This week in Reading The Wheel of Time‚ Perrin leaves a sort-of successful meeting with Masema‚ only to return home and learn of Faile’s capture. They’re short chapters‚ but there is a lot of emotional work being done for Perrin that I find really fascinating. While I was reading these chapters I suddenly felt very keyed into the fact that Jordan is a war veteran‚ and that some of what he builds into his characters and in the violence of the world comes from that. Of course I’ve known about Jordan’s history and considered it before during the read. But this was the moment that I felt like the experience was in the page‚ staring up at me‚ as I read. A wind rises and crosses the land‚ over Tanchico and Amadecia‚ now ruled by the Seanchan. The common people are content enough‚ with peace in the land and mostly left alone‚ except for having some new customs to follow. In Amador‚ however‚ former Whitcloacks are forced to do hard labor and endure the winter chill. The wind flows further over Amadecia until it reaches Abila‚ where Perrin is just leaving the house of the Prophet‚ Masema. Perrin is angry after his meeting with Masema; the stubborn man refuses to Travel to visit Rand‚ and Perrin had to spend a long time arguing and arranging for Masema and a guard of one hundred of the Prophet’s men to ride back with Perrin‚ over four hundred leagues or more. And somehow Perrin has to keep their identity secret‚ per Rand’s orders. Elyas points out that they might have a better chance knocking Masema on the head and fighting their way out. Perrin thinks privately that with the Aes Sedai‚ Wise Ones‚ and Asha’man they might succeed‚ but his mind is full of the images of Dumai’s Wells‚ and he can’t bear the thought of turning Abila into a slaughteryard as well. As they leave‚ with Masema set to meet them at their camp by nightfall‚ Perrin considers the problem of Aram. In Masema‚ Aram had met a man who had given his life and heart and soul to the Dragon Reborn. In Aram’s view‚ the Dragon Reborn ranked close behind Perrin and Faile. You did the boy no favor‚ Elyas had told Perrin. You helped him let go of what he believed‚ and now all he has to believe in is you and that sword. It’s not enough‚ not for any man. Elyas had known Aram when Aram was still a Tinker‚ before he picked up the sword. Balwer rejoins the group‚ and reports two important pieces of information to Perrin. The first is that King Ailron and the Amadecia army have been soundly defeated by the Seanchan. The Whitecloaks also took part in the battle‚ but Valda managed to retreat with many of them. The other news is also of a Seanchan battle‚ this one in Southern Altara. The Seanchan were defeated‚ with rumors of both Aes Sedai and men who could channel taking part‚ and retreated back into Ebou Dar. Perrin remarks that this is good news‚ and his mind turns once again to thoughts of Faile‚ who he is more than ready to be reunited with. When they arrive back at the camp‚ however‚ they find the Mayener guards facing off with the Ghealdanin soldiers. Behind the Mayner’s‚ up on a hill‚ all the Two Rivers men are arranged around the crest‚ with bows knocked and ready. Perrin hurries up to where Berelain‚ along with Gallenne and Annoura‚ is arguing with Gerard Arganda‚ the First Captain of Alliandre’s soldiers. Before Perrin can say anything‚ Berelain‚ in a formal voice‚ informs him of the details of Faile’s capture. When Perrin‚ in shock‚ demands to know why they aren’t out looking for her‚ Berelain reminds him that there could easily be many bands of Aiel about in the countryside‚ and that they must first ascertain which band has Faile and form a plan. Elyas agrees that blundering about will only get them killed. Perrin struggles to hold back the rage he feels‚ towards the Aiel but also towards everyone there. He sends Elays to scout‚ and Aram follows. It would do no good to founder the animals‚ Perrin told himself‚ frowning at their retreating backs. He wanted them to run. He wanted to run with them. Fine cracks seemed to be spidering through him. If they returned with the wrong news‚ he would shatter. To his surprise‚ the three Warders trotted their mounts through the trees after Elyas and Aram in splashes of snow‚ plain woolen cloaks streaming behind‚ then matched speed when they caught up. Perrin sends a grateful glance towards the Aes Sedai and Wise Ones‚ then reaches out with his mind to the wolves‚ even though he knows Elyas must have already tried this.  The wolves express sympathy‚ and advise him to mourn her and then move on‚ knowing he will meet her again in the dream. He’s drawn back eventually by Arganda‚ who is angrily demanding to put the Aiel in Perrin’s camp to the question. Perrin angrily reminds Arganda that Alliandre swore fealty to Perrin‚ which makes Perrin Arganda’s lord. “I said I’ll find Alliandre when I find Faile.” The edge of an axe. She was alive. “You question no one‚ touch no one‚ unless I say. What you will do is take your men back to your camp‚ now‚ and be ready to ride when I give the order. If you’re not ready when I call‚ you will be left behind.” Berelain praises Perrin’s handling of the situation and he tells her off for playing her “childish games” after his wife has been taken. Berelain responds by pointing out that he should be flattered by two women contesting over him‚ then rides off. Annoura tells Perrin that sometimes he is a very large fool. Perrin doesn’t understand what she is talking about‚ and doesn’t care. Perrin rides up the hill to join the Two Rivers men and the rest of the Aiel. The Wise Ones and gai’shain show no sign of disturbance‚ but Gual and the Maidens are veiled and poised for battle. Dannil Lewin reports that when the trouble with the Ghealdanin started‚ he ordered Perrin’s servants and Faile’s followers to make a circle with the carts and stay inside it‚ and then brought everyone else up to the defensible position on top of the hill. Perrin tells him that he did the right thing‚ and starts giving orders to prepare for travel. He goes to Gaul next‚ and for some reason he and the maidens tense up until Perrin asks Gual to find Faile. The Aiel set off‚ with each Maiden pressing a finger to her veiled lips and then to Perrin’s shoulder as they pass. Perrin thinks Faile would know the meaning behind the gesture. Perrin also realizes that the Maidens are allowing Gual to lead‚ something they would normally never do‚ and wonders if it has something to do with Gual’s desire to marry Chiad. Perrin tries to go talk to the Wise Ones‚ but they are in council. One of them‚ Nevarin‚ comes out of the tent to ask him what he wants‚ but she can’t tell him how Faile will be treat by the Aiel—taking wetlanders prisoner is against custom‚ so who can say what other customs the Shaido will break. When Perrin grows upset‚ she tells him not to become irrational‚ as men often do. There is nothing else for Perrin to do‚ waiting on the scouts and having issued all the orders to prepare to depart. Lini urges him to take care of himself‚ and Perrin deduces from her drawn expression that Maighdin was with Faile. He ends up hiking to the top of a ridge where he can watch for the scouts’ return‚ and finds Tallanvor already up there. Knowing that Tallanvor is in love with Maighdin and likely to marry her‚ he decides the man has a right to keep watch. They stay up there as night falls‚ with no sign of the scouts returning. There is also no sign of Masema and his party‚ but Perrin doesn’t care about that. Snow began to fall with a dry rustling. Snow that would bury traces and tracks. Silent in the cold‚ the two men stood there‚ watching into the snowfall‚ waiting‚ hoping.   