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technowoah · 2 years

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Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better

Moments between Jason Todd and his lover, whos apart of the League of Assassins btw

- Based on these headcanons I made

⚠︎: mentions of death, injures, not much gore, swearing and complicated feelings, also this is unedited so sorry for any typos or errors

"This shit sucks ass."

"Jason please stop with the swearing."

You both stumbled into his apartment, well your shared apartment. Coming from patroling the city you two were beaten pretty badly. Your League outfit that was once green and gold was now ruined in a blood red that was from your gashes and wounds.

Jason was beaten up badly too. His helmet was broken and he was supporting a black eye. His suit was ripped open showing newly fresh wounds.

The fight was just a hazy memory, you've both hit your heads a couple of times and right now it dosen't even matter. Whet matters most is that you both made it home.

To be honest you dont even know how you had the energy left to get back to his apartment. You thought you were going to bleed out so thats why you have Bruce's number on speedial at the moment.

You and Jason ended up in the kitchen before slowly falling to the cold ground. Not making it fully to the living room and covering the floor with dirt and blood. Both of you were breathing heavily without your masks on.

You two were lying on your backs heads faced toward eachother while your noses were almost touching. You beathed in his scent which smelt like blood and smoke and just smelt like the outdoors.

Some might say this would be a romantic moment.

Except for the fact that you both were bleeding out on the kitchen floor.

After a while of staring at eachother and wondering which one was gonna call for help first you whispered to him.

"We need to call for some assistance Jason."

"Its fine." He said while trying to get up from his spot on the floor. "I can get the medical kit, its in that cabinet."

The cabinet which he was talking about wasn't on the floor, it was a high shelf. Jason tried to stand up on his knees, but groaned in pain as he found his way back to the floor.

"Let me call Bruce."

"Hell. No"

"Jason-"

"Im not letting him save me. Im not weak." He groaned and you rolled your eyes.

"Jason, I am weak."

He paused for a moment. Seeing you both are in the same predicament. Both beaten, bloodied, hand and knees, chest and arms, canr barely move. He didn't want to pass out here, he didnt want you to either. He didn't want to calm Bruce.

