#Let's hope Ryan and Oliver get to finally do the storyline they have wanted to do for their characters for so long now.

[buddiebeginz]

I get that some of you are nervous of Eddie leaving and Buddie not happening but trust me when I tell you Ryan isn’t going anywhere. There are zero signs that he wants to leave the show.

All of the main cast seem very happy and like a family and like they want to be working together for as long as possible. They’re also working in roles that you can’t do in just any other acting job, doing these crazy emergencies regularly. You don’t just leave a work environment like that for no reason. It’s also not like Ryan can’t do other projects while working on 911, he just worked on a movie not too long ago. So no he’s not leaving.

When it comes to Buddie I think some of you have gotten so used to storylines that play out instantly on streaming you’re not used to a network slow burn where you have to wait.

I get being scared of being let down by the show. I know how much we’re all hoping and waiting for Buddie to happen. But Buddie has been in the works for years. It was originally supposed to happen in s5 (Buck was supposed to come out in s4) but Fox refused to let it happen. So Tim left and then the show moved to abc and so Tim came back. When he did he started putting the wheels in motion for Buddie canon and that started with Buck coming out in s7. Buddie going canon has already started we’ve been in the storyline since last season when Buck’s coming out was heavily connected to Eddie.

If I didn’t think Buddie was going to happen or that it was a big maybe I’d say so but in all the years of watching the show I’ve never been as certain it’s happening as I am now.

The other thing is I think there would be zero doubt right now if Buddie was a straight ship. But because they’re two guys and they’re breaking new ground with being the first real slow burn queer ship on a primetime network show people will question if it’s happening the whole way.

Tim knows how a significant portion of the audience for the show loves Buddie. Tim, Oliver, and Ryan have all shown support for Buddie over the years which btw isn’t common for non canon queer ships. A lot of things are in our favor. If Tim didn’t want to make Buddie happen he would have made that clear when he came back and it’s been the total opposite. In s7 they were together more than ever and they’ve still been joined at the hip in s8 even if hey haven’t had a ton of scenes while Tim was closing up other storylines. We can see with 808 and recent interviews that the bulk of Eddie and Buddie’s s8 storylines are going to be in 8b.

I’ve seen people say why doesn’t Eddie just go get Chris and bring him home. I believe he will eventually but this storyline with Eddie contemplating moving to Texas isn’t as much about the Chris storyline as it is about the Buddie storyline. You have to have obstacles in a will they/won’t they that makes the audience think they aren’t going to end up together. There is always lots of angst leading up to the moment when they finally get together or get back together. This makes for a more emotional dramatic moment and some of the best tv.

We’re meant to think Eddie is leaving but even if he goes to Texas for a minute it won’t be permanent. I’m confident in saying we’ll have Buddie canon by the end of the season and Chris back too.

Please don’t let fandom’s tendency to catastrophize make you worry about where the story is going. Also take all the interviews with a grain of salt because they can’t and won’t tell us exactly where things are going. Like with the most recent Tim interviews and him making it sound like Eddie is moving. That makes sense because we’re right at the beginning of that storyline he can’t say what will happen.

Things with Buddie will take a little time to play out but we’ll get there. We are going into this hiatus in the best possible place we can be in right now and we should all be incredibly excited for what’s to come for Buddie in 8b.

[lover-of-mine]

“Anon who straight up spoiled the loft scene for me last week, can you come back with your thoughts for the rest of the season? I'm curious to see your line of thought and I'm so sorry I doubted you 🩷”

i don’t know if you mean me or not but i DID send you a message recently about how the buddie loft scene could parallel the bucktommy loft scene… i’m shocked that i was sort of right honestly 😭

i know it wasn’t an exact parallel but… the dark warm lighting?? the soft discussion?? the Moment (kiss/hug) in the exact same spot between the table and island?? tommy/eddie leaving with advice to call eddie/tommy?? the final shot of buck letting out a sigh of relief??

gotta be on purpose surely??

i haven’t had the chance to think about the rest of the season yet lmao but in my opinion, last nights episode wasn’t bad for buddie i don’t think? there were lots of lines that could be revisited in the context of canon buddie if they choose to go there, like bobby’s advice, the catholic guilt, “i wish i could help” lmaooooo. and the interviews too! ryan basically saying women are all eddie knows but he thinks eddie will start exploring what he doesn’t?? lou saying it was meant to be eddie/tommy?? so queer eddie was/is on the table, the writers can see that a queer arc would lend well to his character/storyline just like we can??

slightly unrelated, but people are already saying that ryan is against kissing boys lol so that’s why it was bucktommy instead… 1. we definitely know that’s not true and 2. he’s right that a queer arc wouldn’t fit eddie right now? starting s7 he was with a woman but buck was single, so it made sense to be buck even though i wish with every fiber of my being that they had still gone with eddie haha

idk i’m always gonna be hopeful for buddie until the series finale and even then i’m still gonna ship them (save me fix it fics). but i do not understand people closing on buddie, it really feels like they’re keeping the possibility more open than they ever have before for their relationship to change in the future ❤️

Yeah, I'm pretty sure it is you because I think that was the only ask I got about the loft scene paralleling the Bucktommy kiss and I legit was like "dude the anon was right" and had to race here to check kspsksoaksokas I really didn't think they were gonna be as on the nose as they were but they really were and I'm still ???? about because the whole you're not sure of your feelings thing with Maddie and everything with Tommy, Buck still not knowing what he wants but the VERY obvious parallels between both scenes are gonna drive me crazy lol please come back and tell me the thoughts once you figure them out, I'm genuinely curious to see what you think because you did get the vibe right and vibes are the thing that keep confusing me tbh

And honestly, Ryan acts like his main purpose in life is to be allowed to get paid to make out with Oliver, what do you mean he doesn't want to kiss boys? I don't think switching this arc around would work as well as it does for Eddie, I think realistically, freshly single Eddie would be a lot more freaked out if a guy he's known for a few weeks just kissed him, I don't think the progression we are seeing with Buck would work the same way because Eddie sexuality is set up differently, Buck has always been more casual about the physicality of a relationship, we literally haven't even seen Eddie kiss someone besides Shannon until last night. I know it wouldn't be a direct one on one switch, but I think letting Buck figure out with someone else's help while letting Eddie think about what it could mean for him that Buck is a guy and he's dating a guy, and he's dating a guy Eddie has a lot in common with that could get Eddie to be like "huh, maybe they do have the right idea" and look into the possibility of him being attracted to men on his own will makes a lot more sense, if that's the thing direction this is going. It was the impression I got from Eddie's contemplative *huh* upon finding out Tommy is gay, because considering how the show established how similar Eddie and Tommy are, to have Eddie be a little "oh i didn't know this was an option for us" even more since they are finally adding the religious trauma angle to canon, like, we knew, but good to know Eddie knows now too, could lead to something interesting. It's like we've all been saying, Buck's needs to figure out he's into men but Eddie needs to figure out he's into Buck. Buck is already there, and Eddie could trip into the realization whenever they want him to. Dude has been there ever since the end of season 5, Eddie knows how to soul search, he just needs the right trigger. This might be it. This feels like it could be it. It's getting too close to the point for them not to get there. All I know is I will be on the boat until the show ends and then stay on the boat because what if there's a revival and they suddenly decide it's time to make them canon yk? No one will ever take the hope away from me.

Also, thank you for coming back 🩷🩷

[crossovereddie]

Actually, here is an alternative thing for you to occupy your time with, and a question I have been meaning to ask you for a while. I have finished 911 finally! So I'm ready for the new season. And I wonder, realistically, what do you think the roadmap would be for a buddie endgame?

I absolutely see how their story has been framed and filmed in a lot of parallels to how a romantic storyline would be set out. But there has been no outright mention of either of them being bi - although the conversation about Maddy setting Buck up with whassisface was very casual and could very easily have been an example of canonically bi Buck - and they are both at the end of season 4 in 'relationships' with women.

So, in your estimation, what's the timeline? What's the transition? How do they go about this and how long does it take? I wanna know your thoughts 👀

okay yes i have lots of thoughts on this and it's actually one of my fave questions i get asked. I've always watched a lot of tv shows so I'm just estimating on what I've seen before and what I would personally do. IMO this love story is a slow burn. We only have four seasons so far and only three of those seasons have Eddie in them. This unsurprisingly got long so ill put it under the cut.

So I'll go by seasons bc to me its important to look at everything that has happened so far by seasons and by love interests and not as a whole. Its the best way i can form a timeline that I think would make the most sense and why

S1: So we don't get any hints at Buck being anything other than straight and I think this is because he was supposed to be. They hadn't planned for Eddie yet and they definitely hadn't planned for the chemistry Oliver and Ryan were gonna have. S1 Buck was this reckless kid who didn't take anything serious. He was definitely super immature. Then he meets Abby and he starts to get serious about his job and his love life. I'm not gonna say "Abby changed him" because she didnt. He saw the person he was and the person he was becoming and decided on that change himself.

S2: Eddie!!!! So we get introduced to this army medic turned firefighter in the least heterosexual way. Then Buck is angry because Eddie is hot and really good at his job. they work together and Eddie compliments Buck and now they're smiley bffs. Seriously wtf was all that? Anyway this is all sus bc from what ive seen before in other shows when a main love interest leaves and a new main character replaces them, that means something. JLH replaced Connie Britton as far as big name actress but i really believe Eddie replaced Abby as far as importance in Buck's life. Do i think they brought him in with the intentions of turning him into a LI? No but they sure fueled the narrative from the get go. I think they saw fans reactions and started testing the waters.

Moving on to LIs in this season. We find out Eddie has a kid and the mother is not in the picture (eddie made sure buck knew that right away). Then later on we find out he's technically still married. shannon comes back and we get Eddie finally getting to confront this head on. He tries to get his family back together for the sake of his son. Its big for Eddie's character bc all he does and all he's ever done is for his son. Then Shannon asks for a divorce then she dies bringing this arc to an abrupt end and leaving eddie heartbroken.

meanwhile Buck is still waiting for Abby. Then he finally accepts that shes not coming back and decides to move on. He goes right back to being "Buck 1.0" with Taylor and feels bad about himself because that really isnt him anymore. He wants a real relationship. So then Ali calls and asks him on an actual date and he agrees. This is his first try at a relationship after a heartbreak. in tv these don't usually work out but are used to develop the main character's growth. We don't really see much of her but she breaks up with him so.

S3: This is Eddie finally dealing with his feelings/guilt season. This is also the season I think we really see how important Buck is to the Diaz boys. S2 had cute buckley-diaz family moments but those could still be interpreted as a best friend and his best friend's kid. This season though... after the tsunamic episode was when i really started to fully believe buddie was going canon. This season is solidifying their bond not only as Buck and Eddie but as Buck Eddie and Christpher. As I'm writing this I realized neither of them really has a love interest in this season do they? Ana is introduced but then is clearly presented as definitely NOT the right choice for eddie and especially for Chris. Then they counter that with Buck helping Eddie build a skateboard for Chris that he can use as opposed to Ana's ablest remarks about how he can't do it so just move on to something else. Then we get Buck's reaction in Eddie Begins. Buck has seen his team his friends his family get hurt on the job before but he has never reacted the way he did when it was Eddie in danger. Again solidifying just how much these two mean to each other. Don't even get me started on this season being when Eddie changes his will offscreen. Anyway we get Abby back and Buck finally gets the closure from that relationship that he needs to move forward into a serious relationship.

Now S4: jfc s4....IMO this is the only logical season to get the ball rolling on Buddie and they sure did that with 4x14 despite everything else. So i never thought they would be the first serious relationship for each other after the heart break theyve both experienced. It wouldn't be fair to their character developments. Buck tries dating Veronica and that clearly doesnt work but we know hes now open to dating again. We get Buck Begins where we see why Buck is the dare devil he is. The only way he got his parents attention as a kid was to put himself in danger. They bring back taylor and how to they ultimately get together after she friendzones him? She thinks hes in danger and suddenly wants him. As much as i hate it this is really gonna be a relationship where Buck finally stands up for himself and sees his own worth and realizes he deserves more. He deserves someone who sees him and loves him for who he is. He deserves to be chosen, something Abby Ali his parents dont do and what i think taylor wont end up doing. I feel like shes gonna choose her career over him. Maybe not in a "I'm breaking up with you" way but maybe she takes a new job and want to do LD (hes tried that twice and it didnt work for him. hes not gonna want that) or she could ask him to go with her but he wont. His family is in LA. His job is in LA. Eddie and Chris are in LA and he won't leave them. Then we have Eddie finally deciding to move on and try dating again so they bring back ana. To me it's not gonna work out so I'm not bothered at all lmao. It's interesting that they'd choose her though. Someone we already know Eddie doesn't trust with his son. There's also more buckley-diaz family scenes of them being coparents. The hildy episode, Chris running to Buck when hes mad at eddie, Buck being the one to tell Chris Eddie got hurt, then Buck staying with Chris and taking on the guardian role without him even knowing just how much that role really does belong to him. He didn't do it out of obligation. He didn't do it because he was asked to. He did it because he thought it would be best for Chris. Finally to 4x14. This is by far the biggest "Oh shit this is it. This is the beginning of buddie". We find out Eddie changed his will a year ago and has just been sitting on this info. I think Eddie knew back then what it meant but he wasn't in the right mindset to accept what it means so he kept it to himself. I think he finally started allowing himself to go there during treasure hunt. The man was jealous yall. Carla coming back and her comment about doing whats best for him and not chris is his oh shit moment. I think he wouldve broken up with Ana a few days after that if he had the time lol. He gets caught up in the mother/son sl then this poor mf gets shot by a sniper. The way that whole scene was filmed btw was not in a bff way. That was a lover watching his beloved almost die in front of him. Buck again puts himself down and Eddie decides this is the moment. He needs Buck to see how important he is. He wants buck to know how loved he is. So he sits there talking himself up to it and finally lets Buck know just how big of a part he is in Eddie's family. Buck's previous scene is him saying he wants someone who wants him back then here is Eddie saying he needs him...Chris needs him. wtf.

So with S5: I think Eddie knows and Buck has a feeling but he's not sure so what i would do is spend s5 with Eddie basically showing Buck his feelings but not exactly getting in the way of Buck's new relationship because Buck has to be the one to make that choice. Id also have chris feeling the different shift with buck having a gf like he did with Eddie. This newfound info wasnt just dropped on us for a "Aww so sweet" moment. This will business is gonna be a part of a bigger storyline. I'm hoping its with Eddie's family during maybe 5b.

So what I think would be the best timeline for canon buddie is 5a eddie already having either broken up with ana or is gonna break up with her, Buck choosing himself and ending things with Taylor by midseason finale, them bringing in Eddie's family in 5b and maybe then being when Eddie confesses his feelings for Buck. Then 6a we could get them walking on egg shells around each other not really knowing what to do bc this is all so new for both of them. This could bring just the right amount of comedy and angst especially them awkward and flustered around each other at work. A big blowup can happen between them for added angst (maybe an arguement before one of them or both of them is put in danger) then a midseason finale kiss. Then trying to find the balance between their personal relationship and their work relationship during 6b.

I don't know how long Fox shows last but procedurals can last a long time. I'm not sure thats gonna be the case for 911 especially with all the main cast staying that long so i think this would give us at least a whole season (S7) of canon buddie.

As far as then being presented as straight, there's been more seeds planted about buck being bi. A few i can remember off the top of my head: all of 2x1 lmao, maddie's comment about bucks boy crush on eddie, buck hinting at thinking eddie is cute when he thinks maddie is talking about him, the christmas elf, the comments on the instagram livestream, idk if youve watched it or not but TK's comment to Buck in the crossover episode, and like you mentioned Maddie's casual comment about setting him up with Josh. All we really know about Eddie's love life is he married Shannon when they were young and is trying with Ana so it could turn into a whole storyline for him.

I'm so sorry this is so long and took forever but i I hope i actually answered your question and didnt just get lost in rambles lmao.

[oabf45]

Ok so I finally watched the new 9-1-1 and 9-1-1 Lone Star episodes and here is what I think overall for the seasons so far, the characters, and part 2 of the seasons. Badically my opinions no one asked for 😁

9-1-1

- Let's rip the band aid off. I'm sorry but we're never getting Buddie. I'm a huge Buddie shipper myself, but I honestly have reached the point where I just don't see it happening. For one their friendship alone just isn't what it's been the past two seasons. Idk if its just me feeling this, but their scenes together, though sweet, just haven't been what they've been in the past. I mean this last episode is the most connection I feel from their characters than i have this whole season. I'm still not over Eddie's lack of reaction to Buck being trapped when Buck was ready to dig through the earth to find Eddie. Though I think there is still a chance Buck could be BI I just no longer have hope that Buddie is going to be a thing. I mean, they've at least hinted that Buck could ride that way, but Eddie has given zero signs of being into men at all. But honestly if they at least explore a BI Buck then I'll be happy, even if he's not with Eddie. It also doesn't help that there's a HUGE possibility that Oliver and Ryan don't get along anymore. They stopped following each other on social media and they post pictures with all the rest of the cast except each other. Its just looking extremely unlikely.

- I don't think Ana deserves as much hate as she's getting. I wasn't so fond of the Eddie/Ana pairing either, mostly because I was so into Buddie. But Ana does seem genuinely a great person and its a plus that Christopher loves her. I just wish that if they were going to persue this they would have built it up more and showed us more of her character. I mean we know close to nothing about her which is what makes it hard to like her or like her with Eddie.

- I'm glad that even if Buck doesn't end up with Eddie he still is obviously going to be someone very close to Christopher. Their relationship is so absolutely darling and even if its not Buddie, Buck is very obviously like a second dad.

- At first I was not at all happy with them bringing back Taylor. I found her character so freaking annoying in the past. But honestly her character seems to have mellowed out and I actually liked her. But I am PRAYING that if she sticks around its just as a friend and not a girlfriend. Buck and Taylor are just a huge NOPE in my book.

- I need more of Athena, Bobby, and Michael ASAP! I miss seeing them more on my screen!

- I'm super excited for baby Chimney/Maddie. And I'm so happy Chimney felt safe enough in his relationship to express his feelings about an at home birth. Their relationship is so sweet and healthy and it makes my heart so warm

- I swear on everything I love if they take that little baby away from Hen and Karen I will RIOT! I also hope to see more of Hen's mom and can't wait to see her pass her exam.

- Albert was wrong for dating Buck's bad date, but he's a good guy and overall a good friend. Buck needs more friends outside of Eddie. I hope they give him more of a storyline in part 2.

- Overall loved the first half of 9-1-1 season 4. I hope they do another crossover in part 2 so that Buck can meet Carlos.

