Robert Downey Jr. I'd like my brain back please

[bennet_7]

So the past couple of weeks I've gone and gotten myself completely obsessed with all things Iron Man and Robert Downey Jr. And seriously guys, it's unhealthy. I don't think I've fallen this hard for a fandom since Veronica Mars and quite frankly it's a little inconvenient - who has two thumbs, red hair, and had an exam today? *points to self with thumbs*

And yet, the Iron Man fandom/Robert Downey Jr. love is so wonderful that even my extensive Catholic guilt can't make me feel bad about all the loony things I'm doing (ah! If only I had more of my mother's Protestant work ethic. As it is I just feel really, really guilty but do nothing to alter the situation).

Firstly, I'm downloading every single Robert Downey Jr. film I can find - which, considering half the population of the world is currently doing the same thing, really isn't that hard. And I'm not downloading just his good work - I'm downloading the really silly romantic comedies too. I mean, I used to ignore Heart and Souls every single time it came on TV when I was younger, but now, with my Robert Downey Jr.-tinted glasses I'm using up my valuable download limit to acquire it.

Secondly, and a little more disturbingly, is what I did a week ago when I was taking a study break (read: marathoning 30 Rock again, some more): I went through a bunch of Gwyneth Paltrow pics and tinted her hair red so that she'd look more like Pepper Potts. Some actually came out quite well, all things considered.




Clicking on the pic will take you to the gallery.

Feel free to use in your own fanart - I can't quite decide what to do with them yet (well, other than stare at the couple ones and imagine the married adventures of Tony Stark and Pepper Potts (no way in hell that Pepper's changing her last name)). I kept the files as large as possible and tried to alter the colouring as little as possible aside from her hair. So have fun!


And now, a small rant: If I read one more Iron Man fic where Pepper is some kind of shy country mouse waiting to blossom into high fashion under the sun-like love of Tony Stark (if anyone sees that metaphor, could you catch it please? It got away from me) I think I'm going to choke a bitch. I, for one, don't think her work clothes are abnormally conservative or plain - she's stylish and elegant and her attire is absolutely appropriate for the workplace. And for the record, while she does mostly wear black, she does wear a brown suit when Tony gets back, that rockin' blue bustier from the posters (ok, not exactly appropriate for the workplace) is clearly what she's wearing under her jacket during the big showdown, and this white jacket from the cut party in Dubai is totally cute.

Pepper isn't unadventurous when it comes to her attire - she dresses like she does because she knows how 'the assistant with the sexy outfits and the playboy boss' would look to the press and her co-workers - that's why she doesn't want to dance with Tony at the benefit.

My point, fandom, is this: stop writing Pepper as repressed and passive. Clearly, she is kickass and confident. *steps down off of soap box*

I'm trying to hunt down the most recent comics online. So far I've got volume 2 of Invincible Iron Man and volumes 7-10 of The Order where Pepper apparently becomes the leader of a bunch of super heroes (yeah, I don't know what is going on). I am, of course, willing to share if there is interest and if anyone knows of a comm where I can snag the rest, could you shoot me an email please?

Swinging back round to the Robert Downey Jr. love again, th_esaurus hosted an RDJ fanfic fest and I discovered that people aside from me are interested in the relationship between Joe and Shirley Wershba (Robert Downey Jr. (though you guys should have guessed that one) and Patricia Clarkson) in the film Good Night and Good Luck. I even wrote a short snippet of fic about it. Will the wonders never cease?

And then there were icons! Some random Robert Downey Jr., a fair few Iron Man, and too many Good Night and Good Luck considering the fandom is practically nonexistent. Oh well.




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36


Comment, credit, don't hotlink, and enjoy!


And on a completely unrelated note: is anyone else watching In Plain Sight? I was a bit disappointed by the second ep but I still have high hopes for the series.

Comments

[karate-girl.livejournal.com]

I love your icons, will be snagging, but I am mostly commenting to say I'm glad you're no longer ignoring Heart and Souls! That movie is adorable, and if you love the Downey, you'll absolutely adore it. It showcases him so well and he gets to do some pretty awesome stuff when his body gets taken over by a black woman, a girly girl, a gangster and a singer. It's fantastic and he is oh so cute in it :]

You did Pepper's hair really well :D Those two are so cute together.

[bennet-7.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

And yes, Heart and Souls is quite cute. I'm glad I gave it a second chance.

[fantasma-arto.livejournal.com]

I completely agree with you with what you just said. x] Even though Robert is uh like 3 months older than my mom. D: *is shot* lmao

And I'm saving this post for later to snag some icons. :D

[rhienelleth.livejournal.com]

ITA on Pepper - she is no country mouse. God, she'd never survive as Tony's assistant if she was! If you haven't yet read gabby_silang's fic, you should.

