#c: batman tales: once upon a crime | the snow queen

[martyrbat]

the snow queen

prev. | pt. 2 | next

(ID below cut)

[ID: part two. We continue from where we left off:

They came to a stop, for a moment's rest. But something caught his eye - a demand for his attention. The Ice Queen tends to her reindeer as Batman looks at the luscious foliage growing in the barren land. He approaches it, finding a woman with long, red hair and dressed entirely in green residing within it. The narration continues, "You look lost," said the green woman. "Why are you here?" "We're looking for... someone," answered the Batman. "You'll find no one here, but you're free to look," she said.

"Do you like my garden?" asked the green woman. "It is beautiful," he replied. "Why not stay, so we can enjoy it together?" she offered. The Batman paused to consider. The garden was enchanting. A calming peace washed over him. And yet something felt off. "I sense you're troubled." "Something is missing from your garden," he responded. "Or perhaps... Concealed." Batman admires the greenery but pauses at a singular plant. It's stem bearing no flower as the woman stands behind him, her features hidden by her green gardening hat. He stares fixated on the plant before turning around and lifting her hat, revealing her remorseful face. He remembers when he was just a young boy, laying two red roses on a cracked pavement for the first time. He looks over the memory, knowing the grief of his adolescence shaped him into the man he is today.

"You associate red roses with the loss of your parents. I hid them from you, only wishing to remove the pain those memories create. To lift your burden and offer you a chance at paradise in this Eden."

"I can't stay," he said with resolve. "Something remains unfinished. I'm still needed elsewhere." "Then take these with you," spoke the green woman. "And may you find what you are searching for." She looks down in thought at the red roses in her hand before gently passing it to Batman. She stands, alone in her heaven, watching him ride off into the glacial, barbaric land once again.

END ID]

#this and the last part is so.... yeah <3 #being offered a chance of paradise in this eden.... turning away from heaven for the futile attempt to save someone in a damned world #also just how that line and symbolism just makes my little religious guilt and traumatized heart ache #one of the first things that made me stop being religious was the idea i could exist happily while others still suffer #the idea still makes me horrified so yea lil projection and bias for why this is one of my favourites but.. who cares hfhdh #c: batman tales: once upon a crime | the snow queen #crypt's panels #batman #poison ivy #pamela isley #transcrypts

[martyrbat]

the snow queen

| pt. 1 | next

(ID below cut)

[ID: Part one of a short story featuring Batman. The first image is the cover, announcing the title as 'The Snow Queen'. There's a snowflake and ice skates behind the text. The rest of the story is narrated like a storybook and will be transcribed (hopefully) as smoothly as possible instead of divided per image:

Once Upon a Crime... there was a man lost in a storm. And another who searched for him. Each step became a burden. Each inch forward, a promise. The Batman would continue for as long as he could hold out. But nature was relentless. And she was winning. Batman has his cape and arms wrapped around himself in a futile attempt to block the merciless elements. He walks away from the Batmobile, the snow coming up to his knees as a harsh wind blows his cape behind him. He continues through the snow, growing weaker and weaker until he collapses.

Until she appeared. A radiant glow of serene grace. A royal lady in white, dressed in soft fur and crowned in crystal. The Snow Queen. The ethereal woman stands before Batman. She offers him her hand as he looks up at her in a silent awe. The narration continues, As she approached, the white surface remained undisturbed. She helped him to her carriage. Where her faithful transport patiently waited to depart. He lets himself be guided to her reindeer led carriage and settles into it, the Snow Queen sitting beside him.

As he trembled, she smiled. Not uncaring, but with kindness. The cold air chilled him. His breathing became more labored. Unable to continue, he exhaled, allowing his breath to escape. Batman's head is slightly downcast as he breathes through his mouth. Each struggling breath is suspended in the air as a long vapor. It trails all the way back to his exposed mouth as The Snow Queen looks ahead with a frown. The narration continues, But swiftly, she retrieved it with a delicate touch. Offering it back to him, warm and in full. Restoring what was, so he could continue. She has her hand extended near him as the transparent cloud now surrounds Batman's mouth. He picks his head up with the gift of life, having the strength to look ahead once more. He looks over his shoulder briefly as his car gets further and further away.

