Gail Simone's Blog, page 962

feministbatgirl:Batgirl Eccc by ~ink4884Batgirl by Peter...

feministbatgirl:

Batgirl Eccc by ~ink4884

Batgirl by Peter Nguyen 

Beautiful, Peter!

On A Brighter Note

…here’s a Scandal Savage My Little Pony!

http://browse.deviantart.com/?order=9&q=scandal+savage&offset=48#/d4yylvy

Something You Should Read

I know there’s been a lot of stuff here about the Aurora shootings.

But I didn’t want this to get lost. This is the response to my ramblings about that night from Caitlin, a cosplayer, comic fan, and survivor of that horrible night.

It’s moving, a remarkable post from a remarkable woman, someone I was lucky to meet just a few weeks before at the Denver Comic Con, where she and a friend, the equally wonderful Melinda (who also responds a bit earlier in the thread), cosplayed as Secret Six members Scandal Savage and Knockout, particularly.

My husband and I were absolutely in love with them both immediately upon meeting them. Even in a crowded convention, it was very clear that they were both very special people.

Thankfully, they survived, but one of their friends, Alex Teves, tragically died a hero, throwing his body on his girlfriend’s, to save her life.

Caitlin here speaks a thousand times more eloquently than I ever will. Please read.

http://kjsilopanna.tumblr.com/post/28400630842/ape-in-a-cape-i-dont-know-what-to-say

APE IN A CAPE: I Don't Know What To Say

APE IN A CAPE: I Don't Know What To Say:

kjsilopanna:

gailsimone:

I am a writer, even at the worst of times I am rarely at a loss for words. In this case, I am afraid words fail me entirely.

I just received a note that verified a fear that had been lingering in the back of my mind since the tragic events in Aurora, Colorado.

Not that long ago, I went to the first ever Denver Comic Con, the first large scale comics convention in the city’s history, apparently. It was a massive success, completely sold out, and I fell in love with the town and the people of Denver. They could not have been kinder, more welcoming, or more genuine. They treated me like a friend, and everyone from the organizers, to the attendees, to total strangers, showered the legendary hospitality of their city down upon myself and my husband. Immediately after leaving, we couldn’t wait to start planning for a return visit at a future date.

It was also a convention with a huge number of cosplayers, and two of my absolute favorites were two characters well known to me, Knockout and Scandal Savage, played by two delightful, funny, fierce young girls, one of the highlights of a show full of highlights.My husband and I insisted on photos with them and they were kind enough to agree.

I was also interviewed for a video interview by a very sweet and considerate young man named A.J. Focht. He was as gracious as can be even though I had to reschedule the interview several times as my table was swamped.

Since then, I had had a terrible fear that someone I met at DCC would have been in that theater. ANY loss of life or threat of danger is a tragedy, but knowing it was someone that I met and really liked was just too scary to contemplate, somehow.

I just received a note from A.J. that confirmed my fears. A.J. and a group of people from the convention were in that theater, including Caitlin, the lovely woman playing Scandal Savage.

They both survived, thank god. But one of their group, Alex Teves, did not survive. He died a hero, trying to protect his girlfriend. Another of their group was hospitalized.

I am broken-hearted again. As relieved as I am to hear that these two people I barely know, but who left an indelible impression in that brief time, are alive, my heart goes out to them for what they lived through, and for the friend they have lost, and for the other friend who has suffered.

Because Caitlin was one of the first to tweet a message after, that she was okay, to let her family know she had survived, she apparently became hounded extensively by the press, and was not allowed to mourn in peace.

A.J. has written about this at the Suicide Girls website…please read:  http://suicidegirlsblog.com/blog/back-row-perspective-part-1-an-aurora-theater-survivors-message-to-the-media/

My heart and my thoughts go out to the victims of that awful night, to the survivors, who are also victimized, and to their families. We all feel so empty and helpless, but we can insist that the media treat these people with respect and kindness. They do not need to be traumatized again.

Finally, I’m going to say something that has been in my mind since the first reports started coming in. I don’t want this to appear frivolous, I hope I say this correctly.

We have been seeing stories of impossible heroism that occurred that night in that theater. Jarrell Brooks, just nineteen years old, had an exit out of the theater, and went back in to help a young mother and her two daughters get out, getting wounded in the process.

