Book Review - 'My Shadow is Pink' by Scott Stuart

A triumphant, brilliant children's picture book about being yourself, defying outdated, antiquated and harmful gender roles, unconditional family love, and acceptance. There are parts that especially remind me of the graphic novel, 'The Prince and the Dressmaker'.

It's not quite perfect, but then, nothing is; no one is, and no family is. But as long as they love and accept their own children for who they are, and not by the masks they wear out of fear and for "safety", then society can be better yet.

Love is bravery. To love openly is to be brave, but it shouldn't have to be. And gender should not be a prison.

No one should be afraid of queer people existing anymore. No one should be afraid of boys and men wearing dresses and skirts. How childish--no, that's not the right word: children have more sense than fearmongers, censors and book banners. They're ignorant and idiotic, that's what they are.

Cishets need to get over themselves already, and realise and accept that not everything is about them, and that's speaking as a cishet woman, who loves pink, dresses and skirts, and loves to see other people wear those garbs, frills, petticoats, tutus, the lot.

I just don't believe it's right for a family to stop loving their own children for who they are. Family and home are where you are loved, for being you. I don't think this is a controversial statement.

There is no "normal", and there never has been. What is socially considered "normal" is subjective and relative, and changes all the time, and that's a good thing.

'My Shadow is Pink' - recommended to all the children (and adults) of the world.

The illustrations are darling and charming and adorable, too(tu).

Beautiful.

Final Score: 4/5

Book Review - 'I Love You Just the Same' by Keira Knightley

Normally I wouldn't be curious, much less buy anything by a celebrity's name alone, especially of a children's book around Christmas time. But this intrigued me enough on a book shopping trip, and as it turns out, it is quite charming, creative, and touching.

'I Love You Just the Same', written and illustrated by Keira Knightley, based around her own daughters, is a bedtime fable for siblings that is like 'Alice in Wonderland' and 'Labyrinth', with amazing experimental and avant-garde drawings. These don't always match what is written - when they are supposedly done by the same person - but the picture and poetry book is nevertheless a sweet children's tale of little sisters and family. And cats. And pigeons. And a mysterious, symbolic red ball.

'I Love You Just the Same' - a loving, creative effort and effect. A mother's love shines all through it. I will be giving it to my nieces as a Christmas gift.

Final Score: 4/5

Book Review - 'Anne of Green Gables' by L.M. Montgomery

If sunshine, honey blossoms, and smiles could be a book, it would be 'Anne of Green Gables' by L.M. Montgomery.

Honestly, I don't know what else to add that could possibly do 'Anne of Green Gables' justice. What else could I say that millions of other readers since 1908 have not? Except that I had been missing out astoundingly, inexcusably, for all my life.

I had first read the Canadian children's classic novel when I was much younger, and I inexplicably forgot about the majority of it, or I wasn't impressed by its "lack of plot and point". I don't know why I was such an idiot towards it, but I'm happy to remedy my mistake now, in late 2025, when I needed it most and didn't realise it.

'Anne of Green Gables' is the kind of book that makes you glad books and reading exist. It makes you glad to be alive. I would be hard-pressed by and distrustful of anyone who says they've read it and it didn't make them happy and grateful of the world we live in, at least a little.

It contains some of the best and most beautiful and colourful descriptions of the countryside, trees, firs, flowers, foliage, ponds, creeks, rivers, banks, and nature ever written by human hand and heart. No doubt, the writing is gorgeous, and giddy, sweet, and as bountiful as fields, woods, hills, valleys, avenues, and stars in twilight. (What willows and wisteria there are, too!). L.M. Montgomery achieved the goal of writing Green Gables, Avonlea, and Prince Edward Island in general as marvellous, splendid, pleasurable, idyllic places to live.

The written word is as blithe, genial, vivacious, sunny, and unique and unforgettable as Anne herself.

Anne Shirley is one of the most delightful, charming, enchanting, precious, adorable, adoring, bonny, special and golden heroines ever. It is she who makes the book the timeless classic it is. A wisp and sprite of a girl with a huge heart and a mouth to match it. She holds nothing back in her extreme natter and chatter - she has no filter whatsoever - and no one would want her any other way.

