#dcu chapter 1: gods and monsters

[mattzerella-sticks]

Either these two are gonna throw down hard in the Battle for the Cowl or DC will decide to make them the next World's Finest.

[idontbeatgames]

I have no idea if this has officially been announced anywhere but apparently, Paul Dini's Zatanna run is finally getting a reprint and it's out April 23, 2024. I wonder if this is happening because of James Gunn bringing Zatanna into the DCU, as the Amazon page is bare enough for it to be updated in the future, or because James Gunn simply wanted Zatanna's run to be back in circulation for the first time in years.

[gotham-at-nightfall]

Well, I’d say we’re off to a good start…

[movie-magic]

[doamarierose-honoka]

James Gunn's upcoming Superman (formerly Superman: Legacy) will officially introduce several key Justice League heroes to the new DCU.

The DCU's first movie will see Superman enter a world populated with existing heroes and villains. This comes as the new rebooted slate gets underway and plans to introduce many more iconic heroes such as Batman in the coming years.

James Gunn's Superman Casts Justice League Heroes

The cast of James Gunn's Superman includes actors for five (potentially six) Justice League heroes who will head up the start of the new DCU.

Details of each of the heroes and their actors are explored below:

Superman (Clark Kent)

Kal-El, better known as Clark Kent or Superman, requires no introduction to any Justice League enthusiast and can be instantly recognized by his iconic red, blue, and yellow costume and blossoming cape

Hailing from the destroyed alien world of Krypton and after a lifetime being raised in the farmlands of Kansas, Earth's sun offers Clark Kent unimaginable powers of flight, super-strength, super-speed, freeze breath, heat vision, and more.

Replacing Henry Cavill as the Man of Steel is David Corenswet, an up-and-coming actor with recent credits in The Politician, Hollywood, and Pearl. Ahead of Superman, he will take to screens later this year in the disaster flick Twisters.

[ Henry Cavill's Superman Replacement Actor Is Looking Jacked (Photo) ]

Green Lantern (Guy Gardner)

A member of the Green Lantern Corps, Guy Gardner, will appear in Superman, bringing with him all the familiar powers of the emerald space-cops through a will-powered ring and the ability to create glowing constructs from pure imagination.

Guy Gardner will only be the first Green Lantern to appear in the DCU before Hal Jordan and John Stewart lead the way in Max's Lanterns. It's currently unclear whether Gardner is set to join his fellow space cops for the streaming series.

Nathan Fillion will portray the Green Lantern following his leading role in the viral cop drama The Rookie. He previously worked with Superman director James Gunn during his time in the MCU with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.

[ Green Lantern TV Show: Everything We Know So Far ]

Hawkgirl (Kendra Saunders)

Another legendary member of the Justice League to feature in Superman is Hawkgirl, aka Kendra Saunders. Her introduction follows the big-screen debut of Hawkman in Black Adam, played by Aldis Hodge, whose future is uncertain.

With origins going back to the planet Thanagar, Saunders embodies the soul of her ancestor and the original Hawkgirl to become the latest hero, donning a set of wings and wielding a powerful mace into battle with the Justice League.

Hawkgirl will be played by Isabela Merced, who was recently seen in a superhero project in Madame Web after roles in Dora the Explorer and Instant Family. She will soon appear in HBO's The Last of Us Season 2 as Dina.

Mr. Terrific (Michael Holt)

Michael Holt is one of the greatest minds in the DC universe which he used to develop his iconic T-spheres. These powerful flying drones can be utilized for various purposes including combat, in which he is also a strong martial artist.

Better known as Mr. Terrific, Holt entered the superhero game after the accidental deaths of his wife and unborn child. He would go on to join several teams such as the Justice League and the Justice Society, and he even found his own with the Terrifics.

Edi Gathegi will play Mr. Terrific in Superman after the actor once played Darwin in X-Men: First Class and held other roles in StartUp and For All Mankind.

Metamorpho (Rex Mason)

Metamorpho is perhaps the least-known of the Justice League heroes set to appear in Superman. Otherwise called the adventurer Rex Mason, he gained his unique powers from a radioactive meteorite he found in an Egyptian pyramid.

After the incident, Mason became able to shape-shift his body into various forms and elements, including turning part or all of him into solids, liquids, or gases.

Metamorpho will be played by Anthony Carrigan, who took two dips into the DC mythos before in Gotham and The Flash. Other recent credits for the actor are Barry, Bill & Ted Face the Music, and more.

BONUS.) Supergirl (Kara Danvers)

Kara Danvers, aka Kara Zor-El, is the older cousin to Clark Kent who was sent to Earth to protect him but ultimately her pod went off course and she arrived years later. Now, she follows in his footsteps on Earth as Supergirl, brandishing a similar powerset and donning an outfit akin to her cousin.

Supergirl has not been officially confirmed to appear in Superman, with James Gunn stating on Threads he "never even said she was in the movie" when news broke about casting for the Kryptonian hero.

Regardless, her appearance in Superman would make sense ahead of her starring in Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. Based on the comic of the same name by Tom King, the movie is reportedly set to enter production later this year from director Craig Gillespie and writer Ana Nogueira to become the DCU's second movie.

The DCU's Supergirl will be brought to life by Milly Alcock, who found fame in 2022 as the young Rhaenyra Targaryen in the first half of HBO's House of the Dragon Season 1, a spin-off to Game of Thrones.

When Will the DCU's Justice League Assemble?

Superman will kickstart the new DCU as Clark Kent enters a world filled with existing heroes such as those explored above. That said, it's unclear if these heroes are operating together under an umbrella such as the Justice Society or whether they are scattered around and working alone.

Currently, it seems more likely the latter will be the case, as Superman ushers this world into a new and more hopeful era of heroes. This tonal shift ought to be the first step toward one day assembling the Justice League in the DCU whenever a threat powerful enough to unite Earth's heroes finally comes along.

