Comics Wrap-Up - Giving Off Original Power Rangers Vibes All Around

 

It's Thursday, this is Dora Reads, let's get some comics-y and/or superhero-y goodness!

Nerd Church - The Writer Diaries: I Just Wanna Write Something Beautiful

(Warning: this post briefly discusses Depression)

'Well I wanted something better man

I wished for something new
And I wanted something beautiful
And wish for something true'

- The Foo Fighters, Wheels 

Comics Wrap-Up - The Few Brain Cells Which Might Be Present Go Right Out The Window

 

It's Thursday, it's May, this is Dora Reads, and Comics Wrap-Up is back!

Nerd Church - Basic Levels of Niceness

(Warning: this blogpost discusses low self-worth and mental health problems. It also briefly discusses toxic/abusive friendships.)

"Oh My God! You remembered!" 

She's holding the chocolate orange, still partly covered by reindeer wrapping paper, like it's the most beautiful thing she's ever seen.

"Yeah?" - of course I did, she and our friend spent a good half an hour a month or so back discussing how sad it was that no-one ever gets them chocolate oranges, how much they love chocolate oranges, and that they hadn't had chocolate oranges in forever. 

So, when I was buying their Christmas presents, I bought a couple of chocolate oranges. No brainer; no biggy.

"You're so sweet!"

...Am I?

Friday Fics Fix - I Want The Queer Pirates, So You're All Getting The Queer Pirates

 

'Bonnet looks at him questioningly. “Concussion?”

“Truth serum.”

"Ah, that'd do it..."'

Somehow this month I've ended up rec'ing only The Umbrella Academy (TUA) and Our Flag Means Death (OFMD) fics.

I did have a blogging-related existential crisis when I realised that I was gonna end up rec'ing an OFMD fic again (only the cool people have sub-labels of existential crises, OK?) - but then I decided I didn't care.

Nerd Church - It's Bannau Brycheiniog, Deal With It

In the spirit of friendship with our English neighbours, before we start I would like to wish you all a Happy St. George's Day! (Which is today - 23rd April)

You wouldn't think that a Welsh location having a Welsh place name would be controversial, but here we are...

Wales is full of mountains.

Like, there's so many mountains that most of the time we don't even notice they're mountains, let alone know what they're called. Most of them contain the scars of human industry and/or habitation.

But there are a few mountain ranges - a few national parks, in fact - that aren't untouched by humans, or even untouched by industry, but have kept enough of their own character, and enough tether to the natural world, to be classified as 'wild.'

Like Y Bannau Brycheiniog.

Friday Fics Fix - Not Incompatible With A World In Which Buttons Exists

'...Lucius shrugs. “Yeah, well, you weren’t ever unclear on that being a likely scenario. Also, like, we’re pirates?”

Izzy opens his mouth, then snaps it shut. The logic, simple as it is, is flawless.'

This is an Our Flag Means Death (OFMD) crack fic -

- in so much as you can get a crack fic for this show, given that if the actual canon were written by a fan creator, it would most definitely be classed as a crack fic.

As I mentioned a few weeks ago, OFMD is also known as The Gay Pirate Show - because it has gay pirates. 

...And Taika Waititi, y'know, in case you needed more incentive. 😅😉

Nerd Church - Short Story: The Midday Sun

 

I have a bunch of stories from Medium that I was thinking about posting here once a month-ish, because why not? (Possibly gonna regret asking that! 😅)

This story was originally published by yours truly in the Promptly Written publication on Medium, for the following prompt, set by Ravyne Hawke:

‘Write a ‘moody’ piece around the following:

— a monumental decision
— confusion
— a fork in the road’

The Midday Sun

Image by Ruben from Pixabay 

Friday Fics Fix - Sometimes Things Just Happen That Way

 

'So, for twelve years, all Klaus and Ben had was each other.'

I don't know what it is about this fic...

I can think of dozens of fics just like it, and yet... it stands out.

Sometimes things just happen that way, I guess.

Month In Review(s) - March 2023

 

March 2023 was like the rest of 2023 so far - it effing sucked.

