Sunni Rashad

Sunni Rashad

She/They Black Queer writer currently living abroad. Working on games and making art.

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    Latest Topics

    1

    Super Mario Bros. Z and the cultural impact of crossover in the digital age

    "Super Mario Bros. Z" (SMBZ), created by Mark Haynes (Alvin-Earthworm), is a fan-made web series that masterfully blends the Super Mario and Sonic the Hedgehog franchises into a dynamic, nostalgic crossover. Initially released on Newgrounds, SMBZ captivated audiences with its complex storytelling, deep character development, and innovative sprite animation, all while navigating intellectual property challenges. This series not only spurred a vibrant fan community but also inspired numerous other fan projects, highlighting the significant impact of fan creativity on the media landscape. Writers can explore the cultural significance and technical achievements of SMBZ, its role in shaping fan-made media, and its enduring legacy in the context of nostalgic reimaginings and crossovers.

      6

      Who's the best Robin?

      A comparison of characterization, compatibility, and narrative function of the Robins within the Batman and greater DC universe.

      The writer has five potential options to choose from, Dick Grayson a.k.a Nightwing, Jason Todd a.k.a Red Hood, Tim Drake a.k.a Red Robin, Stephanie Brown a.k.a Spoiler, and Damien Wayne.

      Each served as Robin for an extended period and all contrast Batman in their own ways. The writer can present a case for and against each of them both from the text and metatexually such as referring to sales or fan receptions.

      • Good start. Rather than just "who's the best," however, consider going deeper and doing a full compare/contrast between the five incarnations. Consider the strengths and weaknesses of everyone, and when you choose an overall "winner," explain why their strengths rise above the others', while their weaknesses are less egregious or more humanizing/endearing. – Stephanie M. 11 months ago
        2
      11

      Happiness, a exploration of Nihilism.

      Happiness is a vampire manga by Shūzō Oshimi. While on the surface it is a supernatural story it delves quite readily into not just other genre conventions such as science fiction body horror and coming of age romance, but examinations on the very concept of humanity, the nature and purpose of suffering and if meaning can ever truly be garnered from horror.

      The protagonist is spared from death on the whim, his friend and his friend's lover, not to mention her family, are much less fortunate. The protagonist and his love interest are subjected to grotesque trials for 50 years only for them to escape and resolve to live apart from humans, which begs the question, both textually and metatexually, what was the purpose of this?

      • I think the edits I made didn't process which is unfortunate. To clarify, Nihilism in the common understanding, is the belief that nothing in life matters, that nothing is really real. Within the plot of Happiness the Protagonist is subject to trials and tribulations that don't reveal a greater understand of the world to him within his story, his suffering doesn't better or worsen the world around him. Metatextually, the world of Happiness is similar and dissimilar to the real world, there are horrific science experiments done on people throughout human history that never yielded any medical insight. Suffering for the sake of suffering being all that was produce. What purpose does it serve to feature such a dispiriting element to the story when the ending amounts to, the main character being again isolated from humanity with the one who turned him into a vampire? – Sunni Ago 2 years ago
        8
      • A digestible yet philosophical dissection of Happiness would be an incredible read, especially if one takes the time to draw real world parallels--it is difficult NOT to feel nihilistic in this day and age, and tapping into that very real feeling of listlessness, one that inspired the concept of nihilism in the first place, and connecting it with the narrative of Happiness would underscore the humanity (both conceptually and literally) the series appears to be examining. – alliegardenia 2 years ago
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      5

      On the character and continuity of Superman

      Analyze the variation versions of some of the mediums' most popular characters and the narrative through lines (canon events) that define the character despite the other notable shifts between the character's developments.

      A good example of this is the contrast between Communist Superman in Red Son vs. Criminal Ultraman in Justice Lords vs. Tyrant Superman in Injustice vs. All-Star Superman va Mainline Superman.

      What makes the character the character when a comic's multiverse can extend infinitely? What traits define the character in relationship to their world and their readers?
      What makes a Superman a Superman?
      Strictly within DC of course, no pastiches such as Homelander and Omni-Man.
      What is the distilled version of Superman and what does it mean when the character becomes alienated from that "ideal" ?

      • Topics like this are a little too broad. Pick one character, like Superman, and some particular aspect for writers to discuss. Provide some questions for writers to answer. – noahspud 1 year ago
        1
      • I love this topic, Sunni. I might even undertake writing it. – Nyxion 11 months ago
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      • You mention specific comics here which give a potential writer somewhere to start, do you have anything you would like to add about how particular writers have portrayed Superman? – Elpis1988 11 months ago
        1
      6
      Published

      Alienation and Evil in Supermen

      Superman is a hero routinely derided as one-note. A good boyscout who is always by the books. For this topic the writer should look into the myriad supermen.

      Mainly focused on characters such as Man of Steel Superman, One Punch Man's Saitama, and Watchman's Dr. Manhattan.

      Shared between these characters is a distinct sense of alienation. Not just from their friends but from the people they protect as "heroes"

      Understanding the origins of each of their alienations and possibly comparing them to "evil" over powered characters such as Plutonian (Irredeemable), Homelander (The Boys) and Omni-Man (Invincible)

      What elements make for a character's alienation that wouldn't lead into their collapse into villainy?

