2023 EDIT: Part of my 2023 clear-up, of books I no longer like, or am no longer interested in, or remember well as standing out, or find as special anymore, or I otherwise will not miss.
Final Score: 3.5/5
Original Review:
'Waking the Witch: Reflections on Women, Magic, and Power' by witch podcaster (and spellcaster) Pam Grossman is a very good contemporary nonfiction book about witches, and their legacy and impact - throughout history, and in most notable aspects of popular culture.
It attempts to answer the immortal question: how have witches evolved over the centuries?
How have they possibly survived?
How do they fit in with the times?
Witch - a word containing so many meanings to so many people, depending on each person's individual perception. Today, more and more women, and other marginalised/underprivileged groups of people, are identifying as witches, or pagans, or wiccans. Now more than ever, they are taking back the word "witch" with pride and power, without shame and fear. In using language that traditionally targets the outcasts, the maligned, and the persecuted in our society and culture, they can positively shake the foundations of the white supremacist patriarchy. And demand their own freedom.
For we are not worthless. We are not weak. We are not powerless.
In 'Waking the Witch', witchcraft- women - and what that entails, is analysed in film, TV, literature, art, music, spirituality, brands, trends, and modern politics.
'Waking the Witch', however, doesn't explore much in depth when it comes to pop culture as we know it - such as mainstream movies and television, and mainstream anything, like I expected and wanted. It can be a bit muddled and unfocused, too. But I advise readers to keep at it, keep going to the end; for it is passionate and personal, resonating and relieving. It's a spell; a piece of the revolutionary discussion that needs to exist.
I love fictional witches. And as it turns out, real witches are also amazing and inspiring.
It mentions LBGTQ (that does include transgender) communities, as well. Yes, good.
Pam Grossman's book is a feminist powerhouse.
Witch, witches - there is true magic in sisterhood. Loving, supportive, healing, inclusive sisterhood.
Which is why we are the future.
See also my review of Witches, Sluts, Feminists by Kristen J. Sollee here.
Final Score: 3.5/5
Saturday 28 November 2020
Non-Fiction Book Review - 'Waking the Witch: Reflections on Women, Magic, and Power' by Pam Grossman
Wednesday 25 November 2020
Graphic Novel Review - 'Adventure Time: Thunder Road (Adventure Time: Original Graphic Novel #12)' by Jeremy Sorese (Writer), Zachary Sterling (Artist), Various
2022 EDIT: From my 'Adventure Time: Marceline Gone Adrift' review:
Well I've watched the entirety of the 'Adventure Time' cartoon. It's great. It's revolutionary. But for some reason my interest in the comics has waned, much like how I'm no longer as much interested in quite a few other comic series, book series, and single books in my bookshelf clear-out. It seems I've just forgotten about them, or have become indifferent to them, and I have no overwhelming passion and desire to reread them. I've always been particularly picky and fussy with what I read and own, anyhow. Making more room, less clutter. And maybe 'Adventure Time' works best for a medium like TV.
Farewell, 'Adventure Time' comics.
Still adore Marceline.
Original Review:
My final 'Adventure Time' comic, that's sadly my least favourite, but it's still good.
Basically, 'Adventure Time: Thunder Road' is about the Candy Kingdom flooding due to a massive, neverending storm, and Princess Bubblegum challenging the sky giants - a biker gang - who are causing it, to a race. Marceline is there to save as many people in the kingdom as possible, and she wants to help Bubblegum in any way, but the princess is stubborn and wants to fix her problems, and save her kingdom, on her own. Marceline will get involved nevertheless, and thus tensions rise between the two women, aggressively and unpleasantly.
The fate of the Candy Kingdom is not the only thing at stake; there's Bubblegum and Marceline's friendship, too.
I guess I'm not used to seeing the pair in this heated an argument. Theirs is a complex relationship, and due to their differences they do have disagreements, but not to this extent, I feel. I've never seen Bubblegum so angry - it's practically her default mode in this comic!
There are high stakes, and there is overwhelming stress on both sides, however. Nobody is perfect. And at least they make up and apologise to each other at the end, in a scene that is the right length and really showcases their bond and how much they care for one another. They now have matching biker jackets that say "We Talked It Out" on the back!
All is well then. The meanspiritedness is banished!
I love Marceline's outfits in this, too. Bubblegum's biker gear (and pink bike) and casual wear are also cool. The princess and scientist builds and owns a lot of vehicles.
