#the golden age of grotesque era

[subversa]

Marilyn Manson and Dita Von Teese during “The Rules of Attraction” premiere at the Egyptian Theatre, 2002

[oepionie]

— "MY JOLLY SAILOR BOLD." tweels

💭masterlist | 💬ao3 link

SYNOPSIS: You meet two mysterious yet beautiful mermen around your age and you ask them to sing for you. They agree—though there's one condition....they want a kiss in return. A fair deal and you decide that nothing could possibly go wrong....right?

⊹ [ cw ] — suggestive, making out, lovesick/slightly yan-coded behavior, both of them pin for you, drowning, the tweels deserve a warning themselves, fighting, mild blood and injuries, mentions of murder, everyone here is morally grey◞

⊹ [ tags ] — gn! reader, on my siren eel agenda, flirty pirate mc, siren-eels are not to be messed with but mc is reckless, jade and floyd having an ariel moment but they're…a fucked up version of ariel, typical siren-behavior, floyd calls you pretty◞

⊹ [ w.c ] — 3.3k+◞

WHAT AN ODD LITTLE pirate you were.

Raised by your mother, horrific twisted tales of the deep were practically bedtime stories for you. She was a former ship's captain and a seasoned sailor who had spent more than half of her life at sea.

Mother weaved tales of glorious bloody battles, of thrashing waves, and, most importantly, of dangerous creatures in the sea. Hatred and fear for these grotesque marine creatures have been indoctrinated in you since you were young. It was imbued to the very core of your being, hammered and nailed into your head.

Alas, it appears that you have entirely disregarded the cautions that were issued to you. Any capable pirate knew better than to invite merfolk around.

Especially if you were all alone on a ship.

This year, spring had arrived a little earlier than usual, but you didn't mind at all.

It was at an obscene hour of the night when you were aimlessly paddling your little rowboat over the waves.

Floating a few feet away from your ship, you were gazing out over the sea where the waters were flat and serene, blue as far as your vision would allow. It was a sight you've grown all too accustomed to seeing.

You've sailed a hundred expeditions down this route and you were well aware of the carnage and bloodshed that’s been wrought here in the name of piracy.

A majority of which you've taken part in as—Captain (Y/N).

Young as you were, despite your youth, you had ambition. Already having established yourself as a living legend—or, as some have dubbed you, a living nightmare.

Sailors—young and old—have perished in your name, ships have sunk at your command, and your sword has spilt the blood of hundreds. You had amassed a great fortune from wandering merchants, and fellow pirates alike, all of which were misfortunate enough to fall upon your path.

These were tales and legends from bygone eras; the golden age of piracy had long since passed. Nowadays, you just cruise the sea anyway you pleased.

Adventure seldom found you.

In the middle of reminiscing, you abruptly became aware of a shimmering brilliance beneath the murky sea.

Oh?

'Maybe it was a trick of the waves? Or was it the moonlight's illusion?' You ponder to yourself as you stand at the stern of the boat and look out into the dreary waters.

The entire ocean sleeps when the moon is full. In the middle of the night, no fish or creature would dare remain thus near a boat...so what could possibly be out there?

Peering down, you make eye contact with a pair of glowing yellow eyes, slitted into diamonds.

Startled, the unknown creature slips back into the darkness with scarcely a ripple to disrupt the waves enveloping all about them. You're hypnotized by their shimmering skin as they moved smoothly and elegantly past the icy surfs.

In those short seconds while staring into the pitch-black sea, your mind conjures only one word.

Mermaid.

STRANGE AND STRANGELY FASCINATING, it was. "It" being the obsessive infatuation the Leech twins had for you.

Since they were little, the two brothers have been watching you grow up on that ship, peeping at you behind rocks and tall clusters of brilliant coral.

Curiosity and an interest for humans drew them to you at first, so they thought nothing of it. However, later, as they grew older, that interest developed into something more.

One that made their hearts feel like it was going to burst, a blood-curdling carnage of red and pink spills gushing out in a splatter. With the mere mention of your name, their stomachs sink and turn. The hems of love along their hearts diving into obsession—both feelings closely akin.

Jade and Floyd haven't run upon anyone who was courageous enough to meet creatures like them. Though, they shouldn’t have expected anything less from a pirate like you with an astronomical desire for adventure.

As you waved down at them from the ocean's depths, both of them swiftly swam up to the surface, eager to meet you. Their hands were clamoring and their hearts were racing to a tune that sang praises for you.

"There you are." You grinned handsomely, cocking your head to the side. The flowing fabric of your blouse blew wildly in the fresh salty wind, exposing bits and pieces of your chest and neck for them to see. "Hello~"

Big love-tinted eyes peeked up at you, drinking in every feature, blemish, and scar on your flesh. Occasionally, your gazes would meet and they would quickly avert their stare—a deep blue hue creeping up their cheeks, almost as if they felt bashful around you.

Even then, you thought it would be more appropriate if you were the one who was acting timid.

Because, by the gods, their beauty was such a sight to behold above the waters. In all your years out at sea and land, you've seen no maiden nor man with such features.

Such captivating features.

Teal-haired, with keen, slitted eyes that were veiled with thick, drooping lashes. Cheeks colored with a pale touch of death.

They were breathtakingly beautiful.

There was an urge, a pull at your heart to dive down and join them—drowning yourself in their embrace. Though, you resisted, almost immediately recognizing the sorcery that pulled on your carnal desires.

Mother and weather-beaten sailors had warned you of this. This overwhelming want. This spellbinding stare. Yet as they both drift closer, the forewarned dangers vanishes from your thoughts like mist. You're now left with little more than a hazy consciousness as you see them approach your boat.

You are in grave danger yet you are not afraid. Fear does not grip you as you raise a leg over the side of the boat, swing it over the top of the wood, and then sit over the edge, never taking your eyes off the mermen in front of you.

Their entire body, apart from their eyes, were submerged in the water which made it hard to determine what their species were. Though you could occasionally catch the flicker of their tail slapping against the surface.