But fans shouldn't expect to see the Justice League unite anytime soon, as there are plenty more characters who will need projects before then such as Wonder Woman, Aquaman, The Flash, and Martian Manhunter, while the likes of Batman already have a solo movie on the docket with Brave and the Bold.

As it will undoubtedly take many more years to introduce all of these important players, it would be shocking to see the new Justice League assemble to conclude Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters anytime before 2029 or 2030.

That said, there will likely be plenty of teases and smaller crossovers to come before then, with Superman already set to include seven major heroes. Just as was the case with the MCU over a decade ago, fans should prepare for years of build-up and cryptic hints before this new team assembles.

[ James Gunn's Justice League Reboot Movie: When Will It Happen? ]

Superman hits theaters on July 11, 2025.

[movieanimex]

Superman Legacy Will Release On 11 July, 2025

[thewinginitpodcast]

Check out my thoughts. Leave a comment and let me know what you think.

[breyito]

Fear your sins, not your monsters: Part Two: Tortured Souls

@painlandweek Day 2: Leyends

Part 1 Part 3 Chapters: 2/4 Fandom: Dead Boy Detectives (TV) Rating: Mature Warnings: Graphic depictions of violence Relationships: Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne/Charles Rowland, Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne & Charles Rowland, Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne & Crystal Palace Characters: Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne, Charles Rowland (DCU) Additional Tags: Protective Edwin Paine | Edwin PayneUnhinged Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne, Violence, Torture, Hurt Charles Rowland (DCU), Sickfic, love language: acts of service, painlandweek, BAMF Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne, Angst with a Happy Ending

A/N: Goodness gracious. This chapter is a behemoth. I think I have not written so much in one go since...2019? When the fires of wrath at Tony's death still lived within me lmao (im still mad, but im also tired now) Anyways!!! This took so long because the scenes just kept needing to be written out and out! And the dialogue! So.much.dialogue. Also, WARNING: there are some descriptions and threats of rape/non-con (about ocs and towards Crystal), so, *please* be careful. These ghosts are some real scumbags. As always, English is not my first language and I have no beta. Also, it's near 5AM, so. Any edits that need doing I'll do later. Enjoy!

Part Two: Tortured Souls

“What-t the fuck do you even want!? ” screamed Charles, after the thirteenth time he was transported from the rocks on the shore onto the cold concrete floor. He punched the floor in frustration but it didn’t make any difference: he wouldn’t feel it even if he tore out chunks of it. He’d tried that, digging his way out, but it was no use; the fucking room returned to its original state no matter what he did. 

(He’d also tried to break the iron bars on the window, but no matter how much of his hands he burned while trying, it was useless. The only thing it did was multiply the pain when he got thrown into the freezing depths again.)

He clenched his teeth while clothing himself again. He heard a giggle that sent another shiver down his spine and to the very core of his essence. 

“Oh, I’m just softening you up, kid.” the witch answered, an incorporeal voice just in his ear. Charles jumped and whirled around, but there was no one. 

“Softening me for what !?” he insisted. “How long do you plan to keep doing this for!?”

“Well…until you no longer have any fight in you, of course.” She giggled again. “That’s the best way to break in a new toy.” 

“I’m not a bloody toy !” he yelled, incandescently furious. The first dregs of a new kind of dread were emerging, and he didn’t like that one bit.

“You are now. Mmm, the things he’ll do to you when he comes back…”she teased, like the mere thought gave her pleasure. She sighed. “It’ll be delicious .”

Charles choked on his helplessness, and tried really hard to be more angry than scared. He almost manages to convince himself he succeeded. 

“See you later, baby. The lake needs time to freeze over, you know.” Just like that, the heavy presence was gone. 

Dawn had come while they talked. Still shivering, Charles curled up on the concrete floor, trying to place himself on the faint rays of sunlight. Not for the first time in his afterlife, he wished he could feel their heat as well as he could feel this permanent cold. It felt like he had never known warmth. Like the golden light of a lantern reflected on a pair of soft green eyes had only ever been an illusion.

Still, he kept Edwin’s face on his mind. The furrow of his eyebrows, the twitch of his nose when he wanted to say something and knew he shouldn’t, the sharp angle of his cheekbones….the tempting bow of his lower lip, just begging to be kissed. 

God…I wished I had just told you. I’m sorry, Edwin. I’m so sorry.  

—- —-- —--

—- —-- —--

By the time Crystal’s alarm went off, it was far past noon already. A part of her wanted to yell at Edwin for letting her oversleep when they were in a crisis, but as she looked around the office and noticed the complete state of chaos it was in, the words died in her throat. 

Edwin was dressed impeccably, though, sharp and without a hair out of place. Somehow, despite being only in his vest and coat, he seemed…more put together than usual. When the light hit him just right, he looked like a threat . It was unsettling, and made her feel ill at ease. But she pushed through it, because this was her friend, worried sick about their other missing friend.

Still, the way his fists kept meeting one another, and the now black gloves he wore gave away his agitation; and choked her up a bit. He had Charles’ necklace around his neck, and he was squeezing it between his fingers after every third time he smashed his knuckles together.

“Hey” she said, as she stood up from the couch.

“Good morning.” Edwin said, turning. “We have plenty to do today, but since the places we need to get to are not open before sundown, we have time for you to grab a bite.”

“I’m fine-”she tried to say.

“Crystal.” he interrupted. “You are alive , and thus have certain basic needs that have to be met for your presence to be beneficial to Charles’ rescue.” He took a deep breath. “If you insist on becoming a hindrance by refusing to take those necessary steps; I have no problem leaving you bound here in the office, until I get him back.” The tone of his voice left her no doubt he was completely serious, and would, in fact, leave her trapped in this room.

“Fuck, fuck , allright.” she conceded, as she put on her shoes. “But you will fill me in on what you found in the meantime.” Edwin tilted his head. 

“Very well.” with that he turned around and crossed through the door. Cursing under her breath, she hurried to follow him.

—-- —-- —--

 Once they were situated in a caffe with her meal in front of her and her earpiece very visible to avoid unwanted attention, she gestured for him to explain. Edwin, sitting across the table, cleared his throat and started.

