#featuring francis smith

[youremyheaven]

The Astrology of Doppelgangers

I know the astrology behind the physiognomy of people is a very popular niche in astrology but its truly crazy how so many people who look eerily similar share the same nakshatras or planetary dominance.

Heath Ledger & Joseph Gordon Levitt

Heath- Revati Sun & Rising

Joseph- Ashlesha Moon with Sun Conjunct Mercury (in Dhanishta)

Both men are very Mercurial looking

2. Sarah Snook & Cari Cakes

Sarah- Anuradha Sun, Mars in 1h, Mercury in Vishaka in 2h, Moon conjunct Jupiter (in Revati), Mars in Swati in 1h, Saturn in Jyeshta atmakaraka

Cari- Anuradha Rising, Mars in 1h, Vishaka Moon, Mercury conjunct Mars in 1h (in Jyeshta) and Sun conjunct Rahu (in Purvashada), Mars in Jyeshta atmakaraka

3. Janhvi Kapoor & Laura Harrier

Janhvi- Shravana Moon, Saturn & Ketu in UBP, Mercury conjunct Venus in Shatabhisha (Horse Yoni)

Laura- Mars conjunct Rahu in Shravana, UBP Sun, Ashwini Moon (Horse Yoni)

5. Francis Bean Cobain & Alexandra Daddario

Alexandra- Venus in Jyeshta atmakaraka, Purvabhadrapada Sun

Frances- Revati Moon, Venus conjunct Jupiter (Jup in 1h)

They have a Mercury and Jupiter influenced appearance

7. Hozier & Chris Evans

Hozier- Anuradha Moon, Sun in 1h, Shravana stellium

Chris- Anuradha Rising, Sun in 2h, Mars in Rohini in 2h

They have Saturn, Sun & Moon influence in their lewkzz

8. Tom Hardy & Logan Marshall Green

Tom- Mars conjunct Jupiter in Ardra, Venus in Ashlesha

Logan- Swati Sun & Mercury, Shatabhisha Moon, Venus in Jyeshta

They have Rahu & Mercury influenced lewkzz

9. Fiona Apple & Ty Dolla Sign

their birth times are unknown

Fiona- Sun atmakaraka, Mars conjunct Jupiter in Ardra, Ketu in Revati

Ty- Sun atmakaraka, Venus in Shatabhisha, Jupiter in Swati, Sun in Revati

Their eyes are soo Rahuvian, I wish I knew their rising signs :(

10. Solange & Orlando Jones

Orlando- Sun conjunct Rahu (in Revati)

Solange- Ardra Sun

They have a Rahuvian appearance, wish I knew their birth time because I feel like they have other aspects in common

11. Boy George & Sam Smith

Sam- Mula Moon (dog yoni), Venus atmakaraka (in Krittika)

George- Ardra Moon (dog yoni), Venus in 1h (in Bharani)

13. Myrna Loy & Deva Cassel

Myrna- Purvaphalguni Moon conjunct Mercury, Ketu conjunct Asc in Shatabhisha

Deva- Purvaphalguni Sun, Magha Moon conjunct Mercury, Rahu in 2h

Claire had mentioned how Rahuvian women have serpentine features, I see that in both of their eye area and face shape, especially the pinched back nose, they also have Purvaphalguni in their big 3 (Rat yoni face shape) and Ketuvian influence as well

14. John Malkovich & Austin Butler

Austin- Anuradha Moon, Mars in Purvaphalguni amatyakaraka, Jupiter in Ashlesha atmakaraka, Ketu in Punarvasu

John- Mercury conjunct Venus in Anuradha, Purvaphalguni Rising, Jyeshta Sun, Ketu in Punarvasu

In my post about the absorptive quality of Venus I had mentioned the two of them, Austin pretends to be Elvis irl (made worse by the fact that his atmakaraka is in a water sign) and John pretends to be European lol

Venusian men give me the creeps ngl, idk why Claire made them seem like the most ideal type of man ugh

15. Denise Richards and Doutzen Kroes

Denise- Dhanishta Sun, Vishaka Moon, Krittika Rising

Doutzen- Venus & Mars in Purvabhadrapada, Saturn & Ketu in Vishaka, Uttarashada Sun conjunct Jupiter

They have Lion Yoni (Dhanishta & PBP), heavy Jupiter influence and Sun influence (Krittika & Uttarashada)

16. Leighton Meester & Minka Kelly

Leighton- Mercury in Purvabhadrapada atmakaraka, Revati Moon amatyakaraka

Minka- Vishaka Moon amatyakaraka

Jupiter, Mercury & Moon seem to affect their appearance

17. Christopher Walken & Scarlett Johansson

Christopher Walken- Revati Sun, Shravana Moon

Scarlett- Mars in Shravana 2h, Mercury in Jyeshta 1h (atmakaraka), Venus & Jupiter in Purvashada in 2h

I think their Monkey Yoni (Shravana + Purvashada) along with Mercury influence (Revati & Jyeshta) contributes to their facial similarity.

18. Dimple Kapadia & Sandra Bullock

Dimple- Chitra Moon, Rohini Sun, Mercury in Krittika atmakaraka

Sandra-Dhanishta Moon, Venus & Mars in Mrigashira, Moon amatyakaraka and Jupiter in Krittika atmakaraka

They have Mars, Moon & Jupiter influence, Rohini & Mrigashira's Serpent Yoni can also be seen

19. Collin Ferrell & Emraan Hashmi

Colin- Sun in Rohini, Purvabhadrapada Moon, Venus atmakaraka (in Punarvasu), Jupiter in Pushya (exalted) & Saturn in UBP (hella Saturn energy)

Emraan- Moon in Shravana, Purvabhadrapada Mars (amatyakaraka) & Ketu, Venus atmakaraka (in Dhanishta), Sun conjunct Mercury in UBP

They have Moon, Jupiter, Saturn & Venus influence, Dhanishta & Purvabhadrapada's Lion Yoni can also be seen in their appearance

20. Raveena Tandon & Twinkle Khanna

Raveena- Chitra stellium (Mercury, Venus, Mars)

Twinkle-Dhanishta Moon

Mars dominant bombshells<3 fun fact Raveena used to date Akshay Kumar in the 90s and Twinkle is married to Akshay, I guess he has a type lol

21. Minhyuk & Soobin

Minhyuk- Revati Moon, Venus in Jyeshta

Soobin- Jyeshta Sun

Two Mercurial kings <33

22. Priyanka Chopra & Eva Mendes

Priyanka is Punarvasu Sun, Venus in Mrigashira, Mars & Jupiter in Chitra (heavy Mars energy)

Eva is Purvabhadrapada Sun, Mercury conjunct Jupiter (in Dhanishta), Saturn conjunct Ketu (in Mrigashira) (basically a lot of Mars influence)

They both have heavy Jupiter + Mars energy in their chart, both of these are masculine planets and if you watch their interviews you can see how tough or kinda fierce, zero bullshit they can be BUT all that said, Priyanka has Rohini Moon (exalted) and some Hasta placements as well, whereas Eva is a Pushya Moon, Moon influence makes you very Yin and Pushya is the most feminine nakshatra so while they have a strong, intimidating, "don't mess with me" attitude & influence going on, they're both also very feminine, very refined, very poised etc, I think its especially reflected in their street style as well.

23. NingNing & Jennie

Their similarity is their facial shape and overall facial harmony

Ningning- exalted Jupiter (Jupiter exalts in Cancer), Mercury conjunct Mars (in Hasta), Chitra Sun (Tiger yoni)

Jennie- Vishaka Moon (Tiger yoni), Sun conjunct Mercury (in Uttarashada)

The tiger yoni resemblance + Jupiter inverted triangle face shape + Mercury influence giving delicate features is <33

24. Taeyeon & Karina

Karina- Punarvasu Moon, Mercury & Venus in UBP, Mars conjunct Jupiter (in Bharani)

Taeyeon- Purvabhadrapada Sun, UBP Moon, Mars conjunct Jupiter (in Krittika)

They have Jupiter, Saturn & Mars influence in their appearance

Its interesting because Karina's conjunction (look out for conjunctions in your chart btw, they have a major influence on you) is in a Venusian nak which is yin whereas Taeyeon's in a Sun nak which is yang, I think this reflects in their appearance as well since they look similar but Taeyeon has a bolder vibe, along with a pronounced Yang appearance (Dramatic/Gamine in essence theory)

25. Hrithik Roshan & Bradley Cooper

Hrithik- Purvashada Sun & Mercury, Pushya Moon, Anuradha Rising

Bradley- Purvashada Sun, Chitra Moon, Anuradha Rising

They have the same big 3 minus their Moon naks. Their appearance is affected by Venus & Saturn.

26. Disha Patani & Penelope Cruz

Disha- Mrigashira Stellium (Sun, Venus & Ketu), Ashwini Mars, Jupiter in Magha, Rahu in Mula

Penelope- Mrigashira Saturn & Ketu, Ashwini Sun & Mercury

Disha & Penelope have a similar combination of nakshatras with a strong Mars + Ketu influence, Penelope has Ashwini (Ketu ruled) in her luminaries whereas Disha has a Ketu stellium in 3 different nakshatras (I don't count this as a stellium in the traditional sense but having that much Ketuvian energy in your chart is bound to have an effect on you)

27. Julia Michaels & Soha Ali Khan

Soha- Swati Moon & Mars, Venus in Vishaka atmakaraka & Ketu in Purvabhadrapada

Julia Michaels- Swati stellium, Vishaka Sun & Moon

They have a Swati & Jupiter influenced appearance

28. Anushka Sharma & Julia Michaels

Anushka- Swati Moon, Sun conjunct Jupiter (in Bharani)

Julia- Swati stellium (mercury, venus & jupiter), Sun & Moon in Vishaka

They have a Swati, Sun and Jupiter influence.