Three men gave their lives using their own bodies to shield their girlfriends; Jon Blunk, Matt McQuinn, and the member of my friends’ party, Alex Teves. All three threw their girlfriends to the ground and put their bodies in the path of the bullets. Not one of these men was yet out of his twenties.

Stephanie Davies, when her friend was shot in the neck, dropped to the floor and held pressure on the wound while the gunman was still firing, instead of making for the exit, quite likely saving her friends’ life.

Mike White, Sr., after his son, and his son’s girlfriend were shot, removed his shirt to apply pressure to her wound to save her life, and then as the gunman approached, put his body on top of hers to take the bullets if necessary.

There’s more, but this is what I keep thinking about.

I write stories about morals all day…stories about fictional heroes and fictional villains. And I want to believe they have influenced my life, that they have taught me to stand up when called upon, to try to do the right thing even when it is a sacrifice.

Few are called upon like the heroes of Aurora that night. They remind me what heroism really means. They give me hope. In the middle of the despair and shock, these people saw what needed doing and did it, regardless of the cost to themselves.

A lot has been made of the idea that the gunman was influenced by a fictional villain.

But I think it’s very telling to note that all those heroes, all those amazing, remarkable, beautiful people, came not just to see the latest Batman movie…they went to the first possible showing, a midnight show. They wanted to see Batman. I have seen the power that character has, I have felt it myself. He doesn’t kill, he doesn’t use guns.

He’s a good guy. A hero. A protector.

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that THOSE remarkable people were there to see a movie about a hero.

Bless every one of them.

APE IN A CAPE: I Don’t Know What To Say 

I think this was posted a few days ago, but I’ve been off most of the Internet recently for obvious reasons.

Here I was, thinking today would be the first day without tears since everything happened. These are good tears, though. I’ve never felt so loved by so many in my entire life, and it’s truly amazing. The outpouring of support from the fandom and entertainment community has been absolutely overwhelming. To read Gail’s words and know that I was not forgotten in all this madness gave me hope. The next time I see you, Gail, you’re getting a hug. A big one.

I actually met Mr. White that night, and in my daze, I didn’t understand at first why he didn’t have a shirt on. We were sitting on a bus to the high school where first responders took us after the shooting, and I realized this kind man had literally given the shirt off his back to save the life of another. We were a bunch of ordinary people, doing something ordinary people do every day—seeing a movie—and so many in that theater rose up and acted like heroes. Our friend who was hospitalized was the one who pulled me to the ground when the shooting started, with a frantic “Down!” He’s not my boyfriend, but he cared enough about me to be the guy who saved me.

I’ll never forget the smell of tear gas, blood, gunpowder, burning plastic (from the seats that were shot through), the sound of projector room glass shattering above my head. I’ll never forget running for my life, my custom Batgirl cowl still on my head, reaching the end of the parking lot and shrieking my friend’s names until A.J. emerged from the crowd, and we were able to find everyone but Alex. The long hours that followed were a blur, except for the moment I finally got through to a dear friend on the phone, and I knew someone outside the “tent”, as the police called it, knew I was alive and he was coming for me, to take me home. When he was eventually let through the security perimeter around 8AM, I’d never been happier to see another person, ever.

Despite the horror, despite all of it, I will also remember the humanity of what followed: the hugs, the messages from friends I haven’t seen in years, the offerings of support from Victim Advocates, the friends who practically force-fed me each day until they knew I was taking care of myself, the social media response from all over the world (even when “journalists” were practically breathing down my neck). And, as much as I miss Alex with all my heart, I’m certain that if he had the chance to do it all again, he would still be the biggest damn hero I know and do exactly what needed to be done. Alex believed in heroes, and I still do, too.

The world can still be a beautiful place, if we let it. In brightest day, in blackest night.

Caitlin, believe me, you ARE loved. You and Melinda and A.J. and all the rest.

I am typing through tears and nothing I can say is going to match your eloquent words. I read through the posts you three posted following this horrible night and was struck by the fact that in all three cases, you guys didn’t talk about yourselves and what you suffered, but about the welfare of others.

I am officially out of words. I met you guys for just a few moments and I thought you were remarkable.

But I didn’t know you were heroes.

I don’t know if the audience was inspired by comic book heroes, but I know for damn sure that from now on, my comic book heroes will be inspired by THEM.

Proud and honored to have met you. You three will be in my thoughts.

I Don't Know What To Say

watchtowerislive:

gailsimone:

I am a writer, even at the worst of times I am rarely at a loss for words. In this case, I am afraid words fail me entirely.

