#Paul Oracle

[armed-with-a-waffle-iron]

The Canon Batman Timeline

I tried my best.

It's important to me that even comic characters can age and grow.

TLDR: I think the best way to plot out a Batman timeline is to pay attention to the ages of characters over time.

Long version:

Batman: Year One, Catwoman: Her Sister's Keeper, The Long Halloween and Dark Victory all take place consecutively and over the course of Batman's first 5 years.

Bruce Wayne is 25 when he returns to Gotham on Jan 4, Year One, and likely turns 26 that year. Selina Kyle is 19 during Year One.

Dick Grayson becomes Robin at 13 in Dark Victory, towards the end of Year Five and spends 6 years as Robin.

Adapted Silver Age stories follow Dark Victory.

Dinah Lance becomes Black Canary and co-founds the JLA at 19, early in the Silver Age.

Barbara Gordon becomes Batgirl at 18, after the Teen Titans have formed, likely around around Year Eight. She is in-between Dick and Dinah's ages.

Adapted Bronze Age stories begin in Year Ten, after Dick leaves for college at 18.

Helena Bertinelli becomes a vigilante at the end of summer in Year Eleven, after turning 21, returns to Gotham and begins calling herself The Huntress in Year Twelve, after Ash Wednesday. She meets a 29 year-old Catwoman, who she's around 8 years younger than.

Dick is fired by Bruce at the end of Year Eleven at 19. Dick becomes Nightwing and Jason becomes Robin in early Year Twelve.

Crisis happens in Year Twelve and the Modern Age begins. Dick turns 20 around this time.

In Year Thirteen, Death in the Family, Killing Joke, Huntress (1989), A Lonely Place of Dying and Cry of the Huntress occur.

Barbara becomes Oracle, Tim Drake becomes Robin at 13, Stephanie Brown becomes The Spoiler at 15 around Labour Day, and Jean-Paul Valley becomes Azrael as a post-graduate student. Dick is 21.

Knightfall takes place, over the course of 6 months between Year Thirteen and Fourteen.

In Year Fourteen, Prodigal, Contagion, Legacy, Cataclysm and Aftershock occur consecutively.

It is also in this year that Helena and Barbara join the JLA, Barbara forms the Birds of Prey, adding Dinah, and Tim co-founds Young Justice.

The entirety of Year Fifteen is the No Man's Land year.

Helena becomes The Bat, in Batman's absence, while also moonlighting as the Huntress.

Stephanie Brown has a baby at 16 and Cassandra Cain becomes Batgirl at 17.

The Titans form again, Donna Troy turns 23 and she is the same age as Dick.

Year Sixteen begins with New Gotham and ends with Infinite Crisis. Cry for Blood, Outlaws, Joker: Last Laugh, Fugitive/Murderer and Family occur in this year.

Renee Montoya turns 29, Cassandra turns 18, Tim turns 16 and Jason would have turned 18.

Helena joins the Birds of Prey, Tim joins the Teen Titans, Dick joins the Outsiders and Stephanie has a stint as Robin.

Jean-Paul dies.

Year Seventeen is the 52 year and is largely a timeskip. Kate Kane becomes Batwoman and Renee becomes The Question.

Year Eighteen opens with One Year Later.

Final Crisis occurs and Bruce "dies". Battle for the Cowl occurs.

Dick becomes Batman and Damian becomes Robin, at 10. Dick joins the JLA.

Stephanie becomes Batgirl at 19 and attends university, and Tim becomes Red Robin.

Michael Lane becomes Azrael at around 30 and Kate turns 32.

In Year Nineteen, Bruce Wayne returns and begins Batman Inc.. Cassandra becomes Black Bat.

The Black Mirror, Gates of Gotham and Leviathan Strikes occur.

The Convergence timeskip begins.

Towards the end of Year Twenty, Convergence concludes and so does Post-Crisis continuity.