29. Ryan Gosling & Ranbir Kapoor

Ryan- Purvashada Sun, Shravana Ketu, Venus & Saturn in Hasta

Ranbir-Shravana Moon, Purvashada Ketu, Sun & Mercury in Hasta

They have strong Moon influenced appearance along with Shravana & Purvashada's Monkey Yoni

[monsieuroverlord]

The last bit of the Fall of X Titles are announced, which means the final two issues of the Sabretooth War

source here

Wolverine #49

written by Benjamin Percy and Victor LaValle, art by Geoff Shaw, cover by Leinil Francis Yu

"Armor up for the penultimate part of 'Sabretooth War!' Wolverine is powerless—but not defenseless.

 Forge made Logan one last invention, and with the lives of the X-Men and all mutants on the line, it’s time to unleash the ultimate weapon! COLLECTORS’ NOTE: Featuring the full debut of the Adamantium Armor!"

Wolverine #50

written by Benjamin Percy and Victor LaValle, Larry Hama + more

art by Cory Smith, Geoff Shaw, Javi Fernandez, Daniel Picciotto + more

cover by Lenil Francis Yu

"Creed vs. Logan—The final showdown! It’s all come down to this: the final battle between Wolverine and Sabretooth. The Sabretooth War concludes in the way it began—a violent, bloody battle—but who will be left standing? Plus: Special short stories celebrating fifty issues of this run and 50 years of Wolverine, from legendary Logan scribes including Larry Hama, as well as a final send-off from Benjamin Percy and Javi Fernández, and some special surprises!"

We also have the final issues of Rise of the Powers of X and Fall of the House of X, and X-Men Forever

Rise of the Powers of X #4

written by Kieron Gillen, art and cover by Luciano Vecchio

"The battle for all time! The X-epic concludes in a battle between those who are outside time and that which is now and forever...and the result is being decided by whether someone can ultimately make the right choice. The end of the Krakoan Age barrels our way as the two series that are one conclude!"

Fall of the House of X #4

Written by Gerry Duggan, art by Lucas Werneck, cover by Pepe Larraz

"The battle for the future! It all comes down to this: Orchis versus the X-Men, winner take the future! Orchis has pushed mutantkind to their lowest point ever, but that just means the X-Men have had to fight back like never before. Will it be enough? We continue to barrel toward the conclusion of the Krakoan Age as the two stories that are one come to an end!"

X-Men Forever #3

written by Kieron Gillen, art by Luca Maresca, cover by Mark Brooks

"Now… War in Krakoa! A hunt in the White Hot Room! And a heartwarming family reunion (by which we mean "possibly involving setting fire to someone's heart with a flamethrower"). Spinning out from RISE OF THE POWERS OF X and IMMORTAL X-MEN comes a must-read for the conclusion of the Krakoan Age!"

X-Men Forever #4

written by Kieron Gillen, art by Luca Maresca, cover by Mark Brooks

"…and forever! Our secrets, sinister or otherwise, are over. X-MEN FORVER ends with a question—after everything, do we have Hope or not? From between the pages of IMMORTAL X-MEN and RISE OF THE POWERS OF X, the final secrets of the Krakoan Age are revealed here!"

Also they have this bit:

That must refer to issue #35, I think, so i guess we have one more after issue #34

[tfc2211]

Play ▶ Retro Obscuro No. 139 - Christmas

The Belmonts - Wintertime The Surf Boys - Stuck In The Chimney Francis Smith - Solar System Simon, Santa's Supersonic Son Santo And Johnny - Twistin' Bells Sylvia Reid - Christmas Rock And Roll Babs Gonzales - Teenage Santa Claus Gisele Mackenzie - Too Fat For The Chimney Jim Easter And The Artistic's - White Christmas The Copycats Featuring Kimo & Sabbe - The Abominable Snow-Man Ed McCurdy And The Boomers With Joe Cribari - Red Hair And Green Eyes The Debonaires - Crazy Santa Claus Gary Ramey With Floyd And The Little Soul Sisters - Moon-Y Min-I Men Visit Santa Claus (Part 1) Walter Stone "The Cry Baby" And The Tradewinds - Christmas Time Again Judy And The Duets - Christmas With The Beatles Mie Nakao - Jingle Bells The Cavaliers - Santa's Soul Gus Colletti - Santa Is A Superman Doye O'Dell - I'm Pickin' Fights For Christmas Johnny Preston - (I Want A) Rock And Roll Guitar Fred Bergin And His Music - Deck The Halls Janette Eden - You Turn Me On (And I Light Up) The Wilder Brothers - I Wanna Goat For Christmas Jack Ware - What Did Santa Claus Used To Be? The Martels - Rockin' Santa Claus The Lollipops - Mister Santa Idle Few - A Letter To Santa Yasunori Nakajima And The Latin Rhythm Kings - Winter Wonderland Bobby The Poet - White Christmas (3 O'Clock Weather Report) Judy Jamison - The Santa Claus Twist Gus De Wert Trio And Jeannie Jay - Space Age Santa Claus Jeri Kelly - Poor Ole' Santa Claus The Splendors - Winter Time The Teardrops - Hey Gingerbread Little Rita Faye - I Fell Out Of A Christmas Tree Jim Backus - Why Don't You Go Home For Christmas Jimmy Allen, Tommy Bartella - When Santa Comes Over The Brooklyn Bridge Donna And The Dees - I Know There's A Santa Claus The Pixies Three - Cold Cold Winter Bet E. Martin - Mrs. Santa Claus The Surfers - Here Comes Santa Claus In A Red Canoe The Sherwoods - Cold And Frosty Morning The Qualities & Sun Ra - It's Christmas Time

[djscuffs]

New Mix! Live at Cabana Pool Bar, Summer 2023. 2 hours of Dance, Pop, House, Baile Funk, Jersey Club, and more mixed by DJ SCUFFS. Featuring music from Doja Cat, Rihanna, Avicii, Jengi, Central Cee, and more! 

Playlist

Barbatuques – Baianá – DJ Larry-T Remix Diplo, Charli Xcx, Herve Pagez – Spicy  Jamelia – Superstar – Stavros Martina & Kevin D Remix Nelly – Hot In Herre – Da Phonk vs Lules & Naken Remix Doja Cat – Woman  Doja Cat – Woman ft. Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj, Dua Lipa, Missy Elliott (Remix) Timbaland ft. Keri Hilson & D.O.E. – The Way I Are – Stavros Martina & Kevin D Remix Bell Biv DeVoe – Poison – Bastian Bell Remix Timbaland ft. Justin Timberlake & Nelly Furtado – Give It To Me – Le Boeuf Remix ACRAZE – Do It To It FT Cherish Dillon Francis – Goodies Kanye West – Mercy – FOMO Remix Bruno Mars vs. Timmy Trumpet & Kastra – Uptown Funk (HMC 2019 Bootleg) Rihanna – Rude Boy (AANSE Remix) Jain – Makeba – Jerry Wallis Remix Shenseea & Megan Thee Stallion – Lick – Anthem Kingz Finer Things Edit Crystal Waters – Gypsy Woman (She’s Homeless) – Anthem Kingz Don’t Stop Moving Edit Jorja Smith – Little Things x Gypsy Woman (L BEATS MASHUP) David Guetta/Kid Cudi – Memories (feat. Kid Cudi) – 2021 Remix Avicii – Levels – RICHIE ROZEX Remix Daft Punk – One More Time – Lambue, Guztav & Siëma Remix Tag Team – Whoomp! There It Is – DJ Serg Remix LMFAO – Party Rock Anthem – Tony B & Vocalteknix Remix Eve ft. Gwen Stefani – Let Me Blow Ya Mind – Anthem Kingz Work My Body Edit Central Cee – Doja – Vunzige Deuntjes SoundSystem Remix LMFAO – Sexy And I Know It – Richastic Remix Barbatuques – Baianá – Rogerson Remix Jengi – Bel Mercy Rihanna – Rude Boy (Klean Remix) Nina Sky x CHAMOS – Move Ya Body Shenseea & Megan Thee Stallion – Lick – ETX Coolie Dance Riddim Edit Bob Sinclar ft. Big Ali – Rock This Party (Everybody Dance Now) – MIKIS & ZING Remix Richastic – The Roof Is On Fire – Tall Boys Clap Intro Don Omar ft. Lucenzo – Danza Kuduro – Kevin D & Sven & Rolf Remix Farruko – Pepas (Smoothies Baile Funk Remix) Pitbull – Give Me Everything (BeatBreaker ‘Barranquilla’ Banger) Mark Ronson – Uptown Funk FT BRUNO MARS (Club Breakerz x Medy Landia Mambo Edit) DJ Katch – Banga Black Eyed Peas – My Humps – Stavros Martina & Kevin D Remix Robin Thicke ft. Pharrell – Blurred Lines – Stavros Martina & Kevin D Remix Rihanna ft. Calvin Harris – We Found Love – DSM League Remix Delirious & Alex K ft. Max-A-Million – Sexual Healing – Anthem Kingz Closer Edit Koffee   – Toast (262 Remix) James Hype/Miggy Dela Rosa/Oliver Heldens – Ferrari – Oliver Heldens Remix Axwell Λ Ingrosso – More Than You Know (Extended Mix)  Avicii – Levels – DJ Serg Remix Technotronic – Pump Up The Jam – Sico Vox Remix Tag Team – Whoomp! There It Is – Lincoln Baio Money Edit Salt-N-Pepa x Megan Thee Stallion – Push It Flamin Hottie (Jonney Miles Segue) City Girls – Twerkulator – MarkCutz Remix Megan Thee Stallion – Thot Shit – DJ Serg Sniper Move Shake Drop Edit Rihanna – Only Girl (In The World) – Stavros Martina & Kevin D Remix Rihanna – Don’t Stop The Music – Trayze Carnival Remix Taio Cruz – Dynamite – ZIGGY & Replay M Remix Flo Rida ft. Sesman – Low – Richastic Remix  DJ Crell/Silez – Do it To it – Baile Funk Remix J Balvin & Skrillex – In Da Getto Barbatuques – Baianà – Jack Back Remix Steve Aoki Daddy Yankee Play-N-Skillz and Elvis Crespo – Azukita (CloudNine Intro Edit) Deorro – Bailar (Afro Bros Bootleg) Steve Aoki & Willy William ft. Sean Paul, El Alfa – Mambo Jengi – Bel Mercy – Richtanner Remix  Wiley & Sean Paul & Stefflon Don feat. Idris Elba – Wale – Boasty (Grandtheft x Wuki Dub) Rihanna – Don’t Stop The Music – Richastic Remix

