#superman would love that starfire’s another alien

[dammit-stark]

what’s the teen titans fic economy look like?? I was a big teen titans kid and I’m a superbat adult so I’ve been thinking about using my complete lack of canonical understanding to write a teen titans/batkids slice-of-life fic but I fear being judged for all the liberties I’m about to take

just something about batman and superman reluctantly adopting their son’s superpowered friends yk <3

[incorrect-green-lantern-quotes]

Currently drunk and imagining Green Lanterns being the resident alien experts in the Justice League/Titans/whatever superhero team they’re in

Like, when the JL first got together and Hal learned that two of his teammates were the last survivors of their worlds, he decided then and there that he would always support them in whatever way he could.

(Because as the first- and for a while, only- human in the Green Lantern Corps, Hal knew better than most what it was like to be the only one of his species in a room. It’s astonishingly lonely even when you know your planet and people are still alive and well.)

So Hal asks his ring for information about Krypton and Mars, which holidays their people had celebrated and held sacred, what foods they had enjoyed that he could recreate with ingredients available on Earth.

Hal ends up becoming the third JL member after Bruce and Diana to learn about Superman’s secret identity after Clark has to explain that he came to Earth as an infant and most of his own knowledge of Krypton is as secondhand as Hal’s is. J’onn however, is very touched by Hal’s attempts at baking N’bisko cookies, as it reminds him of when he would make them with his wife and daughter.

Guy inadvertently makes Hal's practices into a tradition when he gets roped into some Fourth World drinking games with Mr. Miracle and Big Barda. Apokolips might be a flaming hellhole, but it was still once home to them both and they do miss it at times. Even in his Warrior years, Guy keeps his pub stocked with food and drinks that are popular in space, in case he gets a hungry visitor from the stars.

From then on, it becomes a duty of their shared legacy. John in his rookie days didn’t listen much to Hal but this was one of piece of advice he did heed: You might end up with an alien refugee as a teammate at some point, and it is your job as a Green Lantern to be there for them when they’re homesick. John was never a member of the Titans, and he's certainly no mentor to the team's alien princess, but he does visit Starfire on days when her banishment from Tamaran weighs most heavily, like the Blorthog Festival.

Kyle had no idea about any of this when he inherited the last ring in the wake of the Corp’s twilight. Expecting him to pick up where his predecessors had left off would have been just another weight to carry on his shoulders. So instead the heroes who'd once been touched by a Green Lantern's kindness now return the favor for their only successor. They tell Kyle about the Corps that were the keepers of peace and justice across the universe for thousands of years. They tell him of how the emerald knights of Oa were brave and kind and loved by so many people.

They tell him these things because they see that the Green Lanterns were more than just an organization of lawmen. They were a legacy, a family, a culture. Unorthodox insofar as that every member was an adopted one, but that only meant Kyle is just as much a son of the Corps as Hal or Guy or John had ever been. He may be Oa’s last son, may not have known that he belonged to the Green Lanterns until their light was all but gone, but he would never have to be lonely.

[dreamersworldduh]

Hi! Do you have the requests open? If so I would like to ask maybe something about tim drake x male reader. Nothing very special, maybe the reader is a Kryptonian and also has a "hate/rivalry" relationship with him, That once the reader is seriously injured by kryptonite and Tim worries and takes care of him day and night while the reader recovers. I don't know, I think it would be interesting to see that, besides you write amazingly and it would be even cooler, there could even be a mini-series lol. Well I hope you manage to do it, if not, Well, I'll understand it anyway, I hope to continue reading your stories soon (I love Damian's story) 🥰🥰🥰

THORN IN HIS SIDE

• TIM DRAKE x MALE!READER

SUMMARY — Tim Drake, the focused leader of the Teen Titans, managed the unique strengths and challenges of his team. Each member, like Cassie, Raven, Starfire, and Beast Boy, contributed in their own way. Tim thrived on structure, carefully crafting strategies while keeping the team in line. However, one member, you, constantly tested his patience and disrupted his plans. Unlike Tim, you relied on instinct and preferred spontaneous actions. Though you weren't incapable, your unpredictable methods frustrated him. Your confidence and charisma rallied the team, making Tim feel as if he was competing for their loyalty. Despite his annoyance, Tim recognized your invaluable contributions, often leading to fresh ideas and inspiring others. In his heart, he was grateful for your influence on the Titans.

WARNING! FLUFF! Violence.

WORDS! 6.3k

AUTHOR'S NOTE! Thank you for your request and your support! Much love 🫶🏽 I hope you enjoy 😉✨

Y/N, a Kryptonian sharing the same alien heritage as Superman, never imagined the life he now lived. Rescued as a child from Krypton's destruction, his abilities rivaled the immense power of the Man of Steel, yet they remained raw and untamed. For years, he worked as Superman's protégé, absorbing the lessons of heroism under the unwavering gaze of Earth's greatest champion. While Y/N admired his mentor, he constantly battled with the daunting weight of expectation, struggling to carve out his own identity in the shadow of a living legend.

Amid this journey, Y/N's journey caught the eye of Wonder Girl, a rising star in the superhero world and a key figure in the Teen Titans. She saw something unique in him—a mix of vulnerability and raw strength that reminded her of what it meant to be young, powerful, and searching for purpose. To her, Y/N wasn't just another Kryptonian powerhouse; he was someone with untapped potential and a soul yearning for connection. Wonder Girl believed Y/N could bring something extraordinary to the Titans, a team that embodied the perfect balance between family and fighting force.

One day, Wonder Girl approached Y/N with an invitation that would change the trajectory of his life. She spoke with conviction about the Titans—how they weren't just a team but a close-knit family that thrived on mutual support and understanding. She described the camaraderie, the thrill of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with peers who understood the burden of extraordinary abilities, and the chance for Y/N to grow beyond the long shadow of Superman. Though hesitant at first, Y/N was intrigued. After much thought, he accepted the offer, yearning for a fresh start and the opportunity to prove himself.

Joining the Titans felt like stepping into a new world. The team welcomed him warmly, their diverse personalities forming a vibrant and chaotic tapestry of young heroism. Beast Boy wasted no time cracking jokes to break the ice, while Starfire's infectious enthusiasm made Y/N feel immediately at home. Even Raven, with her enigmatic demeanor, offered a quiet nod of approval. Missions with the team were exhilarating, pushing Y/N to adapt quickly as he realized just how much his Kryptonian powers could contribute. Yet, not everything was seamless, especially when he met the Titans' leader, Tim Drake.

Tim, the third Robin and a tactical genius, was the polar opposite of Y/N. Where Y/N relied on instinct and raw power, Tim was meticulous, deliberate, and calculated. From the moment they met, their personalities clashed like oil and water. Strategy meetings became arenas for subtle confrontations; Y/N often suggested daring, high-risk plans fueled by his confidence in his abilities, while Tim meticulously picked apart every flaw in his proposals. Tim's cold, analytical tone grated on Y/N's nerves, and Y/N's impulsive nature frustrated Tim to no end.

Their friction extended to the battlefield. Y/N's instinct to leap headfirst into danger often disrupted Tim's carefully laid plans. While his intentions were always noble—saving teammates, defusing threats before they escalated—Tim saw his actions as reckless, a disregard for the chain of command. Meanwhile, Y/N bristled at what he perceived as Tim's unwillingness to trust his instincts or acknowledge his contributions. The tension simmered, turning every mission into a secondary battleground between them.

For the rest of the team, the dynamic was impossible to ignore. Beast Boy jokingly referred to them as "frenemies," though the underlying tension was no laughing matter. Starfire tried to mediate with her boundless optimism, while Raven remained characteristically silent, though her raised brow often betrayed her amusement at their constant bickering. Despite the volatility, neither Y/N nor Tim could deny the other's strengths. Y/N couldn't help but respect Tim's brilliance, even if he found his rigid demeanor insufferable. Likewise, Tim begrudgingly acknowledged—if only to himself—that Y/N's raw power and instincts had saved the team more times than he cared to admit.

Their relationship became a powder keg of competition and unspoken respect. Y/N pushed Tim to loosen his grip on control, while Tim forced Y/N to think before acting. Each encounter between them was a battle of wills, with the team holding their breath to see whether the two would eventually find common ground—or explode into an all-out clash. One thing was certain: their rivalry, however tense, was driving them both to new heights. Whether it would ultimately end in mutual respect or irrevocable division was a question only time would answer.

Tim leaned against the counter in the Titans Tower common area, a steaming cup of coffee in hand, his sharp gaze fixed on the scene outside. The sprawling lawn just beyond the glass windows was alive with activity, the sounds of laughter and playful banter filtering faintly through the thick panes. Y/N was at the center of it, locked in an impromptu game of tag with Superboy and Beast Boy. The grin on his face was wide and unapologetically mischievous as he blurred across the lawn with Kryptonian speed, effortlessly dodging Beast Boy, who had taken on the sleek, feathered form of a falcon.

Hovering nearby, Superboy—arms crossed and a smirk tugging at his lips—watched the spectacle with amusement. "Really, Y/N? That's the best you've got? You call that fast?" Conner teased, his tone full of mock arrogance.

Y/N laughed, his voice bright and unrestrained. "Faster than you, Conner. Want me to prove it?" He suddenly shot upward, hovering in the air just long enough to taunt his feathered pursuer. "Come on, bird-boy, step it up!"

Beast Boy swooped low in an attempt to tag Y/N, only for the Kryptonian to spin out of his reach at the last moment, landing gracefully on the grass below. The crunch of his boots barely registered before he was off again, the game picking up in intensity.

Inside, Tim's jaw tightened as he watched the carefree display. He brought his coffee mug to his lips, taking a deliberate sip as his eyes narrowed. To Tim, this wasn't just harmless fun; it was yet another example of Y/N's irresponsibility, his refusal to take anything seriously. The longer Tim watched, the more his irritation simmered until it became impossible to ignore. He turned away abruptly, setting his mug down on the counter with a little too much force.

Cassie Sandsmark, lounging lazily on the nearby couch with her legs draped over one armrest and her phone in hand, caught the telltale signs of Tim's brewing frustration. She didn't even bother looking up as she spoke. "Okay, Tim. Just say it. You're dying to rant."

Tim shot her a look before pacing a few steps across the room, his agitation evident. "You want to know what drives me crazy, Cassie? That." He jabbed a finger toward the window, where Y/N had just tackled Conner, both of them laughing as they rolled onto the grass.

Cassie arched an eyebrow, finally setting her phone down as her curiosity got the better of her. "What, exactly, is 'that'? Two Kryptonians having fun? Beast Boy living his best animal life? Or the fact that you can't relate to any of it?"

"It's not about the goofing off," Tim snapped, though the sharpness in his voice betrayed him. "It's about Y/N. He's impossible, Cassie. Ever since he joined this team, he's been nothing but a headache. He doesn't follow orders. He doesn't respect plans. He just... does whatever he wants! Like the rest of us are just here to clean up after him."

Cassie leaned forward, her interest piqued. "Come on, Tim. Y/N's not that bad. He's just... spirited. Like you were when you started. And—"

"Don't compare him to me," Tim interrupted, his voice tight with irritation. "When I started, I knew how to follow orders. I wasn't out there flying around, heat vision blazing, acting like I could solve everything on my own."

Cassie tilted her head, a smirk tugging at her lips. "No, Tim, you were just dressing up in green tights and trying to keep up with Batman. Totally different."

Tim ignored the jab, continuing his tirade as he gestured toward the window. "Look at Conner. He's Kryptonian too. But do you see him acting like that? No. Conner listens. He works with the team. He doesn't treat this like it's some kind of playground."

Cassie let out a short laugh as she stood, stretching her arms above her head. "Tim, Conner used to wear leather jackets and call himself Superman 2.0. And you think Y/N's cocky?"

Tim rolled his eyes but pressed on, undeterred. "At least Conner's grown up. He's reliable. Y/N? He's all ego. He thinks just because he's Kryptonian, he doesn't have to follow the rules."

Cassie crossed her arms and stepped closer, her tone growing serious. "Or maybe you just don't like him because he's not you, Tim. Y/N challenges you. And let's be honest—you don't like being challenged."

Tim opened his mouth to argue but faltered, his expression darkening as he turned his gaze back to the window. Outside, Y/N had picked up Beast Boy—now in the form of a small, squirming cat—and was holding him aloft while laughing. Conner stood nearby, shaking his head in mock disapproval but clearly enjoying himself.

"I don't know, Cassie," Tim admitted finally, his voice quieter. "He's just... exhausting. A pain."

Cassie's expression softened, and she reached out to clap him on the shoulder. "He's your pain, Tim. And whether you like it or not, he's part of this team now. You'll figure it out. You always do."

With that, she turned and left, leaving Tim alone with his thoughts. His eyes lingered on the scene outside, a mix of frustration and reluctant curiosity swirling in his mind. For all of Y/N's recklessness, there was something about him that Tim couldn't quite dismiss. Whether it was admiration or simply annoyance, Tim wasn't sure. But one thing was certain—this wasn't the last time Y/N would challenge everything Tim thought he knew about leadership.

The Teen Titans gathered in the dimly lit briefing room, the usual buzz of camaraderie replaced by a suffocating tension. Conner had been missing for three days after not returning from a mission. His disappearance felt like a gaping hole in the team's core, but for Tim, it was personal. Conner wasn't just a teammate—he was his best friend, his brother. The loss was a wound, raw and urgent, that spurred Tim into overdrive. He had spent every waking moment combing through leads, piecing together fragments of evidence. Now, he stood before the team, every detail meticulously prepared, determined not to fail.

The holographic display of a sprawling research facility flickered to life above the central console, casting a blue glow over the somber faces of the Titans. Seated around the table, Wonder Girl, Starfire, Beast Boy, Raven, and Y/N studied the image. Each wore expressions of determination laced with unease. Even Starfire's usual warmth seemed dimmed under the weight of the situation.

Tim stood at the head of the table, his posture rigid and his voice steady as he began. "This is where they're holding Conner. A black-site research facility just outside Metropolis. No name, no public record, but the tech they're using? It's advanced. Advanced enough to take down a Kryptonian." His jaw tightened. "We don't have time to figure out who's backing them or why. The only thing that matters is getting Conner back—alive."

He tapped a control panel, and the hologram zoomed in on the facility's layout, revealing a labyrinth of corridors, fortified walls, and clusters of patrol patterns. "I've analyzed their defenses. Armed guards, surveillance drones, motion detectors. They've planned for intrusions, which means they'll be ready for us. But they've also made mistakes." He pointed to a section of the hologram. "These are their weak points. Here's the plan."

