With San Diego Comic Con in full swing, I wanted to share my
tips to surviving a Comic-Con, large or small, local or national, whether you
come as you are or if you are wanting to cosplay for the first time. Read on.
So, I know summer is winding down but I've been noticing
that the Summer Camp Trend is still going quite strong.
There’s just something about all those uniforms, badges, and
camp insignia that makes adult super nostalgic.
Now, I’ve never been to summer sleep away camp as a kid but
one of my very first jobs in college was as the videographer for a boys’ summer
camp off the coast of North Carolina, Camp Seagull. The different cabin names, mascots and cheers
still bring a smile to my face. The kids
were super surprised to find out I was from Texas and never shot a gun before. J
Quick, before the summer ends check out my picks to keep the
camp spirit alive and well in your home or apartment.
Oh my god, you guys, the best thing to come out of the
Summer Camp Trend revival this year is this charming comic books series,
Lumberjanes. Billed as Gravity Falls
meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer at a summer camp, this comic is written and
drawn by awesome females and featuring 5 female leads that come in every shape
and size. I’m loving the sisterhood and
supernatural vibes. Comic shops around
my area can’t keep the issues on their shelves long enough.
While it doesn’t take place in an actual summer camp, the
Disney animated series Gravity Falls is set in a small northwestern town in
which twin siblings visit their eccentric granduncle during the summer. With their Uncle as the owner of the town’s “Mystery
Shack”, twins Dipper and Mabel encounter all sorts of mystical creatures,
supernatural occurrences and town conspiracies.
Equal parts cute and hella creepy, this is one of the best new animated
series.
Yep, that's the gnome puking a rainbow. If you can't see why it's funny then this is not your show.
Outside of appearing on the show Community, actor Donald Glover
is actually a pretty good and thought provoking rapper with, like, sick abs. Picture Drake with a sense of humor, and a
cuter face. His first album Camp,
while summer camp inspired, actually has some explicit lyrics so just don’t
play around the kids.
Got any summer camp memories you are fond of? Visions of making s'mores by a campfire? Tell me!
In light of the 75th anniversary of the first
appearance of Batman today, I would like
to dedicate this post to the five things I have learned from the most formative
cartoon and superhero during my childhood, Batman the Animated Series.
Yeah, eff' Looney Tunes man, this was my jam.
1.BTAS introduced me to the Film Noir and the Art
Deco movement. The style of show resembled
a noir detective film in the early episodes and featured beautiful, time
consuming hand painted backgrounds and title cards.
2.BTAS made me aware of strong story-telling and
the concept of using no dialogue in scenes, such as the famous opening sequence
which depicted Batman chasing after two criminals on the rooftops of Gotham
City.
3.BTAS introduced strong female characters of all
races, ages, and sizes such as Poison Ivy, Catwoman, Renee Montoya, Harley Quinn,
Batgirl, Dr. Leslie Thompkins, and Talia al Ghul. Some were pulled from the comic books, others
(Harley Quinn and Renee Montoya) created for the show were later added to the
comic books.
Renee "BAMF" Montoya
4.BTAS pioneered the use of well-known film actors
to voice the villains. David Warner,
Richard Glover, Richard Mill, Roddy McDowall, Michael York, Ed Asner all
provided their voices for various villains.
5.BTAS taught me to fear the Joker. Joker was still hilarious but also
dangerously psychotic. Despite being a
children’s cartoon, the show taught new generations the true potential of the Clown
Prince of Crime and also proved that the man who played Luke Skywalker could
also create the definitive version of comic’s greatest villain of all
time. Amen, Mark Hamill.
I'm a fan of Heath Ledger's portrayal too but come on, look at him! And in a cartoon, too!
I’m currently watching the second season of SyFy’s reality
series “Heroes of Cosplay” and I gotta level with you guys, I actually really
like this show.
I have never done cosplay, which for those that are not familiar,
is when fans of any genre dress up as their favorite characters from books,
video games, movies, tv, anime, cartoons, websites, you name it. Most times you see cosplayers that either
commission or make their own costumes, at conventions around the world.
Even cat memes
I have a lot respect for cosplayers. Unfortunately it’s something I probably
wouldn’t do myself. Hell we didn’t even
pay full price for Halloween costumes as a kid, so costumes are not generally
something I would invest time or money in.
However, one day I do see myself wearing a Wonder Woman or Applejack
from MLP costume, but never mind that.
