#geoff saunders

[sinceileftyoublog]

Evanston Folk Fest Saturday: 9/7, Dawes Park

Sierra Ferrell

BY JORDAN MAINZER

Every musician I watched on Saturday at the Evanston Folk Fest grappled with, directly or indirectly, what folk music means in 2024. I knew going in, given the prestige of the musical lineup and speakers in the interview tent, that the festival would not be one that casts off "folk" as a mere aesthetic, visual or instrumental. Indeed, even if many of the booked musicians didn't fit the general schema of the folk genre, they abided by its most important tenet: music not just by the people but for the people, independent of level of expertise.

From left to right: Oliver Bates Craven, Ferrell, Matty Meyer, Geoff Saunders, & Joshua Rilko

Headlining the night was Sierra Ferrell, a singer-songwriter from West Virginia whose unique mix of bluegrass and Latin-influenced arrangements (and, yes, wild outfits) have allowed her to garner steadily increasing crossover appeal beyond her initial viral rise. Earlier this year, she released her fourth studio album Trail of Flowers (Rounder), which managed to widen the spectrum of her sound while emphasizing--let alone not losing--her idiosyncrasies. On standout fiddle jam "I Could Drive You Crazy"--Ferrell's proclaimed greatest relationship skill--you can hear crowd chatter from a show she did on a previous New Year's Eve. Such noise was almost perfectly replicated on Saturday, as Ferrell's band (multi-instrumentalist Oliver Bates Craven, mandolinist Joshua Rilko, bassist Geoff Saunders, drummer Matty Meyer) led off with the song's melody to welcome her onto the stage. As she waltzed on, revealing her poofy pink dress and feathered-and-flowered hair, done up like an Appalachian Björk, her fans did indeed hoot and holler.

Ferrell

Likewise, no matter the studio sheen of Trail of Flowers (or "Fox Hunt" being thumping enough to soundtrack an NFL cut to commercial), live, its songs fit seamlessly into a set that seemed intimate despite the large crowd. Album opener "American Dreaming" has found a second life as a song to be played near the end of the show, a crowd singalong due to its catchy melody and commonly felt story of a person unable to sit still. For touring musician Ferrell, who started out as train-hopping, van-dwelling, busking nomad, the only difference now is she can better afford nightly lodging. When performing, her unmistakably raspy voice takes even sharper twists and turns: During "Chittlin' Cookin' Time in Cheatham County", she occupied the shrillness of Joanna Newsom, flutters of Josephine Foster, and barroom gurgle of Tom Waits from moment to moment. Later, during Kris Kristofferson's "Me and Bobby McGee", but in the style of its most famous iteration by Janis Joplin, you half-expected Ferrell to do a Joplin impression. She has the skills, but instead, she made it her own, a true folk singer who can sing a song from the collective consciousness, but not showy enough to discourage others from joining in.

Rilko

Craven, Meyer, Farrell, & Saunders

Craven, Meyer, Farrell, Saunders, & Rilko

Hiss Golden Messenger

Hiss Golden Messenger

Midway through his solo set, Hiss Golden Messenger's MC Taylor let the crowd know he was going to do a cover of a folk song. "I was a folklorist in my former life, so I feel qualified to play it," he quipped. The song was Grateful Dead's "Bertha", and it received such rapturous applause that Taylor joked he should have led off with it. First, Taylor's always qualified to play Dead songs. His venerable band has been interpolating "Franklin's Tower" into Lateness of Dancers bop "Lucia" for years, and he's beginning to release live recordings on his Bandcamp page at the pace of a certain band that was oft-bootlegged. More importantly, though, at this point, Hiss Golden Messenger has developed a catalog of contemporary folk classics. As soon as Taylor came on stage, introduced by Evanston mayor Daniel Biss, an eager crowd member requested "Sanctuary", to which a chuffed Taylor requested patience, replying, "We'll get there!" As Hiss Golden Messenger studio songs and full-band performances expand in length and sound, they always sound good stripped down, too, from newer tunes like "Shinbone" to favorites like "Biloxi". Of course, it's the biggest treat to hear songs from acoustic masterpiece Bad Debt, an album he'll play in full next month at SPACE. Taylor gave the Evanston Folk Fest crowd a preview of what's to come with "Balthazar's Song", a tune that could make you melt on the coldest day of the year.

Hiss Golden Messenger

Hiss Golden Messenger

Mayor of Evanston, Daniel Biss

Willi Carlisle

And then there was the artist who, perhaps expectedly, most reckoned with the idea of what folk music means, Arkansas-based singer-songwriter Willi Carlisle. Sure, some of it was tongue-in-cheek, asking what an upper-middle-class Chicago suburb was doing deciding what constitutes a folk festival, but for the most part, Carlisle framed folk music as being in constant battle with that which represents an existential threat to, well, regular folks: capitalism, empire, and the patriarchy. Carlisle is a captivating storyteller and musician, reciting his poetry at a breakneck pace and ad-libbing, too, switching between banjo, fiddle, guitar, and a capella. I'm glad he's released a taste of what his shows are like with Tales From Critterland (Signature Sounds), which features three of the many songs he played on Saturday, plus their proper introductions: "The Arrangements", inspired by and dedicated to his and all bad fathers, "Critterland", which came from his attempt to live in an intentional community, and Steve Goodman's "The Ballad of Penny Evans". It was that last one that was the song of the day on Saturday, perfect for time and place. Let's acknowledge the elephant in the room: Goodman's best known in Chicago for writing the song that plays at Wrigley Field after the Cubs win. The crowd at Evanston Folk Fest was likely more familiar than is the average Chicagoan with Goodman's penchant for writing incredibly moving and righteous songs, but for those who weren't, Carlisle's show-stopping version of Goodman's anti-Vietnam War ballad surely gave them the chills. On Tales From Critterland, Carlisle explains how Goodman lifted the melody from a song about slavery, sung from the point of view of the slaveowner, repurposing a great melody for a song with complete opposite levels of morality, an exercise in the evolution of songs. On Saturday, Carlisle simply dedicated his performance to all the Palestinians murdered by a despotic Israeli government. It was a moment that most spoke to folk music's true power, that of "This machine kills fascists" protest, an ability to foresee unfortunately everlasting societal ills, and a dare to hope for a better world.