[arlecchinostarship]

Rinnei/Ryo here! [2nd intro revamp.. waaaaa..]

Here, a post to know about this account and the person behind it!

Last Update: June 3rd, 2024

Anything under the bulleted list that is bolded, meaning the topic is frequently talked about as of May 29th, 2024

This blog will contain content from:

Omori

Danganronpa

Genshin

Project Sekai

Vocaloid (Apart from プロセカ/Proseka)

A Silent Voice

These are the types of posts you could expect on my blog!:

Rinnei Moment - posts that discuss about myself or things I like on my perspective, or moments that happened at a certain time frame that I have decided to post. [Additional Info Added!: Rinnei moments are now featured more frequently on my other blog, so this blog can focus more on art and oneshots]

Art Posts - Posts that surround my art, in any sort of form: Painting, Drawing Traditionally or Digitally, Sculpting, etc…

Posts with no tags - These posts are usually little to no meaning. [Same applies from rinnei moment]

F!Reader/GN!Reader x Genshin Women Oneshots/Fanfics - [THESE ARE COMING SOON, As of May 29th, 2024: These posts haven’t been spotted on this blog. Expect Fluff, Angst and Slightly Suggestive fics. NSFW will not be written unless I actually am sure about posting it or writing it. Likely NSFW will never be posted.]

These rules for my blog are simple, but they may extend once I start posting fics!

- Don’t interact with me if you are a proshipper, MAPS, zoophile, l0li/sh0tacon, toxic, [BASIC DNI CRIT]

- When the time comes that I will write fics and this blog becomes popular, keep in mind that my fics will be GN/F!Reader towards Female Genshin Characters. I won’t take requests for FxM or MxM! Sorry! :(

Also I don’t plan to write for minor characters unless it’s platonic!

- Don’t spam my inbox pls (Unless you are my friend marr /j)

Small bits of info about me! Will Update if there’s a change!

Why Rinnei/Ryo?: It’s an online alias, I don’t like sharing my IRL name :(

Fun fact: I used to go by Serena but only because I liked the Serena from Pokémon…

Sexuality: As said in my short bio, I am a Lesbian! I also identify as a Demigirl! (She/They prns)

Favorite Character(s): La Signora, Raiden Ei/Shogun, Arlecchino, Navia, Furina, Yae Miko, Beidou, Ningguang, Dehya, Ga Ming/Jia Ming, Xianyun, Ganyu, Nahida, Collei, Mafuyu Asahina, Shoko Nishimiya, Miu Iruma

Nationality: Philippines :D

A dive a little deeper: ADHD + Autism

As said in bio, I am a Minor! ~_~

Favorite Artists: Mitski, Mac DeMarco, Alex G, Tyler the Creator, The Smiths

Favorite Shows/Movies: A Silent Voice, Madoka Magica, Hetalia, Danganronpa 3, Serial Experiments Lain

(Favorite Games are the ones I post about)

Favorite Songs: Francis Forever, Hated By Life, Passion at 25, When the First Love Ends, 88ミ☆, Lost Ones Weeping

TOO MUCH INFO!! AAAA!! >_<

If you got this far.. guess what you earned!! >o<

Thank you for reading this absolutely long ahh intro post, have a wonderful day/night!

[historyhermann]

The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder Season 2 Review

The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder is a coming-of-age animated sitcom and adventure by Bruce W. Smith and Ralph Farquhar, two well-known producers. It is a revival and soft reboot of The Proud Family, a classic Disney series by Smith which aired in the early 2000s. This review will have spoilers.

Reprinted from Pop Culture Maniacs and Wayback Machine. This was the twenty-third article I wrote for Pop Culture Maniacs. This post was originally published on February 13, 2023.

This animated series centers on Penny Proud (voiced by Kyla Pratt), a 16-year-old Black girl in the town of Smithville. She attempts to navigates her home life, filled the antics off her father, Oscar (voiced by Tommy Davidson), who owns a failing snack business, her mother, Trudy (voiced by Paula Jai Parker), a well-off veterinarian, her grandmother, Suga Mama (voiced by Jo Marie Payton), and her two siblings, Bebe and Cece. At high school, she has four friends-of-sorts: Michael Collins, Dijonay Jones, Zoey Howser, and LaCienega Boulevardez. They are voiced by EJ Johnson, Karen Malina White, Soleil Moon Frye, and Alisa Reyes respectfully. All the while, two new kids, Maya and KG, raised by two dads (Barry and Randall), try to adapt to their new life in Smithville.

The show's first season broke ground for featuring openly gay characters, unlike in the original series, such as Michael, who is also gender non-conforming. His voice actor even considered gender transition. This character is joined by an interracial couple: Barry and Randall Leibowitz-Jenkins, who voiced by two gay actors (Zachary Quinto and Billy Porter). They are the adopted fathers of Maya and Francis "KG", voiced by Keke Palmer and "A Boogie" Dubose. Palmer previously voiced Izzy Hawthorne in Lightyear, a lesbian character who has a wife named Alisha. She has also stated that she does not want her sexuality to be defined by labels and that people should be fluid when giving themselves labels.

The series has been swept in the culture wars, with claims it is promoting the "gay agenda" or is "anti-White". In reality, there are various White characters, including Zoey and Barry, and often promotes themes of racial togetherness, rather than division. Additionally, Michael is the only protagonist in the series who is part of the LGBTQ community. Barry, Randall, and Makeup Boy (voiced by Bretman Rock), with the latter beginning to date Michael later in the second season, are only recurring characters. In fact, Penny and Dijonay both have boyfriends, Darrius St. Vil (voiced by Chance the Rapper) and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Brown (voiced by Asante Blackk), by the end of the season. Furthermore, Zoey is sweet on Myron (voiced by Marcus T. Paulk), and Maya romantically connects with one of the Chang Triplets, Billy.

Like the original The Proud Family, the series is not neutral when it comes to politics. It often focuses on racial injustice, whether noting past bans on interracial marriage, reparations, prejudice of Black people toward White people, anti-Black racism, sexism, or White skin privilege. This is interwoven with an emphasis on the importance of Black history, friendship, family, indigenous rights, harmonious neighbors, paying people fairly, respecting people for who they are, going beyond the color of their skin, and the folly of celebrity worship. Many books are name-dropped throughout the series, like Africans and Native Americans, as are the names of intellectuals such as Michelle Alexander, Robin DiAngelo, Elizabeth Acevedo, Leslie T. Chang, Saeed Jones, and Ta-Nehisi Coates. Many of these names are displayed during the English class taught by Kwame (voiced by Leslie Odom, Jr.).

Similar to season one, the second season of The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder provides more background about the characters, whether about Suga Mama's short-lived romance with an indigenous cowboy named Quanah (voiced by Wes Studi), and how Barry and Randall met, or the history of the Soul Vibrations band composed of Oscar and his brothers, and Giselle. As Penny says, in one episode, "you can't know yourself unless you know where you come from". This interconnected with the meaningful, and well-done, episode in which Bebe is diagnosed with autism, with the Proud family trying to figure out what to do with him, and coming to accept him, even if he requires more attention from them.

Other episodes focus on family conflict and fissures between friends, and neighbors, all of which are resolved before the end of each episode. This includes an episode when everyone is enamored with LaCienega's uncanny athletic ability (because of her big feet) and realize they have gone into a frenzy, another about Oscar, Felix, Puff, and Suga Mama fighting one another in an absurd parody of TV court shows, and one in which animals protest the awful Proud Snacks created by Oscar Proud. One of my favorite episodes in Season 2 featured a Princess Ball, with references to other Disney princesses: Penny dressed up as Princess Tiana, Dijonay as Cinderella, LaCienega as Princess Elena, Michael as Pocahontas, Maya as Beyonce, and Zoey as Princess Merida.

