Another 19 books this month?! Cool. This February I also went to see 'Hidden Figures' (go see it, it's brilliant), and I watched 3 whole anime series'. I haven't binge-watched anime in years!
Happy Pancake Day, readers and heroes of social justice :)
Tuesday 28 February 2017
Sunday 26 February 2017
Graphic Novel Review - 'Wonder Woman, Volume 1: The Lies' by Greg Rucka (Writer), Liam Sharp (Artist), Laura Martin (Colourist), Jodi Wynne (Letterer)
The newest 'Wonder Woman' comic from the DC Universe Rebirth launch, and it is truly a relief how impressed I am.
Greg Rucka is brought in to write Wonder Woman once again. Despite the concern that yes, male writers keep getting work for writing her character as opposed to female writers who are just as capable and talented, Rucka doesn't disappoint.
The plot of 'Wonder Woman, Volume 1: The Lies' is a mysterious journey of literal self-discovery, and full of spoilers, so I won't reveal much. Only that its themes of truth, unraveling lies and deceit, dismantling the patriarchy, and helping others find their true selves and potential despite what oppressive leaders tell them - what Wonder Woman is about as a feminist icon - are all here. It's so gratifying in modern times to see the Amazon princess as what she was originally intended: a peace-keeping symbol of freedom for women everywhere. Her purpose involves love, community and protection for the vulnerable.
Diana is determined to find out just what the hell is going on in her life, as she feels her story "keeps changing". Meta-awareness of retcons is the starting point of 'The Lies'. Clever. In Rebirth Diana is a warrior, but only as a last resort will she use violence to overcome her obstacles. She is a kind, compassionate, selfless and intelligent teacher and diplomat, with a bit of an awkward, shy side to her that makes her more human than I've seen her in years in DC's shifting canon continuity.
There is also Wonder Woman's long-time foe Cheetah, aka Barbara Ann Minerva, who is given the chance to switch sides and overcome her curse as a prisoner of the Madonna/Whore-shaming and male entitlement. This comic is probably the best I've ever seen of Steve Trevor, a great, heroic soldier who treats Diana as an individual human being, and is aware of the terms "entitlement" and "toxic masculinity". Though admittedly his role does reinforce the blond White Saviour image in a foreign country. Steve ends up a damsel in distress whom Wonder Woman rescues, so no big change there. Him being eye candy as a beefcake for the heterosexual female gaze has nothing to do with my praise (honest). Etta Candy is Steve's commander, a black woman and an ops leader, fully in charge.
Well-known characters are treated with respect; close friendships and acquaintances abound. Everyone's a team player in each other's lives, earned through their long history together. Greg Rucka also brings back characters from his previous run of 'Wonder Woman'. Read on to find out who they are.
'Wonder Woman, Volume 1: The Lies' is solid and well-written, however it isn't a complete story by any stretch, nor a reboot. Basic knowledge of Wonder Woman is required to understand the situations going on. There is a White Saviour presence with Wondy saving indigenous women from slavery in a jungle setting, and then helping them help themselves against a product of their own misogynistic culture; apparently it didn't occur to them to try that in the first place. Not even in captivity. The action sequences happen either too quickly or off-panel, and while this does showcase Diana in a more peaceful light, weapons are still used for bloody mutilations, so it looks dishonest.
Footnote: I really don't like the pairing of Superman (mentioned in passing) and Wonder Woman. Even she acknowledges how it doesn't make sense. It just doesn't work; never has and never will.
But I really like how there is little dialogue in the whole volume; with less telling than showing, the reader can further appreciate Diana's identity crisis plight, the dark atmosphere and fitting artwork. The ending panels, the last page, are devastatingly tragic for her. 'The Lies' is a perfect title for the volume, since lies have always been the heroine's poignant enemy. And, really, anything that tries to undo Brian Azzarello's New 52 bastardization of her is an instant win in my book. It's nonsensical, misguided, disrespectful, and a horrific misunderstanding of Wonder Woman's character for her to be the God of War, whose merits and approval revolve entirely around the men in her life, and for her home of Themyscira to be a shithole.
That's it for now, on reading my first DC Rebirth title. All I have left to say is:
Welcome back, Wonder Woman. Welcome back.
Final Score: 4/5
Greg Rucka is brought in to write Wonder Woman once again. Despite the concern that yes, male writers keep getting work for writing her character as opposed to female writers who are just as capable and talented, Rucka doesn't disappoint.
The plot of 'Wonder Woman, Volume 1: The Lies' is a mysterious journey of literal self-discovery, and full of spoilers, so I won't reveal much. Only that its themes of truth, unraveling lies and deceit, dismantling the patriarchy, and helping others find their true selves and potential despite what oppressive leaders tell them - what Wonder Woman is about as a feminist icon - are all here. It's so gratifying in modern times to see the Amazon princess as what she was originally intended: a peace-keeping symbol of freedom for women everywhere. Her purpose involves love, community and protection for the vulnerable.
Diana is determined to find out just what the hell is going on in her life, as she feels her story "keeps changing". Meta-awareness of retcons is the starting point of 'The Lies'. Clever. In Rebirth Diana is a warrior, but only as a last resort will she use violence to overcome her obstacles. She is a kind, compassionate, selfless and intelligent teacher and diplomat, with a bit of an awkward, shy side to her that makes her more human than I've seen her in years in DC's shifting canon continuity.
There is also Wonder Woman's long-time foe Cheetah, aka Barbara Ann Minerva, who is given the chance to switch sides and overcome her curse as a prisoner of the Madonna/Whore-shaming and male entitlement. This comic is probably the best I've ever seen of Steve Trevor, a great, heroic soldier who treats Diana as an individual human being, and is aware of the terms "entitlement" and "toxic masculinity". Though admittedly his role does reinforce the blond White Saviour image in a foreign country. Steve ends up a damsel in distress whom Wonder Woman rescues, so no big change there. Him being eye candy as a beefcake for the heterosexual female gaze has nothing to do with my praise (honest). Etta Candy is Steve's commander, a black woman and an ops leader, fully in charge.
Well-known characters are treated with respect; close friendships and acquaintances abound. Everyone's a team player in each other's lives, earned through their long history together. Greg Rucka also brings back characters from his previous run of 'Wonder Woman'. Read on to find out who they are.
'Wonder Woman, Volume 1: The Lies' is solid and well-written, however it isn't a complete story by any stretch, nor a reboot. Basic knowledge of Wonder Woman is required to understand the situations going on. There is a White Saviour presence with Wondy saving indigenous women from slavery in a jungle setting, and then helping them help themselves against a product of their own misogynistic culture; apparently it didn't occur to them to try that in the first place. Not even in captivity. The action sequences happen either too quickly or off-panel, and while this does showcase Diana in a more peaceful light, weapons are still used for bloody mutilations, so it looks dishonest.
Footnote: I really don't like the pairing of Superman (mentioned in passing) and Wonder Woman. Even she acknowledges how it doesn't make sense. It just doesn't work; never has and never will.
But I really like how there is little dialogue in the whole volume; with less telling than showing, the reader can further appreciate Diana's identity crisis plight, the dark atmosphere and fitting artwork. The ending panels, the last page, are devastatingly tragic for her. 'The Lies' is a perfect title for the volume, since lies have always been the heroine's poignant enemy. And, really, anything that tries to undo Brian Azzarello's New 52 bastardization of her is an instant win in my book. It's nonsensical, misguided, disrespectful, and a horrific misunderstanding of Wonder Woman's character for her to be the God of War, whose merits and approval revolve entirely around the men in her life, and for her home of Themyscira to be a shithole.
That's it for now, on reading my first DC Rebirth title. All I have left to say is:
Welcome back, Wonder Woman. Welcome back.
Final Score: 4/5
Sunday 19 February 2017
Book Review - 'Our Own Private Universe' by Robin Talley
2021 EDIT: 'Our Own Private Universe' is a good, nice LBGTQ YA book, although I'm not as interested or as invested on the second read. Maybe it's too long and meandering? Maybe this time I had less tolerance for all the characters being liars and deceivers? But maybe that's to teach readers that lying causes far more unnecessary pain and suffering than just telling the truth in the first place ever could? Maybe it's all a little contrived? And shallow? That I didn't like the characters, but notably certain adults, being idiots to each other, for really no good reason? Maybe I didn't want to read about a fifteen-year-old having sex, even if it's with someone her own age? (Seriously, I had to keep reminding myself how young Aki actually is!)
But regardless, the rep is great. It acknowledges all kinds of sexualities (I don't recall asexuality being mentioned, however), and romantics. It's a coming-of-age recommendation from me.
Final Score: 3.5/5
Original Review:
One of the best-written contemporary LBGTQ YA books I've read. It's funny, warm, current in the issues it talks about, and, for a book full of liars, it's refreshingly honest.
'Our Own Private Universe' follows the story of Aki Simon, an American preacher's kid who, whilst volunteering in a church charity group in Mexico, has a summer fling with Christa Lawrence, as part of her many theories she wants to finally try out. This theory has to do with her bisexuality, and she puts this identity, her very sense of self, to the test. No hypothesising. Her rocky relationship with Christa, who hides her true self due to a conservative Christian upbringing, very soon grows into real love, temporary or not. Aki's life-long friendship with the more bold and daring (so she thinks) Lori is also tested, and the development of Aki's finding her purpose, and how she affects the lives of others in the process, is set in motion.
