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afaimsarrowverse · 3 years

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Arrowverse-Spin-Offs, we would like to see:

„Arrow“ and „Black Lightning“ are done, „Supergirl“ is in its last season and „The Flash“ and „Legends of Tomorrow“ will probably be over rather sooner than later. So it’s time to look at some potential Spin-Off-Ideas and the reasons why we won’t see any of those happening. But hey, I have been wrong before. The last time I did such a list, I wrote that Warner would never allow a „Superman“-Show to happen, because of them wanting him exclusive for the movies, even though at this point the Powers that Be were already working on getting „Superman & Lois“ on the way (because they have been working on that since around „Elseworlds), so maybe in two years one of those shows on this list will actually air at The CW:

Atoms: Since Ray has left „Legends“ I have been missing him, and since Crisis was the last we ever saw of Ryan Choi, yes, I still want „Atoms“, starring both Ray Palmer and Ryan Choi and their respectice wives, sciencing their way out of every problem and superheroing a little bit at the side. Yes, Fairy Godmother Nora would be a challenge to put into that concept, but if someone really wanted to find a way to integrate that storyline in the show, they could and if not, they could just do away with her powers off-screen. To bad Brandon Routh and Berlanti Productions did not part under the best terms and that the reason they got rid of him in the first place was that they couldn’t afford him any longer, so this one is not likely to ever happen. Also, I am not sure too many people are actually interested in a whole show about the Atom. Even if there a two of them.

Canaries: With „Green Arrow and the Canaries“ not picked up, they could return to this fan-favored concept: A solo show for Laurel and Dinah. Ditch the Future Crap or wrap it up in the Pilot, let them live in the present again and be a crime fighting double act. Or just set in the future, if you must, and let Dinah keep her club and just say good bye to the Queen-Kids. But since both actresses waited for a year to star in a show, that was not happening and said no to jobs because of that and the plotthreats of the „Green Arrow and the Canaries“ Backdoor-Pilot are still up in the air, it is very unlikely that we will get to see this one.

ThunderGrace: They should have aimed for that show instead of „Painkiller“, they might have had better chances to get picked up with it. Anyways, giving Anissa and her new wife Grace their own show, set in a different city of course, would go great with certain protions of the „Black Lightning“-Audience and might even attract new viewers. Having Jennifer and TC guest star regulary would also be great. Sadly this won’t happen of course, „Black Lightning“ already was very much Anissa’s story, giving her her own show would be like continuing „Black Lightning“ just without Jefferson, so it would basically be the same and therefore The CW would not go for it. Also, as long as „Batwoman“ is around, they would not do a second show with a lesbian Superhero Lead, who fights streetlevel, and since Season 2 also not one about a lesbian Superhero Lead, who is black on the top of that. So sadly, not happening.

Guardian and the Sentinel: „Supergirl“ is not getting a Spin-Off, but if we could choose, only Jessica Queller would go for the „Midvale“-One. Having Alex Danvers and Kelly Olsen als crime fighting partners in every sense on our screens would be great. Yes, the title might need some working on, but the concept would be great. They would probably operate outside of National City, there might even be a way to get the military angle in somehow. However as with „TunderGrace“, thanks to „Batwoman“ this one will never get made, because neither Alex nor Kelly have superpowers. Too bad.

Daughters of the Demon: I am very aware that I am the only one, who wants this Spin-Off. But I still want it. A show build around Thea Queen and the Al Ghul-Sisters (and Roy Harper of course) and their dealings with the League of Assassins in all forms and shapes. Katrina Law is of course not available right now, but the main reason we will never see a show around Thea, Nyssa, and Talia is that no one except me is really interested in it.

Dreamer (and Brainiac-5): This one has probably the best chance of ever happening from everything on this list, but given that it wasn‘t done anywhere outside this year’s Pride-Special, means that there probably are no actual plans for it. Anyways, a show about Dreamer with Brainy at her side, probably set in a new city rather than National City, would be great. Nia is still very new to the superhero-game, just finding her feet, and her romance with Brainy can go to many more places. But after the backlash in regards to „Batwoman“, The CW is probably hesitant to dare making a show about a transhero starring an actual transwoman. Nia might rather get moved to „Legends“ or „Superman & Lois“ or get to guest star on „The Flash“ next season than get her own show.

Next Gen: Mia Queen did not get her own show, when she was teamed up with the Canaries. However if you were to team her up with the Tonado-Twins and a Super-Spawn (not the Kent Twins though), she and Dig’s kids might just get another chance for their own show with William as their tech support. However the death of „Green Arrow and the Canaries“ makes that very unlikely, addionally we don’t know what will happen to Nora and Bart on „The Flash“ yet or where they will go with Kara or Clark for that matter in the future. And show set in the future would also cement that future, which would limit all the other shows somehow in storytelling terms, which might have been one of the reasons „Green Arrow and the Canaries“ was not picked up, so don’t hold you breath for that one.

Hall of Justice: Crisis established the League, but in a few months, only Sara, Barry and Clark will be left. But Nate is probably not the only one who applied for a seat. This one would of course have to take place between seasons or star everyone expect the heroes, who currently still have a show. I did name it „Hall of Justice“ on purpose, because there are many reasons, why this would never happen with the other name, but to be blunt, it would probably never happen under any name. However, this would be a good way to actually end the Arrowverse. To do a mini-series, where the League assembles after the last or most of the old shows are done. This could be one last Crossover with the potential of Follow Up- Features, if someone would ever want to make more of it.

An Anthology-Show:

Originally „Legends of Tomorrow“ was supposed to be an Anthology-Show, and while the decision to make an acutal show instead was the right one back then, the Arrowverse has grown since then, and the idea to do an Anthology-Show to keep it alive is actually a No-Brainer. Instead of whole Seasons, it would be better to go for Two-Parters, Three-Parters, Four Parters and even One Offs though, in order to get more stuff done in the span of a season. The main reason this will not happen is money of course - without standing sets this one would be hard to pull off, but I think it is necessary at this point. And they could even do only two arcs per season or only a hand full of episodes. This is where they could wrap up the open stortythreads from the failed Backdoor-Pilots – „Green Arrow and the Canaries“ and „Painkiller“ –and also where they could test out new Spin-Off Ideas, they could do my entire list here, plus more, like Slade and his sons, a story about the Hawk s, one about Kate Kane, or even Brandon Routh’s version of Superman etc. They could even go back and do in-between episodes about forgotten and dropped storylines, to which they never got around, like Roy’s death and resurrection or Rip’s founding of the Time Bureau. Additionally this is where they could do the Annual Crossover, they would not need to sacrifice episodes of the other shows, but instead air the Crossover as the Mid-Season Replacement in its own show, followed by some other storylines. But like I said, money is not on the side of this one.

Bonus: Show that will air on HBOmax instead and therefore can’t happen for the Arrowverse:

John Diggle, Space Cop:

This would be the Arrowverse Version of „Green Lantern“ and with a „Green Lantern“ Show heading to HBOmax it will of course never happen.

Hellblazer:

Not too long ago this was my top-bet for a new Arrowverse-Spin-Off, given that Matt Ryan’s „Constantine“ left a lot of unresolved storylines behind, but now that a new version of „Constantine“ with a younger John Constantine as the Main Protagonist in it, is heading to HBOmax, Matt Ryan’s version of the character may even be scrapped from the Arrowverse for good in the soon future. Let’s hope there is room for both versions of the character, but a Spin-Off for the Arrowverse is very much not happening any more.

Booster Gold (and Blue Beetle):

Wait, you might say, since when is Booster Gold getting his own series on HBOmax? Well, he was at least planned to get one. Alongside „Green Lantern“ another show was announced back then, remember?„Strange Adventures“ was supposed to feature Booster Gold. And while it has become kind of quite around this project, it was not officially scrapped. Given that it is very unlikely that we will ever get to see an Arrowverse-Version of Booster Gold instead, much less in his own show, and with „Blue Beetle“ getting his own show on HBOmax as well, Ted Kord will probably also never pop up in the Arrowverse, and Michael and Ted will never team up alonside the Legends. Too bad.

#Arrowverse #Potential Spin-Offs #Stuff we wanna see #Arrow #The Flash #Supergirl #Legends of Tomorrow #Black Lightning #Batwoman #Superman & Lois

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ivegotthefanficinme · 4 years

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The Princess and the Butler 3

Chapter 3 John Constantine X Reader A Highcastle Abbey AU

Summary: She has a troubled history and both her parents are dead. Adopted by Mrs. Logue of Highcastle Abbey she hasn’t left its grounds since she was small. A new butler by the name of Mr. John Constantine is hired and everything starts to change. Quickly betrothed to a man she does’t know. But something dark is coming for her soul… What is it about her past that makes hell want to rise up and greet her? Will she be able to save herself? Will John Constantine, the Hellblazer himself, be able to save the woman he would go to hell and back for? Or will everything they have ever known crumble around them?

Warnings: In this chapter.... Nudity, violence, threatening of rape, language, magic?, tooth rotting fluff, soft!John, almost freezing to death

Words: 2.7K

Links: Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Masterlist

After John had left you alone in your room you locked the door and finished undressing. Finally, you sit down in the armchair facing the window in just your shift, the cool satin fabric clinging to your skin.

For a while you just watch the sky, picking out constellations you had learned from one of the hundreds of books in the library. The stars are comforting, so far away and peaceful. Eventually, your mind wanders back to John and your predicament with the Duke.

You shift in the chair, pulling your knees up to your chest. Whether this Duke was actually a man or a demon sent from hell, you are not going to marry him, no matter what you had to do. You had promised yourself long ago that you would marry for love, that is what your mother had wanted for you. She promised you when you were young that she would never force you to marry a man you don’t love.

You want a man you can rely on, a man who makes your heart flutter, a man who cares, a man who is willing to do anything for the woman he loves.

Your thoughts slip back to John and how wonderful it felt to have your face pressed to his chest and his arms wrapped around you, or how his hand felt in yours.

Moving to your bed, you strip off your shift and slide underneath the blankets, soft against your now bare body. You keep these thoughts in your head, doing everything you can to not think about Mr. Animae.

***

“You have such a beautiful face,” drawls Mr. Animae. His icy fingers brush against your cheek.

You try to move away from him, squirming in your seat, but you are unable to stand, nor move your arms to push him away from you. You are frozen unable to move as he strokes your cheek.

His dark eyes burn into you but they are so cold.

“You will make such a fine bride, my dear. And then,” his voice lowers, “You will be all mine, your body, heart, and soul.”

His hands begin to trail lower, down your neck, then tracing the swell of your breasts through your dress.

You try to tell him to stop but no sound seems to come out of your mouth.

You gasp for breath as that seems to be the only thing you can do other than blink.

Mr. Animae pulls a chair up in front of you that just seemed to appear out of thin air as everything around you is dark.

“That pesky butler of yours sure does like to meddle in things he should stay out of, but then again, when has John Constantine ever minded his own business.”

You stare at Mr. Animae quite confused by this.

“Oh,” he concludes, “You don’t actually know all that much about him do you?” He leans in closer, “Wake up.”

***

You wake up with a jolt drenched in sweat, your sheets clinging to your legs.

Suddenly, there is a knock at your door. Wondering if it is John, you slip your silk robe over your shoulders, tying the sash as you walk to the door.

You open it and jolt back surprised when you find the dark eyes of Mr. Animae staring back at you.

“Hello to you too, my dear,” he says as he pushes the door open more and steps into your room.

“Leave,” you say plainly, “This is inappropriate of you to be here.”

He only glances at you briefly before walking around examining your room. “Don’t bother ringing for your butler,” he orders as if you were his to command.

As he stops at your vanity to pick up one of your shining trinkets, you bolt for the sash to call John. There was no way you were going to let the Duke waltz into your room to be alone with you.

You manage to give it one good tug before Mr. Animae wraps an arm around your waist and drags you away from it.

“You will need to learn to be more obedient, little wife,” snarls Mr. Animae.

You struggle against him as he presses his chest against your back, “I will never be your wife!”

He gropes at you, your soft skin molding to his cold rough hands.

“Get your hands off me!” you exclaim trying to push his hands away, tears welling in your eyes.

His hand slides up to your neck, putting pressure harshly on your throat.

You gasp for air as he whispers in your ear, “You will obey me, after all, your body, your soul, they belong to me.”

You claw at his hand wrapped around your neck, your lungs screaming for air.

Your struggle against him is futile as you grow weaker from lack of air.

“Should I take you right here?” he asks as something hard grinds against your rear, “Break you for good?”

Whimpering in horror at his statement, tears finally slip down your cheeks.

He murmurs something and suddenly you are frozen, unable to move or speak. Finally releasing you, he starts to tug on your robe.

Pulling at the end of the sash, it comes untied easily. You close your eyes, silently praying that John would appear and save you. Mr. Animae pushes your robe over your shoulders and it falls to the ground.

You stand there, unable to move, completely bare in front of him. He walks around you as if circling his prey, mesmerized by your curves.

He is going to ruin me, you think. Actually, you tell yourself, you are already ruined just standing in front of him completely naked. No man of any stature would risk his reputation for a soiled woman.

Just as he moves in to catch his prize, John bursts through the door.

Mr. Animae turns to greet him, a sly smile on his lips. It’s like the temperature in the room suddenly plummets, a small cloud from your breath hangs in the air. The cold nips and bites at your bare body, unable to move, unable to shiver, you stand there as the cold sinks into your bones.

“I don’t believe you are needed here, Constantine. You may return to your duties as butler,” snarls Mr. Animae.

“Oh I think not,” John’s eyes sweep across you quickly, checking for any injuries before turning back to the Duke.

For a moment it’s like they just stare each other down, trying to figure out what the first move of the other will be.

John sees your lips turning blue from the cold out of the corner of his eye, “Just leave, Edex. This is not the place.”

The Duke chuckles, “Do you not want to reveal to her what you really are?”

John frowns as he peels off his white gloves and drops them to the floor. Following his gloves, he slips his evening coat off. He is disheveled, likely from trying to dress quickly and get up to your rooms. Without his coat you see his white button-down untucked from his trousers as he wears no vest, the cuff around his wrists unbuttoned, and the buttons along the front of the shirt are hastily fastened, having missed one here and there. You can see the skin of his upper chest in the moonlight.

Pushing his loose sleeves up his arms he glares at Mr. Animae, “You know what will happen if you continue this.”

“Try me,” the Duke laughs.

It feels as though frost has settled on your lips and your tears have frozen on your cheeks in the relentless cold that had descended on your room.

John suddenly stomps his foot, thrusting his bare hands out in front of him, “Ignsa.” Flames appear in his hands, dancing on his fingertips.

You long for the heat of the flames, the warmth of John’s hands against your skin.

Mr. Animae chuckles, “That’s all I needed you to do. Show her who you really are. I have such big plans.” He turns back to you stroking your cheek, “See you tomorrow little wife…”

“Leave her be,” John warns stepping closer.

The Duke’s hand suddenly grips your jaw harshly, “Mention a word of this to anyone, either of you, and I will kill you and everyone in his house.” With that, he pats your cheek once more and vanishes.

The second he is gone John rushes to you muttering, “Te libero.”

With those words, you collapse to the floor shivering and shaking violently from the cold and the sobs that rack your body.

“I-I-I-” you are barely able to speak through your shivering.

“Shhh, you are safe now,” John whispers. He picks up your robe from the floor and wraps it around your shoulders.

Your trembling hands can’t even manage to grasp the edge of the fabric so John pulls it tightly around you. He sets his hands on your shoulders and closes his eyes, “Frigus ex te mitteo.”

You shudder as the cold leaves you. John brings you into a hug as tears start to slide down your face again.

“Shh, shh, you are alright now,” he gently rocks you.

“I’m ruined,” you sob.

“Hmm?”

“He has seen me…” you can’t even finish the sentence, “He-he touched me.”

John shakes his head, “No one will ever know.”

“But I will!” You still shiver occasionally, your body confused by switching from the extreme cold to the warmth of John’s body. “How could he do that, make me freeze? H-how could you do those things?”

You can barely think clearly enough to know that what the Duke did, what John did, should be impossible.

John sighs, pulling away from you. He gently brushes your hair from your face.

“The nightmares?” He asks, changing the subject, “They have been about him haven’t they?”

“How did you-“

He gives you a sad smile, “Love, I know more than I let on.”

You shakily hold your head in your hand, trying to take deep breaths.

“Yes, they have been about him…”

“And what happens in them?”

“In the first one… it was as though he was sucking out my soul… and the last one, he-he was terribly inappropriate,” you stutter out, avoiding John’s eyes.

He sighs, obviously, this news does not please him.

“What do I do, John? He has ruined my reputation and threatened to kill us all!” Tears begin to slide down your cheeks again.

He tips your chin up so you can see his face, his fingers are warm against your skin, the rough pad of his thumb brushes the tears from your cheeks.

