Trish is excited that her upcoming new release has already made it at the top of the new releases for African American Science Fiction.
Jeremy is working like crazy to finish editing the Night Covenants Audiobook. It’s currently offering a chance for him to cool off from writing steamy superhero romance.
This month in Pop-Culture History
- 1972-Misty Knight makes her premiere in Marvel Team-Ups #1
- 1985- Robotech premiered in US syndication,
- 1998-Titanic became the first film to gross over 1 billion dollars worldwide,
Geek Outs
Trish’s Geek Out!
If you’re wanting a little more Woo in your life, look no further than the Glow Girl podcast! Two midwest moms talk about the ins, outs and slightly crass side of Astrology and Tarot while being incredibly down to earth in the process. Though raised in a conservative Christian home, I’ve been yearning for something a bit more Female empowering in my spirituality. I was never sure where to start and decided “Why not just start with Wicca” last fall. Though it doesn’t quite fit me, I’ve fallen in love with crystals, oracle cards, and Astrology, not to mention Goddess culture in general, as a way to expand on the restrictive faith of my childhood. I know it sounds woo-woo, and that’s why the Glow Girls call it Woo. Seriously, it is a little woo-woo, and I’m ok with that.
Jeremy’s Geek Out!
In the pursuit of superhero shows that aren’t Marvel and DC action-packed extravaganzas, we have a new trend that is happening. I Am Not Okay With This is Netflix providing a story that focuses on character development and not the over-the-top action. Created by the same team that brought us Stranger Things, this show focuses on a Sydney, a teenage girl who doesn’t fit in. Drawing on the universal feeling of isolation in the teen years, this show goes a step beyond puberty and adds budding superpowers. The show has some flaws overall. It’s dangerously close to Stranger Things, awkward kids, doing awkward things and a young female with telekinesis. The other major downfall is that it is only seven episodes long and just and just as the plot finds a direction, it ends. It’s obvious that Netflix is splitting the season to help spread out their content, but the cliff hanger is irksome.
Deep Dive
What’s the difference between genders in iconic superheroes?
There are numerous reasons why a hero can make it to icon status. It can be the writer, the artist, or even the reader who propels them to this legendary status, but there’s an unfair uphill battle that female characters face.
Trish and Jeremy discuss the two powerhouses of DC, Superman & Batman. While Superman embodies the hopes we have for humanity and our needs to always be in the right, Batman operates in the gray area of morality. We want Superman’s hope, but we want Batman’s ability to persevere when there is no easy answer.
For Marvel, there is Wolverine and Deadpool. Wolverine is the loner whose internal struggle is between being a human and submitting to the animalistic rage. We understand his anger, and ultimately hope that he manages to find peace and happiness. Where as Deadpool has exactly zero F*cks to give. He’s the man readers which they could be in the real world, no filter, no care for consequences. Deadpool has the unique trait of being the newer superhero and has quickly risen to icon status.
For the women both Trish and Jeremy noticed something different. Storm and Ms. Marvel aren’t frequently knocked back to the status quo, they’re more often clawing their way for acceptance. Storm is an iconic black goddess who even in her darkest hour holds a semblance of grace. Without her powers she still finds an identity that rivals her male counterparts. Ms. Marvel, with a tragic back story (tragic as in sexist) had to bide her time until writer Chris Claremont used her for more than a prop. Despite being torn down over and over, she manages to become a hero that is now recognized by the masses. While the men often lose their powers to learn lessons, these women lose their powers to keep them in check. However, no writer can keep them down as they are propelled into the limelight and cherished by fans.
For more on the women: Superwomen: Gender, Power and Representation
Question of the Week
Who do you feel is an iconic superhero and why?
