Dora Reads is the book blog of a Bookish Rebel, supporting the Diversity Movement, bringing you Queer views and mental health advocacy, slipping in a lot of non-bookish content, and spreading reading to the goddamn world! :)
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'(Don’t worry, if you were, which you weren’t. He’s fine; some poor kid found him in a ditch, pretending to be a dead body in the name of science.)'
You can't be a blogger without being at least a little bit obsessed with blogging. You can deny it if you like, but it's true. We all have a serious fascination with the slightly weird processes which combine to make this thoroughly modern medium. (...and that was a weird sentence! *shrugs*)
I was watching the BBC version of Hamlet starring Andrew Scott the other day (y'know, the Irish guy who plays Moriarty?) and a thought popped into my head:
This week's fic made me metaphorically punch the air. Because dudes - yes!
This fic is one of those which you don't need to be all that familiar with the fandom itself to enjoy - which is good because it's from the re-booted MacGyver fandom, which is kind of smaller than most fandoms.
Recently I've seen two TV programmes which really hammered home how much we still need to improve on gender equality in the 21st Century.
The first was the BBC's 'No More Boys and Girls' where plans were put in place to counteract negative gender stereotyping in a class of seven and eight-ish year-olds*
*yes, 'ish' because I really can't remember. They were smol, ok?
In fandom, anything that can be shipped eventually will be shipped.
Which is both awesome and terrifying when you think about it. 👍😅
(Fangirling notes: fandom is here used as a collective term for fans.
Shipping is wanting two (or more) characters to be in a romantic or sexual relationship. This may or may not conform to the official materials, known as canon.)
In the wake of a whole lotta stupid coming out of the US in terms of policy this month, let's take a look at some excellent webcomics/cartoons/art from the webs, which make the world a better place.
(I'm embedding tweets here, and I've never done that before - so let's hope this works!)
First, let's let Ms. Marvel, aka Kamala Khan, show us how it's done:
My dear friend @TheKeyThief's art is being shared around the world as a call to arms. If you want a printable version for protests DM her!! pic.twitter.com/HFM4HVT3l3
This week, I read Julio's Day by Gilbert Hernandez (UK - US,) which I've wanted to read since I did my Latinx graphic novels post a little while back.
It was... well, it was freaking weird, in all honesty, but I still really enjoyed it.
There was more sex and gore in there than I was expecting though! Not that there was a lot - there wasn't - but still more than I expected. And some m/m-ness, which was unexpected but awesome.
Other Stuff
Not much else to share with you this week, but a few things: I read this review of the superhero series Legends of Tomorrow by Jessica @ Rabid Reads.
Regular readers of DORA will remember that I adore Legends - not least because of the beautiful and awesome-sauce Sara Lance :)
(Just to be clear - I love Supergirl. I also love this post. It doesn't undermine Supergirl, just points out places where the show can make things better.)
Apparently there's a dude in America who likes to write comic-strip style Christian fundamentalist tracts.
Now, neither I nor anybody else would mind if these were just happy little stories celebrating the Christian faith.
Unfortunately, as can be seen in the post, they are pretty horrible things which claim that Halloween, neo-paganism, Harry Potter, etc., are all demonic and evil.
This is particularly unfair for people who practice Wicca, witchcraft, or any other type of neo-paganism (which is completely unlike fantasy-story witches - can we please differentiate between folklore, fantasy fiction, and real people who follow real pagan religions? Thanks.)
Whenever I see something as ignorant as this bloke, I really want to bash my head repeatedly against my laptop!!!
That's about it for me this week guys: be excellent to each other!
Even for us unlucky folks who may very well never make it to the holiest of nerd-pilgrimage sites which isSan Diego Comic Con (SDCC,)(dude, it's expensive!) this uber-celebration of geekery is important for all of us who love the nerdy-stuffs!
And, due to the magic of the interwebs (particularly YouTube) we can share in the goodies that are the interviews, announcements, and reveals of the event.
(And there's loads of them! Yay!)
This week's wrap-up is a look at some of the awesome things coming out SDCC - not all of it though, because, dude, I'm human!
So here are my picks of the fresh vids and news of SDCC, as well as the usuals from my week faffing around the medium of comics.
Film Trailers
Second Doctor Strange trailer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!
(Still can't get over Benedict Cumberbatch & that accent though.
Like when Martin Freeman was putting on a Yank accent in Captain America: Civil War.
Reckon they'll end up in a movie together? With their awkward American accents and everything... lol!)
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This teaser-type-trailer for Suicide Squad was actually released last week - but I only saw it this week, so it counts under this week's wrap-up. Because I said so. ;)
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The trailer many people were waiting for was for Wonder Woman:
I have to ask though... is that supposed to be WW1 or WW2? Because there are parts that kind of look like both to me...
Anyway, this looks like it could be pretty cool... or not. Let's hope for cool ;)
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There was also footage released of the upcoming Justice League movie.
I'm really not sure about this one... for several reasons that it would take too long to go into here but which start with Ben Affleck and the Batman costume, and move through various niggling points from there.
But what you gonna do? DC man, DC.
