RatCreature's Journal

posting meme: top 5 comic storylines

2022-12-03T16:12:33Z

sabcatt prompted: Top 5 comic book or comic-book-derived (ie, film or TV adaptation) storylines?

I'm not fond of ranking fiction or best of lists in general, but that said:

The top spot has to go to The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck by Don Rosa. I love the foundational Carl Barks more as a brilliant cartoonist, but Don Rosa's twelve part saga weaves all kinds of one-off details Carl Barks revealed about Uncle Scrooge's past into one coherent history and timeline. I adore the world building. It's like the very best fanfic, my definite canon for the Ducks. And even with all the references, they still stand as stories on their own.

The Amazing Spider-Man origin and early story lines by Stan Lee. Revisiting this has become a bit overdone, but for a reason, because it's just a great superhero setup. I've enjoyed all kinds of retellings from earlier movies to the the MCU to Spider-Man: Blue by Loeb/Sale.

I have a hard time picking just one thing from the Batverse. I like many of the takes on Batman's origin and early years (also a very overcrowded field), but for one storyline I think A Lonely Place of Dying by Marv Wolfman, George Perez and Jim Aparo deserves a spot of honor. And not just for introducing Tim Drake, who actually isn't my favorite Batverse character (that spot belongs to Nightwing). It's just a great comic. (I squeed about it here.)

For another of my favorite comic characters, Daredevil, it's also hard to pick, as he has many great storylines. Since I like Daredevil angsty, I enjoyed the whole Bendis era, and Out by Bendis/Maleev is a real highlight.

The whole Animal Man run by Grant Morrison. It's a series that gets more and more meta, but it leaves you bewildered in a good way. (I squeed about it years ago.)

An extra movie mention goes to Captain America: The Winter Soldier in the MCU, because it's one of the best MCU films, but mostly for the millions of words of epic Steve/Bucky fic it inspired.

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Moon Knight ending?

2022-05-04T16:20:33Z

I'm a bit confused.

( cut for spoilers )

Can somebody explain this to me?

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Moon Knight

2022-04-06T18:05:02Z

Anyone else watching this?

The first two eps were interesting enough as an origin story (I'm not familiar with the comics), at least it kept me watching (and I have a hard time with any fiction these days), though I kind of hope the confusion over the setup will get resolved properly sooner rather than later, rather than taking up all of the season. It also pushed my embarrassment squick a couple of times.

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has anyone watched Shang-Chi?

2021-09-12T14:05:52Z

I'm trying to decide whether it's worth the risk (and extra hassle, tbh, what with reservation and name check-in) to watch Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings in the cinema.

The mainstream reviews I've seen all sound really positive, otoh I haven't seen anyone squee about it in my DW network, and I'm unfamiliar with the comic character this is based on and have no prior fannish interest in him.

I'm also a bit unsure how risky sitting in a cinema for two hours is. Considering that I'm now fully vaxxed and cinemas are still requiring masks and distancing, and only let you in if you are vaccinated, recovered or recently tested (though depending on the cinema the tested option is being phased out here), it would probably not be that risky, except that people can take masks off for eating and drinking in cinemas, so that makes it more like indoor dining, which is high risk. And if I skip the popcorn myself and keep my mask on throughout (and I now commonly use the FFP2 kind, so that gives some protection for yourself) I probably would have to deal with my glasses fogging up at some point. Even with my best efforts for a tight fit with the wire and taping up the small gaps near my nose, that tape starts to fail at 30-40 minutes, since the moisture of the breath it blocks eventually starts to loosen it. And then the glasses fog up.

Then there is the whole extra hassle of having to reserve and buy your tickets online now and check in with your name for contact tracing, when I just used to buy my cinema tickets in person with money without anyone collecting my data. I mean presumably they aren't allowed to do anything with this personal data, but then nobody is supposed to make unsolicited phone calls to sell me stuff either, yet that happens.

So I'm waffling whether it's really worth it.

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The Falcon and the Winter Soldier finale reaction

2021-04-23T12:57:07Z

( cut for spoilers, a bit confused but not unhappy )

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WandaVision finale

2021-03-05T11:09:18Z

Okay, so can somebody explain that final post-credit scene to me?

( spoilers, though mostly just confusion )

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they are delaying Wonder Woman 1984 again??

2020-09-12T17:47:51Z

Do they really think that the pandemic is going to be better by Christmas, after winter and the school year will have been going on for months, than in October? That release date is like some vanishing cryptid, always just around the corner.

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Black Panther comics

2020-09-07T17:47:47Z

I collected the most recent Black Panther series on paper, and wasn't *that* into it, but since they were free to download as ebooks this weekend I got them as ebooks too, and a bunch of recent side and mini-series I don't already have on paper, as well a ton of older Black Panther comics and the Shuri ones, that were also free. Actually all still seem to be free -- I got them from Amazon but it's a ComiXology offer that you can also get on Amazon or something? I don't have an account for the former.

