I love my epic fantasies...um...I feel like I need to rephrase that but I'm too damn lazy. Anywho - I love the Belgariad, Lord of the Rings, Wheel of Time* and, just recently, someone told me to hurry up and read A Game of Thrones. This seemed to coincide with HBO in the States bringing out a television version of said book - coincidence? Meh who knows.
So, after scouring our local bookstores and library and not finding any trace I threw my hands up in the air and had a mild temper tantrum right there on the floor. It was rather attractive if you like women beating their fists on the ground and utterly idle threats about the children's children and curses and...well I think you get the point.
Well, needless to say, I ordered the book online for a hell of a lot cheaper than buying it in NZ. (Nearly 2/3 cheaper...I'm just saying.) And now I am slowly devouring it as one must devour books. Devour is my word of the day - slightly more appropriate than genitalia I feel. (And all those of you with dirty minds would you kindly remove said minds from the gutter...thank you.)
Anyway, I am thoroughly enjoying the book. More than I thought I would since I've been trying to limit the amount of epic fantasy books I read just because once I get into a series the world seems to disappear and I suddenly find myself running with wolves, learning how to sword fight and drinking tavern ale while singing bawdy songs about the pirate's mistress and such stuff. (Apparently I'm either Alanna from The Song of the Lioness or any number of tomboy females learning to wield a sword.)
All of this lead me to think on why I enjoy the epic fantasy. I mean, not to be nasty, but they all have the same plot, basically - there is normally a young boy/girl who slowly learns more about their past while becoming a great fighter/dancer/whatever. Also, there tends to be a wise mentor/wizard/Jedi knight who will sacrifice themselves for the hero and so on. But, regardless of this, I still love them. Maybe a little too much because, let's face it, there aren't too many chivalrous knights left in any kingdom I'm aware of - and maybe far too many lecherous ... well I'll leave that unsaid on the premise that I am a lady...when I need to be...
For me, it's the adventure, the story, the romance and the magic of it all. It is escapism in its best. My mother reads Mills and Boons** for the same reason that I read about knights, dragons, wizards and more. When I am reading these books I am part of the story. I am right there as Garion, Wolf, Polgara and Durnik flee the farm. I'm there when Bastion calls out his mother's name in the hopes of saving Fantasia. I'm there when Bran finds himself hearing and seeing something he shouldn't. And, through all of this, I'm not a silent witness. I will yell at the characters, telling them what to do (though they never seem to listen to me...).
Basically, what I am saying is that epic fantasy is epic because it encompasses me, giving flight to my imagination and so much more. It is my form of escapism. Plus, who doesn't like a little sword fight now and then...right?
*Though I have kind of stalled on the sixth book...I swear it seems like sometimes nothing happens and then I get a shiny new book and I'm all magpie like in that I get attracted by any little bit of shine...
**It is a sad fact in my life. I have been slowly weaning her off them but it is a hard process.
Showing posts with label heroes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label heroes. Show all posts
Thursday, 26 May 2011
Thursday, 21 April 2011
Top Five TV Characters I Admire
The 20 Thing I Like list went down quite well. It was a fun one to write about as well though it took longer than I expected, in part because I really had to think about things that I do like rather than just passing 'flavour of the month' things. So, in keeping up with things that I like I am going for TV characters that I admire.
Kara Thrace/Starbuck - Battlestar Galactica (re-imaging)
I never really saw the original though I can understand the outcry about changing Starbuck from a man into a woman but I think it was a fraking brilliant move. Starbuck, especially in the first two seasons, was extremely kick-ass and awesome on so many levels. It is great to see a woman who can drink, swear and fight with the best of them. She was real and, as you know, I love my flawed heroes because I find I can relate to them more easily. Katee Sackhoff made Starbuck an icon of science fiction.
Angela Montenegro - Bones
I love all the characters on Bones. To me, the show is more about the characters and what drives them than the actual crime aspect of the show. In my mind, each of the characters are uniquely interesting but no more so than Angela. From her fashion sense to her intelligence, which is in no way overshadowed by the rest of the characters, she is a great role model and someone who I admire in terms of characterisation. I love the fact that, although she is technically a squint, she also has an open mind to the world - though not in the same way as Hodgins.
