Yaoish Newsy Stuff -Edition 2-

Deux Sale ends in 2 days
That's right, April 30th is the end of the $5 sale over at the Deux website. If you haven't already done so go ahead and check out their wares. Scroll down a little and you'll see the titles I recommend.

Y!Gallery
Lots of little improvements over at ygal. I think a few people will be happy about the new Robotics tag. But I understand how new filters can be annoying for those who have to go back and edit their entries. There's always that one jerk who will flag a picture instead of kindly telling the artist they've yet to apply the proper filter. So, go forth robot lovers and edit your pics before that jerk comes along.

My favorite change at Y! thus far? The new status icons. Wooooo, so shiny and sleek.

Jpqueen
If you browse and shop at Jpqueen you've noticed the new account page. But what is really cool is that they've instituted a point system. What Jpqueen did in the past was give you a ten dollar coupon for every ten reviews you gave. Now you earn points not only when you write a review for a product you purchased but also when you purchase an item you were looking for. Speaking of looking for items Jpqueen has added a form for those items that have never appeared on their website but you desperately want to find. They use to have something similar to this form in the past but they took it down for some reason. So, for all you people who have been searching for Hajime no Ippo doujinshi go and fill out that form! I know jpqueen tends to wait until they receive certain things from people who don't want their manga/doujin/or whatever anymore, but if there is a great demand for something maybe they'll actively search for it.

And, wow, I totally missed this...
It seems there's going to be a yaoi convention in the Midwest. Bishie Con will take place November 20-22nd in St. Louis MO. They have a couple of guest lined up and a few activities. Things will, of course, get more fleshed out as they draw closer to the event. But so far nothing has really caught my eye. That doesn't mean I wouldn't support them. If I still lived in Missouri you better believe I would have purchased my ticket already. I'm all about supportin' da fandom, baby.

Ippo updates and other junk

New Ippo up. Not much of Ippo lovin' Miyata this time around. But it was very heavily Ippo/Kumi centric which is 20 million times better. Totally love that pic up above. It so looks like he's inhaling marijuana and the final image is the after affects, lol. You know it looks like that!

Mostly posting just to give a heads up to the two people who follow this blog XD. The next two weeks will be filled with finishing up projects and final exams. So unless House decides he suddenly wants to be gay with Wilson there probably won't be an update from me until May. When I'm finally free from the life-sucking clutches of school I want to give this blog a face lift and introduce the two characters that make random appearances throughout my post. I also have a few more reviews I need to get around to completing. And I promise, no more Static post for awhile.

Speaking of Static, before I give this blog a little break from it's awesomeness, if anyone clicked through the links I posted in the last entry that lead to some of the comics I drew it can be easily surmised that I like my Static to be HARDCORE. And, seriously, it's like one of the only things I slash where I want these guys to be going at it like two sex deprived rabbits. As I've stated previously, I tend to like more comedy in the pairings I slash. So Static Shock is really a unique case with me. I don't think I'll ever do KakaIru porn, or Itsuki/Kyon just totally going at it. And I really think this has a lot to do with the fact that I just don't find yaoi to be sexually appealing. Gaspity?! What? How does that make any sense?! But as I stated before, my doujinshi collection is filled with comedy stories. There is a rare occasion where I want one where its whole existence is dependent upon how hot the sex is, but for the most part, I prefer to laugh.

Beautiful by Bandou Emiri
This doujinshi just isn't funny but it's super cute, a double whammy, so I couldn't resist snatching it up

Don't get me wrong, I like looking at guys dripping in sweat and other bodily fluids as much as the next fujoshi. But, for the most part, the build of the guys in most doujinshi just isn't what does it for me. I love muscles, but the characters that most yaoi are based on, like, lets say, Naruto, just don't have that type of build. That's not to say the sex is automatically gonna be bad. A good sex scene is a good sex scene. But, physically, for me, the perfect situation is two muscular guys going at it. And what do you know, Hotsreak and Static fit the bill.

Now, here's my problem when it comes to me drawing this pairing: Muscles are hard to draw, lol! So, poor Static and Hotstreak don't come out looking as delicious as they do in the animation or the comic. It's something I'm working on changing, though.

