#nebula-class freighter

[fuckyeahspaceship]

Nebula-class freighter ñ.

[swan2swan]

SPACESHIP

[garbage-erotica]

Among the Stars Pt.1

Inky blackness punctuated with millions of tiny specks of light, like sparkling jewels on velvet, surrounded the tiny ship. The exotic explorer class ship slipped through the vacuum with nothing but a small hum inside to indicate anything was happening. The ship was somewhat of a joke among those who saw it, barely more than a single seat cockpit and compact engines. The bubble style canopy gave amazing near three-hundred-sixty degree views, and it's compact size meant maneuverability and parking were extremely easy while exploring. Unbeknownst to most who happened to look at it, the ship's owner was never able to leave things stock, and as such, the small "guppy" boasted extremely powerful compact engines, as well as compact photon cannons capable of holding their own against even the toughest of enemies. Several shield upgrades kept the ship quite safe from damage, both in battle and during any exploration related calamity.

This system is boring. A strange thing to concede, the pilot thought, when remembering back to the first steps taken off solid ground. That first flight, in a ship that was barely capable of it, and barely held together, flung him out of the atmosphere and in to the galaxy. Millions of pinpoints of light shining around him, planets spinning and orbiting, locked in their dance with each other, and the local system's sun. It was awe inspiring, and everything was new and amazing. Quickly after, time and effort was spent in getting materials and parts to make the ship better, visiting the local space station and trading posts to trade goods and run packages to gain extra credits. Finally being able to buy a new ship, a massive hauler. Blocky and imposing, with huge gull wings, and bristling with weapons and shield tech. Most importantly, fitted with a hyperdrive.

That first warp was awesome, terrifying, and thrilling all at once. The colors swirling about the ship, the stange absence and abundance of time existing together. The desperate hope that the computer's math matched your own. When the drive spit him out, a new system shone before him. This one tinged pink, surrounded by the cloud of a nebula. His breath caught in his throat as he took it all in, followed quickly by his heart as the ship's warning system crackled to life blaring out a warning.

"Hostile subspace scan detected"

Throttles slammed forward, and rocket tubes armed he headed for the local space station, but the pirates were in much faster ships. Soon photon blasts and phase beams peppered the hauler's shields. He realized that to survive this he would have to fight. The first pirate slid in front of the reticle, causing it to turn red and indicate a target lock. A simple button press and the whole ship rocked as two rockets left their tubes, bound for the small vessel. A moment later, a burst of flame and debris as the ship, and it's pilot blinked from existence.

The stick yanked back, and throttles pulled to reverse caused the hauler to nearly double back on it's own line. The other pirate ship, not expecting the maneuver, started to barrel roll and evade. A flick of a switch and the hauler's photon cannons went live, and a pull of the trigger send gentle shudders through the ship as the blue energy pulses traced out towards the small pirate. The vessel was quickly overwhelmed, and within moments was drifting slowly through the vacuum. The pilot's finger hovered over the trigger, considering his options before hitting the communicator button.

Countless space battles, planetary raids, smuggling runs, and occasional legitimate trade routes later, he commanded a crew of less-than-desirables. Bases and hideouts spread across the galaxy on various planets, along with a massive freighter, bristling with weapons and cargo space, to act as the crew's mobile headquarters.

This system is boring. The thought floated through his consciousness again, almost as a joke now. The pilot from that first flight would be shaking him now, asking what the fuck he meant that this system was BORING. But with all he had seen and done, the simple, two planet, nebula-less system was kind plain. No local space station, no signs of dominant life form... just boring.

The communicator chirped at him, indicating and incoming message and breaking him out of his thoughts. A tap of the touch screen brought his first mate up in the hologram. A scarred up Vy'keen, the scars on his face from the day the pilot spared his life and launched them on this life together.

"Warrior Toem, what is it?" The Vy'keen's posturing was that of discomfort, and mild annoyance

"Sorry to bother you, Captain, but the raiding part returned and... they brought a prisoner."

The pilot let out a long sigh. He was not unaware of what his crew sometimes did with captured personnel, and his only rule was don't bring the pleasure toys back to the freighter. Use them, and leave them, or dispose of them.

"And why, might I ask?"

"They said it is an offering, for you, Sir."

"I'm sending my coordinates, warp here. This system is abandoned, and clearly the crew needs a reminder of who is in charge."

"Right away, Captain." The first mate's hologram blinked closed and the pilot tapped at the screen, sending the stellar data to his freighter. Moments later with a flash of light, the massive freighter, followed by a small fleet of frigates shot in to the system. The captain pushed the throttle forward and headed for the freighter's docking bay, releasing controls and starting the shut down sequence as the tractor beam and automatic docking sequence took over.

As the guppy settled on to it's pad in the hangar bay, the captain noticed as small pink fighter, smoking and damaged on an adjacent pad. He grumbled to himself as he disembarked the small craft and headed up the stairs to the freighter's crew area, heading straight for the bridge.

"Why, in the FUCK is there garbage in my hangar!?" He roared as he entered, causing all the others beings inside to fall silent. "And what, monumental jackass, decided to bring a fucking prisoner back with them?" The whole bridge crew suddenly seemed very interested in lights blinking on consoles, or the floor tiles. The first mate walked up pointing to the leader of the raiding party.

The captain walked over to the Gek, who somehow managed to look both very panicked, and very pleased with himself. "Well?"

"Well I thought, Cap-"

He was cut off as the captain slammed a fist to the side of his head. "I DON'T PAY YOU TO FUCKING THINK! I PAY YOU TO DO RAIDS! I PAY YOU TO DO WHAT YOU ARE FUCKING TOLD!"

The small creature blinked back in fear from the floor. "This is your one warning. Fuck things up again and I will throw you out the airlock myself. Now get the hell out of my sight."

The Gek bowed thankfully and scurried off the bridge with the rest of the raiding party. Turning, the captain looked at his first mate, whose posture indicated more annoyance. The captain stabbed a finger at him. "You, of anyone, do NOT get to be annoyed with me about who I give second chances to!"

"Yes captain." The Vyxkeen said, but didn't chance his posture any.

The captain rolled his eyes and pulled his helmet off. "Well I suppose a trip to the brig is in order now." The first mate just growled his response, and went back to running the freighter. The captain walked off the bridge, following the narrow corridors to the brig. As he entered he noticed a pink spacesuit matching the ship in the hangar stuffed in to one of the storage cubbies. He hit the data pad next to the brig door, the diagnostics showing that the being inside had the same physical structure and DNA structuring he had.

"Anomalous Traveler" is what he and those like him were called. The rarity of their kind is part of what had helped him be so successful as a pirate and smuggler. The captain refreshed the diagnostics a few times, the computer returning the same results each time, including "Gender: Female." He punched the button to open the door, and as they hissed open he blinked in surprise.

[mayxthexforce-moved]

Trace's brows furrowed at the way he worded that. "First of all, that's a big assumption from a Jedi. I thought you guys were supposed to be neutral and all that," she started, perhaps a little defensive because yeah maybe getting punched for money that she didn't borrow was getting old, but Rafa was still her sister. "Second, she's my sister, my only family. I would get punched a thousand times for her, I might have hypothetically shot people for her before- nothing you can prove." the last thing she needed was a Jedi imprisoning her for killing some spice-addicted king's guards. "Besides, she's the oldest. She's the one who looked after me and made sure I had a roof over my head and food on my plate when nobody else cared. Her problems are my problems too. It's her and me against the whole galaxy."