“Do not worry, love. I’ll take care of him.”

“But what will you do?” You ask.

He chuckles, “Might as well tell you this now.”

You stare at him, confused.

“Are you religious?”

You hesitate, “what does this have to do-“

“Well, they all have something a little right,” John says, “Demons and Angels do exist, so does Heaven and Hell. God is more like… well Gods, truthfully, just immortals. Reincarnation is not unheard of, I once knew a bloke who was a tiger in a previous life.”

You just stare at John in shock.

“And I’m… well… A warlock, among other things. That’s why I can do things like this,” he brings his hands up to his face, whispers, “pulveres splendidos voco.” He blows a puff of air into his hands and you are showered in golden sparkles.

He gives you a sad smile, admiring how beautiful you looked with the gold shining in your hair, “I am both blessed and cursed with these abilities, love. And sometimes they only do more harm than good.”

You just sit for a moment in awe at John, “Are you truly a butler?”

He chuckles, nodding, “I am, I just have a knack for choosing employment where my enemies have decided to take up residence.”

“Do you believe me? That he must be a demon?” You whisper.

He brushes some of the sparkling dust from your cheek, “I believe you, love. I have seen things far more fantastical.”

You lean into his warm hand, your eyes meeting his brown ones.

Shivering again, you draw your robe closer to you. John shifts so he leans against the side of your bed, his arms open, he beckons you over.

“Let’s get you warmed up, love. I’m afraid you might catch your death otherwise.”

You hesitate, the things he is doing go far beyond the duties of a butler, but then again, he is your friend now. Isn’t this what friends do for each other?

You crawl up in between his legs and lean back against his chest. He wraps his arms around you, bringing you even closer.

It’s like his warmth envelopes you, and you sink into the rich smell of smoke and him. Your eyes slide closed in bless, reveling in the steady rise and fall of his chest.

Finally, your body stops its occasional shudder since John’s warmth had fought it off.

“How do you feel love?” His whisper is like the quiet rumbling purr of a cat.

“Mm,” you sigh, “Much better.”

The two of you sit there in silence for a few moments.

“What do we do now, John?” You ask.

“We will do what we can to either run the demon off or banish him back to hell where he belongs,” he says.

You nod, as you rest your head back in the dip between his neck and his shoulder.

“And what about me? Why has he set his eyes on me?”

John doesn’t reply for a moment as he slowly tilts his head to rest his cheek against your forehead.

He takes in a small breath to speak but stops suddenly like he had decided against saying whatever it was.

“It is hard for me to say for sure, love....” He trails off, thinking hard on the words he is about to say. “It could be because you are the most beautiful women I have ever seen.” He was so quiet when the words slip off his tongue.

The words go straight to your heart, and a new kind of warmth spreads through your body. You can feel the tenseness that had suddenly appeared in his neck, shoulders, and arms. He slowly slides his hands into yours, as if he is unsure whether or not you would be welcome to his touch.

His hands almost radiate warmth as his rough fingers lace through yours. You give his hands a small reassuring squeeze, but the closeness of him makes your own heart race. You can feel his hot breath linger in the air in front of you.

“Honestly, love, I do not know what has drawn him to you, but I will tell you this,” he takes a deep breath, “I promise that I will do everything I can to make sure you do not wed that monster, and I do not take the promises I make lightly.”

Your breath hitches as his voice drops, “I may have an idea that will, at the very least, delay him. However, I will have to do a bit of reading to make sure. In the meantime, you need to get some rest love, you have had quite the night.”

He starts to pull away from you to stand. “Wait,” you say, “would you- would you please stay with me? For a little while longer at least?”

Settling back down again with you in his arms, he lets out a quiet, contented sigh.

“It has been… a long time since I was last this close to someone,” he whispers.

You smile, “And I have never been able to curl into anyone’s arms and feel safe… save for my mother and now you.”

John releases your hand and gently brushes your hair from your face, running his fingers through it in a calming manner.

“Get some rest, love. Tomorrow will be a long one,” he breathes.

Taking a deep breath, you settle yourself comfortably in his arms, feeling safe from whatever creatures may roam the night as you fall asleep.

To be continued...

A/N: Thank you all so much for reading! Sorry about the wait for this chapter, but it plenty long to make up for it. Yes, all of the Latin in this chapter is real as can be, I translated it myself, so I apologize if there are a few Latin grammatical issues! Also, I can include a translation list in future chapters if anyone is curious!

Tags: @theregalrogue @with-the-words-all-wrong @thecaptainsgingersnap

Let me know if you want to be added to the tags!

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thedemonconstantine · 4 years

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Who are your top 5 favorite relationships for John and why? (Can be canon or otherwise)

Hello again Anon-kun!

Thank you for your interest!

That is a pretty loaded question. Relationships come in many forms and flavours, so in the style of my favourite Vertigo writers, I’ll break it down as follows:

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1. Courtship: Kit

Their relationship may be simple and straightforward but it’s a beautiful thing. His love for her saved him from the Prince of Darkness and it also drove him to a six-month bender when she ended it.

It was great while it lasted, and her inclusion in the series showed John’s tender loving side.

(The Prince of Darkness also showed up at the end of that bender which was poetic, subtle but there. Also, why does he look like James Dean??)

---------

2. Friendship: Chas

Ah, Chas. What can I say, I’m a sucker for this man. Everyone loves Chas for his loyalty and steadfastness towards John. Everyone also loves overlooking the importance of his supporting role throughout the Vertigo series.

He grounds John, keeps him relatively human, and his perspective highlights the non-occult side of the world of Hellblazer. This reins in the absurdity of magic and places urban occult within the borders of being relatable.

---------

3. Kinship: Timothy Hunter

So this is the most obscure but it is without a doubt my favourite. These two are so alike that it hurts. Shit childhood, no mother, thrown into the world of magic at a very young age, cynical, BRITISH, periodically homeless, lone wolf syndrome, wanderlust, trust issues, poor finances, operates on a grey moral scale...well, the list could go on.

Needless to say, John should adopt Timmy...or maybe it’s the other way round.

...it’s the other way round.

---------

4. Partnership: Zatanna Zatara

They are amazing together. Finally someone of equal magical prowess that can hold their own and NOT DIE. They should bicker more.

I love their romance but just like Kit, it’s only a matter of time. John is not one to settle down and not many people in his life are able to truly understand that. Their relationship suffered from differences in viewpoint and moral standing, which caused their time together to be short-lived.

Again, it was great while it lasted.

---------

5. Ownership: The Copy

This is one of the most interesting concepts in the entirety of the Hellblazer run. I thoroughly enjoyed every single moment of the Copy’s appearance in the books. He is a twisted, foul creature that encompasses the worst of John’s humanity.

Demon John is the epitome of the human complex, the dirty and the hidden, and together with his Maker, they are sublime.

Very fascinating indeed.

---------

Special mention HC:

Fellowship: Jason Blood

This never happened canonically but I must have it. I MUST. They don’t have to be bonking each other or whatever, I just want stories to happen with them both inside it, together, doing THINGS.

COME ON, CANON WRITERS, CAN’T YOU SEE THIS GOLD MINE HERE THAT NEEDS TO BE HARVESTED RIGHT NOW?!

They can even pull a CSI: London or whatever, at this point I’m seriously not picky.

I MEAN...!

LOOK! COMEDY GOLD! WITH POETRY!

---------

So to end it off, basically I JUST LIKE A GOOD STORY.

John can be with anyone or anything and if placed in good hands, it will be a good story and I’ll be satisfied.

Too bad Vertigo is no more.

#Anonymous #ooc #hellblazer #john constantine #kit ryan #art #salty #so salty

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darthkvznblogs · 5 years

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Of Darkness and the Light, ch. 19, “Calm Before the Storm” is up!

After her victory over Doctor Fate, Raven prepares to go into the belly of the beast - a captured Klarion is taking her to confront the Light, though not before she catches up with Nightwing and reassures the poor vigilante that, this time, it’s not him sending a friend to their potential doom. Also, Constantine is secretly a softie.

Of Darkness and the Light is a Raven-centric Teen Titans x Young Justice fic, following her journey back into the world of superheroics, years after the Titans disbanded. It’s got some past BBRae, flirting with Jason Todd’s Red X, and Raven as Rachel Roth being the proprietor of a tea shop in Seattle called the White Raven. It’s fun! Just…try to get past the first few cringey chapters. This fic is, uh, kinda old. Available on FF!

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11263671/19/Of-Darkness-and-the-Light

An excerpt for the chapter after the cut (minus my masterful italics, because Tumblr hates me):

The Helm of Fate’s empty eye slits glared at me as I watched over Giovanni Zatara’s near-comatose form.

It took a toll, of course, wearing that thing for so long. His body nearly shut down, following our duel, just from having to exist again all of a sudden. Dick mentioned, wracked by the old guilt of his old team having put the man in that unbearable position in the first place, that Nabu had only let Zatanna interact with her father once every year - and even then, the Helm stayed on.

I’m pretty sure even I had spoken more with my Father, back in the day, than Zatanna had been allowed to in the past eight years.

The young woman in question sat, having cried herself to sleep, next to the old man. I felt like an intruder, even watching from the window outside, but someone had to keep watch over Zatara; for all anyone knew, Nabu might’ve cursed the man into seeking the Helm out once he woke up. On the flip side, and as much as it pained me to admit it, the world needed Doctor Fate, and I didn’t trust Zatanna not to banish the Lord of Order’s spirit from the Helm, as justifiable as that course of action might be.

“You know, love…” -a telltale, smarmy british voice said, approaching behind me, “...by defeating ol’ Bucket Lord, you’ve technically become this Earth’s brand new Sorcerer Supreme.”

“Thanks, Constantine, but I’m not currently job hunting.” -I said, sarcastic. I turned to face the infamous Hellblazer, who looked...pretty much the way I remembered; an exhausted-looking thirty-something man with straw-colored hair, a scruffy beard, a tattered trench coat, and a poorly tied red tie around his neck, more reminiscent of a noose that had somehow found its way around his neck than a conscious fashion choice. He absolutely reeked of tobacco, alcohol, and sulfur. “I don’t suppose you’re up to the task?”

He snorted. “Let’s just say my work ethic leaves a bit to be desired.” -he said, reclining on the wall beside the window. He gazed, somewhat softly, at Zatanna’s sleeping form. “How’s she holding up?”

“Considering her father basically just rose from the dead, I’d say she’s doing very well.” -I said.

Constantine shook his head, disgusted. “Bloody pseudo-deities. Couldn’t give less of a crap about humanity, even their hosts, but don’t get them started on their oh-so-grand plans for us all.”

I chuckled. “They certainly do that.” -I said. I nodded at the sleeping witch. “You guys close?”

He shrugged, but his emotions betrayed him a little. They were definitely close. “We have a bit of a past. Sort of an on and off present. Not too sure about a future, though.”

“You don’t seem like her type.” -I noted.

He smirked. “You might say that. Friends with the acrobat ex, right, lass?”

I snorted. “If it helps, I’m not sure tween crushes and a New Year’s kiss count for much. Besides, Nightwing’s something of a serial flirt. Aside from Starfire, I don’t think he’s had any serious relationships.”

“Man after me own heart, then.” -he said, amused. “Haven’t met the bloke, but no worries; I don’t mind their shared history. I don’t get the luxury of looking back, much - not a pleasant view - so I tend not to dwell on others’ pasts, either. Yours included.”

I hummed. This rang true, of course; Constantine had not been amongst Earth’s magical protectors whom converged upon my arrival - too young back then, perhaps, or, more likely, not too interested. When we did meet, days after Trigon’s destruction, it was more of a professional courtesy than anything else. He celebrated my patricide, and offered to check me for any residual demonic influence. I think the second opinion helped, with some of the Leaguers - Constantine may have been an infamous, vice-ridden jackass, but he did not mess around when it came to matters of the underworld.

“It’s appreciated.” -I said. “Is Klarion ready?”

He nodded. “That, he is. It’s a mad gambit, yours - and the rest of the League’s. I haven’t dabbled much in this Apokolips nonsense, but it frankly sounds beyond what you lot can handle.”

“Well, you’re always welcome to help.” -I said.

He snorted. “Ask around; I’m more burden than I’m worth, little bird.”

I pointed back inside the room. “I doubt she’d agree.”

He stared at Zatanna, still peacefully asleep. “I hope you’re right.”

#raven #nightwing #Rachel Roth #dick grayson #john constantine #constantine #Klarion the Witch Boy #zatanna #Teen Titans #Young Justice #fanfiction #fanfic #CrossOver #justice league

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dyketectivecomics · 5 years

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Retrieval - Ch. 11

SURPRISE BITCHES. BETCHA THOUGHT YOU’D SEE THE LAST OF THIS.

(Read on AO3) (No actually, maybe go ahead and reread everything on ao3, since its been SO DAMN LONG ooooof) (also everyone keep in mind that the chap under the cut doesnt have italic edits in bc its 3k & also 1 am and i don't have time for that. just go ahead and read it on ao3 unless you already have an idea of whats going on at this stage in the fic lmao)

@squiddybeifong it’s ur turn finally, love <3, def take ur time and i cant WAIT to see your thoughts on this haha

...

Grotesque as each of the demons were, Raven remembered barely keeping them straight from one another. All sharp teeth and disfigured skin, some sported facsimiles of regency fashion, while others chose to hide themselves in as few layers as possible. Try as she might, she recalled the eyes most clearly, in hues of reds, oranges and yellow, all burning with the sins of the souls they had claimed over the eons.

The one who had called her here, a brother without a name. (At least without a name yet, as that would come a decade later, when she most needed to name and defeat these demons with Titans by her side.) No, this demon that could not be properly named stood to his full height, towering over the others as he snapped his claw-like fingers to gain their attention, silencing their jeering at the destruction the portal showed.

"Enough of that nonsense," he droned, as if somehow bored of the chaos and devastation. "While Father is distracted, we have but one chance to settle this nasty business. What are we to do with sister dearest?"

There was much grumbling among the demons as they took seats around this circle, the visage of Azarath's last moments disappearing from view forever with a distinct pop and crackle. Raven could feel once again the ghost of Zatanna's reassuring hand on her shoulder, squeezing it gently in empathy. She couldn't tell if it was better, or worse, never knowing what had transpired.

She certainly knew more than before, just enough to get a clearer picture than so many years of guesswork had lead her down. But it left a hollow feeling in her chest, as those certainties were closed off forever now.

Maybe it had been too much to hope for, to know exactly what Azarath's last moments were like. Or maybe it was too cruel to wish for the burden of such knowledge, even when one had prepared themselves for it. How disheartening, to have gone to so much trouble, only to be stopped so short.

"We can't kill her, much as I'm loathe to share any more 'an I already have to with you lot," a smaller demon piped up to Raven's left. She'd forgotten, in her reverie, just where her attention should truly lay. "But that doesn't mean we can't have our fun."

There was a murmur through the group, a mixed reaction but no true agreements or dissents. Raven could feel something swelling up in her stomach, but she reached for Zatanna's hand on her shoulder, squeezing it back and quelling the feeling.

She knew she'd made it to Constantine's apartment relatively unscathed. Like rereading an old favorite book, she remembered the end even without needing to remember everything that occurred in between. Whatever they had in mind, try as they might have, these petty demons hadn't harmed her much. She was strong enough to survive it then, she was powerful enough to endure it now.

Though, with how the hellfire that was starting to play tricks on her eyes, a part of her wondered just how much longer she'd be forced to endure it. In the furthest reaches, it shone a bit too hot, blinding if she let her eyes stray there for too long.

"The important thing I want to know is; how much fun can we have without Trigon letting on about it? And without interfering too deeply with his plans?"

"Doesn't he need the girl as an emissary to Earth and other planes?" one quipped back, "That would mean we can't keep her here, not long at any rate."

"Then it'd be best to act soon, lest he send her away before we have-"

A low rumble went through the group, all collectively groaning as they felt the same call. Raven remembered hearing a voice, faint, as if it spoke through layers of cotton. It was strange to her then, but familiar now, the cockiness and sly flow of mocking decorum. Constantine's most casual of ways, of summoning sworn enemies forth, to make the most backhanded of bargains.

Though, some of what he was saying... didn't particularly seem to resonate with what would have been said in such circumstances. And out of the corner of her eye, Raven watched as that white-hot light broke through a stalactite or two, eating away at the scene. Inevitable, but much slower than before. She knew now, for certain, that time was limited, much as she'd fought successfully against it so far.

She could hold it off just a tad longer.

"The Hellblazer's onto us, gentlemen," one of the demons sighed, resigned to what was to come. "Any volunteers?"

The group laughed, and Raven remembered taking a few shy steps back, naively thinking this an opportunity to sneak away, before more than a few sets of eyes settled on her.

