There are very few things that bring me more joy that the works of Neil Gaiman, and this is no exception. Gaiman has been a favorite author of mine ever since I picked up his novel Nevermore. I have since gone out of my way to devour his works. When I heard his works were being adapted into Audiobook form, I nearly fainted with excitement. I know that sounds a bit dramatic, but for me, reading long periods is hard. For those who may not know I am legally blind, and while I can and do read normal printed books, I can’t binge read like I want to. The invention of digital books has helped that some and while helpful and amazing, it sometimes is still straining and exhausting. Which is why the audio adaptations have made me so unbelievably happy. 
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I know that audio books are enjoyed by millions of people, as well they should, but for me it has been the best experience. Audio books have allowed me freedom in a way I have always craved. With Gaiman’s audio adaptation of The Sandman I was so much in love and now the second installment’s arrival has made my entire year. I have had a countdown going since it was announced, and if you know me, you know that means I have no patience. Well, the wait is finally over! I have never been happier to announce how amazing this audiobook is. Thank you to Audible for entrusting me with a chance to experience this adventure early, it was such a gift, this was truly an honor.

There is something just magical about the casting of the The Sandman: Act II. The voice cast is not just on point, it is as though each actor was made for this role. Kat Dennings as Death is pure magic. She embodies the character so amazingly it’s as though she was born to play this role. Not to mention anytime Michael Sheen and David Tennant are in a project together, you know it’s going to be the best thing ever. Add James McAvoy as Morpheus and an All-Star Cast and this audiobook is the single best audiobook to ever exist. I was blown away by the amount of talent in this. Audiobooks have not only become one of the fastest growing mediums over the past few years, but they have really changed storytelling with the inclusion of so many different voices. Audiobooks are no longer one reader, it’s a whole cast that make a whole show. I think it’s high time that audiobooks get their own award categories during the Emmys or the Oscars.

Right, so, what to expect? Well, The Sandman: Act II is a continuation of The Sandman, but it is an adapted collaboration of A Game of You, Season of Mist, and Fables and Reflections. Morpheus is still recovering from his imprisonment but believes he is completely fine, and we start with a family meeting where everyone else disagrees, as families tend to do. And as families also do, they remind Morpheus that he has things he needs to fix, mistakes he made long before he was ever captured, and that he should probably get right on that. Turns out, that, throwing someone into the pits of literal Hell for not dating you is kind of a super, not so good thing. Morpheus realizes this and does go to Hell to retrieve Nada and free her. Just, one, tiny minor issue. Lucifer has decided he no longer wants to rule Hell and lets Morpheus deal with it. 

Not going to lie, this is probably something I would do too. Also, Michael Sheen as Lucifer is my new favorite anything ever. Add David Tennant as Loki and this is just priceless. Gaiman narrates the work making it all that more special. Really, with Hell now as his problem Morpheus must figure out what to do. Beyond that is the return of episodic chapters that are near standalones. Emma Corrin makes her debut as The Witch Thessaly, Joanna Lumley as Lady Johanna Constantine, Brian Cox as Augustus, Arthur Darvill as William Shakespeare, and Laurence Bohhvard as Barbie, as well as so many more, delve into the world between worlds and a few worlds we know. The episodes or chapters that diverge from the main story of Morpheus focus on everything from historical Rome, England, The French Revolution and so much more. The character development that occurs in the second installment sets up for Act III very nicely.

When not falling in love with the story and characters, the visual settings are also stunning. It sounds weird to say visual settings when talking about an audiobook, but it’s completely true. This is so well done that the visual aspect is spot on. It all comes together as one seamless piece while expanding the world we’ve come to know and love. But how does it end? Does Nada end up forgiving Morpheus? Does Barbie defeat her mysterious adversary? Are Lucifer and Loki besties? Is there another family dinner? To find out what happens you’re just going to have to listen for yourselves. The Sandman: Act II is out on Audible today. Become an Audible Premium Plus member and gain access to stories for free! Audible is currently offering their Premium Plus accounts for free for 30 days, otherwise it’s only $14.95. Not bad for one of the most engaging ways to listen to books and stay tuned for more coverage of this amazing audiobook because this review just scratches the surface and there is so much more about this adventure that we need to highlight and celebrate. 

It is definitely safe to say, that Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman was one of the most influential stories of its time with its sweeping plot and dynamic characters and everything in between and it was so powerful and so complete of a story, that it truly seemed that it would forever stand on its own as the masterpiece that it truly is. But time and creativity often allows for great writers to find new ways to continue incredible stories and it just so happens that Mister Gaiman figured out a way to continue this incredible tale.
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For tomorrow, Audible will release the first three episodes of the next chapter in this saga, The Sandman: Act II and well… in anticipation of this epic release… we’ve got all kinds of preview related goodies to share with you. Such as some baseline information on the cast, hints of the plot and of course… a trailer and some clips. So, without further ado, do enjoy all of those treats, courtesy of Audible, and make sure you swing by Nerds That Geek tomorrow for Shae’s review of the next chapter in this incredible story. 

‘The Sandman: Act II, the much-anticipated second installment of the New York Times best-selling, multi-part original audio drama series, The Sandman, launches exclusively on Audible tomorrow. All-star cast includes James McAvoy, Kat Dennings, Michael Sheen, Andy Serkis, Jeffrey Wright, Regé-Jean Page, Brian Cox, Emma Corrin, John Lithgow, David Tennant, Bill Nighy, Kristen Schaal and more!

