#Nightwing (Vol. 2) 93

[hood-ex]

Just thinking about what Amy's husband said about Dick in the scene before Blockbuster was killed.

"That’s the same kid who saved us when our house blew up? No offense, hon, but I hope you sent him to the hospital… he doesn’t look like he could beat up a parking ticket right now, let alone a supervillain."

Then Blockbuster blew a woman's brains out right in front of Dick after that. He told Dick he'd never stop. He'd go after strangers. Dick's loved ones. No one was safe.

And Dick—mentally, emotionally, and physically worn down—couldn't take it anymore. So he stepped aside.

[geneticdriftwood]

fuck, man. just read nightwing vol. 2 #93 and it really is exactly as horrible as everyone says.

and it's released the same month as outsiders 2003 #12, where helena leaves the team, with these parting words to roy:

(outsiders 2003 #12)

like yeah no shit helena!!! blockbuster has been running around bludhaven killing people dick cares about specifically to torture him! telling him that he'll never stop, that by ever allowing himself any human connection he'll be condemning that person to die!

(nightwing vol. 2 #93)

even before this he was blaming himself for donna's death and trying to self isolate. and roy has spent the last three months off the team to recover from getting shot in the chest a bunch, so he hasn't been around to clock just how bad dick's mental health has gotten and try to pull him out of it. of course he isn't letting himself get close to anyone.

[dcfanforever]

I really miss revenge stories in fiction where they actually get the revenge!!

Not "I'm not gonna kill you because im better than that"

No! Inigo Montoya that shit!

He killed his six fingered man! Be like Inigo Montoya!

More specifically, I need Jason Todd to kill Catalina Flores, cause Jason is okay with killing someone like her and I eeally need her dead without traumatizing Dick even more.

[aesthetically0b5essed]

nightwing: noooo tarantula don't touch me i'm all weak and vulnerable

[tnevmucric]

ptolemaea, ethel cain / nightwing vol. 2 #93 (2004) / open weaving on ao3 / nightwing vol. 2 #97 (2004) / team titans #2 (1992)

[mysterycitrus]

I keep hearing people say to ignore Devin Grayson’s Nightwing but I also see people reference it. I feel like I’m getting mixed signals. Should I avoid it or read it? Are there specific issue I should avoid or read? is the avoiding advice only for people who are new to the comics? Or should I really just avoid the whole thing?

short answer — u do not have to read devin graysons nightwing run. i wouldn’t recommend it to new readers, and there isn’t anything significantly important that happens so like. it’s an easy pass. i do encourage people to at least read what she wrote about, though, because devin accidentally kickstarted the next twenty or so years of bad writing in nightwing books.

the long answer — devin grayson was a writer for nightwing volume 2 from like….. issue #70ish to #115ish. she did a lot of weird things during her run — her takes on dick’s relationships with bruce and slade and helena come to mind — but the most popular talking points wrt her writing are issue 93 and maaaaybe the renegade arc but that is literally the tip of shit mountain.

it’s funny u say that people are telling u not to read it cause based on my experience in fandom it is very, very clear that very few people have read any of the run at all, or even #93 and it’s preceding issues. which is fine, because it’s bad. but it’s important to understand why it’s bad, and how it’s affected dicks characterisation in both canon and fanon.

nightwing #93 is the issue people say to avoid because it features dick’s assault at the hands of a former ally that devin refused to acknowledge was rape until like… 2014. it’s bad. the build up to this point — haleys is set on fire, dicks apartment is destroyed killing everyone inside, dick watches this ally kill a man on his behalf while he is helpless to stop her — is rarely discussed in the context of the scene. it’s a lot, but because people haven’t read it they misunderstand the dynamics that devin had created.

the worst parts about nightwing in the present — his lack of conviction and competence, his sexualisation and dehumanisation, the fundamental lack of empathy for his retconned bg as a poc — all started with devin. literal ground zero. i cannot emphasise how her i incapability to understand that she’d written an assault arc with her self insert as the instigator has played into dick’s status as a character in the 2020s. many people accidentally engage with the same tired, racist tropes that devin herself contributed to, because people simply do not know (or care to know) what she’d written. think about much fanon content revolves around dick being an accessory to his own assault, or being literally unable to advocate for himself, or relying on jason fucking todd to kill his rapist. it’s like im rereading nightwing vol 2 all over again, and that’s not a good thing.

however what people also tend to forget about is the racism. devin grayson introduced dick having rromani heritage into canon, sure, but she did it because she thought it was sexy. we see this with her writing for roy’s navajo heritage too — a lack of research and care, though dick’s was clearly egregiously fetishistic. she retconned the character that assaulted dick into a latina character, and retconned her into being an aggressively sexual and violent person that was at significant odds with her og characterisation. that seems to be a trend with nightwing writers — wolfman did the exact same thing like fifteen years earlier with about the same degree of nuance and empathy.

ig my answer is that nightwing vol 2 is very much a pick and choose run, make ur own adventure type experience. bizarrely, u can get better nightwing characterisation in the titans 1999 run, or batman plus arsenal, which were both also written by devin (heartbreaking, the worst person u kno just made a good point). id be wary of people telling u to avoid it entirely, because i think ignoring its existence just exacerbates the problems devin created. just be discerning, ig. but also read nightwing vol 2 #118-#124 (just after devin leaves) because it is gd hilarious

[northoftheroad]

Part two of my answers to this:

"Anonymous asked:

Hello ! I was wondering if you knew or had a least of every medical condition Dick Grayson has or should be having depending on things hapoening in comics, be it physical or mental health, I want to make some sort of complete and accurate medical report and I need someones help ! Thank you so much"

Link to part one here.

He was beaten almost to death in Batman vol 1 # 5, Detective Comics # 374 and Robin Year One.

Was tortured and brainwashed by Brother Blood & Co (New Teen Titans vol 1 # 22) and captured by the Crime Syndicate (people looking like some of his best friends) in Forever Evil.

Has seen his circus destroyed in both Nightwing vol 2 and 3. Vol 2 # 88. Vol 3 # 6.

