#rite bruce?

[coinofsilver]

‘ i forget sometimes how parents aren’t always good for their kids. ’

harvey glanced down at his glass . the whiskey was almost gone . two ice cubes clinked against each other , floating half-heartedly on what was left of his drink . all of these conversations ㅤ( those riddled with earnestness and other dangerous traps ) ㅤcould not happen without the aid of alcohol it seemed . dent glanced at the young man before him but he couldn't bring himself to look him in the eye when he spoke next . ㅤㅤ" i used to wish for my father to disappear . nine birthdays in a row , i blew those candles out and didn't ask for toys or games , nothing . leaving him was the best choice we ever made , my mom and i . " ㅤthe district attorney said , focusing on the two lonely ice cubes .

his voice had become hoarse throughout the day ㅤ--- ㅤdent couldn't help but notice that he now sounded similar to the voice in his head ; the one which would pitch in whenever harvey was lost in deep thought . a husky and gravelly voice which echoed in the depths of his cranium . it would always mock and bully and threaten but never heal . harvey could imagine the precise words it would say right now : 𝚂𝙿𝙰𝚁𝙴 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝚁𝙾𝙳 , 𝚂𝙿𝙾𝙸𝙻 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙲𝙷𝙸𝙻𝙳 , 𝙱𝙰𝙱𝚈 ! 𝙳𝙾 𝚆𝙴 𝚃𝙷𝙸𝙽𝙺 𝙱𝚁𝚄𝙲𝙴'𝚂 𝙱𝙴𝙴𝙽 𝚂𝙿𝙰𝚁𝙴𝙳 ? 𝚂𝙼𝙴𝙻𝙻𝚂 𝚂𝙿𝙾𝙸𝙻𝙴𝙳 𝚃𝙾 𝙼𝙴 , 𝙷𝙰𝚁𝚅 . 𝙱𝙴𝚃𝚃𝙴𝚁 𝙳𝙾𝚄𝙱𝙻𝙴 𝙲𝙷𝙴𝙲𝙺 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙴𝚇𝙿𝙸𝚁𝙰𝚃𝙸𝙾𝙽 𝙳𝙰𝚃𝙴 𝙾𝙽 𝚈𝙾𝚄𝚁 𝙻𝙸𝙻' 𝙿𝙰𝙻 𝚃𝙷𝙴𝚁𝙴 𝙱𝙴𝙵𝙾𝚁𝙴 𝚂𝙾𝙼𝙴𝙾𝙽𝙴 𝙿𝚄𝚃𝚂 𝙰 𝚃𝚁𝙰𝚂𝙷 𝙱𝙰𝙶 𝙾𝚅𝙴𝚁 𝙷𝙸𝚂 𝙷𝙴𝙰𝙳 .

ㅤㅤharvey cleared his throat and pulled his coin out of his pocket . looking at it made the world feel quieter . ㅤ" you deserved a choice , bruce . " ㅤdent finally said , now looking wayne straight in the eye . ㅤ" being robbed of that the way you were ... it's the ugliest thing in the world . "

the district attorney sounded like he meant it . he had never had much sympathy for his father ㅤ--- ㅤbut harvey remembered the anguish that the mere thought of losing his mother had caused him as a child . to have to actually experience that , to never know who to blame for your pain , to have your trauma be of public knowledge ... dent exhaled through his nose . HE COULDN'T IMAGINE what that must have done to bruce . harvey placed his drink on the table . with his silver dollar in hand , he no longer felt the need for liquid courage .

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ" still , all things considered , i think we turned out fine . " harvey arched an eyebrow at his friend , eyeing him from head to toe . ㅤ" ㅤ---ㅤ more or less . " ㅤhe smiled . lightening the mood was always good . specially if it'd put an end to more vulnerable topics .

[malenjoyer]

He’s shy

[frownyalfred]

the robins never listen to Bruce’s “you should wear more armor” rant until they fall into something gross on patrol and have to shave all their hair off because it’s clumped with mysterious Gotham goo even Alfred can’t comb out.

Bruce, taking off the cowl to reveal perfectly windswept, shiny hair: you should have —

Dick getting his second buzz cut of the year and fighting off tears: SHUT UP!

[arkangelo-7]

Dick: B, I had a bad dream, can I stay with you tonight?

