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Watch out, Peter Parker! There is a new romantic interest for Michelle aka “MJ” (Zendaya) in Spider-Man: Far From Home. His name is Brad Davis and he is played by Australian actor, Remy Hii. Best known for his work in Crazy Rich Asians and Netflix’s Marco Polo, Hii’s casting was announced last August with his […]
Writer: Jeff Lemire / Artist: Dustin Nguyen / Image Comics
Ascender #3 sprinkles in some flashbacks like Baskin Robbins on a hot summer day to help bridge the world of Descender to the upside down one we currently find ourselves in.
After the cliffhanger from issue 2 that left Andy and Mila on the run from vampiric cultists, we’re taken back and shown the moments after the finale of Descender that shows Andy and Effie in a similar escape from the robot resistance.
Lemire does a perfect job at picking and choosing what moments from the past to show us. Ya boi particularly impressed with the amount of time that we spend in these moments, as they’re always brief, while still containing so much information that informs the present. In the series of flashbacks provided in this issue, we see a lot of important moments: Andy and Effie’s seclusion on Andy’s homeworld of Dirishu-6, the birth of Mila, and Effie’s fate. These are all instrumental to the state of Andy’s mentality in the present because by choosing to show us these fundamental moments of the past ten years, it helps inform all of his hopes, desires, and fears when it comes to him and his daughter Mila.
What I find really interesting is that by showing us these moments from the past, we learn that Andy has a very limited amount of knowledge about this new world. He and Effie lived for years on Dirishu-6 before they were attacked by Mother’s followers. They weren’t around to see the rise of this new regime so one could only think that he knows about as much as we do, at least as it pertains to how Mother took control.
On the flip side of the craft, Dustin Nguyen must be having the time of his life. As I’ve mentioned before, Ascender allows him to use a different bag of tools when it comes to design, color palette, and overall aesthetic. A universe filled with magic calls for a look that sets it apart from one that’s filled with metal. But since we’re getting these flashbacks, and a lot of them, it allows Nguyen to jump back and forth in those styles in ways he hasn’t been able to do before. It’s a lot of fun as the reader. It further sets apart Descender and Ascender as a series, while somehow bringing them together as well.
I didn’t think we’d be getting this many glimpses into the past, especially not this soon. But I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I’m happy to see moments from the last series, however fleeting they wind up being in future issues.
Ascender #3 surprises with some welcomed flashbacks that really help you start to piece together the ten-year gap of time that bridges Descender to Ascender. As always, Lemire & Nguyen don’t mess around in the craft department.
9.5 Space Dragons out of 10
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Andreessen Horowitz-backed hair industry startup Mayvenn will provide free hair extension installations as part of its new business model.
If you purchase three or more bundles of hair pieces—either closures or frontals—Mayvenn emails a pre-paid voucher to use during the appointment. The voucher provides a shampoo, condition, braid down, sew-in, and style—all at no cost to the customer. Mayvenn will also select a stylist in the customer’s area to provide the service.
Additionally, Mayvenn recently partnered with QuadPay to give customers the option to pay for orders over time, in four interest-free payments.
According to a recent press release, this new service called the ‘Mayvenn Install,’ is the latest development in the company’s dedication to helping hairstylists develop entrepreneurial talents and grow their own businesses while making beauty accessible and affordable for all.
Mayvenn has powerful investors behind its platform. To date, the startup has raised a total of $36 million in funding led by Andreessen Horowitz and Essence Ventures. Other investments came from Serena Williams, Steve Stoute, Andre Iguodala, Jimmy Irvine, Cross Culture Ventures, Trinity Ventures, Impact America, and Core VC.
Diishan Imira (Image: Mayvenn)
“Now with Mayvenn Install, customers will be able to buy hair and the installation service for probably 40% less than what they normally would have paid,” said Diishan Imira, CEO and co-founder of Mayvenn in a statement. “This not only expands the consumer’s access to high quality, affordable hair, but we are also focusing on helping black entrepreneurs. I am on a mission to empower hairstylists and put the money back into their pockets.”