#will graham goes to comic con

[tailschannel]

IDW Sonic at SDCC 2023: Everything you need to know

IDW Sonic had a panel in this year's San Diego Comic Con and many new issues, one-shots, and collections were announced.

Major announcements included new covers for Issue 67, preview pages for the 900th Adventure, and a tease of an upcoming one-shot issue for Fang the Sniper and Knuckles the Echidna.

This year's panelists included Evan Stanley, Adam Bryce Thomas, Min Ho Kim, Caleb Goellner, Michael Cisneros, and David Mariotte.

The upcoming arcs

Misadventures

Issues 63 to 66.

Features Sonic, the Diamond Cuttersm Silvers, Blaze, Knuckles, the Chaotix, Cream, Gemerl, the Babylon Rogues, and more in a two story per issue format.

Between August, September, and October 2023.

Second Chances

Issue 67.

Surge and Kit makes a return to supposedly join the Restoration.

Out November 2023.

The Protector

Issue 68.

Sonic and Tails explore a mysterious cavern.

Out December 2023.

Upcoming one-shots

The 900th Adventure

A special issue that celebrates 30 years of Sonic comics that span over 900 releases.

A Sonic adventure where Sonic and friends goes against some of his foes to get rid of the Warp Topaz.

Out August 2023.

Attribution for the 900th Adventure one-shot are as follows:

Story One: written by Ian Flynn, illustrated by Adam Bryce Thomas, coloured by Valentino Pinto

Story Two: written and illustrated by Evan Stanley, coloured by Gigi Dutreix.

Story Three: written by Nigel Kitching, illustrated by Mauro Fonseca, inked by Rik Mack, coloured by Reggie Graham.

Story Four: written by Daniel Barnes, artwork by Min Ho Kim.

Story Five: written and illustrated by Aaron Hammerstrom, inked by Matt Froese, coloured by Nathalie Fourdraine.

Story Six: written by Caleb Goellner, illustrated by Abby Bulmer, coloured by Heather Breckel.

Endless Summer One-Shot

Sonic, Tangle, Whisper, and Jewel just want to have a relaxing day at the beach... but won't if the Babylon Rogues have anything to say about it.

Out August 2023.

IDW Sonic Halloween Special

A new adventure featuring the Chaotix where they have to face a candy-stealing monster alongside Sonic & Tails, releasing on October 2023.

Featuring Mark Bouchard, Jack Lawrence, and Gigi Duterix.

Amy 30th Anniversary Special

Amy embarks on an adventure to save the small animals and her friends from Metal Sonic.

Out September 2023.

Knuckles & Fang One-Shot

Newly teased 30th Anniversary one-shot issue for Knuckles the Echidna and Fang the Sniper

Out in 2024.

Upcoming collected editions

Scrapnik Island Collection

Sonic and Tails are on an island of spooky forgotten badniks.

Out August 2023.

Seasons of Chaos Collection

Classic Sonic adventures.

Out October 2023.

IDW Sonic Artbook

A special gallery collection containing some of the art of the IDW Sonic series, including art from Tracy Yardley, Adam Bryce Thomas, Evan Stanley, and Jack Lawrence.

Out October 2023.

Knuckles' Greatest Hits

A collection featuring Knuckle's greatest hits throughout the IDW Sonic series.

Includes issues 3, 10, 11, the 2022 Free Comic Book Day special, and the "Guardian" mini-issue from the 2022 Annual.

Out October 2022.

(Story contributed by Spectre from the Tails' Channel Newsfeed, images from Floof for Tails' Channel, with files via IDWSonicNews for Tails' Channel)

[newsfeed30]

That Time Josh Brolin Admitted Fan Encounters At Comic-Con Can Totally Ruin His Day: 'I'm Sorry To Bother You, But...'

has more geek movie experience than pretty much any other actor in Hollywood. He not only has major comic book characters on his resume including Cable and Thanos, but he also has films like Dune and Men In Black 3 on his resume. The guy is clearly no stranger to the culture... and yet, he still finds it a tough experience when he goes to conventions and gets asked unanswerable questions.

Earlier this month, Brolin was a guest on The Graham Norton Show, included in a panel including Cher, Michael Fassbender and Kiera Knightly, and there was a point during the episode where he and Fassbender began talking about attending comic conventions (the latter, of course, well-known for playing Magneto in the X-Men movies). While Brolin may be an intimidating presence on screen playing villains like Thanos and tough guys like Gurney Halleck, he has no idea what to do when he is presented with questions from passionate fans:

[hitchell-mope]

Hypothetical titles for season three of 88

Audit. Season premiere. Part one. City wide budget cutbacks put the precinct at risk of closure.

Defund. Part two. Negotiations begin as Thornton faces down the auditor. Guest starring David Tennant as Sir Eamon Corman, the auditor

Double crossed. Irma Cahill’s ex wife (guest star Lauren Graham) comes forward with evidence that may put away the terrorist for good

Shindig. As Skipper and Oswald’s wedding draws nearer Sidney, Findlay and Thornton find themselves increasingly at odds with Sir Corman.

My other suit is a nightwing cosplay. The Wilmington estate is once again attacked during a party. This time on Halloween and by a duo of faceless shapeshifters masquerading as Bonnie and Clyde

Dumbbell, Almanac and Kindle. Drummond falls in with a trio cat burglars when he goes on a college campus tour. Guest starring Jared Gilmore, Asher Angel and Joshua Bassett as the eponymous burglars

Very good advice. Part one. Carrying on from last episodes cliffhanger. Drummond finds himself in a wonderland hellscape when he undergoes an emergency appendectomy. Guest stars Jared Padalecki and Anne Hathaway return as manifestations of the knave and queen of hearts.

In a world of my own. Part two. Sidney and Findlay take on the persona’s of the mad hatter and the white queen in an effort to wake their son up

Private and personal. Findlay tries to stop a date between Thornton and Jacob Spratt (returning guest star Manny Jacinto) while also trying to keep Drummond comfortable during his recovery

Roll up, roll up. It’s crunch time for the 88 as a spate of murders based on the deaths of D.C. comics characters goes from a sabotaged high wire act to a twelve year old savagely beaten with a crowbar. All within twelve hours.

Milan, darling, Milan. Midseason finale. Part one. A family vacation takes a turn when a manticore drug called Ouranos is found in Drummond’s backpack

Middle aged looking lady investigates. Midseason premiere. Part two. Delaney turns detective to prove her grandsons innocence against a very adamant narcotics detective. Guest starring Rashida Jones.

Family at war. Chambers (returning guest star Brad Pitt) is sued by Sidney’s mother, celebrity chef Sonya Sullivan (Allison Janney) after his latest con costs her a coveted position on the cooking network.

Double date. Findlay must swallow her pride after Thornton begs her and Sidney to go out to dinner with him and Jacob.

Negotiations. As the audit continues Thornton tries to dissuade Findlay from offering up her own brand of assistance in dealing with Sir Coran.

The mage in training had cloven hooves. Good news. Drummond has decided he wants to learn magic. Bad news. He’s gone to Chambers for tutelage.

Rejection of reality. A mishap with Drummond’s tenth lesson results in the precinct being warped into a Seussian nightmare

The devil and the satyr . Drummond now has a proper magic tutor. Recommend by Skipper. Andy Christensen. (Guest star Mitchell Hope). Who turns out to be the Antichrist. And his father Devon (Bernard Curry) is NOT happy about how he’s spending his time

Unholy orders. A a hedonistic religious sector called the Cabal, founded in Britain during the Cromwell years and dedicated to protecting the Coexistence from LATCH, led by Deacon and Diocese (Michael B Jordan and Cobie Smulders) try to forcibly recruit Drummond into their order

The would be charmed ones. Dumbbell, Almanac and Kindle return with a new goal in mind. Siphon off the Wilmington family’s magic and become the most powerful sorcerers in the world. All that’s stopping them is Findlay who’s INCREDIBLY pissed off that their last exploits gave Drummond appendicitis

The memoirs of an amnesiac reelection hopeful. Findlay is called to consult on a personal case for Thornton. His stepmother, President Ullman (returning guest star Julia Roberts) is missing a month before the start her reelection race. And no one can help except the aloof sun elf Vice President Andrea Guilroy (Stockard Channing) and her self hating half mage grandson Robbie (Jeremy Shada).

Deep fried mash potatoes at the drive in diner. A synchronous episode that takes place at the same time as the previous episode. Andy Samberg returns as Giles “The Hangman” Gauthier in a two hander with Sidney that’s an incredibly dark take on “my dinner with Andre” leading into the two part season finale.

Internal affairs. Season finale. Part one. LATCH launches a full scale attack on New York as Findlay is put under a microscope by newly minted Interns Affairs Agent Alec Moynihan (guest star Dan Stevens)

A neutral witch enters battle. Season finale. Part two. Findlay must evade Agent Moynihan as she tries to help the precinct fight of LATCH’s attack.

