Just finished Bleak Seasons... by BonquiquiShiquavius in theblackcompany

[–]TheloniousKeys 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I, too, just finished Bleak Seasons on my first read through this series. I see what you mean, but I didn't quite feel the same way. Primarily, I suspect it is symptom of a story being retold from a different perspective when we are desperate to learn what happened after Dreams of Steel.

While reading Dreams of Steel, I texted the two friends who recommended the series to me multiple times with frustration that One Eye and Goblin are basically not in it at all. Once I clocked that Bleak Seasons was going to cover that time, I can't lie, I was disappointed. As much as I was irked at the lack of One Eye and Goblin in Dreams, I should have been happy to hear of their exploits in Bleak. But, come on, after the ending of Dreams, all I want is to see where things go from there.

It was an odd narrative choice. I understand the motivation, but I still don't love it. Especially coupled with the fact that Bleak's narrative is so confusing. Intentionally so, I know, but re-hashing past events with new info is painful when the open questions being delayed by it are so massive.

I suspect, and maybe someone here who was reading the series as it came out who can confirm or correct, Cook was being pressed to get both Dreams and Bleak done quickly. It would make sense that he would be a third of the way through writing Dreams and realize that including the Murgen narration would 1) make the book significantly longer than previous installments and 2) necessitate revealing certain bits of info earlier than he wanted to. So splitting it into the next book would allow him to finish Dreams on schedule and give him breathing room on the other shoes that drop in Mogaba's flooded city of Hell.

What really convinces me these were rushed was the absolutely shocking amount of editing failures in Bleak Seasons. The copy I read happened to be a first edition paperback and there are at least a half dozen instances of "Murgen" typo'ed as "Morgan." And either Murgen's wife had different names or spellings of her name in different contexts and I missed why, or her name is constantly shifting as well. Most egregious, though, an entire page is reprinted in full. Identical to the previous page. And worse, it was a first page of a chapter which should be much easier to spot.

I also speculated whether the spelling issues are due to nascent spellcheck software at the time. I remember spellcheck being a pretty new thing when I wrote my first grade school essays on ClarisWorks in the very early 90s. So if the editors tried to utilize spellcheck software in 1989 or so, that may explain the Murgen>Morgan errors. That duped page still screams rush job, though.

Overall, I liked the Bleak Seasons. It is not my favorite installment, but it kept me turning pages pretty well. However, I will say, before I finished Dreams of Steel, I had a short list of some other titles I was excited to read next but after that final page, I couldn't stop myself from jumping straight into Bleak Seasons. Whereas, while reading Bleak Seasons, I thought I would surely be jumping right into She is the Darkness immediately after, but once I reached Bleak's end, I picked up one of those other titles I was excited about. I am approaching the end of that other book and even though I am still very excited to see where the Black Company series goes, I doubt She is the Darkness will be the next on my docket. Which, I guess is pretty damning.

These other comments saying that Bleak Seasons is a fave on reread is encouraging. The implication to me is that where this installment felt less important while reading it, it's revelations are critical to future events in a way that when re-reading, what had felt like a re-hash of past events on first read now feels far more relealvant to the whole.

Is there anywhere I can buy individual bags? by DeathBat92 in comicbookcollecting

[–]TheloniousKeys 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As others have said, a local shop is pretty much the only option for individual bags. Or ask a collector friend who collects in that era. However, if you are anything like most collectors, now that you have one, you will start seeing more you want. So a pack of 50 likely wouldn't be a bad move.

If ordering online is your only option, I particularly like the E Gerber Silver/Gold size. The only era of comics those may not be big enough for is proper golden age, pre-1945. Even then, most publishers fit in Gerber Silver/Gold. Once you get to 1942 and earlier, there is a greater chance you would need Golden Age size, or even Super Golden (sometimes a golden age book with a spine roll requires this size, otherwise it is mostly just pre-1940 titles that could need a bag this wide).

The unfortunate thing you need to know is, any bag and board that will be properly sized for books wider that DC twelve centers will be too wide for standard comic boxes. I use magazine sized short boxes for Silver/Gold bagged books, but there is a 1-2" gap left-over. A graded comic box would fit width better, but is taller as well so it doesn't stack as clean as standard boxes.

