#Luca Bennett Bounty Hunter
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The Bounty: A Master Post
Summary: Celeste’s parents have been trying to track down Ariana and Celeste for the past 15 years. Igor informs Lucas of the bounty on Ariana as a way to threaten Lucas. When Lucas tells Ariana, Ulfric and Celeste take action to help make sure Ariana is protected. On prom night, Celeste’s parents make their appearance. Ariana is captured outside the hotel during a prom after party. Celeste, Ulfric, Lucas, and Winston go to rescue Ariana, but Celeste doesn’t make it out alive. Ariana wolfs out as she sees Celeste die and mauls Adrian Aquilla.
Carrington finds her in the woods in a rough state and walks her home. She finally makes it home to Ulfric and it’s decided she’ll stay with Deirdre until she’s ready to come home and go through Celeste’s things.
Haze of Mind Pt 3: Gotch calls Lucas to threaten him. Mentions the bounty on Ariana and threats on his other friends and family as part of it.
No Time to Die: Ariana gets word from Lucas about the bounty on her and reacts. Is it really a teenage breakdown if you didn’t cut your bangs?
Personal Wolf Jesus: Upset, Ariana goes to Winston’s with hair dye in tow. Winston provides comfort and dyes her hair blonde to help with her disguise.
The Responsible Adult’s Guide to Running From Your Problems: Uflric comes over to help Celeste ransack the house so it appears the Bennetts have run again. It’s decided Ariana and Celeste will stay with Ulfric until the situation is taken care of.
Afterglow: Celeste picks Ariana up from Winston’s and explains they’ll be staying with Ulfric. Some reassuring happens.
Moonlight Chats: Ariana has a bit of a heart to heart with Ace (Sammy) about the whole bounty thing.
Conditioned: Lucas calls Gotch to confirm the bounty on Ariana is in fact real.
Why Wood You Do That: Montgomery goes into Trusty Wood and puts two and two together that Ariana has a bounty on her.
In Keeping Secrets: Celeste meets with Kaden to explain their situation and ensure he doesn’t target Ariana. Kaden gives her some information on who the bounties in town go through.
Is That a Police? I’m Calling the Weed!: Jane brings Ulfric in to ask about what happened to the Bennett home since his truck had been seen outside. Celeste comes and assures Ulf’s innocence and answers some questions.
New Face Who Dis: Luce has Ulf get in contact with Bea (RIP) and Nell to help Ari and Celeste get glamours to disguise them from bounty hunters.
Whatever It Takes Pt1: Celeste uses her glamour to go to the Silver Bullet. She talks to the guy in charge of bounties that Kaden told her about. She finds out their bounty has been picked up and that there’s another bounty for fae wings.
Where Everybody Knows Your Name: Kaden sees Celeste’s parents at Silver Bullet and tries to warn her.
Existentialism on Prom Night: Ariana has a great time at prom, the prom queen gets covered in squid ink Carrie style, and someone kidnaps a drunk Ariana while she’’s on the phone with Winston.
Whatever It Takes Pt2: Winston tells Celeste and Luke about what happened on the phone with Ari. Celeste grabs Ulf and they meet the others at the hotel to save Ariana. While saving Ariana, Celeste ends up taking a fatal blow from her father which leads to Ariana shifting and mauling him.
Lost in the Woods: Still in wolf form, Ariana runs off to the woods and shifts back to her human form. Carrington finds her very disheveled, offers her his jacket, and walks her home.
Coming Home: Ariana comes home to Ulfric’s. Tears are shed and Ulfric let’s her know she’ll always have a home with him. For the time being, they decide she should go to Deirdre’s until she’s ready to go through Celeste’s things.
#previously on#plot master post#the bounty#// thank you to everyone who helped make this fun plot happen#ALSO#who didn't realize they had two things with the same title until they made this masterpost?#it's me#i'm boo boo the fool
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Switchblade by Carsen Taite Series: Luca Bennett Bounty Hunter: #3 Read: April 2016 Rating: 3.5 Stars
The last book in the series (at least as of this date). I've had something of a running theme in my reviews, barring the one for the short story, about how much having read the short story did or did not impact my ability to read the books that came before it. Since the short story is the last thing, currently, published in the series. Well, things kind of built. First book wasn't that impacted. Sure, things were a lot different than the world the short story lived in, but, for all I knew, the events in the first book occurred years before the short story. So any differences could be pushed aside. Second book? Less easy to push things aside. Especially since the relationship, whatever it might have been would be had been, was a huge question mark in the second book between the two people who were lovey-dovey in the short story (okay, they weren't, but they were a definite couple). Spent most of the second book in a kind of 'get on with it, I know the relationship you two are going to have . . . stop being morons' haze. Third book? It wasn't the romance, per se, that I had an issue with, it was the mystery/action part. Because I knew what would happen, since it had already happened for me - from having read the short story. 'Come on already . . come on . . . WTF? That's not how it was described in the short story. mmphs.' So - my ability to enjoy the third book was greatly undermined by having read the short story before I'd read anything else. So. Luca Bennett came from a crap background. A broken home. Without any real desire for the work, she went to the police academy. Meet someone named Jessica Chance there. They both graduated. Were friendly towards each other. They begin their training with two experienced partners - Teresa Perez (with Jessica), and Larry Brewster (with Luca). An incident occurs, both Brewster and Luca are shot. Perez is pissed at Luca. Luca says fuck it and leaves the police force. All of this occurring before the first book in the series. She becomes a bounty hunter, licensed private investigator, and fuck-buddy with Jessica Chance. First book involves a good mystery. On again, off again fuck buddy status with Jessica Chance. And a relationship between Luca and a lawyer named Veronica 'Ronnie' Moreno. Second book involves an interesting enough mystery. Weirdness with Jessica Chance. Relationship between Luca and a federal agent named Diamond Collier - who Luca had apparently hooked up with in the past during a case that gets talked about in the series, but never actually detailed fully. Meanwhile Jessica Chance has hooked up with a doctor. Third book. Ronnie's turned up for Luca's help. Her brother, a cop, is in trouble. The only reason I can fathom Ronnie turning to Luca is because Luca had worked with her in the past (and she can't turn to the police - they are the ones investigating her brother; and she can't turn to . . . apparently anyone else - apparently having grown up in the area gave her access to no other living person in Dallas except her family, and Luca Bennett - and she only meet Luca when Ronnie moved back to Dallas). Otherwise . . . going to a bounty hunter to hunt down a fugitive is one thing. Going to a bounty hunter to help your brother, who isn't missing I remind everyone, is . . . confusing. A conspiracy involving drugs, which may or may not be fake; and really really stupid cops - seriously, no one questions the fact that a newly promoted vice detective lives in a 'good' area of town, in a 'nice' house, and drives a newish corvette? What, do they need the cops to wander around handing out flyers saying 'we are corrupt, heh heh heh' for anyone to notice? (Why yes, I say to myself, people did notice - hence - stupid stupid evil corrupt cops). So. I ran through the list of the relationships in the series for the important point of now saying - everyone who had popped up at any point in the series and had any type of physical relationship with Luca, turns up in this book. Ronnie's here, Jessica's here, as is Diamond Collier. Luca's been on something of a growing path - one involving forcing herself to recognize her feelings. And yet . . . well, it's hard to break patterns/habits, eh? Oh, and almost forgot - the flirty Nancy Walters is also in this book as well. She does everything short of pouncing onto Luca and humping her. Everyone seems to like making disparaging remarks to Luca, but they all sure want to hump her. Teresa Perez had kind of been built up in my mind, from the short story and the first book, as being this smart woman who despises Luca. Other than running around with a, figurative, sign on her head in this book, she didn't exactly seem to be as smart as I'd expected/been lead to believe (view spoiler) I distracted myself and I am rambling so I'll boil things down - there's a good chance I would have rated this book at least 4 stars if not for how I screwed myself by reading the short story before the books in this series. At the moment I figure I'd give it 3.5 stars. And probably raise the rating up to 4 at some point relatively soon. Maybe. April 27 2016
#Luca Bennett Bounty Hunter#3rd in Series#Bold Strokes Books#Book Review#Lesbian Book Review#Lesbian Mystery#Mystery#Lesbian Fiction#2016 Reads#3.5 Stars
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Episode 309
October solicits
Comic Reviews:
Blue and Gold 1 by Dan Jurgens, Ryan Sook
Shazam 1 by Tim Sheridan, Clayton Henry, Marcelo Maiolo
Superman and the Authority 1 by Grant Morrison, Mikel Janin, Jordie Bellaire
Superman: Red and Blue 5 by Judd Winick, Ibrahim Moustafa, G. Willow Wilson, Valentine De Landro, Joshua Williamson, Chris Sprouse, Karl Story, Hi-Fi, Mark Buckingham, Lee Loughridge, Daniel Warren Johnson
Extreme Carnage: Phage by Steve Orlando, Gerardo Sandoval, Victor Nava, Chris Sotomayor
Moon Knight 1 by Jed MacKay, Alessandro Cappuccio, Rachelle Rosenberg
Thor Annual by Aaron Kuder, Cam Smith, Chris O'Halloran
Star Wars: War of the Bounty Hunters: Jabba the Hutt 1 by Justina Ireland, Ibraim Roberson, Luca Pizzari, Edgar Delgado, Giada Marchisio
M.O.M.: Mother of Madness 1 by Emilia Clarke, Marguerite Bennett, Leila Leiz
Syphon 1 by Mohsen Ashraf, Patrick Meaney, Jeff Edwards, John Kalisz
Mawrth Valliis by EPHK
Bermuda 1 by John Layman, Nick Bradshaw, Len O'Grady
Dejah Thoris vs. John Carter of Mars 1 by Dan Abnett, Alessandro Miracolo, Dearbhla Kelly
Tales From Harrow County: The Fair Folk 1 by Cullen Bunn, Emily Schnall, Tyler Crook
Dark Blood 1 by Latoya Morgan, Walt Barna, A.H.G.