Bruce:

Clark:

Dick:

Dick: Wait where are your clothes?

[clarisse-doodles]

Cass + ballet 🩰 (ft. supportive siblings and good dad Bruce)

I love the idea of Cass enjoying dance. It's an outlet that allows her to express herself without words, and I think she would enjoy the highly technical aspect of ballet combined with its storytelling and emotional side. and as a former dancer I always have fun imagining my fav characters do ballet :)

[somewherefornow]

JIM GORDON & HARVEY BULLOCK + TALKING ABOUT BATMAN in BATMAN: LAST RITES (2009)

[heroesriseandfall]

Shoutout to Marv Wolfman in 2011 saying he thought giving Tim Drake his own family and desire to be Robin instead of Batman would mean he’d avoid getting riddled with angst.

Batman: A Death in the Family Deluxe Edition

Relevant post is here. LOL. (Hey, at least Tim still maintains his passion for “Batman needs a Robin” and “Dick Grayson is the best”! However, the “free from angst” thing may have run into some problems.)

[kittykatninja321]

Thinking about Jason and how he views familial obligation. Pre-52 Robin Jason who wanted to kill Two-Face to avenge his dad. New 52 Jason who still shot a guy in the face over Willis even in a universe where he was retconned as an abuser. Jason who expects vengeance and retribution in his honor because that’s how he loves. Sons are supposed to avenge their fathers and fathers are supposed to avenge their sons! Because that’s what family does…

[timdrakeinorder]

Detective Comics #620: Rite Of Passage, Part Three: Make Me A Hero

Released: August 1990 Written By: Alan Grant Pencils: Tom Lyle Inks: Scott Hanna Cover By: Bob Lerose and Norm Breyfogle Synopsis: Within hours, Tim Drake's parents will be murdered by the Obeah Man—and the Batman still does nothing to try to save them! 'Rite of Passage' part 3.

Part Two

[atlas-hope]

i wanted to draw the profiles of these boys because this is what i always imagine their faces look like

[phoenixglacier]

Full disclosure I haven't read this particular arc just yet (it's on my list!) plus tumblr deleted like three paragrahs and I'm grumpy, but I love love love how this is another example of Bruce trying so hard and succeeding in his relationship with Tim. There's a reason why Tim is probably the Robin who believes in Bruce the most (and highkey the only Robin who actually wants to keep Robinning) and it's because of moments like this. Bruce's getting-it-right-moments ratio manages a net positive when it comes to Tim where it questionably doesn't with everyone else.

Because unlike his adopted ones, Tim still saw Robin as a "job" that he could be "fired" from. He can/will/has quit Robin of more-or-less his own volition before. Everyday that he clocks in for his Robin shift is a reassurance to Bruce that he's choosing this, something that Bruce can't easily take for granted if his Robin is someone that depends on him for their entire livelihood.

In return, Bruce tries really hard with Tim and improves upon what relationship skills he had with Dick and Jason. Because Jason showed him what happens if he messes up. Because Dick kept reviewing where he went wrong. Because Tim wasn't the kind of kid to just roll over and take unjust treatment but also was the most starry-eyed and reasonable Robin to ever Robin. Bruce puts down his walls to apologise to Tim, Bruce praises Tim for his work frequently, Bruce hears out his troubles and tries to improve on them — all of these still scarce because Bruce is like that but also very much present throughout their relationship.

And Tim makes it so easy, you know? I'm thinking about Tim negotiating with Bruce doing Young Justice (1998) about telling his friends his secret identity. He communicates with him really well and doesn't let up on how unfair it is, all the while never giving Bruce a hint of a threat that he'll simply disobey him. Bruce bends the rules, and Tim is elated. He respects Bruce to hold the reins, but then he demands a level of respect in return. Because yeah, if Robin is a "job", then Batman is his boss, and he answers to the viligante union and HR department in Tim's head that allows Tim to walk out of this job anytime he wants.