In the absolutely packed Act II, the dark fantasy resumes and the Sandman expands into the French Revolution, Ancient Rome, 19th-Century San Francisco, 8th-century Baghdad, and beyond. The Sandman: Act II adapts collected volumes 4 (Season of Mists) and 5 (A Game of You) of the comics in their entirety, and most of volume 6 (Fables & Reflections). The first installment is currently available for free on Audible through October 22, and listen to episodes 1-3 of the first installment on all Amazon Music tiers through October 22.

Adapted and directed by Dirk Maggs and narrated by Neil Gaiman, who also serves as creative director and co-executive producer, The Sandman: Act II features an ensemble cast led by James McAvoy in the title role of Dream, with Kat Dennings, Michael Sheen, and Andy Serkis reprising their respective roles. Jeffrey Wright, Regé-Jean Page, Brian Cox, Emma Corrin, John Lithgow, David Tennant, Bill Nighy, Kristen Schaal, Kevin Smith, Aidan Turner, Bebe Neuwirth, Adrian Lester, Miriam Margolyes, Arthur Darvill, Ray Porter and an expansive list of additional cast.’

It’s hard to believe we’ve already reached the one-year anniversary of the passing of Chadwick Boseman (1976-2020). Taken from us way too young, Boseman, at the height of his career, died from complications of colon cancer at just 43. Even though he was diagnosed way back in 2016, his illness was a complete surprise to almost everyone around him. The epitome of class and kindness, beyond being an actor, director, playwright and teacher over the course of his career, Boseman was also a well-known philanthropist and a supporter of social equality. And during a summer filled with racial justice protests, Boseman’s death was an unbearable blow to his fans, colleagues, family and friends. Leaving us with an absolutely groundbreaking filmography and legacy, both on and off screen, Boseman taught us to be strong, compassionate, and kind. An inspiration for all, Boseman’s impressive portrayals are astounding with a total of 97 nominations and 54 wins for various roles. Many of which give insight into the black experience while also teaching us what it is to be human regardless of race. Whether playing historical African American figures, a struggling musician, the King of Wakanda, or a simple military man, here are five Chadwick Boseman films that show us what it is to be human well beyond color.

Baseball fan or not, chances are you at least recognize the name Jackie Robinson (1919-1972). For me, as a black woman and history lover, a story that pays tribute to the first African American to play Major League Baseball (MLB) was definitely worth a look. And if I knew one thing going in, it’s that Mr. Robinson’s talents persevered at a time when blacks were still segregated in most of the United States well beyond baseball. For this, Robinson became a beacon of hope for marginalized black Americans across the country. HECK YEAH!! As noted on the official movie poster: “In a game divided by color, he made us see greatness.” Boseman elevated this statement to critical acclaim and commercial success. But the human element is what got me!! Boseman’s ability to pull back the curtain is something he took very seriously and it shows!! In doing so, he told the Hollywood Reporter his biggest challenge for becoming Jackie was to get past the icon and “make him have flaws…” NICE!!
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Many baseball fans the world over could likely tell you Robinson’s stats without giving a second thought to what he dealt with regarding racism. Getting to see this American hero behind the scenes gives those who might otherwise remain ignorant, a look at the pressure Robinson was under. Not just for the game itself, but simply for the color of his skin. Highlighting this fact should always be part of not just the black experience, but a human one. Because, empathy for a situation you couldn’t possibly understand – especially in the Jim Crow era – is how we end mental segregation and grow as a species. Boseman knew this, as well as the fact, that history sees Jackie Robinson as a sports legend… often overlooking his plight to be seen as human rather than black. Imagining what it must’ve been like for Robinson to rise to fame while also becoming the epicenter of race relations in the game would be a struggle for anyone, yet Boseman made it look easy. So much so, Jackie’s wife was in awe stating: “I was moved to tears by the performance.” So was I Mrs. Robinson… SO WAS I!!

Though Marshall under performed at the box office, the film still bodes well with critics and fans alike arguably due to Boseman’s portrayal. Additionally, a stellar cast overall, the film gives the viewer a glimpse at the early career of Thurgood Marshall (1908-1993) well before he famously argued 30+ cases before the United States Supreme Court – including Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954) – or became the first African American justice appointed to said court (1967). Way back in 1940, working for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Mr. Marshall took on the Trial of Joseph Spell – a black chauffeur accused of raping the wife of his boss. With the odds ever in the white man’s favor, Marshall famously argued and won Mr. Spell his freedom. An early Civil Rights victory for a young up and coming lawyer, the story is brilliant! Seems simple enough, right? However, for me, it’s the underlying tone set forth by Boseman that really shines. He’s excellent when showing the strength and courage Mr. Marshall had in the face of daily opposition. Initially reluctant to play this iconic historical figure, Director Reginald Hudlin recalls having to persuade Chadwick, who: “for the greater good,” ultimately agreed to take on the role. And honestly, after seeing it, I cannot picture another actor in his place.
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Though similar in many ways to the other characters noted in this piece when it comes to racism, Boseman’s portrayal of each is drastically different. In particular to this role, he’s self-assured and arrogant, yet extremely professional when he needs to be. Presumably all traits Thurgood had to balance despite extreme racial adversity. Adding in the bold and honest approach Mr. Marshall was famous for, Chadwick also shows us his vulnerable sides giving the character and the overall performance a subtle nuance required for the audience to see themselves in the story. Matched by his co-counsel Sam Freidman (Josh Gad), their dynamic is amazing! As noted by Matt Zoller Seitz on RogerEbert.com: “It [the film] pays attention to issues of racial, religious and gender discrimination without wavering from its main objective: giving us an entertaining film about a couple of guys who are in way over their heads.” And by the end, thanks to Boseman, you can feel the weight of the history yet to come. In short… all the actors bring it, but Boseman’s humanity truly sells it!! NICE!!