9-1-1 Lone Star

- Yes I have hated the baby trope this first half, yes Gwyn has been annoying af and I'm ready for her to go, and YES Owen has been annoying this season too. But I still love Owen and no I don't believe he's a bad person or a bad father. I hope they do right by his character in the second part and bring the old Owen back now that his life is going to go back to what it was. But I also know this is going to leave room for another romantic interest which you just know they're going to bring in. Maybe they'll bring Michelle back 🤷🏽‍♀️

- The amount of screen time Carlos got is *chefs kiss*. I'm so glad we got to see more into his family dynamic. And how great he is as a cop?! Like make that man a detective already! Also Rafael's acting is superb. He has the most expressive eyes I've ever seen! His face with Owen compliments him on his caring heart and how that makes him a great cop? He BEAMED and it was like no one had ever told him that before. I wanted to hug him so badly.

- I'm so happy they're showing a healthy gay relationship. Sure they've had their ups and downs, but they show TK and Carlos working it out perfectly with good communication which is what we need to see represented more with LGBTQ+ couples on TV. I have no doubt they'll last because they're literally the reason most people tune in and the showrunners know that. And that reuniting hug? Ronen and Raf's real life friendship makes their on screen relationship feel so real and I hope that never changes.

- I need more Mateo. The only thing we know is that he's dyslexic and has a cousin in LA. He's such a great character I wish they'd give him more screen time.

- I know that most y'all see them as just a brother/sister pair, but I love the idea of Mateo/Marjan as a couple. I feel like she could help him grow up a little while he could help her have more fun. But either way I love their relationship and want to see more.

-PLEASE give Paul a GREAT love interest. Someone who loves and accepts him for everything he is. He deserves so much love.

- Tommy Vega is THAT BITCH! She deadass basically said "shoot me. You won't". LOVE seeing a strong black woman on the screen. And I hope they give more screen time to Nancy. I feel like she could be a really interesting character.

- Am I the only one that kind of wants to see them bring back Billy Tyson? I know thats so random, but I think he needs redemption. Idk 🤷🏽‍♀️

- Last but not least......thank GOD I read spoilers before watching the episode because if I hadn't prepared myself and they ended the show with that bridge scene......all I gotta say is JUDD AND GRACE BETTER BE FUCKING OK! OR I'M FIGHTING EVERY DAMN BODY! But honestly I think they will be. These two make the show, for one. Judd is deadass the glue that holds that firehouse together and is overall a great character. No way they're killing him off. And Grace is a fucking saint and also a great character. And she's one of the only two black women on the show. Showrunners, y'all really wanna try that? They're such a great, healthy relationship who are literally so unstoppable together. I think they'll have some trauma but survive. And possibly a Ryder baby? Yes please, and please let it be a baby boy. Judd needs a little mixed cowboy 🤠

- Overall the season has been good, but too Owen/Gwyn central. Hoping the next part has more spotlight on the others. Maybe some "Character Begins" episodes? I think a "Judd Begins" Episode would be perfect to start off with to tie into the whole "omg is he alive" aspect we're bound to get.

[noethicalconsumptionunderdisney]

Ranked: Hannah Montana — Jake Ryan Episodes

Here we are at last: Jake Ryan.  I think you all probably could’ve seen this coming, but I had to keep you waiting (and gather my thoughts a bit).  Of Miley’s canon love interests, Jake (Leslie) Ryan is the one that gets the most screentime overall, and happens to be my personal favorite match for her, so it only makes sense to dedicate a Ranked post to him.  As per usual, I’ll be revealing these rankings from Worst->Best, in reverse-order of how much I liked them.

Which brings us to probably the most unambiguous “Worst” ever:

“The End of the Jake As We Know It” (Season Four)

Yeah.  Of all the episodes on this list, this is the only one I actively dislike.  I don’t think this one was too much of a shock to anyone, but let me talk about why anyway:

This is the first and only time Jake shows up in Season 4.  He’s barely shown in Season 3, which we’ll talk about a little more further down, but he really just seems to appear solely to be dragged through the mud, and then unceremoniously shooed out so Miley can ride off into the sunset with Jesse. I don’t even necessarily have a problem with them breaking up.  I wouldn’t be happy about it, but you could at least give a better reason— you’ve done it before!  Twice!  And there’s a perfectly good reason right there in front of them: they’ve been apart for a while, they liked each other as kids, but now that they’re getting older and growing into separate lives, they’re growing apart.  But no, let’s just have him randomly cheat on her, because that’s totally a satisfying conclusion to a multi-season arc.  Calling one of your most beloved recurring characters a dick for 30 minutes is peak comedy, amirite?

This is also the only time in Season 4 that Oliver is actually an important part of an episode? He shows up for like 5 minutes in the Finale, but really, the Season 4 episode where he has the most screentime is this one.  And while there’s nothing wrong with how Oliver is written here, it just makes a little extra mad, because most of his screentime is focused on this dumbass plot development.  I can’t help but think, They brought back my man for this?! on both counts.

But let’s move on to less loathsome episodes, shall we?

“He Could Be The One” (Season Three)

Okay, I might catch some shit for this.  I know. This episode’s very popular.  I am aware of that.  And I don’t actually hate this episode, like with the other one.  I like the song, I like Miley asserting herself to her dad when it comes to her dating life, Lilly and Oliver are on-point (although that does kind of apply to the last episode too), and I even liked most of the interactions between Miley and Jake.  That said, here’s why I’m ranking it so low:

THE ONLY REASON IT EXISTS IS TO SET MILEY UP WITH SOMEONE ELSE.

Everything from the start of the episode to the weird reframing of Miley and Jake’s complicated past to the focus on Miley bonding with someone else, thinking about that someone else when she’s singing to Jake, talking about how she wants to kiss that someone else so badly except for the inconvenient fact that she’s with Jake, to the episode treating them like equivalent options that are just so hard to decide between despite she and Jesse barely knowing each other and having no history outside this episode… every bit of it is designed to make you like the other guy better and root for the other guy.  

And I guess if you haven’t watched the other episodes, or you have but it’s been awhile and you don’t remember them super-well, it’s easier to root for Jesse (ignoring all the problems that he himself has as a character, in this episode, even, but let’s not focus on that right now).  But this show can’t trick me that easily, sorry not sorry.

I “should” like this episode more, given that this is when they get back together, but they could’ve gotten them together differently.  Instead, we have Lilly berating Miley for going back to her ex after she rejects Jesse, we have Miley… tackling Jake?  Did anyone else find that odd?  Funny, yes, but weird as hell, and not really indicative of their dynamic.  And worst of all, we have them completely rewriting history and hoping we don’t notice.  It’s not respectful to list “we have so much history” as a reason to stay with Jake if you can’t be bothered to portray that history accurately.  So before we delve into that history a bit, let me make one thing abundantly clear:

Jake did not break Miley’s heart.  He’s also not the only one who’s ever fucked up or acted immaturely in their relationship. You wouldn’t know it from watching this, but she’s the one who broke up with him the only time they actually did date.  Yeah, it was kind of crappy of him to make her think he was marrying her friend so he could “Gotcha!” her on TV, and it wasn’t great of him to kiss her and then leave in Season 1, but that’s a far cry away from “breaking her heart.”  He literally never did.  The fact that they framed it that way is not only frustrating, but also some gross foreshadowing for what they ultimately did to his character later on.

That said, the way Jake actually is when he’s onscreen (i.e. when you look at how he actually acts and not just how other people are talking about him) is pretty in-character, funny even.  Miley and Jake still have their chemistry and their interactions are amazing apart from that weird tackling thing, and Jake reacting to the cat sweater was something I didn’t know I needed.  So objections aside, I do like this episode.  Just not as much as what’s to come.

“Jake… Another Little Piece of My Heart” (Season Three)

So while my previous entry was largely dedicated to explaining why it was ranked lower, this entry is going to be a defense of sorts, explaining why this episode, yeah might not be the best, but is a lot better than people remember, or at least is one I’m still very fond of.  

In Jake’s last appearance before this, Miley agreed to be “just friends” with him.  Here, we see them following up on that.  She calls him “one of [her] best friends,” and not only that, she shows that she knows him well enough to know why he, of all people, should not be getting married young.  “You change your phone plans every 6 weeks.”  How does she know this?  Because they kept in contact with each other.  They contact each other frequently enough for her to know that he changes his phone plan all the time.  They kept their promise!  They’re exes, yes, and there’s still tension there as we see in the end, but they genuinely do feel like friends, and not just like they’re awkwardly forcing it.

Miley is understandably pissed when he pranks her, but that’s only because she cares so much, and I do think there’s genuine concern there as a friend, even if she very likely was also jealous.  They’re comfortable around each other, they’ve gotten to know each other a lot better, and the hint that there’s still more lingering between them at the end is both promising and open-ended.  They don’t get back together right then… but they show that they could, because those feelings are still there, despite everything.

I wonder, though, if this episode would’ve worked better had it aired earlier.  We get indications that it was filmed earlier than some of the others, namely that scenes from it show up in the Opening Credits for that season, but for whatever reason, it didn’t air until much later.  I’m not sure why, but I do think things could’ve been better had they reintroduced her relationship with Jake (friendship with some lingering feelings) earlier on, had a few more “regular” episodes without him, and then given the two a proper arc later in the season rather than just one episode where they’re like, “We’re back together now!  But I also kind of like this other guy!  Oh no!” and then he’s not there the rest of the season.  But c’est la vie.  

Now onto the good stuff:

“Good Golly, Miss Dolly” (Season One)

Honestly, the way the entire Season 1 arc unfolds with them is so natural and beautifully done, I almost don’t feel like it’s fair to dissect them individually and split them up based on personal favorites, because they work best in order and as a unit. But I still have my opinions.

I’ve expressed previously why I love Dolly Parton’s appearance here and why she kills it, but in terms of Miley’s development with Jake, this one remains the most stagnant and frustrating. Painfully realistic, of course, and very in-character for everyone, but of all the Season 1 Jake episodes, this is the one that has the least Jake in it?  Which is not really why I’m ranking it lower, but it does put their dynamic into generic “girl clearly likes guy but is too proud and scared to admit her feelings” territory.  Which is necessary for their story to develop, but isn’t as fun as the episodes where we actually see why she hasn’t been “falling all over him” up to this point (meaning, her aversion to his personality).  And we pretty much end the episode right where we started: once again, Miley’s pining over him, wants to express her feelings for him, but feels like she can’t… only now she’s got a more solid reason not to.

“More Than A Zombie To Me” (Season One)

I was torn at first between this one and the Dolly one, but I ranked this one higher for a few reasons. For one, the storyline is a bit more complex and nuanced.  Lilly teases Miley for being in denial of her feelings for Jake, Miley rejects him when he asks her out… but then Hannah Montana has to kiss him.  She makes a case for why she shouldn’t have to kiss him… only to realize she wanted to when they actually listen to her.  Jake respects her “no” and asks someone else… only for her to realize she wanted him after all.  Miley fights with Lilly for Jake’s affections… only for her to realize that her friendship with Lilly is more important than whether or not she “gets the guy.”  

Beat for beat, Miley is always one step behind, not because she’s stupid, but because she has too much pride to see what’s right in front of her, to acknowledge her own feelings.  It’s not the most pleasant characterization for Miley, but it is very telling characterization, and it paints an interesting picture of her and her relationships to both Jake and Lilly— that she genuinely wants to mean what she says and say what she means, but her pride makes it harder for her to figure out what she actually wants.  She genuinely wants to be a decent, down-to-earth person, but sometimes she’s too self-centered to realize how she’s coming off and how she might be hurting others.

What’s most interesting here, though, is Lilly’s characterization and development in the Jake arc.  In this episode and the one before it, she’s among the girls who are “falling all over” Jake, even continuing to say “Sup” to him because he said it to her once like it’s their “special thing.”  She alternates between starstruck awe over Jake and amusement over Miley’s aversion to him, teasing Miley that she may be protesting too much, and shamelessly drooling all over him to Miley’s annoyance.  After this episode, we see her being the supportive friend and #1 Shipper On Deck for Jake and Miley… then firmly against Jake and Miley together after they break up the first time, and from that point on, genuinely over Jake and wanting what’s best for her best friend.  

But this episode… this is where we see the switch.  This is where we see Lilly giving Miley a fair shot, then taking Jake for herself when the opportunity presents itself.  This is where we see her doing something for herself for once and going beyond that “best friend” role… only to realize it’s not meant to be. That Jake only ever had eyes for Miley. That she was the canned fruit cup he settled for after all.  It’s painful and heartbreaking, and perhaps a less strong friendship wouldn’t be able to withstand it, but theirs does.  Because Lilly does.  Because Lilly knows that whatever Miley says, being with Jake would make her happy, and Jake wants Miley more than anyone else.  And she’s willing to do whatever it takes to help them be happy together… even if it means she doesn’t get the guy herself.  I think Lilly’s role in all this is so underrated, and she deserves massive credit for the maturity and development she displays here.

And of course, we have more characterization for Jake, where he’s… very much himself, but also better than Miley initially gives him credit for.  Yeah, he’s still hiding behind his ego and bravado, and he does initially say Miley must’ve been nervous to reject him when he asks her out a second time on the beach, but we also see him accepting that she doesn’t like him back (or so he thinks).  We see that he’s sweet to Hannah as a coworker, and then he confides in her that he likes Miley because she’s “cute, funny, smart, down-to-earth,” and because she sees him as a person, not as a superstar. I do think “moving on” from Miley by asking out her best friend, right in front of her, is kind of a dick move (or possibly a jealousy play), and he could’ve made a little more of an effort to be loyal to Lilly as she was his date, rather than being so obvious that he preferred Miley, but overall, I think this is a good episode for developing Jake as someone with hidden depths, and someone Miley could realistically fall for.  

(Also, the subplot is comedy gold from start to finish.)

“People Who Use People” (Season One)

Their first kiss! Yeah, there’s no getting around it: this one’s amazing.  Their banter is just on point from beginning to end.  We have a continuation of Jake and Hannah’s pleasant costar relationship, a continuation of Miley’s ever-more-obvious feelings for Jake, and we have a culmination of the tension between the two in an incredible scene. Once again, this does one of my favorite things: it turns the narrative on its head.  We know Miley used Willis to make Jake jealous, but now it’s revealed that Jake was doing the same thing with Holly all along.

“Holly?  She’s not my girlfriend.  We have a movie coming out, so we’ve been hanging out, it’s a publicity thing.”

“Why didn’t you tell me that before?!”

“Uhhh… well…  I-I think I—”

“Wait a minute, I know why.  Because you were trying to make me jealous.”

“Was not.”

“Was too.  Admit it, Jake, you like me.”

“No, you like me, just say it.”

“No, you say it!”

“No, you!”

“No, you!”

*cue Big Damn Kiss*

They spar with each other like this all episode, meeting each other on the same level beat for beat. And Lilly eating popcorn in the background and falling off her chair?  Let’s not lie to ourselves, we were all Lilly in this moment.  Ultimately, this isn’t the story of “how they got together,” because Jake leaves for a movie, but even that makes some sense.  He feels good that he got to kiss her before he left and doesn’t have to wonder what it would’ve been like, she feels angry that he kissed her when he knew he’d be leaving soon, and ultimately his acting career comes before him having a normal life, as it always sort of has, which unfortunately means it also has to come before Miley.  But once again, we have an open ending, a clear “not now” rather than a “never,” and a question to be potentially answered in the future: Will They, Might They, and Would It Work Out?  And of course, what’s next?

But before we get into that, let’s talk about where it all began:

#3: “New Kid in School” (Season One)

Who doesn’t love a good First Meeting, especially one that starts off with two prospective lovers starting off on the wrong foot?  What I love about them starting off on the wrong foot here, though, is that it’s not really due to misunderstandings.  On the contrary, Miley is the only person who knows exactly what’s going on— even better than Jake does, I’d argue, because he doesn’t even realize how arrogant he comes across, and Miley’s the only one willing to call him out on it.

This isn’t even particularly a shippy episode, apart from “Also, he thinks I’m cute, not that I care,” but I’d argue it’s better because it establishes them as characters first, and as Foils.  Both of them are celebrities attending normal school and who, in theory, want to be treated like normal kids, but while Jake talks the talk and still gets everything he wants, Miley walks the walk and has to lose her celebrity privileges in exchange for peace and privacy.  It’s understandable that Miley feels she’s gotten the short end of the stick, and it’s only later, after she’s opened her big mouth of course, when Jake confides in her that sometimes he really does wish he could be normal, it’s only then that she realizes she’s the lucky one.  

But of course it’s not too late for her, it’s too early in the show for that!  So we see her family coming together in this hilarious scene where they pretend they’re all crazy celebrity-impersonators.  As a side note, I like to think they didn’t buy the Elvis costume for this, but that Jackson just had it lying around already and was itching for an excuse to use it.  (Maybe he was Elvis for a previous Halloween, idk.)

In any case, the reason I rank this higher is that even though it doesn’t show that Miley and Jake like each other all that much, it shows why they could like each other, which in my opinion is more important.  I mean, ideally, you’d have both, but this does a good job of introducing Jake as someone who seems like just another egotistical celebrity Miley can’t stand, but underneath that, is someone who just might understand what she goes through better than anyone, and Miley is the perfect person to understand him right back.  

#2: “That’s What Friends Are For?” (Season Two)

The return of not one, but two iconic guest stars in the best and worst way: together.  Months after their breakup, Miley finds Jake at her doorstep after sparring with Mikayla, and is sure he’s only there to get her back… but he just wants to be friends.  Great!  Good, no drama!  That’s exactly what she wanted… right?

Even better, he invites her on the set of a talk show so he can reveal his new movie… and his new costar, her archrival Mikayla.  The worst part is, he chose Mikayla out of courtesy.  He doesn’t know Hannah and Mikayla hate each other, because they act friendly when they’re on-camera.  He did it because he values his relationship with Miley, and doesn’t want to ruin their friendship by inviting her to play his love interest.  And Miley… well, we all know Miley isn’t as okay with this as she pretends to be, and it only becomes more apparent as the episode goes on.

What I love about this is the role reversal this puts them in.  For once, Jake is the one being mature, and Miley is the one that needs to apologize and grow, and admits it.  It’s framed that way and everything.  It’s almost bittersweet to watch, because this was such a good step for them, and probably the most mature episode involving the two. To see them go backwards in development after this, to see Jake be raked through the coals by the writers, all that good will between them forgotten and retconned and burned to hell later on, there’s just something very bitterly tragic about it.  This episode was so important for them, not just as a relationship, but as people, and I wish that good will they had towards each other had remained and gotten a proper follow-up.