[valravn-nova]

PEAK bat-gang, idk what to tell you

[ashoss]

hi.. if you still take art requests can you draw barbara, cass and jean paul valley going for a walk together please..

not too familiar w jpv hope its alright tho :D

[spiritleigh]

God I love Jean Paul

(Azrael agent of the bat #61)

[thatcutenerdygirl]

I guess we know who the shadow was.

This one was good. So, the bomb on the guy that Steph was trying to diffuse blew up. Cass was able to pull Steph away, but Steph still thinks that the guy could be alive, but Cass says, "Spoiler, he's gone." She helps Steph start to climb down the ladder, but sees something and says it's nothing.

Bruce, Jean Paul, Luke, Kate, and Cass are talking about the bombs and stuff when Jason, Dick, and Babs come down. Okay, so, Jason says something here, and it's really sad, but the wording they choose was a little weird: "He [Joker} wants us to have hope, just so he can rip it away. He always liked to play with his food." Is that just me or is it the same with you?

Flash forward, Tim and Cass are going into a Wayne homeless shelter thing and see Steph who is handing out food and stuff. They go over and she says "I don't want to talk about." The three go up to a roof to eat where they all say Joker should be stopped. Then they go to leave, but Cass says that she's gonna 'buy snakes from Alfred's banned list and smuggle them in'. I love them so much.

Okay, so, a couple weeks ago, Cass sees a shadow which she says is nothing. It wasn't nothing, it was her mother. Lady Shiva comes out and it ends.

[kitkat5628]

what is your ideal size/roles for the Batfamily? Like “Dick is Nightwing, Tim is Robin” etc

I'm a big sucker for the 90/00s BatFamily, ngl. I like all the members of course but for the love of god, Bruce, stop adopting kids omg💔 someone gotta stop this man.

Notes about some characters that are or are considered members: Not a big fan of Harley being in the family? I do like her, and that she finally "escaped" Joker. But not sure how I feel about her being an official member of the family. Would be nice to see them work together from time to time though :).

I love Helena, but I don't see her much as a member too. Would prefer letting her doing her own things but being in contact with them and, like for Harley, sometimes working together. If we're talking about Bertinelli obviously. If it were to be Helena Wayne, it'd be different.

Luke... It's not that I dislike the guy, I just never got much into him. So, in the family or not, I don't really care😅.

And I miss Jean-Paul. Where's the guy? He had such a good relationship with Babs and Cass, and it was so funny reading Dick interacting with him, lol.

Now! As for the roles, let me make a little list:

Bruce - Batman, duh...

Selina - Catwoman

Kate - Batwoman

Helena - Huntress

Babs - Batgirl/Oracle. As said in my previous post, I love her current status as both

Dick - Nightwing. I did like his time as Batman though

Cassandra - Black Bat. I know, I know, she's a good Batgirl and her BG costume is amazing, she can keep it and call herself Black Bat though. I just like them all having their own names. And yes, I did read Batgirl 2000😭 Every time I say this people ask me if I did read it or suggest me to do so, lol. I loved the run, but would still want Cass to have her own name. Especially because, if you say "Batgirl" to someone, they're always gonna think of the red head. Even who doesn't know Barbara Gordon or any DC stuff knows the red head Batgirl, given how famous she is. Or even who read comics, most of the times. (Note: I kinda like the name Orphan too, unpopular opinion? No idea. I can imagine the villains "Oh gods Orphan's here" "Huh?! Which one?!" Lol.)

Jason - Red Hood

Stephanie - Spoiler. Again, she was good as Batgirl but I like her having her own name. And come on, the name's Spoiler for a vigilante/hero is awesome

Tim - Red Robin. For the same reason as Cass and Steph, but I also don't feel, like many do, that he has to completely abandon Robin or the role. So Red Robin is quite fine by me. And no offense to who came up first or like the name "Red Cardinal" for Tim, but every time I hear cardinal I think of the church;;;

Duke - Signal

Damian - Robin. I don't mind him still being Robin, maybe he'll also find his own name one day — if it's terrible you'll see me begging on my knees for them to call him Robin again. And gods please do not kill a Robin in hush2, DC I swear I'll hunt you down if you do.

