#batman and robin is out nightwing and robin is in

[sourkreem]

they decided to crash jasons place after patrol (jason did not agree to this)

[incorrect-green-lantern-quotes]

Taking the context of Parallax out of the story is why I think Tower of Babel is near impossible to adapt as a standalone story without losing key aspects of Batman's characterization.

Case in point: Justice League: Doom. It's supposed to be an adaptation of Tower of Babel, and it does get the broad strokes of the story right insofar as that the villain is trying to take over the world and adapts Batman's contingency plans to take out the Justice League. But that's really about as close as it gets. I'm not going to go over all the differences between the movie and comic, just the ones that I think are most crucial.

Firstly, the Green Lantern in Justice League: Doom is Hal Jordan, as opposed to Kyle Rayner in Tower of Babel. This isn't the only character change (Barry is the Flash, and both Aquaman and Plastic Man are switched for Cyborg), but it's the most significant because Hal Jordan isn't a ghost haunting the narrative. He's just another superhero, with no indication that he was ever Parallax. Ironically, this actually makes Batman's actions even worse, since there's less justification for his paranoia

Second, a lot of the contingency plans in the movie are significantly tamer than those in the comics. In the movie, Superman is shot with a Kryptonite bullet, Flash gets a bomb planted in his wrist, and Green Lantern takes a huge dose of fear gas.

In the comic, Clark's cells are overloaded by Red Kryptonite that Batman specifically created. Wally is shot in the neck with a vibrating bullet, causing him to suffer epileptic seizures at light speed. Kyle gets blinded by a hypnotic suggestion, which is especially horrifying because the comic shows that Batman got the idea from Kyle talking about how important his sight was to him as an artist.

Both the comic and movie indicate that Batman made his contingencies to be nonlethal, but the former really pulls no punches with just how cruel the plans were to their victims.

Third, the movie tries to end on a more positive note by having Batman quit before the League has to vote on whether he is allowed to remain, and Superman goes after him to talk. That's where we get this scene, where Bruce tells Clark that his contingency plan for himself is the Justice League, implying that he does have some measure of trust in them.

The original comic does not have this scene. It does not have any version of it, and Superman is actually the tiebreaker vote to kick Batman out of the League, though Bruce is already gone by then because he knew Clark would never allow him to stay after violating everyone's trust so badly.

In fact, the trade paperback of Tower of Babel shows that Batman's actions have consequences far beyond the Justice League. Both the Titans and Young Justice are suspicious of Nightwing and Robin because of their association with Batman, and the Justice League are reluctant to call upon Oracle for any information.

The original version of events makes it clear. Batman's contingency plans were not a good thing. They were rooted in paranoia, and his secrecy was costly for everyone.

Justice League: Doom is fun to watch, but it's also limited by the nature of being a standalone movie. It loses the context of Batman being driven by fear to make plans to hurt his friends while keeping them secret, and the difficult process of regaining trust afterward.

which makes it all the more ironic when batstans point to the contingencies as "proof" that Batman is the only sane and rational man on the Justice League and could take them out if he wanted to. like, way to miss the point guys

The real tragedy of the whole “Batman contingency plans” thing escaping containment into the wider cultural zeitgeist is that it’s become completely divorced from the original context of, you know, the Tower of Babel story-line happening after a beloved member of the Justice League did in fact go mad, become all-powerful, and destroy all of reality.

Which is devastating because it loses so much when you take Hal Jordan out of it! In both adaptations and fan discussions!

Despite only being mentioned by name once in the story, Hal haunts the whole narrative in how unspoken he is. The whole theme of the story is the failure to communicate and how it destroys trust, and an essential part of that is how the whole League won't (and can't) talk about Hal.

When Kyle finally tries to bring him up, Wally shoots him down. He is the forbidden topic at the heart of the League's breakdown of trust!

When the contingency plans plot is removed from the context of Hal's fall from grace, isn't proceeded by a JLA founding member doing what was supposed to be unthinkable, Bruce's actions lose their emotional core. It becomes just "Batman is the coolest and smartest and also a huge untrusting asshole" instead of "Bruce was already on the knife-edge of crippling paranoia regarding his powerful allies, and then one of those same allies started slaughtering people and he couldn't do a thing to stop it, confirming all his worst fears and sending him right over the edge"

You take Bruce's feelings of very personal betrayal out of the equation. He's not operating on just hypotheticals, but fears that were heartrendingly justified!