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And last but not least, we have the character-focussed Suicide Squad trailers which've been released over the past week, featuring Deadshot, Harley Quinn, and The Joker:
DEADSHOT
HARLEY
THE JOKER
TV Trailers
I love this trailer for Legion. Legion is an X-men character who really hasn't been explored all that much - but has so much potential.
I'm glad FX have decided to pick this up. (Though of course, I still mourn the loss of the 'Marvel's Agent Carter' series.)
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There are SPOILERS for the most recent series of Gotham in this next vid - a show-reel of the craziness we went through last series, and a glimpse of the next series to come.
If you don't watch Gotham then why the hell not?! Seriously. Go think about your life choices ;) (and then watch it.)
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There are also SPOILERS for the previous series of Arrow in this next vid:
Much as it pains me to say this - and it does pain me, of all the DC series this is one of my faves, and I'd even put it ahead of some Marvel properties (Gasp!) - I think this series has more than run its course.
I may be wrong - and lord knows I'd be happy to be - but it feels like we've actually come to not one but two natural endings over the course of the last 4 series, and now we're trying to reinvigorate something which maybe should've just been let be. #JustSaying
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Annnnnddd this vid has SPOILERS for the previous season of The Flash:
Fans: Barry, don't do the thing.
Characters: Barry, why did you even TRY to do the thing?
The forces of good storytelling: Barry, please don't do the thing, please!
Everyone: FOR GOD'S SAKE BARRY, DON'T DO THE THING.
Barry: ...Guys? ...I did the thing...
Hopefully they can fix this, and not make it too irritating while they're doing it *buries fangirling head in hands* - we live in hope.
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Some SPOILERS in this vid too, for the previous series of DC's Legends of Tomorrow:
Oh my gosh, this looks like it's going to be so GOOD! :)
One of my favourite things about Legends is that it's essentially the dregs of a bunch of DC shows cobbled together. It really shouldn't work. BUT GOD IT DOES.
*Brief interlude for me to hop about like the insane fangirl that I am*
Seriously, whoever decided to take a chance on this wacky beauty of a show - well done!
Other Stuff
I found this interview with G Willow Wilson (Ms. Marvel writer) uber-interesting - check it out:
This includes a discussion of Millar's repertoire with regards to people of colour (PoC) and female characters, as well as his track-record when it comes to inclusions of rape in storylines.
There are some very interesting points made. I don't agree with all of them, but, then, when do I ever?
I certainly understand the trepidation over Millar's potential plans with this latest character, but also think that Millar has a reputation as a boundary-pusher. No, I don't always agree with his decisions (no way, no how!) but do I think we need boundary-pushers in comics? Hell yes!
Likewise, though, we need people like Stephanie Tran to question the decisions those boundary-pushers make, and explore the repercussions of the representations they decide to portray.
So yes, I understand the trepidation and worry about what Millar may or may not do with a black female Kick-Ass, but personally I reserve judgement until we've had a chance to see what Millar actually comes up with.
Never say I don't provide you guys with variety. :)
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UK people can see a documentary - we Brits do love a good docky-wocky ;) - on 'Britain's Favourite Superhero' on Channel 4 @ 7.30pm on Saturday, 30th July.
It features Stan Lee. You have to love Stan Lee. It's the rules.
This week I've reviewed two pretty cool (and fairly different to each other,) graphic novels.
Disney's Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland, Vol 1 (US) (also available in a 2 volume collected edition: US - UK) by Jun Abe is a manga graphic novel from Tokyopop. Alice fans will love it.
Luna the Vampire: Grumpy Space (UK - USA) by Yasmin Sheikh is full of a quirky and off-beat sense of humour that suited me down to the ground (or should that be 'up to space'...?)
I also read Monstress, Vol 1: The Awakening (UK - US) and IT'S SOOOOO GOOD!
I'll be fangirling over it writing a review of it soon. But... WOW! Really. Wow.
Other Stuff
Michelle @ Tea & Titles wrote a fab post about 'The Cutest Comics of Ever: Part 1'which included comics that I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for from now on :)
Couple more X-men: Apocalypse teaser trailers/clips/whatever you wanna call 'ems for ya this week.
POOR KURT!!!! NIGHTCRAWLER IS SO SWEET AND YOU'RE BEING SO HORRIBLE TO HIM. LEAVE HIM ALONE. NOW.
HE'S A SWEETIE, SO YOU LEAVE HIM THE F**K ALONE!!!!!!!
This one was also pretty cool, despite the fact that I'm not much of a Cyclops fan (he can burn through anything... except his eyelids or red-glass. The logic is missing here.)
Film
Just to let you all know - I finally got to see Captain America: Civil War. And I loved it!
People who follow me on Twitter might have noticed that I wasn't having a great day depression-wise on Monday, so thank whoever invented best friends, pizza, and superheroes, that I got to have all three!
Single Issues
I read Avengers #1 The Heroic Age (UK - US) from the 2010-2012 run.
It was enjoyable - although there was much meddling with the time-stream (because that always goes well, doesn't it...) and references to every weird-a*s big Marvel event of the 00s. Of which there were many.
