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ekat-fandom-blog · 8 months

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Reverse Batfam AU

I don't have all of the Batfam in this line-up because I don't know them at all. There are some that I'm not in any way confident I could characterise so I might make a second version of this with the more well known Batfam members and exclude Duke, Steph, Cass, and Barbara. But, for now I do like my idea. I'm not planning to write a fic or anything with this so if anyone wants to use this specifically, go ahead.

But this is extremely long so everything's under the read more link.

I had to mess around with ages quite a bit because otherwise things do not fit at all. I did want them to come into the family in reverse order as well as reverse their ages.

Age differences: Duke->Damian - 1 year younger Damian->Steph - 4 years older Steph->Tim - 1 year younger Tim->Cass - 3 years older Cass->Jason - 6 months younger Jason->Dick - 4 years older Dick->Barbara - 1 year older

Oldest to youngest: Damian, Duke, Tim, Steph, Jason, Cass, Dick, Barbara

Ages when Dick arrived: Dick 8, Cass 12, Jason 12, Tim 15, Steph 14, Damian 18, Duke 17

Ages when Barbara joined: Barbara 14, Dick 15, Cass 18, Jason 19, Tim 21, Steph 20, Damian 24, Duke 23

Their Stories:

Duke Thomas- The first ward since he was taken in after Damian in canon (as far as I remember). Got into hero business at around the age of 9 because his parents got caught in a Joker attack and he created a "We Are The Knight" group consisting of kids that had suffered from the aftermath of the various villain attacks. A few years later, he became Batman's second sidekick - Signal. After moving out of Wayne manor kept the moniker and joined the Outsiders hero group. He still works with Batman but tries to keep his distance due to him being overbearing. He remembers growing up with Damian being hard, but they mended their relationship by the time Damian moved out. He survived Damian because (1) he wasn't adopted, (2) his parents are still alive, and (3) his powers.

Damian Wayne al Ghul- He took great pleasure in ridiculing Duke for everything from his hero name to his role in the family, but eventually grew to really enjoyed his younger brother's company (even though he'd never admit they were brothers or that he enjoyed Duke's company.) He became Batman's first sidekick, Shadow, (at the age of 10. he arrived 1 month after Duke.) as tribute to both his time spent in League of Shadows and his start to becoming Batman's shadow. He created a teen group outside of Gotham called the Titans (composed of him, Superboy, Raven, and Beast Boy) when he and Bruce started fighting but never quite left Gotham entirely.

Stephanie Brown- She joined the crusade as Spoiler at 11 and lasted only a year before being killed by Black Mask. However, that was enough time for Damian (16 when she died), Duke (15), and Bruce to become attached to her. Her death (and Bruce's subsequent burst of overprotection leading him to kick out Damian and Duke) caused Damian to shed the mantle of Shadow and become Nightwing. She does come back 6 months later leaving the others feeling confused and a bit betrayed, but mostly happy she wasn't actually dead. She creates the moniker Batgirl after Bruce tells her she can't be Spoiler any more.

Tim Drake- He joined the crusade at 13, 4 months after Spoiler's death, which hit Bruce really hard, caused a fight between Damian and Bruce (that ended with Damian and Duke moving out), and Batman became more violent than he had ever been. After failing to convince Damian and Duke to join Batman on patrol and stop avoiding him, he became Drake. Damian didn't like him initially, but tried to be there when Tim needed him. Damian also convinced Tim to change him moniker to Shadow because "Drake" was too close to his name to be effective at hiding his identity. Before Steph came back, he went through the Joker Jr thing and Batman and Signal helped him recover from the majority of it since Nightwing was on a Titans mission. He was just finishing up his training with Shiva when Cass joined the crusade. He was officially adopted one year later shortly after his parents died (because Steph and Cass were around to catch onto his shenanigans).

Cassandra Cain- She joined at 10 years old shortly after Tim did and shortly before Jason did. She originally called herself Orphan, but switched to Black Bat once she was adopted by Bruce.

Jason Todd- He joins a few months after Cass does (age 11) and gets adopted quickly. He and Tim get along extremely well and bond by making fun of Bruce. He takes on the moniker of Batboy when he joins the crusade. He avoids dying in Ethiopia because his siblings decided to go after him while Batman was investigating the illegal weapons trade there.

Dick Grayson- He becomes Bruce's ward at age 8. The entire Batfam was there when his parents died. Everyone's there when he shows everyone his first suit designs and the moniker he chose and why. They try very hard to convince him to choose darker colors and add more armor. He stanchly refuses because he wants his hero name and uniform to honor his parents. They do manage to convince him to add pants to the design. He convinces Alfred to make the suit with the promise that he won't go out until he has Bruce's approval. He doesn't uphold that promise and is crime fighting by the time he's 9.

Barbara Gordon- She'd been watching the bats for a few years before she decided she wanted to become a vigilante as well at age 14. She followed Batgirl for a while asking to be her sidekick or help with the tech stuff. After a few 'no's, she created her own outfit made out of Spoiler, Black Bat, and Batwoman halloween costumes. Names she came up with for herself were Red Bat, Batshadow, and Batlady. When she officially joined the group, Steph gave her the Batgirl moniker and took back the name Spoiler.

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jadegretz · 29 days

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Vibrant Heroine: Wonder Woman's Aura by Jade Gretz

Diana, Princess of Themyscira, stood atop the Athenian Acropolis, her golden lasso coiled at her hip. Below, the once bustling city was cloaked in an unnatural stillness. It was past midnight, and a full moon painted the marble buildings in an eerie, silvery light.

An unsettling unease gnawed at Diana. This wasn't the Athens she knew. The usual nighttime symphony of crickets and distant revelry had been replaced by an oppressive silence. Even the stray dogs that always scavenged near the Agora were nowhere to be seen.

A low, guttural moan shattered the silence, sending shivers down Diana's spine. It originated from the heart of the city, near the ancient Agora. Drawing her indestructible bracelets with a sharp snap, she propelled herself forward in a blur of blue and red, landing silently on a rooftop overlooking the marketplace.

The scene that greeted her was a nightmare. Bodies, once human, lay scattered on the cobblestones, their flesh contorted and warped under the pale moonlight. Their eyes, now glowing with an unnatural green light, locked onto Diana, their screams morphing into chilling growls.

These weren't humans anymore. They were twisted parodies, their limbs elongated, claws replacing fingernails, teeth sharpened into fangs. In one corner, a creature that had once been a baker wrestled with a skeletal policeman, its monstrous strength evident in its heaving muscles.

A wave of nausea washed over Diana, but she pushed it down. Fear wasn't an option. With a mighty cry, she leaped into the fray, her bracelets deflecting the lunges of the monstrous figures. Her Amazonian training kicked in, her movements a whirlwind of precision and power.

But the creatures were relentless, their numbers overwhelming. Every one she dispatched seemed to be replaced by another, drawn from the shadows by the horrifying symphony of growls and snarls.

Suddenly, a booming voice echoed through the square. "Wonder Woman! Stop this senseless violence!"

The monstrous figures paused, their glowing eyes shifting towards the source of the voice. A tall, gaunt figure, c …(see the rest of the story at deviantart.com/jadegretzAI). For more supergirl, chun li, batgirl, tifa, lara croft, wonder woman, rogue and much more, please visit my page at www.deviantart.com/jadegretzai - Thanks for your support :)

#wonderwoman #superhero #dianaprince #dccomic #comicart #comics #amazon #ai #aiart #digitalart #jadegretz #fantasyart #fanart #beautifulgirl #aiartwork #aiartcommunity

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gamesception · 5 months

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Sception Reads Cass Cain #28

Batgirl (2000) #12 writer: Chuck Dixon pencils: Dale Eaglesham

Batgirl (2000) takes a break from the usual creative team for a tie in to the Batman Crossover of the month, Officer Down. We've seen Eaglesham draw Cass a few times now & he's always solid. Dixon wrote for Cass back in Robin 73, which wasn't the best showing for her. Better this time, if more reliant on narration blocks than I'd like. Kind of odd that this is a 'tie in' rather than part of the story proper. Like they didn't want people to feel they had to buy this issue? I'd say it was a slight against Cass, except it's not like she was kept out of the rest of the crossover, she's in like half the issues.

But the fact that this issue is partially segregated from the rest of the crossover is convenient for me anyway, as it gives me an excuse to just look at this issue on its own this week, while next week we can bundle together the rest of Cass's appearances in the cross over.

Off the top, I have to say I really like the art in this issue. Eaglesham's fast cementing his place as my second favorite Cass artist. And not just because I like the way he draws Cass as Batgirl, but just, I mean, look at this page here, with all the details and personality packed into the scene. Kudos also to Jason Wright, the colorist for this issue, for really capturing this warm cozy homely interior, almost nostalgia-sepia-toned, while everything outside is cold and wet and blue. A single page that really captures Cassandra's isolation. At this point in her story she's basically living as Batgirl 24/7. No alter ego, no normal life, no friends. Not even really any connections apart from her somewhat fraught relationship with Barbara and her extra fraught relationship with Bruce. To see Cass on the outside looking in at the sort of connections that seem so impossibly distant, especially after the run in with her father last issue, it really works.

