#artemis and bizarro are gone

[vikingpoteto]

I'm begging you batfandom to stop including that one RHATO page of Bruce hugging Jason in your "wholesome Batman loves his kids" compilations.

That hug takes place after Bruce laughs about the fact that he beat Jason into a coma for thinking he killed Penguin. It canonically takes Jason a month to recover from that fight. Bruce says that Jason deserved that "lesson", laughs it off and hugs him. I get that you want a specific characterization but that is NOT a good example if you read the comic.

[astriddestelle]

Batman is so funny. Every time he tries to implement his whole no metas in my city rule this is how it goes without fail.

—————————

Batman: No metas in my city

Dick: Except for Wally he’s my best friend

Batman: Fine

Dick: Oh and Starfire my girlfriend, technically she’s an alien.

Batman: …..I suppose

Dick: And I guess the rest of the Titans when they come to visit.

Batman: ....

Dick: *grins* That’s it I swear.

-----------------------

Batman: No metas in my city except for the Teen Titans

Tim: What about Superboy he’s my best friend?

Batman: Fine

Tim: Oh and Bart he’s my other best friend

Batman: ......Alright

Tim: Wait, I can’t forgot Cassie and the rest of Young Justice

Batman: *scowls*

Tim: *puppy dog eyes*

Batman: *crosses arms* No metas in my city except the Teen Titans and Young Justice

----------------------

Damien: *raises eyebrows*

Batman: And Irey West and Collin Wilkes, Or Ace West and Jon Kent (depending on continuity)

Damien: Thank you

---------------------------

Batman: *Looks at Jason*

Jason: *shrugs* Don’t look at me, I died at thirteen, I don’t have any friends.

Batman: That's concer-

Jason: Though Bizarro and Artemis were pretty cool…

Batman: *Adds them to the list*

—————————

Alfred: Aren’t you forgetting someone?

Batman: Who

Alfred: *Gestures to the entire Justice League most of who are the parental figures of the kids his kids have play dates with*

Batman: Clearly this rule isn’t working.

[pinkiemachine]

Hi! So, I was wondering... You said all heroes before 24 are in the YJ, where does that leave the original team of the NTT? Are they in the JL now? Do the Outsiders exist anymore? (and if you don't have this all figured out or have a different plan for canon it is okay, I just overthink things)

So, I’m a little confused by your question—the “original” team was the Mighty Teen Titans, the second gen was the New Teen Titans. Typo? Idk.

ANYWAY—REGARDLESS—I’ll try to answer your question as best I can :)

So, one of my main objectives when it comes to the superhero teams is trying to keep things simple. I don’t want there to be a whole bunch of different teams for people to try and keep track of all the time, because that makes it harder on the average viewer. At the moment, the only teams I’ve greenlit so far are The Justice League (there will be a few “generations” for them as well. Changing members over the years, like Aquaman leaving to become king of Atlantis and being replaced by Green Arrow and Black Canary), the Teen Titans (I’ve posted plenty about them, but yeah, there’s three distinct generations for them, each led by a different Robin, and yes, Jason would have gone on to lead his own team if he hadn’t sadly passed away), speaking of which, the Outlaws, led by Red Hood. Additional members: Arsenal, Artemis of Bana-Mighdall, and Bizarro. Then, there’s the Green Lanterns of Earth. (Yeah, that whole “each sector has only ONE Lantern” thing doesn’t really sit well with me. Besides, it’s not like DC listens to that rule anyway, lol.) So, the team consists of five members: Hal Jordon, Guy Gardner, Jessica Cruz, Kelli Quintella, and is led by John Stewart. While he leads the Lantern team, Hal is the active representative on the Justice League, helping them on missions periodically when the rest of the Lanterns are preoccupied. Kyle Rayner comes in later, during the adaption of the Emerald Twilight arc, leading up to Blackest Night.

Finally, there’s Young Justice, which unfortunately is the least fleshed out of the teams right now, but it too will have distinct “generations.” However, which members are included will vary depending on the characters themselves. For example, among the original Teen Titans—Robin/Nightwing, Starfire, Beast Boy, Raven, Kid Flash, Wonder Girl, and Cyborg—Cyborg went on ahead and became part of the Justice League before Young Justice was founded, leaving Nightwing and Starfire to lead the new young adult team along with newcomers like Batgirl and Supergirl. I’ve been thinking maybe once Raven finishes her arc and defeats her father, Trigon, she can go ride off into the sunset, maybe by going back to Azarath. Either way, the point is she moves on. I haven’t decided about the rest yet. After that, some of them, like Nightwing and Starfire, go on to be part of the Justice League. Then, the next gen of YJ comes along: Robin/Red Robin (Tim Drake), Spoiler, Cassie Sandsmark (who’s usually Wonder Girl 2.0 but to avoid another “multiple Robins” or “multiple Superboys” fiasco, I decided to make her an original hero called Olympia), Miss Martian, Conner Kent Superboy (I’m also looking for a potential new name for him, but I’m coming up dry), Aqualad 2.0 (Kaldur), and Impulse. I have not written anything for this gen of YJ yet, nor for the generation after them, and I can’t say when I will.

What I can say is that I have no plans currently to include the Outsiders. That may change, but personally it seems like a bit too much to include them on top of having the Teen Titans and Young Justice and The Justice League. If there are to be more superhero teams, they really, really, really need to justify their existence by having a specific goal or reason for being.

Thanks for asking :) I enjoy the questions.

[theblah-blog27]

[SPOILERS]

@briefcandidsplaylistfire and @prosnconsofbreathing this is for you.

I wish I could post screenshots of the art because words aren't enough.

Basically, Jason separates himself from the situation because he doesn't trust his actions on what is going on with Joker. He's met by the Outlaws, Artemis and Bizarro, and they try to cheer him up.

Jason shuts down so Artemis calls in back-up; ROY AND STARFIRE.

Jason is outside when Roy throws a bow and arrow at him and they shoot some arrows at targets as a way to use therapy.

Jason admits that he feels useless being so broken and fears he will never get over what has been done to him.

Roy apologizes and says that it sounds awful what Jason has gone through.

Then Starfire pipes up, and quote on quote says:

"I've known you and Dick a long time. Both of you put the weight of the world on your shoulders. You keep forgetting it's not a burden for you to carry alone. Take it from someone who was betrayed and enslaved and experimented on. Surviving is a win. Living is a win. Don't let him take those things from you. He doesn't deserve them."

