#plus a cursed image of lukas

[deztryx]

More insta doodz requests

^^^ biker au lukas ^^

He def rides a Suzuki r1000

More cursed stuff

Also maid dress ivor ☠️☠️

[plusultrachaos]

pro hero deku sad that all might died before he could see him become #1 hero? (just read the lyrics of you’re not there by lukas graham :3)

so, yeah. um ouch. thanks, kiri this hurt. i hope i did this prompt justice of the plus ultra sort. it jumps around a little bit but yeah.

taglist: (if youd like to be added or removed, let me know) @worst-bunny, @koifishkiss, @theghosthybrid,@faelwenholdsthelight, @12redsky34, @tired-taro, @demumbrigde

I only got you in my stories

And you know I tell them right

"Once, a long time ago, there was a hero. This hero saved millions, across many lands. He was revered. This hero was brave. 

"One time the hero was responding to an emergency, pulling thousands of people from the wreckage of a burning bus. And he saved them all himself." The storyteller paused his story for a moment, a smile spreading over his face as the group of children oohed and ahhed over the story. "What wasn't very well known is that near the end of the hero's life, he was a teacher, teaching the next generation of heroes. He would continue to fight for these children even as he started getting weaker."

"Do you think he would be proud of those new heroes if he was still around, Mr. Deku?" A small voice chimed in from the middle of the group of kids. Izuku took a moment to ponder this question, humming softly, running a hand through his hair as he thought. 

He looked at the kid who had asked and gestured for them to come to him. When they got up to him, he lifted them up. "What's your name, young hero?"

"My name is Rin!" They smiled big. Izuku was more sure that it was because they were in the number one hero's lap at the moment and not that they were excited to say their name. 

"Well, Rin. That's a good question. The hero put a lot of faith into his students. While he taught them all, a lot of things happened. I'd like to say he would be proud of us—of his students." Izuku left the session on that last thought, the question rumbling around in his mind. 

Would All Might really be proud of his students? Would he be proud of how far Izuku has come to be Number One? 

I never got to say goodbye

I wish I could ask for just a bit more time

If Izuku were to look back at all that had happened during his time at UA and a bit after, he wouldn't change a lot. Maybe a few things with how he interacted with classmates. Maybe even how he reacted to All Might's death. 

It had been hard to find out that his mentor had passed, even harder when he found out while he was out of the country. He had wanted tk get some out of country experience to understand more, so he went traveling for a while. 

A late night call with Kacchan, a sparring session with a few punching bags. He wound up going on a patrol to let off steam and ended up trying to bust a case he had been working on. It hadn't ended well.  The time he spent in the hospital was eye opening and he got on the soonest flight he could back to Japan. 

He knew he was too late for the funeral, but he knew that they wouldn't be taking the memorial for him down for a long while. 

He remembers the scream that came out of his throat, leaving it ragged and hoarse. He remembers the hurt that coiled through his system. He remembers the tears that streamed from his eyes and hit the poor flowers crowding the area. 

You're not there

To celebrate the man that you made

You're not there

To share in my success and mistakes

Is it fair?

He can see the path to Number One easily. He has to make it to number one. Even if All Might can't watch him get there himself. He has to make it where All Might had faith that Izuku would get to. 

When the Hero Ceremony marking him as Number One comes around, he can't help the pain that blossoms with the image of All Might sitting next to his mother and Todoroki. He sends glances at the empty spot, wishing that the world would have been fair enough to keep his hero alive to watch him be awarded with the Number One title. 

He wishes he could see the smiling face of the deflated hero, the proud expression that would've made Izuku cry tenfold. 

As I struggle to remember how you used to look and sound

Sometimes I still think I can spot you in the crowd

If Izuku's having a particularly rough night, he will try to remember what All Might looked like, how he sounded. He can remember the tone that the old hero would use, but he can't recall the exact way that he would say it. He can't remember from memory the exact way that the strands of All Mights blond hair would fall to the sides of his face. 

There are moments when he's on patrol that he will be walking among crowds and he will hear his name. He will turn his head and look and for the briefest moment, he will see a smiling All Might. He will see him until the moment he blinks and suddenly the man that Izuku had thought he had seen is just a fan asking for an autograph. 

It's unnerving and it hurts, but he masks it with a smile and signs what the fan has for him. He smiles in the moment when he feels like smiling sho9uld be the hardest thing he is able to do. 

Time can heal your wounds if

You're strong and standing tall

I've been doing all of that, it didn't help at all

To say that Izuku has seen tragedy after tragedy, has made his way past all of the things that ruins people, is accurate, he has. But it wasn't the presence of time moving that got him through it. 

He has stood through all of the wreckage that has fallen around him; has stayed the image of strength and safety and hope. But everything aches and hurts and he is stuck. 

Izuku is stuck on a loop of grieving those that he has lost. All of the other heroes he has had to see give their lives. All Might, who prospered even through the illness that ravaged his body until his very last day. His mind plays these moments on loop, hoping to repair the holes left by them. 

Its as he lays on the ground, watching the sky, that he realizes that time hasn't healed any of the wounds left. That standing strong hasn't helped save the world. He sits up, still looking at the sky and curses how unfair the world really is. He begs for All Might to be brought back to hear his idol say for one last time that everything will be alright. 

[the-next-miss-american-trash]

Contains spoilers for the newest season of Miraculous Ladybug

Dude why doesn't Juleka just get a new akumatized look? I mean, they've done it before. The first time she got akumatized, we get flashy pink clown because standout ish look that no one will ever be able to unsee, because of photography curse. Second time, same thing plus an amok because she wanted to model but got nervous and then completely ignored. But the third time?! She gets the clown look again? Her akumatization had nothing to do with self image so why? did they use the pink clown look?

Like look at anyone else that got akumatized more than once. Sabrina came to mind first because although her first time as Vanisher she was completely invisible, the second time as Miraculer she's completely unique! There's even Kagami, with her Riposte look and Oni-chan being different (another spoiler alert but Truth and Lies tack on another version for Kagami and Luka). Lila Rossi also gets a technicality, because just like Sabrina, one of her akumatized versions is just herself but becomes something else. And don't even get me started on Chloe's many akumatized forms.

I dunno, i just think that she could at least have gotten a different look. The minions she aquired turning into her doesn't add anything? Like, it's so easy to single out which was Juleka. Her thing could be "make everyone look like her" but at least use a fresh new look

[nikkzwrites]

Yesterday Once More | Dark Fix-It Fic Series | Chapter 16

A/N: This fic is one that I started with my OC because honestly, I personally didn’t like how season 3 ended. So I am rewriting all of Dark with my OC Annalise Dahlheim. I hope you all like it. Some things will be expanded more on just for more depth to Dark that season 3 kinda skipped over so…. yeah. (Important to this chapter! Here is the song referenced. I’d recommend listening to this at the last paragraph. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqwXY8h9c5I)

CW: Canon Typical Triggers: Smoking, Sex, Language, Drugs, Drinking, Death, Violence, Suicide Mentions, Cutting, Violence.

Word Count:  8.9k

[First Chapter] [Previous Chapter] [Next Chapter]

Where did it all begin? Where did things begin? In the past? In the future? Who can say where it began? Will we ever be capable of knowing the origin of all things? Or is there still an origin before that? And before that? And before that? Do beginning and end even exist? Or is it all connected in an endless loop and are “beginning” and “end” just different words for one and the same moment?

The day was June 20th, 2019. Jonas woke up to music blaring. He slowly allowed himself time to actually get out of bed while he listened to the radio.

Somehow, sometime 

The future starts somewhere

I won’t wait much longer now

Love is created through bravery

So don’t think about it twice

We ride on fiery wheels 

Towards the future through the night.

Jonas turned off the radio and got dressed. He jogged his way downstairs to grab himself some breakfast. He turned around to go to the table after pouring his cereal.

“Boo,” Michael smiled, greeting his son. He had just come in from getting the paper so he decided it might be fun to pull a small prank on Jonas.

They both laughed and Jonas smiled. “Good morning,” He walked around the man to go sit at the table. 

Michael turned and told the boy, “Good morning sleepyhead.” He threw the newspaper on the table and walked to sit with his son, “So? What are your plans?”

“I’m off to the lake with the others,” Jonas explained to his father.

Michael hummed, “It’s supposed to storm later, you know?”

Hannah walked down the stairs and kissed her husband’s head. Michael hummed as she pressed her cheek against his then walked into the kitchen to make herself food. She told Jonas, “Don’t forget about Ulrich and Katharina’s party tonight. Don’t be late so again, okay?”

“Yeah,” Jonas said nonchalantly.

Michael looked up and stared. Today was the day, wasn’t it. He zoned out as his wife took down a bowl for herself. Hannah asked him, “Are you sure you don’t want to come?”

Michael took a second to process what she said. He nodded and said, “She’s almost done.” He smiled and elbowed Jonas, “Want to see her?”

Jonas rubbed his side, “Sure Dad.”

Michael hurried up the stairs and grabbed the painting he made of his first love. He smiled gently seeing her again. Tomorrow was the first day he would actually meet her since she had declined going to the party tonight. He brought the portrait downstairs to show his son. “Lookie here,” He chuckled and asked, “Pretty, ain’t she?”

Jonas smiled at his father’s pride in the project. He barely glanced at it before saying, “Yeah Dad.” He turned to check the time and whispered, “Fuck.” He hurried to put his things away. He walked over to his things and grabbed his bag. He thought for a second and grabbed his raincoat as well. He walked over to bid a farewell to his parents, “Right. I’ve got to go.” Seeing the yellow jacket in Jonas’s hand made Michael drop the painting. He quickly then bent down to pick up his last piece of her he was ever going to have. Jonas reached towards his father, “Are you okay, Dad?”

He looked up and said, “Yeah. I’m good.” He looked around defensively, “Everything’s alright.” Michael studied the painting. Luckily nothing was damaged on her. “I…” Michael admitted, “I just had deja vu…” He picked up the painting fully and placed it down on the shelf under the clock.

Jonas stayed there for a moment studying his father before just nodding, “Okay. See you later.”

When Hannah heard Jonas completely out the door, she slowly approached her husband. Feeling her light touch, Mikkel jumped in surprise but quickly melted into her contact. She wrapped her arms around him from behind and pressed her face into his back. Hannah whispered, “Don’t you think it'd be good if you got out?” Mikkel looked down at her hand. He mentally wasn’t there with Hannah. Michael was far away thinking of Annalise and wondering where she was. Hannah asked him, “At least think about it?” She kissed the man’s back and held herself close to him trying to make him feel her love and closeness, “For me.”

“I still have to finish her,” He grumbled to Hannah. 

Hannah let him go and went back to making her coffee.

Dressed in matching Hawaiian shirts, Magnus zoomed past his sister to catch up to Bartosz. They laughed as the let go of the handle just enough to give each other a fist bump. Martha turned her head to smile and blush at Jonas as they all rode to the lake. Jonas smiled blissfully unaware for a moment before an unexplainable sinking feeling hit him.

The church bells tolled on the hour and our Jonas stumbled out of it on his mission to correct the course of history.

Ulrich kissed Katharina as he tried to convince her to make love with him. They giggled with each other kissing until they heard the door open. At first, Ulrich snapped but when he turned to see his youngest splotched up and red his heart sank.

“I think I’m sick,” complained Mikkel, “I’m covered in red spots. Maybe I have dengue fever?”

Katharina sat up and motioned to him, “Come here.” She checked her son and cursed. “You’ve got rubella.” She shook her head and asked, “You had to pick today of all days for this?” She playfully growled at her son then pet his head, “Let’s get you to the doctor.” She got out of bed to go and walk with Mikkel to get him ready leaving Ulrich alone in bed.

Aleksander drank his morning coffee as he read the newspaper. His eyes were grabbed by the headline, ‘Murder in Marburg Unsolved 33 Years Later. Search for Two Fugitives Perps Still on.’

“Will you come by later,” his wife’s voice pulled him away from the paper. Regina walked over to him and placed a concerned hand on his back, “This afternoon, to the hotel for lunch.”

Aleksander quickly closed the newspaper and said, “Yes! Of course.” He wrapped his arm around her to try and desway her worries.

Regina squinted at him, “Is everything alright?”

“Yeah,” He quickly replied.

Regina knew the look on his face. She could see that he was clearly lying to her so she wanted to give him another chance to open up, “Are you sure?” When he nodded and hummed holding firm that he was okay, she reached over him to grab her phone. She left a small kiss on her cheek as she parted with him and said, “See you later.”

Freida smiled at her daughter, “Come on darling, you can’t just stay stuffed up in this room the entire time we’re here. What’s the use in coming if you don’t at least try it out? Is it too much to ask you to talk to a single person other than me here?”

“I perfectly can stay cooped up in one place for one week without issues,” Annalise said, scrolling through her phone looking at pictures and videos of her father and her, “It’s not like you didn’t send me off to do just that for how many months? Plus, I talked to that nice lady just yesterday… Mrs. Tiedemann?”

Freida sighed and walked to her daughter, “I know. I know dear.” She kissed the girl’s head. She watched the video of her late husband filming with his selfie stick jogging ahead of his daughter taunting her for losing stamina so fast on their vacation up to Yellowstone. Even on vacation, their training for track never let up. The small little family felt empty without his light and playfulness all around them. He and Annalise were inseparable. You’d never find one without the other. Lukas loved his near spitting image so much. Freida kissed her daughter’s head again and asked, “Could you please at least try to see if you will be able to adjust well here? I hear that Ulrich jogs every morning.”

“Who’s Ulrich,” Annalise asked, without looking up. She started up another video of her dad. This time Lukas was speaking to the video without Annalise around.

Lukas smiled in the video while wearing his firefighter uniform, 

“Hey there Anna! I’m so sorry I couldn’t make it to this tournament.

I promise I am still with you okay?

No matter where I am, remember our song we agreed on.

‘I'll be the soles of your shoes on the ground

Running with you 'til you're safe and you're sound’

I love you. You are going to do great.” 

Freida rolled her eyes and sighed at her daughter, “Nielsen? As in the host family and the husband to the principal?”

