Pumpkinheads - Graphic Novel Review

Whilst browsing my local library's graphic novel section I came across Pumpkinheads, a standalone book by Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks. I picked it up as I knew Rowell through her great run on She-Hulk and Hicks I had known for many years as I had many of her graphic novels already. With this dream team, how would Pumpkinhead fare?

The story follows Deja and Josiah, two long-time best friends who have spent every fall working at the same pumpkin patch. As seniors in high school, this particular Halloween night marks their last shift together before they head off to separate colleges. Driven by Deja's infectious energy and a desire to make their final night memorable, the duo embarks on a quest across the sprawling pumpkin patch to find Josiah's long-standing crush, the elusive Fudge Girl (as she works at the fudge shoppe, obviously). What unfolds is a series of comical mishaps, poignant revelations, and an exploration of their own evolving relationship in a road movie-type journey, except it's in one contained area.

This is a charmingly low stakes graphic novel that encapsulates the bittersweet essence of late summer and being on the cusp of change. It was a delightful read and perfect for those seeking a heartwarming, low-stakes adventure.

Rowell's strength (as far as my limited experience with her writing in She-Hulk allows) lies in her ability to craft authentic, relatable characters and snappy, naturalistic dialogue, and Pumpkinheads is no exception. Deja is the spirited, outgoing catalyst, pushing Josiah, the more introspective and hesitant of the pair, out of his comfort zone. Their dynamic is the beating heart of the story; their banter is genuinely funny, and their shared history is palpable. Hicks's art perfectly capturing the nuanced expressions and body language that convey their deep bond.

Hicks's artwork is a perfect complement to Rowell's storytelling. Her clean lines, expressive character designs, and warm, inviting color palette, all warm oranges, pastel purples and deep navies, evokes the cozy, autumnal atmosphere of the pumpkin patch beautifully. Also, the visual humor lands effectively, and the panels flow smoothly, making for a quick and engaging read. The repeating joke of the search for Buck, the angry escaped goat, is hilarious.

Throughout the book, Hicks manages to convey emotion with subtlety, allowing the reader to feel the characters' joy, frustration, and budding affection.

The themes explored are universally resonant: the anxiety of impending change, the comfort and challenge of long-standing friendships, and the quiet, often unacknowledged transition from childhood to adulthood. The pumpkin patch itself acts as a vibrant, almost magical setting, a liminal space where old traditions meet new possibilities. It's a place of joy, nostalgia, and a touch of melancholy for what's about to end.

The plot itself is relatively simple and low stakes but this is precisely where Pumpkinheads finds its strength; it’s not about grand gestures or dramatic revelations, but about the small, significant moments that define a friendship on the brink of transformation. Whilst I understand that some readers might desire more in terms of plot complexity or character arcs, I belive that the story's charm lies in its focus on Deja and Josiah's final night together and their reminiscence.

Overall, I found Pumpkinheads to be a sweet, charming, and visually appealing graphic novel that will resonate with anyone who has experienced the bittersweet feeling of a beautiful chapter closing. It's a perfect autumnal read, celebrating friendship, the courage to embrace change, and the magic found in the everyday. I would highly recommend this for fans of slice-of-life stories, contemporary YA, and anyone looking for a dose of warmth and genuine emotion. With the current geopolitical chaos, something like this is good for the soul.

Moral Ambition: Stop Wasting Your Talent and Start Making a Difference- Book Review (And Some Thoughts)

I have been following historian Rutger Bregman for a while now and had enjoyed his previous books including Utopia for Realists and Humankind: A Hopeful History and so was interested in his follow up Moral Ambition: Stop Wasting Your Talent and Start Making a Difference. In my review for Utopia I stated that Bregman doesn't pretend to be a man of destiny with all the answers but he does present some intriguing counter-points to illusory truths. So, would Moral Ambition follow this trend?

From the outset, Bregman challenges the conventional pursuit of personal happiness, epitomized by the 30-year meditator Matthieu Richard, by asking a crucial question: ‘What did he do for the world?’ This sets the stage for a compelling argument that true meaning and legacy are found not in self-absorption, but in addressing global challenges.

Bregman introduces the concept of ‘Moral Ambition’ as the drive to dedicate one's working life – a precious 80,000 hours – to solving the world's most pressing problems, from climate change to future pandemics. He insightfully categorizes professional aspirations, illustrating how many fall short of this ideal. There are those trapped in ‘bullshit jobs,’ writing reports no one reads or managing unneeded personnel, their roles exposed as superfluous during the COVID-19 pandemic. Then there are the ‘ambitious but not idealistic,’ individuals who strive for personal success measured by superficial metrics like a corner office or a large salary. Bregman laments how some of the brightest minds are drawn to industries like finance or tech, where their efforts are channeled into optimizing ‘clicks’ rather than societal good. A third group comprises the ‘idealistic but not ambitious,’ who desire to help the world but primarily through local efforts or personal choices. Bregman sees this as a ‘Gen Z mentality’—a generation with strong ideals but often lacking the means or knowledge to become agents of large-scale change, preferring the passive ‘Love. Live. Laugh’ ethos over active engagement. The pinnacle, and the focus of Bregman's advocacy, are the ‘idealistic and ambitious’—individuals who actively seek to change the world and work tirelessly towards their goals, exemplified by the unwavering commitment of abolitionist Thomas Clarkson.

Bregman then delves into the practicalities of fostering moral ambition, suggesting that extraordinary acts are not exclusive to ‘Hero genes.’ In Lower Your Threshold to Take Action, he argues that such acts often stem from individuals being asked to step up, witnessing the impact of their actions, and then being compelled to do more. This snowball effect, he believes, is how revolutions are born. Further emphasizing the power of collective action, Join a Cult (or Start Your Own) champions the influence of small, committed groups, echoing Margaret Mead's famous saying. Bregman highlights figures and organizations from the Quakers to modern technologists, though he shrewdly notes that being "on the right side of history" doesn't automatically equate to successfully instigating change.

The complexities of achieving impact are further explored in See Winning as a Moral Duty. Here, Bregman examines the Overton Window concept—how radical ideas can become mainstream—and critically analyzes the pitfalls of well-intentioned but ultimately ineffective actions, such as Ralph Nader's presidential run that inadvertently led to an undesirable outcome. He highlights the often counterproductive nature of ‘noble losers’ and the ‘whataboutism’ and ‘quest for purity’ that can splinter protest movements. Bregman observes a striking increase in protest groups since 2006, yet notes a disheartening lack of legislative change, advocating for long-term, organized efforts over fleeting bursts of activity. This underscores his belief that surface-level awareness often fails to translate into tangible policy shifts.

The book truly shines when Bregman presents compelling examples of moral ambition in action. Learn to Weep Over Spreadsheets tells the inspiring story of Rob Mather, who leveraged meticulous organization and entrepreneurial spirit to transform a simple Mumsnet fundraising swim into the Anti-Malaria Fund, which became the world's largest organization tackling the disease, responsible for donating over 600 million nets and eradicating malaria in some regions.

Similarly, Enrol at a Hogwarts for Do-Gooders introduces Joey Savoie’s Charity Entrepreneurship, an organization dedicated to maximizing impact and efficiency by training morally ambitious students to create projects with measurable outcomes. Bregman also celebrates scientific breakthroughs driven by moral ambition, from immunizations for smallpox and polio to the recent malaria vaccine, contrasting these with the private sector's tendency to capitalize on life-saving innovations with exorbitant markups.

However, Bregman does not shy away from the ethical complexities. In Save a Life. Now only $4,999, he confronts the uncomfortable ethical dilemma posed by Peter Singer: if one would save a drowning child at the cost of new shoes, why do we not donate to causes that prevent diseases like measles or malaria, which cost a similar amount to prevent? Bregman attributes this empathy fatigue to the overwhelming scale of global misery. He critically examines certain interpretations of ‘Effective Altruism,’ which encourages high-paying jobs to maximize donations, but questions its ethics when such jobs involve practices like tax havens, effectively perpetuating the very systems they claim to alleviate. He draws a historical parallel to medieval indulgences, suggesting a similar self-serving loophole.

Expand Your Moral Circle challenges the notion that any single society holds the pinnacle of ethics, asserting that while societal norms evolve, some fundamentals remain universally abhorrent. Bregman acknowledges the difficulty of judging historical figures by contemporary standards, yet points out that even enlightened individuals of the past held views now considered abhorrent. He cautions against the self-congratulatory belief that one would have been an abolitionist in the past, highlighting the significant social and professional costs of being a ‘moral pioneer.’ Instead, he advocates for finding like-minded individuals to collectively drive change. To guide aspiring moral trailblazers, Bregman provides six ‘alarm bells’ for identifying morally questionable practices: rumbling protests, justifications of practices as ‘normal, natural, and necessary’ without detailed defense, avoidance of unpleasant facts, angry responses to moral ambition, difficulty explaining the position to children, and consideration of how future generations will view the practice. He uses factory farming as a compelling example where all these alarm bells ring true, particularly in light of emerging technologies like stem cell meat production. This point resonates strongly in the current global climate, as evidenced by Bregman's own public stance on the ongoing Palestine conflict, acknowledging the difficulty of speaking out against widely accepted narratives.

Finally, in Make Future Historians Proud, Bregman addresses chronocentrism, conceding that humanity indeed faces unique and very interesting times due to three existential threats: nuclear war, AI, and lab-created pathogens. He concludes with an urgent call to action, emphasizing that despite immense challenges and limited resources, many of these problems are solvable through a ‘coalition of the willing,’ urging readers to aim for moonshots rather than succumbing to despair.

Moral Ambition is a powerful, inspiring, and challenging read that urges individuals to not just live, but to live meaningfully, by actively contributing to a better world. It's a book that will make you rethink your career, your consumption habits, and your role in shaping a more just and sustainable future.

LINK- ‘Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire’

LINK- On And On And Colston ( Or, How We Kinda Sort of Learned to Talk About the Legacy of Colonialism and the British Empire)

LINK: Let’s All Create a ‘New Normal’.

LINK- Ms Marvel Can Change the World

LINK- The Rise of Retro Gaming During Covid

LINK- Blood, Sweat and Pixels- Book Review

LINK- The Offworld Collection- Book Review

LINK: Japan: My Journey to the East

LINK- Children of the Stones: Cult TV Series Review

LINK- Tom’s Midnight Garden: Cult TV Review

The League of Regrettable Superheroes by Jon Morris - Book Review

I'm a huge comic nerd and have been since the age of about 7. My collection of comics and graphic novels is pretty impressive and I know quite a lot but when I received my Secret Santa gift of The League of Regrettable Superheroes by Jon Morris, I realised I didn't know that much at all.

The book is a delightful and often hilarious deep dive into the forgotten corners of comic book history. It's a real treasure trove for anyone who's ever wondered what happened to the heroes that didn't quite make the cut. It's a look at the evolution of the superhero genre as well as a reminder that for every Superman or Wonder Woman, there were countless others that fell by the wayside. I mean, the veritable smorgasbord of characters includes Funnyman (a guy dressed like a creepy clown), The Eye (who is an omnipotent eye), Madam Fatal (a bereaved actor who dressed like an old lady to battle crime) and Doctor Hormone (a guy who can control hormones to de-age himself).

