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Mod Post: Off-Topic Tuesday

In the comments to these weekly posts (and only these posts), it's your chance to go as off topic as you like.

Talk about non-comics stuff, thread derail, and just generally chat among yourselves.

The intent of these posts is to chat and have some fun and, sure, vent a little as required. Reasoned debate is fine, as always, but if you have to ask if something is going over the line, think carefully before posting please.

Normal board rules about conduct and behaviour still apply, of course.

It's been suggested that, if discussing spoilers for recent media events, it might be advisable to consider using the rot13 method to prevent other members seeing spoilers in passing.

The world situation is the world situation. If you're following the news, you know it as much as I do, if you're not, then there are better sources than scans_daily. But please, no doomscrolling, for your own sake.

A commentator on the radio this morning described the current state of "peace negotations" as being what happens when people used to real estate deals try to handle international diplomacy and that's going to be stuck in my head for a while, as is the sight of so many Europran leaders

We may never have obeyed "Kneel before Zod!", but we I think we can proffer at least a small bow to honour the passing of Terence Stamp, to many, THE General Zod.

To the mild consternation of the usual suspects, casting news from the Masters of the Universe movie is that Kristen Wiig has been cast as Roboto

The most recent Star Trek: Strange New Worlds had a delightful, and unexpected, guest star making a blink and you'll miss it cameo.!

The gay agenda rears it's head again, this time via a fabulous method of tracking water voles

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Knightfall: Detective Comics #662

Writer: Chuck Dixon

Pencils: Graham Nolan

Inks: Scott Hanna

Robin deals with a hostage situation while Batman takes a trip to the zoo.

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Bring on the Bad Guys: Red Skull #1

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Fanart time!

Some more commissions of my Four Horsewomen (and a genderfluid frost giant) dressed as wrestlers.

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Fevre Dream #4

( You're about to view content that the poster has marked as potentially inappropriate for anyone under the age of 18. )

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Amazing Spider-Man #109

Writer: Stan Lee

Pencils and inks: John Romita, Sr.

Spider-Man teams-up with Doctor Strange to save Flash Thompson.

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Star Trek AOS: you will see what it is to be overcome by magneticwave

Fandom: Star Trek Reboot/AOS
Pairings/Characters: Kirk/Spock
Rating: Teen
Length: 10,103
Creator Links:

magneticwave
Theme: Marriage of convenience

Summary: What kind of an idiot would try to explain magic to a Vulcan.

Reccer's Notes: I wouldn't be a good Trek fan if I didn't rec a bonding story for this theme! (I'm going ahead and equating a Vulcan bond with marriage.) Punk actually recced this story six years ago for the magic theme, but it is FANTASTIC for this theme, as well.

As Punk wrote, this is not a Trek/Harry Potter crossover. Rather, facets of the HP universe (magic, legilimency, occlumency) are imported into Trekverse, where Jim comes from a wizarding family. The mental aspects of wizarding are a perfect fit with Vulcan telepathy and bonding. This fic makes excellent use of the commonality.

Much of Trek canon is exactly the same: Jim meets Old Spock in the way he does in canon, but, in this story, a spontaneous bond forms between them. When Old Spock dies (at what seems to be the same time he does in canon), Jim's mind is nearly destroyed by the loss of the bond. He uses his wizarding mind powers to heal the wound somewhat, but he's in danger of dying from the trauma. The logical action to save his life is to have Young Spock bond with him.

What makes this story shine is the writing and characterization. Jim is mouthy, emotionally stunted, in denial, afraid of intimacy, yadda yadda. Spock is repressed, has a huge chip on his shoulder, and is filled with rage and jealousy. It is delicious and vivid and charming. I'm making it sound like this story is all cheek and levity, but it's also emotionally resonant with glimpses of Jim's grief and the depth of his friendship with both Spocks. A+ on so many levels.

Fanwork Links: you will see what it is to be overcome

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Currently: Fics, Finals & Forehands

A weekly dose of fandom + life: books I’m devouring, fics I’m flinging into the void, tournaments I’m staying up too late for, and whatever else my brain is hyperfixating on.

I finally finished False Value this weekend (!!) and immediately buried myself under another stack of books, because apparently my brain only wants cosy-but-magic right now. Currently juggling Ministry of Time, What Abigail Did That Summer, Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, and The Lamplighter’s Bookshop. Secret societies and spellwork everywhere, and honestly? Not mad about it.