Anyway, this so came out of nowhere. Better get back to work on these projects. Good luck to the rest of you guys in the midst of finals!

Hotstreak Loves Static

In my first Static Shock post I discussed why the Hotstreak/Richie pairing irked me. This couple, though, makes up a very small percentage of Static slash. The overall majority of all slash is Virgil/Richie, also known as VR. I remember when I got into the fandom I was shocked by the fact people paired these two up. Yeah, it makes sense now, but back then I really only saw these two as best friends. Watching the series I just didn't find anything slashy about their relationship. Besides, why were people slashing those two when they could slash Hotstreak/Static?

When I'm asked why I like this pairing I always respond with the question, "Did you see the episode No Mans an Island". This is an episode from the final season where the two guys have been chained together at the wrist. There are quite a few touchy-feely moments and there’s this really sweet scene where Hotstreak opens up to Static (this really needed to be expanded upon). It's also made very obvious that Hotstreak respects Static. Now, there are some slashers who can take two characters who have never come into contact with each other and throw them together. Hey, that's their prerogative. But for me as well as many other slash fans, we like having something that can validate the relationship. A carrot, if you will, that dangles and tempts us. The majority of Static slashers found many situations questionable between Richie and Virgil. There are, and I'll give them that. But Hotstreak/Static is just way more sexy.

Now that you know why I slash these two, I'm going to share the crazy storyline I came up for them. If you're a Static Shock slash fan you've undoubtedly read a bunch of fanfics where Virgil isn't gay but Richie-sexual. Or, there are those that explore Virgil discovering his sexuality. I don't go with either of these scenarios. In my opinion, Virgil is straight. But, wait! How is it possible for me to put him in a sexual relationship with Hotstreak if he's not gay, bi, or just crazy about the flame-head? Because the relationship doesn't go past the sex part. Anal orgasms are one of the best a man can have. Static has his first anal orgasm with Hotstreak and becomes addicted. Hotstreak makes himself available to Static and he willing accepts. Many, many, times.

Hotsteark, on the other hand, wants to start a relationship based on more than just sex. In one of the scrolling comics I drew I had Hotstreak try to take off Static's mask, which Static objects to. Because this option is closed to him he tries to unmask him by pressuring Static to tell him personnel information (favorite color, favorite food, little stuff like that) so he can slowly piece together an image of who he is. Static goes along with this at first, but stops when he starts feeling as if Hotstreak is moving their relationship into territory it shouldn't go. Hotstreak, in turn, puts a stop to everything and makes himself very scarce in Dakota. And then I turn Virgil into a total jerk who takes advantage of his best friend's crush on him. So, see, I like using Richie too, just as long as he's topping. But yeah, no happy endings for anyone here. I tend to draw this out of order. Like the last part with Richie I drew is actually near the end. I left out the whole middle part and I haven't even finished drawing the beginning yet (just have it scripted). I'm just glad that so far each section has been able to stand on its own.

Hotstreak/Static is soooo my OTP. It's that one couple I always come back too. It may have something to do with them being my first slash couple. Aw, nostalgia. Anyway, just cause I love pimpin' these two here is one of the only Hotstreak/Static fanfics in existence. Go, read, and may you be blessed with plot bunnies.

Kisses Make Everything Better

After reading the latest installment of Hajime no Ippo and seeing Ippo get all touched over Miyata for the one millionth time I was inspired to do some fanart.

I was also trying to catch up on the anime yesterday and found myself really missing the Spanish dub. I know Geoneon is now defunct, but I hope a Spanish company is willing to license and dub the new season with the same voice actors from the previous one. In my opinion, the Spanish dub is far superior to the Japanese original. Sorry, you Japanese purest, but it's the truth.

