August 30, 2019 · 6:02 am

Daily Sexy Musing: Romantic Sparks

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As an admitted romantic, I find it fascinating how people describe love. Beyond the sexier descriptions, there’s a lengthy list of metaphors and colloquialisms we use for various stages of love. Whether it’s the first time we lay eyes on someone we love or the way we feel on our 50th wedding anniversary, there’s a metaphor for everything.

One of my personal favorites involves love being a fury of sparks. You’ve probably heard it from more than one couple. Two people start hanging out. It’s not always love at first sight, but then chemistry emerges. They start enjoying each other’s company. The next thing they know, sparks fly and things get more intimate.

I like this description because I think it nicely mirrors the overall process of romance. It doesn’t happen all at once, but it’s not a slow burn, either. Every flame, be it a candle or a raging wildfire, starts with a spark. Not every spark turns into a healthy flame, but every flame needs that spark to get going. Love works in a similar way.

The sparks are the foundation. They’re the catalyst that ignites the chemistry. It’s what turns an otherwise platonic connection into something deeper. It often starts small, but it grows into something much bigger. That growth is where all the larger complexities of romance occur, but it starts with those sparks.

I’ve experienced it before with the relationships I’ve had. I’m sure many others have felt it, as well. It’s exciting and thrilling. It gets your heart, your thoughts, and other parts of your body racing. This Daily Sexy Musing is not going to match it, but I hope it gives everyone an appreciation for those simple sparks on which all great romances are built. Enjoy!

In a sea of figures, faces, and bodies, I feel lost. Everyone is so different, but so similar. Nothing they do seems to stand out. I walk by them and they walk by me, as though we’re just shadows cast by trees and hills. There’s no connection or bond. I’m totally adrift in a sea of people.

Then, our paths cross and I am no longer lost.

We know each other, but there’s nothing mundane about our connection. In a crowd, I can find you. In you, I don’t just see a face, a body, and a collection of mannerisms. I know your kinks, quirks, and secrets. You know mine, just as well. We don’t know them all, but we’re very curious.

From that curiosity comes new energy.

From that energy comes new intrigue.

From that intrigue comes new feelings.

At the center of those feelings is a fury of sparks that shoot out in all directions.

It’s there whenever I’m around you. The air gets a little hotter, the sun shines a little brighter, and every word we say gains greater meaning. Like a magnetic force or the pull of gravity, we’re drawn together. The closer we get, the more intense the sparks.

With them, our passions ignite.

With them, our souls connect.

With them, our lives entwine.

It starts small, but blossoms beautifully. Like fuel for an engine, our love is its own wondrous flame.

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August 29, 2019 · 6:01 am

Five Terrible Life Lessons I Learned From Sitcoms

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As a kid, I loved cartoons and comics. I think I’ve made my love of superhero comics abundantly clear on multiple occasions. However, I had other guilty pleasures as a kid that weren’t as common. Among those pleasures were sitcoms.

I’m not just referring to the popular or iconic ones, either. There was a time in my life where I would literally watch any sitcom that happened to be on TV at the moment. It didn’t matter if the premise was stupid. I still watched and I still enjoyed it. I certainly have my favorites. “Married With Children” and “Malcom in the Middle” are near the top of that list.

A big part of that love came from how I consumed them. My awesome mother also enjoyed sitcoms. I often watched them with her. She even let me watch sitcoms with themes that weren’t exactly kid friendly. That didn’t stop us from laughing hysterically at episodes of “Seinfeld” together. Those were good times.

As fun as they were, I also feel like I gleaned some less-than-helpful lessons from those shows. Unlike cartoons or kids shows, sitcoms involve real people who deal with real situations. I wasn’t the smartest kid, but I knew a show that involved superheroes, killer robots, and talking turtles was wholly unrealistic. Most kids with functional brains know that.

Sitcoms were a bit trickier. When the people are real and the scenarios look real, your inexperienced can’t always make sense of it. Even as an adult, the message of a sitcom can become muddled, even if it’s not based on a ridiculous premise.

Since I probably watched more sitcoms as a kid than most people did as an adult, I think I’ve been exposed to those misguided messages more than most. As a result, I learned plenty of terrible life lessons that did not help when reality hit me with a few gut punches.

I’m not saying that sitcoms were the reasons for my problems, growing up. I don’t blame the sitcoms themselves. I think that, in terms of the bigger picture, the themes of these shows tend to get complicated when it clashes with reality. In the same way fairy tales and porn create unrealistic expectations of romance and sex, sitcoms present false assumptions for making sense of the world.

What follows are five of those terrible lessons that I surmised from my excessive sitcom assumption. If you have other lessons you’d like to add, please share them in the comments. Some sitcoms tell better lessons than others, but these are some of the worst.

Terrible Lesson #1: All Great Romances Begin As Friendships

This lesson preyed off my inherent love of romance. While superhero comics offered plenty in terms of in-depth romance and melodrama, sitcoms were a bit more limited, thanks to their half-hour format. It was a tough, but not insurmountable limitation. Unfortunately, a great many sitcoms relied heavily on flawed, incomplete concepts of romance.

The most common involved romances that begin as friendships. Shows like “Friends” built almost every meaningful romance around this concept. While it wasn’t the only sitcom that did this, it’s by far the worst offender in sending the message that an epic romance starts with a great friendship.

While that makes for good TV, it’s a very flawed approach in the real world. I’m not saying that being friends with someone can’t lead to meaningful romance. It definitely can. However, shows like “Friends” give the impression that this is the only romance that has true depth. Every other romance is just flat and uninspiring, by comparison.

In the real world, seeking friendship is a good thing, but using that as a pre-cursor to romance can come off as deceitful. Sometimes, a person wants a friend more than a love interest and if that’s the only reason you’re friends with them, then that just comes off as insincere and a little creepy.

That’s not to say that sitcoms don’t contain meaningful romance lessons. This just isn’t one of them.

Terrible Lesson #2: Everyone Always Has Ulterior Motives

Chief among the hallmarks of sitcoms are the conflicting motivations of the characters involved. Whether it’s Charlie Harper trying to hook up with a new woman in “Two and a Half Men” or Kelly Bundy trying to win a modeling gig in “Married With Children,” those motivations are rarely that complicated. The only conflict arises when they encounter others whose interests aren’t in line with theirs.

In a half-hour sitcom, there’s little room for characters whose agenda has nothing to do with that of the main characters. Unlike real life, everyone around these characters is either looking to help or thwart their efforts. There’s rarely anyone who just wants to live their life and doesn’t care if someone like Kelly Bundy gets a modeling gig for a pest control company.

While that makes logistical sense within the context of a sitcom, it has some nasty implications for the real world. It further fosters a mentality that anyone who isn’t helping you is actively opposing you. That us versus them mentality already brings out the worst in people, both in the real and fictional world.

At least in the fictional world, that mentality is somewhat justified. It often is the case that the people around you, including close friends and family, have ulterior motives. In many sitcoms, close family members are the ones who screw you over the worst. It’s not a healthy approach to dealing with the world. If you can’t trust your family, then who can you trust?

Terrible Lesson #3: Every Authority Figure Conspires Against You

When it comes to villains or antagonists, there isn’t much room for nuance in sitcoms. You’re not going to find a Walter White within those constraints. Most of the time, the bad guys in a story are painfully obvious. That, in and of itself, isn’t too big a problem. Villains don’t have to be complex to work, even in a sitcom.

