thanks
-
I decided to use a content aware scale script because it’s becoming a thing again with my friends and the script was taking too long, so I decided to cancel it midway through.
I ended up improving the gif somehow.
Here’s a bigger version of it right here
(via thegreatersunbro)
-
-
Deadpool and the suicide prevention PSA
Hopefully everyone has gotten a chance to get a copy of Deadpool (2015-) #20 by now.
Obviously, trigger warnings for suicide
So, Deadpool #20 is a standalone issue that specifically targets the issue of suicide and we’re going to jump right to the ending to start off with: the writer’s, Gerry Duggan, message
I don’t actually think it’s outlandish to try to do a helpful story about suicide prevention with Deadpool as the protagonist. Like Duggan said, it wouldn’t be the easiest story to write, but it makes sense in an odd way. Deadpool is probably the most suicidal character ever if only because he is immortal and yet is constantly trying to kill himself and lets people murder him when it’s easier than fighting.
It’s also coincidentally the right time for this type of story with this type of character.
If this story came out in the 90s when Deadpool first debuted I don’t think it would be well received. The bro fans would complain about it being an afterschool special and people in general with think it’s in bad taste for character like Deadpool to be in a PSA like this, that’s Superman’s job (which we’ll get to in a second)
That was a Generation X audience; very disenfranchised, cynical and very angry about it.
This is a millennial audience, very disenfranchised, cynical and resigned to it all.
It’s an unarguable fact that the Baby Boomers are the worst generation ever and so when Generation X came along and got the shit end of their decadence and eventual complacency about civil rights they were understandably angry. Even grunge was pretty angry; you would sing with melancholy “I’m a loser baby, so why don’t you kill me” but this was underlined by rebellion. It was the clapback to the failed “give peace a chance”
Fuck you and your bigoted warmongering capitalism. I’m out, I’m done so why don’t you kill me?
Generation X is the exhausted end of this anger and is clearly exhibited by meme culture. Fuck you, everything’s a joke, how the hell are we can it dig ourselves out of this pit? Might as well kill myself ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Anger and aggression has become the joke. Celebrities are reading “mean comments” on Jimmy Kimmel that say things like “fight me, you piece of shit” and don’t understand that that means “I’m a really big fan of yours and am probably sexually attracted to you”
So why is a character created out of this angry high adrenaline culture the best one to speak to an exasperated culture that mocks angry high adrenaline?
Because he isn’t condescending.
You want to kill yourself? So does everybody else but there’s a lot of stuff on Netflix we still need to get to so let’s try to make the best of it.
Deadpool isn’t a happy person telling sad people to cheer up.
Arguably the most popular/cited superhero comic about suicide prevention was made for Generation X audience in 2006’s All-Star Superman #10
It was effective for a lot of people and pleasantly regarded by the general public but some people didn’t like it.
I’m obviously arguing that if this were to come out now the majority of people wouldn’t like it.
This girl is a complete stereotype. She could easily be the poster girl for the “rebellious” trope.
You can totally tell she’s depressed because look how dark her clothes are.
And then Superman comes along knowing fuck all about her giving her a shallow complement based on absolutely nothing and then hugs her.
He tells her it’s not that bad.
It is bad.
Things are really bad.
I think Deadpool #20 is better even if it only conveys camaraderie in the badness.
The cover alone conveys that
Deadpool sees a girl, conventionally attractive but within ordinary aesthetic, about to jump to her death
He jokes about it in a very deadpan and abysmal millennial way. Much like Superman, Deadpool knows nothing about this girl but he doesn’t condescend to her
He’s not the right guy for the job
He doesn’t know her or have any stake in her well-being
He doesn’t belittle her decision but implores her to give it a little time
What does Deadpool know best? Showtunes and beating people up so he does what he knows best and the distraction gives her the ability to feel and just do something, anything
Then what? He still doesn’t know what the right thing to do or say is. There is no right thing to do or say. He gives for the resources to talk to people that have at least been trying to figure out the best way to help in this situation longer than he has
He doesn’t force her to use these resources and he offers to go with her as an equal
As a few people pointed out, going into inpatient care is not fun, nor is any other option. The problems are numerous and frightening but we have to make do until we can build better systems, but that’s not really the point of the comic. It’s how to handle these things in the current system and when you have no idea what to do. Whether it was because the Deadpool team got consultants on the issue of whether they lucked into it I believe they nailed it.
It’s not an comic that will prevent someone from committing suicide, in my opinion, but it’s an comic that will help people know how to better react to their loved ones who are suicidal.