Then Roy adds:

"Do you know why we chose to follow you Jason? I promise it wasn't because of the helmet. It was because all of us felt broken in one way or another, but you din't see us that way."

I wish I could say that that's how the latest chapter ends and you're left with a sense of peace when they all say together that they are Outlaws forever.

But the closing panel is a dark alleyway with what looks like a warehouse and a spray painted on question mark. You're left with a sense of dread and anxiety.

And that's how the episode ends.

[cartoonus-maximus]

And of course, my reading bingo! According to goodreads, I read a total of 48 books: 29 of them were comics, 13 were conventional books, and 6 were audiobooks.

I also started an essay book ("Languages of Truth: Essays 2003 - 2020" by Salman Rushdie), but I haven't finished it yet; I got busy reading two other essay books ("All of the Marvels" and "the Tolkien Reader") and Rushie just fell through the cracks. But I've enjoyed what I've read from the book so far, and I return to it every so often, so I'll finish him eventually.

(Unlike Chekov, who is languishing on my shelf, but let's not talk about it.)

Here's the full list of what I read in 2024, including a few reviews I left on goodreads:

🦸‍♂️ DC Comics:

Batman: A Lot of Li'l Gotham

Batman and Robin, Vol 1: Father and Son

Doom Patrol: the Silver Age, Vol 1

Red Hood and the Outlaws, Vol 1: Dark Trinity [review]

Red Hood and the Outlaws, Vol 2: Who is Artemis?

Red Hood and the Outlaws, Vol 3: Bizarro Reborn [review]

Red Hood and the Outlaws, Vol 4: Good Night Gotham [review]

Red Hood: Outlaw, Vol 1: Requiem for an Archer [review]

Red Hood: Outlaw, Vol 2: Prince of Gotham

Red Hood: Outlaw, Vol 3: Generation Outlaw [review]

Red Hood: Outlaw, Vol 4: Unspoken Truths [review]

Robin War (crossover event compilation)

Robins: Being Robin [review]

Teen Titans #4: Robin [review]

🤖 Five Nights at Freddy's: Tales from the Pizzaplex

#1: "Lally's Game" [review]

#2: "HAPPS" [review]

#3: "Somniphobia" [review]

#4: "Submechanophobia" [review]

#5: "The Bobbiedots Conclusion" [review]

#6: "Nexie" [review]

🦸‍♂️ Marvel Comics:

She-Hulk, Vol 1: Jen, Again

She-Hulk, Vol 2: Jen of Hearts

She-Hulk, Vol 3: Girl Can't Help It

Spider-Punk: Battle of the Banned [review]

Thor & Loki: Double Trouble

🧙‍♂️ Tolkien works:

"the Hobbit"

"the Lord of the Rings: the Fellowship of the Ring"

"the Lord of the Rings: the Two Towers"

"the Lord of the Rings: the Return of the King"

"the Tolkien Reader"

📚 Misc. Other Books:

"All of the Marvels: a Journey to the Ends of the Biggest Story Ever Told" by Douglas Wolk

"Fully Known: An Invitation to True Intimacy with God" by Mo Aiken

"Murtagh" by Christopher Paolini

"The Doll People" by Martin, Godwin, and Selznick

"The Elizabethan Zoo: a Book of Beasts Both Fabulous and Authentic" by Pliny the Elder and others [review]

"The Lost Apothecary" by Sarah Penner [review]

"The Importance of Being Earnest" playscript by Oscar Wilde

"The Nightward" by R.S.A. Garcia [review]

📚 Misc. Other Comics, Manga, and Graphic Novels:

A Man and His Cat, Vol 1 (from Square Enix Manga) [review]

Betty Boop (from Dynamite Entertainment)

Garfield: Pet Force Special #1 (from Boom! Studios)

Garfield, Vol 9: His 9 Lives (from Boom! Studios)

the Hobbit graphic novel adaptation (from Ballantine Books)

Monster High: Howliday Haunt (from IDW) [review]

Monster High Pride 2024 (from IDW) [review]

Wires and Nerve, Vol 1 (from Square Fish)

Wires and Nerve, Vol 2: Gone Rogue (from Square Fish)

Zodiac Starforce Vol 1: By the Power of Astra (from Dark Horse)

[theuselesscucumber]

Kori was/is a Titan. And so was Roy. They were Titans before Jason even became Robin (though they were Teen Titans back then for obvious reasons).

There's really no rules against being on multiple teams at once but both of them were on the Outlaws during points in time when they were not actively on any team.

Red Hood and the Outlaws (vol. 1) was published in 2011-2015. At the end of it, the team mostly goes their separate ways. Kori heads off to do her own thing and Jason and Roy are left to get back to Earth.

After that came a shorter series called Red Hood/Arsenal (2015-2016) that acted as a continuation of RHATO Vol. 1. That series ended with Jason and Roy getting into a fight and heading their separate ways.

Which leads us into Red Hood and the Outlaws (vol. 2), published 2016-2020. Kori and Roy are gone and Jason teams up with Artemis and Bizarro. Roy does make a brief appearance in one issue and an annual but aside from that, vol. 2 only consists of the "dark trinity" as the Outlaws.

After Artemis and Bizarro get sucked into an Elseworld and essentially go missing, the comic is retitled as Red Hood: Outlaw. They do eventually return but Jason is solo for awhile.

Tl;dr, the Outlaws are Jason, Kori, Roy, Artemis, and Bizarro. Kori and Roy were just on the team at a different point in time than Artemis and Bizarro were.

Could someone explain to me who are the outlaws members? because I can't understand.

In some comics are Jason, Roy and Kori, in others are Jason, Artemis and Biz. and in a lot of thin that I saw Kori is a titan, what the f*ck is happening?

[out-of-context-batfam]

Red Hood and The Outlaws (2016) #42

[firefrightfic]

Red Hood & the Outlaws v2 #25

I have so many emotions right now.

[absurdlytired]

Jason Todd Headcanons

He’s as silent as the grave. You won’t know he’s there unless he wants you to know he’s there, by then you’ve already gotten the shit beaten out of you

Not only does his eyes glow but his hair does too. It’s not as bright as a flash light but it’s enough to feel ghost-like

You can’t catch him on camera. He just shows up as static

Most of Gotham thinks they’re haunted by him cause they keep seeing his face around crime alley

Tim prides himself in being unfazed by things but always jumps when Jason’s voice comes out from behind him

Where does Jason even come from???