There are many notable characters in The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder like the Principal Hightower (voiced by Patricia Belcher), who insults and demans the students, reporter Vanessa Vue (voiced by Brenda Song) or incredibly wealthy Wizard Kelly (voiced by Aries Spears) who is shown as too tall to fit on the screen. However, in this season, Maya comes into her own, especially in the season two finale. In the episode, the ghost of Emily (voiced by Storm Reid), a Black girl enslaved by the town's founder, Christian A. Smith, guides her, revealing her diary which proves that Smith is a slaveowner, contradicting the common town myth.

In an interesting depiction of wealth-as-power, Wizard Kelly orders the police, clad in riot gear, to stop Maya, and her friends, who are protesting a ceremony dedicating Smith, with chants and placards. As a result, all of them, and their parents, are thrown in the city jail, despite the efforts of Barry to protect his children. His detective badge shown to mean nothing, as the police, who are serving as Kelly's goons, step over it with their boots.

Although Maya is just as determined as Wednesday Addams, in Wednesday, she does nothing equivalent to her. The latter, with the help of Thing, lights the statue of Joseph Crackstone, the Pilgrim founder of Jericho, on fire, causing it to melt. In fact, Kwame counsels his students to not pull down Smith's statue. This makes it ironic, then, that some reactionary media and personalities are all up-in-arms about the series, acting like it either "ruins" the original, or is "causing" division. Where were these people when Wednesday came out? They could have said some of the same things about that series, but they did not.

In many ways, the Season Two finale of The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder sets the series apart from methods of police control over the citizenry depicted in Velma or the incompetent police force shown in The Simpsons. That is because this series emphasizes how some can control and distort history to their benefit, covering up what they don't want others to see. There is no acceptance of the town myth which Lisa Simpson conceded to in The Simpsons. Instead, the town's name is changed to Emilyville and a new statue is erected. In a possible indication of the long-standing nature of the existing economic system, Kelly becomes the mayor of the town, and faces no consequences for cracking down on Maya, her friends, family, or other town residents.

This series features many guest stars like Jane Lynch, Gabrielle Union, Al Roker, Ceelo Green, and Andre Jamal Kinney, along with other lesser-known ones like Forrest Goodluck, and sports stars Laurie Hernandez, Gabby Douglas, and Dominque Dawes. Of the guest characters, I liked Dr. Lord (voiced by Holly Robinson Peete) best as she gives Penny a chance to talk about her experiences as the oldest child in the family, in which she is given additional responsibilities.

All of the episodes of the second season of The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder all aired on February 1st, unlike the previous season, which aired over a two month time period. There's strong animation and backgrounds which make the show stand out, as does the voice acting and music selection, which fit with stories and characters. It is unfortunate this 10-episode season isn't spread out across two months, because it would be easier to watch the series and take in all that happens. Even so, this season is much less glitzy than season 1 and that is to the show's benefit.

Furthermore, I appreciate that the series did an episode based on the little-remembered, or regarded, but wild, The Proud Family Movie, which seemed like an episode from Milo Murphy's Law, especially when they are fighting the Pistachions. In some ways, the episode reminded me of the annual Treehouse of Horror episodes of The Simpsons.

It is hard to know where The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder goes from here. If it follows the recent pattern of Disney series, such as Amphibia and The Owl House, it will have at least one more season. If that was the case, it would have one more season than the original series. However, it would need another 32 episodes to match the original, which aired from 2001 to 2005. This revival is different because the episodes range from 27 to 30 minutes, similar to the first season.

This series comes at the time that Disney is producing and airing series with diverse casts, like The Ghost and Molly McGee. In fact, this year, Iwájú, Kiff, Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, Primos, and Hailey's On It! are set to air. Disney has also contracted to produce series such as Cookies & Milk, Moana, and Tiana. On the other hand, Disney series with similar casts such as Mira, Royal Detective and Amphibia ended last year, while The Owl House is set to end this spring.

The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder is more unique, incorporating perspectives of Black creators, unlike Hamster & Gretel, Phineas and Ferb, Kim Possible, and Star Wars: The Bad Batch, which likely have mostly White writers rooms and have casts largely composed of White characters. As production coordinator, Breana Navickas, recently wrote, the show's writer's room is Black, and much of the staff is Black and "a mix of asian folks, latine folks, white folks". This shows in this season even more strongly than in the first season, with the series establishing itself more, and putting the original into the dustbin.

This series is not alone. Craig of the Creek, Victor and Valentino, Carmen Sandiego, Arcane, and Glitch Techs are all recent series with diverse stories and characters. As such, The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder, comes at an opportune time, when some executives are cutting back resources dedicated toward animated series, or squeezing workers in tough working conditions.

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed the second season even more than the first, and hope that Disney orders another season sometime this year, considering the amount of people watching it. There are so many more stories to tell with these characters. This could include Penny getting new, and non-toxic friends. Even so, I doubt this will happen because the plot of the series depends too much on their existence to bring in new friends, just as Futurama would fall apart without the antics of the Planet Express crew keeping its current members. In addition, considering the issues with colorism in the original The Proud Family, and somewhat replicated in the first season, it was good to see that the Gross Sisters (Nubia, Olei, and Gina), all by Raquel Lee, only had a small part in this season. The fact that Maya had a bigger part in the season, instead of the Gross Sisters, is a welcome development.

One of the series' downfalls is repeating elements of narrative set-up in the original series. Although I still believe the series could be stronger if it focused on older versions of the cast, the second season made the characters, at their current age, workable. It didn't fall into simple tropes used in Kim Possible and Totally Spies!, both animated series centered in school environments.

Seasons 1 and 2 of The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder is currently airing on Disney+. While you are at it, you can watch The Proud Family and The Proud Family Movie on Disney+ too!

© 2023 Burkely Hermann. All rights reserved.

[luxe-pauvre]

SEPTEMBER 2022

Read:

I’m a psychologist - and I believe we’ve been told devastating lies about mental health

The Ecological Prescience of Dune

The Greedy Doctor Problem

Is There Such A Thing As Good Taste?

We are all frail

Among Social Scientists, a Vigorous Debate Over Loss Aversion

To Be Energy-Efficient, Brains Predict Their Perceptions

After many false starts, this might be the true age of anxiety

Votes for children! Why we should lower the voting age to six

At the End of the World, It’s Hyperobjects All the Way Down

Three Theories for Why You Have No Time

How the Western Diet Has Derailed Our Evolution

Life’s Too Short to Finish Books You Don’t Like

Why the Hell Would You Want to Privatise Libraries?

Why Stories Are Like Taking Drugs

The Myth of Multitasking

The Odor of Things

The long, slow, rotten march of progress

Pop psychology has killed the villain

Brain scans look stunning, but what do they actually mean?

Is society coming apart?

Chronic illness and the pressure to get well

The Art of Lost Sleep

Mind Fixers by Anne Harrington

The Joy of Science by Jim Al-Khalili

In Defence of Witches: Why Women are Still on Trial by Mona Chollet

Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado

And Finally by Henry Marsh

Recovery: The Lost Art of Convalescence by Gavin Francis

Watched:

Brave New World vs Nineteen Eighty-Four featuring Adam Gopnik and Will Self

RSM Easter Lecture 2016 with Henry Marsh

Twelve Experiments That Changed Our World

Everything Everywhere All At Once

Bullet Train

Lupin pt. 2

Listened To:

How To Finally Stop Procrastinating: Oliver Burkeman*

Unholy by Sam Smith ft. Kim Petras

Renaissance by Beyonce (again)

Went To:

Henry Marsh in conversation with Will Self

Feminine power: the divine to the demonic @ The British Museum

Madama Butterfly @ Royal Opera House

[theageoftheunderstatement]

NME: Arctic Monkeys – ‘The Car’ review: a swashbuckling, strings-fuelled epic

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

By Thomas Smith, 18th October 2022

Atop a Los Angeles rooftop car park sits a lone white Toyota Corolla. There’s no knowing how – or when – the saloon got there, what’s lurking in the trunk or the glove compartment, or whether it’s responsible for the screeching tyre marks nearby. Decoding the artwork for ‘The Car’, Arctic Monkeys’ seventh album, feels akin to attempting to get under the hood of the band themselves; it’s mysterious, unusual and, crucially, all part of the fun.

While their peppy, game-changing 2006 debut ‘Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not’ and 2013’s behemoth ‘AM’ will provide greater lessons in assessing rock’s place in 21st century music, ‘The Car’ best summarises the Arctic Monkeys story so far: sharp songwriting, relentless innovation and unbreakable teamwork. For the old-heads, it’s a satisfying toast to those who’ve stuck by and matured along with the band, while for the newbies – arriving primarily via TikTok and streaming services – it is a remarkable place to start their Monkeys journey.

True to drummer Matt Helders’ words, the band “pick up where they left off” on 2018’s ‘Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino’, their masterful – and divisive – collection that traded razor-sharp riffs and stadium-sized choruses for loungey space-pop, obfuscating characters and a shady lounge lizard persona for frontman Alex Turner. The songwriter himself appears to make a sly reference to the fallout from the last album on ‘The Car’s brooding highlight ‘Sculptures Of Anything Goes’, bemoaning someone – or himself – who’s “puncturing your bubble of relatability with your horrible new sound”.

