#like if arthur and john never got character development

[secret-sageent]

just looked up larson/yellow content cuz i think toxic eldritch yaoi is FUNNY and there was NOTHING do i have to do ALL the work around here???

[urdreamydoodles]

DC Comics Characters x Fem!OC

How they handle your relationship with your dog

Characters: Bruce Wayne, Kal-El (Clark Kent), Barry Allen, Diana of Themyscira, Arthur Curry, Hal Jordan, Oliver Queen, John Constantine, Roy Harper, Koriand'r (Starfire), Kara Zor-El (Supergirl), Slade Wilson, Kent Nelson (Dr. Fate), Rachel Roth & Zatanna Zatara

Bruce Wayne aka. Batman

- Bruce’s reaction to Mr. Pickles was a mixture of mild confusion and reluctant acceptance. “You chose… this?” he asked, gesturing at the small, fluffy dog that was currently gnawing on one of Alfred’s expensive loafers. But as Mr. Pickles wagged his tail and barked up at him, Bruce sighed and crouched down, carefully scratching behind the dog’s ears. “I suppose you’re harmless enough.”

- Though Bruce often claimed to be indifferent, he developed a subtle bond with Mr. Pickles. The dog had a knack for curling up at Bruce’s feet during late nights in the Batcave, his soft presence providing an unexpected comfort amidst the darkness. “He keeps me grounded,” Bruce admitted quietly one night, watching the tiny dog doze against his boots.

- Alfred, ever the enabler, ensured Mr. Pickles was well cared for, preparing gourmet meals and tailoring a small bed that perfectly matched the manor’s decor. Bruce protested, but you caught him sneaking the dog treats when he thought no one was watching. “He’s part of your life,” Bruce muttered when you teased him, “which means he’s part of mine.”

- Bruce admired how much joy Mr. Pickles brought to you. He often found himself captivated by the way you lit up when playing with your dog, your laughter filling the manor with a warmth that even he couldn’t resist. “You’re beautiful when you’re happy,” he said one evening, his voice low as he watched you cuddle Mr. Pickles.

- Though he’d never admit it, Bruce became fiercely protective of Mr. Pickles. He once had Lucius Fox design a custom GPS collar after the dog wandered off during a walk. “I can’t have anything happen to him,” Bruce said gruffly, avoiding your knowing smile. In his own way, he had grown to love the tiny fluff ball just as much as he loved you.

Kal-El (Clark Kent) aka. Superman

- Clark was instantly smitten with Mr. Pickles. The moment he saw the tiny ball of fluff, his face lit up with childlike wonder. “He’s adorable,” Clark declared, crouching down to let the dog sniff his hand. Mr. Pickles responded by leaping into Clark’s lap, earning a delighted laugh that made your heart flutter.

- Clark’s gentle nature made him an instant favorite with Mr. Pickles. The dog would follow him around wherever he went, yipping happily whenever Clark picked him up. “Looks like I’ve got a new best friend,” Clark teased, cradling the dog like a baby as you rolled your eyes with a smile.

- One of Clark’s favorite activities was taking Mr. Pickles on long walks around Smallville. The two of them would explore the open fields together, with Clark pointing out every interesting sight for Mr. Pickles to investigate. “Look at him go,” Clark said, laughing as the dog chased after a butterfly, his tail wagging furiously.

- Clark adored how much you loved Mr. Pickles. He often watched you play with the dog, his heart swelling with affection at the sight of your laughter. “You’re amazing, you know that?” he said softly one evening, pulling you into his arms as Mr. Pickles snuggled against your legs.

- When Mr. Pickles got into mischief, Clark was the first to come to his defense. Whether it was knocking over a lamp or chewing on your favorite shoes, Clark always managed to find the humor in the situation. “He’s just curious,” he said with a grin, scratching the dog’s ears. “Besides, how can you be mad at this face?”

Barry Allen aka. Flash

- Barry was ecstatic when he met Mr. Pickles. “Oh my god, this is the cutest dog ever!” he exclaimed, crouching down to pet the fluffy little dog. His enthusiasm was contagious, and Mr. Pickles responded with equal excitement, jumping up and licking Barry’s face as he laughed.

- The two of them quickly became inseparable. Barry’s boundless energy matched Mr. Pickles’ playful nature perfectly, and the two of them would spend hours running around the house together. “I think he’s my spirit animal,” Barry joked, watching as Mr. Pickles sprinted in circles, barking happily.

- Barry loved to spoil Mr. Pickles with treats and toys, often coming home with something new for the dog. “I couldn’t resist,” he said sheepishly, holding up a squeaky toy shaped like a lightning bolt. Watching Mr. Pickles wag his tail excitedly made it all worth it.

- Barry adored seeing you interact with Mr. Pickles. “You’re like the ultimate dog mom,” he teased, grinning as you brushed the dog’s fur or taught him a new trick. But there was a softness in his eyes as he watched you, a clear sign of how deeply he loved both you and your furry companion.

- On lazy days, the three of you would pile onto the couch together, with Mr. Pickles sprawled across both of your laps. Barry would drape an arm around you, pressing a kiss to your temple as he said, “I think this is what happiness looks like.” And in that moment, you couldn’t help but agree.

Diana of Themyscira aka. Wonder Woman

- Diana was utterly fascinated by Mr. Pickles. “Such a tiny creature, yet so full of life,” she mused, crouching down to study the dog with a mix of curiosity and admiration. Mr. Pickles, in turn, wagged his tail enthusiastically and licked her hand, earning a soft laugh from the Amazonian princess.

- Diana treated Mr. Pickles with the same respect she afforded everyone in her life. She spoke to him gently, as if he were a noble companion rather than a slightly clueless ball of fluff. “You have a brave heart,” she told him one day, stroking his fur as he barked at a passing squirrel.

- Walks with Diana and Mr. Pickles were nothing short of epic. She’d take him to serene parks or lush forests, marveling at his unbridled joy as he explored his surroundings. “He reminds me of the animals on Themyscira,” she said with a fond smile. “Free-spirited and full of wonder.”

- Diana loved how much joy Mr. Pickles brought to your life. She often watched you with a look of quiet reverence as you played or cuddled with your dog. “You have such a kind heart,” she said one evening, her voice filled with admiration. “It’s no wonder he loves you so much.”

- At night, Diana would often sit by the fire with Mr. Pickles curled up in her lap, her strong hands stroking his fur gently. “He is a reminder of the simple joys in life,” she said softly, glancing at you with a serene smile. “And of how lucky I am to share those joys with you.”

Arthur Curry aka. Aquaman

- Arthur’s first reaction to Mr. Pickles was a hearty laugh. “This is your dog? He’s like a walking puffball!” he said, grinning as the tiny dog barked up at him. But when Mr. Pickles jumped into his arms without hesitation, Arthur’s expression softened. “Alright, you’re pretty cool for a little guy.”

- Despite his rough exterior, Arthur had a soft spot for Mr. Pickles. He’d carry the dog around like a proud dad, often making jokes about how Mr. Pickles was his “new sidekick.” “Watch out, world,” he said with a chuckle. “The King of Atlantis and his trusty fluff ball are coming through.”

- Arthur loved taking Mr. Pickles to the beach, where the tiny dog would frolic in the sand and chase the waves. “He’s got more guts than most people I know,” Arthur said proudly, watching as Mr. Pickles barked at the crashing waves. “Must be hanging around me too much.”

- Arthur adored how much you loved Mr. Pickles. He often teased you about spoiling the dog, but there was a warmth in his eyes every time he saw you fussing over your furry companion. “You’re amazing, you know that?” he said one day, pulling you into his arms as Mr. Pickles yipped happily at your feet.

- On quiet evenings, Arthur would sit with you and Mr. Pickles on the dock, the ocean stretching out before you. With the dog curled up in his lap and your hand in his, Arthur would glance at you with a soft smile. “This is all I need,” he said simply, his deep voice carrying the weight of his love for you and the life you shared.

Hal Jordan aka. Green Lantern

- Hal’s first encounter with Mr. Pickles was filled with unrestrained laughter. “You’re telling me this little fluff ball runs your world?” he teased, crouching to meet the dog at eye level. Mr. Pickles responded by yipping excitedly and pouncing on Hal’s boots, instantly winning him over.

- Hal had a knack for turning everything into a game, and Mr. Pickles was no exception. He’d use his Green Lantern ring to create glowing balls of light for the dog to chase, laughing every time Mr. Pickles tumbled over himself in pursuit. “I think he’s got a future as a cosmic explorer,” Hal joked, ruffling the dog’s fur.

- Despite his devil-may-care attitude, Hal took his role as “dog dad” surprisingly seriously. He’d call you from missions just to check on Mr. Pickles. “How’s the little guy holding up?” he’d ask, his voice softening in a way that made your heart flutter.

- Hal loved the way Mr. Pickles brought out your playful side. Watching you roll on the floor with the dog or giggle as he chased his tail was enough to make Hal pause and admire you. “You know,” he said one day, his voice laced with affection, “you’re even more beautiful when you’re happy.”

