#Mephisto is really haunting my ass

[thatsolacegirl]

Okay, why do I feel there's a history between Jen and Mephisto?

So, here it goes. Bear with me alright.

"I'm bound. He stole my magic." ~Jennifer Kale (EP 3, AAA)

Here, 'he' could be a different person but I'm going with what the story's telling and assuming that 'he' is The Doctor. In line with that, and for Jen to work with/for The Doctor, he would have to deal with something supernatural, about which he may or may not know. There could be two ways the binding would have worked: he stupidly binds Jen or knowingly binds her to him.

However, when Jen spoke, she was distressed. That could only imply that The Doctor was more powerful than he let Jen know. There's also a possibility that she knew his powers and offered her services not knowing that he would bind her powers in future. But I'm not talking about the 2nd possibility.

I strongly feel that The Doctor was Mephisto or his servant or whatever. because how would a mortal man (I'm assuming a lot here) bind a witch's power? Especially when that witch was once revered in her community (In Ep 1, Lilia called Jen 'high priestess'. She wouldn't be calling her that if Jen wasn't powerful or revered).

TL;DR: I believe that The Doctor from Jen's nightmare was Mephisto.

[kyndredravenstories]

Eyes of Infinity: Delirium Chapter 7

Hello, I have been posting my work on AO3 and recently decided to venture here to Tumblr. Please note: This story is 18+. No minors. Please read tags carefully. Link to AO3 below but I will also be posting the chapters here.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/53564641/chapters/148839892#workskin

Pairing: Sylus/Female MC with some elements of Xavier/Female MC

Genre: Romance, Drama, Hurt/Comfort, Fluff, Angst, Adventure, Smut, Porn with Big Plot and Big Feelings

Content Warning (For the entire fic): Explicit sexual content, spoilers and alterations to existing lore and cards/memories/tender moments/secret times, size kink, size difference, vaginal sex, cunnilingus, anal sex, fingering, all kinds of fingering, elements of consensual somno, dom!Sylus, jealousy, possessive!Sylus, Mephisto stalking, typical game violence, battle and combat

Summary: To love him meant stepping over the threshold and crossing into darkness. To be with him meant accepting the lure of the shadows. And to protect him from betrayal meant sacrifice. I knew not how, only that I would not let time sever our paths ever again.

Previous Chapters: Ch 1 / Ch 2 / Ch 3 / Ch 4 / Ch 5 / Ch 6

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It's dark in the N109.

Always.

Even though the windows in the mansion have no curtains, the only lights here are false ones. No matter what hour of the day it is, only the warm amber lamplight illuminates the rooms around me. The city lights from outside peek through the glass here and there, flashing red, green, or a frigid blue.

It's always cold in the mansion; it's how Sylus prefers it. Not surprising, really, considering how his body always feels as hot as a simmering furnace. Unlike me. I'm always freezing, it seems, and I definitely prefer a warmer setting.

Wandering around in this falsely lit, cold, and absolutely silent home makes me feel like I am trapped in some kind of bunker during an apocalypse. I miss going on missions in the city. I miss the warmth and humidity of the afternoon haze in Linkon. I miss the sun and the fresh air. I miss waking to my alarm in the morning, and I miss the raucous sounds of city life.

On my fourth day here, I start to lose the concept of night and day, and my body begins to protest the maltreatment. I'm still recovering from my injuries, and that makes it worse. Exhaustion finds me at the most unpredictable times. I start falling asleep while standing, sitting, even talking. A few times, Luke and Kieran - now acting as my escorts around the mansion - have to prop me up to keep me from falling over. This lasts most of the day. I float in and out of awareness, limping from room to room and dozing in-between.

I wake from one such nap when I hear motion upstairs and wonder if Sylus is up and about. I check the phone he gave me for the time.

1:14 PM

While I wait for him to come down, I stop by the dining room to pick at the table of food there. Though I've never seen anyone in the mansion other than Luke and Kieran, somehow the food and drink here is always replenished and fresh. Once, Sylus hinted at there being a chef on the payroll, but thus far I haven't met anyone else who works here. Another mystery that gives this mansion a kind of haunted vibe. 

