San Diego Comic Con 2016 - Girl Power and Hot Men With Accents

Unlike the rest of the TN team, I was fortunate enough to have an extended post SDCC stay in San Diego to ~~sight see~~ catch up on sleep before flying home. When my plane landed in Canada and with barely enough time adjust to a new timezone, I immediately hopped into our truck to head out on a summer road trip through the wilds of Saskatchewan.

^{Source Actual picture of the surveillance tree in Saskatchewan taking right before the local constabulary stopped a duo of Hells Angels motorcycle enthusiasts for speeding down the highway.}

So that is why my wrap is later than most. We’ve been driving for days.

So instead of talking about the terrible internet coverage of my cell phone plan in this flatter than flat province, let’s reminisce about San Diego Comic Con 2016!!

Maybe it was just the panels I was sitting in on or maybe there was an actual sense that girl power was being prominently featured at Comic Con this year. It was Wonder Women’s 75 anniversary, after all. And let’s face it, she as the best part of Batman v. Superman. Sorry, Henry and Ben.

Panel after panel featured women who, not only portray characters who have no problem holding their own with the men, but are keeping the boys in line off the screen as well.

We already know Jaimie Alexander can fight her way through frost giants all while wearing a metal corset as Lady Sif in the Thor movies. She is just as tough a the amnesiac covered in tattoos who joins the FBI to help determine her identity in Blindspot. In real life, she gives as good as she gets. Growing up with 4 brothers will do that to a girl.

Katheryn Winnick, the fierce shield maiden, Lagertha, in Vikings, got her first black belt at age 13(!) and rarely uses a stunt double. Her exchange of barbs with co-star Travis Winnick during the panel epically put him in his place:

^{via GIPHY What Travis actually deserved.}

But it was watching the teeny tiny future fangirls at the DC Superhero Girls panel ask questions of the panelists that really impressed me. These little girls were so full of excitement that they finally had someone “super” like them to look up to. The next generation is in good hands.

It wasn’t only the ladies talking about strong women. The men got in on the conversation too. And made us swoon just a little bit harder.

In the Vikings panel, the subject of strong women came up because, Lagertha. The response was more than anyone could have asked for. Clive Standen (you will hear more about him later), who plays Rollo, credited creator Michael Hirst with writing, not just strong women, but women. Full stop. Because real women, by their nature are strong in so many ways that is not often shown on television:

^{via GIPHY Stop being so perfect, Clive. Wait. Keep going…}

I could go on and on about Mr. Standen. His charm. His eyes. His beard. His muscly muscles. His perfect English accent. But Katy has already done it so eloquently.

So I will just leave you with this:

^{It’s ok if you need a moment.}

Those that go to Comic Con know that to get into the panel you want to see you need to plan days in advance and maybe wait in line that long to get in. When you get there that early, you will inevitably have to sit through panels that are of little interest – like gamers who only speak Japanese or learning how to draw the perfect Pickachu. But sometimes, you end up sitting through a panel that makes your heart eyes bulge out of your head.

Enter American Gods and Ricky Whittle and his British swagger.

I knew nothing about this book to tv adaptation even though Beth kept raving about it. After one smoldering look from this man…

… my DVR is is set to record when it debuts in 2017.

The next sexy man with an accent needs no introduction. So I will just leave this here for you enjoyment.

Most of the hot men with accents were from the UK but I did happen to find a diamond in the rough. That is, the rough and tumble Aussie – Sullivan Stapleton of Blindspot.