Being Geek Chic is a blog about one woman navigating the male-dominated industries of production and tech. It's written by Elizabeth Giorgi, Founder, CEO and Director of Mighteor - one of the world's first internet video production companies. Learn more about Mighteor here.
It would be futile for me to list a bunch of reasons for you to go see Age of Ultron if you haven’t already. You already have all the reasons you need and it’s clearly the blockbuster movie of 2015 so far. It would, however, be irresponsible of me not to point out the most important part of the entire film.
Here’s the basic description: Early in the film, Thor and Tony Stark are standing at the bar when Maria asks: “Where’s Pepper?” Simple question. Simple response: She has a company to run. Could be the end of the conversation and move along, but critically it is not. Joss Whedon instead uses it as a moment to establish that these men have chosen REMARKABLE women as partners. Thor goes on to brag about Jane’s consideration for a Nobel Peace Prize and Tony postures additionally about Pepper’s girl boss status.
These men are not intimidated by brilliant, powerful and successful women. These men didn’t choose damsels in distress. These men chose women who were so badass, they were probably too busy to hang out with their boyfriends at some random party anyway.
Why is this important? Imagine the millions of little boys who want to be Iron Man or Captain America or Thor. There are plenty of non-realistic, totally fantastical reasons to aspire to superheroics: flying, fighting bad guys, awesome outfits and powers from beyond human understanding. But then there are qualities that are real. Qualities that are actually translatable to the futures they are envisioning and actively creating. Imagine planting the idea that men should strive for not the hottest woman, but the most brilliant. The CEO status-caliber woman. The Nobel Prize-winning woman. The Feminist Anarchist Federal Agent woman.
The scene is used to establish that it’s not just Hawkeye and Bruce and Natasha who have relationships in their interpersonal lives. But more than that, it also serves to display the constant sense of competition amongst each of our respective heroes. This could be done in a lot of ways: see the “let’s watch everyone try to pick up Thor’s hammer” scene, for example. We’ve all seen movies and media that show men competing with their respective partners for the appreciation of their male friends. Most media literally shows off two women alongside each other in a scene without listing her accomplishments or even mentioning a single thing about her. In fact, at best, it’s a bikini scene where she gets one small line of dialogue.
The Marvel universe may not always get women right. And they certainly don’t deserve credit for being feminist friendly, but they do deserve credit for this. Specifically, I would guess that Joss Whedon deserves credit for this moment in the film.
If more little boys growing up thinking: I want to be seen with/connected to/married to a bad ass woman, then maybe we will have achieved a certain kind of global peace after all.
Comics are truly great. But they can be a little intimidating, there’s no denying. Issue numbers in the hundreds and beyond. Comic book stores with wall-to-wall selection staring down at you. What’s an average Joe or Jane to do? “Like This/Read That!” is your semi-recurring comic book breakdown here at Being Geek Chic, sending out fresh reading recommendations that are simple, sensible, and positively super.
Did you see Thor: The Dark World this weekend? If you’ve just taken in the latest slice of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, perchance you’ll find yourself with an appetite to explore the further comic book adventures of the mighty Thor, his mischievous brother Loki and the other heroes and villains of the nine realms. If that’s you, here are just a few to get you started.
You’re looking for a first step into the world of Thor
Read This: Thor: Ages of Thunder (Digital, Print)
I’ll start this post by saying this much: the comics of Thor can be a bit strange compared to stories of his superhero peers. Often drawing inspiration more heavily from fantasy novels and mythology than from the typical superhero template, Thor offers a more varied, unique reading experience than what you might find from other Avengers and heroes of the Marvel Universe. I found that this collection offers a great starting point though, giving a broad cross-section of the world of Thor. It tells a handful of one-shot stories that are independent, but also interconnected. The stories stick close to the Norse mythology roots and don’t delve all that deep, but you’ll find much of what you might have enjoyed in Thor’s cinematic adventures so far: battles with Frost giants, treachery from Loki, and even a short bout of exile to Midgard imposed by the fed up, fatherly Odin.
You say, “Forget Thor, give me more Loki!”
Read This: Thor: Trials of Loki (Digital, Print)
The movies may have Thor in their titles, but I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that many new fans have found themselves drawn into the world of Thor primarily due to the charms of Loki, the God of Mischief and brother to the God of Thunder. In that spirit, here’s a four issue arc that focuses on the origins of Loki, and explores what makes him one of the Marvel Universe’s most interesting and menacing villains. This Loki doesn’t look and feel exactly like the Tom Hiddleston-portrayed version you’ve seen on the screen, but it may give you a deeper appreciation for where that character comes from, along with his endless desire for mischief and treachery.
You’re ready to dive deeper into Thor’s corner of the Marvel Universe
Read This: Journey Into Mystery (Digital, Print)
So you know how I said earlier that Thor comics can get a bit weird. Well, here’s a thing: at one point in the comics, Asgard is destroyed and relocated to rural Oklahoma. For real. (Um, spoiler alert, I guess?). Also, Loki is eventually reborn as a kid. And there’s this guy you might come across called Beta Ray Bill, who is basically kind of like Thor, but he looks more like a horse. Anyway, if this sounds at all intriguing and you’re ready to jump into the stranger side of Thor, you’ve got to give the series Journey Into Mystery a try. Fans rave about the recent Fear Itself arc of the series that starts with issues #622, and then there’s the latest arc focusing on the Lady Sif, who could be your newest favorite lady hero after seeing Thor and Thor: The Dark World.