[6rookie-writer0110]

My dad is a shark, not an accountant

Male Reader x Avengers cast

Request- Hi I was wondering if you could do a Male reader X Avengers cast where his around Tom Holland's age and a great dancer and his character is an innocent cinnamon bun and during one interview they show the cast (the cast from MCU movies)

Lip Sync Battle and they see him singing I Just Had Sex by Lonely Island with a bunch of hot women and him dancing lewd and nearing the end of the song he ends up in just his underwear and shoes

When you got the call to join Marvel and to be in the Avengers; you freaked out. You celebrated with everyone then you met the cast. You hit it off with everyone, but everyone is protective when it comes to you and Tom.

When you put on the suit of your character, you couldn't stop smiling. You took so many selfies wearing the suit and with the cast. You did have to dye your hair which you love the new hair color. They made get on a strict diet and work out a lot. You have been doing a lot of interviews and going to comic con with the cast.

In the movie, you will play the character named Noh-Varr and goes by Marvel Boy. He is from earth Earth -200080 but now he is on earth -616. Noh- Varr is from the planet Kree Empire and his genes are mixed; Genetically engineered Kree/cockroach hybrid enhanced with insect DNA and nanobiology.

Today you will be on a talk show with the cast. You are always laughing during the interviews because they always make each other laugh. They did show a clip of your character and Tom’s character bonding with Thor.

Next, they showed clips of the cast doing Lip Sync Battle. Your video is the last one to show.

”Can’t wait to see this. Y/N is a much better dancer than me” Scarlett said.

”Tom and Y/N, are the best dancers on the cast,” Chris Evans said.

”This Y/N Lip Sync Battle, let's see what he did,” Graham Norton said.

The clip starts to play everyone is watching, you sing Just Had Sex by Lonely Island. Everyone is impressed by your dancing skills and there are hot women dancing around you. Everyone is enjoying the performance and you can't stop smiling either. At the end of the song, you ripped off your outfit now you are standing on the stage with underwear and shoes.

Everyone starts to cheer and Tom gave you a high five.

”Wow, Y/N I didn't expect you to perform that song,” Graham Norton said.

”It was Tom’s idea for me to do it. And I thought to myself why not” You said.

”Tom is that true?” Graham Norton asked.

”He is not telling the whole truth. He lost a bet and he had to perform a random song that should upon the shuffle playlist” Tom said.

You nod and you smiled.

✧ ✯ ✧ ✯

You are on the set of Avengers: Infinity War, you are doing a scene with Chris Pratt, Robert, Tom, and Bautista. Your character Noh-Varr is trying to help each other to find the others before turning into dust.

Everyone is making each other laugh and randomly dancing.

”Guys, we need to focus,” Anthony Russo said.

”We had to see who is the better dancer,” Chris said.

”It’s definitely not you,” You said.

”Oh!!” Everyone said.

”Oh, it's on,” Chris said.

Everyone makes each other laugh and started to dance again.

[thefivecalls]

Things I associate with each of the sides for no reason

Logan:

I understand he's supposed to be dark blue or indigo. Regardless, he will always be teal. This teal:

For some reason when I got detention that one time I got a Logan vibe so yeah theres that

"Space... The final frontier..." But uhhh just the opening has his vibes

Why is he always whereing a neck tie and not a bow tie? If anyone has necktie vibes its Janus not Logan

Logan also has chaos incarnate vibes that are only in check because of his last shreds of humanity one of these days he'll break and when he does thomas can and will set something on fire using bill nye the science guy tactics

He is waking up early and going to bed late

He is framing posters

He is dancing in your bedroom to awesome music that has never been such a vibe before that moment and will never be again.

Broken clocks

Beaker from the muppets? I don't quite get it but yeah

Rock of ages

Getting a pitcher of soda or tea or whatever and setting it on his desk, then getting 23 straws and taping them together so he can lay in bed on his phone and safely drink it without spilling

Grilled cheese

Kahoot music

Remus:

Death waltz. Not the synthesia no the one that takes 14 people to play.

Canoeing

Obviously he has close combat weapons but have you thought about giving him a bow and arrow? I have and yes thats a vibe because he is one of three people I've ever met with those vibes ok

Portable speakers

He is bonfires and fireworks.

He is hyperfixating on something and writing a story until 4 in the morning.

Potions!

The fact that witches ingredients are actually just named strange things but are edible somethings? Like mustard seeds being newts eyes and the like

Acid

In my human anatomy class we dissected deer hearts and when we found the blood clots we called them the Forbidden Jellies.

The county fair

The circus that comes around at fall festival time

Homecoming game in football/rugby

I feel like if he played an instrument he'd be a baritone

The lime green smoke Disney villians have

Roman:

Zootopia the movie

Hopping. Or bouncing in place.

My family's crest?? I think its because of his crest but he had those vibes before the outift upgrade???? Idk

The ponytail thing that give you a unicorn horn when you've got short hair but bangs that are beginning to grow out

He is picnics at the park

He is also going shopping

He is also dancing in the rain at four in the morning with the outside lights on and the music blaring but its ok the neigbors are four acres away and they sleep like the dead.

When I went to my first metal concert and I saw the mosh pit? The exhilaration that comes with wanting to join but not wanting to get crushed is a Roman thing.

Pancakes

Cold pizza at midnight

Succulents!

Fire and cane whiskey

The warm smiles that the bearer never gets to see because they don't get the chance to see it in a reflection

Butterscotch

Janus:

Springtime showers that makes snowmelt rivers

Prom. Dont ask this is just a him vibe ok

He seems like the guy that would make a blanket cacoon/nest when his bedsheets are in the wash and can I say mood

Sunlight

Looking off my back porch and seeing the feilds of corn beginning to dry out in late fall every three years.

Pumpkin soup

Apple cider

Lemonade

Not only is he snowmelt rivers he is also the first thunderstorm of summertime

Sun tea. Not the brand the stuff that you make via harnessing the suns power

Cucumber facemasks

Wildflower honey

The person who youd never guess goes to comic con but is actually the one who wins first place in the costume contest every year

Oversized sweaters

German Sheppards and yellow labs sunbathing after playing for hours

Antique mirrors

Burlap canvas bags

Oil paint

Espressos at ten at night

Late night chinese food runs

Dragons

Spice. Not the average spice either I'm talking could eat a carolina reaper and yes he'll be more red but he could still talk and thats more than I can say for myself

Virgil:

The red rubber balls from kick ball in elementary. By god I can smell the plastic just thinking about it

Flappy stims! Almost every time I flap he comes to mind I never really questioned it

The weighted blanket my dad got that I steal from him all the time

'He's a Mary poppins in a world of hasselhoffs" my friend once said that not even talking about Virgil but like. Come on.

Basically all of Star Lord's vibes are Virgils

Deadpool

Jack Skellington (kinda obvs)

Sample perfumes that are like the size of a pinky

Telescopes

Not writing an essay but instead learning all about world history or astronomy or psychology

Earings. Specifically hoops

Black pearls

Boardwalks that have tiny shops along them with a bunch of food.

Going to a club or a party with flashing lights and even though you're kinda nervous you have fun and live like tomorrow is still a dream away.

Ripped movie posters that the theater is selling

Tying ropes together to make nets.

Fairy lights

Taping movie theater tickets to your wall after you've gone and seen it

Scarecrows sitting on bales of hay at sunset next to my willow tree and the cicadas are on their 13th year so they're the loudest they'll ve until another 13 years have passed

The glint in someone's eye when they think of something mischievous

Bang by AJR

The corpse bride's tale/song

Patton:

The lazer eye meme. This one

Graham Crackers. Not smores, not candy crack-just the cracker ok

Pep rallies

The pet store??

Sugar sculptures

Corn pits (strictly midwestern thing)

Driving for hours upon hours and seeing the strange statues some towns have as you pass them by

Silver sparkles

Art herpes glitter

Photo booths

Riding in the back of a pickup truck on the county's main road

Wedding crystals cabinet where you put the fancy china you're going to give to your children that never gets used once but is probably worth half your house

The chubby bunny challenge

The moment when you tip your chair back too far and you know it but you can't do anything because you'll be on the floor in a second anyway

The thing maya did from Girl Meets World when she slammed lockers closed and caused the chalkboard to let its dust fly

Dusk.

That moment when everything is going by so quickly so you step back and watch the world go by for only a few seconds but then you're back in the present laughing with your friends

Snow cones melting and getting the syrup all over your hands

Orange Side:

All things citrus but especially lemons no not oranges lemons

Sunglasses

Men in black 1 not the rest just the first

Pineapple too hes got a lot of pineapple vibes

Combat boots but with spikes

Also lace?

And tea. Like, all kinds of tea but especially the really expensive stuff that I've only tasted like twice thats imported from Ireland

Himalayan salt lamps.