It's more complicated than what I've described, but it's a start. 'Our Own Private Universe' gets better with each chapter, so addictive and easy to digest it can be read in one day - you need to fully experience and appreciate this sweet meal. I never would have thought that from reading the first line alone:
'The stars above me danced in the cool, black Mexico sky. So I started dancing, too.'
Yeah, very YA-lite and borderline pretentious. But I'm glad I kept at it. There is more to the book than looking up at the depths of the sky and stars. It is about looking to the depths within ourselves. (Does that sound equally as cheesy? Did I intend it to? Who knows).
With its unique summer setting in the poorer areas of Mexico - with a weekend in Texas - described authentically, transporting me there, and its brilliantly-wide and diverse cast of memorable characters, 'Our Own Private Universe' is a smash hit. Robin Talley is an exceptionally talented writer.
It introduces topics that are vital for everyone to understand the world at large - they are much, much larger than ourselves. And it talks about and discusses the experiences of different sexual identities (that also include safe sex options) - straight, male and white is definitely not the default here (Aki and her awesome family are black). The intimacy and/or sex scenes between two teenage girls are written in not too much detail - nothing too graphic or coarse - but there's enough to let us know the fully-bloomed passion (there's a euphemism in there somewhere).
'Our Own Private Universe' can be frustrating with its realism. Aki, as cool and likeable as she is, is selfish, shallow, hypocritical, and she lies to Christa about her interests throughout the majority of the novel. Then you find out that practically everybody in the novel is a liar for no good reason, even the adults. Aki doesn't even seem to care about being a Christian - she follows her dad as an obligation, and there's nothing really about her revaluating her religious upbringing and questioning what she knows, bizarrely. Her ignorance of what she quickly deems as unimportant if they don't affect her personally is maddening.
But as much of a pain Aki can be sometimes, she is only fifteen - who wasn't a giant mess of contradictions at that age? She's learning that not everything is about her, that it is not only her problems and the issues she cares about that matter. Every issue deserves equal consideration in this world. At first Aki thinks she can't handle so many debates and feelings at once, but she underestimates herself, like all of us who are confused and have low self-confidence. Age has nothing to do with it. She stops badgering Christa to come out to her parents (which is Christa's choice, and can be potentially dangerous), and understands that every family circumstance is different, too.
The message of how religion can and should be about loving everyone, and that everyone deserves help from others no matter who they are and where they come from, is hopeful. Not many people caring if Aki is gay or bi is an example of this, whether it is realistic or not.
'Our Own Private Universe' is about the importance of truth, peace and love. Lies hurt, and so does hate; they don't help anyone. We can all build a private world for ourselves, and maybe not be afraid to let people in, as long as there's trust on both ends.
Final Score: 4/5
But regardless, the rep is great. It acknowledges all kinds of sexualities (I don't recall asexuality being mentioned, however), and romantics. It's a coming-of-age recommendation from me.
Final Score: 3.5/5
Original Review:
One of the best-written contemporary LBGTQ YA books I've read. It's funny, warm, current in the issues it talks about, and, for a book full of liars, it's refreshingly honest.
'Our Own Private Universe' follows the story of Aki Simon, an American preacher's kid who, whilst volunteering in a church charity group in Mexico, has a summer fling with Christa Lawrence, as part of her many theories she wants to finally try out. This theory has to do with her bisexuality, and she puts this identity, her very sense of self, to the test. No hypothesising. Her rocky relationship with Christa, who hides her true self due to a conservative Christian upbringing, very soon grows into real love, temporary or not. Aki's life-long friendship with the more bold and daring (so she thinks) Lori is also tested, and the development of Aki's finding her purpose, and how she affects the lives of others in the process, is set in motion.
It's more complicated than what I've described, but it's a start. 'Our Own Private Universe' gets better with each chapter, so addictive and easy to digest it can be read in one day - you need to fully experience and appreciate this sweet meal. I never would have thought that from reading the first line alone:
'The stars above me danced in the cool, black Mexico sky. So I started dancing, too.'
Yeah, very YA-lite and borderline pretentious. But I'm glad I kept at it. There is more to the book than looking up at the depths of the sky and stars. It is about looking to the depths within ourselves. (Does that sound equally as cheesy? Did I intend it to? Who knows).
With its unique summer setting in the poorer areas of Mexico - with a weekend in Texas - described authentically, transporting me there, and its brilliantly-wide and diverse cast of memorable characters, 'Our Own Private Universe' is a smash hit. Robin Talley is an exceptionally talented writer.
It introduces topics that are vital for everyone to understand the world at large - they are much, much larger than ourselves. And it talks about and discusses the experiences of different sexual identities (that also include safe sex options) - straight, male and white is definitely not the default here (Aki and her awesome family are black). The intimacy and/or sex scenes between two teenage girls are written in not too much detail - nothing too graphic or coarse - but there's enough to let us know the fully-bloomed passion (there's a euphemism in there somewhere).
'Our Own Private Universe' can be frustrating with its realism. Aki, as cool and likeable as she is, is selfish, shallow, hypocritical, and she lies to Christa about her interests throughout the majority of the novel. Then you find out that practically everybody in the novel is a liar for no good reason, even the adults. Aki doesn't even seem to care about being a Christian - she follows her dad as an obligation, and there's nothing really about her revaluating her religious upbringing and questioning what she knows, bizarrely. Her ignorance of what she quickly deems as unimportant if they don't affect her personally is maddening.
But as much of a pain Aki can be sometimes, she is only fifteen - who wasn't a giant mess of contradictions at that age? She's learning that not everything is about her, that it is not only her problems and the issues she cares about that matter. Every issue deserves equal consideration in this world. At first Aki thinks she can't handle so many debates and feelings at once, but she underestimates herself, like all of us who are confused and have low self-confidence. Age has nothing to do with it. She stops badgering Christa to come out to her parents (which is Christa's choice, and can be potentially dangerous), and understands that every family circumstance is different, too.
The message of how religion can and should be about loving everyone, and that everyone deserves help from others no matter who they are and where they come from, is hopeful. Not many people caring if Aki is gay or bi is an example of this, whether it is realistic or not.
'Our Own Private Universe' is about the importance of truth, peace and love. Lies hurt, and so does hate; they don't help anyone. We can all build a private world for ourselves, and maybe not be afraid to let people in, as long as there's trust on both ends.
Final Score: 4/5
Non-Fiction Book Review - 'Where Am I Now?: True Stories of Girlhood and Accidental Fame' by Mara Wilson
I don't tend to read any autobiographies, but I felt I had to check out 'Where Am I Now?'
I'd admired Mara Wilson before, for as long as I can remember watching films. She was a childhood icon of mine, nearly the same age as me. Like any kid in the nineties, I could recognize her in every film she's been in, such as the universally-beloved 'Mrs Doubtfire', her big debut at just five-years-old. 'Matilda' was one of my absolute favourite films growing up, and the book will always be my favourite from that time too. It had such a wonderful impact on my life. 'Matilda' is feminist and empowering without even trying, just like Mara Wilson herself.
Reading her autobiographical book, 'Where Am I Now?: True Stories of Girlhood and Accidental Fame', is a heartwarming and cathartic experience. Mara is so relatable! As well as being a fantastic writer, she's funny, yet insecure and has spent her life battling her self-image-and-esteem issues in an unfair and callous world, like a true comedian. In all the glitz and glamour of Hollywood and the pressures that naturally come for all child stars, Mara grew up with anxiety, OCD, constant worries and doubts, and had learned about adult subjects very early on in her life (making up for both the funniest and most tragic moments of the book). Acting is about constant rejection, and typecasting. Even the lucky ones have huge difficulties finding work - the roles they want - after a period of time, and for child actors this is no more apparent.
Mara is a writer above all else, however. Storytelling is what she's wanted to do all along, after a childhood of acting, singing and dancing, with mixed results.
'Where Am I Now?' is about her life - her family, her friends, the celebrities she met and worked with, her co-stars before they were famous, and about how her experiences as a starlet who always wanted to be taken seriously and rarely got the chance has shaped her in her teenage and adult years. This book is honest; Mara has no problem including adult content in every one of her essays/chapters, like coarse language, and her sexual awakening and partnerships. She is not a little girl anymore, no matter what some people want to remember her as. Even "cute" loses all meaning for growing child stars.
In spite of everything, Mara is a mature, down-to-earth woman. Now she tells her life stories in a funny light for a living.
'Where Am I Now' begins, weaves throughout, and ends simply but beautifully. Perfectly. The past is concrete, but the future isn't. And that's okay. We as human beings don't know where we'll be, no matter who we are or who we used to be. Everyone changes, everyone learns, and Mara Wilson effortlessly brings this philosophy to life. I'd look up to her, and I do, but I think she and I would prefer to be seen as equals on the same level and path together.
Not merely an icon, she is now one of my heroes.
Final Score: 5/5
I'd admired Mara Wilson before, for as long as I can remember watching films. She was a childhood icon of mine, nearly the same age as me. Like any kid in the nineties, I could recognize her in every film she's been in, such as the universally-beloved 'Mrs Doubtfire', her big debut at just five-years-old. 'Matilda' was one of my absolute favourite films growing up, and the book will always be my favourite from that time too. It had such a wonderful impact on my life. 'Matilda' is feminist and empowering without even trying, just like Mara Wilson herself.
