My Blog is Powered by Teenage Delusions & Other Thoughts From Young Avengers #5

 Young Avengers Vol. 2 issue 5 was released yesterday, May 22. This issue was the end of the first story arc written by Kieron Gillen and featuring the artistic talents of Jamie McKelvie. This arc consisted mainly of the attempts of Kid Loki to assemble the complete team of the Young Avengers and defeat the inter-dimensional parasite brought into the world by Wiccan. With the first story arc completed and the next issue set to be released June 26, it's time to talk about the relaunch of Young Avengers. 

Young Avengers #1 with cover art by Jamie McKelvie.
Photo courtesy of The Guardian.com

Like many of the comic book fans that I know (both on tumblr and IRL) the original series of Young Avengers, written by Allan Heinberg, was one of the reasons I got into the comic book world. I was incredibly happy when Marvel announced the relaunch of the series with a new creative team. I didn't know much about Gillen's other work but I decided that I would go into the experience with an open mind and ready to embrace the possibility that it wouldn't live up to my expectations.

Overall, I have enjoyed Gillen's opening arc. I felt that each character had a distinct voice and that it was an interesting shadow of how the original Avengers were indirectly formed by Loki. Although, this time Loki is right there in the middle of everything, directly affecting the rest of the team. McKelvie's art is wonderful to look at as well. Each panel is engaging, and dynamic. I absolutely love the design of when Marvel Boy bursts into the night club and takes down the guards around the rest of the team. Coupled with Gillen's story and character voice, the two make a great pair.

Gillen does a great thing in picking up where Children's Crusade left off. Which was to be expected, but I love the way he does it. At the end of that miniseries, we have a team of teenagers who are otherwise broken. They've lost a member of their team, sworn to never put on the costumes again, and for the most part gone their separate ways. Gillen took those characters and showed where they had come from and how they were healing. Nowhere is this seen more, than in Billy (Wiccan). In the beginning we see the Wiccan we were left with, hurting and blaming himself for Cassie's death. He even screams at Teddy when he finds out that Teddy was sneaking out on patrol without telling him. But as the parasite takes over, and they are under a greater threat, Billy accepts his role, and steps back into the costume. We are reminded that Billy and the rest of the team are teenagers, and that by accepting his role, he is accepting the responsibility to work for something grander than any normal teenager would be able to. Gillen does a fantastic job of pulling these characters up, and causing them to rise to the potential they have always had, but have shied away from because of the rocky road that led to that place. This growth of character, not just in Billy but in the whole cast, is how Gillen is proving himself as the writer for Young Avengers.

Not only the characters, and the story itself are refreshing, but Gillen does a great thing in using the comic as a comment on society as a whole. It's nice to be able to see Billy and Teddy (Wiccan and Hulkling) express their love for each other in a more conventional way. In the original series, it felt as if there was a space that couldn't be crossed between the two. While it was an intimate space that was finally crossed with the big kiss at the end of Children's Crusade, it still left me wanting for more between the two, romantically. In the new run, we see more intimacy passing between the two of them, and Gillen approaching their relationship as something that doesn't need to baulked at.

Kate Bishop (Hawkeye, not the Hawkguy) also plays into the comment on society in a small way. Gillen even mentioned this in one of his questions that he answered in the back of one of the issues. Kate and Noh-Varr (Marvel Boy) are first seen after hooking up. But Kate doesn't let her hook up with Noh-Varr phase her. She shrugs it off, and continues on with her day. In an age where women are told to feel ashamed of sexual encounters of any kind, Kate owns her sexuality and let's it go. In Kate (and Miss America but I'm trying not to write a novel), we find a strong female character that exudes more than just the conventional strength seen in comic books. She's not afraid to stand up for what she believes in, and goes head first in fighting for feminism.

I've heard a lot of fans of YA saying that they have been disappointed with Gillen and that the run isn't the same as before. In all honesty, this is quite a different beginning than the original YA story. That world was darker, more draconian. In the new volume we see a lighter side of the Young Avengers story, with the same conflict as before. Gillen has brought a new light to YA, one with jokes, witticisms, and music. Yes, it changes the tone and the direction of the books, but so far that direction has been excellent. It's not the same book as before, that's for sure. We may never have that original feel to Young Avengers. But Gillen is definitely bringing something new to the YA-verse, and I'm excited to see where that goes.

Also, I can't wait for Tommy to come back in issue 6.

Instant Streaming My Life: Arrested Development

The other day, as I was discussing with friends about the state of the economy and American Imperialism, normal conversations for any college student, we started talking about blogging. Being part of a journalism school most of us are required by our professors to blog regularly. And I began saying how I try to blog as regularly as possible (which is a bald faced lie if I ever did tell one). But we began talking about ideas for blogs and cool themes that people could do and I, being as incredulous and ironic as is humanly possible, said that I should start blogging about my favorite past time, Netflix.

