Different Expectations for Different Universes: Why I’m Comfortable Skipping Solo

Let me start off by saying this is not a persuasive essay; it’s an explanatory one.  I’m not trying to convince anyone to skip Solo: A Star Wars Story nor do I think they should if they want to see it.  I hope everyone who wants to see it, does.  And I hope they enjoy themselves!  I’ve talked to a few close friends who saw it and thought it was great.  I’m happy for them.  I don’t want the movie to do poorly or for people to be disappointed.  I just can’t see myself seeing it (at least not yet).  I wasn’t even going to write about this because I didn’t want to seem like I was being contrary just for the sake of it nor that I was trying to trash the film.  But people keep asking me if/when I’m seeing Solo.  I’ve discussed it in Facebook posts, messages and texts, emails, and more than a few times in person with family, friends, and students.  So I just decided to write about it.

Han Solo: Another Reflection on Head Canon

The term ended last week and with it came the close of the second round of our Star Wars & Contemporary Mythology course.  As Hannah and I were making our way through grading some of our students’ work, I had a revelation.  Something similar happened last year, as our students’ final papers helped us finally make peace with The Force Awakens.  I’m not sure if this epiphany-while-grading thing will become a tradition with our Star Wars class, but it’s happened to me again.  This time it came while reading several Star Wars Playlist assignments – focused on Han Solo – and it led me to clearly see something quite personal about my experience of Star Wars.

Deadpool’s Mercs are Worth the Money!

Ahh…summer vacation.  My final exams are all graded.  My grades are all posted.  And now my mind can gently turn from lesson planning and grading to the freedom of summer.  There are lots of novels to read, movies to watch, sun to bask in, and family and friends to see…but it also means there’s a lot of time for writing and comic reading!  Given how much fun I’ve had since I started blogging, I’ve decided to see how often I can post on My Comic Relief through the summer holiday.  I’ve no set goal in mind, only the challenge!  My question now becomes – is there a better way to ring in summer than with Deadpool’s Mercs for Money??  I say there isn’t!