#potted bat fanon histories

[zahri-melitor]

Next up time for more intense angst in the Potted Fanon Histories with Robin III, TIM DRAKE:

Tim, newborn: His parents bring him home from the hospital to the family mansion in Bristol, Drake Manor. They are millionaires.

Tim, 3: Was at Haly’s Circus. Saw the Graysons die.

Tim, 8-9: Realises that Dick Grayson is Robin after seeing him do a quadruple flip on the news. Becomes immediately obsessed with Batman & Robin. Starts sneaking out at night with a camera to take photos.

Tim, 8-9: Jack and Janet Drake decide that their child is just so mature and competent that really, they’re too busy with their work running a multimillion dollar medical company as internationally renown archaeologists. Tim is now left at home in Drake Manor, with a housekeeper and/or nanny.

Tim, 10-13: shortly after Tim gets into his new hobby of midnight roof vigilante photography, Jason becomes Robin. Tim is now obsessed with this new younger Robin who cares so much for children.

Tim, 10-13: attends Gotham Academy. His parents return home at irregular intervals for a few days without warning. They repeatedly encourage him to network with other children at school for Business Purposes. At some stage they decide he no longer needs adult supervision at home, as he’s just So Responsible. Mrs Mac now drops in for a couple of hours per week to do the vacuuming and cook.

Tim and his parents: Janet is an Ice Queen and Jack is abusive. Tim is unaware that this is not normal. He is being raised as a Business Baby. He is expected to skip grades at school and be working 2-3 years above his age cohort.

Tim, 11-13 (yes we’re sticking with a wide range here): Tim finds out Jason is dead when Bruce announces it in the paper. During his nights out he notices Bruce is getting more violent. Tim goes to find Dick in Bludhaven to tell him that Bruce is too violent! Dick shrugs him off so Tim is determined – he goes to Bruce and tell him that there must be a Robin and insists it is him.

Tim, 13-14: is a smol sad bean. He is now Robin and Bruce is less violent but he’ll never be a Robin like his hero ~*~Jason Todd~*~. Bruce accidentally calls him Jason and looks at the memorial case all the time. Tim knows he’s not really part of the family but he’s doing his best as Robin.

Tim, 13-14: Tim goes on a trip to Paris where he encounters assassins. No further details.

Tim, 13-14: Dick starts dropping by the Manor and Gotham every second weekend to patrol with Tim as Robin, because he’s so guilty about Not Spending Enough Time With Jason. They become close, like brothers.

Tim, 13-14: Tim encounters Steph as Spoiler when she hits him on the head with a brick. They immediately start dating.

Tim’s Parental Free Square: Janet and Jack are both alive and well and neglect Tim. They have not realised he is Robin as they’ve been home for 6 weeks total in the last 5 years.

Tim’s Alternate Parental Free Square: at an unspecified time Janet died. Jack went into a coma. Since then, Tim has been living at Wayne Manor in a spare room. One day, Jack might wake up, but it’s been months or years now.

Tim, 14: Tim forms Young Justice with his best friends Kon, Bart, Cassie and Cissie. They hang out together and play baseball in space! (the only plot that happens here)

Tim, 14-15: Tim and the rest of Young Justice (minus Cissie) become Teen Titans. No reason why, they’re just old enough now. (The only plot that happens here is Titans of Tomorrow where they meet their evil adult selves)

Alternate Robin Tim plot: Joker Junior! Due to either Reverse Robins or just a desire for whump, Tim is captured by Joker and tortured till insanity. He becomes Joker Junior.

Tim, 14-15: there’s a new villain in Gotham haunting the streets, Red Hood. Bruce is now obsessed with him and has no time to pay any attention to Tim. He has told Tim not to patrol. Dick is also worried. Tim, forbidden from going out in Gotham, goes to hang out at Titans Tower (location unspecified). Jason turns up and beats Tim up with his own bo staff and may slit Tim’s throat. Alternately, Tim sneaks out in Gotham anyway and encounters Red Hood on another occasions where he gets his throat slit. This is a major injury that scars badly.

Tim, 16: His parents die. His best friend, Kon, dies. His girlfriend Steph dies. Tim is very distraught by this and refuses to let Bruce adopt him, inventing a Fake Uncle. He tries to clone Kon 99 times in a basement.

Tim, 17: gets adopted. He meets Damian and Damian immediately tries to deliberately murder him. Several times. 

Tim, 17: Bruce dies. Tim is convinced he is not dead. If Battle for the Cowl happens, Jason tries to kill him with a batarang. Once Dick is Batman, Tim and Dick fight over whether Bruce is dead. Dick says Tim is crazy and should be in Arkham. He then tells Tim that Damian is now Robin. Tim, furious, drops out of school and runs away and becomes Red Robin.

Tim, 17: Tim is captured by Ra’s Al Ghul. He loses his spleen. He gets away by blowing up ALL the League bases and hundreds of people die. He then returns to Gotham and falls out of a tower due to Ra’s Al Ghul. Dick catches him. The spleen loss is a secret.

Tim, 17: Tim gets emancipated and is no longer legally a family member because that’s how emancipation works. He now runs Wayne Enterprises as CEO. Everyone is impressed how good at it he is and how hard he works. 

Tim, 17: Tim is still mad about what Dick said to him. Damian again attempts to murder Tim, this time by dropping a billboard on his head and when that doesn’t work, by cutting his line. Dick takes Damian’s side, and explains Tim can’t be Robin anymore because Damian just needs it so much more and look how well he’s doing!

Tim, 17: Bruce returns due to Tim’s research but he’s now mad at Tim because Tim tried to kill Captain Boomerang (who killed his parents). 