I also love these panels of Cass navigating Gotham, moving around like a shadow, often in the background or in silhouette. Bits like that convey the spookiness of this Batgirl a lot more than other artists who give her an angry face or emphasize the stitching on her mask or the like.

Love that panel of her rubbing her chin, thinky face clearly visible through the mask. Batman's out, so Cass decides to start investigating on her own. It's nice to see her doing the detective part of the bat-person vigilante job, rather than just leaving that part to Barbara, and Dixon does a good job of walking the reader through her thought process.

He is relying on narration blocks a bit more than I'd like, but he keeps them short and terse. Cass can talk now, but English is still a second language, and that comes across pretty well, imo. I was very critical of Dixons last showing with Cass, but he's honestly doing a solid job with her here, and as much as I don't care for them in general, I think the thought bubbles are helping. Some writers just have a hard time wrapping their heads around a non-verbal character. I'd imagine even just a little bit of language makes thing a world easier.

That said, not to beat a dead horse here, but with Cass speaking a few words here and there like this, they could have believably gotten her to this point through her own effort by studying with Barbara, no psychics required. Just saying.

I guess it hadn't really been decided how much Cass's new speaking ability had translated to reading yet? It seems from these panels that she can read at least a little, at least enough to recognize names and dates as such, which is more than she can do later on. But clearly she's not comfortable or adept enough at reading to get much out of the police files beyond Catwoman maybe being involved, and you can feel her frustration here when she abandons the papers to finally just go ask Babs for help.

Good stuff.

Of course, Babs isn't home either.

Again, I really like the way Eaglesham draws Cass. I like it more each time he shows up in this retrospective. Love little head tilt in the first panel, love the cape in the second panel there, very dracula-esque. Love that we can kind of see her face through the mask, makes her feel like a person.

Oh, you poor random doofus goons.

There's an ok fight scene at one of Selina's safehouse, albeit against no-name mooks. The panels are well drawn, the fight's perfectly readable, but it still feels pretty arbitrary, like hitting a minimum action quota for the issue.

Regardless, Selina isn't there, and the issue ends with Cass abandoning her solo efforts to go find the others.

As an event tie in the overall issue feels... pretty unnecessary. Nothing is really discovered, the story isn't advanced at all, nothing much happens. Makes sense that it wasn't an official part of the crossover, though you're left kind of wondering what the point was at all.

Even so, I kind of like the issue regardless. Eaglesham does a spectacular job with the art all the way through, and Dixon seems to have a much firmer handle on the character this time around. We get some solid panels of Cass trying to do some detective work on her own, something we rarely see, and the excellent bit early on of her flittering around through the city like a shadow. That sense of isolation from the first page really permeates the entire issue even if if the plot never touches on it, with Cass seeking out the only two people she really knows only for both of them to be out.

So yeah, even if nothing that happens in the issue really matters much, even if it doesn't really tell a stand alone story per se, I still like this one a lot.

#cassandra cain #sception reads cassandra cain #batgirl

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ahb-writes · 8 months

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Comics Review: ‘Batgirls’ #1

Batgirls Vol. 1 by Becky Cloonan My rating: 3 of 5 stars Gotham is on fire. Again. (Still?) And fortunately or unfortunately, by this juncture, fewer and fewer people truly care whether anyone is around to douse the flames. Which could be a good thing for Team Batgirl, whose combined ranks of Gordon, Cain, and Brown might slip among the shadows a little bit easier. But nothing really goes as one hopes when crimefighting in a city on fire. In BATGIRLS v1, readers breeze into the chaos midstream: Team Batgirl fights off a street artist with a knack for mind control, encounters a trio of well-equipped militant extremists, defends against a prodigy hacker, and as often happens when dealing with teenage superheroes, the team, from time to time, must also combat its own stupidity. BATGIRLS v1 successfully executes what many recent iterations of Batgirl have done: blend new stories of familiar heroics for new readers. Barbara Gordon is the big sister with a mind for strategy and gadgetry. Cassandra Cain is a strong, silent, and efficient partner looking for comfort among close friends. And Stephanie Brown, who is especially chatty, hates villainy with a casual efficiency that would be terrifying if she weren't so exceedingly upbeat. Few comics fans who thrive on more parochial ("classic") narrative tales of any of these characters will fall in love with this new comic. But that's okay. For what BATGIRLS v1 hopes to achieve, the character relationships and plotting mostly hit the target. The book struggles to balance its quest to entertain as well as the necessity of narrative focus. Does the team settle on relocating its hideout after a bomb threat, does it pound the pavement in search of an upstart mind-control freak, does it crack down on a hyped-up group of well-armed militants, or does it track down a hacker who has infiltrated Oracle's network? Lots of entertaining stuff. But ultimately very poor focus. Some of these stories are relegated to C-level priority, despite being introduced as a big deal. For others, the reverse feels truer than not. For example, The Saints, sharp assassins bearing some sweet gear, enter the story early only to falter and feather into the background. Team Batgirl gets its butt kicked the first time around, but in the end, the headhunters are a piece of cake. Is this another casualty of Big Two comics promising more than it can deliver? Regardless, it's kind of a letdown. BATGIRLS v1 leans heavily on the antics and dynamics of its co-protagonists. Cass is generally mum, but she doesn't hesitate to voice her opinion when her emotions rise to the fore. Steph is written precisely like a modern teenager, which is to say, she somehow balances being incredibly productive while also being dreadfully annoying. The two girls would make for the center-point of a killer series, when they're older, about Batgirl Roommates. But for now, side stories and commentary involving oddball pajamas, burned pancakes, and pierced ears will have to do. Visually, the comic employs an effective art style that works well with these iterations of Cain and Gordon but doesn't always mesh with Brown's ebullience. The book's sharp, angular, fed-from-the-shadows visual design is inherently cryptic, and more than suitable to the storytelling atmospherics of a city lulled to sleep while still on fire. The art in this book really stands out, from the geometric silhouette of Cain's cape to the incredible color-mix of psychosis and psychedelia readers engage, once fear gas is introduced into the story. Perhaps if the book reduced its villain count and narrowed its narrative trajectory, then the art team's work would've been even more effective. BATGIRLS v1 thrives, but ebbs and flows considerably in the process. The character voices are distinct and the art delivers on all accounts. But the story problematically overloads when it should instead pick and choose its challenges.

Comics Reviews || ahb writes on Good Reads

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dickgraysonexchange · 2 years

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Na na na na na na na na na na Gifts Time!

Day 3 is upon us, and with it, a bunch more tasty works! Check ‘em out, and don’t forget to kudos and comment on your gift to show your giftor some love!

SOOTHING DOWN for CLANDESTINEMIRA [Art, General Audiences, No Archive Warnings Apply]

Dick/Wally West

Digital Art, Fanart, Power Play, Cuddling & Snuggling

Dick steadying Wally.

IN THE SHADOW OF THE BAT for CRACKLPOP [Fic, Teen And Up Audiences, Major Character Death]

Dick & Bruce Wayne, Dick & Jason Todd

Dick Grayson Needs a Hug, Bruce Wayne's C+ Parenting, Bruce Wayne is Bad at Feelings, Jason Todd Needs A Hug, Angst with a Happy Ending, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Implied/Referenced Underage Prostitution, Dissociation

After Bruce fires Dick as Robin, Dick moves on, creating his own life independent of the Wayne legacy. But when Bruce dies unexpectedly, Dick finds that escaping Bruce's shadow is more difficult that he expected.

UNDERNEATH IT ALL for RUBYNYE [Fic, Explicit, Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings]

Dick/Slade Wilson

Idiots in Love, Kidnapping, Attempted Kidnapping, Circus Discussions, Rooftop Sex, Blow Jobs Mentioned, Nightwing's Ass Mentioned, Slade's Enhanced Cock Mentioned, Gotham's Architecture Mentioned, Dick Is Drugged, Dick Grayson is Nightwing, Slade Wilson is Deathstroke

Deathstroke and Nightwing sometimes do more on rooftops than fight. That's fine(ish). There's a history of trysts between vigilantes and villains. Feelings, though? Nightwing's not so sure.

NO, THANK YOU for WILDSOFMARCH [Fic, Mature, No Archive Warnings Apply]

Dick & Slade Wilson, Dick & Bruce Wayne

Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Dead Joker (DCU), Minor Character Death, Dead Jason Todd, Bruce Wayne is Bad at Communicating, Depressed Dick Grayson, Dick Grayson is Nightwing, Dick Grayson Needs a Hug, Slade Wilson Being an Asshole

In a world post-Jason Dick doesn’t eat, sleep or go on any nightly activities. Stuck with an uncommunicative, seemingly uncaring Bruce, Dick finds himself isolated and unable to move forward. Deathstroke – having heard of his nemesis’ situation reaches out to help – to provide a gift – but somehow things don’t always work out the way we want them to.

