Off-Topic Tuesday!

[icon_uk]

In the comments to these weekly posts (and only these posts), it's your chance to go as off topic as you like. Talk about non-comics stuff, thread derail, and just generally chat amongst yourselves.

The horrible events overnight in the UK at the Manchester Arena have left me in not very much of a light-hearted mood today, so this may be a somewhat shorter list than usual.

If you are concerned about anyone still missing, the Greater Manchester Police have emergency contact details on their Twitter feed.

Local people and business have, as they so often do, rallied round magnificently offering shelter, resources and transportation for those who needed them, and given how many of those impacted were young children and their parents coming to collect them at the end of the concert, those were some deeply traumatised people to deal with.

As yet, not motive or motivation has been ascribed to the bomber, and media outlets have been asked not to speculate or mention names, as it may hinder investigations, or spread fear and we would ask that you do the same.

Any act of terrorism which targets the helpless and innocent is an abomination, and I can find no words foul enough to describe someone who would deliberately target an event where the audience are likely to be young children and teenage girls (The concert was by Ariana Grande, the star of a Nickelodeon show for Gods sake). Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those who have lost loved ones.

In associated news, the UK political parties have, in a pleasing display of unity and good taste, agreed to suspend any campaigning for today, and most likely for the rest of the week.

In other news, Zach Snyder has withdrawn from the Justice League movie to deal with a family tragedy. Joss Whedon is coming on board to finish it.

Buzz for the Wonder Woman movie is extraordinarily positive, which is a reassuring change of pace.

A photo of Donald Trump (spreading his special kind of politics around the globe and trying to avoid all the talk of Russian-links investigation), King Salman bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia and the Egyptian PM Abdel Fatah al-Sisi all placing their hand on a glowing globe (actually switching on a bank of computers, but giving the suggestion that they are activating the Omegazon Omni-Destructor (tm)) hit Twitter and every single possible joke that could be made was. My favourite quote is that it looks like an Alex Ross cover and all it needs is the Justice League looming behind them to complete the effect.

Things took an even MORE surreal turn when a sinkhole mysteriously appearaed at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort... I'm SURE the two events are not connected.

And on a lighter note to end with, anyone buying the Titans Return Seapray from Transformers, might have spotted, or more likely have not spotted, an incredibly geeky easter egg from one of the designers.

And it's just been confirmed that Sir Roger Moore, British actor and star of several Bond movies in the 1970's and "The Saint" in the 1960's, has died at the age of 89, in Sqwitzerland, after a short battle with cancer. RIP 007.

Comments

[skjam]

My sympathies to those in Manchester and their kith and kin.

Still looking for work, getting increasingly frustrated.

Over at my blog, I have reviewed a starter pack of Oni Press comics, including Letter 44 and Kaijumax. http://www.skjam.com/2017/05/18/comic-book-review-oni-press-starter-pack-2016/

[zachbeacon]

Started watching Riverdale on Netflix. It's the same special brand of awful that I've come to expect of Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa but, like Glee before it, I can't stop watching it. Probably going to have to read some more Life With Archie or the Waid reboot to get the taste out of my mouth.

[icon_uk]

I found Riverdale to be a much more entertaining series than I ever found Glee, which just got on my nerves and treated things like the coach drugging and date raping the principal so she'd have leverage against him as throwaway jokes.

Riverdale had a LOT of clichés in it (Their treatment of Kevin being the one that kept bugging me) but also a lot of rather transgressive ideas (Just how close WERE the Blossom twins? We know Afterlife with Archie took that to some weird places, but I didn't expect to see anything like that in the TV show)

[thatnickguy]

The news about Zack Snyder is absolutely horrible. Also, anyone who makes a tasteless joke about his work over this tragedy is a complete pile of shit. I've certainly criticized his work, but that was always Snyder the filmmaker. No one - no matter how much you dislike their professional work - deserves to go through this.

[matrix_dragon]

*googles* Oh Christ. That... yeah, no one deserves that, and differences of opinion on movies aside, Snyder's always seemed like a pretty decent person from what I've seen. And it takes a big person to be willing to step away from something as big as this movie to focus on what's most important. Much respect for the man, and my sympathy for what he and his family are going through.

[icon_uk]

I think it says something about the character of Scans_Daily members, that I didn't feel the need to warn anyone against making such "jokes".

[kamino_neko]

Oh, lord, I hadn't seen why he'd dropped out.

That's horrible.

[lb_lee]

Oh jeez, that IS awful. My heart goes out to Snyder and his family; what a tragic thing to happen!

[zachbeacon]

I just looked it up. Only 20. Wow.

[plastefuchs]

So, on an only sort-of off-topic note: I might have finally found a piece of work to write here something about. Still a bit unsure how to go about it in structure and goal (show bits, show the story in the 3 media it was presented, ... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯), but I'll work that out after a while.