Animals are wary around him, much to Damian’s annoyance. He can’t hang out with his brother and his pets at the same time

He goes absolutely still during his panic attacks. It’s hard to tell if he’s even breathing

Dick thinks there’s someone living in his walls cause his food keeps disappearing. Jason won’t tell him otherwise

He loves cuddling with Kori. He runs cold and she’s a freaking furnace

Roy, Artemis, and Bizarro are adequate substitutes when she’s gone

[wwrenwrites]

SCENE 1: First Kiss

Jason Todd x reader

A/N: "SCENARIO" is a series of head-cannons that have a oneshot storyline and have no relation to any of the other chapters.

**n/n = nickname

** lets say the OUTLAWS as a whole reunite all together again lol

VIGILANTE:

- you were tied up

- one of the men who tied you up was making those villain talks

- and terrible creepy flirting

- and while you were trying to get out of the ropes

- he tilts your head and you nearly barf when leans close to you

- slightly feeling his lips you immediately pursed yours

- and head butt him

- Redhood was the first one that bumped into you when he was finding his team

- he saw you kicking the guy continuously

- the other goons already down holding they're balls

- Jason had to carry you out and decided to ask later what happen

- back in base

- everyone in the dining area

- you came home with extra junk food from the convenience store

- you overhear Kori telling Jason that one of the henchmen kissed you

- most likely asked why he kept seeing you rinse your lips

- you don't make a big deal about it at first but is a bit sulky

- "he didn't kiss me!"

- "a peck counts y/n!" You hear Roy say from the couches.

- "you shouldn't have gone easy on him then if it wasn't consensual." Artemis pointed out.

- you shrugged. And waved your hand that you took care of it anyway

- "You saw what happen, that head butt and kick on the shin will last weeks of blue balls." You said nodding

- quite pleased remembering how you beaten him extra

- everyone thought it was a normal reaction

- especially since it was not consented

- but for you it was more than that

- you hated the idea that some musty guy is your first kiss

- than a man you're attracted too

- and you saying over and over it was barely a full kiss

- but also Artemis and Roy saying it still counts and you scowl

- and Bizarro comforting you with home-cook food

- when everyone went back to their rooms

- it's just you and Jason in the lounge area

- both of you pre-prepping your own gear for the next day

- Jason asks again in better detail on what happen

- then u admit its KINDA ur first kiss

- and u get even more annoyed remembering it as you rub ur lips

- "what do you mean kinda?"

- he's surprise to be fair

- since both of you are around the same age

- he knows you've dated a few times

- and you were too guarded in nature to do hookups

- but he also knows that you are pretty picky too

- which he's glad you are

- especially the times you ignore other vigilantes flirt with you

- he still had possessive moments

- he knows if he was there and saw the goon kissing you

- the bruises would be a lot worse than what you did

- both of you remain platonic and close

- he doesn't want to make it obvious

- but also its a bit complicated

- since Artemis rejoined again for a while

- both of you didn't have much alone time

- than just small talk

- whenever Artemis and Roy joins in he notices you to be quieter

- and you, just listening mostly

- but you do be your usual easygoing self

- however it's not the same as how you are when it's just the two of you

- though he wants to assume your jealous of Artemis

- since he has some history with her

- and it makes him a bit happy you are like that

- but he wants to tell you one day you're the only one he wants

- and he does think both your feelings are mutual

- since you don't push away when he does any close body contact initiative

- like when he leans close to you if ever or when he grabs you easily on your waist sometimes etc.

- and you start leaning on him more or when there's blood on his face you instinctively touch it and tend to it

- but both of you are scared to ruin the closeness you both have

- "I mean it's not like you're required to kiss on the first date? And forehead and cheek kisses aren't exactly kiss-kiss right?" You said simply.

- you had point

- and you did imply that after every date you had

- you would go on detail if your date made any moves on you and how he treated you

- he scoffed a number of times to be fair

- you always say positive things and no worse date so far

- but the dates you mention were so mediocre for an amazing person who deserves the best in everything

- Jason ruffles your hair and you glare at him.

- "I know you wanted your first kiss to be special-"

- "it wasn't a kiss"

- "Fine unwanted lip contact. Better?" He tilts his head, you rolled your eyes.

- after a few minutes of comfortable silence

- Jason then tugs his hoodie as if he's checking for blood or a stain

- "n/n help me out would you." he asks you

- you raise a brow at first cause it looked perfectly fine

- then you lean a bit closer

- he kisses your forehead

- you squirm

- "the hell Todd-"

- then he kisses u

- again

- and again

- and you had to stop

- but also hoped it never will

- you wanted this

- you both want it

- always wanted it

- he pecks your lips for the last time, moving apart from you.

- your face in shocked

- "Are you pitying me?" Your eyes narrow, glaring at him once you processed what happened

- praying he doesn't notice how flustered you are

- Jason smirks, a laugh came out of him

- he kisses the side of your lip

- then grabs your chin with his fingers

- both your foreheads leaning each other

- "You have no idea how long I wanted to do that."

- you felt yourself get even redder

- "sneaky bastard." You huffed grinning this time

- ✨make out✨

- both of you catch a breath again,

- "Sorry if I'm bad at it." You whispered

- him smiling even more, caressing your cheek with his thumb

- are you kidding? More like the best kiss he had and wanted forever

- yeah he had brief relationships

- but it's the first time he had deep feelings for someone he wanted badly

- but both of you remained hands off each other for years

- especially the foreign butterflies that were always there inside him

- he usually ignores, flutter stronger

- he'll confess that later on but for now

- "let's practice more then." His voice dropped a bit more, earning a laugh from you.

[framed-incompetence]

Part Five of Red Hood and The Outlaws Vol.1: Dark Trinity. Lets go 🏃‍♀️💨

Part One/Part Two/Part Three/Part Four/Part Six/Part Seven

And yet she was going to help him anyway

This impromptu therapy session is everything. Easily my favorite scene in this comic so far.

Jason had a dog named Sparky. Why is now the first time I’m hearing about this. What happened to the dog? It’s probably dead isn’t it.

Loved this. Is the bow actually gone or did he just say that to get rid of Artemis.

