Recaps

Li Chen met with Harry Sloan to discuss the planned television station and proposed adapting A Song of Ice and Fire as Game of Thrones. He left the project with demands for a large budget, mature content, and high production quality.

• Bayonetta and Jeanne rode Arcee out to explore while Li Chen went to the company with Li Qianhuan.
• Harry Sloan told Li Chen that Starlight Pictures, Paramount, and Lionsgate planned to acquire a struggling television station together and air their own content.
• Harry Sloan explained that the partners wanted live-action series alongside animation and hoped Li Chen would contribute a successful project.
• Li Chen proposed acquiring the television adaptation rights to A Song of Ice and Fire and naming the series Game of Thrones.
• Li Chen required the adaptation to have a large budget, well-funded large-scale scenes, mature content, and high production quality.

Li Chen advanced Starlight Pictures’ plans to acquire A Song of Ice and Fire rights and launch Starlight Television while spending time with the Stepford Cuckoos. After learning that Tony Stark had recently stopped a robot crisis, Li Chen received a partnership call from Stark Industries and asked what they wanted to do.

• Paramount, Lionsgate, and Starlight Pictures began negotiating with George R. R. Martin for the rights to A Song of Ice and Fire, while Harry Sloan’s team acquired a station and named it Starlight Television.
• The White Queen sent the Stepford Cuckoos to keep Li Chen company, and he questioned them about their linked senses and learned to distinguish Esme from Phoebe.
• Li Chen watched a report about Tony Stark stopping robots at a New York technology expo and noted that the events of Iron Man 2 had concluded.
• Pepper Potts called Li Chen on behalf of Stark Industries to propose a partnership, and Li Chen asked what the collaboration would involve.

Pepper Potts proposed adapting Iron Man into a movie to improve Stark Industries’ profile, and Li Chen offered Tony the lead role. Tony agreed to consider it, leaving Pepper to pursue the adaptation while Tony looked forward to starring.

• Pepper Potts suggested making a movie about a Stark, and Li Chen proposed adapting Iron Man instead.
• Pepper Potts contacted Tony Stark and told him she had reached an agreement with Li Chen to adapt Iron Man.
• Tony Stark objected to the adaptation, while Pepper argued that Stark Industries needed help recovering its stock.
• Pepper Potts told Tony he could play the lead, and Tony agreed to consider the movie after asking for a professional actress to co-star.

Bayonetta and Jeanne followed a magical fluctuation to the No Door Bar, where they argued with a silver-haired mage. After leaving, they were approached by the girl, who introduced herself as Clea.

• Bayonetta sensed a magical fluctuation and led Jeanne through a barrier to the No Door Bar, leaving Arcee outside.
• Bayonetta and Jeanne ordered magic beer and learned that the bar served mages from Kamar-Taj.
• Jeanne argued with a silver-haired girl, and the bar staff calmed the confrontation with snacks and a warning against fighting.
• Bayonetta and Jeanne left the bar, but the silver-haired girl followed them and introduced herself as Clea.

Bayonetta and Jeanne left Clea after reconciling with her, while Li Chen summoned Faora and learned she intended to rebuild Krypton through natural reproduction. Faora agreed to stay and protect the world, leaving Li Chen with a powerful Kryptonian ally who followed strength.

• Clea apologized to Jeanne and Bayonetta for her behavior at the bar, and Bayonetta left with Jeanne on Arcee.
• Li Chen secretly summoned Faora, who woke in a new world and insisted that her mission to restore Krypton continued.
• Faora reasoned that she and Li Chen could rebuild Krypton by having children, then absorbed solar energy and quickly grew stronger.
• Li Chen told Faora that other alien races existed and asked her to protect the increasingly dangerous world.
• Faora agreed to listen to Li Chen because he was strong and the only other person with a Kryptonian physique.

Li Chen introduced Faora to his family and heard about Bayonetta and Jeanne’s encounter with Clea. He watched Starlight Channel’s early Pirate King episodes with everyone, explaining why the channel chose the safer hit over Rick and Morty, and the family watched Nami appear on screen.