Carlisle

[fancyfade]

comics writers will keep inventing the most cool female character ever and then inexplicably not do anything cool with her instead to do another series about Mid Man #3514 or write her around her male love interest and barely if ever allow her to outshine him

[hawkgirlz]

@dailyhawkmates day 4: favorite adaptation

- kendra x carter from the arrowverse

- shiera x carter from dcshg, hqtas, & smallville

- shayera x katar from young justice

[newearth2]

The Golden Standard of Team Comics

ComicBook.com has declared the James Robinson, David Goyer, and Geoff Johns run on JSA and Justice Society of America as “the best team comic ever.”

They’re absolutely right. No notes.

[wintersettled]

JSA character recs

With the release of the new JSA series I wanted to come on and give a few recommendations for what might be good to read to give yourself an intro for the characters so it's a bit less confusing! I know having read about the characters was a major aid for me in not having too many issues in knowing whos who and having a general vibe for a lot of them.

I will note that prior to reading while it's not necessary I'd recommend reading Alan Scott: The Green Lantern and the prior JSA run from Geoff Johns.

I'll build this list around characters appearing in the first issue along with a little description! I'm not including every character who made a cameo because I feel that would be wayyy too much information so heres a little bit of who I think will be relevant.

Alan Scott is the original Green Lantern and often acts as a sort of leader for the JSA. Being one of the original members, he is very much an older character who sees his origin occurring decades prior to the start of the story. For more regarding his issue I'd recommend reading the recent Alan Scott: The Green Lantern as well as the latter half of Secret Origins (1985) #18, in which we see both his origin as the Green Lantern as well as his ring across time (I actually recommend reading this before Alan Scott: The Green Lantern).

Jay Garrick is also an original member, being the first Flash. He frequently appears in Flash comics to help other speedsters in times of need. For more on him perhaps pick up Secret Origins #9 and Jay Garrick: The Flash, which heavily features his daughter, Judy Garrick aka Boom.

Carter Hall and Kendra Saunders aka Hawkman and Hawkgirl respectively, possess powered wings and belts from the planet Thanagar. Carter, being a founding member, has been with the team for a long time, while Kendra first appeared in JSA: Secret Files & Origins #1 in 1999. Both of these characters appear together in Hawkman (2002) which I have not read but have had recommended to me on multiple occasions so if you're interested in them consider picking it up!

Khalid Nassour and Kent Nelson have both been Doctor Fate, with Kent being an original member of the JSA and later beginning to mentor to his descendant Khalid. Khalid is the current Doctor Fate and his first appearances alongside Kent in Doctor Fate (2015).

Beth Chapel is the current Doctor Mid-Nite following Charles McNider. Beths appearances has been few and far between so for her I would recommend simply diving into her in Justice Society of America (2022) to get an idea of what she's like.

Yolanda Montez and Ted Grant both share the mantle of Wildcat. Ted, a founding JSA member, has most of his appearances throughout various JSA runs. He is a former boxer turned superhero. Yolanda on the other hand appears most, like Beth Chapel, in Infinity, Inc. For her I would also recommend diving in but I will mention that both her and Beth enter the 2022 JSA run with a mysterious illness of some kind derived from past event which is resolved within that run. Because of this I'd say it isn't really necessary to read much prior featuring them.

Rick Tyler is the Hourman, having taken up the title following his father Rex. He is currently married to Jesse Chambers and is sadly a member I don't feel extremely confident in recommending anything for. Still, Rick's powers include superhuman strength and durability.

Jennifer-Lynn Hayden and Todd Rice are the children of Alan Scott, the former going by Jade and the latter going by Obsidian. While likely biased, I am a fan of The Outsiders (2003), during which Jade is a member I'd say this comic is most likely to be enjoyed by Nightwing fans instead. Still, Jade and Todd are also characters appearing in Infinity, Inc. so it may be a good idea to read some of that as a catch-all for many characters appearing here.

Jesse Chambers is yet another member of the Flash fam, going by Jesse Quick, formerly Liberty Belle. Sadly, from what I've read Jesse is a character who often acts mostly as a support to others, rather than as a main character. If there is anything others can think of please leave it below!

Ruby Sokov is the daughter of Vladimir Sokov, the Red Lantern and Alan Scotts "enemy" (wink wink nudge nudge). She is a relatively new character so for her I'd recommend picking up the 2022 JSA run and reading up on her a bit. Currently it appears she's going to be a villain, similar to her father.

Karen Starr aka Power Girl!! Karen is the alternate universe Kara Zor-El aka Supergirl. She has some great appearances in the Justice League International run which I recommend looking up a guide for and picking up regardless! (Yes that is another team book but it's really good guys you gotta you don't even have to read anything before it its so good).

Jim Corrigan is the Spectre! He was a police officer in Gotham who after dying became a spirit of vengeance through the power of God!! He's kind of super cool and one of my favourites of his stories is in Adventure Comics #435-440 coincidentally in many of the same issues as the Aquaman: The Death of a Prince stories (which I recommend picking up just for fun). He also appears in Secret Origins #15 and the Wrath of the Spectre which is a 4-issue mini!

Stargirl or Courtney Whitmore is yet another legacy character who wields a cosmic staff and with it can manipulate cosmic power (which I don't totally get but whatever). For her I'd say pick up Stargirl: The Lost Children and the last issue of the previous JSA run to get a little bit more centered around her.

Don't take this as character guides! This is more meant to be a brief overview based on what I've read and a couple I've just heard about from friends to make easing into the JSA a bit easier :) if anyone has more on these characters or good reading guides please leave them below so others can check it out and read about this team I really like!