Played like a fucking fiddle.

Oh no. Also whose job is it to dress bizarro or do they have like a machine whose sole purpose is to dress Bizarro in tights.

[listentothelittlebird]

This is a scrapped scene from my fic How Are You? on Ao3! It’s Jason waking up in the Manor after getting rescued... basically, pure fluff :3 

Word count: 979 words

Enjoy! :D

Usually, when Jason woke up from a deep sleep, it meant that he had either been knocked out or had passed out. He tended to sleep light, so coming around from general oblivion always set him on edge - unless there were indications that he was not in any danger.

There was a hand running through his hair.

Jason registered the calming motion first, warm and steady. He registered the soft cushioning next, the soft pressure of a thick blanket above him. He shifted and pressed his cheek into the hand’s palm, humming in content. 

“Jay-lad?” a thumb running over his cheekbone. Jason recognised that voice. “You awake?” 

He was safe. 

“Shush, B,” Jason whined lazily, “Too early.” 

He burrowed his head into the pillow behind him. There was a chuckle from somewhere beside him.

“As always, not a morning person,” Bruce observed amusedly. Hypocrite. “Bizarro and Artemis recovered well,” Bruce went on, “They’re at your Outlaws base resting, but they’ve been worried about you. You haven’t been awake to answer your comms.”

Jason gave a put-upon sigh, finally cracking his eyes open to peer up at Bruce. Yup, that was an amused smile on his face. “Good morning,” he greeted. Jason grunted out something similar, but less coherent.

“What’s the damage?” Jason yawned, finally testing out the movement of his limbs. He cringed at how stiff he felt and winced at what felt like stitches at his leg and side, but he was alive, so that was great. He jerked his head too sharply and got a pulse of pain through his head for his efforts.

“Bruises, cracked ribs, a sprained wrist, two knife wounds that needed stitches, a few lacerations, and a concussion that had you semi-coherent for the last two days,” Bruce listed mildly, “Not sure how much of that you remember. Your siblings came to visit.”

“You mean gather blackmail,” Jason groaned, already dreading what footage they had taken while he was not completely lucid.

“If you’ve been nice to Barbara, I’m sure she’ll be happy to erase whatever they have,” Bruce shrugged, “Or she might have footage of her own. Both outcomes are just as likely.”

“Fuck,” Jason groaned, long and drawn out.

“Language,” Bruce commented. Jason glared at his father, which was probably incredibly ineffective given his weakened and prone form.

“Do you feel well enough to talk to them?” Bruce held up the communicator he used with the Outlaws, “There’s only so many times they’ll try before they start looking for you.”

Jason frowned - not pouted, shut up, Dick - and took the offered communicator. He held it above his face, rather precarious given it could smack into him if he dropped it. Oh well, he liked to live on the edge.

“Twenty missed calls,” Jason mumbled with a sigh, before dialing and bringing the communicator closer to his ear, but not directly against it. 

His caution was rewarded when it was Roy who answered the call, practically yelling into the device. “Jay! Jay, is that you?”

“Give a guy with a concussion a break, Roy,” Jason stated dryly, “Dammit, you guys, I don’t answer the phone for two days and you sound like you thought I died.”

“You were missing by the time I was awake,” that was Artemis, now, “I had to tend to Bizarro first and bring him to Superman, but we had no idea what had become of you.”

“Red Him hurt?” Bizarro questioned, concerned and sad.

Jason huffed, “They were beating me up for information, yeah. Didn’t give them anything. Hell, they really sucked at the interrogation aspect of their kidnapping. I’ll heal.”

“Where are you now?” Kori was there, too? Sheesh. “You mustn’t have gone far, if you’re injured. Do you need us to get you?”

“It’s fine,” Jason replied, meeting Bruce’s eye with a rare, soft smile, “I’m at home, right now. Being babied by the family, and all that jazz.”

As if on cue, yelling was heard down the hall. The only indication that they were running was the rising and falling of their voices, loud as they neared and soft as they passed. 

Bruce slipped out to check on them just as something happened - it sounded like a race - and Dick’s whooping was interrupted by loud, sharp protests from their younger brothers.

“Your family,” Roy echoed, “Huh. Is that them I hear? How many of them are there?”

“Ah, it’s like a group home around here,” Jason commented idly. Cass slipped into his room and shut the door, gliding quietly over to his side with a soft smile and wave. 

This room was not his old room - it had shelves of some of his old favourite books, sure, but there were also newer additions to the collection. 

There were other things, too. A nerf gun Tim had bought for him, just to see how accurate he could get his shots. Ticket stubs for some musicals he had been to with Cass. A succulent that Bruce had placed, when he first started using the room. A scarf knit by Alfred’s careful hand, and a much lumpier beanie which Dick had attempted, along with a store-bought beanie and a pair of ski gloves, “for next time”.

“Can I be left in peace now?” Jason droned with a lazy smile sent towards Cass, “My fam’s bothering me.”

“Alright,” Roy sighed, “Well, glad to know you’re doing fine. Come back to base when you’re feeling better.”

“Will do,” Jason agreed, “See ya.” He hung up just as his other siblings burst through the door.

“Jay!” Dick bounded over happily, “You’re awake!”

“Joy,” Jason muttered drily, “B said something about me being loopy. Where’re ya hidin’ the blackmail?”

“Not telling,” Tim grinned, “We got Babs on our side. You’re never finding it if we don’t want you to.”

Jason rolled his eyes, valiantly ignoring the small smile on his face.

[prismacolor19]

Artwork By @zed-sabre

I love this so much! This is making me so sad at seeing Jason like this and seeing him so confused. This artwork inspired me so much that I ended up writing a fanfic about it!

I will edit this tomorrow. I am still not fully done with this fanfic and I have to edit it, but it’s my first full fanfic I have written! My thoughts were on a roll and this fanfic didn’t take me and that long to write and I was so happy when I found out I could finish it the next few hours and post it! I have some other ones that I am almost done with that are longer but, this is my first full one and I was too exited to wait to post it! I still need to come up with a title.

I know a lot of fans have the head canon that not all of Jason’s scars were erased from the Lazarus Pit, especially his autopsy scar but, I love that they were erased So I am interpreting that some of these these scars Jason is seeing are being imagined in his head.