Reprising his role as Prince T’Challa from Captain America: Civil War (Walt Disney Studios; 2016), in Black Panther we see T’Challa ascend to the King of Wakanda. Strong yet fallible, he stumbles and falls during his reign giving the overall performance an amazingly human story! Learning several lessons on what it truly means to be King, T’Challa ultimately rises up to overcome and watching Boseman in this role is pure bliss. Irreplaceable is putting it mildly as the head of Marvel Studios Kevin Feige said it best: “The only actor we ever discussed to play T’Challa was Chadwick Boseman.” Not to mention that well beyond all the stellar performances, the film became a worldwide phenomenon. It’s also the largest grossing film in history with a predominantly all black cast and director. HECK YEAH!!
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Beyond all that success, even before Boseman’s passing, King T’Challa and Wakanda came to represent a black utopia. A place where as a culture, slavery and oppression didn’t exist. Because, doesn’t everyone, regardless of color, dream?? And to see the sprawling land of Wakanda it’s no wonder the cultural significance of this movie cannot be understated as John Hopkins Historian Nathan D.B. Connolly said: “Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther taps a 500-year history of African-descended people imagining freedom, land and autonomy.” So, basically, Wakanda can and should represent any culture, race, creed, color or religion that strives for equality and acceptance. At the center of it all, Boseman carried the title of King with grace, dignity and pride. All things ANY King should possess. And even though Boseman is gone, it’s fitting to know that his final acting credits will come in the form of voicing T’Challa in four episodes of the animated Marvel television series What If…? (Disney+; 2021) currently streaming. Not to mention, Disney and Kevin Feige have been adamant that though Black Panther will continue, Boseman’s role will never be recast with Feige noting: “we’re going to do it [bring Wakanda back] in a way that would make Chad proud.” Bravo Disney… BRAVO!!

Looking once again in the past, Boseman took a minor role with a Spike Lee Joint that turned out to be anything but. Portraying Army Commander Norman Earl Holloway (AKA: Stormin’ Norman), Boseman becomes the anchor to the movie as we see four Vietnam Vets return to the country decades later on a new mission to retrieve Norman’s remains along with a buried treasure of gold. Sounds weird, I know. And for what it’s worth, it is. Filled with social and racial lessons, this film – not unlike other Spike Lee projects – gives a detailed account of the black experience. To fight in a war just as confused as everyone else only to still be treated as less than upon returning home. A sentiment that’s still carried today… all I can say is this film hurts on all sides. Empathy for an aftermath still felt and seen in Vietnam decades later seeps through. Exploitation. Greed. Anger. Regret. They all play a role here to varying degrees and no one tale is like the other.
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With layers of history throughout, the entire film is about facing demons, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and dealing with personal struggles. All of which are most often told by white Hollywood. Lee turns this tale on its head. And though the overall structure of the film is a little messy and feels somewhat choppy in a few places, the colorblind human message is clear – face your issues or be ruled by them. Boseman, only appearing in flashbacks, steps into the heart and mind of a black soldier, who even at the height of the war and the murder of Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968), commands his fellow soldiers with racial pride. Saying Da 5 Bloods will make you think on multiple levels is a gross understatement!! And though all of the actors’ hand in some of their best work, particularly, Delroy Lindo as Paul, every inch of Boseman’s screentime is truly human, mesmerizing and quite frankly, way too short lived. Right Spike??

Born from a time of absolute oppression, the blues belongs solely to the black experience . And Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (adapted from the 1982 August Wilson play) – told over the course of one recording session in Chicago on a hot summer day in July 1927 – does its best to show you that history. Not about the music. But about the lives of those struggling to matter under the weight of white oppression. Freed from the chains of slavery over 50 years prior, only to be trapped by the crushing weight of Jim Crow laws; discrimination at every turn from wages to housing to basic opportunity pushed heaps of disenfranchised black folks to the fringes of society. But the blues? That was ours!! At least for a time anyways. And Black Bottom shows us this as we watch white record label businessmen trip over themselves to make Ma comfortable all for the sake of making a record. A record that will make money!! It’s a sight to behold, that’s for sure and I LOVED IT!!
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Yet, folded in the pages of this recording session are the intricacies of the lives of Ma’s band. It’s here we see Boseman muster up his Oscar nominated performance as Levee Green, the stubbornly ambitious trumpet player. Green’s childhood trauma, struggle with his belief in God and his overall every man for themselves attitude is laid bare in a haunting performance allowing any viewer, no matter their color, to feel his humanity on several striking levels. A presentation so strong that even his fellow actors took a step back. Coleman Domingo who plays bandmate Cutler, suggested that Boseman was tapping into his own pain and after several weeks of working together, felt the group had a trust that allowed them: “to go to those deep places because the play required it.” Further, director George C. Wolfe noted that during early rehearsals he got to watch Boseman peel back the layers of the character so that by the time they were filming: “he [Chadwick] had completely located Levee inside himself.” And boy does it show!! So much so that when Anthony Hopkins beat out Boseman for the Best Actor Oscar, he paid tribute to Chadwick in his Instagram acceptance speech recorded the following day at his home in Wales. And earlier in the award season, Chadwick’s wife, Taylor Simone Ledward Boseman, gave an emotion filled acceptance speech for his Golden Globe win for Best Performance by an Actor in a Drama for his role in Black Bottom. A well deserved win amongst many others and a fitting conclusion to a career that ended way too soon. Though, if I had it my way, that Oscar statue would be among the trophies too!!