However, if a sitcom does have a villain of any kind, it’s almost guaranteed to be an authority figure. They can be a parent, a teacher, or an older sibling. If they have even a shred of authority, no matter how arbitrary, you can assume they’re going to oppose the protagonists in some form or another.

Whether it’s Red Foreman clamping down on the pot smoking in “That 70s Show” or Lois being a tyrannical mom in “Malcom in the Middle,” the authority figures are always the problem. There’s really not much to their villainy. They exist solely to prevent the main characters from having fun and achieving their goals.

Now, I’m not going to claim authority figures can’t be corrupt. There are real cases of authority figures acting like real villains. There are also cases in which authority figures do genuine good. Whether it’s the leader of a country or the chief of a police unit, it is possible for someone to wield authority over others and not be an asshole.

If your understanding of authority comes solely from sitcoms, then that’s like claiming pigs can do algebra. It’s not just that power corrupts. In sitcoms, any kind of power corrupts and it does so completely. It’s as simplistic as it is absurd. In reality, there are authority figures worthy of respect and sitcoms seem to go out of their way to avoid that point.

Terrible Lesson #4: There’s Never A Reason For Someone Being A Bully

In the same way sitcoms present a simplistic view of authority and villains, they take an equally bland approach when it comes to villains. For the most part, bullies in sitcoms aren’t characters. They might as well be robots programmed to insult, denigrate, or annoy the main characters at every turn. There’s no deeper motivation beyond that. They’re just mean, unrepentant assholes.

Characters like Libby Chessler in “Sabrina The Teenage Witch” and Harley Keener in “Boy Meets World” don’t exist to give depth to a sitcom. As bullies, they’re function is to present obstacles and setbacks for others. Giving them a reason for being a bully, be it a personality disorder or past trauma, would hinder their ability to achieve that function.

While this makes sense in the context of plotting a sitcom, it grossly simplifies the concept of bullying. When it happens in the real world, it’s nothing like what we see in a sitcom. I know this because I dealt with bullies in my childhood. It did not play out like any sitcom I ever saw.

Bullies aren’t robots fueled by the whimpering cries of their victims. They are human beings too and while few will sympathize with them, few people are born bullies. They may not even see themselves as one. There are some deeper complexities to the mental makeup of a bully and sitcoms pretend those complexities don’t against.

Granted, it’s difficult for a half-hour TV show to explore and flesh out the personality of a bully. It’s considerably easier to make them an unlikable asshole who helps glorify the main characters. As a result, it’s easy to see bullies as blunt instruments rather than people you need to deal with in your day-to-day life. In such a complicated world full of complicated people, it’s bound to cause problems beyond losing lunch money.

Terrible Lesson #5: Hard Work Is For Suckers

Let’s not lie to ourselves. Growing up, we tend not to appreciate hard work. Most of us go out of our way to avoid it or when we can’t, we take the path of least resistance. Many sitcoms reflect this sentiment. They certainly aren’t the reason why people avoid hard work. That inclination existed long before sitcoms, but they do take it to extremes that can be both hilarious and asinine.

In the world of sitcoms, hard work is tantamount to waterboarding. From Lucy standing on an assembly line in “I Love Lucy” to the over-the-top slacker behavior that plays out in “Workaholics,” hard work is only a step down from bullies. It’s something every major character either avoids or gets crushed by.

Sitcoms build entire plots around characters looking for a way to get out of hard work. Francis in “Malcom in the Middle” is the personification of this struggle. He once spent an entire episode willingly distracting himself from an overdue history assignment. While characters like him often pay a price for their slacking, it’s rarely a worse alternative than hard work.

In the world of sitcoms, you only work hard if you have your dream job. Since most people don’t get their dream job, hard work is basically tantamount to defeat. That’s the main take-away from sitcoms. Anyone with just a small amount of life experience knows how flawed that is.

Even when I was working a part-time job in high school, I learned the value of hard work very quickly. It’s a means to an end. It’s something that, when done right, gives you a sense of accomplishment. While we all can’t approach it with the same passion as Hank Hill, it does have value and sitcoms would have you believe that value doesn’t exist.

I still enjoy sitcoms. I still watch them regularly when there aren’t superhero movies or TV shows to see. While they can be funny and entertaining, they can also present a very flawed concept of life, people, and how to handle it. There are a lot of bad lessons to be learned from even great sitcoms, but if they make us a laugh, then I say that’s a price worth paying.

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August 28, 2019 · 6:00 am

Jack Fisher’s Weekly Quick Pick Comic: Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #11

There’s an old saying for those of us who have read Spider-Man comics for a good chunk of our lives. Behind every strong Spider-Man is a beautiful redheaded woman. Sure, sometimes that woman is a cute blonde or a skilled thief, but it’s the beautiful redheaded woman who often makes Spider-Man the iconic superhero he is.

If ever you’ve doubted that, then “Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #11” should provide the definitive proof you’re looking for. Spider-Man, like many iconic heroes, derives as much of his strength from his supporting cast as he does his powers. For years, the bedrock of that power was his Aunt May. Then, Mary Jane Watson entered the picture and his bedrock hit the goddamn jackpot.

While their history, romantic and otherwise, has been convoluted by some rather infamous moments, Mary Jane Watson has proven to be one of the most integral components of Spider-Man’s story. It’s part of the reason why she’s his most iconic love interest and I say that as someone with the utmost respect for Gwen Stacy.

However, like many superhero love interests, Mary Jane often gets caught in the crossfire of Spider-Man’s heroic activities. There are times when she’s more damsel than lover and these days, that trope is prone to all sorts of unpleasantness.

It’s for that reason, and so many others, that “Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #11” is uniquely satisfying in how it affirms Mary Jane’s role in Spider-Man’s life. She doesn’t just prove herself and look sexy while doing it. She tells a side of Spider-Man’s story that isn’t often told.

Writer, Tom Taylor, has given plenty for both Spider-Man and Peter Parker to do since he took over the Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man series. For this issue, however, he keeps Peter Parker on the sideline. Superheroes need rest too and Mary Jane understands that. She also understands that being Spider-Man’s girlfriend requires more than just looking great in skin-tight outfits.

There are responsibilities, as well. Responsibility has always been a big part of the Spider-Man mythos, going all the way back to the days of Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. It doesn’t just apply to Peter, though. Mary Jane has her own share of responsibilities and not just with respect to being a good girlfriend.

She narrates much of this issue. Taylor doesn’t rely heavily on melodrama or standard relationship issues. Much of the dynamic between her and Spider-Man resemble that of a couple who’ve already worked those issues out. They’re just two people, managing their lives, and doing their part.

For a couple whose romance is one of the most iconic in comic book history, that shouldn’t be such a novel concept. It really shouldn’t and yet, Taylor makes it feel like the most refreshing romantic sub-plot in years. That says more about the history of Spider-Man’s love life than it does anything else.

In addition to being the focus of the story, she finds herself in a situation that usually requires superpowers or billion-dollar gadgets to deal with. It’s not the most daunting situation she’s ever been in. There’s no Green Goblin or Sinister Six to deal with. Even so, it has all the traits of a conflict that usually requires her being rescued.