This year is really going down as one of my least favourites atm, and I've got some bad years on record, y'know? *sighs*

Anyhow, a good neighbour - a neighbour who'd been my neighbour since I was a toddler - passed away suddenly.

They were always there, y'know? They came to my brother's wedding and everything.

So that, on top of everything else I've been dealing with this year, was pretty damned horrible.

Nerd Church - The Writer Diaries: When the Words Won't Go Where They're Supposed To

 

You know when you're trying to write something specific, but things just won't quite click?

Like, the thing you're trying to say refuses to come together - you might get close, but you won't get there. You can't quite manage to get the concept across, to communicate what it is you're trying to communicate.

Like... you can feel the thing, lurking in a corner of your brain, trying to free itself. But it just can't quite make that leap.

...That's one of the most irritating feelings you can have when writing.

Or at least, that's what it feels like to me.

There's a special kind of frustration - as a writer - when the words WON'T GO WHERE THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO!

Friday Fics Fix - Random and Slightly Absurd

 

'“We need to go to the park. There’s a wizard there: it’s his fault.” It is hard to know if Ben intends this to be helpful.'

I'm pretty sure there's time loop fanfiction for every fandom.

And ironically, despite being not that into time loops (aside from Happy Death Day, of course,) I keep reading time loop fics (over and over and... 😅)

(If you want to check out some SamBucky in a time loop, check this post out here. You're welcome.)

Nerd Church - The Black Phone: The Film Adaptation of A Horror Masterpiece

 

The Black Phone is one of my favourite short stories of all time, from one of my favourite authors of all time, Joe Hill.

I've read the collection 20th Century Ghosts (where The Black Phone appears,) more times than it's truly a good thing to admit to - it's my comfort reading, don't judge me.

So I love this story. It's a masterpiece.

Not perfect, no - it mentions how fat the villain is at least six times too many, for a start - but a masterpiece, all the same.

And I'm fully prepared to admit that I'm entirely biased when it comes to this story. So be aware of that. 😅

Friday Fics Fix - That Particular Soft-But-Warped Tone

 

'Edward froze, glancing to the corner Stede had gestured to and seeing nothing there. Stede clearly saw something though, because he kept glancing over there...'

I finally got around to watching Our Flag Means Death (OFMD) - it will come as zero surprise to most people that I utterly freaking ADORE it!

And what I do with things I adore, once I run out of canon material, is read fanfiction - let's be honest, I am nothing if not predictable. 😅

(Fandom notes:

Canon is the 'official' stuff in the book/film/TV series/whatever.)

Comics Wrap-Up - They Have Yet To Hire Me As A PR Gal

 

It's Thursday, I can't work out the clocks changing, let's get some comics-y superhero-y goodness!

Poetry: Created

 

This poem was originally published by me in the Medium publication The Brain Is A Noodle, for the writing prompt 'writing as a breathing organism'

Created

‘There is something at work in my soul, which I do not understand.’ — Mary Shelley, Frankenstein

 

Nerd Church - Short Story: A Broken Princess

This is a (very) short story, first published by yours truly in the Medium publication EwhyE after I found it languishing in an old notebook.

Content warning: refs. to violence/murder. 

Also whatever spell my mother put on me to stop me from swearing doesn't seem to work on fiction, so this is quite sweary - and without *'s for once!

Image by Ruth Archer from Pixabay 

Friday Fics Fix - It Just Keeps Getting Colder

'Sam is pretty sure he won’t be getting up again.

“It’s not that bad,” Bucky says, his lips pressed together.

“Bad enough,” Sam rasps.'

Who wants super-angsty SamBucky?

...well that's what you're getting dammit!

The emo spaghetti goblin brain wants what the emo spaghetti goblin brain wants 😅

(Fandom notes:

SamBucky is a romantic and/or sexual relationship, also known as WinterFalcon, between Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes from the MCU (Marvel movies and TV shows - especially The Falcon and The Winter Soldier (TFATWS))

Comics Wrap-Up - A Goddamn Cliffhanger

 

It's Thursday, I'm tired, let's get some comics-y superhero-y goodness!