A film about the life of musician James Brown (1933-2006), Get on Up is colorful yet gritty with excellent cinematography. Though implied through a few small scenes, staying away from Brown’s womanizing abusive history was most certainly a misstep of this visual biography, but overall, Boseman’s representation, as well as the historical references are definitely on point and well worth the watch. Especially his dancing and verbiage. A true homage to the Godfather of Soul!!

Well, there you have it. Five Chadwick Boseman films (and an honorable mention) that teach us about humanity well beyond the confines of skin color. Of course, without Chadwick here to confirm, it’s hard to tell just how much he wanted the audience in all of these stunning films to see humanity before color. But given his kindness, it’s easy to believe that at the very least, he definitely wanted to strike a balance between racial issues and the human experience. For who are we all, but human!! His body of work is a testament to this and provides a lasting legacy that generations of all races can embrace. And I sure hope they do!!
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Survived by his wife Taylor Simone Leward Boseman, his mother and father Carolyn and Leroy Boseman and his older brothers Kevin and Derrick Boseman and millions of fans worldwide, Chadwick, who constantly struggled to improve, will forever be a King! Rest in peace brother!!

While 2020 saw a lot of change for a lot of people, it hit me more personally in the most unexpected way. To say this blog will probably be the most personal one I have ever written is a bit of an understatement, but this is something so near and dear to my heart that I had to share it. 

Amid a raging Pandemic, my family got some news that has changed our lives forever and for the better. There are so many stories out there of DNA tests affecting families’ lives and uncovering family secrets, well, I had made enough jokes about those tests that my sister finally got me one. And then slowly my whole family got them. My dad and I did ours at the same time, so our results came in first. That’s when we discovered that I was, in fact, 16.9% Sicilian... and that I had another sister. There is no scandal to be had however, like one might expect when they find a long-lost sibling they didn’t know about. Families come in all shapes and sizes, and mine is no different. Many may not know this, but I am actually adopted by my dad. My Parents married when I was 7. As it turns out, before they tied the knot, my dad inadvertently had my sister without his knowing. Her name is Ashton, and she was also adopted, by both of her parents. This story takes a very sad turn, though. 

Unfortunately, shortly after finding out about her, we also found out the most tragic news. Ashton had passed away in a car accident in 2016.

The truth is, the excitement of having another sister hadn’t even had a chance to fully settle down before that crushing news. That is what makes this blog so hard to write today, and yet there is another reason I am sharing this with everyone. Ashton was a wonderful person, and she went above and beyond to share that with the world. She worked in animal shelters, helped turn around adoption rates, and above all believed in bettering the community. Ashton had a deep love of helping and a bright eye for learning. 

She learned to combine the two and started helping her community by volunteering for a non-profit that helped struggling women. Ashton found a new love and purpose in doing so. She saw the impact of helping other women. She was a lifeline for women coming out of recovery, women who were hit hard by life, women who just needed someone to believe in them. At the end of the day, Ashton realized that life was so much better when we banded together and supported one another. The belief that education is the key to solving the world’s problems is something Ashton and I both share and something I strive for. Ashton wanted to help make education as obtainable as possible, for everyone.

In her passing, Ashton left behind a legacy that is going strong today. Her parents started the Ashton Hope Keegan Foundation in her honor. The Foundation itself works to help struggling women break the socioeconomic hurdle they face by providing funds for classes, testing, vocational education, training, work assistance, and so much more. The Foundation hopes to expand its scholarships to children in difficult economic situations so that they may pursue their dreams without financial worry, soon. Ashton’s dream of helping people has not stopped and only keeps growing. We have so much in common and so much of the same life experiences, it both breaks and warms my heart to know more about her. While Ashton is no longer here, she has left behind the inspirational drive that could change generations to come. Ashton’s strong convictions about helping the community are something that should be shared. We cannot lose our humanity and turn our backs on each other, just because we have different opportunities. If we can learn anything from Ashton, it’s that we all deserve a chance to chase our dreams and that we should love one another and support one another, and together we can make for a brighter tomorrow.

For more information or to make a donation, please visit AshtonHopeKeeganFoundation.org.

