Thenerdsofcolor.org

The Worlds Finest

2017-02-26

A great bard by the name of Toni Morrison said it best, “I’m always annoyed about why black people have to bear the brunt of everybody else’s contempt. If we are not totally understanding and smiling, suddenly we’re demons.”

A few years back I had a major Come To Jesus moment while promoting my debut novel, Hollowstone.

My editor dropped some truth which rocked me to my core. When you make an artistry, a national pastime, an Olympic event, out of delivering epic takedowns to evil racist white folks both online and in person, your reputation tends to proceed you.


<blockquote>I have given that thought. I think one of the amazing things about Spider-Man is that you don’t see skin color when he’s in the suit. You don’t see any religious beliefs. You don’t see any denominations. Everyone can project themselves into that suit. It’s incredibly powerful in that way. So of course I think it’s important that the openness, the casting, in terms of who could be Spider-Man, could be absolutely anyone. A hero is a hero, whether you’re a man, woman, gay, lesbian, straight, black, white or red all over — it doesn’t matter.
Miles Morales was a huge moment in this character’s comic book life. And I do believe that we can do that. It’s something I’m really interested in figuring out; an eloquent way of coexisting, or passing on the torch. I don’t have an answer, but I think it’s actually a really important move. I think it’s a really beautiful and important move.</blockquote>
Awesome, right? Well, not so fast. When asked about the possibility of bringing Miles Morales into Sony’s Cinematic Universe, the architects of that universe — Avi Arad and Matt Tolmach — responded with a <a href="http://www.themarysue.com/amazing-spider-man-2-producer-miles-morales/" target="_blank">pretty emphatic “NO.”</a>
But we’re getting ahead of ourselves.
<img class="aligncenter" src="http://images.moviepilot-cdn.com/miles_morales_is_spider-man-guess-who-andrew-garfield-wants-to-see-as-the-next-spider-man.jpeg?&" alt="" width="1920" height="1733" />
Before we move on, let’s take a step back. If you are unfamiliar, Miles Morales refers to a character in Marvel Comics’ alternate “Ultimate Universe” line of titles. Created by Brian Michael Bendis in 2011, Morales — a mixed race African American/Latino teenager — assumes the mantle of your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man after Peter Parker is killed by his archenemy, the Green Goblin. At the time, Morales’ debut in the comics was met with equal parts <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/miles-morales-and-me-why-the-new-biracial-spider-man-matters/2011/08/04/gIQABzlGuI_blog.html" target="_blank">celebration</a> and <a href="http://www.bleedingcool.com/2011/08/01/the-power-of-a-black-spider-man/" target="_blank">consternation</a> in the fanboy community. In the three years since his debut, it’s safe to say that Morales has become a deeply ingrained part of the comics landscape, inspiring legions of <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=miles+morales+cosplay&client=firefox-a&hs=Yo4&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=sb&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=ZdpnU_XQFebLsATVvICgCA&ved=0CCgQsAQ&biw=1440&bih=796" target="_blank">cosplayers</a> and <a href="https://thenerdsofcolor.org/2013/08/27/the-comical-life-of-will-west-an-origin-tale/" target="_blank">Nerds of Color</a> alike.
The best part? Morales was created, in part, as a response to the <a href="http://spinoff.comicbookresources.com/2010/06/01/donald-glover-for-spider-man/" target="_blank">Donald-Glover-for-Spider-Man</a> movement of 2010. You may recall that in 2010, when Sony was in the process of rebooting their Spider-Man movie franchise after the critical failure of Raimi/Maguire’s Spider-Man 3, writer <a href="https://twitter.com/marcbernardin" target="_blank">Marc Bernardin</a> famously penned an opinion piece in io9 that questioned <a href="http://io9.com/5549613/the-last-thing-spider-man-should-be-is-another-white-guy" target="_blank">why Peter Parker had to be a white dude</a>. That article, in turn, inspired Community star Donald Glover to — half-jokingly and half-seriously — openly campaign for the role.
<img class="aligncenter" src="http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/community-spider-man.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="293" />
Dan Harmon even opened the second season of Community with a shot of Troy, Glover’s character, <a href="http://www.vulture.com/2010/09/community_pop_culture_referenc.html" target="_blank">wearing Spidey pajamas</a>. Needless to say, the mere idea of Don Glover as Spider-Man <a href="http://mediacommons.futureofthebook.org/imr/2011/08/03/im-not-racist-im-just-really-invested-continuity-casting-aside-donald-glover-spider-man" target="_blank">enraged many internet-dwelling fans</a>. Surely, if the NOC had existed back then, we would’ve likely <a href="https://thenerdsofcolor.org/2014/02/21/why-an-african-american-human-torch-is-important-or-comic-fans-are-racist-and-kinda-unimportant/" target="_blank">joined in on that debate</a> — as the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_O2n9Qp7OU" target="_blank">Adam WarRock lyric goes</a>, “when they said ‘Don Glover for Spider-Man, they didn’t mind.” Despite the considerable amount of attention Glover’s internet campaign received, Arad and company ultimately went with Andrew Garfield, and the rest is history.