Eventually, Sylus emerges from his bedroom and approaches me wearing his full leather riding gear. My eyes rove over the knee high black boots, stylish jacket, and half gloves. He looks incredible, and I can't help but appreciate the way these clothes accent his broad shoulders, slim waist, and exquisite ass. He notices me looking of course, and I quickly look away with my ears on fire.

"Good morning," I say even though it's the middle of the day. He grabs a plate and drops a few tasty looking items onto it. We sit down to eat together, neither one of us speaking for a time. It's a pleasant, companionable, silence in which I try to reconcile why I am feeling so anxious about Xavier coming to pick me up tonight.

In the end, I must be honest and admit that I don't want to leave yet. But, I have to. The investigation must continue. We must stop Noxis and find an antidote for LUMINIS. Not to mention, I'm still a Hunter. I have duties I must fulfill to protect Linkon. I'd left the city to attend a symposium and disappeared. I needed to report to Captain Jenna, maybe even come clean about what Xavier and I had been up to for the last several months.

Just when I start worrying about how I'm going to accomplish all of this, a large gloved hand appears in my line of vision.

"Come for a joy ride with me," Sylus says, his expression unreadable. I take his hand, letting him pull me up out of my chair.

"Where?" I ask, rubbing at my eyes. Damn it, the exhaustion is about to hit me again.

"Does it matter?"

Not really. I'd go anywhere if it's with him. Especially when he asks me anything while the corners of his eyes crinkle into a special kind of smile I've only seen him direct my way.

"I'd love to go, but I'm not exactly dressed for it." I point to my sweats - or his, rather. "And I'm pretty tired. Not sure how I'll manage to hang onto you."

Sylus tilts his head, running his hand over the bandages on my shoulder and arm. He tilts up my chin. "You look pale," he observes.

I can't reconcile a Sylus that's actually worried about me. It's too surreal. But, his frown during these moments speaks for itself. No matter how naïve I might be, there's no way I'm misreading his intent.

"But, you'll be fine," he ruffles the hair at the top of my head, careful not to touch my wound. "Just cling to me like you did yesterday." His voice drops, and he leans in to murmur in my ear. "Use your thighs. You remember how that felt, right?"

I take a few steps back, my whole face catching fire. His words bring on flashbacks that I've been trying to keep at bay for a while.

"But, I'm still not dressed for it."

He runs his hand through his hair with a smirk then holds it out to me again. Still sheepish, I take it. As we walk upstairs, I ask about Xavier and how he plans to have him pick me up. As frequently happens, Sylus doesn't answer me. By the time I'm ready to pinch him in frustration, we make it to his bedroom. An organized grouping of dark red boxes and unmarked paper bags rest on the floor in front of the bed.

Sylus gestures for me to go to them. As I step in that direction, he settles comfortably on the leather armchair in front of his work desk, crossing one leg over the other. Mephisto, who's been sleeping on his perch, caws and flutters to his master's shoulder. Sylus rests one elbow on the chair and looks at me expectantly. Confused, I look towards the boxes and begin opening them one by one.

Shirts, pants, winter gear, boots, guns, a belt and holster, a large gray duffel bag, and...I can't help but gasp when I open the final box.

"Oh," I breathe, completely taken aback. It's a black floor length silk dress with crisscrossing straps and a thick elegant skirt. On the front is a stitching of the night sky. Stars and planets twinkle up at me in the form of precious gems - diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds. Below the stars, a shimmering river flows off into a distant horizon. It's quite possibly the most beautiful dress I've ever seen.

I glance at Sylus. His eyes are intent, expectant.

"Try it on," he says.

"Now?"

His silence is confirmation of his wishes. When I hesitate, he smiles behind his hand. "Do you need me to help you?"

I straighten my shoulders, carefully putting the dress back in the box. "I thought you wanted to go for a ride."

He chuckles then stands up. I resist backing up as he approaches me, his hands in his pockets. "Raincheck," he teases, stopping right in front of me.

I nod.

"Go get ready, then. Don't keep me waiting."

Picking up one of the boxes, I rush to sidestep around Sylus and go into the bathroom. Though I know it's absolutely pointless to do so, I lock the door. Once inside, I lean on the sink and take a deep breath. After calming my racing heart, I start getting dressed. I pull on some black leather pants and a thick knitted top. Over it, I don a warm leather jacket. My hair is a royal mess, so I borrow one of Sylus's combs to tame it into a single braid.