Jason gets out of the shower after showering off from patrol and is about to grab a towel around himself when he suddenly he sees himself in the mirror and stops in front of it and stares at himself as he notices his scars. He then begins to look at and trace the scars he has on his wet body.

As he looks at and traces his scars he thinks about what Joker did to him and then he imagines the scars he used to have from when he was Robin, the scars he got from what the Joker did to him. But the scar he is thinking about and imagining on himself the most, is his autopsy scar. He thinks how he deserves to have those scars.

He thinks back to one of his last few conversations he had with Artemis.

“When I was made whole again......when I stepped from the Lazarus pit......I was upset when I realized all my scars were healed over. From the crow bar. From the bomb. They were my scars. I earned them. Does that make any sense?” RedHood And The Outlaws (2016) #50

He then remembers what Artemis told him that night.

“Of course. Scars are the stories our bodies tell about our lives.” (RedHood And The Outlaws (2016) #50

He remembers feeling so comforted after hearing those words from her and feeling relieved that someone understood him and didn’t think he was crazy. Now he can’t help himself from thinking how he deserves to have those scars marking his perfect skin. He knows his skin is not exactly perfect because he has gotten a lot of scars since he came back to life but, it’s better now that the old ones are gone.

He thinks about how if he still had the scars that were erased on top of the ones he has now, it would be an ugly mess on his skin, and they would be his permanent reminders for his mistake and for the things he has done since he first came back to life. These reminders and these scars would be his punishment he deserves for bad things he has done. Jason then thinks about not for the first time how he still sees himself as a monster and can’t stop himself from thinking that he deserves to have his skin looking like that.

Jason then notices how dark and deep his thoughts are spiraling and thinks about how disappointed Roy, Kori, Bizarro, and Artemis would be if they found out Jason was thinking all of this about himself. Jason knows deep down he is not monster anymore and that he needs to get over what happened to him. He knows he can’t forget about what Joker did to him, but he knows he can’t let what happened fill his thoughts.

Jason then grabs a towel, drys off, goes to his pj drawer and puts on his favorite red sweat pants, goes over to sit down on his bed, grabs his phone on the night stand and calls Dick, who is staying at the manor for the next few weeks. He most times calls Tim, Babs, even Bruce or one of the others but, tonight it’s bad. Not the worst thoughts or moments he had before, but still it’s more dark and he doesn’t want the others to be exposed to it.

He knows they aren’t little kids and could handle it but, their nights are already so dark and if he can prevent them from being exposing to more darkness tonight by just little he will do everything he can to prevent that from happening so they can have a more peaceful sleep without worrying and thinking about him and the things he would have told them. He knows Dick is going to tell them all he went over his place because he was having one of his bad nights and that they will all talk and comfort him tomorrow like they always do.

Dick: Hi Jay

Dick already suspects something is wrong Jason can hear it in his voice. Dick knows that when Jason calls this late night it usually means something is going on. It’s not that late right now it’s 2:30am so Jason knew Dick would be finishing up his reports or sleeping. From the rustling sounds Jason hears as Dick moves his blanket and sheets he knows Dick was about to go to bed and that makes him feel better about calling him when he did. Jason hates it when wakes Dick up even though Dick has told him it’s fine and to call him no matter what time it is.

Jason: Hi Dick

Dick is standing up and is walking over to his closet to grab his overnight bag he always has packed for when his family or fiends call him saying they need him to stay over. From how sad Jason’s voice is Dick knows Jason is not ok and his having a bad nights. Jason and his thoughts get like this sometimes during the day too. His thoughts become dark and deep, he is confused about himself and his life, and sometimes just wants to give up and do nothing but Jason being like this and thinking these thoughts mostly happen at night.

Dick: How bad is it Jason?

Jason: It’s bad right now.

Jason: I am having a hard time controlling the thoughts I think of.

Dick: Where are you now?

Jason: I am at my main apartment siting on my bed.

Dick: Ok Jason stay there I will be there soon.

Jason: Ok.

Jason then hangs up the phone, unlocks his front door, walks back into his bedroom, and lays down on his side on his bed with his back facing the window, pulls his blanket over himself, and cries fast tears wishing he wasn’t feeling this way and thinking about these things.

Dick has his bag on his shoulder, goes to grab his phone, unzips his bag, places in phone inside it and leaves it unzipped. The last thing he grabs is his keys and he then goes to his closet to put his blue sneakers on, and quickly walks out of his the room, down the hall, and down the steps. Right before he walks out of the manor he sees Bruce at the top of the stair case and tells him. “Jason is having a bad night” “Tell the family” Bruce then says “I will” Dick then says “I will text you all when he is asleep” Bruce then says “Thanks” “Tell him he doesn’t have to come over if he doesn’t want too” Dick says you say the same thing every time, but yea I will tell him” Bruce then sends a text in the family group chat for them to see in the morning saying Jay called Dick to tell him he is having a bad night and that Dick will text them when Jay is asleep. Bruce then goes back to bed and hopes Jason decides to come over and Dick runs out the door and towards his car and get in and starts it as fast as he can and is then speeding down the long drive way.

When Dick arrives at Jason’s apartment 10m later, (because he speed down the backroads going 80mph, knowing he wouldn’t run into any cops) he turns the knob knowing it’s already un locked and locks the door. He then walks towards Jason’s bedroom and can hear him crying from inside the room and opens the door. Jason hears his door open and knows it’s Dick and doesn’t care that he knows his crying and is going to see him like this. Jason got over his issues of being emotional and crying in front of his family a year ago.

Dick was already wearing his blue sweat pants when he drove over here so he climbs on the bed, lays down next to Jason, and hugs Jason from behind. Jason then turns over and hugs himself on top of Dick’s bare chest and cries even more. Physical contact helps calm Jason down and sleep and he feels safe when he can feel another person’s body and warmth. Dick wraps his arms tightly around Jason and pets and cards his fingers through his hair. Dick then asks “Do you want to talk about it?” Jason in a teary voice says “No” “Let me know if you change your mind” “If not we can talk about it tomorrow” Jason then changes his mind and says “This isn’t fully what’s going on but, I can’t stop thinking about how I should be punished for the things I have done” “Jason I am so sorry your thinking that” Jason is still crying and says in a frustrated voice “It’s horrible Dick!” “I know it’s not true, and I don’t want to be thinking about this but I can’t stop myself from thinking this!” “I want the thoughts to stop!” “I feel so miserable and I can’t do anything else, but think these depressing thoughts and lies!” “Shhh calm down Jason” “It’s going to be ok” “Do you want to go the manor tomorrow?” “it’s ok if you don’t want to” Bruce said you didn’t have to come over if you don’t want to” “I can stay with you this week” “He always says that” He means it Jay you know that” “Yea I do” “I do want to go over the manor tomorrow and stay there this week“ “This time it will be better for me if I have you all there for me” “They will all be so happy to know that Jay” “Do you want to take something to help you sleep” “No” “Just having you hold me and me hugging and feeling you is helping” “Thanks for coming over” “Any time Jay” “Now to try to sleep ok” “I will try to” Dick then rubbed Jason’s back and kept on playing with Jason’s hair.