- When it came to mischief, Hal and Mr. Pickles were a dangerous duo. Whether it was sneaking snacks or orchestrating harmless pranks, Hal would always defend the dog with a mischievous grin. “What can I say?” he said, shrugging as you raised an eyebrow. “The little guy’s got good taste in chaos.”

Oliver Queen aka. Green Arrow

- Oliver was immediately skeptical of Mr. Pickles. “You’re sure he’s a dog and not just a walking pillow?” he quipped, but his teasing faded the moment the tiny fluff ball curled up in his lap. “Alright, maybe he’s got some charm.”

- Despite his gruff exterior, Oliver had a soft spot for Mr. Pickles. He’d often find himself talking to the dog during quiet moments, his voice low and comforting. “You’ve got it easy, buddy,” he’d say, scratching behind the dog’s ears. “No rogues, no arrows. Just love.”

- Oliver adored how much you loved Mr. Pickles, even if he pretended to roll his eyes at your antics. He’d watch you play with the dog, a small smile tugging at his lips as he muttered, “You’re ridiculous, you know that?” But his eyes always betrayed his affection.

- Walks with Mr. Pickles became a cherished routine. Oliver would take the dog on hikes, carrying him in his arms whenever the terrain became too rough. “What? He’s got tiny legs,” he’d say defensively when you teased him about it.

- Mr. Pickles had a knack for defusing Oliver’s stress. After a long day, Oliver would sit on the couch with the dog nestled against his chest, the steady rhythm of his breathing calming both of them. “He’s not so bad,” Oliver admitted quietly, glancing at you with a rare softness.

John Constantine aka. Hellblazer

- John’s first reaction to Mr. Pickles was a bemused smirk. “Well, aren’t you a fancy little thing,” he said, crouching down to inspect the fluffy dog. Mr. Pickles responded by yipping and licking his outstretched hand, earning a low chuckle from the mage.

- Despite his dark and chaotic nature, John had a surprising way with animals, and Mr. Pickles was no exception. The dog would follow him around, tail wagging furiously, even as John grumbled about tripping over him. “You’ve got yourself a little shadow,” he told you, his tone half-exasperated, half-amused.

- John’s protective streak extended to Mr. Pickles in unexpected ways. He once placed a magical ward around the dog’s bed after a particularly harrowing encounter with a demon. “No bloody hellspawn is messing with this little guy,” he muttered, lighting a cigarette.

- Watching you with Mr. Pickles brought out a rare softness in John. He’d sit back, cigarette in hand, and watch as you cuddled the dog, a faint smile ghosting his lips. “You’re too good for the likes of me, love,” he said quietly one night, his voice tinged with both reverence and regret.

- John had a knack for turning Mr. Pickles into an unwitting accomplice in his schemes. Whether it was using the dog as a distraction during a con or charming his way out of trouble by pointing to the innocent fluff ball, John always managed to keep things interesting. “He’s got potential,” John said with a wink, ruffling the dog’s fur.

Roy Harper aka. Arsenal

- Roy’s first reaction to Mr. Pickles was pure delight. “You’ve got a dog? And he’s this tiny?” he exclaimed, scooping the fluffy pup into his arms. Mr. Pickles responded by licking his face enthusiastically, cementing their instant bond.

- The two of them quickly became partners in crime. Roy loved teaching Mr. Pickles silly tricks, like how to “high five” or roll over dramatically. “He’s got flair, just like me,” Roy joked, beaming as the dog performed his latest trick for you.

- Roy had a playful rivalry with Mr. Pickles when it came to your attention. “Oh sure, cuddle him first,” he teased, feigning jealousy as the dog climbed into your lap. But his grin always gave away how much he adored seeing you happy.

- Walks with Roy and Mr. Pickles were always an adventure. Roy would let the dog explore to his heart’s content, encouraging him to chase leaves or investigate interesting smells. “You’ve got to let him live a little,” he said, grinning as Mr. Pickles barked at a particularly stubborn twig.

- Despite his playful demeanor, Roy had a deep appreciation for the way Mr. Pickles brought joy to your life. “You deserve all the happiness in the world,” he said one night, his voice unusually serious as he watched you cuddle the dog. “And if this little guy makes you smile, then he’s alright by me.”

Koriand’r aka. Starfire

- Kori was utterly enchanted by Mr. Pickles the moment she saw him. “Such a precious creature!” she exclaimed, scooping the dog into her arms and nuzzling him with unabashed affection. Mr. Pickles responded by wagging his tail furiously, clearly won over by her warmth.

- Kori treated Mr. Pickles like royalty, often referring to him as “the noble guardian of our home.” She’d adorn him with tiny accessories, like a golden bow or a small cape, much to your amusement. “He is most regal,” she declared, beaming as the dog strutted around proudly.

- Walks with Kori and Mr. Pickles were filled with wonder. Kori loved introducing the dog to new sights and experiences, marveling at his reactions. “He approaches the world with such curiosity,” she said, her eyes sparkling. “It is a quality I admire greatly.”

- Kori adored seeing you with Mr. Pickles, often commenting on how much love you brought into both of their lives. “You have a way of making everything brighter,” she said one day, her voice soft as she watched you play with the dog. “It is a gift, and I treasure it.”

- Though she was gentle by nature, Kori became fiercely protective of Mr. Pickles when necessary. She once used her starbolts to scare off a stray dog that was bothering him. “No one will harm our little friend,” she said firmly, cradling Mr. Pickles in her arms as you smiled at her protective streak.

Kara Zor-El aka. Supergirl

- Kara’s first meeting with Mr. Pickles was a whirlwind of squeals and excitement. “Oh my Rao, he’s so tiny and fluffy!” she exclaimed, gently scooping the little dog into her arms. Mr. Pickles, always eager to make friends, licked her cheek, prompting a delighted laugh from the Kryptonian.

- Kara adored how Mr. Pickles’ unassuming nature brought her a sense of normalcy. Despite her superhuman powers, she’d lie on the floor, letting the dog climb over her, tugging playfully at her hair. “You know, you’re one of the few who can keep up with me,” she teased, booping his nose.

- Walks with Kara and Mr. Pickles were something of a spectacle. Kara, determined to give the pup the best adventures, would sometimes gently float above the ground, holding Mr. Pickles in her arms as they explored treetops and open fields. “He deserves to see the world from above,” she said, her eyes shining with joy.

- Kara often marveled at the way you cared for Mr. Pickles, finding your bond with the little dog heartwarming. “You’re such a good mom to him,” she said one night, watching as you tucked Mr. Pickles into his tiny bed. “It makes me love you even more.”

- When trouble arose, Kara’s protective instincts extended to Mr. Pickles. Once, during a fight with a rogue alien, she paused mid-battle to make sure the dog was safely out of harm’s way. “You’re not laying a finger on him,” she growled, her eyes glowing red with determination.

Slade Wilson aka. Deathstroke

- Slade was initially unimpressed by Mr. Pickles. “That’s not a dog,” he grumbled, arms crossed as the tiny fluff ball barked up at him. But when Mr. Pickles fearlessly climbed onto Slade’s boot, demanding attention, Slade couldn’t help but chuckle. “Alright, maybe he’s got some guts.”

- Slade’s relationship with Mr. Pickles was unexpectedly tender. Late at night, when he thought no one was watching, you’d catch him scratching the dog’s ears or letting Mr. Pickles nap on his lap. “He’s quieter than I expected,” Slade muttered defensively when you teased him about it.

- Mr. Pickles had a knack for softening Slade’s rough edges. The sight of the hardened mercenary kneeling to refill the dog’s water bowl or throwing a ball across the yard was enough to make your heart swell. “Don’t get used to it,” he warned, though the small smile on his lips betrayed his affection.

- Slade admired your patience with Mr. Pickles, often remarking on how you handled the dog’s occasional mischief. “You’ve got the kind of patience I don’t,” he said one day, his voice low. “It’s one of the reasons I can’t stay away from you.”

- Despite his gruff demeanor, Slade would go to great lengths to protect Mr. Pickles. When the dog wandered too close to one of his dangerous weapons, Slade immediately scooped him up, cradling him protectively. “You’re lucky I like you, fluff ball,” he muttered, carrying him back to safety.

Kent Nelson aka. Doctor Fate

- Kent found Mr. Pickles endlessly amusing. “An extraordinary creature in his own right,” he mused, watching as the dog chased his own tail. Mr. Pickles seemed equally intrigued by Kent’s golden helmet, often barking at it from a safe distance.

- Kent’s mystical abilities became a source of entertainment for Mr. Pickles. He’d conjure small, glowing orbs for the dog to chase or create harmless illusions that made Mr. Pickles bark with delight. “Even the smallest beings deserve a touch of magic,” Kent said, smiling as the dog pounced on a shimmering butterfly.

- Despite his lofty demeanor, Kent had a soft spot for Mr. Pickles. You’d often find the two of them sitting together in quiet companionship, Kent absentmindedly stroking the dog’s fur while lost in thought. “He has a calming presence,” Kent admitted, glancing at you. “Much like you.”

