#since it's a DC comic every character gets Trauma
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gon-and-killuas-mother · 2 years ago
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due to the Naruto/Batman crossover i've been reading i will now be stepping into the Batman fandom
i mean, i've always liked Batman, but i never got into the comics bc there's so MANY so i settled for the animated tv shows and movies
specifically, i wanna see more Bruce being a kind person! also i need more Nightwing in my life. Dick Grayson might be one of my favorite DC characters next to Bruce Wayne
unfortunately for y'all this DOES mean i will be composing a self-insert story in my head. there's already one simmering on the mental back burner. it's how you know i love a story or group of characters; i write a self-insert fanfic as a coping mechanism for whatever shit is happening in my life. and boy do i need to pretend there's an edgelord billionaire taking the streets during my waking hours and investing part of his fortune to studying my illnesses during the day
whoops i already wrote something under the cut
i think, for my story, my self-insert has my basic personality and definitely my gender. they're an artist living either in Gotham or Blüdhaven. they use a wheelchair, sometimes a rollator, and deal with my same chronic pain and fatigue. oh and bc i rarely hear southern accents in these shows, this pal is from good ol' Arkansas but moved to follow their kid brother to either Gotham or Blüdhaven
the basic Plot that my brain generated to connect my character to the Bat family hinges largely on chance. Nightwing is on patrol, maybe following leads on the current Mystery. he stops on the roof of an apartment building towards the end of his patrol and takes a breather, sits on ledge and goes through files of evidence etc etc
enter my character (uh let's call them Rhys?) who opens the door to the roof and pulls out their rollator that they've managed to lug up the last flight of stairs, since the elevator doesn't go all the way to the roof. they also have a large art canvas, an easel, and their bag of supplies precariously balanced on the rollator.
Rhys spots Nightwing, who was surprised to see anyone else on a rooftop at 4 in the morning, and they look around and go "I'm not. I'm not interrupting anything, am I? Usually one mask brings more."
Nightwing stands up and assures them they're safe. he's about to leave when they pull a huge thermos from their bag (how did they get all of this up here??)
"My brother gave me this for my birthday a few years ago," Rhys says, lifting the thermos so Nightwing could see it. They pop off the lid, which turns out to be two that can be used as mugs. "Weird kids don't make a whole lotta friends. But he said the easiest way to someone's heart is through a shared cup of coffee."
and how could Nightwing, running on a handful of hours of sleep with at least another eight hours of detective work ahead of him, possibly say no to that?
he accepts the coffee and quietly sends a message to Barbara that he's taking a brief detour, all the while Rhys is setting up their easel and canvas. there's already some rough sketches and a couple layers of paint. Nightwing knows the skyline of this city well enough to recognize it even through an artist's eyes.
Rhys tells him that the sunrises here are unique. back home, the skies were crystal clear and nearly every sunrise was hallmark-worthy. but here, the pollution and glass windows reflect and refract the light in more ways than they could've imagined, and they have a series of paintings stashed in their tiny apartment devoted to color studies.
for one reason or another, this becomes a regular thing. several times a week, Rhys takes the elevator to the top floor, then heaves their rollator and supplies up that last flight of stairs. and every so often, when they open the door, they find Nightwing waiting for them. he starts bringing breakfast with him, but tells them he likes their coffee better (bc there's something about a coffee shared in a thermos that can't be replicated by any coffee shop)
eventually they ask each other about family. obv Nightwing doesn't give too many details, but enough to add to conversation. Rhys only has their brother, as their parents have been out of the picture for years.
one day, Rhys is quieter than usual, and hasn't touched their canvas yet, instead sketching and scratching out and balling up scrap paper etc etc. Nightwing asks what's wrong, and it takes a bit of nudging, but Rhys eventually tells him they haven't heard from their brother in a little over a week. it's not so unusual, but they get anxious anyway. they assure Nightwing that their brother probably just forgot.
then a week passes, and Nightwing is alone on the roof longer than usual. he's about to leave when Rhys opens the door, and he doesn't even have to ask how they're doing because they're pale, fidgety, and the circles under their eyes are much more pronounced.
their brother hasn't returned any calls or texts. more worryingly, his phone seems to have died or disconnected several days ago. Rhys doesn't ask any favors, but they don't have to, because as they're piecing together what info they have, Nightwing is already looking through police databases and missing persons and so on.
he hits a dead end, but one that is more informative and condemning.
Rhys's brother has a file in the system, and it's buried behind a top secret confidential report. something, something, Nightwing makes a loose connection to the case he and Bruce are working on for the A-plot. he promises Rhys that he'll find their brother.
and he does. he and Bruce bust the A-plot scheme involving (insert name of gang) that was responsible for dozens of disappearances. only a few of the victims were saved, the rest had been killed long before Batman and Nightwing stormed the keep.
Nightwing finds the brother. his body is floating face down in the canal a few blocks downstream, along with a dozen or so others. he's been dead for two days at least.
once the bodies are retrieved and safely transported to the nearest hospital morgue, Nightwing heads back to Rhys.
the sky is already turning from black to grey as he lands on the rooftop. Rhys has their easel set up and looks to be halfway through their current painting. they look up, about to greet him, but their smile vanishes when they see how grim Nightwing seems.
they blink back tears threatening to fall, turn their attention back to the canvas and pick up a different paintbrush. they quietly mix different colors on their palette until they're satisfied, before slapping the paintbrush to the canvas.
"Please," they finally say. the tears are flowing freely now. "Tell me what happened."
Nightwing sits on the ledge next to his cup of coffee. he remembers how his heart shattered when his parents were killed. he remembers the crushing despair upon learning of Jason's fate.
he isn't new to delivering this message. to telling an innocent family that their loved one is gone. he's learned how to keep it professional yet empathetic, to hide the worst details while satisfying their desperate need to Know.
there was something different about this one. maybe it was the determined focus Rhys was giving their painting, despite the tremor in their hands and their short breaths.
Nightwing tells them everything he can, save for the worst details. Rhys doesn't need extra imagery for their inevitable nightmares. but he explains the gang, the villain, the blackmailing, and Rhys paints on, only stopping to wipe at their eyes or blow their nose.
he finishes his story and watches them paint.
after some time of sitting in silence, the city slowly awakens and the sun rises. it isn't until the sun is nearly level with the tallest buildings that Rhys drops their paintbrush and buries their face in their hands.
the painting depicts their usual imagery, the sunrise filtering through smog and glass towers. the foreground shows a rooftop, not so different from the one they currently sat on. at the farthest edge of the rooftop, standing on the ledge with his hands raised--perhaps greeting the sun, or waving goodbye to the viewer-- was a boy. Rhys hadn't given him much detail, but they didn't need to.
Nightwing saw not just their brother, but his. that boy could just as easily be Jason as any other kid whose lives were cut short.
Rhys packs their things and stands to leave. they don't touch the painting. Nightwing asks what they'll do with it. Rhys looks at it one more time.
"Take it," they tell him. "I can't look at it anymore."
when Dick comes home with the canvas, he leans it against the wall and stares at it. one of the other Bat family, maybe Steph? Tim? comes in and sees the painting.
"Whoa," they say. "It's beautiful. I've never seen a sunrise look so sad before."
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annah-kitathryne · 1 year ago
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Helena Bertinelli/Huntress Reading List/Completionist Guide
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Helena Bertinelli is the Huntress of Prime Earth. She has existed as a character since 1989, and has appeared in her own series as well as multiple other series throughout the years. Most well known for being a Bird of Prey, she has a long history that tends to be hard to track. Instead of hunting down all of the issues, this guide has every one of her appearances in the attempt to follow her chronologically, but where her movements couldn’t be followed the natural passing of time was used to follow the story. 
This is both a reading list and a completionist guide. This means there will be times when the issue only has a cameo of Helena. For a casual reader this list may be a little much. If that is the case click [here] for a shorter list that can get you started on Helena. 
Moving onto Content Warnings. 
There will be mentions and depictions of Sexual Assault of Adults and Minors, Slavery, PTSD, and Murder. These are some of the big Content Warnings. That being said let’s get started. 
