#Heavy Vinyl comic

[toonholechris]

How to Make a Rock and Roll Comic. In the interest of transparency, I thought I’d dig a little further into what goes into some of these things and pull the proverbial curtain back. Carl Sagan said if yo wanted to create an apple pie from scratch, you’d have to create the universe first or something. Now, I’m not saying the this is the only way to make a rock n roll comic, but it’s MY method, and I think that’s important.

Making stuff has been some of the most rewarding time I’ve spent on the planet, because whether it’s making comics, working on movies, recording songs or putting out vinyl, it’s all about connecting with good people. Big shout out to Todd for empowering me to make stuff. He’s actually a huge reason and resource for getting me back to work with physical media on top of all the music stuff.

If you wanna get some heavy or psychedelic music into your life, go follow @kingvolumerecords to follow the rise of what I think will be an enduring empire. Big shout out to @faerie_ring , @toyo_toyo_band , and @castle.rat for working so hard and putting out such great songs, albums, and shows that were no brainers to get behind to support. And feel free to go listen to some @lordloudmusic if you are curious.

Thanks again for watching and taking a lil musical detour. Hope to get my life together to have some exciting things in the next couple of months for y’all.

[do-you-ship-this-comic-ship]

[thelastofthebookworms]

Don't hesitate to make suggestions, I'll make another poll.

Funnily enough, the finalists in a 'indie comics' couples' poll I made are two sapphic couples : KJ Brandman/Mac Coyle V. Molly/Mal Yoo

I also have other polls in my pinned post (Comics, Greek Mythology, art, literature, etc)

[sweetlemonb]

Go read some good graphic novels.

Give them some love

[aimmyarrowshigh]

Sapphic September 2023

086. Kink - Chris/Maggie - Heavy Vinyl

[magpiesbones]

it’s a shame the indie graphic novel scene was on Twitter honestly

[mikeladano]

REVIEW: Bruce Dickinson - "Afterglow of Ragnarok" (2023 single)

BRUCE DICKINSON – “Afterglow of Ragnarok” (2023 BMG 7″ single) In 2024 we will be graced by a new Bruce Dickinson platter, his first solo album since Tyranny of Souls in 2005.  He’s back with Roy Z, and a forthcoming concept album called The Mandrake Project.  This single is billed as a “prequel”.  It comes with a beautiful, full colour comic book insert, installed in the middle of the gatefold. …

[zerosconsort]

Zero's Fic Binding - Thrust Issues

Thrust Issues by @sineala

Fandom: Marvel (Comics)

Ship: Steve Rogers/Tony Stark

Start Date: 3/31/24

End Date: 4/11/24

Pages: 314

Oh sweet Thrust Issues. Look at this cover. This was another one that I knew INSTANTLY what I wanted to do. Only had a few sections of the vinyl fight with me here, and I learned how adding to much glue when I'm making the casing can bleed through the book cloth and stain it. Ugh.

Name of the game for this bind was: Simply bold. Clean lines, consistent headers, nothing TO much. It was a challenge to see how quickly I could get the book set and bound. The answer is a week and a half.

Ugh the spine - she's also beautiful. This was also the first time i uses substantial davy board for the cover - so this is my first book with that lovely groove on the cover.

The inside pages are also simple - heavy on the lines lines lines, and one of my favorite actual lines from the fic. My end paper that you can just see here is VERY boring - what I had in my craft stock. Reminder to myself: Next version? Make your own end papers.

Typeset! Also simple. The headers build out a heart, with each chapter stacking more and more lines. Kept the stutter text like on the cover for the chapter names, pulled out the numbers and made the drop caps OVERSIZED. Simple, clean, statements that don't distract from this fucking masterwork of idiots-to-lovers fic.

Last shot I have is of the butt. This is the last time I used pre-made headbands. Also shows how loose the casing was - that gap between the spines? HUGE. A CAVERN. AND I didn't trim the pages. I was to afraid after I had FUCKED up All thats said's pages.

All in all, this I think that this bind was a tipping point. Having property sized cover boards really did it, and seeing how quick I could bind a fic was also helpful.

Thrust Issues is a peace of angsty art - and, In my opinion, a necessary Stony read. Sineala is a huge inspiration - one of my gateway Stony authors, and happened to be the one to point me toward better resources to bind books. Her kindness, creativity, and patience knows no bounds - and I'm happy that she was so open and kind with allowing me to transform her work. Go follow her and follow her and read her stuff.

