#sammy stryker

[why-i-love-comics]

Superman #11 (2024)

written by Joshua Williamson art by David Baldeon & Rex Lokus

[gotham-at-nightfall]

Superman #8

[pseudo-hero]

So I Just Read Superman Issue #8...

(I think it came out right after my predictions post for it. I'm hoping, because otherwise, that was just clueless of me.)

OH. MY. GOODNESS. SO MANY THOUGHTS.

Did this issue seem like a short one to anybody else?

2. I thought about the first interaction shown in the above image here between Clark and Lex since Lex got shanked. It's just so cute to me (even though Lex doesn't have a right to be that cute). Especially considering how we just saw him last issue, literally rushing to try to get to Superman so he could help him. Like, I think he's just being pouty and difficult here so Clark will feel compelled to apologize (probably because it reassures Lex that Clark does care—even if no one else does—and that he didn't willingly leave Lex on his own die). No one else in-universe understands because they're not Clark or Lex.

3. Conner: "Sorry for what? It's not like Lex didn't have it--"

I wanted to believe that Kon (who is called by his Earth name this entire issue for some reason, despite being in hero mode not civilian mode) was about to say "have it under control" but that's just too nice for Lex, right? Of course he was probably actually going to say "have it coming".

Conner: "Hope you know you're not worth all this, Lex."

Ouch, another jab from he and Clark's unclaimed son. Why not just tell him you wish he was dead, while you're at it? (I know, I know. Almost happened not too long ago.) Also, Mercy's name makes for a good joke a lot of the time.

(Side Note: I'm glad he called him Lex, at least. [Meanwhile, Clark's back to calling him Luthor. I wonder what triggers it. Maybe it's when he knows a bad deed is connected to Lex?] And this is, I believe, the first time in years since he and Lex have even spoken! Over a decade if you don't count the Nu52 version of Kon-El as being the real deal. Also, do Lex and Clark still have some paternal feelings left for Konner like they more or less did at times in past comics from the 2000's - 2010's? Doesn't seem like it in this run—but I'm still taking what I can get!)

4. He sprints in for the catch...aaand...he's caught her!

Oop, he lost her.

(Side Note: Umm... Nice glove, Lena? Not a bad fashion statement/reference to spontaneously appear out of nowhere. Really screams "Daughter of Lex Luthor".)

So yeeep. Everyone (except Clark) in Lex's birth, created and by-proxy families despise him. Even his daughter (who I guess was told about all the things he's done, including to her) now seems disgusted by him. I get it's him and all and that many of his past actions have been horribly despicable and unforgivable (and spoken of or hinted at in this issue and acknowledged by him, too) but DAMN. The guy just finished healing from an attempt on his life. AND his mother came to visit! Guy can't catch a break or breath (which means anyone in close proximity to him won't be able to, either). Still, he's stronger than me.

5. Luthor: "I did it because Sammy killed his father. He KILLED Sebastian Stryker."

Superman: "Then you should have had him arrested! Not kept him in some dungeon to rot! (emphasis mine)"

Luthor: "[]...He's a monster."

HAHAHAHA. SUPERMAN AND LEX LUTHOR ARE SUCH HYPOCRITES HERE!!!!!!! WITH EACH OTHER AND IN THEIR VIEWS OF OTHER PEOPLE!!!!!!!

Seriously! How many times has Lex been found to have killed his father or even both parents? Even if the excuse is that there's been a change in continuity, it still comes across as unintentionally hypocritical to those out of the loop! Hopefully they'll explain what happened to "this version" of Lex's father (if they haven't already) to help clear things up. As for The Superman himself? Uhhhh, Phantom Zone villains?? (There's even an on-going miniseries involving Clark and Lex right now that has the Phantom Zone in it, fwiw!!) This is at least the second time now in this run, that Clark has been blatantly hypocritical; and on the same subject. Here he even mentions and excuses himself for using the PZ:

So it's okay for Clark to permanently lock up his species' criminals in a distant, cut-off-from-society place with little to no stimulation, but humans can't do the same with theirs?? (Or is it just because it's Luthor?) Also hilarious how in this recent issue, they were so far in the game, yet Clark still wouldn't so much as admit that Lex may have been justified in thinking this was his only way to stop Sam/my! Or somewhat acknowledge that the situation they're in is largely happening now because Clark WOULDN'T LISTEN TO LEX AND RELEASED SAM.

However:

He seems to have finally conceded to obeying Luthor's advice here. But...was it worth it in this case, considering how this issue ends? Is Lex just destined to be harmful to all no matter how hard he tries to be beneficial, or is it just the current situation that he's put himself in making it seem that way?

6. Yes!! They reconfirmed that Conner is "a bit of [Lex] and a bit of [Clark]". It was said very "quickly" and in an almost clinical manner, but this still did the trick for me! All three of them seem to have already been aware of this, too.

Yep, and Superboy's powers are indeed based on Sam's but he DOES NOT (as far as I can tell, based on the wording) get any of his DNA from him.

7. Another reference to Lex's Smallville past from Superman Lore.

Why is the watch separating their sections in-panel and why is this perfect? (It looks so beautiful here, too. Almost as much as during its debut.)

Now I understand why Clark was concerned here. I assumed earlier that it was a case of hindsight being 20/20 and him not realizing yet that Lex was right to make that his weakness (not sure how that's possible if Sam is only a human, but oh well). But it was actually Clark thinking about the risks involved, for him and/or others that have the weakness.

8. The different types of art in this issue were overall on point! However, this style (above image) was...interesting. Not bad, just interesting. That large MOUTH of his.

9. (Wish I knew how to shrink images. This one should be wayyyyy smaller, imo.)

Yes, yes, yeeesssssss. SUPERMAN. SAVE ME. He knows Clark will (and does)!!