The room grew quieter as Tim's voice took on its characteristic precision. "Cassie, Starfire, Beast Boy—you'll approach from the north. Cause a distraction. Loud and chaotic. Make them think it's a full assault." Cassie nodded firmly, her fingers gripping the hilt of her lasso. Starfire's green eyes glimmered with a determined light, and Beast Boy gave a quick thumbs-up, his usual humor replaced by grim resolve.

Tim continued. "Meanwhile, Raven, Y/N, and I will infiltrate from the south wing." He gestured to a series of ventilation shafts and maintenance access points. "This area is less guarded, but not by much. Once inside, we'll head straight for the central lab. That's where they're likely keeping Conner. We regroup there, neutralize any threats, and get him out. Quick, clean, no unnecessary risks."

The team nodded along, their trust in Tim's leadership evident. All except Y/N, who leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, his brow furrowed. His instincts, honed by his Kryptonian heritage and countless battles, often clashed with Tim's rigid, calculated strategies. Now was no different. He stared at the hologram, skepticism etched across his face.

Tim noticed and locked eyes with him, his tone sharpening. "And Y/N," he said, his voice cutting through the room, "I need you to follow the plan. Exactly as I've laid it out."

Y/N raised an eyebrow, leaning forward. "You don't trust me? Is that it?"

Tim didn't waver, his gaze steady and unyielding. "I trust you to do your job, but your impulses are a liability. This mission isn't about showing off or proving anything. It's about Conner's life. If you deviate, if you act on instinct instead of sticking to the plan, you could put him—and all of us—in danger. Do you understand?"

The room fell silent, the tension between the two palpable. Raven glanced between them, her expression unreadable but her fingers twitching faintly, as if bracing for an argument. Cassie shifted in her seat but said nothing, her eyes fixed on Y/N. Even Beast Boy, usually quick with a quip, seemed to hold his breath.

Y/N's jaw tightened, his pride clearly bruised, but after a long pause, he gave a curt nod. "Fine. I'll follow the plan."

Tim didn't blink, didn't soften. He simply nodded back, turning his attention to the rest of the team. "Good. Then suit up. We leave in an hour."

As the Titans rose from their seats and filed out, Y/N lingered for a moment, his eyes still locked on the hologram of the facility. For all his bravado, a flicker of doubt crossed his face. Not about his abilities—he knew what he could do—but about whether following Tim's plan would be enough to save Conner.

Tim watched him from the corner of his eye but didn't say anything. He turned back to the display, his mind already running through every contingency, every possible failure point. Conner's life depended on this plan. On them. And Tim Drake wasn't about to let anything, or anyone, derail it.

The mission unfolded under the shroud of a moonless night, the Titans moving with practiced precision through the shadows. The air buzzed with tension, every member hyper-focused on their role. At the north entrance, Cassie, Starfire, and Beast Boy launched their diversion with dazzling chaos.

Starfire's energy blasts streaked through the dark like falling stars, each impact erupting in a burst of fiery brilliance that sent guards scrambling. Cassie wielded her golden lasso with an elegance that belied its devastating power, the crackling energy binding and electrocuting adversaries in one swift motion. Meanwhile, Beast Boy transformed into a hulking rhino, his massive form barreling through barricades and scattering enemies like toy soldiers. The cacophony of explosions, shouts, and roaring beasts filled the air, drawing the facility's defenders like moths to a flame.

Miles away, on the south wing, Tim Drake led Y/N and Raven with the precision of a seasoned tactician. Every step was calculated, every movement coordinated. They slipped past surveillance cameras and roving patrols, their presence a ghostly whisper in the heavily guarded corridors. Raven's dark portals shimmered with an otherworldly energy, allowing them to bypass locked doors and heavily reinforced checkpoints. Tim's grappling hook hissed as he secured it to overhead beams, pulling himself up with ease before disabling security systems with a flick of his wrist-mounted device.

Y/N followed close behind, his Kryptonian strength restrained but ready to explode into action at a moment's notice. His senses were on edge, his heightened hearing catching every echo, every distant thrum of machinery. He hated the slow, deliberate pace—every instinct screamed at him to act, to smash through the walls and find Conner. But Tim's voice echoed in his mind: Conner's life is on the line. Recklessness could cost him everything.

Tim paused at a junction, holding up a hand to stop the group. He crouched low, his eyes fixed on the glowing map projected from his wrist-mounted device. "We're close," he whispered. "The central lab is just up ahead. Stay quiet."

Raven nodded, her dark eyes scanning the corridor ahead. Y/N clenched his fists, his impatience mounting. He focused on his breathing, forcing himself to fall in line despite the growing urge to break away.

As they crept forward, a faint sound reached Y/N's ears. He froze mid-step, his head tilting slightly as his enhanced hearing kicked into overdrive. It was a voice—low, muffled, but unmistakable. His heart skipped a beat. He strained to hear more, the sound growing clearer with each passing second. It was Conner. He was sure of it.

Y/N's eyes widened, and he turned sharply toward Tim. "Tim," he whispered, his voice taut with urgency. "I hear him. Conner's down that way." He pointed toward a dimly lit side corridor branching off from their path.

Tim's head snapped toward the corridor, his jaw tightening. "We don't know that for sure," he replied, his tone low but firm. "It could be a trap."

"It's not a trap," Y/N shot back, his voice rising slightly. "I know his voice. It's him."

Tim's expression hardened. "And if it's a recording? A lure? We stick to the plan. The central lab is the target. That's where he's most likely being held."

Y/N's frustration flared, his fists clenching at his sides. "I'm not leaving him behind!" he hissed, his Kryptonian instincts screaming to take action.

"Y/N, stand down," Tim ordered, his voice sharp as steel. "That's an order. We can't afford to—"

But before Tim could finish, Y/N shot down the side corridor in a blur, his Kryptonian speed making it impossible for either Tim or Raven to stop him.

"Y/N!" Tim growled through clenched teeth, activating his comm unit. "Get back here! That's an order!" His voice crackled through the comms, but there was no response.

Raven turned her gaze to Tim, her expression unreadable but her tone calm. "Do we follow?"

Tim exhaled sharply, a storm of anger and worry flashing across his face. "No," he said after a moment, his voice tight. "We stick to the plan. If he's right, we'll find Conner. If he's wrong..." He trailed off, his mind already racing through contingencies.

Raven hesitated but nodded, her dark energy swirling faintly around her hands. "Then let's move. The longer we wait, the worse this gets."

Tim glanced down the now-empty corridor where Y/N had disappeared, his jaw tight with frustration. You better be right, Y/N, he thought grimly. With a sharp motion, he gestured for Raven to follow, leading the way toward the central lab.

Y/N followed the faint sound of Conner's voice through a maze of dimly lit corridors, his heart pounding with urgency. Each muffled syllable drew him closer until he arrived at a heavily secured steel door. Without hesitation, he planted his hands on the edges and pushed. The reinforced metal groaned in protest before screeching open under his Kryptonian strength, shards of broken locks clattering to the floor.

The room beyond was dimly lit, bathed in the eerie glow of fluorescent lights reflecting off sleek, metallic surfaces. At the center of the room lay Conner, strapped to a cold, sterile medical table surrounded by intricate machinery humming ominously. Energy bands glowing with a sickly green light pinned his arms and legs in place, the faint pulsation of their glow sapping him of strength.

Y/N's stomach twisted at the sight of his friend. Conner's usually vibrant complexion was ashen, his chest rising and falling weakly. For a moment, all Y/N felt was raw, unfiltered anger—a burning need to tear apart everything and everyone responsible.

"Conner!" he called, stepping further into the room.

The moment his boots hit the floor, his senses prickled. A chill crawled up his spine as an all-too-familiar voice echoed from the shadows.

"Well, well," the voice drawled, smooth and venomous. "If it isn't Superman's understudy."

Y/N's head snapped toward the corner of the room, and Lex Luthor emerged from the shadows, his sharp suit immaculate and his calculating smirk razor-sharp. In his hand, a small shard of Kryptonite glowed menacingly, its green hue casting ghostly shadows across his face.

"Did you really think you could storm in here unchallenged?" Lex said, his tone dripping with mockery. "You Kryptonians are so predictable. Always so... impulsive."

Y/N gritted his teeth, his fists clenching so tightly that his knuckles turned white. The nausea from the Kryptonite's presence gnawed at his insides, but he forced himself to stay focused. His eyes flicked between Conner's prone form and Lex, weighing his options.

"Let him go," Y/N growled, his voice low and dangerous.

Lex's smirk deepened. "Oh, I don't think so. Conner here is... special. A masterpiece, really. A perfect blend of Kryptonian and human DNA. And you? You're just another reckless child playing dress-up."

Y/N didn't wait for Lex to finish. He surged forward, pushing through the Kryptonite's weakening effects as his singular focus honed in on Conner. Reaching the table, he grabbed the glowing restraints and ripped them apart with a burst of raw strength. Sparks flew, and the machinery around him sparked and whined in protest.

"Y/N..." Conner mumbled weakly, his eyelids fluttering open. His voice was hoarse, barely audible. "You shouldn't... be here."

"Save it," Y/N said, gently helping him off the table. "We're getting out of here."

But before they could move, a sharp click echoed through the room. Y/N turned just in time to see Lex pull out a sleek pistol, its barrel glowing faintly green. His eyes widened in realization, but the Kryptonite in his system dulled his reflexes.

Lex fired. The Kryptonite bullet struck Y/N in the side, the pain exploding through his body like liquid fire. He staggered, his knees hitting the floor as a strangled cry escaped his lips. His vision blurred, and every breath felt like shards of glass slicing through his lungs.

"Foolish," Lex sneered, stepping closer, his weapon trained on Y/N's chest. "You Kryptonians are all the same—fragile in the face of real power. And you've made this far too easy."

Y/N fought to stay upright, clutching his side as blood seeped through his fingers. The room spun, but his focus remained on Conner, who was still too weak to fight.

Lex smirked, raising the gun. "Goodbye, boy."

Before he could pull the trigger, a golden blast of energy tore through the air, knocking the weapon from Lex's hand. He stumbled back in shock as the Titans burst into the room.

Starfire's glowing fists lit up the space like twin suns as she launched another energy blast, forcing Lex to retreat further. "Step away from them!" she commanded, her voice ringing with authority.

Wonder Girl charged in next, her lasso of lightning crackling with raw power. "You're done, Luthor!" she shouted, her eyes blazing with determination.

Behind them, Raven's dark magic filled the room, swirling around Y/N and Conner like a protective cocoon. Shadows danced across the walls as she focused her energy on shielding them from further harm.

Lex scowled, his perfect composure cracking. He glanced between the advancing Titans and the exit, weighing his options. "This isn't over," he hissed, retreating toward a hidden door at the far end of the room. With the press of a button on his wrist, a metallic door slid open, and he disappeared into the shadows.

"Coward," Cassie muttered, already turning her attention to Y/N.

The room fell silent except for the hum of dying machinery and Y/N's labored breaths. Tim was the first to reach him, dropping to his knees beside his teammate. Blood pooled around Y/N's side, the Kryptonite bullet still embedded in his flesh. His skin was pale, and his breathing shallow.

"Y/N," Tim said urgently, his voice steadier than the panic in his eyes. "Stay with me. We'll get you out of here."

"I'm fine," Y/N muttered weakly, though the strain in his voice betrayed him. "Get Conner out first."

"Stop talking," Tim snapped, his tone sharper than he intended. He pulled a small medkit from his utility belt, his hands moving with practiced precision. "You're not fine. That bullet is still in you."

Raven knelt beside him, her hands glowing with dark energy. "I can slow the effects," she said calmly, though her expression was tense. "But we need to get him back to the Tower. Fast."

Conner, still leaning heavily on Cassie for support, looked at Y/N with a mix of guilt and gratitude. "Y/N... I'm sorry. I never should've—"

"Don't," Y/N interrupted, forcing a faint smile despite the pain. "You'd do the same for me, Kon."

Tim's jaw tightened as he helped lift Y/N to his feet, his earlier frustration giving way to something softer. "We'll talk about your reckless decisions later," he muttered, his voice quieter now. "Right now, let's get you out of here."

With the team covering their retreat, the Titans made their way out of the facility, battered but victorious. Y/N, barely conscious, leaned on Tim as they moved. For all the annoyance and tension between them, Tim couldn't shake the thought that losing Y/N wasn't an option he was willing to consider. Not now. Not ever.

Tim stood just outside the medbay of Titans Tower, his shoulders stiff and his hands shoved deep into the pockets of his utility belt. He leaned against the wall, his eyes locked on the scene inside. Y/N lay unconscious on the operating table, his normally vibrant complexion pale and lifeless. The faint hum of machinery filled the air, the glow of Kryptonite-removal equipment casting an unsettling green light over the room. Cyborg was hunched over Y/N, his mechanical fingers moving with the kind of precision only he could manage, carefully extracting every trace of the deadly Kryptonite bullet from the Kryptonian's body.

Tim's jaw tightened as he watched, his mind a storm of emotions he couldn't control. Worry. Frustration. Guilt. He was used to pressure, to life-or-death situations, but this felt different. Y/N wasn't just another teammate—he was family. And now, all Tim could do was stand there, helpless, as Cyborg worked to save him.

The sound of footsteps behind him pulled Tim from his spiraling thoughts. He turned to see Conner Kent approaching, still visibly drained from his own ordeal. The usually confident Superboy leaned against the doorway for support, his face etched with guilt and worry.

"How's he doing?" Conner asked, his voice quiet but heavy.

Tim exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair. "Cyborg's got the bullet out, but the Kryptonite poisoned his system. It's going to take time for his body to recover. He's stable... for now." Though Tim's tone was measured, there was no mistaking the tightness in his voice.

Conner's gaze shifted to Y/N, lying motionless on the table. His fists clenched at his sides. "He saved me," he said after a moment, his voice thick with guilt. "If he hadn't come after me... if he hadn't—"

"He shouldn't have had to," Tim interrupted, sharper than he intended. Conner flinched at the words, but Tim didn't stop. "None of this should've happened."

Tim sighed, leaning back against the wall as his anger ebbed, replaced by exhaustion. He crossed his arms, staring down at the floor. "I told him to stick to the plan," he muttered, his voice quieter now. "I begged him to stick to the plan. But no—Y/N being Y/N, he had to go charging in like a hero."

