#maybe he is right maybe Killin is the only way to keep the joker from Killing a bajillion babies next time he's bored

[ultimate-marysue]

Actually DC fixing Gotham's jailbreak problem or even killing a couple of Batman rogues would be such a breath of fresh air.

The roster is pretty tight as it is, so trying to fit new bad guys without stepping on a pre-existing rogue's niche is kinda hard. The old rogues are fun, we love a classic, but they're also a bit stale. There are only so many times you can re-invent the wheel before you need a break, and since we're shuffling between the same bad guys again and again you don't have enough time to miss them for the most part.

I'm not saying you can't do interesting stuff with the classic rogues, I actually think some of them could make for pretty interesting modern storylines. I just think it comes a point where it's to the detriment of Batman himself. How many times can Joker escape Arkham or Blackgate before you start scratching your head about it. Yes, I actually really like the whole no killing thing. Cassandra Cain is my favorite character, I don't think Batman has to start killing rogues, but he should definitely do something about the constant break outs.

Yes, I know, it's great to bring an old rogue back...but that's only if you're bringing them back from something.

Let Bruce Wayne fix Blackgate penitentiary, let him actually invest in cleaning Arkham and turning it into what's meant to be instead of a torture facility. Now, when he catches a rogue it has stakes. Once most of the old rogues are out, introduce new players taking over the power vacuum. Maybe one of them is in cahoots with police and we need an arc of cleaning the police force (god forbid we make an actual critique of the structure but that's DC for you). Maybe one of them is an anti Bruce Wayne with enough money and resources to keep his criminal and personal lives separate. Give him villains that require detective work to put behind bars! Or just give him villains that fit the new era.

You don't have to keep having the same rogues break out of jail again and again, especially if you're not interested in exploring other philosophies outside of Batman's "Killin is wrong and we can't do anything about how extremely ineffective our jails are nor change society in any meaningful way". The thing is, to keep Batman from stagnating they have to keep jumping the shark which means that Gotham keeps getting worse and worse despite Batman and Bruce's efforts. In fact, it almost seems like he's making things worse.

This post is my answer to that: make things better, give some semi permanent solutions, add new rogues to fill the power vacuum and keep things fresh without needing to have seven active gangs, several meta humans, the mob, ten serial killers, several assassin cults and the Joker all simultaneously active. I know nostalgia sells, but it also makes things worse! Also, I'm only suggesting this because of the direction I perceive DC to be taking with current Batman (which is edgy but a bit more wholesome than the Dark Knight era). If they wanted to go back to noir, super edgy and dark, sure, turn Gotham into a hell hole. But idk, having so many lighthearted issues and comics with way more family stuff (fluff and drama alike) doesn't jibe with the absolutely hopeless state of Gotham.

Idk, maybe someone will tell me "mmmm actually this has been done before" but I just want them to stick to it. Fix Blackgate or I can't take Batman seriously.

[defleurtradingco]

The Merry Month of Mirth- Shaking

(Previous: Mother , Next: Surprise)

“So first night back on the job huh? It’ll probably end up bein’ so dull it’ll feel like ya never left. I wouldn’t worry about it so much.”

“Maybe…I don’t know…I mean-” Liam looked back and forth between the road in front of them and Lowrey who casually lit another cigarette as he rolled the car window down. “Could you maybe-” “Huh? Oh, yeah, sorry.” It was a force of habit. The vampire tossed the cigarette out the window and reclined back in his seat.

“It’s all right…” Liam sighed again. He’d been doing that a lot all night long. Even during dinner.

Lowrey couldn’t help but notice it aloud. “That aside, had fun anyway?” “Huh? OH-” They slowly turned onto another dark and lonely desert road and kept driving. “Yes, dinner was wonderful! I enjoyed it.” Every so often Liam's hands squeezed on the steering wheel as they neared their destination. “I only feel bad that you can’t actually have dinner WITH me is all…” “Of course I can, I was the good lookin’ guy at the table ordering all the wine samples, remember?”

Liam let out a halfhearted ‘hah’. “Yes I remember. Actually it was really hard not to notice.”

“It’s hard to forget a mug like mine, I admit.”

“Considering most mirrors don’t work for you.”

“Hey-”

Eventually they neared a chain link fence with a toll booth and a security guard. Rather than stop and get out, Liam flashed the car lights a few times. The gate opened shortly afterwards, and they kept following the long stretch of road until they appeared in what could only be described as a parking lot in front of a military base.