My soundtrack has been equally dramatic. Top track of the week? John Williams’ Theme from Superman. Peak soaring instrumental, familiar enough to wrap around you but never demanding too much attention - perfect when I’m restless but trying to focus.

Watch on YouTube

(Also: NEW TAYLOR SWIFT ALBUM SOON. Brain not ready, heart even less ready.)

Meanwhile in tennis land… Cincinnati was ridiculous in the best way. Players have been dying from the heat (like 90 degrees and 60% humidity). We've had a power outage because a generator blew up from the heat. We've had matches with an almost 3-hour rain delay. We've had malfunctioning LED boards and fire alarms going off in the middle of matches.

AND WE'RE GETTING ANOTHER SINCARAZ FINAL TONIGHT

Add in the Sumter (Mattia Bellucci won! His first title in over a year!), Cancun and Todi Challengers running across wild time zones, plus Winston-Salem and Cleveland, and USO qualies kicking off this week... I've been putting my insomnia to good use - if I can't sleep, I might as well enjoy the bopbopsqueak

Oh, and we've added a new player to the harem. His name's Terence Atmane, he's French, but we won't hold it against him. He's a lefty, he's a huge server, and he's a complete fucking nerd who has an IQ of 158 and one of the largest Pokemon card collections in France. He also gave Jannik a Pikachu card for his birthday

Writing-wise, I don’t know what got into me - except maybe I do. Fic's been my safe place while my brain’s been doing the insomnia/anxiety/ADHD/depression shuffle, and suddenly three stories fell out in one week. moments we stole on begged and borrowed time (Darren loans Jannik to Juan Carlos for the night with the immortal condition “fucked out but soft”), They strike to kill and you know I will (so maybe “Killer” wasn’t just a funny nickname after all), and part 4 of the dark magic Darren AU Surface Tension, Ashes & Dust (Roland-Garros never forgets what you feed it, and Darren Cahill knows that a little too well). Honestly? Three completely different vibes, but they’ve all been keeping me tethered.

Outside of fic and tennis brain, I’ve been oscillating wildly between ( Darren with a puppy )
(good, adorable, serotonin)” and “the endless insomnia/anxiety/ADHD/depression cycle (bad, no serotonin).” This week’s plans include calling the doctor, fixing my clothing storage situation, and hopefully working up to actually leaving the house. Agoraphobia continues to be the worst doubles partner.

Feeling-wise, it’s a mix of chaos and glee and exhaustion. Sometimes everything feels like Too Much, and then fic or tennis or a kind comment reminds me there are still bright little things to hold onto.

That’s it for this week’s chaos - tune in next Monday for more books, fic, tennis, and brain gremlins.

Current Mood: stressed

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Currently Reading - A Blend of History, Heart, and a Touch of the Uncanny

This week, I've settled into two very different but surprisingly complementary reads:

The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
A time travel novel unlike any I've read before - bureaucratic, witty, and threaded with a deeply humane look at displacement, love, and the complicated weight of history. Bradley’s writing is sharp, layered, and often quietly devastating.

The Lamplighter's Bookshop by Sophie Austin
A beautifully atmospheric historical romance set in late-Victorian York. It’s full of bookish charm, a touch of melancholy, and the promise of renewal. Perfect for curling up with when you want comfort but also a sense of place and texture.

Together, they balance each other - one pulling me into the dizzying machinery of time and empire, the other inviting me into the hush of a lamplit shop where hearts and histories can be mended.

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All-Star Squadron #4

Writer: Roy Thomas

Pencils: Rich Buckler

Inks: Jerry Ordway

The All-Star Squadron stop off at Pearl Harbour in the aftermath of the Japanese attack.

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Uncanny X-Men #229

Writer: Chris Claremont

Pencils: Marc Silvestri

Inks: Dan Green

Roma sends the X-Men to Australia.

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just one thing

Just one thing: 18 August 2025

It's challenge time!

Comment with Just One Thing you've accomplished in the last 24 hours or so. It doesn't have to be a hard thing, or even a thing that you think is particularly awesome. Just a thing that you did.

Feel free to share more than one thing if you're feeling particularly accomplished!

Extra credit: find someone in the comments and give them props for what they achieved!

Nothing is too big, too small, too strange or too cryptic. And in case you'd rather do this in private, anonymous comments are screened. I will only unscreen if you ask me to.

Go!