Conner straightened slightly, his guilt replaced by a flicker of defiance. "He is a hero, Tim. He saved me."

Tim looked up, his eyes narrowing. "And he almost got himself killed doing it. Do you even realize how reckless that was? He ran off without backup, straight into a trap set by Lex Luthor! He got lucky this time, Conner. But what about next time? What happens if he doesn't make it out?"

Conner's jaw tightened, his voice low but firm. "You think I wanted him to get hurt for me? I didn't. But he did what he had to do. Just like you would've."

Tim opened his mouth to argue but stopped himself, the words catching in his throat. He stared at Conner, frustration and understanding warring in his expression. Finally, he leaned back against the wall, running a hand over his face.

"He drives me crazy," Tim admitted, his voice softer now. "He's reckless. Impulsive. Half the time it feels like he's actively trying to make me lose my mind. But he's also... brave. He cares about this team, about the people he's fighting for, more than anything else. And yeah, he saved your life tonight. I respect him for that."

Conner's expression softened, and for a moment, the two of them stood in silence, their gazes drawn to Y/N. The rhythmic beeping of the monitors filled the quiet, a small reassurance that their friend was still fighting.

Finally, Cyborg stepped out of the medbay, pulling off his surgical gloves. He looked exhausted but satisfied as he addressed them. "He's gonna be okay," Cyborg said, his voice steady. "I got all the Kryptonite out, and his system's stabilizing. He's not out of the woods yet, but with rest and some time, he'll make a full recovery."

Tim exhaled sharply, relief flooding through him. "Thanks, Vic," he said quietly, his voice carrying more emotion than he intended.

Cyborg nodded, offering them a reassuring smile before heading down the hall. Conner leaned heavily against the doorframe, his shoulders sagging with relief. Tim, meanwhile, stayed rooted in place, his eyes never leaving Y/N.

"You should tell him that," Conner said suddenly, breaking the silence.

Tim glanced at him, frowning. "Tell him what?"

Conner smirked faintly. "All that stuff about respecting him. You know, before you start chewing him out for breaking the plan again."

Tim rolled his eyes, though a small, reluctant smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "I'll think about it."

They stood there for a moment longer, watching as Y/N's chest rose and fell with steady breaths. The tension that had gripped the Tower for hours was finally beginning to ease, replaced by the quiet strength of their bond. For all their arguments, all the mistakes and risks, they were a team. And in that moment, Tim knew one thing for certain: he'd fight just as hard for Y/N as Y/N had for Conner.

They would get through this. Together.

The past few days had blurred into a haze of recovery for Y/N. After surviving the mission, the Kryptonite wound, and the chaos of Lex Luthor's escape, he was confined to the medbay at Titans Tower. His Kryptonian physiology had worked overtime to heal him, but the lingering effects of Kryptonite poisoning slowed his usual rapid recovery. Every movement sent a dull ache radiating from his side, and exhaustion hung over him like a heavy cloud. He hated feeling vulnerable, trapped in bed while the team moved forward without him.

What Y/N hadn't expected, though, was Tim's constant presence.

Tim wasn't known for his warmth. He was the strategist, the tactician—the one who held the team together with sharp focus and relentless discipline. But since Y/N had stabilized, Tim had been a near-constant fixture in the medbay. Y/N would drift in and out of restless sleep, only to find Tim sitting nearby, flipping through mission reports or scrolling through data on his tablet. At first, Y/N thought it was a coincidence, but by the third day, it was clear: Tim wasn't just checking in; he was hovering.

The morning light filtered dimly through the reinforced windows as Y/N stirred awake, groggy but alert. The soft whoosh of the medbay door opening caught his attention, and he turned his head to see Tim walking in, balancing a tray in one hand and a folder in the other.

"Is that...?" Y/N rasped, his voice hoarse from disuse.

"Chicken noodle soup," Tim replied without missing a beat. He set the tray on the bedside table with a practiced ease, as if he'd done this a hundred times before. "Figured you'd be tired of Raven's herbal remedies by now."

Y/N blinked, caught off guard by the gesture. A faint smirk tugged at his lips as he propped himself up on his elbows, wincing slightly at the motion. "Didn't peg you for the soup-delivery type, Drake."

Tim raised an eyebrow, pulling up a chair and sitting down. "I didn't make it. I'm not a miracle worker," he said, his tone dry. "Picked it up from that diner downtown. Best chicken noodle soup in the city."

Y/N chuckled softly, though the movement made his side throb. "Wow. I didn't know you had a nurturing side. What's next? Tucking me in?"

Tim rolled his eyes but didn't respond to the jab. Instead, he unfolded a napkin and placed it neatly next to the bowl, his movements precise and deliberate. "Eat," he instructed, gesturing toward the tray. "You need to keep your strength up."

Y/N raised an eyebrow, more curious than amused now. "Okay, seriously, what's going on with you? You've been checking on me like clockwork. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate it, but... it's a little out of character."

Tim hesitated for a moment, his usual composed demeanor faltering just enough for Y/N to notice. He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms as he met Y/N's gaze. "You almost died," he said bluntly. His voice was even, but the weight behind his words was unmistakable. "And before you give me the 'Kryptonians bounce back' speech, don't. Kryptonite changes everything. We didn't know if you were going to make it, and I—" He stopped himself, glancing away briefly before continuing. "I don't want to go through that again."

Y/N's smirk faded, replaced by a look of quiet surprise. He wasn't used to seeing Tim like this—unguarded. Vulnerable. "Tim, I'm fine," he said, though the words came out softer than he intended. "You don't have to—"

"I'm going to, whether you like it or not," Tim interrupted, his voice firm. "You're not fine yet. And until you are, I'm going to make sure you have what you need. Even if that means... soup."

Y/N studied him for a long moment, the teasing gone from his expression. There was something unspoken in Tim's words, a guilt he hadn't voiced. "You're blaming yourself," Y/N said quietly.

Tim's jaw tightened, and he looked away, staring at the wall as if it held the answers he couldn't give. "If I'd handled the mission better—if I'd planned for Luthor, accounted for the Kryptonite—none of this would've happened."

"That's not on you," Y/N said, his voice firm despite the ache in his side. "I made the choice to go after Conner. Nothing you could've done would've stopped me."

Tim shook his head, frustration flashing across his face. "You shouldn't have had to make that choice. It's my job to keep this team safe, to make sure everyone gets out in one piece. And you—"

"I'm still here," Y/N interrupted, his tone steady. "You did your job, Tim. You got us out. You saved me."

Tim sighed, his shoulders sagging slightly as the tension eased. "Doesn't mean I'm not going to make sure you're okay now."

Y/N let out a soft laugh, the sound carrying more warmth than amusement. "You're stubborn, you know that?"

Tim smirked faintly, leaning back in his chair. "Takes one to know one."

The room fell into a comfortable silence. Y/N finally picked up the spoon and took a tentative sip of the soup. It was warm and surprisingly good, a welcome change from the bland nutrient packs he'd been stuck with. He glanced at Tim out of the corner of his eye, a small, genuine smile tugging at his lips.

"You know," Y/N said, his tone light but teasing, "if you keep this up, I might start thinking you actually like me."

Tim scoffed, his smirk widening slightly. "Don't push your luck."

For the rest of the afternoon, Tim stayed by Y/N's side, quietly flipping through mission reports while Y/N finished his soup. It wasn't a grand gesture, and Tim would never make a big deal out of it. But to Y/N, it meant more than words could say. For all of Tim's stoic exterior, his actions spoke volumes. And in that moment, Y/N realized something he hadn't before: Tim Drake cared. In his own stubborn, meticulous way, he cared. And that made all the difference.

[punnifullife]

I’m not sure if we are still talking about potential careers for the titans

but hear me out something in astronomy for starfire I mean she’s always speaking so passionately about space and the stars and everything about it like she loves space

For beast boy maybe a comedian I mean come on now he’s a jokester it just makes sense also he’s got some trauma which most comedians do… and unfortunately it’s true

Robin I like the bartender idea it’s out there but I can see it but maybe not for a long time career more like an undercover thing for a few months or something to get info off something going on in the bar/nightclub like maybe human trafficking or something along those lines. I feel like he’d be private investigator or something along those lines lines

Cyborg I can see him as an automotive engineer or mechanical engineer like mans loves his cars and vehicles i just know he’d be the best in the game with how extra he is with his own car maybe he’d eventually develop his own car brand down the line

I am always happy to hear any of your thoughts!! I think Gabriel Picolo and Kami Garcia's Starfire comic hints at her interest in astronomy! Think she's doing classes or internship at NASA or something in the previews. (Anyone else got their fingerscrossed that their will be robstar stuff?? Or yall think DCs got the last say and the answer is NOPE) Astronomy is a cute idea for Star/Kory! Someone replied to my og post and said she would also probably work a food truck with BB. and i think that sounds so in character to their 003 counterparts. imagine a weird alien-tofu fusion truck like wtf kinda food is that. but it would go crazy because people would love a weird trend like that. I know I don't write a lot outside of Dick, but i will say, i do have some loose ideas for the other boys. and one involves Tim being the private investigator after he handles the robin mantle over (since dc cant decide if he's still robin or red robin or whatever the hell theyre thinking. at this point). I think the NTT comics had him as a...journalist?? when deathstroke attacks him, he's got like a typewriter but idk if that was ever expanded upon. (also wouldnt that be kinda cute that Dick gets some inspo from superman with his alter ego as a journalist named Clark Kent? hm hm hm) Cy as a car mechanic was another idea i thought about! he was really big on cars in tt03. He's hard to think about along with bb and kory since they all kinda stand out A LOT. compared to rae and dick. Guess they can use Cy's ring technology and wear disguises!

[stuffnrandomshi]

alabastercloud:

cephiedvariable:

coelasquid:

rosalarian:

dresdencodak:

Seeing as how I’ve done both the top ten for best and worst superhero costume redesigns, I feel obligated to put my money where my artistic mouth is and take a stab at fixing or updating some of these costumes.  I’ve picked five here based on: 

It’s a particularly awful outfit that doesn’t fit the character, or

It’s a solid character who just needs some updating or tweaking

I’ll list these in order of “reboot depth:”

5. Starfire

What’s wrong: In the wake of DC’s “new 52” this felt like a no-brainer.  Starfire is a decent character who’s always, in my opinion, gotten the short end of the costume stick.  I get that she’s supposed to be sexually liberated and somewhat polyamorous, and that’s fine, but dressing like a John Carter’s Princess of Mars-themed stripper doesn’t cut it.  Really, up until the Teen Titans cartoon she’s always been in the most awkward and impractical getups for someone fighting crime.

The Fix: I went for the simple route and took some notes from the cartoon (notably the skirt). I wanted to make sure it kept the bubbly, innocent feeling of the character while also hinting at some power (with the exposed arms here).  The overall effect is meant to convey someone who’s tough, cheerful and comfortable flying around in the air.

4. Dr. Strange

What’s wrong: I love Dr. Strange, but he’s always had the worst outfits.  For a guy who basically hangs out in his house in the West Village, he seems to always wear the most ostentatious getups.  He’s not an alien from another planet or from some culture that would dress that way, he’s a grown man who became a wizard well into adulthood.  Nothing wrong with having some style while you’re maintaining the balance of the mystic planes.

The Fix: Two parts Vincent Price, one part Christopher Lee and one part Dr. Orpheus, this Dr. Strange is still magical, but with a more coherent design direction.

3. Ms. Marvel

What’s Wrong: Simply put, I think it’s embarrassing for Marvel to showcase a prominent character like Ms. Marvel and have her wearing that outfit.  It’s just so tacky, and tells us nothing about the character.  Basically they just changed the colors of Jean Grey’s Phoenix costume and exposed more skin.  Come on, guys.

The Fix: Since her origins are ostensibly tied with Captain Marvel, I decided to go a route that’s more along the lines of the Ultimate Marvel version of that character, where her abilities come from alien technology rather than vague space magic.  The notion that she’s, for example, permanently bound with this technology that she doesn’t fully understand can make for some interesting stories.  There can be some potential with this character again with just a little bit of tweaking.

2. Wonder Woman

What’s Wrong: Wonder Woman, in my opinion, is a character that’s always been on the cusp of being really neat but never quite making it like Superman or Batman.  Although a feminist pop icon, her origins are too tied up with creator WIlliam Marston’s obsession with bondage.  Because of this (and an all-too-frequent parade of poor or sexist writing), she’s never had a solid, progressive design.  The 21st century can update this character.

The Fix: One part Thor, three parts Xena. I’d push the mythological angle further.  Just as nobody thinks of Thor as “Superman with a hammer” I don’t want Wonder Woman to be “girl Superman,” as she’s sometimes seen.  I’ve also tweaked her origin slightly, making her a more literal “statue come to life.” This isn’t as extreme as it seems: in regular canon, Wonder Woman’s origin was that she was formed out of clay by the queen of the Amazons, and imbued with the powers of the Greek Gods.  This, I think offers more story possibilities if she’s less literally human, physically.  Her personality would remain the same (nothing more fun than the perspective of an Amazon in the modern world), but we now have an added Pinnochio-style layer.

The costume change is mostly conservative.  Because of the strong fetish associations (and overall impracticality for a fighting Amazon), I’ve removed the lasso in favor of more traditional Greek weapons.  The overall effect is intended to push Wonder Woman’s core themes further while making her also stand out as more than just “the female superhero.”

1. Superman

What’s Wrong: Since his creation, Superman’s drifted from being a progressive champion for the common man to a patriotic middle-America boyscout who represents the establishment and traditional values. When he was developed in the 30s, Superman was very much a Depression-era hero, mostly going after villains like crooked money lenders and saving people who were being abused by the system.  His superpowers came from the fact that he was from a more advanced society, and his morals too were because he was simply a brainier, more sophisticated guy.  During and following WW2 and into the Cold War, though, he became an official symbol for American values in particular (it was originally “Truth and Justice,” without “the American Way”).  He was now not just an alien, but an alien raised by simple Kansas farmers and his abilities had a more generic “superpower” explanation.  This is all fine, really, but I think the original concept is more compelling these days.

The Fix: ”Superman: the Man of Tomorrow, Strange Visitor from Another World.” I really want to push that.  First off, Kryptonians should actually look like aliens and not white people. Here I have Kal-El from a race of beings who are essentially post-human (in that they’ve long since merged with technology).  They’re strange to our mortal eyes but mean well.  I’d keep the “destroyed planet” origin but more heavily emphasize the “non-interference” part of Superman’s mission statement.  

