Phoenix Resurrection: How Marvel Brought Jean Grey Back To Life In The Best Possible Way

This is a video from my YouTube channel, Jack’s World.

This video is a retrospective, as well as a celebration, of the return of Jean Grey in the pages of Marvel Comics. It unfolded in a five-issue mini-series entitled “Phoenix Resurrection,” but the circumstances and impact of the story went far beyond simply bringing back to life a character who had been dead for years.

Jean Grey is one of my favorite comic book characters of all time. Her coming back to life was an overdue, emotional experience. And this video is my way of sharing and appreciating that experience. Enjoy!

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Jack’s CreepyPastas: My Neighbors’ Basement

This is a video from my YouTube channel, Jack’s World.

This is a CreepyPasta that I wrote and narrated myself. Enjoy!

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Filed under CreepyPasta, horror, Jack's Comic Gems, Jack's World, YouTube

Sexy Short Story: The Lifeguard

The following is a sexy short story inspired by a couple of lifeguards I saw flirting at a local pool. Enjoy!


“This is so wrong. If I get caught, I’ll be in so much trouble,” said an anxious, but excited Dominic “Dom” Olson.

“You keep saying that. But you keep moving with such urgency,” replied Vivian “Viv” Powell as she flirtatiously leaned towards him, clutching his arm.

“That’s entirely your fault,” he quipped. “You’re the one who dared me to take advantage of my position as a lifeguard.”

“To be fair, you didn’t need that much convincing. I don’t think I even dared you to do this.”

“It was still your idea.”

“And yet you’re the one with the keys…leading the way at ten past midnight…your girlfriend by your side, feeling so restless.”

Viv’s every word was laced with deep, sensual undertones. Her seductive voice, coupled with her affectionate gestures, got Dom working feverishly to sift through the keys on his chain. That wasn’t easy when it was past midnight on a cloudy, muggy summer night in their quiet suburban neighborhood. It was the middle of the week and most houses were dark and quiet.

The community pool, which was located at the end of the block, was extra quiet. Dom knew for certain that nobody drove by after ten. He was intimately familiar with how the pool operated, having worked as a lifeguard there for four straight summers, going back to his senior year in high school.

Viv knew it too, having first met Dom while visiting the pool with some friends of hers that lived nearby. This was where she first asked him on a date. This was where they frequently met up when they weren’t working, studying, or navigating the daily grind of a couple of college students. But they had never met up in a situation like this…alone, late at night, and feeling bolder than usual.

“Found it!” Dom said under his breath, having finally located the key to the main gate.

“Hurry up and get it open,” Viv whispered seductively into his ear. “It’s so hot and muggy out tonight. These clothes are getting so itchy.”

Dom moved with superhuman reflexes to unlock the gate. The incentives of a horny girlfriend could do that to a man. As soon as it opened, they slipped in laughing and giggling like a couple of deviant teenagers.

“It’s so weird being here when it’s dark out,” said Dom as they made their way to the pool.

“I know, right?” said Viv as she looked out over the area with a grin. “I don’t think I’ve ever been to this pool kids being yelled at every half-second.”

“Trust me. Being a lifeguard, you can only get used to it so much.”

“All the more reason to enjoy the peace and quiet.”

Viv let go of his arm and approached the side of the pool near the deep end. The main clubhouse might have been dark, but the pool itself was lit by a series of underwater lights. The only sound that could be heard was the hum of the filters and pumps that worked after-hours during the week. Dom was usually responsible for cleaning those. That was one part of being a lifeguard he didn’t care for.

After tonight, he might not mind that task quite as much. Viv intended to give her boyfriend some fond memories of this pool that would help him through the rest of the summer.

“Well, so long as we have the pool all to ourselves…” said Viv as she kicked off her sandals.

“And wouldn’t you know it? We forgot our swimsuits,” laughed Dom as he did the same.

“And I forgot to wear underwear, as well,” she said casually. “Oh well! Guess we’ll have to swim naked.”

“Guess so,” he said with a mock-shrug.

Viv shed her clothes quickly, sliding the thin white tank-top she had on off over her head before slipping out of the jean shorts she’d thrown on less than a half-hour ago. She didn’t bother with underwear or a bra. She even shook her exposed butt at Dom, as if he needed more motivation at this point.

By the time she turned around, giving him a full-frontal view of her breasts and pussy, he was working feverishly to get out of his pants. Even in the poor lighting of the pool, she could see his penis becoming partially erect. He was getting ahead of himself, but their bodies and desires were on the same page.