Speaking of their tail, it was an utterly resplendent sight! Even if you tried, you wouldn't be able to explain its magnificience as it gleamed brighter than any of the gold or jewels your sullied hands have ever taken hold of.

Its lack of a single color and its vivid, luminous nature fascinated you. Depending on how the moonlight hit it, it radiated a wide range of shades, from the deep tint of blueish teal to a rich shade of bluish jade.

"First time away from your home?" You rasp, waving a hand in the ocean, watching as small ripples curved against the water's surface, tides of the blue abyss travelling outwards.

Minutes pass, and yet you get no response.

"Hmm…you two don't talk much, do you?"

Jade and Floyd knew all about pirates, heard every story, whisper, and tale of the bloodthirsty monsters fueled by lust for gold and glory. And yet, they somehow struggle to picture you as the avaricious captain you were labelled as.

Still, while you appeared free and jovial, both of them could sense that you yearned for the thrill of danger, for life-threatening adventure, and for the many fantastic yet perilous things the ocean has to offer.

They exchanged glances, and at that instant, their plan was set in place.

Appearing docile, Floyd shook his head no, hovering near you and spinning around playfully.

"Awe, aren't you a cute little guy?" You cooed, running a rough hand along his back. The mer shivered, preening at your compliment.

"I really shouldn't be so close to you, though. Us pirates usually avoid approaching any merfolk since…they feel your methods, your ways of living are…" You trailed off, waving a hand in the air as you searched for the right words.

"Spooky?" Jade spoke out, swimming closer to you with a sinister glitter in his eyes. Breath hitching in your throat, you leaned towards him, an amused smirk slowly stretching across your cheeks. "Oh ho? You do talk."

"I can do much more than that." Jade purred, the tone of his voice sinking into a sonorous lull.

Well, you certainly can’t deny that something draws you to these two.

The predictability of your life on these seas has gotten boring to you. Gone were the days of bloodthirsty glory instead, it was always the same routine. Poring over the same ancient yellowed maps, loitering about the deck, and secluding yourself away in the vast sea.

You know your mother would be horrified by your actions, disgusted to see you mingling and, Poseidon forbid—flirting with these…mer.

Though you couldn't bring yourself to care. Speaking with these two was the closest thing to excitement you've felt in a long time.

"That's a pretty voice, love." The grin on your face lacks any of the warmth it had in the past few moments.

You tip your head back and giggle, raspy and brittle, "I heard a mer's song was, um, what did those bards call it? Ah, yes—A voice that is so alluring that men and women jump overboard in squadrons."

"Hauntingly beautiful, that's what the poets call you mermaids…" You hum, watching them slyly from your row boat while reclining back against the wood.

Gaze drifting down their body, your arms folded around your chest and your gaze turned half-lidded, lips curled up in a sensual, cat-like smirk. "…and I can see why. Haunted, I am."

Both of them go abruptly silent and you chuckle, staring at them through the wreaths of grey smoke that curled into fanciful hazy whirls from the foggy environment.

Floyd and Jade squirmed as they both felt the strong pull of their instincts, screaming at them to just drag you into the waters already.

Your conniving praises and silver tongue was starting to get to them. One more push and—

"Say…I've been meaning to ask," You murmur, and seem to take a moment to stare into their innermost souls.

"Can you sing for me…?"

Something snaps.

Floyd makes a low sound, somewhere between a trill and a growl, while Jade's eyes darken considerably. Beneath your piercing, ice-cold gaze, the twins felt their nerves prickle up like the flickering electric stings of a jellyfish. 

This is a dangerous game you're playing. 

"…You're quite the flatterer," Jade—ever so composed—is quick to snap out of it and smiles simply, tapping his talons along the wooden deck. "…I suppose I could grant you your wish. Though, there is to be an exchange for it."

"Hm? What's that, mate?" You looked up at your ship from your little boat, eyes darting to the windows of your chambers. "That ol' girl isn't new to the seas so there's quite a lot of stuff there. Maybe some of my treasures will catch your fancy—"

"No." Jade interrupts you, the shadow over his eyes returns. "…I do not wish for any treasure or gold. All I want is a kiss."

"A kiss?" You parroted, an eyebrow elevated and amused laughter peaking from your lips. "I have chests of golds and heaps of ruby-eyed jewelry; yet, all you want is a kiss, is that truly what you desire?"

"Yes."

"Nothin' more?"

Jade ponders and pauses for a while, before turning to face his brother. "Floyd, perhaps you want something as well?"

"I wanna kiss from pretty shrimpy too!" Floyd cooed, pursing his lips at you and imitating kissing sounds by hollowing his cheeks. His strong arms, taut with ripping muscle, are crossed over one other as it rests upon the rims of your boat.

"So, what do you say, Captain? Is it a deal~?" Floyd stretches out a hand expectantly.

And you take it.

"Deal." You smirk. "One kiss for each of you, in exchange for a song. Pirate's honor."

Not like the honor of a pirate was worth much anyways.

The melody lifting from Jade's lips was somewhat familiar to you, yet it was of a faraway nostalgia. You couldn’t remember where you'd last heard it, but it felt…right. He had a voice that was velvety smooth; thick, and deep like a dream.

"Upon one summer's morning /  I carefully did stray," Jade sang, deep voice flowing off his lips in a sweet honeyed song—its melody lathering itself on your tongue. The saccharine taste of its imbricating rhythm obliterating every bit of skepticism you held towards them. "Down by the Walls of Wapping, where I met a sailor gay."

"My heart is pierced by Cupid / I disdain all glittering gold." Jade continued, tucking the long dark strand of his hair behind his ear—leaning his head atop the rickety rims of the boat's mossy wood. "There is nothing can console me / but my jolly sailor bold."

"Come all you pretty fair mers, whoever you may be / Who love a jolly sailor that ploughs the raging sea." Floyd hums along, lovingly tracing a hand up your arm. His voice was a lovely little thing; echoing deep throughout the air.

As expected, they sang beautifully, hauntingly; with an accent in a tongue native only to the sea. There was a mystical lull weaved into their voices—fitting to their titles as bewitching creatures of the sea.