The book is well-presented with panels from the comics as well as information about the debut, creative teams involved and their final release. Morris's writing is witty and engaging, balancing genuine historical research with a playful, almost sarcastic tone that perfectly suits the subject matter. He doesn't just present these characters; he dissects them, highlighting their absurd powers, questionable costumes, and often baffling backstories. It's clear he has a genuine affection for these oddballs, even as he gleefully points out their inherent ridiculousness. The organization and brief commentary on each character keep the book moving at a brisk pace as the entries are concise and entertaining, making it easy to dip in and out of.

So overall, The League of Regrettable Superheroes is a must-read for comic book fans, history buffs, and anyone who appreciates a good dose of the absurd.

NYX #1 to 10 - Complete Comic Series Review

Life has thrown its fair share of curveballs over the past few years for my family and I. We had an exciting move abroad in 2019, a 2020 pandemic-induced return, and finally now settling into a post-COVID world in Devon. It’s been a whirlwind, to say the least so my knowledge of the comic world took a backseat, with me completely missing the X-Men Krakoan Age. My familiarity with the Krakoa era has mostly been gleaned from YouTube primers, leaving me feeling a little out of the loop. However, the buzz around a new Marvel series piqued my interest. Set in the aftermath of Krakoa's fall, it promised a story of mutants forging new paths in a world that had become increasingly hostile. As a massive Kamala Khan (Ms. Marvel) fan, the prospect of seeing her navigate the gritty reality of the Lower East Side, far from the familiar streets of Jersey City, was particularly exciting. After all, if you can make it there…

Diving headfirst into NYX #1, I was immediately drawn into Kamala's journey as she grappled with her newfound mutant identity while staying true to her Muslim faith in a world that often felt unwelcoming. The introduction of Sophie Cuckoo, a complex new friend, and the moody presence of Laura Kinney (now Wolverine) painted a vivid picture of this new mutant subculture. The looming threat of The Krakoan added an intriguing central mystery to Kamala's navigation of the big city.

Issue #2 shifted focus to Laura Kinney, showcasing her lone-wolf approach to street justice as she investigated the disappearances of fellow mutants. The underlying question of who was pulling the strings kept me hooked, but it was the unexpected denouement – the raw desire to simply dance when the pressure becomes overwhelming – that truly resonated. Who hasn't sought refuge in music and movement when life felt too heavy?

NYX #3 introduced us to Anole, the mutant barkeep wrestling with his sense of belonging. The memorial for a fallen mutant, disrupted by the antagonistic Truthseekers, provided a powerful backdrop for Anole's journey of self-discovery and the fundamental human need to find one's tribe. His struggle to be authentic and connect with others was a compelling narrative.

Professor Alleyne, aka Prodigy, took center stage in #4. Moving from the academic sidelines to active advocacy, even at the risk of his career, Prodigy confronted The Krakoan during an attack on Ms. Marvel. This issue delved into the battle for the mutant soul, challenging the simplistic dichotomy of good and evil and suggesting the need for a new path beyond endless conflict.

The narrative took an interesting turn in #5 with Sophie Cuckoo's redemption arc. Her decision to fight against the anti-mutant sentiment sweeping New York, despite her past actions, was a testament to Kamala's forgiving nature and Sophie's own potential for growth. It was her chance to break free from external control and define her own path.

Issue #6 threw the team into the chaotic world of Mojo, via the sinister Mr. Friend, during what should have been a fun Dazzler concert. This installment cleverly explored the idea that simple answers rarely suffice in life's complex tapestry.

Synch's internal conflict in #7, believing in the impossibility of human-mutant coexistence and targeting Prodigy, offered a compelling philosophical debate. Prodigy's appeal to Synch's humanity, reminiscent of Captain America's approach, highlighted the futility of endless conflict and the potential for respectful dialogue.

#8 delved into the complexities of Hellion's character as he faced the consequences of past actions. His interactions with Wolverine revealed a surprising depth of understanding between two seemingly disparate individuals, reinforcing the idea that appearances can be deceiving. More Laura Kinney is always a plus, in my book!

The penultimate issue, #9, saw the NYX team joining forces with a newly escaped Professor Xavier to retrieve the crucial seed of Krakoa. However, Mojo's return threw a wrench in their plans, leading to a tense confrontation. The portrayal of Professor X as a potentially unreliable narrator added a fascinating layer of ambiguity to his motives.

The series concluded with a climactic battle against Mojo in #10 as his Mojo Land threatened to engulf the city. It was a satisfying coming-together moment for the NYX team, but a bittersweet one knowing the series wouldn't continue. However, the promise of Kamala's journey continuing in Giant-Sized X-Men #1 offers a glimmer of hope.

Overall, I found NYX to be a thoroughly enjoyable and thought-provoking series. The focus on the formative experiences of these young mutants resonated deeply. We've all navigated those crucial periods of stepping outside our comfort zones, seeking our place, and finding our tribe, whether in higher education, the workplace, or simply navigating life's complexities.

This new From the Ashes collection, as exemplified by NYX, seems to be embracing the intricate nature of individuals, resisting the urge to simplify. NYX shines a light on the truths we often conceal and examines our inherent contradictions. The themes of self-discovery and acceptance are powerful and universally relatable.

I'm genuinely excited to see how these characters will evolve and interact in the future. This is an intriguing team with a lot of potential, and one I'm definitely rooting for. While the cancellation after only ten issues is a shame, in the ever-evolving world of comics, nothing truly stays buried. I'm eager to see what the future holds for these fascinating mutants.

LINK: Ms. Marvel TV Series Review (and Some Personal Reflections)

LINK: Japan: My Journey to the East

LINK- The Future Starts Here: An Optimistic Guide to What Comes Next- Book Review

LINK- On And On And Colston ( Or, How We Kinda Sort of Learned to Talk About the Legacy of Colonialism and the British Empire)

LINK- Nintendo: My One True Gaming Constant

LINK: Let’s All Create a ‘New Normal’.

LINK- An English Geek in Saudi

LINK- Akira Soundtrack Vinyl Review

Kotaro Lives Alone- Anime Series Review

This is a short 10 part series on Netflix about a young kindergardener living alone. There are no parents in the picture but Kotaro navigates the intricacies of life through the lessons learnt from an anime featuring an honourable samurai called Tonosoman, as well as the help of his eclectic neighbours. These neighbours include Karino, a struggling manga artist, Isamu, an absentee father with severe guilt who dresses like a Yakuza mob man , and Mizuki, a young woman who works as a hostess in a flashy part of town- all people dealing with their own concerns. However, by coexisting lessons are learnt and friendships borne as Kotaro and his neighbours bond, grow and develop in this found family slice-of-life comedy series with heart. There are lots of small scenes and scenarios that make up the patchwork of this groups daily lives and whilst I won't go into details of all here, I will provide a rough overview:

Episode 1- Kotaro moves in and makes a good impression on his neighbours by being incredibly formal with his language and offering them a gift of a box of tissues. Kotaro goes to the local bathhouse and we learn a little about his OCD about cleanliness.

Episode 2- Kotaro's favourite show is about to end so his neighbours unite to watch the finale together. He also has trouble sleeping so Mizuki has a sleepover but it doesn't work.

Episode 3- Kotaro starts kindergarden and his neighbours all turn out for him, much to his surprise. He also helps Karino to understand the craft behind his manga in order to achieve at his best. There is a b-story where Kotaro collects 4 balloons 'for his family' but draws faces of too siblings and a mother and father on them. What could it all mean? We meet Ayano, a lawyer who drops off Kitaro's life insurance money each week. She knows it comes from his mother but can't let Kitaro know.

Episode 4- Kitaro has a playdate with his friend Kakeru who is a spoilt and pampered young boy. Kitaro decides to encourage some independence in his by getting him to do some fishing. Karino also helps Kitaro learn how to catch a ball in order to play dodgeball. Also, it is Kitaro's birthday and the group try to celebrate.

Episode 5- Kotaro meets up with a friend from the home he ran away from after his father tracked him down. They watch the Perseid shower together and reminisce. Kotaro also had a day playing with the toys and videogames in Karino's editors office- just being a kid and enjoying himself.

Episode 6- A short stay tenant named Aota moves into the apartment complex and makes friends with Kotaro. However, he turns out to be a private eye in the pay of Kotaro's father.

Episode 7- Kotaro has a playdate with an acquaintance from school called Kana and it is awkward as he doesn't know how to interact with children his own age. Meanwhile, Mizuki is abused by her boyfriend and leaves to make another life for herself elsewhere- leaving Kotaro upset but understanding that life moves on.

Episode 8- A new neighbour called Takei moves in. She is not good with kids and her mother was not very motherly so she has issues to deal with but tries to bond with Kitaro. Kitaro also joins a football team and helps a fellow player who is struggling with the pressures of the game and the breakdown of his parents' relationship.

Episode 9- Kotaro shares an umbrella with people as people coke home from their commute and there's a cute reason as to why. Kotaro also meets with another friend from the home, Tasuku, and they bond over their connections. However, when he suggest they move out and get a place together Kirano is a bit suspicious of the friend's motives.

Episode 10- When Karino gets some success with his manga an old girlfriend turns up and starts to support his workload by collecting Kotaro. However, she is jealous of the relationship between the two and purposely tries to sabotage it. We also get an insight into how Kotaro got his corny GOD t-shirt and it's a heartwarming story.

In this day and age of huge anime series that never seem to end, it's refreshing to get a small and focused manga that is so impactful without overstaying it's welcome. It's seems that Kotaro has attachment issues, probably linked to his mother's post partum depression and abusive father but these weighty issues are deftly handled with care and sensitivity over the course of the series. As someone who has been in the formal and informal educational sector for nearly 30 years of my life, it is great to see issues like neglect dealt with in such a respectful manner.

There are some episodes that made me well up, including episode 4 where Karino and the group helped to make the Summer Festival special for Kotaro by helping out. The fact the community comes together to ensure that the children have a great time is heart-warming. Episode 2, where Isamu opens up and says clothes do not maketh the man and that people will judge those different from themselves are true lessons that are important for everyone to know. Finally, episode 7 where Mizuki leaves is very emotional as she doesn't want to leave her found family but must to keep herself safe.

It's a beautiful manga that will long linger in the mind as we know that there are plenty of children in the world that deal with these issues everyday. On a wider note, I think Kotaro Lives Alone deals with the idea that as a society we should not judge one another too harshly and should be accepting of difference. Now, that's a message I can get behind.

Somebody Told Me: One Man’s Unexpected Journey Down the Rabbit Hole of Lies, Trolls and Conspiracies by Danny Wallace - Book Review

Danny Wallace is just one of those people who you just know, not for anything specific but just because he's done a lot and a lot of it is blooming great. I knew of him through his voice work on the videogame series Assassins Creed and from his podcast Awkward Situations for Men but mostly for his emotionally resonant voice work on Thomas Was Alone, an existential videogame where he is the narrator telling the tale of sentient  quadrilaterals. That game man... it broke me and remains one of the most powerful games I've ever played.

