#lectures no one asked for

[drakkensystem]

Ok there's something I need to get off my chest.

Caveat that I assume the assholes I'm about to complain about are just a vocal minority, but when that vocal minority reduces my enjoyment of some kind of media and worsens my mental health so they can feel smug, I think I'm justified in complaining about it.

So I saw a Tumblr post recently where someone (derisively) told someone else to "just pick up a comic" if they wanted to know more about DC canon and while there was a brilliant reply mentioning how convoluted DC canon is, I want to highlight my perspective.

Hi, I have aphantasia and a visual processing disorder (also ADHD and autism). This means that my visual perception of my surroundings is absolute dog shit, even when I am actively trying. I went to the same restaurant one to two times a week for years before noticing that one of their major pieces of decor even existed. I have a hoodie that, if I didn't know better, I would think my sibling was gaslighting me about it being green and not blue (yes, I have taken colorblindness tests, both online and officially in an appointment- no, I'm not colorblind). I always watch shows with captions bc my special interest in language means my eyes will automatically track the words, making it more likely that I'll actually see what's happening on the screen. Even so, I often pause and rewind (when I can) so that I can actually see what happened. For a few months, I had migraines so bad that I spent the majority of my time awake blindfolded, but I found that I used my vision so little when navigating around my own house, it wasn't very much more difficult while blindfolded- basically only things that moved gave me trouble.

One of the other consequences is that I find reading comics very difficult. I often compare me reading comics to someone with dyslexia reading regular books: yes, I can do it, but it takes me so much more effort that it's hard for me to enjoy it. (I just happened to be lucky enough that no one pins my academic success on my ability to read comics, unlike dyslexics and traditional books).

There are exactly four comics which I have managed to finish a major chunk of, all of them were franchises I was already hyperfixated on before reading, and the one that isn't also a long term special interest happened in a time in my life that I was incredibly lonely and bored. They were all also manga- aka, significantly easier for me to read bc they are in black and white (and thus there is less visual detail to take in).

So when I say that reading comics is hard for me, I mean it is hard.

And to hear comics fans say things like "just pick up a comic, bruh" (a vocal minority, but they do exist)- it disheartens me so much. I would love to experience those stories for myself. But when I have to re-read each page 3-5 times in order to actually process anything beyond the words on the page, it's too exhausting (note: manga normally only takes me 1-3 re-reads per page).

It is so extremely frustrating for people to act like reading comics is so easy when it's something that I legitimately struggle with. Reading a traditional book? I can read a 650 page novel in less than 3 days. But comic books? I struggled to get through the first 20 pages of a compendium a friend let me borrow once before giving up and returning it.

So next time you feel like deriding someone for engaging more with an adaptation than the original, remember that there is no kind of media that is universally equally accessible. They might just find it significantly easier (and therefore more enjoyable) to engage with the adaptation.

[bunnyboy-juice]

"people are doing WHAT?? well i NEVER knew--" shut up. we get it. u dont pay attention to a single thing that doesn't affect you & act like simply knowing some shallow meaning of a term means that bigotry doesnt exist anymore unless its the most exaggerated, dramatic, TV trope of violence. the fake ass pearl clutching is tired

[superbat-lmao]

A mage who doesn’t like child soldiers targets Batman in Gotham. They know that several vigilantes connected to him are children or were children when they started.

Their vendetta against him basically boils down to, “What the hell were you thinking?” and they cast a spell against him accordingly.

Every day, a new family member will be able to read Bruce’s mind for 24 hours. It’s entirely random and the definition of “family member” is incredibly loose, but everyone knows the Robins are his children because of how berserk he went when Robin II died.

On the one hand, it’s a horrific violation of everyone’s privacy.

On the other, Bruce finally figures out what his kids think of him and don’t say. And his kids are finally able to realize that yes, he cares about them exactly as much as they want him to. He’s literally the absolute worst at showing it or communicating that, but he cares.

Dick gets confirmation that Bruce knows how good he is, how capable he is to lead a team. That Bruce doesn’t secretly think that when he screws up it’s because he isn’t cut out to be a vigilante. When he screws up, Bruce gets scared and lashes out in the only way an emotionally repressed father can, by making it worse. That Bruce doesn’t think Dick is incapable of looking after himself or making the right call. All of Bruce’s attempts to control Dick or his life were because he was scared. Because he wanted Dick to be better than him, and he is, just not in the ways Bruce was first able to see. Having more friends and being connected to people is infinitely more important than college, though it took time for Bruce to see that. Dick is Bruce’s first son and he couldn’t be more proud.

