With the End of Outlander Approaching, It’s Time for a Lord John Spin-off

By Sloane Rosenthal, Kinfolklore Contributor

Earlier this spring, the House of Kinfolklore received some alarming Outlander news. The improbably long-running show, whose seventh season begins tonight, was renewed for an eighth — and final — season. This will necessarily involve capping off the television version of the story substantially earlier than the end of Diana Gabaldon’s still-in-progress book series. But, it opens up the perfect opportunity for Ron Moore and the team at Starz to do something they should have done ages ago: take advantage of our current mania for prequels, spin-offs, and expanded universes, and give one of Outlander’s best secondary characters his own show. We know they’re busy, so we figured we’d help them out a bit, with a clear case for why — and a few thoughts on how — we’d make the Lord John show we deserve.

Warning: This article contains mild spoilers for Books 4-9 in Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series of novels, as well as the Lord John novellas. Also, while Kinfolklore often covers stories that contain adult content and Outlander is no exception, the Lord John novellas are works of what I can only describe as stunning anatomical clarity, so if that isn’t for you, consider yourself warned.

“Also, while Kinfolklore often covers stories that contain adult content and Outlander is no exception, the Lord John novellas are works of what I can only describe as stunning anatomical clarity, so if that isn’t for you, consider yourself warned.”

It’s hard not to love both Lord John (the character) and David Berry, the Australian actor who plays him, even in his Season 3 Interview with the Vampire makeup. He’s lawful good personified, always doing the right, self-effacing thing, and helping the Frasers out of one entirely self-induced catastrophe after another. He’s period television’s best-dressed MacGuffin, showing up exactly when he’s needed, whether that’s to stand as stepfather to Jamie’s illegitimate son William, placate an aunt by pretending to be engaged to a pregnant Brianna, prevent Jamie’s seemingly-inevitable arrest for treason (multiple times!), procure Chekhov’s muskets for the Cherokee, or speak for the entire viewing public in reminding Claire how annoying her constant post-orgasmic glow is. 

The Lord John of the books has quite a bit more depth…and quite a bit more chaotic energy. An officer in the British army and a sometime diplomat and spy, the John of the books has a profound sense of honor coupled with a Fraser-level inability to stay out of trouble. Unlike the Frasers, whose inner monologues mostly generate unintentional comedy, however, John’s got something rare and vital in the Outlander universe that’s crucial to his potential as the centerpiece of his own show: jokes. 

As the later Outlander books expand their point of view characters beyond the Frasers’ nuclear family, John and his sprawling, improbable family become increasingly important to the story, much to its benefit and ours. We briefly met John’s brother Harold (Hal), Duke of Pardloe, and of course, John’s stepson William and his wife, Isobel Dunsany, in Voyager (and the beginning of Season 3). The later novels and spinoff novellas introduce us to more of the Grey clan, including John and Hal’s mother, Benedicta Stanley, her husband General George Stanley and his stepson Percy Wainwright (about which, more later), Hal’s wife Minnie, who might or might not still be a spy, and Hal and Minnie’s children, plus a long string of John’s best and worst boyfriends. Although the English aristocracy generally does not cover itself in glory in Gabaldon’s universe, the Greys, who “would pause on the gallows to exchange witty banter with the hangman before graciously putting the noose about [their] neck[s] with [their] own hands” are largely an exception: fiercely loyal, intensely funny, and at least occasionally sensible, they’re just really, really fun to be around.

John and William both become major POV characters in the later novels, and their chapters represent a really stunning tonal shift from the chapters narrated by Claire, Jamie, Young Ian or (sigh…) Roger and Brianna. It’s a curious mashup of personal and political, spycraft and parlor room drama, and it reads like Jane Austen had a baby with John Le Carre. Following John’s story as he periodically collapses onto what I can only describe as George Smiley’s Fainting Couch helps humanize what’s going on behind British lines in the early days of the American revolution, and gives us a needed break from the 473rd round of Mortal Peril Hour with the Frasers. Sometimes we need a little comic relief, even if only in the knowledge that John’s closest friend and colleague secretly writes (terrible) erotic poetry and very likely slept — at least once — with John’s mother.

“Sometimes we need a little comic relief, even if only in the knowledge that John’s closest friend and colleague secretly writes (terrible) erotic poetry and very likely slept — at least once — with John’s mother.”

John’s stories make for fun reads — and great potential television — for another reason, too, which is their focus on John’s chaotic sexual and romantic life. John’s doomed love for Jamie may be a driving force for (mostly good?) in his life, but it doesn’t stop him pining for and/or lusting after him in hilariously inappropriate moments, or from showing up at brunch to discover that he had a one night stand with a man who is about to become his stepbrother, or waking up one morning and wondering — with full sincerity and based on no lack of evidence — whether he might have had recent carnal knowledge of Ben Franklin. While we can’t say for sure that John is actually the messiest bitch in His Majesty’s Army, he’s certainly a strong contender for that title, and after having lived without it for so long, we deserve to see that energy on screen in all its glory. 

So, where to start? Diana Gabaldon has written (at last count) eight novellas and one full-length novel in the Lord John series proper, plus one long short story/short novella about the, er, unconventional beginning of Hal and Minnie’s relationship, so there’s quite a lot of ground to cover. If we were Moore and his team, here’s how we’d approach this vast trove of source material. We’d do three short seasons, which would allow you to hit the emotional high points, while giving each story room to breathe, and, critically, time to live in the charm of these characters’ interactions with each other:

Season One: Skipping Lord John and the Hellfire Club (which is funny, but not necessary), move straight on to Lord John and the Private Matter and Lord John and the Succubus: set in 1756 and 1757, respectively, these two novellas cover a manageable amount of ground, while introducing us to most of the sprawling secondary cast. They also introduce us to the conceit governing each of the installments in this series: they’re essentially mystery stories, whodunnits with side quests that take place within the labyrinthine apparatus of the British army and intelligence structure, with snippets of John’s personal and family life along the way, like a kind of very well dressed 18th century version of White Collar. We also meet John’s valet, Tom Byrd, his sometime boss, spymaster Hubert Bowles, and the man who will go on to become his most compelling love interest, German aristocrat Stephan von Namtzen (played, in our dreams, by James Norton, channeling all the charming earnestness of his turns in War & Peace and Death Comes to Pemberley combined). We’d cast Norton’s War & Peace cast mate Jack Lowden as the long-suffering (and critically discrete) valet, Tom Byrd, and Downton Abbey’s Robert Bathurst (sorry!) as Bowles.

Season Two: Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade: The emotional centerpiece of the series, at turns extremely funny and guttingly sad, this novella deserves a season of its own. It centers on John and Hal’s quest to redeem the honor of their father, who died under mysterious circumstances when John was twelve. Timeline wise, it syncs up approximately with the middle of Voyager, the third of the main novels, with the events of the story beginning right around William’s birth (and Geneva Dunsany’s untimely death). The tale follows John from England to Germany and back, as he attempts to solve the mystery of his father’s final days and gets into — and in an achingly sad manner, out of — a passionate but doomed relationship with Percy Wainwright, his stepfather’s stepson from a previous marriage (think Cher and Josh from Clueless). John and Percy’s relationship has hints of its slow-moving-train wreck nature from very early on, but from its earnest beginning to its wrenching end, it has all the lived-in warmth and charm of Gabaldon’s best arcs, and deserves some significant air time. (Our pick for Percy, who all but introduces himself as the worst idea that you would absolutely do anyway? Matthew Goode, who we’ll forgive for the second season of Discovery of Witches if he manages to bring all of his George Wickham “baby, hate me, please” swagger. A strong second choice? Callum Turner, who actually did play the absolute worst idea that many people did anyway in War & Peace.) It also reunites John with Jamie (who is busy feeling extremely sorry for himself at Helwater), and shows us the strength and bravery of the Dowager Duchess of Pardloe, John and Hal’s mother, who has more than a few secrets up her own sleeve. We’d take a pass on Lord John and the Haunted Soldier, which doesn’t add a ton plot wise, and cast Bridgerton’s mother-daughter duo Ruth Gemmell and Claudia Jessie as Benedicta and Minnie, and get Thrones’ Mark Addy (the erstwhile Bobby B) in for a cameo as the General.

