I started reading the official Iron King comic adaptation and it made me so angry I spontaneously decided to make my own version. I’ve calmed down since, but here are some character designs.

Explanations:

• I know the changeling is supposed to look just like Ethan, but I still want him to have a nightmare face sometimes. Also, blank eyes as an easy visual shorthand to show who is who.
• Ash has a blue earring to give some color to his very black-and-white design and also tie him in with the Unseelie Court (see also: Mab’s lipstick).
• Machina’s black roots were a coloring mistake, but I like the effect so I’m keeping it.
• I know Machina’s eyes are described as slanted, but since I’ve already used that eye shape a lot for the other fae gentry, I changed it. In my opinion he has a certain droopy-eyed energy anyway.
• Titania’s hair should probably be longer but the curly updo just suits her so well. I like the period drama, princess-like look of it. Also, curly Titania vs. straight-haired Mab for the Contrast™️.

The Queens have arrived. Negotiations may now begin.

Been meaning to draw the Unseelie Queens again. A fanart contest seems to have provided the proper motivation.

Mab: Oh, where would you be without me, dearest Knight?

Harry: I’d still have my dignity, friends and my soul.

Mab: I can answer any question you have.

Harry: What killed the dinosaurs?

Mab: Me.

*smash cut to Mab riding on a storm cloud shooting beams of ice at dinosaurs*

Harry: *puts a cup on a wasp in his place*

Mab: *appears with two more cups.*

Harry: Please, no….

Mab: *begins wildly shifting the cups around.*

Dresden Files - Christmas Eve thoughts

Spoilers below obviously

This takes place 6 months after Peace Talks.

Harry building a bike for Maggie while aided by Mouse was incredibly cute.

Mab has seen Frozen confirmed. And of course her gift is scary.

Molly seems to heading into surrogate sister territory since her kiss on Harry’s cheek is described as sisterly. Also she seems way more comfortable in her Winter Lady role.

Kringle delivering that cup of coffee was wonderful. Also Harry owed Vadderung a favor from Cold Days and their meeting seemed a little tense.

Peace Talks stuff - According to Jim it would be all right, everyone would have tea and lunch and go home just fine.

HA!

Tens of thousands injured and in need of medical care. Thousands dead. What the fuck. And some of them seem personal?

Who is dead? Thomas? Justine? Murphy (who was in bad shape at the end of Skin Game only a few months earlier), Ramirez? Luccio? The Alphas? Ebenezer?????

I knew the masquerade would be broken in this book since Jim confirmed we’d get a battle in view of mortals that could not be covered but nothing on this scale.

All in all this was a cozy slice of life short story that was perfect for Christmas. And just enough teasing of things to come in Peace Talks. Seriously, thousands dead……wtf….I need that damn book….

Mass Fancast

Since Game of Thrones is ending let’s get these out of the way. No real rules this time.

Karrin (give her about ten years)

Molly

Marcone

Michael

Harry

Mab

Thomas

Elaine

Nicodemus

Morgan

I usually despise the idea of ‘fixing’ a story. I feel like stories should be left as their authors wrote them even if I don’t agree with what happened. But re reading Peace Talks and Battle Ground really makes me want to write a fanfic that fixes them. It’d bring the two stories together in a manner that doesn’t feel like this Frankensteinesque stitched together *thing*, cut back on some parts of the story and cut others entirely, expand on a few specific plot points and deal with that mid point in a very different way. Hopefully the end result would be something that feels like one smooth story that works well and doesn’t leave me kinda disappointed about the whole thing.

So apparently a new Dresden book called ‘Twelve Months’ will be up next before we get Mirror Mirror. Neat. I hope we meet the Librarians, get some Winter/White Court-ing (get it?) shenanigans and some much needed quiet character moments

Just saying - Mab’s unicorn may be my new fave. It’s so scary and badass.

Dresden Files BAT speculation

Stars and Stones

Faerie gets wrecked, Titania is the final boss due to nemesis infection or simply deciding to off Harry as shit hits the apocalyptic fan, Mab and Titania both die and Molly and Sarissa become the new Winter and Summer Queens of the decimated Courts who rally behind Harry for the rest of the BAT. There’s a confrontation with Drakul as well but he survives till Empty Night (book 3). Ebenezer dies but Harry swipes the Blackstaff and returns it to Mother Winter who gets to take a stroll to the Outer Gates and sacrifice herself at the end of the book to deal a major blow to the Outsiders thus buying reality (and Harry) time to find a way to save the universe later in the trilogy.

Hells Bells

I’m not too sure about this one but it is confirmed Harry travels to Hell to retrieve Hell’s Bells. Lucifer will also appear. I believe Skin Game was a test run for Hell’s Bells and Harry will be accompanied by Nicodemus, Marcone, Butters, Sanya and whoever the Knight of Love (Murphy?) is. I think Nicodemus (and Lucifer) have some sort of plan in mind that involves binding and harming the White God. Lasciel will also show up again.

Empty Night

Harry vs Drakul is guaranteed due to both being Starborn who hold power over Outsiders. Lara and Thomas play big roles here as the White Court pre Cold Days/Battle Ground were the group that used the Empty Night curse most. Harry vs He Who Walks Behind.

General Speculation

Listens to Wind is a Black Council member and will kill Ebenezer. Cowl is Simon Petrovich and another candidate for killing Ebenezer. Harry does not kill Ferrovax himself but there is a scene with aircraft carriers Jim Butcher has had in his mind for ages. Harry may use the eye of Balor to kill one of his heavyweight enemies (Drakul, Titania, Ferrovax, A Walker). Harry will meet the original Merlin.