"Call Alfred."

~~~

"Seems like you two got into some trouble?"

"Yeah a little bit." Jason responed to Alfred.

Alfred got you both to the couch and started on stiching your wounds. You both looked like mummies, but you both were cleaner than you were before.

"Thank you again." You spoke.

"There is no need for that, it is my job after all. Ive taken care of about 4 kids for all these years."

"Yeah, thank you Alfred." Jason responded.

"You're welcome." Alfred smiled at Jason and he gave a small smirk back. "So when are you going to tell master Bruce about the two of you?"

"Never." Jason said quickly. "I dont want him in my buisness, he'll try to take over my love live."

"Love life." You whispered but no one heard.

"He'll find out eventually you know?"

"Yeah"

"Until then we'll be fine Jason, I promise."

He was silent, he was thinking too hard and you could tell. The dim lights of the room gave a gloomy aspect but it highlighted his face well. Jason opened his mouth to protest like he always does, but you beat him to it.

"Im very good at keeping a secret am I not?" You teased waiting for his reaction.

It was a slight smirk but it dissappeared. "Yeah took a while to figure out you were from the Leauge. When you pretended you weren't apart of the League, that messed me up when you started training me."

"My best student." You whispered, guilt filled your heart when he brung up the past.

"Damn right." He smiled at you. For the first time today.

The moon was brighter than usual as you stared at it encapsulated by its beauty. The Leauge made a huge deal about the moon. It felt like you were home.

Jason had left you outside by yourself a while ago saying he needed wine. You both took lawn chairs outside to Bruces huge acre garden to have some sort of alone time at Bruce's house. He's been taking a while to get the wine and you probably should assume that his brothers were taking up his time. You kept staring at the moon.

"Is it that interesting as they say?"

You sat up and turned slightly to see Damian taking Jason's seat next to you.

"If you look yes it is."

"Is it true you studied the moon?"

"A lot of questions young one." You smirked and he scoffed. "Yes I did. One time in Egypt I studied it and immediately got immersed in the study of space."

Damian hummed in response and was about to ask a question, but remembered your response to him asking another question.

"Why are you hesitant?" You asked and he tensed beside you.

"You can tell from the Leauge right? Their training?"

"It was interesting, but yes. Like Jason per say." He raised his eyebrows in question. "His senses are heightened because of the Lazarus Pit right?"

He nodded and you admired his focus to your words. "Think like that. You're truly advanced Damian, but not as advanced as me." You laughed.

"How can I be?"

"What do you mean?"

"I want to be better." He looked seriously into your eyes with nothing but determination.

"You dont want to go back there Damian."

"I know but-"

"But nothing, Damian." You cut him off sternly. "It's horrible, a bad place with bad people. I dont care if they are considered family. Family can be bad as well."

"What if I want to change the Leauge of Assassins."

"Change the Leauge of Assassins, the very same one that's under Ra's rule?"

"Yes. Didn't I make myself clear."

"Clear as the moon Damian."

It's not like you hated the Leauge. You had a love-hate relationship with them. But you and Damian had seen the worse of it all and both of you know you're both better off here than back there.

"Think about it." Damian spoke into the air. You nodded as you both satnin silence with the tension slowly releasing the air. The only noise was the occasional crickets and your own mind.

"Why?" You asked Damian.

"Again you ask me why?"

"I ask you "why" because I want a plan from you. I dont do anything without a plan."

Damian scoffed, "You and Jason go on rouge missions all the time."

"Those are supposed to be secret." You chuckled.

"He's not as discreet as you are."

You laughed and at the sound of your laughter Damian had a small smirk. These times with the Waynes had helped you highten your emotions. Always been taught that emotions will hold you back, that they'll make you weak is nothing now. Jason and you work out your emotions. Both expressing things you both never expressed before. Joy, love, compassion, jealousy, sadness, rage. All because of Jason, every day you see yourself grow more. And he can say the same about you.

"You tryna steal my girlfriend demon?"

Speak of the devil.

"No Todd, just having lively conversation." Damian spoke as he stood up. You noticed he was more relaxed than when he came out to the garden before.

"We'll I'll appreciate it if you would leave us alone for now." He sat down the red wine and glassed on the grass then he occupied himself with opening the bottle, his muscles flexing while he did so distracted you for a bit while Damian was yelling at Jason for taking up too much of your time.

Jason somehow got the last and Damian left with a huff.

"We'll talk later Damian!" You yelled after him. He just turned around with a nod acknowledging your statement and closed the glass door behind him.

"Lively conversation huh?" Jason asked as he handed you a glass and filled it up as you held it.

"Yes." You smiled.

"Thats all I get is a "yes"?" He complained.

"Mhm."

"You're an ass."

It was a quiet night for Jason, I mean except for the Gotham noise below him. Crime has been slow, so he found his favorite rooftop that overlooked the city illuminated in its own beautiful way. Peaceful wasn't what followed him so he wondered why the universe gave him this.

"Funny seeing you here."

He turned his head slightly to see you walking towards him in all your assassin glory. Your outfit and mask was still on, but he could tell you're smiling. He really hit the jackpot today huh?

"You're back huh? To gloomy old Gotham."

"The mission was quick, too easy."

"Did you kill someone for me?" He chuckled while leaning against his shiny red helmet on the side of him.

"Of couse I did. For old times." You laughed while taking a spot next to him.

"Yeah, old times."

He had no idea why you were in his life. Why was the universe being so kind to him? This beauty sitting next to him, the night lights glowing softly on your face. You changed his life in so many beautiful confusing ways. Nothing was perfecy between you two and nothing will be stable, but to him its a perfect love story.

"Jason?"

"Yeah."

"Just I need-" You huffed out of frustration. "Kiss me." You blurted out while he just stared at you.

"Jason this was so long without you I need you to kiss-" You finally got what you wanted when he molded your lips together.

Your lips moved in unison while your hand traveled up his shoulder and to his neck and his hand help your waist. It felt like heaven ti Jason, your lips on his. His home. His gaurdian angel back in his arms. His hand around your waist gripped the fabric tightly wanting nothing more to rip the traditional armor off of you and feel you close.

He parted for a second for air. "You're home." His breath tickled your lips