Don't be hatin'

Anime News Network recently published a review for all three volumes of Menkui!, by Tanaka Suzuki. The reviewer makes it quite obvious that she was none too impressed with this series. That's fine. To each their own. But I did have a problem with a statement she made below:

Tanaka's artwork is perhaps her greatest asset when her storytelling capabilities are—as they often are—refusing to come to her rescue. She has a clean yet distinctively bold, confident style that has won her numerous fujoshi devotees. In some ways, it looks rather anime-like or perhaps Shounen Sunday-esque. She might have been a slice of life shounen mangaka in another life. Indeed, one wonders if she might not be wasting her time in BL.

Wait, but, what? Do I detect a hint of animosity toward BL? Why is it a waste for Suzuki to dedicate herself to a genre she enjoys? This comment exhibits how little the reviewer regards BL as a legit genre category. Now, maybe she doesn't see BL as a lucrative genre and she believes Suzuki is capable of making more money in shoujo or shounen. She probably meant for this statement to be a compliment. But this belief still undermines BL. As if to say BL is where you go to die a slow death. The thing is, that comment is saying BL is, for the most part, a waste of time. And how can I not take issue with that?

I don't want to come off as if I'm peeved by this, 'cause I'm not. But, I haven't for a while been a fan of the BL reviews produced by ANN. I know you can find more worthwhile reviews elsewhere such as the Fujoshi Librarian over at LJ. I guess, what bothers me is ANN is a staple for anime geekdom and as such they are a very powerful force. And what's that saying good ol' Uncle Ben told Peter Parker? Ah, yes: with great power comes great responsibility. Well, be responsible ANN. If you're going to do BL reviews maybe get someone who understands BL to review it. No one would want someone who isn't good at first person shooters to tell them whether or not Halo is a great game. Someone who has played many FPS's because they enjoy the games is a much more credible person. So, come on ANN; step up. Give me a veteran BL fan.

Yaoish Newsy Stuff -Edition 1-

I'm pretty sure by now everyone knows about the Deux sale. In case you missed it somehow here's the link to the info page. I don't have to tell you that five dollars is an awesome price for a yaoi manga. Also, orders are open to fans outside the US. Yeah. Great sale. You know it, I know it, and your mom knows it. In case you're not sure what to get here are the titles I recommend:

Title: Lovers and Souls
Creator: Miyamoto Kano
Deux Page with summary and previews

Title: Say Please
Creator: Miyamoto Kano
Deux Page with summary and previews

Title: Future Lovers
Creator: Saika Kunieda
My Review
Deux Page with summary and previews

Title: Future Lovers Vol. 2
Creator: Saika Kunieda
Deux Page with summary and previews

You can't go wrong with Miyamoto Kano and Saika Kunieda. The sale ends April 30th. I know things are really tight for a lot of people now, but it would be great if we can help Deux weather this storm. Especially since they were awesome enough to give us comics by Saika Kunieda and Miyamoto Kano.

There's been a mod change over at Yaoi Gallery. For me, the biggest news are a few of the little tweaks made to the site. I cannot tell you how happy it makes me that there's now a "marked all as viewed" button in submissions. Submissions pile up so fast if you don' t log in for a few days and then you have to sit and wade through them little by little. Such a tedious task. So thank you yaoi gallery for this much needed improvement.

If you're a Bleach fan Pandabaka over at DeviantArt is selling a few doujinshi. Go check out her page for previews and info. She also has a couple of the KakaIru anthology left. The sale of the doujin ends April 15th. Only a few days left!

And I don't know how I forgot that Tanaka Suzuki's book, Love Hurts (that title hurts me >_<), was released this month. Get it for the story dealing with a boy and his crush on a girl who is obsessed with aliens. I know, not BL, but to be totally honest, it's the best story in the book.

Speaking of Tanaka Suzuki, did you check out her cover for Be-Boy last month. Suzuki's cover art is usually a hit or miss (mostly misses, though), and that one was a total miss. Sorry, Suzuki! This months cover was drawn by Shino Natsuho. Also, Yoneda Kou is in this volume. You're probably familiar with her doujinshi work if you're a fan of Katekyo Hitman Reborn. Or maybe you've read the DP scanlations of her manga, Doushitemo Furetakunai, (I ownz it). Either way, you know she writes great stories, so no doubt this one will be just as awesome.

