#Ms Brent is The Hero

[sleazyjester]

We already know about Sunny's, but what are other characters' favourite things to eat? What do they like to drink?

Basil: espresso/americano/capuccino to drink, and for food something comforting and warm, like beef stew or something. he tried going vegan like a hundred times but he's not ready for the commitment. i think he would go for angel cake as a dessert, or just granola bars.

Aubrey: alcohol probably, coke on casual days and as a favourite dish i think she would really enjoy sushi or ratatouille. her favourite dessert would probably be donuts, m&ms, or peeps.

Kel: orange joe for a drink, obvi, and i feel like he would enjoy crazy american combos like bacon and waffles, deep fried anything, probably raising canes, oh and empanadas. for dessert he would probably go for... the entire breakfast menu? i'm sure he's a big waffle/pancake/torrijas fan, and also sour gummies.

Hero: probably plain ol black coffee, blueberry lemonade or sparkling water (he's one of those..), milkshakes too. For food I think he likes trying out new things from time to time so his favourites change pretty often. his go to sweets would be... fruit tarts, tiramisu or chocolate chip cookies.

Jamie: Jamie loves decaf lattes, and sodas, and for food probably some classic chicken nuggets with fries, and birthday cake flavoured sweets. they've got a huge sweet tooth, so anything would do, except hard candy.

Brent: he loves coffee and hot cocoa, especially accompanied by a treat. for food, i would say he likes jollof rice, salads with all kinds of dressings, anything beef and a lot of salty snacks. he would always snack on some chips. for sweets, i'm inclined to say lava cake with ice cream on the side. he likes chocolate bars too, like snickers and bounty. he's got a full drawer of snacks in his room because his mom wouldn't let him eat too many while growing up.

Ash: he loves coffee to the point that it's a personality trait, and he usually gets a flavoured latte. avocado toast and sunny side up eggs for breakfast, alfredo pasta and salad for lunch, and fish with vegetables for dinner, specifically salmon. for dessert, he would go for a cinnamon roll or rugelach.

think that's it. for me i love lattes and dr pepper, and for food probably something really lame like a mcchicken or chilly cheese fries or pasta. for sweets.. i don't know. everything at once. i love chocolate and anything with a soft chewy texture.

[krinsbez]

Original Superhero/Science-Adventurer Concept: Brents and Braun

So, last night, after watching a video about the Five Man Band trope I had a brainstorm, and in the past day, what was originally a vague idea for a superhero duo based on a pun has transformed into Challs/FF/Jonny Quest-type idea about a science-adventurer team/quasi-family. So, here goes...

-Dr. Bebe Braun is 6′8″ tall, of mixed African, Scandinavian, Russian, German, and Samoan ancestry and has a physical build such that the word “fat“ is inadequate; she prefers to refer to herself as “vast”. She’s also a genius polymath with multiple doctorates, which she has exploited both to benefit mankind and amass a vast fortune. She combines intense scientific curiosity and adventurousness with tremendous willpower, while also being intensely neophilic and an unabashed sensualist, a combination of personality traits that result in her always being up to trying new things. She has, through intense meditation and focusing of her prodigious will and intellect, over decades, managed to achieve tremendous mental control over her body, ensuring that despite her weight and lifestyle, she is in excellent health, and in fact appears considerably younger than she actually is. Said meditation has also resulted in her obtaining superhuman reflexes and Shadow-style mesmeric abilities, which combined with her titanic size means that she is quite capable of handling herself. Nonetheless, she employs a bodyguard...

-Mrs. Bambi Brent is a former Israeli special forces soldier and master martial artist, and Dr. Braun’s bodyguard. Possesses an Amazonian physique, and is tall for a woman (which means she’s still dwarfed by her gargantuan boss). She is also a powerful spirit medium, in regular contact with an array of ghosts and other supernatural entities, with whom she routinely consults, most notably Vlad II Dracul (AKA Dracula’s father) and his archrival John Hunyadi. A no-nonsense sort with a penchant for sarcasm, who is not shy about proclaiming herself the only sane person around. Really wishes her boss would stop putting all their lives in danger on a whim.

-Mr. Bobby Brent, Mrs. Brent’s husband and Dr. Braun’s lab assistant/housekeeper/cook. A nondescript, bespectacled man of average height and build, notable for his genius-level intellect (though dwarfed by that of his insanely brilliant boss) and superhuman strength and invulnerability owing to means I have yet to determine. A cheerful, easygoing sort, prone to joking. Unlike his wife, finds no fault with Dr. Braun’s eccentricities, and is always eager to assist her latest adventure, regardless if the goal is exploring or carousing. (note that despite the latter, is scrupulously faithful to his wife whom he worships, a feeling which is mutual; they are almost sickeningly in love)

-Ms. Barbie Brent is...complicated. She is a genetically engineered, gender-reversed clone of Mr. Brent’s nephew from a a post-apocalyptic alternate future (note that neither the person she was cloned from nor his parent existed in this reality). She resembles her namesake in appearance (albeit with a darker skin tone and epicanthic folds) and has an almost comparable array of skills. Has something of a “barbarian warrior” aesthetic going on, and has the fighting skills to back it up, but is a formidable sorceress. In her native reality, she was created to be the ideal leader of an enclave seeking to rebuild civilization in the wake of the apocalyptic catastrophe that ended the world as we know it, and did the job so well that she ultimately chose to go into exile when she realized they were becoming too dependent on her; she took being scooped out of her native reality by one of Dr. Braun’s inventions in stride. As a natural leader, she routinely takes command of Dr. Braun’s expeditions. She’s wound kinda tight, and has certain degree of fish-out-of-water naivete, but she’s making a concerted effort to loosen up.

-Beta II is a super-computer created to A: serve as Dr. Braun’s secretary and B: predict the future, both of which it is very good at. Tends to utilize an assortment of drone bodies to accompany the family on adventures. Was programmed to possess a strong moral code and sense of ethics, and has evolved a warm, compassionate, and empathetic personality to go along with it.

[makeste]

BnHA Chapter 309: Gotta Go My Own Way

Previously on BnHA: Muscular was all “well if it isn’t the protagonist on his solo journey of self-discovery, for some reason I’m unironically glad I get to fight you!” Deku was all “hey Muscular before I finish kicking your ass would you please take a moment to answer these two survey questions? Question one, do you regret being a total piece of shit? And question two, if you could do anything at all in the world other than being a total piece of shit, would you?” Muscular was all, “pfft, no and no.” Deku was all, “thanks buddy, your feedback helps make me a better hero, here’s a coupon for fifteen percent off your next ass-whooping.” Then he whooped his ass.

Today on BnHA: Deku is all “what up All Might can you believe you’ve been here this entire time?” All Might is all “I sure can since that’s literally my catch phrase, anyway how are your magic movie 1 gauntlets holding up?” Deku is all “they’re holding up fine, how are Hawks, Endeavor, and Best Jeanist doing?” Hawks, Endeavor, and Best Jeanist are all “we, your fellow co-conspirators, are also doing fine, thanks for asking!” Flashback!Deku is all “anyway so I secretly have All Might’s quirk and the most dangerous people in the world are after me, so sorry mom but that’s why I’m dropping out of school.” Inko is all “I CAN’T ACCEPT THAT” while totally accepting it. All Might is all “I GUESS WE’LL JUST HAVE TO GO ALONG WITH IT SINCE I DON’T FEEL LIKE TRYING TO STOP HIM.” Hawks, Jeanist, and Endeavor, as previously mentioned, are all “yeah that sounds like a good plan”, and Gran is all “see ya kid, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” So basically everyone in the entire world has suddenly teamed up with Deku to defeat AFO, except for the one person whose entire foreshadowed endgame is “teaming up with Deku to defeat AFO.” O Kacchan where art thou.

dear tumblr image limit: okay look. you don’t like me, and I don’t like you. but just as an experiment, I’m gonna try writing this recap with as few images as possible and we’ll see how it goes

(ETA: spoilers for how it went: it didn’t, lol.)

oh my god WHY ARE WE OPENING WITH MORE KETSUBUTSU ACADEMY KIDS.ffs we’d better at least finally get some Ms. Joke content out of this

(ETA: seriously who do I have to bribe.)

so these two KB kids who no one cares about are watching Deku leap away from the scene after dispatching Muscular. but more importantly wtf is this chapter title omg. “I can’t stay being a child” so that’s how it is huh. we’re gonna have feels and we’re going to like them. well then

oh my god he’s hauling Muscular away dhfksklfkh okay this is gonna have to be our first image because I can’t fucking help myself. look at this

just. Deku is so tiny and he’s carting away this massive unconscious lump of a man like it’s nothing why is this so funny to me. it’s like when people buy furniture, and they don’t want to pay extra for delivery and so they’re like, “I can definitely fit this king-sized mattress in the back of my compact sedan if I fold the fucking seat down, idk.” and they refuse to be talked out of it, and the next thing you know you’re watching them drive home with their open trunk door haphazardly tied down with bungee cords, and somehow it fucking works. because it turns out the compact sedan has super strength

anyway for SOME REASON now Horikoshi is all “have fun with that Deku, meanwhile we now return you to your regularly scheduled SHINDOU CONTENT” whyyyyyy

look at this. we’re really using up a whole fucking entire page on everyone arguing over who gets the honor of carrying Shindou

love how the civilians are all, “shit lol is this actually our fault?? quick, how do we play this off all casual like we were the reasonable parties here all along”

turns out all it took to finally get them to listen was making them watch while a kid got his insides ground into a pulp because of their stupidity!! what a heartwarming conclusion to this little standoff

anyways THANK GOD we’re cutting back to Deku now!! well actually we’re cutting back to Muscular who is being dropped off at the police precinct, good bye and good riddance lol

so Deku’s leaving him there and bounding away and okjdlSKFJLKJDSL OH MY GOD

no fucking way. no fucking way this little jaunt is All Might-sanctioned and approved. are you serious?? then who else is in on this?? what the hell is going on

so All Might is just WAITING FOR HIM IN AN ALLEY FFF WHO ARE YOU, JIM GORDON. or would Alfred be a better analogy here?? but like, Alfred if he ditched the suit for a moto jacket and shades

this new ensemble of All Might’s may or may not severely impact my ability to take this forthcoming conversation seriously; please stand by

also, quite the spectacular landing there, Deku. seriously lol what was that

“HOW ARE YOUR LIMBS” “THANKS TO YOU THEY’RE COMPLETELY FINE” I’M SORRY WHAT

LOL WHAT. “THANKS TO THE POWER OF THESE MAGIC GLOVES” OH I SEE THAT EXPLAINS IT

are these the same gauntlets from the first movie, then? well that’s all well and good, except that now there’s going to be more Deku Discourse than fucking ever lol. so if it’s all the same to you guys, I’m gonna once again go ahead and declare this week’s post a discourse-free zone, at least when it comes to the specific discourse of Deku’s merits as a MC, and the impact that him kicking ass and having working arms has on said merits. this has been something of a low mental energy week for me, so I’d rather reserve the energy I do have for more fun topics, such as All Might’s bitchin’ leather jacket

anyway so All Might’s saying that the gauntlets will help reinforce Deku’s arms, but they can’t withstand OFA at 100%. so basically it’s a support item designed to maintain the status quo lol. we’re basically in the same situation we were before, arm-capability-wise

homg All Might’s getting a call. time to see who else is in on Operation: Deku Alone?? or not so alone for that matter

omg

HI HAWKS, WHERE ARE YOUR WINGS

(ETA: seriously are they really gone for good?? why would he even be back on active duty then?? does he have his own American ex-boyfriend who can hook him up with exclusive support items?? dammit Horikoshi we want answers.)

looks like Jeanist and Endeavor are teaming up as well, just like they said they would. I would gladly follow this trio around all day long tbh

is this the same giant villain from the very first chapter??

looks like it to me, and it would tie in with that callback from the end of chapter 306. we all thought that was Muscular, but maybe it was this guy, and Deku left these three to deal with him while he ran off to take Muscular down

oh my god now Deku is running off again just like that

kids these days

ffffff I have not had nearly enough sleep to follow along with whatever tf Hawks is talking about here sob

like, is he trying to say that All Might is keeping Deku’s whereabouts unknown to anyone except for him?? in order to keep him safe?? but Hawks is pointing out that that’s a bad strategy and probably won’t do shit against AFO and it’s better if he lets Deku work with the rest of them?

(ETA: so @hanashimas​’ translation makes a lot more sense -- it’s not All Might who’s being overprotective, but Deku. in other words he’s trying not to drag All Might into his battles. and in addition Hawks is saying that their strategy is to take the offensive and go after AFO themselves rather than wait for him to come to them. which I’m not too sure about myself, but that’s another topic for another day.)

btw I can’t help thinking how much better this entire conversation would be if All Might was still wearing his sunglasses. put them back on my dude. it’s not too late. embrace your inner badass

DKLJSLDKFJL FLASHBACK ALERT, FUCKING FINALLY

“turns out, we were just trying to scare you straight. fuck lot of good that did though lol”

also what is this. one true love: the hospital bed. is that a scanlator joke or is Horikoshi actually that funny omg

SKLJDFLJLK

ITSA ME!! omg I love this hospital so much. though it’s sure not helping me in my quest to try and keep this post below ten images. I’m already up to eleven haha r.i.p. to me if tumblr doesn’t get its shit together

whaaaaaat, so he’s saying that Deku’s injuries were external (i.e. Tomura beating the shit out of him) rather than internal this time?? whaaaaat. excuse me but that’s some bullshit lmao. believe me, I was there

okay now he’s going on to explain that Deku’s “internal structure” seems to have been protected from the inside and out, and the corresponding panel seems to be implying that using Blackwhip as a brace paid off. huh

and also that his body is just stronger now?? so I guess he’s better able to withstand the quirk after an additional year of training?? I’M NOT SURE IF I BUY ANY OF THIS LOL but I’m willing to suspend my disbelief

OH MY GOD RED ALERT, INKO IS ASKING ALL MIGHT TO EXPLAIN WTAF DEKU’S QUIRK IS, IS IT FINALLY THAT TIME OMGGGG

SO HE’S EXPLAINING IT TO HER OFF-SCREEN, AND INKO IS JUST LIKE

I GUESS THAT’S FAIR LOL. IT’S TRUE INKO I’M SO SORRY, YOUR SON IS A PROGATONIST R.I.P.

AHHKKJH DEKU ANGST IS IT FINALLY THAT TIME OMGGGGGG

what is this soft pop beat that’s suddenly being pumped in over the speakers. I’VE GOT TO MOVE ON~ AND BE WHO~ I~ AM~~~, I JUST DON’T BELONG HERE, I HOPE YOU UNDERSTAAAAAAAND. also, follow-up question, when is Kacchan finally going to come back so he can jump in with the “WHAT ABOUT US~~~” bridge, huh. come the fuck on, Horikoshi

lmao All Might jesus christ

but given that it’s a stupid-ass decision...

anyway, yes!! finally that sweet, sweet “I don’t want to put anyone else in danger” angst!!

mmm that’s good angst Brent. Kacchan with center panel honors as usual, you love to see it. anyways though who do I have to yell at to get Deku a goddamn HUG around here seriously

so Inko is of course reacting with panic, and sensibly saying that she doesn’t approve of Deku’s “RUN AWAY AND FIGHT THE BAD GUYS ALL ON MY OWN, DON’T WORRY MOM I’LL JUST GET STRONGER, EASY AS PIE, IT’S A FOOLPROOF STRATEGY” plan

son of a bitch this manipulative green asshole is really gonna sit here and smile fondly at his mom and try to convince her that he’s Not A Little Kid Anymore. the hell you’re not mister

y'all are really just gonna sit there and let him talk you into this?? surely it can’t be that easy??

OH MY GOD

THE FEELS oh my god oh my god. BUT ALSO YOU’RE SERIOUSLY JUST GOING TO COLLAPSE INTO HIS ARMS SOBBING AND LET HIM DO WHATEVER THE FUCK HE WANTS LKJLJLFK. WHERE ARE ALL THE STRICT PARENTS AT?? AIZAWA, GANG ORCA, MITSUKI, SOMEONE PLEASE COME AND TELL DEKU TO SIT HIS ASS THE FUCK DOWN. NOW LISTEN HERE YOUNG MAN!!