Reading her autobiographical book, 'Where Am I Now?: True Stories of Girlhood and Accidental Fame', is a heartwarming and cathartic experience. Mara is so relatable! As well as being a fantastic writer, she's funny, yet insecure and has spent her life battling her self-image-and-esteem issues in an unfair and callous world, like a true comedian. In all the glitz and glamour of Hollywood and the pressures that naturally come for all child stars, Mara grew up with anxiety, OCD, constant worries and doubts, and had learned about adult subjects very early on in her life (making up for both the funniest and most tragic moments of the book). Acting is about constant rejection, and typecasting. Even the lucky ones have huge difficulties finding work - the roles they want - after a period of time, and for child actors this is no more apparent.
Mara is a writer above all else, however. Storytelling is what she's wanted to do all along, after a childhood of acting, singing and dancing, with mixed results.
'Where Am I Now?' is about her life - her family, her friends, the celebrities she met and worked with, her co-stars before they were famous, and about how her experiences as a starlet who always wanted to be taken seriously and rarely got the chance has shaped her in her teenage and adult years. This book is honest; Mara has no problem including adult content in every one of her essays/chapters, like coarse language, and her sexual awakening and partnerships. She is not a little girl anymore, no matter what some people want to remember her as. Even "cute" loses all meaning for growing child stars.
In spite of everything, Mara is a mature, down-to-earth woman. Now she tells her life stories in a funny light for a living.
'Where Am I Now' begins, weaves throughout, and ends simply but beautifully. Perfectly. The past is concrete, but the future isn't. And that's okay. We as human beings don't know where we'll be, no matter who we are or who we used to be. Everyone changes, everyone learns, and Mara Wilson effortlessly brings this philosophy to life. I'd look up to her, and I do, but I think she and I would prefer to be seen as equals on the same level and path together.
Not merely an icon, she is now one of my heroes.
Final Score: 5/5
Graphic Novel Review - 'The Infinite Loop' by Pierrick Colinet (Writer), Elsa Charretier (Artist)
Time-travelling lesbian social justice warriors. That's what this comic is, in as much of a nutshell as I can make it.
'The Infinite Loop' is one of the most polarizing graphic novels I've ever read. It is massively political and is not subtle about it in the slightest - like nearly every page contains a political statement. And yet, I don't mind. In fact, I think it works to its advantage. A story like this is certainly needed during such difficult times.
Teddy is a time-hopping agent, whose job is to eliminate anomalies in different time periods so the timelines are left undisturbed. But she isn't allowed to alter the past or future, leaving the status quo of the "Infinite Loop" flowing, no matter the horrors and how much humanity keeps fucking up over and over again. Teddy and others like her claim that love is what causes the worst periods in human history, and so she wants nothing to do with romance in her already strange life.
Until she meets Ano, a beautiful human-shaped anomaly/time paradox whom she was sent to erase from existence.
Ano becomes Teddy's reason for being, and her reason to fight back against the Infinite Loop. For everyone, including other anomalies.
And, well, things get really, really weird storywise. Everything else like human love is natural, of course, but the time-travel elements are more multi-layered, paradoxical and "confusing" than 'Inception'. While its message about equality is as in-your-face as ever, in other areas the book requires you to pay attention carefully.
Upon finishing 'The Infinite loop', I slowly realised that, in spite of a few setbacks, I enjoyed the hell out of it. This is what a graphic novel should be like. This is what science fiction should be all about. It contains an important message, is grand and plotted intricately - a feat for a time-travel story - and it's awesomely entertaining. There is nonbinary and genderqueer representation. It contains the female lead fighting a dinosaur! What more could you want?
The characters are dynamic and well-rounded. Teddy develops from a fun yet reserved young woman to an even more fun and passionate and angry political activist with a time watch. Her change does come a little too quickly early on, but she has enough believable doubts and self-esteem issues (she constantly asks herself if she's making the right decision, if she can win her fight, alone or with help) along the way that it isn't so bad. Teddy's competitiveness may prove to be her biggest failing; emotionally she's a ticking time bomb, and she is smart enough to know it, to control it for the greater good.
Ano, the mysterious Asian, anime-ish time anomaly, is Teddy's love at first sight, who the writer and artist mostly rely on to be cute and sexy over an actual personality. The more I think about it, the more I see Ano as a Manic Pixie Dream Girl, so her and her romance with Teddy are the weaker parts of the comic. But she does show backbone in helping Teddy to get up and do something for fellow, suffering anomalies. Ano wants to fight injustice as well, and she knows she can't be Teddy's dream and escape forever. So she's not just for eye-candy, and was never really for the male gaze - her sex scenes with Teddy are handled maturely, realistically; making up for how their romance could have used a little more development.
Ulysses, the male sidekick, is Teddy's office Intel partner for when she's on time missions to maintain the Infinite Loop. He starts out nice enough, and is in love with Teddy; he makes a move even though at the beginning she specifically states she wants to remain celibate, and why. But on finding out her illegal relationship with Ano, he reveals just what a scary Nice Guy with male-entitlement issues he is. The comic knows this, and Ulysses knows this, and is ashamed of himself for it, comparing himself to 21st century internet trolls ("neanderthals" as he calls them). He works to better himself, resisting the temptation of a promotion from his higher-up peers who are the embodiment of toxic masculinity. Eventually Ulysses, like a real friend, becomes an ally to Teddy's and Ano's cause. It's such rare development in a male character arc, and it is badass.
Like I said, 'The Infinite Loop' is passionate about its political message. There is research done on all kinds of people who exist: on social justice terms, on ground-breaking historical moments of gender and racial equality, and on tragedies caused by bigotry. These themes are very clearly implemented in order to give weight to the message.
The colourful artwork, similar to the bright animated works of Bruce Timm, flows brilliantly with everything going on. It's easy on the eyes and easy to follow.
But one thing that did bother me about 'The Infinite Loop' is this: with all its talk about activism, believing in change, standing up to injustices everywhere and in all aspects of humanity, allies, white supremacy, toxic masculinity, male-entitlement, that love/compassion isn't weakness, and how wrong it is to dehumanize/marginalize people who are different or "unnatural", and is perfectly aware of how racism works as well...
Whose bright idea was it to make the main antagonist a Black woman?
Tina is Teddy's and Ulysses' boss, who may or may not have invented time-travelling, it's not explained. I mean, maybe her villainy is to show how in the far future we have taken things for granted to the point where even the formerly marginalized can lose sight of what's important, and forget history even as they're a part of it. That power can corrupt absolutely anyone. Tina isn't in the comic much, and her introduction to the reader is of her getting tortured by the white heroine, I'm not joking. For someone who wants to commit genocide in the book's final act, the big boss is rather two-dimensional. Her goons are bigoted, muscly white men; shouldn't a man like them be the main power-hungry villain in a story like this? Especially one who, like Tina, at one point claims to be a friend to the underlings who've been conditioned since childhood to blindly follow orders.
I'd say Tina and Ano are the weakest links in this epic story that otherwise shows so much understanding about equality and how racism and sexism continue on. All part of human nature? Subtext added to go with its theme of history repeating itself no matter what anyone does? What anyone sacrifices? I'm not sure, it's confusing enough, and I welcome anyone who wants to explain these things better to me. Listening and understanding are key, after all.
'The Infinite Loop' - holy crap. With all its flaws, I'd still recommend it to everyone in a heartbeat. Science fiction put to good use, it's a fun and important read: a social justice warrior and decent human being's holy grail. I still don't understand how anyone can be against equality to begin with - it never did anybody any harm, unlike hate, ignorance, fear and greed - and to those who are against it, 'The Infinite Loop' is your no-nonsense, unapologetic teacher.
Nothing's perfect, but then, humanity never was, and probably never will be. The Infinite Loop is strong and forever resisting change.
But we can hope. Every time, hope never dies.
Final Score: 3.5/5
'The Infinite Loop' is one of the most polarizing graphic novels I've ever read. It is massively political and is not subtle about it in the slightest - like nearly every page contains a political statement. And yet, I don't mind. In fact, I think it works to its advantage. A story like this is certainly needed during such difficult times.
Teddy is a time-hopping agent, whose job is to eliminate anomalies in different time periods so the timelines are left undisturbed. But she isn't allowed to alter the past or future, leaving the status quo of the "Infinite Loop" flowing, no matter the horrors and how much humanity keeps fucking up over and over again. Teddy and others like her claim that love is what causes the worst periods in human history, and so she wants nothing to do with romance in her already strange life.
Until she meets Ano, a beautiful human-shaped anomaly/time paradox whom she was sent to erase from existence.
Ano becomes Teddy's reason for being, and her reason to fight back against the Infinite Loop. For everyone, including other anomalies.
And, well, things get really, really weird storywise. Everything else like human love is natural, of course, but the time-travel elements are more multi-layered, paradoxical and "confusing" than 'Inception'. While its message about equality is as in-your-face as ever, in other areas the book requires you to pay attention carefully.
Upon finishing 'The Infinite loop', I slowly realised that, in spite of a few setbacks, I enjoyed the hell out of it. This is what a graphic novel should be like. This is what science fiction should be all about. It contains an important message, is grand and plotted intricately - a feat for a time-travel story - and it's awesomely entertaining. There is nonbinary and genderqueer representation. It contains the female lead fighting a dinosaur! What more could you want?