I mean... They'll probably come back anyway but yk...

[fangedxnight1836]

Character of the day:

Jean-Paul Valley Jr. aka Azrael

Some information about him:

A test tube baby that was made to have inhuman strength.

He graduated from Gotham University, having studied Computer science there.

His archenemy LeHah had managed to kill him and his father Jean-Paul Valley Sr. which lead to the creation of a new Azrael Michael Lane by the Order of Purity.

The Order of St. Dumas made him undergo vigorous training in conditions known as The System which his father, the previous Azrael warned him against.

He became Batman in Knightfall after Bruce had his back broken by Bane. Bruce told him to put the suit on as Gotham needed a Batman. However, he became quite aggressive against criminals like Scarecrow and Killer Croc.

He has a split personality as a result of the training under St. Dumas. When he is in his Azrael form, he actually believes that he is the fallen angel. Whereas, when he is Jean-Paul he is mild-mannered.

Oracle keeps a stuffed plush of Azrael on her desk.

He possesses gauntlets called the Angels Wrath which he received from Ossaville. They shoot fire blasts which are non-lethal to everyone except for adversaries.

As well as the gauntlets, he uses a flamethrower, a fire sword (ignited by the gauntlets), and projectile blades.

Has a lot of religious guilt.

He is apart of the batfamily!

Headcanons:

The headcanon is that they are long lost twin brothers (°o°)

Reads Bram Stokers books. Has a lot of guilt from reading it, but does enjoy it.

Dislikes Trisha Paytas

[ittybittybatsnbirds]

birds of prey (1999) #27

[jerseyluck]

Batman: No Man's Land: Assembly (Also Robin #67) (Story #17)

It is time for No Man's Land to bring the crew back together. See Greg Rucka show the dynamics of the Bat-family and Chuck Dixon tell the tale of how Robin and Nightwing broke into Gotham...again!

This is a story that is important to tell in chronological order, so I will start with first 7 pages of Legends of The Dark Knight #130, then we will do the Robin issue, and then we finish out the Legends issue.

The story opens up with Batman telling Barbara to call Nightwing and Robin to bring them back to Gotham. After this, Bruce goes to Commissioner Gordon to see if the GCPD will ally with the Bat-Family over Two-Face's forces.

Gordon does not take the meeting well. The police commissioner is still hurt by the fact that Batman was nowhere to be seen when the city needed him the most. Gordon is so angry, he slugs Batman's face. Batman leaves Gordon to his lonesome after this.

And now it is time to see the journey Nightwing and Robin took in order to get into No Man's Land.

Oracle has found an access point in the sewers that the two Boy Wonders can use to get into Gotham unnoticed. While the two go to this entrance point, they kind of dunk on the fact that Bruce called on them now, when they were willing to fight in No Man's Land since the very beginning.

Anyway, they get to the point where the aqueduct and sewer cross (having a moment of Gotham history explaining the entrance, which okay, sure, fill that page count) and the heroes need to crawl a mile in a mine shaft to go into Gotham sewers proper. And they succeed, but when they get there, they alert their presence to some villian.

Gearhead and Tommy Mangles show to fight our heroes! What, you want to know who these villains are? Okay starting with Mangles, he is normal muscular thug who exists, so GCPD characters have a villain to beat.

Gearhead on the other hand, is a villain that Chuck Dixon created and pushed hard in the year running up to No Man's Land. He is basically cyborg who really hates Batman for stopping in a crime that led to him getting turned in a cyborg. You can see why the only people who have used him are Chuck Dixon and the writers of The Batman cartoon (and that cartoon did a major reinvention that made Gearhead a speed freak, which actually works).

Dick and Tim win the fight (I want to point that because of the low-tech state of No Man's Land; Tommy is just giving Gearhead a piggyback ride) by throwing them into a river. But a single rat watched the fight. That sure would be a problem if Batman had a rouge that controlled rats. Anyway, how's Ratcatcher doing?