Season Three: The Custom of the Army and The Scottish Prisoner (with flashbacks to A Fugitive Green): If I described what James Fraser, man of peace, was doing during the opening scene of The Scottish Prisoner to you, you would never believe me, but we had damn well better see it on television. Told alternately from Jamie and John’s POVs, The Scottish Prisoner is an even more adventurous detective tale than its predecessors, and puts John and Jamie together on a chase through Ireland and back again, in search of a literal Wild Goose (an Irish Jacobite), based on evidence compiled by John’s Army friend Charlie Carruthers in The Custom of the Army. The Custom of the Army deserves maybe an episode or two as preamble to the meat of the season, if only to introduce some funnier anecdotes in John’s life, including but not limited to that time he accidentally killed a man with an electric eel, and the beginning of his on-again, off-again relationship with Manoke, an indigenous man he meets just prior to the battle of Quebec. (My nonexistent kingdom to get Longmire’s Zahn McClarnon for this one.)  As Minnie’s past as a spy takes center stage in The Scottish Prisoner, we’d also propose a brief detour back in time to the events of A Fugitive Green, which describes the beginning of Hal and Minnie’s relationship and her unorthodox upbringing, before carrying on to solving the mystery at the heart of the novel. Just like John, though, we’d take a bizarrely timed break from solving that mystery so that he and Stephan could finally — FINALLY — consummate their relationship. Seeing these two get it together after 47,000 false starts is incredibly charming, and gives us some hope that the happiness John so deserves — and knows he’ll never have with Jamie — might be there for him after all. We’d skip the last two stories in the series, Besieged and Lord John and the Plague of Zombies.

Why end there? Well, besides the fact that realistically, the less Diana says about what happens in Jamaica, the better, wrapping up at the end of The Scottish Prisoner makes sense for a few reasons. The major ongoing mysteries are as resolved as they’re going to get, and John’s subsequent return to Helwater to be named William’s guardian places all the pieces of the chessboard where they need to be for the story to continue on (indeed, all of the events described here take place during Episodes 3 and 4 of Season 3, beginning with John’s departure from Ardsmuir and ending with his marriage to Isobel Dunsany and Jamie’s departure from Helwater). Besieged and Zombies make little chronological sense, and, other than a few charming moments between Benedicta and the General, don’t add much to the story. And besides, we can’t think of a cuter ending than Stephan being so happy to have finally had sex with John that he sends him a puppy (no, I’m not kidding, and you can pry my belief that Hal’s “I see you’ve kept up your German” quip to John in Go Tell the Bees That I am Gone means they’ve stayed together out of my cold, dead hands). The enigmatic moral note on which The Scottish Prisoner ends is a fitting mission statement for this more nuanced, layered look at John’s character, reminding us that there are always more threads in the spider’s web.

A Lord John show won’t eliminate the sting of the forever-droughtlander to come, but we can’t think of a better next step for Ron Moore and his team than this deep dive into some of the most fun, least-explored content in this universe. We’ve given them a good start here, and we’re standing by to help — now all they’ve got to do is clear their schedules and we’ll be on our way, right?

Sloane Rosenthal

is a freelance writer and knitwear designer, and the co-founder of American yarn company Hudson + West Co. A native of Washington, DC, she lives in Boulder, CO with her family, and tweets occasionally about pop culture (among other things) @rosenthalsloane

Didn't Have Time to Rewatch The Witcher? No worries. We got you.

The last time we saw Geralt of Rivia on screen was perhaps the most memorable moment from the Witcher series. After years of fighting monsters, tolerating the friendly neighborhood bard, and trying to grapple with his feelings for a certain beautiful mage, Geralt found what he was looking for — his “child of surprise,” Cirilla, who risked her life to find him. You may remember that moment, for me it was absolutely unforgettable, but perhaps you need a brief refresher in how we got there and the larger context of the Witcher world. We also provide a recap in this week’s episode of the podcast, available in your podcast feeds this Thursday.

Warning: Spoilers for the Witcher Season 1 below

The true stakes of The Witcher are not about the end of the world. Instead the stakes center on the relationships between Geralt, Cirilla, and Yennefer. Below is a primer that will remind you what happened to our faves in Season 1. 

The Butcher of Blaviken 

We’re first introduced to Geralt when he meets the mysterious Renfri, a cursed princess turned local bandit. His encounter with her in the village of Blaviken foreshadows his future as protector of another magical princess. Geralt’s primary responsibility, what he was trained and “made” for, is monster hunting but over the years, Renfri’s dying words stay with him: “The girl in the woods will be with you always. She is your destiny.” At the time of Renfri’s statement, “the girl” has not yet been born.

The events that lead Geralt to Cirilla, the Lion Cub of Cintra, are decades away. He spends most of the series traveling the Continent, doing exactly what Witchers do - killing local monsters for coin. Along the way he meets many interesting characters — the bard Jaskier (who will surely bless us with another top single like Toss a Coin to Your Witcher in Season 2), the tormented King Foltest, the King of the Elves Filavandrel, and a beautiful sorceress Triss Merigold. But perhaps most importantly, in a truly hilarious and convoluted series of events, Geralt saves the life of the the a cursed man named Duny, who is the secret fianće of Princess Pavetta of Cintra. Duny offers repayment for Geralt’s efforts and the reluctant Witcher chooses the Law of Surprise, a sacred tradition that requires the giver to gift the recipient with whatever blessing has been bestowed on them before they know they possess it. Most who choose this reward receive a good harvest or a small inheritance, but it can also be a Child of Surprise. Not only is Geralt opposed to accepting such a gift, he’s absolutely mortified and spends the next 14 years or so doing everything in his power to avoid accepting this gift, the orphaned daughter of Duny and Pavetta, Cirilla.

While avoiding his destiny, Geralt meets Yennefer, a rebellious mage who answers to no one. Yennefer and Geralt are bound together during their initial meeting by a wish. But their relationship is not always harmonious. They’re basically the two most emotionally unavailable people on The Continent. They split at the end of Episode 6 and the season ends without a reunion. It is Yen’s name Ciri can hear Geralt calling when he eventually finds her in the woods.

The Lion Cub of Cintra

Princess Cirilla makes her way to a refugee camp after the fall of Cintra in Season 1 of The Witcher. Photo courtesy of Netflix.

Cirilla may be a princess but her short life has been quite difficult. With both of her parents lost at sea when she was a child, Cirilla was raised by her grandmother.  Queen Calanthe protected Ciri but did not shelter her from the harsh realities of ruling. Known as a warrior queen, Calanthe won her first battle at 14 years old. She did, however, shield her granddaughter from the most important truth, that like her mother Pavetta, Cirilla is magically gifted. We see evidence of Cirilla’s power in the very first episode when she is escaping the invading Nilfigardian army, a southern kingdom that has been advancing north and has a special interest in Ciri. The show has not revealed all of Ciri’s nature yet, however, we expect that to be a major focus of season 2. Our best hints come from the lyrics of the song The Last Rose of Cintra which plays during the end credits of episode 5: “A forgotten tale of Elder Blood/ And all futures past reborn/ Swirling spheres of otherness/ Of hope and doom forlorn/ Her path could lead to happiness/ Or the end of times for all.”

After fleeing Cintra in episode 1, Cirilla spends much of the season with an elvian boy named Dara. Elves, who predate humans on the Continent, were the original keepers of magic and in a conflict that began long before this story, have lost most of their lands to human kingdoms. Cirilla’s own grandmother oversaw that systematic slaughter of the elves in Cintra. Despite this, Dara and Ciri become companions and their travels take them to Brokilon Forest where the dryads (women warriors similar to Amazons) offer them sanctuary.  Cirilla decides to leave when her Mage Mousesack appears and says he will take her to Geralt. It turns out this isn’t Mousesack, it's a doppler (a shapeshifter that can take on the likeness and personality of anyone they encounter) who has been sent by Nilfgaard to capture her. After they escape, Dara and Cirilla part ways and she tries to make her way to ​​Skellige, the homeland of her grandfather. This journey takes her closer to Geralt and leads to their meeting in the woods.

Yennefer of Vengerberg

Yennefer struggles at the Battle of Sodden in Season 1 of The Witcher. Photo courtesy of Netflix.