However, that’s not how it plays out. On top of showing why Mary Jane Watson is such a great superhero girlfriend, “Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #11” proves she’s just as capable in those situations. She doesn’t have super-powers, unless you count being irresistible to heterosexual men. For this particular story, she doesn’t need them.

Whereas most civilians would just run at the sight of a threat that requires a suit of armor or a magic hammer, Mary Jane steps up to help. She still can’t do it alone, but she still finds a way to seem as capable as any experienced her.

It’s not just her choice. She sees it at her responsibility. It shows that Spider-Man has influenced her every bit as much as she has influenced him. That doesn’t just belabor why she’s so important to both Spider-Man and Peter Parker. It perfectly reflects the larger themes of Spider-Man, as a whole.

While the news surrounding Spider-Man’s movies are making all the headlines, comics like “Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #11” prove why his story is so endearing. There have been countless comics that show Peter Parker rising to the occasion, fighting crazy super-villains, and saving the day. This comic shows how taking those responsibilities seriously help inspire others to do the same.

Mary Jane Watson may never win a fight against Rhino or the Green Goblin, but Taylor makes it abundantly clear that if she has the power to help in a situation, she won’t back down. She’ll fight when others run away. She’ll be strong when others can’t. She’ll look sexier than Peter Parker ever will in the process, but that’s more a bonus than a responsibility.

Throughout her history, Mary Jane Watson has shined in many ways, both on her own and as Spider-Man’s top love interest. A book like “Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #11” might not be her most iconic moment, but it shows in a single issue why she’s such an amazing part of Spider-Man’s spectacular story.

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August 27, 2019 · 5:57 am

Daily Sexy Musing: College Sweethearts

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It’s that time of year again. As I write this, many new or returning college students are kicking off a new school year. It’s a stressful, but exciting time, especially if it’s your first time away from home. I certainly remember my college experience. I freely admit that one year of college taught me more than all four years of high school and not just with respect to knowledge.

College isn’t just about getting a diploma, getting away from parents, taking on heavy debt, or attending frat parties. At its core, college is often a critical step between adolescence and adulthood. It’s the last top on the highway to becoming a functional adult. Some make that transition better than others. Those who thrive often do so because they have help.

A big part of that help comes from college sweethearts. Talk to anyone who went to college and chances are they’ll speak fondly of their college sweetheart, even if they didn’t stay together. In the same way living on your own gives you a taste of adulthood, a college sweetheart gives two people a chance to have a relationship on their terms.

There’s no more sneaking around, avoiding parents, or trying to find private spaces to get frisky. In college, you have your own space. You have your own life. You get to decide whether or not to share it with someone. It’s a powerful feeling and one I know well. I had a girlfriend in college. Even though it only lasted about nine months, I learned a lot from her. That’s on top of the passionate moments we shared.

Not everyone is lucky enough to have a college sweetheart. Those that do know just how special they can be. It’s a true sign that you’re ready to be an adult and share that adult life with someone. I know college sweethearts that went onto get married. It’s a special kind of love and one that warrants a Daily Sexy Musing. Enjoy!

It’s a new phase of life. We both take a step into the adult world, but kept one foot in the domain of carefree youth. High school is behind us. College awaits. What it means and where it leads us is unclear, yet exciting. We navigate and endure it, not planning to fall in love.

Then, it happens.

As we enter our last step to adulthood, our paths cross.

As we begin to chart our futures, our lives become entwined.

As we contemplate what we want to be, we find a shared desire.

We’re still young and adventurous, but eager to grow and evolve. At times, we behave like reckless teenagers madly in love. We dare to be playful, laughing with foolish glee and carefree spirit. I hold your hand in public. You whisper sweet, lurid sentiments into my ear. Others look on in envy or bemusement. In our youthful mindset, we laugh it off.

However, there’s nothing immature about our love.

We are not just teenagers, discovering the thrills and upheavals of love. In you, I see both the future and the present. To be with you, from a simple kiss or heated lovemaking, is to expand my heart and open my soul. Sharing a moment is one thing. Sharing a live is quite another.

In college, we seek to find ourselves.

In college, we learn what drives our soul.

In college, we begin to build our own world.

By finding each other, we learn a lesson more profound than any class or diploma. Finding you, my college sweetheart, taught me something I never expected to learn. You tested my heart, my soul, and my ability to contemplate a new life. Thanks to your love, I pass that test with ease.

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August 26, 2019 · 6:05 am

Five Things I Hope To See In The Upcoming “Ms. Marvel” Show

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Every so often, I get news that excites me like a kid in a candy factory. It doesn’t happen often these days. As adults, it’s hard to get too excited when bills, the news, and traffic do plenty to dampen your spirits. Then, it happens and your world is better because of it.

This past weekend, I got a much-needed dose of that excitement. At Disney’s annual D23 Expo, Marvel Studios announced that they’re making a live-action Ms. Marvel TV show for their Disney+ streaming service. As someone who has praised Ms. Marvel’s comics and her contributions to female superheroes, I freely admit I jumped for joy when I saw this.

I know the news surrounding Disney hasn’t been good lately, given what has been happening with Spider-Man. I also know they’re in a bit of a transitional period after the conclusion of “Avengers: Endgame.” Despite these issues, Marvel Studios and their Disney overlords still want to make money. They’ve got plenty of high-profile movies on their slate, but this could end up being a bigger deal.

I say that as an unapologetic fan of Ms. Marvel and all things Kamala Khan. I also know that Disney is looking for any possible edge to promote their new streaming service and take a bite out of the market share that Netflix currently dominates. I admit I wasn’t planning on subscribing. Shows about She-Hulk, the Scarlet Witch, Vision, and Moon Night sound fun, but not enough to justify the cost.

That all changed with Ms. Marvel. As far as I’m concerned, she’s the only reason I’ll be getting or keeping a Disney+ subscription. There’s a lot to unpack with this announcement. I doubt I’ll cover all of it here, but for now, I’d like to take some time to articulate the extent of my excitement.

To that end, I’d like to share five things I hope to see in this upcoming series. Kamala Khan is one of those characters who can capture the heart, soul, and spirit of the superhero genre. Her entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe couldn’t be better. These are just some of the things that could make it even more marvelous.

Number 1: The (Many) Quirks That Make Kamala Khan Lovable

Any TV show, comic book, movie, or video game involving Kamala Khan must make its first priority to capture the essence of what makes her so endearing. Being a superhero is only small part of her overall story. What makes Kamala great is the many little things that define who she is.

She’s not just a teenager who gets superpowers and decides to start fighting criminals. She’s a self-professed fangirl. She loves playing video games, eating gyros, and writing fan fiction. These quirks are small, but numerous. They’re real things that people in the real world can relate to. That makes it easy to understand and appreciate her passions.

When I first read about Kamala in “Ms. Marvel #1,” I immediately grew to like her. She came off as the kind of girl I would’ve been friends with in high school. She presents herself as someone who behaves how you would expect a teenage girl to behave in a world where superheroes existed. She has a good family, a good heart, and an adventurous spirit. How can you not love that?

She’s also an outsider and not just because she’s a Pakistani Muslim girl living in Jersey City. Like most teenagers, she’s uncertain of her place in the world. She struggles with real issues, even before she gets superpowers. Those issues stay with her, even as she develops her superhero identity. It makes her easy to like and even easier to root for.

