#the knights of st christopher x reader

[undercoveravenger]

Packed

Pairing: The Knights of St. Christopher X Male!Reader

Requested: Yes Request: “The most unhinged request I can think of is the whole wolf pack from the order trying to see who can get reader to say yes to a date first”

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With the pack heading back to the pack house after yet another mission, Hamish had assumed that the day’s excitement was long over. He’s proven wrong by the thunderous snarl that echoes out of the house ahead of him.

He startles to attention, eyes darting to Jack and Lilith on either side of him. Randall. He’d been the only one who’d made it inside so far. If he’d had to transform-  

Hamish breaks into a sprint, ignoring the sound of his packmates rushing after him in favor of bursting through the doorway and crossing swiftly to stand beside Randall, still in Greybeard’s form, halfway to shifting himself before his eyes lock onto the intruder.

His hackles smooth almost instantly as he sees you, sitting sprawled across the couch in the den like you own the place. Well, he practically does, Hamish reminds himself, a broad smile crossing his lips as he starts to approach. His heart warms in his chest at the fond smile that crosses your lips as he gets closer.

“(M/N),” Hamish greets, holding his hand out for you to shake.

You merely roll your eyes, taking his hand and using it to drag Hamish down onto the couch with you so you could loop your arms around him in a crushing hug, “C’mon, Hamish; I’m not some business partner. We’re friends, right?”

Hamish opens his mouth to reply and finds himself interrupted.

“Friends, huh?” Lilith prompts, arms crossed defensively over her chest. “Care to introduce us, Hamish?”

He gulps nervously, eyes darting from Lilith to Randall to Jack, who was standing near the door like he was tempted to run. “Guys, this is (M/N). (M/N)-”

“No, let me guess,” you interrupt, arm curling tighter around his neck. Your eyes narrow as you point at Lilith, “She’s got backbone- fire, which makes her a perfect champion for Timber.” You think for a moment before snapping your fingers as you realize, “That’d make you Lilith, right?” Your grin grows at the stunned nod she gives you and your gaze drifts to Randall’s furred form, “Greybeard, as tenacious as ever. If I remember right, that’d mean you’re Randall.”

Randall transforms back then, shifting slightly in place as he realizes his shift has left him naked in front of the newcomer. He scrambles for a pair of sweatpants that’d been tossed over the back of a chair when they had left earlier.

You look surprised for a split second as you eye Randall but you’re just as quick to shake it off. “Sorry, uh, you look like someone I know from Brakeb-” you cut yourself off with a stunted laugh, like you'd remembered not to finish that thought, averting your eyes to give him some privacy, and turn toward Jack. “Hamish has been kind of quiet as of late, so I’m afraid I don’t know who you might be.” 

He clears his throat nervously and Hamish is stunned to see a faint blush dusting across Jack’s cheeks. “Jack Morton,” he says softly, eyes fixed firmly on the ground. “I’m a kind of recent addition.”

“Makes sense.” You release Hamish then, pushing to your feet to approach Jack, eyes narrowed sharply as you studied him. “You do magic, huh?” You nod to yourself, “Silverback’s champion, then?” 

Jack blinks, staring up at you wide-eyed, still flustered but now more out of shock than awe. “How did you know that?” 

You smile, that same mischievous little half grin that Hamish had grown to love back in the day, and your hand seems to almost flicker for a moment, a pretty purple crocus bloom appearing between your fingers as you extend your hand to him. The grin widens as he takes the flower, eyes wide with shock as he looks up at you, “Takes one magician to know another.”

“Okay,” Randall starts from behind you, seemingly more confident now that he had a robe tied firmly around his waist, “Anyone else wondering who this guy is and how Ham-sandwich knows someone so cool?”

Wordlessly both Jack and Lilith raise their hands.

Hamish knows he should be offended, but he was really too distracted by the sting of jealousy biting at him from how you were looking at his newest packmate. “(M/N) was the one who brought me into the Knights,” Hamish eventually forces himself to say, trying his best not to seem like he’s sulking. As the only other living member of Hamish’s original pack, the last time he’d been able to see you was at Cassie’s funeral before you’d been offered a graduate program at some university so exclusive he hadn’t been able to find anything about it online. Being able to see you again was incredible, but to see you showering your attention over his packmates instead of him-

“What can I say, I knew you were special,” you say, abandoning your mission of flustering Jack to go flop back down by Hamish and sling an arm around his shoulder, tucking him up against your side like it was second nature. 

He hates how easy it is to curl up against you and let himself be held, and how tempting it is to tell you something sappy like how you’re the special one. How you’ve always been special to him.

“Whatever,” he forces himself to say instead, distracting himself by studying his packmates. “What are you doing here anyway? Aren’t you supposed to be off doing your grad-school research at some prestigious school?” Hamish can’t help the derisive twist of his lips as he mentioned your university. It might have been years since you’d left, but Hamish still feels bitter over the abandonment.

“Does it matter?” Lilith interjects, moving to sprawl out across one of the worn out old arm chairs and studying Hamish and the way he reacted to you. “He’s clearly more fun than any of you losers.”

Her words rip a shocked laugh out of you, and, just like that, it's like you’ve been a part of the pack the entire time.

-----

Randall can’t get over the idea of stuffy old Hamish hiding a secret as cool as you from them. Then again, maybe he can understand it; between your looks, your sense of humor, your unparalleled beer pong skills, and your willingness to help people with things? Yeah, he could understand wanting to keep you to himself.

Even now you were sitting across the table from him in the Blade and Chalice with your feet kicked up on the chair beside you, tossing a ball made from a wadded up napkin back and forth with him while you helped him study for his Anatomy and Physiology chapter exam. And he hadn’t even had to ask for your help! He’d been pouring over his textbook with a rainbow of highlighters sprawled around him when you’d walked in. You had barely glanced at what he was studying before offering your help, and you really knew what you were talking about when you offered advice.

“I think that’s about as much studying as I can take for today without my brain melting,” Randall says, stretching his arms over his head, “Think I could bribe you into getting me a beer? Maybe with a kiss?” He bats his eyelashes and puckers his lips in a way that he hopes comes off as playful, even if he himself knows he’d be more than happy to follow through on his proposal.

A soft huff escapes you and Randall tries not to swoon at the sound, though he can’t bring himself to tear his gaze away from you even as you push up from your seat and make your way over to the bar, speaking easily with the bartender for a few moments before bringing back drinks for the two of you. With how comfortable your company is, Randall finds the hours and drinks slipping away too easily, time blurring his vision to black.

He wakes the next morning dressed in a t-shirt and pajama pants that aren't his and tucked comfortably into his bed, his notes and the clothes he’d worn the previous night set neatly on his nightstand next to a bottle of water.

He knows he was far too drunk to have stumbled his way back to the den on his own, especially without having lost his notes, and the smell of you on his new clothes reassures him of how he made it back. A soft warmth stirs in his chest, the knowledge that he actually kind of liked having someone - you - that was willing to take care of him making his heart skip. As if he hadn’t wanted to ask you out before… Now he was determined to date you.

-----

Lilith’s interest had been captured as soon as she observed the easy way you tormented Hamish and then the way you were so quick to pick on Randall and Jack like you’d been a part of their little pack all along.

Through the last few weeks she’s able to see more and more details that have drawn her in further. The teasing quips you say are genuinely funny, though the things you joke about never cross the line into being hurtful. You are ruthless when hunting down the magicians abusing their powers, but never hesitate to demonstrate your own magic for Lilith or the other Knights when they ask. You share advice from your time as a werewolf, but it isn’t overbearing the way like when Hamish tries to offer guidance, just gentle suggestions and an understanding ear. All of which are great features, of course, but what really drove home her romantic interest was much more personal than that.

It had been an awful morning, with Lilith getting dragged into consciousness by her blaring alarm far earlier than she should have been after a long night’s hunt and reminding her of an test scheduled far too-early. She is further aggravated when she sits up, recognizing the sharp stabbing pain of cramps in her lower abdomen and the sting of annoyance at the realization that she must’ve bled through her pajama pants. 

A soft knock on the door interrupts Lilith’s train of thought, and she finds herself surprised when the door creaks open to reveal the very object of her thoughts. 

You step in slowly, careful to keep your eyes downcast until you’re sure she’s dressed. “Good morning,” you greet her, nudging the door closed behind you and moving toward her. You kneel next to her bed, holding out a to-go cup and a warm pastry from her favorite coffee shop. “I knew you had a big test this morning and you said you’d be getting up around now- I thought some coffee might be nice.”

She blinks, stunned by the sudden kind gesture and is too numb with shock to do much more than accept the offerings. “T-thank you.”

“Absolutely, Lils,” a smile creeps over your features, but it dims quickly as you study her, seeming to see something beyond what little she’d said. Your eyes fall to the sheets sprawled around her, catching quickly against a small splotch of red. “You feeling okay?”

“Shit,” she hisses, jerking one of her blankets over the blood stain. She knows that a period is a natural thing and nothing to be ashamed of, but she can’t help the reaction. “I’m fine.”

You sit back on your heels as you look up at her, an understanding grin tugging at your lips, “Of course you are; you’re pretty damn tough. Why don’t you go get a nice warm shower and I can get this cleaned up for you?”

Something about the second-nature way you say it has her agreeing, sliding out of her bed and padding off to the bathroom. She’d never normally accept help like this, but from you- you make it seem easy to let someone support her.

-----

Jack’s had a pretty high number of crushes since he started at Belgrave, but not even Alyssa had been quite like you. She’d never made him feel so flustered when she spoke to him, never seemed to understand him with just a look, and never really made him question how important his grandpa’s goal was the way you did. She had never made him want to do something as crazy as leaning down to kiss her where she sprawls out on the couch right as the pack returns to the house from a hard-won fight with a rogue clan of magicians, covered in blood and freshly back to his own form.

You pull back after a few seconds, eyes wide with surprise as you press back into the couch cushions behind you, though Jack is happy to note that you don’t seem upset at the sudden kiss.

“Gooutwithme?” The words escape him in a rush, blurring together in his haste to get them out before he can second guess himself. 

You blink and Jack is reminded that this is the first time he’s seen you so thrown off. “I-”

“Absolutely not!” Lilith snaps, pushing past Randall and Hamish to plant herself between you and Jack. “I called dibs!”

“Wait, wait-” Randall interjects, putting a hand on Lilith’s shoulder as he tries to insert himself into the conversation, “I wanted to ask him out! I’ve been trying to figure out how to do it for weeks!”

Jack’s brows furrow as he processes his packmates’ protesting, “Well, I asked him out first, so-”

Hamish takes this moment to step in, crossing his arms over his chest as he looks over his friends and the baffled expression on your face. “So I take it we’ve all got feelings for him then?” 

“All?” you echo, stunned as you look at your former packmate and old friend. 

Hamish clears his throat, keeping his eyes on his friends and sighing to himself as they each confirm their feelings. “Then there is only one thing to do.” He finally forces himself to turn and face you, “You know now that we all like you, some for longer than others,” he flushes a little as he admits it, but presses on nonetheless. “And at the end of the day, no matter which of us you choose- or if you decide not to pursue any of us- I will support your decision.”

Randall and Jack nod, moving to stand beside Hamish, both looking hopeful but resigned. Lilith looks a little more torn, like she might make an argument but eventually huffs and moves to join the other three waiting for your decision.

Your eyes pass over each of them, thinking through the traits you admire. Lilith is bold and unafraid of speaking her mind. Randall always tries to brighten your mood, whether by showering you in outlandish compliments or cracking dumb jokes to make you laugh. Jack is sweet, attentive and caring in a way that few people are. And Hamish - Hamish had been there with you since your first pack. Through breakups and failed tests and losing your friends- 

“I don’t think I can,” you finally force yourself to say, unsure for perhaps the first time since you’d returned to Belgrave. “I don’t think I could choose one of you over the others.”

Randall shrugged, moving to settle himself across your lap as easily as if he’d done it a million times already, “Well, I’m up for a poly relationship if you guys are.” 

“I, uh-” Jack seems a little startled by the suggestion, startling out of it as Hamish edges past Jack to claim his spot at your side and leaning up to kiss you on the cheek. Jack swallows sharply, moving to sit at your feet and leaning back against your legs as he turns his gaze to the TV and attempts to focus on whatever movie is playing.

“Seriously?” Lilith asks, studying the cuddle pile forming before her. “Fine, but I’m calling dibs on deciding what we do for Tuesday date nights,” she huffs, moving to snuggle in on your other side. If anyone sees the fond smile that finds a home on her lips, no one forces her to admit to it, too content in the comfort and the companionship brought on by the blooming relationship as you all curl up there, packed together tightly and with no desire to be anywhere else.

[knightofthecourt]

Love Bites - Chapter 10

Belatrice Gray was a TA at Belgrave University, working hard to stay on top of her marking and trying not to flunk her own studies, when a night out with her bff Randall and his roommates, changed everything.

Hamish Duke x OC fiction with fluff, romance and angst. OC description has been left out to allow for a little reader personalisation!

“Ok, what’s so important?” Hamish drew a hand through his sleep-tousled hair and slipped further down into the couch, almost dislodging the share size bag of cheetos nestled under the crook of his elbow. Randall, Lilith and Jack watched as he chased a stray orange puff across his chest and then gave up as it lodged itself in the gap between the cushions.

“Uh-” Lillith faltered. Usually she’d have a witty retort on the tip of her tongue but seeing Hamish lying listlessly in the living room knocked any attempt at snark or sarcasm out of her mind. She looked at Jack and Randall, both seated in the armchairs facing the sofa, her eyes silently pleading for their help. 

Randall sighed, leaning forward in his chair. “We need to talk about…. This.” He waved an arm towards Hamish, gesturing in his general direction. 

Hamish frowned. “What?” 

“Dude, you’ve been really down lately. We’re concerned.” 

Hamish laughed mirthlessly. “I’m fine.” He focused his attention back on the bag of snacks. “Hey, did one of you eat some of my cheetos? I swear there were more this morning.”

Jack pointed towards the floor beneath the couch where dayglow dust coated the wooden panels. “You dropped them when you fell asleep.”

“Ah.” Hamish shrugged his shoulders. 

Lilith exchanged a concerned glance with Randall. Hamish had been in a nosedive since he’d spent the night with Bela. At first he’d been moody and stressed, but recently things had taken a turn for the worse. 

“Haim,” Randall tried again. “You’ve been lying in that spot for two days.” 

“It’s comfortable.” Hamish replied. 

“You haven’t been to your apartment since Bela was there.” 

Hamish winced as Randall said her name. He raised his chin, staring at his friend. “The Den’s closer to campus.” 

“You’re day drinking.”

“Since when is that a bad thing?” 

“You’re wearing sweatpants and a t-shirt.” 

“Laundry day.” 

Lilith slammed her hand down on the table between them. “You’re fucking depressed.” She growled. Her voice softened as she took in the surprise on Hamish’s face. “We’re trying to help you. We care, Haim.” 

He stiffened almost imperceptibly. His eyes glassed over as he looked around the room, avoiding their faces. “You shouldn’t. People who care about me - who I care about - they get hurt.” 

“Look,” Jack said, his voice low. “What happened with Cassie, it wasn’t your fault. We can help you keep Bela safe.”

Hamish shot up in his seat, sending cheetos cascading across the floor and across his lap. He didn’t seem to notice. “No, I can’t - she can’t be part of this, please-” 

“Ok,” Randall held up his hands, his eyes wide as he took in Hamish’s distress. “It’s ok.” He exhaled slowly, watching as Hamish’s shoulders relaxed a little. 

The three wolves looked at their leader. An awkward pause fell between the group. 

“Listen,” Randall chose his next words carefully. “We know you’ve been tracking Bels, Hamish.”   

Hamish’s eyes widened. He momentarily considered denying it and then quickly discarded the idea. “How?”

“I followed you” Lillith raised her hand as if answering a question in class. She shrugged when Hamish glared daggers at her. 

“That’s not-” Hamish hesitated. Looking around the room he could tell that he didn’t have the moral high ground in this situation. “- I was just trying to make sure she was ok. I thought if I followed her when she went out at night I wouldn’t feel so…” He trailed off. 

“And... has that been working?” Randall asked. 

Hamish shook his head, his face sombre. 

“Ok.” Randall breathed. He clapped his hands together, startling everyone in the room. They needed to come up with a game plan fast, before Hamish totally lost the plot or Vera noticed that their fearless leader had been MIA for weeks and decided to erase all of their memories. 

“Right. Bela is leaving for summer break at the end of the week. She’ll be in LA, nowhere near us or anyone from The Order. You need to make a decision. Either you declare your undying love, or you let her go. For real this time.”

Hamish stared at Randall. His face wrinkled as he tried desperately to think of a third option. After a moment he nodded, just once. 

Randall’s expression softened. “It’s for the best Haim, for both of you.”

“Yeah,” Jack agreed. “Whatever you choose, we’ll support you.” 

Lilith mutely took a seat next to Hamish, placing her hand on his arm. He gave her hand a grateful squeeze, drawing what little strength he could from his friend. 

He had a decision to make.

[make-me-imagine]

Requests

Status: CLOSED

Alright, requests for all of my fandoms are open. Send some in while you can, they will not be open long!

Writing Prompt List #1 *210 prompts (fluff/romance; angst/emotional; Misc/Humor; & Scenario Prompts)

Writing Prompt List #2 *200 prompts (fluff/romance; angst/emotional; Misc/Humor; and Scenario Prompts)

Sensory Prompts #1 *125 prompts (nature ambiance; fluff/relationship; angst/sad; scary/horror; comfort; and Misc.)

Sensory Prompts #2 *around 130 prompts (nature/outside ambiance; relationship/fluff; angst; scary/horror; comfort; and Misc.)

Rules Page *Basic Rules: - I only write 'x reader' inserts; no ships or oc inserts - GN!Reader only - I do not write specific body types, or for other specific physical characteristics, since I try to keep my inserts as neutral as possible - No nsfw; no pregnancy/children, no readers/character fics below 18

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You can request for fics/oneshots or headcanons.

You can send in your own plot, and/or 1-3 prompts. Feel free to mix and match from the prompt lists!

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Full Fandoms List Below Cut:

9-1-1 (FOX show)

Evan “Buck” Buckley Eddie Diaz Det. Lou Ransone Howard “Chimney” Han

The Boys:

Serge “Frenchie” Hughie Campbell Billy Butcher

Bridgerton

Anthony Bridgerton Benedict Bridgerton Simon Basset Colin Bridgerton *maybe others? 

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Spike Angel

Criminal Minds  (I have only watched seasons 1-11)

Spencer Reid Aaron Hotchner Derek Morgan

Doctor Who

Ten Eleven Twelve

Elementary

Sherlock Holmes *I have not watched the whole series so I wont write much for in-show plot points

Firefly

Malcolm Reynolds Simon Tam

Lark Rise to Candleford

Daniel Parish Fisher Bloom Sir Timothy Midwinter Alf Arless Mr Rushton

Leverage 

Eliot Spencer Quinn Alec Hardison

Magnificent Seven Tv Series (1998-2000)

Chris Larabee Ezra Standish Vin Tanner Buck Wilmington

The Mandalorian + TBoBF

Din Djarin Cobb Vanth Boba Fett (prefer platonic)

M*A*S*H (Tv Series)

Hawkeye Pierce BJ Hunnicutt Trapper John

Merlin (BBC)

Merlin Arthur Gwaine Percival Lancelot

Moon Knight

Steven Grant Marc Spector Arthur Harrow

Person of Interest

John Reese Others; platonically is preferred

Prodigal Son 

Malcolm Bright Gil Arroyo 

Shadow and Bone:

Kaz Brekker Matthias Mal Alexander/Kirigan ?

*I have read the Grishaverse books, so I am willing to write around that plot. But the characters will be in character for the show, and the characters will be written as 20+ as their ages are not stated in the show but it feels as though they are aged up in the depiction. 

Sherlock (BBC)

Sherlock Holmes Greg Lestrade Jim Moriarty

Star Trek: Discovery

Christopher Pike Gabriel Lorca (willing to write for an alternate ‘Prime’ version of Lorca) Sarek Spock **I’m in the process of watching Disco and am currently on Season 3. I will be watching Strange New Worlds when I can. **please make sure to specify which Spock you are requesting for (Disco or AOS.)

Star Trek: Enterprise 

Captain Archer Trip Tucker Malcolm Reed 

Star Trek: Voyager 

Chakotay Tom Paris

Stargate Sg-1

Jack O’Niell Daniel Jackson Jonas Quinn Cameron Mitchell 

Stargate Atlantis

John Sheppard Carson Becket Ronon Dex

Supernatural  *Have only watched seasons 1-9

Sam Winchester Dean Winchester Castiel Gabriel Gadreel Balthazar Crowley Lucifer Caine

Teen Wolf 

Derek Hale Peter Hale

Vampire Diaries & The Originals

Elijah Mikaelson Klaus Mikaelson Damon Salvatore Kol Mikaelson Lorenzo “Enzo” St John Finn Mikaelson

**Never watched The Originals’, so I only know the Mikaelsons from TVD.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

- - - - - Franchises/Movies - - - - - 

MCU:

Original Avengers:

Tony Stark  Steve Rogers Thor Bruce Banner Clint Barton Natasha Romanoff

Others:

Bucky Barnes Sam Wilson Helmut Zemo Loki Heimdall Vision Scott Lang Peter Parker (Garfield and/or Hollands; aged up) Dr. Stephen Strange T’Challa Agent Ross Shang-Chi Peter Quill

*** Feel free to ask about other MCU characters; I will write for most (depending on if I like the request as well) ***

X-Men

Original Timeline Movies:  Logan/Wolverine Scott Summers Kurt Wagner “Nightcrawler” Viktor Creed “Sabertooth”

First Class Timeline: Charles Xavier Eric Lehnsherr Hank McCoy Alex Summers Azazel Peter Maximoff “Quicksilver” Warren Worthington III “Angel”

**Many of the younger characters ages are not obvious in the First Class movies, so everyone will be written/suggested as 20+

The Eternals

Druig Ikaris Kingo

Venom (1 & 2)

Eddie Brock

Deadpool (1 & 2)

Wade/Deadpool  Ajax/Francis Cable Domino

- - -

Star Wars Universe

Episodes I-III

Anakin Skywalker Obi Wan Kenobi

Episodes IV-VI

Luke Skywalker Han Solo

Solo: A Star Wars Story

Han Solo Lando Calrissian Dryden Vos

Episodes VII-IX

Finn Poe Dameron Ben Solo/Kylo

- - -

The Hobbit/Lotr

Thranduil Thorin Kili Fili Bard Legolas Aragorn Eomer Faramir Elrond

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Fantastic Beasts:  ((JK Rowling is a bigot and anything I write regarding the wizarding world is of my own imagination and a continuation of a world I want untainted by her bigotry)) 

Newt Scamander, Percival Graves *So far I have only seen the first movie

**I will possibly write for characters from Harry Potter or Marauders, such as the Weasley twins, Malfoy, Cedric, Remus, Sirius, etc. But if I do, it will be after they leave Hogwarts and are 18+.

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Star Trek AOS

Cpt. Jim Kirk Dr. Leonard McCoy Spock Montgomery “Scotty” Scott Pavel Chekov Hikaru Sulu Khan *please make sure to specify which Spock you are requesting for (Disco or AOS.)

