground between us and humans. The way I’ve heard it put is that Nightwalkers are those with power to alter themselves...and witches have the power to alter what’s around them. Humans can do neither, at least...not the way we can.”

“That...makes a lot of sense. But I wonder if there’s any way to find out where our roots r-really lie.”

“No idea. But that’s more the sort of stuff my brother likes to puzzle over. I’m more of an ‘in the now’ sort of guy. My roots don’t really offer much in terms of effects here and now for me. Might be neat to know, but it doesn’t really do anything for me.”

“I think I’d like to know,” Hinata muses. “I already know s-so little about what I am...maybe it would shed some light. But I guess I don’t have much means to find out.”

“Yeah...we’ll get you figured out. Soon enough you’ll be the strongest witch in Japan.”

“I might be the only witch in Japan,” Hinata rebukes with a giggle.

“...you have a fair point. But still...you’ve clearly got talent, given how you managed to influence me, even with no training and in a state of panic. That’s promising.”

“I’ll t-take that as a compliment!”

Sasuke manages a grin as a server finally finds them, apologizing for the wait. “No worries. We’re night folk,” he assures her smoothly, giving Hinata a none-too-subtle wink.

She just snorts.

“Well...we’ll get you a full stomach, and then go have a little chat with Madara,” Sasuke then offers, sobering them both slightly. “There might be some paperwork to get you legally tied into everything, but...overall we shouldn’t have to be there long. Unless he decides to ramble on about what you’ll be doing. Hopefully he’ll save that for another night.”

“Yeah, I’d...prefer that, honestly.” She’d almost let herself forget why she’s really here. One last little outing with her full freedom before finding herself in Madara’s claws.

“...it’ll be fine,” Sasuke then assures her softly. “Like you said: I’ll be there to protect you.”

“...thank you, Sasuke.”

                                                              .oOo.

     (This is a sequel to days 35, 44, 52, 80, 82, 105, 115, 133, 159, 162, 188, 193, 289, 298, and 307!)       First of all, let me just apologize for falling yet another day behind: yesterday was super stressful, so I took my typical evening time to work on another fic. By the time that was done, I was in a lot of pain from my broken teeth, and just...called it a night. And odds are, the rest of the year is going to be VERY busy for me, so...I might very well fall further behind rather than catch up, though I REALLY hope I can do so before next year. But I won't hold my breath. Once things are more...finalized, I'll clue you guys in more. Just...please be patient with me, I'm doing my best ;w;      ANYWAY. Onto the actual fic!      This was a very...odd prompt, lol - hence it mostly just being a passing phrase, which I sometimes just...have to do when the prompt is weird xD I had a joke I was going to have Sasuke make to tie into it, but...upon further thought, I wasn't sure if it would be too crass, so...I tossed the idea. Instead, we have just some angst-laced fluff between them on Hinata's last day (well...night) of freedom. Things are going to get...interesting from here on.      I might tie in some old RP plots, and honestly might save more of this verse for a proper fic...? I'm not sure how I want to do that, as it might make more sense to do a "rewrite" from the beginning, since this method has been a bit...disjointed. We'll see. But as I've said before. any longer fics I want to do after this challenge will be after a pretty hefty break. I love this challenge, but WHOO has it been a burnout, lol - at least there's less than two months left. I love it, but...I need a break. Especially since Life is ramping up as we near the end.      ANYWAY, I'm...majorly rambling, so I'll stop there! Thanks, as always, for reading...and all of your support and patience <3

[beybladeimagines]

How would the All Starz comfort an s/o who's feeling worthless from depression and being crushed from their too high self-expectations? (If you're wondering how I'm doing, I'm doing fine! I have support but sometimes it's easy to slip back into that way of thinking, you know? Keep up the good work!)

Mod Note: I’m so sorry I just now got to this, but thanks so much for your support and being an angel. I also appreciate you telling me that you’re okay, because I did low-key panic. But I love you and hope you continue to find happiness in the new year. 

MAX: Despite his cheerful exterior, Max knows the feeling of depression all too well. The feeling arrived the moment his mom left him and his stuck with him for years. It even seemed to escalate when he realized just how much he had to do to get his moms eyes back on him. Meeting expectations, especially hers, was pretty rough. Although much time has passed and he’s found ways to cope, it does arrive in waves and he’d never wish the feeling on anyone. So, when he realizes that his partner is experiencing the same thing, he can’t help but internally corrode. I just imagine him with his arms out, approaching his partner, and slowly bringing them to his chest. He gets it, so he finds himself holding the other tighter and tighter. He hopes that all of his love sinks right into their skin and finds a way into their heart. He isn’t exactly sure who made them feel that way, but he wants them to know just how unbelievably happy they’ve managed to make him. He knows that sometimes, we as people tend to prioritize others in our lives and their views of us hold a tremendous weight… But he also knows that validation from someone else can really reassure you that you’re doing the right thing. Upon holding his partner, I can see him kneeling before them, making sure that their eyes are on him as he speaks. If they’re crying, he’s there to wipe away those tears and smile while praising the fuck out of them. He’d bring up significant stories of their time together - all the moments in which his partner managed to change his perspective, or made him happy, or motivated him. He wants the other to know just how powerful they really are. He never even had expectations for them, but somehow they managed to make a profound impact on his life so effortlessly. Max would give it his all to remind his partner of their worth. It’d be a very memorable and emotionally intimate experience.

MICHAEL: His first instinct is to get angry, but never at his partner. Michael is truly a free spirit and seldom commits to anything or anyone (except for his team). So, when he’s finally found someone that he’s so completely addicted to and enamored by, he treats their pain as if it’s his own. His partner becomes his everything - I mean literally, he elevates them. At first, he wouldn’t understand the source of their suffering. It’s an innocent thought - he just thinks their so perfect, how could anyone possibly think otherwise? You’ll have to excuse his behavior, because he’s never had to think about anyone other than himself. The first thing he’d ask his partner is,��“who do I have to annihilate?” He’d probably reach for his bat too, as if assuming that someone else was responsible for making his better half feel that way (and that violence is the only way to address it). Although his outrage might appear concerning, he’d never do anything without their permission, but he’d try to explain his actions. In the heat of the moment, he’d end up spewing out every single reason as to why he loved his partner. And how he just can’t wrap his mind around people who can’t see the exact same perfect person he does.

However, Michael can empathize with not being able to meet expectations as well. After all, he couldn’t meet Judy’s expectations and didn’t get a chance to play in the championships. Of course that was devastating and he had to rely on his own ego to keep from feeling like an absolute loser or failure. He knows how broken he was, and he’d want to make sure his partner never experienced the same low as him. He’d most likely use that opportunity to open up to his partner. Upon explaining his feelings, he’d most likely add how suddenly Judy’s expectations meant nothing when he found his significant other. He managed to reevaluate his definition of success. It no longer looked like being the All American Hero. Success ended up looking like a stable relationship with his partner and as far as he was concerned, he got that. So, he’d ask his partner to think about those expectations and reexamine them. 

RICK: He usually struggles to display his honest affection outside of aggression, annoyance, and the occasional narcissism. However, Rick is actually empathetic and the perfect person to serve as an ear for his significant other. At first, he’d listen in silence and pay attention to the subtle ways in which their voice cracks and quivers, their pauses, the words they use, and so on… Rick is trying so hard to understand and pick up on every little detail that others would otherwise neglect. He knows just how far someone can sink thanks to depression - he’s experienced it himself. Although he’s used those negative thoughts as fuel, he understands that it’s not always easy to do what he did (hell, he barely did it). As his partner is speaking, I just imagine him putting both of his hands on their shoulders mid sentence. He’d press his forehead against their own and breathe out softly through his nose. I can imagine him saying, “you’re too hard on yourself…” And that’s pretty powerful coming from someone who’s always hard on themselves as well. Although he can justify that behavior towards himself, he doesn’t think his partner should be doing it to themselves.

I can picture him listing off every thing he loves about his partner, all while offering kisses in between every statement. But all at once, he’d want to work through those thoughts with his partner. He’s not usually good with his words (unless it’s being sassy), but he sincerely wants to try for them. He’d listen to where there head’s at, but I see him always having a rebuttal to every piece of self-doubt and uncertainty that his partner extends. Rick isn’t the type to be encouraging - let’s be honest, he’s put a lot of people down. So to see him extending praise so effortlessly (like, literally, not even seconds after his partner spoke), just shows you how highly he thinks of his significant other and how much faith he has in them to meet all their goals. But, he’d also critique some of those goals and expectations if he found them harmful. Affirmation is great, but he calls bullshit on anything that has the potential to hurt them.

EMILY: If it were anyone else, she’d tell them to suck it up. Emily has tremendous trust issues and doesn’t like it when others are vulnerable around her. However, when it comes to her partner, she exerts all of her energy and attention on them. Again, Emily feels uncomfortable and intimidated by vulnerability. She knows that people take advantage of emotions, but she’d never be the type to do that to her partner. Her partner would be the first person to confront her with depression and although Emily is well-read on the topic, she’d struggle with truly understanding it. She takes this opportunity to really hear her partner out, to really familiarize herself with these emotions and the source of them. Honestly, Emily would ask some great questions and you can tell she’s trying to really empathize with her partner in order to avoid saying something unnecessary or stupid. She understands expectations. She has set many for herself and constantly curses at herself for not meeting them. But… If her partner doesn’t meet them, she doesn’t think they’re a failure. Rather, she thinks they’re so brave for trying so hard. 

Emily will begin to admit her admiration, but she’d be careful to avoid sounding as if she’s encouraging the kind of expectations being set. She’d tell her partner that some goals just aren’t meant to be reached. Although it’s a hard pill to swallow, especially for her, she is trying to transition into his idea that it’s so much better to focus on goals that are attainable, not self-deprecating, and not established thanks to the influence of others. Honestly, while speaking, Emily is also internalizing this advice for herself. She thrives from communication and wants to have a genuine and intimate conversation with her partner. Eventually, she’ll realize that she needs to shut up, so she’ll simply guide her partners head into her lip and start playing with their hair. She’ll allow her physical presence to serve as a distraction, but continues to encourage her partner to speak - regardless of what the topic is.

EDDY: Eddy would most likely attempt to distract his partner immediately. Sometimes, people don’t want to talk. Sometimes, it’s scary to actually vocalize the very things you wish weren’t weighing on you. Having to repeat expectations can be frightening and he doesn’t want his significant other to make those expectations seem as if they’re real and should be worthy of their emotional labor. So, he’d swoop in, quite literally (probably picking them up bridal style and swinging them around) before taking them out somewhere. It’s not that Eddy is avoiding the issue - rather, he’s also aware that it’s probably not best to manifest that negative energy in a space devoted to love and relaxation. He’d encourage them to speak when they felt comfortable while they were out walking, or while they were watching the stars, or while they were at an amusement park. He wants to be surrounded by things that can easily lift his partner when he sees that they are sinking. His mentality is very much “I have to get you out of here. I have to make you feel good. I don’t want you thinking about things that don’t make you happy. I want you to always be surrounded by the things that can put a smile on your face.” So, in other words, he wants to make every place a safe space, but also allow his partner to escape if they aren’t in the mood to confront their feelings.

STEVE: Steve has learned to be a bit more sympathetic, but continues to be straight forward. When he goes his injury, he realized he couldn’t meet a lot of the expectations he set for himself. He understands exactly what his partner is going through, but instead of making it about himself, he continues to stay silent and listens to them the entire time. He’d be the type to pull them into his chest and slowly rub their shoulder. He uses a lot of physical gestures to calm his partner down and to put them at ease. Through physical therapy, he’s learned how simple gestures can make profound impacts on the body, so he’s passing that knowledge down in order to make his partner as comfortable as possible. 

[headoverhiddles]

Busted - Freddy Newandyke/Mr. Orange x Reader [Smut]

Synopsis: Freddy tells the guys an amusing story.

Notes: Not reeeally smut, but it's smutty.

"Okay, okay," Brown waves his hands around, "Craziest thing that's ever happened to you." 

"Got pulled over by a cop for having phone sex with my girlfriend," Freddy chimes in proudly. "Had my dick out and everything." The Dogs all burst into juvenile laughter, passing the syrup around the table.

“You and cops, man, you’ve got some bad fucking luck,” Brown shakes his head. 

"And, uh... what was (y/n)'s reaction to this incident?" Larry smiles, "I expect it was something to witness." Freddy cringes.

"She doesn't exactly know yet."

"You better hope your ass doesn't get found out," Eddie shakes his head with a chuckle, "I know women, and you get put in the doghouse for that type of shit."

"Well it was her I was having phone sex with!" He shrugs, and goes back to mopping up syrup with his pancakes.

"C'mon, you can't just drop that shit on us and leave us without a story," Blue insists, and Freddy puts his hands up.

"Alright, alright. So I was talking to her on the way home one night..."

-0-0-0-

"That rookie cop, forget his fucking name again--"

You twirl the phone line, blowing on your painted nails. "Nash?"

"Yeah, him. How the hell do you remember that?"

"It's called having a working memory, you really need to start remembering your co-worker's fucking names, Freds."

"Yeah yeah, anyway Nash was being a real whiny piece of shit today, I felt like shooting him myself."

"The dogs are a bad influence on you," you smirk, and Freddy laughs.

"Probably. Anyway, I had a real fuckin bad day, but it got better, cause Larry invited me out with the guys."

"Yeah? Hey, you should invite Larry over again. Last time was fun, with the..."

"Yeah yeah, with the three of us? It was, wasn't it? Maybe next month, when we've got a little time."

"Yeah. So, what?"

"Well I kinda wanted to go, but I was tired, my feet hurt, I just wanna relax in with my girl tonight, y'know?" 

