Mod Post: 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 among yourselves.

After the Inauguration went ahead quietly (and Bernie Sanders in his mittens becoming a surprise meme hit, which he is exploiting for charity) The new administration in the US has hit the ground running full tilt it would seem.

Trumps ban on transgender people serving in the military is scrapped

Trumps contentious "1776 Commission" has been dissolved.

The record breaking second impeachment of Donald Trump is moving forward.

Tomorrow is Holocaust Memorial Day

The EU is angry that COVID vaccines are not being distributed along previously agreed lines. This is going to get messy.

To the surprise of what seems to be an unexpectedly large number of people in the UK, Customs charges on things ordered from Europe are now a thing. Another "benefit" of Brexit?

We lost actress Mira Furlan this week, most memorable perhaps as Ambassador Delenn on "Babylon 5", though she also had a notable recurring role in "Lost".

The Flaming Lips put on a show which looks like it's straight out of an episode of the 1970's Buck Rogers with audience in private (and literal) bubbles in front of the stage.

Random question of the week: Favourite legendary creature (Of especial interest if you have a local legendary beast that isn't terribly well known.)

Comments

[owlbrigade1]

Despite a ban on non-essential travel, Boris Johnson is planning on making a visit to Scotland to campaign for the Scottish Parliamentary elections this spring; reportedly to shore up the Unionist vote. This is a massively bad move, as even people in his own party are pointing out, because not only is it seen as typical English interference since he obviously isn't running in Scotland and this should be left to the Scottish branch of his party, but also that he personally is massively toxic in Scotland [even beyond normal Tory toxicity, because of the English led Brexit which dragged Scotland out of the EU despite voting to stay in] and thus is likely to stoke the Independence cause rather than suppress it.

It is also massively hypocritical because it is definitely not essential travel in a pandemic. The Tories still have not recovered from Johnson's own personal advisor breaking quarantine when he knew he was effected last year, one of the excuses for him driving across the country was he needed to drive on a motorway at 70mph+ to test his eyesight because he thought it was failing due to covid. An explanation for which I have no words... So Johnson breaking quarantine for electoral campaigning is just hammering home the impression it is one rule for the toff and another for the rest of us, which makes it harder to get people to stay at home and undermines public trust.

In more personal news, I ordered a small fifteen litre bag on compost for some houseplant stuff. The company sent 150litres of manure... Oi, well, I suppose it'll be good for the garden, since they said I could keep it as it would cost more to send back than what it is really worth. I still need that houseplant compost though, my cheeseplant needs repotting.

[stubbleupdate]

Incredible that the hi vis wearing cunt things coming up to Scotland will be good for electoral prospects for the Scottish Tories.

It'll just lead to scenes like this from the last General election

You should be in Brussels!
I am!
You are in Morley, in Leeds"

[stubbleupdate]

You remember last week, when the official twitter account of the hawaii GOP posted a tweet about how the only thing the insurrectionists at the capitol were guilty of was loving their country? We should make it abundantly clear — the people who subscribed to the Q fiction, were largely motivated by a sincere and deep love for America. Patriotism and love of County should never be ridiculed

The author of the tweet was a "civic nationalist" and comicsgater supporter and has resigned

[themajesticmoose]

I'm really hoping that a lot of the disgusting nazi parasites that are QAnon supporters will end up dying of Covid-19

Both because I genuinely want every last one of these brain-dead evil pieces of shit to be worm food and because I think it would be quite poetic and also pretty hillarious if one disease got rid of another

Especially since QAnon supporters are usually the kind of dumb fucks who think not wearing a mask means FREEDOM becayse LAHRD JAYSUHS SAYUHD SUH IN THUH HUHLY BAHBLE

[zachbeacon]

The new DC Universe Infinite is still a mess.

We all knew they were going to move the TV/movie content to HBO Max where they can charge twice as much money for it. However, the blow was softened because we were promised the Milestone and Vertigo content. As I write this, I only see a dozen Vertigo series and all I’ve found for Milestone is a handful of Static content and one issue of Hardware (I was really looking forward to finally being able to read McDuffie’s Icon too).

They did add in some recent content they’ve been holding back (like the rest of the Jimmy Olsen and Lois Lane minis from last year) but it doesn’t look like they’ve done much to fill in the legacy content. For example, they only have a bit over half of Action and Detective.

They did greatly improve the organization of the app. I can now easily see all the available series alphabetically (though its weird that isn’t the default setting). You can also add an entire series or reading list to your favorites with one click.