By the time I'm finished, the exhaustion is hitting me again. I sit down to put on a pair of boots, hoping the dizziness will pass soon.

Someone calls my name.

The next thing I know I'm waking up. I'm still sitting on the bench in the bathroom, but Sylus is now kneeling in front of me, stroking the side of my face. His lovely mouth is marred with a frown.

"Oh, sorry," I mumble. "I didn't mean to doze off."

He helps me to my feet, steadying me when I stumble.

"The darkness can be difficult to get used to for some," he says. "Ready to go?"

I nod, and we make our way to the front door. It occurs to me that I'd never stepped outside of the mansion. Somehow, I'd never been curious to see where we actually were. I let Sylus lead me down an expansive concrete driveway to where his bike awaits. My eyes go wide when I recognize the vehicle.

"Is that...?"

Sylus raises a brow at the surprise in my voice.

"It's not a 380HM...no way..."

A Hunter bike. Not just that, but a prototype model that not even UNICORNS could afford to equip their Hunters with.

Sylus huffs. "Don't lump me in with such low class mediocrity."

I don't question that statement, but excitement buzzes through me. I've driven a Hunter bike once or twice, and it was a thrilling experience. If this is something even more advanced, I can't wait to experience it, especially since I trust that Sylus is more than capable of handling it as a driver.

I smile when he hands me an onyx helmet. I mount up behind him, and as I try to figure out the best way to hang onto him without aggravating my injuries, his dark Evol wraps around my back, my knees, and my torso. I gasp when it presses me against him. It's as though something is tying us together.

"Don't worry, kitten, I won't let you fall," comes his promise, much clearer than I expect. The helmets are radio linked so we can hear each other without issue. Experimentally, I try to relax. Even when I'm not putting much strength into holding on, his Evol keeps me steady. I lean against him, then, releasing all my anxieties from earlier. We have mere hours left together, and I want to enjoy every minute I have.

The bike roars to life beneath us and Sylus guns it into overdrive without preamble. In a single breath, we are skyrocketing through the darkness at a speed I can barely process. Lights blur into multi-colored streaks as we soar down the highway. I feel every rise and fall - every thrill, every twist and turn - without fear, knowing that Sylus's Evol holds me firmly in place. I let his body heat melt into me, relishing the feeling of gliding through the wind like a fledgling hawk learning to fly.

We wing past skyscrapers of every shape and size, ascending higher and higher up a natural slope until we reach a bald hill. We skid to a stop, and as we take off our helmets I smell burned rubber. A massive radio tower spears into the ground before us, extending high into the sky well above the clouds. It's seen better decades. It's body is worn and tired, the metal eroded after years of weathering Metaflux storms.

"Where are we?" I ask.

"Just a good view." He gestures around us to the panorama. The Underworld, a city with no sunlight and no moonlight.

On this hill, we sit like eagles perched above the sprawling buildings and towers of N109. In this endless night, the glass and polymer looks like a myriad of shining mirrors, reflecting a world that's a kaleidoscope of colors. Signs, brands, and advertisements compete for real estate and blaze against the shadows, so bright they give off their own blinding aura. A few high tech nightclubs flash and rave among the rooftops, the illuminated canopies above them blinking in time with booming melodies. Silhouettes of people ebb and flow behind the tinted windows. The conflicting rhythm of the music pulses against the silence of the streets, a heartbeat of this lonely and frozen cityscape.

Sylus observes all this with an aloof and ruthless gaze, ever searching, ever calculating. His breathtaking silver hair reflects the ever changing colors of the city. A King examining his domain. He'd brought me here for the view, but there is no enjoyment in his eyes. They dart from building to building, his pupils narrowed as though he can see through all the glass to the happenings behind the walls. Rooting out all secrets, all dealings that would seek to take power from him.

It's a degree of control I can't fathom. It seems harsh to be at the top of all this. Lonely.

I call his name without meaning to.

When he turns to look at me, his pupils dilate again and his expression softens. It's a surreal transformation I can hardly comprehend. We don't speak, but a wealth of something passes between us as we stare into each other's eyes. I reach out to him, and he helps me turn to hop off the motorcycle. His hands grasp my waist, and he lifts me up. His forearm settles under me, holding me up and in place so my face is above his.

