For Shoehorn’s Sake
From Jedi syntax to Vulcan nerve pinches, the pointy eared have long been embraced by pop culture. Yet there stands a contrast for every Link, most interesting among them the Curupira of Brazilian folklore. Ears aside, one could easily mistake these red-haired forest dwellers for normal humans until they glimpse the Curupira’s feet which are turned backwards, leaving footprints to confuse those who would abuse the country’s flora and fauna. Another facet of their arsenal, Curupiras emit a high-pitched noise that causes insanity. Earliest accounts date back to 1560, a thirteen-minute film based on their exploits released in 2005.
Art by Darick Robertson
Nightcrawler
When teleportation’s your game and family time consists of memory-absorbing sibs and a warmonger named Mystique, Professor Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters might be your best bet. Since his 1975 debut, Kurt Wagner has appeared with the X-Men, Excalibur and the Archdiocese of New York (Marvel Comics version only). He’s been a circus performer, a priest and a Weezer song reference. Though his blue fur, tail and ears set him apart from the mainstream, Nightcrawler’s spent his whole life “fighting to be accepted as I am, to be judged by my deeds instead of my looks—I won’t leave that battle before it’s done.”
Like We’d Forget
A sharp-eared race guided by reason and logic, Vulcans made their way into entertainment history with Gene Roddenberry’s Star Trek. Mr. Spock, Sarek and T’Pau are just a few of the green-blooded characters treasured by science fiction masses. Purveyors of mind melds and Pon farr, they also introduced us to Kirstie Alley when she portrayed Lieutenant Saavik in The Wrath of Khan and a mid-career Kim Cattrall (Valeris in The Undiscovered Country) four years after her appearance in Mannequin. On a related note, do mannequins even have ears?
This fairy-tale file brought to you by editorial assistant Stephanie Williams and poetry editor Jon Riccio.
