Elf Blood

Ah, the satisfaction of closing out a story arc! I think this one has been a fairly decent one, and there’s definitely a benefit to writing the whole script out in advance of illustrating the comic. There’s always things to improve on, though! Hope you’ve enjoyed this arc, and are looking forward to the next one!

Anyways, on Saturday night I went with a couple of friends to (FINALLY) go see Wreck-It-Ralph, Pixar’s (or Disney’s, whatever it is they’re actually called now) newest film. All I have to say is; GO SEE IT! GO SEE IT NOW!

I know it’s pretty old news for most of you, especially in the US where it seemed to come out long before it did so here, but if you haven’t seen it yet I heartily endorse the film. Not only is it a fantastic trip down nostalgia lane for anyone who grew up playing video games in the 80s and 90s, there is such an intense level of storytelling that’s frequently not present in films directed at ‘adults’. What really struck me is that there are a couple of messages being put across here; The main one, of course, is accepting yourself for who you are and not simply seeking an easy route to your goals, and also to realise the value of the people you’re friends with, even those who society deems less than acceptable. There’s also a subtler, and surprisingly emotional story that touches on the trials of fatherhood (when viewing the Vanelope character as a surrogate child for Ralph), being an authority figure, losing the trust of a child and working towards regaining said trust.

I’m not going to do a full review here; There are better analysts than I to get opinions from! But what I will say is that if you go and see Wreck-It-Ralph, whether you’re a game nerd or just love a good bit of characterisation, you will be richly rewarded and highly entertained! Oh, and  a good number of the staff are Simpsons alumni, so the quality really is right up there!

Anyhoo, I shall catch you all on Friday with an Elf Blood Extra, as we move betwen arcs. Toodlepip!

M.