A TV show can’t just focus on her beating up bad guys and making witty one-liners. Plenty of other superheroes already do that, some better than others. It has to highlight, if not belabor, the distinct traits that have helped make her one of Marvel’s most successful female characters. There’s a lot to love and with a TV show, there’s plenty of room to explore it.

Number 2: Relatable Teenage Melodrama (Compounded By Being A Superhero)

Along with the traits that make Kamala Khan so lovable, there’s also the unavoidable battle that is teenage melodrama. Everyone faces it. Superpowers don’t make you immune to it. The last two Spider-Man movies have made that abundantly clear. A TV show provides more time and flexibility to flesh out that melodrama.

In the first few issues of Ms. Marvel’s comic series, which I highly recommend, she deals with a lot of teen angst and uncertainty. In fact, that sentiment is the very thing that prompts her to defy her parents and sneak out at night to a party that would ultimately end with her getting superpowers. In a very literal sense, teenage melodrama helped make Ms. Marvel who she is.

She’s not sure of where she fits in. She clashes with her parents. She argues with her friends. She also is starting to have feelings about other boys, which have made for some wonderfully sweet moments. She deals with all of this on top of being a superhero.

Like a young Peter Parker before her, these different aspects of her life often clash. One tends to undermine the other and it does plenty to overwhelm her at times. That often brings out the best in her and any TV show would be wise to present those moments.

Number 3: The Family And Supporting Cast That Help Make Her Who She Is

Like every major hero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Ms. Marvel’s greatest strengths often stem from her supporting cast. Tony Stark wouldn’t have achieved what he did without Pepper Potts. Carol Danvers wouldn’t have accomplished what she did without Nick Fury and Goose the Cat. Kamala Khan is no different.

In “Ms. Marvel #1,” we learn plenty about Kamala’s supporting cast. She has two loving parents who tend to be overprotective of her. She has an uptight brother named Aamir, who tends to intrude into Kamala’s personal life more than most siblings. She also has a friend/love interest in Bruno who had a front-row seat in seeing her become Ms. Marvel.

Each one of these characters helps shape Kamala into who she is, before and after she gets her powers. They support her, but they also complicate her efforts. While none of them have to die for her to be the hero she strives to be, they all make their on contributions to her story. In the same way Superman’s parents guided his heroic journey, Kamala’s friends and family informed hers.

Unlike Superman, Kamala endured a pretty rocky road to establishing herself. However, at no point did her creator, G. Willow Wilson, give the impression that her friends and family were just background decorations. They all care for her. They worry for her. They all want what’s best for her, even when they’re rarely on the same page.

A TV show featuring Kamala has to capture at least part of that family/friend dynamic. Even a fraction of Kamala Khan’s supporting cast from the comics can do plenty to make for a rich, engaging TV show.

Number 4: The Struggles (And Triumphs) Of A Growing Hero

There’s no getting around it. Kamala Khan screwed up more than once when she started off her superhero career in the comics. While she managed to save one life the first time she used her powers, she ended up getting shot the second time. Even before that, she struggled to master her powers in ways that were both understandable and hilarious.

It’s a critical part of every superhero’s journey. With new challenges come new struggles. Some of those struggles devolve into outright failures. Even the best heroes fail sometimes and Kamala had more than her share in the comics. Any TV show that tells the story of her journey cannot and should not gloss over those struggles.

With Kamala, however, the struggles matter even more than the triumphs. While many heroes may lament at their failure, Kamala tends to get a lot more animated. She’s passionate about what she does and has a tendency to wear those passions on her sleeve. It’s part of what makes her lovable. It also reminds everyone that she’s still a teenager. She’s still growing and maturing.

One of the things I love most about Ms. Marvel comics is seeing her grow with each passing story. The first dozen issues had more growth for Kamala than the last 100 issues of Amazing Spider-Man. Along the way, there were missteps, heartbreaks, and victories. They all just made me want to root for Kamala even harder and if a TV show can accomplish that, it’ll do plenty to justify a Disney+ subscription.

Number 5: A Vision For Young (Idealistic) Heroes In A World That Needs Them

From the beginning, Kamala Khan connected with fans like me because she radiated this ideal spirit that a lot of people once had in their youth. Time, age, and watching too much news has a way of crushing that idealism over time, but most of us still remember why it was so important to us.

As Ms. Marvel, Kamala carried herself as the kind of young, idealistic hero that many of Marvel’s traditional heroes grew out of years ago. The comics, themselves, became jaded as the very act of heroism gained major complications, both from events within the stories and influences from the real world. That’s part of what made Kamala a breath of fresh air.

She might be young, naïve, and impressionable, but she’s also exactly what we need right now. The MCU just suffered some devastating losses. The world, as a whole, is still recovering from the events of “Avengers: Endgame.” This world still needs heroes. Even though it still has plenty, it doesn’t have someone like Ms. Marvel.

She can be the hero that emerges from the chaos of this broken world and shows what dedicated heroes can accomplish. She can show everyone that, even in the face of heavy losses and broken hearts, there’s a place for pure, uncorrupted heroics. You don’t need to be a billionaire playboy genius philanthropist, either. You can just be a teenage Pakistani American girl from Jersey city.

I cannot overstate how excited I am for Ms. Marvel to get her own show. I imagine I’ll be writing about it a lot once it comes out. There’s a lot I hope to see for this show, the comics, and the MCU. If Marvel Studios can capture even a fraction of what makes Ms. Marvel great, then the future of that world and ours will be that much brighter.

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August 25, 2019 · 12:02 am

Jack Fisher’s Sexy Sunday Thoughts: Manly Musk Edition

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Anytime someone mentions men’s body odor, it’s rarely in a positive context. People only ever seem to talk about how men smell when they smell bad. It’s not just women who do it, either. Other men are guilty of this as well. I’m even guilty of it from time to time. I’ve even been accused of going overboard with aftershave on more than one occasion.

It doesn’t change the fact that men have a distinct musk. Put a blindfold on most people and sit them in a room with a smelly person and chances are, they’ll be able to tell whether that person is a man or woman. It’s not just a product of marketing for overpriced aftershave. Musk is a real biological phenomenon and it has real effects, which includes the very sexy kind.

Musk is very distinct from odor. A man who rolls around in cow shit all day is going to have an odor. A man who works hard over the course of the day, earning his keep and providing for his loved ones, is going to have a musk. My dad had one every time he came home from work. I know I have one, especially during the summer months. Friends and ex-girlfriends have told me as such.

A good, manly musk is one of those subtle, yet powerful manifestations of sex appeal that doesn’t get enough credit. I hope that changes over time. When done right, both women and gay men do take notice of a good, manly musk. It helped inspire this batch of my Sexy Sunday Thoughts. I hope it inspires more than that. Enjoy!

“Logically speaking, a happy ending also counts as testing orgasmic reflexes.”

“Spicy foods are basically BDSM for your mouth.”

“Is it ever possible to effectively punish a masochist?”

“How someone takes care of their genitals says just as much as how they tend to their lover.”

“Having a good lover is like having a favorite show, but having a good marriage is like having a favorite channel.”

“Does a three-way with twins truly count as a three-way?”

“Technically, rough sex can be a form of tough love.”

Smell is a powerful sense, but one we tend to only think about when something smells either really good or really bad. I’m all for good hygiene and grooming, but I’m also for preserving the more subtle forms of sex appeal. A man can do a lot to make himself sexually appealing. A good musk can and should be part of that noble effort.