- Kent marveled at the way you cared for Mr. Pickles, often likening your nurturing nature to the compassion of the gods. “You bring light to even the smallest lives,” he said one evening, his voice reverent. “It’s a gift I will never tire of witnessing.”

- When danger threatened, Kent would spare no effort in ensuring Mr. Pickles’ safety. He once cast a protective ward around the dog during a battle, ensuring no harm would come to him. “No harm shall befall what you love,” he promised, his voice steady with resolve.

Rachel Roth aka. Raven

- Rachel was initially indifferent to Mr. Pickles. “He’s… small,” she said, raising an eyebrow as the dog sniffed at her boots. But when Mr. Pickles nuzzled her hand, she couldn’t help but let a small smile escape. “Alright, maybe he’s not so bad.”

- Rachel’s quiet nature seemed to resonate with Mr. Pickles. The dog often curled up beside her as she read, his presence a comforting weight against her side. “He’s surprisingly peaceful,” she admitted one day, scratching behind his ears.

- Watching you with Mr. Pickles brought a rare softness to Rachel’s expression. “You have so much love to give,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “It’s one of the things I admire most about you.”

- Rachel occasionally used her powers to entertain Mr. Pickles, creating small shadows for him to chase or levitating his favorite toy just out of reach. “He’s surprisingly persistent,” she noted, a hint of amusement in her tone as the dog barked at the floating object.

- Despite her dark and brooding nature, Rachel became fiercely protective of Mr. Pickles. When a magical threat loomed, she enveloped the dog in a shimmering shield of energy, her voice steady as she assured you, “Nothing will harm him. I promise.”

Zatanna Zatara aka. Zatanna

- Zatanna fell in love with Mr. Pickles at first sight. “He’s absolutely enchanting!” she exclaimed, picking up the fluffy pup and twirling him around. Mr. Pickles responded with a delighted yip, instantly smitten with her playful energy.

- Zatanna’s magic became a source of endless amusement for Mr. Pickles. She’d conjure floating treats or make his toys dance, her laughter filling the room as the dog barked and chased after the enchanted objects. “He’s a natural performer,” she said, winking at you.

- Zatanna loved how Mr. Pickles brought out your nurturing side. She often watched with admiration as you fussed over the dog, her heart swelling with affection. “You’re incredible,” she said one evening, resting her head on your shoulder as you brushed Mr. Pickles’ fur.

- Walks with Zatanna and Mr. Pickles were always magical. She’d enchant the path ahead, creating shimmering lights and gentle breezes that made the experience feel otherworldly. “He deserves a little magic in his life,” she said, smiling as Mr. Pickles pranced happily beside her.

- When danger threatened, Zatanna’s protective instincts kicked in. She once cast a powerful barrier around Mr. Pickles during a confrontation, her voice firm as she uttered the spell. “Nothing will harm our little star,” she vowed, her gaze fierce yet tender.

[anouchard]

Malevolent Liveblog: Episode 13

Lucky for some! Spoilers under the cu(l)t ...

John sounding a bit sarcastic with his lovely purple prose here.

It *is* still very lovely, though.

I'm glad they're getting to talk this through.

You can feel the push-me-pull-me between John's identity with Arthur and his identity as the King, even down to his speech patterns, which I really like. The difficulty of a god who has never known human meaning, reconciling his godliness with his developing humanity ... what a journey we are about to go on.

We All Ignore The Pit.

"I take it back, I don't forgive you."

LET HIM TRY.

To the left, take the box now y'all.

AND A KNIFE

No need to get quite so excited, John.

Gosh, the soundscaping on those trees.

So, Arthur doesn't like rules, huh?

I'd love to know more about Arthur as a boy.

Also, the IRONY of Arthur talking about his survival skills while not being able to tell someone might be following them.

OH WE'RE RUNNING NOW HUH

Hey so you know that one bit in The Fellowship of th-

ALMOST

OH. He can see them BOTH?

Excellent character voice.

Wallet? NO

A crystallizer of dreams!

It makes things travel between worlds ... hmm.

"No we don't!"

Glass of Leng ...

"You will leave when it wants you to"

Well, that's not ominous.

"We've been in the dark before!" GOSH, Arthur there's a difference between Arkham dark and Dreamlands dark.

To our left, to the log no-

OH HELLO

Why does this sound like a dragon.

What is this.

Why is this.

Hello? Friend?

Are we out of the woods yet are we ou-

Nope.

Oooh, a mirage?

Wood whales??

"Ah, religion".

Pick a direction, any direction.

I wonder how John ended up being such a poet?

I forget they've only known each other for a few days.

"I'll take that as an awkwardly-worded compliment."

Discussion of religion followed by discussion of surrounding, above, below, like St. Patrick's Breastplate, which is linked to ideas around Féth fíada? HMM.

Oh of COURSE the corpse is moving.

Welcoming back despite former actions? Interesting hint there, Jonathan.

I did NOT notice this whispering.

With enough force you can WHAT.

Yep, I too would need a second, Arthur.

OH GOD

Cool. I'm about to listen to a man bite his own finger off. This is fine.

No, wait, I'm about to listen to a man injure an eldritch entity at the same time.

This is fine this is fine this is fine

Penance?

I am CRINGING.

Love the chaos of the music here.

Thank you Harlan.

"You did good John. Well done." Like a child at the dentist.

Hey look guys, you planted a tree! Very environmentally conscious.

Uh oh.

They even got a replacement finger! Nice.

Well done, lads.

Oh, NOW you question it?

Oh we ARE out of the woods now!

A DESERT

Hey.

HEY.

Nyarlathotep, you here?

"This too shall pass".

On we go ...

[ernmark]

Spoilers for Malevolent 52 - I am feeling weirdly vindicated right now?

I always assumed that Arthur's parents were cultists, and they killed themselves in a mass suicide. His hatred of cultists has always been too violent, and too specific-- it always felt distinctly different than the kind of anger and resentment that I've seen from other people who left super strict Christian sects, so blaming that on his time in orphanages and people like Daniel never sat right.

Personally I had assumed that he was specifically the intentional product of a... for lack of a better term, a breeding program. Specifically created through ritual for an intended purpose, a la Rosemary's Baby or Harrowhark TheLockedTomb, which resulted in his being catnip to Old Ones and having a ridiculous healing factor. That might still be the case, of course, but even if he wasn't, simply getting Lilith's attention and favor is a pretty solid explanation for why he's Like That.

My runner-up (apparently now more or less debunked) theories:

The Homura theory, where John's (and ours, and Kayne's) attention being so fixated on Arthur basically bent the laws of reality around him, which made him more interesting, which made us all pay more attention, which bent the laws of reality more, etc, etc, etc, until he's basically a supermassive black hole of supernatural intention.

The Power of (Eldritch) Love and Friendship theory, where it was specifically John freaking the fuck out about Arthur nearly dying in that boat, and personally imbuing Arthur with a part of himself (this is what I use in my big long fanfic).

The Last Unicorn theory, where Arthur was never actually human to begin with, and occult ritual trapped Whatever He Was in a human form.

(And while I'm throwing out debunked theories:)

3.5. The Forgetful Time Traveler theory

Why did John know "You Call It Madness" right at the beginning when he didn't know anything else? Why was he so fixated with protecting the kidnapped baby, why was he so upset about Arthur not doing more to solve Emily's murder? Why did he know the piano would soothe Arthur, and why did he stop Arthur from shooting Eddie himself?

Because that John had already met Arthur, been a part of him for a long time, had major character development, and then got chucked into the Dark World and spat out again earlier in the timeline than when he went in. That time around, he was stuck in the Dark World long enough that he forgot most of what he experienced, apart from little bits and pieces.

(Where did he first inhabit Arthur, though? Perhaps as Yellow.)

[fancygremlin]

I finally started season 5 of Malevolent and I have many thoughts.

I think this season is about rebirth and it might be communicated with water symbolism.

Below the cut is me yapping about what I think the theme for this new season is and how it might foreshadow on how Arthur and John’s relationship might develop. I'm basing all my observations on the episodes [Intermezzo] and [Part 41 "The Windmill"], so there will be spoilers for both.

Season 5 started with a lot of emphasis on water: Kayne turning off the tab for Faroe's bath in Intermezzo, while Part 41 begins with Arthur and John fighting as rain and stormy weather soak the human's clothes and possessions through.

Water is a fluid with remarkable properties and is often used in media in relation to characters that are fluid, adaptable, flexible and always ready for change. Both Arthur and John fit this criteria, of course. However, in relation to Malevolent, I think that water is used to represent John, while Arthur is the vessel/ the container.

John is represented by water because the liquid's properties reflect quite well his journey in searching for his identity. John has been quite a dynamic and fluid character from the start of the show, always changing, always curious, always trying to explore the world around him and search for an identity that fit him. He has moved from one vessel to another... never quite finding one that could fit him.