Of course, this was itself an excellent follow-up to…

#1: “Achy Jakey Heart” (Season Two)

Was it ever even a question? Jake Ryan returns in glorious fashion: falling from the sky, in a tux, down on one knee begging Miley’s forgiveness, with chocolates from the sky.  Say what you will, that man knows his way around a Big Romantic Gesture.  And he doesn’t stop there: muffins, “Jake steak,” a cardboard cutout, and barging in the front door in a literal knight costume, he asks what more he can do.   More importantly, he says, “You’ve dumped stuff on me, and you’ve yelled at me.  The one thing you haven’t done is tell me you don’t care about me.  Tell me that, and I’ll go away.”  Even after all this, he’s willing to respect her if the answer is “no.”  He just wants to make sure it’s “no” because she doesn’t want him, and not because she doesn’t believe he cares for her.  He does care for her, and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to prove it.  

He gets tested for this pretty much right away, fails in private, and then passes in public when Miley least expects him to.  After telling Miley he can’t take her to a movie premiere because he’s pretending to date his costar, he rejects his costar on live TV to confess his love for Miley.  He doesn’t do it expecting her to come back, rather, he admits his fault and accepts that for him, there’s no happy ending.  And Miley responds in the best way possible, showing up with a “Who says real life doesn’t have happy endings?” and a Big Damn Kiss of her own.

This is also when they confide in each other.  Jake tells her his real name is Leslie, and Miley tells him she’s Hannah Montana.  They’re vulnerable with each other for the first time in their relationship, and they understand each other better than ever. Unfortunately, it’s understanding, or lack thereof, that also leads to their demise.  

Jake wants to be a normal guy, or at least he thinks he does.  Miley feels to a certain extent that she is a normal girl, just a normal girl who happened to get famous.  And that disconnect, that difference hurts them.  Miley realizes that Jake doesn’t actually know what it’s like to be normal, and having to be with someone who can’t handle one night of it, as well as the pressure of being famous as Miley too, is what finally cracks them open.  I will say she could’ve handled it a lot better, and good on Jake for calling her out on her lack of communication, but in the end, their relationship is left with a mutual understanding: that Jake respects her secret, listened to what she had to say, and wants to improve.  Not so that he can get her back, but so that he can be “worthy of someone as terrific as” her.  

This also has ONE OF THE BEST SUBPLOTS OF ALL TIME.  Cheese jerky?  Capitalist commentary?  Jackson rolling in money and Rico being mad about it? Oliver and Jackson doing a rap together? Are you not entertained?  Like its main plot, this does end up reverting to the status quo by the end, but it’s done in a way that’s both crushingly realistic and brutally hilarious.  Overall, this episode?  One for the ages.

So there it is— every Jake Ryan episode, ranked.  I have a whole ton more I could say about Jake Ryan, Miley Stewart, and their overall dynamic (and probably will, this week lol nope), but I feel like this is a decent start that outlines my opinions in quite a bit of detail.  While not a perfect couple by any means, they sure as hell made the screen a lot more interesting.  And hey, the course of true love never did run smooth, why should they be any different?

[reachgirl]

My thoughts on “Buddie”

 1. I think if Fox could realize that sometimes you can’t *plan* for chemistry, it just happens, and when it does it’s magic and you need to let it play out, they would be so far ahead of the curve of other shows and fans beyond their core audience would take notice.  The material IS there to defend it actually happening against claims that they just bowed down to the shippers.

2. On the one hand, I believe that the writers are very deliberately writing a lot of subtext and the directors are leaving in scenes where the actors are making certain choices, both Ryan/Oliver and Peter/Kenneth/Aisha/JLH. But is it just as a “shout out” to the Buddie shippers, or an actual deliberate effort to make a point of how close they are and how dependent they’ve become on their relationship?

3. I’ve talked before how I think deciding on your character’s sexuality before you actually write them out for a while just doesn’t make for believable humanity based on reality. If we’re looking at these two examples, 

Buck has been written in a way that could very well make him bi/pan and not everybody who is and is secure in their identity will go and talk about it constantly. I would also like to remind everyone that bi does not mean you have to stick to a certain quota, like keep your relationships 50/50 male/female. There are many people who are bi who tend to end up in more relationships/even just sexual ones with one gender, and that doesn’t make them less bi or pan. So just because we have only seen him have female love interests during the show, there are some scenes (”Your man crush on Eddie”/”I’m not setting you up with my brother/Hey Now”) that could be interpreted to mean that might not always have been the case, Maddie being the one who would have been there to witness it. We also see Buck not really caring about the social conventions - not only of who he dates - he is consistently written as meeting every person he meets on eye level - even making sure the guy who stole his identity to catfish women wouldn’t lose his dignity in death, but also romantically, we can see him building a connection with Abby through the phone first and falling in love with her as a person, and not caring about her being quite a lot older.

Eddie, and I’ve written about this before, is a little bit of an enigma. Again, we have only seen him in one relationship, and while it doesn’t seem like it was the happiest of marriages, in the end it really did seem like he loved Shannon and wanted to make it work. Up until Ms. Florez we have also seen him almost making a point of not looking to date (”They’re not my type”/”You didn’t set me up, did you?”), and that is pretty much all we know about him. Again, the fact that he was married to a woman and once flirted with one briefly, does not prove or disprove anything. He grew up in Texas, in latino culture, and spent a good amount of his formative years in the US Army, all of these can traditionally be quite conservative. From personal experience even I have seen many people who grew up in conservative environments fall in line with the expectations set for them by their communities (often very early, and Eddie and Shannon did get married quite young), especially if their community doesn’t provide a lot of LGBTQ-visibility or role models. Yes, Eddie does “act” straight, whatever that means and whether that is an actual concept, but the way he behaves in a lot of scenes with Buck, and I’ll get back to this in point 8., could be interpreted in other ways.

4. TV today has gotten a lot better at showing LGBTQ relationships that aren’t a) just on the sidelines b) serving as collateral emotional damage to drive the plot or c) are written in a way that is basically just taking a hetero-couple-storyline and casting two people of the same gender in it. I am worried that they think they can’t do the “coming out later in life” storyline again with Buddie because they already have Michael (which brings me back to point 1. Let the damn magic happen when it’s right in front of your eyes), and they can’t have another main cast LGBTQ character - or two - because they already have Hen (and Karen). Obviously these are not valid reasons, look at other shows like 911 Lone star for representation within the main cast, but of course, this is a double edged sword because there is a concern that they gave us 911 Lone Star to do what they wouldn’t or couldn’t do with the original. (On a side note, Owen Strand is the fairy godfather of Texas and I live for that show)

5. Parallels. This has been talked about a lot, and there are much better posts about it than this one. But writers aren’t stupid, or careless, so I do believe that to a certain extent they’re aware of how they are setting up parallels between Buck and Eddie’s love lives. We have them agreeing to “have each other’s backs” in contrast to Shannon telling Eddie that he never had hers. We have Eddie telling Buck that there is no one he trusts more with Christopher than him, while he makes it clear that while he thinks he can forgive Shannon, he doesn’t think he can trust her. We had Shannon coming back just as Buck decides to leave Abby behind finally, and we had Ali showing up when Shannon dies, and now Ana when the writers point out how single Buck is.

6. Themes. The episode themes in 9-1-1 are kinda like horoscopes, they’re meant to be able to work for multiple storylines and connect all the main characters through one focus. But we’ve seen a lot of themes surrounding family or trust or love that have an obvious connection to a Buddie moment on the show. Chosen Family. Home. Being able to trust your partner. Seizing the day. And even when it’s something that doesn’t immediately connect the two, the scenes are cut in a way that imply there’s a connection, like Eddie telling Chim to tell Maddie he loves her, because tomorrow isn’t promised. Chim calls Maddie to invite her to dinner to finally do this, and right before this we see Eddie asking Buck to lunch - this is probably just a coincidence, right? But we can be sure that the director, writers and cutters were aware of this, and made the choice to do it this way, for whatever reason. Because this is their exact job, telling stories through how they cut scenes together. 7. Christopher. So this might be what makes Buddie a little more unique compared to the, admittedly, dozens of other seemingly “straight bromances” that people have shipped. Most scenes we get with Buck and Eddie that are outside of work, involve Chris in some way. It’s probably safe to say that part of the reason they became so close is because Buck and Chris have a connection that I would wager goes beyond what most friends have with their single-dad-friend’s kid. We see how important Buck becomes in Christopher’s life, and vice versa, pretty much a few episodes after they meet for the first time. Eddie trusts Buck with Chris’ life, and he trusts him with any problems relating to Christopher that he needs to work through. Buck’s his sounding board for his role as a parent, which is interesting considering Eddie has other friends at the 118 that actually are parents? *cough* Chosen family *cough*

8. Closeness. As I said above, sometimes writers plan one storyline, but the magic happens somewhere they didn’t expect, and if that is the case, and you want to be faithful to your characters, you should seize that opportunity. I think we can all agree this is one of those cases where the chemistry is just off the charts. There are long looks, there is a lot of being in sync, there’s constant physical contact when they’re sitting or walking next to each other. Personal space, who? Again, this is something the director could discourage, or use a take that didn’t have Buck grab his belt buckle and invading Eddie’s personal space in his own kitchen, but they decided on this take. They decided on the take of Eddie clearly checking out Buck’s behind and Chim noticing. Now Buck seems to be pretty comfortable with closeness anyway, but Eddie isn’t the most touchy guy with anyone else, so this is noticeable. And it works.

9. Look. Somebody sat down and wrote “You want to go for the title?” and I would pay a lot of money to see the stage directions on that script because holy fuck. There’s a lot of info in their exchanges - and it implies that there are lots of moments that these two talk that we don’t get to see - Buck immediately knows about Eddie and Ana, and he knew about the situation with Shannon too (and didn’t hide his jealousy very well). When they don’t talk, it clearly gets to Eddie, who doesn’t have that many other people he really trusts and can open up to. Cue “husbands fighting in the supermarket”. But what’s also interesting to me is that their dynamic involves a lot of Eddie teasing Buck. “Exoskeleton” “Aren’t you still in that phase?” “You would have talked me into buying a more expensive one”.. and Eddie sometimes uses it to keep their conversations from getting into dangerous, emotional territory, like during the kitchen scene. And I don’t know about y’all, but that sounds like something I’ve done before when I knew there was something to get into, and I just didn’t know how or when. 

_______________________________________

Wow I could keep going but this is already so long. I’m so sorry everyone. But I figured we all now have two weeks so we have time to do a lot of reading 😅Thanks everybody for reminding me about the things that do make it seem like Buddie is an actual possibility, because most of the time, I have to admit, I’m like 70/30 against the hope of it becoming reality. Long live fanfiction! In conclusion, please make it happen, or explain all the choices you have made. YOU CAN’T! 

[riarklus]

3b buddie thoughts

as always, i’m back again with my weekly update on buddie because 3.11 fucked me up and now that i had time to gather my thoughts, i am actually super confused about some stuff both oliver, ryan & the showrunners have teased us with. and i also have some thoughts on abby coming back.

so, to start off, we have the major buddie statement oliver gave last year i think, like right when they started filming for 3b?? i think. i’m not sure. anyway, oliver says he isn’t certain on where the story is going. which is okay for an actor who filmed some scenes that he doesn’t know how they will be put together in the final product, but good god have grace and help me understand. mr. oliver stark, what do you mean by your statement when you filmed that scene for 3.11. like i love you BUT WHAT THE FUCK does that mean??? is it obvious only for us??? like you didn’t even take a HINT about it??? oh my god i swear i will die because oliver is way too nice for this world, but THAT SCENE wasn’t q**********g or random or just put there for the sake of filling time, it was meaningful!!

then we have ryan saying eddie will get “a NEW love interest”. see how i emphasized the word new. like he wanted us to KNOW. he wanted us to let our guards DOWN. i see you ryan, i see YOU. and i’m not giving into the mind games you play with me. i won’t cause i see what you did there and i’m not buying it. 

now we have what the showrunner said (i don’t remember which one, sorry. also i don’t remember exactly what they said, but i’m quoting from memory), something along the lines of eddie being very good looking and his single phase not lasting for too long. now you see here, this person didn’t say new. or even love interest. 

look i’m not trying to be an asshole. what i’m trying to say is that i don’t trust what oliver and ryan are saying with their interviews or statements or whatever you want. i don’t trust it 100%, because they have a job they have to keep, they are not allowed to say anything about what happens except for very broad and ambiguous ways of somehow painting a picture for the season. so yeah i think it’s safe to assume that the only things we can take safely into consideration is what happens in the episodes and what producers/directors/writers tell us about them after they aired. if they say anything.

we have some timeline confirmed for the episodes, we have 3.12 which airs tonight, 3.13 for next week, and then we are gonna have a week off between 3.13 and 3.14 (at least this is what i heard? i hope i’m not mistaken and throwing wrong pieces of information around lmao), which means something happens in 3.13... just something. i don’t know about good or bad, i just have a feeling something will happen in 3.13. or maybe with this whole quarantine thing they decided to take a week off? who knows. then we have 3.15 which is confirmed it’s going to be eddie begins, and then we have 3.16 where, again, mr oliver stark is fucking with my head saying that this was his favorite episode to film (or maybe it was one of his favorite scenes in this episode i can’t remember anything apparently). like WHAT DO you mean. and then 3.17 & 3.18 are kind of a blur cause we don’t know anything. also i think abby comes back in either 3.16 OR 3.17, and will leave during 3.18, which brings me to my theory (kind of?).

basically, we don’t have enough screen time for eddie to develop a meaningful relationship with someone who isn’t buck, unless they are introduced in tonight’s episode or in the one from next week. i’m saying that because something obviously is going to happen to eddie in 3.14, which triggers the eddie begins episode, which is 3.15. if something does happen in 3.14 that would lead to eddie being injured, he is going to need to recover from said injury and honestly i wouldn’t really care about a love interest for him at that point. it would be too late in the season, with 2 last episodes to go, to have him be injured AND developing feelings for someone new in his life, and it would be way too messy from a viewer’s point to have to go through that (like, i would have done something similar with ali and buck in season 2, if they wanted to bring a new love interest for eddie. but again, they didn’t). also one thing i don’t understand about the buddie fandom is why y’all are so worried if eddie gets a new love interest. ali and buck were pretty strong last season and they still broke them up. like come on, the writers are making points and you are just ignoring them.

now regarding abby. if she does come back in 3.16 or 3.17, and i’m stretching the situation here a lot, to fit into this “theory”, with eddie injured, buck wouldn’t want to leave his side. and that would complicate things with him resolving their situation. which would be a pretty good storyline. but if they go into this direction, i don’t know how much confirmation we would get, because they are obviously going to confirm them by the end of the season - or maybe they are going to destroy them. really, it’s a dangerous road with 3b, because if we get big and bold moments (insert 3.11 quote), then we would also get their counterparts. which in this context is abby.

with all this being said, i see they have 2 options with buddie this season: we get a lot of family feels up until the break, then eddie gets injured, buck has the realization™, abby comes back which messes with both buck and eddie’s heads, then she leaves and they give us confirmation buddie is happening 100% next season. the second option: we get a love interest for eddie sometimes in the next 2 or 3 episodes, then he gets injured, then said love interest sees the way buck is with eddie and maybe steps down? the way ali did in season 2? and the rest is just like option 1. and of course there is option 3, which is eddie goes out in the world and starts dating, but that has to happen in 3.12/3.13/3.14. again, if he gets injured he won’t have the time for a new love interest. seems plausible but i don’t know tbh.

yes i am aware that i missed out on mentioning the buck begins episode. there is a big fat chance it might be 3.16 but i wouldn’t put my money on it. there is also the big fat chance it could be 3.17. i don’t think they would make the end of the season also be a begins episode, but who knows at this point. we could get it this season because in 3.11 buck says “you need to put some leverage between you and home to find out who you are” = foreshadowing for what happened with him leaving his home. also, maddie saying she has to save buck from himself = also foreshadowing. it’s either going to be a buck begins episode or buck and maddie begin(s) episode and im excited.

feel free to point out anything that didn’t make sense or what your thoughts are cause i’m going a little crazy overthinking stuff over here. 

[massivehistorycowseagle]

Here's the short story I promised. It's called The attack on the outsiders. Hope you enjoy. I have left the ending a bit open so let me know if you want a another one of these in the comments below. Thankyou, Enjoy!

The attack on the outsiders:

Chapter 1: The beginning

Charlie stared at Sophia. Sophia stared back. Charlie despised Sophia. Sophia disliked what Charlie had become. Sophia knew she shouldn't care anymore but she couldn't help herself. She felt lost without him by her side. She felt swept away and uncared for when their friendship fell apart. She missed him but she knew happiness had found her again. Sophia remembered laughing with Charlie. She now had other friends to do this with. Sophia wanted to walk over there and confront Charlie. She didn't have the confidence to though. She knew the new Charlie. He wasn't someone you wanted to approach unless you wanted trouble. Her dream friendship had been broken. Charlie finally stopped pinning her down with his iron cold stare. Sophia finally looked away and back to her friends.

Sophia didn't miss everything about the past. She didn't miss the toxicity of popularity. She found her happiness and what she needed in her new group of friends. Sophia looked at her new friends. She didn't fear dying of embarrassment in school. She may be now one of the lowest links in the food chain at school but the happiest and probably the least scared of silly mistakes. She loved spending time with the people she saw. Emily, her new best friend had never once let her down in the past 8 months of knowing each other.

Chapter 2: Sophia

Sophia knew it wasn't wrong to feel how she felt. She did question it though after her experience with Charlie and the rest of her old group. Her newer friends made her more confident that she was right. Emily, Ryan, Regan and Brooke all supported her. There was a special connection between all of them. Sophia felt it, some more than others and in different ways but she couldn't deny that they were all her friends.

Sophia missed her old group. There was no doubt about that. She knew where she felt happier though. She missed the old Charlie. She missed Oliver, she was almost certain that he would've supported her. She didn't know why but she just felt that. Sabine and Sam are just awesome. Or at least were. Rae. Well she seemed sweet but was she the person to turn them all against her. Rae had only just joined the group when Sophia came out as lesbian....

Oh well. Hopefully not.

Chapter 3: Outsiders

The silence from Sophia hadn't gone unnoticed by her group. Her silence was finally broken by Emily.

"Sophia? Is everything okay?"

"Oh. I'm sorry. Yes. Just lost in my thoughts."

Emily knew this wasn't exactly true but she didn't want to enhance the pain she knew her friend was going through.

Just then a group of girls walked past giggling. Sophia and the rest of her friends heard for the umphteen time today.

"There's the outsiders." laughed the girl in pink. Her name was Becky; she was most commonly known as Bex. She has an important role and storyline but that's for another time.