You know‚ a few books ago I was getting a little annoyed with the windy openings‚ but I’ve come back around to liking them again. It’s kind of nostalgic for me now‚ if that’s a thing I’m allowed to say about a series I started reading a mere six-ish years ago. In my defense‚ that was pre-pandemic‚ so it feels like it has been a lot longer. I’m just like the Two Rivers kids‚ looking back on the me of a few years ago‚ thinking about how young and innocent I was. Now I’m old and hard and far from home—well‚ I’m actually at home a lot more‚ but that’s basically the same right? I jest‚ but in all seriousness‚ I’ve been thinking a lot the past few weeks about how much our heroes have been through. The end of The Path of Daggers felt a little bit like the end of a second act‚ to me. There’s a sense of anticipation‚ with the discovery of a way to fight back against the Dark One climate change problem‚ and because both Egwene and Rand poised to make huge changes to the landscape of the world. There have been moments in which one or more of our heroes went on the defensive against the Dark‚ but never has it been at such a scale. At about halfway through the series‚ that feels relevant. Poignant. It’s important to remember that not much time has passed since the story began. Maybe two years or so? I have a hard time keeping track of that sort of thing‚ but it certainly hasn’t been much longer than that. Which is really wild‚ considering how much has happened. It really puts in perspective how many characters are struggling to understand and accept how much their world is changing‚ and how quickly. It’s taken me three times as long to read the stories as it has for the stories to occur‚ so they way things have evolved and changed have gone at rather a reasonable pace. But in universe‚ Egwene and Rand were peasant children just about two years ago‚ and now they have risen to the two highest positions of power in their continent. It kind of makes more sense that everyone is resistant to Egwene as Amyrlin‚ when I look at it that way. And it makes more sense‚ too‚ that Rand has no idea how to emotionally handle anything. I’m kind of curious why Jordan made the timeline so tight. There are in-universe reasons that explain how our heroes have “leveled up” so quickly. Being ta’veren counts for a lot here‚ and Rand seems to have incredible natural instincts as well as Lews Therin’s memories‚ prompting him to “discover” new weaves with a rapidity no other channeler could probably manage. Egwene’s forcing is another‚ and although it’s not stated‚ I’d think that Nynaeve and Elayne have also experienced some degree of being pushed‚ or pushing themselves‚ faster than they would have been had they been normal Tower initiates during a normal time. Mat’s skills as a military tactician were basically downloaded into his brain‚ and Perrin’s wolfbrother abilities aren’t so much learned as unlocked. Even so‚ thinking about how powerful they have become in such a short span of time kind of reminds me of how in every training montage in action films it only takes a few months for people to go from absolutely green to a trim and mean fighting team. (Yeah‚ I don’t know why I’m phrasing things the way I am today. It’s December. Just go with it.) It just feels unrealistic‚ even for super powers and magic. It’s a book‚ you can have things take as long as you want‚ skipping ahead months or even years if you like. Our main protagonists are all so young‚ too. Is it only going to take two more years for them to be ready to fight the Last Battle? That’s wild to me. On the other hand ‚ it’s possible that Robert Jordan wanted them to face Tarmon Gai’don while they were still quite young because of his own experience fighting in Vietnam. He was quite young‚ as most soldiers are‚ and that’s where his perspective on battle and war are coming from. So it makes sense that he would want to explore the subject with characters around that same age. And as I mentioned above‚ this section really struck me with the specifically wartime PTSD‚ and got me thinking a lot about which parts of his own experience Jordan might be drawing on when he writes paragraphs like: Dumai’s Wells flashed into his head again‚ stronger than before. For a moment‚ he was back-to-back with Loial again‚ fighting desperately‚ sure that every breath would be his last. For the first time that day‚ he shivered. It’s a quick moment. Perrin doesn’t become lost in the memory‚ which is how flashback moments are usually portrayed in story and media. But not every experience of PTSD involves a prolonged experience in which the sufferer believes themselves to be back in the original experience. Sometimes it can be a quick reminder‚ a flash of anxiety‚ or paralysis. In Perrin’s case he has a few moments when the spectre of Dumai’s Wells looms up for him in this section. Earlier in chapter one he considers Elays’s point that it might be easier to try to capture Masema and take him with them‚ but the idea of instigating a battle in which the One Power would be used is too much for Perrin. After seeing what happened at Dumai’s Well’s‚ he is certain that “Abila would have been a butcher’s yard before they were done‚” and determined that such a thing won’t happen again if he at all avoid it. The decision makes sense. Time will tell if it was the right one‚ though. I can’t help wondering if Perrin’s ta’veren powers were working on Masema while they were talking. I’m sure Masema truly does worship Rand and believe that he’s following the path the Dragon wants him to‚ but all those ideas have clearly come from somewhere other than reality. Maybe a Darkfriend whispering in his ear‚ maybe Rand’s ta’vereness balancing some good it did elsewhere‚ or maybe it’s just Masema’s own mind gone sideways‚ but I could definitely imagine Masema deciding that Perrin wasn’t really who he said he was just about as soon as Perrin was out the door. Even without knowing that he’s talking to the