Sensies. the wax melting things

Candles too

Once we meet him I'll have more but this is it for him for now

Thats it! If this gets notes I might do emile remy and thomas but I think I'll leave this be for the moment. Have a great day y'all!

[just-the-hiddles]

A Little Self-Promotion

So I rarely self-promote my own stories, I much prefer to shine a light on others.  But with everything kind of up in the air, I figured I would pull out some of my more fun and lighthearted stories, for those looking something fun to read.

Tom Hiddleston 

Meet Your Heroes- Tom and Reader Platonic You have Tom sign a commissioned print at comic-con when he discovers that you write a parody blog pretending to be his publicist, Luke.  You somehow end up having dinner with Tom.

Tables Turned- You are nervous for Tom’s interview with Graham Norton.  But when Graham decides to have Tom read some fan fiction, you know the tables have turned.

Anesthesia- You are a nurse in the ER Department in a L.A. hospital.  At the start of one of your shifts, you are called in to deal with a stunt gone wrong, the patient, Tom Hiddleston.  Tom requires surgery and the anesthesia has some weird side effects on the poor man. 

Sweet as Sugar- As an rising comedy host, you have been invited to participate Comic Relief Bake Off.  You loved baking and you can’t believe your luck to end up on the same episode as the dashing Tom Hiddleston.  Are you mistaken or is he flirting with you? How are you going to manage to screw this up.

Sunset and Pastries- While on vacationing in a small town in the Bavarian area of Germany, you decide to take in a sunset.  You manage to run into Tom, literally.  Coffee and chocolate ensues.  

Loki

Cold Dish | Loki x Reader

Sam and the reader are engaged in an all out prank war.  The reader tries to recruit Loki to help get you get even!

Like Real People Do | Loki x Reader

Loki has just started dating the reader and he is struggling to express how much he cares about her. So he goes to Thor for help. It does not go well.

The Most Ridiculous Holiday | Loki x Reader

Loki and Peter help the reader with Thanksgiving preparation.  Although help is a strong word.  As disasters ensue, Reader forces the boys out of the kitchen.  Loki calls it a ridiculous Midgardian holiday, but are those his true feelings?

Secret Garden | Loki x Reader

Y/N decides to take Loki to the gardens and make him a flower crown, placing it on his head.  He doesn’t know how to react and runs away leaving you wondering what happened.

 Endeavor to Be Ugly-  The entire Avengers believe both you and Loki having something going on that extends beyond friendship.  It is getting harder and harder to hide the truth.  What happens when the Avengers discover the truth?

Luke Windsor & Tom Hiddleston 

Day After The Rain-  Luke has to deal with the aftermath of Tom’s “heroic efforts”.  This is why Luke keeps a solicitor’s number on speed-dial.  For the day he kills Tom.  Hilarity ensues as Luke untangles the mess. Based off of @redfoxwritesstuff The Things You Find (in the Rain) series.

Shouldn’t-  Tom went over to Emma’s to celebrate her birthday.  One thing led to another and now the two of them are splashed across the gossip columns.  Luke must now untangle the mess but not before giving Tom an earful.  Companion fic to my series Should.

You Did What?!- Evelyn Hiddleston, Tom’s daughter asks Luke to tell her a story. Luke tells her the story of the day she was born. Hilarity ensues. Follow up to Unexpected Delivery

Other Characters

Netflix and Panic | Bucky Barnes x Reader

Bucky has a crush on you and invites you over to watch some Netflix.  Panic ensues as Bucky hides a secret. 

[gerbiloftriumph]

So you wanna be a king

Or perhaps just cosplay one.

By request, here’s how I, at least, put together my King Graham outfit.

Part 1: Cloak and Cowl

Disclaimer: I’m totally novice at cosplay and only do it for like one event per year if that, so take what you will or throw it all away.

Also I made this like three years ago, so the details get sorta hazy.

Step one: Research. The best part. Take lots of screencaps of Graham from every angle. Hoard the pictures in your phone like a dragon. Stare at them. They’re lovely. He’s lovely. 

Ready to commit to this? It’s mildly expensive and Mostly Time Consuming. But that outfit looks so neat...and I love him...okay. Still good?

Let’s do this.

Let’s start with the cloak and the cowl. The bit that everyone notices first, the dramatic part that snaps behind you when you walk and makes 2015 Graham stand apart from his 1980s days (...other than also not wearing pink anymore).

The best part other than the hat, really.

By the game’s own proof, the cowl and cloak are separate pieces. Which makes your life easier.

I chose a springy red fabric from Joann’s called bengaline. It stretches one way, not both, and it’s delightfully weighted so it snaps and catches the wind in pleasing ways--the effect when walking is almost as bouncy as the video game version. Should you choose the same, know that bengaline is primarily plastic and cannot be ironed (seriously, don’t)--steam it or get it wet and let it air dry to remove wrinkles. Check it out here: https://www.joann.com/sew-classics-bengaline-suiting/xprd757777.html

Bengaline does not feel heavy when you pick it up in the store. It becomes heavy as you wear it. Your shoulders might revolt. Feel free to pick something lighter, cheaper, or whatever is available in the shade of red you love most, but remember that the lighter the fabric weight, the happier you’ll be. Please do not pick velvet. A day at con reveals all truths. Be aware of what you’re putting your shoulders through.

For your reference, according to the receipt I found I apparently bought 6 yards of it (with a half off coupon). This is overkill. You probably don’t need 6 yards. I think I have a ton of it left over and smooshed into deep storage. But then again, it’s red and red is always useful in cosplay, so it doesn’t hurt to have leftovers.

Why reinvent the wheel? I used this tutorial here for the base cloak: https://dangerous-ladies.tumblr.com/post/41564161303/so-you-wanna-wear-a-cape-god-this-new

yes you want a circle cape, not a square cape. circle capes catch the wind better. you’ll be able to tell the difference, i promise.

Side note: you might think you want your cloak to touch your ankles. It looks like Graham’s does. You do not want this. When it scrapes the ground at comic con or renfest, it will get filthy, it will shred, and people (especially you) will step on the back of it. It might even get eaten by an escalator at con. Go up an inch or two--a little goes a long way. It’ll still look great, and you won’t choke.

plus depending on how you stand no one can tell anyway.

Now, for my numbers:

I am 5′6″. I chose 56.5″ (that includes my hem allowance) so that the cloak itself actually ‘swings’ at 55.5″. I copied the tutorial’s neck hole exactly (6″ ‘swing’).

Follow the tutorial’s instructions for the rolled hem. Pin everything. You will hate pins. You may bleed. Doesn’t matter. The cosplay gods are cruel. Keep pinning. If you picked bengaline like I did do not iron it just suffer in silence. Go slowly and carefully, and fight the curve to be as flat as you can.

Time to sew! Put on Game Grump’s King’s Quest 5 LP because it’s the best, and go slowly around your circle at the default sewing machine stitch.

I don’t recommend hand stitching. There is too much fabric and you want to have some sort of life at the end of this. Check with your local public library or that weird relative you forgot about if you don’t have a machine yourself.

Cool, that’s a cloak! Admire it, it’s lovely. I mean, you don’t have a way to wear it yet, but you’re maybe 68% done here so, that’s great!

Cowl time!

I don’t have reference images for what I did three years ago, and there are probably better ways to do this. Feel free to experiment, but here’s how I (probably?) did it:

Measure around your arms and upper chest approximately where the cowl will lay, and make sure you give yourself extra inches so you can still move comfortably. For me, that’s around 48-50″ around. I don’t remember what motivated my number selection for the neck part--it must be wide enough to go around your head, plus room to play with it to make it lie in fun ways like Graham’s. Apparently I picked 28″.

Play with scrap fabric, or if you have lots of extra red feel free to make extra sizes. My cowl looks like this:

That’s 14″ along the neck, 24″ along the body, and a length of 18″--but with a secret 6.5″ tucked inside the cowl itself, so the fabric really is 24.5″ long.

Why would I do that?

To tuck the cowl into the jerkin/undershirt collar and make it look seamless, like a video game character.

Ain’t no sight of tunic around that neck.

Also, the extra fabric gives it more stability and strength, allowing you to play with the collar and get that high edge he has rather than flat fabric. I’d even considered stringing a wire through it in early days, but if you use bengaline the fabric is sturdy enough on its own. Your fabric selection may act differently.

So, I’ve “hidden” 6.5″ worth of fabric in the collar. What would that look like as a pattern? I don’t remember for certain since I didn’t write it down but it probably looked like this:

okay maybe like half an inch seam allowance. an inch is probably overkill. don’t be me.

Since I didn’t want the thickness of a real hem, I did, like, a herringbone stitch (looks like zigzaging triangles) along the part that gets tucked in to the shirt to prevent any fraying, and then I folded it at the dotted line and sewed it in place to get a permanent line.