10. YEEEAAAAHHHHHH!!!!! That's our Superman!! Risking his life for those he technically risked the lives of to begin with!! (I forgive him and give him a pass here. His heart was in the right place and he doesn't usually screw up like that anyway.)

11. *whispers* The use of/dependence on kryptonite in 2023 is kinda lame. Arguably always was. However, it really helped push the story forward here, so I see nothing wrong with its presence. Plus:

It often adds to the DRAMA.

Seriously though, this upsets me greatly. I know he'll be fine but the damage looks severe. 🥺

12. So, Lex was down. Now Clark is. (Kon and Kenan were too, before Clark. If you count the events of Action Comics.) Looks like it's becoming a pattern. Like the LL's and K's in either families'/teams' names.

Anyway! As usual lately, I can't wait for next issue!!

[mayamarvil]

It’s giving manga super villain

Superman (2023-) #7

[pupsmailbox]

STARTING WITH S

MASCULINE︰ sacheverell. sage. saint. sal. salem. salvador. sam. samir. sammie. sammy. sampson. samson. samuel. sandford. sandy. santana. santiago. santino. santos. saul. sawyer. saxon. scot. scott. scottie. scotty. scout. sean. sebastian. sefton. selby. sergio. seth. seven. sevyn. seymour. shae. shane. shaun. shaw. shawn. shayne. shelby. sheldon. shelton. shepard. shepherd. sherman. shiloh. sid. sidney. silas. silis. silver. silvester. simon. sincere. sinclair. sinjin. sky. skylar. skyler. slade. sloan. sly. smith. solomon. sonny. soren. sparrow. spencer. spike. stafford. stan. stanford. stanley. stefan. steph. stephen. sterling. stetson. steve. steven. stevie. stewart. stone. storm. stryker. stu. stuart. sullivan. sully. sunday. sutton. syd. sydney. sylas. sylvan. sylvanus. sylvester. symon. syncere.

FEMININE︰ sabella. sable. sabrina. sabryna. sadie. saffron. sage. saige. sal. salem. salena. salina. sallie. sally. salome. sam. samantha. samara. sammi. sammie. sammy. sandie. sandra. sandy. santana. saoirse. saphire. sapphire. sara. sarah. sarai. saranna. sarina. sariyah. sasha. saundra. savanna. savannah. sawyer. saylor. scarlet. scarlett. scarlette. schuyler. scottie. scout. seanna. sela. selah. selby. selena. selma. september. sequoia. sera. serena. serenity. serina. serrena. sevan. sevyn. shae. shaelyn. shana. shanae. shanelle. shanene. shania. shanna. shannah. shannen. shannon. shanon. shantae. shantel. shantelle. sharalyn. shari. sharise. sharla. sharleen. sharlene. sharmaine. sharon. sharona. sharron. sharyl. sharyn. shauna. shavon. shavonne. shawna. shawnda. shawnee. shaye. shayla. shayley. shaylyn. sheelagh. sheena. sheila. shelagh. shelby. shelia. shell. shelley. shelly. shena. sheree. sheri. sheridan. sherie. sherill. sherilyn. sherisse. sherley. sherlyn. sherri. sherrie. sherry. sheryl. sheryll. shevaun. shevon. shilo. shiloh. shirlee. shirley. shonda. shyla. siara. sibyl. sidney. sidony. siena. sienna. sierra. silver. simone. simonette. sinclair. sindy. sky. skye. skyla. skylar. skyler. skylynn. sloan. sloane. snow. sofia. soledad. sommer. sondra. sonia. sonya. sookie. sophia. sophie. sophy. soraya. sorrel. spirit. spring. stace. stacee. stacey. staci. stacia. stacie. stacy. star. starla. starr. stefani. stella. steph. stephani. stephania. stephanie. stephany. stevie. stormi. stormy. sue. suellen. suki. sukie. summer. sunday. sunny. sunshine. susan. susanna. susanne. susie. sutton. suz. suzan. suzanna. suzanne. suzi. suzie. suzy. sybella. sybil. syd. sydne. sydneey. sydney. sydnie. sylvia. sylvie. symphony.

NEUTRAL︰ saccharine. saffron. saga. sage. saige. sailor. saint. sakae. salem. saline. sam. sami. samie. sammy. sandi. sandy. santana. sapphire. sasha. satsuki. sawyer. saxon. scape. scarlet. scorpion. scottie. scout. scribbles. sea. secret. seer. sekani. semaj. semi. september. serenity. seven. sevyn. shade. shadow. shai. shale. shalom. shan. shannon. shark. shay. shea. shelby. sheridan. shi. shia. shield. shiloh. shiro. shiver. shook. should. sid. sidney. silver. sincere. sincerity. siren. skeptic. skull. skunk. sky. skye. skyler. slate. slider. sloan. smash. sneaky. sniff. snitch. snooze. snow. soap. sock. soda. sol. solace. solo. solstice. soma. sonny. soot. sora. soren. sorrel. soul. sour. south. spark. sparrow. spear. specter. speedy. spell. spencer. spider. spiral. spirit. spot. spy. stab. stacy. stag. stall. star. stark. starling. static. stay. steady. steel. stereo. sterling. stitch. stock. stone. storm. stormi. stormy. stranger. strawberry. stray. stricken. studio. subwoofer. suede. sugar. sulfur. sullivan. summer. summit. sun. sunday. sunny. sutton. sway. swing. switch. sychophant. symphony. syncere. synth.