“As we suspected, I cannot find him through usual tracking spells. This magic user has hidden their signatures too well for that.” He shifted in the seat, looking around before taking out his notebook. “However, I can track the ghost that hired us and lead us right to the trap.”

“Why haven’t you done that already then?”

“Because, first of all, at least back in the church, he had items that made him stronger and managed to escape after hurting Charles but just before he was taken and all the mirrors shattered.”

“So he’s tricky, is what you mean.”

“Exactly. We have no way of knowing if the witch provided him those items solely for the trap or if he has more of them. I’d hate to be ill prepared to face him, especially with you in tow.”

“I can handle myself.” she refuted, tone harsh.

“Crystal.” Edwin waited until she looked him in the eye, which was rare for him so she did. “I may not be very good at social interactions, but I did notice the way he was looking at you. It made me uncomfortable, so I can only imagine what it was like for you.”

“Well.” she said with a strained smile, eyes focused on her plate. “It’s not like it's the first time.” Crystal saw him hesitating on the corner of her eye, and then felt a slight pressure on her sleeve. She looked up and saw him give her a pained smile back.

“I am under no impression that what I experience when I use my disguises is anywhere near the real life, constant feeling of being under scrutiny and threat from those kinds of…men. And while the hardships I suffered when I was alive may give me some insight, it is not the same. But it is not normal and it is not okay.” He looked away for a tick before looking back at her. “In the future, we’ll try to screen these types of clients better. If they cannot treat you with the appropriate respect, they do not deserve our help.” He squeezed her arm once before letting go.

Done with sentimentalities for the time being, he leaned back and busied himself with his notes. Crystal, feeling like she had been punched in the throat, focused back on her meal and tried not to cry.

When enough time had passed that she felt she could speak without sounding choked, she set down her glass and tapped the table to get his attention back.

“You said we needed to go somewhere that wouldn’t be ‘open’ until night. Where is that? Some sort of library, a supernatural store…?”

“Not this time. Are you familiar with the term ‘black market’?” The ghost asked.

“Are you kidding? There’s a black market for magical stuff?” she hissed. “Wouldn’t that just be a regular magical market or whatever?”

“Oh, no. The supernatural world works on complicated networks. Usually, for regular cases, we can go to above board individuals or shops. But sometimes, less… moral objects are needed, and the Obscure Mart is the ideal place to obtain them.”

“Obscure Mart? Damn, you guys really love your theatrics, don’t you?”

“Of course.” he smirked. “That’s half the fun of all of it.” She was tempted to ask what the other half was, but feared getting off track.

“What do we need from this black market then?”

“Ideally, truth spells talismans. The iron chains to contain him are already inside the bag.” he pointed to Charles’ backpack. “Then, maybe some holy oil. Our reserve is quite small, and I’d rather have a larger circle than a small one.”

“Wait a minute. Holy oil? Isn’t that the stuff that can disintegrate a ghost if they touch it?”

“Indeed. Do you remember the abandoned warehouse of the Mc’Call case?” at her nod, he continued. “My plan is to catch unawares, and push him through a mirror into the building. I have already set up a salt circle to avoid him escaping, but I believe a holy fire around that circle will be better.”

“Isn’t that super dangerous?”

“It has its risks, but I think it is worth it. Besides, once you get there, you’ll put out the fire.” He adds.

“I mean, the warehouse is not far from here, but  how do we know that this guy won’t be in, like, Tanzania?” 

“These types usually have a pattern. As we’ve seen, he’s lazy, a pervert and from London. I don’t think he’s gone far at all.”

“Fine, ok. Also, truth spells? Couldn’t you just” she waves her fingers “do one?”

“Not at all. As a form of incantation, truth spells are useless. Truth spells talismans are one of the trickiest bits of magic and do work. The runes need to be in a specific pattern, written down in a special paper, with a particular ink, prepared in a confluence of the ley lines and only in certain phases of the moon.”  

“Well, damn. Off to the black market we go, then.” 

Ignoring the alarmed look from the waitress, she left a tip and got up to follow the ghost boy. 

—-- —-- —--

—- —-- —--

The entrance to the Obscure Mart was hidden in an ancient alleyway, behind a brick wall. Crystal had to bite her tongue not to make any Harry Potter related comments. (She had no desire to listen to another rant about how Rowling did the whole community a huge disservice, since she’d have to defend the world of Harry Potter but not the author because fuck that terf; and she hasn’t got the energy for that).

The market was a lively place, if a bit well, dark. Actual-for-realsies torches were the main source of light. The fires were of multiple colours though, which is cool. There were some stores she could see, but it seemed to be mostly tables and tents at the sides of the very long alley, with some narrow corridors on both sides. It’s not empty, but it’s not packed either. The first person that waved at them smiled, then looked behind Edwin at Crystal, and swallowed.

“Hi, Edwin!” They look behind the teens again. “Where’s Charles?” They ask, barely keeping the smile on their face.

“Taken.” Edwin said, curt. The person talking to them paled and then cursed softly. Crystal bit her lip not to question the wisdom of admitting such a thing, keeping in mind the ghost’s warning before going in: she was not to speak unless directly questioned.. “I need you to point me in the direction of Garreth Gadget?” he asked. Crystal blinked twice and tried not to snort at the name. 

“Y-yeah, sure. He’s on the seventh entrance tonight.” With barely a nod in acknowledgment, Edwin kept walking. 

The psychic girl saw the person that was just talking to them whisper something in the ear of their neighbour, and how this kept repeating as they walked down the road. As she turned to see the reactions of the beings around them she wished she could take the time to gape at all the crazy stuff. There was a giant ass tank with a giant ass glowing and mean looking octopus wearing a tophat that suddenly pulled all his limbs into a little ball and tried to hide behind his tophat . 

“-but who would be this stupid ?” asked a green girl with wings, fluttering agitatedly around her equally colourful friends. Crystal was calling her fairy for now and save the terminology for another day.