“EVEN IF I TRY TO STOP YOU YOU’LL STILL LEAVE” WELL SURE, IF BY “TRY TO STOP HIM” YOU MEAN POLITELY TRY TO TALK HIM OUT OF IT FOR THREE SECONDS. HE’S SIXTEEN WTF WHEN DID HE BECOME THE BOSS OF YOU ALL. SOMEONE NEEDS TO COME AND TELL HIM HE’S GROUNDED

anyway sob so that’s the story of how Deku talked his parents into letting him drop out of school, and even convinced All Might to be his own personal Guy In The Chair. holy shit. this kid really went and rolled a nat 20 and the rest of them had no choice but to fold without argument

meanwhile here’s a panel of Best Jeanist trying to braid his phone into his hair just cuz

I’m dying to know which part of his language he considers to be crude here. you literally didn’t even use a contraction my guy

so now flashback!Deku is talking to Gran in the dark, and Gran is all “can you believe I’m not fucking dead yet lol that’s too funny. anyway, you sure I can’t interest you in killing Tomura after all?? no?? okay then here’s my cape.” truly a heartwarming scene

I’m kind of torn here tbh. on the one hand, my adhd ass wasn’t all that interested in sitting down and having an extended scene between these two when there’s so much else that I want to get to. but on the other hand, even I can admit that cramming this entire reunion into a single page seems just a BIT rushed. idk. like maybe someone can let Horikoshi know it’s a marathon and not a race. Deku didn’t even get any dialogue here, some of us want to know his thoughts!! but anyway

AND JUST LIKE THAT?!

how did all four of them let him con them into this. I literally just watched it happen and I still can’t figure out how. “I GUESS THIS SIXTEEN-YEAR-OLD HIGH SCHOOL DROPOUT IS OUR LEADER NOW” ffflfjf. when Aizawa finds out he’s gonna go apeshit. AND DON’T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON BAKUGOU KATSUKI, WHO I HAVE BEEN ASSURED DOES IN FACT STILL EXIST. WHAT ABOUT USSSSS, WHAT ABOUT EVERYTHING WE’VE BEEN THROUGH. WHAT ABOUT TRUST???! YOU KNOW I NEVER WANTED TO HURT YOUUUUU

btw lol don’t get me wrong, I am enjoying this, and I’m honestly glad Deku’s not alone because that would suck for him! but that said, Hawks and Jeanist have lost any credibility they might have once had as far as being The Responsible Ones, and as for All Might and Endeavor, fucking hell lol. everyone just deposited all of their fucks in a bank somewhere for safekeeping and decided to never look back. godspeed you mad lads

[lydia-yougowith-stiles]

My Top Ships of 2020

It’s FINALLY here!! The list of my top ships of 2020. What a year it was and I can’t believe it’s already January 8th as I’m writing this. Just like I mentioned with my 2020 TV Wrap Up, a lot of these ships helped me escape during 2020. I can’t wait to see where they’re headed for 2021. I have also started watching a few things in December, but I will be saving those ships for my 2021 list. (You’ll notice I have already expanded this list from last year.) Last year, I debated about including an Honorable Mentions sections. This year I will be including it because I wanted to still talk about these ships, but found it hard to rank them with the others. Without further ado here we go!  

Oh! One last thing. Compared to previous years Bellarke has not made it on this list. J. Roth did us dirty with this last season of the 100 and I will pretend it didn’t exist. 

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

~ Anne with an E: Jerry and Diana

These two were SOOO CUTE until Diana started acting rude and left our perfect boy Jerry. Watching this last season back, I grew not to like this couple as much as I did the first time. This most definitely had to do with the fact that I knew the outcome AND I could see Diana using him more earlier. She wanted to experience something different and rebel and Jerry was there. But they were so cute as they walked home together and shared books. I’m also really proud of Anne for sticking by Jerry when she found out the truth about their relationship. (As you probably already know I love Jerry so much and don’t want any harm to come for him, so this was a tough one, but yes I’m still including it.) 

~Umbrella Academy: Klaus and Dave

I started watching Umbrella Academy this year, so I was lucky to not just experience the first season, but also the second. I instantly fell in love with Klaus and Dave and we barely got any scenes with them. (That’s my main reason for making them an honorable mention rather than a permanent spot on this list.) I wish we had more scenes with them in love. We do get some great moments in scene two with a younger Dave, which highlights Klaus’ love for him, but it’s not the same. I really love how much Dave changed Klaus. I would argue they’re my favorite romantic relationship on the show. 

~Walking Dead World Beyond: Hope and Elton

Here’s my classic shipping people together who weren’t technically romantic (but honestly those often make the best and most satisfying ships if the writers open their eyes to the chemistry that is on screen...but I digress). While they technically weren’t “romantic” you could tell that Elton grew to have a crush on Hope as the season went on. There was definitely a lot going on between their characters as Hope ***I’m going to try and avoid a spoiler here*** was one of the last people to see Elton’s mom. I think there’s potential for these two down the road and as there are only 2 seasons slotted for Walking Dead World Beyond, I can only hope this is the path the writers take. 

~Violetta: Angie and Pablo

Okay, so even if you have not heard of the Disney Channel telenovela “Violetta” or seen many of my posts, can you just appreciate the chemistry in the above moment between these two people! For a good amount of season 1 of the show, Angie and Pablo were the couple for me and I was ESTATIC when they finally got together. I anticipated it wouldn’t be for long because of slight spoilers and more intuition, but god were they beautiful together. Friends to lovers to the extreme. Screw Herman! Now as I’m slowing watching season 3, I know these two won’t be OTP, but I can savor in this moment and remember the good times. 

17. Violetta: Violetta and Leon

Two back to back Violetta appreciation posts. This show took up my entire 2020 from awaiting for season 2 (and 3) on Disney Plus, as well as watching the 80 episodes (a piece!). Currently, I’m trying to get back into wanting to watch season 3 (as other shows took precedent). With the amount of Violetta I watched, I couldn’t leave Violetta and Leon off this list. They were the favored ship of the show (and one of the most central). In season 1 it took me a little time to like them together, but by episode 35 I could feel the mutual attraction. I remember the moment of them singing/playing piano together. I knew they’d be endgame. My main complaint is that when these two are a part they are SUPER ANNOYING! Like they (specifically I’m thinking of Leon) say rude things about the other person and I’m like how could you be okay to get back together? Their best moments are definitely in season 2, whether singing to the other person or imagining singing to them. Definitely at the end of the season when they’re in Spain. I still have to watch the end of their love story, so I hope it’s satisfying.

16. High School Musical the Musical the Series: Nini and Ricky 

So I added this ship onto my list long before I knew about any real-life/personal drama that was happening among the cast. I considered taking it off the list, but as I am discussing the fictional characters I decided to leave it. High School Musical the Musical the Series was a very early 2020 watch. I liked the show more than I was expecting and was upset to hear that season 2 wouldn’t include a performance of High School Musical 2. (I mean, Beauty and the Beast...really?) This was one of those extremely rare times where I actually liked a ship that was the main ship. Usually, I favor the other part of the love triangle or the underappreciated part. I was both shocked and happy when Ricky and Nini kissed in the finale and got together. Of course the final episode ended with some hurtles for season 2 (which now I guess there will be even more), but it was good to see them together and happy. 

15. Legacies: Hope and Josie

With all of these shows ending earlier than they should have due to COVID, I feel like I’m going to sound like a broken record when I say I don’t remember a lot of what happened in this last season. (I guess for 2021 I’ll have to take more thorough notes, but then again you can see which ships I like more.) With Hope and Josie, season 2 was a bit of a rough road. I mean, what do you expect when you erase yourself from existence for the greater good, which means that your boyfriend hooks up with your friend/eventual lover? (Yes, I added in that second part.) Josie and Landon felt very awkward in the beginning of this season when they were in “love” and forgot about Hope. (I rarely heard anyone say they liked them together.) It got more awkward when Hope came back in the picture and had to watch them together. Then we had that spill with Josie being evil (which I was surprised they tackled so early on in the show. Feels like a later plot to explore). Due to all these hurtles, there were less opportunities for my OTP of Legacies. The best moment we got was in the above photo when Hope went into Josie’s subconscious and was speaking to Josie as a fictional pig the whole time. We will never forget how the “pig” suggested Hope kiss her awake. Come on Julie! Give us what we want! 

14. Single Parents: Will and Angie

Will and Angie were far down on my Top Ships last year. Another friends to lovers, you could just feel the chemistry between these two and that was strengthened in season 2. (I just loved some couples more this year I guess.) Last year, they couldn’t really act on too much romance between these two because of Poppy and Douglas’ relationship, but as those two had some drama this season, Will and Angie had a greater chance of getting together. We watched moments where the two pretended to be a couple (for the sake of Will’s parents) and eventually Will came to the realization of his feelings for Angie. In a classic season 2 plot device of a sitcom, Angie decided to go with her real-life husband/Graham’s dad at the end of the season. But you could see she also had feelings for Will and they HAVE to act on those next season. I can’t remember if the show got a third season, and I will be crushed if they didn’t. Previously, they’ve been mid-season starts so I feel hopeful.  

13. Emma: Emma and Knightley

The last movie I watched in movie theaters was Emma. While it makes me sad that I haven’t been able to go back since, this film was a great one to hold this memory. As an avid Jane Austen fan (and period drama as you will continue to notice), I LOVED this Emma and Knightley pairing. This couple is one of my favorites of the Austen heroines and heroes and I have many favorite reincarnations from Romola Garai and Johnny Lee Miller to Joanna Sotomura and Brent Bailey in Emma Approved (still so sad those two broke up). So it was very hard to live up to what I’ve watched and liked before. Anya Taylor-Joy and Johnny Flynn did not disappoint and will be one of the combos I think of when I re-visit the novel. I love how we didn’t focus on their crazy age difference and really highlighted on their relationship as family friends and going back a long time. I specifically like the decision to bring in some early nods to Knightley admitting his feelings for Emma and then not doing so because of the presence of Frank Churchill. Just talking about all of this makes me want to re-watch the movie all over again. :) **If you’re a fan of this combo or Emma/Knightley in general that you have to watch this video. It is amazing! 

12. Avatar The Last Airbender: Zuko and Katara

Another binge from 2020. I watched Avatar the Last Airbender in the summer and was amazed by the story-telling and how deep they could get for a kid’s program. Despite, being in MS/HS when the show originally aired, I hadn’t watched it before. So many people had told me to do and then with the help of Netflix, I felt the pull to do so during quarantine. When I headed into the show, I thought Zuko and Katara eventually got together. Mainly, because I know the fandom and love for them is so strong. I instantly felt this too. There were so many great parallels between there characters. (I mean clearly we have the whole water and fire dynamic.) Even when these two weren’t in scenes together I was thinking about how well they’d work together. So needless to say I was disappointed when they didn’t get to be endgame. We did a lot of great moments at the end of season two and definitely with season three. The Last Agni Kai scene will forever give me chills and represent how deep Zutara is. The evidence is all right there. Such a great ship. 

11. Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist: Zoey and Max

Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist was one of my favorite watches of 2020 and such a feel good show for a moment with a lot of uncertainty. (I highly recommend if you haven’t watched it. Season 2 just started on NBC this week.) For a while I felt very on the fence if I shipped Zoey more with Simon or Max. As you can notice friends to lovers has been a common thread with my posts (although I LOVE a good enemies to lovers) and Max was that 100%. Plus, he’s played by Skylar Astin so what’s not to love. Despite, all of that I felt both of the men in Zoey’s life had potential and I could be happy if she ended up with either one. By episode 6 I was leaning towards Max (if I’m remembering correctly this would be the “When I Wake Up” number with the scooter) and then by episode 8 I was all in! I mean she sang “I’m Yours” to him. (Episode 8 was one of my favorites for the whole season. She did a fantastic job singing and I loved the twist of events. Also, Max being there for her was adorable. The “Pressure” song in the conference room OMG, get me a Max!) The only thing that upset me about their relationship and Max’s character was how sudden his emotions were. It became all or nothing and it felt like too much. He shouldn’t have given Zoey an ultimatum like that. Once he went to work upstairs, I grew to not like this character. Luckily by the last episode I saw some of the old Max again. We’ll see what happens with this new season. 

10. Julie and the Phantoms: Julie and Luke

Julie and the Phantoms: I cannot talk highly enough of this show. It is amazing and everyone needs to be watching it. Of course, it was created by Kenny Ortega so need I say more...but there is so much more to appreciate too. The actors are fantastic and I love the characters they portray! I also can’t stop listening to the music. But this moment is for Julie and Luke, sorry, I should stop promoting the show :) It was very obvious that two members of the band should fall in love and with Julie and Luke both writing their own music and being passionate about their craft it became a no-brainer that they should end up catching feelings for one another. Of course, there’s the major hurtle that he’s a ghost, but we can figure that out in season 2. Luke is obviously the better pick for Julie (Nick who?). They are just so adorable together and I can’t get over that moment when he talks to her at school by her locker and she pretends to talk on her phone. The way they look at each other says it all. (Such great acting!) Then there’s Edge of Great and Luke’s guitar solo. OH! They’re so meant for each other. While no season 2 announcement has been realized yet, there’s no way this show does not get renewed. 

9. The 100: Murphy and Emori

Okay, so I know this sounds hypocritical that I said I won’t think the last season of the 100 exists and here are Murphy and Emori. But in my defense they are the best part of this season and my love for them as a couple really came to a head this season. Murphy had so much character growth and I was fearing for his life almost every episode. Same went for Emori especially after her accident I didn’t feel positive. These two (along with Raven) were the shining beacon in a very disappointing and confusing season. I love how close they are and how strong they make each other. They have been through so much and it was nice to see them so happy (despite everything going on). You just knew they’d always have each other’s backs no matter what. 

8. Violetta: Fran and Diego

I feel like I would do anything for this ship and I have so many more episodes of season 3 to go. (So that’s saying something.) Another Violetta ship, but arguably the best and one that I know is endgame because I grew so obsessed that I started searching for spoilers early on. (That’s how you know it’s bad. Especially when you’re watching YouTube videos without subtitles, so you have no idea what they’re saying, but they look happy and therefore you are happy.) Fran and Diego only got together in the third and finale season of Violetta. Previously, they were a part of different romances (Diego a major one with Violetta), but at the start of this season they are put together in a lot of situations and quickly grow a strong relationship. You can feel the chemistry instantly! They just fit each other so well. Their singing voices together-OMG! While it took FOREVER for their relationship to be public knowledge, I really haven’t had any other problems with them together. (And with 80 episodes it could easily be the case.) A positive of having more than 30 episodes to go: I have more opportunity to fall even more in love with these two. 

7. Sanditon: Esther and Babington

I LOVE THESE TWO SO MUCH! I watched Sanditon so long ago that my memory could get fuzzy, but one thing that stands out clearly is how great it was watching Esther and Babington get together. When thinking about this show people will probably immediately think of Sidney and Charlotte and while they are great and the central couple of the series, these two have my heart. Esther has SO MUCH character growth and development and Babington is a big influence on that. He helps her to see that she can be so much more than what she currently is doing and gets her away from her brother and that lifestyle. For a bit it was touch and go and I wasn’t sure if the two would be endgame, but luckily they were. It appeared to be a marriage out of friendship/necessity. Babington is fine with loving Esther more and hoping she’ll grow to love him. This quickly changes with a scene where we see the two looking very much in love. While this show only used Jane Austen’s unfinished novel as a stepping stone and became a lot more modern (than most fans liked), I thought it did a nice job with several aspects. The main one being Esther’s character. It is a show that I will definitely be re-watching and will always be upset that it did not get a second season. 

6. Legends of Tomorrow: Ava and Sara

A great ship since Ava was introduced. These two balance each other out so well and are one of the most constant ships on the show. (As the Waverider’s doors continue to be revolving in recent seasons.) Each season we watch their relationship deepen and I truly felt that with this most recent season of Legends. Now this might sound super ironic, because from what I can remember (remember 2020 brain, it’s been a while since watching), Sara was off the Waverider a lot, leaving Ava in charge. Sara was away for so many episodes that I started to question (and do a lot of Google searching) if she was leaving the show. Despite the two being a part, I feel we got to know Ava’s character more. She has definitely grown since we first met her all those seasons ago. Due to this development, I felt this couple deserved this spot on the list. When we got to the end of last season ***SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS*** and it looked like Sara (and actually all the Legends) might die, my heart broke for them. Ava and Sara deserve the world. And with the way the finale ended it’s going to be some time till they get it. Once again, Legends is the best CW Superhero show (I said it) and everyone should be watching it.

5. The Spanish Princess: Mary Tudor and Charlie Brandon 

This ship is so underappreciated and deserves to be talked about more!!! (Another common thread in many of these entries.) I have searched for Tumblr posts and YouTube videos and have only found a few dedicated to this couple. There needs to be more!! As the second season of the Spanish Princess dragged for me a bit, once Mary Tudor and Charlie Brandon got more screen time and a plot-line I was instantly sucked in. They nicely balanced the falling out of love of Katherine and Harry. There should have been more scenes with Mary and Charlie. Right away, you could feel some sort of chemistry, but Mary had to be married to the King of France. Then the King dies and she’s promised to pick a marriage of love for her second marriage. Knowing her brother and expecting that she will be married off again she marries the messenger come to get her from France, Charlie Brandon. Super intrigued by their story I looked up the history of the real Mary and Charlie Brandon and their story matches very closely. They got married despite the King’s rules and had many children together. It seems to be a marriage of love like she wanted. This couple will forever be one of my favorites. 

They are also one of my major reasons for wanting to watch the Tudors. While they completely change the Mary and Charles romance (Firstly by naming her Margaret), at least it was very easy to watch. As Charles Brandon is played by the beautiful Henry Cavill. 

4. The Outpost: Talon and Garret

Speaking of underappreciated ships (and TV shows), I present Talon and Garret from CW’s The Outpost. It was SO HARD for me to find a picture from the third (and latest season) of them to put with this post. It’s even hard to watch any scenes of the show on YouTube. Talon and Garret FINALLY got together this season and it was ABOUT TIME! Since season 1 you have felt the tension between these two, but there were always obstacles and people in between them. There seemed to be potential in the first season and by the start of third I was not holding out hope anymore that they would be together. So, it was such a joyous occasion when they became endgame (is that too soon to say? I have no idea if there’s another season on the horizon). This couple solidified my love for a WARRIOR romance. One where, despite being two different genders (and for this show species), both partners are equal in strength and fighting ability. (Well, Talon could take Garret, but they are such a powerful duo!) I now want to read and watch more romances/ships with this trope. [Please let me know if you have any suggestions.] Just talking about them, I can’t help but smile (almost as big as Garret when he saw Talon again before she left for another mission). At the end of the season they might have tried to make it seem like they would pick other partners and I’m so glad they didn’t. You seriously need to watch this show if any of the above sounded appealing/you like high fantasy and maybe a little CGI cheesiest. 