Pssssst, also - if you wanted one of my binds for yourself, I'm participating in MTH this year and would be happy to make one for you!

[agatharkn3ss]

Wanda references in AAA so far

Now that we had the big reveal, I thought I would summarise all the little Wanda references I've spotted throughout the show. Some are less obvious than others and I am sure I missed some because there are so many.

Personally, I think that these references were put in there only for fans' amusement, a little nod to Wandavision, a bit of red herring and as hints to Teen's identity. While I want Wanda to be alive, I feel having her make actual appearance in AAA could be detrimental to the show's already packed story. It would feel like "Wanda All Along".

Episode 1:

Agnes O'Connor was suspended for "punching a suspect", that is "now a convicted felon" - allusion to Agatha battling Wanda

Agnes and Herb exchange "She is dead though, isn't she?" - "Oh she's really, most sincerely dead" (Wizard of Oz reference!) - "You never know!" - wink = suggestion Wanda is alive

The victim's body is hinted to be Wanda's (but is it?) - the victim had black fingers (from Darkhold), described as "late 20s, green eyes, 5'7", hair the colour of scarlet", she was crushed by "something big and heavy", no drag marks as if she appeared "magically from thin air" and the dirt samples came out as from "somewhere in Easter Europe" - Wanda died crushed by the Darkhold Castle on Mount Wundagore in Transia in Easter Europe

The missing book is "The Dialogue and Rhetoric Known History of Learning & Debate" by Andrew Ugo = DARKHOLD by Wundagore

The messenger from Wandavision makes brief appearance to tell Agnes about the "library fire" where all copies of Darkhold were destroyed (also repeated by Rio at the morgue)

Finally, Wanda's name appearing on the library card

Episode 2:

Agatha makes a visit to Wanda's plot, with some hateful graffiti

While not a specific mention, I find it funny when Lilia calls Agatha the most infamous witch on the continent and Teen pretends to be offended, challenging her to name one for South America or Europe - while a little nod to Easter Europe again, it is telling that none of them mentioned Wanda as being even "badder" witch

In the comics, all of the coven witches have links to Wanda

Episode 3: (I think this is where we start seeing Agatha catching on to Billy's identity)

when the witches find out Teen has a sigil on him, Agatha interjects, calling it "a clumsy glamour" - in Wandavision, Wanda once pretended to be a magician's assistant called Glamour

the wine label is Rioja Reyna, so reference to "Red Queen" in Spanish

Agatha makes a toast to "Harbingers of Doom" - the Salem witches called the Scarlet Witch a "Harbinger of Chaos"

When Sharon is confused and says "Please Wanda, I'm begging you, let him breathe please" - it's a direct reference to the scene in Wandavision where Wanda is magically choking her husband Todd and Mrs Hart keeps saying "Stop it. Stop it. Stop it." while smiling because she couldn't do anything else. The words she said in AAA were likely what she was actually saying in her head at that moment.

Episode 4:

Rio crawls out of the grave in the same creepy manner that Wanda made an entrance in Multiverse of Madness

When Rio asks Agatha why she brought Teen with her, she responds "Oh... Many hands" - this is a direct reference to Wandavision where Agatha was helping Wanda with her dinner and says "Many hands make light work. And many mouth make good gossip"

one of the tracks listed on the broken vinyl reads "Red Haired Woman"

Episode 5:

Teen is dressed in the same costume that young Billy Maximoff wore in Wandavision for Haloween

The back of the Ouija rules say "for ages 3 and up" - that's because Billy Maximoff's soul is technically only 3 years old because he was created in the Hex

When Agatha says "you're so much like your mother", we can hear a bit of Wandavision music

Billy's magic gestures and crown are very similar to Wanda's

[steddie-island]

HAPPY SUB EDDIE WEEK!!! Rating: E | WC: 2,129 | Tags: Ghostface roleplay, fake home invasion, predator/prey, simulated knife play, Dom Steve Harrington, Sub Eddie Munson, Dacryphilia, hair pulling, manhandling Full list of tags on ao3. As always, thanks for reading, and reblogs, comments, and kudos are very appreciated! Divider credit to @saradika!

It’s dark. The power’s out, won’t come back on. Eddie’s tried the light switches in every room. No other houses on the street are out, it’s just this one. Goddamn breaker , he finds himself thinking. There’s a flashlight in the kitchen drawer that nearly blinds him as he turns it on and tests the strength of the beam. 

The basement steps creak beneath his feet. The beam of light lands on shoes, totes holding camping gear, decorations, the cords he swears they can’t get rid of because as soon as they do they’ll need them. 