• Li Chen introduced Faora to Bayonetta and Jeanne, who tried to welcome her with a lollipop.
• Li Chen brought Faora inside, where Nami and the others greeted her as Sister Faora.
• Jeanne told Li Chen about meeting a silver-haired woman named Clea, and Bayonetta showed him a memory of her.
• Li Chen found Starlight Channel on the TV and explained its plan to attract viewers with Pirate King before releasing other shows.
• Li Chen and his family watched the Pirate King anime, where Nami had already appeared.

S.H.I.E.L.D. investigated the immovable hammer in New Mexico, where Thor failed to lift it and was taken into custody. After watching Rick and Morty at a tavern, Thor found a new purpose: exploring the universe.

• Coulson and Clinton watched as Thor tried and failed to lift the hammer, then had S.H.I.E.L.D. lock him up.
• Jane Foster and her companions took Thor from custody, and Thor told them he believed Odin had died because of him.
• At a tavern, Thor became captivated by Rick and Morty after the owner accidentally tuned in to the cartoon.
• Thor decided to venture into the universe like Grandpa Rick and shouted an imitation catchphrase, prompting the tavern patrons to tell him to be quiet.

Li Chen discussed the Mutants’ search for a homeland with Emma Frost while Starlight Television’s paid channel and Rick and Morty gained strong audience support. He advised the Game of Thrones team on production and casting, then learned that Stark Industries representatives had arrived.

• Li Chen left Faora after several exhausting rounds and went to Emma Frost, where they cuddled and discussed the lack of suitable places for a Mutant nation.
• Li Chen and Emma Frost agreed to continue preliminary preparations rather than risk settling on resource-poor islands that humans might attack.
• Emma Frost watched Rick and Morty with Li Chen, while Starlight Television’s lineup combined popular animation, films, and an upcoming Game of Thrones series.
• Li Chen learned that more than seventy percent of viewers had paid for the Starlight Channel and that many wanted Rick and Morty moved to prime time.
• Li Chen told Harry Sloan that Game of Thrones needed a large budget, impressive effects, and suitable casting, and he suggested that Kitty Pryde, Dazzler, and Taylor Swift audition.
• Lorna Dane told Li Chen that representatives from Stark Industries had arrived.

Steve Rogers found comfort in Starlight Pictures’ films and television, while Li Chen met Tony Stark to discuss making Iron Man a family-friendly film distinct from DC. Tony agreed that working with Li Chen was his best route to fame and wanted Iron Man to stand apart.

• Steve Rogers repeatedly watched Man of Steel, admired Superman’s humanity and powers, and began following Starlight TV, asking it to air more episodes of Rick and Morty.
• S.H.I.E.L.D. agents monitored Steve Rogers and reported his message to their superiors.
• Li Chen brought Lorna Dane to meet Tony Stark, toured him through Starlight Pictures’ offices, and won his confidence in the company’s ability to promote Iron Man.
• Tony Stark asked Li Chen what style he would use for Iron Man, and Li recommended a family-friendly approach that would distinguish the film from DC.
• Tony Stark was pleased with Li Chen’s proposal because he wanted Iron Man to stand apart.

Li Chen and Tony Stark agreed in principle to work together, leaving their teams to negotiate the details while they went their separate ways. After visiting the sets of Lucy and checking in with Natasha and Mystique, Li Chen watched Lucy wrap filming and assured Natasha that the film would succeed.

• Li Chen and Tony Stark reached an agreement in principle, but their legal teams began negotiating conflicts over Tony's portrayal in the script.
• Tony Stark went to parties while Li Chen visited the set of Lucy, where Natasha was focused on filming.
• Li Chen continued visiting Mystique at the Hellfire Club after she fell out with Magneto.
• Ridley Scott announced that filming on Lucy had wrapped, and the crew celebrated.
• Natasha asked Li Chen whether Lucy could succeed, and he confidently said it would.