“Come on in, handsome!” she said, gesturing with her finger. “You are still a lifeguard. That means you have to keep an eye on anyone using the pool.”

“Including my butt naked girlfriend?” he said.

“Especially your butt naked girlfriend!”

Viv laughed playfully as she jumped into the clear, warm water. It felt so good on her naked skin. Since the pool was heated, the temperature was perfect. It reminded her of a nice, lukewarm bath. But she was not looking to just float around and relax. She kept her eye on Dom, who now stood fully naked at the edge of the pool…his toned physique and tanned skin looking so appropriate for a lifeguard.

“Cannonball!” he called out before jumping in.

In an act unbefitting of a seasoned lifeguard, he splashed into the water just a few feet from where Viv stood. The resulting impact got her a face full of water. But her only retaliation involved more laughter while trying to splash him back.

That triggered a steady exchange of playful splashes as they swam about the area – chasing one another, groping one another, and occasionally sharing a deep, affectionate embrace. As good as the warm water felt, the feeling of his naked skin pressing against hers was even better. Even with the water level just above her chest, she could clearly see that generous endowment hanging between his legs. At one point, she felt it graze her thighs and the extent of his arousal became clear.

“Hey Dom…” she said to him within that embrace, her tone more serious and intense.

“Yes, Viv?” he said, matching her intensity.

“This is my first time skinny dipping. And I already like it!”

“I had a feeling you would,” he said as he slipped his hands down to her butt.

“I know we’re already breaking a lot of rules. But how much trouble would we be in if we made love right here…right now?”

Viv reached down between their bodies and grasped his penis as it floated within the water. He made that distinct noise he always made when she touched him in a way that made clear she wanted sex. And he responded, as he often did, by slipping his hand between her legs and lightly cupping the outer folds of her vagina.

“We would be in a lot of trouble…much more so than we already are,” said Dom.

“Would it be enough to dissuade you?”

“Nope! Not even close.”

He hot her a lustful, yet affectionate glance. Viv responded with a gaze of her own…a look that urged him to take her in that moment. He got the message and he acted on it with that distinct, manly bravado of his.

It started with a deep, hungry kiss…one full of messy tongue and swirling lips. Intense, aggressive foreplay followed. He hungrily guided his hands all over her naked body, paying close attention to her breasts, butt, and inner thighs. Viv answered by pawing his chest and rubbing her thigh against his groin, skillfully working her skin against the underside of his penis, causing it to stiffen even more.

Within this fervent embrace, Dom led her to the shallow end of the pool. They ended up in a corner near the stairs where most of the kids and elderly entered the pool. There, the water barely went up to their lower waist. No longer covered by the water, he became fully erect while the arousal between her legs further escalated.

Once she felt her back against the edge of the pool, Dom grasped her upper thighs and lifted her up. Their lips still locked, instinct took over and Viv threw her legs around his waist. And with his secure grip on her, he aligned her pelvis with his. As soon as she felt the tip of his dick glide against her outer folds, he carefully lowered her…allowing for the sweet, smooth penetration of her flesh with his.

“Dom…I feel you,” Viv gasped.

“Viv…” he said, already dazed by the feeling.

Few words were needed. Their bodies, their passions, and the raw sensations of their sex told them everything they needed to know in that moment. Viv drew him into another kiss. And Dom made perfect use of the setting, circumstances, and desires.

Under the cloudy night sky, she and Dom made love. Their wet, naked bodies bounced, rocked, and grinded to that special rhythm that could only come from this special dance. The water beneath them splashed and rippled each time she plunged downwards, the hardened flesh of his cock driving up into her tight folds.

Hot, wondrous sensations followed with each movement, mixing well with the warm water of the pool that still covered their bodies. It might have been wrong in the sense that they weren’t supposed to be there at this hour of the night. But that only added an extra thrill that made it feel so right.

Her chin now resting on his shoulder, Viv loudly and proudly moaned with pleasure out into the night. She even dared to be louder than usual, squealing with joy in ways that weren’t possible when they were trying to get intimate in crowded college dorms. There was something liberating about that, giving a new dimension to this intimate act.

Dom definitely felt it too. He was usually so intense and serious during sex. But this time, he was more energetic and playful than usual, laughing joyously with her as they went at it. They even moved around a bit in the water, having fun with how they splashed about in the water during their intimate movements. This unique, playful energy led Viv to the brink of orgasm. As it approached, she latched onto his shoulders and dug the balls of her feet into his lower back.

“Dom! I’m close! I’m so…so close!” Viv gasped, telling him with an intensity in his eyes.