Anne joins Heidi, Pollyanna, and Sara Crewe on lists of classic children's novel orphan heroines who change the lives of the people around them through their undefeatable optimism and imagination (Dorothy Gale might also count). But unlike those, she is no perfect, angelic, saintly Mary Sue type. Anne has flaws, such as a bad temper, a dramatic disposition, flightiness, over-daydreaming, over-imagining, stubbornness, impulsiveness, capriciousness, restlessness, recklessness, and not thinking before saying and doing things, and these are acknowledged in the text, as are the mistakes and mishaps she makes in each chapter and episode in her life at Green Gables and Avonlea. These make her more grounded and relatable than most heroines written around the time of 'Anne of Green Gable''s publication, and they no less make her a staunch optimist and dreamer, determined to love life and everything it has to offer, and be happy. In that respect, Green Gables is the perfect home for her.

It is nigh impossible not to find Anne's positive attitude and outlook on life infectious.

L.M. Montgomery injected so much personality into her that one can't help but love her.

She is the very idol to look on on why girls and women should have unrestricted freedom of speech, exploration and education. They make for happier and more interesting and lovable people.

I think we should all try to be like dear, darling Anne Shirley, and appreciate and love the simple and pleasant things in life, and never be afraid to speak our minds, wholeheartedly and honestly.

She is a blessed, miraculous gift of a character.

One character flaw to highlight: Anne is obsessed with pretty things, and her idea of femininity is challenged by the other characters: it is always better to be smart than attractive, and it is wrong and stupid to be vain. Is Anne's fixation on narcissi symbolic?! (Though wanting pretty, fashionable dresses is a forgivable vice.) She is doubly, triply obsessed with what is "romantic", and having "kindred spirits", and what provides the "scope for imagination", and who possesses it.

It is also possible she has ADHD and is on the autism spectrum, and could be an icon for the neurodivergent.

I love that, as part of the book's narrative and framing device, many major events that happen are told in passing and through Anne telling Marilla Cuthbert about them after the fact - I have a feeling, an inkling, that this was done because the author knew that nothing and no one but her main chatty child character could divulge the information as effectively, playfully, and beautifully, with her stunning, unchecked imagination, fervour and humour, and proverbs that hold kernels of truth to them. Anne is a storyteller and poet, and she has got to start somewhere.

I could go on and on forever about why Anne is a fantastic heroine, not least of which - slight spoiler - when she grows into an older teenager she is a little reserved and less prone to talking for pages on end, but she still strives for further education and enlightenment for herself - with ambitions like writing poetry, and singing - no matter what occurs in life; whatever strikes as well as sparks. She remains wonderful and different, with extra selflessness, appreciation and compassion for her loved ones. How's that for coming-of-age development!

She doesn't conform to traditional gender roles!

...yet.

Yeah, I've read the premises, synopses and reviews of the sequels, and it is tragic. Tragical! I feel betrayed. Betrayed for the fearless, free-spirited Anne Shirley. It makes me ill to think how she ends up and how she's treated by the author in adulthood. To think she was a product of her time after all, emphasis on product; a discarded, neglected, dreamless tool of conservatism and the patriarchy, who loses her spark and independence. A hollowed out husk of who she was and everything she represented. 'Anne' suffers the same fate as 'Little Women'.

I will keep 'Anne of Green Gables' and pretend it's a standalone; that Anne stays a feminist icon. I will not be reading the rest of the series, if no one minds.

In reading 'Anne', I was also surprised by how funny, witty and clever it is, and how vast its vocabulary is, like a treasure of words on its many wondrous pages.

I will list my other thoughts on the book in scatterbrained bullet points. Again, I had no well planned out review in mind, to do Anne, Green Gables, and her episodes and scrapes any justice, so here's the best a dunce like me has got to offer:



• I'd notice there are a few typos in the beginning of my copy of 'Anne of Green Gables' (one of the newer 2024 editions). I looked into other editions - online and physical, in shops - and some have the same typos, while others don't. I am baffled. Could somebody explain to me how this is? How it's possible? I'd decided to do something I'd never done before and got a pen to correct the errors in my copy - for a classic! I noticed no other typos further along in my reading, however.

• Marilla Cuthbert can be a little mean, nasty, condescending and sarcastic, but it is part of her charm. How she develops, and how Anne ends up warming her hard heart, is beautifully written. Her brother, Matthew Cuthbert, is her exact opposite. He is a quiet, humble, gentle old soul who gets on with things, and is afraid of the female of the species, though he would let them do all the talking for him. One thing he is not afraid of is showing his affection for Anne when he is able, unlike his sister. I love these two surprise parental figures for Anne, who make up her foster family, even though they are still products of their time and are strictly and rigidly conservative Christians.