If you’ll remember from the 70s movie, his father Jor-El told him he was forbidden to interfere with the course of human history, but when you think about it, that’s kind of vague.  What I’ve done is added a Star Trek or Uatu the Watcher kind of prime directive to all advanced species:  Kal-El can’t let people know that he’s an alien, nor can he openly interact with them using advanced technology.  Still, he’s a compassionate guy and wants to help, so he takes the form of “Superman” to inspire the mortals in a constructive way.  Also, the notion that he can take on different forms means that the Clark Kent secret identity need not be as bad as it currently is.

The costume redesign holds to the basic themes but makes it a little more working class.  The buttons at the top are meant to invoke overalls, and the sleeves are cut a little higher for someone working with their hands.  I’ve removed the spandex and gone with looser fitting slacks, while keeping a short cape and boots, since he’s still an adventurer.

Overall I want to evoke a classic Superman feel while making it a little more modern in its exploration of the sci fi themes.  He’s still basically the same guy:  an alien from another world looking to fight injustice, but without the overt patriotism and a quirkier execution of the secret identity.

*********************

So there you have it.  I’ve hope you’ve enjoyed my superhero costume trilogy!

Part 1: The Best Superhero/Villain Redesigns

Part 2: The Worst Superhero/Villain Redesigns

That Superman is… probably the best redo of Superman I have ever seen, both in looks and backstory. Bravo!

cool stuffff

The Starfire is a no brainer, the Dr. Strange is my new unrequited fictional crush, the Wonder Woman is breath-taking and that take on Superman is one thousand degrees of shit I didn’t know I wanted but I would be so comfortable if they uprooted over 70 years of comic book history to change him into this.

alabastercloud:

cephiedvariable:

coelasquid:

rosalarian:

dresdencodak:

Seeing as how I’ve done both the top ten for best and worst superhero costume redesigns, I feel obligated to put my money where my artistic mouth is and take a stab at fixing or updating some of these costumes.  I’ve picked five here based on: 

It’s a particularly awful outfit that doesn’t fit the character, or

It’s a solid character who just needs some updating or tweaking

I’ll list these in order of “reboot depth:”

5. Starfire

What’s wrong: In the wake of DC’s “new 52” this felt like a no-brainer.  Starfire is a decent character who’s always, in my opinion, gotten the short end of the costume stick.  I get that she’s supposed to be sexually liberated and somewhat polyamorous, and that’s fine, but dressing like a John Carter’s Princess of Mars-themed stripper doesn’t cut it.  Really, up until the Teen Titans cartoon she’s always been in the most awkward and impractical getups for someone fighting crime.

The Fix: I went for the simple route and took some notes from the cartoon (notably the skirt). I wanted to make sure it kept the bubbly, innocent feeling of the character while also hinting at some power (with the exposed arms here).  The overall effect is meant to convey someone who’s tough, cheerful and comfortable flying around in the air.

4. Dr. Strange

What’s wrong: I love Dr. Strange, but he’s always had the worst outfits.  For a guy who basically hangs out in his house in the West Village, he seems to always wear the most ostentatious getups.  He’s not an alien from another planet or from some culture that would dress that way, he’s a grown man who became a wizard well into adulthood.  Nothing wrong with having some style while you’re maintaining the balance of the mystic planes.

The Fix: Two parts Vincent Price, one part Christopher Lee and one part Dr. Orpheus, this Dr. Strange is still magical, but with a more coherent design direction.

3. Ms. Marvel

What’s Wrong: Simply put, I think it’s embarrassing for Marvel to showcase a prominent character like Ms. Marvel and have her wearing that outfit.  It’s just so tacky, and tells us nothing about the character.  Basically they just changed the colors of Jean Grey’s Phoenix costume and exposed more skin.  Come on, guys.

The Fix: Since her origins are ostensibly tied with Captain Marvel, I decided to go a route that’s more along the lines of the Ultimate Marvel version of that character, where her abilities come from alien technology rather than vague space magic.  The notion that she’s, for example, permanently bound with this technology that she doesn’t fully understand can make for some interesting stories.  There can be some potential with this character again with just a little bit of tweaking.

2. Wonder Woman

What’s Wrong: Wonder Woman, in my opinion, is a character that’s always been on the cusp of being really neat but never quite making it like Superman or Batman.  Although a feminist pop icon, her origins are too tied up with creator WIlliam Marston’s obsession with bondage.  Because of this (and an all-too-frequent parade of poor or sexist writing), she’s never had a solid, progressive design.  The 21st century can update this character.

The Fix: One part Thor, three parts Xena. I’d push the mythological angle further.  Just as nobody thinks of Thor as “Superman with a hammer” I don’t want Wonder Woman to be “girl Superman,” as she’s sometimes seen.  I’ve also tweaked her origin slightly, making her a more literal “statue come to life.” This isn’t as extreme as it seems: in regular canon, Wonder Woman’s origin was that she was formed out of clay by the queen of the Amazons, and imbued with the powers of the Greek Gods.  This, I think offers more story possibilities if she’s less literally human, physically.  Her personality would remain the same (nothing more fun than the perspective of an Amazon in the modern world), but we now have an added Pinnochio-style layer.

The costume change is mostly conservative.  Because of the strong fetish associations (and overall impracticality for a fighting Amazon), I’ve removed the lasso in favor of more traditional Greek weapons.  The overall effect is intended to push Wonder Woman’s core themes further while making her also stand out as more than just “the female superhero.”

1. Superman

What’s Wrong: Since his creation, Superman’s drifted from being a progressive champion for the common man to a patriotic middle-America boyscout who represents the establishment and traditional values. When he was developed in the 30s, Superman was very much a Depression-era hero, mostly going after villains like crooked money lenders and saving people who were being abused by the system.  His superpowers came from the fact that he was from a more advanced society, and his morals too were because he was simply a brainier, more sophisticated guy.  During and following WW2 and into the Cold War, though, he became an official symbol for American values in particular (it was originally “Truth and Justice,” without “the American Way”).  He was now not just an alien, but an alien raised by simple Kansas farmers and his abilities had a more generic “superpower” explanation.  This is all fine, really, but I think the original concept is more compelling these days.

The Fix: ”Superman: the Man of Tomorrow, Strange Visitor from Another World.” I really want to push that.  First off, Kryptonians should actually look like aliens and not white people. Here I have Kal-El from a race of beings who are essentially post-human (in that they’ve long since merged with technology).  They’re strange to our mortal eyes but mean well.  I’d keep the “destroyed planet” origin but more heavily emphasize the “non-interference” part of Superman’s mission statement.  

If you’ll remember from the 70s movie, his father Jor-El told him he was forbidden to interfere with the course of human history, but when you think about it, that’s kind of vague.  What I’ve done is added a Star Trek or Uatu the Watcher kind of prime directive to all advanced species:  Kal-El can’t let people know that he’s an alien, nor can he openly interact with them using advanced technology.  Still, he’s a compassionate guy and wants to help, so he takes the form of “Superman” to inspire the mortals in a constructive way.  Also, the notion that he can take on different forms means that the Clark Kent secret identity need not be as bad as it currently is.

The costume redesign holds to the basic themes but makes it a little more working class.  The buttons at the top are meant to invoke overalls, and the sleeves are cut a little higher for someone working with their hands.  I’ve removed the spandex and gone with looser fitting slacks, while keeping a short cape and boots, since he’s still an adventurer.

Overall I want to evoke a classic Superman feel while making it a little more modern in its exploration of the sci fi themes.  He’s still basically the same guy:  an alien from another world looking to fight injustice, but without the overt patriotism and a quirkier execution of the secret identity.

*********************

So there you have it.  I’ve hope you’ve enjoyed my superhero costume trilogy!

Part 1: The Best Superhero/Villain Redesigns

Part 2: The Worst Superhero/Villain Redesigns

That Superman is… probably the best redo of Superman I have ever seen, both in looks and backstory. Bravo!

cool stuffff

The Starfire is a no brainer, the Dr. Strange is my new unrequited fictional crush, the Wonder Woman is breath-taking and that take on Superman is one thousand degrees of shit I didn’t know I wanted but I would be so comfortable if they uprooted over 70 years of comic book history to change him into this.

[sea-owl]

I am determined to make bestie in laws Clark and Kori a thing. Even if I have to do it all by myself.

Warning this is long and I'm on mobile

They first meet even before Dick and Kori or Bruce and Clark got together. Kori and Dick had a huge fight because of Dick repressing his emotions and trying to control his teammates powers aka he's being a mini Bruce. Kori sick of his shit leaves the Titans for a little while.

Kori turns off her communicator and just flys with no destination in mind.

She ends up in Metropolis.

Now Clark and Kori knew of each other from news repots and Batman's stalking the Titans but this would be the first time Superman and Starfire have officially met and talked to one another.

Clark offers a kind ear and Kori vents her frustrations. Ah Clark gets it. Dick unfortunately picked up more than a few of Bruce's habits that Clark and Alfred are still working on Bruce breaking. Clark also notices that Kori is a little bit like a mixture between him and Diana. He sees the warrior in her that is also in Diana but he also sees her kindess and love that he has.

Kori sticks around Metropolis for the next week or so. Happy enough to help Superman there.

Of course the press takes notice that one of Jump City's heros is now in Metropolis. Lois raises an eyebrow at Clark. Clark tells her, "She needed a break." Lois knowing Robin being part of the Titans understands.

Robin eventually came to Metropolis when he caught word that Starfire was there. They were both still angry with one another, him for her leaving without a way for the Titans to find her and her for his controlling ways.

Clark makes them sit down and talk it out. He also plays translator to Dick's Wayne speak.

The two work things out and go home. Clark is surprised when Kori hands him a communicator. It isn't like ones he's seen before. Kori explains that it's one from Tamaran and she has others. She would like to keep in contact with Clark and has change the settings to english so he can read the messages. Clark agrees and takes the communicator.

They keep in regular contact after that. Once in a while Kori will come visit Metropolis.

Kori knows Clark loves Bruce even before Clark does. She can see it in his face when he talks about the other man.

Clark is also the reason Bruce starts to warm up to Kori.

"You keep in contact with the alien?" Bruce questioned after seeing the communicator Kori left Clark. Not even looking up Clark responded. "Her name is Starfire and she is very nice. She's been good for Dick. Honestly if she was human you'd try to adopt her."

Kori met Lois during a visit and Clark regrets it.

Kori and Lois scheme superbat matchmaking schemes. One of them being having Kori kiss Clark in front of Bruce on the basis that Kori wanted to learn kryptonian. Lois knew of Bruce's jealousy would put them closer to superbat.

Clark does try to learn Tameranean from her.

Ma and Pa Kent adore Kori. Kori is fascinated by farm life.

When Kori is pregnant and needs a belly massage she demands Clark does it because no one else can get the right amount of pressure like him.

When annoyed by their spouces Clark and Kori will start talking in only kryptonian and/or tameranean. They also gossip in these languages.

The communicator Kori gave Clark when they first met is still how they mainly communicate even years later

[an-ambivalent]

I really hope i havent bothered you with my previous message

You're all good homie 👍 I like getting asks like the ones you sent me. I'm not sure what's the issue with phone, I think it might just be on apple because another blog I follow were getting asks about things not working properly for their followers either and that's the conclusion they came to. Everything seems to be working fine for me so I'm not sure how to help you in that. Maybe try closing the app and using it again? In the meantime, if it helps, you can surf through my masterpost that leads to other masterposts that gave majority of my writing linked on them. Masterpost <- click / tap that link.

Requests are kinda open?? I mention the honest truth in my bio that I suck at doing them because majority of the time I have series going on which are my primary focus to update, or most of them the time I do just write my own thing, but I do do my best to write the ones I like. But if not that, then I'm always open to discussing headcanons and throwing ideas around and answering asks!

Anyway, I'd be happy to give input to what you sent for now because it is an idea I have been thinking about too tbh. Not necessarily like that but-- uh lemme go over it.

You mentioned Madara with an alien lover right? Right, so technically speaking, Starfire is an alien to an extent. (im in love with her). And Gwen from Ben 10 is part alien too!! Their powers are sort of similar?? Like the aesthetic of it you know

Starfire:

Gwen:

I love their powers like with both there's this energy manupilation kinda thing and shooting out bolts and energy beams. Gwen is more on the telekinesis, psychic power side and Kori has superhuman abilities too. I've been, more and less, daydreaming about an OC from outer space or whatever with power that's like this, getting trapped in the Naruto World during the Warring States Era 🤔 she could be OP ASF like Gwen's grandma but the point is she kicks butt 😏👌

I'm not sure if I'd want Madara to be a yandere in this au tho :/ maybe, I think as an alien life form that'd most likely be way more advanced than warring era ninjas, she'd be kinda stronger than him. I also think it would be cute for Madara to be absolutely smittened with a alien because she can wipe the floor with him, and being her #1 fan.

Like grinning widely in pride because that's his love who's beating down 50 guys at once and breathing out radiactive energy that have their skins melting off. Leading his clan / the leaf village to their victories and blinding people by shooting lasers in their eyes. His sweet beloved is so strong but so weak when it comes to his touch. Ugh diabetic fluff 😩👌

Or maybe he could be a soft yandere you know?? Like he's still protectice of her and makes her feel safe by being the big spoon no matter how much stronger she is.

Or if you do wish for him to be full possessive yandere bastard like he is, he finds out her weakness (maybe something that's like her kryptonite if she was metaphorically superman) and using that as a way to get leverage over her and keeping her to himself....

aha.... You can telll I kinda daydreamed about this a lot 😅 You dear sweet person, gave me the perfect opportunity to vent :]

(i saved your other messages in case for when I write headcanons for it!)

[shishidoryofan]

In Laws

Dickkory Week ‘19 Day 2

--

It can be said that while Kory is living the dream of getting married, she did not care for work the people on Earth took in having that wedding.

Since they were two different planets with very two distinct values and cultures, Kory already knew that the wedding process here was going to be vastly different from Tamaran. While the ceremonies were somewhat similar, the majority of weddings on her home planet took no less than a couple of days to get prepared for, and the emphasis was placed more on the couple than the ceremony.

On Earth, most people had to start planning months in advance. For some, that was even years before they were officially married. There was the shopping of dresses and suits for not only future spouses, but the people attending the wedding also. She also found that that catering was a giant deal (had to accommodate for all guests) along with seating and music.

That was not even counting the work put into deciding where one wants to hold their wedding and planning the honeymoon that comes after.