I just received a note that verified a fear that had been lingering in the back of my mind since the tragic events in Aurora, Colorado.

Not that long ago, I went to the first ever Denver Comic Con, the first large scale comics convention in the city’s history, apparently. It was a massive success, completely sold out, and I fell in love with the town and the people of Denver. They could not have been kinder, more welcoming, or more genuine. They treated me like a friend, and everyone from the organizers, to the attendees, to total strangers, showered the legendary hospitality of their city down upon myself and my husband. Immediately after leaving, we couldn’t wait to start planning for a return visit at a future date.

It was also a convention with a huge number of cosplayers, and two of my absolute favorites were two characters well known to me, Knockout and Scandal Savage, played by two delightful, funny, fierce young girls, one of the highlights of a show full of highlights.My husband and I insisted on photos with them and they were kind enough to agree.

I was also interviewed for a video interview by a very sweet and considerate young man named A.J. Focht. He was as gracious as can be even though I had to reschedule the interview several times as my table was swamped.

Since then, I had had a terrible fear that someone I met at DCC would have been in that theater. ANY loss of life or threat of danger is a tragedy, but knowing it was someone that I met and really liked was just too scary to contemplate, somehow.

I just received a note from A.J. that confirmed my fears. A.J. and a group of people from the convention were in that theater, including Caitlin, the lovely woman playing Scandal Savage.

They both survived, thank god. But one of their group, Alex Teves, did not survive. He died a hero, trying to protect his girlfriend. Another of their group was hospitalized.

I am broken-hearted again. As relieved as I am to hear that these two people I barely know, but who left an indelible impression in that brief time, are alive, my heart goes out to them for what they lived through, and for the friend they have lost, and for the other friend who has suffered.

Because Caitlin was one of the first to tweet a message after, that she was okay, to let her family know she had survived, she apparently became hounded extensively by the press, and was not allowed to mourn in peace.

A.J. has written about this at the Suicide Girls website…please read:  http://suicidegirlsblog.com/blog/back-row-perspective-part-1-an-aurora-theater-survivors-message-to-the-media/

My heart and my thoughts go out to the victims of that awful night, to the survivors, who are also victimized, and to their families. We all feel so empty and helpless, but we can insist that the media treat these people with respect and kindness. They do not need to be traumatized again.

Finally, I’m going to say something that has been in my mind since the first reports started coming in. I don’t want this to appear frivolous, I hope I say this correctly.

We have been seeing stories of impossible heroism that occurred that night in that theater. Jarrell Brooks, just nineteen years old, had an exit out of the theater, and went back in to help a young mother and her two daughters get out, getting wounded in the process.

Three men gave their lives using their own bodies to shield their girlfriends; Jon Blunk, Matt McQuinn, and the member of my friends’ party, Alex Teves. All three threw their girlfriends to the ground and put their bodies in the path of the bullets. Not one of these men was yet out of his twenties.

Stephanie Davies, when her friend was shot in the neck, dropped to the floor and held pressure on the wound while the gunman was still firing, instead of making for the exit, quite likely saving her friends’ life.

Mike White, Sr., after his son, and his son’s girlfriend were shot, removed his shirt to apply pressure to her wound to save her life, and then as the gunman approached, put his body on top of hers to take the bullets if necessary.

There’s more, but this is what I keep thinking about.

I write stories about morals all day…stories about fictional heroes and fictional villains. And I want to believe they have influenced my life, that they have taught me to stand up when called upon, to try to do the right thing even when it is a sacrifice.

Few are called upon like the heroes of Aurora that night. They remind me what heroism really means. They give me hope. In the middle of the despair and shock, these people saw what needed doing and did it, regardless of the cost to themselves.

A lot has been made of the idea that the gunman was influenced by a fictional villain.

But I think it’s very telling to note that all those heroes, all those amazing, remarkable, beautiful people, came not just to see the latest Batman movie…they went to the first possible showing, a midnight show. They wanted to see Batman. I have seen the power that character has, I have felt it myself. He doesn’t kill, he doesn’t use guns.

He’s a good guy. A hero. A protector.

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that THOSE remarkable people were there to see a movie about a hero.

Bless every one of them.

I was that Knockout. My best friend is that Scandal. Those are my friends. And Alex is my hero.  Thank you so much for this post. 

