Fantasy - The Unconventional

The Sandman, Part 2
In this instance, we’ll explore how Gaiman revitalizes the roles of women and trans/queer characters (a segment of the comic book population which has been trampled by sexist expectations in the comic book medium previously). We will also explore how he resuscitates the roles of family identity (an age-old and worn-out theme in the hands of other authors). Familial identity and gender identity are two of the strongest threads of the entire series, and they take on a new and vivid existence through The Sandman texts.
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The Sandman, Part 1
We owe one of the greatest sea changes in comic book history to the “British Invasion” of the 1980s and ’90s, from the likes of Alan Moore and Neil Gaiman. Watchmen and The Sandman ushered in a new era of comics as a legitimate storytelling medium, not just a shallow arena for tights-clad muscle men secure in their abilities to the point of cockiness.
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The Mind of a Metahuman
What would be the psychological and sociocultural consequences of the emergence of a population of metahumans with a large and infinite variety of traits?
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Beyond the Stone Table: Aslan Before & After Martyrdom
In today’s An Algebra of Archons, we explore how C.S. Lewis’ world of Narnia is both inspired by and interwoven with Christianity, and how its symbolism merges with scientific doctrine, philosophical and ethical questions of morality—and unpack, what that all means in the context of its narrative.
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Role-Playing Gays – Tabletop RPGs
Our third installment of Play It Loud delves deeper into the world of tabletop gaming, specifically queer representation in RPGs. We’ll draw upon precedent from other media, and earmark some of the podcasts and streamed “live plays” that “get it right”. We’ve also got some examination on the nature of good representation, and how it’s not Calculus if you’re not performative.
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The Anglicization of Middle-earth
A study of anglophile and ethnocentric narratives, given perceptions of racism in Arda, the setting of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth, as seen in Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and The Simarillion.
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Roll for Representation: Tabletop Gaming
In today’s Play It Loud, we explore the group activity of tabletop gaming. While considered a straight boys’ club until relatively recently, we’ll examine the journey to create more inclusive, Queer-friendly adventures where are players feel welcome, included and represented.
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Play it Loud—Series Conspectus
Fandoms haven’t always been the most welcoming to outsiders, ironically enough—given their history in Americana. Join us on an exploratory tour of this inter-sectional paradox, through the various demographics and their respective welcome (or lack thereof) to the LGBTQ community, through the eyes of one who traverses both worlds. From board and tabletop gaming, to pop culture and new media, this exposition strives to be comprehensive, yet digestible.
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Emerald Cities and Scarlet Queens
Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away is largely regarded as a modern classic, but the influences from the works of Lewis Carroll and L. Frank Baum cannot be ignored. Here we see which characters are takes on memorable figures from Wonderland and the Land of Oz, and we discern which themes carry through between the stories.
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An Algebra of Archons—Series Conspectus
Join philosophy student and avid gamer Ben Steiz in his examination of the various ethics, world views and metaphysics encoded across much of pop culture. This will include both a broad survey and robust analysis of the numerous speculative fiction works and franchises.
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Fandom: Fantasy