The characters are dynamic and well-rounded. Teddy develops from a fun yet reserved young woman to an even more fun and passionate and angry political activist with a time watch. Her change does come a little too quickly early on, but she has enough believable doubts and self-esteem issues (she constantly asks herself if she's making the right decision, if she can win her fight, alone or with help) along the way that it isn't so bad. Teddy's competitiveness may prove to be her biggest failing; emotionally she's a ticking time bomb, and she is smart enough to know it, to control it for the greater good.
Ano, the mysterious Asian, anime-ish time anomaly, is Teddy's love at first sight, who the writer and artist mostly rely on to be cute and sexy over an actual personality. The more I think about it, the more I see Ano as a Manic Pixie Dream Girl, so her and her romance with Teddy are the weaker parts of the comic. But she does show backbone in helping Teddy to get up and do something for fellow, suffering anomalies. Ano wants to fight injustice as well, and she knows she can't be Teddy's dream and escape forever. So she's not just for eye-candy, and was never really for the male gaze - her sex scenes with Teddy are handled maturely, realistically; making up for how their romance could have used a little more development.
Ulysses, the male sidekick, is Teddy's office Intel partner for when she's on time missions to maintain the Infinite Loop. He starts out nice enough, and is in love with Teddy; he makes a move even though at the beginning she specifically states she wants to remain celibate, and why. But on finding out her illegal relationship with Ano, he reveals just what a scary Nice Guy with male-entitlement issues he is. The comic knows this, and Ulysses knows this, and is ashamed of himself for it, comparing himself to 21st century internet trolls ("neanderthals" as he calls them). He works to better himself, resisting the temptation of a promotion from his higher-up peers who are the embodiment of toxic masculinity. Eventually Ulysses, like a real friend, becomes an ally to Teddy's and Ano's cause. It's such rare development in a male character arc, and it is badass.
Like I said, 'The Infinite Loop' is passionate about its political message. There is research done on all kinds of people who exist: on social justice terms, on ground-breaking historical moments of gender and racial equality, and on tragedies caused by bigotry. These themes are very clearly implemented in order to give weight to the message.
The colourful artwork, similar to the bright animated works of Bruce Timm, flows brilliantly with everything going on. It's easy on the eyes and easy to follow.
But one thing that did bother me about 'The Infinite Loop' is this: with all its talk about activism, believing in change, standing up to injustices everywhere and in all aspects of humanity, allies, white supremacy, toxic masculinity, male-entitlement, that love/compassion isn't weakness, and how wrong it is to dehumanize/marginalize people who are different or "unnatural", and is perfectly aware of how racism works as well...
Whose bright idea was it to make the main antagonist a Black woman?
Tina is Teddy's and Ulysses' boss, who may or may not have invented time-travelling, it's not explained. I mean, maybe her villainy is to show how in the far future we have taken things for granted to the point where even the formerly marginalized can lose sight of what's important, and forget history even as they're a part of it. That power can corrupt absolutely anyone. Tina isn't in the comic much, and her introduction to the reader is of her getting tortured by the white heroine, I'm not joking. For someone who wants to commit genocide in the book's final act, the big boss is rather two-dimensional. Her goons are bigoted, muscly white men; shouldn't a man like them be the main power-hungry villain in a story like this? Especially one who, like Tina, at one point claims to be a friend to the underlings who've been conditioned since childhood to blindly follow orders.
I'd say Tina and Ano are the weakest links in this epic story that otherwise shows so much understanding about equality and how racism and sexism continue on. All part of human nature? Subtext added to go with its theme of history repeating itself no matter what anyone does? What anyone sacrifices? I'm not sure, it's confusing enough, and I welcome anyone who wants to explain these things better to me. Listening and understanding are key, after all.
'The Infinite Loop' - holy crap. With all its flaws, I'd still recommend it to everyone in a heartbeat. Science fiction put to good use, it's a fun and important read: a social justice warrior and decent human being's holy grail. I still don't understand how anyone can be against equality to begin with - it never did anybody any harm, unlike hate, ignorance, fear and greed - and to those who are against it, 'The Infinite Loop' is your no-nonsense, unapologetic teacher.
Nothing's perfect, but then, humanity never was, and probably never will be. The Infinite Loop is strong and forever resisting change.
But we can hope. Every time, hope never dies.
Final Score: 3.5/5
Sunday 12 February 2017
Top 10 Geek Girls
Welcome back to my Fantasy Feminist lists!
Today, I will be counting down my pick of favourite geek girls in fiction. These fabulous females are smart, relatable, brilliant in their own individual ways, and are all-out fangirls in their specialised fields. She's out and proud to be a geek, no matter what anyone thinks, and she is no walking, boring cliche. There's no "She's not like other girls" and "She's one of the guys" crap here, nor do these geek girls exist as some male-gazey fetish fantasy sold as being "feminist". No - I see these women as special because they cannot easily be labelled, they are so complex. They are just fully-rounded and nerdy, their gender has nothing to do with their character.
Fake Geek Girls - there is no such thing. There never has been. And these girls from different fandoms - TV shows, comics, etc - are here to prove it, though it should have been obvious a long time ago.
As with all my lists, the rules are fictional characters only, it is my opinion, and also to keep things fresh I'll only include new characters I haven't talked about before, otherwise most of the characters from my Favourite Females list would be on here.
With that out the way, let's start programming already!
10. Bedelia ('Princeless') / Hay Lin ('W.I.T.C.H.')
I've put these two in the same slot because they are comic book characters from a similar fantasy genre aimed at young girls. And they are both bright, optimistic, proud, and adorable young fangirls.
Bedelia is a half-dwarf blacksmith and fashion designer who makes clothing similar to Wonder Woman, Xena and Red Sonja. She has many talents, which sadly are not recognised due to her boorish father taking credit for her hard work in making swords for heroes, because said heroes won't take weapons made by a woman. Bedelia accompanies the heroic princess Adrienne on her quest to rescue her imprisoned sisters, and together they fight to take down the patriarchy and its rule by heartless men with the most fragile egos. This geek girl carries a giant hammer as a weapon, and despite her sprightly outlook on life, she takes her work very seriously and is aware of the harsh obstacles thrown in her way for being female. She's also possibly queer in her relationship (including stripping her down more than once, for clothes fitting) with Adrienne.
Hay Lin from 'W.I.T.C.H.' is lovely - only twelve-years-old and a chosen air witch Guardian of the Veil between worlds, like her grandmother before her. She's a fan of science fiction, comic books, fashion and design; making her Guardian duties a dream come true for her! As well as showing positive Asian representation with her infectious, likeable traits, Hay Lin was pretty much the only character I liked in the animated TV show adaptation; with her original personality kept intact, and she goes through some real, heart wrenching developments later in the series. Light and free and obviously geeky, this Air Guardian is a sunny breeze to watch and read about.
9. Cynthia "Mac" Mackenzie ('Veronica Mars')
Mac is low on the list because unfortunately, despite clearly being one of the best characters in 'Veronica Mars', she doesn't appear much in the series, not even in season three, where her actor is credited in the opening. Plus I don't really like 'Veronica Mars' at all. Mac was the only character I consistently liked on the show. Why? Because she was so nice and, well, normal. She felt like a person I could talk to and have a chat with in school without any ulterior motives at play. Mac is intelligent and an expert on computers, but she isn't antisocial, though she is a little shy at first. She's a true friend: warm, reliable, loyal and trustworthy, as well as savvy when she needs to be. A computer and electronics geek with a weave of purple in her hair, yes, but the writing and Tina Majorino's performance make her refreshingly down to earth. In Mac's first appearance, when she finds out she was accidentally switched at birth (one of the very least contrived things to happen in the show's small setting, believe me), it is handled very well and is genuinely touching in its simplicity, no desperate audience manipulation to be garnered from it. Her sexual exploits and relationships come season three are downplayed, not made a big deal - it's just presented as normal development for her once she's in collage. Normal teenage girl character development with no slut shaming or anything that suggests she's being judged harshly by the writers? Shocking! A pity the rest of 'Veronica Mars' isn't that self-aware. Anyway, I adore Mac. She's always deserved better.
8. Edward Wong Hau Pepelu Tivrusky IV ('Cowboy Bebop')
Now here is the textbook definition of a geek, in terms of obsessiveness. Edward lives and breathes machines and computer programmes, so much so she has no social skills to speak of. One part of her brain functions above all other parts - she thinks in digits and numbers. When she talks she sounds like a sheltered child trying out words and vocabulary for the first time, which may be what she is, this mysterious young girl with an androgynous appearance from a desert planet. She never wears anything on her feet, and she even walks like a developing toddler, going fast on all fours most times - her physical body is merely a tool for her to use to get from one place to the next. Comfort for her is looking at a computer screen and challenging herself. Edward is an expert hacker and genius. She can learn anything from a computer, including games, and effortlessly beat said computer using its own rules! She is absolutely fearless, and will take any risks, common sense and probabilities be damned. She doesn't care about all that - she loves life and its progressive, mechanical wonders too much. Carefree, loud and spontaneous, Edward is a memorable relief in contrast to the rest of the sombre (and pretentious, except for Jet Black) cast in 'Cowboy Bebop'. There is no other character like her anywhere else, female or otherwise. I think the closest we get is Holtzmann from 'Ghostbusters' (2016). But Edward is one of a kind, vital for any needs of a crew.