After Jason cried for 30m he finally stopped and went to sleep 15m later, Dick carefully reached over to his night stand and texted in the family chat that Jason is now sleeping peacefully and they will be at the manor at 4:00pm. Jason usually sleeps in until 3:00pm when he has his bad nights and an hour would be enough time for Jason to pack and for them to get ready to leave and have an hour and half to spend time with the family before they dinner at 6:30pm. After dinner they would all talk to Jason and help through his problems and the thoughts he is thinking about himself and Jay would feel better after his stay.

After sending his text Dick made sure Jason was still asleep he then closed his eyes and thought about how great it was that Jason had been and still does ask for their help, let’s them help and comfort him, and that Jason asks for their comfort love. Dick went to sleep feeling so proud of Jason, feeling his warmth and listening to and feeling his breaths. It comforted Dick and made him feel so happy he was able to clam Jason down and get him to have the peaceful sleep he deserves.

[whereflowersbloom]

Let me heal you

Jason Todd didn’t hate Bruce or Dick. Nah. Waste of valuable energy. In fact, Jason respected, dare he say even admired his ward and brother. What he despised were their inflexible morals, or rather his family forcing their morals on everyone else. Specially him. We don’t kill. Yes, yes. Fine. What exasperated him was when Bruce decided that his morals applied to everyone else that he took issue. Including the black sheep of the family. He didn’t precisely kill, he let himself go for a single minute. He lost it one time. Batman gave everyone unlimited chances at redemption, except the Red Hood. One mistakes and he’s exiled. In the end it didn’t matter. Nevertheless, he was aware that was not the reason he was angry tonight. No. It was entirely something else.

He could hear her anywhere he was, no matter what time of day or night, what state of sobriety or inebriation, critically wounded. In the dark dangerous streets of Gotham, the sparring ring with the smack of fists and bodies, between the breaths he took as he was falling into the arms of Morpheus. He could always hear Raven. Foolish. She was too far from him. He lived and painfully yearned for her. She was soft curves and he was hard edges. She was a fierce and magical Phoenix while he was a fucking jay with broken wings and a delirious mind. What a catch, Jason.

It drove him mad, how much it didn’t make sense, at all. A soldier wouldn’t fall asleep to a lullaby, but rather the drumbeats of wrath and screams of his opponents. But she was that, for in each beat of her heart Jason heard the call to arms. These complicated feelings, he didn’t remember when they started surging in him. He tried to sort out his feelings, even though he knew that would hurt worse than the burning pain emanating from his cracked ribs. Tsk. He could use a cig right this second.

She was probably at the Manor with Richard, staying in the guest room which was Coincidently next to his old bedroom. And here he was alone, in his modest studio apartment. The pain of his bruised and broken flesh and bones was nothing compared to that excruciating knowledge. Jason rubbed his palms over his weary eyes trying to calm himself. Attempt to dampen the burning rage that was about to send him to a dark place in his mind he didn’t want to think about. He had control. He couldn’t lose control over the voices. Feel the boiling anger, burning in his chest, squeezing his heart. Let the eternal agony that burned through his blood and singed his eyes an unnatural green color. He left that fucking bullshit behind. He loathed the Pit for taking his chance to offer her something...relatively normal.

Since Artemis and Bizarro were gone. Officially, Jason was on his own for the first time in a long while. As he pulled his arms up to finish bandaging his wounds, his shoulders stung and in a gasping breath Jason quickly dropped his arms. He was useless. The pain was worse today than it usually had been. Probably from all the previous battles against Black Mask and his personal army of mercenaries. They had become a pain in the ass. Perhaps a short visit to good Doctor Tompkins would have been a better idea. He cursed breathlessly.

A knock at the door was his only warning before he turned around to see her. Raven opening the door and striding in as if this was her room and not his. Not that this was the first time she sneaked into his apartment.

She was here. It wasn’t a vision or product of his imagination or effect of high dosage of painkillers. He swallowed hard as he found himself speechless, mind blank in her presence. With her dark cloak and hood down, serene expression and looking at him with intense amethyst gems.

He paid a high price after using the pit to have his life back and this anew tremendous strength. But there’s something else, something he’d never felt before. A pull in his chest, as though someone had tied a string to one of his ribs and it was tugging on it, gently but insistently, coaxing him towards her...She was his answer. For a half-demon goddess she was the closest thing to heaven to him. The wings of freedom.

“What is it?” Jason growled harshly. It wasn’t a threat. He simply didn’t want her to see him like this. In such a weak position that he couldn’t even patch up his own damn body. Those little bits of his bloody past stopped him from reaching out to her. What right did he have to ask her to love him despite everything? Indeed he paid a high price.

“Came here to gloat, little bird?” He spat poisonous words with a half smirk. Poisonous words and threats were all he ever had. He closed his eyes, breathing slowly, deeply, getting air into his lungs, refusing to be beaten by this, refusing to be anything less than civil and let her see right through him.

There was no answer. She watched him closely for a moment before slowly closing the distance between her and him. As if she was nervous that he would order her away. Like last time she had been here, her palm caressing his cheek with such tenderness he had forgotten it existed. Her breath was warm against his neck and he was dying to mutter ‘please stay’.

What a joke. Jason Todd. Unapologetically and insanely in love with the little Raven. A Titan. Each atom of his body breathed longing into the space between them, aching to be with her, love her as a whole as it should be. But with a fractured mind, chained with firm mania cuffs. So hateful and yet insanely in love with this creature capable of drowning him in his ashes.