Anyway, I have no idea if or when I'll read several hundred Black Panther comics, but if you were ever curious about Black Panther comics, you can currently still get them for free. No idea how long this offer will last.

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fanart, doodle for Gwyn's "I’d rewrite the book of love, and make it funny"

2019-11-29T00:35:28Z

gwyn posted an adorable Steve/Bucky story for her birthday, "I’d rewrite the book of love, and make it funny", and I felt inspired to draw a doodle of Frog!Steve sitting near a storm drain.

( a doodle for Gwyn )

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Avengers: Endgame

2019-04-26T17:38:23Z

( cut for spoilers, and my reaction )

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MCU/LOTR rec

2019-04-23T14:29:49Z

This story puts the MCU characters in the LOTR universe, and it worked really well for me:
In the Shadow of Armistice (63479 words) by superheroresin
Chapters: 13/13
Fandom: Marvel Cinematic Universe, Captain America (Movies), The Lord of the Rings - J. R. R. Tolkien, The Silmarillion and other histories of Middle-Earth - J. R. R. Tolkien
Rating: Explicit
Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence
Relationships: James "Bucky" Barnes/Steve Rogers
Characters: James "Bucky" Barnes, Steve Rogers, Maria Hill, James "Rhodey" Rhodes, Tony Stark, Phil Coulson, Melinda May, Peter Parker, Ultron (Marvel), Vision (Marvel), Natasha Romanov (Marvel)
Additional Tags: The Lord of the Rings References, Post-War of the Ring, Crossovers & Fandom Fusions, Inspired by The Lord of the Rings, Alternate Universe - Middle Earth Setting, Canon-Typical Violence, Alternate Universe - Fantasy, Past Mind Control, Swords & Sorcery, Mind Control, James "Rhodey" Rhodes & Tony Stark Friendship, Elf Steve Rogers, Dunedain Bucky Barnes, Dwarf Tony Stark, Elf James Rhodes, Ungoliant Natasha Romanoff, Wizard Vision, Wizard Ultron, Lord Of The Rings AU
Summary:

Sedryn Amathion is a young Ñoldor elf born of lower Himring near the end of the harrowed Second Age. Vice-Captain of the Forlindon Shieldmasters, herald of the High King Gil-Galad, and devotee of Eärendil, the Star of High Hope.

Or, as the ragtag Dúnedain troupe known as the Howling Commandos calls him, Steve.

The Commandos are to sabotage an orc signal tower deep within the Ephel Dúath mountains, clearing the way for the armies of the Last Alliance to march on Barad-dûr and rescue all of Middle-earth from the clutches of this new and terrible Dark Lord.

“Steve” has no way of knowing that love formed deep behind enemy lines would settle so completely inside his immortal heart, defying time, distance, and ultimately death itself.

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Captain Marvel

2019-03-09T14:36:52Z

I've watched Captain Marvel last night, and I had a really good time. And the theater was completely sold out too.

( cut for spoilers )

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Ant-Man and the Wasp

2018-07-28T18:18:56Z

I watched Ant-Man and the Wasp and I had a really good time, and not just because it was a few precious hours in a climate controlled environment. (As much of world we are having a heat wave here, and yesterday it was over 33°C, about ten degrees hotter than normal July temperatures. Today there has been a brief respite as in the afternoon with some thunderstorms temperatures fell to 20°C, but the forecast for tomorrow is much higher again, and Monday it's forecast as back to 33°C and staying hot as far as the forecast goes.)

Anyway, to get back from the weather whining, ( cut for spoilers )

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Avengers: Infinity War

2018-04-28T17:57:00Z

I watched it yesterday evening...

( cut for spoilers )

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thwarted

2018-02-02T18:43:09Z

I wanted to get my tickets for Black Panther, but apparently right now the cinema where I can watch it in the original version is only selling for opening day here, i.e. Thursday, not for the Friday when I have time to watch it. I asked why they weren't, because for Thor Ragnarök and Spider-Man they were selling post opening day tickets two weeks in advance (and for Star Wars even longer), and they said that it depends on how much the opening screenings are sought after.

So I guess people are less eager for Black Panther? Or they're like me and just can't on Thursdays.

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Thor: Ragnarok

2017-10-31T21:25:39Z

That was fun.

( cut for spoilers )

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fanart, a doodle for wickedthoughts' "Berceuse"

2017-10-17T15:54:23Z

Okay, so, while my picture is really harmless and cute, with a new Bucky (Winter Soldier) Bear and a battered old teddy bear in a new Captain America costume, the story Berceuse by wickedthoughts is Hydra Trash Party, so you need to check the tags, whether the kinks match yours, as my picture only reflects parts of it.

