A Relaxing Drive to Nowhere
I am so tired.
I stay snuggled up back here, my old rustic coat wrapped up tight against the cold. My taxi driver stares straight ahead, never speaking, never glancing in his rear view mirror at me, never breathing, it seems. Or maybe that's the exhaustion clouding my sight, along with my other cognitive senses. He only sees what's in front of him, his red-rimmed, glistening yet hard eyes unfocused on everything else.
I don't know why, but I have a strange feeling that he is sad about something. No, not sad - absolutely crushed over something in his life. He looks like death but he drives like his life depends on that singular goal. Maybe, like me, he just wants to get away from it all, from the devastation, and that's why he's here.
I didn't even tell him where I wanted to go upon climbing into his taxi; I just said "Drive," and that's exactly what he's doing. Driving around for the sake of it, the journey more important than the destination. No words, no questions asked. He could be driving me to hell, and I wouldn't have cared. He could be a supernatural spectre, a gatekeeper to the Underworld and Hades, and in my sleepy state I would have welcomed the change of scenery.
He were both are, nameless to the world, me finally getting off to a soundless, soothing sleep, and him not moving a muscle or blinking, but no doubt knowing I'm here behind him, and guaranteeing my safety.
Saturday, 30 November 2019
Scribble #107
The Wisps of the Scottish Moors
Wilda loved the clouds. That expanding grey shroud.
She loved the luscious, crawling green of the mountains. The craggy, yellowing stone everywhere - from the base of the masterful mountain, to the shores of the gigantic lake, and scattered in jagged pieces all the way up again - stone and rock that bear the marks of thousands of years.
In the distance it would be too misty to see such splendour. But nothing ever got in the way of the lake, cooling and laying in wake like a meditating sentinel, or a lady ready with a sword to give to a future queen, from its calm depths.
This was what Wilda loved most of all.
There was no other word for it - the lake was enchanting.
How is the waterfall so blue, thought Wilda, and yet the lake so green.
The cascading waterfall was as blue as a baby bird's first ruffling of feathers - forever meeting a land of water as clear and pure and fresh green as both the right-side and underside of a gecko. Wilda loved to swim there, to skim the beautiful, barely-swelling surface that seemed to have a life of its own. It gleamed with a life of its own.
Once she temporarily disturbed its peace, she could touch and gather together her own little collection of stones and pebbles with her hands and feet. She blew bubbles into the water, which disappeared in a second and were dragged away into the lake's neverending horizon. The sun, higher than the mountains and tantalizing mist, glowed in that distance, dimmed or glimmering depending on the time of day.
Why would anyone want any of this to change? Wilda wondered, her dazzled eyes drifting to an offshoot willow branch hanging towards the water, as if drinking in its magic. No one would want this place gone to ashes once they see it up close. They would never let it fade away.
Chest-deep in water in motion, she cupped a little of it in her hands. In this miniature mirror she could just make out the reflections of her friends, Sage, Paprika, and Larkspur.
They wasted no time. They jumped into the lake, screaming with joy and right beside Wilda, the better to rile her up. The girls splashed and splashed. Wilda dunked the protesting Larkspur underneath, and little Paprika was swimming to the rocks and then jumping and diving, over and over again, to show off to her sister Sage, who mostly floated lazily out of reach, the sun glistening on her plump body.
Each girl knew this lake - the whole nine yards of the cold and terribly lovely wonderland - like their most used limb. It was their home.
Yes, Wilda mused happily, content even as she received a scolding from Larkspur, who looked a pale green in the water (in fact, they all looked green, even their hair had a kelp tinge), this is our home.
Why, we must look like nymphs from a distance!
Wilda loved the clouds. That expanding grey shroud.
She loved the luscious, crawling green of the mountains. The craggy, yellowing stone everywhere - from the base of the masterful mountain, to the shores of the gigantic lake, and scattered in jagged pieces all the way up again - stone and rock that bear the marks of thousands of years.
In the distance it would be too misty to see such splendour. But nothing ever got in the way of the lake, cooling and laying in wake like a meditating sentinel, or a lady ready with a sword to give to a future queen, from its calm depths.
This was what Wilda loved most of all.
There was no other word for it - the lake was enchanting.
How is the waterfall so blue, thought Wilda, and yet the lake so green.
The cascading waterfall was as blue as a baby bird's first ruffling of feathers - forever meeting a land of water as clear and pure and fresh green as both the right-side and underside of a gecko. Wilda loved to swim there, to skim the beautiful, barely-swelling surface that seemed to have a life of its own. It gleamed with a life of its own.
Once she temporarily disturbed its peace, she could touch and gather together her own little collection of stones and pebbles with her hands and feet. She blew bubbles into the water, which disappeared in a second and were dragged away into the lake's neverending horizon. The sun, higher than the mountains and tantalizing mist, glowed in that distance, dimmed or glimmering depending on the time of day.
Why would anyone want any of this to change? Wilda wondered, her dazzled eyes drifting to an offshoot willow branch hanging towards the water, as if drinking in its magic. No one would want this place gone to ashes once they see it up close. They would never let it fade away.
Chest-deep in water in motion, she cupped a little of it in her hands. In this miniature mirror she could just make out the reflections of her friends, Sage, Paprika, and Larkspur.
They wasted no time. They jumped into the lake, screaming with joy and right beside Wilda, the better to rile her up. The girls splashed and splashed. Wilda dunked the protesting Larkspur underneath, and little Paprika was swimming to the rocks and then jumping and diving, over and over again, to show off to her sister Sage, who mostly floated lazily out of reach, the sun glistening on her plump body.
Each girl knew this lake - the whole nine yards of the cold and terribly lovely wonderland - like their most used limb. It was their home.
Yes, Wilda mused happily, content even as she received a scolding from Larkspur, who looked a pale green in the water (in fact, they all looked green, even their hair had a kelp tinge), this is our home.
Why, we must look like nymphs from a distance!
Scribble #106
Sometimes people don't confide in others about their troubles not because they don't want to, but because they find it hard to put it all into words themselves.
Monday, 25 November 2019
Frozen II post
Saw 'Frozen II' today - and based on the first viewing, I really like it. It's enjoyable from beginning to end. Funny and heartfelt (oh how I've warmed to Olaf!), with beautifully animated scenes that legitimately took my break away - that almost never happens with me nowadays. Whatever is lacking in diverse rep (there is a little of the awful White Saviour plot), it does what good sequels do in that it expands the lore and world of the original. Any questions that are answered don't feel forced. Love all the women and sisterhood present. Female power, and both unity and community; all in one. A true leafy, autumn film as well (are there any others?) - with Aurora borealis (insert 'The Simpsons' gag here). Crescendo! Now I've got a 'Frozen' cushion!
Sunday, 24 November 2019
Manga Review - 'Kisses, Sighs, and Cherry Blossom Pink: The Complete Collection (Cherry Lips #1–2)' by Milk Morinaga
2023 EDIT: Part of my (latest) 2023 clear-up, of books I no longer like, or am no longer interested in, or remember well as standing out, or find as special anymore, or I otherwise will not miss.
Final Score: 3/5
Original Review:
'Kisses, Sighs, and Cherry Blossom Pink' - I admit, I was attracted to this manga by the appeal of the title alone. It has to be one of the cutest headlines ever.
It is a relatively soft yuri manga collection by the author of 'Girl Friends', which I really liked. It is a sort-of anthology centred on the various teenage girls who go to the all-girls school Sakuraki High - but it's mainly about Nana and Hitomi and their blossoming relationship and trials - and their experiences with same sex attraction. It is more common than they think, if they'd let each other in and talk about it more freely.