Bruce claims the reason for his plans on some past mind-control incident, but Clark calls Bruce out on it being an excuse.

Maybe that's how it started, but there's a reason the fail-safes aren't against mind-control and possession. The fail-safes are ways to permanently stop your friends should they willingly or unwillingly become a threat.

And they both know it. They've argued about Hal several times before.

Bruce has a lot of unresolved feelings about Hal. He's still hurting.

The contingency plans are not some cold, clinical necessity. They are the product of pain.

I think all readings and tellings of the Tower of Babel should be followed by the JLA/Spectre story.

It provides the necessary emotional conclusion to the unspoken conflict! Because they finally have to talk about it! They heal the broken trust! Bruce admits how much Hal's betrayal hurt him and his faith in heroes, and gets past it! Instead of letting a former and potential future threat be eliminated as his fail-safes say he should, he invites the threat back, even if he can't guarantee it won't happen again, because he chooses to believe in his friend!

The contingency plans are a cool and interesting concept, but again, you can't just...take Hal out of it. You can't make it about some evil alternate versions, or about Clark. By doing that, you lose the most heartbreaking part of the story. Batman isn't in the right or the wrong, but he's not heartless. He's brokenhearted.

[queeniewithabeanie]

The Weatherman

Dpxdc Prompt #22

There's a new weatherman in Gotham, only he seems to report on everything except for the weather.

—————————————————

"And for today's forecast we've got an Arkham breakout on our hands. Not to worry though! It's only Harley and Two-Face this time. Harley's currently dating Ivy so there may be some cuddle pollen spread around, but no psycho killer episodes!"

"If you live in Two-Face territory you may, as always, want to carry a rigged coin with you, but his escape seemed rather low-key. It's unlikely he's going to be trying anything soon."

"Bats to look out for tonight are the Dynamic Duo, Red Hood, and Batgirl. Nightwing's currently hanging out in our sister city of Bludhaven, Black Bat is still who knows where, Red Robin is not allowed to be patrolling for too many sleepless nights, and there's not enough crime tonight to pull Signal onto the nightshift."

"Make sure to watch the roads, because it seems Batgirl is still trying to drive the Batmobile whenever Batman is distracted. Other that the weather will be full of smog, dust, and clouds as always. Stay sharp Gotham, signing off—Danny Fenton, your weatherman."

Tim is going to tear out his hair.

Wait no, Tim isn't going to do that because that means smiley-enigmatic-weatherman Danny Fenton will win.

The new addition to the Gotham news team has been both a blessing and a curse for the Bats.

He almost never reports about the weather, not that there is much to report with it staying practically the same, or being affected by villain attacks rather than natural causes.

Fenton has decided that means he should report on villain attacks of the day. Which on it's own wouldn't be a problem, awareness of attacks saves lives.

No, the problem is he somehow has access to information not even the Bats have and reports on attacks before they happen. He also seems to have an acute knowledge of what's going on with the Bats everyday as well and it's driving Tim crazy.

Is he prophetic? Does he have an informant? Is he just somehow a better detective than the World's Greatest?

Fenton always keeps up the most goofy grin as he spouts information that he should not have access to and Tim is going to crack this case if it's the last thing he does. Its almost as if the weatherman is taunting Tim on purpose.

—————————————————

When Danny got a job offer for the news station in Gotham he decided to bring a little bit of home with him. He's also trying to see how quickly he can make one of the Bats go gray—or bald he's not picky.

He bets its gonna be Red Robin, the guy can't stand not knowing everything.

[shyjusticewarrior]

Tim: I figured out the identities of both Robins, Nightwing, and Batman.

Damian: Is your hand stuck in a drink machine?

Tim: I paid for my zesti, I'm getting my zesti.

[sarahcmarie]

Id like to think that after one to many times of Jason saying Tim stole his mantles (red Robin/Robin) Tim just laughs and then points out Jason has literally only made one mantle and then promptly throws it out 

Robin was dicks

Red hood was joker

He tried to take up Nightwing WHILE dick was still Nightwing

He tried to take up the Batman mantle

Steph laughed so hard she almost threw up

[fancyfeathers]

@yandere-wishes

Oh my god, just imagine she is the equivalent to Dick Grayson when he was Robin except Selina could not get her to bed at night and she kept on sneaking out past the nanny or babysitter. Like she is her sidekick but more so in the way where she is Selina’s little helper, handing her tools or holding onto things for her. Also really funny visual but just Selina and Mittens as that one leash scene in Modern Family.