At the start he was forced into the role of the King in Yellow, a role he didn't enjoy and actively tried to escape to start anew... then he found Arthur. His intentions were (quite literally) to take completely over Arthur, empty the vessel to make space for himself alone. However, as he got to know the human, he began to consider new options for himself. He began exploring the world around him, mirroring Arthur, learning from him how to behave, how to interact with objects and people. John is quite literally just like a little kid, watching and learning from his parents how to be. In Part 38 Arthur even acknowledges this fact, while also recognising his role in John's regards.

Arthur is his vessel. He his John's keeper, his point of reference and only example: everything he does causes John to change into new shapes. Arthur's task from the very start of the show was to contain John by regulating his emotions, providing guidance, holding back his violent urges. But Arthur is only human... and John is an eldritch deity with unfathomable powers. That's too much to try and contain and control. If you add too much water in a closed vessel, the pressure will increase and the glass walls will start to crack and rupture.

At this point in time, Arthur is exhausted. He had been hollowed, emptied of everything he had and everything he was to make space for John. He has been repeatedly filled to the brim and overflowing, he was pushed to his limit and even further one too many times and the vessel has been tipped over (hit bedrock) just as often. He is tired, he is exhausted and he is running on empty. John's latest betrayal has caused the vessel to tip over and spill all the water another time and this time Arthur is too tired of being tasked to clean everything up again.

Interestingly, Arthur has already been associated with water before. However, the references are always about vessels being overflowed or filled to the brim: Faroe's death is a good example of that, but also in Part 9 he almost drowns in a lake, and in Part 26 (after hitting bedrock) John reassures him by telling him "I won't let you drown".

I think it is not incidental that in Intermezzo Arthur is forced to relive Faroe's death, but this time Kayne steps in to turn off the water before the damage is done. The water is just about to overflow... but is stopped just before it is allowed spill over the bathtub.

Season 5 starts with a storm: Arthur and John are lashing out at each other, letting out all their frustrations. John is frustrated because he recognises that he has outgrown another vessel. He is starting to realise that Arthur has a limited point of view and that he will need time to understand his eldritch nature and his powers as the King in Yellow (after all, Arthur complained and was more unforgiving about the parts of Yellow that were most similar to the traits of the King in Yellow). He is frustrated and confused. He now finds himself with two contrasting parts of himself that he wants to fit together but feel like a jigsaw puzzle he can't seem to solve. I think that his journey this season is about accepting both his human side and his powers derived from the King in Yellow (i.e. find a shape and a vessel that properly reflect himself and who he is comfortable being).

On the other hand, Arthur is tired of being pushed to the limits, to be always on the verge of bursting at the seams. He has been tossed about by unforgiving waves for so long he almost forgot how to breathe. He wants to slow down and take a moment to re-evaluate what he needs and what he wants. He needs the water to stop overflowing. He needs someone to close the tap.

He is the first one that asks for shelter from the rain... but by now his clothes are soaked through, and so are his satchel and his belongings and the brittle ladder breaks, causing him to fall in the lower floor of the windmill. That's when he recognises all the water he gathered, how his clothes cling onto him, how everything weighs him down. I like how he physically relieves himself of some of the weight he has been carrying by discarding some of the objects in his satchel. Only by keeping what he needs, will he be able to move forwards, make more space for himself and become lighter.

I think both characters will have to deal with each other's absence or learn who they are outside of each other's influence.

This season started with a storm and I am pretty sure it will end with an even bigger one. In order for Arthur and John to be able to brave it, they will have to work on their respective journeys (John in accepting both his eldritch and human parts, and Arthur in relieving some of the weight he has been carrying for so long and regain parts of himself along the way) and relearn to trust one another again.

A big storm is coming and it will bring a lot of change, but this too shall pass.

[Season 1 to Season 4 themes analysis]

[verdemoun]

i have one simple question:

assuming Dutch's original plan all went right and the gang was able to get the money to buy some land and settle down, what do you think they'd do with their time now that they don't have to constantly fight to survive? i imagine them living in a small commune doing their own farming and living off the land, still maybe committing small petty crimes but nothing that would get them back into deep trouble. How do you think they'd live their life in a universe where it all went well and they settled down? How do you think the characters would develop now that they have more time for themselves and their personal likings and endevours? Feel free to write about whatever characters you'd like !!

PS: i love your blog

I think it comes down to what the gang believe in.

PS: thank you so much!! it really touches my heart knowing people enjoy my mad ramblings

Hosea? Hosea was ready to settle down in his virgin lands in the west. I think the older he got, the more he regretted not being emotionally and mentally ready to settle down with Bessie. He left the gang (which was just Dutch and Arthur at the time) only to go back while Bessie was still alive, and lost time he could have spent with her. He wanted to spend that time with Dutch (and Arthur), craving the exhilaration.

Dutch? Dutch wanted fame. He wanted infamy. He had a message to deliver about the nature of mankind and delivering that message took priority over everything. He would abuse and manipulate minorities to deliver a message about inequality.

When you look at money, in contrast the cost of land in canon era - the gang had enough. In 1907, John bought Beecher's Hope for less than $2k (including land, building the house and barn). If you go back for the money, Dutch has $42, 875 in the chest.

The gang could have settled down whenever they wanted. Whenever Dutch wanted, because they trusted Dutch with the money. And Dutch didn't want to settle.

If Hosea realised Dutch never changed, there was never a good old Dutch and Dutch had always been willing to compromise the ideals he preached for his own goals? I think Dutch would have honored what he once had with Hosea enough to at least give Hosea enough money. Because enough money to start anew wasn't that much money in the scheme of things.

Then it becomes - if given the choice, who would choose the safety and stability and a home with Hosea, and who would still choose to follow Dutch. Because Dutch would never settle down.

For Arthur, it would be an impossible choice. Arthur uses his dying breath still trying to save Dutch. Everytime Dutch brings up loyalty, Arthur backs down and blindly agrees with Dutch. We know what a big deal it is the first time Arthur disagrees: when Arthur insists. Would Arthur really be able to choose between Dutch and Hosea, if he had the choice?

People who would go with Hosea: Abigail (who wanted her son to be safe), Jack, John (begrudgingly, because Abigail and Jack were goign), Lenny (who believed in the better life Hosea wanted for him, like his father wanted for him), Javier (who only became an outlaw for a woman, who was tired), Karen (a former prostitute traumatised by her past, willing to abandon it), Mary-Beth (a poet who became a thief to survive), Uncle (an old man), Pearson (a cook who only ever wanted purpose), Kieran (who never had a choice but to become an outlaw until Hosea offered otherwise).

People who would stay with Dutch: Bill (still seeking Dutch's validation), Micah (who craved order, or to implement his own agenda), Sean (who wanted to continue the fight his father died for), Sadie (who had known how fragile that life of peace was), Tilly (who owed her life, and therefore loyalty, to Dutch), Grimshaw (who loved Dutch, and loved the gang as her children), Swanson (who saved Dutch's life once, and had Dutch save his life every day since).

I think Arthur's choice would come down to Charles. Not just charthur but because Charles was a voice of rationale. And Charles could go eitherway: Dutch, the man who believes in equality, something Charles hasn't been able to find his entire life before the gang, never entirely belonging to a community of his own, or Hosea, promising safety, promising that equality in a way Charles has never experienced, an independent community that relies on one another but without the aspect of criminality, a commune almost in parody of his distant childhood memories.

Hosea's gang would very much still live like the gang - in tents, spending nights singing around a campfire, until they figured out farming was easier than hunting, and raising chickens meant selling eggs and slowly starting their own self-sufficient group where they learned to hunt and farm off the thousands of acres they'd be able to own with fractions of the money the gang had. Jack and Lenny would pursue their education. Abigail would find herself in Grimshaw's position, taking care of the housework for people who never learned to look after themselves. Karen would follow after either Abigail or Uncle. Mary-Beth would write her novels. Pearson would still cook, to a more grateful crowd. Assuming Arthur and Charles went with them, they would be the ones to first figure out farming livestock and spend their days moving herds across the open plains and nights under the stars knowing they were safe from the law.

The others would meet their end at Dutch's whim, one way or another.

[thevindicativevordan]

Seen several people on twitter say Geoff Johns JSA is better than Morrison JLA. Whaddaya think?

I am currently going to bat for Johns’ work on the Aquaman franchise by finally answering an ask about Arthur, but this one I’m giving to Morrison. You could probably argue that Johns JSA has the stronger character work, like the Avengers the JSA owns their headliners and thus Johns got to develop that cast in a way Morrison never could do with the Big 7. Certainly there’s nothing in Morrison JLA that can match how Johns built up Black Adam into a compelling character from scratch. Now if it’s a matter of plotting and delivering blockbuster excitement? I’m going with the run that has Superman arm wrestling an angel into submission, Atom killing Darkseid by shrinking to a subatomic level, and Batman taking down the white Martians with a box of matches, sorry.

[onydung]

Sly Fox 

Part 2 of Infatuated | Masterlist

Arthur Shelby x M!Reader x Linda Shelby

WARNING! : Slight NSFW🚨 , Slight Angst, Harsh Language, None of the characters here are good people  

Synopsis : Arthur came home to a silent wife and a smiling fox

Note : Thank you for liking “Infatuated” and wanting a part 2 of it. Honestly I don’t even plan on continuing it, I just had a funny one liner I thought would be good to write a fic around it.

