Common Grounds: Baker's Dozen #[1]

In "Head Games," Mental Midget and his arch nemesis Man-Witch find themselves in an unexpected moment of quiet at the local Common Grounds donut shop, where past tensions and private thoughts surface between bites of pastry and sips of coffee. The story unfolds with a rare intimacy, revealing the complicated history between two longtime adversaries in a setting far removed from their usual battles.

In "Roles," an aspiring actress named Jo navigates a tense evening after closing up her shift at an LA Common Grounds, offering a ride to a stranger whose story doesn’t add up. With nothing but her training and quick thinking, she must stay one step ahead as the night spirals into something far more dangerous than she expected.

In "Sanctuary," teenage powerhouse Deb-U-Ton crosses paths with the enigmatic Acidic Jew, a Hasidic man whose touch can dissolve matter, after they both confront a group of thugs. Seeking refuge at a local Common Grounds, the two unlikely figures find unexpected common ground over coffee, sharing stories that reveal more than just their powers.

In "Heir of Truth," Strangeness and Charm, the sibling superhero duo, meet Mr. Thorndyke, the lawyer handling their late father John Henderson’s affairs. The man once known as the supervillain Quantum left behind a safe deposit box that holds a secret far more complex than anyone expected.

In "Time of Their Lives," former foes Commander Power and Blackwatch cross paths again—this time not as adversaries, but as two men shaped by a shared past. A chance encounter outside a Common Grounds shop in Ohio sparks an unexpected moment of connection, as one tries to help the other through hard times.

In "Fat Chance," five larger-than-life heroes from different corners of the city gather at a cozy Common Grounds shop, united not by power or mission, but by a shared struggle: their size is starting to affect their ability to do what they do best. As they trade stories and support over coffee, the real challenge isn’t just losing weight—it’s redefining what strength and heroism mean when the body itself is part of the fight.

In "Glory Days," the legendary Liberty Balance gathers for their 30th reunion, where decades-old bonds are rekindled and quiet emotions stir beneath the surface. As former teammates reconnect over catered refreshments from the Common Grounds franchise, the past and present blur in a moment of unexpected warmth.

In "Where Monsters Dine!", Larry makes a strange delivery to a secret gathering of 1960s giant monsters—once world-conquering threats, now retired and nostalgic. Drawn by Larry’s quiet insight into what it means to be a monster in today’s world, the group begins to question their past and wonders if the Common Grounds foundation might hold answers for redemption.

In "Lovelife," Eternal Flame shares a quiet, intimate moment with a man at Common Grounds, where past heartbreaks and fleeting connections unfold over coffee and donuts. As the two talk, Eternal Flame reveals the weight of his long life and the love he’s lost—each memory a thread in a story that stretches far beyond a single lifetime.

In "This'll Be the Day," American Pi, a superhero driven by intellect and athleticism, steps in to save a girl from thugs—only to be met with suspicion and disbelief by the very people he protected. She, in turn, shares her belief in America’s promise with a boy named Zhang, who sees the same hope in the nation’s dreams. Together, they head to the local Common Grounds to talk, seeking understanding in a world that often misunderstands.

In "Loose Ends," Jo and the team from Common Grounds investigate a quiet but charged reunion between Digital Man and Analog Kid, uncovering a deeper story rooted in loss and reconciliation. Through an interview with Michael O'Brien, the founder of the franchise, we learn how a tragic misunderstanding between the hero Snowfire and another hero led to a death that still echoes—inspiring Michael to build Common Grounds as a sanctuary where even the most divided can find common ground.