Everyone is Tulip by Nicole Goux, Dave Baker, Ellie Hall
One Line by Ray Fawkes
99 Cent
Night Jackal by Heath Michaels, Philip Renne, Falk Hansel
Additional Reviews: Batman the Adventures Continue vol 1, The Empty Man, Washington Black, Masters of the Universe, Fargo s4, Trollhunters: Rise of the Titans, Schmigadoon, Sexy Beasts, Owl House ep7, Fear Street 1666, How the Best Hunter in the Village Met Her Death by Molly Knox Ostertag
News: Millar's new comic King of Spies, Batgirl casting, Larime Taylor TV series in development, Blade director, Anansi Boys adaptation, All-Nighters comixology series from Zdarsky, Michaela Coel cast in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina returns, Michael B. Jordan black Superman project, All-Nighters, Remender is a naughty boy, Eisners, Amphibia season 3 release date, Ms. Marvel and Hawkeye confirmed for 2021, odd Legends news, Snyder signs massive deal with Comixology/Dark Horse, Astro City returns to Image
Trailers: Malignant, Nope, Doctor Who series 13, Dexter: New Blood
Ray Asks A Question
Comics Countdown:
Many Deaths of Laila Starr 4 by Ram V, Filipe Andrade
Black Hammer Reborn 2 by Jeff Lemire, Caitlin Yarsky, Dave Stewart
Superman and the Authority 1 by Grant Morrison, Mikel Janin, Jordie Bellaire
Ascender 17 by Jeff Lemire, Dustin Nguyen
Usagi Yojimbo 21 by Stan Sakai
Undiscovered Country 14 by Scott Snyder, Charles Soule, Giuseppe Camuncoli, Leonardo Marcello Grassi, Matt Wilson
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow 2 by Tom King, Bilquis Evely, Mat Lopes
Snow Angels Season Two 2 by Jeff Lemire, Jock
Tales From Harrow County: Fair Folk 1 by Cullen Bunn, Emily Schnall, Tyler Crook
Radiant Black 6 by Kyle Higgins, Cherish Chen, Darko Lafuente, Miquel Muerto, Becca Carey
Check out this episode!
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all muses
All muses shortly
italics - pc bold- canon normal -oc
some muses might have verse specific ships or they are not shippable at all
DRAGON AGE
Nedra Surana // mage elf warden- hof | multiship | pansexual | FC: Lindsey Stirling
Narya Lavellan // dalish inquisitor |Single ship with @thebloodychampion in her main verse, other verse open | heterosexual | FC: Emile De Ravin
Merlyn Lavellan // Narya’s cousin, archer and hunter | multiship- | homosexual | FC: Eddie Redmayne (inquisitor verse available)
Litriel Lavellan // mage, necromancer and dreamer, also Narya’s cousin and Merlyn’ sister | multiship | heterosexual| FC: Alina Kovelenko
Nova Lavellan //dalish Inquisitor, has a very bad eyesight, necromancer, dreamer and uses wisps to see. loves dragons | multiship |heterosexual | FC: Lauren De Graaf
Lesi Aras //the master of smith work. Has her won shop, very inspired by Dagna | multiship | heterosexual | FC: Isabela Moner
Rin Ril Seraya //born to be female, works as a body guard of an Orlesian Lord. Disguised |multiship |undecided | FC: Winona Ryder
Aila Synelis// young elf, has a two years old girl, waitress,sweet but too trusting |multiship | heterosexual | FC: Dasha Sidorchuck
Armando Fiorenci // ex first enchanter o the circle in Dairsmuid, Rivain. Escaped death. jolly and a good mage. mage rights supporter.| multiship | pansexual | FC: Sam Elliott
Francesca Fiorenci // Armando’s sister, made tranquil. Whereabouts unknown | multiship | heterosexual | FC: Oona Chaplin
Kai Kresge // magekiller, from tevinter |multishp| pansexual | FC: Ian Bohen
Kaisa Kresge// Kai’s little sister, mage and healer and herbalist, blind.| multiship |heterosexual | FC: Elise Aarnik
Sherborne Guyader “Guy” // professor of history and arts at the university of Orlais. born in Antiva | multiship | bisexual fc: Eoin bailey
Anna Alerion // mage ,dalish, slave, servant. Now Marquis tool for his twisted desires. Secretly when able she plots to free elves.- | multiship |bisexual
Regina le Bail // ex slave, run away from tevinter, mage but uses spear to fight, companion with a wolf | multiship | heterosexual | FC: Maia Mitchell
Alan Bearhold //avvar warrior, hunter, tall man, grumpy , protects his little sister |multiship |pansexual | FC: Manu Bennett
Valerie Bearhold// mage, talks to spirits, healer, herbalist, skilled. - | multiship |heterosexual | FC: Rachel Weisz
Millicent Cadash // Inquisitor, badass rogue, thief, spy, dwarf and what else.| multiship | heterosexual | FC: Amy Manson
Devon Trevelyan // mage. from Ostwick Circle, born as a bastard son to a servant of Trevelyan family. Skilled mage, flirty but good mannered. | multiship |pansexual | FC: Richard Madden
Bella Lupus // Dragon Age - Tevinter mage, black mage, small woman, good at magic- multiship-heterosexual
Marcus Lupus // Bella’s little brother, warrior, has prosthetic arm and leg | multiship | bisexual | FC: Matthew Daddario
Janus Lupus // Bella’s and Marcus father, magister, master and killed by his brother.|single ship with @thebloodychampion |homosexual | FC: Luke Evans
Alceon Lupus // middle brother , brother of Janus, evil and mean magister. |no ship | bisexual | FC: Ansom Mount
Adrian Lupus // youngest brother, magister at the seat, divorced, likes elves | multiship.| pansexual |FC: Tom Pricone
Luca Lupus//Adrian’s son, rogue, likes training and solitude | multiship |pansexual | Fc: Adian Gillen
Gigi Trevelyan (Auriel// mercenary and Inquisitor - burns scars on her hands and feet - assassin || multiship |heterosexual | FC: Sarah Bolger
Rufus Trevelyan // ex- templar , Gigi’s uncle - mage friendly- never too old for fun | multishipo | pansexual | FC:Rufus Sewell
Adam Hawke // Hawke, shy dork, loves his dog more than people- | multiship | bisexual | FC: Garrett Hedlund
Anders//he feather mage merged with spirit, not so mage rights obessed- loves cats | single M!Hawke ship with @thebloodychampion (other muses okay to ship) | pansexual | FC: David Garrett
Dorian // the sassy one From house of Pavus- the lost son- the failure | multiship | homosexual | FC: David Gandy
Hampus Luck // archer and companion , noble but hides it, a flirt | multiship |pansexual | FC: Jamie Dornan
Appius Trius “The Architect”// High Priest of Urthemiel, a bit dork, but lovable, magister from the ancient times | single ship verse with @thebloodychampion other verse open | pansexual | Fc: Hugh Dancy
Hay // slave from the ancient times - traveled through a rift |selective ship | heterosexual | FC: Hera Hilmar
Nellie Cousland // hero of ferelden, badass redhead |multiship | heterosexual | FC: Rose Leslie
Jacob Rivera// pirate, thief, treasure hunter | multiship |bisexual | FC: Jarod Joseph
Albany Perdue // non binary, young magister , better than you- | multiship | undecided | FC: ErikaLinder
Lisetta Walgan // chasind scout/hunter - wild and untamed| multishp |pansexual | FC: Karen Gillan
Lilah Bearhold // Lady of The Skies- goddess/avvaar/ - immortal | selective ship| bisexual | Fc: Julie Kennedy/Rachel Ward(old)
Mario Albergotti lamberto De Villacorta // rogue, noble, mercenary |bisexual |Pentaghast Blood |likes dragons | FC: Matthew Mcnulty
Vixten Adaar // Inquisitor - ex-mercenary | has a twin sister |mage |pansexual | kind giant | FC: Mahesh Jadu
Veran Adaar // Vixten’s twin sister | rogue |bisexual
Seranna Trevelyan - Inquisitor and templar | fears magic | bisexual | andrastian | FC: Michelle Alves
OTHER FANDOMS
Quiet // Metal Gear Solid V // sniper and bad ass, does not talk- |multiship |bisexual | FC: Game face/Stefanie Joosten
Diana // Marvel DCEU // Wonder Woman, badass but sweet | multiship | heterosexual | FC: Gal Gadot
Mei // Overwatch// climatologist, blogger, Overwatch agent | multiship | bisexual | FC: Game Face
Catwoman //Marvel // Selina Kyle, the catwoman |multiship |heterosexual | FC:Camren Bicondova
Belle/Lacey //OUAT/Disney// Belle from both Ouat and Disney and Lacey from Ouat | multiship | heterosexual | Emilie de Ravin, Cartoon face, Emma Watson
Red//OUAT-// Red from the series Once Upon A time - werewolf | multiship | bisexual | FC: Meghan Ory
Nagini Nabila // Harry Potter // Voldemorts’ Snake with a canon divergent story, reborn | multiship | pansexual | FC: Nathalie Emmanuel (young)/ Angela Bassett (old)
Augustus Rookwood//Harry Potter// Death Eater, Prisoner in Azkaban, a bit of coward | multiship | bisexual | FC: Tom Payne
Neville Longbottom//Harry Potter// student, later professor, not married yet | multiship | heterosexual | FC: Matthew Lewis
Ailla Longstar // Star Wars // twilek, bad ass pilot, spy | multiship | pansexual | FC: Milla Jovovich
Zara Andromedra // Star Wars // mandalorian warrior, arms for hire, skilled fighter , bounty hunter | multiship | bisexual | FC: Cladia Black
Lilo Young // works in the ministry of magic | FC:Nyakim Gatwech | - Harry Potter
Lassie Young // ministry worker , lilos brother |homosexual| FC: Jordan Bolger | - Harry Potter
Simon Wolfe // Deathh Eater | bi, homoromantic |FC: Alec Secreanu | - Harry Potter
Salvia Pepper // werewolf | heterosexual | FC: Natalia Ramos - Harry Potter
Gilda Gloomsdale // vampire , not dragonborn but can be // FC: Aiyana Lewis - Skyrim
MASS EFFECT
Nedra Shepard//Shepard , biotic, paragon, earthborn, war hero-| multiship | pansexual | FC: Emily Browning
Nigel Shepard// Nedra’s twin, more evil and drunkard and a gambler |multiship| bisexual | FC: Eddie Redmayne
Nolus and Tunar Abgius // smuggler brothers even if one is a turian and other a krogan | multiship.| Nolus is bisexual | Tunar is homosexual | Nolus FC: Brandt Daugherty | Tunar Fc: Aleksander Skarsgard
Lisell Avequa// Asari assassin, Has a adopted son Han.|multiship- |heterosexual | FC: Tracy Ifeachor/Danai Gurira
Jirida Avequa//Lisell’s grandma, a bit crazy old asari |no ship- |bisexual | FC: Whoopi Goldberg
Nyx Avequa// an asari consort at Citadel-, not using biotics, kind |single ship |heterosexual | FC: Yaya De Costa
Han Xanis Vas Astra-//LIsell’s adopted son, quarian. Good in tech |- multiship |bisexual | FC: Logan Lerman
Vivia Bonisis // pink turian but good C-sec cyber crime detective - | single ship with @thebloodychampion | heterosexual | FC: Penelope Mitchell