Tim, 17: (optional angst) the Daughter of Acheron tries to rape Tim and Cass saves him. This provides angst. Cass is the only person who knows or cares. 

Tim, 17: Jason apologises for trying to kill Tim multiple times and blames it on pit rage. Tim accepts this as a good explanation and becomes Best Brothers with Jason as he has apologised.

Tim, 17: Tim’s no longer part of the family and it gives him ANGST. He’s just so sad. Also he just can’t trust Dick any more and their brotherhood is Eternally Destroyed. He’s just a Coworker.

Tim, currently: Tim comes out as bi and starts dating an old classmate, Bernard. They live on a boat. Bernard was in a paincult for a while. Tim is Robin. 

Alternate Tim, currently 17: Tim is living in an apartment and running Wayne Enterprises. He does not live at Manor but he has a bedroom there. This is an argument between him and Bruce. There is still tension between Tim and Dick that they are both sad about, but Tim is cool with Jason. Tim has either forgiven Damian or they fight constantly every time they’re near each other. Tim is Red Robin.

Tim, currently: is in a relationship with Bernard, Kon or Steph, pick one. If Tim is in a relationship with Kon, Bruce vaguely disapproves and says “no metas in Gotham” a lot. 

#potted bat fanon histories

[zahri-melitor]

Oh also while I’m revealing mysteries everyone keeps going ‘nobody mentions Tim in Paris with assassins’

I will admit this was an older affectation I stuck in. I agree current memetic fanon knows nothing of Tim in Paris with Assassins.

This was me just also containing some older fic tropes in my head. Go back ten-fifteen years and everyone used to joke about Tim being in Paris with Assassins as it happened multiple times. Which trip are we talking about? Any/all of them.

#potted bat fanon histories

[zahri-melitor]

Look out, it's time for the Potted Fanon History of the one, the only...BRUCE WAYNE!

Bruce, 8: His parents were shot dead by [Someone/Joe Chill/the Mafia] outside the theatre in Park Row where they just saw Zorro. Kneeling in blood, pearls, etc etc.

Bruce, 8: Jim Gordon was the cop who responded to the scene and took care of Bruce.

Bruce, 8: Alfred takes custody of Bruce and they live in the Manor together.

Bruce, 12-16 (optional): Bruce attends school with people like Oliver Queen and Lex Luthor (at a boarding school), or Zatanna and Harvey Dent (at a regular Gotham school). Bruce is known as the cryptid who hides in the library reading forensic pathology textbooks in his free time.

Bruce, 16-18: Bruce finishes school and embarks on a Secret World Training Tour. Highlights of the Tour definitely involve the League of Assassins and probably several nameless monks. Bruce may have an intense homoerotic relationship with Minhkhoa Khan. The following individuals may be namechecked but are unlikely: [Shiva, David Cain, Henri Ducard, Richard Dragon]

Bruce, World Training Tour Edition: Bruce will first meet Talia at this time, and they may get married/conceive Damian. Do not look at the timeline too closely.

Bruce, early-mid 20s: returns to Gotham, is reminded that he is scared of bats. "Yes father, I will become...a Bat!"

Bruce, early-mid 20s: has encounter with An Individual (name varies, solidifying to 'Red Hood' these days as everyone's hung up on Jason) in the ACME Chemical company vats, the other person falls into the chemicals. The Joker is born hahahahahahahHAHAHAHAHAHA.

Bruce, mid 20s: meets Superman and Clark Kent, they simultaneously figure each other's identities out. Shortly after they form the Justice League with Wonder Woman.

Bruce, mid 20s: Bruce goes out for the night to see Haly's Circus when it visits town. Graysons fall, Bruce sees crying kneeling Dick Grayson and immediately imprints on him and takes him home.

Bruce, mid 20s: Dick Grayson becomes Bruce's Ward (TM). Dick also becomes Robin. They swear an Oath (TM) by candlelight to "fight together against crime and corruption and never to swerve from the path of righteousness!" (Actually I don't think the words of the oath are that well known but I couldn't help myself)

Bruce, mid 20s: has many undetailed adventures with Dick. I cannot reinforce how big a blank hole this period is.

Bruce, early 30s ish: Bruce runs into Talia and sleeps with her again (as written by people who CAN count to 10)

Bruce, 30s: Dick gets injured during a fight. Maybe with Joker, maybe with Two-Face, quite possibly with no details. Bruce tries to ground Dick for his own good. Bruce and Dick have a big fight over Dick being an adult now and you can’t tell me what to do. End result: Dick is no longer Robin and moves out (to Blüdhaven). Bruce immediately sulks.

Bruce, 30s: Batman parks his Batmobile in the middle of Crime Alley and comes back to find the tyres being jacked. The teenager attempting this then hits Batman with a tyre iron. Bruce, missing Dick yelling at him, is immediately charmed and takes Jason home and proceeds to instantly adopt him and make him Robin.

Bruce, 30s: Bruce learns about classism from Jason. Bruce Wayne, a man with the biggest charities running in Gotham, years of criminology experience and who travelled the poorest parts of the world in his quest for training, had never contemplated that poor people commit crime because they’re poor and the laws are against them. This rocks his world.

Bruce, 30s: Bruce fails to call Dick to tell him about his new adopted Jason!Robin. Dick comes over to have a screaming match with Bruce in the Manor/Cave about this. These will be a regular feature of Jason’s entire time as Robin.

Bruce, late 30s: Felipe Garzonas occurs. Bruce accuses Jason of killing Garzonas. Bruce will shortly feel intense guilt for this.

