John Bates

“Find the loyal. Punish the wicked.

I had a standard way of approaching the topic. I'd tell a joke about the king, something a little bawdy.
Having to do with the rumors that the firstprince was sired by the king's sister and not the reverendmother.
Those who go along with the humor reveal themselves to be unknowingly awaiting eventual execution.

Your father actually didn't laugh, much to his credit. Instead he objected forcefully.
He screamed at me for my rudeness on his land.
He did not like the content or context and asked me to immediately apologize for the blasphemy and walk away from the home of his family.

And I stood there looking at this small man, this farmer of rocks.
Screaming at me about his service to the king and my betrayal of our sacred nation.
Him making demands of me. knowing nothing of my life! my sacrifices for my king, my duty served so often.

I wasn't on that field anymore. Instead I saw him in my mind's eye, years after this, bending down day after day, clearing the fields of their hard seeds.
And all the while imagining himself my better.
Because he didn't like a joke I told.
I was lost in this vision, and when I found my way out, my sword was in his gut.”
― Tom King, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow (2021-2022) #7

“And that's when I learned that far-off gods are fine for prayer, and I judge no person who seeks comfort in the infinity of the heavens. But here below, when the demons come in close, you're better off just relying on the staunch will of a good woman.”
― Tom King, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow

“Besides, after decades together, I know you better than I know myself. I know everything you’re about to say, how you’re feeling, your worries, your dreams…you’re my heart, Mary Jane Watson, you’re my jackpot.”
― Chip Zdarsky, Spider-Man: Life Story

“And I remember being foolish enough to think... let's fall in love.”
― Jeph Loeb , Tim Sale, Spider-Man: Blue