Tim makes it so easy. He walked into the Robin position going quite clearly "You're not telling anyone what you feel but I'm quite certain I can tell. You have relationships in your life that are valuable but are quite clearly fucking up on and that's just a shame and needs to be rectified posthaste. I recognise that you're in charge here but here's my powerpoint presentation on what I think is the best course of action—" and then Tim is in there with his absolute zero mouth filter and his urge to emotionally contextualise absolutely everything that happens. He goes into fits of anger and then immediately follows it up with "I'm sorry for lashing out, I know you're only trying to help and it's just a lot for me." (hnnngh I'm in awe of this boy's emotional awareness) and he'll have a good time and then follow it up with "That was great! I particularly enjoyed ____ and ____!" like some field trip assignment. He does this to Bruce, he does this to Dick, he does this to freaking Alfred. His constant communication and general obedience puts everyone at ease and makes them more willing to hear him out, and also if the tiny kid is calling you out on your emotions and not stopping for the last twelve blocks then maybe it's time to address those supposedly obvious feelings.

I'm inclined to think that Dick and Jason could've achieved this if it wasn't for the fact that A) they were stuck to Bruce and had virtually no choice but to seek his approval for everything and B) Bruce wasn't being receptive. By the time Tim came along, Bruce had seen how a lack of trust breaks down the relationship and ultimately leads to major field consequences. He'd figured out that those pesky little emotions that he'd always shunted away was something that could put his Robin in actual danger, that he should actually prioritise them to the extent he could. He'd raised one Robin that he thought probably hated him (Dick) and another that had died trying to find parental love in his absence (Jason) and now here came a third Robin who would throw his hands up in the air exactly like his first two and Bruce knows what comes next if he plays his cards wrong.

It's fascinating for me to watch Dick and Bruce struggle through their own strange relationship in the early days of Tim because they (plus Alfred) constantly have Tim as their bottom line of the Ultimate Child To Protect. And like I said, Tim makes it easy. Anything Bruce fails at in the parental department isn't his first-line responsibility because Tim's dad is alive and he loves him (parental failures on Jack's part are considered more important because Jack's his real actual active dad! Tim doesn't want or expect Bruce to be his dad, therefore rendering all parental affections from Bruce net positive no matter what!), anytime Tim is dissatisfied with the adult support he's getting from Bruce, he stalks Dick or Alfred for Better Adult Advice.

The foundation of their relationship makes it work for Tim to be effectively and eventually officially an emancipated minor. Tim is well-equipped enough to handle the pesky adult parts. As for the mentoring parts, this child is basically famous for procuring his own family. But he and Bruce are extremely similar on their paranoid need for control, and this takes them in opposite directions in this scenario — Bruce wanting to adopt Tim, and Tim wanting to be independant. What I love so much about this conclusion is that Bruce gives in, accepts that he can't have total control, settles for involving himself in Tim's life in any way he can. And Tim receives this as trust, validation, security. It has the unfortunate side effect of encouraging his paranoia-fueled shenanigans (*cough*hit list*cough) as basically everyone in the batfamily does to each other, but it reinforces the support Tim needed at this difficult time. Bruce managed to reassure him that he would still be there for him even if he didn't choose to lock them into the father-son role Bruce wanted. Is it any surprise that Tim is the Robin he can depend on to always come home when called on?

(Of course, the net positive still means Bruce messed up 999 times but sooomehow they did manage a net positive)

This is one of my favourite Bruce/Tim moments. All you will ever need to know about Bruce's method of parenting his kids is in these three panels.

[frownyalfred]

it’s basically a rite of passage for every one of Bruce’s robins to sneak behind his back, try on Batman’s cape, and then nearly topple to the floor as they realize it’s close to 25 lbs of reinforced Kevlar and insulation.

[violent138]

I think every Batkid who puts on the cowl to cover for Bruce embarrassingly undergoes the rite of passage of

a) accidentally forgetting to compensate for the ears and nearly getting taken out by door frames

b) voice crack:

Gordon: "Alright, which one of you is under there? You know what, don't answer that-" downs blood pressure meds "-just don't say anything."

Batman:...

Gordon: "Perfect."