[panelshowsource]

rather than who you would like to see on the next taskmaster series, who do you think will be on it? like just your predictions or any inklings you may have!

anon if you're still around then you'll know i really took my time with this hahaha so sorry! i hope anyone reading this takes it as just a bit of fun and nbd, who knows who we'll get or who alex & the network have in mind! i'm answering thoughtfully (bc i always feel guilty not to 😩 so sorry this is long lol) but it's really just fun!!

i will say, of the more recent-ish series, i did get a few right!!! krishnan guru-murthy, nicola coughlan, alan davies, judi love, sue perkins, john robins, and joanne mcnally were people i just knew would eventually be on if the show could get their schedules right, and i was also certain sarah millican and dara ó briain would be asked — though not necessarily that they'd actually agree. when you have a level of seniority and esteem, the "it's such a great opportunity" aspect of the show isn't such a draw 😅 for some reason i feel SO PROUD about guessing nicola! i was just WAITING and wish sooooo much she had done a full series 😭😭😭 (how fun would saoirse-monica jackson be too!)

anyways, as for people who haven't been on yet — and this isn't to say i want them all to be, just that i think it's likeliest they have been asked or will be asked; i talked about who i want to see a little while ago here — it's important to consider the casting 'roles' the network has in mind when working with the producers to form a series, so i will keep that in mind too!

established comedian, typically a straight white man over 40: bill bailey, vic reeves, harry hill, geoff norcott, kevin bridges, adam buxton, ade edmondson, paul whitehouse (tommy tiernan? god i feel bad for not saying ed byrne but why do i feel like he's not gonna make it in the next few series? i'm on the fence with nick helm — unless he's friends with alex, then his chances go up significantly imo — and tom allen for some reason, and i feel like john bishop is almost too much of an ask?)

fresh talent comedian, typically a man under 40: rhys james, huge davies, ahir shah, darren harriott would be my top guesses but tbh any of the semi-recent edinburgh comedy award finalists are good bets as a majority of the winners from the last ~10 years have been on the series + throwing out tom rosenthal (i know he's not fresh fresh and also mostly an actor)...and, like, jazz emu?...just because if taskmaster know how much its audience adores weird little white twinks then they'll cast them

female or non-binary comedian: 100% sarah keyworth + harriet kemsley, maisie adam, jess fostekew, suzi ruffell. i've shifted away from betting on cariad lloyd and catherine bohart for some reason... (joanne was my no.1 lady bet for the last like 4 series hahaha)

non-comedian: this is very, very hard to predict because between comedy actors, non-comedy actors, tv presenters, news people, reality & social media stars... the potential predictions are just so endless! logically, the most likely is an established actor with a lot of comedy connections (think sally phillips, lolly adefope, liza tarbuck, sian gibson, daisy may cooper, susan wokoma; this category is where tm gets quite a few of its female contestants): matt holness, kevin eldon, amanda abbington, tom davis, sharon horgan, kathy burke, georgia tennant (also friends w alex?), su pollard, tom basden, apparently anyone from the cast of ghosts, and so on and so on and so on... + i'll also throw out maggie aderin-pocock as a serious contender + i really feel like one of the spice girls will be on new years treat

friend of alex: john robins was the prediction for the past few series, so just worth keeping in mind other people in this circle include elis james, matthew crosby, tom neenan, and so on

freebie answers because alex/greg have mentioned them before: jack dee, lorraine kelly, joanna lumley (i want jennifer saunders SO BAD give us an epic series w both ade and jen pleaseeee tm gods!!!!)

complete wild card bets that are either my instincts kicking in or my bias taking over: limmy, adam buxton, paddy mcguinness, diane morgan, daniel sloss, joel dommett, jess hynes, spencer jones??, alasdair beckett-king or josh pugh + if suzy izzard wasn't doing a big nyc show i'd say that's a good guess if only bc you know greg & alex grew up big fans

did i mention too many people?? if i had to put my money behind a single person it would be either ahir shah or sarah keyworth

these are almost all of my fr big heavy hitters when it comes to placing bets! but there are of course so many people i didn't name who i could totally see on either a main series or the ny treat — so many people just make sense and that's the beauty of taskmaster!!

[book--brackets]

Summaries under the cut

The Chronicles of Dragon by Craig Halloran

Nath is a special warrior. He is a man destined to be a dragon. In order to become a dragon, he must save the dragons. For countless years Nath has been on a quest to become a dragon, but his meddling with the other races tends to get in the way. The way of men is not the way of Nath Dragon his father has warned him. Yet, Nath, unable to control his fascination of the world men, elves, dwarves and even the despised orcs, tends to get caught up in their affairs. To earn his scales, there is a high road he must follow. With his close friend and ally, Brenwar the Dwarf, Nath, armed with a magic sword he calls Fang, travels to the Mountain of Doom, the Free City of Narnum and to Orcen Hold where nothing but trouble awaits. Will Nath Dragon, hero of the realm and protector of dragon kind choose the right path or wind up on a dark one?

The Chronicles of Egg by Geoff Rodkey

It’s tough to be thirteen, especially when somebody’s trying to kill you.

Not that Egg’s life was ever easy, growing up on sweaty, pirate-infested Deadweather Island with no company except an incompetent tutor and a pair of unusually violent siblings who hate his guts.

But when Egg’s father hustles their family off on a mysterious errand to fabulously wealthy Sunrise Island, then disappears with the siblings in a freak accident, Egg finds himself a long-term guest at the mansion of the glamorous Pembroke family and their beautiful, sharp-tongued daughter Millicent. Finally, life seems perfect.

Until someone tries to throw him off a cliff.

Suddenly, Egg’s running for his life in a bewildering world of cutthroat pirates, villainous businessmen, and strange Native legends. The only people who can help him sort out the mystery of why he’s been marked for death are Millicent and a one-handed, possibly deranged cabin boy.