"My heart is pierced by Cupid /I disdain all glittering gold." Jade stares straight ahead, his sapphire gaze alluringly fixed on you seated in front of him.

"There is nothing can console me…" Pushing himself up the wooden edge of your boat, the eel lures you over and you followed. "…but my jolly sailor bold."

As Jade's song came to its finality, he leaned in close and pressed a swift warm kiss atop your agape mouth, such tenderness in his affections—and that of heavily masked lust. The eel parted from you, nipping at your bottom lip and watching with unbridled delight as a flicker of pink hue glazed over your diluted eyes.  

"Come in the water, shrimpy~" Floyd cooed at you, claws reaching out to trace against the curve of the ships side. "We don't bite~"

Songbound, you leaned in towards the two and plunged in.

You don’t think about holding your breath.

The water was ice-cold and it strikes at you like a venomous bite. Yet before you could sink, two strong hands grasp at your waist, keeping you afloat in spite of the rough rocks of the sea. Jade was cradling you close to his chest, his hold firm and uncompromising while his tail encircled and bound your legs together.

"Hello, shrimpy~" Crooning, Floyd moved to rest his wet cheek against your tangled hair, talons pushing past the fringes of your damp torn-up shawl to rest against your thighs.

The slippery pads of his fingers trailed up to your torso; Travelling from your hips, past your corset, all the way up to your chest. The eel toyed with the drawstrings of your poet shirt before grasping it tight and yanking you forward.

"You're so pretty~" Floyd trailed his other hand up your neck, sharp talons feathering over your pulse dangerously. The eel craned his head down to meet you eye to eye. 

"I could just eat you up." The silky strands of his lashes fluttered against his lidded gaze as he leaned in close, breath fanning across your burning cheeks. Floyd pulled you into a deep kiss, loving the way you groaned against his mouth.

Chuckling against your lips, Floyd tightened his hold on your neck—his claws almost breaking skin, "You like that, shrimpy?"

You return the kiss, dazedly smiling against his lips before pulling away, lungs in desperate need of oxygen.

Floyd could see drops of water resting atop your swollen lips, and as your tongue darts out to wipe them, a fiery desire ignites in the deep curves and crooks of his heart. It didn't take long before he was diving in once more, lips pressing against the side of your neck.

While his brother was fixated on marking your skin, Jade hugged you from behind—affectionately cuddling into your hair.

The eel ran his hand up your throat and grasps your jaw with webbed hands to tilt your head backwards. He presses his lips against yours, the thick muscle of his tongue prying your mouth open before it darted in.

Floyd glides away from your form after a few minutes, leaving your neck sufficiently bitten and marked. He grinned excitedly and took your hands in his webbed ones, whisking you away from Jade.

You couldn't help but notice how he was gently dragging you away from the rowboat. "Say, shrimpy~ You ever wondered what it's like to swim under the sea?"

A flash of clarity hits you, shattering the enchanting spell that both mermen had cast upon your heart. You sensed danger as both eels started to close in, grinning ominously which revealed their fangs—long and dripping with thirst.

It seems that your fun little swim was over.

"I can't say I've ever experienced the pleasures of drowning—" you muttered. "And I don't intend to do so very soon."

The texture of their tails may appear solid and rough, but when you kick your legs at Floyd's, you immediately discover how the skin is supple when touched.

The sharp end of your worn boots cut at his silky luminescent skin, dragging along the scales of his flesh and leaving a deep cut in its wake. A small trickle of blue blood spreads into the waters and the eel hisses, darting away from you.

You try to swim away, but something—or rather, someone—gets in your way.

"My my, leaving so soon, pearl?" Jade quips, grin all-to-sharp.

In hindsight, it was foolish to interact with two mermen you hardly knew, especially ones who were taut with sharp teeth and firm muscles. Any pirate with half a mind would know to turn the other way and flee if these two approached them.

The mer both advanced to surround you, a mysterious glimmer swimming behind the haze of their duo-colored eyes.

A startling epiphany rushes over you.

As slippery as they might be, there’s no hiding the lethal sheen of pink in their eyes—especially not from you, a pirate who’s spent a fair number of their days hauling the cold dead bodies of lovesick sailors away from their watery graves.

These two weren't your run-of-the-mill mermen, no. You have heard about them before—in tales and legends.

Mermaids. Vampires of the sea. Water nymphs. Naiads. Sirens.

Many names, yet they are all the same.

A sighting like this is not unusual. This species of mer is mostly found in the deepest, darkest sections of the ocean, and they only come up to hunt at night.

It seems that you've walked right into their trap. Sailors were their easiest prey.

"Ah." You grit your teeth, a low, breathy snarl slipping past your swollen lips. "I should've known."

There’s a warm yet strong pressure against your shoulders and arms; followed by an odd feeling of heaviness as you were suddenly propelled down the water's surface. Webbed hands keep you pinned beneath the waves and you're suddenly all-too-aware of your body's exhaustion; of the salty liquid flowing past your tongue and the scorching gurgle that ignites your lungs as water fills it.

There's a ruckus around you, and you can barely hear Jade's voice, who was eerily calm in the midst of your murder. A bottle is then abruptly forced into your mouth, the potion within it spilling down your throat and leaving you disoriented.

It appears that today is the day that the monotony in your life finally ends. The pull of unconsciousness becomes too strong to resist, and the world darkens.

TO BE CONTINUED...?

—TAGLIST:

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[thevondoom62]

I believe it's on record that my preferred color scheme for Batman is either blue and gray or all black. Well, there is something to be said for the combo of black and gray. It's what the character started with and has become the sort of, modern default. So, MAFEX repainting this figure in those colors is kind of a no-brainer.

Alright, my blue and gray Bats is in rough shape, mostly due to my own hands. Trying to glue the cowl down led to staining the cape and trying to fix that just caused more problems. Replacing that cape led to major paint damage on the cowl that bothered me a lot. I could have just bought another if it bothered me that bad (or try to repaint but lol), but I really hate just buying the same figure again. So, might as well get the variant. Found one for a solid price and got it.