Once the girls had gone past Ryan piped up "What do you think about this outsiders name, people seem to give us?"

"Well if they can't accept differences that's their problem. I just try to ignore them." Regan said firmly.

"Yeah I agree. They want to hurt us and break us. They never will as long as we have each other." Brooke added on.

"Our differences make us who we are." Sophia assured Ryan.

"I'm glad not to be a sheep." Emily joined into the conversation.

Then the bell rang to signify the end of lunch.

Chapter 4: Help!

The five of them parted and headed off to their lessons with cheery goodbyes.

Sophia felt better after her friends had talked about that elephant in the room and helping to empower each other.

Unbeknown to Sophia, Charlie and his group were approaching behind her. Sophia was about to turn the last corridor towards her classroom when Charlie and his mob surrounded her. Charlie was directly infront of Sophia.

"Let me go Charlie! Leave me alone!" shouted Sophia. Sophia then tried to escape from her old friends but she was well and truly surrounded. Unfortunately her shouts hadn't been heard by anyone.

"Listen to me." Charlie said menacingly "Afterschool I'm going to have sex with you. You'll lose your virginity with a lad whilst your lesbian. You'll never live it down. If you struggle; Oliver you tell her."

"We'll beat you to shreds." Oliver responded.

"You dare tell anyone and both will happen; you'll lose your dignity and virginity." Sabine chipped in.

Charlie and his mob had planned this out nicely. They hoped the last comment would scare Sophia but they couldn't be sure.

Sophia was a bit scared.

'That's what the iron eyes were about at lunchtime.' She thought.

"Now go." Samuel commanded.

"See you later Princess." Charlie called after her.

That really freaked Sophia out. That used to be what he called her as a friend. Now it was like some pornographic turn on for him.

Sophia knew that she had two lessons before afterschool. What was she going to do?

Time was ticking by and Sophia continued to lose concentration in her lesson. She felt sick and the ever increasing doom of the situation.

The bell finally went for the end of the first of Sophia's lessons; a blessing and a curse.

Sophia walked into her second lesson, she was obviously trembling. She was sweating. Emily sat next to Sophia in History, which happened to be their last lesson of the day.

"Hey. What's up?" Emily whispered.

Sophia just shook her head.

"Sophia, please tell me." Emily emplored quietly.

"Charlie. Charlie...." Sophia trailed off.

Emily knew Charlie was a weak spot for Sophia so trod round this subject very carefully.

"What about him love?" Emily quizzed Sophia.

"He's going to rape me, afterschool." Sophia cried quietly.

"Not if I can help it." Emily said taken about.

Emily knew she shouldn't use her phone in lesson but this was an emergency. She texted Ryan, Regan and Brooke and let them know what the situation was.

Would they see the message before the end of the day?

Chapter 5: Friends unite

The school bell rang signifying the end of the day. Emily grabbed hold of Sophia's hand. Sophia felt comforted by this action. Emily and Sophia walked out of school, still hand in hand.

Suddenly Charlie and his mob surrounded them.

"Let us go or we will fight all of you!!!" came Emily's war-like cry.

"Yeah." came Sophia's response less confidently.

"Go." Charlie said confidently whilst he tilted his head.

Rae grabbed Emily and held her back whilst the rest of the mob surrounded Sophia.

Sophia thought she was in for it and even worse whilst her friend Emily was forced to watch. Emily wondered if anyone had actually got her message.

Suddenly the reinforcements came in. There was Ryan and Regan. Emily was relieved. Sophia was scared. Where was Brooke? Suddenly Brooke came around the corner. A sigh of relief came from Sophia.

Ryan grabbed hold of Rae's hair and pulled. As Rae's grip loosened on Emily, Emily managed to elbow her in the face. Emily was now free. A fight had broken out.

Regan hit Sam. His nose started to bleed scarlet red blood. Brooke being at a lower level in her wheelchair managed to trip Sabine as she ran to join the fight.

Charlie was left approaching Sophia. Sophia kneed her old friend where the sun doesn't shine. He momentarily screamed and fell to the floor clutching where he just got kneed. He got up as suddenly as he had got down.

Sophia and her group were winning.

Oliver threw a punch missing absolutely anyone but he didn't want to fight or seem like he wasn't trying.

Charlie ran away from Sophia and  pushed Regan to the floor before she could hit the stunned Sam. Regan was out cold. Sabine got up from the floor, she pulled Ryan off Rae and pushed him into a tree, making him very woozy and out of it. Oliver threw another fake punch. Sam tipped Brooke's wheelchair with quite some force. Sophia screamed.

Charlie and his gang had one more to take down before he could get his hands on Sophia. Rae landed a punch on Emily leaving her clean out cold.

Chapter 6: At a loss

Charlie approached Sophia. He and his gang had won. Victory felt even sweeter. Sophia was alone and done for she knew it. The thing she didn't know was that she wasn't the only one crying nearby.

Charlie started to lift Sophia's skirt. Sophia cringed at this. Then Charlie for a moment stopped, let go, started laughing and enjoying himself then slowly, sensually started to undo his trousers.

Then there was a russle from the bushes. But before anyone could concentrate on that Ryan found some extra strength from somewhere, fulled by anger.

Chapter 7: Ryan

Ryan, sweat and blood covered ran inbetween Sophia and Charlie. He pushed Charlie away a bit to force space between Charlie and Sophia. Charlie was almost knocked off balance. This was why Ryan was Sophia's go to guy.

Charlie stunned took a moment before being ready to stike Ryan back down.

Oliver saw this. He knew what was about to happen. To happen to his Ryan. Not his yet but he so wanted Ryan to be his. He hated fighting at the best of times but he couldn't stand by and watch his crush get hit.

Oliver in that split second ran inbetween Ryan and Charlie.

He grabbed Charlie's fist screaming "No! No! Stop this now!" Ryan, Sophia, Charlie and the rest of the mob were all taken aback by this.

Chapter 8: Getaway

"Get out of my way Oliver!" commanded Charlie.

"No Charlie!" Oliver cried

"What?! Are you trying to protect these freaks?" Charlie screamed.

Tears started streaming down Oliver's face as Charlie barked at him. Oliver's hand stayed firm though.

The rest of Charlie's mob surrounded Oliver.

Everyone from Sophia's group was back up now except Brooke who was still tipped over in her wheelchair. Ryan quietly went and put it back onto its wheels and the five of them quietly snook off and got away from the situation whilst the rest were distracted. Ryan felt sorry to leave Oliver but the girls convinced him that he deserved it as punishment for what he had done before. The way he'd treated them in the past 8 months.

The mob didn't notice this. But then there was a russle from the bush and soneone was coming out from there. The mob fled except Oliver. Oliver was still crying profusely.

Oliver jumped as someone put a caring arm around him. He looked up terrified to see Bex.

[camelely]

Finale thoughts

Jane- I don’t mind her story with Ryan. People outside the relationship are always so quick to judge and I’m pretty sure early in Kadena Kat kissed someone else and Adena then choose to go the open relationship route. If they could get through it then Janestripe can get through it now. I’m a bit worried for Jane since while all three girls love Scarlet Jane seems to be the most reliant on it and it seems to be the only place she really feels like she belongs (You could argue Sutton and Kat choose their jobs and love it too but Jane’s need for Jacqueline and Scarlet are really prominent especially during season 2)

Kat- I really liked Tia but knew she was probably gonna end her arc this season so the whole thing was understandable. I was hoping they would be a little ballsy and let her win the election so we see her out of Scarlet more and see a storyline that a show like this has never attempted before (at least not one I have seen Im always open to recs) but this was a fine way to end something that understandably would have been difficult to execute. I have hopes for Kadena and really want it to be endgame but relationships are hard and you have to be in a good place to make them work so giving Kat at least have a season of single life will be a good way for her to learn to be happy before the eventual relationship. I loved her thing with the lipstick company it was perfect and sounded like a real campaign a company would do today

Sutton- Her and Richard were so well done. I mean supporting each others jobs and paths and communicating it was all amaze. But her work storyline with designing and being good at it but deciding it wasnt for her was so well done. And her moment with Oliver urg I died. So many people say if you are good at something its what you should do, that hearing a character say I am good at this but Im passionate about that was kinda refreshing. You dont always completely love everything you are good at and this was just really well done showing us her feelings and letting the us learn about her passions along with her

Jacqueline- WHERE IS SHE? OMG I NEED ANSWERS I LOVE HER AND I NEED HER AND IM MORE DEPENDENT THEN JANE I NEED MY BOSS BITCH HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO WAIT A WHOLE YEAR WTFFFF

[cindiliciouscindi]

TBT TUESDAY #1

Okay, so I'm a bit late to this party but better late than never, right? I will start with my dislikes, which are just a tiny few, and wrap with the reasons this show has become my all-time favorite.

Sour Taste

Insufficient Screen Time - The fact that we only got 10 episodes, which made them compress multiple storylines into tiny bits, such that we didn't get to see a lot of back story and some much-needed dialog. It felt like a whole lot happened within the season, yet in bits, though I must commend the entire cast and crew for effectively and efficiently utilizing the little screen time they were given. They fed us well, regardless.

#Salex - Ummm... This is dangerous territory and I know I'm definitely gonna get some backlash from some folks but I'm sorry, Shippers, I don't think #Salex should have happened. I get that they probably wanted some racial diversity and maybe some drama for Sutton but I really don't think they have romantic chemistry. It was just like sleeping with your best friend and I just didn't feel their connection. I certainly see more connection between #Janestripe than #Salex...oh yeah. Their friendship is super-amazing and while I'm happy that Sutton realized this and called it off, I'm not happy they used Alex as a side piece, they should have just remained best friends. Besides, in the beginning, Alex seemed to be closer to Jane (remember the first staff meeting, the party to find Eric where Jane told Alex about her past, their interactions at work, etc), that I thought they may become romantically involved but suddenly, we saw a switch to Sutton, so it felt like the writers were probably considering #jalex (lol) but reneged along the line. I'll probably ask them about this on Twitter.

Sutton and Jacqueline - I wish we saw more interactions between Sutton and Jacqueline. I think it was only twice we saw them together, directly communicating (after the Photoshoot with Cassie and when Jacqueline told her to stand up for herself). Jacqueline's character came across like she was supposed to be mentor for all the girls but in reality, we only saw her constantly with Kat and Jane. I feel like during her dark days trying to consider Ad Sales and finally find her way into Fashion, Sutton could have used the guidance of Jacqueline. But in their defense, I think it had to do with Sutton being an assistant and reporting directly to Lauren and now Oliver. But I hope in Season two, we see more of their interactions; Sutton is hilarious, she would probably need a fidget spinner whenever she has to face Jacqueline alone. Lol.

Kat's Group Date - To be honest, it actually felt somewhat cheesy that Kat was jolted back to consciousness when she heard that Violinist play. Like, it could have been just a thought about Adena popping up in her head or her phone buzzing with another random selfie from smooth Adena 'it-wasn't-a-come-on' El Amin. Lol. Okay, I will just leave it at that. I absolutely love every circumstance that brought Kadena back together and I wouldn't trade those moments for anything.

Sweet Taste

Everything about the trio's friendship.

Music - Perfection, hundred percent.

The Writing and the fact they gave the actors the opportunity to improvise, which gave us some crazy lines like 'He wants to pound it like a hashtag'. Lol.

The fact that the stories were centered on women and the men, while not being the focus, provided support when needed. It is truly refreshing to see shows highlighting women as being able to function without being controlled or directed by male figures.

Everything about Jacqueline - Jacqueline being an authority figure, yet a mother and a friend. The fact that she was attentive to their issues didn't diminish her power or status and that was well-played.

The overwhelming attention to the #Kadena storyline, right from the get go.

The way Kadena was written, we saw the 'straight' girl spearheading the pursuit, not the other way round. It diminishes the long-standing trope of lesbians converting straight girls and that is one of the reasons this show stands out. From the beginning, whatever her motivation, it was Kat who went searching for Adena, brought her close with that 'misunderstood' selfie, offered to help her pack contraband (when she could have followed Jane to Eric's party), sent her a top-less photo, confessed her feelings, freaked out a couple of times at work, nearly jeopardized her job with a crazy tweet, wasted her parents' frequent flyer miles on a whim, jumped into New York City traffic to get to the airport, was prepared to abandon everything and jet out to a foreign land and ultimately did so in the end. Need I say more? This show is a game-changer.

The way #Suttard was written, we saw that Sutton practically paved her way herself, without much help, if any, from Richard. Ordinarily, with her relationship with Richard, we could have seen Sutton rise above Kat and Jane but we saw her struggle and slowly pursued her dreams to fashion, thus highlighting her brilliance and ability to excel.

The overall support the girls gave Kat throughout, with respect to her relationship with Adena, was flawless. They are pure #friendshipgoals.

No labels - The fact that Kat didn't label herself as anything, nor did her friends label her. She just fell in love (with a woman named Adena) and that was that. I hope they don't come under any immense pressure to label Kat, besides, the other girls had no labels as well. We only assumed they were straight because they only dated guys but anything is possible, just like in Kat's case. So, if they have to label Kat as bi or anything, they should also clearly label the other girls as 'straight', which would actually be irrelevant, to be honest. So, let them just be who they are and love who they love. I know some folks have strongly opposing views but those are just my humble thoughts.

Janestripe was actually cute. Ryan was good-looking and quite smooth-talking. He also has the potential to be a good motivator to Jane (remember that writers' room event and the stay-in at Scarlet in Episode 9). Yes, they started like fuck-buddies but soon started catching feelings, which is normal. Remember Sutton said she was using Richard for sex, but look how that ended up, she fell flat on her face. So, I think Janestripe is a workable ship.

Everything about Kat's Emotions - Aisha's depiction of romantic feelings, nervousness, attraction, worry, care, distraction, etc, was completely enchanting. The way it was set up, I found myself going through those emotions with her and THAT is how you know powerful acting.

Everything about Adena's Personality - She was a strong, fierce, rebellious woman, yet fragile at heart; subtle, silent achiever, smooth operator. Props to Nikohl for playing that role so well.

Oliver's character - I love that we got a little glimpse into his life, the fact that he grew up in Oklahoma, didn't have a fashion degree, yet kicking ass at Scarlet. It provided an extra source of motivation to Sutton and to viewers that you could achieve your goals even without the right 'paper' qualification. Sutton had no fashion degree too but she had the practical skills.

The Friendship between Alex and Sutton, Alex and Jane.

Overall, this show has me legit shook every time I think about it and I am shopping for more wigs and glue, in preparation for subsequent seasons.

[aion-rsa]

DC Comics’ July 2017 Solicitations

DC Comics has released solicitation information and images for new comics and products shipping in July 2017. When you’re through checking out these solicitations for new releases, be sure to visit CBR’s DC Comics forum, Batman forum, Superman forum or Wonder Woman forum to discuss these titles and products with fellow readers and fans.

DC Comics Solicitations – Last Six Months

Product shipping June 2017

Product shipping May 2017

Product shipping April 2017

Product shipping March 2017

Product shipping February 2017

Product shipping January 2017

DARK DAYS: THE CASTING #1

Written by SCOTT SNYDER and JAMES TYNION IV

Art by JIM LEE, ANDY KUBERT, JOHN ROMITA JR. and others

Cover by JIM LEE and SCOTT WILLIAMS

Variant cover by ANDY KUBERT

Variant cover by JOHN ROMITA JR.

The Joker’s surprise attack threatens to lay waste to all of Batman’s carefully laid plans. Will the Dark Knight be able to regain the trust of his closest allies, Green Lantern and Duke, and prevent the forces of darkness from consuming the DC Universe?! Will Hawkman’s warning stop our heroes from peering into the abyss?

The great comics event of summer 2017 is on its way, courtesy of superstar writers Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV with art by a master class of comics artists: Andy Kubert, Jim Lee and John Romita Jr.!

ONE-SHOT • On sale JULY 12 • 40 pg, FC, card-stock cover, $4.99 US • RATED T+

ACTION COMICS #983

Written by DAN JURGENS

Art by VIKTOR BOGDANOVIC and JONATHAN GLAPION

Cover by CLAY MANN

Variant cover by GARY FRANK

“REVENGE” part one! A beaten and battered Superman can barely hold his own against the revenge squad of his greatest foes—but hope rushes from the horizon as the Superman family arrives!

On sale JULY 12 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

ACTION COMICS #984

Written by DAN JURGENS

Art by VIKTOR BOGDANOVIC and JONATHAN GLAPION

Cover by CLAY MANN

Variant cover by GARY FRANK

“REVENGE” part two! A battle of titanic proportions rages through Superman’s arctic fortress as General Zod reveals his ultimate plan by accessing the Phantom Zone. Superman’s family’s lives hang in the balance as “Revenge” concludes.

On sale JULY 26 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

ALL STAR BATMAN #12

Written by SCOTT SNYDER

Art by RAFAEL ALBUQUERQUE and SEBASTIAN FIUMARA

Cover by RAFAEL ALBUQUERQUE

Variant cover by RAFAEL ALBUQUERQUE

Variant cover by SEBASTIAN FIUMARA

“THE FIRST ALLY” part three! When Batman discovers the truth about the man under the Nemesis mask, it could change everything between him and Alfred forever.

On sale JULY 12 • 40 pg, FC, $4.99 US • RATED T

AQUAMAN #26

Written by DAN ABNETT

Art and cover by STJEPAN SEJIC

Variant cover by JOSHUA MIDDLETON

“UNDERWORLD” part two! Enraged by rumors of Arthur’s survival in the slums of Atlantis, the ruthless King Rath orders the use of ancient Atlantean techno-magic to track down the Aquaman at all costs! But the ex-king Arthur can’t hide for long when his fate collides with that of a mysterious young woman on the run from Rath’s own secret police. Her name: Dolphin.

On sale JULY 19 • 32 pg, FC • $3.99 US • EACH RATED T

BATGIRL #13

Written by HOPE LARSON

Art by CHRIS WILDGOOSE

Cover by DAN MORA

Variant cover by JOSHUA MIDDLETON

“BATS AND CATS”! When an innocent bystander close to Batgirl’s heart gets caught in between a feud between herself and Catwoman, what started as just another case could become direly important.

On sale JULY 26 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

BATGIRL AND THE BIRDS OF PREY #12

Written by JULIE BENSON and SHAWNA BENSON

Art by ROGE ANTONIO

Cover by YANICK PAQUETTE

Variant cover by KAMOME SHIRAHAMA

“SOURCE CODE” part two! Oracle crossed half the criminal underworld in his early years—and now, he’s caused a black cat to cross the Birds of Prey’s path! Catwoman’s been waiting for a chance to get her claws on this guy for a while…but at this point, do the Birds even want to stand in her way?