Anyways, this is a deep dive into lies, falsification and untruths and is done in the usual conversational fun tone that Wallace usually conveys. We live in interesting times, and Wallace seeks to peel back the layers to see why and how this has happened. Over the course of next 340 pages (or 8 hours and 40 minutes in the audiobook I listened to) we slowly see Danny Wallace lose himself, albeit hilariously, down the rabbit hole of conspiracy theory and paranoia.

He starts off with an apocraphal tale of Coco, the gorilla who learned to sign, crack a joke or two and then... lie. Wallace discusses how it may be an innately human thing to lie and this should have served as a warning sign of decline. He then hits the big stuff over 5 sections.

Section I: Trust No One

The Old Chinese Man: Spies, Lies and Chicken Thighs
He starts off on a sombre tone as he discusses the death of his father and the tidying up of affairs and correspondences. He then goes down a rabbit hole where he sees a 12 year correspondence between his father and an old Chinese man he'd met for 10 minutes whilst presenting a lecture in China in 2009. They remained in contact and the messages get weirder, very Pro-China and very garbled. Wallace seeks to look into the purpose of them and thinks that there was a chance that either his dad was a spy or was asked to be a spy.

The Rabbit Hole: I Did My Own Research
Wallace starts the chapter discussing how the world became more suspicious of their neighbour and how the pandemic exacerbated this with the concept of 'truth' and 'I did my own research' being more fluid. He runs through the processes he went through to find out about the Old Chinese Man and ends up with his own personal conspiracy theory.

May You Live in Interesting Times: 2020 Vision and the Year the World Lost Its Mind
Wallace then considers where conspiracy theories became the norm and pins it on 2020 and the Covid Pandemic which turned people at home into nutters. He breaks down briefly multiple conspiracies including 5G, Bill Gates, The Great Reset and how a similar thing happened in the past with cholera, the Russian flu and Spanish flu.



Section II: Family Lies

'You'll See': When Bad Information Divides a Relationship
Wallace discusses the conspiracy theory spiral that many individuals go through and how social media and algorithms hone in on this fact to provide you with similar content creating a filter bubble. He provides some startling facts from America about their belief in a Globalist Conspiracy and QAnon and how often it is linked to the old antisemetic trope.
A therapist who deals with conspiracy theorists says that it is often women in the wellness realm that get hooked on the disinformation spiral as they are more distrusting of Big Pharma and medicine.

Going Viral: How the Worst News Can Attract the Worst People
This covers the idea that crisis actors are used to help perpetuate the agenda of the shadowy elites. It incorporates anti-vaxxers, global elites and pedophile rings.
We hear the tragic story of an immunised man in Wales who lost his parents and brother, all who were anti-vaxxers and died within the same week.
We also hearing from a scientist who is an expert in the area of Virology and he speaks about how bad-faith actors like Lawrence Fox were using Covid as a platform to speak into a more right wing leaning ideology.

Information War: When You're Told What's Definitely Happening is Not Happening
Wallace speaks about how the counter-narrative culture and gaslighting was used by the Russians  state when they attacked Ukraine. Even when bombs were raining down within the country, the influencers and youth of much of Russia were claiming that it was lies and Western propaganda.
Interestingly, and unknown to me, Russians really are into astrology. The belief that the celestial movements can foretell the future has been an old favourite for years but in Russia, post Communism, it came back in a big way and has never really left since.



Section III: The Believers

Building a Brand: You Can't Say Anything These Days (But You Can for Money)

Wallace looks into the whole brand grifter scene where people become more right wing to earn money and influence, even if they don't believe half of what they spout.
He discusses how even news is full of opinions and extreme left and right wing pundits to have a barney on air as it'll get more views and maybe even go viral.
Wallace has a deep dive into Russell Brand and how his pivot from overly verbose porkswordmeister 'truthseeker' to weird pseudo-conspiracy theorist to born again Christian - all conveniently timed with the release of allegations against him.
Wallace also calls out grifters in the entertainment industry and the rise of the 'I'm just saying' and 'You can't say that anymore.'

Brent: Extreme Beliefs - The Man Who Believed It All, and How He Got Out
This chapter looks at Wallace's early career forays into conspiracy theories including time spent with Alex Jones (pre big time Info Wars) and Gareth Icke (David Icke's son) before looking at how YouTube acted as a conduit to main-streaming fringe views.
He explains that 9/11 truthers, wary of trusting their government, came out with increasingly outlandish claims about what happened that day and why. Inevitably, it leads to the Globalists, Shadowy Elite, Bankers etc... I mean, doesn't it always?
He then talks to Brent, a truther who gave his head a wobble post Sandy Hook, and discusses how he found his way out of the conspiracy mire. It came at much personal cost as many of his connections now think he is in the pay of the devil but what do you do with that?

Terry: It Starts Small - A Man at the Beginning of His Journey
To counter this Wallace meets Terry, a 50 something man from Ipswich who is adding a conspiracy lens to the proposed regeneration of the crumbling city centre.
As always, what it boils down to is the simple fact  that the town in different from how it was and he thinks it's part of the plan for the shadowy elite to control us. Maybe Terry and his pals should think about the past couple of decades of chronic underinvestment in infrastructure and services, which is the root cause for a lot of societies ills than some unnamed but stereotypically implied shadowy group.

Section IV: The Other Side of the Screen

Veronika: Local Media and When You Just Don't Know Who's Who
Wallace looks at troll farms and does a deep dive into how they are seeking to undermine the reporting of truth by seeding false stories and politically sensitive articles that are also patently false. The Internet Research Agency is a shit posting agency that looks to sow distrust within society and so erode our social fabric. That's why we get emails trying to blackmail us about our 'salacious' we searches and you get strange Spanglishy sentences like 'what a load of cheeky nonsense' after a serious email.

Natascha and the Troll Factory: The Troll Factory: The Race to Amplify Lies and Silence the Truth

The 1997 book Foundations of Geopolitics outlined a Russian plan to bring disorder to American politics by encouraging isolationist policies and broadening secretarian and racist ideologies to create a schism. Over the last few years with MAGA and Brexit I'd say it's a huge that. 

The Goebels 60/40 method is discussed where 60 is truth and 40 percent lies with an occasional whopper thrown in-all create disyltrusf of public agencies. 

He then talks to a journalist, Jessica Arrow, who investigated the IRA troll factory and is now fearing for her life. 

Section V: It Will All Get Much Worse

Lonely Boys: The Dangers of Isolation, Rejection and Sexy Robots

Wallace looks at Nastia, a Russian lovebot, who aims to manipulate lonely men with her patter and create the conditions perfect for right wing  incels to thrive. When Covid hit, isolation and loneliness increased as people went online and got caught up in conspiracy groups online. This especially affected single middle-aged men as they didn't have anyone to call out their bullshit theories and redirect them in their thinking.

The Grown Ups: What Are We Doing to Protect Our People? 

The British civil service get a bit of a bad rap amongst many in the media circuit but generally, they are experts or people well attuned to their area of expertise. The Cabinet Office of The Rapid Response Unit for Identifying False Narratives (or fake news in common parlance) tracks the false narratives, the responses and then suggests an appropriate response. It is doing this work constantly and so, in the UK, we have a keep calm and carry on situation with this operating in the background. Does it deal with everything? No. But the approach of amplifying truth with its soft power seems to be the approach taken. 

Okay. So How Screwed Are We?: Hope in the Never Ending Unease

There is a concern that there will not be many democracies left within 5 years as social media, news channels with experts and some random person with opinions but no knowledge are the main drivers. We are polarised as a society because everyone wants to find a tribe. 

There are a few suggestions to help stem the lies including regulation, crowd sourcing notes and education. Wallace discusses how there are plans underway to prepare the youth of today to counter such nonsense and be more discerning with the online world but, as with climate change, we need to be doing things now so we can't wash our hands of it. Similar to Haidt, Wallace says regulation is key and will set the standard for what happens in the future. 

The Old Chinese Man: And the Great, What If...? 

Wallace goes back to the Old Chinese Man story from before and, knowing all he knows, starts to get to the truth. I thoroughly enjoyed the book as Wallace follows clue, thread and hunch to their logical conclusion and ends up at a denouement we knew it would end up - it was all nonsense and he saw and sought patterns where there are none. Humans are always seeking patterns.

This audiobook feels like a companion piece to Jon Ronson's podcast Things Fell Apart, where ordinary folk have been affected by lies and nonsense and there are real world consequences, and The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt where he talks about the negative impact of social media and big tech. 

I particularly liked his examination of how easy it is to fall down the rabbit hole as it nearly happened to me. In my teens years, I struggled with the same pressure as everyone else but also the code switching of my British-Islamic life. I used to visit a youth centre in town and got talking to a charasmatic worker there. After several drop-ins he mentioned I that I should check out David Icke and I did. And the Truth Shall Set You Free seemed to answer a lot of questions but blew my mind in terms of social norms and history. I fell for it for a few weeks until a friend on my Anthropology course questioned the logic and made me think it though. I came out of the other end relatively unscathed but armed with the knowledge that falling for nonsense is easily done, moreso if you have destabilising anchors and lack deep interpersonal relationships. 

Reading the reviews for this book on Amazon, which range from 5 to 1 star with very little in the middle, you can see how split the opinions are from those who think Wallace is shining a light on a real issue from those who think he is part of the elite playing us. Wherever you stand on this, this book is essential as over the 5 sections it covers pretty much all you need to know about how conspiracy theories started, grew and are now part of the geopolitical and social landscape. Interesting times indeed! 

LINK- Pure Invention: How Japan's Pop Culture Conquered the World- Book Review (and Personal Reflections)

LINK- The Rise of Retro Gaming During Covid

LINK: Japan: My Journey to the East

LINK- Blood, Sweat and Pixels- Book Review

LINK- Utopia for Realists- Book Review

LINK- On And On And Colston ( Or, How We Kinda Sort of Learned to Talk About the Legacy of Colonialism and the British Empire)

LINK- ‘Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire’ LINK: Elden Ring- Videogames As Art

The King and the Mockingbird - Cult Film Review (and links to Ico)

Paul Grimault's The King and the Mockingbird endured a tumultuous production, finally gracing screens in its completed form in 1979 after decades of legal battles and studio interference. While I had never before experienced this film, its formidable reputation preceded it. Its influence has echoed through animation history, most notably in the works of Studio Ghibli's luminaries, Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, both of whom readily acknowledge it as a key inspiration. Intriguingly, its tendrils of inspiration have also stretched into the realm of video games, particularly the evocative and emotionally resonant experience of Fumito Ueda's Ico, which, in turn, provided a spark for Hidetaka Miyazaki's Dark Souls series.

The narrative, a loose adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's The Shepherdess and the Chimney Sweep, unfolds in the tyrannical kingdom of Takicardia, ruled by the grotesque and insecure King Charles V + III = VIII = XVI. His towering, multi-layered palace, which serves as a character in itself, sets the stage for a whimsical yet poignant tale of forbidden love between a charming chimney sweep and a beautiful shepherdess, both escaping from their painted portraits. Their flight from the King's clutches, aided by the sardonic and wise Mockingbird, who also acts as a raconteur and narrator, takes them through the bizarre and often menacing levels of the palace and the sprawling city below.