7. Yomiko Readman ('Read or Die')
If Edward is the geek of computers, then Yomiko is the geek of books. She is the ultimate bookworm; she can even control paper, earning her the Library agent code name "The Paper". Yomiko LOVES books. She will buy them and read them anywhere, no matter her short income, and will do anything to get the book she wants, at the risk to her life. Far from being a typical nerdy anime girl with glasses, Yomiko is sweet, charming, resourceful, and an actual main lead in her show! Her adoration of books is relatable to me, and enough to make me like her, but her ability to shape paper in any way shows her creativity earned from reading, as well as her skills as a strategist. It is hinted that she may have a closer-than-friendship bond with the 'Read or Die' OVA's other female lead, Nancy Makuhari, aka "Miss Deep", who fills the anime fanservice role (or wank material, as I call it). Seriously, in Yomiko Readman the anime OVA has a normal-ish, sympathetic and modest female character who is strong and smart in her own right. But it's like the production team thought, "Oh shit, there's no boobs in our product! Adolescent boys and men won't watch it otherwise! Quick, let's add in another female character with knockers bigger than her head, and a cleavage wider than the Atlantic! Thew, the anime felt naked there for a minute!" I know Nancy is more complex and useful to the plot than that, but women like her are so common in anime it's clear what her main purpose was. But back to the star that is Yomiko. Kind, caring, and an avid reader and superhero-type that every bookworm can have fun projecting themselves onto. Her English dub voice is also adorable and suits her perfectly. A true pagemaster.
6. Washu Hakubi ('Tenchi Muyo!')
She's the greatest scientific genius and inventor in the universe. What more can I add? There's nothing really solid to say about Washu's character, since the 'Tenchi' franchise changes continuity as often as the DC Universe. But the main things to note are: She's the smart and logical one of the Harem cast, is a mad scientist for her enthusiasm and her thousands of creations and schemes, and again depending on continuity, she may be immortal, and a demon with magical powers. Yet with all this in mind, she is the most down to earth, caring and maternal of Tenchi's many female admirers. 'Tenchi' is one of those anime from my youth that I fondly remember, with its huge cast of female characters that are unique and complex; they don't exist solely for the main male lead and his development (little there is in contrast to the awesome ladies he is surrounded by). I kind of regret not including Ryoko Hakubi (Washu's daughter in most incarnations) on my Top Ten Female Jerks list, but I felt I had added in enough anime characters already. Washu, the wild pink-haired lady (who would fit perfectly in the 'Dragon Ball' universe, the more I think about it), is brilliant. Hard as nails, capable, and could rule the entire universe with her doomsday devices but chooses not to because she has the heart and common sense not to, she and Ryoko are favourites for me. Washu Hakubi is the greatest, most practical and passionate geek in the universe! But who else do I like better?
5. Kamala Khan (Ms. Marvel) (Marvel)
A geek in the Marvel universe who's an ascended fangirl. Teenager Kamala is an introvert who writes superhero fanfiction, does fan art, and is obsessed with the real heroes of her world, who help shape her values and her view of justice. She also respects her Muslim religion and heritage; she's still a geek girl, no matter what. She fulfils every comic book nerd's dream of meeting their favourite superheroes time and again on fun and dangerous missions. Kamala as the new Ms. Marvel, with powers granted to her mysteriously by Carol Danvers, now Captain Marvel, shows much needed common sense in the Marvel universe, and she never loses her way or her sight of justice, and what it means to help people. She knows what it means to be a hero - great power comes great responsibility and all - and thinks of others before herself, and what her actions could mean as a consequence for everyone else. Kamala can get understandably and appropriately happy or angry at her heroes, but she is also a hero, and she will do what must be done to fix things in the name of justice. Social justice. Clumsy, insecure, but brave and remaining true to what she's been taught about right and wrong - from her heroes and her religion - Kamala Khan is both a stand-in for superhero fans and a hero growing into her own identity; a geek at heart, just like early-days Peter Parker.
4. Barbara "Bobbi" Morse (Mockingbird) (Marvel)
A Marvel superhero nerd who is more mature and experienced than Kamala, Bobbi is an excellent biochemist, martial artist, and a geek of Marvel heroes and BDSM, among so many other things. I've talked about her at length in my review of her solo comic series from 2016, 'I Can Explain', which for horribly stupid reasons got cancelled way before its time. Check it out here for more details. Yeah I'm keeping this short, but I'll leave off by saying that when it comes to the varieties of how geeks are, what they're capable of, and how they can be portrayed, there is nothing Mockingbird hasn't covered. A genius at nearly everything, she is pure badass.
3. Doctor K ('Power Rangers: RPM')
One of the most complex characters to appear in any 'Power Rangers' season. Doctor K is the young mentor of the Rangers. Her backstory is she was a child prodigy taken by seedy government agents to mould her into their own scientist and inventor puppet. The underground project, Alphabet Soup, as well as taking her childhood away from her under the guise of a happy family keeping her safe from the sun, conditioned her to the point where she cannot remember her name anymore. I won't reveal anything else due to spoilers, but her origin episode is one of the most well-written and heartbreaking things that 'Power Rangers' has ever done. Indeed 'RPM' is widely regarded as a "dark" series, set in a post-apocalyptic earth run by machines (hello, 'Terminator'). My boyfriend introduced me to it - long after I'd stopped watching anything Ranger-related as a kid - and the writing and acting is superior to some of what I remember the shows to be like. Doctor K herself exemplifies this. She is genuinely a brilliant scientist and inventor - learning to do things on her own terms and gradually undoing the brainwashing from the secret, sheltered, lonely upbringing in Alphabet Soup. At first she's blunt, deliberately antisocial and standoffish, for understandable reasons, but very slowly but surely she warms up to the Power Rangers whose well being she is responsible for. And with her sweet tooth and fluffy rabbit slippers for bedtime, she is a kid deep down in her repressed heart. A clever social commentary for child abuse and for expecting far too much from genius prodigies, Doctor K is highly interesting and even a bit cute as her own person, with her individual brand of snark. (Another thing she's good at? The violin). She is vastly competent and will do anything to save lives and the whole world - an admirable heroic nerd not to be overlooked, regardless of the show she came from.
2. Connie Maheswaran ('Steven Universe')
The most modern geek girl of the bunch, and a must for any of these kinds of lists. Connie is the human best friend of the titular character, who grounds him to normal human life in contrast to the fantasy and bizarre elements of Steven's upbringing. At least, that's what her function is at first. Connie, an Indian girl who starts out as an incredibly shy, sensitive and friendless preteen, reveals where her passions lie in future episodes. She loves movies and books, and like a real blogger on the internet, she expresses how she feels about them to anyone who'll listen. She also talks about the film adaptations of what she holds dear. She may be shy in the outside world, but when it comes to fandom and social media, she makes sure her voice is heard. She plays computer games, and becomes a swordswoman later on in the series - she lives out every feminist fangirl's dream. She doesn't have magical powers of her own, but she learns her way around that, by fighting, and getting involved in Steven's life as much as possible, because she cares deeply for her first real friend. Connie Maheswaran is a testament to the human spirit, and because of how relatable she is in this nostalgia-fuelled day and age, she may be my favourite character on the show. Hmm, I think maybe I should start watching more of 'Steven Universe' again.
And my number 1 favourite geek girl is...
1. Lisa Simpson ('The Simpsons')
To me, Lisa Simpson is the quintessential geek girl. She is the first one I grew up watching, and her impact still holds up to this day. She has always been a geek, a feminist, a social justice warrior, and a passionate fangirl, way back before those things had names. This permanent eight-year-old has had many skills and ambitions in 'The Simpsons''s twenty-five-plus years run: A jazz musician, a vegetarian, a Buddhist, an activist, a dancer, a singer, a writer, a linguist, a TV guest, an anchor and host, a collage student, a clown, an archaeologist, an astronomer, I could go on and on. Barbie and Bobbi Morse are in awe of this genius little girl who lives in a world where intelligence is ignored and shoved aside. Lisa has also had depression, social anxiety, and anorexia. My favourite 'The Simpsons' episode of all time is 'Lisa's Substitute', where the lonely, special outcast girl is given a gift which shows her all she will ever need to know in her life: That gift is a note reminding her that, "You are Lisa Simpson". She can do anything she puts her mind to. Sure, in recent years she especially became what many of the show's detractors - reasonably thinking that it has gone on too long - call an insufferable, liberal know-it-all. True, she is a creator's pet and shows a smug superiority complex at times and isn't always likeable. But 'The Simpsons' is self-aware enough to acknowledge this and put spins on it. Lisa Simpson continues to represent that it is important, as well as cool, to be smart. In one future she's even the President of the United States. Yeah, today that holds no serious meaning and is no guarantee of qualification and expertise, but at the time of that episode's airing - seeing Lisa as the first female President - it was a big frikking deal. Now more than ever we need nerdy Lisa's words of wisdom; for her bravery in fighting for peace, justice and equality, to make the world a better place for everyone. In all her versatility and knowing right from wrong, she still loves violent cartoons, dolls, ponies, unicorns and other fantasy creatures. Lisa is a member of many fandoms, and for any girl desperate to see herself on television in a positive and complex light, it is a worthwhile miracle. I wonder if her sister Maggie will end up being even more brilliant than she is.