Leaving his vehicle, he could not go back. For she needed him for something else. He soon forgot what he left behind. His only concern... what lay ahead. - 'Where are we going?' he asked. "We are searching," she answered. "For what?" he wondered. And she replied, "A cold hand to hold."

The carriage continues through the bare trees and across the icy tundra. Wolves howl on a cliffside above their heads as the narration continues, Faster they raced, over land and lake, across snow and ice. The cold wind roared, the wolves howled, and the birds screamed above. But the Batman was not afraid."

END ID]

#this is one of my favourites and something i been wanting to share for a while :) hopefully you all enjoy it as much as i do !! #and i hope it's transcribed in a way that's smooth and doesnt take away from the flow of the story :) #i try to id all my posts to be accessible so this made the most sense to me so it could still be accessible and to be able to share it :) #it has 4 parts which ill edit and link to once all are up :) unless ur seeing this from the future. then o hi <3 #it has 4 parts which ill edit and link to once all are up :) unless ur seeing this from the future. then hi <33 #c: batman tales: once upon a crime | the snow queen #crypt's panels #batman #transcrypts

[martyrbat]

the snow queen

prev. / pt. 4 /

(ID below cut)

[ID: part four. We continue from where we left off:

They were met with a beautiful spectrum of color. An aurora of vivid lights reflected off the crystal walls. Everything glittered as the great halls stretched to infinity. Batman and The Snow Queen walk through the glimmering, watercolored corridors until they reach beyond its impressive walls. The Snow Queen points at the only thing breaking the desolated land, it buried deep within the snow. They approach it, revealing the man that originally got lost in the storm. He's trapped in the ice up to his head, which is enclosed by a jagged, broken glass helmet.

His exposed skin was cold to the touch. His heart was silent. The missing man did not move. But the other man did. And was joined by majesty. Batman kneels near the man, using his Batarang to start breaking the ice that surrounds him. It splinters and cracks underneath his tool as The Snow Queen approaches them. She bestows the frozen man a delicate kiss on his discolored head; breaking his icy, isolating curse.

One prison opened. While another unlocked. Batman pulls the man from the ice before removing the hazardous helmet from him. He stares at Batman before hanging his head, his light blue skin lively again. Batman places his hand on the man's arm in solace.

"You...saved me," said the missing man, with gratitude. "Don't thank me. It was her," explained the Batman. "She led me here." "Who?" asked the missing man. They both look up to the deserted air - any evidence of The Snow Queen's existence now gone.

"Why were you here?' asked the Batman. "This place holds special meaning," the missing man expressed. "It's where she first skated. It's where we first met. My Snow Queen... my Nora. I realize now, my memories of her have kept me frozen in time," said the missing man.

The Batman agreed. "Sometimes it's not just bad memories that stop us from living, but good ones, too." Batman wraps his arm around the man, providing him support as they walk away together in solidarity. Behind them is a pair of tiny yellow birds and snow bunnies resting alongside a tree. Little sprouts of green grass grow through the snow - all promises of life. They are joined by two red roses.

END ID]

#again those parallels and giving solidarity and comfort to anyone that needs it. forever expanding that hand in hopes they take it.... #the extremity of what you'll do for love. to protect it. to guard it. to avenge it.... #getting lost in their mission and losing part of your life when they lost theirs. building a future again after it got ripped from you.... #yeah <333 #last part ! i hope u all liked the little story :33 #c: batman tales: once upon a crime | the snow queen #crypt's panels #batman #victor fries #mister freeze #transcrypts

[martyrbat]

the snow queen – batman tales: once upon a crime

[ID: Victor Fries (aka Mister Freeze) trapped in ice. His head is light blue and is enclosed in a jagged glass helmet. Red goggles hide his eyes as The Snow Queen delicately kisses his temple. In the next two panels, Victor's skin is no longer discoloured and his goggles are off. He melancholically talks to Batman, his icy comatose broken by her kiss.