[dcxdpdabbles]

Clark: Mr. Wayne, can I ask some questions for the Daily Planet? Bruce: Certainly, especially for a reporter as handsome as you, Mr.-? Clark: Clark Kent. Bruce: A name as lovely as the man. Fitting. What questions do you have? Clark: There have been hundreds, if not thousands, of paranormal incidents reported within the Gotham Clock Tower, built and owned by your family. Do you believe these rumors have any weight? Bruce: You mean the legend of the Ghost Boy? Well, it's an interesting story, but in all the years I've been inside the clock tower, I've never seen the famous Phantom. Of course, I also haven't been inside it often, as my Grandfather closed it to the public due to safety concerns, and that included my family. Clark: Then you think that nothing is inside the tower? Bruce: I think the paranormal is real, especially with aliens like Superman being real, but I genuinely believe the Gotham Clock Tower ghost is just an old wives' tale. Clark: Hmm. Including the Lure? Bruce: Yes, including the Lure. As any Gothamite can tell you, the legend states Phantom's singing lures children into the Tower to never be seen again. Children are cautioned not to walk near the Tower after sunset or fall victim to the Lure, but I visited the Tower multiple times as a child, and many other children did too. It's often a dare Gothamites do as teenagers, practically a rite of passage. Clark: Quite a dare. Bruce smiling: It keeps things lively. You know how kids are. They claim they aren't scared, but everyone who does the dare is shaking in their boots. Clark: On the topic of those dares: What are your thoughts on recent rumors claiming that the string of missing teenagers are victims of Phantom? Bruce: I know Batman has made a statement, indirectly, since Commissioner Gordon was the one at the press conference - that he believes Phantom is behind this, but there is just no proof. Personally, I would rather a real detective investigate the missing cases than a man who hides behind masks. Even if Superman agrees with Batman. Clark: You don't seem to be much of a Batman fan. Bruce laughing: You seem to be one. I can tell I upset you with my opinion of him, but really, I think Batman is worthless and necessarily violent. He only punches at the problems but doesn't seem to fight for a better life quality in Gotham, and that's where crime really comes from. Clark is annoyed: Batman risks his life for this city. Bruce: You risk your life walking through the city. But I digress, if people want to believe Batman's warning of Phantom waking to kidnap teenagers, well, that's their opinion. Clark: Thank you for your time, Mr. Wyane. I'm sure many Gothamites will agree with a man as knowledgeable as you. Bruce: Thank you! And hey, if you're inclined in the same gender, I'm free this- Clark: Good day, Mr. Wayne. Tim watching Clark leave: What was the point of that? Bruce: Kent has a sway over the public; if he writes to take the warning seriously, then the people will listen. How was the stakeout? Tim: Oh, there is definitely something in the Tower. Its glowing green eyes locked with mine six different times, no matter how much I moved on the roofs. I was far away enough that Lure couldn't reach me, but I did hear a faint singing in the wind. Phantom is back. Bruce: Then tonight, we contact Zatana and John. That thing is going to give the kids back.

[umbrellajam]

Tim Drake Reading List - before his Robin (1993) solo

I'm sure this has been done many times before, but I'd been meaning for a while now to put together my own reading list for Tim prior to his 1993 solo, as I so often see that recommended as the starting point for him, but. Well. There's a lot of key material for Tim before that and Robin 1993 also starts very weirdly in medias res smack dab in the middle of the Knightfall event, which throws people off all the time, lol.

So anyway, a list! Not 100% comprehensive, but hopefully a helpful overview to somebody, somewhere :)

PRE-TIM CONTEXT

A Death in the Family (Batman #426-429) – Jason is murdered by the Joker. We all know this one, hopefully.

New Titans #55 – Dick finds out about Jason’s death, and comes to Gotham aiming to both console and confront Bruce about it. They have a fight; Bruce backhands Dick and tells him to leave.

Batman: Year Three (Batman #436-439) – despite the above, Dick returns to Gotham soon afterward due to Tony Zucco’s parole hearings, and we see him continue to worry and reach out to Bruce as the man fails miserably at dealing with Jason’s death; we also have the first appearance of Tim in the flashback to Dick’s origin at the circus.

INTRO AND PRE-ROBIN ARCS

A Lonely Place of Dying (alternating Batman #440-442 and New Titans #60-61) – Tim’s proper intro arc, tracking Dick down at the circus to try and convince him to become Robin again, as Batman continues to go off the rails and “Batman needs Robin”. He ultimately gets accepted for a trial/training period before he can become Robin.

Batman #443-445 – cute training-period issues where Bruce awkwardly starts to teach Tim and Tim is an eager beaver.

New Titans #65 – Tim shows up on an exasperated Dick’s doorstep in New York, and we get a really great Dick & Tim training issue.

