#clayface iii

[iconuk01]

Back in 1990, George Perez produced a stunning 12 plate portfolio of Batman artwork, including his covers for "A Lonely Place of Dying"

However, he also did a thirteenth plate for an edition which was only available from Warner Bros Stores (Remember those?)

And what a plate it was, Batman and Robin sneaking through a nightmarish Gothic... Cathedral? Asylum? Petting Zoo (It is Gotham City)

And the villains! Anarky, Catman, Joker, Catwoman, Killer Croc, Poison Ivy, Ra's Al Ghul, Black Mask, Two-Face, Riddler, Clayface III, Scarecrow, Cavalier, Penguin, Tweedledee, Deadshot, Mad Hatter, Killer Moth, Tweedledum, Dagger and Dr Phosphorus (and I've probably missed a few)

[nerds-yearbook]

The first issue of the 3 issue limited series The Untold Legend of the Batman was published with a cover date of July, 1980. The issue covered some of the key events of Batman's past: his father dressing as a Bat-Man at a costume party where he was abducted to perform medical aid to Lew Moxon, his parents murder by Joe Chill, Bruce Wayne fighting crime as Robin with the help of detective Harvey Harris, learning about law and justice at college from his professor Amos Rexford, the incident where a bat flew through the window inspiring him to become Batman, his early adventures with Dick Grayson as Robin, and the deaths of Joe Chill and Lew Moxon. ("In the Beginning", The Untold Legend of the Batman 1#, DC Comic, Event)

[martyrbat]

do u know where this is from it haunts my dreams

[ID: an up-close panel of Batman. He's visibly confused and has a question mark speech bubble before asking, “I'm pregnant?” END ID]

i do!! however im sorry to say your nightmares have all been for naught, since its a very popular edited panel :( the original is from batman annual #11:

(id in alt!)

i hope this doesn't discourage you from trying to get that man pregnant though, hes even in position for it in the last panel <33

[deathiscoldbatman]

I said I wouldn’t bother to post art here again as traditional art more often than not is overlooked, but I feel as though at least 1 or 2 people should see this Preston Payne bust I drew a while ago. Why? Why not.

[im-totally-not-an-alien-2]

Halloween prompts year 2 day 17

A supervillian had captured a supernatural creature in some kind of device, the entity in question looked like a white haired teen from what they could see of him in the glass sphere he was enclosed in.

The villian was monologing about how they would use the creatures sacred powers to resurrect some evil gods or whatever when the heros intervened knocking him away and accidentally started the machine.

The teen screamed as electricity flowed through his body. Tim ran to him searching for a way to turn off the machine when his hand touched the outside of the sphere.

Unbeknownst to the heros, the machine required a piece of whoever was dead to revive them, it could be hair, blood, bone or even...a memory

That was how Tim, as Robin (or Red Robin whoever you prefer) found himself holding not his mom or dad or anyone you might have expected.

No.

He was holding someone he never thought he'd see again. Someone who didn't even think she was real. Someone who was marveling at her new body made of flesh and blood

Annie.

[transpanda-1]

Still so n-nuts that basic facts about Clayface established in the series were forgotten in the transition to new adventures. Like there was only two episodes f-featuring him in the o-original BTAS and one of them cleanly stated he’s unaffected by e-electricity. But when he’s back he gets k-knocked out by electricity…wild…

[thecruellestmonth]

How many times has Jason Todd tried to murder Tim Drake?

Answer: Jason Todd has tried one (1) time to murder Tim Drake AND Damian Wayne. And it was not "The Titans Tower Incident".

Sections:

Attack I: Hush by Jeph Loeb

Attack II: Teen Titans (2003) #29 by Geoff Johns (AKA the "Titans Tower Incident")

Attack III: Battle for the Cowl by Tony Daniel

Hush

Did Jason try to murder Tim in Hush?

Batman #617 (writer: Jeph Loeb)

Jason cuts Tim's neck!

Batman #618 [writer: Jeph Loeb]

...Oh, wait, it actually isn't that bad.

Tim could use some non-urgent stitches, but he is still fully awake and walking on his own two feet. Batman sends Tim back to the Batcave unaccompanied, and tells him to continue working on their case.

♢ Verdict: Nah, Jason did not try to murder Tim in Hush. It wasn't theatrical and climactic enough.

(*Side note: Hush reveals that this Jason is supposedly just an impersonation by Clayface. But Batman Annual #25 later changes the lore so that the real Jason did initially appear here. After the part when the real Jason takes Tim hostage, Batman chases him through a dark and rainy graveyard—and the real Jason then takes the opportunity to switch out with Clayface as his body double. It's confusing, I know!)

Teen Titans (2003) #29

Did Jason try to murder Tim in Teen Titans (2003) #29? (Also known as "THE Titans Tower Incident", as opposed to all the other Titans Tower incidents in which Titans died and the Tower was destroyed.)

Teen Titans (2003) #29 [writer: Geoff Johns]

Jason beats up Tim with a bo staff and punches. No blades or guns involved. Tim blacks out. Tim later wakes up and gets to his feet when the other Titans come to help him.

Raven explains, "Jason was always aggressive. He was determined to one day be better than all of us. Especially Batman." This story confirms that Jason has always been an overcompensating jerkwad, and death didn't make him any nicer—he's bullying Tim in a jealous fit to prove he's better than him, and not out of murderous intent.

Teen Titans (2003) #47 [writer: Adam Beechen] - "The guy attacked all of us once just to prove he was better than me!"

