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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Uber-short Doctor Strange trailer for you my dear nerdlets:
Graphic Novels
This week I read Who Killed Kurt Cobain? - The Story of Boddah (UK - US) by Nicolas Otero.
This is pretty dark, very graphic, mightily weird, and could probably do with being sealed in a child-proof 'Trigger Warning' box to ensure readers are suitably prepared... but for all that, I really liked it!
I quite enjoyed this dose of m/m-yaoi manga, but I did have some issues with it - little things like relationships which start with a punch to the face not being a great example.
The references to self-harm and suicide being a part of emo culture seemed a little too flippant/treated too lightly/over-simplifying for my liking.
That said - I totally binged on it, so it must be doing something right!
Marvel made a Doctor Strange trailer that makes 2 different trailers! One when it's played forwards, and one when it's reversed.
It's called 'Strange's Time' (yes, the trailer has it's own title, but to be fair, whoever made it is probably pretty chuffed with themselves right now.)
Here it is played forwards:
Annnnd here it is in reverse:
And just because I like your robot, dear nerdlets, here's the new TV spot for Doctor Strange too:
TV Trailers
Dudes, the next series of DC's Legends of Tomorrow looks EPIC!!!!
As a reminder: this is the series which totally shouldn't work but does - a ragtag spinoff with minor characters from CW's DC pantheon, along with him-off-Dr-Who (otherwise known as Arthur Darvill, here playing Rip Hunter,) and a flying time machine.
We also have one of the only LGBTQ+ superheroes to ever make it on screen(and still be LGBTQ+ - Harley Quinn, Mystique, Loki, et al. had that part of their identity erased when transferred to screen)- the amazing and beautiful Sara Lance, aka the White (formerly the Black) Canary.
Yes, my dearest nerdlets, this looks pretty damned cool:
Graphic Novels
This week I read and reviewed Ghoul Scouts: Night of the Unliving Undead (UK - US.)
This is a fun and zombie-filled kids/all-ages graphic novel, which I enjoyed a helluva lot more than I thought I would!
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.
Baboushka is a Russian lady-mafia-boss slash spy slash assassin slash whatever-she-needs-to-be-at-the-time. Yes, there are definite comparison points with our beloved Black Widow, but I was actually quite impressed at how original Baboushka managed to feel.
Other Stuff
I love, love, love this MTV After Hours 'X-Men: Apocalypse Group Therapy Session' - it's hilarious.
Ooh, but there's swearing and dirty jokes, so maybe not for watching without a pair of reliable headphones? Or maybe not in public? Just a precaution.
Yet more X-Men: Apocalypse TV ads and film clips this week. Not that I'm complaining. ;)
(Although, it does make you wonder, just a little, how much unseen footage the film will actually have.)
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...D'aww, sad-face Magneto >.<
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I love the next one. Jubilee doing a cheesy 80s commercial for Xavier's school (with a familiar voice-over at the end!)
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And someone in the editing department for this next one? Thanks for all the interaction between the characters and the critics' quotes - my film-nerd side is very happy :)
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And this last one? Dun-dun-duuuunnn! :)
Graphic Novels
This week I read Codename Baboushka, Volume 1: The Conclave of Death (UK - US,) which is about a Russian lady-mafia-boss slash spy slash assassin slash whatever-she-needs-to-be-at-the-time.
Comparisons with Marvel's Black Widow are inevitable (and valid,) but I enjoyed it, and I'll be reviewing it very soon. :)
Plus, the cover looks the poster for a spy movie: I mean, look at that!
(This is Batman. Being disappointed in Cap. This is what you've reduced me to Marvel. Me - a lifelong Marvel-girl - using an animated DC gif. Of Batman. Because I can't even look at you right now. I hope you're happy.)
Marvel, would you honestly rather Cap was a f**king Nazi than non-heterosexual?
Are we seriously having this f**king discussion?!?!
Just do what the people want. Get your heads out of your a**es and allow the comics to go back to not be freaking insane. Let Cap stand up for his ideals and not be a Nazi(for f**ks sake, how did we get to this point?)
Film Trailers
Yet more X-Men: Apocalypse film clips/TV ads/stuff like that :) Woop!
Look at Prof X's little frowny face in that one :(
D'aww ;)
Anyhow, on to the next one...
Love Quicksilver at the end of this next one...
...he makes me laugh :)
Graphic Novels
I haven't actually read or reviewed any graphic novels this week.
But in the spirit of Mental Health Awareness Week in the UK, and Mental Health Month in the US, I'm going to refer you lot to Echoes by Joshua Hale Fialkov(UK - US)
I reviewed this last month, and it's excellent.
It features a schizophrenic protagonist and challenges pre-conceptions about mental illness, while being damned creepy t'boot.
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 ;)
A couple of X-Men: Apocalypse teasers/TV ads/whatever you want to call them for you - because clearly nerd-dom wasn't riled up enough about superheroes this month already ;)
Graphic Novels
This week, I read Klaw: The First Cycle (UK - US) - a pretty unique take on shape-shifters and the Chinese zodiac, with some superhero-origin-story action creeping in as well.
It was pretty cool - not earth-shattering, but interesting and readable.
A full review will be up in a month or so (I know, I'm cruel, making you wait :P .)
Other Stuff
I read this short review of Gotham Academy Vol 2 (UK - US) from Magdalena @ A Bookish Swede, which reminded me that I need to get my hands on this series at some point.
The final trailer for X-Men: Age of Apocalypse, is here. Stand-by for extreme fangirling:
OHMYGOD THIS LOOKS SO FAB, MYSTIQUE IS ON THE GOOD-SIDE AND APOCALYPSE LOOKS NUTTIER THAN A SQUIRREL'S HOARD!!!!
PLUS - THE CLAWS!!!!!!! AT THE END - LOOK AT THE FREAKING CLAWS!!!!!!!!
X-MEN VERSION OF QUICKSILVER!!!! DUDE IS SO AWESOME!!!!
KURT, EVER-LOVING NIGHTCRAWLER, WAGNER!!!!!!
In case you hadn't noticed, I'm a little bit excited. Graphic Novels
This week, I reviewedI Hate Fairyland, Volume 1 (UK - US). I love Gert and her wacky green hair and completely cynical (and more than slightly demented) outlook on life :)
I've decided to put my review for Luna The Vampire Vol 1: Grumpy Space (UK - US) back a month or two so that it goes up closer to the release date for this title.
My review of Blood Stain, Volume 1 (UK - US,) which I told you all about last week, is, at the time of writing, the most popular post of all time on my blog, which kind of rocks :)