There’s a sound off to the right. Eddie jumps, and the corner is illuminated by bright white. Nothing. There’s nothing there but more storage containers that hold comic books, his vinyls. 

He turns, makes the short walk to the breaker box. 

Another noise, this one behind him, has him turning. 

A white mask, with black bloodhound eyes and a screaming mouth. There’s a hood, a cape. Big black shoes that thud as they cross the floor. A gloved hand comes out, the light reflects off of a long blade–

Eddie screams, nearly trips up the stairs. He can hear those feet thundering along behind him. A hand finds his ankle, he kicks out and then he’s running again. He tries to slam the basement door but it connects with a hand instead. He cries out again, runs for the staircase to the second floor, has a small heart attack as he slides with the rug across the hardwood. 

A yelp as he skitters towards the stairs again, running full-out now. He can still hear those heavy shoes behind him. Every misstep has the intruder getting that much closer. He can practically feel the blade against his skin. He slides into the bedroom, turns to close the door but then there are hands on him, grabbing him. He’s pinned against the wall. His hands are above his head, his legs are kicked wide. And the silver object he’d seen back in the basement is pressed to his cheek. 

“Look at you. Jesus, I knew you wanted this, but I didn’t realize how much it would work for you.” The blade is dull, not even butterknife sharp at best, but just the cool metal against his cheek has Eddie whimpering. “Bet you’re so wet for me, aren’t you?” Steve’s teeth scrape over his neck and Eddie’s hips jolt forward. He’s already pressed to the wall, so there’s nowhere for them to go and just adds pressure. “Bet you could come just from this.” Eddie loves Steve’s voice normally, but here? Growling in his ear as he rocks towards Eddie’s body like he can fuck him through both of their clothes? He doesn’t think Steve is wrong. 

“Baby, please–” “Listen to you.” The edge of the blade is against his throat and can only whine. “So fucking desperate, so needy…” “Yeah– fuck, please–” Eddie gets the flat of the knife tapped twice against his cheek. 

“You’re not in control here, Eddie. Remember? I am.” Eddie is moved away from the wall and practically tossed onto the bed so his ass bounces twice on the mattress. The mask is pulled back down but Steve loses the cape, revealing tight black jeans that hug his ass and a black t-shirt that has to be fucking painted on. Eddie’s going to come in his pants like he’s seventeen and not a full grown adult. Steve crosses the room. Those gloved hands grab Eddie’s thighs, knocking him onto his back, and pull his ass to the edge of the bed. “You’re fucking panting for it. God, Eddie, look at you.” Steve unbuttons his pants, tugs both pants and underwear down just enough to free his cock. The blade drags against the underside and Eddie whimpers again. Steve is trying to kill him– and not in the way they were playing. Steve is actually going to kill him. He’s so fucking turned on he wants to cry and Steve’s barely touched him so far. 

“You’re dripping.” There’s a puddle of precome on his belly, still connected to his cock by a sticky thin string. “Jesus, Ed. I really think you could come like this.” “Steeeeeve. ” Eddie whines, his cock twitches beneath the touch. “Fuck, please .” Steve taps the blade against the head of his cock and Eddie gasps at the hurt. “Is that too much? Thought this was what you wanted from me.” 

“Please. Please baby please–” “Safe word.” Steve’s fingers wrap around his cock. “What is it?” “P– Poughkeepsie–” Eddie cries out as Steve’s thumb presses against his slit. He’s so fucking sensitive it hurts. “Stevie, baby, fuck –” Steve gives one more stroke from root to tip, and then he’s flipping Eddie over onto his stomach. His hand comes down, connects with Eddie’s asscheek hard enough to leave a bright red handprint behind. Eddie’s eyes are closed and he’s practically humping the bed. “Stop it,” Steve says with another smack. His other hand slides between Eddie’s cheeks to tug at the plug they’d worked into his body earlier. It’s not very big, simple silver with a black jewel. He tugs at it, listens to the way Eddie’s breath whimpers and stutters out of his chest as his rim is stretched around the widest part again, again, fucking again . 

“Baby, baby, god please –” Eddie’s sobbing with need now. Every touch, smack, all the pleasure and pain, they just add and build and none of it is what he really needs. “Do fucking anything –” The plug is gone, and then Steve is there. He’s thick and hot and he drives in with a thrust so sharp Eddie almost screams with it. There’s an edge of pain, but it’s mostly pleasure, pleasure so fucking intense that he snaps like a rubberband. 