But like imagine her when she is little with little Dick Grayson in their little costumes while Catwoman and Batman reluctantly work together, the two of them wrestling around like kittens while Selina and Bruce talk.

Then when Dick becomes Nightwing and a police officer, I feel like she would sorta fall out of her own family’s business, becoming a preschool teacher or something and while she does still steal plushies and sweets still, it’s for her students who might not be able to afford them. Then she almost gets caught stealing one time but luckily a certain Officer Grayson steps in and pays for it in exchange for a conversation since it’s been years since they have seen each other and they need to catch up.

I firmly believe that Harley gave her the nickname Mittens right after one time she bit the Joker or something after Harley went on her own.

Also Mittens gets the zoomies like an actual cat.

Idea, what if Catgirl!Darling/Reader was called Stray at some point or something and was like Selina’s sidekick at some point, so like Damian can tell Bruce he found a stray and oh it’s just another cat- that is a human

I don’t know, I’m on cough syrup cause I’m sick rn and my thoughts are all wonky

≽^•⩊•^≼≽^•⩊•^≼≽^•⩊•^≼≽^•⩊•^≼≽^•⩊•^≼

Bruce doesn't think much of it at first, after all his son has always had a penchant for taking in lost, stray, things.

He ascribes it, to genetics, to lineal impulses, to the macabre compassion pumping in his blood.

It's all very Wayne to bring home anguished, ferocious, things. To devote slivers of your soul to every hopeless little thing prowling the Gotham streets.

Bruce doesn't think much of it at first.

Damian had said he had brought home a stray

There was nothing unusual to think about.

But then he sees her, really sees her, the mangled girl with hellfire dancing in her sunken eyes. More cat than girl, more feline than human.

He notices the limp in her leg when she lunges for Damian. Notices her shaking hands when she tries to strangle the boy who only kisses her back. Licking at her lips as his nails dig into the back of her thighs. She claws at his chest. Little kitten trying to kill the robin. So Selina in every way.

Bruce didn't think much of it at first,

He's beginning to realize that was a mistake.

Damian kisses your neck, biting into the crux, nestling your sweet flesh between his teeth, he laps at the skin as you mewl in pain, claw-like nails raking at what little skin is exposed at the base of his neck. A dark chuckle escapes Damian's mouth, it sounds like the chirping of an arrogant robin upon first snowfall. It rings bitterly in your ears. He's enjoying this, isn't he? The little assassin boy may play noble hero, but he'll never escape his roots, his love for the pain, the thrill.

You curse silently at the monstrosity born from the unholy union between the dragon's heir and the bat. Curse at the characters from the stories your mentor, your big sister, used to tell you. When did they become so real? When did fairy tales marry epics and birth horror stories? When did the bird catch the cat?

Damian has your arms pinned painfully behind you, shoulders pulled back unnaturally, bones slipping from their sockets. His lips lower to your chest, kissing, biting, marring.

"Damian, when you said 'stray' I had thought you meant a hungry kitten you found in a back ally or a limping pup from the Narrows. Not Stray, as in the cat burglar."

Damian's emerald eyes lightened in confusion "What part was not clear Father?" his inquiry all too innocent for the boy who had been knawing on your sore lips moments prior. There's a moment of silence, as Bruce looks at you, studying you like a case file, like a cold case cracked open. You wonder if he sees her inside you. The traces of your mentor linger along your body like a second skin. Has he done the same for his sons? Left traces of himself amongst their flesh and bones.

You think it funny for a second, the cartoonish vision that blooms within your mind. That of a bat harboring four little chicks under its midnight wings, atop a mighty oak tree. Whilst underneath a black cat licks her kittens, fussing over their matted fur.

"I see the chemistry brewing between you two," Bruce says his voice carrying the stern baritone of a father, yet awkward and uncertain all in the same breath. "This isn't chemistry" you squeal, voice hoarse from all the screaming, all the uncomfortable vocalizations of pain. "This is phosphorous meeting ozone!"