Annalise nodded, “Yeah, about that.” She put her phone away, “You think I could possibly go to a smaller host family or something? I don’t know if I am a right fit with a family that already has two kids my age.”

“They have a younger one too you know, Mikkel,” Freida helped her daughter up and opened the curtains in the room, “You used to love helping out at the summer camps and volunteering with kids. Plus the hospital said you always liked hanging out with the kids there. So I’m sure that will be fun.”

Annalise nodded, “Okay… I can at least try to meet them.” She mumbled her voice slowly going more inaudible as she continued, “Well the kids were more fun anyway. They would actually play Uno and stuff with me. Plus they had the better snacks.”

“Perfect,” Freida smiled, “There’s a party at their house later tonight.”

Annalise screamed, “What?!” She quieted herself again and rushed through her words, “Mom. I- I’m not ready for something like that. I can barely see my own friends? How am I supposed to meet all of theirs?” She started to hyperventilate. What if someone mentioned or asked about her dad? What if someone asked about her scars and she would have to tell the entire room? What if because of that they all thought she was a freak? She pulled at the short sleeves of her shirt.

Freida held her daughter, “Okay.” She thought for a second, “Okay then! I’ll just go! How does that sound? Maybe I can see if we can arrange to meet them before the party and we can have Magnus walk with you back or something?”

Annalise nodded, “Please?” She clung to her mother and closed her eyes before they opened again with a furrowed brow, “Wait… Who’s Magnus again?”

Charlotte sat at home and looked up at her husband who just came home. He smiled and placed his bags down. Peter greeted her, “Hey!” He walked further inside and asked, “Where are the kids?” Charlotte just stared silently at him causing him to try and explain, “I was at the nursing home.” His wife just continued to stare at him. He sighed exasperated, “Shall we just go on like this? That you won’t believe anything I say?” Charlotte looked down as if she were contemplating. “Say something,” Peter begged. She looked up at him and stayed silent. Peter turned away and angrily swat at the air, “Maybe this is why all this happened.” He turned towards her and said, “Because I get nothing from you. Nothing. It’s as if you’re dead inside.”

Charlotte sighed, “About tonight… I think it’s best if I go to the Nielsens’ alone.”

Peter smacked his lips but nodded walking out of the room.

“Did you know about the lady who drowned here,” Batosz teased Martha.

The girl splashed at him, “Stop it!”

He just smiled and continued, “When the water is clear, you can see her dress down there. And sometimes you feel her hands on your feet while swimming.” He shook his head and said, “But that’s not the worst thing. The worst is when she’s hungry.” That was Magnus’s cue to slyly swim beneath the surface to help scare his sister. Bartosz chuckled, “Then she drags people down to her.”

Magnus quickly pulled Martha down causing the girl to yelp out in fear. He quickly let go and both rose up to the surface. Bartosz and Magnus laughed as Martha tried to readjust herself. “Asshole,” She yelled, splashing Bartosz. She rolled her eyes, “Ha-ha. Very funny.”

Jonas sat at the edge of the lake on the sandy beach watching his friends swim and laugh. He smiled to himself as Martha strolled out of the pond and dried herself off.

Martha tossed her towel down next to him and laid down on it. She leaned closer to the boy and asked, “You coming tonight?”

“I think so,” He turned his head to talk to her.

There was silence between them. Martha sat up as Jonas’s eyes darted from her eyes down to her lips and back. This moment didn’t last long before Martha spoke again.

“I sometimes wonder if my parents are really happy together,” sighed the girl, “Or if people just make do with what they have?” Jonas turned away and thought for a moment causing Martha to ask, “Are your parents happy?”

Jonas blinked and looked down. He shook his head, “No idea.”

“Bad news kiddo,” Freida told her daughter, “Looks like all of them are busy. They are taking Mikkel to the doctor since he has rubella and Magnus and Martha are out at the lake with some friends.”

Annalise nodded, “Okay. Well, we tried right?”

Freida smiled, “We tried.” She collapsed on the bed next to her daughter then turned to look at her.

Annalise shook her head, “What is that look for? Why are you staring at me like that?”

“I’m just proud that you’re trying,” Freida smiled. She played with the hem of her daughter’s shorts that she was mandated to wear for at least another few months. The hospital wanted to make sure that she wasn’t going to actively try to harm herself without notice so they mandated a dress code for her.

Annalise turned her head. She sighed and got up, “I guess I’ll head that way then. You know… The lake?” She scratched at one of her scars as she got ready to leave, “It might be nice to get some sun and meet the people I’m going to have to be around.”

Our Jonas stood on the side of the street debating his next move. He had to insure some things before leaving this time. He needed to close the chapter with Martha and then find his dad to convince him not to kill himself. Jonas tried to think back to what his father was doing that day when a car drove up.

“Hey Jonas,” Katharina called from inside the car, “Weren’t you going to the lake? Martha and Magnus left a long time ago.”

Jonas walked around the car trying not to speak in fear of giving himself away. Mikkel smiled and stuck his fist out of the car window, “Ultimate fist bump?”

Katharina laughed, “Don’t touch the pestilent boy. He has rubella.” At that Mikkel huffed and withdrew his offer bringing his hand back into the car. Katharina looked at the boy and asked, “Where’s your bike? Should we give you a ride?” Jonas shook his head prompting Katharina to nod, “See you tonight then.”

Ulrich chuckled and leaned over his wife, “I know one person who’d be really glad if you came, and it’s not Magnus.” He laughed.

Katharina pushed her husband back to the other side of the car, “Ulrich.”

“Why,” Mikkel chuckled, “It’s no secret Martha’s nuts about him.”

“Stop it,” Katharina tried to defend her daughter. She turned to Jonas, “Come on, get in. We’ll drop you off at the lake.”

Jonas shook his head, “No, it’s okay. Really.”

“Good,” Ulrich laughed, “Then see you later, Romeo.” He winked at the boy and they drove off.

Magnus had walked away from the group to take a piss. While there though, He spied a girl naked laying face down in the water. He placed himself back into his trunks and ran to help her.

Franziska stood hearing the wild splashing hear her. She looked up to see the tall blond boy in front of her. “Magnus,” she asked him confused.

Bewildered, Magnus was at a loss of words. He shook his head and tried not to stare at her breasts. He stuttered as he tried to explain himself, “You weren’t moving and I… I thought you were dead. He said there was a dead body there.”

Franziska looked around for a second to see if anyone else was there to witness her skinny dipping. When she saw no one else, she looked back at the boy. The red head shook her head and said, “Still plenty alive.”

“Cool,” Magnus stated before wading out of the water, taking a few times to stare back at her again.

Franziska smiled as she watched the boy leave. She was entertained by him. This was her first time actually gaining interest in him and was he now an interest.

Martha laid on the beach trying to memorize her play. She looked up at Jonas sitting next to her and smiled.

“Something up,” Jonas asked laughing.

Martha shook her head, “I…” She giggled, “I was just thinking…” She laughed at herself and asked, “Wouldn’t you sometimes like to know what happens next?”

Jonas thought for a moment and leaned back, “You mean in the future?”

Martha sat up once more and leaned a bit towards him, “Yes or… maybe just in the next 5 minutes. I… sometimes get this feeling that something is about to happen. You know?” She stared deep into his eyes.

Jonas’s heart raced. His brain was running faster than it ever ran before but there were still no cognitive thoughts there.

“Attack,” Magnus yelled, interrupting the moment. He jogged past them but then turned and stopped, “Hey! Mom said that chick was going to head over to meet us.”

“What girl,” Jonas asked before checking the time. When he looked at it, he realized he was going to be late. He scrambled up while whispering under his breath, “Fuck.”

Martha shook her head and asked, “What’s up?”

Jonas quickly got his pants on and explained, “I’ve got to go. We gave Grandma Ines a tablet for her birthday. I promised my grandmother I was going to show her how it works.” He threw on his backpack.

“Okay,” Martha said sadly.

“I’ll see you later,” asked Jonas.

Martha nodded but then called him back, “Jonas! Why do you have a raincoat?”

Our Jonas watched his younger self through the trees explain, “Because it’s supposed to rain later.” 2019 Jonas chuckled, “Well...then…” He was struggling to leave, but eventually turned.

After a little bit of waiting, 2020 Jonas zipped up his coat past his scars and pulled his hood so that it hid his longer hair. He slowly approached Martha and sat next to her. He was frowning as he slowly tried to figure out how he wanted to close this part of his life. He turned and looked at her, “I thought I still had time.” He furrowed his brow, “Why do people say that anyway? ‘To have time.’ How can you have time when it clearly has you?”

Martha sighed and tried to figure him out, “Has something happened?” When he was silent, she commented, “You’re different somehow.”

“I wanted to tell you something,” Jonas concluded looking at her, “I’ve wanted to for a long time.” He stared at her and said, “I think… I think we were meant to meet. Never think anything else.” He closed his eyes as Martha slowly closed the gap to kiss him. He reached around to hold her there in that moment before letting go. Something felt strange about this. As if his heart were empty while doing this, an empty gesture. Jonas whispered to her, “I’ve got to go now.” He stood up and pulled himself away from his old happiness walking towards where he needed to go.

The Nielsens’ pulled up to the Kahnwald house. Hannah greeted them and Ulrich asked, “Did Captain Nielsen make you work too?”

Hannah laughed, “All the best on your wedding anniversary.”

Ulrich commented, “Crazy, isn’t it? It’s been 25 years.”

“Thank you for the glasses, Hannah,” Katharina told the woman.

Michael watched them out the window. They were just packing up the car, but it was so familiar to him. Like a foggy dream. Then he saw himself get out of the car.

Mikkel complained, “I need to pee.”

“Go on the tree over there,” Ulrich told him.

Hannah stared at the boy. He was so familiar. Something ate at her. She didn’t even hear at first that Katharina was asking her a question. Once Hannah snapped out of it she said, “Yeah, of course he can come use our bathroom. It’s just across from the front door.” Mikkel nodded and walked to the house. Hannah turned to the parents and said, “I just had deja vu or something. Mikkel’s gotten big.”

Katharina nodded in agreement, “He eats like an ogre.”

“He got that from his mother,” Ulrich teased.

Katharina pinched her husband’s gut playfully, “Hey, you stop that!”

Hannah smiled and forced out a laugh.

Mikkel walked inside the house. Something felt weird about it today. He walked into the bathroom.

Michael climbed down the stairs and listened to himself using the bathroom then hid. When his younger self saw him, he was terrified and ran out. Michael hit his head against the wall and started to pant trying to suppress his tears.

Annalise walked the street set to her on google maps. She had gotten the coordinates from supposedly Magnus earlier. She sighed and placed the phone back in her pocket. She placed her headphones in and listened to her music as she walked.

As Jonas walked his way towards his childhood home, he zoned out. He walked down the street only to find a very strange sight. There in front of him was a girl. She had shorter hair, seemed sad, but he knew her instantly. There walking along the road was Annalise. He swallowed, what was she doing here? She wasn’t supposed to be here yet. The girl must have seen him staring at her because she stopped.

Annalise tilted her head, “Hello?” The girl took out her earpods. She tried to pull the boy out of his trance, “Is there...uh” The girl still had an issue speaking German. She was stuttering over her words and trying to pantomime before just switching to English, “Am I doing something wrong? Is this the way to the beach?”

Jonas shook his head. His lips trembled. He smiled and said, “Yes… But No! You just look like a girl I know.” He pantomimed as well to help her understand what he was saying. This must have been why Bartosz had said she was so bad at German.

The girl smiled gently and tried to ask, “May I...uh…” She motioned to her chest out towards him. When she could see he didn’t quite understand, she pressed her fingers to her lips gently then pointed to him.

Jonas blushed. He swallowed hard then walked closer to her. Seeing her like this made him forget the world around him. He was just a boy with a girl standing on the side of the road walking opposite directions.

“No,” Annalise said loudly, throwing her hands up in front of her to stop him, “I...uh...want to...speak…” Her eyes shifted down to the ground then back up at him. She wanted to see how bad her conversational skills were before meeting the Nielsen kids. Supposedly they were at the lake. Luckily she had the excuse that she wasn’t dressed for it to get into the water, but she couldn’t lie to her mother about having met them if her mom was just going to meet them later that night and mention her.

Jonas’s eyes widened in understanding then he nodded with a smile, “Oh! Practice German with me.” He motioned. He laughed at himself for just resuming their relationship right off the bat despite her never meeting him by that point. He felt so stupid thinking that a complete stranger was just going to ask for him to kiss her.

“Yeah,” She nodded. Her eyes glowed having someone understand her, “I am from America. My Zayde is from here. It is nice to meet you.” She held out her hand. She seemed very confident saying those few sentences in German. The girl had practiced those frequently so they came out the most fluid out of all of her speech. If Annalise were honest, she liked having to only interact with one person. She was much better with that as of late.

The boy chuckled and took her hand in his. He noticed something across her forearm he had never noticed before. There were scars there. His eyes traced them then went back to her face. His face had dropped. He turned her hands over to see scarring on her knuckles as well.

Annalise gently pulled her hand away from him, “I was in...an accident.” She nervously tried in vain to cover them up. Her heart leapt into her throat. Her eyes started to water from anxiousness. She recoiled ready for the insults.

Jonas unzipped his jacket to reveal his scabs from being hung. He nodded in understanding and said, “So was I.”

The girl walked towards him and motioned if she could touch. She seemed almost hypnotized by his scars. He could recognize that pained look on her face. Jonas nodded. Her touch was just as he remembered. She was gentle, soft, doting, earnest. Jonas’s eyes closed. His breathing steadied to match hers. Time stood still as the two teenagers just tried to process their life leading up to this moment. Being together alone with practically a stranger that was somehow closer than any other person in the world right at that moment. Jonas knew so much about her, yet nothing of her. She knew absolutely nothing about him, yet she still treated him as if she would treat someone she held dearly. He finally understood it that moment in his room. Why their hearts beat as one. He wanted nothing more than to put his forehead against hers. To tell her that he finally understood and that he lo- 

“I just got out of the hospital,” Annalise confessed. Her voice took him out of his thoughts. She started to walk with him, “They say the scars should fade in another few months to be barely noticeable. I’m sure yours will be very much the same.” 