You both were and hour away from your shared apartment, but you knew what he meant.

You pecked his lips. "Im home."

The motel stinked, but it was the only temporary option.

Jason was lying on the bed on his laptop he somehow brought, am6d you were polishing your swords when he sat up beside you and pushed the computer in your lap.

"Egypt?"

"Egypt doll!"

You could tell he was excited about this. "What are you implying?"

"I'm implying that we go to Egypt. For a week? And we're going there for fun this time. You spoke very highly of it."

You glared at him

"5 days." He srunk

"Why Jason-"

"You always said you wanted to travel the world." Jason rebuttals.

"Yes I have expressed that, but-"

"But nothing. Im making this dream a reality."

Jason scooted closer to you closing the gap that was once inbetween you.

"Jason," You started. "Egypt is just one place."

"Yeah, but then we can travel from there." He smiled.

"Like Brazil?"

"If you want baby."

"Greece? Tokyo? Greenland?"

"All that and more doll." You gave him a look. It was a look of uncertainty. He knew that look too well.

Jason was reckless, you were too, in the field, not in real life. Money wasn't much for you because the Leauge would take care of it all, but Jason was different. You wouldn't want him spending money on you so frivolously.

"I'll do anything for you, you know that right." He whispered leaning in closer to you.

"Sometimes."

"I'll burn the Earth for you if you wanted."

"Im not used to hearing stuff like this said to me. You make me feel love again Jason." You whispered back to him.

Jason wasn't one to voice his emotions often so he just kissed you, hard. It felt like he wanted to devour you before breaking the kiss for a second.

"So, am I buying the tickets or nah?"

"Jason im not leaving my home!"

"I thought you hated that place?!"

You and Jason had been fortunate enough to get back home before you both exploded on eachother. The pent up frustration from the last mission you were sent on by the Leauge caused tension between you, Jason, and his family as well.

Dick was worried sick about you. You came back with cuts and bruises adorning your body like jewels.

Tim did not expect the Leauge to not treat you after such a mission. He expected for them to take carew of your wounds but after you told them that and I quote, "We're told to take care of our own wounds, not to be a burden to others." He was fuming.

Damian was dissapointed. He knew you were the Leauge's top fighters, he respected you for that, but one of their top fighters should know their limits. You should have a say on what mission you take or not, but you don't which leads him to try and convince you to leave.

"They made me who I am Jason."

"Who gives a fuck?! I dont care! You're not a killing machine! You're a human!"

You scoffed at that comment, but that made him evem more enraged.

"Are you listening to me?"

"I hear you loud and clear cause your fucking damaging my eardrums!" You ran your hands over your head. "I dont know."

"You dont know what?" Jason sternly questions.

"Im conflicted."

"It shouldn't be that fucking hard."

"Maybe its okay for you to leave your family Jason, but I cant! My mother-"

"You dont have to." Jason interrupted you. He knew your mom died a long time ago. He knew that the Leauge took care of you in her place.

"I feel like that's all I have of her."

"Thats not true."

You both we're silent for a while. You refuse to let tears fall on your cheeks. Jason's hands were slowly releasing their hard clench.

"Im sorry." You said.

"Me too." Jason follows.

"We're really fucked aren't we?" You laughed a tear trickling down your cheek. Jason stepped closer to you and took his thumb and wiped your tear.

"Now look who's swearing now." He laughed. He pulled you in for a hug encased in his broad arms and rested his head ontop of yours. "And yes we are."

..........

You and Jason were cuddled up againt eachother with him fast asleep. He was snoring pretty loud and that woke you up out of your peaceful sleep.

Carefully, you slipped out of his arms and the covers and headed towards the kitchen for a glass of water.

You padded to the kitchen when you felt a presence in the apartment with you.

"Damian."

"How did you know?"

"I felt your presence." You smirked and he scoffed.

"Are you better?" He asks while sitting on the kitchen island.

"No." You chuckled.

You both were quiet with him not knowing what to say.

"Will you take my offer?"

"Which one?"

"To reform the Leauge of Assassins." He spoke in some sort of heroic tone he learned from his father.

"Ah I forgot about that one. When was this? December?" You teased

"June 13." He deadpanned.

"I know. Why would I take up your offer now?" You questioned trying to get him to spill.

"I want to go back just as much as you. But its horrible we could run it together!" He shouted.

"Keep it down." You shushed him "Jason is alseep."

"What's there to loose?" He grunted.

"Everything, Damian."

"What are you doing here at 3am?" Jasom stumbled into the kitchen wrapping an arm around you.

"You always have to interrupt our conversations Todd?"

"Yeah I want my girlfriend back to bed." He snipped while taking your glass and stealth a sip of your water.

"Damian?" You softly spoke.

"Yes?"

"Stay here tonight. I'll call Bruce and tell him that his son was worried about me." You joked and he scoffed again already gathering the blankets and pillows from the last time he stayed on the couch, turning on the TV making himself at home.

"Its like we already have a kid."

"Shut up." Jason rolled his eyes and chuckled before filling up the glass again and going back to bed.

"Damian." You called out his name again and he lifted his head from the couch.

"Let's have this conversation when you're older okay?"

He gave you a small smile before turning his attention back to the TV.

You cuddled back with Jason under the covers, he gave you a small kiss on your forehead before shutting his eyes.

"I think I want to change the Leauge of Assassins."

"You do you babe." He slurred.

"Jay Im serious."

"Im serious too. Do whatever you want I'll be here right by your side. No matter how dangerous."

"No matter how deadly?" You sighed.

"You know I love a good deadly mission once and a while." He smirked with his eyes closed.

"I love you."

"I love you too doll. And I'll follow you to the ends of the earth."

#jason todd angst #jason todd headcanon #jason todd x you #jason todd reader #jason todd x reader #jason todd #dc x gender neutral reader #dc x reader #red hood fluff #red hood x reader #red hood headcanon #red hood reader insert #jason todd imagine #redhood imagine

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talkingwithburritospodcast · 7 years

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Baby Ducks In The FP - TWB70

The FP is like Breaking: Electric Boogaloo set in a dystopian society of young twenty somethings who don’t know any better about the real world.

Frazier Park and the 248

