Having watched The Flash's Season Premier on the way here and arriving just in time for The Arrow's Season Premier - life could not be more seamless! Granted, I'm knackered from running all the way here (of course) and frankly very jet lagged; I can't wait for New York Comic Con to commence in 11 hours exact!!!!!!!
The first season ended with Jay Garrick's helmet, also known as The Golden Age Flash. As you might know I had actually only just caught up with Season 1 about 2-3 weeks ago - right when I was finalising outfits for NYCC! So voila - love a vintage comeback!
I love wings, and had really enjoyed making these 2 pairs - a structured pair for the helmet and a lighter softer pair for the boots. What do you think!
Both the premiers start with some key changes of events and characters. Because they don't air in UK for another week I don't wish to include spoilers; but I bet the anticipation is killing!! All I'm going to say is The Flash ended with Jay Garrick's appearance so I can't be happier about my choice to debut NYCC with! The Arrow, following its demise from last season, has reinvented himself as The Green Arrow! Oliver's suit is closer to the comics than ever now! Then the premier's ending - someone died. Don't worry this isn't a spoiler, because everybody is asking the same question on twitter!
Ray Donovan Season 3 just finished last night. Anyone else a fan sharing my emptiness?
In case you don't know what the show is about (first of all where have you been?), Ray is a situation fixer in LA with a troubled upbringing with 2.5 brothers and the perfect family in Calabasas waiting for him to come home to every night. All in all - start catching up! You won't regret it!
The first half of this season started dark and slow, but be patient, or you'll completely lose track when it all kicks off. Katie Holmes is the new blood to the show as Paige Finney, a hungry millionairess to her grossly twisted father. What seemed like a typical rich kid kidnapping was only the tip of the iceberg for deeper, darker secrets of family dynamics.
Micky's presence got old quick (for me anyway; he is second to Joffrey on my list of top hate characters!), Terry's condition deteriorates rapidly after leaving jail, developing into serious paranoia. Bunchy has a serious crush on the Mexican Wrestler, Teresa who bullies him around the gym. Abby & Ray's dynamics don't quite improve while their kids continue to spiral downwards in decadence. Ray's focus in this season had shifted from the past, but we finally get to the roots of Ray's haunting childhood in a powerful finale.
It is a little disappointing that we don't get to enjoy as much of Ray's refined sporadic problem fixing skills as we used to, but instead we get a more solid and streamline story of events: Ray with the Finney's & Mick with the Minassians (The Armenian Mafias). It was ace to see Ray's old dream team eventually recruited back together too!
I thought Holmes' braces were very random and apparently I'm not alone. Hashtags were started and she was even asked about them at TV interviews. "It was supposed to help her migraines" was the explanation in the show, and herself furthered that "this is to show she is still flawed despite being able to have whatever she wants". I found the show very poetic in Season 2, but lacking the same depth in the last. Her supposed chemistry with Ray was both unconvincing and the one kissing scene uncomfortable to watch, but it is nice to see her in a show again as a significant character.
News has it that Mickey will still be in Season 4, boo, but so good to know that Abby & Terry will remain nothing more than close friends. Thank god!
Legends: in U.S. undercover government work, a fabricated identity.
I've just finished catching up on its first series and I hear there will be an announcement this week from TNT regarding Season 2! Talk about perfect timing!
From the producers who brought us Homeland and 24, now there is Legends.
The series follow a Department of Covert Operations (DCO) FBI agent Martin Odum, aka Ned Stark, or Sean Bean, and his team. As the Legend with the highest success rate, Odum is addicted to his multi-faceted identities - anyone but his own. Under intensive psychiatric counselling, Odum is often hostile and unstable, slipping in and out of his accents and identities, a major cause of his recent divorce with Sonya who only wished to protect their son.
The series has a very clever pace; with the first few episodes to set the scene and characters up, dynamics, and a grand show off of Sean Bean's acting whilst he struggles across his many Legends. We have all seen Ali Larter's performance as the bipolar Niki & Jessica back in Heroes; who in Legends is Special Agent Crystal McGuire, a crucial component to the team. The story starts after the scene is set. Flashes of lost memory triggers Odum's search for answers to his true identity, his very existence, his sanity. Every lead he finds gets mysteriously killed seconds before he get answers in front of his very eyes.
If you do intend to catch up on the series for yourself, which I strongly suggest you do, now is the time to scroll down and skip the next section to avoid spoilers!
--------- SPOILERS ALERT ---------
Halfway into the series, it is true, this is a case of Bourne Identity. We are shown that both Odum's ex-wife and best friend / boss, Nelson, of 8 years always knew Martin Odum was a fabrication of identity - a Legend.