About the the image hosting sites listed in the new posting guidelines, are they meant as a suggestion or as one of the options to choose from as to not push undesired hosting sited forward? I would have used a site like imgur, since I am most familiar with that site compared to the others (though it is nice to see abload being still active and alive).

Any input would be appreciated. :)

[icon_uk]

The image hosting sites are meant as guidelines only.

[stubbleupdate]

I saw Colossal in the cinema at the weekend. Twice.

It is the best film I have seen in years.

Don't read anything about it, just go and watch it.

[scorntx]

Even more tragedy:
Sir Roger Moore's passed away, aged 89.

[zachbeacon]

He was my favorite Bond :(

[junipepper]

IMHO, living to be 89 is not a tragedy. A loss, certainly, but not a tragic loss.

[commodus]

It won't be too long now til E3. I know it's a long shot, and won't happen, but I'd love to see something about a new Elder Scrolls game.

[informationgeek]

I'm excited to see what Nintendo has up their sleeves. New console, tons of interesting games on the horizon, Virtual Console is still missing on the Switch, new mobile games to be announced, and more. Over all companies, they are the ones to watch.

Also, for me personally, I want to see some Dragon Quest!

[scorntx]

So, finally got a chance to see that Assassin's Creed movie.
... in hindsight, the fact it was being sold for ten quid should have been something of a big flashing clue.
Not a very good movie.
But one of the bigger problems, besides massive gaps in logic and the narrative and clunky dialogue and flat characters is... the imagery.
Like, when you make a movie of a franchise that is generally known for gorgeous panoramic shots of cities, or valleys, or the like... maybe don't obscure those panoramic shots with smoke and haze all the freaking time.

... bought Titans Return Gnaw the other day. He's kinda cute.

(And on a related note, it's not even a month till The Last Knight comes out. How is this year going by so quickly?!)

[bradygirl_12]

I've heard some positive buzz on the Wonder Woman movie, too. I think it would be the height of irony that Diana's film might be the one that would 'save' the DCEU if was critically well-received by professionals and fans. I know there will be flaws, but I really am getting a good feeling about this movie. Hera knows we need something uplifting (despite the backdrop being WWI)! Real life isn't too lovely these days.

[commodus]

I really hope it does well. It doesn't seem that Wonder Woman fans have ever had much in way of decent cinematic portrayals of her, which is really bad when you consider what an iconic character she is.

[lb_lee]

My cartoon night crew is watching Green Lantern Corps now, and it's been a ton of fun! I was a little dubious since Hal is really not my preferred Lantern, but the show is really enjoyable.

(We also went through Darkwing Duck and Static Shock somewhat recently. The more I hear about Dwayne McDuffie, the more awesome he is.)

[locuatico]

Wrote something on my blog: locuas.com/2017/05/18/analysis-queen-marlena-is-a-knight/

[starwolf_oakley]

I hope the Greyskull movie has a "stinger" where Adam and Aurora find Marlena's secret room, full of references to a place called "Earth."

Marlena: I should have shown you two this a long time ago.
Aurora: Mother... What planet are you from?

Yes, I also want Adam and Aurora to be raised together instead of separated at birth. Shut up.

[janegray]

I have to make an important career decision and I'm scared of making a dumb choice and fucking up probably the best chance I'll ever have and letting down the people who selected me and making them regret trusting me and I may be having a lot lot lot of anxiety about this.

[tonybennett3]

Go with your gut. If you know this is the best choice, then it's best choice. Nothing ventured nothing gained. Just don't second guess yourself. And remember, Meowth is the real leader of Team Rocket!

[alicemacher]

Although I shouldn't be surprised, I continue to be irritated at the superficiality of mainstream news outlets. If we're to believe them, the most need-to-know U.S. story right now is Melania swatting Donald's hand away on the tarmac. That, instead of:

* The Back the Blue Act, which would substantially limit the ability of Americans to hold police officers accountable for abuses;

* Bill HR243, which would give state and municipal law enforcement officers sweeping powers to in effect do the Department of Immigration's work for them and contribute further to the demonization of undocumented immigrants;

* China's ongoing crackdown on human rights lawyers.

But hey, never mind that. The question of whether Melania still wuvs her hubby is much more important, right?

[junipepper]

I seriously doubt they were ever actually in love.

[junipepper]

Pretty much stopping by to say hi. Considering the US and worldwide situations at this time, my husband and I decided we needed to start making some regular donations. Budgeting had to be done, and I pretty much gave up buying comics, at least for a while. (Well, maybe a trade here or there...) I can't hang out on SD too much because it has the constant effect of making me want to buy comics. But I miss the community, so I'm still lurking a bit.

[pyrrhocorax]

I think that’s a really admirable decision you two have made! And it’s not easy to give up the things you enjoy in a dark time.