<img class="aligncenter" src="http://www.themarysue.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/spiderman-donaldglover-andrewgarfield.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="337" />
Despite not getting the role in the movie, it was this campaign that inspired Bendis to create a person of color to fill Peter Parker’s shoes when the time came in the Ultimate comics. In an<a href="http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/comics/2011-08-02-new-spider-man-inside_n.htm" target="_blank"> interview with USA Today</a> prior to the launch of Ultimate Spider-Man (Volume 2) #1 in 2011, Bendis confirmed Glover’s implicit involvement in the creation of Miles Morales:
<blockquote>
“He looked fantastic!” Bendis recalls. “I saw him in the costume and thought, ‘I would like to read that book.’ So I was glad I was writing that book.”
The writer gives Glover “mucho credit” for the way Miles Morales looks in Ultimate Fallout issue 4.</blockquote>
Three years later, the character has grown into one of Marvel’s signature heroes. More than that, Miles Morales has also become one of their most successful heroes in recent memory. Despite the controversial nature of his arrival, the character’s likability and popularity has led to a clamoring from fans — egged on by some strong hints from the publisher — to bring Miles into Marvel’s mainline (aka 616) universe of comics. Meanwhile, Ultimate Spider-Man books are consistent sellers and just last month, and to much fanfare, All-New Ultimates #1 launched with Morales at its center. To put into context how big a deal this is, the Ultimates are the Ultimate Universe’s version of the Avengers. You might have heard of them.
<img class="aligncenter" src="http://blacklikemoi.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/13/all-new-ultimates.jpg" alt="" width="638" height="426" />
<a href="http://www.vox.com/authors/alex-abad-santos" target="_blank">Alex Abad-Santos</a> of Vox.com recently called the All-New Ultimates possibly “<a href="http://www.vox.com/2014/5/2/5672328/marvel-tk" target="_blank">the most diverse group of heroes in the Marvel universe</a>.” Could you imagine an Avengers-like movie with these heroes front and center?
That brings me back to Avi Arad and Sony’s apparent refusal to ever use Miles Morales in their movies. Which is cool. I mean, those guys clearly have an agenda for their movies. Spidey has plenty of rogues to fashion movies around. Even though Andrew Garfield has all but said he won’t be back for any more movies beyond part 3, I’m sure the suits at Sony have got contingency plans. Sure, <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/1819778/andrew-garfield-saturday-night-live/" target="_blank">Garfield and Stone</a> are the only redeeming things about this new crop of movies, but who needs them?
But if Arad has no plans to ever use Ultimate Spider-Man in his franchise, what’s to keep Kevin Feige and Marvel Studios from using the character? Now, I’m no expert on the legalities and intellectual property rights involved in such a scenario, but when Marvel licensed Spider-Man and all related characters to Sony, did that deal include character that had yet to be created? If not, I think Miles Morales could fit pretty well into any phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="548"]<img src="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/nick-fury.jpg" alt="" width="548" height="350" /> The MCU movies are more aligned to the Ultimate Universe after all.[/caption]
It’s a pretty safe bet that Sony will never give up the proper Spider-Man license or even <a href="http://screenrant.com/no-spider-man-in-avengers-movies/" target="_blank">entertain the thought</a> about merging their movies with the Disney/Marvel ones, <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/1818641/pat-kiernan-amazing-spider-man-2/" target="_blank">at least not on purpose</a>. But if Feige and company could somehow get access to Miles Morales, maybe we could finally kill two birds with one stone. Not only would we give Miles Morales the big screen recognition he deserves, but we could finally have a Spider-Man — or, I guess it’d be Spiderman without the hyphen, you know, for the lawyers — cross over with the Avengers. Everybody wins.
<img class="aligncenter" src="http://collider.com/wp-content/uploads/amazing-spider-man-avengers-slice.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="200" />
I’m sure the lawyers could navigate this better than I can, but it’s definitely worth thinking about.
 