[chloeemaybank]

characters under the cut, organized by fc. if you want to rp with one, or a couple, of them just message me. (adding more as i go)

females; (multiple of the same fc)

dove cameron:

abbey sampson | 24 years old | dancer & singer | human

kimber halliwell | 26 years old | club owner | witch

chloe larissa maybank | 19 years old | waitress at the wreck | human

tatum monroe | 27 years old | baker | human

jillian cowan | 27 years old | actress | human (separate plot)

giorgia whigham:

stefanie myers | 27 years old | nurse | human

sydney sweeney:

charlotte brennon | 26 years old | forensic anthropology student | human

sabrina carpenter:

ryelle rothschild | 24 years old | jewelry store manager | human

jenna ortega:

tina gomez | 20 years old | college student | human

madelyn cline:

sammy yearwood | 26 years old | model | human

alycia debnam-carey:

alice westyn | 23 years old | ballet dancer | human or vampire (depending on the plot)

willa parker | 27 years old | bartender | human

cassie stevens | 27 years old | interior designer | human

claire holt:

olivia halliwell | 24 years old | nurse | witch

danielle rose russell:

anastasia hill | 23 years old | stylist | human

hope mikaelson | 23 years old | teacher at salvatore school | tribrid

mary mouser:

haley mason | 26 years old | makeup artist | human

nova munson | 25 years old | college student | human

lili reinhart:

adalynn hale | 22 years old | photographer | human

elisa harker | 22 years old | barista/college student | human or vampire (depending on the plot)

jaz sinclair:

mia ellis | 26 years old | casino dealer | human

josephine langford:

laurel harker | 24 years old | waitress & barista | human

katherine langford:

mina rollins | 25 years old | fashion designer | human

crystal reed:

trinity scott | 30 years old | club owner | human

allison argent | 26 years old | hunter | human

chloe bennet:

lana wang | 26 years old | waitress | human

daisy johnson | 28 years old | agent for s.h.i.e.l.d | inhuman

scout taylor-compton:

starla miller | 29 years old | pediatrician | human

candice accola:

annabelle 'belle' stone | 29 years old | pastry chef | human

harper halliwell | 25 years old | beautician | witch

zendaya coleman:

tatiana major | 24 years old | dancer | human

vanessa morgan:

shayna thompson | 30 years old | singer | human

toni topaz | 31 years old | bar owner | human

phoebe tonkin:

trixie turner | 27 years old | fashion designer | human or vampire (depending on the plot)

hayley marshall | 32 years old | bottle service girl | hybrid

mikey madison:

gabriella addams | 24 years old | dancer | human

---

males; (multiple of the same fc)

miles heizer:

tommy halliwell | 20 to 24 years old (depending on the plot) | photographer | witch

max timmons | 29 years old | cook | human

kyle gallner:

kieran halliwell | 27 years old | bartender | witch

quentin pierce | 28 years old | security guard | werewolf or human (depending on the plot)

jeremy allen white:

elliot stryker | 26 years old | mechanic | human

lip gallagher | 24 years old | architect | human

grant gustin:

barry allen | 29 years old | csi at ccpd & superhero | meta-human

campbell mills | 28 years old | artist | human

tom holland:

stevie langdon | 24 years old | writer | human

peter parker | 22 years old | college student & hero | superhuman

dylan o'brien:

stiles stilinski | 25 years old | fbi agent | human

daniel sharman:

killian samson | 27 years old | restaurant owner | human

dylan minnette:

wes jensen | 26 years old | veterinary assistant | human

joe keery:

steve harrington | 25 years old | sales associate at hot topic | human

kip ackerman | 27 years old | novelist | human

josh hutcherson:

ethan redfield | 27 years old | security guard | werewolf

christian bardot | 28 years old | waiter | human

tanner buchanan:

oliver halliwell | 23 years old | martial arts instructor | witch

xolo maridueña:

remy martinez | 22 years old | cook | human

[kaxtrem]

Superman 8 or 851: What exactly is the point of the "legacy numbering". Sammy Stryker is pretty cool new villain. His connection to Conner's own version of Tactile Telekinesis is really cool. His weaknesses being the same as Superman's is intriguing. This has be some big plan of Lex's.

[the-real-anywolf]

Destiel Advent Calendar 2019

Title: Porn Actually

Tags: Castiel/Dean Winchester, inappropriate christmas gift, explicit

Summary: Cas gets Dean an intimate gift.

Written by: @anyreiart​ (anyrei)

Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/21657475

Day 3: Porn Actually

Dean was annoyed. After all these years, Cas still had absolutely no concept of privacy. Maybe it was his own fault. He should have explained to Cas early on that going through underwear drawers or toiletry bags of other people was not an okay thing to do.

The weirdest part though, after Dean had surprised Cas searching through the contents of Dean’s night table, the angel hadn’t given him a good explanation for why he had done it.

He had just stammered something and then rushed past him out the door. It was weird. But then again Cas was a weird, dorky little guy. Dean grinned for a moment before he realized what had been in his top drawer. Fuck! He seriously hoped Cas hadn’t seen the gay porn magazine hidden under all his Busty Asian mags. Son of a bitch! He seriously needed a new hiding space for it.

Because the thing was, Dean wasn’t gay. He just had a wild fantasy life. And that was totally normal. To sometimes get off on imagining a strong man fucking him against a wall… It was just in his head. As long as he wasn’t acting on it, it didn’t mean anything. But Cas wouldn’t get that. If he had seen that magazine, he might have gotten the wrong impression.

…. :::: :::: ….

It was Christmas morning, and Dean had already forgotten about the incident from two weeks ago. Cas startled him when he was in the kitchen, making himself a sandwich. He nearly dropped it. “Damn it, Cas! How many times!”

Cas gave him a sheepish look, holding something behind his back. “I apologize. Um, Dean…”

“What?” Dean replied with an annoyed tone in his voice.

“I… um, it’s Christmas… and I, um, I got you something,” Cas replied carefully.

Dean turned around to his friend with a surprised look and a raised eyebrow. “You… you’ve got a Christmas present?” Since when did Cas even care about this stuff?

