#look it's either spoilery or it's something i haven't figured out before

[re-colligere]

oooOOhh. this spy au has got me in a chokehold crying sobbing. If I can ask, what are Dr. Axyon's motives (unless it's a secret)?? Is she actually an evil mastermind in this au or is she still kinda. cringefail morally grey like in canon? is the mask just for show/intimidation or does she wear it for a reason? Her design in this au is so. RAHH 💕💖🧡 sorry sorry about the questions 😭 I have so many about everyone and this whole story but im trying to maintain the illusion of being Normal™

AKDSJFHJKH AHH I'm super duper happy people are this interested in the au, I never would've imagined honestly ;u; also IT'S OKAYY don't worry about the questions! They could actually help me too with additional writing bits (since I tend to only focus on the important stuff), it gets those creative gears going >:] so I'd be more than happy to answer them :3

...I mean. That is. if it's not spoilery </3 in which case I DO need to be a little secretive about it (for now!) Just like right now, with Dr. Axyon's motivations...that's a big ol' secret >:3c !! It'll be revealed in due time since, with the plot I'm thinking of, it basically revolves around her movements.

as for the evil mastermind / actually a bit cringefail but morally gray, right now I'll leave that up to you guys' judgements! Partly because it's tied very closely to her main motive so I can't say that Outright...but I also want to see what you guys think about her so far 👍 She also wears a mask for a Reason, intimidation is a bonus but as the mastermind she usually doesn't come face to face with her enemies that much.

Again, I really do appreciate quastions and such I VERY much encourage them!! It's just gonna be a thing with me that I'll be irritatingly vague about some of them because I do want to tell a self-contained linear story with them, eventually...................I can only dream... but otherwise PLEASE please please. you don't have to be normal about them because I sure aren't!!!! and idk it's just really neat to know that people are invested enough in the things i do to feel like that. So it's a huge compliment for me LMAO!! Thank you!!

[sammythelibrarian]

Just some spoilery and messy thoughts on the boy and the heron

One thing I love about The Boy and the Heron is that Mahito is never mean or rude to Natsuko? He's cold, yes. A bit standoffish, sure. Visibly trying to cope with horrific circumstances, absolutely.

But he never calls her out on her "new mother" comment, he never makes faces behind her back, he's not trying to drive a wedge between her and his father.

And it wouldn't have been awful if he had. A lot of his actions are driven by the norms of the time period (his father and Natsuko are smart for marrying, for keeping everything within the family, for not introducing Mahito to a stranger) and the expected showings of respect to ones own family and yadaydaya, but a grieving kid acting out still would have been fine to a modern audience. But he didn't take his feelings out on her. He didn't particularly care for his aunt/step-mom but he didn't (visibly) blame her even when he struggled.

And when she (seemed like) she needed help, he went to help her anyway. And I think that's just nice to see for once.

I'm not a big fan of BuT FaMiLY as a concept (in fact, I heavily recommend pruning the family tree whenever you feel like it!) but I am a big fan of trying your hardest not to take out your valid but complicated feelings on those around you.

Also a big fan of having a look at a situation and decide you will help this person out, even if you don't like them. Not being liked by me is not a crime, so time to go adventuring.

And to me, while the scene in the birthing chamber has some layers I haven't quite figured out yet, Mahito's acceptance of her there comes from the fact that he's had time to breathe. It's not as sudden as it seems.

Away from Tokyo, from his new home, from his father, from his new mother, from everything, his focus is forced to shift. Suddenly he's attacked by birds! On a boat! Gutting fish? His mini-mom's there now, surely this won't affect the way he grieves at all.

Anyway, I think that after all of that it's easier for him to out Natsuko into perspective. All she (has shown she) wants to do is care for her sister's son, her own future kid, her husband and her home. She's been nothing but nice to him and shouldn't that merit something in return?

Not in the "forced by society" way, but in the self-reflection sort of way. Mahito owes it to her and himself to give her a chance to take on this new role in his life. His mother's not coming back either way, but here is her sister willing to love him like her anyway. (and hate him but like I said, layers I'm still struggling to make semi-coherent to myself. I have some ideas)

Here's a story of a boy who's gone through some unimaginable trauma leaving relative safety behind to go rescue his new step-mother that he doesn't even like, only to eventually realize that they'd both be better off emotionally if she's given a chance to be there for him.

She's the first to protect him from the Heron, too, I just realized. He gets the idea of using a bow from her. She's already passing things on to him even before they become mother and son.

Anyway this got way longer than I thought it'd be (I was just going to note down some random ideas) and I'm not sure how much sense it makes but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I've seen a lot of people talking about the themes of this movie, but not many seem to be touching on the relationship between these two (except for talk of the birthing room scene).

