#so now I’m running outta mora

[gokinjeespot]

off the rack #1298

Monday, January 27, 2020

 It's the Year of the Rat man. I hope it's a happy one for you and yours. I had the pleasure of spending time with the newest member of the Jee Gang toting baby Ashton around while he took in the happy chaos at our Chinese New Year gathering yesterday. His wonder at the world makes it a happier place.

 Conan Serpent War #4 - Jim Zub (writer) Ig Guara & Vanesa R. Del Rey (art) Frank D'Armata & Jean-Francois Beaulieu (colours) VC's Travis Lanham (letters). This bizarre adventure teaming up Conan, Solomon Kane, Agnes and Moon Knight concludes with the demon Wyrm chopped up into fish food. This story won't matter to anyone other than fans of those four heroes but it sure was fun to read.

 Batman #87 - James Tynion IV (writer) Guillem March (art) Tomeu Morey (colours) Clayton Cowles (letters). I'm happy Catwoman and Cheshire are in this story. I love how Guillem March draws women. There are a lot of players in Gotham City right now so please pay attention as the mystery unfolds.

 Once & Future #6 - Kieron Gillen (writer) Dan Mora (art) Tamra Bonvillain (colours) Ed Dukeshire (letters). That's two fantasy stories that ends with the death of a serpent. Must be a common theme this week. One of the bad guys gets away and the story of Duncan and his Granny will continue. I don't know if I'll read the next arc since this one didn't conclude very well. I felt that Zombie King Arthur was defeated too easily.

 Detective Comics #1019 - Peter J. Tomasi (writer) Scott Godlewski (art) David Baron (colours) Rob Leigh (letters). And so the winter solstice passes and the mystery of the Nordic cult ends. I'm glad this story about a creature from the nether regions was short.

 Atlantis Attacks #1 - Greg Pak (writer) Ario Anindito (art) Rachelle Rosenberg (colours) VC's Joe Sabino (letters). I picked this off the rack to read because I wanted to see what Namor was up to these days. He's back being the angry ruler of Atlantis pissed off at the air breathers. This time he's mad at all of the Agents of Atlas. That Jimmy Woo sure hangs out with the weirdest heroes of the Marvel U. If you're a fan of all those Agents you'll want to add this 5-issue mini to your subscriptions.

 Year of the Villain: Hell Arisen #2 - James Tynion IV (writer) Steve Epting & Javier Fernandez (art) Nick Filardi (colours) Travis Lanham (letters). Cool. It looks like Lex Luthor is going to be the one to save the world this time. I like who he's asking for help. I'll give you a hint: har.

 The Amazing Spider-Man #38 - Nick Spencer (writer) Iban Coello (art) Brian Reber (colours) VC's Joe Caramagna (letters). Here's the latest twist to the life of Peter Parker: J. Jonah Jameson is helping Spider-Man now instead of vilifying the hero. Jonah is also working for a new media firm and the old fogey does not like what he sees. We're back to the Chameleon storyline where Peter and his spy sister Theresa are trying to get back all the S.H.I.E.L.D. tech that was stolen. All the dangling plot threads are starting to get annoying.

 Superman #19 - Brian Michael Bendis (writer) Ivan Reis (pencils) Joe Prado, Danny Miki, Julio Ferreira & Oclair Albert (inks) Alex Sinclair (colours) AndWorld Design (letters). I'm still waiting for the other shoe to drop after Superman's big secret identity reveal. All of his Earthly super villains haven't taken advantage of the news so let's head out into space shall we? This is where Mongul attacks the new United Planets. The Superman versus Mongul fights have been epic and this new one won't disappoint.

 Fantastic Four #18 - Dan Slott (writer) Paco Medina, Francesco Manna & Carlos Magno (art) Erick Arciniega (colours) VC's Travis Lanham (letters). Now I get the point of this "Point of Origin" story. When Reed, Sue, Johnny and Ben launched all those years ago, the Overseer of the planet Spyre saw a threat to his perfect planet and shot cosmic rays at the ship to kill the FF. We know how that went off the rails. So now we have the Fantastic Four returning to Spyre and basically screwing up the whole planet like the Overseer foresaw. Hey, you don't mess with Destiny. I wonder why Reed is so pissed off in the next issue teaser.

 Batman Superman #6 - Joshua Williamson (writer) David Marquez (art) Alejandro Sanchez (colours) John J. Hill (letters). Well that was a whole lot of yakkity-yak. This issue takes place before Year of the Villain: Hell Arisen #1. Batman and Superman find Wonder Woman to tell her the bad news that Donna Troy has been infected by the Batman Who Laughs. Then they continue to try and find a cure for the infected. The issue ends with a surprise appearance of two super villains making the next issue a "must read" for me.