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August 24, 2019 · 10:20 am

“The Summer Moon Challenge” A Sexy Short Story

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The following is a sexy short story that was inspired by an elaborate dare someone allegedly made back in high school to a couple. I don’t know if they ever carried out the dare. I don’t know if they were even serious. I just know that it inspired a sexy story with a romantic twist. Enjoy!

It started off as a dare. Years ago, a young couple was dared by their peers – who might have been drunk, depending on the version of the story – to put their love to the test. At the time, it was dangerous. If they failed or were caught, then they would’ve been in big trouble. However, if they succeeded, then their love would endure for the rest of their lives.

According to the story, the first young couple succeeded. They then went onto get married, have kids, and stay married for over 50 years. Since then, it became known as the Summer Moon Challenge. Other young couples attempted to match their feat. Carrie Burns and her boyfriend, Derek Dryer, were just the latest.

“It’s almost time,” she said as she anxiously watched the clock. “God, why does time have to move so slow?”

Carrie paced restlessly in her bedroom, hugging her shoulders and glancing out her window every other second. It was ironic. She used to laugh at the couples who attempted this strange, yet adventurous challenge. More than one couple had been caught and a few had failed in hilarious ways. She never thought she’d be the kind of girl to try it.

Then, she met Derek. For the first time in her life, Carrie got a taste of what it felt like to be in love with someone. While she’d been attracted to her share of men, she never knew the kind of love that made people do such crazy things. Having been with Derek for over a year, she understood its power, but she’d never tested it.

That was about to change.

“I hope we’re ready for this,” Carrie said as her thoughts drifted to Derek. “I don’t care if the legend is real. I want this to be it. I want our love to be that special.”

Her gaze drifted to the picture of her and Derek that she kept on her dresser. She finally stopped pacing. She smiled at the memory of when it was taken.

They’d gone to his sister’s wedding together. It was the first major family event he’d attended. Before it ended, people were already asking about when they were getting married. They’d been embarrassed, at first. As the night went on, it didn’t seem that outrageous. The way she and Derek carried themselves felt real.

They were young.

They were in love.

They wanted to be together.

In just a few minutes, Carrie would find out just how strong that desire was.

“I know I’m ready,” she said as she looked at the picture. “I’ve never been more ready for anything in my life.”

Her heart raced as the seconds ticked away. It began at the stroke midnight during the first full moon after the Summer Solstice. It didn’t matter what the weather was like. It could’ve been a cloudless sky or a full-blown hurricane. The lovers who took up the Summer Moon Challenge had to trust each other and forces beyond their control to see it through.

Finally, the moment came. Carrie lost herself in the picture of her and Derek long enough to make it through the final countdown. Her alarm went off, just as she’d prepared. Knowing Derek’s had gone off at that exact moment, the time for doubt had passed.

Fate, love, and a unique tradition had dared them. She and Derek were ready to respond.

“Finally!” Carrie said, excitement taking over her restlessness.

Without a shred of hesitation, she shed her clothes. She hadn’t been wearing much to begin with. As per the story, she wore the same pants, shirt, and underwear she’d worn the previous night. Carrie had never gotten undressed so quickly before in her life. She’d also never had so much incentive.

“You’re already picturing it, Derek,” Carrie mused as she slipped out of her panties. “I know you are. I am too. Trust me. I want it just as much!”

Now fully nude, she followed the next step. She opened her bedroom window and climbed out into the muggy, mid-summer night. It was a good thing her room was on the first floor of the two-bedroom house she shared with two former schoolmates. There had been more than one story about lovers getting injured for sneaking out of a second-story window. Neither she nor Derek had that problem.

Already, it felt jarring. As soon as her feet touched the soft grass below her window, it dawned on her.

“I’m naked! I’m outside…in the dead of night…naked.”

Carrie’s mind raced, but her excitement never waned. This was so unlike her. She was the same girl who didn’t like getting undressed around other girls in a locker room. Now, there she was, fully nude and out in the open.

It was risky, dangerous, and bold. At the same time, it was exhilarating. It filled her with more energy than she had ever felt after midnight. It also aroused her more than she’d expected. Already, she felt a growing heat between her thighs and it wasn’t due to the summer humidity.

“I’m on my way, Derek!” Carrie said intently.

Armed with both energy and motivation, she commenced the next part of the challenge. She ran full speed through the backyard of the house, hopping the fence at the north end of the property, and entered the large wooded that dominated the center of the county.

It was a strange, but thrilling experience, running naked through the night. The wet grass under her feat, the brisk air passing over her naked skin, and the way her breast bounced with every stride felt so liberating.

It was like a return to nature, shedding her clothing and leaving behind the comforts of her home. She didn’t expect it to feel so refreshing. She didn’t expect it to make her feel horny, but that might have had more to do with the next part of the challenge.

“You’re closer, Derek. I can feel it!” said Carrie through labored breaths.

Impassioned and determined, she followed the narrow trails through the woods. The light of the full moon illuminated the path before her. Carrie took it as a promising sign. There were few clouds above. The beaming glow of the full moon, combined with the presence of fireflies, sent a message that there was a higher power at work.

That power, whatever it was, wanted her and Derek to see this through. The only obstacle was the strength of their passions. As she neared her destination, she felt that strength push her beyond her limits.

Carrie had never run so hard for so long. She’d never been so driven to seek someone, fully clothed or otherwise. Her leg muscles burned, her lungs strained, and her feet became dirtied by mud. Whereas other couples might have pulled back, she kept going until she reached a special clearing.

“There it is. I see it!” she said into the darkened night.

It was even more beautiful under the moonlight than she’d imagined. A tall, thick oak tree that towered over many others came into view. Dozens upon dozens of fireflies congregated around it, giving a halo that helped it stand out amidst the dense woods.

As Carrie approached, she marveled at its grandeur. She also kept an eye out for the man with which she’d embraced this challenge. He was nowhere in sight, but she was not dissuaded. Needing to catch her breath, she approached the thick base of the tree and looked over the trunk.

At that moment, a brisk wind blew through the clearing. Even in the middle of summer, it sent chills down her naked body. That exposed feeling was easy to ignore while running. Being under a tree, in the middle of the woods, and completely nude was still jarring, but not enough to give her second thoughts.

“He’ll be here. I know he will,” Carrie kept telling herself.

She hugged her shoulders, covering her breasts briefly as she looked around for her lover. As Carrie caught her breath and waited anxiously, she noticed something on the trunk of the tree. It hadn’t been there when she and Derek selected it, as required by the challenge. At that moment, warm feeling came over her that completely naked any late-night breeze.

“Oh Derek…you wonderfully cunning man,” she said into the night.

“I was hoping you’d see it,” replied a familiar voice.

It was a sweet gesture that affirmed what she’d hoped. She and Derek were going to complete the Full Moon Challenge. It was destiny.

Within the trunk, Derek had carved a message. It was simple, but sincere. It included her initials and his, encompassed in both a heart and the moon. It was the universal symbol of the Summer Moon Challenge. Typically, it was only carved into the tree after it was complete. Derek had chosen to be proactive. It showed just how confident he was in their love.

“I stopped by this afternoon. I didn’t want to wait. I didn’t see the point,” said Derek as he emerged from behind the tree.