[Start Here]
Huntress (1989) #1, #2 
Justice League America (1987-1996) #26 
Huntress (1989) #3 - #6 
Justice League America (1987-1996) #30, #31
Huntress (1989) #7 - #12
Justice League America (198-1996) #35 
Time Masters (1990) #1 
Huntress (1989) #13 - #19 
Justice League International Special (1990) #1
Justice League America (1987-1996) #42
Justice League International Special (1991) #2
Armageddon (1991) #2 
Detective Comics (1937-2011) #652, #653 
Robin III: Cry of the Huntress #1 - #6 
Justice League Europe (1989-1994) #47 - #50 
Detective Comics (1937-2011) #662
Showcase ‘93 (1993)  #9 , #10
Black Canary (1993) # 9 - #12
Green Arrow (1997-1998) #83 
Showcase ‘94 (1994) #5 
Robin (1993-2009) #6 
Showcase ‘94 (1994) #6 
Huntress (1994) #1 - #4
Robin (1993-2009) #17
Detective Comics (1937-2011) #686
The Batman Chronicles (1995-2000) #1 
Underworld Unleashed (1995) #2 , #3
Batman (1940-2011) #529
Batman: Shadow of the Bat (1992-1999) #49
Detective Comics (1937-2011) #698
The Batman Chronicles (1995-2000) #4
Batman: Shadow of the Bat (1992-1999) #53
Batman (1940-2011) #533
Detective Comics (1937-2011) #701
Robin (1993-2009) #33 , #34
Birds of Prey: Manhunt (1996) #1 - #4
Detective Comics (1937-2011) #703
Green Lantern (1990-2004) #81 
Robin (1993-2009) Annual #6 , #45
Genesis (1997) #1 - #4
Catwoman (1993-2001) #51 , #52 
Spectre (1992-1998) #62
JLA (1996-2006) #16 - #19 
Nightwing and Huntress (1998) #1 - #4 
Batman 80-Page Giant (1998/1999) #1 
Green Lantern (1990-2004) #103
Superman: Doomsday Wars (1998-1999) #1 - #3 
DC One Million (1998) #1 , #2 
JLA (1996-2006) #1,000,000 
DC One Million (1998) #3, #4
JLA Secret Files (1997-2000) #2
JLA (1996-2006) #24 - #26 
Hourman (1999-2001) #1
Nightwing (1996-2009) #26 - #29 
JLA (1996-2006) #27 
JLA/Titans (1998/1999) #1 - #3
Batman 80-Page Gaint (1998/1999) #2
The Batman Chronicles (1995-2000) #19
Detective Comics (1937-2011) #720
Batman: Huntress/Spoiler - Blunt Trauma (1998) #1 
Detective Comics (1937-2011) #721
 The Batman Chronicles (1995-2000) #14 
Robin (1993-2009) #65
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Batman: No Man’s Land (1999) #1 
Batman: Shadow of the Bat (1992-1999) #83 
Batman (1940-2011) #563 
Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight (1989-2010) #116 
Batman: Shadow of the Bat (1992-1999) #84
Batman (1940-2011) #564
Detective Comics (1937-2011) #731
Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight (1989-2010) #117
Batman (1940-2011) #565
Detective Comics (1937-2011) #732
Batman: Shadow of the Bat (1992-1999) #86
Detective Comics (1937-2011) #733
JLA (1996-2006) #28 - #31
Martian Manhunter (1998-2001) #6 - #9
JLA (1996-2006) #32
Martian Manhunter (1998-2001) Annual #2
Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight (1989-2010) #119
Batman: Shadow of the Bat (1992-1999) #87
Batman (1940-2011) #567
Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight (1989-2010) #120
Nightwing: Secret Files and Origins (1999) #1
Batman (1940-2011) #568
Catwoman (1993-2001) #72
Batman (1940-2011) #570
Detective Comics (1937-2011) #737
Batman: No Man’s Land - Secret Files & Origins (1999) #1
Batman: Shadow of the Bat (1992-1999) #93
The Batman Chronicles (1995-2000) #18
Nightwing (1996-2009) #38 - #39
Batman: No Man’s Land (1999) #0
Batman (1940-2011) #573
Detective Comics (1937-2011) #740
Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight (1989-2010) #126
Batman (1940-2011) #574
Detective Comics (1937-2011) #741
Batman: Shadow of the Bat (1992-1999) #94
Batman: Gotham Knights (2000-2006) #1
Batman: Gotham City Secret Files and Origins (2000) #1
JLA: Foreign Bodies (1999) #1 
JLA (1996-2006) #34 - #41
JLA: Secret Files and Origins (1997-2000) #3
Azrael: Agent of the Bat (1994-2203) #63 - #65 
Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E (1999/2000) #8
The Batman Chronicles (1995-2000) #15
Batman: Gotham Knights (2000-2006) #7
Batman/Huntress: Cry For Blood #1 - #6 
Batman: Outlaws (2000) #1 - #3
Nightwing (1996-2009) #52
Wonderwoman (1987-2006) #164 - #167
Justice League: Justice League of Amazons (2001) #1
Justice League: JL? (2001) #1
Superman: The Man of Steel (1991-2003) #109
Batman (1940-2011) #586
Batgirl (2000-2006) #18 
Batman (1940-2011) #591 
JLA (1996-2006) #58
Detective Comics (1937-2011) #763
Joker: Last Laugh (2001) #5 
Robin (1993-2009) #95 
Joker: Last Laugh (2001) #6
JLA: Incarnations (2001-2002) #7
Detective Comics (1937-2011) #773
Batman: Gotham Knights (2000-2006) #34, #35 
Nightwing (1996-2009) #75
JLA: Welcome to the Working Week (2003) #1
Batman: Family (2002-2003) #2, #4, #8 
Batman (1940-2011) #609
Batman: Gotham Knights (2000-2006) #37 - #40 
Action Comics (1938-2011) #802
Batman (1940-2011) #617 , #619
Bird of Prey: Secret Files and Origins (2003) #1
Birds of Prey (1998-2009) #57 - #61
Robin (1993-2009) #120
Batman: Gotham Knights (2000-2006) #48
Superman/Batman (2003-2011) #5 
Outsiders (2003-2007) #8 - #10
The Adventures of Superman (1987-2004) #623
Gotham Central (2002-2006) #17 , #18 
Batman: Gotham Knights (2000-2006) #50
Birds of Prey (1998-2009) #64 - #66
Outsiders (2003-2007) #12
Birds of Prey (1998-2009) #67 - #80
Teen Titans (2003-2011) #21
Birds of Prey (1998-2009) #81, #82
The OMAC Project (2005) #2
Birds of Prey (1998-2009) #83 , #84
Detective Comics (1937-2011) #809
JLA (2005-2008) #117, #119
Birds of Prey (1998-2009) #85 - #87
Nightwing (1996-2009) #112
Birds of Prey (1998-2009) #86 
JSA: Classified (2005-2008) #3
JLA (2005-2008) #121
Birds of Prey (1998-2009) #88 - #91
Infinite Crisis (2005-2006) #5 , #7
Adventures of Superman (1987-2006) #648
Villains United: Infinite Crisis Special (2006) #1
52 (2006-2007) #1 
Robin (1993-2009) #148
Birds of Prey (1998-2009) #92 - #99
Nightwing (1996-2009) #127
52 (2006-2007) #34
Birds of Prey (1998-2009) #100 - #103
52 (2006-2007) #48 , #52
Birds of Prey (1998-2009) #104 - #108
Justice League of America Wedding Special (2007) #1 
Green Arrow / Black Canary Wedding Special (2007) #1 
Birds of Prey (1998-2009) #110
Green Arrow and Black Canary (2007-2010) #1
Detective Comics (19337-2011) #837
Gotham Underground (2007/2008) #2 , #7
Birds of Prey (1998-2009) #111 - #115
Countdown to Mystery (2007/2008) #6 , #8, #9
Birds of Prey (1998-2009) #116
Birds of Prey (1998-2009) #117 - #119
Huntress: Year One (2008) #1 - #6
Manhunter (2004-2009) #33 - #36
Trinity (2008-2009) #9, #13 , #14 , #50
Final Crisis: Requiem (2008) #1
Final Crisis (2008/2009) #3
Birds of Prey (1998-2009) #120 - #123
DC Universe: Decisions (2008) #3
Secret Six (2008-2011) #1 , #7
Batman and the Outsiders (2007-2011) #13
Birds of Prey (1998-2009) #124 - #127
Batman and the Outsiders (2008/2009) #4 , #5
Batman: Battle for the Cowl (2009) #1 , #2 
Batman: Battle for the Cowl: Network (2009) #1
Batman: Battle for the Cowl (2009) #3
Batman: Streets of Gotham (2000-2011)  #3 - #6 , #9, #13
Blackest Night: Batman (2009) #2
Batman (1940-2011) #693 - #695 , #697 
Azrael (2009-2011) #2
Detective Comics (1937-2011) #859 - #663
Justice Society of America (2007-2011) #38
Detective Comics (1937-2011) #864, #865
Red Robin (2009-2011) #12
Batgirl (2009-2011) #10 , 11
Birds of Prey (2010-2011) #1 - #4
Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne (2010) #3
Birds of Prey (2010-2011) #5 , #6
Superman/Batman (2003-2011) #78
Birds of Prey (2010-2011) #7 - #10
Brightest Day (2010-2011)
Birds of Prey (2010-2011) #11
Batman Incorporated (2011) #6
Secret Six (2008-2011) #36
Birds of Prey (2010-2011) #12 - #15
Batman (1940-2011) #713 
Convergence: The Question (2015) #1, #2
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New - 52 
Batwoman (2011-2015) #2
Secret Origins (2014-2015) #8 
Nightwing (2011-2014)  #30
Grayson (2014-2016) #1 - #5 ,Annual #1 , #6 - #11
Batgirl (2011-2016) Annual #3
Midnighter (2015) #3
Harley Quinn (2014-2016) #20
Grayson (2014-2016) Annual #2 
Batman & Robin Eternal (2015/2016) #2 , #3
Titans Hunt (2015-2016) #1 
Grayson (2014-2016) #13 , #14 
Batman & Robin Eternal (2015/2016) #5 
Midnighter (2015) #8 
Batman & Robin Eternal (2015/2016) #17
Grayson (2014-2016) #16 
Midnighter (2015) #9
Batman & Robin Eternal (20115/2016) #18 - #20
Grayson (2014-2016) #17
Midnighter (2015) #10
Batman & Robin Eternal (20115/2016) #23 , #24 
Grayson (2014-2016) #18
Batman & Robin Eternal (20115/2016) #25
Midnighter (2015) #11
Grayson (2014-2016) #19
Midnighter (2015) #12
Grayson (2014-2016) #20 Annual #3
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Rebirth 
DC Universe: Rebirth (2016) #1 
Nightwing: Rebirth (2016) #1 
Batgirl and the Birds of Prey: Rebirth (2016) #1 
Batgirl and the Birds of Prey (2016-2018) #1 - #4
Nightwing (2016-) #9 
Batgirl and the Birds of Prey (2016-2018) #5 - #13 
Nightwing (2016-) #26 - #28 
Batgirl and the Birds of Prey (2016-2018) #14
Nightwing (2016-) #30 , #31
Batgirl and the Birds of Prey (2016-2018) #15 - #22
The Hellblazer (2016-2018) #19 - #24 
The Unexpected (2018-2019) #3 , #4 
Green Arrow (2016-2019) #45
Aquaman/Justice League: Drowned Earth (2018) #1 
Detective Comics (2016-) #1000
Batman (2016-) #71 
Action Comics (1938-) #1011
Harley Quinn (2016-2020) #64 
Batgirl (2016-2020) #39 
DC Villains Giant (2019) #1 
Batman (2016-) #81 - #83
Birds of Prey: Sirens of Justice (2020) #1 
Birds of Prey (2020-) #1 
Batgirl (2016-2020) #50
Dark Knights: Death Metal (2020) #5
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Infinite Frontier 
Infinite Frontier #0 
Detective Comics (2016-) #1034 - #1039
The Other History of the Dc universe (2021) #5 
Batman Secret Files; Huntress (2021) #1
Detective Comics (2016-) #1041 , #1042 , #1046
Robins (2021-2022) #4, #5
Detective Comics (2016-) #1047. #1049 - #1058 , #1061
Nightwing (2016-) #95
Batman: Dear Detective #1 
Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths (2022) #5
Batman (2016) #129
Nightwing (2016-) #98
Lazarus Planet: Dark Fate (2023) #1
[Current Present: July 2023]
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Else Worlds and Others 
Harley Quinn and the Birds of Prey (2020) #1 - #4
Superman and Batman: World’s Funniest (2000) #1 
JLA: Act of God (2000-2001) #1
Future State: 
Future State: Dark Detective (2021) #1 , #3
Future State: Nightwing (2021) #1 , #2 
DCeased: 
DCeaased (2019) #3, #4
DCeased: Unkillable: #1
DC vs. Vampires: 
DC vs. Vampires (2021-2023) #2 , #10 , #11
DCAU: 
Superman & Batman Magazine (1993-1995) #1 , #4
The Batman & Robin Adventures (1995-1997) #19 
Justice League Unlimited (2004-2008) #20 , #22 , #27 , #31 , #36
Batman: The Adventures Continue Season Two (2021-2022) #3
Injustice: 
Injustice: Year Zero (2020-2021) Chapter #1 , #2 
Injustice: Gods Among Us (2013-2016) #6 , #7 , #9 , #11 , 12
Injustice: Gods Among Us - Year Two (2013-2016) #3 , #6 , #7 - #11 , Annual #1
Injustice: Gods Among us - Year Three (2013-2016) #2 , #6 , #9 - #12
Injustice: Gods Among Us - Year Four (2013-2016) #1 
Flashpoint: 
Flashpoint: Emperor Aquaman (2011) #2 , #3 
Flashpoint: Wonder Woman and the Furies (2011) #2 , #3
Flashpoint: Lois Lane and the Resistance (2011) #2
Convergence (2015) #6 , #7 
Tiny Titans:
Tiny Titans (2008-2012) #45
Bombshells: 
DC Comics: Bombshells (2015-2017) #6 , #10 , #16 , #17 , #18 , #26 
Bombshells: United (2017-2018) #36
Batman: The Brave and The Bold:
Batman: The Brave and The Bold (2009-2010) #11 , #14
All-New Batman: The Brave and The Bold (2011-202) #4
Lil’Gotham: 
Batman: Lil’Gotham (2013-2014) #3 , #5 , #6 , #8 , #10 , #12
Scooby-Doo: 
Scooby-Doo Team-Up (2018) #34
The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries (2021-) #5 , #12
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Other Appearances (Crossovers) 
Batman Versus Predator II (1993/1994) # 1 - #4
JLA/Witchblade (2000-2001) #1
Avengers/JLA (2003/2004) #4
Other Characters to hold the name, Huntress: 
Paula Brooks
Helena Wayne
Carol Danvers (Amalgamverse)
Charlotte Gage-Radcliffe
>~<>~<>~<>~<
To the Helena Bertinelli fans I hope you enjoy! 