Unfolded, it looks like this:

In practice, it looks like this:

From the back, it ends up looking a little something like-a this:

Cool, cloak and cowl! You still don’t have a way to wear it, but the pieces are nice. Maybe unfinished and kinda boring, though, since Graham’s King Cloak is Such Luxury.

I mean, it’s fine that way. But it feels unfinished if you’re doing Prologue or Ch2 Graham.

Trimming time~.

I bought one 1″ wide red satin trim roll, and two 2 ¼” red satin trim rolls. Pin the wider trim all along the INNER bottom hem of your cloak (the side with the rolled hem on it), sew slowly. Get your second fresh roll so you don’t run out midway, and do the same on the EXTERIOR. This way, any wonky uneven lines are hidden on the inside and less noticeable.

Nice rule of thumb for cosplay I’ve learned: if you can’t see a mistake from 5 feet away, no one can. Don’t panic.

Do not sew both sides at the same time. It’s tempting, but hard enough to sew around a curve already without trying to keep both sides remotely even. To finish, I folded the long ends over, matched the hem with the cloak, and went for it.

And do the same to the bottom of the cowl with your thinner trim--you only have to do the exterior since no one can see the interior of that piece, so it’s much easier.

Cool! You’re done! You’ve got a cloak and cowl, trimmed and gorgeous.

“But Gerbil,” I hear you complain, “I still can’t wear it! It doesn’t have any attachment to me, even though I have lots of attachment to it since I just dumped like a hundred hours and at least $50 into it.”

Fair enough.

If you used bengaline like me, you’ll discover very quickly that it’s heavy heavy heavy. It’s gorgeous and thick and looks great, but the weight. Sure, it didn’t feel heavy when you bought it, when you sewed with it, when you first put it on. But it’s hour six of wearing it, and your shoulders hate you. If it hangs off your neck like you would assume a cloak should, you will choke. It hurts. The weight must sit on your shoulders.

Luckily, this costume has two separate pieces, and the cowl is going to hide where it hooks to you.

You’re going to buy two snap clips. The big ones. Like, at least an inch. You’re going to pick out an anchor t-shirt from Goodwill. It literally doesn’t matter what it looks like, but it’s going to be one size too small and will go up to your neck. You need it to be totally comfortable to wear (the more breathable the better--this is a hot cosplay), but tight enough that it will not shift under the weight of your cloak movement, thus the smaller size. Sew the snaps to the inside of the cloak and just above your collar bone on the shirt.

(apparently Superman wears it like this too, go figure)

(you might want to wait to sew the snaps on until your jerkin/tunic is finished before you sew the snaps to your anchor shirt, so you can be sure the collars match up--you need to have room for the snaps to sit on the anchor shirt, but still sit under your tunic)

(if you think of a better solution, have at, but please, do not tie it around your neck regardless of the type of material you bought. If anyone steps on the back, yourself included, and it’s attached by your neck, you’re out for the day. Do not.)

(also, one more pitch for the snaps--say your cloak does get caught on something. a wandering dragon, a passing knight’s sword, or ye olde con escalator. if it’s attached by snaps, not ties, it’ll pop right off with enough force, leaving you unharmed, but the snaps are heavy duty enough to stay put all weekend or multiple years without trouble)

And you’re done. That’s a cloak and cowl fine enough for a king, friend. Or at least fine enough for comic con.

A note on the out and about: you’re probably going to feel worn out after a few hours at con. Take frequent sitting breaks. After a few times wearing it you’ll get used to it and can fly around in it all weekend without trouble, but the first few times add unexpected strain to your neck and shoulders so take it a little easier.

Also, high key recommend handwashing the cloak (yes, the whole thing, it smooshes down well in water, I promise, it’s doable, just difficult) in your (clean!) bathroom sink with handwashing detergent, and laying it out to dry on towels. I wouldn’t trust the satin trim to hold up to a machine, but it withstands sink washing just fine.

(Was that useful? Was that atrocious? Do you want more pieces how-to’d? Do you want a full How-To-Graham Tutorial? Let me know, happy to ramble more!)

[tabloidtoc]

OK, November 4

Cover: Brad Pitt’s lies and Angelina Jolie’s regrets 

Page 1: Big Pic -- Rebel Wilson and Scarlett Johansson and Thomasin McKenzie at the Jojo Rabbit premiere 

Page 2: Contents 

Page 3: Contents 

Page 4: Felicity Huffman’s prison diary 

Page 6: Ben Affleck to Jennifer Garner -- stop smothering me 

Page 7: Jeremy Renner’s custody war, Christina Aguilera curvy and content, Adam Sandler is elated his daughters Sadie and Sunny want to follow in his footsteps 

Page 8: Duchess Kate Middleton fires her aide, Rihanna has come running to Joanna Gaines for home renovation advice, Jenna Dewan’s candid confessions 

Page 9: No fashion designers are calling to design Princess Beatrice’s wedding dress, Tori Spelling helped save Jennie Garth’s marriage 

Page 10: Red Hot on the Red Carpet -- yellow gowns -- Angela Bassett, Kristin Cavallari 

Page 11: Eva Longoria, Katherine Langford, Gugu Mbatha-Raw 

Page 12: Who Wore It Better? Zazie Beetz vs. Nicole Kidman, Candice Swanepoel vs. Olivia Palermo, Elizabeth Banks vs. Emily Osment 

Page 14: News in Photos -- Prince William and Duchess Kate in Pakistan 

Page 16: Jordin Sparks in Waitress, Hilaria Baldwin with her kids and dogs, Katie Holmes 

Page 18: Nicole Kidman and Margot Robbie, Hoda Kotb, honorees Dana Walden and Awkwafina and Chaka Khan and Mariah Carey and Jennifer Aniston and Brie Larson at Variety’s Power of Women event

Page 19: Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes and Ben Affleck, Lupita Nyong’o 

Page 20: Ellen DeGeneres and Colton Underwood and Howard Stern and Beth Stern, Tom Holland and Jake Gyllenhaal at ACE Comic Con 

Page 21: Owen Wilson and Jennifer Lopez, Jeff Goldblum 

Page 22: Anne Hathaway, Heidi and Spencer Pratt and son Gunner, Nicole Scherzinger and Derek Hough 

Page 23: Julianne Hough and Cara Delevingne and Kate Hudson and Jameela Jamil 

Page 24: Lea Michele is selling her bachelorette pad 

Page 26: Liam Hemsworth’s hot new romance with Maddison Brown 

Page 27: Dominic Cooper and Gemma Chan wedding bells, Selena Gomez falling for Niall Horan, Bella Hadid and The Weeknd back on 

Page 28: Jana Kramer and Mike Caussin on the brink, Ashley Graham’s pampered pregnancy, Love Bites -- Ariel Winter and Levi Meaden split, Audrina Patridge and Josh Henderson dating, Miranda Kerr and Evan Spiegel welcomed their second son together 

Page 30: Cover Story -- Angelina Jolie loves being a mom 

Page 34: The details on Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez’s wedding 

Page 36: Living with Anxiety -- Ryan Reynolds, Emma Stone, Julianne Hough 

Page 37: Kendall Jenner, Chris Evans, Ellie Goulding, Anne Hathaway, Chloe Grace Moretz 

Page 38: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are getting ready to make a new life together in Canada 

Page 40: The best celebrity Halloween costumes of all time 

Page 42: The biggest names in WWE history share their fitness and diet secrets -- Naomi, the Bella twins 

Page 43: Natalya, Carmella, Mandy Rose, Sonya Deville 

Page 48: Style -- Millie Bobby Brown teams with Pandora 

Page 50: Mask-erade -- Grace Elizabeth as Disney’s Maleficent 

Page 52: Jonathan Van Ness’ fall beauty tips 

Page 54: Entertainment 

Page 55: Q&A with Melissa Gorga of RHONJ 

Page 58: Jennifer Aniston breaks the internet 

Page 60: Hollywood Heat Meter -- Eva Mendes goes to Supercuts, Elton John says The Lion King was a huge disappointment, Joe Giudice’s dramatic weight loss, Zoe Kravitz will play Catwoman, Cardi B got some serious bling from Offset for her birthday 

Page 61: Sound Bites -- Scarlett Johansson, Jason Momoa, Anne Hathaway, Mariah Carey, Chance the Rapper on Jay-Z and Barack Obama 

Page 62: Horoscope -- Scorpio Winona Ryder 

Page 64: By the Numbers -- Camila Cabello 

[sanoiro]

In this week’s special episode we're joined by special guest Aimee Garcia who plays fan favourite Ella Lopez in the TV show Lucifer. Aimee has also starred in shows such as Dexter, Trauma, Rush Hour as well as the film Robocop. 

Aimee gives us a little tease about the direction of the show now that it's been saved by Netflix, as well as talking about the phenomenal response to the #SaveLucifer fan campaign. 