“Spoken like a man who has a lot of confidence in his girlfriend,” said Carrie as she touched the carving.

“I just ran half-a-mile through the woods naked, my dick and balls flapping wildly every step of the way,” he told her. “I don’t think confidence begins to cover it.”

Carrie turned away from the tree and towards her approaching lover. Sure enough, he was as naked as her. If his muddy feet were any indication, he’d run just as hard through the dense woods, exposing himself to the elements.

In the soft glow of the moonlight and fireflies, he looked so beautiful. Every masculine sinew and feature lay exposed before her. She’d seen Derek naked before. She’d touched him, tasted him, and made love to him on multiple occasions. However, there was something special about seeing him naked under the light of a full moon on a balmy summer night.

He could tell from the beaming grin on his face that he appreciated the spectacle just as much. Standing before him, she made no effort to cover herself. She wanted him to see her feminine features under the light of the moon and the shade of a tree. It reflected the essence of the Summer Moon Challenge, putting them in a unique setting with which to channel their passions.

“Damn, you’re beautiful,” Derek said to her. “I know I’ve said that many times before, but still…”

His words trailed off. Derek was usually so good at putting into words how much he loved her, but for once, his vocabulary failed him. Carrie took a step closer and offered a loving grin of her own.

“It’s okay. Sometimes, what we say can never fully convey what we feel,” said Carrie. “I think that’s the point of the challenge.”

“You sure? The way I heard it, the first couple who did this were just fooling around behind their parents’ back.”

“Their reasons don’t matter. The feelings that drove them to do it…that’s why it endears. That’s also why I wanted to do this with you. I could never tell you how much I love you, Derek. Through this…a challenge, a test, or whatever you want to call it…I can show you”

Carrie could already feel the passion between them escalating. Like two lost souls drawn together, they approached each other. There happened to be a small patch of thick grass just under the carving. That was where they met.

Without saying a word and with more fireflies buzzing around their naked bodies, she and Derek embraced. As soon as she felt his skin touch hers, the final part of the Summer Moon Challenge commenced.

“Derek?” she said while gazing into his eyes.

“Yes, my darling Carrie?” he said as he caressed her face.

“Make love to me. Make love to me right here…under this tree…under summer moon.”

According to the story, those were the exact words the woman said to her lover. Every couple that had attempted the Summer Moon Challenge repeated that line, as if to channel the passions of that first couple. Within Derek’s loving embrace, she could feel the spirit of those lovers find them.

“Right here…under the summer moon,” he said distantly.

“Under the summer moon,” Carrie repeated.

In a final echo of this story that had echoed through the years, she and Derek kissed. Even in the windy, midnight summer humidity, it tasted so sweet. Finally, passions could flow freely, unburdened by uncertainty and reservation.

The kiss naturally evolved into foreplay. With their lips softly entwined, they touched and caressed each other’s naked bodies. Carrie pawed his chest while he fondled her butt, tracing a path up her feminine curves, taking full advantage of their nude state. The brief gusts of wind gave them even more incentive to immerse themselves in one another’s intimate heat. It quickly built an arousal that had been sparked before they’d arrived.

That heat between her legs turned into something more tangible. Her thighs rubbed together in anticipation, her womanhood becoming wet and engorged despite the brisk winds. Derek achieved a similar arousal. In his embrace, she felt his manhood stiffen rapidly. The touch of naked skin, combined with her affectionate pawing, got both his passions and his blood flowing in the right direction.

Dazed by passion, the challenge became secondary. Their focus was each other and their intentions were clear. She and Derek were going to take their love and turn it into a physical act under the light of the moon. Between the buzzing fireflies and the chorus of crickets echoing through the trees, it felt like as though nature was urging them to make love.

Neither she nor Derek needed that much urging. She felt him slip his hand between her thighs where he cupped the outer folds of her pussy, as if to confirm that she was as aroused as him. She let out a sharp gasp, shuddering within his embrace to leave no doubt.

“Derek…take me,” Carrie told him.

Breathing heavily, his gaze locked with hers, the man who dared to share this fateful challenge obliged her. He eagerly grasped her hips, lifted her up into his powerful arms, and laid her down upon the soft grass just in front of the trunk of the tree.

Carrie clung to his shoulders, never diverting her gaze from him. More fireflies swirled around their naked bodies as he got on top of her, positioning himself between her legs and aligning their bodies in preparation for their intimate union.

“Carrie…my love,” he said.

Again, his words failed him. That didn’t matter, though. For once, Derek let his actions do the talking. It was the only way to adequately convey their love.

His grip in her hips tightened, as did her grip on his shoulders. She hitched her legs around his waist in anticipation, feeling his hardened manhood rub up against her wet entrance. With their eyes still locked, he thrust his hips forward and entered her.

Hard masculine flesh entered hot feminine depths.

Powerful feelings that could not be put into words became real actions.

Under the light of the moon, the challenge was officially complete.

“Oohhh Derek!” Carrie cried out, her blissful cries shattering the silence of the night.

It was a scene right out of myth and legend. Two lovers had come together under the light of the moon. Guided by passion and desire, they expressed their love in an intimate act for nature to see. It proclaimed to the universe that their love was special and worth celebrating. The Summer Moon Challenge was just their way of proving it.

Derek was extra-motivated. Imbued with primal passion, he rocked her body with his, working his hips and caressing her body with the utmost care. He’d made love to her before, but never with such focus and fervor. With every motion, he let out a grunt that echoed with a very masculine strength. It drove Carrie wild in ways she’d never experienced. Beyond just stimulating the intimate depths of her core, it gave her a rush that compounded the intimacy.

In the mid-summer heat, sweat formed on their flesh, allowing their flesh to seamlessly glide together. From the ruffle of the grass to the gusts of wind to the swirling fireflies, it felt like nature was cheering them on. She and Derek responded in kind.

“We’re really doing it,” Carrie gasped as her body rocked. “Here…under the moon…we’re making love. Ooh I love it!”

“Mmm…me too!” said Derek, just before he kissed again.

Inspired and impassioned, they mixed up the pace and form of their lovemaking. Carrie shared in the exertion, rolling her lover over, getting on top of him, and riding his cock with the same vigor as he’d done before. He used that as an opportunity to fondle her breasts and squeeze her butt. He was always playful during sex, but he never lost focus.

Under the tree and the beaming moonlight, they rolled around and made love in various positions, not minding the dirt and grime that clung to their naked bodies. Not one ounce of passion could go to waste. She and Derek were determined to make the Summer Moon Challenge the ultimate manifestation of their love.

Under the weight of those vented passions, the culmination of that love drew near. Carrie felt it coming strong. It was an orgasm like no other, a byproduct of shared passion with an incredible lover. She sensed Derek holding back for her, wanting to enjoy the feeling for as long as their bodies allowed. As she neared that special edge, she caressed her lover’s face firmly and locked her eyes with him once more.

“Derek…I’m close! I’m so…so close!” she told him.

“So…so am I, Carrie,” he said through labored grunts.

“Please…let’s do it together. Let’s…share this…together!”

The pace of their sex intensified.

Derek got on top of her again and found his second wind, unleashing one last round of powerful thrusts to carry them into that world of ecstasy. Carrie let her blissful moans guide him through the final steps.

Then, it happened. In what felt like the most fitting triumph to the Summer Moon Challenge, she and her lover achieved orgasm together.