Batman asks him why did he come here and Victor replies, “This place holds special meaning. It's where she first skated. It's where we first met. My Snow Queen... my Nora. I realize now, my memories of her have kept me frozen in time.” Batman wraps his arm around Victor to help support him as he guides him to safety. He sympathizes, “Sometimes it's not just bad memories that stop us from living, but good ones, too” END ID]

#just this part because im still so >:/ at that recent characterization of him as maliciously cruel and selfish #instead of a man desperately clinging to the memory and belief that somehow someday he can have the love of his life back #yes its still selfish in a sense of 'she wouldn't want this/look at what you've becomed in the name of your love' but the intent?? #btas peaked :// having sympathetic villains isn't weak writing or makes the final showdown have less stakes or whatever #it makes your character leave an impact by being a reflection to the uglier side of emotions and what anyone is capable of doing #especially for a character like bruce !!! like !!!! #they both fight for love. they're both criminals wanting to protect what they love. theyre both the embodiment of mourning #anyways. #c: batman tales: once upon a crime | the snow queen #crypt's panels #mister freeze #nora fries #victor fries #batman

[martyrbat]

the snow queen

prev. / pt. 3 / next

(ID below cut)

[ID: part three. We continue from where we left off:

As they continued on their journey, they were visited from above. "Such a cold, cold day to travel, wouldn't you agree? Where are you going?" asked the crow. The Batman looked at the Snow Queen before he answered, "I'm still not quite sure." He looks up at the black crow soaring over their heads before it lands on his shoulder.

The crow hopped excitedly, unable to keep its secret. "I know, I know!" exclaimed the crow. "What you're looking for is up ahead at the Ice Palace. Just wait, just wait," said the crow. "First let me tell you a story. There's a man who would do anything to save the one he loved. But now he is the one who needs saving." Growing impatient, the Batman asked, "Is this who we're looking for?" "Could be, could be. See for yourself," answered the crow. "But you'll never get inside." With the taunted warning, the crow flies away.

Before them towered the palace in all its icy splendor. Giant stalagmite columns rising up to touch the sky. Walls formed by drifted snow and window slats cut from the cold winds. A fortress of impenetrable ice. Their final destination. And well guarded! Batman and The Snow Queen stand outside the magnificent castle before being ambushed by guarding dragons. They fight ferociously against Batman and, despite his bravery and efforts, he is unable to weaken them. The Snow Queen gently lays her hand on his shoulder, making him stop and to ponder.

The Batman grew weary and unable to defeat the monsters before him. But her soft touch caused him pause. She didn't bring him all this way to lose him. There was another way...

He stands with his new icy armor. He carries a giant shield and dons a protective helmet to block the monsters' attacks before throwing the frigid spear at them. The narration continues, When he struck them, the beasts shattered, breaking into a hundred pieces. She could now safely enter the palace with her guest by her side.

END ID]

#love when there's direct parallels between bruce and the villains he stands against #the constant reminder that there is no good people or bad people. just people that are capable of doing either #harvey is the most obvious example of just unfair luck and circumstances. the ache of knowing what could of been instead #and if you believe in fate - what never would had been. doomed from the start instead of spontaneous act of tragedy #but victor is also such a good example of that extremity for love and what happens when its ripped from you. #hated the recent story where they make him abusive and controlling instead because theyre too afraid to make villains sympathetic. #but thats another post for another day lol. anyways i think one of the bats should be allowed to have a pet crow. its dramatic and funny #also a reminder of how the story started with 'a man lost in a storm and another who searched for him'... its bout to come up >:3 #c: batman tales: once upon a crime | the snow queen #crypt's panels #batman #transcrypts

[martyrbat]

the snow queen - batman tales: once upon a crime

[ID: Batman lifting Poison Ivy's green gardening hat to reveal her remorseful face. END ID]

#sorry im not letting you guys ignore my favourite part #being offered a chance of paradise in this eden.... turning away from heaven for the futile attempt to save someone in a damned world #like that entire line and exchange is <333 then the red roses and significance it plays in the last panel.... #its about symbolism ok- #also just :( their dynamic :(( #c: batman tales: once upon a crime | the snow queen #crypt's panels #batman #pamela isley #poison ivy

[martyrbat]

the snow queen - batman tales: once upon a crime

[ID: Batman standing in snow that comes up to his knees. The wind is blowing the ends of his cape behind him as he has his arms and the rest of the cape wrapped around himself. END ID]

#hes cold.... #puts him in the microwave #c: batman tales: once upon a crime | the snow queen #crypt's panels #batman