In my own, I made Pepper a closet sensualist, who makes the conscious choice to keep that side of herself under wraps for the sake of professionalism (and to keep Tony at arm's length). Her suits might be conservative, but they look stylish and possibly even designer to me. I'm reasonably certain her shoes are. :)

Great icons and manips! I haven't decided which, but I'm snagging a couple.

[bennet-7.livejournal.com]

I have read gabby_silang's fic and I'm definitely not complaining about it! Just a lot of other fic is written with that kind of characterisation - particularly on fanfiction.net.

Her suits might be conservative, but they look stylish and possibly even designer to me. I'm reasonably certain her shoes are.

I think Gwyneth said in an interview that some of the suits were Dolce & Gabbana.

[impik.livejournal.com]

I took couple from GNAGL, and i honestly can say that Heart and Souls is one of my fave RDJ movies. It melts my heart every time, and young RDJ is brilliant in it.

[littlehutt.livejournal.com]

I really love the manips you made on Gwyneth's hair, it looks lovely.

stop writing Pepper as repressed and passive. Clearly, she is kickass and confident.
I totally agree with your rant on Pepper! Couldn't have said it better.

I really like both the cropping and colouring of your icons.

Did you just mention 30 Rock? 'Cos I thought your post couldn't get awesomer.

[bennet-7.livejournal.com]

I really like both the cropping and colouring of your icons.

Thank you!

Did you just mention 30 Rock? 'Cos I thought your post couldn't get awesomer.

Hey, you're commenting with a Star Wars icon - that's pretty cool in my book.

As for 30 Rock, I have this snippet of fic in my head that I can't figure what to do with.

"Look, Lemon. Tony Stark, over by the bar, with the blond. Now there's a man who knows how to live."

"Yeah, with herpes."

Jack didn't so much as glare at her, rather, he conveyed a deep sense of disappointment in her taste in men and her idea of humour through only a slight narrowing of the eyes.

"Jack, please tell me you don't have a man-crush on Tony Stark. You do, don't you?"

"I admire the man, Lemon. He's a patriot."

But Liz was already singing "Jack loves Tony" and dancing on the spot.

"Very dignified. Don't talk to me for the rest of the night." In a louder voice. "Good night woman I have just met for the first time this evening."

Because Jack would totally admire Tony.

[gabsy.livejournal.com]

I'm here first because of the icons, and i want to say, THANK YOU for making GOod Night and Good Luck icons. I love this movie so much, but it's hard to find a fandom for it, so I'm really glad to see someone making some.

But on to my second point: BOY do I agree with that rant. I've only been reading Iron Man fics for a few weeks, but this is already a pet peeve of mine. Another is when Pepper is apparently unable to call Tony anything other than Mr. Stark until he makes her stop. Which in the context of a post-movie fic doesn't make sense. The only times she calls him that is at the end of a conversation ("Is that all, Mr. Stark? That will be all, Miss Potts"). WHich is clearly not what many writers seem to read into it.

Anyway, I'll shut up now, and say again: GREAT ICONS!! Thank you. I am grabbing some Good Night & Good Luck.

[bennet-7.livejournal.com]

Good Night and Good Luck is really beautiful and it deserves to be iconized, but it is such a hard film to build a fandom around. I understand why there isn't a fandom, I just wish the situation was otherwise.

Another is when Pepper is apparently unable to call Tony anything other than Mr. Stark until he makes her stop. Which in the context of a post-movie fic doesn't make sense. The only times she calls him that is at the end of a conversation ("Is that all, Mr. Stark? That will be all, Miss Potts"). WHich is clearly not what many writers seem to read into it.

I really dislike this too. It would be different if they were also exploring the implications of those titles and how they tie into issues of class and gender, but they generally don't. Maybe that's asking too much of fanfic.

Enjoy the icons!

[starfishchick]

Taking 12, will credit when I upload!

(And thanks for the reminder re: RDJ in GNaGL - I had forgotten that was him!)

[rdhaht.livejournal.com]

Snagging 12 and 32. Will credit! Thanks so much!

[backporchpoet.livejournal.com]

Oh I have totally ventured into the realm of coloring Gwyneth's hair for my own purposes because sigh- Pepper. At least I'm not alone in that. I generally snag the comics from random torrent sites but as far as I know, there isn't a community for it yet. Have you seen the Viva Las Vegas book? I only have one issue but Pepper is in it too, and Faverau had a hand in it apparently.

[bennet-7.livejournal.com]

I've now found all of The Order and the first volume of Invincible Iron Man on Demonoid but can't find Viva Las Vegas which is a shame. I may have to order it online.

[afrocurl.livejournal.com]

I forgot to watch the second episode on air last night, but I'm sure I'll be back with some thoughts later today about it.