Fell from a trapeze in Star Spangles Comics # 114 and World's Finest Comics # 194.

Mental breakdown in Nightwing vol 2 # 93.

Mental attacks in Teen Titans vol 1 # 14 and New Teen Titans vol 2 # 4.

Another time he was shot with an energy weapon (in space) in New Teen Titans vol 1 Annual # 1.

Dick has been hit by Batman and other "family" members several times, which should take harder mentally than when you're fighting crooks or enemies in space. Teen Titans Year One and Superman/Batman # 55 are just a couple of examples. See more in these post:

[frogaroundandfindout]

“She’s dead. Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t kill you.”

“There isn’t one Nightwing. Thats the best part. Nor is there a single good reason for me to harm a hair on your head. So you’re dick grayson by day, who cares? It’s a useful piece of information, but it’s not the real secret…”

“If you go near any of them, I swear to god I’ll—”

“Oh yes, I know, I know. Thats the secret, the essential truth of your nature. You could take every beating I could dish out. You might even enjoy them. You have absolutely no regard for your personal safety. But the people around you—well! That’s a different matter. Isn’t it? I’ll take out the people you care about—hell, even strangers you stand next to on the street—you won’t be able to shake someone’s hand without marking them for death! Do you like being alone dick?”

“Shut up Rolly! Just shut up!”

“I’ll make sure you can’t save any of them. I’ll make sure you relive, over and over, your failure to save my mother! Which now has become your failure to save your relationship—your circus—the residents of your building—Ms. Michaels.”

“Get out of the way Nightwing.”

(Nightwing vol 2 #93)

[maccreadysbaby]

A Hundred Days to Become a Wayne

batfamily + oc insert

tw: dick grayson’s trauma :(

wanna start from chapter one or read more? here’s the table of contents!

⚠️ this chapter centers around the canonical s*xual assault of dick grayson by catalina flores in nightwing (vol. 2) #93. although it incites the hurt/comfort in this chapter, it is not discussed or mentioned because this part revolves around bentley and dick’s relationship, not why dick’s hurting. dick would not discuss the fact that he was s*xually assaulted with a ten year old.

here’s a link to a brief explanation of what happened to dick here, if you don’t know

part eighteen

❝ IF THE ROLES WERE REVERSED (I WOULD HOLD YOU) ❞

WEDNESDAY — 12:55AM — DAY 60

BENTLEY WAS SLACKING AND HE KNEW IT. Sixty days he’d spent in the Wayne house and he hadn’t made an inch of progress regarding his father’s plot. Not a single centimeter. He thought about it a lot — every day, probably, but he always put it off. A hundred days were a lot… but not when you’d already chewed through sixty of them.

That was precisely why he was sitting awake at nearly one in the morning, staring down at his comforter with his lamp on, trying to make a plan.

Jason was suspicious — no, Bentley hadn’t forgotten that incriminating stare from the snow day. Going after him would be futile. Then he’d really know something was up, and he’d really pistol whip Bentley then.

Tim was always an option. Damian wasn’t kidding when he said he had no self-preservation. He walked around looking like he hadn’t slept in months all of the time, and Bentley firmly believed coffee ran in his veins instead of blood. It almost seemed too easy — like kicking someone when they were already down.

Damian was a no-go. While Bentley assumed he’d be moderately easy to unravel up in the head — since he was just eleven — he wasn’t so sure he’d be able to escape the wrath that came afterward with a katana. Steph, Cass, and Duke were options, but he didn’t think they’d have as big of an impact on the family as one of Bruce’s four Robins would.

There was Dick, but the thought of doing that to him made Bentley feel sick. In fact, doing anything to any of the Wayne’s made him all jittery and upset and guilty. They’d been nothing but nice to him the entire time he’d been around, and how was he going to repay them? By trying to hurt them? To weaken them so his father could dig his claws in?

He was going to repay them by destroying them? Destroying Bruce, who’d taken him in “off the street” without a second thought? Who played games with him and spent time with him and held him after nightmares? Or Dick, who literally carried him across town and mended his wounds, who went miles out of his own way to make sure Bentley was safe and happy and comfortable? Jason, who read books to him to distract him from storms, who noticed his injuries and took it upon himself to help? Who may or may not known something wasn’t right but still treated Bentley the same anyways? Tim, who spent the night in Bentley’s room when he didn’t want to be alone, who stayed with him instead of going on patrol? Or Damian, who included Bentley in most things he did, like school projects, or playing with the dogs without complaint? Who worked up the courage to apologize to Bentley for scaring him, who wanted him around in times of stress like taking Titus to the vet?

Not to mention Alfred, who basically kept the house from falling down, and had fed Bentley three times for sixty days without ever expecting anything back. Or Duke, who explained his environmental science homework to Bentley when he was interested (which ended up being nearly every weekday.), who didn’t mind to get left home with him overnight. Or Steph and Cass and Barbara, who he hadn’t spent much time with, but we’re just as important and supporting parts of the family as anyone else.

It was all so utterly wrong that Bentley couldn’t even fathom going through with it. 

And that’s why he’d been there for sixty days with no progress. Because everything was so wrong.

He groaned and flopped backwards on his pillow, rubbing his eyes with the palms of his hands. Colorful splotches danced in his vision from the pressure. This was such a disaster. He should just go home now and let his father have his way with him — he was going to get it no matter what.

Maybe if he let his father beat him as much as he wanted, he wouldn’t go after the Waynes.

He glanced at his clock. 12:59AM. 

Bentley stared at his comforter for a while more, and glanced at his clock. It was prime vigilante patrolling hours, which meant one unlucky someone was in the Manor with him.

Bentley was finally considering actually going to sleep when he heard something from the hall. They were faint little noises, kind of like the ones Bentley made when he was startled. Whimpers.

His mind flashed back to his dream with all the death, wondering if this was another stupid hyper-realistic dream. He hadn’t fallen asleep tonight, though — he really hadn’t. He could count all his fingers up to ten and read the numbers on the clock — a few tricks Tim taught him to tell when he was awake or not — and he was very much not sleeping. Someone was actually making noises from somewhere, and Bentley was…

…The only other one home.