Seanchan‚ I’d be suspicious of Masema’s ability to hold to a promise he made‚ and Perrin would have done better to insist that Masema come with him—although he probably couldn’t have done that without attracting the attention Rand told him to avoid. But yeah‚ I wonder if Masema was as reasonable as he was because Perrin’s ta’veren powers were working on him‚ and Perrin leaving him to follow behind is going to be just like Rand leaving the negotiations with the Sea Folk—as soon as the ta’veren is out of the room‚ people stop being so easily led. And Masema’s brain in particular seems like it’s not going to stay going in any direction but its own. Given that he’s late for the arranged rendezvous‚ I’m guessing that theory is a good one. Dumai’s Wells was also referenced several times in the prologue of Winter’s Heart‚ with Rand measuring the mettle and loyalty of Dobraine by his performance in that battle. Perrin also notes Dannil’s strength and ability by that metric in chapter two. You can see both Perrin and Rand feel a kind of kinship to those who experienced that battle with them‚ even with Rand’s ongoing and growing paranoia in play. It’s also notable‚ I think‚ to compare Perrin’s reaction to Dumai’s Wells and his reaction to the battle he led in the Two Rivers. The latter involved more deaths to people he knew and loved‚ but it was a defensive action against invading Shadowspawn. Dumai’s Wells‚ however necessary‚ involved leading people into a battle they could have avoided‚ leading people to their probably deaths in a desperate attempt to save the Dragon Reborn from captivity by the White Tower. And it ended with the Dragon’s own men‚ the Asha’man‚ destroying their opposition in a way that no one had ever seen before. They didn’t cook or eat any of their enemies‚ but by every other metric what the Asha’man did to the Shaido and the Aes Sedai’s soldiers was just as brutal and violent as the ways in which the Trollocs kill their victims in battle. And yet‚ the Asha’man are “the good guys.” On Rand’s side‚ so ultimately on Perrin’s side. On the side of the Light. This isn’t to say that one type of battle is necessarily more scarring or harder to recover from than the other‚ but they are very different. And now Perrin is responsible for some of those Asha’man‚ and for Aes Sedai and Aiel‚ too. He knows his choices could lead to another Dumai’s Wells‚ and that is a much heavier responsibility than those he’s carried before. In many ways‚ the choices he made in the Two Rivers were the only ones he could make. But now‚ he has the ability to say they aren’t going to fight Masema‚ to try to avoid using the heaviest weapons in his arsenal as long as he can. Of course‚ all that goes out the window once he finds out that Faile is missing. Jordan’s descriptions are on point again this week—I could feel Perrin’s distress in my own body as I read‚ like my own ears were ringing at hearing the news. Even knowing it was coming because I got to read the chapter in which she‚ Morgase‚ and Alliandre were captured‚ I felt unprepared for the revelation. One of the most fascinating things about Perrin‚ for me‚ is that his emotional journey is the closest to Rand’s‚ but in a more relatable way. Sure‚ we don’t have wolfbrothers in our world‚ but it’s easier to imagine what that would be like than to imagine you were the Dragon Reborn. And while Rand’s anger is enhanced and warped by the taint on saidin‚ Perrin’s has nothing to do with the supernatural aspects of his nature. His anger is his‚ pure and human‚ and actually runs contrary to the way the wolves experience emotion. I have so many thoughts and musings about how this next stage in his journey is going to go for Perrin. He’s already having a difficult time restraining his anger when interacting with his friends and allies‚ how much worse will it be if he encounters an enemy. And if‚ the Light forbid‚ Faile doesn’t survive her captivity‚ what will Perrin do then? Elyas once told him to keep the axe until he stopped hating it. It was hard to imagine Perrin ever enjoying violence‚ but if he lost Faile‚ I could see‚ possibly‚ him turning to violence and revenge as an answer to his pain. Which brings us to Aram. Elays has good observations about him‚ too. I was on Perrin’s side when he allowed Aram to join him‚ to pick up a sword and abandon the Way of the Leaf. Perrin’s argument was that he had no right to tell a man he can’t defend himself and his people if he chooses to‚ and you can’t really argue with that logic. But it is still true that Perrin made it easier for Aram to leave behind what he believed in‚ and Elays’s point that a man need something more to believe in than fighting and hero worship of a few other fighters. I hadn’t quite been able to put my finger on this exact point until Elays said it‚ but now it feels so obvious. Aram’s hunger for a fight makes more sense when you consider that it’s less about a love of battle than it is about filling a void. A man like that could easily fall prey to a cultist like Masema. Despite all the harm he has caused and all the deprivation experienced by the Prophet’s followers‚ one thing Masema is giving to people is a faith‚ with clear rules to follow and which gives a sense of purpose to those who do. With so many people displaced from their old ways of life‚ be it through political or social upheaval‚ famine and climate problems‚ or Rand’s ta’veren “breaking of all bonds‚” there are so many people in the land who are at loose ends‚ desperate for some sense of direction and belonging. It makes sense that Masema can attract followers‚ despite everything. And finally‚ I still don’t get Berelain. Perrin is married‚ how can she claim that she and Faile are both trying to win him? I mean‚ I guess there’s divorce‚ or maybe Berelain’s happy being a mistress? But as the First you would think she would feel disrespected if she wasn’t‚ you know‚ first in her relationship. And there’s not really been any mention of divorce existing in any of the cultures we’ve met‚ as far as I can recall. So if that’s the endgame for her‚ someone should say. And why exactly does Annoura think Perrin is a fool for telling Berelain off? She was being annoying.   Next week we’ll continue on to Chapters Three and Four‚ which are also very intensely descriptive‚ a little scary‚ and full of little half-nuggets of information. I’ll be touching on the Aiel/Wetlander culture clash‚ as well‚ and how‚ in a way‚ it compares to the Faile/Perrin culture clash. In the meantime‚ I leave you with my favorite quote of the section. If he was going to get her back‚ he needed to strangle fear and see. But it was like trying to strangle a tree.   Sylas K Barrett wouldn’t mind some snow‚ really. But maybe after next week’s reading he’ll be happy enough with the usual December rain.