She was rambling. But if there was one thing Trave was for a fact besides the best mechanic in level 1313, that was: very protective of her sister.

Then he was talking about how he would escape the order if he could, and it made Trace arch a brow. "Sounds to me like that's becoming a thing as of late." before Ahsoka, she didn't even know Jedi could leave their order. Anakin made it sound like they couldn't. So, Trace wasn't going to mention Ahsoka.

Thankfully, they'd been walking while they talked and Trace hadn't gotten that far from her hangar running from the thugs. She opened the front and motioned for him to come in.

"Don't mind the mess, I've been working on these demolition droids for a while now," Trace said. "They don't know when to stop demolishing, so that's been fun cleaning up." she pointed towards the heavily modified Nebula Class freighter currently parked the closest to the part of the roof that opened to let a ship out. "That's my beautiful girl, the Silver Angel."

mayxthexforce​:

Oh, Rafa wouldn’t let her hear the end of it if she found out Trace had somehow ended up meeting another Jedi in a very similar situation to how she had met Ahsoka. Rafa definitely wouldn’t be happy about her bringing said Jedi back to her shop knowing he was a Jedi. But Trace was easy to befriend. It wasn’t often that she got to talk mechanics with someone who actually knew their way around machinery, most mechanics around saw each other as competition.

“My personal ship isn’t supposed to fly, but I’ve fixed her up pretty well,” Trace said proudly. “I installed a hyperdrive propulsion system on her too.”

Yeah, Trace was definitely liking the guy so far. Rafa wouldn’t like him, but Rafa didn’t like anybody and what she didn’t know wouldn’t hurt her. Trace had a right to making friends that weren’t also her sister’s.

“Ships, speeders, droids, caf machines, those fancy garbage incinerators from surface…” she started listing the things she had experience working on. “You break it, I can fix it.” then came the topic of the thugs, and Trace huffed. At this point, she’d lost her fear and was just tired of the situation. “They’re just some money lenderer’s goons. My sister borrows money from the wrong people- it’s a bad habit of hers, since she can’t get the money if they hurt her, they often come to me to make their threats. They’ve never tried stabbing before though, usually I just end up with some bruises. It’s not the life I’d like but it’s how it is down here. Once I’m done with my ship, my sister and I are going to get off this planet. As far away as we can from the thugs, the war and the Jedi- no offense.”

Anakin liked to be rebellious and he enjoyed trouble a little too much.  It got boring staying out of trouble, really.  Plus, all of the Jedi could be so boring, sometimes. He could only meditate so many times, without getting insanely bored.  

“Really? Well, it’s not worth it without some sort of hyperdrive. You can install them on so many ships. You don’t have to have one of the huge, fancy ones that comes with it.” He had it on his starfighter, not just the big ships.  He had a whole fleet of ships.  

“Nice.  I can fix all sorts of things too and apparently fight in a war, as well. But, I much prefer fixing things, if I’m honest.”  He glanced at her. “Why take what your sister has coming to her? I mean, she doesn’t deserve it either I’m sure, but it sounds like it’s more her problem.”  He didn’t have siblings so sometimes, sibling dynamics escaped him.

“I would escape the Jedi if I could, I get it.” 

[woozletania]

“It is in regards to your son...” (Rocket/Lylla possible future)

Set some fifty years after GOTG2, and long after Rocket and Lylla met and married.

*****

“Rocket.”

Rocket stirred in the little round bed, curling up into a tighter ball to escape the sound.

“Rocket, wake up.”

“Go 'way.  It's my sleep shift.”

A webbed hand no bigger than his own stroked his tail.  There was only one person in the galaxy he'd permit that familiarity.  “I wouldn't wake you if it weren't important, honey.”

Rocket's whiteless feral eyes popped open, and he gave himself a moment to wake.  He didn't snap to alertness as fast as he once had, and it took him a minute to gather his senses.

He was curled up in his favorite bed.  He had many beds these days, as many as he wanted, but this was the old, patched bed, the one Pete gave him many years ago.  The one Star-Lord bought on Earth, had monogrammed with his name and a Ravager symbol.  It was a round, padded bed, meant for some Earth animal, but Pete hadn't told him that.  He got Rocket the bed because he thought Rocket would like it, and though Rocket knew at once it was meant for a pet, Pete never said a word. He'd thought Rocket was too proud to sleep in a bed made for an animal.  If only he'd known the awful places Rocket slept in the beginning.  In a cage, under a bush in the rain, on a pile of garbage in an alley. Rocket wouldn't turn his nose up at a comfy bed,especially when it was offered by someone he had begun to genuinely considered a friend.

Rocket crawled out of the bed, and Lylla was there to meet him.  She wasn't as young as she'd been either, but anti-aging tech meant for bald bodies had been adaptable to their small, furry forms.  It hadn't been cheap to get it, but there was no shortage of money now. They'd been married for over fifty years, now.

“Mornin', love,” Rocket growled, and she put her head under his chin the way she always did when he hugged her.

“It's not morning, silly,” she said, and her long ottery whiskers twitched with a smile.  “I know you're tired.  We've been so busy lately.  I didn't want to wake you, but a ship's coming in and they want to talk to you personally.”

“Gamora?” Most of the old Guardian crew were retired now, as rich as he was or living in quiet seclusion.  Their galaxy-saving days were over. The one-time Destroyer ran an orphanage on Xandar now, of all things. Except Gamora, who just kept going on adventures, with or without Pete.  “Is it the Sister Act?”

Weird name for a ship, but when they'd been to Terra one time Pete made them watch a bunch of movies.  One of them had that name and when Gamora and Nebula teamed up as freelance troubleshooting agents it'd seemed appropriate. They still stopped by once a year or so, or when they needed repairs.

“No dear, it's the Vengeance.”

Rocket came all the way awake.  “The Vengeance?  They can't possibly expect repairs.”

Lylla giggled. Ah, that sound.  Absolutely, positively worth waking up for. “All the work crews are tied up anyway.  Blackjack's division is working on the Bitterblossom,  Wal's on the Sovereign Citizen and Pyko's teams are all working on those Xandarian covettes that got damaged in that ion storm. And that supercarrier freighter is due in tomorrow.”

“Not to mention we aren't even capable of docking the das't thing!” But he had to respond.  You didn't ignore the Star of Vengeance. He reluctantly squirmed loose from Lylla's hug and pulled on his best tunic, armorweave (old habits die hard) with the fewest chemical stains of anything he habitually wore.  He had a dress jacket somewhere but he hadn't dug that out since he attended Stakar and Aleta's son’s wedding what, three years ago?  It was easy to lose track of time when you ran something as busy as Halfworld II, better known as the Halfworld Independent Shipyard.

“Gotta go honey.”  

“I know dear.” She held up a datapad.  “I'll be in the computer core if you need me.”

Diplomat.  That's what they'd made Lylla to be, those assholes who made the second generation  of Uplifts.  Her built-in linguistics and negotiation skills had somehow translated to her becoming an ace programmer and manager.  It was just as well, since she was not interested in using the other skills they'd given her.  Assassination was not in his wife's nature.