It's the same figure, in different colors. With a few improvements here or there. The cowl still feels like it sits high, buuuuut it's better overall. The cape is also easier to manipulate, the wires are placed better than the blue one. I hear these improvements are on the reissued blue ones, alongside a few other changes like the cowl now sits better. Also worth noting, he doesn't have a Bruce Wayne head, but does come with a sweet grotesque base.

I'm very prone to figure bias, so this is already making me like this color combo a lot. Regardless, I suppose I could have waited for the upcoming Knightfall Batman if I wanted another blue & gray Bats, but I'm not really into the headsculpts on those. The defined human ears feel wrong for that era's art. It's like they took the Jim Lee sculpts and just extended the ears. Still, decent chance I end up with that when they release it.

I'm two Batmans in on this line and I hardly have any others DC characters. Just a Harley. Once Bane, Riddler, and Scarecrow show up, though? Well, those three right there are already my faves. Now let's get a Penguin and a better Joker too. It's strange how it seems like Medicom almost consciously aimed for the most divisive Joker variants. Maybe I'll pick up the Golden Age one Mezco is doing, that honestly looks like the best one so far to me.

[dirtandspitoftheworld]

hii!!!!! it was me who sent the ask abt the music videos yesterday!!!! thank u so much for replying, i was this 🤏🏽 close to giving up on using marilyn mansons example in my project 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

HI!!! I had fun doing this, I've actually never sat down and watched every single music video until now, there were a few i'd never watched! :)

this is LONG, there's 42 videos, to my knowledge.

TL;DR: There's actually extremely few satanic or occult symbols in any of Marilyn Manson's music videos. In fact, the only thing I saw was a couple inverted crosses in Tourniquet (which aren't even satanic! That's Saint Peter's cross!). Other than that, it's all Christian symbols and imagery. The only other symbol that appears consistently is Manson's own "Celebritarian" cross, which is a symbol of celebrity worship that he often criticizes. (Worth noting: it's an inverted form of the Patriarchal cross)

Comprehensive notes:

Spooky Kids/Portrait Of An American Family Era:

Get Your Gunn: Nothing, aside from Manson's goat head tattoo (left bicep). Anytime I say "nothing" from now on, i'm excluding his tattoos.

Lunchbox: One of the band's T-shirts at this time was a parody of the Salvation Army logo which said "The Satanic Army, and drummer "Sara Lee Lucas" (Frederick Streithorst Jr.) is wearing it.

Dope Hat: Nothing.

Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This): at 3:10, Manson is wearing a 3-horned headpiece. May or may not mean anything.

Antichrist Superstar Era:

The Beautiful People: Nothing.

Tourniquet: There are a few inverted crosses on the walls, as well as some symbols that I THOUGHT were alchemical symbols, but I can't find them anywhere.

Cryptorchid: Nothing, though the video is reminiscent of the film "Begotten"

The Man That You Fear: Nothing Occult, but there's a clear parallel to the death of Christ, washing of feet, being walked through the desert and killed. The music video heavily references "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson, as well. As a side note, Marilyn Manson is unbearably beautiful in this video.

Antichrist Superstar: I think you asked about this one specifically? Other than snakes and flies, which may possibly be associated with Lucifer and Beelzebub respectively, I don't see anything in the way of satanic or occult symbols.

Apple Of Sodom: Nothing. Medical stuff again.

Long Hard Road Out Of Hell: Christian imagery, both visually and in the lyrics. Manson is shown as both Mary and Jesus. And naked! Again, he's VERY pretty in this video. If this video doesn't trans your gender, nothing will. There's a secret alternate version where he's covered with blood.

Mechanical Animals Era:

The Dope Show: Nothing.

I Don't Like The Drugs (But The Drugs Like Me): Manson is crucified on a cross made of CRT TVs, and drags it around on his back.

Coma White: Crosses and Christian idols can be seen throughout. He's crucified on a wooden cross this time.

Holy Wood Era:

Disposable Teens: Manson is dressed as a pope for much of the video. There's other Christian imagery. He's also shown rising out of water, which could POSSIBLY be connected to Revelation 13:1 (And I stood upon the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising from the sea...) BUT he doesn't have horns, so it could just be a cool image that means nothing.

Fight Song: Nothing.

The Nobodies: He has horns again.

Tainted Love: Nothing.

Golden Age Of Grotesque Era:

mOBSCENE: Nothing.

This Is The New Shit: Nothing.

(s)AINT: Nothing. But there's so much explicit nudity that i'm surprised this video is on youtube. There's pussy eating in this video!!!!!! i maybe saw a sliver of cock too. can't be sure.

Personal Jesus: Manson has bandaged stigmata on his palms, and there's some sexy nuns. This video has one of my favorite makeup looks of all time.

Eat Me, Drink Me Era:

Heart-Shaped Glasses: Nothing.

Putting Holes In Happiness: Nothing.

High End Of Low Era:

Arma-Goddamn-Motherfuckin-Geddon: Nothing.

Born Villain Era:

Overneath The Path Of Misery: Two women have their heads shaved, seemingly in a ritualistic fashion. There's some images of christ on the cross, and a burning cross. Again, a lot of sexual imagery that i'm surprised is allowed on youtube uncensored.

Hey, Cruel World: Nothing.

The Pale Emperor Era:

Deep Six: Nothing.

The Mephistopheles Of Los Angeles: Manson is shown preaching and baptizing people.

Third Day Of A Seven Day Binge: Nothing.

Heaven Upside Down Era:

WE KNOW WHERE YOU FUCKING LIVE: Sexy nuns with guns. The image of the "Celebritarian" cross appears.

SAY10: Nothing. But Johnny Depp is in this one!

KILL4ME: Celebritarian cross. Johnny Depp again!

Tattooed In Reverse: Celebritarian cross.

God's Gonna Cut You Down: Some crosses.

We Are Chaos Era:

WE ARE CHAOS: Nothing.