But that cliffhanger will have to wait for another day! As we continue with our Legends issue, we get to see Cassandra Cain (had this point the Bat-family still has no idea what Cass's name even is, so she is called nameless girl for this issue) and Jean-Paul Valley hanging out, with Azrael even figuring how to communicate with her by using fists bumps. And then Nightwing and Robin show up.

Batman enters soon after everyone starts to get used to Cass and takes Nightwing on a side mission dealing with mysterious new Batgirl. We see the Batgirl praying outside, but when she comes in, it is revealed (to the readers) that new Batgirl was actually Huntress/Helena Bertinelli the whole time!

Bruce gets very aggressive towards Huntress, telling her she blew it one too many times. Batman takes the Batgirl identity back; but admits to Nightwing later that he did so, because he wanted Huntress to go rouge, as part of the larger plan to take back the city.

The story cuts back to the rest of the Bat-Family just catching up with each other. When Dick and Bruce arrive back, Batman tells the group that he needs all of them to take back the city. There is some questioning about whether they can trust Cass (Bruce's word is worthless because of the way he acted towards the family in the leadup to No Man's Land), but Barbara vouches for her.

Batman gives the missions: Robin and him will go to Ivy's territory in Robinson Park to deal with her, Nightwing is to take back Blackgate, and Azrael and Cass will hunt down Nicholas Scratch before he can do more harm!

As a special moment, Batman gives Cass the Batgirl costume telling her to honor the Bat-Code, and the issue ends with family swing out together!

And we are passed the halfway point of No Man's Land, the crew is back together, and we got a solid story. Firstly, the Chuck Dixon issue was the shakiest part of this story, but it leaves some interest in the Gotham Underground. But the Greg Rucka issue really captures the quiet beats and just heartwarming moments of the family getting used Cass. Excited to see what happens next!

7.5/10

[doesthebatfamknowpopculture]

Barbara Gordon knows Hanson

Jean-Paul Valley does not

[incorrectoraclefam]

Jean Paul-Valley: So what, now I’m just supposed to do everything that Dinah does? What if they jump off a cliff?

Barbara: If Dinah were to jump off a cliff, they would have done their due diligence regarding the height of the cliff, the depth of the water, and the angle of entry. So yes, if you see Dinah jump off a cliff, by all means, jump off a cliff.

Jean Paul-Valley: You jump off a cliff.

Barbara: Gladly, provided Dinah did first.

[thesulkycroissant]

The energy this man brings

[umbrellajam]

Wow, so it's not enough for Ted to slide in on both Dick's caped-life love interest and his fanboy little brother...

Birds of Prey (1993) #19

...he's gotta go ahead and put the moves on Dick's civilian love interest slash ex-building superintendent too?! Is nothing sacred?! 😂

Robin (1996) #96

[unintentionaloracle]

The Bloodline Doesn't Know [Fic]

Here we go! Got more Zowens for you because I miss them.

Summary: Sami's attempt to appease Kevin about his involvement with The OG Bloodline works too well. Now Sami finds himself sinking deeper into a tangled web of his own making...and a spicy situationship.

(Also there's a brief wink to Candy and an Ambreigns mention but I don't think they're significant enough to put in their tags but I can fix that if needed)

“Sami!”

Hearing his name shouted in that tone hurt.

Sami had gotten so used to being excited to see Kevin again over the past year. The giddiness of seeing the man he loved again after weeks or months apart. If Sami had things his way, when he turned around to see Kevin's face, it'd still be a welcome break from the chaos of his life. He'd get a firm hug that made him feel like nothing in their violent profession could hurt him.

But now?

Damn it, Sami thought.

Dread started to gnaw at his heart. He'd wanted to put off this confrontation longer. At least until he was done with Drew and could politely go his own way from The Bloodline. But of course, the world wouldn't allow that. And with him showing up on Kevin's show? It was inevitable. So instead, he tensed, girding himself for what was to come.