“I came to offer my help healing you but if you don’t want then...” She studied throughly his figure for a solid minute but at his reaction, furrowed forehead formed a thin line. She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to regain her elegant composure, taking a step back.

He quickly wrapped his hand around her wrist to stop her from leaving. It was our of instinct or his body ice cold starved for a ray of light. He kept his face clear of the pain his shoulders felt at the movement, but Raven’s eyes flickered to them. A flash of genuine worry. Why he couldn’t apologize and be a gentleman like the golden boy. Damn it. Manners Todd.

“Are you mad at me?” Raven asked serious. She twisted her body around to face him yet she didn’t pry her wrist from his grip that had gentled as soon as he halted her.

Did she want the truth? No. He was mad at himself for not fighting for her. For being weak. For his wickedness. For all his bullshit. But the beat in his chest was now pounding like a hammer against an anvil, erasing the other sounds around him. He could only focus on her.

“No.” Jason forced a chuckled though it lacked the usual mirth. “I’m not mad at you. Which is surprising considering we are usually infuriating each other every other day, sunshine. Missing me much?” Letting her go was far more unbearable than his cracked ribs. She continued staring at him deciding whether he was telling her the truth or guessing what game he was playing tonight.

He felt his body tense in anticipation of her answer. Did she miss him? Did she think of him as often as he did? He considered briefly sending her away though every fibre of his being rebelled against the action.

Raven knew she shouldn’t be here but yet she found herself coming anyway, despite her rationality telling her to run, to flee, to hide, to forget that she ever came here…But something deeper, something stronger, urged her forwards. She didn’t dare fight it any longer. Yes. She missed him every second since their last encounter. She bit her lip out of habit. She was a Titan and he was an outlaw. Different sides of the coin.

“Jason.” Her free hand stretched for his that had loosened from her wrist. His callouses scraped across her skin and she found herself enjoying the touch perhaps too much for her own good. She recalled the last time they made contact. First he gave into it like a malnourished kid offered a piece of bread, but then he rejected it unreasonably. So adamant on pushing her away. Not this time.

Raven let out a heavy and deep sigh.

“How long do you plan to continue this ridiculous dance? Running around in circles.” She asked him openly with a soft voice. Her heart seizing painfully tight in her chest.

As long as it takes for you to leave me, he thought to himself. No answer.

“Jason” Raven repeated his name until his eyes met hers, it was a combination of lake blue and cyan. Impossibly beautiful and perfect, usually brightening with amusement or laughter, slightly shadowed by regret. Except now they were dull with contained sorrow. Let me heal you. All the hurting parts of you.

“Are you ashamed of me? Is that why you reject me?” She spoke with a cracked voice and glassy eyes. Doubting her worth snd pride wounded.

What. No. No. Hell no. The least he ever wanted was to hurt her. His fists clenched with frustration. How could she ever think he was ashamed of her? He adored her with his broken and dammed soul. He was ashamed of himself.

“I’m not ashamed of you.” Jason said with a shake of his head. “I’m disappointed in my own weakness. I could never be whole...” He admitted out loud with the weight of his past deeds and his unpredictable future. He inhaled deeply as he ruffled his dark curls.

She narrowed her eyes in understanding, wetting her lips before speaking. “Jason. You’re stronger then you think. You can deal with this. Don’t let this ruin who you are and what we could have.” She whispered softly, words caught between mustered courage and steady resolve. Voicing the possibility of a ‘us’. There was no point denying their attraction at this point.

One moment he was standing there. Motionless. Then he was moving, moving towards her, closer, before he’s quite given his body permission to do so because he couldn’t just stand there and not hold her.

At that Jason stopped breathing for a moment and his eyes shot to her. He wrapped his arms around her frame, tightening a fraction. His eyes were filled with something Raven was unsure of how to describe even with her empathic abilities. It was a mixture of emotions she couldn’t keep up with. Something she’s seen in him before but no one else.

Surprise. Fear. Worry. But over all happiness. Yes happiness and divine peace.

He stared down at her, a rational protest rising in his throat, the terrified assertion that she can’t help him, she can’t put up with this side of him. The rage and the voices and his uncontrollable anger. But in her eyes he found the answer. She’d already made up her mind. As if she was saying ‘I choose you’. Him. The damaged not charming and righteous Dick.

She could feel Jason’s volatile emotions call to her, voice hoarse and raw from his injuries but distinct and sharp, piercing straight to her soul. Pleading with his spirit. “Please…Stay with me.” She automatically snaked her arms around his neck. Her touch. Merely touching her used to be enough but now he couldn’t get enough.

He had been terrified by what her touch had inspired in him at first, terrified of what he might be able to do to her body if she let him…The things he wanted ro do to her. But unable to stop thinking about it, craving it, his lips on her neck, his strong, hard body pressing hers into the wall of his apartment, not caring anymore about his own physical pain. He pressed a passionate kiss to her lips.

Jason had never believed in soulmates, that was folks tales for mindless romantics. This didn’t change his mind about the topic. One thing was certain, if there was a person whose edged fit his perfectly regardless of the roughness, that would be Raven. She was darkness herself but in his mind she was the sun encasing him in gentle warmth. The stars were meant to reflect in her eyes. If there was a heaven, Raven was the owner of his.

Small jayrae prompt for @alerialblu @ravenfan1242 @amaati @niahti @jasonrae117 @catyypss 💜💖

[nightwingmyboi]

What do you think of the latest 3 Jokers? First Kory and Roy are Jason's best friends, now Barbara is Jason's love interest? And no one has ever cared about getting Jason help? What was Dick putting him in good Arkham then?

Well, I knew from the get go that this comic series was not going to be for me lmao. I am pretty sick of the Joker, so I was going to hard pass on all that. Then I saw the kiss...and I was like, oh boy. Guess I’m reading this after all to see what the heck is going on there. 

Not going to lie: kind of sick of Jason just hijacking other characters (mostly Dick’s) character dynamics. It’d be different if Jason actually became friends with other characters naturally, and they developed their own unique dynamic (I thought they did this better with Artemis and Bizarro for example). That I wouldn’t mind, even if these characters were also friends with Dick. But it’s like, Dick and Roy are childhood friends? Well, now Jason and Roy are childhood friends and also Roy hates Dick and their decades long relationship is completely erased. Why. 