Straight from Tim's own mouth—Jason infiltrated Titans Tower just to bully Tim, not to murder him.

♢ Verdict: Jason EXPLICITLY did NOT try to murder Tim in Teen Titans (2003) #29, also bafflingly known as "THE Titans Tower Incident". He didn't cut Tim's neck or use any bladed implements this time either.

Battle for the Cowl

(Everyone's favorite comic! Mwa-ha-ha-ha-ha! Evil Batman time!)

Did Jason try to kill Tim in Batman: Battle for the Cowl?

Batman: Battle for the Cowl [writer: Tony S Daniel]

Jason shoots 10-year-old Damian in the chest, causing Damian to need eighty-nine stitches and a sizable blood transfusion to save his life.

Jason later stabs Tim in the chest, drags his "rotting corpse" into an alcove in his weird sewer creature lair, crucifies Tim's Batman suit on an honest-to-God actual cross, and brags about killing him to Dick.

But when Jason and Dick come unto the "tomb", they found the stone rolled away, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus, Tim's "body" had risen on the third day vanished.

Tim apparently only survived the blood loss due to some weird technique that allows him to slow his pulse to a near-death state.

♠ Verdict: YEAH, it sure looks like Jason did try to kill 17-year-old Tim AND 10-year-old Damian in Battle for the Cowl!

So remember—next time we bring up the time that Jason tried to kill poor Tim, we ALSO need to hold Jason accountable for trying to brutally murder a ten-year-old little boy and all the trauma that totally definitely caused.

Conclusion: Jason would ONLY try to kill Tim as a dramatic cliffhanger to end the second act of a limited event series in which Jason is the main villain.

Otherwise the production just wouldn't be theatrical enough.

See also: Robin tradition by @arabian-batboy

[kiragecko]

Rating Post-Resurrection (but pre-nu52) Jason Todds

Hush(/Clayface/Jason Todd) - eh. Good instincts for drama. Good insults. You're fine, but it was easy to believe you were an imposter. Plot is ridiculous. (Personality 1) 7/10

Under the Hood/Family Reunion/Franchise/All They Do is Watch Us Kill - I mean ... yeah. You're what I think of when I think of Jason Todd. You define the character. Also, you ARE really funny with Black Mask. (Personality 2) 8/10

Life and Death (Titans Tower) - okay. YOU are not necessarily the problem here. The problem is that the author doesn't understand Tim or what happened in the comics he's referencing AT ALL, and puts the most nonsensical words into your mouth as a result. Also misunderstands the New Teen Titans. And you're drawn really ugly. Under all the retcons and nonsense there is SOME okay characterization, though! (Personality 3) 4/10

World War III - never plan on reading this.

Daedalus and Icarus (Summary of Jason's Return) - This is a recap, but it's a recap of things we haven't been shown. Recaps aren't stories, so it isn't GOOD, but it does have some puzzle pieces. (Personality 2) 3/10

Pay As You Go (Outsiders) - you try SO HARD! All you do this arc is try to help a superhero and get beaten up by Dick. Maybe a bit of standing around being awkward because you don't know how to break into the securest prison on the planet. You are being very fanon Jason this arc. (Personality 4) 5/10

Brothers in Blood (Nightwing) - you're ugly, you're mean, you're dumb, and you turn into a tentacle monster. An UGLY tentacle monster. I enjoy laughing at you! (Personality 5) 2/10

Seeing Red - this arc is SO FUN. You are unhinged, but I would have LIKED if this turned out to be who you are. You truly think that blowing up Mia's gym is HELPING!!! Delightful and silly and I like the talking ape. Go hang out with the Arrows more. (Personality 3) 8/10

Countdown - you remain my favorite post-resurrection version. Love you as an insecure, immature kid trying to impress your big brother's friend. Love how young you are. Love how emotionally fragile you are. Love all the pretending to be tough. This would have ALSO been a great version for other authours to run with! (Personality 4) 9/10

Search for a Hero - I HATE EVERY THOUGHT TIM HAS ABOUT YOU IN THIS ARC! Why does the authour think so little of you?? You are not dumb and brutish and I refuse to believe this slander. Your expressions when you see someone in your Red Robin costume, AND when Tim turns down your 'awesome' team up plan, both belong in an arc that respects you more. (Personality 3) 4/10

Robin Dies at Dawn - see, this is how people should write you interacting with Tim. I want him to take you on as a project, and everyone to recognize that this is both condescending and not healthy behaviour. I guess YOU don't actually do much, though. How is this the next issue? (Personality 3) 7/10

Battle for the Cowl - shouldn't there be editors? People to say, "this authour isn't very good and maybe these characters should act like themselves?" I want comics to be better. (Personality 4) 3/10

Revenge of the Red Hood/The Streets Run Red - I don't read Morrison, but I've seen a bunch of panels. Wrong sort of unhinged, in my opinion. I prefer you to be trying to help people, not win some sort of messed up contest with the Bats. (Personality 6) 5/10

Red Hood: The Lost Days - look, I'm not here for your thighs, your daddy issues, or your revenge fantasies. I am here for your truly unhinged attempts at bonding with others, and the sincere confusion you seem to have when they don't work. This is good, but not for me. There's not even any ridiculously large crates of kryptonite! (Personality 2) 7/10

[arkhamknightd]

Preston Payne - Clayface III

First appearance - Detective Comics #477

Preston’s always been my favourite of the Clayfaces. He’s a character with a lot of pathos, and even though the plotline never really went anywhere I’ve always loved his ending, finding a family with Sondra and their son. He’s also about as horrific as any Clayface ever got, to the extent that his uncontrollable melting flesh is now pretty much a staple of the entire group whenever they want to play up the body horror.

