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.

President Biden has faced criticism for not imposing harsher sanctionsss against Saudi Arabia after a US intelligence report found that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had approved the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The CPAC convention happened in the US, with former President Trump in attendance, suggesting he's not done with politics yet.

300 schoolgirls kidnapped last week in Nigeria have been found and released

Three Polish women have been found not guilty of casusing offence after producing artwork showing the Virgin Mary with a rainbow halo in a statement on LGBT rights.

The fireball of a large meteor was visble over parts of the UK a couple of nights ago. Suggestions this was in any way retaliation for the Perseverance mission to Mars have been denied by the Government, whose offical statement was "The chances of anything coming from Mars are a million to one, they say".

French electronic music duo, Daft Punk announced their retirement after 28 years. This is also presumably not linked to the fireball, which wasn't coming to take them back to their REAL home in deep space.

Dr Hibbert of the Simpsons will now be voiced by an actual person of colour. Kevin Richardson is taking over the role from Harry Shearer, after the creators announced last year that white actors would no longer portray non-white characters. Thirty one years into the show's run is perhaps a little late in the day, but every little helps.

Comments

[tripodeca113]

Look Anthem isn't getting any more content. Apparently Bioware wants to focus on Dragon Age 4. It'll be a real shame if that doesn't do too well....

Look the current Twilight Zone revival has been cancelled.

Avatar News: Oh the live action remake will apparently have Katara be the elder sibling....Huh, why would you do that? I mean it seems to have emerged from a not particularly reputable site, so it could be wrong, but still it bodes poorly.

oh look the shows original creators are part of something called Avatar Studio which is going to focus on making more Avatar content. So far there's an upcoming animated film, which will start production later this year, and implicitly future shows. I'm kind of conflicted by this, I'd enjoy more Avatar content, but I worry it might be an attempt to capture past glories and rehash pre-established stuff. I fear it could lead to franchise burn-out because, it's never been a particularly extensive franchise.

Oh look The Bad Batch show has a released date and a re-release of Republic Commandos. It's almost enough to make a man care about Star Wars again....but then I remember then grim spectre of that film.

Finally, all our years of waiting are finally over. Pokemon Diamond and Pearl remake games. And an interesting looking spin-off game.

The Sinking City is back on Steam again, but the dispute between publisher and developer hasn't been settled yet. So, remember if you want to support the developers get it on Origins or Frogware's website (this has a strange verification system, so I can't recommend it).

Vampire The Masquerade -Bloodlines 2 has been delayed again. And the developer has been replaced. I think they'll probably start from the ground up, which isn't very encouraging. I hope you didn't pre-order it.

Six Days in Faujiah is actually going to be released. In case you don't know it's, a shooter set explicitly during the Iraq War. You can see why this was controversial back in 2009. I expect some really milquetoast interviews from the publishers.

[icon_uk]

You mean the prequel, open-world "Pokemon Legends: Arceus"?

https://sea.ign.com/news/169226/open-world-pokemon-spin-off-pokemon-legends-arceus-announced-for-2022

[leahandillyana]

I'm always in favor for more Avatar content. It's the most thematically complex American cartoon after all.

[bluapapilio]

Please let DA4 be good. _@

I feel the same way about AtLA.

I'm broke but maybe someday I can play the PKM remakes.

[themajesticmoose]

Republicans: It's offensive when people on the left keep comparing us to Nazis!

Republicans at the CPAC convention: (Give angry bigotry filled speeches against democracy, freedom and free elections while standing on a stage shaped like a Nazi symbol)

Me: Yep, can't think where we'd ever get the idea that there's ANY similarity between you dipshits and the nazis...

[icon_uk]

I initially thought that the bit about the stage shape had to be something someone had blown out of proportion or was reading into too much.... I can be so naive sometimes.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/01/cpac-2021-stage-design-nazi-sign-odal-othala-rune-hyatt-hotels-hate-symbol-abhorrent

[skjam]

Had a bad work day yesterday; 7 hours of not being able to work because of phone difficulties, and 1 3/4 hours of dealing with a co-worker's mistake that's going to result in the member not saving a whole lot of money like the co-worker promised.