That's when I got the idea. To actually blog about Netflix.

As you all know, or should know after reading this post, I have an addiction to this particular online streaming site, Netflix. So I have decided to incorporate one of my past times into blogging, like I started to incorporate the reading list (which is still going strong, I just lost track of Penumbra's 24 Hour Book Store and had to start another book). This is also great, because blogging will give me motivation to actually watch the series on my "Netflix Watch List" and watching Netflix will give me an excuse to blog! Win-Win-Win!

The general idea of this post series is to watch a TV series on Netflix, and share what information I have found out about said series. As you can tell this post is about the television show, Arrested Development. So without further blathering on my part, TO THE ACTUAL POST!

Series: Arrested Development

Photo courtesy of theverge.com

Netflix Synopsis: "It's the story of a wealthy family that lost everything, and the one son who had no choice but to keep them all together. It's 'Arrested Development,' the Emmy Award and Golden Globe-winning series starring on of the funniest ensembles in TV comedy."

Began watching series on: April 16, 2013

Finished watching series on: May 7, 2013

Total amount of time watching series (start to finish): 22 days

Number of Seasons/Episodes: 3 seasons, 53 episodes

Average Length of Episodes: 21 minutes

Average Number of Episodes watched in a day: 3 episodes per day

Most episodes watched in one day: 9 episodes on April 20, 2013

Favorite Episode: "S.O.B.s" (Season 3/Episode 9)

Best snack for instant streaming: Homemade popcorn, with butter and salt.

Thoughts: "Arrested Development" has definitely stood up to its reputation. I had only ever heard people on tumblr discussing the show, as well as the accompanying .gif sets and stills that would go along with any tumblr post. The show, as a whole, had great continuity and felt whole, unlike many shows where there are plot holes or plot points that don't really hold up within the universe of the show. Thankfully, this show didn't have much of that, at least, not that I noticed. Things also moved along in a manner that was very easy to follow, or as easy as it can for the Bluth family. This was extremely nice for a comedy show, which can sometimes feel disjointed and as if the writers are trying to find the next joke. That rarely came across in "Arrested Development."

And the jokes were well crafted; I definitely had laugh-out-loud moments in a room full of people. Needless to say, the weird looks I got were worth it. The wit and attitude behind the writing was very refreshing, and something that I thoroughly enjoyed. The long standing jokes have been some of the best. I now know how to accurately do every Bluth family member's chicken dance, and I will never be able to look at the Blue Man Group the same again. The writing definitely stood out amongst some of the other shows that I have instant streamed on Netflix.

This was definitely apparent in my favorite episode listed above, "S.O.B.s" (which actually means Save Our Bluths) where the writers were taking a facetious approach to saving the show that was obviously going to be taken off the air. As the narrator blatantly begs people to watch the show, such lines like "HBO will never take us" and "I guess it's ShoTime then," were other great, not-so-subtle ways to make comments on the situation the writers and producers were facing.

The cast of the show did a great job portraying their characters as well. Lucille Bluth is now my favorite fictional mother, and I aspire to achieve her greatness one day. But that never would have been without Jessica Walter's fabulous performance as the alcoholic, uncaring Lucille. I had only really ever seen Jason Bateman in "Juno" so I was completely unprepared for the performance he gave as Michael Bluth. In his performance we found a father that was completely dedicated to keeping his family afloat, but ignored the family member that needed him the most, despite his best attempts. Speaking of which, it was nice to see where Michael Cera got his start, but as his usual, George Michael Bluth was probably what led him to playing the same character in every movie he would subsequently appear in. Which, consequently, have all been an older version of George Michael.

The show as a whole has been great to watch. Not only does the show provide a wonderful look into this whacky family that we have all fallen in love with, it also provides a deeper look at family ties and corporate corruption, which as everyone knows is what the entire show is about. Good job, I won the prize. The obligation of Michael to save not only the dying business but also his failing family, is the overarching theme of "Arrested Development". But it's obvious that Michael needs his family just as much, if not more, as they need him.

If you haven't watched this show, then you should. It's funny and witty, and will have some guaranteed laugh-out-louds. You should definitely catch up now because there will be a new season premiering on Netflix on May, 26. The new series, if you've been living in a cave and haven't heard, will be a Netflix only series, that will ultimately culminate in an "Arrested Development" movie.

Enjoy and hurry! You'll only have a couple of weeks before the newest episode premieres.

Why are Dating Apps so Depressing?