Frazier Park, a subdivision somewhere in the greater state of California where wars aren’t fought over color or race but by county lines and dance. Not the Samba, not ballet, no crunk, but video game dance battles. Beat Beat Revolution, similar but exactly equal to the popular ninities arcade Dance Dance Revolution encourages battlers to pop, lock, and step in the name of where you from for points earned and undeniable street cred. Hit your mark and you live to fight dance another day. Too bad for BTRO, leader of the 248. Good guy living in a bad town. He danced till he couldn’t dance anymore. Poor fella's heart gave out in a dance battle against the penultimate villain next door, L Dubba E, who is just as annoying as his name sounds. Sure BTRO could’ve been roofied or maybe lugging about in a huge pair knee high ultra space boots wasn’t the best choice of footwear when playing a game where you must step on small lily pad sized shapes in an effort to score big. Not knocking his style but those boots weren't made for walking, it's not just what they do. One of this days those boots are going to dance all over you. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Soul Man, 1986.[/caption]

Hero is In The DNA

JTRO, brother to BTRO and witness to his fall from grace, leaves the 248 in great hero fashion to grieve for a period of time unknown to everyone but the screenwriter of this film. There was a montage, so we must assume it’s been, like, fitty years since he's been gone. Okay, more like two at the most. Dude didn’t even grow a beard by the time KCDC trekked across the small stretch of highway in a beat up ol’ Honda in search of the forgotten 248 heir to the throne. JTRO, self exiled 248 member, made good with his time getting swole carry wood and chopping logs. When KCDC finds him, and pleads for the hero to return home, JTRO refuses. The 248 ain’t his life no mo. "I’d rather bust these logs and dream of my dead brother and question why he wore those damn boots anyway. He knew they were too big!” Frustration aside, JTRO understood what he must do: he most return to the FP.

A fallen tree in a forest doesn’t make a sound. However, revenge screams like a mutha effing donkey on steroids. FP Homecoming

Home isn’t like it use to be. With the 249 in charge it’s like 1940’s prohibition up in the 248. L Dubba E, heir to the one liquor store in town has stopped service the 248 disrupting life as we knew little of it; we can only assume that shit is bad on a dystopian level. No drink means the bums are dry and if the bums are dry, then the baby ducks don’t get fed. The baby ducks don’t get fed. Not my words. All credit goes to KCDC for that, which is the best line of the entire film and there are some doozies.

TRO Hearts Stacey In The Fp

Fathers, be good to your daughters Daughters will love like you do But without the drink, fathers becomes assholes and beat up on their daughters. No heroes journey is complete without a damsel in distress and as harsh and real as John Mayer sung that beautifully crafted song, Stacey is a complete mess. We don’t even know why JTRO would even bother, but we do know that he didn’t take a shot in high school. As she was blowing through guys, JTRO respected the and like the girl enough as not to be just another bike ride. He’s dizzy without even have slept with the girl and among other horrible attributes, she’s hanging withL Dubba E who we can only assume has herpes of the everything. But a hero has chilvery etched into his DNA, and JTRO can’t fight that feeling of wanting to save his Winnie Cooper. Maybe she is cute, in that Betty on crack next door type of way or maybe it’s because he only sees out of one eye. Did I mention JTRO wears an eye patch?

The Redeemer

No redemption song is complete without it’s maestro, BLT, to lead the redeemer to salvation. Through training and excessive hard work, JTRO will work his way to the supreme status of sleeping within the trainers quarters. Scrubs sleep outside. To be the best and covet a comfortable mattress, JTRO will have to be the best, but unfortunately his vision is cloudy — he lacks focus. That girl got him dizzy! No heroes journey goes without a training montage! (Jamaican Horns Here)

Running

Weights

Running with weights, DC, piggyback

Dragging a tire

Beat Beat Revolution Waffles sandwiches

And electrified tennis racquets - now lasts some low grade Rocky shit

NIGGA

N: Never I: Ignorant G: Getting G: Goals A: Accomplished Didn’t really bother me. Well, it did before this stupid ass validation as to why they allowed KCDC used it so freely when I saw no black people in this film. Middle class youngster during the nineties and up till now, still find it okay to use the word nigga when there isn't a black person around to correct them. Some of them just don't care because they're hip, listen to rap music, and have a couple of black friends. Words of wisdom: you will still get your ass whipped. Just saying.

Stripper Shame

I was more upset over the tire stripper pool. Okay, this is the moment in the heroes journey when he’s tested before the final face off with L Double E . JTRO, his trainer BLT, and KCDC invade a party hosted in the 138, a ramshackle Russian Trailerhenge park where dreams go to die. This is where we not only find the girl, Stacey, but our boys happen upon a tire stripper pole based in a pool of water. Now that’s trashy. Isn’t stripping for those idiots in that town insulting enough? You have this poor dunk girl —because alcohol how she eases the pain — swaying to in fro on a pole mounted in a tire surrounded by water in a kiddie pool? Now, that’s offensive. To test his training, JTRO has to entertain the musing of another loud mouth idiot who resembles a smaller and lest cool Gary Oldman from True Romance. It’s in this scene we learn what truly broke his brother BTRO, however, the characters never elude to the fact that BTRO was drugged before his death match with Double L, and the life hack to never send anyone to get you a drink. Date rape rule #1: Order your own drink and watch the bartender make it yourself, ladies.

BTRO Avenged!

The best two moments from this Beat Beat Revolution dance off is the bystander cuffing a woman’s breast for no apparent reason than to show a man holding one beast of a nonchalant woman and the fact that the death match was enclosed inside a ratty mesh cage. Yes, a cage match, people! If you’ve ever played DDR, you should understand how ridiculous this is as you literally jump, hop, and step in place to play this game. A cage ain’t gonna do nothing for you but give somebody tetanus in this instance. After the hero avenges his brother’s death, a fight breaks out and somebody pulls a gun. This was by far the best directed sequence in the movie. The effects were well done and the action scenes were quite impressive for a film on a limited budget. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5QtZs09_0Y

The FP Does Not Get Made Without Overwhelming Support