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For the life of her, my editor couldn’t understand how I managed to have garnered so many enemies. After all, according to her, I’ve always been very regal, intelligent and amicable. Then she saw some of the exchanges and this was her expression.

“Oh I see why they hate you,” she said after a reading a few exchanges. “You talk to them as equals. More than that, you talk down to them. The same way white people usually talk down to minorities. A black person is never supposed to talk down to white people. That goes against everything we’re taught.”

Which is why more than a few have gotten a few irate at my tone this past week on Gail Simone’s social media page. Which is also why I was left with little option than to hold aloft my sword and transform into Midnighter.


I can’t help but be excited about this latest bit of news coming out of the efforts to produce a feature adaptation of Chew. For those who don’t know, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chew_%28comics%29" target="_blank">Chew</a> is a quirky title created by John Layman and Rob Guillory. It follows the adventures of Chinese American protagonist (and U.S. Food and Drug Administration agent) Tony Chu, who has the bizarre power of a cibopath: he receives a psychic imprint from any food he eats (except beets). Chu’s power is, understandably, both a blessing and a curse, and Chew explores how Chu uses his ability to solve crime in a universe that has since expanded its repertoire to introduce a broad range of food-related powers.
Felicia Day has also been cast in the feature to voice Tony Chu’s love-interest, Amelia Mintz, a food critic and Saboscrivner, who has the power to write so compellingly about food that she can make her reader taste it.
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="555"]<img src="http://reappropriate.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/felicia-day-chew.jpg" alt="" width="555" height="419" /> Felicia Day as the voice of Amelia Mintz.[/caption]
The series is witty, sharp, self-effacing, and instantly memorable; it belongs on the shelves (or in the digital long boxes) of any comic book connoisseur. More so than many comics, Chew has succeeded not only in creating a uniquely likable hero in Tony Chu, but also a richly detailed world for Chu to inhabit.
This is great news for Yeun, who in taking the role can now claim influence over the two singularly best and <a href="https://thenerdsofcolor.org/2013/10/11/glenn-of-the-walking-dead-is-the-best-response-to-anti-asian-stereotyping-on-television/" target="_blank">most complex Asian American male heroes</a> coming out of contemporary comic books.
Like Glenn Rhee, Tony Chu tackles the reader’s existing expectations of an Asian American man — initially introducing him as meek and unassuming — and turns it on its face by allowing the character to both embrace his status as an unlikely hero while simultaneously infusing conventionally heroic and masculine qualities into him to challenge the readers’ pre-existing stereotypes. Glenn Rhee is, in both comic and TV show, <a title="Glenn of the “Walking Dead” is the best response to anti-Asian stereotyping on television" href="http://reappropriate.co/?p=3119" target="_blank">a strong leader and a romantic love interest</a>. Tony Chu is an understated hero, but one who shows clear intellect and morality; more importantly, the series’ writers manage to create a character who is both highly cynical and who eats dead flesh for a living, and then turn him into a charismatic and likable hero-protagonist.
My one complaint is that Tony Chu is strongly based on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miles_Straume" target="_blank">Miles Straume</a> — played by the esteemed Ken Leung — from Lost. Similar to how Chu uses his cibopathic abilities to solve murders, Miles can empathically read a person’s death. Chu also physically resembles Ken Leung and shares the actor’s characteristic sarcastic cynicism. <a title="A “Chew” TV Series? AWESOME!!" href="http://reappropriate.co/?p=1075" target="_blank">I’ve been rooting for Ken Leung to be cast in the role of Tony Chu for years</a>; alas, what could have been.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="560"]<img src="http://reappropriate.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/ken-leung-chew.jpg" alt="" width="560" height="350" /> In a perfect world, it would’ve been you, Ken.[/caption]
No word yet on the rest of the cast, but I’m already salivating (ba-dum-dum) with the anticipation of checking out this movie.
' data-medium-file="" data-large-file="" class="size-full wp-image-6819 aligncenter" src="https://dennisupkins.files.wordpress.com/2017/02/16602872_10211311550319733_3382135777895535560_n.jpg" alt="16602872_10211311550319733_3382135777895535560_n">

A little backstory is in order. I’ve been proud and honored to call Gail Simone one of my good personal friends for many years and I’ve been a fan of her work as an artist and an activist for far longer than that.