Amid the realistic slice-of-life genre, there is a supernatural element in one issue that has a ghost in it, but even that story becomes charming and touching, like the others.
'Kisses, Sighs, and Cherry Blossom Pink' is a strawberry and vanilla chocolate box full of sweet, funny, sad, and heartfelt coming-of-age and sexual awakening tales. They are relatable in ways that could have only come from life experiences. It is about teenage girls going about their lives as confused, uncertain, scared, but passionate and loving teenagers. There are hardly any male characters in sight; no one to break the girls down and make them feel small and undervalued. They have each other, platonically and beyond.
Nana and Hitomi remind me a little too much of Mariko and Akko from 'Girl Friends', however - they look and act very alike. But they are strong enough characters in their own right - fears and insecurities and all that baggage - and it doesn't take them long at all to realise their feelings for each other and become a couple (albeit secretly) and plan how they are going to spend their future together. They openly challenge gender norms as well - like why should one of them be the "manly" and protective one in their relationship - though in saying that if they were a heterosexual couple it would be different, and in saying that "I'm not as strong as a man", they still adhere to the patriarchal social structure that man = strong, and woman = weak. It's not perfect, but at least the two girls express wanting to be treated as equals to each other.
The road to adulthood can be frightening for any young girl, but if they have one another's unbreaking support, anything is possible.
Recommended to fans of the mangaka's other yuri works. Real, sugary, lovely, refreshing, poignant, and unforgettable. Girls' power strikes again!
Final Score: 3.5/5
Final Score: 3/5
Original Review:
'Kisses, Sighs, and Cherry Blossom Pink' - I admit, I was attracted to this manga by the appeal of the title alone. It has to be one of the cutest headlines ever.
It is a relatively soft yuri manga collection by the author of 'Girl Friends', which I really liked. It is a sort-of anthology centred on the various teenage girls who go to the all-girls school Sakuraki High - but it's mainly about Nana and Hitomi and their blossoming relationship and trials - and their experiences with same sex attraction. It is more common than they think, if they'd let each other in and talk about it more freely.
Amid the realistic slice-of-life genre, there is a supernatural element in one issue that has a ghost in it, but even that story becomes charming and touching, like the others.
'Kisses, Sighs, and Cherry Blossom Pink' is a strawberry and vanilla chocolate box full of sweet, funny, sad, and heartfelt coming-of-age and sexual awakening tales. They are relatable in ways that could have only come from life experiences. It is about teenage girls going about their lives as confused, uncertain, scared, but passionate and loving teenagers. There are hardly any male characters in sight; no one to break the girls down and make them feel small and undervalued. They have each other, platonically and beyond.
Nana and Hitomi remind me a little too much of Mariko and Akko from 'Girl Friends', however - they look and act very alike. But they are strong enough characters in their own right - fears and insecurities and all that baggage - and it doesn't take them long at all to realise their feelings for each other and become a couple (albeit secretly) and plan how they are going to spend their future together. They openly challenge gender norms as well - like why should one of them be the "manly" and protective one in their relationship - though in saying that if they were a heterosexual couple it would be different, and in saying that "I'm not as strong as a man", they still adhere to the patriarchal social structure that man = strong, and woman = weak. It's not perfect, but at least the two girls express wanting to be treated as equals to each other.
The road to adulthood can be frightening for any young girl, but if they have one another's unbreaking support, anything is possible.
Recommended to fans of the mangaka's other yuri works. Real, sugary, lovely, refreshing, poignant, and unforgettable. Girls' power strikes again!
Final Score: 3.5/5
Non-Fiction Book Review - 'The Queens of Animation: The Untold Story of the Women Who Transformed the World of Disney and Made Cinematic History' by Nathalia Holt
What a fantastic and delightful read! A must for fans of animation, Disney, and women's history. As a huge fan of all three, I couldn't get enough. I devoured this enchanting treasure trove as much as any good Disney animated film.
'The Queens of Animation' by Nathalia Holt is jam-packed with information about the women who worked at Walt Disney Studios from its inception, and even before that. It is told chronologically and in an addictive, narrative flow. Aside from a few loose ends from jumping from one female animator/inbetweener's life and influence to another in the same chapter, I didn't spot a single grammatical error in the whole book. I was never taken out of this fascinating education.
The majority of it does extensively cover the making of the Disney flicks from Walt's lifetime, though; but the researched facts are still important to know about.
Walt Disney films and shorts, and their legacy, have A LOT to thank women for. It is not just in 'Brave', 'Wreck-It-Ralph', 'Frozen', 'Zootopia', and 'Moana'; practically every Disney film since 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' in 1937 has had a woman artist's and writer's touch - and not only in the Ink and Paint department (which sounds disturbingly like a sweatshop to me). It is their impact, criminally underappreciated and uncredited as it is, that Disney owes much of its success to. Women created beautiful, magical scenes, and gave Disney Princesses strong personalities.
You learn so many things about animation and advanced technology and techniques over the years in 'The Queens of Animation' as well. Grace Huntington was an aviator pilot, too, so there are other fields included to teach readers.
Holt is absolutely not shy about revealing the difficulties these brilliant, ambitious women faced in daring to try to break the glass ceiling and the boys' club mentality. She does not gloss over the childish cruelty that was directed at them, the workplace harassment (in 1937 the men at the Disney story department literally chased a lone female employee, Bianca Majolie, out of a board meeting and meticulously broke down her office door just to yell abuse at her while she hunched over and cried, fearing for her life. Yeah, Walt, this is not that women can't take "a little criticism" - this is a witch hunt), and domestic violence and abuse.
Holt is also critical of any racist depictions in Disney films of the past and the present. She doesn't cover everything, but it's enough for one book.
Despite the tragedy, there is a little magic, a catharsis, in the book; a little faith, trust and pixie dust, and a spoonful of sugar to go a long way. There is hope. Hope that things will be better. Made profoundly possible now that Holt has written 'The Queens of Animation'.
Women have always been around in every field. They have always been passionate, creative and talented. They are not going anywhere.
After reading 'The Queens of Animation', you will remember the names Bianca Majolie, Mary Robinson-Blair, Retta Scott, Grace Huntington, Sylvia Moberly-Holland, Dorothy Anne Blank, Hazel Sewell, Gyo Fujikawa, Thelma Witmer, Mary Goodrich, Ethel Kulsar, Elizabeth Case Zwicker, Barbara Wirth Baldwin, Mary Louise Weiser, Mildred Fulvia di Rossi, Rita Hsiao, Heidi Guedel, Carmen Sanderson, Sammie June Lanham, Evelyn Kennedy, Kazuko Nakamura and Reiko Okuyama (the "mothers of anime"), Ellen Woodbury, Brenda Chapman, Linda Woolverton, Jennifer Lee, and Prasansook "Fawn" Veerasunthorn. As well as Hollywood colour director Natalie Kalmus, and male Asian-American artist-animator Tyrus Wong. The friendships the women formed together, both within and outside the hostile male work environment, are also a satisfying joy to read about (Walt, although he became much more progressive overtime, probably didn't know the irony of naming his top animation team "the Nine Old Men").
These women made your childhood great, and will keep doing it, now that there are more women working in animation than ever before, and are receiving the deserved credit and recognition for it. It still isn't enough, but we are getting there.
Thanks again, Nathalia Holt!
Final Score: 4.5/5
'The Queens of Animation' by Nathalia Holt is jam-packed with information about the women who worked at Walt Disney Studios from its inception, and even before that. It is told chronologically and in an addictive, narrative flow. Aside from a few loose ends from jumping from one female animator/inbetweener's life and influence to another in the same chapter, I didn't spot a single grammatical error in the whole book. I was never taken out of this fascinating education.