Nerd Church - The Little Things Are There To Enjoy...

 

It's good to remind ourselves - as often as is necessary - that the little things are there to enjoy.

...By 'ourselves' I obviously mean me - we need to remind me. 😅

Warning/Disclaimer Time: 

I very briefly discuss mental health problems in this blogpost.

I also give opinions on what can contribute to people's mood, so: I'm not any sort of scientific/medical/psychological professional - I'm a chick with personal experience of mental health issues and an internet connection. OK? OK.

The little things contribute so much to our lives.

Our beautiful, messed-up, everyday lives are made up of the bracelet you wore this morning, what you had for breakfast, whether you tripped over the doorstep on your way out, what song is playing on the radio... etc. etc.

Friday Fics Fix - In Typical Hargreeves Fashion

 

'Klaus applauded. No one joined him. No matter. He beamed brightly.

“So. Who wants to kill me?”

His siblings’ horrified faces peered back at him.'

 

Warning: this post briefly discusses suicide, in relation to the content of the fanfiction discussed.

I love the way fandom creators use source material.

I love their interpretations of both characters and plot points. I love it when they write novel-length fics, and I love it when those novel-length fics are written well.

It's just... breath-taking, isn't it? How characters and stories have their own lives, away from the source material. How the interaction of fan and material can create something new and special.

Comics Wrap-Up - Somehow, Again

 

It's Thursday, (somehow, again,) this is Dora Reads, let's get some comics-y superhero-y goodness!

Month In Review(s) - February 2023

 

What can I say about February?

As February tends to do, because of the length, it kind of zipped past.

It was not as bad as January for yours truly (because that, unfortunately, would take some beating,) but it was still full of more downs than ups, really.

I struggle when the people I love are struggling, dearest nerdlets, I really do.

And I tend to turn those feelings back on myself - like if I was just 'good enough' then things would be better, if I knew what I was doing with my life then things would be better, if I was just fundamentally 'better' then things would be better.

Objectively, I know that is a pile of b*llsh**.

Subjectively, I feel it.

Nerd Church - Sometimes, This Is OK

I don't know what I'm writing but I hope it'll turn out OK. 

I'm literally just typing things and hoping it turns into a blogpost at this point.

Wish me luck.

Thoughts are hard to form, sometimes. 

Let alone trying to write something insightful, pithy, witty, or just plain worth it.

Sometimes I put way too much pressure on myself and on this blog. 

Not everything I write has to have some deep meaning behind it.

(I know - you wouldn't think it for by reading some of my posts on such heavy-weight topics as fanfiction and weird superhero videos I found on the Interwebs. 😅 )

Friday Fics Fix - That Kind Of Angst

'Though he can barely recall most details from his childhood, and his entire 20s are a blur, Klaus’s memories of Vietnam are so vivid that he can still feel Dave’s rough fingertips on his skin when he closes his eyes...'

 

 

In my defence - 

which is always a great way to start a blogpost

- the level of angst in this fic is such that originally I wasn't going to rec it.

But then the fic that I was going to rec turned out to be unavailable, so I thought 'f**k it, they're getting the angst!'

Comics Wrap-Up - Not Expecting This Level of Wholesomeness

It's Thursday, I am juggling metaphorical plates (cos I'd drop the real ones,) so let's get some superhero-y comics-y goodness!

Nerd Church - Increasingly Post/Apocalyptic Situations

Warning: this post discusses current events so mentions a lot of potentially distressing topics, including, but not limited to: war, child labour, train accidents, Covid.

WTF is actually going on?

The 2020s are something else, honestly.

Someone needs to turn reality off and turn it back on again - simulation or not, this sh** is glitching.

Friday Fics Fix - A Freaking Behemoth of a FrostIron Fanfic

'“How am I supposed to help if you’re off in the land of the God-Complex?”

Loki’s lips thinned, but any glare was lost on Stark who had his back to him.'

I'm a fan of novel-length fics, I'm a fan of FrostIron. Put the two together?

Oh boy, do I have a treat for you.

Comics Wrap-Up - Aesthetically Similar Creations

It's Thursday, somehow it's March, let's get some comics-y superhero-y goodness!