<blockquote>I have given that thought. I think one of the amazing things about Spider-Man is that you don’t see skin color when he’s in the suit. You don’t see any religious beliefs. You don’t see any denominations. Everyone can project themselves into that suit. It’s incredibly powerful in that way. So of course I think it’s important that the openness, the casting, in terms of who could be Spider-Man, could be absolutely anyone. A hero is a hero, whether you’re a man, woman, gay, lesbian, straight, black, white or red all over — it doesn’t matter.
Miles Morales was a huge moment in this character’s comic book life. And I do believe that we can do that. It’s something I’m really interested in figuring out; an eloquent way of coexisting, or passing on the torch. I don’t have an answer, but I think it’s actually a really important move. I think it’s a really beautiful and important move.</blockquote>
Awesome, right? Well, not so fast. When asked about the possibility of bringing Miles Morales into Sony’s Cinematic Universe, the architects of that universe — Avi Arad and Matt Tolmach — responded with a <a href="http://www.themarysue.com/amazing-spider-man-2-producer-miles-morales/" target="_blank">pretty emphatic “NO.”</a>
But we’re getting ahead of ourselves.
<img class="aligncenter" src="http://images.moviepilot-cdn.com/miles_morales_is_spider-man-guess-who-andrew-garfield-wants-to-see-as-the-next-spider-man.jpeg?&" alt="" width="1920" height="1733" />
Before we move on, let’s take a step back. If you are unfamiliar, Miles Morales refers to a character in Marvel Comics’ alternate “Ultimate Universe” line of titles. Created by Brian Michael Bendis in 2011, Morales — a mixed race African American/Latino teenager — assumes the mantle of your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man after Peter Parker is killed by his archenemy, the Green Goblin. At the time, Morales’ debut in the comics was met with equal parts <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/miles-morales-and-me-why-the-new-biracial-spider-man-matters/2011/08/04/gIQABzlGuI_blog.html" target="_blank">celebration</a> and <a href="http://www.bleedingcool.com/2011/08/01/the-power-of-a-black-spider-man/" target="_blank">consternation</a> in the fanboy community. In the three years since his debut, it’s safe to say that Morales has become a deeply ingrained part of the comics landscape, inspiring legions of <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=miles+morales+cosplay&client=firefox-a&hs=Yo4&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=sb&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=ZdpnU_XQFebLsATVvICgCA&ved=0CCgQsAQ&biw=1440&bih=796" target="_blank">cosplayers</a> and <a href="https://thenerdsofcolor.org/2013/08/27/the-comical-life-of-will-west-an-origin-tale/" target="_blank">Nerds of Color</a> alike.
What’s even cooler? Morales was created, in part, as a response to the <a href="http://spinoff.comicbookresources.com/2010/06/01/donald-glover-for-spider-man/" target="_blank">Donald-Glover-for-Spider-Man</a> movement of 2010. You may recall that year, when Sony was in the process of rebooting their Spider-Man movie franchise after the critical failure of the Sam Raimi-directed/Tobey Maguire-starring Spider-Man 3, writer <a href="https://twitter.com/marcbernardin" target="_blank">Marc Bernardin</a> famously penned an opinion piece in io9 that questioned <a href="http://io9.com/5549613/the-last-thing-spider-man-should-be-is-another-white-guy" target="_blank">why Peter Parker had to be a white dude</a>. That article, in turn, inspired Community star Donald Glover to — half-jokingly and half-seriously — openly campaign for the role.
<img class="aligncenter" src="http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/community-spider-man.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="293" />
Dan Harmon even opened the second season of Community with a shot of Troy, Glover’s character, <a href="http://www.vulture.com/2010/09/community_pop_culture_referenc.html" target="_blank">wearing Spidey pajamas</a>. Needless to say, the mere idea of Don Glover as Spider-Man <a href="http://mediacommons.futureofthebook.org/imr/2011/08/03/im-not-racist-im-just-really-invested-continuity-casting-aside-donald-glover-spider-man" target="_blank">enraged many internet-dwelling fans</a>. Surely, if the NOC had existed back then, we would’ve likely <a href="https://thenerdsofcolor.org/2014/02/21/why-an-african-american-human-torch-is-important-or-comic-fans-are-racist-and-kinda-unimportant/" target="_blank">joined in on that debate</a> — as the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_O2n9Qp7OU" target="_blank">Adam WarRock lyric goes</a>, “when they said ‘Don Glover for Spider-Man, they didn’t mind.” Despite the considerable amount of attention Glover’s internet campaign received, Arad and company ultimately went with Andrew Garfield, and the rest is history.