There are few things greater in fiction than the annihilation of the magical boy trope‚ which is only one of many exquisite things about Alex Pheby’s Cities of the Weft trilogy. I first came to Mordew knowing little about the book or the world or why Marlon James was calling it “the future of fantasy.” Now I’m leaving Malarkoi sated‚ with a full belly from the second installment of Pheby’s extraordinary creation‚ with even less certainty of how things are going to end. The Cities of the Weft isn’t just a coming-of-age story dissected‚ subverted‚ and reassembled into a chaotic new design—that would be doing it a disservice‚ as it would be to reduce it to a typical fantasy bildungsroman with moralistic lessons and the sort of sentimentality common to the subgenre’s commitment to pedagogy and closure. Pheby makes a close study of these familiar forms and devices and structures‚ and promptly throws them out the window. We enter Malarkoi through a plot recap‚ maps‚ dramatis personae section‚ and list of “unusual things” at the start of the book‚ which are in themselves intriguing peepholes into how Pheby has chosen to present his deluge of ontological concepts‚ characters‚ and general idiosyncrasies to fresh eyes. Malarkoi picks up immediately after the matter-of-fact death of Nathan Treeves—Mordew’s magical boy protagonist—very literally at the hands of the Master. The rest of the large ensemble cast includes Nathan’s mother Clarissa‚ his friends Dashini‚ Gam‚ and Prissy‚ as well as Sirius‚ a magical dog pledged to his service; after witnessing this unfortunate spectacle from the deck of a commandeered ship‚ everyone breaks off into smaller groups‚ each committed to very different paths with very different goals. Malarkoi’s multi-perspective approach to storytelling mirrors the pluralistic structure of the titular city‚ just as Nathan’s more traditional narrative was anchored in Mordew’s familiar Dickensian framing of class and religion in a highly stratified society. In Malarkoi‚ we rotate between different character perspectives‚ including glimpses into Dashini’s childhood and upbringing to foreshadow her return home. The comparisons to the work of Mervyn Peake‚ Charles Dickens‚ Philip Pullman‚ et al are natural‚ not just in the bleak neo-Victorian stylings of Mordew‚ but the vastness of the world as an indifferent machine that operates beyond small human desires. If an acquaintance casually asked me “what Malarkoi is about‚” I wouldn’t be able to answer in a way that would satisfy either of us‚ besides pointing to Marlon James’ brief blurb on the cover. It is the future of fantasy‚ built on familiar‚ existing scaffolds that Pheby warps into something fresh. Buy it Now There’s an underlying sense of utility in Pheby’s writing that feels distinctly Chekhovian‚ where every element of a story is necessary. Where Chekhov’s gun is usually pulled out as the answer to a problem‚ it’s also often used as a vehicle for satisfaction—yes‚ we saw the thing at the start‚ and yes‚ the thing was eventually used. Its place in this world is resolved and validated. In Malarkoi‚ this simple narrative principle mutates beautifully in Pheby’s chaotically maximalist prose‚ which balances rich external detail with the ongoing inner neuroses of the characters. In Malarkoi‚ the Master’s chapters chronicle his return to the Manse‚ his efforts to prepare for the militantly atheistic Assembly to arrive‚ and his attempt to make a new factotum. It is impossible to keep precise track of all the “necessary” parts of the Master’s manic descent into grief and anxiety; Pheby leads the reader back and forth through different realities like a madman laying breadcrumbs. Everything is important‚ everything is couched in the most beautifully demented sense of urgency and efficiency‚ but it’s impossible to tell which component of this narrative maelstrom will undo it all; even as the Master adheres to his routines and habits‚ Pheby shows us that anything and everything can be a gun when the shit hits the fan. The result is that the reader has to abandon all attempts to parse the text as they read‚ and commit to following Pheby for the ride. This is the best kind of fantasy fiction—the kind that invites the reader to flow with the narrative‚ and abandon rationale and reasoning in favor of the journey. Still‚ Malarkoi isn’t just about well-styled prose and powerful momentum‚ but also about smart structure. The book’s appendices (and their wonderful footnotes) are critical in gaining a fuller picture of the narrative‚ and Pheby’s deliberate choice to have the reader experience them at the end (as opposed to weaving them into the main body of the book) brings everything into sharper‚ clearer focus. More and more I think of Malarkoi not just as a chronicle by an unnamed narrator‚ but an artefact of its own fiction. Once it was all over‚ it was time to cheat—I looked up Pheby’s pre-Malarkoi work out of a gnawing curiosity to see where all of this madness had come from. It’s clear (at least to me) that some of the basic weft worldbuilding ideas were inspired by the historical case of Daniel Schreber‚ a schizophrenic German judge who was the subject of Pheby’s first novel‚ Playthings. Freud‚ of course‚ believed that Schreber’s problems stemmed from repressed homosexuality—a claim contested by Deleuze and Guattari in their work on schizonalysis. From there‚ I moved on to furiously googling the historical origins of life insurance and tontines. It was all pointless‚ of course‚ but it’s also what I love most about reading big juicy dense unknowable fantasy—the kneejerk urge to conquer your own ignorance by trying to crawl closer to what these references and inspirations and allusions might mean in the greater fabric of the story. Pheby has written something that deliberately activates this part of the lizard brain—to seek answers‚ like Nathan Treeves‚ who only