Kory had lived on Earth for a few years now, so she was not ignorant in how western weddings were usually suppose to look like. She just honestly did not ever seeing herself foam at the mouth at the kind of dream wedding she had read and saw most brides cried over.

She would be just happy to get married to the person she loves the most in this universe.

The wedding planning stuff was pretty irrelevant to her.

Because of that attitude Kory had on weddings, all the classic planning was directed at Dick. He was very vocal on the kind of things he wanted at his- their wedding. He decided on the perfect season to get married (apparently June was very special for summer weddings); he decided on the food and how everything would be arranged. Dick even went out of his way to pay top line to have custom made wedding invitations passed to all their friends and family.

Kory was told by Donna a while back that technically it was some kind of non-written rule that the groom could not see the bride’s wedding dress until she was walking down the isle. Once again, Kory found it very silly, but nevertheless, she had planned to go through with it.

However, that did not stop Dick from trying to suggest ideas to her on certain wedding dresses that he absolutely loved. Kory would say yes to all of them because his suggestions were very gorgeous, but each time, one of their friends would tell Dick to stop and that it was Kory’s choice.

Dick could not stop it though. Her finance was totally in love with his ideas on his dream wedding. He had told Kory stories his parents told him about the day they got married. He had that glistening look in his eyes when he told her about his parents would tell him that their wedding was one of the best days of their lives, next to his birth of course.

Dick just wanted to create a similar moment for himself.

Kory was okay with that, but Donna and Rachel fussed at him for even recommending dresses that were almost all over 12K. It was not the fact that they did not have the money for it, but Kory agreed that spending that much money on a dress (that was more important to Dick than her honestly) was probably not the best option.

But they still had to figure out the wedding.

So that is how Kory found herself staying (more like dragged away) at Wayne Manor for a week. Dick had asked Alfred and Barbara on what to do for catering and desserts, while Kory was stuck as a taste tester. If Kory had to be true to herself, despite being familiar with Dick’s life in Gotham and the family he grew up, Kory never cared for Gotham herself.

She did when she first arrived on Earth, but the glamour quickly came off once she knew the true dark nature of Gotham.

Kory worked better with the Titans and the Justice League. Gotham, and the vigilantes that came with it was not a place she felt completely comfortable with. Sure, she worked with a lot of Gotham’s heroes, but Kory would claim that came with being a superhero.

It was not until Alfred regularly served her tea and scones; not until Dick got pulled into a case with Bruce and Kory was allowed into the Bat Cave that she realized that she was slowly being treated as part of “their” family. A family she never really cared if she was a part of as long as she could keep her relationship with Dick Grayson.

That was until she had to deal with Bruce, or Batman.

She has always been very neutral with Bruce. Overall, she did not have a big problem with him, but Kory was very critical on the way Bruce treated Dick in the past. Being in the Titans changed Dick for the good, but that could not erase the years of being in Bruce’s care.

While Bruce allowed her to stay at Wayne Manor; while he allowed her to knew family secrets and stay in in the Bat Cave, he was very clear to her that he really did not want her patrolling Gotham with them. He held the belief that they could handle everything with those with superpowers.

Kory wanted to fight him on that, but Dick just got in the middle of them and said that they would call if he needed back up.

They did not call for help. Bruce had brought Dick home with a shot to the leg and unconscious from tear gas.

“You were suppose to protect him! Why is he more hurt than you?!” Kory had yelled at Bruce while Alfred held her back.

“Let’s not talk about this now.” Bruce did not look up at her as he said it. He kept all his attention towards her injured fiancé.

“IS IT BECAUSE I AM AN ALIEN?! IS THAT WHY YOU NEVER LET SUPERMAN HELP YOU?!” Kory knew that using starbolts was too much, but she really wished that Alfred would let her kick him.

Bruce did not say anything. He simply turned around and left, leaving Alfred alone to handle Dick.

♣♣♣

Alfred had said that Dick’s injury was nothing serious, but he would need a knee brace and crunches for almost a month. He also had her help him to his room so that he could rest on his bed.

Kory just took all this information in as she took her new spot seated next to Dick. She wanted to be there when he woke up. She wanted to be there if he was aching anywhere.

In her mind, one of her thoughts were if Dick was going to delay the wedding now that he had gotten a serious injury. Once again, Kory personally did not care (she would married him at this exact spot if he woke up and ask her to), but she knew how important it was to Dick to have his dream wedding. Recovering from a gun shot was probably not on his list of things to take care of for his dream wedding.

As Kory’s mind continue to wonder, she heard the bedroom door open, she quickly turned her head to see Bruce standing there. He looked physically drained, hurt.

As Bruce walked towards the bed, she heard him ask “How is Dick?”

“Alfred said it was nothing major. He should be waking up soon, but…but he will be very limited with his right leg for a while.” Kory folded her arms as she directed all of her attention back to Dick. She was no longer mad at Bruce anymore. She just wanted Dick to wake up.

“Have you two planned where you want to go for the honeymoon?”

That was a weird question to ask. Kory did not picture Bruce as one being particularly interested in their wedding, but she understood that maybe he was trying to make small talk.

“Dick said he wanted both the wedding and honeymoon in Honolulu.” Kory felt awkward as she told him this. “Donna keeps arguing with him that he should save Honolulu for just the honeymoon.”

“I see.”

There was more awkward silence. The silence stayed like that until Dick started moaning and turning his head. That was a sign that he will be soon awakening.

Bruce took a step back. He starred at Kory who had part of her attention towards Dick, and the other half trying to focus on what Bruce was about to do.

He gave her a half smile, not one to show that he was happy, but the one people gave to another person to show them that everything will be okay.

“When this wedding thing is over. I want you two to take a whole month off.” Bruce said as he started walking towards the door. “Make him give you his undivided attention the whole time.”

The door shut.

Three minutes later, Dick Grayson had slowly awakened and Kory could not stop herself from almost smothering him with a giant bear hug. “Honey! You’re up!”

Dick did not say anything back, but the weak smile he gave her was enough for Kory. She moved her head slightly so that she could kiss both of his cheeks.

The day of their wedding, Bruce walked up to her to remind her that he was serious on what he said. He told Kory that he wanted to them to spend as much time together as possible, not as Starfire or Nightwing, but as Koriand’r and Dick Grayson.

Kory only nodded in return before Dick pulled her away.

Maybe having Bruce Wayne as an In-Law was not going to be so bad.

The End.

[wazafam]

While it's entirely possible that the next game from Mortal Kombat and Injustice series creators NetherRealm will actually be a Marvel Vs DC fighting game if the rumors are to believed, it seems likely that Injustice 3 will happen sooner rather than later. DC fans are always after new games, and Injustice 2 set up a sequel way back in 2017.

RELATED: Injustice: 10 Ways It Influenced Zack Snyder's Justice League & The Justice League 2 Plans

Beyond that, Injustice fans are also in love with the tie-in comics that continue to get new issues, most recently with a prequel to Injustice: Gods Among Us. These comics also have a wealth of excellent storylines and exciting moments that players really need to see acted out in the next game.

10 He-Man Vs Superman

In one of the most unlikely crossovers of all time that actually happened, the Injustice universe crossed over with He-Man and the Masters of the Universe in what is, canonically, the only story set after the events of Injustice 2.

Superman has taken Brainiac's technology and used it to craft a more terrible Regime, enslaving Batman and most of humanity. The remaining Insurgency members travel dimensions to find someone to oppose him, and discover He-Man ready to help - but the forces of Skeletor and Darkseid may overwhelm all.

9 The Darker Knight

Possibly the biggest shock in the Injustice 2 comic series, which is set in the year between the two games, is the appearance of another Batman - one that isn't afraid to use guns and who actually beats Bruce Wayne in combat the first time they meet.

In the end, this character is exactly who fans thought he would be: former Robin Jason Todd, who gives up the Batman challenge and becomes Red Hood by the time of Injustice 2. However, the idea of a more ruthless challenger to the Batman cowl would make a compelling subplot for Injustice 3.

8 Amazo Attacks

The android known as Amazo is one of the most powerful threats the Justice League has ever faced, when it's done right. It's not only extremely powerful in its own right, but it can scan heroes and gain their powers. In the Injustice 2 comics, Amazo's creator Professor Ivo is being held hostage by Ra's Al Ghul, who plans to use Amazo as a weapon of mass destruction.

RELATED: Injustice 3: 5 New Characters That Should Be Added (& 5 Unlikely Ones That Fans Would Love)

Even Wonder Woman is unable to defeat it, and it's only the timely intervention by Supergirl that stops Amazo - where it's revealed that the android is based on Brainiac technology. A boss fight with Amazo in Injustice 3 would be tough but incredible.

7 The New Wonder Woman

There are many similarities between the Injustice universe and the regular DC universe, but other than Lex Luthor and Superman being friends rather than enemies there aren't many major differences - other than the way events went.

However, one major difference is that Diana Prince is more jaded and ruthless than fans are used to, leading to her imprisonment on Themyscira after the first game - and her replacement by her sister Nubia as Wonder Woman. Diana takes the armor back but Nubia is still alive come Injustice 2, ready to challenge Diana for the title in a sequel.

6 Mxyzptlk Vs Trigon

The big mystery in Injustice: Gods Among Us - Year Three was the reappearance of The Spectre, the Spirit of Vengeance, an incredibly powerful magical being who supported Superman for some reason. That reason is revealed to be Mr. Mxyzptlk, the fourth-dimensional imp that's allied himself with Superman's cause and impersonated the Spectre.

In order to stop such a powerful force, John Constantine tricks the demonic Trigon into fighting Mxyzptlk. The resulting battle nearly tears apart all of reality, until both Mxyzptlk and Trigon get sealed away in a magical Void by Dr. Fate and Shazam. Both are still out there, however, ready to resume their epic conflict.

5 Harley At Ground Zero

The comic Injustice: Ground Zero takes place during the events of the Injustice: Gods Among Us game's story and entirely focuses on Harley Quinn, with what she got up to whenever she wasn't on-screen. She formed her own gang, split up from the Joker (again), took on Black Adam, broke into the Batcave and stole the Batmobile, all while the battles of the game raged in the background.

It'd be a neat twist for some events of Injustice 3 to retell previously-seen events from a different perspective, even it's entirely through Harley Quinn's twisted viewpoint.

4 The Old Gods Invade

The most forgotten fact of the DC universe is that it features actual gods. Marvel treats Asgardians like Thor as an alien species, but DC has actual Greek gods as part of its universe - even Zack Snyder's Justice League features Zeus, Ares, and Artemis nearly killing Darkseid.

RELATED: 11 Celebrity Voices You Had No Idea Were In The Injustice Games

In Injustice: Gods Among Us - Year Four, Superman's Regime has drawn the attention of the Old Gods of Olympus, who return and subjugate the inhabitants of Earth until Highfather of the New Gods persuades Zeus to back off.

3 The Green Lantern Corps Wars

There are two major Green Lantern Corps conflicts in the comics, and neither of these feature in the games, despite both being epic.

The first occurs when the Green Lanterns attempt to arrest Superman and find themselves under attack by the Sinestro Corps. The second is the assault on Oa by the Rage Lanterns, who are backed up by an enhanced Starro the Conqueror. Other than Hal Jordan, the Green Lantern Corps has barely played any role in the games, so an all-out Lantern conflict would be a great step.

2 The Teen Titans Return

Nothing in Injustice is gained without deep heartbreak. Possibly the most joyous moment in the Injustice 2 comic is the return of the surviving Teen Titans, who had been trapped in the Phantom Zone by Superman.

While the joy doesn't last long, thanks to the unexpected and deadly arrival of General Zod, having the remaining Titans back is a wonderful moment that Injustice 3 can play into. Starfire's Multiverse ending in Injustice 2 showed that she was ready to start a new Teen Titans group, and both Superboy and Wonder Girl are alive, ready to come back and help.

1 Joker The God Of Chaos

The most recent part of the Injustice series is the prequel comic Year Zero, which shows what happened to the Justice Society in this timeline, but most importantly, gives The Joker the power of a god.

During World War Two, the JSA buried several magical artifacts deep in the ocean that contained the Lords of Chaos. Joker discovers these and uses them to take apart the JSA and Justice League, only to be stopped by Superman - but at a terrible cost. While Joker is canonically dead in the Injustice timeline, he's returned more than once, so to see him back in Injustice 3 with godlike powers would be an epic finish to the trilogy.

NEXT: 5 Ways Injustice 2 Is The Best Justice League Video Game (& 5 Ways It's DC Universe Online)

Injustice 3: 10 Epic Moments From The Injustice Comics That Need To Be In The Game from https://ift.tt/3fuz2gV

[hellyeahsupermanandwonderwoman]

Other than superwonder what are your top 5 otps in DC and why???

DC has many couples and sometimes I find myself caring about some versions more than others. I sat down today 19th Feb 2018 and really thought who has interesting stories and who had potential. Couples that I genuinely like and pairs I would root for if DC truly gave them a chance.

Batcat. Selina is independent, highly unpredictable, fun, and a perfect foil for control freak Batman. He can’t plan for her, can he? Plus both have had their share of tragedy in their life that they can better understand the pain of each experiences. It’s not about trying to fix each other but being there for one another. The contrast of street thief with a heart of gold and playboy billionaire as well as when they get together, can work together for the greater good, makes for a very interesting set up. 

AquaMera. Arthur in some stories finds out about where he comes from via Mera. She is his connection to his destiny and heritage. She can take care of herself and  compliments her King as his capable Queen. 

Nightwing/Robin/StarFire  After everything Kory been through, she still retained a certain innocence with her other worldliness and this softens the weight on Dick’s shoulders. She’s more than a hot alien chick with him. She is an equal and a good leader as he is. And who doesn’t ship them in Teen Titans Go?! 

Ma and Pa Kent. A truly steady, authentic, regular couple that got together young and weathered through many ups and downs. Together they adopted an alien child and raised him as their own and one of the greatest heroes in the DCU. They represent what a real human couple endures. Even when Martha loses her husband she doesn’t become less of a woman or mother. Real love does not diminish a person even if they lose a loved one.

Steel/Lana Lang. The new 52 created a Lana Lang for the 21st century. Gone was the homey farm girl pining for Clark Kent. We got an updated farm girl who had a thirst for engineering. She was the loyal childhood friend of Clark aka Superman and she could take care of herself. Steel aka John Henry Irons was a scientist and it was no shock to find these two attracted to each other. It was nice to see a bi racial couple in the Superman mythos too. Shame DC ditched it like they did Clark and Diana to go back to old school set ups. But we will ship them no matter what DC does. 