Bayonetta and Jeanne tracked the magic to a bar filled with vampires and confronted them. The witches began fighting the vampires, who rapidly healed after drinking blood, leaving the battle underway.

• Li Chen reassured Natasha that a film’s quality mattered more than whether it featured famous stars, and Natasha spent her last night with him before leaving the next day.
• Bayonetta and Jeanne followed a magical presence to a bar and sensed the smell of blood outside.
• The witches entered the bar, where the pale man beside them and the bartender revealed that the patrons drank blood instead of alcohol.
• Bayonetta and Jeanne identified the patrons as vampires and insulted them, provoking the vampires to attack.
• Bayonetta and Jeanne fought with magical pistols, but discovered the vampires could quickly recover after drinking blood.

Bayonetta and Jeanne annihilated the vampires in a bar after discovering that ordinary injuries could not stop them. A vampire earl learned that a dangerous woman was responsible and vowed that the bloodkin would retaliate.

• Arcee frightened a thief away from a car while she waited outside the bar.
• Bayonetta and Jeanne discovered that the vampires healed quickly, so Bayonetta blasted them apart and killed them.
• Bayonetta spoke to someone on the telephone while Jeanne stopped her from fleeing vampire by watching Bayonetta's hair summon a monster that devoured him.
• Bayonetta and Jeanne left the bar without a drop of blood on them, and half an hour later a vampire party arrived to find every vampire dead.
• A vampire earl identified the attacker as an extremely dangerous woman and declared that the bloodkin would repay the blood debt.

The vampire clan identified Bayonetta and Jeanne and ordered them captured for attacking vampires at a bar. Meanwhile, Li Chen returned to work and advanced plans for Starlight Pictures’ upcoming productions, including casting Game of Thrones.

• Deacon Frost ordered the vampires to find Bayonetta and Jeanne and drain their blood, while other vampires coveted the women for themselves.
• The vampires used surveillance footage to locate Bayonetta and Jeanne and learned they had come from Li Chen’s estate.
• Li Chen woke to find Natasha had returned to New York, then went to Starlight Pictures with Li Qianhuan.
• Li Chen planned releases for NieR:Automata and Lucy and oversaw a pilot-first production approach for Game of Thrones.
• Li Chen arranged Game of Thrones roles for Kitty Pryde, Jean Grey, Mystique, and Emilia Clark, while Starlight Pictures continued negotiating with Stark Industries.

After Bayonetta and Jeanne reported their clash with vampires, Li Chen decided to strike their stronghold before they could threaten the manor. Faora located the gathered vampires after sunset, and Li Chen and his allies headed out to confront them.

• Li Chen praised Bayonetta and Jeanne for hunting vampires and agreed with Faora that they should eliminate the threat.
• Li Chen asked Saitama to guard the manor with Ram and Rem while the others prepared to go out at night.
• Li Chen reassured Ram and Rem that he would not abandon them, then enjoyed Rem's dinner with everyone.
• Li Chen and Faora rode Bumblebee while Bayonetta and Jeanne took Arcee to search for vampires.
• Faora spotted a vampire stronghold where the vampires had gathered and appeared to be preparing an attack, so Li Chen decided to go there directly.
• Li Chen put on Superman Glasses and asked Faora to make him a battle suit, but she said she was not a scientist.

Deacon Frost gathered Los Angeles’s powerful vampires to retaliate against Bayonetta and Jeanne for destroying a bar full of vampires. Bayonetta and Jeanne arrived with Arcee, then Faora appeared and attacked after the vampires’ bullets failed to harm her.

• Deacon Frost told Laman, Ian, and the assembled vampires that two women had slaughtered the vampires in a bar and had to be destroyed.
• Bayonetta drove Arcee down from a rooftop, crushing a vampire, and announced that she and Jeanne had come to kill the gathered vampires.
• Deacon Frost ordered the vampires to capture Bayonetta and Jeanne, promising the victor a reward.
• Faora appeared in the sky, condemned the vampires as filthy creatures, and declared she would never consider them her own kind.
• The vampires opened fire on Faora, but their bullets bounced off her suit, and she charged into their ranks.