With Preston’s design there wasn’t much I wanted to change, he’s great to begin with, so this is essentially just Preston in my style. I wanted to play up his lurching movements more than anything, like a classic Return of the Living Dead kind of zombie. Keeping the horror of the character was important, but without losing the personality, and I figured his body language was the best way to do that. I’ve also got Sondra and Cassius all finished, and will show them off together sometime. But I’m especially happy with how Preston turned out, plus it’s Father’s Day.

[baambastic]

Am I missing anyone?

Bruce Wayne: Batman

Alfred Pennyworth: Penny One

Dick Grayson: Robin I, Nightwing, Discowing, Batman

Jason Todd-Wayne: Robin II, Red Hood

Barbara Gordon: Batgirl, Oracle

Tim Drake-Wayne: Robin III, Drake, Mister Sarcastic, Red Robin, Batman, Batman Beyond

Cassandra Cain/Wayne: Black Bat, Batgirl, Orphan

Stephanie Brown: Spoiler, Robin IV, Batgirl

Damian al Ghul-Wayne: Robin V

Duke Thomas: The Signal

Harper Row: Bluebird

Cullen Row: N/A

Luke Fox: Batwing

Carrie Kelly: Robin III (Alt.)

Kate Kane: Batwoman

Bette Kane: Flamebird

Julia Pennyworth: Penny Two

Selina Kyle: Catwoman

Helena Bertinelli/Wayne: Huntress

Charlotte Gage-Radcliffe: Misfit

Terry McGinnis: Batman Beyond

Matt McGinnis: Robin Beyond

Ace: Bat-Hound

Titus, Jerry, Goliath, Bat-Cow, Cat Alfred: Damian’s Pets

Jean-Paul Valley: Azrael

Lucius Fox: N/A

Tamara Fox: “Foxy Lady”

Tiffany Fox: Batgirl

Jace Fox: Batman

Jim Gordon: Commissioner Gordon

Claire Clover: Gotham Girl

Hank Clover: Gotham

Basil Karlo: Clayface

Minhkhoa Khan: Ghost-Maker

Talia al Ghul: The Demon’s Daughter

Harleen Quinzel: Harley Quinn

Kirk Langstrom: Man-Bat

Mia “Maps” Mizoguchi: “Robin” VI

[twosentencereviews]

Joker 2 will (probably) also be bad

I've gone on record saying Joker (2019) was a badly-conceived film, with ideas that are, at best, inconsistent and muddled.

And now they're making another one. With Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn. Maybe it will be better this time?

...no, probably not. Let me break it down.

So, the entire design philosophy of Joker (2019) from writer/director Todd Phillips was, quote, "we're gonna sneak in a real movie in the guise of a comic book movie". That is, Phillips wanted to make Taxi Driver...but he's only a talented enough filmmaker to make The Hangover at best, and The Hangover Part III at worst, and so Warner Bros only trusted him with an IP that was guaranteed to succeed regardless of quality.

This sucks on two levels. If we judge Joker as a "real film"...it fails utterly, because it's using the visual language of the 1970s to whine about 21st century woes, and even then doesn't have anything to say. The "failed standup act goes viral" plot beat doesn't fit with the media landscape of the 1970s, while the clown rioters echo the "eat the rich, defund the police" sentiment that was brewing in 2019 and would explode with George Floyd's murder in 2020. These things are included because Phillips is the kind of jerk who complains about "woke culture" on Twitter. The only reason Phillips sets the film in the 1970s...is because he's cheating off Scorsese's homework.

But if we judge Joker as a comic book movie, it also sucks, because it completely fails to live up to what makes The Joker so fascinating. See, The Joker is a Batman villain; a standout antagonist against the rogues gallery. You cannot understand The Joker except as a literary foil, as a dark reflection of the Dark Knight. Batman is a solemn, incorruptible force for justice. The Joker is a manic, incorruptible force of destruction. While many of Batman's villains are sympathetic (e.g. Mr Freeze), and others are garden-variety thugs with powers (e.g. Clayface), The Joker is pure. He cannot be reasoned with or negotiated with, he has no agenda beyond causing mayhem, and he has no better nature to appeal to. That charisma, that certainty of purpose, is what makes the Joker such a fun villain. Phillips throws all of that in the garbage--Arthur Fleck is weak-willed, cowardly, and just needs a friend.

And now, in Folie a deux...he's getting one, in the form of Gaga's Harley Quinn.

Now, Harley Quinn is different from the Joker. Harley was introduced in Batman: the Animated Series, voiced by Arleen Sorkin, as a counterpart to Mark Hamill's Joker. Her origin story is that she was Dr. Harlene Quinzel, a psychiatrist at Arkham Asylum, who tried to fix The Joker...only to be pulled in by his madness, taking a new name, costume, and falling head-over-heels for "Mista J", her "puddin'".

This is interesting because while The Joker only really makes sense as a Batman antagonist, Harley only really makes sense in the context of the Joker. Harley's story is one of domestic abuse; she is The Joker's greatest victim, and yet his staunchest ally. She sometimes realizes this and tries to get away, but can't escape his manipulative gravity. This obsessive love, however, is not returned; The Joker's soulmate is Batman, the yin to his yang, his equal and opposite. Nowhere is this more clear than in the iconic Mad Love, where Harley almost kills Batman as a gift to her puddin', only for The Joker to furiously lash out in a "no one kills Batman but me" kind of way.