• In fact, pretty much all the characters are lovable in spite of their flaws and contradictions. They are flawed, real people, which makes them successfully endearing and enduring.

• Speaking of: Mrs Rachel Lynde, the nosy neighbour, Avonlea gossip, and "voice of reason, authority, and experience". What a cow, and like all conservatives she is so brainwashed by societal backwards thinking, and so out of touch, narrowminded and wrongheaded, and so chockfull of contradictions and hypocrisies when it comes to various aspects in life, that it's a wonder how she functions as an extroverted person who never shuts up about her opinions on everything. I hate to criticise a woman for being "outspoken", and especially if she should be too-easily referred to as a "nag" - an archaic, sexist term used by the patriarchy to dismiss women's reasonable and rational concerns - but outspokenness should not be a front for thoughtlessness and lack of sympathy and empathy in making her voice heard. She is a political nightmare. Rachel Lynde is the kind of person - who would be called a "karen" nowadays - who makes me want to say to her, "However did you make it to adulthood without realising the entire universe doesn't revolve around you and what you want it to be? And that other people don't exist to just serve your needs and whims - to do what you want them, to make your life comfortable and convenient? And you know it's okay to acknowledge that some of your views are outdated and harmful, right? And it is entirely possible you are wrong, and that's fine?" And yet, Rachel is endearing and amusing because we all know, or have known, people like her in real life. Rude, prying hypocrite that she is, she has her quirks that make her tolerable, and she is willing to concede her faults. She isn't heartless, or she doesn't mean to be. I don't think she is very "good" or "harmless", though. In addition, she one of the book's targets for the author's unfortunate fatphobia, but compared to other books, even modern ones, it is hardly vitriolic, nor pervasive.

• 'Anne of Green Gables' gets surprisingly political in a few spots, but it isn't too preachy or pious in comparison to other children's books of its cloth and era (*cough*LittleWomen*cough*). In depicting the real world, it is as fearless as Anne is.

• The slice-of-life, coming-of-age novel is fast-paced and there are time skips. It takes place in the span of four years, and it seemingly goes by in the blink of a starlight twinkle, but I don't mind. It's refreshing and readable, and never boring.

• I always looked forward to picking up 'Anne of Green Gables' whenever I could, which is a sure sign I was reading a good book.

• Gilbert Blythe appears sporadically throughout the whole novel, for all he is Anne's one true love of the series. It is just the right amount of page time for him when it is Anne's story. When he does show up, he is more amusing and noble than an annoying distraction. He isn't such a bully and nuisance at this stage of development - in fact, if anything he is too good for a boy his age. Though his last line to Anne in the final pages is a bit creepy, demanding and possessive.

• I laughed out loud at the scene where Anne breaks her slate over Gilbert's head at school. Imagine Heidi, Pollyanna, or heck, even Jo March doing anything like that! Another surprise from 'Anne': for its preaching and moralising in most chapters, violent and potentially dangerous acts such as these are shrugged off as no big deal - no real harm done! Even Gilbert easily forgives Anne, and he immediately knows and accepts he provoked her in his teasing. This leads me to:

• The chapter where Anne is dared to walk a ridge-pole on a roof, and she falls and breaks her ankle. She recovers completely after several weeks, and it is barely mentioned again. A serious injury like that is not something that can be moved on from and forgotten about! There are no lasting effects or PTSD from the incident! Later on, Anne doesn't even list it as one of the foolish mistakes she'd made since coming to Green Gables, and what morals she learned from them; what "cured" her of her shortcomings. Why doesn't she bring up the time she accidently got Diana drunk?!

• Oh, how did it take me this long to talk about Diana Barry, Anne's "bosom friend" and one of her "kindred spirits". Theirs is a wonderful, sweet friendship. There is definite queer (and not the old-fashioned meaning of the word) subtext that isn't subtext in their devotion, affection, and words of love for one another. It was inevitable that there would be modern retellings, such as the graphic novel 'Anne: An Adaptation of Anne of Green Gables (Sort Of)', that would stop dillydallying and let them be the romantic, sapphic pair they were always meant to be.

• Diana's little sister Minnie May is hardly a presence, an existence, anywhere, despite playing an integral part in one chapter where Anne literally saves her life and thus wins over Diana's mother after the drunk-Diana incident.