The Time-Traveling Fashionista by Biance Turetsky

Louise Lambert has always dreamed of movie starlets and exquisite gowns and longs for the day when she can fill the closet of her normal suburban home with stylish treasures. But when she receives a mysterious invitation to a vintage fashion sale in the mail, her once painfully average life is magically transformed into a time-travel adventure.

Suddenly onboard a luxurious cruise ship a hundred years ago, Louise relishes the glamorous life of this opulent era and slips into a life of secrets, drama, and decadence. . . .

Chronicle of the Dark Star by Kevin Emerson

It is Earth year 2213—but, of course, there is no Earth anymore. Not since it was burned to a cinder by the sun, which has mysteriously begun the process of going supernova. The human race has fled to Mars, but this was only a temporary solution while we prepare for a second trip: a one-hundred-fifty-year journey to a distant star, our best guess at where we might find a new home.

Liam Saunders-Chang is one of the last humans left on Mars. The son of two scientists who have been racing against time to create technology vital to humanity’s survival, Liam, along with his friend Phoebe, will be on the very last starliner to depart before Mars, like Earth before it, is destroyed.

Or so he thinks. Because before this day is over, Liam and Phoebe will make a series of profound discoveries about the nature of time and space, and find out that the human race is just one of many in our universe locked in a desperate struggle for survival.

Cue for Treason by Geoffrey Trease

Fleeing from the evil Sir Philip Morton, Peter Brownrigg finds himself on the wrong side of the law. On the run to London he meets Kit and the two decide to stick together. But a chance discovery endangers their lives and soon Peter is deep in murderous plots, secrets and even treason.

Dragon Slayer's Academy by Kate McMullan

When a traveling minstrel foretells that he is to become a hero, Wiglaf sets out to fulfill his destiny: he signs up at the Dragon Slayers' Academy. But how can he ever hope to be a dragon slayer when he can't even stand the sight of blood?

Children of the Dust by Louise Lawrence

After a nuclear war devastates the earth, a small band of people struggles for survival in a new world where children are born with strange mutations.

Everyone thought, when the alarm bell rang, that it was just another fire practice. But the first bombs had fallen on Hamburg and Leningrad, the headmaster said, and a full-scale nuclear attack was imminent.

It's a real-life nightmare. Sarah and her family have to stay cooped up in the tightly-sealed kitchen for days on end, dreading the inevitable radioactive fall-out and the subsequent slow, torturous death, which seems almost preferable to surviving in a grey, dead world, choked by dust.

But then, from out of the dust and the ruins and the destruction, comes new life, a new future, and a whole brave new world.

Time Hunters by Carl Ashmore

Becky is a typical thirteen year old girl. She likes Facebook, gossiping and plenty of sleep. So when she and her brother, Joe, are invited to stay with their 'loony' Uncle Percy at his stately home, she thinks it’ll be the worst summer ever. What she doesn't realise is that Bowen Hall is also home to a baby Triceratops, two Sabre-tooth tigers and the mythic hero, Will Scarlet...

'The Time Hunters' is a thrilling adventure that takes Becky, Joe, Uncle Percy and Will on a quest through time to find the legendary Golden Fleece.

The Clock is ticking....

The Guardian Herd by Jennifer Lynn Alvarez

Once every hundred years, a black foal is born, prophesized to either unite or destroy the five herds of flying horses that live in the land of Anok. He is fated to become the most powerful pegasus in all of Anok.

Star is this black foal.

Even though Star has malformed wings that make him unable to fly, the leaders of each herd will take no risks and want to execute Star before his first birthday. With the help of his friends, Star must escape the clutches of the powerful leaders, and his epic journey of self-discovery turns into a battle between good and evil that will keep readers eagerly turning the pages.

The Adventurer's Guild by Zack Loran Clarke and Nick Eliopulos

In one of the last cities standing after the world fell to monsters, best friends Zed Kagari and Brock Dunderfel have high hopes for the future. Zed desperately wishes to join the ranks of the Mages Guild, where his status as Freestone's only half elf might finally be an asset. Brock, the roguishly handsome son of merchants, is confident he'll be welcomed into the ranks of the Merchants Guild.

But just as it seems the boys' dreams have come true, their lives take a startling turn . . . and they find themselves members of the perilous Adventurers Guild.

Led by the fearsome Alabasel Frond, the guild acts as the last line of defense against the Dangers-hungry, unnatural beasts from otherworldly planes. And when the boys uncover a conspiracy that threatens all of Freestone, Zed, Brock, and their new allies-Liza, a fierce noble, and Jett, a brave dwarf-must prove their worth once and for all.

[krispyweiss]

With Knockout Performance, Sierra Ferrell Ruins NPR’s Tiny Desk for Everyone Else

Rarely has the small studio audience around NPR’s Tiny Desk made such a big sound. But it’s just as rare for an outsized talent like Sierra Ferrell to drop in and knock a four-song set from D.C. to California.

Backed by a four piece band - drummer Matty Meyer, bassist Geoff Saunders, Oliver Bates Craven on fiddle and electric guitar and Josh Rilko on mandolin and acoustic guitar - and playing fiddle and guitar herself, Ferrell traced the broad outlines of American music with just four songs.

Though she had flowers strewn across her eyes, a couple of face piercings and tattoos enough for the whole band, it’s the voice that makes Ferrell stand out from the Americana crowd. Well, that and the composition, the lyrics and her ability to play multiple instruments.

But that voice - both ever-present and emanating from the deep past; expressive and full of joy and pain - illuminates such songs as “I Could Drive You Crazy” and “Dollar Bill Bar.” The former is an old-time fiddle tune; the latter modern folk-rock; both of them find Ferrell telling potential suitors to protect themselves from their fancy.

As with the preceding, Ferrell made no effort to recreate her studio recordings on the following “In Dreams” and “American Dreaming,” instead presenting versions unique to her Tiny Desk Concert.