Rocket was the only survivor of the original Halfworld complex.  All the other test subjects had died and he'd killed most of the researchers when he escaped. But records had survived, a new illegal research group sprang up, and that's how he'd met Lylla, Blackjack, Wal and the other second-gens.  And when that one was shut down still others had sprung up.  He'd been very busy for a while fighting the ever-regenerating hydra heads of illegal research teams and the result was an awful lot of freed and now unemployed Uplifts.  

“Your fault, Rocket ol' pal,” he muttered as he paced down the corridor.  He would make better time on all fours but the Vengeance could wait that long.  He had become so well known as a successful Uplift that animal researchers on a dozen worlds had begun trying to duplicate the effort.  He'd been one of the first.  There were thousands now, and about two-thirds of them worked here. He and Lylla had in fact set up Halfworld II mostly to train and employ them.  Almost all of them were cybernetically augmented and programmed with useful skills, and Halfworld II had become of such use to neighboring empires that whole treaties had been hammered out to keep it free of interference. They were strictly neutral and some of the best mechanics in known space, with Rocket at the head of the tech pyramid.  None of the other research complexes had quite managed to capture lightning in a bottle as the original Halfworld had with him, horrific as their methods had been.

That didn't mean the other techs weren't brilliant.  They were, and Rocket was the first one to admit it.  But it was a source of pride that no one could take a box of scraps and turn it into a planet-cracking bomb like ol' Rocket.

A feline Uplift came around the corridor and nodded respectfully.  “I was coming to get you, sir.  There's a Kree superdreadnought....”

“I know, Hanya. Lylla told me.  I'll handle it.”  The feline didn't quite salute (Rocket didn't go for that, but a lot of the Uplifts were built to be military slaves and it was a hard habit for them to break), fell to all fours and trotted off.

Rocket left the living quarters and entered one of the common areas, a stadium-sized park with artificial lighting that'd easily pass for real sunlight and trees, grass, fountains.  Rocket smiled, remembering tinkering with the lighting to get it just so when they welded together the first few segments of what would become the Halfworld Independent Shipyard.

“G'day sir,” said a squirrel uplift curled up in a tree with a datapad.  Furry children were playing on the grass, splashing in the fountains. Rocket punted an errant soccer ball back to one of the older ones, fighting the urge to stop for a few minutes and enjoy the park.

“Good day, Skik. That better be homework.”

“It is, sir.” The squirrel had the good grace to look embarrassed.  “No more cutting classes, I promise.”

That did make Rocket pause.  He lowered his voice so only the squirrel could hear. “I know you're sweet on Dalla.  Cutting class occasionally to see her is okay, all right?  Long as your grades stay up.”

The squirrel smiled and waved. The squirrel's girlfriend was a crewwoman Uplift on a freighter, and only stopped by every few weeks.  Rocket couldn't blame him for wanting to see her.  He hadn't had...anyone to see, really, until he'd met Lylla.  The galaxy wasn't as lonely for Uplifts as it had once been.

“Just watch out for her teeth,” he said, and Skik laughed.  Dalla was something Pete called a marten, and on Terra martens ate squirrels. Not here, though.

He'd made the Vengeance wait as long as he dared.  Making them wait showed they weren't the most important thing in the galaxy, though they probably thought they were.  Best not to push it, though.  Another minute's walk and his office's doors recognized his DNA and whooshed open.

His secretary looked up from a screen.  “Vengeance on line one, sir.”

“Thank you, Alex.”  Alex was one of only a dozen humanoids on the station. Another was waiting in Rocket's office.

“Paul!  They didn't tell me you were in.”  A broad smile curved Rocket's expressive raccoon face as he shook the doctor's hand.  “Anything you need to talk to me about?”

Paul Foster had risen politely when his boss entered, but flopped back into a formless beanbag chair as suited to humans as quadrupeds. “No no, I just had an afternoon without checkups and thought I'd stop by. Something going on?”  Paul Foster was Rocket's oldest humanoid friend, and the only survivor of the original project that made Rocket.  The only researcher there Rocket hadn't personally killed, because unlike most of those two-legged monsters Paul was a good man. Only the moments of human kindness he'd gotten from Paul had kept him alive and sane in the little cage and through the series of horrific operations.

There were things Rocket had done during his escape that he still regretted, fifty-plus years later.  That one security guard hadn't deserved to die, for one thing.  But he didn't regret sparing Paul, and all these years later the doctor was the station's chief medical officer.

“See for yourself, Paul.”  Rocket waved a screen wider until it snapped out to cover the whole ten-meter-wide office wall.  “External view.”

“Oh good lord.” Paul gaped.  He knew the ship he was looking at had to be on the far side of the minefield and orbital forts that protected Halfworld II from the occasional ill-advised pirate raid. It still loomed huge, dwarfing a dozen escort vessels that themselves were at least battlecruiser-class. “Kree?”

“Paul, meet the Star of Vengeance, Kree Home Fleet Flagship.  Vengeance, meet Paul.” He motioned the doctor to silence and touched a blinking light on his desk.  A life-sized holo of a Kree in a beribboned uniform appeared between them and the wall screen.  “Ah, Admiral Dek.  I apologize for the wait, you arrived during my sleep shift.”

The blue-skinned alien's eyes narrowed as he considered whether he was being disrespected. “Director Rocket, I expect a person of your...stature is very busy.  The delay is understandable.”

Veiled insult aside, it was as polite a greeting as he could expect from a Kree. Respect, that's what it was.  Respect, all he'd ever wanted (in hindsight) and which he, and the other Uplifts, now received.  It helped that they were useful.  “Admiral, you know that the Kree-Skrull Accords prevent Halfworld Independent Shipyards from performing maintenance on your vessels.  Even if we could dock something the size of the Vengeance. Which we can't.”  He smiled.

The Kree liked their ships big.  Late unlamented Ronan the Accuser had commanded the Dark Aster, a vessel nearly five kilometers wide. The Vengeance as long as the Aster was wide, far bulkier, and unlike Ronan's carrier the superdreadnought was massively armed. Strongly defended as Halfworld II was Rocket wouldn't want to be the one trying to stop the Vengeance if it came at them through the minefield.  Or it could just stand off and test their point defense.  There were enough antimatter warheads on that boat to glass a planet.

There were only six Vengeance-class ships.  One had come after the Milano once, which Pete had compared to sending an elephant to swat a mosquito.  Rocket even knew what those animals were, now. There was an elephant Uplift working down in parts receiving and he'd swatted mosquitoes on a visit to Terra.

“Well then Admiral, why the visit? Our permits are up to date and there are no outlaw ships currently in dock.” Various treaties allowed even Ravagers to use the shipyard, but you didn't quibble about that with a massive Kree dreadnought fifty kilometers out.

“Someone wishes to speak to you,” the admiral said.  He smirked. “I think you know him.”

The holo disappeared as the vast viewscreen was suddenly filled by something other than a starfield and distant vessels. A great green head, bereft of body, with a mass of tentacle-like protrusions in place of hair.  “Supremor,” Rocket breathed.  

“Director Rocket,” boomed the head, and Rocket winced as the automatic volume controls kicked on to mute it somewhat.  It was a show of power, just as remotely taking over the screen, right through Rocket and Lylla's elaborate hand-engineered hacking defenses had been.  He was speaking to the “head” of the entire Kree Empire, one of the two or three most powerful individuals in the known universe.  The Shi'ar Empress commanded more military might, but not by much, and in a distant third place was the battered remnants of the Skrull, whoever was in charge after their homeworld was destroyed by the Devourer of Worlds.