As ridiculous a film this is; The FP does not get made if not for the support of family, friends, and the entire 248. Someone had to read this script and question whether the Trost Bros. had lost their collective minds. It’s in this support from I assume the place he’s from that this film shows its true heart. Listed in the credits: * Trost Bros. - Written and Directed * Ron Trost - Ex Producer/ Effects Coordinator * Sarah Trost - Costume * Brandon Trust - Directory of Photography * Jason Trost - Story By No matter how bad the film might be, it takes a lot of effort to pull together the resources to complete such an endeavor. Kudos to all involved in the production of this film. They were successful in their efforts to get a sequel made to The FP, and are currently in post-production. So, if this podcast episode encourages anyone to watch this movie, then maybe that’ll encourage you to support the sequel whenever it releases.

The Scoop Dujour

Links:

The squeal to The FP in the works. BEATS OF RAGE: THE FP PART II Almost Black - Indian student accepted into medical school as an African American [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kp7eSUU9oy8[/embed] Dedicated to my wife.

Flava Text of the Week:

Never Ignorant Gettin' Goals Accomplished

The plate full but we're always open for suggestions

Leave us a voicemail or email about the podcast episode, ask a question, or share what entertains you. Phone 520-775-1690 Email [email protected] Follow links: Twitter, Facebook, Google+, etc. Subscribe links: iTunes, RSS, email newsletter, etc.

Talking With Burritos Presents A New Episode!

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tinymixtapes · 6 years

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Interview: Everything and Nothing

The hysterical pace of development in north Brooklyn led to chronic conditions for DIY art spaces like Glasslands and Death By Audio, where a fair amount of the zeitgeist that fueled said development was forged. But, absorbing the environs of Elsewhere on a damp May evening, the destruction of those haunts at least pangs with creativity. Elsewhere is an immaculate new multi-story club complex located in the Bushwickian outer banks of Williamsburg. Combined with the similarly impressive Brooklyn Steel in Greenpoint, the complex cements the fact that Brooklyn has traded its punchy underdog industrial pioneering for genuine cultural power, fueled by money and an ever metastasizing narrative of “cool,” whatever is left of that concept. At Elsewhere, the performance spaces are weightless, the sound system is enlightened, stage lights scare away so much as a speck of dust, and a 12-ounce can of Miller High Life will set you back $7. PBR isn’t even offered at the venue bar. Imagine. In the spotless Green Room, Archer Prewitt and Doug McCombs, The Sea and Cake’s founding guitarist and new bassist (Eric Claridge left the band after the 2012 album Runner due to carpal tunnel syndrome) are lounging, lost in relaxed conversation. The room is appointed with moody colored lights and high ceilings. The furniture is crisp, unsullied by debauchery. “This is my chair,” Doug bellows and points, unprompted, after standing up. He disappears from the room. The chair in question is one of those leather loungers that one expects to see cracked and ass-fitted in the accomplished dens of aged professionals — this one hasn’t a wrinkle. Sam Prekop, chief songwriter for The Sea and Cake, wearing an inconspicuous jacket over a light hoodie and with fading sand-colored hair, enters the room. He immediately moves for the chair in question and plops down. “No — get out of my chair,” Doug orders, kidding around and not, when he reappears moments later. “Oh,” Prekop drawls quietly. “Sorry.” He politely stands and Doug, cased in denim and displaying an ornately manicured Santa Claus beard, retakes his throne. The new bass player clearly is not plagued by any Jason Newsted-esque new-member alienations. In another spotless backstage room in the shell of novelty that is Elsewhere, Prekop explains his cover photograph for his band’s 10th studio LP, Any Day. “It said, ‘You should use me as an album cover.’ So it was a rare instance where I selected the image as the album cover before it was done. A weird signpost in a way, or a marker.” Any Day by The Sea and Cake The image suggests a certain against-stream dignity and beauty in obsolescence: a pile of would-be clutter is set amidst a context of control; spotless and effusive white walls contain a pile of, well, crap; an old tube television with faux-wood paneling sets the foundation for a rumpled cardboard box and errant mid-apartment-move items (a coffee mug, a dusty end-table); a bright orange thrift store couch runs out of the frame, stinging the rest of the palate with springlike frequencies, mid-flower. The stark and pristine framing levitates above diminutive sans serif lettering drowning in white space, an aesthetic as familiar to longtime fans as Prekop’s wispy coo. “I was initially drawn to [the photo] probably based on — I love that orange next to that kind of weird… that kind of green can only exist on a blank TV from the 70s — that combination. In retrospect, somehow it gained a certain resonance,” he says. “There is a sort of weird fragile nostalgia quality to it. I think it is an odd portrait of The Sea and Cake, in a way.” The band originated as its own mess of bright, spare parts in need of proper framing. After leading the critically acclaimed Shrimp Boat in Chicago, Prekop was offered funding to develop a solo project. One-by-one, local bassist Eric Claridge, guitarist Archer Prewitt, and renowned drummer and producer John McEntire joined in the recording. The Sea and Cake’s self-titled debut was released in 1994 by the venerable Thrill Jockey Records. Other than the loss of Claridge, the lineup has otherwise been a constant, despite McEntire’s recent relocation to California and the birth of Prekop’s twins nearly a decade ago. With so much personal history between the members after an improbable 24 years of recording and performing, what could possibly feel different for them this time around, with the release of a new album and a new tour? “I never have a good answer for that,” Prekop says. “Everything and nothing.” --- Around a decade ago, I lent a few of the band’s seminal albums to a friend, expecting thanks and some level of taste-validation in return for the benevolence. “It’s all very… placid,” he said, handing back the cardboard sleeves for Oui and The Fawn along with Nassau’s plastic case. Disappointed, I tried hedging him over to positivity. “Yeah, it’s very subtle, sure. But also pretty soulful and evocative, I think.” He stared back. “Not subtle. Placid.” Translation? Boring. Did I mention that part of this band’s appeal, as a college student, was the promise of enjoying the music well into middle age? The malnourished 21 year-old could definitely see himself chilling to Oui at 55. The original insight appears to be holding water. --- Subtlety is lost on the disinterested. In the streaming era, the band’s discography must all simmer together for a new listener, into one “lovely” and “gentle” risotto. Even for a longtime fan listening to much of the post-One Bedroom discography, the familiarity and distinction of Prekop’s vocals can turn monotonous. One anticipates many of the chord progressions and