DON'T CHASE THE DEAD: Nothing.

[Title Pending] Era:

As Sick As The Secrets Within: Nothing.

Raise The Red Flag: Nothing.

[umbralsound-xiv]

Prompt #30 - Two Heads Are Better Than One

Character: Vairg Age: 18 Location: The Golmore Jungle, 2, Seventh Astral Era Warnings: Violence

It was an almost feverish excitement that seemed to take the village; So many eyes trained on the path that the men would no doubt arrive from. So many faces, some having returned many times, and some for the first time since leaving as mere children.

But the one who lead them was not one they had expected to return. A tall, dark haired Viera with mismatched eyes, a sword at one hip, and a cloth sack at the other.

"Vairg...?"

The call of the woman was unexpected, a little confused. He'd been much, much smaller the last she'd seen him, always in the shadow of his brother. The dart of her gaze over his shoulder showed well who or what she might have been looking for, the small curl of Vairg's lips tugging annoyance and amusement, both.

"Lijon..?"

She asks, and he doesn't give her an answer. More of them men arrive, all of them far behind and away from Vairg, but none with the long golden hair that she and so many of the other women had searched for.

"---Vairg, where's---"

His mismatched gaze is narrowed in on her, lips curled into a sneer. "You'll have to shout him a lot louder than that if you want him to hear you."

He'd remembered her from all those cycles ago. The woman that doted on his brother, smothered him with praise and affection; The favourite. A shining example of the ideal Wood Warder, set to defend their village, and now expected to return and sow the seeds and pave the way for more of his like.

"LIJON?" The woman calls louder, the rest gathered at the arrival of the men. A feast had been prepared, the women washed and brushed and braided. She'd seen every single one of them arrive, before she turns back to Vairg in desperation.

"---Vairg, where is he? He said he'd come back, he said he'd---"

That sack that swung so ominously at his hip is unfurled, and out of it rolls a grotesque, bloodied object, coming to settle face-up in the dirt.

Lijon's lifeless face stares upwards, eyes glazed over, mouth agape. He'd had the mercy of having his head separated from his body after he'd passed, but the blood was still fresh. Blood clung to his handsome features, golden hair severed just below his chin.

The woman screams, but Vairg pays her no mind. The rest of the crowd back away slightly. He knew it deserved an explanation, at the very least.

"He saw to attack me in my sleep. I defended myself. They all saw it." he remarks, turning over his shoulder, watching the men. No one spoke up to refute him; no one dare.

"We do not suffer weakness to reign amongst our people. You told us. He told me, himself. But he fell to my blade."

He casts the head of his brother a glare, looking outward again.

"Lijon was weak."

He makes towards the village he'd left as a boy.

None dare to stand in his way.

[metalcultbrigade]

🇬🇧 Check out the tracklist and cover art of The Troops of Doom's new album, "A Mass To The Grotesque," set to be released on May 31st via Alma Mater Records. The artwork was created by the legendary British artist Dan Seagrave, known for iconic cover arts from the golden age of death metal. The first single, "Chapels Of The Unholy," will be available on digital platforms on April 12th.

🇧🇷 Confira repertório e capa do novo álbum do The Troops of Doom, “A Mass To The Grotesque”, que tem data de lançamento para o dia 31 de Maio através da Alma Mater Records. O autor da arte foi o lendário artista britânico Dan Seagrave, responsável por artes icônicas da era de ouro do death metal. O primeiro Single “Chapels Of The Unholy” estará disponível nas plataformas digitais no dia 12 de Abril.

Track Listing:

01. Solve Et Coagula - Introduction

02. Chapels Of The Unholy

03. Dawn of Mephisto

04. Denied Divinity

05. The Impostor King

06. Faithless Requiem

07. Psalm 7:8 - God of Bizarre

08. Terror Inheritance

09. The Grotesque

10. Blood Upon The Throne

11. Venomous Creed

Produced by André Moraes and The Troops of Doom

Mixed and mastered by Jim Morris (Morrisound Recording)

Cover art by Dan Seagrave

[weeping-gospels]

It all happened so suddenly that the beast hardly had time to react.

The barren fields were coated in a grotesque splatter of dark crimson. Normally, Bethanne entertained the thought of painting a setting in a beautiful shade of ruby, be it violence or naturally — but the events that took place shook her to her core.

That did not look like her Gluttony at all. How many Skaven did he devour? He looks humongous. Better yet, who the hell pissed him off to this extent? Her mind wracked with possibilities that all led her to dead ends.

Shrinking back a tad, Betty felt her body tremble in fear before him. The days where she would push her meek body in front of dangers far beyond her comprehension to serve as a distraction or reminder of reality were long gone — those were the Leathe days of the Shavali era. Days where she had been nothing but a human pondering how to become stronger for her friends and family, days where she would be far more willing to sacrifice herself just to see a friend smile again in the face of adversity.

She was no longer this person.

It had been ages since Betty chose another life above her own, and an even longer time since she used her bardic abilities to coax one down from an angry outburst. Bards were skilled in expertly distracting and calming one down with the power of voice and melody — the first class she had ever given up on to hone her skills in on Spinemangler and shamanism.

Shit. Now would be a golden opportunity to remember anything prior to that time period.

“ GLUTTONY! “

The monster screeched, pouncing high into a tree in an effort to draw his attention,

“ HEY! GLUTTONY!! CAN YOU HEAR ME?!

CUT THE SHIT. “

Yeah, that’ll work.

@hxnger-unbcund

[noisycowboyglitter]

"Creepy Vintage Retro Halloween Monster Posters: Nostalgic Decor for Horror Lovers"

A Creepy Vintage Retro Halloween Monster Poster Horror Movie design encapsulates the eerie charm of classic horror cinema, blending nostalgic aesthetics with spine-chilling imagery. This type of poster typically draws inspiration from the golden age of horror films, spanning from the 1930s to the 1960s, and incorporates elements that evoke a sense of both nostalgia and unease.