And it’s pretty much Ferrell’s Tiny Desk now, as whomever follows has an impossible standard to meet.

8/16/24

[cardboard-writer]

It's sad that the Hawks have hit such a slump Post Crisis at DC especially once you read their older stories. The two of them were utterly devoted to each other and were equal partners. A true battle couple. Even early Post Crisis, Hawkworld was an amazing read and could have done for the Hawks what Year One did for Batman and Man of Steel comic did for Superman. It was DC's insistence of setting it in the present that screwed over the characters history.

I think the best solution for the Hawks would be to have two sets of Hawks:

-The Reincarnation Hawks: Carter Hall and Shiera Hall who are lovers reincarnated to save the world from the evil Hath-Set. An ancient Thangarian landed in ancient Egypt and falls in love with an Egyptian Princess but are backstabbed by a jealous priest kicking off the reincarnation cycle. In the 40's Carter becomes Hawkman while Shiera suits up as Hawkgirl and is the first female superhero in-universe as she is publication wise.

-The alien Hawks: Katar and Shayera are two Thanagarian peace keepers born to two different classes. Katar is born to the upper caste with his scientist father. While Shayera is born to the slums in a much lower caste. Their love transcends the rigid caste system of the Thanagar and they defy Thanagarian laws and find peace living on earth.

The similarity in their names is because Katar's father visited earth during the Golden Age Hawks time and was inspired by them. As established in Ostanders Hawkworld run. He may have known Shayera's parents as well. In the comics, Shayera Thal took on her mothers name who was also named Shayera Thal. In the Hawkworld comic, she was similar to Kiera Knightly's character in Star Wars; a body double for the royals, meant to die in her place.

Ideally, Hawkman/Carter Hall would be the primary lead in a Hawkman book dealing with his various reincarnations as well as Indiana Jones style adventures. Hawkwoman/Shayera Hol would be the primary lead in a Hawkwoman or Hawkworld book with her Hawkman/Katar Hol and it would be more of a Star Wars style space fantasy book.

Kendra Saunders would be Hawkgirl. The grand niece of the original Hawkgirl/Shiera Sanders. As in the comics, Kendra would be a girl who was on the verge of suicide. But this time she would be rescued by Shayera and Katar who would take her under their wing. They train her and she takes up the Hawkgirl identity as gratitude.

She would also meet Carter Hall but no creepy reincarnated lovers angle between them. Carter sees her as just a family member of his deceased lover.

Kendra mostly operates on her own but she would be sometimes be guided by the ghost of Shiera Sanders whose voice only she can hear in her head. Kendra would be the lead of the Hawkgirl book. And for a truly deep cut you could have Charley Parker/Golden Eagle as one of her supporting characters.

That's it! Neat, tidy, straightforward. Ever character has a role and a place and does not contradict pre established lore too much.

Also pet peeve I would like to address: in my ideal version Carter is blonde, Shiera has auburn hair, Katara has jet black hair, Shayera has fiery red hair and Kendra has brown hair with slight reddish as a subtle connection to Shiera. Geoff Johns playing mix-and-match with the Hawks hair colours is one of my pet peeves with his recent handling of the Hawks.

[a2zsportsnews]

Ian Baker-Finch new book recounts 1997 Open nightmare at Royal Troon, first round 92

Ian Baker-Finch’s story was once labelled “the saddest in golf” by the late five-time British Open winning Australian legend Peter Thomson. Now, in a newly-released, authorised biography by Geoff Saunders titled ‘Ian Baker-Finch: To Hell and Back’, the former Open champion has opened up in revealing new detail on what it was like to hit rock bottom at major — just six years on from winning…

[garudabluffs]

August 14, 2024 SET LIST

“I Could Drive You Crazy”

“Dollar Bill Bar”

“In Dreams”

“American Dreaming”

MUSICIANS

Sierra Ferrell: lead vocals, acoustic guitar, fiddle

Josh Rilko: mandolin, octave mandolin, acoustic guitar, vocals

Oliver Bates Craven: fiddle, electric guitar, vocals

Geoff Saunders: bass, vocals

Matty Meyer: drums

[ulkaralakbarova]