• Childhood girl-friends aside, Anne has a great many adult female role models and "kindred spirits", such as her teacher, Miss Stacy, Mrs Allan the minister's wife, and Diana's great-aunt Josephine Barry. What nice women, even "scary", cranky, spoiled old Josephine.

• The teacher Mr Phillips flirting with a sixteen-year-old student, Prissy Andrews, and sending her love notes, is creepy and inappropriate no matter the time period. Why was that included? Granted, Mr Phillips isn't portrayed in a positive light to begin with, but this crime is treated lightly, if pathetically. Do not approve.

• Another negative criticism: In the chapter where Anne dyes her hair, with disastrous results, and she confesses how it happened to Marilla, the latter accuses her of letting an Italian (read: foreigner) into their house...then Anne says the peddler/possible con merchant who sold her the hair dye was actually a German Jew. So the vagabond and deceitful conman of a child was a foreigner and a Jew. Greeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat. This unfortunately tracks with the xenophobia, specifically against Germans, that I've read about concerning L.M. Montgomery's 'Rilla of Ingleside', the final book of the 'Anne' series, and the outright racism in her short story set in Avonlea, 'Tannis of the Flats'. To her, anyone who isn't Canadian and white is dirt to be scorned and scraped off. Antisemitic stereotypes are alive and strong in her work, too. Montgomery was a product of her time (I keep having to say that as a defence--no, excuse, don't I? I'm not proud of it), despite her progressive thinking in other areas. Well, if I can forgive the racism in 'Jane Eyre', which is like an adult 'Anne', due to its phenomenal, raw, atmospheric and unforgettable writing, characters and feminist ideas, then I can do 'Anne of Green Gables' a similar courtesy. Although it is marketed towards children...

• On the subject of Anne's hair, I never got fictional characters hating their red hair with a passion, like she does. Redheads are awesome! Anne Shirley is one of the examples of this, out of multitudes! I'd love to have red tresses. I may be auburn in a certain light, inherited from my naturally redhaired mother.

• "Progressive, feminist thinking", such as in women's education, yet there remain other outdated sexist notions in the children's classic. There is no reason why Anne couldn't help Matthew out on the farm, as was originally planned had the Cuthberts adopted a boy instead. What about when Anne has grown older?

• Jerry Boute. Remember him? Matthew's hired hand at the farm? He is not a character; he is never actually present in the book, only in passing, and dialogue spoken by others. It's not clear if he and Anne ever even meet. Strangely, we never know what she thinks of the boy, and she talks about everyone.



There is lots to talk about 'Anne of Green Gables', a deceptively simple children's book!

I did not intend to make my review of it this long, trust me. It is suddenly 3am as I write and edit my ramblings!

Once again, I am happy to have given 'Anne of Green Gables' another chance, as an adult nearing my mid thirties. I needed something like it.

We all need it.

In my opinion, it is better than 'Little Women'. It is less saccharine, preachy and moralistic than that children's lit with "romantic" female main characters. To date it is my favourite orphan girl storybook next to 'A Little Princess', and Anne Shirley (as a child and teenager, at least) is one of my favourite literary heroines, and redhaired heroines!

I can't help falling in love with it. It is a glorious delight in book form, and a lyrical ode to nature, optimism and the human spirit, in all its faulty, tricky but unbreakable goodness, no matter the ups and downs of life.

Indeed, I dare say life would be incomplete for anyone who has not read 'Anne of Green Gables' once--no, multiple times.

What a beautiful, soulful, cheerful gem.

I won't be reading the sequels, but it certainly won't be my last L.M. Montgomery book.

Final Score: 4/5

Happy World Kindness Day 2025

Happy World Kindness Day to absolutely everyone.

But it should be every day.

Remember to be kind, always.

Read 'Words on Kindness' by Helen Exley (Editor).

Except, correction: being kind is the best thing you can be in your life and in the lives of others, and kindness does lead to compassion, wisdom, enlightenment and human appreciation and connection and survival.

Kindness, empathy, and love are the most important philosophies you can live by. They are the keys to happiness.

Treat others as you would like to be treated yourself.

Never take anything and anyone for granted.

Kindness, empathy, and love can never die. They are strong, and they will survive in us, always.

Scribble #144

Anti-fascism always.

Anti-authoritarian always.

Anti-capitalism always.

Anti-censorship always.

Anti-ignorance always.

Anti-hate always.

Anti-fearmongering always.

Anti-bigotry always.