Camilea -// pretty and deadly turian Blue Sun assassin |-multiship | pansexual | FC: Cara Delvigne
Salla Ryder //- female Ryder , biotic | multiship. |bisexual | FC: Emma Watson
Garrus // the one we love. does a lot of calibrating |multiship| bisexual | FC: Andrew Garfield
Liara// the blue doctor and Shadowbroker | multiship |bisexual | FC: Yara Shadhidi
Drack // the old grumpy grandpa | multiship |heterosexual | Fc: Jeff Bridges
PeeBee // the joyful and happy asari explorer|multiship-|pansexual | FC:Senait Gidey
Avitus Rix// turian pathfinder, loves Mason |single ship with @thebloodychampion Mason | homosexual | FC: Charlie Hunnam
Tibesius Suldonis // a hastatim unit leader, gay , married to a woman, manipulated by his friend and ex lover Cosna | Single ship with @thebloodychampion | homosexual | FC: Nathan Fillion
Quitilia Suldonis // sweet, Serlio’s and Silia’s mother, dead by Cosna | no ship | heterosexual | FC:Bridget Regan
Lucius Suldonis // the youngest sibling, model turian, bit of playboy, skilled pilot | multiship | pansexual | FC: Tyler Hoechlin
Serlio Salvilus // Actually son of Cosna’s brother Caius . good in politics, future turian councilor | multiship | bisexual | FC: Josh Bowman
Silia Salvilus-//blind. Serlio’s little sister, had many hardships, works in Citadel , not daughter of Cosna, but born from a relationship her mother had with Haral Nyras. | multiship| heterosexual| FC: Lyndsy Fonseca
Cosna Salvilus // the evil mastermind, took his brother’s life and played him -|no ship-|bisexual | FC: Christian Bale
Caius Salvilus // got in an accident and was in coma and memory loss for decades. Real father of Serlio | multiship | bisexual | FC: Christian Bale
Tokol // pink, hanar and definitely not someone you should trust | no ship| asexual | Fc: game face
Anaya Kiuk // a young drell assassin, suffers from deadly illness , works for Tokol- | multiship | bisexual | FC: Naomi Scott
Sunip Molane // a salaria assassin, scientist , works for Tokol |multiship |demisexual | Fc: Allyson Hannigan
Bono Baffabar-//batarian mercenary and assassin, works for Tokol -| multiship | bisexual | FC: Jake Gyllenhaal
Luc Laxius// turian business woman, mother of twins | no ship-heterosexual | FC: Meryl Streep
Maxius Kryik // son of Nihlus Kryik, C-sec officer |multiship |pansexual | FC: Sebastian Stan
Titus Faion // thief and turian, disguises as a male | multishp- heterosexual | FC: Charlize Theron
Tasha Tissel // ex asari assassin, now a doctor | single ship with @thebloodychampion | heterosexual | Fc: Chrishell Stubbs
Magnar Shepard // the viking, tall and blond, gets the job done- | multiship | pansexual | FC: Chris Hemsworth
Camephilia Octatus// Camilea’s little sister, young, raised on Omega | no ship, single ship in the future times with @thebloodychampion | heterosexual | fc: Anna von Klinski
#better post probs tomorrow with icons and more info#in case i take ym time with bios XD#out of stardust : ooc.#muses
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New Post has been published on Otaku Dome | The Latest News In Anime, Manga, Gaming, And More
New Post has been published on http://otakudome.com/valiant-announces-january-2018-releases/
Valiant Announces January 2018 Releases
Valiant has confirmed it’s currently scheduled comics for January:
Valiant Solicitations for JANUARY 2018 – NINJAK VS. THE VALIANT UNIVERSE #1 | QUANTUM AND WOODY! #2 | X-O MANOWAR #11 | SECRET WEAPONS #0 | And More!
NINJAK VS. THE VALIANT UNIVERSE #1 (of 4) Written by ELIOT RAHAL Art by JOE BENNETT Cover A by MICO SUAYAN Cover B by CAFU Interlocking Variant by FRANCIS PORTELA Variant Cover by BOB LAYTON Photo Cover Also Available Blank Cover Also Available
A FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND COMIC BOOK EXPERIENCE!
Watch the upcoming live-action digital promotion coming this winter – then jump headlong into the fight-fueled showdown of the century as acclaimed writer Eliot Rahal (The Paybacks) and red-hot artist Joe Bennett (Teen Titans, Deathstroke) reveal the full scope and adrenaline-drenched intensity of…NINJAK VS. THE VALIANT UNIVERSE!
Colin King is Ninjak, MI-6’s deadliest intelligence operative and weapons expert. When the ruthless assassin Roku exploits his greatest weakness, Ninjak will be forced to betray his closest allies. Now, on the run, he must face off against the most powerful heroes known to man for a high-octane, take no prisoners trial by fire more perilous and more unpredictable than any he’s faced before. In 2018, the world’s most dangerous super-spy goes to war with the Valiant Universe…
Guest-starring X-O Manowar, Bloodshot, Livewire, Archer & Armstrong, Shadowman, and many more, don’t miss the ULTIMATE JUMPING-ON POINT for the most acclaimed and hotly followed publisher anywhere in comics today as Ninjak leads an all-star introduction to the most brutal fighters the Valiant Universe has to offer!
$3.99 | 32 pgs. | T+ | On Sale JANUARY 10th
QUANTUM AND WOODY! (2017) #2 Written by DANIEL KIBBLESMITH Art by KANO Cover A (Standard) by JULIAN TOTINO TEDESCO Cover B (Extreme Ultra-Foil) by GEOFF SHAW Extreme Ultra-Foil Chase Variant by GEOFF SHAW Q&W Icon Variant by MIKE ALLRED Blank Cover Also Available
The must-read superhero-action-family-drama-buddy-comedy throwdown of 2018!
It’s the ones you love that hurt you the most…and, in the case of super-powered adoptive brothers Eric and Woody Henderson – aka Quantum and Woody – this is definitely going to leave a mark! Quantum has kept the truth about Woody’s biological father a secret, and now that Woody has found out about his brother’s betrayal, their once-promising superhero career has ground to a standstill. So now it’s time for one last shot at teaming up as our heroes head “down under” – ahem, to Australia – in search of Woody’s one true DNA match. Like father, like son? Let’s hope not.
You’ll believe two men and a goat can fly coach when the new adventures of the world’s worst superhero team continue with a slightly less collectible second issue from rising star Daniel Kibblesmith (The Late Show With Stephen Colbert) and dazzling artist extraordinaire Kano (Daredevil)!
$3.99 | 32 pg. | T+| On Sale JANUARY 31st
X-O MANOWAR (2017) #11 (NEW ARC! “VISIGOTH” – PART 1)
Written by MATT KINDT Art by RYAN BODENHEIM Cover A by LEWIS LAROSA Cover B by GIUSEPPE CAMUNCOLI Interlocking Variant by ARIEL OLIVETTI X-O Manowar Icon Variant by JAY ANACLETO
ALL-NEW ARC! ALL-NEW JUMPING-ON POINT! “VISIGOTH” – PART ONE!
Aric of Dacia’s bone-crushing climb to the throne of an alien world earned him scores of allies…and a legion of scorned enemies. Now, stripped of his crown and cast out of his kingdom, the man known as X-O Manowar must return to his roots as a sword-wielding warrior of Earth if he is to survive the relentless band of intergalactic bounty hunters that have been hired to kill him cold. But with few places left to turn, could the last Visigoth’s best hope be the all-powerful…but insidious…weapon he once swore away: the X-O Manowar armor?
From soldier to general to emperor…to outcast! The climax of X-O MANOWAR’s whirlwind first year in the Valiant Universe starts here as “VISIGOTH” begins with a bold new entry point from New York Times best-selling writer Matt Kindt (ETERNITY) and explosive artist Ryan Bodenheim (The Dying & The Dead)!
$3.99 | 32 pgs. | T+ | VALIANT PREMIUM | On Sale JANUARY 24th
NINJA-K #3 Written by CHRISTOS GAGE Art by TOMÁS GIORELLO with ARIEL OLIVETTI Cover A by TREVOR HAIRSINE Cover B by LUCAS TROYA Interlocking Variant by KENNETH ROCAFORT Ninjak Icon Variant by TOMÁS GIORELLO
Spy vs. super-spy!
At last, Ninjak is about to find himself face-to-face with the surgically precise killer that has been eliminating the operatives of MI-6’s most elite intelligence service – the deep-black training unit known as the “Ninja Programme” – one by one. But this shocking truth will also bring a devastating realization about Colin King’s own past screaming into the modern day… With a gun at his back and a sword at his side, Britain’s most elite super-spy is about to have his faith in queen and country tested like never before…
The mystery of “THE NINJA FILES” continues as renowned writer Christos Gage (Netflix’s Daredevil) and superstar artist Tomás Giorello (X-O MANOWAR) lead MI-6’s deadliest secret agent ever deeper into an shadow-laden game of cat and mouse…
$3.99 | 32 pgs. | T+ | On Sale JANUARY 24th
SECRET WEAPONS #0 Written by ERIC HEISSERER Art by ADAM POLLINA Cover A by RAÚL ALLÉN Cover B by VERONICA FISH Cover C by SIBYLLINE MEYNET Variant Cover by SIJA HONG Variant Cover by ADAM POLLINA
Before the fall of the Harbinger Foundation… Before the opening pages of SECRET WEAPONS #1… Academy Award-nominated writer Eric Heisserer (Arrival) and legendary artist Adam Pollina (X-Force) present all-new, standalone prelude to the year’s best-selling independent limited series!
Meet high school senior Nikki Finch… She’s a gifted athlete with an unusual set of medical ailments and high-aptitude test scores that have drawn the attention of an obscure and little-known NGO calling itself the Harbinger Foundation. With seemingly limitless resources at its disposal, the Harbinger Foundation has just offered Nikki a place in their newest class of recruits for a prestigious, but secretive, mission: to unlock her hidden potential via the invasive, dangerous and often deadly process known as “psiot activation”…
If they succeed, Nikki could become an extraordinary example of Toyo Harada’s vision for the future of post-human biological superiority. If they fail, she’ll likely die on the operating table…or be locked away for future study in the mysterious research facility known as The Willows…
An essential new chapter in the Harbinger mythos is about to be revealed as Nikki Finch – a future founding member of Livewire’s squadron of misfit telekinetics – relives the never-before-told saga of her recruitment and activation at the hands of Toyo Harada’s Harbinger Foundation in a must-read standalone special from two of Valiant’s most accomplished storytellers!