Today, I will be counting down my pick of favourite geek girls in fiction. These fabulous females are smart, relatable, brilliant in their own individual ways, and are all-out fangirls in their specialised fields. She's out and proud to be a geek, no matter what anyone thinks, and she is no walking, boring cliche. There's no "She's not like other girls" and "She's one of the guys" crap here, nor do these geek girls exist as some male-gazey fetish fantasy sold as being "feminist". No - I see these women as special because they cannot easily be labelled, they are so complex. They are just fully-rounded and nerdy, their gender has nothing to do with their character.
Fake Geek Girls - there is no such thing. There never has been. And these girls from different fandoms - TV shows, comics, etc - are here to prove it, though it should have been obvious a long time ago.
As with all my lists, the rules are fictional characters only, it is my opinion, and also to keep things fresh I'll only include new characters I haven't talked about before, otherwise most of the characters from my Favourite Females list would be on here.
With that out the way, let's start programming already!
10. Bedelia ('Princeless') / Hay Lin ('W.I.T.C.H.')
I've put these two in the same slot because they are comic book characters from a similar fantasy genre aimed at young girls. And they are both bright, optimistic, proud, and adorable young fangirls.
Bedelia is a half-dwarf blacksmith and fashion designer who makes clothing similar to Wonder Woman, Xena and Red Sonja. She has many talents, which sadly are not recognised due to her boorish father taking credit for her hard work in making swords for heroes, because said heroes won't take weapons made by a woman. Bedelia accompanies the heroic princess Adrienne on her quest to rescue her imprisoned sisters, and together they fight to take down the patriarchy and its rule by heartless men with the most fragile egos. This geek girl carries a giant hammer as a weapon, and despite her sprightly outlook on life, she takes her work very seriously and is aware of the harsh obstacles thrown in her way for being female. She's also possibly queer in her relationship (including stripping her down more than once, for clothes fitting) with Adrienne.
Hay Lin from 'W.I.T.C.H.' is lovely - only twelve-years-old and a chosen air witch Guardian of the Veil between worlds, like her grandmother before her. She's a fan of science fiction, comic books, fashion and design; making her Guardian duties a dream come true for her! As well as showing positive Asian representation with her infectious, likeable traits, Hay Lin was pretty much the only character I liked in the animated TV show adaptation; with her original personality kept intact, and she goes through some real, heart wrenching developments later in the series. Light and free and obviously geeky, this Air Guardian is a sunny breeze to watch and read about.
9. Cynthia "Mac" Mackenzie ('Veronica Mars')
Mac is low on the list because unfortunately, despite clearly being one of the best characters in 'Veronica Mars', she doesn't appear much in the series, not even in season three, where her actor is credited in the opening. Plus I don't really like 'Veronica Mars' at all. Mac was the only character I consistently liked on the show. Why? Because she was so nice and, well, normal. She felt like a person I could talk to and have a chat with in school without any ulterior motives at play. Mac is intelligent and an expert on computers, but she isn't antisocial, though she is a little shy at first. She's a true friend: warm, reliable, loyal and trustworthy, as well as savvy when she needs to be. A computer and electronics geek with a weave of purple in her hair, yes, but the writing and Tina Majorino's performance make her refreshingly down to earth. In Mac's first appearance, when she finds out she was accidentally switched at birth (one of the very least contrived things to happen in the show's small setting, believe me), it is handled very well and is genuinely touching in its simplicity, no desperate audience manipulation to be garnered from it. Her sexual exploits and relationships come season three are downplayed, not made a big deal - it's just presented as normal development for her once she's in collage. Normal teenage girl character development with no slut shaming or anything that suggests she's being judged harshly by the writers? Shocking! A pity the rest of 'Veronica Mars' isn't that self-aware. Anyway, I adore Mac. She's always deserved better.
8. Edward Wong Hau Pepelu Tivrusky IV ('Cowboy Bebop')
Now here is the textbook definition of a geek, in terms of obsessiveness. Edward lives and breathes machines and computer programmes, so much so she has no social skills to speak of. One part of her brain functions above all other parts - she thinks in digits and numbers. When she talks she sounds like a sheltered child trying out words and vocabulary for the first time, which may be what she is, this mysterious young girl with an androgynous appearance from a desert planet. She never wears anything on her feet, and she even walks like a developing toddler, going fast on all fours most times - her physical body is merely a tool for her to use to get from one place to the next. Comfort for her is looking at a computer screen and challenging herself. Edward is an expert hacker and genius. She can learn anything from a computer, including games, and effortlessly beat said computer using its own rules! She is absolutely fearless, and will take any risks, common sense and probabilities be damned. She doesn't care about all that - she loves life and its progressive, mechanical wonders too much. Carefree, loud and spontaneous, Edward is a memorable relief in contrast to the rest of the sombre (and pretentious, except for Jet Black) cast in 'Cowboy Bebop'. There is no other character like her anywhere else, female or otherwise. I think the closest we get is Holtzmann from 'Ghostbusters' (2016). But Edward is one of a kind, vital for any needs of a crew.
7. Yomiko Readman ('Read or Die')
If Edward is the geek of computers, then Yomiko is the geek of books. She is the ultimate bookworm; she can even control paper, earning her the Library agent code name "The Paper". Yomiko LOVES books. She will buy them and read them anywhere, no matter her short income, and will do anything to get the book she wants, at the risk to her life. Far from being a typical nerdy anime girl with glasses, Yomiko is sweet, charming, resourceful, and an actual main lead in her show! Her adoration of books is relatable to me, and enough to make me like her, but her ability to shape paper in any way shows her creativity earned from reading, as well as her skills as a strategist. It is hinted that she may have a closer-than-friendship bond with the 'Read or Die' OVA's other female lead, Nancy Makuhari, aka "Miss Deep", who fills the anime fanservice role (or wank material, as I call it). Seriously, in Yomiko Readman the anime OVA has a normal-ish, sympathetic and modest female character who is strong and smart in her own right. But it's like the production team thought, "Oh shit, there's no boobs in our product! Adolescent boys and men won't watch it otherwise! Quick, let's add in another female character with knockers bigger than her head, and a cleavage wider than the Atlantic! Thew, the anime felt naked there for a minute!" I know Nancy is more complex and useful to the plot than that, but women like her are so common in anime it's clear what her main purpose was. But back to the star that is Yomiko. Kind, caring, and an avid reader and superhero-type that every bookworm can have fun projecting themselves onto. Her English dub voice is also adorable and suits her perfectly. A true pagemaster.
6. Washu Hakubi ('Tenchi Muyo!')
She's the greatest scientific genius and inventor in the universe. What more can I add? There's nothing really solid to say about Washu's character, since the 'Tenchi' franchise changes continuity as often as the DC Universe. But the main things to note are: She's the smart and logical one of the Harem cast, is a mad scientist for her enthusiasm and her thousands of creations and schemes, and again depending on continuity, she may be immortal, and a demon with magical powers. Yet with all this in mind, she is the most down to earth, caring and maternal of Tenchi's many female admirers. 'Tenchi' is one of those anime from my youth that I fondly remember, with its huge cast of female characters that are unique and complex; they don't exist solely for the main male lead and his development (little there is in contrast to the awesome ladies he is surrounded by). I kind of regret not including Ryoko Hakubi (Washu's daughter in most incarnations) on my Top Ten Female Jerks list, but I felt I had added in enough anime characters already. Washu, the wild pink-haired lady (who would fit perfectly in the 'Dragon Ball' universe, the more I think about it), is brilliant. Hard as nails, capable, and could rule the entire universe with her doomsday devices but chooses not to because she has the heart and common sense not to, she and Ryoko are favourites for me. Washu Hakubi is the greatest, most practical and passionate geek in the universe! But who else do I like better?
5. Kamala Khan (Ms. Marvel) (Marvel)
A geek in the Marvel universe who's an ascended fangirl. Teenager Kamala is an introvert who writes superhero fanfiction, does fan art, and is obsessed with the real heroes of her world, who help shape her values and her view of justice. She also respects her Muslim religion and heritage; she's still a geek girl, no matter what. She fulfils every comic book nerd's dream of meeting their favourite superheroes time and again on fun and dangerous missions. Kamala as the new Ms. Marvel, with powers granted to her mysteriously by Carol Danvers, now Captain Marvel, shows much needed common sense in the Marvel universe, and she never loses her way or her sight of justice, and what it means to help people. She knows what it means to be a hero - great power comes great responsibility and all - and thinks of others before herself, and what her actions could mean as a consequence for everyone else. Kamala can get understandably and appropriately happy or angry at her heroes, but she is also a hero, and she will do what must be done to fix things in the name of justice. Social justice. Clumsy, insecure, but brave and remaining true to what she's been taught about right and wrong - from her heroes and her religion - Kamala Khan is both a stand-in for superhero fans and a hero growing into her own identity; a geek at heart, just like early-days Peter Parker.
4. Barbara "Bobbi" Morse (Mockingbird) (Marvel)
A Marvel superhero nerd who is more mature and experienced than Kamala, Bobbi is an excellent biochemist, martial artist, and a geek of Marvel heroes and BDSM, among so many other things. I've talked about her at length in my review of her solo comic series from 2016, 'I Can Explain', which for horribly stupid reasons got cancelled way before its time. Check it out here for more details. Yeah I'm keeping this short, but I'll leave off by saying that when it comes to the varieties of how geeks are, what they're capable of, and how they can be portrayed, there is nothing Mockingbird hasn't covered. A genius at nearly everything, she is pure badass.