Or so it had seemed from the outside.

“Ugh…All that talk online with kids saying they’re going to storm this place- just thinking about that makes me nervous.” Liam sighed again as he parked and shut the car off, remaining in his seat.

“You really think people are gonna do that? Listen, like….maybe three or four will show up and the rest will bail. It always happens like that. I wouldn’t worry if I were ya. Besides… Ain’t like security of this place’s yer job anyway, right?” “No, no it isn’t… But still- I just wouldn’t want anybody to-

Before Liam could continue, his phone rang. And so did the whole car. Well…the radio anyway. Bluetooth.

He frowned and raised a brow before answering. “Hello??”

“Good evening McPhearson.” It was Solaina.

“Oh! Uh- good evening Solaina? Did you need something or-” “I know you are likely on your way to work if you are not there already. I had wondered if Mr. Lowrey happened to be with you.” “Sure am babydoll, what’s up?” Lowrey snickered, leaning on the window sill with an elbow.

“There is an important matter I must speak with you about, if you have the time.”

“Time’s all I got these days if ya ask me. Uh, one second though, yeah?” “Of course.” The vampire gave Liam a look indicating to put her on hold, so he did. “What?” “Well since ya gotta leave fer work an’ all. I figured ya’d at least wanna give me one’a those ‘bye honey I’m off ta work’ kisses.” Lowrey grinned.

Liam let out a sputtering exhale, though he had a small smile on his face. “Oh, is that it?” “Yup. Sooo…?”

“Oh all right.”

They both leaned towards each other, sharing a quick kiss before Liam got out of the car. “Are you sure you can get back to the house?” He asked, turning back around and sticking his head through the open window on the driver’s side.

“Course I can. I can just fly back remember? Don’t worry about me.”

“..Well alright…I’ll leave my phone here so you can talk to her…Just make sure you lock the car doors before you go.” The last thing he needed was to have his phone stolen by some idiot.

“Sure thing boss.”

“Right then…”

Once Liam was gone, Lowrey fumbled around for the cell phone and squinted as he tapped at the screen. It took a few times to get it to take Solaina off hold. “There we go…I’ll never understand these gizmos.”

“You would if you would let me issue you one.” Solaina’s voice came through the car speakers once more.

“Nah, I think I’ll do without. Besides, wouldn’t want just anybody to be able ta get ahold of me all hours of the day now would we?” That would be dreadful. “So, what’s goin’ on? Ain’t it a lil’ late fer you ta be callin’? A powerful woman like yerself needs her beauty sleep.”

“Recently there has been a sighting of a potential member of the Royal Order of Jesters by Central Park back here in Manhattan. Grandfather will not speak to me about it, and the only other one who could possibly know more would be you.” Lowrey brought out another cigarette as she explained and chewed on it first.

After that he took his time in actually lighting it.

“Would you happen to know anything at all? It is very important. I need to assess how much of a threat they might become in the future.”

“What makes ya think they’re a threat?” “Mostly Grandfather’s reaction if anything. As well as Ben’s.”

“Ah.” The vampire let out a plume of smoke that flooded the interior of the car. “Lemme tell ya something. It ain’t really a thing ya need to be worried about.”

“So I have heard, and why is that? Be specific.” Lowrey exhaled in some slightly exasperated way. “Now why can’t ya ever just give me a social call huh? Always gotta be about work. All work and no play makes Jack a dull, dull boy Solaina. C’mon…”

“Fine then. How was your evening?” “Very well thanks. Vegas sure knows how to live.” “So it does. And how is Mr. McPhearson? I have not checked in with him in a while.”

“Oh he’s doin’ great. Ain’t shakin’ so much no more. Those new meds must be doin’ wonders fer the fella.”

“That is good to hear. Now then, why are you not answering me?”

“Yer killin’ me kid.”

“That would be the least I could do. Considering everything that’s happened. Very well then, have you at least seen anything suspicious going on? Las Vegas is typically ripe with such things that can easily hide there.”

“As far as I know, everything’s fine here. Ain’t seen or heard nothin’. And ya know how much I just love snoopin’ around other people’s business.” “I do. How long do you think you will be there?” Lowrey rolled the cigarette from one side of his mouth to the other. “What? Here in Nevada?? Oh I dunno, maybe nine more days or so, ain’t sure yet.” “Any reason why nine more days specifically?”

