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06/29/10--09:43: The Terminator who becomes Supergirl (chan 2232475)

I'm still shell-shocked with joy with this particular fandom collision.



Glau, an animation novice who is the fifth Firefly star Timm has worked with (following Nathan Fillion, Adam Baldwin, Gina Torres and Morena Baccarin), quickly got a handle on the role. "It was a fun part for her to play because it wasn't one-note," Timm says. "She could be young and bratty, like a typical teenager, and then show a little bit more maturity, then get feisty, then scared. She's got quite a gamut of emotions to act out."

— TV Guide


I'll let Summer & Kara express my glee over the news.




07/01/10--18:32: June comics. (chan 2232475)

Wonder Woman
Dearest DC,

Why do you want to take away something that would give us scenes like these?

First New Krypton, now Themyscira. First Alura, Zor and the Kryptonians, now it's Hippolyta and the Amazons. You don't fridge just individuals now, but also entire societies just for the sake of pointless angst and "finding myself" storylines. We just got Themyscira and the Amazons back after them being the collateral damage in IC and AA, all in a span of barely five years. Now JMS gets to raze everything to the ground again? Diana doesn't need to be lost, she has been lost enough already.

On the other hand, so much badassery and gorgeousness in this anniversary issue from the other artists and writers. And Cass! Cass! ♥♥♥ The spoilers also gave me the impression this whole thing about the Amazons being wiped out is mostly just a AU/timeline brouhaha, so I'm hoping we'd get everyone back in a year, tops.

Superman, Supergirl, Action Comics
Speaking of being lost, looks like everyone is right about the aftermath of WotS after all -- the Supers are just unable to make themselves do more other than mourning and being heartsick. I'm giving more room for Kara (and I so love Lana here), but Clark & Lois who should be at the forefront to pursue justice are just making me go 'Blurghhh' at their spinelessness. And wow, I'm reminded again just how much of an asshat some of the DC citizenry could be -- blaming Superman for not saving your husband from cancer while he was out there fighting a damn war? Not keen on Clark's passive reaction to it too. I'm certainly not implying in the slightest in that he shouldn't be compassionate, but I don't think just moping around is the way to go either.

And Lex is murderous creep, what else is new? But I have to admit I laughed out loud at the "Lois, SMASH MODE!" scene. I've also been indifferent to the Superman/Batman title lately, but this month's issue is quite a fun read. I just wish they could move away completely from the "Bruce's parents are dead" schtick though, I always get a kneejerk reaction every time that gets brought up as the reason why he behaves the way he does. I mean, really. And Clark privately dissing Alfred! Not. Cool. At. All.

Batman & Robin, Detective Comics, Red Robin, Batgirl, Return of Bruce Wayne
Apart from Tiny Titans, these are all my happy-making comics right now. Go Bats!


07/02/10--23:55: Fëanorians: high hopes and happier days. (chan 2232475)

Allow me to indulge in two absolutely gorgeous Silmarillion-inspired fanart that I found prowling around today. (Bigger versions linked to the artists' pages.)







While still in early youth Fëanor wedded Nerdanel, a maiden of the Noldor; at which many wondered, for she was not among the fairest of her people. But she was strong, and free of mind, and filled with the desire of knowledge. In her youth she loved to wander far from the dwellings of the Noldor, either beside the long shores of the Sea or in the hills; and thus she and Fëanor had met and were companions in many journeys.

— Of Fëanor and the Unchaining of Melkor, Morgoth's Ring




Now when first Vingilot was set to sail in the seas of heaven, it rose unlooked for, glittering and bright; and the people of Middle-earth beheld it from afar and wondered, and they took it for a sign, and called it Gil-Estel, the Star of High Hope. And when this new star was seen at evening, Maedhros spoke to Maglor his brother, and he said: 'Surely that is a Silmaril that shines now in the West?' And Maglor answered: 'If it be truly the Silmaril which we saw cast into the sea that rises again by the power of the Valar, then let us be glad; for its glory is seen now by many, and is yet secure from all evil.'

— Of the Voyage of Eärendil and the War of Wrath, The Silmarillion


Typical Tolkien who can't let his characters stay happy like that. And I mean that in the best way possible.


07/03/10--21:52: Article 21 (chan 2232475)

I've just realized this, and it made me squee so much: the number of the Batkids = the number of Fëanor's kids.






07/04/10--23:23: More Batkids/SoF (chan 2232475)

Sorry I just can't help putting them all together again. I'd worship anyone who could make any crossover out of this some time.





My favorite details from each are Huan & Celegorm being doubly adorable together, and Dick patiently tugging Jason back into the scene.


07/09/10--11:09: Red Robin #14 (chan 2232475)

Eee... such a wonderful issue. *hugs it tightly*

This is the kind of stories I love best. There's such an emotional honesty to it, and shows Dick, Tim & Damian as exactly the way I've always seen them, with Alfred the quiet pillar of strength as always.