3. The Society: Grizz and Sam

It breaks my heart talking about this ship ever since Netflix released that they were taking back the second season renewal of The Society. I started watching the Society during quarantine (shocking I know), but I do remember a lot from my time watching (more shocking, right?). Hands down the best couple from this show was Grizz and Sam. They weren’t introduced right away and again I might have cheated when I suspected the two might get together, so I looked up some spoilers. (Honestly, that’s the best sign of a ship in my book. If I can’t wait and need to look up spoilers then your show has a good thing going.) Individually Grizz and Sam were my favorite characters and then pairing them together I was dead. So many amazing moments with them. Naturally we didn’t get enough and I will continue to watch fan videos (because there are so many). They are precious and I’m so glad we got some closure at the end of the season because if we didn’t this cancellation would have been even harder. 

2. Nancy Drew: Nancy and Ace

Okay, I’ll try to keep this brief because I know I’ve talked about this couple A LOT on this page in 2020 (but that might be difficult FYI). From an honorable mention thought last year to #2 this year-THAT’S HUGE! But they deserve it, even if they haven’t officially become a couple on the show...well not yet. Early on in the first season I felt a pull between these two characters, which is super ironic seeing as how they had few scenes together and were a part of two different romances. (I mean Nancy had two different love interests.) I thought I was just imagining things (as I do often pair people who barely share plots), but then episode 14 happened and I was sold. Then I came onto Tumblr and discovered the amount of people that felt it too and knew we had something. Shout out to all the other blogs that mention Nace or are made just to honor this amazing duo. I know they will be endgame too and value all your posts that I’m constantly liking and looking for. 

Again, there’s so much I could talk about, but I’ll focus on how much they trust and listen to one another. (I mean Ace drank that stuff because he trusted Nancy!!!) I love how they get paired up on cases and go into investigator mode. They speak SO CLOSE to one another and just all the looks! If we don’t get more moments in the second season I don’t know how I’ll survive. They are just so perfect and I could easily see them become number 1 next year. I cannot wait for the start of season 2 on Jan. 20th!! For now I’ll fast forward through old episodes and watch my favorite moments. Like these:

AND NUMBER ONE.... DRUM ROLL PLEASE...

1. Anne with an E: Anne and Gilbert

Now I know what you’re thinking...’Stephanie, didn’t you pick Shirbert last year too?’ Why, yes that is true. But back then I had only watched seasons 1 and 2 with some spoiler videos of season 3. The release hadn’t come to Netflix yet. Since then, I have watched the last season (and the show as a whole multiple times). It’s just so good and watching the growth of the characters (not only Shirbert) means so much more when you can watch the episodes back to back. But we’re here for Shirbert and how we watched them rise. Yes, it departed from the novel, but I love the twists and turns it took getting to endgame. So many looks and unspoken feelings. I thought it was great how Anne discovered her feelings. I hated Winifred, but understood her purpose. Anne and Gilbert will always be one of my top OTPs no matter which adaptation. Of course, the book will always be the tops, but so many great representations of it have been done on screen. Ultimate enemies to friends to lovers. I hope to one day create characters that could be so strong and beloved. 

[my-brodie999-fan]

The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes Season 2(Revamped)

This are my predictions on what would’ve happened if Christopher Yost and Joshua Fine remained onboard for all of Season 2 without the interference from Jeph Loeb and Man of Action.

Along Came a Spider..: The whole city has turned against Captain America while he tries to regain his tarnished reputation. But when the Serpent Society attempts to rescue  Viper, New York is put in the crossfire with only Captain America and the equally mistrusted Spider-Man to save them. -Introducing Characters: Spider-Man(Josh Keaton), J. Jonah Jameson(Darren Norris), Robbie Robertson(Phil LaMarr) and Betty Brant(Grey DeLise) Yellowjacket: Iron Man and Wasp try to persuade Hank to rejoin the team, but he is far too obsessed with his experiments and driven by guilt over Ultron. Meanwhile, a mysterious new vigilante called "Yellowjacket" appears at Avengers Mansion to convince The Avengers to give him membership and starts taking out super-villains, starting with AIM. The Avengers attempt to find out about this new vilgilante's true identity with the help of Ant-Man(Scott Lang). This results in AIM unleashing their newest weapon, Doomsday Man. Yellowjacket is eventually revealed to  be Hank Pym(who is suffering an personality crisis as a result of his depression and exposing himself to chemicals in one of his experiments, leading him to believe he "killed" Hank Pym by causing the explosion he used to fake his death.)tAt the end of the episode, Yellowjacket decides to leave the statue of himself as Ant-Man and tells the Avengers that he will save the world alongside them. Introducing Characters: Roxxon Energy Corporation, Doomsday Man, Crimson Cowl(Tom Kane) Additional Sub-Plots: Hawkeye and Iron Man clash over the leadership of the Avengers, but they later come to terms that Tony is better suited as leader. The Serpent Society  and Madame Viper appear as a sub-plot where Yellowjacket stops them from delivering weapons to  the Roxxon Enegy Corporation. Scott Lang still struggles to accept his new life as a superhero  while juggling with taking care of his daugther, Cassie. After he helps the Avengers destroy Doomsday Man, he gladly embraces his new identity as the new Ant-Man while Hank Pym rejoins the Avengers as Yellowjacket. Ultron-6(under the disguise of Crimson Cowl) takes control of the Doomsday Man and set him on a rampage to destroy all of humanity, starting with New York City. In the end, Vision overcomes his master's programming due to the Avengers convincing him to rebel against him and joins the team, although he is damaged by the Crimson Cowl's laser beams in the process as the Avengers promise to repair him. Moon Knight and Cross Technologies are referenced in this episode. Assault On Prison 42: Stranded in the Negative Zone, the Avengers must join forces with their enemies - including former members of the Masters of Evil - to fight off an army of strange insectoid creatures that are laying siege to 42. In the end, Galactus consumes another planet and a silver streak soars in space into the unknown cosmos. Introducing Characters: Sentry(Nolan North), Annihilus(Corey Burton), Lorelei(Kari Wahlgren) Sub-Plots: Spider-Man helps the Avengers capture Whirlwind and wonders if he'll join the Avengers one day. Captain America assures him that it can wait, foreshadowing "New Avengers" Annihilus mentions a "Devourer of Worlds" that will consume Earth. Later in the episode, Captain America remembers what the Skrull told him about Galactus and realises that this must be the same being. Wasp attempts to call Hank Pym who has completely withdrawn from society as a result from his guilt over Ultron and starts to become worried about his health and speaks to Iron Man about helping him by convincing him to rejoin the Avengers. Mentioned Characters: Alicia Masters and Hate-Monger. The Suit: The Avengers encounter Bob Reynolds(who first appeared in Assault in 42) who   unknowingly has a spilt personality known as  the superhumanly powerful Sentry who also works for SHIELD. As the Avengers and Sentry bond with each other , a mysteriously entity known as the Void comes to Earth to possess him. In the end, The Avengers offer Sentry to join the Avengers, which he declines. Sub-Plots: Black Panther is reluctant to reopen Wakanda's borders to the world. In the end, he realises the world can trust the Avengers again after they capture all the Skrulls and announces that Wakanda will once again allow outsiders to work together with Wakanda. Iron Man tries to talk General Thunderbolt Ross and the Hulkbusters into releasing the Hulk, to no Avril. Attilan is mentioned in this episode. Introducing Characters: The Void(Nolan North), Lindy-Lee Reynolds(Martina Sirtis), Normie The Watchdog,   Powerless: The Enchantress offers Loki a chance to exact revenge on The Avengers for ruining his plan to conquer The Nine Realms and strips Ms. Marvel, Captain America and Thor of their powers, forcing them to find themselves trying to learn to fight villains without their superhuman abilities. Thor learns how what feels to be human, loses his arrogance completely and restores Ms. Marvel and Captain America's powers. The Avengers defeat  the Destroyer by damaging the suit's power, damaging it beyond its ability to function. In the end, The Avengers rebuild their trust with each other, stating they will stop the war together and Odin loses his eye and becomes replaced by Kurse. Introducing Characters: Destroyer Armor, Kurse(Keith Fergueon), Ten Rings(organisation), Lorelei(Kari Wahlgren). Additional Sub-Plots: Wasp talks about her feelings for Yellowjacket/Hank Pym with Iron Man and becomes worried about his mental state. At the end of the episode, she begins to have  hope that he will eventually recover from the chemicals and accept that he truely is Hank Pym. Iron Man resumes his former objective to destroy the remainder of his stolen Stark Industries inventions and he and Maria Hill argue more about the Avengers registering with S.H.I.E.L.D. Dr. Doom decides that the best way to conquer the world is to control the world's superheroes and begins to build the Psycho-Prism. As a inspired plot point from the final battle of the 2011 Thor movie, Loki attempts to use energy from the Bifrost Bridge to destroy Earth as revenge against the Avengers. Frigga, The Mandarin and Ho Yinsen are mentioned in this episode. Emperor Doom: Wonder Man returns from the dead and is shocked to find out that the world is ruled by Doctor Doom and The Avengers, forcing him to team-up with the Vision who is the only Avenger being unaffected by the Power Prism as a result of being  repaired for a month prior to the events of the episode As they  get to the bottom of this plot, he finds out that he has been amplifying The Purple Man's power through a prism-like device, enabling him to enslave the world's population. In the end, Doctor Doom is revoked of his diplomatic immunity and Wonder Man declines to join The Avengers as he wishes to atone for his villainous actions. In custody, Doctor Doom reveals to Nick Fury that he knows about Surtur planning to destroy the Nine Realms. Introducing Characters: Purple Man(Brent Spiner) Additional Sub-Plots: Pepper Potts urges Tony to consider building a new suit for her, so she can join him and Rhodey when they're out saving the world as Iron Man and War Machine, foreshadowing her future superhero identity as Rescue. Vision tries to adapt a human identity for himself to no success. In the end, he takes up the name "Victor Shade" with the help of Iron Man and Captain America. While restoring the world to normal, Iron Man and Mr. Fantastic discusses the idea of the Avengers and the superhero community as a whole going to war with one another should any hero oppose the idea of working with S.H.I.E.L.D and how it may lead to conflict with Invisible Woman who may disagree with their methods. Jessica Jones, Shang-Chi, the Big Hero 6,Cloak & Dagger  and Human Torch(Android)are mentioned in this episode The Coming of Nova: The Skrulls break out of Prison 42 with the help of Paibok and Titannus and plan to conquer Earth once again. Meanwhile, the Avengers must help a new hero known as Nova realise that he must use the power for good and stop the Skrulls from taking control of the planet once more. In the end, Nova decides he can't save the world alone and calls Night Thrasher(although not in person) to form "a super-hero team" on a reality TV show. And Galactus shows his eyes open in space, foreshadowing the 3-part Season Two finale. Introducing Characters: Nova(Richard Rider)(Troy Baker), Sam Alexander(James Arnold Taylor), Paibok(Danny Jacobs), Titannus(J.K Simmons), , Rhomann Dey(Edward Asner), Irani Rael(Elisa Gabrielli) Additional Sub-Plots: Iron Man and Captain America discuss the idea of forming a new Avengers team should the main team deal with other threats or disappear from the face of the Earth. Ms. Marvel and Captain Marvel talk about how the war between the Kree and the Skrulls will destroy Earth and all of humanity. Mar-Vell also warns her that the Mad Titan Thanos will seek out the Infinity Stones to erase half of all life in the universe. The Eternals, Happy Hogan and Norman Osborn are referenced in this episode. Red Zone and Code Red: A breakout in the Bio Weapons Lab leads the Avengers to investigate who was responsible for this deadly outbreak. In the end, Captain America becomes infected and Iron Man rallies the remaining Avengers to cure their friend and everyone who became infected. After half the Avengers became infected,  the remaining members must come together and find a cure to prevent this deadly outbreak from spreading further. In the end, Hulk leaves the Avengers and Captain America reassures Winter Soldier that he will always be his partner. Sub-Plots: Red Hulk and Thor have a devastating battle throughout New York City while the rest of the remaining Avengers attempt to find a cure for the outbreak. Hulk wakes up in a prison and sees the outbreak infecting his friends. Incredibly, angered by this, he breaks out and helps the Avengers fight Red Hulk. The X-Men are mentioned in the newspaper. Department H, Richard and Mary Parker, Aleksander Lukin, Atlantis, Rick Jones, Betty Ross and Jennifer Walters are also mentioned in this episode. New Avengers: Taking place shortly after Operation: Galactic Storm, Kang escapes Prison 42 with the help of The Council Of Kangs and attempts to conquer the world. Now a new team of heroes (consisting of Spider-Man, War Machine, Wolverine, Thing, Iron Fist and Luke Cage) with the help of Yellowjacket(who has stayed behind while the other Avengers are dealing with the Kree-Skrull War) and Sentry must band together to stop the cross-temporal onslaught.In the end, while as they celebrate the defeat of Kang, the New Avengers agree to come together again whenever they're needed, Kang is sent to the Jurassic Age where he is chased by a Tyrannosaurus and the other New Avengers are annoyed when Spider-Man asks Iron Man about the discount. Sub-Plots: James Rhodes struggles to adapt to his life as a superhero, but when Kang the Conqueror begins his next invasion of Earth, he is forced to don the War Machine armor again. In the end, he embraces his new life as a superhero and Iron Man's partner. Spider-Man, heeding Captain America's advice, tries to make people see that he is not a criminal. In the end, the people of the city finally begin to realise that he is truely a hero. Yellowjacket still does not believe that he is Hank Pym as he is still suffering from the identity crisis from the chemicals in Yellowjacket. In the end, as he looks at a photo of him and Janet Van Dyne, he starts to suspect that Wasp is right about who he really was. As the Fantastic Four leave Earth to explore the Mircoverse, Kang steals Princess Ravonna from the Baxter Building in a desperate attempt to try and revive her from her comatose state. In the end, her body is recovered by the New Avengers and returned to Reed Richards for further study. Introducing Characters: Wolverine(Steve Blum), Council of Kangs(Iron Lad(Mikey Kelley), Immortus(Jonathan Adams), Rama-Tut(Wally Wingert), Victor Timely(Josh Keaton) and Scarlet Centurion(Rick D.Wasserman)), Eson the Searcher Josh Keaton also returns as Spider-Man in this episode. Terminus, Psycho-Man and the Celestials are mentioned/referenced in this episode. Operation: Galactic Storm, Live Kree or Die and When Calls Galactus: The Kree and The Skrulls head to war with each other, as Kang predicted, the sun will be destroyed in the war. The Avengers and Captain Marvel must bring the war to a halt and save the Earth from destruction. In the end, The Avengers destroy the wormhole,threatening the sun at the apparent cost of Black Panther's life. Then The Kree and Skrulls arrive on Hala to finish each other off once and for all as Galactus's shadows looms upon the planet. The Kree's home planet Hala is about to be devoured by the world-eater known as Galactus. The Avengers must convince the only herald against his desire, the Silver Surfer to help them save the planet. In the end, the Avengers realise in order to stop the war, they must save Hala from Galactus. The Avengers face their greatest challenge when they attempt to stop Galactus from devouring Hala, the Kree's home planet.  Meanwhile, Captain America and Iron Man discuss a membership drive to expand The Avengers. In the end, when The Avengers defeat Galactus by sending him to the Negative Zone, The Kree and The Skrulls come to peace with one another and Iron Man gives Captain America leadership of the Avengers while Surtur orders Amora to claim the Infernal Sconce, proclaiming Asgard and The Nine Realms will fall before his power during Ragnarok. Introducing Characters: Peter Corbeau(Chris Cox), Korath the Pursuer(Doran Harewood), Princess Anelle(Alexandra Krosney), Supreme Intelligence(David Kaye),Galactus(Jonathan Adams), Silver Surfer(Yuri Lowenthal), Heralds of Galactus(Terrax(Kevin Grevioux),Stardust(Jason Spisak),Firelord(Travis Willingham), Air-Walker(Dee Bradley Baker) and Tyrant(Peter Cullen)), Punishers(Galactus' Robots) Additional Sub-Plots: Hawkeye speaks with  Iron Man about forming a new Avengers team on the West Coast. In the end, when Galactus is defeated, they decide to put those plans into initiation, wishing to expand the Avengers' influence. While the other Avengers are fighting Galactus, Wasp attempts to convince Silver Surfer to rebel against Galactus, arguing all beings deserve to live, even if they're intelligible. Elektra, Spider-Woman, Black Bolt and Angel are on the computer screen as Iron Man debriefs the Avengers on the failed Kree-Skrull invasion and the war with the Kree. The Shi'ar, Daimon Hellstrom and Starjammers are referenced in this episode. I would also revamp the Season 2 intro to fit the seasons's storyline: It starts out in space just when the Skrulls and Kree begin war on one another as Tony Stark watches on one of the computer screens in space. The computer screens include Bruce Banner emerging out of the ground as the Hulk and roaring, ready for battle, Captain America fighting in World War II and throwing his shield as the time era shifts to present day with him wearing his Ultimate Costume, reminiscent of a scene from Captain America: The First Avenger and Thor(in his Season 2 costume) fighting Frost Giants as he slams his hammer to the ground and teleports back to Earth as a callback to A Day Unlike Any Other. Then the scene shifts to Tony Stark once again watching the Avengers on the computer screens(this time showing Ms. Marvel, Vision, Falcon and Mockingbird) as he grabs the Mark IX armor in a suitcase and suits up referencing the scene  where Tony Stark dons the Mark V armor to fight Whiplash(Ivan Vanko). And then files into space with the Avengers in their space armors to stop the war. Scenes include Vision using his solar beam to destroy some Kree motherships and Falcon's projectile wings flying in the air until it destroys Sentries. The ending scene depicts all of the Avengers fighting the Skrulls and Kree side by side as Yellowjacket, Thor, Iron Man  and Falcon soar into the air.

[ifbrd]

Since the old villains in Word Up have been reformed, mind sharing what happened to them and how they turned their lives around? Do they play any part in Word Up?

Okay, so this time I was smart and decided to type this out in a word document!

Long post warning!

Before getting into each individual villain (or most villains, there’s just so dang many of them! I’m sure I’ll forget someone!) I want to talk about them as a whole.

