Hey everybody, end of the month again. I will admit it’s been quieter than other months. Mainly because the last six days, I’ve been on a staycation! No work, no consuming content (most of the time), just a fine lack of productivity to relax.
I honestly couldn’t remember the last time I read for fun. Especially since trying to be productive with so little reward can be exhausting.
My Vacation Time
Hence why the sons of Robin and Simon provided a needed back step to enjoy the moments. The second compendium of Starman really brings that saga to a close with how a title with so much legacy can go unnoticed. Just remember that you can thank this for the CW show Stargirl… to an extent.
Meanwhile Walt Simonson’s Thor in one book was a really enjoyable time. Especially when you play a cover to an earworm that makes it sound more epic.
Arguably the only thing I actually cared about the Hellboy trailers. Although I don’t think I listened to this when I read the Balder miniseries with the omnibus. Probably because it didn’t suit this overlooked piece of the Marvel universe. He’s no Beta Ray Bill, but he sure did get his moments. I definitely enjoyed his arc; a warrior who tried to change his ways and even though it didn’t go the way he wanted it to, Balder became a better person after battling his depression.
Although I’ve gotta admit, as much as I enjoy people with smooth voices like Starman’s Balder, the Shade, I can’t help feeling bored and tired from reading so much text. And like I said, I like the Shade especially as I imagine Jemaine Clement’s voice doing it. But I’d prefer reading something that didn’t make my eyelids heavy.
Side note: While manga can have me do that too, it happens less often. As does seeing a friend I have not seen in a very long time now that Covid’s emergency response is over. Sometimes excitement and spending time on something I like can do that.
I definitely don’t sleep as much when I read my next Omnibus, X-Men: Age of Apocalypse. But that’s liable to change; I’m at the age where I might need to power nap through things just to finish them. Without feeling like work that is.
My Pre-Staycation
Cuz work happened before all of this. For example, I continue my trek over the world of information on how the world’s comics come to be. Starting from South Africa, I discover that finding what you need in another language and Google search helps discover things other people don’t post. Including stuff about Chile, Greece, particular highlight Israel, and Poland. There were others but these took up too much space in my other draft. It looks like Hong Kong’s Gung Zai Syu is gonna be another one. But hey at least I can talk about one of my WeFunder investments Immortal Studios since they took inspiration from these.
On that note, I’m an investor on the very platform you’re reading this on as well as Black Sands Entertainment. Honestly, I’m hoping I can sell this stake to one of Black Sands dedicated workers who doesn’t already have a stake there. Not sure if they’ll want the red card though. As much as I’d like to get some extra cash, I’d feel better if someone had more motivation to stay with that company. Because there’s a lot to enjoy from it like this:
Definitely up there with the parts of AAPI month I like to spotlight. I know, I know, going into similar territory as the people trying to commodify something that oughta be normal. But I can’t help that the Pacific Islander part gets overlooked unless I’m in Hawaii or Utah. I’m just going to be patiently waiting for the next trade for Aumakua because the first one grew on me.
Next there are the reviews for Unlikely Heroes Studios. I tend to like whatever comes out of it, especially with a much needed update to Power Broker. But Lucifer Licorice while entertaining with its energy is beginning a similar problem with titles like Feast. They’re flashy and funny enough to remember, but there’s a lack of substance in some of the protagonists’ motivations.
Let me explain why in Under The Influence. The protagonist is motivated to infiltrate an influencer’s social circle because her superiors are growing concerned that he’s getting too powerful. But she’s reluctant on the idea to try and kill him and instead wants to put everyone at ease. Only problem is the influencer in question knows his persona is getting too powerful and he may be losing control over to it. Or he’s only trying to lead the protagonist on with that. A character’s arc, her motivation, a conflict; all are greatly immersive storytelling techniques. I’ll definitely be busy with other Mad Cave content with a request, a new anthology issue, and a couple of other links.
Other Stuff
When I got together with my friend, I realized I saved enough money on a cashback app to get gift cards to buy an Xbox Series X. Yeah, the loser of the console war. Makes me wonder if they’re going to fully invest in the Xbox for Windows app. As for me, I bought this console because I already traded my Xbox One and it comes with all of the features of that console.
Also got everything like my sister’s birthday and father’s day covered.
Plus you might be wondering why I’ve been leaving some teasers with stuff from an artist you never heard of. For reasons, I can’t reveal that until June 23. But for another four weeks, you’ll have a better idea. Provided I can also make short vids without glitching up.
I’d say thanks for coming and end it here. But…
Now that this trend is ongoing I’m going to be leaving thoughts behind a paywall.