( a doodle for Berceuse by wickedthoughts )

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Spider-Man: Homecoming

2017-07-14T23:05:25Z

I watched Spider-Man: Homecoming this afternoon, and it was a lot of fun.

( cut for spoilers )

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Guardians of the Galaxy 2

2017-04-29T18:02:16Z

I watched Guardians of the Galaxy 2 today, and overall it was fun, though it did hit my embarrassment squick a couple of times. And as in the first part, Marvel's space mythology and setting is confusing.

Also it's not like I especially needed another daddy issues story. It's not that I dislike them as such, but more variety for the heroes' issues would be nice.

BTW, has this opened in the US this week too? I haven't seen any posts about it.

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that was disorienting

2017-02-10T18:35:34Z

I watched the Legion pilot and I'm quite confused.

It started with me trying to figure out when this was even supposed to be set. Obviously it's not supposed to be present day, but it's not the 1960s, 70s or any other consistent era either. And even more disorienting, David's childhood flashbacks didn't seem to be offset in an earlier era than the main story either.

I mean, clearly both the design, the psychedelic interludes and the disjointed story telling are all intentional, but I'm not sure that this works for me. I had a really hard time trying to decipher events and understanding what was going on in between the hallucinations, flashbacks and the body switching in the present? Or was that even body switching? I'm not clear what actually happened with that mental hospital escape.

Though I'm willing to stick with the series for a bit longer.

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Doctor Strange

2016-10-28T21:54:21Z

My expectations were kind of low, because most of what I heard about it in advance were the casting issues and such, and also Benedict Cumberbatch is a bit hit and miss for me, but I actually had a lot of fun watching this one. Then again I, heretically, enjoyed Antman too. Though I'm not feeling particularly fannish about either.

( quick comments, cut for spoilers )

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two Bucky Barnes therapy fic recs

2016-05-27T23:34:40Z

I'm trying to continue with posting trope/theme rec sets. This time Bucky post-WS recovery stories featuring therapy somewhat prominently.

Works No Longer in Progress: Bucky Recovery Fic, by Alex51324. Gen, team. (36,175 words, unfinished)
I'm reccing this even though it's been posted as unfinished fragment, because what is there is very enjoyable, and a distinct take on the Bucky recovery theme, and features an Avengers team with their own mental health issues. (There is also a paragraph with a synopsis where the author saw it going.)

lilies with full hands, by refusals. Slash, Steve/Bucky. (102,011 words)
This is the therapy fic I was looking for a couple of days ago. It actually features several therapists, before Bucky finds one he can work with. It is also a rape recovery story, so it's one of those stories that sort of piles on trauma, which I know is not for everyone. However, Bucky is also shown to actively work on his recovery, and he finds ways to cope with his issues. So he is messed up, but still a competent adult, which I enjoyed.

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I watched X-Men: Apocalypse tonight

2016-05-21T23:23:05Z

( spoilery reactions )

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help me find a fanfic?

2016-05-20T19:25:00Z

I'm trying to find a Bucky post-WS recovery story again (one among the many I've read). It was, at least partly, a therapy fic, and I remember really liking the therapist OFC. There was iirc quite a bit of therapy detail, I think some sensory PTSD coping mechanism with touching objects, and another feature that stood out was that the therapist in her regular practice worked with traumatized children? I'm not sure about other details, because TBH a lot of stories kind of blur together in my mind.

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Captain America time travel recs

2016-05-20T00:54:49Z

I've decided that if I ever want to get back to actually posting any recs instead of just sitting paralyzed in front of my giant pile of bookmarks, I need to abandon the idea of "catching up" in any systematic way and just pick a trope/theme and post a limited number of stories that I enjoyed, say five. This really pains my inner completist, because I have bookmarked three times that number of Captain America time travel stories that I enjoyed.

From Winter's Cold, by 27dragons. Slash, Bucky Barnes/Steve Rogers/Tony Stark. (64,370 words)
Tony travels back in time accidentally and tries to fix things.

Thermotemporal Equations, by Blinky the Tree Frog. Gen. (48,149 words)
Bucky from the past gets transported to the future. I read this as it was posted in chapters, and it had me so on edge.

Sleepers of Ephesus, by Domenika Marzione. Gen, WIP. (some 50,000 words so far)
This one is still a WIP, but a great action-adventure with Bucky and Peggy working together. It's also stands out because Peggy travels forward in time, but then has adventures in the present with Bucky rather than a plot about fixing the past by taking information back again or such, which is more common with this trope.

to memory now I can't recall, by Etharei. Slash, Bucky Barnes/Steve Rogers. (102,600 words)
A body switching take on time travel, i.e. past and present Bucky switch places. The time travel epic everybody has read already, but still great.

The Blue-Eyed Boys of Brooklyn by die_traumerei. Slash, Bucky Barnes/Steve Rogers. (7,003 words)
This is a short but neat take on the time travel fix-it.

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