"Why not send our little sister to him?" the eldest sneered, "It's beneath us to answer such a droll summons. It would be amusing to see him throw her back to us like a fisherman does a minnow."

Laughter bubbled around Raven, too-wide smiles and menacing glints in eyes and teeth. The feeling of self-satisfied, low-burning rage and an anticipation for harm to come.

She knew, then, that anywhere they would want to send her, anywhere that she wasn't in control of sending herself to, would not be a place she'd want to go. And much too late, she tried to make a dash to get away.

She screamed as she felt sharp claws sinking into her arms and delighted laughter reached a fever pitch around her. Everything began growing much brighter and more charged than before, as her body was burning the last of this nightmarish high.

She watched as a few of her brothers slashed into the air around them, tearing reality itself apart as they searched for the best rift to send her tumbling through.

...

The air temperature dropped drastically as John felt his daughter's mood shift, something tightening in his chest and tears welling in his eyes. His heart hammered in his chest, fear at the forefront of it all. He glanced up to see Asa holding her own against Raven's projections better than he did, wiping away a droplet before focusing her hands, once more on checking Zatanna's aura.

"I call upon Saint Christopher, that he may protect in their travels..."

It was a long shot, but when a demonologist has exhausted all of the runes and rituals at his disposal, sometimes a hope and a prayer were all that were left. And Constantine was currently running down the long list of every deity and figure of power that he could scarcely remember.

The classic Catholic routes were always the first to go.

His tone took a more urgent tune as he watched his daughter clench her fists and let out an ear-splitting scream.

"I call upon Saint Michael, to protect in this battle..."

He could only hope that these prayers and practices weren't coming too late.

...

As Zatanna felt the chill of Raven's powers as the empath's consciousness finally awoke, the sorceress tried turning over a happier memory in her own mind.

Sending Raven back to reality in this state now wouldn't do them any good. Fear and anger and hate lingering on her soul. It would, at best, wreck John's apartment.

At worst, it could level New York.

As those demons, shadows of memories long past, opened that fateful portal to John's apartment, so similar and yet a striking difference to how it was now, answering a summons that none wanted to bother themselves with, Zatanna focused all her energy into channeling that memory of her own. One that she couldn't be sure Raven shared. It seemed so far away, and such a small thing.

Of a tiny seven-year-old, in her halloween costume, dressed as the most adorable witch San Francisco would ever see, and receiving a tickling of a lifetime as her mother teased her. The memory of peals of laughter from the sorceress and squeals of protest from the young empath rang in her ears, louder now than the demons laughter, that was slowly fading away from them as Raven's small form was sent through that portal. Zatanna could only do her best to follow close after her.

Slowly, her grip on the girl’s hand loosened, until she lost it completely in their free fall. The sorceress watched helplessly as Raven fell further down ahead of her, the memory still at the periphery of her own mind.

She could see as the portal closed, how time shifted everything inside of that apartment. The couch's color dimmed, showing its wear and its age. Grooves in the floor grew from so many rearrangements of furniture and space. She could see Constantine sitting watch over her and Raven's bodies, and noted that the Nightmare Nurse's aid had been enlisted.

And all too quickly, that vision faded.

As everything dimmed around her, she thought she could hear Raven's voice as she knew it now, deep throaty laughter bubbling out around it, replacing those high-pitched squeals from before.

Everything became blackness once more.

...

As laughter escaped from his daughter's lips, Constantine paid Asa's concerned protests no mind, rushing again to his daughter's side as her powers sparked electrically around them. That shift in the air, like ozone and pressure before a thunderstorm, was one he recognized when a too-sudden, too-extreme mood shift occurred for the empath. When her powers were stuck playing catch-up as they drifted from menacing shadows to dangerously cheery sparks.

"Raven, I need you to breathe for me, darling," he begged, "Find your center again, luv."

His focus was solely on his daughter, as her laughter slowly died, the snickers giving way to breathless gasps. When she began to still in his arms and as her breathing began to return back to normal, he finally registered the Nightmare Nurse's frantic cries.

"-She's not responding, John. Zatanna's not waking up."

...

"Give up?" Zatanna asked with a gleam in her eyes and a sly smile on her lips. The witch before her pouted, giving the most adorable glare that the sorceress had seen in her life.

"Never," she said, and her voice held all of the self-assurance of a spellcrafter well beyond her so few years of experience.

Zatanna only smiled wider. "You asked for it, then."

She tickled the little witch for a second time, laughing alongside her shouts and giggles. That accent that she was picking up from Constantine was more prominent, now that she’d spent the better part of the year with him. And it was positively adorable as well. "No! Mummy, stop!"

"Admit it!" she laughed, "Admit that you're the most adorable little witch!"

It was true, objectively speaking. The girl's dress and hat were tailored with kitschy patches, buttons that seemed comically large and cartoonish pockets that were even bigger than one would think. All of the makings of a perfect Halloween costume. All she was missing, at the moment, were practical tennies for trick-or-treating.

This was where one of several points of argument for the evening had begun, as Raven had insisted, in her seven-year-old wisdom, that her dance flats were needed to complete the look. Something Zee had been unsuccessful, thus far, in swaying her opinion on.

At least until she’d started the teasing, and followed through on her threat of tickling.

"I'm-" she was breathless, gasping for air, but giggling all between, "I'm- not! I'm a- I'm a scary-! A scary witch!"

With that final shout, Zatanna paused in her tickling as Raven sent a shock through her skin. A light zap of her powers, but nothing like the unsettling chill she had felt earlier when the girl refused to admit to fears and doubts about the holiday festivities her mother had planned. It was a welcome change, if unexpected.

"You're right," Zee chuckled in assent, carefully picking the girl up and carrying her from the room, "And since you're clearly the most terrifying thing out and about tonight, that must mean you'll be able to protect me from all of the ghouls and goblins out there tonight?"

The girl puffed out her chest, grinning wide as she adjusted her hat. "No monsters will get past me, mummy! I promise!"

The magician could only smile and hold the girl in a tight embrace. "Thanks, Blackbird. I feel safer already. But you know what will help me feel-?"

But just as the sorceress set the girl down again, before she had even finished the question as she turned around in this fairly mundane memory, she could feel that sense of presence slipping. Her once familiar home in San Francisco fading away in a blur and a blank. An expanse before her that could be filled with anything.

This Raven wasn’t the one she entered this world with. Her daughter was no longer in this plane between consciousness and dreams, where memories made their home.

And that terrifying reality was starting to settle in.

“-the most... safe?” she finished asking, in trepidation.

A shiver creeped quickly down her spine, as another memory took her away, unbidden.

…

“I have to go back for her,” the empath protested, sitting up at once as the Nightmare Nurse’s words fully registered. She felt the blood rush just as quickly away from her head, and lay back down immediately to stop the dizziness.

“You’d need at least an hour of recovery, kiddo,” Asa laughed bitterly, “At least you would, if you were human.”

“I’ll be fine in a minute. Just give me a second.”

“Like bleedin’ hell you’re going back,” John growled, “Asa, you hold ‘er, luv. I’ll be going in-”

“Dad, pots!” Her tone and intention had the brit slowly freezing right in place against his will. Try as he might to fight her, he never had quite the same level of resolve that Raven had.

But, he supposed, that’s just how fathers and daughters seemed to operate. A father always willing to give his girl the world. And never being able to deny her, even when it was in her best interest.

“It has to be me, dad,” Raven sighed. “I pulled her in. I need to be the one to pull her out.”

Constantine swallowed the lump forming in his throat, teeth slow to unclench as he asked, “Promise me you’ll be safe? That you’ll get out soon as you reach her?”

Raven’s own indigo eyes leveled at his piercing blue ones, her stomach dropping as she lied, “I promise.”

…

She felt calmer when she opened her eyes again, her breathing shallow and soft, her body curled as tightly in on itself as she could stand. She felt a sharp pinch of happiness, and a dull sting of longing, when she heard her father’s voice. And she remembered, another small memory that had meant so much more to her over the years.

"Now just where did my princess run off to," Giovanni mused as he glanced around his daughter's room. He made extra sure not to take any special notice of some particularly lumpy and giggling pillows that lay on her bed.

"Hmm, how strange," he sighed with extra, cartoonish emphasis, "How odd that my daughter would learn to pull such a thorough disappearing act before I could teach her it myself. Alas!" He gave a cry, before falling back onto her bed. "Perhaps if I were to take a nap upon her bed, I could dream of where she has run off to!"

He adjusted himself carefully atop that oh-so-lumpy cushioning, leaning carefully back and poking at the pillows as she barely held in her snickering. "Now, if only these pillows weren't so lumpy and strange! Perhaps then my dreams might be clear." He put a bit more of his weight on it, yawning dramatically as he stretched his arms above his head. "But as long as Zatanna is not here, I don't see the harm-"

"I am here, daddy! I got you!" the young sorceress cried, laughing as she wiggled out from behind her father.

"Goodness! You have, indeed, my princess!" the magician laughed, bringing his daughter in close for a hug and pressing a kiss to her forehead. "And I've missed you so! You must promise to teach me that trick before my next show!"

"Uh-uh, that one's a super-special... tersec?" the five-year-old turned the word over uncertainly, and Zatara only smiled as he applauded her attempt.

"Terces, my sun and stars. Repus laiceps terces." He booped her nose, and she giggled once more. With a whispered word and sleight of hand, he produced a diary with a lock, Zatanna's name embossed with ostentatious calligraphy, and smiled even wider as she went starry-eyed.

"You'll need a place to keep those sterces then, my darling."

The chorus of thank-yous that followed after were drowned out only by his own laughter as he returned her tight embrace.

The sorceress began to feel the weight of the memory weighing on her chest, however. A wistfulness as the laughter quickly became quiet cries. At first, she almost believed them to be cries for what she still mourned. But then everything shifted again.

“Give me the word, my sun and stars,” her father growled, “And I will make the boy regret his very-”

“Daddy, no,” she shook her head, “It’s not… It’s not his fault.”

“That is where you are wrong, my dear,” the old magician laughed, “It is always a boy’s fault. Unless he starts taking responsibility for it, then he is not truly a man.” He squeezed her hand tightly as he lifted her chin, making sure she was looking into his smiling eyes as he said, “And he is not worthy of your time, for that matter, either.” He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, before pulling her back in for another tight embrace.

Zatanna held desperately to this special kind of comfort that she hadn’t felt since her father had died.

#rachel roth #zatanna zatara #giovanni zatara #john constantine #nightmare nurse #dc bombshells #au: magic foster family #retrieval #randywritesfic #i know i said i wouldn't update any fics but I'm a LIAR i guess bc my Brain decided it wanted to be Inspired all of a sudden #SO WELCOME TO THIS THEN HAHA #(im so damn sorry to people who may want to jump in at this point. no plz. go back and start from the beginning this is a WILD ride ok)

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tessatechaitea · 5 years

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The Sandman Universe Presents: Hellblazer #1

I just want to see Constantine enter a Magic the Gathering tournament.

Bah! Always a debt do! PTUI!

Years of DC magic-users casting backwards spells and magicking up solutions to problems without a hint of "always a debt do" and then, suddenly, nobody can cast a fucking cantrip without paying out of pocket somehow. I get the "always a debt due" when you're dealing with demons or devils or some other kind of help from a summoned or black magic creature. But why the fuck must all magic cost something insane?! Just let Constantine do magic but occasionally he's got to deal with more powerful creatures or magicians who want something in return. Don't make him need to pay for every little thing he does. Something has eaten the sun so Constantine writes the word "Fuck" all over a decapitated pig's head. Can a head be described as decapitated? Isn't that the adjective for the body? Or does it only refer to both parts after separation? Anyway, you probably knew what I meant! I mean about the pig's head being separated from its body and not about how Constantine writing "Fuck" all over it will help return the sun.

Wouldn't be Hellblazer without the C-word. Although is it appropriate? I'm reading this prior to the watershed.

That's Chas's brief cameo in this new series. You might wonder how I know it's brief. Well, I read the next page where Chas dies distracting the evil monsters so that the super heroes can get the sun back. It's the quickest way for Simon to let the audience know that Constantine will do anything to save the world, even betray his friends. Plus he makes sure to say, "I've done worse for less," just to drive the point home. It's one of those revelations that would have greater impact over a long run of multiple different story arcs. But modern comic books don't understand that kind of accrued history anymore. Things have to happen quickly and in comic book shorthand, before the comic is cancelled. Plus, who wants to wait five years for sixty issues worth of history and characterization?! Spurrier knows Constantine has years of characterization and history already built up! Why not shove all of that into the first few pages of this new series and move on from there?! Constantine takes a bit of Chas's taxi cab shrapnel in the side and now he's probably dying. Sure, he could probably save himself by casting a spell that sends five babies to Hell. But first he has to find five babies! Instead, he just runs into young Tim Hunter from the past. John is all, "Oh, hey! Tim! Remember The Books of Magic? Remember Fairie? Remember how we all hated your stupid prat face? Anyway, this is your future and the bad guy ending the world is grown up you. Jerk." Tim Hunter is all, "That's me?! I wonder if I've been laid yet! Man, just think how much my older self's dick stinks!" Tim Hunter goes off to, I don't know, sue J.K. Rowling or something, leaving Constantine to die. But before Constantine dies, he's visited by old man Constantine. If things seem a bit crazy, it's because Constantine kept mentioning something about the world going mad or everything leading to madness or something that I didn't mention. But now I'm mentioning it so that all of this weirdness makes sense. Old Man Constantine wants John's soul in exchange for saving him. That's a pretty good deal, really! I'd totally go for it! Give up your soul to yourself way in the future? It's like putting it away for safe keeping! How the hell do you pass up that deal?!

That was my point! Take the deal, mate!

Constantine thinks Old Man Constantine is probably a Constantine from another universe and that there'll be some kind of catch. But he's dying and he doesn't have much time to decide so he takes the deal. That'll probably be important later! Old Man Constantine heals John, tells him to be the best John he can be, and then transports Constantine to some mental ward somewhere. Another universe without the sun being eaten? Maybe that was just the prologue to describe how Constantine leaped from the main DC Universe to the Black Label DC Universe. And now we can forget all of that Tim Hunter ending the world stuff that was so 1990s DC Vertigo weirdness. Now it's time for Constantine Unplugged! That just means he can say cunt again. Constantine manages to talk his way out of Ravenscar psychiatric hospital and discovers he's in modern London where Brexit is happening. Or not happening. Or not not happening? I guess we'll find out the next chapter of Brexit after the special elections. Go Labour!

Constantine having a bit of a philosophical thought about his own entanglement in a comic book ret-con.

I feel bad for comic book fans who need a moment like the panels above to justify comic book continuity. Who dreams of having some kind of solid, historical timeline without any errors throughout? Especially when your main characters never age. What the fuck do they want? Magic?! Anyway, I think Spurrier does the best he can here dealing with the audience he knows he need to fucking explain every little thing to. He's just putting it right out front: "Yeah, Constantine has a bunch of memories that don't mesh at all and he's now in 2019 and he's in his thirties or something and yes he was heavily involved in the 70s punk scene and maybe just get over it, okay? You're reading a funny book about magic. Grow the fuck up." Constantine finds Chas possessed by all the demons that meant to kill him years ago. He's dying of cancer from second-hand smoke and tells Constantine to fuck off and ruin somebody else's life. So John fucks off to go ruin somebody else's life. Or maybe to be a better version of himself. Or just to go drink himself into retirement. Sandman Universe Presents: Hellblazer #1 Final Thoughts: I guess this is the Hellblazer #1 prologue introducing the new series starting this week in Hellblazer #1. That's going to be really confusing for my image tags if I forget that I labeled these images "Hellblazer1.jpg" and such. If the scans in this review don't seem to make any sense, it's because you're reading this a few months on and I forgot about the image tags and reused the same tags for John Constantine, Hellblazer #1 coming out this Wednesday (but which I won't probably review for another week or two). Sorry!

#Hellblazer #John Constantine #DC Comics #DC

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seriouslycromulent · 6 years

Photo

OK. I originally started this post a week and a half ago. But between 2 trips out of town and the Hell in a Cell PPV, I’m only now getting around to finishing it. So I apologize if it sounds dated or odd. But I did want to share what I learned and experienced at HVFF, especially since it was so close to home.

Anywho … here we go:

I wasn’t planning on going to the Heroes and Villains Fan Fest in New Jersey, but lo and behold, on the Saturday night before, I realized I just might be able to go and spend a couple of hours fawning over some fandom favorites. Especially since they were so close to home (I live in Newark), and the last time Matt Ryan was supposed to come to HVFF, he cancelled at the last minute.

I can now officially forgive him. He didn’t know we were fighting, but I forgive him nonetheless. ;-)

Anyway, since I could only go on Sunday, I had a very specific agenda:

Enjoy Q&A with Ray Fisher

Meet Matt Ryan and get him to sign my Dangerous Habits graphic novel

Meet Ray Fisher and just bask in his awesomeness! (J/k I got his autograph too!)