Bruce, late 30s: Jason runs away to Ethiopia and is blown by the Joker in a warehouse. Bruce arrives just out of time, to find Jason's body. He is devastated and blames both himself and Jason. He takes Jason's body back to Gotham where there is an autopsy. Joker just disappears with no trace.

Bruce, late 30s: gets more and more violent in his despair over Jason's death. Tim comes to him to explain why Batman is going off the rails and offers to be Robin.

Bruce, middle aged (don't look too closely): Bruce accepts Tim as his new Robin, however insists they are Just Coworkers. He may still be suicidal at times. He probably calls Tim 'Jason' by accident. He insists he never wants to be close to another child again.

Bruce, middle aged: Bruce comes face to face with Bane, who Breaks His Back (TM). Bruce then recovers. This is a very important moment, however any details of the recovery or who was Batman in the interim are unknown. Good job, Gotham healthcare services set up by Thomas Wayne!

Bruce, middle aged: Bruce becomes worried about Tim's parents (as he's reluctantly become attached to Tim). They are never around, which is how Tim manages to be Robin. They are definitely neglecting him. They might be abusing him! Bruce either fosters Tim because of his terrible neglectful parents OR Janet dies and Jack ends up in a coma and Bruce fosters Tim. Either way, Bruce becomes Tim's guardian.

Bruce, middle aged: there's a new crime lord in Gotham called the Red Hood. Batman must track him down. Bruce discovers that this is Jason. Jason begs for Bruce to kill the Joker to avenge his death and Bruce refuses because He Has A Code. Bruce throws a batarang at Jason's neck and slits his throat.

Bruce, JLA edition: at some point Bruce made some Protocols, or possibly some Killer Robots, just in case someone else on the Justice League goes evil. The rest of the Justice League find this out, due to this situation going wrong and the plans being activated by something. Everyone on the Justice League gets very upset with Bruce.

Bruce, middle aged: at some point Bruce adopts Dick and Tim and Cass. Details of when or where are scanty. They're his kids now. Everyone moves into the Manor (except Dick, who visits from Bludhaven every weekend to see his siblings).

Bruce, middle aged: Talia drops Damian off on the doorstep. Bruce now has a (biological) son! Unfortunately Ra's Al Ghul wants to steal his body. Damian must be protected.

Bruce, middle aged: dies. How does this happen? What are you, a cop? Fortunately Bruce being ultraprepared for anything including incipient death, he has left extensive notes about who deals with what when he's dead. Dick gets custody of Damian (but only Damian). Tim gets Wayne Enterprises.

Bruce, middle aged: returns from being lost in time (not dead). Thanks, Tim. No I will not return to being the main Batman in Gotham or take back Wayne Enterprises, it's time for me to travel the world and create Batman Incorporated in every nation on Earth!

Bruce, middle aged: eventually returns home and moves back into the Manor. Damian is now his Robin. Everyone else may still be living in the Manor, may have moved out because of Sad Conflict Drama because Tim feels like he's Just A Coworker or Cass is In Hong Kong. Dick may or may not return to Bludhaven now.

Bruce, middle aged: begins to reconcile with Jason, because he finds out about Jason's Pit Rage and trauma. Jason promises to use Rubber Bullets or to just shoot people in the knee, and says he will patrol Crime Alley because nobody else understands it and the people inside it like him. Bruce is just fine with this.

Bruce, middle aged (Damian edition): Damian dies. Bruce is extremely distraught about this due to his trauma over Jason and immediately works to hunt down a way to resurrect Damian.

Bruce, middle aged: meets Duke and seeing another teenager who is trying to fight crime, immediately brings him home to foster/adopt.

Bruce, Good Dad edition: at some point Bruce has Seen A Therapist and gotten Therapy. He is now completely au fait with the latest things you read online about complex PTSD and is sorry for the hurt he has ever caused any of his children. He goes around talking his children down from disassociation and panic attacks and nightmares. He wraps them up in weighted blankets and watches TV shows You Like with them. He has a new Ace, who is a Therapy Dog for Trauma. When someone has a bad night the entire family sleeps in his giant bed as a sleepover. He is completely focused on the mental health of his children.

Bruce, Bad Dad edition: Bruce has punched Dick/Jason/Tim/Damian (choose whichever set you want) in the face and accused them of not following orders. He has rages and demanding expectations on everyone. Multiple of his children can no longer put up with it any more. He does bad things to them and says it's for their own good.

Bruce, currently: Bruce is a Good Dad! Everyone is either living at the Manor or stays over after patrol regularly. They have regular movie nights. Bruce is actively running Wayne Enterprises. If he sees an unattached teenage vigilante anywhere he might adopt them and bring them home too! He looks after all the associated Gotham vigilantes and does not know what money is worth. This is hilarious as he tips 3000% or whatever on every purchase.

Bruce, currently (alternatively): Bruce is a Bad Dad! After failing his children nobody wants to be near him and he needs to apologise to all his children so they forgive him. Bruce has left Damian for Dick to raise all by himself (that's ok, Dick is really Damian's adoptive dad) and Tim to struggle with the pressure of being a high school dropout CEO of Wayne Enterprises. He is fighting with Jason over the One Killing Rule and won't compromise, even to kill the Joker, despite Jason desperately wanting that proof that Bruce loves him more than he loves the killing rule.

Bruce, currently: Bruce is dating one of Selina, Talia, Clark or Minhkhoa. Whichever on this list he is dating, he would never ever consider getting with Selina and/or Talia again (delete whoever necessary).