Over at the blog, I review a pretty good FBI procedural that became a movie. http://www.skjam.com/2021/02/25/book-review-case-file-fbi/

[janegray]

Is any of you guys familiar with the Mana games?

I’m curious and considering giving the series a try, but it’s so confusing. Trials/Secret/Legend what does it mean? Are they set in the same universe, like Suikoden, or in separate universes, like Final Fantasy? If they are set in the same universe, are they direct sequels with the same cast, like Suikoden, or do they have totally different stories and cast that never interact except at most for cameos, like Persona? Which one comes first and which one comes last? Are the story and characters good? Are the endings satisfying?

[zachbeacon]

I no expert and have mostly just briefly mess around with Secret of Mana on my SNES Classic but I was under the impression Mana followed Final Fantasy rules; the games have similar themes but only some of the games are related. Like apparently Heroes (a RTS) is a prequel to Trials (an Action RPG)

Considering the first game was called Final Fantasy Adventure in the US (Mystic Quest in Europe) and Seiken Densetsu: Final Fantasy Gaiden in Japan, I guess it shouldn't be a surprise.

Anyway, the main games are FFA, Secret, Trials, and Dawn. The recent Collection of Mana has the first three (no idea why Dawn was left out) so that seems like a good starting point.

Speaking of FF spin-offs that took on a life of their own, my copy of Bravely Default II just came. Now if I can just find time to play it.

[owlbrigade1]

RE: that meteor.

there is now a new conspiracy theory going around that says there has been an increase in large meteor activity, and that "they" know that there is a dinosaur killer level meteor coming which has been covered up and that is why governments have been so crazy lately, because they know the end times are upon us and no longer care.

Which... sounds like complete bullshit. And it lets evil and callous governments off the hook for their bad behaviour too.

Conspiracy nuts gotta conspiracise, I guess.

[deh_tommy]

Not to get conspiratorial, but considering WHO and the world’s governments knew about the Coronavirus and what would happen long before that got as bad as that did and still kept quiet, I wouldn’t be too surprised.

[janegray]

The thing that drives me crazy is that there IS an actual, real, legit extinction-level threat on the horizon.

But instead of acknowledging climate change, they go charging at windmills.

[zachbeacon]

I read "giant fireball in the sky" and assumed "gender reveal party"

[themajesticmoose]

People love conspiracy theories because the idea of some Cigarette Smoking Man pulling the strings behind everything bad that's ever happened is more comforting than the idea that millions of people are just generally awful and billions more are idiots or apathetic or greedy or incompetent

I mean there certainly are people who seek to lie to the public for personal gain but it's not as part of some scheme or masterplan it's just assholes with an agenda to push some specific bigotry or make a quick buck by getting you to buy crap you don't need and don't really want.

It's nice to think there's one specific enemy who we can blame all the bad things on because the alternative is just accepting that the world's a chaotic clusterfuck

[malurette]

Former French right-wing President and big time crook Sarkozy got sentenced to one year of prison!! ...which he'll probably serve in his cosy own house instead but. On principle. And for the precedent. In! Your!! Face!!!

[deh_tommy]

Coca Cola got into a spot of bother over a leaked seminar that encouraged their employees to “be less white”.

Twitch faced backlash over a tweet celebrating “Womxn’s History Month” on the basis that the term womxn only ends up unintentionally excluding the very people that means to be inclusive towards.

Why do people still use “Latinx”? I get the sentiment, but not only is that not really embraced by the people that describes (if not outright opposed in certain cases), but Romance languages give a gender to everything, and by forcing English language conventions and rules into things they have no place in you ironically end up being more offensive than if you just say latino/latina.

[icon_uk]

I believe it's because it was created to be gender neutral, to deliberately avoid automatically assigning gender.

Whether it was successful or not I am not qualified to say, but I believe it was created with the best of intentions.

[iamrman]

I am enjoying Disney+'s new Star brand. At the moment I am watching Conan the Barbarian. I tried to get in to the classic Marvel comics, but they're just not for me. In my opinion, Barry Windsor-Smith's Conan is too scrawny. Also, I really don't like Roy Thomas's writing. He always over-explains everything and Conan talks too much.