[wbwest]

New Post has been published on WilliamBruceWest.com

New Post has been published on http://www.williambrucewest.com/2017/08/25/west-week-ever-pop-culture-review-82517/

West Week Ever: Pop Culture In Review - 8/25/17

  In movie news, there was quite the controversial casting this week, as the color lines blurred for some comic book adaptations. First up, it was announced that English actor Ed Skrein would be portraying Japanese character Ben Daimio in the upcoming Hellboy reboot. Now, according to what I’ve read, Daimio’s Japanese heritage heavily influences the character, so this whitewashing of the character doesn’t seem to be in the best interest of the character. I mean, after the problems with whitewashing in Doctor Strange, Ghost in the Shell, Aloha, The Great Wall, and Ni’ihau, you’d think Hollywood would avoid shit like this. Yes, movies are made to make money, but it’s not like Skrein is a bankable star worth slotting into the role, so it doesn’t make a lot of sense. Usually this is done for the film’s STARS. Damon, Johansson, Stone. This is a secondary character, so it really wouldn’t have hurt them to seek out an Asian actor. Normally I’m just like “Well, Hollywood’s gonna Hollywood”, but this decision just doesn’t make a ton of sense.

Next up, 24: Legacy’s Anna Diop has been cast as Starfire in Warner Bros’ Titans series, slated to air on DC’s upcoming digital service. Some folks are saying they should’ve cast a Latina, but she’s gonna either be painted or CGied in orange, so it’s not like it’s gonna matter at the end of the day. Personally, if they wanted authenticity, I think they should’ve cast an actual orange alien princess. Right now there are just too many unknowns for me to get excited about this. I mean, DC announced the digital service without a lot of information. What’s gonna be on it? What will it cost? How much of the DC library will be available to be housed on it? As for Titans, this is the show TNT passed on. Ya know, the home of such illustrious shows as The Librarians and The Last Ship. I mean, they’re basically just about a notch up from what we got in the 90s from Universal’s Action Pack lineup. If Titans couldn’t fit anywhere on that schedule, then it probably just isn’t “ready for primetime” yet.

Speaking of aimless Warner Bros decisions, they announced 2 different Joker movies this week. First up is an origin tale, directed by Todd Phillips of Old School fame, and produced by Martin Scorsese. Hmm, one of those things is not like the other. I mean, why would Scorsese touch something helmed by the dude who gave us Road Trip? And who even WANTS a Joker origin story? First of all, it’s reportedly not even going to be part of the DCEU, so why confuse the audience with a story that won’t even really “count” in the grand scheme of things? Nobody needs a standalone origin of a take on a character they’ll likely never see again. This is just as foolish as Sony’s Don’t-Look-For-Spider-Man-To-Appear Venom movie. Next, the guys behind This Is Us (SO hot right now!) and Crazy, Stupid, Love are working on a Bonnie & Clyde-style Joker and Harley film, with Jared Leto and Margot Robbie reprising their roles from Suicide Squad. Since this would sort of negate the empowerment that Harley gained by the end of Squad, it’s believed that this actually means that the planned Gotham City Sirens film, also slated to star Robbie, is now dead. Honestly, I could do without either of these movies. I found Leto’s take on Joker to be…interesting, but Less is More with that character. Plus, I don’t really think the DCEU would be strengthened by this sort of movie. It’s not the world-building they need to be doing right now, as they haven’t even figured out the core of their star characters like Batman and Superman yet.

In TV news, Christopher Sebela’s comic Heartthrob has been optioned as a TV series by Felix Culpa – a production company launched by actress/Elvis’s granddaughter Riley Keough. Now, comics are optioned every day, and the final product never comes to fruition, but I hope this series sees the light of day. I’m actually a big fan of the comic, which is published by Oni Press. Set in the late 70s, it focuses on Callie, who’s received a heart transplant while the process is still in its infancy. Given a new lease on life, but still told she’s basically living on borrowed time, she decides to change her life when she meets Mercer, a charming guy with a shady side. She immediately falls for him, and he teaches her how to be bad, like rob banks and commit other crimes. She gets off on the rush. Pretty soon, however, she realizes that Mercer isn’t real. No, he’s actually the ghost of the guy whose heart is now in Callie. So, it’s a Bonnie & Clyde story where Clyde’s calling the shots from the afterlife. The book is published in “seasons”, so the first 5-issue miniseries wrapped up back in early 2016, while season 2 is hitting stores now. If you’re looking for a new comic not from the Big Two, I highly recommend it.

In music news, Taylor Swift did a whole social blitz to announce that her next album would be called Reputation, and would be released Nov 10th. On top of that, the first single was released last night, with rumors that the video will premiere at Sunday’s MTV Video Music Awards. Ya know, the same awards hosted my Taylor’s enemy Katy Perry. Yeah, that should be pretty interesting to watch. Anyway, the new song is called “Look What You Made Me Do”, and I’m not too impressed. It lacks a real hook, while the chorus itself is basically spoken. I feel like it has all the ingredients for a great song, but it’s not living up to its full potential. If this is an indicator of what to expect on Reputation, though, I’ll admit I’m curious. It can’t be worse than Perry’s Witness.

Speaking of Katy Perry, we got the premiere of her video for “Swish Swish”, which was reportedly her diss track against Taylor Swift. After a lot of backtracking and sucking up, though, it seems Katy wants to put that feud behind her. That’s why this horrible video does everything it can to take the bite out of a song that was never really that biting to begin with. I mean, just look at it – Molly Shannon? Terry Crews? Even Nicki Minaj was clearly CGied in, as I’m sure she didn’t wanna be anywhere near this shitshow. The sad thing about the Perry/Swift feud is that Katy bailed on it the minute she realized the Swifties were a more powerful lobby than she had thought. Nobody was feeling her SNL performances, and Witness didn’t exactly fly off the shelves. She realized that she can’t really survive by making enemies, so suddenly she became conciliatory to save her ass. Plus, it’s kinda lame that this blood feud started just because Taylor stole a few of Katy’s dancers for her tour. Anyway, you’ll never get those 6 minutes back. You’re welcome.

I had the pleasure of joining my buddy Zac for his new podcast, The Zac Shipley Show. He’s treating these first few episodes as pilots for ideas he’s wanted to try, so our ep was called Streaming Pile, where we talked about the worst things we could find on streaming services. I talked about a Star Trek: Voyager episode where formerly perky pixie Kes returns all middle-aged and bitter. You should check it out, and give a listen to his other episodes while you’re there!

Song of the Week

I’ve been a big Maren Morris fan since she released “My Church”, and I was really into her next single, “80s Mercedes”. With this song she continues not to disappoint, as I love the groove on this thing. Listen to the bassline. It’s not a dance song, yet you can do a MEAN two-step to it. Hell, I think you could even do a casual version of The Hustle to it. This will definitely go to #1 given time.

Things You Might Have Missed This Week

NBC’s planned reboot of Xena: Warrior Princess – which would’ve featured a full-on lesbian relationship between her and Gabrielle – is officially dead, as they said “it didn’t warrant a reboot”. Man, if only other studios would realize this about some of their projects…

Director James Gunn mentioned in a Q & A session that the 3rd Guardians of the Galaxy film would set up the next 10-20 years of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Yup, you’re just now realizing your own mortality. I’ll give you a minute to deal with that.

Speaking of Gunn, he’s attached to write the pilot for (and possibly direct) a reboot of 70s series Starsky & Hutch. This adaptation is supposed to be similar in tone to CBS’s upcoming S.W.A.T. and not comedic in tone like the 2004 Ben Stiller & Owen Wilson movie.

Surprising every critic in Hollywood, Netflix has renewed the maligned comedy Friends From College for a second season.

Known for controversial publicity stunts, Alamo Drafthouse is reportedly organizing a Clowns Only screening of the new adaptation of Stephen King’s It.

We got a new poster for Thor: Ragnarok. So many colors!

Michael K. Williams has reportedly been cut from the Star Wars Han Solo film, as Ron Howard’s reshoot schedule conflicted with another role that Williams had accepted.

There are, like, 8 different Knight Rider reboot treatments floating around Hollywood, but the latest rumor is that one of those productions is looking at John Cena as Michael Knight, with Kevin Hart as the voice of K.I.T.T. Of course, it would be a comedic adaptation, a la the popular Jump Street franchise.

Super Troopers 2, the sequel to one of the most overrated films I’ve ever seen, will hit theaters April 20th, 2018.

Anne Hathaway and Rebel Wilson will star in Nasty Women, which is a female-led reboot of the Michael Caine/Steve Martin classic Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.

Independence Day: Resurgence‘s Jessie T Usher will star in Son of Shaft, with Samuel L. Jackson potentially reprising his role as John Shaft (from the 2000 reboot film), the nephew of the original John Shaft, played by Richard Roundtree, who is also in talks to join the movie. Man, that gave me a headache.

Always on the cutting edge, here’s Sesame Street’s parody of 2017’s song of the summer, “Despacito”

According to the creators, the Netflix series Stranger Things will most likely end after its fourth season

The actress formerly known as “Andrea Zuckerman”, Gabrielle Carteris, has been re-elected to a 2-year term as the President of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA)

Ryan Gosling will host the season premiere of Saturday Night Live, with musical guest Jay-Z, on Sept 30th.

Jamie Bell is developing a Jumper TV series, based on the 2008 film about teleporters

Suicide Squad 2 is reportedly being fast tracked, but I hope they fast track it right into the garbage. I mean, I enjoyed the first one, but I don’t need a sequel.

I like Nick Kroll, even though I never saw even a second of Kroll Show. Anyway, he’s got a new animated series about puberty called Big Mouth coming to Netflix and after watching this teaser I am ON BOARD!

We’re a month away from the premiere of Star Trek: Discovery, and it was revealed that it will be rated TV-MA, for Mature Audiences. Now, it doesn’t mean there’ll be tits and phasers, but it does mean they can tell more complex stories. That said, I still feel like they don’t truly understand the source material.

After a scathing essay from his ex-wife went public, accusing him of adultery and other generally shitty behavior to women, Joss Whedon went underground and the fan site, Whedonesque, shut down after 15 years.

We got a new teaser for Netflix’s The Punisher. With the rate I’m getting through these Marvel shows, I’ll probably get to it just before Evie goes off to Hogwarts.

There was a national solar eclipse this week, which was the first occurrence since 1918. I’m sure you might’ve heard something about it. It was kind of a big deal. Folks were pimping out special cardboard glasses on Craigslist for insane amounts of money, and the American President made news by looking directly into it. It seems that it had a strange effect on different folks. For example, Netflix viewership went down 10% as people went outside to view the phenomenon. Not everyone understood what was going on, bless their hearts. At work, a frantic parent called in and said “Y’all watching the news? You hear about this eclipse? Is it serious?!” Apparently she thought it posed some sort of danger to her kids and the school. No, ma’am. It’s just a beautiful sky ballet. Anyway, the eclipse was EVERYWHERE. I didn’t get to see totality, but it was still nice to stand outside for a bit on a nice day. What am I saying? I hate the outdoors! Well, it was nice to not have to work for a few minutes. You couldn’t escape the Eclipse Fever at the start of the week, so that’s why the Solar Eclipse of 2017 had the West Week Ever.

[murricanne]

Universe: Young Justice/Justice League/Batman Beyond

Name: Annette Vazquez (Earth name) Alla No-Vek  (Kryptonian name)

Age: YJ: Physically (86) Appearance: 17 JL: Physically: 89 Appearance: 20 BB: Physically: 111 Appearance: 42

Height: YJ: 5’0” JL/BB: 5’2"

Weight: YJ: 120 lbs JL/BB: 130 lbs

Species: Kryptonian

Planet/Plane of Origin: Krypton

Current Location: Earth-0

Appearance: A relatively short young woman with wide hips a cinched waist and moderately sized bust. She has tanned/olive colored skin, and bright aqua colored eyes. Her hair is onyx black and full, with curls, the length changes based on the timeline. At the start it’s short and by her later years, it reaches the middle of her back. Her face is full and rounded off with a small chin and youthful appearance.

Build: slightly muscular with rounded curves

Birthday: Unknown (However she celebrates her Earth Birthday on July 4th as it was the date she arrived on the planet)

Personality: Tough, sassy, kind, helpful, motherly, feisty, generous, independent, nerdy, fun loving, playful, brash, blunt, stubborn, open minded, envious, realistic, wears her emotions on her sleeves, strong

Likes: Baking, dancing Flamenco, old Hollywood movies, rockabilly music and style, crafting, motorcycling, collecting, reading, writing, playing the violin, drawing (though it's mostly doodling), eating contests

Dislikes: Starfire, injustice, when people try to get in her head, when people try to get too close

Alter Ego: YJ: Supergirl JL: Ghost

Powers: YJ: Super Strength, Super Speed, X-Ray vision, Flight, (suit allows for a certain level of invulnerability), Lazer Vision (though it’s unreliable) JL: Agility, knows various forms of martial arts

Weaknesses: Kryptonite, Is naturally vulnerable unlike Superman/Superboy/Power Girl and depends on her suit

Alignment: Good guy/ sidekick

Allies: Superman, Superboy, Power Girl, Wonder Woman, Wonder Girl, Star Sapphire (Freya) , Martian Manhunter, Zipper, Robin, Nightwing, Batgirl, Red Robin, Red Hood, Kid Flash, Speedy, Aqualad, Cyborg, Bumblebee, Black Canary

Enemies: Lex Luthor, Legion of Doom, (other various Superman villains)

Backstory: Alla (Anne) was born on the planet Krypton several years before it’s destruction and the birth of the scientist Jor-El’s son, Kal-El. At the physical age of 12,  her family was attacked by a group of alien trafficking agents and her parents were murdered in the struggle. Being the only survivor she was taken away by the agents and sold off to the highest bidder. Her owner kept her in a cryogenic pod leasing her out whenever needed to make business and returning her to the pod whenever the service was completed. Unknown to her, her owner had been killed leaving her in the pod for 30 years before she would be discovered yet again by a pair of scientists from an alien planet. The scientists had plan on putting her on display since Krypton no longer existed as they assumed the body in the chamber was dead. When they had found out she was alive she was freed from her chamber and spent the next three years with them falling in love with one of the scientists, however when it was clear he was only using her for her value as a Kryptonian she fled finding herself in captivity once more by another alien trafficking company. She was sold off to a fighting league and forced to battle in a coliseum daily for her life in an illegal alien fighting ring. Two years later the ring and it’s owners were apprehended by the Martian Manhunter J’onn J’onzz. Upon finding that Alla No-Vek was a Kryptionian he took her under his wing and brought her to Earth where she could meet the last of her kind. Upon arriving on the planet she was brought to the Supergirl, Kara Zor-El, who took her into her care and custody and trained her along with the help of Superman. When she was ready Kara passed the mantle of Supergirl to her before taking on the identity of Power Girl. Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mintkissu/annette/

[tradewaiterreviews]

52

Written by Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka and Mark Waid. Art breakdowns by Keith Giffen. Art by various. Published by DC Comics.