  “...yeah, probably someone new…” a sinister matronly ghost whispered to the man next to her, fussing over her wares.

“-ou think we’ll have another Bog Witch situation?” asked a… spooky talking tree?? Everyone that heard him shivered in unison. 

“ -uck, I hope not. That’d be…horrific.” answered the black cat with the equally black kittens.

Seeing as Edwin had gotten ahead of her anyways, she turned around to question the cat. That was the creature she was most used to, even if they were usually very rude.

“What ‘Bog Witch situation’?” she asked, intrigued. 

“Shhh!” The kittens shushed her in unison, eyes wide. They all hurried to hide behind their mother.

“You don’t know about the Bog Witch?” the cat asked, tilting her head.

“ What Bog Witch?”

“Exactly!” the green fairy answered, nodding. 

“No, really. What Bog Witch? And why is she so important?” Crystal was starting to lose her patience. There was a very awkward pause. “I’m new to this supernatural shit, alright? Is it some sort of legend or lore I don’t know about? Does it have anything to do with Edwin?”

“... it’s more like an urban legend. About what happened to her.” whispered a goth human boy. She assumed he was either a psychic or a warlock. He kept looking around, like Edwin would suddenly pop up out of nowhere.

“More like what that boy did to her.” muttered the ghost of a firefighter. 

“It’s not like it wasn’t deserved.” defended the matronly ghost.

“And what happened to her? Did Edwin… kill her?”Crystal asked, apprehensive.

“Oh, no.” the boy snorted. She relaxed slightly. “ Way worse. He erased her from existence. She and her Bog.”

“Which was an overreaction, in my opinion.” added the tree. 

“Erased her from existence…? That can happen? Wouldn’t people notice a whole ecosystem disappearing one day to the next?”

“Not in this case. When we say he ‘erased her from existence’ we mean completely . There are no traces, no records, no memories of them. Us supernatural creatures are the only ones that remember the Witch or the Bog.” Explained the fairy.

“Only faint traces, tho.” The firefighter added. “I assume as a warning.”

“You assume correctly.” Edwin stated, suddenly at her side. Everyone jumped back and quickly scampered away. He grabbed her arm and began leading her back down the road.

“Wait, wait, wait.” she said, stopping. Edwin sighed loudly and turned around, one eyebrow raised. “A warning about what?” she asked.

“About what I am willing to do to get Charles back. There are not many things that fall outside that list.” Crystal shook her head, incredulous.

Before she could question him further Edwin turned around snarling and grabbed a ghost by the shoulder, slamming him against the wall with a single hand. Said ghost was a guy, maybe in his thirties, and looked like the cartoon of a dealer, big brown trench coat and everything.

“Trying to avoid me, Garreth?” Edwin asked.

“Look, kid-”the man started, before yelping as said boy pressed his thumb deep into his clavicle. “Wait, wait-! Whatever you need, okay? I wasn’t sure I’d have what you wanted-”

“I need some truth spells talismans.” Edwin interrupted him. “I’m prepared to pay you handsomely for them.”

“ Truth spells ? I’m afraid I can’t help you there, mate. You know they are incredibly hard to come by-”

“I do. Which is why I know only you would have them tonight.”

“I’m sorry, lad, but-”

“I’ll trade you the immersive copy of the Kamasutra you always try to get your paws on.” The man’s eyes darkened immediately, but he shook his head.

“ Very tempting offer but-”

“Or I can just steal your coat and slice it open until it spills everything you have in there.” Edwin extended his free hand, and swallowing, Crystal put the knife he had given her earlier in it.  

“I’ll take it! Of course I will.” Edwin backed off to let him search the inside pockets of his trench then. “I was planning on using it on my lass, but fuck it. These birds can’t mouth off, can they?” he said, licking his lips. 

Crystal saw Edwin’s shoulders tense in disgust, but knew he couldn’t grimace; so she grimaced for both of them. Garreth finally took a single sheet of paper and gave it to them.

“It’s the only one I’ve got!” he defended himself at their unimpressed looks. “The wife is tricky, alright? Can never get her with these…”he mumbled. 

Edwin inhaled deeply and took a book from inside his own pocket, waving it in front of the man. 

“Holy oil, then, for the rest of it.”

“Hey-!”

“I can always give you just half the book and you can see if it still functions as intended.” he threatened.

“Fine, fine!” the man conceded. “Jeez.” He took a little clay pot from another pocket, tapping the waxed seal as he handed it over. “Straight from Jerusalem.” 

Edwin pressed the book against Garreth’s chest and turned around, pocketing the talisman and the oil. They both began walking, ignoring the wet sounds as the man licked his lips over and over.

They also ignored the way the rest of the beings in the Obscure Mart hunched over, some even hiding under their tables. On the corner of her eye she saw the octopus still in a little ball, just with ink spilled around it. As they left the market and arrived at the normal alley, Crystal stopped Edwin with a hand on his arm.  

“This isn’t like you, Edwin.” she said, softly. “This…brute force? The constant threat of violence? It’s like…”

“I’m Charles?” he finished, sarcastic. “We are not so different in our devotion as it might seem, Crystal.”

“I don’t buy that.” she said. Edwin let out a dry chuckle. “He’s our friend, but-”

“Crystal, you've seen him without me. You have never seen me without him .” he interrupted, eyes stone cold. “I know you think you know how our dynamic works. You think I keep him contained when I’m around, don’t you? Leashed , as some would say?” he smiled, and it was terrifying.  “Oh, dear Crystal....You have got no clue how savage I can be in the shadow of his absence.” 

Crystal took a step back, and Edwin seemed to become smaller. He turned his back on her and rubbed his hand all over his face. 

“I don’t like what I become when he’s threatened, Crystal.” he admitted, looking at the sky. “I’m aware that I can be quite brutal, and that regret is not in my vocabulary when these things happen.” He inhaled. “But this is the only way I know to get him back.”

“Edwin…” she whispered, tearing up.