I wake up every Monday and Wednesday at 4 in the morning so that I can get ready for the opening shift at my minimum wage job at the campus recreation facility. I serve as the bridge between members and the fulfillment of their equipment needs. Basically, I check out towels and basketballs. But before I can open the hearts of the guests with an early morning smile, I begin my day with a bowl of cereal and a look at the latest messages on my various dating apps.

Most of the time there isn’t much to look at. The messages I have received while I slumbered can range anywhere from a new person seeking my attention to an old hook up trying to see if I’m “looking” for the night. I continue scrolling through the various pictures and messages, searching for that one that will spark my interest and cause me to take a leap of faith into the arms of a stranger. Predictably, no such message exists and I slump over my Cinnamon Toast Crunch, defeated once again by the virtual dating world.

This is a cycle that I find myself in more and more as I continue to use dating apps, such as Grindr and Tinder. Trying to find a connection in the virtual world can be depressing and soul sucking. Messages go ignored on both ends, everyone lies on their profile to sound more interesting, and at the end of the day, that torso on Grindr is really only interested in where you’re at and if you can “host.”

Is the logo a skull because this app will suck the life out of you?
Photo courtesy of Google Images

But why are dating apps so depressing? What happened to the simple days when pairs were made outside locker rooms? As long as both parties were content with the match, you could have a boyfriend/girlfriend in no time. But why do these applications take away that simple side of dating? Because dating apps create a potent mixture of destroying romanticism while simultaneously reminding us of every flaw we have.

These apps have brought about the end of fantasies and dreams that have been with us since our childhoods. Think about it, since we were wee tots the idea of finding true love at the drop of a hat has been pounded into our brains. We have all had that fantasy that we would meet someone and find a connection to another human being in the most romantic way possible. Dating apps have taken away that romantic aspect of spontaneously meeting another single human being. What is so romantic about picking and choosing the best looking abs in a line up of men? Nothing.

When you have to choose someone from a list of people on an app it feels more like you’re picking the best brand of shoes that you would like to potentially try on and have for a week or two before returning them for store credit. It’s empty. There is no fire, no passion that comes from a smart phone screen. You can’t hear the excitement in someone’s voice when they discuss their pastimes, or the love they have for their favorite sports team. These things have to be added to the conversation by your own mind, rendering the dialogue completely one-sided. Interactions with someone you’re interested in on an app can feel disjointed, and lifeless. Conversations don’t feel as urgent as they do when meeting in person, because there is no sense of I have 5 minutes before the barista finishes my coffee order and I need to find out everything I can before he/she disappears forever because then I could have a chance to see him/her again.

That romanticism is further destroyed by the idea that everyone on the app has to be picked by someone. Dating apps are like the stereotypical gym scene in an elementary school. Everyone who you think is attractive, funny, and cool gets paired up together while you are left on the sidelines wondering when someone will pick you to play on their team. Except in this scenario you continue to send notes to the cool kids and they continue to throw them in the trash without looking at them. And this selection of people adds to the heavy weight sitting on you, because you know that you won’t get picked by the one you want because of some, unforeseen reason.

Ever since high school, when we would hear the horrible things people thought about us, we have been afraid of people judging us. Even those who say they don’t care, have at one time in their life been terrified that they were ultimately put on a scale and scrutinized by another human being for some facet of their personality or looks or whatever. The plus side of high school, was that we would tend to hear these things second-hand from friends or people who overheard the nasty things others would say about us. A majority of the time we didn’t have to take the judgment at face value, and we could shrug it off. But with a dating app, that judgment is thrown in your face, no matter how hard you try to avoid it. It’s inevitable that the minute someone ignores your message you start listing all your flaws and the things you heard in high school: too fat, too skinny, rude, not funny, mean, annoying, etc., etc. Flaws are magnified in your head when people are rejecting you left and right.

Dating apps are not perfect, that’s to say the least. But to write them off entirely would be wrong as well. They do offer the opportunity of connecting with someone you wouldn’t normally connect with, and it extends the playing field for the single members of society. In some cases, like Grindr and Jack’d, people who may be in the closet or questioning their sexuality can find a safe space to explore and find what they really want, something they wouldn’t be able to accomplish in the physical world. And some extremely lucky people really do find love and happiness by using these apps, and to them I say, kudos. To the rest of us I say, carry on.

While I have deleted my dating apps numerous times, I continue to go back to them. My morning routines wouldn’t be the same without reading five different “hellos” from the same guy. And while, I haven’t personally been able to completely eradicate dating apps from my life, I still try to hold on to that romantic notion that one day, when I’m handing someone a towel, or getting my coffee at Starbucks, I’ll meet someone and know that there could be potential there. I won’t let Grindr take that away from me completely.