<img class="aligncenter" src="http://www.themarysue.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/spiderman-donaldglover-andrewgarfield.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="337" />
Despite not getting the role in the movie, it was this campaign that inspired Bendis to create a person of color to fill Peter Parker’s shoes when the time came in the Ultimate comics. In an<a href="http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/comics/2011-08-02-new-spider-man-inside_n.htm" target="_blank"> interview with USA Today</a> prior to the launch of Ultimate Spider-Man (Volume 2) #1 in 2011, Bendis confirmed Glover’s implicit involvement in the creation of Miles Morales:
<blockquote>
“He looked fantastic!” Bendis recalls. “I saw him in the costume and thought, ‘I would like to read that book.’ So I was glad I was writing that book.”
The writer gives Glover “mucho credit” for the way Miles Morales looks in Ultimate Fallout issue 4.</blockquote>
Three years later, the character has grown into one of Marvel’s signature heroes. More than that, Miles Morales has also become one of their most successful heroes in recent memory. Despite the controversial nature of his arrival, the character’s likability and popularity has led to a clamoring from fans — egged on by some strong hints from the publisher — to bring Miles into Marvel’s mainline (aka 616) universe of comics. Meanwhile, Ultimate Spider-Man books are consistent sellers and just last month, and to much fanfare, All-New Ultimates #1 launched with Morales at its center. To put into context how big a deal this is, the Ultimates are the Ultimate Universe’s version of the Avengers. You might have heard of them.
<img class="aligncenter" src="http://blacklikemoi.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/13/all-new-ultimates.jpg" alt="" width="638" height="426" />
<a href="http://www.vox.com/authors/alex-abad-santos" target="_blank">Alex Abad-Santos</a> of Vox.com recently called the All-New Ultimates possibly “<a href="http://www.vox.com/2014/5/2/5672328/marvel-tk" target="_blank">the most diverse group of heroes in the Marvel universe</a>.” Could you imagine an Avengers-like movie with these heroes front and center?
That brings me back to Avi Arad and Sony’s apparent refusal to ever use Miles Morales in their movies. Which is cool. I mean, those guys clearly have an agenda for their movies. Spidey has plenty of rogues to fashion movies around. Even though Andrew Garfield has all but said he won’t be back for any more movies beyond part 3, I’m sure the suits at Sony have got contingency plans. Sure, <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/1819778/andrew-garfield-saturday-night-live/" target="_blank">Garfield and Stone</a> are the only redeeming things about this new crop of movies, but who needs them?
But if Arad has no plans to ever use Ultimate Spider-Man in his franchise, what’s to keep Kevin Feige and Marvel Studios from using the character? Now, I’m no expert on the legalities and intellectual property rights involved in such a scenario, but when Marvel licensed Spider-Man and all related characters to Sony, did that deal include character that had yet to be created? If not, I think Miles Morales could fit pretty well into any phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="548"]<img src="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/nick-fury.jpg" alt="" width="548" height="350" /> The MCU movies are more aligned to the Ultimate Universe after all.[/caption]
It’s a pretty safe bet that Sony will never give up the proper Spider-Man license or even <a href="http://screenrant.com/no-spider-man-in-avengers-movies/" target="_blank">entertain the thought</a> about merging their movies with the Disney/Marvel ones, <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/1818641/pat-kiernan-amazing-spider-man-2/" target="_blank">at least not on purpose</a>. But if Feige and company could somehow get access to Miles Morales, maybe we could finally kill two birds with one stone. Not only would we give Miles Morales the big screen recognition he deserves, but we could finally have a Spider-Man — or, I guess it’d be Spiderman without the hyphen, you know, for the lawyers — cross over with the Avengers. Everybody wins.
<img class="aligncenter" src="http://collider.com/wp-content/uploads/amazing-spider-man-avengers-slice.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="200" />
I’m sure the lawyers could navigate this better than I can, but it’s definitely worth thinking about.
 
