Chapter 17 | Page 3b: Hot Stuff

Posted on December 19, 2025 by Brad Guigar

Today’s page takes us back to Ralph’s Diner, where Captain Heroic proves—once again—that nothing rattles him… not even a surprise soup bath.

Hailey is mortified, Captain Heroic is dripping, and somewhere across the diner, Yazmine Velour is livestreaming the whole thing as heart emojis rain from the internet. It’s a small moment, but one that says a lot about who Cap really is—and why people can’t help falling for him.

Transcript

Panel 1
Hailey (distraught that she has dumped hot soup on Captain Heroic): Omigod Omigod Omigod…

Captain Heroic (turning to another person eating at the diner): Excuse me. Would you hand me a napkin, please? (The person hands him a napkin)

Panel 2

Hailey: I’m so sorry Captain Heroic, sir. I didn’t mean to — {sob}

Panel 3

Captain Heroic (handing her the napkin): Here. Please don’t cry.

Panel 4

Captain Heroic (continues): Most of my first impressions involve disintegration rays. And actual impressions. In concrete.

Panel 5

Captain Heroic: This was far more pleasant — not counting the bay leaf in my shirt.Yazmine Velour (as she livestreams the interaction from the other side of the diner, a torrent of heart emojis flow from her phone as the audience reacts): Omigod Omigod Omigod

After Dark

This week's commissioned MicroFic delivers exactly what you’d want from a pairing between Dynasty and Father Christmas.

  • Yes, he lives up to his name.

  • Yes, Dynasty knew exactly what she was doing.

  • No, the North Pole will never be the same.

I also posted the Goblin Girl MicroFic from the Monster Girl poll — and the response was so good, I might need to make these poll-powered MicroFics a recurring thing!

Previews: Marvels Project, Deadpool, Iron Man and Hercules

Posted on October 12, 2009 by Brad Guigar

Courtesy of Newsarama, here are four previews of Marvel’s best this week.

Incredible Hercules #136
The face-off Herc fans have been clamoring for since his series began is here at last! God of Strength versus God of Thunder! Adamantine mace versus uru hammer! Olympian versus Asgardian! Incredible versus Mighty! That’s right — Hercules battles Thor! The Odinson discovers the Lion of Olympus has been impersonating him and he’s out to prove nothing beats the original! Then, in #137, the epic Secret Origin of Amadeus Cho concludes! He learns his connection with the original Master Mind Excello and the identity of who really killed his parents! And once Amadeus knows this, will he look to reunite with Hercules… or destroy him?

The Marvels Project #3
The centerpiece of Marvel’s 70th anniversary celebration turns a deadly corner, as Nazi spies infiltrate the secret US government’s Super-Soldier Experiment… and while the Torch learns what it means to be both human and a hero, Prince Namor arrives in New York looking for nothing more than vengeance! Things really heat up this issue as award-winning creators Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting bring you the definitive in-continuity origin of Marvel!

Iron Man: Iron Protocols
Deep within a secret government base beneath the arctic tundra lies the “Ark”: a vault containing the genetic codes for all life on Earth. But there’s a problem — a rogue Artificial Intelligence has decided that the best way to protect the samples is to eradicate every living creature! Only Iron Man has the knowledge to stop the machine — and he’s only got an hour to do it! Join Robert Venditti — creator of The Surragates, now a major motion picture — and fan-favorite artist Nelson (X-Factor) as the fate of the world hangs in the balance!

Deadpool #900
Special super-sized, action-packed 104-page special to commemorate Deadpool’s historic 900th issue! … Wait, has it really been nine-hundred issues…? Who cares?! If this collection of octane-infused stories by some of comics’ hottest talent doesn’t make you want to genuflect at the Altar of Wade, nothing will. Thrill as the Merc with a Mouth squares off against probe-happy aliens, trigger-happy mimes and one seriously unhappy fanman and that’s just half the book! Wince as Wade bares his soul (and lots more) to a shrink who’s got major squirrels in his own attic. Thrill as he travels around the globe and then some to settle a childhood bet. And chill as C.S.I. investigators at a blood-splattered crime scene attempt to piece together why this particular “unsub” needed battery cables, Crisco oil, three stacks of adult magazines and a live chicken to pull off the hit.