[edda.livejournal.com]

And I'm not downloading just his good work - I'm downloading the really silly romantic comedies too. I mean, I used to ignore Heart and Souls every single time it came on TV when I was younger, but now, with my Robert Downey Jr.-tinted glasses I'm using up my valuable download limit to acquire it.

I once actually PAID FULL PRICE for a VHS of Hail Caesar, possibly the most awful movie ever made, because he put in a cameo as Anthony Michael Hall's best friend, which meant there was one scene worth watching. And this was ten years ago, and eventually my RDJr obsession waned (although I never stopped liking his acting and I quit being insane about him, and then I went on to other things, and finally I got completely blindsided by him in Iron Man, and it's the celebrity crush equivalent of an old flame coming back to town.

All of which is to say, I feel your pain.

Also I couldn't agree more about Pepper. She's not used to actual combat, maybe, and she's a fairly modest and feminine sort of person, but that doesn't make her unsophisticated. She knows what she's doing. (I'm ficcing her that way, although she only plays a smallish part in the whole thing. Well, so far.)

And your iconing skills rock like an Eddie Van Halen solo.

[bennet-7.livejournal.com]

All of which is to say, I feel your pain.

I take much comfort in the fact that pretty much everyone else is currently obsessed with RDJ and I'm in good company.

Also I couldn't agree more about Pepper. She's not used to actual combat, maybe, and she's a fairly modest and feminine sort of person, but that doesn't make her unsophisticated. She knows what she's doing.

Exactly, when it came down to it, at the big showdown, she got the job done.

(I'm ficcing her that way, although she only plays a smallish part in the whole thing. Well, so far.)

Ooh, have you posted yet? I'd (obviously) love to read something with this kind of characterisation.

And your iconing skills rock like an Eddie Van Halen solo.

*blushes* Thank you!

[shichiloaf.livejournal.com]

nice icons :D

and I was watching ips... was last night's ep just not that great? I missed the pilot so I'm wondering if it's worth it to watch again next week :0

[bennet-7.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

And yes, the pilot was a lot better. Last night was a bit patchy and I hope it's not indicative of the rest of the season. You can the pilot online at the official website.

[la-dame-boheme.livejournal.com]

That's so funny that you mention Pepper not changing her name if/when she and Tony got married, because a friend of mine and I have an roleplay in which they do get married, and she goes by Pepper Potts-Stark, lol. Mainly for workplace ettiquette, if nothing else, tee hee.

And I totally agree about her warddrobe. Hell, the girl got the nickname "Pepper" because she threatened two burly security guys with pepper spray that she didn't actually have. She has no timidness about her. May I remind people of the scene in which she kicks Christine out of the house?

[bennet-7.livejournal.com]

And I totally agree about her warddrobe. Hell, the girl got the nickname "Pepper" because she threatened two burly security guys with pepper spray that she didn't actually have. She has no timidness about her. May I remind people of the scene in which she kicks Christine out of the house?

Yeah, she couldn't have put up with Tony for this long without a spine made of titanium. We just didn't get to see much of it because it's Tony's movie - and that's what the fanfic is for.

[amusefan.livejournal.com]

nice icons!!
haha I have to tell u that I've been also obsessed with RDJ recently. It got to a point that I think I should stop...but I can't!

[stellicidio.livejournal.com]

Great icons!!

I randomly found you through one of the RDJ comms when I came to check out your icons and I added you to my flist. I'm loving all the Downey love going round lately :D

If you haven't seen them yet, watch Two Guys And A Girl, Home for the Holidays, Wonder Boys, Restoration, Chaplin, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Chances Are (another romantic comedy but adorable), Less Than Zero and the list goes on...

[bennet-7.livejournal.com]

Thanks! And Downey lovers are always welcome around here!

I am slowly making my way through his work because it's nice to have something to watch during the summer.

[bohemu.livejournal.com]

Love the icons. I'm glad to see the films got at least one fan into the comics and you're not just running off with the movieverse!IM and the RDJ love (which I wholly support anyway).

And yes, Pepper is definitely no shy violet.

And omg, In Plain Sight! I saw half of the first episode but I taped both episodes so far so I can watch them later. It looks like it'll come around though if the second episode was a bit off. I trust USA with their series.

[bennet-7.livejournal.com]

Love the icons. I'm glad to see the films got at least one fan into the comics and you're not just running off with the movieverse!IM and the RDJ love (which I wholly support anyway).

Thank you! And yes, I'm trying my best with the comics and for now I'm just sticking to the most recent stuff so that I don't get overloaded - there's just so much!

And omg, In Plain Sight! I saw half of the first episode but I taped both episodes so far so I can watch them later. It looks like it'll come around though if the second episode was a bit off. I trust USA with their series.

Yeah, USA really impressed me with Burn Notice so I'm going to stick with In Plain Sight.