' data-medium-file="" data-large-file="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-6915" src="https://dennisupkins.files.wordpress.com/2017/02/simonespan.jpg" alt="simonespan">

When young women of color have expressed disappointment at comics not properly representing them, I’ve watched Gail take time out of her schedule, go off the record and personally reach out to those young women and let them know they are valued. What truly impresses me about Gail is that much like myself she’s someone who welcomes critique and always strives to step her game up as both an activist and a creator.

Gail’s wisdom and friendship has resulted in me evolving as a feminist/womanist/human being and I like to think I’ve been a positive force for this beautiful and amazing woman. Because iron sharpens iron, she and I periodically have some excellent thought provoking discussions on equality and institutional oppression.

Unfortunately many white bigots like Mike Aronson take issue with Wakandans speaking their truth.

<a href="https://thenerdsofcolor.org/2014/03/17/elsewhere-on-the-internet/" target="_blank">We’ve been stoked</a> ever since John Boyega’s name first began swirling around the project. (If you haven’t already, you need to check out <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Attack-Block-Blu-ray-John-Boyega/dp/B005J4TLQG/ref=sr_1_2_bnp_1_blu?ie=UTF8&qid=1398791947&sr=8-2&keywords=attack+the+block" target="_blank">Attack the Block</a> asap). And the fact that his name is listed first in the official announcement from Lucasfilm pretty much confirms that his character (whoever it is) will be the face of the new trilogy. And that is beyond exciting!
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="600"]<img src="http://0.tqn.com/d/horror/1/0/i/x/0/-/Attack-the-Block-12.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="349" /> Can someone please photoshop a lightsaber here?[/caption]
A quick IMDB search of the rest of the names in the official cast list, though, shows that everybody else is still very white. When are we gonna get some Asians in the Star Wars universe? (The <a href="http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Neimoidian" target="_blank">Neimoidans</a> don’t count). Also, what happened to the role <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/mar/17/lupita-nyongo-star-wars-episode-vii-jj-abrams" target="_blank">Lupita Nyong’o reportedly auditioned for</a>? That’s the other thing. Much like the Original and Prequel trilogies, the new Star Wars is still pretty dude heavy since <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i88cjgcyoX0" target="_blank">Daisy Ridley</a> is the only other woman named in the cast.
Still, the promise of new Star Wars movies is exciting once again. The last time nerds were this stoked for the prospect of new movies was back in 1998. I mean, remember how jazzed we all were when this trailer first dropped?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYkHD9y8EqI
Then in 1999, The Phantom Menace finally opened, and over the course or three terrible movies, that kid inside who loved this saga so much died a little each time. Star Wars was never the same for me again. After those last three, I didn’t think I could get up for more adventures in that galaxy far, far away. But seeing that black & white photo of the cast, though? With Han, Leia, and Luke? I have to admit, that kid inside might have reanimated a little.
So yeah, I guess my zombie inner-child and I will be looking forward to Christmas 2015 and more Star Wars after all.
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White bigots like Mike Aronson who sadly have to learn the hard way that when you come for this Once and Future King, you best not miss.

Unfortunately not everyone is as wise or as lovely as Kat Burkard. In another thread Gail and I were discussing the heat Troy Adkins was catching for performing at President Trump’s inauguration. I explained that Adkins was still benefiting from white privilege as the worst one to catch the most heat was Chrisette Michele and while I didn’t agree with either Adkins or Michele performing, I thought it was 50 shades of effed up that the black woman was being singled out and crucified.

Now keep in mind, neither Gail nor I were arguing or even disagreeing, at all. We were having an amicable discussion. Enter Billy McCormick who demanded that I prove where white privilege came in.

Instead I did him one better and gave him the hometraining his daddy should’ve provided by informing him not to insert himself in adult conversations and to keep it mute when his betters are speaking. Lil Billy decided to throw a temper tantrum and after repeated warnings Gail promptly blocked him.

Unfortunately Gail Simone coming to the aid of a black friend was the equivalent of her defying the third law of thermodynamics because a few more covert Nazis decided to make with the dogpiling, gaslighting and harassment. Specifically these two Gorgons:

And the repeated attempts at white fragility and white woman tears continued.

“I don’t favor violence. If we could bring about recognition and respect of our people by peaceful means, well and good. Everybody would like to reach his objectives peacefully. But I’m also a realist. The only people in this country who are asked to be nonviolent are black people.”

-The Original X-Man, First Class, Brother Malcolm

And when the Imperial Wizards refused to take a hint, fee-fees got hurt and asses were kicked.


