Venom*

Addiction
A strong and harmful need to regularly have something (such as a drug) or do something (such
as gamble). Its the word my dear friend Alicia uses as I buy over $100 in comics. I use the
same word when she drinks on a school night.

Batman
AKA Bruce Wayne. Originating in Detective Comics #27 in May, 1939, this vigilante-esque
superhero decided to don a bat persona and fight crime after his parents were shot and killed in
front of him.

Cyborg
AKA Victor Stone. A science experiment gone wrong caused this Gotham City high schooler to
transform into a human-machine hybrid. Even though his father, Dr. Silas Stone, is the one that
caused this, he still pays very little attention to Victor. Ive always wondered if this is why Alicia
acts out. Does she just want attention?

Detention
It always seemed like Alicia purposefully tried to get into trouble. On one unfortunate day, a
frazzled teacher sent us both to the office; the innocent bystander and the mischievous one.

Enchantress
Hippie artist June Moone stumbled upon an ancient burial ground during her travels, accidentally
awakening a several thousand year old witch. Upon whispering the name Enchantress, Moone
becomes the witch and wreaks havoc.

Floozy
A usually young woman whose behavior is not morally correct or proper. Mom casually
throws this word around to describe Alicia whenever we lock ourselves in my room. She thinks
were having sex. Were actually playing video games.

Gotham City
A truly terrible place to live. Placed somewhere near Newark, this crime-ridden city is always
dark, dank, and raining. Yet, like Bruce Wayne, I cant help but want to live there. Theres
something attractive about the darkness.

High
Excited or stupefied by or as if by a drug. I had to go rescue Alicia again from a party. She was
so delirious I could barely get her to respond to my questions. When I got her home we went in
through the basement and I laid her on the couch. I thumbed through the new issue of Trinity
while I waited for her to come down.

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Injection
The one type of drug that Alicia wont do. She says she doesnt want to ruin her skin and rot her
teeth. But what does it matter when I see her like this? I have to sit her up and lean her over the
couch so she can throw up.

Jenna
Alicias thirteen year old sister. She comes down the stairs and takes in the scene. She isnt
shocked by it. She simply says, Ill get some paper towel. You can go home. I feel bad for both
of them.

Kid Flash
Wally West was running from bullies when the Speed Force entered him. Needless to say, he
escaped those bullies. Being the nephew of The Flashs love interest, Iris West, he quickly got on
The Flashs radar, became his protege, and replaced him upon Barry Allens death.

Lie
An intentionally false statement. What I have to tell for Alicia the next day at school. What
Jenna will have to tell her parents. What I will tell my Mom when she asks how much I spent on
comics that week.

Martian Manhunter
J'onn J'onzz is not of this world. He, as the name suggests, is a member of the Green Martian
race of Mars. He moved to our world after the eradication of his people and has adopted the
secret identity of Jon Jones. He can shapeshift, density shift, fly, turn invisible, and much more.
His only known weaknesses are fire and a strange compassion for earthlings.

No
A word I can never seem to say to Alicia.

Obsession
An idea or thought that continually preoccupies or intrudes on a person's mind. I would use the
term healthy obsession to describe my love of superheros. While they do enter my mind often, I
can push them away when its time to get down to business.

Police
Whenever Alicia pulls one of her stunts, I fear that Ill be taken in as a knowing accomplice.
Superheroes are supposed to work with the police, not against them. Unless Im actually like
Batman, working in the interest of the GCPD while constantly butting heads with them.

Question, The
Vic Sage was an investigative reporter for KBEL in Hub City when he became fed up with the
politics of his city. Donning a disguise and a new name, The Question when out and used his
fists to find the answers his alter ego could not.

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Rapscallion
A rascal; a scamp. A word people use when Alicia and I are together at school. We mess
around and crack jokes constantly. I have a good enough reputation at the school with all the
organizations Im in charge of to avoid ever getting in trouble. Alicia, along with her bad record,
isnt always so lucky.

Superman
Kal El landed on Earth after his home planet Krypton was destroyed. Using the power of Earths
yellow sun, the now-named Clark Kent donned a cape and his familys S crest to help the
people of Metropolis. He always fights for truth, justice, and the American way. Many people
compare me to him. Its one of the best compliments I can receive.

Tightly Wound
Alicia always tells me Im too uptight when we go to parties. I dont do drugs and I dont drink.
Its enough fun for me to just watch a bunch of strangers make fools of themselves.

Uxas
Known as Darkseid on Earth. He is the destroyer of worlds and is one of only two beings that
can kill Superman. It takes the entire Justice League to take him down. Alicia and I are a sort of
Justice League. Or maybe more of a Dynamic Duo. But Im Batman. Im always Batman.

Victim
The type of person that is saved by a superhero. I feel like a hero when I have to go save Alicia
from a rough bender.

Wonder Woman
After growing up on the female-only island of Themyscira, Diana Prince ventured into the mans
world to help lost marine Steve Trevor get home. Upon seeing all of the injustice in the world,
Prince decided to stay and fight the good fight.

X, Task Force
Set up by A.R.G.U.S. director Amanda Weller. It is a team of villains that gets sent on covert
suicide missions. The remote bombs in their necks make these missions non optional.

Y
Why do Alicia and I hang out when we seem to be opposites? Is it because deep down we love
each other? Why does she love her destructive habits? Is it an escape for her? Is that why I love
superheroes? Is is why I love her? Why did it take Superman 73 years to wear his underwear
under his tights? These are some of the unanswerable questions in this world.

Zod
A rogue Kryptonian general that wanted to take over Earth after Kryptons destruction.
Superman stops him everytime, of course. One of his notable features is how powerful he feels;

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like he can take down the world with sheer willpower. How I feel when I read a new comic. How
Alicia feels when shes drunk or high. How we feel when were together.

*An extremely addictive drug in the DC comic book world. It increases the users strength and

creates a euphoric feeling.