$3.99 | 32 pgs. | T+ | VALIANT PRESTIGE | On Sale JANUARY 3rd
BLOODSHOT SALVATION #5 Written by JEFF LEMIRE Art by LEWIS LAROSA and MICO SUAYAN Cover A (Standard) by KENNETH ROCAFORT Cover B (Villains) by MONIKA PALOSZ Cover C (Battle Damaged) by DARICK ROBERTSON Interlocking Variant by GREG SMALLWOOD Bloodshot Icon Variant by GIUSEPPE CAMUNCOLI
Something’s wrong with Baby Jessie!
NOW: As nanites overwrite her biology, Bloodshot’s newborn daughter is about to take a turn for the worse…just as her father is forced to confront the truth about a deranged cultist with a dark connection to their own family.
THEN: In the near future, as Rampage’s nationwide campaign of terror escalates, Magic’s search for salvation points her farther away than she ever could have imagined… To the year 4001 A.D.!
“THE BOOK OF REVENGE” shall bind them both as New York Times best-selling writer Jeff Lemire (BLOODSHOT REBORN, Black Hammer) and superstar artists Lewis LaRosa (BLOODSHOT REBORN) and Mico Suayan (BLOODSHOT REBORN) rush toward an inescapable turning point in Bloodshot’s legacy of violence!
$3.99 | 32 pgs. | T+ | VALIANT PREMIUM | On Sale JANUARY 10th
ETERNITY #4 (of 4) Written by MATT KINDT Art by TREVOR HAIRSINE Cover A by JELENA KEVIC-DJURDJEVIC Cover B by TOM MULLER Character Design by MATT KINDT Variant Cover by JEFFREY VEREGGE
A cosmos in chaos!
At the farthest edge of human understanding, Abram Adams – the lost cosmonaut called Divinity – and his comrade, Myshka, have discovered the purpose of their existence in this universe… and in the next one beyond our own. Now, as a seemingly infinite pantheon of mythic gods and cosmic beings rises to meet them head on, they’ll be forced to ignite a maelstrom of untold proportions to save their child from a fate worse than annihilation…
The age of Eternity is nigh! New York Times best-selling author Matt Kindt (X-O MANOWAR) and spectacular artist Trevor Hairsine (DIVINITY) lead the thrilling finale to the ambitious feat of visionary science fiction storytelling that will forever expand the boundaries of the Valiant Universe!
$3.99 | 32 pgs. | T+ | On Sale JANUARY 31st
X-O MANOWAR (2017) VOL 3: EMPEROR TPB Written by MATT KINDT Art by CLAYTON CRAIN with RENATO GUEDES Cover by LEWIS LAROSA
The ultimate turning point!
A war has been won, a victory has been decided… and now, an entire alien world kneels before the throne of their new leader: the unstoppable X-O MANOWAR! He has traded his armor for a crown and a new age now begins… even as an extraterrestrial invader readies an interplanetary attack that could pull Aric of Dacia from the newfound safety of his imperial palace and back into the blood-sodden battlefields where his conquest began.
Comics superstar Clayton Crain (4001 A.D., RAI) joins New York Times best-selling writer Matt Kindt (RAPTURE,��Mind MGMT) to summit the next pinnacle of 2017’s best-selling independent superhero series – and unleash a blistering, new interstellar opus chronicling the most powerful moment yet in the history of Valiant’s unrelenting icon!
Collecting X-O MANOWAR (2017) #7–10.
$9.99 | 112 pgs. | T+ | On Sale JANUARY 24th TRADE PAPERBACK | ISBN: 978-1-68215-235-5
HARBINGER RENEGADE VOL 2: MASSACRE TPB Written by RAFER ROBERTS Art by DARICK ROBERTSON with JUAN JOSÉ RYP Cover by DARICK ROBERTSON
“MASSACRE” brings death to a major Valiant hero!
Toyo Harada’s former protege – Alexander Solomon, a “psiot” with the ability to predict and analyze potential futures – has been waiting for this moment. With the Harbinger Renegades – Peter Stanchek, Faith, Kris Hathaway, and Torque – now reunited as a result of his covert manipulations, his ultimate gambit can now begin. But he’s not the only one who has been watching. Major Charlie Palmer has just re assigned a new division of the militarized psiot hunters codenamed H.A.R.D. Corps to active duty… and they’re about to bring a torrent of blood and calamity roaring into the streets of a major American metropolis for an all-out firefight.
Harvey Award-nominated writer Rafer Roberts (Plastic Farm) and superstar artist Darick Robertson (The Boys, Transmetropolitan) begin THE ROAD TO HARBINGER WARS 2 – right here with a bang that will reverberate throughout the entire Valiant Universe…and claim the life of a major hero!
Collecting HARBINGER RENEGADE #5-8 and #0.
$14.99 | 128 pgs. | T+ | On sale JANUARY 10th TRADE PAPERBACK | ISBN:978-1-68215-223-2
DIVINITY: THE COMPLETE TRILOGY DELUXE EDITION HC Written by MATT KINDT with JOE HARRIS, JEFF LEMIRE, ELIOT RAHAL, and SCOTT BRYAN WILSON Art by TREVOR HAIRSINE with CAFU, CLAYTON CRAIN, ROBERT GILL, RENATO GUEDES, FRANCIS PORTELA, and JUAN JOSÉ RYP Cover by JELENA KEVIC-DJURDJEVIC
For the first time anywhere, experience all three sold-out volumes of the visionary science-fiction saga that refined the Valiant Universe for the 21st century in one stunning, oversized deluxe hardcover!
At the height of the Cold War, the Soviet Union – determined to win the Space Race at any cost – green lit a dangerously advanced mission. They sent a man farther into the cosmos than anyone has gone before or since. Lost in the stars, he encountered something unknown. Something that… changed him.
Long thought lost and erased from the history books, he has suddenly returned, crash-landing in the Australian Outback. The few that have been able to reach him believe him to be a deity – one who turned the scorched desert into a lush oasis. They say he can bend matter, space, and even time to his will. Earth is about to meet a new god. And he’s a communist. How long can it be before the first confrontation between mankind and DIVINITY begins?
From the minds of New York Times best-selling writer Matt Kindt (X-O MANOWAR, Mind MGMT) and superstar artist Trevor Hairsine (X-Men: Deadly Genesis) comes the first complete collection of the multiple Harvey Award-nominated series that Entertainment Weekly calls “a mind bending battle for the ages”!
Collecting DIVINITY #1–4, DIVINITY II #1–4, DIVINITY III: STALINVERSE #1–4, DIVINITY III: KOMANDAR BLOODSHOT #1, DIVINITY III: ARIC, SON OF THE REVOLUTION #1, DIVINITY III: SHADOWMAN & THE BATTLE OF NEW STALINGRAD #1, and DIVINITY III: ESCAPE FROM GULAG 396 #1, along with the never-before-collected DIVINITY #0, and over 20+ pages of rarely seen art and extras!
$59.99 | 528 pgs. | On Sale JANUARY 31st OVERSIZED HARDCOVER | ISBN: 978-168215-221-8
For more information, visit Valiant on Facebook, on Twitter, on Tumblr, and at ValiantEntertainment.com
For Valiant merchandise and more, visit ValiantStore.com
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Valiant Solicitations for JANUARY 2018 –NINJAK VS. THE VALIANT UNIVERSE #1 | QUANTUM AND WOODY! #2 | X-O MANOWAR #11 | SECRET WEAPONS #0 | And More!
NINJAK VS. THE VALIANT UNIVERSE #1 (of 4)
Written by ELIOT RAHAL Art by JOE BENNETT Cover A by MICO SUAYAN Cover B by CAFU Interlocking Variant by FRANCIS PORTELA Variant Cover by BOB LAYTON Photo Cover Also Available Blank Cover Also Available
A FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND COMIC BOOK EXPERIENCE!
Watch the upcoming live-action digital promotion coming this winter – then jump headlong into the fight-fueled showdown of the century as acclaimed writer Eliot Rahal (THE PAYBACKS) and red-hot artist Joe Bennett (TEEN TITANS, DEATHSTROKE) reveal the full scope and adrenaline-drenched intensity of… NINJAK VS. THE VALIANT UNIVERSE!
Colin King is Ninjak, MI-6’s deadliest intelligence operative and weapons expert. When the ruthless assassin Roku exploits his greatest weakness, Ninjak will be forced to betray his closest allies. Now, on the run, he must face off against the most powerful heroes known to man for a high-octane, take no prisoners trial by fire more perilous and more unpredictable than any he’s faced before. In 2018, the world’s most dangerous super-spy goes to war with the Valiant Universe…
Guest-starring X-O Manowar, Bloodshot, Livewire, Archer & Armstrong, Shadowman, and many more, don’t miss the ULTIMATE JUMPING-ON POINT for the most acclaimed and hotly followed publisher anywhere in comics today as Ninjak leads an all-star introduction to the most brutal fighters the Valiant Universe has to offer!
$3.99 | 32 pgs. | T+ | On Sale JANUARY 10th
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QUANTUM AND WOODY! (2017) #2
Written by DANIEL KIBBLESMITH Art by KANO Cover A (Standard) by JULIAN TOTINO TEDESCO Cover B (Extreme Ultra-Foil) by GEOFF SHAW Extreme Ultra-Foil Chase Variant by GEOFF SHAW Q&W Icon Variant by MIKE ALLRED Blank Cover Also Available
The must-read superhero-action-family-drama-buddy-comedy throwdown of 2018!
It’s the ones you love that hurt you the most…and, in the case of super-powered adoptive brothers Eric and Woody Henderson – aka Quantum and Woody – this is definitely going to leave a mark! Quantum has kept the truth about Woody’s biological father a secret, and now that Woody has found out about his brother’s betrayal, their once-promising superhero career has ground to a standstill. So now it’s time for one last shot at teaming up as our heroes head “down under” – ahem, to Australia – in search of Woody’s one true DNA match. Like father, like son? Let’s hope not.
You’ll believe two men and a goat can fly coach when the new adventures of the world’s worst superhero team continue with a slightly less collectible second issue from rising star Daniel Kibblesmith (THE LATE SHOW WITH STEPHEN COLBERT) and dazzling artist extraordinaire Kano (DAREDEVIL)!
$3.99 | 32 pg. | T+| On Sale JANUARY 31st
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X-O MANOWAR (2017) #11 (NEW ARC! “VISIGOTH” – PART 1)
Written by MATT KINDT Art by RYAN BODENHEIM Cover A by LEWIS LAROSA Cover B by GIUSEPPE CAMUNCOLI Interlocking Variant by ARIEL OLIVETTI X-O Manowar Icon Variant by JAY ANACLETO
ALL-NEW ARC! ALL-NEW JUMPING-ON POINT! “VISIGOTH” – PART ONE!