“Nah. Just picked at random.” “I see. In the meantime, keep a lookout for anything suspicious, please.” “Am I lookin’ for anything specific?” “Yes, I was able to obtain a pack of cigarettes that was found to contain traces of fae. As in, not merely touched by the hands of one, but perhaps made with whatever magics they use. Or perhaps enchanted. I am not entirely sure yet. They have had a change in what logo they use, it seems. But you should be able to recognize it when you see it. It is a Venetian carnival mask.” “Solaina, I dunno if you noticed but Las Vegas is fulla clowns. How will I ever know which one is which? Ya ever been to the Rio? That one’s a real swell place. Got some kinda Mardi Gras vibe goin’ on-”

“Mr. Lowrey.” “Alright alright…I’ll keep an eye out. Just fer you. And cuz ya asked nicely.” “Thank you. And if you decide you want to speak about it and not remain so closed off just as Grandfather is, please call me right away.” “Don’t know whatcher talkin’ about but will do.”

“Right…Good night.” Lowrey sat in the car for a while longer after the phone call was over, thinking about it all.

His hand slipped into his pocket as he pulled out a pack of playing cards, picking his spent cigarette out of his mouth and flicking it out the window again.

The joker was at the top, giving him some goofy yet sinister expression.

[ncfan-1]

Gotham 04 X 22, ‘No Man’s Land’

So, season finale. Let’s see if it’s as dramatic as a season finale should be, or if the drama all falls flat on its face. Odds are, there will be way too much going on this week. This is Gotham.

- We open with Selina being taken to the hospital. “Are you gonna leave me?” Given Selina’s past, this is even more heartbreaking than it otherwise would have been.

- We then go to the cops deliberately trying to get a rise out of Jeremiah. Jim finally breaks up the starefest so he can talk to Jeremiah. Jeremiah tells him there are more bombs. Jim tries to write it off as a bluff,

- And Strange is just… back. No fanfare. And he’s fascinated with Butch, because of course he is. I feel sorry for the blood “donors”, and the Butch x Tabby is ugh. I am grateful that Tabitha learning what happened to Selina immediately takes her mind off of Butch. I can hardly blame her for wanting to kill Jeremiah.

- And the mayor is unilaterally lifting the evacuation order, because he’s a jackass. And there’s just a man staring from an opposite roof at them. I’m pretty sure it’s Ra’s.

- Yeah, it’s Ra’s. And the building the mayor was in (I don’t know if it was City Hall or what) blows up.

- Police brutality. Yeah, because it’s not like punching Jeremiah’s head against a wall is gonna, say, give him a concussion and induce memory loss. Jackass.

- And it turns out government outside of Gotham actually exists, because martial law has been established. I like the major. I like him even more after he arrests Jim Gordon for doing shit that would actually get him arrested. Of course the major is Wrong for Plot Reasons, but it’s nice to see someone lay down the law with Jim for once. And of course, this raises the question of why martial law wasn’t established, say, during the S3 finale, but whatever. Reality is finally taking effect.

- And Ed has intercepted Jim so he can capture and presumably do nasty things to him.

- Jim wakes up somewhere with Ed screaming in his face. The stuff of nightmares. Not his being a prisoner, his having to spend involuntary time with Ed.

- Ed has no creativity in his torture methods, I swear to God.

- Reference Giles Corey, you asshole. Make my day.

- No, you’re not going to reference Giles Corey. Of course not.

- And Ed makes no bones about what he wants for Lee. He wants Lee to be what he wants to be.

- Ra’s wants Barbara to come with him. Interesting.

- He lied about the woman in the portrait. Obviously. You don’t have a portrait painted of a woman you don’t care for in that day and age.

- “We can rule the world together, Barbara!” Of course Barbara isn’t having it.

- Are they doing a Hannibal Lecter thing with Jeremiah? I’ve never seen Silence of the Lambs before—never been interested—so I can’t say for sure.

- Villains pull this “we are so much alike” thing with heroes a lot. It’s honestly pretty old.

- And just as Bruce finds out Jeremiah’s teamed up with Ra’s al-Ghul, someone infiltrates the police station. Honestly, I hope it’s Tabitha. She’s overdue to do a-killin’.