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The visual style of these posters often features:

Bold, eye-catching typography reminiscent of mid-20th century movie posters

A limited color palette, often dominated by oranges, blacks, and deep reds

Grainy or slightly distressed textures to mimic aged paper or printing techniques

Dramatic lighting and shadows to create a moody atmosphere

The central focus of the poster is usually a monstrous creature or character, which might be:

A classic movie monster like Dracula, Frankenstein's creation, or the Wolf Man

A unique, original creature design that blends various horror tropes

A menacing human figure with exaggerated, grotesque features

These monsters are often depicted in a stylized manner, balancing between frightening and campy, true to the spirit of vintage horror films. The creature might be shown looming over a terrified victim, emerging from shadows, or posed in a way that emphasizes its most fearsome attributes.

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Background elements frequently include:

A haunted house or gothic castle silhouette

A full moon with bats flying across it

Misty graveyards or forbidding forests

Vintage Halloween symbols like jack-o'-lanterns, black cats, or witches

The poster might also feature taglines or movie titles that play on classic horror movie tropes, using dramatic language to entice viewers. Phrases like "A Night of Unimaginable Terror!" or "Beware the Creature from the Black Lagoon!" could be prominently displayed.

Color use in these posters is crucial to setting the mood. Warm oranges and yellows might be used to evoke the autumnal feel of Halloween, while deep reds can suggest blood and danger. Black is often used for stark silhouettes and to create a sense of the unknown lurking in the shadows.

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The vintage aspect is further enhanced by mimicking printing techniques of the era, such as slightly misaligned color layers or the appearance of letterpress printing. This attention to detail adds authenticity and charm to the overall design.

These posters appeal to horror enthusiasts, vintage collectors, and Halloween aficionados alike. They serve not only as decorative pieces but also as tributes to the history of horror cinema and the enduring appeal of classic monster movies.

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Whether used as Halloween party decor, a year-round addition to a horror fan's collection, or as inspiration for costume design, these Creepy Vintage Retro Halloween Monster Poster Horror Movie designs continue to captivate audiences with their blend of nostalgia, artistry, and spine-tingling imagery.

[glory-of-hallownest]

☀︎ Prologue ☀︎

In times of myth, the world was barren. No one knows how the life came to be. Only hardy creatures survived in that desert. They had always survived.

And in a beginning, there was a light. The light was the embodiment of desire and wish, of hope held in the deepest place, the incarnation of Dream itself. The light was beautiful, and the light was Beauty. It was a glorious golden light that shone across the desert, captivating all and bathing them in warmth. And the light was called the Radiance, for she was radiant.

The creatures, simple and feeble-minded as they were, could not understand the Radiance. A light must be seen to be known, and so the Radiance birthed a new creature, one in her own likeness. The Moth Tribe, as they were called, worshipped the Radiance, keeping her in their thoughts constantly. But, even being attuned to the Radiance, the moths were only base creatures, obedient to their instincts as any other beast of the desert.

In the passing ages, there were other beings, other dreams from which new lives were born. Creatures made not of flesh and blood but bark and root by the green being capable of dreaming, and hideous things bred from Nightmare—the terrible thing she’d split from the Dream long ago—and then those horrid, grotesque creatures made not by any dream but by blood, by a physical unity of creature and creature, varying between larger or smaller but oft more clever than others, if still lowly like the rest. Truly vile things. But all these were far below, in the vast caverns below the desert, where the Radiance and her tribe paid no mind from their place of worship on high. None were a light to challenge the golden glow they had always known.

The era of contentment was not to last. From distant lands or distant worlds, a being came with such a light to give the Radiance pause. The creature was miles long, larger than any creature the Radiance had ever seen. A wyrm. The ground quaked and the mountains quivered, the newcomer burrowing through topsoil and bedrock alike to reach his destination. It carved a home for itself in the mountain on the wasteland’s edge, just beneath where the Radiance perched, as if to mock her. Then it just… waited. Observing. It contained its light, for a time, and so the Radiance was satisfied to let it be.

This proved a fatal error. Without warning, the newcomer unleashed its light, a blinding whiteness that spread all across the land, over and under, without and within, a light that burrowed into the mind, pushing against it, expanding it, broadening it, filling it, teaching it, subduing it, freeing it.

At first, the Radiance did not know what had happened. Then she heard them. The dreams and desires of every living thing in the desert, thinking and wanting and living for itself.

Outraged, she confronted the newcomer in a form fit for battle—a towering figure with legs bound in steel, and a sharp helmet crowned with three jutting spikes, and with two narrow slits in the visor through which shined the fullness of her light and glory. Her wings, however, she left exposed, spreading them wide.

She found the newcomer, a man as it turned out, shedding his old skin—which dwarfed this chosen form—for another, exchanging it for something much more like the creatures of the wasteland.

“What have you done!?” she hissed in a rage. “With what curse have you afflicted my people!?”

The newcomer cleared his throat, and answered, “I have been observing this land for some time, and I have seen the creatures created here. You and your moths, the great green slug and her plants, the darkness of the deepest depths and its things that gnash and slash.” He spread his hands innocently. “You have each made your own people. I am merely doing the same.”

The Radiance had never heard of this darkness of the deepest depths, but the thought of it unsettled her for some reason. She dismissed it for the time being. “You carve your ‘people’ out from the work of others.” The Radiance came closer, a blade materializing in her hand and held against the newcomer’s throat. She knew not whether she dared to use it. “You have come to steal and lay waste to what is mine.”

The newcomer, a perfect image of placidity, responded, “I have not come to end old things, but to begin new things. I have not come to steal, but to give. I have not come to destroy, but to build up.” He calmly put a finger on the blade’s edge, pushing it away. “Already I have given new minds to the creatures of this land, waking them to the full experience of life. Do you not want your moths to know you better, whom they worship? Is it not better to be worshipped by those who choose to do so?”

The Radiance stared into the newcomer’s eyes, unable to read them. Anger and hate were things she knew well, as well as joy and pleasure. But dishonesty was a thing she had yet to learn. The newcomer, to his credit, would not teach her.