Infatuated | Masterlist

English is my second language, my grammar and writing is not good. Please don’t eat me

It was dinner time when Arthur finally arrived home from the Arrow House only drinking one glass of whiskey which came as a surprise to Tommy and John. It’s a huge progress from finishing two bottles of auburn liquid in a single day, all thanks to the day he met you. 

When he first met you he had broken your nose out of suspicion. A smile he can only attribute to that of a cunning fox was plastered across your face and your eyes that follow his every move he makes irks him into thinking  that you were some opportunistic hooligan mistakenly taking the high in adrenaline Arthur Shelby as his enemy. Much to his surprise you would come back to his club the next day with a bandaged nose with the same shit eating grin asking if he’d like a drink. He laughed of course at the thought of this stranger buying him a drink. At his own fookin bar? Nonetheless he accepted, curious of what he presumed to be a stupid stranger buying booze for his own assaulter.

You were full of surprise for him, enchanting him with your stories, jokes and wit that he couldn’t get enough talking to you, not realizing that the club was now empty and the warm morning sun greets their tired eyes. You would come to his club every night after your unspecified job just to talk with him over everything and nothing at the same time, building up your friendship and maybe something more. The last day of his supposed ‘three month work’ (his excuse to get away from Linda for a while) he finally confessed his feelings for you. He explained how you made him feel like his old self again, how the sound of screaming and booming of war became a far away echo since he met you, and also how his stomach and heart aches for something. In his honesty, he told you how much shame he feels loving another man but also that he might explode if he never told you how he feels. You took it slow, processing the information he had just given you, this was Arthur in his most bare. Admittedly you had only wanted to quell your curiosity for the gangster, maybe even enticing him to be your new customer. You hadn’t really expected to develop feelings for the man much less him reciprocating it. That same night you hold his hands gently as you kissed his thinly chapped lips in the dimly lit private room of his club. Arthur wanted to be a good man for you so he thought bringing you to his house would be a such good idea, it’s not but you could figure something out. 

‘I’m home luv” Arthur open the door to the house to his wife and his lover preparing dinner, instantly relieving him of the stressful environment of the Arrow House 

“Welcome home, Art. Billy’s with Polly so its only us adults in the house” Linda flinched at your response, not even replying to her husband which Arthur found odd. Usually she would scold him for being late but any chance Arthur gets for peace he’ll take it. 

Dinner was awkward. Arthur tried to sprung up a conversation only to be returned with his lover replying dryly and his wife avoiding even looking at him. He couldn’t help but be worried at what happened when he was gone. 

He retired himself to his shared bedroom excusing his tired old bones expecting Linda to follow suit in a couple of minutes so he could ask her in private, not wanting to subject you to any of the fighting. Tiredness from the long drive got the better of him and he fell asleep waiting for Linda to enter their room. 

The sound of shattering glass woke him up, half asleep Arthur grabbed his gun he keeps in his side drawer. Even when life has gone soft on him he still needs to protect the ones he loves. As he ran to the living room expecting an intruder as he pointed the gun at the sounds of gasps and moaning. Wait! Moaning? Fully awake he realized that he’s pointing the gun to his lovers head

“How was your nap Arthy?” the ever distinct foxlike grin on your face “Care to join us?” Only then did Arthur realize what he’s witnessing. His wife was on your lap with her skirt hiked up revealing her bare wet cunt rubbing on your thighs and you naked with a face covered in his wife's favorite color of lipstick, Coral. 

“What The Fook IS GOING ON HERE!” his horse screamed echo’s through the vast and lonely land he purchased for Linda. Betrayal was the first thing he felt, forcefully separating both of them from each other. He was a good man! He doesn't deserve this!

“He told me he fucked you! He told me that your three months of ‘work’ is spent fucking around at your satanic club” she barked back with an equal amount of emotion. She felt empty, the man that she sacrificed her perfect life to redeem went back to his old ways

“I gave you everything Linda! This fuckin house, this big ass land, the fuckin chickens. I cut off Tommy to be with you, I became a good man FOR YOU. I deserve to have some time away from your screaming” 

“You were a sack of sad shit when I met you. YOU were a child begging for his dead mommy to come and tell him he’s a good boy after snorting a whole bottle of satan’s seeds and now your bent. I deserve a better man than you!” 

A laugh escaped your mouth like you were watching some kind of circus act unfolding in front of you. What a conundrum to catch your partner cheating with the same man you were with, while both of you try to spin the story like they’re the good one in this situation. 

Of course it didn't go unnoticed by pot and kettle as their furious face snaps at you like dears realizing the fox has tricked them. 

“What the hell are you laughing at?” his voice softens when asking you, its almost unfair.

“Well for one, you're hard” you eyed his growing tent in his trousers which he tries to hide with his hands which really didn’t do much as both yours and Linda’s eyes had already preoccupied itself on the shape. 

Without warning you push both of them down into the sofa, “Second its funny that you two decided to cheat on the same person, me” you let off a small laugh 

“He cheated on me first” Linda’s pride in her righteousness is something to behold honestly. How she convinced herself that se had redeem the gangster is beyond ludicrous. 

“Now you're just being a kid Linda. You didn’t know that before you confessed to me earlier this morning. Talking about running away to the States like I’m some kind of prince charming here to save you from you big bad gangster husband” 

“YOU WHAT?!!” 

“Look! The truth will set you free eh? You're both lonely people that grew apart as the spark of your marriage dims down. So why not accept me as your new addition to your relationship? Besides you two can’t get enough of me anyway” sly as a fox everybody tells you

“That's immoral” “Your cocky ain't ya?” 

“Yea well what do you expect? you’ve both sinned so why not just dive into the deep end and enjoy the ride since your both still in this living room and haven’t beaten me out of your house yet” both of your legs moved between each of their thighs, dangerously close to their leaking arousals. 

“What do you say Lovers?”

[noxcorvorum]

Ok so as soon as I heard Oscar say "I believe you're my purpose" I immediately got slammed back to "yes, Martin, you are my reason" so like 👀

John's also super jealous regardless of the actual cause of his memory issues (I think there's a valid argument for both he's jealous and making Arthur's life harder to be spiteful or Kaynes deal did something and it's making his memory worse the longer they take to fulfill the deal) so now we have Arthur actually making a friend and not solely depending on John and he's most likely worried about losing Arthur and Arthur not needing him anymore

However, I honestly see Oscar going out of the picture at some point, and while Arthur really does like Oscar, he won't be devastated to the point of not being able to continue. 𝘑𝘰𝘩𝘯, though, Arthur 𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘥 for John when the kiy tried to take him away. He made an entire deal with a very powerful eldritch being so he could get him back, and when he got the piece that was supposedly him without his memories he tried to speedrun John's character development so he could have him back as soon as possible. These bitches are codependent as hell and John's gonna get a wakeup call when he finally snaps and yells at Arthur about how he cares more about Oscar or something, and Arthur yells back about how John is his reason, and Oscar is literally a random dude he's interacted with for more than ten minutes and actually managed to make friends with instead of becoming mortal enemies, and it's good to have an actual physical support system but he would never be able to replace john.

[markodragic]

B, K, U, Z

ty for the ask!! 💕💕💕

B - A pairing–platonic, romantic or sexual–that you initially didn’t consider, but someone changed your mind: I never really considered jo sawashiro x arakawa masumi from yakuza till I saw @todayisafridaynight's art and now I sorta like em sjgnfjgk sawashiro needs a doggie boyfriend to balance out how much of a big bitch he is

K - What character has your favorite development arc/the best development arc?: its hard to pick a fave, I think jimmy mcgill/saul goodman has my fave character arc from anything ever but if I was to stick to mostly video games, then sadie adler from rdr2. bc she is so perfectly written, so tragic in the beginning and then so cathartic in the moments where she exacts vengeance but still full of that inescapable emptiness once its all said and done bc she has truly lost everything and it takes every ounce of strength for her to keep going. she lives in spite of it all and learns through necessity to be strong although that can border into self destructive tendencies or just coping through violence. but even still there is love in her heart for the ones who mean most, abi, arthur, john, charles etc. I just love her and her metamorphosis to what she becomes ❤️

U - Three favorite characters from three different fandoms, and why they’re your favorites: in no particular order

#1 is gonna be ichiban kasuga from yakuza, and I love him bc he is so endlessly loving and cute and pure hearted and the entire point of his story is that its never too late to start living your life. he literally defeats enemies with the power of friendship, I would die for him 100x over, blorbo of all time.

#2 is kim kitsuragi from disco elysium bc frankly everything about him is a delight. he's a kind, patient, charming, funny, little weirdo that only appears normal when stood next to harry. and all his faults and neuroses make him just fascinating to dissect as a character

#3 is sorta basic bitch but its herbert west from re-animator bc I love mad scientists from goopy old horror movies and he is so freaky and cunty and cutes 💕 a long-standing all time fave of mine

Z - Just ramble about something fan-related, go go go! (Prompts optional but encouraged.): im trying to start an ichiban merch collection rn 🙏 got 1 figure and 3 plushies and some photocards so far but some stuff might be forever unattainable bc I dont have much disposable income sjshdjdjfk particularly the gorgeous etsy plushes and charms I've seen bc most are coming from the USA and boy oh boy are shipping costs to scotland high 💀

[absolutedisaster69]

What made you write strange visitors and faithless? What popped up in your head that had you go eureka?