What makes The King and the Mockingbird so enduring is its unique blend of visual poetry and thematic depth. The animation is fluid and expressive, shifting seamlessly between moments of slapstick comedy and breathtaking beauty. The architectural designs, inspired by the works of Gérard Trignac mixed with the Parisian and Venetian influences of artists like de Chirico and Magritte, create a sense of otherworldly grandeur and underlying unease. This very atmosphere, where the familiar is twisted into something dreamlike and slightly unsettling, finds a clear echo in the world of Ico. The connection is not in direct plot points but in the shared atmosphere and visual language. There are many parallels including:

  • the towering architecture acting as a character; King Charles's colossal palace dominating Takicardia and the enigmatic castle in Ico serving as a central, almost sentient location,

  • both labyrinthine structures emphasizing the protagonists' vulnerability,

  • the unlikely partnership between the chimney sweep and shepherdess against the King, reflecting Ico and Yorda's reliance on each other for survival,

  • a shared sense of melancholy and isolation permeating both works, highlighting the protagonists' outcast status,

  • a minimalist narrative style favoring visual storytelling and environmental clues over heavy exposition and the pervasive surrealism and dreamlike quality present in Takicardia's illogical elements and the abstract nature of Ico’s castle.

Overall, I thought that The King and the Mockingbird was a triumph of animation. It is a film that defies easy categorization and I can see why it continues to inspire generations of artists, even those who do not have nostalgia attached to it; it's a shimmering, surreal dreamscape wended with poetic dialogue and striking visuals that lingers long after the final frame. It is filled with both wonder and a touch of melancholy which lasts long after the film has ended. It was a wonderful experience and stands as a testament to artistic vision triumphing over adversity.

Mesmerica: A Visual Feast for Some, A Bit Too Much for Others

I've been looking forward to Mesmerica for a while, ever since seeing its trailer on YouTube. I've been to the imax and have used a PSVR headset but never been to one of these domes ceiling projected film thingies but it sounded cool so I thought why not? I bought tickets for myself and my family and we planned to see it over the weekend in Plymouth at the Market Hall.

Mesmerica, John Wood's 45-minute immersive experience, is a fascinating journey through abstract visuals that left me captivated. For someone who appreciates the intricate beauty of sacred geometry, the ever-unfolding patterns and precise symmetries were a constant delight. The way the visuals evolved often brought to mind the organic complexity of fractals, each new iteration revealing deeper layers of detail and repetition, like a scene from Satoshi Kon's Paprika (which inspired Christopher Nolan's Inception) or Control (inspired by the non-Euclidian house motif explored in Danielewski's House of Leaves).

There were moments where the pulsating rhythms and swirling colours felt like a hyper-modern callback to classic Winamp visuals, particularly the more dynamic and energetic presets such as Milk Drop. Now that's a blast from the past, right? But for those of us who remember the even simpler joys of early computing, the show occasionally evoked the mesmerizing, endlessly looping patterns of an old skool Windows screensaver, albeit on a vastly grander and more sophisticated scale than something like starfield. It was a nostalgic trip wrapped in a futuristic package.

My youngest child was equally enthralled, utterly lost in the vibrant spectacle. However, my wife and eldest had a different experience. While acknowledging the visual artistry, they found the intensity of the colours a bit overwhelming and  the synthetic nature of what was visualised caused them some anxiety. This really highlights the different strokes for different folks aspect of Mesmerica.

For me, and clearly for my youngest, Mesmerica was a truly wonderful and unique visual meditation. If you're someone who is drawn to the interplay of complex patterns, geometric precision, and an intense sensory experience, you'll likely find it as captivating as I did. But if you're sensitive to strong visual stimuli, it might be a little too much so might not be as worthwhile.

Overall, it was a yes from half of my family and no from the other half. That's not useful but there it is!

LINK- Pure Invention: How Japan's Pop Culture Conquered the World- Book Review (and Personal Reflections)

LINK- The Rise of Retro Gaming During Covid

LINK: Japan: My Journey to the East

LINK- Blood, Sweat and Pixels- Book Review

LINK- Utopia for Realists- Book Review

LINK- On And On And Colston ( Or, How We Kinda Sort of Learned to Talk About the Legacy of Colonialism and the British Empire)

LINK- ‘Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire’ LINK: Elden Ring- Videogames As Art

Geek Girl : A Shout Out for Harriet Manners, the Hero We Need in This Darkest Timeline

It's been a pretty heavy few months, what with the live-streamed genocide, the weird Western media mainstream complicity and the feeling that I wanted to shout into the void. To lighten my load and add some levity to proceedings after reading/ hearing some pretty heavy and sometimes depressing books including Minority Rule by Ash Sarkar, Moral Ambition by Rutger Bregman, The Message by Ta-Nahisi Coates, Toxic by Sarah Ditum, What Just Happened?! by Marina Hyde, The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt and A Heart That Works by Rob Delaney (all within the last 6 months no less) I thought I'd read something delightful and uplifting to nourish my poor husk of a soul. So, I picked up the entire Geek Girl book collection.

Now, stick with me here, I know I'm not the target audience for this book series which is aimed at tween and teenagers but after watching and loving the first series on Netflix, I decided I wanted to read the rest.

For those not in the know Geek Girl is a series of 6 books by Holly Smale. It is is a delightful and heartwarming journey that truly embodies the sentiment, ‘Magic comes when you're not looking for it.’

At its core is Harriet Manners, a protagonist on the spectrum who you can't help but root for. Her self-awareness and unashamed embrace of her geeky identity, even in the face of bullying, is truly inspiring. Harriet's confidence in who she is and efforts to be her best self, despite external pressures, is a quality many readers will wish they possessed.

The series beautifully navigates the trials and tribulations of adolescence with humour and genuine emotion, making it a joy to read for anyone who has ever felt a little different.

I had a wonderful couple of weeks away from the darkness and feeling of ennui that pervaded thr world and for that I am very grateful. Strengthen, I go once more unto the breach.

LINK- Pure Invention: How Japan's Pop Culture Conquered the World- Book Review (and Personal Reflections)

LINK- The Rise of Retro Gaming During Covid

LINK: Japan: My Journey to the East

LINK- Blood, Sweat and Pixels- Book Review

LINK- Utopia for Realists- Book Review

LINK- On And On And Colston ( Or, How We Kinda Sort of Learned to Talk About the Legacy of Colonialism and the British Empire)

LINK- ‘Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire’ LINK: Elden Ring- Videogames As Art

Chasing the Transcendent: From Macross Plus to Mesmerica

Many people seek out art, music, nature, or even certain stories, hoping to find that deeper connection—that feeling of being transported. It's a desire for something that isn't just consumed but deeply felt until it almost becomes an integral part of you – for me, this is the idea of soaring through clouds at incredible speed. It’s been my personal benchmark ever since for what I look for in art and experiences. Let me explain…

I can trace that dream back to a specific moment: a scene from the 1995 anime series, Macross Plus. There’s a scene where Isamu Dyson, a test pilot, is on a flight in a new craft, and he's subtly drawn into a hypnotic trance by a rogue piece of AI, Sharon Apple. As Yoko Kanno's music swells (and seriously, her work is transcendent!), the visuals and sound just blend together into this unbelievably beautiful, utterly entrancing experience. Dyson almost falls for the lucid dream but manages to save himself just in time but that moment really stuck with me; it was a powerful reminder of how media can go beyond being a disposable form of entertainment and actually change you in a deeply profound way.

Ever since, I've been hooked on the idea of synesthesia – that cool blurring of the senses where you can practically see the sound and feel the vision. For me, it's a direct pathway to something truly transcendental. That's why Tetsuya Mizuguchi's games speak to me on such a deep level. Rez and Child of Eden weren’t just games you played; they were experiences you felt. They wrapped you in this incredible tapestry of light and sound, creating a feedback loop of sensation that somehow elevated the everyday into something sublime. You didn’t just hear the music; you become part of its rhythm, its pulse echoing right in your core.

Then virtual reality entered the picture with PSVR and my experiences with Rez Infinite and Tetris Effect were kicked up to another level entirely. They weren't just games anymore; they were as close as I’ve gotten to a spiritual awakening, (separate from things like prayer or fasting). This craving for transformative media wasn’t limited to gaming, though. The deeply immersive and often meditative compositions of Pauline Oliveros's Deep Listening, along with the vast, evocative soundscapes from Jean Michel Jarre and Mike Oldfield, consistently hit that same spot of profound sonic escape. The Euphoria albums that gained prominence in the mid to late 90s often sent me to that sublime space and this was without the use of any drugs (I’m a tea-totaller and have always been drugs free). Visually, the Surrealist art of Dorothea Tanning and Leonora Carrington, with their dreamy, symbolic imagery, unlocked subconscious connections and conjured a sense of uncanny wonder that perfectly mirrored my waking dream experiences. And, perhaps most powerfully, David Lynch's entire body of work, especially Twin Peaks, masterfully built worlds that hinted at hidden dimensions and spiritual undertones, pushing the boundaries of traditional storytelling to deliver that same deeply resonant, sometimes unsettling, transcendental experience I've always looking for.

So, it probably won't surprise you that when I was scrolling through my Facebook feed recently, an ad for James Woods' Mesmerica made me stop scrolling completely. It looked like the real-life version of that pivotal Macross Plus scene – a promise of visual and auditory immersion designed to lull you into a state of heightened awareness, maybe even a waking dream. It felt like the perfect next step in a long search, an answer to that persistent craving for something beyond the ordinary.

Much to my wife's bemusement (she probably figured it was just another weird show/ exhibition/film I'd be dragging her to), I immediately bought tickets for my family and me. But for me, this isn't just a night out; it's almost like a pilgrimage, with a journey to blessed Plymouth - which is almost an hour away from my home.

It's a journey to chase that elusive feeling of soaring through the clouds, that sensation of being pulled into a transcendent state where the boundaries of the self just dissolve and something almost spiritual takes hold. My expectation isn't just to be entertained; it's to have an experience that resonates with the deepest parts of my being, fulfilling that enduring dream of synesthetic transcendence. I'm genuinely buzzing for the moment Mesmerica begins, hoping it will once again allow me to truly fly. No pressure then James Wood!

LINK: Japan: My Journey to the East

LINK- Pure Invention: How Japan's Pop Culture Conquered the World- Book Review (and Personal Reflections)

LINK- The Rise of Retro Gaming During Covid

LINK- Blood, Sweat and Pixels- Book Review

LINK- On And On And Colston ( Or, How We Kinda Sort of Learned to Talk About the Legacy of Colonialism and the British Empire)

LINK- Battle Angel Alita: And So It Ends

LINK- The Moomins 80's Soundtrack Vinyl Review

LINK- Akira Soundtrack Vinyl Review

Luna - Cult TV Series Review

Whilst falling down the quirky old British television shows rabbit hole, researching cult TV shows to watch, I heard about Luna. It was a well liked but mostly forgotten children's show about a found family unit living together in a dystopian 2040s city after environmental collapse. Knowing all this it sounded right up my street so I thought I'd check it out.