The majority of it does extensively cover the making of the Disney flicks from Walt's lifetime, though; but the researched facts are still important to know about.
Walt Disney films and shorts, and their legacy, have A LOT to thank women for. It is not just in 'Brave', 'Wreck-It-Ralph', 'Frozen', 'Zootopia', and 'Moana'; practically every Disney film since 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' in 1937 has had a woman artist's and writer's touch - and not only in the Ink and Paint department (which sounds disturbingly like a sweatshop to me). It is their impact, criminally underappreciated and uncredited as it is, that Disney owes much of its success to. Women created beautiful, magical scenes, and gave Disney Princesses strong personalities.
You learn so many things about animation and advanced technology and techniques over the years in 'The Queens of Animation' as well. Grace Huntington was an aviator pilot, too, so there are other fields included to teach readers.
Holt is absolutely not shy about revealing the difficulties these brilliant, ambitious women faced in daring to try to break the glass ceiling and the boys' club mentality. She does not gloss over the childish cruelty that was directed at them, the workplace harassment (in 1937 the men at the Disney story department literally chased a lone female employee, Bianca Majolie, out of a board meeting and meticulously broke down her office door just to yell abuse at her while she hunched over and cried, fearing for her life. Yeah, Walt, this is not that women can't take "a little criticism" - this is a witch hunt), and domestic violence and abuse.
Holt is also critical of any racist depictions in Disney films of the past and the present. She doesn't cover everything, but it's enough for one book.
Despite the tragedy, there is a little magic, a catharsis, in the book; a little faith, trust and pixie dust, and a spoonful of sugar to go a long way. There is hope. Hope that things will be better. Made profoundly possible now that Holt has written 'The Queens of Animation'.
Women have always been around in every field. They have always been passionate, creative and talented. They are not going anywhere.
After reading 'The Queens of Animation', you will remember the names Bianca Majolie, Mary Robinson-Blair, Retta Scott, Grace Huntington, Sylvia Moberly-Holland, Dorothy Anne Blank, Hazel Sewell, Gyo Fujikawa, Thelma Witmer, Mary Goodrich, Ethel Kulsar, Elizabeth Case Zwicker, Barbara Wirth Baldwin, Mary Louise Weiser, Mildred Fulvia di Rossi, Rita Hsiao, Heidi Guedel, Carmen Sanderson, Sammie June Lanham, Evelyn Kennedy, Kazuko Nakamura and Reiko Okuyama (the "mothers of anime"), Ellen Woodbury, Brenda Chapman, Linda Woolverton, Jennifer Lee, and Prasansook "Fawn" Veerasunthorn. As well as Hollywood colour director Natalie Kalmus, and male Asian-American artist-animator Tyrus Wong. The friendships the women formed together, both within and outside the hostile male work environment, are also a satisfying joy to read about (Walt, although he became much more progressive overtime, probably didn't know the irony of naming his top animation team "the Nine Old Men").
These women made your childhood great, and will keep doing it, now that there are more women working in animation than ever before, and are receiving the deserved credit and recognition for it. It still isn't enough, but we are getting there.
Thanks again, Nathalia Holt!
Final Score: 4.5/5
Non-Fiction Book Review - 'The Witches Are Coming' by Lindy West
I was going to begin this review with a load of vital and relevant quotes from the book. But that would take far too long and might defer others from feeling they need to read 'The Witches Are Coming' for themselves. Every page here is necessary for everyone.
Because things are much, much worse than we may think.
'The Witches Are Coming' is funny, unapologetically biting and critical, blood-boiling, rage-inducing, and absolutely terrifying. In under 250 pages and a day's reading time, it cuts right into the heart of modern politics, the internet, mainstream media entertainment, and our current, retrograde society and culture - all are rife with histories of abuse, toxicity, propaganda, base aggression, and regression in the 21st century, right up to 2019. And witch hunting and a "boys' club" mentality.
And we are falling for it - especially in America, which has never been the land of the free no matter how many times we tell ourselves that - armed with unlimited excuses, delusions, cognitive dissonance, plausible deniability, and other forms of doublespeak. Even when the truth is right in front of us, loud and clear. All because of the ancient, dominant, dangerous and deadly disease of straight white male privilege and entitlement. And capitalism.
It's come to the epidemic of Neo-Nazism and Nazi sympathy in the American consciousness. It's come to the point where caring about anything - gun control, immigrant imprisonment, immigrant children dying in concentration camps, ending conversion therapy, the environment, climate change, the future of our one and only planet earth, love, compassion, and other people - is considered weak (in actuality, "too much hard work"), stupid, effeminate, and therefore something to be violently destroyed. Selfishness, self-interest and narcissism are encouraged by the Republican Party. Simple, proven facts are being negated haphazardly. Brutality and destruction - "manly" pursuits - are the new normal. Because of toxic masculinity, basic human decency is barely hanging on through life support.
We can't keep going on like this. It will literally be the death of us all.
Lindy West is one of the heroines of our times. She is not taking anyone's blatant lies, nor their misogynistic, racist, homophobic, and ableist bullshit (even when she likes the people who are linked to these kinds of "controversies" (they're wrong no matter which way you look at it)). Neither should anyone else have to tolerate and normalize these issues.
We have to care.
Not everything is a "joke" and should be excused and treated as such.
We have to choose what is right over what is familiar and comfortable. We have to choose to not believe the lies of rich white people.
We have to do something. We have to demand and effect change, no matter how hard it is and how long it takes.
High profile men and other people call women who want justice and the truth revealed "witches", and other derogatory terms to call women who are human and living their lives how they want, never hurting anyone. The too-long-in-coming impact of #MeToo, and men being held responsible and made accountable for their actions, is a "witch hunt", those fragile, insecure and cowardly men whine. It is true that there is magic, a spellcasting, in telling the truth; as much as there is a spellcasting in telling lies, in using the same buzzwords, over and over and over again, until they are believed without question and logic. So to call certain rich white men in politics who want to think they're bulletproof and immortal gods witches isn't that big a stretch.
Read 'The Witches Are Coming' by the intrepid Lindy West and be disturbed and scared by the truth. Call your friends and parents about it; keep talking about it everywhere. At least it will set you free, and be one of the stepping stones directing you towards the right path, in saving the human race, quickly, before it is too late.
“We were just a hair’s breadth from electing America’s first female president to succeed America’s first black president. We weren’t done, but we were doing it. And then, true to form—like the Balrog’s whip catching Gandalf by his little gray bootie, like the husband in a Lifetime movie hissing, ‘If I can’t have you, no one can’—white American voters shoved an incompetent, racist con man into the White House.”
I have never been prouder not to be on Twitter.
Final Score: 5/5
Because things are much, much worse than we may think.
'The Witches Are Coming' is funny, unapologetically biting and critical, blood-boiling, rage-inducing, and absolutely terrifying. In under 250 pages and a day's reading time, it cuts right into the heart of modern politics, the internet, mainstream media entertainment, and our current, retrograde society and culture - all are rife with histories of abuse, toxicity, propaganda, base aggression, and regression in the 21st century, right up to 2019. And witch hunting and a "boys' club" mentality.
And we are falling for it - especially in America, which has never been the land of the free no matter how many times we tell ourselves that - armed with unlimited excuses, delusions, cognitive dissonance, plausible deniability, and other forms of doublespeak. Even when the truth is right in front of us, loud and clear. All because of the ancient, dominant, dangerous and deadly disease of straight white male privilege and entitlement. And capitalism.