All of them are reformed, and Tobey was basically the start of it all. He inspired several other villains, who inspired others, and over the years they all slowly gave up villain life. The last ones to quit (either BLHG and Invisi-Bill or Rhyme and Reason or both) did so after WordGirl retired from being a hero, because “everyone else did it and it’s not going to be any fun without WordGirl!”

After a few villains went good, Tobey and Dr. Two Brains co-founded the Anti-Villain Association (AVA), which was designed to be a place where villains, or even just minor criminals, who wanted to go good could go to discuss their struggles and experiences with switching sides (it’s kinda like a villain AA meeting). I don’t have many plans for each individual villain to play a major part in the story, again because there’s so many that would have been hard, but the AVA does play a part and so, by extension, the villains do play a bit of a role. However, I think most of this will go to Two Brains since he’s the co-founder and the other co-founder will be busy with all the other plans I have for him XD.

Many of their old weapons have been discarded, but also many of them are still around. For some, it’s to use in case of emergency (like a break-in), others have found other uses for their weapons (you better believe Chuck uses his condiment ray to make sandwiches!) others just couldn’t bear to destroy them (Tobey still has some surviving robots that were designed to crush the city, they’re happily living deep deep deep in the woods because Tobey didn’t feel right about destroying them for no reason), and some weapons are more difficult to destroy (like Mr. Big’s mind control, I’ll go into that a little more when I talk about him.)

Very few of them had kids, for a couple of reasons. 1. Many were too busy trying to turn their lives around to make a family life a priority 2. Many didn’t think they’d make good parents given their criminal history 3. There’s like 30 something villains and I wasn’t about to create children for each of them that’s just so many characters I would have had to make from scratch and I already had Theo, Julie, Emma, and Daisy, not to mention the new villains I had to make and I wanted everyone to have a little bit of depth so yeah… The ones who did have kids (and I might forget someone so sorry in advance if I did) are Tobey (obviously), Victoria, the unnamed henchman of Dr. Two Brains and The Butcher

Now let's get into them individually. Many of them I don’t have the story (at least not yet, if I get time I may start brainstorming that) of why they retired as villains, but for almost all of them I have ideas on what they’re up to now because I thought that was a little more important.

Dr. Two Brains- Was the second villain to retire. He saw Tobey doing such a great job and realized he missed that life for himself and said, “well if that little shit can do it, so can I!” He knew he could ignore the mouse brain’s evil desires, as long as he could fulfill its cheese desires, so his first step was to find a legal way to get a lot of cheese. So, he and his henchman started making cheese! And because Two Brains couldn’t wait, he decided to make a cheese aging ray. Suddenly he was able to produce quite a bit of cheese in record time. And actually, could make more than he could eat. He started selling his cheese and now is the main source of cheese in the city! The company slogan is “Evilly delicious!” And I was thinking about this today at work and realized he’s probably made a lot of money from this because with the aging process completely cut, he can probably charge less, but there’s something called “perceived value” where people think if something is super cheap then there must be something wrong with it, so you want to shoot a little higher when pricing products, so Two Brains probably has to have his cheese priced higher than he needs, so he probably has a pretty decent turn over rate! Anyway! As mentioned above, his unnamed henchman had a daughter, who Two Brains considers a granddaughter. She is aware of her interesting family’s criminal history and accepts it. She loves cheese but she’s not a fan of helping in the cheese-making process.

Chuck and the Butcher- (their stories are so linked it just made more sense to talk about them together) Were the third and fourth villains to go good and did so pretty much at the same time, for similar reasons, those reasons being “this isn’t fun anymore, I’m not getting anywhere with it, and look at what a great job Tobey and Two Brains are doing!” After retiring they partnered up and started a sandwich food truck, which today is a full-blown restaurant. Chuck does most of the sandwich making, but Butcher helps and he’s the meat supplier (guess where they get their cheese from!). I mentioned that the Butcher had a child. He has one son named Kale and a grandson named Baker. His son and grandson have powers like him, with Kale’s being vegetable related and Baker’s being bread-related (bread, not pastries! Important note! However, Baker does like to bake pastries, he’s about eight BTW). Kale and Butcher’s relationship will have a bit of focus in Word Up, and Kale will be a reoccurring character. Kale is very prideful and independent and will do just about anything for Baker. Kale is aware of his dad’s criminal past, Baker probably is aware too, but IDK maybe not. Chuck being close to the Butcher is naturally close with his family. Besides that, he still spends a lot of time with his mom and Brent, who he has a bit of a healthier relationship with now.

Granny May- The fifth villain to retire, and she basically just retired. She basically said “well I’m done! This is getting old and so am I!” She’s still alive, currently having the honor of being the oldest person in the city and is living in an assisted living facility. She’s pretty “together” mentally (how I describe residents at the assisted living facility I work at who haven’t been taken over by dementia yet). She uses a scooter now but carries a cane with her. Why? To whack people who need to have some sense knocked into them of course! Other AVA members are happy to pick her up for their weekly meetings and drive her back home, despite her claims that she could still drive fine “if they would let me!” (don’t let this woman go behind the wheel anymore, don’t listen to her!)

Mr. Big and Leslie- Mr. Big was inspired by the villains before him turning their lives around and claiming to be much happier. He tried this and struggled a lot. He eventually realized his issue was greed, it was too strong for him. So, he gave everything up, he gave his company to Leslie and basically became a minimalist hippie (again, my love for irony shines through!...also I thought the idea of Big being a hippie was HILARIOUS). Leslie has run the company ethically ever since. Today it’s essentially Amazon with morals. Mr. Big and Leslie are friends and talk all the time. Their mind control tech is still around, the reason I’ve decided is that some of the later tech was so powerful that destroying it might unintentionally send out a mind control signal. I’m open to better suggestions; I just need the mind control tech to still exist and be something someone could steal…hint hint….

Ms. Question- Eventually got a job as an interrogator for the police station! She’s the best interrogator there is! She doesn’t typically use her powers on people to get them to confess, usually, they just break from the mass amount of questions she asks, but in more extreme circumstances she is willing to use her powers.

Learnerer- Like Ms. Question, Learnerer found a better gig with the police force. He’s the city’s detective, and rocks at it with all his “learninging” skills. He looks for clues and learns how criminals commit crimes and uses that information to catch criminals in the act and stop them. He often works with Ms. Question.

Amazing Rope Guy- Actually got decent at rope tricks and is an entertainer now! I won’t say he’s incredible, but he’s alright! The other AVA members often hire him for entertainment events (he’s been to several of Theo’s birthday parties and Theo has politely asked his parents to not do that anymore, so now they’re gonna hire him for Julie’s parties) more to support him than because of his skills

Whammer- is a professional demolisher. You need an old building torn down? Call the Whammer! You need to gut the kitchen of a house you’re flipping? Call the Whammer! Need to clear an area of land for a project? Call the Whammer! Need snow off the street so people can get home? Call the Whammer. He loves his job

Lady Redundant Woman- She kept moving up in her job at the copy place, and eventually had learned to do every position there. With this knowledge and skills, she opened up her own copy place where she and her copies are the sole employees. Turns out your business can make a lot of money when you can have the exact right amount of employees at all times and don’t technically have to pay them because they’re technically you!

Hal Hardbargin- Sold his villain inventions and blueprints to the police station so they could have a better understanding of how certain villain gadgets work and therefore how to stop them. Also has made a few honest weapons for some heroes

Seymore- Hosts a self-made YouTube (or YouTube-like website) show called “Can You Spot the Scam?” where he helps innocent citizens learn how to spot scams

Big Left Hand Guy and Invisi-Bill-I never could think of what they’d be up to, so I decided they are still trying to figure out what they should do next. (because my favorite thing when I have a writing problem is to take advantage of it and turn it into a plot point! …something I did with a very important plot point in Word Up that will be revealed in Return to Fair City)

Rhyme and Reason- again I don’t have too much an idea of what they’re up too, but I like to think they are a QPR because I like platonic partnerships!

I talked about Victoria and Eileen here Thanks for the question! Feel free to ask more!

[weirdsciencecomics]

EMPYRE: X-MEN #1 & #2 (OF 4)

Issue #1 – JONATHAN HICKMAN & TINI HOWARD [W]

Issue #1 – MATTEO BUFFAGNI (A) Cover by MIKE MCKONE

Issue #2 – GERRY DUGGAN, BENJAMIN PERCY & LEAH WILLIAMS [W]

Issue #2 – LUCAS WERNECK (A)

ISSUE #1 – VARIANT COVER BY ESAD RIBIC

ISSUE #2 – VARIANT COVER BY TBA

Plant people from outer space have come to Earth and, wouldn’t you know it, they just happen to be here when millions of mutants rise as undead creatures hungry for human flesh. The X-Men return to Genosha in a tale so crazy, it’s taking the entire writing crew of the X-Men line to tackle it!

40 PGS. (EACH)/Rated T+ …$4.99 (EACH)

EMPYRE #3 (of 6)

AL EWING & DAN SLOTT [W] • VALERIO SCHITI (A) • Cover by JIM CHEUNG

AVENGERS VARIANT COVER BY ALEXANDER LOZANO

FANTASTIC FOUR VARIANT COVER BY MICHAEL CHO

KREE/SKRULL VARIANT COVER BY TONY DANIEL

VARIANT COVER BY ED MCGUINNESS

2-PACK ACTION FIGURE VARIANT COVER BY JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER

• The tag-team action comes home!

• Wakanda is the battleground – as the Avengers and the FF unite to prevent a Vibranium-powered threat to all life as we know it!

• A long-lost Avenger returns to active duty – but will that be enough to turn the tide?

• And in space, interstellar intrigue threatens the fragile Kree/Skrull alliance…and the repercussions might just doom planet Earth!

40 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99

EMPYRE: SAVAGE AVENGERS #1

GERRY DUGGAN [W] • GREG SMALLWOOD (A/C)

VARIANT COVER BY GERARDO SANDOVAL

In South America, Conan finds himself enslaved – which is typically bad news for those attempting to do the enslaving! But these enslavers come from beyond the stars, and they’ve got a singular and grisly end in store for the Cimmerian – one that only Venom can help him avoid!

40 PGS./ONE-SHOT/Rated T+ …$4.99

EMPYRE: CAPTAIN AMERICA #1 (OF 3)

PHILLIP KENNEDY JOHNSON [W] • ARIEL OLIVETTI (A) • COVER BY Mike Henderson

Variant by STEVE EPTING

The invasion has made landfall! Captain America stands on the front lines – but when the threat goes global even he won’t be enough to stem the tides! Will Captain America be able to find allies willing to fight alongside him – or will he fall in the face of this intergalactic incursion?

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

EMPYRE: STORMRANGER #1 (OF 3)

SALADIN AHMED [W] • Steven Cummings (A)

Cover by Federico Vicentini

VARIANT COVER BY Andrea Sorrentino

• The Kree nanosuit known as Stormranger was once bonded to Ms. Marvel…but after deciding Kamala’s version of justice wasn’t deadly enough, Stormranger rebelled against her.

• Now Stormranger is charting her own course – just in time for the united Kree/Skrull Empire to engulf Earth in a centuries-old conflict. Whose side is this ruthless space vigilante on, and how much havoc will she wreak before we find out?

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

EMPYRE: THOR #1 (OF 3)

RAM V. [W]• PASQUAL FERRY (A/C)

Variant cover by MEGHAN HETRICK

RESHAPING THE COSMOS!

The Earth is under attack — and for Thor, the fight is personal! Gaea, goddess of nature and Thor’s birth mother, has fallen ill…and it has something to do with the reason the Kree and Skrull are here! The journey to save her — and all Midgard — will expand the Asgardian pantheon in a whole new direction! Critically acclaimed writer Ram V. (These Savage Shores, Justice League Dark) and fan-favorite artist Pasqual Ferry take Thor to the ends of the Earth!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

EMPYRE: SQUADRON SUPREME #1 (OF 2)

MARK WAID [W] • Dio Neves (A) • Cover by PACO MEDINA

Variant by Carlos Pacheco

The invasion has begun! But the alien invaders soon encounter resistance in the form of the Squadron Supreme of America! As the two forces clash, only one thing is clear…the fight for America’s survival has begun!

32 pages/Rated T+ …$3.99

EMPYRE: THE INVASION OF WAKANDA #1 (OF 3)

Jim Zub [W]• LAN MEDINA (A) • COVER BY Dustin Weaver

VARIANT COVER BY DAVID NAKAYAMA

The heart of Wakanda — its mighty store of Vibranium — comes under threat as the villains of EMPYRE launch their invasion of Earth!

Black Panther’s Agents of Wakanda form the front line against the alien invasion, but the enemy’s powers are vast and unknown. With T’Challa off fighting alongside the Avengers, General Okoye is in charge — and even with the superhumans are her disposal, she may find herself outmatched.

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

EMPYRE: AVENGERS #2 (of 3)

Jim Zub [W] • Carlos Magno (A) • COVER BY PAUL RENAUD

VARIANT COVER BY TBA

Earth’s Mightiest Heroes fight an intergalactic foe on three fronts! In New York, a villain from the past has been super charged with alien energy. In Mexico, old hatreds turn allies into enemies. And in the Savage Land, the soul of the jungle has been stolen and Shanna the She-Devil’s life hangs in the balance. It’s mystery, magic and mayhem, in the Mighty Marvel Manner!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

EMPYRE: GHOST RIDER #1

ED BRISSON [W] • JEFTE PALO (A) • COVER BY AARON KUDER

VARIANT COVER BY JUAN FRIGERI

An intergalactic war comes crashing into a supernatural showdown between the Spirit of Corruption and the Spirit of Pollution! But who will be left standing?

40 PGS./ONE-SHOT/Rated T+ …$4.99

LORDS OF EMPYRE: CELESTIAL MESSIAH #1

ALEX PAKNADEL [W] • Alex Lins (A) • Cover by Rod Reis

VARIANT COVER BY Josh Cassara

The eve of Quoi’s ascension is at hand! But when the trials are interrupted by an unexpected interloper—Mantis—who will win this battle of wills?

Don’t miss out as mother and son go head-to-head, revealing secrets that will shape the course of the galaxy!

40 PGS./ONE-SHOT/Rated T+ …$4.99

EMPYRE: SPIDER–MAN #2 (of 3)

TARAN KILLAM [W] • DIEGO OLORTEGUI (A) • Cover by HUMBERTO RAMOS

VARIANT COVER BY Dale Keown

• The Kree and the Skrulls are here, and the world has been turned upside down.

• Spider-Man’s neighborhood is part of that world, and Spider-Man is in deep trouble fighting a villain who could ruin Peter and Mary Jane’s relationship forever.

32 pages/Rated T …$3.99

THE UNION #1 (OF 5)

PAUL GRIST [W] • Andrea Di Vito (A) • Cover by R.B. Silva

Variant Cover by Ema Lupacchino

DESIGN VARIANT COVER BY R.B. SILVA

VARIANT COVER BY TBA

EMPYRE VARIANT COVER BY TBA

The grand unveiling of The Union! A team of super heroes gathered from all over the United Kingdom, featuring Union Jack, Snakes, Kelpie, Choir, and their fearless leader, Brittania! But when disaster strikes on their first public debut, in the form of the invasion of Empyre, the fledgling team is immediately pushed to their limits! Don’t miss out on an exciting new chapter of Marvel from legendary creators, Paul Grist (JUDGE DREDD, JACK STAFF) and Andrea Di Vito!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

FANTASTIC FOUR #22

DAN SLOTT [W] • PACO MEDINA (A) • Cover by NICK BRADSHAW

EMPYRE VARIANT COVER BY JAY ANACLETO

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY INHYUK LEE

The return of the new Fantastic Four?!

• The events of EMPYRE threaten all life on Earth and the future balance of power throughout the cosmos!

• And the secret mission that the FF have placed into Valeria and Franklin’s hands requires some big-league help!

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

X–MEN #11

JONATHAN HICKMAN [W]• LEINIL FRANCIS YU (A/C)

EMPYRE VARIANT COVER BY TBA

DAYS OF FUTURE PAST VARIANT COVER BY JAVIER RODRIGUEZ

THE TREES ARE KILLING THE CHILDREN!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

CAPTAIN MARVEL #18

KELLY THOMPSON [W] • CORY SMITH (A)

Cover by JORGE MOLINA

Variant Cover by DAN MORA

CAPTAIN MARVEL IS THE SUPREME ACCUSER!

In the throes of war, Carol finds herself with a bold new role – and a brand-new weapon – the Universal Weapon, in fact. When a Kree soldier bombs a unified city of the Empire, Emperor Hulkling sends his new Accuser to bring down the swift and necessary hammer of justice. But what at first seems like a relatively simple directive will end up challenging Carol on a personal level she had never imagined.

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

CAPTAIN MARVEL #19

KELLY THOMPSON [W] • CORY SMITH (A)

Cover by JORGE MOLINA

Variant Cover by ARIEL OLIVETTI

THE ACCUSER GOES ROGUE!

Captain Marvel has stepped into the role of accuser in the newly unified Kree/Skrull Empire. But when she’s tasked to accuse a renegade soldier responsible for heinous crimes, she finds herself torn between two worlds. Don’t miss the revelation of the year – one that will not only change Carol’s whole world, but the shape of the galaxy!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

JUGGERNAUT #1 (OF 5)

FABIAN NICIEZA [W] • RON GARNEY (A) • Cover by GEOFF SHAW

VARIANT COVER BY NICK BRADSHAW

VARIANT COVER BY TBA

HIDDEN GEM VARIANT COVER BY Werner Roth

VARIANT COVER BY SKOTTIE YOUNG

BROWN & RED VARIANT COVER ALSO AVAILABLE

READY OR ‘NAUT, HERE HE COMES!