I do like seeing how fans interpret well known costumes but
I hate going to conventions. They have
become so overpriced these days and I usually buy a bunch of crap just because
it has some random anime character on it.
I hate that being a nerd these days means dollar signs for movie marketing
execs and others. So I do not attend
conventions much but I still like seeing the costumes. This show lets me do that from the comfort of
my own house.
Now, I do want to warn you that this ABOVE ALL ELSE is a
reality show, and thus ironically is scripted and many of the convention
competitions are faked or altered. Heavy
editing makes drama out of the dumbest situations and makes everyone appear
like an asshole. All the hallmarks of
reality TV are alive and present in this series.
This has given the Cosplaying Community bait at which to
moan and bitch about, as evidenced by these articles, Seven Reasons Why Heroes of Cosplay Is Terrible and 5 Things I Learned From SyFy's "Heroes of Cosplay". I get that this
show is an unreal representation of actual cosplayers but you know what? I don’t care.
I’m still not going to pay $60 and up to stand in line with a bunch of
sweaty people in elaborate costumes just so I can gawk and then shell out
another $50 for a picture with Nathan Fillion. It ain’t worth it, mmmmkay?
Out of all the cosplayers on the show, my favorite is Jesse,
who coincidentally, is the only male cosplayer in the cast of Season One. Yes, as you can probably guess all the female
cosplayers are thin and young, half of which sport impressive racks. (Yes, those too are fake) I like the fact that Jesse is quite laidback
and dresses like a pirate to walk the streets of Portland with his girlfriend
and their friends. His segments are
refreshing change of pace from all the cat-fighting and drama that occurs.
And the cosplayers that the show follows aren’t even the best
part. The best parts is slowing down the
B-roll footage to spot impressive costumes of your favorite characters worn by
convention goers in the background.
Most of the drama, although entirely manufactured by the
shows, stems from the tight deadlines the cosplayers set for themselves, like
say making an elaborate costumes in just two weeks. Obviously this plays off super fake but it is
amusing to see the female cosplayers ring in their significant others into
helping out. The husbands and the
boyfriend literally become super-competent sidekicks that end up making costume
magic. Despite seeing this inequity,
these relationships are more functional and supportive than anything you
usually see on reality tv.
Ultimately what this show boils down for me, is nerds making costumes, and I love them all for it. I don't doubt that in real life all the cosplayers are superchill and friendly people. If you love cosplay and have aspirations for being a renowned cosplayer I would suggest that you avoid this show. However, if you're like me and get giddy with excitement at spying someone doing a Avatar; The Last Airbender cosplay without clicking around the internet feeling vaguely like a perv, then this show is for you.
Have you guys rushed out to see the new Amazing Spider-Man
sequel? If not, no big. I didn’t even see the Amazing Spider-Man
reboot in the first place and I still consider myself a fan of the Spider-Man
franchise.
Spider-Man 2 is second only to The Dark Knight in my book. Currently
the Avengers and first Iron Man movie are tied, followed by X-Men 2, Blade 2,
and the first Hellboy.
I’m not really rushing out to see Amazing Spider-Man 2,
after reading these headlines;
I admit that I don’t read the Spiderman comics and never
have, but even I have a passing familiarity with the Spider-man supporting cast
and the wide gallery of animal themed rogues that rival DC’s Batman or the
Flash.
With the opening of the current sequel in theatres, Target
had the remaining DVD volumes available of the best adaptation of Spider-Man in
my, albeit, limited in scope, opinion, The Spectacular Spider-Man animated
series that premiered from 2008-2009. In
2008, I was 26 years old and had moved back in with parents. I fucking recorded each episode of this
amazingly well-written cartoon and enjoyed the hell out of it. FINALLY someone who could balance multiple
villains, multiple love interests, AND still focus on drama of the high school
experience that Peter went through every day as a teenager. Baby, this was master class in classic heroic
story arcs and no did better. Not even
Batman, the Animated Series. (Because the BTAS had an episodic story structure
rather than a serial, sustained season-long story arc like Spectacular).
Visually, the series animation took some getting used to...that chin GG!
So yeah, on that point, I loves me some Spider-Man.
I didn’t initially want to see the rebooted Spider-Man
because I actually did not fall in love with 500 Days of Summer. I fell in love with JGL, because I mean, who
wouldn’t? But I thought that movie was a
lil’ too twee for my liking and I did not approve of the same director helming
the Spider-Man reboot. I still don’t.