RIDING DIRTY for ROBINING [Fic, Explicit, No Archive Warnings Apply]

Dick/Jason Todd

Shameless Smut, Dick Grayson is Ric Grayson, Jason Todd Has Issues, Ric Grayson is a Dick, Amnesia, Identity Issues, Cursing, Blowjobs, Anal Sex, Top Dick Grayson, Bottom Jason Todd, Plot What Plot/Porn Without Plot, Porn with Feelings, Riding, Anal Fingering

Ric has some sparks of Dick Grayson still in there, that confidence and intelligence behind the aimless attitude. But overall it’s like Ric is a completely different person. Or at least, he’s clearly trying to be.

Jason’s thinking up a way to get closer to see for himself. He knows that he and Dick were never that close, but part of him still isn’t satisfied just hearing the news secondhand. Part of him still needs closure.

IT WASN’T SUPPOSED TO BE LIKE THIS; I WOULDN’T CHANGE A THING for NEWTSDAISIES [Fic, Not Rated, Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings]

Stephanie Brown & Dick, Dick & Bruce Wayne, Stephanie Brown & Dick & Bruce Wayne

Dick Grayson is Batman, Stephanie Brown is Batgirl, Bruce Wayne is a Good Parent, Bruce Wayne is Batman, Bruce Wayne is Bad at Feelings, Protective Stephanie Brown, Time Travel, Hurt Dick Grayson

“My name is Stephanie Brown and that was Dick Grayson.” Bruce felt his breath catch in his chest as he flinched away from the blonde girl. Fear curdling up in his stomach as she went on. “This isn’t a trick or a trap, we were sent here mid battle. Now if you don’t mind I’d appreciate it if you let me go so I can check to make sure my mentor is still alive.”

No.

IN NEED OF RESCUE for GRAYSON1996 [Fic, Mature, Rape/Non-Con, Underage]

Dick & Donna Troy

Wonder Twins, Dick Grayson is Nightwing, Dissociation, Rape Aftermath, Implied/Referenced Rape/Non-con, Protective Donna Troy, Dick Grayson and Donna Troy are Siblings, Good Friend Donna Troy, POV Donna Troy, Dick Grayson Needs a Hug, Dick Grayson Gets a Hug, Blankets, Hot Chocolate, Wally West is a Good Friend, Blockbuster arc, Hurt/Comfort...

Donna Troy goes looking for her missing friend. She does not like what she finds.

Feat: Blanket Burritos, Board Games, Donna rescuing Dick from Catalina after Blockbuster Arc, Titan Plushies, and Wholesome Wonder Twins

A CONSTELLATION OF COMPLICATIONS for CLASSYSLEUTH [Fic, Teen And Up Audiences, No Archive Warnings Apply]

Dick & Jason Todd, Tim Drake & Dick

Alternate Universe - Science Fiction, Dick Grayson-centric, Case Fic, Cyborgs, Detective Noir, In SPACE!, Canon-Typical Violence, Blood and Injury, Murder Mystery, Worldbuilding, BAMF Dick Grayson, BAMF Everyone, Cyberpunk

No one besides a select few knew that Dick tried to solve the cases the people of the upper city were too busy to care about. Cases that dealt with the lower classes, the current addicts, the bitcoin debtors, the cyborg traders.

Cases like this one.

Or: Cyborgs are being killed in Gotham City and Dick is the only one who can find the killer before it's too late.

#dickgraysonexchange #dickgraysonexchange2022 #gift reveals #birdflash #sladick #jaydick #dick grayson #jason todd #slade wilson #wally west #donna troy #tim drake #bruce wayne #stephanie brown

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martyrbat · 1 year

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batman #262

[ID: a two page, multiple-choice trivia quiz on Batman! On the first page, there's a drawing of the Bat-Signal shining in the empty space next to a question. On the lower side of the page, Batman's imp is riding the Bat-Hound and holding up a sign that has Batwoman's original costume on it. On the second image we see the first Batgirl, a woman with blonde curly hair and in a red dress. There's a drawing of the entrance to the Batcave, where the Batmobile is visible and Robin's costume is hanging on a rack. The comic's narration presents, "Here it is... A trivia quiz guaranteed to drive you bats!"

1. Commissioner Gordon frequently contacts the Batman with the Bat-Signal! Where is this device located? — (A.) Atop the Gotham state building. (B.) In the commissioner's office. (C.) On the roof of police headquarters. (D.) In Bruce Wayne's penthouse apartment.

2. Years ago, the Batman was frequently aided by a circus performer who became the Batwoman. What was her real name? — (A.) Vicki Vale. (B.) Kathy Kane. (C.) Selina Kyle. (D.) Barbara Gordon

3. Just as Superman was pestered by Mr. Mxyzftlk, Batman was often visited by an imp from another dimension. What was his name? — (A.) Bat-Mite. (B.) Bat-Imp. (C.) Mr. Batzptlk. (D.) The Bat-Genie.

4. Bat-Hound was the pet of a friend of Bruce Wayne's who donned a mask and helped the Dynamic Duo, what was Bat-Hound's "secret identity"? — (A.) Rex. (B.) Streak. (C.) Krypto. (D.) Ace.

5. Years before the current Batgirl made her debut, there was another Batgirl. What was the title of the story in which she first appeared? — (A.) "The Million-dollar Debut Of Batgirl". (B.) "Bat-Girl". (C.) "Here Comes The Batgirl". (D.) "I Wanted To Join The Little League, But They'd Only Let Me Be The Batgirl".

6. Bruce Wayne discovered the Batcave (where?) — (A.) beneath Wayne Manor. (B.) In cove off Gotham Bay. (C.) Under police headquarters. (D.) down by the Old Mill Stream.

7. Originally, Bruce and Dick went to the Batcave (by going) — (A.) Down a flight of stairs behind a grandfather clock. (B.) In an elevator behind the closet. (C.) Down the Bat-poles behind the moving wall. (D.) In a taxicab.

The outside narration makes a pun on the iconic sign-off for the show Looney Tunes, where Porky Pig stammers, "that's all folks!" The comic reads: "B-b-b-bat's all, folks! The answers appear on page 47!"

The answers to the Bat-Trivia quiz. Batman and Robin are standing side by side, their conjoined shadows mimicking a giant bat behind them. The answers follow:

1 — (C.) On the roof of police headquarters

2 — (B.) Kathy Kane

3 — (A.) Bat-Mite

4 — (D.) Ace

5 — (B.) "Bat-Girl"

6 — (A.) Beneath Wayne Manor

7 — (A.) Down a flight of stairs behind a grandfather clock.

END ID]

#this is really cute i love the dumb little shit they used to do #i love a good angst comic and im not saying comics now arent fun/enjoyable bc that's a gross mass judgement on an art medium and all #but also... comics when they let themselves be fun .... <33 #also this is from 1975 so be considerate in why the questions werent more obscure bdkxjv #c: batman | i: 262 #crypt's panels

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slightlyloomingone · 1 year

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23 Books for 2023

Oh, that's a lot of books. I have delayed posting after @herslowness tagged me because I wasn't sure I had 23 books in my list (and also because I have been very slow at making my way through my tbr list), but I will try to add some comic books/graphic novels and short stories, and hope for the best. Here we go. Striked = books I've finished (🥲)

1. A Sétima Onda - Juan Julian

2. A Psalm For The Wild-Built - Becky Chambers

3. A Comunidade Secreta - Phillip Pullman (I believe the original name is The Secret Commonwealth)

4. Entrelace: Antologia Semana da Visibilidade Assexual 2020 - Various Authors

5. Entre a Coroa e a Flecha - Arthur Cavalcante

6. Filhos de Sangue e Osso - Tomi Adeyemi (Children of Blood and Bone)

7. Far Sector - N.K. Jemisin

8. Hunger Pangs - Joy Demorra

9. Justiça Anciliar - Ann Leckle (Ancillary Justice)

10. Making Money - Terry Pratchett

11. Maremoto - Eduardo Leite

12. O Filho da Noite Estrelada - Juan Julian

13. O bebê de tarlatana rosa - João do Rio

14. Passos de Liberdade - Lívia Ferreira

15. Stone Butch Blues - Leslie Feinberg

16. Shadow of the Batgirl - Sarah Kuhn, Nicole Goux

17. The Empress of Salt and Fortune - Nghi Vo

18. Território Lovecraft - Matt Ruff (Lovecraft Country)

19. Um Conto de Natal - China Miéville (I think the title in English is 'Tis the Season)

20. Unseen Academicals - Terry Pratchett

21. Witchmark - C. L. Polk

22. Wonder Woman - George Perez (actually more than one book but yeah)

23. Wonder Woman Historia: The Amazons - Kelly Sue DeConnick

I'm not tagging anyone, but please consider yourself tagged if you feel like playing!