      • See also Ultraman from DC Comics' "alternate universe" stories: he's literally Superman with slight alterations in his backstory that made him a villain instead of a hero. Perhaps compare to mutants in X-men as well. Apocalypse and Magneto have superiority complexes pushing them to try to take over the world, similar to Omni-Man and some of the other evil Supermen. Professor X, on the other hand, is just as powerful but does not share that philosophy. – noahspud 2 years ago
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      • Umm i think thats a bit too broadening. Marvel has a bunch of direct Superman analogues such as Blue Marvel, Hyperion, and Sentry. Bringing in Prof X and Magneto and Apocalypse is a bit off topic. – Sunni Ago 2 years ago
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      • I enjoy how Lex Luther and Superman understand each other as being two sides of the same coin, in much the same way that Doomsday Superman can't -- being being an identical polar opposite they are literally two side of that coin in strength, etc and so can only annihilate and not triumph over the other. This is ultimately unsatisfying. Lex Luther adds the dimension of an unfortunate childhood, family, daily pressures and a superior mind which Superman can relate to though never condone. – anthonyzed 2 years ago
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      • I think this would be particularly interesting if one touchd upon Arthur Miller's essay on Tragedy and the Common Man. This kinf of alienation (being larger than life, greater good, not strictly 'human' but more than human) is exactly what Miller speaks about - and why this kind of heroism might be losing its appeal because it's not relatable to the 'Common Man'. – Janhabi Mukherjee 12 months ago
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      3

      Materialist Hell: What is the ending of the Sopranos

      One of the most controversial endings in television is the ending of The Sopranos.

      A jarring cut to blackness and silence.

      Much can be speculated about the life that Tony has leading to a sudden and violent end vs. the contrasting position of a secularized hell. The core premise is, that Tony is in a constant state of death and undeath as he awaits the ending. The unending pain before it ends is as much of a torture as any demon could imagine putting him through.

      The writer should probably include a synopsis of the plot of The Sopranos along with other interpretations of the ending.

      • Okay, you're on the right track. But from the topic title and setup, I was expecting something about how and why The Sopranos and other series choose endings like this. Consider using Tony Soprano as a character who was "left in the lurch" because of this sort of ending, as well as the positive and negative results of such. (E.g., fans get to speculate about what really happened, but then again, they'll never know, so cue the Internet trolls, the arguing, the potential for awful remakes...) Add a couple more example characters. I think you could have a really deep article here. – Stephanie M. 11 months ago
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      3

      Uncut Gems: A happy ending?

      Uncut Gems is a Netflix original film about a jeweler Howard Ratner played by Adam Sandler who makes a high-stakes bet that could lead to the windfall of a lifetime but simultaneously could end up in his death.

      We see throughout the film, Howard takes numerous unnecessary risks as a gambling addict. In the end, even as he wins, he is murdered in cold blood. In a traditional story, this would be a sad ending, a tragedy.

      But, viewing the film in the modern era, as a tale not about flying too close to the sun and instead about the greatest catharsis, an ultimate victory, and the immediate cessation of future suffering.

      Howard if he continued living would have inevitably found himself in trouble, his addiction had led him to his death after all, but in the film during his greatest high, he is quickly and painlessly removed from any potential of that feeling to be lost by. He dies with his victory.

      Is that not a happy ending?

        3

        Whiplash, Black Swan and Tar: the triumvirate of obsession

        Black Swan, the obsession with being the best at the cost of all else.

        Tar and the abusive teacher

        Whiplash, the synthesis of obsession and abuse leading to a sort of harmony.

        The films concern the performing arts in their various forms, each taking a distinct POV. But all of them run a similar line of thought which is "But at what cost"

        At what cost do we sacrifice our essential being to become, "a great" in Whiplash?

        Consequently what price is too high for "perfection" in Tar, and who pays when the tab is due?

        If we aren't our accomplishments, who are we in Black Swan?

        In a society driven by a consumptive need to be the best, how much is too much to attain it?

        • It may be interesting to have The Perfection and I, Tonya as part of this discussion - especially in regards to the kind of personal motivations that drive the need to be best - even apart from individual ambition. – Janhabi Mukherjee 12 months ago
          0
        • You could make mention of Phantom Thread; this film includes a lot of references to psychoanalysis and the central character is a great example of the toxicity of a narcissistic perfectionist who projects his pedantry onto those closest to him. – Tahlia 10 months ago
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        Latest Comments

        Sunni Rashad

        Now you have.

        Eugenics in Pop Culture: Madden
        Sunni Rashad

        Sounds interesting ,where can I download it?

        Eugenics in Pop Culture: Madden
        Sunni Rashad

        Not that I’m aware of.

        Eugenics in Pop Culture: Madden
        Sunni Rashad

        Skill issue tbh fam.

        Eugenics in Pop Culture: Madden
        Sunni Rashad

        Thinking about going over some in later articles.

        Eugenics in Pop Culture: Madden
        Sunni Rashad

        That is actually a well-debated topic. I personally think fantasy racism can be interesting as long as it’s handle well. As far as creating a super race, what would be the motivation?

        Eugenics in Pop Culture: Madden
        Sunni Rashad

        Thanks so much. I debated doing a series of articles in this lens with the prevalence of Eugenics in video games. For example, the competitive Pokemon scene is notorious for selective breeding your Pokemon to get the best Pokemon and it leads to some “problematic” practices.

        Eugenics in Pop Culture: Madden
        Sunni Rashad

        I suppose but I see the critique of Capital as more fundamental.

        Alienation in "There will be Blood"