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The Outsiders

Darrel “Darry” Curtis Maybe: Sodapop Curtis Dallas Winston ^^Aged Up

- - -

Pirates of the Caribbean (1-4)

Captain Jack Sparrow Will Turner James Norrington Elizabeth Swann/Turner

- - - 

Magnificent Seven (2016) 

Joshua Faraday Billy Rocks Goodnight Robicheaux Vasquez Red Harvest

- - -

Maleficent I & II

Conall, Borra, Diaval, Maleficent

- - -

The Man from U.N.C.L.E 

Napoleon Solo Illya Kuryakin

- - -

Kingsman: The Secret Service and The Golden Circle

Eggsy Unwin Hamish Mycroft “Merlin” Jack Daniels “Whiskey”

- - -

Jane Austen/Period Movies: 

Pride and Prejudice (1995 & 2005) Characters: Mr. Darcy and Mr Bingley (other characters if requested)

Mansfield Park (1999 & 2007) Character: Edmund Bertram

Sense and Sensibility (1995/2008) Character: Edward Ferrars 

Emma (2009 & 2020) Character: Mr. Knightley

Persuasion (2007) Character: Captain Wentworth

- - - - -

Outside Characters: 

Actors who have multiple characters outside of the listed fandoms that I am willing to write for!

Charlie Hunnam:

Arthur (King Arthur: Legend of the Sword) Raymond Smith (The Gentlemen) William “Ironhead” Miller (Triple Frontier) **Will also write for Ben Miller

Oscar Isaac: 

Santiago “Pope” Garcia (Triple Frontier)

xx

[crimsonwolfie]

“I Can’t Lose You” — Hamish Duke x Reader (The Order)

Hi! So this is my first ever completed fanfic i have ever written so please give me feedback and if you want me to write more! This is a “The Order” fanfic because i’ve recently become obsessed with this show and in specific, Hamish Duke. Darn he’s so cute! Also there needs to be more fanfics for this fandom so i thought i’d try! Hope you guys like it!!! Sorry this one is a bit of a sad one, but sometimes sad ones are THE ones you know?

Warnings: character death, guilt, just overall sadness tbh. Don’t read if you’re in a good fluffy mood lmao

Word count: 3,500

Pairing: Hamish Duke x Reader (also slightly Knights x Reader)

Masterlist

Edward (or should i say, grand Magus)’s plan for world domination was going too smoothly, and everyone was worried. The Knights of St Christopher and Alyssa knew they had to do something, even if it meant death. Even though you were only human, not a knight nor a member of The Order, you still wouldn’t let anything happen to your friends. Especially Hamish - he’s different. You have a soft spot for him, an unrequited love even...never mind if he’s a little older than you.

You walk into the knights’ house to see Vera pottering around the room, searching through books and handling strange objects in her hands.

“The hell is she doing here?!” Lilith screams, eyes changing with rage.

“It’s okay, she’s here to help” Alyssa replies, shrugging Randall’s hands off of her shoulders

“...fuck that WHY ARE YOU HERE DAMNIT?! Lilith practically roars after hearing and seeing Alyssa’s presence. Yeah her memories came back, but so did emotions linked to them.

“Lilith please, you have to calm down.” Alyssa reaches her hands out in an attempt to comfort Lilith, only to realise it made things way worse. You stand there unable to trigger what is even happening...heck you even felt betrayed when you found out Alyssa wiped Lilith’s memories of the order...now she feels like someone you used to know. You look down and notice Lilith’s claws start to come out and quickly you run over to stop “Kilith” making an appearance.

“Lilith i’m so glad you’re okay, what happened??” You ask, hugging your friend who surprisingly returns the hug.

“Thank YOU for noticing i’m alive. SEE I CAN SAVE MYSELF, THANKS FOR YOUR HELP GUYS!” She shouts, knowing the boys can clearly hear her.

“They’re just dumb, stupid idiots who messed with the wrong Knight, that’s all.” She smirks

“Well i’m glad you’re okay. We had a plan, you know” I say, gently squeezing her shoulder

“Why wouldn’t you. You can’t survive without me” she laughs, although she’s got a point.

Alyssa looks over to us, hovers her gaze and then looks away. Even though i can’t read her mind, i still see how she looks at me and Lilith and remembers painful memories of how they used to be this close. I just don’t understand why she doesn’t listen to us when we all say that The Order is bad for her, it’s just going to destroy her humanity. Even Jack agrees.

Randall, Jack and Hamish run over slightly shocked to see Lilith standing in the doorway. See here’s the thing, when i see Randall, i get happy. But in a comfortable way, like a sibling like love. When i see Jack, i just get annoyed and aggravated since he’s always up to no good...but when i see Hamish, it’s like the world is in slow motion. Nothing else matters until you see his face, or know he’s okay. He’s like your safe house, your anchor that brings you back to comfort and reality.

“Oh my god Lilith you’re here! How are you? Are you hurt? What the fuck are you wearing?” Randall blabs on, checking Lilith everywhere for marks or enchanted knife stabs

‘Okay since when has Randall shown so much care towards Lilith?’ You think...seems a bit forced in your opinion but oh well.

“Lilith! Urm...we kidnapped a child for you” Hamish stutters, happy to see Lilith but also confused about what is happening right now

“I’ve been kidnapped?!” a small child pipes up from the corner chair, eyes wide open and comic book stretched over his chest

“Oh for god’s sake” Vera huffs whilst flicking her finger towards the small child, instantly knocking him unconscious

“You what?” Lilith chokes, slapping Randall’s hands away from her face “why would you do that? Wait...he thinks his son is his only son right? So when he gets the child back he’ll still lose at his plan?”

“Exactly. Wait we’re letting an innocent child get killed? Isn’t there some fool-proof plan to make sure no one gets killed?!” You remark, earning a few sorrowful glances at your humanity

“There isn’t another way. It’s the only plan we have i’m afraid” Hamish replies, stepping towards you.

Alyssa and Jack look towards each other in synchronisation, as if they have a plan.

“Okay i think i have an idea, but Alyssa i’ll need your help” Jack says, nodding his head hopefully. “Whatever happens, make sure no one gets hurt”

After Jack and Alyssa leave, you step to the side and begin thinking of ways that you can not only save thousands of innocent lives, but also help save those you hold closest - Hamish, Lilith, Randall and Jack. If Edward wants to sacrifice his own son, then what if...

“Y/N, what’s wrong?” You turn around to see Hamish behind you, looking down at you with eyes of concern and care. His hand is on your shoulder, rubbing small circles with his thumb

“Nothing, just worried that’s all” you reply, hoping he doesn’t see through your act. You know he wouldn’t approve of your thoughts, so you keep them to yourself.

“It’s going to be okay, he doesn’t know Jack is his first born and without him, he’s failed. We’re gonna be okay.” He pulls you into his chest, instantly calming your nerves. It feels like forever when he hugs you, and how you wish you could freeze time in that moment as you lean into his warm touch and burry your face into his chest, his grip tightening on your upper and lower back for support. You can hear his heart beating, making you smile into his chest.

“You know, you really are a special human being” he hums as he gently strokes your head with his thumb “not just because you have a heart of gold, but because you manage to light a room up even if tragedy occurs”

You can’t help but coo at his words, smiling a smile so big into his chest. You look up to see that adorable little smirk he does, with his hair hanging down and his eyes fixated into yours.

“Awhh, Hamish. Thank you” your cheeks blush as he chuckles, before he lets go of you. Moments like this are your favourite, always.

You look over to see Vera staring outside the window, a panicked look on her face. You’ve never known The Order as you’re not a member, but you’ve heard plenty enough from Hamish and the others to know they’re no good. And that goes for Vera - she only helps if she gets something out of it. None of them have any genuine good in their hearts unless it involved selfishness.

“Okay we’ve got a problem, you have visitors” she turns around, announcing like some high monarchy jester...you can’t help but roll your eyes at her.

“What do you mean? Who’s coming?” Randall asks

“It’s the Order, they’re here for the child” Vera replies

“Well they aren’t getting him. We have to stop them” Lilith cries, actual seriousness in her voice...’damn i’m so proud of her’ you think as you remember how she felt no remorse in killing before.

“She’s right. C’mon” Hamish agrees. As Randall and Lilith go out and their hides come out, Hamish pulls you to the side.

“Y/N, you have to stay in here. It’s too dangerous and i don’t want to lose you okay? We need you here” he looks restless and panicked, a look you haven’t seen on his face so genuine before.

“I’ll be right here, it’s fine. Go!” You reply, kissing him on the cheek as a way to say ‘i’m not losing you either, idiot’. He leans into your kiss, holding his cheek with a smile after and then steps out of the door.

Vera seems to be the only one left inside, so you ponder over to her in an attempt to begin a conversation with her. ‘Maybe she isn’t as bad as the others?’ you think.

“Hey, Vera?” You ask hesitantly

“Urm...yes? Y/N isn’t it?” She replies whilst looking into her book of potions and concoctions

“Yeah, i was just wondering about a spell that could shape shift you into something...or someone else...is there one?” You ask, weary of trusting her

“Of course there’s such spell, it’s like the basics of magic” she replies “why?”

“I was just wondering. I mean, i don’t think this whole plan will work and...”

“You want to help.” She finishes your sentence

“...yeah. I know i’m no knight or member of The Order but i still want to help.” You stutter, playing with your fingers, twirling them around each other

“I see. So you want to shapeshift into someone else?” She replies, turning towards me in curiosity

“I guess...” you begin as you trail on about your plan in order to save everyone and especially, to save Hamish.

Time goes by and you receive a call from Jack

“Jack what’s wrong?” You ask as you hear Jack’s heavy breathing on the other end of the line

“It’s Alyssa, Edward’s got her. He’s got her and won’t give her back until he gets his son back...” he’s running it seems, panic set in his tone and regret “It’s all my fault, it’s my fucking fault. An innocent person is going to die either way because of me now. It’s Alyssa or his second child” he chokes up, clearly about to break down

“Jack, hey, Jack listen to me...it’s NOT your fault, you tried to save everyone and it doesn’t work that way, much like magic - There’s always a price to pay.” You look up to Vera, who sympathetically smiles at you with a sad smile

“Just get back here and we’ll figure something out okay? We’ll get her back, Jack. I promise” you softly say, hearing Jack calm down and agree. You hang up and linger for a second on your home screen - a picture of you and your friends. Hamish is sitting next to you with his arm around you tightly and his other arm holding a cocktail. He’s staring down at you laughing. Randall is on the other side of you, laughing with his head up as if he was mid throwing his head back in laughter. He’s holding one of your hands whilst his other arm is near Lilith. You’re leaning into Hamish’s chest, giggling and looking down with a blushed cheeks, whilst Lilith is sitting next to Randall but not touching anyone (no surprise there) and looking down at Jack laughing. Jack is in front of you all, making a silly face and lying on his side, with one leg up in the air and arm tucked under his head. You’ve all got smiles on your faces and look like a proper family, which is exactly how you see them all.

Vera sees you staring down at your phone, aware that you’re doing something she has never seen anyone willing to do before “You don’t have to do this, there must be another way” She pleas, but you both know no other way is guaranteed to fail Edward of his task. “It’s not too late. Think of what you’re losing”

“Vera i know, but i’m thinking of what i’m earning for those i love” i reply, tears welling in my eyes. Vera understands my position and agrees to help me.

An hour later

“Where’s Y/N? She should be here! She said she would keep safe” Hamish runs up and down the house looking for you, unaware of what’s to come. He’s beginning to get restless and worried more than ever now

“It’s okay, she said she went to get supplies for me. She’ll be back” Vera lies

“We don’t have anymore time. Edward will need a sacrifice by 12, which means we have 20 minutes. And if we don’t give him a sacrifice he’ll kill Alyssa” Jack cries

“I need to give him someone. Guys scrap the plan, i need to go. I have to. I’d never forgive myself if Alyssa dies. Not because of me” Jack screams, anger venting inside him. Randall approaches and tries to calm Jack down before things get messy or before something he regrets happens.

“I need to know Y/N is safe, i couldn’t live if she got hurt” Hamish joined in, gaining looks towards him in surprise but also...guilt...from Vera.

Hamish notices Vera’s guilty look and instantly begins changing into Tundra through anger built inside of him but also...fear.

“WHAT DID YOU DO TO HER?” He practically growls at Vera, who holds her hands up to defend herself (as if that’s gonna stop a werewolf pftt). Vera begins to back away in fear of getting eaten alive, but Randall and Jack start to hold Hamish back, as his hide begins to hide again even as he fights against Jack and Randall’s grips

“It was her idea. She’s gone to stop Edward” Vera replies, eyes wide and hands ready to cast a spell as blood seeps from her palm.

“NO we need to stop her” Hamish cries as he breaks free from the boys’ arms and runs out the door, with the others following.

—

Jack enters the temple to see Edward preparing for his final task - the sacrifice. Alyssa is standing to the side, hands behind her back. She’s been enchanted from performing any spells, as Edward clearly saw he couldn’t trust anyone anymore. Upon Jack’s entrance, Alyssa runs up to him and hugs him, suddenly realisation sets into her glare.

“Jack what are you doing here, you can’t be here he’ll kill you!” She whispers, gripping onto his arm.

“It’s okay, at least you and everyone else will be safe” he replies, rubbing her hand on his arm

“Jack, i don’t see my child...you do know what a trade means don’t you?” Edward mocks, standing straight and tall in an attempt to threaten Jack.

“Grand Magus, you need your first born for the spell to work. Correct? Therefore, i’m here.” He stands tall and strong, stepping in front of Alyssa in a way to protect her. Edward looks around sheepishly, confused at what is happening. He takes a step forward and demands Alyssa tells him the truth. “Is this true, Alyssa? Don’t lie to me. I will know.” He booms, face inches away from Alyssa’s.

Alyssa hesitates before Edward threatens to come closer “okay it’s true. Yes, Grand Magus. He’s your son” she cries, tears threatening to spill as her words came out.

“Very well. Honourable of you, Jack. I must admit. However, that is not a quality you pursue from me.” Edward mocks, as he drags Jack towards the table where the book is. Jack climbs onto the table, as Edward starts summoning words and phrases, eventually producing a knife. Magus takes out the knife from the book

“NO!” Alyssa cries out, tears streaming and hands trembling. Edward ignores her screams and raises the knife in the air, thickening the suspense. Footsteps can be heard from behind the temple doors, lots of them. They sound as if they are quickening towards the door. Jack’s face drops a single tear as Edward releases his arms from the air and stabs him in the chest with the knife. As soon as the knife has been released, the doors burst open and Jack appears. Edward double takes towards Jack, who is standing by the door with Hamish, Vera, Randall and Lilith. He then looks towards his “son” in front of him, only to see him fade into Y/N. Alyssa screams as she falls to her knees. Edward’s timer chimes, as he roars in pain and anger at his failure

“NO. THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT” he screams at Y/N’s motionless body on the table. As he stares into the eyes of those before him, he directs his words at Jack

“See you in hell, son.” before he demises away. Hamish and the others run towards Y/N on the table, blood seeping out from her mouth and stab wound. Tears are shed from each person in the room, even Vera. Hamish holds you in his arms, praying that there is a way Y/N can be saved. “You promised me you’d keep safe. You promised me you wouldn’t get hurt” he chokes as tears pour from his bloodshot eyes.

“I...i’m sorry” you stutter, blood quickly spilling as you speak. “I need-“ you’re struggling to speak without choking on your own blood. “I needed to...to make sure you were...were safe” you cough up a pile of blood, as Hamish holds you tighter.

“We need you, i need you” he loudly wails as everyone surrounds you

“I love you, Hamish Duke” you manage to say before coughing even more and gasping for a breath

“Y/N why did you do this” Jack asks as guilt and fear cloud his voice. He grabs your hand and wipes your hair out of your face. His face is completely wet with tears, as well as everyone else’s.

“It’s the only way, to know you’d all be safe” you reply, your voice breaking with tears “and it worked” you half heartedly chuckled

“There’s got to be a way we can save her” Lilith cries out, looking towards Vera and Alyssa. They hang their heads low as their tears drop to the floor. There wasn’t a way, and you knew that. That’s why Vera warned you, but you knew the price you had to pay.

“What...what about a hide? What if that will heal her?” Randall pleads, looking up to his fellow Knights, to which they shake their head. A hide wouldn’t want a dying host.

“I love you so much and I didn’t get to tell you how i felt, Y/N. You’re the one person who makes me smile like never before and we never got the chance to go on dates” Hamish is rocking from side to side holding you in his arms, you look up to him and faintly smile at his confession

“It’s okay” you reply, bringing a bloody hand up to his face as you stroke his cheek with the last of your energy. He cups your hand with his hands, wet with his tears and your blood. His face has lost colour from watching the love of his life dying in his arms

“No it’s not okay. You can’t leave me, i can’t lose you. Y/N don’t close your eyes, don’t you dare close your eyes” he screams as his body shakes violently from shock and tragedy.

“Hamish, i’m alw-“ you’re interrupted from a violent coughing fit, as your face loses colour even quicker. “-always with you” you carry on “i have always loved you, and will till my last breath” you whisper as tears fall towards your pale, cold cheeks. Lilith and Randall are holding each other as Lilith is trying to stop your bleeding. It’s not working though. Hamish leans down and kisses your forehead, lingering for a moment as if he is treasuring this moment for an eternity to come.

“I’m thankful for you all” you begin, slightly lifting your head to see your family around you “you’re all my family, and i love you all so much” as you’re addressing them all, they whimper in pain and grab your hands, squeezing them tightly. Randall kisses your cheek and puts his forehead on yours, leaving a final kiss on your forehead. Lilith grips your hand tighter than ever before, thinking of your friendship and how she sees you as a sister, and to see her sister dying in front of her is something that will always haunt her. Hamish doesn’t want this to be real...he planned how he would tell you he loved you, where he would take you for your first date, the places you two would travel for road trips, the pets you two would get together, where he would propose to you...now he can’t. He never planned on telling you he loved you on your death bed, it’s destroying him.

“Thank you for everything, my family” you mutter faintly as your energy is leaving you. As you see the faces around you, you see what you always imagined you’d see before you die - your family surrounding you. That’s how you wanted it. With that, you smile one last time at Hamish, stroke his cheek with your thumb, then everything goes black and your body becomes numb. Your hand falls to the floor, and the Knights howl into the air with grief, pain and anger. They knew the Order was to blame for your death, and they would not let your death be in vain. You’d always be remembered in their pack, and with every moment they lived, they’d take a moment to think of you, and think of their love for you. How you saved people you didn’t know, and how you did it for them. Hamish never stopped thinking about you, even years after your death. He was different after that, they all were.

Hope you guys liked it! Let me know if you want me to do more and who you want me to write about :) love always 🖤

[volturi-stuff]

Blue Rose

Hamish Duke x Reader

Requested @elleclairez

Hi! Could you do a Hamish x reader one-shot? Where they have been dating for a while but then the Knights discover that the reader is in the Order (which she is in only because her family wants her to) so the two get into a fight and he compares her to Cassie saying that reader will never be as good as her (obviously regrets the same moment) so they break up and during class (she is his student) everyone notices he is cold to her but then then make up while going against Coventry. Thank you!

A/N: I hope you liked this! Thank you for requesting! I changed it a little bit. I hope you don't mind!

_________________________________________

Hamish had walked you back to your dorm. Like he did always after class. "Hams, you really didn't have to walk me all the way back to my dorm." You said looking at him in awe.

"I love you! Of course I had too!" He said pulling you into his arms. He leaned his head down and pecked your lips.

"Okay, go to class!" You said pushing him away.

"I miss you already!" Hamish said walking away.

You walked into your dorm. You saw a blue rose sitting on your bed. You immediately threw it in the trash not wanting anyone to see it. You got your books and went to class.

Little did you know you were being watched.

You walked into Hamish's classroom and he gave you that smirk that melted your heart everytime he did it.

You sat down and put your books away. And Hamish began his lecture for the day. When all of a sudden two knocks interrupted class. It was Lilith. "Hamish, can I talk to you." She said looking upset.

"Excuse me, class." He said walking outside.

You heard him raise his voice.

"Y/L/N, can I speak with you?" He said clenching his jaw. You grabbed your bag and walked outside.

"What's wrong?" You asked closing the door.

"Can you explain to me why I found this in your trash?" Lilith said throwing the rose at you.

"I can explain!" You said.

"Don't bother." Lilith said looking disgusted.

"Were you just using me?" Hamish asked with tears in his eyes.

"What? No if course not." You said trying to grab his hand. He took a step away from you.

"Don't touch me. You know, I was stupid to fall for you. I can't believe this!" He yelled.

"Look, my mom forced me to do it." You tried to explain.

"You are conspiring with our enemies!" He shouted. You flinched.

"Cassie would never. What am I saying? You've never been her." He hissed out. Then his face fell. Realizing what he had said.

Your jaw dropped and tears began to fill your eyes. Your hands dropped and you felt like your world was dying.

"Harsh, Hamish." Lilith said.

You threw your bag down and ran away before he could see you cry. You loved him. You would have never hurt him.

You ran all the way to your special spot on top the school. You just sat there sobbing. He ment what he said. You thought he loved you.

****

The next day you walked into his classroom, he shot you a glare and you started tearing up again. You took a seat and Hamish began his lecture. Shooting you glares ever chance he got. Gabby kept looking at you. She clearly noticed.

****

Ever since you lost Hamish, you lost yourself as well. Everyday was harder than the other. Then when you found out what Coventry was planning you had to go tell him despite the fight.

You pounded on the door as hard and loud as you possibly could. Randall opened it and tried to close it in your face. You pushed it back open and ran into the house.

"Look I know that everyone in this room hates me but, Edward is planning something really bad and I couldn't let it happen!" You yelled.

"How can we trust you?" Randall asked.

"Because, why would I give you false information?" You said raising your eyebrows.

"Good point." Lilith said.

Hamish just sat there silently.

"I'll help you fight. I can't let anything happen to you guys." You said.

Hamish got up and went downstairs to the basement.

It had been two weeks. You had filled the Knights of St Christopher in on everything that had happened. And in that time Lilith had gotten herself kidnapped. You Randall Jack and Hamish were brainstorming ideas on how to save Lilith. When all of a sudden Jack runs outside.

"Where are you going, Jack?" Hamish said following Jack outside.

"Jack!" Randall screamed.

"So much for plan A." Hamish said throwing his arms up.

They began running after Jack and you tripped on the step so it took you a second to catch up. When you got there you saw, Edward casting something towards Hamish.

"Hamish! Move!" You screamed. But he didn't hear you.

You didn't think, you ran over to him and pushed him out of the way. Whatever, Edward casted it hit your ribs. You fell completely on the ground you were bleeding.

"Oh, you trader. Imagine your family's reaction when I tell them you betrayed us." He spat.

Your breathing was getting slower. Hamish ran toward you. He put his hands over the wound.

"Oh my god!" Randall screamed.

"Hams, I'm so sorry. I love you so much." You said clenching your jaw as tears fell.

"No, baby. Please stay with me. I forgive you, baby I'm so sorry! I didn't mean anything I said." Hamish said panicking.

Your eyes were getting heavy.

"I-I'm sorry!" Hamish said bringing you in his arms.

"Don't leave me, Y/N. Please don't leave me!" Hamish yelled.

"I love you." Everything went black.

"No! Please don't, don't leave me please!" Hamish begged.

****

You woke up on a soft couch. Everything was bright and blurry.

Your eyes scanned the room. You realize where you were.

"Hamish?" You whispered. Your voice was horse.

"I'm right here, baby!" Hamish said kissing your hand. You moved slightly and groaned.

"It's gonna hurt for awhile," hamish said.

You sighed. "I'm so sorry, for everything that happened." You said getting teary eyed.