got what he wanted in death—and then leaves you right on the edge of understanding‚ where you belong. All of this is to say that Malarkoi is one brilliantly-polished facet of a singular gem—a recipe for wonder and unpredictability and suspicion that simply can’t be replicated‚ no matter how many times you slavishly try and ferret out Pheby’s intentions or ingredients. It’s true that when it comes to art‚ a work will speak for itself. But for now‚ I can’t wait for Waterblack—the third part of the trilogy—so I can resume my small‚ futile quest to scrutinize all three books as a whole artefact‚ because I just can’t help myself. Malarkoi is published by Tor Books. Alexis Ong is a freelance culture journalist with weak ankles who mainly writes about games‚ tech‚ and pop culture. Her work has appeared in The Verge‚ Polygon‚ Kotaku‚ Rock Paper Shotgun‚ VICE‚ Dazed Digital‚ and more; soft spots include science fiction‚ internet archaeology‚ comics‚ boxing‚ and old games. You can find her at her website or on Twitter.

Lately I feel like everyone is talking about masculinity and what it means to be a good dude. Last month‚ I was on a panel at the Pride on the Page book festival with Jacob Tobia (Sissy) who was saying that we’ve spent decades expanding gender roles for women in mainstream society—and women finally won the right to wear pants in the workplace (for now)—but meanwhile‚ too many guys men remain trapped‚ unable to express healthy emotions or process all of their trauma. As someone who was so successful at being a man that I actually graduated‚ I want to help! So it’s a really good thing that science fiction and fantasy offer us so many excellent examples of guys who are secure in their masculinity and ready to do the right thing‚ even when it’s tough.   Superman (DC Comics) Image: The CW The best word I can think of to describe Superman is “nurturing.” There are so many images online of Supes hugging someone or offering comfort to someone in pain. The most powerful superhero is also the most tender and compassionate‚ to the point where his greatest superpower is the ability to take care of people in pain. My favorite onscreen Superman is now Tyler Hoechlin’s gentle‚ self-effacing dad from Superman &; Lois‚ who wears his heart on his sleeve and is willing to open up about his feelings. Superman doesn’t just have super-hearing—he has super-listening.   Ballister Boldheart (Nimona) Image: Netflix Ballister starts out as an underdog—the first knight chosen from among the common folk—and then he loses everything after being framed for a terrible crime. You’d forgive him for turning bitter and closed off—but when he meets the shapeshifting Nimona‚ he’s still willing to see the good in her and to become her partner in crime. He keeps doing the right thing‚ even when he’s in pain‚ and forgives his boyfriend Ambrosius for some truly hurtful behavior (albeit in the line of duty). Sir Ballister is a mensch.   The Middleman (The Middleman) Image: ABC At first blush‚ the titular hero of the criminally underrated superhero show appears to be just an uptight caricature of an Eisenhower-era square-jawed straight arrow. He drinks milk instead of anything with caffeine or alcohol‚ and delivers ridiculous lines with a deadpan delivery. But over the course of one brilliant season‚ the Middleman reveals layers of character‚ along with a keen sense of honor. One of my favorite episodes puts the Middleman in contrast with his predecessor‚ a toxic tool who gives really bad advice to the Middleman’s friend Wendy.   King T’Challa (Black Panther) Image: Marvel Studios / Disney Just as Superman is absurdly powerful‚ T’Challa has it all: he’s not only one of the greatest superheroes in the Marvel Universe‚ he’s also king of one of the most advanced countries‚ Wakanda. He’s also suffered grievous loss‚ including the death of his father‚ King T’Chaka. But as played unforgettably by Chadwick Boseman‚ T’Challa is a wise leader‚ one who’s able to laugh at himself but also willing to listen to his council and do the right thing. Even when it costs him a lot‚ he upholds his code of honor. (And I highly recommend Christopher Priest’s formative run on Black Panther for more of T’Challa being a great ruler and a good man‚ though he’s willing to fight dirty when circumstances warrant.)   Captain Pike (Star Trek: Strange New Worlds) Image: CBS Star Trek is full of men who uphold lofty principles while holding their heads high. But Christopher Pike is pretty much the platonic ideal of a good dad. He’s strong and resolute‚ but also generous and fair. He’s surrounded by people who are good at their jobs‚ and he doesn’t second-guess  them or try to undermine them in any way—instead‚ he lifts them up and gives them more confidence. Confronted with a scary vision of his own future‚ he works through it by talking it through with the people he trusts. And he still manages to be a relaxed‚ reassuring presence. Plus he’s always cooking delicious food. Pike is exhibit A for being secure in your own masculinity.   Steven Universe (Steven Universe) Image: Cartoon Network For most of the episodes of Steven Universe‚ Steven is a bundle of cheerfulness and friendliness‚ always willing to see the best in everyone—even if they’re trying to kill him. He finds a way to save the people he loves‚ sometimes against terrible odds‚ and he even helps the genocidal‚ imperialist diamonds to be better people. He’s happy to have a shield while letting his friend Connie wield the sword. But most of all‚ in the sequel show Steven Universe Future‚ he does the hard work of confronting his trauma‚ even if he struggles with admitting it at first.   