Plus, it was the Bucky-is-Captain-America period, and also includes Steve Rogers.
Just go with it. Honestly, just go with it. It's easier that way. You question wtf is going on in comics and your head will explode.
Other Stuff
I put my two-pennies in on why superhero movies need to be a force for change, with my post'Be Brave, Be Bold' yesterday, which was at least partially inspired by me going to see Captain America: Civil War.
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Katie Cunningham @ Women Write About Comicswrote an interesting post about LGBTQ+ superheroines - and how younger characters shouldn't always have to be straight.
I agree with a lot of the points Desiree Rodriguez makes, but have to argue with her assessment of Agents of Shield's Jaiying in particular, which I think she's over-simplified here.
There are various spoilers in this post for pretty much all of the TV shows/films mentioned, so skip out the bits about ones you haven't seen yet ;)
You know me guys, I love my superheroes. You know what though? Superheroes on TV are really getting their sh** together in terms of diversity. And it rocks.
Marvel's Agent Carter is one of my favourite TV shows. Peggy Carter's cool, and she kicks a*s. She doesn't take sh**.
Also, and fantastically in my opinion, if she gets in a fight? Her hair isn't magically OK the next minute. It's tousled. It's out of place. It's realistic!
Yes, we have a TV show that allows its female lead to have messy hair if she's been in hand-to-hand combat! This is the way forward dammit!!!
Also, being set in the 40s, it doesn't ignore the prejudice against women of the period. In fact, Peggy uses it to her advantage. And successfully runs rings round the dudes in the process.
Seriously, Peggy Carter is a feminist hero if ever there was one.
And of course, she's not the only one:
Agents of Shield is brimming with female bada*ses - Melinda May, Jemma Simmons, Bobby Morse, and Skye/Daisy.
Arrow has the butt-kicking Black Canary and Thea/Speedy.
Legends of Tomorrow has both White Canary and Hawkgirl.
And of course, Supergirl is pretty damned cool herself.
OK, aside from the 'my superpowers/the super-villains have damaged me for an episode or two' we don't see too many long-term disabilities in superhero TV shows.
What we do have my friends is Agents of Shield'sLeo Fitz - who (*mild spoiler*) becomes brain-damaged while saving himself and Jemma Simmons.
I defy anyone to not be genuinely touched by actor Iain de Caestecker's performance. It's amazing.
But he isn't OK by the next episode. It takes him a long time (like a whole series) to feel close to 'normal' again.
And even now, with that storyline all but by the way-side, he stumbles over words and clicks his fingers while he's trying to find the right one.
I'm sure a lot of people don't even notice it, but the fact that they've left it in means that they haven't just conveniently forgotten his disability. Which rocks.
And Fitz himself? A genius scientist with an all-consuming love for Ms Simmons? He keeps rocking it, and keeps getting better and better at it.
OK, things could definitely be better in terms of non-white people in leading roles in superhero shows. I get that.
But there are moves forward. And good ones at that.
John Diggle/Spartan is a main part of the Arrow team, and an invaluable friend to Oliver Queen from almost the very start of the series.
Cisco Ramon/Vibe is one of the most beloved characters from The Flash. He's also a genius, funny as all hell, and has a good heart.
'Mack' from Agents of Shield is moving further and further into the limelight as the series moves forward.
Melinda May, also from Shield, is Chinese-American, and the character of Daisy/Skye (who, aside from Phil Coulson, is the closest thing to a lead that the ensemble cast of Agents of Shield has,) has a Chinese mother.
And Barry Allen was raised by the West family - an African-American father-and-daughter duo who remain an integral part of The Flash's set-up.
There are plenty of other examples too, but the point is that the more we have non-white characters who rock, the better it's going to be :)
There aren't many LGBTQ+ characters in superhero shows. I don't know why.
The most prominent is Sara Lance, aka Arrow's first Black Canary, and Legends of Tomorrow'sWhite Canary. She's had romance-moments with Oliver Queen, but her longest relationship was with her girlfriend, Nyssa Al Ghul.
Sara's a bad-a*s bisexual assassin, with a minor killing addiction. She rocks. But she's also kind of scary.
Elsewhere, we have the police captain from The Flash who is engaged to his boyfriend and bemoaning planning the wedding. A minor character, yes, but it's nice to see an LGBTQ+ character in a position of authority which stereotypically would usually be seen as too 'macho' for a gay character.
There's also Curtis, a gay black man, who works for Felicity Smoak in Arrow.
Room for Improvement
Yes, there's definitely room for more diversity in superhero shows. Particularly in terms of LGBTQ+, disability, and mental health (which is hardly, if ever, mentioned in superhero shows.)
There's also room for more main characters who aren't white, or male.
But there have been strides forward. And we have to celebrate the baby steps if we want the bigger steps to follow.
And, overall, I'm proud of the superhero TV shows - a lot of genres aren't doing this well in terms of diversity, and the efforts of the superhero shows blend seamlessly with the characters and plots we all love.
Hopefully, some of this will rub off on other genres, and on the movie arms of the Marvel and DC stables. Like this post? Try these:
I'll be 