Our introduction to Yennefer is as chaotic as her character. Yennefer was born with a curved spine and was treated terribly by her stepfather. To get away from taunting teenagers, she unintentionally portals to Aretuza (the magical school we affectionately named Boring Hogwarts on the pod). She meets a young sorcerer-in-training Istredd. He helps her return home but shortly after the Aretuza Rectoress Tissaia de Vries comes to her parents’ farm to collect her. To say Yen is unhappy at Aretuza is an understatement. Despite Tissaia’s initial unkindness, it’s clear that she sees Yen’s potential and continues to train her. The most important takeaway is that there are two types of mages - those who control their emotions and those who allow their emotions to control them. Yen is the latter. 

Istredd and Yen become lovers but they want different things. Yen wants power, while Istredd wants to continue his magical research. Istredd’s mentor Stregobor (an extremely unlikable sorcerer) exploits this rift and uses it to get valuable information out of his protege -- Yennefer’s biological father was half-elf. Stregobor uses this information to derail Tissaia’s plans for Yen’s post-Aretuza assignment. When Yen learns that she will be sent to Nilfgaard rather than back to her home kingdom of Aedirn, she is so upset she misses the initiation and instead confronts Istredd for his betrayal. In a truly harrowing scene, Yennefer defies all of Aretuza’s rules and meets with the enchanter who remakes her, taking her womb as sacrifice, to transform her into a conventional ageless beauty. Yen then arrives at the initiation celebration and charms her way into the court of the King of Aedirn so she can return to Vengerberg. 

Once at court, Yen finds the work boring and the king tiresome. When as assassin attempts to murder the queen after she’s given birth to yet another girl (heaven forbid), Yen tries to save the baby unsuccessfully and she heads off on her own. After years of freelancing as witch and toying with local lords, Yen meets Geralt. It becomes clear immediately that her desire is to restore her fertility, a sacrifice she believes was too great. She eventually learns it will not be possible. Despite making her own path, Yen ends up back at Aretuza where Tissaia enlists her support to stand with some other mages to stop Nilifgaard’s invasion of northern kingdoms. 

Yen plays a significant role in the Battle of Sodden Hill and manages to channel all of her pain and anger into a truly terrifying display of magic that wins the battle for the mages and stops Nilfgaard from advancing. But after the battle, Yen is nowhere to be seen. 

Where we left off

By the end of the Season 1 finale, Ciri and Geralt have finally found each other and Nilfgaard’s advance north is stopped in its tracks by Yen’s magic and the arrival of the northern kings. There’s lots of loose threads to pull at. Here are some of that we’re looking at for Season 2:

• What’s the deal with Cirilla’s magic? Cirilla’s powers are uncontrolled and dangerous. She killed several men and (sadly) a horse when she was attacked in the forest. She also created a crater and toppled a giant monolith by merely screaming. We’re hoping the show will shed some light on her abilities and their source by the end of Season 2.

• Will Geralt find Yen? Geralt and Yennefer are both messy, flawed individuals but after decades of drifting through the world, they are drawn to each other. After all, who else would understand your life as a frustrated magical being, aside from another frustrated magical being? Geralt clearly wants to find Yennefer at the end of Season 1. He’s ready to head towards the battlefield to seek her out, but this plan is derailed when finds Cirilla instead. It’s likely he’ll have to choose early in the season whether to get Ciri to safety or attempt to find the love of his life.

• What’s next for Nilfgaard? The Emperor’s vision of invading the remaining northern kingdoms was stopped when his mage, Fringilla, lost the battle to Yennefer and the other rogue mages at Sodden Hill. We have to assume they’ll regroup and come back with a vengeance. And what’s the deal with their off-screen emperor? Will we see the White Flame in Season 2? Also, what’s Nilfgaard’s interest in Cirilla?

• Most importantly, will Jaskier have another chart topping hit? Seriously. In the books he’s a well known poet and bard. But Toss A Coin to Your Witcher is a hard act to follow. We’re looking forward to hearing his next catchy tune.

Join us as we try to answer all these questions in our Season 2 coverage on your favorite podcast app.

Written and posted by Andrea.

Animated Series to Stream This Fall

By Chamar Griffith, Kinfolklore Contributor

Editor’s note: Last year, we asked Kinfolklore Contributor and Yet Another DC Animated Podcast cohost Chamar Griffith to recommend his favorite animated series to help us fill the void left behind when we finished Avatar: the Last Airbender. You can see Chamar’s earlier recommendations here. This is part two of his recommendations and it’s coming at an important time.

In honor of Wonder Woman’s 80th Anniversary and Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Yet Another DC Animated Podcast is working with the nonprofit Safe Horizon to raise funds to support survivors of Domestic and Partner Violence. Please chip in if you can to support this important cause by visiting this link.

Now, onto to the recommendations!

Young Justice - HBO Max

Please don’t let their live-action theatrical adaptations deter you from the fact that DC Comics is killing it in their Animated Universe!

Based on the comic book of the same name, this series takes the sidekicks of the Justice League heroes and puts them together in their own mini-league. Originally starting with Robin, Aqualad, and Kid Flash, the series has grown to introduce more diverse characters, create new worlds, and tackle stories that revolve around identity, trauma, loss, and heroism. Characters experience true development and the dynamic between them makes it even better.

Now entering its fourth season, the show is a favorite regardless if you are a DC comic fan or not. In fact, its initial cancellation caused such an uproar that a whole streaming service was created to bring it back and it’s been picking up momentum ever since.

Guillermo del Toro: Tales of Arcadia - Netflix

Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia is part of a three-tale series with about six seasons in total following the stories of trolls, aliens, and wizards within the town of Arcadia. Image courtesy of Netflix.

It’s easy to paint the monsters in any story - sharp teeth, razor claws, scary sounds. What’s great about this series is the monsters are the heroes! This is a three-tale series with about six seasons in total following the stories of trolls, aliens, and wizards within the town of Arcadia.

This series is amazing because of the mythology that Guillermo draws from, lifts up, and expands. The first in the tales is Trollhunters, followed by 3Below, then the Wizards series; all culminating into their feature-length film Trollhunters: Rise of the Titans also available on Netflix.

Gravity Falls - Hulu & Disney+

Summers can be weird, but have they ever been finding a journal detailing all the mythical, mystical, sci-fi, out-of-this-world stuff happening in your obscure town weird? 

That is Gravity Falls. A story about twin brother and sister Dipper and Mabel who stay with their Great-Uncle Stan (affectionately called Gruncle Stan) working in his oddities shop. Dipper on the first day comes across a journal written by a random scientist with explanations on all the weird stuff that happens in the town. The mystery grows as you learn it isn’t the only journal and that their Gruncle Stan is hiding something as well. Dipper recruits his eccentric sister and the friends he has made to solve the mysteries plaguing the town.

I love this series and so has everyone I talked to about it. Dipper is an amazing character but it’s Mabel, Gruncle Stan, Soos, and even their pet pig Waddles that truly helps to make the show. Each character grows with time and the humor is amazing.

Kipo and the Age of the Wonderbeasts - Netflix

“The cast is so diverse and does a great job in representing BIPOC and LGBTQ communities. ”

To be honest, I found this one by accident but it shortly became one of my favorite animated series of all time.

First off, this show is stacked with the voice acting talents of Grey DeLisle-Griffin, Steve Blum, and Dee Bradley Baker but also onscreen actors like Karen Fukuhara from the Boys, Dan Stevens from Legion and Downton Abbey, Sterling K. Brown, and Deon Cole!

The story follows Kipo, a girl who along with the rest of humanity was forced underground and after an incident leads her to be separated from her community, she explores a world on her journey back discovering secrets about her and humanity’s past while making some great friends along the way. The cast is so diverse and does a great job in representing BIPOC and LGBTQ communities. 

The series ran for 30 episodes over 3 seasons and they all dropped in 1 year which is an impressive feat for an animated production. More importantly, it’s musical! Every song on this show is an absolute banger!! If one of these doesn’t make it on your playlist, you’re missing out.

Gurren Lagann - Netflix & Hulu

“Every word, sentence, and phrase is an affirmation. I have actually recited some of the lines from the anime to friends and myself whenever they needed a lift.”

I was first introduced to this show when I met with some Black anime fans who described it as (no spoilers) the animated adaptation of *Drake Voice* “Started from the bottom, now we’re here.”

This show focuses on a group of people who along with the rest of the human population are trapped underground, forced down there by beast monsters manipulating mechas. When a couple of them break to the surface they take over two of the mechas to become Gurren Lagann. They eventually join and lead a resistance to take back their world. That’s season one. Season two takes everything we learned and pushes it even higher!

