*sigh*
After Marvel announced the the lineup for the Thunderbolts movie a week ago, I needed some time to compose my thoughts. Short version: I don't like it.
I'm already seeing the usual discourse about whether the movie is "too woke" (???) and whether putting Bucky Barnes in the team screws up various ships and headcanons. Meanwhile the people who played themselves into thinking Justin Hammer was guaranteed to be in this film (???) are crying in their drinks. I just want to be clear that my problem with the movie isn't related to any of that nonsense.
I started reading the Thunderbolts comic book the day it came out 25 years ago. I loved it. That sort of thing doesn't happen to me very often, so when I do go so hard for something, it's a big deal to me. So I never liked it when Marvel Comics would rework Thunderbolts to be a generic team book, featuring whatever characters happen to be cool or convenient to the story they want to tell. The general trend is that the original cast have been overshadowed by more popular characters passing through, until now they never seem to get to do anything anymore. It got harder and harder for me to enjoy my favorite comic, until I couldn't anymore.
By 2013 it was impossible to predict what a Thunderbolts movie would be about because the general message of the source material was "do whatever you want, it doesn't matter." I can't say I expected to get what I wanted. I hoped I might. But I didn't really expect it, after years of the comics dicking me around. And now that the movie is about to be the main thing people associate with the brand, I doubt I'll ever get what I want from Marvel, in any form.
I'm not going to be able to enjoy this movie. (Which is a shame, because I probably would enjoy it if they named it literally anything else.) That said, my choices are to whine about it for the rest of my life or get past it. So I'm going to move on.
But here's the deal: I'm not the only one in OG Thunderbolts fandom who feels this way. I know it might seem like a dead fandom, but since I've always been here I always see the rest of you, even if you're just passing through. Maybe you read the old comics. Maybe you got into MCU Zemo and you were hoping he could do what he did in the comics. Maybe you're a Moonstone fan from when Dark Reign was a thing, or you just think Songbird looks neat. Or maybe you just like some of the later characters that weren't big names (like Radioactive Man or Boomerang or Centurius or Satana), who haven't been up to much lately. The point is, you're not the only one, and I want to hear from you.
Because I may be moving on, but I'm not going anywhere.
38 notes
·
View notes
Other northerners chose to seek new lives and fortunes across the narrow sea. ... Why return to a land gripped by winter to freeze or starve when there was gold to be had across the narrow sea? Not one but two free companies were birthed as a result. The Wolf Pack, commanded by Hallis Hornwood, called Mad Hal, and Timotty Snow, the Bastard of Flint’s Finger, was made up entirely of northmen, whilst the Stormbreakers, financed and led by Ser Oscar Tully, included men from every part of Westeros.
Fire and Blood (George R. R. Martin)
6 notes
·
View notes
Leaving GMMTV aside, what were youre favorite shows this year so far? I'll have more free time coming up and im way behind and out of the loop, so some recs would be appriacted, wise sage. Especially for those shows that didnt get the attention they deserved in your opinion! Thanks a lot!
Top 10 BLs of 2023 So Far
Our Dating Sim
(Korea) 10/10 Viki
If you haven't watched this, it's a must. I actually handed out a 10/10. I NEVER do that. It's a perfect short form KBL, an office set reunion romance featuring geeks that really suits 8 eps with no fluff and no chaff. Just comforting and yummy. I adored every aspect from the casting to the pristinely simple premise to the quietly smooth execution. Sure it’s low stakes, but that makes it high domesticity and extremely warm and gentle. This is a fuzzy blanket of a story - a cozy BL. It lives in my rewatch pile and you know what’s best about it? Every single episode is in that pile. There’s no skipping with this one, it might be good natured and calmly sweet but it’s tight and the pacing is excellent. Full review here.
My School President
(Thai) 9/10 YouTube
GMMTV gave us a classic high school set Thai BL with tropes like messy boys singing their feelings that made this one Love Sick for the modern age with all the gentle sweetness and pining ache, but none of the dated damaging tropes or issues. Yes, we’ve seen it all before, but I still ADORED this. And there is a lot to be said for the classics being re-executed perfectly. Who let my BL be this wholesome and funny? This show was fantastic, it’s only flaw was the singing (and that’s my baggage). My favourite GMMTV BL offering to date. And yes, I've watched them ALL.
(you said no GMMTV but I have to include it)
The Eighth Sense
(Korea) 9/10 Viki
One of the longest BLs Korea has given us and (like Blueming) it feels more atmospheric gay coming of age romance than strictly BL. It’s got a bit of an age gap, country boy/city boy, stellar acting, complex characters, and leads with great chemistry and tension. It’s a bit chewy and sticky and less perfect than most KBLs (do I detect a touch of Taiwan?) This one deployed BL tropes (messy eater, shoulder sleep, protective seme, there’s even some hyung-slinging) but front loaded them with painful backstory and tons angst drives the 2nd half. This isn’t in the KBL bubble, there’s sharp edges and lots of triggers. For a BL the darkness of the content left me feeling unsettled (which is the only reason it didn't get a perfect score) but it does have a glorious ending and that counts for a lot.
The New Employee
(Korea) 9/10 Viki
So good, SO QUEER, so soft, a near pitch perfect office BL with conflict derived from that setting. Also found family and a lesbian bestie. Sweet & innocent (and out) Seung Hyun scores the office internship of his dreams. On his first day at work he gets into it with his cool reserved (and also v gay) boss. As you do. Frankly? This is what I wanted from this new crop of office set KBLs ALL ALONG. Rainbow rice cakes forever! Directed by queer activist Kim Jho Gwang Soo (Just Friends?) partly set in the same neighbourhood as the To My Star house. Gotta love WATCHA (Semantic Error, Light on Me).