It still lacks one basic feature Marvel Unlimited has that seems obvious. It’s difficult to find the work of an individual creator. I can type “Gaiman” in a search an see a handful of Batman comics he wrote (as well as the Action Comics issue where someone else wrote his Death) but searching for “Grayson” will turn up BOTH Nightwing and the lady who used to write him.

Edit: Slight correction. You can search by SOME individual creators but (a) its so well hidden I didn’t find it until well into the weekend and (b) they only list 15 artists and 16 writers. Devin Grayson did make the cut. Neil Gaiman didn’t … though it isn’t like Sandman and Books of Magic are on there anyway.

[thezmage]

More information coming out about the 1/6 riots at the Capitol, seems pretty clear that the disorganized rioters were being used as cover for a more organized group that came through earlier and ripped panic buttons out of the walls and was conspiring with somebody inside the building during the attacks. The article itself is behind a paywall but the excerpts posted (https://twitter.com/wesleylowery/status/1352787487765254145?s=21 ) show them receiving messages such as “all members are in the tunnels under capital(sic) seal them in. Turn on gas.”

After a few days of stand off, McConnell backed down on demands for promises to protect the filibuster before giving up the gavel, having gained nothing by the stand off. Still need to convince Sinema and Manchin to go along with it, but we can at least pass two stuffed budget bills before 2022.

Just noticed that the second issue of the excellent miniseries Doctor Doom and the Masters of Evil is inexplicably missing from Marvel Unlimited. I responded to their official Twitter account but does anybody know of another way to let them know that they might actually respond to?

In happier news, I saw Batman Soul of the Dragon yesterday and thought it was really fun. I only really have surface level knowledge of 70s Kung fu movie aesthetics but I really enjoyed seeing them up there. Ending was pretty weird, but in a fun way.

The preview for the upcoming JSA movie really makes it look like it’ll follow up from the previous continuity rather than just say (Apokalips War spoilers) “Ybbx, rirelbar qvrq naq gurve ragver jbeyq vf tbar, trg bire vg!” like I expected them to. Gur svefg fprar jr frr gur zbqrea Synfu va ur vf ehaavat guebhtu n gvzr ghaary jvgu ab rkcynangvba naq bar bs gur perj fnlf fbzrguvat nobhg ybbxvat nebhaq ng jung punatrq, nf jryy nf fbzr cnenyyryf gb Synfucbvag fhpu nf gur zbivr nccneragyl srnghevat Jbaqre Jbzna naq Ndhnzna pynfuvat gb fbzr qrterr. Ybbxf yvxr guvf vf jurer Oneel jrag nsgre Ncbxnyvcf Jne.

Starting a new regular monthly game of Monster of the Week as keeper this weekend. Cautiously excited and I hope I don’t screw it up too badly. I would say my favorite mythological creature is the griffin but in my last game the Minotaur became my signature monster.

In semi-related news, can someone recommend me their favorite (ideally audio) adaptation of the Picture of Dorian Gray? One of my players is playing the pararomantic and for their guide they’re looking for something akin to fictional portrayals of Dorian

Nancy Drew, ghost Hunter just introduced a misnamed version of the elder Bobbsey twins. As per usual with the show it’s completely ridiculous and probably a bad idea but I am so here for it

Speaking of me being a cheap date (I hope that’s not an offensive term), the trailer for Godzilla vs King Kong is out and it looks awesome: https://youtu.be/odM92ap8_c0

[zachbeacon]

I was looking for a specific 1/6 clip I keep seeing. I couldn’t find the version with cleaned up audio but I did find one with part of that clip and even more terrifying footage.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/ted-cruz-would-want-us-to-do-this-capitol-rioter-tells-maga-mob-pals-in-video-from-senate-floor

So much to unpack here

Weird incompressible chanting

“There’s gotta be something here we can use against the scumbags” – Blackmail?

“I think Cruz would want us to do this so I think we’re good”…followed by them briefly believing Ted was going to sell them out because (a) they are too stupid to know objecting to the Arizona votes is the thing that helps Trump* and (b) even gullible cult members think Ted Cruz is a weasel.

*In the alternate reality where Trump has legitimate grievances.

Yeah, somehow, I don’t think its going to work out well for the ones trying to suck up to Trump’s base now that he’s out.

Then threatening the police until they back down. At that point they’re all “we love you guys”

More chanting. This time just shouting “treason”. At least they know their brand.