"No, I'm sorry. I should have never compared you to Cassie." He said moving closer to you.

"What happened today, made me realize that I'm the one that should be sorry not you. You tried to tell me and I was being an asshole." He explained.

"I'm sorry too, I should have told you about the rose. You had a reason to be upset. " You said. Your voice cracking.

"Will you take me back?" Hamish asked.

"Will you hold me?" You asked.

"Is that a yes?" He asked raising an eyebrow.

"Of course, come here!" You said holding your arms out for him.

He gladly excepted and laid next to you. You crawled onto of his chest. Taking in his scent you so desperately missed.

"I missed you." You said bluntly.

"I missed you too!" He said stroking your hair.

"Get some sleep, my Love." Hamish said kissing the top of your head.

"Don't leave me okay?" You said.

"Never ever again. I can't lose you. You scared me half to death, Y/N." He said rubbing your back being extra careful of your rib.

"I love you, Hamish." You said falling asleep.

"I love you more!" Was the last thing you heard before you drifted off to peaceful sleep.

[willddheartt]

We Have Somewhere | Randall Carpio

Pairing: Randall Carpio x reader

Summary: You and Randall have had some kind of thing from the moment you stepped foot on Campus. Everything feels as if its about to fall apart when you find out he’s a Knight and you’re in The Order.

Warnings: None?? its kind of fluffy ig.

Word count: 1388

Masterlist

At first, you didn’t know about the Knights of st. Christopher, nobody in The Order did, they were hidden well.  You only found out about them after following Alyssa and Jack back to the old and abandoned-looking house, obviously, they spotted you and all five of them came out and confronted you. You were most surprised when Randall walked out of the house. 

You and Randall have had a thing going on from the moment you stepped foot on campus, everyone knew it but when asked the both of you would deny being romantically involved, but it wasn’t a lie neither of you made the move to make anything official.

The dark-haired boy ran up to you, against his friend’s wishes. “What are you doing here?” He asked quietly, his hand coming to rest on your elbow out of habit.  “I overheard jack and Alyssa talking about something and-” You said, looking up at him, “Are you a knight?”  “How do you know about that?” Randall asked, his tone guarded and startled  You stuttered trying to come up with something on the spot to avoid revealing you were in The Order to him, but your inability to lie to the boy stumped you up. Your gaze shot to the ground to avoid looking in his eyes that would eventually make you break your silence. 

“She’s in the order,” Alyssa spoke up from behind Randall. The boy suddenly became rigid against you, the hand that rested firmly on your arm was reduced to just barely hover over your arm and you could feel his eyes on you.  “Is that true?” He whispered and you nodded slightly.  “And you didn’t tell me before?” Randall asked, you looked up at him.  “You didn’t tell me you’re literally a werewolf, I didn’t know I was permitted to tell you about a secret society.” You all but snapped. 

The others began to notice both you and Randall were treading on very thin ice with each other right now, one wrong would could send either of you into a fit of rage. Hamish took Randall inside and Alyssa pulled you to sit with her on the porch while you cooled off.

“He’s a werewolf,” You said out loud after a minute of sitting in silence with Alyssa. The blonde nodded, “I know, I could barely believe it myself the first time I heard it.”  “I mean you think you can trust somebody and they pull this on you,” You continued  “You can still trust him,” Alyssa spoke in a calming voice, “He’s the same Randall you’ve known. Nothing has to change if you don’t want it to.”  You looked up at her wondering what she was on about, everything was so different right now, the Knights were almost enemies of the Order, putting you on opposite sides no matter what.  “You know we’re not even supposed to be here, right? If they find out we know about the Knights and don’t tell anyone there could be severe consequences.” You said Alyssa nodded the entire time.   “I know,” She spoke, “But sometimes just because we should stand with the order doesn’t mean what they’re doing is right-” She was interrupted by the front door opening. Your attention was glued to the door until you saw who stepped out, Randall stood by the door looking between you and Alyssa. The blonde seemed to read the subtext the left you with a pat on the knee, before going inside and shutting the door behind herself to give the two of you privacy. 

The dark-haired boy sat down next to you on the step, neither of you said anything even though the air was thick with an elephant on the porch, you knew you needed to talk about it eventually but right now you couldn’t form a rational thought. You were morally conflicted and wished your Ethics teacher hadn’t gone missing because this seemed like the type of question to ask him before making your move. 

“You know I was going to tell you,” Randall spoke up, clearing his throat.  “I wasn’t going to tell you. They’d have my head if I did,” you mumbled making him chuckle softly. 

It seemed that suddenly, without warning, all the tension in the air had been relieved, you knew this was going to be a long-lasting conversation but for now, things with you and Randall seemed somewhat okay.  You walked in the living room with Randall’s arm thrown over your shoulder. Everyone let out an audible sigh upon seeing his smile. 

“So?” Hamish asked  “We’re good.” You nodded 

-

You sat on the couch with Randall’s head in your lap listening to everyone catch you up to speed with everything that has been happening, to keep your attention to everything going on you dragged your fingers through Randall’s hair. “So the Coventry is a power-hungry dick who is also your dad, and the Grand Magus and we need to stop him from getting that book?” You asked pointing to Jack, everyone in the room nodded collectively, “Pretty much,” Hamish said  “And if he completes binding himself with it he will have complete control of magic without needing a spell, potion, or sacrifice,” Alyssa said  “Oh perfect,” You sighed sarcastically, leaning back into the couch as Randall sat up next to you. “Do we have a plan on how to do that?” You asked  “Don’t let Coventry finish binding himself to the book,” Jack said. “That’s not a plan,” Everyone said in unison

-

It took hours to come up with a plan that even had the possibility of working against Coventry, so long in fact that the sun had past set and it was pitch black outside. Walking back to the dorms wasn’t something you were looking forward to in the darkness, seeing as what had recently happened to the pledges, even though you knew what happened it still put you off walking alone in the dark than you already were. 

Just looking out the window into the uncertain pitch-black woods sent a shiver down your spine.  “Do you want me to walk you back to your dorm?” Randall asked  “I don’t want you walking back alone,” You mumbled  “Then do you want to stay over?” He asked with a small smirk.  “I’d like that, yes,” You smiled at him as he pulled you into a side hug.  “You can take my bed, I’ll sleep on the couch,” Randall mumbled against your hair.  You shook your head, “I’ll be fine on the couch.”  “You sure? Sometimes the hide lockers downstairs bang around and growl, it’s pretty creepy,” He chuckled  “I’m sure, Randall,” You shook your head, laughing at his attempt to spook you. 

The boy gave you a blanket and a pillow from his bed before asking you one more time if you were sure you wanted to sleep on the couch. You stuck you your answer until the house was pitch black and you heard rattling from the basement, you thought he was only joking when he mentioned about the hides. It wasn’t until one loud bang and crash that you wrapped the blanket around yourself and grabbed the pillow from the couch, making your way up the stairs to Randall’s room you felt like a child after a nightmare. 

You knocked softly on his door, he opened it with a smirk.  “Spooked?” Randall asked once taking in your dishevelled  state  “No.” You shook your head, refusing to admit he was right, “I just couldn’t sleep,”  “Yeah, sure,” He chuckled, nodding his head as he stepped aside to let you in.  You stood just inside the door, watching Randall shut the door and lay down in his bed.

“C’mon, there’s room for two,” He smiled, motioning you over. You couldn’t help but smile at the boy as you made you way over. He welcomed you with open arms, pulling the fluffy duvet over the both of you.  “Are you gonna admit you were scared?” He asked with a smirk as you mindlessly laid together, cuddling.  “No,” you replied  “I’ll ask again in the morning,” Randall said, reaching over you to turn the lamp off. 

“Goodnight Randall,” You said, turning over to kiss his cheek, “Thanks for letting me stay.  “You’re always welcome here,” He replied, “Goodnight,” He kissed your forehead.

[lina-lovebug]

Hamish Duke x Cambion! Fem! Reader

[Cambion is a half demon, half human entity]

"Wait," Vera sensed another being coming into the portal. Rogwan wasn't alone.

"What, Grand Magus?" Hamish questioned.

"Rogwan isn't alone. There's someone coming with him!" Vera warned everyone, and Alyssa felt the doubt creep up on her as she watched the portal.

"He's bring a Cambion with him!"

As Rogwan stepped through, Hamish noticed that his hand was still on the other side, almost as if it was holding something. . .

"Vera Stone, how long has it been?" A feminine voice spoke through the portal, and Vera felt shivers run down her spine.

A woman stepped through the portal, letting go of Rogwans hand and everyone was immediately taken by her beauty and her devilish eyes.

"(Y/N)," Vera whispered.

"Prodefti-!"

"Don't think so," The woman started to curl her hand into a fist, and Vera immediately vomited blood.

"Why don't you tell your disciples who I am?" She teased with a smile upon her features.

But Vera couldn't stop vomiting.

"You're no fun," She turned to all the disciples.

"Princess of Hell, daughter of Asmodeus, at your service. You see, little Vera Stone here made me furious a decade ago," She looked back at Vera, who stopped vomiting and glared daggers up at her.

"Tell them what you did. What you did to deserve my wrath and grudge upon the Order."

"Go to Hell," Vera spit.

"Love to, but," Vera started screaming in agony, and Hamish looked down at her in a panic.

"Go on, Vera. Tell them. Tell your beloved disciples how you angered the princess of Hell!" Her hands were curling into a fist as Vera screamed in pain, her insides being crushed with every finger movement that this entity made.

"Yes, okay! Just-just make it stop!" Vera cried out, and oh how she loved making a Grand Magus beg for mercy.

Not so grand now.

"I. . .I killed her fiancé. He was a. . .he was a Knight, a Werewolf," Hamish looked at this woman in shock. A Cambion, a being born of Earth and Hell, was going to marry a Knight of St. Christopher?

"That's right, but he did nothing to you! Because of your stupid codes, he was an immediate enemy. And he died protecting me. . .but, now Rogwan is going to fix your mistake," She looked at Hamish, sensing a familiar connection to him.

"What are you going to do?"

"In order to please me, Rogwan has offered me this realm. So, it's mine now," And then, Hamish growled.

"You'll have to get through me."

"Tundra," She whispered softly, teleporting towards him but instead of Tundra attacking her, he stayed inside.

He submitted.

"You have my lovers Hide. I can see why he chose you," Her eyes closed as she pressed her palms against the side of his head, seeing his past.

"But, you chose wrong."

With the glow of her red eyes, and a flick of her wrist, Hamish flew into the rocky wall and his spine cracked at the sheer force of her anger behind that attack.

"Rogwan, let's start," She turned back to him.

"Of course, princess," He took her hand, leading her through the crowd and out into the world to seek it's destruction.

LIKE FOR PART 2!

[starshipsofstarlord]

Answers - Hamish Duke (The Order, Netflix) x Reader

Summary: Jack doesn’t understand the relationship between you and Hamish. Lilith and Randall try to explain it, but he learns more from just watching the two of you interact.

Now that Jack was a werewolf, he was a part of The Order and The Knights of St Christopher. The experience gave two very different yet similar experiences, but there was one thing that he couldn’t wrap his head around.

“Are they together?” It was just a question, he didn’t mean to cause such a fuss. Both Lilith and Randall turned to him, not sure how to explain the situation between you and Hamish.

“Sort of.” Randall answered, lounging his hand behind Lilith on the sofa. 

“I’m pretty sure they’re don’t even know the answer to that.” Lilith said, wanting to snuggle into the warmth of Randall’s arm but resisted, not wanting to show such affection.

“How long has whatever been going on?” Before Jack joined, the pack had already been formed. He was just an additional wolf in the woods to them, or at least was to begin with.

The front door opened, revealing you and Hamish. The pair of you were content with laughing, heading towards the other knights with happiness radiating from both of your faces.

“Hey guys.” You sat, however Hamish didn’t join you, he headed to the bar. “What are we talking about?”

“Jack’s obvious crush on Alyssa.” Randall instantly responded, smirking at the growl Jack gave him.

“It’s so obvious.” Lilith spoke, however as she did so she was looking between you and Hamish and the distance that separated you.

“Who wants a drink?” The teacher called over to the group of you, causing you to instantly respond by nodding your head. “(Y/F/D) coming right up.”

Lilith and Randall gave their orders, however Jack declined. He wanted to watch the pair of you interact, and a sober mind would help him with that. “Did you remember the ice?”

Hamish came to sit behind you, passing you your glass, and indeed he had remembered. “How could I forget?” The eldest wolf smirked down at you, putting his arm behind your head at the crowning of the loveseat.

Unlike Lilith, you openly displayed your likening to the contact, leaning back into the limb and breathing in the scent of his clothes. Jack frowned, tilting his head.

“Are you okay Jack?” Hamish asked him, noticing his change in expression. Only he didn’t know that it was because he was trying to figure out what was between the pair of you.

“Yeah.” He answered, causing you to become curious.

“How’s The Order going? Find out anything yet?” You didn’t mean to pry, and luckily it didn’t come across as that, but it was bothering all of you - except Jack. At the moment he was observing the way Hamish’s arm curled more around you, his hand laid against your shoulder.

“Not yet. I’ll tell you when I do.” The whole situation was bugging him, he wanted answered. “How’d you two meet? I mean I already know how Hamish met Lilith and Randall, but not you.”

Hamish grew suspicious of his answers, and smirked at the boy. “Why’d you ask Jack?”

“Curiosity.” That wasn’t a lie, it just held an underlying purpose.

“We studied together, before we got our jobs. I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have been hired without her help.” You rolled your eyes at the blonde’s sappiness, allowing him to play with your hair.

“Of course you would have!” You disagreed with him, placing your hand on his knee to emphasise your statement. It was always something Jack noticed, the pair of you always had to be touching in some way.

“I’m not sure...” Hamish spoke, laughing nervously as he had done when the pair of you were a few years younger.

"So you’ve known each other for years?” He had only met Alyssa a couple of months ago and he couldn’t imagine his life without her, he had no idea how the two of you felt about each other. Surely one or both of you would go crazy if you didn’t have the other’s support.

“Is this an interrogation, cause it sure as hell feels like one?” You quirked your eyebrow at the boy. “Just ask the goddamn question Jack.”

Jack gulped, rubbing the sweat on his palms off on his jeans. It was something he had wanted to know, and Lilith and Randall perked up at the possibility of an answer. “Are you two together?”

“We are.” Hamish answered, causing Lilith to growl defeatedly.

“Yes!” Randall stood, shouting, holding his hands victoriously in the air. “You owe me thirty Bathory.” Expectedly he held out his hand, waving it in her face.

“Why am I not surprised they were betting on us?” You sighed contentedly, leaning to rest your head on Hamish’s tall shoulder.

“The real question is how long they’ve been betting on us.” Your boyfriend said, slightly smug with the situation.

Jack reclined, pleased that he had finally gotten an answer. He didn’t care about the money Randall was receiving bill by bill, he got what he wanted. “Can I have that drink now?”

[ninimackbrews]

Height Differences with the Knights

Warnings: None

Pairings: Hamish Duke x Reader, Lilith Bathory x Reader, Randall Carpio x Reader, Jack Morton x Reader

Summary: Random prompts about height differences applied to the wonderful Knights of St. Christopher 

A/N: None of the gifs are mine (no surprise there) to creds to their owners, plus they don’t match with height differences at all, they are just cute.

Hamish Duke: He’s taller (Blanket Issues)

 You and Hamish had a date night, and usually date night ended in you both curling up on the couch with your laptop on the table, watching a movie. This particular night it was cold and the blanket you were sharing was small. You shifted closer to him, your head laying on his shoulder, feet tucked under you, pulling the blanket closer to your chin. Hamish shifted up on the couch, but then slouched again.

“Hamish, you okay?” You asked, tilting your head up to watch his features. He nodded, still focused on the movie. You leaned up, your hand firm on his chest, “No you aren’t, what’s wrong?”

He sighed, “I love cuddling with you, but this one blanket thing just doesn’t work well because my legs are longer and you are too cute to move and I’m struggling to keep my feet warm.” He took a breath, eyes meeting yours. You giggled lightly, pushing up on him to plant a light kiss on his nose. 

“You are to precious, c’mon we can go lay in bed that way we both have enough covers,” You smiled standing up, taking the blanket with you. He grinned and closed the laptop following your small frame up the stairs.

Lilith Bathory: You’re Taller (Locker Room Trouble)

  Lilith walked into the gym locker room and unlocked your shared locker. She grabbed the first shirt laying inside and slipped on over her sports bra. You waltzed into the locker room moments after and had to stifle a giggle ready to fall out. Lilith stood in front of the mirror, arms outstretched. The shirt she had grabbed was yours and to be frank, it was way too big for her, the sleeves came almost to her elbows and the hem was down mid-thigh. 

“I think that’s mine baby,” You smirked, wrapping your arms around her middle, meeting her eyes in the mirror. Her cheeks reddened slightly.

“I see that now,” She snipped, leaning against you. You smiled, lips finding purchase to her neck, kissing lightly. She pressed her back against you harder, leaning her head on your shoulder into your touch. “I like it though.”

“Me too, I love seeing you in my clothes,” You hummed. Even if they were way too big for her she would wear them proudly and that made you smile every time.

Randall Carpio: He’s Taller (Need a Place to Hide)

Randall stood in the hallway of the dorm building invested in a conversation with Jack when you came running up from behind Jack, jumping behind Randall. He turned to look down at you, but you squeaked, pushing his face forward and clutching the back of his shirt.

“I’m not here and you have not seen me,” You whisper-yelled at him. Randall was completely confused until he saw Kyle rounding the corner, stomping towards him and Jack. He raised an eye brow at Kyle, shifting to where you would not be seen behind him. 

“Where is she?” Kyle snapped at Randall and Jack. Randall gave him an expectant look. Kyle rolled his eyes, “Your girlfriend, where is she?”

“Even if I knew, I wouldn’t tell the likes of you,” Randall snapped back with the same amount of sass. Kyle rolled his eyes again, glaring at Randall.

“When you see her tell her it wasn’t funny and I will get her back.” With that Kyle turned and stomped away. Randall and Jack followed his back and realized what he was so mad about, Kyle had a chunk of hair missing from the back of his head that seemed to have been charred off. 

“He’s gone,” Randall laughed. You came out from behind him, tucking yourself into his side. 

“Thank you for hiding me you giant,” You grinned up at him. He returned it by leaning down and kissing the corner of your mouth.

Jack Morton: You are the same height (Clothing Exchange)

  You sat on Jack’s bed cross legged, his shirt barely covering your bare legs. You had stayed over in his dorm the night before, grabbing his shirt from the floor before you went to sleep. When you woke up, Jack was gone and so was your shirt. You laughed at the thought of Jack walking around campus in your Iron Maiden t-shirt. Just as you were about to get up to leave Jack opened the door. 

“So as much as I love you, I do not love your taste clothing, especially if we are going to trade,” He said pulling your shirt over his head. You chuckled, standing from the bed, wrapping your arms around his neck. He smiled down at you, “But I do enjoy you in my clothing.”

“Even if its too revealing?” You toyed.

“Yes, specifically because of that,” he leaned down and kissed you lightly, “But you aren’t allowed to leave this room like that.” He eyed your bare legs. You smiled and leaned closer your lips slotting against his.

“I wouldn’t dream of it.”

A/N: Not my gifs. It has been way too long since I have written anything and I am going to start writing more I promise. Not only do I write for the Order, but Riverdale and whole bunch of other fandoms too. Hope you enjoyed this little piece of cake, and if you have any other preference ideas feel free to drop them below because i’m dry for ideas! Thanks so much!!

[eddycurrents]

For the week of 27 August 2018

Quick Bits:

A Walk Through Hell #4 focuses largely on flashbacks to the case the agents were working before whatever’s currently happening happened and...I’m not really sure of anything that’s going on. I think that’s kind of the point, unsure as to how everything is supposed to connect and what any of it all adds up to. Great art from Goran Sudžuka and Ive Svorcina, though.

| Published by AfterShock

Beyonders #1 is off to a great start. Between this and The Lost City Explorers, it seems like AfterShock right now has pseudoarchaeology stitched up and it’s wonderful. Paul Jenkins, Wesley St. Claire, and Marshall Dillon kick this one off with a wee bit more crunch, though there’s a very interesting upheaval this issue that will make you wonder what’s going on.

| Published by AfterShock

Blackwood #4 brings this series to an end and it is dark. Very dark. Evan Dorkin, Veronica & Andy Fish have crafted a wonderful horror story here, with some interesting twists, and one hell of an ending.

| Published by Dark Horse

Bone Parish #2 takes a deep dive in to some of the foundational moments of the Winters clan, even as they begin to deal with the fallout of one of their dealers dying from an overdose. This is great stuff. The art from Jonas Scharf and Alex Guimarães is incredible. Great detail and atmosphere, perfectly bringing to life the premise and characters from Cullen Bunn.

| Published by BOOM! Studios

Brothers Dracul #5 circles back around to the beginning of the story, as we reach the end of this interesting retelling and interpretation of the intersection of both the historical and legendary story of Vlad the Impaler, from Cullen Bunn, Mirko Colak, Maria Santaolalla, and Simon Bowland. There’s an interesting twist here that certainly paints Vlad’s action in a different light, and I hope we see it followed up upon in a second series.

| Published by AfterShock

Cyber Force #5 is a nice change of pace as Bryan Hill, Matt Hawkins, Atilio Rojo, and Troy Peteri introduce us to another old familiar face. This incarnation of the team definitely is taking its time to be brought together, but when the storytelling is as entertaining and the artwork is as gorgeous as this, it doesn’t really matter. To note, though, this is not the kind of decompression that feels empty or padded, it’s just fleshing out characters and their lives more than what we’ve seen before.

| Published by Image / Top Cow

Daredevil Annual #1 presents a standalone story of Misty Knight’s days as a detective and her first meeting with Daredevil. It’s good. It feels a bit more like a pilot for a Misty Knight series than necessarily a Daredevil tale, but, as I said, it’s good. The art from Marcio Takara and Marcelo Maiolo is nice. I really like Takara’s style which gives me hints of Phil Hester, Jim Mahfood, and Tomm Coker.

| Published by Marvel

Dungeons & Dragons: Evil at Baldur’s Gate #5 is another fun one, with a focus this issue on Boo. I’ve really enjoyed this series, with Jim Zub giving the party a bit of a breather between larger adventures and giving a great look at them as individual characters. Great art, too, including this issue from Francesco Mortarino and Jordi Escuin.

| Published by IDW

Edge of Spider-Geddon #2 gives us a view into another alternate Spiderverse, circling back around to SP//dr, and giving us a new twist on the power and responsibility rubric and VEN#m. It’s nice to see Lonnie Nadler and Zac Thompson play with more technological horror, with some incredible artwork from Alberto Alburquerque and Tríona Farrell.

| Published by Marvel

Euthanauts #2 is a thing of beauty. Nick Robles and Eva De La Cruz are seriously delivering some of the best art in comics right now with this series. The page layouts, character designs, use of colour, and incorporation of lettering choices from Aditya Bidikar, just elevate the storytelling immensely. Not even to mention how Tini Howard is making the weird science seamless in the dialogue. This is great.

| Published by IDW / Black Crown

Exiles #7 concludes the Old West-ish arc with cowboy T’Challa. Drop dead gorgeous artwork from guest artist Rod Reis. His depiction of the ultimate villain here shows some nice influence from Bill Sienkiewicz.

| Published by Marvel

Extermination #2 brings the fight to the school, even as the team (and the reader, although it’s not a bad thing) is still confused as to what is really going on. I love this, the tension that Ed Brisson, Pepe Larraz, and Marte Gracia are building is palpable, and the hints of kid!Cable’s actions are chilling. Also, the art is just phenomenal. 