'Thunder Road' - I wish I could have ended my 'Adventure Time' reading on a more positive story (it isn't very funny either, shockingly), but the ending makes up for it. One more gripe: the cover is a big fat lie (as is the blurb); Marceline doesn't have her guitar/axe in the comic, and she doesn't battle any monsters, and she is never in those clothes - no red boots, no red button shirt, and no red trucker hat.
That's all from me for now, everyone. Take great care. Stay safe.
Final Score: 3.5/5
Graphic Novel Review - 'Adventure Time: Seeing Red (Adventure Time: Original Graphic Novel #3)' by Kate Leth (Writer), Zack Sterling (Artist), Various
2022 EDIT: From my 'Adventure Time: Marceline Gone Adrift' review:
Well I've watched the entirety of the 'Adventure Time' cartoon. It's great. It's revolutionary. But for some reason my interest in the comics has waned, much like how I'm no longer as much interested in quite a few other comic series, book series, and single books in my bookshelf clear-out. It seems I've just forgotten about them, or have become indifferent to them, and I have no overwhelming passion and desire to reread them. I've always been particularly picky and fussy with what I read and own, anyhow. Making more room, less clutter. And maybe 'Adventure Time' works best for a medium like TV.
Farewell, 'Adventure Time' comics.
Still adore Marceline.
Original Review:
A fun, clever, hilarious and utterly bonkers 'Adventure Time' comic that's also kind of touching.
'Adventure Time: Seeing Red' stars Marceline and Jake in their time in the Nightosphere (the Underworld, or hellhole, basically, only nuttier). Their adventure is Marceline's family-get-together-turned-quest to find her missing legendary bass guitar/axe. There are: rock bands, witches, video game aesthetics, table tennis, a little male bellhop who's romantically obsessed with Jake, and all around spooky, bony stuff. Marceline does have a strange yet sweet relationship with her demon dad.
The only thing really letting 'Seeing Red' down is the lack of colour. The comic is in black and white, which is jarring to see in anything to do with such a colourful and vibrant franchise as 'Adventure Time'. I don't quite get it.
But if you can let that slide, 'Seeing Red' is a must for 'Adventure Time' fans, and Marceline fans. Her life doesn't always have to revolve around Bubblegum - she can work great with any character.
Final Score: 4/5
Graphic Novel Review - 'Adventure Time: Marceline the Pirate Queen (Adventure Time: Original Graphic Novel #13)' by Leah Williams (Writer), Zachary Sterling (Artist), Laura Langston (Colours), Various
2022 EDIT: From my 'Adventure Time: Marceline Gone Adrift' review:
Well I've watched the entirety of the 'Adventure Time' cartoon. It's great. It's revolutionary. But for some reason my interest in the comics has waned, much like how I'm no longer as much interested in quite a few other comic series, book series, and single books in my bookshelf clear-out. It seems I've just forgotten about them, or have become indifferent to them, and I have no overwhelming passion and desire to reread them. I've always been particularly picky and fussy with what I read and own, anyhow. Making more room, less clutter. And maybe 'Adventure Time' works best for a medium like TV.
Farewell, 'Adventure Time' comics.
Still adore Marceline.
Original Review:
AWWWWWWWWWW YEAH, an epic and fun adventure comic with Marceline the Vampire Queen as a pirate queen! (BMO is with her, too, not Finn and Jake - the cover lies. In fact they're not in the book at all). Here be ghosts, swords, skeletons, a dragon, a maze, antigravity, and a little Bubbline too! (They're still "just friends" at this stage, though).
'Adventure Time: Marceline the Pirate Queen' - proof that Marceline doesn't need to play music and carry her guitar/blade with her everywhere she goes to be awesome. She can achieve anything! for her Bonnibel Bubblegum! What stolen item has a desperate Bubblegum sent Marceline to retrieve for her from across the seas? Read and find out!
Final Score: 4/5
Graphic Novel Review - 'Adventure Time With Fionna and Cake' by Natasha Allegri, Noelle Stevenson, Lucy Knisley, Kate Leth, Various
2022 EDIT: From my 'Adventure Time: Marceline Gone Adrift' review:
Well I've watched the entirety of the 'Adventure Time' cartoon. It's great. It's revolutionary. But for some reason my interest in the comics has waned, much like how I'm no longer as much interested in quite a few other comic series, book series, and single books in my bookshelf clear-out. It seems I've just forgotten about them, or have become indifferent to them, and I have no overwhelming passion and desire to reread them. I've always been particularly picky and fussy with what I read and own, anyhow. Making more room, less clutter. And maybe 'Adventure Time' works best for a medium like TV.
