#bruce knowing full well he can't make duke do anything he doesn't want to do: hm

[breadandblankets]

duke starts every morning by doing the crossword in the paper, unfortunately sometimes duty calls before he can finish, leading to hilarious situations where after pulling off a daring rescue, The Signal asks a nearby firefighter if she knows what a four letter word for decent equipment is

[brucewaynehater101]

Deep down, Tim knows that they are at fault. Deep down he knows that Jason and Damian attacking him like that *isn't ok*. But that's a truth he can't bring himself to face because even if he did, would Anyone believe him? If he told Bruce or Dick that the attacks still happened, that one of them tried to take his life at least once a month still, that neither of them would do anything. Tim doesn't know if they would defend him and punish Jason and Damian, or if they would just say, "you need to be more careful Tim, they can't always control themselves." And if the answer is anything but the first he knows his heart wouldn't be able to take it.

Instincts are there, but they are easy to over come. They very from shifter type to shifter type and usually fall into groups by Animal Type. Such as a Tiger and a Housecat will have similar instinctive problems but they won't be the same as a Wolf or Dolphin's. As a snake Tim 100% has the urge to nap in warm places and does get slower when cold. His suit has special heaters in it that the others don't have due to his inability to regulate his own heat. Damian insists that Tim being unable to function without "a bunch of hand warmers" I'd proof that he shouldn't be in the field and should be fired. Tim bites his forked tongue to stop himself from screaming that if Damian can't not give into his instincts and attack Tim anytime he sees him Shifted then he shouldn't be in the field because he's gunna attack a civilian.

Also for now Bruce has no idea how shifters work. But this is Good Dad Bruce. He's going to put in Effort. He's *going* to find the resources he needs to parent this New Tim because he doesn't think he can bring himself to send any version of any of his children to a home that could hurt or likely kill them. Until then, Bruce is going to insist on New Tim (he gets called TJ thanks to Duke. After all, they can't call him Drake, he hates Timothy, Tim would be confusing, and neither Tim likes the idea of being called "Jackson") takes one of their spare rooms and gets a full 8 hours of sleep every night/day and 3 full meals a day. TJ was Visibly Confused by this due to the fact he hasn't been staying in the manor at all for almost a year due to Damian and Jason. He only sleeps in his nest which has Beyond Batlevel Security to keep them out.

Also, I can't decide. Would a healthier version of Damian and Jason stay away like Tim wants them to or would they go "no *fuck* your bastard excuses for Brothers we will teach you what it's like to actually trust and have us have your back."

Tim not seeking an answer or help is very angsty. He chose his emotional/mental health over his physical well being. Part of it may be him knowing how to navigate the murder attempts but not knowing how bringing this up would change the status quo (in possibly worse ways).

I like what you've added about Tim's instincts. A good milestone for that batfamily is if they find Tim napping on a window seat. This would be a huge show of trust by him and an indication that he feels safe.

I think a healthier version of them would give Tim space and communicate boundaries with him, but they would also try to bond with him.

For Damian, this is a lot of parallel bonding. The kid will find wherever Tim is in the Manor and sit in the same room with him doing something different (like drawing or doing his homework). It is an effective way for Tim to get used to his presence and stop seeing him as a threat. Of course, Tim is nervous or on edge the first 10 or so times this happens. Eventually, he starts to lower his guard enough that Damian can make a comment or two. They slowly work up to full conversations and Tim seeking out Damian's presence himself.

For Jason, he'd try to read in places near Tim as well. His main strategy, though, might be favors or gifts. He'd learn what foods Tim likes, what activities Tim wants/needs to do that Bruce won't let him (like sneaking out), and generally just helping Tim out in small ways. It at first freaks Tim out, but they work up to Tim himself asking Jason for favors.

[dc-comics-enjoyer]

Batfam as "The Middle" quotes :

Jason : You were out with Bernard pretty late last night. What time did you end up getting home ?

Tim : I don't know. Why do you care so much? When I'm at school, you don't know what time I'm out.

Jason : I don't care. Just if you were dead in a ditch, I'd have ordered a medium pizza.