| Published by Marvel

Harbinger Wars 2 #4 is kind of the end to this, but the ramifications and fallout are all supposed to appear in the Aftermath issue. That being said, Matt Kindt, Tomás Giorello, Renato Guedes, Diego Rodriguez, and Dave Sharpe go all out for the spectacle in this final confrontation between Livewire and X-O Manowar. It is still kind of insane how Capshaw could possibly consider what GATE and OMEN have done as being “good”, especially in light of Palmer going absolutely batshit insane, but it does lead to interesting set-up for future conflicts.

| Published by Valiant

Hillbilly: Red-Eyed Witchery From Beyond #1 begins the next adventure of the black-eyed tramp. I get a bit of a Beowulf vibe from Eric Powell’s set-up and I’m interested to see where it goes. This series sees Powell passing on the artistic duties to Simone Di Meo, Brennan Wagner, and Warren Montgomery and it’s an interesting visual shift from the washes of Powell’s own work in the original series. I quite like Di Meo’s style, which reminds me a bit of James Harren and Troy Nixey.

| Published by Albatross Funnybooks

House Amok #1 is something I’m not sure I can describe. It’s kind of a family drama, but if that family were all collectively sharing a hallucinatory experience or delusion. It’s a very interesting concept that’s only partially revealed by Christopher Sebela, Shawn McManus, Lee Loughridge, and Aditya Baker, but it leads to a very compelling start here. Gorgeous artwork from McManus and Loughridge.

| Published by IDW / Black Crown

Hunt for Wolverine: Dead Ends #1, like all four of the Hunt for Wolverine mini-series, is kind of a bit of treading water. I cannot say it or any of the previous series are bad, taken on their own separated from this “event”, they’re usually quite good, but as a whole it’s kind of disappointing. It’s a search for Wolverine that kind of comes up empty, acting as a prequel to the return of Wolverine, despite already having returned in Marvel Legacy and hopped across numerous different titles, before apparently being used for evil, as per throwaway bits in the fourth issues of those previously mentioned minis that didn’t necessarily connect with the plots of those minis. It feels a bit scattered and unnecessary, unfortunately, especially when it comes to comparing notes, coming up with the organization we already knew was behind it, and a bit of hand-waving mystery and grandstanding that still tells us a whole lot of nothing. It’s sound and fury. All of which is a bit of a shame because I otherwise generally enjoy the work of Charles Soule and Ramon Rosanas.

| Published by Marvel

Isola #5... Just look at the artwork. Karl Kerschl and Msassyk just keep delivering page after page after page of beauty.

| Published by Image

Jessica Jones #2 reaffirms that this is one of the best things that Marvel is currently publishing, with the next two chapters in this story. Kelly Thompson’s dialogue, narration, and banter throughout this issue is spot on, propulsive, and funny as hell when it needs to be, but what elevates it is that this isn’t your typical talking heads approach. The characters are doing stuff, like hunting sea monsters, instead of sitting at a desk or whatever. It’s a refreshing change that overall just makes this all the better. Not to mention Mattia De Iulis’ stunning artwork. It’s slick and polished with a line style that somewhat reminds me of Paul Gulacy and a bit of Rick Mays, and an approach to shadow and colour similar to Frazer Irving. This is a great series that really shouldn’t be missed.

| Published by Marvel

Judge Dredd: Under Siege #4 wraps up this entertaining series from Mark Russell, Max Dunbar, Jose Luis Rio, and Shawn Lee. I really like Dunbar’s take on Dredd and the Russell’s idea of people creating their own law in the absence of law is an interesting philosophical counterpoint to the idea of man naturally sliding towards a state of chaos. Even the mutants striving for society is an interesting challenge to the typical idea of things falling apart.

| Published by IDW

New Mutants: Dead Souls #6 concludes the series with Illyana putting the pieces together for what actually has been going on, it isn’t a pretty picture. This has been a great series from Matthew Rosenberg, Adam Gorham, Michael Garland, and Clayton Cowles and the revelations this issue are heavy. The implications for the X-universe is huge and I want more.

| Published by Marvel

The New World #2 essentially reveals itself as a romance comic, amidst the ultraviolence and social engineering. Didn’t really see that coming, but it’s an interesting move. Trippy art from Tradd Moore, Heather Moore, and Ludwig Olimba.

| Published by Image

Paradise Court #2 continues to be an entertaining horror comic from Joe Brusha, Babisu Kourtis, Leonardo Paciarotti, and Taylor Esposito. This gives us the part of the story where our protagonist is experiencing the horror and everyone else is telling her she’s just imagining it, but it’s still well told and well illustrated.

| Published by Zenescope

Rick and Morty vs. Dungeons & Dragons #1 is about as perfect a crossover of two properties as you can get. Morty trying to get into D&D because he thinks it will get him laid is the perfect in to the world of the game and the cartoon, perfectly blending the two for fans of both without alienating or diminishing either. Jim Zub, Patrick Rothfuss, Troy Little, Leonardo Ito, and Robbie Robbins are faithful to both and in doing so deliver a wonderful beginning to this story, that also educates along the way.

| Published by IDW & Oni Press

Runaways #12 is easily one of the best issues in what has already been an exemplary series. Rainbow Rowell, Kris Anka, Matthew Wilson, and Joe Carmagna focus here on forgiveness, acceptance, and second chances, with some truly beautiful character work between Gert & Victor and Nico & Karolina. If you don’t have a giant grin on your face by the end of the issue, I question your humanity.

| Published by Marvel

Submerged #2 is still weird, very weird, but there’s some really good bits in here demonstrating some of the emotional manipulation that family members sometimes employ. Beautiful, ethereal artwork from Lisa Sterle and Stelladia.

| Published by Vault

Venom: First Host #1 is somewhat strange to see in light of where Donny Cates and Ryan Stegman have taken the character, but this limited series from Mike Costa, Mark Bagley, Andrew Hennessy, Dono Sánchez-Almara, and Clayton Cowles serves as both an interesting addendum to the symbiote’s history and as a continuation (and likely capstone) to the previous creative team’s run. It’s pretty decent.

| Published by Marvel

Web of Venom: Ve’Nam #1 is a one shot fleshing out the backstory of Rex Strickland and the SHIELD experiment that bonded the early symbiotes to soldiers set loose during the Vietnam War. It’s an entertaining tale with some nice guest stars and sweet art by Donny Cates, Juanan Ramírez, Felipe Sobreiro, and Clayton Cowles. I particularly like the scratchy, faded look in the art to make it look a bit “old”.

| Published by Marvel

X-23 #3 is great. Mariko Tamaki has nailed the characters and the art from Juann Cabal and Nolan Woodard is incredible. The page designs alone elevate the storytelling immensely.

| Published by Marvel

The X-Files: Case Files - Hoot Goes There? #2 concludes the second of this new approach of a series of mini-series and it’s...weird? Funny, but weird. Definitely taking a page out of some of the more outlandish episodes of the series, where you question whether or not what you saw happened actually happened. Still, it’s entertaining, which is all that really matters. Fun from Joe and Keith Lansdale, Silvia Califano, Valentina Pinto, and Shawn Lee.

| Published by IDW

X-Men Blue #34 looks like it largely serves as a capstone to Cullen Bunn’s work with Magneto over the past four years or so, as he winds down his run here and continues to tidy the characters up a bit before he’s done and hands the reins off to the next band of storytellers. It feels like there’s a lot more here that he would have like to have told, but what we get here is still excellent. The hints at the next stage for Magneto and mutantkind are intriguing. Great art from Marcus To and Matt Milla. 

| Published by Marvel

X-O Manowar #18 gives an interesting transition from this flashback of Aric’s pre-Shanhara life to his return to Earth, focusing on how ideas, people, and culture keeps changing. Matt Kindt delivers a pretty chilling reaction to it. All with some nice artwork from Trevor Hairsine, Brian Thies, and Diego Rodriguez. 

| Published by Valiant

Other Highlights: Deadpool: Assassin #6, GI Joe: A Real American Hero #255, KINO #9, Marvel Two-in-One #9, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Shattered Grid #1, Modern Fantasy #3, Moon Knight #198, Ms. Marvel #33, Red Sonja #20, Rick & Morty #41, StarCraft: Scavengers #2, Star Wars: Lando - Double or Nothing #4, Star Wars: Poe Dameron Annual #2, Star Wars Adventures #13, TMNT: Bebop & Rocksteady Hit the Road #5, Wayward #28, X-Men: Grand Design - Second Genesis #2

Recommended Collections: 2021 - Volume 1, 30 Days of Night, Big Trouble in Little China: Old Man Jack - Volume 1, Black Cloud - Volume 2: No Return, DuckTales Classics - Volume 1, Eugenic, Factory, Femme Magnifique, I Hate Fairyland - Volume 4, James Bond: Hammerhead, Judas, Killer Instinct, Stray Bullets: Sunshine & Roses - Volume 2

d. emerson eddy is not the very model of a modern major general. Nor a scientist salarian for that matter.

[recentanimenews]

The Manga Review, 5/6/22

When it comes to manga commentary, I freely admit that I’m more of a reader than a listener. Mangasplaining, however, is helping change my mind about manga podcasts. Every week, Deb Aoki, David Brothers, Christopher Butcher, and Chip Zdarsky analyze manga old and new, from classic titles such as AKIRA to fan favorites such as Wotakoi: Love Is Hard for Otaku. The Mangasplainers are frequently joined by industry professionals for interesting conversations about translating, publishing, and creating manga; among their most recent guests were Jamila Rowser, founder of Black Josei Press, and Ken Niimura, a Spanish-Japanese artist best known for his work on I Kill Giants. Complementing the podcast is MSX: Mangasplaining Extra, a weekly newsletter written by Deb, Christopher, and Andrew Woodrow-Butcher that focuses on their newest venture: translating and publishing manga for North American readers.

NEWS AND FEATURES

Deb Aoki offers an in-depth look at the North American manga market. Though global supply issues have made it more difficult to bring readers their favorite series in print, manga sales reached a record high in 2021. As VIZ Media’s Kevin Hamric observes, “Manga is no longer a niche category. It is now a mainstream/mass category.” [Publisher’s Weekly]

Free Comic Book Day is tomorrow! Several manga publishers will have kid- and teen-friendly titles, from VIZ’s Pokémon Journeys to Tokyopop’s Guardian of Fukushima, a graphic novel about Naoto Matsumura, a farmer who defied government orders by returning to Fukushima to save his animals. [Free Comic Book Day]

Cat lovers take note: Daisuke Igarashi just launched a new series called Kamakura Bakeneko Kurabu, which translates roughly to Kamakura Monster Cat Club. [Anime News Network]

On Wednesday, Seven Seas unveiled four new manga licenses: Gap Papa: Daddy at Work and at Home, The Knight Blooms Behind Castle Walls, My Sister The Cat, and No Longer Human… In Another World, “a dark comedy starring a famous historical writer who would honestly rather die than live out an isekai fantasy.” [Seven Seas]

Tezuka Productions recently launched an English-language Twitter feed. [Twitter]

Megan Thee Stallion has impeccable taste in anime. [Black Girl Nerds]

If you plan to be in Tokyo next March, why not check out the Spy x Family musical, which will have its premier at the Imperial Theater? [Otaku USA]

Wondering what’s new at your local comic book store? Bill Curtis just posted a complete list of May’s manga and light novel releases. [Yatta-Tachi]

In the latest episode of Shojo & Tell, Ashley and guest Olive St. Sauver discuss the first six volumes of Suu Morishita’s Shortcake Cake. [Shojo & Tell]

Good news for yuri manga fans: Erica Friedman’s By Your Side: The First 100 Years of Yuri Anime and Manga is now available for pre-order. Her book is the first of its kind in English, offering a thoughtful, wide-ranging exploration of “the key creators, tropes, concepts, symbols and titles of the first 100 years of the Yuri genre.” [Okazu]

Sam Sattin chats with Masha Zhdanova about his latest project: a reboot of Osamu Tezuka’s Unico. “Unico in particular I found to be a fascinating character who is often misunderstood,” Sattin observes. “Unico was created for children, but like many of Tezuka’s child-oriented fables, the character’s story is complex, emotional, and chock full of meaning… In it, I see an amazing story that could simultaneously serve a new generation of readers and honor Osamu Tezuka’s work.” [Women Write About Comics]

Jeff Trexler, the Interim Director of CBLDF, sounds a cautionary note about Free Comic Book Day, noting that retailers need to be vigilant about which books they give away, and to whom. “The new comic’s code is an algorithm,” Trexler observes. “What people are trying to do is not simply the fact that they’re trying to get retailers arrested or school teachers arrested or librarians arrested. They recognize in the age of Twitter, you don’t have to do that. All you have to do is get them shamed or banned. You can mass swarm a retailer and report them to Facebook or Twitter for selling pornography.” [ICv2]

REVIEWS

Congratulations to Megan D., who celebrates the tenth anniversary of The Manga Test Drive this week! You can help her mark this milestone by checking out her recent reviews of Dick Fight Island (NSFW, as you might imagine), Hinadori Girl, Wanted, and Peepo Choo. Over at Book Dragon, Terry Hong posts a review of Gengoroh Tagame’s Our Colors, “another poignant, empowering, gay-centered narrative… translated by queer manga expert Anne Ishii.”

Ace of the Diamond, Vols. 1-7 (Krystallina, Daiyamanga)

Anyway, I’m Falling in Love With You, Vols. 1-2 (Rebecca Silverman, Anime News Network)

Blackguard, Vol. 1 (Demelza, Anime UK News)

Blue Period, Vol. 6 (Sarah, Anime UK News)

Boys Run the Riot, Vol. 1 (James Hepplewhite, Bleeding Cool)

The Case Files of Jeweler Richard, Vol. 1 (Al, Al’s Manga Blog)

The Case Files of Jeweler Richard, Vols. 1-2 (Rebecca Silverman, Anime News Network)

The Dragon Knight’s Beloved, Vol. 1 (Kaley Connell, Yatta-Tachi)

Goodbye, Eri (Ari Tantimedh, Bleeding Cool)

The Great Jahy Will Not Be Defeated!, Vol. 2 (Demelza, Anime UK News)

High School Prodigies Have It Easy, Even in Another World!, Vol. 1 (Megan D. The Manga Test Drive)

How De We Relationship?, Vol. 5 (King Baby Duck, The Boston Bastard Brigade)

I Belong to the Baddest Girl at School, Vol. 3 (Demelza, Anime UK News)

I Want to Be a Wall, Vol. 1 (Christian Markle, Honey’s Anime)

In Another World with My Smartphone, Vol. 5 (Josh Piedra, The Outerhaven)

Karakuri Odette, Vol. 3 (Thomas Zoth, The Fandom Post)

Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible!, Vol. 1 (Eric Alex Cline, AiPT!)

Lady Snowblood, Vol. 1 (SKJAM, SKJAM! Reviews)

Love After World Domination, Vol. 2 (Justin, The OASG)

Lovesick Ellie, Vol. 1 (Demelza, Anime UK News)

A Man and His Cat, Vol. 5 (Rebecca Silverman, Anime News Network)

Mizuno and Chayama (Christian Markle, Honey’s Anime)

My Brain Is Different: Stories of ADHD and Other Developmental Disorders (Danica Davidson, Otaku USA)

My Hero Academia: Team-Up Missions, Vol. 2 (King Baby Duck, The Boston Bastard Brigade)

My Love Mix-Up!, Vols. 2-3 (Rebecca Silverman, Anime News Network)

Nighttime for Just Us Two, Vol. 1 (King Baby Duck, The Boston Bastard Brigade)

Orochi: The Perfect Edition (Renee Scott, Good Comics for Kids)

Our Kingdom, Vol. 1 (Library Girl, A Library Girl’s Familiar Diversions)

Our Kingdom, Vol. 2 (Library Girl, A Library Girl’s Familiar Diversions)

Phantom Tales of the Night, Vol. 1 (Helen, The OASG)

Queen’s Quality, Vol. 14 (Josh Piedra, The Outerhaven)

Rent-a-Girlfriend, Vols. 10-11 (Demelza, Anime UK News)

Rurouni Kenshin: Three-in-One Omnibus, Vol. 1 (Library Girl, A Library Girl’s Familiar Diversions)

The Royal Tutor, Vol. 16 (Krystallina, The OASG)

Sacrificial Princess and the King of Beasts, Vol. 15 (Krystallina, The OASG)

Sasaki and Miyano, Vol. 5 (Eric Alex Cline, AiPT!)

By: Katherine Dacey

[knightofthecourt]

Love Bites - Chapter 6

Belatrice Gray was a TA at Belgrave University, working hard to stay on top of her marking and trying not to flunk her own studies, when a night out with her bff Randall and his roommates, changed everything.

Hamish Duke x OC fiction with fluff, romance and angst. OC description has been left out to allow for reader personalisation!

His kiss scorched her skin and stole her breath. Electricity zipped up her spine and exploded behind her eyelids in a crescendo of coloured lights.

Bela felt as if she had always been waiting for this moment.

Hamish pulled her into his lap and she settled with her legs straddling his. She lifted her hands to his head, running fingers through his hair and to the back of his neck, pulling him closer. When he finally broke away they were both breathing heavily. 

“Bela,” Hamish whispered. She liked the way he said her name, as if it was some sort of wish. His cheeks were flushed and lips slightly swollen, but his eyes were focused. “Do you want this? I mean, is this what you-”. 

“Haim,” Bela interrupted him, steel threading her tone. “Yes. Yes - please just kiss-” she broke off as Hamish crashed his lips against hers again. He ran a hand across her cheek, gently cradling her face in his palm as his kiss softened. When she gasped in response he slid his tongue across her bottom lip, chasing the sweet taste of lemon and gin that still coated the corners of her mouth. Bela parted her lips.  

“Bedroom?” Hamish spoke between kisses. Bela nodded and then squealed as he rose from the sofa, lifting her with him as if she weighed nothing. She tucked her legs around his waist and he planted his hands firmly under her as he moved steadily towards a door on the wall opposite them. She barely had time to look at her surroundings before she was placed on a soft bed. The mattress beside her dipped as Hamish joined her. 

Bela grabbed a handful of his shirt and pulled him closer to her, then winced and hissed slightly as pressure bit into her thighs. Though alcohol had done a lot to help numb the ache and make her more comfortable, her injuries weren’t going unnoticed.         

Hamish gave her a pained look. “Bels, I don’t want to hurt you.” He drew away, placing a steadying hand on her hip when she let out a whine of frustration and tried to pull him closer. “I’m serious, I couldn’t live with myself if I hurt you.” 

Bela touched the side of his face, his expression was so serious. 

“I promise it’s ok, I’m fine, just a little sore.” He looked unconvinced. “I’ll tell you if it hurts, I promise Haim. Now take your shirt off.” 

He smiled a little as Bela tugged at the fabric between them. 

“Ok.” He pulled off his navy button-down, revealing, as Bela had suspected, an incredibly well-toned and muscular physique. 

“Can I?” He ran his hand down the side of her hip. Bela nodded.  

Hamish carefully grasped the edge of her leggings, slowly peeling off her clothes until she was bare from the waist down. He knelt lower down the bed, looking back up at Bela with an unreadable expression in his eyes. Seconds passed and she was afraid that he was going to refuse to go any further, but after a moment he ran his hands lightly over the patchwork of purple and blue that now bloomed across a third of her upper legs.  

He leaned closer to the bruises until his lips were just brushing them. “I’m so sorry,” he whispered, kissing the edge of her injured skin. 

“I’m never,” kiss. 

“Ever,” kiss. 

“Going to let this,” kiss. 

“Happen again.” As he kissed, he moved further up her thighs, peppering her skin until he reached his goal.

Bela gasped when his lips made contact, the sight of his head between her legs, hair ruffled from its usually neat parting and threaded through her fingers was almost too much to bear. 

He caressed her thoroughly, applying the same diligent and focused precision that he brought to every task that came under his capable hands. By the time Bela called out his name she could swear that a mere gesture from him could make oceans part and cities fall. 

As she opened her eyes, Hamish pulled away, his sudden absence leaving her breathless and aching with anticipation.   

“Haim-” Bela let out a strangled sound. “I need you - please.” 

Hamish nodded and pulled off the rest of his clothes, not needing any further preparation. He helped her remove her shirt, stopping only momentarily to place a kiss on the sensitive spot at the crook of her neck, before hovering above her, careful not to rest any unnecessary weight where it could cause her pain. 

“You’re sure this is what you want?” He questioned. 

Bela simply nodded. She didn’t trust herself to speak. She couldn’t find the right words to describe that her need for him went so far beyond want at this point. 

They both groaned in relief as he pushed steadily into her. Hamish paused for a moment, giving her time to adjust to his presence while he kissed her deeply, and then they moved in unison. 

The air in the room was close and heavy, full of gasps and whispered pleads as their movements grew in frequency, each responding in turn to the other’s requests until they were in perfect synchronisation. As the rhythm increased Bela let out a whimper. 

“Hamish, I’m gonna-”

“Hold on,” he murmured, “I’m almost there with you, I just need to-”. 

He maneuvered her gently and placed her on her side, making sure not to put any pressure on her injured thighs. As he hit new depths inside her, a moan escaped from Bela’s lips

From this position, with Hamish cradling her tenderly from behind she could feel as his body went taut against her soft curves. She felt the rumble of his breath across her ear as he growled lightly, and how his grip tightened on her hip, but she didn’t catch when his nails lengthened ever so slightly, into claws.  

His pace quickened almost imperceptibly and that was all it took for Bela to reach her peak. Tumbling over, fluttering around him, she gasped, breathing Hamish’s name like a prayer. 

It was at that moment, as Hamish surrendered himself fully inside her warmth, with Bela chanting his name like a mantra, that his eyes flooded with silver and he leaned forward, burying his fangs in the soft, smooth skin at the base of her neck, piercing the flesh.     

Bela screamed, once, and then everything was silent.

[aion-rsa]

DC Comics’ June 2017 Solicitations

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

DC Comics Solicitations – Last Six Months

Product shipping May 2017

Product shipping April 2017

Product shipping March 2017

Product shipping February 2017

Product shipping January 2017

Product shipping December 2016

DARK DAYS: THE FORGE #1

Written by SCOTT SNYDER and JAMES TYNION IV • Art by JIM LEE, ANDY KUBERT, JOHN ROMITA JR. and others • Cover by JIM LEE and SCOTT WILLIAMS • Variant cover by ANDY KUBERT • Variant cover by JOHN ROMITA JR.

DARKNESS COMES TO THE DC UNIVERSE WITH THE MYSTERY OF THE FORGE! Aquaman, The Flash and more of DC’s pantheon of heroes suspect Batman of hiding a dark secret that could threaten the very existence of the multiverse! It’s an epic that will span generations—but how does it connect to the origins of one of DC’s most legendary heroes?

The great comics event of summer 2017 is about to begin courtesy of superstar writers Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV and illustrated by a master class of comics artists: Andy Kubert, Jim Lee and John Romita Jr.! You do not want to miss this one!

ONE-SHOT • On sale JUNE 14 • 40 pg, FC, card-stock covers, $4.99 US • RATED T

ACTION COMICS #981

Written by DAN JURGENS • Art by JACK HERBERT • Cover by PATCH ZIRCHER • Variant cover by GARY FRANK

“REVENGE” part three! Superman races to save the Suicide Squad from General Zod, Cyborg Superman and Eradicator. Can the Man of Steel escape the Black Vault and stop the carnage before Harley, Deadshot and the rest of Task Force X are forced to make a final stand?