“He’s always protecting me , saving me . Just yesterday he got injured and distracted because I couldn’t defend myself. Now I have to be strong for the both of us, and be tough enough to do whatever is necessary to save him.” 

Edwin wiped off a teardrop from his cheek, but more just kept falling. Crystal thought ‘Fuck it, they are my boys and I’m not about to lose either one of them’ and hugged him tight. Surprising her, Edwin hugged her back.

“I can’t lose him, Crystal, I can’t .” he whispered, voice trembling. “If you can’t stomach my methods I don’t blame you, but-”

“No, no. ” she interrupted him. “This is for our friend, and as long as you don’t hurt anyone innocent-”

“I promise.” Edwin said. 

“Then you do whatever you need to do to find him.” They separated and smiled weakly at each other, wiping the wetness off their faces. “Now, c’mon, we have a perv ghost to find.”

—-- —-- —--  

—- —-- —--

After finishing the holy oil circle and doing the tracking spell, they had an address. They found their perverted ghost perving on some girls in a club’s bathroom downtown, of course. Crystal setted off the fire alarm so that the bar emptied as Edwin surprised the man. As soon as she saw them disappear through the surface, she turned around and left. Fortunately it was the middle of the week, so her Uber should get to their location quickly enough.

Edwin pushed the ghost through the mirror with a surge of magic, right into the warehouse’s trap. The circle of holy fire was already alight. Edwin quickly followed suit and broke the mirror to prevent an escape. While getting iron shackles to bound the other ghost with, the man shook off the effects of the spell and got up. 

“You again, little boy?” he mocked. “Didn’t get enough of this, did you?” he laughed as he threw a marked stone at Edwin. The boy knocked the stone off course with the chain, and took advantage of the extended arm to get the cuff around it. “ Bloody hell !” the man cursed, trying to shake the metal burning him loose. He desperately patted his pockets with his other arm, trying to reach another stone loaded spell. “Why isn’t this burning you!? ” he yelled.

“It is.” Edwin answered, before reciting an incantation in Latin. “I just don’t care.” He let go of one of the chains as it seemed to become alive, and sent them in the direction of the other ghost. 

The man dodged and tried to run, but Edwin pulled from the chain already around his arm and he fell to the floor. The enchanted chain snaked around the man until he was covered in them, then pulled both arms behind his back and locked them there. The man fell to his knees, and Edwin couldn’t stop thinking how much he looked like a worm. 

Once that was done, he waited for Crystal so she could snuff off the fire. Ignoring the snarls and the cursing, Edwin took off his notebook from his pocket and revised his notes once more. The list of questions he needed to ask hadn’t changed, but it made him feel better. 

About half an hour later, Crystal arrived. Immediately, she broke the salt circle with her shoe and snuffed the oil with the short incantation Edwin had taught her. Edwin nodded in thanks and opened his mouth, but she cut him off.

“I’m staying.”  

Edwin agreed to it, shighing. 

“Fuck” laughed the ghost. “The black bitch is here too? What a party!” he whooped. They both ignored him. 

Taking the talisman out of his pocket, Edwin slapped it against the other ghost’s throat. The ink burned off the paper as it transferred to the man’s skin.

“Do you know where Charles is?” was the first and most important question Edwin had. The man smirked and opened his mouth to give some bullshit answer.

“Of course I don’t, that wench gave me one job and I did it.” Instead, he answered honestly. “What was that?” he asked, alarmed. “What the fuck was that!?” he yelled as he got no response.

“What is your connection with the person that took Charles?” Edwin continued, not letting the disappointment choke him. Of course this lackey didn’t know, it would have been too easy otherwise.

The man tried to bite his lip, but it was useless. The runes glowed and he had to answer.

“That witch?” he laughs. “She was my late mate’s girl. Awesome catch, she is.”

“Why?” asked Crystal.

“Lil’ bit hard to find a bitch that knows how to enjoy herself, huh?” he winked at her as he licked his lips and the blood he spilled. “Hell, sometimes I think she enjoyed it more than we did.”

“...enjoyed what?” asked Edwin, confused. The man laughed as the runes glowed, head thrown back.

“All the girls and boys we completely destroyed.” He said, proudly. Both teens froze . “Fuck, we had such a good run too! There wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do, wouldn’t get, for him. Chains, chain saws ? Done. Knives, blowtorches, pliers? Easy. Even got us a speculum once.” he kept on, a sickening longing look on his face. “That was…a hell of a week.”

“Stop.” said Edwin, feeling nauseous. Fortunately, the runes glowed after that command too, rendering the man silent. While the other ghost silently laughed at them, Edwin checked on Crystal. She nodded at him to continue, swallowing. 

“What happened to your…friend?” The man bit his tongue again, but the words kept coming.

“I told you, didn’t I? He died. We both did. Went in a fucking gaze of glory.”

“The police killed you.” Edwin stated. “I don’t remember anything about them stopping a pair of…serial rapists.”

“Oi, have some respect for our skills, we also killed them.” he laughed again at their faces. ”And the pigs never found out!” he howled. “Thought we were just robbers, didn't they?”

The fact that these two monsters were still undiscovered sat like lead on the teens' stomachs. They looked at each other and nodded at the same time. They would get the names of the victims, try and give their families some closure. (Make sure those poor souls went to rest in Heaven.)

“And where is your friend now? Is he working with the witch?” Edwin asked. He lasted longer this time, a trickle of blood getting to his chin. 

“Nah. I saw him get dragged down by something inside a red light, didn’t I? So I ran. Ran back to our flat, and there I found her. Turned out the shite she spouted about energies and magic and whatever bollocks was true.” He shook his head and tilted it to the side, leaving it there.

“And then what happened? What does she want with Charles?” As the rapist’s ghost bit his tongue, the blood finally reached the runes, and cut through them. They glowed once, twice and then dulled. “No!” Edwing screamed. “What does she want with Charles!?”

The other ghost just kept laughing. 

