duke-thomas-stan-blog

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I don't think I will ever stop being bitter about how the fandom treats Duke Thomas.

Either he's a sentient prop, a sounding board for the "main four" batboys or he doesn't exist at all.

Duke is a stubborn, smart, snarky little menace (literally every comic he's a main character in). He's got a life outside the Bats, he was literally part of a city wide Robin movement (We Are Robin), he's got great bonds with Cass and Damian (Outsiders 2019 and Robin War), implied to have solid bonds with Steph and Tim (Detective Comics and Urban Legends), doesn't give a flying fuck about Dick (it's hilarious, see Urban Legends) and roasts Jason all the time for no reason (also hilarious, New Talent Showcase 2017)

Bruce utterly adores him and is constantly talking him up/trying to bond with him (All Star Batman/Cursed Wheel, Outsiders, Batman 2011, Urban Legends and Batman and the Signal)

He's respected by seasoned heroes like Black Lightning and Katana, even antiheroes such as Lady Shiva like him. The man handled a Green Lantern ring, chilled and comforted a semi possessed Gotham Girl, and took on the Riddler as a lil kid.

Duke is complex, funny, strong and overall brilliant, it's crazy to me that people just brush him off as "the normal one."

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Duke Thomas is who Fanon Tim Drake fans think Tim Drake is

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Some of my personal (dumb) headcanons for duke thomas:

1. He has a tumblr account where he just posts crazy theories about the batfamily (all of them are wrong on purpose)

2. He has weekly tea time with elaine

3. Every month duke and riko meet up to catch up and gossip

4. He brings izzy small trinkets every time he comes back from a mission

5. he LOVES rock music!!

6. Likes his hair medium-long but keeps it short for practical reasons

7. has a dedicated hate page towards red hood and nightwing

8. 100% bisexual

9. Is actually very much into fashion, got more jackets than shirts

10. HATES energy drinks with a passion

11. An absolute beast at bowling

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Got stoned and started info dumping about Duke Thomas to my brother because he didn’t know who he was and when I finished his response was “Well why the fuck don’t they use him more ? Put him in a TV show or something, he’s interesting !”

So I’ve converted someone to Duke Thomas

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A Collection of Happy Duke Thomases!!!

Batman (2011) #33 // Batman & The Signal #3 // The Cursed Wheel Part 1 / Part 7 // Batman & The Outsiders #13 // DC Rise of the Power Company // Batman: Urban Legends #19 // The Power Company: Recharged // We Are Robin #12

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(my version of) duke!! in that zip-up jacket i drew tim stealing ages ago.

i will always choose to give longer hair if i can, but that is not to say i dislike the short versions too (vvv)

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a red hood story where the cop killer needs to be "dealt with"... its so over

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me explaining how Duke may not be a Wayne but he is a batsibling and the complex relationships that he has with each of the batfamily members

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Before posting to the Duke Thomas tag, think:

Does the post actually include Duke Thomas?

Does Duke Thomas say more than one throwaway line/question?

Is Duke Thomas more than just a prop for another character?

Is Duke Thomas more than the timid/shy/normal one?

If you answered yes to all these questions, congratulations!!! You can post to the Duke tag. If your answer is no, maybe avoid the Duke tag!

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Do you think when duke cracks his back his spine lights up like a glowstick or like nah

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btw important clarification: Duke chose the morning shift himself. the sentiment that bruce needed someone to patrol in the morning is straight up untrue, duke's early training was right beside batman solving crimes and chasing criminals at night but as he was figuring out his place in the Gotham vigilante scene working at night just did not work for him. Eventually he chose to work during the daytime specifically because of his mother's ideology, that it's easier to recognize truth in the light, and because it allows him better direct access to the people of Gotham.

Duke is a very community centered character. He is big on his beliefs about it and redemption. Saying Bruce chose the day for him removes Duke's agency as a character and is a fundamental misunderstanding of him. He was Gothams robin (not batman's) for a reason. he was going to do his "protect and uplift the community by any means" thing no matter what, he was doing it before he even met bruce and it was the reason they met in the first place. he works in the morning because it's where the people are and it's the best way to see them in all their truths and complexities and for them to see him and know that everything is going to be okay

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A Collection of My Favourite Duke Thomas Thoughts

We Are Robin #1 // We Are Robin #2 // We Are Robin #6 // We Are Robin #7 // Batman & The Signal #1 // Batman & The Signal #2 // Batman & The Signal #3 // The Cursed Wheel

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Duke Thomas/Signal!

(request by @the-badass-penguin )

bonus crappy sketches/studies from last year

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the thing abt duke thomas is that he is a genius truly gifted kid who had a promising albeit average future ahead of him until tragedy struck and took his parents from him. then all the energy he has diverts and he blocks everything else out and dedicates himself to finding them and also being a huge problem for anyone who'd try to obscure that.

like #1 most underrated thing abt his character is that he is, by definition, a "retired crash out". after age 14 he had no friends, shit grades, was getting into fights so often he was being kicked out of schools AND foster homes. it truly was self made vigilatism and the power of friendship that saved him from tunnel-visioning into an early grave.

ALL THIS TO SAY my favorite thing abt duke thomas pre batman and the signal (hell even during the comic) is how much of an unapologetic asshole he is to everyone indiscriminately in a bad way. He was kind but lil bro was NOT nice. he was selfish and a dickhead even to ppl who cared and were really trying to help him. I really like to think that him getting past that wasn't dc neutering him but the active choice to get better after he finally found a solid support system. that being said, he most definitely code switches and has to CONSISTENTLY hold back from poppin bitches in they mouthes bcs hes past that! he's in his healing arc! <as he'd say.

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Duke is unapologetic for everything that comes out of his mouth. In fact, give him a mic, he'll say it louder.

Some way too old for that guy, trying to flirt with Cass: You know, you seem so mature for your age…

Duke, popping out of nowhere: And you're really fucking dumb for yours, man, fix this puddle of desperation on your head first and only then think about trying to fit into society. If even your hair doesn't want to be with you, what are you counting on?

Cass, who really didn't want to ruin her cute dress with blood: 👍🏻

A really annoying paparazzi: Hey, boy, how does it feel to become rich after, well, whatever you were before? Have your, erm, extracurricular activities changed? What's your favourite thing to do now?

Duke, with the straightest face known to mankind: No, it's still your mom. My favourite extracurricular activity, planning to do her more actually, thanks for the question.

Bruce, trying to parent a whole ass teen: So…

Duke: I really shouldn't have told this terrible, rude, insufferable piece of person to go eat shit. I genuinely regret it. I should have told her to go eat shit and die choking, such a missed opportunity, damn, I'm still upset.

Bruce: ...

Bruce, to himself: Why am I even trying?

There are a bunch of compilations on YouTube and Tiktok “Duke Thomas-Wayne has no PR training whatsoever”. Duke personally likes every single one of them.

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RIP Duke Thomas you would have loved saying “During Black History month ??’ for any minor inconvenience