Farewell, 'Adventure Time' comics.
Still adore Marceline.
Original Review:
'Adventure Time with Fionna and Cake' by Natasha Allegri is a sweet, cute and fun spinoff fanfiction story within the 'Adventure Time' canon.
A gender flipped version of the franchise, 'Fionna and Cake' is lovely and charming. Who knew that a simple and novel idea like this could garner so much popularity!
Fionna is a sword wielding action heroine who's super girly and proud of it, and she's a bundle of laughs. She's in a love square with three guys - Prince Gumball, Marshall Lee, and Fire Prince. It's a parody, so it's funny and never annoying. Fionna is a young teenage girl, not only an action heroine, and as such she is indecisive about choosing a prince made of candy, or a prince made of literal warmth, or a sexy vampire! Plus, Fionna is always the one who saves them - usually from Ice Queen - alongside her hilarious shapeshifting bestie and sister, Cake the cat. Fionna is ideal for sleepovers as well as slaying monsters!
Magical girl sparkles, wands and other elements are galore in this comic. A short story at the end revolves around the characters finding their stolen cosy sweaters and having hot cocoa - it is written and illustrated by none other than Noelle Stevenson! Really, the main aim of 'Fionna and Cake' is to be cute and funny. It's more goofy than anything else, but it contains touching and well-thought out aspects as well.
'Adventure Time with Fionna and Cake' - read it for a good, nice adventure time! Its production team is all female to boot!
Final Score: 4/5
Graphic Novel Review - 'Adventure Time Original Graphic Novel Vol. 4: Bitter Sweets' by Kate Leth (Writer), Zachary Sterling (Artist), Chrystin Garland (Artist), Various
2022 EDIT: From my 'Adventure Time: Marceline Gone Adrift' review:
Well I've watched the entirety of the 'Adventure Time' cartoon. It's great. It's revolutionary. But for some reason my interest in the comics has waned, much like how I'm no longer as much interested in quite a few other comic series, book series, and single books in my bookshelf clear-out. It seems I've just forgotten about them, or have become indifferent to them, and I have no overwhelming passion and desire to reread them. I've always been particularly picky and fussy with what I read and own, anyhow. Making more room, less clutter. And maybe 'Adventure Time' works best for a medium like TV.
Farewell, 'Adventure Time' comics.
Still adore Marceline.
Original Review:
One of the best Princess Bonnibel Bubblegum stories ever, hands down.
'Adventure Time Original Graphic Novel Vol. 4: Bitter Sweets' is so colourful, so cute, so creative, so heartfelt, and so darn funny, and it contains important morals and messages concerning environmentalism, sourcing, colonialism, and trade between homelands. Unions learning to get along peacefully and with understanding - helped by a dexterous and multitalented female leader, no less - is fantastic to see in a kids' comic.
It has Bubblegum as a travelling, sensitive, social justice action heroine; a psychopathic Peppermint Butler; magic stones; mermaids (one of whom is clearly in lesbian love with another); lettuce people, plus other vegetable people; sprites; the marvellous and green Princess Fern; hot chocolate; and a Marceline cameo at the end, who dances with Bubblegum!
'Bitter Sweets' is a beautiful epic quest, where no one dies and no one is evil or a jerk for no reason. There can be a lot to learn about leadership and using your brains and words to solve problems from this! Subverting gender roles and placing great importance to female characters also elevates it from other mainstream children's comic books.
Bubblegum is brilliant - brilliant and exhausted. She is lucky to be surrounded by friends and associates who love and appreciate her. She does so much for others!
Final Score: 4/5
Graphic Novel Review - 'Adventure Time: Marceline and The Scream Queens' by Meredith Gran, Various
2022 EDIT: From my 'Adventure Time: Marceline Gone Adrift' review:
Well I've watched the entirety of the 'Adventure Time' cartoon. It's great. It's revolutionary. But for some reason my interest in the comics has waned, much like how I'm no longer as much interested in quite a few other comic series, book series, and single books in my bookshelf clear-out. It seems I've just forgotten about them, or have become indifferent to them, and I have no overwhelming passion and desire to reread them. I've always been particularly picky and fussy with what I read and own, anyhow. Making more room, less clutter. And maybe 'Adventure Time' works best for a medium like TV.
Farewell, 'Adventure Time' comics.
Still adore Marceline.
Original Review:
Another fun and funny 'Adventure Time' comic about girls, for girls, and by girls.