#potted bat fanon histories #apologies for the delay but Bruce took some effort #additions for this edition are welcomed #bruce you have done everything (and nothing)

[zahri-melitor]

So I’m going to provide Potted Fanon Histories, one character at a time. Putting this all into a single timeline was too messy. If you have additions to give, would love to hear them.

Let’s start with Robin One, DICK GRAYSON.

Dick, 8-12: Haly's Circus. (Exactly who is in the crowd is up for debate. Definitely Bruce. Arguably half of DC at this point)

Dick, 8-12: Dick becomes Robin. Exactly how old Dick is for this varies depending on if the writer wants to think about Tiny Child Dick.

Dick, 14-15: Teen Titans get together. The line up of this Titans may vary but frequently looks far more NTT than Fab Five. Garth for instance is almost certainly not present.

Dick, 18-20: Bruce fires Dick or has a massive fight with him (it’s definitely getting fired, Dick does not quit), usually over Dick being attacked by the Joker. Sometimes over Dick being shot by Two-Face.

Dick’s time as Robin: largely an impenetrable black hole. He and Bruce did everything together, they were the best, etc etc. Dick calls Clark “Uncle Clark” and Diana “Aunt Diana”. Only storylines referenced will be sneaking out to try and kill Zucco, and maybe the Hanging Judge with Two-Face.

Dick’s time with the Teen Titans: As likely to just be ‘remembered highlights of Teen Titans 2003 (cartoon)’ as actual comics events, but if they are comics events it’s the highlights of NTT: Trigon, Brother Blood, Judas Contract, plus Snowbirds Don’t Fly. They’re based in New York. Dick’s closest friendship is with Wally.

Optional teen Dick storyline: ‘Dick was Slade’s apprentice!’ via some horrible mashing of Devin Grayson’s Renegade arc with TT03 (cartoon)’s Red X arc. Dick spent 6 months or so under Slade’s mental control.

Second optional teen Dick storyline: AU where he was a Talon

Dick, 20: after being fired/fighting with Bruce, Dick becomes Nightwing and moves to Bludhaven immediately. He is either working as a gymnastics teacher or training to become a cop.

Dick, still 20: goes on a ski trip with Jason.

Dick, 21: probably was a relationship with Kory. They broke up. The reasons why are unknown, or implied to be due to Mirage. If you’re really lucky there’s a joke about the wedding. (yes. Events happen in this listed order)

Dick, 21: in space when Jason dies. Has a guilt complex over this forever.

Dick, mid 20s: tried to kill the Joker at some point. The Joker lived. Little context is given for this other than maybe mentioning that Joker mentioned Jason’s death. This is the single event that has occurred during the 90s and 2000s between ADITF and UTRH.

Dick, mid 20s: is (probably) a cop. Conflict with Blockbuster, Blockbuster dies, Dick is ‘raped in the rain’ by Catalina Flores. Whether anyone remembers she is Tarantula is up for debate. This is the single thing Catalina ever does.

Subsequent to this, Dick’s just…hanging around Gotham and Bludhaven. Not a single event in Nightwing vol 1 after Nightwing 93 occurs. He’s around the Batcave helping Bruce track Jason down during Under the Red Hood.

Dick, slightly later mid 20s: becomes Batman while Bruce is dead. Insert preferred flavour of Red Robin 1 angst here. Battle for the Cowl may happen, but if it does the only aspect of it involving Dick was that Dick was reluctant to become Batman.

Dick mid 20s: raises Damian all on his own! They become incredibly close immediately and Damian never bonds properly with Bruce or SHOULD do so, as Dick’s Damian’s real dad.

Dick later 20s: Spyral arc MAY have happened. It was traumatic. Dick is now back as Nightwing.

Dick, currently: Dick has remained Nightwing since either stopping being Batman or since Spyral. No other events have occurred. He lives in Bludhaven, drops in at the Manor constantly and cheerfully teases his brothers. He may have shared custody of Damian and be living at the Manor with him part time. 

Dick, currently: is in a relationship with pick one - Barbara, Kory or Wally. If in a relationship with Wally, no event in the Flash has ever occurred. Linda who?

#potted bat fanon histories

[zahri-melitor]

The next Potted Fanon History is Robin II: JASON TODD.

Jason, 9-10: Willis Todd was abusive and goes to jail due to henching. Catherine Todd was addicted to drugs and dies from cancer. Jason ends up homeless. It is very tragic.

Jason, 12ish (extra angst edition): He may have done sexwork on the streets for food.

Jason, 12-13: found on the streets after jacking the tyres off the Batmobile.

Jason as Robin: Robin is Magic! The intelligent Robin! Extremely literary! A sweet innocent child! Cared about children and sex workers and those affected by drugs! Simultaneously, the only storyline anyone has ever heard of is Garzonas’ death.

Alternate Jason as Robin (less common): Jason always had an angry side. He was enraged by the hardships of the world and by people committing crimes against children and sex workers. Also the only storyline anyone has ever heard of is Garzonas’ death.

Jason around 14: goes on ski trip with Dick.

Optional Jason and the Titans: Jason meets the Titans as Dick’s brother. He may go on one or two missions with them. The entire and only point of this event is for Jason to encounter Roy and Kory. They are fairly close in age. Do NOT think about this too closely.

Jason, 15: A Death in the Family, Which hurts more, forehand or backhand, etc. Harley may be present for this. Harley may have tried to talk Joker out of this.

Jason, 15.5: digs himself out of his grave. USUALLY found immediately by Talia and dunked in a Lazarus Pit. Ra’s Al Ghul is extremely unhappy about this.