He's basically the male version of the "Manic Pixie Girl" stereotype, so slight and vulnerable.
He's the male Natalie Portman is what I'm saying.
I loved the first two Spider-Man movies. I liked the portrayal of teenage Peter Parker
and though Kristen Dunst made the best possible Mary Jane ever.
Now we have Emma Stone’s Gwen Stacy which I
wasn’t super-excited about but I get it.
She’s Spider-Man’s first love and is featured prominently in the
animated series I’m so dorky about.
But now I’m done with the teenage years. I want Spidey to move on, specifically past
college and onto a young adult in his 20’s.
I know Spider-Man is best known as a teenage character but that’s been
done and done well. Now I want an adult
Spider-Man. One that goes toe to toe
with J Jonah Jameson at the newspaper, or………….at least has a full time job. A Spider-Man that can hook up with Black Cat
and not be having the teenage girlfriend drama ALL THE TIME. He doesn’t have to be Bruce Wayne, he doesn’t
have to be super wealthy or a playboy, I’m just ready to see him reach
adulthood. You know? Something different, something fresh.
Something “Spectacular” maybe?
This is Black Cat. I was too afraid to do a Google Image Search at work...that's how seksi her costume is
PS – Yes Sony Studios, I would be happy to write or direct
the next Spidey movie for you. You know
how to find me.
This...this is how you find me...with that light....you know the Spider-man light.?
I originally started this blog as an outlet for my wreath shop on Etsy, appropriately named SugarSkull Industries' (W)Reef Shop, because I love a good pun. I read online that the best way to build up an audience of which to introduce my wares was by casting a wide net into the blogosphere. Fair enough, I thought. Plus I love writing and telling funny stories about my childhood, like that one time I found a dead bird in our backyard playhouse that my mom took great lengths to sew little fabric curtains for, which made me believe for a short time that we actually had an evil, Satanic playhouse that was murdering small animals. Turns out we just left the little front door open and an an old bird was looking for a quiet place to pass on.
So maybe I started this blog for the wrong reasons. I mean who hasn't heard of a wreath. "Oh excuse me, ladies and fine gentlemen! Allow me to introduce the newest thing, straight from Paris, you have never seen anything like it, I promise! Behold--the wreath!"
I started with a bold direction for my blog. Nothing exactly new or innovative but tried and true. I enjoy reading Radical Possibility and thought, hey I like decorating my house, I love exploring the nearest city, I love drinking gin! I settled on posting some fun home decor DIY projects, artistically impressive photos of my travels, and the occasional think piece on whatever my little dorky heart desired, like books, music and/or anything comic book related. The readers would surely flock. I am and will forever be an optimist. Fatally optimistic is what my paternal grandmother once said. I, of course, was like, "What the hell, Granma?" (She prefers the spelling without a "d")
I'll be honest, I did have fun posting. Even though my DIY projects were sadly short-lived. I have neither the imagination nor skill to come up with successful DIYs on a regular basis and forget taking successful photos of the whole enterprise. Seriously, are there any night owl bloggers? And if so what do you post? Do you take your pictures at night, after work like I try to?
I don't travel enough to take beautiful landscape pictures of things like an abandoned cemetery or like, a duck pond. I don't have a mate or children to take pictures of or, conversely, to take pictures of me while doing DIYs. Sorry if I left you with the impression that I may or may not be left handed.
So what is left then? The funny stories, I guess? I could try cooking but come on, not even I'm optimistic enough to beat that dead horse. Also, I'm like a remedial cook at best. I know how to cook some stuff, like spaghetti, meat loaf, tacos but I'm not adventurous and at the first mention of a food processor or mixer, I give up. I got a rice cooker, an 18 year old toaster, a blender and a panini press. I mean I can't even make rice unassisted.
I could try the fashion angle. Taking pictures of every single outfi---nah, scratch that. I'm too lazy. I got bored halfway through that last sentence.
So what are your thoughts? What do you look for in your favorite blogs? After 6 months of blogging, I'm asking you, dear readers, what do you like to read about? What gets you interested and engaged? Just curious.
Smells like Teen Spirit.....and uhh ninjas....and tur...tles???