@inkareds​ I finished the complete guide if you want to check it out. 
If I made any mistakes or forgot something leave a comment, or send me a message. I tried to include everything, but I could have messed up. I will also try to update this as new Huntress stuff comes out, so the list may grow. 
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agentnico · 2 months ago
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Agatha All Along - season 1 (2024) review
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Down down, down the road, down the Witches Road…
Plot: A spell-bound Agatha Harkness regains freedom thanks to a teen's help. Intrigued by his plea, she embarks on the Witches' Road trials to reclaim her powers and discover the teen's motivations.
I’m not going to waffle about my complaints with the current state of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. I’ve already rambled on a substantial amount in my previous reviews regarding this subject matter, so let’s leave it at the fact that my opinion and thoughts have not changed. That being said, WandaVision was one of the few enjoyable projects in the post-Endgame MCU era, as it had that original and unique flavour with messing with different television formats, and additionally was interesting in how that show explored the effects of trauma and grief. Naturally due to its success, Disney being Disney and Marvel being Marvel meant a sequel or a spin-off was inevitable. In this case it’s Agatha Harkness, who was played with a lot of funky energy by Kathryn Hahn in WandaVision. As enjoyable as she was, I never considered her to need her own show. I guess really anyone can get their own Disney+ series these days!
Kathryn Hahn is the primary reason to watch Agatha All Along. She’s as enjoyable as ever, cackling and wincing her way through each episode, and it was entertaining to constantly question her moral code, if she’s a villain or if she was turning to the good side. Hahn is great, and I am so glad she’s getting the recognition snd good roles now. As for other cast members, they are okay. Joe Locke as the teen came off a little pretentious, and Patti LuPone was the only witch I actually cared about. Aubrey Plaza as the mysterious Rio ends up being exactly what you expect her to be, and though Plaza nails the sarcasm, it’s nothing you haven’t seen her do before.
In regard to the series’ style, it’s really campy. The trailers in my opinion promised more horror aspects which were not present in the final product, but my main complaint is with the show’s look. It feels cheap. From the costumes to the sets, the whole thing is reminiscent of a CW or SyFy show, and you can tell Disney is probably tightening their budgets following the backlash of recent releases. But with something like Marvel you still expect to see something of visually interesting style, especially as they are sourcing a lot of narratives from comics and graphic novels, which one would assume would inspire more colourful and memorable set pieces. Unfortunately this show doesn’t offer any of that. The best you get is some rip-off witch costumes from other Disney projects, which I felt was more so for Disney to show-off how much Hollywood they own.
As for the narrative, for the most part this show is dull. It’s a very repetitive concept where in every episode our witches take on yet another trial, and though some trials do stand out more than others (episode 7 where a character time-jumps using tarot cards was particularly memorable) as a combined package it meant that catching up every week with a new episode was at times a chore. The other infuriating factor was the endless foreshadowing. This show consistently would bash you over the head with clues of what’s to come, but the clues were so predictable that when the reveals finally did pay-off they were not surprising even remotely. Reminded me a little of that Walk Hard segment where the kid says “ain’t nothing bad gonna happen today” only for him to get spliced in two 5 minutes later.
Superhero fatigue is real everyone! It’s happening! I’m kidding of course, I’m still holding out hope that Marvel and DC will get back to their former glory, but evidently there is still a long ways to go. Agatha All Along didn’t do it for me, however I do admit that Witches Road song is a banger and has been stuck in my head ever since!
Overall score: 4/10
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PROPAGANDA
STARFIRE (DC COMICS) (CW: Sex Trafficking)
1.) She is frequently put down in the og 80s comics due to being more expressive and open with her emotions, and ever since the og she has frequently been painted as just eyecandy (ignoring her sexual trauma) when her character is so incredibly complex. Special mention goes to red hood and the outlaws (2011) (written by a sexual harasser) for just terrible stand out awful reasons which will be seen in the below photos and her 2015 solo for combining her vapid portrayal there with her cartoon quirkiness to culminate in a trash comic that is just her basically being the born sexy yesterday trope.
2.) 2011 reboot, in RHATO she was turned into a walking fetish by retconning most parts of her character and erasing all personality displayed in the past 30 years of comics. in that iteration she is only interested in sex and is dehumanised and ‘exotic’. she ‘forgot’ all her past relationships because she doesn’t care about them only sex. her only purpose in that book is as a powerhouse and a sex/love interest for one of the male characters who view her as a trophy because she used to date someone he dislikes (in this continuity) let’s also not forget that she was first created just to be a love interest and although she did grow into a hood character at some point, she is treated horribly time and time again by writers because of conflicting ships. she’s written as a ‘vixen’ as opposed to another ‘good girl’ female character who is shipped with the same guy in canon
3.) Her original characterization was fairly decent, however it still had her stuck in relationships with men that weren't very good for her and had overtones of racism with how she was written. Post that her characterization was slowly chipped away at, some writers with harder sledgehammers than others, culminating in current writing where she's dismissed as "just a fling" to her original counterpart (Dick Grayson) to prop up a different ship (Dick Grayson/Barbara Gordon) and frequently has been used as eye candy in other comics. Simply open the first comic of Red Hood and the Outlaws, which obliterated her personality to make her associate/be subservient to the Red Hood, and you'll find plenty of panels of her appearing simply for eye candy in the boobs and butt pose for absolutely no reason. This is not the only time she's been used to cater to the male gaze (I'd argue even in her original context that was part of her appeal) but in this comic she essentially has no personality beyond "i want sex" as her memory of all past events has been erased. She's essentially just a tool for her male counterparts in the comic to bounce off of, and eye candy to bring more male readers in. She does eventually get more storylines later on, but that doesn't excuse the bad writing she was put through. Her own solo series also cashes in on her sex appeal, by infantilizing at the same time as drawing her in skimpy outfits + more boobs and butt poses galore to go for the "born sexy yesterday" misogynistic trope.
NYA SMITHA (LEGO NINJAGO)
1.) it would take way too long to talk abt all of it but like… in the series colors are very important for characters and everyone has their own color but from episode one for the next 8 seasons her colors were specifically tied to her brother.. and then when she finally got her own ninja outfit she wasnt given her own color the colors were specifically red for her brother and blue for her boyfriend. shes constantly diminished to just the men who are closest to her. also every time she meets someone they Must become a love interest (including the man who was significantly older than her and trained her to use her powers. and also she was kidnapped and forced to marry a thousand year old djinn (when she was like SIXTEEN) because she looked a little bit like his dead wife. weird as hell.)
2.) she was given NOWHERE NEAR as much development as the guys (except for the bullshit love triangle!!!) despite being at the time leagues more competent than her brother in their debut, was damsel’d so he had to Save The Girl. again, the Bullshit Love Triangle. even after she got her own “thing” she was just boiled down to “oh look it’s the girlboss!! she’s just as good as the guys!!” while still getting sidelined. as time went on and flanderization increased she pretty much just became The Team Girl, and she was ALREADY The Team Girl!!! they left her behind with the fuckin grandpa!!!
3.) Left behind to take care of the kid simply because “she’s the girl” for the first season and a half, is fairly blatantly excluded from the team, is believed to be unable to protect herself or others by antagonists throughout the series, and repeatedly dehumanized and referred to exclusively as “girl.” When the ninja are public figures in season 6 she is shown dealing with misogyny from the press in several ways, and in her focus season (Seabound) she speaks out against how she’s been treated as an object rather than a person. All around a girlboss who deserves better
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jasontoddenthusiastt · 2 years ago
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I think fans want Jason to be a good person or be becoming one. To have a character that is well meaning and compassionate but decided murder is ok and to stand against main heroes who’s beliefs and actions go against the people he cares about and wants in his life. It’s confusing for people. People want their fav characters to be happy. But Jason can’t have his family’s support and follow his moral code. He’s cares about people and Gotham, and he’s an asshole who kills. It’s messy. It’s not black and white. I don’t even think Jason cares about being a good person or in the right anymore. I think he cares about what will save the most people instead.
Oh my goodness gracious I’ve been bamboozled
Batman’s definition of Good is not synonymous with absolute good/right no matter how much dc insists it is. Torture, battery/assault, surveillance, those are all condemnable actions too. I won’t get into the exhausting and frankly dumb debate of comic book morality wrt killing because I’ve already reblogged plenty of posts from other people who explained my thoughts on the matter far better than I ever have the patience to sit down and articulate. I also just think the notion that there’s something to be done about fictional characters who kill nazis and senseless murderers is stupid. Jason’s point is that the “main” heroes’ sanitized definition of right has its unaddressed holes and flaws which ultimately result in more preventable fatalities, and that he’ll work to correct those missing spots.
He doesn’t not care about doing what’s right. What he doesn’t care about (at least during his Winick characterization) is whether Batman thinks he’s right or wrong, because he sees the flaws in Batman’s methodology (and since he has a mind of his own). Batman’s methods alone cannot address Arkham’s revolving door and the rogues that come and go through those doors who have no intention (or capability from the doylist pov) of ever changing or undergoing redemption. Jason knows that he’s minimizing the number of preventable deaths by killing his targets, typically Characters Who Simply Do Fucked Up Shit Just Because, Why The Fuck Not?
Secondly, Jason is compassionate … to a fault. That was his fatal flaw. If he wasn’t so hell-bent on saving his potential birth mother he just met from that bomb despite everything she did to him prior, he could have protected himself instead, however slim his odds of survival were. What about his relationship with his other parents? He was a caregiver during his early childhood years for Catherine, until her death. Even mature adults who are financially stable find being a caregiver to a dying parent to be extremely burdensome on their bodies and minds, but he never complained about it or resented Catherine for being unable to care for him. Despite how none of his parents have really been what he needed them to be, he doesn’t blame them for their failings, and even continues to think highly of them (Bruce included).
And post-death? Enter Lost Days. Despite being dead set on plotting his revenge on Bruce, he constantly sidelines this in order to save other victims who are helpless like he once was. His own anger, trauma, and mission don’t remain his priority. (Sound familiar? Something something my own trauma above my son’s, mission above all else, etc.). Why would he waste precious time and risk his own life to do this if he wasn’t empathetic towards these victims or didn’t care about doing the right thing. He is simultaneously horribly traumatized and full of rage, and also incapable of ignoring what’s happening to victims around him (even as he claims that it’s indeed not his priority). And in that same vein, the entire premise of his rebirth outlaws run was that he doesn’t care if the public views him as a villain, an outlaw, so long as he can protect Gotham. And anyway where is this portrayal of him not caring about being in the right anymore. Almost every modern Jason story is about him grappling with where he stands with Bruce/Batman. During the early 2000s was probably the last time he did not care (hello, tentatodd??).