Faora, Bayonetta, Jeanne, and Arcee slaughtered Deacon Frost’s assembled vampires, including the dukes Laman and Ian. Li Chen captured Deacon Frost and killed him with Heat Vision after rejecting his pleas for forgiveness.

• Faora overwhelmed the vampires with her speed and strength, while Deacon Frost ordered Laman and Ian to attack and tried to flee.
• Bayonetta and Jeanne joined the fight with ultraviolet bullets, and Arcee transformed and killed a vampire who recognized her.
• Li Chen caught Deacon Frost and brought him back as the others wiped out the remaining vampires.
• Faora killed Laman and Ian with Heat Vision, and the group finished the massacre in less than ten minutes.
• Deacon Frost begged Li Chen to spare him and offered access to vampire wealth, but Li Chen melted him with Heat Vision.

Li Chen killed the vampire, burned the scene, and left with Faora, Bayonetta, and Jeanne. In Asgard, Thor asked Odin to let him explore the universe, inspired by the cartoon Rick and Morty, and Odin angrily sent him away.

• Jeanne and Bayonetta praised Li Chen and kissed him after he refused to spare the vampire.
• Li Chen and the women set the bloody hideout on fire and left; Blade arrived, then police and firefighters contained the blaze without putting it out.
• Thor knelt before Odin and asked to travel through the universe for adventure and experience.
• Thor admitted that Rick and Morty had inspired his plan, prompting Odin to angrily order him out.
• Frigga comforted Odin and said she was pleased that Thor had begun thinking beyond fighting and killing.

Thor asked Sif to travel to Midgard and bring him the complete Rick and Morty series, while Li Chen celebrated the show’s success and finalized plans for the Iron Man production. The chapter ended with Happy, Tony Stark’s driver, set to try directing the film.

• Thor found Sif and asked her to go to Midgard to fetch the complete Rick and Morty series, and she reluctantly agreed.
• Li Chen saw that Rick and Morty had become a hit, earning him reputation points and broadcasting deals in America and Europe.
• Lorna Dane told Li Chen that Stark Industries had reached an agreement and that Tony Stark wanted to know when filming would begin.
• Li Chen rejected Zack Snyder as Iron Man’s director and agreed to let Tony’s driver Happy try the job.
• Harry Sloan reported that the script and crew preparations were underway, and the team settled on giving Happy a chance to direct.

Li Chen welcomed Gwen Stacy and Mary Jane to Los Angeles and told Mary Jane she would play Pepper Potts, Iron Man’s female lead. He planned for Gwen Stacy to work as his second assistant alongside Lorna Dane, then took both women to a hotel.

• Li Chen picked up Gwen Stacy and Mary Jane at Los Angeles International Airport, and they joined him in Bumblebee.
• Li Chen reassured Mary Jane that he had reserved the role of Pepper Potts for her in Iron Man, opposite Tony Stark.
• Li Chen told Mary Jane that Gwen Stacy would be his personal secretary, while privately deciding to keep Lorna Dane as his other assistant.
• Li Chen took Gwen Stacy and Mary Jane to dinner and then brought them to a hotel.

Crystal met Skye and planned to help her awaken her Inhuman abilities, but she became distracted by Skye’s new game, NieR:Automata. Meanwhile, Li Chen arranged an agent for Mary Jane and relied on his connection with Renee.

• Crystal ran out of money after enjoying herself on Earth and met Skye, an online hacker who had Inhuman genes but had not encountered Terrigen Mist.
• Crystal asked Skye whether she wanted special abilities and decided to tell Medusa about Skye’s potential.
• Skye showed Crystal NieR:Automata, and Crystal took the controller and discovered that 2B’s clothes could be blown off after self-destructing.
• Li Chen took Gwen Stacy and others around Los Angeles for two days before sorting out Mary Jane’s affairs.
• Li Chen skipped the actors’ union and arranged an agent for Mary Jane through Renee, a small agency founder who had pledged her loyalty to him.