So while the Joker is fun because he's so unsympathetic, Harley is fun because she is sympathetic. The Joker is fully evil, but Harley is only evil because of her exposure to The Joker; without him in the picture, she's just a manic antihero.

And that's exactly what's happened to her character over time; fan and authorial desire to see Harley achieve independence and escape the cycle of abuse led directly to her more modern portrayals, such as Margot Robbie in Suicide Squad (2016), Birds of Prey, and The Suicide Squad (2021). But even then, she was introduced in Suicide Squad against Jared Leto's Joker, and the start of Birds of Prey is her mourning her breakup with him. Her animated series starts the same way, seeking autonomy and an independent self-identity.

Folie a deux...isn't going to be doing that. It can't. It doesn't work with Arthur Fleck. The whole point of Joker (2019) is that Arthur Fleck is a loser, he's a failed nobody, he is the dregs of society that everyone ignores. His sexual frustration and loneliness form the basis of a major (and idiotic) plot beat with Zazie Beetz. He is a million miles from the "charismaniac" of Hamill or Ledger--there is zero possibility that he could "infect" a brilliant psychiatrist.

To his credit, Phillips realizes this, and is taking a different angle. From the trailer, it looks like Gaga's Harley is going to be a fellow Arkham resident, and she's going to be the one who initiates flirtation with Arthur, in a sort of "love letter to a serial killer" kind of admiration. The trailer leans heavily on the refrain of "what the world needs now is love, sweet love", and overall seems to be framing itself as an honest-to-god romance. Instead of the Joker/Harley relationship being abuser/victim, it looks instead to be toxic enabling, where Harley encourages Arthur to embrace his worst, most destructive instincts.

And...that's probably going to be framed as a good thing. See, if Folie a deux is going to be a romance, then plot constraints demand that there needs to be an obstacle dividing the lovers and preventing their happy union. What obstacle could exist between Arthur and Harley? Why, the entire legal system, of course--we see in the teaser multiple shots of them going up courthouse steps. It's likely that the pair fall in love in Arkham, escape ("let's get out of here", Harley says), are recaptured, and then have to defend themselves in court. This might have a "happy ending" where they win and leave together, affirming that enabling a violent criminal is a good thing. Or it might have a "sad ending" where the court outcome separates them, affirming Arthur's nihilism and anger at a system he perceives as unjust only when it inconveniences him. Either way, Harley is going to be framed as good for Arthur, making him better while making him worse.

Could this be done well? Maybe. It's certainly possible. Canon is already so broken that it's no longer a limitation. A talented director might realize the moral complexity in the relationship between two violent, mentally unstable murderers. One could frame the entire thing as a tragedy, where "boy gets girl back again" is shown to be disastrous (as in The Graduate). Or, it could even be something of an inversion of the more canonical Joker/Harley romance; instead of Harley realizing that she's better off without Mista J, it might be Arthur realizing he is better off without Harley.

But it almost certainly won't be any of that. Because Phillips thinks that Arthur Fleck is relatable. He thinks he's a martyr, a victim of targeted injustice, a doomed hero refusing to bow to societal norms. But he isn't. Arthur Fleck is an entitled white boy who simultaneously sees his suffering as a systemic failing, while also refusing to see how the system harms others, and refusing to see how his own choices make things worse for everyone. Arthur Fleck is an embodiment of denied privilege, where cishet white men expect to be lavished with unearned success, and are butthurt when they don't get it.

And above all, the thing that media has always told men is that a manic pixie dream girl is going to find you and fall madly in love with you despite your obvious failings. That is the heterosexual male romantic fantasy; love without effort, acceptance without labor, companionship without obligation. Todd Phillips might play this straight. Or he might set this up for Arthur, only to deny it as an act of authorial cruelty. But the first film demonstrates that he lacks the self-awareness necessary to actually deconstruct it, to criticize the expectation itself.

So no. I don't think Folie a deux will be better than its prequel. Because for Todd Phillips to make a better movie, he'd have to be a better person. And he's not.

[zahri-melitor]

Wait, I have another one! Clayface! (Dealers choice which one)

Oh you're going to put me on the spot, are you? Then it's Cassius Payne, who's my favourite Clayface.

Cassius if he's written right is a tiny tragedy writ large, because he's never been normal since the moment of his birth (he was born a Clayface, he inherited it from both parents), he's been exploited by STAR Labs scientists and the DEO, and half the time nobody remember's he's still a toddler (which governs SO MANY of his actions).

Also Abattoir, who is secretly one of my favourite one note-villains as far as 'has a solid persona arc in very little space' goes, kidnapped Cassius when he was a kid. Fun note!

My rec for him would be Batman #550, which is a Mud Pack-style story about the DEO being unethical (surprise surprise), contains Cassius actually acting like a toddler, and is the backdoor pilot for Chase. Also J.H. Williams III drew it.

[dailycass-cain]

Cassandra Cain Reading Guide Part 2: Modern

Part II of my reading list for Cassandra Cain. This one chronicles the current iteration of the character, and all her modern appearances.

Part I you can view here. 

Part III reading guide (Random) you can find here.

Part IV reading guide (Alternate versions) you can find here.

Part V reading guide (PAIN) you can find here.

Batman & Robin Eternal #1-8, #10-14

-  #1 features the reintroduction of the character into the Batman Universe. #10-13 is her new origin, with one section not mentioned, but you can easily put the pieces together what it is (aka Cass killed Harper's mother).