You want to hop on with the God of Thunder’s latest and greatest adventures
Read This: Thor: God of Thunder (Digital, Print)
This is the newest and currently running Thor series on comic shelves today, part of the Marvel NOW! initiative, which I’ve talked about a bit in the past. So far, I’m really digging the direction of this series and it remains one of my favorite Thor books to date. It keeps things fairly simple out of the gate, but the stories are well told and they focus first and foremost on the characterization of Thor by juxtaposing the different stages in his life. This approach makes it a great jumping on point for newbies. What’s more, the latest arc getting underway now features an appearance from the one and only Dr. Jane Foster, and a burgeoning conflict with Malekith the Accursed, who just so happens to be the big baddie in Thor’s return to theatres this weekend. Coincidence? I think not. Well played, Marvel.
So there you have it, just a few recommendations to get you started on your epic journey to Asgard through the pages of comic book lore. As I said, there’s truly a vast array of interesting books out there under the Thor banner, so keep exploring! These are just the tip of the iceberg.
Have any disagreements with these recommendations or some of your own to share? Well then, what are you waiting for, “Have at thee!”
Guest post by Adam Giorgi, who also happens to be my brother. He’s a writer, gamer, reader and Potter head. He also makes cool comics from time to time. Check out his blog: Geek-Attack. Follow him on twitter: @adamgiorgi
It’s well-documented, but I love movies. I love to watch them, re-watch them, talk about them, write about them. Even bad movies are still… movies. And I have to appreciate the work required for each to be born unto my eyes.
This fall will be particularly amazing. Just look at this lineup:
Touchy Feely - September 6, 2013
What can I say? Initial buzz on this movie is so-so, but I love an obnoxious twee movie about obnoxious twee people. Maybe it’s because it makes me feel better about myself. I don’t know.
Gravity - October 4, 2013
This movie could literally be Sandra Bullock floating around space for 90 minutes and I think I would like it. I would get a stomach ache, but I’d like it.
Thor: The Dark World - November 8
I am the only person I know that feels this way, but maybe one of you agrees: Thor is the BEST of the round one Marvel movies. Yeah, I know. BOLD. No wonder I’m so excited for the next movie.
About Time - November 8
I sense a double header weekend. Time travel? Check. Domnhall Gleason aka Bill Weasley? Check. Bill Nighy. Done damn deal.
Catching Fire - November 22
I don’t think I even need to explain why this is so exciting to me.
After these movies come and go, we still have so much to look forward to. Hobbit 2. Sherlock S3. Doctor Who Christmas Specials. We are in for a really great remainder of 2013, my friends. If you like that movie clapper necklace up top, you can buy it. I did. And I love it.
I’m about to hit the road for some time at the lake, so enjoy this animated gif and miscellaneous geek news while I’m gone.
Enjoy your weekend!
Awesome Harry Potter Fan Decodes Wizarding Genetics
Turns out that you could be a wizard if you had some Trinucleotide repeats in your genes. It’s true! The fan, who goes by Andrea, explains it as such:
“The Huntington’s Disease Collaborative Research Group (1993) proved that the disease was caused by CAG (cytosine-adenine-guanine) trinucleotide repeats. The Huntington gene is dominant and autosomal (not linked to sex chromosomes). Normally, a person has 11 to 34 CAG repeats in the gene of interest, which causes the transcription of the normal huntingtin protein. Unfortunately, when an individual has 42 to over 66 CAG repeats, the abnormal huntingtin protein transcribed causes serious symptoms later in life… Trinucleotide repeats are inherently unstable, so DNA replication errors, such as slippage, are more likely to occur… If 100 repeats are necessary for the gene to be of the magical dominant allele variety, the recessive non-magical, or muggle, allele type might only contain about 50 repeats. So, within a range, most muggles have about 50 trinucleotide repeats, but like any other trait there will be variation and some muggles might have 90 repeats and still be phenotypically non-magical. Muggle-borns are caused by spontaneous mutations.”
If only I had this genetic abnormality! Not really, but you get the gist. The whole paper can be found here.
Christopher Eccleston (Doctor Who #9) will play Thor 2’s villian
I love when actors just sort of start being nerd cult types. The former Doctor Who star will reportedly play Malekith the Accursed, the ruler of the Dark Elves. Now, we just need to wait for November 2013.
I write stuff all the timezzzz. Here’s some of it:
Make Faux Photostrips with Instagram pics
Sport your Olympic Pride with these tech accessories
I love DIYs that are crazy easy, yet have a big impact. This is one of those. Wearing lots and lots of beautiful bracelets and bangles is really in right now (and not just with fashion bloggers, I promise.) - but if you don’t want to invest a ton of cash on some new sparkle, this project is easy and lets you share a bit of your personality by using comic book art.
1. Pre-string a piece of stretchy cord with half your beads. I used silver and blue faceted glass beads - and here’s a tip - they’re 50% off at Michael’s Craft stores this week, so it’s $2.50 for a 9 inch strand.
2. Scan the portion of your comic book that you want to appear in your charm. You can use a couple different panels or a cover. I think 80s comic book covers are some of the best art out there, so I chose a Thor Journey Into Mystery cover from ‘86 and an Avengers West Coast Annual cover from '89. I scanned them and shrunk them down to about a half an inch. Then, print out two for each side of the charm.
3. Remove the stock photo in the charm and keep it. You’ll need it to stiffen the comic book prints. Tape a copy of your comic book of choice to each side and then trim the excess.
4. Now, use another piece of clear tape to create a lamination effect on the paper. You want to be careful not to touch the tape, because it will put fingerprints on it. Sandwich it in and cut the excess tape off.
5. Slip your comic book into the photo frame charm - being sure not to damage the tape.
6. Now, put your charm on your stretchy cord and finish beading. Tie it off and enjoy!
You need:
Comic book
Printer
Tape
Scissors
Stretch jewelry cord
Beads
Photo frame charm
Needle
20 minutes
Total cost: $3.50 per bracelet (Note: I bought my charm at a Michael’s store for $1, but you can find larger packs online for about the same price.)
