Last week on Total Drama Fandom Action, we took our fifteen campers to Lindsay's summer getaway in Aspen, Colorado, where they had to solve a murder mystery on the spot! No surprise that Almond Cookie dominated the challenge, but Squidward keeping up with his deductions to become our first joint-winners of the season was truly not seen coming! In the end, I sent Percy and Annabeth down the Gidgette route in a double elimination.

This week, our Top Thirteen will run the Infinity gauntlet culminating in a Crisis unlike anything they've faced before! That's right! We're having the Superhero Comic challenge today!

"Welp," Leslie shrugged. "It's over,"

"What do you mean?" asked Alphys as she emerged from the kitchen with her coffee.

"Annabeth's gone and it seems we really were the filler team all along. God! I'm in my Alisa Summers era!"

"We were kinda asking for it the way we named ourselves after Team Victory," Alphys agreed.

"Wait, now hold on there, Leslie," spoke up Neville. "Now, production may have set us up for a slaughter, but I don't think we have to sit down and take it! I say let's not go quietly into the night! Whatever the challenge is, we're going to meet it head-on! Who's with me?"

Alphys and Leslie gladly returned Neville's enthusiasm.

Meanwhile, at the Rockets, Reagan groaned and joined Almond outside their trailer for coffee.

"American Al and Miss Rocket having a little shindig again?" asked the nut.

Reagan shuddered. "I did not sign up for waking up to two people tonguing in the morning"

"Hey!" yelled Raze. "In case ya didn't notice, the last couple to tongue on set just got booted out!"

"How did you know Percy and Anna… You know what, I don't wanna know," Reagan took a long gulp of coffee.

The Whales pondered their first loss. Percy had been an intrepid member of the team who carried them with his infectious enthusiasm. His elimination left a gaping, Percy-shaped hole in the team's heart.

Squidward: I'll be the first to admit the team's for the worse without Percy. But individually, we're all better off without him. This is not, I repeat, this is NOT Total Friendship Action!

Mermista rolled her eyes. "Ugh, come on. We're not so worse off, I can bend water too, and Toshi's just as good at sword fighting as Percy"

"I guess you're right," pouted Ty Lee.

"Come on," said Momo. "I hear Chis' summons. I hope you guys are done with breakfast"

The thirteen campers walked back into the grounds and were astounded. A huge, urban city had emerged, with people walking around, futuristic vehicles zipping past and flashing lights and billboards glittered even in the daylight.

"Reminds me of home," sighed Momo.

"Wonder what the gig is?" said Almond.

As if to answer the question, an explosion rocked the city. Huge robot bugs were laying waste on the buildings. People screamed and ran. The campers were paralyzed with confusion.

"Great Arceus!" said Jessie. "Those bugs are blowing things up! That's usually my job!"

"And mine," added Raze. "We should help them!"

"Wait!" said Ty Lee. "Look!"

Plasma bolts fired at the bugs. A large man, with strange, robotic limbs, was fighting back against the bugs. Another man, much skinnier, was attacking the bugs with a most unusual weapon.

"Did he just bite into that burrito and…"

"Hell yeah, he did!" cheered Alfred.

Soon, the invasion was repelled and the campers cheered. Chris himself emerged from a small, futuristic car. "Good day, campers! This week, as you may have already guessed, we're doing the superhero comic book extravaganza!"

"Woohoo! Finally!" said Alfred.

"Get your superhero costumes ready, coz today's gonna be one long, fun, series of challenges!"

After a short break, the thirteen had returned clad in amazing costumes. The Whales had an advantage thanks to Momo, and the fact that Squidward and Mermista already had superhero costumes on hand. "You may now stare in awe at The Squishy Knight! The hero Bikini Bottom deserves!" Mermista was again dressed up as Sea-Ra.

Alphys had a cute anime girl outfit while Leslie was wearing a drag superheroine suit. Neville just put on an overcoat and doodled magic sigils in the air.

