#and wonder who harley was

[grinchwrapsupreme]

nothing I love more in a secondhand book than a note written to someone in the cover

[2004hitalbumsevenswans]

I really enjoyed Batman: Caped Crusader. I was worried (like everyone else) that Bruce Timm would push his Bruce/Barbara obsession, but they barely interact when Bruce is out of costume, and he’s all business as Batman. Barbara is (presumably) about the same age as Bruce in this adaptation, she’s a young public defender, who still lives at home with her dad. Commissioner Gordon is mentioned to have 30 years on the Gotham police force at one point. And the series is loosely based on Batman: Year One by Frank Miller, and has Matt Reeves as a producer. It’s definitely an interpretation of the early years of Batman.

The setting is vaguely and aesthetically set in the 1940s, mirroring the original Batman and riffing on DC comic stories and character interpretations from that time. Clayface’s story and appearance is based on the original interpretation of the character, which I really enjoyed - especially as someone’s who’s read the first couple years of the original Detective Comics/Batman stories. (There’s also a lot of great references to the Adam West show, and a couple of its themes are reimagined for this more noir story.)

I could see the series setting up something between Bruce and Barbara potentially, but their interactions are really blink-and-you’ll-miss-it. There’s a moment where Bruce’s is climbing back onto the Iceberg Lounge yacht and he uses a pick up line on her, which she scoffs at, then he proceeds to use the line on two other young women. There’s another moment that you could say is pre-flirting, or is at least setting up a foundation to further a relationship between the two. Where Barbara makes a comment about Batman letting himself into her office unannounced whenever he feels like it, and she tells him she needs a way to contact him, and he gives her the Batphone number. At this point I think you could make more of an argument for a Harleen/Barbara pairing than her and Bruce.

I think the characters would both individually need a lot more development to be in a romantic relationship. I’ll say this even though I know it will be an unpopular opinion: in this interpretation I wouldn’t mind putting Bruce and Barbara together. I know that’s practically sacrilege coming from someone who’s favourite character is Oracle but hear me out.

My main issues with Bruce and Barbara together (especially when it comes to Timm’s work) is the age difference. It’s often debated but Barbara in most iterations (including current comic canon) is around the same age as Dick, usually a couple of years older, 2-3 at most. Bruce is depicted as having at least 15 years on her, if not more. And most stories that have Bruce and Barbara together also fixate on her being batgirl. Then there’s the tendency to make a Nightwing-Batgirl-Batman love triangle which I don’t want to get into but I hate completely.

None of that is happening here. Barbara has her own storylines that are just as prominent as Bruce and Harvey’s. She’s an adult with agency and flaws and is just as fleshed out as any of the other characters are. I wouldn’t be surprised if the show takes a season or two to develop a romantic relationship between the two of them. Bruce is completely focused on being Batman and sees Bruce Wayne as a persona. He’s callous with peoples feelings (Harvey, notably) and is shown to struggle with smaller acts of empathy, opening himself up to people, and honestly, social skills. The last of which doesnt doesn’t affect him too negatively because he’s a rich and well known man in Gotham.

Compared to the Bruce Wayne of BTAS it was a smart choice to show a Bruce/Batman who struggles with people and emotions. It reminded me a lot of Reeves’ the Batman. In wider Batman media you usually see two types of depictions: a compassionate Batman (which is where I would place BTAS) or a more emotionless, be-stoic-and-punch-the-bad-guys-and-look-badass version that is usually just a male power fantasy.

This version of Batman sets up the foundation for a storyline that is relatively unexplored, and I’m sure they’re going to explore it more in the next season (which has already been greenlit).

I was surprised at the lack of adult themes in the show, it was marketed for an adult audience but could easily fit into a PG13 rating, but that was probably on purpose. I was impressed they managed to have so many strong, fleshed out storylines in only 10, 30 minute episodes. But I wouldn’t expect anything less of Bruce Timm, or some of the other names I recognized attached to the project in various ways (Greg Rucka, JJ Abrams, Matt Reeves, and Ed Brubaker).

While there are a lot of critiques of Timm I agree with, I generally enjoy his work and the care he puts into it. I love Greg Rucka and was really excited to see that he wrote the episode that was more Renee Montoya centric. And while I have my issues with Ed Brubaker, I do enjoy his work.

While the series is visually and technologically based around the 1940s, the politics are more modern. Harleen asks Renee out on a date and she talks about it with Barbara openly. I saw one review call the show “race blind” which I would not agree with. Most of the racism is implied through euphemism (the scene with Lucius Fox and Gentleman ghost), but it’s still felt as a point of friction for multiple characters, it affects how they interact with the world around them. There’s also a line spoken by either detective Flass or Bullock that implies no one in the GCPD wants to follow Renee because she’s gay. It’s cut off before the last word, but again, the meaning is implied.