It's come to the epidemic of Neo-Nazism and Nazi sympathy in the American consciousness. It's come to the point where caring about anything - gun control, immigrant imprisonment, immigrant children dying in concentration camps, ending conversion therapy, the environment, climate change, the future of our one and only planet earth, love, compassion, and other people - is considered weak (in actuality, "too much hard work"), stupid, effeminate, and therefore something to be violently destroyed. Selfishness, self-interest and narcissism are encouraged by the Republican Party. Simple, proven facts are being negated haphazardly. Brutality and destruction - "manly" pursuits - are the new normal. Because of toxic masculinity, basic human decency is barely hanging on through life support.
We can't keep going on like this. It will literally be the death of us all.
Lindy West is one of the heroines of our times. She is not taking anyone's blatant lies, nor their misogynistic, racist, homophobic, and ableist bullshit (even when she likes the people who are linked to these kinds of "controversies" (they're wrong no matter which way you look at it)). Neither should anyone else have to tolerate and normalize these issues.
We have to care.
Not everything is a "joke" and should be excused and treated as such.
We have to choose what is right over what is familiar and comfortable. We have to choose to not believe the lies of rich white people.
We have to do something. We have to demand and effect change, no matter how hard it is and how long it takes.
High profile men and other people call women who want justice and the truth revealed "witches", and other derogatory terms to call women who are human and living their lives how they want, never hurting anyone. The too-long-in-coming impact of #MeToo, and men being held responsible and made accountable for their actions, is a "witch hunt", those fragile, insecure and cowardly men whine. It is true that there is magic, a spellcasting, in telling the truth; as much as there is a spellcasting in telling lies, in using the same buzzwords, over and over and over again, until they are believed without question and logic. So to call certain rich white men in politics who want to think they're bulletproof and immortal gods witches isn't that big a stretch.
Read 'The Witches Are Coming' by the intrepid Lindy West and be disturbed and scared by the truth. Call your friends and parents about it; keep talking about it everywhere. At least it will set you free, and be one of the stepping stones directing you towards the right path, in saving the human race, quickly, before it is too late.
“We were just a hair’s breadth from electing America’s first female president to succeed America’s first black president. We weren’t done, but we were doing it. And then, true to form—like the Balrog’s whip catching Gandalf by his little gray bootie, like the husband in a Lifetime movie hissing, ‘If I can’t have you, no one can’—white American voters shoved an incompetent, racist con man into the White House.”
I have never been prouder not to be on Twitter.
Final Score: 5/5
Sunday, 17 November 2019
Graphic Novel Review - 'Mooncakes' by Suzanne Walker (Writer), Wendy Xu (Artist)
Do you like:
• Witches.
• Werewolves.
• Romances that are queer and involve a nonbinary character.
• Romances that are queer and involve a nonbinary character, AND it's between a witch and a werewolf.
• Romances that are queer and involve a nonbinary character, AND it's between a witch WHO IS HARD OF HEARING AND WEARS AN HEARING AID, and a werewolf.
• Queer grandma couples.
• Nearly all-Asian casts.
• Family bonding akin to 'The Tea Dragon Festival'.
• 'The Tea Dragon Society' and Kay O'Neill's work in general.
• Queer, nonbinary characters coming to terms with their identity, their past, and overcoming the shadow of their abusive stepfather, and learning that home is where the heart is.
• Supernatural families featuring witches, ghosts and a literal bird head.
• Female plus-size science-inclined characters who are in on the whole magical family life and coven, and who're sceptics who learn.
• Witchcraft and bookseller cafés in the same place.
• Spiritual forest creatures reminiscent of Studio Ghibli.
• Autumn and Halloween.
• Spiritual and mental connections between queer couples which reveal their inner feelings and struggles, told to their beloved.
• Cookies, cakes, and other baked goods, as well as potions and wands.
• Tea. Lots of Tea.
• Cats.
• Sweet, warm and wholesome stories about family, home, queer love, magic, and witchcraft in a positive light.
• Comics with the cutest damn artwork ever.
If you've warmed up to any or all of these points, these magical ingredients - heck, a lot of them are probably unheard of in any other story - then there's a chance you might just love 'Mooncakes'.
It truly is a lovely treat. The romance between Nova Huang the witch with an hearing aid and Tam Lang the nonbinary werewolf is the sweetest thing. I adore Nova's equally sapphic nanas as well - they are always there for her and are so supportive, and they are freaking badass.
But my favourite character has to be Nova - she is incredibly sweet, friendly, helpful, brave, determined, and is very competent at spell casting and listening to people, but she isn't perfect, as the reader will learn. I also really like her long scraggy hair and comfy, frumpy clothes - I don't know, I guess I gravitate towards Nova more than others because I relate to her the most. She's close to her family and understands the importance of family bonds, plus she's a witch, yay! And she works in a bookseller café that sells books on witchcraft material too - I want her job!
Then there's this moment, this line, highlighting further why Nova Huang is amazing. She says this right after performing a great combating spell, using her wand and her hearing aid, and will now rush to save Tam's life:
"I will! And I'm going to make out with them while I'm at it!"
I rest my case.
'Mooncakes' is absolutely endearing and enjoyable. Even for fantasy, I recognise in the characters people I know or knew in my own life - they are very real and relatable. It's so effortlessly diverse in a genre that needs it in terms of inclusive representation. Comfortable and fluffy, even when plot points and elements get dangerous, it's like a solid and more focused version of 'Moonstruck', a similar comic.
There isn't enough baking and food consumption in it as I'd expected - which is odd considering its title - but oh well, 'Mooncakes' is nonetheless a sweet, fantastical, café standalone sapphic graphic novel. The artwork is soft, lovable and gorgeous - more than fitting the content.
Additionally, nice 'Sailor Moon' poster in a room in a flashback panel - I noticed that!
What else can I say? 'Mooncakes' is hyped for a reason. It's a spellbinder all right.
Final Score: 4.5/5
• Witches.
• Werewolves.
• Romances that are queer and involve a nonbinary character.
• Romances that are queer and involve a nonbinary character, AND it's between a witch and a werewolf.
• Romances that are queer and involve a nonbinary character, AND it's between a witch WHO IS HARD OF HEARING AND WEARS AN HEARING AID, and a werewolf.
• Queer grandma couples.
• Nearly all-Asian casts.
• Family bonding akin to 'The Tea Dragon Festival'.
• 'The Tea Dragon Society' and Kay O'Neill's work in general.
• Queer, nonbinary characters coming to terms with their identity, their past, and overcoming the shadow of their abusive stepfather, and learning that home is where the heart is.
• Supernatural families featuring witches, ghosts and a literal bird head.
• Female plus-size science-inclined characters who are in on the whole magical family life and coven, and who're sceptics who learn.
• Witchcraft and bookseller cafés in the same place.
• Spiritual forest creatures reminiscent of Studio Ghibli.
• Autumn and Halloween.
• Spiritual and mental connections between queer couples which reveal their inner feelings and struggles, told to their beloved.
• Cookies, cakes, and other baked goods, as well as potions and wands.
• Tea. Lots of Tea.
• Cats.
• Sweet, warm and wholesome stories about family, home, queer love, magic, and witchcraft in a positive light.
• Comics with the cutest damn artwork ever.
If you've warmed up to any or all of these points, these magical ingredients - heck, a lot of them are probably unheard of in any other story - then there's a chance you might just love 'Mooncakes'.
It truly is a lovely treat. The romance between Nova Huang the witch with an hearing aid and Tam Lang the nonbinary werewolf is the sweetest thing. I adore Nova's equally sapphic nanas as well - they are always there for her and are so supportive, and they are freaking badass.
