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http://www.afronerd.com/2021/12/10th-black-cb-festival-in-22-hawkeye.html

 Afronerd Radio can now be heard LIVE courtesy of Apple Music/Itunes

Time is everything, so let's just get to the festivities, shall we?  Happy Holidays and welcome to another spectacular episode of  Afronerd Radio's Mid Week in Review-airing this and every Wednesday at 8 p.m. eastern on the BTalk 100 cyber-broadcasting network.   Listen to your gamma-irradiated AFROnerdist hosts as they decipher the following issue-laden codes:  one of our favorite events returns in this post-pandemic world....the 10th annual Black Comic Book Festival to be held at the esteemed Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.  We will discuss some of the scheduled appearances as well as our expectations for Blerdom in '22; Disney+'s Hawkeye series is almost coming to a season finale and we have some thoughts about today's episode (#5th out of 6) and its feverish revelations for the rest of the MCU; didn't we just speak about NASCAR's popular Black racer, Bubba Wallace?  Well, a new trailer for a documentary centering on a debunked racial incident has raised the ire of many on GOP twitter; 

in the wake of actor, Daniel Craig's departure from the James Bond franchise, word has it that producers might make the next installment to feature a "non-binary" (huh?) version of the super spy; a medical student's illustration of a Black fetus has caused not only a stir but a much-needed evaluation of an apparent dearth of  minority representation in medical textbooks and diagrams;   

Reviews are starting to come in "hot and heavy" for the third installment of MCU Spider-man franchise, No Way Home scheduled for release this upcoming weekend; the #RecastTchalla campaign gathers more steam with Chadwick Boseman's brother, Derrick Boseman calling for his late sibling's character to be recast; and if time permits, we must speak on the recent selling of James Brown estate for reportedly 90 million.

https://blackgirlnerds.com/hammed-animashaun-on-playing-loial-the-ogier-in-the-wheel-of-time/

BGN interviews actor Hammed Animashaun (Loial) for the Prime Video series The Wheel of Time.

The Wheel of Time is one of the most popular and enduring fantasy series of all time, with more than 90 million books sold. Set in a sprawling, epic world where magic exists and only certain women are allowed to access it, the story follows Moiraine (Rosamund Pike), a member of the incredibly powerful all-female organization called the Aes Sedai, as she arrives in the small town of Two Rivers. There, she embarks on a dangerous, world-spanning journey with five young men and women, one of whom is prophesied to be the Dragon Reborn, who will either save or destroy humanity.

Interviewer: Jeandra LeBeauf

Video Editor: Jamie Broadnax

The Wheel of Time is currently streaming on Prime Video.

https://blacknerdproblems.com/world-of-krypton-1-review/

Writer: Robert Vendetti / Artist: Michael Avon Oeming and Nick Filardi / DC Comics

World of Krypton deals with the beginning of the end of the planet by the red sun that birthed heroes like Superman & Supergirl.

It follows the famous El family, right after the birth of Kara, as they attend a party for her naming ceremony. All of the Els are in attendance as they welcome the new baby into the family. Meanwhile, Jor-El gets troubling news from Nira-Ur, Chair for Natural Sciences on the council about the sudden death of a herd of Thought-Beasts. 

World of Krypton #1 was a pretty solid first issue, and Vendetti did a really good job setting up the tone of the world, which most of us come in knowing a fair bit about already.

What I found interesting is that this is a story that we already know the ending to. We know that Krypton explodes, and everyone save for a handful of Kryptonians are going to die. We get to see them navigate the beginning of the end. It’s got to be incredibly difficult to write compelling characters and make us care for them when we ultimately know they’re not going to make it. But Vendetti is able to do it with ease. I guess that’s why he’s a professional.

I also thought Vendetti did a good job of conveying the different layers of Kryptonian society. We root for the Els because they have the same name as one of the greatest heroes ever, but it’s their hubris that ultimately causes their world to die. And most of the rest of the planet hates and resents them for their status. A big source of conflict in World of Krypton #1 follows an assassination attempt from some citizens that don’t agree with the Els continued prestige.

I really like Oemings’ art on this book. He brings a stylized look that really adds to the regal tone and aesthetic that Vendetti is setting up. It also helps differentiate it from something that takes place on Earth. Not that stylized art can’t take place on Earth, but it’s just another layer that adds to the story that makes it feel unique. Also, the Kryptonian clothing on display is absolutely fire. If they weren’t all about to die, I’d say that I’d like to see them strut the runway one time for the one time.

I like this book. I can’t really say that I’m excited to see how it turns out, because I already know. But I’m interested to see how we get there.