That just strengthened his resolved. His grinned widely as he bounced her hips with more fervor, which helped send her over the edge. And once that sweet, orgasmic release washed over her, she closed her eyes and let out a cry of ecstasy to the heavans for all to hear.

“Oohhhh God yes!”

If anyone had even been close to the pool, they would’ve heard her. But at that point, Viv didn’t care. She didn’t care if someone came in and saw them both in the act. This moment was already so special, as well as very worth the risk.

But even after that wondrous release, their sex didn’t stop. Dom kept a firm hold on her, his desires still strong and his efforts not waning. He did slow down the pace of their sex so that she had time to catch her breath and gather her thoughts. But Viv kept him motivated, shooting a loving smile that could only be inspired by a great orgasm.

“Don’t stop,” she told him intently. “I want this. I want…you.”

Again, Dom answered with actions rather than words. He kissed and held her closely, their wet skin grinding smoothly through more heated movements. Gasps and grunts became more labored. Touching and pawing became more chaotic. It was getting more intense, as were the sensations…their minds and bodies working overtime to make this experience truly memorable.

The escalating sensations of their sex soon built towards a crescendo. Dom was getting close to climaxing. Viv could tell by the way every thrust and movement became more focused. She eventually found herself bent over the ledge of the pool with him standing behind her, grasping her waist and thrusting fervently into her.

His pelvis smacked rhythmically agaisnt her hips, splashing more water between them.

His rigid penis throbbed in anticipation, ready for his release.

He still sought to share this with her, reaching down between her legs at one point to provide a little extra stimulation to her clit. Dom knew her body well. He knew how to give her the extra push she needed to achieve another orgasm. As it approached, they eagerly shared this one together.

“Viv! Oh God! I’m gonna come! I’m gonna cum!” Dom grunted.

“Me too! Please, Dom…come with me!” Viv exclaimed.

A few more focused movements was all it took. This time, they cried out to the heavens together, loudly proclaiming the fruits of their lovemaking for the night sky to hear.

As the rush of the ecstasy washed over them, they arched their bodies and writhed to every glorious sensation. Inside her depths, Viv felt her lover’s cock throb as he filled her depths with his hot fluids. That extra feeling of warmth inside her helped supplement her own release, their bodies perfectly in synch as they shared in this feeling.

Whether by reflex or passion, Dom embraced her from behind and Viv leaned back so they could share another kiss. Even after their sex parted, they remained in that embrace…still wet, naked, and captivated by what they had just done and what they had just shared.

“I love you, Viv,” said Dom through labored breaths. “Whether we’re following the rules or breaking them…I love you.”

“I love you too, Dom,” she said. “I know you’re a lifeguard. I know following the rules is a big deal to you. And after tonight…I know my life and our love are in good hands!”

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Jack’s Comic Gems: X-Factor Forever

This is a video from my YouTube channel, Jack’s World.

This is video another entry in my ongoing “Jack’s Comic Gems” collection. And for this gem, I highlight a X-Men mini-series that flew under the radar when it came out. Those who follow X-Men comics closely probably know the role Louise Simonson played in developing the franchise with X-Factor in the 1980s. Her run re-established the importance of the Original Five X-Men in the larger Marvel universe.

That same run ended abruptly. But X-Factor Forever gives Louise Simonson a chance to pick up where she left off in a brief, but memorable non-canon story that highlights everything we love about this era of X-Men. Enjoy!

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Why You Should Be (Very) Skeptical About Congress’ Sudden Interest In UFO/UAP Testimony

I’ve noted before that I used to be a big believer in UFO and UFO conspiracies. I’ve also made clear that I gradually came to realize that those beliefs were dead wrong. And I regret all the time I wasted and people I annoyed when talking about those beliefs. That’s not to disparage anyone who believes in UFO or UFO conspiracies. That was just my personal experience.

And it’s because of that experience that I have strong opinions about some of the recent claims that are coming out from a series of Congressional hearings, which include reports from an alleged whistleblower who flat out says the United States has recovered actual UFO’s and non-human intelligence. This is not a re-run of the “X-Files” or another episode of “Ancient Aliens.” These are real, official government hearings conducing real, serious inquiries about UFOs and aliens.

If this were happening years ago when I was still neck-deep in UFO lore, I would be excited and maybe a little scared. The idea that these beliefs I’d been exploring might be valid would’ve been overwhelming, to say the least. I even know a few people who are tracking this news closely, as if we’ll get confirmation any day now that we are not alone.