“Um, yes. I researched what to get you on the internet. I wanted it to be something special, something you needed and you could use, but also something personal. Since we’ve been friends for so many years now.”

Dean felt a tug at his heart, and his bad mood instantly vanished. "Cas... that's... that really wasn't necessary."

Cas shook his head. "The internet said it's something to show my appreciation."

"Well, if the internet said it," Dean gave his angel a soft smile when Cas revealed the package he had been holding behind his back. The gift was wrapped in shiny red Christmas paper, and a golden ribbon was tied around it. It looked really nice. He didn’t know what to say when Cas pressed it into his hands.

“I… um, thank you, Cas,” he murmured softly, his gaze trained on the gift, his thumb rubbing gently over the gold ribbon. He couldn’t remember a time when someone had given him a gift wrapped like this.

Cas gave him a rare wide smile and nodded. “I hope it is something you like. I did a lot of research about this, and I’m pretty sure I found something very personal.”

“Do you want me to open it now?” Dean asked, feeling slightly nervous.

"Yes, please," Cas replied, looking like he was incredibly excited. It was very cute... um, nice to see.

Dean grinned at him, almost feeling like a kid when he started to carefully unwrap the gift. Usually when he got gifts from Sam he would just rip off the old newspaper his brother wrapped his gifts in. But Cas had made an effort to wrap it nicely, so Dean wanted to share the excitement of him unwrapping his first gift from his angel for as long as possible.

His smile slipped when the paper was off enough to reveal the box inside. Dean felt like he wasn't getting enough air. All of the sudden his memory of Cas going through his night table drawer came back to him. Well, this gift answered one of the question about the incident: Cas had definetly seen the gay porn mag.

The content of his gift was clear proof.

Because it featured the item on the page he had not only opened in the magazine, but also bookmarked by folding the edge of the paper to find it quicker. Because this item had been featured in a few of his wilder fantasies.

Cas had gift wrapped him a dildo. And not just any dildo. It was a replica of Jeff Stryker's dick.

"Cas," Dean breathed out. "What...?" He had no idea what to think. Why would Cas buy him this? He had to know what this was for, right? Cas's words were still in his ear. I’m pretty sure I found something very personal. "Is that the reason you went through my drawer?"

Cas gave him an innocent smile. “I wanted to find something you would like and find useful. I hope I guessed right?”

Fuck, Cas looked like he was absolutely clueless about what he had done. Dean licked over his own lips and nodded, before he hid the object with the paper again. “Come with me,” he more or less commanded, before he walked out of the kitchen. He couldn’t discuss this in the kitchen where Sammy could come in at any moment.

The moment Dean was in his room with Cas he closed the door behind them and locked it. "Cas sit down. We need to talk."

Cas gave him an insecure look but he did as Dean had told him, sitting down on the edge of the bed. "Did I do something wrong?"

Dean rubbed his hand over his face before he walked up to his bed and threw the box on the bed, sitting down next to Cas. "Do you understand what this item is for? The thing you bought me?"

Cas tilted his head. "It's for sexual pleasure."

Okay, so at least Cas knew that. "What made you think that this is an appropriate gift for me?"

Cas's eyes widened. "Did I chose the wrong present?" He looked distraught. "But I thought... it was in your magazine, and I thought... it was something you would want to have."

While Cas wasn't wrong and just looking at the dildo was making his dick hard in his jeans, he couldn't just tell Cas that. On the other hand... Cas looked so broken and devastated thinking he had fucked up his first gift, and Dean couldn't bring himself to be rude about it. "Cas... it's not... you don't get your best friend a sex toy as a gift. Unless it's a prank gift... but that's..." He shook his head. "Look, it's just too private, you know?"

Cas tilted his head, but he looked like his puppy was just ran over. "Do you want me to return it?"

"No!" Oops, that was maybe a little bit too quick. Cas gave him a surprised look and Dean rubbed his neck. "It's, um, it's okay. I... um, I like it. Just... just don't buy a sex toy again for future reference, alright?"

Cas gave him a soft smile. "So you like it? I found the right one?"

Dean swallowed dryly and nodded. "If you tell Sam about this I will stuff my pillow with your dead corpse."

Cas scrunched up his nose but answered with a terse nod. “Alright. But you should know… that I’m aware about this being a personal gift. I would never tell Sam. I just wanted to give you something that would make you happy. That’s all I care about.”

There was a familiar pull on his heart, and Dean couldn't help but lean over and wrap his arms around Cas, pulling him into a tight hug. He pressed his face against Cas’s throat. “Thank you, Cas. Seriously.”

Cas hummed, and Dean could feel Cas’s strong arms tentatively being wrapped around him. His brain couldn’t help connect some dots he usually tried not to think about. Like being in Cas's arms, a Jeff Stryker dildo lying right next to them on the bed... and the endless sex fantasies he had of the angel currently holding him. He grew warm in his skin as he gently lifted his head to look at Cas, never letting go of him.

Cas met his gaze, and for a moment a myriad of emotions flitted through his expressive blue eyes. Confusion, hope, adoration... and something Dean really hoped he was interpreting in the right way.

Dean leaned closer, and Cas's eyes fluttered shut before their lips made contact in a soft, feather-light brush.

At first Dean was afraid he had done something wrong when Cas didn't react, but a few endless seconds later, Cas finally kissed him back. Not just that, he pushed Dean onto the bed with a growl and deepened their kiss, his tongue exploring Dean's mouth without holding back.

For a moment, Dean's brain only conjured up how fitting this was. Cas was always absolute in everything he did. And here and now, he felt like he was making out with a force of nature itself. It was exhilarating. Cas was everything he needed in a sexual partner, but also so much more.

When Cas pushed himself up on his elbows to look at Dean, his expression was bewildered. "Is this… is this okay?"

Dean nodded, feeling breathless. "Fuck, yes. Don't stop."