Ever wonder why, my dear readers, I will sometimes greet you as "my ninjas"? This is because I have a deep affection for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise, as most adults my age do. (Yes we're Adults now!) The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, or TMNT for short, were four brothers that worked as a team. This use of "Ninja" became a term of endearment at my work, since I work so closely together with my co-workers. We have each others' back. We are a TEAM!
Now as the oldest sibling, Leonardo aka the Blue One, is the leader of the team. He's not the strongest, that's Raphael. He's not the smartest, that's Donatello. He is definitely not the funny one, that's Michelangelo but he is the boss. He's a little serious, a little bossy but he leads because he loves his family and his brothers. As a kid, I GOT Leo. As the oldest sibling myself, I understood his struggle to lead, especially whenever he doubted himself or became frustrated that he was held more accountable than anyone else. Growing up, my parents told me it was my job to protect my two younger sisters whenever my parents couldn't be there. I got in trouble if my sisters got in trouble, because I knew better and failed to keep them in line. Yep, I was Leo just without the sweet swords, ninja training, and turtle DNA.
I went to see the last TMNT animated movie at the movie theater by myself. I actively watch every episode of the current TMNT animated tv series on Nickelodeon. So yeah, I gonna judge the hell out of the new trailer for Michael Bay's live action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reboot.
My verdict? This looks a whole lot like the Christopher Nolan's Batman Trilogy. Like shot for shot. Let's break it down, shall we? Please be advised, none of these images are mine but that's kinda obvious.....right?
So first up in the trailer we see overhead shots of a big city, I assume it's New York but really it could be Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Seattle, anywhere. This is followed by a shot of a terrorist shooting a gun, dressed in black, then followed by a helicopter hovering over the city. Fair enough, this is the same setup for any action movie trailer or drama these days. Then we see a large radio tower get destroyed. Large scale destruction appears in most action movie trailers but consistently appears in the Nolan Bat-verse.
Gotham City Bridge....Bane prefers blasting bridges to burning them
During these shots we hear a white male's voice-over describe the decline of honor, justice and heroes. Again no real surprise here, it's been done before.
In the Dark Knight trailer it's Michael Caine.
In TMNT it's William Fichtner, apparently he plays Shredder AND he was also in the Dark Knight.
Next up in the TMNT trailer we see armed criminals being ambushed in a subway station. Literally being thrown against the walls. We do not get a glimpse of the attackers. Seem familiar? That would because the first scene in which Batman fights in Batman Begins takes place in a shipping container yard. He too, ambushes armed criminals while remaining unseen.
Okay well eventually he is seen.
I guess the Turtles get seen by April O'Neil too. On her digital camera, in the dark., while my camera can't even take a decent concert photo.
We see more city destruction in the trailer, the masses panicking, cop cars forming a blockade and then Leonardo leaps from a building donning ninja weapons and gear. Ninja weapons....hmm.......
Oh right,....
Yep, got it.
Then comes my favorite part, the turtles can be seen sliding down a snow-covered mountain, because their shells are like natural sleds, baby!
He did not clear that obstacle...at all...
THIS too appears in Batman Begins, when Bruce Wayne slides down a snow-covered mountain to save Liam Neeson's character.
Okay nerds, I know this scene occurs earlier that the mountain scene but I needed to show a lil context, so slow your roll, okay?
He (Bruce) had to literally slow his Master's roll (off a mountain)
I'm not saying the comparisons between the TMNT reboot and the Nolan Batverse is unfavorable, far from it. I realize this is just the very first trailer but I feel as though I have already seen a movie like this, Batman Begins, and I do not believe TMNT can top it at this point. This trailer just gives rise to too many questions. Where is Master Splinter? Who is the bad guy, the antagonist? The Foot Clan, the Kraang, Shredder? What does Raph or Donnie look like? What does Leonardo sound like? Is Casey Jones going to show up? What the hell happened to Mikey's face?
I mean, LOOK AT IT!!!!
I feel like the current animated series is totally hitting it out of the park, providing an updated version of the Turtles that includes all of the above elements,(Master Splinter, the Kraang, etc.) and yet wisely skip any Vanilla Ice references and "Cowabunga, dude!" What purpose would the live version hope to accomplish? A watered down version of Batman Begins? At this point, I'm not buying what Michael Bay is selling and I even buy the TMNT Lego sets, people! I guess, I'll just have to stay tuned.
What are your thoughts, my ninjas? Which turtle was/is your favorite? Are you excited for the reboot? I wanna know!
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