Morbius: The Living Vampire (1992) #8

bats gossiping

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painting of a bat using a pink flip phone to make a video call with another bat

Lately, Data had been on something of a ‘weird history’ kick. During his last shift, someone had mentioned, off hand as a ‘Fun Fact’, that Vulcans were not “technically” the first race to contact humanity. This was news to Data. He found it fascinating that no one ever spoke about this phenomenon. He spent the whole night wondered what actual merit there was to the subject while he rested. In the morning he decided to hunker down in his room with Spot and do some further research.

That morning became noon, and from noon it became evening. Spot mewed to be fed or petted, but unfortunately Data could not hear her from the bottom of his digital rabbit hole. There was too much to learn. The ship’s archives had articles on easily a thousand named species, supposedly sighted in just the mid twentieth century alone!He, of course, found that most ended up to be hoaxes as he read further into them, but a few were truly genuine.

A favorite example example of his were the Arcturians of Arcturus Four. They were quite advanced, supposedly being capable long distance space travel since some 10,500 years ago. Most of them didn’t look all that much different from standard modern humans. Give or take a post war mutant. As species they specialized in genetic engineering and production of exceptionally lifelike androids.

They had sent a ship to earth near the dawn of humanity, but other than that they weren’t really well documented by the federation until sometime within the past hundred years.

Data wanted to spent all of tomorrow and then some on the topic of Arcturians, but he quickly ran out reading material. As they were currently, the ship’s records of them had very large and crucial gaps in them. He tried to look for any other sources on subject outside of the archive, but came up empty. Well except for one result from the crew roster: supposedly there was an Arcturian who worked the night shift in the sickbay… which gave Data an idea.

“You know, Spot, I would really like to meet this ‘Dr. Morbius’.” Data absentmindedly admitted to his cat. “Mrrr-urp?” Replied Spot, perking up from her nap. “You’re correct, sick-bay is not far from here, but he might be busy…” Data reminded her. “Meow” Spot countered, walking over to sit by one of Data’s clocks. “Hmm, well, it is late. Maybe he wouldn’t be very busy after all… plus he might enjoy some company.” Data decided, getting up from his chair.

“Mew?” Asked Spot, as she determinedly trotted after Data. He paused at the door, “Oh! I almost forgot. Let me get you dinner before I go”. Spot let out a warm purr at the notion.

/|\^;;’/|\ .:@:. /|\^;;’/|\ .:@:. /|\^;;’/|\

You are at the point in the night where you are both starving and feeling nauseated at the same time. If you can wait five more minutes, for probably absolutely nothing to happen, then you can get your nightly “drink”… and leave.

Four minutes can not elapse quickly enough for you; you have keep yourself from gnawing on the inside of your cheek out of impatience. The ship’s blasted lighting isn’t Helping Either!

The only reliably dark room on this entire floor is your cabin, and only because you have control of the lighting inside of it. Everywhere else makes you want to claw your own eyes out around this time of night.

But it will be ok. Relief is only three minutes away now. Yes, sweet, salty, red relief…

You know you can’t keep doing this. You can not continue to do this every night. Eventually, someone will notice the pattern. Eventually, you will slip up… and they will catch you.

But your shift is over in two minutes, now. And you don’t give a damn at this point. You already started packing up four minutes ago… the rest of this, just starring down the clock, has been to punish yourself.

It’s time to go.

You tuck your chair in and pocket your data pad like none of that just ran through your head.

You stop at the medical replicator on the way out. You dare not use voice commands for this, instead typing out your dirty order on the ‘archaic’ psychical screen. It takes a second, and then you have your prize.

If only it had been this easy back in your day…

Your spirits are lifted quite a great deal as you walk out the door. Not even the dreadful hallway lighting can bring you down now!

A quick walk home is all that stands between you and liquid bliss…

The monotonous hallway is easily tuned out with the lovely swish of your nondescript thermos’s contents. It, sadly, doesn’t have the same effect on the nearby sound of footsteps approaching from behind.

“Hello? Oh, excuse me, but did you just come from Sick-bay? I’m looking for Dr.Morbius, do you know if he’s left yet?” Asks the cause of you disturbance.

You cringe inwardly: you were asked for by name… what could they possibly want with you right now?

You turn to face the interloper, and with your best bedside manner, reply “Yes, but I’m afraid that I am just now leaving. Did you need medical attention?” Through all but gritted teeth.

“No, I do not require medical attention currently, but do require your assistance with something else!” Enquires the sallow skinned man, expression and voice locked at neutral.

You try not to make a face, “Is that so?”. You sigh. “what exactly do you need from me at this time of night?” You ask with some trepidation.

“I would like learn more about your Home-world, Arcturus Four, what can you tell me about it?” He asks with lukewarm smile, inflection just barely reaching out of monotony and into excitement.

“Hmmm, plenty?… but I do not, exactly, have the time to-night. Maybe could this be a rain check?” You ask, in a manner you hope is casual, begging him to take a hint. “Oh, are you sure you do not have a minute?” He asks, continuing to beg the question while you start to disengage.