Yikes.

He laid there for a few moments and hoped they would stop all on their own. Who knows, it could’ve been Titus making some really human-ey noises from Damian’s room. It’d be dumb of him to go check. Right?

But they didn’t stop. In fact, they seemed to be getting a little louder.

Someone always seemed to check on him when he was making noises in the night.

Bentley raked his hands over his face again.

Think logically. 

One Wayne was in the house with him. Most likely Duke, but potentially someone else. That someone was probably having a nightmare right that second. That would explain the noises he was hearing. When Bentley had a nightmare, both times, Tim and Bruce had come to his rescue to calm him down and help him go back to sleep. Stayed with him. Held him. Talked to him.

So… he, like, needed to go do that. Right? Was it weird for a kid to do that to someone older than them? It's not like half the people in the house were murder-ey assassins that could each kill him in a fraction of a second or anything.

If life got any more complicated, Bentley’s brain would probably implode.

Right. Stay on track, he told himself. Just go see who was making the noise.

Bentley reluctantly dragged himself out of bed and hoped and prayed it wasn’t Jason or Damian, because he was pretty sure they’d kill him for waking them up. Clad in a Nightwing t-shirt and blue sailboat pajama pants, he slowly inched his socks across the hardwood all the way to his slightly-ajar door.

One second passed. Then two. Then he grabbed the knob and pulled it open, just large enough for him to slide through.

The hallway was long and dark, the only source of light being from somewhere at the bottom of the stairs and Bentley’s lamp, which made him shiver. That’s exactly what the hallway looked like in his dreams.

The sound wasn’t near him — it was coming from the farther, darker end of the hall, which knocked Tim, Damian, and Duke off the list. Jason, Dick, Steph, and Cass’s rooms were down on the other end. 

Dick’s bedroom door was open.

Bentley counted his fingers again, just to make sure he wasn’t having a nightmare. He had ten.

Relief surfaced in Bentley’s chest, before being violently swallowed up by a wave of… pity? He pushed himself down the hall without a second thought, and the closer he got to Dick’s door, the louder the whimpers got.

He guessed that answered his question of if Dick had nightmares.

With a quick exhale, he moved forward and peered through the door. The bathroom light was on, dimly illuminating the bedroom. He could faintly see Dick’s sleeping form under the comforter — well, more like cocooned in it. It was obvious that he’d been moving around because his limbs seemed to be tangled up in the thing. Every now and then he jerked or flipped, vocalizing something that sounded vaguely like words but made no real sense.

Bentley idled in the doorway for a long time. Maybe he should just… leave him alone.

Would Bentley want to wake up from a nightmare alone? 

He continued to stand there in a mixture of confusion and straight-up windows reboot for a while, trying to work out what exactly he was going to do. Trying to find the sweet spot between annoying kid who’s waking me up in the middle of the night and worried person who wants to help wasn’t very easy, especially since he didn’t actually have experience being either of those things. He finally blinked out of his own head when Dick rolled onto his side and keened, quietly.

Oh God, Bentley realized, watching the lump move around in the bed. He was shaking and his shoulders were shuddering and… Dick was crying in his sleep.

Bentley shook his hands out by his sides, internally kicking himself. Dick would do it for you, he told himself.

Bentley padded across the room and flicked the lamp on before he could convince himself otherwise.

“Dick,” He whispered, padding over to the left side of the bed. Dick was facing away from him, so he pitter-pattered to the other side instead, climbing up on the mattress.

Dick was coiled up in the sheets, black hair frizzy and damp with sweat, as were his pajamas. Tears were rolling down his face and making splotches on the pillowcase even though he was sleeping, emotions contorting his features every new seconds — fear, sadness, anger. He kept jerking and murmuring and shifting around and Bentley wondered if that’s what he looked like during a nightmare.

“Dick,” He tried again, a little louder. “Dick, wake up.”

He didn’t. But he did sob, loud and miserably, and something inside of Bentley writhed with how badly he hated it.

“Dick, please wake up,” He half-begged, hands hovering awkwardly before he decided he shouldn’t touch him. No one had touched Bentley after a nightmare, they always left the contact up to him, so he assumed he should let Dick decide.

“Come on, wake up. Wake up, Dick.”

Tim, wake up! Tim, please wake up!

A surge of (pitiful and unwarranted) panic washed over Bentley when he remembered Tim unresponsive at the bottom of the stairs. “Dick, wake up!”

Dick jumped awake with a gasp, and Bentley nearly flinched himself off the side of the bed. For a short, quiet moment, their heavy breathing was the only noise in the otherwise empty Manor.

Dick looked around for a moment, red-tinged blue eyes pausing on Bentley for a solid ten seconds before he leaned back into his pillow and covered his face with his hands. “Oh, God.”

Bentley didn’t say anything, but took note of how much Dick was shaking. What could scare a superhero so badly?

“I…” He spoke from behind his hands. “I’m sorry I woke you up. I… I’m okay. I’m fine. You can go back to bed.”

Bentley didn’t move. He opened his mouth to say something but nothing actually came out.

“I’m fine,” Dick repeated, in a terribly unconvincing manner. He removed his hands from his face and revealed that he hadn’t actually stopped crying yet. He tugged at the front of his shirt. “I’m fine, Bentley. I’m fine.”

The child drew in a breath. “Dick-“

“I-I’m fine. I’m fine,” He was basically gasping for air in-between nearly muted sobs. “I’m fine.”

Bentley felt his own eyes stinging. “Dick…” 

Dick rolled onto his side and pulled his legs up, dissolving into a mess of gaspy cries and tears that tugged at Bentley’s heart. No, not tugged, more like stabbed and twisted repeatedly, over and over.

Oh my God, was all the kid’s mind supplied.

Well, that and the overwhelming urge to start crying with him.