We’ve discussed suicide extensively on this blog from many angles and the consensus has always been that what helps is when people don’t condescend to you, don’t just tell you to feel better, don’t invalidate your right to do what you want with your body. What helps is being there, as an equal, to consider the decision further.
You may want to kill yourself and you have the right to do that but remember that you don’t have to do it right now. You will still have the option tomorrow or the day after. It is a huge and final decision and you need to consider it as clearheaded as possible. Do something fun or mundane and just distracting to get you through the next few minutes or hours and then explore all your options.
A suicide hotline might not work for you, nor will a hospital but they are options that are not permanent. You can try them. If suicide is really the right decision for you it will still be an option after you explore these avenues.
Remember, you can always make the decision tomorrow. Give today a chance.
(via moosefix)
-
Day 4: Bread and Butter Best of: Star Wars.
Star Wars has been a sacred mythology for me my whole life. It’s my basis for comparison for pretty much all storytelling. Which I imagine has gotten pretty tired for most of the people who know me. “See, this guy is the supernatural guide, the mentor, the Obi-Wan. Here to shape the hero, and give him exactly the lessons he needs to eventually face Vader. Or Voldemort or Cthulu or whatever it was we were talking about. Star Wars!”
Tangentially: While Star Wars is a solid model for the Hero’s Journey, for bad guys, I defer to the supreme example of the Villain’s Journey: Dr. Horrible’s Sing Along Blog. I’m totally serious.Though, Star Wars was almost there, and very few people know it. So very, very close to telling another great story. I’ve done just enough Star Wars stuff to have heard of the original premise for the Phantom Menace. In rumory whispers at least. And it was actually really, really good.
Forget all the cameos. Forget the politics. Forget all that extra stuff, all the expansive CG worlds, vehicles, battles. Forget what you learned about all the characters from the prequels.
The premise was simple, and it went back to Star Wars real roots. A samurai’s tale.Obi-wan, an aging, venerable master, is the script keeper for the Jedi council. fantastically knowledgeable, wise, disciplined, and humble. His apprentice, Qui-gon, is a talented young padawan. (Sound like I got it backward? It’s not.)
Obi-wan has tremendous respect for the traditions and history of the Jedi. A quality he continually tries to impart on Qui-gon. However, Qui-gon is young. And not atypically, he prefers to improvise over practice, act on instinct rather than rule. For the most part, Qui-gon’s style works. He’s a good man, and it’s clear he will make a good Jedi. Still Obi-wan tries to impart the wisdom of the Jedi ancestry. “These were great masters who could see deep into the future. Their words are more than just advice. Obedience to the codes will make you great, and keep you safe. From your enemies, and from the temptations of power as you grow.”
A mysterious enemy is systematically attacking the Jedi. Stealing artifacts, assassinating Jedi, and sewing doubt with rumors about the Council. Almost too late, Obi-wan uncovers a sith plot, but has no time to bring it before the council. An instrument of an unknown master, Darth Maul, will be assassinating Padme Amidala in mere moments. Quick to the scene, Obi-wan and Qui-gon intercept and confront Maul.
Even together, they are not a match for the ferocity and lethal precision of Darth Maul. The terrifying sith warrior presses the attack, and Obi-wan commands Qui-gon to find Amidala and escape. Obi-wan knows this would be the death of his master, and instead engages the force-doors, and attacks Maul. In ensuing struggle, they are separated only momentarily, but that is long enough for Maul. With little ceremony, he strikes down Obi-wan as Qui-gon watches.
The force-doors have sealed them in. There is no where to run. His disobedience has cost the life of his master, the information about the Sith return, and Maul will soon succeed in his mission.
Maul strides with a twisted smile toward Qui-gon, who is frantically trying to think of a way to defeat Maul. Maul is far more skilled. And Maul is strong with the dark side.
Looking at his fallen master, furious at himself for letting this happen, he turns his eyes to Maul, embracing his rage. He taps into everything he’s learned of the force, commanding it to bring him victory. Bring him power over his enemy. And it obeys. A flurry of light-saber blows, crackling with force-lighting surprises the unsuspecting Darth Maul, and Qui-gon kills him.
He looks at the two bodies. His master, and his enemy. And he realizes what he’s done. He has truly betrayed his master’s teachings. He channeled the dark side of the force.
He calls a meeting of the Jedi council. “Though it was only for a second, I opened my heart and my mind to the dark side. I feel its shadow falling over me. Obi-wan taught me: the dark side will consume, and the man I am will become the enemy of all I cherish. I know this means I must die first, and I ask the council to carry out my sentance.”