Just one fucking thrust and he’s coming so hard he sees stars. 

“Jesus –” Steve drops his forehead to Eddie’s back, lets Eddie twitch and thrum beneath him, the spasms of his body pulling Steve’s cock deeper, holding him there while he sobs through it. Steve knows Eddie is oversensitive, but their scene isn’t over. He brushes the hair off of Eddie’s neck, lifts the mask up to kiss the back of his neck. “Safeword, pretty boy?” “Poughkeepsie.” Eddie slurs a little as he says it. His face is wet, his eyes closed against the blankets. The gloves are removed, and then Steve’s hands are running up Eddie’s arms, pushing them above his head. He pins Eddie’s wrists there with one hand, the other one coming down to his hip. The first roll of Steve’s hips has Eddie groaning lowly. Steve relishes in the clench of Eddie’s body as he slides out like it wants to keep him there forever. “Fucking beautiful,” he growls. His hips snap in a little quicker at the same time that he sinks his teeth into Eddie’s shoulder, earning a thready moan. He sucks hard enough, uses just enough teeth to leave an impressive bruise behind, one that he knows will get darker and more tender. 

“This is what you wanted, isn’t it?” Steve’s hand moves from Eddie’s hip to his hair. He gathers it into his fist, tugs Eddie’s head to the side. “To be marked? Claimed? For everyone to know whose boy you are?”

The only response Eddie can manage is a whine, and to use the tips of his toes to fuck himself back onto Steve’s cock. 

“You’re a wreck.” Steve drags his teeth down below Eddie’s ear as he kept up the slow but steady pace with his hips. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you work this hard for it before.” He grips  Eddie’s hair that much more firmly, gives a tug that he knows has Eddie’s dick pulsing with need already again. “Tell me what you want.” Eddie tries to use his toes to guide himself again, but Steve stops him with another pull to his hair. “I said tell me, not show me. Use your words.” It takes a few moments for Eddie’s brain to reconnect with his mouth. He licks his lips, tries to start once and doesn’t quite get there. It’s hard to formulate thoughts when the blood has pooled in the wrong brain. “Want you to f-fuck me,” he gets out. “To mark me. Show everyone I’m… I’m yours.” Steve eases his hold in Eddie’s curls, but just barely. His hips pick up speed, fuck into Eddie’s body with long, deep thrusts. “Like this?”

“Harder,” Eddie urges. 

Steve bites down on the juncture of shoulder and neck as his movements shift. They’re long, smooth strokes that punch the breath out of Eddie’s lungs every time he bottoms out. “Whose are you?” Not a growl this time, but a purr. 

“Yours,” Eddie says without hesitation. “‘M all yours. I’m your good boy–” “My good boy, huh?” Steve drags his teeth along Eddie’s earlobe. “Do good boys beg to be fucked like this, Eddie? Do good boys beg to be pinned down and used, the way you want to be?” His hips snap harder and Eddie is ready to sob with it again. “Yours does,” Eddie answers. 

Steve can’t help but laugh. “Keep your arms out in front of yourself. Don’t fucking pull them back, you got it?” Eddie nods, takes a deep breath as the warmth of Steve’s hand disappears. Then it’s on his hips, and Steve’s hand is pulling at his hair so his head lifts and his neck iss on display, and “ Oh god– ”

Steve’s movements are hard now, short and sharp and deep. Eddie can’t help the way he cries out, can’t help the tears dripping down his cheeks and further soiling the sheets beneath his head. His hands catch against the sheets desperately as Steve keeps pounding into him but he doesn’t even think about bringing his arms down to get more leverage. He was told not to. 

“Steve– Steve, I–” Eddie doesn’t know what he’s asking for. Steve, thankfully, does. He grips Eddie’s hair tighter, lets his hand slide to the raised welts he’d left earlier. Blunt nails dig in against the marks. He drives in at just the right angle, tugs Eddie’s hair just sharply enough to tilt the sensation over into pain. 

And then Eddie’s coming again. Spots fill his vision, he screams against the sheets. Just as he feels Steve emptying into his body, the world goes dark. 

Eddie comes to when a cool cloth touches his face. Every atom of his being aches in the most delicious way. Steve is there, looking a little concerned as he wipes tears and snot off of Eddie’s skin. 

“Hey, beautiful.” Steve kisses a trail from his forehead down to his lips. “How was that? Was that what you wanted?” Eddie nods and reaches out to wrap his fingers around Steve’s wrist, keeping the hand there against his cheek. “‘S good for you?” he asks. 