“What are you gonna do now, little boy!? All outta spells already!?” he mocked. He spat on the floor and looked at them with a predatory smile that centred on Crystal. “If you want to hear me talk so much, I can sure tell you what I’d do to this black wench.” He licked his teeth. “Usually my tastes aren’t so exotic , but I’ll make an exception for you, birdie. You look…just so -” he’s interrupted by said ‘birdie’ kicking him in the balls. He wheezed, still laughing.

Edwin, very calmly, walked Crystal back a few steps and stood in front of her, so she wouldn’t have to see that monster’s face.

“It seems I will be extracting the information physically.” he stated, taking off his coat. “You should leave, Crystal.” he said as he took an ornate dagger from his pocket.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to…read him?” she asked, wanting nothing more than leave this place where this monster felt so fucking comfortable. The last thing she wanted was to read this fucking jerk and fill her head with the horrors he had committed, but she would if Edwin couldn’t do it.

“It’s not necessary-” he started.

“Yeah!” the man screamed behind them. “Sure you don’t want her to do this?” he laughed. “Your iron knives don’t scare me, boy.”

Edwin lifted an eyebrow in question to Crystal and she nodded. She started walking away as he turned around and smiled at the bound man.

“Oh, this isn’t iron.” he said, clicking his tongue. Edwin waited until the sound of the door closing before continuing. “This is cursed silver . This is not just going to burn you. This is going to ground you in your body in a way you haven’t felt since the day you died.” He carefully traced the edge of the man’s right eye with the blade. “And then, it’s going to turn each and every one of those sensations into agony .” He laughed. The other ghost swallowed, paling. 

“You think I can’t take a little bit of pain?” he still asked, full of bravado.

“ You took my partner away from me .” Edwin snarled. “Do you think I’m only going to inflict a little bit of pain on you?”  

“You wouldn’t.” he objected “You’re not corrupt enough.” the man stated, trying to sound certain but looking wearily at the blade.

“Haven’t you heard? I spent 73 years in Hell.” He slowly walked around the bound ghost, to stop behind him and whisper. “And among my own suffering, I learned many, many things there.” Edwin took off his gloves and let them fall to the floor one by one as he kept walking.

“How to unmake someone apart piece by piece is just one of the lessons.” He caught the terrified gaze of the rapist ghost. “I bet you think you know all about that, don’t you?” He stopped and looked him dead in the eyes. “Only you never had the chance to do it all over again. And again. And again .  So why don’t you let me show you?”

—-- —-- —-- 

Crystal walked outside feeling defeated. She hated it, but she thought that perhaps Edwin would not be able to do it, after the talk they had earlier. And then she would have to read that disgusting mind. She jumped on top of a pile of pallets and shoved her headphones on her head, putting on a metal playlist, just in case.

Not too early, either.

Some really ear-shattering screams begin a few minutes after she leaves. She tried very, very hard to convince herself the screams she heard were coming from the artists.

—-- —-- —-- 

By the time the screams had turned into choked whimpers, hours had passed. Crystal had resorted to putting on her headphones and turning her music to the highest volume, to ignore it. She knew the man inside was the worst kind of scum on this Earth, but he was still a person. He deserved to be punished for all he had done before and what he had done to Charles. This was all for information, she kept telling herself. She would do a lot of things not to lose another friend.

As Edwin walked out of the warehouse, just in his vest and shirt, she noticed he was… covered in blood would be an overstatement, but not by much. His sleeves were dyed red in places and his bare hands were bright pink. As he approached her, he did a movement with one of his hands and the same black smoke she had seen earlier as they did the tracking spell cleaned it all up, almost… devouring the blood he had had on his person.

“You learned anything useful?” she asked, hopeful.

“Yes, rather.” Edwin answered, before his coat wrapped him up and he fixed his gloves. “We should be going, though, we have no time to lose.”

“What? Why?” Crystal said as she jumped down the pallets she had been sitting on to follow him. Red light spilling from the broken windows of the building was her answer. “He’s moving on? Why?” she asked, completely baffled, as she reached his side. The dude had seen his rapist BFF being dragged down to Hell.

“I…convinced him that it was in his best interest to not be within my reach when this case is through. I suppose he thought his chances of surviving Hell are greater than his chances of surviving me .” 

She swallowed a few times, shocked. Noticing she had stopped, Edwin turned around.

“Shall we, Crystal?” he asked, eyebrow lifting.

[ao3feed-brucewayne]

Edge of Darkness

by MissShezz Subterfuge becomes a necessity when a member of the family realizes Batman is again tempting the Grim Reaper and requires one thing to keep him from their meeting: Jason Todd. Words: 2600, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English Series: Part 6 of Gods and Monsters Fandoms: Batman (Comics), Batman - All Media Types, Godzilla (IDW Comics) Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Categories: Gen Characters: Jason Todd, Bruce Wayne, Alfred Pennyworth, Mothra (MonsterVerse), Raya Kean (OFC) Relationships: Jason Todd & Bruce Wayne Additional Tags: Bruce Wayne is Bad at Feelings, Bruce Wayne Needs a Hug, Bruce Wayne Has Issues, Bruce Wayne is Not Okay, Plays with the timeline of events, Justice League Unlimited is referenced, Batman Beyond References, Godzillla references, Jason Todd Deserves Better, Alternate Universe - Batman Fusion, Bruce Wayne Whump, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Humor, Batfamily (DCU), Batfamily Dynamics (DCU) via https://ift.tt/9pbIVzy

[demifiendrsa]

DC Studios | Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters

Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters:

Creature Commandos: An animated seven episode series, written by Gunn, that is already in production. Originally a team of classic monsters assembled to fight Nazis, this is a modern take on the concept. The voice actors have yet to be cast but the executives are looking to find people who can voice the animated characters and also portray the live-action versions when the anti-heroes to show up in movies and shows.

Waller: A spin-off of Gunn’s own HBO Max hit series, Peacemaker, Viola Davis will return as the ruthless and morally ambiguous head of a government task force. It is being written by Christal Henry (Watchmen) and Jeremy Carver, the creator of the Doom Patrol TV series.