"That's still technically chemistry" Damian corrects, hands clasped behind his back. Perfect little soldier boy, standing in attention. Waiting for a medal from his general.

Bruce sighs, a microscopic smile dancing across his plump lips.

"I'll let Selina know you're here, she must be worried." Your face lights up in joy, she'll be here soon to rescue you. To save you from the bat's nest. But as Damian pushes you to the nearest wall, caging you between his body and the cement, you think it all too impossible to be saved.

Bruce doesn't think much of it at first.

But he sees it all now.

Damian has always had a weakness for stray things.

He gets it from his father.

I feel like I can make this just a tiny bit darker if I really wanted to...

On a lighter note, Fancy you are my bestie so Imma rant to you for a bit (please don't mind this has been on my mind FOREVER and I need an outlet!!) But lately -in between train rides to school- I've been daydreaming SO hard about a "Catwoman Family" (and a "Batwoman family" cause Kate is the love of my life, but that's irrelevant for now!!)

Like we all know Batman has 4 sons and 3 daughters (I count barbara as his first daughter) but what about Catwoman? Doesn't she deserve a family of her own? Catgirl is my running idea for her sidekick BUT when you mentioned Stray!! I was like "Why not give the woman two daughters!!".

I'm really trying to carve out some time this weekend for drawing. And just sketch out my ideas for Catwoman and Batwoman's sidekicks!!

[gothamite-rambler]

Green Arrow: I'm not sure what you kids get up to but if anyone warns you about breaking the law remember this: Laws are threats made by the dominant socioeconomic-ethnic group in a given nation. It’s just the promise of violence that’s enacted and the police are basically an occupying army. You know what I mean?

Nightwing: Huh... We should work with you more.

Red Robin: That was cool, can I use that?

Green Arrow: Yes you may. Batman definitely heard me say that or you'll tell him, but I don't care.

Red Hood: Okay, I'm agreeing with you so far, why do you hate that I'm friends with your son?

Green Arrow: Cause I don't like you. That's just a personal opinion.

Red Hood nodded without further discussion. Speedy (Mia) raised her hand next.

Green Arrow: Yes?

Speedy: And I'm the better archer, right?

Green Arrow: I don't show favorites! Especially when Roy is behind you.

Speedy (waving her middle finger behind her for Roy to see): Oh, I know... I know.

Arsenal (Roy) had to forcibly held back by Wally as he tried to grab a smirking Mia's blonde hair.

Green Arrow: I think this was a relatively good team meeting. You guys can leave. Mia, stay with me though because Roy will try to hit you.

Speedy (standing with a prideful smile): Of course... father.

Wally dragged Roy out of the room while the red head begged to yank Mia's hair at least.

[robin-wing-man]

"Prison? I thought you'd moved beyond this. I'm disappointed, honestly. You're still going by Batman's version of justice"

You know, people love to slap labels on me. Circus kid, Boy Wonder, Batman’s ex-sidekick, Nightwing—take your pick. I mean, technically, they’re all true, but none of them really sum it up. It’s like calling Bruce “just a guy with a car.” Sure, it’s accurate, but it doesn’t exactly cover the whole picture.

For starters, yeah, I grew up in a circus. The Flying Graysons. If you’ve never heard of us, I don’t know what to tell you—maybe get out more? We were kind of a big deal. Swinging through the air, defying gravity, making people gasp—it wasn’t just a job; it was life. Turns out, being raised in a traveling circus full of questionable characters prepares you really well for crime-fighting. Who knew? Acrobatics, showmanship, knowing when someone’s about to try and stab you? Basic skills, honestly.

And then there’s the whole “Robin” chapter. Or saga, really. Look, I’m not going to sugarcoat it—working with Batman was... an adjustment. One minute, I’m living on the road with my family, and the next, I’m fighting psychos in Gotham’s alleys with a guy who growls more than he talks. Bruce isn’t exactly what you’d call emotionally available, but the man knows how to get stuff done. Say what you want about his personality (or lack thereof), but he’s good at what he does. Did I enjoy getting lectured about justice while dodging bullets? Not exactly. Did I learn a lot? Definitely.