Jonas nodded. She was so close to him. His hand dangled waiting for her hand to sneak into it as it normally did only for it to be left alone. He gulped and asked, “Oh?”

Annalise nodded, “My dad… We drove off a bridge to avoid a collision after a meet. He saved me from drowning. He unbuckled me, and pushed me through the broken glass.” The girl motioned to her scars then continued, “I was in the middle of the Hudson for a while screaming looking for him. He never made it out though.” She walked next to him, sniffled back tears, and said, “So my mom signed me up for the foreign exchange program here to help me adjust again before going back to school at home. She didn’t want the pressure the team would put me through. We know they would mean well, but…” Annalise shrugged and sighed, “I’m not ready...And you know… People don’t like messy.” She needed to switch back and forth from English at points but Jonas got the picture.

“Team?” Jonas asked, “Want to tell me about it?”

Annalise nodded, “I ran track and cross country before…”

Jonas smiled, “I’m sure you will get back to it someday. You still seem like a fast runner.” He thought back to the night she ran from him and how much it surprised him to see her able to pull that off, but now it made much more sense. 

“Yeah,” Annalise sighed wistfully, then her face dropped, “I just can’t stop thinking about my dad though. That was kinda, our thing. You know?”

Jonas nodded, “Yeah. I know how that feels actually.” He looked up and said, “It’s so hard to go back from your old life when a person you loved more than the world is gone and almost everyone else has moved on, without you.” He smiled and gently put his hand into hers to comfort her. She seemed to melt at his touch. As if she was starved for any type of human connection. He tried to change the topic just to see her smile without laced sadness once more, “You know, I think longer hair would suit you too. You have such a wonderful face for it.”

Annalise giggled as she reached up to touch the ends of it, “Well thank you. They had to cut it at the hospital. A kid put gum in it during group.” She leaned her head on his shoulder as they walked. 

“That is such a shame,” He laughed with her. Jonas let his head rest on hers as they walked. He sighed content with their togetherness.

She smiled and asked, “can you follow me for a second?”

“Want some,” Magnus asked Bartosz as they biked through the fields.

The boy shook his head, “Nah, thanks.”

“See you later then,” Magnus wished his friend goodbye before biking off.

Bartosz smiled, “Till tomorrow.” When he saw Martha about to follow her brother he stopped her, “Martha…” He mumbled and stumbled over his words, “Sorry I can’t come over later, but… we’ve got a party, for my mom and the hotel...I just couldn’t get out of it.” He sighed, “I just wanted to tell you that.”

Martha blinked. She tried to figure out why he would just volunteer this to her and not Magnus. She didn’t want to be rude though so she smiled and told the boy, “No biggie.”

“And I…” Bartosz stopped her, “I really like…” He got too nervous to fully say it and said, “your hair that way.” He shook his head, “I mean… You look good. With that hair.”

Martha smiled, finally understanding a little bit.

Bartosz laughed at himself and his confession, “Shit. You know what I mean.”

Martha giggled. Her heart fluttered when he said that, but as soon as she was about to say something, Jonas appeared in her mind. She looked at the boy, “Well… See you later.” 

2020 Jonas nodded and followed her out into the woods. He found themselves back at the rock that he found her sitting at when she sang to him and played with his hair. His heart raced thinking about that moment now. The tenderness they shared. The way the air felt as though this place was just for the two of them. How she always came back right to this spot. His face glowed a light pink. He watched her stand on top of the rock. She smiled and pulled him up with her. Their faces only centimeters from each other for a second  before she turned away from him with her full body. Their closeness felt like an eternity, yet not enough time for him to actually do anything about it.

Annalise screamed then started to laugh. She turned to him and smiled, “Scream with me.” She was so beautiful in the afternoon light. The light from above cast a darling halo on her hair. It almost seemed as if she was glowing. 

Jonas laughed, “What?”

“Scream with me,” The girl repeated, “It seems like you need it.” She laughed again.

Jonas shook his head for a second then let out a yell. It was small and pathetic compared to hers. He thought for a second afterwards. It did help. He screamed again. This time allowing all of the anger and sadness out with her. He could hear her voice join his as they roared at the world together. Both of their voices echoed through the forest, the trees, the rocks, the caves. They screamed until their throats burned from their residual frustration. Their chests empty and yet so heavy. When he finally turned, he saw her tears dripping down her face. He reached up and felt his own raining down upon the stone below them. They looked up at each other once more and laughed. Both of them realized they were yelling for the exact same thing, their fathers. Their smiles infected each other. The boy reached over and wiped her tears away, having the girl mirror the same thing with him. Jonas hopped off the rock first and held his hand out to help her jump down as well. They walked hand in hand back down to the road so that they could continue on their way.

2019 Jonas walked into the party with his mother. As soon as he came in he was greeted by Martha. She smiled at him and said, “Hey. I’m glad you made it.”

“Yeah me too.”

She looked around and asked, “Can I get you a drink?”

“Yeah,” Jonas said over the music following the girl.

When Katharina spotted Hannah, she squealed and ran over to the other woman, “Hey!”

Hannah laughed, “Hey.” She kissed Katharina’s cheeks as they greeted each other.

“It was meant to be a garden party, but this is much cozier,” Katharina explained. She turned and saw Freida, “Hey!” She called the other woman over. Katharina put her arm around the American and smiled at Hannah, “Hannah, Freida. Freida, Hannah. Hannah has been a very close friend since we were in high school. Hannah, Freida’s daughter is actually going to be staying with us soon.” Then the old classic Belinda Carlisle song came on. The blonde smiled and said to Freida, “Please mingle and excuse me. This is my favorite song. I have to dance.”

Freida smiled and watched as the woman danced away. She blushed and turned towards Hannah, “Hello.”

“Hello,” Hannah said. She held up her dish and asked, “Do you know where this goes?”

Freida nodded, “Yeah, It’s right over here.” She led the other woman through the other room where Magnus talked to his grandparents about getting a driver’s license. Freida laughed as she watched Katharina’s antics.

“Come on Charlotte,” She tried to drag the other woman up, “Dance with me.”

Charlotte shook her head as she allowed herself to get dragged up, “Please no. Katharina no.”

Hannah placed her dish down and walked back to Freida and led her over to Charlotte, “Hello Charlotte.”

Charlotte smiled, “Hello Hannah. Hello again Freida.”

Hannah turned to Charlotte and asked, “Where’s Peter?”

“Summer cold,” Charlotte lied then asked, “Michael?”

Hannah nodded, “Something similar.” The two women turned to Freida who was already downing another glass that Ulrich had poured her as he was passing by. Hannah asked, “How about you Freida?”

“Oh, my husband died,” admitted Freida. She raised her hands up, “But he would have loved this party. He was such a socialite. More than me.” She smiled gently.

Charlotte apologized, “I’m so sorry.”

“I-I didn’t know,” Hannah explained.

Freida looked up surprised, “Oh no! I’m just glad that I still have my daughter. They were both in the car when it went into the bay. Annalise is just like her father too. So it’s almost as if he’s still here,” She smiled brightly and asked, “So I heard both of you have children right?”

Charlotte nodded, “Two. Franziska and Elisabeth.”

“Jonas,” Hannah said, “Just Jonas.”

Annalise and Jonas continued chatting and getting to know each other more thoroughly. He was very surprised about how much he was able to learn about her and how alike they truly were, yet so different. Why had it taken him this long to actually try to get to know her? He guessed it was because the both of them were so focused on himself that she kind of fell to the wayside that she just instinctively knew was for her. Like she was helping lead him through this journey to find each other and themselves again through all the chaos and devastation. Like how he was this safe place for her now, she was the safe place for him both in his past and future. 

When they got back to Regina’s hotel, she pulled away from their walking embrace and said, “Well, this is my stop. Thank you so much. I- … Do you live and go to school here?”

Jonas nodded, “Yeah. I do actually.” He beamed, forgetting that he was actually there to prevent his existence.

“Awesome,” Annalise beamed. A pink glow brushed her cheeks. She bit her lip.

His heart started to race. His eyes darted from her lips back up to her eyes, then back again. He could tell she was doing the same. He smiled and he pressed his fingers to his lips gently then pointed to her. She giggled and nodded stepping a bit closer to him. Jonas wrapped one arm around the small of her back and used his other hand to cup her face. He tenderly placed his lips against hers. Her lips were so warm and soft. His eyes closed. He could feel her arms wrap themselves around his neck. He smiled within the kiss. He finally had the kiss with her where neither one of them was crying. 

Annalise kissed the boy. He was so passionate and romantic. She slowly deepened the kiss. She couldn’t believe her odds of having her first kiss be one of those movie kisses. It was just like how she always imagined she wanted her first kiss to be. There was this deep connection there. Slowly, she realized she was breathless, but she didn’t want to pull away. He felt as if he knew more than he let on and she wanted to be a part of that. Her fingers tangled themselves in his hair not wanting this boy to disappear from her. He brought her into a strange new world that she wanted to know everything about. This stranger was the closest thing to a living dream she had ever felt. She truly felt alive again, for the first time in a very very long time.

Jonas slowly pulled away from her. He took in a deep breath. Was he holding his breath the entire time? He smiled and chuckled seeing the look on her face matching his. He placed a quick peck against her lips, “I guess I will see you soon.”

Annalise nodded quickly. She watched as he slowly walked away, “Wait! What’s your name!?”

“Jon-” Jonas thought for a second realizing that it was probably a bad idea to give her his real name, “My name is Adam.” 

Annalise smiled and promised, “I’ll be looking out for you then Adam!” She waved him off with the beautiful smile he had grown to love. That gorgeous smile that was the light in all of his dreams. 

Jonas nodded. He looked towards his house then back at her. He rushed back to her and placed his forehead against hers. His hands cupping her cheeks to hold her with him. He took in a deep breath, taking in the moment. “You’ll always be with me,” Jonas kissed her head, “We were meant to be. This was meant to happen. I would be so lost if I hadn’t met you. Please never let me go.”

Annalise nodded. She placed her hands over his, “I think you were about to leave though. If you really need to leave, I’d hate to be the thing holding you back from what you needed to do. It won’t be too long. I’ll be back in a month. I promise.” She pulled his hand away to kiss his fingertips. 

Jonas smiled. He had a hard time leaving her and this moment. He chuckled as his fingers combed through her hair. This was the happiest he had been in a long time. He wanted to hold onto it for as long as possible. To surrender himself to the love between them, but she was right. He had to fix this and with any luck, they would find each other again, in the next life.

Freida smiled as she and Katharina walked around the party once more. She giggled and commented, “Your family really does seem like it would help Annalise back on her feet. Ever since losing Lukas, it’s felt as if I lost both of them that night.”

Katharina wrapped her arm around Freida’s, “Of course! I promise I will treat her as one of my own.” They walked together and spotted Jonas and Martha. Katharina leaned over to the woman and giggled, “You see, over there is Jonas, Hannah’s son. You’ve already met Martha earlier. They all hang out together with another boy Bartosz. So I can guarantee she will never be lonely. Plus from what you described. Mikkel is going to adore her. You said she’s gotten her shots and is going to be fine if exposed to rubella?”

Freida nodded, “Yeah. We have vaccines for it. So she can actually come over and meet all of you tomorrow. I’m actually a bit shocked. Annalise said she was going to meet up with your kids, but now she’s texting me about meeting some boy and accidentally losing time? I have no idea what she’s thinking.”

Michael stood in his studio and smiled. There smiling back at him was a painted Annalise. It was one of his only ones with actual colors in it. The pinks, burnt oranges, blues, and purples seemed to fit her perfectly. He stood back to admire his work. He started to bring it down with him to get a better look at it in the light when he heard the door open and close. 

2020 Jonas walked into his family home as the storm brewed. The floor creaked beneath his feet. He walked into his room to see everything the same from what it was that day. 

“Jonas,” Michael asked, walking into the boy’s room. The man laughed and said, “I thought I heard someone. How come you’re not at the Nielsens’?” When Jonas turned to him, Michael could recognize that pained look on his son’s face, “Did something happen?”

Jonas limped over to his father and wrapped his arms around him. He started to sob into the man. The boy was just so thankful to be there with his father. He missed him so much.

“Hey,” Michael soothed, rocking them side to side. He wrapped his arms around his son and asked, “Everything okay?” He ran his hand down his hair. He played with it for a second before asking, “What’s with your hair?”

Jonas lifted his head away but left his hands resting on his father’s neck for a second. As he stared at him, Jonas slowly started to be reminded of why he was there. Behind his father, Jonas also noticed something. The painting he had paid no attention to before. He knew what, or rather, who it was now. He pulled away completely and commented, “I know.”

Michael chuckled and shook his head, “What do you know?”

“I know everything,” Jonas commented.

Michael started to become even more confused, “What?”

Tears filled Jonas’s eyes as he held out his fist towards his father and asked, “Ultimate fist bump?”

Michael’s heart started to race. He looked down at his son’s fist then back into Jonas’s eyes. A small whisper passed his lips, “What?” He started to back away. He stammered out, “Why did you just say that?”

“Because I know, Dad,” Jonas cried, “I know everything.” He nodded towards the painting left outside his bedroom door, “I know that’s Annalise.” Jonas looked up at his father and said, “ and I know your real name is Mikkel Nielsen.” He shook his head as his voice started to shake, “It’s okay.” He started to limp towards him.

Michael started to cry, “Please forgive me.” He leaned into his son’s embrace.

Mikkel walked down the stairs to his mother’s party as Ulrich was giving a slide show. He walked right past Jonas and told Katharina, “I can’t sleep.”

Katharina put a hand on her son’s head and said, “You’re burning up.” She looked to Freida who nodded. Katharina whispered, “Thank you” to the woman as she watched Freida whisper to Ulrich what was going on. She then watched her walk out of the house to go and check on her own daughter and to meet the Tiedemanns. Katharina sighed as she picked up her son and walked with him back up the stairs with him. She gently placed him down on the bed, “There you go.” She tucked him in and kissed his forehead, “Sleep well. If you go to sleep, you’ll get to your surprise tomorrow faster. Night night.”