Caution: This article contains minor spoilers for the motion picture ‘Black Widow’.
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Today, I wanted to talk about the Black Widow movie, yet I wanted to talk about it in a different light. No, I’m not going to address the ongoing lawsuit. I am, however, going to base this blog off of one particular line. The movie seems to be hit or miss for some. I personally loved it, I also loved Captain Marvel, and while both movies have some flaws, I really don’t think they’re as bad as everyone is trying to make them out to be. Love the movie or hate it or be indifferent to it, but respect the opinions of other people. Anyway, the film itself tells us the tale of Natasha and her Family that wasn’t quite a family. We got to see her growing up a bit and learned about Yelena, whom I don’t think I could have loved more if I tried. I’m not saying she made that movie; I am saying that her humor and wit seriously hit too close to home for me. Of course, we got glimpses of the Red Room and the training the girls underwent, and above all, we got a bit more reasoning on why the Black Widows ended up being so loyal to the cause. Either way, Nat and her family take down the Red Room for good and we get to know what Natasha was doing between Civil War and Infinity War.

All in all, it’s a great movie. I would have loved a true origin because Hawkeye and Black Widow are best friend goals. But it was still fun and enjoyable. It sets up Yelena’s entrance into the MCU nicely, gives Natasha a proper send off, and the humor was straight up on point. Yet the one line I really want to talk about is said by Dreykov. Towards the ending of the film, Dreykov is giving his big bad guy speech on how he utilized a resource found in abundance, girls. And he’s not wrong on that front. After all, women are viewed as property and status symbols around the world and sometimes they go missing to become a resource (more on that in a moment) and they’re viewed in such a negative light that sometimes their tough journey starts at birth. In fact, 1.5 million births are not reported, yearly, and it’s estimated that they are female and 90-95% of those missing reports come from India, which holds the highest record for female infanticide. Also, women go missing a lot in this world. More broadly, within the last 50 years, 45.8 million missing women came from India. Last year in the United States, alone, 209,375 women under the age of 21 and 59, 369 women over the age of 21 were reported missing. It is a serious issue.

The idea that Dreykov could take young girls and train them to be super assassins is not that far from reality considering the numbers. That one line changed the entire way I viewed the movie. Natasha is not just some superhero, she’s a survivor of human trafficking and who knows what else. There are many movies that detail the female assassin lifestyle and how they get there. Red Sparrow, in particular, is one I quit watching after 5 minutes because of obvious reasons. The Americans is an Amazon/FX show that plays off the Russian undercover agent living in America, and that show also had similar scenes as Red Sparrow. Both fall into the ideology that a woman character cannot be as bad ass as she is without overcoming rape, thereby propagating rape culture in media. Black Widow broke away from that mold, like many other movies and shows and games with female leads and showed a different take on Natasha’s character. However, the subtext of what the Widows went through to become what they are, is not lost. They portray Dreykov as a big bad monster that has them all scared to stand up to him, let alone take him on. He even explains how many of the girls were bought from their families.

There was a time, where podcasts weren’t taken all that seriously. In fact, they were considered an off-the-cuff hobby, and folks believed that they were primarily recorded in dusty basements by people who didn’t have anything better to do with their time. But those bold pioneers paved the way for a powerhouse medium, one that people now embrace and record on a regular basis since the world figured out… that such perceptions were woefully incorrect, since podcasts are quite the impactful way to entertain audiences.

In fact, they’re so accessible that big names are starting to get involved with them in some capacity and some companies are working to more or less resurrect radio-style dramas through them and it just so happens that an Academy-Award Nominated Actress is about to take part in an epic fictional podcast series. For Realm Media revealed earlier today that Gabourey Sidibe will star in their new dark satire podcast, If I Go Missing the Witches Did It and well… here are all the details on this new series, courtesy of Realm Media.
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‘Realm, the audio entertainment company that creates original fiction podcasts and audiobook series, today announced an expansion of its Hollywood talent roster with the addition of Gabourey Sidibe (Precious, Empire), leading the cast for If I Go Missing the Witches Did It, a thriller with satirical and paranormal elements. The thought-provoking and relevant nine-episode podcast will premiere its first episode on Sunday, September 26, followed by one new episode every Sunday thereafter, on all podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Stitcher.
 
"We are thrilled to work with Gabourey, whose portrayal of New York writer Jenna Clayton will make you not only laugh hysterically but also engage critically with issues of race, class, and capitalism,” said Molly Barton, CEO and co-founder, Realm. 
 
Written by Pia Wilson (Genius: Aretha), the satirical show follows Jenna (played by Gabourey) who, after a summer in Westchester soaking up how the other half lives, has vanished without a trace. The only clue: a set of voice memos detailing an investigation into a group of influencers she suspected were using magic to achieve their means. Sidibe is joined by voice actress Sarah Natochenny (Ash Ketchum in Pokemon) who plays Elise, a white podcast host with a savior complex who takes up the cause of finding Jenna.
 
“I'm so excited to work with Realm on my first fiction podcast role! I was excited about this show as soon as I read Pia Wilson's writing," Sidibe says. "It's really relatable and hilarious. After gathering a large library of shows I listen to, I’m excited to now be included in the library of other people who enjoy losing themselves in a good story." 
 
Realm has been ramping up their show roster, recently announcing that Tatiana Maslany will be returning to Orphan Black: The Next Chapter alongside original television series cast members Jordan Gavaris (Felix Dawkins) and Evelyne Brochu (Delphine Cormier). Maslany will also be executive producing and narrating an all-new original Realm podcast titled Power Trip. As for legendary horror director and producer, John Carpenter and Storm King Productions President, Sandy King Carpenter, their first three shows with Realm — Roanoke Falls, Angel to Some and Furnace — will be available later this year and in 2022.
 