I can’t help but be excited about this latest bit of news coming out of the efforts to produce a feature adaptation of Chew. For those who don’t know, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chew_%28comics%29" target="_blank">Chew</a> is a quirky title created by John Layman and Rob Guillory. It follows the adventures of Chinese American protagonist (and U.S. Food and Drug Administration agent) Tony Chu, who has the bizarre power of a cibopath: he receives a psychic imprint from any food he eats (except beets). Chu’s power is, understandably, both a blessing and a curse, and Chew explores how Chu uses his ability to solve crime in a universe that has since expanded its repertoire to introduce a broad range of food-related powers.
Felicia Day has also been cast in the feature to voice Tony Chu’s love-interest, Amelia Mintz, a food critic and Saboscrivner, who has the power to write so compellingly about food that she can make her reader taste it.
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="555"]<img src="http://reappropriate.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/felicia-day-chew.jpg" alt="" width="555" height="419" /> Felicia Day as the voice of Amelia Mintz.[/caption]
The series is witty, sharp, self-effacing, and instantly memorable; it belongs on the shelves (or in the digital long boxes) of any comic book connoisseur. More so than many comics, Chew has succeeded not only in creating a uniquely likable hero in Tony Chu, but also a richly detailed world for Chu to inhabit.
This is great news for Yeun, who in taking the role can now claim influence over the two singularly best and <a href="https://thenerdsofcolor.org/2013/10/11/glenn-of-the-walking-dead-is-the-best-response-to-anti-asian-stereotyping-on-television/" target="_blank">most complex Asian American male heroes</a> coming out of contemporary comic books.
Like Glenn Rhee, Tony Chu tackles the reader’s existing expectations of an Asian American man — initially introducing him as meek and unassuming — and turns it on its face by allowing the character to both embrace his status as an unlikely hero while simultaneously infusing conventionally heroic and masculine qualities into him to challenge the readers’ pre-existing stereotypes. Glenn Rhee is, in both comic and TV show, <a title="Glenn of the “Walking Dead” is the best response to anti-Asian stereotyping on television" href="http://reappropriate.co/?p=3119" target="_blank">a strong leader and a romantic love interest</a>. Tony Chu is an understated hero, but one who shows clear intellect and morality; more importantly, the series’ writers manage to create a character who is both highly cynical and who eats dead flesh for a living, and then turn him into a charismatic and likable hero-protagonist.
My one complaint is that Tony Chu is strongly based on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miles_Straume" target="_blank">Miles Straume</a> — played by the esteemed Ken Leung — from Lost. Similar to how Chu uses his cibopathic abilities to solve murders, Miles can empathically read a person’s death. Chu also physically resembles Ken Leung and shares the actor’s characteristic sarcastic cynicism. <a title="A “Chew” TV Series? AWESOME!!" href="http://reappropriate.co/?p=1075" target="_blank">I’ve been rooting for Ken Leung to be cast in the role of Tony Chu for years</a>; alas, what could have been.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="560"]<img src="http://reappropriate.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/ken-leung-chew.jpg" alt="" width="560" height="350" /> In a perfect world, it would’ve been you, Ken.[/caption]
No word yet on the rest of the cast, but I’m already salivating (ba-dum-dum) with the anticipation of checking out this movie.
' data-medium-file="" data-large-file="" class="size-full wp-image-6863 aligncenter" src="https://dennisupkins.files.wordpress.com/2017/02/fnf-babsspy2.jpg" alt="fnf-babsspy2">
I can’t help but be excited about this latest bit of news coming out of the efforts to produce a feature adaptation of Chew. For those who don’t know, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chew_%28comics%29" target="_blank">Chew</a> is a quirky title created by John Layman and Rob Guillory. It follows the adventures of Chinese American protagonist (and U.S. Food and Drug Administration agent) Tony Chu, who has the bizarre power of a cibopath: he receives a psychic imprint from any food he eats (except beets). Chu’s power is, understandably, both a blessing and a curse, and Chew explores how Chu uses his ability to solve crime in a universe that has since expanded its repertoire to introduce a broad range of food-related powers.
Felicia Day has also been cast in the feature to voice Tony Chu’s love-interest, Amelia Mintz, a food critic and Saboscrivner, who has the power to write so compellingly about food that she can make her reader taste it.
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="555"]<img src="http://reappropriate.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/felicia-day-chew.jpg" alt="" width="555" height="419" /> Felicia Day as the voice of Amelia Mintz.[/caption]
The series is witty, sharp, self-effacing, and instantly memorable; it belongs on the shelves (or in the digital long boxes) of any comic book connoisseur. More so than many comics, Chew has succeeded not only in creating a uniquely likable hero in Tony Chu, but also a richly detailed world for Chu to inhabit.
This is great news for Yeun, who in taking the role can now claim influence over the two singularly best and <a href="https://thenerdsofcolor.org/2013/10/11/glenn-of-the-walking-dead-is-the-best-response-to-anti-asian-stereotyping-on-television/" target="_blank">most complex Asian American male heroes</a> coming out of contemporary comic books.
Like Glenn Rhee, Tony Chu tackles the reader’s existing expectations of an Asian American man — initially introducing him as meek and unassuming — and turns it on its face by allowing the character to both embrace his status as an unlikely hero while simultaneously infusing conventionally heroic and masculine qualities into him to challenge the readers’ pre-existing stereotypes. Glenn Rhee is, in both comic and TV show, <a title="Glenn of the “Walking Dead” is the best response to anti-Asian stereotyping on television" href="http://reappropriate.co/?p=3119" target="_blank">a strong leader and a romantic love interest</a>. Tony Chu is an understated hero, but one who shows clear intellect and morality; more importantly, the series’ writers manage to create a character who is both highly cynical and who eats dead flesh for a living, and then turn him into a charismatic and likable hero-protagonist.
My one complaint is that Tony Chu is strongly based on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miles_Straume" target="_blank">Miles Straume</a> — played by the esteemed Ken Leung — from Lost. Similar to how Chu uses his cibopathic abilities to solve murders, Miles can empathically read a person’s death. Chu also physically resembles Ken Leung and shares the actor’s characteristic sarcastic cynicism. <a title="A “Chew” TV Series? AWESOME!!" href="http://reappropriate.co/?p=1075" target="_blank">I’ve been rooting for Ken Leung to be cast in the role of Tony Chu for years</a>; alas, what could have been.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="560"]<img src="http://reappropriate.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/ken-leung-chew.jpg" alt="" width="560" height="350" /> In a perfect world, it would’ve been you, Ken.[/caption]
No word yet on the rest of the cast, but I’m already salivating (ba-dum-dum) with the anticipation of checking out this movie.
' data-medium-file="" data-large-file="" class="size-full wp-image-6864 aligncenter" src="https://dennisupkins.files.wordpress.com/2017/02/fnf-babsspy6.jpg" alt="fnf-babsspy6">