'Marceline and the Scream Queens' is about Marceline's rise and fall in her career as the lead singer and guitarist of her band. Princess Bubblegum tags along as her manager, and new appreciator of Marceline's rock music (plus, they're just THAT tight as friends...).
Let the journey of misfits surviving the perils of stardom and criticism begin!
'Adventure Time: Marceline and the Scream Queens' is a cartoony rock star tour parody - containing references to real rock legends in imagery, covers and tabloid news; and sharp, biting commentary and satire. But it is no less appropriate for all ages; kids will understand what it is doing. The comic is like a colourful, more fun, more outrageous and female-focused version of 'This Is Spinal Tap'.
I like that the story never forgets that Marceline is a vampire, and a badass as well as a monster and drama queen triggered by any negative criticism of her! She's so unprepared for THAT part of making music and wanting to be famous. The criticism will be extra vicious and hateful because she's a female artist. No matter that the vampire queen is a thousand-years-old, at heart she is still a sensitive, insecure and self-conscious teenage girl. Women are made to feel like this all the time - angry yet afraid to speak out, afraid of not being seen as "likeable", and thus are forced to suffer in silence - no matter what they do, what they choose. I can relate.
How am I supposed to resist?! [Reading reviews] It's like candy that hates you!
I just...wanted to be an artist. [...] I didn't sign up for all the attention!
Also included are short stories. Also starring: Lumpy Space Princess, Slime Princess, Peppermint Butler, BMO, Tree Trunks, Ice King, penguins, shapeshifters, mermaids, genies, the Nightosphere, and Lady Rainicorn!
(And Finn and Jake, too, naturally).
'Adventure Time: Marceline and the Scream Queens' - fun for 'Adventure Time' fans, animation fans, girl power fans, music fans, and Bubbline shippers! (Although admittedly this story leans more towards them being friends than anything else. They go through so much development together, however, and Marceline acts jealous when Bubblegum starts hanging out with a male band member. Yeah, it could have been gayer).
Rock on, express yourselves, ladies!
Final Score: 4/5
Graphic Novel Review - 'Adventure Time: Marceline Gone Adrift' by Meredith Gran (Writer), Carey Pietsch (Artist)
2022 EDIT: Well I've watched the entirety of the 'Adventure Time' cartoon. It's great. It's revolutionary. But for some reason my interest in the comics has waned, much like how I'm no longer as much interested in quite a few other comic series, book series, and single books in my bookshelf clear-out. It seems I've just forgotten about them, or have become indifferent to them, and I have no overwhelming passion and desire to reread them. I've always been particularly picky and fussy with what I read and own, anyhow. Making more room, less clutter. And maybe 'Adventure Time' works best for a medium like TV.
Farewell, 'Adventure Time' comics.
Still adore Marceline.
Original Review:
My first 'Adventure Time' comic, and of the seven I've read, this one is my favourite.
As well as being very funny and charming, 'Marceline Gone Adrift' is incredibly heartwarming, clever, and is all around a beautiful story. It has a bit of everything: girl power, space, space suits, spaceships, space bubbles, other planets, leaf aliens, dog aliens, insecure food monsters, music playing, music thievery, existentialism, and of course, the developing, blossoming LBGTQ relationship between Princess Bonnibel Bubblegum of the Candy Kingdom, and the vampire queen and musician Marceline! Their bond isn't merely cute, it literally transcends cosmology. So complicated and real for supposed silly cartoon characters - from a dystopian earth called Ooo.
Really, Bubblegum and Marceline are enough to make me want to read 'Adventure Time' comics, and watch the show in full - it's been too many years since I first saw it in bits and pieces on Cartoon Network - which I will, soon. I won't miss THAT modern cartoon pop culture phenomenon.
'Adventure Time: Marceline Gone Adrift' - a wonderful gift for fans and nonfans alike. It is colourful, pop candy, star-stunning, hilarious, touching, mesmerising, lesbian cartoon goodness for all ages!
Final Score: 4/5
Tuesday 17 November 2020
Mulan (2020) post
Monday 16 November 2020
Redo - Top 20 Favourite Male Characters
Sunday 15 November 2020
Netflix Update
Tuesday 10 November 2020
Victory. Victory.
It truly feels like I hadn't been able to breathe for the last four years. Four years. One year of absolute hell, but now here is one reprieve, at last. In one aspect, at last, after four torturous, evil years, we are free.
Maybe there is some goodness, decency and justice left in this sorry world of ours after all. Maybe there are good people left.
Let us have this moment. Let us feel this relief, without doubts, without reservations. Please.
Let more good - more progress - continue from this moment onward.