But this is where I’d like to take a step back and offer an important counter. I’m not out to be a downer or overly fatalistic. But as someone who once bought into this narrative, I like to think I understand where the UFO crowd is coming from. And I hope I can provide perspective to them, as well as those who are skeptical.

The first thing to note is that the hearings, as compelling as they’ve been, have not offered any genuinely tangible evidence of UFOs. It’s all just personal testimony and records of those who claim to have seen something unidentified. Yes, the fact that some of these testimonies come from trained pilots, soldiers, and people within the intelligence community is noteworthy. However, there’s one critical detail to keep in mind.

These are all still people.

These are all still human beings who eat, sleep, and poop like the rest of us.

That means they’re still prone to human error. And that, more than anything, is why everyone following this story should remain skeptical.

Now, that’s not to say that I think the people at these hearings are flat out lying. I also don’t think this is part of some elaborate misinformation or distraction orchestrated by the government to mislead the public so they can do something covert behind the scenes. I’m not saying the government would never do that. There is proven documentation that they have.

But something on par with involving intelligent extraterrestrial beings requires a level of competence that nobody should ascribe to any government. Again, the government is run by flawed, fallible people. Covering something up as tantalizing as real aliens would just be too much, even for the most competent human governments. Someone with connections, like Elon Musk, would’ve uncovered it and he would’ve tweeted it already.

That’s not just me speculating. Musk himself has flat out admitted this. That, alone, should give even the most ardent UFO enthusiasts pause.

Personally, I believe the individuals at these UFO hearings are telling the truth to some extent. They genuinely believe that they saw something not of this world. They generally believe they have evidence that real aliens exist and there’s proof on this planet right now. If you hooked them up to a lie detector, they’d pass with ease.

But that’s exactly why I think even more skepticism is warranted. It’s the fact that none of these individuals are crazy, ignorant, or unbalanced in some way. They’re serious, professional people making serious claims. But they’re still people and they’re still capable of misremembering and misunderstanding what they saw.

Like it or not, human memory and perceptions are not reliable. And if that’s the only thing coming out of these hearings, then it really is offering nothing that you can’t get from a episode of “Ancient Aliens.” Unless someone actually presents a tangible piece of UFO wreckage that can be held in someone’s hand, which could then be verified by others, these hearings are pointless.

At the end of the day, the only real conclusion you can draw from these hearings is that there are things flying around in the sky and in space that we can’t identify or understand. And that’s to be expected. The sky is big. Our senses are limited. But just because we can’t identify something doesn’t mean that there are intelligent aliens behind it. It would make just as much sense to assume every unidentified object in the sky is an angel, a fairy, or a time traveler.

Also, I’m of the opinion that if any government had any proof of alien visitations, it would’ve leaked long ago. We live in a world where everyone has a high-definition camera in their pocket and it’s easier than ever to share photos, videos, and media of all kinds. The fact that we don’t have that proof is as clear an indication as any that we don’t have it at the moment.

That’s not to say it doesn’t exist. I actually do believe there are intelligent alien civilizations in the universe. The sheer size of the universe is just too big for humanity to be the only ones. But I don’t believe there’s any proof that they’ve actually visited Earth or even have an interest in humanity. Maybe that proof will one day come, but it sure as hell won’t come out of government hearings. Of that, we can be certain.

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The Dragon Prince Season 5: Review, Reaction, And Dark Trends

This is a video from my YouTube channel, Jack’s World. This video is my general review and reaction to Season 5 of the Dragon Prince. After Season 4 skipped ahead a couple years, this incredible fantasy world and its characters changed a great deal. But Season 5 moved things forward while building towards bigger and darker conflicts. Aaravos is still very much a mystery, but the threat he poses is still as ominous as ever. And this season offers some telling trends and themes that are worth highlighting. Enjoy!

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Filed under Jack's World, television, The Dragon Prince, YouTube

Storm And Black Panther: How NOT To Do A Superhero Romance

This is a video from my YouTube channel, Jack’s World. Superhero romances are always complicated. And while I’m a big fan of romance, there are times when those complications aren’t handled particularly well. The end result is a romance that neither works nor benefits any of the characters involved.

That’s how I feel about the way the romance between Storm and Black Panther. Their marriage in the mid-2000s was a huge event, marketed as the culmination of a romance between Marvel Comics’ most prominent black characters. But it didn’t last. It didn’t work. And with the benefit of hindsight, I believe it to be a case study in how NOT to do a superhero romance.

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Filed under Jack's World, Marvel, superhero comics, X-men, YouTube

Why Seeing Back To School Sales Still Upsets Me

When I was a kid, summer was a wonderful time by almost every measure.