“Ohhh Derek!”

“Carrie!”

It was beautiful. She couldn’t tell if their peak was perfectly simultaneous, but that didn’t matter. It still felt incredible.

She curled her toes, dug her nails into her lover’s back, and threw her head back in an orgasmic outburst that echoed throughout the woods. Outside, she didn’t have to concern herself with disturbing the neighbors or making a scene. Out in nature, she could articulate her ecstasy to the greatest extent possible.

Derek clung to her as hard as she clung to him, caressing her face with one hand while clinging to her thigh with the other. She watched his expression become awash in ecstasy as he got his release. She could feel his manhood and her womanhood throbbing together, sharing in the flow of ecstasy.

They soaked in every sensation together, their bodies shuddering together under the weight of the feeling. They lingered in their intimate union, their gasps and moans eventually fading into the echoes of the night. Even after their flesh parted, they remained in an intimate embrace. Derek lay beside her, his powerful arms wrapped around her while she lay curled up next to him. Like a powerful bond, locked with pleasure and passion, their love was secure.

“I love you,” Derek told her in his blissful daze.

“I love you too,” Carrie said with a beaming grin.

“We did it! We completed the Summer Moon Challenge,” he said with a proud grin.

“You know how the story goes. You know what that means for us, right?”

“Of course! But there’s one part of that story I think most overlook.”

“Oh yeah? What’s that?” Carrie asked curiously.

“The first couple who did this didn’t endure because they completed the challenge. They endured because they were willing to run naked through the woods together for quality lovemaking! Honestly, can you think of a better way to affirm your love?”

 

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August 23, 2019 · 5:58 am

Daily Sexy Musings: Vacation Loving

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There’s a reason why summer often goes hand-in-hand with vacation and it’s a damn good reason. The kids are out of school. There aren’t many holidays to plan around. Pools, beaches, and resorts are open. The weather is warm so the need for excess clothing is limited. In terms of having the right conditions, summer has it all.

As I write this, I’m enjoying an overdue vacation. For me, that usually means spending a few days at the beach, soaking in some sun, and hitting up beach bars. In terms of relaxation, it’s the most enjoyable activity I can do with my clothes on. I don’t get to go on vacations very often, but when I do, I try to make them count.

The same holds true for couples. If you’re with someone, be they a spouse or a lover, a vacation is a perfect opportunity to celebrate the full breadth of your love. There’s no work to be done or jobs to worry about. It’s just the two of you, enjoying your time together and all the sexy opportunities that come with it.

I understand that some people are in a better position to enjoy a summer vacation than others. Whatever your situation, I hope everyone gets a chance to get away from it all this summer. We all need to step back and enjoy the sweeter side of life. This Daily Sexy Musing is my way of motivating people and their lovers to do just that. Enjoy!

We’ve done it.

We’ve escaped our daily grind.

We’ve ventured beyond our familiar settings.

At last, we’re on vacation.

This is no longer a time for toil or tedium. Together, we seek both relaxation and reprieve. The world is bigger than our typical works and tasks. There are places to be, lands to explore, and time to enjoy. There are so many places we can go and people we can see. What’s most important is that we’re somewhere that allows our love to roam free.

Maybe it’s a sandy beach on a tropical island.

Maybe it’s the deck of a cruise ship in the middle of the ocean.

Maybe it’s a remote cabin in the woods.

Maybe it’s a snow-covered lodge in the mountains.

Wherever we go, we leave behind our burdens and bring our greatest passions. Getting there is always a struggle, but being there makes it so worthwhile. Whether it’s a long flight, an extended drive, or an exhausting hike, the journey to this special place puts our vacation in just the right context.

To build a life for ourselves takes time, work, and energy. Building one with you takes that and so much more. The rewards are many, but opportunities to appreciate them can be rare and elusive. A good vacation is a great opportunity. We have no excuses or hindrances. For a brief period, we can just exhale and savor the fruits of our efforts.

On a sunny beach, every kiss is deeper.

In a secluded cabin, every touch is softer.

Within a cozy lodge, every gesture is hotter.

Every setting becomes romantic and every act of love becomes passionate.

This is what we wanted, needed, and craved. At last, we get away from it all. Every moment becomes precious and every feeling becomes a treasured memory. Together, we indulge and celebrate. Others may envy us. It doesn’t matter. We’re on vacation.

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August 22, 2019 · 6:02 am

Mia Kalifa, The Porn Industry, And Why Her (Lack Of) Earnings Matter

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Imagine that you’re young, low on money, and in need of a quick buck. You do a few side-gigs, like drive a taxi or do some yard work. You make some money up front. You’re grateful for it. You wish you didn’t have to do it, but you still did and you’re ready to move forward with your life.

Now, imagine that same work you did ended up making someone else a boatload of money that continues to flow in, even though you’ve long since finished your part. Maybe while mowing the lawn, you discovered a priceless artifact under a tree stump. Maybe while driving a taxi, your car became the site of an infamous crime. Anyone with a white 1993 Ford Bronco SUV can attest to that.

With those ideas in mind, let’s talk about Mia Kalifa. If you don’t know who that is, just ask any straight man with an internet connection and a suspiciously large supply of tissue boxes. You might not get an honest answer, but rest assured, she’s a known public figure and not just because she has over 15 million followers on Instagram.

One of the reasons why she has so many.

She’s worth talking about, but not because she’s a former porn star who still garners a great deal of popularity, despite having not worked in the industry for years. Recently, she made the news after revealing that, even though she was one of the most popular porn stars in the world for a time, she made a total of $12,000 for her entire career.

For someone who was that successful in an industry that’s already exceedingly crowded by an abundance of content, that just doesn’t seem to add up. Most working people make more than $12,000 in a year, even if they’re paid minimum wage. They even get to keep their clothes on. What’s going on here?

There is a context to that story. By her own admission, she was in the industry for about three months. She only got paid a flat rate of about $1,000 for each scene she did and, given how few she ended up doing, it’s still more than minimum wage. She basically made $12,000 for approximately two weeks of work. Ignoring, for the moment, that the work involved making porn, it’s not a terrible rate.

However, what stands out most about her story is that she continues to generate money for the companies that initially paid her. To this day, those scenes she shot still generate traffic for popular sites like PornHub and that traffic still makes its parent company, MindGeek, some additional profit.

Most people don’t know, or want to know for that matter, that the most popular porn sites and studios are owned by MindGeek. Think of any site your significant other won’t admit to visiting. Chances are, they own it. They’re basically the Amazon of porn. They’re so big that there really isn’t a close second.

It’s because they’re so big that Ms. Kalifa’s story isn’t unique. Most people who enter the porn industry, be they male or female, have to go through MindGeek in some form or another. They’re basically a monopoly and because of that, they can get away with shady practices, such as underpaying workers or short-changing them with fine print.

Listed above are sites few will admit to knowing.

Most porn performers, including Ms. Kalifa, only get paid a flat rate per scene. They basically function as independent contractors, which means they’re not salaried employees who get benefits. They’re basically Uber drivers, but with sex. Unlike Uber drivers, though, the top performers can actually make a lot more, but they’re the exception and not the norm. Most performers are in Ms. Kalifa’s situation.

It’s not a situation unique to porn. Other elements of the entertainment industry have used similar practices for years. The music industry has plenty of examples of successful artists who sell millions of albums, but still go bankrupt because most of that money went to the companies they worked for rather than the artists themselves.

