#yes i'm basically liveblogging reading the comic

[gffa]

I read Nightwing #110 and basically the entire time thought "omg lumi would love this"

I'm reading it right now and basically liveblogging how much fun I'm having because, honestly, coming back to comics after so long away is a lot more enjoyable when I look for the fun things in them. Is Nightwing currently the best comic I've ever read? No, but it's a fun one because Tom Taylor clearly really loves the character of Dick Grayson and wants to have a good time with writing him, he writes him as a little goofy but also extremely cool and I dig that! My favorite thing, though, is that it's easy for me to feel that sense of joy coming off the pages when I read, because Taylor clearly seems to be having fun and that's infectious for me. Sure, it's lighter and frothier than a lot of my other favorite Dick comics, but I'm having a blast because it's my lighthearted, upbeat, joyful read every month! I'm determined to have a good time while reading comics, I try to meet each comic where it's at and find the things I like and ignore the things I don't, and for me that has made a world of difference in how much fun I'm personally having (this is not shade at anyone else, just navel gazing at why I am the way I am). And I'm DELIGHTED that you immediately thought of me, because, yes, I AM GOING TO LOVE THIS COMIC.

[funarisjournal]

The Beginning (Comic Edition, Pt 2)

Saved the rest of this revisit for today's slow periods at work. I liveblogged on Twitter, but this is where I really get to write my thoughts out. No tiny character limits!

Anyway, if you haven't seen the first part, I suggest you check it out first because I'm going in all "Now, where was I?" Style.

[Again, my essays are more for those that have already read the story over once or twice and are looking for some deeper analyzations. Spoilers may be mentioned, so you are warned!]

Anyway, where was I? Oh yeah. Kasuga just opened the door and there was her neighbor, the one she had awkwardly talked to the previous evening.

Repeat photos, yay!

Anyway, there are two things going on here.

Kasuga opening the door to see who it is. She sees it's her neighbor and they had that convo, so she's steeling herself. She knows she can just close the door if it gets uncomfortable, but she is willing to listen because food, you say? She's (warily) listening...

Nomoto, meanwhile, is a nervous wreck because, well, how do you word this?? She is more nervous about the food proposal than Kasuga! Even on the next page, the nervousness stems from the weird-to-Nomoto request for someone to help finish off the meal she made tonight. Like, this is how she's truly introducing herself to her neighbor with little to no prior interaction. "Hi, how you doing? Wanna eat my food?"

She is well aware it sounds weird and maybe even creepy but...but what else is she gonna do with all that food when she's got no social circles or community knowledge under her belt?

We know how she acts when others (especially men) frame her passion as great wife material, but when she has to talk about it? Anxiety through the roof. She's judging herself and being self-conscious. In a way, I like how this isn't "Kasuga is a big, cold, scary woman" and more "Nomoto is super self-conscious and doesn't know how to be social in-person anymore (because she hasn't had friends since her school days and that's almost 15-ish years now, based on what I've inferred from other pages re: her current age and knowing the comic is basically Present Day)

Poor Nomoto has a lot of baggage herself. It's not as obvious in these first chapters, but she was clearly molded by folks who definitely harped on the traditional values and other expectations of adulthood around her too much....NOMOTO'S MOM.

But...I digress. So, there's something interesting to note here. I don't think I've seen people point out this specific panel. Namely, that last one, Kasuga's eye.

Kasuga loves to eat. We know this, even new readers get that impression pretty quick (and the cover, of course). She wants to enjoy all the food in the world, probably even the mediocre stuff (to which she can make future purchasing/eating-out options when she can afford it)

As you get to know her, and you come back to these early pages, you realize this food stunned her.

While we know Nomoto's food is delicious and others have voiced their satisfaction with it, Kasuga was able to taste an extra special ingredient that night. Yes, I'm being a little cheesy here. This special, "invisible" ingredient that has been missing in her life resonated within, and she responded with the most emphatic eating that, in turn, stunned Nomoto in feelings she hasn't felt before.

Fun thing to note with Nomoto in the center of the page here: based on the way it's drawn, this woman is having multiple things firing up inside her at full blast; not just the sight of someone enjoying her massive portion of food, but seeing HOW MUCH they're enjoying it and just never experiencing this before. It's new, it's stunning (multiple definitions)...she is just this side of BSOD-ing.

They have been cooking and eating with something missing all this time. Put them together and it's like something opens up within both. They had what the other was missing and they were LITERALLY NEIGHBORS...but it took a chance encounter in an elevator to start the connection

The next parts are basically Nomoto's raisom d'etre waking up from its slumber. She remembers why she took up cooking in the first place...