On sale JULY 12 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

BATMAN BEYOND #10

Written by DAN JURGENS

Art and cover by BERNARD CHANG

Variant cover by MARTIN ANSIN

“RISE OF THE DEMON” part five! Just as Bruce Wayne had feared, the experimental new Bat-suit has altered Terry’s mental state and turned him into a colder, deadlier Batman. Trapped in the lair of Ra’s al Ghul and surrounded by the League of Assassins, the suit may be the only thing that allows Terry and Bruce to survive. But at what price?

On sale JULY 26 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

BATMAN #26

Written by TOM KING

Art and cover by MIKEL JANIN

Variant cover by TIM SALE

“THE WAR OF JOKES AND RIDDLES” part two! The Riddler and The Joker escalate their bloody feud, and the villains of Gotham City are forced to choose sides or be caught in the crossfire! It’s up to Batman to push himself to the limit and keep innocent citizens out of harm’s way.

On sale JULY 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

BATMAN #27

Written by TOM KING

Art and cover by DAVIDE GIANFELICE

Variant covers by TIM SALE

“THE WAR OF JOKES AND RIDDLES” part three! The war has spread to every corner of Gotham City, and while Batman battles back the forces of Joker and Riddler, an unlikely criminal becomes the pivotal key to its potential resolution…but it could cost him everything.

On sale JULY 19 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

BATWOMAN #5

Written by MARGUERITE BENNETT and JAMES TYNION IV

Art and cover by STEPHANIE HANS

Variant cover by J.G. JONES

“THE MANY ARMS OF DEATH” epilogue! In this special one-off issue with art by Stephanie Hans (Angela), learn the truth of what went down between Kate and Safiyah, which led to the future Batwoman having to leave Coryana for what she was sure would be forever!

On sale JULY 19 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T+

BLUE BEETLE #11

Written by KEITH GIFFEN and J.M. DeMATTEIS

Art and cover by SCOTT KOLINS

Variant cover by TYLER KIRKHAM

NEW STORYLINE! With an Earth-threatening menace behind him and Jaime now permanently back as Blue Beetle on his own terms, what’s a hero to do? Clean up the mess in his hometown, find places for his friends and family to live and deal with the latest super-menace to hit El Paso…the man called Ghostfire!

On sale JULY 26 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

CYBORG #14

Written by JOHN SEMPER JR.

Art by WILL CONRAD

Cover by ERIC CANETE

Variant cover by CARLOS D’ANDA

“SINGULARITY AFTERMATH” part one! Mankind is dead! The world as we know it is gone! Welcome to Planet Anomaly, where all life takes the form of soulless cybernetic hybrids. But one spark of humanity remains deep within Cyborg’s robotic husk, and it’s the world’s only hope for restoration. Guest-starring Beast Boy!

On sale JULY 5 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

DEATHSTROKE #21

Written by CHRISTOPHER PRIEST

Art by DIOGENES NEVES

Cover by RYAN SOOK

Variant cover by SHANE DAVIS

“DEFIANCE” part one! A new day has dawned for Deathstroke. Having emerged from the Speed Force a changed man, Slade Wilson takes aim at living a better life—a life in service of justice. But when the world refuses to accept the new Deathstroke, Slade recruits a group of young heroes to join him including including former Teen Titans, Kid Flash and Power Girl, his children, Rose and Jericho, and the bombastic Terra! But has Slade truly shed his villainous past? And what other shadowy forces are working against him? Find out as Deathstroke’s bold new direction begins here!

On sale JULY 5 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T+

DETECTIVE COMICS #960

Written by JAMES TYNION IV

Art by ALVARO MARTINEZ and RAUL FERNANDEZ

Cover by YASMINE PUTRI

Variant cover by RAFAEL ALBUQUERQUE

“INTELLIGENCE” part three! With Zatanna joining the ranks of Batman’s allies, there shouldn’t be any foe the team can’t take on…but does that include their teammate Azrael himself, who just might be cracking up?

On sale JULY 12 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

DETECTIVE COMICS #961

Written by JAMES TYNION IV

Art by ALVARO MARTINEZ and RAUL FERNANDEZ

Cover by YASMINE PUTRI

Variant cover by RAFAEL ALBUQUERQUE

“INTELLIGENCE” part four! Batman and Batwing have thrown every technological trick they have at the powerful A.I. that the order of St. Dumas dubbed Ascalon…now there’s nothing left to do but pray!

On sale JULY 26 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

THE FLASH #26

Written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON

Art by HOWARD PORTER

Cover by CARMINE DI GIANDOMENICO

Variant cover by HOWARD PORTER

“RUNNING SCARED” part two! Barry Allen and Iris West witness a chilling vision of the future courtesy of the Reverse-Flash, who reveals the couple’s legendary romance will yield only darkness for the world of tomorrow. Now, Thawne forces The Flash to make a choice: spend forever alone or doom the future?

On sale JULY 12 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

THE FLASH #27

Written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON

Art by HOWARD PORTER

Cover by CARMINE DI GIANDOMENICO

Variant cover by HOWARD PORTER

“RUNNING SCARED” finale! Barry Allen and Eobard Thawne. Legendary enemies separated by centuries pulled through time itself to battle again and again. Until now. For one year The Flash has been building to this single epic moment: the ultimate showdown between The Flash and Reverse-Flash!

On sale JULY 26 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

GREEN ARROW #26

Written by BENJAMIN PERCY

Art and cover by OTTO SCHMIDT

Variant cover by MIKE GRELL

“HARD TRAVELING HERO” part one! Unwilling to let another city suffer the same fate as Seattle, Green Arrow kicks off a new quest to hunt down the Ninth Circle across America! To stop disaster before it can happen, the (in)famously hot-headed Oliver Queen must mend fences with those he’s alienated in the past, starting with THE FLASH! The second epic year of GREEN ARROW REBIRTH begins here!

On sale JULY 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+

GREEN ARROW #27

Written by BENJAMIN PERCY

Art by JAMAL CAMPBELL

Cover by OTTO SCHMIDT

Variant cover by ESAD RIBIC

“HARD TRAVELING HERO” part two! Oliver Queen is a pillar of morality. A champion of ethics. The essence of truth. Or at least he thought so. The self-described people’s hero Green Arrow crosses paths with the Justice League’s real paragon of virtue, Wonder Woman, when his cross-country fight against the Ninth Circle puts both heroes’ muscle and mettle to the ultimate test.

On sale JULY 19 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+

GREEN LANTERNS #26

Written by SAM HUMPHRIES

Art by RONAN CLIQUET

Cover by MIKE McKONE

Variant cover by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO

“OUT OF TIME” part one! Ten billion years ago, Volthoom nearly wiped out the Guardians of the Universe. What power was able to stop him, and where did it go? Learn more about the history of the First Lantern as “Out of Time” begins!

On sale JULY 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

GREEN LANTERNS #27

Written by SAM HUMPHRIES

Art by RONAN CLIQUET

Cover by BRAD WALKER and DREW HENNESSEY

Variant cover by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO

“OUT OF TIME” part two! Cast back in time, Jessica and Simon must survive on the savage Earth of ten billion years ago! With a single ring between them, can the Emerald Knights locate the first Green Lanterns?

On sale JULY 19 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

HAL JORDAN & THE GREEN LANTERN CORPS #24

Written by ROBERT VENDITTI

Art and cover by ETHAN VAN SCIVER

Variant cover by KEVIN NOWLAN

“FRACTURES” part three! Secrets are out and battle lines are drawn. The partnership of the Green Lantern Corps and the Sinestro Corps begins to crumble before it explodes!

On sale JULY 12 • 32 pg, $2.99 • FC • RATED T

HAL JORDAN & THE GREEN LANTERN CORPS #25

Written by ROBERT VENDITTI

Art and cover by ETHAN VAN SCIVER

Variant cover by KEVIN NOWLAN

“FRACTURES” part four! In this extra-sized issue, it’s Lantern vs. Lantern as the GLC and Sinestro Corps duke it out over the murder of Sinestro Corps members. And a Lantern turns his back on their friends, embracing the darkness.

On sale JULY 26 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

HARLEY QUINN #23

Written by AMANDA CONNER and JIMMY PALMIOTTI

Art by JOHN TIMMS

Backup stories written by PAUL DINI and JIMMY PALMIOTTI

Backup stories art by BRET BLEVINS and J. BONE

Cover by AMANDA CONNER

Variant cover by FRANK CHO

“RED ROSES” part three! The tension between Harley, Poison Ivy and Red Tool hits the boiling point! Who’s gonna stay—and who’s gonna go? And in the backup story, “Harley Loves Joker” part seven, Batman is back on the deranged duo’s trail!

On sale JULY 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+

HARLEY QUINN #24

Written by JIMMY PALMIOTTI and AMANDA CONNER

Art by JOHN TIMMS

Backup stories written by PAUL DINI and JIMMY PALMIOTTI

Backup stories art by BRET BLEVINS and J. BONE

Cover by AMANDA CONNER

Variant cover by FRANK CHO

“THE PARENT TRAP”! Harley has faced every challenge even she could possibly imagine, but can she survive…a visit from her parents?! And in “Harley Loves Joker” part eight, the duo’s new headquarters comes with some unforeseen complications!

On sale JULY 19 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+

THE HELLBLAZER #12

Written by SIMON OLIVER

Art by DAVIDE FABBRI and JOSE MARZAN, JR.

Cover by TULA LOTAY

Variant cover by YASMINE PUTRI

“THE SMOKELESS FIRE” part six! Constantine finally gets what he wants—just in time to discover he’s a better man than he used to be. Maybe. But will that matter in the confrontation he and Marid have been building to?

On sale JULY 26 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T+

JUSTICE LEAGUE #24

Written by BRYAN HITCH

Art by FERNANDO PASARIN and OCLAIR ALBERT

Cover by BRYAN HITCH

Variant cover by NICK BRADSHAW

“AFTERLIVES” part three! Our heroes’ mission into the afterlife goes horribly wrong when the Demons Three trap the Justice League in a hellish realm where they’re haunted and tortured by the ghosts of fallen heroes, dead villains and innocent civilians whose lives they failed to save.

On sale JULY 5 • 32 pg, $2.99 US • FC, RATED T

JUSTICE LEAGUE #25

Written by BRYAN HITCH

Art by FERNANDO PASARIN and OCLAIR ALBERT

Cover by BRYAN HITCH

Variant cover by NICK BRADSHAW

“AFTERLIVES” part four! With the Justice League locked out of reality, the secret mastermind behind their predicament makes his move on the world of the living. Luckily (or unluckily), the JL is trapped in the afterlife with Felix Faust, who works with the heroes to fight their way out of limbo! The team-up no one saw coming kicks off in this extra-sized epic!

On sale JULY 19 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #10

Written by STEVE ORLANDO

Art by ANDY MACDONALD

Cover by IVAN REIS

Variant cover by DOUG MAHNKE

“CURSE OF THE KINGBUTCHER” part one! The Ray never thought he would go back to Vanity, but the citizens of America’s most depressing city have found themselves caught in the middle of a mystic feud between order and chaos. The mysterious force known as the Might Beyond The Mirror has been granting Vanity’s greatest wishes; disabilities are healed, romances are restored and hope is rekindled. But it’s not meant to be, as a ruthless Lord of Order will stop at nothing to destroy the city’s dreams.

On sale JULY 12 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #11

Written by STEVE ORLANDO

Art by ANDY MACDONALD

Cover by IVAN REIS

Variant cover by DOUG MAHNKE

“CURSE OF THE KINGBUTCHER” part two! The JLA face off against the Lord of Order called Kingbutcher! In a battle that forces Ray Terrill to confront his own dark past in full view of his new teammates, the heroes struggle with the question of returning reality to its proper state or allowing the people of Vanity — including Ray’s estranged mother — to fulfill their fondest desires.

On sale JULY 26 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

NEW SUPER-MAN #13

Written by GENE LUEN YANG

Art by BILLY TAN

Cover by PHILIP TAN

Variant cover by BERNARD CHANG

“THE ZERO ULTIMATUM” part three! Shanghai falls—and Emperor Super-Man rules the ashes! With an army of super-villains on the streets, the Justice League of China leads the movement to take the city back. New Super-Man’s head isn’t in the game upon discovering the shocking secret of his mother’s true identity, and Wonder-Woman has been transformed and Bat-Man is overwhelmed! It’s up to I-Ching and the New Flash of China to snap Kenan out of it and save Shanghai!

On sale JULY 12 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

NIGHTWING #24

Written by TIM SEELEY

Art by MIGUEL MENDONÇA and MINKYU JUNG

Cover by PAUL RENAUD

Variant cover by YASMINE PUTRI

“BLOCKBUSTER” part three! Nightwing is trapped on a submarine, and in order to escape he must defeat the most lethal villains in the DCU, led by Tiger Shark! And if he can’t escape, Blockbuster will get what he wants: all of his criminal competition at the bottom of the sea, along with Nightwing!

On sale JULY 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

NIGHTWING #25

Written by TIM SEELEY

Art by MIGUEL MENDONÇA and MINKYU JUNG

Covers by PAUL RENAUD

Variant covers by YASMINE PUTRI

“BLOCKBUSTER” part four! In this special oversize issue, the boardwalk is the heart and soul of Blüdhaven, and Tiger Shark and Blockbuster are willing to kill each other and whoever else stands in their way to rule it. Nightwing has to find a way to stop them both or suffer a Blüdhaven ruled by crime!

On sale JULY 19 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #12

Written by SCOTT LOBDELL

Art by DEXTER SOY

Cover by CLAY MANN

Variant cover by GUILLEM MARCH

“THE LIFE OF BIZARRO” part one! Bizarro’s final days are upon us! As Red Hood and the Outlaws rush home to Gotham City in an effort to save Bizarro’s life, a new threat is unleashed in the form of Solomon Grundy! Can the Outlaws stop Grundy’s rampage without their most powerful member? Who unleashed the monster in the first place? And can Grundy defeated in time to save Bizarro from certain death? Find out in the start of a brand new adventure!

On sale JULY 12 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T+

SUICIDE SQUAD #21

Written by ROB WILLIAMS

Art by GUZ VAZQUEZ

Cover by EDDY BARROWS and EBER FERREIRA

Variant cover by WHILCE PORTACIO

“KILL YOUR DARLINGS” part one! Devastated by Rustam and his Burning World, the international conspiracy known as the People reveal themselves to Amanda Waller in a desperate move to secure their mysterious endgame for Planet Earth! Meanwhile, the walls tighten for Boomerang as Harley Quinn gets closer to discovering the traitorous murderer within Task Force X…

On sale JULY 12 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+

SUICIDE SQUAD #22

Written by ROB WILLIAMS

Art by GUZ VAZQUEZ

Cover by EDDY BARROWS and EBER FERREIRA

Variant cover by WHILCE PORTACIO

“KILL YOUR DARLINGS” part two! Face to face with the Russian mastermind she’s been tracking since SUICIDE SQUAD: REBIRTH #1, Amanda Waller is horrified to find the Suicide Squad commanded by her own dark mirror, the enigmatic Direktor Karla, who’s surpassed the Task Force X leader in the one game she cannot afford to lose: control.

On sale JULY 26 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+

SUPERGIRL #11

Written by STEVE ORLANDO

Art by BRIAN CHING

Cover by ROBSON ROCHA and DANIEL HENRIQUES

Variant cover by BENGAL

“ESCAPE FROM THE PHANTOM ZONE” part three! Supergirl must quell the maelstrom tearing apart the Phantom Zone, as Batgirl faces down the Phantom King one on one. If they fail, they’ll be lost in the Phantom Zone forever!

On sale JULY 12 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

SUPERMAN #26

Written by PETER J. TOMASI and PATRICK GLEASON

Art by SCOTT GODLEWSKI

Cover LEE WEEKS

Variant cover by JORGE JIMENEZ

“ROAD TRIP” part one! It’s been an emotional and physical rollercoaster for Superman, Lois, and Jon: the Eradicator, Dinosaur Island, Frankenstein and the Bride, Multiversity, Reborn and Black Dawn—a barrage of terror and horror! What does the family need right now? Yep, you got it…a vacation!

On sale JULY 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

SUPERMAN #27

Written by PETER J. TOMASI and PATRICK GLEASON

Art by SCOTT GODLEWSKI

Cover by RYAN SOOK

Variant cover by JORGE JIMENEZ

“ROAD TRIP” part two! As the Kents’ family road trip takes some strange and unexpected turns that will reveal a foreboding threat reaching out to touch their lives, you can bet that their gonna need a vacation after their vacation!

On sale JULY 19 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

SUPER SONS #6

Written by PETER J. TOMASI

Art and cover by JORGE JIMENEZ

Variant cover by DUSTIN NGUYEN

“TEEN TITANS TANGO” part one! Robin has a new member in mind for the Teen Titans, and—spoiler alert—it’s Superboy! But something sinister is at work, and Damian’s real motives for introducing Jon to the team are revealed to devastating consequences!

On sale JULY 19 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

SUPERWOMAN #12

Written by K. PERKINS

Art by STEPHEN SEGOVIA and ART THIBERT

Cover by KEN LASHLEY

Variant cover by RENATO GUEDES

“REDISCOVERY” part three! Superwoman has taken matters into her own hands, and has engaged in battle with the deadly Skyhook! The tragic origin of Crash is revealed, and the dark secret he carries has made him public enemy number one!

On sale JULY 12 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

TEEN TITANS #10

Written by BENJAMIN PERCY

Art by KHOI PHAM and WADE VON GRAWBADGER

Cover by BRAD WALKER and DREW HENNESSEY

Variant cover by Paolo Pantalena

“BLOOD OF THE MANTA” part two! After learning he’s the son of the villainous Black Manta, Jackson Hyde is forced to join his father on a journey to find the ocean’s greatest treasure—a game-changing weapon that would spell disaster for anyone in Manta’s way. Meanwhile, Damian’s status as team leader is challenged by Starfire, who recruits Tempest to help track down their missing member! Will the Teen Titans find their friend before Black Manta gains ultimate power?

On sale JULY 26 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

TITANS #13

Written by DAN ABNETT

Art by V KEN MARION and NORM RAPMUND

Cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT

Variant cover by DAN MORA

“JUDAS AMONG US”! As Omen begins her investigation into the identity of the team’s traitor, the Titans launch a full assault on H.I.V.E., who they believe hold the key to restoring Bumblebee’s broken mind. Meanwhile, tensions rise when Roy discovers Wally and Donna’s blossoming romance—which threatens to tear the Titans apart!