Jason, 16-18: PIT RAGE. World training trip sponsored by Talia. May spend time with Damian. Frequently killed his teachers for being bad people.

Jason, 18-21: returns to Gotham as Red Hood with a sportsbag full of mob boss heads and many guns. Moves immediately into Crime Alley and it becomes ‘his territory’. All the Bats avoid it. SLITS TIMS THROAT. This might just be from Jason stalking Tim or it might occur in Titans Tower.  Face off with Bruce over killing the Joker, Bruce slits Jason’s throat.

Jason, Titans Tower: Jason goes to Titans Tower and beats Tim up. This is due to PIT RAGE as Tim is his REPLACEMENT. Exclusively calls Tim that.

Jason, 18-21: Following UTRH, Jason continues crime lording around Crime Alley. The small street children and sex workers all trust him. He has RULES and they WORK. Nobody sells drugs to children or hurts them. Anyone hurting a child sets off Jason’s berserk PIT RAGE. Torments Black Mask.

Jason, 18-21: At some point following UTRH, Jason (re)encounters Roy and Kory and forms the Outlaws. It may take place while travelling through the multiverse for unspecified reasons. (Basically this encounter replaces Jason’s 52 arc).

Jason, 20-21: When Bruce dies, Jason is in jail because someone (usually Bruce or Dick) locked him up for being a Crime Lord. Tim breaks him out and Jason has the first kind thought towards his Replacement ever. If we do Battle for the Cowl Jason argues that he should be Batman as he’s the only one who can clean up Gotham. His offer to have Tim as his Robin shows how much he now respects Tim. Alternatively, Batarang to the chest and trying to kill Tim again.

Jason, 20-21: Jason eventually realises that he has PIT RAGE that makes his eyes glow green. All the Bats and other heroes who encounter him understand how hard it must be to have been in a Lazarus Pit, because of the unstoppable and constant permanent rage afterwards. Jason manages to suppress this rage and he is a hero for it. He immediately feels intense guilt for hurting Tim as the Pit has made him do many things. However if he ever gets angry it returns. (Yes. He’s the Hulk).

Jason, 20-21: While Dick is Batman, Jason starts feeling more guilty and helping out occasionally. He may have Fond Memories of training with Damian in the League. He starts using rubber bullets in his guns when working with the Bats, or just shooting people in the knee. Everyone else thinks this is a reasonable non-lethal compromise. He has his own patrol route around Crime Alley that the Bats STILL do not enter without asking his permission.

Jason, 20-21: Apologises to Tim. This happens after rescuing Tim out of some peril. Tim immediately accepts the apology and they start hanging out together. They are now Best Brothers because Tim just can’t trust Dick anymore, but Jason apologised.

Jason, early mid 20s: On some space mission with the Outlaws, Jason acquires the All-Blades. These are magical glowy space swords that can only harm evil.

Jason, early mid 20s: after Bruce’s return he and Jason make their peace with each other as long as Jason does not kill. Jason is still mad Bruce won’t kill Joker for him. There are periods of angst about this.

Jason, currently: Jason is the Family Black Sheep but has agreed to not shoot people lethally in Gotham. He is invited to family events, but publicly he is Still Dead (TM). He may still be doing some Crime Lording on the side for money. He has not been back in jail. In the midweek, Jason can be found going shopping with Alfred for groceries, cooking with Alfred in the kitchen and discussing historical literature and Shakespeare.

Jason, currently: is either Best Friends with Roy or dating him. They are buddies who are rarely seen apart in superhero contexts. Lian (who is 7-8) thinks of Jason as her other father. He is close to Tim and they team up often in Gotham, unless he is alternately close to Damian or Steph. He’s the Other Big Brother of the Bats.

#potted bat fanon histories

[zahri-melitor]

It’s time for the Potted Fanon History One True Heir, Robin V: DAMIAN WAYNE!

Damian, conception: Talia seduced Bruce and they were married under Special League of Assassins Law. Talia got pregnant and hid it from Bruce. She may have told him she had a miscarriage or she may just have not mentioned anything.

Damian, birth: might be natural, might be an artificial womb. Either way, immediately inducted into the Order of Assassins.

Damian, small child: Damian is raised in Nanda Parbat speaking Arabic. He may also be called Ibn al Xu’ffasch by ordinary assassins. Talia is highly involved in his training and he is learning to assassin.

Damian, small child: Talia either tells him stories of his noble father in Gotham City who he must earn his right to meet OR won’t tell him anything until he earns his right to find out.

Damian, small child: being a small assassin in training involves many terrible tests he must face, most of them with the word ‘Blood’ or ‘Shadow’ in the title and which involve people beating him up or him killing small animals. Damian refuses to kill the animals.

Damian, 6-7: encounters Jason while Jason is also with the League. They train together with knives. May call each other brother.

Damian, child: Damian is taught many things by his tutors and has a university level understanding of dozens of different topics. He’s just that smart. (If it’s convenient for the plot he knows it)

Damian, 9-10: finally he is told he has met enough tests to deserve to meet his father. Talia takes him to Gotham.

Damian, 9-10: anxious to price his worthiness to be Robin and his father’s heir, Damian immediately sets out to kill Tim to prove his superiority and right to be Robin. That’s how it works in the League of Assassins after all!

Damian, 9-10: Ra’s Al Ghul tries to kidnap Damian to take over his body. This fails and Damian is rescued by the Bats. (It is unclear where Damian has been living)

Damian, 9-10: Bruce dies. Dick is worried Damian will run back to the League as Bruce isn’t around so he makes Damian Robin. If we do Battle for the Cowl Damian rescues Tim and Tim is ungrateful about this.