"Aw. I love you Orangie."

"Love you too."

"When'll you be home?"

"Eh, bout an hour away in the city."

"Okay. I've got dinner waiting, and I'm gonna go take a shower."

"...you know what I wish you were doing right now?" he asks. You pause.

"Do tell." 

"Sucking my cock," he replies simply in the most casual, Freddy-esque way possible, and you bite your lip, grinning and sitting up on the counter.

"I am. I'm sitting next to you right now, giving you that look. I'm biting my lip, and I turn to see if anyone's watching..."

"No one is," Freddy murmurs, "It's a deserted road."

"Good," you all but moan, "I'm reaching over... I'm unzipping you, and I pull your cock out, stroking you until you're hard. Then I lean down, and my hot, wet mouth slides over it. Mmmm.... fuck, you like that baby? You like my throat?"

"Yeah."

"You like fucking my mouth?"

"Mhmm, take it."

"I'm taking it... I'm taking it, it's sooo big though," you moan, "You taste so good, baby. God, I'm so wet. My panties are fucking dripping, you can tell from my eyes how fucking wet I am from you."

"Babe--" he lets out a groan.

"Want you to fuck me so hard. Mmmm..."

"Yeah... yeah, gonna fuck you--"

"Fuck me, baby, ohgod--" You smirk wickedly, and cluck your tongue. "Alrighty. See you in an hour, babe. Don't jerk off and crash, okay? You can’t get laid if you’re dead." You make kissy noises, and as Freddy protests, you hang up. Letting out an evil giggle, you toss off your top, and go run the shower. 

In his car, Freddy swears, and palms himself, until he realizes he can't not do this. One hand precariously guiding the steering wheel, he tries to stay steady as he unzips his pants, takes himself out, and starts pumping.

"Fuck... fuck," he grimaces, "Yeah, (y/n), love that pussy... best fucking pussy in the world, and it's all mine..."

Just then, he sees someone pull up next to him. Frozen, he can't move, and turns to see. The man in the other car is a cop, like Freddy. The other cop is Holdaway. Holdaway looks down at Freddy's lap. Freddy waves.

-0-0-0-

"And that is how I, um... kinda got busted for a night." He thought back to the speech he had received from the man. 

"But did you fuck?" Brown asks as if it were the most serious question in the world.

"What? Did I fuck the cop?!" Freddy asks.

"No jerk, your girlfriend!"

"Of course! I would've had blue balls all night, otherwise."

The entire table of guys erupts into laughter, and Freddy shakes his head. Life was never dull with you around.

[buttonpanels]

So far, I’ve looked at the biggest shake-ups in comics status quos in the 2010s. Of course, I think those were important. They’re paradigm shifts that allow for different stories. But sometimes, you need to go smaller, and that’s what this is. This time, I’m going to be highlighting specific moments in comics that I feel were the best in the 2010s.

These can range from a single scene to a single panel, but they’re what I consider the best the 2010s have to offer. They might stand on their own or be the payoff for years of storytelling, but these are the ones that had the biggest impact on me as a reader. As a rule: it can’t be an entire issue. I’m also trying to avoid placing similar scenes on this list. So yes, it’s a loose criterion, but it’s mine. Anyway, let’s see what we have for arbitrarily ranked my personal best comic book moments of the 2010s…

15. “He was an Adventure”, Die #2

Die is a comic that embodies the best of Kieron Gillen. His knack for clever dialogue, interesting ideas, strong characterisation and self-aware contemplative narration are felt in every issue, bolstered by Stephanie Hans’ beautiful art. The concept of a role-playing game that sucks its players in is a bit derivative, but Gillen leans into the RPG side of things and really shows what an RPG made and played by a bunch of pretentious, conflicted teenagers would be like, and the world that would result. Nowhere is that better shown than when Dominic (or rather, Ash) reunites with Sir Lane.

After the cast return to their game as adults after having escaped it as teenagers, they run into immediate trouble. After dealing with it, the party discusses whether to take a horrible route to their destination or the one they used years prior, where everyone knows them. Before they can decide, Ash runs into an old flame of sorts — Sir Lane, a typical knight in shining armour who she was in a relationship with and said she would come back to. She teasingly cursed him so that he couldn’t rest until he saw her again, and now she’s come back… after over a decade and he’s a zombie. They’re forced to kill him, and decide to avoid taking the same path, lest they run into more from their past.

Die is a great series that captures the spirit and fun of RPGs while giving things just enough edge to feel interesting but not like the creative team is going out of their way to be edgy. This here is a great instance of that, bringing a dark edge to a fantasy cliché and taking full advantage of the setting and characters. The first issue of Die didn’t fully land with me, but this issue definitely did, with this dark and morbid scene and the poetic narration. Just a wonderfully executed moment.

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14. “You can’t help yourself… you are Apocalypse”, Uncanny X-Force (2010) #4

Here’s a moment that is heavily carried by the art. Rick Remender’s Uncanny X-Force is great, but this moment, which is otherwise not that spectacular, is elevated by an understated use of layouts and not only established that this would be a very different X-Force run, but the threat to come.

After the new, black ops and secretive X-Force team has hunted down the rejuvenated form of Apocalypse, they are at a crossroads when Psylocke refuses to allow them to kill the now child despot. The team debates before falling to infighting, before Angel finally gets the upper hand after wrestling with his inner demon, Archangel. When Apocalypse says he won’t become who they think he’ll become, Angel says he won’t be able to stop himself and goes in for the kill… only to hesitate… then Fantomex kills Apocalypse anyway. The team leaves with no fanfare or celebration.

The art is what really sells this scene. The fight between the X-Force members is well done and easy to follow, and the narration from Warren is executed very well with some great lettering, but that moment when Angel says that Apocalypse will always be a monster, and the art slows things down with wide panels and extreme close-ups and a peak into Warren’s soul, that is what sells this moment. It is a powerful pause in time that and scene that is emblematic of what the run would entail — wrestling with morality, nature vs. nurture and struggling with one’s inner demons.

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13. “I think about it every day”, Grayson #12

Grayson is a series I will never shut up about, because it just works so much better than it should. Taking Dick Grayson out of the world of superheroes and putting him in the more morally ambiguous and backstab-prone spy world allowed Tom King and Tim Seeley to get to the root of his character, and make it all the more satisfying when he returned to the world of capes and tights. Case in point: Grayson #12, where Dick reunites with the Batfamily. While every reunion is great, the one that was the bet executed in my mind is Dick’s reunion with Barbara Gordon.

Dick is reuniting with his family after his boss at Spyral forces him to come back to the organisation. She lets him get in his goodbyes, however. Having already spoken to an amnesiac Bruce Wayne, he went on to talk to Jason Todd and Tim Drake and gave them a gift of two batarangs, and is now talking to Barbara. Dick had previously run into her in his secret Spyral identity, but she didn’t really know it was him. He tries to explain why he did what he did, but she’s not having it and leaves. Dick jumps after her… off a bridge, and gives her the trapeze pole from when they swung together after she was crippled in The Killing Joke, and confesses all his unspoken feelings for her.

There’s really nothing more to this moment than that, it’s just Dick and Babs reuniting and Dick telling her what she means to him. It’s heart-warming and cute, and the whole “Cluemaster’s Code” that Dick is using — the first letter of every sentence will spell out the real message — is used really well this issue, but I like that Dick repeats himself when he says he’ll come back to her. It’s as if he’s willing to muddle the message and Barbara understanding it just to reiterate how important she is to him. This moment wouldn’t properly go anywhere, since Tim Seeley set Dick up with a new love interest in a terribly executed romantic subplot in his Nightwing run, but for a moment, one of the best relationships in comics got a moment in the sun.

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12. “You’re poison”, The Sandman Universe Presents: Hellblazer #1

Hellblazer is at its best when it acknowledges what a toxic influence John Constantine is on his friends and family. Very few people come out of their interactions with him unscathed, and his addiction to magic only guarantees that those around him will have a rough time of it. Nowhere is that better demonstrated than with how his long-time friendship with Chas Chandler ends, which ushered in a return to form for Constantine.

After coming back from a terrible future and promising his future self to live his best life, Constantine goes to visit his friend Chas. He learns that, since his absence, Chas has contracted cancer and is now in the cancer ward of a hospital. Upon his visit, he finds demons possessing Chas and goes to free his friend, using the bodies of other cancer patients, only for Chas himself to call John out on his years of being a prick, his abandonment and the fact that John gave him cancer. Constantine’s constant smoking in Chas’ cab is what it’s attributed to and he tells John to leave him alone and fuck off. John respects his friend’s wishes just before Chas dies and John is left truly alone.

Despite how their friendship ended, this issue also did a great job giving it something of a heart-warming ending… sort of, as in the future, John tricks Chas into essentially performing a magic suicide bombing, but Chas, ignorant of this, tells John that sometimes you need to step up and be a hero. Both scenes work together to show the nature of this friendship — Chas is a good person at heart and one whom Constantine values and trusts… but he’s still someone Constantine will manipulate, and who will call John out on his bullshit. It’s a fitting end to the character and a great way to kick off this new era of Hellblazer.

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11. “I thought you loved me”, Venom (2018) #11

The relationship between Eddie Brock and the Venom symbiote has always been some level of abusive, but whether or not it’s a romantic relationship has generally not been touched on where it can be avoided. Maybe it’s the idea that Venom fans wouldn’t want a gay relationship, maybe it’s fear of the repercussions of a negatively portrayed gay relationship — the symbiote is identified as male a few times, after all — or maybe it’s just weird that Eddie is in a romantic relationship with alien ooze. But in the end, it’s usually more allegory and not so much a literal romantic relationship… until now, and it is glorious.

After a handful of issues of the Venom symbiote lacking its voice and Eddie’s cancer resurfacing, the Maker is able to “fix” Eddie while he goes through his memories and learns that certain parts were fake — his sister and initial cancer diagnosis being the primary ones he focuses on. He confronts the Venom symbiote, which can speak again, about why it changed his memories and it says Eddie needed to need it. They argue and Eddie wakes up to protect Dylan Brock, who he has just learned is his son.

Eddie’s relationship with the symbiote has always been destructive and unhealthy, and Cates fully leans into that here. The symbiote has manipulated Eddie into staying with it, forced him to become Venom and lied to him about his son. It has fully become an abusive lover and the sheer superhero-ness of this scene lends it a sense of self-awareness in what could otherwise have devolved into melodrama. However, Donny Cates is still able to end the scene with such conviction that it carries all the weight it was supposed to.

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10. “Smoke the meat”, Animosity #7

The biggest strength of Animosity is Marguerite Bennett’s keen eye for worldbuilding. The basic premise of “what if animals suddenly became fully aware” is explored for all it’s worth, with small bits of worldbuilding that truly make the world of Animosity feel alive yet relatable. The way Bennett uses these little pieces of worldbuilding to craft a nuanced and morally grey story is what really sells this series, and nowhere is that more apparent than in Animosity #7.

The scene in question deals with the aftermath of a fight the main characters get into, where they run into some carnivores. While everyone else tends to their wounds and gets some rest, main dog Sandor and the cat Pallas go to deal with the aftermath. They find their dead friends and we learn what they’re actually doing, and that it’s not uncommon — they eat the corpses of the dead. This time, they bury their friends, but the other animals that were killed are eaten all the same, and this isn’t the first time Sandor and Pal have done this, nor is it expected to be the last, and Sandor reminds Pal that, when Sandor himself dies, to feed him to his owner Jesse.

The scene is a wonderfully dark revelation, in a story where we learned more and more about what Sandor will do to protect his owner. It plays really well off the previous issues and does a great job escalating the moral ambiguity of the story. It not only adds more moral complexity to the wider world of Animosity, but furthers the story and characters. Every part of Animosity feels well thought out, and this moment not only advances the world but the story, in an unexpected and dark way.

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9. “He has you and me”, Doomsday Clock #12

DC Rebirth was a relaunch that truly returned some of what the DC universe had lost that made it so great. It lamented the loss of love, legacy and optimism, all of which were indeed sorely lacking, and told a story of how corrupting outside forces altered the DCU’s history and characters to better reflect a cynical outlook. Well, Doomsday Clock finally ended last week, and for all its faults and the discussions that can be had concerning creator rights and Watchmen, I think it delivered on its promise — the return of love, legacy and optimism, the latter of which was best exemplified in the return of the JSA and, as a result, of the Legion of Super-Heroes and Ma and Pa Kent.

After Flashpoint, it was established that Clark Kent had lost his parents at a young age, after they were hit by a drunk driver. Even after the Superman Reborn crossover patched up Superman’s history to essentially be the post-Crisis one — with some New 52 stuff sprinkled in here and there — he still had dead parents. Doomsday Clock revealed that Doctor Manhattan had caused the Kents’ accident, in order to transform Superman into a more cynical figure that he could relate to. However, after Superman inspires him, Manhattan believes in the ideals of love, legacy and optimism and undoes his changes to the timeline — or at least most of them, since DC’s plans clearly changed as this story was being published — and the restoration of the Justice Society of America is what kicks things into gear. Not only are the JSA my favourite superhero team, but their existence now changes Jonathan Kent’s outlook — instead of a cynical, protective outlook that causes him to discourage Clark using his abilities, the JSA’s existence causes Jonathan to encourage Clark instead, and he saves his parents as Superboy. The emergence of Superboy in turn causes the Legion of Super-Heroes to exist again. And they save the day, and all ends well, and Clark goes to reunite with his parents.