Once Thanos would be in the mix somewhere, but the Mad Titan was either dead or in hiding.  No one had proof of seeing him in thirty years, but there were always rumors.

“Supremor,” Rocket replied, and in a show of power of his own he sat down behind his desk rather than stay bolt upright like a junior officer confronted by a flag admiral.  “What may Halfworld Independent Shipyards do you today?”

“I would speak to you and your wife together,” the Supreme Intelligence boomed.

“All right,” Rocket said, though he tilted his head to the side. He didn't need to gesture to the monitor panel by the door, he could see Alex on it already making the call.  A good secretary was attentive but not intrusive.

“So, how go things in the Empire,” Rocket said to pass the time.  “I hear you patched things up with Nova Corps after that messy little incident at Centauri.”

“You were offered a unique honor,” the Supreme Intelligence boomed, as though he hadn't spoken at all.  There was an echo of sorts, as though many voices spoke at once.  In a sense they did. The Supremor was a collective intelligence, the result of centuries of adding notable Kree minds to its matrix.  Admirals, politicians, geniuses, poets, engineers.  The Supremor was justifiable proud of itself.  “No non-Kree had ever been offered inclusion into myself before. Your technical skills could live forever in me.”

“And I refused,” Rocket said.  “I still do.  I am content to remain myself.”

The doors whooshed open and Lylla trotted in on all fours.  For a short-legged critter like herself that was simply a faster mode of transit.  Even Rocket did it when he was in a hurry, though he was better suited to bipedal locomotion than his wife.

“Supremor,” she said, her whiskers bristling in a friendly manner.  Always the consummate diplomat, Lylla.  “What can our humble little station do for the mighty Kree Empire?”

“It is in regard to your son,” the Supremor boomed.  

“Rolla?”  It had taken a great deal of money and work from some of the galaxy's greatest doctors to make it possible for she and Rocket to have children at all. Though ultimately they were from the same biological root (for even Rocket had eventually had to admit that just about all known Uplifts could be traced back to Terran species) they could never have had a child without a lot of effort.  And not the pleasurable sort of effort that usually resulted in children. Nothing stopped them from trying, of course, and the two lonely Uplifts tried with great enthusiasm, but it wouldn't have resulted in children without the aforementioned medical work.

Eventually they had three children, the girls, Lita and Gem, both working on the station, and Rolla, who had a rebellious streak wider than he was tall.  Last they'd heard he was on Rigel scandalizing the locals by demonstrating that a four foot tall Rigellian woman and a foot-shorter Ottcoon (Rotter?) were in fact the same height lying down.  It would have been unthinkable in Rocket's early days but Uplifts were common enough now that these things happened, little as the stodgy Rigellians approved.

“Oh dear,” Lylla said to the frowning Supremor, and she and Rocket spoke the next words together.  It was neither the first nor would it be the last time they said them.

“What has he done now?”

[aion-rsa]

Dark Horse Comics’ July 2017 Solicitations

Dark Horse has provided CBR with covers and solicit information for products shipping in July 2017. When you’re through checking out these solicitations, be sure to visit CBR’s Indie Comics Forum and discuss these Dark Horse releases with fellow readers.

Dark Horse Solicitations – Last Six Months

Product shipping June 2017

Product shipping May 2017

Product shipping April 2017

Product shipping March 2017

Product shipping February 2017

Product shipping January 2017

Aliens: Dead Orbit #4 (of 4)

James Stokoe (W/A/Cover)

On sale July 26

FC, 32 pages • $3.99 • Miniseries

With one last gambit aboard the space station, Wascylewski finds himself ambushed by two more deadly xenomorphs that will stop at nothing until he’s dead.

The conclusion to Orc Stain creator James Stokoe’s thrilling and claustrophobic Aliens story!

Aliens: Defiance Volume 2 TP

Brian Wood (W), Stephen Thompson (A), Tony Brescini (A), Eduardo Francisco (A), Dan Jackson (C), and Massimo Carnevale (Cover)

On sale Sept 13

FC, 152 pages • $19.99 • TP, 7” x 10”

Colonial Marine Private First Class Zula Hendricks is AWOL and on a mission to prove her mettle by eradicating the Alien species. She must battle with xenomorphs, fend off space pirates, and elude the insidious Weyland-Yutani corporation that wants their freighter back, all while facing rehabilitation from an old war injury.

Collects Aliens: Defiance #7–#12.

American Gods: Shadows #5

Neil Gaiman (W), P. Craig Russell (W/A), Scott Hampton (A/C), Glenn Fabry (Cover), and David Mack (Variant cover)

On sale July 12

FC, 32 pages • $3.99 • Ongoing

Strange things continue to plague Shadow and Wednesday as their mad American road trip takes them all the way to a surreal roadside attraction, the House on the Rock, where they encounter Mr. Nancy and the world’s largest carousel!

The Hugo, Bram Stoker, Locus, World Fantasy, and Nebula award–winning novel and upcoming Starz television series by Neil Gaiman is adapted as a comic series for the first time!

A Starz TV show!

“Russell’s lyrical layouts bring Gaiman’s visual, vivid prose to life like no other artist.”—Comic Book Resources

Angel Season 11 #7

Featuring Angelus and Darla!

Corinna Bechko (W), Zé Carlos (A), Michelle Madsen (C), Scott Fischer (Cover), and Stephanie Hans (Variant cover)

On sale July 19

FC, 32 pages • $3.99 • Ongoing

On a ship filled with zombies, pirates, and a plague of zombie-creating beetles, Angel is torn between saving his past evil self—to save his own future—and making sure that the ship he is on never reaches land.

“If the past is haunting Angel, there’s no telling where this story can go, but I’m eager to see where. The story is intriguing and the art top notch.”—SciFiPulse

Art of Over the Garden Wall HC & Ltd. Ed. HC

Sean Edgar (W) and Patrick McHale (W)

On sale Sept 13

FC, 184 pages • $39.99 • HC, 10” x 11”

FC, 184 pages • $49.99 • Ltd. Ed. HC, 10” x 11”

Venture into the Unknown! A complete tour through the development and production of the hit animated miniseries Over the Garden Wall, this volume contains hundreds of pieces of concept art and sketches, and a comprehensive look at the show’s breathtaking production art. Also includes commentary from creators Patrick McHale and Nick Cross, interviews with the cast and crew, and more!

Never-before-seen sketches and a comprehensive look at the production art behind the multiple-award-winning show!

Limited to 1, 000 copies Worldwide.

The Art of Rick and Morty HC

WHOA, ART BOOK! WUBBA LUBBA DUB-DUB!

James Siciliano (W), Justin Roiland (P), James McDermott (P), Jason Boesch (P), Carlos Ortega (P), and Andrew DeLange (P)

On sale Sept 12

FC, 224 pages • $39.99 • HC, 9” x 12”

The animated science-fiction adventures seen in Rick and Morty are irreverent, shocking, and hilarious—from the cynical and rapid-fire one-liners to the grotesque and endearing character designs. Now, take a deep transdimensional dive into the creation of these many insane universes with The Art of Rick and Morty!

Exclusive never-before-seen concept and production art from the making of the hit animated series!