Anti-racism always.

Anti-queerphobia always.

Pro-education and science always.

Pro-truth always.

Pro-human rights always.

Pro-human always.

Pro-diversity always.

Pro-choice always.

Pro-environmentalism always.

Pro-freedom always.

Pro-empathy always.

Pro-love always.

Protest and stand up for human rights always.

Take a stand together.

Keep fighting for a just, fair world. Kindness and compassion are natural and human, and are worth fighting for.

We are stronger together than divided, always.

You are not powerless.

Love and care cannot be killed. Someone loves and cares for you and others, always. Remember this.

Graphic Novel Review - 'She-Hulk by Rainbow Rowell Omnibus' by Rainbow Rowell (Writer), Various Writers and Artists

Rainbow Rowell's run on 'She-Hulk', from 2022-2023, is admittedly my least favourite 'She-Hulk' series and omnibus, that is still one of my favourites of the awesome green lawyer lady with the weight of the world on her biceps. It has the lowest stakes, the most romance, the most romantic drama, is almost painfully heteronormative for the 2020s, is perhaps the most disjointed and unfocused in terms of juggling so many storylines, plot points and characters (that end up going nowhere), and is the most unfinished - a lot is left unresolved and forgotten about, by this run's supposed end.

And yet, it is still She-Hulk.

The whole omnibus is fun, funny, colourful (all the art in this is to die for), entertaining, breezy (at fifteen issues I devoured it like cake in a flash-flan-pan!), and sweet. It is a Marvel series that is unapologetically girly, with as much focus on the array (in every sense of the word) of individual female characters as on their male flings and romantic partners, if not more so.

There is a strong emphasis on female friendship and support - I adore Jennifer Walters and Patsy Walker's relationship, and their "Eat Cake and Wear Fancy Dresses Wednesdays", and the Punch Club, which consists of the reformed former nemesis Titania and her bestie Volcana. Then there's Janet Van Dyne, aka Wasp, and Carol Danvers, aka Captain freaking Marvel, leader of the Avengers and the mightiest, greatest Avenger.

There's even a special story included where Jennifer forms a book club with her woman friends, including Sue Richards, Misty Knight and Colleen Wing. No villain attacks or fighting in that club, it's just women, who happen to be superheroes, talking, hanging out, and having fun being together. How refreshing!

Mallory Book, Jennifer's lawyer firm boss and other "former" nemesis, is the biggest bitch and hard-arse of the cast, who somehow manages to be among the most reasonable and grounded of the cast. "Firm" suits her to a solid T. She is like a female J. Jonah Jameson.

The Scarlet Witch is also present as an Avenger, but just barely, sadly. She doesn't graduate beyond background player.

Other badass ladies are Ganymede - the "last of the Spinsters!" - and Anathema - a Hulk! Though their appearances are too brief, and their stories either end abruptly or are forgotten midway.

There is a good, vast variety and balance of female personalities in 'She-Hulk by Rainbow Rowell Omnibus', plus friendships, and complicated frenemies, which sort of make up for the heteronormality.

The heart of the entire run is, well, Jack of Hearts. Or, actually, it is the relationship between She-Hulk/Jennifer Walters and Jack of Hearts/Jonathan Hart.

It receives the most attention out of anything, from beginning to end. Their romance is slow building at first, and well developed and sweet, if dramatic and highly complicated (when isn't it between superheroes?). They have a history together that's fraught with disaster and tragedy. They are both heroes powered and fuelled by gamma radiation - though Jack is the most cosmic, and nuclear and dangerous, an actual atomic bomb - and so their relationship is literally toxic. But not emotionally. They won't let the potential downfalls ruin their chances of happiness with each other. They make it work however they can.

Jen and Jack are mature adults who love and care for one another, and do their best to deal with the complicated situations in their lives (and bodies) - for the safety of themselves and others. I am on board for them as a couple, which is quite an accomplishment considering I had never heard of Jack of Hearts before reading the first volume of Rowell's series, initially.

On the subject of my subpar knowledge of Marvel comics, the newest 'She-Hulk' run may be enjoyable to new or newish readers, but accessible? No, not really. As light and breezy as it is, with the plethora of Marvel characters, relationships, histories and stories crowding and vying for attention, it can get confusing and not flow well.