This moment is the perfect pay off to the entire Rebirth saga. There’s some wonkiness here as a result of rewrites, clearly. The Legion of Super-Heroes, as written now, are not inspired by Clark as Superboy but by Jonathan Samuel Kent as Superboy helping to found the United Planets, but the dialogue pretends like this is the Retroboot Legion from a few years back. Ignoring that, however, this moment just works. After the darkest parts of the story, with Imra fading away and Johnny Thunder broken and defeated, Superman’s inspiration is what undoes the changes and brings those people back. The legacy of the JSA that creates a new world of optimism, one that extends into the far future, and the return of the Kents is just makes it that much more satisfying that optimism and hope won out. This is a perfect ending to the story that Geoff Johns began in 2016, one that embraces what the DCU is about, even through its various reboots.

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8. “I’ll still hold your hand”, Doom Patrol (2016) #1

Gerard Way’s Doom Patrol run is a bit uneven, at least if you read it as it was ongoing like I did (you know, when every issue after the second was released late). But the first issue is a great introduction to the Doom Patrol, and the opening scene does a wonderful job setting the tone for Way’s run and introducing a character who is probably one of the best audience surrogate characters in comics.

The scene is pretty short and simple, giving a quick intro to Casey Brinke as she drives an ambulance during her day job. The narration is what sells it, as it carries this sense of poetry and angst that feels like it has enough conviction to be done well. Casey’s narration doesn’t feel ironic, self-defeating or cliché, but oddly reassuring — fitting, given she talks about what her job means to her. There’s some fun, of course, helped by the cartoony visuals and the neon colours, but otherwise it is just a relatively quiet intro to a character.

This introduction to Casey really does set the tone for the rest of Way’s Doom Patrol run, the more modern, straightforward and character-focused run. While there are stranger elements, such as when Casey and Terry None (a woman) have a biological son together and the cult that wants to transport itself inside Crazy Jane, at its core Way’s run was about the characters moving forward with their lives and Casey finding a place on the team. This introduction is great for setting that up, especially since some of the poetic narration is actually literally true, which was a very unexpected twist.

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7. “Batman punches people in the face”, Batman (2016) #53

Tom King’s Batman run is a thoroughly mixed bag, but it has moments of brilliance. One such moment is during the “Cold Days” arc, where Mr. Freeze is on trial after being captured by Batman, and a jury discusses his potential conviction. All are in favour of a guilty verdict but one — Bruce Wayne, who laments Gotham’s worship of Batman. This moment is probably the best culmination of Tom King’s Batman run up until this point, and gave real hope that his run would recover after the controversial wedding issue.

With Mr. Freeze arrested and on trial, Gotham’s jury is quick to label him as guilty despite the lack of evidence. Bruce attributes this to Gotham’s hero worship of Batman that he compares to worship of a god, because of the jurors’ perception of Batman is all-knowing, with his will having power over life and death. When asked what Batman means to him, Bruce tells the jurors that after his parents’ deaths, Batman was something he could believe in to keep him going, something he could rely on to always be there and save him. Not anymore; now that being Batman has taken Catwoman away from him, Bruce has become disillusioned with Batman.

This moment, as understated as it is, does a wonderful job paying off what had come in King’s Batman run. Bruce’s suicidal nature, his reliance on Batman as a means of achieving peace, his own obsession to keep fighting as Batman and the recent dissolution of his engagement with Catwoman resulting from his need to be miserable in order to be Batman, it’s all wonderfully played off by this moment that gives the readers a peak into how his breakup has shaken his foundation and made him doubt Batman. King’s run has a lot of flaws, but every now and then it delivered a powerhouse moment.

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6. “A man shouldn’t…”, Redneck #16

Redneck‘s core concept is relatively simple: vampires in the South of America. Donny Cates milks this for all its worth, with engaging characters and interesting lore. But what makes Redneck great is the characters, and how Cates is able to imbue them with a real sense of life. After a long string of tragedies, Cates gives his characters a few issues to breathe, and the result is one of the best scenes of the 2010s that deftly defies expectations.

The central family of the Bowmans is given a chance to breathe after their home is destroyed, they are betrayed from within and their generosity almost gets them killed. One character who is given a bit of a spotlight is Greg, who we learn is gay and who has a cute fling with minor character Winny. They talk about it becoming more when the patriarch of the Bowmans, his father JV, walks in on the two. What follows Greg trying to calm his father down, who walks away in shock, and Greg assumes his dad isn’t okay with his sexuality and ends up verbalising it for the first time ever… and it turns out his dad was more shocked because, well, he just saw his son after said son had just fucked someone. The two bond for a bit and JV says Greg should do whatever makes him happy.

The scene is just a really heart-warming moment and well-done, in addition to playing with expectations. The southern dad having a problem with his son’s homosexuality is pretty played out, but this series has its roots in the south, from its characters to its dialogue, so it wouldn’t be out of place for that trope to be played straight — especially given that JV is very old. But Cates defies expectations — and rather than think that is what makes a good story, actually does something with it, delivering what one of my favourite gay scenes of the 2010s. Cates gets a lot of praise for his narratives, but I don’t think his dialogue and character work gets as much praise as it deserves.

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5. “Everything lives”, Secret Wars (2015) #9

Jonathan Hickman’s multi-series Marvel saga is a sight to behold. A grand story told across multiple series, spanning the entire Marvel Multiverse, the sheer scale of it is unprecedented and expertly executed. Secret Wars (2015) was the culmination of his Marvel work, but rather than a gigantic event that stood on its own, it — for better or worse — served as the grand finale to his saga and specifically an ending to his Fantastic Four run. Taken like that, it hits it out of the park.

Secret Wars (2015) follows the birth and destruction of Battleworld, a patchwork world created from the remnants of the multiverse by Doctor Doom. Doom saved what he could, but has taken to ruling over everything with an iron fist, and a surviving Reed Richards ends up fighting him for the right to fix the world — at great risk, possibly destroying what remains. The fight ends when Doom admits that Reed would have done a better job, and the Molecule Man ends the fight and gives Reed the power. There’s an epilogue where Valeria Richards explains what happened, but the last scene is of a smiling Victor von Doom, mask removed and face restored by his friend Reed.

This ending is a perfect ending to the themes of Hickman’s Fantastic Four run. The idea of believing in the future and not being fearful of saving what’s left, but instead building what comes next is the given a literalisation in the final battle between Reed and Victor. Reed and Franklin rebuild the multiverse together as one last act of father-son bonding, after the theme of fatherhood was so central to Hickman’s run. And, finally, Reed proves himself the better man, that his morality is what makes him who he is, as he gives Victor one last gift and a new lease on life, setting up stories for the future. This ending is so emblematic of all things good about Hickman that it was the perfect note for him to leave the universe on… but then he came back and reinvigorated the X-Men, and that’s also a great thing.

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4. “How could I ever forget you?”, DC Universe: Rebirth #1

It wasn’t too long ago that DC Universe: Rebirth #1 released and heralded the return of much of what made the pre-Flashpoint DCU so great. A return of love, legacy and optimism, Rebirth truly revitalised DC’s comics and moved things forward, while not neglecting the past. And it all took the form of the Flash fan from Blue Valley, Nebraska coming home.

After years of questionable output from DC, Rebirth was the much-promoted revitalisation of the line. It was leaked that Wally would be returning, but given that it’s literally the premise of the issue, it doesn’t really affect the comic — in fact, it probably got more people excited for the relaunch than anything (especially since they teased his return beforehand but excluded him from the Rebirth panel). And when Wally finally returned, it was glorious. Wally traverses the New 52 and laments the loss of what fans loved, while simultaneously embracing the new. And after Linda fails to remember him in this issue, Wally goes to say goodbye to Barry in a heartfelt monologue, and it’s possible this really was going to be the end for Wally, but then he’s saved from the Speed Force.

Wally is the perfect character to usher in the Rebirth era. He is a character defined by his connection to the Flash legacy, whose love for his wife Linda has saved him on countless occasions and he’s a character who has never been defined by the tragedy in his life. Wally is the character that was all about moving forward, embracing the new — he represents what was so great about the DCU. As a long-time Flash and DC fan, this was everything I wanted — essentially an apology for how these two things were treated for most of the 2010s. Johns’ dialogue is sentimental and earnest, and it really resonates as a result. There are a lot of meta moments like this in the 2010s, but this one landed with me the most.

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3. “Did we do a good job, son?”, FF (2011) #23

While Jonathan Hickman is known for his epic scope, I think what doesn’t get enough attention is his keen eye for human emotion. His aforementioned Fantastic Four run spans the multiverse, but at its core is about family. The larger than life scale of his run lends a grandeur to the sentiment, but in the end, the stories are about family — and it all ends with Reed and Sue talking to their son in his bedroom, before he’s gone forever.

There’s comic book science involved, obviously, but an adult Franklin Richards spends the day with his younger self before telling his past parents that he needs to return to his own time. What follows is a heartfelt, earnest scene that anyone who even has a passing interest in parenthood can relate to — Reed and Sue tell Franklin about their worries, their concerns if they did things right, and ask Franklin if they were good parents, and Franklin tells them yes.

Hickman’s Fantastic Four run was about the family, but a running element was Reed and Franklin’s relationship, and how they just aren’t similar. Sue expresses the concerns that a mother would express, but Reed getting to the root of it is a beautiful way for Hickman’s run to end. After he neglected Franklin and they’ve bonded, after he gained a broader view of his children, he’s finally able to reconcile his parenting with every other part of him.

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2. “You’re the fastest man alive!”, The Flash (2016) #50

Yes, another Wally West moment. After Wally returned in DC Universe: Rebirth #1, it was assumed by many that he would be given a greater role in the DC Universe. Instead, he appeared in a mediocre-to-bad Titans series where nobody seemed to know what to do with him. After several badly received stories, Wally was returned to the Flash book, where he was given a lot of prominence and importance, and Joshua Williamson showed a strong love and affinity for the character. Then came “Flash War”, a story that I dreaded for its tagline of “there can only be one fastest man alive”, and anyone familiar with DC’s heavily contrasting treatments of Wally West and Barry Allen can tell you why.

However… “Flash War” was great. It mined Flash lore for interesting ideas, tackled the plot point of Wally’s forgotten children when it seemed like writers forgot about them, and delivered a triumphant moment of Wally. As Barry and Wally start losing sight of a Speed Force-empowered Hunter Zolomon, Barry speaks the words that we all knew to be true — that Wally is the fastest man alive. Wally catches up to Hunter and, in a way that gets to the core of the character and what the Flash legacy means to him and to readers, defeats Hunter.

The epilogue issue that followed was also great, with some great meta-commentary, but I’m keeping it to one issue per series. So, make it an honourable mention. And sure, what followed “Flash War” for Wally was terrible and speaks of how badly creators can screw up characters, but for a brief time, Wally West was where he belonged — with his family, as the fastest man alive. Instead of Titans encouraging him to let go of his memories, The Flash has him embrace them and his past, because that’s what makes him who he is.

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1. “Dawn”, Silver Surfer (2016) #14

Dan Slott’s Silver Surfer run is a joyful ride through the strangeness of space and is a soaring tribute to the Silver Age. However, at its core, Silver Surfer is about the relationship between Norrin Radd, the Sentinel of the Spaceways, and Dawn Greenwood, an average girl from Earth. This moment typifies that in the best way possible.

After Norrin and Dawn travel to before the Big Bang, they are stranded and decide to live their lives there. They get married and Dawn eventually passes away from old age, and Norrin doesn’t. As the old universe dies, Norrin travels through the event and ends up in the current universe once again, throwing Dawn’s essence into the Big Bang, creating the signature red and black dots of the power cosmic from her ladybug motif. Later, we see that every species has the same word for the sun rising: “Dawn”.

This moment is a perfect ending to a perfect run. It is goofy and weird, but also epic and heart-warming, paying tribute to Jack Kirby’s art and honing in on what made this run so great. If Dan Slott’s Silver Surfer was a tribute to the Silver Age, this moment is a testament that, for all the high concepts and strangeness, the Silver Age was about joy and wonderment.

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There you have it, my personal best comic book moments of the 2010s. Probably nobody is going to agree with me on these, but these are the ones I liked the most. There were others, but I had to be a bit strict, so this is what is left. Hopefully the 2020s will have just as many good moments, and of just as high a quality. But I don’t know, I don’t have 2020 vision.

(Sorry).

As the decade comes to a close, I've decided to look at the best moments in comic books from the 2010s, a decade which delivered some of my favourite moments in comics. So far, I've looked at the biggest shake-ups in comics status quos in the 2010s. Of course, I think those were important.

[wendynerdwrites]

Guess who got a big chunk of writing done for the first time in months? This gal!

Okay, so here is a rough first chapter of a Metalocalypse fanfic, Dethcomics:

"Gentleman… It seems Dethklok is looking into joining the world of comic books. A call has gone out seeking artists and writers to create a Dethklok graphic novel."

"This could be catastrophic! Every new Dethklok industry venture manages to upset the balance of trade, but a band-sponsored book spreading their messages further?!"

"At least with their music no one can tell what Nathan Explosion is saying. But written in black and white?!"

"Exactly. To elaborate, I have called in expert in comics, Professor Varveil Molfirbygai."

The Professor, skinny and acne-ridden, comes forward, pushing his square-framed glasses up  the bridge of his nose. "Gentlemen, Dethklok have already rejected the proposals by Brian Posehn, Brian Piludo, and Grant Morrison for their books and are tearing through artists one at a time. At this rate, no one in the industry will be left but Rob Liefeld and Devin Grayson. Apparently their contradictory demands and unrealistic expectations have even been characterized by Alan Moore as 'too far out'. Marvel, DC, Image, and Dark Horse have all blacklisted them, leading to the band to launch their own independent publishing house. This could potentially upset the delicate balance of power within the industry. And God help us if the title is snatched up for screen adaptation by Sony or - ugh - Hulu."

