White and Blue

I wonder if Ahab was such an obsessive wretch about that white whale because his brother caught a blue one. It must be impossible to get out of the shadow cast by the biggest animal in history. It’d be like having an incredible medical career after your sibling cured cancer. You can save every life you touch, but your parent’s favourite saved every other life.

“Why can’t you be a doctor like your brother?”

“Mom, I’m a world-renowned surgeon.”

“I said ‘like your brother’.”

Best dude who’s dedicated his life to the hunt?

Kraven.

Back in the Paragon City Groove

Despite the fact I hadn’t really spent much time in it since the mid aughts, I never lost my appreciation for the setting of City of Heroes. It captured my heart to an extent most fresh superhero worlds don’t quite reach. I knew there was a novel that took place in its early years, but I was unable to find it in any digital format, which is how I read since I don’t like carrying books around. But I did find an old paperback copy and bought it just in case. That was years ago. 

When quarantine began, I pulled it out since more time at home meant more time to read in a place where the book was anyway. Then I got to the end and discovered there was another book, which I ordered immediately. Of course, in the current situation, it took months to arrive, which actually worked to my taste in the end since the story took place in an era long after that of the first book. 

Anyway, it’s been fun to revisit the world of the first big online game I ever played.

Bonus Question!

Best city for heroes?

If Marvel’s taught me anything, it’s the magnetic pull of New York for anyone with a superpower.

Real Evil Genius

Just watched “Artemis Fowl”. I keep hearing that all of these film houses are so desperate to adapt a fantasy book series into cinema’s next Harry Potter franchise, and people always seem down on it. Meanwhile, I’m here and loving all of it. But they never do well enough to stick around. it took a year or two for me to realize that the “Golden Compass” movie wasn’t getting a sequel. At least we got James McAvoy’s Asriel in the television series.

And “Artemis Fowl” gave us a whole new Josh Gad with a scratchy voice and a demeanour that almost felt like what you’d get if you got Jack Black in a Johnny Depp Halloween costume.

Basically, I’m saying this movie ruled.

Bonus Question!

Best fowl?

Phoenix.

Dust!

Ugh. So. I’ve been relishing “The Secret Commonwealth”, Phillip Pullman’s latest entry in the follow-up trilogy to the His Dark Materials series. I loved those books when I was about 11, and I vividly recall the bittersweet ending that served to metaphorize childhood’s end.

My next visit to that world was in that awkward teenage period where I briefly felt at a complete loss from my child self. That’s when I read the short story about teenage Lyra in her new situation. At that point, I think my general sense of existential dysphoria would have hindered my ability to enjoy “The Secret Commonwealth” this much.

It really explores that bittersweet feeling I associated with the finale of the original trilogy, but since my own personal growth has gone beyond the phase of Lyra’s life that’s on focus in “Commonwealth”, I’m able to enjoy it more fully. What I’m seeing in it is the kind of dissociation from the childhood self that can hamstring development into a contented adulthood. It’s showing the mistakes that can be made along the way and the idea that those mistakes don’t define the person you are or the one you will be. As Lyra’s daemon tries to guide her away from those missteps, she ignores him. But as I moved past my own bad decisions, she begins to pay more heed to her daemon’s guidance.

Honestly, I haven’t finished yet, but I’m eager. Even without that extra metaphor sauce, it’s an awesome read.

Bonus Question!

Any chaser?

At the same time, I’m finally watching “Cardcaptor Sakura”, which has some tonal resonance to the very opening of “The Golden Compass”, wherein a young girl alongside her adviceful and excitable familiar is introduced to a grander and more fantastical world.

New Materials

Oh, man! I loved the Dark Materials books. I loved the aborted film adaptation. I knew I had to check out the new series when it got released, but I didn’t really pay attention to what was going on.

Then I came home and realised it had come out. After beginning it posthaste, I soon discovered that it made at least one subjective improvement.

I want to say this. Daniel Craig’s awesome. No question. I think one of the people who came with me to my first viewing of the film was a firm devotee. Maybe in part because people said he looked like a skinny Dan? But anyway. Craig just never hit me that deep for whatever reason, but I liked Lord Asriel. Especially since snow leopards are awesome. But you know the guy who’s endless fun for me to watch in anything? That’s right. James McAavoy. The new Asriel.

Good start, His Dark Materials television show!

Bonus Question!

What would Professor Xavier’s daemon be?

Owl. Wise and almost regal but potentially sinister.

Of Minotaurs and Meat

The latest book I’ve been reading is something I only found out about through a random Twitter thread in which people were supposed to say what their jobs would be if they switched places with the protagonists of their favourite novels. Some dude said he’d be a minotaur at a burger joint, and I had to ask him for the title. And that’s how I found “Helen and Troy’s Epic Road Quest”. Bit of fantasy. Lots of whimsy. Touch of romance. All great flavours. Solid book.

Bonus Question!

Best minotaur?

I’ve always had a soft spot for Tahngarth.

Guillermo Stories to Tell in the Dark

Remember that Goosebumps movie where all the monsters from the books came to life and attacked some kids? "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark" is basically that without Jack Black. Although "Goosebumps 2" was that too. But this one has the 60s!

And Guillermo del Toro. I just love this dude's approach to horror. And I say that as someone who's not the most fervent horror fan. But he almost works in that Vincent Price tradition of infusing legitimate fright with a subtle soupcon of camp amidst all sorts of supernatural happenstance. That's a flavour I relish, and I can always count on Guillermo to serve it up.

Bonus Question!

Best Toro?

That dude from the Invaders.