The thing I love most about this show is not the animation, or the storyline, or even the characters - all of which is great! It’s the dialogue. Every word, sentence, and phrase is an affirmation. I have actually recited some of the lines from the anime to friends and myself whenever they needed a lift. The series is quick with under 30 episodes but wraps up beautifully each season.

Honorable Mentions

My Hero Academia - Hulu

I love watching this because it shows young men that it is ok to show their emotions.

Craig of the Creek - HBO Max

Black Boy Magic happening in this series!

Steven Universe - HBO Max

Always been a very popular show but after a rewatch from beginning to end, the messages in this show are just so amazing.

The Jackie Chan Adventures - Crackle (Season 3 - 4); Available for Purchase

This was one of my first introductions to Chinese and Chinese-American culture and is filled with hilarity, action, mythology, and storytelling.

Dragon Prince - Netflix

From the creators of ATLA, this series is great and sees the return of Sokka’s voice actor who makes a great deep-cut joke which alone is worth the watch.

Voltron: Legendary Defender and She-Ra: Princess of Power - Netflix

Although they’re two different shows and not connected at all, they are both amazingly done reboots of two classic 80s cartoons.

Chamar Griffith

is a blerd, podcaster and writer from Brooklyn. You can check out his work at @yadcanimatedpod on Twitter.

Ready for The Witcher, Season 2? Here's your (un)required reading list to help you prep.

By Sloane Rosenthal, Kinfolklore Contributor

It’s been a long offseason, y’all, but Season 2 of The Witcher is finally nearly upon us! We’ve still got two months to wait between now and eight more glorious hours of a leather-clad Henry Cavill grunting at the camera, though, and you can only listen to Paul’s riffs on “Toss a Coin” on the podcast so many times without actually losing your mind. So, between now and December 17, here’s a list of more ways to spend quality time with Geralt and the Witcher fam, by delving into the world of the books that inspired both the global-phenomenon video game and the show.

So, where do you start? Here’s a full syllabus of Witcher-related reading. 

Before you crack a book, I have to recommend you read this hilarious interview with Witcher scribe Andrzej Sapkowski from i09’s Beth Elderkin. One of the big debates when the show first launched was about what to do with its tone, spurred by some of the “this is the next Game of Thrones” pitches: is it campy on purpose? Is it serious? Is it Xena: Warrior Princess for the 2020s? I can’t think of a better way to explain the books’ tonal approach than to tell you that they were written by the guy who answered this question like this:

io9: “What was your reaction to learning your books were getting 500,000 reprints after the release of the Netflix show?”

Sapkowski: “How do you expect I answer this question? That I despaired? Shed tears? Considered suicide? No sir. My feelings were rather obvious and not excessively complex.”

Sapkowski’s dry, darkly funny sarcasm is mirrored in Geralt’s self-deprecating deadpan; he’s mostly in earnest, but mercifully not affected with some desperate sense of self-seriousness. Get in, kids: this is supposed to be a good time. 

“Sapkowski’s dry, darkly funny sarcasm is mirrored in Geralt’s self-deprecating deadpan; he’s mostly in earnest, but mercifully not affected with some desperate sense of self-seriousness. Get in, kids: this is supposed to be a good time. ”

A note, before we go further: these books were written by a guy who seems to have looked at George R R Martin and said, “I’ll see you that bit in the cave and raise you a foursome in a bathtub with a dragon and also sex on a stuffed unicorn.” Both the books and this discussion contain adult content and spoilers.

What if I just want to read the stuff I saw in Season 1?

This part is easy. The things that happen to Geralt (and to a lesser extent, to Ciri and Yen) are largely adapted from two collections of short stories: The Last Wish and Sword of Destiny. These were written after the novels, but are set before the events of the main saga (which really starts when Geralt and Ciri meet up for good shortly after the fall of Cintra at the Battle of Sodden Hill). By the time he wrote these anthologies, Sapkowski knew his characters well, and both the writing and translations had matured substantially (and as a result, they’re some of my favorite writing in the whole series). They map out the kind of theoretical and emotional mission statement for the saga in considerably more detail and depth than the first season of the show, introducing us to Geralt, Jaskier (Dandelion), Yen, and eventually Ciri, and Geralt’s central anxieties about the ethics of monster hunting for money, what he can and can’t feel and why, and grappling with both blades of the sword of destiny. Like the first season of the show, The Last Wish is not written in chronological order, though Sword of Destiny is considerably more linear, so you can read the stories pretty much whenever. They map on to the Geralt-centric portions of the episodes of the show approximately as follows:

Episode 1: “The Lesser Evil” from The Last Wish

Episode 2: “The Edge of the World” from The Last Wish

Episode 3: “The Witcher” from The Last Wish

Episode 4: “A Question of Price” from The Last Wish

Episode 5: “The Last Wish” from The Last Wish

Episode 6: “The Bounds of Reason” from Sword of Destiny

Episode 7: “The Sword of Destiny” from Sword of Destiny

Episode 8: “Something More” from Sword of Destiny

Now, I said they map onto the Geralt-centric portions of the episodes (with the exception of Episodes 5 and 6, where Geralt and Yen’s stories merge, and spots of Episodes 4, 7, and 8, where he and Ciri appear together). So...where does the rest of it come from?

The short answer is, it doesn’t. Yen’s backstory as a child and at Aretuza is almost entirely a show-only invention (literally: the one time Geralt asks her about it in Time of Contempt she responds, “don’t ask me, please, don’t ask me.”). And some of it is really cool and thrilling and some of it is, uh, real complicated. Ciri’s story is something of a hybrid of original content and adaptation: we know from comments in Sword of Destiny and Blood of Elves (the first novel in the series) that the Battle of Sodden have occurred and Cintra has fallen, but we don’t get much detail on what actually happened (but I’ll take that trade, cause it gets us more time with Jodhi May’s Calanthe, who is a delight).

It’s worth noting that there are some major book-to-show changes in Season One, most of which concern Yen. Paul did me a solid and talked about two of them in the Kinfolklore podcast episodes on Episodes 5 and 6, but I’ll add here that the description of Yen’s transformation in Episode 3 is entirely a show invention, and that few comments we do have in the books about the relationships between, say, magical ability and fertility, beauty, and power are quite different from the depiction on the show (and, uh, I kind of hate the show’s version). Also, Episode 6, largely based on “The Bounds of Reason,” curiously omits a hot tub foursome between Geralt, the Zerrakanian twins, and Borch (I guess in human form?), which seems like a real missed opportunity.   

What about the rest of the short stories?

They’re great, and you may as well read them. Sword of Destiny has three as-yet-unseen short stories, entitled “A Shard of Ice,” “Eternal Flame,” and “A Little Sacrifice,” and they contain, inter alia, a heist comedy featuring a shapeshifter, Jaskier writing a song about his love for Geralt, and a rather infamous discussion about Yen’s preference for sex on the back of a life-sized stuffed unicorn (video game fans are already familiar with this classic detail). Andrea’s evil-adjacent pal Istredd shows up, and we’ll just say that he realllllly doesn’t cover himself in glory. Only one story from The Last Wish is omitted; more on that below.

What should I read because I’ll see it in Season 2?

What we know for sure:

“This story is fun, and I’m really intrigued to see how they fit it into the story’s timeline going forward — or don’t.”

Thrones fans, rejoice! In the show’s worst-kept secret, Kristofer Hivju, late of the forces of His Grace, King Jon Snow/Stark/Targaryen, is joining the Witcher-verse as Nivellen, the main character in the one omitted story from The Last Wish, “A Grain of Truth,” which is a kind of Beauty and the Beast-esque tale. So, we’re going “back” in time, at least once. This story is fun, and I’m really intrigued to see how they fit it into the story’s timeline going forward — or don’t. A Grain of Truth is the first episode title, so read this one before the season comes out.

And then what?

Entering the thickets of wildest guesswork, I think we can say pretty confidently at this point that we’re getting substantial portions of the saga’s first two novels, Blood of Elves and Time of Contempt, based on casting announcements and episode titles alone. Blood of Elves centers on Ciri’s training and the discovery of her true nature, first at Kaer Morhen with Geralt, several other Witchers, and Triss, and later at the Temple School in Ellander, with Nenneke and Yen. Naturally, there’s some not so good folks searching for Ciri (including Bridgerton’s Chris Fulton, who joins the cast as baddie-sorcerer Rience), and periodic hijinks ensue. Time of Contempt is both more interpersonally focused on our Witcher family of Yen, Geralt, Ciri, and Jaskier, but also branches out into more political territory, highlighting some of the mage-driven power struggles we saw in Season One of the show, before shit gets intensely, intensely weird. 