Doing some research I found that there had been two series which had aired in 1983 and 1984 on ITV. The show starred a 14 year old Patsy Kensit. Now, I knew of her as the 90s girlfriend of Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher and an actress who was in Lethal Weapon 2 but that was pretty much it but others knew of her from this show and a member of the band Eighth Heaven.

A young Patsy Kensit stars in this show and is good in the title role of Luna.

Set in the year 2040 within the bureaucratic confines of the Efficiecity, a sealed-off metropolis due to a polluted outside world, Luna offered a decidedly distinct and colourful vision of the future. The inhabitants, officially known by their 'batch codes' rather than names, are artificially grown and assigned to shared living quarters. Kensit, in the first series, played the titular character, '72 Batch 19Y,' who earns the nickname 'Luna' because she was 'batched' on the moon.

The show is a blend of futuristic dystopia with everyday family situation comedy. Luna lives with an eccentric 'family' unit, including Gramps (an old punk fond of 'classical' 1980s music like Human League), Brat (a 'dimini male' from the same batch), and the robot Andy (played by co-writer Colin Bennett). This unconventional household navigates the rigid rules and obscure jargon of the Efficiecity, leading to many humorous situations such as wanting a pet, going on holiday, saving an obsolete (android) family member from being junked. Yknow, all the typical comedy tropes we know and love.

The show was created and produced by Micky Dolenz of The Monkees and carries the same anarchic and goofy nature as that series but Luna was surprisingly prescient in its exploration of themes like artificial intelligence, bureaucratic control, and environmental degradation. However, it was all wrapped up in a package digestible for  younger audience. Its blend of sci-fi, comedy, and subtle dystopian undertones made it stand out from typical children's programming of the era where it covers themes that were also explored in The Prisoner (in that Luna is more than a mere number under control), George Orwell's 1984 (in that there is a hierarchical beauracracy that controls and oversees everything) as well as most family situation comedies.

One of the most distinctive elements of Luna was its 'echno-talk' – a futuristic dialect designed to be easily understood by computers (but reminded me of the ‘True. True’ Cloud Atlas speech patterns. Phrases like "diminibeing" (teenage girl), "habiviron" (living quarters), "batchday" (birthday), and "obligivation" (deactivation/death) litter the show and, from doing some research, seem to remain fondly remembered by fans. The language and wordplay is a huge part of Luna's charm, emphasizing the show's thought-provoking themes about individuality and conformity in a highly regulated future.

Patsy Kensit, at around 14 years old during the first series, delivers a performance that is both precocious and earnest. She delivers the lines with gusto and even manages to talk to a dodgy looking alien muppet creature like it was a real being.

Despite its relatively short run and its status as a somewhat forgotten gem, Luna still works as a show that you can watch today. Its unique world-building, quirky humor, and Patsy Kensit's early performance make it a genuine cult TV series. Nearly 40 years after its release, it remains a fascinating and slightly unsettling glimpse into a future that, in some ways, doesn't feel so far off today.

Looking Back at the Switch

As the gaming world eagerly awaits the arrival of the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 4th in the UK, it's a poignant moment for many, myself included, to reflect on the profound impact the original Switch has had on our lives. For nearly eight years, this console has defied expectations, achieving unparalleled success and cementing its place in gaming history, second only to the PlayStation 2 in sales. This triumph was by no means a given, especially considering it emerged from the shadow of the disappointing Wii U.

My own experience with the Wii U began a few months after its release. Even then, I sensed its struggles. While it offered a handful of decent first-party Nintendo titles, third-party support was notably scarce. This was a critical time when indie games and digital storefronts were on the rise, leading many to wonder if Nintendo, the Kyoto-based gaming giant, was facing its twilight. It lagged behind Sony's more powerful PlayStation 4, which boasted a greater frequency of, and arguably, better, exclusive titles. The Western video game industry was thriving, and Phil Fish's arrogant declaration that "Japanese games just suck" seemed to echo a growing sentiment as Nintendo grappled with the technological leap to high-definition.

Despite these shifts, my passion for gaming remained strong. However, my life took a significant turn in March 2015 with the birth of my first daughter. Priorities shifted, and the financial realities of living in London on a teacher's salary led my wife and me to seek the tranquility of village life in Kent. As my daughter grew, she'd occasionally see me gaming, but mostly, I played solo, wanting her to explore other interests before diving into video games at such a young age.

I cherish many memories of solo gaming on the Switch:

  • Mario Odyssey — a true masterpiece with stunning graphics.

  • Zelda: Breath of the Wild — which quickly became one of my favorite games of all time. The breathtaking vistas after leaving the Temple of Resurrection were truly mind-blowing.

  • A Short Hike — a beautiful, concise tale brimming with heart.

However, as my daughter grew and her sister joined us two years later, gaming evolved into a shared family experience. These moments of collective adventure are the ones that will forge core memories that will last a lifetime. They weren't just about winning or losing; they were about the laughter, the collaborative problem-solving, the inside jokes, and the unique bond that formed as we embarked on virtual escapades together.

Here are some highlights of our family gaming sessions:

  • Alba: A Wildlife Adventure — my eldest, being part of her school's Green Team, deeply resonated with this environmental-themed game about a young girl striving to protect a nature reserve.

  • Kirby and the Forgotten Land — its undeniable cuteness and emphasis on teamwork drew them in, though the eldritch, Cronenbergian monstrosity of the final boss did lead to a few nightmares!

  • Mario 3D World — this game became their benchmark for platforming, and they absolutely adored the various costume changes.

  • Disney Illusion Island — this served as a wonderful introduction to the Metroidvania genre for my eldest.

In terms of competitive play, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Nintendo Switch Sports dominate our household. My girls have definitely upped their PG-rated trash-talking game — imagine Trolls-level insults, and you'll get the idea.

A few years ago, my eldest daughter began having trouble sleeping. She'd often find me playing Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Watching me, asking questions, she'd gradually be lulled to sleep by the gentle music and my serene wandering across the plateau.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Switch was instrumental in keeping us sane and occupied. Post-pandemic, when their friends visit, they've created their own Miis, transforming our console into a vibrant communal gaming hub.

Video gaming, in its purest form, can transcend its digital nature to become a powerful tool for connection, creating enduringly joyful moments. The Switch has been precisely that for me and my family, and I will genuinely miss it. As its journey comes to a close, I bid it a heartfelt farewell. Go forth into the night, sweet system; your legacy of joy will surely endure.

LINK- Pure Invention: How Japan's Pop Culture Conquered the World- Book Review (and Personal Reflections)

LINK- The Rise of Retro Gaming During Covid

LINK: Japan: My Journey to the East

LINK- Blood, Sweat and Pixels- Book Review

LINK- Utopia for Realists- Book Review

LINK- On And On And Colston ( Or, How We Kinda Sort of Learned to Talk About the Legacy of Colonialism and the British Empire)

LINK- ‘Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire’ LINK: Elden Ring- Videogames As Art

Our Wives Under the Sea - Book Review

Julia Armfield’s Our Wives Under the Sea had been on my radar for over a year, patiently waiting its turn while I finished other reads. Once I finally picked it up, it consumed me, proving a haunting companion that kept me enthralled and seeped into my dreams.

The story centers on the married couple Leah and Miri, whose lives are forever changed when Leah, a deep-sea explorer and researcher, goes missing after her research submarine suffers a catastrophic failure. For months, Miri is left to cope with the agonizing uncertainty of Leah’s fate. Eventually, Leah and her crew are found, but they are undeniably changed, different somehow, setting the stage for a truly unique and disturbing narrative.

Armfield employs a dual point of view, with the narrative seamlessly shifting between Miri and Leah. The story unfolds in a non-linear fashion, with flashbacks and memories colliding against the unsettling present, creating a sense of disorientation that mirrors the characters' own experiences.

Miri's perspective delves into the profound impact of long-term relationships under duress, featuring unsettling Cronenbergian body horror elements as Leah undergoes a disturbing metamorphosis. While other characters drift in and out, the core of Miri’s narrative focuses on the evolving dynamic between her and Leah—from their initial meeting and falling in love to the profound shifts brought about by Leah's transformation. Concurrently, Leah's story slowly unravels, detailing the terrifying ordeal of her five months lost beneath the water. These sections evoke a tense, Alien-esque claustrophobia as she, cocooned with two other crew members, grapples with escalating psychological trauma.

This is an unsettling tome about the human condition, set against the unfathomable depths of the ocean. Armfield masterfully explores themes of love, loss, and the extremes of the human spirit to survive. It's a novel that lingers, a disquieting symphony of domestic intimacy and oceanic dread that is anything but cheerful, and all the more compelling for it.

Beyond the narrative, Armfield's writing is a standout feature, masterfully blending moments of profound horror with tender intimacy, all while crafting a truly unique reading experience. Her prose can be lyrical and insightful, as seen in her poignant reflection on grief: "Grief is selfish: we cry for ourselves without the person we have lost far more than we cry for the person – but more than that, we cry because it helps. The grief process is also the coping process and if the grief is frozen by ambiguity, by the constant possibility of reversal, then so is the ability to cope." Yet, she can also be brutally precise, delivering lines that resonate with chilling clarity: "What you have to understand... is that things can thrive in unimaginable conditions. All they need is the right sort of skin.”

Armfield is a master at drawing the reader into the increasingly claustrophobic world of Miri and Leah as they navigate the aftermath of traumatic events against an unknowable force. The novel refrains from providing firm answers, instead immersing the reader in an atmosphere that is both beautiful and threatening, much like the sea itself, echoing the evocative and ambiguous work of David Lynch. Our Wives Under the Sea is a truly unique and unusual literary achievement that deserves widespread praise for its bold vision and unsettling brilliance.

If you're seeking a novel that will challenge your perceptions and linger long after you've turned the final page, this is it.

Belladonna of Sadness - Cult Film Review

I stumbled upon Belladonna of Sadness (Kanashimi no Belladonna) through the intriguing corners of a Facebook group Incredibly Strange Films. The artwork alone, a swirling vortex of colour was enough to pique my curiosity. Little did I know I was about to plunge into a cinematic experience by Eiichi Yamamoto that was as visually stunning as it was emotionally raw, and one that definitely warranted a hefty trigger warning.

Set against a backdrop of medieval feudalism, the film introduces us to the innocent love of Jeanne and Jean. Their hopes for a blessed union are brutally shattered when they seek the Lord of the Manor's approval. Jean is violently ejected, and Jeanne suffers a horrific violation that leaves her broken in spirit and body. In her despair, a figure emerges – the Devil himself. He offers her power, a tempting path to revenge. Initially, Jeanne refuses, clinging to some semblance of her former self. However, as life throws relentless waves of hardship her way, she finds herself increasingly drawn to the dark bargain.

To call Belladonna of Sadness ‘strange’ is an understatement. It's an avant-garde beast, a mesmerizing and often disturbing tapestry woven from lush, flowing watercolors that form the majority of its visual landscape. Yet, this serene beauty is constantly disrupted and enhanced by a kaleidoscope of other animation styles, each transition feeling like a descent into a different layer of Jeanne's psyche.