Bankshot #2 (of 5)

Alex de Campi (W), ChrisCross (A/Cover), and Snakebite Cortez (C)

On sale July 26

FC, 32 pages • $3.99 • Miniseries

Marcus King was shot in the back, paralyzed, and left for dead. But fate, a beautiful woman, and science intervened. Now King has returned, better than ever, on a mission to take down the most dangerous adversary from his past: the Dutchman. Spies! Intrigue! Betrayal!

Written by Eisner nominee Alex de Campi (Archie vs. Predator).

Art by ChrisCross (Convergence: Justice League of America).

The Black Beetle: Kara Bocek HC

Francesco Francavilla (W/A/Cover)

On sale Sept 6

FC, 56 pages • $14.99 • HC, 7” x 10”

The masked American hero ventures to the Middle East incognito (as Tom Sawyer) to fight Nazis in pursuit of a mysterious object of terrible power—a weapon of unknown origin, older than the pyramids, which could fuel the Thousand-Year Reich of Hitler’s dreams.

This story originally appeared in Dark Horse Presents #28-#32.

Afterlife with Archie cocreator returns to his acclaimed original series!

Black Hammer #11

Jeff Lemire (W/Variant cover), Dean Ormston (A/Cover), and Dave Stewart (C)

On sale July 19

FC, 32 pages • $3.99 • Ongoing

He was born into the Red Tribes of Mars. He walked the streets of Spiral City as a police officer by day, vigilante hero by night. And now he’s trapped in the sleepy-but-sinister Rockwood. In each of these places, Barbalien has been an outsider. He’s never felt at home. Maybe, in the end, home is not a location . . . it’s something to find in other people.

B.P.R.D.: The Devil You Know #1

Mike Mignola (W/Variant cover), Scott Allie (W), Laurence Campbell (A), Dave Stewart (C), and Duncan Fegredo (Cover)

On sale July 26

FC, 32 pages • $3.99 • Ongoing

Before they were vanquished by the BPRD, Lovecraftian monsters created a Hell on Earth. Now Liz Sherman leads a crew through monster-infested ruins on the most important rescue mission of her life. As society tries to rebuild, strange cults vie for influence, and a demon emerges to lead the way . . .

Briggs Land: Lone Wolves #2 (of 6)

Brian Wood (W), Mack Chater (A), Lee Loughridge (C), Matthew Woodson (Cover), and Fiona Staples (Variant cover)

On sale July 12

FC, 32 pages • $3.99 • Miniseries

When Isaac Briggs went overseas to war, he shed his quiet, reserved personality for something fiercer and far more nationalist than the rest of his family are prepared to deal with.

Brian Wood’s critically acclaimed series returns for its next chapter in an even more relevant postelection America.

Briggs Land is currently in development for a television series at AMC TV!

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 11 #9

Christos Gage (W), Georges Jeanty (P/Variant cover), Dexter Vines (I/Variant cover), Dan Jackson (C), and Steve Morris (Cover)

On sale July 19

FC, 32 pages • $3.99 • Ongoing

The great escape is underway as Buffy, Faith, and Willow infiltrate headquarters at the Safe Zone. Everything and everyone they expected to stop their mission is in the way. The question is, can two powerless girls and one Slayer succeed with these ridiculous odds? Elsewhere: unexpected vampire complications . . .

Featuring everyone’s favorite “bad” Slayer, Faith Lehane!

“Any Buffy fan is going to be stoked about this new series, Season 11, and a new story arc of awesomeness!”—ComicWow!TV

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Omnibus: Season 8 Volume 1 TP

Joss Whedon (W), Brian K. Vaughan (W), Drew Goddard (W), Jeph Loeb (W), Georges Jeanty (P), Karl Moline (P), Paul Lee (P), Cliff Richards (P), Andy Owens (I), Dave Stewart (C), Michelle Madsen (C), and Jo Chen (Cover)

On sale Sept 13

FC, 592 pages • $24.99 • TP, 6” x 9”

Series creator Joss Whedon brought Buffy the Vampire Slayer back to life with this comics-only follow-up to Season 7 of the television show. Aptly named Season 8, these comics are the official sequel to Buffy and continue where the live-action series left off with the Slayer, her friends, and their ongoing challenge to fight the forces of darkness.

This oversized omnibus edition is one of two volumes that will contain the entirety of Season 8. Contains Buffy Season 8 Library Edition Volumes 1–2 (excluding sketchbook materials), all series covers (Buffy Season 8 #1–#20), the Willow one-shot Goddesses and Monsters, and the “Always Darkest” short from MySpace Dark Horse Presents #24.

A New York Times bestseller!

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Big Bads & Monsters Adult Coloring Book TP

Karl Moline (A/Cover), Georges Jeanty (A), Pablo Churin (A), Yishan Li (A), Newsha Ghasemi (A), Stephen Byrne (A), and others

On sale Sept 6

b&w, 96 pages • $14.99 • TP, 10” x 10”

Demons, horror, and fantasy fill these original illustrations based on Joss Whedon’s cult-classic television series. Inside this volume focused on their greatest foes, you’ll find heroes Buffy, Willow, Xander, and Giles fighting to save the world from the likes of the Master, Angelus, Spike, Drusilla, and other supernatural beasts and beings. Features forty-five original black-and-white illustrations.

Celebrating the twentieth anniversary of Joss Whedon’s cult-classic television series!

Colder Omnibus TP

Paul Tobin (W) and Juan Ferreyra (A/Cover)

On sale Sept 27

FC, 424 pages • $24.99 • TP, 7” x 10”

Declan Thomas, the former patient of an insane asylum that was destroyed in a fire, has the strange ability to step inside a person’s madness—and sometimes cure it. He hopes to one day cure his own, but time is running out, as a demonic predator pursues him.

Collects the entire Colder series.

Written by Eisner Award winner Paul Tobin (Bandette)!

Art by Green Arrow’s Juan Ferreyra!

“A fantastically twisted comic that uses horror elements brilliantly to create a suspenseful tale absolutely worth reading.”—Graphic Policy

Dark Horse Comics/DC Comics: Mask TP

Various (W/A)

On sale Sept 13

FC, 256 pages • $24.99 • TP, 7” x 10”

Grifter and the Mask team up and face off against smugglers at a Las Vegas weapons show. After destroying a planet, the Mask has a bounty on his head and Lobo hot on his tail in a mind-bending, time-twisting showdown between madmen. And last but not least, the Joker stumbles upon the mask, which inspires a new superpowered reign for the Clown Prince of Crime!

This volume collects Grifter/The Mask #1–#2, Lobo vs. the Mask #1–#2, and Joker/Mask #1–#4.

Collects never-before-reprinted material.

The Dark North HC

Martin Dunelind (W), Peter Bergting (A), Henrik Pettersson (A), Joakim Ericsson (A), Magnus Olsson (A), and Lukas Thelin (A/Cover)

On sale Sept 27

FC, 232 pages • $34.99 • HC, 9” x 11”

Originally crowdfunded in 2015, this illustrated prose/art book fusion features five unique tales ranging from Norse mythology to science fiction. The Dark North showcases artwork by Scandinavia’s leading illustrators and concept artists Peter Bergting, Henrik Pettersson, Joakim Ericsson, Magnus Olsson, and Lukas Thelin, prose by Martin Dunelind, and a foreword by author and filmmaker Clive Barker!

Foreword by Clive Barker!