On sale JULY 12 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

TRINITY #11

Written by FRANCIS MANAPUL

Art and cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL

Variant cover by BILL SIENKIEWICZ

“DEAD SPACE” part three! Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman are in for the fight of their lives against the combined might of the Justice League and the mysterious alien force inhabiting their bodies and controlling the Watchtower! The trinity may have found a way to save their friends—but the cost is high, and time is running out!

On sale JULY 19 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

WONDER WOMAN #26

Written by SHEA FONTANA

Art by MIRKA ANDOLFO

Cover by JESUS MERINO

Variant cover by JENNY FRISON

“HEART OF THE AMAZON” part one! Writer Shea Fontana (DC SUPER HERO GIRLS) steps in for a new story! Wonder Woman finally takes a moment to catch her breath and attend a friend’s wedding…but unfortunately, horror’s followed her even there!

On sale JULY 12 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • FC • RATED T

WONDER WOMAN #27

Written by SHEA FONTANA

Art by MIRKA ANDOLFO

Cover by JESUS MERINO

Variant cover by JENNY FRISON

“HEART OF THE AMAZON” part two! Someone close to Diana is behind the most recent attack on her and her friends…but what has this person learned about her powers that she never even knew herself?

On sale JULY 26 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • FC • RATED T

BATMAN ’66/LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #1

Written by LEE ALLRED

Art and cover by MICHAEL ALLRED

In pursuit of the time-traveling criminal known as Universo, the super-powered kids from the 30th century travel back to the 1960s to enlist the aid of the “greatest teen superhero ever”—Robin, the Boy Wonder! But Batman’s hard-boiled nemesis Egghead has stolen one of their unattended time bubbles and taken off to the Legion’s own time period. Looks like Batman has to head to the far-flung future with one group of heroes while Robin stays in the swinging sixties with another. Holy time-travel paradox!

One-shot • On sale JULY 19 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED E

BANE: CONQUEST #3

Written by CHUCK DIXON • Art and cover by GRAHAM NOLAN

Sure, they may have had to team up to escape Damocles’ clutches—but Batman and Bane can’t keep their hands off each others’ throats for long! The question is, will Damocles be able to use that rivalry to his advantage?

On sale JULY 5 • 32 pg, FC, 3 of 12, $3.99 US • RATED T

BATMAN/THE SHADOW #4

Written by SCOTT SNYDER and STEVE ORLANDO

Art and cover by RILEY ROSSMO

Variant cover by TIM SALE

Variant cover by DAVE JOHNSON

The Shadow must fight his way through Gotham City’s worst rogues in order to stop the Joker and the Stag from carving out Batman’s heart! But if he’s freed, will Batman be able to save the villains from the wrath of the Shadow?

On sale JULY 26 • 32 pg, FC, 4 of 6, $3.99 US • RATED T

DC COMICS BOMBSHELLS #30

Written by MARGUERITE BENNETT

Art by CARMEN CARNERO, RICHARD ORTIZ and ANEKE

Cover by LAURA BRAGA

The original Bombshells lineup discovers how Killer Frost became a killer ice queen and end up tangled in the dangerous delusions of Hugo Strange. Then, as Faora joins the battle in Leningrad, she reveals to Supergirl what her origin is and how she is related to Faora.

On sale JULY 5 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T • DIGITAL FIRST

DC COMICS BOMBSHELLS #31

Written by MARGUERITE BENNETT

Art by CARMEN CARNERO, LAURA BRAGA and ANEKE

Cover by ANT LUCIA

The sound of a metronome echoes through Leningrad’s streets, reminding people they are still alive…for now. Supergirl can feel her father is still alive, and joins Harley’s traveling circus, where Power Girl and Superman have now become part of the show! Then, it’s the return of Bunny Constantine as he and Zatanna fight Nazi-controlled mythical creatures in order to find Raven!

On sale JULY 19 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T • DIGITAL FIRST

INJUSTICE 2 #5

Written by TOM TAYLOR

Art by BRUNO REDONDO and JUAN ALBARRAN

Cover by BRUNO REDONDO

Batman pays a visit to Ted Kord, beseeching him to become part of the team that rebuilds the world—not as Blue Beetle, but as Ted Kord, inventor and industrialist. But Batman’s not the only one who has designs on Ted. A trusted old friend pops in, as does someone else—someone with less noble intentions.

On sale JULY 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+ • DIGITAL FIRST

INJUSTICE 2 #6

Written by TOM TAYLOR

Art and cover by MIKE S. MILLER

Get ready for the Origin of Supergirl! Jump back in time to see the early life of Kara Zor-el and the destruction of Krypton. Sent to Earth to be her infant cousin Kal-el’s protector, an accident delays her by decades. She’s met upon her eventual arrival by a most unexpected benefactor and learns a very different version of the story of Superman’s regime.

On sale JULY 19 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+ • DIGITAL FIRST

THE KAMANDI CHALLENGE #7

Written by MARGUERITE BENNETT

Art by DAN JURGENS and KLAUS JANSON

Cover by BILL SIENKIEWICZ

Variant cover by DAN JURGENS and KLAUS JANSON

After the explosive ending of the last issue, writer Marguerite Bennett and artist Dan Jurgens fly us to the land of the Polar Parasites and the malevolent Snow Wizards that control them. Alongside his new allies, the Bulldog Brittaneks, Kamandi must fight to survive the cold. Will Kamandi make it long enough to find new clues about his missing parents? Or will this frost bite back?

On sale JULY 26 • 32 pg, FC, 7 of 12, $3.99 US • RATED T

THE WILD STORM #6

Written by WARREN ELLIS

Art and cover by JON DAVIS-HUNT

Variant cover by JIM LEE and SCOTT WILLIAMS

Variant cover by JASON MASTERS

Michael Cray, the world’s best professional killer, is going to get himself killed for refusing to assassinate an innocent. Angela Spica, whose only mistake was saving someone’s life, is discovering that her life is over forever, and that the people in this strange new world she’s forced to survive in…may not be people at all. Treaties have been breached. Secrets are being told. There’s a war coming.

THE WILD STORM will skip shipping in August and return in September!

On sale JULY 19 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T+

GOTHAM ACADEMY: SECOND SEMESTER #11

Written by BRENDEN FLETCHER, BECKY CLOONAN and KARL KERSCHL

Art by ADAM ARCHER, MSASSYK and SANDRA HOPE

Cover by KARL KERSCHL

“The Ballad of Olive Silverlock” part three! A terrible revelation sends Maps on a quest for answers at Wayne Manor! With Two-Face hot on their trail, Maps and Damian Wayne must work together to stop Olive’s rampage of destruction across Gotham City.

On sale JULY 12 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

SCOOBY APOCALYPSE #15

Written by KEITH GIFFEN and J.M. DeMATTEIS

Art by DALE EAGLESHAM

Backup story art by JAN DUURSEMA

Cover by CARLOS D’ANDA

Variant cover by JILL THOMPSON

We finally catch up to the migrating monsters—and their destination is even more horrifying than anyone imagined! But before the gang can act, Scrappy-Doo and his pack of smart mutts show up with a heck of a grudge against Scooby. It’s two threats for the price of one! And, in the backup story, Scrappy strikes again—and someone pays the ultimate price!

On sale JULY 12 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

LOONEY TUNES #238

Written by DEREK FRIDOLFS

Art by WALTER CARZON and HORACIO OTTOLINI

Cover by DEREK FRIDOLFS

Wile E. Coyote’s new Acme universal remote does more than just control his TV. It can slow, pause and speed up anything around it, and might be just the thing he needs to catch the Road Runner once and for all. What could possibly go wrong?

On sale JULY 26 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED E

MAD ABOUT TRUMP TP

Written and illustrated by THE USUAL GANG OF IDIOTS

MAD Dumps On Trump: A Brilliant Look At Our Brainless President is an all-out comedy assault on the most idiotic idiot to ever reach the White House (George W. Bush and visitors included)! In these 128 pages, President Trump is mercilessly mocked, relentlessly ridiculed and savagely satirized. The book features MAD’s sharpest satiric shots at “The Donald,” comically chronicling his rise from obnoxious businessman to really obnoxious reality show host to uber obnoxious “Commander-in-Tweet.” Please note: MAD will not offer refunds on this book when Trump is impeached!

This title also includes a new introduction by CNN’s Jake Tapper!

On sale JULY 5 • 128 pg, FC, 8.125” x 10.5” • $12.99 US

SCOOBY-DOO TEAM-UP #28

Written by SHOLLY FISCH

Art and cover by DARIO BRIZUELA

The gang uncovers a tale of their great-great-grandparents (and grand-dog!) in the old West. When monstrous rumors bring the Weirdness Wagon to town, will they find a fearsome beast, or just come face-to-scarred-face with the lawman Jonah Hex?

On sale JULY 26 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED E

SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU? #83

Written by DEREK FRIDOLFS

Art by WALTER CARZON and HORACIO OTTOLINI

Cover by DEREK FRIDOLFS

Howdy partners! There’s a Wild West mystery to be solved by a crew of city slickers and their dog. Ya see, the cattle have skedaddled, and there’s a ghost in cahoots up in them there hills. Can our sleuths solve the mystery and send this yokel to the hoosegow? Or will these greenhorns miss the hoedown? Time to pony up. Giddy up, li’l Scooby, let’s go!

On sale JULY 12 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED E

BUG!: THE ADVENTURES OF FORAGER #3

Written by LEE ALLRED

Art and cover by MICHAEL ALLRED

Backup story and art by JAMES HARVEY

Variant cover by AARON CONLEY

Forager’s latest tumble through time and space lands him in a rough wilderness. There he meets the muscleman Atlas, who himself has run afoul of Chagra, the mysterious figure that caused the reality shards that put Forager on this multidimensional trip to begin with. What happens when a Bug of New Genesis teams up with a legendary powerhouse like Atlas? It’s a story we could only call “Atlas Bugged”!

On sale JULY 5 • 32 pg, FC, 3 of 6, $3.99 US • MATURE READERS

CAVE CARSON HAS A CYBERNETIC EYE #10

Written by GERARD WAY and JON RIVERA

Art and cover by MICHAEL AVON OEMING

Backup story written by MARK RUSSELL

Backup story art by BENJAMIN DEWEY and BRANDON BIRD

Variant cover by BENJAMIN DEWEY

Things aren’t just weird for Team Carson, they’re mega- weird, as their trans-dimensional adventure brings them to a world unlike any they have ever seen before (with or without cybernetic enhancement!), filled with sentient plant life and megafauna. Plus, a new installment of “The Wonderful World of Rocks with Marc Bartow” by Mark Russell (THE FLINTSTONES) and Benjamin Dewey (Autumnlands) and “Bane’s Coloring Corner” by Brandon Bird!

On sale JULY 19 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • MATURE READERS

DOOM PATROL #7

Written by GERARD WAY

Art by MICHAEL ALLRED

Cover by MICHAEL ALLRED

Variant cover by NICK DERINGTON

How have you been, Niles Caulder? The Chief is back, and he’s ready to reshape the new Doom Patrol to be just like the old Doom Patrol—a prospect not everyone is happy with. But the team’s former leader hasn’t grown less manipulative in his old age, so nobody make any rash decisions. Pretty sure he’s up to something. Michael Allred (iZOMBIE, Silver Surfer) joins the team for this special issue.

RESOLICIT • On sale JULY 26, 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • MATURE READERS

MOTHER PANIC #9

Written by JODY HOUSER

Art by JOHN PAUL LEON

Backup story written by JIM KRUEGER

Backup story art by PHIL HESTER

Cover by TOMMY LEE EDWARDS

Variant cover by PHIL HESTER

As Mother Panic zeroes in on Remains, Violet’s augmentations continue to lock up, making her unbelievably vulnerable. Will she be able to defeat her mysterious nemesis in time, or will Dr. Varma’s warnings and predictions finally be actualized? Also includes the next installment of “Gotham Radio” by Jim Krueger (JUSTICE) and Phil Hester (GREEN ARROW)!

On sale JULY 26 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • MATURE READERS

SHADE, THE CHANGING GIRL #10

Written by CECIL CASTELLUCCI

Art by MARLEY ZARCONE and ANDE PARKS

Backup story art by LEILA DEL DUCA

Cover by BECKY CLOONAN

Variant cover by JILL THOMPSON

Following her encounters in Gotham City, Shade decides to head out west and check out Los Alamos, New Mexico, the one-time location of nuclear test sites, and also the setting of her favorite TV show, “Life with Honey.” But it’s been half a century since those bombs went off—and since “Honey” went off the air. So what kind of ghostly memories await Shade in the desert? Plus, a brand new “Life with Honey” backup story.

On sale JULY 5 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • MATURE READERS

AQUAMAN VOL. 3: CROWN OF ATLANTIS TP

Written by DAN ABNETT

Art by BRAD WALKER, ANDREW HENNESSY, SCOT EATON, WAYNE FAUCHER and PHILIPPE BRIONES

Cover by BRAD WALKER and ANDREW HENNESSEY

Recovering and rebuilding after the “Deluge,” Aquaman finds himself locked in a ferocious battle with Warhead, a monster awakened during Atlantis’ war with the surface. Then, Deadwater makes an unwelcome return! Collects AQUAMAN #16-24.

On sale AUGUST 30 • 216 pg, FC, $19.99 US

BATMAN VOL. 3: I AM BANE TP

Written by TOM KING

Art by DAVID FINCH, DANNY MIKI, MITCH GERADS and others

Cover by DAVID FINCH

The man who has physically tested the Dark Knight like no one before is back to finally break the Bat for good. Can a battered, exhausted Batman fend off one of his greatest foes? Plus, catch up with Catwoman as she and the Dark Knight battle a collection of villains and plan for the future! Collects BATMAN #16-20, 23 and 24.

On sale AUGUST 30 • 176 pg, FC, $16.99 US

BATMAN: REBIRTH DELUXE EDITION BOOK ONE HC

Written by TOM KING and SCOTT SNYDER

Art by DAVID FINCH, MIKEL JANIN and others

Cover by DAVID FINCH

In the wake of DC UNIVERSE: REBIRTH, Batman faces his most challenging foe ever—the idealistic hero known as Gotham, who wants to save the city from Batman himself! Then, in order to retrieve Psycho-Pirate and save Gotham Girl, Batman must recruit a team from Amanda Waller to break into the most impenetrable prison in the world and steal from one of the Dark Knight’s greatest foes…Bane. The next great Batman story begins here! Collects BATMAN: REBIRTH #1, BATMAN #1-15.

On sale AUGUST 30 • 400 pg, FC, 7.0625” x 10.875”, $34.99 US

CYBORG VOL. 2: DANGER IN DETROIT TP

Written by JOHN SEMPER JR.

Art by WILL CONRAD, PAUL PELLETIER, TONY KORDOS and SZYMON KUDRANSKI

Cover by WILL CONRAD

With a fearsome high-tech terror cell threatening to invade the country, Cyborg participates in the creation of an experimental cybernetic female counterpart—code name Variant—whose abilities might exceed his own! But when the process ravages her memories, Cyborg must retrieve crucial national security secrets from her mind before it’s too late. What’s on the line? Control of the nation’s most powerful nuclear weapons that could start a new world war! Collects CYBORG #6-13.

On sale AUGUST 9 • 192 pg, FC, $19.99 US

GREEN ARROW VOL. 3: EMERALD OUTLAW TP

Written by BENJAMIN PERCY

Art by OTTO SCHMIDT, ELEANORA CARLINI, GUS VASQUEZ, CARLOS RODRIGUEZ and JUAN FERRERYA

Cover by JUAN FERRERYA

In this volume, green arrows fly—and people are dying! But when the media and police point their fingers at Green Arrow, it’s up to Ollie and Black Canary to find the real killer of high-profile Seattleites. Their prime suspects? A who’s who of archers including Emiko Queen and a deadly Green Arrow villain not seen in years! Collects GREEN ARROW #12-17.

On sale AUGUST 2 • 152 pg, FC, $16.99 US

HAL JORDAN AND THE GREEN LANTERN CORPS VOL. 3: THE QUEST FOR HOPE TP

Written by ROBERT VENDITTI

Art by ETHAN VAN SCIVER, RAFA SANDOVAL and JORDI TARRAGONA

Cover by RAFA SANDOVAL and JORDI TARRAGONA

In the latest collection of the hit series, Hal Jordan and Kyle Rayner are on a quest to find Saint Walker and restore the Blue Lantern Corps while Guy Gardner deals with a personal grudge. The events lead straight into “The Prism of Time” in which a mysterious time traveler threatens the future of the Green Lantern Corps! Collects issues #14-21.

On sale AUGUST 16 • 192 pg, FC, $19.99 US

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA VOL. 1: THE EXTREMISTS TP

Written by STEVE ORLANDO

Art by IVAN REIS, JOE PRADO, FELIPE WATANABE and others

Cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO

The new Justice League of America is here—and now, in these stories from issues #1-6 of the new series, they’re going to meet the Extremists—self-proclaimed saviors from another Earth, they thirst for peace, prosperity and total submission to the will of their leader, Lord Havok! How can the newly assembled JLA stop this group of misguided maniacs before the Extremists unleash their own unique—and dangerous—brand of law and order on our chaotic world?

On sale AUGUST 9 • 168 pg, FC, $16.99 US

SUPERMAN VOL. 3: MULTIPLICITY TP

Written by PETER J. TOMASI and PATRICK GLEASON

Art by IVAN REIS, JOE PRADO, RYAN SOOK, CLAY MANN, ED BENES, JORGE JIMENEZ, TONY S. DANIEL and SEBASTIAN FIUMARA

Cover by IVAN REIS and OCLAIR ALBERT

All around the Multiverse, Supermen are going missing— someone is collecting them! Joining forces, the collective of Men of Steel must find a way to escape their cells and defeat their captor. Plus, Superman meets Swamp Thing! Collects SUPERMAN #14-17 and ANNUAL #1.

On sale AUGUST 2 • 144 pg, FC, $16.99 US

WONDER WOMAN VOL. 3: THE TRUTH TP

Written by GREG RUCKA

Art and cover by LIAM SHARP

As Wonder Woman picks up the pieces of her shattered psyche in the wake of “The Lies,” Barbara Ann Minerva walks into the devil’s lair to defend her…or is she being led into a trap? And Diana, Steve and Etta come face to face with their newest foes—the deadly group known as Poison! But what do they have to do with the plot to unravel Wonder Woman’s life? Collects WONDER WOMAN #13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23 and 25.