#7 is worth the price alone of Cassandra watching ballet for the first time in this universe. As is #13 with GORGEOUS art by Marcio Takara, and is the crown jewel of the entire series for Cass.

The thing is though I can't really recommend the remaining portions. If you want to understand the finale then read #14-26. But-- it isn't as strong like the first fourteen issues (well save the brief period Tim/Jason go to Santa Prisca and are jerks to Bane).

Detective Comics #934-940

-  the "Rebirth" era where Cass joins a team that features Tim, Steph, Clayface, and Batwoman. One tiny nitpick with the opening (which I guess goes the, if it ain't broke don't redo it) is Cass is bestest friends with Tim/Steph, and only told she is.

Still, the opening arc features Cass being Cass and has some damn good action moments of her being the "tank" of the team.

Batman #7-8

Nightwing #5-6

Detective Comics #941-942

Now I know some might skip this but x-over "Night of the Monster Men" does feature some Steph/Cass moments. Plus it's the first time in A LONG time Cass is in a crossover and it's the Bat-Family vs. Giant Monsters. 

Detective Comics #943-944

-  is the foundation of Cass/Clayface friendship probably one if THE hallmark of this entire run by run writer James Tynion IV.

Detective Comics #950-956

-  the "League of Shadows" aka the arc that focuses on Cassandra and has her take on Lady Shiva. #950 and #955 are the hallmarks of this arc with an entire issue (#950) focuses on Cass, and the later is a giant fight scene of her vs. the League.

The problem with the arc is it feels like the "Empire Strikes Back", with no real payoff to the ending of it involving the conflicts of Ra's/Cass/Shiva.

Detective Comics #957-962

- has numerous Cass moments sprinkled in this arc. Namely more Basil/Cass goodies (him teaching her Shakespeare) and Kate/Cass taking on a brainwashed Azrael in a BRUTAL battle.

Detective Comics #964 

- is the second of a two-part story involving Steph/Anarky/Bruce. But it's this issue that has the apex of Cass/Basil friendship with the later at his breaking point, and Cass is there for her friend. You might need the tissues for the feels.

Detective Comics #969-974 

- features the return of the Victim Syndicate (the second arc's big bads) and they have their focus solely on using Clayface to tear Batman's world apart. If #964 didn't rip your heart out, this arc will. But damn is it good.

Detective Comics #975-981 

- James Tynion IV's grand finale for his Tec run and Cass is heavily featured in all the issues. But #980 is a big one for Cassandra as she and Stephanie learn of their previous lives being Batgirls and Steph’s time as Robin.

Detective Comics #983-986 

- is basically Batman & the Outsiders prelude. #984 has Cass taking on the arc's villain Karma alone. But it's #985 where we get some damn good Cass moments as she, Black Lightning, and Batman foil Karma's schemes.

***Updated note for this section. Shadow of the Batgirl graphic novel. A spectacular reinterpretation of Cassandra's origin story that takes place outside the main continuity. It hits all the beats that are why some of us love Cass and will defend the character. It's a one and done story. Perfect for new readers.

DC: The Doomed & the Damned

Truth & Justice #16-18 (online via DC Infinite), #6 (physical copy that collects the entire story.)

Truth & Justice has a Damian story by Juni Ba that includes the Bat Family celebrating Damian’s birthday, but it is crashed by Ra’s Al Ghul. Has a really cute tiny brother/sister moment between Cass/Damian. Worth it alone.

- A spooky story called “The Hunt” that stars Cass and Orca. The former comes across human traffickers and the fight is interrupted by Orca. A simple but sweet story by Alyssa Wong, (who’d go on to write another fun Cass appearance in Batman: Urban Legends #8). 

Batman & the Outsiders #1-17

-  (there's an Annual and it's an amazing Katana story but no Cass insight there). This series did an amazing job showcasing why Cassandra doesn't need the Orphan identity any longer.

It also FINALLY gives us evolution in the relationship between Cassandra and her mother Lady Shiva. Because going this route adds many more layers, and more story possibilities now. Instead of the tried standard Cass/Shiva death-match, we've gotten in the past.

Besides the new layers of depth added with her relationship with Shiva, we also get Cassandra bonding numerous times with Duke Thomas aka the Signal. If you've been hungering for brother/sister moments that we haven't gotten in AWHILE.

If there's any negative, is that Duke doesn't get the same attention as Cass does throughout the comic. I still hope beyond this comic that writers remember how close these two are and have a few more adventures.

-Batman: Joker War Zone Event --

Batman #95-98 (No Cass)

Batman #99 (Cass has entered the Joker War chat)

Batman: Joker War Zone #1 (Cass becomes Batgirl again doning a variant of her old costume, Steph slaps a Bat symbol on her Spoiler costume and goes back to a half mask but also goes by Batgirl too)

Batman #100

- For a more continuity friendly version that follows the characters specifically: Batman & the Outsiders #17 (i.e. the Bruce/Cass talk) Batman: Joker War Zone #1 (page 3) Batman #99 Batman Joker War Zone #1 (pages 1-2, 4-8) Batman #100

Cass becomes Batgirl again after more than ten years from dropping the mantle. NUFF SAID!

Batman #103-105 

 Infinite Frontier #0 

Batman Urban Legends #2-3

- Various appearances of Cass that have her running around as Batgirl with Stephanie. #3 of Batman: Urban Legends continues Shiva subplot started in Batman & the Outsiders. The story is flawed, but still worth it for the ending. 

There are three issues I'm neglecting in Detective Comics even if two of them have gorgeous art by Bilquis Evely. But the arc is rather meh on Cass. You might see this specific arc pop up on another reading guide for Cass.