“Can you stay here till I fall asleep,” Mikkel asked his mother.

Katharina let out a small sigh. She tilted her head and told him, “Slide over.”

Mikkel smiled and slid over so that he and Katharina could hold each other.

“So you’re from the future then,” Michael asked his scarred son. He shook his head and let out a single laugh. He messed with his hands and asked, “And why are you here now?”

Jonas looked at him and said, “Because I need to ask you for something.”

Michael asked, “What?”

“Not to do it,” Jonas asked him. 

Michael shook his head, “Not to do what?”

Jonas looked at his father confused, “It’s Ulrich and Katharina’s anniversary. You didn’t go along, like always. You stayed here. But something was different.” Jonas shook his head at himself, “I should’ve noticed something was up.”

“Jonas,” Michael told him, “I have no idea what…”

“Don’t lie to me,” Jonas yelled at him, “I know! God fucking damn it!” He started to cry again, “I know you’ll hang yourself in the studio. Have you already written the letter?”

Michael stared at his son as if he had no clue what the boy was going on about. He shook his head, “What letter?”

“You write a letter to me,” Jonas shook his head, “Not to me, but to the younger me.” He took it out and slammed it on the table, “The one marked: ‘Do not open before November 4, 10:13 p.m.’ The very minute you vanish.” Michael took the letter and started to skim it. As he did, Jonas said, “I’m here so you don’t do it.” His face was red from how much he was crying. Jonas just shook his head again, “It’s all intertwined. Like an endless loop. But you… you killing yourself, that’s the start.” Michael closed the letter and slowly slid it to Jonas. Jonas put it into his pocket and put his hands over his father’s, “Please promise me you won’t do it. Dad, you have to promise me. Please. Promise.”

Martha walked into her room leading the younger Jonas. She closed the door behind them and locked the door. She giggled and held out his towel to him, “You forgot this at the lake.”

Jonas took it, “Oh, thanks.”

Martha stood just inches away picking at her fingers, “I thought about what you said at the lake.” Her lips trembled.

“About grandmas? And the internet?” Jonas asked confused about what she was trying to talk about.

Martha laughed and paused for a moment. She whispered to him as she leaned forward, “I think you were right.” She slowly let her lips approach his for a kiss. They pulled each other closer excited for each other.

Thunder rolled as Jonas asked his father, “The day you disappeared, you were there and then suddenly gone. Did you go back to the cave? How did you find the passage there?”

Michael shook his head, “I didn’t find it. Someone showed it to me.”

“Who,” asked Jonas.

Michael looked at him, “You.”

Jonas shook his head, “What do you mean?”

“We were by the caves,” Michael started to recount his memories, “There was a strange noise. We were all sure someone was there. We ran. Then I lost you. I turned around and you were gone. But suddenly you were back again. You said there was something there, in the forest. Something evil. And that we had to return to the cave. You brought me all the way to the door and through the tunnel. I was so afraid. But you held my hand. And then you said, ‘We have to stay here, all night, but when the morning comes everything will be alright.’ And when I woke up, you were gone. All these years I’ve tried to understand why you did that. But then, at some point it all just faded away. It became more unreal, like a dream.”

Jonas’s lips trembled as he spoke, “But that’s impossible. I never did that.”

Michael sighed and said, “I saw myself today. Mikkel. It’s all returning. The coat, you. As if it’s all falling into place. Maybe you’re not here to stop me at all.” Jonas started to hyperventilate. His panic rose through him as Michael told the boy, “But rather to show me what it is I have to do. Maybe you only showed me the letter, so I know what’s in it, so I go and you live.”

Jonas started to cry. His head violently shook, “No, that can’t be. That can’t be. He told me I could stop the origin. If you don’t kill yourself, none of the rest will happen.”

Michael nodded, “But if none of the rest happens, you won’t be born. And maybe your role in all this is much greater than you think. And perhaps, I’m just a small part of a huge cancer that is much greater than any of us can imagine.”

Jonas’s breath shook out of him as he confessed, “Someone has said that to me before.”

Michael looked at his son, “Who?”

“Me,” Jonas whispered.

Michael grabbed onto the boy and placed his forehead against his son’s. He whispered, “God doesn’t err. He has a plan. For each of us.” He pet the boy’s head.

Claudia walked into the house and told the boy in the yellow raincoat, “I’ve waited a long time for the moment we’d meet again.”

“Who are you,” Jonas asked, “Are you with Adam?”

Claudia explained, “There are two sides out there. He is darkness. I don’t follow him, I follow the light. He lied to you. He brought you here to trigger everything so that it happens as it always has.”

Jonas shook his head, “No that can’t be. Adam wants this too!”

“No he doesn’t,” She told him, “He doesn’t want to fix things. He wants to destroy them forever.” Jonas looked at Michael as she told the boy, “Your role in all of this is much greater than you believe. Only you alone can put an end to all this.”

Jonas asked, “What does that mean?”

Claudia told him, “We’re at war and you have to wage it against yourself. Against Adam.”

“But if I don’t exist,” Jonas tried to explain, “if I’m not born, then Adam won’t exist either.”

Claudia shook her head, “I’ve seen a world without you. Believe me, it isn’t what you’re expecting. There are times in your life when you must see that the decisions you make affect more than your own destiny. This isn't about you and Mikkel. This is about everyone. Your mother. Your friends. Annalise. You alone can save them.”

He shook his head. He didn’t see her graves with the rest of them, “What does that mean?”

“We all make sacrifices,” Claudia explained, “Your father must make sacrifices too.”

Michael looked at Jonas and tried to comfort him, “It’s okay.”

The storm raged on. Annalise stared out the window of her hotel room. She looked down at her phone and dialed a number. Her father’s picture popped up as she called him. Lukas’s voice rang through the room.

“Hey! This is Lukas Dahlheim. If you are getting this, I’m either at work or with my two beautiful girls both of which are very important. Please leave a message and I’ll get back to you… Oh and my darlings, if this is you, please know that I always love you and I miss you.”

Annalise started to cry, “Hey Dad. I miss you so much.” She sobbed and watched as her tears hit the ground, “I just called to let you know I had my first kiss today.” She laughed as tears continued to flow out from her eyes, “I wish you could have met him Dad. His name is Adam and he reminds me so much of you and mom. You would love him just as much as I’ve fallen for him.” She took in a breath and sobbed again, “Well, anyway. I love you Dad. I’ll see you later okay? Bye.” She hung up and let her hand that held the phone drop as it played the Krewella song Lukas told her to play when she missed him.

[akimmito]

Heroes are made by the path they choose

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Master List

Chapter 15

After the Akuma battle, Max calls everyone who participated in the battle to talk about what happened. Felix and Marinette agreed to meet later when they settled at the hotel, only Kagami excused herself because she had business to attend to.

An hour passes before everyone is gathered in the boardroom, where all meetings are held. Max stays on the computer, Luka has served snacks for the Kwami and tea for the others, everyone needs to relax to give their opinion, that will help them a bit to wait for Hugo to announce that the food is ready and they can eat, the good thing is that they finished the attack in good time.

Damian feels uncomfortable, perhaps a little irritable at feeling that he has failed at something. It was not his performance in battle, he did what was expected of him exceptionally, even Paris has had good opinions about him, even though he's a child. It bothers him not to identify what caused that feeling.

Everyone notices how introspective the child looks, but says nothing. It's best to let him meditate on what torments him, in the end, only Marinette is able to reach him effectively without receiving an angry look or offensive comment. The child can touch the angelic with his mother close (but sometimes even the worst of his character comes out).

"We're ready." Felix enters the boardroom wearing only the most basic suit, the sleeves of his white shirt roll up to his elbow, and instead of his black shoes, he wears gray, fluffy slippers. Only Felix would present himself like this with the dignity of a king.

By that time, Chloe has also arrived, taking advantage of the lunch hour to meet them, even Nathaniel has taken a break and has arrived, his expression is that of someone who has not slept in three days and is not very wrong, really not he's slept in three days (at that point, Marc is tempted to knock him out with a spatula to get him to sleep).

"We can start." Marinette sits next to Damian after giving him a kiss on the head, he just erases his annoyed expression as a sign of appreciation, calming himself by having her close. "What have they discovered?"

Marc sighs and waits for Max to put on screen the videos of the surroundings of the previous Akuma, it remains to be seen if this last Akuma Purple Dolphin had a similar origin, but with two that are the same, he's sure that this is also the case. When the images appear on the screen behind the engineer, everyone pays special attention to what is displayed.

"Those are images from before Abraham Bélanger was Akumatized, the butterfly suddenly appeared in front of a single camera, so we can assume that our villain moves close to the victims." Marc explains what he had already spoken to Max and Luka, but now they will add the additional information and debate theories. "We didn't discover anyone suspicious, so we also decided to check each owner's vehicles and background. Only one caught our attention."

"A vehicle by the name of Leonard Daract, which is a false name. Although there are several with that name, none of them reside in France and they are not the owners of a car of the registered model. "Max shows the records it found on the screen, since the only real connection is an affiliation with a ghost organization that, due to its investigation, it's a cover for money laundering, but they cannot identify the beneficiary of said scheme. Nicely covered with lots of fake names and dead ends. "Also the name of Jean Laperriére, owner of a vehicle captured away from the origin of the first Akuma, is among the members of B.K. Company. "

"So our villain is good at hiding." Felix analyzes the screen, thinking about which way to go from there. They must be smart and stop walking behind the villain to start taking steps forward.

"That also makes it easy for him to activate organized crime in the city, he already has a way to finance criminal groups without being tracked." Nathaniel comments and then just mutters a few random ideas, plus a couple of curses for the extra work.

"And if he has one, he must have more." Alix gives her little opinion, leaning back in her chair. "That brings me to what I discovered with Detective Fontaine, take. “She pulls out a USB stick and hands it to Max.

In a short time the case files are projected on the screen, the pieces of the bomb found, the witness reports and the names of the victims. Everyone observes a particular name: Nora Bélanger, twenty-two, died on the way to the hospital, the daughter of Abraham Bélanger, the Akumatized victim that day.

"What was the name of today's victim?" Damian asks, feeling that everything has been in motion since long before.

"Let's see. "Max starts reviewing the files on the second computer he has, it's easier that way and he doesn't overload the laptops with so much open file. A couple of minutes later, he has it. "Victoria Jouvet, last night reported a robbery at her house, but it was dismissed and this morning she received a message about it, minutes later, well, we already know what happened..."

"Since when did the police dismiss cases? Alix, did you know about that?"Marinette frowns, she doesn't like how Paris's safety is being affected. Since Mayor Bourgeois was no longer elected and a new mayor took over the city, many corruption cases were disappearing and a dismissal of cases, especially with the return of the butterfly, is not the best practice to keep healthy emotions.

"No, I had no idea." She almost growled about it, maybe she should talk more closely with Detective Fontaine about what's going on inside the police. Too good that she discovered that MT has that kind of jurisdiction, Chloe excelled in supporting the cause, she deserves a reward.

Max continues to collect information and decides to place an alert for registered crimes in the databases, to classify them and be able to monitor the victims. Perhaps there is a way to handle the most violent crimes that Paris has not seen in several years. Yes, there are still murders, robberies and rapes, but it is not something that happens every day and now with emotions as a vulnerable point, they need a way to redirect the negative effect in some way.

"Then the police are falling into old ways, we must clean it up. Kudbel, do you trust that detective?" She nods, resigned to having Felix continue calling her by her last name, sometimes someone's name escapes him, but he corrects him immediately, although she knows that he's fond of everyone, even if he denies it. "So I need you to start a joint investigation, we will make a file of every police in Paris to find out who are the corrupt, we will clean the place to avoid Akuma for police negligence. Any inappropriate behavior will be suspicious, we will remove all the dirty laundry, we have long ignored the police issue. If we only keep two assets in the entire city, it doesn't matter, there is a selection of recruits in the academy that can begin to be sent to the field from the moment we take out the vermin."

"Agree. It's fortunate that Detective Fontaine enjoys being hated by everyone."

"Our guy, tell him we send greetings." Marc says to lighten the mood a bit, although everyone is in work mode now.

"We must create a support project for families, if these police officers have children they must be protected and not left adrift by the mistakes of their parents. "Marinette takes out her phone to write down a reminder to consult Hugo about the possibilities of creating a project about it.

Nathaniel nods in support, also pulling out his phone to check his bank accounts and see if he can support, he doesn't have the exaggerated amounts of money Marinette has accumulated over the past few years at absurd speed, but he's in the same situation that she just He accumulates because neither he nor Marc spend too much, the most expensive thing they have is the apartment and they don't even have a car. They don’t spend beyond what is necessary.

Alix doesn't comment, she, if it were not for living with Chloe, would have a slightly less stable life. Having her own art school doesn't give her millions, but it's something that she really enjoys, just like being an Art History consultant at the Louvre, she doesn't complain, but sometimes she0s surprised at the gap that exists between her and  others. Felix with his millionaire family, Chloe with his exorbitant salary (and the Hotel, which remained in her hands when André was imprisoned for fraud, Chloe didn't touch her heart when she reformed it completely and changed its name, leaving not even the shadow than it was), Nathaniel and Marc have a very stable base of money for their comic book editorial and recently accepted two new writers and three cartoonists for the publication of new works, expanding the franchise, Max has an annual profit that rivals With Luka and his record label, Kagami and the Tsurugi company double Chloe's annual salary (and that's a lot of money)... And Marinette, she has managed to accumulate so much money in just five years that she's close to surpassing Felix's fortune, if her earnings continue to grow at the rate  it's going (and having two Wayne as her clients, she is sure it will happen) she really will go on those lists of the world's richest people. Yes, she is the one who earns the least because even Kim has more stable earnings. And almost all of them have made their salary base in the last four years, working even before starting university.

The MT is full of crazies with money, definitely, but aren't all vigilantes like that? She can bet her kidneys that Batman and Green Arrow are also crazy with money.

"Then with the police business going on. I think it is time to research every company in Paris, find any links with shell companies and list them. That includes ours. ”No one complains, knowing they are not going to be sidelined just because they could end up showing that in court and it is better to avoid suspicion. "All employees must also be investigated. It would be good to speak to Borealis to find out if his informants have any suspicious information. "

"I'll tell him to give us all the information he gets at the meeting." Now it's Chloe's turn to get her phone out and start sending messages.