As for Jason and Barbara being in a relationship...well, I hate that Babs is just getting de-aged and passed around between members of the Bat-fam, I think thats a big issue there. And regardless of what the age gap they say exists between them now, Barbara just feels a lot older than Jason to me and that also makes things uncomfortable for me personally. 

Another thing...just by virtue of the fact that Dick and Barbara have such a long-standing and popular romantic history, along with the fact that Jason is Dick’s brother...Dick is inevitably going to hang over this relationship. Both in canon and fanon materials alike. 

On Barbara’s end, and on Jason’s. Third-wheeling and he’s not even present. Dick is an unavoidable roadblock here, and I don’t want this to turn into another instance where it becomes a Dick Grayson bashing session in order to prop up Jason’s relationships. And the thought of these three being in a love triangle makes me want to vomit, hard pass. 

I think it is an interesting premise, to have Barbara and Jason bond over their shared traumas and help each other heal. But I’m not a fan of the “romantic” connection. It makes me uncomfortable that things happened between them while Jason was so vulnerable. He’d just been stripped naked and beaten by the Joker--the man (men whatever) that he hates most in the world, the guy that had previously murdered him. He is definitely re-traumatized, definitely not mentally ok, and that is when Barbara is suddenly going to display interest, that was largely absent from the comic up until that moment? It really rubs me the wrong way. 

Anyway, I have to say, that if this existed outside of canon, as I thought the Black Label titles were supposed to, then I wouldn’t have as many issues. Because I’d be able to be like, whatever, continuity doesn’t matter here. But since the writers are very insistent that it is a part of canon and will greatly effect the main universe, it has me nitpicking. Because, what do they mean, no one has been able to connect with Jason? What are all these scenes supposed to be. 

Nightwing #15

Batman #16

Batman and Robin Eternal #16

Where he is clearly vibing with his family members. Why does he have a bat symbol on his chest at all, if he’s not aligned with Bat-fam and made up with Bruce to some extent? And DC has very much gone out of their way to give Jason relationships to Roy, Starfire, Artemis, Bizarro, etc. There are a lot of areas where Jason could have and did receive some love and support and connection. So for him to say “I’ve never felt like anyone cared” until right now because Barbara had a five second conversation with him seems like a bit much. And saying that all of this is going to effect the main continuity in huge ways makes me nervous. 

DC needs to decide what they are going to do with Jason. They can’t keep doing this back and forth stuff where one second he’s the family outcast who has never been loved, and the next he’s an integral member of the family. It doesn’t make sense, and it creates this weird dissonance with him where a lot of what he does comes off as fake and insincere. Which stinks, because Jason’s character used to be all about conviction. 

[rason-rodd]

Opinions and Reviews

My opinion on ... The Rebirth Arc of Red Hood (aka why I’ve been rather absent from the Fandom for almost a year)

More than a year ago or so, I started losing interest in the Red Hood Comics. Between disappointment and frustration, I decided to leave the fandom or at least take some distance for a little while, a decision which, sadly, almost came naturally.

But the disappointment I felt was not caused by my followers. On the contrary, I’ve always been thankful and honoured to have them, to have you. The Red Hood fandom and more largely, the DC comics fandom, allowed me to meet so many amazing persons, persons who have always supported me and my work as a fanfic writer and I hope they’re doing okay wherever they are right now.

No, my disappointment was caused by the directions the Red Hood Comics were taking, directions that, as a huge fan of Jason Todd, couldn’t tolerate.

Red Hood and The Outlaws Rebirth started in 2016. And whether you liked the New 52 or not, you had to admit that the Rebirth arc started very well and the very first issues were very promising, offering the Jason Todd fans always wanted to read and that was in continuity with his predecessor from the New 52. Jason was this troubled leader fighting psychologically with a trauma he couldn’t leave behind and trying to win the trust of a father who never really trusted him while doing his best to help the city of Gotham and his new friends, putting aside all his personal problems mentioned above. Truly an amazing character with an incredible character development and an outstanding potential.

Lobdell, along with Dexter Soy’s magnificent artwork, brilliantly brought this Jason Todd to life and Red Hood and The Outlaws became, to me, one of the best DC Comics of its time. The story with Black Mask was coherent and realistic and creating this Dark Trinity was a genius idea. The members of the Outlaws completed each other and bonded in ways the previous Outlaws never did. No stupid love triangle. No unnecessary love story. Just lonely people finding a family in each other.  Separating the team was a big mistake and in my opinion the series started to go downhill because of it. 

After issue 26, nothing was the same. Soy and his art was gone. Jason’s iconic costume changed drastically and the writing as well as the storyline started losing quality. But I remained faithful and kept on reading. I was hopeful. I was wrong. The arc in Appleton was pointless and completely unmemorable. Trying to bring back Willis Todd was a good idea but the attempt led nowhere. Jason willing to be the “Prince of Gotham” and led the criminal world by dethroning Penguin could have been great but the story was messy again. 

And then Issue 37 happened and I was done. New Outlaws ? Seriously? Who are theses kids anyway? Jason as teacher hired by Lex Luthor? Are you kidding me?  I literally HATED that arc. The characters were not likeable or endearing. The story was terrible and completely WTF. I couldn’t see where Lobdell wanted to go with it. And Jason was not the Jason I used to love. The way he used to be portrayed - which I adored so much - was completely gone. And so I stop reading and I “left” the fandom, bitter, disappointed and truly frustrated because of what they had done to my beloved character. And as if that wasn’t enough, DC started doing sh*t with Nightwing as well (Ric Grayson was a joke right?)

I stopped reading for months but I tried to stay informed and finally when I learned that Artemis and Bizarro were back I gave RHATO an other shot only to be offered what? A useless (yet cute I have to admit) Jaytemis romance that didn’t go anywhere and another goodbye to Bizarro (Btw, what the hell is Trigon doing here?) and to the Outlaws.

So in a nutshell, RHATO Rebirth started with a bang with an amazing art, a good storyline and endearing characters. But, DC and Lobdell didn’t use its potential and it started losing quality after issue 27 until it reached a point around issue 37 where it became lame. Lobdell’s Jason Todd and his story ends far below the expectations I had placed in this series at its beginning with unresolved mysteries (Artemis full past + Willis Todd) and a few messy last issues that didn’t bring anything to Jason’s character development. 

Let’s see what the new team has in store now. 

Oh and yes, I’m back !! ;-)