3. Doctor K ('Power Rangers: RPM')
One of the most complex characters to appear in any 'Power Rangers' season. Doctor K is the young mentor of the Rangers. Her backstory is she was a child prodigy taken by seedy government agents to mould her into their own scientist and inventor puppet. The underground project, Alphabet Soup, as well as taking her childhood away from her under the guise of a happy family keeping her safe from the sun, conditioned her to the point where she cannot remember her name anymore. I won't reveal anything else due to spoilers, but her origin episode is one of the most well-written and heartbreaking things that 'Power Rangers' has ever done. Indeed 'RPM' is widely regarded as a "dark" series, set in a post-apocalyptic earth run by machines (hello, 'Terminator'). My boyfriend introduced me to it - long after I'd stopped watching anything Ranger-related as a kid - and the writing and acting is superior to some of what I remember the shows to be like. Doctor K herself exemplifies this. She is genuinely a brilliant scientist and inventor - learning to do things on her own terms and gradually undoing the brainwashing from the secret, sheltered, lonely upbringing in Alphabet Soup. At first she's blunt, deliberately antisocial and standoffish, for understandable reasons, but very slowly but surely she warms up to the Power Rangers whose well being she is responsible for. And with her sweet tooth and fluffy rabbit slippers for bedtime, she is a kid deep down in her repressed heart. A clever social commentary for child abuse and for expecting far too much from genius prodigies, Doctor K is highly interesting and even a bit cute as her own person, with her individual brand of snark. (Another thing she's good at? The violin). She is vastly competent and will do anything to save lives and the whole world - an admirable heroic nerd not to be overlooked, regardless of the show she came from.
2. Connie Maheswaran ('Steven Universe')
The most modern geek girl of the bunch, and a must for any of these kinds of lists. Connie is the human best friend of the titular character, who grounds him to normal human life in contrast to the fantasy and bizarre elements of Steven's upbringing. At least, that's what her function is at first. Connie, an Indian girl who starts out as an incredibly shy, sensitive and friendless preteen, reveals where her passions lie in future episodes. She loves movies and books, and like a real blogger on the internet, she expresses how she feels about them to anyone who'll listen. She also talks about the film adaptations of what she holds dear. She may be shy in the outside world, but when it comes to fandom and social media, she makes sure her voice is heard. She plays computer games, and becomes a swordswoman later on in the series - she lives out every feminist fangirl's dream. She doesn't have magical powers of her own, but she learns her way around that, by fighting, and getting involved in Steven's life as much as possible, because she cares deeply for her first real friend. Connie Maheswaran is a testament to the human spirit, and because of how relatable she is in this nostalgia-fuelled day and age, she may be my favourite character on the show. Hmm, I think maybe I should start watching more of 'Steven Universe' again.
And my number 1 favourite geek girl is...
1. Lisa Simpson ('The Simpsons')
To me, Lisa Simpson is the quintessential geek girl. She is the first one I grew up watching, and her impact still holds up to this day. She has always been a geek, a feminist, a social justice warrior, and a passionate fangirl, way back before those things had names. This permanent eight-year-old has had many skills and ambitions in 'The Simpsons''s twenty-five-plus years run: A jazz musician, a vegetarian, a Buddhist, an activist, a dancer, a singer, a writer, a linguist, a TV guest, an anchor and host, a collage student, a clown, an archaeologist, an astronomer, I could go on and on. Barbie and Bobbi Morse are in awe of this genius little girl who lives in a world where intelligence is ignored and shoved aside. Lisa has also had depression, social anxiety, and anorexia. My favourite 'The Simpsons' episode of all time is 'Lisa's Substitute', where the lonely, special outcast girl is given a gift which shows her all she will ever need to know in her life: That gift is a note reminding her that, "You are Lisa Simpson". She can do anything she puts her mind to. Sure, in recent years she especially became what many of the show's detractors - reasonably thinking that it has gone on too long - call an insufferable, liberal know-it-all. True, she is a creator's pet and shows a smug superiority complex at times and isn't always likeable. But 'The Simpsons' is self-aware enough to acknowledge this and put spins on it. Lisa Simpson continues to represent that it is important, as well as cool, to be smart. In one future she's even the President of the United States. Yeah, today that holds no serious meaning and is no guarantee of qualification and expertise, but at the time of that episode's airing - seeing Lisa as the first female President - it was a big frikking deal. Now more than ever we need nerdy Lisa's words of wisdom; for her bravery in fighting for peace, justice and equality, to make the world a better place for everyone. In all her versatility and knowing right from wrong, she still loves violent cartoons, dolls, ponies, unicorns and other fantasy creatures. Lisa is a member of many fandoms, and for any girl desperate to see herself on television in a positive and complex light, it is a worthwhile miracle. I wonder if her sister Maggie will end up being even more brilliant than she is.
Scribble #44
Every victory is temporary.
Is it better and safer to be an outsider looking in, than to be an insider looking out?
Is it better and safer to be an outsider looking in, than to be an insider looking out?
Book Review - 'My Mama Earth' by Susan B. Katz (Writer), Melissa Launay (Illustrator)
An alright, pretty picture book about parenting and nature - about Mother Earth herself, as a comforting goddess. Is it spiritual? Specifically pagan? I don't know, I got more of a Christian vibe and agenda from it myself.
But like I said, 'My Mama Earth' is just alright, for babies and toddlers, with nice, colourful illustrations. The rhyming scheme isn't anything to write home about, and it can be read in thirty seconds.
Final Score: 3/5
But like I said, 'My Mama Earth' is just alright, for babies and toddlers, with nice, colourful illustrations. The rhyming scheme isn't anything to write home about, and it can be read in thirty seconds.
Final Score: 3/5
Saturday 11 February 2017
Book Review - 'The Little Shop of Happy Ever After' by Jenny Colgan
2021 EDIT: I swear this has had a much more profound effect on me than when I read it the first time, and I barely remember it the first time! But 'The Little Shop of Happy Ever After' is a sweet, funny, lovely, sensational and touching book for escapism, that's smarter and more thoughtful than it appears. It is full of surprises.
Aside from a few niggling, annoying things, one main criticism I can give it is that, from reading it, you'd think there was never a poorly-written book. Ever. Everything put on paper and published is the bees knees, a life changer; even 'Fifty Shades of Grey' isn't criticised (though 'Mein Kampf' is, in a throwaway line, and that really is the bottom-of-the-barrel standard for what constitutes bad books in this book).
'The Little Shop of Happy Ever After' is wonderful contemporary fiction for book lovers - "chick lit" is a compliment - that may have been powerful enough to rejuvenate my love of reading again, when I've been in a lethargic slump for too long. There's a fairy tale, happily-ever-after quality to that sentiment. Or maybe I am a romantic at heart, a fantasist in need of a reality check, like Nina Redmond.
I can't believe I haven't been to Scotland yet! I simply must!
Read my original review for more.
Final Score: 4/5
Original Review:
This isn't a genre I normally read.
I don't tend to look for romances. In fact I never do, period. A good, well-written, necessary and genuinely passionate and believable romance is hard to find, speaking from experience, and it can either make or break a story and its characters. A lot of stories are better off without a love plot, but they are shoved in anyway because that is what is expected. Especially for a female target demographic.
"Chick lits" are generally overlooked, mocked and ignored due to sexism; the infuriating assumption that all girls and women consume and care about are anything featuring hot guys, regardless of the quality of the book they read (and of how the hot guy treats the female lead *shudders*). This could be a factor into why a) heteronormality is still so prevalent, and b) stories with female protagonists, whatever the genre, are labelled "chick", and are therefore not recognized and held up to the high, "award-winning" standards of male-centered titles.
I had a point here, didn't I? Anyway, I don't like contemporary (or historical) romances that are always aimed at women readers. I never liked the "romances" (a.k.a. gendered power dynamics reinforcing the status quo) portrayed in them, giving women wrong ideas and expectations about life and men. The underlining message, intentional or not, is usually that no matter what ladies do, no matter how successful they are in their careers, they are failures if they don't have a good-looking guy pining after them. Any porn and escapist fantasy is good and healthy, but when this female-focused plotline is so common in the mainstream - when it is so normalised it finds it way into absolutely everything - it gets problematic.
Yet, with all that in mind, I enjoyed Jenny Colgan's 'The Little Shop of Happy Ever After' (US title 'The Bookshop on the Corner'). I was first drawn to it solely because it is about a bookworm protagonist, and it focuses on her passion for reading more than anything else, even her love life. It delivered warmly, like raw chocolate chip cookie dough.
I never thought I'd describe a book as being "cuddly", but oh glorious books and ribbons, I fell for 'The Little Shop of Happy Ever After', hook, line, sinker. Pure, lovely popcorn lit. It is an adorable read - perfect for chilling out with on any season and occasion. Summer or winter, it relaxes you and lets you forget all the troubles of the world.
Yeah, like a lot of "chick lit", it isn't very realistic, and the scenarios and meet-cute romances are too good to be true (even centering on a train, the most romantic form of transportation in existence), but this kind of escapism is good for the soul. And it is my philosophy that fiction can not only reflect reality, but show how reality can be better.
In fact, the love - for books and for guys - in this little escapade is well developed. The inevitable, dreaded love triangle manages to be tolerable - due to its barely-there focus - while the men - love interests or not - are interesting and genuinely sexy (the nice, exotic foreigner and the gruff, buff, brooding loner tropes are present, but it's endearing rather than annoying, with added twists).