Spoilers for the stories, obviously

Strange Visitor was... well, a few things but first and foremost was "haha aliens. Wish Arthur could get abducted, that'd be funny. Hey wait a minute--" and then developed from there, really. And I was thinking about how terrifying it would really be to have something happen to you that you don't even have language to express. Something so unknowable in its violation that you're changed inside and out regardless of what happens after. And love helps, care helps, but it won't ever fix it. And you act crazy because how else are you supposed to behave, when everything you thought you knew got turned on its head? It's like the terror of an Eldritch horror, how the more you see of it, the more you realize that it sees of you, all of you, and you can't stop it. The door is open and can never be closed, and youre powerless. There's nothing you can do and things are *happening* to you, and nobody believes you. Also it's a trans allegory. Because of course it is.

Faithless started as a question I had regarding the games honor mechanic. Arthur and John can't be the only ones with shifting honor, right? They're just the only ones we see, because they are the only ones we play. And then I was thinking about the differences between high and low honor, in the things Arthur says and does, sure, but how his actions influence the attitude of the gang. Even if they weren't there to see those actions take place. So what if everyone was low honor? Still themselves, just like how low honor Arthur is still Arthur, but a damaged, hurting, angry, hopeless version of themselves. The worst possible parts of them in the driver's seat. And THEN, instead of Arthur himself following the same rules of honor in flux, he is removed entirely from that equation by being something so deranged that nobody and no one could ever reach that level? He's the worst of them all, and they don't even know it. What would happen if the foundation of the gang was rotten? What else would rot by proximity alone?

Or something like that. But anyway, I get thoughts like that, and then I lay awake at night and stare at the ceiling and think up scenes that go to nothing, but it helps me hear the characters and see them and what they would and wouldn't do with these changes in the narrative, and then I write a couple paragraphs and then, you know, a thing occurs. Music helps with writing, a lot of ideas were inspired by songs.

Thank you for the ask, anon!!!! ❤️

[jcmarchi]

Funko Fusion Preview - Get Your Head In The Game - Game Informer

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/funko-fusion-preview-get-your-head-in-the-game-game-informer/

Funko Fusion Preview - Get Your Head In The Game - Game Informer

If you’re a fan of a popular movie or TV show from any time in the last several decades, chances are, they’ve made a Funko Pop figurine of the main characters. The brand is ubiquitous in pop culture, so it was only a matter of time before it got a big video game adaptation. This sort of game could easily be a cheap cash grab, but after watching a preview demo and listening to one of the head developers speak about it, I’m confident that Funko Fusion is much more than that.

You’ve never played a game by developer 10:10 Games, but you probably know the work of its staff – the founders of the studio are some of the former architects of the Lego games developed by Traveler’s Tales, including CEO Jon Burton, COO Paul Flanagan, and design director Arthur Parsons, who leads the demo. He boots up a level based on John Carpenter’s 1982 horror classic The Thing, which signifies one of the main elements that separates this title from the kid-friendly Lego titles; this game is rated T for Teen and references loads of media properties that are decidedly not for children. Still, the world is charming and lighthearted, so when a Funko Pop is impaled through the side of the head, it’s more goofy than ghastly.

[embedded content]

Parsons, playing as Kurt Russel’s MacReady, fights off some Norwegians using the game’s third-person shooting mechanics. According to Parsons, all characters have melee and ranged options, though they had to get creative for some characters. While He-Man uses his signature sword, OJ (the protagonist from Jordan Peele’s Nope) swings around a miniature version of one of the inflatable tube men from his movie. Parsons dispatches enemies easily, which I imagine is due to the game’s relatively low difficulty, his experience working on it as a developer, and the fact that every enemy has an outrageously large head, ideal for headshots.

Funko Fusion will ultimately feature over 20 IPs in the game, mostly from NBCUniversal properties, though they’ve also made licensing deals with other companies.

Here’s a list of some that we know so far:

Back to the Future

Battlestar Galactica

Child’s Play

Five Nights at Freddy’s

Hot Fuzz

Invincible

Jaws

Jurassic World

Knight Rider

Masters of the Universe

Megan

The Mummy

Nope

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World

Shaun of the Dead

The Thing

The Umbrella Academy

Voltron

The Walking Dead

Xena: Warrior Princess

Each IP will include playable characters, and many will include levels, though the scope of each level will vary by the franchise. Some, like The Thing, will get a proper, full-sized level, while others exist as secret cameo levels players can unlock in other worlds. Poking around the frozen outpost in the demo, Parsons travels through a portal to reach a world based on Shaun of the Dead, where he has to escort a car of civilians to the safety of the Winchester. While there, he transforms into He-Man and shows off the zombie enemies, which turn the hero into a zombified version of himself. Even though it’s just a cameo level, it’s much larger than I initially expected, likely packing plenty of easter eggs in for fans of the movie.

Players can move through these levels in whatever order they want to progress through the game’s main story. Parsons explains that this modular approach allows them to continue to support the game after launch by easily adding new characters and levels into the mix. The first instance of this is with the game’s pre-order bonus, which includes Rick Grimes and Michonne from The Walking Dead, complete with alternate outfits.

It’s been years since the last Lego game, and with this team of developers, I’m excited to watch them attempt to fill that gap. Luckily, I won’t have to wait long. Funko Fusion is coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Switch, and PC on September 13. 

[brendanmoviedate]

Genius is no guarantee of wisdom. How could this man who saw so much be so blind?

As is tradition, I'm way behind on posting my year end recap. It's getting quite ridiculous frankly. Part of the reason is that there are always a few stragglers that I want to get to, because I want to have a full breadth to select from when writing this post. This year, it was The Boy and the Heron, Ferrari, and Infinity Pool that I dragged out watching (all three of which I only just got around to in late 2024/early 2025). Recently, a friend called me out on even counting movies I waited so long on watching as part of my list, because at what point do I draw the line?

Starting with this year, I'm only going to count movies that I've watched before the end of the awards season, marked by the airing of the Academy Awards. That way I still have a chance to see most of the movies that come out in late December and give myself a chance to see as many of the awards favourites as possible. Surprisingly, despite having less time to watch movies than in the past, I still managed to see all of the Best Picture Nominees before the Awards Ceremony. Including those films, I saw a staggering 40 movies released in 2023, so I had to make cuts on the collage image, proving that I didn't need to wait so long to put this list together.

As always, this list is fairly arbitrary, based on how I'm feeling while writing it. I definitely felt different about these films after watching them, and will certainly feel different yet again once even more time has passed.

10. John Wick: Chapter 4

The John Wick franchise started as a slick, cheap, and simple revenge story featuring Keanu Reeves in a comeback role. It was tight, efficient, and fun, showing that with a bit of care these Taken-type movies need not be direct-to-video trash.

With the sequels, the films got bigger, glossier, and filled out a whole world revolving around contract killers only suggested at in the first movie by the Continental Hotel. Chad Stahelski, who solo-directed all 3 sequels after co-directing the original with fellow stuntman David Leitch, has really developed as an action director with this series and saves some of his best work for this last instalment.

From the beautiful opening act in Japan to the Sisyphean climb up the stairs to Sacré-Cœur in Paris, John Wick: Chapter 4 is a beautiful culmination of the series and possibly its best entry.

9. Poor Things

Yorgos Lanthimos never fails to create provocative and unsettling narratives. Now having seemingly found a muse in Emma Stone, who gives the best female performance of the year, he has a true collaborator with whom he can express his unique view of the world.

Ostensibly a Frankenstein story, Poor Things follows Stone's Bella, a drowned woman whose brain was replaced by that of her fetus, as she discovers herself, her sexuality, and the world. While Stone is justifiably lauded for her performance, so too should Ruffalo, who plays a cad she meets in her journeys. The actor exudes a sleaziness that is a departure from the milquetoast or overly serious characters I'm used to seeing him play.

8. Past Lives

Celine Song's debut film Past Lives is a beautifully told look at the lives immigrants leave behind when they leave their home country and a glimpse of what their life might have been like if they stayed. Greta Lee plays Nora, who, like Song, moves to Canada from Korea at a young age. She leaves behind a boy Hae Sung, played by Teo Yoo, whom she had developed a bond with. Years later, Nora has moved to New York and has a husband, Arthur, when Hae Sung comes to visit.

The film handles the complicated feelings the three of characters experience because of this visit deftly and delicately, making for one of the most emotionally moving films of 2023.

7. Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

The original Dungeons & Dragons movie was utter garbage, so my expectations were quite low for this new version. Fortunately, the writers seem to have actually played D&D and incorporated a full party of characters into the story for a truly engaging and fun fantasy adventure. Unfortunately, the movie didn't seem to do all that well, so I doubt we'll see more.