I have unanswered questions, such as:

Are Patsy Walker, aka Hellcat, and Tony Stark dating? Did She-Hulk and Thor used to date? When? And when did Luke Cage become the mayor of New York? Where are Jessica Jones and their daughter Dani, and where do they fit in this? Is Scarlet Witch officially an Avenger again, and emotionally and mentally stable, and forgiven for everything she's done? (I am aware of what went down in 'Avengers: Disassembled' and its fallout and aftermath.) Have the events of 'Civil War II' been forgotten about, and Carol Danvers is back on everyone's good graces, including She-Hulk's, as they're suddenly friendly again? I'm not complaining, because that event was utter BS, but in canon continuity it is odd that the mid-2000s 'Avengers: Disassembled' storyline is bought up, mostly in relation to Jack of Hearts, but something as recent as 'Civil War II' is never mentioned once. Neither is anything from Mariko Tamaki's run on 'She-Hulk' which resulted from it, and that dealt with Jennifer's subsequent severe PTSD and trauma-fuelled Hulk-outs.

Okay, I'm on this tangent and I'm not letting off: In both 'Disassembled' and 'Civil War II', She-Hulk lost control in her Hulkness, suffered grief and trauma, and was left comatose! But never mind that - here's Rainbow Rowell's lighthearted romcom interpretation of the character. Tonal whiplash!

Oh, and Wasp was a big part of 'Disassembled', too, but not in this comic, where she never interacts with Jack or the Avengers. Even when Jennifer and Jack are living together in an apartment that was Wasp's and she gave to Jen!

And how did Jack of Hearts come back to life? Who revived him and messed with his powers? It's not even clear whether it happened in space or on earth. It's another mystery unsolved; abandoned, scrapped for his sexy times with Shulkie.

Additional cameos include: the Fantastic Four (Jen's membership and time with them isn't forgotten about, at least), the Deviants, Nightcrawler (him as a client to Jen, and all the potential awesomeness of that story, with her helping all of mutantkind, goes absolutely nowhere, WTF?), Wyatt Wingfoot, King Blastaar, Titania's husband Crusher Creel, Patsy's ex Daimon Hellstrom, or Hellstorm, a Doombot, Victor Mancha, Iron Fist, Moon Knight, the original, very alive Hulk (with no Bruce Banner, apparently), Thor, Vision, Black Panther, Tony Stark, aka Iron Man, and Captain America - both Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson. Steve likes book clubs too, it turns out.

I may be betraying my feminism by liking a superheroine comic with loads of superheroines and antiheroines in it, that nonetheless drives home the message that every woman needs a man in her life to be happy and complete - Ganymede seriously emphases this point by saying, "It's hard to know who you can trust [...] That's why it's so valuable to have an honest man at your side.", and She-Hulk agrees!

But sod it, it is my kind of guilty pleasure girliness, and I am a girly romantic at heart - my girl power loving heart and core. 'She-Hulk by Rainbow Rowell Omnibus' has cake, pretty dresses, fancy clothes and condos, and book clubs!

Through its romance drama and modern woman slice-of-life stuff, there is equally as much fun, action-packed superhero stuff. She-Hulk fights bomb thievery, an alien invasion, other Hulks, hell demons, and goes to a romantic resort in space - it is a superhero comic! She even does a John Byrne homage once and breaks - well, tears - the fourth wall. Lawyer, attorney and court stuff is thrown in in a suitable measure and respectful manner, of course.

Finally, I cannot overstate how brilliant the artwork is all around. Green never looked so good! And no fanservice! I love the art variants at the end.

For further analysis, read my review of where 'She-Hulk by Rainbow Rowell' started for me: 'She-Hulk, Vol. 1: Jen, Again'.

For my reviews of other 'She-Hulk' omnibuses and fun comics, read:


'She-Hulk by Mariko Tamaki Omnibus'

'She-Hulk Omnibus' by Dan Slott

'She-Hulk by Peter David Omnibus'

'Marvel-Verse: She-Hulk'


How sensational is She-Hulk!

Never mess with the Jade Giantess!

Thus concludes my last Marvel and/or DC comic review in perhaps a long, long time. It's been a hell of a few years, and I'm burned out again. We'll see how it goes.

Stay true believers.

Stay She-Hulk.



'She'll always be She-Hulk. [...] And she's given that name more meaning than it ever deserved. [...] She made it--she's made all of this--her own.'



Final Score: 3.5/5

Top 65 GOOD Chick Flicks 2025

This is an updated version of the Top 15 GOOD Chick Flicks list I made in 2019.