There's so much that I want to say, but no words come. I press my hand to the side of his face, moving some strands of his hair away from his cheeks. At last, the line of his lips softens into his special smile.

"If I asked you to stay out of the dealings with Noxis, would you?"

I take a deep steadying breath. "I can't."

"Then make me a promise."

I nod, and the wings of his brows lower over hard ruby orbs.

"Prioritize your vengeance. Show no mercy. You're not fighting Wanderers. These are humans, and the depth of human cruelty is immeasurable."

"I'm not a killer," I whisper.

"You are. Everyone is. Whether you admit it or not." The lights around us shift and churn, lighting up his eyes. They seem to glow as he speaks, and goosebumps break out all over my arms and shoulders. "It's simple. When someone would take from you, you must take double. When someone would betray you, you rip their treachery out at the root."

"I understand that's how it is here, but in Linkon it's--"

"Different?" He makes a sound of bitter amusement. "No, sweetie. A little sunshine doesn't change human nature. The monsters just wear masks."

I shudder at his words.

"When someone shoots at you, you shoot them in the head. Not the arm. When someone tries to capture you, you break their neck. Not their leg." His free hand twines into the hair at my nape, fingers squeezing until he has a firm grip. "Do you understand, Ellara?"

"Yes."

I can't promise to be ruthless. I've never had to be. But, the message is clear. This is no longer just an investigation or a side project. The night at the Mythe made it clear that these people weren't playing around. If I don't take a stronger stance, I'm going to lose my life. And if there's something I realized as I was writhing in pain and agony from the LUMINIS, it's that I don't want to die.

I must be stronger. I must be more clever. I can't continue being reckless.

Sylus lets my body slide down to the ground, but he doesn't let go of me when I'm standing. He looks down at me from above, his expression once again a complete mystery. My arms wrap around his waist underneath his leather jacket. It's like slipping into a hot bath. Biting the corner of my lower lip, I tug him down towards me.

Our lips meet and meld, our tongues reuniting soon after. Pleasure zings through my nerve endings as he tugs on my hair to deepen our kiss. His tongue circles and circles then pushes, deeper and deeper. I can't breathe, and I don't care. He can take my last breath if that's what he wants. As long as he keeps touching me, caressing me, driving me to new heights of bliss.

We hit a single wavelength both in mind and body. As he pulls me back up against him, my legs wrap around his waist. He gives a growl of approval and draws my bottom lip into his mouth. I graze my teeth against his tongue as his hips thrust against me. He rests my butt up on the bike seat so his hands are free to lift up my top.

We're all alone now on this abandoned hill. The world, the lights, the sounds all fall away as I drown in this man. I gasp his name when he grinds against me. He laughs against my skin, pressing a kiss against my breast. Our joining is far from elegant or romantic. It's frenzied and rushed, like a pair of beasts in rut. It's a dizzying mess of fumbling to take off clothes and undo buckles; a hurried need for oneness that won't be put off or denied.

He bites and I scratch, though he's always careful not to go too far. Always holding back, just enough to make me wonder if I'll ever be able to handle him when he loses that unyielding self-control. A fire, unchecked. I yearn to burn in it.

After the haze of lust is spent, he helps me back into my clothes. Once again, the ruthless King is a sweet and doting lover. He checks my bandages, brushing silken lips against the swollen stitches on my shoulder. I buckle his belt, adjusting the holstered guns against his hips.

A sudden rush of anxiety and sadness makes my head spin.

My time with him is ending.

I have to let him go, and this time I really have absolutely no idea when we will see each other again.

"Sylus," I whisper, not trusting my voice not to break. "I...do I have to...leave?"

I never could have imagined that I would be so bold. Bold and foolish. Clingy.

Shame fills me, but it cannot override my sadness.

"Can't I fight Noxis by your side?"

He observes me from above, and I wonder if I am just another piece of the King's domain. My words are heavy and full of feeling, yet his eyes remain a hard glimmering ruby. Unwavering. Unmoved.

My pride rebels. But, what good is pride when I am being separated from someone that I...

That I...what?

The answer comes to me, yet I deny it. Completely. Entirely.

The truth my heart reveals is something that can never come to pass.

Not ever.

My hands ball into fists.

"What is it that you want from me, Sylus?"