Yoda approaches him. “True, this is. Death has come for you, Qui-gon Jinn. The Jedi you were died with his master. Before what must come, tell me, are there any words you wish to pass on?”
”I have no wisdom to give. Only regret. Obi-wan was the wisest man I knew, and his work is unfinished because of me.”
Yoda takes Qui-gon’s lightsaber, and ignites the blade. “You will be struck down, once a Sith you become. But not a Sith are you yet. Cost the Jedi a great man, you have. His work will you continue. Until you again meet the dark side, and death, you are Obi-Wan Kenobi.”——-
Great. Now it seems totally anticlimactic to talk about a few measly paintings I did. Still, here I go:
Light in the Darkness
Rachi Sitra pleads for a sith to let his hate go, and come with her to safety, rather than die a warrior. I’ve always liked the Star Wars concept of redemption. Even Vader, a force-choking, genocidal murder machine, has good in them. And in letting go of their power and anger, they can be good again.Darth Talon
After Emperor Palpatine’s fall, a new order of sith arises. Discarding the old ways of one master, one apprentice, Darth Krayt creates a new hierarchy. “The One Sith” where every lord acts as a part of a greater body. Darth Talon is one of the hands of the sith, And a tremendously effective one.Darth Vader
The man himself. The Shogun of Shadow. The Skull-faced Sith of Scariness. The tightening in your throat… Erk!
One of the things that makes this a personal favorite, is how I came to be allowed to show it at Gen Con many years back. I’d just turned it in, and I asked “hey, I’d really love to have this up at my booth for Gen Con. It’s Vader, so it’s not exactly spoiling any new content. What do you say?”
The art director: “Oh. Well, we’d be okay with spoiling it. But Lucasfilm has pretty tight tabs on their copyrights, and your contract doesn’t technically allow for that, even if we wouldn’t care. Still, I’m not going to be the guy to say no, so I’ll pass it up the chain. Don’t get your hopes up, though.”
Lucasfilm brand: “Hi, we don’t really give this sort of permission out, but my position here is just to veto stuff that doesn’t line up strictly with canon. This Vader is spot on for Empire Strikes Back, so I’m not going to be the guy to tell you no. I’ll let my boss do that.”
Lucasfilm licensing: “Strictly speaking, you specifically don’t have a license to show this. But everything was done correctly under Sony’s sub-license, and they’ve said they’re okay with it. But it’s not their call, or mine. Lemme get back to you, but just know that this isn’t the sort of thing we do.”
Lucasfilm licensing: “Ran it past my boss, he ran it by the last fella who could give you a yay or nay. ‘George likes it. Approved for display.”——-
Stay tuned for one last day of rambling and pictures!
Day 1: Bread and Butter Best of: Legend of the Five Rings.
Bonus: The Origin Story.
Challenge: Christopher Rush
Day 2: Bread and Butter Best of: Dungeons and Dragons.
Bonus: Left to My Own Devices.
Challenge: Jason Felix
Day 3: Bread and Butter Best of: Magic the Gathering.
Bonus: Fanservice Favorites.
Challenge: Peter Mohrbacher
Day 4: Bread and Butter Best of: Star Wars.
Bonus: the Obligatory Sketchbook.
Challenge: Allen Williams
Day 5: The New Stuff.
Bonus: The Unsung Heroes.
Challenge: Scott M Fischer -
The Iron Throne as described in the novels, officially endorsed by GRRM on his blog as the most accurate artistic representation thus far. By artist Marc Simonetti.
Oh
What the fuck that isn’t safe
No, it’s not. The histories talk about how the throne is cruel to unworthy kings. Jaime would talk about how Aerys Targaryen would constantly be covered in scabs from sitting on the throne carelessly.
‘No man should sit comfortably upon the throne’
It is meant to be an ugly, monstrous beauty. And several times during the books Joffrey cuts himself on throne.
(via ladysmaragdina)
-
Let Me Just Stop You There.
and-ill-rise-likethebreakof-dawn:
There is a cannon ‘What if’ Universe where Natasha is not just worthy…
SHE IS THOR’S FUCKING REPLACEMENT
and in that universe she is worshiped as THE GODDESS SHE FUCKING IS!!!!
WHY ARE WE NOT TALKING ABOUT THIS????????!!!”$^&^$%%:?@?:@<llp{p)_((*&^&%$ergiokpl:@>:@:o&t^r%$£”$
Someone put that monument over my grave.
-
This would come in handy with road trips with friends
if by “road trips with friends” you mean the end of times.
(via thatonethingandplace)