"What can we do to nip this in the bud?"

"It seems that Nathan Explosion's new wife, Abigail Remeltindtdrinc and Charles Offdensen have taken a more direct role in monitoring the project. They may prove a stabilizing influence…"

~_~_~

"Ugh, Dildos!" William Murderface hurls his whiskey bottle to the corner of the game room. "These artsy-fartsy types are a bunch of egotistical, emotional dildos!"

"Ja, likes how obsessives and arrogants can yous gets?" Skwissgaar adds, shredding silently on his Gibson. "And sos delicate!"

Toki, leaning back from the Mortal Kombat machine, sniffs. "I's kinds of liked that Yoorerd Way fellows…"

"HE DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT ROCK!" Nathan roars from the foosball table, engaging in a fierce battle with Pickles.

"Maybe we should just write it ourselves, y'know." Pickles suggests, "And get, I don't know… Toki, you draw things, right?"

Toki brightens. "I'S DO!"

Skisgaar scoffs, "All's he's draws is girly, fluffy tings like happy bunnies and womens withts de tits covered."

"Toki is even less metal than that Brenden Smalls douchebag! Heh, Brenden Smalls, what did he ever create for anyone?" Murderface adds.

"I cans draw brutal!"

"I'm sure you can, Toki, but I'm afraid that still isn't happening," a firm, female voice calls out.

The room falls silent as Charles and Abigail enter the room. 

"Guys, Abigail may have found someone to write and draw the book," Charles announces.

Abigail blanches slightly, somewhat uncomfortable. "Maybe, if I can convince her."

"Her?" Murderface asks, somehow sounding simultaneously dismissive and aroused. "We can't let ladies make stuff for us!"

Abigail cradles her temple. "See?" She says to Offdensen, "I told you!"

"Why would we wants chicks arounds us?" Skwisgaar asks.

"Guys, we already put out the announcement. You've blown through nearly every acclaimed graphic novel creator in the business. Fans are getting impatient. So if we can get Abigail's friend to do this for us, you will be on your best behavior!"

"Maybe we should give this chick a chance, you know?" Nathan offers, offering his wife a sympathetic look.

"Oh, you're only saying that because your lady suggested it!" Murderface howls, taking a new bottle of alcohol from a Klokateer with a tray. "You're totally whipped, Man!"

Abigail's eyes burn. She smarches over to the couch and yanks the bassist by the ear. He cries out.

"Listen, you talentless sack of piss, this whole project has been taking time away from recording. And you know how I feel about that. You're going to be a good little boy and do as I say, understand?!"

"YES, MA'AM!"

Abigail releases him, leans back, clears her throat, and smooths her blazer. "I apologize for that. I am… not feeling like myself lately. Like I said, I haven't even convinced my friend to do this, I am not even sure I can. But you can all be sure of her qualifications. Her name is Sofia Maldonado, she's been creating comics since she was fifteen. She has worked on titles like The Boys, Swamp Thing, Ms. Marvel, Deadpool, Nightwing, and Batman. She has her own book, The Emerald Pixie, that has been a hit with both critics and readers and has been nominated for four Eisner Awards, winning two."

The band looks at her as if she is speaking Chinese. She sighs.

" Uh, 'Emerald Pixie'?" Nathan inquires, "No offense, Honey, but that doesn't sound very metal."

"The Pixie has retractable ten inch fangs."

"Oh, uh, that's cool, I guess."

"I mean, it can't hurt, I guess." Pickles adds.

"Is she hot?" Murderface asks.

"Yeahs, is she hot?" Skwisgaar asks.

Abigail turns to Charles. "Why am I doing this again?"

Offdensen pats the producer on the arm. "Guys, please, that is irrelevant. And you will keep things professional, or I am cancelling your vacation to Pornfest this year, understand?"

"What?! Can you even do that?!" Pickles cries out.

"As per my new contract with the five of you, I most certainly can." 

The band all grumbles, except for Toki.

"Cans I's shows her my drawings?"

"I'm sure that will be fine."

Abigail sighs. "Look, guys, this woman is a friend of mine, she is good at what she does, and she does not put up with crap. I am going out on a limb for you with this. One wrong move and she bolts. Understand?"

They all grumble again, but answer in the affirmative.

"Excellent." Charles straightens his tie and clears his throat. "Abigail will call up Ms. Maldonado and see if she is willing."

~_~_~_~

"No."

"Just lis-"

"No, Abby, and also: No. Nope. Negative. Nuh-uh. Nein. Not happening. They've run through almost everyone. Do you know how fucked up you have to be to weird out Alan Moore?! The man worships a Roman Snake God, for fucks sake. I am not descending into that pit of testosterone and excess."

"I will keep them in line, I promise. I managed to get them through six albums in as many years. Now that I'm involved, it will be different, I promise."

"Didn't William Murderface once refer to women as 'Serpents with tits'? Abby, I have reached a point in my career where I am through putting up with shit like this. I have had to collaborate with Garth Ennis and Frank Miller. I even spent an entire hour of my life in the presence of Dave Sims. I have done my time."

Abigail groans. "Sof, Charles Offdensen is offering enough for you to put Eddie through preschool, K-12 private, college and grad school someday."

"Emerald Pixie is selling like crazy and Paramount and Universal have approached me for the rights."

"I'll get you an interview for Collegiate."

There's a long pause. 

"...Really? How?"

"I'm an alum, remember? And the Headmistress owes me, like, seven favors. Your son will be playing in the sandbox with the children of Governors and hedge fund owners.”

There’s another pause. Abigail smiles. For all that Sofia has gone on about hating capitalism and her passion for Leftist politics, since her son was born she’d grown a little hypocritical on that front. Not that Abby could blame her. Sofia didn’t have a lot of support, being a single mom. 

“Maybe I’ll consider a meaning.”

Abigail tries a different tactic. “Please do. To be honest, I could really use a friend around here at the moment.”

It’s not something she’d normally say, as independent as she is. But as she makes the statement, she realizes that it’s true. 

Sofia’s voice becomes gentler. “What’s up?” 

Abigail tells her.

Her friend takes a deep breath. “Okay, then. I’ll take the meeting. But I mean it, Abby, one shitty comment---”

“---I know. But hey, look, you’ve met Nathan, and he’s not so bad, right?”

Technically, Sofia had encountered the entire band to varying extents at the wedding. She’d really only spoken to Nathan, and stared, mouth agape, at Pickles’s bender and slurred Best Man’s toast.

“He’s not too bad, I guess. But the rest? Bunch of crazy gringos.”

“Toki is sweet. Pickles actually isn’t bad when he’s not blackout drunk. Skwisgaar can be decent, aside from the arrogance. And Murderface… Don’t worry, I’ll keep my boot to his neck. I’ll keep my boots to all of their necks. I swear. Please, Sof, do this for me.”

Sofia takes yet another deep breath. “Alright. I’ll be available in a couple of weeks. Book me a flight. And I want my Collegiate interview before then.”

“Done. Thank you so much.”

They say their good-byes. Abigail hangs up and leans back against the pillows of her bed, rubbing her temple. Nathan enters the bedroom, looking a little sheepish. 

“Look, uh, I had another talk with the guys. Murderface is in debt again, so I offered to pay it off, if you don’t, uh, mind. That should help keep him… you know… less Murderface.” He sits down on the edge of the bed and takes her hand. “Did she say yes?”

  “We have a single meeting in two weeks. I’m pretty sure I’m going to draw up a list with Charles about things they are not allowed to bring up.”

“You’re sure this is a good idea, right?”

Abigail smiles ruefully. “No, not at all. But it’s the only idea I have.”

“I hope the guys don’t, well, uh, you know…”

“Sofia talks a big game, but she’s tough and willing to put up with more than she lets on. She wouldn’t be where she is if it were otherwise. If we keep them reined in enough, I think we might make this work.”

~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~

“Hey, I’s remembers her!”

“Shut up, Toki! Don’t be weird!” Pickles snaps as they watch their prospective new artist drop her bags in the middle of the Mordhouse entry hall and look up at the gargantuan ceiling. 

She is tall and athletic, with bronzed skin, blue eyes, and dark brown hair. She wears boot-cut black pants, a red graphic tee, and a black jacket with pins on the lapel. The band all peers at her curiously as Abigail rushes forward to greet her, ask after her son, and re-introduce Charles.

Handshakes are exchanged, and Abigail ushers the band over.

“Sofia, you of course remember my husband Nathan. This is Pickles, the drummer. Skwisgaar Skwigelf, lead guitar.”

“Hi’s.” Skwisgaar offers, obviously trying not to stare at her tits.

“Toki Wartooth, rhythm guitar.”

“Hello’s artist-lady!” Toki bounces on his heels, clutching sheets of paper. “I’s have some drawings, I hopes you like them!” He thrusts them towards her.

The artist smiles kindly and takes them. “I’ll give them a look. Thank you, Mr. Wartooth.”

“Calls me Toki!”

“Thank you, Toki.”

“And finally, William Murderface, bass.”

“Greetings and salutations, Senoriiiiiita!” Murderface grabs the woman’s hand and presses a wet kiss to it before smirking up at her. “Ole.”

Sofia snatches her hand back and glances at Abigail, who glowers at the bassist. “Knock it off, Murderface, or I’ll have you neutered.”

He squeals and jumps back. “S-Sorry.”

"So's, tells me, comics-lady. Cans we's makes dis comic book a pops-ups book and can we's makes the pop-up dragons breathes fire?"

Sofia takes one look at Toki, then another at Abigail. "I'm so glad to be here!"

[daggerzine]

The Dot comes before the Dash- the Danny Ingram interview.

You would see their names on the back of records, many for Washington’s DC’s Dischord label and you might see a photo every now and again, but don’t know much about them unless you were part of that scene (ie; see my previous interview with Chris Bald from a few years ago). Danny Ingram was another one of those names. I knew he’d been in some of the early Dischord bands (Youth Brigade, etc.) and knew he’d done a lot of other stuff but wasn’t exactly sure where, when or in what context (‘cept that I knew he’s a drummer). Fast forward to nearly a decade ago when I saw his name as drummer of a new Washington, DC combo named Dot Dash. Their guitarist/vocalist Terry Banks had been in some of my favorite indie pop combos, namely Tree Fort Angst and The Saturday People, so I knew I was gonna like this one (Hunter Bennett rounds out the trio on bass)! I’ve enjoyed all of their records, but this latest one, Proto Retro (released earlier this year on The Beautiful Music label) is really a special thing of beauty. Well-written rock-pop songs that are both heartfelt and fun (and catchy as hell). Back to Ingram though, he was one of the older punks on the DC scene and thus saw and heard a lot so grab your favorite beverage, your reading glasses and bathrobe and take a stroll both down memory lane and up ‘til the current day.

A man and his drums, 

 Were you born and raised in Washington, DC?

Yes – DC born and raised. Lived in SE DC until I was 12, then moved to Palisades (NW DC) where I met my life-long friend and future bandmate, Nathan Strejcek.

 At what age did you take up the drums?

I had a fascination with drums from an early age. I’d had a crush on my baby sitter, Irene, and her brother had a drum set. To impress her, I tried playing along with his Beatles records and such, even though my feet didn’t reach the pedal. It was a lost cause. But a dear family friend and neighbor in SE, Richard Spencer, nurtured my interest. I think he bought me my first drums. He played in Otis Redding’s band and achieved quite a bit of success with his own band the Winstons (he wrote the Grammy-winning song ‘color him father).  I was about 19 when I took up the drums in earnest – with the intention of being in a band. At the risk of repeating an oft-told story…I had gone to see the Clash at the Ontario theater and was hanging out in the narrow, upstairs ‘dressing room’ with the band and several other people. I was sharing a spliff and talking with Joe, Mick and (to a lesser extent because I had trouble understanding him) Paul. Joe asked if I played in a band – I told him I didn’t – but that my best friend did. He admonished me to get off the sidelines – to ‘do something – create something’ – and when Joe Strummer tells you to do something…well…you do it. Shortly thereafter I volunteered to join the Untouchables (their drummer, Richard, left for college). A few weeks after that we played our first show. This was probably in the fall of 1980.

 How did you come into contact with the Dischord Records folks? Were you a Wilson HS student as well? Yeah. I went to Wilson (briefly) and knew all the Dischord people before there was a record label (or a Teen Idles). Nathan and I were best friends and he, along with Ian and Jeff, started the label. We all grew up together and have been friends since early days.

 Do you remember the first person you ever met in the DC punk scene? What was your first punk show?

I was there at the outset and knew most-if not all-of the people before there was a scene, per se. I guess the first people I met who weren’t in our group of friends were Xyra and Cathy – they had a punk radio show at WGTB (Georgetown University radio) called Revolt into Style. Nathan and I used to sneak out of our houses and go down for their shows after our parents went to sleep. As for the first concert? Hard to say. I saw so many bands in those early days –one of the first was probably the Ramones in the fall of ’77. I worked at the Atlantis and at the 9:30 club when it first opened up – so I saw almost every show that came through the DC area for many years. Also, I was a smidge older…so coupled with my fake ID I was able to get into places like the Bayou as well.

Youth Brigade (Danny is 2nd from left)

 From what I know you’re a bit older than some of the other DC punks, were you there early enough to go to places like Madam’s Organ and the Hard Art Gallery?  (places I only know about from pictures, usually of the Bad Brains).

Tell me about how/when The Untouchables formed? Was that your first band?

…and please tell us about the origins of Youth Brigade?