I'm about to try to back out of the trap I've just stepped into when suddenly he moves forward and pulls me into a tight hug. I hear his heart beating against my ear. Steady as always. Controlled. Yet when he nuzzles into my neck, his voice is strained.

"What do I want?" he echoes. His words thin out into a whisper. "You should already know."

I shiver, and my heart screams.

Screams and screams.

My resolve shatters.

I hug him back, my arms shaking.

"I don't want to leave," I say in a rush. My eyes sting. "You want to fight them alone? You want me to stay out of this? Are you crazy? Are you mad?" My hand slaps his arm. "You frustrating, infuriating, impossible asshole! Can't you see how worried I am about you?"

He gives a low, exasperated chuckle. "Finally honest, kitten? Took you long enough." He tightens his embrace, catching my wrist in his large hand. "Yes, yes. Being tied to a bad man like me is beyond reasonable."

"It's completely unreasonable!" I shout at him, tears running waterfalls down my cheeks.

When he backs away, his eyes are soft, twinkling with mischief and something else, something I haven't seen there before. He thumbs away my tears.

"Shedding tears now? How endearing."

"Don't treat me like a child," I pout, knowing that I'm the one really being unreasonable now. "Or a kitten. Or a dove. Or whatever the hell else you come up with."

He holds me as I calm down, and when I can think straight, he asks, "So? Do you still not know what I want from you?"

I shake my head, stubborn. I don't want to rely on assumptions. I want to hear him say it. Clearly. So I can't doubt my sanity when we're apart.

He chuckles and presses a kiss to my forehead. "You should know that I adore you," he murmurs, the red in his eyes languid and his voice a tender caress. "There is no love purer than mine."

[ask-the-crimson-king]

Music Shill of the Day: Moonlight by Kamelot

Complete with a 13 year old YouTube lyric video. Because nostalgia + I want to turn people to dust.

But anyway, MOONLIGHT! I feel like this is a song that kinda gets overshadowed/isn't talked about as often off of The Black Halo, which, I mean, makes sense.

I don't blame people, that album is chock full of fucking gold. Momento Mori, March of Mephisto, When the Lights Are Down, Abandoned, Soul Society, The Haunting (Somewhere in Time), you get the point. The album is really, really fucking good.

Then again I could be super skewed cause I don't talk to a lot of Kamelot-enjoying humans, and the ones I do talk to enjoy mostly stuff off Haven and Silverthorn. I don't blame them at all, I, perhaps controversially for those who love Roy Khan so much, also very much enjoy those albums. I also loved The Awakening to death and still listen to a lot of it, but I'm getting away from the point of the post.

Moonlight is a delightful song. I have mentally paired it up with Momento Mori and I'm not entirely certain as to why, but listening to them back-to-back is a very enjoyable experience in my opinion. The instrumentals are peaceful and intense, reflecting how a LOT of The Black Halo is drenched in melancholic undertones. Look at Abandoned and Soul Society for more of what I mean.

The lyrics are amazing and Roy Khan's vocals are crisp and grand as always. Almost all of his work with Kamelot is full of gems but bro really went all in on this album and I love him for it. Fantastic work.

Also the riff behind "You cut the silence like a knife" kicks ass. It kicks SO much ass, in fact, that it got brought back in Bloodmoon as a fucking leitmotif.

AND THAT IS AWESOME. I love when bands do stuff like that.

Anyway, this post kinda got rambly and went all over the place but I hope some of the point got across. It's Kamelot. It's some sad... I've seen some call them prog power metal but I don't quite agree. It's something in the symphonic metal range, though. But it's still good, even if I can't quite articulate WHY it is good.

[justanotherpersonsuniverse]

Tee off, brewed up and running

Oooh, long time comin'

You're cordially invited squashin' sprites whilst run and gunnin'

Picture this, just a couple of cups

In a lot o' trouble, bubbling up

Yeah they went and made a deal with the devil

Should've heeded the kettle, now they're stuck in a rut

Kids inside of Hell's Casino!

Think they'd know better... what do we know?

Won so much had a mountain due

King Dice sure as wouldn't pay the fee, no!

He'd clear their tab if they played

Clear the vault! Or become slaves!

Struck a deal, made a mockery of fair trade

Let's see how the dark lord does against some earl grey!

(Here's a real high class 'bout!)

[Chorus 1]

Milk, milk, lemonade

Around the corner Satan waits

Suck it up, you've debts to pay

Don't forget the deal you made!