00:00 - 01:32 Intro to interview 01:32 - 32:44 Aimee Garcia Lucifer interview 32:44 - 33:40 Outro

Talking about the campaign 5:

They were talking with Tom about it yesterday and Aimee talks about what she has experienced from conventions, letters and fans on a global level.

“We were completely shocked and completely surprised and once we thought the passion from all over the world we all went to the frontlines and we were like “Oh my God we do have an audience, we just do not have an audience that watches it Monday night at eight we have an audience that binges it, that watches it a week later or on their own time which is the future tv but when that happened, I mean 100% the reason we’re picked up was because of the fans”

Spoiler

Talking about Eve and Graham (the second one in a more concealed way)

“My character is a woman of faith and for 3 years her faith has been very unwavering and it will start to unravel I think, her relationship with God will be getting a bit rocky because Charlotte was taken away, and so many bad things have happened in their inner circle that she- her faith is a little rocky.”

Aimee believes that S4 will explore how the Devil will help Ella as her faith becomes a little shaky and then Chloe... The whole season will deal with the aftermath of the reveal and what that does to their dynamic. 

Every episode will count and there will be no episode that will not move the episode forward! (Sanoiro: THANK DAD!) 

And every character will have their world shaken upside down (Basically the centre theme of S4). And every actor is reading their script and say “I didn't see that one coming” and it’s so fun and juicy and heartbreaking because of change even if it’s growth it is also painful cause the definition of change is that you leave something behind even if it is a bad thing. 

Ella and her faith, Chloe and the truth, Lucifer who am I? and Amenadiel has his wings back what does that mean? Linda and Maze their friendship goes in a totally different direction (Sanoiro: Am I the only one who slightly hopes for a F/F relationship there?), Everyone will be spinning in the rabbit hole and it will be so fun to watch! 

Aimee talks about how her real life as a bachelor is correlated with her character and says she asks the writer to stop making fun of her :) :D 

18:26 - Talking about Tom and the English slang. Lauren and Pepper (Lauren carries treats for her dog and calls the package funny pack which has Tom and Aimee trying to tell her that it means something entirely different and she is like please stop! And of course, they keep going). 

Talking about Lauren and her pranks (the famous camel toe undergarment). Lauren pranking Kevin through Aimee and she is really bad at lying so the whole prank falls apart. 

Peper little story with a vest which Tom suggested. They are getting Pepper a K9 LA police dog vest... Tom adores the dog. 

Ildy and Joe are setting the rhythm behind the cameras and Tom & Lauren in front of them. 

Talking about how Tom is usually working until 4:30 AM on a Saturdays morning. And everyone is tired but you have Tom at take 10 in the rain working without complaining. (Aimee sees Tom as the captain/leader of the team which makes her want to work harder) Also when there is a victim and they are in the sun, Tom will always try to shade the actor with his heigh, offer them an umbrella between takes and ask them if they need something.

(Sanoiro:^^^ I love this) 

Favourite episode so far 3x25 (& 3x06) :) as it solidified the brother and sister relationship of Ella and Lucifer also Aimee says how Ella is funny how unaffected she is on Lucifer’s charms and she tries to get Chloe and Lucifer together. 

Talking about Ella and how Tom is a musicals nerd while a musical episode would be Lauren’s nightmare. Also, Lauren has the best voice out of everyone else. 

BTS trivia from 3x06 and how tired & dazed they were which proved to be a very good bonding experience between Aimee and Tom. :D 

WB is trying to see if they can make it to a Brazil Comic Con and she talks about Brighton LUX. 

[timetravellingshinigami]

At 2:42 I can’t believe Tom Hiddleston goes to comics cons even ‘cause he can’t handle the fact that Hiddlestoners exist.  😂 😂

[lifeisstrangeshortstuff]

React: S/O has a down period - no specific cause.

TW: Mentions of drug use.

Some days just don’t feel all that good, and that’s okay. It’s always alright to let yourself feel sad - it’s shown that people tend to feel unhappier when they think they should feel something that isn’t what they’re thinking. This is when people sometimes just feel really shitty, and the day just makes it feel kinda worse. Lately I’ve had an unusual down period, wish me luck that my first psychologist works for me ^_^ 

I did include Nathan in recovery and Jefferson pre-murder-y, and since this divulges from canon, it probably seems really out of character. I’m gonna warn the readers before the canon-timeline Nathan and Jefferson’s response because this is a piece meant to gear to someone who’s not feeling very well, and tbh, they’d be really shit at comforting someone. 

Disclaimer: Feel free to interpret how you like, and to start a discourse if you think my interpretation could use a tweak or two~

Max Caulfield

Max definitely notices that you’re not feeling well. At first, she doesn’t make a comment on it, not wanting to live up to her reputation as ��nosy’ but she asks a little while later, worried. 

Upon hearing that you’re not feeling too good, and you yourself aren’t so sure, she’s initially clueless on how to comfort you. Max is surprisingly goal-orientated, preferring there to be some sort of cause she can alleviate or use her time-travel powers to help you. When there’s nothing to ‘solve’, she feels strangely restless.

She first suggests going out together to the Two Whales diner because it’s a familiar place that serves nice food, and she thinks that being away from the campus might make it a little less stressful. That, and, she can have a conversation with you about how you’ve been feeling and if there’s anything she can do.

It’s a sweet little date, and after that, you both can just walk around town, hand in hand sharing music through earbuds, before taking the bus home. She’s a comforting presence after a long day, who is very much in-tune with your emotions.

Chloe Price

She’s torn between giving you space and coming right up to you trying to pull you up because she hates seeing you like this but at the same time, she understands that sometimes, space is what’s needed. She’d never force comfort on you. She can really empathise with how you’re feeling, especially because she’s been in an emotionally terrible place. 

However, if she had her way, she’d take you out on a drive when the sun sets or when it’s nighttime and blast the music with the windows opened, to let the wind run through your hair, eventually parking somewhere where you both can sit and she can ask you what’s been going on, or where you can just cry on her shoulder.

If you’re irritable-not-feeling-good, then she encourages a more aggressive outlet, which is the way she vents her anger.

In general, her comfort is a bit more external, because she understands that if there isn’t a specific cause for your mood, it’s difficult to talk you into feeling better. 

If anything, she’ll play music on her phone and slow dance with you in the junkyard, away from everything, then stargaze. 

Warren Graham

He picks up on your down period early, because he has a slight tendency of being a little hyper-vigilant on how his s/o seems to behave, ready to jump in as soon as there seems to be a cause. 

He’s a little awkward about comfort, because he doesn’t want to overstep boundaries, but you’re his s/o, he cares a lot about you and doesn’t want to see you like this. Despite this awkwardness, you can tell that he is sincere in his actions. 

He asks you if you’re okay as soon as he sees you seem down, although he asks in a casual/slightly comical but caring manner. He’s patient and is more than willing to let you lay everything him.

If you want him to cheer you up, he proposes going for a drive-in date where you both can cuddle up and watch a movie, with the experience of an informal cinema, and you’re free to talk to him about anything at the time. 

Warren’s probably the most supportive guy you’ll come across, and the last person to come across as overbearing. If you choose to see someone for your moods, he’s 100% supportive and willing to come along and wait outside the room/office for you, if you ask.

Kate Marsh

This bean knows all about sad days. She’ll wrap you up in a blanket and make a cup of tea, offering an ear if you need one. If it’s just been a bad day, she’ll shower you with love and hugs. 

If there’s something specific bothering you, or a whole chain of events that just lead to this, she’ll be the most patient angel listening to you, validating your emotions and helping you understand that sometimes, you don’t need an excuse to feel sad, and that experiencing emotions are normal. 

If you haven’t been taking care of yourself lately due to your moods, she’ll help you out. For example, if you haven’t been eating, she’ll try to cook something for you - she’s not a fantastic chef but she can serve up a meal or two. If you haven’t been sleeping well, she’ll see what she can do to help, whether it’s read you a book or play some lullabies.

She’ll encourage you to get some fresh air and take a walk around in a park as the sun goes down, bringing along that old-fashioned picnic basket. 

There might be a few soft kisses - on your cheeks, forehead, nose, and lips. She’ll tentatively ask you if you want to seek help for your down period, and is respectful of your answer. 

Victoria Chase

If there’s no cause for your sadness, she feels at a loss for words. She wants to help you but she doesn’t know exactly what would ‘cheer you up’. It might sound like she’s dismissive, in that she thinks that there’s a clear solution, but it stems from wanting there to be a clear solution - dealing with Nathan is already difficult, and she doesn’t want all her close relationships to be stressful.  

She eventually asks you if you’d like to go out together and window-shop/shop in general. She doesn’t want you staying and moping in your room all day, thinking a walk around and maybe an ice cream date would cheer you up.

If you do go out, then she’ll buy you something that you like but decide not to spend your money on. She’s not as rich as Nathan, but she still has a considerable amount of money and doesn’t mind spoiling you to cheer you up every so often. 