Joker #3-4, #7, #9  #11-13, and #15

- Cassandra figures heavily into the Joker ongoing helping out both Barbara Gordon (Oracle) and Jim Gordon in their search to find the Joker and solve the mystery as to why several groups are after the Clown Prince of Crime.

Features Cass vs a Talon. 

Highly recommended reading as it is truly a stealth Jim Gordon ongoing.

Batman: Urban Legends #7 

- “Hunter or Hunted” is a story starring Cass in the "Future State" alternate future. It's a self-contained tale that tells an exceptional fight sequence with some awing visual treats for the reader.

For those readers who've read Batgirl Vol. 1, this story is the first time in all those years we finally get a story where the artist is allowed to let the fight breathe. You take in every move and emotion.

Detective Comics #1038 (backup story) 

Detective Comics# 1039 (one panel but it's Dan Mora drawn-Cass) 

Detective Comics #1047-1058 (Shadow of the Bat arc) 

#1061 (assists Bruce in the finale to Tamaki's Riddler arc and final issue of her run with Ivan Reis drawn-Cass)

- Mariko Tamanki’s Tec run had Cass appear in the latter stages of it. These are the key areas Cass featured or appeared in. Shadow of teh Bat was the arc she appeared most in. 

One Bad Day: Two-Face #1

- Tamaki again writing Cass (and Steph) as they tag on a case with Bruce that involves someone targeting Harvey Dent’s father. 

- Batman: Fear State Event -

Fear State Alpha #1 (first appearance of Seer) 

Batman #112 

Batman: Urban Legends #8 (framed for murder by Seer and team-up with Batwoman)

Batman #115 (secondary story: Batgirls Part 1) 

Nightwing #85 (The Clocktower goes boom from Babs/Dick/Tim's PoV) 

Batman #116 (secondary story: Batgirls Part 2 aka Cass/Steph's PoV when the Clocktower goes boom) 

Nightwing #86 (Babs/Cass/Dick/Tim/Steph team-up extravaganza)

Batman #117 (the main story occurs during Nightwing #86 and after it)

Batman #117 (secondary story: Batgirls Part 3) - Post-Fear State set-up for Cass/Steph that leads into--

Batgirls #1!!

Batgirls #1-6

- Cass & Steph together sharing an ongoing book with Barbara as their mentor figure?  Cass truly shines in these first six issues, but the story is hampered with a few flaws (the narration gets a bit too much, Barbara as Batgirl is treated so normal when it should be a something BIG). 

Besides Cass, the art by Jorge Corona is more than worth the read. That and the villainous Tutor. 

Batgirls #9-12

- Cass/Steph investigate the Hill Ripper, a serial killer targeting at random around the neighborhood they live. The arc has nice twists/turns you just don’t see coming. Add to that, Cass is given two good fights in this arc. A bonus is we get the long-awaited meeting/team-up of Cass with Maps Mizoguchi. Add a fun reinvention of Killer Moth. This arc is a fun read from start to finish.     

Batgirls 2022 Annual, #13-15

- Cass/Steph have a body swap episode and have to confront a parental figure of the other’s (Steph with Lady Shiva/Cass with Cluemaster). The arc steps up a rogue sect of the League of Assassins is attempting to set up in Gotham with Shiva trying to stamp it out (by also asking her daughter for help).

An unhinged Cluemaster (alive and this arc drops the Young Justice issue that brought him back) kidnaps his “daughter” in a hope to reconcile. In the end, Cass/Steph get their bodies back. 

#14 features a Cass solo story and “silent issue” where she goes on a quest to find Stephanie (now in the clutches of Cluemaster). This issue is (so far) the series best issue bar none. Focuses on the advancement of Cass is with reading and her detective skills. #13-14 features exceptional art by artist Jonathan Case.

The Annual and #13 are kind of weak (retreading plot devices we’ve seen with both Lady Shiva and Cluemaster), but the last two issues more than make up it.

Batman: Failsafe (#125-130 for the arc, #126-128 for the Cass stuff).

- After Penguin frames Batman for his “death” a Failsafe robot is activated (one that Bruce created just in case he ever went “rogue” but Alfred kept switching off until his death) and attends to “save” Gotham and end the Batman & Bat-Family.

Cass encounters the robot in #126 with her and the entire family beaten. #128 is a flashforward where the entire Bat-Family save for Bruce, Tim, Cass, and Duke Thomas have all been captured (along with some members of the Justice League).

The arc is alright. It has a gorgeously drawn Cass by artist Jorge Jiménez. Yes, Cass is one of the few to escape Failsafe, but there isn’t much done in the arc with either her or Duke afterward. 

Things just return to normal for Gotham with the defeat of the machine in #130. This is writer Chip Zdarksky’s first arc on the comic and it’s-- alright. Zdarksky falls into the trap of listing only Dick, Jason, Tim, and Damian as his “sons” in Bruce’s narration while Cass is neglected (along with Duke).

Batman vs. Robin and Lazarus Planet Event (Lazarus Planet: Dark Fate #1, Batman vs. Robin #5)

- Cass skips out for most of Batman vs. Robin series until the final issue where she teams up with the rest of the Bat-Family (minus Signal and Batwoman) to take on a demonically possessed Batman. 

The Family job but Cass is the main member (besides Damian and the wild card Monkey Prince) who provides enough of a fight until mystical shenanigans occur. 