Milk, milk, lemonade

All swept up on a gay tirade!

This beverage needs leverage to ever get away

[Verse 2]

This bargain really takes the pee, no?

Straws and shorts, no cap or chinos

Infernal bailiffs to pay our bail is

Hardly what I'd call a dream job

It's two cups, one apocalypse, so

You'd best start ticking off your list of

Whining brutes who bucked mephisto!

Snapped in half and smashed like crystal!

Relentless monsters out to get me

I won't be chided, I'm filled with pep, see?

I'm a rockstar, I got the moxie

To debt collect by demonic proxy!

AUTOPSY! Call the coroner!

This crockery's come for your soul, sir!

I got a plane, no flying saucer!

Don't upset me, I'll runneth you over

(It's a good day for a swell battle!)

[Chorus 2]

Milk, milk, lemonade

Around the corner Satan waits

Suck it up, you've debts to pay

Don't forget the deal you made!

It's risky business when you're playing devil's advocate

This beverage needs leverage to ever get away

[Verse 3]

I'm serving up a little appetizer

Might I suggest a little taser fire?

Who ordered beelzebubbly's darklings?

Can't stand still my kill count's sparkling!

How many enemies, I forgot, oh!

Uno, dos, tres, quatro!

No stopping all the noggins that I'm bopping

One lump or two? It takes two to tango!

Shake me I ain't exploding

Under cover, locked and loaded

No solo cup, co-op's open

Need a villainess quick to blow my load in!

Rosey cheeks and a couple of handguns

Pop a cork in your ass, don't need no magnum

Champ ain't bluffin', don't misjudge

My teeny gloves can pack a punch!

(A brawl is surely brewing!)

[Chorus 3]

Milk, milk, lemonade

Around the corner Satan waits

Suck it up, you've debts to pay

Don't forget the deal you made!

This cup will lynch up half the town

To drag them all back down

Looks like I've joined your cult

Hope you're prepared to meet your fate

[Bridge]

Oh Cuphead, what do I do?

I've been mashin' on my buttons til my thumbs are blue!

But if I come a mile in a pair a your shoes

I'd probably be reachin for a share of your juice

[Verse 4]

I'm a star by killing monsters

Just one soul is all it cost

I'm not sponsored, you best call a d-doctor!

Peppering my enemies with energy shots

I'll crush you flat, why try escape?

Leave you bobbing on the crest of the ocean spray

Hard to port, I'll rock the boat

This sailor Jerry rigged the game!

I'll send this captain to the morgue and

Then it's on to kill a gorgon!

Haunted express? So boring

Big red bully of a djinn's out of fortunes

Power thirst usurps redemption

What once would abhor looks awful tempting

Cold-hearted, slashing my targets

Ice and a slice when I call your debts in

Don't be blue, nothing personal bro

To break this curse I've ways to go

I'm dropping demons from A to Z

But I mostly just do H2O

Daaaamn

[gokinjeespot]

off the rack #1202

Monday, February 26, 2018

 Way to go all the Canadian athletes that competed in the 2018 Winter Olympics. You made us proud. Now we get ready for some March Madness. It might seem like I'm a big sports fan but I'm not. It's just that it's less annoying than a lot of the stuff happening around the world these days. Sure I was sad when the Canadian Women's curling team skipped by Ottawa's Rachel Homan didn't make it to the medal rounds and the Canadian Women's hockey team lost the gold medal game in a shoot-out but I didn't get angry and upset. No one was killed by some idiot.

 Archie #28 - Mark Waid & Ian Flynn (writers) Audrey Mok (art) Kelly Fitzpatrick (colours) Jack Morelli (letters). I only keep reading this book because Betty is in it. I don't like the walking disaster area that is Archie. Nor the smug Jughead. I really hate that big fat jerk Reggie who should be someone's plaything in prison. The fact that I feel so strongly about these characters means that the creators are putting out a very good comic book but I would stop reading if there weren't any likable characters. Classic Catch 22.