Walk around and check out the vendors and artists at the show

Buy nerdy things for a reasonable price

Well, this post is only going to be about item #2 because for the brief time that I got to chat with Matt Ryan, I learned some interesting things about him and what may be on the horizon for his Constantine on the CW.

I’ll try to be quick. Well, I’ll try to try.

Matt Ryan is very chill and took his time talking to people for as long as they wanted while the rest of us waited in line. Some people were aware that others were just as excited as they were to talk to Matt, but a few took a really long time to chat with him. And at no point did I see Matt look bothered, frustrated or tired. He seemed very engaging and interested in everything everyone had to say to him. It could be an act, but even if it is, it’s still a nice thing to do.

He wore all black, but none of the different shades of black matched, which I kind of liked because that’s just something that Constantine wouldn’t care about either. Just add a leather jacket and you would get Mucous Membrane vibes.

I was surprised by the number of people in line who weren’t talking to each other. Sure, friends who walked up together talked to each other, but I’m used to fans who are willing to stand in line and meet one of their fandom favs just striking up a conversation with one another to pass the time. In Matt’s line, not so much. Or maybe it was just me. It didn’t look like anyone wanted to talk to anyone they didn’t already know.

Matt had a lot of headshots and images to choose from if people wanted an autograph, including some from the NBC series. I really wanted the one with the 4 main cast members (Manny, Zed, John, and Chas), but I had to stay focused.

When I finally got in front of Matt, I fell into this weird thing where I suddenly decide I’m going to overcompensate for my nerves by talking way too much and too fast. But I didn’t want to take up too much of his time and knew others were waiting so I forgave myself for being so effusive. I hope he picked up on my nervous vibes and didn’t hold it against me.

I told him that he was the representation of 2 worlds colliding because I’m a huge Hellblazer fan and a theater geek. And as a matter of fact, when I moved to the East Coast 3 years ago, his play, Therese Raquin, was the first Broadway play I had ever attended. He laughed at that and apologized. He said that that’s a rough one for a first-time Broadway experience. I said it was OK, and I enjoyed it.

I told him as a matter of fact, I was a part of the preview audience that he talked about in an interview that was deathly quiet after the play ended. I said I remember feeling like, “Oh shit! Was that it? Should we not have laughed at the things we laughed at throughout the play?” For those who don’t know, Emile Zola has a sense of humor, but the play is dark, and it involves a murder and 2 suicides. The lighter moments are needed to release some of the tension in the play, but that performance did not get a typical audience reaction to the end, I’m guessing.

Then, Matt launches into the story about how it’s interesting to learn what American theater audiences laugh at compared to British audiences. He had previously performed on Broadway in Hamlet a few years earlier, but it had transferred from the UK, and there weren’t any previews, just regular performances. He said there were times when the American audiences were rowdier or laughed at dialogue or scenes where British audiences didn’t. I recall a few other actors mentioning this before in interviews, but it was always in reference to movies or TV shows. So I thought it was interesting to hear that these differences also show up in the theater, especially since you get the benefit of having that immediate reaction on stage. Also, I think he may have just had some rowdy audiences for Hamlet.

I couldn’t tell if Matt liked or hated the differences in audience reactions, but I could tell he did find it strange and interesting.

He also told me about the differences in the previews process for theater in the UK is different. Now, I studied theater in London (academically), but I wasn’t going to pass up an opportunity to learn more about it from an actual actor, so I listened intently to his details. Apparently, in the UK, previews are for a very few performances, then the show is set and runs for X number of weeks. On Broadway (but perhaps not everywhere in the US), the previews can last up to 3 weeks, depending on the producer and theater company. I told him that I think the Off-Broadway theater productions may operate more like the UK theater industry. And the multiple weeks of previews seems more like a commercial Broadway thing, but I couldn’t be sure.

Then, I mentioned that I actually studied theater in London, but I immediately regretted it. Not because I’m ashamed or anything, but because I think he thought I was trying to impress him. So it just made me feel and look foolish. So I quickly moved on.

I told Matt that I really loved the NBC series, and I was devastated when it was cancelled because Hellblazer is my favorite comic book, and I thought for network television, NBC did a good job capturing the spirit and tone of the early John Constantine from Vertigo. To this, Matt frowned a little and said he understood, and that he’s happy to get a chance to play the character again. He knows it’s not quite the same on Legends as it was on the other series, but the role is such a pleasure to play.

Now this is the part that really stuck with me: Matt said he’s trying to work in a little more darkness to the character to make him more like the John from the comic books. It’s a bit difficult because the tone of Legends is very different, but he is working on it.

He also said that the hope is that if the season goes well, and fans really respond to Constantine, the CW hopes to relaunch the solo show on the CW network. That way, John can be more like the Constantine from the comics.

To this, I was beyond ecstatic because I wasn’t sure if I could make myself watch Legends of Tomorrow just for Matt. The show is just a little too “high” for me. That is, it feels like all the other Berlanti-verse shows, where it has this very light, every show has a message, after-school special feel to them. I wouldn’t say “camp” but it treads a bit close to it at times, and I like my comic book TV shows with a little more grit to them. I am a DC comics fan after all.

To that end, Matt quickly signed my copy of Dangerous Habits graphic novel. When I first set it down in front of him after walking over, he said, “Ah, my favorite one!” And I said “I know. Mine too.” I also let him know I wished his LoT Constantine could be darker, but I understood why he wasn’t.

While he was signing, I noticed he had a tattoo on the inside of his left arm, near the elbow joint. So I asked him what it said. He quoted the Polonius line from Hamlet: “This above all: To thine own self be true. And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man.”

It caught me off guard at first because I wasn’t expecting him to say all that. The tattoo is long, but I didn’t think it had that much text. Apparently it does. But when I said, “Excuse me” and leaned in because I didn’t catch all he said, he repeated it and explained where it was from. Of course, I recognized where it was from after I caught all of what he said. but I’m sure in his mind, I lost all credibility when I said I studied theater in London. sadly, the noise of the convention hall combined with years of headphones blasting music is starting to take their toll on my hearing. But it’s still a cool tattoo.

Btw, if you have trouble reading his autograph above, it says: “Candy, Lovely talking to you, Big Love”

OK. That’s it for now.

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arkhamsdarkestknight · 7 years

Text

No Words

Characters: John Constantine (Hellblazer), Reader (You).

Requested by: Anonymous.

Synopsis: Reader is suicidal/self-harming and Constantine comforts him.

Warnings: Self-Harm, Suicidal Thoughts.

A/N: Hope you like it!

Tumblr is driving me insane with not letting me post!!

Also, sorry if John wasn’t as comforting as you’d hoped because I honestly don’t know how you can comfort someone greatly in this situation but I hope it worked.

HEADCANON REQUESTS ONLY!

Tags: @lastbeliever @yeniseykostrov

———————————–

Constantine didn’t know what he was expecting when he entered the apartment, arms full of groceries and a smile on his face. He was living the most ideal life as far as he was concerned. He didn’t know it wasn’t true for you. That’s why the sight was quite shocking.

He was walking through the hallway when an open door and a light caught his eye. Quiet sobs echoing on the tiles. Constantine nudged the door further open with his shoulder as his hands were full. He dropped the bags with a thump against the floor and he felt as if his jaw and heart did too. His mouth opened and closed, trying to find the right thing to say. You looked up at him with red splotched eyes and a mix of innocence and guilt. “I-I’m sorry.” You croaked. You dropped the razor blade onto the white tile and it left red spots. “I’m sorry.” You brought your knees up to your chest and held them tight, careful against your freshly harmed arm. “I just want it to all go away."

Constantine says nothing but squats down and sits cross legged opposite you. He reaches for your arm and you flinch. Constantine looks you warmly in the eyes and reaches again. He gently takes your hand into his and studies the scars. The fresh red stripes and the old. Constantine finds himself fighting tears, but subtle whimpers escape him. "I’m sorry.” You say again. You pull your hand from Constantine’s grip and stand.

You collect all the groceries and carry them to the kitchen, leaving him on the bathroom floor. You pull down your long sleeves and wipe your tears away. You freeze as you see the blood seeping through the fabric but brush it off. There’s no taking it back. While packing away the vegetables into the fridge, you feel warm, reassuring arms wrap around your waist and pressure on your back. The familiar scent of alcohol and cigarettes lingering and his stubble tickled against your neck as he nuzzled his face in the crook. “John-"

"Ssh.” He held you tighter. “Don’t say anything for a second.” He rocked you two from side to side. The only noises were from the streets and the sound of your neighbours slamming their front doors as the came and left. You leant your head back against Constantine. It felt as though you’d been standing in the position for hours, Constantine’s embrace comforting. “I love you. You know that, right?” John whispered. You hesitantly nodded. “Good. And you love me?” There was less hesitation in your response. “Good."

It was evident John didn’t know what to say. And who could blame him. You didn’t know what to say either. You hadn’t wished to put him in this position, and yet you had which had your mind eating away at you, the cruel taunting voice mocking you and your actions.

You shrugged him off and grabbed some paper towels, heading back down the hallway to clean up the eggs smashed on the wood.

"Y/N, luv, I understand you may not really want to talk about this but, please.” Constantine followed close behind. “We’ll order take-away, light the fire, I bought a tub of ice-cream while I was out, and we can just, talk.” You said nothing but the occasional sniffle. John’s shoulders slumped and his eyes burned from holding back tears. “I’ll go order pizza.” He left you alone. You watched out of the corner of your eye as John walked away. Once he was gone, you collapsed off your feet and sat in the hallway, curled up.

It took a little coaxing, but Constantine was gentle about it. He’d ordered pizza and came to you. He carried you into the master bathroom and drew you a warm bath and studied your forearm to be sure it wasn’t bleeding anymore and cleaned it. He didn’t leave your side while you were in the bathtub, and though he didn’t say it, you knew why, you could see it in his eyes. Once the pizza arrived he draped a towel around you and went to pay the pizza guy. You dried yourself and your hair and put on your pyjamas which John left out for you on the bed.

You were moved to tears once you exited the bedroom and saw what John had set up. The lights were dim and there were candles on the dining table, glasses of wine and pizza on the plate. It was so simple, yet it impacted you dramatically. John looked at you with a soft smile and pulled your seat out for you.

Constantine was gracious enough to not try to talk to you during dinner, it gave you time to think about what you could, and would say. “I’m not going to a force a why out of you, luv.” Constantine said with a mouthful of ice-cream as he huddled close to you on the couch. “But, please say something.” You contemplated and settled on one thing.

“Thank you.” John looked at you and smiled.

“What for?"

"Wi-without you in my life, I don’t know where I’d be. I mean, clearly I still have problems, but you provide more comfort than I’ve ever felt in my life."

"Come ‘ere.” He beckoned and put the ice-cream tub on the coffee table. You shuffled closer into his arm and he lay you against him, putting your head to rest on his shoulder. He rubbed your arm and kissed the top of your head.

#john constantine imagine #constantine imagine #constantine #john constantine #john constantine x reader #constantine x reader #john constantine angst #constantine angst #hellblazer #hellblazer imagine #hellblazer angst #hellblazer xreader #dc imagine #dc comics imagine #vertigo imagine #vertigo comics imagine

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angelofberlin2000 · 7 years

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... because Reeves is the star, he has no equal.

Sep 18, 2017

To the surprise of absolutely no one, Lionsgate has announced and slotted John Wick: Chapter Three. The third entry in the accidental franchise is now slated for May 17, 2019.

I’ve always said that the weekend before Memorial Day is among the very best on the calendar, offering the potential for a big opening and then a solid holiday hold. Yes, last summer had Alien: Covenant, which was the least leggy such offering in recent history, but the slot has seen the likes of all four Shrek movies, all three Star Wars prequels, The Matrix Reloaded and Mad Max: Fury Road. So, yeah, Lionsgate watched Star Wars 9 ditch the Memorial Day opening weekend and saw an opening.

If we argue that a franchise grows bigger in stature by virtue of its release dates, then John Wick has been promoted yet again. The first installment was a genuine buzzy sleeper in October 2014. So, the sequel got a more high-profile launching pad over this past President’s Day weekend. We’ll see if the franchise peaked at part II (like Scream or Pirates of the Caribbean) or whether it builds on the third shot (or potentially goes crazy like Goldfinger or Skyfall.

Maybe the answer is somewhere in-between, but John Wick is now the rarest of things, an explicitly star-driven franchise. The success of John Wick is very much about the ongoing and periodically regenerated star power of one Keanu Reeves. Mr. Reeves is arguably the most successful movie star of the modern age in terms of creating wholly original and sequel-friendly franchises.

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Sure, we can talk about his famous philanthropy, his understated and often underappreciated acting, his “sad Keanu” memes, or the fact that he apparently drank from Tuck’s well in the early 1980s and thus will never age. But what’s most impressive is that Reeves’ stardom persists in this IP/franchise-driven era. The secret is that the reclusive and philosophical actor has made a habit of creating a new iconic cinematic character on an almost generational basis.

Depending on how old you are, you may have discovered Reeves in the late 1980s with Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, where he so exquisitely played a good-hearted airhead that said characterization stuck as a kind of offscreen typecasting for decades. Or maybe you first saw the actor in Kathryn Bigelow’s Point Break, where overeager and exasperated FBI agent Johnny Utah and Patrick Swayze’s guru surfer bank robber essentially invented the testosterone-fueled bromance. It wasn't a big hit, but it spawned a remake, a satirical stage play (Point Break Live) and a loose rip-off that spawned a rather fast and furious eight films-and counting franchise.

Or maybe you discovered (or rediscovered) Reeves via Jan De Bont’s action classic Speed, which turned his onscreen kamikaze airhead reputation on its head for what amounted to a cheerful, well-mannered action hero. The film was slightly ahead of its time in casting a somewhat unconventional actor as its muscular action lead. It was a new trend begun by Die Hard and Batman and made mainstream when Nicolas Cage cashed in on his Oscar win to make The Rock, Con Air and Face/Off in the mid-1990s.

Reeves’ blockbuster action hit, which turned Sandra Bullock into a leading lady, kept Reeves’ name in good graces as he dabbled in smaller films and quirkier projects like A Walk in the Clouds, Feeling Minnesota or The Devil’s Advocate. While Reeves has long specialized in understated dramatic turns (not unlike Harrison Ford or Kevin Costner), Taylor Hackford religious melodrama/gonzo comic thriller, which gave us Charlize Theron, is a rare occasion where Keanu Reeves delivered a terrific over-acted performance. He held his own against a peak-ham Al Pacino.

But just as Reeves’ star was fading, he gave us a new iconic cinematic character for a new generation in the guise of Thomas Anderson. You may know him as Neo, but The Matrix was one of the most influential major studio releases of our time, and the Wachowskis’ mind-bending cyberpunk action trilogy became Reeves’ biggest grossers here and abroad. And whether they acted as a gateway drug for younger would-be Reeves fans or served to reignite the fandom born of Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, Point Break and Speed, The Matrix gave Reeves yet another defining and iconic cinematic character to call his own.

By the time the Matrix franchise wrapped up in late 2003, the industry was starting to do away with outright star vehicles, especially those not based upon prior source material. So, it’s no surprise that Reeves’ two big hits in the mid-to-late 2000s were Constantine (a loose adaptation of the DC Comics title Hellblazer) and The Day The Earth Stood Still (a remake of a classic 1950’s sci-fi drama). Both films earned around $230 million worldwide on budgets of $100m and $80m respectively. Fun fact: Until Wonder Woman, Constantine was the biggest DC Comics adaptation without Batman or Superman ever.

The post-Matrix 2000’s offered a few small-scale winners (I will defend Reeves and Sandra Bullock’s The Lake House, a moving meditation on adult loneliness, unto death) and worthwhile indie films (Thumbsucker, The Private Lives of Pippa Lee, etc.), but the mainstream stuff (Street Kings, 47 Ronin) didn’t stick. Even the actor admits that the phone stopped ringing as much, although he did produce and narrate a terrific documentary (Side by Side) about digital video versus conventional film stock and direct the delightfully entertaining Man of Tai Chi.

And on paper, John Wick probably looked like a somewhat lower-rung, glorified VOD actioner better suited to Bruce Willis or Scott Adkins, a kind of “Oh, I guess Keanu Reeves is making a Taken knock-off” grindhouse offering. But the stylized and stylish actioner, starring Reeves as a retired hitman drawn back into the fray after Russian mobsters kill his newborn puppy, was a rarity. It was a genuine, under-the-radar sleeper hit.