A mystic gem. A force of overwhelming power. Nothing can stop the Juggernaut. Except himself. Another building falls. Cain Marko is done letting others pick up the pieces of the things he’s destroyed. Renowned X-scribe Fabian Nicieza (X-FORCE, DEADPOOL) and celebrated artist Ron Garney (CAPTAIN AMERICA, DAREDEVIL) team up to take the unstoppable in a new bold new direction!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

X-MEN: GOD LOVES, MAN KILLS EXTENDED CUT #2 (OF 2)

Written by CHRIS CLAREMONT

Penciled by BRENT ANDERSON

Cover by PHIL NOTO

Variant cover by BRENT ANDERSON

The Uncanny X-Men. Magneto, master of magnetism. The bitterest of enemies for years. But now they must join forces against a new adversary who threatens not only mutantkind, but all of humanity beside it…in the name of God. The members of the Stryker Crusade are poised to cleanse the Earth, no matter how much blood stains their hands. Chris Claremont and Brent Anderson’s influential X-Men story is re-presented with all-new pages from the legendary creators themselves!

48 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99

X-MEN #12 FACSIMILE EDITION

Written by STAN LEE

Penciled by JACK KIRBY & ALEX TOTH

Cover by JACK KIRBY

The uncanny origin of Professor X…and the unstoppable menace of the Juggernaut! Cain Marko is one of the X-Men’s most formidable foes — and even, over the years, an occasional ally — but what is his connection to Charles Xavier? And what is the secret of his incredible power? The X-Mansion has some of the strongest fortifications and deadliest defenses around, but even they are barely slowing the Juggernaut down as he advances implacably towards his goal: revenge! As Professor X reveals his hidden past and his greatest shame, the teenage mutants known as the X-Men gird for battle…but can they find a way to stop the unstoppable? It’s one of the all-time great Marvel comic books, boldly re-presented in its original form, ads and all! Reprinting X-MEN (1963) #12.

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

GIANT-SIZE X-MEN: FANTOMEX #1

JONATHAN HICKMAN [W] • ROD REIS (A/C)

VARIANT COVER BY TBA

HICKMAN AND REIS TAKE ON THE WORLD!

The hit creative team of Jonathan Hickman & Rod Reis (NEW MUTANTS) turn their attention to the covert activities of the Weapon Plus program’s Weapon XIII! A bred killer who choses the life of a gentleman super-thief, Fantomex has always defied expectations… For example, who would expect him to break into the World, the artificial realm of his creation? And then again? And then… again?

40 PGS./ONE-SHOT/Parental Advisory …$4.99

CHILDREN OF THE ATOM #2

VITA AYALA [W] • BERNARD CHANG (A) • Cover by R.B. SILVA

VARIANT COVER BY MIKE HENDERSON

DAYS OF FUTURE PAST VARIANT COVER BY JAVIER RODRIGUEZ

BREAKOUT!

A local prison riot is quickly turning into an escape and the only ones who can stop them are a bunch of high schoolers?! The strangest teens of all are on the case! Guest-starring the Avengers!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

X-FACTOR #2

LEAH WILLIAMS [W] • DAVID BALDEÓN (A)

Cover by IVAN SHAVRIN

VARIANT COVER BY TBA

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY DAVID NAKAYAMA

DAYS OF FUTURE PAST VARIANT COVER BY JAVIER RODRIGUEZ

DANCE OF DEATH!

The team gets their first case — investigating the disappearance of a mutant dancer at a prestigious ballet academy…in the Mojoverse!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

HELLIONS #3

ZEB WELLS [W] • STEPHEN SEGOVIA (A/C)

DESIGN VARIANT COVER BY TOM MULLER

VARIANT COVER BY TBA

MAD AS HELL!

Krakoa’s resident rabble are up against the grand dame of the damned — the Goblin Queen, Madelyne Pryor! Talk about a return that could raise some havoc!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

WOLVERINE #4

BENJAMIN PERCY [W] • VIKTOR BOGDANOVIC (A) • Cover by ADAM KUBERT

VARIANT COVER BY PATRICK GLEASON

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY TBA

DAYS OF FUTURE PAST VARIANT COVER BY JAVIER RODRIGUEZ

THE RED TAVERN!

After getting dressed down by the Quiet Council for rogue activity, Wolverine escapes through his own secret gate to the Red Tavern, a snowbound, backwoods watering hole where he only wants to guzzle whiskey in peace. But Logan soon discovers that peace isn’t possible as a twist-and-turn murder mystery unfolds — and at the heart of it all is an enemy from the past.

32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99

NEW MUTANTS #11

ED BRISSON [W] • FLAVIANO (A) • Cover by MIKE DEL MUNDO

DAYS OF FUTURE PAST VARIANT COVER BY JAVIER RODRIGUEZ

Helping young mutants in crisis ain’t all sunshine and rainbows — and recently, it’s been downright nightmarish. But maybe the NEW MUTANTS’ luck is changing…

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

CABLE #3

GERRY DUGGAN [W] • PHIL NOTO (A/C)

DESIGN VARIANT COVER BY TOM MULLER

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY GIUSEPPE CAMUNCOLI

DAYS OF FUTURE PAST VARIANT COVER BY JAVIER RODRIGUEZ

REUNITED FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME!

Deadpool considers Cable one of his oldest and best friends. Cable hasn’t met Deadpool, yet. He’s in for a treat.

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

EXCALIBUR #11

TINI HOWARD [W] • MARCUS TO (A) • Cover by MAHMUD ASRAR

BLOOD OF THE CHANGELING!

The Citadel has committed an act of war and Excalibur must respond. While they lick their wounds deep in Otherworld, Apocalypse takes steps toward his ultimate goal.

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

MARAUDERS #11

Gerry Duggan [W] • Stefano CASELLI (A) • Cover by RUSSELL DAUTERMAN

THE QUEEN IS DEAD!

The Marauders…the Hellfire Trading Company…all of Krakoa is reeling from the death of Kate Pryde.

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

X–FORCE #11

BENJAMIN PERCY [W] • JOSHUA CASSARA (A) • Cover by Dustin weaver

RED DAWN!

After taking on the Flower Cartel, Logan has brought back valuable intel to the mutant CIA. The non-treaty nation of Russia is working to undermine Krakoa — and may be aligned with Xeno. Beast wants Colossus on their side as the first drumbeats of war begin to sound.

32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99

BLACK WIDOW #2

KELLY THOMPSON [W] • ELENA CASAGRANDE (A)

Cover by ADAM HUGHES

Variant Cover by TAKASHI OKAZAKI

VARIANT COVER BY MATTIA DE IULUS

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY OLIVIER VATINE

GAME VARIANT COVER ALSO AVAILABLE

WIDOW NO MORE?

Something is very wrong with Natasha Romanoff: she’s…happy?! Retirement definitely agrees with the world’s deadliest woman as she revels in the perfect life she never even dreamed she could have. But scratch the surface of that perfect life and you’ll find something very wrong…and a woman like Nat just can’t help but scratch.

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

TASKMASTER #2 (OF 5)

JED MACKAY [W] • ALESSANDRO VITTI (A) • Cover by VALERIO GIANGIORDANO

Variant Cover by SALVADOR LARROCA

TARGET: COULSON!

Taskmaster heads to DC for his first victim, Phil Coulson! But Coulson isn’t alone, he’s got an entire squadron on speed dial…

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

CHAMPIONS #2

EVE L. EWING [W] • SIMONE DI MEO (A)

Cover by TONI INFANTE

VARIANT COVER BY MEGHAN HETRICK

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY JAVIER GARRÓN

• When clashing protests over the teen vigilante ban break out across Chicago, the Champions risk their freedom to protect the young protestors from overzealous C.R.A.D.L.E. agents — but Chicago’s own hometown hero, Ironheart, is nowhere to be seen.

• Where is Riri Williams? Why has she abandoned the Champions? And could it have anything to do with the mole in their ranks…?

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

MAGNIFICENT MS. MARVEL #15

SALADIN AHMED [W]• MINKYU JUNG (A) Cover by EDUARD PETROVICH

• The anti-teen-hero task force, C.R.A.D.L.E., is scouring Jersey City to apprehend its young protector, Ms. Marvel.

• But C.R.A.D.L.E. isn’t the only problem on Kamala’s plate – several of her family members support the new law, and if they discover her secret identity, it’s game over for Ms. Marvel.

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

GHOST-SPIDER #10

SEANAN MCGUIRE [W]   IG GUARA (A)  Cover by TAKESHI MIYAZAWA

Gwen Stacy has served hard time in prison on Earth-65 for her dalliances as the super hero known as GHOST-SPIDER… Will EARTH-616 be next?!

And just what exactly is the Maker up to on Earth-65? And what part does GWENOM play in his schemes?

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

NEW WARRIORS #2 (OF 5)

DANIEL KIBBLESMITH [W] • Luciano Vecchio (A)

COVER BY R.B. SILVA

VARIANT COVER BY TRADD MOORE

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY TBA

FLASHBACK FOES-DAY!

The NEW New Warriors are trapped with the Original Warriors’ first and fiercest foes…PSIONEX! Or are they? Night Thrasher and the OG crew have to save the new kids from certain doom, but another enemy is lurking in the shadows. PLUS: How’d Night Thrasher get the band back together anyhow? From the depths of the ocean to the far reaches of space to the Darkforce dimension itself — find out in the latest extreme installment of NEW WARRIORS!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

MILES MORALES: SPIDER–MAN #18

SALADIN AHMED [W] • CARMEN CARNERO (A)

COVER BY JAVIER GARRÓN

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY LEE GARBETT

BABY MORALES VARIANT COVER BY RAHZZAH

• Ganke. Barbara. Judge. Lana. Mr. Sumida. Rio. Jeff.

• Miles knows he has to help people as Spider-Man, so he’s ready to live as an outlaw.

• But is he ready to do it without the support of someone he loves? Who’s with Miles, who’s against him, and who’s side are YOU on?

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

POWER PACK #2 (OF 5)

RYAN NORTH [W] • NICO LEON (A) • Cover by STEFANO CASELLI

Variant cover by DAVID LOPEZ

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY GURIHIRU

THE PACK IN PRISON?!

• Okay, so MAYBE it’s illegal for minors to fight crime in costume, dispensing vigilante justice as they see fit. MAYBE.

• But not if they have a mentor! Then it’s totally fine! So now all the Pack need is an adult willing to let them do whatever they want.

• It’s a voyage (or at least a two-page spread) across the Marvel Universe to find a mentor!

• But what if everything doesn’t go smoothly? What if there’s CONFLICT and EVENTS?

• The Power Pack faces adversity, betrayal and more in this Alex-narrated issue!

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

STRANGE ACADEMY #3

SKOTTIE YOUNG [W] • HUMBERTO RAMOS (A/C)

CHARACTER SPOTLIGHT VARIANT COVER BY TBA

VARIANT COVER BY RYAN OTTLEY

DOYLE DORMAMMU, HEAD OF THE CLASS?

• Anyone who has been to New Orleans knows that it’s a magical place, but the students of STRANGE ACADEMY are about to see it firsthand.

• Their first field trip as a class shows them a city (and the stakes of what they’re living) in ways that light a fuse that is going to blow up in a big way.

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

MARVEL ZOMBIES: RESURRECTION #2, #3 & #4 (OF 4)

PHILLIP KENNEDY JOHNSON [W]• LEONARD KIRK (A) CoverS by INHYUK LEE

ISSUE #2 – VARIANT COVER BY GREG LAND

ISSUE #2 – VARIANT COVER BY DAMION SCOTT

ISSUE #2 – VIRGIN VARIANT COVER BY INHYUK LEE

ISSUE #3 – VARIANT COVER BY PHILIP TAN

ISSUE #3 – VARIANT COVER BY Leinil Francis Yu

ISSUE #3 – VIRGIN VARIANT COVER BY INHYUK LEE

ISSUE #4 – VARIANT COVER BY SKAN

ISSUE #4 – VARIANT COVER BY RICARDO LOPEZ ORTIZ

ISSUE #4 – VIRGIN VARIANT COVER BY INHYUK LEE

THE HUNGER GROWS…

The world is overrun with the flesh-eating monsters that used to be the heroes who kept it safe. Spider-Man made a promise to keep people safe, and he’s not going to quit, even in the literal jaws of death…

32 PGS. (each)./Parental Advisory …$3.99 (each)

PUNISHER VS. BARRACUDA #2 (OF 5)

ED BRISSON [W] • DECLAN SHALVEY (A)

Cover by RYAN STEGMAN

Variant Cover by DECLAN SHALVEY

VARIANT COVER BY JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER

OOOH, BARRACUDA!

• On the run and out for vengeance, Barracuda finds new henchmen: the white supremacists who tried to kill him. That should go well.

• Punisher is on Barracuda’s trail of carnage, leaving a few bodies of his own in his wake.

• With the Miami mafia looking to kill them both, the bullets are flying fast and furious!

32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99

WEREWOLF BY NIGHT #2 (OF 4)

TABOO & BENJAMIN JACKENDOFF [W] • SCOT EATON (A)

Cover by Mike McKone

VARIANT COVER BY GERARDO ZAFFINO

NIGHT OF THE CREEPS!

• Jake’s attempt to get to the bottom of his company’s questionable practices leads to an all-out monster brawl!

• As Werewolf by Night gets in over his head, Red Wolf and the law are getting closer!

• With Jake’s entire life in chaos, the only way out may be to fully embrace the secret history of the Werewolf by Night!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

THE MARVELS #1

KURT BUSIEK [W] • YILDIRAY CINAR (A) • Cover by ALEX ROSS

Variant cover by CARLOS PACHECO

Variant cover by STEVE EPTING

VARIANT COVER BY BILL SIENKIEWICZ

ALL-NEW, ONGOING SERIES!

Kurt Busiek (MARVELS, Astro City) is back, with the biggest, wildest, most sprawling series ever to hit the Marvel Universe, telling stories that span the decades and range from cosmic adventure to intense human drama, from the street-level to the cosmic, starring literally anyone from Marvel’s very first heroes to the superstars of tomorrow. This first issue includes an invasion from orbit, a picnic in Prospect Park, super hero sightseeing in Manhattan, the All-Winners Squad in 1947, Reed Richards during his time in military intelligence, cosmic beings beyond space and time— and that’s only for starters. Featuring Captain America, Spider-Man, the Punisher, the Human Torch, Storm, the Black Cat, the Golden Age Vision, Aero, Iron Man and Thor, and introducing two brand-new characters, all beautifully drawn by Yildiray Cinar (X-MEN, Legion of Super-Heroes, IRON MAN) in the opening act of a thriller that’ll take us across the Marvel Universe…and beyond. Plus: Who (or what) is KSHOOM? It all starts here. And it goes…everywhere.

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

MARVELS X #5 (of 6)

ALEX ROSS & JIM KRUEGER [W] • WELL–BEE (A) • Cover by ALEX ROSS

Variant Cover by WELL–BEE

Finding a cure for whatever it is that turned all of humanity into monsters proves almost impossible for even Reed Richards, Bruce Banner, Tony Stark and the greatest minds in the Marvel Universe. The fact that no one wants to be cured leads to a revolt against the heroes themselves. Alex Ross, Jim Krueger and Well-Bee continue their invincible prequel to the EARTH X trilogy.

40 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99

MARVEL #3 (of 6)

ALEX ROSS, STEVE DARNALL, ALAN WEISS, BILL SIENKIEWICZ, SCOTT GUSTAFSON, RYAN HESHKA [W]

ALEX ROSS, ALAN WEISS, BILL SIENKIEWICZ, SCOTT GUSTAFSON, RYAN HESHKA (A)

Cover by ALEX ROSS

VARIANT COVER BY TBA

A quartet of visions of life throughout the Marvel Universe, curated by Alex Ross! Alan Weiss presents a lost tale of Namor the Sub-Mariner! The techno-organic Warlock lives again in a story by Bill Sienkiewicz! Scott Gustafson presents a look into the life of Rocket Raccoon! And the Golden Age Black Widow chooses a mate in a story by Ryan Heshka! All wrapped in an epic ongoing adventure by Alex Ross and Steve Darnall!

40 PGS./Rated T …$4.99

AVENGERS: MARVELS SNAPSHOT #1

BARBARA RANDALL KESEL with KURT BUSIEK [W]• STAZ JOHNSON (A) • Cover by ALEX ROSS

VARIANT COVER BY Staz Johnson

HIDDEN GEM VARIANT COVER BY GEORGE PEREZ

The Marvel Snapshot tour through Marvel history takes a romantic — and destructive — turn during the Michelinie/Byrne/Pérez Avengers era! Take one rookie cop, add one new-to-the-city emergency medical technician, and make their meet-cute a devastating battle between the Avengers and a giant, rampaging robot! What comes next? Only Barbara Randall Kesel (Hawk & Dove, Ultragirl) and Staz Johnson (New X-Men, Robin) can tell you. Featuring Iron Man, the Beast, Wonder Man, Count Nefaria and more.

40 PGS./One–Shot/Rated T+ …$4.99

SPIDER-MAN: MARVELS SNAPSHOT #1

HOWARD CHAYKIN with KURT BUSIEK [W] • HOWARD CHAYKIN (A) • Cover by ALEX ROSS

VARIANT COVER BY Howard Chaykin

HIDDEN GEM VARIANT COVER BY LARRY LIEBER

Let’s say you’re a lowlife criminal in Manhattan, just trying to get by in a world that’s recently gotten full of spider-men, daredevils, power men and more, and you just want to make a decent illegal living. Plenty of henchman work available, if you don’t mind ending up in traction. And oh yeah, there’s a brewing super villain gang war building. What do you do? Keep your head low or go for the big win? Superstar storyteller Howard Chaykin (American Flagg, Wolverine) takes you through Marvel’s mean streets. Just watch out for Spider-Man, Cloak & Dagger and more.