There was a relieved quick smile playing around Cas's lips before he leaned forward and kissed Dean again. Dean would have felt embarrassed by the sounds Cas was forcing out of him with his passionate exploration of his mouth, but he was way too turned on.

This was so much fucking more exciting than his fantasy.

Dean started to push at the lapels of Cas's trench coat. "Clothes. Off."

Cas leaned back and nodded quickly before he pushed his trench coat and suit jacket off in one go, throwing it off the bed. Dean used the opportunity to get rid of his own flannel and t-shirt before he started to unbutton Cas's white shirt, ignoring his tie.

When Cas's finger started to loosen it, Dean stopped him. "Leave it on."

Cas gave him a surprised look, but then he nodded, pulling off his shirt as soon as it was open. The blue tie dangled around his throat, the fabric sliding over his toned chest. Dean hummed and trailed his finger over the tiny freckle right next to Cas's nipple, before the digit wandered down to Cas's stomach, tracing the lines of his tattoo. Cas's hipbones were mouthwatering, and Dean had no idea where to look first.

"Fuck, you're hot," he murmured, his throat turning dry while he watched Cas popping the button of his pants, slowly pulling down the zipper.

Cas's voice sounded a lot huskier and deeper than usual, and it was nice that he seemed as affected by what was happening as Dean was. "Remove your jeans and underwear, Dean."

Dean's dick twitched and was fully hard now, straining against the inside of his jeans. Fuck, that was hot. He quickly followed Cas's order, all while watching Cas strip out of his own clothes.

His brain had given up on telling him that he wasn't gay for Cas, because his dick had clearly overruled every voice in his head as soon as he took in every inch of glorious naked skin.

Cas's cock was huge, and Dean's stomach was filled with butterflies, vibrating like he was at an AC/DC concert.

He lay back on the bed as Cas slid over him again, resuming their kiss. Their dicks rubbed together and Dean couldn't help the moan falling from his lips as he rocked his hips up against Cas.

Cas's silky tie slid over Dean's nipple and he groaned as his hand wandered in between them to take both of their cocks in his hand, stroking them together. He wanted to do everything with Cas, but for now... he felt too close already for more than a handjob.

Hearing Cas's deep groans caused Dean's body to shudder in pleasure; the way he was fucking into Dean's hand, Dean's name soft on his plump lips, was robbing the last conscious thought from Dean's mind.

He could only feel, Cas's body rubbing against him, holding him tight and secure in his arms. It was all he needed as he came all over his own hand and Cas's cock.

He could feel Cas shudder over him, following right after, as he dragged him into a loving and gentle kiss.

"Dean," he breathed out. Just his name, but Cas always made it sound like he was saying so much more.

"I know," Dean replied with a soft smile. "Merry Christmas."

They both looked at each other before they broke into laughter at the same time.

Merry Christmas indeed.

[projazznet]

Matthew Whitaker - Now Hear This

I never heard Matthew Whitaker’s debut album, but this second release is so impressive I want to go check it out. His life story is that this 18 year old young man was blind since birth, learned to play the  piano at three, and has toured with Stevie Wonder. All of this makes for a fascinating story, and even better is that the quality and enthusiasm of the music stands up on its own.

Whitaker plays piano, Moog, Hammond B3 and other keyboards as he teams up with jazaz vets Dave Stryker/g, Yunior Terry/b, Ulysses Owens Jr/dr and Sammy Figueroa on a mix of cleverly arranged covers and strident originals. His touch on the piano is joyful and dramatic, dancing with Owens on “Overcoat” and telling a fluid story with Terry during “Tranquility.” His full-fisted “Bernie’s Tune” includes a drive inspired by McCoy Tyner while he takes a wondrous journey on Duke Ellington’s “U.M.M.G.” On the Hammond, he mixes Sly and the Family Stone funk and Sunday Morning Service enthusiasm on a stomping “The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power” and sizzles with Stryker on a rocking read of “Freedom Jazz Dance” that howls like an alley cat. ON the more reflective side, “Thinking of You” is a romantic dream, and when teaming up with Marc Cary on “Black Butterfly” the team gets into a soul groove. A fusion “Underground” with Whitaker on synthesizer includes delightful flute by Gabrielle Garo and Whitaker boogaloos with Stryker on the ultra hip “Miss Michelle.” This one bubbles over with infectious enthusiasm; look for it! (Jazz Weekly).

[wrestlingisfake]

Triplemania XXVII preview

I always feel like I should cover more stuff from Mexico, but I just haven’t gotten the hang of lucha yet.  Nevertheless, AAA is running its biggest show of the year on Saturday, August 3 (9pm Eastern) and you can watch the whole thing live on their Twitch streams.

A word of caution: AAA has stream for both English and Spanish feeds, but the English announce team is Matt Stryker and Vampiro, and they’re pretty terrible at it.  I mean, I kinda hate most wrestling announce teams, but I’d rather listen to Corey Graves berate Alex Marvez while Don Callis puts himself over for four hours--Stryker and Vamp are that bad.�� So while I know it’s tempting for newcomers to rely on the English commentary to figure out the product, I can’t recommend it in this case.  The Spanish announce team at least sounds like they’re calling pro wrestling and not recording a podcast while drunk.

Also, this show is probably gonna run pretty late into the night, and the August 4 G1 Climax show is going to start pretty early (2am Eastern), so if you’re planning on doing both you may be in for quite a marathon.

Blue Demon, Jr. vs. Dr. Wagner, Jr. - This is a lucha de apuestas (”match with wagers”).  If Demon loses, he will unmask and publicly announce his true identity.  If Wagner loses, he will have his head shaved.  Demon, 52, is undefeated in this type of match.  Wagner, 53, has only lost once, when he gave up his mask, although he more recently defended his hair in a match against Jeff Jarrett.  Wagner has suggested he will retire if he loses, but that’s not an official stip as far as I can determine.