#tag game #reading #books!#23 books for 2023 #(technically)#actually trying to decide what to read next #but making a choice is difficult

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pokemon-emerald-emerald-cgr · 2 years

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Pokemon Emerald Cheats GBA ROM -

💾 ►►► DOWNLOAD FILE 🔥🔥🔥 Pokemon Emerald. In This Article. No Descriptors. Initial Release. Game Boy Advance. Prey - Predator Prequel Trailer Check out the thrilling, action-packed new trailer for Prey, the newest entry in the Predator franchise. Set in the Comanche Nation years ago, Prey is the story of a young woman, Naru, a fierce and highly skilled warrior. She has been raised in the shadow of some of the most legendary hunters who roam the Great Plains, so when danger threatens her camp, she sets out to protect her people. The prey she stalks, and ultimately confronts, turns out to be a highly evolved alien predator with a technically advanced arsenal, resulting in a vicious and terrifying showdown between the two adversaries. The movie also stars Dane DiLiegro as the Predator. Thomas, John C. Thomas, and Marc Toberoff serving as executive producers. Directed by Kat Coiro Episodes 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9 and Anu Valia Episodes 5, 6, 7 with Jessica Gao as head writer, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law follows Jennifer Walters as she navigates the complicated life of a single, something attorney who also happens to be a green 6-footinch superpowered hulk. Co-executive producers are Wendy Jacobson and Jennifer Booth. IGN Recommends. Hogwarts Legacy Ryan Leston Tactics Ogre: Reborn Ryan Leston Avengers: Endgame Adele Ankers-Range Better Call Saul Tom Chapman Batgirl Ryan Leston Warner Bros. Batgirl Casey David Muir-Taylor Prey Tom Jorgensen

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adamalade · 2 years

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reversal au outline idea i probably won't make

Estimated age order:

bruce/batman (43)

babs/batgirl/oracle (31)

Dick/Robin/nightwing (29)

Cass/batgirl/black bat/orphan (24)

Jason/robin/red hood (24 chronologically, 23 physically/emotionally)

Steph/spoiler/robin (21)

Tim/robin/Red Robin (20)

Duke/signal (15)

Dami/robin (13)

Reverse order (ages are a bit messed with)

Bruce/Batman (43)

Dami (30)

Duke (28)

Tim (23)

Steph (22/21)

Jason (20)

Cass (20)

Dick (14)

Babs (12)

Adoption/induction order:

Dick/robin/nightwing

Babs/batgirl/oracle

Jason/robin/red hood

Tim/robin/Red Robin

Steph/spoiler/robin

Cass/batgirl/black bat/orphan

Dami/robin

Duke/signal

Reverse order:

Duke/signal

Dami/shadow/nightwing

Cass/batgirl/black bat/orphan

Steph/spoiler/batgirl?/red hood

Tim/rumor

Jason/?? (give ideas pls)/medic

Dick/robin

Babs/oracle

Important events, roughly in order:

dick adoption, becomes robin (y1) (dick: 11)

OG Teen Titans (y4)

Babs becomes batgirl (y6) (babs: 18)

New Teen Titans (y6)

Dick fired/leaves, becomes nightwing (y7)

Jason adoption, becomes robin (y7) (jason: 12)

Babs paralyzation (y8)

Jason death (y10)

Tim trains to be robin (y10) (tim: 12)

His mom dies (y11)

Tim is Robin (y11)

Steph is spoiler (y12) (steph: 15)

NML (y13) (cass intro)

Cass is batgirl (y13) (cass: 18)

Steph is pregnant/has baby (y13)

Tim’s dad finds out, Steph is Robin (y14)

Steph is fired, dies trying to “prove” self (y14) (steph: 17)

Tim is Robin again (y14)

Jack Drake dies (y14/15)

Under the red hood my beloved (titans tower my beloathed) (y15) (jason: 20/19)

Steph alive! (y15) (steph: 18)

Damian intro (y17) (dami: 10)

Bruce “dies” (y17)

DYNAMITE DUO HELL YEA (y17) (dami: 11)

AND STEPH IS BATGIRL TOO THIS ROCKS (y17)

Ok Bruce isn’t actually dead that’s good (y18)

Batman inc (y18)

~new 52~

Duke Thomas, “we are Robin” (y19) (duke: 15)

Duke trains to be a vigilante (y19)

Duke has powers! Cool! Becomes signal (y19) (duke: 15)

Reversal important events:

Duke adoption, becomes signal + discovers powers (duke: 9) (y1)

Damian intro, attempts to “dethrone” Duke b/c he thinks he’s more valid or something. test tube baby (y2) (duke: 10, dami: 12)

Damian becomes vigilante (y2) (du: 10, da: 12)

Duke+OG Teen Titans (y4) (du: 12, da: 14)

Dami+New Teen Titans (y7) (du: 15, da: 17)

Cass intro, becomes batgirl (y8) (du: 16, da: 18, ca: 8)

Damian fired in Bruce’s panic, becomes nightwing (he has issues with his position as a ‘valid’ son and the idea of his usefulness and importance being intertwined) (y8) (du: 16, da: 18, ca: 8)

Steph becomes spoiler, meets fellow batman fanatic tim (y9) (du: 17, da: 19, ca: 9, st: 11, ti: 12)

batman says steph is too young, steph drags tim into it as well (y9) (du: 17, da: 19, ca: 9, st: 11, ti: 12)

tim’s mom dies while the two of them are training to become vigilantes (y10) (du: 18, da: 20, ca: 10, st: 12, ti: 13)

steph as spoiler, tim as rumor (y10) (du: 18, da: 20, ca: 10, st: 12, ti: 13)

tim’s dad finds out, not allowed out (y12) (du: 20, da: 22, ca: 12, st: 14, ti: 15)

tim goes back to rumor (y12) (du: 20, da: 22, ca: 12, st: 14, ti: 15)

jason intro (y13) (du: 21, da: 23, ca: 13, st: 15, ti: 16, ja: 13)

steph dies (y13) (du: 21, da: 23, ca: 13, st: 15, ti: 16, ja: 13)

steph resurrection (y14) (du: 22, da: 24, ca: 14, st: 15, ti: 17, ja: 14)

Jack Drake dies (y14) (du: 22, da: 24, ca: 14, st: 15, ti: 17, ja: 14)

steph trains with league (y15) (du: 23, da: 25, ca: 15, st: 16, ti: 18, ja: 15)

bruce apparent death (y15) (du: 23, da: 25, ca: 15, st: 17, ti: 19, ja: 15)

duke/dami as batman (y15) (du: 24, da: 25, ca: 16, st: 17, ti: 19, ja: 16)

cass is black bat (y16) (du: 25, da: 26, ca: 17, st: 18, ti: 20, ja: 17)

bruce is alive, tim discovers it (y16) (du: 25, da: 26, ca: 17, st: 18, ti: 20, ja: 17)

STEPH!RED HOOD BABYYYYYYYYY, LET'S FUCK SHIT UP AND SMACK BATS AROUND (y17) (du; 26, da: 28, ca: 18, st: 19, ti: 21, ja: 18)

jason goes to college to become a doctor + becomes medic (y17) (du: 26, da: 28, ca: 18, st: 19, ti: 21, ja: 18)

dick intro, begins training (y17) (du: 26, da: 28, ca: 18, st: 19, ti: 21, ja: 18, di: 12)

dick is robin (y18) (du: 27, da: 29, ca: 19, st: 20, ti: 22, ja: 19, di: 13)

babs intro, begins tech education (y18) (du: 27, da: 29, ca: 19, st: 20, ti: 22, ja: 19, di: 13, ba: 11)

Babs is oracle (y19) (du: 28, da: 30, ca: 20, st: 21, ti: 23, ja: 20, di: 14, ba: 12)

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analviel · 3 years

Text

TIM DRAKE IS NOT ROBIN

It just so happens when Tim was planning to find Dick, his parents suddenly call him to tell him that there's a party or an event or just something on the other side of the world he can attend with them.

Sometimes they do this and Tim always says yes. It's as rare as leap years. Meaning it has happened only three times in his life before. He agonized over it. But you know, Tim's just a kid and there's no guarantee he can actually do something about Batman and Nightwing. Besides, Batman's been managing -if you can call it that- this long, with Alfred by his side, who's words certainly weights more heavily than the neighbours kid. He can afford a couple of weeks away from Gotham. By that time, Batman probably would've gotten his head straight. He's a hero, he's like, really strong, if anyone can get through this... besides, Tim figures Superman or Wonder Woman will do something before he truly crosses the line, right? Why would a kid know better than real superheroes, right? They must just be waiting until they're really needed. Right? Even though Tim personally thinks they should've at the very least locked Batman up somewhere he can't harm anyone or himself if they can't convince Dick to go back to being Robin. They're heroes.

Tim really wants to spend time with his parents. But before he leaves, he sends letters to every place he thinks Dick may be. The Titans Towers, his apartment in Bludhaven, where he lives with Starfire, Haly's circus, even to houses of his friends heroes. (Tim is twelve/thirteen alright. And one that has maybe below average self-awareness and his letters were very polite even if the act itself might've been vaguely sort of threatening).

So Tim leaves Gotham to spend time with his parents. It's busy, his parents keep him busy, and he doesn't have much time to dedicate to the news from Gotham. And really, if this is how it always is, no wonder his parents don't always have attention to spare on their kid in Gotham. So many things to do, so many things to attend, so many people to meet, and even more sites to visit. And the fighting. Tim hadn't realize it was this bad and suddenly thinks that, you know, it might've been better if he did stay back home. He realizes his parents actually brought him with them because they think a kid will somehow... magically fix them...??? Tim doesn't know, adults can be stupid.