The psychedelic sequences, particularly those depicting Jeanne's eventual pact with Satan, are a true highlight albeit a deeply unsettling one. The swirling colours and distorted forms, set to a hypnotic soundtrack, create a visceral sense of her descent. Then, out of the blue, a 70s musical number will erupt, somehow perfectly capturing the underlying emotion of the scene, be it anguish, burgeoning power, or a descent into madness.

Despite its artistic flourishes, the overwhelming feeling that permeates ‘Belladonna of Sadness’ is one of profound sadness. It's a lament for the violation and subsequent trials endured by this poor woman. As the narrative unfolds, it becomes clear that the film operates on a deeper level, exploring the historical subjugation of women and the terrifying absurdity of the witch trials.

Jeanne, with her knowledge of natural remedies, is inevitably labeled a witch by a community that ironically claims Christian piety. The hypocrisy of their actions, their willingness to condemn and ostracize her, leads to her loss of faith in their dogma. In its place, a different kind of power begins to bloom within her – a fierce independence forged in the fires of her suffering.

The film resonated with me on a similar level to Robert Eggers' The Witch. Both narratives center on a young woman unfairly blamed for the chaos and misfortune that befalls her community. In both cases, the true source of the darkness lies not within the accused woman but within the fear and prejudice of those around her. Jeanne, like Thomasin in The Witch, becomes a scapegoat, a vessel for the anxieties and insecurities of a patriarchal society.

Belladonna of Sadness is not an easy watch. It's visually arresting but often deeply disturbing. It's a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll, prompting reflection on themes of power, oppression, and the enduring consequences of societal prejudice. It's a testament to the power of animation to explore complex and challenging themes in ways that live-action often cannot. If you're brave enough to venture into its strange and beautiful world, be prepared for an experience that is both unforgettable and deeply unsettling. Just heed that trigger warning – you'll likely need it.

LINK: Video Girl AI - Cult Manga Review

LINK- Pure Invention: How Japan's Pop Culture Conquered the World- Book Review (and Personal Reflections)

LINK- The Rise of Retro Gaming During Covid

LINK: Japan: My Journey to the East

LINK- Blood, Sweat and Pixels- Book Review

LINK- Utopia for Realists- Book Review

LINK- On And On And Colston ( Or, How We Kinda Sort of Learned to Talk About the Legacy of Colonialism and the British Empire)

LINK- ‘Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire’ LINK: Elden Ring- Videogames As Art

Dr. Who: Exterminate/Regenerate by John Higgs- Book Review (and Some Thoughts)

John Higgs, known for his quirky deep dives into cultural phenomena like The KLF and William Blake, has turned his analytical eye to a British institution: Doctor Who. As someone with a passing interest in the Doctor (I watched the show on occasion but my best childhood friend had a friend who was the real Whovian, bless him and Rodney's Books and Games), I was intrigued to see what Higgs would uncover.

Higgs, in his signature style, doesn't just rehash the show's history. Instead, he uses Doctor Who as a lens to explore broader themes: science, religion, history, philosophy, and the very nature of storytelling. He begins with a Tom Baker anecdote that beautifully captures the show's enduring power.

What follows is a fascinating journey through the show's evolution, from its shaky beginnings in the 1960s to its modern-day revival. Higgs delves into the surprising origins of the series, highlighting the contributions of key figures like Verity Lambert and the groundbreaking work of Delia Derbyshire on the iconic theme music. But he doesn't stop there as he meticulously examines how each Doctor's era reflected the socio-political landscape of its time:

  • William Hartnell's era establishes the Doctor as a mysterious, almost alien figure. Higgs explores Hartnell's own complex personality and connects the early TARDIS travels to mythical journeys in British folklore.

  • Patrick Troughton's Doctor emerges as a ‘cosmic hobo,’ a trickster figure who reassured audiences during a time of social change. Higgs delves into Troughton's personal life and how it informed his portrayal, and examines the rise of iconic monsters like the Cybermen.

  • With Jon Pertwee, the show shifts to a more action-oriented, ‘Boys' Own Adventure’ style. Higgs discusses Pertwee's background in naval intelligence and the era's reflection of a changing Britain, including the emergence of social issues in the storylines.

  • Tom Baker's long and influential run sees the show embrace a darker, more gothic tone, reflecting the anxieties of the 1970s. Higgs explores Baker's unique personality and the growing influence of fandom, both positive and negative.

  • The Peter Davison era is presented as a deliberate move towards a more grounded and vulnerable Doctor. Higgs analyzes the reasons behind this shift and its impact on the show's popularity.

  • Colin Baker's time in the TARDIS is marked by controversy, both on-screen and behind the scenes. Higgs delves into the behind-the-scenes turmoil, the criticism of the character's treatment of his companion, and the show's near-cancellation.

  • Sylvester McCoy's Doctor sees a return to mystery and manipulation, with a darker undercurrent. Higgs connects this era to broader cultural trends and the show's eventual departure from television in the 1990s.

  • The wilderness years and the Paul McGann TV movie are portrayed as a time of uncertainty and unfulfilled potential. Higgs discusses the film's shortcomings and the continuation of the Doctor's adventures in other media including audiobooks.

  • The 21st-century revival, spearheaded by Christopher Eccleston, is examined as a successful attempt to bring the Doctor to a new generation. Higgs highlights the contributions of Russell T Davies and the show's renewed popularity.

  • David Tennant's era is presented as a peak in the show's modern popularity, with Tennant's charismatic portrayal of the Doctor resonating with a wide audience.

  • Matt Smith and Steven Moffat bring a ‘wibbly wobbly, timey wimey’ complexity to the series, with a focus on intricate storytelling. Higgs discusses the impact of social media on the fandom during this era.

  • Peter Capaldi's incarnation is analyzed for its darker, more intense tone, and the increasing influence of streaming on the show's viewership.

  • The casting of Jodie Whittaker as the first female Doctor is explored in detail, including the backlash from some fans and the show's attempts to diversify its cast and crew.

  • Finally, Higgs brings us to the present day, with Ncuti Gatwa taking on the role of the Doctor in an increasingly globalized and politically charged landscape.

Tales of Unease - Cult TV Series Review

Tales of Unease is a British anthology series that aired in the 70s. Even though I had never seen it before, I had heard of it whilst researching other cult TV shows to watch. So, finding myself at a loose end one evening I thought I'd give a looksie.

The 6 part series features a collection of eerie and unsettling stories, adapted from horror anthologies. However, what sets Tales of Unease apart from other horror anthologies of the time is its focus on creating a subtle and uncanny atmosphere, rather than relying on shock value or gore. The series weaves tales of menace and black humour, often leaving the viewer with a lingering sense of, well, unease.

Episode 1 - Ride, Ride - At the School of Art dance, an awkward student named Art (Yes, really. "it's short for Arthur," he says as his chat-up line to an unimpressed mysterious young lady (Susan George). She asks him to take her home and, thinking she's a bit too keen and clingy, Art grudgingly relents. He drives her miles away on his motorbike to the Downs towards an old house but she vanishes before he gets there.

This story stars the wonderful Susan George as a bit of an enigma and the tale itself is a pretty basic time loop/ premonition story but it's okay.

Episode 2: Calculated Nightmare - When redundancies are being planned through the use of computers and poorly programmed algorithms by a pair of unscrupulous suits, a man with loyal service to the company takes exception and locks them up within the building at night until they start again. As the heating system kicks in and the men refuse to budge it becomes a game of chicken.

This is a prescient episode as it recognised that automation would lead to a loss of jobs and the corporate world and toadies would be merciless when removing people from their jobs with no regard for the consequences.

Episode 3: The Black Goddess - In the Rhondda Valley in the 30s, 4 miners are stuck after a mineshaft collapse. With air running out and escape unlikely they slowly contemplate their fate. When one of the miners starts to slowly lose his grip on reality (or does he?) it affects everyone.

This was quite a good episode as the mineshaft is a suitably creepy setting for a scary story. It's a slow build as it reaches a crescendo, looking at the old Gods and Goddesses and the blight of Christianity.

Episode 4: It's Too Late Now - When a neglected housewife takes revenge on her abusive writer husband by locking him in his study. She lives her best life for a few days but cannot forgive the fact that they didn't have children or do the things she wanted to do. She struggles with the consequences of her actions but, over time, starts to enjoy her newfound freedom.

This is a good episode looking at the mental health and the resultant consequences of the long time abuse of a woman from her husband. The main actress, Rachel Kempson, is great in the role as a put upon wife and does a pretty much solo performance.

Episode 5: Superstitious Ignorance - A young couple are looking to get on the property ladder and look around an old Edwardian house full of a superstitious woman and her children. Whilst being shown around by the estate agent the woman insists that there are spirits but the man thinks it's a way to put them off buying. But there is a strange smell lingering in the air...

This episode looks at gentrification and the superstitions that pervaded amongst some communities at the time. It's unsettling when the family start doing their Latin prayers but the ending is a bit meh.

Episode 6: Bad Bad Jo Jo - An arrogance and self-centred writer has an interview with a journalist from a fan magazine but it doesn't go as planned. His comic creations come to life and exact revenge.

This episode is pretty camp and overacted in the best possible way but it does build towards a surprising and unsettling ending. The poor dog, who thinks it's real, is overwrought and stressed and this put me off as I felt sorry for the poor fella but Roy Dotrice as the writer is brilliant at delivering his ascerbic put-downs at a machine gun speed.

Episode 7: The Old Banger - When a young couple move into their new home, they dump their old car on the other side of London. However, over the course of sebrsl days it seems to be returning to them...but how?

This is a fun and humorous episode with snappy dialogue between the husband and wife but the ending is downbeat.

Overall, I had a pretty good time watching the series. Some episodes are more effective than others, as is always the case with anthologies, but the series is generally well-written and features strong performances from the whole cast.

For me, the standout episodes were The Black Goddess, which was a great claustrophobic tale about the miners trapped underground, and The Old Banger, the witty story about a car that refuses to be destroyed.

However, in my opinion, the series lacks a consistent identity, lacking the twist endings of Tales of the Unexpected, the taught costumed drama of Dead of Night or the austerity of Ghost Stories for Christmas. As a result, some episodes can feel underwhelming but it is worth a watch to get a variety of stories and get a portal into the past.

LINK- Dead of Night: Cult TV Review

LINK- The Stone Tapes: Cult TV Review

LINK- Tom’s Midnight Garden: Cult TV Review

LINK- Children of the Dogstar: Cult TV Series Review


Decarnation- Videogames As Art

Decarnation is a powerful game looking into the objectification and commodification of the female body. It's not your usual gaming fare then but this indie game follows the very real struggle of Gloria, an exotic dancer turning 30, and is set against a surreal, Lynchian dreamscape after the protagonist suffers 'The Event' (no spoilers). The game evokes a sense of unease and undergoes a deep dive into the character's psychological state to tell a dark tale that belies it's simple pixel art form.

It's a powerful story of the artistic body and the right people have over public figures. When Gloria poses for an artist and her statue is violated by a pervert in a museum, she feels abused and debased. The game reminded me of Satoshi Kon's Perfect Blue or the ouvre of Junji Ito, where the main character feels like she is being stalked or slowly losing her mind as she is being manipulated and gaslit.