Showrunner Lauren Hissrich has said that she plans to expand on the time between the end of the short stories and the beginning of Blood of Elves to delve further into Ciri’s early training with the Witchers, so I expect we’ll see more of that in Episode 2, Kaer Morhen. The title of Episode 6, Dear Friend, seems to be a reference to a truly hilarious letter Yen sends Geralt after he asks her to help train an increasingly unruly Ciri, so that may be where Yen and Ciri’s time together kicks off. Anya Chalotra (Yen) says she and Freya Allan (Ciri) worked together a great deal this season, so I’m hoping this means we’ll see a significant portion of their Blood of Elves arc, much of which is really quite charming.

“The title of Episode 6, Dear Friend, seems to be a reference to a truly hilarious letter Yen sends Geralt after he asks her to help train an increasingly unruly Ciri, so that may be where Yen and Ciri’s time together kicks off.”

A few characters who don’t appear until a significant way into Time of Contempt have also been announced, suggesting we’re headed pretty far into the events of the second novel. These include video-game-fan favorite Sigmund Dijkstra, the lovably slimy head of the Redanian Intelligence Service, who’s played by 18th-century Scotland’s creepiest uncle, Graham McTavish, apparently taking a break from his current day job of drinking whisky in a kilt. Fellow Outlander alum Simon Callow and BBC regular Liz Carr are along as Codringher and Fenn, the Continent’s resident morally dubious lawyers (you can find those everywhere, folks). But the really telling announcement as to how far into the thick of things we’re getting is that relative newcomer Aisha Fabienne Ross will play Lydia van Bredevoort in both the ominously-titled Episode 5 (Turn Your Back) and the untitled season finale. Lydia is a longtime assistant to Vilgefortz, and appears in a pivotal sequence about 2/3 of the way through the novel. I’m not sure it’s the smart money, but I’d bet the loose change in my pockets that we wrap up the season with the events on Thanedd, towards the end of Chapter 4.

But this is a lot of reading, and Go Tell The Bees That I am Gone comes out on November 23rd! 

I know, y’all, I know. Yes…but fortunately, these books are short. The short stories are an incredibly quick read (especially if you just read the sections that are depicted on the show). If you want to have covered everything in some depth before the season starts, I think in all available likelihood you’re safe skimming the novels, which are likely to be substantially abbreviated in the show, given how much ground it seems we’re covering. 

Sloane Rosenthal

is a freelance writer and knitwear designer, and the co-founder of American yarn company Hudson + West Co. A native of Washington, DC, she lives in Boulder, CO with her family, and tweets occasionally about pop culture (among other things) @rosenthalsloane.

Animated Series to help fill that ATLA void

Editor’s note: We asked Kinfolklore contributor Chamar Griffith to recommend his favorite animated series to help our fans cope with finishing ATLA and Korra. Below are Chamar’s recommendations for best in animated series . This is part one of a two-part series.

My name is Chamar Griffith, your neighborhood Blerd, and I am here to share with you a list of my favorite animated series of all time! I am just a kid from Brooklyn who has always loved comics, art, and animation. Given that cartoons have all three, I Scrooge McDuck-ed dived into this colorful world. Growing up most people would always say that cartoons would rot your brain. It was the opposite for me as they gave me a front row seat to spaces I wouldn’t be in at that time. I was able to hear the Barber of Seville and the William Tell Overture when I was five years old. In less than 20 minutes, I saw performances of the Count of Monte Cristo, Waiting for Godot, and Cyrano. That’s why I love cartoons, not only do they provide us with joy, they connect us to creatives from the past and inspire the new creatives of the future. 

Now, onto the list!

First, I will not be listing on here some of the more commonly discussed or award-winning cartoons such as Spongebob, Rick and Morty, Family Guy, The Simpsons and the G.O.A.T. series Avatar: The Last Airbender - Kinfolklore has graciously dedicated an entire season of its podcast to ATLA so make sure to listen, subscribe, and share! I will be talking about animated series that are warm and dear to my heart, have an amazing theme song, and some which I thought were a fever dream. 

Secondly, these will be serialized shows with an ongoing season plot or have the occasional call back to a previous episode. These shows all have in some capacity world building and/or character development. Most of these shows have concluded their run, so if like me, you like a good wrap up, these are the shows for you!

Finally, I want to mention that most of the Japanese anime series might also be available in their subbed and dubbed versions on streaming sites/services such as Crunchyroll. I am not too familiar with Japanese anime streaming services so feel free to look in your preferred platform for any that I listed below. All right, here we go!

DuckTales - Disney+

Whoo-hoo! The House of Mouse gave us several shows throughout the years but the one I am talking about is the adventures of the most popular ducks of all time.This reboot adds in just as much adventure as the original series but now really shows each character as their own duck. 

The thing I love about this show is the voice acting talent behind it.: David Tennant, Danny Puddi, and even recurring and guest appearances by Lin Manuel-Miranda as Gizmoduck and Don Cheadle as Donald Duck! One of the best additions to the show is the inclusion of the strong amazing girl Webby (voiced by Kate Miucci) who is a much needed and wonderful addition to this new Quack Pack.

This show is very much a love note to its original series fanbase as it has the same formula and ties in a lot of interest we might have had growing up (i.e. latest episode focused all on Norse mythology told through professional wrestling)

Right now, this reboot is helping to reopen many doors as well. There are many nostalgic characters including Launchpad McQuack who is a regular and is helping to bring in a possible return of Darkwing Duck!

Keep an eye out on October 19 on the Disney Channel as Drake Mallard will be donning the cape once again with Jim Cummings reprising his roles *wink wink nudge nudge* from the original series for an hour long special.

Static Shock - DC Universe

When it comes to superhero television shows, it’s common to go with your heavy hitters like Superman or Batman to gain interest, which DC did leading to the Golden Age of superhero animation in the 2000s. The DC Animated Universe (affectionately called the Timmverse or the Diniverse because of the series creators Bruce Timm and Paul Dini) consisted of shows featuring Batman, Superman, and the rest of the Justice League. Their work opened the door to not only new characters i.e. Batman Beyond and Harley Quinn being introduced into mainstream comics, but they also brought back a hero from an entirely lost comic book universe. That hero was Static.

Virgil Hawkings is your typical Black teenager growing up in Dakota. He lived with his father and sister, excelled at school, and spent most of his days hanging with his best friend, Richie. However, his neighborhood was afflicted by gang violence and during a battle between rival gangs that he was drawn into, an explosion of chemical gases went off giving Virgil the ability to manipulate static electricity. Which is great until he learns that everyone else that was in the area also received some kind of superpower. Now with the help of his friend Richie, who soon joins him in the frontline of the fight, Virgil as Static helps to clean up his neighborhood by taking down villains of the week using not only his shocking abilities but his mind as well.

The best thing about Static is that it gave Black people (especially boys and men) an animated hero separate from anyone else to finally look up to on their television screen. There was no other show during this time that portrayed a Black hero living in a world like our own. Virgil played basketball and video games, listened to rap music (which is played as the score for many scenes) , attended school with a diverse student body with the majority depicted as Black. The show tackled racism, gun violence, bullying, trauma, and loss. 

Also, Static was funny and in a way the DC answer to Spiderman. Not only did Static Shock already have an all-star voice acting cast, the voice actors from the other DC shows joined in and even the show included special appearances from Shaq, other famous NBA players, and Lil Romeo who produced the theme song for the show used in the later seasons. 

Avengers Earth’s Mightiest Heroes / Avengers Assemble - Disney+

Marvel is a powerhouse, no doubt about it. As far as I can remember, they have always produced several animated series since the dawn of color television. However, in 2010, following the newfound success of a cinematic blockbuster and a recent acquisition by the House of Mouse, Avengers Earth’s Mightiest Heroes was created. This series introduced the original comic book Avengers lineup to a younger generation asking for more. Then more heroes and villains were shown, with origin stories that were pretty close to the comic storylines! There were crossovers with other Marvel cartoons at the time and even a spinoff Hulk series. Unfortunately, with the crowd response to the 2012 Avengers film, the series was forced to wrap up in favor of a more Cinematic Universe look and team. Enter Avengers Assemble. Another great series, which has taken some creative liberties given the fact that major storylines like Ultron and Civil War were released before the movies. So far there have been five seasons of the show and no news of a sixth so it is safe to say that the series has wrapped.