The Rockets were very impressive. Alfred Jones had put on a Captain America suit, while Jessie underwent a witchy transformation, courtesy of her Gourgeist and Mimikyu, into the Scarlet Witch. Raze and Almond were in their usual attire, with added decals and effects, while Reagan put on a Silver Age girl hero outfit and called herself "Nostalgia Chick".

"Alright, heroes! For our mini-challenge, we're going to be doing something DRAMATIC! Today, the teams are going to be creating some over-the-top, totally-not-what-actually-happens COMIC BOOK COVERS!"

"Covers always lie!" yelled Alfred.

"Let's do anything BUT The Tentacled Terrors, please? I'm still removing bits of gum from my hair," muttered Raze.

"The theme is up to YOU, but what you gotta do, is make me feel the drama, the CAMP, the sheer ridiculousness and over-the-top energy in one photoshoot made to look like a comic book cover!"

Leslie: If it's camp they want, it's camp they'll get, okay?

"Where are the props?" said Leslie, looking around.

"We're wheeling them in, right… about… NOW."

The two heroes who had foiled the bugs earlier were now carting loads of props for the challenge.

"Please welcome back to the stage our TDA fifth placer Harold! And TDFI alumni Cyborg!"

Harold: Hey, you guys, it's righteous to be back! Since the World Tour, I've been really busy with my podcasts and doing DnD DM training camps online, not to mention having THEE most awesome girlfriend in the world, Leshawna, backing me up every day. I'm back as a guest judge for this week's superhero challenge, which I won, IIRC….. Did I just say "I-I-R-C" out loud? Gosh!

Cyborg: Ayy! Didn't think I'd be back this soon, huh? I just knew Chris would be inviting me for this challenge as a judge since, well, Deadpool and Harley are expensive on the whole 'crossover event talent fee' thing, so I guess I'm back back back back back again!

"Alright campers, I'm waiting to see what you'll end up doing! Harold and Cyborg are here to help you out!"

Harold moved in with the Victors on set. "What you gotta do is subvert expectations," he said. "Have characters doing things the fans would NEVER see coming". Neville took down Harold's tips on a Quick Quill pen, while Leslie and Alphys were chatting in the corner.

"What's on your mind, girl,"

"Leslie, I DID THINGS, I've been having nightmares about it still, and I really think part of it's been because of well, spending time with you"

Leslie: Gurl, what

"You see, I was the Head Scientist back home. There was a huge problem with mortality among monsters, and, I had to do… things I'm not proud of"

Leslie nodded. "Mm-hmm, and what does that have to do with me?"

"Well, the biggest leap I made in my early work was conveying consciousness onto a flower. It was all really great at first, but then… it disappeared. Next thing I knew it had become a monster. People nearly got killed, God knows if it killed before I found out about it. You're totally NOT involved in any way, but, I just can't help but be reminded of what I did."

"What YOU did? Chile, please. You said it yourself. You conveyed consciousness. It's not on your hands if that particular flower's first conscious act was to act a fool in front of the cameras"

Alphys nodded, but she still felt sad.

"Look, you know they say every flower has its thorns. What I think is, you don't really blame yourself for what that flower did, but you're still scared of what you're capable of with that big ass head of yours. Sometimes, you need to embrace that bad bitch inside and recognize what she's capable of, and WHEN you should hold her back, or just let her loose on these bitches. You get my gist?"

Alphys nodded.

"Today is a time like that. We are halved, mawma. If there is a mad scientist lurking beneath that cutie-patootie Tumblr girl look, you need to let that bitch out and have her DEVOUR this competition!"

"Thanks, Leslie. I guess you're entering your congenial era…"

"Honey this IS my congenial era. You haven't seen MY chaotic era yet!"

The Whales were putting together a tableau with Cyborg's help. Mermista and Squidward were doing a Superman vs. Batman style comic cover, with Sea-Ra and Squishy Knight dramatically juxtaposed against each other. Toshi was the evil samurai CEO who plotted to take over the world while the heroes fight, while Momo and Ty Lee were his ninja assassin girls.

"Y'all are cooking SOMETHING up, that's for sure!" said Cyborg with a thumb up.