But here’s the thing about being a sidekick: eventually, you have to stop being one. I’m not saying it was easy breaking away from Bruce—because, wow, it wasn’t—but I needed to figure out who I was without him. Enter Nightwing. New name, new suit, same sarcastic attitude. I ended up in Blüdhaven, a city that makes Gotham look like it’s trying too hard. It’s grimy, it’s messy, and it’s mine.

So, who am I now? Depends on the day. Sometimes I’m Dick Grayson, the guy who drinks too much coffee and still doesn’t know how to fold fitted sheets. Sometimes I’m Nightwing, the guy who flips off rooftops and pretends he’s got it all together. Most of the time, I’m just trying to survive the chaos and not fall on my face. You know, the usual.

See you on the other side, or not.

-- Dick.J.G.

[varpusvaras]

So, Dick is in Gotham one night. He's not really sure why, but he's there, and he gets out of his car to help some old lady, and when he gets back, there's a kid trying to steal his tires.

Before Dick can say anything, they both proceed to get mugged. Dick goes ah fuck it and fights back because one of them tries to hit the kid. One guy almost gets a hit on him but the kid takes the tire iron and smacks the guy's knees in.

Dick looks at it all and he is so very tired and so he just looks at the kid like. You want food or something?

He asks because the kid looks...eerily like himself. Dark hair and blue eyes. Tiny. Their faces are different, of course, but for someone who didn't know, they could pass as brothers. He looks sad and lonely, just like Dick felt back then (just like he feels now)

The kid nods. No street kid will pass free food. And Dick isn't smacking him around either.

So Dick buys the kid food with the twenty dollars he had in his pocket. The kid eats like he is starving, and then promptly passes the fuck out on the seat of Dicks car because at least the heating works and he's full and comfortable and Dick goes wtf do I do now? Do I own him or what?

Anyways Robin was the name Dick's mom gave him. It's his to give forward. It's Nightwing and Robin now, bitches.

[timbits-drake]

"Oh? Red’s one of my favourite colours too well other than black, green and blu- You can get it bud." Tim smiled while nudging Billy, gently, closer to the Batman hoodie. He wanted the kid to have the opportunity to express himself in style even if that style consisted of superhero shirts and outerwear. "I’m going to pick out a couple of other stuff for you, okay? I see a Nightwing shirt that might kill the others when they see you in it-" He’d pause, realising the idea he might’ve suggested.

"I mean with how adorable you’d look not actually kill them. I’ll be back in a few minutes, you just continue picking out!" He’d explain himself quickly before Billy got the idea that he would kill anyone who saw him in the shirt, walking towards the section which had the most clothing items that caught his eye.

After at least five minutes- Tim came back with the basket filled with one Nightwing, two Flash, four Robin shirts and a matching Batman track-pants that matched the hoodie Billy wanted. "Ready to go kid?"

Feeling incredibly bad about not being able to welcome in Billy, Tim pocketed his phone as he swiftly walked to where the game room is. Though he did justify in his head that he had been too busy trying to decode the evidence on a case he’s been working on to notice the time. Tim stopped outside the slightly-opened door, stepping in to try and find where Billy is in this big space. "Billy?"

— @timbits-drake

🐅; Billy was staring at some of the board games reading their names and being interested about it, they seem cool. He then looks at Tim, his face immediately lighting up in a smile while he waves excitedly.

"Oh, hi Mr.Drake!! This place is reallyyy cool! There's so many board games!"

[notrobinsomethingworse]

Dick (Nightwing) and Jason (Robin) stare at Bruce. One sports pleading eyes, the other a shit eating grin. There’s a child between them with black hair and blue eyes.

Bruce, he doesn’t know what’s happening but he doesn’t like it: No.

Dick, grinning: He’s our younger brother now.

Jason, nodding seriously: You’re not gonna take him from us.

Tim, got kidnapped while taking photos of patrol, just happy to be there: Where’s the Batcave?

Bruce: what.

Dick, grinning wider: He’s ours now.

[bitter-hibiscus]

Red Hood joins twitter. Chaos arises

pt2

[dudedidujust]

The daily planet runs a front page article calling superman the light of mankind

Cue the batfam launching a counter campaign in support of Signal,  the real Light of Mankind.

It starts as a joke but quickly derails into an all out war.