Li Chen introduced Mary Jane to Renee to begin her path toward stardom, then brought Gwen Stacy to Starlight Pictures as his new assistant. Gwen and Lorna Dane began working together, and the chapter ended with Li Chen urging them to get along as Gwen privately doubted women could do so peacefully.

• Li Chen introduced Mary Jane to Renee, who agreed to help her prepare for the female lead role in "Iron Man."
• Li Chen brought Gwen Stacy to Starlight Pictures and introduced her to Lorna Dane as his new assistant.
• Lorna Dane showed Gwen the basics of assistant work and asked if she was Li Chen's girlfriend; Gwen denied it and sensed Lorna's interest in him.
• Gwen reviewed company news, found that "NieR:Automata" had sold over a million copies in three days, and reported it to Li Chen.
• Li Chen praised the sales and told Gwen that she and Lorna should get along, prompting Gwen to doubt that women could live peacefully together.

Li Chen visited the Game of Thrones set, asserted his control over the cast, and spent time with Jean Grey and the other Mutant women while Cyclops waited outside. The next day, he visited the Iron Man set with Mary Jane and Gwen Stacy, where Tony Stark praised Batman and challenged Li Chen over casting Mary Jane as Pepper Potts.

• Li Chen arrived at the Game of Thrones set, told security to keep outsiders out, and greeted Kitty Pryde, Rogue, Jean Grey, and the other Mutants.
• Li Chen took Jean Grey into her trailer and claimed her as his queen while Cyclops waited outside.
• Jean Grey brushed Cyclops off after filming, and Cyclops left after seeing Li Chen surrounded by the Mutant women.
• Li Chen visited the Iron Man set with Mary Jane and Gwen Stacy, and Tony Stark said Batman was like him.
• Li Chen explained that Mary Jane would play Pepper Potts, and Tony Stark warned him about the backlash if the movie flopped.

Sif traveled from Asgard to Los Angeles to find a way to watch Rick and Morty for Thor. After learning it was available through Starlight Pictures’ streaming channel rather than on disc, she set off toward Hollywood to find its producer.

• Sif landed near Los Angeles and asked Bauer where she could buy Rick and Morty.
• Bauer directed Sif to Blockbuster, where a clerk explained that Starlight Pictures was releasing the show through streaming instead of on DVD.
• Sif asked how she could watch the show in Asgard, and the clerk said she would need access to Starlight Pictures’ channel.
• The clerk suggested that Sif go to Starlight Pictures in Hollywood, and Sif asked for directions.

Sif forced her way into Starlight Pictures to meet Li Chen, drawing S.H.I.E.L.D.'s attention. After introducing herself as an Asgardian warrior, she revealed that she wanted the complete series of Rick and Morty.

• Lorna Dane told Li Chen that a strong woman had forced her way into the company, and Li Chen went downstairs to meet her.
• Li Chen recognized the armored woman as Sif, introduced himself, and let her into his office after rewarding the security guards.
• S.H.I.E.L.D. learned Sif had visited Starlight Pictures, and Nick Fury ordered his team to monitor the situation and try to speak with her.
• Li Chen introduced Sif to Lorna and Gwen, then asked them to leave so he could speak with her privately.
• Sif told Li Chen she wanted the complete series of Rick and Morty, leaving him stunned.

Sif came to Earth on Thor’s behalf to obtain Starlight Pictures’ shows, and Li Chen agreed to copy the studio’s works onto her Asgardian drive. He took her shopping and began pursuing her, leaving Sif flustered by his attention.

• Sif explained that Thor wanted Rick and Morty and had sent her to buy it, so Li Chen agreed to upload Starlight Pictures’ works to her hard drive.
• Li Chen invited Sif to dinner, gave Gwen, Lorna, and Li Qianhuan time off, and took Sif out himself.
• Li Chen realized Sif could be a good choice for Wonder Woman and brought her to a luxury store to buy a red evening gown.
• After paying for the dress, Li Chen took Sif’s hand and led her onward, while she complained that his hand was hot.