bridge-to-chorus drum fills on first listen. While certain production elements have calcified over time, such as embossed vocals and increasingly precise guitar takes, every Sea and Cake album carries its charms. Everybody (2007) presents an impeccably tight collection of stately pop rock, with the slow burning “Coconut” heaping wistful yearning upon the listener, narrator making peace with commitment, confessing, “You set me free.” Car Alarm draws out crashing rock (“Aerial,” “Car Alarm”), glittering electro-pop (“Weekend”), effusive jazzy rhythmics (“A Fuller Moon,” “New Schools”), and even a steel drum outro (“Mirrors”) for good measure. The surprising EP The Moonlight Butterfly offers one of the uncanny modular synthesizer compositions (“The Moonlight Butterfly”) that have come to dominate Prekop’s solo career, along with the small miracle of “Lyric,” another plaintive confessional that floats above a melancholy Eric Claridge bass groove, punctuated with decaying electronics before transforming into a spindly jam. Runner (2012) pares an M83-esque towering synth flirtation (“The Invitations”) with the achingly beautiful acoustic “Harbor Bridges.” At this point, we reflect on our history more as a friendship and camaraderie than the music. We don’t like to dissect it too much. We’re sort of the antithesis of analysis.” Should The Sea and Cake be punished for being so good and so consistent? If this were baseball, they’d be posting a damn 2.5 WAR, at least. But music is qualitative, undervalued, and in the end we want our rock & roll to channel dionysian impulses that are intrinsically unsustainable. Shatter our neural pathways with bliss one day. Haughtily cursing you the next. No love lost. “Occasionally,” Prekop says, “I feel apologetic that we’re still making records and someone might have to listen to them. But then again, it doesn’t really matter.” Indeed, Any Day carries much of “the same.” It will be heard as antiquated, beautiful, or both. There are the quiet and catchy moments (“Into Rain,” “Too Strong”) that the band deals out with a flip of the wrist, eyes askance. But the title track calls out with something else, its easy groove lifted by Prekop’s light melodies, McEntire’s understated rhythm and Prewitt’s self-possessed riffs and accents that drop like dewdrops on the edge of a glassy pond. The song is all fresh and effortless and calls back to the band’s loose and transformational early catalogue. The gift for melody was always present, but from 1994 to the mid-2000s, The Sea and Cake moved from dynamic and jammy discursions (The Sea and Cake, Nassau, The Biz) abruptly to programmed beats and synths (The Fawn), then to lush and ineffable bossa nova (Oui) and bright electro-pop (One Bedroom). The band flirted with aggression (“Escort”) and un-harshable mellow rumination (“The Leaf”), yet always returned to its ever-flowering gift for head-nodding pop and effusive romance. The classic “Parasol” and “There You Are” enter into slow trances that reward the patient. Call it Dreamcatcher Pop — this is some of the best nap music you’ll ever find (don’t miss Prekop’s genius self-titled solo album for the pinnacle of this transitory gift). The loose naiveté of the early work kept a chair open at the table for evolution, and it’s the natural selfishness of a fan to want a return to the freshness, to once more harness those old feelings. We’re all addicts for novelty. Prekop understands the nature of the beast, but does not care to cater. “There is a definite natural march to the life of any band,” he says. “When you’re starting, that’s a different kind of excitement compared to five years in. And I think, at this point, we reflect on our history more as a friendship and camaraderie than the music. We don’t like to dissect it too much. We’re sort of the antithesis of analysis.” --- The Sea and Cake were never for “everyone.” If you were a stereotypical graphic designer in the 1990s and early 2000s, though, you were probably down. And those very graphic designers, solid dudes them all, filled The Hall at Evermore as twin disco balls flitted tiny spotlights across their greying hair while industrial electro pounded for a Trump-era rave called, Let Them Have Their Phones. The band takes the stage to moderate applause and a few yelps, which quickly die away. Prekop is in no hurry to collect himself for the opening number and flashes a familiar wry grin as the public silence elongates. Notable for this patient crowd, the silence is not particularly awkward. Eventually, the steady beats, rumbling bass, and swelling (sequenced) synths of “Four Corners” (One Bedroom) fill the room. Any Day’s insistent opener “Cover the Mountain” is surprisingly raw, softened edges from the long recording process obliterated by McIntire’s crashing percussion. With the exception of a jumpy, chronic vaper hovering stage right, the full room of bought-in fans nod along, mirroring the minor movements of Prekop and Prewitt. Drummer John McIntyre shows, throughout the performance, why he became a force of gravity all his own in the 90s, via his additional work with Tortoise and as a respected Indie producer with his own Chicago studio (Soma). He demands attention, preening above the snare, chin up to the back of the room. He winces and snarls through perfect time, dominating the stage with dead set serial killer eyes and facial twitches, as a ring of sweat expands around his collar. Meanwhile, Prewitt anchors center stage, keeping watch on his shifting, exotic chord patterns, altering them up and down the neck like a clinician. He ends a riff by throwing his head back in a rare moment of exuberance, but is otherwise as measured as his own delicate and embroidered guitar work. With rising applause after a final note, he nods in shy thanks. The love from fans may not find expression in screaming, drug dancing, or tumbling flanks of drunk friends pushing their way to the front of the stage — this is not much of a “scene” — but this serene affection runs deep. Among these focused eyes and swaying bodies, there is no room for the casual follower. Kind appreciation is offered to the new songs, while the “oldies,” as Prekop calls them from the stage, elicit sighs and hard-earned affirmations. For those who have followed The Sea and Cake for two decades, these songs are vessels of memory. Immediate presence cracks them open for catharsis of the self-posessed. --- Per the graphic designers, The Sea and Cake might be seen as pretentious and aloof. Perhaps they are, but backstage Prekop never sounds like someone who takes himself too seriously. “I just think, if it feels right and positive to make a record it’d be a shame not to,” he says of the continuation of the band. “I’m quite certain that it doesn’t sound like much else.” Appropriate to his longevity as a creator, with both The Sea and Cake and other projects, he offers a take-it-in-stride model for art making. Do as much as you can. Don’t be precious. Pay attention. Your failures are venerable. “People ask, ‘How do you make sense of being an artist as both a musician and a photographer’? “It’s all work, and I’m trying to be as expressive as possible. So, it all counts. And one thing doesn’t necessarily have to make the other thing happen. I think all of the work is important at different times — on different levels. “I’m hoping to recognize good stuff that’s happening. But, it’s sort of out of my control. I equate it to photography. It’s all already there, and you have to just find it… frame it.” http://j.mp/2JyllQX