Wagner originally issued a challenge to LA Park for this type of match at this show, but Park is notoriously difficult to work with and evidently he and AAA couldn’t come to terms on it.  I’m no expert on lucha libre but I’ve heard all about how hard it is to negotiate a match where masks and/or hair are at stake.  There’s a reason the main event of this show features two really old guys.  The credibility of keeping your mask well into your fifties is huge in Mexico, far beyond any championship.  I’m sure Wagner didn’t give that up cheap, and I doubt Demon will either.

On paper, you would expect the guy who is “just” wagering his hair to lose, since the masked man can only unmask the one time.  Even so, a head shaving means a lot more in Mexico than in the US.  So although I don’t expect much from the match, this should have some historic value, with a lot of genuine pride on the line.

Rey Fénix & Pentagón Jr. & Laredo Kid vs. Kenny Omega & Nick Jackson & Matt Jackson - Incidentally, Fenix and Pena are the AAA tag team champions, Fenix is the AAA heavyweight champion, and Laredo is both the AAA cruiserweight champion and one of the AAA trios champions.  So they’ve got like five belts among them, but none of them are being defended on this show.

This is a rematch from AEW’s Fyter Fest, where the Elite (Omega and the Young Bucks) defeated the Lucha Brothers and Laredo.  The Bucks and the Lucha Bros. have been feuding for months, most notably in a three-match series where the AAA tag team championship changed hands twice.  I don’t expect the Elite are in Mexico for any reason except to return the favor; Fenix, Penta, and Laredo should pick up the win this time.

Psycho Clown & Cody Rhodes & Cain Velasquez vs. Taurus & Texano, Jr. & ??? - Taurus and Texano are Los Mercenarios, who interrupted when Cody was announcing the AEW-AAA partnership on March 16.  They attacked Cody but Psycho Clown (one of the hottest babyfaces) made the save.

Velasquez is a 14-3 MMA fighter and a former UFC heavyweight champion, who also happens to be the guy who took the title from Brock Lesnar.  So this feels like an attempt to present the Psycho Clown team as a bit of a dream team, with a top babyface, a legit badass, and a major American star.  Seems like the heels need a really good ringer to match that, but I have no idea who it could be.

I gather Velasquez is sticking around to work several big AAA shows, so I assume he needs to get a win here, but that mystery partner has me wondering if there’ll be a swerve. 

Keyra vs. Tessa Blanchard vs. Taya Valkyrie vs. Lady Shani vs. Faby Apache vs. Chik Tormenta vs. La Heidra - Keyra is defending the women’s championship in a tables, ladders, and chairs match.  If it’s anything like an American TLC match, the title belt will be hung above the ring, and the only way to win is to be the first woman to climb a ladder to pull the belt down.  (Since that makes disqualifications impossible, any foreign object would be legal, but tables, ladders, and chairs will be provided for the wrestlers to use.)  I actually don’t remember if I’ve ever seen a Mexican ladder match, so the rules may be different.  We’ll just have to see.  Every AAA match I’ve seen so far suggests this will be a trainwreck, but at least it’ll be an interesting one.  No idea who wins.

El Hijo del Vikingo & Myzteziz, Jr. & Golden Magic vs. Mocho Cota, Jr. & Carta Brava, Jr. & Tito Santana vs. Pimpinela Escarlata & Mamba & Máximo - This is a three-way trios match, and I assume the first man to pin any of his opponents will win the match for his team, but I’m just kinda winging it when it comes to lucha rules.  Vikingo and Myzteziz are two of the AAA trios champions, but their championship partner is Laredo Kid, not Golden Magic, so the title is not at stake.

To get this out of the way, Myzteziz is not the guy who used to be Mistico/Sin Cara, and Tito Santana is not the guy that used to be in the WWF with the “Girls in Cars” video.  I’m not sure why you’d name a guy “Tito Santana,” unless it’s to be super random like “Razor Ramon Hard Gay,” which is probably not the case here.  Also Maximo is probably not the big cool titanosaur at the Field Museum of Natural History, but that would be pretty cool.

Vikingo and Myzteziz are from a trio called Jinetes del Aire (”air raiders”).  The Cota/Brava/Santana team is called El Nuevo Poder del Norte (”the new power of the north”) and the Escarlata/Mamba/Maximo team is called Las Fresas Salvajes (”the fresh strawberries”).  So...you know what, those strawberry guys must know something I don’t, that could be a secret weapon, I think I’m gonna just bet on those dudes.

Niño Hamburguesa & Big Mami vs. Sammy Guevara & Scarlett Bordeaux vs. Villano III, Jr. & Lady Maravilla vs. Australian Suicide & Vanilla - Mami and Hamburguesa are defending the AAA mixed tag team championship in a four-way match.  In the US “mixed tag team” has come to mean “you can only wrestle opponents of your own gender,” but from what I’ve seen AAA is more lax about that stuff, and this may be more like what US promotions would call “intergender tag team” wrestling.  I assume the first team to score a fall on any opponent wins the match and the title.

The only team I really know anything about is Guevara (from working the undercard in AEW) and Bordeaux (from beating up Disco Inferno on Impact).  I’m kinda curious how those two ended up together.  This looks like it’ll be undercard comedy wackiness, and I expect the champs to retain.

Copa Triplemania battle royale - This is for the “Triplemania Cup” trophy.  The last time I saw a battle royale in AAA, everybody came out one at a time like in a Royal Rumble, and they were doing eliminations by pinfall, and Jeff Jarrett looked drunk and I think they fucked up the finish a couple of times.  I don’t have high hopes for this one.