One final thought: obviously he has some Issues with fire after the opening of the movie, but by the end it's become Himi's visual (the fire is his mom). Just like how he struggles with Natsuko, but in the end she's become his mom too. Cheesy phrasing? Maybe

[newgenog]

REVENGE

Notes: This is another teaser from chapter seven. 

If you're just stumbling across this, and haven't already done so, please stop and start by reading part one of chapter one. 

This #Batwoman AU is based on the ABC tv series #Revenge. Ryan Wilder had just about everything taken from her when we met her, and she was doing her best to get it back. In this version of the story, that means taking some people down along the way. And, she's definitely no hero.

I realize it's Sunday and not Friday. I'm late because everything I'd written by then felt too spoilery. But I think this is a safe (super drafty) teaser. I'm still trying my hardest to post this chapter in full by September 1st (which would make this the last teaser for "season one" if I can power through).

So, you know, writing vibes are appreciated. 

CHAPTER SEVEN SNEAK PEEK

WEDNESDAY, JULY 12TH, 10:00 AM, HAMILTON DYNAMICS

Tommy walks into Catherine’s office with a tray full of caffeinated beverages from the coffee and tea shop that’s accessible through the lobby of the building. Evan is seated across from her, in one of two white leather and chrome office chairs at her porcelain desk. It’s day two of Tommy’s internship, and he was only asked to bring Catherine’s late-morning coffee to her, but he knows he’s on thin ice with Evan, and figures he could afford to make a few romantic deposits. 

He doesn’t intend to interrupt them. He simply plucks each drink out of its secured space on the tray and gently sets it in front of its new owner. He’s a professional, so he prepares to leave as though he was never there, but stops when he hears Even react with a curious tone. They’re looking at their cell phone, and apparently surprised by a notification they just received. Even Catherine is inquisitive when she sees the partial frown on their face. 

Catherine: “Something to share?”

Evan: “It’s Kate…”

Tommy raises an eyebrow, skeptically. His understanding is that Kate hadn’t spoken to either of them since she walked in on Tommy’s admission to Evan during the Independence Day Banquet.

Catherine: “Is everything alright?”

Evan: “It shouldn’t be…” 

Tommy: “What’s that mean?”

Evan: “I was DMing Mary yesterday, and she was telling me about her boyfriend being hit by that car….I know he and Kate are close-” 

Catherine: “Do you mean Luke? Are they actually in a relationship now?!”

Evan: “Oh, yeah…Didn’t realize you didn’t know, yet.”

Catherine: “That would require my daughter to speak to me.” 

Tommy: “I’m sorry. What were you about to say about Kate?”

Evan: “Well, she says she’s planning a big event that she wants to happen before the end of the month, and I’m just surprised she’d push for something so soon, considering.” 

Tommy: “Is this like a Save the Date?”

Evan: “No. She wants to hire me to plan it, like a contract.” 

Evan slowly peers up at Catherine, and Tommy follows their gaze to observe her reaction, as well.

Catherine: “Did she say what kind of event it was?”

Evan: “She said she wants to fill me in later, but…”

Evan shifts their eyes to Tommy.

Tommy: “What? Did she mention me?”

Evan: “Actually, she mentioned Robyn. They're planning it together…”

The room is so silent for a moment that it seems everyone is holding their breath. Suprisingly, Catherine speaks first. 

Catherine: “I think you should do it, that is, if you want to.” 

Evan looks back at her completely shocked.

Evan: “But what about-”

Catherine: “Evan, I know you have goals above and beyond working for me. And I also trust you to be able to juggle, so you can fit this in if it’s important to you.”

Evan wants to demonstrate their appreciation, but is still a little too taken aback, and unsure to adjust their expression or form words to respond.

Tommy: “And, if I may, we could all probably afford to try to repair some of what’s destabilized our bridges.” 

Catherine: “I agree with Tommy. If I’m correct in my assumption, you probably haven’t spent very much time with your friends lately because Kate and Mary are upset with me for one reason or another.” 

Evan only offers a side smile in response. They look at Tommy, doubtfully. 

Tommy: “It’s not just you, Mrs. Hamilton. I’ve also frustrated both of them a couple of times. And, Evan, I don’t want you caught up in all of that. So, if it helps with your decision, I can go talk to Kate.”

Evan: “Really? “You’d do that?”

Tommy: “For the both of you…? Anything.”

Catherine: “So, it’s settled. Evan, you tell Kate you’ll hear her plans, and Tommy, you’ll head over to Kate to clear things up, so that this isn’t an issue when they all meet later.”

Tommy: “Are you suggesting I go now?”

Catherine: “Why save for tomorrow what you can get done today, Tommy? Internship lesson number one: tackle your low hanging fruit first, and don’t put off the things that don’t require figuring out to get done.”