Nevertheless, ‘The Car’ goes some way to addressing some of the last record’s flaws. While growing in stature once the initial shock wore off and proving to be wildly entertaining live, there were still some nit-picks to be had with ‘Tranquility…’: perhaps it was too slow and one-note, perhaps the full band were under-utilised as performers, perhaps it felt more like a Turner solo record. On ‘The Car’, though, Jamie Cook, Nick O’Malley and Helders are present and powerful; guided by Turner’s songwriting and delicate vocal performance, but never ceding to it: ‘Body Paint’, a swaggering ‘70s-inspired epic, features the full band at their most ferocious-sounding in years. If ‘Tranquility…’s monochrome palette boxed Arctic Monkeys in, here they’re flourishing in full colour.

The band began recording the album last summer while reconnecting post-lockdown at a 14th century monastery in Suffolk, fitting in sessions amid England’s almost-glory at Euro 2020. Decamping to La Frette – the studio-cum-mansion on the outskirts of Paris where they recorded much of ‘Tranquility’ – to capture Turner’s vocals, Arctic Monkeys then, most importantly, headed to RAK Studios in London. It was here that an 18-piece string section recorded their parts for ‘The Car’, bringing to life the arrangements composed by Turner, producer James Ford and Bridget Samuels, whose credits include the 2019 psych-horror Midsommar.

It is these musicians, as much as the band themselves, who provide ‘The Car’ with the vivid textures that this record’s predecessor. The grandiose funk-rock of ‘I Ain’t Quite Where I Think I Am’ soars in comparison to the version first played live this summer, and ‘There’d Better Be A Mirrorball’ is the band’s first real tear-jerker since ‘Cornerstone’, stirring strings soundtrack a relationship that’s gone off the boil. Del Schwartz, a not-so-secret Spotify playlist that AM fans have attributed to Turner (despite an unconvincing recent denial), provides ample clues to the frontman’s sonic inspirations this time round: The Rolling Stones producer Andrew Oldham, Brazilian rockers Os Mutantes and an array of French composers, including Francis Lai, all feature.

‘Hello You’ is where it all comes together most effectively. Resurrecting the swirling guitar riff of ‘AM’s slinky cut ‘Knee Socks’, Helders’ percussion pushes the band forward as dramatic strings dance around Turner’s vocals. It’s immediate and playful, and as alluring as anything on Steely Dan’s 1980 classic ‘Gaucho’. Though more sedate, ‘Jet Skis On The Moat’ and ‘Big Ideas’ conjure colourful scenic images of The Talented Mr Ripley and ’60s James Bond flicks, a clear contrast to the art-house black-and-white cinema of ‘TBH&C’.

The characters that Turner assumes in his songs here are more nuanced and compelling than before. For all the costumes he uses as “writing tools” on ‘Body Paint’, he can’t help but admit that his “teeth are beating and my knees are weak” at the altar of romance, while on ‘There’d Better Be A Mirrorball’ he gives it the “old romantic fool” to little avail. Every moment of triumph is tempered by his own flaws: the faux-luxury of “the Business they call Show” (‘Hello You’) appears increasingly hollow, and by ‘Perfect Sense’, the record’s gorgeous Dion-nodding swansong, “a four-figure sum on a hotel notepad” is all it takes for him to realise the charade is up. There’s a ‘your mum’ joke on ‘Sculptures Of Anything Goes’, too.

‘The Car’ is almost overwhelming in terms of its ambition and scope, but provides ample motive to revisit this record over and over again. Whether it’ll be enough to reach across the divide and convince the naysayers is yet to be seen, but given they’ll be playing in stadiums up and down the UK and beyond next year seems to suggest a rapprochement is in motion. For now, though, Arctic Monkeys stand alone like the abandoned saloon on the rooftop: the last – and greatest – band of their generation still operating at their highest level.

[acradelius]

↞ DEAD BY DAYLIGHT MASTERLIST ↠

Welcome to the Ultimate Dead by Daylight Masterlist! Here you can find the characters that I write about for Dead by Daylight. . This particular list will be updated whenever new characters or skins come out.  Each character masterlist will be updated on the weekends for any new content written about them.  Any other miscellaneous content featuring Dead by Daylight or characters, such as Alternative Universe writings, will be at the very bottom!

↞ SURVIVORS ↠

Dwight Fairfield

Meg Thomas

Claudette Morel

Jake Park

Nea Karlsson

Laurie Strode

Ace Visconti

William "Bill" Overbeck

Feng Min

David King

Quentin Smith

Detective David Tapp

Kate Denson

Adam Francis

Jeffrey "Jeff" Johansen

Jane Romero

Ashley J. Williams

Nancy Wheeler

Steve Harrington

Yui Kimura

Zarina Kassir

Cheryl Mason

Felix Ritcher

Elodie Rakoto

Yun-Jin Lee

Jill Valentine

Leon Scott Kennedy

Mikaela Reid

Jonah Vasquez

Yoichi Asakawa

Haddie Kaur

Ada Wong

Rebecca Chambers

Carlos Oliveira

Chris Redfield

Claire Redfield

Jonathan Byers

↞ KILLERS ↠

"Trapper" - Evan MacMillan

"Wraith" - Philip Ojomo

"Hillbilly" - Max Thompson Jr.

"Nurse" - Sally Smithson

"Shape" - Michael Myers

"Hag" - Lisa Sherwood

"Doctor" - Herman Carter

"Huntress" - Anna

"Cannibal" - Bubba Sawyer

"Pig" - Amanda Young

"Clown" - Jeffrey Hawk

"Spirit" - Rin Yamaoka

"Legion" - Frank, Julie, Susie, Joey

"Plague" - Adiris

"Ghost Face" - Danny Johnson

"Demogorgon" - Demogorgon

"Oni" - Kazan Yamaoka

"Deathslinger" - Caleb Quin

"Executioner" - Pyramid Head

"Blight" - Talbot Grimes

"Trickster" - Ji-Woon Hak

"Nemesis" - Nemesis T-Type

"Cenobite" - Elliot Spencer

"Artist" - Carmina Mora

"Onryo" - Sadako Yamamura

"Dredge" - Dredge

"Mastermind" - Albert Wesker

"Hunk"

"The Look-See"

"The Mordeo"

"The Birch"

[theoriginalladya]

All's Fair - update

(thanks to @nightmarestudio606 for assistance with the title card!)

Series: Romance & Resistance

Work: All's Fair

Summary: "All's fair in love and war..." Francis Edward Smedley

A collection of writing prompts and other drabbles that are part of the "Romance & Resistance" Mass Effect/WWII universe series featuring John Smith and Lachlan Berger.

Tags: Mass Effect/WWII Crossover, Crossover Fic, Alternate Universe, ShepShep, Writing Prompts, Drabbles, Fluff

Chapter 2: Something Sweet

Excerpt:

“It’s not as if I’m some kind of purist.”  Lachlan waved a spoon around, gesturing to a judgemental audience that wasn’t listening.  “I’m not one of those who thinks it has to be made with a sheep stomach or it’s technically some kind of pudding.  I don’t really care what the container is.”

Prodding at produce on the counter, John turned to look at his energetic Scotsman.  “Lachlan - really?”

Lachlan looked up, momentarily wounded.  “I said I wasn’t -”

John gestured to the counter.  “You bought more strawberries.”

“Aye, ‘course I did.”  Bouncing to his feet, Lachlan beamed.  “It’s berry season!”

~~~

Read Chapter || Read From Beginning || Read Series

~~~

Update to the collaborative series project @happychica and I are working on together! Romance & Resistance features her John (Shepard) Smith and my Lachlan (Shepard) Berger.

This series is a side series to Something Wicked This Way Comes series (featuring Caleb Shepard and Kaidan Alenko) which is Mass Effect set during the Second World War. The two series will occasionally overlap events, but Romance & Resistance for the most part will have its own plot unique to John and Lachlan.

[tailsrevane]

2022 in review, part 6: comics & manga first reads

1. orcs! by christine larsen (2021)

this is frighteningly perfect. orcs as protagonists, cute (but not too cute for orcs) art, and just supremely powerful good boy energy. (yeah a lot of the protagonists aren’t boys, but i feel like all orcs have good boy energy regardless of gender.) also it’s kinda gay!

this filled a hole i didn’t even know could be filled (which despite being ace is oftentimes what i’m looking for with orcs, hey-o), with the only problem being that whenever i go out looking for more orc fiction i’m looking for this specific vibe and nothing else has it. woof.

(in all seriousness i wouldn’t want every orc story to have this vibe because that would make it less special, but still i want more of this than this and its immediate sequel, y’know?)

2. the witch boy by molly ostertag (2017)

given the title & author i am less than 0% surprised how strongly i vibed with this. this gave me so many gender feels.

3. batman/teenage mutant ninja turtles (2015-16) writer: james tyrnion iv / artist: freddie williams ii

a love letter to fans of both franchises. this is one of the all-time great crossovers between two totally separate franchises. it might be the best ever.

4. the adventure zone, vol. 4: the crystal kingdom (2021) writers: clint mcelroy & griffin mcelroy & justin mcelroy & travis mcelroy artist: carey pietsch

it took me a minute to get into adventure zone because i was so thoroughly spoiled by the frankly superior dimension 20, but it really does grow on you. and i think the crystal kingdom story is the first one where the comic adaptation actually noticeably improved upon the podcast. the ending especially was just so arresting seeing it in comic form, and it really had an impact on me that i don’t remember it having when i was listening to the pod.