“Yeah! Yeah, it was… fucking awesome .” Steve smiles and presses another kiss to Eddie’s cooling skin. “It was a lot, though.” “Yeah. It was.” Eddie doesn’t sound upset about that as he tugs Steve closer, until Steve’s laying half on top of him and he can burrow into his chest. “Wanted it.” “I know you did.” Steve combs his hair out of his face, untangles his curls before massaging lightly at his scalp. He knows Eddie’s going to have a tender head, maybe for the next couple of days, and he wants to make sure it’s at least bearable. “You did so fucking good, Eddie. Fuck, I’ve never seen you let go like that.” Eddie preens beneath Steve’s touch, beneath his words. It’s what he always (well, almost always) wants, to be good for Steve. His Steve. 

When his legs no longer feel like jelly Steve stands him up, helps strip him down the rest of the way before half carrying him to the bathroom. They soak in the tub together. Steve kisses the bruises he’d left behind as he shampoos Eddie’s hair. They get out and still Steve is right there, wrapping him in their fluffiest towel. By the time Steve’s finished with his hair and getting him into pajamas, Eddie’s practically dead and swaying on his feet. “Drink for me, okay?” Steve kisses his cheek, helps him down half a bottle of water. The sheets get changed while Eddie sits in the corner and nibbles on his favorite chocolate. They finish it in bed, Eddie drains the rest of the water. “I love you,” Steve says for the millionth time as he tucks Eddie’s head into his chest. “You’re fucking incredible.” 

Eddie smiles, murmurs a sleepy, “Love you, too.” 

He’s asleep before Steve even gets the blankets tucked around him, safe and sound in his partner’s arms.

[desertdollranch]

Opening and reviewing my first My Imagination doll

I have a new 18 inch friend to introduce and review! And this one has had an interesting journey to me.

I stumbled across My Imagination dolls a few years ago on Dollation, a delightful but now defunct site that cataloged different brands of play dolls as well as collectible dolls (check it out via the Wayback machine). By that time, this particular brand, designed by notable doll artist Robert Tonner, was no longer producing dolls. I looked at a few listed on eBay, but I didn't feel ready to buy one. They were a bit out of my price range, and they didn't really strike me as very unique. Their brand name refers to the line of clothing that was supposed to be produced for them, in partnership with DC Comics, the Wizard of Oz, Gone With the Wind, Alice in Wonderland, and I think maybe Disney. But there were very few of those promised items that were produced, and the brand itself only lasted from about 2015 to 2017 or so.

I have more or less neutral feelings about the partnering brands, so that didn't really sell them for me. So I moved on and put them out of my mind.

Cut to a few weeks ago, when my mom attended a doll show local to her. She's a collector as well, although these days she's almost exclusively into Barbie and similar size dolls. At the show she bought a beautiful 16 inch Tyler Wentworth doll, and when she sent me pictures I was pretty certain that the doll was designed by Robert Tonner. There's just something distinct in the face molds he creates. He also designed the dolls for the Magic Attic Club brand, and I have three of those, whom I adore. They're quite a bit older than My Imagination dolls, though.

(Heather, Keisha, and Rose.)

My mom and I were talking about other doll artists whose dolls are easily identifiable, like Helen Kish and Dianna Effner. I mentioned to her that Tonner had also designed a brand called My Imagination, and I went searching for examples to show her. That's when I stumbled across a listing for a doll that was not only a realistic price, but the particular doll I liked the best.

Since I first heard of them, my doll collection has changed a lot. It's no longer quite so dominated by American Girl dolls--not that I don't love them, I certainly do, but I've also opened my home to many other different brands of 18 inch dolls like Maplelea, Our Generation, Starpath, Healthy Roots, Götz, and Faithful Friends. I love having a diverse collection of unique dolls. It's fun to see how different they all look from each other, and yet they're all pretty much the same size and can be friends with each other.

So when I did see the listing for the My Imagination doll, I felt my heart change towards her and couldn't get her off my mind. I sat on the listing for a while, contemplating, imagining who she might turn out to be, until the seller sent me an offer for an even lower price. That did it. I went for it. And she arrived today.

Click through the cut to see the unboxing ceremony!

None of the dolls in this brand were given names. They are referred to as Brunette/Redhead/Blonde, in either Starter dolls (standard articulation at hips/elbows/head) and Deluxe dolls (bendable knees). The specific doll I got was the Starter Brunette.