Prior to this issue Cass shows up in the Lazarus Planet tie-in teaming up with new mystical hero Xanthe Zhou as they team-up (along with a begrudging John Constantine) to deal with mystical creatures rising up due to the “Lazarus event”. Story ends with Cass getting sent to the Spirit World (see Spirit World #1-6). 

Batgirls #16-19

- Closes out this particular series with #16 tying up the loose plot threads from #1, while #17-19 has the three Batgirls tangle with a vindictive sniper.

Has some really sweet Cass moments (and callbacks) sprinkled throughout the remaining issues.  Why'd this series end?

Detective Comics #1069-1073

- Assists Batman in his latest case, and that's all I'll say about it because the run is underrated and you should be reading it if you aren't other than... These issues close out the first half of Ram V's Tec run.

Tim Drake: Robin #10 

Batman #136

Batman: The Brave & the Bold #4

- Various Bat Family moments with Cass assisting the family. Light-hearted and cute moments. 

Spirit World #1-6

- Continues the story that began in Lazarus Planet: Dark Fate #1 with Cass trapped in the Spirit World with Xanthe Zhou and John Constantine to rescue her.

Alyssa Wong returns for a FOURTH time to write Cass and second for 海凝 Haining drawing the character.

Visually stunning from 海凝 Haining with character, set designs, and sequences. Wong ties some elements of this story from Batgirl Vol. 1, but doesn't fully answer the ideas introduced here.

 Cass gets an amazing mystical costume for the comic combining her various identities.  

Birds of Prey Vol. 5 #1-6 (Mega Death) 

 -   A new Birds of Prey team gets together (Dinah, Cass, Barda, Sin, Mirai Maps, and a rotating team this arc has Harley Quinn and Zealot), and Cass plays a big role in the series. - Friendship with Big Barda is formed and IT IS GLORIOUS.

- We get a glorious fight in #4  between Cass/Wonder Woman (drawn by Leonardo Romero and gorgeous colors by Jordie Bellaire) with the former stalling for time.

- Nice bonding between Cass and Black Canary too throughout.

#7-8 (Undercover Animals)

- Two-parter (now with Barbara Gordon and Vixen), with Cass/Dinah trying to prevent someone from trying to kill Babs.

- Goes on an undercover mission with the Birds at a fashion show wearing lingerie and kicking butt. Get a tiny Batgirls nod here.

Detective Comics  #1077-1080, #1082, & #1084 

 - Ram V continues his epic run and Cass is along for the ride.  This section solidifies again why she is an heir (along with Dick and Jean-Paul) to be Batman. As she keeps the symbol alive with Bruce out of action.

- Her and Babs team up with the Catwomans (Selina and Eiko), Jim Gordon, Azrael, Lian Harper, Cheshire, Solomon Grundy, the Question, Poison Ivy, and Mr. Freeze to free Batman from the Orghams #1077-1080).

- #1082 and #1084 are her trying to keep Gotham safe and as stated before keeping the bat symbol alive as the Orgham tries to wipe the memory of the bat out.

- #1084 she stars in a backup story by Alex Paknadel and Robbi Rodriguez where she teams up with her mother, Lady Shiva.

- Shiva helps Cass out with the mental fatigue she's experiencing during the story with the constant Orghams threat.

- Features the return of pre-New 52 David Cain to the DCU in a flashback.

Nightwing #106, #108 (backup story by Michael Conrad and Serg Acuña.)

- Cass features in this fun little side story where she has some fun sibling antics with Nightwing (along with Stephanie and Jason).

DC's How to Lose a Guy Gardner in 10 Days #1 

 - appears with Steph in Dick/Babs story. 

 Titans Beast World Tour: Gotham #1 

 - Co-stars in a story with Huntress that recanonizes her old NML Batgirl origin. 

 JL vs. Godzilla vs. Kong #5 (one-panel cameo)

[fyeahygocardart]

Themed-Day: Return of the Duelist

It’s extremely belated but...better late than never? Time to celebrate the 10 year anniversary (well, plus 6 weeks) of the TCG release of Return of the Duelist.

Some highlights for the pack:

1) The debut of several new archetypes (many of which would get even better support in future packs but got their starts here with some of their searchers), including:

a) the dessert-themed EARTH monsters that refuse to go to the Grave: Madolche

b) The Tarot-themed Spellcasters that pair with their Spell Cards: Prophecy

c) Formerly OOParts, III’s monsters out of time: Chronomaly

d) The heroes that aren’t HEROes: Heroic

2) Additional support for the Geargias, including Geargiarmor

3) The first of the Elemental Lords (and distant prelude to the eventual Elementalsabers): Grandsoil the Elemental Lord

4) Some rather powerful Xyz Monsters, including the Machine-Type staple that is Gear Gigant X and the mouthful that is Superdimensional Robot Galaxy Destroyer

5) A solid searcher for searching Skull Servant monsters and any other Level 1s: Where Arf Thou?

6) Two cards to seal effects with fantastic art each: Void Trap Hole and Soul Drain

7) The TCG import of the Hunders and, the card I purchased too many packs trying to pull, Miracle Contact

8) Some fantastic art on the TCG Exclusives, including Noble Knight Gawayn and his impeccable chin, Prophecy Destroyer’s MTG-esque art, and the Clayface-esque Revival Golem

Hope you all enjoy today’s three posts from cards from the pack, including respectively a Trap, Spell, and Monster.

(High Priestess of Prophecy)

[dan-cyril-kingston]

If DC Comics tasked you with creating a DC tarot deck, which character would you choose to portray on each major arcana?