I'm more and more convinced that "antifa" is a boogeyman not because they've been convinced it means something else but because they're just very proud of their fascism.

I just had that Batman movie arrive today.

[flo_nelja]

I love so many legendary creatures, but right now my favourite is the Encantado, the Brazilian pink dolphin shapeshifter.

[themajesticmoose]

They sound delightful :)

[janegray]

To the surprise of what seems to be an unexpectedly large number of people in the UK, Customs charges on things ordered from Europe are now a thing. Another "benefit" of Brexit?

This one really pisses me off, because "IF THE UK LEAVES THE EU THERE WILL BE CUSTOMS, DIPSHITS!" was a message that had been very very very very clear from the very beginning, and I'd been screaming about it for years at length at Brexiters because I buy a lot of stuff from Amazon.co.uk (pretty much ALL my comics and most of my books) and I knew I'd have to massively cut down on my hobby when Brexit finally passed because it'd get too expensive for me.

How, HOW, HOW, HOW THE FUCK could you possibly act surprised now?

I swear these idiots would shove a fork into a power outlet and then cry foul when it shocks them.

[lordultimus]

"I never thought leopards would eat my face!" said woman who voted for the Leopards-Eating-Faces Party.

[lordultimus]

I've been getting into sea shanties recently. So far I'm enjoying Leave Her Johnny, Roll the Old Chariot, Randy Dandy-Oh, and Rolling Down to Old Maui. Any other's I should know about?

[stubbleupdate]

LOOOOOWLAAAANDS AWAAAAAAAY

[scorntx]

... was Biden's inauguration really just last week?
Wow.
(I mean, I was watching the darn thing but... last week?)

Major side-eye at Biden, et all talking about America 'leading' again. The only metaphor I can think of at the moment is like a drunk driver being excited about being allowed to drive again.
(Yeah, you're sober now, but there's still a fucking huge dent in the car from where someone drove through a wall.)

Among other stupid things in British politics over the last two weeks was:
The Idiot accusing the leader of the opposition of "playing politics". Hmm... think you might be onto something there, Detective No-Shit.
Comparing Brexit to El Dorado. Presumably as in the, er, entirely fictional mythical city of gold, and not that animated movie. (Though, you know, with Johnson, anything's possible. Even being unable to distinguish between the two.)
Something about bullying Ghana in a trade deal? 'm not entirely clear on that one, but it does seem to be responsible for sudden mass absence of bananas from stores.

Finally got around to watching the DVD of Ultimate Avengers 2 a friend bought for me Many Years Ago.
Black Panther actually turning into a panther-man is... definitely a thing?
Even for something based on Ultimate Marvel, that's a really bizarre way to go.
(We haven't had a lot of Batman media where he's an actual man-bat, or where Ant-Man's an actual ant. Shame, really.)

Speaking of bizarre, wound up watching Muppets Now on Disney+.
That was funny.

[icon_uk]

... was Biden's inauguration really just last week?
Wow.
(I mean, I was watching the darn thing but... last week?)

As someone put it, "I'm really hoping the REST of 2021 doesn't mean a series of weeks where each could be entire new verse of "We Didn't Start the Fire" "

[alicemacher]

Among my favourite legendary creatures is the Adne Sadeh (aka Fadua) from medieval Jewish folklore. It's a sort of humanoid plant, but not in the "Swamp Thing" sense; rather, it's attached to the earth via a long umbilical cord. More details on SF/fantasy author Matthew Kressel's blog.

[skjam]

Legendary creature? I think the werewolf speaks to me most.

Over at my blog, I revieew an Advance Reader Edition of a book in which Queen Elizabeth II solves a murder mystery. While making a historical figure your detective is pretty common in the field, this is the first time I've seen it with a living monarch. http://www.skjam.com/2021/01/26/book-review-the-windsor-knot/

[gnarll]

Norway has fined Grindr 10 % of yearly global revenue for poor data protection, citing the harm outing people can do. (With the subtext Especially in countries where being LBGT is illegal or seriously discriminated against)

[themajesticmoose]

Speaking as someone who is not very technically minded, can you explain what the issue with poor data retention was that lead to the app being fined and how it lead to the app putting people at risk?

[iamrman]

I have watched all of the new movies I wanted to watch on Disney+. Most recently it was the new Aladdin and Lady and the Tramp.