Honorable Mention

The Superhero Squad Show

This 2009 series was connected to the Hasbro/Marvel toy line; they were never referred to as Avengers and the target audience was definitely the younger kid crowd. However, I have learned to never sleep on a series based on mainstream superheroes aimed towards kids because the writers know it’s the parents who are going to be watching this and because of that I will honestly say, this show has an amazingly accurate adaptation of the comic book Infinity saga story. Not only that but each episode title screen is a call back to a famous comic or storyline. Any comic fan is guaranteed a chuckle from either these or the childish humor of the squad.

Fullmetal Alchemist: (Brotherhood) - Netflix

This amazing anime follows the story of two brothers, Alphonse and Edward Elric, in a world where alchemy is a common practice. At a young age, they lost their mom and tried to resurrect her. However, alchemy is quite the exact science and not in the way we want it to be. Not only did Edward manage to bring to life a monstrous version of their mother, Alphonse dies in the process and Edward loses his right arm and left leg. Thanks to being quite skilled as a young alchemist, Edward manages to save his brother’s soul but due to his body being destroyed, Alphonse is trapped in a large suit of armor. Following these events, they join the State Alchemist, a government organized police force, who offer them an opportunity to find the Philosopher’s Stone, an item that amplifies an Alchemist’s abilities, in an attempt to return their bodies to normal. Along the way, they become masters in alchemy as they now know the truth and are able to do things that most alchemist can’t.

Many shows adapted from their original source materials tend to not get it 100% right because it isn’t complete or the show needed to go in a different direction. Fullmetal Alchemist was one of those shows during its 2003-2004 run. Fortunately, they knew they messed up and once the manga was complete, they reanimated the entire series and kept it as close as possible to the manga, shot for shot with the new Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood anime. The best thing about this series is the focus on the brotherly bond, both who grow individually and together to become the best alchemists in their world. Also, throughout the series, there are several characters, none of whom are throwaways and almost all of whom end up holding a special place in your heart.

Chamar Griffith

Kinfolklore Contributor

Kinfolk Recommends 4: Podcasts About Race in America

Kinfolklore is a podcast about fictional stories. In fiction, stories usually have beginnings, middles, and endings. We don’t know exactly where we are in the American story. Still a young nation, America has never quite reckoned with its history of enslavement, disenfranchisement, and systematic oppression. This week we are grappling with yet another injustice. George Floyd was murdered in Minneapolis, Minnesota on May 25, 2020 by the police in the midst of the COVID 19 pandemic. He was unarmed and was black -- A story all too familiar to us. Within days, we became a nation in chaos.  

Many of our listeners and readers are trying to make sense of the long legacy of racism in this nation. In the dark, we search for knowledge, for context, for anything that will help us add order to the world. For some of you this may be the first time you are really considering the impact racism has on our society.  At Kinfolklore, we thought the best way we could help you is to assemble a list of podcasts that explore race in our society. These podcasts will help you gain perspective, and provide you with the facts for those difficult conversations. It is not a comprehensive list. But it is a start. 

We hope you and your loved ones are safe and healthy. We stand with you in difficult times. May these recommendations help you in your journey. And never forget, that Black Lives Matter.

Historical Context

1619 — This podcast from the New York Times is only 5 episodes and we recommend you listen to each one. The podcast provides thoughtful analysis of the impact of slavery on America’s history since the first enslaved person arrived in the colonies in 1619. If you are expecting a list of dates and important events, you will not receive it. Instead you will learn how slavery and enslaved people influenced every facet of the American experience from financial systems to music to health care.  (NYT)

Family Ghosts: Season 3 (Episodes 1-3) — This three-part series examines the story of Africatown, a community in Mobile Alabama, where the Clotilda, the last known slave ship to arrive illegally in the United States, landed in 1860. The podcast explores the history of the ship’s legacy, and its impact on the descendants of the enslaved people by highlighting their pain and their pride. (Spoke Media)

This American Life: Episodes 562 and 563  — This two part series, titled The Problem We All Live With, covers one of America’s longest racial struggles - school integration. Despite plenty of evidence that integration is effective education policy, most large school districts have essentially abandoned it after prolonged disputes about busing, protests, and the Supreme Court weighing in multiple times. The problem seems unsolvable. But is it? This series gives two examples of school districts that made it happen -- One of which was the very school district Michael Brown graduated from before he was shot and killed in Ferguson, Missouri in 2014. (WBEZ - Chicago)

Policing

Radiolab Presents More Perfect:  Mr. Graham and the Reasonable Man — In 1984, Dethorne Graham, a black man with diabetes, went into a convenience store for a bottle of orange juice. Within minutes, he was unconscious, injured, and in handcuffs. Mr. Graham survived the encounter but suffered several injuries. He pursued the incident in court, all the way to the Supreme Court, and their ruling set the legal standard for police brutality in the United States. (WNYC)

This American Life: Episodes 547 and 548 — Reported not long after the death of Eric Garner, a New York City man who was killed when police put him in a choke hold, this two-part series examines the division between police and the black and brown communities they are sworn to protect. (WBEZ - Chicago)

Reply All: Episodes 127 and 128 — Titled appropriately, The Crime Machine, this two-episode series examines policing in New York City and why many residents of the city see the NYPD as being a hostile presence in their neighborhoods. This series highlights the problem from the point of view of several police officers and looks at how CompStat, the data system used to analyze crime rates, has create the hostile conditions. (Gimlet)

Current Events

The United States of Anxiety — This WNYC podcast is hosted by Kai Wright. Each season explores our present anxieties and conflicts through a historical lens. Season 1 explored the divisions that Donald Trump exploited in his race to the White House -- looking specifically at communities in Long Island, New York, where voters were becoming increasingly anxious about immigration and race. Season 2 explores our increasing polarization in context of identity politics. Season 3 looks specifically at the role of gender (and race - yay intersectionality) in American politics. And finally, Season 4 asks the questions: Can we finally build a multiracial democracy in 2020? (WNYC)

Code Switch — We can’t recommend NPR’s Code Switch enough. Each week, hosts Gene Demby and Shereen Marisol Meraji talk about race and culture. The podcast explores many topics from a multicultural point of view including pop culture, race relations, history, and politics. We highly recommend listening to their recent episode: A Decade Of Watching Black People Die.  (NPR)

Pod Save the People — One of the best features of this podcast is that it is an optimistic project. Activists DeRay Mckesson, Brittany Packnett Cunningham, Sam Sinyangwe, and writer Clint Smith all deeply believe that America can be a better and more inclusive society. Whenever you’re feeling doubtful in the struggle or don’t believe progress can be made, Pod Save the People will remind you that through hard work and activism America has and can get a bit closer to reaching its potential. (Crooked Media)

Black Culture & Experience

The Nod — On this podcast Brittany Luse and Eric Eddings explore black culture and black life, from entertainment to current events. For two and half years, Brittany and Eric reflected the black experience with humor and grace.  The recently ended the podcast, but don’t worry they have a new show on Quibi. (Gimlet)

Still Processing — This culture podcast from the New York Times examines art, entertainment, and cultural experiences and is hosted by Wesley Morris and Jenna Wortham. They bring their insights and perspectives to whatever is on your television, in your ears, or on your tablet at the moment. (NYT)

Posted and written by: Andrea

What fantasy stories can teach us about optimism in hard times

Light Spoiler Warning: This post includes a few mild spoilers from episode 1 of Avatar: The Last Airbender

In our next podcast, Kinfolklore will explore the world of Avatar: The Last Airbender (ATLA), a show about a world in which an imperialist and destructive power has ravaged the fabric of society -- separating families, destroying natural resources, and throwing the world into a long war. And yet, the show’s optimism is right there at the start. A young girl, Katara, a water bender from the Southern Water Tribe, tells the audience this: 

"My grandmother used to tell me stories about the old days, a time of peace when the Avatar kept balance between the Water Tribes, Earth Kingdom, Fire Nation, and Air Nomads. But that all changed when the Fire Nation attacked. Only the Avatar mastered all four elements. Only he could stop the ruthless firebenders. But when the world needed him most, he vanished. A hundred years have passed and the Fire Nation is nearing victory in the War. [… ]Some people believe that the Avatar was never reborn into the Air Nomads, and that the cycle is broken. But I haven't lost hope. I still believe that somehow, the Avatar will return to save the world."