Jason realizes that Bruce loves him. That he tears himself apart over their relationship. That he feels there’s a clear line between Bruce’s opinion of Jason and of Jason’s actions. Because murder is wrong and Bruce’s philosophy is grounded in second chances. Because he just wants Jason to come home and his son’s actions scare him because he’s more isolated from backup than his brothers. Jason can literally feel how Bruce thinks, how he sees murder and how he thinks about himself. Bruce doesn’t think it’s a line he would be able to walk away from, and Jason feels more precarious seeing the world as his father thinks about it than in his own head. There is far less judgement in Bruce’s thoughts. Just pure concern. And self doubt over what to say. Bruce never sought to replace him, would have joined him, and has missed him. Those were always Jason’s major concerns.

Tim sees that Bruce views him as his son. That he wasn’t a substitute for Jason and he doesn’t secretly think Tim shouldn’t have been Robin. Bruce thinks that Tim reminds him a lot of himself and based on all the things people say about him, that makes Bruce nervous. Because he wants Tim to have fun and be a kid, not feel chained to work the way Bruce is. He knows they both have workaholic tendencies and wants better for Tim, wants him to have friends and a life outside of work. But Tim also knew Bruce at his lowest and so he will always feel guilty that it was Tim who pulled him out of his grief spiral, because Bruce wasn’t strong enough to do it himself.

Damian learns that Bruce was so excited for him to be born and devastated when he thought Talia had lost the pregnancy. That he was furious his son had been hidden from him. That he loves Damian and loved Talia and wasn’t sure how to separate out those feelings. That he would have wanted Damian no matter his level of training, if he gave up this lifestyle or anything. That there is nothing Damian, or any of his family could do to make Bruce stop loving them. Damian is wanted. He can also see that Bruce struggles with knowing how to handle him being a kid that acts like an adult. How he knows how capable Damian is, but that no children should go through that. Bruce didn’t have that sort of childhood. And while his own wasn’t exactly happy, he still got to be a kid. And innocence and youth aren’t things to be looked down on, just experienced. And Bruce doesn’t want Damian to not have those experiences, even if he doesn’t value them as others do. He learns that Bruce trusts him and that his father feels emotions acutely and strongly, such that he becomes reactive in a way that feels accusatory or disappointed but is just afraid.

They all realize that Bruce needs them and hates himself for needing them. That they are his children and he loves them and wants them safe. But that those feelings constantly war with how capable they are, how good his children are at what they do. How much they care about the helping and protecting others. That every time he says something they beat themselves up over, it’s because he’s scared they’ll get hurt or make a mistake that they can’t undo and will have to live with. He never wanted them to join him and it’s not because he thought they couldn’t do it, but precisely because he knows they can. And that sometimes, that isn’t enough. Even metas can get hurt and even Superman could die. By comparison his children are so vulnerable and there’s only so much he can do to keep them safe.

Does he verbalize this?

Bruce thinks so.

But all his kids hear is:

You were too reckless.

You disobeyed orders.

You’re off patrol.

And oddly? This solves like half of the current problems his kids have with him. Because they never really believed him before and always felt the conversations were one-sided.

It does create several new problems thought because Bruce just had like a significant invasion of privacy as the most paranoid person on the planet, so it takes a while for him to calm down and actually work things out with his kids in a way that lasts and isn’t just a bandaid over a bullet hole.

[cubbihue]

the plot on earth: happening. everyone crowing around the lore: okay but tell us more about pixie office shenanigans please

Once, a new Pixie intern accidentally ordered Blue-White paper with 97 Brightness instead of Cream-White paper with 98 Brightness. It sent the entire Pixies Corporation into an uproar, and they tried to take over Fairyworld as a result. Y'know. To ban Blue-White paper from existence.

It took weeks for Jorgen to resolve it all and bring the Pixies back in line. After that event, interns had to take a 2-course seminar on the differences of printer paper quality before being tasked to order more printer paper.

Bitties Series: [Start] > [Previous] > [Next]

[technically-human]

So. How would you feel if I told you that you were an amazing person. And that I aspire to be like you. And that looking at your art gives me motivation to get through my lectures. And that you're really cool.

Very, very happy and grateful

[critter-covenant]

Class is in session!

Idea inspired from this that I've been meaning to draw for the past few days

[horsechestnut]

Anyway, if you're a fan of Bruce and Steph having a father/daughter relationship you should probably go read about Oliver and Mia.

