Shazam!

Aquaman: I'm Arthur Curry, King of Atlantis.

Green Arrow: I'm Oliver Queen.

Blue Beetle: I'm Ted Kord.

Atom: I'm Ray Palmer.

Mr. Terrific: I'm Michael Holt.

It’s not a fanfic or anything—just a thought, I guess.

We know that Billy’s adult alter ego, Captain Marvel, attracts countless women—and men, too—leaving our poor Captain going from very shy to downright apprehensive when dealing with civilians, terrified of unwanted, intrusive kisses, hugs, and touches.

I can only imagine how important personal space must be to Billy. It’s hard to picture anyone touching him without his consent, or at least without fully understanding just how vital that boundary is to him.

But what really sticks with me is this: given how anxious and full of doubt he already is about dating, how crushing must it be for Billy to wonder whether his future girlfriend might prefer his adult version over the real him?

Maybe that explains, at least in part, why he’s so determined to keep his identity secret—the fear that he might not be enough, or as interesting or attractive, as his counterpart.

I can picture Billy losing a lot of sleep over the Stargirl situation, questioning whether Courtney liked him because of Captain Marvel or simply because they’re close in age.

He might even have gone to Olympus just to ask Zeus if some spell had been cast on him to draw both women and men, or whether the blessing itself carried that side effect. Even if Solomon disagreed on a few points, he wouldn’t argue with the idea that Billy needs a woman—after all, “she builds the home”—so having more than one could only help keep him from feeling lonely again.

Hercules, for his part, would probably warn him to watch out for Hera. She made him kill his own wives, and he doesn’t want Billy ending up doing the same to his girls.

Duke Thomas, the hero ever

Anti-Book Banning Bingo

Finally! I had this bind finished for weeks and weeks, but with snail mail across continents it only arrived at my co-author's door today, so now I get to squee over it and post pictures!

Behold! That Douchebag Steve Harrington! A Stranger Things story, Steve Harrington/Billy Hargrove, written by @humble-althemist and me.

With fanart by the fantabulous @ihni! The art was commissioned way back when, in the year when we had just finished the story, and I am so happy they let me use it for the physical book, as well! <3 <3 <3

The cover is foil quill on home-made bookcloth, the spine and maker's logo are sparkly-red HTV. A little more Frank'n'Furter than Hawkins High, perhaps, but I still love how it turned out. The black on the book edges is fountain pen ink. The endpapers are foil quill again, tried the rainbow foil for the little nailbats. :D