---

Dick : We're going full Oprah. Everything goes outside in the yard. Nothing comes back through the front door unless you convince me that you truly love it and need it.

Damian : Tim, go outside.

---

Duke : I can't believe we got robbed. What kind of stupid robbers would rob us?

Tim : I hope they didn't steal my books.

Stephanie : What about my cross country sweatshirt ? I knew I should have brought it.

Jason : If they stole your books and your cross country sweatshirt, they're the nerdiest robbers ever.

Jason : ...Oh my God, my nunchucks !

---

Damian : So, I've decided from now on, I want to spend every moment I can with the things I cherish most. So, I'll be in my room with my books. Try not to bother me.

---

Stephanie : I spend my whole life congratulating myself. I want other people to congratulate me.

---

Damian (at some point) : They're forcing me to help people against my will. I don't know. Doesn't that seem like communism or something ? I - Did I use that right ?

---

(in the batplane)

Damian : Tim, get up. It's my turn. It's been more than twenty minutes.

Tim : Well, on land maybe. You don't know how long it's been up here. A minute Earth time is like an hour in the sky. Maybe you'll learn that if you ever get to high school.

---

Dick : Hey, Jay, I'm going to the mall. Did you do your Christmas list?

Jason : Cash, a cell phone, and to be left alone.

Dick : Cass, did you make your list for Santa?

Cass : What I really want this year is some answers. What's the true meaning of Christmas? Are we here for a reason? What is the purpose of life?

Dick : How about a bike ?

---

Jason (to Tim) : You're taking life advice from Bruce ? You've seen his life, right ?

---

Jason (about Talia) : Dick, you weren't there. I've never seen anything like it. This girl was like a Bond villain. She says words that seem nice, but they're not. They're evil.

---

Dick : Let's not think of it as camping. Let's think of it as outdoor family fun.

Tim : But we don't wanna go.

Dick : Fine. Forced family fun.

Damian : You're dragging us into the woods against our will. That's kidnapping.

Jason : Hm. If we were gonna kidnap some kids, you'd be far down the list.

---

Duke : Dick, you're better than this.

Dick : I'm not, though, Duke, I'm really not. This is killing me. How could you pick Bruce over me?

Duke : He says it's okay if my socks don't match.

Dick : But it's not ! Because people will think you're weird, and I'm only telling you that 'cause I love you more than Bruce.

[frownyalfred]

What hair styles do you have in mid when you think of the Batfam? Their hair of course changes depending on the years and who draws them, but there's like a certain default style that each person typically gets drawn in. What is yours?

Despite being a very visual person, I usually don't get super fixated on how the character looks while I'm writing them. Is that odd? I'm not sure. There's a few exceptions (Lex in ASOH, Clark in bloodletting, etc) but usually I describe the outlines of what I want readers to notice, and let them fill in the stuff that isn't super important to my visualization.

But in general?

I like Dick's hair longer and slightly wavy. I think it's stupid he doesn't wear a helmet and has it out, especially long enough to grab a handful, but it's pretty. I get it. It's dark and has lots of layers.

Bruce's hair is just at the edge of what's acceptably long enough to be gelled back. Dark, but not quite as dark as Dick's hair. Thick, and he starts going grey at the temples around his mid to late thirties.

Tim -- anything that isn't a buzzcut, tbh. Bald Tim traumatized me. I think he has slightly lighter hair than the other Robins -- more of a dark brown. Gets a little red in the summer.

Jason, I like with more of a tapered fade with it longer on top to highlight his white streak. It's a little curly if he doesn't style/cut it.

Damian -- I don't have an opinion, though sometimes people draw him with really weird short hair to kind of make him seem childish on purpose? I think he should have Talia's hair tbh.

Cass, hot take -- it should either be really short so she can put it up under her cowl, or long enough to braid back. Having it in the middle and layered just means it's harder to keep manageable. (Before anyone jumps in to ask why I don't have the same problem for Dick, he refuses to wear anything on his head and has clearly accepted the risk of getting yanked around by his hair. Cass is smarter than that lol)

Steph -- same as Cass, I like her hair blonde but it's also very bright and recognizable which is a problem I have with Kate's hair too. If the hair is part of the costume and it's unusual, that's terrible for your secret identity. And if it's down all the time, it's sweaty and in your face. As someone who braids her hair back in the gym frequently, once it hits a certain length you really have to do something.