In 2006, following the event series Infinite Crisis, all DC titles jumped forward a year into the future. 52 was a weekly series which detailed what happened in that year.

How does time progress in comic books? How many in-story years have passed since Superman first appeared? How does a time-jump work exactly? The answer to these questions are ‘shut up’.

52 sidelined Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman, instead spotlighting  a bunch of lesser known DC characters. Is it any good? At times, absolutely. It’s a wild ride through the DC universe which is unfortunately marred by inconsistent and dated artwork.

52 was a collaboration between Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka and Mark Waid, all of whom are hugely popular writers in their own right. With four writers, 52 is rarely ever boring and is bursting at the seams with fun ideas. An island filled with all of the mad scientists in the DC universe. A bunch of were-animals who worship the religion of crime. Lobo as Space-Pope. There’s a lot of fun stuff going on, and if one storyline is getting a bit boring it won’t be more than a few pages before it jumps to another one. (Imagine if in Game of Thrones Bran’s chapters were only 4 pages long and you get the idea.) The downside of this writing approach is that each writer’s authorial voice is diminished somewhat. Through writing by committee no one unique perspective shines through, which is a shame when you’ve got a mad genius like Grant Morrison on board, or someone with Rucka’s knack for character development.

Due to the constraints of publishing a weekly comic, there are too many artists to list who worked on the series. To help speed the artists up, the page layouts were broken down by veteran DC artist Keith Giffen. This, and the fact that the artists hew pretty close DC’s house style, leads to a pretty homogenous look. The art is frequently competent in depicting fairly standard superhero action, which is a shame because the story frequently calls for more. That’s not to say that the art never delivers. There are a number of memorable moments that manage to stick the landing, such as this creepy splash of the Elongated Man cradling a wicker effigy of his dead wife.

One area where the art frequently fails is in it’s depiction of female characters. Starfire’s outfit is egregiously over-sexualised and indefensible. Isis, a love interest introduced for Black Adam is given an truly awful outfit which amounts to three bits of cloth draped over her, whereas her brother Osiris gets a stylish reworking of Black Adam’s costume. Over-sexualisation of women remains an issue in cape comics, but progress is certainly being made. Recent costume updates such as Captain Marvel, Squirrel Girl and Spider-Woman indicate that (some) creators are a bit more attuned to this issue these days. It would be incredibly disappointing, not to mention alienating, to see a costume like Isis’s debut in 2017. And to be fair, they should have known better in 2006.

But when 52 is good, it’s great. Greg Rucka is able to continue writing Renee Montoya, the breakout character of the fantastic Gotham Central. Her arc here feels true to the character while bringing her deeper into the superheroic fold. Batwoman is also introduced in 52 and she’s one of the best new DC characters appear in decades. C-list characters such as Booster Gold and the Elongated Man get their moment in the sun and it's generally demonstrated that there’s more to the DC universe than Batman and Superman.

Overall then, if you’re looking to dig a bit deeper into the DC universe, you could do a lot worse than 52. It’s bursting with fun ideas which are so quintessentially comic book-y that you’re bound to find something to enjoy, even if the art is frequently underwhelming.

Stray Thoughts:

52 is not to be confused with ‘The New 52’ which was a line-wide relaunch and reboot of all of DC’s titles. I guess at some point somebody decided the number 52 was cool as shit. The New 52 has now been un/rebooted. I don’t even know.

As is often the case with Marvel and DC series, a lot of 52 can be baffling to the uninitiated, filled as it is with obscure DC characters. Even I was sent down a handful of Wikipedia wormholes to find out who was who and what was what.

Recommended Reads:

Final Crisis - Grant Morrison’s bravura DC event which is as fantastical as it is utterly impenetrable for newcomers. Just a wild, wild ride which benefits from repeated readings.

Batwoman: Elegy - Probably the biggest lasting impact of 52 was the introduction of Kate Kane as Batwoman. A minor character here, she would be greatly fleshed out in Elegy by Greg Rucka and the phenomenal J.H Williams III.

[nightglider124]

Harassment

Okay, this is literally a oneshot that just looks at the immaturity of the Titans.

Might seem ooc or very unlikely but it really is just a humour piece. Don’t read too much into it.

It’s modelled after one of my favourite scenes of NCIS. It’s flippin’ hilarious and I found myself wondering what it would be like with our fave hero network. It would probably help to go and watch the scene I am talking about just so the context is kinda backing it up.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCp9RGGliDQ

I just don’t want people commenting like oh my god, it isn’t something to joke about. I know but for this particular scene; it really is funny, especially if you are invested in NCIS as a show, like moi.

It is purely being written because it reminds me of some kind of high school situation.

The big screen buzzed with light as yet another slide appeared before them all.

Superman cleared his throat and turned to face them, with the remote still in hand, pressing a button to turn on the lights in the room.

“As you can all see from the presentation, there are many forms of harassment in the workplace that can go somewhat... unnoticed. These little signs shouldn’t go without being addressed when you feel uncomfortable.” He paused and glanced over the faces staring back at him.

Rows of Titans sat there, staring back at him as he spoke. Their expressions varied from mildly interested to absolutely bored senseless. And, Superman was fairly certain he could hear snoring but he wasn’t sure who exactly it was.

Cyborg sighed, his fingers clasped together atop of the small desk he had been sat at. He was struggling but his eyes were on the Kryptonian as he continued to drone on about the topic at hand. They had all, needless to say, been reluctant to turn up to the watchtower this morning for the mandatory meeting.

The league had suggested that they were all very young still, despite being in their early 20’s and needed to be made aware of the dangers that can occur in the workplace; even if the occupation in question was a superhero.

There was a whole bunch of meetings like this they still had to look forward to such as health and safety, performance issues, discrimination... things like that. Things that normal, white collared folks usually had to worry about.

And of course, the Titan network obliged their mentors and superiors and attended the meetings as expected. However, who was to blame them if they lost interest about 2 minutes in?

Beast Boy grumbled a little and jolted as he sat back in his chair, mouth agape with a yawn falling from his lips. He was on the very edge of falling asleep to the rant that Superman was giving them. He probably didn’t want to be there with them that much either but alas, duties such as these were more often than not, shifted to his attention. Or Batman’s but you had more luck convincing Superman with this kind of topic.

Garfield’s head dangled slightly over his girlfriend’s desk that was placed just behind him. Raven had an eyebrow raised and she was mildly content with watching the shape shifter drift in and out of consciousness.

Hands clasped and resting under her chin, she was trying her best not to smile at how funny the situation seemed. It was just so ridiculous that they were having a meeting like this. She had no qualms making an appearance but she was vaguely wondering if something like harassment had, could or would ever happen within the Titan network.

Starfire was one of the very few Titans who appeared somewhat curious of what Superman was saying. She was sat at her little desk, a hand raised with her chin resting upon it. There was a pen in her other hand, trying to be accommodating and note down points of importance.

Nightwing sat beside her at his tiny desk. He leaned back against the seat with his arms crossed over his chest, suppressing sigh after sigh. He supposed the topic was valid but then another part of him continued to scoff at that. He blinked wearily behind his mask and grinned at the sight of Kid Flash who sat a seat ahead of him, with Aqualad sat between them.

Wally was jerking every now and then as he tried to defend himself from the sandman’s spell. His head drooped lower and lower before abruptly snapping back up with a snort of confusion, followed by realisation of where he was.

Many other Titans were scattered amongst them, all sat at a desk, much like that of a high school class which really didn’t help the playful atmosphere in the room.

Kole, Argent, Hotspot, Speedy, Bumblebee, Jinx, Mas y Menos, Jericho, Killowat... literally everyone had been summoned today.

“A teammate looking you up and down with certain intentions... or a teammate showing you a photo of an inappropriate nature.” Superman continued,

Beast Boy grinned and leaned back some more to murmur to Raven, “If you’re lucky.”

“Or... a teammate might-“ The man of steel curled his index and middle fingers to show air quotes, “’Accidentally’ brush a hand up against your body.”

Raven tilted forward, eyes on her boyfriend, “If you’re really lucky.” She deadpanned, causing the changeling to grin even more,

Superman turned to the projection screen again as another slide popped up, revealing a set of traffic lights,

“Physical contact can be split into three areas.” He began as Speedy raised an eyebrow and glanced at Hot Spot, “Green light includes normal behaviour. Yellow light includes borderline behaviour such as hugs or-”

Starfire abruptly stood up, her chair scraping the floor and her hand going up, waiting to ask a question. Her eyebrows were furrowed and a frown was fixed against her features.

Superman inhaled, “Yes, Starfire?”

“Please... what is wrong with hugging people? I hug my friends all of the time.” She mumbled, feeling meek,

The broad man shrugged, “Well, whilst you might see it as being friendly, your teammates may find it offensive.”

Starfire’s expression shifted to one of concern, turning to look over the Titans who were glancing up at her.

“Oh! You are offended when I hug you all?” She gasped, hands curling against her chest,

There was a low but soothing rumble of “no” throughout the room, reassuring the alien.

The Princess beamed and lightly clapped her hands, “Then I shall continue to give out the hugs!” She affirmed, earning a smirk from Nightwing and a quiet chuckle from Cyborg.

“This is an important part, Starfire. You must first ask for permission from your teammates before hugging them.”

Starfire’s hands fell to her sides and her expression turned incredulous, “As in... every single time?” She asked in disbelief,

Superman nodded before shaking his head and turning to continue talking,

Her expression still one of confusion and mild defiance, she slumped back into her chair. Nightwing turned his head in her direction and flashed her a smile, picking up the hand closest to him.

Bringing his girlfriend’s hand to his lips, he gently kissed her skin to reassure her that her hugs wouldn’t be a problem. She squeezed his hand in return and offered him a tiny smile that Dick could have sworn was bordering on flirtatious.

He released her hand as Superman’s voice echoed against the walls,

“And finally, there is red light behaviour which is deliberate, unwelcomed touching-”

As the last word fell from his mouth, Raven sat forward and licked Beast Boy’s cheek in a brief moment of playfulness. She didn’t allow herself to be childish too much but Garfield tended to bring it out a little more in her.

Beast Boy yelped loudly and stumbled to his feet, rubbing at his face and becoming the centre of attention, leaving Raven to smirk.

Superman exhaled and rested a hand against his hip, “Another question?”

The changeling awkwardly blinked before stammering, “Um... y-yeah... what if you slap someone in the back of the head like this-”

With that he smacked the back of Cyborg’s head, resulting in the cybernetic man returning fire with a thump to his upper thigh. Beastboy grunted and his voice turned to more of a croak.

Beast Boy bit his lip, “Would that... be considered inappropriate behaviour?” He grumbled,

“Absolutely,” Superman agreed, folding his arms over his chest, “are you saying that this has actually happened?”

The green skinned jokester awkwardly pouted his lips, his eyes shifting to his leader who had indeed dealt a few head slaps every now and then.

Nightwing merely raised an eyebrow and tilted his head, as if challenging his teammate to continue,

Wally and Starfire both smirked and forced themselves to stare at their desks, knowing full well what Dick sometimes did to get Beast Boy’s attention back on a case or mission.

Beast Boy made a popping sound with his lips before rapidly shaking his head,

“Erm... no... I was just wondering; that’s all...” He commented before sliding back into his seat, reaching back to gently pinch Raven’s leg.

Her nose scrunched and she immediately kicked the underneath of his chair, causing him to mouth the word, ‘Ow’.

Superman peered at them for a moment, “Are there any more questions before I go on?”

Wally furrowed his eyebrows and was seemingly wide awake now, “Yeah, I got a question-”

“Go ahead, Wally.”

“So... okay, I get the harassment kinda stuff but what about when you’re dating another teammate... because I’m pretty sure almost half of us in here are dating someone else in here.”

Superman’s brow crinkled, “Well... what’d you mean?”

“Like does it count as harassment or does it just count as some tender loving to your partner?”

A number of Titans smirked at that, including Nightwing who was already picturing how the rest of this conversation was going to go.

“Give me an example.”

Wally shrugged, “Okay, say I get up and go plant one of Jinx. Is that bad or acceptable because she’s my girlfriend?”

“Well-”

“Or is it more like if I get up, pull my pants down and start doing her-”

With a loud yelp, Wally found the legs of his chair snapping and he ended up on his ass, looking around in confusion. That was, until he saw a half irate looking Jinx with glowing pink eyes.

“It was an example Jinx!” He called, only for her to roll her eyes,

Getting up, Wally sat cross legged on the desk instead of trying to find another chair.

“No, Wally... that would be fine. It would be inappropriate for the second one though-”

The speedster suddenly clicked his fingers, “Oh! Or is it to do with gender?”

Superman pinched the bridge of his nose, thoroughly exasperated already, “What are you talking about?”

“Like, okay, it’d be inappropriate to go and make out with Jinx... but is it because she’s girl?”

“Well, not-”

“I mean, if I was to go up to Dick and-”

Nightwing shuddered, “Ew... dude. Please. I didn’t need that kinda mental image.”

Wally blew a kiss at his best friend, “You know you want me.”

Starfire meekly tilted her head to look at Wally, “Yes, please friend. I would also prefer if you refrain from doing such things with my boyfriend-“

Superman deeply exhaled, “Titans. Focus. Please.” He turned to Wally, “No, Wally. It goes for any gender; the principle is the same. It’s still inappropriate behaviour.”

Wally seemed to accept that and shrugged, quietening down.

The dark haired hero took a breath before continuing, “Alright, now we’ll move onto red flags of harassment in conversation-”

Suddenly, a series of beeps erupted from Nightwing’s communicator. He brought it out to check it over.

“Oh thank you God.” Beast Boy breathed,

“Titans,” He started, addressing his own immediate team, “Trouble down main street; Control Freak looks to be causing some trouble at the movieplex.”