Tommy: “Copy that. I’ll be on my way, then.“

Evan reaches out, and grabs Tommy’s arm before he can leave. They look up, eyes filled with sincerity. 

Evan: “Thank you.” 

Tommy breaks his professionalism for a moment, leans down, and kisses Evan on the cheek. Then, without looking back, he heads for the door to try to make some form of amends with his friend. His opinions on everything haven't changed. Neither have his plans. However, he realizes being at odds with Kate Kane wouldn't make achieving what he's set out to accomplish any easier. Even more, he didn't miss the briefest glint of what looked like competitiveness pass through Catherine's expressions. So, if he could get a little intell that might impress his new boss while he was there, even better.

~~~~~

To be continued…

Random note/update: I don't know what math I was doing when I originally gave Jordan her age but I have since revised it. Jordan is 19. Which means she was seven when Sophie graduated high school. So whatever age you've been imagining her as please update it in your mind. I will be going back to any prior chapter that references her age to try to make the adjustments as well.

And, hopefully you understand that for chapter 7, we went backwards in time. We spent most of the second half of last chapter revolving around Luke. But plenty was happening while he was "resting." We will catch up to present day before the chapter is over.

See you next week!

Support the Writer and Actor strikes. 

#wgastrike #sagaftrastrike #StopCancellingDiverseShows

[cruciatusforeplay]

This is part two of a hella big post. Check out part one here. These are all a lot more recent, so I'm gonna try to be less spoilery, but there are gonna be some.

A not-so-brief history of Hawkeye in Comics Part Two (spoilers below the cut)

A note on events, dying and doubling down on Hawkeyes

Comics love doing big events, and I'm not covering them in here. Partly because they are huge and complex and to just focus on Hawkeye would be an injustice to the stories, but also because the amount of stuff I would need to spoil would be way beyond just a little Hawkeye. Clint was involved in Secret Wars (1984), which was one of the first crossover events of its kind. Another notable era is 2004-2009, where there is an incredible amount of superhero politics driving big narratives. If you're new to comics, you might not know that characters dying is common and rarely permanent. This is relevant because while I said that I wouldn't talk about events, I think it would be pretty uncool to not mention that Hawkeye dies and is brought back to life (Avengers Disassembled, House of M, New Avengers #26). It's around here that Clint picks up the Ronin mantle.

This is also when Dark Reign/Dark Avengers is going on. For anyone who'd like some Clint whump from this era, there's a top notch naked torture scene in New Avengers Annual (2009). Clint is involved in several other big events and crossovers over later years, but that's definitely a seperate list.

In the time where Clint is dead, Captain America is hanging out with a group of newly formed Young Avengers, including archery badass Kate Bishop. Cap suggests to her that she take up the Hawkeye mantle and gives her Clint's old bow. After Clint returns, he becomes initially her mentor, before they form a very close friendship. Clint is initially doing Ronin things, but even when he lays down ninja robes, they decide to be very Hawkeye about the whole thing and both keep calling themselves Hawkeye, despite the obvious confusion this causes.

Hawkeye's ears: Hawkeye vs. Deadpool #0-4 (2014)

This is a fun little miniseries that you could treat as a Halloween special if you so desired. It's set in the time after Fraction's run and there are a few callbacks, but nothing major if you've not read that. Clint is a little short-tempered and hypermasculine in this run for my personal taste, but it's got lots of grumpy Clint Vs sassy Wade while they vaguely attempt to team up. The thing this run does really well is Clint's deafness, despite the lack of visible hearing aids. There are comments around lip-reading, wearing aids when wearing other headgear, there's some sign language, and this is the run where Deadpool pulls his mask up so Clint can lipread and see his face while he signs (facial expressions are really key in sign language). It's lovely. Otherwise the run gives you a Kate cameo, some Deadpool and Hawkeye disaster/shenanigans, and perhaps most importantly, the return of the skycycle.

Key background: All New Hawkeye #1-6 (2015)

This run is often overlooked, but the art in the flashbacks is beautiful. We get some key information around Clint and Barney's abusive home situation - with their dad who drank and beat them, and how they ended up in care after their parents died, and subsequently their early days in the circus. There is a definite shift in how Barney is characterized as a bad influence compared to the 2003 run. It parallels with the rest of the arc which focuses on Clint and Kate Bishop working together to get some kids out of a very bad situation. The rest of Lemires run is a little weird and has no major repurcussions for anyone except Barney (which I won't elaborate on because it's relevant to the Fraction run).

Back to your roots: Tales of Suspense #100-104 (2017)