The Rockets were already onto a big idea even without any aid. Alfred had hogged the leadership from Reagan and was in a dramatic tableau as a macho man in a dystopian setting, Jessie's scantily-clad body draped on his,, while Raze, with skull face makeup, was riding a huge monster truck, Almond was staring ominously in the background and Reagan had a gun and was staring sideways at nothing in particular.

"Mad Max Kombat: The Rise of Dunewalker, the Remix, The Jones Cut" said Alfred when asked about the title of the comic the cover was portraying

Jessie: I'm giving you Jessica Rabbit meets Leia Organa meets Kitana realness!

After much tutoring from Harold, the Victors finally put together a tableau. Chris came back and reviewed the first two teams' entries. He loved the Whales' concept but felt having a Japanese mafia for the villains was dated. He was raving for Alfred's absolute orgy of cinematic cliches and gave it a nine out of ten. Then, he came to Neville's work.

The work was a dark photo, in a swamp setting. Neville in the foreground, panting, limping in the mucky water. Leslie was growing on him like some sort of alien parasite (which Leslie said was an idea Alphys gave them)

Leslie: I am letting you eat up this bold juxtaposition, mawma

In the background was Alphys, lurking menacingly, her eyes feral and her teeth flecked and gleaming with blood. The comic was "Murder Swamp"

"Oh my God, I am OBSESSED with this! Alright, Team Victory wins the mini-challenge!"

The Victors cheered, while Alfred stared with slightly crazed, slightly disappointed eyes.

Leslie: Oop, the face crack. I clocked that!

"For the main challenge, we're gonna go beyond the covers and adapt some beloved comic storylines into the big screen! The teams will be assigned a comic series and will bring to life one of its most iconic moments in a short film!"

Alfred: Did I mention my middle name is Hitchcock?

"Victors! As the Mini Challenge winners, I'm giving you the power to choose the comic series you will adapt and for those of the other teams!"

Neville pondered a bit. Alphys raised her hand excitedly. "Ooh, ooh! We could do Sweet Tooth! It's a brilliant story about genetic mutation and the power of friendship!"

"Alright, let's go with this, ah, Sweet Tooth"

"Alright, not going for DC or Marvel, eh? Well, how about for the Rockets?"

Leslie raised a leaf. "Well, Jessie's serving Wanda realness and I can see Alfred's already shitting bricks to be Captain America, so let's give them… House of M!"

Alfred: YEEESSSS!

Jessie: Time for ME to shine!

Chris nodded. "Good choice! Last, the Whales?"

Neville and Leslie stared at Alphys. "Crisis?" shrugged Alphys

"Good one!" yelled Cyborg.

"Alright, campers, now that that's decided, I'm gonna be leaving you to your stations. I hope to see three blockbusters tonight!"

The Screaming Rockets had already begun their taping. Alfred was Captain America, Jessie was Wanda, Almond was Magneto, Reagan was Emma Frost and Raze was Spiderman. The scene they chose to adapt was the meeting of the Avengers and X-Men to decide the fate of Wanda, whose powers were growing unstable of late, and they decided to terminate her.

Alfred's passionate speech in favor of sparing Wanda's life was brilliantly, if a bit too campily, delivered. "America is great, because Americans always seek a better way!"

Raze was having trouble with her lines. "Do not fear, the friendly neighborhood Spy… the the, Spiderm…"

Reagan: I have never seen a car crash quite like this…

The Killer Whales were on a bad start, mainly because Squidward was playing a character that wasn't even in Crisis. Mermista was Superman, Momo was Alexander Luthor, Ty Lee was Supergirl, Toshi was the Anti Monitor and Squidward was… Saint Walker.

Toshi: Bruh, even non-DC know Walker IS NOT in Crisis!

Cyborg eyed the Whales' taping. "Mm-hmm, I see you're taking a risk there, Squiddy!"

The Victors fell into their roles quite easily. Alphys was going to be Aditya Singh, Neville was the lead and Leslie was "pushing their boundaries" by playing Tommy Jepperd

Leslie: I'm in my butch queen era!

After hours of taping, guffawing and Toshi threatening to decapitate Squidward after he botched his lines, the three groups finished their films.