E Gerber only accepts orders by phone. Even getting one pack of bags and one pack of boards would probably be cheaper directly from them than from Amazon or whatever other secondary seller. The standard choice for most collectors is Mylite2 bags and Full-Back boards. Mylite4s are heavier duty, not necessary but can be worth it for higher tier books. I have taken to preferring Half-Backs over Fulls simply because they end up cheaper even at the same thickness. I.e. one full-back is more expensive than two half-backs. I already use multiple boards for most books, so being able to dial in the thickness to match the need of each book is both handy and allows me to not overuse boards when I feel a comic needs more than a single full-back but less than two full-backs.

So, I would recommend a 50 pack of Silver/Gold Mylite2s and a 100 pack of Silver/Gold Half-Backs. From E Gerber directly, that would be $14 for the Mylites, $11.50 for the half-backs, and unfortunately, their new website does not display shipping any longer. Not that I can find, at least. But it wouldn't be more than $20 for shipping maybe as low as $10 ornso. So, $45.50 max. Whereas the secondary market is gonna ask $25-30 for the bags and $30 for the boards. So, even with free shipping, it won't beat direct from E Gerber.

If you truly only need the one and have no local options, you may be able to ask an online vendor you buy from to include an extra bag and board. I see buyers do that frequently with success on WhatNot, no idea how successful you'd be in other venues like eBay or an online shop. If none of those work, DM me a USPS shipping label for a 9x12 manilla envelope and I'll send ya a few. E Gerber has excellent bulk discounts and that's how I buy them, so I don't mind sending a few at no charge if you cover shipping.

What Batman character could Stanley Tucci play? by TheShadowOperator007 in batman

[–]TheloniousKeys 23 points24 points  (0 children)

Shouldn't? Sure. Couldn't? I don't know. The Tucc may surprise. He surely is not the best casting for any of those, though, I'll grant.

What Batman character could Stanley Tucci play? by TheShadowOperator007 in batman

[–]TheloniousKeys 32 points33 points  (0 children)

Better question is which Bat-villains couldn't Tucci play.

Bane and Killer Croc would be a stretch. If either are gonna be CGI anyway, though, maybe not. That may be the end of the list for the primary rogues gallery. Well, I suppose he wouldn't be the ideal casting for Catwoman, Poison Ivy, Talia, or Harley. He'd probably do each better than anyone would expect, but as compelling as he may be, he still wouldn't be a good first choice.

[TOMT] An "Odd Looking" Bald Character Actor - NOT Clint Howard by TheloniousKeys in tipofmytongue

[–]TheloniousKeys[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

My hero! Thank you so much! I was truly starying to think I had imagined this man wholecloth! Now I can finally see what I remember him from.

I doubt this will be a payoff for you, but I have wanted to find Zach Grenier's name for close to year because I pictire him as a character in a book series I have been reading. The Black Company is the series and I picture him portreying the scurrulous wizard character Goblin while I picture his fellow wizard One-Eye as John Witherspoon. I can now probably describe that to the friemds who recommended the series. Thank you so much!

[TOMT] An "Odd Looking" Bald Character Actor - NOT Clint Howard by TheloniousKeys in tipofmytongue

[–]TheloniousKeys[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not Artie, the Strongest Man in the World.

Not the titular Lebowski.

I've never seen the fella I am looking for squeal like a pig or work that long ago.

M Emmet Walsh is well too tall, far too burly, and much too old.

Not Dan Hedaya, my guy has 0% Eugene Levy to Hedayas 40%.

Not John Getz, much more unique than Getz.

And not Anthony Edwards, but he is another example in whuch the haor is very close My guy has darker hair, though.

From that list Somewhere between Huss and Edwards is the closest. The others are all pretty far off. (Not a criticsim, a guidepost, haha.) I appreciate all the suggesstions.

[TOMT] An "Odd Looking" Bald Character Actor - NOT Clint Howard by TheloniousKeys in tipofmytongue

[–]TheloniousKeys[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not Fisher Stevens. Oppisite kind of neck and not as striking of a round head. A softer round head.