On sale AUGUST 23• 176 pg, FC, $16.99 US

BATMAN: ARKHAM — CLAYFACE TP

Written by BILL FINGER, LEN WEIN, MIKE W. BARR, DOUG MOENCH, A.J. LIEBERMAN and others

Art by BOB KANE, JERRY ROBINSON, SHELDON MOLDOFF, MARSHALL ROGERS, DICK GIORDANO, KEITH GIFFEN, KELLEY JONES, AL BARRIONUEVO and others

Cover by GUILLEM MARCH

Clayface, one of the most recognized villains in Gotham City, is the star in this new best-of collection featuring stories from Detective Comics #40, 298 and 478, Outsiders #21, Secret Origins #44, Batman #550, Catwoman #4, Batman: Gotham Knights #23 and 69-71 and Batman Villains Secret Files #1.

On sale AUGUST 9 • 280 pg, FC, $19.99 US

BATGIRL: STEPHANIE BROWN VOL. 1 TP

Written by BRYAN Q. MILLER • Art by LEE GARBETT, TREVOR SCOTT, PERE PEREZ and others

Cover by STANLEY “ARTGERM” LAU

Stephanie Brown is Batgirl—and now, she must learn to balance school and crime-fighting or face the wrath of Barbara Gordon! With guest appearances from Batman and Robin and villains like Man-Bat and Scarecrow, Batgirl steps up to the mantle! Plus, Batgirl must stop a nanovirus that will turn the citizens of Gotham City into mindless techno-zombies! Collects BATGIRL #1-12.

On sale AUGUST 16 • 296 pg, FC, $29.99 US

BATMAN: SHADOW OF THE BAT VOL. 2 TP

Written by ALAN GRANT

Art by NORM BREYFOGLE, JOE STATON, STEVE MITCHELL, BRET BLEVINS, MIKE MANLEY, VINCE GIARRANO and others

Cover by BRIAN STELFREEZE

Follow Bruce Wayne through Gotham City’s underworld, a crazed carnival, the streets of London and even into the deep, dark recesses of the Batman’s mind in these 1990s stories! Collects BATMAN: SHADOW OF THE BAT #13-24 and BATMAN: SHADOW OF THE BAT ANNUAL #1. In stories that tie into the “Knightquest” epic, Jean-Paul Valley, formerly known as Azrael, takes over as Batman to battle Scarecrow and more!

On sale AUGUST 30 • 352 pg, FC, $29.99 US

BATMAN: KNIGHTFALL OMNIBUS VOL. 2: KNIGHTQUEST HC

Written by ALAN GRANT, CHUCK DIXON, DOUG MOENCH and others

Art by VINCE GIARRANO, BRET BLEVINS, GRAHAM NOLAN, MIKE MANLEY and others

Cover by KELLEY JONES

The next movement of the “Knightfall” saga is collected for the first time in its entirety! In this volume, Jean-Paul Valley assumes the mantle of the Dark Knight and faces the Scarecrow, the Joker, Gunhawk and others! Collects for the first time all of “Knightquest” in a single hardcover edition including DETECTIVE COMICS #667-675, ROBIN #1, BATMAN: SHADOW OF THE BAT #19-28, BATMAN #501-508, CATWOMAN #6-7 and JUSTICE LEAGUE TASK FORCE #5-6.

On sale OCTOBER 25 • 888 pg, FC, $99.99 US

BATMAN: THE GOLDEN AGE VOL. 3 TP

Written by BILL FINGER, JOSEPH GREENE, DON CAMERON and others

Art by BOB KANE, JERRY ROBINSON, JACK BURNLEY and others

Cover by MICHAEL CHO

In these classic tales from the 1940s, the Dynamic Duo faces off with The Joker, the Conjurer, the Penguin, Two-Face, Tweedledee and Tweedledum and more! Collects BATMAN #8-11, DETECTIVE COMICS #57-65 and WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #4-6.

On sale AUGUST 30 • 384 pg, FC, $29.99 US

BATMAN/SUPERMAN VOL. 6: UNIVERSE’S FINEST TP

Written by PETER J. TOMASI and TOM TAYLOR

Art by ROBSON ROCHA and DOUG MAHNKE

Cover by YANICK PAQUETTE

The final days of Superman are here! Batman and Superman are working to prepare the world for the loss of the Last Son of Krypton, but nothing can prepare the planet for what’s to come. The superheroes will find friends and foes as they traverse the Earth in a desperate last attempt to save the Man of Steel! Collects BATMAN/SUPERMAN #28-32, plus never-before-published stories originally slated to appear in BATMAN/SUPERMAN #33-34 and ANNUAL #3!

On sale AUGUST 16 • 224 pg, FC, $19.99 US

WONDER GIRL: ADVENTURES OF A TEEN TITAN TP

Written by ROBERT KANIGHER, BRUNO PREMIANI, JOHN BYRNE and others

Art by ROSS ANDRU, BOB HANEY, NEAL ADAMS, JOHN BYRNE and others

Cover by NICOLA SCOTT and DOUG HAZLEWOOD

The adventures of Wonder Girl are collected for the first time! These stories include appearances by Wonder Woman, the Teen Titans and more from the pages of WONDER WOMAN #105 (1959), THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #60, TEEN TITANS #22, ADVENTURE COMICS #461, WONDER WOMAN #105 and 113, WONDER WOMAN: DONNA TROY #1 and WONDER GIRL #1.

On sale AUGUST 30 • 168 pg, FC, $14.99 US

DEADMAN BY KELLEY JONES: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION TP

Written by MIKE BARON

Art by KELLEY JONES, VINCE GIARRANO, TONY DEZUNIGA and PABLO MARCOS

Cover by KELLEY JONES

Deadman has gone from supernatural hero to insane spirit of evil, and with a tide of demons threatening humanity, his true power can only be unlocked if he faces the secret within him that has driven him mad. Collects DEADMAN: LOVE AFTER DEATH #1-2 and DEADMAN: EXORCISM #1-2, plus stories from ACTION COMICS WEEKLY #618-621 and 623-626.

On sale AUGUST 30 • 272 pg, FC, $24.99 US

EARTH 2: SOCIETY VOL. 4: LIFE AFTER DEATH TP

Written by DAN ABNETT

Art by BRUNO REDONDO, VICENTE CIFUENTES and others

Cover by BRUNO REDONDO

Earth-2 is dead! Following a climactic battle with Ultra-Humanite and his super- powered army, a handful of the Wonders awaken in a twilight limbo. Are they the only ones to have survived? Has their desperate gambit to save their world ended in total disaster? In the wreckage, the surviving heroes have failed in their effort to save the world. As they struggle to accept the disaster they have caused, something in the phantom mist begins to hunt for them. In the Ghost World, no heroes can be allowed to exist. Collects EARTH 2: SOCIETY #17-22.

On sale AUGUST 9 • 136 pg, FC, $14.99 US

GRAYSON: THE SUPERSPY OMNIBUS HC

Written by TOM KING, TIM SEELEY and others

Art by MIKEL JANIN, STEPHEN MOONEY, CARMINE DI GIANDOMENICO, ROGE ANTONIO and others

Cover by MIKEL JANIN

Collects all of Dick Grayson’s adventures as Agent 37 for the spy organization known as Spyral! Faking his death, and entering a game of cat and mouse, Dick must take down Spyral from the inside in order to save his loved ones. This omnibus edition collects GRAYSON #1-20, SECRET ORIGINS #8, GRAYSON ANNUAL #1-3, GRAYSON: FUTURE’S END #1, ROBIN WAR #1-2 and NIGHTWING: REBIRTH #1, with appearances by Batman, Superman and more!

On sale OCTOBER 18 • 792 pg, FC, $99.99 US

LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT: JIM APARO VOL. 3 HC

Written by BOB HANEY, MIKE W. BARR, GERRY CONWAY, CARY BURKETT, ALAN BRENNERT, ROBERT KANIGHER and others

Art and cover by JIM APARO

In these classic tales, the Caped Crusader crosses paths with Metamorpho, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Green Arrow, Swamp Thing and more. Collects Aparo’s art from THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #152, 154-178, 180-182, DETECTIVE COMICS #444-446, 448, 468-470, 480, 492, 493, 495-499, 501, 502, 508 and 509, plus BATMAN FAMILY #17 and THE UNTOLD LEGEND OF THE BATMAN #1-3.

On sale AUGUST 23 • 552 pg, FC, $49.99 US

LOONEY TUNES GREATEST HITS VOL. 3: BEEP BEEP TP

Written and illustrated by various

Cover by DAVID ALVAREZ and MIKE DeCARLO

Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Taz, Tweety Bird and all your other favorite Looney Tunes are at it again! Will Elmer E. Fudd ever catch that wascally wabbit? Will Wile E. Coyote finally catch the Road Runner? Will Pepé Le Pew get the girl? Don’t miss all the action with this third collection of the greatest adventures from the Looney Tunes! Collects LOONEY TUNES #47-53.

On sale AUGUST 23 • 144 pg, FC, $12.99 US

HARLEY’S LITTLE BLACK BOOK HC

Written by AMANDA CONNER and JIMMY PALMIOTTI

Art by JOHN TIMMS, AMANDA CONNER, MAURICET, NEAL ADAMS, DAVE JOHNSON, JOSEPH MICHAEL LINSNER, WILLIAM TUCCI and SIMON BISLEY

Cover by AMANDA CONNER

It’s the sensational team-up series in which Harley meets (and annoys) DC’s greatest heroes and villains! Harley meets up with Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Lobo and more! But can she keep up with beings of this caliber? Collects HARLEY’S LITTLE BLACK BOOK #1-6.

On sale AUGUST 2 • 256 pg, FC, $29.99 US

HARLEY QUINN BY KARL KESEL AND TERRY DODSON DELUXE EDITION BOOK ONE HC

Written by KARL KESEL

Art by TERRY DODSON, RACHEL DODSON, CRAIG ROUSSEAU, PETE WOODS and others

Cover by TERRY DODSON and RACHEL DODSON

Terry Dodson and Karl Kesel’s original run on HARLEY QUINN is now in hardcover! In these tales, Harley must do without her beloved Mister J’s “calming” influence and take on the world on her own. From jailbreaks to shopping sprees to her origin story, this book is jam-packed with over-the-top action! Includes appearances by Two-Face, Poison Ivy, Catwoman and more. Collects HARLEY QUINN #1-8.

On sale SEPTEMBER 6 • 216 pg, FC, $29.99 US

ABSOLUTE JUSTICE LEAGUE: ORIGIN HC

Written by GEOFF JOHNS

Art by JIM LEE, SCOTT WILLIAMS, GENE HA, CARLOS D’ANDA, IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO

Cover by JIM LEE and SCOTT WILLIAMS

For the first time, Geoff Johns and Jim Lee’s stellar run on JUSTICE LEAGUE from the dawn of DC: THE NEW 52 is collected in DC’s Absolute Edition format! First, Batman discovers an evil that requires him to unite Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Aquaman, The Flash and Cyborg for the first time as the Justice League! Then, find out who has joined the team after its origin! And why does Green Arrow want to join their ranks so badly? Plus, someone is out to get the Justice League, and he is determined to show the world how mortal these godlike beings really are!

On sale SEPTEMBER 27 • 360 pg, FC, 8.25″ x 12.5″, $99.99 US

JUSTICE LEAGUE: THE DARKSEID WAR SAGA OMNIBUS HC

Written by GEOFF JOHNS, PETER J. TOMASI, FRANCIS MANAPUL and others

Art by JASON FABOK, JIM LEE, FRANCIS MANAPUL, PHIL JIMENEZ, FERNANDO PASARIN, SCOTT KOLINS and others

Cover by JASON FABOK

The Justice League originally united to stop the forces of Darkseid from destroying Earth! Now the ruler of Apokolips is back, but this time he’s set his sights on the world-shattering Anti-Monitor. Will the combined might of the Justice League be enough to protect Earth from becoming collateral damage as gods fight? This new title collects JUSTICE LEAGUE #40-50, a story from DC COMICS DIVERGENCE #1 and the DARKSEID WAR specials starring Batman, The Flash, Green Lantern, Superman, Lex Luthor and Shazam!

On sale OCTOBER 11 • 512 pg, FC, $75.00 US

JUSTICE LEAGUE: AN ADULT COLORING BOOK TP

Art by JIM LEE, JASON FABOK, BRYAN HITCH, GEORGE PEREZ, NEAL ADAMS, MIKE SEKOWSKY and others

Cover by JIM LEE and SCOTT WILLIAMS

The World’s Greatest Heroes unite in black and white in this new adult coloring book! Featuring the art of top talents including Jim Lee, Jason Fabok, Bryan Hitch, George Pérez, Neal Adams, original Justice League of America artist Mike Sekowsky and many others!

On sale OCTOBER 11 • 96 pg, B&W, $15.99 US

TEEN TITANS: EARTH ONE VOL. 2 TP

Written by JEFF LEMIRE

Art and cover by ANDY MACDONALD

After months on the run from the twisted project that created them, Cyborg, Terra, Beast Boy and Garth are near the breaking point, barely surviving on what they can steal, squatting in the ruins of an abandoned subdivision. But as they reach their lowest ebb, their creator, Dr. Niles Caulder, is ready to make his move…and they’re about to learn that they weren’t the only kids to go through Caulder’s twisted process! There are more children with powers out there, and unlike our heroes, they were raised to be the living weapons Caulder wants all his Titans to be!

On sale AUGUST 16 • 144 pg, FC, $16.99 US

THE NEWSBOY LEGION BY JOE SIMON AND JACK KIRBY VOL. 2 HC

Written by JOE SIMON and JACK KIRBY

Art by JOE SIMON, JACK KIRBY and others

Cover by JOE SIMON and JACK KIRBY

In these 1940s tales from STAR-SPANGLED COMICS #33-64, the scrappy inner city boys known as the Newsboy Legion work together to stop crime in their home of Suicide Slum. Watched over by adult hero the Guardian—a.k.a. policeman Jim Harper—the Newsboy Legion battle crime through their own newspaper reporting, taking on crooked politicians, slum lords, fifth column agents and more.

On sale AUGUST 2 • 368 pg, FC, $49.99 US

NEW TEEN TITANS VOL. 7 TP

Written by MARV WOLFMAN and GEORGE PEREZ

Art by GEORGE PEREZ, STEVE RUDE, DICK GIORDANO and others

Cover by GEORGE PEREZ

From the retirement of Robin and Kid Flash to the birth of Nightwing and the introduction of Jericho to the ultimate betrayal of a Titan—“The Judas Contract” riveted readers during its initial run in the 1980s, and it still has fans talking today. This new title collects TALES OF THE TEEN TITANS #42-48 and TEEN TITANS ANNUAL #3.

On sale AUGUST 23 • 224 pg, FC, $19.99 US

SIXPACK AND DOGWELDER: HARD-TRAVELIN’ HEROZ TP

Written by GARTH ENNIS

Art by RUSS BRAUN

Cover by STEVE DILLON

When John Constantine comes calling, Dogwelder finds himself face to face with destiny as the truth about his powers and origin suddenly seem to lie within his grasp. Could his journey of discovery be just what Sixpack needs to snap Section Eight out of its funk? Now the pair are off on the road trip from hell, leaving a trail of mayhem (and empty bottles and canine corpses) from Gotham City to Egypt to outer space. This title collects SIXPACK AND DOGWELDER: HARD-TRAVELIN’ HEROZ #1-6.

On sale AUGUST 16 • 144 pg, FC, $16.99 US

SUPER POWERS TP

Written by ART BALTAZAR and FRANCO

Art and cover by ART BALTAZAR

Aw yeah, the World’s Greatest Heroes are back in a new all-ages tale—except for Batman! Superman helps out by cleaning up in Gotham City, where he discovers a clue that sends Wonder Woman into space to locate the lost Caped Crusader. Her journey brings her a step closer to Batman, but can she uncover the truth behind his disappearance? It’s not going to be pretty—it involves Darkseid and Apokolips!

On sale AUGUST 9 • 136 pg, FC, $12.99 US

SWAMP THING: THE BRONZE AGE OMNIBUS HC

Written by LEN WEIN, DAVID MICHELINIE, GERRY CONWAY, MARTIN PASKO, BRUCE JONES and others

Art by BERNIE WRIGHTSON, NESTOR REDONDO, TOM YEATES, JAN DUURSEMA, TOM MANDRAKE, STEPHEN BISSETTE, JOHN TOTLEBEN. MARK TEXEIRA and others

Cover by KARL KERSCHL

The Swamp Thing faces a plethora of monsters and the uncaring savagery of his once-fellow men in these original stories! This giant hardcover collects HOUSE OF SECRETS #92, SWAMP THING #1-24, SAGA OF THE SWAMP THING #1-19 and SAGA OF THE SWAMP THING ANNUAL #1.

On sale OCTOBER 4 • 928 pg, FC, $99.99 US

WILDSTORM: A CELEBRATION OF 25 YEARS HC

Written by BRANDON CHOI, J. SCOTT CAMPBELL, WARREN ELLIS, CHRISTOS GAGE and others

Art by JIM LEE, SCOTT WILLIAMS, J. SCOTT CAMPBELL, BRYAN HITCH, PAUL NEARY, DUSTIN NGUYEN, BRETT BOOTH and others

Cover by JIM LEE and SCOTT WILLIAMS

In 1992 Jim Lee changed the course of comics history with the founding of WildStorm Productions, which would revolutionize the business and launch the careers of so many top creators. Now, the WS crew is back to celebrate 25 years of WildStorm with new short stories of the imprint’s greatest heroes by their classic creative teams, including WildC.A.T.s by Brandon Choi and Jim Lee; the Authority by Warren Ellis and Bryan Hitch; Gen13 by J. Scott Campbell; WildCats by Christos Gage and Dustin Nguyen; Backlash by Brett Booth, and more!

This new hardcover also includes a massive pinup gallery featuring new art by WS alumni including John Cassaday, Tim Sale, Adam Hughes, Carlos D’Anda, Adam Warren, Tony Harris, Lee Bermejo, Ryan Benjamin, Neil Googe, Fiona Staples, Cully Hamner and more, plus behind-the-scenes material that will blow your mind, and epic reprints of some of WildStorm’s greatest stories! This new hardcover is a must-have for old fans and new readers alike!

On sale AUGUST 23 • 240 pg, FC, $29.99 US

AMERICAN WAY: THOSE ABOVE AND THOSE BELOW #1

Written by JOHN RIDLEY • Art and cover by GEORGES JEANTY

It’s been a decade since the Civil Defense Corps was exposed as a fraud created by the U.S. Government for propaganda purposes. While most of the heroes who survived the catastrophe have retired or disappeared, the New American still carries on, trying to keep communities safe amid the social turmoil of the 1970s. But with the nation split in two over civil rights and the changing political landscape, this isn’t easy. Some of the American’s former colleagues are on opposite sides of the law: Amber Waves joined a group of domestic terrorists, while Missy, a.k.a. Ole Miss, has thrown her hat into the political ring. As the ground shifts beneath his feet and new threats arise, which side will the American choose?