Jason has very evidently been portrayed as a kind and compassionate character. He is also simultaneously a calculated killer who doesn’t hesitate to kill when he deems necessary, and does so without remorse. It’s called being a Complex Character With An Edge™ that as you said, people so often claim to love. However when he fulfills that latter part, that seems to upset people because “killing bad”, and they then try to shave off and round out all his edges and claim he shouldn’t be that angry. In that case I guess you should just stick to liking traditional one-dimensional characters instead of claiming to like Jason but then encouraging his character assassination attempt by dc. Lol.
Lastly, who said anything about the batfam making Jason happy? Just because he’s written nowadays to want acceptance from Bruce (a shoddy attempt at forcing a non-existent nuclear batfamily), doesn’t mean that it’s a sound decision or that it does his character justice. I certainly don’t empathize with the idea that Jason needs the family’s approval or acceptance to be happy. (And anyway he has enough outlets for angst and pain aside from the batfam hello explore his other sources of trauma and do more deep dives into how he thinks when he’s alone). I don’t want them to magically make up and become one big happy family. This is not disney Lol. Besides, there are plenty of stories from dc that have that type of “wholesome” (hate that word utilization) characterization for Jason (Li’l Gotham, Tiny Titans, wfa, and even new stuff like the brave and the bold mini) and that is sufficient imo. Jason fans who are invested in the character deserve accurate, nuanced characterization and well-written stories, whether they be from his robin days (e.g., Batman: The Cult) or as red hood.
#fellas. ya know what else is wholesome? avenging your own death#you can have moments of ‘reconciliation’ or peace but still maintain a strained relationship which is far more realistic#‘he’s an asshole that kills’ and Bruce is an asshole who doesn’t kill. lol.#you can’t claim Jason’s conflicted and disturbed but go on to say Bruce is perfectly sane those two are mutually exclusive#also please realize that a character acting out of anger does not mean they lack compassion.#implying that he doesn’t care about doing the right thing is saying the same thing that person said;#that he doesn’t actually know what he’s doing. that he hasn’t thought through his moral stance.#‘Jason didn’t put any thought into anything he did in utrh he’s just a poor mentally ill lost soul who needs the batfam’s love to heal 💔’#🤝#‘jokers just a poor victim of society 😔 he just needs someone to understand him and maybe one day he’ll heal and realize he’s wrong’#what they both have in common is that they’re misunderstood in opposite directions#the joker doesn’t have a point to prove. there’s no deeper meaning behind what he does. everything is a joke to him.#he isn’t unaware of right vs wrong lmfao#jason todd#dc#asks#my post#and I think you’re implying that he’s utilitarian based on that last part but I don’t think he is#user mintacle posted a few metas regarding that and again they explain it much better than I prob could#anyway it isn’t difficult to understand his character if you know why you like him and you actually read his stories#that post specifically was from someone who clearly said they did not read the comic so. technically they’re on their own wavelength#edit: grammar
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serpentinegraphite · 5 months ago
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...re: your tags on the WFA Jason crowbar incident -- might one be directed to your referenced essay?
Since it's been a min, here's the DC meta post this ask is referencing.
I thought it was on my blog, but I haven't been able to find the essay in the weeks since this ask came in? It might have been a tag rant more than the proper essay I thought I had posted. Or I might have been thinking of a broader and more general essay on the current trauma in fanfic portrayal, which I have definitely posted on this blog somewhere and in several friends' inboxes.
The gist of the essay is that a) fandom as a whole has a tendency to treat panic attacks/flashbacks as the Only and Right Way to experience trauma, even though that's by far not universal and b) will apply this even to characters who have canon trauma and show specific trauma reactions!
With Jason Todd in WFA having a Crowbar Sound Flashback, it's a perfect microcosm of both! The problem, therefore, isn't necessarily WFA being Uniquely Terrible and Inaccurate; WFA just exclusively plays with a lot of softball, fandom-popular tropes, so it remains popular even and especially with people who aren't super familiar with the canon. And because WFA thrives on softball, popular tropes, of course it's going to pick up on the Best Way To Write Trauma.
The essence of the problem is actually the way trauma symptoms in fanfic are homogenized to the most palatable, most sympathetic reaction guaranteed to woobify even the most hardened crime lords and war criminals: a panic attack. But not ANY panic attack! Specifically the hyperventilating on the floor, curled up in a ball kind of panic attacks! (Characters who lash out in anger when they're scared? Characters who shout mean things? Not anymore! Now they're hyperventilating on the floor and they need tender care and possibly a hug.) The momentary full helplessness is integral to creating a miniature h/c journey for the characters (panic –> helplessness –> rescue –> bonding).
Panic attacks actually have a pretty wide range of symptoms! Sometimes they're focused more on derealization reactions or heart racing (loads of people irl end up in the ER thinking they're having a heart attack, when it's actually a panic attack).
This specific portrayal of trauma as panic attacks is, I think, most egregious with characters who would actually fucking die if they had this exact trauma response. E.g., Jason Todd, who infamously both commits crimes and fights them. If he has a panic attack at every scum bag who waves a crow bar at him, he's probably getting beaten to death with a crowbar again. If even one of his regular criminal contacts or enemies catches wind that he has a crowbar panic attack weakness, he's dead! And this could be played for drama in this kind of fanfic, but it never is. (Because drama isn't the point, quick and dirty h/c is.)
Distilling his trauma about dying into panic attacks dismisses his entire history and canon trauma response (rage and vengeance and trying a completely different tactic from Batman to better the city of Gotham when the Red Hood is being a good guy and not just being a crime lord for profit). Here is a solid discussion on how Jason reacts to his own death (I'm new here and this essay is already long lol, I'm not citing whole comics runs or anything myself), with a great addendum from Ragnarok-hound in the tags on the Doylist reasons for why the canon goes over Jason's death again and again anyway.
The problem further stems from everyone learning panic attack symptoms from a combination of personal experience (which for the AO3 crowd in the shippy tags does not as often include people with uh combat or crime experience) and actual mental health web resources, so any panic attack scene reads like it was written by someone between high school and college age checking off a list of psych textbook panic attack symptoms. So it makes sense why they would go with the thing that is easiest to write for them and stick with the approved symptoms they know will garner the most sympathy from the audience and, importantly, other characters in the scene. E.g., to return to bullying WFA's portrayal, having Bruce arrive to tell Jason everything will be okay and fix everything.
(I think ymmv more on Bruce portrayals, depending on Your Preferred Batman, whether that's the corresponding era of comics with Red Hood, the animated series, or some campy/classic live action Batman portrayal, but one thing that is pretty consistent in every Batman media is that he's not fucking great at feelings, so even with a generous reading, WFA simplifies a lot of fraught history between Jason and Bruce here. Further, I could write an entire second essay on how bystanders in fanfic always have the perfect response, to either use the right therapy speak and handle a panic attack perfectly or hug the person to help them calm down or what have you, but this is long enough as it is. To be brief, though: sometimes, especially in a situation like Jason and Bruce's, it's perfectly normal to see someone panicking and then also panic and fuck things up even worse! It's also common to feel frustrated or tired of seeing someone panic over the same thing! Like I know fanfic and WFA are wish fulfillment, but like. There's a lot of nuance and basic trauma understanding missing here.)
And that brings us to another point, which is that PTSD triggers don't necessarily manifest as anxiety disorders and textbook panic attacks. I mean, this feels obvious, but there are a lot of ways to experience PTSD! and that's the thing about Jason Todd! He has trauma, not an anxiety disorder! While panic attacks as the default and most common trauma reaction are very common in fanfic, it's not like even the top most common trauma trigger reaction? And it's weird that it's everywhere like this. Trigger responses have a wiiiiide range, e.g., nightmares, lashing out (the Netflix Jessica Jones show was especially good at this actually! Billy Hargrove on Stranger Things is a fucking perfect example too), dissociation (The Raven Cycle books do a great job with this, and then the fanfic forgets that it happened entirely), or simply activating one's fight or flight instinct (and we've seen with Jason, it's often a fight instinct!). There are probably also loads of Batman comics exemplifying each of these variations, but a) as stated I'm new here, I don't have comprehensive citations for every character (yet) and b) I really want to illustrate how fanfic specifically keeps sticking to one particular portrayal in a way that most canons don't.
Jason Todd can be easily written as having a Specific Traumatic Incident (dying hideously via crowbar) or having complex PTSD (little daily bullshit! you can do an entire deep dive on complex PTSD resulting from poverty, homelessness, and regular repeated exposure to violence as a child e.g. by being Robin, which is not even getting into the stuff you can gather from popular hc/later retcons about his mom's drug use or how his dad's working for Two Face and getting sent to prison might have affected him; another example it's a common hc that he's straight edge because of what drugs may or may not have done to his mom depending on the canon you're working with, but I don't see a lot of people writing him with the corresponding control issues that often pair with that). There are a lot of options is what I'm saying.
WFA choosing to double down on the sound of a crowbar scraping (when also like he's the one using a crowbar for actual mechanic things in this scene, he's probably used to a variety of metal scraping sounds, okay I'm nitpicking here again) over any of the more complex trauma under his belt is very lazy writing. They're distilling his entire history to one specific sound that causes a very targeted panic response, which I know. Is the format. That's how WFA works, it's not supposed to be deep, but this is again, a pattern I keep seeing again and again in fanfiction (to bully another fandom: Stranger Things fans insisting that Steve Harrington is afraid of his own swimming pool when the canon strongly contradicts that; he's swim team captain for 3 years running after this AND that's actually Nancy's trauma reaction, not Steve's).
Again, the problem isn't necessarily specifically with WFA or people who enjoy it or with h/c. But, yeah, the crowbar scraping sounds panic attack is a huge disservice to Jason's character, and it's like a ubiquitous pattern of writing trauma in recent years.
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romancomicsblog · 2 years ago
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8 Characters who should appear in Young Justice Season 5
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Hoping and praying for another season of Young Justice is something I'm very used to.
After its initial cancelation way back in 2013, Young Justice was revived for a third season on DC Universe, DC's attempt at a streaming service, and lived past that to get a fourth season on HBO Max.
It is now under hiatus with no current plans at a fifth season.
I however will continue to remain hopeful for another season. Young Justice (with the exception of the Harley Quinn animated universe) is my favorite version of the DC Universe. With an exceptional voice cast, a focus on younger more relatable heroes, and a realistic political element to a superhero world, Young Justice cements itself not only as one of the best DC animated shows, but one of the best pieces of superhero media.
So while I have nothing but time until Warner Bros sees the gem that they have and give us a fifth season, I thought I'd pitch the characters I'd most like to see in the next season.
Greg Weisman and Brandon Vietti, if you're reading this, know if you don't put these in, I trust the season will be great anyway.
But you know, consider it!