 Doctor Strange: Damnation #1 - Nick Spencer & Donny Cates (writers) Rod Reis (art & colours) VC's Travis Lanham (letters). Stephen may not be Sorcerer Supreme anymore but he's still pretty powerful. Remember how Las Vegas was destroyed during a recent mega crossover? Well now the whole city plus its citizens is back on terra firma. Guess where it's been before being resurrected? Hey, they don't call it Sun City for donuts. There's a glitch in Doc Strange restoring all those lives and landmarks and that's where this 4-issue mini takes off. This is a high stakes game between the Doc and Mephisto and the players will be familiar to Marvel Zombies far and wide. Doc's team is on the cover but you'll have to read this first issue to see who's playing for Mephisto.

 The Brave and the Bold #1 - Liam Sharp (writer & art) Romulo Fajardo Jr. (colours) A Larger World's Troy Peteri (letters). DC's old team-up title is back on the racks with a murder mystery featuring Batman and Wonder Woman. There's a strong fantasy element since the murder takes place in Tir Na Nog, the mystical land of faerie. Liam Sharp drew me back into reading Wonder Woman when he did the Cheetah story and here he gets to go all Irish myths for us with runes and rugged faeriescapes. I like a murder mystery as well as the next Batfan but the profuse flowery prose turned me off. It's a tough decision whether I read the rest of this 6-issue story because I really love the art.

 Mata Hari #1 - Emma Beeby (writer) Ariela Kristantina (art) Pat Masioni (colours) Sal Cipriano (letters). This 5-issue mini comes from Dark Horse's Berger Books imprint. I'm glad Karen is still editing comic books. I met her at a DC Retailer's conference over twenty years ago. I was lucky enough to share a group dinner table with her at a steak house in Fort Worth, Texas. I can still remember how happy I was when I asked if I could order a second steak dinner after the first one failed to fill me up and she gave me the go ahead. She thought I had a hollow leg. This book is beautifully drawn but I found the storytelling a little confusing with it's jumping back and forth in time to show us how the lady spy ended up in her current situation. Mata Hari is a very compelling historical figure so I will keep reading this to learn more about her life and death.

 Infinity Countdown Prime #1 - Gerry Duggan (writer) Mike Deodato Jr. (art) Frank Martin (colours) VC's Cory Petit (letters). Flip the cover and you get an info page quickly telling you about the 6 Infinity Stones and what powers they bestow to whoever possesses them. The story starts promisingly enough with the guy who is the best at what he does fighting off some bad guys and then the new Sorcerer Supreme, for the Infinity Stone that he has. Unfortunately the story deteriorated for me when it came to introducing the other stones. It got way too convoluted what with other dimensions involved and what looks like every dang super hero and super villain to ever exist thrown in. I think I have mega event fatigue. Keeping up with the weekly Avengers: No Surrender story with all those heroes and villains to keep straight makes trying to follow this massive story harder to do. I hope nobody dies.

 Batman: Sins of the Father #1 - Christos Gage (writer) Raffaele Ienco (art) Guy Major (colours) Josh Reed (letters). This 6-issue mini is based on the Batman: The Telltale Series video game with a different back-story than the Batman that we are all familiar with. This Batman's father, Thomas Wayne, was a villain who experimented on people. Bruce is trying to right that wrong and save Wayne Enterprises. You can expect lots of action and the first protagonist is easily recognised. I was super impressed with the art here. Kind of reminded me of Frank Quitely. If the rest of this story looks this good it will be a joy to read.

 Hit-Girl #1 - Mark Millar (writer) Ricardo Lopez Ortiz (art) Sunny Gho (colours) Melina Mikulic (letters). Hot on the heels of the new Kick-Ass book is this 4-issue mini featuring Dave's old partner Mindy. She's looking for a new partner and who she picks is a real winner. This story goes international as the purple-haired perp pulveriser goes to Colombia to deal with the gangs there. I want to see if her new sidekick survives.

 Avengers #681 - Al Ewing, Jim Zub & Mark Waid (writers) Kim Jacinto with Mike Perkins (art) David Curiel (colours) VC's Cory Petit (letters). No Surrender part 7. It's Kree Captain Glah-Ree's turn to narrate an issue as his Lethal Legion team fights the Falcon's Avengers team for the prize. Some surprise characters pop up right at the end that will make fans clamour for the next issue. Mike Perkins's pages were only subtly different from the rest of the art and that surprised me too.

