Monthly Archives: March 2011

anime, goodness, humor

Old manga blog!

Turns out I’ve already posted the other blogs I wrote for the comics website on this, my very own blog as well.  All but this one about manga, which is hilarious and was totally topical in May of 2010 when I first wrote it.

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If you don’t read manga, I don’t blame you.  But here’s one reason why you might want to check it out (or do any other number of crazy things): a pretty lady.

ABORT ABORT ABORT

There’s been a small fuss raised over a mangaka (Japanese comic book artist) recently.  Mostly because she’s cute.  And because she’s a she (those of you calling “Screenshot or it didn’t happen!” can see evidence of said cuteness here).  Which is a big deal because when people think of manga, they picture something like Wing Bird (see horrifying cover art at right).  Then when you tell them it’s not all nudity and violence, they call you a liar and an otaku freak, and the horribly scarring pointing and laughing ensues.

Here’s an example of a conversation I’ve had with an average, non-manga reader (let’s just call him Some Jerk):

SJ– [nose crinkle] Man-guh?
Me– Yeah, it’s like comics, but they’re little books, and they’re black and white.  And they’re Japanese.
SJ– Oh, Japanese?  Like hentai?  Eew, tentacle penis monster!
Me– No no, that’s not what manga is!
SJ– Yeah it is, I saw that one Parasyte once, gross.
Me– Here, lemme show you something different… Um… here, Fruits Basket, that’s like the opposite of Parasyte.
SJ– [pause] WTF is wrong with their eyes?
Me– Nothing.  What do you mean?
SJ– They’re huge.  And where are their mouths?
Me– Um… I dunno, actually.
SJ– [blank stare]  Dude.  Yikes.

i like how the lady watching this man's face come apart barely reacts

Not all manga is good, I’ll admit that, and it’s not for everyone.  But if you read comics, your brain is already prepped for this stuff, and it’s unlike any American comic you’ve ever read.  The characters are expressive and often hilarious.  I’ve never been so shocked at what’s after the next page turn.  Once, I got so scared at what was on the next page that I burst out laughing, shut the book, and had to go watch the Food Channel for a while.

So I challenge our readers to do something stupid in the name of a pretty girl who authors some manga of her own.  Pick up a copy of Mail or The Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service.  They’re some of the more popular manga out there right now, and as comic readers, you’re ready.  It’s time to branch out, kids.  Be brave.  Be stupid.  Do it for the girl.

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goodness

Firefox is all warm and fuzzy

I rebooted Firefox at work today.  When it loaded back up, there was an option to view live streaming video of red panda cubs frolicking around their playpen.  Firefox is apparently made by a non-profit organization that funds stuff like this.

http://firefoxlive.mozilla.org/

way more adorable than previously thought

WHO WAS THE GENIUS WHO THOUGHT OF THIS?!

Their names are Amber and Spark (firefox, get it?), and I’m really enjoying watching them roll around and act cute.  The highlight reel is a heart-melter.

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life

Remember, remember

e pluribus unum

Note to self: wear a Guy Fawkes mask this November 5th.  As much as I dislike his severely Catholic motivations, V for Vendetta was just… amazing.  V was right: Symbols are important.

(ignore the comic.  for the first time ever, the movie is better. yikes)

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badness, goodness, humor, martial arts

When nerds collide

Remember when I got asked to blog for a website about comics?  Turns out they didn’t exactly, how do you say… have their shit together.  I would submit a blog, and weeks later, it still wouldn’t be on the website.  This happened a few times before I stopped submitting ideas.  I gave them a blog after they sent me to ComiCon; it’s still not up, and I’ve given up on expecting anything of mine to ever go on their website again.  So sad.  I was really excited about that, and the people were cool.  In fact, they were extremely warm and seemed almost as excited as I was to join the team.  It’s too bad it didn’t work out.  But I lived the dream, for a short time.  And I’m happy about that.

I was also on one of their radio shows.  I don’t come across as too noobish, and I’m happy about that.  All they really do is ask me about the KickAss [comic] contest, and martial arts in general.  Overall, I’m pretty happy with the result.  I’m only in the first fifteen minutes of the cast, which is perfect.  I don’t think I could stand hearing more of myself than that at a time.  I had only been awake for about twenty minutes at the time, so I sound a little husky (Lauren Bacall, woot!).

hey look, it's me and Diminutive Roommate

I just found the email I sent to my friends announcing the publication of my first blog.  *sigh*  Memories.  I was so fucking excited.  Everyone was so supportive.  And that post was pretty good!  So I’ve decided to publish the blogs that were (and were not) published on the comics website here.  Get ready for a quick injection of a whole lotta nerd-speak.

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goodness, life, martial arts

Just your friendly neighborhood masked vigilante

I’ve never actually given up on being a superhero (superheroine).

I’ve been reading comics since age… 8? I started with Archie, but soon blossomed into comics with fully violent characters who pranced around in sexually inappropriate S&M outfits in broad daylight, and saved the world from equally bizarrely-motivated and strangly dressed evil-doers in the process (I’m lookin’ at you, X-Men).

i would strike terror in the hearts of criminals with my adorable otter face

I was brainwashed by said sexy/violent comics from a very young age to believe that with the right timing, martial arts training and clever one-liners, I too could beat the shit out of criminals on a semi-nightly basis. Is it childish to believe I could still do this?

Here’s the biggest problem with fighting crime: you have to be there as it happens. How long does Batman spend crouched on rooftops night after night, watching nothing of note unfold on the streets below? I’m guessing hours and fucking hours. But with supervillains running around, there’s plenty of lawless extra-curricular activity to shut down.

So here’s my problem: I don’t live in Gotham. There aren’t a bunch of crazies scheduling heists and telling everyone and their mom about it so I can show up to save the day. Crime in the real world happens fast and usually without much planning, and definitely without uniformed goons carrying out the plans of some lunatic. I do not have my ear to the ground for news within the cocaine racket. I am incapable of learning about significant illegal activities (to a point where I could be a useful masked crusader) without joining the police, or a gang. Neither of which is sounding too appealing right now.

But that hasn’t stopped me from considering going through with it.

I look at masks online, considering the pros and cons of displaying the lower-half of my face. I think of what my outfit would look like (no cape), what my equipment might consist of (short, blunt weapons, stun gun). Then I think practically: when would I get the chance to change into this getup? While the crime is going on? So I would just leave while people get robbed or shot at or beaten? Would I wear my costume beneath my clothes all the time so I wouldn’t have to change into it? The whole situation is totally impossible.

but that chick in the wheelchair is toast

But then I think, I don’t need to be on the prowl for criminals. I would just have to react if I ever got the chance. No time to change into costume, or even reveal a costume.

But there would be time to don a mask.

Masks… are really, really cool. I want one. I want to wear one. I want to need one so I can justify spending too much money on one. But then I think, The paper trail! Don’t leave one! In case this whole thing gets out of hand. In case I end up on Youtube as some local heroine, and the police search for someone who purchased a mask like mine in the last year, and they’ll find me! And then bring me in for questioning! That’d be pretty gnarly.

There’s a part of me that will always think of this a totally doable because I want to protect those around me. It’s in my nature to be a guardian.  I can’t imagine that ever changing.

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