I was born in 1961 – so it makes me a about a year older than Ian and Jeff and six months older than Nathan. I never really considered myself older. Now, Boyd and the guys in Black Market Baby were fucking old! Most of em born in the 50’s! J Seriously though – we were all roughly in the same age group – though I think Xyra (who was a bit older) referred to that initial scene (affectionately – not anatomically) as teeny punks or baby punks.  My first band was the Untouchables. As noted above, Richard had split and moved off to college. I was sitting at the Roy Rogers with Eddie, Alec and (I think) Bert as they lamented the loss of their drummer and the prospect of breaking up. I jokingly volunteered to take his place. They immediately said ‘yes’ despite my warnings that I’d never really played the drums. A few weeks later we played our first show. We hung together for almost a year before splitting up. After that was Youth Brigade. Nathan had been the singer of the Teen Idles – but when the band split, it seemed only natural that Nathan and I should start a band together. We’d been best friends for years and had very similar life arcs and musical tastes. We tried out a few guitarists (including Jason of 9353) and one other bassist (Greg) before finally settling on the line-up that most people know with Tom on Guitar and my old friend and former Untouchable mate, Bert on bass.  As for Madam’s Organ or Hard Art? I played at Madam’s Organ – and I was at the infamous Bad Brains show at Hard Art. I can’t remember if I ever played there…but it’s entirely possible. You would have to consult with Bert or Alec or someone whose memory isn’t a shambles.

 Madhouse backstage

Was Madhouse next? They were a bit different right? A darker sound.

I was in a few bands before Madhouse. I played in a band with Dave Byers and Toni Young (from Red C) called Peer Pressure. Tom Berard (scenester) also sang with the band for a while. We recorded a demo up in NY with the bad brains at 171A. We played a handful of shows but, like so many other bands of that era, split up and moved on to other projects.  I also played in a band called Social Suicide – great guys and a fun band (featured Joey A who went on to Holy Rollers). Also short lived – but we did record some songs for a local compilation ‘mixed nuts don’t crack’.  OH – I also briefly tried my hand at singing in a VERY short-lived band called black watch. This featured future members of madhouse (Brad Gladstone on bass and the mega-talented Norman van der Sluys on drums). The less said about this the better. Not because of the band – but because my singing can curdle milk at twenty paces.

I was starting to get a bit antsy with the way the DC scene was evolving – so my then girlfriend (Monica Richards) and I decided to start a band that was more rooted in post punk bands like killing joke, magazine and the monochrome set. That was how madhouse started. But unsurprisingly enough, there was no scene for this band, so we still played mostly punk and hardcore shows – but the direction we tried to take didn’t really sit well with a lot of new, burgeoning scene.  It seems, at least from afar, that you were willing to go in other directions musically (goth, etc.) whereas maybe some of your DC co-horts stuck to the punk rock thing. Would this be accurate? Did you get flack for it?

Yeah – I guess it was a bit gothy. Certainly, that was Monica’s m.o. I’ve always considered myself a punk – no matter what kind of band I played in. But this was definitely the beginning of stretching musical wings. And, yeah, we caught flack for it. But it wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle. Monica caught the most grief – and that is exactly why we both were getting put off by what the scene was turning into. I’ll just leave it at that. That said – my friends, the ones I’d known from the outset, were all cool. Otherwise I wouldn’t have spent some time drumming for Iron Cross with another life-long friend, Sab.

Strange Boutique (not ready to dine and (dot) dash) 

 Was Strange Boutique next? If so how/when did that band form and what was its history?

Yes – Strange Boutique (a name I copped from the Monochrome Set song/album) was next up. It was still Monica and me – but while Madhouse tried to straddle the punk scene with whatever it was we were trying to do – Strange Boutique basically said ‘fuck it’ and dove headfirst into what was certainly a more goth-punk-pop sound. The Chameleons, Siouxsie, Cure and bands of that ilk were really influencing us a lot and the quality of the band grew exponentially with the addition of Fred Smith and Steve Willett. -- I should pause here to note that I’ve lost a few friends and bandmates along the way – like Toni Young. But two hit particularly hard: Fred Smith – who was a true original. A crazy fucker. Much loved and much missed no matter how much trouble he got me into! And John Stabb – My brother in every sense of the word. Someone I loved until the end and who was a never-ending source of insanity, humor and energy. John and Fred were both unique spirits…and it’s just not the same without them.

Swervedriver- not huffin’ and puffin’ 

radioblue in black and white 

 Pardon my ignorance (I know it was some years) but was there anything between Strange Boutique and Dot Dash?

There were a few bands after Strange Boutique. I played in radioblue who, like strange boutique, were a band on the outside of the dc hardcore scene. They were more 60s-influenced indie pop (byrds, beatles, beach boys, buzzcocks). It led to drumming in a Mark Helm (a singer/guitarist in the band) project called Super 8 and playing on his solo album (on not lame records). I also started a band called King Mixer AGES ago with Steven Engel and James Lee (the bassist and singer/guitarist from radioblue). We still get together to this day, but it’s more like the monthly poker game: play some music, have dinner, hang out and catch up with old friends. We did put out a self-released CD years ago, but Dot Dash came along, and that has monopolized my time for the last seven years. I also played in Swervedriver for about a year, relocating to London for about ten months. It was an amazing experience. Adam Franklin (the singer / song writer) is the greatest musician I’ve ever played with. And as far as I am concerned Adam is in the pantheon of great song-writers of the last 40 years. Glad to still call him and my old swervie bandmates friends. A lifetime of memories crammed into a short period of time! When I moved back to DC from London at the end of 1992 I played in two more bands. The first was the criminally obscure UltraCherry Violet. They were definitely in the mold of swervedriver and some other favorites from that era. The band was Dugan Broadhurst and Dan Marx (who later played in king mixer). We played a handful of shows before I imploded. We got together a year after we split to record some songs for posterity – and those were ultimately released on Bedazzled records (a label I started while in strange boutique – but by now taken over by Steve Willett). There are a few songs on that CD that are among the things I’m most proud of as a musician.  I also played with my old running mates and brothers-in-arms John Stabb and Steve Hansgen (and Rob Frankel) in a band called Emma Peel. THAT was fun! We really clicked together musically – and we recorded a single on our good friend John Lisa’s label Tragic Life. The Avenging Punk Rock Godfathers! This web of connections is what led Steve to joining Dot Dash further down the road.  The last thing I did before Dot Dash was drumming in the legendary local mod band Modest Proposal, with old friends Neal Augenstein and Bill Crandall (who shortly thereafter was part of the original Dot Dash line-up). Steve Hansgen had played with Neal and Bill during an early incarnation – and he and I comprised the rhythm section for and MP reunion show.

Emma Peel (Danny is far right and that is the late, great John Stabb, 2nd from left) 

Do tell us about your current band Dot Dash? I think the records have been terrific. How did you meet Terry and Hunter?

Thanks for the kind words about the DD records. Right now, the band is a three-piece: me on drums, Terry Banks on vocals and guitar and Hunter Bennett on bass. Terry has been in almost as many bands as me – playing in a lot of indie-pop bands like Saturday People, Glo-Worm and Tree Fort Angst. Hunter was a veteran of the Stabb band among others.  I didn’t really know either of them before we started the band…but I knew of them from their previous band Julie Ocean (the band also had Jim Spellman of Velocity Girl on guitar/vocals and Alex Daniels from Swiz on drums). Julie Ocean released a great record on Transit of Venus – and they should have been huge. JO had planned to go on tour with a band called Magnetic Morning (that was my old friend Adam Franklin and Interpol drummer Sam Fogarino’s side-project), but drummer-Alex, bailed on the tour. So, that night at the Rock n Roll Hotel, Terry asked if I wanted to play drums in a new project with him and Hunter. I said yes – after consulting with my wife, Sally – but it actually took another six months or so to get rolling (I had already promised to do the Modest Proposal reunion). As it turned out, Jim was planning on leaving JO as well (taking a job in Colorado) – but when he came back he played briefly in Dot Dash (between Bill and Steve).  Dot Dash has been the most prolific band I’ve ever played with and the longest running active band. We’ve put out six CD’s on the Canadian label, The Beautiful Music. It’s run by an amazing guy – Wally Salem. I’m not sure that we would still be going without his love and support! Truthfully – I also do it for my kids (Noah 12 and Sam 16). I think it’s good to show them that you can do fun and creative things at any age. Sam has really taken it to heart. He’s been playing guitar since he was 10 and is already a better musician than I ever will be! He’s already formed and broken up his first band – and he filled in for Hunter (on bass) at one of our shows…picking up the songs with relative ease and aplomb. 

Almost forgot the Social Suicide pic (Danny’s the UK Subs fan)

What’s next for Dot Dash? Another record in the works? Maybe a tour?  I don’t know about touring. I think we would all love to do it – but because we all have demanding jobs, families and such – it makes it difficult to pick up and run off. That said, if the right opportunity presented itself (like going on a tour with a band we love) I think we would certainly consider it. We’ve been REALLY fortunate to play with some bands that have long been heroes/favorites: the Chameleons, Ash, Hugh Cornwell (of the Stranglers), the Monochrome Set, Stiff Little Fingers, the Dickies, DOA and so on – I think if any of them said ‘let’s do it’ we’d be packing our bags! As for another record? Well – we just released our sixth. And it is definitely the record I’m most proud of. Geoff Sanoff did an amazing job producing it – he also produces the Julie Ocean album – and it’s probably the best batch of songs Terry has written to-date.  We are always cranking out new songs – and already have a few in hand – but I think we want to enjoy the last release, Proto Retro, for a bit. 

Dot Dash with Sam on bass. 

What’s happening in Washington, DC these days musically? Any new bands we need to hear about? The great thing about DC is that it is like the Hydra of Lerna – every time a band breaks up, two new ones start up again! The scene has been regenerating for ages. And there are a lot of great bands still plugging away – The Messthetics with my old friend and Brendan Canty, Miss Lonelyhearts, Foxhall Stacks (with Jim Spellman), Nathan’s band the Delarcos, any band with Chris Moore (an epic drummer) such as the Rememberables or Coke Bust, Anna Connolly’s new project or the new project with Ian, Joe Lally and Amy Farina. Old or young – the scene here is still vibrant and vital.

 Any final thought? Closing comments? Anything you wanted to mention that I didn’t ask?

Obviously, most people know DC for the great music (bad brains, minor threat, fugazi, 9353, government issue, fire party, faith, rites of spring, tommy keene) – but to me, the best thing about it has been the friendships…which for me have been practically life-sustaining. You can’t have a great scene without great people – and to me the people I’ve known along the way simply are the best.

 BONUS QUESTION:  What are your top 10 desert island discs (I know some people don’t like when I ask this questions so I decided to put it as a bonus) Wow. Tough one. My top ten has about ten thousand records in it. So, it really is dependent on my mood at the time. I’ll try to throw it together…but if you ask on another day it might be a different batch. Because I’m old – I’m going to take the liberty of picking a baker’s dozen.  Adam and the Ants – Dirk Wears White Sox (original on Do It records) Art Ensemble of Chicago – Les Stances a Sophie J.S. Bach – Air on the G String Buzzcocks – Spiral Scratch ep (rip Pete Shelley) Chameleons – Script of the Bridge (or Strange Times) Miles Davis – ‘Round About Midnight Al Green – Greatest Hits Kinks – Something Else The La’s – The La’s  Punishment of Luxury – Laughing Academy Red Cross – Posh Boy ep Swervedriver – 99th Dream Zombies – Odyssey and Oracle

 www.dotdashdc.bandcamp.com

www.thebeautifulmusic.com 

(**all photos posted with permission from the Danny Ingram collection- if you took one of these please do let us know so we can credit. Thank you). 

Thank you very much Danny Ingram (from publisher/editor Tim)!

Dot Dash tearin’ down the house. 

[firehawk12]

Crazy Rich Asians (2018): The Flawed But Necessary Asian-American Cultural Milestone

(Apologies!  I keep forgetting to update my Tumblr... repost from my Medium account)

There is so much to unpack before you can even talk about Crazy Rich Asiansin any meaningful manner and understand why so much of the Asian-American community has gotten behind the film via the so-called #goldopenmovement.

I think the easiest way to begin is to imagine what life would be like if you had no sense of belonging within the culture you inhabit. Books, music, television, film, theater, fashion — none of it reflected who you are and how you were necessarily different from everyone else. For the last half-century, this is essentially how Asian-Americans (and by extension, Asians-Canadians) lived their lives.

I can only write on my behalf, but I knew at an early age that I would never really be considered a “Canadian”, because as much as we like to pretend we’re in some kind of post-race multicultural utopia, I still feel foreign despite having lived in Canada for essentially my entire life.

But obviously that’s not necessarily unique to my experience — certainly a lot of people feel alienated within their own homelands because they don’t look like, act like, or otherwise inhabit the space of normativity that defines “Canadian-ness” (or “American-ness”).

But I can’t really claim to be “Chinese” either. Certainly I am racially and ethnically Han Chinese, but culturally I am as far removed from being Chinese as one possibly can be as a “Canadian Born Chinese”. I can functionally communicate in Cantonese, read Hanzi at a grade school level, and I’ve never actually been to China or Hong Kong, and my Chinese cultural references are old John Woo and Stephen Chow movies. There is a cultural void that I’ve felt for most of my life, and it comes from — as Crazy Rich Asians explains — being a “banana”, where my race and my cultural context have created the extreme feeling of alienation that is familiar to most, if not all, minorities living in North America.

So this is where we land on the North American notion of the hybrid identity that has developed over the last century. I’m not Chinese, I’m not Canadian, but I exist in some undefined border — the liminal space between the two — as a “Chinese-Canadian”. But what does that even mean when there is no culture that defines Chinese-Canadian identity? I don’t want to deny the great cultural contributions of artists such as Mina Shum or Wayson Choy and many others (Double Happiness is still a foundational text for me in terms of being able to articulate the fact that I don’t have an identity whatsoever), and I mean no offence when I suggest that these artists aren’t household names (and I’d much rather re-read Choy than yet another Atwood novel…).

