#con-men

(via Trump Arizona Rally Church Bleached All The COVID Out Of The Air, Isn't That Super? - Wonkette)

MADNESS

What's it about? I've seen a few people out there describing this as an "Ocean's 11 but in anime form" type of show, and they're not wrong. It was the first thing that came to mind as I watched, since this anime revolves around the various escapades of a motley crew of "confidence men" (and women), and how they use their skills to pull off heists in a skewed Robin Hood style, i.e. steal from the rich and give to themselves! The show is divided into four "cases", each of which details a particular con that the group is running, while focussing on the backstory of one of the four central characters. 

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What I liked? This show was pure entertainment. If you've ever watched movies like "Ocean's 11" or "Catch Me If You Can", this anime falls into that sort of genre and it's undeniably entertaining, leaving you suspending your belief for a good while. Assuming you don't look too closely or analyse things too much, the cons they run are slick, well-coordinated, have a few surprises here and there, while really sticking it to the "bad guy of the week" - all of which makes it pretty satisfying to watch. We also get to know each of the characters with each case, watching their development as they try to move forward from the things holding them back in life. All four leads are likeable in their own right, and the ladies definitely hold their own here, which was nice to see. The animation style makes good use of vibrant colours, which lends itself to that exciting, "larger than life" feel. The first 3 cases were really enjoyable and showcase the best of what this show has to offer. And, as a bonus, the music choices are fabulous - a lot of contemporary vibes, and an ending song that’s the cherry on top! 

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What I liked a little less? While I seriously enjoyed this show, it has to be said that the 4th case ended up bringing it down a bit. By the time the 4th case rolls around, a lot of the tricks they use to pull off their cons are transparent to the audience, because we've seen it all before, and just ends up deflating our sense of suspense/excitement. The story in the 4th case also becomes rather convoluted, as it tries to accomplish a number of goals, rather than just focussing on the con, and, in doing so, may leave the viewer feeling a bit unsatisfied with some of the writing choices that were made and how everything plays out in the end. The focus of the case itself was also a poor choice for a light-hearted show like this, as it handles a very serious issue in a rather off-handed manner. You can definitely enjoy it at face value, but once you start thinking things through, you'll start to see the technical and moral flaws, i.e. a lot of this could never happen in reality, and con-men aren't really the good guys. And case 4, unfortunately, highlights it all.

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Could, should or wouldn't watch? Even though there are some flaws, I would still put this into the "should watch" category. It really was entertaining to watch and I cannot discount how much fun the first 3 cases were. It's slick and cool, jet-setting all over the world, spending money to make money, living the high life, all while serving some well-deserved humble pie to some villains along the way... If rumours are to be believed, it seems that a second season could be on the cards one day. But until then, if you're looking for a crazy ride that's a lot of fun, Great Pretender is a great choice! 

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This could be a documentary on assholism.

CATCH UP ON WEB COMICS! But wait… we have already done that. Well… maybe make some fan art of some web comics then? I’ve been working on this one on the left since last night from http://www.SGVY.com, and I think it’s all right.

So you do not like web comics? Huh. Well… what about your favorite video game series? I drew this picture a long time ago from The Legend of Zelda – Ocarina of Majora’s Mask Time?

See, art can be fun! Or hey! What about watching some youtube videos about your favorite game!

Or hey… maybe watch stuff that is closely related to video games, but with music?

God, I feel like that was trully terrible. Like… how is this about Chun-Li? It’s more similar to Mortal Kombat… this is just all weird, and I don’t like the song. Why King Kong and not Donkey Kong? And King Kong is not Chinese. Is that appropriation or appreciation? I’m pretty sure it’s the former, but whatever… this isn’t smart, and that’s a largest problem. Fuck. I guess we all can’t be Childish Gambino.

*sigh* Donald Glover is argued at being less talented as a singer because he’s one of those rappers that is also a writter, but I disagree. I look at the entire package, especially when there is a music video, and I take it all in. Is it as catchy, no? But hey… Lil Dickey’s Pillow Talk is also awesome.

Earth goes hard! I’ve gotten lost from the message. Art. maybe today is the day to start making a comic? Just make sure to start with a script or outline… unlike when I tried.

I should start doing comics again. I did one called Con-Men, and one of the re-occurring characters was Bob, a crossplayer. I think his arch is funny.

Anyways, to reiterate… Sunday is useless, do art, watch music videos, and… crossplay? Brain gotta poop.

When Ben Bolted 1917

Ben and his pal Paddy, a couple of drifting loafers and con-men, arrive in town via a “side-door Pullman” – a free ride in a boxcar. They set up a printing press, and start printing counterfeit money, get involved with a couple of swell-looking towns-girls (even when looked at crooked by Ben), and get highly inebriated. Written by Les Adams Director: Robin Williamson Production Co: Vogue Motion…

Word out! 

My girlfriend and I are gonna be at this year’s Anime Boston, selling prints and taking commissions all three days. (March 25-27) And we can both be found at table 136! 

You can check out the prints I’ll be selling on my page.

The Priori Podcast Episode 7

The journey to Mt Waile begins, but have Beverly and the gang truly deciphered the riddle, or is the mountain a trap?   Welcome to Chapter 7 of ‘Priori’!   In this episode our five journeymen brave the unknown to find Mt Waile. Is it their gateway home, or will they find themselves betrayed?   On the chat this week we have Emily, Sam, and Lois with another pre-recorded, spam-tastic session of…

5 Characters in Search of a Theme Song

Love, Love Me Do by Mark Haysom

Looking at the title and cover of this book, I was expecting something light-hearted, a little bit sixties rock’n’roll, a bit Nick Hornby-ish if you will – and involving a caravan. Well the last bit was right, less so the others.

The title, that of the Beatles’ first hit single, is an anchor in time, and the book opens in 1963, Friday August the 2nd at 5.24am to…