And while we can attribute these panels as a little lighthearted, comedic moment as the chapter comes to a close, consider this: the birds, bunnies, and deer never came...and neither did any people as she grew up and began her cooking journey. She found a "workaround" via sharing online, but it's not like her old dream. She said at the beginning how her food is missing an audience that will fully enjoy it (not just as posts). She has never had anyone around to enjoy her food until Kasuga agreed to finish off this plate.

And this is where I realized something.

....Did Nomoto even cook when she lived with her folks? Did she cook back then and they didn't enjoy it? Did she only cook for herself and that's how she learned? Or maybe her mom was like "leave all the cooking to me" so she never had a chance to show off?

Like this raises a lot of questions that I wasn't expecting to have as I reread this chapter. The future nightmare scene in Vol 2 doesn't help matters, though it gives us further insight about her friendships and her being pushed into heteronormative adulthood even at a young age. Sure, it's a nightmare, with some fantastical, nightmareish transitions, but a lot of those scenes appear to be based on past experiences she had, including the orientation quiz BUT I digress. Again! That can be for another essay!

Anyway! Whoo! What a ride, eh? And I still plan to do an essay over how Episode 1 of the drama covered their beginnings, so look forward to that!

[theopolis]

I'm told BND Harry started patching things up with Liz off-panel and didn't care about Normie for most of his appearances. Would you say that's a fair assessment?

I'll preface this by saying that I may be overlooking something as I am not super well read on the post OMD era (many thanks to my friend @kitausuret for her liveblog of it, which def filled in some gaps for me!)

But overall... yes and no. Patching up things with Liz off-panel definitely rings true to me, I can think of only one storyline where the conflict between them was beginning to be adressed head-on

Which ended with both of them by Normies side, establishing how they are a family regardless of how the relationship between Liz and Harry may evolve from here. Overall, a good start.

However following that this conflict was neglected. Until, at a later point, we were informed that while plot was happening Harry and Liz were basically locked in a room together and whatever happened in there caused them to get romantically involved in some way again which. Hmmm. Is a very lackluster way to revive their relationship, especially considering how little ground it had to begin with. I can buy them being young, impulsive, etc pre OMD and rushing into getting married and having a child. But after the trauma Harry put his family through during his Goblin days, I cannot imagine things resolving so easily. We deserved a deeper exploration of their feelings, especially Liz' side.

Harry's relationship to Normie post OMD wasn't as undercooked, although it still didn't receive its due if you ask me. The main thing that made me go "blegh" was that one quote from Harry about how he went for days at a time without thinking of Normie while he was in hiding. Bad. Very ooc. I do not see it

But ignoring that - Harry was consistently shown around Normie when the narrative didn't whisk him away to somewhere else (a problem of its own) and they definitely got more of a real pay-off to the conflict between them compared to HarryLiz. Normie was wary of his father upon Harrys return and there was this subplot about Harry struggling to raise two sons at a time, and Normie growing jealous of Stanley (as well as being confused by the status of his parents relationship)

In my opinion, Normie's feelings were justified considering how big of an impact Harry's Goblin days and death must have left on his young psyche, and his (one-sided) sibling rivalry with his half brother was a compelling concept. The resolution to that, while rushed, was still quite sweet

The main issue with post OMD Spider-Man comics, as you may have deduced from this summary, is that they more often than not do not want to commit to fleshing out grounded interpersonal conflict. Often, the writers don't give the characters enough time to be around each other, and when they do, we do not get to see enough of it to really paint a picture of the way their dynamics evolve. A problem will be set up, forgotten about for a while, and then we jump-cut to its supposed resolution.

This stands in stark contrast to the root of the complicated feelings between Harry and his family especially - DeMatteis' Goblin Jr arc left more room for the characters inner lives and how they externalize those than perhaps anything else. That's what made it so intense and captivating.

I really wish for another version of the post OMD era where Harry is not only written more in line with his original personality and themes, but he and his family receive more of an opportunity to shine as complex individuals with complex relationships to one another which change at a natural pace and through thoughtfully placed character beats. But regardless, I cannot agree with the assesssment that post OMD Harry didn't care about Normie. If anything, his scenes with Normie are the rare moments where his once character-integral softness and domesticity come through

[zippy-reacts]

Sonic the Comic Liveblog: Issue 95

We're starting to get close to the 100th issue! I wonder if StC did anything special for it?

So like… is he camping out in an abandoned apartment or is he somehow able to pay rent in what is basically New York For Furries?

He called him little buddy!!! Nice to see StC Sonic being brotherly for once.