Disclaimer: as I prefer to read Tarot de Marseille using the Franco-Italian meanings, my choices tend to reflect those, as opposed to the more common, Anglo-American, Waitean associations.

I. Le Bateleur – John Constantine

II. La Papesse – Death or Barbara Gordon

III. L’Impératrice – Poison Ivy

IV. L’Empereur – Lex Luthor

V. Le Pape – Alfred Pennyworth

VI. L’Amoureux – Tim Drake

VII. Le Chariot – Wonder Woman

VIII. La Justice – Two-Face

IX. L’Hermite – Batman

X. La Roue de Fortune – Sandman or Flash

XI. La Force – Beast Boy or Conner Kent

XII. Le Pendu – Bane

XIII. L’Arcane Sans Nom – Jason Todd

XIV. Tempérance – Nightwing

XV. Le Diable – Klarion The Witch Boy

XVI. La Maison Dieu – Arkham Asylum

XVII. L’Étoile – Zatanna

XVIII. La Lune – Clayface or Dr. Destiny

XIX. Le Soleil – Supermen (Clark & Jon)

XX. Le Jugement – The Lazarus Pit

XXI. Le Monde – Green Lanterns

XXII. Le Mat – Joker

[calciumcryptid]

Earth-64 | Brief List of the Bat Cauldron

Important Note: The following post consists of a listing of the Bat Cauldron how they are on Earth-64, a fan-made alternate Earth of the DC universe personally made by me.

THE WAYNE FAMILY

Bruce Wayne - Batman I

Selina Kyle - Catwoman I

Talia al'Ghul - Demoness

Dick Grayson - Robin I, Nightingale

Jason Todd - Robin II, Red Hood II, Redkite

Duke Thomas - Signal, Lark

Tim Drake - Stray, Robin III, Golden Aix

Cassandra Brown-Wayne: Orphan, Batgirl II, Black Bat, Batman II

Stephanie Brown-Wayne: Spoiler, Robin IV, Batgirl III, Starling

Damian Wayne-Wilkes: Robin V, Vireo

Collin Wilkes: Abuse, Sparrowhawk

Helena Sage-Wayne: Huntress

Victor 'Vic' Sage: Question II

Terry Wayne: Batmite

Athanasia Wayne: Hellhound

THE KANE FAMILY

Kate Kane - Batwoman I, Vampire Bat

Renee Montoya - Question I

Bette Kane - Goshawk

THE GORDON FAMILY

Jim Gordon - Commissioner Gordon

Barbara Gordon - Batgirl I, Oracle

Alysia Gordon - Honorary Batgirl

THE FOX FAMILY

Lucius Fox

Tanya Fox

Jace Fox - Flying Fox

Luke Fox - Honorary Batman, Batwing II

Tamara Fox - Lady Fox

Tiffany Fox - Batgirl IV (Retired)

THE EXTENDED BAT CAULDRON

Harleen Quinzel: Harley Quinn

Minhkhoa "Khoa" Khan: Ghost-Maker

David Zavimbe: Honorary Batman, Batwing I

Jean-Paul Valley: Honorary Batman, Azrael

Basil Karlo: Clayface (Retired)

Harper Row: Bluebird

Colin Row: Carrier, Oracle II

Mia Mizoguchi: Maps

Carrie Kelly: Robin VI, Oriole

Nell Little: Batgirl V

Claire Clover: Lady Gotham (Retired)

Hank Clover: Gotham (Deceased)

Onyx Adams: Onyx

THE NOTES

All characters listed have been canon characters in one way or another. Not all characters work primarily in Gotham, but have worked there at some point in time. This is to be updated as there are more characters to be added.

In the early years, the Bat Cauldron was fairly isolated from the other masks, which was one of the primary reasons Dick left Bruce. Despite starting the Titans, Dick was not told of the Nightwing and Flamebird story so when deciding a new identity Dick became Nightingale instead of Nightwing. Superman is still his favorite hero though.

The Robin and Batgirl mantles must be passed down from the previous Robin and Batgirl.

Due to the early death of the Joker, Duke Thomas' acquisition happened earlier than the comics. In the same vein, Jason's Red Hood era was a brief period in his life and he rejoins the Bat Cauldron as Redkite.

Due to Jason's death, Bruce refused to give Tim the mantle of Robin so Catwoman took him in as her first sidekick where he served as Stray. When Jason returned, he passed the Robin mantle to Tim who accepted it. Tim's time as Stray made him a bit more flirty than his canon counterpart, and he realized he was bi sooner.

Along with the tech Robin, Tim is known as the water Robin due to being unafraid to get into the toxic Gotham water. This contributed to his alias of Golden Aix, and Arthur Curry often jokes that Bruce stole an Atlantean.

Stephanie was active before Cassandra, but Cassandra was Batgirl before Stephanie. Cass passed her the Batgirl title because Cass was heading on a mission in Tokyo and it would be weird if Batgirl showed up there. That period of time made them realize their feelings for each other, and the first thing Cass did when she returned was confess her feelings.

In this universe, Bette Kane is the adopted daughter of Kate Kane and Renee Montoya.

Colin Row worked as a messenger for Oracle, and later becomes the second Oracle.

Carrie Kelly and Tiffany Fox were the first Robin and Batgirl under Cassandra's time as Batman. Tiffany would later give the mantle to Nell Little.

Terry is not the second Batman because I don't personally like the Batmam Beyond storyline, but he is still a hero under his big sister Cass!

I have some characters marked as Honorary Batmans because if I try to make some sense of that timeline my head will explode.