Cheese (Reservation Dogs) Image: FX Reservation Dogs isn’t classified as a genre show‚ but it does feature a lot of magical realist elements. And Cheese is an incredible character‚ a turbo-nerd artist who usually gets the best lines of dialogue. In particular‚ though‚ I’m blown away by “Frankfurter Sandwich‚” an episode in the final season where Cheese goes on a male-bonding trip with some older men and winds up leading them gently to confront their buried traumas. It’s one of the best episodes of television I’ve ever seen.   Uncle Iroh (Avatar: The Last Airbender) Image: Nickelodeon A former military leader‚ Uncle Iroh has settled into drinking tea and goofing off‚ and serves a gentle mentor to his hotheaded nephew Prince Zuko. He’s a huge part of the reason why Zuko becomes a better person over the course of ATLA. To be sure‚ Iroh did some terrible things when he was younger‚ but now he’s gotten over himself and just wants to hang out and make really good tea. (Note: I came up with Iroh thanks to this Reddit thread.)   Din Djarin (The Mandalorian) Image: Lucasfilm / Disney Okay‚ sure: the Mandalorian works as a bounty hunter‚ and sometimes his job is a dirty one. But the thing I admire about Din Djarin is the fact that he has a code of honor that he sticks to—except that he’s willing to break it to save his adopted son‚ Grogu. Specifically‚ he takes off his helmet when there’s no other way to rescue Grogu‚ and he pays the price for it. The only reason that he adopts Grogu in the first place is because he decides there are lines he won’t cross‚ and selling a child to bad people is one of them. And he’s a really good dad! Plus when he gets the Darksaber‚ he doesn’t cling to it‚ but rather finds a way to give it to its rightful owner‚ Bo Katan.   Sunny (Into the Badlands) Image: AMC In a post-apocalyptic world‚ five hundred years from now‚ Sunny is the right-hand man to the Baron Quinn‚ one of the warlords who dominate the Badlands. Sunny is constantly thrown into situations where he has divided loyalties‚ or where he has to choose between following orders and doing the right thing‚ and he usually finds a way to do the right thing. (Even though he’s done some pretty terrible things in the past.) When he takes M.K.‚ an orphan with a mysterious power‚ under his wing‚ he does everything he can to teach and protect his new charge.   Henry Deacon (Eureka) Image: Syfy In a “town full of geniuses‚” Henry Deacon might just be the smartest of them all—but when this underrated show begins‚ he’s working as a mechanic because he has ethical objections to the work that Global Dynamics is doing. Henry isn’t just the guy who steps in and fixes things when all the out-of-control science goes off the rails‚ he’s also the town’s moral center. (And eventually‚ he becomes its mayor.) Emmy-winning actor Joe Morton‚ who plays Henry‚ also plays a resourceful‚ kind alien refugee in the movie The Brother From Another Planet.   Frodo and Samwise (The Lord of the Rings) Image: New Line Cinema In a world of warriors‚ wizards‚ and supernatural badasses‚ Frodo is just a humble regular dude‚ who takes on a burden that would crush almost anybody and carries it (almost) to the finish line‚ battling temptation the entire way. And Samwise is the steadfast friend without whom Frodo couldn’t possibly have made it.   This article was originally published at Happy Dancing‚ Charlie Jane Anders’ newsletter‚ available on Buttondown. Charlie Jane Anders is the author of the young-adult trilogy Victories Greater Than Death‚ Dreams Bigger Than Heartbreak‚ and Promises Stronger Than Darkness‚ along with the short story collection Even Greater Mistakes. She’s also the author of Never Say You Can’t Survive (August 2021)‚ a book about how to use creative writing to get through hard times. Her other books include The City in the Middle of the Night and All the Birds in the Sky. She co-created Escapade‚ a trans superhero‚ for Marvel Comics‚ and featured her in New Mutants Vol. 4 and the miniseries New Mutants: Lethal Legion. She reviews science fiction and fantasy books for The Washington Post. Her TED Talk‚ “Go Ahead‚ Dream About the Future” got 700‚000 views in its first week. With Annalee Newitz‚ she co-hosts the podcast Our Opinions Are Correct.

There are many types of fish in Coral Island‚ especially rare ones like the Sturgeon‚ but how to you get one? Catching fish is one thing‚ but figuring out how to catch a specific type is another. Rare fish are hard to find and difficult to catch‚ so getting your hands on a Sturgeon won’t be easy. Let’s help you out. Coral Island: How to catch a Sturgeon This large fish is one of the more difficult fish to catch‚ but if you know where to look it’ll make it easier. How you can get a Sturgeon in Coral Island is at the Lake or River during the Summer‚ Fall‚ and Winter seasons‚ while it’s raining or snowing outside‚ and in the evening or night. Screenshot: PC Invasion Even if there’s stormy or blizzard weather‚ you can find the Sturgeon. Just make sure to be fishing at the Lake or at the River by your farm when it’s evening or nighttime. If you see a large fish biting at your line‚ that could very well be the Sturg...

Riot shields‚ or Ballistic Shields as they are officially called‚ in Fortnite are incredibly strong and hard to counter. However‚ there are a few tips and tricks I’ve learned from first-hand experience and research to help you beat Ballistic Shield users in Fortnite. How to beat Ballistic Shield users in Fortnite There are a few best ways to counter riot shields in Fortnite. When I first met players using the Ballistic Shields‚ I panicked and couldn’t get the kill. Now‚ I know exactly what to do to get rid of them. Related: How to get the Lamborghini vehicle skin in Fortnite The first tip I recommend is surrounding them. I was playing a game of Duos last night with my friend and while he shot him in the front‚ I ran around. This allowed us to get shots on the riot shield user and ultimately defeat him. For every strategy including this one‚ make sure to stay behind cover while trying to take out the riot shielder. The second strategy...