Featuring artwork by Baltimore artist Peter Bergting, as well as popular game artists Henrik Pettersson, Magnus Olsson, Joakim Ericsson, and Lukas Thelin!

Dept. H #16

Matt Kindt (W/A/Cover) and Sharlene Kindt (C)

On sale July 19

FC, 28 pages • $3.99 • Ongoing

Looking into Hari Hardy’s past, it’s clear that Mia’s father’s long history has made him the author of his own destruction, and perhaps Mia’s as well. Meanwhile, some of the Dept. H crew appear to be going insane, for they feel compelled to aid a sea turtle older than time . . . and it demands to be worshiped?

Dragon Age: Knight Errant #3 (of 5)

Nunzio DeFilippis (W), Christina Weir (W), Fernando Heinz Furukawa (A), Michael Atiyeh (C), and Sachin Teng (Cover)

On sale July 12

FC, 32 pages • $3.99 • Miniseries

With Varric’s help, Vaea sets out on a rescue mission for the Inquisition. After dodging societal niceties with the stuffy prince Sebastian and the even stuffier Seneschal Granger, Vaea catches up to her quarry . . . only to discover the mission will be far from that simple!

Empowered Deluxe Edition Volume 3 HC

Adam Warren (W/A/Cover)

On sale Sept 13

b&w, 704 pages • $59.99 • HC, 6 1/2″ x 9”

Prepare your puny intellect for wonders awe-inspiring, comedy gut-busting, and images steamy within Adam Warren’s Empowered Deluxe Edition Volume 3. Collected within its vast confines are Empowered Volumes 7, 8, and 9 plus a priceless hoard of unpublished artwork, author’s notes, and arcane wisdom both illuminating and terrifying to behold!

Hardcover edition, 704 pages, limited to initial printing only!

2017 marks the tenth anniversary of Empowered!

The End League Library Edition HC

Rick Remender (W), Mat Broome (A), Eric Canete (A/Cover), Sean Parsons (A), Ashley MacDonald (A), Wendy Broome (C), Matthew Wilson (C), and Naomi Baker (C)

On sale Sept 20

FC, 248 pages • $39.99 • HC, 8″ x 12”

The genre-bending New York Times bestseller is now available in a deluxe oversized format! A thematic merging of The Lord of the Rings and Watchmen, The End League follows the last remaining superheroes on Earth as they embark on a desperate quest to find the one artifact that can save humanity—the Hammer of Thor. Superstar writer Rick Remender (Fear Agent, Tokyo Ghost) is joined by comics legends Mat Broome (X-Men, Batman) and Eric Canete (Iron Man, Martian Manhunter) on a perilous journey to save the world!

Collects all nine issues of the series.

Oversize library format matches the best-selling Fear Agent library editions!

Game of Thrones Jon Snow “Battle of the Bastards” Limited Edition Bust

On sale Aug 23 • Measures 6” from base to the top of his head, plus sword extension • $89.99

The pulse-pounding climax of the most recent HBO season of Game of Thrones was the “Battle of the Bastards,” where Jon Snow faces off in a life-or-death struggle with evil Ramsay Bolton—considered one of the most ambitious and elaborately choreographed battles ever staged for filmed entertainment. A key moment is when Jon prepares for his last stand by drawing his sword Longclaw and facing the Bolton army seemingly alone. This is the moment sculptor Dave Cortes and his studio capture.

This prepainted bust measures 6” from the base to the top of his head, plus sword extension. Edition size TBD at press time. Full-color deluxe packaging with a certificate of authenticity.

Groo: Play of the Gods #1 (of 4)

The return of Groo!

Sergio Aragonés (W/A/Cover), Mark Evanier (W), John Ercek (C), and Tom Luth (C)

On sale July 12

FC, 32 pages • $3.99 • Miniseries

Shakespeare wrote, “The play’s the thing.” Or was that Nathan Lane? Either way, the play matters, whether you be man or god . . . or even Groo.

In this, the first installment in the newest Groo miniseries (which is continued from the last Groo miniseries), the stupidest hero in the comic book shop finds himself in a new village . . . a village where you pray to the proper god or you pray for your life. And even the other gods know that they are all players. It’s from the award-winning team of Sergio Aragonés and Mark Evanier, with lettering by Stan Sakai, coloring by Tom Luth, and a running commentary by the gods above.

The all-star team returns: Sergio Aragonés, Mark Evanier, Tom Luth, and Stan Sakai.

Eisner and Harvey Award–winning creators and an Eisner Award–winning title!

Halo: UNSC Vulture Limited Edition Ship Replica

On sale Aug 9

6” limited edition • $49.99

The UNSC Vulture, also known as the AC-220 Gunship, is a heavy gunship used by the United Nations Space Command during the early years of the Human-Covenant War. The premier aerial combat vehicle for extended air-to-ground battles, the Vulture was originally produced to combat the rebel threat during the early years of the Insurrection.

The Vulture is heavily featured in the hit game Halo Wars 2, and now you can own this beautifully detailed polyresin, limited edition 6” replica. Includes display base. Limited edition of 2,000.

Hard Boiled HC (Second Edition)

Eisner Award Winner!

Frank Miller (W), Geof Darrow (W/A/Cover), and Dave Stewart (C)

On sale Sept 13

FC, 136 pages • $19.99 • HC, 8” x 12”

Carl Seltz is a suburban insurance investigator, a loving husband, and a devoted father. Nixon is a berserk, homicidal tax collector racking up mind-boggling body counts in a diseased urban slaughterhouse. Unit Four is the ultimate robot killing machine—and the last hope of the future’s enslaved mechanical servants. And they’re all the same psychotic entity.

From comic masters Geof Darrow and Frank Miller!

Recolored by Dave Stewart!

Collected in hardcover for the first time ever!

Joe Golem: Occult Detective—The Outer Dark #3 (of 3)

Mike Mignola (W), Christopher Golden (W), Patric Reynolds (A), Dave Stewart (C), and Dave Palumbo (Cover)

On sale July 26

FC, 32 pages • $3.99 • Miniseries

Joe discovers that the supernatural voices driving men insane may have roots in another dimension, and Church takes matters into his own hands when Lori starts to ask too many questions.

“Mike Mignola and Christopher Golden are a heck of a team, and Patric Reynolds continues to complement them perfectly by bringing unique worlds to life stunningly with his art.”—Big Comic Page

Lifeformed: Cleo Makes Contact TP

The fight for Earth’s future!

Matt Mair Lowery (W) and Cassie Anderson (A/Cover)

On sale Sept 6

FC, 192 pages • $12.99 • TP, 6” x 9”

In the wake of an alien invasion—and her father’s death—a young girl must fight for the future of Earth. Aided by a shape-shifting rebel alien posing as her father, the unlikely pair bond, fight back, and ponder what it means to be human. The powers of choice, courage, and unity are examined in Lifeformed: Cleo Makes Contact, an unforgettable debut work from creators Matt Mair Lowery and Cassie Anderson.

The first work by up-and-coming creators Matt Mair Lowery and Cassie Anderson!

Young adult sci-fi adventure starring a relatable, endearing young heroine.

Mass Effect: Andromeda—Tempest Silver Finish Limited-Edition Ship Replica

On sale July 19

8”, limited edition silver ship • $49.99

Mass Effect: Andromeda is a hit, and the new Tempest ship is key to the intergalactic exploring experience. Long and sleek, the new design is an instant classic.