In addition to free, ad-supported podcast distribution, Realm shows are available through the Realm Unlimited subscription, on Realm.fm and in the Realm app (on Android and via iOS). The subscription features ad-free, early access to the complete library of Realm Originals, access to bonus content, community perks, and a dual-format experience in Realm’s proprietary Flow Reader (simultaneous audio + text). 
 
Realm also announced a slate of shows to be released exclusively through Realm+ on Apple Podcasts Subscriptions: The Vela, Low Life, and The Shadow Files of Morgan Knox. All Realm+ shows are available to subscribers completely ad-free, with all episodes dropping at once, with corresponding bonus episodes for each series.’
 
If anything, this looks to be one special fiction podcast, one that will undoubtedly suck listeners in with its fascinating plot and star-studded cast and we here at Nerds That Geek, cannot wait to give it a listen when it debuts on Sunday, September 26.

I have been struggling to find a proper closing on my thoughts for this month’s Pride. Obviously, Pride goes beyond just the month of June. For many it is something we live every day. Looking through the LGBTQ+ side of media, I was disheartened to see how far we haven’t come. There are very little Asexual or Intersexed characters. Very little representation of Queer or Pansexuals or Poly characters. Yes, there are more in Literature than anywhere else, and that is amazing. Literature is a broad and wonderful spectrum within Media that has given birth to some wonderful film and television adaptations. However, when it comes to having more exposure to various types of sexualities beyond the heteronormative, there is still such a huge lacking within visual media. We find ourselves at a point in history where things have to change. There is no reason why we cannot have a Trans woman of color on the big screen. Or two men sharing a romantic kiss at the end of a RomCom.

The truth is, there have been and always will be LGBTQAI+ people around. We just got tired of hiding in closets and being shamed for being who we are. So, I thought I would include some statistics and talk about a very touchy subject on here. Warning for Suicide Triggers and Violent Crime Trigger warning. I’m not going to be going into too much graphic detail. I think hard facts are important when looking at things like this, especially with more sensitive subjects. As it turns out LGBTQAI+ Youth are 40% more likely to contemplate of consider suicide. LGBTQAI+ youth are twice as likely to have attempted suicide over heterosexual youth, especially under the age of 25. In fact, gay men are 79% more likely to attempt and succeed at suicide than women, closely followed by Transgender people. 28% of people forced into conversation therapy attempted suicide as a way out from it. And the likelihood of success goes up even further when violence is introduced. 40-47% of gay and bisexual men will experience domestic or sexual violence while 19%-29% of lesbian and bisexual women. 47% of Transgender people have experience violence against them. And 54% of Transgender people have experience domestic violence from a partner.

I’m not going to go into more intimate details or more crimes. The numbers speak for themselves. I am personally a victim of violence and attempted suicide for my sexuality. I’m not ashamed of either experiences, because I have gotten to grow and see the world change and watch as our fight for equality gains more traction. I say this not to garner followership, sympathy, or anything of the sort. I say this because I am a person. I am more than my experiences, and I know that somewhere out there someone is hopefully reading this and feeling just a little less alone.

That is the purpose of proper representation in media, to not feel alone. I was born in the mid 80s and proudly tout myself as a 90s kid. Well, sadly, there wasn’t a lot of acceptance then. LGBTQAI+ people were typically over exaggerated, harmful, stereotypes that were more caricature than reality. They were the butts of jokes or something to scoff at. In many cases, they did way more harm than good. They often lusted after the straight lead and were not too subtle about the whole thing. It was something to be ashamed of, being LGBTQAI+. Television, Film, Comics, Games, so much more, they have the power to actually change all of that. The problem is change is often too slow.

Now, there has been some amazing headway. Cartoons such as Steven Universe and it’s Non-Binary creator Rebecca Sugar never would have been acceptable back then. Yet, today, kids can experience Ruby and Sapphire, two female presenting woman, kiss and watch their wedding and not have it be an oddity. It’s the perfect statement of Love being just Love. Because, at the very end of the day, Love is Love and the gender identity of whom you love is never wrong. The future of media needs to be more inclusive. America Chavez, a lesbian woman of color and superhero, deserves her own movie on the big screen. Disney Park’s offer ‘Gay Days’ where they celebrate Pride beyond just June and host an array of rainbow everything, however they have yet to give an LGBTQAI+ individual a lead role in any movie. The few things they have done have been either a background character that gets a same sex dance scene or a same sex kiss at the end of a movie for less than a second on screen.

If we do not start giving proper representation within media and showcasing that being LGBTQAI+ is normal, we will not see those suicide rates drop. No, it is not solely on media, however representation and a sense of normalcy are the first steps.