5. superman: birthright (2003-04) writer: mark waid / artists: leinil francis yu & gerry alanguilan

not only is this the best verison of superman’s origin story i’ve ever seen, it’s one of the best superman comics i’ve ever read.

6. batman, vol. 2: the city of owls (2012) writers: scott snyder & james tynion iv / artists: greg capulo & rafael albuquerque & more

what made this so special is not just that it was the epic confrontation between batman and the court (and possibly his long-lost brother). it also had two side stories, one that showed that the new 52 version of mr. freeze is kind of a unique twist on the character, but i'm actually way more interested in the last issue of the volume. this issue featured a pair of super gay siblings named harper and cullen row. harper will eventually become the hero bluebird, but for now we just see her civilian life and how she first comes into contact with batman. and honestly, just seeing these two low-income queer siblings existing and being extremely relatable was such a joy.

7. avatar: tsu’tey’s path (2019) writer: sherri l. smith / artists: dan parsons & jay durresma

basically a drastically better version of the first movie with less human stuff. it couldn’t totally remove the shitty white savior stuff from the narrative obviously since it is following the same events, but it did at least push them off to the side as much as it could.

8. batman: hush (2002) writer: jeph loeb / artist: jim lee

i’ve been a batman/catwoman shipper since before i knew that shipping was a thing, so obviously i loved this. ivy being blatantly femdommy, and bisexual at that, was also extremely, extremely, extremely my jam. yes please. more of that, please.

9. pleasure & corruption, vol. 1 by you someya (2019)

*pounding fist on table in rhythm to words* more. boy. subs. more. boy. subs. more. boy. subs.

i do wish so many authors didn’t seem so convinced that subby boys always have to “deserve it” by being pervs or whatever in stories like this, it makes them way harder to relate to. but yeah. seeing a boy get tied up and bullied a bunch is extremely wish fulfillment imo. also, loveloveloved the heavy emphasis on bondage, obviously.

10. 5 seconds before a witch falls in love by zeniko sumiya (2021)

a super cute enemies-to-lovers yuri about a witch & witch hunter. hell yeah.

[mrdirtybear]

‘Master Diver’ was the best selling novel in the USA of 1898. It was written by Francis Hopkinson Smith and it sold so well partly through it being serialized in The Atlantic Monthly between October 1897 and March 1898 and partly because it was published as a book by Houghton Mifflin in April 1898. The book featured illustrations by Malcolm Fraser and Arthur I. Keller. The book is based on Smith's experience in the building of the Race Rock Light near Fishers Island, New York in the 1870s. About the poster; ‘Caleb West master diver by F. Hopkinson Smith. For sale here (1900)’ was designed by American illustrator and author Frank Berkeley Smith (1869-1931). Here is a selection of other posters by him.

[monsieuroverlord]

January Solicits are posted!

source here

We're seeing the launch of the next phase of Krakoa/X-Men Era, including the Resurrection of Magneto, Rise of the Powers of X, Fall of the House of X, Dead X-Men (featuring the elected X-Men Team from the last Hellfire Gala) and Wolverine's Sabretooth War!

Also, Marvel Meow is making its print debut!

Wolverine #41 written by Ben Percy and Victor LaValle, art by Cory Smith and Geoff Shaw, main cover by Leinil Francis Yu.

Get ready for the showdown to end all showdowns – WOLVERINE VS. SABRETOOTH!

"It’s been years since these heavy hitters have crossed paths in the Marvel Universe, but as Krakoa falls, so rises SABRETOOTH – and he’s out for revenge! They threw VICTOR CREED in the PIT, but he’s free and, wielding an army of Sabretooths, will prove once and for all why he is LOGAN’s ultimate nemesis. Co-written by literary powerhouses Benjamin Percy (WOLVERINE, GHOST RIDER) and Victor LaValle (The Changeling, SABRETOOTH) and drawn by artistic dynamos Cory Smith (CONAN, GHOST RIDER) and Geoff Shaw (WEAPONS OF VENGEANCE, WOLVERINE: PATCH), don’t miss the inaugural issue in this multi-shipping saga leading up to the landmark issue #50!"

Marvel Meow #1

Writing and art by Nao Fuji, Variant cover by Chrissie Zullo

"MARVEL MEOW MAKES ITS PAWESOME PRINT DEBUT!

Marvel’s most fearsome – and furriest – heroes are here to save the day and beg for treats in the process! Follow Chewie, Liho, Alpine and the rest of the Avengers’ feline friends as they cause a few cat-tastrophes…and maybe vanquish some villains in the process! Whether it’s crashing Captain Marvel’s apartment or defeating Doc Ock, you can always count on these cats for some cute chaos! Collecting the hit Infinity Comic series from Marvel Unlimited and featuring a brand-new cover and exclusive new story!"

Resurrection of Magneto

written by Al Ewing, art by Luciano Vecchio, main cover by Stefano Caselli

"On Krakoa, resurrection from the dead was as easy as completing a circuit – but Krakoa fell. The time of easy miracles is over, and only the hard roads are left. Now it falls to Storm – as the epic conclusion to the Krakoan age looms – to bring their oldest enemy home to fight against the FALL OF THE HOUSE OF X…but after all he did, and all that was done to him, can Magneto bear to return?"

Dead X-Men

Written by Steve Foxe, art by Vincenzo Carratu, Bernard Chang, and Jonas Scharf, main cover by Pepe Perez

"DEATH WAS ONLY THE BEGINNING!

When the world turned against Krakoa, these five mutants lost their lives…but their mission as X-Men is just getting started. To preserve Xavier’s dream, they must accomplish the impossible – or die again trying! Spinning out from RISE OF THE POWERS OF X, discover…who are the DEAD X-MEN?!"

Rise of the Powers of X

Written by Kieron Gillen, art and main cover by R. B. Silva

"THE FIGHT FOR KRAKOA HAS BEEN LOST!

Ten years ago, the mutants returned from their exile to try and reclaim the Earth from the forces of Orchis. They failed.  Now, within the victorious Orchis with their gauntlet choking the world, Nimrod and Omega Sentinel put their plan within a plan into action. They are to summon their binary god to consume everything in their accession. All that stands between them is the X-Men. What can they do? They’re the X-Men. They’ll find a way. That’s their power. So begins a story beyond time and space, with the rise of powers beyond our petty human intelligence. From writer Kieron Gillen (IMMORTAL X-MEN, UNCANNY X-MEN) and artist R.B. Silva (POWERS OF X, CAPTAIN AMERICA: SYMBOL OF TRUTH) comes half of the story that will bring the Krakoa Age to its conclusion!"

Fall of the House of X

Written by Gerry Duggan, art by Lucas Werneck, main cover by Pepe Larraz

"KRAKOA HAS JUST BEGUN TO FIGHT!

Mutantkind has never had a greater fall. From the highs of Krakoa – their own glorious nation, a place where they were safe and happy – to the lowest of lows. Outlawed, hunted, killed, most of their kind missing or dead, and now, one their greatest leaders, Cyclops, is on trial facing a death penalty. Ready or not, the time has come for the X-Men to make their final stand against the forces that have struck them low. The day is now. The place is here. The tale of the house Xavier built will long be told…and few will forget this darkest chapter. From writer Gerry Duggan (X-MEN, MARAUDERS, UNCANNY AVENGERS) and artist Lucas Werneck (IMMORTAL X-MEN, TRIAL OF MAGNETO) comes half of the story that will bring the Krakoa Age to its conclusion!"

[theultimatefan]

FAN EXPO Chicago Celebrates 50 Years Of All Things Fandom With The World’s Greatest Comic Creators

Fifty years ago, fandom was changed forever when Nostalgia ‘72 took over the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont Illinois, creating the first space in the midwest for fans to gather and celebrate comics. Now known as FAN EXPO Chicago, the convention will return for its biggest show yet - bringing an incredible round-up of legendary celebrities, comic creators, voice actors and cosplayers to the Windy City from July 7 to July 10.

To celebrate the golden anniversary, FAN EXPO Chicago has assembled an incredible roster of superstar comic artists and writers, headlined by legends Brian Michael Bendis (writer, creator of “Naomi”), Geoff Johns (writer, creator of “Stargirl”), Joe Quesada (CCO, Marvel Entertainment) Greg Capullo (“Batman”), Marc Silvestri (celebrating 30 years of Image Comics), Kevin Smith (“Daredevil”), Leinil Francis Yu (“X-Men”), Jorge Molina (“Batman”) and dozens of others.

In 1972, Chicago collectibles dealer and local school teacher Nancy Warner made history when she united 2,000 of Chicago’s biggest comic fans in the midwest’s first ever comic and collectibles convention. Beginning as a space by and for comic collectors, and expanding to include exhibits, attractions and celebrities from all walks of fandom, what is now known as FAN EXPO Chicago is gearing up for its biggest year ever - while paying homage to the traditional comic culture that started it all.

“While the phrase ‘comic con’ continues to grow in popularity with convention groups throughout the world, it sometimes feels like those groups have left the actual comics in the dust,” said Andrew Moyes, vice president of FAN EXPO HQ. “Fandom culture is more than just blockbuster movies - it’s a deep loyalty to and appreciation of the classics and a celebration of the everlasting impact those comics, characters and creators have had on each of us. At FAN EXPO Chicago, we’re working to take the fan experience to new levels, while also staying true to the root of who we - and our guests - are.”