It even happens in the comic book industry. Few individuals have created and drawn more iconic character than Jack Kirby, but because he was a work-for-hire, he didn’t technically own his creations. The companies he worked for, both Marvel and DC Comics, owned them. As a result of this, there were some lengthy legal battles with Kirby’s estate. Not surprisingly, the companies won.

Think of any industry that involves performing or creating some kind of art. There’s a good chance that there are cases where someone creates something that becomes successful, but the creators themselves don’t profit from it. Only the companies profit.

Again, there’s a context to that. In industries like music, the top one percent of performers earn over three-quarters of the revenue. Most creative endeavors fail to turn a profit. As someone trying hard to break into the publishing industry, I can attest to how common failure and rejection are. These industries, as shady as their practices might be, need to make a profit and that often requires enduring many losses.

That’s exactly why Mia Kalifa’s story matters. It doesn’t just shed light on the less glamorous aspects of the porn industry. It highlights how the actual people behind popular media don’t reap as much of the benefits as we think. For porn stars, current and former, that’s made even harder by the stigma and taboos surrounding the industry. Ms. Kalifa endured those unpleasant elements more than most.

It’s a system that’s only getting worse. There was a time when porn stars could make considerably more money and even earn some residual income from the booming DVD market. Thanks to the advent of streaming media and excessive piracy, that’s no longer the case. It’s why many porn stars are turning to escorting or licensing products.

Given the dirty nature of the business, few politicians or advocates will loudly proclaim they want to help the people in the porn industry. The last few years have been very difficult for anyone in the sex industry. Laws are making sex work more restrictive and more dangerous to everyone involved. Performers will end up with the stigma, but the companies will get most of the profits.

To some extent, what happened to Mia Kalifa’s career is a microcosm of what’s happening to entertainment in general. We’re currently in an era where big companies are acquiring as much intellectual property as possible. Companies, be they major movie studios or porn producers, have a vested interest in controlling the content at the cost of the performers.

Since so few entertainment products turn a profit, these companies have too much incentive to short-change performers and creators. There’s no law that requires companies to give performers a small percentage of future earnings. There’s no law that stops them from exploiting the content created by performers, even if those same performers don’t want to be associated with the work anymore.

Given the money and influence of these companies, that’s not likely to change anytime soon. However, Mia Kalifa did us all a service by making people aware of this very flawed system. The fact that she did this while fully clothed and being brutally honest in a world that lives in alternative facts might be her best performance to date.

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August 21, 2019 · 6:14 am

Jack Fisher’s Weekly Quick Pick Comic: Magnificent Ms. Marvel #6

Teenage superheroes have always had a unique appeal, as well as a unique set of challenges. It’s not just their youth, inexperience, and idealism that sets them apart. They deal with complications and obstacles that adult heroes rarely have to worry about. Say what you will about Hawkeye’s abilities. At least he doesn’t have to worry about turning in homework on time, dealing with parents, and enduring puberty.

When it comes to teenage superheroes who embody that unique appeal, Ms. Marvel checks every box. She’s young, idealistic, lovable, tough, determined, awkward, and overwhelmed with balancing her superhero life with her personal life. Since her debut in 2014, some of her best moments have come from struggling to maintain that balance.

Now, that balance is completely thrown off in “Ms. Marvel #6” and for once, it has nothing to do with aliens, Hydra, or high school. What unfolds in this comic is more personal. It puts Kamala Khan in a position where no superpower or superpowered allies can make a difference.

It’s a difficult position, even for adult superheroes. Superman faces it almost every time he clashes with Lex Luthor. However, Kamala Khan isn’t Superman. She’s a teenage girl still growing into her superhero identity. What happens to her in “Ms. Marvel #6” is an impossible challenge as much as it is a turning point.

Since he took over, writer Saladin Ahmed has taken Ms. Marvel’s journey far beyond the limits of Jersey City. She’s teamed up with the Avengers, led a team of aspiring young heroes in the Champions, and fought in an alien war in which she saved an entire planet. She has had her share of triumphs lately, even when compared to adult superheroes.

Then, just after she acquires a flashy new costume powered by alien technology, her parents drop a bombshell. Her father is dying. He’s not just sick. He’s not just facing some new condition that requires treatment and management. He is dying and there’s nothing anyone can do about it.

For a superhero who just saved an alien planet and is on a first-name basis with the Avengers, this is akin to the ultimate gut punch, followed by the worst hangover, and topped off with the most agonizing heartbreak. This is the kind of news that even adult struggle with, long after they’ve built lives apart from their parents. Kamala Khan is just a teenager. Superhero or not, this shatters her world.

It’s a heartbreaking turn of events for a character who has been on a solid winning streak lately. Almost every teenage superhero faces setbacks. Kamala has had more than her share, from love interests who ran away to idols who abused her trust. This is more than a setback.

Since her debut, Ms. Marvel has stood out in a great many ways. One particular way that sets her apart from the Peter Parkers and Bruce Waynes of the superhero world is that she didn’t need a parent or loved one to die to become a hero. Kamala comes from a loving, tight-knit family who instill in her the values that would make anyone a hero in their own right.

Her family has always been a big part of her story. Like many teenage superheroes, she struggles to navigate family life alongside her superhero life. At the same time, her family has largely been a source of strength, even when they hound her about being late for school. Now, her family is facing one of the worst situations that any family can face.

Ahmed doesn’t rush Kamala through the various stages of acceptance. The plot of “Ms. Marvel #6” starts with a heart-breaking revelation, but follows Kamala as she tries to make sense of it all. Being young and idealistic, her first instinct is to try and fix this. She’s a superhero. She’s supposed to do the impossible and succeed where others fail.

This is different. She can fight to save her father’s life, just as she fights a typical supervillain. However, even when saving the day, the effects of her father’s news is apparent. The art by Minkyu Jung even captures that mood at every turn.

“Ms. Marvel #6” is one of those comics in which elaborate heroics and flashy costumes are secondary, at best. The events in this story signal a major upheaval in Kamala Khan’s superhero journey and it’s not one she can embiggen her way out of. Right now, her personal journey is more important than that of any hero. Tony Stark even shows up to remind her of that. He even brings gyros to belabor the point.

More often than not, when teenage superheroes are faced with loss and heartbreak, their first instinct is to lash out. You can usually set your watch to them doing something reckless or self-destructive out of anguish. That’s not just a trait common of superheroes. That’s something teenagers struggle with in the real world.

It once again strikes to the heart of why Kamala Khan is such an endearing character. It’s not just that she succeeds where other female superheroes falter. Her struggles, even though they involve Avengers and aliens, feel real and genuine. The idea that she’s poised to endure one of the hardest things any family can endure is both powerful and relateable.

After the events of “Ms. Marvel #6,” it’s not unreasonable to say that Kamala Khan’s life will never be the same. Even though that seems to happen with teenage superheroes every other week, this feels different. This isn’t part of some elaborate plot by a cunning supervillain. This is a terminally ill loved one.

Whether you’re a hero or a nobody, this is a challenge nobody is equipped to handle. Kamala Khan now faces the prospect of losing her father. It’s heartbreaking, but it also helps reaffirm just how much heart she has. That heart helped make her a hero. It also makes the prospect of watching it break feel that much more difficult.

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