Damian, 10: Dick and Damian are Batman and Robin. They save each other a lot. Damian comes to trust Dick and think of him like a father. They’re the greatest team ever.

Damian, 10: Tim comes back and Damian discovers Tim still does not trust him! This is unfair! He’s worked so hard with Dick to learn to be Robin! Damian immediately starts trying to kill Tim again (cuts his line).

Damian, 10: gets injured and his spine is replaced with METAL.

Damian, 10: Damian gets his own Batgirl, Stephanie. She is now acting as his babysitter every time they have to do anything public, but she acts fun about it.

Damian, 10: Bruce comes back. Initially Damian stays his his real father, Dick, but Bruce eventually takes back over as Batman. Damian resents this. Dick stays living at the Manor to smooth things over.

Damian, 10: Damian gets a pet cat Alfred and a pet Dog Titus and a pet cow Batcow and a pet turkey Jerry and he’s a vegetarian and he just loves animals so much. Nobody else (except Dick and Alfred) are allowed near his pets.

Damian, 10: Damian is now getting along with Jason, who is now an anti-hero, or he’s excited to be reunited with Jason who he recalls from the League of Assassins. Jason has never tried to kill Damian. Damian still gets into constant fights with Tim.

Damian, 10: Damian dies as Robin. It was heroic. Everyone mourns him deeply. Bruce immediately starts trying to resurrect him.

Damian, 10: Damian is resurrected. Dick cries a lot and they hug.

Damian, 10-12: Damian meets Jon Kent! They are immediate best friends called the Super Sons who hang out together all the time and get into trouble and go on adventures. This is far cooler than the Teen Titans.

Damian, 10-12: Damian has an adventure where he meets Goliath, a furry red dragon bat.

Damian, 12-13: even though Super Sons is cooler, Damian ALSO leads a Teen Titans team despite being the youngest by a very long way. How hard could it be? Dick and Tim have done it. Who is on this team? Big shrug, they’re not Jon.

Damian, currently: Damian is Robin and working in Gotham with Bruce as his Batman. He goes out with Dick to patrol quite often. His single only friend is Jon, who is also still a teen, unless someone has decided Colin Wilkes is around. He still considers that his life goal is to grow up to be Batman.

#potted bat fanon histories

[zahri-melitor]

Surprise next entry in the Bat Fanon Histories - ALFRED PENNYWORTH! (yes I'm working on Bruce but there's...so much)

Alfred, 20s: Alfred was in the British Military. Simultaneously he was also a spook for MI-6.

Alfred, 20s: Alfred was also a moderately famous Shakespearean actor on the West End.

Alfred: early 30s: Alfred’s father dies. Alfred out of respect for his father moves to the US to take over his position as butler to the Wayne Family.

Alfred, 30s: using his genetic knowledge and acting skills becomes the perfect butler to the Wayne family.

Alfred, 40s: Martha and Thomas die. Alfred is appointed Bruce's Guardian as dunno, he's there. He raises Bruce.

Alfred, old: sarcastically helps Bruce become Batman. He has Views but helps.

Alfred, old: Bruce brings home Dick Grayson. Alfred immediately becomes Dick's grandfather figure. He raises Dick.

Alfred, old: Alfred immediately bonds with Jason when Bruce brings him home. Understands everything about complex trauma in street children! Is cool with Jason having food hoards in his room and helps with them. They bond over Shakespeare and Classic Literature and Cooking.

Alfred, old: Alfred welcomed Tim to the family and immediately identified that Tim's parents were Abusive. He is quietly supportive.

Alfred, old: supporter of Damian from his very first arrival, his grandfather in the little family of Dick & Damian.

Alfred, generally about Robins: Alfred makes all the costumes and he is simultaneously completely outside of any debate over who should be Robin. He has never facilitated any transitions.

Alfred, currently: Alfred is alive! He is the perfect grandpa to everyone in the Batfamily. Everyone loves him. He is never ever wrong. Nobody wants to make him sad. His advice is always right. His opinion is always the Most Correct. Jason is the only person allowed to cook in the kitchen with him. He has a shotgun (TM).

Alfred, currently: eww old people have relationships? Alternatively, he's dating Leslie Thompkins.

#potted bat fanon histories

[zahri-melitor]

The next Potted Fanon History is Batgirl II, CASSANDRA CAIN!

Cass, newborn: the daughter of David Cain and Lady Shiva, everyone knows she will grow up to be the world’s greatest assassin.

Cass, 0-8: Cass is raised in total silence by David Can. Nobody speaks to her or near her. Her only language is reading body language, which gives her the ability to read other people’s minds through their body movements.

Cass, 0-8: Cass learns every fighting style David can teach her. He shoots her until she learns to dodge bullets. Two for flinching.

Cass, 0-8: the League of Assassins are watching Cass’ training. Talia might be getting ideas for tips when she has her own child.

Cass, 0-8: David Cain is brusque and uncaring with Cass. She does not form any emotional connection with him.

Cass, 8: David Cain takes Cass to assassinate someone. She does this and learns of the horror of death through reading his death from his body.

Cass, 8-16: Runs away, wanders the world. Still cannot speak. Maybe a reference to eating raw meat.

Cass, 16-17: arrives in Gotham and meets Batman. He immediately discovers she is David Cain’s child and like him, committed to never killing.

Cass, 16-17: Bruce makes her Batgirl. Her mask covers her mouth as she Cannot Speak.

Cass, 17: gains the ability to speak.