In doing my research for this next blog, I was really beyond let down. The lack of Transgender representation is so shockingly stark that it is discouraging. Most of my research proved that many Transgender characters in popular media were either one offs or mockeries. Perhaps the latter is my interpretation of the presentation of these characters, however the manner in which these characters were portrayed leads me to that mindset rather than seeing them as genuine. In some cases, my search led me to fan theories about certain characters being Transgender without any canonical backing. Like with Pidge in the Netflix revival of Voltron. Many fans wanted her to be Transgender or Non-Binary, but the truth is canonically she’s still Katie, who took on a different identity to find her brother. It’s never said in the show that Pidge is Transgender or Non-Binary. Of course, this is the same show that led us to believe we would get a possible romantic interest for Shiro, and in the very end we got one small cut scene with a past boyfriend and a three second still of a post-show wedding. Pidge could have been Transgender or Non-Binary, but the show never made it happen and the fans chose to pose their theories online. To me that just shows how desperate people are to have proper Transgender representation in media, because let’s face it, there truly isn’t enough.

When there is a Transgender character, they’re often a side or one-off character, so far, not the main character. She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, another Netflix revival, features Jewelstar, a Transgender character voiced by a Transgender actor, however he is only featured in one single episode. That actually seems to be it for Transgender representation in modern day American Animation. Comics on the other hand have bigger wins. Batgirl, which ran from 2011-2016 gave us the first major Transgender character in a comic series in the form of Barbara Gordon’s roommate, Alysia Yeoh. Alysia comes out to Barbara as Transgender in the comics, and she’s also bisexual. It’s a wonderful moment for many fans and certainly a great one for comic readers. DC was the first major comic publisher to have a Transgender main character. Yet that seemed to be it when it came to further representation. There seems to be more representation in literature than any other form of media. While that isn’t a bad thing in the slightest, it is still disheartening that in 2021 Transgender representation in television and movies is floundering. For people to not see themselves within characters creates a disconnect. It’s important that we can look at characters and see our likeness within them. It helps people to connect and feel much less alone. Because if this hero or this character can go through hard situations and make it out okay, come out still a hero, then so can we.

When it came to finding Non-Binary representation within media, I had a bit more luck but the list was still pretty small. Ironically, Steven Universe could technically be a show about a large number of Non-Binary characters. The Gems are technically neither male nor female, as their physical forms are self-chosen projections. However, all Gems use she/her pronouns. There was one exception, however, with Sadie’s partner, Shep. In the final season of Steven Universe, Future, we were introduced to Shep for a single episode, and they do use they/them pronouns. Which was really amazing to see, but again, was a short scene with a one-off side character. She-Ra and the Princesses of Power did offer more representation for Non-Binary characters with Double Trouble. While they aren’t a main character, they are around for 8 episodes, more than just a single, one-off passing. Star Trek: Discovery takes the cake with their Non-Binary character; Adira. They originally use she/her pronouns for the first few episodes, until they finally correct someone. The way Star Trek: Discovery handled this situation is how we should all handle changing someone’s pronouns. Adira asked to be referred to as they/them and everyone did. It’s literally that simple. Oddly enough there is further representation of Non-Binary in the book and show adaptation of Good Omens. The angels and demons are all Non-Binary, as stated by co-author Neil Gaiman. We see this with the Amazon live action adaptation in its showing of characters such as Beelzebub, Michael, and Pollution. Crowley is actually portrayed as more gender fluid and seems to slip between more masculine and feminine appearances more so than Aziraphale. 

It’s important as we continue on, to remember that all forms of representation are important. Although there have been major strides to have LGBTQA+ portrayals in media, we still have a long way to go in order to break out of the heteronormative narrative that has engrossed our media for decades. People come in various shades of the spectrum, and we need to have proper depictions of that. Specifically, beyond comics and literature, but on the big and small screens. It’s important that people not feel so alone and are able to connect with hero’s who are just like them.

It’s been an interesting Pride Month. First and foremost, the MCU finally gave us two bits of representation in the form of their newest show Loki and with its main character. Loki is officially both gender fluid and bisexual and it’s been a long time coming. Which, I suppose we need to be celebrating Sylvie as well! While the comics have given us the representation we deserve, there has been a surprising lack of it in other media platforms. Comics are a wonderful form of media, however they’re not as widespread and popularized as movies and TV. Representation is very important, especially when it comes to younger viewers. It can be extremely lonely when the heteronormativity of society is consistently pushed onto LGBTQA+ youth. As someone who very rarely had any lesbian representation growing up and has a psych degree, I feel qualified to say that it’s detrimental to development to not have that representation in mainstream media. People and families come in all different shapes, sizes, colors, and sexualities. No two families are the same. And while we still need more representation of BIPOC and mixed families, we also need more representation of sexualities.

Well, I’m obviously not the only person who thinks like this because Blue’s Clues actually did something amazing this Pride Month. They aired a Parade of their own and they literally slayed it. They showed families of all types; some with two dads, some with two moms, some with non-binary members, trans members, and bisexual members. They covered a ton in such a short amount of time. That is what we need more of. Kids need to be able to see families just like theirs on TV and know that not only are they not alone, but they are just as important as heteronormative families.

Speaking of families. While Marvel hasn’t brought more representation to the screen, just yet, they have introduced two more bisexual characters into the world. Granted, Billy and Tommy are just kids in WandaVision, but they do grow up to be bisexual men. In fact, Billy grows up to not only be Wiccan in the Young Avengers, he also grows up to marry Teddy, AKA Hulkling. Yes, it’s completely comic cannon. Whether we see this on the big or small screen, well that remains to be seen. Speaking of Bi characters, I unfortunately never watched the Harley Quinn animated show, but I did watch Birds of Prey. Harley’s bisexuality is glossed over in the movie, barely a snippet in the opening scene, she does go on to have a full relationship with Poison Ivy in the animated show. Not to mention in the comics. In fact, Harley is more than just bi, she’s also polyamorous. And yes, in case anyone was curious, I believe polyamorous relationships deserve representation as well. Everyone is different and unique, and everyone deserves to look at media and see themselves.