I never cared for the original Aladdin, so I wasn't all that invested in the first place. I only really wanted to see the new one to see what Will Smith was like as the Genie. I liked his version of Prince Ali and 'Prince Ali's first meeting with Jasmine did actually make me laugh.

The Lady and the Tramp remake was pretty good as well. Thankfully, the Siamese cats aren't quite so racist any more. Even if that means their song isn't quite so memorable.

Comics reading has been pretty forgettable. I did read the first volume of the Rebirth Nightwing, which wasn't too bad.

[icon_uk]

I didn't even know there WAS a new version of "The Lady and the Tramp"!

I do like the original Aladdin (flippy acrobatic heroes tend to be one of my weak spots... I know, shocking, right?) and loved the songs.

The new version is good, but it lacked the wacky energy of the original, and "Speechless" whilst a fine song, absolutely doesn't fit the musical style of the others and seems to be from a completely different movie.

[beoweasel]

Trumps contentious "1776 Commission" has been dissolved.

icon_uk, why'd you link from the National Review? Seems like a cartoonishly biased source on the subject.

But as a historian and one that frequently listens to others on the subject, there's been a full agreement that the commission was complete and absolute anti-intellectualist trash.

For starters, for a commission about historical education, it had only one historian on the board, (one who's specialization was ancient Greek military history) and none related to the subject of American history. Further, it's board comprised conservative politicians and right-wing commenters, including folks such as Charlie Kirk, a community college-dropout whose only accomplishment is being the head of what amounts to little more than a Right-Wing meme generator.

It contain several ludicrous statements, like Anti-Americanism has been worming its way into historical education since the 19th Century, that the Civil Rights and Feminist Movements in the 60s simply 'imagined' their oppression and now seek preferential treatment. It listed progressivism as one of the great challenges to the United States along side, fascism and communism (OH, and I couldn't help notice the sheer irony of them accusing liberals of being fascist while this entire commission is exactly that).

You know what you're getting into when one of the titles in the commission report says in big, fucking bold letters: Appendixes III: EQUAL OR IDENTITY POLITICS?

[werehawk]

Did you see this week's Line it is Drawn (from CBR.com)? Scroll down to the last one:
https://www.cbr.com/marvel-comics-future-state-version-gallery/

[malurette]

I'm starting to consider arson as a way to get rid of my neighbourhood's squatters recurring problem--or maybe it's just the intrusive thoughts talking?

[janegray]

https://www.axios.com/biden-signs-racial-equity-executive-orders-private-prisons-98e094a4-b156-48c4-bac6-b359c29c0652.html?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=organic&utm_content=1100

President Joe Biden on Tuesday signed executive orders on housing and ending the Justice Department's use of private prisons as part of what the White House is calling his “racial equity agenda.”

Not that this will do anything to even slightly persuade the people on Twitter who keep screeching that Dems and the GOP are exactly the same and there is no difference at all between Trump and Biden and if you voted for Biden it means you compromised your values and are going conservative. Horseshoe Theory is one hell of a thing.

[thezmage]

Also he's repealed the transgender military ban and extended moratoriums on both evictions and deportations

[tripodeca113]

Well, my copy of Marvels: Eye of The Camera arrived. Not quite as good as the original, but it had a strong emotional core. Possibly one of the shortcomings, is due to it being based around less iconic stories and events.

Read The Courtyard. Hmm the library's copy of Necromicon is about two weeks overdue now. Perhaps the universe is sending me a message.

I've been watching Cobra Kai, it sure puts a lot of nostalgic cash grabs to shame. Yes that one your think of now.

More potential Game Of Thrones spinoffs. Dunk and Egg I love those two, man I don't want this. I'm sure they'll get ruined.

I decided to start watching the first Fullmetal Alchemist anime.

Well my application for government support was approved, but now I need to apply for jobs, and it's as soul destroying process as I remember it. I have to fill out this form, then include my resume, but most of the information can be found in my resume. Oh I hate this.

[zachbeacon]

"Well, my copy of Marvels: Eye of The Camera arrived. Not quite as good as the original, but it had a strong emotional core. Possibly one of the shortcomings, is due to it being based around less iconic stories and events."

If nothing else its worth it to find out the fate of, um, "that one character" (I don't know how far in you are but you'll know it when you see it)

I feel like people are really dismissive of the fist FMA but i really enjoyed it (not counting the terrible movie) and you kinda have to watch both the first part of it alongside Brotherhood to get anything approaching a decent adaptation of the manga.