Unintentional Love Story
(Korea) 9/10 iQIYI
A boy who just lost his job due to faked corruption charges accidentally discovers his ex-boss's favorite artist, now a recluse. Evil manager offers him his job back if he can convince the artist to rejoin society. Instead, they fall in love. I found the artist a bit stiff and reserved but Gongchan (maknae of B1A4) is a fucking GIFT - he carried this show (which I do not expect from the idol element). He was luminous with extraordinarily expressive eyes, just drown in the emoting abyss. The external conflict, social tension and pressure is complex and beautifully executed, plus Korea gave us legit side dishes (NOT a love triangle, hally-fucking-luya). I’m not sure on rewatchability, and it didn’t whip me into a verbal frenzy the way some KBLs do, but it still gets a solid 9/10 for those damn eyes alone.
Destiny Seeker
(Thai) 8/10 grey
A darn near perfect pulp featuring 3 likeable tsundere/sunshine pairings with uncomplicated iterations of enemies to lovers. At least one half of each does a decent amount of pining and there’s good chemistry, classic tropes, and communication rep. It’s fun and full of linguistic jokes. Sublimely cheesy but a good rainy day offering with tons of rewatch potential. Full review here.
Make a Wish
(Thai) 8/10
PNR (from Sammon - Manner of Death & Triage) about a doctor who can see the dead and strikes a bargain with a wish-granting irreverent tree angel - naturally they fall in love. Stars Fluke Natouch opposite not-Ohm, but who cares bc Fluke has chemistry with everybody. Once again the Thai afterlife is incredibly bureaucratic but I enjoyed the premise and the unfolding of the story (it’s not predictable but v. satisfying and with nice little twist). I like that the doctor is just gay af, fag hag bestie and everything. The cast is excellent but the comedic stylings are too overblown and tonally off. It had sad parts and did make me cry but is ultimately happy with a great sex scene, good smiley kisses, and all the agency.
All the Liquors
(Korea) 8/10 Viki & Gaga
A pretty classic foodie set KBL that managed to distinguish itself from others in this category by having a particularly satisfying final episode centered around found family. Sunshine sweetie soju rep gets involved with a shy introvert chef who doesn’t drink. This has a somewhat uneven plot and ridiculous central conceit (much in the way of Tasty Florida or Behind Cut), but if you are looking for a restaurant BL with Korea’s signature softness, then this is a great option. FYI I may identify with our baby party boy hedonist more than any other BL lead ever presented.
Love Mate
(Korea) 8/10 Viki
Features a very much openly gay older uke with commitment issues and a romantic (if arrogant) younger seme with no respect for boundaries (hyung romance). Workplace harassment much? That’s BL for ya. (Also a nonBL Kdrama specialty.) So yeah it’s questionable, but so is my taste. The ultimate premise that someone badly hurt shuts themself off to romance is very similar to Happy Merry Ending or 8th Sense but this version was more about fear than abuse or trauma. For me, this made Love Mate more relatable. However, because the denouement was driven by a late addition faen fatal, the conclusion felt rushed and forced. I can, however, see myself rewatching this one, so it falls into the general rank of 2023′s KBL aka solid high standard and eminently watchable.
Bed Friend
(Thai YouTube, Gaga, iQIYI)
Office frienamies transition a flaming hot one night stand into a f-buddy relationship that is built on a puppy/cat dynamic (and kinks into it at one point). Our puppy is loyal, smitten, and protective with endlessly longing eyes, while our cat is snarky, prickly, and deeply damaged (ALL THE TRIGGERS). NetJames give lovely high-heat with excellent chemistry and tuned-in performances of surprising depth, unfortunately the story ultimately failed them. Had the show had the strength of its convictions and kept to a tighter, darker, harsher 8 eps it would have been the first high heat to earn a 10/10 from me, but once they fussed with it, it dropped to a solid 8/10. Could have been great but was overworked. Still if high heat is your thing, this one will not let you down. Full review here. (Triggers include: child abuse, attempted rape, family abuse)
(3x! 3x Tumblr ate this post. They HAVE to de bug their new editor. This never happens with the old one. Biggest bug is with the "undo" function, DO something about it!)
314 notes
·
View notes
Heroes of Olympus: growing up headcanons
• Percy drops out of college and becomes a whale watch tour guide (fic)
• Percy teaches advanced swordsmanship classes at CHB in the off-season
• Percy and Annabeth get married (fic) and have two kids (textpost)
Percy is a stay at home dad when the kids are young
• Annabeth gets diagnosed with Autism at the same time as her daughter Hallie
• Annabeth becomes an architect
• Leo and Calypso break up when Calypso gets more comfortable with the modern world and stops needing Leo as a guide. They stay friends though, because Calypso will always be greatful for what Leo did for her
• Leo opens his machine shop and supplies CHB with cool weapons and shit. He teaches machine shop for younger Hephaestus kids
• Calypso starts dating Piper (fic)
• Piper goes into Women's Studies, ultimately becomes a movie critic
• Calypso writes a book about uses of plants in magic, things the modern world has forgotten
• She uses the name Calypso Selinódantéla, meaning Moonlace
• Frank and Hazel break up and date other people for 10+ years, then try again in their late twenties. This time, they work as a couple.
• When Frank retires from the Legion he becomes an archery instructor
• Hazel writes/draws a graphic novel that takes place in the 1940s, drawing on her own experience and exploring the life she didn't get to have
• She also works in a stable, giving riding lessons to kids
42 notes
·
View notes