Aric of Dacia’s bone-crushing climb to the throne of an alien world earned him scores of allies…and a legion of scorned enemies. Now, stripped of his crown and cast out of his kingdom, the man known as X-O Manowar must return to his roots as a sword-wielding warrior of Earth if he is to survive the relentless band of intergalactic bounty hunters that have been hired to kill him cold. But with few places left to turn, could the last Visigoth’s best hope be the all-powerful…but insidious…weapon he once swore away: the X-O Manowar armor?
From soldier to general to emperor…to outcast! The climax of X-O MANOWAR’s whirlwind first year in the Valiant Universe starts here as “VISIGOTH” begins with a bold new entry point from New York Times best-selling writer Matt Kindt (ETERNITY) and explosive artist Ryan Bodenheim (THE DYING & THE DEAD)!
$3.99 | 32 pgs. | T+ | VALIANT PREMIUM | On Sale JANUARY 24th
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NINJA-K #3
Written by CHRISTOS GAGE Art by TOMÁS GIORELLO with ARIEL OLIVETTI Cover A by TREVOR HAIRSINE Cover B by LUCAS TROYA Interlocking Variant by KENNETH ROCAFORT Ninjak Icon Variant by TOMÁS GIORELLO
Spy vs. super-spy!
At last, Ninjak is about to find himself face-to-face with the surgically precise killer that has been eliminating the operatives of MI-6’s most elite intelligence service – the deep-black training unit known as the “Ninja Programme” – one by one. But this shocking truth will also bring a devastating realization about Colin King’s own past screaming into the modern day… With a gun at his back and a sword at his side, Britain’s most elite super-spy is about to have his faith in queen and country tested like never before…
The mystery of “THE NINJA FILES” continues as renowned writer Christos Gage (Netflix’s DAREDEVIL) and superstar artist Tomás Giorello (X-O MANOWAR) lead MI-6’s deadliest secret agent ever deeper into an shadow-laden game of cat and mouse…
$3.99 | 32 pgs. | T+ | On Sale JANUARY 24th
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SECRET WEAPONS #0
Written by ERIC HEISSERER Art by ADAM POLLINA Cover A by RAÚL ALLÉN Cover B by VERONICA FISH Cover C by SIBYLLINE MEYNET Variant Cover by SIJA HONG Variant Cover by ADAM POLLINA
Before the fall of the Harbinger Foundation… Before the opening pages of SECRET WEAPONS #1… Academy Award-nominated writer Eric Heisserer (ARRIVAL) and legendary artist Adam Pollina (X-FORCE) present all-new, standalone prelude to the year’s best-selling independent limited series!
Meet high school senior Nikki Finch… She’s a gifted athlete with an unusual set of medical ailments and high-aptitude test scores that have drawn the attention of an obscure and little-known NGO calling itself the Harbinger Foundation. With seemingly limitless resources at its disposal, the Harbinger Foundation has just offered Nikki a place in their newest class of recruits for a prestigious, but secretive, mission: to unlock her hidden potential via the invasive, dangerous and often deadly process known as “psiot activation”…
If they succeed, Nikki could become an extraordinary example of Toyo Harada’s vision for the future of post-human biological superiority. If they fail, she’ll likely die on the operating table…or be locked away for future study in the mysterious research facility known as The Willows…
An essential new chapter in the Harbinger mythos is about to be revealed as Nikki Finch – a future founding member of Livewire’s squadron of misfit telekinetics – relives the never-before-told saga of her recruitment and activation at the hands of Toyo Harada’s Harbinger Foundation in a must-read standalone special from two of Valiant’s most accomplished storytellers!
$3.99 | 32 pgs. | T+ | VALIANT PRESTIGE | On Sale JANUARY 3rd
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BLOODSHOT SALVATION #5
Written by JEFF LEMIRE Art by LEWIS LAROSA and MICO SUAYAN Cover A (Standard) by KENNETH ROCAFORT Cover B (Villains) by MONIKA PALOSZ Cover C (Battle Damaged) by DARICK ROBERTSON Interlocking Variant by GREG SMALLWOOD Bloodshot Icon Variant by GIUSEPPE CAMUNCOLI
Something’s wrong with Baby Jessie!
NOW: As nanites overwrite her biology, Bloodshot’s newborn daughter is about to take a turn for the worse…just as her father is forced to confront the truth about a deranged cultist with a dark connection to their own family.
THEN: In the near future, as Rampage’s nationwide campaign of terror escalates, Magic’s search for salvation points her farther away than she ever could have imagined… To the year 4001 A.D.!
“THE BOOK OF REVENGE” shall bind them both as New York Times best-selling writer Jeff Lemire (BLOODSHOT REBORN, BLACK HAMMER) and superstar artists Lewis LaRosa (BLOODSHOT REBORN) and Mico Suayan (BLOODSHOT REBORN) rush toward an inescapable turning point in Bloodshot’s legacy of violence!
$3.99 | 32 pgs. | T+ | VALIANT PREMIUM | On Sale JANUARY 10th
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ETERNITY #4 (of 4)
Written by MATT KINDT Art by TREVOR HAIRSINE Cover A by JELENA KEVIC-DJURDJEVIC Cover B by TOM MULLER Character Design by MATT KINDT Variant Cover by JEFFREY VEREGGE
A cosmos in chaos!
At the farthest edge of human understanding, Abram Adams – the lost cosmonaut called Divinity – and his comrade, Myshka, have discovered the purpose of their existence in this universe… and in the next one beyond our own. Now, as a seemingly infinite pantheon of mythic gods and cosmic beings rises to meet them head on, they’ll be forced to ignite a maelstrom of untold proportions to save their child from a fate worse than annihilation…
The age of Eternity is nigh! New York Times best-selling author Matt Kindt (X-O MANOWAR) and spectacular artist Trevor Hairsine (DIVINITY) lead the thrilling finale to the ambitious feat of visionary science fiction storytelling that will forever expand the boundaries of the Valiant Universe!
$3.99 | 32 pgs. | T+ | On Sale JANUARY 31st
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X-O MANOWAR (2017) VOL 3: EMPEROR TPB
Written by MATT KINDT Art by CLAYTON CRAIN with RENATO GUEDES Cover by LEWIS LAROSA
The ultimate turning point!
A war has been won, a victory has been decided… and now, an entire alien world kneels before the throne of their new leader: the unstoppable X-O MANOWAR! He has traded his armor for a crown and a new age now begins… even as an extraterrestrial invader readies an interplanetary attack that could pull Aric of Dacia from the newfound safety of his imperial palace and back into the blood-sodden battlefields where his conquest began.
Comics superstar Clayton Crain (4001 A.D., RAI) joins New York Times best-selling writer Matt Kindt (RAPTURE, MIND MGMT) to summit the next pinnacle of 2017’s best-selling independent superhero series – and unleash a blistering, new interstellar opus chronicling the most powerful moment yet in the history of Valiant’s unrelenting icon!
Collecting X-O MANOWAR (2017) #7–10.
$9.99 | 112 pgs. | T+ | On Sale JANUARY 24th TRADE PAPERBACK | ISBN: 978-1-68215-235-5
HARBINGER RENEGADE VOL 2: MASSACRE TPB
Written by RAFER ROBERTS Art by DARICK ROBERTSON with JUAN JOSÉ RYP Cover by DARICK ROBERTSON
“MASSACRE” brings death to a major Valiant hero!
Toyo Harada’s former protege – Alexander Solomon, a “psiot” with the ability to predict and analyze potential futures – has been waiting for this moment. With the Harbinger Renegades – Peter Stanchek, Faith, Kris Hathaway, and Torque – now reunited as a result of his covert manipulations, his ultimate gambit can now begin.
But he’s not the only one who has been watching. Major Charlie Palmer has just re assigned a new division of the militarized psiot hunters codenamed H.A.R.D. Corps to active duty… and they’re about to bring a torrent of blood and calamity roaring into the streets of a major American metropolis for an all-out firefight.
Harvey Award-nominated writer Rafer Roberts (PLASTIC FARM) and superstar artist Darick Robertson (THE BOYS, TRANSMETROPOLITIAN) begin THE ROAD TO HARBINGER WARS 2 – right here with a bang that will reverberate throughout the entire Valiant Universe…and claim the life of a major hero!
Collecting HARBINGER RENEGADE #5-8 and #0.
$14.99 | 128 pgs. | T+ | On sale JANUARY 10th TRADE PAPERBACK | ISBN:978-1-68215-223-2
DIVINITY: THE COMPLETE TRILOGY DELUXE EDITION HC
Written by MATT KINDT with JOE HARRIS, JEFF LEMIRE, ELIOT RAHAL, and SCOTT BRYAN WILSON Art by TREVOR HAIRSINE with CAFU, CLAYTON CRAIN, ROBERT GILL, RENATO GUEDES, FRANCIS PORTELA, and JUAN JOSÉ RYP Cover by JELENA KEVIC-DJURDJEVIC
For the first time anywhere, experience all three sold-out volumes of the visionary science-fiction saga that refined the Valiant Universe for the 21st century in one stunning, oversized deluxe hardcover!
At the height of the Cold War, the Soviet Union – determined to win the Space Race at any cost – green lit a dangerously advanced mission. They sent a man farther into the cosmos than anyone has gone before or since. Lost in the stars, he encountered something unknown. Something that… changed him.
Long thought lost and erased from the history books, he has suddenly returned, crash-landing in the Australian Outback. The few that have been able to reach him believe him to be a deity – one who turned the scorched desert into a lush oasis. They say he can bend matter, space, and even time to his will. Earth is about to meet a new god. And he’s a communist. How long can it be before the first confrontation between mankind and DIVINITY begins?
From the minds of New York Times best-selling writer Matt Kindt (X-O MANOWAR, Mind MGMT) and superstar artist Trevor Hairsine (X-MEN: DEADLY GENESIS) comes the first complete collection of the multiple Harvey Award-nominated series that Entertainment Weekly calls “a mind bending battle for the ages”!
Collecting DIVINITY #1–4, DIVINITY II #1–4, DIVINITY III: STALINVERSE #1–4, DIVINITY III: KOMANDAR BLOODSHOT #1, DIVINITY III: ARIC, SON OF THE REVOLUTION #1, DIVINITY III: SHADOWMAN & THE BATTLE OF NEW STALINGRAD #1, and DIVINITY III: ESCAPE FROM GULAG 396 #1, along with the never-before-collected DIVINITY #0, and over 20+ pages of rarely seen art and extras!
$59.99 | 528 pgs. | On Sale JANUARY 31st OVERSIZED HARDCOVER | ISBN: 978-168215-221-8
For more information, visit Valiant on Facebook, on Twitter, on Tumblr, and at ValiantEntertainment.com
For Valiant merchandise and more, visit ValiantStore.com
Preview: @VALIANTCOMICS Solicitations - January 2018 Valiant Solicitations for JANUARY 2018 –NINJAK VS. THE VALIANT UNIVERSE #1 | QUANTUM AND WOODY! #2 | X-O MANOWAR #11 | SECRET WEAPONS #0 | And More!