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comicsbeat · 6 years

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And let’s wrap things up! This may not have been the biggest survey ever, but it had perhaps the widest participation ever, and I’m very proud to showcase so many people from so many levels of the comcis industry from creators to retailers to journalists to publishers. 2018 has already been wild but it’s going to be another banner year for comics.

To read the first four parts of this survey go here.

J.T. Yost, publisher Birdcage Bottom Books

2018 Projects: We’re gearing up for a Kickstarter campaign in January to fund all of the stupendous comics we’ve got planned through 2018. We’re focusing on artists flying under the radar that we feel are deserving of a wider audience.

We will be publishing:

“In The Future, We Are Dead”, a graphic novel by Eva Müllerthat focuses on her obsession with death

“The Complete Matinee Junkie”by Jordan Jeffries, a book collecting his previous four years of matinee attending comics diaries along with the current year (in progress) along with lots of bonus material

“Goat Song”, a bizarre piece of fiction about an unexpected infection by Larkin Ford

“Thonger Dongers” by T. Yost, a third collection of short comics drawn for various anthologies

“Nate The Nonconformist Has A Rival!” details high school rivalry at its worst and most immature by Stephanie Mannheim

“A Lone Dear At The End Of The World” by Bradford Gambles alternates between the hush of an abandoned mall reclaimed by nature and loud, crass consumerism

“Pictures of Bananas and Funny Bugs”collects more truly unique work by New Yorker cartoonist Sara Lautman

What was the biggest story in comics in 2017? For me, the biggest story was the depressing realization that the #metoo movement extended to what I’d previously considered a welcoming and non-threatening comics community. What will be the biggest story in comics in 2018? In an echo of editorial cartoonist Thomas Nast’s takedown of Boss Tweed, comics will be the undoing of Trump and his entire administration (a man can dream).

Guilty Pleasure: I don’t feel guilty about my pleasures (I’ll readily admit to my love of Degrassi Jr. High), so I’ll just say the comics related project I’m most looking forward to is the collection of Laura Park’s work.

Who or what inspires you? Josh Bayer is an inspiration in that his need to draw seems compulsory, his knowledge of comics history is extensive, and his ability to share through teaching is admirable.

Sue, journalist, DC Women Kicking Ass

2018 Projects: 2018 mid-terms

What was the biggest story in comics in 2017? A tie! The meltdown of Marvel – sales wise, creative wise (bye Bendis), executive-wise ( Bye Axel, hello Akira Yoshida (oh sorry CB Cebulski) and the #metwo movement hitting comics and Eddie Berganza finally getting what he deserved 5 years ago.

Guilty Pleasure: Infinity War – how can Marvel get their movies (mostly) so good and their comics struggle.

Who or what inspires you? Wonder Woman! The comic is suffering from a writer who shouldn’t be writing it, but it was great under Rucka/Scott/Sharpe (also the movie was great).

Martha Thomases, writer

2018 Projects: Second Hand Rose, with Richard Case.

What was the biggest story of 2017? #MeToo, Eddie Berganza

What will be the biggest story of 2018? #MeToo spreads to include the people who covered for Eddie and others.

Guilty Pleasure of 2018: Black Panther! Also, being seen as a writer more than a journalist.

Who or what inspires you? Irmina, by Barbara Yelin. I’m not prepared to see it’s the best book, but it provoked me to think of history in new ways.

Charles Vess, cartoonist

2018 Projects: For the past four years I’ve been illustrating the first ever collected edition of Ursula K. Le Guin’s six multiple award winning Earthsea novels with direct consultation from the writer. ‘The Books of Earthsea’ from Saga Press (a division of Simon & Schuster) will be published in October of 2018, the 50th anniversary of the publication of ‘A Wizard of Earthsea’, the first book in the series. The collection will feature some 60 color and black and white illustrations that will depict her world, its characters and her dragons as close to the way Ursula has always seen them as possible. What a journey it’s been!

Guilty Pleasure of 2018: Reading as much of Luke Pearson’s Hildafolk and Anti Watson’ Glister as they’ll give me.

Who or what inspires you? Mike Mignola, Michael Wm. Kaluta and Jill Thompson

Mairghread Scott, writer

2018 Projects: I have two new graphic novels coming out from First Second in March and April. City on the Other Side with artist Robin Robinson, a YA fantasy adventure that follows a young girl trying to stop a war between the after, and Science Comics: Robots and Drones with Jacob Chabot, a look at the history of robots and Drones and how they work. I also have written an animated feature called Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors featuring, Ms. Marvel, Squirrel Girl, Patriot, America Chavez, Inferno and Captain Marvel that I am really excited to share with everyone.

What was the biggest story of 2017? The women who came forward about Eddie Berganza and that DC finally did something about it.

What will be the biggest story of 2018? Probably all the other companies being forced to clean house of their Berganza and the female talent that will finally start feeling safe to pitch at those comic companies.

Guilty Pleasure of 2018: Watching Great British BakeOff and eating cake.

Who or what inspires you? Alex De Campi, that woman is just so damn fearless.

Larry Marder, cartoonist

2018 Projects: Beanworld Omnibus :summer 2018. Beanworld Book Five: 2019.

What was the biggest story of 2017? Robert Kirkman’s Secret History of Comics.

What will be the biggest story of 2018? Some sort of inevitable crash.

Guilty Pleasure of 2018: B-movies on TCM.

Who or what inspires you? Jack Kirby. It’s always Kirby.

Henry Barajas, writer

2018 Projects: I’m working LA VOZ DE MAYO with Jason Gonzalez and contributing to JH Williams’ III anthology WHERE WE LIVE.

What was the biggest story of 2017? Men harassing women in comics. The comic book industry has had to deal with some persons that overstayed his welcome after numerous allegations. It’s interesting how the events and victims became whispers and shy “con-versations” until Buzzfeed took it public. It doesn’t stop with that one. When you find one roach, you probably haven’t seen them all. Thankfully, women have been speaking out and exposing the bad eggs.

What will be the biggest story of 2018? Betty and Veronica will get married.

Guilty Pleasure of 2018: Line Webtoons. I love their drive. They’re hungry and taking chances.