Withdrawing her blade, she asked him, “What is your name, usurper?”

“I am called Whitewyrm,” he answered. “I believe I know your name already, but it would be rude to presume.”

Looking past him to the cast-off skin, she said, “You bear a fitting name, Whitewyrm.” White indeed. Paler than snow. “I am called the Radiance.

“A name as fitting as mine. It has been a pleasure meeting you, light of the land. Now, if you will excuse me, I must go out to meet my people.” Whatever niceties he gave, he did not wait for her dismissal.

She watched warily as he walked by, sprouting wings from his back and soaring out of the passage, and put into the great vertical caverns he had carved for himself, moult raining down like snow, or ash. She did not understand how anyone could hear being constrained to a physical form such as that. With a thought her image winked out, and she returned to her true home, the dream of Dream incarnate.

[anactorprepares47]

Database

Combining the writing techniques of grotesque theater, our play will create a platform for dialogue across eras, allowing historical and modern perspectives to intersect and collide. To achieve this, we will use the script of the play and its elements, such as the protagonist Max's pilgrimage points. Also, We have a Twitter community database and a modern theater database, allowing modern groups to comment on social issues from the 1900s script through text-to-video and then to 3D model data conversion.

We also have a Madrid news archive, Author' works archive, the Madrid museum collection, and a classic Spanish theater archive. Using text-to-image-to-video-to-3D model data conversion, we will represent the ghosts of Spanish Golden Age writers commenting on current Spanish social issues.

[multiplemarketips14]

Unique Art

Comic books and their Unique Art    style have enthralled readers for over 80 years. While the Golden Age of comics began in the late 1930s, the evolution of comic book art has continued through various eras up to the present day.

  The birth of the modern comic book is often cited as 1938's Action Comics #1 which introduced Superman and launched the superhero genre. The comic was created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster. Their iconic cover depicting Superman lifting a car established his incredible strength and started the Golden Age of comics (1938-1950).

  Other key artists from the early years include Jack Kirby and Joe Simon, who created Captain America in 1941 for Timely Comics (later Marvel). Kirby's energetic art style came to define the Marvel look. Will Eisner's The Spirit (1940) also stood out for its film noir style.

  The post-war era saw the rise of horror and crime comics. Notable artists included Basil Wolverton, with his grotesque cartooning in humor titles like Mad Magazine. EC Comics also published prominent horror titles like Tales from the Crypt, featuring artists like Al Feldstein and Graham Ingels.

 The Silver Age of comics (1956-1970) brought a new wave of iconic superheroes and styles. DC Comics relaunched The Flash in 1956 with Carmine Infantino's sleek art. Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko created the Marvel Universe with Stan Lee, introducing heroes like The Fantastic Four (1961) and Spider-Man (1962).

  Underground comix also emerged as a counterculture movement, with Robert Crumb's Zap Comix (1968). Crumb's gritty, fluid art was a sharp contrast to mainstream comics. Other underground artists, like Gilbert Shelton and Art Spiegelman, pioneered new stylistic territory.

 Bronze Age comics (1970-1985) saw creators expand the artistic possibilities of the medium. Neal Adams brought photorealism to DC titles like Green Lantern/Green Arrow. Jim Steranko experimented with surrealism and Op art in Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.

[multiplemarketing998]

Unique Art

Comic books and their Unique Art    style have enthralled readers for over 80 years. While the Golden Age of comics began in the late 1930s, the evolution of comic book art has continued through various eras up to the present day.

  The birth of the modern comic book is often cited as 1938's Action Comics #1 which introduced Superman and launched the superhero genre. The comic was created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster. Their iconic cover depicting Superman lifting a car established his incredible strength and started the Golden Age of comics (1938-1950).

  Other key artists from the early years include Jack Kirby and Joe Simon, who created Captain America in 1941 for Timely Comics (later Marvel). Kirby's energetic art style came to define the Marvel look. Will Eisner's The Spirit (1940) also stood out for its film noir style.

  The post-war era saw the rise of horror and crime comics. Notable artists included Basil Wolverton, with his grotesque cartooning in humor titles like Mad Magazine. EC Comics also published prominent horror titles like Tales from the Crypt, featuring artists like Al Feldstein and Graham Ingels.

 The Silver Age of comics (1956-1970) brought a new wave of iconic superheroes and styles. DC Comics relaunched The Flash in 1956 with Carmine Infantino's sleek art. Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko created the Marvel Universe with Stan Lee, introducing heroes like The Fantastic Four (1961) and Spider-Man (1962).

  Underground comix also emerged as a counterculture movement, with Robert Crumb's Zap Comix (1968). Crumb's gritty, fluid art was a sharp contrast to mainstream comics. Other underground artists, like Gilbert Shelton and Art Spiegelman, pioneered new stylistic territory.

 Bronze Age comics (1970-1985) saw creators expand the artistic possibilities of the medium. Neal Adams brought photorealism to DC titles like Green Lantern/Green Arrow. Jim Steranko experimented with surrealism and Op art in Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.

[multiplemarketing787u]

Unique Art

Comic books and their Unique Art    style have enthralled readers for over 80 years. While the Golden Age of comics began in the late 1930s, the evolution of comic book art has continued through various eras up to the present day.

  The birth of the modern comic book is often cited as 1938's Action Comics #1 which introduced Superman and launched the superhero genre. The comic was created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster. Their iconic cover depicting Superman lifting a car established his incredible strength and started the Golden Age of comics (1938-1950).

  Other key artists from the early years include Jack Kirby and Joe Simon, who created Captain America in 1941 for Timely Comics (later Marvel). Kirby's energetic art style came to define the Marvel look. Will Eisner's The Spirit (1940) also stood out for its film noir style.

  The post-war era saw the rise of horror and crime comics. Notable artists included Basil Wolverton, with his grotesque cartooning in humor titles like Mad Magazine. EC Comics also published prominent horror titles like Tales from the Crypt, featuring artists like Al Feldstein and Graham Ingels.