“How could you do this to me!?” He said, motioning to Sami’s shirt. “How could you go back to him!? After everything he put both of us through!? Or your stupid, precious Usos though!?” Kevin shoved Sami’s chest. “You said you loved me, Sami! HOW IS THAT LOVING ME!?”

His words were like lemon juice on his already wounded heart. Sami tried his best to look Kevin in the eye. It was the least he could do. For all of Kevin's recent fury, Sami could also see something different in his eyes. Something that, while once present with Randy and Cody, felt more pronounced. Something actively fighting with the smoldering hatred in his eyes instead of waiting it's turn.

Sadness. Mourning.

Sami felt tears forming in his eyes...

...and an idea forming in his mind.

He knew he shouldn't do it. It would probably be worse in the long run for the both of them if he did this.

But he couldn't let Kevin stay this way. Couldn't leave him all alone when he was struggling. He knew what it was like, when he thought the world was plotting against him. And this was what he wished he had in those days. Or thought he had.

“I do love you, Kev...” Sami said, backing up against the wall.

“LIAR!” Kevin shouted, pinning him against it.

“That's why I'm your inside man with Roman!” Sami blurted.

Kevin backed up slightly. “What?”

Sami took a deep breath. “Did you really think I would go back to Roman so easily? I'm keeping an eye on him. Making sure he won't take over again. Or hurt you or anyone else I love again. The minute he does?” He smacked his hands together. “Helluva Kick to his face.”

Kevin eased up more. Sami was surprised how easily he lied. Though as he thought about it in this pregnant pause, he realized there was a grain of truth. For all his excitement at being with The Usos again and feeling like things were different this time, there was still a lingering doubt...

Before he could mull on it further, Kevin shook him out of it. “You're with me?”

“Always,” Sami said, cupping his face. “Please, Kevin. It kills me to see you all alo—”

Kevin cut him off with a fiery kiss, repinning Sami to the wall. Instinctively, Sami wrapped his legs around him as he reciprocated. A small moan bubbled against his lips, threatening to escape into Kevin's mouth should things escalate. Instead, Kevin pulled away, replacing the moan with a whine. Kevin smirked, no doubt loving this little bit of control he'd gained in his life.

He whispered in his ear. “Tell me anything you find out, okay?” Kevin asked, running his hands along Sami's thigh.

Sami nodded, dumbstruck.

“Good. Meet me back at my hotel room,” he said. He glanced at Sami’s chest. “And leave that shirt wherever the hell you want: your car, your bag, preferably the trash...I want you to look good...”

...Sami knew he shouldn't be into this, but...

Kevin gave him a peck on the lips before dropping the flushed and rumpled Sami back to Earth. “God, you're so cute like this.” He said, thumbing his chin. “...Actually, just meet me in the Lamborghini.” He said before leaving.

Sami tried to recompose himself before following, only to hear three words he dreaded:

“Call Roman Reigns.”

Sami rushed to the pillar Heyman was hiding behind, knocking his phone from his hands. He turned the call off and threw the phone away. “It's not what it looks like!”

Heyman looked Sami up and down, his lip curled and his hand over his chest. “It looks like you're betraying your Tribal Chief again just so you can get laid by,” his face scrunched as he shook his head, “Kevin Owens.”

“I'm not–! I...I'm just getting close so I can keep an eye on him. So he doesn't come after us. If he does, I can warn Roman. I promise, I'm just doing whatever it takes to look out for the family! No need to tell Roman!” Sami pleaded.

Heyman looked skeptical. He sighed, motioning for him to leave.

Sami sighed with relief. “Thank you! I promise, I'm protecting everyone by doing this. You'll see! And I'm sorry about the phone!’ He said, hurrying off before Heyman could take it back or Kevin could grow doubtful.

---

The weeks that followed were more of a flurry than usual. On top of everything else, there was trying to keep an eye on the ever-elusive Roman and reporting back just enough crumbs to satisfy Kevin. Though as time went on, the reports had devolved into something along the lines of:

“Roman doing anything bad?”

“Not much. Just ghosting us.”

“Good.”