Our 8” replica is also a hit, so we are offering collectors a special silver-colored, metal-plated limited edition. Approximately 8” long, this collector piece captures all the detail of the regular edition. Only 1,000 will be produced for worldwide distribution.

Mass Effect: Discovery #3 (of 4)

John Dombrow (W), Jeremy Barlow (W), Gabriel Guzmán (A/Cover), Michael Atiyeh (C), and Kate Niemczyk (Variant cover)

On sale July 26

FC, 32 pages • $3.99 • Miniseries

Following a lead to the lawless space station Omega, Tiran Kandros is closer than ever to uncovering the Andromeda Initiative’s biggest secret. Unfortunately, so is the deadly Agent Zeta! In a story that ties in to the highly anticipated Mass Effect: Andromeda game, writers John Dombrow and Jeremy Barlow and artist Gabriel Guzmán team up to create the next exciting chapter of the Mass Effect comics series!

From Eisner Award–nominated writer Jeremy Barlow!

Direct tie-in with Mass Effect: Andromeda for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One!

Misfits of Avalon Volume 3: The Future in the Wind TP

Kel McDonald (W/A/Cover)

On sale Sept 27

b&w, 216 pages • $14.99 • TP, 6” x 9”

Smart-mouthed teens Elsie, Kimber, Morgan, and Rae have enough to handle with magical rings, talking dogs, and faeries, but when they discover that the knight they’ve been battling for Excalibur is a familiar face with a mission of his own, they must get to the bottom of the real intentions behind the quest they were given.

Mister X: The Modern Age TP

Dean Motter (W/A/Cover)

On sale Sept 20

FC, 368 pages • $29.99 • TP, 7” x 10”

In the retrofuturistic metropolis of Radiant City, its mysterious creator, Mister X, must protect the city and its residents from the architecture of the city itself, which poses a danger to all those within it! Collecting every Mister X comic published by Dark Horse Comics, this trade includes Condemned, Excavations, and Razed, along with never-before-seen behind-the-scenes material!

All of Dark Horse’s Mister X material collected in an affordable paperback!

A great jumping-on point to the classic series!

Moebius Library: The Art of Edena HC

Moebius (W/A/Cover)

On sale Sept 20

FC, 176 pages • $34.99 • HC, 8” x 10”

A companion volume to the critically acclaimed and New York Times best-selling World of Edena graphic novel, Moebius Library: The Art of Edena collects four fantastic Edena-related short stories and a mother lode of Moebius illustrations. A celebration of the imagery of Edena and the creative enthusiasm Moebius held for his Edena universe, this volume collects the short stories “Seeing Naples,” “Another Planet,” “The Repairmen,” and “Dying to See Naples,” as Moebius explores his imagination with Stel and Atan, two of his favorite characters.

Out-of-print stories and hard-to-find images—collected in an affordable hardcover!

The second volume in Dark Horse’s Moebius Library series!

“Glowingly illustrated in the elegant clear-line art and rich colors for which Moebius is justly revered, the book careens spectacularly through science fiction, fantasy, allegory, pop psychology, and psychedelia.”—Publishers Weekly

The Once and Future Queen #5 (of 5)

Adam P. Knave (W), D.J. Kirkbride (W), and Nickolas Brokenshire (A/Cover)

On sale July 12

FC, 32 pages • $3.99 • Miniseries

Enemies are revealed and plans are set in motion as the Fae go to war! Can Rani, Gwen, Lance, and Merlin save humanity? And even if they do . . . at what cost?

“Fun, upbeat, and Wonderfully diverse.” —Big Comic Page

Predator: Hunters #3 (of 5)

Chris Warner (W), Francisco Ruiz Velasco (A/Variant cover), and Doug Wheatley (Cover)

On sale July 5

FC, 32 pages • $3.99 • Miniseries

Contact! The assault team encounters the Predator at night on the tropical island! First blood goes to the alien hunter, but ten-to-one odds and machine guns favor the humans . . . unless there’s something about their quarry they don’t know!

Rebels: These Free and Independent States #5 (of 8)

Brian Wood (W), Andrea Mutti (A), Lauren Affe (C), and Matthew Taylor (Cover)

On sale July 26

FC, 32 pages • $3.99 • Miniseries

As a veteran of the War of Independence, Seth Abbott retired to his Vermont cabin and lived a quiet life. When his son John returns from the War of 1812 to a bustling, vibrant America that’s finally found its place in the world, what awaits him?

“Gutsy, well-written and with solid artwork, it is the first part of a grounded historical tale that will elevate the literary value of anyone’s pull list.”—Word of the Nerd

Shadows on the Grave #6 (of 8)

Richard Corben (W/A/Cover)

On sale July 12

FC, 32 pages • $3.99 • Miniseries

A hunter becomes the hunted when he ventures into restricted woods, but the nature of his adversary is truly terrifying. Recurring dreams haunt a man every year around his birthday. And Denaeus surprises his enemy, the king, when he reappears with an offer to help.

“There’s also something about Corben’s distinctive artwork that’s inherently unnerving, from the grotesquely exaggerated facial features to his tense, claustrophobic panels and layouts.”—Big Comic Page

The Shaolin Cowboy: Who’ll Stop the Reign? #4 (of 4)

Geof Darrow (W/A/Cover), Dave Stewart (C), and Genndy Tartakovsky (Variant cover)

On sale July 19

FC, 32 pages �� $3.99 • Miniseries

Bullets, claws, and fists fly when the evil congress of King Crab and the Revengers play their final trump card and attempt to pass a ban on the Shaolin Cowboy, who filibusters heads in the most dogged way possible. Who has the stronger constitution? Find out in issue #4!!!!!!

Star Trek: The Original Series Adult Coloring Book Volume 2—Where No Man Has Gone Before TP

Juann Cabal (A), Will Conrad (A), Gabriel Guzmán (A/Cover), and Derlis Santacruz (A)

On sale Sept 13

b&w, 96 pages • $14.99 • TP, 10” x 10”

The coloring voyage continues with Star Trek: The Original Series Adult Coloring Book—Where No Man Has Gone Before. This beautifully illustrated volume features all-new, stunningly detailed black-and-white images from seasons 2 and 3 of the iconic sixties television show. Printed on high-quality stock, each illustration offers an array of diverse details to color as faithfully or as wildly as you choose and is single sided to avoid unsightly bleed-though. This is a must-have collectible for Star Trek fans throughout the galaxy!

Forty-five brand-new black-and-white images from the second and third seasons of the classic science-fiction series!

Zodiac Starforce: Cries of the Fire Prince #1 (of 4)

Zodiac Starforce returns!

Kevin Panetta (W), Paulina Ganucheau (A/Cover), and Jen Bartel (Variant cover)

On sale July 5

FC, 32 pages • $3.99 • Miniseries

An elite group of teenage girls with magical powers have sworn to protect our planet against dark creatures . . . as long as they can get out of class! Known as the Zodiac Starforce, these high-school girls aren’t just combating math tests—they’re also battling monsters!

After defeating a former ZS member and her mean-girl minions, the girls thought they’d get a little break! But a new big bad’s come out to play, and demons are starting to overrun the downtown!

The post Dark Horse Comics’ July 2017 Solicitations appeared first on CBR.

http://ift.tt/2pwviU1

[voyagerafod]

Voyager: A Fire of Devotion references: Part 4

I’m sorry this took longer than I intended to get up here. I've had a lot going on in my personal life, and other things took priority.