The government gets wind of a plot to destroy America involving a trio of nuclear weapons for which the whereabouts are unknown. It’s up to a seasoned interrogator and an FBI agent to find out exactly where the nukes are. Credits: TheMovieDb. Film Cast: Henry Harold ‘H’ Humphries: Samuel L. Jackson Agent Helen Brody: Carrie-Anne Moss Steven Arthur Younger: Michael Sheen Charles Thompson: Stephen Root Rina Humphries: Lora Kojovic Jack Saunders: Martin Donovan Agent Vincent: Gil Bellows Agent Leandro: Vincent Laresca Agent D.J Jackson: Brandon Routh Agent Phillips: Joshua Harto General Paulson: Holmes Osborne Col. Kerkmejian: Michael Rose Mr. Bradley: Randy Oglesby Alvarez: Benito Martinez Lubitchich: Sasha Roiz Winston: Dayo Ade Katie: Yara Shahidi Peter Humphries: Sayeed Shahidi Jehan Younger: Necar Zadegan Samura Younger: Jillian Bruno Ali Younger: Coby Seyrafi Major Pierce: Chris McGarry CNN Announcer: Angela Martinez ESPN Host: David E. Willis Young Sergent: Geoff Meed Observer: Kirk B.R. Woller TV News Announcer: Kelly Vaughn Announcer #2: Bill A. Jones Soldier: Phil Somerville Bomb Disposal Expert: Austin Nichols Pedestrian with Child: Delaine Yates Film Crew: Casting: John Papsidera Music: Graeme Revell Stunt Coordinator: Charles Croughwell Producer: Bill Perkins Producer: Marco Weber Director of Photography: Oliver Stapleton Line Producer: Samson Mucke Writer: Peter Woodward Visual Effects: Chris Ervin Key Hair Stylist: Robert L. Stevenson Producer: Caldecot Chubb Producer: Vanessa Coifman Editor: Scott Chestnut Director: Gregor Jordan Production Design: Steven Jones-Evans Key Makeup Artist: Francisco X. Pérez Makeup Department Head: Allan A. Apone Digital Intermediate: Keith Shaw Still Photographer: Dale Robinette Camera Operator: Chris Lombardi Art Direction: Nick Ralbovsky Visual Effects: Lucas Krost Costume Design: Danielle Hollowell Executive Producer: Vince Cirrincione Executive Producer: Rachel Rose Set Decoration: Amber Haley Gaffer: Jack English Costume Supervisor: Marisa Aboitiz Supervising Sound Editor: Chad J. Hughes ADR Supervisor: Angela Hemingway Sound Re-Recording Mixer: Jonathan Wales Music Editor: Ashley Revell Property Master: Guillaume DeLouche Special Effects Coordinator: William Dawson Script Supervisor: Tracy Scott Dolly Grip: Sam Stewart First Assistant Camera: Patrick McArdle Digital Intermediate: Brian Beard Key Grip: Patrick R. Heffernan Casting Associate: Jennifer Cram Lighting Technician: Jesse Mather Lighting Technician: Simone Perusse Prosthetic Makeup Artist: Brad Look Digital Intermediate: James Ahern Dolly Grip: Jeff Smith Construction Coordinator: Lars Petersen Movie Reviews: DoryDarko: Unthinkable raises a question which has been an issue for many people all over the world for a very long time, and especially since 9/11. This question is, is it ever justified to torture an individual to save the lives of many? And if the answer is yes, how far can you go? This issue is indeed a very sensitive subject and I think it takes guts for any filmmaker to put it out there in the open like Gregor Jordan did. Add to that the clever fact that he doesn’t actually make a choice, but rather lets the audience decide on whatever they want to think and feel, and you have a pretty gutsy and controversial concept. In a nutshell, this film is about a man of American descent who has become a Muslim and has now, as an act of terrorism, planted 3 nuclear bombs in 3 major American cities which will go off in four days. Screenwriter Peter Woodward made some very tactical decisions considering the characters in the story. They are all somewhat stereotypical, but this is no bother because they’re all there for a reason. Carrie-Anne Moss, as an FBI investigator, represents the conscience, the sensitivity and the struggle to make the right decision. Samuel L. Jackson is her polar opposite; the brutal, rational, stone cold “interrogator” who does what he does because he’s the only one who can and willing to do it. The means he is willing to go to in order to get his subject to talk ...

[fancyfade]

do all three of my favorite blorbos (kendra saunders, carter hall, and hector hall)

blorbo greedy :P

OK

Kendra

my favorite thing about them: ... her unhingedness honestly. :P It makes her fun. she gets injured in JLA 2006 and Hawkman 2002 and both times is like "let me just bandage my injured arm and hop back into the field".

any headcanons I have or like (If I have headcanons about them): Kendra likes sad movies, the sadder the better. She's watching a movie with Carter and he's like 😭 and she's like 😁

my favorite appearance with them: hmmm hard to tell b/c she's often a side character RIP kendra. That said I like (most of) her arc in the first 16 issues of Hawkman 2002 and if I want to limit it to one scene, it'd be this scene (link) where she straps her mace to her broken arm and puts the claw of horus on the other

Carter:

My favorite thing: I honestly find it kind of refreshing how he's one of the superheroes who isn't just Carter but in a helmet when he's hawkman (at least in Geoff Johns Hawkman 2002). Like he's a lot less patient as hawkman generally and more direct.

any headcanons: I headcanon that carter just died and reincarnated sorry I find the merging with Katar in the HawkRealm or whatever to explain why he's not old dumb :P And i headcanon that this influences why he acts different as Hawkman and carter - he's more aggro as hawkman because he feels he has to prove himself, because he's young (and whether he likes it or not, perceived as less experienced) but all the friends he remembers being his peers on the JSA are old

Favorite appearance with him: ... hmm IG Hawkman 2002? He's the protagonist there.

Hector:

favorite thing: I'm sorry I love that teenage hector in infinity inc is kind of an asshole. you can pry asshole hec from my cold dead hands. he puts his foot in his mouth all the time. I also like that he's insecure but there's nothing to like. soften it? He realizes he's acting like an asshole when he's insecure that lyta's stronger than him, but the writers don't do some pussy-ass 'oh training arc for hector how dare he be less strong than his GF'

any headcanons: hector likes the blandest most kid food possible. he loves craft macncheese and cheese pizza

favorite appearance: infinity inc 1984!

[hawkgirlz]

going to be honest. it might sound dumb but my theory on geoff johns making that deal with grant morrison for kendra to die in blackest night instead of final crisis was that kendra was supposed to come back after shiera got turned to dust but n52 interfered so we never really got it.

i personally think there was gonna be a lesson about how carter was so into the idea of shiera being back as he always wanted shiera since the minute kendra revived him, a pivotal plot point in hawkman 2002, but he would've later realized none of it was worth it at kendra's expense and that's why there was no funeral for her.

because the more i think about it, i don't think gj of all writers would be stupid enough to not hold a funeral for kendra. i genuinely think the real reason he never held one was because he always intended on her coming back. it's just too big of a detail.

and it also reminds me how kendra's funeral had already been drawn in mcduffie's jla for final crisis and roy would visit her grave but because of that deal gj made last minute, it never really happened and mcduffie had to change the dialogue to roy being in a graveyard for no apparent reason because the art was already turned in. like geoff johns KNEW a funeral should be held for her but he didn't do it. and he clearly enjoyed writing her too. she was 100% supposed to come back.

how could i forgot the fact that speed saunders never showed up either? like you're telling me THIS speed had no clue kendra died? the one geoff made ask carter to look after kendra? come on.

you know what my personal take would've been? my personal take is that carter would've found kendra alive again somewhere maybe in st. roch, but all her memories that came after shiera had revived her had been erased when she was revived so she would've remembered nothing from being 18 and onwards. i think that would've been a perfect ending to the arc as carter would've really lost everything and kendra would get to be happy since her parents' killer was gone which i'm sure she'd find out and carter would basically suffer because kendra has another memory loss plot but WORSE 🙈

[sebeth]

All-Star Squadron #5 (Revised 1/5/24)

Warning, Spoilers Ahead…

“Never Step On A Feathered Serpent!” by Roy Thomas, Rich Buckler, and Jerry Ordway.