Micropoetry - December 2022 + January 2023

It's still February, so this post is not late 😉

So, with no further ado to-do (...I don't know either,) let's get some Micropoetry.

As always, the poetry will be in the alt-text for those using screen-readers, with / marks showing the line breaks.

Nerd Church - The Roald Dahl Edits Are Capitalism, Actually

Warning: this post discusses general bigotry, as well as more detailed anti-Semitism and racism, and other related topics. 

Links may include distressing content.

I'm Welsh, bookish, and a rebel - of course I'm going to talk about the Roald Dahl edits. 😅

Friday Fics Fix - It's SamBucky Time!

'“Like deja-vu?” Sam asks, confusion evident in his voice.

“Yeah but for the whole day.” They’re silent for a moment, Sam looking like he doesn’t know what to say, so Bucky tries again. “Like we’re in a time loop,” he says finally.'

You can find time-loop fics for pretty much any fandom, and The Falcon and The Winter Soldier (TFATWS) is no exception.

Though it isn't so much of a thing for TFATWS as it is for, say... the horror film Ready or Not. Where the fandom has decided that time loops will both be a thing, and be the primary premise of 80% of the fics available. 

...Lol. I love fandom.

(If you're not sure what a time loop is, check out the TV Tropes page here.)

Comics Wrap-Up - Multi-Coloured Teletubby-Looking Spacesuits

It's Thursday, I am tired, let's get some comics-y superhero-y goodness right here on Dora Reads

Nerd Church - Brianna Ghey

(WARNING: This post discusses the violent death of a Trans child, i.e. the murder of Brianna Ghey, and related topics, including but not limited to - Transphobia, systemic Transphobia, hate crimes, misgendering, deadnaming.

Any links may likewise contain distressing material.)

There is only one topic that I could see myself writing about this week.

The thing that has haunted so many LGBTQ+ people in the UK and beyond. The murder of Brianna Ghey.

Friday Fics Fix - A Beautiful Ball of Demons and Horror

'Yoon Hwa Pyung had no idea how to use a rosary.

When he came to on the pitching deck of a small fishing boat, salt in his mouth and sun beating down on his face, he registered distantly the feeling of beads digging into the skin of his left wrist, a metal cross dug deep into his palm.'

The Guest (also known, in English, as Son: The Guest or Hand: The Guest) is a Korean drama from 2018.

...I found it on Netflix and couldn't stop watching it dammit!

It's a beautiful ball of demons and horror and angst and hope and... argh! I loved it.

Comics Wrap-Up - The Flash, And Metaphorical Room Elephants

It's Thursday, I'm tired, let's get some comics-y superhero-y goodness!

Month In Review(s) - January 2023

January was hell.

I got some Very Bad news about a very close family member.

The 'it doesn't get better' kind of news.

I'm not really ready to go into it, further than saying I've found myself becoming a carer again. Yay.

So January was enough to say that 2023 is a bad year. Straight off.

I'm just hoping it stays at this level of bad and doesn't get worse. I can just about cope if it does that.

Nerd Church - Versions of History

Warning: this post discusses various historical shenanigans, which means it ends up covering topics including but not limited to: racism, Homophobia, colonisation, and war.

The phrase 'revisionist history' is one I've seen crop up from time to time, usually from someone right-wing and ill-informed, when people are discussing diversity in history.

Since it's LGBT+ History Month here in the UK, and Black History Month in the USA (the UK's is in October,) - I've seen it more than once, in my online travellings, since the start of February.

And it's irritating.

So...

For all those who assume that European history, in particular, looks a certain way, a few snapshots in time, from across the continent:

Friday Fics Fix - You Know I Love Me Some Weird

 

'There was an argument happening some ways away, Diego and Luther throwing another one of their hissy fits. Klaus was too high to follow what was being said even if he could see every molecule of air vibrating at its own frequency.'

This one's weird.

Good weird? Bad weird?

I don't honestly know.

But it's weird. And you know I love me some weird 😅

Comics Wrap-Up - Lucy Liu On A Dragon

It's Thursday, this is Dora Reads, let's get some of that comics-y superhero-y goodness!