My taste in comics seems to be regressing as well. A friend on a Discord server I am part of inspired be to go back and read some classic Spawn. I have to say thay the issues I have read so far are genuinely good.

[deh_tommy]

Spawn’s one of those things like the Star Wars prequels where I greatly enjoy the story and the characters, but the actual writing leaves me a bit cold. Events get stretched out and padded good bit and there’s too much narration for stuff that the art conveys perfectly fine.

[cyberghostface]

Wonder if the approach to animation will apply to Asian characters. Looking at the Avatar series and Samurai Jack.

[zachbeacon]

I remember Phil LaMarr saying that some groups were furious that Samurai Jack wasn't voiced by an Asian but backed off when they found out he was black.

[mister_terrific]

"The chances of anything coming from Mars are a million to one, they say".

But still they come... (applause)

I think I'm going to be in a bit of a viewing bind in April, with Bad Batch, Zombieland Saga: Revenge, and this one starting up at the same time:

https://youtu.be/cvZ9thKolOA

As a househusband myself, I thoroughly approve. :)

[malurette]

And the thing about one-in-a-million chances, with the right Narrativium, is that they crop up nine times out of ten.

[leahandillyana]

I saw the trailer for Shadow and Bone series, and I have mixed feelings. One on hand, the premise seems interesting if somewhat repeatable (I remember watching several anime series with the very premise), but FINALLY Netflix is making a fantasy series that is explicitly non-Anglo in terms of cultural inspirations. And it's Russia - have you guys EVER seen a non-Russian show portraying Russians and Russian culture sympathically? Even the actors don't look like typical Anglo actors. Especially the lead actress is super cute!
On the other hand, it's an adaptation of a book series by Leigh Bardugo, the author of Wonder Woman: Warbringer, and after reading that offensive book I don't trust the author one bit.

[donnblake]

I'm never sure what Netflix has actually made rather than just importing and slapping a Netflix original label on, but there's a fair selection of Korean fantasy shows that *say* they're Netflix originals.

Ratchet & Clank free on the PS Store

[janegray]

Go grab it, it’s free.

https://t.co/BrL3yrcjLT?amp=1

Re: Ratchet & Clank free on the PS Store

[mastermahan]

Nice, thanks!

[starwolf_oakley]

Ray Fisher revealed more details about the Justice League reshoots.

https://screenrant.com/justice-league-reshoots-ray-fisher-racism-details-wb/

[cricharddavies]

I think it's sad that he's been deluded into thinking that Snyder is better about any of this than the people he's criticizing.

[silverzeo]

Season 44 of Super Sentai, Mashin Sentai Kiramager, just had it's finale this week.

Next week marks the beginning of the 45th Anniversary Show of the series, Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger.

[icon_uk]

Did the Kiramager team ever get any Mecha which didn't look like they were made of plastic?

[zachbeacon]

So I’m watching the Muppet Shop and thinking about how much I miss the chaotic variety show aspect of the franchise.

Considering Disney is determined to use already outdated formats like fourth wall breaking office dramas and web series, it really is amazing that they never did a talent competition show.

You bring in the celebrity guest stars as either guest judges (“Gonzo has chicken pox this week so Billie Eilish will be filling in”) or contestants that only last a single episode. You reintroduce old acts like Lew Zealand’s boomerang fish and Marvin Suggs’ Muppaphone to a new generation. You introduce new Muppets with new acts (or just give some underused ones something to do). You show the backstage drama as the more successful acts agonize over what their next performance is going to be while the more petty acts resort to sabotage. This being the Muppets, a lot of the acts end in disaster ever without outside help.

(Yes, obviously the episode where they have auditions was a big influence on this pitch. Man, that Steve Martin episode was so great)

[owlbrigade1]

The James Coco episode really earned its content disclaimer though, that end song was just... horrible.

For those not watched it, it is a song all about how the singer hates little people and they are ugly and useless and ought to just die. I can't believe that flew even for the time.

[lissa_quon]

Texas governor and soulless sea sponge has decided to repeal the mask ordinance. So - what little going out I was doing is now curtailed again. At least my folks have gotten some vaccine shots.

Not much going on here - been binge reading everything lately. Also been rewatching Fatal Frame LPs. I should be making more like actual art and content but its so hard to care right now.