Duke -- I really love all of the various hairstyles he's had, but same issue as Cass arises. It's gotta fit under the cowl.

Bonus: Alfred. I love Jeremy Irons' version, I can't lie. His full head of hair but grey worked really well. Bald/thinning hair Alfred is a canon staple, don't get me wrong. But it gives him even more elegance/regality in my mind, you know? I love young michael caine as an inspo for him, those blonde curls were something else.

[wesavegotham]

Warning: I'm about to spoil this whole issue. I encourage you to read the issue yourself, I really liked it.

Me too. I love analysing dialogue and thinking about Damian's choice of words here makes me really sad.

"I was kinda shocked to hear from you, so I came. What do you want?"

Several things:

1. Damian isn't suprised his father called him, he's shocked. How long has it been since those two last spoke to each other?

2. The reason Damian came was because, if it was important enough for Bruce to start talking to him again, it must be serious.

3. Damian doesn't seem to consider for even one second that Bruce might simply be interested in reconnecting. Damian knows Bruce only called him because he needs something from him and it has something to do with Batman and Gotham. It's business.

"I'd say you've retreated so far into an angry, brooding cloud that you are now more brood than man."

1. If Damian out of all people is telling you that you're too angry and brooding you know it's bad.

2. This takes place after City of Bane and thus after Alfred's death. It gives us a first glimpse at Bruce grieving for him after King's run is over. I think we're supposed to take from this that Bruce acting in this way is a result of Alfred's death, but more on why I think that doesn't work later.

"So, you're okay to put in effort for some kid you don't even know, but not...You know what? Forget it."

1. Damian dropping some truth bombs, ouch. I think we all know those nice panels of Bruce/Batman comforting or protecting random children. I'm not saying he shouldn't do that, but if you look at how he treats his own children I can't help but agree with Damian here. Bruce is fine with making an effort for children...as long as they aren't his.

2. Damian probably realizes that even if he tells Bruce how hurt he is by his behaviour directly to his face, Bruce isn't really going to care or change anything, which is why he stops himself.

"And you want me to find him because you're worried an already scared kid might not react so well to being chased by a giant bat. Sure."

Damian knows exactly why Bruce called him for help. He knows this hasn't anything to do with Bruce spending some time with him. Bruce is working on other stuff, so he needs another hero to do this investigation, preferably someone a teenager wouldn't be scared of.

"But we're going to talk about these orphanages. It's a bit disconcerting that you own a whole buildings full of potential backup Robins."

Considering how Bruce does have a habit of replacing people, I understand why Damian finds this disconcerting. He knows that if something should happen to him (without a possibility to bring him back) or if he decides to act against his father's wishes, he will be replaced eventually. Since Damian came back from the dead Bruce has worked more closely with people like Duke, Tim or even Jarro than with him. Alternate universes like Injustice or Batman Beyond show how little effort Bruce would put into getting Damian back if he drifted away from him.

Okay, onto Bruce:

Bruce's defense is pretty lame if you ask me. Damian is right to mock his "I know I've been... difficult to reach." Can we please remember that Bruce is an adult male in his mid thirties to mid fourties? He's a parent, he has grieving children. He's not the only one hurting. It's not too much to ask of him to finally act his age, but he doesn't. When Damian confronts him with this he reacts by changing the subject and telling Damian the reason he called him here. But Damian doesn't drop the issue just yet and Bruce gives him a rather empty apology: "I'm sorry I haven't had more time, Damian. The city is in danger. That requires my full focus. But it's getting colder, and somewhere out there, a scared child needs help."

1. Saying sorry doesn't mean much if it's apparent you have no intention to change anything.

2. Bruce isn't wrong to tell Damian that they need to save a scared child, but Damian's point still stands. Bruce trying to change the subject from his subpar parenting to their mission is escpecially interesting if you remember that it was Lucius Fox who brought the issue to Bruce's attention in the first place and Bruce's first response was: "Sometimes troubled teens run away, Lucius."