#Adam Pollina#Ariel Olivetti#Bob Layton#CAFU#Christos Gage#Clayton Crain#Daniel Kibblesmith#Darick Robertson#Eliot Rahal#Eric Heisserer#Francis Portela#Geoff Shaw#Giuseppe Camuncoli#Greg Smallwood#Jay Anacleto#Jeff Lemire#Jeffrey Veregge#Jelena Kevic-Djurdjevic#Joe Bennett#Juan Jose Ryp#Julian Totino Tedesco#Kenneth Rocafort#Lewis Larosa#Matt Kindt#Mico Suayan#Mike Allred#Rafer Roberts#Raúl Allén#Renato Guedes#Ryan Bodenheim
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Monday, August 28, 2017
Sorry about not posting last week. I went for my annual mini stay at Round Lake with Penny and did not read any of the comic books that I brought with me. This week's off the rack is kind of sparse because we hosted our friend Ken Steacy from Victoria for a few days. Ken drew a lovely picture of Mary Jane Watson for me which thrilled me to no end. All my geek friends are envious.
Batwoman #6 - Marguerite Bennett & James Tynion IV (writers) Renato Arlem (art) Adriano Lucas (colours) Deron Bennett (letters). This series goes in a whole new direction and will be a complete surprise to fans following Kate's adventures. It's the future and Gotham City has changed a lot. I can't say that I like this new story but die hard Kate fans will be happy to see some familiar older faces show up.
American Way #2 - John Ridley (writer) Georges Jeanty (pencils) John Livesay, Danny Miki & Paul Neary (inks) Nick Filardi (colours) Travis Lanham (letters). This story has more impact now because of what happened in Charlottesville, USA recently. It isn't pretty, that's for sure.
Invincible Iron Man #10 - Brian Michael Bendis (writer) Stefano Caselli (art) Marte Gracia & Israel Silva (colours) VC's Clayton Cowles (letters). That was fun. Riri's Latverian adventure comes to an end and everybody lives happily ever after, but just in case you think that will last the last panel will send chills up and down your spine. I love this book.
Totally Awesome Hulk #22 - Greg Pak (writer) Robert Gill (art) Nolan Woodard (colours) VC's Cory Petit (letters). The conclusion of W.M.D. introduces Weapon H. He's one hybrid that I think will be a big hit with fans. And if the near instant sell out is any indication, copies of this issue will be a collector's item.
Generations: Wolverine & All-New Wolverine #1 - Tom Taylor (writer) Ramon Rosanas (art) Nolan Woodard (colours) VC's Cory Petit (letters). This was a good one. Logan and Laura fight a bunch of ninjas but it's the emotional good-bye that got to me. It reminded me that Wolverine died. Well done Tom. It would be great if Ramon was the regular artist on Laura's book.
Dark Nights Metal #1 - Scott Snyder (writer) Greg Capullo (pencils) Jonathan Glapion (inks) FCO Plascencia (colours) Steve Wands (letters). Ready or not here comes another major threat to all 52 universes of the DCUs. Remember Blackest Night? Bigger than that. You can't get any bigger until the next big event. So Scott is going to weave this tale with every bit of DC material available including some surprising characters that I never would have associated with the good old Justice League. If you're a big DC or Justice League fan you might get into this. Me, I'm going to pass just like it did with Marvel's Secret Empire.
Genius: Cartel #1 - Marc Bernardi & Adam Freeman (writers) Rosi Kampe (art) Brad Simpson (colours) Troy Peteri (letters). I remember reading the first Genius mini introducing Destiny Ajaye in 2014 and liking it but this new mini starts off too much like Nick Spencer's Morning Glories to interest me enough to want to keep reading. If you want to see how a secret government military agency manipulates Destiny then have at it.
Star Wars #34 - Jason Aaron (writer) Salvador Larroca (art) Edgar Delgado (colours) VC's Clayton Cowles (letters). My favourite thing about these new Star Wars stories is how they are introducing cool new characters to the franchise. I love Doctor Aphra and her homicidal droids and now we have a solo adventure with Han's "wife" Captain Sana Starros, the smuggler. The art technique that Salvador uses to make Lando and Han look like Billy Dee Williams and Harrison Ford is pretty neat.
Aquaman #27 - Dan Abnett (writer) Stjepan Sejic (art & colours) Steve Wands (letters). The secret of the mysterious guy who looks like Arthur is revealed. Meanwhile Mera is trying to find a way to get into Atlantis and enlists the help of Aqualad. Garth's looking hip with the tattoos and goatee.
Luke Cage #4 - David F. Walker (writer) Nelson Blake II (art) Marcio Menyz (colours) VC's Joe Sabino (letters). This is turning out to be a journey of self discovery for Luke. There are a lot of bad guys to keep track of but that only makes the hero stand out more.
Super Sons #7 - Peter J. Tomasi (writer) Jorge Jimenez (art) Alejandro Sanchez (colours) Rob Leigh (letters). Superboy helps the Teen Titans restore Robin to his old self again. You'll get the joke if you read the 2-part "Planet of the Capes" story. It was nice seeing Starfire again.
The Mighty Thor #22 - Jason Aaron (writer) Russell Dauterman & Valerio Schiti (art) Matthew Wilson, Veronica Gandini & Rain Beredo (colours) VC's Joe Sabino (letters). Sindr, the Queen of Muspelheim reminds us that the War of the Realms is still ongoing as Malekith and Loki pay a visit. The meeting is interrupted by War Thor and a fearsome battle ensues. I must say that I prefer the hotness of Sindr to her dad Surtur.
Wonder Woman #28 - Shea Fontana (writer) David Messina (art) Romulo Fajardo Jr. (colours) Saida Temofonte (letters). David Messina is a new name that I've just added to the artists list and he did a good job on part 3 of "Heart of the Amazon". A bounty has been put on Diana and bad guys are coming out of the woodwork to collect it.
Spider-Men II #2 - Brian Michael Bendis (writer) Sara Pichelli (art) Elisabetta D'Amico (inking assistant) Justin Ponsor (colours) VC's Cory Petit (letters). We find out who hired Taskmaster and the answer will surprise fans all the way from here to Manhattan. I love when Peter and Miles team up.
Superman #29 - Keith Champagne (writer) Doug Mahnke (pencils) Jaime Mendoza with Scott Hanna & Rob Hunter (inks) Wil Quintana & Tony Avina (colours) Rob Leigh (letters). Part 1 of "A Minute Longer" brings back a couple of super villains who we haven't seen in a long time. Don't think too hard about how they've returned, just enjoy the art and super conflict that Clark has to face. Could see Hal Jordan popping in this story.
Astonishing X-Men #2 - Charles Soule (writer) Mike Deodato Jr. (art) Frank Martin (colours) VC's Clayton Cowles (letters). The five team members sent to the astral plane to defeat the Shadow King are in grave peril. One of them is not who we think he is. I'm thinking that person will make a big difference when the battle is joined.
Batman #29 - Tom King (writer) Mikel Janin (pencils) Hugo Petrus & Mikel Janin (inks) June Chung (colours) Clayton Cowles (letters). This is the most intense dinner party ever depicted in a comic book. Tom is killing it with this story. Mikel's Joker is grim and his Riddler is a far cry from the cackling Frank Gorshin on TV. "The War of Jokes & Riddles" is still keeping me guessing and coming back for more.
Archie #23 - Mark Waid (writer) Audrey Mok (art) Kelly Fitzpatrick (colours) Jack Morelli (letters). Riverdale responds to the accident that has devastating consequences for one of the major characters. I'm not fond of Archie as a bumbler but Mark shows us that his heart is in the right place.
Plastic #5 - Doug Wagner (writer) Daniel Hillyard (art) Laura Martin (colours) Ed Dukeshire (letters). This will probably be the weirdest comic book story that I will read this year. The "hero" is a mentally unstable guy who is in love with an inflatable sex doll. I liked the art and the ending was satisfying. It's a straight up revenge story that will make you cringe.
Generations: The Unworthy Thor & The Mighty Thor #1 - Jason Aaron (writer) Mahmud Asrar (art) Jordie Bellaire (colours) VC's Joe Sabino (letters). These Generations one shots are definitely worth reading if you're a fan of the characters featured. This may just be a simple case of the two Thors fighting Apocalypse but Mighty learns a lesson from a young Unworthy here.
Batman/Shadow #5 - Scott Snyder & Steve Orlando (writers) Riley Rossmo (art) Ivan Plascencia (colours) Clem Robins (letters). Uh oh. Batman's dying and the villain is destroying any chance of saving him. The Shadow doesn't know what to do now. Insert maniacal laughter here.
Sabrina #8 - Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (writer) Robert Hack (art & colours) Jack Morelli (letters). Sabrina has a steep price to pay for bringing her boyfriend back from the dead and we find out what it is on the last page. Waiting two months for the next issue is going to kill me.