Chapter One:

"Fortune favors the bold, but you've got to know the difference between 'bold' and 'moron.'" is yet another line based on something said by @taraatrandom on WTFIWWY. I use so many Tara Deenihan quotes in this thing I feel like I owe her royalties.

Quorzom is one of the default names you get for the species Silicoid from the Master of Orion video game series. Though not said explicitly, the description of the character is meant to imply that Quorzom in AFoD is a Silicoid., making this the second of three references to Master of Orion races in this story.

"Initiating the 'get the hell out of here' maneuver," is a line just a few words off from a similar line spoken by the character Lennier on the TV series Babylon 5.

Chapter Two:

Harry's line, "Jesus tap dancing Christ," is a South Park reference. Yes, I used to watch South Park back in the day. I was young and didn't know any better.

The name of the ship Samantha's father serves on (oh, and her parents' names are taken from one of the Star Trek video games; Bridge Commander I think. It's in her entry on Memory Alpha), the John Laurens, is named after the Revolutionary War figure. ... Yes, I was referencing Hamilton.

Janeway's line, "Winning is easy, governing's harder," is yet another Hamilton reference.

The Elerians and the Sklorno, two races referenced by Samantha when talking to her mother, are references to alien races from the Master of Orion franchise, and Scott Sigler's Galactic Football League novels respectively.

"Ktarians process emotional trauma faster than humans," is actually a nod to the Salarians from the Mass Effect franchise. There's not much A-canon info on the Ktarians (such as why of the ones we've seen on-screen only Naomi has horns), so I took some liberties.

Chapter Three:

The "Phrasing!" scene, despite what you may think is not a reference to the animated series Archer. It is a reference to the podcast The Shared Desk, hosted by authors Tee Morris and @pipballantine . Who sometimes use that scene from Archer as a drop in. Okay, I guess it kinda is an Archer reference.

The notepad in Janeway's desk labeled "mistakes" is a reference to the Battlestar Galactica reboot. President Rosalyn kept a list of what she felt were her mistakes in her desk as well.

Chapter Four:

Chakotay's line, "So, trap?" is a reference to the movie Serenity.

Hector the Collector is an in-joke; Hector is the name I gave to the Collector I unlocked as a playable character in Mass Effect 3's multiplayer mode. So, an in-joke for like 3 people (me, my Mom, and Step-Father).

Chapter Five:

Seven of Nine responding to the question "Are you alright?" with "No. Let's fix it," is a nod to an exchange from an episode from the first season of Heroes.

The scene where Naomi says "What would Mom do with two Sevens?" and Jadzia Dax's cut-off response was a nod to a scene from a Doctor Who short where two Amy Ponds are on the TARDIS. The Doctor asks what they could possibly do with two Amys. Rory looks like he's about to say something and gets slapped.

Chapter Six:

"We'll burn that bridge when we cross it" is something my late father used to say; a spin on the old phrase "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."

Seven of Nine's professed hatred of surprise parties is a nod to Internet Reviewer SF Debris. As mentioned before his show inspired this fic, and he also hates surprise parties.

Chapter Seven:

"First is forgiven" is a reference to the rules governing new arrivals at the titular arena of the sci-fi novel Grand Central Arena by Ryk E. Spoor.

When Jaffen refers to a "Masala" this is a reference to Masala the Efficient, a Quyth Worker from Scott Sigler's Galactic Football League series of YA novels. Speaking of Jaffen, two references are made to Charmed, the TV series where the actor played the father of the Halliwell sisters.

Chapter Eight:

Yes, The Doctor's reference to a story about a broken A.I. and an anti-climax was a reference to much maligned (rightly for the most part) original (meaning pre-DLC) ending of Mass Effect 3.

Chapter Nine:

The name for Chakotay's sister was never spoken on-screen, but was given in the post-Endgame novels.

The exchange between Verin and Janeway about the former only listening to a third of what the scientist Otrin says is a reference to the sitcom Mad About You; specifically, when one character says to another "Mark says a lot of things. I only listen to about a third of it."

Chapter Ten:

The fate of the Talaxian generation ship was inspired by the events of the novel Six Wakes by Mur Lafferty.

The species that Talaxians were feuding with in the original episode were never named, so I named them the Badoon, after a species introduced in the pages of Marvel's Silver Surfer comics.

Brian Sofin's parents are named after Internet Reviewer @elisaintime (Maven of the Eventide), and her husband Paul Schuler (formerly Paw Dugan of Channel Awesome).

Chapter Eleven:

The big reveal early in this chapter (which was not-very-subtly hinted at in the Author's Notes for Part 1: Louder Than Sirens) was inspired by the licensed IDW Doctor Who/Star Trek TNG crossover comic.

At the time it was written, Seven of Nine's F-bomb to the Borg Queen was a reference to Atop The Fourth Wall The Movie, referring to what @atopfourthwall says to Mechakara. It wasn't until; later that I realized that scene itself was a reference to John Carpenter's The Thing.

Icheb's comment to Naomi about getting a pet rabbit was worded that way to be a nod to the (currently defunct) Internet Review show The Bunny Perspective.

The scene where Janeway starts naming the Voyager crew who'd died during the seven years in the Delta Quadrant was inspired by a similar scene from the Battlestar Galactica reboot where Starbuck names Viper pilots killed by the Cylons. Much like Janeway, Starbuck is also unable to finish the list of names without choking up.

The names of the dead crew members that were not named on the show, either on-screen or in the scripts, are given names taken from the following sources in order; The Galactic Football League series, the first Mass Effect game, and the TV series Arrow.

Jaffen's comment to Janeway, that she would go crazy inside of a week if she retired, was a reference to Commander Shepard saying basically the same thing to Mordin Solus in Mass Effect 3.

"If you get killed I'm telling Mom," is a Buffy the Vampire Slayer reference.

Except for the John Laurens, whose name I explained earlier, the rest of the Federation ships Voyager encounters upon their return to the Alpha Quadrant are the classes they are based on the final shot of the final episode of the actual series, and the names they are for the following reasons;

The Galaxy-class U.S.S. Allegheny is named after a Galaxy-class ship that is given to the player at the start of a mission in the PC game Star Trek Armada II

The Prometheus-class U.S.S. Palmyra is named after an ancient Semitic city in present-day Homs Governorate, Syria. Tragically, the historical city has been (last I heard) almost completely destroyed as a result of the civil war there.

The Nebula-class U.S.S. Sutherland is the Nebula-class ship that was shown in the TNG episode “Redemption Part 2.”

The Defiant-class U.S.S. Wolverine is one the common names given to new Defiant-class ships built in the PC game Star Trek Armada II.

Hokor the Hook-chest is the coach of the Ionath Krakens, the team that is the focus of the oft-referenced throughout the fic Galactic Football League series.

The Captain of the U.S.S. Delaware is named after journalist and podcaster Allison Kilkenny. The plush cat she has on the bridge is named after one of her real-life cats.

The vessel that takes Seven of Nine and family to the Ktarian homeworld, the Lois McKendrick, is named after the freighter that is the primary location of the first three books of the Trader's Tales series of sci-fi novels by Nathan Lowell (Quarter Share, Half Share, and Full Share).

[swan2swan]

SPACESHIP