Who or what inspires you? David and Maria Lapham. They’re making the best noir comic that everyone should be talking about.

Christian Beranek, writer

2018 Projects: Kelci Crawford and I will be launching the Tiny Unicorn ongoing webcomic and prepping a YA GN series. In addition, Tony DiGerolamo and I have some new stuff in the works at The Webcomic Factory.

What was the biggest story of 2017? The #MeToo movement and the diversity in comics debate leading to editorial shake-ups at the highest levels.

What will be the biggest story of 2018? Re-invention.

Guilty Pleasure of 2018: It’s been 15 years since I’ve played a video game. Maybe I should give one a go!

Who or what inspires you? Kelci Crawford, my partner on Validation, continues to get better and better with her work, which in turns makes me better.

Kat Kan, librarian

2018 Projects: In addition to my work as a school librarian and as the Graphic Novel Specialist for Brodart Books & Library Services, I write the Graphically Speaking column for Voice of Youth Advocates. The February 2018 column will mark my 24th anniversary of writing about graphic novels and comicbooks for libraries serving teens.

What was the biggest story of 2017? The failure of the Big 2 to truly invest in diverse characters and comics; many series were cancelled in late 2017, usually citing low sales. The publishers have ignored the fact that the target audience tends to buy trades, and that libraries constitute one of the important markets for such books.

What will be the biggest story of 2018? The Excellence in Graphic Literature Award is a new initiative of the Pop Culture Classroom – the awards for various age levels and an overall award will be given at the Denver Comic Con. Among the awards is the Mosaic Award, which will celebrate diversity in comics. I’m on the Advisory Board; the EGLs are juried awards. Also, indie publishers such as Lion Forge will continue to grow. Lion Forge has learned lots of lessons from the past, mostly due to its staff – most of whom have worked in the comics industry for years.

Guilty Pleasure of 2018: Possible travel to professional conferences, particularly the American Library Association Annual Conference in New Orleans. Also, helping my middle school Library Book Club students create their own STEAM-based comics characters and stories during the second semester.

Who or what inspires you? Jim McClain – I mentioned him last year as well, I think. Despite many personal and professional challenges, he continues to hone his craft in his “spare” time. He ran a successful Kickstarter campaign for SOLUTION SQUAD – a superhero comicbook that makes learning math FUN! Jim continues to work on creating marvelous lesson plans – including the STEAM-based comics characters project I plan to use with my students. He does all this while teaching math full-time and being one of the best people I know.

Peter Kuper, cartoonist

2018 Projects: Kafkaesque a collection of 14 adaptations of Franz Kafka short stories, including ‘In The Penal Colony’, ‘The Burrow’ and ‘Before The Law’ to be published by W.W. Norton , Fall 2018

What was the biggest story of 2017? English edition of Alack Sinner: the Age of Innocence by José Antonio Muñoz and Carlos Sampayo

What will be the biggest story of 2018? Emil Ferris My Favorite Thing Is Monsters 2 (Vol. 2)

Guilty Pleasure of 2018: Binge watching

Who or what inspires you? Jose Muñoz

Kyle Pinion, journalist

What was the biggest story of 2017? Marvel’s no good, horrible, very bad year. It’s been a long time since I can remember a comics publisher flailing this badly over the course of 12 months – be it creatively, in terms of overall leadership, the PR gaffes, you name it, Marvel somehow found a way to screw it up. Their ongoing rudderless nature is something everyone in the industry should probably be worried about. The original Marvel Now!, with all its energy and critical acclaim, feels like it was a decade ago.

What will be the biggest story of 2018? To be honest, see above. Can the Cebulski era of Marvel right the ship? What can be done differently? Unlike DC, Marvel still hasn’t bothered to make amends with the retailers, whose trust they’re blowing to smithereens, and if they were to relaunch/reboot, what shape will that take exactly? The Legacy launch was a complete bust; so what’s the next step? Do they have the talent in place to get readers excited for whatever it is? Will the long dormant Fantastic Four finally re-emerge thanks the Disney-Fox deal?

A second story worth keeping an eye on is just how big Brian Michael Bendis’ presence will be at DC. I’m sure he’ll wind up with a number of big name titles, but what of Jinxworld? Could that potentially be another pop-up imprint at the publisher? And perhaps even more pressingly, will he join Geoff Johns on the movie/tv side of things in some advisory capacity?

Guilty Pleasure of 2018: The return of the Legion of Super-Heroes. In whatever form it takes. It HAS. TO. HAPPEN….(I hope). It’s not even a guilty pleasure, I just wanted to mention it somewhere in here.

Todd Allen, analyst

What was the biggest story of 2017? What did Marvel go and do this time? (Seems like every other week there was a problem.)

What will be the biggest story of 2018? Depends on whether the whispers of mass shop closing are well founded or not. If so, that could be it. Other obvious possibility is whatever Marvel does for a relaunch/reboot.

Guilty Pleasure of 2018: Akira Yoshida returning to write Milli Vanilli comics.

Lara Antal, cartoonist

2018 Projects: Two graphic novels – Adult Memoir about Parenting and Loss, written by Rick Louis (see except below)

Middle Grade about an all-girl punk band and their ghost guitarist

What was the biggest story of 2017? Middle Grade graphic novel market is booming.

What will be the biggest story of 2018? Graphic novels are up – mini comics are down.

Guilty Pleasure of 2018: More magical middle grade graphic novels! These are the comics I dreamed of as a kid and I’m glad they finally exist.

Who or what inspires you? Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier — I’m sure I’m not the only one going to mention Telgemeier but I really appreciated the simplicity and solid storytelling. It’s not going to change your life, but it’s very GOOD, and that’s a feat in itself. I find in comics especially the basics of good story telling can easily be obscured by artwork, and popular characters/properties, and popular creators.

The Beat’s Annual Creator Survey, 2018 Edition, Part Five: chock full of preview art And let's wrap things up! This may not have been the biggest survey ever, but it had perhaps the widest participation ever, and I'm very proud to showcase so many people from so many levels of the comcis industry from creators to retailers to journalists to publishers.

#2018 creator survey #birdcage bttom books #Charles Vess #Christian Beranek #DC Women Kicking Ass #Henry Barajas #kat kan #kyle pinion #Lara Antal #larry marder #Mairghread Scott #martha thomases #Peter Kuper #Todd Allen

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