I have never seen StC include reading direction arrows before. I don't think this is a particularly complex panel layout either.

Okay that's really funny. Reminds me of the fandom joke of how everyone in Station Square definitely evacuated when Chaos rampaged and absolutely no-one drowned, no-siree

And so, the plot goes nowhere.

Oh Knuckles' face sure is an absolute picture

I quite like the designs and outfits of the crowd in this story, theres a touch of individuality to each one

This is unintentionally a little funny. Just one shot and boom grampa tree dies in an explosion

Oh! Is this the first story we've had featuring these two as a duo? I'm aware they are a quite popular ship so I'm curious to see what their dynamic is like.

Okay so the story is really less about Tekno and Amy's dynamic and more about Egg Robos making copious amounts of egg puns.

Ah yes, the dragon. Kinda forgot about this.

Well, not much to say other than who'd have figured a character called Shortfuse would have a bit of a short fuse huh?

Normally I don't show fan drawings because I don't want to make fun of a little kid's drawings that they put effort into. I will, however say that it is quite iconic for StC to publish a drawing of Sonic going to the pub. Yeah boyo, go get yourself a wee drink.

[ashleybenlove]

CACKLES.

Snotlout’s way of expressing he’s mad at his dragon while still flying on his dragon is to sit in his seat backwards, so he and Hookie are not looking the same direction. HAHAHAHAHA.

And Snotlout actually looks hurt, aww. Someone give him a hug or a kiss. Gang, get on that! 

[thewertsearch]

Asks Compilation 31/10

Thanks a ton!!

Yup, the trolls have all simultaneously started talking about their complicated alien relationships. Hussie clearly just woke up one morning with the coolest idea that just had to go in the comic.

It's a little out of the blue, but I've been rather enjoying myself, as I puzzle out what each new term is supposed to mean. It's already one of the more unique things about Alternian culture, and it's a lot of fun.

Plus, it turns Nepeta's shipping wall multidimensional. Does she have a Black Romance section?

True, true. Like I said, he deserves to be read as charitably as Vriska did. These kids are products of the dystopia they grew up in, and like it or not, that's going to have consequences!

God-tier troll, honestly. Kanaya is one of the most consistently entertaining of the cast, and I'm hoping we get to spend a while in her PoV before we have to move on.

I just missed her so much you guys

Thanks!

Nuanced is certainly the word. You have to view each story event on multiple levels, and be aware of how they interact. Hopefully I'm able to keep up!

Sane, linear, and a dead giveaway.

Rosemary is pretty great, as is Pepsi Cola - although there are a lot of red and blue characters. The ship name could equally apply to Karkat/Equius!

And hello again, L.O.S.S. anon! Maybe that could be your post signature?

[asked on the 25th! although I looked it up and I'm not sure what the reference is 🤔 her Hivebent intro was July 31st and first pesterlog was January 1st, must be missing something - C ]

Until proven otherwise, I'm going to assume this is Hussie officially confirming that Kanaya's birthday is October 25th. Thank you, Hussie, for this lore.

Heh, Meowrails. I'm sure Equius just loves that.

anonymous asked: I am horribly sorry if this is already long since decided but there is a fanon class that is basically all about faffing about in SBURB "code" called Waste, and I thought you might be interested in learning more about the fanon classpects later [] yes I know you have mentioned how you feel about fanon but please just trust me on this one I barely know anything about aspects myself, but I think with your writing mannerisms and analysis, you might vibe just enough with Mind? and if you can't be the Waste of Mind anymore, maybe your trollsona can?

As someone who invented countless Pokemon types in her childhood, I like the idea of fan Aspects - or even Classes. I might try my hand at some, after the liveblog ends in early 2038.

There are many who surely would consider this project a Waste of Mind. I shall wear this moniker with pride.

I recall hearing the Lord British thing was an accident - another accidental reference by Hussie?

For once, I actually did know the The Locked Tomb had ties to Homestuck. I believe the author was an extremely popular fic author in the fandom - and having read TLT, I believe it.

It does kind of look like his sign - but that blank, red eye can't be anyone else, can it?

Unless Nepeta somehow knows about Karkat's blood. Now there's a thought.

Ooh, I didn't think about that! Vriska was saying that in a message to Aradia, after all.

Maybe she's a little less apathetic than she lets on. A few of Vriska's words were ringing around in her head - and when Equius mentioned her heart, she already knew what she had to do to get that damn chip out.

