Whose Story Is This, Anyway?

by Tami Andersonon Dollhouse

“Exploitation was part of it, but it was more about
the idea of our identities and what we consider to
be ourselves and how relating to other people affects
that, how we incorporate other people in ourselves
and how we project ourselves onto people . . .”

–Joss Whedon, from an interview with Maureen Ryan

House of Stories

“It doesn’t matter how much we’re played with.
What matters is that we’re here for Andy when he
needs us. That’s what we’re made for. Right?”

–Woody, Toy Story

The Dollhouse, like its miniature namesake, is full of stories,
from the wedges filled with clients’ carefully constructed
engagements to Adelle’s sales pitch for clients and potential
Dolls. They even spread out into Dollhouse’s fictional Los Angeles
in the form of urban legends. In our world, stories are a large
part of how we live our lives or attempt to understand … read more»

Recent Free Essays (Still Available!)

Available Until
Fri 9/27

Ambiguous Anita

by Lilith Saintcrowon the Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series

One doesn’t have to precisely blame Laurell K. Hamilton for the explosion of paranormal romance and kickass-chick urban fantasy currently filling bookstore shelves. Hamilton started out, a decade or so ago in Guilty Pleasures, with the same type of urban-fantasy-with-a-touch-of-noir that has been a small, important subsection of fantasy ever … read more»

Available Until
Thu 9/26

Batman in Outer Space

by Mike W. Barron Batman

The fate of the Batman franchise is looking pretty good right now. The series, once claimed to be near cancellation due to low sales, is again one of the jewels in the crown of publisher DC Comics, still riding a wave created in the 1970s by such talent as writers … read more»

Available Until
Wed 9/25

Night in the House of Good and Evil

by Karen Mahoneyon the House of Night series

There also stands the gloomy house of Night;
ghastly clouds shroud it in darkness.
Before it Atlas stands erect and on his head
and unwearying arms firmly supports the broad sky,
where Night and Day cross a bronze threshold
and then … read more»

Available Until
Tue 9/24

Holy Signifier, Batman!

by Nick Mamatason Batman

Batman, as one of the most iconic and enduring of comic book heroes, is ultimately nothing more than a bundle of images that have proven themselves to be far more valuable and compelling than any storyline, movie, or book of essays on the character. Batman is a Pez dispenser; he … read more»