Bentley tried to stutter out his name again, but it died in his throat. What in the world was he supposed to do? He felt so stupid, so useless, so dumb. Why couldn't he move?

Oh God, he thought to himself again.

Just do exactly what Bruce and Tim did. Dick isn’t going to hurt you.

Bentley moved forward on his knees, closer to Dick’s trembling frame. “Dick… can I… touch you?”

Dick, who’s face was halfway buried in the sheets, nodded in a sharp, jerky movement. Bentley did what he’d done to Tim in his nightmare — he reached out with shaking hands toward Dick and pulled his head ever-so-delicately into his lap.

Dick responded by shooting his arms out and drawing Bentley in tighter. He tried to stifle the small gasp that it pulled out of him, but thankfully, it went unnoticed.

There really was one Dick Grayson crying in Bentley’s lap right now. Why couldn’t he think of anything helpful to do? To say?

Words failed him yet again, so he brushed a hand through Dick’s hair just like Dick always did to everybody else and blinked back the sting in his eyes. He desperately wished someone else was home.

He felt Dick ball up the fabric on the back of his t-shirt in his hands, just like Bentley had done before.

He tried so hard to find something to say, but he couldn’t. He decided words were stupid and just kept stroking Dick’s hair for the time being, with a constant stream of oh my God oh my God oh my God oh my God running in the back of his head, because, oh my God.

He felt so terribly useless and dumb. He had no idea what to do, no idea how to make this better but sit there and try not to cry himself. Crying wouldn’t do anything but stress Dick out more.

Bentley exhaled shakily and kept untangling the knots in the vigilante’s hair — he didn’t have the heart to leave no matter how badly he wanted someone else, someone better to handle it. Dick was still shaking, and kept jerking with sobs that he tried so desperately to mute. Bentley could feel the tears soaking through his shirt.

Maybe he should use Dick’s phone to call someone. Do superheroes even carry their phones on them? Probably not. 

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry-“ Dick half-muttered between gasps. “I didn’t- I don’t-”

“It’s okay,” Bentley reassured, having to put in way too much effort to drag the words out of his throat without them sounding strained. He worked his fingers through a pesky knot on the back of Dick’s head. “I have nightmares, too.”

A quiet moment passed, where only Dick’s occasional hiccups were audible. They seemed to be slowing down.

Bentley sucked in a breath. “…Would you have come to my room? Like you did before?”

After a minute, he felt Dick shrug. “Probably.”

Bentley wondered whose room he’d have gone to if everyone else was home.

He sat there for a long time in a comfortable silence, waiting for Dick to stop shuddering. It took a while. Now he understood why the vigilante constantly tried to stroke people’s hair — it was relaxing.

Dick didn’t have a clock, but Bentley knew it was about three in the morning when he heard doors around the house close, signaling the end of patrol. He didn’t move so much as an inch until he was a trillion percent sure Dick was asleep. His breaths had evened out a while ago, and his grip on Bentley had faded, though his arms were still around him. The lamp was on but Bentley couldn’t reach it to turn it off. He didn’t really want to, anyhow.

He wiggled himself around until he was actually laying down, and the covers were just close enough that he was able to pull them up without jostling everything around too much. He settled down on the mattress and closed his eyes. He kept his hand moving through the vigilante’s hair until he couldn’t anymore, until the world around him stilled, and he fell asleep in Dick Grayson’s arms for (at least) the fourth time.

—

Dedicated to @sassenashsworld 💛

—

tag list (ask and I’ll add your @!)

@fleur-alise @cademygod @sarcopterygiian

[jackalopeinaloop]

I guess sorta my dad is a little strict but it’s fine

(Ooc I love these goofy ass wolf emo imagines also DONT look up Nightwing (vol. 2) #93 it made me cry fuck you devin Grayson)

WAKE ME UP WAKE ME UP INSIDE ICANT WAKW UPWAKEME UP INSIDE SAVE ME CALL MY NAME AND SAVE ME FROM THE DARKKKK WAKE ME UP BID MY BLOOD TO RUNNN🗣️🗣️

[theofficialdailyplanet]

I just found your account and it looks like you know about comics, can you recommend me some angsty Dick Grayson comics? All I know is secondhand stuff, I watched Titans and Teen Titans Go!, but not the original Teen Titans (because life happened, it's on the list ok), I especially like the scene with Dick slowly going crazy in jail, it's what I feel like as a Craycray myself, and it's so nice when Bruce is just... nice to him. I really like Wayne Family Adventures and I was hoping the canon material would be like that but apparently not? Also I read the TT comics with Kami Garcia and Gabriel Picolo. That's what I'm familiar with, I'd like to know more, can you help a noob? Thanks so much!

so sorry this is late, tumblr doesnt show me any asks til like a week later lol but i can try! im a batfam fan but i usually read them in batman comics or elseworlds. havent delved into too much of their solos yet, only a couple. & honestly no stress if u havent seen the '03 show, everybody starts somewhere, it's totally okay (also id add young justice to the list, hes a primary character and so, so fun)

as for the comic he's in jail,

// sa ment below //

if it's the comic i'm thinking of, dick is having a breakdown in jail after he was raped by tarantula

// sa ment above //

so if that's a trigger for you i'd def avoid it, although the rest of the run is pretty angsty, you could def get away with skipping the comic it happens in and reading the rest of it (nightwing vol 2 # 93)

onto the recs tho!

note: theres a ton of good nightwing comics but i focused on the more angsty ones you asked for (:

nightwing (2016-current)

hes contsantly in the trenches trenches. includes an angsty amnesia arc & an alternate universe dick who was raised by a villain

knight terrors: nightwing

'twas the mite before christmas

titans eldrich horror in the its a bunkerful life story

gotham war

mostly bruce/batfam focused but dick is there for a good amnt and they are all suffering, you'll love it

the jokers last laugh

forever evil

battle for the cowl

grayson

there's definitely others but these are the ones i rmbr/read abt

hope you enjoy! lmk how it goes 🖤

edit: i also answered another ask with some other recs for nightwing!