Cass, 17: Cass learns to speak English but she is bad at it. Bruce and Alfred decide that it will be much easier for her to learn ASL. Fortunately the entire household is already fluent as it’s extremely useful for vigilantes who operate at night. Dick never comes up in these discussions despite being friends with Joey. (Joey also does not come up in general)

Cass, 17: Cass almost exclusively using ASL and not speaking English never causes her any problems with communication. Everyone is completely happy to accommodate this and feels bad if they aren’t fluent too. After all she generally reads everyone’s meaning from their bodies.

Cass, 17: Cass meets Steph and they immediately become best friends forever and hang out constantly. Steph is immediately the most important person in Cass’ life.

Cass, 18: discovers her mother is Shiva and fights her. Cass wins as she is a better martial artist and read Shiva’s body language.

Cass, 19: Cass moves to Hong Kong for reasons. Her heavy reliance on ASL is not an issue as there’s only one sign language on the planet.

Cass, 19: before moving to Hong Kong Cass told Steph to be Batgirl because they’re just such best friends.

Cass, 19 (optional): Cass was the only one who knew what Tim was doing when he was on his World Quest. She helped save him from being raped by the Daughter of Acheron.

Cass, currently: Tim is her favourite brother. She is Bruce’s favourite child. She lives in Gotham or in Hong Kong. Cass is used by her friends and family as a living lie detector - she can always tell if someone is telling the truth and often what they are hiding. She can sneak up behind anyone in the shadows.

Cass, currently: is single or is dating Steph. If she is dating Steph they are constantly together and never seen separately.

#potted bat fanon histories

[zahri-melitor]

Potted Fanon Histories - the Other Robin That Counts: DUKE THOMAS

Duke: Duke is Black. Make sure you know that.

Duke, child: Duke grew up in Gotham. He is also from the Narrows, like Steph.

Duke, 13-14: Duke’s parents were kidnapped and poisoned with Joker Gas. They went insane as they were permanently jokerised and are in mental health wards.

Duke, 15: the leader of We Are Robin. Organised people. For being so involved Batman gave him the name Signal and asked him to work ‘day shift’.

Duke, 15: Duke discovers he is a metahuman who has light powers. These mean he can see ghosts.

Duke, 15-16: Bruce Wayne offers to adopt Duke and Duke moves into the Manor where he lives with several other of the kids.

Duke, currently: Duke is the Signal and considered the ‘sane’ and ‘normal’ one. He teams up with Cass. He’s always going “you’re all intense and crazy around here”. Bruce is cool with him operating in Gotham as he is the exception to No Metas In Gotham.

What? You think fanon knows anything more about Duke Thomas?

#potted bat fanon histories

[zahri-melitor]

Next up in the Fanon Histories it’s Robin IV: STEPHANIE BROWN!

Steph, a small child: Her dad is Cluemaster and her mum is a nurse addicted to pain medication. They live in the Narrows or Crime Alley or somewhere else in the poorest parts of Gotham. Cluemaster is often in jail and occasionally teams up with Riddler. They are dirt poor.

Steph, 13-14: Cluemaster gets out of jail and comes home. Steph is mad about this and decides to ruin his day. She becomes the Spoiler to spoil his plans! (The costume, it’s eggplant)

Steph, 13-14: Steph runs into Tim as Robin while out as Spoiler. She hits him over the head with a brick. They immediately start dating.

Steph, 14-16: Steph is perky and charming and her favourite food is waffles but everyone tells her to go home and stop being Spoiler, as it’s too dangerous, particularly Batman and Robin. Steph ignores them.

Steph, 14-16: Steph meets Cass and they immediately become BFFs and bond.

Steph, 14-16: Tim can’t be Robin for a while because of his Dad, so Steph becomes Robin! It doesn’t work out as Bruce doesn’t like her.

Steph, 16: Steph gets captured and tortured by Black Mask. She almost dies from her injuries. Leslie Thompkins takes her secretly to Africa to heal. (Absolutely no details of HOW or WHY she was captured by Black Mask are ever mentioned)

Steph, 16 (alternate version): nothing happens to Steph! She just hangs out with Tim and Cass forever!

Steph, 17-18: Steph comes back to Gotham. Tim, hurting because he thought she was dead, tells her never to be Spoiler again. Steph is instantly offended. How dare he tell her what to do!

Steph, 17-18: Steph works around this order by instead becoming Batgirl! She has Cass and Babs’ blessing.

Steph, 17-18: Steph is the only person other than Dick willing to work with Damian as Robin. She is his Big Sister. He calls her names and she laughs at him and takes him on a jumping castle.

Steph, 17-18: Steph starts dating Tim again at some point after Tim gets back to Gotham. Now that she’s Batgirl she has her own room at the Manor and hangs out there all the time.

Steph, 17-18: after Jason returns to being part of the family Steph and Jason bond over Being Poor and Black Mask and call themselves the Dead Robins Club. They usually remember to invite Damian. She agrees with him that some people need killing.

Steph, currently: Steph is now considered One Of The Family. She attends Gotham Gala events with Tim or Cass. People assume she is Damian’s Babysitter. She has wacky Batgirls adventures with Cass. Bruce has given her a credit card for spending money like his other kids.

Steph, currently: Steph is dating either Tim or Cass. Everyone in the superhero community knows her and expects to see her with either of them any time they’re outside Gotham.

#potted bat fanon histories

[zahri-melitor]

How much of the BatFanonHistories are... not incorrect 👀

Varies from line to line.

Sometimes I’m just summarising a specific plot point (for example, Haly’s Circus).