I am so sorry for the loss of your heroic friend. It’s pretty clear that his good deeds will live on.

I know it is incredibly selfish, but I am so, so joyful that you, Caitlin and A.J., all three of whom made such an impression on me in so short a time, survived this horrible night. I’m sure you will need strength to face the coming days. But even having known you only briefly, I am certain you have that strength.

You guys are my heroes. 

Thank you so much. If I can ever do anything, ANYTHING for you guys or your friends…well, it’d be an honor.

Captain Pointy Ears: Last Day of Campaign: Help Artist Oliver Nome!

Captain Pointy Ears: Last Day of Campaign: Help Artist Oliver Nome!:

speedforceorg:

I previously wrote about the campaign to help Oliver Nome pay for his brain tumor surgery. Flash fans will recognize Nome from Flashpoint: Kid Flash Lost last summer. Some of his other recent work includes Fathom: Kiana and Executive Assistant: Lotus…

arcaneimages:I’ll be in Aurora CO August 25th and 26th with...

arcaneimages:

I’ll be in Aurora CO August 25th and 26th with Matt Fraction and, i hope, others, for the AURORA RISE benefit event.

Please support this event, if you can. Also, Matt and Steve? You rock.

Sometimes I wonder how the commish hasn't realized that Batgirl is his daughter...

arkhamboundz:

But then I remember that half the city is full of redheads.

Oh, my god, I laughed so hard.

It’s true, it’s true.

strangelikethat:iamdrawberry:ebullientefflorescence:strange...

strangelikethat:

iamdrawberry:

ebullientefflorescence:

strangelikethat:

tokusatsumadness:

Really? Steampunk Poison Ivy? This shit is getting ridiculous. What… she waters her plants with a brass sprinkler carried on her back? And ALWAYS with the goggles.

God, this steampunk shit is being overused. 

momohasarrived:

Steampunk Ivy

Hey there! Sorry to hear you don’t like my costume. Fortunately for me, a lot of people do and recognize the work that went into it. I was with a large group of highly innovative individuals that did something new with their favourite DC characters.

Oh, and speaking of Steampunk conventions, you hopefully noticed the distinct lack of gears or other unfunctional paraphernalia on my costume. While the goggle are typical, there was a good reason for their addition. As Poison Ivy has always been a botanist, I felt it was a good idea for her to have some sort of eye protection. She works with volatile chemicals on occasion. Also, it helps keep dirt and such out of her eyes as well as disrespectful bullshit such as your comment.

Thanks for playing along!

Fighting evil by moonlight,
Winning love by daylight,
Never running from a real fight,
She is the one named strangelikethat .

Reblogging just because iamdrawberry’s comment cracked me the hell up!

I totally agree…how DARE this cosplayer look absolutely magnificent in a stunningly original and whimsical costume?

I AM SO OFFENDED!

Happy Birthday Gail Simone!

hilegunslinger:

confessionsofacomicshopaholic:

Today, July 29th, is comic book writer extraordinaire Gail Simone’s birthday! I know I’ve done a post about her already but I’d like to do another one to pay tribute to my favorite comic book writer.

Everyone knows Gail is best known for Birds of Prey where she really nailed each and every character in the book. 

She knew how to write friendships at their best…

and when it’s on the rocks…

And of course, she’s equally as amazing in Secret Six, Wonder Woman (and when she combined Secret Six and Wonder Woman in the same story) and everything other thing she has touched. 

Top 10 things we wouldn’t have without Gail Simone:

1. Epic match-ups

2. Ragdoll dreams

3. A Wonder Woman who was relatable, vulnerable, kind, can fall in love yet still kick ass

4. The return of Etta Candy and the beginning of a beautiful friendship

5. Bane and Scandal

6. Huntress and Catman

7. Batman: The Brave and the Bold - The Mask of Matches Malone! (and that song)

8. Justice League Unlimited - Double Date (featuring Black Canary, Green Arrow, Huntress and The Question)

9. New characters like Misfit and Black Alice that quickly became fan favorites and continued to appear after her run on BOP

10. Obviously I can’t leave out…

I know there are so many more wonderful things Gail wrote, created or was involved in but those are my favorites and I just want to wish her a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Thanks for everything!

My favorite comics writer! Love Gail!

I forgot to reblog this so all the lovely art could be displayed…sorry! Looking at all these lovely characters reminds me, WORKING IN COMICS IS AWESOME. :)