Better in Black: Absolutely, Always, Forever

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (TMI: CoB) phenomenon will happen this August, causing the massive TMI reader/movie-watcher fan base to capsize and flood theaters. The bestseller novel series (published in sequels starting March 2007 - May 2012) by Cassandra Clare is being transformed into a set of seriously intriguing fantasy fiction movies. And, the fan base is growing exponentially. There is always a highly needed fan community where movie fans can share the excitement before it implodes inside them. I have looked at a couple of fan pages on Facebook but I have settled for a Group instead where the best fan arts and crafts forces are at play. Today, dear Shadowhunters, Downworlders, and Mundanes, I shall be reviewing Better in Black (BiB).

Shadowhunters Better in Black is a Wordpress blog and this is where the show starts. It is being published by two cosplayers Katie Quinn Thornton and Tiffany - two friends and on of the most gorgeous ladies I have come across. Their newest team member, Sasha joins them in their Shadowhunter chronicles. I am in love with the mission of these ladies. Through their blogging presence, and their Facebook Group (BiB) they are bringing together not only TMI fans but also artists and craftspeople. There is always the super pricey and super hyped and marketed official merchandise that sells, following big movies like TMI. But, there are some seriously beautiful pieces created by artists and craftspeople from the fandom that go unnoticed. As BiB explores the fan base and more Shadowhunters enters the BiB Group, more artists are being interviewed and allowed to market their merchandise.

Artsie Jenny's Earrings (left), Totally Obsessed Ornament (middle), Bitter Sweet Stories Designs bag (right)

In particular, noteworthy mentions of websites that are crafting TMI fan merchandise are Bitter Sweet Stories and Designs, Hebel Designs, and independent artists' Etsy store profiles. Artsie Jenny's Etsy profile is selling some adorable book charm earrings and TMI inspired hair accessories and etc. Totally Obsessed is another Etsy seller, interviewed by BiB, selling a gorgeous fearless rune ornament. Bitter Sweet Stories Designs has got to be my favorite because of the incredibly hot handbags they are making from a TMI Runes fabric that they have designed themselves! They even gifted ties, shirts, and scarves to the TMI cast and the author Cassandra Clare herself! I am still anticipating buying the bag, really!

My Soundless Rune, mailed by Katie

I am a creative writer, and to my heart's content I found the perfect giveaway contest going on on the Group. It is called the Runes in June which involves composing poems about a pair of runes (or one of them), posted each week throughout June. I wrote a poem called Soundless named after the rune itself. It has won me a gorgeous rune decal that I pasted proudly on the window of my car. Katie mailed in with an envelope decorated with the words 'Congratulations' and 'The Mortal Institute'.

Besides the contests and giveaways, I love the TMI news being shared by members - 439 members and counting.

Harry Potter fans are about Muggles and Wizards/Witches, and the TMI world is about Mundanes and Shadowhunters. I love the word mundane, maybe because Jamie Campbell Bower said it so nicely in the trailer. "You're not a mundayyyyne." he said, in his aggressive, Shadowhunter pride - just the persona I wish to portray of myself (sadness, you have to be polite for society's sake). Not everybody shares the love for a movie when I fall in love with one.

Another meme I submitted to Sony Pictures City of Memes Gallery

BiB is a brilliant and entertaining hub for fans, and the best bit is that it allows them to publicize their skills and talents with art instead of being uptight about creative control. Things are definitely going to spice up when the movie is released.