Eventually, they realize the wrong in their ways and sends Tim back when his presence proves ineffective. Tim comes back to the city burning.

Well, not literally, but sort of.

Parts of it are burning. But not the whole thing. That's something.

Batman has been missing. And looking into it, at his last appearance, Tim surmise he retained a heavy wound.

(Or he's dead, not like they'll reveal it to the city just to cause more chaos and panic.) Batman seems to be out of the field and that was what Tim wanted, before he would've crossed the line.

Only, thing is, he'd already revealed too much weakness. The Batsignal had been taken down after one too many close calls on the perps they pick up. And the violence only raised from there.

(The first month when Batman and Robin and Batgirl's absence started to become suspicious. The second month Batman is deep in his spiral of violence. The third month Tim follows him around and then makes plants to pick up Dick that doesn't come to fruition and then sends his letters and then leaves. Six weeks with his parents, a few days from and to Gotham, two weeks to get caught up with what happened in Gotham. Batman is out, recovering, resting, dying, who knows.

Five months was all it took for Gotham to go to hell. And all it took was one dead son.)

Spoiler rises.

Gotham has a new champion.

Tim regrets that he hadn't been able to help. Tim will help.

Tim has a new champion.

Spoiler has a fixation on Cluemaster. It's not that difficult to go from there.

As long as, one, you know who was giving the police the answers to Cluemaster's gimmick. And two, that you know there even is a new vigilante because Spoiler is not like Batman who beats perps and leave them on the sidewalk for the police to pick up.

For wearing an almost eyesearing purple costume, Spoiler prefers to keep in the shadows and if not for the time Tim had trailed after Batman's madness, he wouldn't have learned the streets enough to notice the hints.

Tim purchase a laptop, watch tutorials day in and day out, buys pieces from junkyards to fiddle with wires and boards, and leaves Stephanie Brown a gift on her windowsill with a purple ribbon. Tim greets Spoiler over the comms. He calls himself Asset.

(It is not well-thought out because Stephanie takes to calling the mystery person who snuck into her room and refuses to give anything about themselves out 'Ass'. Tim did not actually sneak into her room but sent a drone to drop off his gift. Steph doesn't budge.)

Tim is not yet good enough to hack into cameras around Gotham. He finds he's good with a computer but not that good, his real talent lies not in the software but in the wires and soldering iron and the tiny bug camera/audio he has Spoiler plant around Gotham. If he can't take other cameras, he'll make them. (Also in case someone more experienced at hacking than he is manages to get in the system, Tim has a self-destruct button just for that. Yes, Dr. Doofenshmirtz is a good role models for mad scientist wannabes.)

A week is all it takes for Spoiler and Asset to get all the necessary evidence against Cluemaster. They celebrate. They are thirteen year olds and they just prevented a bomb from going off and put a bad man behind bars. They are high. They find more cases, for the most part C-rank villains and bellow but they also help with the big names by Spoiler planting more cameras and Tim sending the data and feeds for her to drop off to Jim Gordon. He is the only one who knows of the characters that have risen after Batman's sleep and can guess enough from Spoiler's stiff shoulders to keep that to himself.

Then...

Then it is six months and two weeks.

Tim watch from his now multiple screen behind his walk-in closet as a grave is dug out from the inside. Because S&A have put cameras everywhere just in case. After all, it's places you think are of no interest that criminals will sought to make deals in.

Tim does not send his partner to what may be a zombie but instead tells her to clear the direction Jason is stumbling towards. It takes him minutes to realize that Jason is patrolling his Robin patrol. Jason is sent to the hospital and Tim contacts them to list him under the Drakes, paying for his room and every other necessities. Has him transferred to the hospital that Drake medical industries is personally funding. When asked the name, Tim says Alvin Draper. He gets a cab to the hospital, finds Jason knocked out, peers at Robin's face. It's when they're alone, the previously dead boy's hands wrapped in bandages that Tim confirms in disbelief that as far as he knows, the boy matches Jason Todd. As if him digging his way out of Jason Todd's grave wasn't enough. Granted, Tim doesn't even know the shade of his eyes, so he's not the best judge.... Tim snaps a picture from different angles of the room and takes another cab back to Bristol while thinking up a story.

Tim knocks on the neighbour, tells them he's got something of Jason and if he can see Mr. Wayne. Tim is surprised himself by how relieved he is to see Bruce standing alive and well. Or not standing, leg and arm in a cast, an IV beside him on the couch in the drawing room. Tim weaves his story. Little Tim Drake wandering around Gotham, stumbles on a bunch of medic picking up a boy that Tim recognises as the neighbour's dead kid, pays for his hospital bills, takes a couple of pictures after the first aid or whatever and gives Bruce the pictures. Bruce makes his way to the hospital.....

I've lost steam at this point.

You decide if they arrive to see Jason and Bruce and Alfred is all tearful while Tim awkwardly leaves the room to resume his brainstorming on the S&A latest case, or they find an empty bed and Bruce goes on a frenzy tracking his undead lost son.

Additional idea: So Tim not being there didn't kill Bruce, but Bruce has been crippled and Batman is dead now. So without Robin, Batman did die.

Maybe Dick comes back to become Batman with Jason as his Robin, since that's not a combination often seen (Or the Batman Jason and Robin Tim, that's more common, though I'm loath to give up Spoiler and Asset). Around this time Babs comes back to the scene as Oracle with the birds of prey.

Additional additional idea to how they'll work with everyone back on the scene: since the Bats have the fighters and more equipped to report to time sensitive stuff, maybe S&A focus more on cold cases. Where Spoiler goes sneaking around, poking at old cases with Asset in her ears, figuring out puzzles and old clues, making breakthrough after breakthrough and bringing long overdue justice together.

Either the Drakes dies without Batman there to slap the poison out of Jack's hands because he's too busy searching for his son, or maybe they live with Tim able to direct Batman there immediately. Either way, Drake industry sponsors S&A, so now Spoiler also has toys like the Spoil... er plane??? Spoiler bike??? Eh, the name's work in progress.

#tim drake #dc #robin #batfam #dc comics #red robin #batman #Stephanie brown #spoiler #batgirl #and i write #jason todd #fic idea #red hood #bruce wayne #tim is not robin #asset tim drake

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fancyfade · 4 months

Note

i have a question, as i am also a big enjoyer of damian wayne and have been spinning around the concept of an arc/issue/solo for him and i like to hear people's thoughts an ideas: if you could right a solo, or an issue of detective comics starring damian wayne, what would right, because GOD, DC needs to give him to someone who'll actually do something with him.

hmmmm I think a good follow-up to Robin: Son of Batman, which focuses a lot on Damian trying to redeem/"redeem" himself for what he did in the League of Shadows, would be an arc where the idea that he was fully responsible is challenged.

(I don't necessarily think he has to agree with it, I think lots of batfam members have insane senses of responsibility and if they immediately all went like 'yeah you're right this isn't something I could stop' it would get boring. I just would like to see it challenged by the text, like babs tells cass that she wasn't at fault for killing someone as an eight year old in batgirl. Before cass goes to fight shiva to the death in a battle she does not intend on winning b/c she won't kill again XD)

anyway so with that in mind. i think talia should be involved. I know I'm so insanely mad whenever I see this panel (link) b/c Talia's being asked to apologize and redeem herself for something that wasn't even in character (and i followed up: Bruce can act OOC and get it swept under the rug or justified he doesn't have to apologize for it (link).) ANYWAY but thats besides the point the point is I'm imagining Talia hearing Damian say like "we all must pay, mother." and I think she'd be like "who tf even told you that????" and she'd be a good second point of view in this arc, challenging Damian's ideas that he needs to actively redeem himself or he was a bad person earlier, because while Damian just sees what he did vs what he's doing now, she sees him as her child.

I also went kind of on about this when reading Knight Terrors (link) but I think it would be deeply discomforting for Damian to contemplate the idea that he wasn't in responsible for what he did in the League, because the way he deals with it is ok wait i'll just quote that post:

I think if he followed these thoughts (that his training is something that was 'done' to him) further, it would scare him, because the way he currently copes with it and views the world in general is by everything being his fault and his responsibility - in his control. If he admits or acknowledges that he was just a kid being raised a certain way, it’s not in his control, it’s not something he can redeem himself from, and it falls outside his current way he views the world.

anyway that said that's what like. the general 'next step' of Damian's arc I'd have i think would be neat.

I'd also be down with like. literally just fun adventures, like I wouldn't even hate Damian in high school and solving low-stakes crimes like we have in batman and robin 2023 if it wasn't written so blandly

#regulus ready to scream #ask #dc comics #damian wayne #robin

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dont-be-so-shy · 3 years

Text

let's make a timsteph fix-it because i desperately need it

(keep in mind that this all is canon, whyyyy)

things that need fixing:

Robin told Spoiler about Karl Ranck’s death so Stephanie showed up to the funeral without knowing Tim was there with his girlfriend, Ariana

That's not an issue to be precise, it's just so incredibly awkward it fucks me up a bit (but we stan supportive Steph obvs). also, i don't even think Steph knows he has a gf??

right after Tim and Ariana broke up, Robin and Steph started dating

er, yeah Tim actually liked Ariana a lot and their break-up was very bittersweet so even though he does like Steph, it should take a bit for them to get together

Tim left Gotham and moved to Kansas during No Man’s Land and the last few months of Steph’s pregnancy

i'm not sure what to do about it but Tim literally left Gotham during a time it needed him for his asshole dad during one of the hardest times on Steph's life and one of the hardest times of Gotham as a whole

Robin followed Star, a friend from his new boarding school, into a suspicious alley and ran into Spoiler on patrol

She thought he was cheating on her after Robin saved Star from a gang shootout

ok, first of all, ask. you really think Tim can lie to you?