I came to Double Happiness when I was in my teens, already feeling the anxiety of not having an identity and being unable to articulate it because there was simply no outlet for me to express my inability to connect with the greater culture around me. I saw myself in Sandra Oh’s Jade, a woman who would never be Chinese enough for her parents or other Chinese people, but who isn’t Canadian enough to be accepted by Canadian society as an actress (I’m sure this was something that Sandra Oh had to fight against during the early parts of her career). I think it was at that moment that I understand that I would always feel like an outsider in my own homeland, not necessarily because I was marked with a visible difference, but because it took so long for me to see myself reflected in the culture that I consumed.

This isn’t necessarily a unique Chinese or even Asian-North American experience. As I wrote several years ago when I began to unpack the importance of yet another seminal Asian American cultural moment — the debut of Fresh Off The Boat — both the “real” and fictional Eddie Huang embraced hip hop because he was able to relate to a culture defined by alienation. Meanwhile, Gene Yang’s American Born Chinese ends by having the main character admit that he can never be white and escape “Chin-Kee”, the specter of Chinese-ness that haunts his every waking moment, and accept that being Chinese is a part of what defines him even if he doesn’t necessarily explain how that acceptance manifests itself.

But the fact that I can make references to a hit ABC sitcom and an Eisner award-winning graphic novel in order to try to articulate some notion of Chinese-American identity is precisely why it is so crucial to have a culture that represents the unique situation of being neither Chinese and neither American (or Canadian).

I love James Hong and respect him for his long career and the work he has done in order to help insert a Chinese face into American culture, but my entire identity in the early 90s was essentially tied to this clip:

The fact that I can’t remember any other “role models” from my childhood except James Hong putting on that accent and annoying Jerry, Elaine, and George is perhaps a sad reflection of my limited worldview as a child of the 90s, but also a condemnation of what happens when there is no one for you to look up to.

We are so hungry for representation because we live in a cultural vacuum, where the only other cultural reference you can make is to The Joy Luck Club or how fucked up it was that people thought this was okay:

It’s interesting because Hari Kondabolu’s attempts to address the problematic nature of Apu from The Simpsons touches on this exact same anxiety, where being South Asian is defined entirely by a single cultural touch point that can influence your life forever (that’s even before addressing the indignity of being represented by a white man putting on an accent in a bout of modern brown-face). Thankfully between The Mindy Project, The Big Sick and Master of None, South Asian-American representation has certainly improved in the last few years.

That’s not to say that East Asian-American representation, both on screen and off screen, hasn’t improved either. In film alone, Justin Lin basically built up one of the most improbably popular blockbuster franchises in recent history out of nothing — made more miraculous when you think about how the Fast and Furious films were culturally diverse before Disney decided that maybe their superheroes didn’t all have to be white men.

But even so, it’s been contingent on the Asian community to just accept things the way they are and not raise too much of a commotion about cultural representation. So when Tina Fey decides to double down on her racism with an episode of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt about how Asian-Americans humourless internet trolls who don’t understand comedy, we’re just to accept the fact that she above criticism. When Ghost in the Shell ends by explaining a Japanese girl had her brain carved out and placed into Scarlet Johansson’s body, we should be grateful that they mentioned the character’s Japanese origins at all. When Scott Buck refuses to address Iron Fist’s Orientalism, we just have to accept that no one is allowed to change the origins of a character because comic books are sacrosanct.

All of that explains why Crazy Rich Asians is such an important film for the community. With all of this cultural baggage on their backs, I respect the sacrifice Kevin Kwan and Jon Chu made when they eschewed an easy Netflix deal in order to bring the film to theaters even more than I did when I had initially read the interview.

It’s not that there haven’t been countless great Asian-American films made between The Joy Luck Club and Crazy Rich Asians. Justin Lin’s own Better Luck Tomorrow, or Only the Brave, or Saving Face, or Eat With Me, or the recently released Gook to just name a handful are great films in their own right for telling stories about Asian Americans that simply aren’t reflected in the culture otherwise

(Edit: I’ve been told that I’ve been remiss in not including the Harold and Kumar trilogy in the above list. Apologies to John Cho and Kal Penn!)

But the only way to get the culture to pay attention — not just the people consuming it, but also the people producing it — is to make the biggest impact possible and even in 2018 with streaming services and video on demand, the path to cultural relevance is still through a major movie studio that can both promote your film and widely distribute it across the world. It’s unfortunate, but that’s why people still point to The Joy Luck Club and don’t mention any of the smaller independent films that have come out since then. The fact that the last film before The Joy Luck Club to feature an all Asian cast to be distributed by a major movie studio was Flower Drum Song in 1961 (which is a film/musical that probably has as much, if not more, cultural baggage associated with it than even The Joy Luck Club) points to the significance of Crazy Rich Asians and why it has become a moment for Asian-Americans.

Kevin Kwan made another important production decision that drives home how much is riding on this film’s success. During pitch meetings, Kwan recounts meetings where producers suggested that having a white actress in the Rachel Chu role would make for a more successful film — to pull a quote from the interview, apparently he was told that “it’s a pity you don’t have a white character” — makes his decision to option the rights to his book for a dollar in order to maintain creative control a moral stance against Hollywood producers who don’t see any value in Asian actors.

Certainly the film’s fish out of water story could have easily been adapted so that Rachel Chu became Rachael Churchill (starring Scarlett Johansson or Emma Stone, of course) and many of the beats would have been the same. But his film is so powerful precisely because Rachel (Constance Wu) is Chinese-American. She isn’t Chinese, as Nick’s mother Eleanor (performed with perfect stoicism by Michelle Yeoh) constantly points out throughout the film, and that’s actually not a problem for her. In fact, the film goes out of its way to show how her Chinese-American identity helps her navigate the precariousness of Singapore’s socialite lifestyle, allowing Rachel to be proud of being a “banana”.

Are there problems with the film? Undoubtedly. The fact that the one time South Asians are shown in the film involves using them as comedy propspoints to narrow focus of the film and how much it ignores of the realSingapore. Or how Oliver (Nico Santos) is queer, but is never actually shown with another man, perhaps because gay sex is technically still a criminal offence in Singapore. Of course, the title itself points out that the only poor people shown in the film are the servants who presumably slink back to their cramped government subsidized high-rises after they are done serving the crazy rich Asians who employ them.

Even if you ignore the social issues, the film itself isn’t perfect either. It has the feel of an adaptation where they didn’t want to cut any of the cast, but had to cut all of their supporting stories in order to get the film to hit the 120 minute running time. And I mean this with utmost respect to Jon Chu’s career, but I still haven’t forgiven him for what he did to Jem and the Holograms a few years ago and there are times when the film feels just as workmanlike and banal as that failed outing. You’d think the climatic moment where Nick chases down Rachel in order to propose to her (again) would be wonderfully cinematic, but it’s perhaps the least exciting visual moment of the film. Similarly, the much written about Mahjong battle at the end was a great moment in spite of the direction, not because of it.

There is a lot wrong with the film. That’s unavoidable. Do I wish a studio picked up George Takei’s Allegiance and I was writing about about a big budget film about a Japanese-American family torn apart by the forced internment policies of a racist United States? That would have been great.

But in a way, this is very much like Fresh Off The Boat (and not just because of Constance Wu). When the real Eddie Huang quit narrating the show because it deviated so far from the harsh reality of his childhood experiences as a Chinese-American growing up in Florida, I totally sympathized with his decision and understood his rationale. Fresh Off The Boat isn’t an unvarnished look at the Chinese-American experience, nor is it ever going to touch on issues of race in a meaningful way. For better or for worse, it’s just not that kind of show nor is it trying to be. But the producers of the show were able to include an episode where the entire B-story was in Mandarin, a first for a family sitcom in America.

Crazy Rich Asians is very much in the same position as Fresh Off The Boat. It’s telling the world that Asians and Asian-Americans are just people like everyone else, facing similar problems as we try to carve out an existence in the world and live our lives. We fight with our in-laws, we get cheated on by our husbands, we have rivals who try to sabotage us, we deal with friends that we only talk to because we grew up with them and not because we have anything in common with them, we even deal with racism from time to time (although most of us don’t have the money to humiliate a racist by buying their place of employment).

It’s not the Asian-American of Do The Right Thing, let alone BlacKkKlansman, but I have to hope that if this movie is a success, then those types of stories will come in time. Maybe they’ll make a spin-off featuring Nico Santos’ Oliver called Crazy Rich Gaysians and have his character confront Singapore’s endemic social and structural homophobia. Or maybe they’ll make a Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead-like movie about the two guards where they discuss the existential crisis of life defined only by serving as a backdrop to the stories of the rich. I believe that we can get there eventually, we just need to use Crazy Rich Asians as the push to get us there.

Anecdotally, the movie feels like it is appealing to more than just Asian-Americans desperate to be represented on screen. When the credits started rolling at my screening, a couple of Jewish women (who went out of their way to build a connection with me by telling me that Jewish culture and Chinese culture are connected by Mahjong and Chinese food at Christmas) told me that they had a great time watching the film. And in the moment of hesitation I felt when they unknowingly asked me to represent my entire race and culture by asking me if I liked the film, I told them that I did.

Maybe I don’t like the film for all the same reasons that they did, but that’s the point. Crazy Rich Asians is a film that is miraculously both culturally specific and broadly appealing. Even if you don’t care about any of what I wrote and just want to watch a good romantic comedy, you would be hard pressed to find one as good as this one in recent years. But if you are that Asian-American who has been waiting for over two decades to feel like you belong to a culture that has largely ignored you and taken you for granted, you will be witnessing a moment of cinematic history. That alone is worth the price of admission.

I didn’t have any place to put this, and it’s such a minor point that really isn’t worth including, but as a former teaching assistant I felt compelled to at least mention it.

So the film is supposed to take place during Rachel’s spring break. We see early in the film that she has a TA (that she tortures), so it’s possible that she dumps all her papers on him and tells him to grade everything while she’s having an adventure in Singapore. That’s perfectly fine, but it seems clear that she ends up staying in Singapore for much longer than a week (there is at least 3 days of flying time depicted in the film).

This means that there is no way she gets back in time to teach her class, assuming she even goes back after getting engaged, which means the poor TA is stuck holding the bag with a bunch of undergrads who will probably blame him for their grades not being in or for class being delayed.

Won’t anyone think of the poor teaching assistants who don’t have billionaire partners to sweep them off their feet?

[platitvdes]

BASIC INFORMATION

FULL NAME: edward michael kaspbrak

NICKNAME(S): eddie, eds, spaghetti head, eddie spaghetti, spagheds, etc. by the losers/party. also wheezy, “sissy little queer boy,” and uh a bunch of other… more aggressive things by non–partylosers according to the book thanks a lot steve (king, not harrington)

AGE: eighteen

DATE OF BIRTH: september 3, 1976

HOMETOWN: derry, maine

CURRENT LOCATION: derry, maine

ETHNICITY: he white

NATIONALITY: americano

GENDER: cis male

PRONOUNS: he/him/his

ORIENTATION: het thanks!!!!! just kidding he’s a homoromantic homosexual

RELIGION: a good christian boiy. he was raised methodist. what is he really? who knows. fighting a giant clown monster demon thing makes you really question a lot about religion and he’s not willing to go too deep into it

POLITICAL AFFILIATION: left-leaning, but very moderately so, mostly influenced by his friends and also by the fact that maine has been a blue state pretty much for the entire time he’s been old enough to think about these things. his mom’s a democrat solely because she lives off the welfare system ( and because she finds bill clinton incredibly charming and charismatic ); otherwise she’d definitely be a republican

OCCUPATION: student, a sad small gay

LIVING ARRANGEMENTS: he lives with his momma in a very toxic environment also his mom is lowkey a hoarder it’s not so bad that he’s embarrassed to invite people over but like she’s a hoarder

LANGUAGE(S) SPOKEN: english and…. english

ACCENT: um idk a maine accent

PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

FACE CLAIM: timothée chalamet

HAIR COLOUR: dark brown

EYE COLOUR: hazel—sometimes more green, sometimes more brown, sometimes more weirdly gold-ish; depends on the day and lighting

HEIGHT: five feet, eight inches.

WEIGHT: one-hundred twenty-two pounds.

BUILD: skinny af and long-limbed ( for his stature ). not crazy short anymore, but still below average height

TATTOOS: LMAO

PIERCINGS: y’all. pls

CLOTHING STYLE: from my head canons, bc i’m too lazy to rewrite it: eddie often looks like he’s stepped out of the pages of a ralph lauren catalogue not because he is stylish or fashionable at all—he isn’t—but because he wears a lot of polos and shorts, though he doesn’t fill them out nearly as well as the ralph lauren models do. Especially pastel polos. he also frequently wears your good ol’ graphic tee and jeans combo, because you can’t go wrong there, right?

USUAL EXPRESSION: concerned tbh

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: slightly doe-eyed, extremely doe-bodied, a preppy haircut, an inhaler in hand, and also he’s probably getting squeaky-voiced about something and/or visibly shaking. like a chihuahua.