And, wow, I see this pairing very super rarely.

Static Shock: Let the boy bottom!

Part 2! And as the title suggest I want to focus on the whole seme/uke dynamic. If you read any Static slash than you know Virgil is the seme 99% of the time. Why? Yaoi, like any genre has a set of unspoken rules that people blindly follow. For example, how many doujinshi or manga have you read where the short guy tops? Very rarely happens, right? Just like short topping tall is a rarity the same goes for Virgil topping anyone. Strictly looking at female produced fanfiction and art in any slash community I began to notice that there seemed to be some type of rule that black tops all.

Why do females tend to want a black guy to top in his sexual escapades? And God forbid, what would they do if there were two black guys? Maybe this is why I’ve yet to find any such stories, it’s a conundrum they are unable to figure out. One of the rules followed to a T is that strong tops weak. Within the world of Virgil slash I don't believe this rule is obeyed. Instead, I feel Virgil is forced into the stereotypical role of a strong black male. I think this is done, not on purpose, but because whoever is writing the fan fiction or drawing the fan art is unable to see pass the stereotype portrayed in the media.

Now, another possible reason V is made to top can be because he's straight. Richie being homosexual is something that has pretty much become canon in the fan community ever since McDuffie clarified him as being gay on his forum. And here's another stereotype for ya: during sex between two men, the guy being penetrated is gay and the one doing the penetrating is straight. Twisted logic, I know. But, this is a strong possibility why V always tops.

Lastly, there are the Mary Sues who are using Richie as their surrogate. A Mary Sue in disguise is still a Mary Sue. So if you read a fanfic and the only flaw Richie has is his gay love for Virgil, than there's a good chance you're reading a Sue fic. And because it's a Sue fic, Virgil will fall in love with the perfect Richie and screw him like there is no tomorrow. Ah, amore.

No matter the reason why Virgil is topping, the mere fact he's locked into this role is unfair. V makes such a sexy uke. And this is what I shall explore in my next Static post. Until then, try and write a RV fic to pass the time.

April 2009 BL Manga Releases

Title: Chocolate Surprise
Creator: Lily Hoshino
Publisher: Deux Press
Pages: 192
Price: 12.95

Title: Idol Pleasures
Creator: Fuhri Misasagi
Publisher: Deux Press
Pages: 192
Price: 12.95

Title: Junjou Romantica Vol. 9
Creator: Shungiku Nakamura
Publisher: Blu
Pages: 192
Price: 12.99

Title: Love Machine
Creator: Amayo Tsuge
Publisher: Deux Press
Pages: 192
Price: 12.95

Title: Totally Captivated vol. 6
Creator: Hajin Yoo
Publisher: Netcomics
Pages: 200
Price: 9.99

Title: U Don't Know Me
Creator: Rakun
Publisher: Netcomics
Pages: 200
Price: 9.99

Title: You Will Drown in Love
Creator: Hinako Takanaga
Publisher: Blu
Pages: 208
Price: 12.99

Title: ZE vol. 2
Creator: Naduki Koujima
Publisher: 801 Media
Pages: 200
Price: 15.95

Oh, April, how I've waited for you. Lots of good releases this month: Junjou Romantica, Totally Captivated (it's the end ;_;), U Don't Know Me, You Will Drown in Love, and Chocolate Surprise are all on my buy list. Especially U Don't Know Me. I have a feeling Junjou will disappoint and this might be the last volume I buy unless it can step up its game (and seeing as how there's no huge arcs coming up with my two favorite couples gives me an even better reason to stop purchasing this series). You Will Drown in Love will probably be just as bad as I'm expecting it to be, but I loved Rei from the previous volume so at least I get to see him again (although I'd prefer him to be a seme, and with Haru). I hope you guys are as pleased with April releases as I am.

Oh, and Libre posted the covers for their April releases today. Meh. Nothing to my liking. But wait! Next month Suzuki Tsuta will have a new manga released. Hmmm, if I'm reading my Kanji correctly, it seems it might be Konoyo Ibun. I haven't read any of the previous volumes yet. Maybe I should give it a chance?