While Robin was on a mission in Tibet, Batman approached Spoiler and told her Tim’s name

NO why???? Bruce, your mistakes astound me. to fix this? i personally believe Tim should have told her during Steph's pregnancy but the fact that Bruce told her while Tim was away is... a little worrying. like, what was your reasoning here, dude?

Steph showed up at Tim’s school to surprise but worried he was cheating on her when some girl hit on him

again, askkk. he won't lie to you

While Tim was unwillingly retired, Steph snuck into the Batcave and demanded Batman make her Robin because of the above ^ incident

nooo Steph this isn't how you deal with cheating suspicions

Steph willingly spent a year in Africa after faking her death

She told Leslie to fake her death

She doesn’t tell Tim she’s alive

She doesn’t go with Red Robin on his Eurotrip/Brucequest

i'm thinking of writing a TimSteph fix-it because this? this is a goddamn mess.

in my perfect world,

steph tells tim she's going to ranck's funeral and Tim is like, okay. and that's fixed.

steph waits for a bit for tim to get his thoughts together and tim actually gets his thoughts together and they have a long talk about it and tim and ariana have a long talk too and ariana gets therapy please.

tim stays in gotham during nml. jack drake is in fucking kansas, what's he gonna do to you timmy? call you? no, wait, he can't because the fucking phone lines are down.

tim tells her his secret id and they start dating as tim and steph

tim being there for steph's c-section is good, let's keep that

steph did have worries over star but tim realized she was sad and they had a long talk over steph's worries and tim tells her he'll never cheat on her

the other cheating scare never happened but if tim and steph happen to cuddle extra-hard no one's gonna know, okay?

tim knows he's not gonna be back to being robin for a while so he tells steph he's okay with her being robin and supports her through bruce's harshness.

leslie fakes steph's death unwillingly and once steph is fully lucid from her injuries (a few days, maybe a few weeks?) she calls her mom and then tim and tells them she's alive

she returns to gotham asap and is now only going by spoiler because she doesn't have another name... but she will

(spoiler was made in her father's shadow and steph's rise to batgirl symbolizes her becoming better than her past and yes i have strong Feelings about this okay?)

she doesn't know if she believe tim about the bruce thing and she stays in gotham only to make sure things are not gonna collapse after bruce's death. then she joins tim

steph doesn't like jason because he beat up tim (also he’s just insane and also a villain so)

tim goes apeshit on damian for calling her fatgirl because that's offensive as fuck (even tho she’s probably chill with it bc she’s actually good with kids)

tim has a strained relationship with jean-paul (tim def refers to himself as jvp’s babysitter more than once) much like steph has a flip-floppy relationship with leslie

and if i do write it, it's still gonna be angsty in a good way 'cause guess who's gone green!

introduciiinnnggg... lazarus!steph!

okay tim legit tried to clone kon. no matter how much he doesn't want the pit, if steph dies, whaddaya think he's gonna do?

and finally: ships and friendships if i do write it!

tim & steph & connor hawke (<3), steph & klarion bleak, steph & kara zor-el, tim & the titans, steph & the birds of prey, tim & bernard dowd & sebastian ives, tim & steph & the assassins three, tim & steph & superman, probably kon/bart, teekl/dex-starr, cassie/cissie, klarion and connor/somebody, steph & cass, steph & babs.

i might even make a little green lantern fusion because those are amazing

#stephanie brown #tim drake #timsteph #fix-it #canon #headcanons #konbart #teekl #dex-starr #green lantern #red robin #spoiler #batgirl #robin #lazarus pit #lazarus!steph #Can You Tell I'm On Writer's Block?

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jadegretz · 3 days

Text

Ada Wong: Zombie Slayer by Jade Gretz

Rain lashed against the corrugated metal roof of the abandoned warehouse, the rhythmic drumming filling the cavernous space with a relentless monotony. Ada Wong, her scarlet dress a stark contrast to the grimy surroundings, crouched behind a stack of rusted crates, a sliver of moonlight glinting off the silencer of her silenced pistol.

The air hung thick with the stench of rotting flesh and decay. Groans and moans, both guttural and high-pitched, rose in a chilling chorus from the shadows. Ada had stumbled upon this makeshift refugee camp after days navigating the ravaged streets of Neo-Raccoon City. The T-Virus, a grotesque mockery of scientific progress, had turned the once bustling metropolis into a grotesque parody of a city.

But these weren't the lumbering, decaying zombies of old. The C-Virus, a twisted mutation of the original strain, had transformed them into something faster, stronger, and far more terrifying. Their eyes, once glazed with an unthinking hunger, now glowed with a feral intelligence, a predatory gleam that sent shivers down Ada's spine.

The camp, a desperate congregation of survivors, had fallen silent hours ago. Now, only the moans of the infected echoed through the warehouse. Relief, a fleeting emotion, washed over Ada. They seemed to have moved on, their attention diverted elsewhere.

Too soon. A guttural screech shattered the silence, followed by a sickening thud against the metal roof. Ada's heart hammered against her ribs. They were back, drawn by some unknown signal.

A horde of infected swarmed the warehouse entrance, their ragged forms clawing and tearing at the rusty barricade. The makeshift barrier, built from scavenged furniture and debris, wouldn't hold for long. With a growl of frustration, Ada rose, her movements as precise and deadly as a ballet dancer's.

She tossed a flashbang towards the entrance, the blinding light followed by a deafening bang. The infected recoiled momentarily, their moans turning into startled shrieks. But the respite was momentary. With renewed fury, they surged forward, their mutated forms a grotesque testament to …(see the rest of the story at deviantart.com/jadegretzAI). For more supergirl, chun li, batgirl, tifa, lara croft, wonder woman, rogue and much more, please visit my page at www.deviantart.com/jadegretzai - Thanks for your support :)

#ai #aiart #digitalart #jadegretz #fantasyart #fanart #beautifulgirl #aiartwork #aiartcommunity #adawong #residentevil #videogameart

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iphoenixrising · 3 years

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More on the Robinpile Soulmate au

You know, babes, people and their wonderful, encouraging comments on that work in progress are fucking beautiful, so.

I’m going to put a little snippet down that’s probably going to rip at your heart strings and spoil the story a bit for you if you decide to read this small bit. So, just FYI Spoiler.

But, if you’d like a little more on how that story is going to go, welp. here you are *bows*

Note: not formatted or beta read.

After so much careful planning and preparation, Plan C is a go.

Robin is running over rooftops, scanning every shadow for a hint of Red Robin in Gotham. Nightwing and the Red Hood, Black Bat, Batgirl, and Signal are all in crucial parts of the city, on the lookout as well.

He, Jason, and Dick have spent weeks preparing for this, hoping their last-ditch effort would be enough to convince Tim his time as Robin hadn’t been in vain, that he was still, would always be a Bat.

That is the goal tonight, not to try convincing him to give them a chance as soulmates because that is likely impossible, but they could start a much more important mission, to try in their own ways to give him back something they’d all taken. To try to show they knew what they’d done to him, and perhaps could start them on the road to make it right.

(He hopes there’s still a chance.)

Fabrication didn’t take long, but the coupe de gras certainly did.

Word Red Robin would be in Gotham on the down-low gave them a chance to finally act, and Oracle promised them she would do her best to stall their soulmate until Robin could get to him.

And it’s a pang of pain, a lightning strike, when he catches up with Red on the roof of the Wallstone Apartments. The memory of the cut grapple line in the foreground of Robin’s thoughts.

“Please help,” Robin makes himself fall off his grapple to his knees, bent over, panting. “Red Robin, please.”

(Not all of it is an act, not with how hard he was running to get to Red before he vanished into the city.)

The older vigilante kneels by him, out of immediate reach.

“Where?” Is Tim’s Red Robin voice, a hand almost reaches out, clenches tight at the last second to draw back, and Robin sees the aborted move, has a flare of hope.

“Cannery Row–” and Robin rocks to the side, looks up at that closed expression, dares to let the fluttering in his chest give him strength.

Hands and arms around him, steady him, pull him up on his knees. He thinks about the grip Red Robin has on his shoulders to hold him up, how tightly Tim is able to hold on. A finger taps his mask so the whiteouts slide up, taking away some of his nightvision. He’s not concussed, is perfectly fine, but through his research, an injured (seemingly) teammate in need is one of Tim’s weaknesses.

“Robin–”

“We need you, there is too much happening in the city tonight. We are all stretched too thin,” and there is nothing but the truth in his eyes, his demeanor, the way his gloved hand tightens in the cape over Red’s shoulder.