On sale JUNE 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

ACTION COMICS #982

Written by DAN JURGENS • Art by VIKTOR BOGDANOVIC • Cover by PATCH ZIRCHER • Variant cover by GARY FRANK

“REVENGE” part four! General Zod takes command as he leads Cyborg Superman, Eradicator, Mongul, Blanque and Metallo against Superman—but his real motives are yet to be revealed and may have far graver consequences for Superman than anyone imagines.

On sale JUNE 28 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

ALL STAR BATMAN #11

Written by SCOTT SNYDER • Art and cover by RAFAEL ALBUQUERQUE • Variant cover by RAFAEL ALBUQUERQUE • Variant cover by SEBASTIAN FIUMARA

“THE FIRST ALLY” part two! Batman races to track down his new nemesis before another murder rocks Miami. But with old secrets revealing unsettling truths about his closest ally, what dark accords will the Dark Knight make in order to stop true evil?

On sale JUNE 14 • 40 pg, FC, $4.99 US • RATED T

AQUAMAN #24

Written by DAN ABNETT • Art by SCOT EATON and WAYNE FAUCHER • Cover by BRAD WALKER and ANDREW HENNESSY • Variant cover by JOSHUA MIDDLETON

“CROWN OF ATLANTIS” finale! Hopelessly at odds with the people of Atlantis, Arthur is finally stripped of his crown. In his place, and to Aquaman’s horror, the previously imprisoned Atlantean fundamentalist Corum Rath is installed as the new king! Every step of AQUAMAN REBIRTH has been building to this!

On sale JUNE 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

AQUAMAN #25

Written by DAN ABNETT • Art and cover by STJEPAN SEJIC • Variant cover by JOSHUA MIDDLETON

“UNDERWORLD” part one! In this extra-sized anniversary issue, former terrorists have replaced the Atlantean police. Crime lords control huge swaths of the kingdom. And a deadly undersea arsenal is trained on the surface-dwellers. All is as King Rath commands—and yet whispers persist of a rebel in the slums of Atlantis: A hero with the potential to change the world. A whole new era of AQUAMAN begins as master storyteller Stjepan Sejic (Sunstone, Death Vigil) joins series writer Dan Abnett for Arthur’s boldest and most harrowing adventure yet!

On sale JUNE 21 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

BATGIRL #12

Written by HOPE LARSON • Art by ELEANORA CARLINI • Cover by DAN MORA • Variant cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL

“Troubled Waters”! A terrifying creature is threatening members of the Burnside YMCA—but no one can catch it! It’s up to Batgirl to plunge into the unknown depths and risk being zapped out of existence to put an end to the danger!

On sale JUNE 28 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

BATGIRL AND THE BIRDS OF PREY #11

Written by JULIE BENSON and SHAWNA BENSON • Art by ROGE ANTONIO • Cover by YANICK PAQUETTE • Variant cover by KAMOME SHIRAHAMA

“Source Code” part one! The Birds of Prey tentatively accepted working with the new Oracle, even though they knew he’d gone down a dark road to find them…but did they have any idea how dark? His story unfolds here—including the identity of the person who trained him, to whom he owes a dangerous debt!

On sale JUNE 14 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

BATMAN BEYOND #9

Written by DAN JURGENS • Art and cover by BERNARD CHANG • Variant cover by MARTIN ANSIN

“RISE OF THE DEMON” part four! Can an older, physically weakened Bruce Wayne come out of retirement to rescue Batman? As Terry battles a renewed and more deadly Ra’s al Ghul in Tibet, only Bruce knows that Terry is facing two life-threatening menaces—Ra’s and the experimental Batman suit that he’s now wearing. It’s a race against time and a battle against impossible odds.

On sale JUNE 28 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

BATMAN #24

Written by TOM KING • Art and cover by DAVID FINCH and DANNY MIKI • Variant cover by TIM SALE

“Aftermath”! Gotham City is at peace…but a war is coming. Armed with the terrifying knowledge gained from the mysterious button, Batman prepares for the coming storm by making a proposition to one of his enemies—one that will change everything for the Dark Knight and his allies!

On sale JUNE 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

BATMAN #25

Written by TOM KING • Art and cover by MIKEL JANIN • Variant cover by TIM SALE

“The War of Jokes and Riddles” part one! Don’t miss this extra-sized anniversary issue! In his own words, Bruce Wayne narrates a harrowing, never-before-told story of the Dark Knight’s greatest failure…and the horrors it unleashed! In the spirit of YEAR ONE and THE LONG HALLOWEEN, prepare to see a side of Batman you’ve never seen before—get in on the ground floor of a classic Batman epic in the making!

On sale JUNE 21 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

BATWOMAN #4

Written by MARGUERITE BENNETT and JAMES TYNION IV • Art and cover by STEVE EPTING • Variant cover by J.G. JONES

“The Many Arms Of Death” finale! Batwoman’s been following the trail of the deadly weapon Monster Venom, while simultaneously trying to discover what became of her lost lover, Safiyah…but what happens when those two roads meet? And how does it all connect to the death of Batwoman’s mother? A terrifying new threat is unleashed on the world when the true nature of the Many Arms Of Death is revealed!

On sale JUNE 21 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T+

BLUE BEETLE #10

Written by KEITH GIFFEN and J.M. DeMATTEIS • Art and cover by SCOTT KOLINS • Variant cover by TYLER KIRKHAM

It’s all hands on deck for the final battle against the powerful entity who has been lurking underground and wreaking havoc on the entire city of El Paso. Will the combined efforts of a rejuvenated Blue Beetle, Ted Kord, Doctor Fate and even special guest star Omac be enough to bring down this ancient menace? The outcome will signal a major turning point for Jaime Reyes and his friends and allies.

On sale JUNE 28 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

CYBORG #13

Written by JOHN SEMPER JR. • Art by ALLAN JEFFERSON and TONY KORDOS • Cover by ALLAN JEFFERSON • Variant cover by CARLOS D’ANDA

“DANGER IN DETROIT” part four! Still recovering from his Boom Tube time loss, Cyborg continues to discover the changes with his friends, S.T.A.R. Labs, and the city. A new player known only as FyreWyre emerges from Detroit’s underworld. This ninja has a sword with the ability to distort time and space! Only with the help of Black Narcissus can Cyborg hope to survive FyreWyre’s disorienting assaults.

On sale JUNE 7 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

DEATHSTROKE #20

Written by CHRISTOPHER PRIEST • Art by LARRY HAMA and CARLO PAGULAYAN • Cover by LEE WEEKS • Variant covers by SHANE DAVIS

“The Lazarus Contract” epilogue! As Deathstroke picks up the pieces of his life following the traumatic events of last month’s “The Lazarus Contract,” a threat years in the making boils to the surface when an old friend becomes mortal foe!

On sale JUNE 7 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T+

DETECTIVE COMICS #958

Written by JAMES TYNION IV • Art by ALVARO MARTINEZ and RAUL FERNANDEZ • Cover by ALVARO MARTINEZ and RAUL FERNANDEZ • Variant cover by RAFAEL ALBUQUERQUE

“Intelligence” part one! Azrael has found a new home in Gotham City…unfortunately, someone from his old home with the Order of St. Dumas has found him! The Order has unleashed a bizarre new evil on the world, and it’s convinced it must destroy Jean-Paul Valley!

On sale JUNE 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

DETECTIVE COMICS #959

Written by JAMES TYNION IV • Art by ALVARO MARTINEZ and RAUL FERNANDEZ • Cover by YASMINE PUTRI • Variant cover by RAFAEL ALBUQUERQUE

“Intelligence” part two! While his team comes to grips with Azrael’s past, Batman is on the trail of the shocking secret he learned at the end of last month’s epic BATMAN/FLASH crossover, “The Button”—and it’s brought him directly to the Mistress of Magic, Zatanna!

On sale JUNE 28 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

THE FLASH #24

Written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON • Art by CARMINE DI GIANDOMENICO • Cover by CARMINE DI GIANDOMENICO • Variant cover by HOWARD PORTER

“RUNNING SCARED” prelude—guest-starring Hal Jordan! Green Lantern Hal Jordan has recruited Barry Allen for a dangerous mission that only The Flash can accomplish! Unfortunately, that mission is on a hostile space station deep in the cosmos, which means leaving Kid Flash alone to defend his and Barry’s loved ones from a deadly attack by their greatest enemy…

On sale JUNE 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

THE FLASH #25

Written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON • Art by CARMINE DI GIANDOMENICO and HOWARD PORTER • Cover by CARMINE DI GIANDOMENICO • Variant cover by HOWARD PORTER

“RUNNING SCARED” part one! When Eobard Thawne murdered Barry Allen’s mother, he killed a piece of The Flash’s past. Now, Reverse-Flash is back to kill Barry’s future! The Flash’s biggest storyline yet begins as he is pushed to his limits and his secrets are laid bare in a chase through time itself! Don’t miss the extra-sized anniversary issue!

On sale JUNE 28 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

GREEN ARROW #24

Written by BENJAMIN PERCY • Art and cover by JUAN FERREYRA • Variant cover by MIKE GRELL

“THE RISE OF STAR CITY” finale! The Ninth Circle’s plan for Seattle comes to its horrifying conclusion as the city is reborn as Star City! Sponsored by Queen Industries, it’s the first privately controlled metropolis in America—and Green Arrow’s worst nightmare. How can Oliver Queen fight back when the fat cats literally own the city? The answer will shock you in this stunning conclusion.

On sale JUNE 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+

GREEN ARROW #25

Written by BENJAMIN PERCY • Art and cover by OTTO SCHMIDT • Variant cover by MIKE GRELL

“BROKEN ARROW” part one! Hopelessly divided over Oliver’s role in the rise of Star City, Green Arrow and Black Canary do the unthinkable and break up. While Dinah starts a resistance movement in the former Seattle underground, Ollie’s been driven out of the city he sacrificed everything to protect. And that’s only the beginning! The next major phase of GREEN ARROW begins with in this oversized anniversary issue!

On sale JUNE 21 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T+

GREEN LANTERNS #24

Written by SAM HUMPHRIES • Art by CARLO BARBERI and MATT SANTORELLI • Cover by MIKE McKONE • Variant cover by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO

“LOST IN SPACE’ part three! As their training on Mogo comes to an end, Jessica and Simon prepare to reunite and head back to sector 2814 and Earth, but the new partnership between the Green Lantern and Sinestro Corps may mean reassignment and new partners.

On sale JUNE 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

GREEN LANTERNS #25

Written by SAM HUMPHRIES • Art by ROBSON ROCHA and DANIEL HENRIQUES • Cover by MIKE McKONE • Variant cover by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO

“LOST IN SPACE’ part four! In this extra-sized anniversary issue, Simon and Jessica adjust to a new status quo, while Volthoom’s schemes advance as he impersonates a lost Guardian. With access to the Central Power Battery and the secrets of the universe at his fingertips, will the First Lantern finally achieve his ultimate goal?

On sale JUNE 21 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

HAL JORDAN & THE GREEN LANTERN CORPS #22

Written by ROBERT VENDITTI • Art and cover by ETHAN VAN SCIVER • Variant cover by KEVIN NOWLAN

“FRACTURE” part one! A rash decision during a routine hunt for outlaw Sinestro Corps members leads to a confrontation that shakes the foundation of the fragile working relationship between the Green Lanterns and the Sinestro Corps. Can Hal Jordan pull the truth into the light and keep the peace?

On sale JUNE 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

HAL JORDAN & THE GREEN LANTERN CORPS #23

Written by ROBERT VENDITTI • Art and cover by ETHAN VAN SCIVER • Variant cover by KEVIN NOWLAN

“FRACTURE” part two! As a Green Lantern stands accused and Hal Jordan rushes to his defense against the Sinestro Corps, Guy Gardner and his new partner Arkillo embark on a mission that, if successful, could stop both sides from killing each other.

On sale JUNE 28 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

HARLEY QUINN #21

Written by AMANDA CONNER and JIMMY PALMIOTTI • Art by JOHN TIMMS • Backup story written by PAUL DINI and JIMMY PALMIOTTI • Backup story art by BRET BLEVINS and J. BONE • Cover by AMANDA CONNER • Variant cover by FRANK CHO

“Red Roses” part one! Red Tool is done waiting for Harley to take him seriously—the poor sap’s hopelessly in love with her, and it’s time he made his move! Unfortunately, he’s picked a moment of peak distraction for Harley! And in the backup, “Harley Loves Joker” part five, Harley crosses paths with an old pal—Jenna Duffy, the crook known as the Carpenter! There won’t be much palling around, though…Jenna’s convinced Harley’s trying to scam her out of one of the biggest scores of her career!

On sale JUNE 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+

HARLEY QUINN #22

Written by JIMMY PALMIOTTI and AMANDA CONNER • Art by JOHN TIMMS • Backup story written by PAUL DINI and JIMMY PALMIOTTI • Backup story art by BRET BLEVINS and J. BONE • Cover by AMANDA CONNER • Variant cover by FRANK CHO

“Red Roses” part two! Poison Ivy’s back in town, and she’d like to patch up the friendship with Harley that she damaged in the Bahamas…but sadly for poor Mr. Tool, Ivy’s got some strong opinions on his courtship of Harley! And in “Harley Loves Joker” part six, Harley’s sure she’s got a foolproof plan to get back in Mistah J’s good graces, but when have Harley’s plans ever ended up the way she imagined?

On sale JUNE 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+

THE HELLBLAZER #11

Written by SIMON OLIVER • Art by DAVIDE FABBRI • Cover by TULA LOTAY • Variant cover by YASMINE PUTRI

“The Smokeless Fire” part five! Constantine thought about taking an old frenemy’s advice, but Paris has bistros to sit in and wine to drink. With a little patience and a little magic, things have a way of sorting themselves out. Unless Marid crosses the finish line first, that is.

On sale JUNE 28 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T+

JUSTICE LEAGUE #22

Written by BRYAN HITCH • Art by FERNANDO PASARIN and OCLAIR ALBERT • Cover by BRYAN HITCH • Variant cover by NICK BRADSHAW

“ONLY HUMAN” part one! Aliens live among us. Sometimes they’re refugees from war-torn planets. Sometimes they’re hidden. Sometimes they’re our world’s greatest heroes. But fear and prejudice threaten their lives when an anti-extra-terrestrial group closes the borders around Earth itself. What is the One Earth movement? And how can the Justice League exist when all aliens are outlaws?

On sale JUNE 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

JUSTICE LEAGUE #23

Written by BRYAN HITCH • Art by FERNANDO PASARIN and OCLAIR ALBERT • Cover by BRYAN HITCH • Variant cover by NICK BRADSHAW

“ONLY HUMAN” part two! The One Earth movement spills first blood! Green Lanterns Simon Baz and Jessica Cruz are forbidden from using their power rings while Superman himself is imprisoned in an aliens-only gulag! A planet rages as Batman and the remaining Justice Leaguers race to unravel the conspiracy behind the One Earth movement before the world tears itself apart.

On sale JUNE 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #8

Written by STEVE ORLANDO • Art by FELIPE WATANABE and SCOTT HANNA • Cover by FELIPE WATANABE • Variant cover by DOUG MAHNKE

“THE MAN FROM MONSTER VALLEY” part one! While fighting the forces of the malevolent super-science outfit known as Skull, the League discover a secret valley deep in the Russian Tundra, home to Makson, a lone human male raised by fantastic creatures. Learning his true identity, the JLA endeavors to reunite Makson with mankind, his family, and his birthright. But not everyone wants the mysterious savage to come home…

On sale JUNE 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #9

Written by STEVE ORLANDO • Art by FELIPE WATANABE and SCOTT HANNA • Cover by FELIPE WATANABE • Variant cover by DOUG MAHNKE

“THE MAN FROM MONSTER VALLEY” part two! The hidden truth of Makson and his family is brought to the surface—as are his superhuman powers, which the Man from Monster Valley turns on the Justice League in this tale of treachery and revenge!

On sale JUNE 28 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

NEW SUPER-MAN #12

Written by GENE LUEN YANG • Art by BILLY TAN • Cover by PHILIP TAN • Variant cover by BERNARD CHANG

“THE ZERO ULTIMATUM” part two! New Super-Man and the Justice League of China must take back Shanghai from the current emperor—the original super-powered creation of Dr. Omen! While the battle may be winnable, a devastating secret comes to light and shakes the young Super-Man to his core.

On sale JUNE 14 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

NIGHTWING #22

Written by TIM SEELEY • Art by MARCUS TO • Cover by PAUL RENUAD • Variant cover by IVAN REIS and OCLAIR ALBERT

“BLOCKBUSTER” part three! Blockbuster’s return to Blüdhaven has rocked the foundation of the criminal organizations and Nightwing stands in the middle of the chaos. Nightwing has to stop Blockbuster from achieving his goal, but does Blüdhaven’s newest villain have a plan to remove him from the equation?

On sale JUNE 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

NIGHTWING #23

Written by TIM SEELEY • Art by MARCUS TO • Cover by PAUL RENUAD • Variant cover by IVAN REIS and OCLAIR ALBERT

“BLOCKBUSTER” part four! It’s an all-out crime war in Blüdhaven and Nightwing must confront an old enemy if he wants any hope of peace. What he discovers, though, reveals a truth about Blockbuster more shocking than he could have imagined!

On sale JUNE 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #11

Written by SCOTT LOBDELL • Art by DEXTER SOY • Cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT • Variant cover by GUILLEM MARCH

“Who is Artemis?” finale! The Dark Trinity faces a bigger threat than ever before, with thousands of lives hanging in the balance! After Akila resurrects an army of Amazon warriors aimed at destroying an entire country, Artemis is given a choice—fulfill her destiny as the champion of Bana-Mighdall, or stand by her new allies, Red Hood and Bizarro?

On sale JUNE 14 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T+

SUICIDE SQUAD #19

Written by ROB WILLIAMS • Art and cover by TONY S. DANIEL and SANDU FLOREA • Variant cover by WHILCE PORTACIO

“EARTHLINGS ON FIRE” finale! The saga of the Black Vault comes to an appropriately insane finale when General Zod breaks free of Amanda Waller’s control, lays waste to the Suicide Squad and prepares to welcome an army of Kryptonian conquerors from the twisted realm within the Black Vault. But help arrives from the least likely allies: the Eradicator and Cyborg-Superman!

On sale JUNE 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+

SUICIDE SQUAD #20

Written by ROB WILLIAMS • Art and cover by EDDY BARROWS and EBER FERREIRA • Variant cover by WHILCE PORTACIO

“FALSE FLAG” part one! Task Force X needs a new team leader, and the pickings are slim: a cannibalistic crocodile-man, a schizophrenic witch-demon, a one-armed assassin, a lady who talks to her sword and a racist drunkard. But there’s also the homicidal clown-girl who, devastated by the loss of her crush, returns to a dark and violent path from which there can be no escape…

On sale JUNE 28 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+

SUPERGIRL #10

Written by STEVE ORLANDO • Art by BRIAN CHING • Cover by ROBSON ROCHA and DANIEL HENRIQUES • Variant cover by BENGAL

“ESCAPE FROM THE PHANTOM ZONE” part two! The Phantom King holds all the cards, and he’s forcing Supergirl and Batgirl to turn to the alien antagonist in order to save themselves and the humans trapped inside the Phantom Zone.

On sale JUNE 14 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

SUPERMAN #24

Written by PETER J. TOMASI and PATRICK GLEASON • Art by DOUG MAHNKE and JAIME MENDOZA • Cover by RYAN SOOK • Variant cover by JORGE JIMENEZ

“BLACK DAWN” part five! The Man of Steel faces the one foe he refuses to fight—his son. An emerging new ability for Superboy proves deadly to Superman as the promise of power appears to lead Jon Kent to betray his father.

On sale JUNE 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

SUPERMAN #25

Written by PETER J. TOMASI and PATRICK GLEASON • Art by PATRICK GLEASON, DOUG MAHNKE and others • Cover by RYAN SOOK • Variant cover by JORGE JIMENEZ

“BLACK DAWN” part six! The extra-sized finale to “Black Dawn” reveals the villain tearing the Super-Family apart and destroying everything the Man of Steel holds dear!

On sale JUNE 21 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

SUPER SONS #5

Written by PETER J. TOMASI • Art and cover by JORGE JIMENEZ • Variant cover by DUSTIN NGUYEN

“Battle in the Batcave”! The battle with Kid Amazo leaves Jon and Damian’s friendship in ruins as the boys decide their partnership isn’t working out! It’s a rumble between Superboy and Robin like you’ve never seen as the boys rage through the house Batman built!

On sale JUNE 21 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

SUPERWOMAN #11

Written by K. PERKINS • Art by STEPHEN SEGOVIA and ART THIBERT • Cover by KEN LASHLEY • Variant cover by RENATO GUEDES

“Rediscovery” part three! Former friends duke it out as Superwoman squares off against…Natasha Irons?! In the battle to contain the freed Stryker’s inmates, Lana and Natasha are split over what to do about Natasha’s criminal father, Crash.

On sale JUNE 14 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

TEEN TITANS #9

Written by BENJAMIN PERCY • Art by KHOI PHAM and WADE VON GRAWBADGER • Cover by KHOI PHAM • Variant cover by Paolo Pantalena

“Blood of the Manta” part one! Still dealing with the consequences of “The Lazarus Contract,” Kid Flash’s status with the team is challenged by Damian…and the Teen Titans will never be the same. Meanwhile, Aqualad learns more about his powers and the truth about his lineage is revealed!

On sale JUNE 28 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

TITANS #12

Written by DAN ABNETT • Art and cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT • Variant cover by DAN MORA

“Bad Omen”! After the stunning events of “The Lazarus Contract” rocked the Titans to their core and called into question the team’s leadership, Omen discovers the shocking truth about their future—that one of their very own is destined to betray them…and it could be anyone!

On sale JUNE 14 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

TRINITY #10

Written by FRANCIS MANAPUL • Art and cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL • Variant cover by BILL SIENKIEWICZ

“All Along the Watchtower” part two! The Justice League Watchtower is infested. The world’s greatest heroes have been infected. And as their HQ hurls to Earth, Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman are faced with the difficult decision of destroying the Watchtower and their teammates to save the Earth.

On sale JUNE 21 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

WONDER WOMAN #24

Written by GREG RUCKA • Art and cover by BILQUIS EVELY • Variant cover by JENNY FRISON

“Godwatch” epilogue! With Godwatch’s purpose fulfilled, Diana and Cale are forced to confront the choices of the past…and a new direction for the future.

On sale JUNE 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

WONDER WOMAN #25

Written by GREG RUCKA • Art by LIAM SHARP and BILQUIS EVELY • Cover by LIAM SHARP • Variant cover by JENNY FRISON

Writer Greg Rucka weaves together the threads of “The Lies,” “Year One,” “The Truth,” and “Godwatch”—every story in WONDER WOMAN since the start of the DC Universe Rebirth era—in this extra-sized anniversary issue!

On sale JUNE 28 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • Each RATED T

BATMAN/ELMER FUDD SPECIAL #1

Written by TOM KING • Art and cover by LEE WEEKS • Backup story art by BYRON VAUGHNS • Variant cover by BOB FINGERMAN

After a chance meeting with billionaire Bruce Wayne, Elmer Fudd’s obsession quickly escalates into stalking Batman through the dark alleys and high-class social settings of Gotham City. Welcome to Bat Season! And the bonus Looney Tunes backup story features DC characters written by Tom King and artwork by Byron Vaughns.