School was out, the weather was warm, and I actually got to sleep in every morning. Even during the years when I had a summer job, it was great. I loved it and it was generally a happy time for me.

But then, at a certain point during the summer, I would tag along with my parents and siblings to the store. And eventually, we’d enter a store that had these displays advertising a “back to school” sale. Sometimes, it was as early as mid-July. There would still be a full month of summer vacation to look forward to.

But to me, it was still deeply distressing, especially when I was in middle school and high school. That was usually the point in my summer when I started looking at the calendar with dread with increasing dread. I knew that with each passing day, I was that much closer to another year of school. And for someone who hated school as much as I did, that was very upsetting.

I know it sounds melodramatic.

I know it comes off as the overblown whining of a kid who just didn’t like going to school.

Even today, kids lamenting going back to school are likely to be met with dismissive eye-rolls. We hear them complaining about going back to school and we just think they’re being weak.

They think school is so hard. They have no idea how hard the real world is. School was supposed to prepare them for that and if they struggled to deal with it, then they were in for a rude awakening when they made it to the adult world.

I get that sentiment on some levels. I’m guilty of feeling it myself whenever I hear a kid complaining about a new school year. But whenever I experience that feeling, I find myself remembering back to what it was like for me when I experienced such dread. Even now, as a full-fledged adult who has been out of school for over a decade, it still upsets me on some levels. And I really wish it didn’t.

I’m sharing this because very recently, I came across one of those big back to school sales in a store. Those displays did go away to some extent during the COVID-19 pandemic. But this year, they’re back in full force.

There are entire sections of a store dedicated to school supplies, clothes, and any accessory a kid or teenager might need. There are also these images of happy and excited kids, getting ready to go back to school. I know for a fact most kids don’t feel that way about going back to school, especially in the middle of summer vacation. I also know that for some kids, those reminders are downright triggering.

Now, I know I’ve bemoaned how much I hated high school before. I’ve also made abundantly clear that I was a uniquely miserable teenager, largely because of crap I did to myself. It may come off as melodramatic. And I don’t deny that, with the benefit of hindsight, it probably wasn’t as awful as I made it out to be.

That still doesn’t change the fact that dreading going back to school was a deeply distressing experience for me. There were times when I would just lay in bed, anxiously watch my clock radio, and endlessly lament going back to school.

I knew it was going to be miserable.

I knew I was going to needlessly stress myself out over every little thing, from getting my homework done to making new friends to dealing with how ugly I felt due to poor self-image.

My parents and siblings, to their credit, did everything they possibly could to help me. None of what I experienced is their fault in the slightest. I just had this incredibly toxic mentality about school.

On the last day of school, I was elated to just let it go and celebrate having made it through another year. But when those first back to school sales showed up, I could feel that mentality returning like a wound being re-opened. And when that first day of school finally came, I was often the most insufferably miserable person to be around.

But as bad an attitude I had, I did eventually get through it. I made it through middle school, high school, and college without that toxic mentality completely consuming me. I won’t say doing so made me stronger. If anything, it set me back for years and I still haven’t fully recovered from it. It kept me from making new friends, improving my social skills, and developing new passions.

The fact that I still experience it today, even if it’s just in bad memories, further shows how much it affected me. It may not be as bad as it was when I was younger, but just recounting how upset I got when I saw back to school sales in the middle of summer still affects me. I really wish it didn’t.

Maybe at some point in my life, I’ll be able to walk by a back to school sale display and experience those feelings. But for now, it’s something I have to deal with.

And to all those who experience similar dread whenever they’re reminded that a new school year is coming, I can only offer my empathy and understanding. But I can also offer my perspective and hope. Because if I can navigate these feelings and all the bad memories associated with them, then you can too.

Be strong.

Be resliant.

Better times will come.

But for now, just take a deep breath and enjoy the rest of your summer vacation.

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Filed under Current Events, Jack Fisher's Insights, psychology, rants

Ultimate Invasion #2 Review: Making (And Breaking) A New Universe

This is a video from my YouTube channel, Jack’s World. This video is a review and reaction to Ultimate Invasion #2 by Jonathan Hickman and Bryan Hitch. In this issue, the Maker starts remaking a new Marvel Universe. But in doing so, he invites serious blowback that requires him to seek help from an unexpected source. Enjoy!

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Jack’s CreepyPastas: The Devil’s Gospel

This is a video from my YouTube channel, Jack’s World. This is another CreepyPasta that I wrote and narrated myself. Enjoy!

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