She really wants to pamper you, like take you out for a spa day to just relax and forget about your problems. Or offer to smoke marijuana. (As someone who isn’t familiar with the culture, I didn’t write much here haha ^_^;;) 

If you really, really don’t want to go out… then she’ll reluctantly stay. But expect her to pamper you at home then, with a bath and the works - bath salts, essential oils, a little bit of alcohol, tea candles, and music. She’ll sit next to you, dipping her fingers in the water and asking you how you feel. If you let her, she’ll join you. Expect a few kisses.

Recovering!Nathan Prescott

Assuming Nathan is receiving the appropriate treatment and in a supportive environment (FUCK OFF SEAN PRESCOTT), post-Jefferson. 

He’s not in the best place to offer support since he’s currently in the middle of figuring himself out as well, but he offers what he can and it… it’s surprisingly good. A little similarly to Chloe, he’s been in a really shitty place and can empathise with you. While he always had cause to feel upset, he knows how it feels to suddenly just drop in your mood. 

Even though he’s not the guy who can healthily cope with someone who’s not feeling well (since he has his own issues), helping someone he loves does validate him a little bit, easing his feelings of uselessness and being disposable.

If you wanted to watch something to take your mind off of it, he’d pop on New Romantics and sit next to you and might occasionally make snide comments to try cheer you up. He’d watch your facial expressions to see if it was working - if not, he’d eventually be quiet and just sit next to you, letting you lean into him and pressing a soft kiss on your head. 

If you just seem upset and don’t mind him to do whatever he wants to do to cheer you up, he’d turn off the lights and close the blinds. Not for anything sexual, but just to cuddle with you and play some whale noises - things he used to have done to make himself feel better. It’s not for the sole purpose of feeling better, but it’s a good environment to cry in, especially if there’s nothing to be said because sometimes you don’t know why you’re upset. It’s good for catharsis, and if you don’t feel better, you’ll at least know that he’s there for you. 

If it seems like your mood has lasted for a good long while and affects your daily routine, he tries to ‘casually’ slip by the idea of seeing his therapist, but would completely drop it if you refuse.

Young!NotMurdererYet!Mark Jefferson

In general, Mark is a pretty distant person, especially with emotions. It’s not that he doesn’t experience emotion, but more that his empathy isn’t really tuned. However, he is adept at mimicking emotions and knows the appropriate responses to accommodate distress.

He does care for you, not as much as himself, but enough to not want you to be miserable. He’ll use his knowledge to comfort you, whether it be by listening, physical contact or just being a bit more considerate and affectionate than he’d normally be. 

Even though some people might say it’s disingenuous, since he’s drawing on his ‘social norms’ knowledge, and his version of ‘comfort’ is unusually structured, you could also say that he decides to actually do something about your sadness because he cares about you to some extent, instead of ignoring you and continuing with work that could be seen as more productive. 

He wouldn’t go out of his way to do something that disturbs his schedule too much, but if he sees a florist on the way, he might pick up a bouquet.

:: Now comes canon-timeline Nathan Prescott and Mark Jefferson, whose reactions are considerably less… considerate. If you’re not feeling very well, don’t read because it’s unlikely that their reactions would make you feel any better ::

Nathan Prescott

He has a lot of shit on his plate, even though he doesn’t want to dismiss the feelings of someone he loves, he’s too busy neck-deep in his own issues to notice if you haven’t been feeling well. This… probably doesn’t help. 

If you act irritable, it’s a recipe for disaster - he already feels like the world is against him and this is just making it worse. He’ll snap back without much thought as a defence from feeling hurt, ending in a fight where nothing is solved and both of you are just feeling even worse. 

If you act particularly melancholic to the point where even he notices, he’ll ask what’s wrong because he cares, but he’s not the most attentive or supportive person. How is someone who’s breaking down able to support others? He just… he doesn’t have the energy to help in a long-term way, he can only offer a shoulder to cry on or drugs/alcohol to forget everything. If there’s anything his money can offer, he’ll buy it, but other than that, it’s pretty difficult for him to support you. 

If anything, as soon as you tell him how you’ve been feeling, it worsens his feelings of being incapable or ‘not worthy’ to have you, because he doesn’t know what to do.

Mark Jefferson

Coming to this guy with your vulnerability exposed is such a terrible, terrible idea.

If he has need of you, he’ll be the comforting, sweet lover who says everything that you want to hear, soothing you. He’ll use this show of kindness as a way to guilt you into fulfilling whatever use that he has of you, and as a ‘get out of jail for free’ card when he gets angry and hurts you.  

[redsoapbox]

MY TOP TEN CHRISTMAS MOVIES

Now that December is finally here, the McGrath household can upgrade the nightly Christmas movie from Hallmark seasonal romance to accepted Christmas classic. (Although in admitting defeat on winning the girls over on Miracle on 34th Street - either version) - I have to acknowledge that the list of films that we can all agree on as festive classics is a little shorter than I would like.

Here is my list of top ten Christmas movies -

10. The Santa Clause (1994) - John Pasquin

John Pasquin’s cinematic debut, he had previously worked on numerous T.V. shows including Newhart and Thirtysomething, opens with the risky gambit of having Santa fall to his death from the roof of Scott Calvin’s home. Calvin (Tim Allen), believing his home is being burgled, confronts Santa and startles him into plummeting to his doom. Before you know it, and after much urging from his son Charlie (Eric Lloyd), Calvin has donned the big red suit and his transformation into Santa has begun.

The Santa Clause combines rather broad comedy - there is much fun to be had with Calvin’s overnight weight gain and Charlie’s class presentation on how his Dad is actually Santa - with the usual Christmas sentiment. In this particular case, the healing of Scott’s relationship with Charlie and ex-wife Laura (Wendy Crewson).

A pre-Buzz Lightyear Allen gives a virtuoso performance as the would-be St Nick, and that went a long way to making the film a hit at the box office, spawning two sequels The Santa Clause 2 (2002) and The Santa Clause 3 (2006).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpzB4ubEqIE

9. The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017) - Bharat Nallur

I reviewed this thought-provoking film on how Charles Dickens’ saved Christmas at the time of it’s release -

https://pardontheglueman.tumblr.com/post/169301253898/the-man-who-invented-christmas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nx3ctBjG6yI

8. Get Santa (2014)  - Christopher Smith

When the always over-generous Empire film magazine only gives a movie two stars, then you know that you are going out on a very thin limb indeed. Still, a lot of what I want from a Christmas movie - a story about redemption, likeable characters with likeable lead actors, a splash of humour, a touch of Christmas magic, and, finally, a guaranteed have-to-make-a-quick-exit-to-the-kitchen-to-compose-myself ending - are all present and correct here. And Get Santa really delivers - like a hard-working postman trudging through six feet of snow on Christmas Eve just to make sure that your Auntie Maureen’s card can take its proper place on your mantelpiece.

Get Santa has a best of British cast too; Rafe Spall as ex-con Steve, Jodie Whittaker as his estranged wife and Jim Broadbent as a banged up Santa. Throw in Stephen Graham, Warwick Davis and Joanna Scanlan and you have the second best cast Christmas movie ever (nothing is ever going to beat Jimmy Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore and Henry Travers in IAWL).

This may be the film on the list that you are most likely to have not seen, so in an effort to shore up support for this selection, I call my star witness - Mark Kermode who had this to say in his three-star Guardian review ‘It’s sweet -natured fare, boosted with spirited comic performances (Broadbent is a particular treat) and served up with plenty of DIY sparkle’.

7. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) - Henry Selick

Tim Burton’s unique vision of Christmas/Halloween is brought to life by Henry Selick, a gifted animator who had worked for Walt Disney Studios and in a freelance capacity before making his name with this masterpiece. I simply didn’t get this on release (my admittedly old-fashioned notion of what constitutes a Christmas movie forming a great big mental road block to a full appreciation of the imagination, visual style, black humour, gothic charm and exquisite pathos on display here), and it was only through a recent viewing with my children as part of our Halloween movie get togethers that I finally saw the light. Jack Skellington (voiced by Chris Sarandon) is a captivating character, brought to life by Danny Elfman’s songs and Selick’s ground breaking animation, and his desperate quest for belonging is one that we can all sympathise with, especially at Christmas. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGiYxCUAhks

6. Remember The Night (1940) - Mitchell Leisen

This is a golden-age of Hollywood classic screwball comedy, starring the legendary Barbara Stanwyck, arguably the greatest comedienne in Hollywood history, Fred MacMurray, arguably the nicest guy in film history (at least until his turn as the murderous Walter Neff in Billy Wilder’s terrific noir Double Indemnity), and penned by arguably the funniest man in film history, Preston Sturges.