"Going back to the bomb, do you have suspects?" Marc asks, redirecting the conversation.

"Only one. His name is Felipe Lombard, he was released from prison two years ago. He was arrested for exploiting an apartment building killing seventeen people in Marseille, he was sentenced to twenty-five years in prison and... I really think it should have been longer, but he came out because he made a deal with the prosecution to help dismantle a group of smuggling of weapons that the police had been following for years, but had no conclusive evidence. It seems they found the connection with him and it was one of two, or cooperating or adding another twenty years to the sentence. ”Alix explains with little interest. "He was found dead this morning, according to the detective's call... So we don't know if someone paid him or if he relapsed. "

"Ridiculous, completely ridiculous."

"I think we need to expand our allies..." Luka murmurs, weighing their options, they may have the equipment, but they need more people to give them information and, although Aurore's informants are useful, they are not enough to have more precise control than it happens on the streets. And its allies outside the country seldom have information that relates to Paris in any way.

"Yeah, but we will discuss that when it is the first meeting of the Order." Says Marinette. "By the way, our trip will be short, the jewel is in Istanbul, so after the small obligations that Felix committed to, we'll return. "

"Right, we'd better be going." Felix nods at her words.

Everything is saved and sent to the central database, all are removed and most go to the dining room where Hugo has just arrived thanks to Kaalki. Only Damian doesn't follow the others and instead hugs his mother.

"Sorry. "

"Oh? Why?" She immediately returns the hug and strokes his head lovingly.

"I'm just sorry... maybe I did something wrong."

"You don't have to apologize if you make a mistake, I don't expect you to be perfect or someone you're not for wanting to please me." She smiles and cradles her son's face, she can see the conflict in his green eyes. "I love you as you're."

"Me too, mother." He hides his face in her chest and clings to her as much as he can, feeling really loved and at home. And he decides it's best to ignore the information about soul mates, Constantine's sour gaze upon mentioning it is proof that it's not pleasant for his mother either.

-------

R. Grayson: I have a question regarding the design you submitted

Marie Lenoir: Yes?

R. Grayson: Why is the lining of my suit violet?

Marie Lenoir: Combines with the tie and with your eyes, your shade of blue is very vivid and beautiful

R. Grayson: Thanks, although my eyes are nothing compared to yours

Marie Lenoir: Thank you, I'm flattered.

--------

Lila Agreste is not a bad person, at least, she's not anymore. Being forced to marry Adrien taught her a few things, as well as being a reality hit on the course she was taking in her life. By the time the marriage contract was released, she no longer wanted to have anything to do with the Agreste and marrying the blonde was out of her plans, but she did.

How it happened?

Well, Adrien invested a great deal of money in cleaning up the family name and pleasing her in any way she wanted, that was what persuaded her. But as the years went by, she felt less comfortable with the situation, but she came to sympathize with Adrien's stance and stayed for it, despite the fact that she fell in love with another man. If only the heroes were less useless and found a way to wake Emilie from the coma, she would be free to return to Italy and plan her life with her lover.

She doesn't love Adrien, but she's fond of him. Seven years married in a friendly relationship generates that, he never questioned her and respected her space, in addition to taking her on many trips and including her in various jobs. Yes, she knows that she takes advantage sometimes, but she also feels quite bitter. She doesn't even find herself to lie about anything, she just wants to get out of that horrible life and for that she must play her cards well or the last years would have been a waste of time.

With the only person who keeps in touch during school days is Alya (who doesn't know anything about the contract), the others made their lives far away or their relationships with them fractured, but she knows what has become of all of them because her beloved husband he mentions from time to time, in addition to maintaining a close friendship with several of them. He has even gone to some dinners with him, although she was always uncomfortable.

The only one relevant to her record is Marinette, she was surprised by the turn she gave to her life after that discussion with her parents. She stopped being the annoying girl from school and became a force to be reckoned, the Lady Black brand emerged strongly and remains lifted with the same toughness as the beginning, even expanding to other areas besides fashion.

She's jealous, yes she's, but she learned to recognize that all of that was her effort. She didn't marry anyone to help her, she doesn't even have a partner nor does she need her to have a child. She still doesn't know the famous boy, but Damian Lenoir is not a name that is foreign to her, Alya complained about how that boy seemed about to stab her boyfriend with a table knife... Lila still doesn't understand that possessed her to date that nefarious guy, neither all the money in the world is worth to support such a disgusting man.

"Lila, here!" She smiles as best she can and approaches the table. Alya invited her and, being the girlfriend of the mayor's son, it's a very luxurious place. She has gone there, of course, Adrien sometimes invites her to places like this to give the appearance of a happy couple.

"Hi. "She still doesn't like how effusive the reporter is.

"How was your trip to Kazan? Russia must be beautiful. "She begins, it's been a month since they last saw each other and then just a few calls, Adrien always takes a long time in the cities. Not that she cares, but that gives her time to have a good time at her destinations.

"Wonderful. Adrien paid a tour guide to take us to know the secrets of the city, of course, two weeks is a long time, but we found ways to have a good time while balancing work. "A little lie, she spent most of the time alone, but she's not telling anyone that. Perhaps the only ones who know are Adrien's friends and, again, she returns to that overly successful group. It would have seemed unreal if she hadn't seen their growth firsthand.

"That's great, Lila! I would like to travel more, but Michel is always busy, at least we have the opportunity to have dinner every night. ”She nods as if she was really interested in knowing something about her boyfriend, Nino was a thousand times better and also more pleasant. She still remembers with disgust when Michel tried to seduce her, if he did the same with Marinette, it doesn't surprise her that his son was ready to riddle him with silverware.

"It must be difficult being a surgeon's girlfriend, they can call him randomly at some point."

"Yes, but it's worth it."

Lila wonders if Alya knows or plays stupid, her boyfriend is no better than excrement, however handsome or wealthy he's. Although the reporter has a hard time accepting when she's wrong and after three years of relationship, it would be disappointing, yes, maybe that's it.

-------

­­Alya Cessaire @Alya.Blogs.Out

Reunion! @ LilaA.Rossi

[Attached photo]

Tim Drake @TimDrakeW_

My brother just can't contain himself from flirting, his survival instincts are on the underground

Jason @IAm_YisusXD

@TimDrakeW_ Now what did he do?

Tim Drake @TimDrakeW_

@IAm_YisusXD the normal... only now he forgot that her son has dogs capable of devouring him.

[aion-rsa]

Image Comics Solicitations for June 2017

Image Comics has released solicitation information and images for new books and products shipping in June 2017. When you’re through checking out these solicitations for new Image releases, be sure to visit CBR’s Image Comics forum to discuss these titles and products with fellow readers and fans.

Image Comics Solicitations – Last Six Months

Product shipping February 2017

Product shipping January 2017

Product shipping November 2016

Product shipping October 2016

Product shipping September 2016

Product shipping August 2016

CROSSWIND #1 – GEM OF THE MONTH

STORY: GAIL SIMONE • ART / COVER: CAT STAGGS

JUNE 21 / 32 PAGES / FC / M / $3.99

Fan-favorite creators GAIL SIMONE and CAT STAGGS make their stunning Image debut with this mind-bending new ongoing series!

A slick and ruthless Chicago hitman. A smart but downtrodden Seattle housewife. When an inexplicable event strikes these two random strangers, their bodies, souls, and lives are switched to potentially deadly effect. It’s Freaky Friday meets Goodfellas!

THE DIVIDED STATES OF HYSTERIA #1 – GEM OF THE MONTH

STORY / ART / COVER: HOWARD CHAYKIN

JUNE 7 / 32 PAGES / FC / M / $3.99

An America sundered. An America enraged. An America terrified. An America shattered by greed and racism, violence and fear, nihilism and tragedy…and that’s when everything really goes to hell.

SAVAGE DRAGON #225 – 25th ANNIVERSARY ISSUE!

STORY / ART / COVERS A & C: ERIK LARSEN

COVER B: Frank Fosco

JUNE 21 / 100 PAGES / FC / M / $9.99

“THE MERGING OF MULTIPLE EARTHS,” Conclusion

Giant-sized 25th anniversary special! Savage Dragon is restored to his former glory as he bulks up to take on Darklord in a final battle! Mr. Glum’s devious plot to merge the multi-verse comes to its cataclysmic conclusion! Savage Dragon and Malcolm Dragon join forces to save Angel Murphy and the very earth itself!

SAVAGE DRAGON: WARFARE TP

STORY / ART / COVER: ERIK LARSEN

JUNE 14 / 128 PAGES / FC / M / $19.99

Spawn, Ant, and Malcolm Dragon face their greatest challenge—ever! Battle Girl fights for her life in Dimension-X. Savage Dragon is released from jail. And Mr. Glum goes on trial.

Collects SAVAGE DRAGON #217-222

KILL THE MINOTAUR #1

STORY: CHRIS PASETTO & CHRISTIAN CANTAMESSA • ART / COVER: LUKAS KETNER & JEAN-FRANCOIS BEAULIEU

JUNE 14 / 40 PAGES/ FC / M / $3.99

Athens lost the war to Crete. Now, they pay tribute to King Minos by sacrificing their best citizens to his unearthly labyrinth. Conspirators believe Theseus can be the hero they need to end the mad king’s bloody reign…but no one on this world has ever encountered anything like the savage minotaur.

CHRIS PASETTO, CHRISTIAN CANTAMESSA (Red Dead Redemption) and LUKAS KETNER (WITCH DOCTOR) reinvent the most fearsome beast of all with this horrific tale of heroism. Each issue features 30 pages of story!

SEPTEMBER MOURNING, VOL. 1

STORY: MARIAH McCOURT, EMILY LAZAR • ART: SUMEYYE KESGIN

COVER: MARC SILVESTRI

JUNE 14 / 48 PAGES / FC / T+ / $4.99

SERIES PREMIERE

September Mourning has no past that she can remember, only a strange and shadowy present filled with the voices of the dead. Turned into a unique hybrid by the former Reaper of the lonely, injured, and abused, September Mourning is the only human/reaper to exist. Tasked with reaping the souls of the “worthless” by her mysterious tattoo, September hides and protects them until she can help them realize the last thing they had left undone in life. Whether it’s aiding souls to expose abusers, find lost loves, or settle old debts, in each case September is guided by voice of the Skullfly, which only she can hear.

SHIRTLESS BEAR-FIGHTER! #1 (OF 5)

STORY: JODY LEHEUP & SEBASTIAN GIRNER • ART: NIL VENDRELL & MIKE SPICER

COVER A: ANDREW ROBINSON • COVER B: TOM FOWLER • COVER C: ANDY SURIANO

JUNE 21 / 32 PAGES / FC / M / $3.99

SERIES PREMIERE

After being betrayed by the bears that raised him, the legendary Shirtless Bear-Fighter wanders the forest he’s sworn to protect, fistfighting bears, eating flapjacks, and being the angriest man the world has ever known! When wild-eyed, super-strong bears attack the citizens of Major City, Shirtless ventures into the human world to do what he does best…PUNCH THOSE BEARS IN THE FACE! But all is not as it seems. Someone is manipulating Shirtless…and only by confronting the demons of his past can Shirtless hope to save his future!

A heart-filled, hilarious, tall tale for the ages… you don’t want to miss SHIRTLESS BEAR-FIGHTER!

WINNEBAGO GRAVEYARD #1 (OF 4)

STORY: STEVE NILES • ART / COVER A: ALISON SAMPSON, Stéphane PAITREAU, JORDIE BELLAIRE, ADITYA BIDIKAR

COVER B: MINGJUE HELEN CHEN

JUNE 14 / 32 PAGES / FC / T+ / $3.99

SERIES PREMIERE

An American family traveling on vacation finds themselves stranded in a small town with a sinister secret.

BITCH PLANET: TRIPLE FEATURE #1

STORY: CHERYL LYNN EATON, ANDREW AYDIN & CONLEY LYONS • ART: MARIA FRÖHLICH, JOANNA ESTEP

COVER: VALENTINE DE LANDRO

JUNE 14 / 32 PAGES / FC / M / $3.99

DECONNICK & DE LANDRO PRESENT: THE TRIPLE FEATURE!

Ripped directly from the world of BITCH PLANET, a crack team of creators spin three teeth-clenching tales of rage, revolution, and ridicule.

PLUS: Essays, letter column, and more!

100% Grade A satire. Accept no substitutes.

BLACK MAGICK #6

STORY: GREG RUCKA • ART / COVER A: NICOLA SCOTT

COVER B: LIAM SHARPE

JUNE 28 / 32 PAGES / FC / M / $3.99

NEW STORY ARC

What the hell is the deal with Rowan Black, anyway? For that matter, just how many “real” witches are there? What is the bond that ties Rowan and Alex together? Is the series really coming back, or is this just the creative team messing with your heads?

Yes, it’s true—the critically acclaimed series returns with a standalone story detailing how Rowan was awakened to her family’s legacy…and the enormous cost of being its inheritor.

BULLETPROOF COFFIN: THE THOUSAND YARD STARE (ONE-SHOT)

STORY: MISTER DAVID HINE • ART / COVER: SHAKY KANE

JUNE 7 / 32 PAGES / FC / M / $3.99

The long-awaited sequel to THE BULLETPROOF COFFIN!

When indie publisher Image Nation hires Shaky Kane to write and draw his own comic book, the artist finally finds himself free from the tedium of visualizing the geriatric ramblings of washed-up hack, David Hine. See the awful consequences as jealous rivalry leads to a bloody showdown on the convention floor.

SEVEN TO ETERNITY #7

STORY: RICK REMENDER • ART / COVER B: JAMES HARREN & MATT HOLLINGSWORTH

COVER A: JEROME OPEÑA & MATT HOLLINGSWORTH

JUNE 14 / 32 PAGES / FC / T+ / $3.99

NEW ARTIST

Now suffering from the aftermath of the sentient swamp, The Mosak follow Adam to Jevalia’s childhood home to discover a trampled paradise, the bled souls of its heroes, and a fetid industry thirsting for more.