Odum, despite constantly confronting people around him for the truth, is still in the dark. He carries on his rapid change of Legends over multiple investigations despite being strongly advised against. One particular highly sensitive military x political incident leads to the undeniable truth that Martin Odum had a critical past in Iraq back in 2004 - not in a major car accident in LA as Sonya and Nelson insist. The plot thickens as they are both forced to come clean to Odum. Together with what Crystal found out through her own means, the pieces are of magnitude scale that lead to the framed assassination of the Director of the FBI.
-------- Phew, SPOILERS END! --------
Each episode was more gripping than the last and by the last 2-3 I was just glued to every second of it. Everything was so well thought-out then executed - the pace, the scale of events, intensity of information revealed. It was the perfect crescendo.
Season 1 wasn't the biggest commercial hit ever but I can definitely see huge potential in it becoming one. Having said that, I really hope by then it doesn't lose its edge like most TV shows does over time as it gets "massed". The series has mixed reviews, but I simply don't remember the last time I was as engaged to a TV show! I do love one that is concise and this season has 10 episodes - the perfect dose.
Season 2 is said to air Fall 2015, some say November 2015. Either way, there is still plenty of time for you to get into the series so we can talk about it together when season 2 comes along!!!
It's happened it's happened! I was so excited to get stuck in that I forgot to snap the freshly opened box photo, with all the bags & booklet perfectly laid out inside...by the time I remembered I was already halfway through Section 1...
There are only 2 sections to the set, and this is the end of Section 1:
The tiny desk was so so cute!
Only Bernadette, Howard and Amy were in this section, and each character has two expressions. I chose the angry Bernie, smug Howie, and grinning Amy heh!
I'm a sucker for printed carpets haha!
I am still wondering if I can make these molecules more 'twisty'...
This was the instructed position for the table; I had to move it across to the right in the end for
accessibility.
THE SPOT!!
I don't remember ever seeing them reading papers...
The Green Lantern lantern!!
I'm glad these weren't lipsticks after all haha
This telescope though!! <3
By this point the set is completed, with a surprising amount of extra pieces. What was most baffling were the little bag of utensils seeing the set didn't include the kitchen. I don't remember the cast ever eating out of pots and pans in the living room, but I tried the idea anyways:
No, I don't think this makes any sense...
This is when I moved the table + lamp aside, further towards the little desk. It was the only way Amy could fit next to Sheldon!
Penny can't actually sit flush against the sofa like the box suggests, her hair gets in the way!
I'm so glad they have Penny this facial expression haha it's my favourite!
To my surprise, I enjoyed building the bookshelves & books the most, it was so creative! I guess I wished the set was more complex, more detailed, with cooler things in the shelves, collectible things. Also like I mentioned before on my SDCC post, I wish it included the kitchen! I just want to build more of it! More more more!
I know I have taken a while with this but San Diego Comic Con is the event of the year after all and I just have so so much to share! I'll make sure I stick to highlights and keep it concise!
Preview Night!
First stop - the Lego stand of course!
I spotted, loved, bought, and have been very smug ever since! What makes this TBBT set great is that it is made by LEGO Ideas Concept, so it was voted by public; created by LEGO fans. I was a little bit disappointed with the window end of the living room and fact that the kitchen wasn't included. The potential is there though! I have gone off the series for a few seasons now. I think it has trailed pretty far off from what it used to be. This didn't seem to take away my excitement when I saw the set though haha! I'll be building it in the next few weeks so look out for a review post!
This was a SDCC pre-release; its official US release date is Aug 1st (not long now!) but I have no idea if UK will even have it? I've googled on multiple occasions but no joy - does anyone know?
Then I walked on until I came across her:
I was totally prepared to pay a limb to take her home! Until that tag reading "Available Spring 2016" told me to calm the bleep down...
I would go as far as saying this version of Wonderwoman (Dawn of Justice) is my favourite. So contemporary and even more empowering if that was even possible.
Is it too early to start a Christmas (Pre-order) Wishlist?
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DAY 1:
Mai Shiranui from SNK
(For the gamer in me!)
Most people didn't know who Mai or SNK was, which was a little disappointing. Then there was one lady with her two daughters who got mega excited seeing me. She explained that she works for SNK and she absolutely loved the support as well as the interpretation - which was totally enough to make my day!
Today was a lot about dashing for exclusives as the official day 1 of SDCC! Very lucky to have planned a costume with no heels involved!
This Batman vs Superman though!!! It was selling out like crazy and I literally focused all my energy of the day for this! I'm pretty sure I got the last one of the entire show! Phew!! I also managed to snatch the Ted 2 and Antman SD Exclusives on the way - woohoo!