*Spoiler Warning for Every Season of Young Justice*
The Bad Boys of the Bat Family
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Let's start with the obvious!
Jason Todd AKA The Red Hood has been teased ever since Season 2, and while has made a few appearances, we have yet to see the menace he can be to both Bruce and The Bat Family.
I particularly want his story to tie in with Tim, who has only been seen to be the loyal soldier to Bruce. This can be an opportunity to reflect upon the life, and how Bruce's trauma trickles down.
Another Bat pairing I'm itching to see is Damian Wayne and Nightwing. The blood son and the favorite son can lead to some fun comedic beats and a lot of tension for the team.
Whatever team they decide to position Damian on, it could lead to disaster. Damians presence can also lead to less trust amongst superheroes, as he is a known killer, and Robin is a pretty public title in the Young Justice universe.
The Forgotten Sidekick
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Sometimes even sidekicks need sidekicks!
For those not in the know, Gear was an original character for the DCAU show Static Shock, Virgil's best friend Richie.
Using technology, including a robotic backpack and flying boots, he was simultaneously Virgil's guy in the chair and right hand man in the field.
Static has been on the show for multiple seasons, but really hasn't had much to do since season 2. Giving him a protege of his own while paying homage to what came before.
Speaking of what came before...
The Final Titans
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Who doesn't want a Titans reunion?
In Season 3, Cyborg was introduced into the fold and Beast Boy was given a much more expanded role. Ever since, I've been waiting for the Daughter of Trigon and the Tamaranean Princess to arrive.
An episode where the 5 Titans meet for an impromptu mission would be a lot of fun, perhaps battling one of their classic villains like Brother Blood or Deathstoke!
In the long run, both characters fit very well into the already established universe.
Raven would make an interesting member of Zatanna's Sentinels of Magic, and Starfire would be right at home with Forager and Miss Martian as aliens on Earth.
Would it be fan wish fulfillment? Absolutely, but Young Justice has done it before. In Season 4, Razer of Green Lantern Animated Series was given one of the best episodes, continuing his arc to find Aya.
I'm not sure how you could get all these characters and one of the Robins together for a mission, but I'll leaving the writing up to the experts.
The Incompetent Time Traveler
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We've had the Legion, we've had Bart, but we have yet to have a time traveler who has no idea what he's doing.
Enter: Booster Gold.
Booster Gold is a fan favorite character across comics and animated media. He is a failed football athlete in the 25th Century, who steals tech in the future to pretend to be a hero in our time.
The character is soon to enter James Gunn's DCU, and recently made his Arrowverse debut in Legends of Tomorrow, played by Donald Faison, right before the show got cancelled (I bring this up mainly because he deserved a shot at voicing him and it could be a fun nod).
Boosters interference with the timeline could lead him to the worlds only time traveling expert, Bart Allen, effectively making him the Outsiders responsibility.
The character also leaves the door open to potentially a big bad, and maybe even thee big bad of the season....
The Professor
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Much like General Zod and the Kryptonians became an overarching threat for Season 4, making it a Superboy/Superman focused season, I think it's high time the Speedsters of the team have a new threat.
Professor Zoom or the Reverse Flash is Barry Allen's greatest enemy. Another future man of the 25th Century, Eobard Thawne was a brilliant scientist, so opposed with The Flash, he decided to become his greatest enemy to become part of the story.
Reverse Flash has quite a few similarities with Bart actually. Future speedster hoping to be a part of the story and change the timeline for "the better". It would be an interesting rivalry between them.
While I would like him as the big bad of the season, I understand we JUST did a time traveling menace
My potential pitch would be Reverse Flash needs access to our time now for a power source, something to bring his power to the next level. Something or someone with Speed Force to spare, making him a battery for Eobard. So I believe Reverse Flash has returned to the past to get...
The Prodigal Son
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Did I write this piece just to pitch a Wally West return season?
Yes. Yes I did.
Young Justice has left just enough wiggle room for Wally to return. We never hear about his soul, we never found a body, and Wally has been trapped in the Speed Force in the comics before.
Most notably, The Speed Force has not been mentioned yet. Currently, I don't believe any speedsters actually know it exists.
Eobard showing them the speed force and releasing Wally to drain his power, only to be foiled by the team, would not only bring back Wally, it could make him the Fastest Man Alive.
Wally becoming the Flash could be his arc of the season, which I argue would’ve been his destiny if Bart didn’t save Barry’s life.
Giving us a Wally with a power boost, lost time and lost love could lead to a lot of drama and potential for storytelling.
And of course, an Artemis/Wally reunion is well in order.
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Again, if none of these characters make an appearance in the next season, I’d still just be happy there’s a season at all.
But time will tell if I’m right.
Thank you for reading! If you'd like to support me you can by following me here on my socials!
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bluejaysandblackbats · 5 months ago
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Hair Trigger
Fandom: DC Comics, Batfam, Superfam, YJ98
Summary: A junior at Gotham University, Jason finds it difficult to conceal his worsening mental health from his family and his friend, Jon Lane Kent. Family secrets are revealed and boundaries are pushed as Jason and Laney struggle to navigate through school, their romantic feelings, and their trauma. Could the reintroduction of Laney Kent be more trouble than it's worth, or is it just what Jason needed to confront the demons of his past?
I will also do trigger warnings for chapters and if there is smut I have the chapter(s) tagged so you don't have to worry about nsfw in the fic if you're just here for the story itself.
Chapters: 20/?
Characters: Jason Todd, Jonathan Lane Kent, Bruce Wayne, Clark Kent, Lois Lane, Cassandra Cain, Tim Drake, Conner Kent, Natalia Knight, Jonathan Samuel Kent, Cassie Sandsmark, Chris Kent, Bart Allen, Original Character(s)
Relationships: JayLaney, Clois, TimKon
Additional Tags: University AU, No Powers AU, Sharing A Bed, Romance, Angst, TW // Kidnapping , TW // Gun Violence
Chapter Twenty: Disjointed
Laney sat on Jason's bed as Jason picked up their dirty laundry and put it in the hamper. "Jason?" Laney whispered. Jason took the blankets off his bed and checked the plugs to make sure everything was plugged where it was supposed to be. "Jason—."
"Who is Caleb Forrester, and why do I feel like he means something to you?" Jason raised his voice slightly. Laney's shoulders tensed.
"He was my counselor when I went to boarding school... And I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I just wanted to put it all behind me. Jason, he doesn't mean anything to me anymore. I'm terrified of him," Laney's voice cracked. Jason sat across from Laney on the bed. "I told you a lie about the first guy I was emotionally involved with, and I had to change details about it because I didn't know how you would see me—."
"I love you, Laney. Even if we were just friends or married or any of it... I love you in every way, and I wouldn't have judged you, but I'm sorry for being pissed. I just thought that maybe you wanted someone else," Jason whispered as he grabbed Laney's hand.
Laney kissed Jason's knuckles. "Jason, no, I don't want anybody else," Laney mumbled as tears flooded to the surface. "And I don't wanna cry... Caleb and I might've had something, but whatever that was was wrong. I just want it to be over. I want him to stop following me." Jason held Laney's hand over his mouth and kissed his palm.
"Wait, how long's he been following you?" Jason asked. Laney took Jason's hand and tried to cover his face. "Lane, please. Be serious with me."
"Since I was seventeen. Caleb showed up at a party I went to, then in Metropolis, he showed up at my dorm room, and now he's here in Gotham. I don't know," Laney whispered, "Maybe this is my fault for trusting him so much at first."
"It isn't your fault... Hey, look at me. It's not," Jason whispered. Laney looked up at Jason, and they met eyes.
Laney lay back on Jason's bed and took a deep breath. "Jason, I don't know what to do other than put down roots and hope that he will eventually go away," Laney mumbled as he pushed his hair back.
"Lane, I know you don't want to hear this, but I think you need to get a restraining order. I will go with you, and we can go out of town for a little bit. Okay?" Jason asked. Lois knocked on the door, and Jason invited her in.
"Your dad is on speaker right now," Lois whispered.
"Lane, how do you feel?" Clark asked.
"I'm okay... I mean, I'm screwed up because I knew Forrester was following me. I'm sorry," Laney mumbled.
Clark clicked his tongue. "Laney, maybe you should come home—."
"Dad, I can't come home. I came to Gotham because I thought he wouldn't follow me here. If I go home, he'll just follow me there... Jason's right. I have to make this stop. I'm gonna go down to the courthouse in a little while," Laney mumbled.
Lois leaned against Jason's nightstand, still holding the phone. "Lane, take the phone. Jason, can I talk to you?" Lois asked. Jason nodded, and Lois gave Laney her cellphone.
Jason stepped into the living room with her, and Lois plopped down on the couch. "Did you know anything about Laney's counselor?" Lois asked. Jason shook his head.
"Laney told me something about some guy from boarding school, but it wasn't true... I didn't really know anything about the counselor until this morning after breakfast," Jason answered. Lois pinched the bridge of her nose.
"I thought that maybe he said something to you about it... Maybe I should stay longer—."
"No, don't worry... I've got him. I'm gonna take him to the courthouse later on today, and—."
Laney came out of the room and grabbed his keys off of the kitchen counter. "Laney, where are you going?" Lois asked. Laney took a deep breath.
"I have to go get my laptop from my apartment. I forgot I have an assignment due at eleven... I'll be right back," Laney replied as he left the apartment. Jason went back to doing his laundry and cleaned his room before noticing something strange.
"Mrs. K.? Can you come in here for a second?" Jason asked. Lois came to the door and looked at him.
"Jason—."
"His laptop is in the bedroom," Jason pointed out. Lois cursed and slipped on her shoes, and she asked Jason to follow her downstairs. They got in the car and drove straight to Laney's building.
Jason texted Sylvia and motioned for Lois to stay out of sight while waiting for Sylvia to answer the door. Sylvia answered the door in tears, and she embraced Jason.
"Hey, Sylvie, is Lane here? We just had a weird conversation before he left, and I just wanted to come and apologize to him," Jason whispered. Sylvia burst into tears.
"I said that guy was weird, and Laney came here and left with him—."
"Sylvia, slow down," Jason whispered, "So he's not here?"
"No, Laney went with the guy, and he told me not to say anything, but he packed a bag—."
Jason cursed. "Sylvie, stay here, and I'll call you when I see him—."
"Jason, I'm so—." Jason smiled and shook his head.
"It's okay... I'll find him in a minute," Jason whispered as he left the apartment with Lois.
"What happened?" Lois asked as she rushed behind Jason.
"He left with him. Lane went with him. Sylvia said Laney packed a bag and went with him," Jason replied as he unlocked Lois's car door, and Jason's phone rang. Lois answered and put it on speaker.
"Caleb, I get why you're mad. I said a lot of crazy things last night," Laney said over the phone, "We can go to the farm, but I need you to tell me why you're still so mad at me."
"Because you said some really nasty things to me last night. Lane, you know that I adore you. You know that, but it hurts me when you run from me," Mr. Forrester replied.
"But, Caleb, listen to me. What do I have to do to prove it to you? Hm?" Laney asked.
"Come to Hershey with me. To the farm," Mr. Forrester answered.