Superman: Legacy: The movie featuring the Man of Steel that Gunn is writing and may direct, although no commitments on that end have been made. While the two previous titles are meant to be “aperatifs,” in Safran’s words, Superman is the true kick off for the duo’s DCU plans. “It’s not an origin story,” Safran said. “It focuses on Superman balancing his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing. He is the embodiment of truth justice and the American way. He is kindness in a world that thinks that kindness as old-fashioned.” A release date of July 11, 2025 has been penciled in.

Lanterns: Greg Berlanti’s long-in-the-works Green Lanterns TV series has been scrapped and the duo have parted ways with the longtime DC series steward. In its place will be a new take on the space cops with power rings. “Our vision for this is very much in the vein of True Detective,” Safran described. “It’s terrestrial-based.” It will feature prominent Lantern heroes Hal Jordan and John Stewart and is one of the most important shows they have in development. “This plays a really big role in leading into the main story we are telling across film and TV.”

The Authority: a movie based on a team of superheroes with rather extreme methods of protecting the planet that first originated in the late 1990s under an influential imprint known as Wildstorm, run by artist and now head of DC publishing, Jim Lee. “One of the things of the DCU is that it’s not just a story of heroes and villains,” said Gunn. “Not every film and TV show is going to be about good guy vs. bad guy, giant things from the sky comes and good guy wins. There are white hats, black hats and grey hats.” Added Safran: “They are kinda like Jack Nicholson in A Few Good Men. They know that you want them on the wall. Or at least they believe that.”

Paradise Lost: The duo describe this HBO Max series as a Game of Thrones-style drama set on the all-female island that is Wonder Woman’s birthplace, Themyscira, filled with political intrigue and scheming between power players. It takes place before the events of the Wonder Woman films.

The Brave and the Bold: “This is the introduction of the DCU Batman,” said Gunn. “Of Bruce Wayne and also introduces our favorite Robin, Damian Wayne, who is a little son of a bitch.” The movie will take inspiration from the now-classic Batman run written by Grant Morrison that introduced Batman to a son he never knew existed: a murderous tween raised by assassins. “It’s a very strange father-and-son story.”

And, importantly, it will feature a Batman not played by Robert Pattinson…

Booster Gold: an HBO Max series based on a unique and lower-tiered hero created in 1986. Safran said of the series, “It’s about a loser from the future who uses basic future technology to come back to today and pretend to be a superhero.” Gunn described it as “imposter syndrome as superhero.”

Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow: Taking its cues from the recent Tom King-written mini-series, this movie project promises to have a different take than what most think of when the idea of Superman’s cousin comes to mind. “We will see the difference between Superman, who was sent to Earth and raised by loving parents from the time he was an infant, versus Supergirl, raised on a rock, a chip off of Krypton, and who watched everyone around her die and be killed in terrible ways for the first 14 years of her life and then come to Earth. She is much more hardcore and not the Supergirl we’re used to.”

Swamp Thing: a horror film that promises to close out the first part of the first chapter.

[markhenzel]

It might too early to theorize but I really think Vandal Savage is the main villain for DCU Chapter 1: God and Monster.

Here's why:

1. Creature Commandos

2. Waller

3. Superman: Legacy

4. Lantern tv series

5. The Authority

6. Paradise Lost

7. Batman: Brave and the Bold

8. Booster Gold tv series

9. Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow

10. Swamp Thing

Think about it. Vandal Savage could be in charge of Amanda Waller to form Creature Commandos and The Authority from the shadow. There could also be Vandal Savage origins tied on Superman. A chunk of Krypton was probably found by Vandal Savage and gave him immortality years before Superman arrived (something about space and time). Vandal Savage could have played a part in Amazons cast out from man's world to Themyscira. Perhaps also Lazarus Pit exists from the chunk that gives Vandal Savage his immortality and Vandal Savage and Ra's Al Ghul met many times since Ra's Al Ghul always had been a rebel while Vandal Savage always been a dictator in many history. Could also be Booster Gold came from future where Vandal Savage indeed won (like that one episode from Justice League animated series). Supergirl and Swamp Thing probably just their own thing.

[ao3feed-jaydick]

Revelations

read it on the AO3 at https://archiveofourown.org/works/56244022 by MissShezz As Jason searches for clues to explain what happened to a missing cruise ship, he encounters something unexpected. Part 4 of Gods and Monsters Words: 1231, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English Series: Part 4 of Gods and Monsters Fandoms: Batman (Comics), Batman - All Media Types, Godzilla (IDW Comics), MonsterVerse (Legendary Pictures Movies) Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Categories: Gen Characters: Jason Todd, Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson, Godzilla (MonsterVerse) Relationships: Jason Todd & Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson & Jason Todd, Dick Grayson/Jason Todd Additional Tags: Jason Todd-centric, Jason Todd is Red Hood, Jason Todd Has Issues, Jason almost gets swatted by Godzilla, Godzilla References, Inspired by The Walking Dead, The Walking Dead References, Pre-Godzilla (2014), Batfamily (DCU), Batfamily (DCU) Feels, Batfamily Dynamics (DCU), Protective Batfamily (DCU), Jason Todd is a Batfamily Member, Whump, Fear, Discovery, I mean Jason finds out Godzilla is real here, no beta we die like jason todd read it on the AO3 at https://archiveofourown.org/works/56244022

[ao3feed-superbat]

The Monster Meets The God

read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/JTCD3rU by WriterDMathis The vampire of Gotham was defeated but was rescued by the god of Metropolis, who hailed from the planet Krypton. Words: 2230, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English Fandoms: Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Batman (Comics), DCU (Comics) Rating: Not Rated Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Categories: M/M Characters: Bruce Wayne, Clark Kent Relationships: Clark Kent/Bruce Wayne Additional Tags: Alternate Universe, Alternate Universe - Vampire, Alternate Universe - Different First Meeting, Dark Clark Kent, Vampire Bruce Wayne, SuperBat, Justice League Gods and Monsters, Clark Kent as Hernan, Bruce Wayne as Kirk Langstrom, Superman in my own design, Dark Bruce Wayne, Love at First Sight read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/JTCD3rU

[ao3feed-timkon]

The Gods Watching Above

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/eXAfsiY

by blackbwt

When in the middle of patrol a monster appears and tries to kill Tim Drake, the Batfamily is confused. When a boy too much alike Tim comes to the rescue, the Batfamily gets even more confused

Meanwhile Percy Jackson just wants to take his baby brother home to watch the new episode of The Last of Us together

Honestly, Tim Drake just wants a break, but he is a demigod, so he should know better by now.