“Now he’s someone who needs a lesson in harassment.” Cyborg muttered, getting up from his chair,

“Agreed, Cyborg... and a lesson in the personal hygiene...” Starfire replied, wrinkling her nose in disgust,

As the five original Titans moved to get up, Superman shook his head,

“Guys, you can’t just-”

“It’s okay, Supes. I’ll write down the important stuff for them.” Wally stated,

Superman paused before giving up and waving them off, “Alright, alright. Go.”

Nightwing grinned and shuffled out of the watchtower as quickly as possible with his team in tow, determined to get the hell out whilst they had the chance.

“Hey, Supes? I think I got another question,” Dick heard Wally mumble as he left.

[gokinjeespot]

off the rack #1230

Monday, October 1, 2018

 Surprise! I'm still kicking and writing. My announcement last week about off the rack possibly ending prompted Heather to tell me her plans for Comet Comics after the move to 1073 Bank Street which included asking if I wanted to continue to work for her. Do I like to go fishing? Of course I said yes. To all of you who sent me messages that you're going to miss off the rack, I say thee nay, I get to read on and ramble on.

 Catwoman #3 - Joelle Jones (writer) Joelle Jones (art pages 1-8, 14-22) Fernando Blanco (art pages 9-13) Laura Allred (colours pages 1-8, 14-22) John Kalisz (colours pages 9-13) Josh Reed (letters). My thanks to Amanda and Ryan for giving me permission to read their sub service copy, otherwise I would have missed this issue because it was sold out by the time I got back from vacation. Selina gets read the law of the land and you know how she feels about the letter of the law. This puts her in opposition to the family that runs her new home town but she's one tough cookie and is able to complete her personal mission. I want to see how this family reunion goes.

 Hey Kids! Comics #2 - Howard Chaykin (writer & art) Wil Quintana (colours) Ken Bruzenak (letters). See if you can recognise Stan the Man and Jack the King in this thinly veiled history of comic books.

 Old Man Hawkeye #9 - Ethan Sacks (writer) Marco Checchetto (art) Andres Mossa (colours) VC's Joe Caramagna (letters). Eye for an Eye part 9. Bullseye finally catches up to Clint as Hawkeye is about to kill another old Thunderbolts member. Wounds are inflicted on both sides and someone earns redemption. The story continues next issue in the Great White North. I'll be there eh.

 Silencer #9 - Dan Abnett (writer) Patch Zircher (art) Mike Spicer (colours) Tom Napolitano (letters). Hell-iday Road part 2. Talia Al Ghul's only loyal department head uses her magic to switch Silencer and Quietus's bodies. Brain triumphs over brawn and Honor lives to fight another day. Her family is her main weakness and I hope somewhere along the way they are eliminated so we'll see her really let loose.

 Heroes in Crisis #1 - Tom King (writer) Clay Mann (art) Tomeu Morey (colours) Clayton Cowles (letters). I don't keep up with much going on in the DCU so I don't know if this is another Crisis on Infinite Earths deal where they try to clean up the universe a little, but there sure are a lot of dead super powered people in this first issue. I picked this off the rack to read because the art is sweet and it's written by one of my favourite writers right now. We start off the 9-issue story with Harley Quinn fighting Booster Gold and I'm rooting for Harley to finally rid the DCU of the time travelling doofus. A place called Sanctuary is introduced that seems to be a place where super heroes can go to get psychoanalyzed. Maybe there's a connection with Harley but it's not made clear here. The big three, Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman gather in Sanctuary and the mystery of why these dead super heroes are lying around all over the place is off to a flying start. This goes on to my "must read" list.

 Marvel 2-In-One #10/LGY #110 - Chip Zdarsky (writer) Ramon K. Perez (art) Frederico Blee (colours) VC's Joe Caramagna (letters). It's not quite a full reunion of Marvel's First Family but were getting closer as Ben and Johnny get their powers back to beat this world's villainous Fantastic Four.

 Stranger Things #1 - Jody Houser (writer) Stefano Martino (pencils) Keith Champagne (inks) Lauren Affe (colours) Nate Piekos (letters). Dark Horse Comics capitalizes on the popular Netflix show with this 4-issue mini following the adventures of Will Byers and his friends. I've never watched the show so I'm new to these characters and situation. The art is pretty good and the plight of young Will in another dimension is scary but nothing grabbed me here. I'm sure Stranger Things fans would be tickled to have their own comic book to collect.

 Justice League Odyssey #1 - Joshua Williamson (writer) Stjepan Sejic (art) Deron Bennett (letters). As soon as I flipped open the cover and saw the art I wanted to read about this new team. Plus I love how Stjepan draws Kory/Starfire. I didn't know who the big grey guy was but boy was I surprised to find out he's Darkseid. The big bad villain sure has slimmed down a lot or else it's Darkseid junior. Joining Starfire and Darkseid are Azrael, Cyborg and Green Lantern Jessica Cruz. They will be fighting evil in the galaxy according to the cover blurb so aliens beware.

 Amazing Spider-Man #6/LGY #807 - Nick Spencer (writer) Humberto Ramos (pencils) Victor Olazaba (inks) Edgar Delgado (colours) Steve Lieber (art pages 8-10) Rachelle Rosenberg (colours pages 8-10) VC's Joe Caramagna (letters). A Trivial Pursuit part 1. I will pretend that Peter Parker and Spider-Man were never split in two during the last arc and catch you up with the present. Peter's new roommate is the super villain Boomerang. Talk about keeping your enemies close. This issue takes place in The Bar With No Name, a super villain hangout, and it's trivia night. The category is Spider-Man. Boomerang takes Peter to the bad guys bar and guess who wins? Meanwhile, Wilson Fisk, the Kingpin of Crime and current Mayor of New York City is not happy with his lackey Boomerang. Got all that? Looks like the old Parker luck will be rearing its ugly head again. I didn't like the jarring difference in art for the 3 pages where Spider-Man is spying on the Superior Foes of Spider-Man playing cards. It didn't feel like part of the story.

 Doomsday Clock #7 - Geoff Johns (writer) Gary Frank (art) Brad Anderson (colours) Rob Leigh (letters). The first page is super confusing as the narrator jumps back and forth in time but thankfully the second page carries on the story in a linear fashion and we finally see the appearance of Doctor Manhattan. There was a big deal made when Watchmen first hit the racks in 1986 about the full frontal nudity when Dave Gibbons drew the naked Doctor Manhattan and showed his penis. No problem penis this time because this issue was overshadowed by Batman: Damned where Lee Bermejo uncovered Bruce Wayne's penis in that book. Nudity is so controversial in North America whereas in Europe people don't get their knickers in a bunch over seeing so called private parts. I'm glad we've matured somewhat so that this comic book didn't stir up a big conservative backlash too.

 Domino Annual #1 - I've been enjoying the regular series and I recommend that you check out this $4.99 US anthology to see what fun Neena Thurman/Domino has. There are four short stories in this annual. All lettered by VC's Clayton Cowles.

 "Dead Drunk in Dry Gulch" by Gail Simone (writer), Victor Ibanez (art) and Jay David Ramos (colours) tells the story of how Domino and Diamondback meet Outlaw.

 "The Good Fight" by Fabian Nicieza (writer) Juan Gedeon (art) and Jesus Aburtov (colours) features Cable.

 "Rebound" by Dennis Hopeless (writer) Leonard Kirk (art) and Jesus Aburtov (colours) shows the gloomy Colossus wallowing after what happened between him and Kitty at their wedding.

 "Domino & The Rejex" by Leah Williams (writer) Natacha Bustos (art) and Jesus Aburtov (colours) looks in on a mutant support group that Neena and Nightcrawler put together.

 These are bookended by "Saturdays Are For The Body Count" by Leah Williams (writer) Michael Shelfer (art) and Jesus Aburtov (colours).

 Action Comics #1003 - Brian Michael Bendis (writer) Yanick Paquette (art) Nathan Fairbairn (colours) Josh Reed (letters). Invisible Mafia part 3. I missed Action Comics #1002 with Invisible Mafia part 2 while on vacation but I got the gist of what's going on no problem. Batman helps out when a Daily Planet reporter gets her hands on some Green Kryptonite. I would like to see a World's Finest comic book written by Brian Michael Bendis. We go to la la land with Lois Lane and Lex Luthor on the last page which made me wonder what's going on there?

 Extermination #3 - Ed Brisson (writer) Pepe Larraz (art) Marte Gracia (colours) VC's Joe Sabino (letters). I'm getting a sense of where this story about the time displaced young X-Men is going. I think young Cable/Nathan is rescuing them from Ahab but we don't know why. I really like young Jean hanging with Domino and her X-Factor team. I will read on to see if I'm right about what's going to happen.

[shishidoryofan]

Sorry if it’s a little lackluster at the end, but enjoy :)

RobStar Week 2018 Day 5: Genderbend

There were many obstacles Robin faced in her life that a normal person just wouldn’t believe.

At the young age of nine, she was already jumping off buildings and fighting criminals ten times her size. At the age of twelve, she probably knew and mastered more marital arts by the time most kids her age were just starting to take beginner's lessons.

At age fourteen, she successfully handled a criminal like the penguin almost all by herself (she had minor help from Batman at the end).

At age fifteen, she left Gotham and Batman to strike out on her own. In this same year, she became the leader of a powerful team of superhero teenagers who she considered family.

Since being in the Teen Titans, Robin has encountered countless of foes ranging from a loser with a magical remote, a demon from another dimension, to the Brotherhood of Evil. She even had to fight a person she once considered a valuable teammate of hers.

But this obstacle had to be the worst.

The Teen Titans had just finished fighting Dr. Light (again), when suddenly a camera crew came running in for a quick interview of the Titans.

Of course Beast Boy tried to take front center but everyone of course turned to her as the leader of the team. No, they turned to her because she was Robin and everyone knew Robin.

At first it was all basic questions like “How does it feel to be the top superhero team after the Justice League?” or “What is it your team value the most in life?” There were even semi personal ones like “Do you think Batman is proud of what you have been doing in Jump City?”

Though Robin was kind of nervous, she answered the question with the upmost confidence she could fake. Personally she just wanted the news cameras to go so she and her friends could go back to the tower and relax.

That all changed when Starfire padded her on the back.

On instant, Robin stopped whatever she was saying to face him. “Is something wrong Star?”

“Robin, I-”

Before he could began, the camera crew had pushed in closer. The lady holding the mic grin grew wider. Robin could already tell she wasn’t going to like the next question.

“Robin can you tell us your relationship with the handsome alien Starfire? We know you are close to all of your teammates, but there is hints that you and Starfire are closer. Tell us how you were able to snag such a good such a good looking guy?”

“Snag?” Robin felt her face getting red. “We don’t have that- I don’t-” Why couldn’t she finished any of her sentences? Suddenly her mind was flooded with memories that she had with Starfire. From the time she saved him from aliens wanting to make Starfire a slave (that was also the day she had her first kiss), to the day she felt a great pain when Robin thought she was losing Starfire to that ugly insect queen.

Sure Robin had a crush, but to say they were dating?! She didn’t even know if Starfire felt the same way she did. In fact, she looked straight at Starfire, expecting him to end all these rumors.

Beast Boy whistled while Raven smirked at her.

Cyborg stepped in front of the camera and pointed at her. “You will have to excuse our fearless leader Robin here. She always gets nervous when people talk about her BOY. FRIEND.”

That’s when her heartt started beating fast. Her face was definitely red now.

The smart thing to do would be to just calmly state that there wasn’t anything going on between them technically. It was the truth. While she did admit to herself that what she has been feeling for the alien prince is more than just friendly, Robin would never put him on the spot like that.

But that didn’t happen.

‘HE’S NOT MY BOYFRIEND!!”

Like any embarrassed teenager, words came out before her brain could process them. The news and camera crew looked disappointed, but not fully convinced.

Cyborg, Beast Boy, and Raven had turned their attention to Starfire…who looked really mad all of a sudden.

Starfire looked like he wanted to say something so bad, but the words couldn’t escape him. He stared angrily at Robin for a few seconds before flying off.

“You really did it this Girl Wonder. Poor Star.”

Robin turned to her friends and team. “I was just telling the truth, besides you guys know Starfire. He’s to nice to stay mad. Right?”

Raven folded her arms. “I think it’s better if you apologized to him when we get back.”

Robin sighed. “I will, but I’m telling you guys, Starfire is going to be just fine.”

–

Starfire was not fine at all.

When they all got back, Robin expected Starfire to be on the couch waiting for them, but the place was quiet beyond all belief.

Everyone starred at her, wanting her to take charge and apologize, so Robin sighed and slowly walked to Starfire’s room. She had started planning a whole speech to say. It would have stuff like she wasn’t use to the whole guy thing and living with Batman wasn’t the best place to look for love advice.

She stood in front of Starfire’s door for ten minutes before she realized that Star had to be somewhere else in the tower.

The training room.

When Robin got there, Starfire was lifting weights in one hand so flawlessly that only Superman could rival him. When he heard the door slide open, he turned to Robin for a second before looking back. He sat the weight down and walked towards the other side of the room.

Robing could now tell she had definitely hurt him. Starfire was usually running towards her for a giant hug every time he saw her.

She had to make things right now.

Starfire ignoring her was one of the worst things she had to face that didn’t deal with stopping an insane criminal.

“Starfire?” She took two steps closer. Starfire still made no moment to face him. “Star, I am sorry for what I said earlier.”

Still no reaction.

She took a few more steps. “You are like one of the greatest guys I have ever met and I know Batman. When I said your not my boyfriend, I meant you are a boy and my friend, but…but I didn’t want people harassing because they thought you were dating a girl like me.”

A girl that definitely does not deserve the attention of a prince.

Starfire unfolded his arms and looked at her. “So that means you are not ashamed of me?”

So that was what was bothering him? Not the boyfriend thing, but if Robin was ashamed to be around him?

“Of course not!!”

That smiling face that Robin loved so much was finally starting to come back. “So if I wanted to go out with you, a boy and a girl, you would not say no?”

“Yes! I mean-what?” Was she missing something here?

Suddenly Starfire flew in front of her and grabbed her in for another one of his famous bear hugs. “This is so great Robin! I was thinking we can venture out to the place of pizza.”

“Just the two of us?”

Starfire’s grip tighten to the point Robin definitely knew she was have aching bones tomorrow. Starfire went into a monologue of all the things they can do together and if Robin didn’t know better, she would of expected that the prince felt the same way she felt about him.

Robin faced a lot of difficult obstacles in her life.

But dealing with a handsome alien prince she has grown to love had to be the most difficult thing she has ever had to face…and she was glad as long as Starfire stayed in her life.