But my favourite character has to be Nova - she is incredibly sweet, friendly, helpful, brave, determined, and is very competent at spell casting and listening to people, but she isn't perfect, as the reader will learn. I also really like her long scraggy hair and comfy, frumpy clothes - I don't know, I guess I gravitate towards Nova more than others because I relate to her the most. She's close to her family and understands the importance of family bonds, plus she's a witch, yay! And she works in a bookseller café that sells books on witchcraft material too - I want her job!
Then there's this moment, this line, highlighting further why Nova Huang is amazing. She says this right after performing a great combating spell, using her wand and her hearing aid, and will now rush to save Tam's life:
"I will! And I'm going to make out with them while I'm at it!"
I rest my case.
'Mooncakes' is absolutely endearing and enjoyable. Even for fantasy, I recognise in the characters people I know or knew in my own life - they are very real and relatable. It's so effortlessly diverse in a genre that needs it in terms of inclusive representation. Comfortable and fluffy, even when plot points and elements get dangerous, it's like a solid and more focused version of 'Moonstruck', a similar comic.
There isn't enough baking and food consumption in it as I'd expected - which is odd considering its title - but oh well, 'Mooncakes' is nonetheless a sweet, fantastical, café standalone sapphic graphic novel. The artwork is soft, lovable and gorgeous - more than fitting the content.
Additionally, nice 'Sailor Moon' poster in a room in a flashback panel - I noticed that!
What else can I say? 'Mooncakes' is hyped for a reason. It's a spellbinder all right.
Final Score: 4.5/5
Saturday, 16 November 2019
Graphic Novel Review - 'Witchy' by Ariel Slamet Ries
'Witchy', despite its silly and corny title, is one of the more mature modern witch graphic novels out there. It certainly is one the most obscure - I hadn't heard of it until I saw it on my Amazon recommendations after I put 'The Okay Witch' in the basket.
It turned out to be a rare, misty, smokey, diamond in the rough.
Thank you and bless you, Ariel Slamet Ries and Lion Forge comics. You need more attention.
'Witchy' contains allusions to Hayao Miyazaki films (notably 'Princess Mononoke', 'Spirited Away', and 'Kiki's Delivery Service'), 'Harry Potter', 'Steven Universe', 'Avatar: The Last Airbender', and any other cartoon, anime, and fantasy comic that I'm sure I've missed. Its characters' demeanours, arcs, interactions and dynamics remind me, bizarrely, of 'Hey Arnold!'. 'Witchy' is a mixture of many familiar ingredients, but it never comes across as derivative: it can stand on its own feet, and ride on its own magical wind. It stands out entirely on its own.
Like its protagonist.
Nyneve is a young below-average witch who is more scholarly than practical in her magical abilities. She lives in a rich, bold, magic-filled world, in the kingdom of Hyalin, where everyone is Asian and women and female relationships rule in a figurative sense - oh, and where everyone's power is dependent on their hair length. Short hair isn't considered special, but hair that is deemed too long is officially pronounced dangerous by the kingdom's superiors and the Witch Guard. A witch with very long hair is perceived as a threat, and is executed in a witch burning. Cutting hair is equal heresy, punishable by death.
The Witch Guard is appraised in the highest regard and respect in Hyalin, and joining its ranks, becoming a soldier and directing magic using a wand or "scope", is the greatest honour of any witch.
Nyneve is strongly opposed to this regime. She desperately doesn't want to be enlisted. Not least because the Witch Guard killed her father years ago because he had long hair. The peace in Hyalin is a lie and a smokescreen, made to hide the real threat - the corrupt ones in charge of it.
Nyneve is not your average fantasy heroine. She is not some wide-eyed, naive schoolgirl, an optimist who makes friends easily. She is cynical, sullen, moody, self-absorbed, somewhat self-pitying, well educated and informed at the start of her story, and she is content to be alone. She is not entirely "misunderstood", and her dark secret - what makes her "special" and "different" - could seriously get her killed in her society. Whenever she is told she is special, meant in a positive light, she knows it's false, and from a place of ill intent; in reality, she is disposable to her people.
Nyneve can come across as uncaring and selfish, which some readers might have a problem with, who don't like female protagonists to be flawed, but she isn't emotionless. She is dealing with the tragedy of her past - the loss of her father in a violent, sickening and meaningless practice, when she was a child - in her own way. For all she's a closed-off outcast, she warms up to and makes more than one friend in the first chapter of the comic. Plus, her passion - the only thing that makes her smile (not sneer or smirk) - is books! Who can hate her?
So what if Nyneve is not your average "chosen one", even a reluctant one? It's refreshing. And so are the other characters, one of whom is trans (I won't out them to anyone who hasn't read 'Witchy'). We have Nyneve's home-and-potion-maker mother, Veda, whom she is close to; Batu the muscular boy with a soft heart of gold; Prill the rich and talented "mean girl" who turns out to have much more depth than how she first appears, and who is the best kind of tsundere (in fact she may be my favourite character); Banana the raven (that's the name he gives); and many others I won't reveal due to spoilers. Each are brave in individual ways.
In 'Witchy', nothing is in black and white, and no one can easily be divided into good/bad, and hero/villain. Characters are not as they seem on introduction. Featured are moral greyness and opaque, rosy rainbow goodness.
There is so much to recommend 'Witchy': Asian cultural references, ravens, wands, martial arts, Studio Ghibli influences, seamlessly woven and understated LBGTQ themes, corrupt government and hierarchy themes, a genderless tree witch. I could go on and on. Its only downsides in my opinion are the slow burn beginning, and the cliffhanger ending - towards the promise of a "real" beginning of the hero's journey. This is saved by the last few pages which highlight characters who have been absent for too long.
'Witchy' is a criminally underrated YA-and-older witch comic. It is dark, yet warm and enchanting at the same time. There is something slightly unsettling and complicated underlying its world and atmosphere, like a hidden nightshade poison deep within a heart's core - and that makes it all the more believable and like our own world. Give it a chance and it will reward you by means you perhaps won't realise at first.
Shuddering and breathtaking, with a melodious note of hope in the distance. 'Witchy' is worth being on every witch fan's bookshelf.
Final Score: 4/5
It turned out to be a rare, misty, smokey, diamond in the rough.
Thank you and bless you, Ariel Slamet Ries and Lion Forge comics. You need more attention.
'Witchy' contains allusions to Hayao Miyazaki films (notably 'Princess Mononoke', 'Spirited Away', and 'Kiki's Delivery Service'), 'Harry Potter', 'Steven Universe', 'Avatar: The Last Airbender', and any other cartoon, anime, and fantasy comic that I'm sure I've missed. Its characters' demeanours, arcs, interactions and dynamics remind me, bizarrely, of 'Hey Arnold!'. 'Witchy' is a mixture of many familiar ingredients, but it never comes across as derivative: it can stand on its own feet, and ride on its own magical wind. It stands out entirely on its own.
Like its protagonist.
Nyneve is a young below-average witch who is more scholarly than practical in her magical abilities. She lives in a rich, bold, magic-filled world, in the kingdom of Hyalin, where everyone is Asian and women and female relationships rule in a figurative sense - oh, and where everyone's power is dependent on their hair length. Short hair isn't considered special, but hair that is deemed too long is officially pronounced dangerous by the kingdom's superiors and the Witch Guard. A witch with very long hair is perceived as a threat, and is executed in a witch burning. Cutting hair is equal heresy, punishable by death.
The Witch Guard is appraised in the highest regard and respect in Hyalin, and joining its ranks, becoming a soldier and directing magic using a wand or "scope", is the greatest honour of any witch.
Nyneve is strongly opposed to this regime. She desperately doesn't want to be enlisted. Not least because the Witch Guard killed her father years ago because he had long hair. The peace in Hyalin is a lie and a smokescreen, made to hide the real threat - the corrupt ones in charge of it.