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Slingshot by Carsen Taite Series: Luca Bennett Bounty Hunter: #1 Read: April 2016 Rating: 4.5 Stars
This review is for the first book I’ve read by this author, though second ‘work’ (since I read a short story by them previously). This is also the first book in the Luca Bennett series. I have two ‘issues’ that impact my ability to write a proper review for this book: (1) previously read a story in the Bennett series; (2) read this book in the middle of another book that had odd similarities. (1) At the present time, the Bennett series involves three books, and a short story tacked on at the end. I read the short story before I read anything else, therefore I knew things about the people involved that I would otherwise not known – and yes, it did have an impact on my reading the book. Three of the people I had pinpointed as being possibly important in my review for short story show up in this book. Luca Bennett, Teresa Perez, and Jessica Chance. Teresa is/was an antagonist to Luca in both this first book and in the short story; and Luca & Jessica were quite friendly in both stories I’ve read. Though they have a different relationship in both. (2) I had been reading a book titled ‘Cat Catcher’ by Caroline Shaw before I dove into ‘Slingshot’. I had been at around 47% completion when I paused to read Slingshot, though paused is somewhat misleading – ‘Cat Catcher’ is one of the few books, and maybe only book this year, that I’ve read the physical non-digital version (it’d be hard to check because I record whatever ISBN Netgalley gives me, and while they give me digital copies of books to review, the ISBN’s are, more often than not, for physical editions). Two days ago I left my house and forgot to bring my book with me. And so . . . I read Slingshot. ‘Slingshot’ involves, as its protagonist, one Luca Bennett. Luca is an ex-cop lesbian with a private investigator’s license who does not normally do PI work. Apparently she needs a PI license to be a bounty hunter in Texas. In other words, Luca uses her investigative skills to trace humans. ‘Slingshot’ is a mystery that includes investigation. ‘Cat Catcher’ involves one Lenny Aaron who is an ex-cop lesbian who works as a private investigator (I’m not clear if she has a license or not), but not the normal type of PI. She also works as something of a tracer. Though she doesn’t trace missing fugitive humans, but instead tracks missing ‘fugitive’ cats. Also both Luca and Lenny left the police force after violent incidents. I mention all of the above because the first issue, the having read a short story that takes place after the events of this novel, gives me information that I might accidentally convey in this review; while the second issue might make me accidentally convey information from a book from a completely different series. Though, beyond all their similarities, Luca and Lenny are not really that similar in characteristics/personality. And Luca is something of a ‘player’ while Lenny might very well be asexual with a leaning towards women. Characters Luca Bennett : Luca’s mother ran off when Luca was young. By the time this story opens, the mother is on the fourth husband. The father? A drunk with an addiction for gambling. He has respect, though, for steady work, and pushed Luca in the direction of the police. Whether or not Luca would have joined the police force without that push, is unclear. But she did, definitely, pick up an addiction to gambling from dear old pops. Luca’s time with the police, though, was short lived – there was an ‘incident’ during which Luca was shot and her partner, Larry Brewster, died (I’d normally leave the partner dying out, but it plays its role in the book, and all of this took place before the book started). Once Luca got out of the hospital, she looked for other work. Which lead her to being a bounty hunter. I know Lenny’s 27, because I recall making a note of that information in passing. I forget if Luca’s age is given. Of Importance: Pops – Luca’s dad whose name escapes me; Hardin (sp?) the guy who gives Luca people to chase; Jessica Chance – her friend with benefits. Maggie. Veronica ‘Ronnie’ Moreno : is a lawyer who used to work for a big time firm ‘back east’ in NY. Pulling down the big bucks. But now works in a miniature office with/for her uncle. Defending any and everyone who walks in off the street. There’s a back-story/reason for the relocation and change in job status, but that’s something that has to be teased out over the course of the book. She’s the person who ‘hires’ Luca to find a fugitive named Jed Quitman. Of Importance: family, including her uncle . . . .. Maggie : an older woman, at least older than Luca. She feeds Luca and serves her bad beer when Luca doesn’t have the money for anything else. Steak and good beer when she does. As is noted in the book, Luca only eats there like 4 or 5 times a week. There being Maggie’s bar. Maggie is mentioned because she has a ‘favor’ – she wants Luca to track down her brother Billy, who apparently is in worse trouble than normal. Luca takes the case. Of Importance: Billy. Jessica Chance : Jessica and Luca entered the police force near/at the same time. One was trained by Teresa Perez (Jessica), while the other was trained by Perez normal partner (Luca). Every once in a while Luca and Jessica ‘hook up’, though they don’t have anything like a romantic relationship. Plot Jed Quitman is a huge local businessman with fingers in many pots. Seedy pots – run down apartment buildings, strip clubs, and pay-day-loan places (the kind that charges around 200% to 300% interest). He’s gone and gotten himself missing. Certain people are looking for him. Including one Veronica ‘Ronnie’ Moreno. When Luca Bennett turns up to get paid for her latest bounty capture, she asks for more work. But her regular supplier of jobs, the bail bondsman Hardin (sp?) has nothing. But he does direct Luca to the Moreno law-firm. Ronnie gives Luca the job of hunting Jed. Luca spends most of the book investigating Jed’s whereabouts, while at the same time looking for someone named Billy (as a favor to her favorite bar owner, Maggie), and ducking the pursuit of Teresa Perez. Perez would just love to find some form of criminal charges to stick to Luca – she blames Luca for the death of Perez’s partner when Luca was on the police force. Perez gets something of her chance when Luca keeps stumbling over dead bodies. The first one is iffy to stick to Luca, but Perez tries anyway. The second one? Well, dead body, bloody sledgehammer. Blood and fingerprints on sledgehammer. Second dead body seems harder for Luca to dodge. Mystery & Romance This is a mystery, not a romance. Even so, there’s some ‘action’ on the romance front that involves Luca. First when she and Jessica Chance have one of their ‘normal’ flings and certain feelings might suddenly be there. Second there’s something of a pursuit involving Luca pursuing Ronnie. And whether anything could develop there. So something on the edge of romance goes on. In terms of a mystery – there is an actual mystery story here. And an investigation. Quite well done, really. Overall I liked the book and the storyline. A few things here and there tripped me up, caused me certain moments of concern. (1) flirting and sleeping around – fine, she’s not in a steady relationship; (2) constant need to gamble – annoying; (3) making a point of always having at least one, no, multiple guns on hand – some even hidden in her vehicle – then deciding, WTF, let’s, just this once, go outside without being armed (it’s as if the author knew that if Luca stayed in character, the story would not be able to flow the way the author wanted it to flow). But still a good solid book. I’ve already acquired the two sequels and will be reading them shortly. April 22 2016
#Luca Bennett Bounty Hunter#First in Series#Lesbian Mystery#Lesbian Fiction#2016 Reads#Book Review#Lesbian Book Review#Bold Strokes Books#Private Investigator#Lesbian P.I.#4.5 Stars
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Girls With Guns by Michelle Grubb, Carsen Taite, and Ali Vali Read: March 2016 Rating: 4.25 Stars
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books in exchange for an honest review. This is a book containing short works by three different authors. Michelle Grubb, Carsen Taite, and Ali Vali. Vali is someone who has been on my radar for two or more years now. This will be my first time reading something by her. Grubb and Taite were, oddly enough, two I looked at for the first time earlier this month. I am not certain, though, if I checked them out this month because of this book, or because I'd spotted their names among books read by friends and others. I occasionally go through authors other people have read and liked, and believe I checked Taite and Grubb out because of that tactic. First Story: Bow and Arrow by Carsen Taite The first story in the book, despite the line up of the authors on the cover, is Bow and Arrow by Carsen Taite. As noted, this is my first story by this author. So I do not know if Luca Bennett, Jessica Chance, or, for that matter, if Teresa Perez or Cris Perez-Soria have appeared in anything by Taite before now (ETA: there is a three book Luca Bennett series that Chance appears in. Going by the book descriptions, this story here might be considered 3.5 (not rating, but series order number; three books then this short story). I know books like this have a tendency to have one of three types of stories – (1) a story involving a character from a series (either as a cameo or as the lead character in the story); (2) a completely new set of characters; or (3) stories by different authors that are, in some way, linked together by character, story, events, or some other issue. I do not know, yet, which category these stories in the book fall under. Bow and Arrow follows Luca Bennett, ex-cop, and current bounty hunter. The story starts with her returning to work after having been shot. At work she's a bounty hunter, so it's a good thing that she's on the hunt for a fugitive (since that's what they pay her to do). She’d rather be at home wiggling around with her love, Jessica Chance, but her boss would be annoyed if she didn’t actually return to work at some point. So there she is, in her car, watching a place she believes a suspect is located. She has her dog Cash with her. Relatively easily . . . well, I’ll go ahead and note this issue. She momentarily captures the fugitive but he has information on another fugitive, someone by the name of Teresa Perez. Another ex-cop, and someone who had previous run-ins with Chance and Bennett (a kidnapping of Chance was mentioned, the part where Bennett had been shot might be related, but not sure – the events that occur in this story kind of lead me to believe I might be following up on a previous story). Perez is someone both Chance and Bennett really want. So Bennett is going to go after her. Just a quick note – I do not know why I keep calling her Bennett, I believe she gets called Luca a lot more often, but I got kind of trapped there in which names to use. Okay then, the story will be about a former cop, current bounty hunter who will be investigating a fugitive cop (though she herself had not specifically been assigned to find said ex-cop). Except . . . complications ensue. Luca has jury-duty. Heh. Kind of neat in its way. Must investigate! Have leads! Must . . . wait? What? Well crap. *sitting impatiently in a jury waiting room . . . waiting for the obvious dismissal . . . waiting. Name called. Waiting for the questions from the lawyers. She’s an ex-cop who lives with a cop, and hunts fugitives, obviously she’s going to be bumped . . . except she isn’t bumped*. It’s neat to see a case from the jury-perspective, especially through someone who knows investigations and the like. So the story turns to Luca investigating the missing/fugitive cop and attending trial. As a jury-member. I mentioned another name above. Way way above. That of Cris Perez-Soria. But hadn’t mentioned her yet. She’s a fellow jury-member and really talkative. Really enjoys the chance to be a jury-member. And stuff. She had too many lines, so to speak, for me not to include her name above in the list of people who might have previously appeared in a Taite book. I rather liked Luca Bennett. And the story was quite neat. I didn’t particularly like Cris, but she’s not the lead so whatever. A few more things before I give a rating: (1) Romance – Jess and Luca are already a couple when this story opens. They appear lovey-dovey, though there are a few complications. (2) Sex – possible I missed it, but there wasn’t any. (3) Mystery/Trial – both were about what I’d expect for a short work and I have no complaints there. (4) Short work - I was at 28% of the file when the story ended. The book is listed as being 240 pages. So that’s 67.2 pages for this part of the book. This specific short story I’d give a rating of 4.85 out of 5 stars. I’m quite interested in looking into other stories by Carsen Taite, though I have ‘experiences’ with tackling people who write both short and long work. Boiled down – I grew up reading short story collections (best of [insert year]; Treasury of the best [insert genre]) and short story magazines. I found out several things. Short stories are something in and of themselves (and not just fragments of a larger story; though serial stories exist as well). There are good ones, great ones, and crap ones. And the skill to write an outstanding short story does not always translate to the ability to write a great book (and the opposite also applies). There are some authors who I hated when I tried them in short story form (Jack McDevitt), but loved in long form (McDevitt – tried a long form by accident). And