There are many times in Destiny 2 when I read a Seasonal Challenge or Bounty that asks me to deal damage with non-precision weapons and I don’t know what that means. If you are like me‚ come along‚ and together‚ we’ll learn what non-precision weapons are in Destiny 2. All non-precision weapons in Destiny 2 Whether you are trying to deal maximum damage to enemies with difficult-to-hit precision spots or you are looking to complete a Seasonal Challenge or Bounty‚ it’s important to know what weapons count as non-precision. Almost all weapons can deal precision damage if an enemy’s precision spot is big enough‚ but by and large‚ these are the weapons considered non-precision. Related: Best Destiny 2 Arc Warlock build: PvP and PvE Here are all the non-precision weapons in Destiny 2: Rocket Launchers Grenade Launchers Fusion Rifles Swords Glaives Rocket Launchers and Grenade Launchers are non-precision weapons ...

I had a strange experience playing A Highland Song. It provides an authentic Scottish experience while also delivering merciful low-stakes yet intrepid exploration. However‚ the same thing it does well got in the way of my enjoyment. Yet‚ I think I forgive the game for it. Like I said‚ I’ve had a strange time playing this game. Journey with me through the peaks and dark troughs of A Highland Song. A Highland Song promises greatness with its beauty and authenticity My initial exposure to A Highland Song was during Nintendo’s Indie World event. Instantly‚ it grabbed me with its hand-drawn visuals‚ authenticity‚ and the promise of a run through the wilderness with not a care in the world. And it delivered on all of those fronts. Screenshot: PC Invasion As soon as I started playing‚ I fell in love with the deep care that’s gone into showcasing and setting the Scottish highlands. The voice actors are phenomenal‚ the music is w...

FIRST ON DAILY SIGNAL: One of the leading global security and aerospace companies in the United States featured a prominent transgender flag in the lobby of its headquarters‚ according to a photo obtained by The Daily Signal. That photo‚ taken in mid-November during National Transgender Awareness Week‚ shows the lobby of Lockheed Martin’s corporate headquarters‚ based in Bethesda‚ Maryland. An American flag is visible close to the front desk in the lobby‚ while a transgender flag of seemingly matching proportions is also seen prominently displayed. “When you plant a flag‚ you send a message‚” a Lockheed Martin employee‚ who asked to remain anonymous to protect their privacy‚ told The Daily Signal. “To have this representation in the lobby of our corporate headquarters suggests we’ve chosen a point of view on a socially divisive issue that is nowhere near settled.” “We’re a big company‚ with lots of points of view across all issues‚ which is why most employees want company neutrality‚” the employee added. “Certainly‚ this is a distraction from our core mission.” On Monday evening‚ a Lockheed Martin spokeswoman told The Daily Signal that the transgender flag is not currently in the lobby. But she emphasized the aerospace company is firmly committed to “diversity and inclusion.” “At Lockheed Martin‚ we believe that our commitment to diversity and inclusion is a business imperative‚ helping to drive our innovation and global leadership‚” the Lockheed spokeswoman said in a statement‚ adding‚ “To learn more‚ read our latest Diversity and Inclusion report.” Lockheed Martin Corp. received a 100% score from the far-left Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index‚ an initiative thought to be behind Bud Light’s financially disastrous decision to use a biological male who “identifies” as a transgender woman‚ Dylan Mulvaney‚ as its public face. That 100% score would mean that Lockheed Martin Corp. met all the criteria for the Corporate Equality Index‚ including having gender transition guidelines; LGBTQ “internal training elements”; having “either an LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group or an LGBTQ+ Inclusive Diversity Council”; and more. Have an opinion about this article? To sound off‚ please email letters@DailySignal.com‚ and we’ll consider publishing your edited remarks in our regular “We Hear You” feature. Remember to include the URL or headline of the article plus your name and town and/or state.  The post Lockheed Martin Flew Transgender Flag in HQ Lobby appeared first on The Daily Signal.