I loved the sweet, shy, introverted main lead, Nina Redmond. She is a twenty-nine-year-old Birmingham librarian who's recently been made redundant, who knows more about the worlds of the books she devours than how things are in reality. I could immediately identify with Nina and her love of books, and her realising her ambition of running a cosy little bookshop, which, far from being a pipe dream, she ends up doing far from home, in Scotland, and in a van! After getting past her fears and insecurities, telling herself how she is not fit to take huge risks alone like this, that even her close friends think she is being foolhardy, her changing her life works.
And she could not have done so at a better time.
Because, as it turns out, people from areas where libraries and other bookshops have tragically closed due to cuts - they are hungry for the books Nina has in her 'Little Shop of Happy Ever After' book mobile! Over the years she had horded hundreds of them in her old rented apartment, shared with her best friend/former landlady Surinder. It paid off well!
Huge points for the representation of dynamic, (semi)supportive, realistic and complex female friendships, too. However, Surinder's commenting on how strange it is that a man would not take advantage of Nina when she fell asleep in his home is really inappropriate, and she isn't called out on it. Nina's book love and lore also extends to all kinds of books, even ones starring Christian Grey, unfortunately. Odd considering that she does call men out on their sexism, thinking a "wee lass" like her can't handle driving a big van. When it comes to literature, it seems there is nothing Nina Redmond doesn't like.
I was thrilled by the Scottish countryside setting, the fish-out-of-water element, and that this was a quick, few-days-read. The cold, the warmth, the moorlands, the trains, the Scottish community, the animals, poverty, and life on the farm; these are all written in wonderfully and authentically. Serious issues are discussed, and yet everything is just so positive! I want to squeeze this book until all its fluffiness falls out!
I was also quite disappointed to find out that a lot of the books described within this book, by Nina, don't actually exist. They sound so interesting; magical like this novel.
'The Little Shop of Happy Ever After' should be heart-shaped and delivered to readers everywhere like a box of chocolates on Valentine's Day. It is fluff, but it is mostly harmless. I liked the romance, and all the characters. It's light with shades of mist not too dark. It's comfort reading, and that's fine. A quaint, soft-hearted bookworm's fantasy tale set mostly in Scotland.
Now this is my relaxing chick lit escapism!
Final Score: 3.5/5
Aside from a few niggling, annoying things, one main criticism I can give it is that, from reading it, you'd think there was never a poorly-written book. Ever. Everything put on paper and published is the bees knees, a life changer; even 'Fifty Shades of Grey' isn't criticised (though 'Mein Kampf' is, in a throwaway line, and that really is the bottom-of-the-barrel standard for what constitutes bad books in this book).
'The Little Shop of Happy Ever After' is wonderful contemporary fiction for book lovers - "chick lit" is a compliment - that may have been powerful enough to rejuvenate my love of reading again, when I've been in a lethargic slump for too long. There's a fairy tale, happily-ever-after quality to that sentiment. Or maybe I am a romantic at heart, a fantasist in need of a reality check, like Nina Redmond.
I can't believe I haven't been to Scotland yet! I simply must!
Read my original review for more.
Final Score: 4/5
Original Review:
This isn't a genre I normally read.
I don't tend to look for romances. In fact I never do, period. A good, well-written, necessary and genuinely passionate and believable romance is hard to find, speaking from experience, and it can either make or break a story and its characters. A lot of stories are better off without a love plot, but they are shoved in anyway because that is what is expected. Especially for a female target demographic.
"Chick lits" are generally overlooked, mocked and ignored due to sexism; the infuriating assumption that all girls and women consume and care about are anything featuring hot guys, regardless of the quality of the book they read (and of how the hot guy treats the female lead *shudders*). This could be a factor into why a) heteronormality is still so prevalent, and b) stories with female protagonists, whatever the genre, are labelled "chick", and are therefore not recognized and held up to the high, "award-winning" standards of male-centered titles.
I had a point here, didn't I? Anyway, I don't like contemporary (or historical) romances that are always aimed at women readers. I never liked the "romances" (a.k.a. gendered power dynamics reinforcing the status quo) portrayed in them, giving women wrong ideas and expectations about life and men. The underlining message, intentional or not, is usually that no matter what ladies do, no matter how successful they are in their careers, they are failures if they don't have a good-looking guy pining after them. Any porn and escapist fantasy is good and healthy, but when this female-focused plotline is so common in the mainstream - when it is so normalised it finds it way into absolutely everything - it gets problematic.
Yet, with all that in mind, I enjoyed Jenny Colgan's 'The Little Shop of Happy Ever After' (US title 'The Bookshop on the Corner'). I was first drawn to it solely because it is about a bookworm protagonist, and it focuses on her passion for reading more than anything else, even her love life. It delivered warmly, like raw chocolate chip cookie dough.
I never thought I'd describe a book as being "cuddly", but oh glorious books and ribbons, I fell for 'The Little Shop of Happy Ever After', hook, line, sinker. Pure, lovely popcorn lit. It is an adorable read - perfect for chilling out with on any season and occasion. Summer or winter, it relaxes you and lets you forget all the troubles of the world.
Yeah, like a lot of "chick lit", it isn't very realistic, and the scenarios and meet-cute romances are too good to be true (even centering on a train, the most romantic form of transportation in existence), but this kind of escapism is good for the soul. And it is my philosophy that fiction can not only reflect reality, but show how reality can be better.
In fact, the love - for books and for guys - in this little escapade is well developed. The inevitable, dreaded love triangle manages to be tolerable - due to its barely-there focus - while the men - love interests or not - are interesting and genuinely sexy (the nice, exotic foreigner and the gruff, buff, brooding loner tropes are present, but it's endearing rather than annoying, with added twists).
I loved the sweet, shy, introverted main lead, Nina Redmond. She is a twenty-nine-year-old Birmingham librarian who's recently been made redundant, who knows more about the worlds of the books she devours than how things are in reality. I could immediately identify with Nina and her love of books, and her realising her ambition of running a cosy little bookshop, which, far from being a pipe dream, she ends up doing far from home, in Scotland, and in a van! After getting past her fears and insecurities, telling herself how she is not fit to take huge risks alone like this, that even her close friends think she is being foolhardy, her changing her life works.
And she could not have done so at a better time.
Because, as it turns out, people from areas where libraries and other bookshops have tragically closed due to cuts - they are hungry for the books Nina has in her 'Little Shop of Happy Ever After' book mobile! Over the years she had horded hundreds of them in her old rented apartment, shared with her best friend/former landlady Surinder. It paid off well!
Huge points for the representation of dynamic, (semi)supportive, realistic and complex female friendships, too. However, Surinder's commenting on how strange it is that a man would not take advantage of Nina when she fell asleep in his home is really inappropriate, and she isn't called out on it. Nina's book love and lore also extends to all kinds of books, even ones starring Christian Grey, unfortunately. Odd considering that she does call men out on their sexism, thinking a "wee lass" like her can't handle driving a big van. When it comes to literature, it seems there is nothing Nina Redmond doesn't like.
I was thrilled by the Scottish countryside setting, the fish-out-of-water element, and that this was a quick, few-days-read. The cold, the warmth, the moorlands, the trains, the Scottish community, the animals, poverty, and life on the farm; these are all written in wonderfully and authentically. Serious issues are discussed, and yet everything is just so positive! I want to squeeze this book until all its fluffiness falls out!
I was also quite disappointed to find out that a lot of the books described within this book, by Nina, don't actually exist. They sound so interesting; magical like this novel.
'The Little Shop of Happy Ever After' should be heart-shaped and delivered to readers everywhere like a box of chocolates on Valentine's Day. It is fluff, but it is mostly harmless. I liked the romance, and all the characters. It's light with shades of mist not too dark. It's comfort reading, and that's fine. A quaint, soft-hearted bookworm's fantasy tale set mostly in Scotland.
Now this is my relaxing chick lit escapism!
Final Score: 3.5/5
Thursday 9 February 2017
Tuesday 7 February 2017
To people who are feeling terrified for the future right now (really, who isn't?), remember how important it is to resist. Never give up. Knowledge is strength; past mistakes must never be forgotten and rewritten. Every victory is temporary. Humanity is about moving forward and progressing constantly. Be kind. Remember this month - in fact, every month - for Black History, and Valentine's Day is about love, not shame. Love everybody :)
Monday 6 February 2017
Comic Review - 'Lisa Simpson's Guide to Geek Chic' by Matt Groening
Hm, cute.
For any young geek, nerd, dork, and other varieties of people - this little Lisa book says you can identify as anything you want! Be proud! You are no longer the outsiders or awkward, anti-social nobodies you were stereotyped as for so long. Knowledge is needed and accepted. Progress/Feminism is key. Geek Chic is in!
Cool, funny stuff for all geeks and sizes - the geek mythology. And for 'The Simpsons' fans, too.
It's great to be "weird". We activists may save the planet yet.
Final Score: 4/5
For any young geek, nerd, dork, and other varieties of people - this little Lisa book says you can identify as anything you want! Be proud! You are no longer the outsiders or awkward, anti-social nobodies you were stereotyped as for so long. Knowledge is needed and accepted. Progress/Feminism is key. Geek Chic is in!
Cool, funny stuff for all geeks and sizes - the geek mythology. And for 'The Simpsons' fans, too.
It's great to be "weird". We activists may save the planet yet.
Final Score: 4/5
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