The picture, directed by Chad Stahelski and David Leitch, was picked up by Lionsgate less than three months prior to its eventual late-October 2014 release and turned into a genuine mainstream hit. Thanks to good reviews, strong buzz and a solid marketing campaign that treated the film as a generational coronation for the occasionally underappreciated movie star, the picture vastly overperformed its pre-release tracking estimates, opening with $14 million and legging it to $43m domestic and $88m worldwide on a $30m budget.

That’s not a king’s ransom, but the picture, which played off Reeves’ star persona as a Zen-like man of action (and the fact that he had been somewhat MIA from mainstream movies), became an instant genre favorite and would-be cult classic. It was a big post-theatrical hit and John Wick: Chapter Two opened this past February as a true breakout sequel with a $30 million debut weekend for an eventual $92m domestic and $171m worldwide gross on a $40m budget.

The John Wick franchise is rooted in the idea of seeing Keanu Reeves specifically as John Wick, specifically because of Reeves’ performance and how the character plays off his persona. And that applies to all his defining characters, from Ted to Neo to Wick. Plenty of actors have one or two iconic/defining cinematic characters to their credit. Reeves has at least four (Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, Speed, The Matrix and John Wick) and possibly five (if you want to count Point Break’s Johnny Utah). Moreover, all of them stemmed from original screenplays sans any attachment to branded content or preexisting source material.

Moreover, all of them stemmed from original screenplays sans any attachment to branded content or preexisting source material. In 2017, Reeves is still around, still relevant, and still creating wholly original cinematic franchise-friendly characters. It would be like if Harrison Ford were still creating new characters as popular as Indiana Jones or Han Solo. Or, it would be like if Hell of High Water or Blackhat did even 25% of what Star Trek or Thor did at the domestic box office.

It is that ability (aside from the whole talent/charisma/professionalism/commitment stuff), to create new characters just often enough to snag new fans and reacquaint himself with older fans that keeps the actor exciting and bankable even in an IP/branded content world. Most actors are lucky to have one iconic character. Some, like Alan Rickman, get two. Keanu Reeves has at least four, all of which are wholly original cinematic creations.

Like Denzel Washington and Leonardo DiCaprio, Keanu Reeves is still a movie star because he remains bigger than the property and can score big bucks and new fans absent any property at all. And unlike any of his peers, he has a knack for embodying wholly original characters that redefine (or reenergize) his stardom right when the wick is about to burn out. And in terms of starring in films that create sequel-friendly franchises, franchises that succeed specifically because Reeves is the star, he has no equal.

Thanks to mr-reeves.com !

#keanu reeves #keanu reeves support #one of hollywood's biggest movie stars #movie star

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oldhead-blerdette · 7 years

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The Rise, Fall, and Rebirth of Horror Comics: A Basic History

In the Beginning

Depending on who you ask, the answer may vary on the origin of horror comics. Mike Howlett, a horror comics history scholar, would tell you to look back to December 1940 for the comic based on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. This story was published in “The New Adventures of Frankenstein” from Prize Comics #7. Individual horror comics could possibly trace their origins to the comic adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde appearing in Gilberton Publications’ Classic Comics #13 in August 1943.

Looking back even further, DC Comics decided to get in on the fun with Dr. Occult in the 1930s. Eerie (1947) from Avon Publications is championed as the first horror comic series with original content. However, it is Adventures into the Unknown (American Comics Group) that claims the title of the first horror comics title since 1948.

From then on, the genre continued to spread and evolve with mixed reception.

Yet horror comics began to expand. Many tropes of today can be found in these popular stories. They began to include terrible villains, bloodshed, monsters, scanty damsels in distress, torture and more.

Gilberton, Dell Comics, Gold Key Comics, Warren Publishing, and many others filled the spaces of horror than fans needed. Fawcett, Youthful Magazines, Harvey Comics, Charlton. The list goes on and on.

Readers became more exposed to these treacherous tales thank to a sudden boom in the genre. About 1950, comics saw the great birth of horror from EC Comics! Famed as one of the most influential in the horror game, fans today still speak their praises. Censorship in the 1950’s pushed EC a bit off track, but it didn’t stay for long. Some great tales from its day can now be found in reprints, but you can always look deeper into seller sites for the real deal. EC Comics was often imitated but never duplicated.

Some of your favorite publishers got caught up in the wave too, creating such titles like Journey into Mystery, House of Mystery, and Strange Tales. Our favorite superheroes may not have existed if not for this great explosion. What a thought!

Enter: Dr. Fredric Wertham!

You all knew this was coming. In 1954, comics all over were hit when Dr. Wertham published Seduction of the Innocent. Comics all over were hit with, regulations and policies and near censorship. Crime and horror comics were seemingly choked, and some were laid to rest altogether. Pretty soon your favorite titles had that big CCA on the cover. Not all books felt the same effects as others, though.

Crime and horror had to be set straight. The heroes must be distinguishable from the villains. No bloodshed or mangled bodies after a fight. The heroes must always win! Sounds pretty lame, right? Not everyone wants a happy ending.

The comic book media was determined to keep moving forward. Even through failed titles and “implosions”, the mainstream publishers grew. Wertham couldn’t keep his claws in our books forever

Not Dead Yet

Not even the off base “studies” of an out of touch psychiatrist could hold its grip on horror comics. Lots of publishers began to fill in the void. There was no stopping this hype train.

In 1962, Dell Comics published Ghost Stories to kick off it horror line. 1966 saw the birth of Charlton horror comics with Ghostly Tales. The blood-sucking seductress Vampirella made her debut in 1969.

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Marvel dipped its hand into the game. They began putting out titles like Tower of Shadows, Chamber of Darkness, Where Monsters Dwell, Where Creatures Roam, The Fear, and others. Some of these publications dropped of or were simply reprints of old stories, but the ripple effect is still felt .Comic titles Werewolf By Night, Tomb of Dracula, and other classic horror tales sprung up. During this time, we see the emergence of fan favorites Morbius, Man-Thing, Blade, and more.

Many of these characters may be featured in more modern stories or crossing over with your favorite web-slinger or such.

DC Comics got in on this too. Stories like The Unexpected, House of Mystery, Secrets of Haunted House, and more popped up and sometimes spurned spinoffs for readers to enjoy. The Modern Age saw fit to carry on some horror titles as well. DC Comics imprint, Vertigo, also threw its hat in the game with Hellblazer, Preacher, and others like it. Swamp Thing, John Constantine, and Elvira were just a small few of the characters of horror that have stayed fan faves for years.

This doesn’t begin to cover the horror titles that come out from other parts of the world. Many countries published many of their own comics. Some have more classic characters and stories than others. Mexico, India, Japan, Korea, and many countries all over the world staked their claim in the game. Many of them stand on their own. I haven’t read these books, but I’m sure they’re good reads. As interesting as they seem, I’m only one person with so much time on her hands. I would certainly say that if you are looking for something more mature, definitely check out non-American books.

Disclaimer: Some of these titles are more adult than others. We are not responsible if you got caught reading dirty books.

Modern Horror

In the last two or so decades, indie comics and publishers have been on the rise. You can still find a few horror comics from your favorite big names. However, the amount of books available is exciting and can be daunting to some. I say, there are no wrong ways to go about your horror comics hunt. Everybody’s getting in on the horror comics.

In the information age, he only thing stopping you from bloodcurdling books is a bad Wi-Fi connection. Archie, Revival, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Jughead, iZombie, Hellblazer, Preacher are a drop in the bucket of horrific content. You could have it all! Please do not read this as Outright Geekery being in support of illegally obtaining comics.

DC Comics, Vertigo, Image Comics, Aftershock Comics. I could sit here all day pointing fingers in different directions.

So What’s the Big Deal?

Why are people so interested in the horror game, you may ask. Well, why shouldn’t we be. People have been obsessed with things that go bump in the night for as long as stories have been told. Whether you want a rush or to satisfy some dark fantasies, there’s something for everyone. There’s gotta be a dark spot to counter all that truth, justice, and American way, right?

Personally, I love good scare. The dark, and morbid nature of humans is brought to light in these fantastical tales. That, is an interesting thing to see. Combine that with the spooky voice of the writer, the compelling and supernatural pencil of the artist, and the attraction and relatability of the characters. Just look at those covers! How can you sit there and say you don’t want to rip those open and give them a read?

The human mind is complex thing. What better way to poke and prod at a man’s subconscious than to bring out his worst nightmare? What better way to poke and prod at our own psyche than to want to read such stories?

Itching for more spine-tingling and flesh-crawling stories? Check out your local comic shop or visit the website of your favorite publisher for more. Now, go get your spook on!

#horror #horror comics #dc comics #marvel comics #ec comics #gilberton #charlton comics #vertigo comics #image comics #aftershock comics #dell comics #gold key comics #avon publishing #frankenstein #monsters

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ask-the-phan-site · 5 years

Text

Phan Cam: Return of Distortion

DISCLAIMER: Some of the people who will appear here are based off of real people. So I would like to apologize in advance to the Booth family for their portrayal in this post. Also, I like to warn you that this post might be long.

>Cafe Leblanc in Yongen-Jaya. Me and the others (except for Queen, Panther, and Crow) were already there with Skull’s mother. When she found her son wasn’t home, she demanded an explanation. So... We told her the truth.

Mrs. Sakamoto: (no other picture of her other than her smiling available) My... That’s... That’s a lot to absorb.

I know how you feel. My heart almost stopped when I learned the truth.

I’m sorry you had to learn about it like this.

Believe us, if Ryuji did wanted you to know, he would tell you the best way he could.

Mrs. Sakamoto: It’s not your fault, Futaba chan... But to be honest, I had a feeling my son was a Phantom Thief for some time now. I just wasn’t sure about it until now.

Again, we’re sorry about this. Especially after what just happened.

Mrs. Sakamoto: What did happen to Ryu kun?

>Suddenly, we hear a car pull up.

That must be them now.

Ren: I should warn you, you may wish to brace yourself for what your about to see.

>Mrs. Sakamoto nods her head. Then the door opens.

This is going to be a tight fit.

Ryuji, can't you just suck it up?

Ryuji’s voice: It doesn't work like that. This armor may be my body, but it ain’t flexible like one.

Akechi’s voice: Could someone help on the other side? I can push, but we need someone to pull.

Ren: I’ll do it.

Yusuke: I’ll help as well.

?????: I suppose I’ll help as well.

I know that voice... Toshi? Is that you on the other side?

Man’s voice: Who else? Kuchisake-onna? (laughs a bit) Now are you helping or what?

>Me and Yusuke take Ryuji’s “hand” and we pull. We pulled and pulled until finally, he got through.

Finally. I thought I was never gettin’ through. Thanks.

Ren: No problem.

>Mrs. Sakamoto walks up to her son, still unable to believe her eyes.

Mrs. Sakamoto: ... Ryu kun?

Ryuji: Hi, Mom. I’m sorry I didn’t show up at the apartment... So, how are you?

>With that, Mrs. Sakamoto nearly faints. Luckily, the stranger who helped us catches her.

Nice catch, Mr... Toshi, wasn’t it?

Mister Toshi was my father. It’s just Toshi. And thank you, Detective Prince.

Ryuji: Will my mom be okay?

Boss: Just in case, I keep smelling salts in the back.

Haru: I’ll get them.

>Haru goes to get the smelling salts.

I guess she’s still reeling. I know I am.

Y- You’re...

Ann: I’m sorry, you guys... But my mom sort of came with me.

Your mom? Oh boy, this is going to be some day.

Ann’s mother: Katherine McBride. Don’t worry, I have no intention of revealing that you’re the Phantom Thieves. Ann trusts you too much.

Toshi: I knew who you guys are for a while, and I also don’t have a reason to turn you in, either.

Ann: How did you know?

Futaba: That’s easy... Because he’s Toshi. One of Japan's most famous enigmas.

Toshi: I wouldn't say famous... More like well known.

Same difference.

Mrs. Sakamoto: (just getting up) How- How did this happen?

Ryuji: That what I would like to know. How did I become... Become...

Futaba: Overflow.

Ryuji: Huh?

Futaba: That’s the name of the alien you’ve turned into. Overflow. Well, I’m guessing it has something to do with that.

>She was pointing at the symbol on Ryuji’s chest.

Makoto: The Omnitrix? Of course, Ben Tennyson uses the Omnitrix to turn into different aliens.

Katherine: So, we just have to remove it and he should change back, right?

???????: That would be ill advised.

Toshi: Are they here already?

Sorry. We’re not the chap you were thinking.

Can’t blame you, though. We have that kind of effect on people.

That’s one way of putting it.

Everyone (except Katherine, Toshi, and Mrs. Sakamoto): Professor Paradox!? Bruce Sato!?

And... Aren’t you the Hellblazer?

Smooth hobo: I prefer John Constantine.

Ren: What are you doing here?

Paradox: I was touring a bit of the future when I saw this happening. Your friend becoming one of the former aliens of the newest incarnation of our Benjamin Tennyson.

Constantine: I learned about your predicament while I was at that apartment of yours.

Bruce: And Chihaya called me to come here.

Mrs. Sakamoto: Do you... Think you can help my son?

Constantine: Hard to say. This was done with both magic and science. But one thing’s for certain though, removing that symbol won’t help him.

Paradox: Indeed. I’ve spoken to Azmuth who spoke to another Azmuth. That Omnitrix badge is now completely embedded in his heart, sending pulses to keep it going. If we remove it, the effects could be lethal to your son.

Makoto: So you’re saying that badge is the only thing keeping Ryuji alive right now?

Bruce: That seems to be the case.

Ryuji: (shocked) You mean I could be stuck like this forever!?

Constantine: Now, now. There’s no need to be a wet blanket... Heh! See what I did there?

Ryuji: YOU THINK THIS IS AN EFFIN’ JOKE!?

>Ryuji shoots a blast of water from his forearm at Constantine.

Hey! I just cleaned that spot!

Ryuji, stop it!

>Just like that, Ryuji stops shooting water.

Ryuji: I’m... I’m sorry. I just lost it there... More than usual. I’m... I’m just scared. I can’t live like this. I have a life. I have school. I finally became an idol. To become Overflow... I think I lost all of it.

Paradox: I under stand your feelings, Ryuji Sakamoto... But I don’t think that’s why you lost control.

Ren: What do you mean?

Constantine: We’ll tell you... Upstairs. Right now... My fellow Brits are almost here.

Boss: What do you mean?

Toshi: Oh right, I almost forgot why I’m here. You remember Michael Booth and his family?

Boss: Yes...

And I should pat myself on the back for being able to hide this place from them. It would have caused a scene.

Toshi: Well... They found it.

Wait. You mean... They’re coming here?

Toshi: That’s right. Michael wants to study curry’s history in Japan. And who better to help than the guy who serves the best in Yongen-Jaya?

Boss: That’s only because Wakaba helped with her formula.

Toshi: Either way, they’re coming now.

Boss: (groans) Fine. All of you better go upstairs. I need to clean this mess first.

Constantine: No, please... Allow me.

>Constantine snaps his fingers and everything in the cafe is cleaned up and dry.

Constantine: I’ll send you my bill later... Here they come.

>We quickly go up the stairs to my room. I stop for a bit to see who Toshi was talking about... They come in through the door.

Here we are. Cafe Leblanc.

I’m not sure why a cafe in Japan would have a French name.

They probably chose it to make it sound a little more fancy.

It like it.

Boss: Well...

Thanks for that.

(whisper) Good luck, Sojiro.

>Upstairs in my room, we were examining Ryuji to find a way to change him back into a human.

Futaba: So the big question is: How do we undo something made with science and sorcery?

Diego: Joker, got any ideas?

Ren: I’ll need to think about that. Right now, Professor Paradox, what do you mean by Ryuji losing control?

Paradox: Inside all versions of the Omnitrix, including the Ultimatrix, lies a pocket dimension where the DNA of the aliens it scans have lives of their own. That includes consciousness. Overflow is no different. But somehow, his DNA was copied and was used to alter your friend’s.

Ryuji: How did that happen?

Paradox: I am afraid that is beyond even my vision. But according to Azmuth, this “crude” copy of the Omnitrix’s DNA alteration is without a time limit. And without a time limit to change you back into your human form... The consciousness of that alien would take over entirely.

Ryuji: You mean, if I don’t change back soon...

Ryuji could lose his own consciousness, leaving only Overflow’s.

Paradox: It gets even worse. The minds of the scanned aliens are incomplete. Right now, Ryuji’s mind is keeping Overflow’s mind in check, but not for long. Once his mind is gone, all that will be left is a Cascan without a proper mind to guide him and, instead, only instincts and impulses.

Ryuji: And what’s going to happen to me? To my mind?

Constantine: My guess is... It would go to that Sea of Souls you learned about in the Velvet Room.

Ryuji: Yeah, Ren told me. He said that’s where all souls come from... But it’s also where they go after the person who has it dies... You mean I could die!?

Ann: Ryuji, shush! Boss’s guests are still here.