some I love in short form, but never really loved anything they wrote long form (many names could go here, I’ll just use Lawrence Block as an example). So, my near 5 star rating for this short story does not mean I’ll instantly love anything and everything by Taite. Second Story: Hammersmith by Michelle Grubb As I mentioned, I’ve read none of these authors before, including Grubb. Hammersmith involves a woman named Belinda Riley. She works for an anti-terrorism unit in London England, specifically the unit that monitors the underground (as in the mass-transit trains that run underground; USA – mass transit trains running underground get called subways, not sure ‘underground’ gets used for anything in the USA (except, say, underground railroad (which, to confuse things, wasn't actually a railroad)); UK – mass transit trains running underground get called ‘underground’ (or ‘tube’), ‘subway’ is an underground passage for pedestrians to use. At least these were the definitions in use when I was in London in the ‘90s). Riley is relatively new in the unit, though she’s been in the police for a while now. She’s 30, but can pass for 21. This is important, not specifically being able to pass as 21, but being able to ‘blend in’, to not look like an obvious cop. Because that’s what she does for half her day, ride around (or stand around on platforms) underground. Other half of the day is spent in training. Oh, and for those who recall the title of this book – ‘Girls with Guns’ and know UK police tend to not be armed, they have special units that are armed, well – as luck would have it, anti-terrorism is one of the units that are armed. The story consists of Riley riding around on the train, and, separately, unwinding with her current new-ish girlfriend Esther (who is, apparently, around 36). Quite an interesting story, though for a moment there I was recalling how the first story didn’t have sex. And how lesbian romance/fiction tends to at least hint at it. And, for a moment or two, I was thinking that this story here, Hammersmith, was the sex part. Because Riley and Esther spend a rather good amount of time humping. But no, there is also police work as well. By the way, I’m writing these notes before I’ve finished the story. Not sure how far along I am, though I could be close to the end (I was at the 40% mark when I wrote this sentence, and the story ends at the 63% mark). And I kind of got a feeling about how things are going to unfold. Though they haven’t exactly unfolded yet. As of now, Riley is on alert for a ‘cleaner’ (suicide bomber). And is following orders to get off trains, get on trains, etc. Note: I read most of this story . . . um, I don’t know how long this story is. Okay, I read the start of this story while on the train. While Riley was on the train. Checking people out. Seeing if they might be a suicide bomber. Hearing something that heightens her alertness . . etc. Quite a way to heighten my own tension and the suspense of the story – to read that while actually being on the train. Conversely, I read the sex part on the train as well. Not exactly where I wish to read about someone being bent over, their pants lowered, and their knickers lowered, and stuff occurs. More to come . . . now. Baring the note about sex, I last left things with me hovering in the middle of the story with a strong sense of how things were going to unfold. I was both wrong and right. I can’t really say what I mean without giving too much away. I feel like a giant hand picked me up, put me into a blender, then a giant finger hovered over a button for a while. Then pressed the button. That’s the way this story made me feel. Like I’d been blended. Or, well, like I’d been put through a blender. I rather liked Riley. I’m not certain how I feel about anyone else in the story, including Esther, but Riley I liked. It was a rather neat story – the action and adventure, the twists and turns, the danger. Quite exciting. Can’t say anything about the sex, though. There were two sex scenes – one occurred while I was on a crowded train, and the other occurred while I was out in public eating lunch. So I mostly skimmed those parts to make sure I didn’t miss anything, but didn’t get too involved with the graphic sexual stuff. So I can’t say anything about the quality of that specific issue. I know people were dying to know what I thought of the sex. Hehe. A good story. I’ll look for more by Michelle Grubb. If the story had unfolded the way I thought it might be unfolding I probably would have given the story something around 4 something out of 5 stars. Because it unfolded the way it did unfold, I’d give it closer to 4.75 out of 5 stars. I’ve now read 63% percent of the book. So, I can say that I’d rate the first 63% of the book 4.8. Oh, and taking up 35% of the book, as ‘Hammersmith’ did, puts it at roughly 84 pages in length. Assuming the second half has ‘extra stuff’ (tiny brief mentions of other books by the publisher) as books by this publisher normally does, then the last story is something shorter than 37% of the whole book (or roughly 88.8 pages). Third Story: Hell Fire by Ali Vali Hell Fire involves someone named Dr. Abigail Langois Eaton. And someone named Agent Riley Finley Abbott (shesh, bad parents! Don’t give your kid the first name of Agent! *I weird*). And . . . I don’t know any more than what anyone can read from the book description. As noted, I’ve not yet finished the second story yet. Abigail Eaton is in New York with her three young children (6 year old Victoria, 3 year old Liam, and 8 year old Sadie. They are there to meet up with Eaton’s in-laws. The Eaton’s are, apparently, wealthy, and the kids stand to inherit some money. Especially as Frederick and Nicola are now dead (Nicola being Abigail’s partner, and Frederick being Nicola’s brother). While hurrying to meet up with the in-laws in some restaurant, Abigail and family run into a bunch of people holding weapons and shooting them into a limo bus. Abigail, naturally, flees from the scene with her kids. Riley Finley Abbott, first introduced in the story as ‘Detective RileyFinley Abbott’ despite the description calling her ‘Agent Riley Finley Abbott’, is in the Bronx tracking . . . something. Involving computers. She’s a computer expert. As far as the guy whose Bronx precinct she is in, Captain Brock Howard, Abbott is a detective sent there, with Roberta Schumer, to tackle some kind of signal that got sent through a computer in Howard’s building. Sent there by the Police Commissioner, at least that’s what Howard thinks . . . was told . . whatever. In reality, though, Detective Finley Abbott is in fact Agent Finley Abbott, of the FBI. She’s working undercover as a detective in the NYPD police department. During a visit with her FBI boss, Finley gets involved with the earlier mentioned shooting that is in the process of being investigated. Since she’s good with computers, she is asked to sit and move the camera around. The shooters all wore masks. The driver of the limo is gone. The riders of the limo are dead. The cameras do pick up, though, a woman with kids fleeing the scene. Finley’s tasked with tracking down that woman. I rather dislike Abigail. Life in danger, what’s she do? Everything, it seems, that’s stupid so that her life and her children’s life’s are put into more danger. At least that’s the way things seemed. Bah I disliked her. I’m not sure if putting Dr. in front of her name saves her from TSTL (To Stupid To Live), but maybe. Let me be more exact. As an example – after being shot in the arm, she’s taken to a hotel. A cop is there to try to help. That ‘cop’ being Finley. Harsh pounding on the door. The cop tells Abigail to step back into the bedroom (which she just exited so she’s inches from there), the same bedroom that contains her kids. Abigail, just like earlier when the in-laws told her to leave the city, does the opposite of everything she’s told to do. She refuses to do the smart thing. Like take cover. Gun fire erupts. TSTL? Probably. Heheheheh. Crap. Stubbornly resisting all advice. Up to now she’s been weirdly strong (get shot in the arm? Pfft, whatever. For fuck sake, she didn’t even bother to check to see if her kids were okay). Then the cop tells her to take a breath and she screams hysterically (Abigail, that is), and can’t stop crying. WTF? What the hell kind of personality is being revealed here? Abigail really annoys me. Shesh, everyone except for Finley, and possibly Finley’s boss Russell, are super emotional freaks of nature. This short story started off well enough. And it kept my attention. But . . . I had problems with everything except, possibly, Finley. The plot/emotions/everything was over the top. The romance was quite odd on several levels. It was if I had accidentally missed an important scene or something several times. Two reasons - they went from 'I'm a cop protecting you' to 'we love each other' kind of in a single bound without much in the way of connecting text; there is a scene wherein Abigail was profusely apologizing to Finley - I had no inherent problem with that except for the part where I had no clue why she was apologizing. Maybe there was a scene that got left out of my copy of the book? Finley left to go do something, came back and . . . Abigail began stating things like how she needed to apologize. I was super confused. Overall I'm reminded of what I put in one of the paragraphs up with the first story - I've long experience with reading short stories hoping to find authors to pursue. Some authors are good at short, medium, and long stories. Some are not. So, just because I loved the first two stories in this book doesn't mean I'd love a full length book by either (though I hope I will); nor does it mean that the fact that I didn't particularly like the last short story in this collection that I'd never like anything by that author. So, I'll probably run across all three authors again. It is unfortunate that I ended up with two stories near 5 stars each and ended with a story closer to 3 stars. Means I end up with an overall rating for the book of 4.2 stars. March 29 2016 ETA: April 20 2016 - Apparently there's a name change somewhere along the line. Either my copy had Riley Abbott in the synopsis and text, or just synopsis and my brain was playing tricks when Abbott's name turned up in the text. Whatever the cases may be, the two versions of the book I have still has it as Riley Abbott in the synopsis. Though one, the newly downloaded version, has Finley Abbott in the text. By the way, based on other reviews, I'm leaning towards my brain playing tricks - having inserted Riley Abbott into my brain, after reading that in the synopsis.
2018 Additional Comment:
Occasionally someone might wonder, that someone being anyone, writer/author/reviewer/reader/publisher, if anyone actually ‘follows up’ on an author they ‘find’ by way of short story collections.
I had not read any of these authors before this collection here (at least I do not think I’d read Vali before). But I’ve gone on to read many books by two of the three authors, and several books by the third (I’d probably have read more by Grubb, but none one of their books seem to correspond to the genre/feel/vibe of the thrilling short story found in this collection).
#2016 Reads#Lesbian Fiction#Bold Strokes Books#Book Review#Lesbian Book Review#Netgalley#ARC#4.25 Stars#Lesbian Mystery#Mystery#Action#Lesbian Action#Short Story Collection
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Battle Axe by Carsen Taite Series: Luca Bennett Bounty Hunter: #2 Read: April 2016 Rating: 4 Stars
My second book by Taite, and second story in this specific series. I just have a few notes to add to this middle of the series book. 1) My prior knowledge, given to me from reading the short story that appeared after the third novel, actually had a deeper impact on my enjoyment of the story this time around, than in the prior book. Mostly because I 'know' how things are supposed to turn out; the first book was relatively 'smooth' and didn't bother me too much with how things evolved; while the second book had me frustrated with the relationships occurring. In a 'come on already, get with it' kind of frustration. 2) I was actually surprised, considering how much time is spent with the side character Teresa Perez in the first book, the short story that occurs after the trilogy, and supposedly in the third book, that Perez does not appear at all in this book. Not even a mention (unless I missed it). 3) There was a mystery, it was interesting, it was not as interesting as in the short story, or in the first book of the series. 4) To a certain extent, a greater bit of time seemed to be spent on romances/relationships/miscommunications/missed communications/etc. than in either the prior book or in the short story. Luca continues to be a player, and has a new person to play with this time - though that 'new person' is a return of someone from a prior case. Which reminds me - that whole referencing Diamond Collier and Luca's interactions with her in the past, and the undercover case Collier had been working on? Just made me keep thinking that I'd yet again missed a book somewhere along the way. It would probably be a less frustrating experience, and might even have been intriguing, if I hadn't already started the series in reverse order (which, fair enough, is my own fault). Right, as noted, indirectly, the new person Luca played with is Diamond Collier - a government worker. Oddly, this time around, Jessica Chance also had someone to play with, and it wasn't Luca. That was somewhat unexpected. April 26 2016
#Luca Bennett Bounty Hunter#2016 Reads#Lesbian Fiction#Mystery#Lesbian Mystery#Bold Strokes Books#Lesbian Book Review#Book Review#4 Stars
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