Nyneve is not your average fantasy heroine. She is not some wide-eyed, naive schoolgirl, an optimist who makes friends easily. She is cynical, sullen, moody, self-absorbed, somewhat self-pitying, well educated and informed at the start of her story, and she is content to be alone. She is not entirely "misunderstood", and her dark secret - what makes her "special" and "different" - could seriously get her killed in her society. Whenever she is told she is special, meant in a positive light, she knows it's false, and from a place of ill intent; in reality, she is disposable to her people.
Nyneve can come across as uncaring and selfish, which some readers might have a problem with, who don't like female protagonists to be flawed, but she isn't emotionless. She is dealing with the tragedy of her past - the loss of her father in a violent, sickening and meaningless practice, when she was a child - in her own way. For all she's a closed-off outcast, she warms up to and makes more than one friend in the first chapter of the comic. Plus, her passion - the only thing that makes her smile (not sneer or smirk) - is books! Who can hate her?
So what if Nyneve is not your average "chosen one", even a reluctant one? It's refreshing. And so are the other characters, one of whom is trans (I won't out them to anyone who hasn't read 'Witchy'). We have Nyneve's home-and-potion-maker mother, Veda, whom she is close to; Batu the muscular boy with a soft heart of gold; Prill the rich and talented "mean girl" who turns out to have much more depth than how she first appears, and who is the best kind of tsundere (in fact she may be my favourite character); Banana the raven (that's the name he gives); and many others I won't reveal due to spoilers. Each are brave in individual ways.
In 'Witchy', nothing is in black and white, and no one can easily be divided into good/bad, and hero/villain. Characters are not as they seem on introduction. Featured are moral greyness and opaque, rosy rainbow goodness.
There is so much to recommend 'Witchy': Asian cultural references, ravens, wands, martial arts, Studio Ghibli influences, seamlessly woven and understated LBGTQ themes, corrupt government and hierarchy themes, a genderless tree witch. I could go on and on. Its only downsides in my opinion are the slow burn beginning, and the cliffhanger ending - towards the promise of a "real" beginning of the hero's journey. This is saved by the last few pages which highlight characters who have been absent for too long.
'Witchy' is a criminally underrated YA-and-older witch comic. It is dark, yet warm and enchanting at the same time. There is something slightly unsettling and complicated underlying its world and atmosphere, like a hidden nightshade poison deep within a heart's core - and that makes it all the more believable and like our own world. Give it a chance and it will reward you by means you perhaps won't realise at first.
Shuddering and breathtaking, with a melodious note of hope in the distance. 'Witchy' is worth being on every witch fan's bookshelf.
Final Score: 4/5
Graphic Novel Review - 'The Okay Witch' by Emma Steinkellner
'The Okay Witch' is adorable and fun. It is an all-ages standalone (...for now) comic that pays homage to 'Sabrina the Teenage Witch', 'Bewitched', and anything of the nostalgic witchy zeitgeist.
It is a love letter to witch fans, like myself. Except that it is far from traditional, conservative, safe, and white and blonde and male gazey. 'The Okay Witch' attempts to be the very opposite: it deconstructs what we know about witches and witchcraft in mainstream culture; how, like feminism, they have been tainted and rebuilt on lies told by the patriarchy from across the centuries. To keep things exactly as they are, for as long as is humanly possible. Nothing genuinely challenging, insightful or meaningful.
Because of white men's fear of female power, sharing and equality. Of no longer being dominant in society.
'The Okay Witch' is cartoony and pure of heart, but its themes of family, and the dangers of a lack of progress in a backwards (and backwoods) community in the 21st century concerning race and gender, are very serious, severe and important. The family connections are the caring, beating heart of the comic.
Thirteen-year-old Moth Hush is a POC awkward social outcast. She starts off friendless, which is logically inconceivable since she's lovable, charming, and one hundred percent relatable. She is a fan of witches and witch media, even before she finds out she is a witch herself! The problem clearly lies in her school and town, Founder's Bluff, Massachusetts - anyone who is different is hated and bullied. Moth and her mother Calendula are pretty much the only nonwhite people in town. Its only claim to fame is its witch hunts in the 17th century, led by an evil, misogynistic and xenophobic man whose male decedents rule Founder's Bluff to this day.
Founder's Bluff. Its very name reveals too much.
Moth deserves to live in a better world...
I grew to love her relationship with her secretive, tragic mother. 'The Okay Witch' has such well developed, defined, and three-dimensional female characters. The matriarchy versus the patriarchy motif in the graphic novel is unassuming, yet direct and unmistakable.
I just adore Moth and the other characters, and the story and themes!
There's a talking fat black cat (every witch story needs one), a secret diary/portal, witch hunt history, a magic goddess's world that's a sanctuary for witches, LBGTQ content on the side that's nonetheless welcome and touching, and a male character, Charlie; Moth's new friend who's ordinary but, similar to Moth, is stronger than he thinks, and he won't live up to his family's toxic legacy.
"This is what it means to be a [Spoiler]. These are the great men of history...We made [Founder's Bluff] great. Even when they got in the way."
Hmm...see any current political undertones in this line?
'The Okay Witch' - Absolutely charming, sweet, magical, heartfelt, exciting, suspenseful, relevant, woke, and even heartbreaking. The worldbuilding, the magic system itself and the ways spells are cast, are simplified and uncomplicated - the only real "childlike" element in the book - but I don't mind. It is as bewitching in subtext as it is on the surface level. The ending of this emotional journey is lovely and satisfying. I cannot recommend it enough for everyone, and I mean everyone.
Change is possible, as are unity, and understanding and listening to "the Other". There are people who want change and are desperate for it. The patriarchy can be broken - it's deadliness, fragility, staleness and pointlessness are only too obvious - if we try. And keep trying. For as long as it takes.
Hooray for modern witch comics!
Final Score: 5/5
It is a love letter to witch fans, like myself. Except that it is far from traditional, conservative, safe, and white and blonde and male gazey. 'The Okay Witch' attempts to be the very opposite: it deconstructs what we know about witches and witchcraft in mainstream culture; how, like feminism, they have been tainted and rebuilt on lies told by the patriarchy from across the centuries. To keep things exactly as they are, for as long as is humanly possible. Nothing genuinely challenging, insightful or meaningful.
Because of white men's fear of female power, sharing and equality. Of no longer being dominant in society.
'The Okay Witch' is cartoony and pure of heart, but its themes of family, and the dangers of a lack of progress in a backwards (and backwoods) community in the 21st century concerning race and gender, are very serious, severe and important. The family connections are the caring, beating heart of the comic.
Thirteen-year-old Moth Hush is a POC awkward social outcast. She starts off friendless, which is logically inconceivable since she's lovable, charming, and one hundred percent relatable. She is a fan of witches and witch media, even before she finds out she is a witch herself! The problem clearly lies in her school and town, Founder's Bluff, Massachusetts - anyone who is different is hated and bullied. Moth and her mother Calendula are pretty much the only nonwhite people in town. Its only claim to fame is its witch hunts in the 17th century, led by an evil, misogynistic and xenophobic man whose male decedents rule Founder's Bluff to this day.
Founder's Bluff. Its very name reveals too much.
Moth deserves to live in a better world...
I grew to love her relationship with her secretive, tragic mother. 'The Okay Witch' has such well developed, defined, and three-dimensional female characters. The matriarchy versus the patriarchy motif in the graphic novel is unassuming, yet direct and unmistakable.
I just adore Moth and the other characters, and the story and themes!
There's a talking fat black cat (every witch story needs one), a secret diary/portal, witch hunt history, a magic goddess's world that's a sanctuary for witches, LBGTQ content on the side that's nonetheless welcome and touching, and a male character, Charlie; Moth's new friend who's ordinary but, similar to Moth, is stronger than he thinks, and he won't live up to his family's toxic legacy.