Nerd Church - The Best and Worst of Humanity

Warning: this post talks trolls and bigots, but mostly in the abstract sense

The internet is an interesting cesspit.

The best and the worst of humanity in one place.

(Thank God it's not still 2016 - for graphic imagery and threats, that year has thankfully yet to be beaten for me.)

Friday Fics Fix - Bucky Barnes Is Not Leaving

'“This isn’t some true-crime podcast, alright?”

Sam blinks again, taken aback by the sudden anger in Bucky’s tone. He opens his mouth, closes it, then opens it again to ask, “Who taught you about podcasts?”'

 

Should I be concerned, do you think, that this isn't the first time I've rec'd a The Falcon and The Winter Soldier (TFATWS) fanfic where Bucky's the ghost in a haunted house, and Sam has to deal with this sh**?

Meh, I guess it's not the weirdest fanfic trope that's out there. (Please, if you know what the weirdest trope is - DON'T tell me, I want to preserve what's left of my web-based innocence 😅)

Comics Wrap-Up - She Has The Kawaii Dumpster Fire On Her Desk

It's Thursday, it's February, let's get some comics-y superhero-y goodness!

Nerd Church - The Writer Diaries: Purpose and Existential Crises

 

I'm used to an existential crisis or two in my life. I usually have at least one a week.

(And the more naive among you probably think I'm joking, or exaggerating in some way. *laughs in hysterical Queer millennial*)

But one of the few things I've never doubted is my purpose - reading, and writing.

...But whether to fulfil that purpose? 

What fulfilling that purpose looks like? Whether that purpose means anything, in the grand scheme of things? Whether I'm destined to fail in that purpose? Why this is my purpose? Whether we are all doomed to meaninglessness in a universe that dissolves into entropy, and if that is the case, then whether writing some silly little poems or stories is actually worth anything...

...OK. I think you get the gist.

Friday Fics Fix - It's Not His Fault He's Not Umbrella Ben!

 

'Klaus was used to the floor tilting under his feet.'

 

I finished watching series 3 of The Umbrella Academy (TUA) this week - so obviously I'm now in desperate for more TUA content.

Because - as is well established by this point - I am trash.

Comics Wrap-Up - Some Sort Of Rundown On the State of Reality

It's Thursday, I'm trying not to fall back on overworking as an unhealthy coping mechanism in stressful times, let's get some comics-y superhero-y goodness!

Nerd Church - Learn ALL The Languages!

I really like languages, OK?

I like to play with them, twist them, turn them, taste them, learn them.

(And yes, I do literally mean taste them - synaesthesia.)

So... I put Duolingo on my phone a while back. (Not sponsored - sadly.)

It wasn't a 'New Year's Resolution' type deal-y. I don't do those, and besides, it was late last year when I randomly decided to get Duolingo.

Friday Fics Fix - As The Fanfiction Gods Intended...

'“It's been a year, Buck,” he said. “I hate seein’ you like this. When was the last time you talked to someone other than me?”

“I talked to Nat last week,” Bucky muttered, knowing it was a poor excuse.'

OK, who wants SamBucky with a side-helping of Veterans' Association AU, featuring Nebula, Clint Barton, Peter Parker and more...?

Welp, that's what you're getting!

(I know what's good for you, dearest nerdlets, just accept it!)

(Fandom notes:

SamBucky is a romantic and/or sexual relationship between Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes from the MCU (Marvel movies + TV shows)

AU = Alternate Universe. It is a universe that is alternate.)

Comics Wrap-Up - You Can 100% Guarantee I Need Klaus Hargreeves

It's Thursday, this week has been truly awful for me, so let's get some superhero-y comics-y goodness!

Nerd Church - You Can't Do All of the Things, All of the Time (And That's OK)

 

I feel like it's a good time of year to remind myself of something:

I only have two hands.

Now, obviously, that makes sense literally (for me, at least) - but it works on a metaphorical/figurative type of way too.

I can only do what I can do - I only have so many hours in a day, so much energy to expend, so many resources to draw on... I only have two hands.