Words: 797, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Fandoms: DCU, DCU (Comics), Percy Jackson and the Olympians & Related Fandoms - All Media Types

Rating: General Audiences

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Categories: F/F, F/M, M/M

Characters: Tim Drake, Percy Jackson, Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Helena Wayne, Harper Row, Cassandra Cain, Stephanie Brown, Duke Thomas, Annabeth Chase (Percy Jackson), Thalia Grace (Percy Jackson), Jason Grace, Leo Valdez, Nico di Angelo, Hazel Levesque, Frank Zhang, Selina Kyle, Alfred Pennyworth, Roy Harper, Clark Kent, Damian Wayne, Jon Lane Kent, Kon-El | Conner Kent, Cassie Sandsmark, Bart Allen, Donna Troy, Diana (Wonder Woman)

Relationships: Tim Drake & Percy Jackson, Tim Drake & Jason Todd & Bruce Wayne, Tim Drake & Bruce Wayne, Annabeth Chase (Percy Jackson) & Tim Drake, Tim Drake/Kon-El | Conner Kent, Annabeth Chase & Percy Jackson, Tim Drake & Thalia Grace (Percy Jackson), Cassandra Cain & Tim Drake, Cassandra Cain & Tim Drake & Dick Grayson & Duke Thomas & Jason Todd & Bruce Wayne & Damian Wayne, Percy Jackson & Bruce Wayne, Stephanie Brown & Tim Drake

Additional Tags: Tim Drake is So Done, Tim Drake is Not Okay, Tim Drake is Red Robin, Percy Jackson is So Done, Tim Drake Needs a Hug, Bruce Wayne is a Good Parent, Good Sibling Jason Todd, Good Sibling Tim Drake, Good Sibling Percy Jackson, Bad Parents Jack and Janet Drake, Hurt Tim Drake, Tim Drake Needs a Break, Good Sibling Cassandra Cain, Good Sibling Dick Grayson, Good Sibling Damian Wayne, Tim Drake Has a Bad Time, Jason Todd's Love Language is Cooking, Bruce Wayne is Tim Drake's Biological Parent, Tim Drake is Bad at Feelings, Batfamily (DCU), Protective Batfamily (DCU)

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/eXAfsiY

[movie-magic]

[doamarierose-honoka]

THE BIG PICTURE

▪️James Gunn celebrates Superman's 86th anniversary with new behind-the-scenes content on Threads account.

▪️ The film boasts an impressive cast, with Gunn taking inspiration from iconic Superman comics for his version of Kal-El.

▪️ Superman (2025) won't be an origin story, focusing on an experienced Kal-El in a world full of heroes without losing sight of core characters.

DC Studios co-CEO and Superman director James Gunn is celebrating 86 years of The Man of Steel by providing fans with more behind-the-scenes content. On his personal Threads account, Gunn posted a picture of himself along with Superman stars David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan, each reading different Superman comics. Brosnahan, who plays Lois Lane, is reading All-Star Superman, Corenswet, who plays Clark Kent, is reading Action Comics #114, and Gunn is reading Superman #1. Gunn has been candid in the past that these comics will serve as inspiration for his version of Kal-El in the DCU.

The film also boasts an impressive cast of Milly Alcock as Supergirl, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner's Green Lantern, Nicholas Hoult as the feature villain Lex Luthor, and many more. When announcing the slate for Chapter 1 in the DCU, Gods and Monsters, Gunn said that Superman (formerly Superman: Legacy) would be the true beginning of the new DC Universe. As of now, the only characters confirmed to make the transition from the DCEU to the new DCU are John Cena's Peacemaker, Viola Davis' Amanda Waller, and Xolo Mariueńa's Blue Beetle.

What Else Do We Know About 2025’s 'Superman'?

Superman is in the midst of production right now, with new cast members being revealed as filming progresses. Most recently, it was announced that Pruitt Taylor Vince would play Superman's father, Jonathan Kent, and Neva Howell will also star as Clark Kent's mother, Martha. Wendell Pierce will also follow in Laurence Fishburne's footsteps as the next Perry White, Editor-in-Chief of the Daily Planet Newspaper.

Perhaps the most exciting aspect is that Superman won't be another origin story for The Man of Steel. Similar to Peter Parker's Spider-Man, audiences have seen Clark Kent go through the motions of becoming Superman plenty of times, so Gunn decided to begin with a more experienced Kal-El. He's also said that Superman lives in a world full of other heroes, but that none of these colleagues will steal the spotlight from what this story is truly about, which is Clark Kent, Lois Lane, and Lex Luther. The DCEU made the mistake of trying to introduce too many heroes at once, and Gunn plans to avoid this error by building out a rich world full of other characters to enjoy without losing sight of what's most important.

James Gunn's New DC Universe

Given everything we know about 2025's Superman, it's hard not to be optimistic about the future of DC. Taking over a franchise that had such obvious problems, not only developing a clear plan for a cinematic universe but sticking to it, Gunn has his work cut out for him, but he appears more than up to the task. It also never helped DC that they were trying to build a world at a time when the MCU was at the peak of its powers. Now, with public opinion perhaps waning slightly on Marvel's Multiverse Saga, DC has a chance to capitalize and convince the world that they can do the same thing now that the MCU once did with the Infinity Saga.

Superman is expected in theaters on July 11, 2025, and will serve as the launching pad for a new era of DC stories. Stay tuned at Collider for further updates.