- For the record, I would like Cameron Monaghan to be the Joker. But if Jeremiah has to die, I hope it’s Tabitha who kills him. She’s at her most likable when she’s filling the role of Selina’s mentor/surrogate parent-big sister.

- 350 pounds, huh? I’m pretty sure Jim should have suffocated by now. Or not. I’m no doctor, I’m just a viewer. With a lot of opinions.

- Lee is about as impressed as I am. That is to say, not at all.

- And she rips him apart. I am grinning.

- And of course Ed has to gloat. Because of course.

- Barbara, Tabitha, Alfred, and Oswald teaming up is the team-up I never knew I needed, but I’m so glad it’s here. This is wonderful. I’m so happy.

- Is Jim x Lee over? Please say it’s over.

- And Bruce has been dragged before Ra’s.

- “You brought us together.” Seriously? Fuck off. By no measure is this Bruce’s fault.

- And Ra’s is gonna make Bruce watch as Gotham burns. Of course he is.

- Alexander Siddig is great. I know I keep saying it, but I keep saying it because it bears repeating.

- Gotham, I know you want me to think that the police turning on the army is supposed to be a good thing, but honestly, no. Just no. The major is obstructive and wrong because Plot, not because it actually makes sense for him to be obstructive.

- Battle Royale in Ra’s’s house. And Oswald of all people saved Tabitha’s life.

- Barbara grabbing Bruce so they can kill Ra’s is a great thing.

- Is Ra’s dead for real this time? I’m gonna miss Alexander Siddig.

- Gotta say, the moment of the bridges blowing up was not nearly as affecting as it could have been. Maybe it’s because I’m from the Albany area in Georgia and there was a, umm, event in living memory (okay, fine, it was the mother of all floods brought on by a tropical storm that decided to stick around in mid-Georgia way longer than it should have been) that tells us that even when bridges are impassable, life still goes on. A bit more difficultly for people who are completely cut off, but the waters receded from the roads leading in and out of Macon after a few days, and in the case of the island that was cut off here… That’s what ferries are for. Life’s not gonna be great, sure, not until the bridges are repaired, but it’s not the end of the world. Things are gonna be at the worst only for the first week or two after this, but order will be reestablished eventually. Unless there’s a second part to this plan, it’s… kinda underwhelming.

- Ed, the city is at least partially on fire, and you’re talking about your relationship?

- Lee just stabbed Ed. Oh, glorious. And she even calls out the fact that he would have just killed her eventually.

- And then he stabs her, and it’s not so great anymore.

- Are they just… gonna die?

- Tabitha and Oswald head back to Strange’s place. Butch is back to normal. Tell me Oswald’s gonna kill him now.

- “I love you!” Sounds fake. So fake.

- And Oswald’s standing in the background, presumably waiting for the best time to strike.

- Yep!

- Are we gonna get a Gertrud reference? Yes! And even Oswald seems to recognize that Tabitha’s feelings for Barbara are… shallow. They’d have to be, to waver so easily.

- Bruce chooses searching for Jeremiah over Selina. Of course, this is a prime Batman decision, but damn, Selina’s not going to be happy when she wakes up. And Alfred goes with Selina in the ambulance.

- Somehow I doubt that injury to Selina’s spinal cord is really permanent. Because, you know. Prequel Syndrome strikes again.

- And apparently the power is out, so maybe I was wrong about Jeremiah’s plan being underwhelming.

- And the freaks are busy carving up the city. Oh, Bridgit, what happened to your characterization? That’s what fanfic is for, I suppose, but it still rankles.

- Someone stumbled on Jonathan’s lab—clearly assuming he stumbled onto someone’s meth lab. He’s got a new hat. “Hell is what’s coming.” Jonathan seems to know what’s up.

- Strange’s got his hands on Ed and Lee. That’s… really bad.

- Ra’s’s goons have come to offer fealty to Barbara. Barbara is not impressed. She’s considerably more animated when Tabitha shows up. And she’s suddenly a misandrist for some reason. Why, I have no fucking clue.

- Lucius has got the lights back on. It turns out the battery bombs really do work as generators.

- What the hell? Where did the man-sized bat who looks like he stepped out of a 70s B-Movie and the people in the porcelain masks and late Victorian clothing come from?

- No offense, but Jim and Bruce’s conversation has completely failed to move me.

- Well, I was right. There was way too much going on.