“Contain and Detain” is a 988-word near-future post-apocalypse flash fiction story about our very human reaction to overcoming a zombie outbreak. Sam Herd is a state-sanctioned bounty hunter whose main objective is to prevent the further spread of the virus in our rebounding society.
You can read “Contain and Detain” on Dark Elements: https://darkelements.us/2021/01/13/contain-and-detain/
“Not a Vampire” is a 3000-word short story about an immortal creature who looks after its most aggressive adversary in his advancing years. It’s a generally sad story peppered with some dry humor, which should be familiar to anyone who has had to care for an elderly family member.
Published in Speculative North Magazine Issue 2: Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1999203658/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_DHvxFbD78NGFZ
Amazon Description: Speculative North is a magazine of high-quality, entertaining, and thought-provoking science fiction, fantasy, and horror stories with an international scope and regional Canadian focus. Issue #2 includes: “Bathwater Mermaid”, by Avra Margariti; “Not a Vampire”, by Jeremiah Kleckner; “Vat Life”, by Franco Amati; “Turtle Hatchlings”, by Victoria Feistner; “Nominative Determination”, by Maureen Bowden; “Restraint”, by John Mavin; “To Sift the Sacred”, by Brian Rappatta; “Witching”, by Erin Kirsh; “Star Trip(tych)”, by M.X. Kelly. Non-fiction content includes an interview with fantasy author Scott Thrower.
“I Don’t Grant Wishes” is my 600-word flash fiction story published by New American Legends on March 31, 2020.
Synopsis – Tommy’s home remodel has been delayed for months. And when a magical creature emerges from within the wall he’s demolishing, Tommy struggles to understand the benefit of what is being offered to him.
Read “I Don’t Grant Wishes” for free here: https://newamericanlegends.com/2020/03/31/i-dont-grant-wishes-by-jeremiah-kleckner/
JLA/Avengers, written by Kurt Busiek, is described on its Amazon page as “perhaps the most eagerly anticipated and memorable crossover of all time, as the Justice League of America unites with The Avengers. Superman, Batman, and the other members of the JLA join forces with Captain America, Iron Man, and the many other Avengers to fight a threat so immense it threatens two entire dimensions.” This was the ultimate Marvel/DC event, featuring hundreds of character cameos as well as headlining bouts like Superman vs Thor!
But are the events that played out in this adventure considered canon?
In regards to fictional universes, canon refers to everything that is judged to be included in the history, setting, circumstances, and overall makeup of the property. When the property is written by a single creator, then that person is responsible for acknowledging what is or is not canon. When it comes to much larger properties, the publisher sets the guideline that keeps contributing authors writing stories in the universe that “fit” in the continuity of what is expected for characters and events.
When ranking the validity of different types of evidence, I’d consider the following in order:
Now, let’s get to the evidence…
This one is pretty easy since the author of JLA/Avengers also wrote a JLA arc that included overt references to the events of the crossover in its story. Kurt Busiek wrote it. DC published it on its comic pages. JLA/Avengers is clearly canon in DC.
The events of JLA/Avengers is referred to in JLA #107.
© DC Comics
© DC Comics
© DC Comics
In JLA #111, also written by Kur Busiek, Owlman explains that the Crime Syndicate reboot is a result of the events of the JLA/Avengers crossover.
© DC Comics
© DC Comics
In addition to this, DC used the Cosmic Egg that appeared at the end of JLA/Avengers. In Trinity #7, John Stewart refers to the Avengers as “Others.”
© DC Comics
Marvel repeatedly acknowledged the canonicity of the events that took place in JLA/Avengers in their 2008, 2011, and 2012 sourcebooks. These were all titled the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe, published by Marvel themselves.
The Terminus entry states, “In a distant cosmos, he arrived on another Earth and began to rampage across its USA attracting and battling a league of justice-seeking superheroes. Though Terminus easily resisted even their mightiest warrior, their detective correctly deduced the importance of Terminus’ power lance. Combining their minds via their telepath, the heroes assaulted Terminus on several levels, then dumped him into thinking they were trying to steal his lance. As Terminus unleashed a potent blast of power through the lance, one of the heroes channeled the energy back at Terminus, blasting a hole in his helmet and incapacitating him. A being of high power from that universe then dispatched Terminus back to the Earth-616 reality.”
© Marvel Comics
© Marvel Comics – © DC Comics
© Marvel Comics – © DC Comics
© Marvel Comics – © DC Comics
© Marvel Comics – © DC Comics
© Marvel Comics – © DC Comics
In Monica’s entry, it mentions “the will-powered energies” of an “emerald gladiator.” That’s a reference to a GL (Kyle Raynor) who she fought in JLA/Avengers.
© Marvel Comics
© Marvel Comics – © DC Comics
© Marvel Comics – © DC Comics
The Galactus entry reads that he was “assaulted by yet another extra-dimensional powerhouse, who sought the origins of the universe, but he recovered via the actions of the Avengers and a league of heroes from another reality.”
© Marvel Comics
© Marvel Comics – © DC Comics
© Marvel Comics – © DC Comics
© Marvel Comics – © DC Comics
Avengers’ entry says that they “teamed with the league of heroes from a divergent cosmos to save both their universes from a cosmic scholar turned semi-omnipotent destroyer.”
© Marvel Comics
© Marvel Comics – © DC Comics
© Marvel Comics – © DC Comics
The Grandmaster’s entry recounts nearly the entire plot of JLA/Avengers.
© Marvel Comics
© Marvel Comics – © DC Comics
© Marvel Comics – © DC Comics
The events in JLA/Avengers is canon because it is acknowledged in publications from both Marvel and DC since its release.
I still read them from time to time, which is why I’m thrilled to be a part of two New Jersey events this month.
One is on 3/12/17 at the Clifton Community Recreation Center, 1232 Main Ave, Clifton 07011 http://www.njcomicbookshows.com/clifton.htm
The other is on 3/19/17 at the Toms River Elks Lodge 600 Washington Street Toms River, N.J. 08753 http://www.jerseyshorecomicbookshow.com
As a way of revving myself up for these events, I wrote a superhero vs vampire story exclusively for Wattpad. (Description Below)
Force – Jeff Beal is unique. Balancing high school and a broken home, Jeff blows off steam jumping rooftops and taking down bad guys under the name Shadow, protege to Macro City’s superhero, Force. And when a string of gruesome murders grip the city in mortal terror, Force and Shadow swear to put an end to the bloodshed. But the Vampire Lavinia is no ordinary killer. Now Jeff must use every resource at his disposal to hunt down the deadly vampire before the sun sets … because he won’t survive the night.
Read the first few chapters here. I’ll add to it every Friday night at 8pm. Shoot me an email, post a response, or tweet me @J_Kleckner to let me know what you think.
Thank you again for your support. Happy Reading.
Jeremiah Kleckner 