Seeing Clint cycle back and return to Tales of Suspense is really lovely. This comic is one of my all time favourites. It's incredibly tight story-telling with a great plot and really fun dynamic. The premise is Clint and Bucky teaming up to figure out the body trail being left after Black Widow's death. Clint is obnoxious and a delightful mess, Bucky is sporting a permanent scowl and is hilariously level-headed. It's a lot of fun and it's a lovely build on the tension and teamwork between these two idiots (who I, as an avid Winterhawk shipper, am completely gone for, but even without that, this is a great comic.) It also has some killer covers, and the facial expressions are absolutely hilarious.

Hawkeyes together: Hawkeye #13-16 (2017) and West Coast Avengers #1-10 (2018)

The Hawkeye run is Kate Bishops run and it has a larger continuing storyline that runs from the beginning of her Hawkeye and way into WCA, but I've listed the issues that you'll want for Kate and Clint shenanigans, and you should be able to catch up without the rest if you don't want it. These comics are ridiculously fun, especially West Coast Avengers, which has Kate leading the team this time. There's loads of jokes, and it strikes a nice balance between Hawkeyes being disasters and being hyper competent. Truthfully, this is Kate's show, and Clint takes a backseat, but their dynamic is killer here so I think is deserves a mention. There are also plenty of Clint related wardrobe malfunctions and Lucky the Pizza Dog is around.

Our most recent boy: Hawkeye freefall #1-6 (2020)

I haven't read this one yet, but it's been extremely well received by the fandom. As a result, good news: no spoilers! It's a short run, which may have had something to do with it being published during 2020, and specifically around a time when Marvel were experiencing some major distribution issues (which would have led to digital release only and as a result lower sales), but that's all guesswork because I haven't actually researched it. This run has someone dressing as Ronin and letting Clint take the blame for their nefarious deeds (oh no!). Clint makes some classic Clint (read: dumpster fire) decisions, and the art looks fun and vibrant. Can't really give you more without reading it myself 😅 If you need more Clint still, he's also rumoured to be knocking around in the 2020 Black Widow run, but I've not had the money to get my mitts on that yet either.

Notable AUs:

Marvel is a big fan of throwing a well known cast into an alternative universes, so there are a few other places to look for him.

The Ultimates universe was largely speaking a bit of a shitshow, but they did give us a very dark and gritty Clint, so if that's your jam, ultimate hawkeye is the place to be. Old Man Hawkeye appears alongside Old Man Logan, and they are both, you guessed it, old. It's not the only time we get Clint as a wrinkly dude (the second half Lemire's run also has some timey-wimey stuff happening), but this is a version of Clint who is going blind (granted we've seen that before too, but this is a darker vibe than Blindspot). Wanna know who the greatest marksman is without his sight - old man Hawkeye for you! Finally there's the Zombie 'verse: zombie Clint is a little confused, but he's got the spirit. Clint got zombiefied and then left in some rubble as only a head for 40 years before getting picked up, so he's a little worse for wear. If you need that in your life then Marvel Zombies is your universe. For a full rundown of all the universes including animated and MCU, click here.

Notable aliases:

Clint's been a few other people than Hawkeye in the 616 universe (the main Marvel Comics universe). He used one of Hank Pyms growth serums and became a giant strongman in Avengers #63 (1969) and stuck around in his Goliath form for more than a few issues. After Cap had died, Clint returned from the dead and tried on Captain America for all of one issue in Fallen Son #3 (2007). He decided (with a little help from Kate) that it wasn't right to wear the uniform, which in turn led to some interesting tension between him and Bucky Barnes when Buck did become the new Captain America. Finally, there's his most well-known alternate persona: Ronin. Clint becomes Ronin after returning from the dead, wanting a break from his Hawkeye persona and an opportunity to become Ronin arises in New Avengers #27 (2007). Clint is not the only person to have used these aliases. Additionally, Hawkeye has been used not only by Clint and Kate Bishop, but also by Bullseye during the Dark Reign.

The things we haven't talked about

Like I said at the very beginning, there is a lot of Clint Barton knocking around in comics and even with all this there's a lot of content I haven't focused on. For instance, I've not talked a lot about his relationships, beyond his marriage to mockingbird (and really I only scratched the surface with that), and honestly once you start getting into interpersonal relationships we're starting to move on from what can be done in a Tumblr thread.

There are also some topic specific threads floating around, which you might like to look at too.

@vaguelyrotten has done a run down of some great dumpster fire Clint Barton comics (some of which I haven't listed) and you can see that here.

@bobbimorses did a great summary of Clint's historical deafness for instance which you can find here.

There's also this little bit all about Clint and Bucky in canon (thanks to @nightwideopen ) and how Winterhawk became a thing (thanks to @1000-directions )

This is slight sidenote, but @clintscoffeepot did a really great comprehensive of Fraction Clint's apartment which is just a really useful writing resource and you can get that here.

There is also this website which I stumbled across fairly far into writing this post which does actually look like it might be comprehensive.

If I've missed anything major, or listed something incorrectly or you just have some Clint related opinions that I need to know about, do hit me up.