“Mr. President‚ it is time to tap the brakes on the unrealistic government electric vehicle mandate.” That’s the pointed message a whopping 3‚882 automobile dealers from coast to coast sent in a joint open letter to President Joe Biden made public last week. We couldn’t have said it better—or more succinctly—ourselves. The auto dealers’ nine-paragraph letter explains—more politely and deferentially than we would have—to the president that his administration’s EV mandate is not just unrealistic‚ but unachievable as the requisite technology and infrastructure stand today (and well into the future)‚ to say nothing of the lack of consumer buy-in. That the administration’s unilateral mandate calling for 60% of new-vehicle sales nationwide to be EVs by 2030 and rising to 66% just two years later is unrealistic is not at all surprising. That’s because it was created out of whole cloth by environmental extremists inside and outside the Biden administration with little or no understanding of—or regard for—market economics and business. An auto dealer hands the keys to the proud owners of a new car. Electric vehicles remain a small share of the overall car market. (Photo: WestEnd61/Getty Images) The letter from the auto dealers—representing every major brand and nameplate sold in the country—acknowledges that many “excellent” EVs are currently on the market. “The reality‚ however‚ is that electric vehicle demand today is not keeping up with the large influx … arriving at our dealerships prompted by the current regulations. [They] are stacking up on our lots‚” the dealers’ letter read. After initial “hope and hype‚” they wrote‚ “enthusiasm has stalled‚” and the EVs are not selling as fast as they are arriving on dealership lots and in showrooms—“even with deep price cuts‚ manufacturer incentives and generous government incentives.” The latter include federal tax credits of up to $7‚500‚ which amount to regressive tax subsidies for well-to-do liberals who can already afford EVs to satisfy their virtue-signaling desires. But there would be no need for those inducements if there were broad consumer demand for EVs. To some extent‚ it’s akin to offering a $2-off coupon on a bag of brand-name cat litter to people who don’t have (or want) a cat‚ albeit on a macro scale. At the root of the problem is the attempt by the Biden administration (and by the governors of several blue states) to contravene the economic law of supply and demand by stipulating what consumers will be allowed to buy whether they want to or not. The government also has no business telling an industry what it must produce and attempt to sell‚ even—or especially when—consumers don’t appear to want it. “We are agnostic as to what we sell. Our business is to provide customers with vehicles that meet the needs of their budgets and lifestyles‚” the dealers averred in their letter. They added that “the majority of customers are simply not ready to make the change.” The reasons a scant 6% of new-car sales in 2021 were battery-electric vehicles are manifold‚ not the least of which is cost. The entry-level Tesla‚ for example‚ starts at $40‚000‚ while the electric version of the Ford F-150 pickup truck goes for about $25‚000 more than the gasoline-powered model. There are also stumbling blocks to sales relating to the charging of EVs‚ starting with: How do homeowners without garages or apartment or condominium dwellers charge them? Moreover‚ there are not now nearly enough charging stations widely available across the country‚ especially in rural areas‚ to plug into‚ even for the relatively few EVs on the road today‚ much less the infrastructure for the numbers of vehicles the Biden administration demands less than a decade from now. Besides‚ who wants to spend hours recharging a car when it takes only minutes to refuel a gasoline-powered vehicle at a filling station? And do we really need to restate the obvious about the dangers inherent in being dependent on an economic adversary‚ China‚ for EV batteries or‚ at minimum‚ for the rare earth minerals their manufacturing requires? The open letter from the nearly 3‚900 auto dealers—including 98 from Maryland and 90 from Virginia—explains all of this and more to Biden in urging a retreat from the current top-down diktat and for letting market forces work things out over time. Originally published at WashingtonTimes.com Have an opinion about this article? To sound off‚ please email letters@DailySignal.com‚ and we’ll consider publishing your edited remarks in our regular “We Hear You” feature. Remember to include the URL or headline of the article plus your name and town and/or state. The post Car Dealers Flash Stop Sign on Biden’s ‘Unrealistic’ Electric Vehicle Mandate appeared first on The Daily Signal.

A California mother who lost her daughter to suicide after transitioning and was removed from her custody for not supporting her gender identity filed an amicus brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to hear a case from another mother in Indiana facing the loss of custody for not supporting her daughter’s gender transition. Abigail Martinez is a Salvadoran immigrant who raised four children in California‚ one of whom began questioning her sexuality amid a struggle with depression in high school. School staff told her daughter to join the school’s LGBTQ club‚ where the mother claims in her amicus brief the school club “persuaded that the only way to be happy was to change her gender‚” and that the school psychologist encouraged her daughter to do the same. With a new policy at the school requiring staff to use students’ pronouns and preferred names for students without parental notification or permission‚ Martinez was not informed of her daughter’s new identity‚ and feels “the school staff should have helped me‚ but they became my worst enemy.” After Martinez’ daughter was hospitalized for attempting suicide‚ Martinez says the school psychologist told her daughter to accuse her mother of abuse so “she would lose custody and the state would pay for gender-transition treatments without parental consent.” As a result‚ the California Department of Child and Family Services took her daughter and placed her in a group home‚ after which a judge ordered Martinez’ daughter be allowed to receive cross-sex hormones to further her transition. While Martinez fought against the allegations of abuse and ultimately was exonerated and removed from the child abuse registry‚ soon after the court found her to be a fit parent her daughter committed suicide by lying down on tracks in front of an oncoming train. Martinez had sought that her daughter be treated for her underlying depression instead of receiving cross-sex hormones‚ a lack of treatment that she blames for her daughter’s suicide. In Indiana‚ the case of M.C. and J.C. v. Indiana Department of Child Services follows a similar contour: A child was removed from custody of parents nonetheless found “fit” by the state for the parents’ religious beliefs about gender identity and decision not to support the child’s transition. In their case‚ the parents allege Indiana failed to follow the free exercise clause of the First Amendment by preventing them from raising their child according to their faith‚ and that the Indiana Department of Child Services censored the parents’ First Amendment speech rights by limiting what they were allowed to speak about with their child during their limited visitations. “When governments usurp the essential role of parents in the lives of their children‚ tragedy ensues‚” said Kayla Toney‚ associate counsel for First Liberty Institute‚ who is representing Martinez and filed the amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to take the Indiana case. “The Constitution ensures that states cannot target parents because of their religious beliefs‚ interfere with the religious upbringing of their children‚ or impose prior restraints on speech in their own homes. We hope the Supreme Court will act to prevent state officials from committing any more violations of parental constitutional rights with impunity.” With Indiana courts upholding the Department of Child Services’ decisions‚ the writ of certiorari filed by the parents seeks review by the Supreme Court. If the Supreme Court hears the case and rules against Indiana‚ the result would be to overturn state laws in California‚ Washington‚ and Oregon‚ and court decisions in Indiana‚ Ohio‚ and Illinois that lead to parents losing custody if they do not seek or affirm gender-transition treatments for their child. Originally published by The Center Square Have an opinion about this article? To sound off‚ please email letters@DailySignal.com and we’ll consider publishing your edited remarks in our regular “We Hear You” feature. Remember to include the URL or headline of the article plus your name and town and/or state. The post California Mom Urges Supreme Court Review After Child Lost to Suicide appeared first on The Daily Signal.