On sale JUNE 28 • 48 pg, FC, $4.99 US • RATED T

JONAH HEX/YOSEMITE SAM SPECIAL #1

Written by JIMMY PALMIOTTI • Art and cover by MARK TEXEIRA • Backup story written by BILL MATHENY • Backup story art by DAVE ALVAREZ • Variant cover by DAVE ALVAREZ

When miner Yosemite Sam strikes it rich, word gets out as everyone comes gunning for his wealth! To protect himself and his new riches, he hires bounty hunter Jonah Hex-—but the man protecting him may be his worst nightmare! And the bonus Looney Tunes backup story features DC characters written by Bill Matheny and artwork by Dave Alvarez.

On sale JUNE 28 • 48 pg, FC, $4.99 US • RATED T

LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES/BUGS BUNNY SPECIAL #1

Written by SAM HUMPHRIES • Art by TOM GRUMMETT and SCOTT HANNA • Cover by TOM GRUMMETT and KARL KESEL • Backup story written by JUAN ORTIZ • Backup story art by JUAN ORTIZ • Variant cover by TY TEMPLETON

The Legion of Super-Heroes always thought they had taken their inspiration from the 21st Century’s Superboy. But when they try to bring that hero into their future time, the team discovers to their surprise the caped champion isn’t who—or even what—they expected! And the bonus Looney Tunes backup story features DC characters with story and art by Juan Ortiz!

On sale JUNE 14 • 48 pg, FC, $4.99 US • RATED T

LOBO/ROAD RUNNER SPECIAL #1

Written by BILL MORRISON • Art and cover by KELLEY JONES • Backup story art by BILL MORRISON • Variant cover by BILL MORRISON

Wile E. Coyote travels to the far reaches of space to hire Lobo to hunt down and kill his greatest nemesis of all time, the Road Runner. And when the Coyote and Lobo are after him, the Road Runner knows if they catch him—he’s through. And the bonus Looney Tunes backup story features DC characters with story and art by Bill Morrison!

On sale JUNE 21 • 48 pg, FC, $4.99 US • RATED T

MARTIAN MANHUNTER/ MARVIN THE MARTIAN SPECIAL #1

Written by STEVE ORLANDO and FRANK BARBERE • Art by AARON LOPRESTI and JEROME K. MOORE • Cover by AARON LOPRESTI • Backup story written by JIM FANNING • Backup story art by JOHN LOTER • Variant cover by STEPHEN DeSTEFANO

Martian Manhunter tries to halt Marvin the Martian’s determination for world domination. J’onn is conflicted with his own Martian identity as he attempts to stop the hapless, determined Marvin from blowing Earth to bits in order to gain a clear view of Venus. And the bonus Looney Tunes backup story features DC characters written by Jim Fanning with art by John Loter!

On sale JUNE 14 • 48 pg, FC, $4.99 US • RATED T

WONDER WOMAN/TASMANIAN DEVIL SPECIAL #1

Written by TONY BEDARD • Art by BARRY KITSON • Backup story art by BEN CALDWELL • Cover by JIM LEE • Variant cover by BYRON VAUGHNS

Not since the twelve labors of Hercules has a Greek warrior faced as great a danger and as destructive a peril as the Tasmanian Devil! And the bonus Looney Tunes backup story features DC characters with story by Tony Bedard and art by Ben Caldwell!

On sale JUNE 21 • 48 pg, FC, $4.99 US • RATED T

DC/LOONEY TUNES 100-PAGE SUPER SPECTACULAR #1

Written by MARK EVANIER • Art by JOE STATON, MIKE DeCARLO and TOM PALMER • Cover by STEVE RUDE

The miniseries from 2000 that first united the best-known heroes from two very different universes is back in a single issue collection featuring SUPERMAN/BUGS BUNNY #1-4! All the Looney Tunes are making their way into the DC Universe thanks to Mr. Mxyzptlk and the Do-Do—and only Superman stands a chance of keeping the universes apart…with the help of a certain wascally wabbit!

On sale JUNE 7 • 96 pg, FC, $7.99 US

BANE: CONQUEST #2

Written by CHUCK DIXON • Art and cover by GRAHAM NOLAN

Bane’s been captured by the charismatic cult leader Damocles, the man building a criminal empire to rival his own! But just ask anyone from his childhood home of Peña Duro…trying to keep Bane in a prison rarely ends well!

On sale JUNE 7 • 32 pg, FC, 2 of 12, $3.99 US • RATED T+

BATMAN/THE SHADOW #3

Written by SCOTT SNYDER and STEVE ORLANDO • Art and cover by RILEY ROSSMO • Variant cover by EDUARDO RISSO • Variant cover by TIM SALE

The Joker has entered the fray, and he’s been offered unspeakable power in return for helping the Stag kill Batman! It’s up to the Shadow to protect Batman from the pair’s combined onslaught and the mystical powers of Shamba-La! Co-published with Dynamite!

On sale JUNE 28 • 32 pg, FC, 3 of 6, $3.99 US • RATED T

WONDER WOMAN: STEVE TREVOR #1

Written by TIM SEELEY • Art by CHRISTIAN DUCE • Cover by PAUL RENAUD • Variant cover by YANICK PAQUETTE

When Wonder Woman saved Steve Trevor from dying on the shores of Themyscira, his life—and hers—changed forever! In this special issue, learn more about the tumultuous partnership these two have had over the years…and get a hint at where it’s going in the future! Have these two finally admitted they’re meant for each other? Or do the Fates have other ideas?

One-shot • On sale JUNE 7 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T+

THE WILD STORM #5

Written by WARREN ELLIS • Art and cover by JON DAVIS-HUNT • Variant cover by JIM LEE and SCOTT WILLIAMS • Variant cover by DECLAN SHALVEY

Michael Cray is dying. This doesn’t stop IO from giving him one final job, to fix the world he’s spent years killing for. Michael Cray, the best assassin in the world, is sent out to kill Angela Spica, the engineer who saved Jacob Marlowe’s life and exposed the secret state she worked for. Lucy Blaze, investigating the chaos caused at Camp Hero by IO and a wild CAT, meets an old enemy—and realizes an ancient war may be entering a new phase, at the worst possible time.

On sale JUNE 21 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T+

DC COMICS BOMBSHELLS #28

Written by MARGUERITE BENNETT • Art by LAURA BRAGA and ANEKE • Cover by ANT LUCIA

How can Supergirl convince Power Girl that she is not fighting an enemy—but a sister? Plus, Lois Lane and the Reaper make their way to Hugo Strange’s lab to stop his “superweapon,” unaware that it’s Power Girl herself!

On sale JUNE 7 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T • DIGITAL FIRST

DC COMICS BOMBSHELLS #29

Written by MARGUERITE BENNETT • Art by MIRKA ANDOLFO, RICHARD ORTIZ and CARMEN CARNERO • Cover by MARGUERITE SAUVAGE

Lois Lane and the Reaper join Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy’s travelling circus of mythical Russian creatures, where Poison Ivy uses her powers to alleviate the situation in Leningrad. Plus, Supergirl is forced to fight Power Girl!

On sale JUNE 21 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T • DIGITAL FIRST

INJUSTICE 2 #3

Written by TOM TAYLOR • Art by DANIEL SAMPERE and JUAN ALBARRAN • Cover by BRUNO REDONDO

A raid on Stryker’s Prison by a newly formed Suicide Squad does the unthinkable and releases Superman from his cell. Meanwhile, Harley Quinn encounters someone she never expected to see again—and Damian Wayne is shocked by the appearance of someone he never knew existed.

On sale JUNE 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T • DIGITAL FIRST

INJUSTICE 2 #4

Written by TOM TAYLOR • Art by BRUNO REDONDO and JUAN ALBARRAN • Covers by BRUNO REDONDO

Harley finds herself up against impossible odds forcing her to make a deal with the devil. Meanwhile, Batman offers counsel to one young man and then remembers happier times and a day of training with another one—his own son, Damian.

On sale JUNE 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T • DIGITAL FIRST

BATMAN ’66 MEETS WONDER WOMAN ’77 #6

Written by MARC ANDREYKO and JEFF PARKER • Art by DAVID HAHN and KARL KESEL • Cover by MICHAEL ALLRED

Batman retired to let his protégés defend the streets of Gotham City, but his peace is threatened when an old enemy comes to town. Will our heroes thwart Ra’s al Ghul and save the ’70s? Tune in for the epic finale!

On sale JUNE 28 • 32 pg, FC, 6 of 6, $3.99 US • RATED E • DIGITAL FIRST

GOTHAM ACADEMY: SECOND SEMESTER #10

Written by BRENDEN FLETCHER, KARL KERSCHL and BECKY CLOONAN • Art by ADAM ARCHER, MSASSYK and SANDRA HOPE • Cover by KARL KERSCHL

“The Ballad of Olive Silverlock” part two! As everyone around him begins to lose faith in their quest, Kyle refuses to believe that all hope is lost. But which will be harder…leaving behind the friends he thought would never give up, or facing his true feelings for Olive?

On sale JUNE 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

JUSTICE LEAGUE/POWER RANGERS #6

Written by TOM TAYLOR • Art by STEPHEN BYRNE • Cover by KARL KERSCHL

The Power Rangers have reclaimed their Power Coins and control of the Zords, but the battle is far from won. Brainiac’s treaty with Zedd has left their Earth in jeopardy—and without Zordon’s guidance, even their alliance with the Justice League may not be enough to save the day. Don’t miss the epic finale! Co-published with BOOM! Studios.

On sale JUNE 14 • 32 pg, FC, 6 of 6, $3.99 US • RATED T

THE KAMANDI CHALLENGE #6

Written by STEVE ORLANDO • Art by PHILIP TAN and NORM RAPMUND • Cover by ANDY KUBERT • Variant cover by PHILIP TAN

After the jaw-dropping cliffhanger of last issue, writer Steve Orlando and artist Philip Tan transport us to the frozen post-apocalyptic Russian tundra now controlled by the grizzly proletariat. Alongside his new friend, Renzi, Kamandi stumbles upon a “communi-bear” city on the brink of destruction! Can Kamandi help their ruler save the city? Or will everything come crashing down?

On sale JUNE 28 • 32 pg, FC, 6 of 12, $3.99 US • RATED T

SUPERGIRL: BEING SUPER #4

Written by MARIKO TAMAKI • Art and cover by JOELLE JONES

Having her life torn to shreds and burned to ash has forced Supergirl to choose between the world she was born on and the world that adopted her. Can Kara Danvers find a way to be super—or will she crash and burn?

On sale JUNE 28 • 48 pg, FC, 4 of 4, $5.99 US • RATED T+

THE FLINTSTONES #12

Written by MARK RUSSELL • Art by STEVE PUGH • Cover by RICK LEONARDI and SCOTT HANNA • Variant cover by YANICK PAQUETTE

You are now leaving Bedrock! The Great Gazoo is on his way home to the stars, while Fred and company leave the Church of Gerald, and Mr. Slate leaves behind being a jerk— at least for a little while. Say good-bye to Pebbles, Bowling Ball, Philip the turtle, Fred and Barney, and the whole cast in this final issue of what critics are calling the best comic of 2016!

On sale JUNE 7 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T • FINAL ISSUE

SCOOBY APOCALYPSE #14

Written by KEITH GIFFEN and J.M. DeMATTEIS • Art by DALE EAGLESHAM • Backup story art by JAN DUURSEMA • Cover by HOWARD PORTER • Variant cover by CULLY HAMNER

Velma’s brother turns sibling rivalry up to extremes in his quest to rule the monsters…but the creatures are more interested in attacking his skyscraper than in being his loyal subjects. Can Velma, Scooby and the gang stop him from carrying out his plans to mutate the creatures even more? Plus, in the backup story: Brainy super-dog Scrappy-Doo and his pet human kid are hot on the trail of a puzzle. Monsters are migrating, but to where?

On sale JUNE 14 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

THE FALL AND RISE OF CAPTAIN ATOM #6

Written by CARY BATES and GREG WEISMAN • Art by WILL CONRAD • Cover by ANA DITTMANN

“Mission Creep” part six! After past and present events collide in a crisis for Captain Atom and General Eiling, longtime adversaries are forced to team up. But even though they seem to be on the same side for once, their motives could not be further apart.

On sale JUNE 7 • 32 pg, FC, 6 of 6, $2.99 US • RATED T

THE ODYSSEY OF THE AMAZONS #6

Written by KEVIN GREVIOUX • Art by RYAN BENJAMIN and DON HO • Cover by RYAN BENJAMIN

Hessia and her valiant band of Amazon warriors fight for control of the Black Sword that will, if seized by the Jotuns, bring about Ragnarok. But the Jotuns are joined by the new and more deadly Amazon-Jotun hybrids who may be more powerful than everyone. Amazons and Valkyries battle side by side and to the death in this dramatic series conclusion.

On sale JUNE 21 • 32 pg, FC, 6 of 6 • $3.99 US • RATED T+

SCOOBY-DOO TEAM-UP #27

Written by SHOLLY FISCH • Art and cover by DARIO BRIZUELA

A fortune-teller has predicted doom for Plastic Man’s sidekick, Woozy Winks! Plas needs the Scooby gang to find out if the fortune-teller’s curse is a scam. But if the curse isn’t real, who’s behind the series of accidents that might guarantee that it comes true?

On sale JUNE 28 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED E

SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU? #82

Written by SHOLLY FISCH • Art by SCOTT JERALDS • Cover by SCOTT GROSS

For truckers on a midnight run, an all-night truck stop is a sight for sore eyes…unless it’s haunted by the Truck Stop Terror! With truckers running for their lives, and their trucks vanishing, Scooby and Mystery Inc. will need to trade in the Mystery Machine for a big rig and hit the road. With a truckload of Scooby Snacks at stake, will Scooby flee from the Terror, or just eat faster?

On sale JUNE 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED E

TEEN TITANS GO! #22

Written by HEATHER NUHFER, PAUL MORRISSEY and SHOLLY FISCH • Art by MARCELO DI CHIARA and JEREMY LAWSON • Cover by DARIO BRIZUELA

Something “Smells like Teen Titans Spirit” when Raven judges a musical competition and Punk Rocket’s band threatens to shake the city to pieces! Then our heroes grow “Bored of the Dance” when Starfire’s plans for a Titans Prom go predictably well. As in, not well at all.

On sale JUNE 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T • DIGITAL FIRST

MAD MAGAZINE #546

Written and illustrated by THE USUAL GANG OF IDIOTS

This June, help the new graduates in your life keep their cool while they starts job hunting—give the gift of MAD! Hey, at least it’ll give them something to laugh about!

On sale JUNE 21 • 56 pg, FC, $5.99 US

BUG!: THE ADVENTURES OF FORAGER #2

Written by LEE ALLRED • Art and cover by MICHAEL ALLRED • Backup story written by and art by JAMES HARVEY • Variant cover by EVAN “DOC” SHANER

Bug’s tumble through dimensions ends up taking him back in time, to the start of General Electric’s mad scheme. In the remote Himalayas, the mad scientist leads his robot army in search of a precious magical metal. Sandman, Sandy, Blue Beetle and the Losers are already out in the snow looking to stop him, but only Bug knows that the fate of the multiverse hangs in the balance. Plus, we begin a new backup feature by James Harvey (Masterplasty, We Are Robin).

On sale JUNE 7 • 32 pg, FC, 2 of 6 • $3.99 US • MATURE READERS

CAVE CARSON HAS A CYBERNETIC EYE #9

Written by JON RIVERA • Art and cover by MICHAEL AVON OEMING • Backup story written by MARK RUSSELL • Backup story art by BRANDON BIRD • Variant cover by MICHAEL CHO

Team Carson continues in hot pursuit of Cave’s cybernetic eye, which has its sights set on the emotionally draining and life-sucking Whisperer and its cult. But just where are they going? Or better yet, when?

On sale JUNE 21 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US• MATURE READERS

DOOM PATROL #9

Written by GERARD WAY • Art and cover by NICK DERINGTON • Variant cover by KYLE SMART

The secret of Terry None (maybe)! The return of old enemies (usually)! Casey eats S**t (again)! Strange babies (possibly)! Ungrateful cats (predictably)! Robotman punches stuff (of course)! Negative Man goes dark (potentially)! New life and anti-life (because)! All of this and none of it happens as reality begins to transform for the Doom Patrol. The stage is being set for the stage to be reset and you’re not going to want to miss the ambulance or you’ll never get to the theater on time.

On sale JUNE 28 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • MATURE READERS

MOTHER PANIC #8

Written by JODY HOUSER • Art by JOHN PAUL LEON • Cover by TOMMY LEE EDWARDS Backup story written by JIM KRUEGER • Backup story art by PHIL HESTER • Variant cover by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO

No one ever said detective work was Violet’s strong suit, but she’s never been one to let details get in her way. Mother Panic’s got a hunch about the new murderer in Gotham, but are impulsiveness and a thirst for vengeance really the right tools to stop a killer?

On sale JUNE 28 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • MATURE READERS

MOTHER PANIC VOL. 1: A WORK IN PROGRESS TP

Written by JODY HOUSER and JIM KRUEGER • Art by TOMMY LEE EDWARDS, SHAWN CRYSTAL and PHIL HESTER • Cover by TOMMY LEE EDWARDS

There’s a new vigilante on the streets of Gotham City, and she’s got her own brand of violent justice. Enter Mother Panic! By day, Violet Paige is a celebutante with a bad attitude and a temper to match, whom no one suspects of having anything lying beneath the surface of her outrageous exploits. But Violet isn’t just another bored heiress in the upper echelons of Gotham City’s elite. Motivated by her traumatic youth, Violet seeks to exact vengeance on her privileged peers as the terrifying new vigilante known only as Mother Panic. Collects issues #1-6 of this new series!

On sale JULY 26 • 176 pg, FC, $16.99 US • MATURE READERS

SHADE, THE CHANGING GIRL #9

Written by CECIL CASTELLUCCI • Art by MARLEY ZARCONE and ANDE PARKS • Backup story art by BRITTNEY WILLIAMS • Cover by BECKY CLOONAN • Variant cover by BRITTNEY WILLIAMS

Part two of Shade’s visit to Gotham City, the first stop on her tour of America. What will happen when she uses madness to get reality to line up with her American dreams? And now that her enemies on Meta have tracked Shade and the madness coat to Earth, she no longer has to worry about how she’s going to get back to her home planet—because Shade’s home planet is coming to her! All this and a new “Life With Honey” tale illustrated by guest artist Brittney Williams (Goldie Vance).

On sale JUNE 7 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • MATURE READERS

SHADE, THE CHANGING GIRL VOL. 1: EARTH GIRL MADE EASY TP

Written by CECIL CASTELLUCCI, NATALIA HERNANDEZ, ASHER POWELL and others • Art by MARLEY ZARCONE, GILBERT HERNANDEZ, MIRKA ANDOLFO and others • Cover by BECKY CLOONAN

On the planet Meta, young Loma steals the madness coat that once belonged to Rac Shade and makes a break across galaxies to take up residence in a new body: Earth girl Megan Boyer. Only now Loma learns that Megan was a bully whom everyone hated, and Loma has to survive high school with the ever-growing and uncontrollable madness at her side—not to mention there are people back on her homeworld who might just want Shade’s coat back. Collects issues #1-6.

On sale JULY 12 • 176 pg, FC, $16.99 US • MATURE READERS

DC UNIVERSE: REBIRTH OMNIBUS EXPANDED EDITION HC

Written by VARIOUS • Art by VARIOUS • Cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO

DC’s Rebirth event began with a bang in June 2016, relaunching every DC hero from Aquaman to Wonder Woman! Now, the entire collection of REBIRTH specials are gathered in a massive new hardcover, expanded to add newer issues including BATWOMAN: REBIRTH #1, JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA: REBIRTH #1, DC REBIRTH HOLIDAY SPECIAL #1 and the one-shots starring the Atom, the Ray, Killer Frost and Vixen!

On sale SEPTEMBER 13 • 792 pg, FC, $99.99 US

DEATHSTROKE VOL. 2: THE GOSPEL OF SLADE TP

Written by CHRISTOPHER PRIEST • Art by CARLO PAGULAYAN, JASON PAZ, CARY NORD, DENYS COWAN and BILL SIENKIEWICZ • Cover by SHANE DAVIS and MICHELLE DELECKI

Deathstroke battles the Man of Steel in the conclusion to “The Professional” storyline as this second Rebirth collection begins! Then, in “Four Days,” Slade and Wintergreen team up for a covert mission that reveals the stunning truth about Deathstroke’s powers. Collects issues #6-11.

On sale JULY 5 • 144 pg, FC, $16.99 US

THE FLASH VOL. 3: ROGUES RELOADED TP

Written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON • Art by CARMINE DI GIANDOMENICO, JESUS MERINO, ANDY OWENS and NEIL GOOGE • Cover by CARMINE DI GIANDOMENICO

In “Rogues Reloaded,” the Flash’s old foes, the Rogues, have abandoned Central City, pulled off that big score they’ve been after for years and are living it up in a beachside mansion. The only problem? They ripped off the wrong marks—and now some truly evil people are out for revenge. If the Rogues are going to have any chance of surviving, they’ll need the help of their least favorite person alive: the Flash. Collects issues #14-20.

On sale JULY 26 • 144 pg, FC, $16.99 US

THE FLASH: THE REBIRTH COLLECTION DELUXE EDITION BOOK ONE HC

Written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON • Art by CARMINE DI GIANDOMENICO and NEIL GOOGE • Cover by KARL KERSCHL

A new storm brews over Central City and disproves the old adage about lightning never, well…you know. Just as Barry begins to feel overwhelmed fighting crime, a new speedster debuts—but where did this amazing new friend come from? Spinning directly out of the epic events of DC UNIVERSE: REBIRTH, the Fastest Man Alive finds himself at the center of a DC Universe at a crossroads—and reeling from the reemergence of his protégé, Wally West! Collects issues #1-12 and THE FLASH: REBIRTH #1.

On sale JULY 26 • 304 pg, FC, $34.99 US

JUSTICE LEAGUE VOL. 3: TIMELESS TP

Written by BRYAN HITCH • Art by BRYAN HITCH, FERNANDO PASARIN, DANIEL HENRIQUES and others • Cover by FERNANDO PASARIN and MATT RYAN

A new epic begins when a mysterious young woman implores the Justice League to fight against the Timeless, a cosmic threat they’ve never faced before—because it exists at different points throughout Earth’s history! But when the individual members of the Justice League are scattered across time, they must find their way back to the present to stop the Timeless! Collects JUSTICE LEAGUE #14-19.

On sale JULY 12 • 144 pg, FC, $16.99 US

JUSTICE LEAGUE: THE REBIRTH COLLECTION DELUXE EDITION BOOK ONE HC

Written by BRYAN HITCH • Art by TONY S. DANIEL, BRYAN HITCH, JESUS MERINO, MATTHEW CLARK, NEIL EDWARDS and others • Cover by TONY S. DANIEL

A new day dawns for the Justice League as they welcome a slew of new members into their ranks. But can the world’s greatest superheroes trust these new recruits? And will the members of the League be able to come together against an ancient evil that threatens to reclaim not just the world, but the entire universe?! Collects JUSTICE LEAGUE: REBIRTH #1 and JUSTICE LEAGUE #1-11.

