#Star Wars: Heir to the Empire: Chapter 1

[roseaesynstylae]

Heir to the Empire: Chapter 1

We begin with the Star Destroyer Chimaera moving through space. On the bridge is Captain Pellaeon, who reflects bitterly over the loss of the Executor at Endor five years previously.

"Even after five years Pellaeon couldn't help but wince at the memory of that image, the Executor, out of control, colliding with the unfinished Death Star and then disintegrating completely in the battle station's massive explosion. The loss of the ship itself had been bad enough; but the fact that it was the Executor had made it far worse. That particular Super Star Destroyer had been Darth Vader's personal ship, and despite the Dark Lord's legendary -- and often lethal-- capriciousness, serving aboard it had long been perceived as the quick line to promotion.

Which meant that when the Executor died, so also did a disproportionate fraction of the best young and midlevel officers and crewers."

I guess that explains Piett, then. He always seemed much more competent than other Imperial officers, and certainly more competent that Ozzel (who I suspect may have been inflicted on Vader as a punishment by the Emperor). This also makes the sacrifice of Arvel Crynyd even more impressive; he crippled the Empire even more in the long run.

Pellaeon heads to Grand Admiral Thrawn's meditation chamber, encountering Thrawn's Noghri bodyguard Rukh. We'll get to the Noghri more in the future. Fun fact: They were originally intended to be called "Sith," but George Lucas vetoed that as he wanted to use the term in the future.

The reader accompanies Pellaeon into the mediation chamber, which is also Thrawn's personal art museum. "The walls and domed ceiling were covered in flat paintings and planics, a few of them vaguely human-looking but most of distinctly alien origin. Various sculptures were scattered around, some freestanding, others on pedestals. In the center of the room was a double circle of repeater displays, the outer ring slightly higher than the inner ring. Both sets of displays, at least from what little Pellaeon could see, also seemed to be devoted to pictures of artwork."

And here we are introduced to Grand Admiral Thrawn. The first sentence of his description -- "his pale blue skin looking cool and subdued and very alien on his otherwise human frame" -- makes it clear that, even in terms of his appearance, he's not like other Imperial officers. We don't learn much about Thrawn's origins in this trilogy; it isn't until the Hand of Thrawn duology that we learn that his species is called the Chiss. This lack of information actually fits with his depiction in this trilogy. The audience only knows a little more about him than the characters in-universe do, and that's mainly due to the multiple perspectives. Of course, future books have explained a lot, but when this book first came out, Thrawn was a total cipher.

Thrawn reveals that the artwork is holographic due to the originals being inaccessible, a nice little touch I appreciated. Pellaeon agrees with him (in a way that's basically him trying to push through a subject he has no clue about politely) and tells him that scouts have returned from the Obroa-skai system.

Here's some information on Obroa-skai!

Obroa-skai is terrestrial ice planet in the Borderlands Region of the Inner Rim. It's best known for its library, reputed to contain the complete knowledge of the galaxy. 16,787 years before this scene, the Celebratus Archive was founded with the goal of collecting the complete date records of over 30,000 species. A Jedi training academy specializing in data collection and analysis was founded on the planet, but obviously isn't present at this time. While Obroa-skai itself first appeared in this book, the Fusei branch of the library appeared in the Star Wars newspaper strip originally published in 1979.

Okay, back to the story.

The scouts were apparently able to partially tap into the library system and are being pursued. Thrawn casually switches the subject to art, mentioning "'Saffa paintings... Circa 1550 to 2200, Pre-Empire Date. Note how the style changes -- right here -- at the first contact with the Thennqora. Over there are example of Paonidd extrassa art. Note the similarities with the early Saffa work, and also the mid-eighteenth-century Pre-Em Vaathkree flatsculp.'"

While I couldn't find anything on the Saffa, the Thennqora, and the Paonidd, I did find stuff on the Vaathkree.

The Vaathkree are a mineral-based sentient species, noted for being covered in armored plates and their devotion to trade and bartering. They live 300-350 years and have two stages of life. Vaathkree start life as small, shapeless non-sentient beings called Stonesingers. Over time, they develop rudimentary intelligence and absorb minerals. As they become more developed, they lose their fluidity and have to choose a form.

Tangent over. Back to the point.

Thrawn's art exposition (which I would happily read a book of) is interrupted by a lieutenant telling them that they're under attack. When Pellaeon hears that there are four New Republic Assault Frigates and at least three wings of X-wing fighters, he decides that a single Star Destroyer staffed by inexperienced crewers against those numbers are not odds he relishes. He tries to tell the crew to jump to lightspeed, only for Thrawn to interrupt him and order TIE fighters deployed.

This is where Zahn's background in writing military science fiction comes into play. Thrawn tells the bridge to rotate the ship twenty-degrees port yaw and the Sector Four sentry line to reform behind the attackers and jam all transmissions. Then, the TIE fighters execute the Marg Sabl maneuver. This is where Thrawn's interest in art becomes significant.

He explains, "'You see, Captain, there is an Elom commanding that task force... and the Elomin simply cannot handle the unstructured attack profile of a properly executed Marg Sabl.'" Thrawn's most famous aspect is vocalized here: "'Learn about art, Captain. When you understand a species' art, you understand that species.'"

An hour later, Thrawn tells Pellaeon to set course to a planet called Myrkr, providing some foreshadowing when he says that both the Old Republic and the Jedi left it alone for at least three hundred years despite it being well within their borders. That seems a little low, considering how ridiculously long the Jedi and the Republic were in existence, but I'm not sure when Myrkr was discovered, so it isn't necessarily an inconsistency. The other bit of information retrieved from Obroa-skai is the location of a place called Wayland. When Pellaeon asks what puzzle Thrawn is trying to solve, the Grand Admiral responds with a truly badass and intimidating line:

"'Why, the only puzzle worth solving, of course. The complete, total, and utter destruction of the Rebellion.'"

[roninreverie]

Why Ahsoka's Thrawn isn't actually the real Thrawn

A theory by me, which I am going to be so annoying about for the foreseeable future, so let me just try to get most of it out of my system right here and now. 😅

---

So we all know by now that Thrawn is revving up to be the BIG BAD for the live action Star Wars series tying The Mandalorian into Ahsoka and working off of the Rebels finale.

I also remember hearing old rumors that they were going to be pulling a lot from legends lore for this show, and that Timothy Zahn was not really involved at all with the show itself. (Feel free to update me otherwise though.)

Now, the fact that they're calling him the "Heir to the Empire" in the teaser trailer is already a pretty decent confirmation that the legends lore nods are in full swing. So this raises red flags for Thrawn's character, who, as we know from the newer novels, has a bit more motivation to him than his legends counterpart, and while the two are not wholly dissimilar, there have been a few important updates to his character since the early 90's.

Not to mention, I've heard a lot of people saying "If Zahn isn't involved, it wouldn't really BE Thrawn, right?"

EXACTLY!

I have a very strong gut feeling that this Thrawn isn't actually going to be the Mitth'raw'nuruodo that we expect him to be, and here's why:

Evidence #1: The Beskar Spear

In Chapter 13 of Mando, we're introduced to Morgan Elsbeth who was apparently working so closely with Thrawn that Ahsoka Tano shows up to battle her and demand information on his wearabouts.

Do you really believe Grand Admiral Thrawn would think very highly of a woman who had tarnished the artistic craftsmanship and history of Mandalorian armor just to forge it into a spear?

Lest we forget how upset he got at Captain Slavin just for badmouthing Hera's kalikori in Rebels?

But Thrawn is a big-picture kind of guy, so swallowing his opinions on the dismissal to the value of art isn't necessarily out of character for him, and I'm not sure if they ever specified it was Elsbeth who had done the re-forging in the first place.

Moving on!

---

Evidence #2 Legends Lore and Fake Thrawns

There have been many versions of Thrawn since his creation in Zahn’s original trilogy/duology series, but did you know that there have also been multiple Thrawns existing in the Star Wars Legends universe?

I won't go into too much detail, but considering the Empire tried to keep Thrawn at arms reach up until he earned his Admiral status, and then some… they had quite a few backup plans to make sure the Chiss stuck around even after his “supposed” death.

Between Moff Vilim Disra hiring a con-artist actor named Flim, to fake the role and trick the galaxy... or the literal clone(s) who were set on backup timers and programmed with all of Thrawn's memories just in case of the Admiral’s untimely demise... it’s not as wild an assumption as you might think that there could be a few faux Thrawn’s roaming about in new canon. 

And we have been getting a lot of interesting nods to clones lately in the Bad Batch, especially concerning Mount Tantiss and the planet Wayland/Weyland.

Just some food for thought.

---

Evidence #3: Thrawn’s Death and Continuity

Though Legends and Canon Thrawn do have some similarities and ways to tie together their two universes, there have been updates to his story that cannot be ignored in the new canon, such as his inevitable death.

In legends, Thrawn was killed at the hands of his own Noghri bodyguard, Rukh, who was formally loyal to the Chiss until he learned that Thrawn had not been helping with the ecological disasters of his home planet as he'd promised, but instead had been purposefully keeping them present so that the Noghri people would remain indebted to the Empire. Discovering Thrawn's lies, Rukh stabs him through the chest in the ever-popular “it was so artistically done” scene, thus ending the deceitful Grand Admiral’s life in the old trilogy. 

Unfortunately for the latest iteration of Rukh, Garazeb Orrelios made sure that his new canon self's death was probably not the sort he would be able to get back up and brush off in a surprising twist down the road. 

This left the new-canon Thrawn without an assassin destined to carry out his death, and what many newer fans hoped would mean some sort of redemption arc, given the changes to the character since his reintroduction in Rebels.

I think it can also be stated that the newer version of Thrawn is a bit "kinder" for lack of a better word than his legend's self. Not enough to negate his antagonistic nature in Rebels of course, but maybe just not to the sinister degree as his past counterpart.

---

So in closing, I am going to be watching and taking notes, excited to see where this new "Thrawn" in the Ahsoka series, Mando, and heck... maybe even Bad Batch-- will play out.

I am going to be constantly thinking he's a fake until absolutely proven otherwise, hoping that the Thrawn I've spent all these years building up in my head is off saving the Chiss-Ascendancy with Ezra Bridger and Eli Vanto... and getting something of a redemption arc now that he's apart from the Empire.

Newer Thrawn never struck me as an irredeemable villain, especially in the novels, but I guess that's up to time to tell for sure?

I'm not going to let this theory ruin my expectations for the show and the character, of course, but I'll be super hype if this is the direction they've chosen to go with him.

Thanks for reading, if you did, and feel free to keep the discussion going in the replies/reblogs if you have anything to add!

[myenemystolvrs]

March 2021

completed fics that i read this month.

~read the tags~ 

▶ more than 1 chapter

Sasunaru 

1. When the House Falls Down by sowell [M, 14K, 14ch]

“When the house falls down, all that's left is to rebuild.”

2. Looking for us by fangirlandiknowit [M, 28K, 4ch]

“Being in love with your best friend is never easy, but there might be light on the horizon for Naruto... If only Sasuke wasn't so oblivious!“

3. Healing the Broken by KizuKatana [E, 132K, 23ch]

“The war is over, and Sasuke is brought back to the village after his defeat by Naruto. But he is struggling to re-assimilate into the village. As his mental stability continues to erode, Tsunade and Kakashi ask Naruto to try a different treatment method.”

4. The Worst Shift by CapturedByNoodles, KizuKatana [E, 124K, 24ch]

“A decorated officer of the court with a police record as immaculate as his badge, Naruto Uzumaki was certain he could take on anything. Even if that meant wearing a skirt, procuring a street corner, and going undercover as a prostitute... with his old high school rival as his first client.”

5. Opposite Sides of the Tracks by KizuKatana [E, 77K, 10ch]

“Naruto and Sasuke come from opposite ends of the social strata. Sasuke is heir to the Uchiha business empire. Naruto is just trying to survive childhood. But they are more alike than they realize. When both their lives get ripped apart, the bonds of friendship they forged as children explode into something else entirely.”

6. Rebuilding by KinomiAkai [E, 25K, 7ch]

“Sasuke has spent every day since the war's end trying to rebuild. It's a good thing Naruto has been doing the same, isn't it?”

7. Something Good by KinomiAkai [E, 93K, 29ch]

“Some people are assholes. Some people are kind. It's when those are the same person that things get real confusing.”

8. Something To Remember Me By by heimai [E, 82K, 9ch]

“Every summer, Naruto visits the sleepy beach town of Oceanview. Easily the best part of the trip is the carnival, set up for three days at the end of August. As summers pass, Naruto finds himself coming back again and again to see the boy at the end of the boardwalk. First, he wants to win the game the boy runs, but it turns into wanting to win Sasuke's heart instead. For some reason, Naruto just can't get him out of his head.”

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

▶ one shots

1. Can't live without you by fangirlandiknowit [M, 2K]

“Time skip ninja-verse, Naruto and Sasuke admitting/coming to terms with their feelings.“

2. Waiting for the Stars by KinomiAkai [T, 6K]

“Sasuke and Naruto lay under the stars. (There's a meteor shower tonight.)”

3. I Wanna Be Yours by shcrlockholmcs [E, 7K]

“It had been exactly one year, eight months, four days, and six hours since Sasuke had left. Not that Naruto was counting or anything.

Or

Naruto attempts to build a life while Sasuke is away, only for it to all come crashing down when he returns unexpectedly.”

4. safe in your arms. by ambiguousreality [T, 2K]

“Sasuke comes to terms with the cold, hard facts of life.

He actually likes cuddling with Naruto.”

5. there was a reason (i collided into you) by RecklessWriter  [T, 7K]

“Accidental kissing is an actual thing that happens. Sometimes repeatedly. Just ask Naruto and Sasuke.”

6. Flesh and Bone by dawnstruck [M, 14K]

“Like an ouroboros, a snake devouring its own tail, this, too, means eternity.

Alternative summary: "He says we are engaged to each other, you moron.”

7. Because I'm Here Now by SasuNarufan13  [M, 2K]

“Sasuke's body keeps moving on its own - even after all these years.”

8. Waiting for an Answer by KinomiAkai [T, 8K]

“After eight years of struggling, Naruto finally caves and confesses to Sasuke. But it's okay; nothing is going to change between them. Everything will be the same.

...The moment Sasuke stops bringing it up every twenty seconds, it'll be the same.”

9. thirty-five by writedeku [G, 5K]

“You,” Sasuke starts, then falters. “You still have my bedsheets on the bed in the other room. They’re not dusty. Did you know I was comi—“

Ack. “God, no,” Naruto deflects from the redness in his cheeks with the harshness of his words but he knows Sasuke will see right through him. Curse the two of them. “I just. I keep it clean. For you. In case you came home.”

Sasuke is quiet, but he knows what he’s thinking.

Ten years. You did that for ten years?”

10. stay at home dad by chai_lattes [G, 1K]

"You've got a pretty bounty on your head, Uchiha Sasuke."

"It's Uzumaki now." Sasuke said, flipping his hair out of his face. "And I'm retired."

[ao3feed--reylo]

A Projection of Your Mother

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/rVCbuv0

by dinkydykevalkyrie (dinkydykeviking)

Disowned Heir to the Skywalker-Solo business Empire Breha Solo wants nothing more than to prove her family wrong and to ultimately come out on top once more, but not if Rey Skywalker, the current Heir as anything to say about it.

Words: 1792, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Fandoms: Star Wars Sequel Trilogy, Star Wars - All Media Types

Rating: Mature

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Categories: F/F

Characters: Rey (Star Wars), Leia Organa, Han Solo, Luke Skywalker

Relationships: Rey/Ben Solo | Kylo Ren, Leia Organa & Rey & Ben Solo & Han Solo

Additional Tags: Female Ben Solo, and they were lesbians, Loosely inspired by succession, I have not seen that show, Ben Solo Has Issues, Past Drug Addiction, Han Solo Dies, Mentioned Han Solo, Mentioned Luke Skywalker, Degradation, Breha Solo stays strapped up i don't make the rules, Top Rey (Star Wars), Bottom Ben Solo, Power Dynamics, Power Imbalance, an attempt was made, Overuse of the word disgusting, Under-negotiated Kink, Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Rey refers to herself as Mommy, Mommy Issues, Mommy kink? briefly?, Something something wanting to hurt your mother so bad and to come out on top to whatever this is, wlw reylo, Not Beta Read

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/rVCbuv0

[aeligsido]

premiers battements

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Star Wars - All Media Types, Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008) - All Media Types, Star Wars Prequel Trilogy Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: CC-2224 | Cody/Obi-Wan Kenobi, Obi-Wan Kenobi & Anakin Skywalker (background) Characters: CC-2224 | Cody, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, Ahsoka Tano Additional Tags: prompt: kiss on the wrist, Alternate Universe, Sith Obi-Wan Kenobi, Sith Emperor Obi-Wan Kenobi, Mandalorian CC-2224 | Cody, First Meeting, Hostage Situation, (kind of), (not really but oh well), Alternate Universe - Royalty, Flirting, Obi-Wan is a flirt, Cody too lmao, no beta we die like the Republic Series: Part 6 of CodyWan Kiss Bingo Challenge 2022 Summary:

"So, when the Mandalorian Empire got tangled up with the Sith Empire and things started to go sour, Cody offered himself up as a hostage. He was part of the ruling family, a potential heir, so he was obviously important enough to qualify.

The Sith Empire — or, more probably, the Emperor himself — accepted, and so Cody had left his home for this secluded palace where he was supposed to live now. He just hoped it would be nice, and not some type of cell somewhere in the basement. He quite liked the garden he saw when they landed. He would appreciate strolling through it."

OR: Mandalorian Prince Cody meets Sith Emperor Obi-Wan.

.

.

.

For the prompt “kiss on the wrist” for @codywankissbingo​!

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.

.

The palace had more… lights that what Cody would have thought. To be fair, Sith did like the all black-and-maybe-some-red aesthetic, so for the home of their very Emperor to be luminous and open as it was, was, well, curious if anything. It looked almost agreeable, a nice place to live in; no monstrous decoration on the wall, no horrible traps waiting for innocent bystanders, no macabre and bloody ritual in sight.

Cody wondered if it was an indication of the personality of its owner. He kind of hoped so — at least it was nice on the outside, and in the open, more public space as well.

He let the guards guide him toward the throne room, where he was to meet the Emperor. He had heard about the man, but knew very little about him — like the rest of the galaxy. Still, Cody could already sense that things will be different from Mandalore. To start with, they didn’t have a residence like this one, not even his branch of the family. The only time where he had lived in more luxe than usual was when Jango chose him as his potential heir — among, of course, some other members of clan Fett. He wouldn’t have had as many choices if he hadn’t done some shady things that lead him to be the template of a clone army of some genre. The details of this were carefully guarded by their progenitor, but in all honesty, Cody was fine with never knowing what led to their creation. He had his brothers, his father, Jango, his children, and the rest of their extended family. It was enough for him.

So, when the Mandalorian Empire got tangled up with the Sith Empire and things started to go sour, Cody offered himself up as a hostage. He was part of the ruling family, a potential heir, so he was obviously important enough to qualify — but his loss wouldn’t hurt his family and his people as much as if those being sent had been Boba, or Omega, who were both so young and Jango’s direct children, or even Bacara, Neyo, or Bly, who were all on the list of potential heirs with him. And, of course, Cody would never let any of his brothers in this kind of situation.

Fox would have probably strangled him for that, but oh, well. He hadn’t been here. Too late, now.

The Sith Empire — or, more probably, the Emperor himself — accepted, and so Cody had left his home for this secluded palace where he was supposed to live now. He just hoped it would be nice, and not some type of cell somewhere in the basement. He quite liked the garden he saw when they landed. He would appreciate strolling through it.

[Read more on AO3]

[dinluke-ao3feed]

Heirs to Chaos

Read it on https://archiveofourown.org/works/55708621 by trash_heron Grand Admiral Thrawn has returned to the galaxy and has taken control of the shattered Imperial navy. As the shadow of renewed war looms over the New Republic and the Outer Rim, a new threat to the next generation of Jedi and other Force users preoccupies many heroes of the Rebel Alliance trying to find their place in the new order. Thrawn's plans remain unclear, as members of the New Republic, denizens of the Outer Rim underworld, and the identity-challenged Imperial remnants jockey for position and struggle to see the full picture. The answer may lie in the vast reaches of the Unknown Regions, where friend and foe wait, come from outside the galaxy, or even from the past. A canon-compliant, loose homage to Heir to the Empire from the original 1990s Thrawn Trilogy, and a love letter to Star Wars Legends and the new adventures of the Filoni and Favreau era. Words: 4785, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English Series: Part 1 of Wild Card Trilogy Fandoms: Star Wars - All Media Types, Star Wars Legends - All Media Types, Star Wars: Thrawn Series - Timothy Zahn (2017), Star Wars: Ahsoka (TV), The Mandalorian (TV) Rating: Mature Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Categories: F/F, F/M, Gen, M/M Characters: Thrawn | Mitth'raw'nuruodo, Eli Vanto, Din Djarin, Luke Skywalker, Grogu | Baby Yoda, Mara Jade, Qi'ra (Star Wars), Ahsoka Tano, Sabine Wren, Han Solo, Chewbacca (Star Wars), Leia Organa, Jacen Syndulla, Ben Solo | Kylo Ren, Hera Syndulla, Asajj Ventress, Fennec Shand, Boba Fett, Vah'nya the Ozyly-esehembo (Star Wars), Ar'alani (Star Wars), Un'hee the Ozyly-esehembo (Star Wars), Che'ri the Ozyly-esehembo (Star Wars), Shada D'ukal, H'sishi (Star Wars), Bo-Katan Kryze, Original Chiss Characters (Star Wars), Original Characters, Ezra Bridger, Gilad Pellaeon, Original Force-Sensitive Characters, Karyn Faro, Huyang (Star Wars), R2-D2 (Star Wars), C-3PO (Star Wars), The Ghost Crew (Star Wars) Relationships: Thrawn | Mitth'raw'nuruodo/Eli Vanto, Din Djarin/Luke Skywalker, Din Djarin & Grogu | Baby Yoda, Mara Jade & Thrawn | Mitth'raw'nuruodo, Leia Organa/Han Solo, Chewbacca & Han Solo, Fennec Shand/Asajj Ventress, Boba Fett & Fennec Shand, Vah'nya the Ozyly-esehembo & Eli Vanto, Gilad Pellaeon & Thrawn | Mitth'raw'nuruodo Additional Tags: Star Wars: Thrawn Ascendancy: Lesser Evil Spoilers, Post-Star Wars: Ahsoka (TV) Season/Series 01, canon-compliant homage to OG Thrawn Trilogy, Book: The Thrawn Trilogy: Heir to the Empire, Chiss Ascendancy (Star Wars), Ozyly-esehembo | Chiss Navigators (Star Wars), Grysk Species (Star Wars), Imperial Remnant (Star Wars), New Republic Politics (Star Wars), POV Alternating, Dathomiri Nightsister Culture & Customs (Star Wars), Mandalorians (Star Wars), "Jorus C'baoth", Canon-Typical Violence, Implied/Referenced Rape/Non-con, Implied/Referenced Suicide, Mara Jade Needs a Hug, Mara Jade whump for secret reasons, Mount Tantiss (Star Wars), Ysalamir Species (Star Wars), Fluff and Angst, Angst with a Happy Ending, arguably more canon-compliant than J.J. Abrams, Unreliable Narrator, MacGuffins

[ao3feed-gingerpilot]

is this talk of love or regicide

is this talk of love or regicide by trite Hux asked him if he liked children. At the time, Poe thought it was about Hux wanting them to act out a roleplay scenario where he impregnated Poe with the heir to his empire or some other Hux-typical nonsense. playking-verse. Words: 2300, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English Series: Part 2 of not altogether human & rarely kind Fandoms: Star Wars Sequel Trilogy Rating: Explicit Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Categories: M/M Relationships: Poe Dameron/Armitage Hux Additional Tags: Breeding Kink, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Power Imbalance, Unhealthy Relationships

[cohborikardok]

I read every non-Zahn book with a Thrawn appearance

okay so there are a few books listed on wookieepedia as featuring thrawn, so to be thorough and because i am probably unhealthily obsessed, i bought them all and i read them. so here’s my guide on whether or not these are worth your time:

Galaxy of Fear: The Swarm

thrawn is in this book quite a lot! this one is definitely geared towards children (it reminded me of the magic treehouse books) but it was still pretty fun.

if you enjoy things like thrawn trying to solve a murder, thrawn wandering around in the woods, a force-sensitive little girl sassing thrawn, botanical gardens, and thrawn being mean for no reason i would recommend this book! if you hate bugs i would not recommend this book.

the thrawn characterization in this book is kind of fun honestly. he’s not really like zahn thrawn (his dialogue is WILD) but they also don’t make him completely into the bad guy, which is what i expected them to do for a children’s book. for most of the book he bregrudgingly works with the protagonists.

here’s some quotes i found very funny:

also there’s a typo around the middle of the book where he suddenly becomes “general thrawn” which was pretty amusing.

all in all i would probably give this book like a 7/10, it’s very childish and there are some random things that are never explained, but i enjoyed it and it was only like 120 pages so it was a quick read.

Star Wars Rebel Force: Target

this book technically has thrawn in it. but it has thrawn in it in the same way chewbacca is in revenge of the sith. if you’re only interested in it for thrawn, i’ll save you the time. here’s the only parts that mention him:

the rest of the story mostly focuses on the OT trio and a winter soldier-esque guy named X-7 who “befriends” them. it’s also a children’s novel but this one seemed slightly more mature than The Swarm. X-7 was kinda interesting but honestly after i realized thrawn wasn’t really in it i lost interest. 3/10

Dark Forces: Soldier for the Empire

this book was… not good.

as far as thrawn content goes, there’s not much and his characterization really isn’t great. he doesn’t feel much like thrawn at all and i don’t really understand why they felt the need to make this particular officer him? they really could have made him any imperial captain and it would have worked just as well. here’s his appearances:

there is a stormtrooper-in-training in this named dobbs like thrawn’s tie defenders captain, so there’s that?

also the writing in this book was not enjoyable, it got a little better once the main character was introduced and it stayed with one consistent storyline. but the first chapter in particular it would randomly switch pov’s every few paragraphs, and some of the word choices were bizarre. the story was just kind of meh. i almost gave up three quarters of the way through reading it. 1/10.

Tattooine Ghost

okay finally an adult novel! i thought for most of this book that thrawn was going to essentially be the titled “ghost” because it seemed that it was going to continue to vaguely mention a “new admiral” instead of actually showing him. but then he made an appearance!

because this takes place before heir to the empire and han and leia don’t know thrawn’s name in that book, his name is never mentioned. also in his appearance he’s disguised himself as a stormtrooper for some reason. but chewbacca tries to rip his head off which is fun and then you get a glimpse of his face so it was definitely thrawn. you also hear someone who i suspect is thrawn giving direction to the stormtroopers a few times later.

the plot of this book was pretty fun. basically han and leia go to tatooine to buy a alderaanian painting that has a secret rebel code hidden in it. the chimaera shows up because thrawn also wants the painting (although it appears he doesn’t initially know about the rebel code). the auction decends into chaos, han tries to blow up the painting, and thrawn realizes if there’s rebels trying to destroy the painting it must be more valuable than he thought. kitster, anakin’s friend from TPM rescues the painting from being destroyed and so the rest of the book becomes kind of a race to find kitster.

the most interesting part of this book (besides when thrawn in disguise hits a stormtrooper over the head for being mean to an alien lady for no reason) was leia finding shmi’s diary. the worst part of this book was definitely han’s insistence that leia and him need to have kids, the awful portrayal of the tuskens and the amount of excuses made for anakin murdering them, and the huge amounts of time they spent just wandering around in the desert.

all in all i mostly enjoyed this book, although i think they could have cut out most of the desert scenes and made it a novella. 6/10.

[roseaesynstylae]

Heir to the Empire

The classic, the original, the gold standard of Star Wars Legends literature. It introduced Thrawn, Mara Jade, and other characters that would go on to become significant and/or popular. Of course I had to start with it.

I'm sorry if these are a little lackluster; it's harder to talk about the details of a good book than a divisive or poorly-written book. Wait until I get to Republic Commando for the ranting.

Heir to the Empire: Chapter 1

Heir to the Empire: Chapter 2

Heir to the Empire: Chapter 3

Heir to the Empire: Chapter 4

The Main Masterpost

[soclonely]

Technically Engaged

Summary: David Filoni is a coward and won’t give us a crack plot of Tech being forced into an engagement he doesn’t want to be in so I gotta do it for him.

Chapter 1: The bad batch is given an offer by king Hubert they cannot afford to say no to.

Warnings:This is all around a crack fic that I honestly would expect to happen as a filler episode in star wars. Just many chapters of Tech being weird trying to put off a princess he is engaged to.

Word Count: 1,222

~~~~~~~~~~

Hunter and the others stood before the king, nervously awaiting his verdict. "I told you this was a bad idea." He mumbled out of the corner of his mouth to Tech, watching the King and his council return to the throne room. "We are going to be sold out to the Empire."

"I doubt it." Tech says, clicking the screen of his data-pad. "The people of this planet are peaceful and not in alignment with the Empire. We will easily be able to move on once they allow it." He states matter-of-factly, reading through his files. "Perhaps we can perform an odd job or two as payment."

Echo rolls his eyes. "Oh great. Another one of your plans." He stops as the King clears his throat. The others turn and face their attention to the front of the room.

"Gentleman. Sorry to keep you waiting. We have never had to harbor fugitives you see. So coming to a decision was rather hard for us." King Hubert sighs, placing his hands in his lap. "While it is true that we are not on good terms with the Empire, we are also not at war with them. I am afraid putting you under our protection would raise a few issues that my people should not be burden with. And furthermore-"

"Aw what do you mean a few issues!" Wrecker's loud voice booms. "You can't tell me you lot are scared of them regs they got fighting for them are ya? You can't be that weak if you-"

"Wrecker please." Hunter glares at him quickly, before turning to face King Hubert once more. "Forgive him. He didn't mean that." Hunter apologizes quickly, feeling the guards tense up around them. "He gets a little overexcited sometimes and speaks before he can think it through." Hunter takes a deep breath before continuing. "You don't have to hide our visit from the Empire. But will you be turning us in? If not, we will leave this room immediately and your planet. We don't want to cause any more trouble for you."

The king, still flustered from Wreckers outburst."As a matter of fact. We came up with a proper solution that may help you. And us." King Huberts eyes pass over the 4 men in front of him. "You see, I am old and my time as ruler will slowly come to an end. I only have a daughter and you see. Its terribly sad."

"Whats that got to do with us?" Hunter asks, confused.

Tech clears his throat. "The throne can only be passed down to a male heir. Since King Hubert only has a daughter, it cannot go to her. Only her future husband."

"Well that's a bit behind the times." Echo mumbles quietly to Hunter before speaking up."So is there something you had in mind?" He asked King Hubert. "Would you like us to go fetch whoever it is she is supposed to marry and bring him back here to you?"

"Actually, the plan I am proposing is marriage." King Hubert pauses, allowing the audience to chuckle at his pun. "One of you is to marry my dear daughter Penelope, thus ensuring my line and the safety of the 4 of you. Of course we will give you the night to think it over but unless you agree, my hands are tied."

"M-Marriage?" Hunter turns to look at the rest of the batch, who was just as shocked. "One of us to marry Princess Penelope? But which of us could even come close to-" he looks over at Echo who raises his hands in protest.

"Oh no! Don't even think about it!" Echo hollers, taking a step back. "I have been sold as a droid, thrown across a canyon, hung by my feet. I refuse to be in an arranged marriage for you! And besides, I don't have the right equipment to keep their line going anymore!" He panics pointing at Wrecker."Make him do it!"

Wrecker shakes his head quickly."I am not getting married! Sarge tell him! And besides, how do you think Lula would feel if I were to run off and get married like that?"

"Lula is a doll Wrecker!" Echo exclaims, slapping his hand to his face to hide his embarrassment. "Lula wont care one bit!"

"There will be no need to choose which one of you I am to marry!" A high pitched voice chimed from behind them. Princess Penelope happily floats toward them, linking her arm in Techs as his attention was diverted from his data-pad. "I already chose Techie here!" She tries to give him a kiss on the check but he pulls away, still trying to read the file he had open.

"T-tech?" Wreckers mouth fell open in shock.

"You mean you actually want to marry Tech, princess?" Hunter eyes widened. "Are you sure you-?"

"Of course I am sure!" She laughs, patting Hunters arm before gliding up to the throne beside her father. "He is handsome, smart, funny. After dinner last night he had me laughing harder than I ever have! He is simply a dream come true!" She turned to King Hubert, smiling. "Thank you so much for this opportunity daddy I don't think you will regret it one bit!"

"Now, now darling. We must give them some time to think it over."He pats his daughters hand fondly, before standing up. "We will be prepared to hear your answer tomorrow morning?" He asks.

"Yes, your majesty." Hunter responds, watching the council and and others slowly flow out of the throne room, leaving him and the others in silence. "Well that was...unexpected."

Echo sighs and leans against a nearby pillar. "So what are we going to do?" He asked. "Can't leave in the middle of the night. Too much of a risk and the ships still being repaired."

The tired sergeant sighs. "I dunno. What do you think Tech?"

"Huh what was that?" Tech looks up, removing one of his hidden headphone buds from his ear. "Sorry, I was listening to this documentary on the language of the people here. Simply miserable culture. I would hate to be stuck here forever." He looks around, noticing the empty room. "Oh.Are we finished here? What did they say?"

"You mean you missed all of that?" Hunter asked him, eyes filled with horror. "How could you-?" He was interrupted by Omega's voice calling out to them.

"Hey guys! The nice princess just told me the news!" She runs up to Tech, grinning. "Congrats on your engagement Tech! I can't wait for your wedding! Penelope says I can be the flower girl!"

"Excuse me?" Tech looks down at her, confused. "Who is Penelope and why am I marrying her?" He turns to Hunter.

Hunter rubs the back of his neck."Well Penelope is the princess here. And the only way to save our necks is if you marry her and take her fathers place on the throne one day. Or they will hand us over to the Empire."

Tech begins to tremble so hard his data-pad falls to the floor. "What are you trying to say?Hunter please. Tell me this is a joke. Its not funny!"

"Congrats buddy!" Wrecker slaps his hand on Techs back, pushing him forward a few steps. "Way to take one for the team!"

[ao3feed--reylo]

THE GIRL PRINCE

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/W0eyiAa

by BreakOfDawn21

Prince Ray Palpatine, heir to the Exegol Empire, is hiding a terrible secret. A secret that no one must ever discover. She is a woman. And her real name is Rey.

Things get complicated when she meets up with Ben, her first love, who has become her fencing teacher.

Words: 5266, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English

Fandoms: Star Wars Sequel Trilogy

Rating: Not Rated

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Categories: F/M

Characters: Rey (Star Wars), Ben Solo | Kylo Ren, Poe Dameron, Anakin Skywalker | Darth Vader, Rey's Mother (Star Wars), Rose Tico, Sheev Palpatine | Darth Sidious, Lusica Stynnix, Darth Maul, Tishra Kandia, Enric Pryde, Shara Bey, Kes Dameron

Relationships: Rey/Ben Solo | Kylo Ren, Rey/Ben Solo, Rey & Rey's Mother (Star Wars), Rey & Darth Sidious, Anakin Skywalker & Ben Solo | Kylo Ren, Rey & Poe Dameron, Rey & Rose Tico

Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Medieval, Inspired by K-Drama | Korean Drama, Inspired by The King's Affection show, Gender Disguise, Rey pretends she is a man, Gay Panic, LGBTQ Themes, (Even if the main romance is straight), Forbidden Love, Angst and Fluff and Smut, Angst with a Happy Ending, Idiots in Love, Love at First Sight, Girls Kissing, Lesbian Sex, Just a little but still tagging, History Fantasy, Attempted Murder, Child Loss, Child Death, Child Murder, (no detail but a 12 yo boy dies), Murder, Death, Character Death, Blood and Violence, Prostitution, Attempted Rape/Non-Con, Conspiracy, Loss of Virginity, Devoted Rey/Ben Solo | Kylo Ren, Rey Needs A Hug (Star Wars), Rey is a Palpatine (Star Wars), Rey is Bad at Feelings (Star Wars), Ben Solo Needs A Hug, Age Difference, Slow Burn, (but not as slow as the k dramas!), Darth Maul Being a Little Shit, implied slave trade

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/W0eyiAa

[amunvulcan]

Fortuna (Latin: Fortūna, equivalent to the Greek goddess Tyche) is the goddess of fortune and the personification of luck in Roman religion who, largely thanks to the Late Antique author Boethius, remained popular through the Middle Ages until at least the Renaissance. The blindfolded depiction of her is still an important figure in many aspects of today's Italian culture, where the dichotomy fortuna / sfortuna (luck / unluck) plays a prominent role in everyday social life, also represented by the very common refrain "La [dea] fortuna è cieca" (latin Fortuna caeca est; "Luck [goddess] is blind").

Fortuna is often depicted with a gubernaculum (ship's rudder), a ball or Rota Fortunae (wheel of fortune, first mentioned by Cicero) and a cornucopia (horn of plenty). She might bring good or bad luck: she could be represented as veiled and blind, as in modern depictions of Lady Justice, except that Fortuna does not hold a balance. Fortuna came to represent life's capriciousness. She was also a goddess of fate: as Atrox Fortuna, she claimed the young lives of the princeps Augustus' grandsons Gaius and Lucius, prospective heirs to the Empire.[1] (In antiquity she was also known as Automatia.)[2]

Fortuna's father was said to be Jupiter and like him, she could also be bountiful (Copia). As Annonaria she protected grain supplies. June 11 was consecrated to her: on June 24 she was given cult at the festival of Fors Fortuna.[4][5] Fortuna's name seems to derive from Vortumna (she who revolves the year).[citation needed]

Roman writers disagreed whether her cult was introduced to Rome by Servius Tullius[6] or Ancus Marcius.[7] The two earliest temples mentioned in Roman Calendars were outside the city, on the right bank of the Tiber (in Italian Trastevere). The first temple dedicated to Fortuna was attributed to the Etruscan Servius Tullius, while the second is known to have been built in 293 BC as the fulfilment of a Roman promise made during later Etruscan wars.[8] The date of dedication of her temples was 24 June, or Midsummer's Day, when celebrants from Rome annually floated to the temples downstream from the city. After undisclosed rituals they then rowed back, garlanded and inebriated.[9] Also Fortuna had a temple at the Forum Boarium. Here Fortuna was twinned with the cult of Mater Matuta (the goddesses shared a festival on 11 June), and the paired temples have been revealed in the excavation beside the church of Sant'Omobono: the cults are indeed archaic in date.[10] Fortuna Primigenia of Praeneste was adopted by Romans at the end of 3rd century BC in an important cult of Fortuna Publica Populi Romani (the Official Good Luck of the Roman People) on the Quirinalis outside the Porta Collina.[11] No temple at Rome, however, rivalled the magnificence of the Praenestine sanctuary.

Fortuna's identity as personification of chance events was closely tied to virtus (strength of character). Public officials who lacked virtues invited ill-fortune on themselves and Rome: Sallust uses the infamous Catiline as illustration – "Truly, when in the place of work, idleness, in place of the spirit of measure and equity, caprice and pride invade, fortune is changed just as with morality".[12]

An oracle at the Temple of Fortuna Primigena in Praeneste used a form of divination in which a small boy picked out one of various futures that were written on oak rods. Cults to Fortuna in her many forms are attested throughout the Roman world. Dedications have been found to Fortuna Dubia (doubtful fortune), Fortuna Brevis (fickle or wayward fortune) and Fortuna Mala (bad fortune).

Fortuna is found in a variety of domestic and personal contexts. During the early Empire, an amulet from the House of Menander in Pompeii links her to the Egyptian goddess Isis, as Isis-Fortuna.[13] She is functionally related to the god Bonus Eventus,[14] who is often represented as her counterpart: both appear on amulets and intaglio engraved gems across the Roman world. In the context of the early republican period account of Coriolanus, in around 488 BC the Roman senate dedicated a temple to Fortuna on account of the services of the matrons of Rome in saving the city from destruction.[15] Evidence of Fortuna worship has been found as far north as Castlecary, Scotland[16] and an altar and statue can now be viewed at the Hunterian Museum in Glasgow.[17]

The earliest reference to the Wheel of Fortune, emblematic of the endless changes in life between prosperity and disaster, is from 55 BC.[18] In Seneca's tragedy Agamemnon, a chorus addresses Fortuna in terms that would remain almost proverbial, and in a high heroic ranting mode that Renaissance writers would emulate:

O Fortune, who dost bestow the throne's high boon with mocking hand, in dangerous and doubtful state thou settest the too exalted. Never have sceptres obtained calm peace or certain tenure; care on care weighs them down, and ever do fresh storms vex their souls. ... great kingdoms sink of their own weight, and Fortune gives way ‘neath the burden of herself. Sails swollen with favouring breezes fear blasts too strongly theirs; the tower which rears its head to the very clouds is beaten by rainy Auster. ... Whatever Fortune has raised on high, she lifts but to bring low. Modest estate has longer life; then happy he whoe’er, content with the common lot, with safe breeze hugs the shore, and, fearing to trust his skiff to the wider sea, with unambitious oar keeps close to land.[19]

Ovid's description is typical of Roman representations: in a letter from exile[20] he reflects ruefully on the “goddess who admits by her unsteady wheel her own fickleness; she always has its apex beneath her swaying foot.”

Fortuna did not disappear from the popular imagination with the ascendancy of Christianity.[21] Saint Augustine took a stand against her continuing presence, in the City of God: "How, therefore, is she good, who without discernment comes to both the good and to the bad?...It profits one nothing to worship her if she is truly fortune... let the bad worship her...this supposed deity".[22] In the 6th century, the Consolation of Philosophy, by statesman and philosopher Boethius, written while he faced execution, reflected the Christian theology of casus, that the apparently random and often ruinous turns of Fortune's Wheel are in fact both inevitable and providential, that even the most coincidental events are part of God's hidden plan which one should not resist or try to change. Fortuna, then, was a servant of God,[23] and events, individual decisions, the influence of the stars were all merely vehicles of Divine Will. In succeeding generations Boethius' Consolation was required reading for scholars and students. Fortune crept back into popular acceptance, with a new iconographic trait, "two-faced Fortune", Fortuna bifrons; such depictions continue into the 15th century.[24]

The ubiquitous image of the Wheel of Fortune found throughout the Middle Ages and beyond was a direct legacy of the second book of Boethius's Consolation. The Wheel appears in many renditions from tiny miniatures in manuscripts to huge stained glass windows in cathedrals, such as at Amiens. Lady Fortune is usually represented as larger than life to underscore her importance. The wheel characteristically has four shelves, or stages of life, with four human figures, usually labeled on the left regnabo (I shall reign), on the top regno (I reign) and is usually crowned, descending on the right regnavi (I have reigned) and the lowly figure on the bottom is marked sum sine regno (I have no kingdom). Medieval representations of Fortune emphasize her duality and instability, such as two faces side by side like Janus; one face smiling the other frowning; half the face white the other black; she may be blindfolded but without scales, blind to justice. She was associated with the cornucopia, ship's rudder, the ball and the wheel. The cornucopia is where plenty flows from, the Helmsman's rudder steers fate, the globe symbolizes chance (who gets good or bad luck), and the wheel symbolizes that luck, good or bad, never lasts.

Fortuna lightly balances the

orb

of sovereignty between thumb and finger in a Dutch painting of

ca

1530 (

Musée des Beaux-Arts de Strasbourg

)

Fortune would have many influences in cultural works throughout the Middle Ages. In Le Roman de la Rose, Fortune frustrates the hopes of a lover who has been helped by a personified character "Reason". In Dante's Inferno (vii.67-96), Virgil explains the nature of Fortune, both a devil and a ministering angel, subservient to God. Boccaccio's De Casibus Virorum Illustrium ("The Fortunes of Famous Men"), used by John Lydgate to compose his Fall of Princes, tells of many where the turn of Fortune's wheel brought those most high to disaster, and Boccaccio essay De remedii dell'una e dell'altra Fortuna, depends upon Boethius for the double nature of Fortuna. Fortune makes her appearance in Carmina Burana (see image). The Christianized Lady Fortune is not autonomous: illustrations for Boccaccio's Remedii show Fortuna enthroned in a triumphal car with reins that lead to heaven.[25]

Fortuna also appears in chapter 25 of Machiavelli's The Prince, in which he says Fortune only rules one half of men's fate, the other half being of their own will. Machiavelli reminds the reader that Fortune is a woman, that she favours a strong, ambitious hand, and that she favours the more aggressive and bold young man than a timid elder. Monteverdi's opera L'incoronazione di Poppea features Fortuna, contrasted with the goddess Virtue. Even Shakespeare was no stranger to Lady Fortune:

When in disgrace with Fortune and men's eyes I all alone beweep my outcast state...

Ignatius J Reilly, the protagonist in the famous John Kennedy Toole novel A Confederacy of Dunces, identifies Fortuna as the agent of change in his life. A verbose, preposterous medievalist, Ignatius is of the mindset that he does not belong in the world and that his numerous failings are the work of some higher power. He continually refers to Fortuna as having spun him downwards on her wheel of luck, as in “Oh, Fortuna, you degenerate wanton!”

In astrology the term Pars Fortuna represents a mathematical point in the zodiac derived by the longitudinal positions of the Sun, Moon and Ascendant (Rising sign) in the birth chart of an individual. It represents an especially beneficial point in the horoscopic chart. In Arabic astrology, this and similar points are called Arabian Parts.

Al-Biruni (973 – 1048), an 11th-century mathematician, astronomer, and scholar, who was the greatest proponent of this system of prediction, listed a total of 97 Arabic Parts, which were widely used for astrological consultations.

Aspects[edit]

Lady Fortune in a

Boccaccio

manuscript

Sculpture of Fortuna,

Vienna

La Fortune

by

Charles Samuel

(1894), Collection

King Baudouin Foundation

Fortuna Annonaria brought the luck of the harvest

Fortuna Belli the fortune of war

Fortuna Primigenia directed the fortune of a firstborn child at the moment of birth

Fortuna Virilis ("Luck in men"), a woman's luck in marriage[26]

Fortuna Redux brought one safely home

Fortuna Respiciens the fortune of the provider

Fortuna Muliebris the luck of a woman.

Fortuna Victrix brought victory in battle

Fortuna Augusta the fortune of the emperor[27]

Fortuna Balnearis the fortune of the baths.[27]

Fortuna Conservatrix the fortune of the Preserver[28]

Fortuna Equestris fortune of the Knights.[28]

Fortuna Huiusce Diei fortune of the present day.[28]

Fortuna Obsequens fortune of indulgence.[28]

Fortuna Privata fortune of the private individual.[28]

Fortuna Publica fortune of the people.[28]

Fortuna Romana fortune of Rome.[28]

Fortuna Virgo fortune of the virgin.[28]

Fortuna Faitrix the fortune of life

Pars Fortuna

Fortuna Barbata the fortune of adolescents becoming adults[29]

[lovenikkilore]

Volume 1 Chapter Transcripts

⚠️This post is a work in progress. Links will be added as soon as the corresponding posts have been made. Thank you for your patience. ⚠️

Nikki UP2U | Hello Nikki | Love Nikki | Shining Nikki

Volume 1 | Volume 2

Chapter 1 Arriving the Wheat Field

V1:1-1 Sport Girl Aron (1)

V1:1-2 Shining Daily Clothes

V1:1-3 Lunar from Cloud Empire

V1:1-4 Office Lady Vivi (1)

V1:1-5 Toto, Girl in Love (1)

V1:1-6 Bookish Girl Timi (1)

V1:1-7 Lead Singer: Kaja (1)

V1:1-8 Lunar’s Trial

V1:1-9 Legendary Iron Rose

Chapter 2 Fairy Tale World Lilith

V1:2-1 Lilith Cutie Bobo

V1:2-2 Cicia, Capital of Art

V1:2-3 Caught by the Manager!

V1:2-4 Toto, Girl in Love! (2)

V1:2-5 Lisa’s Casual Clothes

V1:2-6 Sport Girl Aron (2)

V1:2-7 Girl’s Pajama Party

V1:2-8 Rehearsal at Theater!

V1:2-9 Dancer Star Sofia

V1:2-S1 Cinderella’s Sister

V1:2-S2 Royce Interrupts Again

Chapter 3 ‘Witch and Star Sea’

V1:3-1 Bookish Girl Timi (2)

V1:3-2 Lead Singer: Kaja (2)

V1:3-3 Prime Minister’s Secretary

V1:3-4 Manga Artist Annabel (1)

V1:3-5 Sport Girl Aron (3)

V1:3-6 Toto, Girl in. Love (3)

V1:3-7 Lisa is Sick?!

V1:3-8 The Phantom Thief

V1:3-9 The one stole Star Sea is?

V1:3-10 Manga Artist Annabel (2)

V1:3-11 Star Sea

V1:3-12 To Wintermount

V1:3-S1 Who is like Sissi?!

V1:3-S2 Wedding Dress Design

Chapter 4 The Tea Party

V1:4-1 Rainy Seashore City

V1:4-2 Temptation of Swimsuit (1)

V1:4-3 Temptation of Swimsuit (2)

V1:4-4 Toto, Girl in Love (4)

V1:4-5 Rose Garden

V1:4-6 Office Lady Vivi (2)

V1:4-7 Meet Lunar Again

V1:4-8 White Angel

V1:4-9 Hanfu Goddess Lunar

V1:4-10 The Cloud Couple

V1:4-11 Design + Style + Couples

V1:4-12 Misunderstanding

V1:4-S1 Kids’ Pastry Cook

V1:4-S2 I want pizza!

V1:4-S3 Kindergarden Teacher

Chapter 5 Mutated Tea Party

V1:5-1 Girlfriend is gone!

V1:5-2 Search the Tea Cafe

V1:5-3 Strange Woman

V1:5-4 Elopement!

V1:5-5 Meet Royce Again

V1:5-6 Bookish Girl Timi (3)

V1:5-7 Manga Artist Annabel (3)

V1:5-8 Winter Clothes of Arctic

V1:5-9 Office Lady Vivi (3)

V1:5-10 Rival Appears

V1:5-11 Aim for Best Stylist!

V1:5-12 New Journey

V1:5-S1 Master and Servant

V1:5-S2 Seashore City

V1:5-S3 Sexy Doctor

Chapter 6 Flower Field Encounter

V1:6-1 Challenge Flower Field

V1:6-2 Mysterious Boy Fu Su

V1:6-3 Toto, Girl in Love (5)

V1:6-4 Sport Girl Aron (4)

V1:6-5 Lunar’s Mirror Shadow

V1:6-6 The Other Side

V1:6-7 Competitions: Spring

V1:6-8 Competitions: Summer

V1:6-9 Competitions: Autumn

V1:6-10 Competitions: Winter

V1:6-11 The Truth

V1:6-S1 Encounter Big star

V1:6-S2 Kimi in Sport Style

V1:6-S3 Sexy Dancer Sofia

Chapter 7 Celestial Pavilion

V1:7-1 Autumn’s Dream

V1:7-2 Mill’s Heir Lunar

V1:7-3 Modern Dancer Sophia

V1:7-4 Landlady of Celestial

V1:7-5 Meet Bai Jinjin Again

V1:7-6 Quick-witted Nikki

V1:7-7 Precise Deception

V1:7-8 Lu Yinian, the Heroine

V1:7-9 To Moonlit City

V1:7-S1 Office Lady Vivi (4)

V1:7-S2 Toto, Girl in Love (6)

V1:7-S3 Meet the Prime Minister

V1:7-S4 Bookish Girl Timi (4)

V1:7-S5 Sport Girl Aron (5)

Chapter 8 Mysterious. Moonlit City

V1:8-1 Lively Passing By Girl

V1:8-2 Meet Mela Again

V1:8-3 Strange Mayor

V1:8-4 Officer Orlando

V1:8-5 Possibility of Evil Plot

V1:8-6 Acquaintance’s Secret

V1:8-7 The Mayor is...?!

V1:8-8 Truth behind Puzzle

V1:8-9 To Lilith City

V1:8-S1 Meet Lisa Again

V1:8-S2 Pure Female Teacher

V1:8-S3 Star Sea Styled Dress

Chapter 9 Styling Contest Prelude

V1:9-1 New Comer

V1:9-2 Contestant Village

V1:9-3 Familiar Opponent

V1:9-4 Masked Person Again

V1:9-5 Ancient Pavilion Duo

V1:9-6 Serial Competitions!

V1:9-7 Prince’s Visit

V1:9-8 Prince’s Request

V1:9-9 One-piece Dress

V1:9-S1 Manga Artist Annabel (4)

V1:9-S2 Bookish Girl Timi (5)

V1:9-S3 Toto, Girl in Love (7)

Chapter 10 Styling Contest Games

V1:10-1 Group Match Prelude

V1:10-2 Kimi’s Encouragement

V1:10-3 Last Warm-Up

V1:10-4 Group Game 1st Match

V1:10-5 Interval (1)

V1:10-6 Group Game 2nd Match

V1:10-7 Interval (2)

V1:10-8 Bookish Girl Timi (6)

V1:10-9 Past the Group Games

V1:10-S1 Lead Singer: Kaja (3)

V1:10-S2 Sport Girl Aron (6)

V1:10-S3 Manga Artist Annabel (5)

Chapter 11 Styling Contest Finals

V1:11-1 Past the Group Games

V1:11-2 Prince’s Message

V1:11-3 Manga Artist Annabel (6)

V1:11-4 Bookish Girl Timi (7)

V1:11-5 Ace’s Kindness

V1:11-6 Mela Appears

V1:11-7 Sherry’s Challenge

V1:11-8 A Fairy from the Tales

V1:11-9 It’s a rebellion?!

V1:11-S1 Office Lady Vivi (5)

V1:11-S2 Lead Singer: Kaja (4)

V1:11-S3 Toto, Girl in Love (8)

Chapter 12 Chaos in City

V1:12-1 Escape in Chaos

V1:12-2 Friends Gathering

V1:12-3 Sneak Into The Bedroom

V1:12-4 Beauty Trap?!

V1:12-5 To the Storehouse

V1:12-6 Casket Trial (1)

V1:12-7 Casket Trial (2)

V1:12-8 Casket Trial (3)

V1:12-9 The Crisis has just begun!

V1:12-S1 Instance Trial (1)

V1:12-S2 Instance Trial (2)

V1:12-S3 Instance Trial (3)

Chapter 13 Wasteland Exoticism

V1:13-1 Arriving the Wasteland

V1:13-2 The Hot and Dry Border

V1:13-3 Bonfire Concert

V1:13-4 Pota

V1:13-5 Wasteland Boy

V1:13-6 Cloud Traditional Style

V1:13-7 Chief’s Son, Tuda

V1:13-8 Tribe’s Ritual

V1:13-9 Iron Rose Badge

V1:13-S1 Tribe’s Request (1)

V1:13-S2 Tribe’s Request (2)

V1:13-S3 Tribe’s Request (3)

Chapter  14 Lady’s Choice

V1:14-1 To the Wind Valley

V1:14-2 Farewell, Sherry

V1:14-3 Traveler from Cloud

V1:14-4 A totally different seer

V1:14-5 Silly Girl

V1:14-6 Lilith Style

V1:14-7 Infinite Potential

V1:14-8 Wasteland Priestess

V1:14-9 Enter the Wind Valley

V1:14-S1 Manga Artist Annabel

V1:14-S2 Bookish Girl Timi

V1:14-S3 Wasteland’s Night

Chapter 15 Head North To The Cloud City

V1:15-1 Intercontinental Train

V1:15-2 Trapped in Rosset City

V1:15-3 The Lady’s Request

V1:15-4 Encounter Zhong Lizi

V1:15-5 Meet the General

V1:15-S1 Crowded Station

V1:15-S2 Toto, Girl in Love (9)

V1:15-S3 Encounter Autumn 

Chapter 15 Besieging Of The Cloud City

V1:15-6 Road to North

V1:15-7 Enter Cloud City

V1:15-8 Blue Bird Wail

V1:15-9 Compete with Nidhogg

Chapter 16 Night Before Storm

V1:16-1 Return to Cloud City

V1:16-2 Troubled Times

V1:16-3 The Dwarf Stylist

V1:16-4 Cannot be Underestimated

V1:16-5 Special Agent Neva

V1:16-6 Airship’s Lies

V1:16-7 Cloud Empire Anecdote

V1:16-8 Reunion in the Forest

V1:16-9 Soldier’s Decisions

V1:16-S1 Forest Maiden Neva

V1:16-S2 The Queen’s Admirers

V1:16-S3 Uniform Challenge

Chapter 17 Banquet of Sakura Fall

V1:17-1 Gossip

V1:17-2 Eris’ Kiss

V1:17-3 Shadow on Brick Street

V1:17-4 Nobleman Style

V1:17-5 Bright Stars

V1:17-6 A Dangerous Person

V1:17-7 A Gentle Past

V1:17-8 Situation at the Auction

V1:17-9 To Disperse Love Songs

V1:17-S1 Cloud Delicacy

V1:17-S2 Educated Timi (9)

V1:17-S3 Dangerous Servant

Chapter 18 Gun under Morning Star

V1:18-1 Star’s Riddle

V1:18-2 Star Dresser

V1:18-3 Welton’s Night

V1:18-4 Trace White Blossom!

V1:18-5 Masked Thief

V1:18-6 Sneaked into Group Building

V1:18-7 Betrayal and Loyalty

V1:18-8 Lie and Truth

V1:18-9 The gun under Morning Star

V1:18-S1 Vivi’s Dream

V1:18-S2 Bookish Debbie

V1:18-S3 Run! Cali!

Chapter 19 I Daybreak War

V1:19-1 North Losol

V1:19-2 Town Dessert Chef

V1:19-3 Lion in the Road

V1:19-4 Losol Shadow

V1:19-5 Part Under Moon

V1:19-S1 Miss Mask of Cloud

V1:19-S2 Seer’s Guide

V1:19-S3 Traveler in Pidgeon

Chapter 19 II Daybreak War

V1:19-6 Iron Cage

V1:19-7 Carnival Prelude

V1:19-8 Freezing Airline

V1:19-9 Battle of Dawn

[comixconnection]

Choose Your Three Free Comics!

At long, long last...Free Comic Book Day is here! Unlike the usual “first Saturday in May” celebration that has defined the even in normal years, due to issues with the ongoing pandemic the folks in charge have decided to move this year’s celebration back to August 14th. Want a sneak-peak at the books...?

The following titles will be available at Comix Connection on Aug 14th (while supplies last!). Everybody gets to pick three! Unlike previous years, we will NOT be accepting FOOD DONATIONS in exchange for additional comics. Instead we will be collecting monetary donations to give to the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank. For every DOLLAR donates, you may select an additional free comic book!

We know the line for the FCBD comics can get long (if you want to come in and shop first, you can skip the line and head straight inside!) so in an effort to both entertain you while you’re in that long line and to help it go a little faster by giving you a preview of the various titles so you can decide ahead of time what looks good, the Comix Connection Counter Monkeys have read and reviewed all of the available FCBD books! Take a peek!

CHOOSE YOUR FREE COMICS:

One hundred years before the Skywalker Saga began, the Jedi Knights were the guardians of peace and justice in the galaxy! In this prelude to the ongoing Star Wars: High Republic Adventures comic series, follow padawans Ram Jomaram, Lula Talisola, and Zeen Mrala as they try to save Lonisa City from the dreaded Nihil. Also read the beginning of Star Wars: High Republic Adventures #1! [All Ages]

“Two brand-new adventures from the world of Avatar: The Last Airbender! In Clearing the Air, Tenzin attempts to teach his rambunctious children a lesson Aang taught him about how to resolve conflicts. In Match Makers, Iroh runs into some trouble with a few friends...that just might lead him to something fun he’s been trying to hide from!” [All Ages]

Who Sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott? gives a sample of the upcoming graphic novel by the same name, a tale telling the true story of the “Mother of the Civil Rights Movement,” Rosa Parks! This excerpt features the immediate aftermath of Rosa’s arrest, and her decision to start a legal battle that would change the course of American freedom! [All Ages]

“There's nothing better than a beautiful sunny day reading comics, so join us for a look at this summer's fantastic all-ages reads, courtesy of Oni Press! From the gentle, magical worlds of The Tea Dragon Tapestry (by K. O'Neill) and The Sprite and the Gardner (by Rii Abrego and Joe Whitt), the adventurous magical mystery of Mooncakes (by Suzanne Walker and Wendy Xu), and the action-packed Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters (Chris and Laura Samnee), there's something for everyone. Sneak a peek at these four fantastic fantasy graphic novels!” [All Ages]

Sonic is 30 years old! Celebrate the anniversary of the world’s fastest hedgehog with this peek into the ongoing Sonic comic series. Things get meta when Amy Rose starts drawing a comic about Sonic, Tails, and their friends...but what will Sonic think when he finds out he’s been turned into a comic book? Prepare for the big 30th Anniversary Sonic Celebration here! [All Ages]

It's the crisis of infinite Archies! Celebrate 80 years of the Riverdale Gang with this tale featuring a dimension-hopping Archie Andrews in his quest to save the multiverse. Then, witness Archie go toe-to-toe with... himself?! May the best Archie win! Plus, get a preview of the newest Archie One-Shot in shops! This title includes several versions of Archie (from classic to TV to horror) and showcases his evolution as a character over eight decades, all while being a tie-in to the company's 80th Anniversary plans. [All Ages]

“Despite the pandemic and the swirl of world events, back issue comics are booming! It's not all record prices (though there are many) or bargain basement deals, but rather it's many different categories! The team that brings you The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide shines the spotlight on this exciting part of the universe of comic books. Includes tips on how to collect, care for your comics, and preserve them, among other things.” [All Ages]

“Get a sneak peek at book four in the bestselling InvestiGators series! With agent Brash trapped in a mysterious coma, the technicians at S.U.I.T. have designed the ultimate replacement: RoboBrash! This high-tech replica has been programmed with all of the original Brash's crime-fighting skills and know-how--but it seems he's got a few bugs in his system! Will Mango and his new partner be enough to stop the giant ants that are on a rampage in the city? Orchestrated by the spaced-out villain, Maestronaut, and Houdino, the dinosaur escape artist, it seems criminals are certainly upping the ANT-e!” [All Ages]

“My name is Grace, not ‘Kyle's little sister’!” Having a good-looking, friendly, outgoing older brother sucks--especially when you're the total opposite: someone who likes staying home and playing video games. Your parents like him better (even if they deny it!) and everyone calls you "Kyle's little sister" while looking disappointed that you're not more like him. Grace was really hoping she'd get to go to a different middle school, but no such luck. At least she has her friends...until he finds a way to ruin that, too! What will Grace have to do to get out of his shadow?! [All Ages]

Jewish mythology has it that when God created the universe, He left one corner of it unfinished. Opinion is divided on why, but everyone agrees that the Unfinished Corner is a dangerous place full of monsters. Twelve-year-old Miriam is too busy preparing for her Bat Mitzvah to care about the Unfished Corner. She spends her days wrestling with whether she even wants to be Jewish--until a peculiar angel appears, whisking her, her two best friends, and her worst frenemy off to this monstrous land with one mission: finish the Unfinished Corner. [All Ages]

“The City of Gloomhaven isn't "safe" at the best of times, but lately, more folks than usual seem to be disappearing. In a city paralyzed by an unknown menace, only one adventuring crew will do: The Jaws of the Lion! Based on the hit games, Gloomhaven and Jaws of the Lion from Cephalofair Games, comes a fantasy adventure with humor and heart.” [All Ages]

The Last Kids on Earth and their friends each tell their own best story of the Monster Apocalypse, including Jack's high-stakes baseball game, Globlet's attempt to take over the world, Quint's bad-day-away invention, Dirk's bragain with a witch, and June and Skaelka's creepy carnival--plus a surprise story from some bad guys on the run... [All Ages]

Being the new kid is tough, even for a superhero/ward and heir to a billionaire, Damian Wayne (aka Robin)! Join Damian as he struggles to learn patience and understanding from the students at Gotham Metro Academy, including star student and all-around Great Guy, Howard! Plus, an adventure of Amethyst, princess of the mystical realm of Gemworld by bestselling authors Shannon Hale and Dean Hale! [All Ages]

To celebrate the new animated TV series premiering on Nickelodeon Fall 2021, Papercutz is releasing a new series of graphic novels entitled The Smurfs Tales. Preview it here with a number of silly short Smurfs Tales, with a back-up appearance by one of Peyo’s other beloved creations: Johan and Peewit, the young page and the court jester. [All Ages]

In Edge of Balance, a new High Republic story set in the wake of the Hyperspace Disaster, meet new Jedi and their enemies 100 years before the events of the Skywalker Saga! Young Jedi Knight Lily Tora-Asi is assigned to help displaced civilians relocate to Banchii in the Outer Rim. She and her padawans will face more threats there than just anxious settlers, from the insidious Drengir to the Nihil! And in Guardian of the Whills, encounter Baze and Chirrut before they join the Rebellion against the Empire in Rogue One! Presiding over the Kyber Temple on Jedha, the Guardians of the Whills had hoped to maintain the balance despite the growing presence of the Empire in their Holy City. Yet when a rebel named Saw Gerrera appears, Baze and Chirrut must decide if they're willing to compromise for peace, or if Saw's plan is too dangerous to risk. Read the first chapter of these two new Star Wars Manga Graphic Novels here! [Teen]

It wouldn’t be the Teen Titans without heightened teenage emotions and romance! Fan favorites Beast Boy and Raven are travelling away from the dwellings they know to find homes they can feel comfortable in. Along the way, their paths cross, sparks fly, and even a destiny or two might be found. [Teen]

“Street Fighter heads back to school, as the world's young fighters flex both their academic and martial arts prowess! Fan favorites Sakura, Ibuki, Karin, Makoto, and Elena come face-to-face with a new challenger - the leather-clad, motorcycle-riding Akira! It's a square-off of (rival) schools in this action-packed one-shot!” [Teen]

[NOT FINAL ART] “This Fall, jump on board here as VALIANT UPRISING overthrows the status quo with new titles, new creators, and new takes on Valiant's most iconic characters! The VALIANT UPRISING FCBD SPECIAL features: A brand new X-O MANOWAR story from Harvey Award-winning writer Dennis Hopeless and breakout star Emilio Laiso. It's the perfect jumping-on point as Valiant's flagship hero prepares to "Upgrade the World"! Then, get a special advance preview of THE HARBINGER #1, an all-new series from co-writers Jackson Lanzing and Colin Kelly join superstar artist Robbi Rodriguez that promises to take Valiant's psiot rebel in a vivid new direction! Plus, find out how the world's greatest spy responds to being unmasked, hunted, and trapped in a first look at NINJAK #1, the pulse-pounding thrill ride from Ringo Award-winning writer Jeff Parker and legendary artist Javier Pulido. Finally, get a sneak peek from writer Cullen Bunn and artist Jon Davis-Hunt of what's to come when SHADOWMAN returns!” [Teen]

Three epic new Marvel moments begin here! Read the beginning of the upcoming Spider-Man Beyond story that will be starting in Amazing Spider-Man #75! Big changes are coming to everyone’s friendly neighborhood Spider-Man...but are they for good, or ill? Also discover the new Venom series, which will take spider symbiosis to whole new levels in the wake of King In Black. And last, sneak a peek at the Luke Cage: City On Fire mini-series, which will pit Luke against not just the Kingpin, but Daredevil too! [Teen]

Gotham is under attack, and it’s by the people claiming to keep it safe! Billionaire Simon Saint has slowly been taking over the institutions of Gotham with his insidious private security Magistrate program. Meanwhile, Batman finds his mind infected by Scarecrow’s fear gas, forcing him to question every decision he makes. It is all leading to the DC-spanning event FEAR STATE that will rock Gotham to its core. Plus, read a preview of Oscar-winning screenwriter John Ridely’s I Am Batman series in which the sons of Lucius Fox struggle with the legacy of both their father and Bruce Wayne as they take up the cowl to defend Gotham. [Teen]

Who is Avenger Prime? And what has spurred the chronal collapse that has them sending their army of Deathloks out to save all of space and time? Discover the start of the end here! Then, journey into the unknown with the Incredible Hulk! Bruce Banner never wanted to smash, he wanted to discover. Now, it’s finally time for the Hulk to expand his horizons with Operation: Smashtronaut! [Teen]

In this story from Critical Role, explore a small but important corner from the adventures of the Mighty Nein. Then, in The Witcher, it's an original tale featuring the iconic witcher himself, Geralt! Created in close collaboration with CD Projekt Red! [Teen]

A fascinating graphic adaptation of historian Timothy Snyder’s book On Tyranny, a collections of essays and reflections on lessons from history and how they can help America steer away from the course of authoritarianism. Recommended for anyone looking to learn more about how tyrants all through history have manipulated people and systems to take away the freedoms of others. [Teen]

“Side A: "BLACK: Interlude" What else was going on the night Kareem Jenkins was shot by police and discovered only Black people have superpowers? Find out in this FCBD one-shot! Side B: "CALEXIT: Hollywood Babylon" Once California refused to be ruled by the US government, its resistance fighters became overnight celebrities. Zora used her infamy for recruiting, but Emmie-X has other ideas.” [Mature]

In 2019, James Tynion IV (Batman) and Werther Dell'Edera (Briggs Land) introduced the world to Erica Slaughter, the iconic monster hunter who came to Archer's Peak, Wisconsin to save the town's children from the monsters only she can see. But Erica is not the only member of the House of Slaughter... With nearly half a million copies sold, Something is Killing the Children has become a true comic phenomenon and this Free Comic Book Day you are invited to enter the House of Slaughter...if you dare. [Teen]

Crewed by teenage geniuses frozen in cryosleep, the JEMISON is on a mission to terraform other worlds and provide hope for the human race. But when the ship is mysteriously stopped over a planet that isn't on any of their maps, the crew finds themselves suddenly awoken ten years early. One half remains behind to try and assess the damage and the other is dispatched to the planet below to figure out the answer to a perilous question: What stopped the ship, and is it friend or foe? [Teen]

As the earth dies, salvation is offered to five thousand children who will be spirited away from our planet’s apocalypse -- but what of the other children, still hoping to find one of the bracelets that give them their ticket off planet? In this wistful one-shot from the sci-fi hit We Live, go into the Broken Lands with a group of friends...but there are four of them, and only one bracelet to be found. How will they decide who gets to leave? Then, preview the Rainbow Bridge graphic novel where Andy has to help his beloved dog Rocket save eternity! [Teen]

“The comic adventures of Max, Chloe, and Rachel from the award-winning video game Life Is Strange continue in this exclusive lead-in to an epic new story arc! This FCBD special features the first comic book appearance of an all-new character who will feature heavily in the Life is Strange universe in 2021! This FCBD issue contains exclusive original material!” [Teen]

“To reclaim the Dungeon that fell to the scheming William Delacour, the plan is simple: Marvin the dragon, Isis, and Herbert the duck must find some magic “fugus purit” and use it to dislodge the current occupants of the fortress. But is this really the Guardian's plan? Our heroes will have to fight against everyone to save the Dungeon. Meanwhile, will Marvin succeed in his engagement blast-of-firebreath 'Tong Deum'? Preview the new series here!” [Teen]

See the next chapter of the super-powered scifi epic The Resistance, and then meeet the “Moths”: a subset of the super-powered Reborn. The pandemic that granted the Reborn their gifts during The Great Death gave power to people like  Emily Kai and the rest of the Moths, too...but the moment they use their gifts, their clock starts ticking and they have six months to live. Also, get a sneak-peek at the just-released Not All Robots futuristic techno-depressive-thriller! [Teen]

The second semester of School for Extraterrestrial Girls is in session! Peer into the lives of Tara Smith (fire lizard!), Misako Sato (extra-dimensional fairy!), Summer Cortez (pink tentacle void beast!), and Ekaterina and Zvenislava (anthropomorphic Russian kittens!). They’re all normal teenage girls...except that they’re all aliens stuck on Earth, and since Tara partially destroyed their old school they’ve been sent to bunk at the School for Extraterrestrial Boys while it’s repaired...that’ll go fine, right? Read the first issue here! [Teen]

This official spinoff manga of Rent-A-Girlfriend, the rom-com turned hit anime, features fan-favorite Sumi, the shy girl longing to come out of her shell. Written and illustrated by original creator Reiji Miyajima! Catch up on the manga before the Rent-A-Girlfriend anime returns for a second season, coming soon! [Teen]

Zom 100 is a violent and funny take on the zombie apocalypse! Its main character, Akira, is so depressed in his soul-crushing job that he uses the undead hordes as motivation to finally complete his bucket list! Also included is a sample of the hit fantasy manga Demon Slayer. [Teen]

“Known as the the Weakest Hunter of All Mankind, E-rank hunter Jinwoo Sung's contribution to raids amounts to trying not to get killed. Unfortunately, between his mother's hospital bills, his sister's tuition, and his own lack of job prospects, he has no choice but to continue to put his life on the line. So when an opportunity arises for a bigger payout, he takes it...only to come face-to-face with a being whose power outranks anything he's ever seen! With the party leader missing an arm and the only healer a quivering mess, can Jinwoo somehow find them a way out?” [Teen]

In the small Pennsylvania town of White Ash, there isn’t much going on aside from mining...and keeping the fact that there are elves and dwarves living in the town secret, of course! In this pre-launch of Season Two of the ongoing series, a romantic rendezvous for the grieving dwarf Alex and mischievous elf Lillian doesn’t go as planned...with potentially disastrous consequences! Also read a preview of The Game, a new series where your every action affects impacts the score of your life! Plus a sneak-peak at some vampiric troubles in colonial America in Stake! [Teen]

World of Zorro gives readers a peak at the upcoming titles for the legendary masked swashbuckler, both new stories (that range from the familiar to supernatural horror) as well as newly-translated classic tales! [Teen]

For FREE COMIC BOOK DAY, enjoy this special expanded edition of the hit IMAGE series, STRAY DOGS! Stray Dogs is a comic thriller that features art inspired by classic Don Bluth-style animation, telling the story of a group of dogs brought together by a mysterious loner. Rather than behave like four-legged humans, the brilliance of Stray Dogs is that it gets inside the heads of its canine characters, showing the human world from their perspective. Unique, entertaining, and creepy. [Teen]

The undead Vampirella has been around since 1969, and as the celebrations of her 50th anniversary draw to a close, Dynamite presents a reprint of the first issue of their series that kicked-off her modern adventures! [Teen+]

Take an inside look at everyone’s favorite bipedal shark god, King Shark (aka Nanaue)! Suicide Squad’s many-toothed muscle is currently inside Belle Reve prison, but he won’t remain there for long. PLUS: a sneak peak at the just-released Suicide Squad miniseries Get Joker! [Mature]

“After 20 years of antics coming out of Sunnyvale trailer park, the underground TV phenomenon Trailer Park Boys is finally coming to comics! Full of short stories and activity pages, several of comics' finest join to create a series of comic book specials in 2021 and beyond honoring Ricky, Bubbles and Julian and everything fans have come to love about the series.”  [Mature]

Fungirl is a humor comic that is as unpredictable and hilarious as it is observant and smart. Cartoonist Elizabeth Pich’s creation does as much smashing the patriarchy as she does dreaming of delicious donuts and being spit on by llamas. [Mature]

“Tensions between the clans are high, so when Cecily Bain, an enforcer for the Twin Cities' vampiric elite, takes a mysterious new vampire under her wing she finds herself in over her head and dragged into a massive undead conspiracy! Meanwhile, on the outskirts of the city, a rebellious found-family of clan-less vampire cast-outs investigates a vicious killing.” [Mature]

“Preview the forthcoming full color, original Space Pirate Captain Harlock series from ABLAZE, personally overseen by the legendary Leiji Matsumoto!  In this brand-new Captain Harlock adventure, planet Earth is threatened by an upcoming invasion by the Sylvidres and despite being banished as a pirate, Captain Harlock won't give up trying to save the world. Will Captain Harlock and his crew manage to solve this mystery and save the Earth from yet another menace?  Also includes teasers for 3 highly anticipated upcoming manga/manhwa releases from ABLAZE, including The Breaker Vol 1 omnibus (critically acclaimed martial arts manhwa), Versus Fighting Story Vol 1 (Capcom e-sports shonen manga) and Crueler Than Dead Vol 1 (zombie horror seinen manga).” [Mature] 

“An evil so profound it threatens all mankind... the mightiest heroes on the planet uniting to defend us all... a secret crisis of such utter finality that a countdown to civil or infinite war seems unavoidable... but have you ever wondered what really happens during Crossovers? The Seven, Payback, Teenage Kix, Fantastico and every other supe on Earth team up for an annual event like no other... and where the supes go, can a certain "five complications and a dog" be far behind? Vought-American prepare to make their move, in a story that will change the world of the Boys forever: Herogasm #1. The first-ever Boys spin-off mini-series features the pairing of Ennis with Hitman artist John McCrea and covers by Boys artist and co-creator Darick Robertson!” [Mature]

“The most eagerly-anticipated series of 2021 gets the FCBD treatment with this ALL-NEW "bonus" issue of the series! Featuring 33 pages of comics produced exclusively for FCBD, from the creator of Hip Hop Family Tree and X-Men: Grand Design, designed as a perfect entry point for new readers and a must-have for those already on board. Aided by the anonymous dark web and nearly untraceable crypto-currency, there has emerged a subculture of criminals who live-stream and patronize webcam murders for entertainment. Who are the murderers? Who are the victims? Who is the audience? How do we stop it? An outlaw, splatterpunk masterpiece, as seen on Piskor's YouTube channel sensation, Cartoonist Kayfabe!” [Mature]

“An award-winning comic and soon to be Netflix anime series!  When dusk arrives in the city of Manila, that's when you become the most likely prey of the underworld. Kidnappers and thieves will be the least of your worries. Beware the criminals that can't be bound with handcuffs nor harmed with bullets.  Beware the ones that crave your blood, those who hold your heart ransom, and the ones that come to steal your soul. When crime takes a turn for the weird, the police call Alexandra Trese. Featuring a preview from TRESE Vol 2: Unreported Murders, a section on the forthcoming Netflix TRESE anime series launching this summer (including an interview with Director Jay Oliva), bonus pages with w/ background about the monsters of Philippine myth as told by TRESE creators Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo, and a teaser on TRESE Vol 3: Mass Murders, coming this Sept from ABLAZE!” [Mature]

“2000 AD Presents All-Star Judge Dredd is a thrill-powered showcase of the past and shocking present of the iconic lawman of the future! Witness the birth of the world of Judge Dredd in an incendiary preview of upcoming prequel graphic novel Dreadnoughts by Michael Carroll with art by Watchmen's John Higgins. Fan-favourite Judge Hershey travels to the ends of the earth to dispense her own brand of justice in long-anticipated blockbuster spin-off, Hershey: Disease by Rob Williams (Suicide Squad) and Simon Fraser (Doctor Who). Along-side these teases for Fall 2021 epics enjoy a bone-rattling all new stand-alone Dredd caper from elite writer Al Ewing (Immortal Hulk, Marvel's Empyre) and Caspar Wijngaard (Star Wars, Home Sick Pilots)!” [Teen]

“Four titanic tales of pure fun and entertainment for everyone to enjoy! First up. It's no dog and pony show here! Bringing back the iconic puppets from the San Francisco Bay Area "Charlie and Humphrey"!! The modern-day Gumby and Pokey! A true love for al ages featuring a tale by Justin Sane and John Hageman! Next up is "Red Dawn" Written and created by Brandon McKinney, with inks by Bill Anderson and vibrant colors from Ross Hughes!! The government has created the first "controlled" superhero doing the bidding of a shadow operation until things go bad leaving our hero to blame and now on the run. The following story is only exclusive to this FCBD edition. Written by Greg Boucher and illustrated by Victor Moya they bring you "Rock and Roll Biographies: FIGHt" See how a troubled Rob Halford leaves the world biggest heavy metal band to form his own supergroup and take metal back!! Our last preview is written by Mel Smith, illustrated by Frank Cirocco/Alex Sheikman and hand colored by Gerhard! "Becoming Frankenstein" takes down the journey of a troubled Victor Frankenstein as he grieves the loss of his mother while harvesting the body parts of victims to create life again for his monster! Learn the tales of the victims and who they were before they became what becomes Frankenstein's ultimate creation! : This will be the only edition to feature this Rock and Roll Biographies story featuring FIGHT “ [Mature]

Enjoyed your Free Comic Book Day books? Want to read more? Let your friendly neighborhood Comix Connection Counter Monkey know which ones caught your eye, and we’ll be happy to direct you to the next part of the story!

[independence1776]

Snowflake Challenge Days 6 & 7

(Catching up crossposting from Dreamwidth. I’m listing Day 7 first because it’s shorter.)

Challenge #7: In your own space, create your own challenge. I usually say some variation of "be kind" but a significant number of people are saying that this year (for pretty obvious reasons!), so I want to say something else. So: Remember why you love what you love and focus on it. You don't have to share it or anything. Simply let yourself love it.

Challenge #6: In your own space, rec at least three fanworks that you didn’t create.

(I did this ahead of time so I could copy/paste from my document because I knew it would pop up sooner or later. So glad I did because classes started today [Monday] and my free time is pretty much gone now.) This was really hard for me to do because it sometimes seems like I don’t remember most of what I read last year. Part of that I can blame on grad school, when my fic reading time went down to “whatever I can read during lunch and dinner” (it could take me two weeks to read what I’d normally read in an evening). Part of it is, well, I’ll blame 2020 in general. So this is a hodgepodge of some of the Star Wars fic I enjoyed rather than anything comprehensive.

Writer

1. Icarus_is_flying. Because I can’t rec just one fic of theirs. They have a TPM-era canon divergent AU WIP starring Obi-Wan, Depa, and some others. They have a “Vader finds Obi-Wan and infant!Luke on Tatooine” series that in the second story (a WIP), focuses on kid!Leia and Luke on Alderaan. And other great shorter Star Wars fics, too.

Finished Fics

2. Necessity by Ermingarde. Padawan Depa takes a life for the first time. Mace helps her through the aftermath. Rated General with no warnings. 500 words. Mace and Padawan Depa. What’s not to love? 3. Curiosity killed the padawan (but satisfaction brought him back) by skatzaa. Depa and Caleb meditate together. Set between the time Depa takes Caleb as her padawan and when they're deployed. Rated General, no warnings. 900 words. Depa & Caleb = love. 4. A Present for Master Billaba by eschscholzia. Caleb Dume needs all his creativity and network of friends to successfully barter for the perfect solstice present for Depa Billaba. Rated General with no warnings. 8100 words. Locked to AO3 members. An Order 66 never happens AU that’s joyously almost-crack fluff. 5. The Nameless by Draculard. After Order 66, all Jedi survivors are rounded up and forced into medical experimentation to destroy their Force sensitivity. Caleb Dume is no exception. Rated Mature for Graphic Depictions of Violence. 3700 words. This is absolutely brutal, managed to work in pretty much all of my requested tags for Darkest Night, and I love it. [For those who don’t know, Darkest Night is a darkfic exchange.] 6. Conviction by SassySnowperson. Obi-Wan Kenobi is accused of killing Chancellor Palpatine. The galaxy is hunting him. So why did Bail decide to hide him in Breha's private medical suite? "Breha," Bail pleaded. "If nothing else, we owe him.”. Bail/Breha/Obi-Wan. Rated Teens with no warnings. 10,300 words. I can’t get enough of this triad. 7.  Eclipse by SpellCleaver. Luke and Leia, the twin children of Darth Vader and heirs to the Emperor himself, defect. When they do, it's naturally a dream come true for the Rebellion and the mother they never knew, one that's been a long time in the making. But they have to get to that point first. Or: Darth Vader unwittingly sends his children down the merry path of treason... and the ugly, painful fallout. Rated Mature for Graphic Depictions of Violence. 260,000 words. Luke and Leia, raised by Vader to be Imperials, and still completely in character, down to their defection. Also, Padmé lives. 8. it snows on jakku at midnight by nightdotlight. Heat from the engines of their ship melts the snow around them when they land planet side, not far from the Temple. Even so, Rey immediately clutches at her arms upon leaving its confines, despite the heavy coat she wears, and Mace knows that by the time they return, their transport will be snowed half under. Ilum’s wind bites at his face. He braces. He wonders. Rated General with no warnings. 2500 words. Time-travelling Rey apprenticed to Mace Windu. What’s not to love?

WIPs

9. Broken Pieces, Lonely Places by PaperCraneCastles. Cal Kestis finds himself alone and running for his life, having caught the attention of the terrifying Sith Lord Darth Vader. As he runs, he remembers his life before Eno Cordova, before BD-1 and the Mantis and the holocron, and wonders how a failed Padawan turned scrap rat scurrying across Bracca became the Empire's Most Wanted. Rated Teens with no archive warnings. 27,000 words so far. Post-game frame story with the non-frame sections set between Order 66 and the start of the game. 10. Shine So Bright by Okadiah. When Kasmir is captured as a slave by the Pyke Syndicate, he is less than enthused. But, no worries. Nothing’s going to keep him from busting out of the mine he’s been sentenced to, contacting Kleeve, and getting the kriff out of there.But damn his bleeding heart because he wasn’t expecting to find the baby Jedi there either, clearly in need of some help of his own. And he definitely wasn’t expecting to run into the kid’s master either, just as in need but not at all as he remembered. Unfortunately, between them, the ambitious, sadistic warden running the mines, and a Jedi Hunter on the way, getting out might be tougher than he’d hoped. Way tougher. Rated Teens with no archive warnings. One chapter so far. Depa Billaba lives AU! 11. The Weeds in the Wilderness by Ealcynn. A man wakes on a cold and desolate moor. He knows he is hurt. He knows he is alone. What he doesn't know is what he is, or where he came from. He doesn't know even his own name. But there is something else that this man knows, and that is that if he doesn't get help soon, he is going to die. And on this strange new world, there are so many dangers. Rated Teens and Choose Not to Warn. 186,000 words so far; metadata says 25/30 chapters.Amnesiac Obi-Wan; plenty of original characters and worldbuilding. This is exactly the type of OC-heavy fic I love.

[atamascolily]

Chapters: 2/? Fandom: Star Wars - All Media Types, Star Wars Legends - All Media Types Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Characters: Luke Skywalker, R2-D2 (Star Wars), Talon Karrde, Mara Jade Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Planet Dagobah (Star Wars), Force Trees, Myrkr (Star Wars), Ysalamiri (Star Wars), Ecology, Botany, First Meetings, Force Visions Series: Part 4 of Inheritance Summary:

Luke returns to his favorite swamp planet for evidence of a historic Dark Jedi, only to encounter a mysterious voice calling him elsewhere. Of course he's going to investigate.

Fate, however, has other plans for him.

(A remix/re-envisioning of Heir to the Empire, by Timothy Zahn with more botany, plot-relevant macguffins, and UST.)

Chapter Two is up! In which Luke gets in and out of trouble multiple times in succession. Good thing the Force is with him... right up until it isn’t.