[why-i-love-comics]

Superman #8 - "The Chained III" (2023)

written by Joshua Williamson art by Gleb Melnikov, Norm Rapmund, David Baldeon, Jamal Campbell, & Alejandro Sanchez

[runridedive]

Mpumalanga 400 a success in SA Cross Country Championship

The 2019 South African Cross Country Series (SACCS) started on a high note for all the teams who managed to finish the Mpumalanga 400, the opening round that took place at Dullstroom this weekend. Competitors not only scored their first points of the season, but five bonus points were added to their tally the moment they took on the challenging event that was voted the best event on the 2018 calendar.

The season started on a high note for Toyota Gazoo Racing SA who continued their winning streak of 2018 and their recent historic Dakar Rally win earlier this year when they claimed the first two podium positions in the Production Vehicle category at the Dullstroom event. It was, however, the defending champion, Giniel de Villiers, who ticked off his second consecutive Mpumalanga 400 victory when he and navigator, Dennis Murphy, posted the fastest time with their Toyota Hilux.

De Villiers/Murphy started the race behind their Class FIA team-mates, Henk Lategan and new navigator, Brett Cummings and both teams lost some time with punctures. Lategan/Cummings opened the road and the two teams posted the same time after the first of the two 160 kilometre loops, but a few schoolboy errors and working together for the very first time, cost the Lategan/Cummings combination some time and they had to settle for the runner-up position, 34 seconds off the winners’ time.

Smoke inside the cabin of the Ford Castrol Cross Country Racing Ranger of Lance Woolridge/Ward Huxtable that appeared to be from the air conditioning unit, did not stop the Class T defending champions from opening their scorecard with a class victory while they also finished on the third step of the overall Production Vehicle category podium. As in in the Toyota Gazoo Racing SA camp, it was also a good day in the office for the Ford Castrol Cross Country Racing team who claimed the first two spots in the Class T championship with Gareth Woolridge/Boyd Dreyer, finishing one minute and seven seconds behind their team-mates.

Slower traffic during the first loop and a flat tyre in the second half of the race, were part of Woolridge/Dreyer’s challenges while they caught their team-mates and followed them in the dust to the finish line.

Gary Bertholdt/Geoff Minnitt (Atlas Copco Toyota Hilux) had a problematic first loop and lost time with a flat tyre but found their mojo during the second part of the race to finish third in Class T, three minutes and 17 seconds behind the Ford Ranger team. They were fifth overall.

The Horn brothers, Johan and Werner (Malelane Toyota Hilux) were the leading Class T vehicle after the Qualifying race on Friday, but issues with their GPS system during the first loop, resulted in them wrong-slotting and losing valuable time. During the compulsory 30 minute break after the first loop, the GPS aerial was repositioned, and the brothers could find their way. A flat tyre cost them more time and only 27 seconds eventually separated them from Bertholdt/Minnitt, but a fourth place in Class T meant the first points of the season are on the scoreboard.

Lance Woolridge

Ernest Roberts, who participated in only his second SACCS event and navigator, Riaan Greyling, were the first of the Red-Lined Motorsport Nissan Navara teams at the finish and they claimed their first silverware with a third place in the FIA Class.

They were followed by the Class S winners, David Huddy/Gerhard Schutte (Nissan Navara) who finished eighth overall, a mere eight seconds ahead of the second Class FIA Red-Lined Motorsport Nissan Navara in the hands of the Namibian rally driver, Jaco van Dyk and navigator Michael Rust. It was Van Dyk/Rust’s first SACCS event and their learning curve included five punctures during the two loops.

It might not have been the perfect way for Chris Visser/Philip Herselman (Atlas Copco Toyota Hilux) to start their season as they would have preferred to finish higher up, but a fifth place in the FIA Class meant the first points in the bag. It was the first time in the Production Vehicle category for Schalk Burger and Elvené Vonk (Nissan Navara) and their efforts resulted in a sixth place in the FIA Class despite a total of four punctures during the race and finishing with no brakes.

Terence Marsh/André Vermeulen (Red-Lined Motorsport Nissan Navara) tackled the race on Saturday from the back as a gear linkage that came loose during the Qualifying race, kept them from posting a qualifying time. They made up for it by completing their new vehicle’s first event and were seventh in the FIA Class.

Jacques van Tonder/Sammy Redelinghuys (Ford Ranger) finished fifth in Class T.

Major race casualties included Johan van Staden/Mike Lawrenson (Elf Renault DE Duster); Richard Leeke/Danie Stassen (ATS Ford Ranger) and Shameer Variawa/Juan Möhr (Toyota Gazoo Racing SA Hilux) who got stuck in a mud hole 98kms from the finish.

In the Special Vehicle category Lance Trethewey/Adriaan Roets (LT Earthmovers BAT Venom) scored a hat-trick of SACCS victories when they took the Mpumalanga 400 win to add to their two victories at the end of the 2018 season. The team had two punctures within the first 30 kilometres of the first loop and had to tread lightly as they had no spare wheels left. They made up for it with a clean second loop to take the overall and Class A win.

Taahir and Talha Moosajee (Tyre Rack Stryker) finished second in Class A in the Special Vehicle category with John Telford/Victor Ntsekhe (Calcamite BAT) rounding off the Class A podium after a few niggling issues like a leaking radiator and not having rear brakes for the last 100 kilometres.

It was the first SACCS outing together for the Jonck couple of Sandra and Jaco (Total Agri Porter) with Sandra behind the wheel. Husband Jaco experienced motion sickness and the team limped home during the first loop due to a broken drive shaft, but they bagged their first points in the Special Vehicle and Class A championships by finishing fourth in class.