She was brand new in the box, and it looks like she was probably never removed from her packaging. She was gently tied in with white satin ribbons rather than those awful plastic straps.

Time to free her from her box and take off her hairnet.

She's in perfect condition. She has a full vinyl body and is very heavy. The vinyl itself is dense and smooth with a matte finish, so much so that she almost looks like she's made of porcelain. Her skin has no shine to it at all. It's a bisque color with rosy undertones.

Her long curly brown wig is lovely but imperfect. It's rather dry on the ends.

Her glass eyes are gorgeous. They do not open and close. She has inset eyelashes.

But I think the side part isn't working for me, so how about we try a center part?

I think this gives her a younger look! Later I'll try to get her wig off and move it over so that she has a center part, but for now brushing it to the side works fine.

Looking at her undressed, I think she looks skinnier than American Girl dolls, but definitely not as slim as my Magic Attic Club dolls. Her head turns, and her arms and legs move outward as well as forward and backward.

Here she is side by side with one of my American Girl dolls, Eugenia. I think I'm right about their size comparison.

They had a fashion show to find out for sure just how similar they are! Eugenia can wear New Girl's dress just fine. It velcroes in the back and isn't too tight. New Girl is wearing an American Girl brand dress, and it fits almost perfectly--it's just a tiny bit big, and definitely not in a noticeable way.

Here's Eugenia wearing the cute sandals that came with New Girl. They're a pretty close fit.

And here she is next to (her cousin? half-sister?) Rose. To my eye, they very much look related.

Here she is in Maplelea brand clothes. I also did some brushing and reshaping of her curls.

I haven't decided yet what her name will be. I do know that she's a modern girl who loves to read, daydream, and play dress-up.

[thequiver]

you got any indie comics recommendations?

OH BOY DO I

So some of these are educational graphic novels bc of who I am as a person but they're SUPER GOOD and you should still read them - but here's my list of recommendations in no particular order

Marie Curie: A Quest for Light (a graphic novel bio of the famous scientist that highlights her politics!)

Folklords (only 5 issues, does some really cool stuff with subverted fantasy tropes, Ansel is a cutie, 8/10)

The Magicians (this is based on the book series by Lev Grossman, and if you're familiar with the FX show you already know the premise, but it's VERY FUN and I like it so it's on here)

The Good Neighbors (this is more of a YA vibe and as the title suggests deals with fae nonsense, very fun)

Something is Killing the Children (some other comics go along with this one like House of Slaughter, all are in the horror genre, and it's a GREAT TIME if you're into that sort of thing)

Shubeik Lubeik (THIS IS A REALLY COOL BOOK ABOUT WISHES AND HOW THOSE WOULD LOOK IN A MORE REALISTIC CAIRO AND I LOVE IT SO MUCH)

Pixies of the Sixties (this is a period piece that deals with things like xenophobia and racism while also playing up the aesthetics of 1960s London and fairies)

Now Let Me Fly: A Portrait of Eugene Bullard (a graphic novel bio of the first African-American fighter pilot)

Little Monsters (a horror story about children vampires in a post apocalyptic setting)

Judas (yes, Iscariot, it's a really fascinating look at the Biblical figure)

Heavy Vinyl (wlw, late 90s record store, teen girl vigilante fight club- good times)

Grimm (based on the NBC show of the same name, there are other titles set in this world too, I'm very fond of this extremely trashy fairtytale-cop show mashup and how poorly it represents cops)

Godshaper (there's a god for every person, except one and he teams up with a god who doesn't have a person and together they travel around looking for a warm welcome and a paying rock gig)

Evita, the Life and Work of Eva Perón (a biography of the former Argentinian first lady)

Eat the Rich (a little bit like Knives Out)

Carmilla: The First Vampire (queer feminist murder mystery inspired by the gothic novel, Carmilla, and pulling from Chinese folklore)

Bone Parish (a necromantic horror story about the rich peddling drugs made with the ashes of the deceased)

Blue Book (true tales of ordinary people encountering the strange and impossible - ex. alien abductions)

Art Brut (equal parts police procedural, hyper-fantasy, and psychological thriller set on a backdrop of a trip through art history)

Aristotle (biography of the philosopher dealing with more than just his ideas)

Alienated (a story about having the power to change the world but not being ready to wield that power- more YA vibes but a good read for any age imo)

Abbott (and Abbott: 1973- a tabloid reporter investigates grisly crimes she knows the police have ignored and that she knows are occult in origin)

[do-you-ship-this-comic-ship]

[meaningofheartford]

Location: Creek Comics Open to all @maplecstarters

Hendrix pushed open the heavy door of the comic store, a content smile on his face. The place was comforting to him, a mix of comics, merch, t-shirts, collectables and even some vinyl records. He found himself going toward the back corner, where the lesser-known records hid. His fingertips brushed the edge of an old Jimi Hendrix album, and he smirked at the irony of it. His name.