[ragingbookdragon]

I'm confused at whats going on in the first panel 😭. Who is that girl?

The woman's name is Catalina Flores AKA Tarantula and, so I actually haven't read the series that came out of but this is on the Wiki page for what occurred:

"At the end of Nightwing (vol. 2) #93 (July 2004), after Tarantula killed Blockbuster, she raped Nightwing on the rooftop. At the time, Nightwing was in shock and undergoing deep emotional trauma. He had also explicitly told Catalina not to touch him, but she proceeded despite this. On the subject, writer Devin Grayson made the following statement: "For the record, I’ve never used the word 'rape', I just said it was non-consensual". Grayson subsequently apologized for the comment in an interview a decade later, explicitly referring to the act as rape."

[birdsofgotham]

It’s literally canon that Tim would visit Dick’s place and go to him for advice about Bruce pretty regularly…that literally sums up their first few appearances together in comics.

Dick is a certifiable mess but no more than any other member of the batfamily. Certainly not more than Jason. He’s not even remotely considered an unreliable brother. The good brother you’re talking about is canonically Dick.

New Titans #65, Showcase ‘93 #11, Secret Origins 80-Page Giant #1, Nightwing vol 2 #6, Batman: Urban Legends #10

Not to mention, this is the guy that helped raise Damian while Bruce was “dead” and then gallivanting around for Batman Inc!

Batman #688 & #703

And the same day Dick met Jason in his original modern incarnation, he gave him his phone number and told him to call whenever Bruce was being ridiculous. And then offered the same thing over and over again.

Batman #416, New Teen Titans v2 #31

During the awful Brothers in Blood arc, one of the first times Dick & Jason interacted after Jason was resurrected is literally Jason pranking Dick by killing people in the Nightwing costume and then asking Dick to team up with him against Bruce.

So with all due respect, people are not “trying to cast” Dick as the older brother they go to when they’re mad at Bruce. He’s just already that character in the comics and has been for decades.

Everyone trying to cast Dick as the reliable older brother whose apartment you run off to live in when you're mad at Bruce, has it so wrong.

nothing about Dick's character can be described as reliable, so jot that down.

But also Jason literally tried that when he was still Robin and it didn't work. I'm willing to believe that Dick tried to change his ways specifically because of what happened to Jason but I am not willing to believe he was successful in the long term.

Jason however? Almost perpetually living on the outskirts of Gotham, true rebellious older child that still doesn't get along with dad? He's definitely the guy who you show up to when you and Bruce get into it and you just don't want to deal with him anymore.

He talks shit about you the whole time and constantly threatens to kick you out, but never does.

Because that's all that Jason wanted as a kid. He wanted to show up at Dick's and talk shit and eat cereal for dinner. He wanted that brother. So reluctantly, if you can get through the security system, you can stay. At least for as long as he stays in any one spot.

He is going to complain about it the whole time though.

[filthy-vigilantes]

Batman: Where to start

***long post***

Getting in to comics is rather hard and finding a good starting place or a good recommended must-reads is hard and confusing and you typically get hundreds of different answers.

This is my personal list, that I'm working through and hope to collect. I've done quite a bit of research and feel like this is a adequate reading list for modern (post-crisis) Bruce Wayne

Anyways here's the list in primary chronological order:

Batman: Year One (Batman Vol 1 #404-#407)

This story line established the back story for Batman in the post-crisis timeline, along with the back stories for Commissioner Gordon and Selina Kyle. Not necessarily canon anymore, but a good story to get the feel of the characters

Batman: The Man Who Laughs

This is a one shot that was published in 2005 that tells the story of Batman's first encounter with the Joker roughly a year after the Batman's debut in Gotham. Based on the Joker's original first appearance in Batman Vol 1 #1.

Batman and the Monster Men

This is a 6 part mini series that takes place sometime after Batman: Year One and Batman: The Man Who Laughs. First half of the Dark Moon Rising series. Story revolves around Batman's first dealing with Hugo Strange

Batman and the Mad Monk

This is another 6 part mini series that is the second half of the Dark Moon Rising series. It is a retelling of a story from Detective Comics Vol 1 #31-32

Batman: The Long Halloween

This is a 13 part limited series, that serves as a re-introduction of the Calendar Man and features a wide array of Batman's rouge gallery such as Two-Face, Scarecrow, Riddler, Joker, and Poison Ivy.

Batman: Dark Victory

This is a 14 part limited series that is a sequel to The Long Halloween. The main case in the story is a turf war between Two-Face and the Falcon Mafia. It also serves as a re-telling of Dick Grayson's Robin origin.

Batman: Birth of the Demon (TPB)

This is a collection of 3 Batman one shots: Son of the Demon, Bride of the Demon, and Birth of the Demon. All stories center around Ra's al Ghul and Talia al Ghul.

Batman: Strange Apparitions (Detective Comics Vol 1 #469-479)

This collection reintroduces Golden Age villains such as Hugo Strange and Dead shot along with introducing new villains such as Doctor Phosphorus and Clayface III.

Batman: The Killing Joke

A 60 page one shot that hints at the Jokers true identity, along with pushing the Jokers madness to new extremes, and showing just how dangerous he can be.

Batman: the Cult

This is a 4 issue mini series, in which Batman gets captured, torture and brain washed by Deacon Blackfire. This is also one of the few stories written by Jim Starlin that shows Jason Todd in a favorable light, as Starlin had a dislike for the character and kid sidekicks.

Batman: Death in the Family (Batman Vol 1 #426-429)

The famous 4 issue story arc that allowed readers to vote on the fate of the then current Robin, Jason Todd.

Batman: A Lonely Place of Dying (Batman Vol 1 #440-442)

This story is the introduction of Tim Drake and his taking of the Robin Mantle. The story also involves a case with Two-Face

Batman: The Last Arkham (Batman: Shadow of the Bat #1-4)

This story shows us the inner workings of Arkham Asylum, along with introducing new villains such as Zsasz, Jeremiah Arkham, and Amygdala

Batman: Gothic (Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #6-10)

In this story we get to see glimpses of Bruce Wayne childhood.

