iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Dean Simons @deansimons.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Huzzah! Going to see Rogue Trooper at London Film Festival. Managed to find a ticket on second attempt

Dean Simons @deansimons.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Left the house to pick up some goodies from Gosh Comics - including rest of Oshimi’s “Blood on the Tracks”, the most recent issues of Metal Hurlant (English edition), and Urasawa/Nagasaki’s “Billy Bat”

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Dean Simons @deansimons.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Played Super Mario RPG (2023). I recall it got positive reviews but it really didn’t click with me. It just felt like an imitation of the original. Not inventive + doesn’t recapture magic. Thankfully it was mercifully short - most of it was played last weekend. Animated cutscenes were nice

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Dean Simons @deansimons.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Bit twee but it makes me laugh and is available print and in English is Billy & Buddy (Boule et Bill in French). Cinebook has it. Gag comic about a boy and his dog. Series debuted in 1959 and some of the gags remain timeless The Belgians and French have kind of nailed single page comedy strips

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Dean Simons @deansimons.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Dad, the French comic. Fantastic one page gag strip about a single father and his four daughters. Only available digitally in English at the moment though

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Dean Simons @deansimons.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Fair few highlights in Nintendo Direct. Super excited about Yokai Watch 2, Kirby and the World Beyond, and Metroid Ravenous Also: Eternal Anima, Onyx, and Ondeh Ondeh

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Dean Simons @deansimons.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Not sure why but the Ocarina of the Time remake keeps making me think of Sylvanian Families

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Dean Simons @deansimons.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

“Senior’s Guide to ChatGPT” “Written by experts, not AI” As spotted at the checkout in the local supermarket.

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Dean Simons @deansimons.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Meanwhile, tinkered with my modded Switch Lite last night. I finally swapped the (left) joystick to a HALL sensor version as it was doing the weirdest drift which only occurred when you held it near the down position. Was too lazy to replace both sticks as it is a bit of a pain to access other side

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Dean Simons @deansimons.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Playing YS VIII: LACRIMOSA OF DANA as my game for September. Initially played it on my Switch Lite but the framerate was underwhelming. Moved it to my Switch 2 and plays like a dream. Presumably it is a flat 60fps or uncapped in handheld (boost) mode.

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Dean Simons @deansimons.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Yay, Dragon Ball Super: Beerus trailer dropped. Always got time for more Dragon Ball (even if this is the second or third adaptation of the same story)

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Dean Simons @deansimons.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Walked into a mirror this morning and broke it. Joke is on the mirror though - this year has been a wild ride already.

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Dean Simons @deansimons.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Swung by the Gosh Comics signing event featuring Brian Bolland, Dave Gibbons and Mike McMahon. Probably not getting anything signed but the queue is something to see.

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Dean Simons @deansimons.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Editor, writer René Goscinny would have been 100 years old today. Giant of Franco-Belgian comics. Helped establish the concept of scénariste (comics writer) in French comics, levelled up Morris’ Lucky Luke, cocreated a heap of beloved characters, incl. Asterix the Gaul with Albert Uderzo.

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Dean Simons @deansimons.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Excited to see a new Marlon James novel make Booker Longlist. Apparently a return to the world of his fantastic crime epic A BRIEF HISTORY OF SEVEN KILLINGS. I thought James was had at work on the DARK STAR fantasy trilogy finale. Unfortunately THE DISAPPEARERS isn’t released until September. 😞

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Dean Simons @deansimons.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Uncertain on accessibility to newcomers. They can follow but hooked? 🤷🏻‍♂️ Old hands…while it has been some time since I watched either show, it’s fine. Wouldn’t mind more Aang movies - just hopefully we get a bit more development of the supporting cast too. Esp Aang + Katara 6/10 (7/10 for fans)

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Dean Simons @deansimons.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

AVATAR AANG: THE LAST AIRBENDER was a decent start for Avatar Studios return to - and expansion of - that universe. The movie very much focuses on a more adult Aang, 10 years after the cartoon, as he wrestles with his past, his heritage, and sense of belonging. Animation and music is good. However…

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Dean Simons @deansimons.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

As of a few days ago, I once more became a full time Londoner after many years precariously balancing life between London and Bristol. Just the unpacking to do so I can once more excavate a workspace. Also condensing items from multiple different households (lots of hand me downs)

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Dean Simons @deansimons.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Last night I completed the Switch Lite OLED mod. It got surprisingly messy but this time I didn’t tear the ribbon cable for the screen. I did have some issues that required reopening multiple times - game cart reader errors and a malfunctioning R button. Sorted both (not sure how on the first)

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Dean Simons @deansimons.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Sad times for British democracy. The fox said…”I’m out”. Count Binface v Nigel Farage are the only candidates in the Clacton by-election, triggered by Farage resigning as an MP for a constituency he barely represents at all in parliament.

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Dean Simons @deansimons.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

Started my July game early: Crosscode. Liking it so far. It has been sitting in my backlog for a fair few years. I think I got it during Covid lockdown. Dungeons can feel a bit long and there are times when I unlock something and am waiting for the little tune you would get in Zelda.

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Dean Simons @deansimons.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

I love those hilarious oddball Judge Dredd stories. Sure the series can be epic, or serious, or tragic, but it can very much be funny and satirical. This is from the two-parter “Monkey Business at the Charles Darwin Block”, from 2000AD 184-185 (November 1980)

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Dean Simons @deansimons.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

I suspect the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition at the British Museum is going to be popular, if accessing the website on the day member priority booking opens is any indication

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Dean Simons @deansimons.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

Needed a pick me up and spotted this pack online a few days ago for cheap. Will be nice to physically read these. The digital versions can never get the illustrations placed right. An 8-pack of Moomins on a 30*c (86F) day Kippis! 🍻

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Dean Simons @deansimons.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

I love this movie review quote. It speaks to me. Especially the part where it gets classified as “certified Fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes

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Dean Simons @deansimons.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

And for comparison’s sake, Hermann’s penultimate « Jeremiah » album in 2024, tome 41 (42 not on shelf).