These lovely, positive, feelgood, often funny, often sweet, female-led films totally count as chick flicks, or romantic comedies.

And they are for everyone.

They are for all genders, and they are not inferior if their primary target audience happens to be women. They are not inferior if they have a female protagonist. It's 2025. Grow up already.

Also, animated movies can be chick flicks. Unlike my old list, I will not leave any out. I will not leave out animation in anything, unlike so many other film aficionados, critics and experts. Most Disney Princess movies are chick flicks - heck, a lot of Disney movies period are chick flicks. There are Studio Ghibli films that can qualify as chick flicks.

This is my personal favourite chick flick list, that count as such according to me, that anyone can enjoy, and feel nice, light, fluffy, uplifted, and teary when watching them. They have to have at least a bit of a feelgood romantic element to them (and it's not always hetero), as well, excepting a few... or several.

Like with my previous list from 2019, these double as films I find to be less problematic, harmful, lazy, clichéd, patronising, frustrating, infuriating, boring and tiresome than your average Hollywood hogwash and BS - in other words, products of systematic misogyny and cishet white supremacy fuelled by capitalism. The films on here don't aim to make women insecure and hate themselves and each other, and they don't make me want to kill myself.

So, enjoy!:

1. Beauty and the Beast (1991)

2. Ever After (1998)

3. Enchanted (2007)

4. Dumplin' (2018)

5. Erin Brockovich (2000)

6. How's Moving Castle (2004)

7. Kiki's Delivery Service (1989)

8. When Marnie Was There (2014)

9. Hairspray (2007)

10. Chicago (2002)

11. Hidden Figures (2016)

12. I Am Dragon (2015)

13. Whisper of the Heart (1995)

14. Last Christmas (2019)

15. Little Women (2019)

16. Mulan (1998)

17. The Sound of Music (1965)

18. Anastasia (1997)

19. Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) (2020)

20. Battle of the Sexes (2017)

21. Booksmart (2019)

22. Mirror Mirror (2012)

23. Barbie (2023)

24. A League of Their Own (1992)

25. Happiest Season (2020)

26. Turning Red (2022)

27. Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)

28. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

29. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)

30. Sleeping Beauty (1959)

31. Nurse Betty (2000)

32. Lady Bird (2017)

33. Heathers (1989)

34. Selena (1997)

35. Emma (2020)

36. Waitress (2007)

37. Frozen (2013)

38. Cinderella (1950)

39. Cinderella III: A Twist in Time (2007)

40. The Princess and the Frog (2009)

41. The Princess Diaries (2001)

42. Ice Princess (2005) (RIP Michelle Trachtenberg)

43. But I'm a Cheerleader (1999)

44. Saving Face (2004)

45. A Greyhound of a Girl (2023)

46. Bad Moms (2016)

47. The Cat Returns (2002)

48. What a Girl Wants (2003)

49. Clueless (1995)

50. Tangled (2010)

51. Charlie's Angels (2019)

52. Last Holiday (2006)

53. Dirty Dancing (1987)

54. Roman Holiday (1953)

55. 9 to 5 (1980)

56. Real Women Have Curves (2002)

57. Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken (2023)

58. Sita Sings the Blues (2008)

59. National Velvet (1944)

60. Red Shoes and the Seven Dwarfs (2019)

61. The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2013)

62. The Prince and the Showgirl (1957)

63. Josie and the Pussycats (2001)

64. D.E.B.S. (2004)

65. Barbie movies - The Nutcracker (2001), The Magic of Pegasus (2005), The Three Musketeers (2009), The Diamond Castle (2008), The Princess and the Pauper (2004), The Secret Door (2014), Star Light Adventure (2016), and Princess Charm School (2011)

I wondered whether to put Chicken Run on here, to spite one of its taglines, "This ain't no chick flick" (urgh! Why!?). But consider it an honourable mention.

I'll leave off with these parting words from my old list:

The general consensus and attitude concerning what are termed "chick flicks" is: they are inherently inferior and not worth the effort to make any good, because they're for women. This is precisely why they are so many terrible chick flicks to begin with. Be positive, respect your audience's intelligence. Leave them a different person by your film's end, for the better. No stagnancy, no patronising. Filmmaking is filmmaking - gender shouldn't come into it. Gender doesn't matter; it shouldn't affect a story's quality.

Make a nice, comfy, feelgood film that all genders can enjoy.

That's my list. Hope you all have a lovely day.