Batman: Venom (Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #16-20)

This story introduces us to the strength-enhancing drug, venom

Batman: Knightfall (Batman Vol 1 #492-510, #512-515; Batman: Shadow of the Bat #16-30, 32-35; Catwoman Vol ? #6-7, #12-13; Detective Comics Vol 1 #659-677, #679-682; Justice League Task Force #5-6; Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #59-63; Robin #7-9, 11-14; Showcase '93 #7-8; Showcase '94 #10)

The Knightfall collection is a trilogy consisting of Knightfall, Knightquest, and KnightsEnd. In the story, Batman is crippled by Bane leading to him enlisting help from Jean-Paul Valley, while he recovers. Jean-Paul becomes increasingly unstable and violent, ruining Batman's reputation until Bruce can finally put an end to it. The story had long term ramifications in the batcannon as Bruce had to rebuild the trust everyone had for him.

Batman: Contagion (Batman: Shadow of the Bat #48-49; Detective Comics Vol 1 #695, #696; Robin Vol 4 #27-28; Catwoman Vol #31-32; Azrael #15-16; Batman Vol 1 #529; Batman: Chronicles #4)

A cross over even where a deadly virus sweeps through Gotham. One of the story lines leading in to the No Man's Land event.

Batman: Legacy (Batman Vol 1 #533-534; Batman: Bane; Bane of the Demon #1-4; Batman: Shadow of the Bat #53-54; Catwoman Vol 2 #33-36; Detective Comics Vol 1 #700-702; Robin Vol 4 #32-33)

Another crossover, this storyline serves as a wrap up for Contagion as well as Knightfall. One of the story lines leading in to No Man's Land event.

Batman: Cataclysm (Azrael #40; Batman Vol 1 #553-559; The Batman Chronicles #12, #14; Batman: Arkham Asylum- Tales of Madness #1; Batman:Blackgate- Isle of Men #1; Batman/Huntress/Spoiler: Blunt Trauma #1; Batman: Shadow of the Bat #73-79; Catwoman Vol 2 #56-57; Detective Comics Vol 1 #719-722, #724-726; Robin Vol 4 #52-54)

The final crossover storyline leading in to No Man's Land. After a earthquake, Gotham's heros have to band together to help the citizens in the aftermath.

Batman: No Man's Land (Azrael #47-61; Batman Vol 1 #560-574; Batman: Harley Quinn; Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #116-126; Batman: No Man's Land #1-0; Batman No Man's Land Secret Files and Origins; Batman: Day of Judgement; Batman: Shadow of the Bat #80-94; The Batman Chronicles #16-18; Catwoman Vol 2 #72-77; Detective Comics Vol 1 #727-741; JLA #32; Nightwing Vol 1 #35-39; Nightwing Secret Files and Origins; Robin Vol 4 #67-73; Young Justice: In No Man's Land)

After several catastrophic events in Gotham, the US government decides to cut off Gotham, destroying all bridges to the city leaving Batman and allies to keep order in the city.

JLA Tower of Babel (JLA #43-46)

This story deals with the discovery of Batman's plans and files on how to take out the members of the Justice League in the event of them going rouge.

Bruce Wayne: Murderer? (Batman: The 10-Cent Adventure #1; Batgirl #24; Batman Vol 1 #599; Batman: Gotham Knights #25-26; Birds of Prey Vol 1 #39-40; Detective Comics Vol 1 #766-767; Nightwing #65-66; Robin #98-99

Bruce Wayne is arrested for murder and the rest of the bat family are forced to solve the crime and help clear his name.

Bruce Wayne: Fugitive (Azrael #91; Batgirl #27, #29-33; Batman Vol 1 #600-601, #603, #605-607; Batman: Gotham Knights #27-28, #30-31; Birds of Prey #41-43; Nightwing #68-69; Detective Comics Vol 1 #768-775)

This story is the follow up to Bruce Wayne: Murderer. After getting out of jail, he must full solve to murder, as those around him begin to doubt his innocence.

Batman Hush (Batman Vol 1 #608-619)

This story arc share a bit about Bruce Wayne's childhood along with introducing a new billion, Hush and furthering Batman and Catwoman's romantic relationship. This story also teases the resurrection of Jason Todd, the second Robin.

Batman: Heart of Hush (Detective Comics #846-850)

A follow up to Batman Hush, once again furthering Batman and Catwoman's romantic relationship. Also serves as a prelude to Batman R. I. P.

Batman Under the Red Hood (Batman Vol 1 #635-#641, #645-650, Annual #25)

This Story focuses on Jason Todd, the second Robin's resurrection and return to Gotham

Batman R. I. P. (Batman Vol 1 #667-669, #672-686, #701-702; Detective Comics #846-853; Nightwing Vol 2 #147-153; Batman and the Outsiders Vol 1 #11-14, special #1; Robin #175-183)

This story leads up to Bruce Wayne's apparent death in the DC Final Crisis event.

What Ever Happened to the Caped Crusader? (Batman Vol 1 #686; Detective Comics Vol 1 #853

These two issues deal with the aftermath of Bruce Wayne's apparent death.

Battle for the Cowl

This is a 3 issue minis series that shows the remainder of the bat family hold Gotham together in the wake of Batman's death and Nightwing ultimate decision to take up the mantle.

Batman: Hush Money (Detective Comics Vol 1 #852; Batman Vol 1 #685; Batman: Streets of Gotham #1-4)

Batman's enemy Hush alters his face to look like Bruce Wayne and begins pretending to be him.

Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne

A 6 issue limited series that shows Bruce Wayne's journey through time to return to present day Gotham.

Bruce Wayne: The Road Home

A limited series that details the return and aftermath of Bruce Wayne's return. Batman Vol 1 #703 is a prelude to the series.

Batman: House of Hush (Batman: Streets of Gotham #14, #16-21)

A story arc that ties up the Hush Money story and the return of Bruce Wayne.