Other standout creators attending include Zeb Wells (“Amazing Spider-Man"), Jock (“Batman: One Dark Knight”), Steve McNiven (“Star Wars”), Jose Luis Garcia Lopez (legendary artist, “Batman vs Hulk”), Dike Ruan (“Shang-Chi”), Michael Golden (legendary artist, "Batman,” “Daredevil”), David Mack (“Kabuki,” “Jessica Jones”, Ben Templesmith (“Wormwood,” “30 Days of Night” and Tony Harris (“Starman,” Ex Machina”). See the full creator list and keep an eye out for more additions at https://fanexpohq.com/fanexpochicago/comic-creators/.

Comic fans will particularly revel in the special Comic Guest VIP packages just announced featuring Heroes in the Windy City, Jock, Silvestri, McNiven and more. See the full list at https://fanexpohq.com/fanexpochicago/comic-guest-special-event-packages.

In addition, superstar celebrities will reunite, including “the Hobbits” of the iconic Lord of the Rings trilogy (Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Dominic Monaghan, Billy Boyd), Stargirl’s Brec Bassinger, The Book Of Boba Fett’s Ming-Na Wen and stars from The Mandalorian, Jay and Silent Bob, Clerks, Cobra Kai, Star Trek, as well as a stacked roster of voice actors includes Futurama’s Billy West, Star Wars: The Clone Wars’ Ashley Eckstein and the hottest leads from My Hero Academia and Demon Slayer. With additional guests and attractions representing dozens of the greatest franchises across genres and decades, the massive lineup will create the ultimate playground for fans of comics, sci-fi, horror, anime, gaming and more.

FAN EXPO Chicago will host attractions for fans of all ages and fandoms, including panels, autograph sessions, photo-ops and meet-and-greets and retailers and artists from all over the world selling unique merchandise, artwork, memorabilia, comic books and collectables. Exclusives for FAN EXPO Chicago include DC Batman #251 Special Chicago Edition, 50th Fan Expo Chicago exclusive/limited edition: bag, t-shirt, pin and many others.

FAN EXPO Chicago will take place from July 7 until July 10 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. The show will be open from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Thursday, 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Tickets start at $22 and can be purchased at www.fanexpohq.com/fanexpochicago/buy-tickets/. For more information and to stay up-to-date on new guests and attractions, visit www.fanexpohq.com/fanexpochicago.

[cinema-tv-etc]

The Two Popes 2019 * Official Trailer | Netflix

Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce star in this intimate look at a historic turning point in the Catholic Church.

Directed by Academy Award nominee Fernando Meirelles. On Netflix December 20.

Winner - Audience Award for US Cinema, Mill Valley Film Festival Winner - Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature, Hamptons International Film Festival Winner - Audience Award for Best Narrative Film,Middleburg Film Festival

Watch The Two Popes: https://www.netflix.com/title/80174451

Union were tasked with recreating all of these well-known locations in the Vatican City including St Peter's Square, The Basilica and even Michelangelo’s world-famous Sistine Chapel ceiling. Footage courtesy of Netflix

The Two Popes - VFX Breakdown by Union Visual Effects

The Two Popes | VFX Breakdown Reel Union VFX Union were tasked with recreating all of these well-known locations in the Vatican City including St Peter's Square, The Basilica and even Michelangelo’s world-famous Sistine Chapel ceiling. Footage courtesy of Netflix

Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce on "The Two Popes"

In 2013 the unthinkable happened: a pope resigned, and another became head of the Vatican. For the first time in six centuries, the Catholic Church had two popes. The new film "The Two Popes" imagines what conversations between the 85-year-old Pope Benedict XVI (played by Sir Anthony Hopkins) and Pope Francis (played by Jonathan Pryce) would have sounded like – and since both pontiffs disagreed on most everything, not all of that conversation is polite. Correspondent Tracy Smith talked with Hopkins and Pryce about their star-making movies, faith, and friendship.

[historyhermann]

"The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder": A Revival Which Lives Up to the Original

The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder tells the story of Penny Proud, a 14-year-old Black girl who navigates the 2020s with her ambitious mom, overprotective dad, loving grandmother, troublesome siblings, and loyal school friends.

Reprinted from The Geekiary, my History Hermann WordPress blog, and Wayback Machine. This was the thirty-third article I wrote for The Geekiary. This post was originally published on March 13, 2022.

The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder is a coming-of-age comedy series and animated sitcom by Bruce W. Smith and Ralph Farquhar which began airing on February 23 of this year. It is a revival of The Proud Family, an all-ages animated series that aired on the Disney Channel from 2001 to 2005, and marked the first original animated series on the Disney Channel.

As a warning, this recommendation discusses spoilers for the first four episodes of The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder

Oscar dressed up as Prince and Trudy in a flashback in episode 2

The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder centers on Penny Proud (Kyla Pratt), a 14-year-old teenage girl who lives in the town of Smithville with her mom Trudy (Paula Jai Parker), dad Oscar (Tommy Davidson), paternal grandmother Sugar Mama (Jo Marie Payton), her pet dog Puff (audio effects provided by Carlos Alazraqui), and her two younger siblings BeBe (Aiden Dodson) and CeCe (Bresha Webb).

The show also features Penny's enthusiastic but selfish and untrustworthy best friend, Dijonay Jones (Karen Malina White), who likes to gossip. Her antics have often gotten Penny in trouble. Both hang out with Zoey Howzer (Soleil Moon Frye), a smart but timid, shy, and kind White girl, and an Afro-Latine girl, LaCienega Boulevardez (Alisa Reyes) who is beautiful, popular, and an excellent student. Although she is good friends with Dijonay, she is the frenemy of Penny. LaCienega is able to convince her parents, Felix (Carlos Mencia) and Sunset (Maria Canals-Barrera) that she is a sweet and upstanding girl when she is actually snobbish, arrogant, and selfish.

Other supporting characters include Oscar's older brother Bobby Proud (Cedric the Entertainer), an extremely wealthy Black businessman named Wizard Kelly (Aries Spears), Felix's father Papi (Alvaro Gutierrez) who Suga Mama has a crush on, the doctor for the Proud family named Dr. Payne (Kevin Michael Richardson), and the 9-year-old neighbor of the Proud family, Peabo (Cree Summer). There's also the flamboyant gender non-conforming friend of Penny named Michael Collins (EJ Johnson) and former bullies Nubia, Olei, and Gina, who are named the Gross Sisters (voiced by Raquel Lee) who become interested in hip hop, start a rap group, and perform.

New characters in this revival series include Penny's boyfriend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Brown (Asante Blackk), and the Leibowitz-Jenkins family. The latter is headed by Randall (Billy Porter) and Barry (Zachary Quinto). They have two children, a 14-year-old adopted girl named Maya Leibowitz-Jenkins (voiced by Keke Palmer) and her twin brother, Francis “KG” Leibowitz-Jenkins ("A Boogie” Dubose), who is adjusting to life in Smithville.

Apart from the new characters, there is one departure: Sticky Webb. Voiced by Orlando Brown in the original series, he only appears in the first episode when he moved to Japan where his father is getting a new job. Although some fans may have been disappointed in the fact that The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder destroys the dynamic between Dijonay and Sticky, as she continually had a crush on him, it allows for the new characters, Kareem, Randall, Barry, Maya, and KG to become more integrated into the story. In fact, KG becomes a rebound of sorts for Dijonay, who treats him like she treated Sticky.

The opening song of the series is very similar to the original, except this theme song is sung by Joyce Wrice rather than Solange Knowles and Destiny's Child in The Proud Family. This has, understandably, irked some fans, but has also, sadly, led the creators of this series to receive death threats, serving yet another example of people taking things too far. While the new song is not my favorite opening, for an animated series it is definitely catchy and hearkens back to the original.

Compared to the original series, the animation is smoother and cleaner, the characters are more expressive, and the episodes are longer. While episodes in The Proud Family were 20-22 minutes long, in this series, they range from 27 to 30 minutes. This is in part because the series is airing exclusively on Disney+ and doesn't need to accommodate commercials.

Even so, this revival series has some of the same dynamics as the original. Oscar is what makes the series an animated sitcom. Often disciplined by his mother, Suga Mama, his head is shown flying into outer space, thrown into the air comedically, while acting immature, childish, and even hyperactive. Through it all, he is still a well-meaning father to Penny, running a business that creates revolting snacks but somehow manages to stay in business despite it all.

The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder features some of the same themes as the original. Wizard Kelly is still a business mogul who runs for mayor, Bobby is still his ebullient self, even tricking out Trudy's pet ambulance, and Trudy tells Oscar to pull his weight.

On the other hand, Oscar is afraid to see Penny grow up and tries to hold her back, but later listens and realizes that he should give her some independence. Even so, he happens to embarrass her when he tries to recruit Kareem for his basketball team in an attempt to get back at Wizard Kelly. He can be sweet and helpful at other times, telling Penny about Prince and showing her how to play a vinyl disk. In another episode, he is shown as being a gullible fool as he buys a toxic waste dump as the future home of his Snackland amusement park, something which his family ridicules him for, leaving him to sink into the toxic sludge.