Now I sadly never got a chance to see the new Batwoman show on the CW, yet that does not change the fact that we finally got a television show about a lesbian heroine. I have heard mixed opinions on the show itself, and I’m not going to argue any bit of whether it was good or bad or indifferent. I am literally just happy we finally had an adaptation of Batwoman on the small screen. You can be gay and still save the day. That’s how every single one of these characters should be viewed. There is also a rumor that we may get Valkyrie having a girlfriend in Thor: Love and Thunder. Does that mean she’s officially out as a lesbian character? I’m not sure, I am excited to see what they do with her character, and hopefully we do get to see a romantic interest for her that is indeed another woman. So far it seems like Marvel and DC are both willing to push more representation into their smaller and possibly bigger screen stories.

However, when it comes to transgender people, non-binary, Asexual, and so on, there isn’t much representation in media, if any. Few iconic roles do stand out, such as Sophia Burset from Orange is the New Black. During my research I actually didn’t find as much representation for other members of the Alphabet Mafia as I had hoped. There is a startling disparity when it comes to the complete and total lack of visibility for transgender, non-binary, ace, gender queer, and many others within the spectrum. My thoughts on this part are so vast that I think it might have to be the next blog. Stay tuned because I have a lot of rants about the lack of representation for the other half of the LGBTQA+ community.

Guys, it is Pride Month and I have a lot to say about it. As the resident Lesbian at NTG, and self-proclaimed expert in all things nerdy, I felt it only appropriate to pay homage to all the LGBTQA+ characters and people who make our nerdy world go round. Today I wanted to focus on Pride Month itself, how it started, how it’s evolved, and how impactful and important it has been to all of society. After all, inclusion is very important and so is education. To be honest, I was in my late teens when I learned the true origins of Pride, and I feel it’s important to keep talking about it. This month is near and dear to my heart for many reasons, but above all, Pride has helped so many of us band together and not face life alone. 
 
As I started planning my blogs for this month, I didn’t expect to be quite as open as I am about to be, but I feel it’s extremely important to talk openly about things so that others, who may be experiencing something similar, can know they’re not alone. I intended for this blog to actually be out last week, and the words failed me at the time. For many of us, coming out is a scary thing to do. Having someone close to you do it for you, can be a truly harrowing experience. I was 16 when a friend of mine outed me to my parents. It was 2002, and back then people were still getting killed for being gay, and most teens and young adults were abandoned by their family. I was lucky, my parents are kind and accepting people. Many people aren’t that lucky, however. Many people still get disowned by their families. But while it is dangerous to come out, because you don’t know how someone’s family will react, it is still important to do it. Because you have to be true to yourself and so many are able to do that now because of the brave people that fought hard for us to be proud of who we are.

That brings us to the origins of Pride. Now, a lot of memes have been going around this month about Pride. They’ve actually been going around for over a year now. Most say: “The first Pride was a Riot.” And they’re not wrong. The Stonewall Riots took place on June 28th. 1969 in Greenwich Village, New York. The Riots lasted from June 28th until July 3rd, and were a long time coming. Prior to the riots, police would often raid gay bars and clubs, or rumored gay hang outs. As we’ve seen over the past few years, police brutality is a horrific thing. On the morning of June 28th, police raided the Stonewall Inn. Accounts vary on how the riots really started. Some say someone threw a brick at police, others say it was rumors of police beating people inside the Stonewall Inn that ignited the violence outside. However, it’s one account of a woman being beaten by police and thrown into a wagon that supposedly sparked everyone into action. Many eyewitness accounts vary, but by the end of it, people were fighting against police.

Stonewall is touted as being our first Pride. From there, LGBTQA+ people banded together and started demanding equal treatment. It’s a powerful movement that is still going on today. While there had been other movements for equality in the LGBTQA+ community, none had been as successful as Stonewall. The movement spread, and we today still keep fighting for equal rights. That has since expanded to include Black Lives, Native Lives, and Asian Lives. With the rise of COVID and the subsequent police brutality cases against people of color, the redesigned Pride Flag has been going strong and strives for inclusivity of all people. These movements are extremely important; for so long as one of us is not equal, none of us are equal.

Of course Pride has been met with protests from opposing groups of varying religious backgrounds. However, the Pride Movement sill goes strong. We are just now having openly LGBTQA+ people in media more and more, and even expanding into media directed towards children. Last week, Blue’s Clues showed their support by showing how different families do exist. It’s important for kids to see those things, especially when they come from a family where they have two dads or two moms or have a transgender family member. Inclusivity is extremely important for your children to connect to and with. So far 2021 has proven to be a great year for things like that. I can only hope that the following years will continue to be even better. Without Stonewall, we wouldn’t be here today, celebrating this month. Many people fought hard to see their way of life normalized, and that fight is far from over. Major strides have been made in media to represent the LGBTQA+ community, and don’t worry, I will get into as much of that as I can next time!

Photo Credit: User ‘Another Believer’ via Wikimedia Commons. No edits were made to this image.