SEVEN TO ETERNITY is proud to welcome superstar JAMES HARREN as a special guest artist to unveil the heights of heroism in a world awash with corruption.

SHUTTER #29

STORY: JOE KEATINGE • ART / COVER: LEILA DEL DUCA & OWEN GIENI

JUNE 28 / 32 PAGES / FC / M / $3.99

NEW STORY ARC • “CODA OBSCURA, PART ONE: WHAT YEARS MAY COME”

SHUTTER returns and begins to say goodbye with a look at what the future holds for absolutely everyone readers met along the way.

SOUTHERN CROSS #13

STORY / COVER: BECKY CLOONAN • ART: ANDY BELANGER & LEE LOUGHRIDGE

JUNE 21 / 32 PAGES / FC / M / $3.99

NEW STORY ARC • “THE CRYPT DIMENSION,” Part One

The SOUTHERN CROSS rises from the methane sea of Titan for its third terrifying season! Retired detective Hazel Conroy and her unlikely crew of misfits, mutants, and liars board the cursed spaceship for what might be their final adventure. Surprising, smart, and delightfully scary, SOUTHERN CROSS is the most fun you can have without getting killed by aliens.

SUN BAKERY #5

STORY / ART / COVER: COREY LEWIS

JUNE 28 / 48 PAGES / FC / M / $4.99

NEW STORY ARC • “SOUL OF SHARKNIFE,” Part One

Great jumping-on point! Two new series kick off in SUN BAKERY #5: “SOUL OF SHARKNIFE,” the long-awaited return of indie comics superhero Sharknife in a brand-new adventure, and “FREEZE,” a fantastical breakdancing battle. “BAT RIDER” continues his supernatural skateboarding adventure, and more micro comics abound in SUN BAKERY #5.

WAYWARD #21

STORY: JIM ZUB • ART / COVER A: STEVEN CUMMINGS & TAMRA BONVILLAIN

COVER B: HICHAM HABCHI

JUNE 28 / 32 PAGES / FC / M / $3.99

NEW STORY ARC • “TETHERED SOULS,” Part One

Nikaido’s powers are growing, and he’s not the only one…

WAYWARD unleashes myth into the modern world. It’s the perfect time to get on board and see what all the excitement is about!

BIRTHRIGHT #25

STORY: JOSHUA WILLIAMSON • ART / COVER: ANDREI BRESSAN & ADRIANO LUAS

JUNE 14 / 32 PAGES / FC / T+ / $2.99

END OF STORY ARC

For 25 issues, the Rhodes family has seen it all—the return of their lost son Mikey, his transformation into a hero of legend, and the existence of mages and horrific monsters on Earth. But nothing can prepare them for what happens in this anniversary 25th issue!

BLACK CLOUD #3

STORY: JASON LATOUR & IVAN BRANDON • ART / COVER: GREG HINKLE & MATT WILSON

JUNE 14 / 32 PAGES / FC / M / $3.99

What’s worse, a memory or a bad dream? Zelda is stuck in one and running from the other.

THE BLACK MONDAY MURDERS #7

STORY: JONATHAN HICKMAN • ART / COVER: TOMM COKER

JUNE 14 / 40 PAGES / FC / M / $3.99

“The Scales”

Accounts are balanced and old grudges are settled. Revenge is the order of the day.

CANNIBAL #6

STORY: BRIAN BUCCELLATO & JENNIFER YOUNG • ART / COVER: MATÍAS BERGARA

JUNE 7 / 32 PAGES / FC / M / $3.99

Grady and Louise must deal with the ramifications of Danny’s escape from prison as Cash comes to grips with Jolene’s fate.

COPPERHEAD #14

STORY: JAY FAERBER • ART: DREW MOSS & RON RILEY

COVER: SCOTT GODLEWSKI & RON RILEY

JUNE 14 / 32 PAGES / FC / T+ / $3.99

END OF STORY ARC

Clara has a violent encounter with the mayor’s killer—while a new threat closes in on Copperhead.

DEADLY CLASS #30

STORY: RICK REMENDER • ART / COVER A: WES CRAIG & JORDAN BOYD

COVER B: STEPHANE ROUX

JUNE 21 / 32 PAGES / FC / M / $3.99

A gnarly party gets ruined.

THE DYING AND THE DEAD #5 (OF 10)

STORY: JONATHAN HICKMAN • ART / COVER: RYAN BODENHEIM

JUNE 28 / 40 PAGES / FC / T+ / $3.99

“TO STEAL AN EMPIRE”

When you’ve had everything taken from you, does it matter if they take a little more?

ECLIPSE #8

STORY: ZACK KAPLAN • ART / COVER: GIOVANNI TIMPANO

JUNE 21 / 32 PAGES / FC / T+ / $3.99

END OF STORY ARC

As the sun sets on the second arc, secrets are revealed about the mysterious men who don’t burn in deadly sunlight. But as Cielo infiltrates her father’s company for answers and Bax tries to escape a war zone full of armed soldiers, both must decide which side they’re truly on.

ELEPHANTMEN #78

STORY: RICHARD STARKINGS • ART: AXEL MEDELLIN

COVER: BOO COOK

JUNE 28 / 32 PAGES / FC / M / $3.99

“EXTINCTION”

Hip Flask and Farrell follow a lead out into the desert and face the grim reality of life for Elephantmen in 2260.

ETERNAL EMPIRE #2

STORY: JONATHAN LUNA & SARAH VAUGHN • ART / COVER: JONATHAN LUNA

JUNE 7 / 32 PAGES / FC / T+ / $3.99

The Eternal Empress has waged war against the countries of Saia for over 100 years, and now her sights are set on the last country standing. Within the brutal Empire’s workforce, a young man receives strange visions that give him the courage to escape his fate…or run straight toward it.

EXTREMITY #4

STORY/ART/COVER: DANIEL WARREN JOHNSON • COLOR: MIKE SPICER

JUNE 7 / 32 PAGES / FC / T+ / $3.99

As Thea’s guerilla warfare against the Paznina intensifies, her father comes face-to-face with the man who killed his wife.

THE FEW #6 (OF 6)

STORY: SEAN LEWIS • ART / COVER: HAYDEN SHERMAN

JUNE 21 / 56 PAGES / FC / M / $4.99

MINISERIES FINALE

The critically acclaimed maxiseries comes to its massive end! Edan’s secret is out. With no family, no allies, and no country, she is left to do the one thing the desperate have available to them: lash out. As she sets her sights on the Palace and the government she fought so hard for, Peter and Davey question how much someone has to do to make you trust them again…

GOD COUNTRY #6

STORY: DONNY CATES • ART: GEOFF SHAW, JASON WORDIE & JOHN J. HILL

COVER A: GEOFF SHAW • COVER B: GERARDO ZAFFINO

JUNE 14 / 32 PAGES / FC / M / $3.99

MINISERIES FINALE

Our story comes to an earth-shattering conclusion as Valofax meets its maker, Roy learns what it means to be a father, and Emmett Quinlan confronts God in the dying Kingdom of Always…

GREEN VALLEY #9 (OF 9)

STORY: MAX LANDIS • ART / COVER: GIUSEPPE CAMUNCOLI, CLIFF RATHBURN & JEAN-FRANCOIS BEAULIEU

JUNE 14 / 48 PAGES / FC / T+ / $3.99

MINISERIES FINALE • GIANT-SIZED final issue!

The knights of Kelodia were once the finest in the land, until they faced the wizard of Green Valley. Now, their epic, time-bending quest comes to a close in this extra-sized issue, and history will never be the same again.

GRRL SCOUTS: MAGIC SOCKS #2 (OF 6)

STORY / ART / COVER A: JIM MAHFOOD • COLORS: JUSTIN STEWART

COVER B: BILL SIENKIEWICZ

JUNE 21 / 32 PAGES / FC / M / $3.99

Things heat up as the origins of the mysterious Magic Socks are revealed! After betraying Gwen and Rita, Daphne engages in an epic battle against her little cousin Josie. This second issue is stuffed to the gills with an action-packed story, bonus art, soundtrack, and sketchbook. Plus, a variant cover by the legendary BILL SIENKIEWICZ! Pure fun! Pure flavor!

HADRIAN’S WALL #8 (of 8)

STORY: KYLE HIGGINS & ALEC SIEGEL • ART / COVER: ROD REIS

JUNE 28 / 32 PAGES / FC / M / $3.99

MINISERIES FINALE • FINAL ISSUE!

In their final moments together, will Simon and Annabelle be able to move past their pain? Or will they both die alone?

HEAD LOPPER #6

STORY / ART / COVER A: ANDREW MACLEAN • COLORS: JORDIE BELLAIRE

COVER B: BENJAMIN MARRA

JUNE 21 / 48 PAGES / FC / T+ / $5.99

“QUEST FOR THE CRYSTAL EYES”

The search for the Crystal Eyes begins. Norgal and Agatha try one door, Zhaania and Xho another. What terrors lie in wait beyond? What traps are set for springing? Only Ulrich the Twice Damned knows for certain. The way forward is unclear but our heroes press on into the strange.

HORIZON #12

STORY: BRANDON THOMAS • ART: JUAN GEDEON & MIKE SPICER

COVER: JASON HOWARD

JUNE 21 / 32 PAGES / FC / M / $2.99

END OF STORY ARC

Zhia Malen came to Earth to make sure humanity would never endanger her planet. Now, she’s on the verge of landing her most lethal attack yet… Plus, a revelation that will have you rushing to reread the previous 11 issues!

I HATE FAIRYLAND #13

STORY: SKOTTIE YOUNG • ART: SKOTTIE YOUNG & DEAN RANKINE

COVER A: SKOTTIE YOUNG • COVER B (F**K FAIRYLAND VARIANT): SKOTTIE YOUNG

JUNE 21 / 32 PAGES / FC / M / $3.99

“LARRY’S LIFE”

Find out what Larry’s life could have been like if he had never met Gert.

IMAGE+ #15

JUNE 28 / 64 PAGES / FC / $1.99

IMAGE+ features in-depth interviews with creators, extended previews of upcoming titles, insightful essays, spotlights on comic shops, and everything fans want to know about what’s coming soon from Image Comics. In addition, every issue features a chapter of the ongoing THE WALKING DEAD story “HERE’S NEGAN!” revealing the origin of the fan-favorite villain, created by the New York Times bestselling team of ROBERT KIRKMAN & CHARLIE ADLARD! IMAGE+, the Magazine of the Year in the 2016 Diamond Gem Awards, is where to go when you want to know what’s new and hot at Image Comics.

INJECTION #14

STORY: WARREN ELLIS • ART / COVER A & B: DECLAN SHALVEY & JORDIE BELLAIRE

JUNE 21 / 24 PAGES / FC / M / $3.99

“Something lies beneath the henge and the megaliths and the moor, and the storm may wake it.”

INVINCIBLE #137

STORY: ROBERT KIRKMAN • ART / COVER: RYAN OTTLEY & NATHAN FAIRBAIRN

JUNE 21 / 24 PAGES / FC/ M / $2.99

“THE END OF ALL THINGS,” Part Five

This issue has everything! Mark and Eve in peril! Allen’s fleet chased by Thragg’s forces! Terra learning to use her powers! Robot doing something (else) evil! Did we mention Tether Tyrant? All this and Debbie Grayson momming the hell out of the cover!

KILL OR BE KILLED #10

STORY: ED BRUBAKER • ART: SEAN PHILLIPS & ELIZABETH BREITWEISER

COVER: SEAN PHILLIPS

JUNE 28 / 40 PAGES / FC / M / $3.99

END OF STORY ARC

As his life spins out of control, Dylan and his demon come face-to-face once again.

LOW #19

STORY: RICK REMENDER • ART / COVER: GREG TOCCHINI & DAVE MCCAIG

COVER B: STEPHANE ROUX

JUNE 14 / 32 PAGES / FC / M / $3.99

END OF STORY ARC • “OUTER ASPECTS OF INNER ATTITUDES,” Conclusion

Death comes to the drowning city as Tajo and her crew fight to inspire the citizens of Salus to not go gentle into that good night.

MAGDALENA, VOL. 4 #4

STORY: TINI HOWARD & RYAN CADY • ART / COVER: CHRISTIAN DIBARI

JUNE 28 / 32 PAGES / FC / T+ / $3.99

END OF STORY ARC

That which should be bound has been freed, and that which needs to fight has been detained. Demons may have us in numbers, but God’s on our side. Our first testament ends here.

MANIFEST DESTINY #30

STORY: CHRIS DINGESS • ART / COVER: MATTHEW ROBERTS & OWEN GIENI

JUNE 21 / 32 PAGES / FC / M / $2.99

END OF STORY ARC

Sacagawea the warrior. Sacagawea the mother.

MIRROR #9

STORY / ART: EMMA RÍOS & HWEI LIM

COVER: HWEI LIM

JUNE 21 / 32 PAGES / FC / T+ / $3.99

Meetings and reunions link the uncertain fates of the Irzah animals to the destiny of Tekton Ninua.

THE OLD GUARD #5

STORY: GREG RUCKA • ART/COVER: LEANDRO FERNÁNDEZ

JUNE 21 / 40 PAGES / FC / M / $3.99

END OF STORY ARC • “PART FIVE”

Conclusion. The Old Guard falls. Literally.

THE OLD GUARD will return in 2018!

OUTCAST #29

STORY: ROBERT KIRKMAN • ART / COVER: PAUL AZACETA & ELIZABETH BREITWEISER

JUNE 28 / 32 PAGES / FC / M / $2.99

“UNWELCOMED”

There are certain places Outcasts just should not go. Kyle and his father have taken a huge risk.

PAKLIS #2

STORY: DUSTIN WEAVER & D.J. BRYANT • ART / COVER: DUSTIN WEAVER

JUNE 28 / 56 PAGES / FC / T+ / $5.99

A spy becomes involved with the subject of his surveillance in this issue’s short story, “An Empty Shell in the Ocean.” Then Tara heads deeper into the Shadow Zone where she battles Nerial pilots in a deadly dogfight and discovers an unbelievable binary planetary system while on her search for Amnia in “Amnia Cycle,” Part Two. And we learn just how big the galaxy is in “Sagittarius A*,” Part Three.