It’s been “a day or so” since the events of issues #1 – 4, so this issue takes place around December 9th, 1941.

Carter Hall (Hawkman) has decided to enlist in the United States Army.  Hawkman resigns as chairman – and member – of the Justice Society. Several other Society members have decided to enlist in the various armed services.  Would Charles McNider (Doctor Mid-Nite) be allowed to serve? Technically, he’s blind.  Johnny Thunder will be joining the Navy.

Hawkman, Sandman, Starman, Dr. Mid-Nite and the Atom are all non-powered individuals. I suppose Kent Nelson can leave the Fate Helmet at home. Should Johnny Thunder be allowed on the front lines – he’s in control of the Thunderbolt (an extremely powerful entity) and the Squadron’s encounter with the Dragon King proved that the more powerful the entity, the faster they fall under the Spear of Destiny’s influence.

In the post-Crisis era, Ted Knight (Starman) was one of the scientists who developed the atomic bomb. It would cause Ted to have several mental breakdowns.

Johnny references Peachy Pet, his five-years-old adopted daughter. Did Peachy make any post-Crisis appearances? I can’t remember if she was mentioned in the Geoff Johns JSA run.

Hawkman, the Spectre, Doctor Fate, the Atom, Sandman, Starman, Doctor Mid-Nite, and Johnny Thunder recuse themselves from the All-Star Squadron.  The Society also decides to disband for the duration of the war. Superman, Batman, and Green Lantern, and Hourman are not at the meeting.

The Justice Society’s enlistment in the armed forces is DC canon (pre-Crisis, at least) and provides an explanation for Roy Thomas focusing on non-JSA members in his All-Star series.

Wonder Woman served in the armed forces during World War II but did Batman and Superman? I could see Clark resisting as he wouldn’t want to risk discovery of his Kryptonian heritage but Bruce? Did Wayne Enterprises exist in the Golden Age – that would be an obvious reason to justify not serving in the military.

The Spectre confides in Doctor Fate that he isn’t joining the military – Jim Corrigan, his host body, is “deceased”.  The Spectre decides to isolate himself from humanity rather than watch his friends die in the war.

Doctor Mid-Nite and Hawkman decide to visit Danette Reilly before they leave for the Yucatan.  The Atom decides to accompany the duo.  The trio are heading to the Yucatan to find Shiera Saunders.

We head to the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. Nazis, led by General Saukel, attempt to convince the Feathered Serpent that now is the time to strike.  The Feathered Serpent disagrees as the stars won’t be in the proper position until tomorrow night.

General Saukel informs the Feathered Serpent that German naval forces attempted to attack America’s industrial northeast.  Unfortunately for the Nazis, the attack was repelled by the Green Lantern.  The editor’s note refers us to Green Lantern #4, published in 1942.

Roy Thomas = flawless continuity.

The Feathered Serpent, head of the cult of the Feathered Serpent, agrees to ally with the Nazis to ensure Mexico belongs to the Cult of the Feathered Serpent.  The Feather Serpent needs to be more creative in establishing names and titles.

Per Wikipedia: “The Feathered Serpent was a prominent supernatural entity or deity, found in many Mesoamerican religions. It was called Quetzalcoatl among the Aztecs, Kukulkan among the Yucatec Maya, and Q'uq'umatz and Tohil among the K'iche’ Maya.”

The Feather Serpent reveals that he’s captured Shiera Saunders and she will be the sacrifice for tomorrow night’s ceremony.

We head over to New York City.  Johnny Quick and Robotman are racing around the city when the police ask for their aid against saboteurs at the Statue of Liberty.  The duo makes quick work of the saboteurs and decide to check on Danette.

Danette’s doorman is very curious about the numerous heroes visiting her.  Danette’s visitors include Johnny Quick, Robotman, Liberty Belle, the Shining Knight, Doctor Mid-Nite, the Atom, and Hawkman – all in full costume.

Danette, still running a fever, awakens later in the night.  She recalls that Slugger Dunn gave her a key for a closet in Roy’s penthouse. Slugger told Danette that Rod wanted her to have the key in case something ever happened to him.  Danette opens the hidden closet and discovers the uniform of the Firebrand.

The assembled heroes are in Danette’s living room discussing the pros and cons of enlisting in the military versus serving in the All-Star Squadron.  The group smell smoke and barge into Danette’s bedroom.  Danette, now in the Firebrand uniform, is on fire!

Danette decides to become the new Firebrand and join the All-Star Squadron.  Danette must have a very frustrating time explaining her origin to others.  None of the heroes remember the events of the first three issues due to Per Degaton’s time travel shenanigans.  She’s left with “I went to the island…I’m not sure why…other heroes were there…again, I don’t know why…we fought bad guys that we can’t remember…at some point a volcano was involved…and now I’m on fire!”

The entire group heads to the Yucatan to search for Shiera Saunders.  The entire group (minus Robotman who covers himself with a hat and a trenchcoat) leave the plane in civilian attire. So why couldn’t the heroes visit Danette in civilian attire?

Carter is told by the hotel clerk that Shiera has checked out of the hotel. Carter tells Libby that the clerk is lying: “Even before I saw that signature, I knew it couldn’t be hers. Shiera’s a great gal, and I love her very much but she’s strictly a dilettante when it comes to these archaeological forays of hers. Oh, not that she minds a little dirt under her fingernails now and then but I’ve never known her not to have a comfortable room and with a hot bath waiting when she got back.”