[transingthoseformers]

TL DR; My blog my rules

Disclaimer, I love the evil characters and try to hit any one of them I can reach with the redemption stick. I try not to engage in fandom drama and discourse, I'm here for the fun and community. Basically, I may be on your DNI, so interact at your own pace/risk/whatever

MINORS DNI, as this is a heavily NSFW saturated blog. It was the robot dicks that got me in this fandom, and the fandom lead to me staying. Yes I frequently use the fanon terms, I highly enjoy using the fanon terminology as it was the fandom itself that truly drew me in. But also because I can, so I will, and we see the shows do it a lot too.

I am always excited for engagement, so feel free to send an ask, tag me in stuff, or make stuff based on some of my posts! Just please tag me in it as I absolutely love getting feedback and attention🥰

Do not show me leaks from shows/movies that haven't been released yet.

Tags I frequently use:

(#tfp au) arguably the main au on this blog

(#fic reading) I'll liveblog fics I'm reading, and (#fic snippet) or (#fic snippets) reference when I'll select out a screenshot of a paragraph or so because i just need to show you guys that shit

(#comic reading) for various transformers comic read-throughs

(#Fic rec) or (#fic recs) what it says on the tin

Here are some named aus we have created! This post WILL be updated, and as I mention frequently I forget about aus just as easily as we create them😅

I made a discord server! Now, I'm still figuring out the roles and settings in order to give y'all as much control as possible, but hey it's here!

[askmindareads]

I love your stuff because I'm some sort of vampire that feeds off of other peoples experiences, so naturally I want to find more like what you do but every time I try to find someone else reading through homestuck or whatever all I can find is people doing dubs! Do you know of anyone else who does what you do so I have double the timesinks?

Screener here! As a long time liveblog lover specializing in Homestuck, I have quite a few recommendations:

@nora-reads-homestuck (Nora) has a fantastic balance of detail, humor, speed and insight, and everyone who wants to read Homestuck liveblogs should read her content. Recently started Act 6 after an extended break.

@land-of-boredom-and-confusion (LOBAC) is fun, though it’s been a long time since I read her content so my memory is a bit vague. She had a lot of emotion, caps lock and cute emoticons. Unfortunately stopped livebloging partway through Act 5.

If meta is your thing (well, I mean, this is Homestuck we’re talking about here), @homesception is a liveblog of LOBAC. I believe there was also at one point a liveblog of Homesception (yes, a liveblog liveblog liveblog), but I haven’t read that and I don’t think it got past Act 1 or 2.

@hslivebloggerextraordinaire (Foal) is the active liveblogger I follow who’s gotten the furthest, currently covering the Trickster arc. He’s also kind of unique in that partway through the comic, he changed to doing almost entirely video reactions even to the regular pages.

@reactionstuck was a pretty decent one. Mixture of relatively insightful commentary and funny reaction gifs. Unfortunately stopped liveblogging some time after the beginning of Act 6. Never did audio reactions, even to Cascade.

@what-the-fuck-is-homestuck (wtfih) is an old liveblogger, who got spoiled on quite a few things at the start because they didn’t have any kind of spoiler protection and basically asked for spoilers. I’m not very fond of this one personally, but the blog appears to be rather popular so maybe you’ll disagree with me.

If you want to branch out from Homestuck, here’s a few Steven Universe liveblogs:

@loreweaver-universe (Loreweaver, Lore) runs a fantastic Steven Universe liveblog, with commentary that is witty and insightful, often both at once. He prides himself on “figuring shit out”, which leads to a lot of theorizing, and has strong opinions on some of the issues the show deals with. Definitely worth a read if you’re into SU.

@ponyforyou (Pony, not to be confused with Foal) is another good SU blogger, who started with reaction posts on Reddit but switched to Tumblr at the season 1b episode Space Race. As of this writing, she’s very close to the season finale. Has a GIF creator, which she uses relatively frequently to show the parts of the show she wants to comment on in motion, rather than just stills.

@zephyrthejester (Zephyr) is due to catch up to SU today, despite starting after most of the other SU liveblogs here. Goes through episodes very quickly, only posting about certain things he finds worthy of comment. Had some funny theories about gems at the beginning. Due to start up two mystery liveblogs in the near future.

If you’d like to follow someone from the beginning of the show, @liveblogging-and-such (Lasbear, among other names) is a good option. At the time of this writing, she’s going through the early episodes of season 1a, and shaping up to be a rather good liveblogger. Unfortunately somewhat sporadic updates, though.

If Steven Universe isn’t your thing either:

@krixwell-liveblogs (Krixwell, yours truly) is liveblogging the web serial Worm. I’m not going to sing this blog’s high praises - the plug is shameless enough as it is.

There are plenty of liveblogs around that I haven’t mentioned here, too. I wish you the best of luck on your liveblog-reading adventures!