Dr. Spencer Reid/Penelope Garcia - Criminal Minds
From the first episode I was intrigued by all the characters but these two, above all, were really interesting to me. (I know I'm cheating by choosing two but I couldn't decide). Both are completely different in personality and, well everything, but they are both amazing. Reid dealing with his mother and the possible threat of schizophrenia and, not to mention his astounding intelligence, is an interesting character and somewhat complex. Whereas Garcia brings the heart to the team. Her quirks and quick thinking mind make for many of the laughs of the show. Plus, she is another of those characters with great fashion sense. (In my ever so humble opinion.)
Dean Winchester - Supernatural
I am neither a Sam-girl nor a Dean-girl but I think, out of the two of them, Dean is actually the more complex. ::*::hides as fans go all crazy like::*:: But I admire him more than Sam. I guess you could say that it is, in part, to my being the older sibling and constantly worrying about my younger sibling. Yet there is also the way that he can act serious in a moment's notice but is just at ease with being the goof ball. He is fine at playing dumb and doesn't really care what others think about him.
Buffy Summers - Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Buffy had to be on this list somewhere. She is strong, kooky, witty and just brilliant. She was a typical teenager, aside from the obvious...But, she actually grows and matures as the seasons go on. Plus, she is resourceful in a way that not many other characters are. She doesn't fit in with the norm and, as Joss Whedon has stated many times, she was his response to the horror stories of old where it was the blond girl running upstairs instead of out the front door. She is another kick-ass heroine who has her own challenges and problems.
So there we go. Just a quick list again. Leave me a comment if there are any characters that you admire.
Kara Thrace/Starbuck - Battlestar Galactica (re-imaging)
I never really saw the original though I can understand the outcry about changing Starbuck from a man into a woman but I think it was a fraking brilliant move. Starbuck, especially in the first two seasons, was extremely kick-ass and awesome on so many levels. It is great to see a woman who can drink, swear and fight with the best of them. She was real and, as you know, I love my flawed heroes because I find I can relate to them more easily. Katee Sackhoff made Starbuck an icon of science fiction.
Angela Montenegro - Bones
I love all the characters on Bones. To me, the show is more about the characters and what drives them than the actual crime aspect of the show. In my mind, each of the characters are uniquely interesting but no more so than Angela. From her fashion sense to her intelligence, which is in no way overshadowed by the rest of the characters, she is a great role model and someone who I admire in terms of characterisation. I love the fact that, although she is technically a squint, she also has an open mind to the world - though not in the same way as Hodgins.
Dr. Spencer Reid/Penelope Garcia - Criminal Minds
From the first episode I was intrigued by all the characters but these two, above all, were really interesting to me. (I know I'm cheating by choosing two but I couldn't decide). Both are completely different in personality and, well everything, but they are both amazing. Reid dealing with his mother and the possible threat of schizophrenia and, not to mention his astounding intelligence, is an interesting character and somewhat complex. Whereas Garcia brings the heart to the team. Her quirks and quick thinking mind make for many of the laughs of the show. Plus, she is another of those characters with great fashion sense. (In my ever so humble opinion.)
Dean Winchester - Supernatural
I am neither a Sam-girl nor a Dean-girl but I think, out of the two of them, Dean is actually the more complex. ::*::hides as fans go all crazy like::*:: But I admire him more than Sam. I guess you could say that it is, in part, to my being the older sibling and constantly worrying about my younger sibling. Yet there is also the way that he can act serious in a moment's notice but is just at ease with being the goof ball. He is fine at playing dumb and doesn't really care what others think about him.
Buffy Summers - Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Buffy had to be on this list somewhere. She is strong, kooky, witty and just brilliant. She was a typical teenager, aside from the obvious...But, she actually grows and matures as the seasons go on. Plus, she is resourceful in a way that not many other characters are. She doesn't fit in with the norm and, as Joss Whedon has stated many times, she was his response to the horror stories of old where it was the blond girl running upstairs instead of out the front door. She is another kick-ass heroine who has her own challenges and problems.
So there we go. Just a quick list again. Leave me a comment if there are any characters that you admire.
Thursday, 7 April 2011
Comic book heroes...my top five...
I love my comic books and graphic novels. There is something about the visuals that make for a great read and I have realised that I am a rather visual person so the graphic novel is a great medium for me though I still read a great amount of novels. Anyway, today's list will be my top five comic book heroes. Feel free to disagree or let me know who your favourites are as well.
Kitty Pryde/ Shadowcat/Sprite etc
I've always loved Kitty as a character. She may start off as the annoying kid sister but she has gone through various changes throughout the incarnations of the world of the X Men. She is also one of the bases for the character of Buffy Summers so that is a plus. I've loved her powers as well even though there are more powerful characters in the world of the X Men. Similar to my favourite literary characters Kitty is quite intelligent but she is also very adventurous and more.