 Batman #41 - Tom King (writer) Mikel Janin (art) June Chung (colours) Clayton Cowles (letters). Everyone Loves Ivy part 1. I was naïve to think that Joelle Jones was the best artist for this book because there are lots of artists that I love out there. Mikel Janin made me gasp after I flipped open the cover and saw the first page. Page 10 made me sigh. His Poison Ivy will haunt your dreams. The Cat and the Bat face a daunting challenge in this new story. This is a great issue to start to find out why I've been raving about this title every issue.

 Moonshine #7 - Brian Azzarello (writer) Eduardo Risso (art & colours) Cristian Rossi (colour assistant) Jared K. Fletcher (letters). Boy was I surprised when this issue hit the racks. I thought #6 finished the story of Lou Pirlo, mob enforcer. Plus, it's been almost a year since #6 came out. This supernatural tale continues with the location changing from the hillbilly hills to New Orleans. I'm thinking some voodoo be due.

 Superman #41 - James Robinson (writer) Ed Benes (art) Dinei Ribeiro (colours) Rob Leigh (letters). The Last Days part 2. I was tolerating this story about Superman and a native scientist trying to save a planet from a Jonestown massacre until the science guy explains how he's going to save his species. He sure didn't take any genetics classes. I do not suffer foolish science gladly. The good news is that this story is over and Jon learns a lesson in tolerance.

 Defenders #10 - Brian Michael Bendis (writer) David Marquez (art) Justin Ponsor (colours) VC's Cory Petit (letters). Ah Jessica, Luke, Danny and Matt, we hardly got to know you. I don't know if this team book will continue after this but it won't be the same. This sure looks like Brian Michael Bendis's last issue. David Marquez  made me sigh on page 11 panel 5. I'm glad Felicia is okay.

 Incredible Hulk #713 - Greg Pak (writer) Greg Land (pencils) Jay Leisten (inks) Frank D'Armata (colours) VC's Cory Petit (letters). Return to Planet Hulk part 5. Hulk faces off with the Warlord in the fifth and final gauntlet. The final page had me singing Chuck Berry's Maybellene in my head. Now that we've gone back to Sakaar it's time to revisit another old Hulk story. Get ready for World War Hulk II.

 Damage #2 - Tony S. Daniel & Robert Venditti (storytellers) Danny Miki (inks) Tomeu Morey (colours) Tom Napolitano (letters). I can't say that I am enamoured of the title character since he's just a one hour Hulk but the guest stars are worth the read. Here we have the Suicide Squad and next up is a real hero that I am certainly interested in.

 Amazing Spider-Man #796 - Dan Slott & Christos Gage (writers) Mike Hawthorne (pencils) Terry Pallot & Cam Smith (inks) Erick Arciniega (colours) VC's Joe Caramagna (letters). Threat Level: Red part 3. The art and writing this issue was very wooden to me. Kind of stiff and predictable. I don't like Peter and Mary Jane getting cozy again either. If it wasn't for what's happening to Norman Osborn I would consider benching this book.

 Super Sons #13 - Peter J. Tomasi (writer) Carlo Barberi (pencils) Art Thibert (inks) Gabriel Eltaeb (colours) Rob Leigh (letters). The Parent Trap part 1. Damian's mom, Talia al Ghul, needs his help for a hit and she's not going to take no for an answer. The boys find themselves in even more trouble when one of the targets is revealed. Robin and Superboy's friendship may not survive. As much as I love Carlo's art I wasn't happy that Talia looks more like Damian's slightly older sister than his mother.

 Astonishing X-Men #8 - Charles Soule (writer) Paulo Siqueira (pencils) Walden Wong & Roberto Poggi (inks) Edgar Delgado (colours) VC's Clayton Cowles (letters). A Man Called X part 2. Y'know, I don't think that the guy in Fantomex's body is Charles Xavier. He keeps saying trust me, I can fix this and then he screws things up royally. So, another comic book with amazing art. Psylocke made me sigh on page 3.

 Mighty Thor #704 - Jason Aaron (writer) Russell Dauterman (art) Matthew Wilson (colours) VC's Joe Sabino (letters). The Death of the Mighty Thor continues. Wow, I snagged a larger than usual pile of comic books off the rack to read last week and inadvertently saved the best 'til last. The writing and art was as powerful as can be. The build up to the last page made it a spine tingling experience. This story is going to be another highly recommended collection when it comes out in trade paperback.