"This is what it means to be a [Spoiler]. These are the great men of history...We made [Founder's Bluff] great. Even when they got in the way."
Hmm...see any current political undertones in this line?
'The Okay Witch' - Absolutely charming, sweet, magical, heartfelt, exciting, suspenseful, relevant, woke, and even heartbreaking. The worldbuilding, the magic system itself and the ways spells are cast, are simplified and uncomplicated - the only real "childlike" element in the book - but I don't mind. It is as bewitching in subtext as it is on the surface level. The ending of this emotional journey is lovely and satisfying. I cannot recommend it enough for everyone, and I mean everyone.
Change is possible, as are unity, and understanding and listening to "the Other". There are people who want change and are desperate for it. The patriarchy can be broken - it's deadliness, fragility, staleness and pointlessness are only too obvious - if we try. And keep trying. For as long as it takes.
Hooray for modern witch comics!
Final Score: 5/5
Graphic Novel Review - 'The Legend of Korra: Ruins of the Empire, Part Two' by Michael Dante DiMartino (Writer), Michelle Wong (Artist), Vivian Ng (Artist)
A good follow up that will leave you waiting for - well, agonising over - the next volume. It contains worthy character moments, big or brief, especially concerning Kuvira (I adore her grounded (pun unintended) redemption arc and hope there won't be any cop outs), Wu, Toph, Suyin and Opal. You will notice the strong female presence - female leader presence.
Also there's humour and suspense, running side by side.
The thing is, all of these volumes are too short! As are the action scenes. But at least most of the character interactions and development are wonderfully served. Great art accompanies everything.
Other highlights include Naga, and a Korrasami kiss on the very first page!
I just hope that, given the fast pace and compactness of 'The Legend of Korra' comic volumes, plot points, themes and the characters as they are will not turn out oversimplified.
Final Score: 4/5
Also there's humour and suspense, running side by side.
The thing is, all of these volumes are too short! As are the action scenes. But at least most of the character interactions and development are wonderfully served. Great art accompanies everything.
Other highlights include Naga, and a Korrasami kiss on the very first page!
I just hope that, given the fast pace and compactness of 'The Legend of Korra' comic volumes, plot points, themes and the characters as they are will not turn out oversimplified.
Final Score: 4/5
Wednesday, 13 November 2019
She-Ra and the Princesses of Power Seasons 3-4 Update
Looks like I didn't have to wait long after all. And it looks like it was worth it regardless. Seasons three and four are huge improvements over... whatever season two was. Short or long, there was a beginning, middle, and end to each season's plot - a natural progression. Good drama, character moments, LBGTQ content (we actually have a non binary character in a children's cartoon!), world building (and universe building), mythology, and most plot points that are finally followed up on. Now there is a finale cliffhanger done right. Overall I enjoyed the binge watch. You bet I will watch season five.
'She-Ra and the Princesses of Power' is an imperfect, colourful (in far more ways than one) little girl power gem of an animated series, for our times.
Speaking of nostalgic cartoons, I've finally seen 'Hey Arnold! The Jungle Movie'. Very good, as both a follow up/wrap up film and as a tribute to a great twenty-two-year-old series.
'She-Ra and the Princesses of Power' is an imperfect, colourful (in far more ways than one) little girl power gem of an animated series, for our times.
Speaking of nostalgic cartoons, I've finally seen 'Hey Arnold! The Jungle Movie'. Very good, as both a follow up/wrap up film and as a tribute to a great twenty-two-year-old series.
Sunday, 10 November 2019
Artemis Crescent - Fairy Pokémon Trainer - Cards
Got the old cards at last. So nostalgic! Fairy type and/or girly themed Pokémon cards (plus a free energy card) are my fave!
Total cards: 27
Fairy: Clefairy, Jigglypuff, Snubbull, Sylveon, Gardevoir, Togetic, Azumarill, Mawile, Aromatisse, Florges, Whimsicott, Slurpuff, Diancie, Klefki.
Normal: Blissey, Audino, Delcatty, Miltank, Meloetta, Cinccino.
Other: Misdreavus, Milotic, Beautifly, Vulpix, Cresselia, Gothitelle.
Total cards: 27
Fairy: Clefairy, Jigglypuff, Snubbull, Sylveon, Gardevoir, Togetic, Azumarill, Mawile, Aromatisse, Florges, Whimsicott, Slurpuff, Diancie, Klefki.
Normal: Blissey, Audino, Delcatty, Miltank, Meloetta, Cinccino.
Other: Misdreavus, Milotic, Beautifly, Vulpix, Cresselia, Gothitelle.
Friday, 8 November 2019
Graphic Novel Review - 'On A Sunbeam' by Tillie Walden
2024 EDIT: Still a powerful, passionate, enlightening, feminist space journey. The author's best work in my opinion (it's certainly the most coherent).
Final Score: 5/5
Original Review:
What a journey. An experience in space and time.
Be prepared to be thrown back to reality with a deep breath once you've finished 'On A Sunbeam'.
Words cannot describe the beauty, the near-perfection, of this graphic novel masterpiece by Tillie Walden. It's a quiet, gradual, yet human, powerful, and imaginative coming-of-age space adventure populated entirely by LBGTQA and ethnically-diverse women and girls - no male character in sight - plus a nonbinary character; and each are gorgeous and well developed in her/their own unique way. Now THIS represents what good science fiction should be - daring, unconventional, challenging, breaking down barriers, thinking outside the box - for there are no limits in space, and in reflecting the depths of the human soul, as well as of the wonders and mysteries of the universe.
For there is practically nothing conventional about 'On A Sunbeam' - it will surprise, enthral and enrapture you along its ride. Ships shaped like fishes are not its only novelty!
The seemingly simplistic art with its colours of white, black, yellow, light brown, shades of red, and shades of blue (for the flashback scenes of childhood), are captivating. The dialogue is only necessary and kept to a minimal - you could breeze through 'On A Sunbeam''s 535 pages in a day, marvelling at the scenery as well as the story and characters at each rocky, asteroid step. Space and space travel have never looked so magnificent.
Themes include: Love, loss, family, friendship, moving forward from the past, rebuilding without - and within, settling down, and just generally finding yourself and people you love and trust, and vice versa. Bizarrely, the school flashback scenes remind me a little of my own school experiences. Earth, space - wherever the school, it's not so different.
There are dangerous moments throughout 'On A Sunbeam', and it gets violent and intense towards the end, but nothing melodramatic, silly, unreasonable, contrived, or gratuitously shocking happens. It is the least fatalistic sci-fi story I've ever read or seen. Another refresher! The suspense is no less thrilling, because you care deeply about the characters and their relationships with each other.
Nice little trivial features: A character who's an aspiring writer. Plus a cat. This is too adorable.
A prism sunbeams' worth of highlights, but one I feel I have to credit - carefully without spoiling a thing - is this dialogue exchange, over halfway through the book:
"You don't get to decide what's important for us. You can choose for yourself, but no one else. [...] When you chose not to respect us, we chose not to respect you. [...] The fact that you expect people you shit on to treat you nicely shows just how delusional you are."
"I can't believe this. So I screwed up some words. You act like I'm a monster!"
"Wow...you, you really don't get it, do you? [...] Have you ever even considered that something that's trivial to you could mean...so much more to someone else? [...] You don't get to take the easy road out and just respect the parts of people that you recognize. [...] And, pro tip: If you find yourself in a similar situation in the future where you're surrounded by people you don't understand--try listening. It'll work a lot better for you than talking."