Chris Pine is an obvious highlight, but so too is Hugh Grant, who has capitalized on his lauded performance in Paddington 2 to comeback in more villainous roles of late.

6. The Holdovers

Alexander Payne's latest is a bittersweet look at a boarding school in the 1970s where a sole teacher and cafeteria worker remain at the school over the winter break with the handful of students who don't have anywhere to go.

Paul Giamatti gives a career-best performance as the supervising teacher who's still bitter over his derailed career and treats his students without compassion.

5. The Killer

David Fincher's turn to Netflix has seen his star fall somewhat, despite his previous film Mank receiving multiple Oscar nominations. It didn't help that Netflix's distribution tends not to prioritize theatrical releases and tends to put a garish veneer on all their original films. Fortunately, I was able to see The Killer in theatres during its limited run and thought it looked and sounded great.

The film is perhaps Fincher's funniest, with a perverse nihilism present in each hit and a cocky, yet careless hitman boasting about his regimen before everything goes to shit. Fassbender does a great job of balancing the character's contradictions. Hopefully, he gets to collaborate with Fincher again, as the two have aligned sensibilities, particularly in this film.

4. Godzilla Minus One

I'm a sucker for the Legendary Pictures Godzilla and Kong franchise, yet those films amount to little more than entertaining popcorn flicks. Godzilla Minus One blows those films out of the water with incredibly tense actions scenes as well as a contemplative examination of survivor's guilt and shame in a system in which kamikaze is encouraged.

Despite the lower budget compared to American films, Minus One has truly incredible effects that put to shame all the recent Marvel movies and other blockbuster sludge.

3. Afire

Christian Petzold's latest revolves around a pair of friends Leon and Felix, whose trip to Felix's parents' seaside cabin is interrupted by a polite, yet disruptive guest in one of the rooms, Nadja. Leon retreats from hanging out, content with writing his next novel, while Felix, Nadja, and other guests bond and try and bring him out of his shell.

Despite being somewhat unsympathetic, I still see elements of myself in Leon, a character that doesn't typically get to be the protagonist of a film. For that reason, his emotional journey is one that strongly resonated with me.

2. BlackBerry

Matt Johnson's comedy-biography of the founders of BlackBerry is the Canadian answer to The Social Network. Featuring a standout performance from Glenn Howerton as Jim Balsillie, the CEO most responsible for the meteoric rise and fall of BlackBerry due to his rage and ambition, the film is a much more comedic approach to the tech biography genre that The Social Network inspired.

1. Oppenheimer

Always a favourite and usually near the top of these lists is Christopher Nolan. His films are visually stylish and full of imaginative concepts, yet his most successful film commercially and critically is a biopic of J Robert Oppenheimer, the father of the atomic bomb. Clocking in at over 3 hours long, Oppenheimer could easily have been a slog to watch. However, Nolan infuses the film with a growing sense of dread and tension, making for one of the most exciting films of the year.

Cillian Murphy provides a standout performance in the lead role, depicting a man on the edge of his conscious as he struggles with the ramifications of what he's working on and the costs of failing.

There was definitely some alchemy in how this film came together, as the film had no right to be as exciting as it was.

Honourable Mentions

Other films I really enjoyed this year included Fallen Leaves and American Fiction, which probably would have made my list had I written this earlier, but have fallen off of it as my memories of them have faded.

2024

Again, this post is way too late to look forward to 2024 films. I'll post my list for that year soon. I promise!

[tganalostarosciak]

Comic artists researches. Part 2

Osamu Tezuka:

Osamu Tezuka was a Japanese manga artist, cartoonist and animator. Born in Osaka Prefecture, his prolific output, pioneering techniques and innovative redefinitions of genres earned him such titles as "the Father of Manga", "the Godfather of Manga" and "the God of Manga".

What is Osamu Tezuka famous for?

In Japan, however, Tezuka is revered as a “god of manga,” a pioneer in the development of comics and animation, and, as one recent biographer described him, an almost-superhuman figure, “like Walt Disney, Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Tim Burton, Arthur C.

What is Osamu Tezuka art style?

Osamu Tezuka's art style had a tremendous range. Although usually defined by his trademark Disney-influenced "cartoony" style, Tezuka was quite an accomplished artist with the ability to draw breathtaking realism. Of course, he could also go the other way.

Why is Osamu Tezuka the godfather of anime?

Starting in the 1950s, Tezuka created and wrote more than 700 manga series containing over 170,000 pages and he also penned over 200,000 pages of anime storyboards and scripts. His impact on anime and manga is impossible to overstate. His influence on the industry was nothing less than miraculous.

My opinions for this artist that his style its have a mixture of a anime and cartoon together as he made anime which his style it is Disney-Influenced ''cartoony'' style when he is known for ''godfather of anime'' that he made amazing anime and manga for his cartoony style.

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Steve Ditko:

Stephen John Ditko was an American comics artist and writer best known for being co-creator of Marvel superhero Spider-Man and creator of Doctor Strange. He also made notable contributions to the character of Iron Man with the character's red and yellow design being revolutionized by Ditko

Why did Steve Ditko leave Marvel?

In 1966, after being the exclusive artist on The Amazing Spider-Man and the "Doctor Strange" feature in Strange Tales, Ditko left Marvel for a variety of reasons, including creative differences and unpaid royalties.

How many issues of Spider-Man did Steve Ditko make?

Writer-editor Stan Lee and artist and co-plotter Steve Ditko created the character of Spider-Man, and the pair produced 38 issues from March 1963 to July 1966. Ditko left after the 38th issue, while Lee remained as writer until issue 100.

Are Stan Lee and Steve Ditko friends?

Ditko and Lee were never really got along as friends and Ditko felt he was being given enough credit from the start of the book so this decision became the last straw for him and he quit.

My opinion for this artist as his style is also pop culture-like as he uses very bold and bright colours like red, blue, grey, black, etc. As he uses his own style that he made notable contributions to character of Iron Man with that character's red and yellow design which is the idea from Steve Ditko.

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Jack Kirby:

Jack Kirby was an American comic book artist, widely regarded as one of the medium's major innovators and one of its most prolific and influential creators. He grew up in New York City and learned to draw cartoon figures by tracing characters from comic strips and editorial cartoons.

Why did Jack Kirby quit Marvel?

In 1970 Kirby left Marvel over creative differences with Lee and joined rival DC. The following year he launched a trio of comics—New Gods, Mister Miracle, and The Forever People—which he envisioned as finite series of interlocked stories that would eventually be collected in a single volume.

Did Jack Kirby make Thanos?

In creating Thanos, Starlin drew inspiration from Jack Kirby's New Gods series for DC Comics, particularly the character of Darkseid. Thanos is usually portrayed as a villain, although many stories depict him as believing his actions to be justified.

Why did Jack Kirby create the Hulk?

Kirby also commented upon his influences in drawing the character, and recalled the inspiration of witnessing the hysterical strength of a mother lifting a car off her trapped child. Lee has also compared Hulk to the Golem of Jewish mythology.

My opinion for this artist for his art style as it is like realistic style mixed with comic/cartoon style to the comic so that it will be not difficult to make it simple as it will be time consuming to make VERY small details on the comic.

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[polsocmartikhoras]

Much like patriarchy theory toxic masculinity has a sort of legitimacy and origin and term at least according to Wikipedia it's related to the men's method poetic movement and discusses traits of masculinity that are yes toxic

The big example was the tale of iron John the idea is there is a way towards manhood but you can express it both toxically or in a healthy manner

In this case I think the meaning is yes these are things that naturally come easy when you're a man or have a high-dose of testosgrown or the role of a man in society

But there is a positive healthy proper way to express them and then there are ways to twist them around so that they become dangerous to both yourself and others even while you feel self fulfilled

Anger and bravery become a recklessness and wrathfulness

Arthur for those that you love become sort of rapey and controlling and so on

The problem is it's basically become a buzzword to say that if a man shows a negative character trait it's not because of their individual behavior it's due to a wider social phenomena that's also connected inherently to the sex or gender

And because I cannot find an argument that I can't taint this bothers me growing up as a black male through the 80s and 90s

Because being scary and masculine is very easy to be perceived as or tap into in the existing social scrapped or being tossed into by everyone's bias I'm very apprehensive whenever this becomes the prevailing discourse or concern

The same is with patriarchy theory again it is a valid theory of examining society and how it develops but this will be like really in society entirely in heat signatures or gravity order I don't know what

Sit for fugal force

It's one of those all models are false but on occasion are useful sort of thing

The problem is when they use things like toxic masculinity or patriarchy theory in place of the 10 commandments or some sort of religious institution or the beatitudes or something

It really doesn't work like that and should never be used like that especially outside of an academic context where you have multiple different analytical models for both society and people just the fact that there was as much abuse by saying black men by white women or women of an underclass deeply undermines the myth version of patriarchy

But in common discourse that doesn't come up and if you bring it up then it's a way of going gacha you didn't go to gender studies 101 and as a result I can dismiss everything you say so long as I keep using signal words to indicate I got an a and you don't even know what I'm talking about

The problem being that it's a very terrible way to engage with the subject matter except 2 and exclude someone on whether or not they're sharing the same worldview

There are great discussions to have about toxic masculinity why do men gravitate towards these solutions why do they feel proud or likely to do this for that thing

Consider how this can end up and how you have to break a cycle that can exist both within the family and around you and be reinforced by negative interpretation or an unconsidered interpretation of how you use your strength or your masculinity

But implying that there's some sort of original sin here that must be forever repressed possibly by deference to femininity is just f***** u*

At least that's my take hope it's not too isolating

Nothing is more awkward than hearing someone list all "traits of toxick masculininity" and all the examples that come to mind are women. Who are no doubt praised for half those crap in ways men never are.