Ryuji: Sorry.

Constantine: Don’t worry there. That’s why we’re here.

Bruce: I’m sure we’ll find a way. After all... What is lost, can never truly be gone.

>We don’t know what that means.

Paradox: There is still hope. That is what he said. But I suggest we find it as quickly as we can.

Diego: How come?

Paradox: ... Your friend and Overflow are not the only ones effected.

>I was starting to get worried.

Ren: What do you mean?

>Professor Paradox was silent for a moment.

Paradox: I think it is time for that idea Diego asked for. Ask yourself this, you may know who might help in the magic department... But what about science?

Ren: Well, I know a lot of people. But I guess the only person who can help with Ryuji would have to be...

>I froze. The only scientist who can help Ryuji would be... The one who is connected to him.

HARRY!?

Futaba: Hold on, I’ll see if I can contact him.

Hurry, Futaba chan!

>She opens her computer and access the video chat. After a few second, it’s answered.

Hello? Futaba?

Futaba: Peter, how’s Harry? Is he okay?

Peter: How did you... Did Gwen tell you?

Ren: No, we knew.

Peter: How?

Ryuji: Hey, Pete. Long time, no see.

Peter: (shocked) Ryuji!? What happened to you?

Akechi: That’s how we know. Now tell me... Did Harry fall into a coma?

Peter: ... He did at first. But woke up in the hospital. But he was very weak. Well, not so weak that he can’t do anything, thank goodness. He can still use his spider powers and stuff.

Harry’s voice: Pete, is that Akechi and Ryuji and the others?

Peter: Yeah, it’s them.

Hi, guys. Hey, Ryuji, I see the Overflow look was no joke.

Ryuji: You... You knew about it?

Harry: I thought it was a dream at first. But after seeing you now...

Ryuji: Wait. Did you say dream?

Harry: Yes. It was just after I collapsed.. Did you have it, too?

Ryuji: Yes. What happened?

Harry: Well, in the dream, I was hovering over the ocean on a stormy night with a red skull painted on my face.

Ryuji: With Tokyo right behind you?

Harry: Yes.

Ryuji: And an island in front of you?

Harry: Griffin Rock.

Ryuji: What?

Harry: That’s the name of the island. Griffin Rock, Maine.

Wait. Griffin Rock?

Makoto: That’s where Ryuji’s father was.

Ryuji: (angry) I knew! He has to be the one behind all this. I just know it.

Akechi: That’s one possibility. We still have no concrete evidence Alexander Paine is the one responsible. Besides, this seems more like something Raymond Warren would do. But I think this might be too much even for him.

Peter: He’s right. I don’t think even Gwen’s uncle would go as far as trying to duplicate alien technology. At least that’s what I think.

Makoto: So that’s two suspects. But I think the real question is... Why?

Yusuke: That’s true. Most of our enemies either had a change of heart by us or is in prison.

Harry: And my dad- Norman Osborn, made it clear that he’s given up.

Akechi: Still, we shouldn’t rule him out as a suspect.

Constantine: Actually we might. Ryuji’s transformation is the work of science and sorcery. And neither Osborn or Jackal like magic. And I’m pretty sure the same is for Paine.

Ryuji: I dunno, I wouldn’t put it past him. The guy lives for complete and utter chaos.

Constantine: Well, only one way to find out.

>Constantine takes out a piece of chalk and traces a circle with it.

Constantine: Ryuji kun, if you will.

Mrs. Sakamoto: This isn’t going to hurt him, is it?

Constantine: It’s just a detection spell, ma’am. We’re going to find out how it was done.

Ryuji: Whatever gets the job done.

>Ryuji goes into the circle.

Constantine: Here goes. Ecived edam ot kool dna krow ekil eht lanigiro ecived, woh od uoy krow? Erehw od uoy emoc morf? Ohw edam uoy?

>The circle glows and light comes from it and surrounds Ryuji. The Omnitrix symbol glows and light particles glow out of it. Then, they gather together and form something. I take what it formed... I was a bit surprised.

This is... That new card.

Makoto: That must have what caused it.

Ryuji: The Dream FES System?

Futaba: How is that possible? No one knows how the Dream FES System works. No one even knows where it came from. Not even the head of D-Four Productions or the heads of the Brands who make the Dorika.

Constantine: Either way, they some how managed to use it to implant the Omnitrix containing Overflow’s DNA on Ryuji’s chest. And they used the concert to do so.

Makoto: But we still don’t know who did it, why they did it, and how to undo it.

Peter: Guess magic is not as helpful as science.

Constantine: (not happy) You didn’t have to rub it in, mate?

Katherine: Don’t you have any ideas? You’re a time traveler.

Paradox: I’m afraid it is not that simple. I cannot tell you without causing great harm to the timeline.... However, I do have some advice.

Ren: What’s that?

Paradox: ... Look out the window.

>We were puzzled... But I decided to look anyway. Me and Futaba look out.

?????: Shit! They can see us?

?????: Let’s beat it!

>The two young men on the roof across from us quickly duck away.

I know those two! Back during the LilyMu heist.

Ren: Jared and Jesse Deucey. I still don’t know about them. They some how have the power to restore a target’s Palace.

Futaba: But apparently not forever. I checked with Lily dozens of time and she’s back to the way we made her.

Diego: But why were they here?

Bruce: ... Sometimes the culprit returns to the scene of the crime.

Mrs. Sakamoto: You mean they were the ones responsible for what happened to Ryu kun?

Futaba: I doubt it. I looked these guys up. Even together, they barely have half a brain...

But I think they might know some things.

Ryuji: So we just gotta follow ‘em, right? Let’s do it?

Are you sure? Someone could see you.

Futaba: Actually, how did you get Ryuji over here? Even if you used the van, someone could have seen him.

Katherine: We just told everyone that he was in cosplay. Thankfully, they believed it.

Ryuji: But I can’t just sit up here. I may not know much about my new body, but I can still run... I’m still a Phantom Thief.

Alright. You’re still you, brother.

Ryuji: Thanks... Aibo (Partner)... Yosuke Hanamura, eat your heart out.

Futaba: Okay. But we still need to get him downstairs. I think the lovely British couple and their bespectacled son might buy the whole cosplay story, but the younger kid? ... I don’t think so.

Katherine: I could design something. But it may take time.

Ann: ... Constantine san?

Constantine: What can I do for you, fair lady?

Can you cast a Glamour?

Constantine: (smiling) I’ll see what I can do. To ensure a future preserved, mask our friend, see justice served.

>In a swirl of light, Ryuji was engulfed. Then, as fast as it came, it was gone.

Did... Did it work?

Peter: I don’t know. You still look like Overflow.

Constantine: Because your camera is like a mirror. It will show the truth behind the illusion. For something more powerful, you’ll need to speak to someone a little more experienced than me. Like Zatanna or Dr. Fate or even that Dr. Strange in New York.

Peter: Fine. I’ll see what he can do. See you guys soon.

Harry: We’ll be rooting for you.

>With that, they hang up.

Futaba: It’s a good thing no all reflected services reveal what Ryuji looks like. I’m wearing glasses and I’m still seeing the illusion.

Katherine: Same here.

Ren: Me, too. So i guess we won’t have to worry about Asger Booth.

Constantine: Also, remember that this is an illusion. Your actual size will still let itself known such as knocking things down and getting stuck. Also, because my Glamour spells are not that powerful, it won’t last. This should last for I should say about 1 hour.

>I suddenly notice Ann speaking to herself.

(whisper) Stronger Glamour spells have longer effects.

Ren: What was that?

It’s nothing. Let’s go.

Katherine: I’ll be heading home. There’s a wedding dress waiting to be finished. For a wedding in America.

Bruce: And I’ll go speak to Chihiya. Since Professor Paradox won’t tell us what may happen in the future, we have another reliable source.

Paradox: True. Better you learn from a true psychic than me. Especially since she know that, and I quote, “The future is not absolute.”

Bruce: Thank you. But we might still need your help.

Paradox: Very well. I shall see what I can do.

>With that, he vanishes.

>We managed to get past the Booths and out the front door (which was not easy since Constantine was right about Ryuji still getting stuck). We got on the van, except for Bruce and Kathrine. Bruce was going to Shinjuku to speak with Chihiya and Katherine was going home to work. Constantine used a spell to help us track the twins.

Constantine: It looks like they’re headed for Shibuya. Right, shall we?

>With that, we drive off.

>One of the best things about Big Bang Burger these days... is how empty it has become since the Okumura heist. So people can pretty much do whatever they want without getting much trouble with the staff... Just perfect for a wanted criminal who came back from the dead to just sit and relax. Typing away on his computer and maybe even enjoying lunch... But that all ends when Jared and Jesse burst in.

Hey, you!

(sighs) What is it now?

Jesse: We went to check on those guys like you told us to. I thought we were just gonna scared them, not turn one of them into a monster!

Yeah, this is not what we signed on for!

Jin: Tch! That’s because you have the IQ of a chicken. Of course you would think this was to be some simple prank... But it’s way more than that.

Jesse: Okay, we get it! We may not be Albert... Edison, but even we know our limits.

Jin: Oh please, you don’t even know the meaning of the word limit.

Jesse: (not getting angry) Listen here you little shit, we didn’t drop out of school to hurt people. We came because we thought we were the same.

Jared: But I guess having Personas isn’t enough.

Jin: True... My head isn’t hallow.

>For the Deucey Twins, it was the last straw. Jared, despite being the youngest here, grabs Jin by the shirt and lifts him up.

Jin: What are you going to do? Kill me? I’m already dead.

Jared: No... We’re going to settle this... Persona Style.

Jin: ... Very well.

>Station Square. We just arrived here. Unfortunately, due to traffic, an hour had almost passed and the Glamour spell Constantine used is about to wear off.

Ryuji: Aw man, the spell’s gonna wear off. Can’t you make it last longer?

Constantine: Sorry, mate, my hands are full.

Futaba: Wait... Look.

>We look out and was saw, the twins and someone headed for the subway.

There they are!

Makoto: What is it, Futaba?

Futaba: I know that guy who’s with them...

Isn’t he suppose to be dead?

>The Underground.

Jin: Are you sure you want to do this? I’ve had my Persona for a long time. You’ve only had your Personas for two years.

Jared: True... But we took the time to practice.

Jin: Very well... Open it.

>Jared takes out his phone... And opens the Metaverse Navigator.

>Five... Four... Three... 2... 1... Glamour spell: Over.

Nav: Beginning navigation.

>A red wave passes over them. When it was over...

Jin: Prepare yourself!

>Jin takes something out.

Jesse: Right! Slice!

Jared: And dice!

>The twins take out their own Evokes.

Jin: Persona!

Jared and Jesse: Persona!

>In a large burst, they summon their Personas. The twins’ Personas look a bit identical. Both wore green and white outfit-like armor with green helmets. They also had swords and green capes. The capes also have white letters on them. On Jared’s had “DUM” and Jesse’s had “DEE”.

(Insert song: Every Second Matters from OK K.O.!)

Tutorial

Even though they are two people, Jared and Jesse work together as one.

When not using their Personas, Jared is good with Melee attacks (using a claymore) and Jesse does Ranged attack (using a triple barreled pistol).

Jared’s and Jesse’s Personas, Tweedledum & Tweedledee, also act as one. Tweedledum uses Physical and Support Skills while Tweedledee uses Wind and Healing Skills. They are weak to Psychokinesis and Curse.

Jin: You’re still much too new at this. Moros, deal with them.

>Moros uses Stagnant Air. Tweedledum uses Charge. Moros uses Taunt. Jared and Jesse are enraged. Jared attacks with blind Rage and his claymore. However, Jin dodges it. Moros uses Snap. Jesse attack with his pistol. It was a critical hit. Jesse shoots his pistol again. Jin gets back up and Moros uses Agidyne. Jared attacks again. Moros uses Bufudyne. The twins became Frozen. Although the Rage wore off, they were still under the Freeze effect. Jin throws a hand grenade. It shatters the twins. Tweedledee uses Diarama. Moros uses Megido. The twins dodge it. Tweedledum use Charge again. Moros uses Eigaon. It knocks both twins down. Jin throws another grenade. They get back up again and Tweedledum uses Assault Dive. It was a critical hit. Tweedledum uses Assault Dive again. Jin gets back up and Moros uses Brain Jack. Luckily, it missed. Tweedledee uses Garudyne. Moros uses Ziodyne. The twins get Shocked. They couldn’t move. Jin runs in and attack with his briefcase. However, he gets Shocked. Jared and Jesse are now free and Tweedledee uses Garudyne again. It was a technical hit due to the Shock. Jin still couldn’t move. Jesse shoots his gun. Another technical hit. Jin recovers and Moros uses Giant Slice. Tweedledee uses Diarama. Moros uses Agidyne. It Burns the twins. Tweedledum uses Tempest Slash. The Burn eats away at their health. Moros uses Garudyne. It was a technical hit due to the Burn, despite that they can resist Wind attacks. Tweedledum uses Charge. The burn eats away their health again. Moros uses Garudyne again. Luckily, they dodge it. Tweedledum uses Brave Blade. It was a critical hit. Tweedledum uses Brave Blade again. Now Jin was at his lowest health. Though, the Burn still eats away at their own health.

Jin: I see... You have been training.

Jared: Are you gonna quit now?

Jesse: And change that guy back?

Jin: Sorry, but what I just did to him... Is completely new to me... And your training was in vain.

>Jin gets back up and Moros uses Mamudo. It causes the twins’ health to drop to 1.

Jared: This could be bad. Jesse?

Jesse: No good. I already used up most of my energy with those Wind spells. I can’t heal and I forgot to get items before coming here.

Jared: Well, it was fun while it lasted.

Jesse: It’s been nice knowing ya, little brother.

Jared: Same here, big brother.

>The two of them held each other in defense. Jin uses Soma on himself. Jared and Jesse still defended themselves.

Jin: And now, to end this.

>Moros uses Mamudo...

Jared and Jesse: Mother.

?????: Persona!

>The new Persona takes the hit for the twins.

Jared and Jesse: Huh!?

Jin: Tch! I knew you would get here sooner or later.

>We emerge from the shadow to show ourselves.

Sorry for the wait. Here.

>I use Soma on the twins.

Jared: Thank?

Joker: You better be. That was my last Soma and I don’t know when my next shipment will come in.

Jesse: But why? We helped that jerk turn your friend into an alien.

After seeing you fight Jin Shirato to have him change Skull back, we can see that neither of necessarily bad.

Just misguided.

Skull: (back in his Overflow form) Hey, you! You did this to me! You better change me back right now!

Jin: I already said I don’t know how. I used this place to do it.

I’m still reeling how Mementos is back.

Jin: Heh! Guess you Phantom Thieves aren’t as great as you think after all. There’s always going to be that one group of people who still wish to be ruled over. Though I doubt Yaldabaoth will come back just like that, but it was enough to bring Mementos back.

Constantine: He’s got a point, love.

Either way, we won’t let you get away with this.

You hurt our friend, now you have to pay.

Though, I wish I knew how you used Mementos to change Skull into Overflow or even who we are.

Jin: Very well. They call it the Dream Festival System for a reason... It was created from people’s dreams.

You mean... That’s where it came from? People’s dreams.

Jin: Yes. The dreams of the audience and the idols. I won’t bother you how it’s done... But I suppose you could ask... The Velvet Room. But I can tell you this. Dreams are the same as human thoughts and thought are part of people’s cognition. So I used the cognitive world to create a trap Dorika meant to mutate whoever took a hold of it. And Ryuji Sakamoto was the best target. As for how I determined who your real identities are... Putting strikethroughs is not exactly going to make you anonymous.

But you have to admit, it’s been working for us so far.

Jin: Umm, why do have four ears? When did you add cat ears.

Mona: Thought I’d make a little more like me.

Jin: (sarcastic) Right.

Focus here! We still can’t let this guys just do what he wants.

Jin: Heh! I like to see you try.

So be it then.

Then it’s time to work! Persona!

>Necronomicon scans Jin and Moros.

Oracle: I’m not getting any weaknesses. But avoid using Fire, Bless, or Curse Skills.

Fox: If he uses Fire Skills a lot, perhaps Ice might help. Persona!

Skull: I’m goin’ in, too. He ruined my life. It’s only fair. Persona!

Oracle: Hold up, Skull. I’m detecting something off. It looks like your new form might help...

But be careful when you use Electricity or if he uses it.

Skull: (a bit worried) I see. (regains confidence) But don’t worry. We’ll be finished with this guy before you know it.

Jesse: We wanna fight, too.

Joker: I don’t see why not. It looks like you’re ready for Round 2.

Jared: Yup! Tweedledum and Tweedledee are just raring to go.

Joker: Tweedledum and Tweedledee? That’s what your Personas are called?

>This got me thinking...