"Caleb, baby, I said I was gonna go with you. I did. I wanna go to Pennsylvania with you. I want to, but you're scaring me. Can you please put that away?" Laney asked. "No, Caleb, please. We can do whatever you want to do. I just can't be honest with you when I'm scared like this."
"Lane, do you think I'm stupid—?"
"No! But I'm gonna be sick if you don't put the gun away!" Laney screamed. "Like I'm so upset right now because I feel like you want to hurt me, and all I want is to go away with you! Can you please pull over behind this grocery store? I feel like I'm gonna throw up!"
"Lane, okay... I'm gonna put the gun away. Just calm down," Mr. Forrester's voice softened, and the call grew near silent. They heard a smacking noise, and Jason looked at Lois and back at the road. She took the phone off speaker, and Jason wiped a few tears from his eyes.
"Jason, are you okay?" Lois asked as she held the phone to her ear.
Jason chuckled uncomfortably and shook his head. "No, no, I'm not okay. It's not that, though. It's not the kissing. It's just—."
Lois gasped and put the phone back on speaker before yelling for Laney. "Laney! Lane! Answer the phone!" Lois yelled.
"What happened?" Jason asked.
"Mom? Jason?" Laney sobbed before telling them where he was, and he hung up. Jason sped to where Laney was, and he ran into the police and the ambulance.
"Lane! Laney!" Jason screamed as he jumped out of the car, and the police stopped him and Lois from entering the scene. Laney sat in the back of an ambulance wrapped in a blanket with blood on his face and hands, and Jason and Lois ran to him and embraced him. Laney sat there in a daze.
"Cricket, look at me," Lois whispered, "Cricket, it's Mama."
Jason got on his phone and called Clark. "Hello?" Clark's voice answered on speaker, and Laney blinked hard before bursting into tears. "Jonathan?"
"Is he dead?" Laney asked. Lois looked around, and she shook her head.
"Don't worry about that. Did you talk to the police?" Lois asked. Laney nodded.
"What happened?" Clark asked.
"He pulled over, and I shot him," Laney whispered. Lois wandered off, and Jason stood with Laney.
"I'll be there tonight," Clark replied before hanging up. Laney reached for Jason, and Jason embraced him. Jason moved to kiss Laney, and Laney turned his head.
"Don't kiss me. I threw up," Laney mumbled.
"I don't care. I'll gargle," Jason whispered, and Laney let Jason kiss him. "Please don't scare me like this again. You know how scared I had to be to kiss you after you threw up?" Laney let out a little laugh.
Lois came back. "Let's go home... Okay? I talked to the police, and they said it's okay. Let's go home," Lois whispered as she took the blanket off of Laney, and Laney grabbed Jason's hand as they walked to the car. The ride to Laney's apartment was silent.
When they got back to Laney's apartment, Sylvia hugged him. "I thought you'd be hurt," she wept, "Are you okay?"
Laney didn't say anything for a moment as he looked around the apartment. "I need to take a shower and lay down. Sylvie, I'm sorry," Laney whispered before kissing the top of her head and going back to his room.
Jason waited until Laney went to the bathroom before making sure Laney's CPAP was plugged up and pulled the sheets back. He burst into tears. Lois entered the room and gave Jason a hug. "Jason, it's okay. Don't worry," Lois whispered.
"No, but it's not. I've never seen Lane like that," Jason wiped the tears from his eyes. "There's so much that I really don't know about this."
"Jason, Laney isn't guarded because he wants to be. Lane's got so many feelings about everything, and it's easier for him to push through them or lie about them than it is to just stop and feel something...
He loves you. He's just gonna need time to sort through this. This all seems sudden for us, so imagine how it was for him. I'm gonna order us something to eat," Lois whispered. Jason nodded.
"Mrs. K.?" Jason stopped her.
"Yeah?" she asked in a soft tone.
Jason stood there for a while in near-silence before whispering, "Did Laney kill him?"
Lois shook her head. "Almost," Lois whispered, "But I think it's better for Lane's conscience this way." She closed the door behind her on her way out, and Jason sat in a desk chair, waiting for Laney to return.
When Laney came back to the bedroom, he took off his shirt, climbed into bed, and lay there, staring up at the ceiling. Jason opened his mouth to speak, but he didn't know what to say. "I can understand if you're mad about what you had to hear," Laney whispered. Jason rolled the chair around to Laney's bed.
"I'm not mad at you. You did what you had to," Jason whispered, "I just hate I wasn't there for you." Laney turned on his side.
"Jason, I have to tell you something," Laney whispered, "I didn't want him to die... I still don't." Jason nodded.
"That isn't a bad thing... That's just how you feel—."
"How do you feel?" Laney asked.
"I would've put him in the ground," Jason whispered. Laney looked at Jason's unflinching face before turning away. "I know it's not what you wanted to hear, but he could've killed you."
"Jason, can you sit by me?" Laney asked. Jason climbed over Laney on the bed, and Laney rolled onto his stomach and turned to look at Jason, wincing as he settled into the bed.
"Where does it hurt?" Jason asked.
"My back's been hurting ever since we got home," Laney whispered. Jason reached over Laney and went into his drawer.
"You don't have any heat cream for your back," Jason announced.
"I know. I've got a little massage oil to the back right of the drawer," Laney explained, and Jason took the small bottle of massage oil and squeezed a few drops into his hands.
Jason pressed his hands into Laney's back firmly, and Laney took in a breath just loud enough for Jason to hear. "Too much pressure?" Jason asked.
"No, you—. It just startled me," Laney murmured. Jason nodded and continued to apply pressure, loosening the muscles in Laney's back. Silence fell between the two of them, and Jason's mind drifted away as he massaged Laney's lower back. Laney clutched his mattress before letting out a faint crying noise. Jason stopped and snapped back to attention.
"Does it hurt?" Jason asked. He took Laney's shirt and wiped his back off. Laney pressed his face into his pillow and burst into tears. "Lane?"
Laney curled up and grabbed the bottom of Jason's shirt, pulling it to his face as he let out loud gasping sobs. Jason froze as Laney pulled himself up onto Jason's lap and continued to cry. "Lane, I've got you. I promise," Jason reassured him as he pulled Laney up into an embrace. Laney sobbed until he was too tired to cry anymore, and he drifted off to sleep, still holding on to Jason. Jason lay down beside Laney, watching as he slept.
As the sunset on Gotham, Jason lay still, only moving to put his arm over Laney. Jason never realized how painful silence was between them. Someone knocked on the bedroom door, and Jason sat up slowly, careful not to wake Laney from his sleep. "Come in," Jason whispered. Clark cracked the door and slipped through.
"How long has he been asleep?" Clark asked.
"Just before sunset... Maybe four o'clock, five-ish," Jason whispered. Laney made a soft noise before complaining about the cold.
"Hey, Laney... It's dad," Clark whispered. Laney perked up and opened his eyes before throwing himself into his father's arms.
"Dad!" Laney exclaimed. Clark relaxed his shoulders before giving Laney a tight hug and a kiss on top of his head. "What are you doing here?"
Jason and Clark exchanged looks before Clark answered with a gentle, "I wanted to check on you. Remember we talked on the phone?"
Laney shook his head. "No? Not today, I don't think," Laney mumbled.
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aingeal98 · 1 year ago
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I do feel sorry for batfam stans who due to being fanon only are under the impression when they get into these characters that Bruce is the world's best dad who saves all these children from horrible situations and gives them a better life. Like imagine you get enamoured by the idea of batman and his army of child menaces who all love each other like siblings and who's past trauma is the only source of conflict that Bruce gets to fix with hugs. And then you actually start getting into the source material all these fandom posts are from and realise the family and premise you're so invested in does not exist outside Wayne Family Adventures, which itself relies on understanding the source material in order to know the depth of the conflicts it brings up.
Your new fandom is made up of a batfamily that don't exist on any comic pages. Is it a nice concept? Absolutely. Is batman being a good father and not an abusive one the path dc should have gone down years ago? I'd say so yeah since he's their flagship hero. But that's not the direction they chose and when you try to talk about the fanon versions with comic readers you'll end up with confusion because the characters and the relationships you think they have just do not match up with the canon unfortunately. The kids may love each other but they have issues with Bruce and given his canon actions they have every right to feel that way.
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trekkele · 10 months ago
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General complaint, not directed at you:
*sigh* I know the batfandom likes to play trauma olympics, but if i see one more take that argues that the batkids have so much more trauma than bruce who has been in comics since *looks up specific number* 1939, almost a century, and has everything bad happening to him at least once. Not to mention how DC wants to keep him young, which means they condense all his stories into less than twenty years. And this is how we could have a dead batman, an outcast batman and a family dad batman all in different runs simultaneously. Dude gets tortured in one comic and has a messy love life in the next, while losing his mind because fucking... six or more entities are fighting over him in the other six runs.
What I'm getting at is, trauma olympics are not allowed unless my fave is winni-
JOKING! I'm joking!!
My real point is this: where did bruce's character trait of internalising things vanish to? Because now it's more like lashing out and blowing up all the time. Something bad happens to him, he bottles it up, doesn't wanna talk about it and pushes people away who try to push him to open up. No, he doesn't just arbitrarily lash out every chance he gets. Yes, he loses control when reaching a breaking point but that can't be happening every issue in every comic because that man has been shown to be able to work under immense pressure and not to lash out unless it's all over and some time has passed and somebody's needling him to talk about it.
This is really badly writting (my comment, not the comics, although this applies to them too lmao) and not coherent at all but if you have opinions about this, please share.
To summerize my incoherent ask: Has batman lost his character trait of internalising things and was it changed to lashing out because of literally anything? I'm aware the answer changes depending on if you're talking about Batman comics with no Robins in sight, a JL comic, or a Batman comic WITH Robins in it.
Thank you for reading this mess. Sorry for making you read this mess.
Have a great day!
Such a good point about the trauma Olympics tho, I really agree because it feels like everyone's favorite has to have All The Traumas before they can be valid for feeling some way about them which is, slow down, it's fine, they can be complex characters without the entire CPS checklist
Bruce is winning though (<- mostly joking but also seriously give my boy a BREAK)
I think you did answer your own question though, with "depending on if you're talking about a comic with no Robins, or a JL, or a 'batfamily' comic" because the problem I have with how Bruce is written a lot nowadays is that he's not so much a character as a plot device. Need an ally to betray the JL? Bruce. Need someone to misunderstood Robin? Bruce. Need someone to get all the love interests and inter-dimensional entities drooling over his brain? Bruce.
Some of those scenarios will make sense, obviously, but sometimes it feels like the writers needed a big name to act a certain way to move the story along.
Take for example the Tower of Babel storylines, where Bruces paranoia? Makes sense! He has been betrayed by allies, he has experience with mind control and the consequences of actions taken under mind control, he understands the need for containment in those situations!
His actions tho??? The contingency plans, specifically for Superman? Are torture. And that doesn't fit his personality or the purpose of his plans at all!!!!! It's about containment and harm reduction, always. Not. Whatever the fuck is going on there.
So I think the problem with Batman, beyond bad faith criticism of his concept, and bad writing, is overexposure. He should not be in so many titles, with so many people writing him, and so little care about his consistency.
