#bats supes wondey and co have been operating by this time for like 20 years

[redrobin-detective]

I realized I’ve talked big game about Billy and Jason coexisting as a young Captain Marvel and Robin Jason but never really explained it. I swear it’s not just because I think Jay and Bill would be the absolute best friends ever and deserve each other. So! Captain Marvel started off with Fawcett Comics in 1939 and was eventually absorbed by DC comics sometime in the mid 70s before becoming more prevalent in the 80-90s. Jason was introduced in 1983 so Jason and Billy’s introductions to the DCU are much closer together than the other Robins. So on that front I like the continuity but it’s also deeper than that.

Despite being created alongside the Golden heroes like Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman, I really like the idea of Captain Marvel coming into play after that first wave and with the second. It’s kind of mentioned in First Thunder that the Wizard saw that a great era of heroes was dawning and wanted his champion to be there to help with any threats, magical or otherwise, that may result. By the time Billy is granted his powers, the Justice League is well established and its main heroes considered to be the shining example of heroics. Hell, in this timeline Billy was probably born around the time these heroes first became active. 

The JLA is in many ways considered and run like a business, especially as it expanded beyond the original seven and required more care and coordination. The League is in this weird time where it’s starting to expand but doesn’t quite have all the kinks worked out like they will later and thus it’s the perfect time for Cap to be able to keep his identity under wraps. But also the idea of people looking up to the original heroes who paved the way, there’s some metaphors there not only of Billy growing and coming into himself through their example but in many ways exemplifying the ideal they may stray from. I really like the idea of initial tension between Supes and Marvel because, for all his kindness and goodness, Clark can be flawed. I can see him being nervous around a magical version of himself with seemingly no weaknesses. As the League gets bigger, gets involved more on social/political issues, having Billy/Marvel to serve as a reminder of what they stand for, it’s something I like. 

This period of transition extends also to Robin Jay. We had the first wave of superheroes and their sidekicks but now those sidekicks are growing up. Nightwing is with the Titans and then his own solo, Wally has assumed the mantle of the Flash from Barry, Speedy was struggling with addiction. Jason (to my mind don’t jump down my throat) was one of the first times a legacy character was properly replaced by a new character (Dick Robin -> Jason Robin). There’s a realization there that there will be heroes beyond the originals and their first set of sidekicks, that time is moving on and change in inevitable. To me and their respective origins and places in the larger DCU, Jason and Billy are symbols of change. 

This rant is getting away from me so I’ll wrap it up. Basically I think the second wave of heroes is the perfect era to slot in Billy Batson with him eventually becoming friends with newly inducted Robin Jason Todd. This, of course, later leads to tragedy with Jason’s death which poor Bill doesn’t deserve but also opens avenues on how Bill would interact with the League as it, and himself, grew up. I like most have trouble imagining Billy past 13 but imagine him giving advice and reminiscing with Tim Drake about Jay when they’re about the same age. Imagine Bill as an older teen on the cusp of adulthood when he learns his best friend has come back from the dead as a criminal. Imagine young adult Billy, trying to make his way in the world now as a proper adult having to deal with Damian’s attitude and arrogance. 

We all love perpetually baby Billy but there is a certain poetry in slotting him in a young, still getting itself together, Justice League. A Justice League that is, in itself, in its awkward preteens and trying to find it’s footing and place in the world. It puts him elbow to elbow with Superman who is struggling to find himself in his new role as the Man of Steel and is now confronted with a godlike being who absolutely could kill him and also with Jason, a street rat like him working to make a difference for the little people. I will always feel its the best place for Billy to find himself alongside a heroics organization which is looking to do the same.

#billy batson #i did not explain myself well here so i hope you can at least appreciate the vibe #i know we want to keep bill perpetually young (and I understand believe me) #but slotting him into present day DC just feels... wrong #bats supes wondey and co have been operating by this time for like 20 years #they're older in their 40s and even early 50s (if DC wasn't cowardly enough to admit it) #it just feels awkward to throw in 10ish y/o Bill who really wont have a connection #compared to an early 30s crowd who Really are feeling the pressures of being literal superheroes and adults in a way #theres a better connection there especially as theyre trying to really get the JLA up and running as it expands #theres themes of growing up and periods of transition of different perspectives that I just like #there's something about watching Bill grow up with the League #aging into an adult as it does #of losing his best friend as a child only for said friend to come back as a murderous adult #i could talk about it forver but my words arent working so I'll shut up #but please ask me about it ahha