Actually, I think I know just the Persona that can help.

>I change Personas.

Joker: PERSONA!

Jesse: That’s going to help us? That scrawny thing?

Joker: Alice may not look much, but she’s very powerful. You’ll see.

Jesse: (still not sure) Okay.

Jin: Come at me.

(Insert song: Unavoidable Battle)

Tutorial

Skull’s battle functions are different in his Overflow form.

As Overflow, Skull’s Ranged attacks have been altered. He no longer can use a shotgun. However, in its place, he can use a water gun. When he uses water gun on an enemy who is weak to Ice, it will be treated as an Ice attack. It can even be effective against Fire and Electric based enemies with a chance of a critical hit. But be cautious. If he uses it on an Electric based enemy, there’s a chance that he could get Shocked. Like all guns, Skull’s water gun runs out of ammo. However, each bullet is replaced by a gallon of water with a gauge on it. Each time the water gun is used, the gauge drops. When the gauge runs out, Skull will move on to the next gallon. Right now, Skull has 5 gallons of water. He will receive more as he levels up.

As Overflow, be careful. Whenever Skull attacks with his Persona’s Electric Skills, there’s a chance it will recoil and hit him. Don’t worry, he won’t be Shocked.

As Overflow, Skull’s resistance to Electric attack is no longer available. He won’t be weak to it (he’ll still be weak to Wind), but the chances of him being Shocked has increased. However, if Skull uses his Ultimate Persona, Seiten Taisei, his Electric Block will still be in effect.

>Alice uses Concentrate. Goemon uses Masukukaja. Captain Kidd uses Matarukaja. Tweedledum uses Marakukaja. Moros uses Triple Down. Luckily, our increased agility allowed us all to dodge it. Alice uses Megidolaon. Goemon uses Raising Slash. Captain Kidd uses Charge. Tweedledum also uses Charge.

Jin: You won’t win this time... There’s no cure for stupidity.

>Moros uses Ziodyne on Skull. Just like the tutorial predicted, Skull was Shocked. Luckily, I used Non-Static Gum and I have plenty to spare.

Oracle: We’ll see about that. Let the duel of the hackers begin!

>Goemon uses Bufudyne. It was enough to Freeze him. Captain Kidd uses Assault Dive. It shatters him. Tweedledum uses Myriad Slashes. Moros uses Agidyne on Fox. It knocks him down. Moros uses Garudyne on Skull. It knocks him down. Jin then tries to attack me with his briefcase. Luckily, I dodged it. Alice uses Concentrate. Fox gets back up and Goemon uses Bufudyne. Skull gets back up and Captain Kidd uses Ziodyne. It recoils. Tweedledee uses Garudyne. Moros uses Maragion. It knocks Fox down and Burns me. Jin throws a grenade at the twins. Alice uses Megidolaon. The Burn eats away at my health. Fox gets back up and uses a Coolifier Pad to cure me of the Burn. Skull uses his water gun. It was a critical hit.

Skull: All right! Time for some pain!

>After the attack, Jin was still up, but now a little more weaker.

Oracle: Support’s on the way!

>Necronomicon uses Mediarama. Tweedledum uses Assault Dive. Moros uses Maziodyne. Skull was Shocked. I use Non-Static Gum on him. Goemon uses Masukukaja. Captain Kidd uses Matarukaja. Tweedledum uses Marakukaja.

Jin: Playtime is over, kids. It’s time for the real deal!

>Moros uses Mahama.

Oracle: Look out!

>Necronomicon uses Final Guard.

Joker: Thanks, Oracle. Damn! If only Curse attacks worked on this guy, I could use Alice’s full power.

Skull: I could do it. But this time may not work.

Jared: Leave that to us.

Jesse: Just buy us some time.

Joker: Right. We’ll leave it to you.

>I defend myself. Fox uses Master Coffee on me. Skull also defends himself.

Jared: Here goes!

>Tweedledum uses Rebellion on Skull.

Jin: There is nothing you can do now. Quit wasting my time.

>Moros uses Agidyne Fox. It knocks him down. Moros then uses Ziodyne on Skull. Luckily, he dodged it. Alice uses Concentrate. Fox gets back up and Goemon uses Deadly Fury.

Skull: All right! Here we go!

>Skull uses his water gun. It was a critical hit.

Skull: Okay, Joker, the rest is up to you!

Baton Pass!

Joker: I won’t disappoint. Now raise, Alice!

DISCLAIMER 2: This may not actually work in game on a Curse resistant enemy.

>Jin was finally defeated.

Jin: Guess you... Really are as smart as you look.

Hells yeah!

Crow: But we just want to know one thing...

Why? Why did you do this to Ryuji?

Jin: I could tell you... But that would spoil the surprise.

Are you fucking series!?

Jin: Tch! Whatever. You’re going to find out soon enough... But if you really want to know... Try asking the Kirijo bitch.

>Jin quickly gets back up.

Queen: Stop him!

Jin: We’ll meet again soon.

>We try to grab him, but Jin uses a Smokescreen and vanishes.

Skull: Dammit! He got away!

Don’t worry. We’ll get him soon.

Jared and Jesse: We’re so sorry about this.

Oracle: Don’t worry. Like I said, you just went down the wrong road...

But you still have a lot of explaining to do.

Jesse: Believe us, we do.

Noir: But not here. We better go.

>With that, we leave Mementos.

>The maid cafe in Akihabara. We came here so Jared and Jesse can tell us everything.

Jared: Won’t people think it weird to see an alien here?

Futaba: I’m sure they’ll just think he’s in cosplay like they did last time.

Clara: (coming up to us) Welcome home, master. Say, that’s some nice cosplay you have on. You look just like Overflow.

Ryuji: Uh, thanks.

Clara: So what can I get you, this splendid evening?

Ren: We’ll have some Sincere Omelettes and Relaxing Coffee, please.

Akechi: Make my omelette Love★Pancakes.

Jesse: And make mine and my brother’s coffee Oo-hot Tea.

Ryuji: I’ll just have some water.

Clara: Coming right up.

>She leaves to get our order.

Jesse: I guess we better start explainin’.

Jared What would you like to know?

Ren: Well for starters, how do you guys have Personas?

Jesse: Me and Jared were candidates for some kinda test here in Japan... Mostly someplace called... Tatsumi Pot Island.

You mean Tatsumi Port Island.

Jesse: Right. Sorry, I’m not good with Japanese.

Makoto: I think I know which test you’re talking about. Mitsuru san told Sis and she told me.

Akechi: She told me, too. She said the the Kirijo Group were looking for people have the potential to wield a Persona. Especially orphan children.

Haru: You mean the two of you are orphans?

Jesse: We might as well be.

Jared: Our mom died when we were very young. And our dad’s in prison.

Futaba: You mean Ace Deucey? I can see that.

Makoto: What happened when the Kirijo Group took you in?

Jared: Nothing, really. We never actually went to Japan.

Makoto: How come?

Jesse: Headmaster Spritle. He took us in. He seemed happy enough with it since he never married. He’s been a bit like a father to us. We even became friends with his nephew, X. But after awhile, we became a bit of a handful and when we were old enough, we started living on our own. But Spritle let us stay at Racer Academy as students.

Jared: But then, Jin showed up. He said he hacked into the Kirijo Group and found us. He took us to that Mementos place. Not the one here, the one at the school.

Ann: Racer Academy has a Mementos? I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. That place is like a town in itself. So of course there are a lot of people with distorted hearts there.

Makoto: What happened there?

Jesse: He gave us our Evokers and told us to shoot ourselves. We were scared at first, but we did it. And that’s how we got our Personas.

Makoto: Does your Personas have anything to do with Lily’s Palace coming back and disappearing again?

Jared: It’s our Personas’ unique ability. We can rebuild a person’s Palace. But it only works on a Palace once and not forever. After we leave the Palace, it goes back to being gone, and this time, for good.

Makoto: Is that how Mementos in our city came back?

Jesse: Yeah. But it’s way different than a normal Palace. After we leave, it’s still there.

Diego: Mementos is the Palace of the general public. If there are enough people with warped desires, that’s enough to solidify the foundation of it.

Yusuke: So we may have to travel down the the deepest depths to remove it again.

Diego: Who knows.

>Diego reaches into his jacket and pulls something out.

You still have that?

You’re not seriously going to drink out of it, are you?

Constantine: She’s right, bloke. If that’s anything like the real Holy Grail, you know what will happen if you drink out of it.

Diego: Of course I won’t drink from it.

Ryuji: I don’t understand. What’s this Holy Grail thing again?

Constantine: According to Etri- Jason Blood, the Holy Grail was used by Jesus Christ in the Last Supper. When he drank from it, some of his essence merged with the cup, granting it great power. If you were to drink from it, you would gain immortality... Maybe even bring someone back to life. That’s why Arty’s Knights went looking for it.

Ryuji: Arty’s Knight?

Diego: You mean King Arthur and his Knight of the Round Table. I know that. They went on a quest to find it so Arthur can make himself immortal and not lose to his son and nephew, Mordred.

Constantine: (a bit impressed) I see. You know the story, too.

Diego: My real name, Morgana, comes from Morgan le Fay. She was Arthur’s half-sister. Even though she was consider the villain, she was also a great trickster who seduced Arthur which lead to the birth of Mordred.

Constantine: Indeed.

Haru: What happened to the Holy Grail after that?

Constantine: Who knows. Some say it was found and lost by some archaeologist named after a state... But they watch too many movies. Me? I don’t really care... What use do I have for immortality?

Diego: (putting the Grail away) I guess that’s true.

Clara: (coming up) Thank you for waiting! Here are your omelettes, pancakes, and... The incredibly bitter vegetable juice.

Ren: We didn’t order vegetable juice. Please remake it.

Clara: (blushing) Oh, I’m sorry. I’ll get your real order.

Constantine: No need.

>Constantine waves his hand and the vegetable juice changes into the drinks we ordered.

Clara: (surprised) Oh my... Is there... Anything else you’d like?

Constantine: (acting smug) How ‘bout... The time you get off?

Clara: (blushing again) Wow. I guess it’s true about what they say about you British men: You’re real charmers.

>She leaves... A little wobbly.

And here I thought Ren was the ladies’ man.

You’re still not gonna get over Valentine’s, are you?

Jared: What happened?

The girls: Don’t ask.

Ryuji: Back on subject. What about me? How do we change me back to myself?

Futaba: Me and Akechi spoke with Harry and Peter on the way here. If Griffin Rock was in your dream, then it must be the key to changing you back. If we go there, we might find our answer. And we better find it soon.

Akechi: She’s right. I told them about the time I fell into a coma. It was around the same time Peter bonded with the V-252. He told me he bonded with it a second time and I passed out at the same time. He told me he bonded with it again a third time to stop a villain called Thanos. That was while we were doing Dancing in Starlight. But I didn’t go into a coma that time. I just felt weak.

Diego: And the same thing’s happening with Harry because Ryuji became Overflow. But instead of going into a coma, Harry simply became weak. How could that be?

???????: I can answer that.

>We quickly turn to see Lavenza with Professor Paradox.

Ren: What do you mean?

When Peter Parker fused with the Symbiote known as Venom, you didn’t form a connection with him. But then you came to New York and formed one with him and Harry Lyman. It was that bond that shielded Goro Akechi when Peter Parker fused with the Symbiote a third time.

Ren: So my bond with Peter... Saved Akechi?

Lavenza: That is the case. However, it would only be a temporary protection. Akechi would remain awake yet weak as long as Peter’s consciousness remained intact and active. However, if it were to be locked away, Akechi would fall into a coma. But if Peter Parker’s consciousness was completely gone and sent to the Sea of Souls leaving only the Symbiote’s...

I would have gone with it.

Ryuji: (worried) You mean, if I don’t change back soon, Harry could fall into a coma? And I my consciousness goes... He’ll die!?

We won’t let that happen, brother, I promise.

Ryuji: ... Thanks.

>Ryuji takes a scoop of his omelette. But he stops.

Ryuji: I just remembered... I don’t have a mouth. How am I suppose to eat?

Ann: Yeah, what does Overflow’s kind eat? I don’t think omelettes.

Paradox: Cascans mostly eat algae and plankton.

Ryuji: For real!? Gross!

Paradox: Of course, their most favorite delicacy are clams. Probably lucky that you are going to a place where you will most likely find New England Clam Chowder.

Ryuji: That’s something I guess.

Constantine: Right. Now I believe we’re in need of that team Futaba and Diego were talking about.

Ren: I thought it out. I know Harry would be a good choice since he and Ryuji are connected. But I'm afraid he might be too weak to come with us. But we’ll still contact him on the computer.

Akechi: And Peter will be busy helping his aunt with F.E.A.S.T.

Futaba: Luck for you guys, I’ve compiled a list of people who might help in the science department. You might want to choose four. I didn’t add Paradox since he clearly has other things to deal with.

Paradox: Now that’s a little harsh. But yes, I do not think it would be wise for me to stick around for too long. And that goes double for Azmuth. But I’ll leave the decisions in your capable hands, Ren Amamiya.

I’ll see what I can do.

>I look at the list. I better choose wisely.

>>Miles Morales >Gwen Stacy >Anya Corazon >Alistaire Smythe >>Curt Connors >Tony Stark >Max Modell >>Ryan Choi >>Conor

Diego: I had a feeling you would choose Miles. He’s just as smart as Peter and the others at Horizon.

Ryuji: Same for Dr. Connors. He was the best teacher I had at Oz Academy.

Constantine: Ryan Choi? I know a Ryan Choi. But guess this is a much different Ryan Choi.

Futaba: Pretty much.

Constantine: ... Well, as long as the Deathstroke of that world hasn’t killed him yet, I’ll see what I can do.

Jesse: And Conor? Our Conor?

Futaba: Well, from what I’ve learned, he’s a really great mechanic. That’s a bit like a scientist.

Besides, he might explode with happiness over something like this.

Jesse: That seem like it.

Jared: His pen pal leaves just around here. We’ll see if he can contact him since, well, we’re... Not ready to face Headmaster Spritle.

Ren: Then, why not come come with us? If we work together, we’ll be able to undo the damage Jin did.

Jared: You’d... You’d really do that for us?

Why not? We could always use more phantom thieves on our side.

Jesse: Us? Phantom thieves? That... That would be kinda a good. We only joined up with Jin because we thought it would be a good time. But I guess we got more than we bargained for.

Jared: We won’t let you down.

>We all agreed. Looks like the Phantom Thieves just got two more members.

Futaba: That deals with Team Science. Now for Team Sorcery.

Constatnine: No need to add me to that list. I’m already on this.

>I take another look at the list. Who should I choose to help with the magic part of our problem?

>>Zatanna >>Dr. Strange >Dr. Fate >>Robin Sena >Tanpopo Kuraishi >Yukiko Amagi >>Headmistress Faragonda >Headmistress Griffin >Headmaster Saladin

Constantine: Good choice, mate. Then again, you’re thinking of another Zatanna. Unfortunately, she has her gloves tied. You’ll have to settle for the one I know.

Diego: I suppose Dr. Strange will work,too. We do kind of owe him for trying to rob him.

Ann: Robin Sena? That’s that witch we met at the witch’s diner. I guess she could help. We owe her for the Kappa Tea. And Headmistress Faragonda is a good choice, too. Since Summer has begun, she has some time now. (whisper) And we can continue.

>I still wonder why Ann is suddenly interested in magic.

Paradox: Looks like this team is coming together quite nicely. Then, I’ll leave you to it.

Lavenza: And remember, I will be the in the Velvet Room to assist you.

Paradox: And one more thing. I picked up this for you.

Paradox: This ID Mask should be much more long lasting than a Glamour spell. But you may wish to avoid lightning flashes.

>Ryuji takes the mask and puts it on. He changes to human form.

Ryuji: Thanks. But I still wish I can be human again.

Paradox: And you will.

>With that, Paradox and Lavenza leave.

>Now we have our team. Let us hope we will succeed.

>On the coast of Maine, just a little ways from Griffin Rock, is what is known as the Rescue Bot Training Center. Inside, a young Autobot had just finished his laps for the day. Suddenly, another Autobot came in.

Hey, Blurr, another package came for you.

All right! About time. They really need to speed up their delivery.

Salvage: Maybe because they don’t know where you live and you’re using Kade’s credit card, so asking for a speedy delivery cost too much and you know how cheap Kade can be.

>Blurr takes his package.

Salvage: Is it another one of those... I know it’s normal to be a fan, but... To have dreams of them.

Blurr: I know it’s odd since Autobots don’t normally dream... But there it is... Just promise no one else will know. Quickshadow already knows, but she’s not interested in telling anyone. But the others, especially Heatwave...

Salvage: I promise that this will be our secret. Just try to keep it in moderation.

Blurr: Will do.

>Blurr takes his package to a secret park of the Training Center. He opens it.