Wow. It is moments like this that transform a good story into a great story. There is so much that so many people can learn from in these few short lines. 'On A Sunbeam' is sci-fi that is relevant today, and life changing.
Infinitely warm in the cold reaches of space and its planets and regions. Full of love, care and affection. Touching and effortlessly diverse. Terrific.
Final Score: 5/5
Final Score: 5/5
Original Review:
What a journey. An experience in space and time.
Be prepared to be thrown back to reality with a deep breath once you've finished 'On A Sunbeam'.
Words cannot describe the beauty, the near-perfection, of this graphic novel masterpiece by Tillie Walden. It's a quiet, gradual, yet human, powerful, and imaginative coming-of-age space adventure populated entirely by LBGTQA and ethnically-diverse women and girls - no male character in sight - plus a nonbinary character; and each are gorgeous and well developed in her/their own unique way. Now THIS represents what good science fiction should be - daring, unconventional, challenging, breaking down barriers, thinking outside the box - for there are no limits in space, and in reflecting the depths of the human soul, as well as of the wonders and mysteries of the universe.
For there is practically nothing conventional about 'On A Sunbeam' - it will surprise, enthral and enrapture you along its ride. Ships shaped like fishes are not its only novelty!
The seemingly simplistic art with its colours of white, black, yellow, light brown, shades of red, and shades of blue (for the flashback scenes of childhood), are captivating. The dialogue is only necessary and kept to a minimal - you could breeze through 'On A Sunbeam''s 535 pages in a day, marvelling at the scenery as well as the story and characters at each rocky, asteroid step. Space and space travel have never looked so magnificent.
Themes include: Love, loss, family, friendship, moving forward from the past, rebuilding without - and within, settling down, and just generally finding yourself and people you love and trust, and vice versa. Bizarrely, the school flashback scenes remind me a little of my own school experiences. Earth, space - wherever the school, it's not so different.
There are dangerous moments throughout 'On A Sunbeam', and it gets violent and intense towards the end, but nothing melodramatic, silly, unreasonable, contrived, or gratuitously shocking happens. It is the least fatalistic sci-fi story I've ever read or seen. Another refresher! The suspense is no less thrilling, because you care deeply about the characters and their relationships with each other.
Nice little trivial features: A character who's an aspiring writer. Plus a cat. This is too adorable.
A prism sunbeams' worth of highlights, but one I feel I have to credit - carefully without spoiling a thing - is this dialogue exchange, over halfway through the book:
"You don't get to decide what's important for us. You can choose for yourself, but no one else. [...] When you chose not to respect us, we chose not to respect you. [...] The fact that you expect people you shit on to treat you nicely shows just how delusional you are."
"I can't believe this. So I screwed up some words. You act like I'm a monster!"
"Wow...you, you really don't get it, do you? [...] Have you ever even considered that something that's trivial to you could mean...so much more to someone else? [...] You don't get to take the easy road out and just respect the parts of people that you recognize. [...] And, pro tip: If you find yourself in a similar situation in the future where you're surrounded by people you don't understand--try listening. It'll work a lot better for you than talking."
Wow. It is moments like this that transform a good story into a great story. There is so much that so many people can learn from in these few short lines. 'On A Sunbeam' is sci-fi that is relevant today, and life changing.
Infinitely warm in the cold reaches of space and its planets and regions. Full of love, care and affection. Touching and effortlessly diverse. Terrific.
Final Score: 5/5
Thursday, 7 November 2019
Graphic Novel Review - 'Captain Marvel, Vol. 1: Re-Entry' by Kelly Thompson (Writer), Carmen Carnero (Contributor), Annapaola Martello (Artist)
Even though the intro expo of 'Re-Entry' does mention 'The Life of Captain Marvel' in continuity with it, the comic itself doesn't mention the F-U retconning twist of that shit pile story once, and that's good enough for me.
Yes, Captain Marvel is back from space, back from her life crises, from her rain check, and is on her way to returning as a fully-fledged Avenger, saving cities like Manhattan ('Civil War II' isn't mentioned either, another relieving plus). In 'Captain Marvel, Vol. 1: Re-Entry', Kelly Thompson brings out the best of Carol Danvers, and reminds readers just what makes her a great character and hero. Here she is actually worldly, experienced, wise, and above all, competent and effective, in spite of her drawbacks and weaknesses. She still struggles and learns, like any human of any age would, even one with alien powers.
Carol is a leader, a freedom fighter, a strategist, a caring guardian, a big talker and thinker, a sass machine, and a worthy superhero icon - who will go through hell and back to save as many people as possible. Her development throughout the volume is fantastic. THIS is what truly makes her strong.
Carol is far from the only superheroine present in the story, too. Spider-Woman, Hazmat, Echo, She-Hulk, and many others with or without powers; including a classic heroine who I won't dare spoil. Each will get her chance of development and badassery. Together these brilliant women will fight for freedom for all, from a monstrous, misogynist dictator villain, Nuclear Man.
A bright, solar light of positive female power - as well as positive, complex female relationships - in superhero comics. Can I get a hell yes!?
The only thing I really have a problem with is the ending, which at this point in 'Captain Marvel' comics feels tacked on and rushed. A "shocking twist" that disturbs the flow, tone and message of the rest of the plot - it is not serviceable. Haven't we learned this by now? It's a cliffhanger as well and that's not helping.
Will I ever rate a 'Captain Marvel' comic five glorious, flawless stars? Maybe someday...
But I can't deny that I was rooting for this Carol Danvers all the way, and wishing her and her friends well. How I have missed her being written competently! 'Re-Entry' combines the best - and the most introspective - of the awesome superheroine's past and present.
Colourful, fun, funny, thoughtful, touching, dramatic, action-packed, and smart - Carol, welcome back indeed.
Final Score: 4/5
Yes, Captain Marvel is back from space, back from her life crises, from her rain check, and is on her way to returning as a fully-fledged Avenger, saving cities like Manhattan ('Civil War II' isn't mentioned either, another relieving plus). In 'Captain Marvel, Vol. 1: Re-Entry', Kelly Thompson brings out the best of Carol Danvers, and reminds readers just what makes her a great character and hero. Here she is actually worldly, experienced, wise, and above all, competent and effective, in spite of her drawbacks and weaknesses. She still struggles and learns, like any human of any age would, even one with alien powers.
Carol is a leader, a freedom fighter, a strategist, a caring guardian, a big talker and thinker, a sass machine, and a worthy superhero icon - who will go through hell and back to save as many people as possible. Her development throughout the volume is fantastic. THIS is what truly makes her strong.
Carol is far from the only superheroine present in the story, too. Spider-Woman, Hazmat, Echo, She-Hulk, and many others with or without powers; including a classic heroine who I won't dare spoil. Each will get her chance of development and badassery. Together these brilliant women will fight for freedom for all, from a monstrous, misogynist dictator villain, Nuclear Man.
A bright, solar light of positive female power - as well as positive, complex female relationships - in superhero comics. Can I get a hell yes!?
The only thing I really have a problem with is the ending, which at this point in 'Captain Marvel' comics feels tacked on and rushed. A "shocking twist" that disturbs the flow, tone and message of the rest of the plot - it is not serviceable. Haven't we learned this by now? It's a cliffhanger as well and that's not helping.
Will I ever rate a 'Captain Marvel' comic five glorious, flawless stars? Maybe someday...
But I can't deny that I was rooting for this Carol Danvers all the way, and wishing her and her friends well. How I have missed her being written competently! 'Re-Entry' combines the best - and the most introspective - of the awesome superheroine's past and present.
Colourful, fun, funny, thoughtful, touching, dramatic, action-packed, and smart - Carol, welcome back indeed.
Final Score: 4/5
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