The Fandom Project

ATLA/TLOK ladies

Maybe you’ve resisted. Maybe you’re not sure how to start. Wait no more. Here are 4 rewarding entry points into one of the world’s most popular series.

OH MY GOD FINALLY I CAN TALK ABOUT IT!!!

Fans may have heard of Doctor Who writer and Scream Street creator Tommy Donbavand, who is currently battling cancer. He recently completed chemo, but the time/money/energy his treatment takes out of him means he can no longer provide for his family via appearances and speaking engagements.

That’s where Obverse Books stepped in.

This summer, they will be releasing A Target for Tommy, a ‘fanthology’ of stories featuring Doctors, companions, and monsters from all across the history of Doctor Who. The collection is co-edited by Paul Magrs and will feature some rather impressive names (which, as I haven’t seen them listed on the site yet, I won’t give here — but I saw who’s contributing and it’s gonna knock your socks off).

Also included is yours truly.

As the book is still being edited and they haven’t listed titles and authors yet, I’ll abide by Obverse’s apparent roll-out schedule and not give too much away. But what I can tell you about my personal contribution is this:

1. It’s a historical. 2. It has a lot to do with my immediate family’s history. 3. I had a primary source.

You can preorder right now if you so choose. I’d go for it if I were you because I guarantee you will like what’s in it. And, of course, it helps Tommy and his family.

If you are in your mid-20s or younger, and have any experience with video games whatsoever, it is extremely easy to presume that Pokemon is in your cultural lexicon. Ever since it exploded onto the scene in 1996 (or 1998 in North America), it has both captured and enraptured people’s imaginations, in addition to resonating on an extremely personal level with children and teenagers of the time. A universe of intelligent monsters that cohabitate with humanity became a limitless playground for these kids and teens–a universe where a ten-year-old could strike out into the world, fiercely independent, and stake a claim towards their destiny: not only becoming Pokemon Champion, but Catching ‘Em All along the way. 

A similarly-sized goal in the real world would seem insurmountable to most adults, let alone any single youngling. But, within the world of Pokemon, it not only felt like anything was possible, but it felt like everything was doable.

“I can do that.”

It’s the very first mantra in the new Super Bowl ad celebrating Pokemon’s 20th anniversary. If you have played a Pokemon game, you have likely felt this exact feeling: limitless possibilities, endless potential, and the anticipation of the upcoming journey.

In the ad, that tagline comes from four very different young people. A youngster, just beginning his training after being inspired on the street; a precocious girl with immense strategic know-how; a football captain, who appears to be a true motivator to his team (and, almost definitely, his other team); a city kid, ready to strike out and become the next big thing. They live in a world that is just like ours, but the presence of the Pokemon inhabiting the world permeates the entire setting in the small details. The Nidoqueen chess piece. The Fire Badge emblazoned on the helmets of the football squad. The Pokemon battle happening in a sold-out arena, televised to an entire region, allowing a father and son (and Pikachu) to bond. None of these things feel out of place because that’s how many of us imagined this world to be all those years ago. Realistic, but not gritty. Powerful, but not cataclysmic or apocalyptic. A world of immense size, full of hope and determination.

The ad constantly reminds us that these trainers are big time, too. All of these young people are all over breaking news. They are social media sensations. Holographic billboards are proclaiming their winning ways. They are extremely important and worthy of becoming the collective center of attention, just like the player character in the Pokemon games.

Just like you.

The minute you as a player step out of Pallet Town (or any of the humble beginnings introduced along the way) and into the world to start your adventure in the Pokemon games, you are important. That feeling of self-importance is vital to the Pokemon franchise, and has been every step of the way. 

By breathing life into the world of Pokemon that we all imagined while immersed in our own personal tales of triumph, Nintendo has reminded us why Pokemon has stood the test of time as a cultural touchstone in a way that no other video game has thus far. It’s a teaching tool that gives two invaluable lessons:

We are very proud to announce the upcoming release of 101 Clara’s To See, a charity fanthology celebrating Clara Oswald! It will be a collection of one hundred and one pieces of art, meta and fic by a variety of hugely talented creators.

All proceeds from this project are going to One to One Children’s Fund, which Jenna is an ambassador for, and they are very excited to work with us on this project. The description on their website is included below, and you can also visit the link above to learn more.

One to One Children’s Fund works with some of the most vulnerable children in the world, catching them where they fall through cracks of their countries’ health and education systems. We are a small charity having a big impact by devising grass-roots models which can be easily replicated, scaled-up and adopted by governments and other providers. This ensures long term sustainability well beyond the charity’s involvement.

Pre-orders for the book will open in April, in time for Jenna’s birthday, so follow this blog for all news regarding the exact release dates and pricing. We may also be giving you a sneak peak of some of the content created exclusively for this book!

A full list of all creators can be found on our blog, so have a look to see which of your favourite artists and writers will be working with us!

Most prestigious Wizarding schools by J.K. Rowling

Hogwarts (Scotland)

Durmstrang (Bulgaria)

Beauxbatons (France)

Ilvermorny (New York, USA)

Castelobruxo (Brazil)

Uagadou (Africa)

A friend has just brought this article to my attention and it amused me as well as made me feel sharply protective of a habit I thought was my own. And, reading all the comments, looks like we’re not alone. Funny, the universe always finds way to constantly remind us we’re not all that alone after all. 

I have been collecting Harry Potter books since I was 16. I’m 24 now, and my collection has reached 40 books and counting (not all books pictured, as some are scattered between homes at the moment). 

   I never had the money to do much traveling before, though, so most the gifts were from friends who would go abroad. That was my only requests when someone traveled: bring me back a Harry Potter book. 

I always loved receiving them. It always seemed so special. A magical little piece of evidence to the fact the children from all these countries shared my love and literary adventures. That in our separation were were together. 

Plus, getting the books from loved ones was always such a treat. It was something loving, something more personal than a key chain or ‘brother went to London’ shirt. Few things better than sitting with them, holding the new book, obsessing over the starkly unfamiliar cover to a familiar story and words I couldn’t read, and listening to them tell me how and where they found the book. 

It was sort of like going on the journey with them. 

I’m 24 now and the collections grows, and, with studying abroad now, I’m making some of those journeys my own memories, but the ones given are still the favorites. 

the weaponization of positivity stretches beyond that. fred and george weasley’s inventions, meant for laughter, turn into arms against umbridge’s regime. and after their departure from hogwarts, their joke shop becomes not only the single bright spot in diagon alley (literally & figuratively) but a hub of defensive magic. the whole weasleys’ wizard wheezes narrative serves as maybe the clearest example in the series that happiness can act as both shield and sword.

there is something deeply empowering in a depiction of happiness as something so tangible and usable. as a profoundly depressed person, i often feel myself scrounging for happy memories and clutching them close; i find myself grasping for laughter in the dark. the physicalization of expecto patronum is not a quantum leap from reality. the boggart’s laughter as combat fuel, the weasleys’ levity as not just a choice but a difficult and defiant one—it’s all familiar.

I decided to make another fma related song thing. But this time I tried to focus on other characters, not only Elric brothers. There was a bunch of them, who were inspiring and awesome, so let it be a tribute for them:)

Minecraft Players: