#how about a compromise Frazer?

[csphire]

The mystery that's a part of Dammon's appeal and a solution to preserve it.

From this clip posted by Frazer Blaxland, provided to me by northlandcleric I'm starting to understand where his voice actor is coming from and can even respect it.

But it's also a really brilliant idea for his romance conflict and/or character arc. The thing is, Larian could keep some to most of Dammon's history and motivations a complete mystery. By simply having him struggle, dodge, or even outright refuse to open up about his past and present.

They could drop little ominous clues. Scraps of paper are found during his missions or around his tent in camp with drawn symbols not even Gale can recognize. For his character arc missions, he needs our help to collect a few mysterious items from various sometimes dangerous and highly guarded locations. But the problem is he won't tell you what they are, he refuses to show you them or admit why he needs them. They all just go into this peculiar box of his which he works on out of view of the camera. Much like when he was preparing a fix for Karlach's heart. It could cause the device inside to glow and make some chilling sounds that make us question our decision to keep helping him.

If that wasn't bad enough, there are odd things he mumbles to himself in passing you can't quite make out. We could have a cutscene where we catch him continuing to work on this mysterious device that he quickly hides away.

He could occasionally disappear from the game. As in, he's not available as a companion for a day here and there. He warns you this could happen beforehand and not to worry. Or there is simply a note he's left behind.

I should be back in a day, possibly two. - Dammon

When he comes back, and we ask where he went, he tells us he can't say. Sometimes, he comes back shaken or injured and still won't tell us what has happened or what's wrong.

His story is filled with all kinds of little things that would pique our curiosity and cause us to wonder and yearn for answers.

Perhaps the items he collects look to be transfered into a special locked chest at camp near his tent that he says is private and to not touch. And if the player doesn't listen, picks one surprisingly low roll lock, and opens it regardless, it provides zero answers. It contains just a few mundane, possibly sentimental items. What do these items mean? It doesn't matter, at least not yet, because it was a duplicate box. A temptation. A test to determine if Dammon could trust you, and you just failed it. Upon opening his chest, and violating one of his boundaries, he leaves the party and disappears forever. Or better yet, the game suddenly ends, and the credits roll.

What the hells happened?

We'll never know but we just messed up big time.

Why do I think this idea is perfect for him?

One Frazer wants him to be a man of mystery. Okay, that's valid. Here is your mystery, another paycheck, and more acclaim Frazer.

Two, because it's already set into Dammon's character somewhat. Upon minutes of knowing us, when he speaks of his time in the hells he outright admits, "I hope to forget most of it."

Again, that could be the issue the player character has with him. He simply doesn't want to talk about his past, his trauma, and possible sins. He wants to focus on the present and future with you and/or Karlach. Dammon can be a rather private and guarded character. Why is he like that? It's another mystery.

Being with him as a friend or lover is a complete leap of faith.

Perhaps he actually did, or was made to do, something horrifying and possibly unforgivable. If he confesses, maybe he fears it would destroy our warm view of him and the better person he wishes to be now. Maybe something unspeakable has happened to him, and he doesn't want to be an object of pity. He could be a god, a devil, a Great Old One, or something else in disguise. He could be from the future or an alternate dimension. Or maybe he's entered into an infernal pact of some kind that's bound his tongue on the whole matter. The list of what his secrets are can go on and on.

Then as his love interest or just friend, do we accept that he has a few secrets and respect his boundaries? Do we keep our hands off his metaphorical Pandora's box? Or do we break things off with him for refusing to trust and open up to us? Better yet, he could choose to break it off with us eventually or even leave the party for good if we keep pressing and again, open that chest of his.

This would allow us fanfic writers to go wild with theories. The fandom as a whole will debate over which ones seem more plausible. None of which the developers at Larian will ever confirm.

Parts of his past will never be explained to us the player.

Finally, after he's collected the last thing he needs, and fiddles with it after he places it in the box, it just winks out of existence. Maybe dramatically, it hums, levitates, and glows first then poof! A real "Stand back!" like it's going to blow up moment.

After it's gone, Dammon drops to his knees, shivers, and lets out this huge sigh of relief, maybe even laughs next. Make it a touch maniacal? Sure, that would make us sweat over if we did the right thing in helping him. Make us squirm Larian, please.

The important thing is, that whatever problem Dammon had is over... or is it?

The player character can ask him if he can now explain himself. If a friend, he'll just shake his head and thank us. If we have low approval with him, he'll just shake his head and apologize that he still can't speak of it and ask us to, yet again, drop the matter.

But if he's our love, he'll ask if we are sure we want to know and if we can keep a secret. If we vow to, he will lean in and whisper something into our character's ear. We the audience won't know what he's told our character. But at least now there are no more secrets between him and the one(s) he loves.

We just get to watch on as our character's eyes go wider and bug a little in shock as he whispers away. When he pulls back, we can choose to rush and hug him. So tight with an expression of utter belated fear of all that could have gone wrong on our character's face. Or we could choose to break up with him because whatever our character heard has damaged the relationship beyond repair.

Now that the player character knows everything they can consummate the relationship. Why now? Because full disclosure is sexy, and so is a good slow burn.

Oh, and remember those sentimental items? After telling us about his completed mission to our character, he finally shows us what's in that locked chest that had been a test of trust. The one we decide to respect his wishes and leave alone. He finally opens up about his past a tiny bit and talks about why each item he kept in there was so important to him. But of course, most of his trinkets will not be related to his time in the hells or his mysterious now completed task.

Later on, we can ask, "What in the hells were you thinking, taking all that on?!"

Dammon's response? He gives a sheepish shrug and says, "I think you know why. Everything is in order now. That's all that matters, my love. Thank you for trusting, helping, and believing in me."

To just a friend player character, who tries yet again for an explanation, Dammon will only offer, "Just know everything is in order now. That's all that matters, and you have my deepest thanks."

Again, to be clear, we the players are still kept in the dark. It will be only our romanced player character that will know what happened, and there could be an option to whisper Dammon's secret to others. That temptation could always be there among the dialogue options when speaking to the other companions. But kissing and telling will come with consequences. Anywhere from earning a large chunk of disapproval with Dammon to him outright breaking up with the player's character and leaving the party. Maybe he tells all to Karlach too or maybe not, it could all depend on your and Dammon’s relationship with her.

But no matter what, Dammon keeps a majority of his mystery.

Frazer is hopefully happy. We'll be happy.

Everyone. Can. Be. Happy!

If you agree, please consider sharing this to help bring it to Larian's attention. Feel free to discuss your thoughts in the comments below too.

Let's get Dammon into a starring role as an origin character and romanceable in a DLC to help feature the Artificer class!

[s1cparvism4gna]

I Like You A Lot

WARNINGS: cursing and violence

Pairings: Chloe Frazer x Nadine Ross x Sam Drake x OC

Tags: @desertvvitch, @courtenbae

A/N: I’ll fix the ‘read more’ soon! Enjoy the story 💕

Chapter 17

Sam’s POV

I watched it all happen. How they cornered the girls, the China Lake explosives that were sent their way… I could hear a familiar scream erupt throughout the spacious room. Just as I looked up, I saw Sunny’s small body rolling off of the breaking platform. A panic filled my chest, thinking that I would’ve watched her die right in front of me. “NO!!” I found myself roaring above the rapid gunfire. I could practically feel my heart falling out of my ass. But just as her body began to fall, I could see Chloe dashing across the ledge to grab her arm. I exhaled and laid on my back a minute, relieved to see that save. It was a sight to behold really; watching Sunny charge through the slew of armed men with no fear in her heart. I’d almost forgotten how fierce she was. I could feel a smirk curling at the corners of my lips. She and Chloe would make it out. They had to. That was wishful thinking on my part. Sunny’s optimism seemed to rub off on me a little. I looked up to see Chloe hanging from the breaking ledge. ‘Ah, shit….’ I thought, my face frowning as I watched the scene. There seemed to be someone else with them. I just couldn’t tell who it was. But they tried their best to reach for her. Just when I thought they’d make it, the ledge crumbled beneath them and they all fell quite a distance into the cold water. “SUNNY!” I yelped and the man that held me at gunpoint grabbed a hold of my hair, yanking it roughly. And not in the sexy way.

“Shut your mouth, thief!” He said to me. I snarled at him, wringing myself from his grasp as I tried to see if they were okay. Luckily, they were. They crawled from the water tired and coughing, gasping for air, and Asav was right there to greet them. His men cuffed them, handling them roughly. “Get your dirty paws off her—” I exclaimed and my cries were cut short after the heavy hilt of the gun collided with my face, pushing me back onto the wet ground. ‘GOD….dammit!’ I shook it off with a growl. My face was already sore from the shiner Asav gave me earlier. Hurt like hell but I’ve been hit by hands heavier than his.

“He wouldn’t give you up— despite my efforts to persuade him.” I heard Asav say. Suddenly, a body was thrown down roughly next to me. I spit out a bit of blood before looking up to be met with those big baby brown eyes. Sunny’s sweet freckled face was bruised and dirty, a little tanned. India seemed to have brought some color back to her face. Her clothes were sopping wet and just a little bit muddy. She looked like she’d been through hell. Like she’s been on an adventure all her own. I couldn’t wait to hear the story behind it all. I could feel a smile spreading on my face already but the soreness in my jaw kept me from doing so gracefully.

“Heeeey, sweetheart!” I cooed rather weakly. But my heart was so full. “You made it!” I was so relieved that she was alright. However, she didn’t seem so happy to see me. I could only imagine what I’d done to piss her off this time. Her face twisted in slight concern and she sighed.

“Jesus, babe….” She said as she winced, more than likely admiring my newest feature.

“I know right? Who else do you know gets a black eye and still looks this handsome, eh?” I joked. She scoffed as Chloe and her partner were thrown down as well. Chloe scooted over to me and got a good look at my face before wincing as well.

“Oh, Sam… Dude.” She said looking over the multiple bruises on my face.

“Meh! It’s not too bad.” I shrugged before leaning close to her. “He hits like a girl.” I whispered and she smiled a moment. I looked over to Sunny hoping she’d share the same amusement but she was anything but amused. Instead, she rolled her eyes as Chloe’s partner sat up, also beaten and bruised. I wasn’t expecting at all to see that face again, snarling and brows angled in anger. Nadine….

“Yeah? Let’s get these cuffs off and I’ll show you how girls hit.” She growled. I looked between Chloe and Sunny in confusion.

“What the hell is she doing here?!” I whisper-yelled to them.

“You said get help! So I got you help.” Chloe spat back.

“I brought you help!” I argued.

“And she’s done an excellent job! But Nadine knows Asav…” she mumbled quickly as the Asav’s goons lined us up before him. He paced back and forth in front of us, pulling the disc he’d stolen from them (well stolen back after they took it first) and waving it in our faces a bit.

“You are quite the schemer. So. You steal my disc… Then you have your ‘expert’ run me around in circles, huh?” Asav chuckled. “That’s clever!” He then walked over to a stand with a slot embedded in it; a perfect fit for the disc. “Perhaps there’s a little Indian blood in you after all.” He said looking at Chloe. She narrowed her eyes at him fiercely as he pushed in the disc. Suddenly, a floodgate seemed to open up and the floor split apart. Water came rushing out, misty winds pushing at us as it seemed to empty out a room. Belur was just full of secrets.

“Sure… I’ll take the credit…” I heard her say, amazed by what had been set off. The floor we sat on wobbled a little then began to sink like an elevator. I looked over at Sunny to see her stink eyeing the man who captured us as he posed proudly, like he put in the work to find this place. I didn’t like him either. He wouldn’t have found shit if it weren’t for us. I scoffed, shaking my head in disbelief. The cohonés on this guy, eh? The floor continued to sink until golden sculptures carved into the walls began to appear, covered in algae from having been underwater for so long. Before us at the end of a long hall was a massive brass door. I couldn’t help but wonder if this was finally it. That after all we’d been through, that we had finally found the Tusk of Ganesh. Selfishly thought by me: even just laying eyes on it would be worth it to me. Even if I didn’t make it. It was the same for any treasure. You just never know which would be your last. And my chances of getting out of this alive were looking kind of grim.

“Well… Let’s finish what we started.” He said in a low tone, signaling the men to grab us as he started down the hall first. One of the men grabbed me by the arm, roughly yanking me to my feet, just like the others.

“All right, all right!” I grumbled abrasively at the man who pointed and poked his gun into my back.

“Move!” The man snapped as all four of us seemed to get pushed towards the door.

I puffed my chest out with an annoyed huff, looking behind me to see if Sunny was okay. She clearly was but I figured I ask anyway. “You alright back there, sweetheart?!” I shouted back to her. She just frowned and looked away from me.

“I’m fine.” She grumbled. Maybe she wasn’t okay. I made a mental note to talk with her at some point. Then I looked beside me. The smaller woman snarled at me, ready to take my head off. Had she not been cuffed, I’d probably be dead by now. I’m grown enough to admit that. But I wouldn’t back down without a fight, myself. Honestly, I just couldn’t help but laugh. I mean of all the people to come back into my life…

“So. Nadine Ross—” I chuckled.

“Don’t talk to me.” She told me abruptly. I just chuckled.

“I was gonna say you look good but—”

“Was I not clear?!” She hissed. I chuckled to myself again as I heard Sunny groan loudly.

“Christ, Sam. You just flirt with anythin’ that breathes, huh?” She commented.

“I what?!” I was so taken aback my voice cracked. “Me and Ross?”

“In your dreams, Drake.” Nadine said, rolling her eyes.

“Trust me, sister, when I close my eyes at night I am not thinkin’ of you.” I replied, stopping in my tracks to make sure she knew I truly meant that. One of them men pushed at me telling me to move again and I obliged. I sighed and shook my head. Unbelievable. Why would Sunny even think something like that? Granted I hadn’t really given her much reason to not think that… Nadine let out an aggrieved groan, making a disgusted expression at me.

“What's that smell?” She asked. Now she was just trying to wind me up.

“Oh, sorry. I haven’t exactly had access to running water and soap recently.” I told her in a nettling tone. I just couldn’t believe this. “God. Of all the people you coulda brought with you—”

“Ugh- just shut up! Don’t talk about her that way!” Sunny snapped. My eyebrows shot right up. I turned around to look at her incredulously as I kept my feet moving.

“Are you serious right now?! Why are you defending her?! Honey, in case you forgot, she literally shot you in Libertalia! Okay- and she tried to kill Nathan, and I, on numerous occasions!” My pique face twisted up in confusion.

“And she’s saved both of our asses... on numerous occasions.” Sunny rebutaled, looking at Chloe.

“Also to be quite fair, you two tried to kill her as well, so….” Chloe jumped in.

“Boom.” Sunny said, nodding in her direction. I croaked weakly.

“A— I… Well that’s not the point! The point is, the second we turn our backs, there will be a knife in there.” I didn’t trust the witch. Anything could compromise us with her around.

“Funny because she said the exact same thing about you.” Chloe mumbled.

“I don’t like this. I don’t like it at all— I don’t want her anywhere near what we’re doin’ here.” I said.

“I can hear every word you’re saying—” Nadine said under her breath.

“I know!” I barked at her.

“I… trust her.” Chloe said.

“So do I.” Sunny added and Nadine turned to briefly shoot them both a friendly smile. Sunny grinned at her pleasantly and Chloe seemed to blush a little. I scoffed and shook my head.

“Fucking fantastic…” I grumbled. Then I raised my voice again. “You— You know what? Fine. I guess I’m just a little bit irked that we are walking away with nothing.” Then I turned to Nadine and narrowed my eyes, speaking down to her from a true place of hate and spite. “But I guess you know what that’s like, right?” Next thing I knew, she bared her teeth, growling as she drove her shoulder into my side to knock me off balance. But I managed to stay on my feet. I could hear Sunny giggling a little and Chloe exclaim a second. “Oh yeah! Real classy, thank you.”

“Time and a place, children.” Chloe commented. I grunted and snarled a little.

“More where that came from.” Nadine said to me, raising a thin brow at me.

“Bike racks, after school.” I replied, flaring my nostrils. Chloe sighed.

“Is he always like this, love?” I heard her ask Sunny.

“Yup.” Sunny answer simply and quickly. I wasn’t that bad. At least I didn't think…

Suddenly, we stopped. Asav stood waiting at the door for us and he gestured to bring Chloe up front. She slipped between Nadine and I and nudged the door open with her shoulder. The group followed behind her into a massive torch lit brass room. Two statues stood before us on either side. One of Ganesh, the other of Parash-something. Both parties were baring weapons to attack each other. Between them was a stand with a slot that would fit the disc. And on the walls were scrambled pictures. Two rings and a center. As soon as we set foot in the dim room, a clunking noise sounded and the axe guy began to shift its pose, raising his weapon to Ganesh. “That’s ominous…” I commented upon entering. The men behind us then grabbed us up to sit us on the floor before the contraption. Asav walked around the room examining the situation. Then he stopped to look up at the axe wielder before speaking to us.

“It seems the old kings have one final test…” he said lowly.

“Looks like you won’t be needing us then so—” I heard Sunny say with a nervous laugh, attempting to just stand up and walk away. The man that held her at gunpoint grabbed her shoulder and struck her in the face. Immediately I struggled against my captor for even laying a finger on her. But Sunny groaned and shook off the pain. She was a strong woman and she continued to impress the hell outta me.

“Oh, on the contrary!” He said before locking eyes with Chloe. “Surely you know the story?” He gestured to the man behind her and he began to let her loose. He pushed her over to Asav and he chuckled, placing a hand on her back as they both looked up at the statue. “You see… Shiva gave Parashurama the mighty axe— that struck Ganesh in the face— bringing Shiva’s son, one of the greatest of gods, to his knees.” Then he raised the disc between the two of them. “Another casualty of war.” I knew exactly what he was doing. We all did. He didn’t care whether she lived or died through this. He just wanted that tusk.

“Don’t.” Nadine growled.

“Seriously, Chloe, he’s just gonna kill—” I tried to fight against my captor, rising to my feet to get to her, but he knocked me in the back of my head. I fell face first into the ground and he grabbed me by my collar to sit me up again. I huffed in frustration. We were outnumbered and they all had guns. I didn’t like those odds.

“He’s right. But if you refuse…” he gestured to us. Next thing I knew, Nadine let out a yelp, she’d been struck down, then Sunny, then myself. They began to beat us mercilessly; kicking us, striking us with their guns, never letting up. As I laid on the floor, repeatedly being kicked in the stomach, I locked eyes with Sunny as she beared the same treatment, tears falling down her dirt covered cheeks from the pain. “You will watch them die inch by inch.” He said maliciously.

“Oh baby, I’m sorry… I’m so sorry…” I managed to say to her between beatings. These men were being way too harsh for as small as Sunny was. They could break something. Chloe bit her lip as she watched us tearfully, stress pulling at her features.

“OKAY! All right!” Chloe shouted. Suddenly, the beatings stopped and she snatched the disc from his grasp, glaring at him before looking back to check on us.

“Chloe… don’t do this!” Sunny coughed, trying to catch her breath as she struggled to sit up. “Asav, let me do it— I’ve been handling every contraption and puzzle here—” My eyes widened and I immediately disagreed.

“Sunny, what the hell are you d—” I exclaimed but she wasn’t hearing it.

“Chloe, let me do this for you. For your dad—”

“Sunny, no!” I begged.

“He’s right, Sunny. You’ve done more than enough and I’m grateful. Rest, China.” She said to her and Sunny sobbed. “I can take it from here.” With that, Asav stepped aside to let her do what she needed to do.

“Frazer… please be careful…” Nadine begged, tears beginning to swell in her bright brown eyes. I huffed, shaking my head. The job wasn’t supposed to go like this. This was meant to be a quick and easy pay. But here we were. About to die. Again.

It was only minutes. Not too long for a woman as smart as her to figure it all out. To pull some levers and put the puzzles on the wall together. She used the disc as a dial to turn and position everything properly. “Chloe, don’t give this shmuck what he wants!” I exclaimed. I couldn’t stand it when people got what they hadn’t worked for. Asav threw a punch at my jaw to shut me up but we all know how hard that really is to do. All the while we watched her anxiously as she completed the final puzzle.

“He’s yielding…” she whispered suddenly. Just as the final piece clicked, the statue of Parashurama raised his weapon higher, ready to strike.

“The axe! It’s going to fall!” Nadine exclaimed.

“Quiet.” Asav said sternly, watching her closely with intent.

“Ganesh…. quite an obstacle you’ve placed in my path…” she said. I could see her mumbling to herself and I leaned over to Sunny.

“Do you know what the hell she's talkin’ about?” I asked her. She didn’t even look at me. She kept her eyes fixed on Chloe as she answered me.

“Ganesh allowed himself to get hit… He chose peace...” she said. It still didn’t make any sense to me, but I watched all the same. Chloe turned the dial until all of Ganesh’s hands were at his side. All of his weapons were down.

“What are you doing?” Asav exclaimed.

“Just shut up and watch.” Chloe spat. Just as all his arms were down, the statue of Parashurama swung his axe swiftly through the air. Sunny squealed, worried her friend would be hurt but the blade stopped right at her throat. Chloe gasped and took a deep breath. It was over.

“Huh?” Asav was confused.

“Are you alright?” Nadine asked.

“Yeah… I’m fine…. That was unexpected.” Chloe said, finally taking the time to breathe.

“Holy shit, she’s got balls, eh?” I commented as I exhaled, relieved that she was okay. To tell you the truth, I was holding my breath the entire time. Asav seemed so frustrated. He wanted bloodshed so bad he practically threw a tantrum.

“I don’t— I don’t understand…” he said. After looking over all the imagery around the room, the story finally clicked. I smirked.

“It’s an idiom.” I mumbled.

“You’ve got it all twisted, my friend.” Chloe grinned. “Ganesh allowed himself to get struck by the axe.”

“That doesn’t make any sense.” He growled, stalking towards her as the statues began to descend into the floor.

“Not to a selfish prick like you— I imagine it wouldn’t.” She smirked as the men began to lift us all to our feet and cuff her again. “See, Ganesh could’ve defeated Parashurama easily. But if he had, that would’ve made Shiva’s axe look weak. Powerless.”

“Ganesh sacrificed himself to protect his father’s honor.” Nadine smiled.

“See, even she gets it and there’s not a drop of Indian blood in her.” Chloe smized. The men began to cuff us to the railings that surrounded the statues side by side. Just then, the control stand began to raise and display a marvelous piece of treasure. Sitting upon s golden altar was the Tusk. Asav’s eyes grew the size of plates as he slowly walked over to retrieve it. He lifted it carefully with both hands and turned to show it to us all. Boy, looking at it, I could only imagine how much money we’d get for that thing. It was a blue gem, the tip of it dipped in gold and silver, decorated with smaller gemstones. It was truly a sight to behold. I suddenly understood why the Hoysala went through so much to protect it. Asav shook his head in disbelief, like he could almost cry. But you’d have to have emotions for something to hit you like that. Asav had none.

“Magnificent, isn’t it?” He said, lost in admiring the treasure in his hands. All of us went quiet. Despite all we’d gone through, we were indeed leaving here with… nothing. Not even our lives. “Oh, what? Nothing to say now?”

“If you want, I can tell you to shove it up your ass.” I heard Sunny say. I tried to contain it but I chuckled a little. That was my girl. Always fighting until the very last second. He just smirked with an evil glint in his eyes as his men began to set up stacks of C-4 around the room.

“I would love to kill you myself, but we must not anger the gods… For you have brought me a great fortune.” He said, staring down at the shiny piece in his hand.

“Okay, then… So what are you doin’?” I asked nervously.

“He’s going to flood the chamber.” Nadine said, glaring at the man before us. He looked up for a brief moment in what I thought might’ve truly been some sincerity.

“I will miss you.” He said simply before turning to leave. That’s when we all started to panic a little. Tugging on our cuffs, hoping that just maybe they were weak enough to let us go but it was to no avail.

“C’mon, is this really necessary?!” Chloe exclaimed as we watched him take the disc from the slot and the controls sunk back into the floor.

“You know, nothing is ever truly destroyed. Only purified and reborn.” He said. I groaned. He was always going on about this stuff. He had a sick way of looking at anything negative as a positive. Always preaching purification through destruction in the most dramatic ways.

“Just shoot us and get it over with!” Nadine snapped.

“Right?” I, for once, agreed with her. Nobody was here to see all his “splendor”. It was just us. A couple thieves looking to get rich. We didn’t need all the flashy bullshit. If you want us dead, kill us and be done with it. He and he crew took the elevated contraption out of the room, looking down at us as he spoke.

“As the water fills your lungs, you will have time to reflect on the choices that brought you here. Perhaps in your next lives, you will fare better.” He said before disappearing above us. And just like that, we were alone.

“Prick.” Chloe mumbled. I sighed. I wasn’t seeing a way out of this for any of us.

“I dunno about you guys, but I got a loootta regrets swimming in my head right now.” I said.

“Good.” Sunny said simply. I scoffed. That was it. I’d had it.

“What the hell is wrong with you, Sunny? You’ve been giving me the third degree for the past hour!”

“If you don’t fucking know, then I’m not tellin’ you. Figure it out.” She growled. Her brows knitted together in the middle, her face all twisted up angrily, and I could practically see the steam leaving her ears. I was flabbergasted. I barely saw her these past few days. What could I have possibly done wrong? Other than get her trapped here to die beside me.

“This is ridiculous.” I grumbled.

“Tell me about it. I was really looking forward to kicking your ass again—” Nadine grunted, struggling against her cuffs.

“Yeah, y’know What? I’m not exactly thrilled about drowning next to you either—” I snapped.

“I should let her kick ya ass.” Sunny added.

“Sunny—!” I shouted.

“Oh, would you give it a rest, guys?! I’m trying to concentrate…” Chloe exclaimed, getting us all to shut up.

“What are you doing?” Nadine asked. I looked behind her to see her slipping a bobby-pin off of the brown leather cuff she wore.

“A little preparation goes a long way.” She smirked.

“Ahaha! Yes! That’s my girl!” I laughed, suddenly excited and anxious to get free.

“Is she now?” I heard Sunny mumbled. I began to panic a little. Everything was just coming out wrong.

“Sweetheart, that’s not what I—”

A loud explosion before us cut me off. Then two more around the room, blowing massive holes in the wall. Water came gushing into the room and it was filling up fast. Once she’d freed herself, I anxiously tugged at the handcuffs as water pooled around our ankles.

“Great! Now do me!” I said. But she went to Nadine first.

“Ladies first!” She exclaimed as the water began to rise to our waists. Then another explosion sounded. The water rose even quicker.

“Chloe, dear, not to rush you, but could you hurry the hell up?!” I shouted.

“Don’t fuckin’ yell at her!” Sunny snapped.

“Jesus!” I grunted in frustration as the water hit my chest. That’s when I realized Sunny was already going head first underwater. Boy, it sure pays to be short, huh? I began to worry more now. She was struggling.

“Deep breaths!” Chloe shouted.

Suddenly, all of us were underwater. It was dark and quiet nothing could be heard but the sound of the water pushing its way in. I looked over at Sunny and she was beginning to lose the fight. She was slowing down and her head started to lower. I rigged against my restraints, devastated that I couldn’t get to her. Nadine was set free and then she went to get Sunny. She freed her rather quickly but Sunny wasn’t moving. I saw her body jolt a little then go completely still. Even thought I was underwater, I most certainly felt tears coming on. I uselessly yelled her name and all that came out were bubbles. Chloe went to get me free next but an explosion went off again and the bobby-pin fell from her hand. She dove down to feel around the ground for it but she couldn’t find it quick enough. And I wasn’t sure how much longer these old lungs could hold air. She tugged on the railing as hard as she could, hoping that it would come loose but it didn’t work. I nodded in Sunny’s direction, hoping she’d just take her to the surface. She looked back at me sadly but I nodded and smiled at her. Letting her know that it was okay to let me go. As long as Sunny was safe, I didn’t mind dying like this. I watched as she swam over to grab Sunny’s hips and pushed her up, grabbing her hand and dragging her with her as she swam to the surface. Just when I had accepted my fate, I heard a loud noise behind me. When I turned around, I saw Nadine bashing the chains with a massive rock until they came apart. The moment they did, the two of us swam up to catch up with the girls. We swam in between massive pieces of sinking debris and swam as fast as I could. Before we knew it, the top of my head broke the surface and I was gasping for air.

“Are you good?” Nadine asked me.

“Yeah. I’m good.” I sighed, treading the water. “I gotta quit smokin’.” I joked. When I looked up on the ledge, Chloe was hovering over Sunny’s body, pressing into her chest. “Oh, no….” I shivered, swimming over with haste and climbing onto the ledge to kneel beside her. Her newly tanned skin was cold and a little pale, covered in bruises and a few cuts. Her eyes were closed so peacefully it looked like she was sleeping. “No, no…. C’mon, sweetheart!” I exclaimed. When Chloe finished her chest compressions, I pinched her nose and carefully breathed into her. “C’mon, baby- don’t do this…” I could feel myself breaking down as we repeated this for some time. And yet she still didn’t move. I let out a rather vulnerable sob as I pushed the short curls back off her face, kissing her forehead before breathing more air into her.

“Sunflower…” Chloe grunted in a warning tone. “Wake your cute ass up, love— Fight it, Sunny, come on!” I couldn’t lose her. Not like this. Not with her so upset with me. Not before I got to see her smile and hear her laugh again. Before I got to hold her again… Before I got to tell her I— Suddenly, Sunny shot straight up, coughing up a lot of water. Chloe grabbed hold of her, keeping her close to her chest as Sunny began to panic a little.

“You’re all right, love, you’re all right!” She cooed. I just rubbed her back as she coughed. She hyperventilated and Chloe just rocked her, speaking gentle words of comfort in her ear. I just held her shaky hands, stroking the back of them with my thumbs, looking over her to make sure she was okay. After a couple minutes, she had calmed down. And I had calmed down. I was worried sick. I kissed her hands firmly and shook my head. I’d never been so scared to lose anyone like that…

“Can you stand?” I asked her, placing a hand on her cheek but she knocked my hand away and stood up all her own.

“I’m fine.” She said sternly, pacing back and forth slowly to get her balance back. I stared at her, just a little hurt. “Thanks for that.”

“Cut it a little close don’t ya think?” I said to Chloe. She frowned and readied her mouth the say something but Sunny was already in front of it.

“She did the best she could, Sam. Shut up.” She grumbled, clearing her throat, reaching out to help her up.

“I’m just sayin—”

“Get down!” Nadine exclaimed, cutting me off. All of us did as we were told and bent our knees to get lower to the grass. A massive helicopter flew overhead.

“Think they saw us?” Sunny asked.

“No we should be fine… but how the hell did he get that helicopter?” Nadine asked.

“Maybe it’s the buyers?” I answered looking between the three of them.

“Buyers?” Sunny asked.

“Oh now you wanna talk to me?” I snapped at her in a petty fashion.

“Lookit here, boy—” Sunny began and I was fully prepared to get into it with her but Chloe broke it up.

“Ah, yah! What do you mean buyers?” She asked me, placing a hand on my arm.

“I overheard Asav talkin’ about uh… heading to the old rail yard— somethin’ about an arms deal?” I told her. Various groans went around and Sunny threw her arms over her head.

“That little twat waffle…. He’s sellin’ the goddamn tusk.” She said. Chloe scoffed.

“So much for preserving his culture.” She mumbled, pulling on her binoculars and walking to the edge of the rock we stood on to look around and Sunny followed. Nadine began to go too but I stopped her a moment. I hated her, but I had to thank her.

“Hey, just, just a second… um… Listen… back there...” I gestured to the hole we just swam out of. “Thanks for—”

“I didn’t do it for you.” She told me rather abruptly. We both looked at Sunny as she talked to Chloe. I huffed and began fidgeting with my cuticles again.

“Well thanks anyways.” I said awkwardly.

“Ja.” She replied and I nodded.

“So we’re good?” I asked.

“No.” She answered curtly before walking away to join the others. I should’ve expected that. I approached the group as we all gathered around and Chloe tucked away her binoculars, bouncing on her toes anxiously. Sunny on the other hand was already on her way down the rocks.

“What is she—” I began to ask but there was no point. I was already being talked over.

“If we hurry, we can intercept them before they make the sale. And Sunny is on her way to secure our ride.” Chloe said. Even though I was annoyed, once again the girl managed to impress me. I looked over the edge just as she’d jumped onto an insurgent’s back, his neck tightly cradled in between her muscled arms. He fell in an instant. She patted him down for keys and hopped into the car, waiting for us.

“Well what are we waiting for then?” Nadine exclaimed, starting down the rocks. I grabbed a hold on Chloe’s arm before she could get away and pulled her aside for a moment.

“Ay, uh… do you know what’s goin’ on with Sunny?” I asked her. Her bright eyes widened and shifted about nervously as she chewed on her lip.

“I um… sort of let it slip that we slept together—”

“Ah, goddammit, Chloe—” I snapped but she argued back.

“Hey! I didn’t know you two were together!”

“We’re not together! Well… not exactly…”

“You might as well be, mate.”

“So I keep hearin’...” I sighed. Oh, great. Of course that’s why she’s pissed. I was stupid to think I could keep that from her. I placed my hands on my hips and shook my head, kicking up loose rocks.

“You need to talk to her, Sam. I’ve already said my piece to her. Fix it.” She said, poking a finger into my chest. Then she did it once more for emphasis. “Fix it.” With that, she started down the rocks and left me with myself for a second. Boy, did I have a lot of explaining to do….

Read more on AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/26555698

[themyskira]

Wonder Woman Annual #2

Previously in FUCKITY FUCK FUCK I FORGOT THERE WAS AN ANNUAL AS WELL: Diana prepared to face down her most terrifying foes yet: the Dark Gods.

Who or what are the Dark Gods? Dunno.

What do they want? No clue.

What is this awesome and terrible power that they wield? So far, mostly just the ability to shoot lasers out of their eyes and incite people to deliver badly-written villainous monologues.

Why are we supposed to be so pants-pissingly afraid of them? Because James Robinson told us so.

Last issue ended with the Dark Gods manifesting over Washington DC, at which point it was revealed that they are… giant floating statues, I guess? But, like, scary floating statues. With lasers. So scary.

And then moments later, a couple of Star Sapphires arrived to whisk Diana away so she could appear in this shitty annual.

Diana is teleported to the Star Sapphires’ home planet of Zamaron, which is heavily battle-damaged.

The two Sapphires who brought her here are called Miss Bloss and Miri Riam, who are apparently pre-established minor Green Lantern characters — something I had to figure out on my own, because Robinson just assumes we all known them, and that Diana does too (I’m reasonably sure they’ve never met). The one time his overexplaining might have actually been useful, and he couldn’t be arsed taking a panel or two to make introductions.

Diana yells at them that she’s too busy to help with whatever their deal is, and launches into a recap of last issue. But, you know, that was all of two weeks ago, so by all means, spend a page getting us up to speed.

She’s also still throwing around ‘crazy’ and ‘insane’ like they’re going out of style. 

“…and although I’m not certain — the woman who told me was insane at the time--“

How about ‘possessed’, ‘out of control’, ‘somewhat incoherent’ or ‘compromised’? Any of these would be more accurate in this context, as well as not equating mental illness with dangerous and violent behaviour.

But anyway, essentially Diana says ‘my world is being attacked by the Dark Gods and it’s my fault’, and Miss Bloss is like, ‘well, if that was your fault, then our thing must be your fault, too’, and points up at the giant floating Dark God statue thing that Diana has somehow failed to notice until this exact moment.

Oh, goody.

Diana starts questioning them about what happened.  Honestly, that’s really all she does these days.  If she’s not delivering plot recaps herself, she’s setting up allies for flashback-exposition or allowing villains to monologue at her. Oh, sure, occasionally she fights somebody, but mostly she’s just a vessel for tedious exposition.

Miss Bloss describes the Dark God’s attack:

“Even to recall it now, it feels like a dream or vision from another world. Almost like we were looking at ourselves from outside of it all.”

The first time I read this, I took it to be a figure of speech. I interpreted it as an expression of Miss Bloss’s deep level of shock at the devastation she’d experienced, that it still felt unreal, as though it had happened to somebody else.

I was giving Robinson too much credit: he meant it literally.

As we’ll learn in a few pages’ time, one of the Dark Gods has some kind of power over people’s perceptions, enabling him to induce in others a sense of unreality and dreamlike detachment. We’ll learn that the Dark Gods have deliberately used this ability in order to confuse enemies and limit their ability to respond to or even comprehend attacks.

Frazer Irving — who illustrates the flashback, along with a couple of other scenes in this issue — plays into this well.  His stylised art and colour work lends a somewhat eerie dreamlike quality to his pages, creating a sense of altered reality.

Unfortunately, Robinson can’t write dreamlike.

So what in theory should be an eerie, confusing, unreal flashback instead just turns into Miss Bloss telling us that her memories of the attack are eerie and unreal and hazy… aaaaand then proceeding to describe the attack, the enemy, his name, the concept he embodies, his powers and the precise reason why he was able to kill so many Star Sapphires, all in exacting detail. 

The Dark God who attacked the Sapphires is called Karnell and he calls himself the god of love, but the love he embodies is dark and gritty and edgy and corrupted. He can sense any ‘impurities’ or ‘flaws’ in a person’s love and rub it in their faces. When he does this to Star Sapphires, something something their rings freak out and they spontaneously combust.

Diana asks, ‘yeah okay, but you didn’t know that this was my fault when you dragged me here, so what gives?’, and Bloss and Miri are like, ‘welp, our leaders are all dead, Carol Ferris is busy in another comic, we all frankly suck, and you were a Star Sapphire once in that Blackest Night crossover event.’

At which point I went, ‘wait huh what??? but that was before the New 52 reboot!’, before remembering that Geoff Johns’ entire preboot GL run survived the reboot for no other reason than because Geoff Johns gets whatever he wants.

Diana agrees to lead the Sapphires against Krakoom (I’m sorry, I’m not going to bother to learn his name, he’s not worth that kind of time), and the Sapphires respond by giving her the Nazi salute due to an unfortunate artistic miscalculation.

Diana: And if I am going to stand among you — fight alongside you — let me look the part. Sapphires: As you wish it, so do we, Wonder Woman… be a Star Sapphire once more.

And with that, they give Diana a makeover.

It’s not a bad costume, especially when you compare it to her Blackest Night design. That one tried to ape Carol Ferris’ hideous then-costume, which featured hip cut-outs and a plummeting neckline that ended around the crotch area, by giving Diana a bathing suit with hip-holes and a bared midriff. This design retains many familiar Star Sapphire costume elements — the stiff pointed white collar, the combination tiara/mask, the starburst symbol, the long gloves and high boots — without going into creepy male-gazey territory.

buuuuut it also looks like Diana is wearing a pink apron over her usual costume, and that is something I cannot get past. It also varies wildly across the issue, depending on which of the four credited artists is drawing it.

By the way, I say ‘makeover’ because despite violet blaze on her right ring finger, it took me several times flicking back and forth before I was certain that Diana had been deputised into the Corps as opposed to just being given a new costume in order to “look the part”, as she put it. I know this sounds like it should have been self-evident, but Robinson gives absolutely no indication of any deeper change in her. Not even lip service to the fact that Diana is connected, through the power ring, to the emotional spectrum and the violet energies of love.

Contrast this with Diana in Blackest Night: Wonder Woman #3:

“Extraordinary. All of them, in their way, have tried to explain it to me before. Hal, John, Kyle… even Guy, may Ares watch and aid him. But it defies all attempts. There is no way to describe it. What it is to wear a power ring, and feel emotion made manifest. To wear fear on anger or will or hope on one’s hand… To wear love. Too beautiful for words…”

There’s a lot about Wondy’s Blackest Night tie-in that’s flawed and frustrating and flat-out bad, but this page gets it right. If you’re going to make Diana a Star Sapphire — going to give one of the most loving hearts of the DCU the power to channel her love into tangible power — then you need to acknowledge the weight of that.

In this comic, it’s as insubstantial as a costume change.

Flying up to confront Kratakoa, Diana wonders if she could really have summoned the Dark Gods. Supergirl said she brought them into this plane with a careless wish, and… oh, come to think of it, she did inadvertently make a wish during the recent Dark Nights: Metal crossover, while coincidentally handling some magical wishing metal. But nah, that couldn’t possibly have done it!

She reaches the big floaty statue and a bloke with spiky wings emerges from it. It’s Klangalang, and he’s got his monologue cued up and ready to go!

He opens with a fairly standard ‘ahaha, I’ve been expecting you, hero!’, and the implications fly straight over Diana’s head.

Kibble: You came, Amazon! Sooner than I expected, too! Good… I’m going to love this! Diana: You’re some kind of seer, too? You expected me?

Let’s review: The villains Diana supposedly summoned, the villains who have been trying to kill or neutralise Diana before she can interfere in their plans, have attacked the Star Sapphires in advance of their invasion of Earth. Despite not knowing about Diana’s connection to their attacker, the Sapphires reached out to her for help, teleporting her away at almost the exact moment that the villains launched their opening assault. Now the one villain who hasn’t joined the invading force is cackling that he’s been expecting Diana.

Even a half-competent hero should be able to join the dots and realise they’ve been deliberately lured away. Not so Robinson’s Diana, who gazes at him wide-eyed and demands, ‘omg, u expected me? are u psychic or sumthin???’

After a couple more rounds of obscenely dense questions from Diana (along with another out-of-character ’crazy’ slur), Klunk ends up having to straight-up spell it out for her. He also explains how she summoned the Dark Gods.

Krunch: You wished for the gods’ return. Well, here we are. Here I am! Diana: Like a dream, but yes, of course. But I meant the Greek pantheon, not— Krump: Gods! That’s all you said.

Small nitpick: Diana would not think of her gods the “Greek pantheon”. She’d be more likely to call them “the Patrons”, “my gods”, “the gods of my people”, “the gods of Themyscira”, “the gods of Olympus”, “the Olympians” — she knew them as all of these things long before she knew Greece, or any world outside her island home, existed. The only reason she might refer to them as “Greek” is for the benefit of people in Man’s World, as a point of reference.

More importantly, are you friggin kidding me, the friggin layers of incompetence here from our supposed hero

accidentally makes a wish while wielding a weapon of magical wishing metal

manages to make the vaguest wish possible, opening a loophole for THE WORST GODS to infiltrate reality

immediately forgets she ever wished it

why would she even wish for that?! her gods haven’t gone anywhere!

To be somewhat fair, the reason she doesn’t really remember it is that “the God With No Name” (YES REALLY) made it all feel like a dream so that she wouldn’t realise she’d made an irresponsible wish and needed to immediately rally everybody together to resist the Dark Gods.

Except… that in itself doesn’t make any sense.

There are two possibilities here: the Horse With No Name could have clouded Diana’s memory of making the wish after the Dark Gods were pulled into this reality — in which case, why? How would she even land on the conclusion that she’d accidentally summoned some evil gods that she’d never heard of, when her intent was to call on her own gods and she’d had no indication that it had even worked?

Alternatively, he clouded her mind in the moment of the wish, to render her thoughts vague and imprecise and open the door for the Dark Gods’ invasion. Which doesn’t work either, because it turns out that the Dark Gods are pretty pissed off at being pulled out of their awesome reality.

King Koopa: War was declared the moment you dragged us from our home… our beautiful world — which you regard as the ���Dark Multiverse’ — we see as a paradise… where we were more than even gods to our worshippers… we were everything!”

So basically their plan is to turn Earth into a desolate hellscape just like their home.

Diana, who has already been told that Kraig is a god of corrupted love, conveniently forgets this fact just so that Robinson can tell it to us again.

Diana: You call yourself a god of love. What kind of love wants to be feared? Love is unconditional. KHAAAAAN: Spoken like the addled naive romantic I expected. Love always comes with conditions. Sometimes, I confess, I question… am I god of that love, of those conditions behind it? But then I realise… I don’t care.

Cool story. Glad we can agree on one thing, at least.

He monologues for a couple of pages about how he’s going to open her eyes to the truth of how horrible and selfish and corrupt love is, then draws Diana into his mind so that he can monologue some more.

We learn that the world of the Dark Gods was forged by a group of divinities called Titans, “much like the reality of your own Greek pantheon” (incorrect, you’re thinking of the Protogenoi; the Titans were the second generation of gods). But because these Titans were hardcore, they did it by smashing five other realities together. And into this terrifyingly dark edgy metalscape came… +~teh D4rK g0dz~+

Robinson then undermines the super-extra-double-dark feel he’s going for with another embarrassing name and an accidental rhyme.

“We Dark Gods followed, as gods do. King Best and then the rest.”

KING. BEST.

But wait, we haven’t even gotten to Kalamazoo’s dark edgy totally original backstory!

In fact, this is so dark and edgy and original that I’ll throw in a quick content warning here for descriptions of domestic violence and shittiness towards sex workers.

“You’ll meet a boy — his mother broken by a wanton father who forced her to cheapen herself further with wraiths and under-beings. The mother died — beaten to death. When he saw her blood still dripping from the fists of his father, the boy ran, fearing the same fate. The boy loved his mother, but hated his father and the world. Both emotions — love and hate — burned so brightly that even from within the darkness of our world, their glow caught the eye of mighty King Best.”

Domestic violence! Sexism! Slut shaming! Fridging! It’s like a game of grimdark bingo!

After three goddamn pages of this, Diana suddenly twigs what we all figured out eleven pages ago, ‘oh now waaaaaait a minute, you didn’t lure me here so that your buddies could invade Earth while I’m distracted, did you?’

Klinger responds by almost murdering Diana, and is only stopped by the intervention of the Star Sapphires.  They all retreat, and Diana proposes a new plan: all the Sapphires will channel their energy into her, something something, true love wins the day.

So Diana flies up to Kimberley, sword held aloft and blazing with violet energy, and announces, ‘boy did you make a mistake when you told me that you used to be a sad boy child! now I have only love in my heart for you!’

Karma Khameleon is like, ‘oh no, love! my one true weakness!’, and I’m like, “d… didn’t we just have this story?”

Then Diana straight-up stabs him with her love sword, and Korgo fades away with an ‘I’ll beat you next time, Captain Planet! Next tiiiiiime…’

Diana farewells the Star Sapphires, and Robinson shoehorns in this bit of virtue signalling:

Miri: Please… Diana, think of us as your sisters, too, for all time. Diana: Or “brother,” I notice. Miss Bloss: Love is love, no matter who bears the heart.

This is a welcome and needed change to the Star Sapphires. The fact that they have been portrayed up until this point as an all-women corps (with the exception of a few briefly deputised blokes) is bound up in ugly gendered ideas, exemplified by Geoff Johns’ comment in 2009 that “anyone can join, but most men are not worthy”.

But there’s something gratingly self-congratulatory in the execution of this course correction.  Robinson’s doing the absolute bare minimum here — including one or two male background characters in a handful of panels — and flagging it as progress with a phrase associated with the LGBTI community.  We haven’t even seen a single named male Sapphire, let alone one with a speaking part; I think it’s a little premature to be looking for kudos. And either Miri or Miss Bloss could very easily have been replaced in this story by a new male character.

The Sapphires teleport Diana back to Earth, where she finds DC a smoking ruin. And as the air clears, she sees—

—wait for it—

—this is truly shocking and terrifying—

THE DARK GODS MADE A MEGAZORD

THEY MADE A FUCKING MEGAZORD WITH THEIR DUMBASS FLYING STATUES

A GODDAMN MEGAZORD WHO WHAT HOW WHY.

Diana’s face does this:

[nadiineross]

requested by @kalydnos

17. “Bite me”

French countryside, near quarter past nine at night. 

Across the street from Alexander Bernard’s vacation home, Nadine ties her hair right to the base of her head and narrows her eyes at the muted orange windows, pulling her legs off the dashboard of the rental. 

There’s a spare clip in the cup holder, next to Chloe’s half empty can of Sprite, and she reloads her empty pistol. 

It’s been five minutes past Chloe’s agreed upon check-in call time. 

She empties the gun and starts over, perched on the edge of her seat. 

Finally (finally), the walkie in her lap crackles. “How you doing, love?” 

Nadine breathes a sigh of relief and grasps the walkie closer to her face, sliding her reloaded gun into the holster hanging from the rearview mirror. 

“Took you long enough,” Nadine huffs. 

“Kept you waiting again, did I?” 

Really, she’s much too teasing for someone who’s snooping around the home of a black market arms dealer in search of what is essentially an ancient fork. 

Nadine rolls her eyes. “At least it’s not 2 hours this time.” 

“Patience is a virtue, you know,” Chloe replies, voice staticky. 

“Well, I guess I’m not fucking virtuous.” 

“Hey now, that’s not entirely true—“

Nadine snorts, climbing out the passenger seat and grabbing the holster to strap around her leg. “Where are you, Frazer?” she asks, fondness almost palpable. 

“Oh, I’m powdering my nose in a fancy bathroom. Couldn’t exactly whip out a walkie from my bra in front of Bernard.” Nadine bends to grab the walkie so she can clip it to her belt and reply, but: “And yes, I did get that smarmy bastard to tell me where he keeps his collection.” 

Nadine grins, locking the car behind her, and flexes her gloved fingers in anticipation. 

“Try the third-floor study, northwest corner. I’ll draw Bernard away from that floor, but there are guards at the door. Be safe.”

“So says the woman who willingly jumped onto a train strapped with a bomb.” 

“Touché. Be fierce, then,” Chloe amends. 

Nadine grins. “Always.”

Usually, Chloe covers the stealing part and Nadine runs interference, but this job requires a little more stealth and less playing Spider-man. Besides, Bernard’s an old contact from her Shoreline days and has made his unfavorable opinion of her clear after her fall from grace, so Chloe’s dressed to the nines and wooing him. 

One day, she’ll return the favor and put a hole through his shoulder. Eye for an eye, after all. 

There’s a guard snuffing out a cigarette butt on the curb. She gives him no time to react and pistol whips him. She slips on his vest and relieves him of his weapons. Then, she heaves him into a bush and blows out a breath. 

The metal railings around the perimeter of the house are spiked at the top, so she’s careful when she twists around, dropping to her feet as quietly as she can.

It’s smooth sailing after that. There’s a knife in her vest pocket and she has a silencer, making her journey to the study through the backdoor quiet and efficient. 

She hauls the bodies of the last two guards into the study with her and locks the door behind her. 

The fork is in a locked glass case mounted behind the desk, smack in the middle between two windows. 

Chloe’s been teaching her how to pick locks and the one at the bottom of the case looks relatively easy to unlock, but there’s no reason to waste time trying. She takes the butt of her gun to the lock and slides the fork into the empty loop on her belt. 

This time, she leaves through the windows, tossing the vest over her shoulder, and leaves the fork in the backseat of the car, under Chloe’s worn leather jacket. 

She honks the car horn—the signal for Chloe to get the hell out of there—and waits. 

And waits. 

And waits. 

It’s been too long and Nadine throws caution to the wind, picking the walkie up. 

“Frazer, come in,” she says into the walkie, nervous now. “Chloe.” 

No response. 

“Christ,” she mutters, and in one smooth movement, she slides into the driver’s seat and starts the car. Her foot stomps on the accelerator. 

The gate comes crashing down. 

If Chloe’s been compromised, there’s no need for subtlety and, quite frankly, Nadine prefers it this way. 

She climbs out the car, puts a hole in the door, and strolls in, glamorous fork in its spot on her belt and gun blazing. 

Nadine takes out the herd of guards coming down the stairs, and ducks behind a pillar, hissing when a bullet cuts through her shirt, grazing the skin on her bicep. 

Nadine sets her mouth into a grim line and continues down the maze of hallways, blasting through rooms. 

God help anyone placed in her path. 

She knows she’s getting warmer when she finds a group of antsy guards gripping at their guns in front of a nondescript door. 

Really, they never stood a chance against her even if she weren’t completely, utterly livid at the moment. 

No one is left alive. 

Nadine leaves her gun on the floor, trading it in for two Glocks. 

The door leads to a kitchen which leads into the dining room where Bernard stands behind a battered Chloe, gun to her head and walkie poised at his mouth. 

There are three guards left, all with their guns trained on her. Bernard keeps the barrel of his gun pressed to the back of Chloe’s head. 

“Ms. Ross,” he says, teeth glinting with his sneer. “I was just looking for the woman who’s come knocking on my door.” 

Nadine smiles blandly and says: “I wouldn’t call it knocking.”

Then, in quick succession, she puts a bullet in the heads of the two guards aiming at her from either side of Bernard. 

She jerks back into the kitchen as the last guard, standing a bit off to the side, fires at her. The door frame splinters and chips off. 

Bernard barks commands in rapid-fire French, but before the guard can follow his instructions, Nadine shoots back, blowing the guard’s fingers off in her haste. 

He howls and staggers clumsily before he lunges forward in a blind rage. Nadine catches his head between her fists, still gripping tightly to her guns. The cold metal digs into his skin. She uses the momentum to launch him into a wall and he crumples like a sack of bricks.

Bernard snarls and shoots at her. She’s too far from the kitchen to duck for cover, so she uses the guard as a shield, losing one of her guns in the process of wrenching his body over her’s. 

“Little Nadine Ross,” Bernard spits. She clenches her jaw and tightens her hold on her remaining gun.  “Running daddy’s pride and joy into the ground, losing millions. You never listen, do you? I—“ 

He cuts off with a grunt. 

Nadine jerks an arm over the guard’s shoulder and aims her gun at the head of the table, finger itching to pull the trigger. 

Chloe. 

The leg of her chair is fractured. She must’ve kicked out from beneath her, into Bernard’s shins. 

“Save the monologuing for people who give half a shit, arsehole,” she hisses, voice low and gravelly. 

Chloe twists the gun out of Bernard’s slackened hold and swings the back of her fist into his face, the unshackled handcuff hanging from her wrist catching his cheek. 

Nadine collects herself just as Chloe hurls Bernard onto the long table. He spits blood onto the lacquered surface and grunts out a laugh. 

“Quite a pair, you two.” 

Chloe collapses into a chair and scowls at him. 

She almost looks like a queen at her throne, Bernard a fool at her feet. 

He pushes himself onto his back with a groan and his head lols to the side, in Nadine’s general direction. “Well?” 

Nadine cocks her gun and the resounding bang of her gun is followed closely by his shriek. His hand flies to his shoulder, red seeping through the cracks between his fingers, and he rolls off the table. 

Nadine doesn’t care. She approaches Chloe and helps her to her feet. Chloe ends up closer than Nadine had intended, and they wobble together for a second, hands clasped over the other’s forearm. 

There’s blood running down Chloe’s face and a bruise is purpling on her cheek. Frowning, Nadine carefully sweeps hair away from Chloe’s open wound and tsks. 

“You were fierce, at least,” Nadine says, an attempt to lighten the mood. 

Chloe laughs. 

Using Nadine as a crutch, Chloe limps her way through the house, farther and farther away from Bernard’s whimpering.

She raises her eyebrows at the guards littering the front hall. “Well, looks like fierce would be an understatement.” 

“You were late again, Frazer,” Nadine says with a shrug, helping Chloe into the passenger seat. 

“Bite me.” Chloe grins. 

Nadine rolls her eyes and rounds the car. “Maybe later.”

She tosses the fork into Chloe’s lap, starts the car, and backs out of the front yard. They drive in relative silence for a couple of minutes, whizzing past the traffic lights in their beat-up rental, shining green. 

Chloe twists in her seat and drapes her leather jacket around herself, rolling her cracked window down and sighing in content. 

The car creaks to a stop at a red light. 

Nadine takes a soggy napkin from the cup holder and wipes the blood away from Chloe’s cheek, ignoring her grumbling. The streets are mostly deserted now, so Nadine doesn’t worry too much about keeping her eyes on the road. 

“Hey, hey,” Chloe says, gently prying Nadine’s hands away from her face. “I’m—I’ll be fine. Just...” She stops and grabs the back of Nadine’s neck. 

They’re kissing now. Nadine’s soft and pliant against Chloe’s lips, but after a moment, she pushes in deeper. 

Chloe slants her mouth and her hum transitions into a chuckle after Nadine sinks her teeth into her lower lip. They pull apart, bumpily. 

Nadine turns back to the road and edges the car forward, sputtering and rumbling as it goes. 

The light’s green now, shining off the whites of Chloe’s eyes.

They’re both grinning as they speed off into the night. 

[phantomarchive]

I had to stop by to tell you that it's so refreshing to see someone else who OTPs Chloe Frazer and Nate Drake! I love Elena as a character so much, but always thought Nate was a better fit with Chloe. They understood one another one the gritty level! I was so sad she wasn't in UC4 with more than a mention. :c Love your blog!

Hi Anon! Sorry this took a bit to get to, I was in a place whose wifi wouldn't let me connect to tumblr, and I was there for about 24 hours, and when I got home, I was...dead tired. But! I am here now, and let me say-

I loved getting this message! I'm the same, I absolutely adore Elena, have considered writing her more than once tbh, and I think she and Nate have a great relationship that UC4 really wraps up nicely (and in ways UC3 wanted to and did poorly, but my feelings about 3 being the weakest game in the series is another post entirely lol). But since I played 2 back in 2011, I've always felt like Nate and Chloe have a really interesting understanding of each other, which is also gone into in the comics that shows how they first meet.

There's also that moment in 3 when Chloe leaves the group because she feels like she can't follow Nate anymore, he's becoming too obsessed, and I remember at the time being like "wtf, you've gone through way worse than this before," but also Lost Legacy puts into perspective why that obsession unsettles her so much. But it's kind of telling, in my opinion, that she's gone through hell and back with Nate, and it's literally only when he triggers some ptsd in her that she can't go on any longer. She cares so deeply about him and wants him to be safe, and she tries to talk him out of this treasure because she can see that this isn't just him wanting to see it through to the end; he's trying to prove something when he doesn't need to.

I think part of it also stems from the fact that they break up in between every single game, which worked for 2 and 4, but 3 feels like a narrative failing on ND's part, in my opinion, and kind of only served to weaken the foundation of what Nate and Elena have. Elena is an intelligent woman, and I think she should have walked away from Nate in 3 (coming from a purely non-Chloe/Nate shipper perspective) because love can really only do so much. Just like with Chloe, but both women make dumb decisions lol Nate is a dummy who doesn't deserve either of them, but I love him and I'm glad he has people who love him, too.

And like, I'm not trying to diminish or downplay Elena's feelings for Nate. Obviously she has them, she married the guy! It's just that my personal preference would see Nate and Chloe together because they have this innate understanding of each other. Elena and Nate definitely fight to understand each other, and they compromise to get equal footing with each other, and it's admirable. I do love them. But Nate/Chloe otp forever, I love them with my whole entire heart <3

[fayeburnsus]

Tory conference: Attorney General steals limelight from Theresa May’s speech

Top commercial barrister’s warm-up act references his legal negotiating skills

Image credit: BBC — Geoffrey Cox QC

It was left to Geoffrey Cox QC, the current Attorney General, to give the biggest mention to law on the last day of the Conservative Party Conference today.

Cox, who is a hugely successful barrister acting in commercial and fraud cases but who has also defended a number of individuals in war crimes and defamation cases, took to the stage (video below) at the conference in preparation for Theresa May.

He spent a long time bigging-up May and how the Tory Party needs to stick together over Brexit. As part of that, he took the opportunity to reference his own negotiating skills as a commercial advocate in recommending the “compromise” approach to negotiations with the EU over Brexit. He told delegates:

“As a lawyer, I have negotiated many commercial agreements. It is in the nature of negotiation that, with apologies to the Rolling Stones: ‘You Can’t Always Get What You Want.’

Cox’s speech has garnered considerable attention:

Theresa May will be delighted by Geoffrey Cox’s extraordinary speech. Until she gets his bill

— Matt Chorley (@MattChorley) October 3, 2018

Much excitement at Tory Conference with the discovery that Attorney General Geoffrey Cox sounds like Tom Baker playing The Doct-OR.

— Robert Hutton (@RobDotHutton) October 3, 2018

Cox has come to the attention of Legal Cheek before now: in 2015, we reported on his bar earnings being at a whopping £800,000. Cox also shot to fame in the wake of the shake-up of MPs expenses, when he had been found to have claimed for 49p for a bottle of milk and £2 for tea bags.

But May’s actual closing conference speech didn’t mention ‘justice’ or ‘legal aid’ once. Indeed, the speech was pretty light on content generally but particularly light on content relating to access to justice, legal aid, court closures, mentioning instead housing initiatives and fuel price freezes.

The 2019 Chambers Most List

May’s speech, which was aimed at silencing opponents within her party, did, however, make a fleeting reference to our judges. Heralding those elements of Britain of which we should be proud, she included in that list the fact that “our courts are incorruptible.”

This appears to be in stark contrast to the beliefs of many Tory voters and Daily Mail readers when the paper lambasted Supreme Court justices as “enemies of the people”, as noted by one lawyer on Twitter:

"Our courts are incorruptible and our universities world-leading".

Except when we attack them for being "enemies of the people"https://t.co/jPN6tS6D0p#Brexit #ConservativeConference2018 #ToryConference

— Prashant (@lawprashant) October 3, 2018

May did, however, give a nod to lawtech and AI-justice with her proposal that rail commuters are to be given “auto-compensation” when their trains are late. It’s an idea that could go far: auto-compensation for car accidents anyone? Just type in your injuries and the insurance company will sort the rest?

Other legal news from the conference was a fringe event held by Justice, the law reform and human rights pressure group, and the Society of Conservative Lawyer, where Lucy Frazer QC MP spoke about the growth in judicial review cases. Meanwhile, justice secretary David Gauke gave speech to delegates earlier in the conference focusing mostly on prison-related issues.

Watch Geoffrey Cox QC’s speech in full below:

The post Tory conference: Attorney General steals limelight from Theresa May’s speech appeared first on Legal Cheek.

from Legal News And Updates https://www.legalcheek.com/2018/10/tory-conference-attorney-general-steals-limelight-from-theresa-mays-speech/

[davidchanus]

Tory conference: Attorney General steals limelight from Theresa May’s speech

Top commercial barrister’s warm-up act references his legal negotiating skills

Image credit: BBC — Geoffrey Cox QC

It was left to Geoffrey Cox QC, the current Attorney General, to give the biggest mention to law on the last day of the Conservative Party Conference today.

Cox, who is a hugely successful barrister acting in commercial and fraud cases but who has also defended a number of individuals in war crimes and defamation cases, took to the stage (video below) at the conference in preparation for Theresa May.

He spent a long time bigging-up May and how the Tory Party needs to stick together over Brexit. As part of that, he took the opportunity to reference his own negotiating skills as a commercial advocate in recommending the “compromise” approach to negotiations with the EU over Brexit. He told delegates:

“As a lawyer, I have negotiated many commercial agreements. It is in the nature of negotiation that, with apologies to the Rolling Stones: ‘You Can’t Always Get What You Want.’

Cox’s speech has garnered considerable attention:

Theresa May will be delighted by Geoffrey Cox’s extraordinary speech. Until she gets his bill

— Matt Chorley (@MattChorley) October 3, 2018

Much excitement at Tory Conference with the discovery that Attorney General Geoffrey Cox sounds like Tom Baker playing The Doct-OR.

— Robert Hutton (@RobDotHutton) October 3, 2018

Cox has come to the attention of Legal Cheek before now: in 2015, we reported on his bar earnings being at a whopping £800,000. Cox also shot to fame in the wake of the shake-up of MPs expenses, when he had been found to have claimed for 49p for a bottle of milk and £2 for tea bags.

But May’s actual closing conference speech didn’t mention ‘justice’ or ‘legal aid’ once. Indeed, the speech was pretty light on content generally but particularly light on content relating to access to justice, legal aid, court closures, mentioning instead housing initiatives and fuel price freezes.

The 2019 Chambers Most List

May’s speech, which was aimed at silencing opponents within her party, did, however, make a fleeting reference to our judges. Heralding those elements of Britain of which we should be proud, she included in that list the fact that “our courts are incorruptible.”

This appears to be in stark contrast to the beliefs of many Tory voters and Daily Mail readers when the paper lambasted Supreme Court justices as “enemies of the people”, as noted by one lawyer on Twitter:

"Our courts are incorruptible and our universities world-leading".

Except when we attack them for being "enemies of the people"https://t.co/jPN6tS6D0p#Brexit #ConservativeConference2018 #ToryConference

— Prashant (@lawprashant) October 3, 2018

May did, however, give a nod to lawtech and AI-justice with her proposal that rail commuters are to be given “auto-compensation” when their trains are late. It’s an idea that could go far: auto-compensation for car accidents anyone? Just type in your injuries and the insurance company will sort the rest?

Other legal news from the conference was a fringe event held by Justice, the law reform and human rights pressure group, and the Society of Conservative Lawyer, where Lucy Frazer QC MP spoke about the growth in judicial review cases. Meanwhile, justice secretary David Gauke gave speech to delegates earlier in the conference focusing mostly on prison-related issues.

Watch Geoffrey Cox QC’s speech in full below:

The post Tory conference: Attorney General steals limelight from Theresa May’s speech appeared first on Legal Cheek.

from Legal News https://www.legalcheek.com/2018/10/tory-conference-attorney-general-steals-limelight-from-theresa-mays-speech/

[jasonheart1]

Ban on land deals could hurt bird population

DENVER (AP) — Some governors in the U.S. West say a new Trump administration directive threatens to undermine a hard-won compromise aimed at saving a beleaguered bird scattered across their region.

The directive, issued in late July, severely limits a type of land swap involving federal property. Critics say that eliminates an important technique for saving habitat for the shrinking population of greater sage grouse.

"It took one of our tools out of the toolbox," said John Swartout, an adviser to Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper.

Hickenlooper told federal officials in an Aug. 2 letter that he opposes the change. Nevada, Oregon and Utah also expressed opposition or concern.

A spokeswoman for the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, which issued the directive, said the agency would work with the governors on "adjusted" plans.

Greater sage grouse are spiky-tailed, ground-dwelling birds about the size of chickens. They are best known for the males' showy displays in springtime mating dances.

They once numbered in the millions, but the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service now estimates the population at 200,000 to 500,000. Experts blame energy development that broke up the bird's habitat, along with disease, livestock grazing and other causes.

Their range covers about 270,000 square miles (699,300 square kilometers) in parts of 11 Western U.S. states and two Canadian provinces. The largest concentrations are in Wyoming, Montana, Nevada and Idaho.

In 2010, the Obama administration said the bird would need protection under the Endangered Species Act, which would have brought restrictions on drilling, mining, ranching and other development.

But in 2015, the administration reversed course, announcing an intricate agreement called the Sage Grouse Initiative that relied on federal agencies, states, ranchers and others to save the bird without invoking potentially stricter limits under the endangered species law.

One tool states planned to use was requiring developers — such as energy companies drilling for oil — to replace destroyed or damaged habitat with similar land elsewhere. The practice is called "off-site compensatory mitigation" and is envisioned as a last resort, if the damage cannot be avoided or minimized.

But the Bureau of Land Management, which oversees about 388,000 square miles (1 million square kilometers) of public land, announced on July 24 that it would no longer use mandatory off-site compensatory mitigation on most federal land.

The bureau said it did not have the legal authority to enforce the requirement. It was one of numerous Obama-era environmental regulations and practices rolled back by the Trump administration.

Some state officials and environmental groups worry that the government's decision to back away from the mitigation tool could weaken the Sage Grouse Initiative and make it harder to save the bird.

Hickenlooper, a Democrat, wrote a letter to the Bureau of Land Management saying the move "jeopardizes BLM's ability to implement or enforce critical components" of the federal plan for the greater sage grouse in his state. He withdrew his support for the most recent version of the plan.

Jason Miner, an adviser to Oregon Democratic Gov. Kate Brown, told federal officials that the state was "concerned and unsupportive."

Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval and Utah Gov. Gary Herbert, both Republicans, also expressed concern and asked for more information.

"Compensatory mitigation is an important part of Utah's conservation plan for sage grouse, which is why the state is requesting a meeting with the BLM to discuss this potential conflict," Herbert spokesman Paul Edwards said in a written statement.

But Wyoming officials said they believe the new directive still allows them to require off-site mitigation plans, with Bureau of Land Management agreement.

Bureau spokeswoman Heather Feeney said the agency would still consider mandatory mitigation plans if they are required by states or other third parties, but she left open the possibility they would be rejected.

Federal officials could not provide details on how often the mitigation plans have been used.

The Fish and Wildlife Service is often consulted by other agencies on such plans and ever year provides tens of thousands of comments and recommendations on them, said Gary Frazer, the agency's assistant director for ecological services.

Frazer said mitigation plans have been used for species ranging from condors to the desert tortoise, but a comprehensive list wasn't available.

"I don't think we know what the implications will be," Frazier said of the Bureau of Land Management directive.

Colorado officials said they were optimistic the states and the bureau could come up with a workable solution. Utah officials said they were happy with most of the rest of the bureau's sage grouse plans.

Environmental groups were worried.

"Right now, the compensatory mitigation requirements are a key tool," said Nada Culver of The Wilderness Society. "Without them, there is no way to ensure we don't keep losing sage grouse habitat."

___

Associated Press writer Matthew Brown in Billings, Montana, contributed to this report.

from Local News https://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/local-news/governors-say-ban-on-land-deals-could-hurt-beleaguered-bird

[333mmcc-blog]

Journal Post 25/10

For this week, Frazer and I got the modal pop up for the browse mode working however the modal only worked on a local browser. The modal, as mentioned last week, opens when the user selects a tag in the browse mode a modal containing a short fact about the location and the people convicted at that location will appear. The modals, however, were only tested on dummy divs to make sure the modal was formatted properly and that the information actually appeared. The code will need to be modified when Brae implements the tags into the browse mode.

I have also made the username on the home page appear in the Journey Mode in place of the protagonist’s name. What I was doing beforehand was rather stupid and just saved the name as a normal JavaScript variable. Of course, this variable reset every time a different page was visited or the user refreshed the page. Therefore, the user name had to be saved into the session storage so that it wasn’t erased.

The team will also need to handle some problems with requesting data from the SLQ since multiple since for some parts of the website, some requests are being made simultaneously. To resolve this, we are going to have all the data pulled from the data base on the home page and then put into the session storage or local storage. Although this is almost certainly bad design we will prevent the user from proceeding to the Journey/Browse Mode until all the data has finished loading.

So, what are hoping to accomplish? Well were hoping to get the tags for the Browse Mode done very soon so that we can properly implement the pop up tags when the user clicks on the tag.

With the coding part aside, the group commenced the final report with Frazer and I coming up with a compromise to split up the documentation:

 Brae and Frazer were given:

·         Description of implementation (how the system works), including what is fully functional and what has been simulated for the purposes of the project. Use of any third party libraries/frameworks/code must be described and clearly referenced in both the report and via comments in your source code.

·         What you were unable to implement, describing why and how would these value-add to the final product.

All the coders where given:

·         Discussion of issues/major challenges encountered along the way, and how you changed the

·         Discussion of changes made to the original concept and why these were made (i.e. response to feedback, further research or implementation difficulties).

I was given one of the harder parts of the project:

·         Detailed description of the final project - its purpose, audience, approach to the given data sets and intended interactivity - supported & illustrated with relevant visuals.

Finally, being the main designer and tester, Elliot’s part was:

·         Any improvements you would make to the final product and why.

·         The successful and unsuccessful aspects of the product and why they were successful/unsuccessful.

·         What you like and dislike about the final outcome and why.

[eddycurrents]

For the week of 4 September 2017

Three comics made the favourites list this week. Made Men #1 from Paul Tobin and Arjuna Susini, Seven to Eternity #9 by Rick Remender and Jerome Opeña, and Star Wars: Captain Phasma #1 by Kelly Thompson and Marco Checchetto. Published by Oni Press, Image, and Marvel respectively.

Made Men #1 is a mix of a crime drama and horror, introducing us to the world of Jutte Shelley (nee Frankenstein), a cop who tried to leave behind a world of monsters.

While the story did grab me, what really made this book stand out was the artwork by Arjuna Susini. He has a style I’ve been seeing pop up more again recently, that shows a certain influence by Bernie Wrightson, but also artists like Richard Case, Bill Sienkiewicz, Sam Kieth, and Kelley Jones, and it’s just wonderful. Dark and evocative with nice use of cross-hatching and some hard angles, Susini probably veers closer to the Richard Case end of the spectrum. Still realistic and not nearly as stylized as Kieth or Jones. It’s very impressive work.

The introductory narrative from Paul Tobin, gives us a first-person narration by Jutte that is fairly direct, clinical, and visceral in its description of what’s going on and allows for a distinct window into the procedural way her mind works. It really aids in driving home the cop drama aspect to the story and provides an interesting lens to perceive the carnage.

Needs more talking cats, though.

Seven to Eternity #9 concludes the second story-arc of the series. And hoo, is it a doozy.

In many ways, this series has been telling the story of the fall of a hero. Or at least someone who sets out in the first issue on what seems like a hero’s journey. What Rick Remender really seems to be writing about is how the protagonist, Adam Osidis, has become potentially compromised and has begun a spiral into selfishness over the steadfastness of his father. 

Especially as a large part of this issue is a discussion on the nature of good and evil, and of how whispers and rumours--the weapons of Adam’s antagonist and current travelling companion/hostage, the Mud King--and thereby perception shape the reality of an individual. And then, of course, there’s a climactic magic battle.

All of it made beautiful by Jerome Opeña and Matt Hollingsworth. It’s nice to see Opeña back after a couple issues by James Harren--to his credit knocked it out of the park as well--as this series remains what’s probably the best looking book on the shelves.

The only downside to this issue is that we now have to wait until February 2018 before the series starts up again.

Star Wars: Captain Phasma #1, or more accurately the unwieldy title of Journey to Star Wars: The Last Jedi - Star Wars: Captain Phasma, is a direct continuation from Star Wars: The Force Awakens chronicling what happened to Captain Phasma, the First Order Stormtrooper played by Gwendoline Christie in the film, in the destruction of the Starkiller Base. Wacky hijinks ensue.

Okay, maybe not.

Although certainly a matter of coincidence in timing, Kelly Thompson’s narration for Captain Phasma serves as an interesting comparison to Tobin’s in Made Men. It too is clinical and succinct, but where Jutte is no nonsense and direct in her observations, Phasma is cold and emotionless. Both characters adhere to a certain type of ruthlessness, but one is seeking vengeance for a wrong-doing and the other is taking a pathological approach to covering her tracks. It’s interesting to see the difference in a similar narrative approach in how it relates to ostensibly a hero (Jutte) and a villain (Phasma). 

Beyond just that comparison, this first issue is compelling in its own right. There’s a nice bit of humour in juxtaposition of Phasma’s log recording of the events of the destruction of Starkiller Base and what was actually going on, deadpanning much of the explosions.

This issue also features what is probably the most gorgeous art in one of Marvel’s Star Wars titles yet. And that’s saying a bit since they’ve had artists such as Kev Walker, Phil Noto, and Salvador Larroca working on them. The art here from Marco Checchetto and Andres Mossa is just breathtaking. 

Quick Bits:

All-New Guardians of the Galaxy #9 begins telling the story of what exactly happened to Groot to make him into Baby Groot at the beginning of this volume. Aside from corporate synergy with the second Guardians of the Galaxy film that also saw the rest of the team more reflect their cinema brethren. The answer Gerry Duggan gives in the story is interesting, adding a new wrinkle to the Guardians’ tapestry.

| Published by Marvel

Astonishing X-Men #3 continues the Shadow King’s game with the X-Men trapped in the Astral Plane, this time focusing mainly on Old Man Logan. Ed McGuinness tackles the art this issue and I’m still wondering about how the overall arc will read in one go. Unlike the past two issues, though, this one doesn’t necessarily play to McGuinness’ strengths. The art is still good, but I would have expected something more bombastic or action-oriented from the story.

| Published by Marvel

Black Bolt #5, like every issue preceding it, features some excellence in storytelling from Saladin Ahmed and Christian Ward. There’s also a nice four-page sequence illustrated by Frazer Irving that gives a summary of Lockjaw’s relationship with Black Bolt. 

| Published by Marvel

Daredevil #26 kicks off the three-part Land of the Blind story-arc with the return of Ron Garney on art, delivering some absolutely gorgeous work.

| Published by Marvel

Elsewhere #2 continues Amelia’s Adventures in Wonderland, with the revelation that she’s apparently going to end this world and summarily sent to be executed. Jay Faerber’s story is still a bit of a slow burn in introducing this world, its people, and what exactly is going on, but it remains interesting.

| Published by Image

Giant Days #30 deals with the fallout of Ingrid and Daisy’s relationship. It’s a funny, but sometimes accurate, look at how a first love--or even just a new love--can affect a broader friendship dynamic.

| Published by BOOM! Entertainment / Boom! Box

Hawkeye #10 reminds you that you should be reading the series if just for Leonardo Romero’s artwork. Even if the story from Kelly Thompson wasn’t entertaining in its own right, Romero’s visual storytelling from page layouts to character work to panel transitions is just a visual treat. But the overall story is entertaining too, with some fun dialogue, humour, and an interesting take to see Madame Masque as Not-Kate.

| Published by Marvel

Iron Fist #7...just look at this spread from Mike Perkins with colours by Andy Troy. This issue is a feast.

| Published by Marvel

Royals #7 continues Al Ewing’s trip through obscure(ish) Marvel cosmic and Inhuman continuity, deftly weaving past tales into his ongoing narrative that seems to be his signature. Not to mention some great character moments and development.

| Published by Marvel

Scales & Scoundrels #1 was very nearly my fourth favourite book of the week, it’s a damn impressive debut. Sebastian Girner has offered up another winner after his Shirtless Bear-Fighter a scant few week ago. As its title suggests, this is a fantasy book taking after traditional Dungeons & Dragons tropes, but like other recent series like Night’s Dominion and Ladycastle, it seems primed to turn some of those conventions on their ear. This issue is full of humour, action, and an interesting protagonist in the titular scoundrel, Luvander.

The art by Galaad is also magical. It’s deceptively simple, reminding me of a more abstract Albert Uderzo, and it propels the story nicely.

| Published by Image  

Star Wars: Darth Vader #5 is Charles Soule’s third book this week, after Astonishing X-Men and Daredevil, and it’s another solid read. There’s an interesting missed path What If...? in the issue as Vader works to construct his lightsaber. Giuseppe Camuncoli’s artwork is fantastic as usual.

| Published by Marvel

Star Wars Adventures #1 is good all-ages fun. There are two stories here, both written by Cavan Scott. One focusing on a young Rey on Jakku as a continuing story and the other a “Tales from Wild Space” tale of Obi-Wan one and done. If you like Star Wars and want to share with your kids, this isn’t a bad choice.

| Published by IDW

Thor vs. Hulk: Champions of the Universe #1 is a digital original on Comixology and Kindle from Jeremy Whitley and Simone Buonfantino. I’d consider it more light-hearted, out-of-continuity, all ages fun, probably meant to be collected in time for the Thor: Ragnarok release. It features Thor Odinson and Bruce Banner, so if you’re missing the classics, this is a good get.

| Published by Marvel

Venomverse #1 is every bit as good as the preceding Edge of Venomverse mini-series of one-and-done stories introducing some of the players in this event. Cullen Bunn and Iban Coello deliver an entertaining first chapter here, setting up not just a playground for alternate Venoms, but also a series of adversaries in ever more alternate Poisons.

| Published by Marvel 

The Woods #35 has all of the chickens coming home to roost. This penultimate issue of James Tynion IV and Michael Dialynas’ series is epic. After this, I can’t wait for the conclusion.

| Published by BOOM! Studios

Other Highlights: 4 Kids Walk into a Bank #5, Ab Irato #5, Animosity: The Rise #3, The Greatest Adventure #5, Harbinger Renegade #7, Inhumans: Once & Future Kings #2, Jessica Jones #12, Kingsman: The Red Diamond #1, Lazaretto #1, Millennium: The Girl Who Played with Fire #1, Motor Crush #6, Nancy Drew & The Hardy Boys: The Big Lie #6, No World #5, Outcast #30, Postal #22, Rocket Girl #9, Spider-Man #20, Spider-Man/Deadpool #21, Usagi Yojimbo #161, Venomverse: War Stories #1, The Wicked & The Divine #31, World Reader #6

Recommended Collections: Black Beetle: Kara Bocek, Extremity - Vol. 1, Iron Fist - Vol. 1: Trial of the Seven Masters, Kong of Skull Island - Vol. 2, Manifest Destiny - Vol. 5: Mnemophobia & Chronophobia, Pathfinder - Vol. 1: Dark Waters Rising, Throwaways - Vol. 2

d. emerson eddy knows where the bodies are buried. Which bodies? The ones that hit the floor in 2001.