PAPER GIRLS #15

STORY: BRIAN K. VAUGHAN • ART: CLIFF CHIANG & MATT WILSON

COVER: CLIFF CHIANG

JUNE 7 / 32 PAGES / FC / T+ / $2.99

END OF STORY ARC • EXPLOSIVE END OF A STORY ARC!

It’s the end of an era as KJ, Mac, Tiffany, and Erin must do the unthinkable to escape our prehistoric past. 24 pages of story on the best paper in comics, and still only $2.99!

PLANETOID PRAXIS #5 (OF 6)

STORY / ART / COVER: KEN GARING

JUNE 7 / 32 PAGES / FC / M / $3.99

Unrest in the settlement culminates in an attack on Heliocor…with lethal results!

PLASTIC #3 (OF 5)

STORY: DOUG WAGNER • ART: DANIEL HILLYARD & LAURA MARTIN

COVER A: ANDREW ROBINSON • COVER B: DANIEL HILLYARD

JUNE 21 / 32 PAGES / FC / M / $3.99

With a new girl along for the ride (who, surprisingly, is an actual living, breathing person), Edwyn continues his head-chopping rampage to save the love of his life…but the Dixie Mafia have some rather devious plans of their own.

REDNECK #3

STORY: DONNY CATES • ART/COVER: LISANDRO ESTHERREN & DEE CUNNIFFE

JUNE 28 / 32 PAGES / FC / M / $3.99

What lurks in the attic of the Bowman house? With everything going to hell for his family, Bartlett must confront the one sonuvabitch that puts fear in other vampires. And what exactly do the Bowman boys have planned for Father Landry?

REGRESSION #2

STORY: CULLEN BUNN • ART/COVER: DANNY LUCKERT & MARIE ENGER

JUNE 14 / 32 PAGES / FC / $3.99

Adrian’s descent into madness and horror continues! In an attempt to rid himself of terrifying waking nightmares, Adrian agreed to undergo past life regression therapy. Now it seems that something sinister has followed Adrian back from a past life into this one!

RENATO JONES: SEASON TWO #2 (OF 5)

STORY / ART / COVER: KAARE KYLE ANDREWS

JUNE 7 / 48 PAGES / FC / M / $3.99

“THE FREELANCER,” Part Two

The government is burning. Corruption has taken power. Billionaires rule the world. And only one freelancer has the tools them make them “CHOKE ON THI$!”

Don’t miss part two of the largest audience to witness a comic book, period!

ROCK CANDY MOUNTAIN #3

STORY / ART / COVER: KYLE STARKS

JUNE 7 / 24 PAGES / FC / M / $3.99

Well, it looks like our train-jumping hobo boys have finally seen where the wheel meets the ground. This issue, we learn about the difference between bums and hobos, why Jackson is so good at fighting, and what the Literal Devil wants with our Hobo Hero. Also, yeah, as always, there’s fighting. HOBO FIGHTING.

ROSE #3

STORY: MEREDITH FINCH • ART/COVER A: IG GUARA

COVER B: JOYCE CHIN

JUNE 14 / 32 PAGES / FC / T / $3.99

Desperate for allies, Rose and Ila look for help in the most unlikely of places. Rose confronts the truth about—and feels the burden of—her magical abilities. Can she really be some kind of savior? Meanwhile, Thorne makes a heartbreaking discovery about his own role in the future of the land.

ROYAL CITY #4

STORY / ART / COVER: JEFF LEMIRE

JUNE 21/ 32 PAGES / FC / M / $3.99

It all falls down. The delicate balancing act that has been keeping the fragile lives of each Pike family member aloft comes crashing down. And with his past finally catching up to him, Pat’s sins are revealed, but it may be too late to make amends. The penultimate chapter of ROYAL CITY’s first storyline delivers shocking twists and heartbreaking truths.

SAGA #44

ART / COVER: FIONA STAPLES • STORY: BRIAN K. VAUGHAN

JUNE 28 / 32 PAGES / FC / M / $2.99

Hazel and her family search for elusive treasure: affordable healthcare.

SAMARITAN #2

STORY: MATT HAWKINS • ART / COVER: ATILIO ROJO

JUNE 28 / 32 PAGES / FC / T+ / $3.99

Sam kidnaps the CEO of Northlock Industries, a massive military industrial complex company that’s linked to the president, and begins her plan to take him down. She comes to terms with the fact that it may very well be a suicide mission.

SEX CRIMINALS #20

STORY: MATT FRACTION • ART / COVER: CHIP ZDARSKY

JUNE 21 / 32 PAGES / FC / M / $3.99

END OF STORY ARC

All good things, like sex, crime, and this arc of SEX CRIMINALS, come to an end. And this one ends with CHARACTERS doing THINGS and making CHOICES that CHANGE EVERYTHING! In terms of, y’know, the SEX CRIMINALS comic book. Everything’s still the same over in, like, Batman or whatever.

SEX CRIMINALS #20 XXX JOE QUINONES VARIANT

STORY: MATT FRACTION • ART: CHIP ZDARSKY

COVER: JOE QUINONES

JUNE 21 / 32 PAGES / FC / M / $4.69

JOE QUINONES. XXX Variant. Artiste of Howard the Duck. GOD if only there was some way to turn that title into something dirty.

SONS OF THE DEVIL #13

STORY: BRIAN BUCCELLATO • ART / COVER: TONI INFANTE

JUNE 14 / 32 PAGES / FC / M / $3.99

“THE NINE”

Travis must decide how far he is willing to go to save his siblings, Melissa, and his newborn son!

SPAWN #275

STORY: TODD McFARLANE • ART: SZYMON KUDRANSKI

COVER A: HICHAM HIBACHI • COVER B: B&W Variant of Cover A

JUNE 28 / 32 PAGES / FC / T / $2.99

SAM AND TWITCH ARE BACK!!!

STRAY BULLETS: SUNSHINE & ROSES #25

STORY / ART / COVER: DAVID LAPHAM

JUNE 14 / 32 PAGES / BW / M / $3.99

An unholy (and objectively quite icky) union leads to a massacre in a small town.

THEY’RE NOT LIKE US #18

STORY: ERIC STEPHENSON • ART: SIMON GANE & JORDIE BELLAIRE

COVER: SIMON GANE & FONOGRAFIKS

JUNE 28 / 24 PAGES / FC / M / $2.99

SERIES FINALE

Syd makes a decision with life-altering implications for everyone.

THINK TANK: ANIMAL #4

STORY: MATT HAWKINS • ART / COVER: RAHSAN EKEDAL

JUNE 7 / 32 PAGES / FC / T+ / $3.99

END OF STORY ARC

Will WWIII start over the Russian-Estonian invasion? The incumbent president is caught in a scandal, and it looks like a religious ideologue will win the White House. How does Turkey play into the future of NATO’s plans? This could be the most prescient and frightening issue of THINK TANK so far!

THROWAWAYS #9

STORY: CAITLIN KITTREDGE • ART / COVER: STEVEN SANDERS

JUNE 14 / 32 PAGES / FC / M / $3.99

END OF STORY ARC

Just as Abby, Grant, and Dean think they may have figured out Ostrander’s plan for her new crop of Alpha subjects, Dean is taken out of the equation. Grant is sidelined by Ostrander’s most powerful Alpha, and Abby and Kimiko are left to face Ostrander’s ally, Senator Ben Stark, on their own.

UNDERWINTER #4

STORY / ART / COVER : RAY FAWKES

JUNE 28 / 32 PAGES / FC / M / $3.99

“SYMPHONY,” Part Four

To the sound of their own shattering souls, the quartet arm themselves for battle against an incomprehensibly evil foe.

THE WALKING DEAD #168

STORY: ROBERT KIRKMAN • ART: CHARLIE ADLARD, STEFANO GAUDIANO & CLIFF RATHBURN

COVER: CHARLIE ADLARD & DAVE STEWART

JUNE 7 / 32 PAGES / BW / M / $2.99

“THE ROAD’S END”

Nothing is more damaging than misplaced trust.

YOUNGBLOOD #2

STORY: CHAD BOWERS • ART / COVER A: JIM TOWE

COVER B: ROB LIEFELD • COVER C: CANAAN WHITE

JUNE 28 / 32 PAGES / FC / T / $3.99

“YOUNGBLOOD REBORN,” Part Two

The ‘Blood is back, baby! But for how long? Shaft arrives in Baltimore with a warning for the team of rookie heroes calling themselves “Youngblood,” but will it fall on deaf ears? Meanwhile, President Die Hard meets with the architects of the popular Help! app and struggles with just how far he’s willing to go to protect the country. All this, plus Badrock keeping secrets? Seriously, Badrock…already? What the hell, dude, it’s only the second issue?

ASTOUNDING WOLF-MAN COMPLETE COLLECTION HC

STORY: ROBERT KIRKMAN • ART/COVER: JASON HOWARD

JUNE 28 / 656 PAGES / FC / T+ / $54.99

For the first time ever, the complete ASTOUNDING WOLF-MAN is collected in one volume!

When Gary Hampton is mauled and left for dead, his life takes a drastic turn! When the moon is full, he transforms into a beast of the night—a werewolf! But this curse will not be used for evil. Witness the birth of the world’s most unlikely new superhero—The Astounding Wolf-Man!

Collects ASTOUNDING WOLF-MAN #1-25 and INVINCIBLE #57.

LOOSE ENDS TP

STORY: JASON LATOUR • ART / COVER: CHRIS BRUNNER & RICO RENZI

JUNE 28 / 128 PAGES / FC / M / $14.99

No one seemed to notice Sonny Gibson as he stepped back into “The Hideaway,” a dusty little honky-tonk nestled off the Carolina highway. But before the night was over, Sonny would be on the run—from the law, from criminals, and even from himself. LOOSE ENDS is a gritty, slow-cooked, Southern crime romance that follows a winding trail down Tobacco Road, through the war-torn streets of Baghdad, and into the bright lights and bloody gutters of South Florida.

From JASON LATOUR, co-creator of Eisner-winning SOUTHERN BASTARDS and the writer of Spider-Gwen, CHRIS BRUNNER (SOUTHERN BASTARDS, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight), and RICO RENZI (Spider-Gwen, Squirrel Girl).

Collects LOOSE ENDS #1-4.

TOKYO GHOST DELUXE EDITION HC

STORY: RICK REMENDER • ART / COVER: SEAN GORDON MURPHY & MATT HOLLINGSWORTH

JULY 5 / 272 PAGES / FC / M / $39.99 / 8” x 12”

ADVANCE SOLICIT

The Isles of Los Angeles 2089: Humanity is addicted to technology. Getting a virtual buzz is the only thing left to live for, and gangsters run it all. And who do these gangsters turn to when they need their rule enforced? Constables Led Dent and Debbie Decay are about to be given a job that will force them out of the familiar squalor of LA and into the last tech-less country on Earth: The Garden Nation of Tokyo.

Presenting the full run of the smash hit TOKYO GHOST by RICK REMENDER & SEAN GORDON MURPHY in this oversized hardcover, packed with extra content, variants, designs, sketches, and bonus materials!

Collects TOKYO GHOST #1-10.

CHEW SMORGASBORD EDITION, VOL. 3 HC

STORY: JOHN LAYMAN • ART / COVER: ROB GUILLORY

JUNE 28 / 640 PAGES / FC / M / $100.00

Presenting the third and final CHEW Smorgasbord, a massive, deluxe hardcover featuring the final 20 issues of the New York Times bestselling, Harvey and multiple Eisner Award-winning series about cops, crooks, cooks, cannibals, and clairvoyants. Enemies are confronted, mysteries are solved, and the body count rises so very, very high.

Collects CHEW #41-60 in addition to the blockbuster one-shots featuring everybody’s favorite homicidal rooster, WARRIOR CHICKEN POYO, DEMON CHICKEN POYO, and the dual crossover event, CHEW/REVIVAL and REVIVAL/CHEW.

CHEW SMORGASBORD EDITION VOL 3 HC Signed & Numbered

JUNE 28 / 640 PAGES / FC / M / $150.00

DESCENDER, VOL. 4: ORBITAL MECHANICS TP

STORY: JEFF LEMIRE • ART / COVER: DUSTIN NGUYEN

JUNE 21 / 120 PAGES / FC / T+ / $14.99

Tim-21, Telsa, and Quon finally escape the Machine Moon and head out on a quest to find the ancient robot who may hold the key to the Harvesters. Meanwhile Andy and his ragtag team close in on Tim, but their fragile alliance is shattered by Driller’s revelations.

A new chapter of the heartfelt sci-fi epic by superstar creators JEFF LEMIRE & DUSTIN NGUYEN begins here.

Collects DESCENDER #17-21

DRIFTER VOL. 4: REMAINS TP

STORY: IVAN BRANDON • ART / COVER: NIC KLEIN

JUNE 14 / 120 PAGES / FC / M / $14.99

Ghost Town is destroyed. The planet Ouro is coming apart at the seams. But even with the world breaking around him, Abram Pollux can only think of revenge on the man named Bell Emmerich.

IVAN BRANDON & NIC KLEIN are proud to present the final chapter in their brooding sci-fi epic. All mysteries will be solved. All questions answered. All scores settled.

Collects DRIFTER #15-19

EAST OF WEST, VOL. 7 TP

STORY: JONATHAN HICKMAN • ART / COVER: NICK DRAGOTTA

JUNE 28 / 128 PAGES / FC / M / $14.99

The final year of the apocalypse begins! Armies rage! Nations at War! A family fights to be reunited.

Collects EAST OF WEST #30-34

MONSTRESS, VOL. 2 TP

STORY: MARJORIE LIU • ART / COVER: SANA TAKEDA

JUNE 21 / 144 PAGES / FC / M / $14.99

The Eisner-nominated MONSTRESS is back!

Maika, Kippa, and Ren journey to Thyria in search of answers to her past…and discover a terrible new threat.