The narrative keeps you guessing what's real and what's a product of Gloria's fracturing mental state as the dreamlike, nightmarish reinforces this connection. Decarnation is not an easy game to stick with due to its main premise but it is one that will stay with you long after you've finished it. Games like this show that videogames can be a broad church.

Love, Death + Robots- Season 4 Review

Netflix's Love, Death + Robots offers a thrilling dose of sci-fi through visually stunning, standalone animated shorts. While I found season 1 occasionally leaned too heavily into edginess, echoing early UK anime, season 2, though less gratuitous, lacked truly engaging narratives. However, season 3 marked a turning point, delivering consistent and mature storytelling, with standouts like The Very Pulse of the Machine, Bad Travelling, and Jibaro. This progression has left me eagerly anticipating season 4.

Will it continue this upward trend and deliver more of the compelling and imaginative worlds I've come to appreciate? Let's dive into the latest series which is composed of 10 episodes, the longest clocking in at just 17 minutes.

Can’t Stop

The Red Hot Chili Peppers perform a concert at Slane Castle in 2003 in string puppet form but it starts to get a little out of control.

This is a crazy impressive music video as the crowd scenes look amazing. The lighting and sheer number of ‘strings’ on show in this CGI film is impressive. If I’d been involved it would have quickly evolved into a tangled mess. Props to the team for not messing up the props.

Close Encounters of the Mini Kind

When aliens come to Earth, they land in America and are quickly killed, triggering an invasion. Cue loads of visual jokes on anal probes, ray guns and lasers, a destroyed Golden Gate Bridge (of course) and impressive car chases.

This is a follow on from Night of the Mini Dead from season 3 and has a similar isometric styles with a cute take on Simlish. The ending is dark and goes places but does show mankind’s jingoistic hubris.

Spider Rose

A grieving cyborg seeks revenge on those that killed her husband and destroyed her business. When she finds a rare jewel an alien race of traders want what she has so, in exchange for a powerful pet/weapon, she agrees. Will she be able to get the revenge she seeks or will the love of a companion prove a balm to her grief and loneliness? She has a 96 day trial period to find out.

This is hard sci-fi based on a space opera short story by Bruce Sterling. It goes to unexpected places and is one of the standout episodes as we see Spider Rose going through the different stages of grief.

400 Boys

When mysterious kaiju/gods/aliens attack and destroy a city, a surviving crew of gang members decides to team with their enemy to bring the creatures they call Boys down. Will the parley work and help to bring the Teams together to take down the Boys?

The story reminded me of Attack the Block, The Warriors and many of the belt scrolling beat-em eps of the lates 80s and early 90s like Double Dragon, Final Fight and Streets of Rage. The fact that it features the voice talent of John Boyega, who starred in the alien invasion in East London flick Attack the Block is surely not a coincidence but rather a firm wink and nod. The 2D animation is slick and stylised like Samurai Jack or the Gorillaz and the music is bangin’.

The Other Large Thing

When a cat desired world domination it soliloquies a lot and is overly dramatic like a poor man’s Batman. However, when the owners buy a robot boy he mothers the cat and puts him in his place like a cheerful Rosie Jetson. However, the cat soon manipulates him and turns him into his minion to do his bidding.. with tragic results.

This was an excellent episode as it was very firmly tongue in cheek and captured the ornery personality of cats well. The animation is top notch and the humans are presented as terrible and deserving of their horrible fate.

Golgotha

This is a live action short, the first I believe for LD+R, in which a priest (a wonderfully anxious Rhys Darby) is asked for a meeting with the aliens, the Lupo. They are sea-dwellers from 50 light years away who want to talk to Father Maguire about the resurrection of Blackfin, a sole dolphin, when a pod washed ashore a few days ago. They believe her to be the messiah and listen to her tell of the genocide of the sea creatures by those who walk the land. The Lupo are not pleased and so begins the endtimes.

This is a bonkers episode about the origins of faith and how wars can easily begin over misconceptions and overzealousness. I loved it as it was funny and profound yet deeply tragic too.

The Screaming of the Tyrannosaur

On a space station orbital ring near Jupiter, an epic gladiatorial battle plays out to entertain royals and dignitaries. Releasing dinosaur hybrids, the warriors battle to reach the end and be the last one standing. The flamboyant aristocrats watch the lowly gladiators fight for survival as the numbers slowly whittle down but one warrior is ready to take the system down.

This is a beautiful looking episode and the set-up reminds me of The Hunger Games with the chariot racing scene from Ben-Hur. Not that it means much to me but the compere in this episode is Mr. Beast as he does a pretty good job of being a smug muppet so there’s that.

How Zeke Got Religion

The American bomber crew of the Liberty Belle is on a mission over France; its target is a church. When they deliver their payload, destroying the church and the Nazi pseudo-religious rituals they encounter a force that the Third Reich have released- The Fallen. As it tears apart the plane and crew, Zeke, the athiest, fights back.

I loved the animation style in this episode as it reminded me of the French bande anime style. The design of The Fallen also reminds me of Bayonetta as that had some gnarly creature designs with cherubic faces melded to winged monstrosities. The final battle went all Akira Tetsuo baby mutant limbs mode and was suitably dramatic. This episode is definitely one of the highlights of the series.

Smart Appliance, Stupid Owners

Various appliances give their opinions about their owners and do not hold anything back.

This is a hilarious short 7 minute animation presented in a stopmotion claymation style and reminds me of Aardman’s Creature Comforts. Kevin Hart is hilarious as an ionizer who has to work overtime for his lentil eating owner, he is not happy. Ronny Chieng as the unimpressed toothbrush and Brett Goldstein as the smart toilet on Taco Tuesday are brilliant.

For He Can Creep

In an asylum in 1757 London, a poet tries to write the one true celestial poem sent from God. His cat protects him from imps who would plague him but one night Satan tries to tempt the cat without success. When he tries to do away with the cat the poet agrees to help Satan write a poem but he is a pernickety. The cat seeks counsel from fellow cats and they fight back against the rising evil.

This is a well done episode with the dulcet tones of Jim Broadbent as the poor poet. The idea that cats can see beyond the material world is an interesting concept and their link to God and angels is a good premise for this story.

Overall, I very much enjoyed this season of LD+R as I felt that there was a wide variety of stories and animation styles and the impressive voice cast really brought the whole thing together. The seasons do seem to be going from strength to strength and I hope it will help push Secret Level, the other show executive produced by Tim Miller, to be better the next time round.

LINK- Love, Death + Robots- Season 1 Review

LINK- Love, Death + Robots- Season 2 Review

LINK- Love, Death + Robots- Season 3 Review

LINK- The 7th Voyage of Sinbad- Cult Movie Review

LINK- How to be Perfect: The Correct Answer to Every Moral Question by Mike Schur- Book Review

LINK- The Good Place and Philosophy- Book Review

LINK- Utopia for Realists- Book Review

LINK- On And On And Colston ( Or, How We Kinda Sort of Learned to Talk About the Legacy of Colonialism and the British Empire)

LINK- ‘Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire’ LINK: Elden Ring- Videogames As Art

Critical Hits: Writers on Gaming and the Alternate Worlds They Inhabit - Book Review ( and some thoughts)

I was intrigued by the premise of Critical Hits because, unlike the typical gaming publications, this collection was showcasing writers who, while not professional game critics, possess a genuine love for the medium. These 18 essays, born from personal experience, promised to offer a welcome departure from the 'gaming bubble,' and reveal the powerful influence of individual games on a diverse range of lives. I've long held the belief that videogames are unique in media as you don't just consume them as passive observers but you act within them and that sense of agency is key. The effect this can have on individuals can be profound and that's what I found within these 18 essays.

Elissa Washuta- I Struggled a Long Time with Surviving

Elissa recounts her time playing The Last of Us during the first lockdown in America whilst suffering from an illness that was not Covid. She discusses the apprehension and fear of the changing real-world with the events mirrored in Naughty Dog's videogame world after a cordycep virus spreads, making zombie like creatures.

Elissa discusses her diagnosis of an autoimmune disease and recounts her road to recovery via the timeline of The Last of Us, going through the various chapters within the game to process her feelings.

I felt this was a very powerful and personal chapter that discusses the resilience of the human condition. Videogames can offer us a way to process our own emotions by proxy and, for Elissa, this seems to be the case.

Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah - This Kind of Animal

Nana discusses how Disco Elysium made him consider the choices we have during the course of our life and the reflections we have as we approach death. Entropy means we are dying from the moment we are born.

Nana has a beautiful way with words and the '... our (dead) bodies are not us. They are an echo of an echo' really struck me about the legacy and memories we leave behind. We all try to avoid thinking about death but Nana argues that Disco Elysium makes us embrace our choices and looks deep within our inferiority to show our true self.

Max Delsohn- Thinking Like a Knight

Max discusses the body dysphoria they suffered and how Undertale represented a wonderful lesbian love story for two of its characters. They talk about how Hollow Knight offered them a way to focus and redouble their efforts to conquer the challenge.

Max is very honest about their mental health struggles and discusses the importance of being seen in media. The Outsider (which they describes as a feeling of 'Outside-ness') is often excluding but they state that there are ways to feel a part of something bigger and, for Max, Hollow Knight does that by its carefully crafted lore.

I liked the self-reflection of Max in this essay but it didn't chime with me as the outsider and Hollow Knight connection wasn't clearly explained but for others this might be just the ticket.

Keith S. Wilson- Mule Milk

The essay starts in an unusual way with the author contemplating the genealogy of mules and whether they occur naturally in the wild. He then looks at nature and wonders about what is classified as nature. It seems a bit random but then he reveals that he is a 'mulatto' and it all suddenly comes together what is considered natural and unnatural. He discusses his love for Final Fantasy VI and Terra, the half-human, half esper being who is seen as a commidity in this colonial realm. For an 11 year old Keith, it blew his mind that a videogame was talking about slavery and the commodification of peoples, colonialism and the fight for equality.

I really liked this essay as I love Final Fantasy VI for precisely this reason; the critique of the military industrial complex and the social hierarchy of races to justify bigoted world views is one I could relate to post Operation Desert Storm and the dehumanisation of certain Middle Eastern people.

Octavia Bright - Staying With the Trouble

The essay looks back at the author's childhood spent trying to crack the 5 question test to allow her to enter an illicit adult game. She fails but later finds out from Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow author Gabrielle Zavin that the game she sought was Leisure Suit Larry. Bright plays the game and sees a sad story about a man on the verge of suicide as he can't get 'laid'. She reflects on sociatal expectations of men and how the media landscape in the 80s and 90s was very incel-ly, it was all about getting laid. She then pivots to Stray, a videogame where you play as a cat in a dystopian world and discusses the power of staying curious.

Bright captures the mood of playing something you know you are not supposed to, wishing you could grow up quicker to explore the adult world before realising that adulting is a trap. Back in the day, there was a version of Samantha Fox's Strip Poker for the ZX Spectrum but I never knew of it until years later reading Retro Gamer. For my brother and I, the most illicit game we played was Barbarian on our green monochrome Amstrad CPC 464 where you could chop off the heads of your enemies with the signature roundhouse sword move. Pre-Mortal Kombat this was as violent as videogames got for me. Bright touched upon the feeling of wonder we all felt when realising that there were digital worlds, which we could interact with, possible within this screen. Her sense of wonder at Stray is infectious and even though I finished the game to completion and didn't really enjoy it as much as she obviously did, I enjoyed her message of hope and wonder when all seems grimy and seedy.