[curls.livejournal.com]

Nice icons!

Oh, and I have to say I completely agree with everything you said about how Pepper is characterized in fanfic. I thought she was dressed quite stylishly in the film. Much better than any assistant I've met in L.A. Lol.

Plus, I'm not 100% certain, but I think I read somewhere that in the comics, Pepper was a former model. No wonder she can rock the super stilettos. ;)

[bennet-7.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

Plus, I'm not 100% certain, but I think I read somewhere that in the comics, Pepper was a former model. No wonder she can rock the super stilettos.

Yeah, I've read that somewhere too.

[paperskies.livejournal.com]

Woah, just wondering if you mind that I friended you because he have about a million things in common

[bennet-7.livejournal.com]

I don't mind at all. Now that I'm nearly done with uni for the semester I may actually post more than once every couple of weeks!

[redex.livejournal.com]

Bittorrent is your best bet when it comes to finding comics, I highly recommend searching up volume 4 ("Iron Man v4 comic" should work), it starts off with a fantastic arc and just keeps getting better. Don't let the old-school comic fans hear me say this, but the Iron Man movie is way better than a lot of the old Iron Man comics. >>;

[bennet-7.livejournal.com]

Yeah, Demonoid has a lot of torrents which is handy for a noob like me.

Don't let the old-school comic fans hear me say this, but the Iron Man movie is way better than a lot of the old Iron Man comics.

This is kind of the impression I've got, especially in terms of Pepper's characterisation ;-) But I'll take a whack at the more recent stuff.

[fangirljen.livejournal.com]

Pepper isn't unadventurous when it comes to her attire - she dresses like she does because she knows how 'the assistant with the sexy outfits and the playboy boss' would look to the press and her co-workers - that's why she doesn't want to dance with Tony at the benefit.

I would say not! She knows the power of what she wears. I do love your intricate look into her character. Very astute.

I'm...not sure when I'm going to pull this together, but by the weekend, I'm sure...am going to issue a fic challenge based upon this (http://queen-haq.livejournal.com/281608.html) post. Stories about Pepper and how her fantastic shoes and wardrobe can get her involved in some interesting situations. :D I'm going to go ahead and say I'm taking all of your Iron Man icons. I don't know if I'll use all of them, but I may later. :D Thank ye!

[bennet-7.livejournal.com]

I now have a bookmark folder titled 'Pepper's clothes' so if you'd like an inspirational picspam to go with your challenge, I am prepared (and an obsessed freak).

Enjoy the icons.

[ms-pepper-potts.livejournal.com]

Just 10. Thank you! :D

[vod-ka.livejournal.com]

Took #12, #8 and #17, and I will credit when used.
Your icons are lovely, and those three really caught my eyes. =)

[spadada.livejournal.com]

Totally with you on the recent re-kindling of the RDJ love. I've been You Tubing my heart out for him and downloading clips of his one season on SNL... I've been a fan since Less than Zero and have always enjoyed even his fluffiest performances. Like Chances Are. God, I love Chances Are...

And I remember seeing Hearts & Souls in the theater!

Did you discover any new gems?

[bennet-7.livejournal.com]

I haven't seen his SNL stuff - is he good? The past couple of days I've been watching him in Ally McBeal and oh my god I'm in love. Seriously, his character is like my ideal guy. Someone posted just his scenes but now I'm downloading the complete episodes because the show itself doesn't seem to be as awful as I remembered - though I don't know why that surprises me. I love Boston Legal and think it's one of the best shows on TV and David E. Kelley writes that too.

I watched Chances Are last week and was really impressed. It's very cute and he is ridiculously baby-faced in that. He's certainly aged well.

[rayneclouds.livejournal.com]

damn you ocd part of my brain. all i see lately is robert downey jr.. and iron man. works of my 'addictive and obsessive personality'. but my god, can he be any more talented? music, acting, .. simply being amazing and handsome. what else is there? i'm definitely wearing rdj-tinted glasses- er, rdj-hued eyeballs? anyway, the photomanips of gwen with the pepper potts hair color is fantastic! she looks great with ginger locks and they are so perfect.

ohh that reminds me .. i hope you don't mind if i sort of adopted your style of banner.. >> i'm just so in love with it and of course, with rdj controlling about eighty or so percent of my brain i totally couldn't resist. or my fandom/obsessive-side brain acted on its own will without the other side's consent.. however, if you feel like i should take it down, i certainly will. i should have probably asked to begin with, perhaps? though i do wonder where the heart came from?

may i add you? i need like .. a rdj support group. XD haha ♥

[bennet-7.livejournal.com]

Honestly, I don't see that much similarity between our banners except for the heart so it doesn't really bother me. The heart was something I found via a Google image search and then converted into a brush myself. Here's the altered image if you'd like it:



Friend away. I don't mind :-)