James Harvey in his 700-page opus Romantic Comedy in Hollywood (From Lubitsch to Sturges), which is, arguably, the best ever book about Hollywood, reveals that it was the shabby treatment (in Sturges’ not so humble opinion) of his screenplay, and the slow pacing of Leisen’s direction, that drove the screenwriter to extraordinary lengths to gain control of his own movies - basically making a deal with Paramount that he would sell them his next screenplay for a nominal sum of ten dollars as as long as he got to direct the picture. That deal changed movie history, setting the precedent of a writer / director that Orson Welles was soon to follow with Citizen Kane (1941).

The plot is a unique one, not that it truly matters in a Sturges movie, and centres around hardboiled career criminal Lee Leander (Stanwyck) having to choose between spending jail in Christmas or being released into the custody of her prosecuting attorney John Sargant (MacMurray). Hey, I didn’t say it made any sense! Of course, the season works its magic and, hey presto, one reformed criminal later Christmas love is in the air!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKcLcT9dOFk

5. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) - Brian Henson

Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is the greatest Christmas story ever written, and arguably the main reason that Christmas in Britain is celebrated in quite the way that it is today (see The Man Who Invented Christmas above). There have been all manner of adaptations down the years, and here it is re-imagined as a vehicle for Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzy and co in a way that works beyond anybody’s wildest expectations.

All the human drama, the pathos, the cry from the heart for social justice that Dickens conveyed in his peerless book survives this, the most unlikely of screen adaptations. Much of the credit must go to Michael Caine, who despite sharing top billing with a bunch of muppets, emerges as a genuine contender for the crown of greatest screen Scrooge. Throw in a script by Jerry Juhl, which has The Great Gonzo as Charles Dickens, narrating his ghostly tale with a straight face, and Paul Williams’ super sing-along songs  “Marley and Marley” “One More Sleep ‘Till Christmas” and “Thankful Heart” , and you have an all time Christmas classic that can be enjoyed by everyone from 1 to 92. Bravo!  

4. ELF -  (2003)  John Favreau

Elf is the Shawshank Redemption of Christmas Movies - no matter who, where  or when you poll an audience, this charmingly comic celebration of Christmas always punches above its weight, getting the better of some very famous films in the process. Elf finished 10th in the IMDB poll for Greatest Christmas Movie and came 2nd in both the Time Out and Radio Times polls. It’s A Wonderful Life always, always comes top, but as someone who is still reeling from Citizen Kane losing first place to Vertigo in Sight and Sound’s celebrated Greatest Movie poll, I can see a time when Elf goes one better too.

Elf has a career-best performance from Will Ferrell, a winningly elfin turn from Zooey Deschanel and a series of fine cameo’s from Bob Newhart, Ed Asner, Faizon Love and Peter Dinklage as “angry” elf Miles Finch to recommend it, but it’s the hard to beat combination of laugh-out-loud set pieces, father and son second chances, and an opposites attract love story to top them all that makes this a genuinely affecting festive treat.

3. A Christmas Carol (1999) - David Jones

Of the umpteen takes on Dickens’ grasping miser, of which Alastair Sim’s turn as Scrooge (1951) is by far the most celebrated, I just prefer Patrick Stewart in this excellent T.V. movie. This may seem a deliberately obscure choice, but that is far from the case. Firstly, there is an A-list cast featuring Richard E Grant, Saskia Reeves, Dominic West and, at the top the bill, Stewart himself. 

As Screen Rant describes it, ‘Stewart plays a far more blunt, bitter and straight forward version of the miser... without feeling maniacal’. In short, he underplays the part, keeping the mugging down to a minimum. The clincher, though, is Stewart’s handling of the scene when he awakes to find it is still Christmas morning and that the spirits have granted him a second chance at life after all. He tries to emit a happy, life-affirming laugh, but is so unused to the sensation that he almost chokes himself. Wonderful stuff! There will be all the usual Scrooges to choose from this Christmas - Sim, George C Scott and Albert Finney amongst them, but the Stewart version will be there somewhere in the middle of the night on ITV3. If you peruse the Radio Times long enough you’ll find it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vviOGFiGrHc

2. Miracle on 34th Street - George Seaton (1947)  &  Les Mayfield (1994)

Okay, a bit of false accounting going on here in grouping the two films together. The original is the better version, but I’ve always loved the re-make too. After all, who can’t bring themselves to believe in Dickie Attenborough as Kris Kringle! Both films are perfectly cast - the romantic leads John Payne and Maureen O’ Hara are convincing enough in the black and white original, but are probably just shaded on the chemistry front by Dylan McDermott and Elizabeth Perkins. The unhappy children are sensationally cast, with Natalie Woods and Mara Wilson coming out even. The unthinkable happens, though, when it comes to the playing of Kris Kringle, because although Dickie scores a fab 9 out of 10 on my Santometer, Edmund Gwenn, who picked up a best supporting actor Oscar for his Kringle, scores a perfect 10.

The Oscar-winning original story, by Valentine Davies, must be known to just about everyone by now - a perfectly nice old man, given to the belief that he is really Kris Kringle, becomes, more by accident than design, Macy’s famous department store Santa. No sooner is he in post, than Kris begins to challenge the corporatisation of Christmas, directing customers to other toy stores all over town, where hard up parents can buy their presents at discount prices. He is about to face the sack, when Macy’s realise that he is a great loss leader for them, prompting arch rivals Gimbles to try and nobble him. Kris is committed to an institution for the insane on cooked up charges, and a battle rages to secure his release by Christmas Eve, so that the children of the world won’t be disappointed on Christmas morning! Each film uses an interesting plot device to allow a judge, desperate not to be seen as the man who gives a court ruling that Santa doesn’t exist, a way out without losing face, and there is a happily romantic final scene to round things off in the accepted festive manner.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibDD8Y3IJrg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCNbTAtD-jU

1. It’s a Wonderful Life - Frank Capra (1946)

I reviewed this seasonal great for Wales Arts Review last Christmas -

https://www.walesartsreview.org/rewatching-its-wonderful-life/

The next best Christmas films - The Bishop’s Wife, Arthur Christmas, A Christmas Story, Christmas in Connecticut

Merry Christmas to all.

[yesglasshalffull-blog]

Highlanders 2. A bit of overview.

Came out of it grinning & happy. I rolled eyes at myself/ cringed for booking those tickets not long after attending ECCC earlier this year but not regretting it.

( speaking of cringeworthy though: the place in which the convention was held was just was appalling: run down and cheesy and horrid… glad I booked elsewhere to sleep at least…so a plea to Starfury to rethink their venue strategy! I get it, there are budgets to consider and you want to keep the cost of tickets reasonable but still…I felt embarrassed/sorry for people who came from far away and spent thousands in the process - to have to then end up there.)

Back to positives: for me the best thing about it was the big amount of time dedicated to q&a held with the cast members - as well as cast meets in smaller groups. I did not go to the meet-ups but even without that it was very do-able to get the mike and ask your question - even in Cait’s sessions. There literally was no moderators or ‘gate-keepers’ which left the mike open for fans. Which is great - provided fans do not ramble too much or go off rails ;). Fortunately I have not witnesses any major 'faux pas’. Goes without saying that it was pleasure and fun to listen to all cast members - all brilliant in what they do and great entertainers, each in their way. The comical double act of Grant O'Rourke & Steven Walters. Or the almost stand up comedy courtesy of Mr Cree. Experience and great stories of Gary Lewis, Annette Badlands or Graham McTavish & Lotte V.And endearing effort from younger cast members like Rosie or Finn on how to do this 'con thing’. And the brilliance personified that is Ms Balfe. I could go on waltzing lyrical …I guess you get the point - listening to intelligent people talk is always going to be rewarding. I almost was cross that I had to drop out of some of q&s to queue up for autographs ( all of them included in the price of regular ticket - which was a nice surprise for me )

Some funnier 'tid-bits’ have been already shared - Graham’s little (repeat) dance, how Cait became Cait, karaoke with Lotte. The latter came about in a slightly cringeworthy manner - requested by a rather exaltated 12 year old that popped up in every session asking for tips “how to be an actress - not just any actress - a great actress” - an actual quote…I’m all for empowering young ladies but she was a bit much :D. But Cait and Lotte were good sports.

I chuckled when Cait complained that in all sessions with Sam the lights are set to his much darker skin tone and she ends up being burnt out white with no definition…jeez I wish I looked so good with 'no definition’ ;P

But most of all - the Cait’s fan girl that I am - the biggest pleasure was to see her truly be the star and focus of the show. With some minor unfortunate exceptions it was about her and her work ( exceptions = people feeling compelled to talk to her about Sam or taking pictures with Sam at other con….like come on I sooooooooo understand the connection here, wink, wink, but at q&a talk to her about HER not her co-star) She was funny, she was cool, always engaging and switched on, in control but kind when needed! ….Ok ok if u needed convincing about my fangirling.