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Dean Simons @deansimons.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

If we were going by Hermann’s signature « Jeremiah » series, you can see an evolution if you look at the fifth omnibus (integral). Annoyingly doesn’t give the albums it includes.

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Dean Simons @deansimons.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

Doing a little research at the Brussels BD museum. One fun little aside was trying to determine the point Hermann’s colouring shifted to slightly deeper, moodier hues. I used « Towers of Bois-Maury » as it is slightly more spread out and I think has Hermann doing his own colour work.

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Dean Simons @deansimons.bsky.social · 03/05/2026

The Samurai exhibition is - expectedly - history and culture of the period, but later on it talks about how it has taken off culturally. Naturally, manga shows up. I spotted: Vagabond Gintama Afro Samurai Lone Wolf & Cub Usagi Yojimbo Samurai Legend. Also: Saigo Takamori, Chidaruma kenpo present

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Dean Simons @deansimons.bsky.social · 03/05/2026

Made it to the British Museum’s Samurai exhibition, after remembering last minute that it was closing this weekend. I ran out of time, so hopefully I will manage the rest before it closes tomorrow (I can be in museums for hours and hours)

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Dean Simons @deansimons.bsky.social · 03/05/2026

Was looking for books on British social history between 1950-1990 and spotted this. Not totally sure it will mention any campaigns against comics though. Should be entertaining.

Book on Mary Whitehouse, entitled: Ban this Filth!

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Dean Simons @deansimons.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

Been giving Edens Zero a look. Only 3 volumes in but liking it well enough….apart from all the unnecessary “fan service”. It’s not even particularly funny. Just irritating. I like the idea of Mashima doing it as a change of pace from fantasy, but claims to have very little experience with sci-fi.

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Dean Simons @deansimons.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

The wonders of vintage British comics: Jimmy and his Magic Patch. Created in 1944 by Dudley Watkins (of The Broons fame), it features a schoolboy who has his school uniform repaired with a piece of magic carpet by a Romani woman after rescuing her cat from a fierce dog, letting him time travel. 🕰️ 🍑

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Dean Simons @deansimons.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

Big G takes on Big Apple this summer in Godzilla Minus Zero

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Dean Simons @deansimons.bsky.social · 12/04/2026

The Victorians loved a bit of “true” crime. The most disturbing and lurid the better. Illustrated newspapers were also a bit of a thing, since photographic reproduction had yet to be. Put the two together and you get…The Illustrated Police News. Founded in 1864, it ran until 1938. Blimey.

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Dean Simons @deansimons.bsky.social · 11/04/2026

Took a few more months but appears every form of Steam Deck (LCD + OLED) is now Out of Stock in the UK. I’ve got the launch LCD model and was getting fomo when they released the OLED (but couldn’t justify the expense). No more temptation now. Hopefully Steam Deck 2 launches with OLED…in 2029

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Dean Simons @deansimons.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

MAUL: SHADOW LORD kicked off with two opening episodes. + Music and animation, excellent. - Plot not quite gelling (so far). Too many threads for weekly show? (Some too cliché). Feels like opening chapters of a long novel Love Star Wars animation so will see how things turn out.

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Dean Simons @deansimons.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

Conan always cracks the case in the end

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Dean Simons @deansimons.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

Yikes. Those new prices. The PS5 doesn’t look worth it for that money.

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Dean Simons @deansimons.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

Huh. Didn’t consider that part. From ‘The Red Planet: A Natural History of Mars’, Simon Moreden (2022)

Highlighted text describing one aspect of a kilometres sized meteorite hitting a plant: “secondary craters can occur anywhere over the entire planet as debris re-enters the atmosphere.”

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Dean Simons @deansimons.bsky.social · 24/03/2026

Was glancing at the Dark Horse website and noticed the branding had been changed. Not sure when. Assuming within the last few weeks.

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Dean Simons @deansimons.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

Just realised that I have already passed the 20 year mark as a regular reader of 2000 AD. The newsagent near my sixth form college, where I bought my first copy, is now a nail parlour - but the compelling Thrills in every issue remain the same. (My first issue was released February 22nd, 2006)

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Dean Simons @deansimons.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

Sounds reasonable (from Judge Dredd Case Files vol 3)

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Dean Simons @deansimons.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

Rage inducing, I tell ya (skull is not collectibles, it is the number of times I died trying to get through this stage

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Dean Simons @deansimons.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

That was surprisingly quick. Usually I either miss these or struggle to find any. Dig the hat.

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Dean Simons @deansimons.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

Personally my favourite early Dredd ‘sagas’ are either Robot Wars or Day the Law Died. Both were written by Dredd co-creator John Wagner. The latter is easy meme material. Basic plot: a crazy narcissist takes over Mega City 1. He even makes his pet goldfish deputy.

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Dean Simons @deansimons.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

First published in 1978, Cursed Earth was the second major storyline in the Dredd series after the success of Robot Wars. Thinking about when Burger Wars was published, first McD and BK in the UK opened in 1974 and 1975. Couldn’t spot a figure for McD but by 1980, BK had 60 locations in Britain.

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Dean Simons @deansimons.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

Been reading Judge Dredd: The Cursed Earth (Uncensored). Am checking out the episodes that had for decades been redacted for copyright infringement. The first is Burger Wars. It features rival armies of zealots led by Ronald MacDonald and the Burger King in a neverending turf war.

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