And the bigots also learned that the rest of Gail’s elite squad stays ready.


[audio=http://thetwobrandons.buzzsprout.com/10132/170852-episode-15-new-hopes.mp3]
<img class="alignleft" src= alt="" width="195" height="296" />In this episode, The Two Brandons return with their impressions on the <a href="https://thenerdsofcolor.org/2014/04/29/attack-the-clones-john-boyega-officially-leading-the-new-star-wars/" target="_blank">long-awaited casting announcement</a> for Star Wars: Episode VII and their thoughts on claims of gender disparity within the franchise.
Time is also spent discussing the recent Eisner-nomination for Easton’s work on Watson & Holmes #6, and the impending return of Miranda Mercury (with co-creator Lee Ferguson).
You can also download the podcast <a href="http://thetwobrandons.buzzsprout.com/10132/170852-episode-15-new-hopes.mp3" target="_blank">here</a>.
WARNING: CONTAINS STRONG LANGUAGE.
</div>
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To Shannon’s point, somehow I surmise this isn’t the first time Jodi has misused her son. In fact I have it on good authority there is an inebriated gent in a bar right now singing karaoke off key:

SHE CLAIMS I AM THE ONE

BUT THE KID IS NOT MY SON!

SHE CLAIMS I AM THE ONE,

BUT THE KID IS NOT MY SON!!!

And when Gail tried to warn them yet again, some fools, namely Billy McCormick, insist on vacationing in Chernobyl.


One thing I enjoyed from the first Amazing Spider-Man movie was how natural the story played out. Being a big Spidey fan, I’ve seen the origin story countless times. Personally, I find Andrew Garfield to be a better Peter Parker than Tobey Maguire, even if I dislike his usage of skateboarding (which thankfully, you don’t see in the sequel). I also loved seeing Gwen Stacy being used on the big screen the way she was in the original comics, as opposed to Kirsten Dunst’s Mary Jane. Emma Stone was a great choice and her interactions with Garfield feel really genuine. Actually, their little bits together were some of the favorite parts of the first movie for me.
<img class="aligncenter" src= alt="" width="1920" height="1080" />
It’s a shame, then, that the second movie really downplays the two since their relationship going sour is one of the main plots of the story. After promising Gwen’s dad that he wouldn’t involve her in the whole “superhero’s girlfriend” mess, Peter remains conflicted about dating her. Juggling between his feelings for her and his promise to her deceased father, the conflict lingers throughout the entire movie. I found it to be a good subplot, but it could’ve been developed more. All we get are a couple of arguments between the two and a few haunting visions of Dennis Leary.
Besides that, Peter turns a bit creepy and basically stalks Gwen for part of the movie (in order to “protect” her). What really surprised me is that Gwen felt a bit flattered rather than shocked. Would you really be cool if you found out your superhero ex was watching you from afar? I doubt it. Despite the lacking things about this storyline, I thought it was concluded very nicely. I won’t say anything other than that to avoid pretty major spoilers.