Batman Incorporated

This series focuses on Bruce Wayne franchising the Batman name across the globe, while Dick Grayson still serves as Batman in Gotham.

Batman: The Gates of Gotham

A limited series that features Dick Grayson as Batman, but was used as a lunching point for major Batman story lines in New 52.

Batman New 52

After the New 52 reboot, DC began Batman Vol 2, aka Batman New 52

Batman Eternal

A weekly limited series that ran for a year, reintroducing numerous villains in to the New 52 canon, along with Stephanie Brown.

Batman and Robin Eternal

A weekly limited series that ran for 6 months as a follow up to Batman Eternal. The story jumps between Dick Grayson's first year as Robin and the present. Cassandra Cain is reintroduced in to the New 52 canon in this series.

Batman Rebirth (ongoing)

Current Batman title

[beartusks]

Aren’t Writers Frustrating? [ past dick grayson x catalina flores “recovery” fic ]

hi! i write fanfic as well as make art, and i wrote something im very proud of the other day so i thought i’d share :)

it's kind of a mix between prose/poetry about the events of Nightwing vol. 2 issues #93 and #94, and dick grayson talking about them in therapy. and not doing a good job at coping healthily.

check it out maybe and feel free to leave a comment ! they keep me writing :) do be careful though– this fic deals with some pretty heavy stuff since dick gets sexually assaulted in #93 and (poorly) deals with it in #94. so read at your own discretion.

words: 1250

rating: E

warnings: r*pe/non-con, sexual content, language

link to fic! summary/excerpt under read more (warning for mild sexual content)

They'd fucked in the B&B of course.

He couldn't describe it any other way, really. They didn't sleep together. They didn't have sex. They didn't make love.

They fucked.

And they fucked again, in the motel on the Delaware. And again. Again.

And when he hightailed it out of there and fled to Gotham's aid at the behest of the Batman, and she followed him, and they found themselves in the darkest and most private alleys of the city—dark, not hard to find. private, tricky—they fucked. And they managed.

She did,   anyway.

[filthy-vigilante]

Batman: Where to Start

*** long post***

Getting in to comics is rather hard and finding a good starting place or a good recommended must-reads is hard and confusing and you typically get hundreds of different answers.

This is my personal list, that I'm working through and hope to collect. I've done quite a bit of research and feel like this is a adequate reading list for modern (post-crisis) Bruce Wayne

Anyway, here's my list:

Batman: Year One (Batman Vol 1 #404-#407)

This story line established the back story for Batman in the post-crisis timeline, along with the back stories for Commissioner Gordon and Selina Kyle. Not necessarily canon anymore, but a good story to get the feel of the characters

Batman: The Man Who Laughs

This is a one shot that was published in 2005 that tells the story of Batman’s first encounter with the Joker roughly a year after the Batman’s debut in Gotham. Based on the Joker’s original first appearance in Batman Vol 1 #1.

Batman and the Monster Men

This is a 6 part mini series that takes place sometime after Batman: Year One and Batman: The Man Who Laughs. First half of the Dark Moon Rising series. Story revolves around Batman’s first dealing with Hugo Strange

Batman and the Mad Monk

This is another 6 part mini series that is the second half of the Dark Moon Rising series. It is a retelling of a story from Detective Comics Vol 1 #31-32

Batman: The Long Halloween

This is a 13 part limited series, that serves as a re-introduction of the Calendar Man and features a wide array of Batman’s rouge gallery such as Two-Face, Scarecrow, Riddler, Joker, and Poison Ivy.

Batman: Dark Victory

This is a 14 part limited series that is a sequel to The Long Halloween. The main case in the story is a turf war between Two-Face and the Falcon Mafia. It also serves as a re-telling of Dick Grayson’s Robin origin.

Batman: Birth of the Demon (TPB)

This is a collection of 3 Batman one shots: Son of the Demon, Bride of the Demon, and Birth of the Demon. All stories center around Ra’s al Ghul and Talia al Ghul.

Batman: Strange Apparitions (Detective Comics Vol 1 #469-479)

This collection reintroduces Golden Age villains such as Hugo Strange and Dead shot along with introducing new villains such as Doctor Phosphorus and Clayface III.

Batman: The Killing Joke

A 60 page one shot that hints at the Jokers true identity, along with pushing the Jokers madness to new extremes, and showing just how dangerous he can be.

Batman: the Cult

This is a 4 issue mini series, in which Batman gets captured, torture and brain washed by Deacon Blackfire. This is also one of the few stories written by Jim Starlin that shows Jason Todd in a favorable light, as Starlin had a dislike for the character and kid sidekicks.

Batman: Death in the Family (Batman Vol 1 #426-429)

The famous 4 issue story arc that allowed readers to vote on the fate of the then current Robin, Jason Todd.

Batman: A Lonely Place of Dying (Batman Vol 1 #440-442)

This story is the introduction of Tim Drake and his taking of the Robin Mantle. The story also involves a case with Two-Face

Batman: The Last Arkham (Batman: Shadow of the Bat #1-4)

This story shows us the inner workings of Arkham Asylum, along with introducing new villains such as Zsasz, Jeremiah Arkham, and Amygdala

Batman: Gothic (Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #6-10)

In this story we get to see glimpses of Bruce Wayne childhood.

Batman: Venom (Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #16-20)

This story introduces us to the strength-enhancing drug, venom

Batman: Knightfall (Batman Vol 1 #492-510, #512-515; Batman: Shadow of the Bat #16-30, 32-35; Catwoman Vol ? #6-7, #12-13; Detective Comics Vol 1 #659-677, #679-682; Justice League Task Force #5-6; Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #59-63; Robin #7-9, 11-14; Showcase ‘93 #7-8; Showcase '94 #10)

The Knightfall collection is a trilogy consisting of Knightfall, Knightquest, and KnightsEnd. In the story, Batman is crippled by Bane leading to him enlisting help from Jean-Paul Valley, while he recovers. Jean-Paul becomes increasingly unstable and violent, ruining Batman’s reputation until Bruce can finally put an end to it. The story had long term ramifications in the batcannon as Bruce had to rebuild the trust everyone had for him.