The Penguin Affair (Batman #448, Detective Comics #615, Batman #449) – a fun early Bruce & Tim arc that includes the introduction of Harold Allnut as the Bat team's mute engineering genius, Bruce angsting and second-guessing himself about having a new Robin but still wanting to encourage Tim (“Remember to thank him later. The boy needs reassurance.”) and also civilian!Tim taking part in the operation with adorable pre-Robin code names (“Little bat to big bat. Target in cross-hairs.”)

Batman #450, Detective Comics #617, Batman #451 – a short arc about the Joker resurfacing for the first time since being presumed dead at the end of A Death in the Family. Tim appears minimally because Bruce panics and sends him out of the country immediately (along with his entire school class lol), but there’s lots of angst and introspection from Bruce on Jason's death and Robin in general.

Rite of Passage (Detective Comics #618-621) – includes Tim’s parents being kidnapped, his mother’s death, and his father ending up paralyzed and in a coma.

EARLY ROBIN ERA

Identity Crisis (Batman #455-457) – includes Tim’s devastation and struggle in the wake of what happened to his parents, wrestling with the legacy and meaning of Batman & Robin in a way he hadn’t understood before, and whether he’s prepared for it. Also Janet Drake’s funeral, and ultimately Tim’s official graduation to the Robin mantle.

Robin I: A Hero Reborn #1-5 – Tim’s first solo mini-series as Robin; his first of many trips to Paris as part of his training, where he first encounters Lady Shiva and King Snake. This is also where Tim picks up his iconic bo staff for the first time, with training from Shiva.

Batman #465-469 – Tim’s first actual patrols with Bruce, and the return of King Snake.

Detective Comics #635-637 – the “Bruce & Tim have to fight video games come to life” arc, lol. I would call these fun but optional.

Robin II: The Joker’s Wild! #1-4 – Tim’s second solo mini; the Joker returns to Gotham while Bruce is out of the country and unreachable, and Tim as a barely fledged Robin has to thwart the clown’s plans with only Alfred to aid him.

“To the Father I Never Knew…” (Batman #480) – An important issue on Tim’s relationship with his father, especially now that he’s woken up from his coma and is suddenly interested in Tim, when he barely had been before. Lots of Tim angst and struggle, framed through a bitter letter he’s writing to his dad. Alfred also slyly nudges Tim to look into the estate next door to Wayne Manor, when he’s trying to figure out how or even if he’ll be able to continue as Robin now that his Dad is awake.

Electric City (Detective Comics #644-646) – includes Batman’s heart getting stopped due to electrocution, and Tim viciously threatening the villain to get him to defibrillate Bruce back to life. (“You’re going to shock Batman’s heart back online or I’m going to tear you apart.”)

Batman #481 – the notable bit here is Tim and Jack check out the estate next door to Wayne Manor and basically decide to take it.

Detective Comics #647-649 – the introduction of Stephanie Brown as Spoiler, including her thwarting/attempting to off her dad and also the infamous scene where she clobbers Robin in the face with a brick, lol.

Robin Annual #1 – Tim’s first team-up with Lonnie Machin/Anarky.

PRELUDE TO KNIGHTFALL

Batman #486 – Tim driving Jack to his medical appointments with Dr. Shondra Kinsolving, and worrying with Alfred over Bruce’s growing self-destructiveness in the prelude to Knightfall.

Robin III: Cry of the Huntress #1-6 – Tim’s third solo mini, and his first team-up with Helena Bertinelli as the Huntress. Also, Tim’s first meeting with Ariana Dzerchenko, who will be his first girlfriend, and friction/fights between Jack and Tim as Tim skips out on school and tries to cover up his Robin work. Includes a blow-up fight over Jack threatening to send Tim back to boarding school for his misbehavior. ("Who is the son you know, Dad? You don't know me. You never bothered. You shipped me from one boarding school to another and nobody paid any attention as long as my grades stayed high. You and mom were too involved running around the world.")

Batman #488-490 – the Bats start working with Jean-Paul Valley/Azrael, including Robin recruiting him to fill in temporarily as Batman when Bruce is ill. Bane’s plans to exhaust and break the Bat ramp up in the lead-in to Knightfall.