In a hint at the fact that the series is a revival, Penny and her friends magically become teenagers overnight. Additionally, scenes from the original series are used when characters have flashbacks to past events, an ingenious way to tie the two series together.

In this series, Penny stays righteous and thinks that everyone is her friend, but admits that Maya is right when she calls her "superficial." Both later become better friends by the show's fourth episode. Unfortunately, it appears that this series is either disregarding or putting aside the wild adventure-comedy film, The Proud Family Movie, with a plot that seems like an episode of Kim Possible or even Totally Spies! which capped the original run of The Proud Family, as Penny is 16-years-old in the series.

In what I expect will be a 10 or 12 episode order, this revival series has a chance to buck what can be described as colorist themes in the original series. Some argued that Dijonay's character in that series indicated that even when animated, the "dark skin girl is designated as the ghetto one" while others went as far as to call for the cancellation of the revival series for promoting racist and colorist caricatures of Black women who have darker skin, mainly citing Dijonay as the biggest exemplar of this issue. This revival series seems to hint that this will be countered. Already, Dijonay's yellow hair was revealed as a wig, and Maya, who has skin as dark as Dijonay, is a strong, passionate girl who stands up for causes. Even so, the blue-black-skinned Gross Sisters are still shown as "ashy" and have a lot of attitude.

There are other hints that this revival series will be different. Farquhar has stated that the show will portray more than a singular "view of Blackness or a Black family" while Smith said it is blazing a path in animation, with elements of the Western, sci-fi, and horror genres. I am somewhat confident that this series will address this more and in a positive way, in a break from the past, even if those on online forums for Black women, like Lipstick Alley, are more skeptical of the series. In that way, the series can more of a "portal for viewers to get an idea of what the world is like or what the world thinks of them," as one critic of the original series wrote in 2018.

Latine characters have a key role in this show, similar to other Disney series like Kim Possible, The Owl House, and the original series. LaCienega is part of an Afro-Latine family, which is still rare in television series, animated and not. Even so, there is the continuing joke that Suga Mama doesn't understand what Papi is saying as he is speaking Spanish. Hopefully, in future episodes, she learns Spanish and this tired joke is not used anymore, so they can have a more genuine relationship.

Similar to how the original series focused on issues such as bullying, cheerleading, self-worth, and friendship, this series has episodes about the inhumanity of zoos, complete with a panda bear named Shuggie (voiced by CeeLo Green) who declares he is a "player" who doesn't want to be saved, the insidious nature of social media influencers who have the ability to "cancel" people, playing basketball, standing up for what you believe in, and remaining true to yourself.

The episode about influencers is altogether different than the cringe-worthy commentary on so-called "cancel culture," really "consequence culture" in an episode of the should-be-forgotten series, The Freak Brothers. The series instead shows Penny denouncing influencers like Makeup Boy (voiced by Bretman Rock) as posers and those who follow them as "sad."

Her rise to power somewhat echoes the episode in the original series, "A Star Is Scorned," where she becomes a star and isolates her friends for fame, believing it is all about her. In the episode in this series, she becomes an influencer, receiving endorsements and popularity. In the process, she "cancels" Makeup Boy after he disses her, and she realizes she can make people buy stuff they can't afford, while people are afraid of getting cancelled by her.

Penny even ends up cancelling LaCienega, shocking her, is able to get rid of everyone in the school, and send away Suga Mama to boot camp. She is later brought down thanks to Maya who hatches a plan which exposes her after Oscar got money from Wizard Kelly, with her friends turning on her, as she loses followers and her influence almost in the blink of an eye.

As she walks away from school in shame, Makeup Boy, whose real name is Sebastian Boyle, is later grateful to her as he was seduced by the power and influence. The lesson at the end seems to be that your family is more important than your friends and will stand by you, as her mom and grandmother forgive Penny after she apologizes. It was somewhat strange to me that Penny's friends threw her away like a used dishrag and never apologized to her for making her like a pariah.

Barry, Randall, and Michael, the three LGBTQ characters who have appeared in the series so far

There is one major change from the original series in The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder: the casual queerness. Not only is Michael now openly gender-conforming and gay, but KG and Maya have two gay dads, Randall and Barry. It's even possible there could be an enemies-to-lovers situation between Penny and Maya, and hopefully, there are "different portrayals of Blackness" and a depiction of the "vast spectrum of Blackness" while the show further explores sexuality and gender with the addition of new character, as Nic of Autostraddle pointed out.

The most recent episode, "Father Figures" focuses on this more than any episode that has aired so far. Maya and KG are teased by those at school after Dijonay tweets that Maya and KG have two dads, and there is an undercurrent of homophobia in the school. Penny rallies to their defense, attempting to joke about broken families, offending Maya, and leading KG to criticize them for making a joke about something that they know nothing about.

Penny later faces homophobia from her dad, who can't explain why she can't hang out around Maya and KG, later claiming he trying to "protect" her, like all the other dads in the neighborhood. despite Trudy, Puff, and Suga Mama strongly disagreeing with him. This comes to a head when he goes to a bank to get a loan and Randall, one of Maya's dads, is a bank manager at Wizard Kelly Bank, and puts the loan away after Oscar reacts with shock to see Randall and Barry kissing.

Luckily, Penny is able to break through this homophobia by standing up to the Gross Sisters, defending Maya, giving a rambling speech. In the end, they all meet at the Leibowitz-Jenkins house, with Oscar apologizing to Randall for being homophobic and getting the loan after all. Everyone seems to come to their unintentional housewarming party, dancing to the disco music, and Oscar is overcome with emotion, beginning to see more of the world through Penny's eyes.

My guess is that there will be more LGBTQ characters in the future, possibly even some among the show's main cast. After all, the series will feature, in future episodes, guest stars like Lizzo, Jaden Smith (as college Myron), Lena Waithe (as college Maya), Al Roker, Lamorne Morris, Brenda Song (as Vanessa Vue), according to the official Disney+ Twitter account. Waithe was previously in a relationship with Alana Mayo, an executive producer of gen:LOCK. Other queer guest stars include Lil Nas X and Jane Lynch according to Out magazine.

Further LGBTQ characters have been hinted at by Farquhar who stated that a lot changed since the original show, saying that this revival series will take on more topical issues rather than having LGBTQ characters referred to in "coded language." He also confirmed that Michael was gay in the original series but that they had to be underhanded in the way this is talked about. Smith added that the show has more than "just one gay person... representing the entire LGBTQ+ spectrum."

The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder has the promise of breaking down barriers through its inclusion of multicultural characters and families, especially those which are part of the LGBTQ, Latine, and Black communities. I fully believe it will address racial issues and other topics, like the original series. No matter how many episodes are remaining until its first season comes to an end, the series will undoubtedly have plotlines that focus on the pull between family togetherness and family conflict, protesting, rumors, popularity, dating, and jealousy.

It is likely there will be episodes on gender equality, women's rights, medicine, vaccines, and animal exploitation, like in the original series. At the same time, it is not known whether there will be a focus on veterinary services, pet care, file sharing, music downloading, homelessness, Black history, Black wealth, or show business, all of which were covered in the original series as well.

Those working on The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder are a talented group of people. Latoya Raveneau, who directed a few episodes, was the showrunner of the animated short series Rise Up, Sing Out, and a storyboarder for Final Space. Tara N. Whitaker, who directed one episode, previously was a prop designer for series such as Kid Cosmic, Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure, The Owl House, and Wonder Over Yonder, and character designer for Middle School Moguls. The series art director, Eastwood Wong, had worked on animated series like Carmen Sandiego, Star vs. the Forces of Evil, and Steven Universe.

Other staff members are new to the animation industry, like show writers Wolf-Rudiger Bloss, Ashley Soto Paniagua, Leo J. Lawrence, and KyLee Evans. Lawrence and Evans previously worked on live-action series before this one, while Paniagua had written for Vida and Fast & Furious Spy Racers. Some worked on the original series, like writer Doreen Spicer, and co-executive producer, Calvin Brown Jr. Breana Williams, the production coordinator, previously worked on Mira: Royal Detective and is currently working on an indie animated series LimeLight as a storyboard revisionist. There are various other talented storyboarders and other employees working on the show as well.

Although there are talented individuals working on the show, it remains to be seen how much Disney can further social equality. The studio's linked with a lot of prejudice in the past and many productions continue to draw "criticism regarding diversity, both onscreen and behind the scenes. After all, Disney CEO Bob Chapek put out a weak statement before the passage of "Don't Say Gay" bill in Florida which bans the teaching of LGBTQ topics, says schools should not encourage sexual orientation or gender identity to be discussed, and allows parents to sue schools for having such discussions. Chapek later scrambled to act like he cared, after the law had already passed through both houses of the Florida legislature and the Florida governor, who has been a big proponent of the bill, falsely claimed it wouldn't harm LGBTQ people.

Putting aside the problematic nature of Disney for a second, and focusing on the show, I can say with full confidence that I recommend The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder. Although I wasn't completely clicking or vibing with the show at first, by the fourth episode it has really pulled me in.

The series is currently streaming on Disney+. Episode 5 will debut on the Wednesday of this week, March 16, 2022.

And while you are at it, you can get The Proud Family Movie from your local library, buy a DVD of the original series and film on Amazon or elsewhere, or simply stream both offerings on the Disney+ streaming service.

© 2022-2023 Burkely Hermann. All rights reserved.