Batman: Contagion (Batman: Shadow of the Bat #48-49; Detective Comics Vol 1 #695, #696; Robin Vol 4 #27-28; Catwoman Vol #31-32; Azrael #15-16; Batman Vol 1 #529; Batman: Chronicles #4)

A cross over even where a deadly virus sweeps through Gotham. One of the story lines leading in to the No Man’s Land event.

Batman: Legacy (Batman Vol 1 #533-534; Batman: Bane; Bane of the Demon #1-4; Batman: Shadow of the Bat #53-54; Catwoman Vol 2 #33-36; Detective Comics Vol 1 #700-702; Robin Vol 4 #32-33)

Another crossover, this storyline serves as a wrap up for Contagion as well as Knightfall. One of the story lines leading in to No Man’s Land event.

Batman: Cataclysm (Azrael #40; Batman Vol 1 #553-559; The Batman Chronicles #12, #14; Batman: Arkham Asylum- Tales of Madness #1; Batman:Blackgate- Isle of Men #1; Batman/Huntress/Spoiler: Blunt Trauma #1; Batman: Shadow of the Bat #73-79; Catwoman Vol 2 #56-57; Detective Comics Vol 1 #719-722, #724-726; Robin Vol 4 #52-54)

The final crossover storyline leading in to No Man’s Land. After a earthquake, Gotham’s heros have to band together to help the citizens in the aftermath.

Batman: No Man’s Land (Azrael #47-61; Batman Vol 1 #560-574; Batman: Harley Quinn; Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #116-126; Batman: No Man’s Land #1-0; Batman No Man’s Land Secret Files and Origins; Batman: Day of Judgement; Batman: Shadow of the Bat #80-94; The Batman Chronicles #16-18; Catwoman Vol 2 #72-77; Detective Comics Vol 1 #727-741; JLA #32; Nightwing Vol 1 #35-39; Nightwing Secret Files and Origins; Robin Vol 4 #67-73; Young Justice: In No Man’s Land)

After several catastrophic events in Gotham, the US government decides to cut off Gotham, destroying all bridges to the city leaving Batman and allies to keep order in the city.

JLA Tower of Babel (JLA #43-46)

This story deals with the discovery of Batman’s plans and files on how to take out the members of the Justice League in the event of them going rouge.

Bruce Wayne: Murderer? (Batman: The 10-Cent Adventure #1; Batgirl #24; Batman Vol 1 #599; Batman: Gotham Knights #25-26; Birds of Prey Vol 1 #39-40; Detective Comics Vol 1 #766-767; Nightwing #65-66; Robin #98-99

Bruce Wayne is arrested for murder and the rest of the bat family are forced to solve the crime and help clear his name.

Bruce Wayne: Fugitive (Azrael #91; Batgirl #27, #29-33; Batman Vol 1 #600-601, #603, #605-607; Batman: Gotham Knights #27-28, #30-31; Birds of Prey #41-43; Nightwing #68-69; Detective Comics Vol 1 #768-775)

This story is the follow up to Bruce Wayne: Murderer. After getting out of jail, he must solve the murder, as those around him begin to doubt his innocence.

Batman Hush (Batman Vol 1 #608-619)

This story arc share a bit about Bruce Wayne’s childhood along with introducing a new billion, Hush and furthering Batman and Catwoman’s romantic relationship. This story also teases the resurrection of Jason Todd, the second Robin.

Batman: Heart of Hush (Detective Comics #846-850)

A follow up to Batman Hush, once again furthering Batman and Catwoman’s romantic relationship. Also serves as a prelude to Batman R. I. P.

Batman Under the Red Hood (Batman Vol 1 #635-#641, #645-650, Annual #25)

This Story focuses on Jason Todd, the second Robin’s resurrection and return to Gotham

Batman R. I. P. (Batman Vol 1 #667-669, #672-686, #701-702; Detective Comics #846-853; Nightwing Vol 2 #147-153; Batman and the Outsiders Vol 1 #11-14, special #1; Robin #175-183)

This story leads up to Bruce Wayne’s apparent death in the DC Final Crisis event.

What Ever Happened to the Caped Crusader? (Batman Vol 1 #686; Detective Comics Vol 1 #853

These two issues deal with the aftermath of Bruce Wayne’s apparent death.

Battle for the Cowl

This is a 3 issue minis series that shows the remainder of the bat family hold Gotham together in the wake of Batman’s death and Nightwing ultimate decision to take up the mantle.

Batman: Hush Money (Detective Comics Vol 1 #852; Batman Vol 1 #685; Batman: Streets of Gotham #1-4)

Batman’s enemy Hush alters his face to look like Bruce Wayne and begins pretending to be him.

Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne

A 6 issue limited series that shows Bruce Wayne’s journey through time to return to present day Gotham.

Bruce Wayne: The Road Home

A limited series that details the return and aftermath of Bruce Wayne’s return. Batman Vol 1 #703 is a prelude to the series.

Batman: House of Hush (Batman: Streets of Gotham #14, #16-21)

A story arc that ties up the Hush Money story and the return of Bruce Wayne.

Batman Incorporated

This series focuses on Bruce Wayne franchising the Batman name across the globe, while Dick Grayson still serves as Batman in Gotham.

Batman: The Gates of Gotham

A limited series that features Dick Grayson as Batman, but was used as a lunching point for major Batman story lines in New 52.

Batman New 52

After the New 52 reboot, DC began Batman Vol 2, aka Batman New 52

Batman Eternal

A weekly limited series that ran for a year, reintroducing numerous villains in to the New 52 canon, along with Stephanie Brown.

Batman and Robin Eternal

A weekly limited series that ran for 6 months as a follow up to Batman Eternal. The story jumps between Dick Grayson’s first year as Robin and the present. Cassandra Cain is reintroduced in to the New 52 canon in this series.

Batman Rebirth (ongoing)

Current Batman title

Previously posted on @filthy-vigilantes