Showcase ‘93 #2-6 – Tim’s first time teaming up with Catwoman as they take on the crimelord Bracuda. This storyline will later cross over with one of Dick’s in the Bracuda & Chulo arc for Dick & Tim's first real team-up.

KNIGHTFALL

I won’t go over this whole period in detail as it’s quite a long storyline (link to the fandom wiki for all the info and issues), but some highlights for Tim are:

Detective Comics #660 – Tim tracks Bane down to his hideout but then gets captured and caught in the middle of a fight between Bane and Croc in the sewers.

Batman #494 – Tim drags himself home and presses Bruce to accept help in the wake of the mass Arkham break-out organized by Bane.

Detective Comics #661-662 – Batman sidelining Robin again while fighting Firefly and Tim again repeatedly badgering Bruce to accept help; Tim later takes down Firefly largely alone.

Batman #497-498 – Bane breaks Batman’s back; Bruce appoints JPV to succeed him as Batman despite Tim asking about Dick. JPV as AzBats goes increasingly off the rails during his time as Batman.

Batman #500 – Tim refuses to be party to the new Batman’s brutal methods, but is blown off by an increasingly unstable JPV. Dick finally shows up in the storyline while Tim is brooding outside the Manor. Dick is angry that he had to hear about Bruce’s devastating injury secondhand and that Bruce chose someone else to take up the mantle of Batman.

The Flash #81-83 – optional context, but this is Dick’s side of the build-up to the Bracuda & Chulo crossover with Tim. Dick and Kory visit Wally after their disastrous interrupted wedding (which Tim attended) and Dick’s ouster as leader of the Titans in New Titans #100-101. Dick ends up embroiled in an investigation of the criminal Chulo.

Showcase ‘93 #11-12 – Dick and Tim’s first proper team-up as Nightwing and Robin! Extremely fun and character revealing interactions as they navigate working together while barely knowing each other. My notes on these quote practically everything in both issues – they're fantastic.

Detective Comics #667-668 – Tim finds out that JPV has walled off the secret tunnel from Drake Manor to the Batcave. He also gets his driver’s license early (at 14) as a special dispensation due to his father’s handicap. This issue leads directly into the first issue of Tim’s solo, ending as he's caught sneaking back into the Cave. AzBats grabs and lifts Robin by his neck, choking him, which is how Robin (1993) #1 opens.

Finally, alongside the early issues of Tim’s solo, be sure not to miss the full Batman: Prodigal arc (https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Batman:_Prodigal), which covers Dick’s first stint wearing the Cowl of the Bat with Tim as his Robin. This is the period where they first really spent time together and bonded, and includes Robin (1993) #11-13. The whole thing is a banger, and essential reading.

[haveihitanerve]

Headcannon that Bruce spins a coin constantly. He’s such an antsy, fidgety guy, just imagine him, impatiently twirling a coin across his knuckles while he waits for the computer to load. While he’s tied to bed rest. Any time and anywhere he is spinning that coin. And Dick naturally picks up on it, sitting on the table next to Bruce who’s typing at the batcomputer with one hand, twirling a coin with the other, watching his fingers intently and trying to copy it. And of course the coin falls so many times but he keeps at it and can do it just as aptly as Bruce. And it’s common for Bruce, on his way to the watchtower, to just take dicks hand and twirl the coin onto his knuckles and dick doesn’t even look up, just keeps twirling and calls out a ‘bye dad’ because Batman can’t have ticks or common habits, not in the league. And Jason sees dick do it one time and just has to be like his big brother so he learns, easier than dick did because he’s a street kid and as a thief you learn stuff like that. And Tim sees Robin and Batman doing it and learns while he’s still watching them, twirling a coin from an opposite rooftop while recording them. Steph learns how to do it because she got hurt and Bruce sat with her while she was confined to bed rest and taught her and she also just wanted to one up Tim. Babs learns because at this point it’s a rite of passage, plus she and dick are very competitive and while he was learning she just had to learn quicker. Damian sees them all doing it and must learn, it is a Robin thing after all. Duke already knows how to do it when he joins the family and all of them kinda hate him for it but not really. Of course Alfred knows how to do it. 

The sound of coins jangling is associated with Batman and any villain or goon that hears it immediately shits their pants. (They can no longer go to the bank it’s so bad)