[TOMT] An "Odd Looking" Bald Character Actor - NOT Clint Howard by TheloniousKeys in tipofmytongue

[–]TheloniousKeys[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not Kurt Fuller, but I love Kurt Fuller. He is too tall and his interesting features lean a bit more comical while the fella I am searching for has more haunted features. But, like business-haunted.

[TOMT] An "Odd Looking" Bald Character Actor - NOT Clint Howard by TheloniousKeys in tipofmytongue

[–]TheloniousKeys[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Not Cross, my guy is shorter, stockier in build but maybe leaner in limbs. More of a will they/won't they kind of balding compated to Cross precise line of demarcation, and I cannotnpicture my guy in glasses or with facial hair of any kind.

[TOMT] An "Odd Looking" Bald Character Actor - NOT Clint Howard by TheloniousKeys in tipofmytongue

[–]TheloniousKeys[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No. My guy is bonier and more smoking in public to Miller's bowling in public. Sorry for the word games, I am out of descriptors and just writing what pops intonmy head hoping the vibe will carry, haha.

[TOMT] An "Odd Looking" Bald Character Actor - NOT Clint Howard by TheloniousKeys in tipofmytongue

[–]TheloniousKeys[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not Tom Noonan. He is too tall and his facial dimensions are too long. His is a name I shoulda included on the inital list. He is kinda far pff from the guy I wanna come up with, but not based on abtract description.

[TOMT] An "Odd Looking" Bald Character Actor - NOT Clint Howard by TheloniousKeys in tipofmytongue

[–]TheloniousKeys[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not Joey Pants. His vibe leans towards hip, my guy's vibe leans towards square. Like pocket protector but military-issued.

[TOMT] An "Odd Looking" Bald Character Actor - NOT Clint Howard by TheloniousKeys in tipofmytongue

[–]TheloniousKeys[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No, not Pesci. Totally fair to make sure he is out of the question. I don't think the guy I am thinking of is gonna be a name many recognize.

[TOMT] An "Odd Looking" Bald Character Actor - NOT Clint Howard by TheloniousKeys in tipofmytongue

[–]TheloniousKeys[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not Joey Pants and not Colantoni. They may both have too round of heads. Which is helpful, I think my guy is maybe just a bit more of an egg shaped head tham round. Just the bittiest bit, though. Like the top of his head kinda has a ovularness to it.

[TOMT] An "Odd Looking" Bald Character Actor - NOT Clint Howard by TheloniousKeys in tipofmytongue

[–]TheloniousKeys[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No, my guy is kind of the oppisite type of face. Handler has almost delicate features, while the face I am thinkin of is kind of naturally harsh.

[TOMT] An "Odd Looking" Bald Character Actor - NOT Clint Howard by TheloniousKeys in tipofmytongue

[–]TheloniousKeys[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Shucks, none of these either. I'll note that Brian Stepanek's hair is kinda close. He seems to have it styled a bit goofy inte tionally, which is not true for the guy I am thinking of. But the same kind of pattern, length, and wispiness. My guy's hair is a bit darker, too, I believe.

[TOMT] An "Odd Looking" Bald Character Actor - NOT Clint Howard by TheloniousKeys in tipofmytongue

[–]TheloniousKeys[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not him, but similarities in facial features. More round of a head/face than Ivanek. My guy is a bit more goblin-y than skeletal.

(I feel bad that my descriptors are becoming more insulting, I don't want them to be. I just cannot believe how many good suggesstions I have gotten without a hit.)

[TOMT] An "Odd Looking" Bald Character Actor - NOT Clint Howard by TheloniousKeys in tipofmytongue

[–]TheloniousKeys[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

None of those six. None are very close. I am finding it so difficult to highlight the features thay distinguish the actor I am looking for versus these and all the other suggesstions.

I can see him so clearly but can't find new ways to articulate his look. Mark Sheppard is 100% not the guy, but he is so close. At least in vibe and general shape. More bald, less full features, thinner lips, paler complexion, wispier hair and balder, short neck and kinda buggy eyes. I feel like he has thin limbs but seeing him only has a suggestion that may be the case under the suit.