Look, Carter, there is nothing wrong with wanting a hot bath after a sweaty day in the field.

It takes the group less than five minutes before they’re brawling with Nazis.  The new Firebrand quickly proves her worth. 

The issue ends with Hawkman and the Shining Knight ambushed by the Feathered Serpent.  Shiera is seconds away from being sacrificed!

The issue had two purposes:

·         Explain the absence of the Justice Society while the All-Star Squadron was active.  More importantly, the story explained why certain characters won’t be featured in the series.

·         Establish the new Firebrand.

The issue easily fulfilled both purposes.  Danette was the highlight of the issue.  Johnny Quick and Liberty Belle continue their flirtation.  Sir Justin continues to be an adorable knight.  The Feathered Serpent is a very generic bad guy.

I love Roy Thomas’s female characters (Liberty Belle, Firebrand, Phantom Lady).  They’ve been heroic, assertive go-getters.  I left Wonder Woman out as she didn’t receive much panel time.  I’m hoping Shiera (Hawkgirl) joins the list.  I can’t think of one notable appearance of Shiera.  She seems to serve as wallpaper in the background.  Prove me wrong, Roy!

[knights-past]

Stargirl Spring Break Special: Reaction

This will not be a full review of the Stargirl Spring Break Special, but more a quick capture of my immediate thoughts after reading it. Keep in mind, there will be spoilers.

I’ll be honest, it’s kinda weird that the Seven Soldiers of Victory are this idea that keep getting revisited in the context of this character. I get why, and it worked when they were revisited in the original Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E., but how much mileage can we really get out of a team who, while all being interesting characters on their own, don’t really have much of a *thing* when they gel together. Still, this brings back some characters who had been lost to limbo like Greg Saunders/Vigilante, Sir Justin/Shining Knight, and the second Crimson Avenger, the latter of whom made me more interested than anything else as she was a character that never really caught on when introduced and was sadly left to flounder.

One thing that I though was interesting is the way the presence of Green Arrow and Speedy is addressed. While the post-Crisis takes opted to simply retcon them away (replaced by the Spider and Stuff the Chinatown Kid respectively), in the spirit of the post-Death Metal, “everything counts/it all matters” stance, it’s established that the contemporary Oliver Queen and Roy Harper were sent back in time early on in their careers. In fact, it’s even posited that the events of that time travel are what eventually lead to their growing apart as seen in the events of Green Lantern/Green Arrow by O’Neil and Adams. Admittedly, I’m not entirely sure that works, timeline or meta wise, but hey. 

Beyond all that, it’s a fairly simple story featuring the Seven Soldiers reuniting in an effort to save Lee Travis the original Crimson Avenger from a time-travel plot involving Clock King and Per Degaton’s time machine. It’s worth noting that Emiko Queen/Red Arrow fills in for Roy Harper much like how Courtney fills in for Sylvester. And honestly, that’s one element that I really like and will probably appeal to some fans who are in this for the young heroes of DC - Courtney and Emiko’s meeting and forming of a relationship. The pair bond over their shared experiences as younger heroes, particularly after the Crimson Avenger bars them from participating in the mission for fear of their safety. I admit, I’ve not read much with Emiko Queen, so I can’t say how much it resonates with her character in other books, but it works here. It retreads some ground we’ve already seen with Courtney, but as this is supposed to somewhat serve as an introduction to the character for new readers, it makes sense to revisit.

In fact, that aspect of “the dangers of superheroics for young people” is kind of at the forefront of this issue, with the topic of the original Crimson Avenger’s sidekick/Eight Soldier Wing (who for some reason is drawn with a question mark on his chest) and his sacrifice being a key plot point and the revelation that Wing, Secret from Young Justice, and Dan the Dyna-Mite all being trapped by something called the “Childminder” along with other lost children. Obviously this is set up for a future plot point that will be continued in the teased Stargirl #1. Now when will we see that? Only *time* will tell. 

Speaking of teases, the book ends with Per Degaton appearing before Clock King and revealing that he has a plan that will hurt the JSA - in not one, not two, but THREE iterations!

And of course we see a fancy group shot of our new JSA, featuring several of the members that returned during Doomsday Clock (though not all of them; Ted Grant/Wildcat I, Sandy Hawkins/Sandman, and Jesse Chambers/Jesse Quick/Liberty Belle are all absent). And several members also have updated designs, most likely designed to reflect upcoming media appearances. I’m a bit mixed on them, but easily the worst are Mister Terrific and Hourman. 

Overall, while I enjoyed this issue as a fun superhero one-shot, it felt more like a “Seven Soldiers of Victory Spring Break Special” than a Stargirl Spring Break Special. While it makes sense to use Courtney as a viewpoint character to learn about these older characters, it places far more import on those characters than Courtney herself. And frankly, when it *is* placing the focus on Courtney, she comes off rather flat, more akin to how she was in the early bits of Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. than as the more rounded, take-charge character she became throughout that series and her later appearances. It’s emblematic of Geoff Johns (*sigh*) and his tendency to focus on past stuff rather than building new things going forward, a tendency that only got worse with Rebirth. And with the tease for Stargirl #1 hinting that it’s gonna be all about Courtney looking for Wing and the others, it looks like that streak will continue. Even the teaser for the new JSA story focuses more on the JSA’s past than on building a new future. Don’t get me wrong, I love my continuity bs, but after a while it becomes old hat.

Oh, also of note: this issue sees a number of elements from the Stargirl TV show have made their way into the DC comics canon, the biggest of which being the semi-sentience of the Cosmic Staff. Now they also continue to reference Sylvester Pemberton as “the Star-Spangled Kid” and never address him as Starman or as the previous owner of the Staff like the show (and the New 52) presented. Given that they also make references to stuff from the original Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. run, this implies Jack Knight was still the one to give her the Staff and the mantle. Will this be followed up on? Probably not, but it’s at least interesting to think about.