“All right, stay here, call Hood or N to pick you up–”

But Robin staggers to his feet, “I can’t. I must get you to the safehouse. Everything we need is there.”

He keeps himself from a triumphant bellow when Red Robin paces him to the edge of the roof, grapple already in hand.

Luckily, Cannery Row is close enough they don’t have to go far, just their past hanging between them, the connection that’s agonizingly cold and silent even when they’re side-by-side.

Robin lands it this time on the roof of the familiar warehouse. He taps the comm unit on as he touches down, hopes Red won’t notice.

They climb through a service elevator shaft, the two of them prying open the doors once they hit the underground floor.

“Give me the details,” Red’s whole body tense as they lower themselves down into the darkness.

“Black Bat is in the Central Business District, Hood is by the Iceburg Lounge, Nightwing is in the Diamond District. Father is tracking down leads for a case, Batgirl is on her way to the Steel Mill. We still have no coverage for the situation in the City Hall District, but you cannot go alone.”

When they get the doors pried open, when Red Robin was close enough for his cape to brush against his, the underground is revealed in shadows, just as he, Jason, and Richard left it a few hours earlier.

(This is a newer Batman Incorporated holding. Robin is banking on the fact Tim might not know this, his heart starting to beat harder, faster when they get closer to the first stage of Plan C.)

The lights kick on as planned, and in the large expansive floor, a drop-cloth-covered something waits.

That’s all.

Red Robin is looking around for anything, searching for traps, evidence, something to give him an idea of what he’s walking into, back pressed against the elevator before he starts to step out.

His vigilante instincts aren’t going crazy, but he stays close to the shadows as he sneaks out, leaving Robin behind in the elevator shaft to stay or follow.

(Where Damian has the next step in the plan waiting, a duffle bag he’d hidden in the panel of the elevator shaft. He’s fast and silent, throwing off his gloves, gauntlets, cape, and utility belt–)

His instincts still aren’t blaring dangerdangerdanger and his wrist computer isn’t picking up any foreign tech when Red Robin finally gets to the drop-cloth with a frown, wondering if they’ve come across a piece of shady tech or something.

Which is really the only explanation for why Robin would come to him at all, everyone else busy in Gotham notwithstanding.

He grips the cloth and pulls hard, muscles tense for whatever fuckey waits for him underneath.

When he gets an eyeful, his knees go terribly weak for a long painful moment as he stares at–

The Red Bird.

“Oh...fuck,” because his eyes are instantly hot and full, making him blink rapidly behind the whiteouts.

And it gleams in the overhead lights, red and black and shiny, looks like it did the day Bruce showed it to him in the Cave, ready to tear into the night.

His chest hitches and the possibility this could be a cruel joke hits him hard enough to choke.

(It’s because he rejected them. This sick shit is because he refused to let bygones be bygones.)

“Open the door, Tim. Everything you will need tonight is ready for you.”

It’s Dami’s voice echoing behind him, not Robin’s, and Red can’t bring himself to look away, too many things churning in his brain pan around the shock and anger and regret and grief. It might be stupid for him to reach out, to make his wobbly knees work, to open the door with a bigger hand than the last time he did this.

The inside is immaculate, even after years of disuse that Red Robin has to wonder how and why and what the absolute fuck is happening here?

But on the seat, folded neatly with all the bells and whistles, the shuriken R on the red tunic gleams bright in the halogen glow. His throat gets tight when he realizes it’s his original red, gold, and green–the colors of joy.

The colors from the best years, before it all started to go horribly wrong.

A noise comes out of him, something low and pained before he can rein it in, before he can remind himself he’s already moved past the point this should still mean something.

(But it does, it always has, it’s always meant so much, especially back when he was just a kid in a silent, empty house. It meant he had a place, a purpose, a presence at his back when things got to be too much, too overwhelming.)

And it’s stupid how helpless he is, how some part of him –small and weak as it is– can’t stop himself from reaching out to touch, to grab, to try to hold the fuck on.

(Not because of the name itself, never that, but everything he’d lost the second it had all been taken away. A final nail in the coffin, back to being that boy in an empty house.)

When he reaches for the suit, he holds it in both hands like he’s seeing things, chest stuttering on a breath when the scent of new leather and Kevlar proves he hasn’t been drugged or the sleep dep severely fucking with him.

Stepping from the shadows, no longer in Robin but a black suit of some nameless ninja, Damian Wayne is holding the hood and face covering he’s going to wear for the night, waits until he sees how his soulmate will react to this possibly disastrous plan.

He takes careful, tentative steps closer, taking in the hunched shoulders, bowed head, reaching into the Bond when it is ice cold in his chest.

“Wh-what the fuck is this?” Hoarse and painful from his, their Tim. And Dami’s hands automatically reach out in desperation to comfort before he remembers himself and hesitates.

Even if the Bond on his side is closed, cold, silent, Damian breathes in and attempts to send calming, soothing feelings, tries to let his own emotions, his hope, his affection, his protectiveness, his respect, his reverence for this man be available should the Bond at any moment open even slightly.

His soulmate’s rigid control to close himself off from them comes from years of training, of trying to protect himself is such a point of pain that some part of him thinks the three of them together could crash through if they tried, could break down those walls by force.

But he’s here tonight, had worked so hard with N and Hood and Father and Batgirl and Black Bat and Oracle to plan it all, set it all up, because he’s different now, has learned what his actions had cost him, has realized he can’t go back to the old ways.

Instead, he hopes they will have this last chance, will give Tim enough reasons to open up without fear, without pain.

(“It started with taking the cape,” Dick thinks aloud once the three of them are together after a long night, finding comfort, “he thinks he was kicked out of the family, so...this shouldn’t have been about soulmates in the first place.”

“I do not understand, Beloved,” Dami yawns, buried himself deeper against Jason’s chest.

“It’s not about gettin’ him like that, Sweets,” Jay replies, stroken a hand through his hair. “Might never happen…”

“But, we could give him back some of what we took. He could finally come home again–”

Dami’s eyes open, “we...could give him back his place in the family. Or at least try to do so. Is that what you are saying?”

“Hm,” Jay grunts out, arms stealthy when he wraps them both up, rolls to put himself in the middle, “sounds like we godda last resort, now don’t it?”

“We’ll call it Plan C since it’s our last chance.”)

Plan C, indeed.

“Tim,” and he gives them only a few feet of space, no domino, no hood, no face coverings, no masks, holds up both hands in what he hopes is a peaceful gesture.

Red Robin spins with a growl, muscles tense in fight or flight, ready to throw the fuck down because why fix up the Red Bird and bring it here of all places? What game is this? Haven’t they broken him enough?

But Damian isn’t in the tunic he was wearing less than ten minutes ago, and Red Robin stops cold at the obviously planned costume change. He takes a careful step away from the very familiar suit Damian is wearing now, one that looks crazily like B’s when he was Tengu, trying to get himself back enough to take the cowl from Jean-Paul back when shit was crazy but even then he still had Nightwing at his back and–and…

What is wrong with him? He hasn’t thought about any of this in years.

But still. But still, his eyes go to the gleaming Red Bird, and those better times well up from within, a place so deep, he’d convinced himself he’d left all of it behind.

(Nightwing and Spoiler, school and the Cave, new baddies in Gotham to throw more crazy into the Rogue Gallery mix, teenage angst and sidekick wins, people at his back and front even in the worst of times. Being Red for the Titans was good, so good, but not ever the same. Not like it was when he was that Robin.)

He’s still holding the tunic in both hands, fists clenching it tight like something would have to pry his hands open to take it away (again) when what he really needs to do is throw it back in the Bird and get the absolute fuck out of here. Because this isn’t his anymore, apparently never should have been if the last few years were any kind of indication on the Tim Drake policy.

“This is cruel, even for you,” is snarly and low, is simmering anger trying to cover up old pain, pissing him off even more because he’d finally gotten to the place where he could forget for a while.

(And he’ll get there again. Even after all this.)

He makes his fingers unclench, throws the tunic back on the driver’s seat, but none of that covers up how hoarse his voice is, how tight his chest feels.

Dami just moves one hand, slowly pulls out his phone, thumbs the pass code to unlock the screen, and turns the device around to show Red what’s doing on the main screen.

His brain doesn’t process the image that’s him, one of the few existing pictures from years ago when he was still with Young Justice, the one of the core four making stupid faces, torn up from whatever space battle they’d just come back from, half-insane with sleep deprivation and injuries, only back to the planet for moments to celebrate not dying with pizza and Zestis, arms thrown around each other with rips and bruises and blood still staining the uniforms.

Why the fuck it meant something to Damian is the real question.

“I was wrong, when I came to the Tower,” Damian takes a tentative step toward him, still holding the phone out like a distraction that was really a message. “I told you I wanted to know this man you are now. The man that is one of my soulmates. However...however, I was wrong, Tim. You were my soulmate even back then. You were mine, and even if you weren’t, you were already part of the family when I came to Father, and I did not even give you a chance. I did not see how important you were, what lengths you went to make that symbol your own. I was terrified, young, foolish, but that is no excuse. What I should have been doing all this time is learning who you were back then before I attempted to approach you. Only by knowing that boy could I hope to understand this man.”