Charlie Jane Anders- Narnia Made of Pixels

This is a bit of a quirky essay as Anders looks at videogame portal stories, where a character enters a videogame world. Using this premise she covers quite a few titles including TRON, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and Free Guy. They discuss how often the story is about IP and brand recognition and how the 'badguy' is the nefarious corporations.

Obviously, this book was written in 2023 so pre- The Super Mario Bros. Movie and Minecraft, but I'd like to hear her take on the isekai genre as they both cover people entering new digital worlds.

Jamil Jan Kochai- Cathartic Warfare

The author discusses the social and collegiate atmosphere of playing Call of Duty with his friends and then his discomfort then the enemy began to look more and more like him, an Afghan American immigrant. He mentions how the various atrocities like the torture of Dilawar, the Uruzgan wedding bombing and the Shinwar Massacre left a bitter taste in his mouth ans recontentualised the game series for him, showing jingoistic American Imperialism tones. The author Frantz Fanon's book Black Skin, White Mask is mentioned and the principle of collective catharsis, where a focus of aggression is aimed at a 'common enemy' is the norm usually from the colonising to the colonised.

I enjoyed reading this essay as I got it, but I've not really played many 'realistic' GPS games as it seems too realistic to me. It's the reason the only games I do play in the genre are more fantastical like Doom or part of a wider genre like Metroid or Bioshock.

Ander Monson - The Cocoon

Ander discusses how Alien vs. Predator blew his mind as a youth. The Atari Jaguar was much unloved yet this game (as well as Jeff Minter's Tempest 2000) were the breakouts that have stood the test of time. Ander then discusses his time with other games within the Alien and Predator world.

I enjoyed this essay as it captures the idea that the right game at the right game can be transformational. It doesn't have to be the best but if it drops and hits you in the feels then it matters.

Marinaomi - Video Game Boss

This is a comic strip about how the author fell in and out of the videogame industry, working her way from tester to localiser. She discusses the misogyny she experienced and how she moves away to the comic scene. 

The issues raised in this comic are apparently still prevalent within the industry from the creators I follow but there is more awareness now so that's something. 

Vanessa Villarreal- In the Shadow of the Wolf

This is quite a powerful essay about the racial purity often projected onto Vikings and Scandinavians in videogames, films and TV shows. Villarreal discusses how this theory, linked to eugenics, seems to have thrived and grown stronger in recent times even though it is based on untruths. 

She discusses how Dragon Age: Inquisition and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla both consolidate the myth of racial purity although that is not their intention as Ragnarok is a racial purity war. It's an intriguing essay but I've played neither game so cannot comment about the content or context. 

Tony Tulathimutte- Clash Rules Everything Around Me 

The author discusses the addictive and demanding nature of Clash of Clans, a monkey on their back they cannot get rid of. The time sink and cash demands to make the game flow quicker are an indictment of late state capitalism and, when there are people sploodging lots of dollaridoos, other is no way you can compete on the same level. 

Even though he acknowledges that the game is a waste of time, many still find it intoxicating enough to have a sunk cost fallacy and cognitive dissonance mentality. 

Eleanor Henderson - The Great Indoorsman

This essay is about how Eleanor, a mother of two children, who is trying to raise well-rounded boys. She shows how she is trying unsuccessfully to balance her children playing videogames with outdoor pursuits. She discusses her live of gaming and the great outdoors whilst her children are into videogames and indoor pursuits like stop motion, Lego etc. 

What she realises is that the videogames they play are teaching them a lot about the world as well as other life skills so she's pretty chill about it. The story of her son working with her to finally complete Super Mario Bros. from the NES is sweet as was her hunt for a PS5 during lockdown. 

Nat Steele - I Was a Teenage Transgender Supersoldier

This was an insightful essay as the author discusses how they related to Halo's Master Chief, a cybernetically modified super soldier. As a trans person unaware of their complex emotions and feelings, Nat discusses how important the game was in raising awareness about their own complexities. 

Alexander Chee - Ninjas and Foxes

The author looks at Asian representation in videogames and remembers his time with Ninja Gaiden Black and Jade Empire. He feels Ninja Gaiden was more a Western cosplay of ninjas, even though the game was made by a Japanese studio whilst Jade Empire was more authentically Asian representative, even though it was made in the West. The author was looking for authenticity and affirmation as the Asian representations were often stereotypes in gaming, something they felt that didn't represent them well

This is a heartfelt essay about queer identity and how gamed can distract us from our true selves. 

Stephen Sexton - No Traces

The writer discusses the 'magical circle' attitude to play, how it is out of time and place and is formative. The game that bonded him to his best friends S? Metal Gear Solid! He discusses how videogames are a visual culture and they can imprint themselves onto some youth, almost creating an outer-body experience, which Peter Bude called the 'Circuit of Specularity.'

I liked this essay a lot as I can relate to this. One of my most treasured memories is of playing Resident Evil 7 in VR with my friends, taking life or levels when we became too scared. Sexton's take rang true for me and I'm guessing will for many others. 

Larissa Pham - Status Effect

Larissa discusses losing months at a time to depression. She shares how Genshin Impact was a wonderful game for her as she played it with friends and it was her comfort during Covid and the after times. 

This is a refreshingly honest tale on how gaming can help when life is getting to be too much. I liked it and hope the author is doing well. 

J. Robert Lennon - Ruined Ground

The author discusses how Fallout 76 was the antidote they needed whilst Covid and their anxiety about their susceptibility to illness kept them worried about the pandemic. Their avatar online could adapt their body and cope with the hostilities of the world whilst their terrestrial body was much less able to do so. 

Lennon talks about the anxieties of the real world pandemic and how the online game offered solace and freedom, with its virtual world free from plague (for a while at least until it was patched in as a quest) and allowing people to meet and interact online. 

Hanif Abdurraqib - We're More Ghosts Than People 

The author is a Muslim and discusses the concept of Heaven and Hell through the aspect of Red Dead Redemption 2's honour system. He discusses playing a paragon playthrough of Arthur to ensure he had a high honour grade to ensure he had a good ending but, as the old saying goes, you can't always save the ones you love, and Arthur dies horribly. 

Out of all the essays, this in the one that hit the hardest. I am a Muslim and I have been researching, analysing and reading a lot about the faith I was born into and the idea that you may not be able to save those you love is a hard concept for me to accept. This essay just hit at the right time and dang, Abdurraqib just gets it y'know. 

Overall, I really enjoyed the book as it gave a diverse range of authors a chance to talk about the games and matters that most appealed to them. The styles were varied so, even if they were not for you, like a good anthology series, another would be waiting just around the corner. 

Ah! My Goddess OVA - Cult Manga Series Review

There are certain anime series that are like a warm, comforting blanket which never lose their appeal. For me, it's Haibane Renmei but I know everyone has their own comfort go to. Ah! My Goddess is one of those comforting manga series that was everywhere in the 90s whilst I growing up. I mean, it wasn't in the public zeitgeist but was in many of the comic shops and superstore like HMV Picadilly or Virgin Megastore Tottenham Court Road. I never got around to watching it as the VHS tapes were £12.99 for each 30 minute OVA but I did read a lot of it in my monthly Super Manga Blast, which features xx pages monthly.

As I continued my journey to catch up on manga and anime series I had missed in my youth, this one came up so I thought I'd dive right in and give it a looksie.

The story is very simple, when student Keichi accidently calls the goddess helpline whilst trying to order takeout, he meets Belldandy, a beautiful Norse goddess. She insists on helping him and hilarity ensues as she gets used to the ways of us mere mortals. Over 5 episodes, we get the start of the magical girlfriend/ harem genre conventions that would prove popular within the medium.

Moonlight and Cherryblossoms
Keiichi rings the wrong number and dials the goddess helpline. Belldandy appears and offers Keiichi and wish and, being skeptical, he wishes for her to be with him forever. The wish is granted but Keiichi is kicked out of his men's only dorm. They find a new home in an old temple and just as they are settled his younger sister Megumi visits.
It's a very sweet introductory episode and you get the lay of the land pretty quickly that this is going to be an ensemble cast piece. Keiichi is sweet and Belldandy says, "It's not the size of the body, it's the size of the heart."

Midsummer Night's Dream
Keiichi considers taking Belldandy to the beach but things get a little complex when Urd, the Cupid of Love and Belldandy's big sister, starts to give Keiichi some poor advice on how to make his move.
Urd is a hilarious agent of chaos, being a bit naughty and impish. She gives Keiichi a love potion but he sees someone else first and declares his love, breaking Belldandy's heart. In the end it all works out and Urd joins the household.

Burning Hearts on the Road
Whilst fixing up a motorbike for an interschool motor club drag racing competition, Keiichi is visited by Belldandy's younger sister Skuld. She doesn't like the fact that her elder sister and Urd are on Earth with Keiichi and resents him. She tries to fix the race against him but starts to see that he has a true heart and starts to come around.
This is a cute episode with lots of team spirit and unity conveyed. Even though Skuld is understandably upset at losing her two sisters, she starts to see that Keiichi's intentions are pure.

Evergreen Holy Night
Belldandy is given a recall notice from her father, the ultimate power, and she only had three days left with Keiichi's before she returns. Whenever the two are close together, the world around them breaks and shatters but will it be enough to keep the two apart.
This episode is melodramatic in the best way as Belldandy and Keiichi are heartbroken that they will be separated. The impact on their friendship group is felt too as they belong together like peanuts and chewing gum.

For the Love of Goddess
As the deadline draws closer, Keiichi and Belldandy try to come to terms with their forced separation. Skuld and Urd scheme for a way to hack the system to allow the lovers to stay together but it's not guaranteed.
This is a wonderful ending with a flashback to Keiichi's childhood that brings the whole piece together. It's a fist pumping ending to a wonderful series that doesn't overstay its welcome.

Watching this anime is like stepping back into a simpler, more innocent time. This anime is sweet but to saccharine at all. The OVA offers a refreshingly pure dose of romance with Keiichi's earnestness and Belldandy's gentle grace being central to the series as they grow together. This is a classy series which doesn't go down the ecchi (pervy) harem aspects many other series did at the time.

One of the reasons I like the anime of this era is that the art is gorgeous; the character designs are beautifully rendered, and the gentle, pastel infused aesthetic perfectly complements the series' lighthearted tone.

At only 5 episodes, this OVA series is brief and can be watched in one evening, clocking in at around 2 1/2 hours. This is a blessing and a curse as it feels like there is more to see of this world but with the manga, the Ah! My Goddess TV series and other iterations it's no biggie to keep on exploring this universe.

Overall, Ah! My Goddess OVA is a timeless classic that deserves a place in any anime fan's collection. Whether your a long-time devotee or a newcomer (like me) the series will charm you with its gentle humour, heartwarming romance and enduring appeal. Sometimes the simplest stories are the best and boy meets girl/ Goddess is a a pretty universal love story.