On sale JULY 12 • 312 pg, FC, $34.99 US

AQUAMAN: KINGDOM LOST TP

Written by JOHN ARCUDI • Art by PATRICK GLEASON, CHRISTIAN ALAMY, LEONARD KIRK, ANDY CLARKE and FREDDIE E. WILLIAMS II • Cover by PATRICK GLEASON and CHRISTIAN ALAMY

Just as citizens of Sub Diego are starting to adapt to their new life under the sea, Black Manta arrives with his own plans for the devastated city. While Aquaman and his new Aquagirl deal with this latest mystery, Atlantis is making its inroads with Sub Diego. This legendary storyline comes to a close in the lead-up to Infinite Crisis. Collects issues #32-39.

On sale JULY 26 • 200 pg, FC, $16.99 US

BATMAN: THE CAPED CRUSADER VOL. 1 HC

Written by MIKE W. BARR, JO DUFFY, JOHN WAGNER, ALAN GRANT and JIM STARLIN • Art by ALAN DAVIS, TODD McFARLANE, NORM BREYFOGLE, JIM BAIKIE, JIM APARO and others • Cover by MIKE MIGNOLA

In these stories that immediately followed BATMAN: YEAR ONE, the Caped Crusader learns what kind of compromises he must make to be the hero that Gotham City truly needs. As he battles against the deadly Reaper, the city’s first vigilante hero, Batman must work with the man who murdered his parents and a cadre of mob bosses to protect Gotham City. Collects DETECTIVE COMICS #575-584 and BATMAN #413-420.

On sale JULY 5 • 440 pg, FC, $49.99 US

BATMAN/TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES VOL. 1 TP

Written by JAMES TYNION IV • Art and cover by FREDDIE E. WILLIAMS II

The sold-out, smash-hit 6-issue miniseries co-published with IDW is now available in paperback! It all starts in Gotham City, as a series of deadly raids leads Batman to believe he is up against a group of highly trained ninjas. Somehow, the Foot Clan has crossed over to another dimension—but they haven’t come alone: Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello and Michelangelo are on their trail!

On sale JULY 19 • 176 pg, FC, $16.99 US

BATMAN NOIR: DARK VICTORY HC

Written by JEPH LOEB • Art and cover by TIM SALE

In this new edition of the sequel to BATMAN: THE LONG HALLOWEEN, Gotham City is overrun by freaks like Poison Ivy, Mr. Freeze and The Joker. To save his city, the Dark Knight investigates the seeming return of the serial killer called Holiday—and must learn who is committing crimes in his name! Issues #0-13 of the hit series are collected for the first time in striking, high-contrast black and white!

On sale JULY 12 • 392 pg, B&W, $39.99 US

DC SUPER HERO GIRLS: A KIDS COLORING BOOK

Art and cover by YANCEY LABAT

The sensational DC Super Hero Girls are back in a new coloring book for kids of all ages! Featuring art by Yancey Labat and a cast of heroes including Supergirl, Wonder Woman, Harley Quinn and more!

On sale JULY 5 • 96 pg, 8” x 10.875” • B&W, $7.99 US

THE DARING NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERGIRL VOL. 2 TP

Written by PAUL KUPPERBERG • Art by CARMINE INFANTINO, BOB OKSNER and EDUARDO BARRETO • Cover by ED HANNIGAN and DICK GIORDANO

In these 1980s tales from The Daring NEW Adventures of Supergirl #13 and Supergirl #14-23, the Maid of Might faces neo-Nazis, meets the new threat of Blackstarr, explores the depths of Lake Michigan to find a mysterious monster and is baffled by the Ambush Bug! This collection features appearances by the Justice League of America and the Teen Titans!

On sale JULY 12 • 272 pg, FC, $29.99 US

ELSEWORLDS: JUSTICE LEAGUE VOL. 2 TP

Written by RANDY L’OFFICIER, JEAN-MARC L’OFFICIER, DOUG MOENCH and others • Art by TED McKEEVER, DAVE ROSS, GEORGE FREEMAN and others • Cover by TY TEMPLETON

These alternate histories of the Justice League are collected for the first time! Includes JLA: ACT OF GOD #1-3, SUPERMAN: METROPOLIS #1, BATMAN: NOSFERATU #1 and WONDER WOMAN: BLUE AMAZON #1, plus ELSEWORLDS 80-PAGE GIANT #1!

On sale JULY 19 • 424 pg, FC, $34.99 US

GOTHAM ACADEMY: SECOND SEMESTER VOL. 1 TP

Written by BRENDEN FLETCHER, KARL KERSCHL and BECKY CLOONAN • Art by ADAM ARCHER, SANDRA HOPE and MSASSYK • Cover by KARL KERSCHL

With a new semester under way, Olive and the rest of the Detective Club have a new mystery: the Book of Gotham! The club must find out why this book is so important as Olive faces her destiny! Collects GOTHAM ACADEMY: SECOND SEMESTER #1-3, #5-8.

On sale JULY 19 • 160 pg, FC, $16.99 US

HE-MAN/THUNDERCATS TP

Written by ROB DAVID and LLOYD GOLDFINE • Art and cover by FREDDIE E. WILLIAMS II

He-Man takes on Lion-O and the rest of the Thundercats in an epic battle! The claws will come out and sparks will fly as these two heroes come face to face in an all-out melee of iron and muscle. With the Eye of Thundera, will the Thundercats sway the tides against He-Man’s pure power and strength? Can they settle their differences when Mumm-Ra and Skeletor arrrive? Collects HE-MAN/THUNDERCATS #1-6.

On sale JULY 5 • 160 pg, FC, $16.99 US

INJUSTICE GROUND ZERO VOL. 1 HC

Written by CHRISTOPHER SEBELA and BRIAN BUCCELLATO • Art by POP MHAN, TOM DERENICK, DANIEL SAMPERE, MARCO SANTUCCI and others • Cover by BEN OLIVER

INJUSTICE: GROUND ZERO bridges the gap between the Injustice and Injustice 2 video games with a new perspective—through Harley Quinn’s eyes! As heroes from a parallel Earth arrive to tip the balance against Superman’s regime, Harley’s determined to cause her own brand of mayhem with the Joker Clan! This first hardcover of the new series includes issues #1-6.

On sale JULY 5 • 144 pg, FC, $24.99 US

HARLEY QUINN BY AMANDA CONNER AND JIMMY PALMIOTTI OMNIBUS VOL. 1 HC

Written by AMANDA CONNER and JIMMY PALMIOTTI • Art by AMANDA CONNER, CHAD HARDIN, STEPHANE ROUX, JOHN TIMMS, DARWYN COOKE, MAURICET, MORITAT and others…so many others • Cover by AMANDA CONNER

The amazingly popular run on HARLEY QUINN by the multi-talented team of Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti is collected in a massive hardcover that includes HARLEY QUINN #0-16, HARLEY QUINN: FUTURE’S END #1, HARLEY QUINN INVADES COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL: SAN DIEGO, HARLEY QUINN ANNUAL #1, HARLEY QUINN HOLIDAY SPECIAL #1, HARLEY QUINN VALENTINE’S DAY SPECIAL #1, and the miniseries HARLEY QUINN AND POWER GIRL #1-6, wrapped up in a new cover by Amanda Conner!

On sale SEPTEMBER 6 • 752 pg, FC, $99.99 US

JUSTICE LEAGUE BY GIFFEN AND DEMATTEIS OMNIBUS VOL. 1 HC

Written by KEITH GIFFEN and J.M. DeMATTEIS • Art by KEVIN MAGUIRE, KEITH GIFFEN, MIKE McKONE, STEVE LEIALOHA, TY TEMPLETON, ADAM HUGHES, BART SEARS and others • Cover by KEVIN MAGUIRE

The classic 1980s super-team series is collected in a giant Omnibus starring Batman, Blue Beetle, Booster Gold, Green Lantern Guy Gardner, Ice, Fire and dozens of other colorful heroes! This first volume includes JUSTICE LEAGUE #1-6, JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #7-25, JUSTICE LEAGUE AMERICA #26-46, JUSTICE LEAGUE EUROPE #1-21, SUICIDE SQUAD #13, JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL ANNUAL #1-3, JUSTICE LEAGUE AMERICA ANNUAL #4, JUSTICE LEAGUE EUROPE ANNUAL #1 and more!

On sale SEPTEMBER 27 • 1,080 pg, FC, $99.99 US

JUSTICE LEAGUE BY GEOFF JOHNS BOX SET VOL. 1

Written by GEOFF JOHNS • Art by JIM LEE, SCOTT WILLIAMS, GENE HA, CARLOS D’ANDA, IVAN REIS, JOE PRADO, TONY S. DANIEL and others

The first three collections of Geoff John’s stellar run on JUSTICE LEAGUE are collected in a slipcase trade paperback! Don’t miss the fast-paced action from the pages of JUSTICE LEAGUE VOL. 1: ORIGIN, JUSTICE LEAGUE VOL. 2: THE VILLAIN’S JOURNEY and JUSTICE LEAGUE VOL. 3: THRONE OF ATLANTIS, collecting JUSTICE LEAGUE #1-17 and AQUAMAN #15-16.

On sale OCTOBER 4 • FC • $49.99 US

DC SUPER HERO GIRLS: A KIDS COLORING BOOK

Art and cover by YANCEY LABAT

The sensational DC Super Hero Girls are back in a new coloring book for kids of all ages! Featuring art by Yancey Labat and a cast of heroes including Supergirl, Wonder Woman, Harley Quinn and more!

On sale JULY 5 • 96 pg, 8” x 10.875”, B&W, $7.99 US

MIDNIGHTER: THE COMPLETE WILDSTORM SERIES TP

Written by GARTH ENNIS, BRIAN K. VAUGHAN, CHRISTOS GAGE, JIMMY PALMIOTTI, JUSTIN GRAY and KEITH GIFFEN • Art by CHRIS SPROUSE, PETER SNEJBJERG, GLENN FABRY, JOHN PAUL LEON, DARICK ROBERTSON, BRIAN STELFREEZE, RAFA SANDOVAL, CHRISCROSS, LEE GARBETT, RICK BURCHETT, SIMON COLEBY and others • Cover by CHRIS SPROUSE and KARL STORY

From his hometown to the Middle East to the Carrier in outer space, Midnighter must protect the ones he loves while battling for his and their lives. When a firm of professional fascist superheroes overrun Midnighter’s hometown, he battles himself in the guise of Assassin8 and steals his genetic code in the hopes of destroying the Authority, pitting friend versus friend and Midnighter versus Apollo! This title collects MIDNIGHTER #1-20 and MIDNIGHTER: ARMAGEDDON #1!

On sale JULY 12 • 512 pg, FC, $39.99 US

MIDNIGHTER & APOLLO TP

Written by STEVE ORLANDO • Art by FERNANDO BLANCO • Cover by ACO

When Midnighter and Apollo are torn apart by a mysterious villain who sends Apollo to the underworld, Midnighter must brave the gates of hell itself for his lover. Collects MIDNIGHTER & APOLLO #1-6.

On sale JULY 19 • 152 pg, FC, $16.99 US

THE ABSOLUTE AUTHORITY VOL. 1 HC

Written by WARREN ELLIS • Art by BRYAN HITCH, PAUL NEARY, PHIL JIMENEZ, ANDY LANNING and others • Cover by BRYAN HITCH and PAUL NEARY

In these widescreen adventures from writer Warren Ellis and artist Bryan Hitch, the Authority battles a nation of super-powered terrorists, stops an invasion from a parallel world and much more! Collects THE AUTHORITY #1-12, PLANETARY/THE AUTHORITY #1 and more, including a brand-new story by Warren Ellis, Bryan Hitch and Paul Neary!

On sale OCTOBER 11 • 384 pg, FC, 8.25″ x 12.5″ $75.00 US

PLANETARY BOOK ONE TP

Written by WARREN ELLIS • Art by JOHN CASSADAY, PHIL JIMENEZ and ANDY LANNING • Cover by JOHN CASSADAY

This new cut of the classic series includes extras from the Absolute Edition, including sketches and variant covers. Collecting the adventures of Elijah Snow, a powerful hundred-year-old-man, Jakita Wagner, an extremely powerful but bored woman, and the Drummer, a man with the ability to communicate with machines. Collects Planetary #1-14, the Planetary Sneak Peek and Planetary/The Authority: RULING THE WORLD #1.

On sale JULY 12 • 432 pg, FC, $29.99 US

NIGHTWING VOL. 6: TO SERVE AND PROTECT TP

Written by CHUCK DIXON • Art by PATRICK ZIRCHER, GREG LAND, KIERON DWYER, RICK BURCHETT, RICK LEONARDI and others • Cover by GREG LAND and KARL STORY

Dick Grayson’s adventures in Blüdhaven continue in these tales from NIGHTWING #47-60 and NIGHTWING 80-PAGE GIANT #1. As he moves up the ranks in the city’s police department, Nightwing battles the threats of the Sylph and the Shrike. Plus, learn the backstory of the crazed hero called Nite-Wing and witness an encounter between Nightwing and Catwoman!

On sale JULY 12 • 360 pg, FC, $29.99 US

ROBIN VOL. 4: TURNING POINT TP

Written by CHUCK DIXON • Art by TOM GRUMMETT, PHIL JIMENEZ and others • Cover by TOM GRUMMETT and RAY KRYSSING

In these tales from ROBIN #0, #6-13 and SHOWCASE ’94 #5-6, Tim Drake witnesses the start of a new era as Dick Grayson takes over as Batman in the wake of the “Knightfall” storyline. Plus, Robin faces off with Two-Face, battles Steeljacket and tries to deal with the legacy left by the Robins before him!

On sale JULY 19 • 248 pg, FC, $24.99 US

SUPERGIRL: THE SILVER AGE VOL. 1 TP

Written by OTTO BINDER and JERRY SIEGEL • Art by AL PLASTINO and JIM MOONEY • Cover by MICHAEL CHO

In these stories from ACTION COMICS #252-284, Supergirl adjusts to life on Earth with her adoptive parents. The stories alternate between small-town slice-of-life tales, tales of Supergirl’s efforts to master her new powers, and time-traveling jaunts into the far future and past. Plus, don’t miss an early appearance of the Legion of Super-Heroes!

On sale JULY 19 • 384 pg, FC, $29.99 US

BATMAN/SUPERMAN/WONDER WOMAN: TRINITY TP NEW EDITION

Written by MATT WAGNER • Art and cover by MATT WAGNER

In this new edition of the classic adventure, when Ra’s al Ghul recruits Bizarro and a renegade Amazon warrior to help him create global chaos, the Dark Knight Detective suddenly finds himself working with the Man of Steel and the Amazon Princess. Looking to thwart the madman’s plot to simultaneously destroy all satellite communications as well as all of the world’s oil reserves, Earth’s greatest heroes are forced to band together—if they can work out their differences!

On sale JULY 26 • 208 pg, FC, $19.99 US

SUPERMAN: SAVAGE DAWN TP

Written by GENE LUEN YANG, PETER J. TOMASI and, GREG PAK • Art by AARON KUDER, HOWARD PORTER, DAN JURGENS, DOUG MANHKE, BEN OLIVER, RAFA SANDOVAL, ARDIAN SYAF, BRUNO REDONDO, CLIFF RICHARDS and others • Cover by AARON KUDER

Depowered and fragile, Superman is becoming increasingly desperate to regain his abilities! There isn’t a solution he’s not ready to embrace: the Greek Gods, villainous adversaries and even Kryptonite! In the midst of this crisis, Superman discovers the mastermind behind it all: the immortal Vandal Savage! This title collects SUPERMAN ANNUAL #3, ACTION COMICS #48-50, SUPERMAN #48-50 and SUPERMAN/WONDER WOMAN #25-27 and #30-31.

On sale JULY 26 • 352 pg, FC, $24.99 US

WATCHMEN: THE ANNOTATED EDITION HC

Written by LESLIE S. KLINGER • WATCHMEN written by ALAN MOORE • Art and cover by DAVE GIBBONS

The best-selling graphic novel of all time returns in a new edition featuring copious annotations by Leslie S. Klinger, who previously annotated THE SANDMAN! This black-and-white hardcover edition includes a new foreword by artist Dave Gibbons, plus a WATCHMEN timeline, bibliography and more.

On sale NOVEMBER 15 • 424 pg, B&W, 11.75” x 11.75”, $49.99 US

WONDER WOMAN BY GREG RUCKA VOL. 2 TP

Written by GREG RUCKA • Art by DREW JOHNSON, SEAN PHILLIPS, JAMES RAIZ, RAGS MORALES and others • Cover by J.G. JONES

In these stories from WONDER WOMAN #206-217, the deadly Medusa comes calling, and Wonder Woman’s world is turned upside down. After a terrible sacrifice, the Amazing Amazon must prove herself once again to her comrades in the Justice League—and to the world.

On sale JULY 5 • 320 pg, FC, $29.99 US

THE WONDER WOMAN 100 PROJECT TP

All of the Hero Initiative’s 100-plus original covers to DC’s Wonder Woman 75th Anniversary Special #1 are presented in this great new book featuring art by John Cassaday, Alan Davis, Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez, Adam Hughes, Dale Keown, George Pérez, Paolo Rivera and many more! See all the covers along with a special behind-the-scenes section showing developmental art and more!

NOTE: There will be ONLY ONE PRINTING OF THIS BOOK EVER! Order yours today!

On sale JUNE 28 • 120 pg, FC, $12.99 US

ASTRO CITY #45

Written by KURT BUSIEK • Art by BRENT ANDERSON • Cover by ALEX ROSS

“WHAT BROKE THE BROKEN MAN?” part one of two! Astro City’s tangled history of superheroes, music, counterculture, serpents and darkness comes to a head. Heroes are destroyed, minds are shattered…and an unlikely savior rises.

RESOLICIT • On sale JUNE 21 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

CLEAN ROOM VOL. 3: WAITING FOR THE STARS TO FALL TP

Written by GAIL SIMONE • Art by WALTER GEOVANI and SANYA ANWAR • Cover by JENNY FRISON

In these stories from CLEAN ROOM #13-18, discover how Astrid was first affected after her hospitalization through the eyes of one who cannot see what she sees: her brother and would-be assassin, Peter Mueller. Then, a woman devastated by the violent loss of her husband finds comfort in Astrid Mueller’s teachings, only to face the woman herself in the most nightmarish reaches of the Clean Room!

On sale JULY 12 • 144 pg, FC, $16.99 US • MATURE READERS

EVERAFTER: FROM THE PAGES OF FABLES #10

Written by DAVE JUSTUS and LILAH STURGES • Art by TRAVIS MOORE • Cover by TULA LOTAY

After Bobby Speckland’s rescue attempt takes a shocking turn, long years pass for the captives in the Cube—but a young leader emerges as a new generation of hostages comes of age in oppressive darkness. A quiet revolution simmers, and some surprising assistance may be the force that breaks the barrier to freedom once and for all.

On sale JUNE 7 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • MATURE READERS

LUCIFER #19

Written by RICHARD KADREY • Art and cover by LEE GARBETT

This is it. As his enemies rally and Hell is divided, Lucifer initiates his final confrontation with the Presence—but, after everything, what if ultimate control of the universe comes down to a child’s game? And at the end of it all, lovers will reunite, happily or not.

On sale JUNE 28 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • MATURE READERS

SAVAGE THINGS #4

Written by JUSTIN JORDAN • Art by IBRAHIM MOUSTAFA • Cover by JOHN PAUL LEON

As New York edges closer to chaos, two mortal enemies meet face to face for the first time since they were children. Cain and Abel grew up together in the same government black ops facility, but they went their separate ways when Abel escaped the program. Now that Cain’s murder spree has drawn his old rival out of hiding, the two face off for the fate of the city. But will Kira prove to be the vulnerability that could provide Cain with the one advantage he needs to win?

On sale JUNE 7 • 32 pg, FC, 4 of 8, $3.99 US • MATURE READERS

FROSTBITE TP

Written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON • Art and cover by JASON SHAWN ALEXANDER

After Earth’s second ice age, heat is power and brutal gangs roam the icy wasteland. If that wasn’t enough, a terrible disease called “Frostbite” is literally freezing people from the inside out. Once you catch it, the effect is instantaneous. There is no immunity, there is no cure. Until now. Doctor Henry Bonham and his daughter Victoria have found the key to ending Frostbite. If they can get from Mexico City to a secret government outpost in Alcatraz, they could stabilize life across the globe. But to do that they’ll need to stay alive. That’s where Keaton comes in. She and her crew have faced worse journeys before, but never with the potential consequences this one poses if they fail. Collects FROSTBITE #1-6.

On sale JULY 26 • 144 pg, FC, $16.99 US • MATURE READERS

IT’S A BIRD… TP NEW EDITION

Written by STEVEN T. SEAGLE • Art and cover by TEDDY KRISTIANSEN

The acclaimed semi-autobiographical graphic novel that tells one of the most realistic Superman tales ever—without featuring Superman—is back in print! Steve’s given the dream assignment to write SUPERMAN, only he can’t relate to a Man of Steel when his own fears of death haunt him. Explore the cultural significance of a comic-book icon as Steve comes to terms with Superman’s cultural importance.

On sale JULY 5 • 136 pg, FC, $17.99 US • MATURE READERS

SCALPED BOOK ONE TP

Written by JASON AARON • Art and cover by R.M. GUERA

The first eleven issues of the acclaimed series are collected in a new trade paperback! Dashiell Bad Horse has come home to the reservation armed with a set of nunchucks, a hell-bent-for-leather attitude and a dark secret. But nothing has changed—except for the glimmering new casino, and a once-proud people overcome by drugs and organized crime. Includes sketch material by artist R.M. Guera.

On sale JULY 19 • 296 pg, FC, $24.99 US • MATURE READERS

JUSTICE LEAGUE MOVIE STATUES: AQUAMAN, THE FLASH AND WONDER WOMAN

The World’s Greatest Heroes unite on the big screen for the first time this November in the Warner Bros. feature film Justice League! Now, DC Collectibles captures the likenesses of Aquaman, The Flash and Wonder Woman in these spectacular new statues!

AQUAMAN—13.37″ high

Sculpted by David Pereira

THE FLASH—12.55″ high

Sculpted by David Giraud

WONDER WOMAN—13″ high

Sculpted by James Marsano

Limited Editions of 5,000 • Each statue sold separately

Each $150.00 US • On Sale OCTOBER 2017 • Allocations May Occur

BATMAN ANIMATED: BATCAVE WITH BATCOMPUTER VIGNETTE AND ALFRED ACTION FIGURE

DC Collectibles takes its popular BATMAN: THE ANIMATED series to a new level with this amazing set including an exclusive Alfred action figure! This Batcomputer Vignette features battery-powered light-up computer screens, Batman’s seat at his work console, and Alfred’s tea set.

EXCLUSIVE ALFRED ACTION FIGURE INCLUDED!

ALFRED—5.78 high

Set measures approximately 15.40” high x 19.40” wide x 16.40″ deep

$175.00 US • On Sale OCTOBER 2017 • Allocations May Occur

DC DESIGNER SERIES BOMBSHELLS ACTION FIGURES BY ANT LUCIA: BATGIRL, MERA, HAWKGIRL AND KATANA

Inspired by the art of Ant Lucia, the new DC Designer Series Bombshells Action Figure line continues with Batgirl, Mera, Hawkgirl and Katana, based on their appearances in the hit comic! Each captures the spirit of the Bombshells line and comes with their own character-specific accessories!