[lucabyte]

been doodling in class so i dont fall asleep in the middle of lectures. here's some of the isat ones so far. love using cheap felt tip pens

[jojo-schmo]

I'm updating my personal ref sheets and it's really hitting me just how SMOL Kirby, Bandee, and Elfilis really are compared to the rest of the cast.

[hrtzbeat]

ok now I'm curious. for anyone who's got ocs/self inserts: do u base them off disney characters or are they completely ur own?

[saturnsorbits]

Sero Hanta, early-twenties, sat in a small room with his pants around his ankles and a small pot in his hand. There’s porn magazines all over the place, something he’s never quite cared for, but he still manages to deposit his sample with the nurse within a break-neck 10 minutes. Blame his youthful exuberance and the fact he hasn’t touched himself for almost two weeks leading up to his appointment, he guesses.

And you, fifteen years later, with your son. A lanky boy who’s too tall for his age, with a mop of black hair and eyes of such a richly, dark brown they’re often mistaken for black.

[lightgamble]

DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN | 1.09

A Karen Page appreciation post

[razziematazz]

guys is there a reason everyone decided that stones first name is aban and his color is ourple or did that just Happen?

[toadletthethird]

The moment of clarity is so ruthless. Can't believe they made skeptic get a liberal arts degree

[le-chevalier-au-lion]

omega vale😍😍my prayers have been heard!! you’re such an amazing writer i would love to read more about omega vale/alpha pecco if u ever continue

ever at your service, anon

"Vale," Pecco says, and he's grinning.

It's one of the most singularly fucked revelations in Valentino's life, that Pecco is good at this. Seems like he blinked when Pecco was this unpresented kid wringing his hands about messing with him in a karting race and now—

Pecco runs the callused pad of his thumb over his clit, then bends down again, to lick hotly over his cunt. His beard is shiny with Valentino's wetness.

Valentino pants, open-mouthed, jolting with his whole body, the ceiling above him dove gray, Pecco's scent at the back of his throat, salted caramel. He’s been craving ice cream for days now, something sweet.

"I don't want you to fuck me.” Which isn’t what he’d planned on saying.

But the words come out in a clump, high-pitched at the end, Pecco’s tongue inside him, lapping up the slick that keeps leaking out of him in what feels like buckets. Valentino grinds against his pretty nose, not quite sure that all of his limbs are attached right, not quite sure that he’s in his own body.

The last few hours blur before him.

Pecco pulls back. Valentino grinds out a noise that could be a wounded whine and wishes he hadn’t, but Pecco just pushes on, his eyes huge on his face, impossibly earnest. The kind of guts-on-the-floor openness that makes Valentino want to claw at him until he remembers himself.

“Would you like fingers?” Pecco hums, polite, everyone’s mothers’ favorite, please and thank you.

Valentino looks at Pecco’s hands, long and neat, almost elegant. He doesn’t really have a biker’s hands—crooked and leathery like his own, fucked over that many times. Then looks at his arm, the tattoo stretched shiny black around his forearm, the snail and the Inca or whatever symbols he liked.

It’s been one hour and three orgasms. His clit is pulsing, blood-hot and sensitive. If Pecco tried to push a knot inside him, Valentino thinks it wouldn’t even hurt like it does most times. He’s good at this. Better than most people who’d tried fucking him before he realized fucking someone was a lot more fun.

Horrifyingly, though, Valentino nods. Feels himself leak.

Pecco breathes out. His lashes fan low over his cheeks, and he’s not unlike a dog.

“Can I jerk off?”

His stomach churns. Valentino rubs the sole of his foot on Pecco’s cock, where he’s flushed red and wet at the tip. The base is swollen, popping a knot for nothing more than his acrid burnt rubber scent and eating him out.

Pecco makes a noise like he’s dying, mouth falling open, slack. He could say no—see if Pecco would still want to help him then, even when he acting like a twitchy, mean bastard.

Besides, he knows the answer already.

“Allora, I can’t stop you, Francesco.” Which isn’t, exactly, what Pecco asked, but there’s an amused spike in his scent.

Valentino keeps being indulgent to his riders. It’s not a good habit foster—only that he’s around half a decade too late to stop it.

Pecco knows, too.

“Alright, Vale.” He slips one finger inside him, no resistance at all, only this wet noise, and Valentino’s own wretched little gasp. “I’m going to take care of you.”

[kelp--forest]

So Ted started living in my brain rent-free. As has T'noy Karaxis. There's just something about characters who fuck with time that just really intrigues me sofjsjvisjf