40 PGS./One–Shot/Rated T+ …$4.99

2020 iWolverine #1 (OF 2)

LARRY HAMA [W]  ROLAND BOSCHI (A)  Cover by Juan JOSÉ Ryp

Variant cover by Mike Henderson

• In the wake of Arno Stark’s crusade against A.I.s, no robot is safe.

• Fearing of Elsie Dee’s safety in these tumultuous times, Albert, the robot Wolverine, goes to Madripoor to find her…

• …but what he finds is a fight against Madripoor’s criminal underbelly instead!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

2020 IRONHEART #2 (of 2)

Vita Ayala & Danny Lore [W]  David Messina (A)  Cover by WOO-CHUL LEE

Variant Cover by SKAN

• It’s Riri Williams vs. Ironheart as Riri’s trusty A.I. companion seizes control of her armor!

• Can Riri get through to N.A.T.A.L.I.E. in time to stop her from making a terrible mistake? Or is Riri about to lose one of her only friends?

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

IRON MAN 2020 #5 (OF 6)

DAN SLOTT & CHRISTOS GAGE [W] • PETE WOODS (A)

5th Color Fluorescent Ink Cover by PETE WOODS

VARIANT COVER BY MICO SUAYAN

Connecting Variant Cover by SIMONE BIANCHI

Variant Cover by RON LIM

Heads Variant Cover by SUPERLOG

Tony Stark is back! But is this the REAL Tony? How is that possible?! Where did that all-new armor come from?! WHAT’S GOING ON?!

There’s no time to explain, human. Just know this: It’s STARK VS. STARK ROUND 2, as Tony takes on Arno…in SPACE!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99

SPIDER-MAN NOIR #3 (of 5)

MARGARET STOHL [W] • JUAN FERREYRA (A) • Cover by DAVE RAPOZA

VARIANT COVER BY PATRICK O’KEEFE

THE ADVENTURE CONTINUES!

• A murder investigation may have led Spider-Man a thousand miles from home, but DANGER is close behind!

• And as the specter of war looms in Europe, a dangerous operative shrouded in mystery has designs of his own, with ELECTRO leading the charge!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

SPIDER-WOMAN #3

KARLA PACHECO [W] • PERE PéREZ (A)

Cover by JUNGGEUN YOON

VILLAIN Variant Cover by DAVID NAKAYAMA

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY KRIS ANKA

DINO-MIGHT!

• With another all-out attack on her client, Spider-Woman is really beginning to regret taking this gig.

• As the tables turn yet again, a quick escape leads to the last place on Earth Jess wants to be.

• The shocking return of someone from Jess’s past ups the ante and throws Spider-Woman’s life into chaos!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #45

NICK SPENCER [W] • Mark Bagley (A)

Cover by JOSEMARIA CASANOVAS

Variant Cover by MARK BAGLEY

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY DOALY

“SINS RISING” PART 1!

• SIN-EATER is back and New York City is in TROUBLE.

• Who will the shotgun-toting villain target, and can Spider-Man stand a chance against him?

40 PGS./Rated T …$4.99

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #46

NICK SPENCER [W]• Marcelo Ferreira (A)

Cover by JOSEMARIA CASANOVAS

Variant Cover by MARK BAGLEY

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY MIRKA ANDOLFO

“SINS RISING” PART 2!

• The Lethal Legion returns to threaten the Big Apple , and only the Sin Eater can save us?

• How can Spider-Man stop the murderous vigilante and… should he?

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

AMAZING MARY JANE #8

Leah Williams [W] • CARLOS GÓMEZ (A) • COVER BY PAULO SIQUEIRA

THE REDHEAD WITH NO NAME!

• Mary Jane’s homecoming is cut short when she’s the sole witness to a crime, and the suspect is known for eliminating witnesses!

• It’s up to MJ to bring this killer to justice, but she’s got to stay alive long enough to do it!

• She’s headed someplace where no one knows her face or name. She’ll have to watch her own back when trouble comes calling…

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

GWEN STACY #4 (of 5)

CHRISTOS GAGE [W] • TODD NAUCK (A) • Cover by MIGUEL MERCADO

VARIANT COVER BY PEACH MOMOKO

• It’s Friday Night Lights time as Standard High takes on Flash Thompson and the Midtown Tigers!

• Gwen is there to cheer on her boyfriend against Flash, but no one was expecting the Green Goblin to crash the event. And Spider-Man is nowhere to be seen.

• It’s down to the strangest super heroes of all to save Gwen and friends!

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

RAVENCROFT #5 (OF 5)

FRANK TIERI [W] • ANGEL UNZUETA (A)

Cover by KYLE HOTZ

VARIANT COVER BY ANGEL UNZUETA

• It was bound to happen — the gates are off the hinges as everything bursts to the surface!

• What lies in store for the future of Ravencroft?

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN: THE DAILY BUGLE #5 (OF 5)

MAT JOHNSON [W] • MACK CHATER (A)

COVER BY NIKO HENRICHON

• Dateline: May 2020. There’s no other way to say it: Chloe Robertson and Ben Urich have been investigating Spider-Man as a possible suspect in multiple murders.

• But as they finally get to the bottom of a tangle of impostors and dead leads, they’ll find themselves back at the top.

• Does any man become a leader – of a business empire, of a newspaper – with clean hands?

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

VENOM #26

DONNY CATES [W] • IBAN COELLO (A) • Cover by RYAN STEGMAN

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY TBA

“VENOM BEYOND” BEGINS HERE!

If you thought VENOM ISLAND was insane comic book action of the highest order, then shut your yapper and face front, True Believer, because we’re about to outdo ourselves!

For months, the Maker has been fascinated with symbiotes. IN THIS ISSUE we find out why – and what he intends to do with any he can get his hands on…

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #101 FACSIMILE EDITION

Written by ROY THOMAS • Penciled by GIL KANE

Cover by GIL KANE

The dramatic debut of Morbius the Living Vampire! Dr. Michael Morbius has a lust for blood, and he’s out to sink his fangs into Spider-Man! But the wallcrawler is even more spiderlike than usual — because, in an effort to “cure” himself of his spider-powers, he’s ended up with four extra limbs! Peter must seek out Curt Connors, the Lizard, to return himself to normal — but little does Spidey know that he’s on a collision course with Morbius that will put him in the crosshairs of not one, but two monsters! Witness the beginning of a rivalry for the ages between webslinger and bloodsucker, in the issue that began the tragic tale of the misunderstood Michael Morbius! It’s one of the all-time great Marvel comic books, boldly re-presented in its original form, ads and all! Reprinting AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (1963) #101.

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

MORBIUS #7

Vita Ayala [W]• Marcelo Ferreira (A) • Cover by SKAN

• Morbius is on the trail of mayhem…but a certain vampire hunter seems to be following the same clues.

• What happens when BLADE comes face-to-face with the monster that is MORBIUS?

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

MARVEL’S SPIDER-MAN: THE BLACK CAT STRIKES #5 (OF 5)

DENNIS “HOPELESS” HALLUM [W] • LUCA MARESCA (A) • Cover by SANA TAKEDA

VARIANT COVER BY INHYUK LEE

BLACK CAT’S FINAL REVENGE!

• The truth behind the BLACK CAT’S plan leads to one last ditch effort against HAMMERHEAD!

• But will SPIDER-MAN stand triumphant…or act as a pawn in the greater scheme?

• MARY JANE and PETER find a resolution as we march toward the next act of the GAMERVERSE saga!

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

BLACK CAT #12

JED MACKAY [W]• Carlos Villa (A) • Cover by J. SCOTT CAMPBELL

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY BENGAL

• Well, she did it this time. Black Cat stole an Iron Man armor from Iron Man, and he is NOT pleased.

• So she is on the run (fly, really) from Iron Man through Manhattan but also still on the run from the Thieves Guild. So it’s tough being Felicia Hardy right now.

• And it’s possible the armor wasn’t what she was stealing from Iron Man. Uh-oh.

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

SCREAM: CURSE OF CARNAGE #7

CLAY MCLEOD CHAPMAN [W] • GARRY BROWN (A) • COVER BY GERARDO SANDOVAL

VARIANT COVER BY TBA

ENTER: DEMAGOBLIN !

Something wicked this way comes as SCREAM discovers that the city’s homeless children are being kidnapped.

But things take a violent and unexpected turn when people start turning up gruesomely murdered, and all signs point to DEMAGOBLIN as the culprit. Meanwhile, the dragnet is closing around Andi Benton, as the police get ever closer to learning the truth about her symbiotic second life…

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

THOR #6

DONNY CATES [W]• NIC KLEIN (A) • Cover by OLIVIER COIPEL

Variant Cover by GABRIELE DELL’OTTO

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY SKAN

SPOILER VARIANT COVER BY STEVE SKROCE

THE DEATH OF KING THOR!

The Black Winter has the power to reveal the means of any person’s demise — and if the vision is true, Asgard is going to need a new Odinson to take the throne! But Thor is no mere herald or king — and even the death of all existence should fear his coming wrath.

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

SAVAGE AVENGERS #13

GERRY DUGGAN [W]• Patch Zircher (A) • Cover by VALERIO GIANGIORDANO

The Savage Avengers assemble! Wolverine, Conan, Dr. Strange, Elektra, Black Widow, Hellstrom, Voodoo, Magik…and more. The heroes draw up a battle plan against Kulan Gath, and you’ll be thrilled as Conan wields a most unexpected weapon in the fight against darkness.

32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99

GHOST RIDER #8

ED BRISSON [W] • JUAN FRIGERI (A) COVER BY AARON KUDER

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY DECLAN SHALVEY

ENTER THE CITY OF THE DAMNED!

In a place beyond good and evil, Ghost Rider and Mephisto find a secret society of supernatural beings–and they aren’t fond of visitors!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

MARVEL TALES: HELLSTROM #1

GARY FRIEDRICH, JOHN WARNER & WARREN ELLIS [W]

TOM SUTTON, JIM MOONEY

& LEONARDO MANCO (A)

Cover by INHYUK LEE

VIRGIN VARIANT Cover by INHYUK LEE

Daimon Hellstrom, the Son of Satan himself, demonstrates his devilish charm as we celebrate the legacy of the House of Ideas with the era-spanning MARVEL TALES! This anthology series shines a spotlight on fan-favorite characters, features timeless stories and highlights some of our most impressive talent from the past eight decades. First, Daimon makes his scene-stealing debut as an exorcist in GHOST RIDER (1973) #1! Then he claims a series of his own with SON OF SATAN #1 — and steps through a portal to hell for an unhappy family reunion with his diabolical father! And, in HELLSTROM: PRINCE OF LIES #12, Daimon digs into the darkest and most disturbing corners of the Marvel Universe, courtesy of one hell of a creative team — Warren Ellis and Leonardo Manco!

88 PGS./ONE-SHOT/Rated T+ …$7.99

WEREWOLF BY NIGHT #32 FACSIMILE EDITION

Written by DOUG MOENCH

Penciled by DON PERLIN

Cover by GIL KANE

Moon Knight makes his unforgettable first appearance — stalking Jack Russell, the Werewolf by Night! Clad from head to toe in silver and wielding crescent-shaped blades, the soldier of fortune named Marc Spector is a lycanthrope’s worst nightmare. But why is he after this particular prey — and can Jack possibly survive their first savage battle? Moon Knight, earthly avatar of the Egyptian god Khonshu, went on to become a fan-favorite character and a man of many talents — mercenary, millionaire, vigilante, Avenger, even cab driver — but wide-eyed fans first got to meet him as a werewolf hunter in this classic tale! It’s one of the all-time great Marvel comic books, boldly re-presented in its original form, ads and all! Reprinting WEREWOLF BY NIGHT (1972) #32.

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

AVENGERS #34

JASON AARON [W] • JAVIER GARRÓN (A) • Cover by MATTEO SCALERA

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY TBA

THE AGE OF KHONSHU!

An empowered, godlike Moon Knight has just saved the world from fiery ruin. Now an army of mummies and moon priests begins to reshape the world in the image of ancient Egypt. But where does that leave the Avengers? Broken, imprisoned, or on the run in the moonlit streets of New Thebes City.

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

IMMORTAL HULK #35

AL EWING [W] • MIKE HAWTHORNE (A) • Cover by ALEX ROSS

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY TBA

• The war with the Minotaur is over — and a grateful humanity knows who saved them all.

• Can Shadow Base come out of the shadows? Can the world believe in Bruce Banner?

• Can there be a happy ending… for the IMMORTAL HULK?

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

IMMORTAL HULK #36

AL EWING [W]• JOE BENNETT (A) • Cover by ALEX ROSS

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY TBA

• NO HAPPY ENDINGS.

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

CAPTAIN AMERICA #22

TA-NEHISI COATES [W] • BOB QUINN (A) • Cover by ALEX ROSS

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY PATCH ZIRCHER

”All Die Young” continues! For Peggy Carter to live again, must Sharon Carter pay the price?

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

DR. STRANGE #6

MARK WAID [W] • KEV WALKER (A) • Cover by PHIL NOTO

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY DAVE JOHNSON

• Doctor Strange is hot on the trail of the magical thief infiltrating the Sanctum Machina!

• But as his investigation leads him deeper into a magical black arms-dealing market, the danger of being discovered mounts higher and higher…

• …and what he discovers will leave him reeling!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

HAWKEYE: FREEFALL #6

MATTHEW ROSENBERG [W] OTTO SCHMIDT (A) Cover by KIM JACINTO

• Bullseye wants to hurt Clint in any way he can, so he’s playing dress-up and taking the archer’s (not-so) good name on a deadly tour of New York.

• Meanwhile, the Hood has had enough of Clint’s games and decides to put an end to them once and for all. He puts a price on Clint’s head so high that every villain, merc and thug in the city is going to line up to take a shot.

• With everything falling apart, Clint will be forced to make some choices he can’t take back. Will he find a way to get through this with clean hands, or will he be forced to return to his criminal ways?

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

FALCON & WINTER SOLDIER #4 (of 5)

DEREK LANDY [W] FEDERICO VINCENTINI (A) Cover by DAN MORA

VARIANT COVER BY Takashi Okazaki

With the Natural by their side, Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes travel to confront the woman who is scheming to become the new Hydra Supreme. Nothing seems to go right for our boys, however, as the plane they’re about to jump out of is beset by a swarm of Hydra agents.

On jetpacks.

Shooting laser beams.

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

BLACK PANTHER #24

TA-NEHISI COATES [W] • DANIEL ACUÑA (A/C)

VARIANT COVER BY JOE QUINONES

THE INTERGALACTIC EMPIRE OF WAKANDA – “WAKANDA UNBOUND” Part 6

The Intergalactic Empire has suffered thousands of losses – and still they’re coming for Earth. Wakanda Prime is in more danger than ever as Emperor N’Jadaka – A.K.A. the resurrected Killmonger, one of the Black Panther’s deadliest enemies — returns to face the king who unintentionally brought him to power.

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

NEBULA #4 (OF 5)

VITA AYALA [W] • CLAIRE ROE (A) Cover by JEN BARTEL

Variant by Alex Garner

• Thrown into a gladiatorial arena, Nebula must fight for her life!

• And as Nebula’s memories of her childhood begin returning to her…she may not like what she finds…

• Plus, the very first meeting between Nebula and Thanos revealed!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

ATLANTIS ATTACKS #5 (of 5)

GREG PAK [W] • ARIO ANINDITO (A)

COVER BY ARIO ANINDITO

Variant by CARLO PAGULAYAN

TRAGEDY AND TRIUMPH!

• As the clash between the ATLANTEANS, the SIRENAS and the interdimensional PAN reaches its terrible climax, an empire will triumph and an empire will fall!

• But you might be shocked to find out which of our heroes and villains ends up where! Will AMADEUS step up to JIMMY WOO’S challenge and lead both AGENTS OF ATLAS teams toward power and glory in this new world? Or will the dream of communities united in the PORTAL CITY OF PAN all come crashing down?

• Who will wear the crown? Whose word and heart will break? The fate of Atlas and the world hangs in the balance!

32 PGS./Rated T+…$3.99

DOCTOR DOOM #8

CHRISTOPHER CANTWELL [W] • SALVADOR LARROCA (A/C)

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY RYAN BROWN

After regaining his throne, Doctor Doom presses his advantage and invades Symkaria with the intent to conquer and annex the entire nation. And with the Ultimate Nullifier in hand, he’s able to keep the entire world at bay while he declares total war on the country that tried to overthrow him. Once the dust settles, he realizes he’s humanity’s last hope for preventing an unstable black hole from annihilating all of Earth…

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

AVENGERS OF THE WASTELANDS #5 (of 5)

ED BRISSON [W] • JONAS SCHARF (A)

Cover by JUAN JOSé RYP

Variant Cover by Todd Nauck

THE FINAL SHOWDOWN ON DOOM’S DOORSTEP!

• The so-called AVENGERS make their stand.

• The scheme of DR. DOOM is revealed.

• The final betrayal.

• The fate of the Wastelands is determined here!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

RUNAWAYS #33

RAINBOW ROWELL [W] NATACHA BUSTOS (A) Cover by KRIS ANKA

• The Runaways descend into one of the most terrifying Marvel Universe locations ever: HIGH SCHOOL!

• It goes better for some than others.

• For those who don’t think high school is an authentic Marvel Universe location, you WILL agree that who shows up at the end is a VERY authentic Marvel guest star!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #5

AL EWING [W] • Juann Cabal (A) • Cover by IVAN SHAVRIN

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY ALEX GARNER

• Moondragon is a hero. With her wife at her side, she came to our reality from a dimension of heroes – to save us all from evil.