Collects MONSTRESS #7-12

OCTOPUS PIE, VOL. 5 TP

STORY / ART / COVER: MEREDITH GRAN

JUNE 28 / 312 PAGES / FC / T+ / $19.99

As they watch the days of their youth roll by, Brooklynites Eve, Hanna, and friends must confront the truth about themselves—whether they’re ready to or not. The award-winning webcomic series comes to a close in this final laugh-filled, heartrending installment.

POP GUN WAR, VOL. 2: CHAIN LETTER TP

STORY / ART / COVER: FAREL DALRYMPLE

JUNE 14 / 176 PAGES / FC / T+ / $17.99

Stuck in a small town with a broken-down van, Emily goes on a walk. After following some shady characters through subterranean tunnels, she discovers three video monitors showing stories from a magical present, dreamy past, and strange future.

In this long-awaited sequel to the award-winning and critically acclaimed graphic novel POP GUN WAR: GIFT, author and creator of The Wrenchies, FAREL DALRYMPLE, revisits his world of surreal urban fantasy.

POSTAL, VOL. 5 TP

STORY: BRYAN HILL • ART / COVER: ISAAC GOODHART

JUNE 28 / 128 PAGES / FC / M / $14.99

FBI Agent Chris Bremble comes face to face with Isaac Shiffron, the sociopath who gave birth to Eden, and to find the truth of the past, Bremble will have to endure Isaac’s madness. Laura puts Mark in charge of Eden to see if her son has the ability to lead a town full of criminals who don’t trust or believe in him. His mother, Maggie, and Molly all have a vision for what Mark should be…but which path will he choose?

Collects POSTAL #17-20.

SHE WOLF, VOL. 2 TP

STORY / ART / COVER: RICH TOMMASO

JUNE 14 / 96 PAGES / FC / M / $12.99

The second series of this surreal teenage tragedy veers away from season one’s main character, Gabrielle, and focuses on her younger sibling Lizzie, who becomes jaded, rebellious, and downright homicidal after her “sweet” sixteenth birthday. Not only is it her turn to come to terms with her werewolf curse, but she also learns that she has been possessed by a powerful demon.

Collects SHE WOLF #5-8.

SPREAD, VOL. 4 TP

STORY: JUSTIN JORDAN • ART / COVER: JOHN BIVENS, FELIPE SOBREIRO

COVER: KYLE STRAHM, FELIPE SOBREIRO

JUNE 21 / 128 PAGES / FC / M / $14.99

Ravello, gifted with terrible new abilities by the Spread, has returned to, organize the raiders of the Quarantine Zone into something the world has never seen. No and company are pushed to the limit in the penultimate volume of the SPREAD saga.

Collects SPREAD #18-21.

THE WICKED + THE DIVINE, VOL. 5: IMPERIAL PHASE (I) TP

STORY: KIERON GILLEN • ART: JAMIE McKELVIE, Matt Wilson & KEVIN WADA

COVER: JAMIE McKELVIE & Matt Wilson

JUNE 7 / 144 PAGES / FC / M / $14.99

The gods are free to do whatever they want. Inevitably, they do.

Collects THE WICKED + THE DIVINE #23-28, including the critically lauded KEVIN WADA magazine issue.

SUNSTONE 18-MONTH CALENDAR

ART: Stjepan Sejic

JUNE 7 / 20 PAGES / FC / M / $24.99

Calendar based on the New York Times bestselling erotic romantic comedy graphic novel. Show off your love for SUNSTONE with original, never-before scenes from the comic, as drawn by artist Stjepan Sejic.

11×22, spiral bound, July 2017 – December 2018

GOD COUNTRY T-SHIRT

$24.99 • unisex ringspun cotton.

Want to rep Emmett Quinlan, Valofax, and the Lone Star State? look no further than our brand new exclusive GOD COUNTRY tee!

Available now, in sizes SM-4XL!

THE WALKING DEAD TV NEGAN COLLECTIBLE ACTION FIGURE

Solid Case Pack Information: Standard 8-pack case. Refer to individual item code above when ordering. Call your local retailer for pricing.

MASS EFFECT: ANDROMEDA SCOTT RYDER COLLECTIBLE ACTION FIGURE

Solid Case Pack Information: Standard 8-pack case. Refer to individual item code above when ordering. Call your local retailer for pricing.

GEARS OF WAR 4 MARCUS FENIX COLLECTIBLE ACTION FIGURE

Solid Case Pack Information: Standard 8-pack case. Refer to individual item code above when ordering. Call your local retailer for pricing.

The post Image Comics Solicitations for June 2017 appeared first on CBR.

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[wayneooverton]

10 day hikes in New Zealand that are better than Roys Peak

I have a confession to make: When I first moved to New Zealand, I wanted to go to Wanaka specifically for Roy’s Peak.

I had seen the photos on social media of the turquoise blue lake cradling the tiny mounds of islands, surrounded by towering 1000 meter peaks in every direction. It was a scene I had never seen before and I couldn’t wait to climb this mountain and see such a strange place, take in those epic views of Wanaka myself.

How could it be real?

5 of the best day hikes in New Zealand you can’t miss

How long would you wait in line for this photo?

Of course what my naive self didn’t realize was that social media doesn’t show you the line of people walking up the track and the hordes of humans crowding the summit and to be quite frank, the exceedingly boring walk to the top. Sure, I was awestruck but I was also dismayed. I stupidly thought I’d have this quiet corner of the world to myself but I was surrounded by people who surely though the same.

I walked down the monotonous track for the first time, cursing myself for not realizing how busy it’d be and for not doing more research on lesser-known hikes.

Mt. Roy is probably the most popular hikes in New Zealand thanks to Instagram, with hundreds of thousands of people walking up it annually, and lines up to 40 minutes to take “that photo.” You aren’t going to have that walk to yourself, rain or shine, middle of the night or during the day. It’s crowded.

The social media queue pic.twitter.com/hRj6kBXypS

— Lukas Stefanko (@LukasStefanko) November 25, 2018

I get it, it’s hard when you’re traveling, especially when you’re hoping to do lots of hiking in New Zealand. You have so much planning to do already that you don’t really have time to look into all of the best secret spots, because duh, they’re secret for a reason!

But fear not! There are hundreds and hundreds of secret tracks in New Zealand that take a little bit more research but are certainly worth it.

If you’ve dreamed of quiet trails in the New Zealand wilderness, this list is for you. I can’t guarantee you’ll have them all to yourself but you certainly won’t have to line up to take a photo.

These are my top 10 epic hikes that are way better than Roy’s Peak. Enjoy!

9 ways hiking in New Zealand will change your life

*Be sure to check out the Mountain Safety Council’s handy website for helping plan a safe adventure in the New Zealand backcountry, especially how to plan your trip.

1. Cooks Cove Walkway: East Cape (5.8km return, 2.5 hours easy)

For the history buffs and the coastal lovers, this one is for you! Located in the Tolaga Bay area on the east coast of the North Island, Cooks Cove Walkway takes you nowhere Captain James Cook stopped in 1769 as part of his circumnavigation of New Zealand.

For a relatively easy walk with minimal hill walking, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of coastal bluffs and gives first views of Cooks Cove itself. Information panels alone the way tell the story of Cook and the crew of the Endeavor’s visit to the Cooks Cove (Opoutama), the history of the local iwi Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti, and the excavation of an archaeological site first occupied by Māori.

For those warm summer days, you’ll even spot a safe cove to swim in. If you’re planning on doing this track, be aware the track is closed from August 1st – late October.

2. Paneikire Hut: East Cape (5 hours one way, 8.8 km, intermediate)

Another east coast gem, the track to Paneikire Hut is one that can’t be missed. Found on the multi-day track around Lake Waikaremoana (Te Urewera), one of New Zealand’s Great Walks, this hike can easily be done in a day. It’s a strenuous climb up to Paneikire Bluffs but once at the bluffs, the track mellows out and follows an undulating ridgeline before reaching Puketapu Trig and onto Panekire Hut.

In pre-European times, life was determined by the practical demands of an annual cycle of food gathering. Te Urewera nurtured an industrious and resilient people with links to the land. No part of the forest was left unexplored. Hine-pukohu-rangi came from the sky enticing Te Maunga, the mountain, to earth with her. Their child was a mortal being, Tuhoepotiki; his children are the Tuhoe people. Tuhoe are thus children of the supernatural, born of the remote mountain and the drifting mist.

The symbol you see on signs, shelters, and other facilities along the lake track is an interpretation of Hine-pukohu-rangi.

3. The Pinnacles Walk: Coromandel (2.5 – 3 hr one way, 6km, intermediate)

To be fair, this walk is classified as “popular” but compared to the cattle-like lines going up to Roy’s Peak, this hike is still relatively quiet. Found on the lush and dense Coromandel Peninsula, this hike can be done in a day or as an overnight walk. The track follows a historic packhorse route used by the kauri bushman in the 1920s.

The Pinnacles Track starts by climbing a series of steps that were cut into the rocks to make the journey for the bushmen easier as they were logging kauri trees. As you reach the top of the climb, you’ll see the skidded road which were used to pull logs along the skids by teams of bullocks or steam haulers.

As you reach the top of the climb, you’ll be rewarded with 360 views of the this beautiful North Island peninsula including views of a branch of the Tairua River and the rugged volcanic landforms of Tauranikau and the Pinnacles. A short walk down a signposted sidetrack leads you to Dancing Camp Campsite where you might find remains of the Dancing Camp Dma, built in 1921.

If you do plan to stay at the hut, please note bookings are required.

Image via Flickr

Image via Monty Vanderbilt

4. Mount Hikurangi: East Cape (5 – 7 hours one way, 10km, advanced)

Visit the sacred mountain of Ngāti Porou, Mount Hikurangi, the highest non-volcanic mountain in the North Island.

Located in the Raukumara Conservation Area in on the East Coast of the North Island, this advanced tramping track is suitable for this ready for a long day. The track is 7 hours one way but the views of the Raukumara Range make it well worth it. The track is marked until the last 400 meters which require a scramble up loose scree.

Steeped in Maori history, Mount Hikurangi was the first part of the North Island to emerge when Māui pulled it as a giant fish from the ocean. According to these beliefs, his waka, Nukutaimemeha, became stranded on the mountain and lies petrified near the mountain’s summit.

Image via Phillip Capper

5. Lake Peel: Nelson/Tasman (2.5 hours one way, 5km, advanced)

Nestled deep in the Kahurangi National Park lies Lake Peel, a picturesque lake cradled in a verdant basin. For this hike, climb steadily up to Lake Peel ridge before sidling around this stunning alpine lake.

Highlights include views of the Arthur Range and the Cobb Reservoir plus good birdlife and alpine flowers in summer. This track can be completed in a loop for those looking for an intro into multi-day hiking.

Also, one of New Zealand’s rarest birds, the takahē, was just released back into Kahurangi National Park.

Image via Flickr

6. Mt. Stokes Track: Marlborough (4-5 hours return, 7km, advanced)

Far too many people skip out on the fascinating Marlborough Sounds in an effort to get further south in the Alps but those who stick around won’t be disappointed.

The Queen Charlotte track is a must do for many trampers and cyclists but for those looking for a quick day trip with sweeping views of the sounds, be sure to stop at Mt. Stokes. This mountain is named after Captain John Stokes, who charted the entire New Zealand coastline between 1848 and 1851 in the survey ship Acheron, visiting the Sounds in 1849.

This 4-5 hour return hike is recommended for fit trampers who don’t mind steep terrain. Standing at 1,200m, Mt Stokes is the highest point in the Marlborough Sounds.

Image via Daniel Rauber

7. Mount Tuhua Track: West Coast (7 hours return, 7.2km, advanced)

Lake Kaniere is a West Coast gem that can’t be missed.

Hikes up the surrounding mountains give stunning views of the lake, surrounding peaks, and the Tasman Sea. Skip the popular hike to Mount Brown Hut and instead, try for the Mount Tuhua Track.

This track requires an advanced level of hiking and while the track is marked with orange triangles for the entirety of the hike, you should not underestimate the steep terrain.

The track starts off at a gentle gradient through rainforest for about the first kilometer, before starting to climb increasingly steeply. The bush is thick, but there are two viewpoints along the way which look back across Lake Kaniere

Image via Sara Larcome

8. Mount Fox: West Coast (8 hours return, 7.4km return, expert)

When I first traveled through Glacier Country, I was actually mildly disappointed. The very easy walks advertised around Fox and Franz glacier were paved to a viewpoint far away from the glaciers and swarming with people.

The West Coast can be difficult to tackle. The do-able walks are flat and through a valley and the walks with the amazing viewpoints often require a high level of technical skill and mountaineering or glacier experience. For those of you stuck in the middle like me, Mount Fox is a great alternative. It’s certainly a challenging hike but requires no technical equipment of knowledge when attempted in the summer.

Located just 3km south of the Fox Glacier township, this challenging climb is suited for fit, advanced trampers with good navigation skills. Start early in the morning to be on the mountaintop before cloud rolls in obscuring the view. This is a regular event, particularly in the summer months. The rough route climbs steeping up through the bush until 1021 meters where you begin to follow blue and orange markers through the grassland to 1345 meters.

9. Green Lake Track: Fiordland (6.8km or 11 km to hut, 3 – 6 hours one way, advanced)

For those seeking an excellent long day walk, you can’t go wrong with Green Lake in Fiordland.

Skip the crowded Milford bay and taken this quieter track to Green Lake instead. This hike requires a steep hill filled with dense bush before descending to the shores of Green Lake.

For those wanting to continue on, follow the track to Green Lake Hut.

Images via Crystal Brindle

10. Eldrig Peak: Fiordland (4 – 5 hours one way, 4km return, advanced)

Another Fiordland treasure, the hike to Eldrig Peak is difficult but well worth the views for trampers who are up for the challenge.

Start from Borland Road and continue through beech forest then into the tops where you can enjoy unbelievably rugged views of Fiordland.

The Borland Road is unsealed, narrow and steep in places, and subject to slips, washouts, snow, ice, high winds, and fallen trees. It is usually fine for walking, mountain biking, 4WD vehicles and some other vehicles (depending on conditions).

This road is not suitable for campervans. The road may be closed at any time so check with the Fiordland DOC office before attempting this hike.

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