And then they'd eagerly bang with a passion on par with their younger years, often with the Winged Eagle belt staring down Sami–almost judging him for “betraying” his friends for this–somewhere by the foot of whatever bed they were on. But Sami always kept the guilt over happily screwing the man that put two of his friends in the hospital aside for later.

(Cody would understand, anyway, given his history with Randy...right? And who hadn't gotten into bed with someone who had done terrible things at least once in this business?)

This is good for us... Sami thought. Kevin is calmer, we get to stay together, and I get to protect my family...

---

However, it nearly came crashing down one SmackDown.

Roman had pulled Sami aside after a Bloodline meeting, Heyman looking gleeful behind him. Roman pulled up a picture on his phone and showed it to The Honorary Uce.

“Sami, why the hell are you sneaking around with Kevin?” Roman asked as Sami took in the picture: him and Kevin, Kevin mid-dropping the Winged Eagle belt from his shoulders as he crawled atop a lounging Sami on the bed, the blinds of their (... Kevin's...) hotel room window not closed enough at the moment.

Damn it! Sami thought. He remembered this exact night. Kevin had noticed before they got too into it and closed them. Clearly not fast enough...

“Heyman, that's illegal!” Sami protested.

“What makes you think I took it?” Heyman asked, overly flabbergasted.

Sami rolled his eyes. There was no point wasting time arguing with Heyman. He turned to The OTC. “Roman, I can explain, it's all part of my plan to protect–!”

“I don't want to hear it!” Roman boomed, shutting Sami up as Heyman grinned, clearly eager for the inevitable bloodbath to come like a buzzard. “I know what's going on!”

Sami braced himself...

“You were afraid we wouldn't approve...” Roman said, gentler.

“...What?” Heyman and Sami asked in a harmony of disgust and confusion.

“Look, I don't like Kevin, but if he makes you happy, it's fine.” Roman said, patting his shoulder. Sami then felt Roman tense. “Just don't let it get in the way of our business, okay?” he added, lowering his voice to a rumble like thunder.

Sami nodded. “Uh, yeah. I was worried this was a Romeo and Juliet situation. That's all. Thanks, Roman. That...means a lot.” He said, now feeling worse for his deception.

Roman chuckled, loosening up on a dime. “No problem. Now go get your man, Sami. And hey, maybe we'll invite him to dinner, sometime.”

Sami nodded, hurrying off, unsure of how he got away with that. From the look on Heyman's face, The Wiseman didn't know, either. But Sami knew when to take a win when he got one, so he hurried off to Kevin. He contemplated if he should pass on what Roman thought was happening...

He felt himself get roughly yanked around the corner to a broom closet, Kevin wasting no time to kiss him.

Later. I can think later...

Epilogue

“My Tribal Chief, you can't be buying that “forbidden love” nonsense!” Heyman pleaded.

“I don't,” Roman said, frowning. “But it's keeping Kevin distracted, so I'll let him keep doing what he's doing. And if it screws us, I'll make sure Sami pays for it...”

Roman didn't want to acknowledge there was a pain in his heart (and a phantom pain in his back) when he thought of Sami possibly betraying them again. Deep down, he knew Sami had clocked it: Roman did still have some affection for him on some level, tinged with begrudging pride.

“Besides, I think I really know why he's running around with Kevin...” Roman said, old memories coming back to him. Ones that made him grieve something he selfishly missed but could never have again. But also ones that kept him company when he was alone.

“Oh?”

“Wiseman, have you ever fooled around with a deeply unstable man?” He asked.

“...No...” Heyman said, raising an eyebrow.

Memories continued to resurface. Of rough hands. Discarded tank tops on the floor. Hypnotic, unhinged, rambling compliments and affirmations. Kisses marinated in cheap beer on a crappy motel bed after a terrible betrayal.

“Then you wouldn't get it.” Roman said simply, leaving the room and his Wiseman baffled.

(Part Two Here)

[fuckyeahbatgirls]

That was beautiful, Batgirl. A dance, wasn't it? No? Oh. I get it. It was a gift! Your gift to me!