Wait, what now? How is this happening right now? All the awful things he’d secretly wanted to hear from the blood son, another chosen one. Another crux of his tangled emotions.

“I already told you I don’t need fucking soulmates. I rejected you.” He bites out, trying to breathe, trying to shove those emotions back down where they belong, trying to pretend the sight of the car, the tunic, the things he used to call his own, can’t touch him anymore.

(But it still has power, so much fucking power to break him down to this, that scared kid in an empty house.)

After all these years, he’s moved on...right?

“I know, Beloved,” Dami puts his phone away, green eyes never leaving Red Robin’s tense form. “But this? Tonight? This has nothing to do with soulmates.”

Which is absolutely not what he expects to hear.

“Tonight is about my predecessor, Beloved, not my soulmate. This is for the Robin that stood in Gotham before me,” and it’s gentle in ways Red Robin never imagined Damian could be, not with him. “This,” and Damian sweeps a hand over the car, the suit, “is for the brother we never should have driven away. The one who gave this name his own brand of honor and power, the one who carved a place for himself in the family. Not as the third Robin in line, but as the first Tim Drake.”

Red Robin’s hands fall enough to be less of a threat. Other than that, he isn’t moving, is listening even if it’s grudgingly, even if it’s with disbelief, even if it’s with skepticism, and Damian smiles softly, so softly, at this beautiful, broken man before him.

“My place?” Is hoarse, a warmer edge that isn’t blank coldness, isn’t so much control. “In case you missed it, my place hasn’t mattered in the last few fucking years–”

“Hasn’t it?” And Dami’s eyes are so green, dark jade that catches in the light, easy to pick out. “Hasn’t it mattered?”

The obvious drawback is an opening, a misstep in the detective’s assumptions that Dami takes the opportunity for what it is.

“I know how it must seem,” and he makes himself stop stepping forward when every instinct in his body screams to approach, to reach out, to take this man in his arms, to whisper endearments, to apologize until the tears dry, until Tim’s arms can unlock, until he can start with the smallest measure of belief with splashes of powerful violet.

“I know the years we’ve let you draw further away. I know there’s been disdain and cruelty until that’s all there was between us. And I did not choose to acknowledge it, my wrongdoings. It was easier to hide, Tim, just as it was for Jason and Richard and Father. We were cowards, but not once in all these years have you ever been simply forgotten.”

And here is where preparation for their detective is perfectly done when Damian whips out his utility belt computer and quietly holds it out, his hand trembling ever so slightly.

The evidence is there in clips of Todd sneaking into a familiar penthouse apartment with a bag of coffee in hand or taking a First Aid kit from under the kitchen counter to restock it, it’s there when video shows Richard in the Batsuit, in Nightwing, in Officer Grayson, in workout clothes, in jeans and t-shirt with both hands always pressed to the glass case with Tim’s first Robin suit, it’s there when Father sits on the bed in Tim’s old room over the years with a familiar shining, shuriken R flipping over the fingers of one hand. It’s there in the attempted hacks of Titan’s Tower when the Batcomputer pings with alerts of a bad fight for the Titans. It’s there in all the protocols when Ra’s starts movement against Red Robin, when their worst enemies are cataloged to the nines and contingencies from each member of the Batfamily are so obviously ready.

(With some pride in himself, Dami is the one that came up with the plan to take down Brother Blood, while Jason’s shoot-now-ask-questions-later is crucial to dealing with The Light. Grayson’s experience with the Fearsome Five, Father’s methodical touch to deal with The Insiders.)

It’s there in the smallest details they’d silently done over the years (these things happening without the need to point out how necessary and does Damian ache with the knowledge how easy it could have been to reach out so many, many times), could be enough at a glance to start the seedlings of doubt in Red Robin’s firm belief his place has simply been forgotten.

And Damian hears it in the catch of breath, a soft inward draw. He can’t see behind the whiteouts of Red Robin’s mask, but he hopes, hopes there might be a spark of indecision.

“You were never forgotten.” Gently, Damian reaches out slowly, just enough to close gloved fingers over the screen. “But, you don’t need to hear it from me, Beloved, you need real proof and that we shall provide tonight. Get changed. You’re needed.”

Conflicted as fuck, Red Robin processes as much as he can in that few minutes, muscles in his shoulders unbearably tight. “I’m not going to just patrol with the Bats, especially under your name.”

“It is not as simple as patrol, I’m afraid. We have several Arkham escapees, a possible gang war, and several other take downs lined up,” which is the absolute truth. “I did not lie when I said we needed your help with the overwhelming criminal activity in the last twelve hours.”

Carefully planned twelve hours for one night they’ve been putting into motion for months.

With the computer in hand, feeling more vulnerable than he’s felt behind the mask in years, Red Robin grits his teeth because only the Bats can do this to him. “I can still help the hell out without the bullshit emotional manipulation. Let me guess, this is Dick’s idea.”

“All of us had a hand in it, actually. The Red Bird itself was my idea. Jason and Father helped to restore it to its former glory. Dick, however, had the idea to make it authentic with the suit.”

“Do you even know how messed up this is for me?” Tumbles right out when he wants cold fury, when he wants to snarl at the obvious manipulation at play–

(while being stupidly impressed they actually seemed to know him to put all the pieces in place, make him play right into their hands with a well thought-out plan. Fuck.)

“The point of all of this, Tim, is to give you one last Robin Ride.”

Cue being at a total loss here because what multiverse did he fall into? Seriously, this can’t be his world, not when those words popped out of Damian’s mouth, and along with it, so many possibilities looming right in front of him.

At the same time, dread crawls up his throat, spills bitter into his mouth.

“Even if you never want us, we will, as you said, learn to live with it.” Damian fights to keep it neutral as just the thought of continuing on in this way as they have for weeks, always aware of the empty spot where their fourth should be, makes him cold all over. Still, this cannot be for them, not if they are serious about setting things right in the only way they can. “Even if that is the case, Tim, I...we. We still want to give you this,” his hand sweeps over the Red Bird again.

Because it’s all so much in one go, things he never thought he’d hear, never could have thought would be offered. Unconsciously, his eyes go to the gleaming fender behind the whiteouts. “None of this is– I brought the Bird back years ago so B could remake it for you.”

And Dami chances one more step closer, “but it is yours, Tim. Father made it for you, to keep you safe, and it will always be yours, Robin or not. It should have been given back to you long before tonight, and for that, I apologize.” He tries smiling just a little, “but, better late than never as they say.”

Red’s got nothing for that, for any of this, stares helplessly while Damian pulls on the hood and face covering, only his green eyes visible.

Red’s jaw is tight, clenching down because he finally gets it. He isn’t going to wake up in the Tower, asleep at his workstation, thinking this is a terribly embarrassing message from his subconscious.

“You will need this,” and Damian holds out a hand again. This time, a Batcomm rests in his palm. “The others are waiting for you, Robin.”

“I-I can’t–” because this is fucking real, this is really happening. As much as he’s sure Damian is bullshitting him about this not being a soulmate thing, his eyes are still getting hot, his chest aching, his throat tight. “I can’t do this.”

“You can,” Damian counters gently. “We...I owe you this. Dick will argue he does also. Jason as well. We cannot give you the things we have taken, not completely. As much as I wish we could change things, overcome our own insecurities to remind you that you will always have a place…” Dami sighs, “we cannot go back, either. Not really, but in order to go forward, we can give you the proof you need to see you have always had a place. So, just for tonight, Tim, be our Robin again.”

Damian doesn’t give him time to formulate a reply while he feels like he just got fucking stabbed hearing that out of the current Robin’s mouth.

“This is wrong, this isn’t–”

Damian lays the Batcomm on the top of the car and slowly backs away, melting into the shadows.

“On the contrary,” echoes around him and the lights go out in the underground, only a section of them lighting up the Red Bird. “This may be the one thing we’ve gotten right.”

The flutter of paper he hadn’t noticed is on the ground from where he’d tossed the old/new suit.

The chime on his wrist computer is a surprising upload of locations in Gotham pinging his algorithm, indicating a little vigilante action wouldn’t be amiss. Damian apparently wasn’t lying about too many fires and too few Bats. But, there’s too much happening in hot spots, and he won’t make the most crucial if he’s swinging. He needs a Ducati or–

His eyes go back to it, another symbol of his best days. Back when he could call himself a Bat, and it wouldn’t have been a lie.

Under the mask, Tim Drake breathes out, shuttering through the old pain that lights up his brain pan.

He could turn right the fuck around and walk out of this warehouse with his heart still in check, with his emotions back under control. He could reject this attempt as sure as he’s been rejected for years.

But the tiny part of him that’s always mourned the loss of his tunic is a stronger voice this time, and his hands twitch in his gloves before moving to pick up the discarded suit again, to look at those short sleeves, the green gloves, the shuriken R that was his design – not Damian’s or Jay’s or Dick’s but his.

The suit blurs and Red Robin realizes it’s because his eyes are spilling over behind the whiteouts.

#winter writes #robinpile soulmate au #just a bit more #ANGST #be aware #this is how my life is going #chippon is really patient with me #please give chip your love

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