HEALTH

PHYSICAL AILMENTS: technically? none

NEUROLOGICAL CONDITIONS: LORDY okay so the number one most important one is munchausen syndrome and hypochondria courtesy of being the proxy of his mom’s munchausen by proxy; severe anxiety (including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder); clinical depression; and, finally, i believe the medical term for it is “FOMO"

ALLERGIES: supposedly pollen, animal dander, insect bites/stings, dust, latex, mold, wool, and, like, a bunch of other shit. he does actually have some allergies, especially to pollen/animal dander/dust, that aren’t super severe and therefore don’t necessarily present typical allergy symptoms and contribute to his constant feelings of general illness and malaise that heighten the aforementioned hypochondria. he also is actually allergic to latex. womp womp

SLEEPING HABITS: not the best but not the worst—eddie falls asleep early enough and wakes early enough, especially when left to his own devices, but he’ll often stay up later just to be in the group chat because of the aforementioned FOMO and also because richie will usually show up at his house and they’ll just talk for a while. but even then tbh he has a hard time staying up later than like 1 or 2, and even on the weekends he’ll wake up pretty early. so……… all this adds up to having ambitions of getting a good amount of sleep, not getting Terrible amounts of sleep, but also not getting Enough sleep.

EATING HABITS: you would think he would have some special diet and maybe in 2018 he would be raised eating nothing but kale and granola and gluten free shit but bitch it’s 1994 eddie eats hella processed foods

EXERCISE HABITS: that’s cute idk he gets exercise from running from bullies and riding his bike w his friends although they don’t do that as much anymore now that people have cars

EMOTIONAL STABILITY: 1 probably eddie is always on the verge of a nervous breakdown. in actuality he’s probably around a 7, which is much higher than you might think; as much as he is indeed constantly on the verge of a nervous breakdown, he’s done a pretty good job of pushing down literally everything into a well so deep that most people, including himself, can’t really tell what’s wrong or what’s going on, and it’s been that way for a long, long time. or anyway, repression is the only version of emotional stability he’s learned to manage and maintain, which probably doesn’t actually count as very stable, so who knows, maybe he’s a 3.

SOCIABILITY: not as introverted as one might think; he’s definitely an introvert and needs some time alone to recharge, but in general, he prefers being around his friends to not being around them and will go out of his way to be with the people he’s closest to

BODY TEMPERATURE: runs cold, typically, which also means he gets cold easily, which sucks when you live in fucking maine

ADDICTIONS: none

DRUG USE: a seasoned pill popper of all kinds of vitamins and various placebos. he’s also on like 35 different mental health related medications. i know this isn’t what you were looking for but this is eddie kaspbrak

ALCOHOL USE: fam, come on

PERSONALITY

LABEL: “the little nervous one,” according to me upon my first watch of IT (2017); the crepehanger

POSITIVE TRAITS: loyal, feisty, energetic, brave

NEGATIVE TRAITS: defeatist, anxious, rambling, hypocritical

GOALS/DESIRES: to overcome his biggest fears, mainly—which means to be able to leave derry ( and his mother ) behind; to accept that he is not some sickly boy in need of protecting; to feel comfortable in his own skin.

FEARS: disease, death, abandonment, intense feelings of any kind honestly, his sexuality, exposure of said sexuality, change, his mom, disappointing his mom, independence, failure

HOBBIES: comics, movies, spending fucking HOURS reading medical websites and learning that all roads lead to cancer, hanging out with The Gang™, annoying his friends, lecturing his friends, sneaking out of his house, super mario bros, is candy a hobby? it is now, not dungeons and dragons ‘cause he’s not a fuckin nerd

HABITS: nail biting, compulsive timekeeping, pencil chewing tbh but only at Home, ice chewing also…..it’s super bad for your teeth but man does he love it……., assuming death lurks around every corner and shouting at everyone else about it

FAVOURITES

WEATHER: he likes a sunny day in weather that is slightly crisp, like late september, bc he has seasonal allergies

COLOUR: blu. particularly a good royal blue. sometimes sky blue if he’s feeling festive

MUSIC: pop music mostly…………. he loves a diva. he is a Loud whitney houston stan but he keeps his madonna love much closer to the vest

MOVIES: comedies definitely. he doesn’t care much for movies that are like, cinematically renowned and artsy or whatever. he’s here for something stupid that’ll make him laugh. he really likes dumb and dumber, embarrassingly enough. he also loves bill & ted. it’s his favorite movie. good ol wholesome fun, there.

SPORT: tennis obviously

BEVERAGE: an arnold palmer he’s really wildin out here

FOOD: honestly? a fuckin ice cream sundae

ANIMAL: penguins they’re gay and they mate for life

FAMILY

FATHER: frank kaspbrak. he died of cancer when eddie was a wee bab ( he was five so not actually a wee bab, but wee enough )

MOTHER: sonia kaspbrak, a devil woman

SIBLING(S): none

PET(S): he had a goldfish named arnold once that’s it

FAMILY’S FINANCIAL STATUS: lower middle class. his mom doesn’t work and lives solely off disability checks and the like, but they never seem to be for lack of money for eddie’s extensive medical care or, like, food or shelter.

EXTRA

ZODIAC SIGN: virgo binch

MBTI: ISFJ ( the defender )

ENNEAGRAM: type 6 ( the loyalist ), but actually he’s a type 6 with a type 5 wing that’s almost balanced, which, hilariously, is also called the defender

TEMPERAMENT: melancholic

HOGWARTS HOUSE: GRYFFINDOR FIGHT ME

MORAL ALIGNMENT: lawful good

PRIMARY VICE: envy

PRIMARY VIRTUE: charity

ELEMENT: earth

[marcusssanderson]

70 Photography Quotes by Photographers to Inspire Your Best Pictures

Our latest collection of photography quotes on Everyday Power blog.

Photography makes our lives better in many ways. With the proper camera and vision, you can get many amazing benefits from photography.

Photography affords immortality, helps document our journey through life, inspires our imagination, and acts as a wonderful stress reliever. Photography can also be a means of discovering ourselves, bringing us closer to our natural spirituality.

Pictures are a great way to preserve new and old memories. All in all, photography can increase the quality of your life in so many ways.

To make it even better, you don’t need expensive camera equipment to take beautiful pictures. Most cell phones today are capable of creating incredible awesome pictures.

To inspire you to take great pictures, below is our collection of photography quotes and sayings, collected over the years from a variety of sources.

Photography Quotes by Photographers to Inspire Your Best Pictures

1.) “The more you photograph, the more you realize what can and what can’t be photographed. You just have to keep doing it.”– Eliot Porter

2.) “In photography there is a reality so subtle that it becomes more real than reality.”– Alfred Stieglitz

3.) “If I have any ‘message’ worth giving to a beginner it is that there are no shortcuts in photography.”– Edward Weston

4.) “Photography is a love affair with life.” – Burk Uzzle

5.) “Photography is the story I fail to put into words.”— Destin Sparks

6.) “A lot of photographers think that if they buy a better camera they’ll be able to take better photographs. A better camera won’t do a thing for you if you don’t have anything in your head or in your heart.”– Arnold Newman

7.) “Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still.” – Dorothea Lange

8.) “Photography is an austere and blazing poetry of the real.”– Ansel Adams

9.) “A tear contains an ocean. A photographer is aware of the tiny moments in a person’s life that reveal greater truths.” — Anonymous

10.) “It isn’t the alphabet that’s important. The important thing is what you are writing, what you are expressing. The same thing goes for photography.” – Andre Kertesz

Photography quotes to help you stay inspired and motivated

11.) “Look and think before opening the shutter. The heart and mind are the true lens of the camera.”— Yousuf Karsh

12.) “Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever… It remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything.”– Aaron Siskind

13.) “I don’t think there’s any such thing as teaching people photography, other than influencing them a little. People have to be their own learners. They have to have a certain talent.”– Imogen Cunningham

14.) “Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst.” – Henri Cartier-Bresson

15.) “Photography is truth.”— Jean-Luc Godard

16.) “The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera.” — Dorothea Lange

17.) “A lot of people seem to think that art or photography is about the way things look, or the surface of things. […] They don’t understand that it’s not about a style or a look or a setup. It’s about emotional obsession and empathy.”- Nan Goldin

18.) “The camera is much more than a recording apparatus, it is a medium via which messages reach us from another world.”– Orson Welles

19.) “Your photography is a record of your living, for anyone who really sees.”- Paul Strand

20.) “Taking pictures is savoring life intensely, every hundredth of a second.” ― Marc Riboud

Photography quotes that prove a picture is worth a thousand words

21.) “The picture that you took with your camera is the imagination you want to create with reality.”— Scott Lorenzo

22.) “We don’t learn from our good images; we learn from the ones that can be improved on.”– Jen Rozenbaum

23.) “Photography deals exquisitely with appearances, but nothing is what it appears to be.”– Duane Michals

24.) “There is only you and your camera. The limitations in your photography are in yourself, for what we see is what we are.”– Ernst Haas

25.) “You don’t take a photograph, you make it.”— Ansel Adams

26.) “I don’t trust words. I trust pictures.”- Gilles Peress

27.) “A photograph is a secret about a secret. The more it tells you the less you know.”— Diane Arbus

28.) “If it makes you laugh, if it makes you cry, if it rips out your heart, that’s a good picture.”- Eddie Adams

29.) “I began to realize that the camera sees the world differently than the human eye and that sometimes those differences can make a photograph more powerful than what you actually observed.” – Galen Rowell

30.) “A good snapshot keeps a moment from running away.” ― E. Welty

Photography quotes to help you find inspiration

31.) “There are no bad pictures; that’s just how your face looks sometimes.” – Abraham Lincoln

32.) “As I have practiced it, photography produces pleasure by simplicity. I see something special and show it to the camera. A picture is produced. The moment is held until someone sees it. Then it is theirs.”– Sam Abell

33.) “A good photograph is knowing where to stand.”- Ansel Adams

34.) “Photography for me is not looking, it’s feeling. If you can’t feel what you’re looking at, then you’re never going to get others to feel anything when they look at your pictures.”– Don McCullin

35.) “A portrait is not made in the camera but on either side of it.”— Edward Steichen

36.) “Great photography is about depth of feeling, not depth of field.” — Peter Adams

37.) “Which of my photographs is my favorite? The one I’m going to take tomorrow.”— Imogen Cunningham

38.) “The best pictures differentiate themselves by nuances…a tiny relationship – either a harmony or a disharmony – that creates a picture.” – Ernst Haas

39.) “The two most engaging powers of a photograph are to make new things familiar and familiar things new.” – William Thackeray

40.) “When people look at my pictures I want them to feel the way they do when they want to read a line of a poem twice.” ― Robert Frank

Inspiring photography quotes from top photographers

41.) “We are making photographs to understand what our lives mean to us.” — Ralph Hattersley

42.) “Photography has no rules, it is not a sport. It is the result which counts, no matter how it is achieved.”– Bill Brandt

43.) “The camera makes you forget you’re there. It’s not like you are hiding but you forget, you are just looking so much.”– Annie Leibovitz

44.) “There’s something strange and powerful about black-and-white imagery.”– Stefan Kanfer

45.) “It is more important to click with people than to click the shutter.” – Alfred Eisenstaedt

46.) “What I like about photographs is that they capture a moment that’s gone forever, impossible to reproduce.”– Karl Lagerfeld

47.) “I believe photographers should shoot what they want, not shoot what they get.” – Roberto Valenzuela

48.) “Don’t pack up your camera until you’ve left the location.”– Joe McNally

49.) “I’ve always believed that photography is a way to shape human perception.”– James Balog

50.) “When I photograph, what I’m really doing is seeking answers to things.” – Wynn Bullock

Beautiful photography quotes and sayings

51.) “There is one thing the photograph must contain, the humanity of the moment.”— Robert Frank

52.) “It’s one thing to make a picture of what a person looks like, it’s another thing to make a portrait of who they are.”– Paul Caponigro

53.) “Photography can never grow up if it imitates some other medium. It has to walk alone; it has to be itself.”– Berenice Abbott

54.) “Don’t shoot what it looks like. Shoot what it feels like.”- David Alan Harvey

55.) “If your pictures aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough.” – Robert Capa

56.) “For me, the camera is a sketch book, an instrument of intuition and spontaneity.” ― Henri Cartier-Bresson

57.) “Photography is the recording of strangeness and beauty with beguiling precision.”– Sebastian Smee

58.) “To me a photograph is a page from life, and that being the case, it must be real.” – Weegee

59.) “When you photograph a face . . .you photograph the soul behind it.” – Jean-Luc Godard

60.) “A photograph is a moral decision taken in one eighth of a second. ”  ― Salman Rushdie

Other inspirational photography quotes

61.) “When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence.”— Ansel Adams

62.) “A thing that you see in my pictures is that I was not afraid to fall in love with these people.”– Annie Leibovitz

63.) “I think good dreaming is what leads to good photographs.”– Wayne Miller

64.) “The best thing about a picture is that it never changes, even when the people in it do.” – Andy Warhol

65.) “Today everything exists to end in a photograph.”— Susan Sontag

66.) “The camera is an excuse to be someplace you otherwise don’t belong. It gives me both a point of connection and a point of separation.” — Susan Meiselas

67.) “The best images are the ones that retain their strength and impact over the years, regardless of the number of times they are viewed.” – Anne Geddes

68.) “If a photographer cares about the people before the lens and is compassionate, much is given. It is the photographer, not the camera, that is the instrument.”– Eve Arnold

69.) “The camera sees more than the eye, so why not make use of it?” – Edward Weston

70.) “A photographer is like a cod, which produces a million eggs in order that one may reach maturity.” ― George Bernard Shaw

Which of these photography quotes was your favorite?

Photography has many benefits in our lives. Besides helping us cement memories, pictures can lift our spirits, change our mood and help us to look beyond the gloom that life can sometimes throw at us.

Don’t let the lack of a sophisticated camera stop you, grab your cell phone and get busy making photographs. Hopefully, these quotes have inspired you to take fantastic shots.

Did you enjoy these photography quotes? Which of the quotes was your favorite? Tell us in the comment section below. We would love to hear all about it.