This sequel to the hit miniseries by the original team of writer John Ridley (Oscar-winning screenwriter of 12 Years a Slave and creator of TV’s American Crime) and artist Georges Jeanty (Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season Eight, Serenity: No Power in the ‘Verse) moves the story forward in history, factoring in how real-life events might be affected by the presence of superheroes, and how those events change the heroes in turn.

On sale JULY 5 • 32 pg, FC, 1 of 6, $3.99 US • MATURE READERS

ASTRO CITY #46

Written by KURT BUSIEK

Art by BRENT ANDERSON

Cover by ALEX ROSS

The final chapter in the Broken Man’s century-spanning revelations about Astro City, music, rebellion, heroes and the threat of the Oubor. The Broken Man is mounting a defense—but does it stand a chance, or is it as cracked as he is? Featuring Honor Guard, the First Family and more, in a story that sets the stage for everything that is to come for Astro City.

On sale JULY 19 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

EVERAFTER: FROM THE PAGES OF FABLES #11

Written by DAVE JUSTUS and LILAH STURGES

Art by TRAVIS MOORE

Cover by TULA LOTAY

The Shadow Players are fractured and under siege by some of the Lone Star State’s darkest legends! Connor spills his guts to La Llorona, Bo tries not to get rammed and Peter bites off more pain than he can swallow while he searches for ancient artifacts! Meanwhile, back at Plano South, the rest of the crew gets an education from the mysterious Kara Bass in this arc’s pulse-pounding penultimate chapter!

On sale JULY 5 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • MATURE READERS

SAVAGE THINGS #5

Written by JUSTIN JORDAN

Art by IBRAHIM MOUSTAFA

Cover by IBRAHIM MOUSTAFA

New York has succumbed to chaos. Devastating attacks by Black Forest have brought the city to its knees. Abel and Kira are trying to quell the situation, but it’s hard to tell the good guys from the bad guys in the confusion, so not only do they have to contend with Cain’s goons, but local law enforcement and scared citizens alike. Amid all the violent disorder, Abel begins to realize Cain’s real target is much bigger—and potentially deadlier—than anyone imagined.

On sale JULY 5 • 32 pg, FC, 5 of 8, $3.99 US • MATURE READERS

THE LOST BOYS TP

Written by TIM SEELEY

Art by SCOTT GODLEWSKI

Cover by TONY HARRIS

The stakes are raised in this nostalgic and unstoppable sequel to the ’80s cult classic vampire film, The Lost Boys. Santa Carla, California, is on edge. The eccentric coastal town and haven for the undead was finally returning to “normal” after its last supernatural scuffle left the local coven’s head vampire dead and gave newcomers Michael and Sam Emerson a housewarming both violent and bizarre. Now the brothers must team up with militant vampire hunters Edgar and Allan Frog when a new gang of ruthless, stunning, life-sucking nightcrawlers known as the Blood Belles emerges to collect Michael’s love interest and their lost sister, Star. Collects THE LOST BOYS #1-6.

On sale AUGUST 9 • 144 pg, FC, $16.99 US • MATURE READERS

UNFOLLOW VOL. 3: TURN IT OFF TP

Written by ROB WILLIAMS

Art by MIKE DOWLING, SIMON GANE and JAVIER PULIDO

Cover by MATT TAYLOR

It’s the conclusion to UNFOLLOW in these tales from issues #13-18! First, learn how Akira plans to defeat Larry Ferrell’s 140 experiment and move the world toward peace. Then, the last survivors of the original 140 meet for a final showdown with Larry Ferrell! And what will become of Rubinstein’s mask when it returns home?

On sale AUGUST 2 • 144 pg, FC, $16.99 US • MATURE READERS

JUSTICE LEAGUE MOVIE STATUES: BATMAN, CYBORG AND SUPERMAN

The World’s Greatest Heroes unite on the big screen for the first time this November in the Warner Bros. feature film Justice League! Now, DC Collectibles captures the likenesses of BATMAN, CYBORG and SUPERMAN in these spectacular new statues!

BATMAN—12.75″ high Sculpted by Alterton

CYBORG—13″ high Sculpted by Alterton

SUPERMAN—13″ high Sculpted by James Marsano

Limited Editions of 5,000

Each statue sold separately

Each $150.00 US

On Sale NOVEMBER 2017

Allocations May Occur

WONDER WOMAN BRACELETS WITH LASSO AND TIARA PROP REPLICA

Sculpted by JOE MENNA

Three of Wonder Woman’s most recognizable accessories in her battle for justice—her tiara, bracelets and lasso—are united in this exciting new prop replica. Celebrate Wonder Woman’s new movie with this amazing tribute to the Amazon Princess!

Limited Edition of 5,000

Measures Approximately

14.50″ high x 10.50″ wide x 10.50″ deep

$300.00 US

On Sale NOVEMBER 2017

Allocations May Occur

BAT-SIGNAL PROP REPLICA

This exquisite metal prop replica of the Bat-Signal will light your night! This powerful Bat-Signal comes with three Bat symbols: one inspired by the Batman movies, one “Knightfall” symbol and a traditional symbol from the pages of the Dark Knight’s comics. Comes with USB cable, removable power adaptor and LED light source.

Limited Edition of 5,000

Measures Approximately 12.75″ high x 9″ wide x 8″ deep

$300.00 US • On Sale NOVEMBER 2017

Allocations May Occur

DC ICONS: THE DEATH OF SUPERMAN ACTION FIGURE 2-PACK

“The Death of Superman” epic grabbed headlines in 1993, and the story remains one of DC’s most memorable. Now, DC Collectibles commemorates it with a new action figure 2-pack that includes two interchangeable Superman heads, snap-on heat vision and punch-blast effect, two displayable sound effects captions plus a battle base with a tattered-cape flag!

DOOMSDAY—7.1″

SUPERMAN—6.1”

$75.00 US

On Sale NOVEMBER 2017

Allocations May Occur

DCTV: THE FLASH — KID FLASH ACTION FIGURE

From the hit CW series, it’s Wally West, a.k.a. Kid Flash! This young hero comes with extra hands and an extra head without his familiar mask.

KID FLASH—6.69”

$28.00 US • On Sale NOVEMBER 2017

Allocations May Occur

DCTV LEGENDS OF TOMORROW: THE ATOM ACTION FIGURE

DC’s own Legends of Tomorrow are here in a new DCTV action figure series! The Atom includes alternate hands and energy blasts.

THE ATOM—7″

$28.00 US

On Sale NOVEMBER 2017

Allocations May Occur

DCTV LEGENDS OF TOMORROW: WHITE CANARY ACTION FIGURE

DC’s own Legends of Tomorrow are here in a new DCTV action figure series! White Canary appears with her own battle-lance plus two sets of alternate hands.

WHITE CANARY—6.74″

$28.00 US

On Sale NOVEMBER 2017

Allocations May Occur

DC ICONS: BATMAN REBIRTH ACTION FIGURE

As seen in the DC REBIRTH: JUSTICE LEAGUE ACTION FIGURE 7-PACK, the Dark Knight is back in a new solo action figure featuring his appearance in DC’s smash-hit Rebirth titles!

BATMAN—6.25

$28.00 US • On Sale OCTOBER 2017

Allocations May Occur

DC ICONS: SUPERMAN REBIRTH ACTION FIGURE

As seen in the DC REBIRTH: JUSTICE LEAGUE ACTION FIGURE 7-PACK, the Man of Steel is back in a new solo action figure featuring his appearance in DC’s smash-hit Rebirth titles!

SUPERMAN—6.25

$28.00 US • On Sale OCTOBER 2017

Allocations May Occur

DC BOMBSHELLS VIXEN STATUE

Designed by ANT LUCIA

Sculpted by AMY SHARPE

Her claws may be hidden by those evening gloves, but make no mistake—Vixen is dangerous! She’s also the latest Bombshells statue designed by Ant Lucia!

Limited Edition of 5,000

Measures Approximately 10.55” Tall

$125.00 US

On Sale NOVEMBER 2017

Allocations May Occur

DC DESIGNER SERIES: BATMAN BY ANDY KUBERT MINI STATUE

Designed by ANDY KUBERT • Sculpted by ALTERTON

Legendary writer/artist Frank Miller returned to Batman with DARK KNIGHT III: THE MASTER RACE, teaming with superstar artist Andy Kubert! Now, the DC Collectibles statue based on Kubert’s rendition of the Dark Knight is back in a new, miniaturized edition!

Limited Edition of 5,000

Measures Approximately 7” Tall

$80.00 US • On Sale SEPTEMBER 2017

Allocations May Occur

The post DC Comics’ July 2017 Solicitations appeared first on CBR.

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[gokinjeespot]

Monday, January 16, 2017

 We had a beautiful sunny weekend here in Ottawa and the Rideau Canal Skateway opened for the first time this winter. I went for a walk in the sun and then finished up the first volume of the two volume Strangers in Paradise Omnibus by Terry Moore which my partner Chris let me borrow. I read the story as floppies but it was very nice to re-read the story about the volcanic relationship between Francine and Katchoo again. I highly recommend any comic book that Terry does.

 Scarlet Witch #14 - James Robinson (writer) Shawn Crystal (art) Chris Brunner (colours) VC's Cory Petit (letters). Wanda's journey along the Witch's Road finally comes to an end with the expected result of witchcraft being cured. It's neat that Shawn's art pays homage to Steve Ditko's Doctor Strange dimensional vistas but why is Agatha Harkness young looking now?

 Unworthy Thor #3 - Jason Aaron (writer) Kim Jacinto & Olivier Coipel (art) Matthew Wilson (colours) VC's Joe Sabino (letters). The Collector's hammer is being sought by many. The Odinson wants it and so does Thanos. My money is on U-Thor and his companions getting their hands on it in the end.

 Amazing Spider-Man Renew Your Vows #3 - Gerry Conway (writer) Ryan Stegman (art) Sonia Oback (colours) VC's Joe Caramagna (letters). This issue features Anna May Parker in and out of costume. Gerry must watch a lot of Nickelodeon to make his kids sound so authentic. Annie is young, foolish and hot-headed which makes for some interesting situations. This is a fun book that I think more fans should be reading.

 Justice League/Power Rangers #1 - Tom Taylor (writer) Stephen Byrne (art & colours) Deron Bennett (letters). I don't read either of these teams' comic books but I like Tom's writing so I picked this up to see what he could do with these characters. I have no clue what the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers are about but they seem like a decent bunch. The story is pretty basic with an accidental interdimensional hop including a super villain. If you like the Batman and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle team up you'll enjoy this too.

 Moonshine #4 - Brian Azzarello (writer) Eduardo Risso (art & colours) Jared H. Fletcher (letters). If the creature doesn't make you howl then Tempest will by the time you get to the end of this issue. I did not see that coming.

 Daredevil #15 - Charles Soule (writer) Goran Sudzuka (art) Matt Milla (colours) VC's Clayton Cowles (letters). Here's something else I did not see coming. We have the return of one of Daredevil's arch enemies back from the dead. At least I think they died. It's hard to keep track.

 Action Comics #971 - Dan Jurgens (writer) Stephen Segovia (pencils) Art Thibert (inks) Arif Prianto (colours) Rob Leigh (letters). The trial of Lex Luthor takes a surprising turn and he and Superman are still not home free. Meanwhile back home, Lois and Jon are caught in a place where they shouldn't be by Clark Kent. It's going to be fun to see how mom and son explain their trespass.

 Groo: Fray of the Gods #4 - Sergio Aragones & Mark Evanier (writers) Sergio Aragones (art) Tom Luth (colours) Stan Sakai (letters). It's always distracting whenever the Minstrel appears in a Groo comic book because of the ever changing end of his instrument. This mini ends with much dining and fraying for Groo but the gods don't actually fight throughout this story. Oh well, what do you expect from a Groo comic?

 Uncanny Avengers #19 - Gerry Duggan (writer) Pepe Larraz with Rodrigo Zayas (art) Dono Sanchez Almara (colours) VC's Clayton Cowles (letters). Looks like the Red Skull has this team in his complete control but there is one hero left to come to the rescue. It's Gerry's homeboy Deadpool. Wade can't do it all alone so it's team up time. I like who he rustles up to help save the day.

 Wonder Woman #14 - Greg Rucka (writer) Nicola Scott (art) Romulo Fajardo Jr. (colours) Jodi Wynne (letters). This issue concludes "Year One" with a battle between Diana and Ares the God of War. One must suspend belief that Diana can fly all around the world carry Steve Trevor to stop the poison gas from being deployed. Maybe she got help from Santa Claus. I felt a little let down by Greg with that miracle move, but otherwise this story has been pretty good. Good enough for me to keep reading now that the first two storylines have ended.

 Red Sonja #1 - Amy Chu (writer) Carlos Gomez (art) Mohan (colours) Simon Bowland (letters). I hope you read the twenty-five cent #0 or you will be wondering how Sonja ends up in modern Manhattan. Amy solves the problem of Sonja speaking ancient Hyrkanian by introducing a handsome young police officer who sort of understands the language. This is quite similar to the Rebirth Wonder Woman book but different enough that a long time fan  like me still finds it worth reading.

 Occupy Avengers #3 - David F. Walker (writer) Carlos Pacheco (pencils) Rafael Fonteriz (inks) Sonia Oback with Wil Quintana (colours) VC's Clayton Cowles (letters). I'm not a fan of the title. I think comic book buyers have Avengers fatigue and would be more likely to buy this book if it was called Marvel Team-Up starring Hawkeye. I am enjoying it so far and would recommend it. Here we have Hawkeye and Red Wolf getting help from Nighthawk and his sidekick Deadly Nightshade to track down some shady cybernetics in Chicago. There are some surprise appearances at the end of this issue but they do make sense when you consider the evidence that Hawkeye brings to the search. Next issue should have some wahoo fun.

 Detective Comics #948 - James Tynion IV & Marguerite Bennett (writers) Ben Oliver (art) Marilyn Patrizio (letters). Batwoman Begins part one. This is a good primer to read before Kate's own book hits the racks next month. I hope DC doesn't screw it up again.

 Dr. Strange/The Punisher: Magic Bullets #2 - John Barber (writer) Jason Muhr (storyboards) Andrea Broccardo & Dominike "Domo" Stanton (art) Andres Mossa (colours) VC's Clayton Cowles (letters). I like Stephen and Frank and thought that the two of them teaming up would be fun but this story is turning into an unbelievable magical mystery tour with bad art. Shoot me now.

 Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #12 - Robert Venditti (writer) Ethan Van Sciver (art) Jason Wright (colours) Dave Sharpe (letters). Green and Yellow Lantern Corps combine to crush the Orange Corp. Larfleeze even helps. Ethan draws the best aliens.

 Jessica Jones #4 - Brian Michael Bendis (writer) Michael Gaydos (art) Matt Hollingsworth (colours) VC's Cory Petit (letters). The meeting with Captain Marvel explains a lot and made me decide to stick with this. I really hope Luke and Jessica's marriage doesn't suffer from what Jess has to do.

 Totally Awesome Hulk #14 - Greg Pak (writer) German Peralta (art) Jay David Ramos & Dono Sanchez Almara (colours) VC's Cory Petit (letters). The two part team up with Jeremy Lin ends, thank Thor. This one is great for the kiddies but I found it to be a bit silly.

 Ms. Marvel #14 - G. Willow Wilson (writer) Takeshi Miyazawa (art) Ian Herring (colours) VC's Joe Caramagna (letters). The World of Battlecraft fight to start off this issue was fun. Now that Bruno's gone (I miss him), Kamala has to figure out stuff on her own. Someone is stalking her but we don't know if he's good or evil. I'm guessing evil since he looks like the Green Goblin.

 Spider-Man/Deadpool #13 - Joe Kelly (writer) Ed McGuinness (pencils) Mark Morales, John Dell & Ed McGuinness (inks) Jason Keith (colours) VC's Joe Sabino (letters). It's an adventure in Weirdworld as the two heroes recover from their fight with Itsy Bitsy. I really like Joe's version of Wade with the soupcon of humanity.

 Guardians of the Galaxy #16 - Brian Michael Bendis (writer) Valerio Schiti (art) Richard Isanove (colours) VC's Cory Petit (letters). This issue is one long poem featuring everyone's favourite sentient one phrase tree. He is Groot. Some of the verses made my brain cringe however. I hope this isn't the last issue that Brian writes because I would hate to see his run end on a dissatisfying note.

 Justice League vs. Suicide Squad #4 - Joshua Williamson (writer) Fernando Pasarin (pencils) Matt Ryan (inks) Alex Sinclair with Jeremiah Skipper (colours) Rob Leigh (letters). Max Lord and his team of super villains break into Belle Reve Penitentiary to get the thing that he needs to take over the world. We haven't seen this artefact since that special cover from 1992. I wish I can remember how they beat that bad guy 25 years ago then I wouldn't have to read the last 2 issues of this mini.

 Inhumans vs. X-Men 2 - Jeff Lemire & Charles Soule (writers) Leinil Francis Yu (pencils) Gerry Alanguilan (inks) David Curiel (colours) VC's Clayton Cowles (letters). This war of the genetically enhanced seems to be contrived given what the Mutants' objective is in attacking Attilan, the home of the Inhumans. They couldn't just ask? I'm reading this because I love Leinil's art and it's still pretty exciting. Plus you never know what shocking "deaths" will claim the life of  some characters.

 Mighty Thor #15 - Jason Aaron (writer) Russell Dauterman (art) Matthew Wilson (colours) VC's Joe Sabino (letters). The Asgard/Shi'Ar War starts here. Don't know why the Shi'Ar are all up in arms but I'm sure we'll find out. Russell is back drawing the whole issue and that makes me very happy. Judging from the cover the Unworthy Thor could be involved and that makes me excited.

 Spider-Man #12 - Brian Michael Bendis (writer) Sara Pichelli (art) Gaetano Carlucci (inking assist) Justin Ponsor (colours) VC's Cory Petit (letters). It's interdimensional adventure time. Miles goes to another dimension to rescue his dad. There he meets Spider-Gwen as depicted on the cover. The kissy face must come later because this issue is all set up. This story crosses over with Spider-Gwen #16 and I like Miles so much that I will actually read that issue to see what happens next.

 All-New Wolverine #16 - Tom Taylor (writer) Nik Virella (art) Michael Garland (colours) VC's Cory Petit (letters). Laura's current predicament in Madripoor seems simple and boring until you get to the last page and BOOM, someone comes out of left field. Things just got less boring.