[juniper6]

My state’s most famous legend is probably the New Jersey Devil. Lots of versions of it; here’s one: https://www.atlantic-county.org/history/jersey-devil-pg1.asp I’m not terribly invested in it myself. I suppose my favorite mythical creatures would be mer-people and/or Atlanteans. 🧜‍♀️ 🌊 I just like oceans and swimming a lot.

It’s snowing right now, and I’m very cozy in fleece socks, thermal pants, and several layers of flannel shirts, just watching it out the window with the grandpuppy in my lap. I’m more relaxed than I’ve been in at least 4 1/2 years. It’s unlikely to last, but for this moment, all is well in my world.

[themajesticmoose]

I'm so mad that any time the Jersey Devil shows up in popular fiction they do them wrong

I want more cryptid horror content

[thezmage]

Forgot to mention in my first post: Lord and Miller’s film “Connected” is now coming to Netflix under its original title “The Mitchell’s Vs The Machines.” Considering that the movie sure seems to be extolling the virtues of face to face communication over devices it’s a bit ironic that it’s coming out now, when people need their screens to connect themselves to the people who are important to them

[deh_tommy]

I don’t have a favourite mythical creature as I don’t like picking favourites in general, but I do love learning about mythology. Locally speaking (and by locally I mainly mean country-wide), I’m a sucker for the Sídhe, otherwise known as the Aos Sídhe, Daoine Sídhe or fairies. They’re not strictly fairies in the popular sense, that’s more an umbrella term for specific supernatural creatures. You’ve probably seen or heard about them from popular culture, media, or general stories you’ve consumed. To list a few:

•Banshees are weeping, wailing phantoms of women who act as harbingers of ill omen and a sign of an inevitable death nearby. You probably already know of them, but what you might not have known is that their name is (I think) an anglicisation of the Irish Bean Sídhe.

•Changelings are fairy children given the form and place of children, replacing them and living their lives with the child’s parents hopefully (for the changeling, that is) none the wiser while fairies whisk away the original child.

•Dullaghans, the headless horsemen, wield their heads in their hands, are gifted with impeccable eyesight and allegedly wield a whip made from the spines of human corpses.

•Leannan Sídhe are among the few fairies who live alongside humans. Their ethereal beauty is able to capture anyone’s hearts, and those whom the Leannan Sídhe take as lovers (and vice versa) live rather unfortunately short but highly inspired lives.

•Púca are mischievous shapeshifters who usually take the form of animals. That’s thought they liked to trick people into riding on their backs and then violently bucking around before letting the rider off. Apart from that, they’re your typical poltergeists dishing out help and harm depending on the individual.

[janegray]

Do love a story I read on Tumblr about Changelings.

The mother tracked down the fairies who stole her child and forced them to give him back. But she walked away with both her bio son AND the Changeling, reasoning that people who abandon their babies aren't fit to be parents so she is not giving him back, and that as far as she is concerned the kid she has been caring for for months is just as much her real kid as the bio one. She ends up raising them as twin brothers.

[zachbeacon]

I have a fondness for folklore and mythology and used to have a particular fixation on the Loch Ness monster as a kid. I guess Meshekenabek would be the local equivalent but they just don't have Nessie's PR.

Given the number of statues I've acquired over the years, I feel like I ought to just say "dragons" and be done with it but it just seems so basic.

[lissa_quon]

Enh I'm into Mothman - not sure why. But Mothman is always a good time.

Also a lot of yokai are fun to read about. Like western folklore got nothing on these babies.

[themajesticmoose]

I am also fond of his Scottish cousin, The Owlman

Kiramager Episode 40

[silverzeo]

This week's episode of Super Sentai's Kiramager series episode hits rather close to general nerd/otaku/artist circles.

The episode plays some red herrings on the viewers, making you think it is a rather lighthearted "Who's Who" kind of episode... but kinda plays off WAY differently than you would expect.

I am trying not to spoil it... but the victim of the week really reminded me of myself, my brother, and some general other users and artists I know online... as well as their struggles... so it kinda has a spot for myself.

It's not exactly perfect, but it's kinda of a tone-shift/script flip that you wouldn't expect from this series, and I am sure would resonate with some of the older users here... especially with the episode's end lesson/message.

[leahandillyana]

Poland has introduced complete abortion ban. Between protests against that, protests in support of opposition in Belarus, protests in support of opposition in Russia, work and taking care of my pets, I had very little time for anything else.