Until then unfortunately, he's going to feel wildly different in every comic he's in.
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bitimdrake · 2 years ago
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Do you think there could be a compelling and well-written way for Jason to ever start healing from his trauma? I get the tragedy and all is why so many people like his character and all but it’s been over 18 years since he came back and I’ve grown apathetic to the whole “I died boohoohoo” thing. Idk the way DC is written makes it hard to me to feel the same way I did when he first came back as Red Hood because death is so meaningless in that universe, now more than ever. I feel the same way about Bruce and his whole mess of trauma and want to see them do something new, yknow? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
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Absolutely!!
I think I end up hammering on the tragedy and angst aspect a lot because it's the part I feel gets most lost--certainly in fluffy batfam fics, but also in DC canon just abruptly declaring him totally part of the family now don't worry about it after Flashpoint. I think the legitimate trauma Jason has, the significant differences in principle with the other bats, and the harm he's done them in turn, have gotten worn down and minimized, and it's a bummer!
But I would like to see him heal from his trauma and like. have a real arc.
That's my biggest problem with Jason in canon thus far*. It's not that he is a hero now and aligned with his family. It's that we never got to see how that really happened. He was a villain one second, and then the universe got rebooted, and suddenly we were supposed to just infer this off-screen development.
(*Thus far being up to where I have read, which is through the New 52. Cannot comment beyond that yet.)
In my dream where I get to rewrite the history of DC, we would have spent like five years watching Jason gradually progress from the remorseless antivillain he became by the end of preboot into someone healthier, with more actual morals, a principled antihero. And working out his various relationships with his family along the way.
Unfortunately, because DC skipped to the end of that theoretical arc without ever actually doing the arc, we're sorta...stuck.
The status quo is where it is. DC can't pretend Jason has been an antagonist this whole time and give him the arc now. Red Hood has been a significant part of the batfamily for years. They can't just insert the 'Jason heals' arc because theoretically he's already done that. But also, so long as we never actually see that arc, it's never truly going to feel resolved.
This is the crux of the Jason Todd problem.
Anyway, I feel you on the death thing as well. When Jason died (I'd argue even when he came back), death was a lot more meaningful and significant. His death really meant something, and his return was a huge shake up.
But since then...everyone's died. And now there's this awkward disconnect between (a) in story, all these people having gone through the traumatic event of dying and returning which should probably be significant for them all, and (b) out of universe, Jason's death being considerably more significant than anyone else's and a core part of the character.
Jason's death can't really be a meaningless joke (though he absolutely can recover from the trauma), because we all know it wasn't; it was a huge deal. But we also can't have all the characters act like his death was significant while a bunch of other death's aren't, because then they just seem insane and myopic. But we can't have everyone act like every death is significant, because then we wouldn't be able to do anything else except reflect on the massive amount of death and trauma around here, plus it would be so hollow to most readers who know a lot of these comic books deaths were just cheap shock value that got immediately reversed. And around and around and around--
It's a fucking mess. I have plenty ideas of how I could fix it in a rewrite (whether fanfic or magic time travel where I Fix DC Comics). But I don't have a lot of ideas of how to fix it now, over a decade after the problem started.
Although, to return to your very first question: even if we can't fix everything, yes, I do think a good writer could give a compelling story of Jason healing from his tragedy, without a doubt. I do think that angle can still be explored and developed, because it has not be closed off.
...the biggest problem there would just be that comics are cyclical, and you know some other writer would come in two years later and revert him back to brooding about his death all the time, because that's the version of the character they're used to.
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yvtro · 2 years ago
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thoughts on task force z? I’m not sure if you’ve talked about it before but I’m curious what you think of jason’s characterization there
disclaimer: i’m moving blogs. still here to go through my askbox, but you will find me at @boyfridged most of the time.
it's been almost two months, but i've been postponing replying to this ask because i rarely read recent comics, and infinite frontier is a dumpster fire. but i finally got to it!! here are my general thoughts that i noted during that read-through:
so i know that i’ve been talking a lot about how interesting the cyclical nature of jason’s story is, and how it makes a lot of sense for him to be stuck in this loop on the peripheries of the narrative, but reading this series made me want to retract this statement purely because dc doesn't know how to make it work. stories about cycles like that require awareness of why the cycle occurs, research about the source material (how was it perpetuated before?) and a good idea about how the same storyline structure can be written to feel fresh and novel for a reader.
spoiler alert: the storyline did not feel fresh nor novel. it was incredibly dull. i think rosenberg just isn't a very good writer, you know? his dialogues are stiff, and i swear he has not heard in his life about "show don't tell" (and while i'm not even that committed to the idea of "show don't tell" in regular literature, comics entirely rely on show don't tell. not to take the rule too literally, but this is what you have pictures for!! use them to mean something, maybe?)
i think i get why i've seen people praising tfz though, and that's because rosenberg has a surprisingly good general grasp of jason's character (compared with zdarsky, for example.) then again, this is the bare minimum, the bar is on the floor or below, etc. and he could fit that comprehension of jason’s character in a tweet. no need for a 12-issues series.
so, let's take an overview of things that jason says: “you didn’t make me, you raised me” “i made mistakes because i was scared, and i was angry, and i was hurt” “i died trying to save someone i cared about. (…) i died a hero” all good points! all true. so what's the issue? well, to me it's that he would not fucking say that. why does he talk like he's in therapy? when did he come to all these conclusions? the thing about good storytelling is that characters very rarely have a clear picture of their own place in the world; and while it is the case that jason is interesting in the sense that he's always verging on a brink of that awareness, and he is quite vocal about his feelings, the thing is that nevertheless, he rarely brings himself to openly speak about things that matter; he deflects. and it makes sense for him to be quite repressed (it's self-preservation. it's the dialogical nature of identity.) why would a character suddenly start monolouging on their relationships and their status in the narrative (lol.) etc? the whole series is like that, and it's exhausting, because it doesn't mean anything at all. you can tell me all of these things, but how about you show me how and why he came to this realisation? where's the internal conflict? ever heard of symbolism? parallels? plot devices? figures of speech?
on the topic of talking like in therapy, i think the only interesting bit was barbara telling jason that he's basing his identity on his trauma. it has potential, and it makes sense it would be barbara to say it.
but since i'm on the topic of other characters already: every single other character acts like they're a cardboard cut-out. we see the same confrontation with bruce we've seen hundred times before (okay. maybe not hundred but def more than 10 times. hell, there was the same confrontation in cheer that came out the same year, i think?), and bruce sounds like a broken record. i have to stress that i do think there are good reasons for them to be stuck in the same place when it comes to their relationship, but once again, if you want to write about it, try to make a point about why this is the case. and atp, it's just so inconsistent with bruce's current characterisation, that it feels like he just appears in red hood stories as a prop. same with pretty much all the batfam really. since when is the whole batfam sooo eager to agree with bruce when it comes to every single one of his decisions? if you need to make everyone seem to be mindless to make your main character right, then you're doing it wrong. whatever happened to nuance? get off ao3, rosenberg, this is not a whump fic.
in general, i couldn't tell you what that story is trying to say. and i consider myself a very charitable reader. i've found elements in rhato that i thought were note-worthy. here?? there's no substance. at all.
my favourite part must be the ending and jay essentially saying that he wants to heal and start a new life, and steph replying that where he’s going is where the joker was last spotted. ok i see. a classic jason todd move: “starting a new life <3" -> doing exactly the same thing he’s done before but now isolated and even more mentally disturbed. go girl:) this i can stand behind.
btw i haven’t caught up with all of infinite frontier stuff (and I don’t even know if I want to) but why does everyone and their mother know jason’s identity? what is up with that.
also: amazing how you can write a whole series filled with harv & jay's interactions and never once mention that two-face got jason's father killed! but for that you would have acknowledge a storyline in which jason cares about willis and forgives a villain, right? and dc is not doing that.
in conclusion. it was tedious.
#dc
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jellyfishjuliet · 2 years ago
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my One Big Criticism of bendis writing jon’s traumatic seven years in hell is that if you’re gonna write darkfic… then commit to the bit? if the straight shoot purpose was to age him up, then kryptonite or a wormhole glitch would have worked just fine. we coulda still had a seventeen year old, except he still acts like he’s ten, which is apparently what 97% of the dc comic fandom wants.
but that’s not what happened. he went and lived through hell with a man he SHOULD have been able to trust with his safety, was too young to realize his mom leaving him alone with grandpa was NOT a good idea, and that his luck could only get shittier when he ended up in ultraman’s world. im not saying he hasn’t suffered enough. he absolutely has, and i really dont think he needs to suffer anymore even tho i know he ends up in the injusticeverse eventually, but my point is… if you’re going to make trauma, and abuse, and daddy issues through multiple lens a core element of a character’s program… then mayhaps commit to the bit? im not saying every angle needs to make him that much darker, but if you’re going to write in so much dark stuff, you gotta do SOMETHING with it. what’s the purpose of having three different clarks hurt him in vastly different ways if it’s not leading up to something significant? a significant evolution, mayhaps? a harrowing change that will impact superman himself? as aosjk wraps up, i hope they announce a new direction for jon in 2024. i want to see a culmination of the nine million traumas the writers have inflicted on him since throwing him into deep space with jor el’s crackhead ass. i dont expect jon to be “the” superman just like i never expected kon to take up the mantle, but i also dont want to see him continue to suffer for free and never have his own darkness addressed. here’s to hoping someone gives jon a bit of a push into the REACTION phase of having suffered at the hands of multiple abusers and two neglectful ass cunts for parents.
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volucerrubidus · 2 years ago
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[ Gonna get serious here for a minute, folks! It's April, and while my muse for Tim has been low, it's still important to me that I not only participate in SAAM in my own personal life, but that I also address it at least somewhat through my art, including my writing here. I'll be doing that with my original works, of course, but since rp is a piece of my creative work that I consider important to me, I don't want to shy away from it here, either. Throughout this month, I will be participating in the conversation surrounding SA topics, as I find that, while I'm sure that it is well-meaning, there's almost no conversation about them in the comic fandom space, despite the fact that it is a very common issue to see in DC Comics (for better or worse. often worse). This is, in my opinion, in part due to a lack of awareness or good-faith education about these things, as it can be a sensitive topic, and I absolutely understand not breaching the subject out of concern of messing up or making it worse. I'm not here to shame anyone for messing up, getting things wrong, or not having anything to say on this topic.
What I am here to do, is bring the conversation to this blog. I will be discussing survivor support, the emotional trauma of being a survivor and having experiences of SA, and other topics that relate to this throughout the month.
Now, since this is a sensitive topic, I want to make a few things clear:
On my blog, I do not erase Tim's experiences with SA. That said, since DC often used female characters who are heroes (Rose and Greta, as examples), I also refuse to add to demonizing these women, because they do not deserve that treatment. So, whenever Tim mentions these experiences, they will be characters who were part of a separate universe from the ones that we all play in. Meaning that anyone who plays one of the characters who has done some type of unconsensual contact with Tim-- their muses will not be the ones who did the act, nor will the muns be expected to ever even touch on the subject with me. Consent is important, and that extends to things like what plots two people write together. I will never force a mun to engage in this conversation with me. It is your right to join in with me in talking about these things, and it is your right to stay out of it, as well. This is also explained in my rules.