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The Untamed: An Elegant Solution by Giraffeter

Fandom: The Untamed
Pairings/Characters: Lan Wangji/Nie Mingjue/Wei Wuxian, Jiang Cheng, Jiang Yanli, Wen Qing, Wen Ning, Wen Yuan, Lan Xichen, Nie Huaisang, Jin Zixuan
Rating: Explicit
Length: 205K words
Creator Links:

giraffeter
Theme: Marriage of Convenience, Everybody Lives/Nobody Dies, Fork in the Road AU, Fix-It

Summary: When Jiang Yanli joins Jiang Cheng in visiting Wei Wuxian at the Burial Grounds, the two brothers are on the verge of cutting ties forever — until Jiang Yanli has a better idea. Wei Wuxian doesn't need to leave the sect. He needs to get married, and she has the perfect Sect Leader in mind.

When Lan Wangji is invited to come along on Wei Wuxian's visit to the Unclean Realm to spend time with his new betrothed, Nie Mingjue, he agrees — even though his heart is breaking. How else is he ever going to see Wei Wuxian again?

When Nie Mingjue welcomes Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji into his home, he realizes two things very quickly: 1.) They clearly want each other so badly they can barely stand it, and 2.) Nie Mingjue is Into That.

(In which arranged marriage to Nie Mingjue solves just about everyone's problems)

Reccer's Notes: In the normal course of things, I'd say LWJ/WWX is my OTP. This story, however, has made me feral for LWJ/NMJ/WWX. More than that, though, this is a brilliant, carefully constructed fix-it. Giraffeter takes the time to set up every way this reality is changed from canon by the single decision to solve the friction between Wei Wuxian and the rest of the cultivation world by marrying him to a Sect Leader rather than cutting him off in the Burial Mounds. It's a long, immersive story that's well worth the time investment. The sex scenes are also some of the best I've read in my nearly thirty years in online fandom.

Fanwork Links: An Elegant Solution

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Justice League International 13

Batman wants to see the prisoner.

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Star Trek AOS: the warp and weft of your being by tardigradeschool

Fandom: Star Trek Reboot/AOS
Pairings/Characters: Kirk/Spock
Rating: Teen
Length: 7,701
Creator Links:

tardigradeschool
Theme: Marriage of convenience

Summary: When getting legally married to Spock is the only way to keep him on the ship, Jim is more than willing to do so. (In fact, upon reflection, it turns out that there are very few things he wouldn't do for Spock.)

Reccer's Notes: Okay, normally, I would not rec a story with 9,000 kudos. First, because that story does not need any help. Second, I usually hate stories with 9,000 kudos. But guess what. I love this story THAT MUCH, and, as our mod, Punk, helpfully pointed out, MAYBE SOME OF YOU HAVE NOT READ THIS. It was posted in 2016, long after much of the Reboot fever had passed (at least for me); I feel glad to have discovered it. Therefore, let me tell you about it.

In this story, Spock is offered a captaincy, which he can't refuse without suffering career consequences. Jim is devastated by the thought of losing his first officer. Fortunately, Spock has a proposal involving a loophole: Starfleet won't separate married crew members.

The Jim in this story is wonderfully Jim, getting his mind stuck on the regulation about public nudity because the reg number is similar to the marriage reg number. He's also delightfully clueless. In fact, this story has all the good Reboot Trek tropes and appearances by the supporting cast. I don't want to give away all the hilarious details that come up, but, despite the hilarity, there are lovely moments of emotional truth that really make this story happen for me.

I like marriage of convenience stories where the characters are already very close friends at the time of the marriage. That is the case here, with the depth of the friendship revealed to the reader in small ways throughout. And, as you might guess, this story also fits the theme "everyone thinks we're dating."

Fanwork Links: the warp and weft of your being

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finish line,
wwm

Finish Line August 17!

FINISH LINE

YOU MADE IT!

I hope your weekend treated you well, but even if it didn’t, we’re here to celebrate your marathon achievements!

Please reply with your numbers for the weekend–word count, number of pages edited, outlining work–whatever you accomplished. Include what you feel should be included, but please remember that we love numbers almost as much as words.

Thank you for writing with us this weekend!

Current Music: The Girl Who Won't Stay Buried - Opal Vessel

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The Graphic Canon of Crime and Mystery has a Psycho excerpt.

The Canon's one of those curated by Russ Kick - it's two volumes.

The Psycho excerpt's from the second one - it's not from Alfred Hitchcock's movie, but Robert Bloch's original novel. The woman who shows up at Norman Bates' motel is Mary Crane, and the physical part of Norman's deceptive mildness doesn't come from looking like a 28-year old Anthony Perkins.

The excerpt starts where the book does - Norman reading.

( His book's anthropological. )