• But our reality already had a Moondragon, and she can’t be a hero all the time. The DRAGON OF THE MOON has returned…

• …and it won’t leave until it’s fed on a soul.

• Didn’t we say it could always get worse?

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

STRIKEFORCE #9

TINI HOWARD [W] • GERMÁN PERALTA (A)

COVER BY JUAN JOSÉ RYP

BATTLE ROYALE ON MONSTER ISLE!

It’s a death match of no-holds-barred sports entertainment — at the center of King Deadpool’s Monster Island! Strikeforce finds themselves divided between their mission to contain the dangerous Vridai and the sweet, sweet taste of competitive victory. Can this team of misfits stay together long enough to complete their mission?

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

ANT-MAN #5 (OF 5)

ZEB WELLS [W] • DYLAN BURNETT (A)

Cover by EDUARD PETROVICH

• Macrothrax marches on the mainland!

• Ant-Man and Stinger make their stand as the continent’s first and last line of defense!

• Don’t miss out as this heroic father-daughter duo face extermination in this explosive series finale!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

STAR #5 (of 5)

KELLY THOMPSON [W] • JAVIER PINA & FILIPE ANDRADE (A)

Cover by CARMEN CARNERO

Variant Cover by PHIL NOTO

FORESHADOW Variant Cover by KRIS ANKA

THE BLACK ORDER MAKES THEIR MOVE!

The former generals of Thanos have come for the reality stone. But thanks to everything Star has been through, she’s learned a lot about the power bonded to her. The Black Order expects to find a novice but instead will find a dragon. And no matter who wins this fight, one thing is for sure: The Marvel Universe is about to be a much more dangerous place…for everyone.

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

DAREDEVIL ANNUAL #1

CHIP ZDARSKY [W] • CHRIS SPROUSE (A) • Cover by CHIP ZDARSKY

VARIANT COVER BY DECLAN SHALVEY

ONE MORE DAY!

40 PGS./ONE-SHOT/Rated T+ …$4.99

DAREDEVIL #21

CHIP ZDARSKY [W]• MARCO CHECCHETTO (A/C)

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY TBA

BACK IN RED! ”TRUTH/DARE” STARTS HERE!

THE BATTLE MAY BE OVER, but the WAR is far from finished! After the shocking events of DAREDEVIL #20, CHIP ZDARSKY reunites with MARCO CHECCHETTO to begin the next chapter of their definitive DAREDEVIL saga: HELL AND BACK.

For weeks, Hell’s Kitchen has been a lawless neighborhood thanks to the Stromwyn siblings, but as the police are finally able to resume their patrols, they’re quick to find that they aren’t the only ones interested in keeping the Kitchen safe.

Meanwhile, as Matt Murdock continues to struggle with how best to appease his sense of justice after the events of the past several weeks, a familiar enemy takes root in Hell’s Kitchen…

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

AERO #11

ZHOU LIEFEN & AMY CHU [W] KENG (A/C)

THE TEAM-UP YOU’VE BEEN WAITING FOR: AERO AND IRON MAN!

• AERO’S powers are put to the test! Can the legendary IRON MAN teach Aero the meaning of teamwork?

• Will they save SHANGHAI, or are they just falling into MADAME HUANG’S trap?

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

SWORD MASTER #11

SHUIZHU & AMY CHU [W] GUNJI (A/C)

WILL DESTINY LEAD

TO DESTRUCTION?!

• SWORD MASTER LIN LIE meets the powerful chief of the Nü-Wa Clan…JI SHUANGSHUANG’S grandmother!

• And Granny reveals the TRUTH about CHIYOU’S TOMB and Lin Lie’s bloodline.

• Will Lin Lie be strong enough to defeat a vengeful GOD OF WAR?

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

DEADPOOL #7

KELLY THOMPSON [W] • GERARDO SANDOVAL (A) • Cover by CHRIS BACHALO

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY TONY DANIEL

IT’S A LOVE STORY, DEADPOOL, JUST SAY YES!

• Elsa Bloodstone is dying, and the only one who can save her is Deadpool!

• What’s wrong with the mystical, magical Bloodstone gem? And what can Deadpool possibly do about it?

• The answers will shock you! The implications will astound you! The jokes will…well, we won’t make any promises about the jokes.

32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99

VALKYRIE: JANE FOSTER #11

JASON AARON & TORUNN GRØNBEKK [W]• MATTIA DE IULIS (A)

Cover by MAHMUD ASRAR

FORESHADOW VARIANT COVER BY MATTIA DE IULIS

She’s faced the Marvel Universe’s deadliest assassin — armed with the sword of a god — and won. She took the Grim Reaper straight to his eternal reward. She’s come face-to-face with Death herself…in more ways than one…and saved Asgard from a force beyond even Death’s powers. Now Jane Foster — the one and only Valkyrie — embarks on a whole new adventure under the pen of rising star artist Mattia de Iulis! Already Valkyrie has journeyed across the Multiverse in her new role…but now Hel awaits her. Along with its prickly rulers. And what does Loki, god of lies, have to do with it? An all-new arc starts here!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

HOW TO READ COMICS THE MARVEL WAY #2 (of 4)

CHRISTOPHER HASTINGS [W] • SCOTT KOBLISH (A) • COVER BY DAVID NAKAYAMA

VARIANT COVER BY AARON KUDER

• Mysterio is in the wind. Good thing Spider-Man has an ally (you/your comics novice friends) who can now follow him from panel to panel…

• But he’s still his own worst enemy: One thoughtless action froze citizens all over the city in time, and Spidey…needs to make a comic to free them?

• Do you know the lingo for talking about what makes a comic well-made? Learn it here! And see if Spider-Man can save his loved ones before Quentin Beck becomes omnipotent!

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #16

JIM ZUB [W]• ROGÊ ANTÔNIO (A) • Cover by E.M. GIST

Variant cover by Cary Nord

THE REVENGE OF CONAN!

• The true nature of the Great Crucible is revealed!

• CONAN has angered the leadership of Uttara Kuru, but he will not be crushed by their punishment so easily!

• The dramatic conclusion to “Into the Crucible” and the start of Conan’s next quest!

32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99

CONAN: BATTLE FOR THE SERPENT CROWN #4 (OF 5)

SALADIN AHMED [W] • LUKE ROSS (A) • Cover by Mahmud Asrar

VARIANT COVER BY Eduard Petrovich

VARIANT COVER BY Philip Tan

IN TOO DEEP!

• The SERPENT CROWN’s roots in the Pre-Cataclysmic Age lead CONAN back to where it all started…

• …but ATLANTIS is not quite what it once was.

• And even if he can locate the Crown, NAMOR isn’t going to let that treasure slip through his grasp!

32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99

DARK AGNES #4 (OF 5)

BECKY CLOONAN [W] • LUCA PIZZARI (A) • Cover by STEPHANIE HANS

KILLER IN THE CATACOMBS!

• ETIENNE has been framed for murder, but DARK AGNES is determined to prove his innocence.

• And with the real killer on the loose, everyone is a suspect!

• But if the DUKE D’ALENCON returns before the killer is caught, more blood will spill—including Etienne’s!

32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99

STAR WARS: DOCTOR APHRA #3

ALYSSA WONG [W]• MARIKA CRESTA (A) Cover by VALENTINA REMENAR

VARIANT COVER BY MAHMUD ASRAR

THE TRIALS OF VAALE!

• Separated from her crew, DOCTOR APHRA finds herself in peril at the hands of RONEN TAGGE’S mercenaries!

• Could there be a traitor in their midst?

• And can Aphra outwit them before the curse of the city swallows her and her new team whole?

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

Star Wars © Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All rights reserved. Used under authorization. Text and illustrations for Star Wars are © 2020 Lucasfilm Ltd.

STAR WARS #6

CHARLES SOULE [W] • JESÚS SAIZ (A) • Cover by R.B. SILVA

Empire Strikes Back Variant COVER by CHRIS SPROUSE

VARIANT COVER BY TBA

THE PATH TO JEDI WISDOM…OR A DEADLY TRAP OF THE DARK SIDE?

• THE FORCE led LUKE SKYWALKER to someone who can provide him with great insight into the path to JEDI wisdom…

• But their meeting will change Skywalker FOREVER. Luke thought his duel against his father, Darth Vader, was the ultimate test. But Luke’s trials have only just begun.

• The galaxy needs Luke Skywalker. And a Jedi needs a weapon!

• Meanwhile, Vader continues his search for his long-lost son, and the REBEL ALLIANCE finds itself on the verge of a losing all hope.

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

Star Wars © Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All rights reserved. Used under authorization. Text and illustrations for Star Wars are © 2020 Lucasfilm Ltd.

STAR WARS: DARTH VADER #4

GREG PAK [W]• RAFFAELE IENCO (A) • Cover By Inhyuk Lee

Empire Strikes Back Variant COVER by CHRIS SPROUSE

WHO HUNTS THE HUNTER?

• DARTH VADER continues his terrifying quest for vengeance against everyone who hid the existence of his son from him.

• But on NABOO, the DARK LORD OF THE SITH faces a deadly new challenge as his focus turns from LUKE to PADMÉ, the wife of the man Vader used to be.

• And what secrets lie in the tomb of PADMÉ AMIDALA?

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

Star Wars © Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All rights reserved. Used under authorization. Text and illustrations for Star Wars are © 2020 Lucasfilm Ltd.

STAR WARS: BOUNTY HUNTERS #4

ETHAN SACKS [W]• PAOLO VILLANELLI (A) Cover by LEE BERMEJO

Empire Strikes Back Variant COVER by CHRIS SPROUSE

THE SINS THAT CAN’T BE ABSOLVED!

• With a blaster aimed at this back, cyborg bounty hunter VALANCE closes in on NAKANO LASH, the mentor who abandoned him many years ago.

• But what is the secret that Lash has been hiding ever since that fateful, doomed mission — one that led her to betray her entire crew?

• Those answers may die with her if a vengeful BOBA FETT gets to her first.

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

Star Wars © Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All rights reserved. Used under authorization. Text and illustrations for Star Wars are © 2020 Lucasfilm Ltd.

Check out our other Reviews HERE

Check out our other Previews HERE

May 2020 Marvel Comic Solicits EMPYRE: X-MEN #1 & #2 (OF 4) Issue #1 - JONATHAN HICKMAN & TINI HOWARD [W]

[wits-writing]

Earth’s Mightiest Retrospective Ep 45: “Emperor Stark”

(Directed by Boyd Kirkland, Written by Christopher Yost, Original Airdate: September 16, 2012)

“Emperor Stark” is another episode that plays on a tried and true staple of the superhero genre, exploring what would happen if the heroes turned against the world they swore to protect. This version of that story starts from the perspective of the Avengers newest member, the android Vision. He goes into sleep-mode for a month of repairs to get him back into shape after the damage he took in “Ultron Unlimited.” When he awakens to an empty Avengers Mansion, he looks out at a New York City being patrol by giant autonomous Iron Man drones and billboards of a purple-eyed Tony Stark promising to “Build a Better World.”

Vision reactivates JARVIS and asks what exactly brought the world to its current state so quickly. A week after Vision was put under for repairs, Tony launched a satellite designed to supply the world with free unlimited energy. Stark and the Avengers ended up using the advantage that gave them to take over the world with the blessing of the now disbanded UN. The heroes are currently spread across the globe in their efforts to permanently end war and strike down any resistance they come across. Since Vision’s the latest bit of resistance to pop up, Captain America’s sent to the mansion to take him down. Cap’s in disbelief at the android waking up, since all AI are banned under the Avengers’ rule. Vision gets through to Steve by reminding him of the same words of encouragement that inspired the android to turn against Ultron.

With Cap free to help fight against the heroes’ totalitarian rule and Vision uploading JARVIS into his mind (three years before Age of Ultron), the two identify the real culprit behind the Avengers’ conquest, Zebediah Kilgrave, aka the Purple Man. The villain used his pheromone-based mind-control powers to take over Tony’s mind and then conquer the world through him. The “free energy” satellite actually sends out a signal that projects Kilgrave’s power over the rest of the planet. AI like Vision and JARVIS being immune to that kind of control explains why the villain would want them out of the way. He sees Tony struggling to disobey his commands and starts taunting the hero. Purple Man focuses on the fact that Tony had plans for stuff like the Iron Drones long before he walked into Stark Tower. He’s shifting the blame to make the trapped hero feel like he was only a step away from pulling off a plan like this himself.

After a brief fight, Cap and Vision free Hawkeye and Ms. Marvel from Kilgrave’s control as well. Steve’s method for knocking sense into Clint amused me, since he plays on the archer’s ego and tendency to shrug off his orders all the time. Now that the four of them can fight against the Purple Reign (couldn’t resist), they set a plan in motion. Cap will head to Stark Tower to free Tony from Kilgrave and the others will hijack a Quinjet to take out the satellite and free everyone. Hawkeye, Ms. Marvel and Vision gets tailed by the controlled Thor on their way to space. Vision’s method to deal with the Thunderer is spectacular, increasing his density to five-hundred tons and dropping like a meteor towards Earth directly in Thor’s path.

Meanwhile, Cap confronts Purple Man and ends up fighting the mind-controlled Iron Man. The violet villain talks about how even if Cap’s able to resist his control, he’ll be stuck fighting the entire world. Hawkeye finally blasts down the control satellite after facing some resistance as Ms. Marvel started falling back under Kilgrave’s control and everyone’s freed. Kilgrave’s confident that even without the satellite Iron Man’s still weak-willed enough to remain under his power. His tune changes once JARVIS reconnects with Tony’s armor and activates the suits filtration system, freeing the hero. Since Purple Man doesn’t have anything if there’s no one around for him to control, they take him down.

While the Avengers and the rest of the world know what Purple Man did to them, Tony’s still left shaken by his actions. He thinks of himself as a futurist and saw his plans for peace turned into weapons of tyranny. It’s enough to make him doubt whether he was right to put the Avengers together. Steve has a different perspective on what happened. He thinks Tony was sabotaging Kilgrave along the way, explaining why they wouldn’t have simply shut down the Vision’s repair procedures so the android wouldn’t have been able to begin the heroes’ resistance. Cap says he believes in people above all else and that includes Tony, so he’s ready to keep fighting by his side.

“Emperor Stark” makes effective use of its superhero ruled dystopia and the way it’s undone. Brent Spiner as the Purple Man is fun casting. His performance radiates a pathetic arrogance as he rants about how his normal powers of control “weren’t enough.” We also get a look at how Vision’s a fast learner, since he’s able to figure out strategies to save the team from mind control without harming them. It’s an interesting dilemma to see Tony reckon with the potential damage he could do to the world and having Cap, recently facing a smear on his own image, be the one to comfort him makes an effective moment to close the episode on.

Next time, the Avengers fight the United States Department of Defense.

If you like what you’ve read here, please like/reblog or share elsewhere online, follow me on Twitter (@WC_WIT), and consider throwing some support my way at either Ko-Fi.com or Patreon.com at the extension “/witswriting”

[fountainpenguin]

One of the things I love about “WordGirl” is the reactions of regular citizens to dealing with villains in their city. The thing is, the villains show up with so much flair and put on such a great show that everyone WANTS to pay them for the entertainment. Captain Tangent stole everyone’s stuff in his debut and when WordGirl pointed this out to her mom, Sally’s response was, “Totally worth it!”

Tobey has canon fangirls. Kid Potato is so polite that even WordGirl instantly shifts gears when she sees him and happily calls him “Sir.” Ms. Question is a known villain who flirts with everyone and even though the people she dates (Reginald and Brent) aren’t criminals, they just adore her. Reuben gets super excited when Chuck robs him and super jealous when he robs other shops.

And WordGirl just. Has to deal with being “boo”d every now and then when she shows up to do her job. A true hero.

[biggoonie]

MARVEL’S CAPTAIN MARVEL PRELUDE TPB

Written by WILL CORONA PILGRIM, ROY THOMAS, GERRY CONWAY, BRIAN REED, KELLY SUE DECONNICK & MARGARET STOHL Penciled by ANDREA DI VITO, GENE COLAN, JOHN BUSCEMA, ROBERTO DE LA TORRE, DEXTER SOY, BRENT SCHOONOVER & CARLOS PACHECO Prepare for Captain Marvel’s cinematic debut with titanic tales setting the stage for the Marvel Universe’s mightiest hero! When an encounter with Kree soldier Mar-Vell grants Carol Danvers amazing powers, she begins a costumed career…as Ms. Marvel! Determined to prove herself the best of the best in a world full of fearsome foes, Carol takes on the mantle of Captain Marvel — and the responsibility of protecting the entire planet! But what happens when she comes face-to-face with Mar-Vell…who died years before? Plus: Look back at Carol’s early days, and learn what shaped the woman behind the mask! Collecting MARVEL’S CAPTAIN MARVEL PRELUDE, MARVEL SUPER-HEROES (1967) #13, MS. MARVEL (1977) #1, MS. MARVEL (2006) #1, CAPTAIN MARVEL (2012) #1, GENERATIONS: CAPTAIN MARVEL & CAPTAIN MAR-VELL and LIFE OF CAPTAIN MARVEL (2018) #1. 152 PGS./Rated T …$17.99 ISBN: 978-1-302-91494-3

[dreidmngo]

Write (And Then There Were None) 

3. Given the motive behind the murders, do you believe that the killer only did “what was right”? Explain.

Although Justice Lawrence Wargrave admitted to committing the killings to punish the other characters who initially got away with their crimes, I do not believe his final actions were right. He claimed to have a “strong sense of justice”, yet he also enjoyed playing God by choosing to cut others’ lives short using his own hands (and some props the island guest-prisoners brought themselves). Despite the others being guilty of their own crimes, none of them actually ended the lives of their “victims” as explicitly as Wargrave did. While most of them are guilty of neglect of their duty like the Rogers couple, Dr. Armstrong, and Ex-Inspector Blore (who also qualifies in the next one), of leading other people into danger for their personal gain like Vera, General MacArthur, Philip Lombard, and Ms. Brent, or of causing accidental deaths in the case of Marston, they are not guilty of murder as Wargrave asserted, at least not by definition. A murder involves, according to Hernandez (2017), an “intentional infliction of bodily harm” which will cause the death of the victim, which puts Wargrave’s victims in the clear of the said charge even until today. Yes, the incidents were not covered by the law, but that does not permit him to make his victims suffer the same fate as those of their alleged victims. He only chose guilty people, and maybe that, along with the fact that he’s dying, could make me feel sympathetic, but to think that it was just, not really. Wargrave was a sadist and a hypocrite and he did not deserve the enjoyment he indulged in during his last moments as well as his quick death without feeling even the slightest bit of guilt.