And to close this ramble, on organisational note. Compared to ECCC, this con had much more human scale, was more relaxed ( and costs of photos and meet-ups were much more bearable) and offered in a sense much closer contact with actors - even if it came across much less 'professional’. There were just a couple of discreet security people and NO entourage in sight ( on a side note ;)

They are already planning Highlanders 3 so I’d say watch out for it - it may well be worth going. Well, unless they decide to use the same venue in Blackpool….

Shout it to all lovely ladies I chatted to!

[theconsultingcrocheter]

Hi Georgia, My name is Corinne Giesbrecht. I think you know my children Melina and Ethan. Graham still goes to MBCI , grade 9. We met at the Art Fundraiser. I just came across your card. Looking on face book and this page I have to say, I love your creativity through crocheting! I'm not a crafter myself and am in awe of your talent. What do you currently have for sale? I think my son would love a plushie for his birthday. I'd also like to see what else you are making these days.

Hello! So sorry if I’ve made you wait for a reply! Tumblr for some reason didn’t notify I received a message! These days I’ve been prepping a lot for Central Canada Comic Con taking place next month!! (I’ll be at booth A435!) 

If you’re still interested in placing a doll order you can send me an email at consulting.crocheter@gmail.com, or message me on my Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/ConsultingCrocheter/

I also post updates about my current projects and commissions on that page as well!

In addition to crochet commissions I have also taken up cosplay commissions, so I’m working on 2 cosplays for clients that will hopefully be debuted at Central Canada Comic Con! 

Have a lovely day!

The Consulting Crocheter

[bluefanguy]

Bluefanguy’s Book Thoughts

The Geek’s Guide to Unrequited Love by Sarvenaz Tash

Good day all and welcome to another edition of Bluefanguy’s Book Thoughts! Today’s book is The Geek’s Guide to Unrequited Love by Sarvenaz Tash.

Graham Posner has been in love with his best friend Roxy Afsari for years. When their favorite comic book creator is slated to appear at the upcoming New York Comic Con, Graham sees this as a way to confess his feeling to Roxy. The course of true love never runs smoothly though. Crazed fans, deals with friends, and worst of all: a guy who catches Roxy’s interest. Suddenly Graham’s plans are up in the air and he’ll have to step up if he ever wants to reveal his feelings to Roxy.

By the time this goes up, I will be at Houston Comicpalooza. What better weekend for a Book Thoughts post that mostly takes place at a pop culture convention. Reading this book reminded me of the dark side of fandom, like those who have too much fun criticizing other’s work, those who will just shut out another person for not being into the same things they are, and a rather significant in-book event known as “Nerdlam” which is the beginning of Graham’s troubles. The story does have its rather fun moments like when Roxy’s friend Felicia mentions a plus of conventions is the hot male cosplayers and when Graham thwarts a robbery with a rather well-known pop culture line. I thoroughly enjoyed Graham’s frustration over the guy Roxy meets at a speed dating, reminding me that the course of love never runs smoothly and sometimes it takes you to a place you never considered.

If you love books about fandoms, attempts to express love, and a lovable and determined protagonist, you just may love this book.

Thanks for reading! Likes, reblogs, comments, questions, and followings are all appreciated. Until next time.

Bluefanguy, out.

[britesparc]

Weekend Top Ten #334

Top Ten Coolest Things at SDCC 2018

I’m far from immersed in the industry or what-have-you, but from my point-of-view, this year’s San Diego Comic-Con was quite interesting. There was little that was shocking or utterly unexpected, and of course the big huge phenomenal franchises – yer Marvels and yer Stars War – were notably absent. But all the same, there was some pleasant surprises, and also somethings that weren’t surprises but were pleasant all the same.

And so here we go: my ten favourite things that happened at SDCC ’18. From my point-of-view.

DC Super Hero Girls Goes All Faustian: my kids really like superheroes, and DC Super Hero Girls has been a nice jumping-on point with its more sanitised view of superheroics. Whilst the thought of having to buy another set of dolls, figures, and playsets is a bit irritating, a redesigned cartoon series from Lauren Faust – creator of Friendship is Magic, for goodness’ sake! – looks fantastic. From the looks and sounds of it, it’s a lot closer in style to her utterly amazing Super Best Friends Forever shorts from a few years ago. I like this, partly because I love her art style, but also because the focus on more traditional superhero action – juggling fighting crime with secret identities, rather than a kind of “Monster High for superheroes” academy setting – sounds very appealing.

Captain Marvellous: I run hot and cold on the DC Extended Universe (or “Worlds of DC”, or whatever we’re meant to call it; I guess it’s the movie equivalent of Marvel comics’ ambivalence over the use of “Earth 616”). Obviously Wonder Woman is amazing, and there are elements of Man of Steel and Justice League that I really like; and by and large it’s been really well cast. But whilst the Aquaman trailer looked quite good without really blowing the doors down (I do like how crazily fantastical Atlantis is, and the general look of the underwater scenes), it was Shazam that impressed. A totally different vibe and tone to previous DCEU films, but recognisably set in that world, it was fun, funny, colourful, and possessed of a childlike sense of wonder. I really hope the film lives up to it.

The Doctor is In: whilst I don’t think the trailer showed enough of the new series to get a handle on the type of stories, quality of dialogue, or interplay between the characters, the fact is – even with the limited screentime we got – Jodie Whittaker already feels like the Doctor. She’s got the expressions, the swagger, the walk, and the voice – oh god, the voice! So nice to hear a Yorkshire Doctor! Even off-screen – in the panel, interacting with friends, all of that – she seemed born to the role. And her sonic is amazing, a real Count Dooku number, all organic and curvy and sexy. Bravo.

Morrison in Space: I like Grant Morrison. I kinda like Green Lantern, although I’ve not read the actual ongoing very much. But the thought of the two together – Morrison tackling the Maverick-in-space vibe of Hal Jordan – is very appealing. Plus, y’know, I just like reading Grant Morrison superhero comics.

Last Light: as I suspected there was no news on the future of Transformers post-Unicron. But they did show some final issue covers. And Nick Roche’s cover for Lost Light #25, with the shadow of the titular ship cast by a retreating Rodimus, was sublime. Elegiac, even. Bittersweet. As much as I hate to see it go, I am really looking forward to seeing how it ends.

Re-Discovery: it was a bit weird as it unfolded week-by-week but overall I have to say Star Trek: Discovery has been a recent TV highlight, and I’m really looking forward to the second season. The climax to season one – when the Enterprise, under Captain Pike, showed up – offered immense possibilities. The trailer didn’t disappoint, with action, humour, weird aliens, and bright yellow captain’s uniforms. I cannot wait.

Shiny Glass: so last year – was it last year? I think so, I think it was about January – I could have gone to see T2: Trainspotting or Split. The (ahem, unnamed) friend I was with would have rather seen Trainspotting; I didn’t really mind, I wanted to see that too, although at that particular time I’d have rather seen Split, as I’d heard it was quite good and had a pretty sweet twist. Well, bugger that (ahem, unnamed) friend, because had I seen Split that night, I’d have seen it before the entire internet spoiled the sweet twist. So, anyway, I’ve still not seen Split, but I know who shows up at the end, and as a result I thought I might as well watch the Glass trailer, and it looks brilliant. Seeing those three characters sat together was almost Avengers-level groovy. I just hope the film ends with Cole Sear or Graham Hess showing up.

Buffy Bonanza: the reboot-or-is-it-a-reboot-maybe-it’s-a-sequel-who-knows Buffy the Vampire Slayer thing is terrific. Buffy is a great character, it’s cool that one of Joss Whedon’s seminal works can, in a way, live on after he has gone, and having a black female lead is a very positive step. I liked Buffy, but didn’t watch it religiously, so I don’t feel I have a dog in this fight the way I would if they were rebooting, say, The West Wing or even Firefly. But all the same: colour me intrigued.

Those Wonderful Toys: specifically, it must be said, from Hasbro; the Transformers and My Little Pony toys on display looked tremendous. Although nothing Transformer-wise topped the awesome Rodimus Prime from last year, there was still enough to get me excited; but as for MLP, it was probably the 80s-inspired collector’s edition that sealed the deal. Punk Rainbow Dash? Sign me up.

The Magic Continues: speaking of My Little Pony, I was pleased to hear that rumours of the show’s impending demise may be premature. I say “may”, because – as I predicted – they weren’t likely to come out and say, “yeah, folks, that’s it,” when there’s still at least a whole other series and possibly a movie or more to promote. But season eight sounds great (I’ve not watched it yet), and it was cool that the showrunners indicated they wanted to keep going as long as they could. That might have just been a loose cover to drape over any qualifications or official statements at this stage – or, hey, maybe they’re still in negotiations – but I for one would love to see, at the very least, Friendship is Magic hit a ten-year anniversary.

Obviously there was more that I liked – Clone Wars, a Steven Universe movie, Eleven Meets Godzilla – but these were the stand-outs. Also most of my predictions were correct! I am a genius.