[not-the-mom-friend]

@gothamspoilerwarning and I have managed to make a list of what happened to everyone top of the list is first thing that happened then going down are the things that happen after in order keep in mind that these things happen over time something happen a few months after or a few years after each other so it didn’t all happen in the same year bc that would really suck

tw: death, blood, idk what counts as gore but there may be some of that I try not to be too graphic with it please keep this in mind and don’t read it if you find it uncomfortable! :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tim- was chucked into Lazarus pit and has been missing ever since 

Nightwing- died in the middle of a battle trying to help people evacuate before Gotham was partly exploded

Cass Cain- went missing in the middle of a battle after Gotham was partly exploded

Red Hood, Oracle, and Duke Thomas- went missing unsure of the time as Batman and Robin were unwilling to share information due to members of the family going missing and the loss of Nightwing they seem to have gone missing at around the same time

Superman- died defeating an entity 

Lois Lane, Martha Kent, and Jon Kent- went missing after Superman’s death possibly to take a break from everything?

Damian Wayne- went missing somewhere in Russia looking for Tim Drake, Cass Cain, Oracle, and Red Hood 

Batman- died in battle after becoming too reckless and paranoid believing someone was targeting him and his family 

Batwoman- went missing there was no battle or crisis happening just a noticeable absence investigating more revealed the obvious signs of battle but nothing that could help find the culprits blood splatters at the scene of the crime did not offer any clues but did prove that it was not her blood

Selina Kyle- much like Batwoman there was a noticeable absence unlike Batwoman the last place she was seen had too much blood for her to still be alive 

Alfred- died of old age and stress

Wonder Woman- died from her injuries after winning a battle

Supergirl- went missing after preventing a war

Flash- died from an infection 

Lucius Fox- killed by the Joker 

Shazam- decided to take a break from being a superhero to finish school

Wonder Girl- visited a friend has been missing ever since

Oliver Queen, Aquaman , and Martian Manhunter- with the loss of so many of their fellow heroes they were overwhelmed with crises and died in an intense battle when there was no backup available 

Jarro- killed in a similar manner as Selina Kyle

Joey Wilson and Rose Wilson- took a longer time to find out they were missing unsure of how long they have been missing 

Roy Harper and Lian Harper- may have gone into hiding reason unknown possibly to keep Lian safe and give her a more normal childhood

Impulse- went to the Lazarus Pit Tim was thrown into despite the fact it has been thoroughly searched and went missing 

ooc:

trying to make an actual backstory thing or at least a list of people in this superboy’s dimension who is dead, missing, or alive is hard Like pulling out teeth but it must be done

[luca-is-a-pengu]

The real reason why none of the bat-boys are allowed in the kitchen

[thefriendlyneighborhoodqueer]

sometimes i think about how funny it would be if bruce had a slight english accent as a result of alfred being the only adult in his life for most of his formative years. that or he just says british slang instead of english.

this either drives his children insane, or they think it’s the most hilarious thing ever.

__________________________

Bruce: Can you pass the chips?

Dick: Sure, B. *passes over the potato chips*

Bruce: No, the chips.

Dick: ???? … yeah? here?

Bruce: NO! THE CHIPS! *gesturing wildly for the french fries*

Damian: Father, are you having a stroke?

———

Batman: Alright, this mission is very important. It is imperative that everything goes to schedule. (shh-edule)

*red robin and red hood snicker*

Batman: *glare* As I was saying, it all must go to shh-edule…

RR & RH : *uproariously laughter *

Batman: *harsher glare* Is something funny?

RR: Oh nothing, B, don’t worry.

RH: Absolutely nothing wrong, “left-tenant”

RR & RH: *dying of laughter *

———

Bruce: *reaching the end of a long rant about responsibility and making sure you are keeping yourself and others safe* And what do you have to say for yourself??

Duke: … You sound like Alfred…

Bruce: *horrified look over coming him* … what

Cass: *furious nodding*

*Some time later, after B has been fished out of Gotham Harbor, which he jumped into after declaring that he “couldn’t turn into his father”*

Alfred: *reaching the end of a long rant about responsibility and making sure you are keeping yourself and others safe* And what do you have to say for yourself??

Bruce: *white as a sheet* … Sorry Alfie…

*Steph is heard furiously cackling in the background*

_______________________

anyways i just thought this was fun