Blurr: Finally, my collection is complete.

>Blurr places the Skull figurine with the other Phantom Thieves figurines and the rest of the merchandise.

Blurr: Oh Primus, I wish I could meet these guys... Especially Skull.

>The story continues. Wish us luck.

#phantom thieves cam

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comicsxaminer · 5 years

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Year Two Begins with a Special One-Shot Followed by a New Ongoing JOHN CONSTANTINE, HELLBLAZER Series #gallery-0-5 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-5 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 33%; } #gallery-0-5 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-5 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */

BURBANK, CA (July 9, 2019)—Last year DC launched the Sandman Universe, a series of books curated by legendary author Neil Gaiman, bringing in new creative voices to expand the mythos of the Dreaming. Today DC announces a new addition to this universe starring the infamous John Constantine. It all begins October 30 with a special one-shot issue, THE SANDMAN UNIVERSE PRESENTS HELLBLAZER #1 from writer Simon Spurrier and artist Marcio Takara, followed by the ongoing series JOHN CONSTANTINE, HELLBLAZER from Spurrier and artist Aaron Campbell this November.

“Year One was just the start. Now you get to inhabit the worlds, books, and houses we built for you,” says Gaiman. “I was thrilled when I was told that John Constantine—the original, demon-haunted one who first showed up in SWAMP THING’s “American Gothic” story—is coming back to his murky and dangerous roots. More magic and more darkness and not a few gods and dreams are here for you to explore.”

In THE SANDMAN UNIVERSE PRESENTS HELLBLAZER #1, the story begins in a moment originally seen in Gaiman’s miniseries THE BOOKS OF MAGIC. John Constantine finds himself haggard, bloody, and dying in an epic magical war—a battle that will soon consume the world. As he lies there, the vision of a young Tim Hunter stands above him, the naive youth seeing firsthand what his destiny holds. Horrified, Hunter flees back into the past, and Constantine is left behind to die.

Now, years later, Constantine reemerges, physically un-aged but with all of his memories intact—and yet the world has passed him by. Constantine must now fathom a new world torn apart by the same old political and social woes, while attempting to discover how he returned after all this time. But most troubling of all are the rumors of a new young magician named Tim Hunter, a boy destined to be either the greatest sorcerer of all, or the greatest threat to the world. If history is repeating itself, then is it John’s role to die all over again? Or is John here to stop the cycle—and stop Tim Hunter?

“HELLBLAZER’s the one title I’ve always aspired to write. Ever since John Constantine slunk from Alan Moore’s brain into SWAMP THING, dropping secrets like grenades, bewildering vegetables, and spinning mysteries, I’ve been drawn to his misadventures with eerie gravity,” says Spurrier. “John Constantine is the cynic’s magician: a man of selfish drives and cataclysmic self-knowledge, who tries to do the right thing in spite of himself, in spite of the cost, in spite of the vile and violent world he occupies. He may not be the hero we need, but he’s definitely the bastard we deserve.

“In this new era, everything is different. Everyone and everything he loved and knew is dead or despises him. Alone, angry, older, and wiser, he beholds a world that is clearlygoing insane. The shadows are deeper than ever. So he does what he does. He breathes smoke. He grins to himself. And he goes to work.”

Following the special issue, Spurrier and Campbell will continue Constantine’s story in the pages of JOHN CONSTANTINE, HELLBLAZER, available November 27. November will also kick off new arcs in THE DREAMING, BOOKS OF MAGIC, LUCIFER, and HOUSE OF WHISPERS.

In THE DREAMING from Spurrier and Bilquis Evely, the sentient algorithm known as Wan has taken full control of the kingdom of Dream—but who created him? And did they put him on Dream’s throne for a purpose? Abel thinks he may be on the verge of uncovering that secret and hopes to tell Matthew the Raven what he knows, but Wan has a dangerous side…and while the mysterious Dora might be able to help them fight back, she’s quite busy in the waking world learning the truth about her own past—a truth that might unmake her entirely.

In HOUSE OF WHISPERS from Nalo Hopkinson, Dan Watters and Dominike “Domo” Stanton, Erzulie is grieving the loss of one of her husbands, while her remaining spouses ask themselves if they can remain by her side. But in the darkness, a rival has arrived to vie for Erzulie’s place as the newest master of a House in the Dreaming; the Corinthian has his eyes on a forgotten piece of real estate in the Dreaming, and he’s not above moving into a fixer-upper, if taking control of it can give him power like Erzulie’s. To fend off this threat, Erzulie will need allies – including the mysterious Papa Midnite, and the dangerous Shakpana, the contagious god whose last outbreak nearly destroyed the world. And with friends like those…

In LUCIFER from Watters, Max Fiumara, and Sebastian Fiumara, Lucifer is reeling from his standoff against God and the forces of Heaven, and he finds himself wandering the English countryside neglecting his cosmic responsibilities and attempting to build a new life—and home—for himself. Of course, any house built by Lucifer is bound to be a little piece of Hell on Earth…as his first dinner guests, John Constantine included, will learn. But elsewhere, ancient and powerful forces are conspiring against Lucifer. There is a wailing and gnashing of teeth upon the Earth. There is rage and violence in the hearts of men and beasts alike. For every thousand years the Wild Hunt must ride, and tear out the heart of a god…and this time, the black bone horn blows for Lucifer.

And in BOOKS OF MAGIC from Kat Howard and Tom Fowler, Tim Hunter has just made the most fateful (and possibly catastrophic) decision of his young life, but as a result, he’s feeling quite confident about the kind of magician he’s going to become…until John Constantine comes knocking on his door, determined to kill the young man who’s clearly starting down a road that leads to the planet’s destruction. There’s no guarantee Tim’s worst self will ever take over…but can Constantine afford to take that chance? And now that Tim’s secret is starting to get out at school, can he ever expect to return to a normal life again?

The first collected editions of THE DREAMING, HOUSE OF WHISPERS, LUCIFER, and BOOKS OF MAGIC are available in comics shops and bookstores everywhere this month.

John Constantine Hellblazer Joins The Sandman Universe This October! Year Two Begins with a Special One-Shot Followed by a New Ongoing JOHN CONSTANTINE, HELLBLAZER Series…

#dc comics #john constantine #sandman

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ivegotthefanficinme · 4 years

Text

The Princess and the Butler 2

Chapter 2

John Constantine X Reader

A Highcastle Abbey AU

Warnings: Demons… heart melting fluff… *Slow Burn*

Words: 2.2K

Links: Chapter 1 Chapter 2(Here) Chapter 3 Masterlist

“Mr. Constantine, she’s waking up!”

Your eyes flutter open to find the face of your ladies maid, Genevive, leaning over you.

“Are you feeling alright, ma’am?” she asks.

You nod, waving her off as you remove the cool cloth that had been placed on your forehead.

“Mr. Constantine should be in momentarily with some tea,” Genevive says as she gathers up the bowl of water and cloth before stepping out of your room.

You just lay there trying to process what had happened, trying to process the dream you had… not to mention the fact that you have been betrothed to a man that you are certain is a demon.

You jump as the door of your room opens and closes.

“How are you feeling, love? You nearly had quite a fall. You are lucky I was behind you to keep you from busting your head.”

Mr. Constantine sets down the tea tray on the bedside table.

“Mr…” you stop yourself, “John, thank you, truly. I will feel much better after some tea to help get my strength back up.”

“You gave us all quite a scare, love,” he says, “May I?” He motions to the edge of the bed.

You give him a nod and he perches himself near your legs.

“You seemed a bit shaken up before you even went down to the parlor…”

“I just had a nightmare that’s all. And… well, I was not expecting Mrs. Logue to be so sudden about marrying me off. She has never spoken to me about it. I know nothing about this… man she wants me to marry,” you sigh.

John nods solemnly in understanding.

“Do you… were you able to learn anything about him? What is he like?”

He frowns, “Not much, I’m sorry love.”

You flop back onto the bed, “Oh what am I going to do? This is nothing like what I had planned for myself.”

John silently reaches out, taking your hand in his. He holds it delicately as he places his other gloved hand on top of yours. You can feel the warmth of his strong hands soaking through the pristine white of his gloves. As the heat soaks into your hand it reminds you of warming your hands by a fire. The heat feels good and calming as it travels up your arm and into your chest. It feels like it swirls around your heart for a moment before it travels on to the rest of your body. It warms you up from your toes all the way to your cheeks and the tips of your ears as they turn pink with blush.

This firey warmth reminds you of your dream, how he had flames leaping from his fingertips, but this doesn’t scare you, in fact, the warmth finally settles in your stomach, like a good glass of whiskey.

“I gather that you want to marry for love, not for status?” John asks.

You nod as you get up the courage to lace your fingers in his.

“I’m afraid, John.” You look away from him in shame, “I’m afraid of what my life will look like… I’m afraid of being married but so lonely. I am afraid that I will lose myself.”

He shakes his head, tightening his grip on your hand as he grins, “Do not be afraid, love. Good ole Johnny will be with ya every step of the way.”

Your heart flutters at this as you return his smile. A sudden knock at the door startles the two of you from the intimate moment.

John clears his throat, releases your hand and jumps to his feet, returning to his role of the stoic butler.

“Come in,” you sigh.

In walks Mrs. Logue with a stern frown set on her face.

“Are you alright dear? You gave us all quite a fright.”

You nod, “I am quite alright, I had not been expecting to be introduced to a suitor with no warning.”

“His arrival was a bit unexpected. I planned on telling you tonight at supper and he was to come to visit day after tomorrow.”

You frown pursing your lips together. “I do not like the idea of this. Am I supposed to marry him no matter how I feel about him?”

Mrs. Logue sighs, “You will learn to love him… or at least tolerate him. He is a duke, this would be wonderful for your status as well as for Highcastle.”

“My status? Is my status all that matters? What about what I want?”

She just shakes her head, “You must marry at some point, Y/N, just like Astra must.” She turns to leave, speaking over her shoulder, “Mr. Animae is waiting for you downstairs. He would like to go on a stroll through the gardens. Make sure you have a chaperone, would you dear?”

The door closes and you groan.

“It’ll be alright, love,” John says.

You turn to look at him pleadingly, “Would you please be my chaperone? You can at least make my excuses when I’ve had enough.”

He nods, “Now drink some tea and get your strength back.”

***

“Ms. Y/N may I present to you Duke Edex Animae of Avarita,” John says as he motions to the man.

You pause for a moment on your way down the stairs, taking in the man’s appearance. Although he is finely dressed in a black suit with gold cufflinks and a gold chain from his pocket watch hanging from his jacket, his skin is oh so pale in comparison to his dark eyes, hair, and clothing.

He bows deeply, almost too deeply. As you move to stand in front of him he leans in slightly, “May I?”

You give a short nod and he presses a kiss on one cheek and then the other. You shiver as he takes your hand setting it on his elbow to lead you out into the gardens.

His lips were cold and chapped, and his hands were just as freezing and clammy, making you long for John’s warmth.

As you walk in silence with John following a short distance behind you your mind suddenly jumps from his hands to his lips. You wonder if his lips are just as warm as his hands. Closing your eyes briefly you imagine him trailing burning kisses along your throat.

You try to shake these thoughts from your head. It is terribly inappropriate for you to be thinking of Mr. Constantine, the butler, like this.

“Ms. Y/N? Ms. Y/N?”

“Hmm?” You glance at Mr. Animae.

“Your gardens are beautiful,” he says.

You try not to wrinkle your nose as his breath wafts over you, it smells putrid, like something rotting in his stomach.

“Oh yes, thank you.”

“I was so excited to receive Mrs. Logue’s invitation. She described your beauty but her words pale in comparison to the sight before me.”

You give him a small smile as everything in you tells you to run, run away as far as you can.

“Honestly, I don’t know much about you yet, my dear, but I think you would make a beautiful bride,” the Duke says. He suddenly releases your arm and plucks a rose from the bush.

He turns around and you shiver under his cold gaze. Poking the stem through your bun he smiles, only succeeding in making you feel even more uncomfortable.

You see drops of blood on his fingertips, he sucks them and grins. You turn away grimicing, looking to John.

“Help,” you mouth.

“Although we should learn a bit more about each other, I think we should be married soon, as soon as possible.”

You turn back to the Duke.

“I see… well there is much to be planned for a wedding,” you respond.

Suddenly John steps closer, glancing to the setting sun, “It is getting late, I think it’s time for Ms. Y/N to get some rest. She has had quite the day.”

You nod, “I am feeling a bit faint, Mr. Constantine, would you kindly escort me back to my room?”

He nods, playing along, “You do look rather pale.”

The Duke looks between the two of you, a glint of suspicion in his eyes.

Suddenly, the Duke’s footmen comes running into the gardens.

Just like the Duke his skin is pale, with dark eyes and hair. Mr. Animae turns away for a moment to address the footman.

John takes his chance and leans over whispering lowly in your ear, “When he turns back pretend to faint again. I’ll catch you and carry you back to your room.”

You give him a slight nod in return.

Mr. Animae turns back to you, “Are you sure you are ready for the day to be over? The night can be so long.”

“Well…” you drawl, taking a step forward you let your knees crumple underneath you.

You close your eyes as you let yourself fall limply. You feel John’s warm hands wrap around your waist. “Oh!” you gasp.

Mr. Anime inhales sharply, “Yes, I do think she should return to her rooms. Hand her this way, I can take her if you will lead the way.”

John huffs as he lifts you into his arms. It takes everything in you to not react in disgust to this statement, instead you weakly wrap your arms around his neck and bury your face in his chest.

“That would be quite inappropriate. Please attend to your footman and your duties as duke. I will make sure Ms. Y/N returns to her room safely,” John says.

You feel John turn, but you don’t pay much attention, mesmerized by how his hands and arms feel wrapped around you. As the sun set the air had cooled dramatically, but the warmth radiating from his chest kept the chill at bay.

You continue to cling to him as he steps into the house.

“We are well enough away from him now, however, I will just take you upstairs, in case we run across any of the other staff, just to keep up appearances,” he whispers.

Nodding against his long-tailed evening coat, you take in his scent, your eyes fluttering shut at the smell of smoke, food, and a tint of sherry that must have been served when Mr. Animae arrived.

“How do you fair?” John suddenly whispers.

“This has been… a day full of twists and turns. I certainly was not expecting Mr. Animae,” you reply.

John arrives at the door of your room, twisting the handle of the door with ease, he pushes it open and carries you inside.

After setting you down on the bed, he turns to make his leave.

“John, close the door please?”

He shuts the door and turns back around with one eyebrow raised, silently questioning you.

You sigh as you stand from the bed, moving to the window. Now the moon has risen and the stars shine brightly in the dark sky.

“Do you… do you get a strange feeling from Mr. Animae?”

John moves to join you at the window.

“He is certainly the strangest Duke I’ve yet to meet, love,” he says.

You frown, turning to look at him, “I cannot marry that man. There is something so very… offputting about him.”

Turning away from the window you slide your shawl off your shoulders. Attempting to pull your stormy gray frock off, you huff in annoyance at your inability to unhook the eyelets along your back.

“Here, love, let me.”

Suddenly John’s warm hands are on you again, his pristine white gloves still cover the fingertips that trail along your shoulder before unfastening your frock.

“I’d rather not call for Genevive, she would ask far too many questions about the goings on of today.”

“Easy to understand, love.”

Your frock slips off your shoulders as John moved on to unlace the back of your corset. As it loosens you suck in a relieved breath, happy to be able to take deep breaths again.

“Will you require anything else, Ms.?”

You shake your head as John steps away from you starting to head back to the door.

“I…” you suddenly set your hand on his shoulder, “I cannot marry him… Johnny please, you have to help me.”

He turns, smirking at you with a look in his eyes you had never seen before, confidence possibly to the point of cockiness. You had expected him to be surprised by your instigation of contact, but instead, it was just cockiness and amusement.

“Oh trust me love, there is no need to worry.”

And with that, he slips out of your room.

To be continued...

Did you know? --- Facts I learned while researching for this chapter:

Butlers did not always wear gloves, some frowned upon it because it made them look like footmen instead of an esteemed butler. (But for the purposes of this story our wonderful, and slightly mysterious Mr. Constantine does wear gloves).

During this time (about 1913) high-class rich folk would often drink quite a lot of wine, sherry, champagne, whiskey, and scotch.

Yes, women were still wearing corsets in 1913, the bra or ‘brassiere’ was not invented (technically patented) until November 3, 1914 by Mary Phelps Jacobs.

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@theregalrogue @with-the-words-all-wrong @thecaptainsgingersnap

A/N: Sorry it took me a little longer than expected to get this chapter done, there was a bit more research I had to do than I had been anticipating, but that’s okay! I learned lots in the process. ..... did anyone catch that Latin? Maybe some foreshadowing.....? Thank you all for reading!

Chapter 3

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