3. "I'm sorry I haven't had more time, Damian" and "The city is in danger." Reminds me of this situation:

Gotham is always in danger. Next time I have to attend a party I don't want to go to I'm bringing the same excuse. This isn't a recent developement and Bruce not caring where Damian is or what he does has been the status quo for a while now, as Damian pointed out in Teen Titans:

Yeah, sorry Alfred, I'm calling bullshit on this too.

After their estrangement in No Justice published in May 2018 to January 2019 Damian wasn't mentioned a single time in a main Batman book. We didn't see Bruce care one bit. Alfred's death doesn't work as an explanation for his current behaviour.

Bruce only interacting with Damian for missions isn't a recent developement as well.

It's Alfred who suggests to Bruce in Detective Comics #995 to call Damian to a) fix Alfred's damaged lung because Damian is apparently a better surgeon than Bruce and b) Bruce needs to chase after the person who did this to Alfred. To be fair to Bruce, when Damian arrives he does ask Damian to repair their relationship once his mission is over, but as we later find out all of this happened in a simulation and wasn't real. For the following arc Damian is working at his father's side, but while I love Tomasi's writing, getting an explanation for why Damian is there would have been nice. Did they fix things off-panel? Apparently not really if you look at this issue. It doesn't make much sense, but that's comics I guess.

When Damian appeared in Event Leviathan Bruce didn't plan on bringing him along to the main investigation, he was about to send him away to investigate something else before Damian interrupted his order.

In Batman Bruce isolated himself from his family, only called them to deliver a secret message via punching Tim in the face and then vanished for months to hang around on a tropic island. When the time had come to execute his plans to take back Gotham from Bane he called Damian, ordering him to sneak into Gotham, defeat Gotham Girl and to let himself be beaten up und taken hostage by his grandfather from another timeline, Thomas Wayne. Great plan Bruce, great plan😑

In Justice League Damian and the rest of the family were only called to fight in a hopeless war against the forces of doom.

In the majority of current dc books Bruce doesn't interact with any of them in a meaningful way. Their only purpose seems to be to show up for a nice group shot, carry out Bruce's mission and then to disappear again.

Comics are driven by action, but if the only time two characters, especially two that are supposed to be father and son, interact is when they are on missions, I can't help but feel like something is really wrong here. Bruce can't call Damian just to talk with him, he needs to have a mission that requires Damian's help. And considering that Damian was shocked to hear from him I assume even those calls for help are not often.

Before people accuse me of demonizing Bruce in this issue, I'm not. Bruce does show some care for his son:

Especially during the hospital scene when they waited for news on Miguel it felt like Bruce wanted to comfort Damian, but didn't really know what to say, giving Damian back his cape and putting his hand on Damian's hands instead. Not everything has to be said with words. But I do feel like those two should have a proper conversation about their issues at some point.

The conclusion of this story is also somewhat of a double-edged sword and I'm not sure if it's intentional or not.

On one hand: Bruce swears to care more about the orphanage he owns, so none of the orphans will be sold to criminals ever again. Great! Shows that Bruce Wayne is as important to Gotham as Batman is.

On the other hand: Bruce defended himself against Damian's accusation, that Bruce only puts effort into helping children that aren't his, with having no time to spare for anything that isn't related to Gotham. Suddenly putting a lot of effort into this orphanage, but not swearing to do the same thing for his own children is a bit weird and proving Damian's point. We do see Damian at the opening of the new wing for the orphanage two months later and Bruce puts his hand on his shoulder, but it would have been nice if Tom Taylor had been a bit more clear here. Did Bruce's promise include taking better care of his own children too or is it just for show?

I think this story would have worked better if it was two issues long instead of just one. Taylor made some interesting points that I wish he had expanded on some more. If they resolved their issues or not could have been clearer. I'm however really grateful that a writer finally adressed all of this. I'm fine with Bruce not acting as a good dad. I'm fine with Bruce messing up. But it needs to be talked about and it needs to be presented as what it is: a failure on Bruce's part.

Damian calling Bruce out on his behaviour is something I needed.

Detective Comics #1017