9 Dead Thought-Beasts out of 10

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The post ‘World of Krypton #1’ Review appeared first on Black Nerd Problems.

https://blackgirlnerds.com/10-reasons-paris-is-perfect-for-the-holidays-when-traveling-solo/

After almost two years of sheltering in place due to the pandemic, getting vaccinated and traveling solo during these past few months has been life-changing. Journeying through Paris solo during the holidays gave me the perfect opportunity to rest, relax, and start the New Year with a fresh perspective. Here are ten reasons Paris is perfect for spending the holidays traveling solo.

• Mild weather. In December, the weather in Paris is crisp. Daytime temperatures typically reside in the mid-40s F (6 to 8 C), late nights and early mornings tend to be in the mid to upper 30s F (1 to 3 C), colder mornings tend to dip down into the mid-20s F (-4 to -3 C). The risk for rain and snow is low in December. 

• Walkable. Paris is much smaller than New York City. The entire length of the Champs-Élysées is 1.2 miles, and you can walk from Notre Dame to the Louvre in about 15 minutes. Paris is more walkable than most visitors think if you don’t have mobility issues. Travel light and be aware of pickpockets.

• Parisian café culture. The French café is the perfect spot for the solo traveler to drink in the city’s culture. Most cafés are open until past midnight. Guests are encouraged to order a café au lait and spend as much time as they want people watching, reading a novel, or striking up a conversation with new friends. Most of the cafés I found encouraged patrons to take their time and relax. I brought my sketch pad and journal and spent many afternoons watching people, drawing, and sketching. Allowing myself not to have to be anywhere or do anything was lovely. I could experience the luxury of being present.

• Many French people speak English. If you don’t speak French, don’t let that keep you from visiting France. A large percentage of younger Parisians can speak conversational English. It’s always best to learn as much French as you can, but English is the global language in Europe, so you can still make your way around the city if you aren’t a fluent French speaker. 

• Holiday lights. Paris is the city of lights, and during the holidays, the beauty of Paris at night is magnificent. Take evening strolls to the Montmartre district, Bercy Village, and the avenue des Champs-Élysées and behold the elegance of Christmas.

• Strict COVID-19 protocols. France has some of the most rigorous COVID-19 protocols on the planet. As I write this article, everyone must wear a mask on all public transport. Folks who are two weeks into their second dose and booster vaccinations of Pfizer, AstraZenica, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson can attend events and go to restaurants and museums with a vaccine health passport app without COVID-19 PCR or antigen tests. With new variants appearing, be sure to check the vaccination, testing, and travel requirements before you book your trip and be financially prepared for any unexpected changes.

• Fantastic tour guides. Travel provides unexpected moments of joy that live in the memory for a lifetime. While waiting for an Uber to pick me up in front of the Gare de l’Est train station, I saw a guy sitting on this substantial two-person moped. I struck up a conversation with him and learned he took people on moped rides through Paris. I booked a session with him for later in the week. The feeling of joy I felt taking in the entire city from the back of a moped was the highlight of my trip. 

• A welcoming Black community. Paris is a cosmopolitan city with a beautiful multi-racial community. The African diaspora in France accounts for about half of the African diaspora in Europe. As a Black woman traveling in more rural parts of France, I felt more vulnerable on my own and had some negative experiences, but in Paris, I was as comfortable as I am in New York City. On my first day in Paris, I realized I didn’t bring my loc sponge and was able to find a Black hair supply shop that was a 10-minute walk from my hotel. Along the way, I discovered every kind of African and even West Indian restaurants along with Indian and Asian cuisine. Some ladies at the hair-braiding salon recommended some laid-back bars in the area, and later in the week, I went to hear live music and made new friends.

• Bumble dates. Okay, single folks, the Bumble app works in France. I had a great time meeting and going on fun dates with some nice guys. The Parisians I met love their home as much as I love New York City, but the difference is that they know their city’s history. The men I met on Bumble could have been tour guides — really hot tour guides.  

• Shopping, museums, spas and food. Leave room in your suitcase because Paris is a shopper’s delight, it’s the birthplace of the restaurant and spa culture, and there are 130 museums within the city limits. I spent several days, mystified, exploring the largest museum in the world, the Louvre. Every day after my explorations, I walked back to my hotel and discovered a different café. Every single meal I ate in France was divine. 

Spending time solo during the holidays allows particularly single folks the freedom to shake off the grime of not fitting into perceived societal “norms,” to wander without the pressure of another person’s wants or needs. Why not take a trip to Paris solo this holiday season if you’re able? You may just recognize that part of your liberated best self you’ve always dreamed of being.