As he stood there, lost in thought, Hendrix became aware of someone moving beside him. Glancing up from the records, he flashed a friendly smile. "Hey," he said, his voice casual but warm. "You have good taste if you’re hanging out in this section," he joked lightly.

[eskawrites]

23 👀? (if ur feeling up to it ofc 💖)

23. "Just a little longer."

(oh i was hoping i could do a lil cfdau for one of these)

-

January 1998

Robin's house is cold.

It's a nice place. It really is. It has the coziness of her place with Steve, with Robin's favorite blankets and too many couch pillows and the lamps always on instead of the overhead lights. There are touches of her here that didn't shine through as much in her old apartment. More photos on the walls, more vinyls piled on the shelves, way more candles. A stack of comics that Steve has certainly teased her about--obscure titles that Nancy suspects are Will's influence, given how close he and Robin have gotten lately.

It's nice. It's so Robin, so of course it is. But it's also cold.

It doesn't help that the winter has been bitter so far. They've gotten more ice than snow. The wind has been brutal, the sky pale and sunless. Every day since Christmas has been in the single digits.

They go out anyway, holding hands while they wait for coffee or meet for dinner. Paparazzi photos keep showing up of the two of them, and though no one ever dares to say something for certain--girlfriend seems to be a dirty word to the press--everybody loves to speculate.

It's not just the press, though. Nancy had a meeting scheduled over dinner just last night. It had been a big deal, with big names she'd been looking forward to potentially working with. An assistant had called her last minute to cancel. There's no way to know for sure why, but one look at Robin when Nancy had told her confirmed that they were thinking the same thing.

Robin had offered to take her out, to take care for her, to do anything she could to cheer Nancy up. They'd ended up curling up in Robin's bed, huddled beneath the heavy comforter, Robin's arms strong and warm around her.

They're there still, because even though the morning is half gone, the house is so damn cold, and the world beyond it is even colder. Nancy burrows further into Robin's embrace, pressing her cold nose against Robin's warm collarbone, and pretends like she can weather the winter if she just stays here forever.

"I'll make us breakfast," Robin offers, though she makes no move to dislodge Nancy and get up. Nancy makes a soft sound, something pathetically akin to a whimper, and digs her fingers into Robin's sleep shirt to keep her in place.

Robin's sigh is soft, understanding, but she tries again. "And coffee. Warm coffee, Nance."

Robin knows exactly how she takes her coffee, makes it so perfectly that Nancy will sometimes drag her feet in the mornings just so Robin will make it for her. Robin sees through her, of course, but she always presses the mug into Nancy's hands with a smile and a kiss on the cheek, so Nancy supposes she doesn't mind.

It's almost tempting, but it's not enough to make her want to move. So she doesn't. She lies there, eyes closed, not even trying to summon the energy to shake away the hollowness that has been in her chest since last night.

Robin rubs her hand up and down Nancy's back. "I'm sorry, Nance. I really am."

That makes her stir. She lifts her head to press against Robin's neck instead.

"Not your fault," she says, quiet but firm. She presses her lips against Robin's skin, just as soft, just as certain. Robin sighs again.

"It still sucks, though."

Nancy hums in response. Hence the moping in bed.

"But we both have the day off," Robin continues. "We can do whatever we want."

"Don't want to," she mumbles. She's distantly aware that she's pouting now, but she can't bring herself to care. Not when Robin is all she wants, and Robin is all she has, and Robin is the only person who really, truly understands.

"Nance..."

"Can we just--can we stay here?" Nancy pulls back to look up at her pleadingly--desperate, suddenly, to cling to this moment beneath the covers, this one chance to shut out the chill of the world. "Just a little longer?"

She's never had to ask, though. Not really. Robin's eyes are soft when she nods. She pulls gently on Nancy, and Nancy rises enough to kiss her softly, slowly, with all the warm, steadying assurance she's still getting used to having.

"We can stay as long as you like," Robin whispers when they part. Nancy hums again and settles back against her. Her fingers come up to comb lazily through Robin's hair.

"Will you still make breakfast when we get up?"

Robin smiles. "I'm sure I can be convinced."