“I am positive, and it is nearly morning, Mr. …?” “Data” “right, καλησπέρα, Mr. Data! And Goodbye.” You tell him forcefully as you power walk away, hoping that he doesn’t pursue the matter.

“Oh… ok, sleep well doctor…” you hear as a muffled response from far behind you. You are happy to finally put some distance between yourself and him, but it rankles you that that will not fix the rapidly changing temperature of your prized treat.

“So help me, god, if there are clots in this!” You mutter to yourself as you finally approach you cabin door . Sigh, so much for your morning.

/|\^;;’/|\ .:@:. /|\^;;’/|\ .:@:. /|\^;;’/|\

Later that morning, in Ten Forward, Data saw Geordi at breakfast and decided to tell him about his conversation last night. “Hey Data, how are you this morning?” Geordi asked as the android sat down across from him. “I am fine, how are you today, Geordi?” Data replies, internally pleased with his delivery. He had been practicing!

“Doing good, doing good… but you know, I don’t think I saw you at all yesterday? Was everything alright?” Geordi asked, concern evident in the line of his mouth and the set of his brow. Data frowned, “I did not mean to alarm anyone, I merely got sidetracked with some research based on that ‘Fun Fact’ O’Brian shared with us the other day.”.

“Oh, that one, huh?” Geordi asked with a puzzled expression, and he paused a second in thought. “Well, did you find anything interesting?” He eventually asked politely.

Data thought we would never ask; delighted, he began telling Geordi about all of his findings, in Alphabetical order!

Geordi nodded along politely as he ate his breakfast, but he noticed when Data started losing steam around the ‘Ar’s. He even had a peculiar expression as he told him about ‘Arcturians’.

“Did you know we have one on broad?” He asked he friend, oddly solemn about it. “Hmm, I don’t think I did.” Geordi replied, “But why do you say it like that? Did something happen?” He added.

Data paused, trying to figure out the best place to start. “I met him last night, he works the night shift in the Sick-bay near my quarters. I went there to ask him some questions I had gleaned from gaps in my research on his people. I do not think he felt like answering questions, he asked for a ‘rain check’.” .

Data looked thoughtful, “In that context, a ‘rain check’ does not necessarily mean actually rescheduling, does it?” He asked Geordi.

Geordi looked at his friend with pity, he was impressed that he picked up on that. “No Data, it doesn’t. I’m sorry he was like that, maybe he was just busy?” Geordi offered, trying to console his friend.

“I am not sure. He was walking with urgency, but in the opposite direction of the Sick-bay.” Data replied. “He said he was on his way home, but it felt suspicious. He seemed to be hiding something while we talked…” the android said with some confusion.

“Huh, well that does seem strange…” Geordi agreed, “Do you think we should investigate it?” Data postulates with surprising firmness.

Geordi is not sure how to break it to him that that’s probably not a good idea…

“I don’t know about that, Data” he says, choosing his words carefully, “that’s not really my department. Also, whatever Dr. Morbius is doing, it’s probably none of our business”.

Data ponders his response.

“ I see, Geordi… but what if it becomes the captain’s business?” Data wonders. That isn’t what Geordi meant, that’s not what Data should take away from this…

“I mean… maybe? But do you have, any, proof?” Geordi asks, hoping to deescalate the android’s train of thought. That was the wrong question.

“You are absolutely correct, Geordi! I need proof, first.” Data declared dramatically, and he knew exactly where he was going to find it…

.:@ /|\^;;’ End Chapter 1 of 4 ‘;;^/|\ @:.

Hi, I read it, it was ok… but a warning to folks who like Michael as a character: read at your own risk!

He’s, no spoilers, very out of character here, and the way he’s used in the plot is a little gross… just a heads up.

However Mitzi is a very fun character and I appreciate her dynamic with Gwen and Peter; I just dislike the method in which she receives her powers (hint: that’s the gross thing).

I think it could have been handled better and in plenty of ways that would not have to resort to that …

(Like literally there’s a whole tank full of recently experimented on bats, right there! Which do get released into a crowd. Spider people don’t have to put with that, so why did Mitzi?)

Official SWAM promo post!

I’ve previously mentioned this story in other posts of mine, but this is its own dedicated post! Spider-Woman and Mitzi; The Living Vampire is a Spider-Verse based story centering around Gwen Stacy, her Peter Parker, and my OC Mitzi Tamanna who’s their best friend. After a field trip goes sinister, she becomes the Morbius variant of Earth-73. In a series of Jennifers Body inspired events, Gwen has to figure out what happened to her friend and how to stop her with Peters help. It’s an angsty teenage action and drama story with a gripping love triangle, all unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. Here’s the link!