And there's art out of it already. ♥




07/10/10--05:45: Damages, Fringe, Breaking Bad [spot reactions] (chan 2232475)

Damages
Finished the entire first two seasons in under 48 hours, that's how hooked I am. It's downright creepy and brutal and ruthless, without any sense of hope at all. This is the first show I've watched that has characters that I could only hate, outwardly admire or sympathize with. They make me both emotionally detached and invested in them. Ellen scares the crap out of me sometimes, even more than Patty and even before what happened to David. Dogs are such a presence in this show. In the words of Ray Fisk, "they're like people, only without the bullshit".

Fringe
Finished the first ten episodes. I had been very reluctant to check this out due to the constant comparison to the X-Files, and with my very low threshold of the gross and gory, it's certainly not my type of show at all. In fact, the first two episodes almost made me run for the hills and never look back. But I'm also finding it strangely fun and adorable and reminds of lots of things that I love. The opening credits make me think of Pushing Daisies. Nina Sharpe in her introduction instantly reminds me of Catherine Weaver, and Kidnapper Lady in "The Equation" played a favorite episode of mine from The Batman.

Olivia is wonderful. My new hero on the block. She's emotional and focused, restrained and infinitely curious at the same time. brijeana and chatchien said she's like Alice in Wonderland, and I think it's a very apt description. grimorie likened her to Sarah Connor, and that's quite true too. There was a scene when she was so afraid when Broyles asked her to join the Fringe team and she all but screamed, "I don't want to do this!" And yet she did anyway, because it's the right thing to do. It's like Sarah in Terminator 2 when Kyle dropped the bombshell on her about the future, and how they needed her to save it. She stepped up the plate instantly despite being scared out of her mind.

It's hilarious how Walter is a mad scientist, and yet everyone is always willing to be his guinea pigs. The triad of great, husky voices of Broyles, Olivia and Charlie. I just love hearing them speak. There's also some really kind and warm friendships here, even in the littlest moments like Peter & Astrid sharing earphones over their takeout lunch. I'm starting to miss Gene the Cow. She's becoming just like Shelby. Where is she?

I always have the pillow-shield up to my nose watching this show, but I love it anyway.

Breaking Bad
Finished the first four episodes. I think this is a very well-written show and would definitely continue to watch the rest of it, although it doesn't engage me as much as I'd like it to. It's as gross as Fringe and almost as depressing as Damages, but the pacing is so off most of the time that I lost interest when something finally happened. But I really like how they handled the scenes of Walt & the Crazy 8 guy in the basement, and the way Walt figured him out in the end.


07/11/10--13:19: Assorted fandom thoughts. (chan 2232475)

Red Robin #14
I love how Nicieza made Tim's Hit List to instantly remind me of Bruce's own during Tower of Babel (hacked by both mother and son, ha). But it's not. For them to be the same, Tim would have to include Kon, Cassie, Bart and the rest of the Titans. But he didn't do that. And unlike with Bruce when he shut out his teammates regarding the contingency plans, I could totally understand and even agree to an extent on Tim's decision to put Damian on the list.

Batman and Robin #13
Never can make up my mind on Morrison these days. His characters are awesome, his plots are whacked and not in a good way. I wish we could just lock up all these stuff about Hurt/Thomas Wayne/Club of Villains/anything else from the RIP storyline forever and never let them see the light of day again. Favorite moments: Dick automatically distancing himself from Jim and vice versa, simply out of respect for Bruce. And someone hurting Dick as Damian's berserk button.

Damages, The Sarah Connor Chronicles
Ellen Parsons = James Ellison. Both the "outsider" characters whose purposes started out as pawns and to react to events. Both eventually end up driving and shaping the stories, with acts the audience could consider as a betrayal and/or sacrifice -- Ellen with Ray, Ellison with John Henry.

Under the Red Hood
This trailer of Bruce being forced into auto-deploy mode from the Gotham skies. Jason Todd, you make me so gleeful sometimes.

The Silmarillion
I had a sudden Life/Mask of Zorro moment rereading this passage:



Great was the sorrow of Eärendil and Elwing for the ruin of the havens of Sirion, and the captivity of their sons, and they feared that they would be slain; but it was not so. For Maglor took pity upon Elros and Elrond, and he cherished them, and love grew after between them, as little might be thought; but Maglor's heart was sick and weary with the burden of the dreadful oath.


Kyle with Rachel, Rafael with Elena, Maglor with Elrond & Elros. Murderers who end up adopting the children of their victims. Considering the kids all turn out sane and okay in the end, you could say their foster fathers did a good job with that at least.