The post 70 Photography Quotes by Photographers to Inspire Your Best Pictures appeared first on Everyday Power Blog.

[noplanwithavan]

ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME…AND ETNA.

Most parents avoid putting their children in harm’s way.  If there was a “Parenting for Dummies” handbook, surely the first piece of sage advice would be:

1. ”Children have a limited sense of danger, and are reliant on parents for protection. Failure to do so may result in premature expiration of said offspring.”

With that guiding principle in mind, I wonder how we came to find ourselves heading straight for Europe’s most active volcano, right after it had just erupted..Oh, maybe because point number 2 of that handbook should read, “Life is there to be lived. Always choose adventure over fear.”

And so it came to pass. We found ourselves making a bee-line for the football just off the boot of Italy, otherwise known as Sicily. When we read an account of a BBC journalist fleeing for her life under attack from projectile lava last week, it was a done deal. “How do you feel about going to see Mount Etna girls?” asked Marcus, eyes glistening before images of dramatic fireworks and oozing red rivers. I could sense a mission coming on, a plan forming. There was a split second when we pondered if this was such a great idea. And then it passed. After all, what’s a volcano without an element of risk? Surely that’s part of the appeal.

It’s been a whirlwind month so far, veering from extreme sports to ancient history all within a few weeks. We started March in Andorra - meeting up with Marcus’s family for a ski holiday. We are so grateful to Ros Beck for her generosity and patience in spearheading a frenetic but fun-filled week! Six grandchildren in one place, all vying for the title of extreme fearlessness is not anyone’s idea of a relaxing break. But we were all bowled over at how well the kids adapted to the slopes, lapping up the kind of intuitive instructions which makes it so much easier to acquire a new skill than an adult learner. Legs in “pizza” meant snowplough, whereas “chips” was parallel. And with those two ideas in mind, they got it. Lulu earned the nickname “ski bomber” after trailing along in a caterpillar behind Caspar, Willem, Delphi and Sam. Too small for ski poles, she couldn’t shoost herself along so well as the others, but quickly worked out that by crouching as low to the ground as possible she could really turn on the gas. It was a pose reminiscent of “Eddie the Eagle” - short on finesse, but blessed with a low centre of gravity.

When the Becks left en masse we were somewhat bereft. Since Morocco, Andorra had been our last significant landmark - something to head for, dare I say it, a plan. Now what we were supposed to do? Well the first thing was to take advantage of Andorra’s tax-free status to buy a new iPhone. We had scared family half to death with our prolonged periods of silence. After a month of more tragic than comic attempts to replace the one I lost, buying every gadget under the sun to bolster a secondhand Gibraltan rip off, with as much life in it’s battery as a dead parrot, enough was enough. And with that accomplished, we found a new urgency to take things under control, to be masters of our fate. “Let’s go to Italy,” I ventured. “There’s a ferry from Barcelona to Civitavechia, just north of Rome.” It’s moments like these I love about the life we’re leading. The pure beauty of the fact you CAN. No need to fill your time with anything you don’t want to do. To wait or put off today what you hope for tomorrow. And after nearly 7 months on the road it’s still thrilling, the realisation that you can pose the question, “Where do we want to go?” And then…just go.

Our battles with batteries were not over yet however. With just a few hours to spare before we boarded the overnight ferry, we returned to the van to discover the headlights had been left on. I had that prickling-sweat-on-the-back-of-the-neck feeling at the sound of a lifeless ignition. We asked around for jump leads but without success, so Marcus decided to try and use the spare leisure battery to kick start it. He didn’t look confident, and kept muttering under his breath about how this could be “really bad.” After all, up until now the principle role of the leisure battery had been purely in keeping the freezer cold enough to make ice for our Gin and Tonics. The girls and I knew better though - with blind faith we stepped back and let him get on with it. Within minutes, the engine roared. We were going to make our sailing. “I knew you could do it Daddy!” they cried. “ He’s REALLY GOOD at fixing things isn’t he?” I heard them gossiping to each other.

Emerging from our cabins the next morning, we meet a Swedish couple during breakfast, and later a father and son from Argentina. We are clueless about free camping options in Italy, whereas the Argentinians seem to know something, or at least they said they did. Marcus returns triumphant just before we’re about to disembark. “We’re going to team up and travel in convoy,” he beams. “This should be fun!” Before long a welshman, an Argentinian and a Swede snake their way out of port, and I chuckle at how we make an eclectic international mix, full of camaraderie and a willingness to help complete strangers. The bonhomie fades somewhat when the duo from Buenos Aires lead us on a merry dance - and the Swede starts to question their navigational abilities. But after a few dead ends and detours, they deliver the goods, pulling up alongside Castle San Salver by the sea.

It never fails to amaze me how happy the girls are in whatever environment they find come the morning. At one point there was a lot of sibling rivalry going on, but they seem to be getting on a lot better now. And with no toys, and no-one but each other to play with, their creativity really shines. While I sit there worrying that we need more direction and a new focus, they play happily - making dens, building sculptures, mixing potions, setting up shops, even at one time creating their own imaginary city and offering guided tours. I’m invited into this game and it’s fascinating to hear the jumble of ideas and influences come spilling out. Elsie’s verbal diarrhoea really flourishes under such circumstances. At one point she explains we’ve arrived at the town square, “That’s where the government is,” she says. “He’s very corrupt, but the good news is he’s not actually a dictator.”

Maybe its the impetus from the signs of Spring we see all around us. Purple wisteria decking the walls, beech nut trees in early bud. Or perhaps its the invigorating sight of bountiful produce in the supermarkets. (Italy has much more variety than Spain, and we’re now spoilt for choice in the cheese, fresh pasta and salad department). Whatever it is, a new phase is beginning, and it’s time to make our next move. We hold a family meeting about what we want. Top of the list comes Romans, followed by danger (in the form of volcano hunting), and finally working again on a farm. After a few enquiries we receive a reply from a family with an 8 year old daughter in Southern Italy, near Bari. It’s a tense moment opening their message. I’ve discovered the following paradox: potential rejection feels most absolute precisely when what you are offering is free of charge. Yet success! We’ve been vetted as volunteer workers and deemed desirable. They would love for us to come and stay. Now we can afford to bargain..yeah sure we reply, we’ll be there, right after we’ve hit the historical and geographical highlights this great country has to offer.

We skirt the nearby Lago Bracciano, and from here, of course, all roads lead to Rome. It’s time to crack open the heavyweight research material, a voluminous tome that will tell us all we need to know about this ancient civilisation. “Here we are girls,” I say, brushing off one of the few essential textbooks we’ve brought along on this trip. “Finally, it’s time….for the “ROTTEN ROMANS!” It whets their appetites and sets in motion a series of stories and gruesome tales which leaves them spellbound for the next few weeks. The route towards the capital is our first real taste of Italian driving. It’s predictably awful - a terrifying cocktail of aggressive drivers, crazy spaghetti junctions, and jarring pot holes. “They may have given us roads,” remarks Marcus, “But they’re not great at repairing them - some of these don’t look like they’ve been filled in since Roman times.”

We leave our van in a secure parking garage, and its location puts me in mind of another Roman story. We’re on the Via Appia, where early Christians were crucified, and where Spartacus met his death along with his band of rebel slaves. For the next two days of sightseeing, his story sets the tone. The girls walk for hours, listening to me narrating, fuelled by Gelato, Pizza, and the cliff-hangers I leave each chapter dangling upon. Spartacus helps bring alive the gruesome, gory details of the Colosseum, which they love. They’ve always had a penchant for the macabre. And the part about the trapdoors underneath the arena spewing out terrible creatures to maul defenceless victims appears to really fire their imaginations. For a slightly more accurate historical perspective we found a great alternative to the pricey tour guide touts. Rather than pay astronomical fees of over 100 Euros per site, we dowloaded a free app by Rick Steves, with an audio commentary the kids could easily follow. I can’t get over the fact we’re actually in Rome, it is everything and more than I hoped. At the heart of the old city, each direction you look is truly awesome, and there can be nowhere on Earth which holds a candle to such imperial grandeur.

We visited the Vatican and missed the Pope. It was a Sunday and he was addressing the masses at the beginning of Lent. Arriving at St Peter’s Square and going against the flow of incoming crowds, we thought there was enough time to nip in for a quick sandwich before we caught a glimpse. There wasn’t. As we emerged, the scarlet flag hanging from a window up high (which apparently indicates  his presence) was just being rolled in. Stomach before Religion. My poor Irish Catholic Grandmother would not have been impressed.

Next stop is Pompei. The long drive is a seemingly endless urban sprawl, but the monotony is broken up when we pass a place called “Angri”, then spot another sign saying “Foof”. The girls find this particularly amusing given it’s the name they use to refer to their vagina. Never one to miss out on toilet-based humour, Elsie pipes up, “There was a town called ‘Poo’ in Spain too!” The story of Mount Vesuvius erupting in 79 AD and destroying Pompei is one of the girls favourites. It’s long been a source of fascination, hearing about whatever fictional characters I can summon managing to escape the deadly pyroclastic flow that fateful day. They’re excited to finally see it all with their own eyes. We only do a portion, picking the best bits, and they love many of the small details. The wide streets with the stepping stones for pedestrians, the holes they can spot in the pavements for fixing rings to harness a horse, the cats eyes in the flooring made from white marble to help people see at night, and the fantastically preserved mosaic of a dog by a front door which reads “Cane Canum (Beware of the Dog). Less cultured is their preference for pointing out big willies whenever they see one - and there are quite a few - on the many exquisite frescos. Towards the end we visit a brothel, complete with stone beds and even pillows. I have a go at explaining what they are, “Good luck with that,” says Marcus, drifting away. In the end I settle on a description as a brothel is a place where lady slaves have to work, lying down next to smelly sailors who want to look and kiss them. This seems to suffice, and they don’t push me on why its necessary to do this lying down.  

Ten years ago Marcus and I spent a few days in Naples, and loved it. Our only regret was that we failed to get a seat at “Pizzeria da Michele” - one of the top pizza joints in town. It filled up early, but this time we’re prepared, catching an early train in. By 11.45am there’s still a queue, but we’re soon seated, and presented with only two choices, Pizza Margherita (tomato, mozzarella and basil) or Pizza Marinara (tomato, garlic, oregano). The girls loyally proclaim their dad’s pizza tastes better cooked in our pizza oven at home. But I have to disagree, even Marcus can’t compete with Napoli’s tomatoes. We’re keen to show the girls the city’s gritty, scruffy charm. We’ve noticed on this trip how much they love to watch people making things, any form of artistic endeavour draws them like moths to a flame. They love the street dedicated to model makers, edging closer to peer at the mechanised scenes and study tiny ceramic legs being carefully painted. Marcus buys some small body parts to replace ones he bought here a decade ago which got smashed when he turned the music up too loud. There’s plenty of life to feast our eyes upon as we wander down the narrow intersecting streets rising upwards, layered washing hanging above us like flags.

All that remains is a volcano, and after taking a vote we decide to pass on Vesuvius and head instead for Europe’s most active volcano, Mount Etna. It’s going to cost a lot more money - driving all the way down to Italy’s toe, catching the ferry across to Sicily, and paying for the compulsory guide - but if you’ve got the chance to choose, why not make it into a real adventure? Spirits are running high, we camp by the beach across the water from Siciliy. That night to shake off the long drive there’s a disco in the van, playing the tracks loud and flashing patterns all around with a green laser we bought in Rome. Next morning Marcus spearfishes a bass and the girls collect bottles to put messages inside, casting them overboard on the short crossing, now our fifth ferry ride . We’re over in 20 minutes, and make straight towards Mount Etna, the landscape turning black and craggy as we approach. Climbing up into the wilderness we camp on the South East side, at the foot of the Valley de Bove. It’s one of the best wild spots yet, and you can lie in bed watching the crater pumping out smoke overhead.

Higher up, it becomes other-worldy. Snow, ash and black rock combine to create a kind of lunar scene. At it’s summit, 3,350 metres high, there are numerous craters. Pockmarking the flanks we spot several nest-like sink holes, reminders of previous activity. There are warning signs informing visitors its forbidden to go beyond 2,500 m without a guide (due to a series of eruptions this month). After some investigation we calculate it’s going to cost us 250 euros to get as near to the central craters as the authorities will allow - 100 euros for us to go up on a cable car, and a further 150 to be taken higher up in a specialist piste basher snow mobile with a guide. In a move to save money the girls agree to hike as far as they can. Fuelled by more chapters of Spartacus and a spin-off series by Marcus called “Fartacus”, 2 hours later we make it to the top of the cable car. From here its a typically Italian ramshackle affair, and people appear to be ignoring the instructions not to wander off alone. Sighting tourists crunching their way over hardened snow wearing only slip-on shoes, we ask if the girls can make it a bit father. The promise of extra Easter Eggs provides the incentive they need, and we creep ever higher, ignoring the warning signs, past the piste bashers and within sight of sulphurous rock at the peak. To our side are long roads of humped black lava flow, and a metallic sound alerts Marcus to peer closer. A heat shimmer is coming off of one, and on closer inspection nestled within is the glow of red lava, rocks tossing and tumbling over each other as they prepare to settle into a solid mass. I’m not sure what I’m more amazed by - this sight, or the fact the girls managed a 5 hour trek without one single meltdown. The next week is filled with volcano-wonder, trekking into the Valle de Bove to see the ancient swirling lava fields, gazing across up high at Etna from the Greek temple of Taormina, and visiting the Etna Museum. Despite keeping a watch we don’t see any fresh eruptions, but it doesn’t matter - we’ve made it our mission to have one big adventure in Italy, and so far it hasn’t disappointed.