Table of Contents
Introduction: Issue 8
“Half a league, half a league,
Half a league onward,
All in the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.”
When Will suggested “Half a League Onward” as the theme for this issue, he added this caveat: it did not end well.
Indeed, Charge of the Light Brigade, the poem by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, tells a tale of tremendous bravery and staggering loss. A later stanza of the poem continues:
“Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon behind them
Volleyed and thundered;
Stormed at with shot and shell,
While horse and hero fell.
They that had fought so well
Came through the jaws of Death,
Back from the mouth of hell,
All that was left of them,
Left of six hundred.”
Will’s suggestion, however dark the context, rings true for our troubled times. It captures the helplessness inherent in this current moment:
“Theirs not to make reply,
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do and die.”
And, perhaps, inspired this ‘70’s riff:
“Clowns to the left of me,
Jokers to the right, here I am,
Stuck in the middle with you.”
In the words of Henri Matisse, “Creativity takes courage.” This issue’s theme was meant to honor contributors from past issues, inspire our current contributors, and steel Will, Dakota, and I for the creative road ahead. It may not be a life or death effort, but it gives us an excitement that, though we may dive in and fail, there is a thrill in the diving, a wildness that drives us even further forward, and glory, just in the effort.
“When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made!
All the world wondered.
Honour the charge they made!
Honour the Light Brigade,
Noble six hundred!”
We hope you will enjoy Issue 8: Half a League Onward!
-Cheryl Editor, Next Page Ink
Art by Allison Rossi
Photos by Eileen Scheir
Music
Issue 8
Recommendations
Want to try something new?
Check out our recommendations!
Cheryl
Wellington Paranormal
Created By: Jemaine Clement & Paul Yates
New Zealand police officers O’Leary and Minogue gave smoke detector recommendations to the vampire roommates in the dark vampire comedy What We Do in the Shadows. In this TV adaptation of the WWDITS universe, O’Leary and Minogue comprise a paranormal investigations unit, a la the X-files. Good, light pandemic watching.
Available to Stream on HBO Max or the CW App
The Legend of Vox Machina
By Matthew Mercer
If you love dungeons and dragons, you should watch this show. If you love fantasy, you should watch this show. If you love animation, you should watch this show. You should just watch this show. The animated adaptation of Critical Role, the web series which has led to a D&D renaissance in the last five years, is everything a fan of the web show could ask for, as well as being an excellent entry point for the uninitiated. Stellar performances, flawless animation, and a dark, fascinating make for one of the best shows I’ve watched in ages.
Available to stream on Prime Instant Video (Mature Audiences Only)
Will
Dakota
The Tragedy of Macbeth
Directed by: Joel Coen
I really don't know where to start with this one other than, what an interesting movie. I have always liked Shakespeare but I have never seen an adaptation quite like this. I also didn't really know what to expect going in and every actor, especially Denzel Washington blew me away. I know some people dislike black and white movies nowadays, and the aspect ratio may be jarring to others, but give this a shot.
Available for free on AppleTV+