 Marauders #6 - Gerry Duggan (writer) Matteo Lolli & Mario Del Pennino (art) Erick Arciniega & Federico Blee (colours) VC's Cory Petit (letters). Kitty (call her Kate) saves the day but is sunk in the end. I've been ambivalent about reading this title of political intrigue and this issue made up my mind to bench this book. The subject matter is mature but the dialogue is juvenile so I'm outta here.

 Kill Lock #2 - Livio Ramondelli (story & art) Tom B. Long (letters). The search for the key to disable the Kill Lock continues. I care about the plight of these four condemned droids.

 The Old Guard: Force Multiplied #2 - Greg Rucka (writer) Leandro Fernandez (art) Daniela Miwa (colours) Jodi Wynne (letters). The team goes to rescue victims of human traffickers and get a surprise when they open the container. This book will blow you away.

 Guardians of the Galaxy #1 - Al Ewing (writer) Juann Cabal (art) Federico Blee (colours) VC's Cory Petit (letters). Call him Racoon, Rocket Racoon. Rocket's gone from looking like road kill in the last story arc to quite the fashion plate in this new run. And his guns have gotten a lot smaller. The team is recovering from the Universal Church of Truth massacre but their respite is short lived. Zeus and his Greek gods have returned and they're all evil now. You can tell because they're dressed in black. Nova asks the Guardians for help but only Starlord, Rocket, Moondragon and Phyla-Vell/Captain Marvel join the fray. I like that Marvel Boy is back and when the mission goes FUBAR, a surprise ally makes an appearance. The art alone makes this worth picking up off the rack.

 Basketful of Heads #4 - Joe Hill (writer) Leomacs (art) Dave Stewart (colours) Deron Bennett (letters). Poor June, she keeps meeting up with bad men. You can't blame a girl for defending herself. Now there are two heads in the basket. Basket head number three just introduced himself. This is just too weirdly fun.

 Ruins of Ravencroft: Dracula #1 - Frank Tieri (writer) Angel Unzueta (modern day art) Stefano Landini (flashback art) Rachelle Rosenberg (colours) VC's Travis Lanham (letters). This is the last of the one-shots leading into the 5-issue Ravencroft mini. It's going to have lots of Marvel heroes and villains if this issue is any indication. In the first few pages alone we have Man Wolf, Misty Knight, Mr. Fantastic, the Falcon, Power Man and Iron fist and the Winter Soldier who introduces the flashback where Captain America fights with Dracula. When we return to the present, new inmates are being incarcerated into the Ravencroft Institute for the Criminal Insane. I could only identify Mr. Hyde but I didn't recognise the others. The consultant hired to work with these inmates was a surprise and may entice you to pick up Ravencroft #1 when it hits the racks on January 29. Imagine if the Joker were hired to work at Arkham Asylum.

 Wonder Woman #750 - I read all 9 stories in this $9.99 US anniversary issue to see where Princess Diana was at right now. Nothing much has changed since I stopped reading her book regularly so I won't be picking up #751. I've read other comic books aimed at young female readers, the Unstoppable Wasp is a good example, but this one doesn't spark a renewed interest in me to follow Wonder Woman's adventures.

 Birds of Prey 100-Page Giant #1 - Now this is more like it. There are 3 new stories and 3 reprints that I've not read before so it's a great value at $4.99 US. The core team of Batgirl, Black Canary and Huntress are joined by Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy, and Catwoman, all fabulous females ready for action. Almost makes me want to see the Birds of Prey movie that hits theatres Friday, February 7.

[hmratking]

A Gift for the Queen

Continued from HERE

The Flea sighed and nodded at Mora’s remark about waiting to find out what happened with the babies, his dark hair bouncing as he did. “We will. I only hope —“ His words were interrupted by the sound of footsteps entering the home. The Flea looked up and noticed the King and Sarinna standing in the doorway. The King simply raised an eyebrow at the Flea. 

“She was feeling a bit over-emotional, my King. Just taking care of the queen.” He smiled at him and turned to Mora’s hand once more, kissing it before rising. 

Mora wiped her eyes and nose some sitting up with a new smile, one that was not fake, she loved her king. She always had. Looking to the Flea she offered the same genuine smile because she cared deeply for him, letting him kiss her hand before he got up.

He confidently walked toward the King, properly bowing. “The rat is clean. He knows nothing.”

The King glanced at the throne and then back to the Flea. He nodded and dismissed him with a gesture. The Flea walked away and Sarinna walked toward her corner while the King stepped toward his throne. “Emotional? Why emotional?”

“She’s pregnant, my King,” Sarinna called out. “Hormones.”

The King shrugged and reached out, placing his hand on the throne. “You two often make me wonder…” His hand gently caressed her hair.

She watched as the Flea walked by her King, then looked back to her love "Wonder what, my love? You know my everything." She smiled, her lashes clumped together from her crying. “Emotions: it will be nice to be in control over those again,” she said as if she ever was. She would reach up for him to comfort her. "I have missed you.”