I will be leaving anon on in my inbox for now. If there is any hate given to me or Tim because of this, anon will be switched off immediately. This is a one-strike system.
That said, if you have well-meaning questions, concerns, or comments, I will treat your message or ask in extremely good faith, and I will not get upset with you, so long as it's clear that you're approaching with respect.
I will not be disclosing any further details of my own experiences, but that said: I am myself an SA survivor. This is where I am coming from with these topics. I want that to be clear for two reasons: 1. I am well-versed in discussions about this, and 2. I will be drawing partially from my own experiences in this. This is to ensure both that the topics are handled with nuance, and that the topics are handled with care.
I will be tagging these things. Every post that I make that even so much as tangentially refers to SAAM or SA topics will be tagged six ways to sunday. Please block the tags if this is a triggering topic for you, and please take care of yourself throughout this month. I more than understand not being comfortable with these topics, and I wish you the best. The tags I'll be using are: # tw: sa ; # // sa ; # sa ; # saam ; tw: sa mention ; // sa mention ; sa mention Any one of those tags should help you filter, but feel free to block them all, just in case.
Participation with me is encouraged! Seriously, I mean this. I mean it when I say that I'm not going to get upset with you over mistakes, and if you approach with respect and understanding, then you may not even make mistakes at all. The point of this is not just for me to yell into the void about this stuff as some sort of art therapy; it's to begin a discussion and better our understanding as a fandom space of these kinds of topics. I can't promise that it'll be sunshine and rainbows, but I can promise that we'll create incredibly beautiful things together. It'll be okay. Come interact with me. I am here for you. <3
I'll be posting more tomorrow about what sorts of things to expect to see out of this, but for now, I just wanted to write a (belated) introduction post to what I'm going to be doing this month, and how I'm going to be handling SAAM. I really hope you'll consider writing with me about these topics, showing support, or otherwise engaging with me in this conversation.
Thank you for reading, and I hope you take care. Do something kind for yourself today <3 ]
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nicoolios · 2 years ago
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My younger sister and I made all our Barbies and Bratz dolls gender bent Marvel and DC characters. When we both started getting into writing we included some original characters as well, some of whom we still use in our adult writing. There was no rhyme or reason. Our only Ken doll became Hank Pym. My pregnant Midge doll became Janet van Dyne, and when I fell head over heels for the animated Next Avengers movie the baby became Hank Pym Jr. They got to live in my fancy two story dream house. My Princess and the Pauper dolls were Black Panther and Magneto respectively. Some fancy Hollywood-themed ones were Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch. A Toy Story aliens themed one was Martian Manhunter, the Buzz Lightyear one a Green Lantern. We had Batgirl. Both Hawkeyes. American Dream. All of the Robins through I think Cassandra Cain, whoever was most recent in the late 2000s-early 2010s. Rogue (who was my celebrity chef Barbie, complete with full cooking setup, introducing the convoluted X-Men cooking show). Aquagirl and Mera. The fairy and mermaid dolls doing their own thing. Core Avengers, JLA, JSA, X-Men, name a major team and we had representation members. Looking back, we had way too many Barbies.
Our longest running story was our version of DC's Final Crisis, where Darkseid used the Anti-Life Equation to conquer Earth. That was the first big comic book event I read that made an impact, and me being a nerd basically since birth. Everybody got split up and had to survive on a post-apocalyptic planet, figure out how to defeat Darkseid, and deal with the psychological trauma of their friends getting corrupted by the equation and trying to kill them, including their families and children, who were mostly Stacy and Kelly dolls with the occasional baby Bratz and Polly Pocket. There were twists and turns, like if we got a new doll, came up with a new character, or I discovered my love of torturing my favorite characters. Our favorite dolls got kidnapped and tortured by Darkseid. There were impromptu funerals in our back yard for fallen heroes. Shit got real intense real quick. When we needed a break from that we had individual storylines for every hero.
Once we figured out who each doll was that fact never changed. Those stories even turned into the very first fanfic I ever wrote and published online: Apocalyptic End. God, those were the days.
the thing I love about the barbie movie hype is that it’s revealing how people played with barbies when they were a kid. I only had Barbies so typically I chose the lesbian affairs and murder plotting route, but if I was at a friend’s house and they had a Ken, I’d often go bisexual marital troubles. hey sound off how you played with your barbies I’m curious now
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bluejaysandblackbats · 1 year ago
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Five Little Ducks
Fandom: DC Comics, Batman
Summary: Bruce finds a magically de-aged Jason.
Chapters: 11/13
Characters: Jason Todd, Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson, Stephanie Brown, Duke Thomas, Zatanna Zatara
Additional Tags: De-Aged Jason Todd, Magic, Babysitting, Father-Son Relationship, Fluff and Angst, POV Third Person, Bruce Wayne is Not Okay, Bruce Wayne Tries, Jason Todd Has Issues, Childhood Trauma, TW: Self Harm
Chapter Eleven: Strawberry Cheesecake
Dick didn't expect a threat that night. He'd hoped things would be quiet. It wasn't like he planned a disturbance in the Diamond District. Jason was sharp, though. Completely unruffled and aware... But he didn't have to worry about his magically de-aged brother and their stressed-out father. Jason threw his body over Dick's, holding him down as the blast flew over their heads, freezing a safe at the end of the room. "You okay, Nightwing?" Jason asked. Before Dick could open his mouth, Jason was already on his feet, running at full speed toward Mr. Freeze. Dick cursed under his breath and followed Jason from a different direction.
At the last second, Jason switched paths, pulling one of Freeze's men to the ground by his hood. "What's going on?" Bruce asked over comms.
"Freeze... Robin's holding his own, though," Dick replied as he took out the men that seemed to flood the building suddenly. "Robin! How many?"
"At least fifteen!" Jason replied as he threw a Batarang and knocked out the lights. Dick couldn't help but be confused. He didn't remember Jason being this skilled. The fight didn't last long, and they managed to apprehend Freeze. Once it was over, they watched the police arrest from a nearby rooftop.
"Robin?" Dick whispered. Jason looked at him. "You saved my skin back there. Good looking out."
"It was nothin'. I got lucky. I saw a shadow move behind you," Jason confessed.
"Bull. That's not luck," Dick replied, "You did great out there, and you should be proud of yourself."
Jason smiled. "You know, Nightwing... I have the strangest craving for a snow cone," Jason replied. Dick laughed.
"Okay, I'll get you a snow cone-. Wait,” Dick whispered as he moved Jason’s bangs out of the way. “You’re bleeding.”
“My stitches,” Jason gasped. Dick relaxed and took butterfly bandages out of his utility belt. He used them to patch Jason up and messed up the boy’s hair. “Do you think Bruce is gonna be mad at me?”
“Nuh-uh,” Dick answered.
“I never had a brother before… I always wished I had a big brother so that I could talk about stuff that bothered me… I wanted somebody around to understand,” Jason confessed. Dick nodded. “I love B, but sometimes-. Sometimes I feel like I’ll never be the Robin he had with you. I asked about you once, and it was-. He looked through me.”
“He does that sometimes… It’s not personal. If we’re being honest with each other, I was jealous of you. You got the grown-up version of him, the better Bats, the better dad, the better person. And if we’re being brutally honest, you’re the only one that knows how to make him happy.
“I know how to push his buttons, but you have his heart. He’s been wrapped around your little finger ever since you met him,” Dick replied.
Jason bowed his head. “So, you don’t like me?” Jason mumbled.
“No. That’s not what I said. I might be jealous of you, but I don’t hate you. You can’t help being what you are. You’re a good kid… Compassionate, loyal, self-sacrificing to a fault. You would’ve taken that shot for me without a single thought,” Dick clarified, “I like you-. Hell, it’s more than that. I respect you.”
Jason grinned. “I respect you too. Wow... I-. I didn’t-. I’m gonna make you and B proud someday-.”
“You already have. That’s why you get to wear the costume,” Dick interrupted, “Robin isn’t a rigid concept… Robin is what you make it. You’re Robin now, and you’ve gotta do things your way. Show B a whole new way of looking at things.”
Jason hung on Dick’s every word. “It wouldn’t hurt for him to add a jacket to the Robin costume… And pants. It gets cold up here on these rooftops… And sometimes it snows,” Jason complained. Dick chuckled and nodded.
“That’s a reasonable demand. Draw something up, and I’ve got your back,” Dick replied, “And here’s a trick for the pixie boots: Put baby powder in your shoes to keep your feet warm.”
“I’m gonna try that tomorrow night,” Jason replied, “Did you get too old?” Jason kicked at a pebble on the rooftop before heading down the fire escape.
“Huh?” Dick asked.
“Why’d you start being Nightwing?” Jason questioned.
“Bruce and I had a disagreement, and I thought it was time that I picked a more grown-up look for myself. Hang up the cape and pixie boots… What flavor do you want?” Dick asked as they headed toward the corner.
“Strawberry cheesecake,” Jason answered confidently.
“Sounds good, maybe I’ll try that flavor too,” Dick replied as he allowed Jason to ride on his shoulders.
Jason waved his hands in the air. “I hope I’m tall like you when I grow up,” Jason stated.
“You’ll be taller… And bigger too,” Dick replied without thinking.
“Two strawberry cheesecake flavored snow cones… Small, please,” Dick ordered as he pulled cash from his belt. The man at the window took Dick’s money and gave him change, which Dick stuck in the tip jar.
Jason leaned forward to look at Dick’s face. “If I tell you something, will you promise not to laugh at me?” Jason questioned.
“Promise,” Dick answered as he passed Jason his snow cone.
"I’ve never been happier than I am now,” Jason whispered, “And I think-. I get sad when I think about it too much.”
“Focus on the now. If you’re happy right now, it wouldn’t do any good to spoil that for yourself… Now, let’s get you home before B starts worrying,” Dick replied as he led Jason to the Batmobile. He circled the block a few times while Jason ate, watching as Jason’s head drooped. “He loves you so much.”
“It doesn’t mean he doesn’t love you just the same,” Jason mumbled with his eyes closed. Dick took Jason’s snow cone paper and stacked it underneath his. “I’ve got another secret… I like pretending I’m asleep because I know he’ll pick me up.”
“That was always nice,” Dick smiled. Jason wasn’t a mystery, or at least he didn’t care to be. He talked because Dick listened. He didn’t have to experience Dick’s prickly exterior like he did the first time. And Dick kicked himself for that everyday.
When they arrived at home, Bruce pulled Jason out of the Batmobile and rubbed his back. “We’ll talk later,” Dick whispered, “His stitches split open, but he’s fine.”
Bruce slipped a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt over Jason’s costume. “You left comms on, but I turned it off once the conversation got personal… Do you understand why this was my favorite time with him now?” Bruce questioned.
“He’s a great kid,” Dick whispered, “I’m gonna change and meet you upstairs.”
“Okay… I’m gonna put him down for the night, and-.” Bruce clasped the tracking clip on the back of Jason’s collar. “Let’s get you to bed, Little Lad.” Dick smiled as he watched Bruce carry Jason out of the cave.
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