Dean Simons
@deansimons
He/Him. UK-based freelance culture writer/journalist [news & features]. Interests: world comics, comics history, digital comics + tech/gaming Portfolio Support my work Follow ≠ endorsement
Excited to see a new Marlon James novel make Booker Longlist. Apparently a return to the world of his fantastic crime epic A BRIEF HISTORY OF SEVEN KILLINGS. I thought James was had at work on the DARK STAR fantasy trilogy finale. Unfortunately THE DISAPPEARERS isn’t released until September. 😞
Uncertain on accessibility to newcomers. They can follow but hooked? 🤷🏻♂️ Old hands…while it has been some time since I watched either show, it’s fine. Wouldn’t mind more Aang movies - just hopefully we get a bit more development of the supporting cast too. Esp Aang + Katara 6/10 (7/10 for fans)
AVATAR AANG: THE LAST AIRBENDER was a decent start for Avatar Studios return to - and expansion of - that universe. The movie very much focuses on a more adult Aang, 10 years after the cartoon, as he wrestles with his past, his heritage, and sense of belonging. Animation and music is good. However…
As of a few days ago, I once more became a full time Londoner after many years precariously balancing life between London and Bristol. Just the unpacking to do so I can once more excavate a workspace. Also condensing items from multiple different households (lots of hand me downs)
Last night I completed the Switch Lite OLED mod. It got surprisingly messy but this time I didn’t tear the ribbon cable for the screen. I did have some issues that required reopening multiple times - game cart reader errors and a malfunctioning R button. Sorted both (not sure how on the first)
Sad times for British democracy. The fox said…”I’m out”. Count Binface v Nigel Farage are the only candidates in the Clacton by-election, triggered by Farage resigning as an MP for a constituency he barely represents at all in parliament.
Started my July game early: Crosscode. Liking it so far. It has been sitting in my backlog for a fair few years. I think I got it during Covid lockdown. Dungeons can feel a bit long and there are times when I unlock something and am waiting for the little tune you would get in Zelda.
I love those hilarious oddball Judge Dredd stories. Sure the series can be epic, or serious, or tragic, but it can very much be funny and satirical. This is from the two-parter “Monkey Business at the Charles Darwin Block”, from 2000AD 184-185 (November 1980)
I suspect the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition at the British Museum is going to be popular, if accessing the website on the day member priority booking opens is any indication
Needed a pick me up and spotted this pack online a few days ago for cheap. Will be nice to physically read these. The digital versions can never get the illustrations placed right. An 8-pack of Moomins on a 30*c (86F) day Kippis! 🍻
I love this movie review quote. It speaks to me. Especially the part where it gets classified as “certified Fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes
And for comparison’s sake, Hermann’s penultimate « Jeremiah » album in 2024, tome 41 (42 not on shelf).
If we were going by Hermann’s signature « Jeremiah » series, you can see an evolution if you look at the fifth omnibus (integral). Annoyingly doesn’t give the albums it includes.
Doing a little research at the Brussels BD museum. One fun little aside was trying to determine the point Hermann’s colouring shifted to slightly deeper, moodier hues. I used « Towers of Bois-Maury » as it is slightly more spread out and I think has Hermann doing his own colour work.
The Samurai exhibition is - expectedly - history and culture of the period, but later on it talks about how it has taken off culturally. Naturally, manga shows up. I spotted: Vagabond Gintama Afro Samurai Lone Wolf & Cub Usagi Yojimbo Samurai Legend. Also: Saigo Takamori, Chidaruma kenpo present
Made it to the British Museum’s Samurai exhibition, after remembering last minute that it was closing this weekend. I ran out of time, so hopefully I will manage the rest before it closes tomorrow (I can be in museums for hours and hours)
Was looking for books on British social history between 1950-1990 and spotted this. Not totally sure it will mention any campaigns against comics though. Should be entertaining.
Been giving Edens Zero a look. Only 3 volumes in but liking it well enough….apart from all the unnecessary “fan service”. It’s not even particularly funny. Just irritating. I like the idea of Mashima doing it as a change of pace from fantasy, but claims to have very little experience with sci-fi.
The wonders of vintage British comics: Jimmy and his Magic Patch. Created in 1944 by Dudley Watkins (of The Broons fame), it features a schoolboy who has his school uniform repaired with a piece of magic carpet by a Romani woman after rescuing her cat from a fierce dog, letting him time travel. 🕰️ 🍑
The Victorians loved a bit of “true” crime. The most disturbing and lurid the better. Illustrated newspapers were also a bit of a thing, since photographic reproduction had yet to be. Put the two together and you get…The Illustrated Police News. Founded in 1864, it ran until 1938. Blimey.
Took a few more months but appears every form of Steam Deck (LCD + OLED) is now Out of Stock in the UK. I’ve got the launch LCD model and was getting fomo when they released the OLED (but couldn’t justify the expense). No more temptation now. Hopefully Steam Deck 2 launches with OLED…in 2029
MAUL: SHADOW LORD kicked off with two opening episodes. + Music and animation, excellent. - Plot not quite gelling (so far). Too many threads for weekly show? (Some too cliché). Feels like opening chapters of a long novel Love Star Wars animation so will see how things turn out.
Yikes. Those new prices. The PS5 doesn’t look worth it for that money.
Huh. Didn’t consider that part. From ‘The Red Planet: A Natural History of Mars’, Simon Moreden (2022)
Was glancing at the Dark Horse website and noticed the branding had been changed. Not sure when. Assuming within the last few weeks.
Just realised that I have already passed the 20 year mark as a regular reader of 2000 AD. The newsagent near my sixth form college, where I bought my first copy, is now a nail parlour - but the compelling Thrills in every issue remain the same. (My first issue was released February 22nd, 2006)