HBO is now MAX and I think if you had HBO Max it just switched over. I had Discovery Plus and dropped it for Max since all that is on Max.

Ok the Joker has a loving step father, partner, and mayor is really interesting. He is evil-ish but also trying to do things that, well mayors don't really have the authority to do... like how is a mayor going to fund free college? (I think that was what the evil lair tax was about) but I like this character development. Especially juxtaposed with Harley because it doesn't feel like The Joker wants to be a Good Guy, he is just doing things that will make the lives of his family better and that just happens to also help the people of Gotham.

I can't wait to get into S4 and see Bruce in jail and Harley with the Bats.

So I've wanted more Bane on Harley Quinn and I just watched the Valentine's Special....and well...a lot more Bane.

Also it's weird because I keep forgetting that Bane wears a mask. I mean I know he does but it just seems like...he shouldn't have a normal face. In the orgy episode when he lifted his mask up to eat the sandwich it threw me off. Bane having a regular human face just breaks my brain somehow.

And Clayface's other half being the literal other half of his body just makes so much sense.

I'm also amused/horrified at the way the show does the triangle of fur for chest hair ...at first I thought it was just Commissioner Gordan but then I realized it 's all of them. Not having seen Ted Lasso I feel I missed out on some of the Valentine's episode humor.

So I've wanted more Bane on Harley Quinn and I just watched the Valentine's Special....and well...a lot more Bane.

Ahahaha! That was quite an episode.

There were other things I liked about that episode..the strategic vines and flowers blooming and unfurling to cover Ivy and Harley. Bane's grammar issues.

I was worried that they'd end up doing something gross with Clayface and his other half or even Bane and the buildings but I realized that while the show is raunchy it never goes too far and never makes the characters be degraded .

ltc is currently obsessed with Monster High. The Dracula character who is a teacher and does research for the ghoul squad is giving serious Giles vibes [link]

Anyone else watching Scavengers Reign on HBO? It's like a cross between Miyazaki, Mœbius, and Cronenberg. Surreal, yet accessible. Gross, but watchable. Not for everyone, obviously.

Although I haven't been as active on the board, I have been watching a lot of Anime and Manga as I navigate through the huge amount of backlog.

Prior to my reignited interest I had watched some here and there. Fullmetal Alchemist, Trigun, Cowboy Bebop, Ghost in the Shell, etc.

However since I was hospitalized in 2022, I have found a few gems to talk about.

Here is a short list of episodic Anime I recommend, and are happily discussed:

1. Frieren: Frieren: Beyond Journey's End AKA Frieren, or Sousou No Frieren, or Frieren the slayer. From a manga source, this series hit 2023 like a bomb-blast. It will be returning for a second season at some point but the 28 episode first season is worth the time. Sword and sorcery in a European style fantasy setting. I have not read the original Manga, but the Anime is such that you shouldn't need to. Episode 10 is one with such a high HSQ that I like to watch YouTube reactors getting gobsmacked.

2. My Dress-up Darling Also based on a manga comic. Story is slow burn romance behind a couple of students that would seem unlikely to get together, it has some occasional mild adult-ish content, which makes sense as it shows two teenagers. Meanwhile there is a lot of wholesomeness.

There are many more, some episodic ones that I am too tired to do justice to them right now. Some are still in manga stage, others are in novel form.

Off the top of my head: The Magical Revolution of the reincarnated princess and the genius young lady, (Anime, Manga, Light novel) Please Bully me Miss Villainess (Soon to be Anime, currently novel and manga) I'm in love with the Villainess (Anime, Manga, Light novel) Welcome to Japan, Ms. Elf!

Hopefully more to come

I should note that since I have not been immersed in the genres of Anime and Manga all of my life, I am trying very hard not to be dismissive of storylines and settings that aren't perceived as meant for me as I am of the "wrong" age group/sex. True, I am not particularly interested in ones aimed at kids, but after that, I will at least try.

Perhaps my own High School days were bad enough that watching isn't a problem. if it was, there are a hell if a lot of literature that touches on anywhere from teens to immortals.

I was way out of the age range for Buffy or Harry potter if that's going to be the measure. Pfft.

I am also enjoying sone of the style changes which have been coming through over the decades. Budgets were tighter and what we saw translated varied wildly in quality

Lest I forget: Spy Family (Usually styled as SpyxFamily.)

Also: Lycoris Recoil.