Bigby Wolf
Fables is one of those series that manages to give a new life to those classic faery tales that we grew up with and giving the big bad wolf a real personality and human side. I just found the whole series brilliant Bigby was one of the main reasons for this. He carries himself much like a film noir detective which adds to his charm.
Dick Grayson
Yes, he started as the boy wonder but he is so much more than that. He grows from strength to strength and has even managed to carry a series (Teen Titans) even though he has no actual supernatural abilities or mutations. Gotta give him props for that. If you look at a lot of the great comic heroes most of them have special powers but Dick has to rely on training and intellect. Plus, when he becomes Nightwing...well...he is a brilliant character and his relationship with Oracle is also beautifully portrayed.
Constantine
Forget Keanu Reeves as Constantine (although he wasn't that bad but he just wasn't John). He is almost an anti-hero. He smokes, he can be a jerk but he gets the job done. Some of the story lines that he has appeared in have been very dark and very well done. He is definitely a guy you'd want as a friend rather than an enemy.
Remy Le Beau/ Gambit & Wade Wilson/ Deadpool
I couldn't choose between these two. In fact, this list was very diffcult as there are so many great characters out there and the term hero is often hard to stick to as all of these characters are capable of bad deeds. But Gambit has to be on the list somewhere, seriously. That Cajun thief ... (is it wrong to have a small crush on a fictional character...) And Deadpool is a new love of mine. Insane and witty...great combination.
Compared to some of the other lists that I have done this has been a little more difficult. Having to choose just five is hard. There are so many that I had to leave out. Death and co from Sandman, Black Canary, Oracle, Dust, and the list goes on. Once my computer comes back I may have to do a revised list instead of these short ones for BEdA.
Let me know which characters are your favourites.
Peace and pancakes
P.S. Still no word on the computer front...last time I ever buy a Compaq - I'm sure they work fine for everyone else but so far I've had nothing but nightmares with mine.
Kitty Pryde/ Shadowcat/Sprite etc
I've always loved Kitty as a character. She may start off as the annoying kid sister but she has gone through various changes throughout the incarnations of the world of the X Men. She is also one of the bases for the character of Buffy Summers so that is a plus. I've loved her powers as well even though there are more powerful characters in the world of the X Men. Similar to my favourite literary characters Kitty is quite intelligent but she is also very adventurous and more.
Bigby Wolf
Fables is one of those series that manages to give a new life to those classic faery tales that we grew up with and giving the big bad wolf a real personality and human side. I just found the whole series brilliant Bigby was one of the main reasons for this. He carries himself much like a film noir detective which adds to his charm.
Dick Grayson
Yes, he started as the boy wonder but he is so much more than that. He grows from strength to strength and has even managed to carry a series (Teen Titans) even though he has no actual supernatural abilities or mutations. Gotta give him props for that. If you look at a lot of the great comic heroes most of them have special powers but Dick has to rely on training and intellect. Plus, when he becomes Nightwing...well...he is a brilliant character and his relationship with Oracle is also beautifully portrayed.
Constantine
Forget Keanu Reeves as Constantine (although he wasn't that bad but he just wasn't John). He is almost an anti-hero. He smokes, he can be a jerk but he gets the job done. Some of the story lines that he has appeared in have been very dark and very well done. He is definitely a guy you'd want as a friend rather than an enemy.
Remy Le Beau/ Gambit & Wade Wilson/ Deadpool
I couldn't choose between these two. In fact, this list was very diffcult as there are so many great characters out there and the term hero is often hard to stick to as all of these characters are capable of bad deeds. But Gambit has to be on the list somewhere, seriously. That Cajun thief ... (is it wrong to have a small crush on a fictional character...) And Deadpool is a new love of mine. Insane and witty...great combination.
Compared to some of the other lists that I have done this has been a little more difficult. Having to choose just five is hard. There are so many that I had to leave out. Death and co from Sandman, Black Canary, Oracle, Dust, and the list goes on. Once my computer comes back I may have to do a revised list instead of these short ones for BEdA.
Let me know which characters are your favourites.
Peace and pancakes
P.S. Still no word on the computer front...last time I ever buy a Compaq - I'm sure they work fine for everyone else but so far I've had nothing but nightmares with mine.
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