Sometimes I’ve simplified events or mentioned them while pointing out significant context has been stripped away from the event (Tim now being a Teen Titan, Dick trying to kill the Joker)

Sometimes I’m mentioning multiple contradictory versions of actual canon stories, or choosing one specific version of layers of retcons (what Damian knew about his family is one of these, Barbara being a librarian)

A lot of it is recounting seriously misunderstood events or occasions where people apply events that have very specific time frames over an extended or incorrect period (Dick being a cop and living in Blüdhaven, Harley Quinn appearing in comics canon events prior to 1999)

And then yeah, a big chunk is just straight fanon or events warped by fanon (see large chunks of both Jason and Tim in particular)

And when I say “nothing happened” - of course there’s something massive that’s being ignored/overlooked.

They’re funny when they feel like the most generic fic you’ve ever head. They’re better when you can fill the gaps I’ve deliberately left.

Your best bet is asking about anything in particular you want better context on.

#potted bat fanon histories

[zahri-melitor]

Potted Fanon Histories - let’s move over to the other Batgirls. Next up, BARBARA GORDON!

Barbara, child: Barbara is the daughter of Jim Gordon and Barbara Gordon. Her parents got divorced. Jim Gordon is a cop in Gotham.

Barbara, 15-17: Barbara sees Batman and Robin and the Batsignal at the GCPD. She decides to become Batgirl. (If we are really really lucky someone knows the costume party story, but generally motivation is no deeper than ‘because!’)

Barbara, 15-17: she teams up with Dick and they flirt as teens. It’s cute. Jim Gordon definitely does not know she’s Batgirl. Nobody knows any stories from this period.

Barbara, 18-21: Barbara is still probably Batgirl. She studies to be a librarian and works at Jason’s favourite library branch and tutored him.

Barbara, 21: Barbara answers the door and is SHOT BY THE JOKER. She ends up a paraplegic in a wheelchair. This is shortly before Jason dies. (Except for when it’s AFTER Jason dies, so Jason is horrified on his return to discover Barbara was also injured by the Joker and Bruce still did nothing!!!)

Barbara, early mid 20s: Barbara becomes Oracle, the information broker and dispatcher for the Bats. She lives in the Clocktower and her life is devoted to telling everyone else where to go while on patrol and hacking information when requested.

Barbara, early mid 20s: Barbara also runs her own team, the Birds of Prey. Black Canary is on the team. The ‘Birds’ don’t interact much with the ‘Bats’ but they cover Gotham during emergencies.

Barbara, early mid 20s: dated Dick for a while. Is jealous of Kory.

Barbara, mid 20s: mentored Cass and Steph as Batgirls. They hung out in the Clocktower with her as their base.

Barbara, mid 20s: has surgery so she can now walk! Returns to being Batgirl. She still might need her chair every now and then.

Barbara, currently: is one of several Batgirls. There’s a team of Batgirls! They do girl stuff together! She runs and directs this team, which also gets called the Birds of Prey.

Barbara, currently (alternate): Barbara is Oracle and runs comms and hacking for the Bats. Her only purpose is to find things out for you and give advice.

Barbara, currently: Barbara is dating Dick, unless she is just a good friend while Dick dates someone else. Alternatively, Barbara is dating Dinah.

#potted bat fanon histories

[zahri-melitor]

Next up in the Potted Bat Fanon Histories it is the family doctor for everyone, LESLIE THOMPKINS!

Leslie, 20s: Leslie went to medical school with Thomas Wayne.

Leslie, 30s: Leslie set up a medical clinic in the poorest part of Gotham because that was Thomas' life goal, bringing healthcare to the masses.

Leslie, at some point offscreen: Bruce and/or Alfred approaches Leslie to provide healthcare.

Leslie, old: Leslie, as a Mandated Reporter (TM) is available to assess and treat Tim and/or Jason for their childhood Abuse and Neglect. She provides them with all their childhood vaccines that their parents missed. She makes Reports of Tim's terrible Injuries from Jack abusing him so that Bruce can Foster Tim.

Leslie, currently: Leslie is the on call doctor for any healthcare needs that the Bats have! She does all their regular healthcare in house visits and has a clinic in Crime Alley and they all drop in there regularly for any injuries Alfred cannot treat in the Cave. She gently Disapproves (TM) of Vigilantism but never does anything more than sigh over their injuries and gently scold them.

Leslie, currently: ewww old people in relationships? Alternatively dating Alfred.

#potted bat fanon histories

[zahri-melitor]

Listen, I've never read a single Batman comic in my entire life, my only knowledge comes from fics n twitter osmosis so having every single silly fan-trope about the bats organized by year/character gave me psychic damage

When you see the all those angst ridden aus categorized it gives a rlly rlly different point of view LMAO (I will never recover)

Oh, it’s even funnier than that: some of the stuff I mention actually did happen in comics and everyone just likes mentioning it; some of it’s a really weird read on events that misses any nuance and leans heavily to one side for angst purposes; and sometimes it’s completely invented.

They’re supposed to read like the most tropey fic you’ve ever read about the character AND for comics readers cause immense pain from the gaps and contradictions.

(For example, I very specifically wrote Cass’ without mentioning Barbara Gordon once. This was deliberate and also extremely painful to me, because fanon Cass tends to have no relationship with Babs, while in comics Babs is Cass’ sister/mother/mentor figure and vital)

#potted bat fanon histories

[zahri-melitor]

ive just gotta say that i missed the title of ur fanon post about tim and got about halfway through the post before i was so incandescently angry that i had to scroll back up and double check that if it was satire so like.... you've nailed it ig <3

Sorry yes, they’re all satire. I hope the tone also gives it away - I’m trying to pick appropriate ones for each character.

Infuriating is the aim!

#potted bat fanon histories