The first national championship round of the Side x Side Class attracted four teams all competing with Can-Am Maverick SxS vehicles. It was Werner/Leon Mostert who drew first blood by taking the victory despite a flat tyre and brake problems. Gerry van der Byl/Andrew Katay started fourth in this class and despite it being the motorcycle rider’s first time on four wheels and a few issues, they finished second with Ashley Bradbury/Timmy Botes rounding off the podium. Pieter Walter/Shaun van Deventer won the Qualifying race and were the first SxS on the route, but they had to settle for fourth place after a challenging event that was characterised by rocks, water and mud.

Teams have almost two months to prepare for the second round of the SACCS that will take place from the Waffle Hut on the outskirts of Winterton in KwaZulu-Natal on 17 and 18 May.

images Nadia Rossouw

The post Mpumalanga 400 a success in SA Cross Country Championship appeared first on Run Ride Dive.

from WordPress https://www.runridedive.com/mpumalanga-400-race-wrap/

[criticalotterstudies]

What a life: Buddy was literally born into show business, joining his parents’ vaudeville act before the age of 2; he’d cap the show with a snare drum solo. By age 4 he was being billed as “Traps, the Drum Wonder.” Buddy eventually became the second highest paid child star of his era after Jackie Coogan (who most folks today only know as Uncle Fester on The Addams Family). Buddy worked briefly with Artie Shaw but became a household name with Tommy Dorsey from 1939-42 and ’45-46. (In between he was in the Marines.) He appeared in films and recorded with Prez, Bud, Bird and Jazz at the Philharmonic. Count Basie, with whom he also worked and recorded, was one of his closest friends, a father figure. Sammy Davis Jr. was another close friend. So was Sinatra – well, when Frank and Buddy weren’t trying to kill each other. Buddy was a product of show business, a product of jazz, a product of big bands and a product of an age when there was a lot of overlap between them all and the borders were porous. Buddy could really tap dance, really sing and, oh yeah, he played a little drums.

I think it’s important to remember that “Buddy Rich” and “The Cult of Buddy Rich” are different things, and it’s not fair to blame the former for the latter, even if the latter couldn’t exist without the former. I hate the cult. It grew up around Buddy because his charisma was undeniable, because his chops were truly spellbinding, because your average American (and rock drummer) has always mistaken virtuoso instrumental technique for artistry and expression, because Buddy was a media animal, and because he was a white star who came with the imprimatur of his black colleagues. Buddy was always on TV – Carson, Merv, Mike Douglas, guest spots on the Muppets, the Lucy show, etc. He was seriously funny, with great comic timing that surely came from studying all those comedians in vaudeville. He even co-starred with George Carlin and Buddy Greco in a summer replacement TV show in 1967. But he also didn’t have sustained success as a leader of his own band until launching the 20-year final act of his career in 1966. He was 48. Think about that for a minute: 48. That’s late to fulfill your ultimate destiny when you’ve already been in the business for 46 years.  Nothing was given to Buddy Rich; he earned everything, and he lived as if it could all go away tomorrow, because he had gone through enough false starts and failed ventures to know that it could.

Buddy was an incredibly gifted and natural musician. He did what he did better than anyone, though I’d be the first to admit that what he did is not something I need a lot of in my life – or maybe any at all. Power, speed, precision, intensity, excitement, grandstanding, bombast. They’re all indivisible with Buddy. But there’s more to it than that. There’s swing and groove and personality (for better or worse) and a pocket – not a bebop pocket, not a relaxed pocket, not a Basie pocket, not a Mel Lewis pocket. It’s a Buddy Rich pocket. Right on the damn beat and as consistent as an atomic clock. Don’t dig it? That’s cool. Buddy doesn’t give a shit what you think. Taste and patience? Well, those lines were kinda long when Buddy came around so, to paraphrase sportswriter Frank Deford on Bob Knight, Buddy went back to take extras on bile and ego. But Buddy had high standards and expected nothing from anyone else that he didn’t demand from himself. Respect.

[...]

Buddy drove a big band the way Sandra Bullock drove that bus in Speed, except Buddy goes faster – 100 miles an hour and in complete control, setting up figures, filling in the gaps, zooming around the drum set, having a ball just being Buddy Rich, because being Buddy Rich WAS a fucking ball. He could purr rather than roar when he wanted. He could keep his ego in check when he wanted, especially when working with his elders or distinguished contemporaries. But, shit, it was just so much more fun being Buddy Rich. It was also a big responsibility. After all, his name was on the marquee, just like it was when he was 4.

For me the best of Buddy’s own records are the early World Pacific LPs from 1966-68:  Swingin’ New Big Band, Big Swing Face, The New One and perhaps Mercy, Mercy (mostly for Art Pepper’s gripping alto ballad feature, “Alfie,” and some high-energy tenor solos from Don Menza). While there were certainly young players on those bands (Ernie Watts, Chuck Findley) there were also midcareer pros with real big band experience like the very musical tenor saxophone soloist Jay Corre, alto saxophonist Gene Quill, pianist Ray Starling and others. Even a guy like trumpeter Bobby Shew, who was just 25 when he joined the first band, had already been around the block. The result is that those bands phrase, blend and swing with a naturalism and shaded dynamics that Buddy’s later bands, stocked mostly with kids just out of college jazz programs, never do.

https://ethaniverson.com/2015/03/01/traps-the-drum-wonder-by-mark-stryker/

[why-i-love-comics]

Superman #8 - "The Chained III" (2023)

written by Joshua Williamson art by Gleb Melnikov, Norm Rapmund, David Baldeon, Jamal Campbell, & Alejandro Sanchez

[why-i-love-comics]

Superman #7 - "The Chained II" (2023)

written by Joshua Williamson art by Gleb Melnikov, Dan Jurgens, Norm Rapmund, Edwin Galmon, & Alejandro Sanchez

[why-i-love-comics]

Superman #7 - "The Chained II" (2023)

written by Joshua Williamson art by Gleb Melnikov, Dan Jurgens, Norm Rapmund, Edwin Galmon, & Alejandro Sanchez