He smiled and softly asked, “Have you?” Walking around the throne, he faced her and knelt in front of her. His eyes fell upon her belly for a moment and he looked up at her, ignoring the obstacle between them. “And when is this going away?” he asked casually, gesturing toward her belly.

"Always" she would purr back watching him walk around the throne. " A month or so." She would answer with a lazy stare, unsure how much that was him wanting the belly gone or the babies as well. She leaned in some and caressed his face. "Where have you been? Who has it been with…?”

“Busy looking at some things with Sarinna.” Even though her belly was his annoyance, he couldn’t resist leaning down to kiss her thigh. “Getting a few additions done to the Kingdom.” He looked up at her. “Would you say it’s almost done, Sarinna?” he called out as he stared at Mora.

“Almost, my King,” Sarinna called out from the corner of the building where she usually did her paperwork. 

He smiled. “Almost,” he repeated.

A smile crept over Mora as he kissed her thigh, her hand sliding into his hair and she would bite her lip softly as she pulled on his roots with a gentle tug. "What additions? I did not know you were making more buildings? "What is this for? Anything special?”

He moaned softly when she tugged and he grinned widely. “I’m always making more of everything, my Doll.”

His moan made her neck turn slightly, a cool shiver running down her. She hummed and nodded. "That you do..." She almost laughed because of how true that was and it was resting on her lap. “Well?”

He raised an eyebrow. “What does it matter to you? Why the sudden interest?” However, his smile never wavered. He caressed her thigh and began to shift to rise off the floor.

She pulled on one of his ears as her hands slid away from his head. "I am always interested in your interests, In the interest of the kingdom. Isn’t that what a Queen should be?” She watched him stand. Looking over the length of his body, she would shift on the throne, eyeing him like she might eat him.

“Hmm, maybe.” He cupped her chin as he leaned in toward her. “Do you want to see it?” Sarinna was heard sighing and her papers were slammed down.

She giggled and started to nod as he leaned in her hands couldn't keep from him as she kissed his lips but pulled abruptly away as the sound of Sarinna disturbed her moment with him. Mora would glare Sarinna's way and then look back to her king "I do my love."

“Come then, my Doll.” He straightened and extended his hand out to her to help her get up.

Mora would get up awkwardly even with her King's help, off balance and even more so apparent as to why when she stood up, her belly was taking up a considerable amount of her and it was clearly a hindrance on her small frame.

They walked to the door and Sarinna followed them without a word. The day was calm and while they lived in a cool region of the land, there were signs of spring here as well. “The apple trees are flourishing. Something about the soil, the Flea said.” 

They walked to the left of the home, hungry Ratz staring at them noiselessly. Mora held her King's hand as he led her out of the house and into the Kingdom, with passing glances to the Ratz as walked by. She looked to where the orchard was and smiled, "Look at that, even the apples bare fruit to appease the King …" she would tease, but as she thought more about it, she would look back up at him. " I want to get some apples…" she said as if to ask him to make it so, squeezing his hand with gentle want.

There was a group of trees planted at the entrance to a small path that led to a small cottage. It was quaint and cozy. While it was not decorated, there was room to improve it. There were two rooms, a bathroom, and a small kitchen.

Mora stopped and look over the trees that lined the small walkway to the cottage, her brows furrowed slightly as she started to walk forward and pull on his arm to look. Walking up to the cottage, she would start to smile, not wanting to assume anything, but it was perfect, and it was close. Her heart started to beat fast and it felt as if it were rising in her chest.

"What is this? Who is this..for?” she asked before her hands pushed on the door and opened it to step in. The house was the perfect size for her, or at least she would not have to duck like Sarinna would.  Mora let go of his hand and start to look through the rooms with her interest bubbling over in cute sighs.

“There’s a hidden room in this room here,” the King said as he showed Mora around. He seemed rather thrilled to tell her that part. “It can be locked.” He chuckled randomly but it faded. Sarinna has to hunch slightly as she stood in the cottage, her silver eyes looking around as the King spoke.

She stopped before her King as he told her there was a hidden room “Where…and why?” She watched him to show her.  “Why is this here?” she asked coming up close to him again and standing on her tiptoes to wrap her arms around his neck. "Tell me who it's for.”

The King smiled as he saw her react to the home. Of course, he had to make it impossible for her. “It’s for my new lover,” he said with a smirk, looking away momentarily to simply add fuel to the fire. Sarinna smirked and was eager to get out of there considering there wasn’t any furniture for her to sit on. “Do you think he’ll like it?”

Mora's smiled faded.”Who?" and she seemed deadly serious. “Bring. Him. Let’s find out,” she glared and suddenly wanted to leave.