Spider-Woman and Mitzi; The Living Vampire

Above is my OC Mitzi! The first image is what she looks like at the beginning of the story, and the second is how her appearance changes during/after the story. Below is an image dump of the other characters featured in this story

The art of my OCs and the SWAM cover art was done by the magnificent dee_from_webtoon on instagram and webtoon

EVIL TRANSMASC

A flag for when you're EVIL and transmasc

EVIL Color meanings:

Red: The BLOOD of transandrophobes. also for EVIL gnc transmascs yay yippee yay :3

Cyan: Our TWISTED agenda (supporting our fellow transmascs and the trans community as a whole)

Navy Blue: Our SCARY masculinity/manhood

Blueish Black: Our DARK brotherhood

Posting all of the pills that make you green comics here now, enjoy? I guess?

regret rates

proof

talking points

you problem

owned

modern invention

unethical experiments

typology

think of the children

side effects

facts

making sense

rushing

drawings

research

this rocks

valid

when I was a little kid at some point I got upset with my parents because I didn't have a crucifix in my bedroom and they did- I was like why do YOU get to be safe from vampires??? you're okay with me getting my blood sucked???? so we took a little trip to the catholic store but the one closest to us was run by a group of nuns that had been moved here from romania. I got a little baby pink cross and this sweet old nun was like 'aww, is this a baptism gift?' and I was like no. I need to be protected from vampires. and she immediately got SO serious and was like 'this is the best one we've got, you'll definitely be safe' and since she was literally from vampire land I was convinced she was like, van helsing. like the whole time my parents had been laughing about how cute my fear was but she literally Knew dracula and was taking my concerns seriously I held this over my parents for so long lmfao

Huh, so he was just like that because of a poor writer? I thought he had, like, Lilian poisoning or something, from that serum used in that run to let him change back and forth? It had demon blood in it, and later in the run it seemed like his vampiric tendencies were forming into a kind of split personality? Did they fix that by then? Cause I was under the impression that there were two of them duking it out in there for control of his body ?

Basically I thought it was going somewhere, but it just turned out to be poor writing. 🫤 well dang.

What are your thoughts on the Lisa Trusiani run of Morbius The Living Vampire and what are some of your favourite and least favourite moments of the run.

I'll have you know I went back and reread these issues just so I could give them a fair shake. When I was younger I could recall page numbers things happened on, now I'm lucky if I recall breakfast. I'm going to try to make a compliment sandwich. I think her writing tried a lot of bold things. None of them fit the character. Insert 2nd good thing here. I feel like... she wanted to write a crime novel and kind of got shoehorned into a hero title, and I'm in this weird position because Morbius in the 90's went VERY heavy on the melodrama with very little comic camp. It was the era of 'edgy' unironically. But even with that knowledge Morb feels like this weird stand in of his former self. Like he stepped into someone's really weird RP and doesn't fit at all. There are things, facets that strike true to the character occasionally but the writing and pacing are just weird. Every single damn scene with a woman it feels like a creepy dude hits on her. Jack loses all his brain cells. Martine doesn't have emotions supposedly yet goes full aggressive bitch. And do not get me started on Lena who has very little depth or personality somehow despite the writer's best efforts. Facts change between pages. A patient is stable, a patient is bleeding out. Character is conscious, now he's not. Things like that. It's slapdash. Sidenote: If these are the only issues you ever read of Morbius he would be highly intolerable as a character and spends most of his time drooling over Lena for... some reason? And it's not like he doesn't get full stupid over women, but usually they come onto him. It's almost a requirement. This time he spends the run mostly simping. (Do we still say simping?) The rest of the time he's talking outside his normal verbal style, treating friends like shit, treating Martine like shit, running out on patients, and generally being dishonest but not in his usual lying to himself way. Weird enough that the only other writing Trusiani ever did for Marvel was for Barbie comics, and she also did a bunch of non-fiction kids books about the founding fathers of the US. I feel like they knew the comic was dying, and wanted a fast wrap up maybe with key points the Marvel heads planned ahead so they moved her in, but the writing has the air of someone who didn't know the character even from the earlier comics in that run. 3/10 Don't ask me about the art. I've made my feelings on that very clear and my eyes hurt from issues 31-32. Have mercy on me.

Yeah, no, now that you mention it that’s kind of weird and interesting. I just assumed that was the time period talking, but do you think maybe Stoker was doing it on purpose? What was he trying to say with that, I wonder?

Vampire patterns and behaviors

so, ever notice how Bram Stoker’s vampires are like hyper feminine or masculine? All the ladies are always drop-dead gorgeous (pardon the pun) and the one male vampire, Dracula, is super strong and domineering but not especially pretty. Also, the women only go after men and children, and Dracula only preyed on women. Interesting to look at at the least

GREAT novelty knot for this obi shaped like a cute bat. The soft fabric must flutter a bit when you walk, making the bat wings move (LOVE!).

To shape this knot, OP used rubber bands and a sanjûihimo (3 straps elastic belt, Billy Matsunaga has a tutorial on sewing the 4 straps-variation + see how it’s used here).