4. And Then There Were None was written in 1939 and has since been adapted into numerous plays, movies, radio and TV series. It is also Christie's bestselling novel, with more than 100 million copies sold. What, in your opinion, would explain the novel's enduring popularity?

Prior to actually reading the book, I expected the experience to not be as interesting as scrolling through social media sites. I was wrong. I thought the previous title was familiar, but I never really had the free will to read books during my free time. I’d rather watch movies and/or series. However, I do not regret going through all the pages of the reading, because for some reason I also felt like I was watching something of my interest. It was not dull at all. One of my first thoughts after learning of the genre was that the typical setting would be present – a spooky house with dark hallways, cobwebs, and hidden compartments. Instead, the crime occurred in a party house, modern and white. That in itself is very refreshing. It helped me condition myself into thinking that it is definitely a mystery novel, not horror, for it sits at the bottom of my list of watchable genres. Another is that the reader goes through the process of the crime, and not the detective work. In fact, a detective was not introduced until the end of the novel. Based from the series I have watched, usually, a committed crime will be introduced at the beginning, then the detective and/or hero investigates, and that’s how the story unfolds for the reader. In the reading, however, the story is told as it happens, from the inside of the house, and the reader also gets a glimpse of what’s inside the characters’ heads, which all contribute to making the reader also on their tiptoes regarding information on who the murderer really is. Overall, the book is uncommon ground, and people would want to explore it.

[weemsbotts]

When the Men of Dumfries Tried to Drown Women...Twice

By: Lisa Timmerman, Executive Director

In the 1750s-1760s, Prince William County Court ordered “…some person to erect a ducking stool on Quantico Creek of the Town of Dumfries” twice, specifying Henry Lee, Bertrand Ewell, Allan Macrae, Foushee Tebbs & George Brent in 1757, and Allan Macrae, William Carr and James Douglas sometime between 1761-1763. While we do not have the original two court orders in our records to check the transcriptions, the two separate orders are intriguing. In 1759, Prince William County moved the courthouse from Occoquan to Dumfries where it remained until its departure for Brentsville in 1822. The timing of the ducking stool construction fits with the theme of centralizing Dumfries as the court town, but did anybody ever build it? And use it?

(Illustration from: Weems, Mason Locke. God’s Revenge Against Murder or The Drown’d Wife. Philadelphia, Printed for the Author, 1823. Book in HDVI’s object collection)

In early Virginia, white male officials attempt to control white women extended beyond their actions to their tongues. In the 1660s, the General Assembly enacted various laws aimed at women “causing scandalous suites,” “…oftentimes many brabling women often slander and scandalize their neighbours for which their poore husbands are often brought into chargeable and vexatious suites, and cast in greate damages . . . after judgment passed for the damages the women shalbe punished by ducking…” the amount of times determined by the equivalent damages in tobacco. This Act tried to prevent women from speaking in political affairs and also provided a way for men to punish women without losing their beloved tobacco. The General Assembly also ordered every county to outfit a pillory, a pair of stocks, a whipping post, and a ducking stool near the courthouse. It should be recognized that these statutes also further identified and restricted black persons, specifically targeting servants and the enslaved with corporeal punishments eventually leading to the “An Act Concerning Servants and Slaves” aka Virginia Slave Codes of 1705. While white men strove to contain everyone not white, male, or wealthy, white officials also ensured that even unborn children would become enslaved.

Locally, two court cases against women are interesting to examine. Meet Margarett Sewill. The court brought charges against her on 09/23/1760 on suspicion of felony for “stealing about four yards of linen from Robert Foster” with Justices Henry Lee, John Baylis, Foushee Tebbs, Allan Macrae, Lewis Reno, and Lynaugh Helm sitting in judgment of her. The court sentenced “with consent of Margarett” to thirty-nine “well laid” lashes across her bare back at the public whipping post, determining that the case was not serious/severe enough to send to further prosecution in Williamsburg. Almost a year, 09/02/1761, Justices Allan Macrae, William Tebbs, John Hooe, Lewis Reno and William Carr presided over Margaret Darnell as the court charged her “…for feloniously stealing sundry goods of the value of 20 shillings current money” including a “handkerchief and a ribbon the property of Jane Caudell.” Instead of confinement, Ms. Darnell consented to fifteen lashes on her bare back at the whipping post.

(Illustration from: Ashton, John. Chap-Books of the Eighteenth Century, London: William Clowes & Sons, 1882 via Project Gutenberg)

Charged with felony, the Courts did not consider the ducking stool (if it was an option) favoring the public whipping post. Is this because there were no stools or “brabling” women in Prince William County? While we cannot answer this without thoroughly searching all court records for data, we do know accounts of ducking took place in nearby Fredericksburg and Winchester. Former HDVI Historian Lee Lansing speculated the Dumfries stool placement close to the purported stocks near the intersection of Duke Street and King’s Highway (Route 1). Whether whipped or forcibly submerged in water, men willingly corporally punished women in attempts to control their actions and voices. Of course these efforts did not stop women and after the unrest of Bacon’s Rebellion (another blog topic!), the 1677 “Act of Releife” again attempted to control married women’s tongue by punishing them for speaking out against the white patriarchy with lashings on their backs and even possible prosecution as a “…rebell and traytor…”

Although we currently do not have the names of women ducked, or the names of the men that defied, forgot, or constructed the stool, torture was a real concern for the women in Virginia. As is the case with so many people, we must continue to search and provide a voice for those women silenced by abuse.

Note: Wanting to enjoy your history by reading primary sources with me? Our monthly “Weems-Botts Bibliophiles” program provides you with the material and a cup of tea before a Zoom discussion/meeting! Participants do not have chat but should come prepared to learn a lot of neat well-researched facts! To enjoy ground-breaking heroes & comic books, join us on Saturday, 05/22, by purchasing a ticket and helping support our local efforts here!

(Sources: HDVI Archival Files: PWC Court & Jail Records; Henings Statue’s at Large;  Egloff, Nancy. Punished by Ducking. Jamestown Settlement & American Revolution Museum at Yorktown Blog, part of Jamestown’s Tenacity: Women in Jamestown and Early Virginia” exhibit, https://www.historyisfun.org/blog/punished-by-ducking/; Richter, Julie. Women in Colonial Virginia. (2020, December 14). In Encyclopedia Virginia, https://encyclopediavirginia.org/entries/women-in-colonial-virginia; Spencer, Michael. Ducking Stools in Fredericksburg. Historic Fredericksburg Foundation, Inc., 10/23/2018, https://hffi.org/ducking-stools-in-fredericksburg/)

[capelesscrusader]

For months now, Marvel Comics has been teasing and promoting the launch of Generations, an event which will focus on Marvel’s “legacy” characters. This includes icons such as Captain America, which has seen Steve Rogers at times cede his mantle to Sam Wilson. It also includes characters like Captain Marvel, Iron Man, Thor, and others.

With the August launch rapidly approaching, Marvel announced today which writers and artists will be tasked with carrying out the summer event.

The complete list can be found below, but it generally appears that the writers responsible for the current ongoing series featuring these characters will be handling them for the Generations event as well. Nick Spencer, for instance, will be back for The Americas, despite the current ire being directed at the writer for his Secret Empire plot.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

[OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE]

Marvel’s Best Standing Side-by-side for a Legendary Line-up  

— This is Marvel Comics’ GENERATIONS! The bridge into the future of the Marvel Universe begins this August!

  New York, NY—June 15, 2017— In a flash, the Marvel heroes are offered a gift: to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with those who came before them, free from the burdens of past, present, and future – where time has no meaning. Within the Vanishing Point, through the course of these action-packed adventures, our heroes will discover what is needed to usher in the future of the Marvel Universe. This August, prepare for Marvel’sGENERATIONS!

  This epic 10-issue series brings together iconic and present day heroes such as Miles Morales and Peter Parker, Amadeus Cho and Bruce Banner, Iron Man and Ironheart, Laura Kinney and Logan, and many more of your favorite characters. “GENERATIONS unites the present day heroes of the Marvel Universe with their forbearers from the past in order to chart the course of the future!” says SVP and Executive Editor Tom Brevoort. “These ten adventures are the stepping stones to everything that is to come for all of these characters!”

  The stories of GENERATIONS begin at the Vanishing Point, and these epic tales offer fans a direct bridge and prelude into the sense-shattering Marvel Legacy, as the challenges and revelations of GENERATIONS will alter the destinies of our heroes moving forward in a dramatic fashion!

  These heroic journeys all launch from the same point: the Vanishing Point! Coming to comic shops this August!

    Generations: The Best starring Wolverine and All-New Wolverine

Written by TOM TAYLOR

Art by RAMON ROSANAS

  Generations: The Americas starring Steve Rogers: Captain America and Sam Wilson: Captain America

Written by NICK SPENCER

Art by PAUL RENAUD

  Generations: The Bravest starring Captain Mar-Vell and Captain Marvel

Written by MARGARET STOHL

Art by BRENT SCHOONOVER

  Generations: The Thunder starring The Mighty Thor and The Unworthy Thor

Written by JASON AARON

Art by MAHMUD ASRAR

  Generations: The Strongest starring Bruce Banner and Amadeus Cho, the Totally Awesome Hulk

Written by GREG PAK

Art by MATTEO BUFFAGNI

  Generations: The Archers starring Hawkeyes, Clint Barton and Kate Bishop

Written by KELLY THOMPSON

Art by STEFANO RAFFAELE

  Generations: The Iron starring Iron Man and Ironheart

Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS

Art by MARCO RUDY

  Generations: The Marvels starring Ms. Marvel and Ms. Marvel

Written by G. WILLOW WILSON

Art by PAOLO VILLANELLI

  Generations: The Spiders starring Peter Parker: Spider-Man and Miles Morales: Spider-Man

Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS

Art by RAMON PEREZ

  Generations: The Phoenix starring The Phoenix and Jean Grey

Written by CULLEN BUNN

Art by RB SILVA

    The future of the Marvel Universe is coming – this is GENERATIONS!

  Marvel Announces GENERATIONS Creative Teams For months now, Marvel Comics has been teasing and promoting the launch of Generations, an event which will focus on Marvel's "legacy" characters.

[comiccrusaders]

The bridge into the future of the Marvel Universe begins this August!

In a flash, the Marvel heroes are offered a gift: to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with those who came before them, free from the burdens of past, present, and future – where time has no meaning. Within the Vanishing Point, through the course of these action-packed adventures, our heroes will discover what is needed to usher in the future of the Marvel Universe. This August, prepare for Marvel’s GENERATIONS!

This epic 10-issue series brings together iconic and present day heroes such as Miles Morales and Peter Parker, Amadeus Cho and Bruce Banner, Iron Man and Ironheart, Laura Kinney and Logan, and many more of your favorite characters. “GENERATIONS unites the present day heroes of the Marvel Universe with their forbearers from the past in order to chart the course of the future!” says SVP and Executive Editor Tom Brevoort. “These ten adventures are the stepping stones to everything that is to come for all of these characters!”

The stories of GENERATIONS begin at the Vanishing Point, and these epic tales offer fans a direct bridge and prelude into the sense-shattering Marvel Legacy, as the challenges and revelations of GENERATIONS will alter the destinies of our heroes moving forward in a dramatic fashion!

#gallery-0-4 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-4 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 33%; } #gallery-0-4 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-4 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */

These heroic journeys all launch from the same point: the Vanishing Point! Coming to comic shops this August!

Generations: The Best starring Wolverine and All-New Wolverine Written by TOM TAYLOR Art by RAMON ROSANAS

Generations: The Americas starring Steve Rogers: Captain America and Sam Wilson: Captain America Written by NICK SPENCER Art by PAUL RENAUD

Generations: The Bravest starring Captain Mar-Vell and Captain Marvel Written by MARGARET STOHL Art by BRENT SCHOONOVER

Generations: The Thunder starring The Mighty Thor and The Unworthy Thor Written by JASON AARON Art by MAHMUD ASRAR

Generations: The Strongest starring Bruce Banner and Amadeus Cho, the Totally Awesome Hulk Written by GREG PAK Art by MATTEO BUFFAGNI 

Generations: The Archers starring Hawkeyes, Clint Barton and Kate Bishop Written by KELLY THOMPSON Art by STEFANO RAFFAELE

Generations: The Iron starring Iron Man and Ironheart Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS Art by MARCO RUDY

Generations: The Marvels starring Ms. Marvel and Ms. Marvel Written by G. WILLOW WILSON Art by PAOLO VILLANELLI

Generations: The Spiders starring Peter Parker: Spider-Man and Miles Morales: Spider-Man Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS Art by RAMON PEREZ

Generations: The Phoenix starring The Phoenix and Jean Grey Written by CULLEN BUNN Art by RB SILVA

The future of the Marvel Universe is coming – this is GENERATIONS!

To find a comic shop near you, visit www.comicshoplocator.com or simply chat with some of your favorite heroes with Marvel’s chatbot accessible through Twitter and Facebook

Marvel’s Best Standing Side-by-side for a Legendary Line-up — This is Marvel Comics’ GENERATIONS! The bridge into the future of the Marvel Universe begins this August! In a flash, the Marvel heroes are offered a gift: to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with those who came before them, free from the burdens of past, present, and future – where time has no meaning.

[graphicpolicy]

In a flash, the Marvel heroes are offered a gift: to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with those who came before them, free from the burdens of past, present, and future – where time has no meaning. Within the Vanishing Point, through the course of these action-packed adventures, our heroes will discover what is needed to usher in the future of the Marvel Universe. This August, prepare for Marvel’s GENERATIONS!

This epic 10-issue series brings together iconic and present day heroes such as Miles Morales and Peter Parker, Amadeus Cho and Bruce Banner, Iron Man and Ironheart, Laura Kinney and Logan, and many more of your favorite characters.

The stories of GENERATIONS begin at the Vanishing Point, and these epic tales offer fans a direct bridge and prelude into the sense-shattering Marvel Legacy, as the challenges and revelations of GENERATIONS will alter the destinies of our heroes moving forward in a dramatic fashion!

These heroic journeys all launch from the same point: the Vanishing Point! Coming to comic shops this August!

Generations: The Best starring Wolverine and All-New Wolverine

Written by TOM TAYLOR

Art byRAMON ROSANAS

  Generations: The Americas starring Steve Rogers: Captain America and Sam Wilson: Captain America

Written by NICK SPENCER

Art by PAUL RENAUD

  Generations: The Bravest starring Captain Mar-Vell and Captain Marvel

Written by MARGARET STOHL

Art by BRENT SCHOONOVER

  Generations: The Thunder starring The Mighty Thor and The Unworthy Thor

Written by JASON AARON

Art by MAHMUD ASRAR

  Generations: The Strongest starring Bruce Banner and Amadeus Cho, the Totally Awesome Hulk

Written by GREG PAK

Art by MATTEO BUFFAGNI

  Generations: The Archers starring Hawkeyes, Clint Barton and Kate Bishop

Written by KELLY THOMPSON

Art by STEFANO RAFFAELE

  Generations: The Iron starring Iron Man and Ironheart

Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS

Art by MARCO RUDY

  Generations: The Marvels starring Ms. Marvel and Ms. Marvel

Written by G. WILLOW WILSON

Art by PAOLO VILLANELLI

  Generations: The Spiders starring Peter Parker: Spider-Man and Miles Morales: Spider-Man

Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS

Art by RAMON PEREZ

  Generations: The Phoenix starring The Phoenix and Jean Grey

Written by CULLEN BUNN

Art by RB SILVA

  #Marvel’s Best Standing Side-by-side for a Legendary Line-up -- This Is Marvel Comics' Generations In a flash, the Marvel heroes are offered a gift: to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with those who came before them, free from the burdens of past, present, and future – where time has no meaning.

[tclckinetic]

@patrict)

Wrapped in darkness, blindfolded and honestly, just plain furious. A bunch of apt ways to describe how Brent felt about whatever dreadful sequence of events the people running this prison had in store. His surroundings smelled like dried up blood, and his entire body was sore from all the time in what he could only assume is a straightjacket.

Yes; they had put him, who once was applauded and appraised by people, in a straightjacket. Not that it'd do anything to inhibit his powers. The bomb that was injected on him would, though. 

That woman, Amanda Waller. 

She had warned Brent that if a single object moves from it's place, then his head would blast off to mars. A devious thing, to control someone using their will to survive as reins. He felt dirtier than ever because although he had no knowledge of what Ms. Waller was about to put him into this time, it couldn't be good., considering what happened when she wanted to see a demonstration of power and he politely refused to comply.

With a quick motion, the blindfold on him got removed, revealing a prison cell that was somehow worse than his previous one, and one single man in the room. With sore eyes, Brent looked him up and down and pleaded, trying to appeal with his jailer. "Please don’t make me go out there again! I'm not like them!” His voice had long lost the bravado it once had, and this little burst of words trickled down, every part of the sentence losing power, until he realized how useless it was to plead with these people.  “... I’m not like them."

Things never looked bleaker than now for the supposed hero whom they once called Paragon.