His hands clapped together and King laughed loudly. “As wondrous as that may have been to see, sadly it is not. There is no one.” He walked back to Mora. “It is yours.” Sarinna glanced at  Mora, her smirk fading rather quickly. She couldn’t stand her for a moment. She couldn’t stand that she was getting a home, to stay, the King. Her hand curled into a fist, but she said nothing.

She gave a stubborn look back to him, a pout firmly in place, not liking how he teased her, but it was hard to hold a frown like that with he was giving her what she wanted. Her arms slid around his waist but the tummy kept her from getting as close to him as she wanted "It is mine..." she had to stop from getting overly excited as she eyes him "Here..you did this..for me?"

“The Flea insisted on sending you to Silvermoon, but I know how you get with your stupid little tantrums. Instead, you’re still here, but you’ll have protection from my Ratz and the Flea can shield it, and you’re not far from home.” He shrugged and paced about the home. “It’s not done in the sense that we still need to get your things in here, but once you do, you can do what you want with it. The secret room is for you to hide in if we have another invasion. It’s…Sarinna, explain it.”

Sarinna looked at Mora and then to the room which contained the secret room. “It’s reinforced with steel so that if we do get attacked and it reaches the cottage, once the protection is down, and so is the house, you will be safe.”

The King smiled at Sarinna and turned to look at the room. “Or if you’ve been extremely naughty and need to be taught a lesson,” he said, his eyes shifting to Mora. “Either way, only I have access to unlocking it. Once you lock it, only I can open it.”

"Do you know how I get?" she teased him but he was right, She wouldn't mention his tantrums, she knew exactly how he got when she was not around. "We love it my King!” she smiled and reached up for him to kiss her. "I have a few things I can put in place to keep it safe as well.” She was smiling brightly as she looked around the room again and then to the area where the secret room was. Her eyes looked from her king to Sarinna now as she explained it. 

She focused on the way Sarinna spoke, turning to look the room over again as she said it would be the only place safest if they were attacked again, her king's words slightly catching her off guard as Mora had stopped smiling up until that point. She understood the gravity of what was being done. For her, and for him. 

Mora pushed him some, or tried to, she mostly fell outta balance and leaned on him smiling and giggling some. The thought of having to use it sounded scary. What if they were inside and he never came back? “Promise me, Melaeth,” she hugged him close so that she whispered to just him, “that you will always be there to unlock it then.” She wanted promises that defied death, but she knew if anyone could give that to her, it was the Rat King.

“I promise,” he said softly, looking down at her. He smiled for a brief moment before turning away. “Whenever you want to start moving in, just say so. The Flea can probably do something to make it soundproof or something.” He shrugged.

"Sound-proofing would be nice, I think he should.." she would hug him tightly coming back to his arms when she had looked around again. "It is perfect my only” She smiled and nodded with her hand still keeping one of his even as he turned away. "I would like to have it ready before it's time. So..I want to stay in the main house until then while this one is being set up." She would tug on his hand. “Sooooo, that means I can go shopping, nnn?" She smiled again and started looking over the house again, taking mental notes of what she wanted and where. 

He chuckled at the mention of shopping. “Yes, go ahead. Get whatever you want. The Flea and Sarinna will go with you.”

Sarinna’s eyes widened. “My King, I have things to do here…”

“And you can continue doing those things when you come back. I need someone to make sure she doesn’t spend all of our funds.” He looked at Mora and smiled. “I spoil you too much.” He reached to kiss her, his hand gently on her belly.

Mora laughed some and clapped her hands quickly very clearly pleased with her King. "You spoil me, " she whispered hanging on his arm. "I will admit to nothing ever again" she smiled up at him as he leaned down to kiss her, a soft thankful kiss placed back to him. Her hand gently slid across her belly to where his was and only a pointer finger would touch and rub sweetly over his thumb. She loved him. Mora looked back to Sarinna with her smile fading and her brows narrowing some. She was very aware of the eyerolls and heavy sighs 

“Yes, I want Sarinna to go with me. You are always right, my only. I will only spend most of it,” she looked up and smiled at her King again.

The King stared at Mora a bit longer, the tender smile still in place before he clapped his hands and turned. “Get going then. I need Sarinna back.” He walked to Sarinna who looked up at him. “Control the budget. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you this.” He reached to kiss her lips and walked out the door. Sarinna turned to give Mora a hardened look, and she called out for the King at the door. Was she so desperate to speak? The King stopped and turned to look at Sarinna. 

Sarinna seemed to hesitate and she exhaled. It was not time. Not yet. “Rabbit has….he has food.” The King smiled and walked in the kitchen’s direction. Sarinna lowered her head and stormed out of the cottage, making her way to the main home.

(Collaborative writing with @loveherdekay )

#The Rat Kingdom #The Rat King #The Doll #Mora #long read #but worthwhile