Living and growing up with toxic women my whole life, yeah it's frustrating.

My sisters, cousins, grandmothers, classmates, especially teachers, all have/had the same toxic traits people claim is part of toxic masculinity. A certain classmate of mine believed she was better than everyone else and couldn't let anyone outdo her or get more praise than her. My English 1 teacher freshman year was ALWAYS right about everything and anyone who questioned that were always singled out and berated or harassed daily. My sisters would be angry and frequently yell at me for things I had nothing to do with when we were kids (one would often use her period as an excuse). My mom gets angry a lot and slams doors and shit, and i have 3 holes in the walls in my room (one because she used Strike Raid with my keyblade) because she was angry that I got a fucking C in English.

Toxic masculinity isnt clearly defined, because so far the qualifications are "having non-exclusive toxic traits while being a male".

[prettyprince00]

♡ FILMS FOR FAUNLET FASHION INSPO ♡

~~Got bored so compiled this (pretty extensive) list of film references for faunlet style and aesthetics, might be helpful for anyone looking to delve into and develop their style. Don't take this as some kind of gospel, it's just a bunch of movies and shows that I think can be useful reference points. My personal style and taste for example is a huge mix and amalgalm of stuff I see, from movie characters to paintings, books, comics, cartoons, music videos, haute couture collections, K- and J-idols, BJD dolls, even elements and staples from female fashion that I kind of genderflip or just outright mix into and merge with my own "masculine"/boyish/whatever faunlet fits. I think the secret to finding your style is to never limit yourself & always be creative (& clever ofc)! ♡

Feel free to suggest and tell me some of your personal films/shows that inspire you the most. I'm sure I forgot some stuff >.> Hope this helps somewhat lolol

WARNING: A LOT OF THESE HAVE MATURE THEMES AND +18 STUFF, SO DO RESEARCH BEFORE WATCHING AND PROCEED AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION, CAUTION & RESPONSIBILITY!

I. Academia/Schoolboy/Old Money/Preppy/Classic Faunlet Vibes

Les Amitiés particulières by Jean Delannoy

A Series of Unfortunate Events (Film and show)

Both versions of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Lord of the Flies (both versions tbh)

The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe by Andrew Adamson

Kaze to ki no Uta + Natsu e no Tobira (Honestly most shounen ai anime especially from the 80s/90s)

CLAMP Gakuen Tanteidan

Kuroshitsuji i.e. Black Butler (probably the most famous ouji aka male lolita-influenced anime out there)

Ouran High School Host Club

Cardcaptor Sakura (Li's fits especially but also Touya's and Yukito's)

The Long Day Closes + The Neon Bible, by Terence Davies

If... by Lindsay Anderson

The Butcher Boy by Neil Jordan

Tea and Sympathy by Vincent Minnelli

Purple Noon by René Clément

Sleepers by Barry Levinson

The Basketball Diaries by Scott Kalvert

School Ties by Robert Mandel

The Dangerous Lives of the Altar Boys by Peter Care

Blue Spring by Toshiaki Toyoda

Death in Venice by Luchino Visconti

East of Eden (also Splendor in the Grass I guess?) by Elia Kazan

Lacombe Lucien (+ Au Revoir Les Enfants) by Louis Malle

Bad Education by Pedro Almodóvar

The Ice Storm by Ang Lee

La Luna + The Dreamers by Bernardo Bertolucci

Teorema by PP Pasolini (also Saló tbh bt I feel kinda weird recommending that lmfao even though it's a pretty well-established masterpiece & one of my favs)

Total Eclipse by Agnieszka Holland (teenage Arthur Rimbaud is a core faunler reference tbh, strange that I don't see him brought up more, though he's been a queer/twink culture icon for ages so yeah)

Les roseaux sauvages by André Téchiné

Call Me by Your Name by Luca Guadagnino

Deep Red by Dario Argento (only for the flashback Xmas scenes with the creepy little boy in knee-highs and Mary Janes tbh lol)

The Omen by Richard Donner

The Good Son by Joseph Ruben

Pinnocchio (OG Disney animation) (you could make a double feature with A.I. Artificial Intelligence by Spielberg/Kubrick too)

Les 400 coups by François Truffaut

L'enfance nue by Maurice Pialat

A Single Man by Tom Ford

Looking for Langston by Isaac Julien

Sacré College, Garçons d'Etage, Scouts and Gamins de Paris by JD Cadinot (WARNING: Cadinot's films are basically erotica/arthouse vintage gay p*rn so obviously 18+!!!!!)

II. More Contemporary/Gas Station/Trashy/Greaser/Hustler/Catalet Faunlet Vibes

My Own Private Idaho (also Mala Noche and Elephant) by Gus Van Sant

Slight Fever of a 20-Year-Old + Like Grains of Sand by Ryosuke Hashiguchi

Mysterious Skin + Totally Fucked Up + Nowhere by Gregg Araki

Hustler White by Bruce LaBruce (+18)

Rebel Without a Cause by Nicholas Ray

Cry Baby + Polyester by John Waters

Pretty much any juvenile delinquent teensploitation 40s/50s Old Hollywood flick tbh

The Outsiders by FF Coppola

A Cruel Story of Youth + Sing a Song of Sex by Nagisa Oshima

Most of Edward Furlong and Vicent Kartheiser's 90s filmography (Pet Semetary 2, Brainscan, Little Odessa for Furlong; Heaven Sent, Another Day in Paradise, Masterminds for Vincent)

River's Edge by Tim Hunter

Young Soul Rebels by Isaac Julien

Sleepaway Camp by Robert Hiltzik

Le Diable Probablement by Robert Bresson

Permanent Green Light  + Like Cattle Towards Glow (+18) by Zac Farley & Dennis Cooper

Pauline à la Plage by Eric Rohmer

The Smell of Us + Ken Park by Larry Clark

Flesh by Paul Morrissey

Lonesome Cowboys by Andy Warhol

Cruising by William Friedkin

Un couteau dans le cœur by Yann Gonzalez (though most of the male fashion in this is just ripping off Friedkin's Cruising and Cadinot films like Aime... comme Minet, Deuxième Sous-sol and Les Minets Sauvages so you could just watch those instead I guess lol)

Equation à un Inconnu by Francis Savel (erotica/+18)

Rebels of the Neon God by Tsai Ming Liang

Fireworks + Scorpio Rising by Kenneth Anger

Dope by Rick Famuyiwa

Cooley High by Michael Schultz

The Inkwell by Matty Rich

Red Hook Summer by Spike Lee

George Washington by David Gordon Green

American Graffiti by George Lucas and Bill Norton

All About Lily Chou-Chou by Shunji Iwai

Stand by Me by Rob Reiner

The Mudge Boy by Michael Burke

US Go Home by Claire Denis

Gummo by Harmony Korine

L.I.E. by Michael Cuesta

Palo Alto by Gia Coppola

Spetters by Paul Verhoeven

Fox and His Friends by RW Fassbinder

The Pit by Lew Lehman

O Fantasma by João Pedro Rodrigues

The Delta by Ira Sachs

What Have I Done to Deserve This + Law of Desire by Pedro Almodovar

The Partridge Family sitcom tbh lol, also the 70s era of the Mickey Mouse Club, pretty much any 70s media featuring male idols of the time like David Cassidy, Leif Garrett etc

Dazed and Confused by Richard Linklater

The Lost Boys by Joel Schumacher

Y Tu Mamá Tambièn by Alfonso Cuarón

Summer 85 by François Ozon

Les Chansons d'Amour + La Belle Personne by Christophe Honoré

Body Without Soul + Not Angels But Angels by Wiktor Grodecki (personally rly dislike the weird Christian melodramatic & imo exploitative direction of these documentaries bt the boys who are interviewed do the best they can to salvage it -- quintessential East European 90s cityboy looks)

III. Fantasy/Glam/Mystical/Sacred/Ancient/Historical Faunlet Vibes

Pink Narcissus by James Bidgood

Caravaggio + Sebastiane by Derek Jarman

Peter Pan (any version tbh)

Fantasia (1940 Disney classic)

Tabou by Nagisa Oshima

Poison + Velvet Goldmine by Todd Haynes

Party Monster by Fenton Bailey

Satyricon by Federico Fellini

Der Rosenkönig by Werner Schroeter

The Blood of a Poet by Jean Cocteau