[thedinanshiral]

The Missing

Having read the latest Dragon Age comic there's really not much i have to say about it. We follow Varric and Harding on their mission to find Solas, and get to see them meet some characters from previous comics like the Crows Viago and Teia, and some Tevinter Nights characters as well. The premise is simple: there's an artifact somewhere and everyone's trying to get it -Solas, the Venatori-, and our party is trying to find Solas so there they go. We get to see a little bit of Tevinter, and a little bit of the Arlathan Forest which only made me wonder how certain things could be made in the next game (distorsions in the very fabric of space-time are always interesting to me, there's a lot that could be made with that setting, gameplay wise).

As i think i've mentioned before, these side media are often made in preparation for the next installment in the series, the Dragon Age comics have rarely been lore-heavy for newcomers and hints for veterans are few and cute but not exactly groundbreaking (they better leave that for the actual game!)

Only one frame caught my attention:

In this scene out party has arrived at the temple lost in the Arlathan Forest where they expected to find the coveted artifact and Solas himself. Alas, both are gone already, but we as the readers are treated to these murals, one familiar and one not.

I'm not saying Solas was the only elf capable of making such murals but he's been practically designated as the artist behind nearly every elvhen mural seen so far, and that wolf one is no exception.

Is the location in the comic the same as in the trailer? We can't tell for now.

But it's the other part of the mural that i have to focus on. I had seen it before -spoilers can be unavoidable sometimes - and it bothers me considerably that it wasn't until i saw it on my own copy that i realized something.

People almost immediately interpreted the figures to be Ghilan'nain and Andruil, particularly because the one standing has a headpiece that very much resembles one of the upside-down figures in the trailer's mural

This, coupled with some previous concept art led people to believe the figure should be Ghilan'nain..

...or is she?

You see, the recent Dragon Age vinyl came with gorgeous cover variants, depicting the city of Arlathan before and after Solas' action, and the latter shows what seem to be the faces of most of the other Evanuris

Their headpieces are the same as shown in another part of the trailer

The moment this one came out everyone tried to guess what design corresponded to which Evanuris. I tried it too but didn't take notes so excuse me i'm not trying again now,maybe later

When i looked at that panel in the comic, it hit me. The sitting figure, with the half-moon headpiece, the same as in one of the gods on the trailer mural, the same as the grotesque sea monster...might not be Ghilan'nain. Despite all possible readings covered so far, it may actually be..Andruil.

"Whaaaaaat??" you may say, but hear me out. Check the body language in that mural. It's loving, tender, one is lying on the other's lap, they look like lovers. As Andruil and Ghilan'nain are presumed to have been. With Andruil being the senior one, i think it makes more sense for her to be the one sitting, looking down at the other resting on her lap. If the headpieces the Evanuris wore were in any way related to their name or atributes, that alone changes how this scene can be understood. The resting figure's headpiece looks like two horns; which Evanuris was related to anything with horns...antlers...halla? Ghilan'nain Mother of Halla. She was so proud of the halla, the creation that granted her godhood, the one that still roams the land, why wouldn't she reference her finest work with her crown?

Whereas the other figure, seemingly more imposing, stronger perhaps, has a headpiece that closely resembles..a halfmoon, people thought. But let me offer an alternative: a bow. Andruil, goddess of the hunt. "Sister of the Moon, Mother of Hares, Lady of the Hunt". Her preferred weapon? Bow and arrow. We know Andruil hunted in the Abyss, that it drove her mad, tainted, and apparently Horror of Hormak distracted us all because we thought it had to be Ghilan'nain, with her experiments, her monstrous creations, her underground labs of lyrium-induced genetic disasters. But what if it's not her, but her lover? What if it's Andruil? She "put an armor made of the Void and made weapons of darkness. She brought plague to her lands and howled things meant to be forgotten". She could very well be the giant sea monster in concept art. Monsters so massive don't need weapons, and that one is holding a spear. The devs note mentions "evil gods", and ok sure, Evanuris being evil is kinda debatable but the one we know for sure lost her freaking mind was Andruil.

Besides asking who's who, i think we should also consider why they're depicted like this in a mural, specially if we consider the very likely possibility that Solas made it. We know very little of his relationship with the Evanuris, other than Mythal. He didn't approve of them for sure, but he also still holds a deep love for all his people. We have at least one story that connects him with Andruil and Ghilan'nain, which is a bit odd, to say the least.

That's all i have for now. I think i'll read all the pre-Dreadwolf comics soon and work with that. Thanks for reading :)