Her hope lies in an unlikely hero — Aang, a 12-year-old air bender, is the Avatar and he must take on the powerful Fire Nation, and return order and balance. 

In the most challenging times of my life, I retreated into stories. In the loneliness of my childhood, I found the Chronicles of Narnia and traveled through an unknown land with the Pevensie children in pursuit of justice. In the angst of my pre-teen years, Sailor Moon was there with all her imperfections, being girlie and silly and saving the world at night. In college, just when I was finding myself, I was spellbound by the impossibility of Frodo’s quest.  By the time I was a young adult, in the midst of a global recession, I followed the story of Katniss Everdeen like she was my true friend. Later, as I began to find my place in the world, I came to find a deep love and understanding for the adventures Harry, Hermione, and Ron. These stories inspire me.

Fantasy stories have always been a retreat for us. Each year thousands of children will embark on a journey with an 11-year-old boy who learns he is a wizard. They’ll follow his story as he finds his footing in the magical world, experiences losses many of them can hardly imagine, and discovers that his love and bravery — not his magic — are what make him extraordinary. The failures and triumphs those children will read about are not very different from those of the many adults who will watch or read Outlander, Game of Thrones, or The Fellowship of the Ring. But why are we so drawn to stories about other worlds? 

There are some who believe fantasy stories are childish, but most are complex – exploring themes such as religion, war, bias, and morality. They bring our world into sharp contrast with societies in which anything seems possible and they give our heroes weapons to fight injustice we cannot access — like prophecies and magic. Most of our beloved fantasy stories bring together unlikely allies, turning casual alliances into blood bonds. They redefine friendship and make us all feel a little less alone. Even when the stakes are high, we believe our heroes will rise to the occasion, because they believe in their mission and because they will do what it takes.

In ATLA, Katara’s optimism pushes the narrative forward in powerful ways. When she and her brother find the Avatar in the first episode, her optimism (and love for her new friend) drive their courageous actions. Katara and her brother, Sokka, could take a more passive approach but their belief that it's possible to restore order to their world takes them on an epic adventure. This is one of the many reasons we chose this show to podcast. This timeless story feels especially relevant now. Our reality is scary and uncertain. Chaos is always looming and the stakes of our stories feel unimaginably high.

Fantasy, in general, tends to be an optimistic genre. Our heroes will sacrifice much and fight against the odds at all costs. They usually win, but even when they don’t, the fight feels worthy. It’s never been more important for us to embrace the stories that take us on a new adventure, and reminds us that while our favorite protagonists might be magical, it's usually their humanity that triumphs in the end.

Avatar: The Last Airbender will be available to stream on Netflix starting May 15th. Kinfolklore will bring you our first episode recapping and providing analysis for the series each Thursday, starting May 14th.

Post by: Andrea

Kinfolk Recommends 3: Fantasy Books You Really Have to Read

For many of us, the first time we explored another world was within the pages of a beloved book. We’ve explored the hallways of Hogwarts with Harry, Ron, and Hermione, we’ve wandered Middle Earth with Frodo, Gandalf, and Sam, and we’ve fought alongside armored bears with Lyra Belacqua. Our first list of book recommendations are fun, thoughtful reads that will keep you engaged with their twists and turns and rapt by the wonder of a new world.

• Renegades by Marissa Meyer: A great read, particularly if you enjoy X-Men and the nuances that rise up in a superpowered society. The Renegades trilogy follows a group of prodigies, people with supernatural abilities, who struggle to make sense of a post-war world. In a time where the city is still being rebuilt, and villains still run loose who do you rally behind? The Renegades, prodigies who fight for the common good without oversight? Or the Anarchists, supervillain prodigies who were pushed into hiding after protecting their own at all costs? The lines of right and wrong are blurred, and the deeper you dig the more twists, turns, and tricks you uncover. 

• Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo: The first book in a trilogy starts off with a trip across the Shadow Fold, a barren territory in complete darkness crawling with vicious monsters called the Volcra. The journey across is necessary but almost certainly a death sentence. Yet, when Alina Starkov, a soldier, is commanded to make the trek, something unexpected happens. In an effort to defend her friend from a Volcra attack, she unleashes magic so powerful and rare, it’s only been read about. Her magic is the first real weapon against the Volcra. But she soon finds out the Volcra are the least of her concerns.

• Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler: An oldie but a goodie. Parable of the Sower by sci-fi guru Octavia Butler is the first book in a 2-book series, first published in 1993. It follows the life of Lauren Oya Olamina, a young girl with the ability to feel pain and other emotions she witnesses. Lauren lives in a society that has just about fallen apart due to climate change and socioeconomic inequality. Her family and close-knit gated community have managed to keep each other afloat and create a sense of normalcy. But when the dangers of the outside world come storming in, Lauren is forced to journey North to safety, and make some tough choices along the way. This book is not for the faint of heart, in fact if you haven’t read it yet, go ahead and put it on your 2021 reading list. This is not the year to start it.

• Maze Runner by James Dashner: Thomas wakes up in a metal elevator as it rises up to the sky entering into a grassland. With no memory of who he is or how he got there, a group of teenage boys find him and much like him, they each arrived with no recollection of their past, just their names and a goal of making it through the dangerous maze that surrounds them. However, Thomas’ arrival has now changed everything about their society and mission when the very next day, a new person enters the maze: a girl, the first girl to enter, and the last person as they learn, to do so. Thomas doesn’t know who she is but she claims to know everything about him. This first book in a 3 part series - there are also prequels - written by James Dasher sees Thomas in this race of self discovery as he joins the team of runners who try to make it to the end of the ever changing maze while avoiding the monstrous creatures roaming its corners. However, Thomas and his fellow runners soon learn that there isn’t a light at the end of every tunnel.

• Watchmen by Alan Moore: This 1987 graphic novel has exploded out of the back issues box in your local comic store to part of your literary class reading material. Watchmen, written by famous comic book writer Alan Moore and illustrated by Dave Gibbons tells the story of what happens to the world where superheroes/vigilantes are put in check. Known for its famous tagline, “Who watches the Watchmen?” We are introduced to a group of heroes who are forced to hang up their capes and cowls but now must come together when one of their own is killed. What makes it even worse, secrets of the past are unraveled and their world gets closer and closer to the explosive end foreshadowed by the nuclear arms race. This award winning 12 issue story (thankfully collected in singular trade in recent years) is the perfect allegory of the events of its time and to be frank our current state.

Post by Rocio Cuevas, Kinfolklore Contributor

Photo Credit: Sharon McCutcheon (@sharonmccutcheon)

Kinfolk Recommends 2: Engrossing Comic Books to Help You Pass the Time

At Kinfolklore, we love graphic novels and comic books. These serialized stories include incredible illustrations that stimulate our minds with incredible and fantastic plots and breathtaking artwork. We’ve compiled our favorites for you, some are household names and others are not as well known, but we think you will enjoy them all.