 The Silver Age of comics (1956-1970) brought a new wave of iconic superheroes and styles. DC Comics relaunched The Flash in 1956 with Carmine Infantino's sleek art. Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko created the Marvel Universe with Stan Lee, introducing heroes like The Fantastic Four (1961) and Spider-Man (1962).

  Underground comix also emerged as a counterculture movement, with Robert Crumb's Zap Comix (1968). Crumb's gritty, fluid art was a sharp contrast to mainstream comics. Other underground artists, like Gilbert Shelton and Art Spiegelman, pioneered new stylistic territory.

 Bronze Age comics (1970-1985) saw creators expand the artistic possibilities of the medium. Neal Adams brought photorealism to DC titles like Green Lantern/Green Arrow. Jim Steranko experimented with surrealism and Op art in Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.

[health12multiple]

Unique Art

Comic books and their Unique Art    style have enthralled readers for over 80 years. While the Golden Age of comics began in the late 1930s, the evolution of comic book art has continued through various eras up to the present day.

  The birth of the modern comic book is often cited as 1938's Action Comics #1 which introduced Superman and launched the superhero genre. The comic was created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster. Their iconic cover depicting Superman lifting a car established his incredible strength and started the Golden Age of comics (1938-1950).

  Other key artists from the early years include Jack Kirby and Joe Simon, who created Captain America in 1941 for Timely Comics (later Marvel). Kirby's energetic art style came to define the Marvel look. Will Eisner's The Spirit (1940) also stood out for its film noir style.

  The post-war era saw the rise of horror and crime comics. Notable artists included Basil Wolverton, with his grotesque cartooning in humor titles like Mad Magazine. EC Comics also published prominent horror titles like Tales from the Crypt, featuring artists like Al Feldstein and Graham Ingels.

 The Silver Age of comics (1956-1970) brought a new wave of iconic superheroes and styles. DC Comics relaunched The Flash in 1956 with Carmine Infantino's sleek art. Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko created the Marvel Universe with Stan Lee, introducing heroes like The Fantastic Four (1961) and Spider-Man (1962).

  Underground comix also emerged as a counterculture movement, with Robert Crumb's Zap Comix (1968). Crumb's gritty, fluid art was a sharp contrast to mainstream comics. Other underground artists, like Gilbert Shelton and Art Spiegelman, pioneered new stylistic territory.

 Bronze Age comics (1970-1985) saw creators expand the artistic possibilities of the medium. Neal Adams brought photorealism to DC titles like Green Lantern/Green Arrow. Jim Steranko experimented with surrealism and Op art in Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.

[martetnghealth22]

Unique Art

Comic books and their Unique Art    style have enthralled readers for over 80 years. While the Golden Age of comics began in the late 1930s, the evolution of comic book art has continued through various eras up to the present day.

  The birth of the modern comic book is often cited as 1938's Action Comics #1 which introduced Superman and launched the superhero genre. The comic was created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster. Their iconic cover depicting Superman lifting a car established his incredible strength and started the Golden Age of comics (1938-1950).

  Other key artists from the early years include Jack Kirby and Joe Simon, who created Captain America in 1941 for Timely Comics (later Marvel). Kirby's energetic art style came to define the Marvel look. Will Eisner's The Spirit (1940) also stood out for its film noir style.

  The post-war era saw the rise of horror and crime comics. Notable artists included Basil Wolverton, with his grotesque cartooning in humor titles like Mad Magazine. EC Comics also published prominent horror titles like Tales from the Crypt, featuring artists like Al Feldstein and Graham Ingels.

 The Silver Age of comics (1956-1970) brought a new wave of iconic superheroes and styles. DC Comics relaunched The Flash in 1956 with Carmine Infantino's sleek art. Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko created the Marvel Universe with Stan Lee, introducing heroes like The Fantastic Four (1961) and Spider-Man (1962).

  Underground comix also emerged as a counterculture movement, with Robert Crumb's Zap Comix (1968). Crumb's gritty, fluid art was a sharp contrast to mainstream comics. Other underground artists, like Gilbert Shelton and Art Spiegelman, pioneered new stylistic territory.

 Bronze Age comics (1970-1985) saw creators expand the artistic possibilities of the medium. Neal Adams brought photorealism to DC titles like Green Lantern/Green Arrow. Jim Steranko experimented with surrealism and Op art in Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.

[limitlessmarketss]

Unique Art

Comic books and their Unique Art    style have enthralled readers for over 80 years. While the Golden Age of comics began in the late 1930s, the evolution of comic book art has continued through various eras up to the present day.

  The birth of the modern comic book is often cited as 1938's Action Comics #1 which introduced Superman and launched the superhero genre. The comic was created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster. Their iconic cover depicting Superman lifting a car established his incredible strength and started the Golden Age of comics (1938-1950).

  Other key artists from the early years include Jack Kirby and Joe Simon, who created Captain America in 1941 for Timely Comics (later Marvel). Kirby's energetic art style came to define the Marvel look. Will Eisner's The Spirit (1940) also stood out for its film noir style.

  The post-war era saw the rise of horror and crime comics. Notable artists included Basil Wolverton, with his grotesque cartooning in humor titles like Mad Magazine. EC Comics also published prominent horror titles like Tales from the Crypt, featuring artists like Al Feldstein and Graham Ingels.

 The Silver Age of comics (1956-1970) brought a new wave of iconic superheroes and styles. DC Comics relaunched The Flash in 1956 with Carmine Infantino's sleek art. Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko created the Marvel Universe with Stan Lee, introducing heroes like The Fantastic Four (1961) and Spider-Man (1962).

  Underground comix also emerged as a counterculture movement, with Robert Crumb's Zap Comix (1968). Crumb's gritty, fluid art was a sharp contrast to mainstream comics. Other underground artists, like Gilbert Shelton and Art Spiegelman, pioneered new stylistic territory.

 Bronze Age comics (1970-1985) saw creators expand the artistic possibilities of the medium. Neal Adams brought photorealism to DC titles like Green Lantern/Green Arrow. Jim Steranko experimented with surrealism and Op art in Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.