At dinner, Toshi took Mermista aside. "I've just about HAD IT with Squidward and his diva attitude. Chris is a huge nerd! He's gonna drag us through filth the moment he sees a damn Blue Lantern in Crisis!"

"So, uh, what do wanna do about it?"

"We need to sashimi his ass. Can I count on your vote?"

"Um, yeah, sure"

Mermista: Does he really think he can tell me who to vote for? Like, the audacity…

Mermista approached Squidward, who had just come back from drinks with Jessie and Leslie. "Hey, your social game's falling apart, Toshi's calling for your head!"

"Oh, is he now? Well I'm thinking our little Japanese friend's outlived his usefulness"

"What's the plan?"

"You know what it is. Get Momo and Ty Lee on our side. Time to throw Toshi under the bus…"

Mermista: Squidward is kinda goofy and doesn't really see the whole game, so even if he is a bit shady and conniving, I'm willing to keep him over Toshi since I know Toshi's really competitive and a definite threat given the right challenge

Finally, the movies were ready for showing: First up was Sweet Tooth

Neville was heartwarming and believable as Sweet Tooth. Leslie rocked the male role brilliantly, capturing the nuances beautifully, but it was Alphys who blew everyone away. Her Dr. Singh was spirited, defiantly optimistic and gave an air of reality and believability.

Cyborg clapped. "I loved how Alphys took that dark side to her and made it work in her favor. She really conquered her inner demons this week"

The Rockets were next. Alfred got the ball rolling with his expressive muscular movements (pec-acting), then Reagan upped the ante with her swaying, sensual Emma Frost (hip acting), then Raze went in and tried her best, giving them a Spiderman with a weird accent (lisp acting), and Almond trumped all three of them with his Magneto, whose facial expressions were even more magnetic than his lines (eyebrow acting), but it was Jessie who ruled with her Wanda. When she was waving her arms and chanting, she really sold the fantasy of a powerful, reality-warping witch curb stomping the Avengers. She stretched Almond into a rope, threw Raze into a brick wall, decapitated Reagan, and ripped off Alfred's chest hair. She was massacring the set.

"I'm in love with this Wanda fantasy!" said Harold. "This is definitely how I want House of M to be adapted!"

Last were the Whales. Chris summarized their film thus:

"At least you continued the great tradition of DC failing to live up to expectations with their live action films"

"Oop, shade!" said Cyborg.

Momo and Ty Lee did not understand their roles. Toshi took his role as the Anti-Monitor too seriously. Mermista was static, and Squidward's monologue as Saint Walker was seared into the audience's collective memory:

"Do we then give up hope? Nay! For I, Saint Walker, thus sayeth to you, we must keep hoping! Climb every mountain! Ford every river! Chim chim cheree, chim chim cheroo! After all… tomorrow is always another day, a Brightest Day!"

Cyborg: Bruh, what…

Chris clapped his hands. "Good job guys! Now, I think the winning team is…. The Rockets!"

The Rockets cheered.

"You guys really hit it out of the park. Alfred, your Captain America came straight out of the Silver Age, it was pure camp fantasy!" said Cyborg.

"Yeah, and Almond was totally righteous with that Magneto act" added Harold.

"But I think," said Chris, "we all agree the real star of the show this week was Miss Maximoff herself! Congratulations, Jessie, you are the overall winner of this week's challenge!"

Jessie: Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for letting me show to the world the Star that I am!

Leslie: Jesslieward's won one challenge each! Party!

"Now, the Victors? You're safe"

The Victors sighed with relief.

"And Whales? Your Crisis was a crime against the reading public and nerds everywhere, I am sorry, but you will be nominating two campers tonight"

Toshi: It's time to get the squid outta here

Squidward: Sayonara, Toshi!

Mermista: I'm voting out Toshi

Momo: I'm voting Squidward

Ty Lee: I'm voting Squidward

"On second thought…. That performance was so horrible that I've decided that ALL FIVE OF YOU ARE UP FOR ELIMINATION!"

Squidward: Not this….