• Locke & Key: Now a Netflix Original Series, this series was originally written by Joe Hill, son of Stephen King, and illustrated by Chilean comic artist Gabriel Rodriguez. After a traumatic event shakes up the lives of the Locke kids forever, they move to the childhood home of their father and come across a set of magic keys. However, even though these keys are opening doors to wonderous new worlds of possibilities, behind every lock, is a nightmare echoing from their family’s past. This series is definitely worth a read not just for the magic but for the character development each person goes through, showing that even in a comic book world, characters can still be human. (Available: At your local comic store; Comixology)

• Divine and Wicked: The series written by Kieron Gillen and illustrated by Jamie McKelvie follows the story of Laura, a teenage girl obsessed with a group of pop idol influencers and actual reincarnated gods called the Pantheon. However, like fame, godliness doesn’t last forever and when you only have two years before dying and going away for another 90 years, you make the most of your time on Earth. If you are a fan of mythology, interested in seeing how the lives of humans and gods could intertwine in a more modern age and love detailed illustrations that look like they belong in a gallery, this is a series for you. (Available: At your local comic store; Comixology)

• The Boys: Now an Amazon Prime Original series, this series written by Garth Ennis and illustrated by Darick Robertson focuses on what if the superheroes we idolize were really jerks. In fact, the collateral damage and deaths they produce warrants them to be taken out of the panel of life. In comes the Boys. The televised show does a great job staying true to the content but the comic is great if you want more information of the deals and alliances going on behind the scenes. (Available: At your local comic store; Comixology)

• Hawkeye - My Life as a Weapon: Sometimes you don’t need capes, masks, otherworldly abilities and weapons, or suits of something clearly stronger than iron to win a battle. Sometimes, you just need your fists, wits, and quips...and a bow and arrow. This series written by Matt Fraction and illustrated by Spanish comic artist, David Aja, follows the story of Clint Barton trying to make a normal life for himself by moving into a Brooklyn apartment, becoming friends with his neighbors, and enjoying life. However, when the building and tenants are threatened by the Eastern European, tracksuit wearing mafia, Hawkeye must defend his new home and their right to rooftop BBQs with the help of his partner and protege, Hawkeye! Stellar writing and a great starting point if you are new to comics or a veteran looking for a more grounded series. (Available: At your local comic store; Comixology; Marvel Unlimited)

• Umbrella Academy: Now a Netflix Original Series, this comic shows that being a kid superhero isn’t what it is all cracked up to be and that growing up makes it even worse. Written by My Chemical Romance’s Gerard Way and illustrated by Brazilian comic book artist, Gabriel Bá, this story follows the Hargreeves children, kids with abilities beyond those of mortal men who had a rough childhood and now must reconnect after years apart following the passing of their adoptive father. No one likes a funeral and topping that with the return of a brother who hasn’t aged in decades and shares that the world is going to end in three days doesn’t make it any better. (Available: At your local comic store; Comixology)

• Black Panther - A Nation Under Our Feet : This series by author and journalist Ta-Nehisi Coates, reintroduces T’challa as the Black Panther and opens up the world of Wakanda even further when a coup threatens to destroy the very state of everything. In true fashion to his writing, the dialogue in this series are almost like eloquent speeches and a must read for fans of the film. (Available: At your local comic store; Comixology; Marvel Unlimited)

• Black Panther - Christopher Priest: Written by the first African American editor in mainstream comics, Christopher Priest and illustrated by Puerto Rican and classically trained painter Mark Texeria, this series helps create the mythos of Black Panther and Wakanda and solidifies T’Challa’s reputation as the ultimate statesman as he battle a coup and contends against Marvel’s very own version of the devil, Mephisto. Told through the mission reports of Everett K. Ross, this is a great read for anyone who is a fan of Marvel’s Black Panther movie (2018) as it was an impactful source material for the film. (Available: At your local comic store; Comixology; Marvel Unlimited)

• Green Lanterns: If like us you have been waiting for the DC Extended Universe buddy cop version of Green Lantern, this is definitely the series for you. Jessica Cruz and Simon Baz are forced to work together by GL veteran Hal Jordan and these two rookies are great new additions to the Corps (introduced prior to Justice League: Darkseid War) with heavy character development as Jessica, a Latina woman, learns to live with and overcome her agoraphobia and Simon, a Lebanese-American and practitioner of the Islamic faith, learning to be a hero after hating the world following the treatment he received growing up after the September 11 terror attack. Follow the new defenders of section 2814 as they go up against the GL Corps Rogues Gallery and dive deeper into the mythos of the Corp. In brightest day, in blackest night, don’t let this series escape your sight. (Available: At your local comic store; Comixology; DC Universe)

• Black Lightning - Cold Dead Hands: If you are a fan of the CW series, this limited run written by Tony Isabella and illustrated by Jamiacan comic artist Clayton Henry gives a fresh take on the Black Lightning mythos introducing a younger Jefferson Pierce in a more modern age. Black Lightning is still fighting against the injustices and racism within his neighborhood as well as some out of this world forces. We know there are few black superheroes in the game but none are as electrifying as Black Lightning! (Available: At your local comic store; Comixology; DC Universe)

• Nightwing - New World Order: No longer a Robin, Dick Grayson has made it out on his own as Nightwing, a leader amongst superheroes...now let’s fast forward to when he ends this golden age. In this six-issue miniseries by Kyle Higgins and illustrated by Trevor McCarthy, Grayson has taken away the powers of every superhero in the DC universe following a war amongst them and now leads a team of trained officers called the Crusaders who hunt the remaining supers. However, when his son starts to exhibit abilities, Grayson must go against the very system he created and work with the former friends now enemies he has been hunting. Definitely worth a read for Nightwing and (Teen) Titans fans and is a great introduction to who we fondly call “Gray Hair Grayson.” (Available: At your local comic store; Comixology; DC Universe)

• Heroes in Crisis: A nine issue series taking place after many of the events started by honorable mention comic DC Rebirth #1. In this story written by Tom King, the DC heroes find their world changed forever when Sanctuary, their mental and physical rehabilitation center for heroes recovering from post traumatic stress disorder, is attacked leading to the deaths of every hero there, except Booster Gold and Harley Quinn. Booster and Harley must overcome their differences and work together to prove their innocence while the other heroes must stop the leaking of videos from the Sanctuary revealing their secrets. Though many people would write this series off as it was billed as a murder-mystery, this is King’s call to the importance of mental health care specifically in response to the number of mass shootings that were happening during the time this comic was written. (Available: At your local comic store; Comixology; DC Universe)

Post by: Chamar Griffith

Photo by Hermes Rivera (@hermez777) via Upsplash

Kinfolk Recommends 1: Binge worthy fantasy TV to help you get through the quarantine

Bored? Stressed? Need an escape to take your mind off the quarantine? Yeah - Us too. We’ve compiled a list of our favorite shows, comics, books and movies and will be updating the blog with our recommendations to help you get through the next few weeks. This week’s post is about our favorites in fantasy/sci-fi television. What are you watching?

• Raising Dion: If you enjoy wholesome superhero content, this Netflix show is made for you. This is the origin story of a little boy who has super powers and the single mom who raises him. Thoroughly enjoyable and not too heavy.  (Available on: Netflix/ Notes: Family Friendly)

• Westworld: Robots? Check. Cool fight scenes? Check. Complicated story that will have you pondering the meaning of what it means to be human. Check. Back for its third season, after a rocky second season, HBO’s Westworld has a top flank cast and is still fresh 4+ years after it premiered. (Available on: HBOGo)

• The Boys: Superheroes are hot right now. Unlike Raising Dion, Amazon’s The Boys does not offer wholesome content. Season 1 was a wild ride. It was fun. It was dark. It was incredibly violent. The show has lot to say about the nature of celebrity, ethics, and role of corporations. The second season is due to premiere sometime during the middle of this year so if you haven’t watched it yet, you still have time to catch up. (Available on: Amazon Prime)

• The Witcher: Obviously we’re big fans of this one. We did an entire podcast season on it. The show starts out with multiple timelines in a new and strange world. If you’re a fan of mysterious and powerful magic and complicated politics this one will intrigue. One of the best things about this show is that it doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s fun. The stakes are high. And if you like going down magic rabbit holes on the internet, this one is for you. (Available on: Netflix)

• His Dark Materials: Our first season covered this HBO/BBC collaboration which explores the nature of the human condition and our relationship with religion. Sounds heavy, right? It is. But it’s also incredibly fun with talking animals and fighting bears! Also, spoiler: It’s a multiverse, with multiple worlds to explore and deeply interesting characters.  (Available on: HBOGo, Note: Family Friendly)

• Outlander: There’s really no excuse to pass on this one. Outlander is known for being a historical romance but it’s also a story with deep magical roots, a strong woman lead and complicated characters. Some of the source material is deeply problematic (hey - it was written in the 90s) but the show is excellent with strong acting, action, costumes to die for and characters from many walks of life. (Available on: Netflix)

• Orphan Black: If you’re looking for strong women leads, you can stop here. This deeply feminist, and extremely weird show, is a ton of fun and has so many twists and turns that your head will spin. The first two seasons are interesting, engrossing, and fun. It gets a little weird after that. We still highly recommend it for the incredible world building and character(s) development. (Available on: Amazon Prime)

• Supernatural: We would be remiss if we didn’t include the long running, extremely fun show about two brothers who hunt supernatural beings. At 15 seasons, this has got to be one of the longest running fantasy shows in television history. (Available on: Netflix)

Post by: Andrea