BATGIRL—6.72″ high

HAWKGIRL—6.92” high

KATANA—7.18″ high

MERA—6.76″ high

Each $28.00 US • On Sale OCTOBER 2017

Each figure sold separately • Allocations May Occur

DC COVER GIRLS: DEATH STATUE

Designed by STANLEY “ARTGERM” LAU • Sculpted by KAREN PALINKO

The DC Cover Girls statue takes a turn for the dark with Stanley “Artgerm” Lau’s distinctive take on Death of the Endless. Inspired by Vertigo’s THE SANDMAN, this statue captures a vision of Death from a long-ago era. This is the final DC Cover Girls statue designed by Lau—watch for an announcement of the new DC Cover Girls Statue designer coming soon!

Limited Edition of 5,000 • Measures Approximately 10.38” Tall

$100.00 US • On Sale OCTOBER 2017 • Allocations May Occur

DC GALLERY: THE JOKER AND HARLEY QUINN BOOKENDS

Designed by NOOLIGAN • Sculpted by PAUL HARDING

The Joker and Harley have taken the Dark Knight hostage in this highly stylized bookend set! It’s ideal for your collection of books starring Batman and his greatest foes.

Limited Edition of 5,000 • Measures Approximately 8.85” Tall

$250.00 US • On Sale OCTOBER 2017 • Allocations May Occur

BATMAN BLACK & WHITE: BATMAN BY AMANDA CONNER STATUE

Designed by AMANDA CONNER • Sculpted by JONATHAN MATTHEWS

Eisner Award-winning artist Amanda Conner designs a pair of statues for the BATMAN BLACK & WHITE series. Conner brings her unique drawing style to the Dark Knight in this new statue!

Limited Edition of 5,000 • Measures Approximately 7.63” Tall

$80.00 US • On Sale OCTOBER 2017 • Allocations May Occur

BATMAN BLACK & WHITE: HARLEY QUINN BY AMANDA CONNER STATUE

Designed by AMANDA CONNER • Sculpted by JONATHAN MATTHEWS

Eisner Award-winning artist Amanda Conner designs a pair of statues for the BATMAN BLACK & WHITE series. Straight from the pages of her own hit monthly series, this Harley Quinn statue is designed by cover artist and co-writer Amanda Conner!

Limited Edition of 5,000 • Measures Approximately 7.05” Tall

$80.00 US • On Sale OCTOBER 2017 • Allocations May Occur

BATMAN ANIMATED: HARLEY’S HOLIDAY STATUE

Sculpted by IRENE MATAR

Inspired by the title card from the classic BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES episode “Harley’s Holiday,” this amazingly detailed statue captures Harley as she’s about to hit the town after being released from Arkham Asylum!

Harley’s hat is magnetic and can be adjusted!

Limited Edition of 5,000 • Measures Approximately 9.75” Tall

$275.00 US • On Sale OCTOBER 2017 • Allocations May Occur

The post DC Comics’ June 2017 Solicitations appeared first on CBR.

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[knightofthecourt]

Love Bites - Chapter 9

Belatrice Gray was a TA at Belgrave University, working hard to stay on top of her marking and trying not to flunk her own studies, when a night out with her bff Randall and his roommates, changed everything.

Hamish Duke x OC fiction with fluff, romance and angst. OC description has been left out to allow for a little reader personalisation!

Bela was pissed. She’d spent weeks crying over Hamish and he had the audacity to act like she was the problem. Where did that self-entitled jerk get off? He was the one who caused this whole situation, he’d ghosted her and now he couldn’t even stand to be in the same room as her. How was that fair?

At least Randall was right, tonight had helped a little, even if it was just because she was so staggeringly angry with Hamish that she couldn’t focus on feeling sad.

She caught up with him quickly. He’d made it down to the end of the street in the few second head start he’d had, and Bela had to practically run to keep up with his long strides. 

As he rounded a corner into the alley beside the bar she snapped. “Are you seriously going to make me chase you all the way home? I’m not going to leave until you talk to me, Hamish.”

She almost walked into his back as he stopped. 

“Fine.” she heard him mutter as he turned to face her. Illuminated in the blue neon light of the bar sign, Hamish’s face was totally blank.

Bela stared in silence, waiting for him to start. He just stared right back at her.  

“Urgh!” Bela wanted to punch a whole through his stupid, perfect face. “Is this your plan? Just pretend I don’t exist and hope I go away?” He flinched but didn’t say anything. 

“Fine then, just stand there.” If he wasn’t going to talk to her, he could damn well listen to what she had to say, and, thanks to the drinks she’d had with Randall, that was a lot. 

“You can’t keep doing this, Hamish. It’s not fun being someone’s one night stand but whatever, it happens! I get it - you hate me, but you can’t keep avoiding me. We work at the same place Hamish, Randall is my friend. How your acting, it isn’t fair.” 

It was like a damn bursting in Bela’s chest. All of the hurt, anger and frustration came tumbling out. She’d been blaming herself this whole time, thinking there was something wrong with her but now she realised, it wasn’t anything to do with her. 

His face softened as a tear trickled down her cheek. 

“Oh don’t.” She scrubbed at her cheek furiously. “Don’t act like you care - these are angry tears Hamish, I’m so fucking angry with you.” 

She instinctively took a step back as he moved towards her, closing the gap. He cupped her cheek, running his thumb up to wipe away the next tear that fell. As if in a trance, he leaned forward, pressing her body against the alley wall, trapping her with the gentle pressure of his hips. When his other hand found her waist, pulling her flush against him, Bela met his lips with her own. 

At his touch, Bela felt the past three weeks evaporate. He kissed her slowly, breathing deeply as her scent overwhelmed the air around him, filling his lungs, his head, swirling in an intoxicating vortex. His mind was consumed with Bela, the taste of her on his lips, the feel of her pressed against him. It was as if he’d been suffocating for the last three weeks and here she was, oxygen.  

“I could never hate you.” He spoke finally. He took a deep breath and then crashed his lips against hers again. His kisses grew more urgent, more heated, deepening to the point where Bela couldn’t tell where she stopped and he began.     

He moved his arms to her neck, the small of her back, the strip of skin exposed at the base of her sweater. As his grip slipped across her ribcage, Bela groaned against his mouth. She ran her hands from where she’d snaked them around his waist and slid them under the hem of his shirt. It was like her blood was aflame, pumping burning desire through her entire being. 

His lips moved to her ear, nipping at her earlobe, then down to caress her neck, sucking softly at her pulse point, his hands brushed over her chest and he growled lightly.  

Suddenly, Bela felt him tense. 

“Haim?” 

He pulled himself away, abruptly leaving her standing in the cold night air.

“Haim, don’t-”

The look of devastation that Bela wore almost sent him back to her side. He could feel Tundra prowling below the surface, urging him to touch her, to hold her, kiss her - anything to lessen the pain they were both feeling. It was an irresistible pull, binding them together and the only relief was in her arms, but Hamish couldn’t. He didn’t deserve her salvation when he knew what it would do to her, how it could end. How it always ended.     

“I can’t,” his voice shook. “I’m so sorry. I can’t let myself-.”

This time when he walked away, Bela didn’t follow him. 

[knightofthecourt]

Love Bites - Chapter 8

Belatrice Gray was a TA at Belgrave University, working hard to stay on top of her marking and trying not to flunk her own studies, when a night out with her bff Randall and his roommates, changed everything.

Hamish Duke x OC fiction with fluff, romance and angst. OC description has been left out to allow for reader personalisation!

“Stupid, stupid, STUPID.” The vending machine shook as Bela whacked the side of it, earning her a dirty look from a young, blonde woman sitting at the table across from her in the student lounge. 

She gave the machine another thump and her packet of Cheetos fell forward a fraction of an inch, and then stopped. Bela didn’t know whether to laugh, cry, or give the irritating box a good solid kick. 

“Wow, nothing gets a woman going like a faulty vending machine.” Randall joked as he joined his friend in front of the infernal device. “Don’t worry Bels, I’ve got you covered.”

He reached into his satchel and pulled out a Twix. As Bela took it with a small ‘thanks’, her eyes were suspiciously glassy. Randall grimaced, “Bad day?”

“Bad month.” Bela replied. 

“Still on for our epic film night?”  

Bela nodded. “When have I ever said no to The Princess Bride? We can grab snacks on the way to mine.”

As they walked Bela felt herself relax slightly, letting Randall’s easy chatter drown out the sounds of the students around them. 

“We thought we’d celebrate the end of finals but Jack was busy with Alyssa again, like always - must be a Tuesday, right? I wanted to go to B&C but Lil insisted on going to that new bar down the road, the one with all the bikers-” 

Bela nodded in sympathy, unwrapping her Twix. 

“And then we got SO drunk, Hamis-” Randall broke off suddenly.    

Bela looked at him. “You can say his name, Randall.” 

“I didn’t want to upset you.”

“Who’s upset?” Her eyes flashed. “It’s totally normal to sleep with someone who ditches you in their apartment and then ignores you for three weeks straight. The kids call it being ‘ghosted’ Randall, and it’s a normal part of the college experience.” 

Catching the look on her friend’s face she forced her expression into something she hoped resembled a smile. “Really,” she insisted, “I’m over it.” 

“Yes, of course you are - I’m totally convinced.” 

Bela had been trying her hardest to avoid drawing her friend into her little pity party over Hamish. She’d had her feelings hurt before by a guy - by a dozen guys, but this time it stung more than she wanted to admit. When Bela had woken alone in Hamish’s apartment with sore legs, a sore neck and, well, sore all over, she had been surprised. A few days and three unreturned texts later she’d been worried. After Randall had awkwardly confirmed over coffee, that Hamish was in fact, alive, she had been furious. 

Despite hitting all of the usual heartbreak remedies - romcom binges, a rather satisfying round of axe throwing at the hipster place round the corner, and just plain, wallowing - Bela’s feelings were as raw as they had been weeks ago. As much as she wanted to, she just wasn’t moving on. 

She’d quickly realised that talking to Randall was off the cards. He was her friend, but he was also Hamish’s friend. When she attempted to casually bring up the situation, his insistence that it was just a difficult and complicated situation (which he couldn’t explain to her), just made her feel worse. Besides, it wasn’t fair for her to put him in the middle of what was quickly turning into a bizarre and deeply depressing, failed romantic conquest.  

The final straw had been last Monday. She’d been walking home from class, distracted by the thought of another late night grading papers, when she rounded a corner and almost ran head-first into him. The countless nights spent imagining what she'd do if she saw Hamish did little to prepare her. There was no apology, no awkward exchange or attempt to excuse his abrupt absence from her life, Hamish had just turned on his heels and walked off in the opposite direction, leaving Bela, and a very confused Randall and Lilith in his wake. 

Once they’d all recovered from the moment, Lilith and Randall had offered to help carry the papers back to her apartment, but Bela politely and firmly refused. 

Instead she walked the 15 minute journey home, closed her front door on the outside world and then, after setting the papers neatly on her coffee table, burst into tears. 

“Bels,” said Randall, pulling her out of her thoughts. 

“Mmhm?” 

“I don’t think you’re fine.” He reached over and prised the mangled chocolate bar from her fist. “Blade and Chalice?” He suggested.    

“Yes, please,” Bela said with a weak smile. 

- - - - - 

“You’re gone and I gotta stay high, all the time, to keep you off my mind, ooOo-hoo, ooOoo-hoo.” Gabrielle warbled from a stage in the corner of the packed bar. 

“You didn’t tell me it was karaoke night.” Bela rolled her eyes as the brunette milked the spotlight for all she could. 

“She sounds like an angel.” Randall slurred, pouring himself another beer. 

Bela squinted at him. “Do you have a crush on Gabrielle?”

“Pffft,” Randall blinked a few times, trying to focus on the stage, “She does sing it well though…” 

“Right, I’m cutting you off.” 

“Nooooo, hells bells-ha! Bels. Get it?” 

“Yes,” Bela sighed, “I get it.”

Randall frowned. “But you’re not laughing.” 

“That’s because it wasn’t funny.” 

Randall grabbed his chest. “You wound me Bela. And to think I thought of you as my friend.” 

“A real friend would get us a refill from the bar.” Bela shook the empty pitcher. 

As Randall stumbled across the room she looked around. The Blade and Chalice was packed with students, regulars and - was that? Yep - even a few professors. They’d managed to snag a table by the door when they got there but as the hours ticked on the place had quickly filled up and was now almost uncomfortably busy. The promise of cheap beer and bad karaoke clearly drew a big crowd and though it wasn’t Bela’s usual idea of a good night, she couldn’t deny that sitting here with her friend, downing drinks and mocking the performances was actually proving to be a pretty decent distraction. 

“I have a surprise for you.”

“Is it more beer?” 

Randall placed the pitcher on the table between them. “No, well yes. But also I signed us up for a song.” 

“Oh great, so we can be the drunk idiots everyone’s making fun of?” 

“C’mon Bels, it’s just a bit of fun. Let’s do something funnnnnnn, for once in our lives! No one cares, they’re all at least five beers deep anyway.”  

Bela huffed. He had a point.

“Fine, but I’m not singing a ballad.” 

Randall did a happy dance and dragged Bella up to the stage. As the first chords of Now or Never by Halsey began, Bela grimaced. 

“You’ve got to be kidding me, Randall.” 

“Big smile doll, it’s showtime!” He launched into the first verse. “I don’t wanna fight right now. Know you always right. Know I need you round with me, but nobody waitin’ round with me.” 

Bela groaned as he smiled in encouragement. “Been through the ups, yeah the ups and the downs with me. Got a whole lot of love, but you don’t wanna spread it round with me.”

“Let’s take it to the chorus!” Randall shouted into the mic. Bela smiled at her friend, he was clearly having the time of his life.     

Randall’s voice joined hers as they sang together, “Baby gon’ love me now, now, now, now, now or never. I want you to hold me down, down, down, down, down forever.” Randall shook his hips, eliciting a chorus of cheers and whistles from the crowd. 

Bela giggled, for the first time in ages she was actually kind of enjoying herself. The beer gave her a fuzzy, comfortably numb feeling and as she watched Randall crooning into his mic, dancing provocatively in front of the crowd she couldn’t help but grin. When he noticed her smiling he grabbed her hand and twirled her round. They finished their song with a flourish and made their way off the stage. 

As they stepped down Gabrielle approached Randall. “Nice dance moves,” She said, leaning close to him and batting her long lashes. “Want to buy me a drink?”.   

He looked at her like a deer caught in headlights for a second and then remembered why he was in the bar in the first place. “Uh, I’m hanging with my bestie tonight.” 

Bela rolled her eyes and leaned over to him. “Are you crazy? Go have fun - I’m fine!” 

“No, I’m not leaving you alone”. 

“Don’t be an idiot. Tonight was awesome, consider me cheered up! Now go.” She gave him a gentle shove in Gabrielle’s direction. He flashed her a hasty thumbs up and mouthed wish me luck, before following her to the bar.

Bela smiled to herself, Gabrielle was going to eat that boy  alive. 

She was making her way back to the table to grab her bag when she bumped into someone coming from the direction of the bar. 

Lilith swore loudly as the glasses she was holding splashed over, catching the front of her jeans. “Seriously? I just got these, watch where you’re going, you drunk- oh. Shit. Hi”. Lilith looked up, her anger fizzling when she recognised Bela.  

Oh God, Bela thought, if Lilith was here did that mean…?

As if she could read her mind, Lilith raised the glasses. “Uh…I’m just here for a nightcap.” 

Bela eyed the drinks - a beer and a scotch. “Both of those for you?” 

“Yep. What? Now only men can be alcoholics?” 

Bela felt the effects of the beer evaporating quickly, along with her good mood. She didn’t really want to spoil her first good night in ages and the last thing she wanted right now was to start an argument with Hamish’s aggressively possessive bff. “Ok, sure. Have fun.” 

Bela grabbed her bag and coat and headed towards the door, just as the bell above it chimed. 

She noticed Hamish before he saw her. He was wrapped in a thick coat, buttoned up against the cold, distracted by the phone in his hand. Lilith shoved past her, approaching him quickly.

“Haim, sorry I didn’t realise - Randall said they were going to be at-”

He looked up to the sound of her voice, in confusion, before his eyes slid over past her shoulder and locked with Bela’s. 

Bela watched in shock as he snarled - actually snarled - at Lilith and then turned and walked straight out of the bar. 

Lilith huffed and slammed her drinks down on the closest table. “Really! Again?”

[knightofthecourt]

Love Bites - Chapter 7

Belatrice Gray was a TA at Belgrave University, working hard to stay on top of her marking and trying not to flunk her own studies, when a night out with her bff Randall and his roommates, changed everything.

Hamish Duke x OC fiction with fluff, romance and angst. OC description has been left out to allow for reader personalisation!

Hamish was awoken by the watery light streaming in through his bedroom window. He turned his head away from the intrusion, desperately chasing the last remnants of sleep.

He’d been having the most unusually vivid dream. The taste of Bela’s lemon-tinted lips on his, the sound of her gasping his name as he grasped the soft curve of her hip, the taste of flesh, flashes of blood.

His eyes flew open. He sat up suddenly, heart racing and looked around the room. 

Next to his own unclothed form, there she lay, curled around his duvet, sleeping peacefully. His breathing slowed as his eyes traced her outline, searching for signs of injury.

There was no blood, no torn flesh, no sign of distress, but… he brushed aside a lock of hair, careful not to disturb her. On the patch of skin below the back of her neck, smooth and even, as if they’d been painted on, sat two faint red crescents. A bite mark.    

Hamish’ stomach plummeted. It hadn’t been a dream, he’d lost control and he - well, Tundra - had bitten Bela last night. As he scanned the discoloured marks that marred the previously unblemished area he began to feel more and more uneasy. He could still feel the pressure of his teeth sinking into her neck, the taste, but this bite looked like it had healed years ago. It didn’t make sense. 

Hamish rose from the bed, quickly and quietly and grabbed the closest outfit he could find. Bela wasn’t safe with him here, something was very wrong.

He needed to get to the Den, now. 

- - - - -

“So, you didn’t bite her?”

Hamish raked a hand through his hair as he stared at Randall. “No, I- Tundra did. It’s like I couldn’t keep him out, I had no control.” 

Lilith shook her head. “But it wasn’t there when you woke up? And Bela didn’t say anything?”

“What would she say,” Jack said, “Morning Hamish, I had a great time last night - by the way, did you turn into a werewolf and take a great big chunk out of my neck?”

“No,” Hamish said, “I told you, the bite had healed somehow and I left before she woke up.” 

“Ooh,” said Jack “Maybe she’s some sort of vampire with superhuman healing abilities”. 

Randall grinned, “Or a mutant, like Wolverine from X-Men.” He paused when he saw the look on Hamish’s face. “No, probably not a mutant. Definitely not a mutant... are you sure it happened? Maybe the mark is from something else - I fell asleep on a textbook after finals, had a line on my arm for three days.” 

Hamish’s head throbbed as he looked across the room at Jack, Randall and Lilith. He’d been glad to find all three of them in the Den when he burst through the door half an hour ago, strewn across the living room. Judging from the state of the place, they were recovering from a beer pong session.

After they’d finished making comments about his uncharacteristically haphazard appearance and lack of tie, he’d managed to explain what had happened with Bela - the bite, blacking out after and waking up this morning with her still in one piece.  

As he watched their conversation turn to the different ways they’d managed to injure themselves in their sleep, his mind drifted to the woman he’d left in his apartment. He wondered whether she’d found the note he’d left yet, a carefully crafted lie to explain his unexpected absence, propped against a glass of juice and packet of Advil on the bedside table. It took more willpower than he expected not to lean down and brush a kiss against her temple before he left, but he couldn’t risk waking her.

“Enough.” Hamish snapped, pulling the trio from their hungover musings. “This is serious. I’ve never seen anything like this, never even read about anything like it and… things have been different recently. I’ve been losing control. I’ve put Bela in danger - I’ve put all of you in danger.”

His three friends looked up at him, all traces of humour gone.  

“Ok,” Randall said. He threw off the blanket and walked over to the bookshelf in the corner of the room. “Let’s hit the books then.” 

- - - - -

“Wha-!” Hamish ducked as a leather bound volume went sailing past his head. 

“How could you?” Lilith was furious, her face a mask of rage, eyes flashing between silver and brown in a kaleidoscopic blur. 

Randall spun on his heels as Hamish regained his composure. “What the hell Lilith?”

“Without her consent Hamish? You mated with her without her consent?”

“Woah,” Jack chipped in from his perch on the stairs, “Even I know that’s wrong, dude.”

Randall spun back to Hamish, who looked baffled, and then held up his hands in an attempt to keep Lilith and Hamish apart. 

“Haim,” he said, keeping one eye on Lilith, who was now shifting from foot to foot, as if readying herself to launch at their leader. “What did you do?”

Hamish raised his hands in defence. “Nothing. I asked before we were intimate. I would never...” He trailed off when Lilith let out a small snarl. 

“I’m not talking about sex Hamish, you marked her - read the damn book.”

Hamish didn’t move. He looked stricken, the blood draining from his face. 

Randall retrieved the book from the floor and opened it to the page Lilith had marked with a scrap of paper. “Though often depicted otherwise in folklore, most werewolves will never find a mate. Those who do are rare.” He began, glancing up at Hamish who had placed his head in his hands. 

“Once a mate is identified the hide will compel the wearer to bond with their potential partner, before marking them as their own. This stage of the mating process is dangerous and, if the champion is not in control of the hide, often results in the death of their mate.”

Hamish swayed a little on his feet.

Randall continued. “Those who survive have little recollection of this process, though it is not known why. As well as providing a euphoric effect, the saliva produced by the wolf during mating causes the mark to heal quickly. The bond created through mating is irreversible and can only be severed by the death of the hide’s host, or the death of their mate. The benefits of mating include an incomparable sense of loyalty, enhanced resistance to magic and the ability to bear -”.

“Stop.” Hamish’s voice cracked. He lowered his hands from his ashen face.     

Lilith was ready to punch something, or someone. “Loyalty?” she snarled, “It’s brainwashing Hamish. How could you do this to her? She’s our friend - you didn’t even give her a choice.” 

Randall scoffed as he placed the book on the table next to the sofa. “Your friend, Lil? When was the last time you two hung out on your own.” 

“Stop.” Hamish’s voice was barely more than a whisper. 

“Well, apparently she’s going to be our new werewolf step mom or something so -”

“As if that makes you best friends. Wait a second - does that mean Hamish is our werewolf dad?” 

“More like grandad,” Jack piped up. 

“Urgh!” Lilith let out a wail of frustration and rounded on Randall, her eyes finally settling on silver discs. She growled again as her nails lengthened into claws. 

“STOP!” For a brief second Hamish’s eyes flashed and his face contorted as a change washed over him, then he took a deep breath and the anger seemed to drain out of him. His shoulders slumped as he pushed past Randall and Lilith and sat heavily on the sofa.  

Randall glanced at Lilith, eyes wide. 

“I didn’t know any of this,” Hamish said, looking up at them. “I never would have gone near her if I’d known. And now I can’t... I can’t take it back. She could have died because of me - because I care about her and -” He broke off, placing his head once again in his hands. 

Randall sat down next to Hamish and put a steadying palm on his back. “Bela is my friend,” he said, emphasising the word 'my' as he glared at Lilith. “You both are - I know you wouldn’t do anything to hurt her. And she likes you, she really, really likes you, even without this mate stuff.”  

Lilith looked at Hamish, her eyes clouded. “I’m sorry Haim, we’ll do whatever we can to help.” 

“No.” Hamish stood suddenly, jerking away from Randall. “I need to stay away from Bela. I can’t undo what I’ve done but if I keep my distance maybe she’ll be safe. I can’t lose someone I love. Not again.” He strode out of the Den, slamming the door hard enough to rattle its hinges on his way out.

“Right,” Jack sighed from the stairwell, “good to know we have a solid plan.”