World Cup final
My entire household has been up since 1.45 a.m. just to watch this match live. And now just minutes away from extra time, still not a single goal. Pfft. ETA: Paul, you crazy octopus. I'm a complete believer now.


07/14/10--01:52: Fastest man alive. (chan 2232475)

I remember going through a discussion on the much beloved S4 finale of JLU, and coming across a comment about how Wally was "never this awesome in the comics". I have no arguments whatsoever about the episode being one of the finest hours of animated TV, but I dare anyone to read this scene from Joe Kelly's "Trial by Fire" and tell me again that thing about comics Wally.












07/14/10--12:13: Batman: Under the Red Hood [insta-reactions] (chan 2232475)

This movie is just so damn gorgeous. Most beautiful Gotham I've ever seen.

I didn't realize just how much I've missed seeing Bruce in action with his kevlar ballgown, until that first fight scene. And Dick Grayson all in his Nightwing glory.

Those final scenes are just as heartbreaking as when I first read them.

Solid A.


07/15/10--11:37: DCU movies - end credits music mix (chan 2232475)

When it comes to OSTs, I have a habit of taking out my favorite bits of music and putting them all together, so I can just sit back and listen to them over and over again, without any need to press repeat or fast-forward. :)

So here's one, for all eight of the DCU animated original movies so far.



Composer credits:
[0.00-2.05] Superman: Doomsday -- Robert J. Kral
[2.06-4.16] Wonder Woman -- Christopher Drake
[4.17-5.24] Justice League: New Frontier -- Kevin Manthei
[5.25-7.20] Green Lantern: First Flight -- Robert J. Kral
[6.18-6.37] Superman/Batman: Public Enemies -- Christopher Drake
[7.21-8.25] Batman: Gotham Knight -- Christopher Drake, Robert J. Kral, Kevin Manthei
[8.26-8:57] Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths -- Christopher Drake
[8:58-9.55] Batman: Under the Red Hood -- Christopher Drake


07/16/10--09:49: The fell fire. (chan 2232475)

Aikanaro was called by his father Ambarato. The Sindarin form of this would have been Amrod; but to distinguish this from Angrod, and also because he preferred it, he used his mother-name (which was however given in Quenya and not Telerin form). Aika-nar meant 'fell fire'. It was in part a 'prophetic' name; for he was renowned as one of the most valiant of the warriors, greatly feared by the Orks: in wrath or battle the light of his eyes was like flame, though otherwise he was a generous and noble spirit. But in early youth the fiery light could be observed; while his hair was notable: golden like his brothers and sister, but strong and stiff, rising upon his head like flames. — The Shibboleth of Fëanor, The Peoples of Middle-earth


1) Is it just me or does anyone else reading this instantly picture Aegnor as an anime character, instead of a Tolkien elf? And with a name like that just makes it even easier. Aikanaro-san, shonen warrior.

2) I so do love that description of "...in wrath or battle the light of his eyes was like flame", it reminds me a lot of Orcs fleeing Maedhros just at the sight of his face -- "...spirit burned like a white fire within, and he was as one that returns from the dead".

3) Aragorn/Arwen always get compared to Beren/Lúthien and I can totally see why. But for me, Aragorn/Arwen is still much, much closer to Aegnor/Andreth, taking in both elements from the books and the movies. With PJ's LOTR though, it always gives me hope that Arwen will have a happy ending surrounded by the people she loved and who loved her, unlike in the books.

4) As usual, I bring you pretty Tolkien art. Aegnor/Andreth & Aragorn/Arwen:




07/19/10--03:37: Panel post #10 (chan 2232475)

Kara's response to yet another comment of Smallville being a Podunkville:



"The center of the universe." I love that. And I love all the different ways the Supers are connected to their homes and cultures -- Krypton, Metropolis & Smallville. So distinct from each other, and all of equal importance.


07/21/10--17:08: Damages Season 3 [insta-reactions] (chan 2232475)



I can never help watching entire seasons in one go with Damages, even though I keep telling myself, "Only a few episodes per day!" It's just that freaking good.

Pier scenes have always a favorite of mine. And this one of Patty & Ellen is deceptively beautiful.

Going off-tangent, I find it unintentionally hilarious that Timothy Olyphant's character on this show has the same habit as Raylan Givens -- always so cheerfully showing up on the backseat of a car, every time he needs to 'talk' with someone.


07/23/10--00:54: Panel post #11 (chan 2232475)




07/25/10--09:56: Geek moment of the day. (chan 2232475)




07/27/10--21:33: "We have come through bliss to woe. The other now we will try, through sorrow to find joy." (chan 2232475)




08/04/10--06:10: Panel post #12 (chan 2232475)




08/05/10--22:20: Olivia Dunham, our knight in shining armor (chan 2232475)




08/08/10--01:30: Red Hood: The Lost Days #3 (chan 2232475)