I get a kick out of doing normal things while in cosplay. You'd be surprise how often I get photographed to "continue looking at the phone" etc., I draw the line when people just snap and run at my ugliest moments though (i.e. eating, fixing myself, split of a yawn). That is just rude. Well actually, New York was the worst; people at SD had been very nice and had always asked first :)
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DAY 2:
Angela of Asgard
(Comics)
This cosplay was the biggest & most complex worbla challenge of my life so far! It was so many late nights, so much sanding, and so much glue. It was probably only so much messier because it was all happening in my living room! My poor little puppy... I am the most proud of the ribbon, have even inserted wires in the ends to give it the dramatic swirls the comics had! Least proud is the belt, it's just that little bit too wide. I also wish I had more time to smooth the worbla surfaces more and more until it shines like metal armour!
I'm happy with the result anyway and everyone who knew Angela spotted me instantly. Some people asked about who I was cosplaying as and for those of you reading now who isn't familiar with Angela yet: She is the sister of Thor, an Asgard Assassin, just entered Guardians of the Galaxy comics, and the newest Avenger!
For those who have yet to attend an SDCC, Hall H is the A-list of Halls. In fact, "A-list" would be an understatement. Us mortals would need to start queueing at least 24 hours before a panel takes place just for a chance to get in. Personally, I'd rather spend my precious 4.5 days enjoying as much of the convention as I possibly can, then stream the panel (generally is available 2mins after on YouTube) when convenient. Then on this day at the end of the Starwars: The Force Awakens Panel, J.J. Abraham announced that he had a surprise. An army of First Order stormtroopers appears and escorted the entire hall attendees straight out to an outdoors symphony concert, with lightsabers and fireworks. GG.
My character-doing-human-things-of-the-day:
I don't actually smoke, just lent it for the picture hah!
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DAY 3:
Psylocke!
(movies)
I timed this cosplay to the day the X-men: Apocolypse's panel took place in Hall H; where they released never seen footages of the movie and subsequently began the endless critiques & debates of the public. I know, I'm not thrilled about any of the character's styling either, I think most the problems were down to the costume designing! I have always been quite a fan of Olivia Munn, think she's such a cool girl so I'm very excited to see her in this role. Her costume though, so disappointing. Somehow all girly-fied and weak, like an overcomplicated hot mess. A huge part of Pyslocke's image to me is her slick; even with the million bands that only made her cooler. Sometimes when something doesn't need fixing......
Lets hope the movie is better than its costumes.
An ounce of me almost wanted to queue for a chance to Hall H for J.Law. Then it passed. But hey here's most of what happened during the panel and I can't believe how awkward most of it is!
On the cosplay front:
and my favourite - Mad Max x Frozen! How original!
I personally hate to be teased. Yet most the windows at SDCC aren't things you can just take home in exchange for money. Just look at their cute little selves!!! Argh!!
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DAY 4:
Junko Enoshima
(anime)
Last day of SDCC! Today was all about scavenging for last minute exclusives. Why I say "scavenge"? Only because by now all the hottest toys were long gone, bought by people who queued from the crack of dawn to get into any first queues. It was pretty amusing to see how mega efficient these buyers are as eBay sellers. I honestly applaud their drive especially at the FedEx office! It is a shame that SDCC is so hype & money driven but hey, guess that's life. Anyway, I still got some pretty sweet stuff in my eyes. I loved my cute little Batgirl by Mattel, Marvel Pops as souvenirs for my brothers, and omg the transformers by Hasbro!! <3
Then I went to roam around town. Have you heard about Heroes Reborn yet? I personally was thoroughly done with the series long before it was axed; much like Lost, it just completely lost the plot. With an almost complete new cast, I think their pilot will make or break the return of the series old fan base. Because the cast look so green though, they could be targeting new younger audience. We shall find out when it comes out!
Fan of Ash vs Evil Dead anyone? I had been going back every day for a different item of free merch and voila I finally got the full collection! Thanks to a very very kind guy who was happy to swap with me that is - I would have otherwise had too many chainsaws & t-shirts with no hat (the most limited item)! The idiot that I am though, went through the efforts of putting the t-shirt on then blocked it entirely with the chainsaw...doh...!
Who knew Junko & Bebop made such a handsome couple?
Then there's the absolute cutest cosplayer EVER as a Pink Clonetrooper! <3
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Con Village:
Outside the official convention, what I'd call the con village, hosts a lot of different events too. I hadn't managed to see everything out there but gaming was my priority!! With the given time frame I hit NerdHQ and tried out Star Wars Battlefront first hand!! I'm smiling as I'm typing even, just SO CITED!!
Then some real life Assassins action at the AC site - they were amazing!
Teams & teams of new TV series having a riot (good ones) with each other at who can chant the loudest! They were Colony, Sharknado 3, and Outlanders.
I realised after I had worn the hat like a cap when it was clearly a beret.
Other photos didn't have this awesome shark-guy's photobomb though so...easy choice really :D
Last bit before I sign off - this guy sums it up well:
"When else will I get to do this just because?" he says. Too right!
Phew, I'm exhausted! Even though it has been fun reliving the whole con through all my photos! Hope you felt the same!
