Donating blood is one of those things I always meant to do because I understood its importance. I just never got around to it until it meant something to me personally. In the year prior to her death, my mother needed blood transfusions often. Though my blood type and my location could not help my…
Nasty Old Hags Nearing Death: Absolutely Fabulous
One week after I saw Absolutely Fabulous, I saw Ghostbusters. I saw it in the same cinema, on the same day of the week, at the same approximate time, midday. I saw both films for the same reason: because for many many years, they have been a part of my personal entertainment environment. I am…
Inspiring Women Making (and Supporting) Comics Today
In this series, women of comics write about other women in comics today who are inspiring them. If you would like to contribute, get in touch with me at megan.purdy@wwacomics.com. Anna Fitzpatrick – Between Worlds A while back I came across this webcomic that I absolutely lost myself in. A review is forever on the cards,…
SDCC ’16: An Interview with The Expanse’s Cas Anvar
The Expanse is an space opera television series that debuted in 2015 on Syfy, based on the book series by James S. A. Corey (the pen name for writing duo Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck). It takes place in a future where the human race has colonized the solar system with Earth governed by the United Nations,…
What Dark Tower Movie Are They Making?
If you’re like me, the Tower has been calling to you since the moment you shut the cover on the controversial epilogue to the seventh book. (And then again when the 2012 Wind Through the Keyhole Book 4.5 came out.) Maybe you fulfill your cravings with the comic books, but likely the announcement of The Dark Tower…
2016 Hugo Reviews: Novellas
With Best Short Story and Best Novelette covered, I now turn my attention to the last short fiction category at the Hugo Awards: Best Novella… Binti by Nnedi Okorafor Mankind has spread to the stars and encountered alien races, but not all of humanity is eager to explore space. The Himba of Southern Africa remain a…
Ad Astra Comix Interview: Sky’s the Limit in Political Comics
I first learned about Ad Astra Comix when I saw Nicole Marie Burton speak at “Drawing Resistance: Using Comics for Social Change,” hosted by Women & Children First in Chicago. Nicole is a co-founder with Hugh Goldring of the Canadian comics publisher. The talk was one of several on a tour to discuss the power of the political comic and…
The Thursday Book Beat: New Tolkien Poem May Offer Early Hints of Galadriel
Happy Thursday! How’s your summer TBR pile doing, dear readers? I’d love to hear about any recommendations you might have for fun beach reads to take on vacation. My own TBR list is slowly becoming more manageable, so of course, I need to gather some more recs to pick up!
Firewatch, Gone Home, and the Power of a Good Bad Ending
Spoiler Warning: This piece contains spoilers for Firewatch, Gone Home, and Dragon Age: Inquisition. Two of my favorite games of the past few years are also two of the games I most frequently see criticized for having bad endings–Gone Home and Firewatch. These are quiet, simple stories told in only a few hours at most….
Feminism & Fat: Interview with Ragen Chastain
One of my biggest, long-time internet crushes on a person I have never, ever met goes to Ragen Chastain. I started reading her blog, Dances with Fat, several years ago as it not only affirmed some struggles and suspicions I had regarding the talk around bodies and health, but it also opened my eyes to the…
Not at All Rare: Why Mark Millar’s Relaunch of “Kick-Ass” Spells Doom for a New Female Character of Color
Trigger warning for discussions about rape.
Get Your Game on Wednesday: Diversity as a Pillar of Game Design
Howdy, gaming lovelies! I’m back from the road. Don’t you worry, though, I’ve been playing Pokemon Go throughout my travels and can’t help to think that Pickachu’s butt from Origins Game Fair was an omen of some sorts. In any case, on to the news! Diversity as a “pillar” of game design In a recent…