An issue I always had with the Timmverse is its depictions of female characters. They always feel less real than their male counterparts, less important and less visually stylized. All the important (read: desirable) women have the same body shape. They’re thin and extremely, unnaturally curvy. I’m aware that these characters are supposed to evoke that 50s comic pinup imagery but I always thought it was a bit much. Male characters - even before the animation downgrade in BTAS season 4 - were always way more unique from each other than the female characters. That wasn’t something I felt with Caped Crusader. The three most prominent female characters (Barbara, Renee and Harleen) were all different from each other, with different heights, body shapes, hair and clothing styles. They also all had 3 distinct personalities that were built up through the series. I would argue that the show was as much about the “supporting cast” (characters like Harvey, Commissioner Gordon, Renee and Barbara) as it was about Batman.

Overall I was really impressed by the show. I was disappointed with how short it was. I hope that Renee’s personal life gets a focus with the next season, and I hope they bring back Greg Rucka to write it. I love how he wrote her in Gotham Central. I was a little annoyed that they introduced the Joker at the end of the series (as a peak into the next season). I think he’s too over saturated as a character, and sometimes his introduction into a Batman story takes over everything else, and he’s depicted as Batman’s Moriarty. I do have hope that this won’t happen in Caped Crusader, because it seems that villains will be reoccurring, but there’ll be a large cast, just like in BTAS. That aspect did remind me of the way characters were introduced in those early Batman comics, it really has the same vibe. I also really really do not want Harley to be involved with the Joker in any way. Please keep her as a separate character, this new interpretation of her is great as is, he doesn’t need to be involved.

I would also be interested to see if the show develops Barbara’s character into Oracle. I could see that happening with the introduction of the Joker at the end of season one. Maybe they’re going to rework the Killing Joke? I couldn’t see them having her as batgirl, but I would be interested to see how they worked Oracle into a world with 1940s technology. I’m thinking back to her as Oracle in the Doom that Came to Gotham, and how clever that was. I’m sure they could do something just as interesting with her here. Something more supernatural feels like a long shot, because Timm usually sticks to the more “realistic”, street-level versions of Batman, but they did introduce Gentleman Ghost. So it’s a possibility.

One thing I did think could have been better was some of the voice work. Not the voice acting itself, but the design. It felt too polished alongside the score and the animation. I wish the voice acting had been more atmospheric, had more depth. It felt too clean. Hamish Linklater was great as Bruce/Batman. Following Kevin Conroy is no small feat, and Linklater’s performance felt reminiscent of Conroy without sounding like an impression. It was quiet and unassuming, yet strong.

I’m not usually someone who watches things more than once, but I’m definitely going to be rewatching Caped Crusader soon.

[katamiss]

Why can't queer heros be with queer heros. Like every single hero who is queer in DC is with a civilian, Tim drake, and Benard jon kent with Jay even Kate Kane was with a civilian. It was the commissioner, so at least she knew about the vigilante stuff, but you get my point.

Now I do adore these relationships and find the civilian x hero to be fun, but i also think it can be so messy and to me doesnt always feel genuine, like you love this person but your hiding a major part about you (and putting them in danger) . Some civilian relationships do work, but why does every single queer relationship have to be with a "non main character". Who we don't get to truly see in other comics or in their own comics

I just want queer heros to be with queer heros It's like Dick grayson can be with Kori and Baraba, and batman can be thrown at every hero who is a woman ever but never queer heros they are always with civilians.

And maybe that's because DC is too scared to make "too" many queer heros but it just feels so sad that we can't get all the fun, messy and sad tropes that come with a hero x hero relationship with all these wonderful queer characters

The only version we kinda have is harley and ivy which is good and I think we all appreciate but there is so many other confirmed queer charachters who are heros and not villains (anti heros now i believe though) I want so true heros to be queer I don't want our main queer charachters to be villains like it always is in all media

Why can't Tim and Kon date or Jon and Damien. Or idk wonderwoman since she's canonically bisexual but god forbid we let that woman date any woman. Let dick grayson be officially queer since he's on every single DC pride poster. Let him date a man. Or let Stephanie Brown be officially bisexual like many people, and even writers see her as and let her date Cass because people also see her as queer. Honestly, there are so many other charachters that I personally don't quite know well enough to write on. But either way, can we just please have queer heroes date other queer heros instead of being stuck in this shitty loop of Lgbtq heros can never be with other lgbtq heros

(If there are any hero x hero that are queer that I am uninformed about, please do tell me I would love to read about them and be proven wrong)

[spooky-donut-ghost-house]

Love that given there are DC villains, a piece of shit scientist, a deranged green creature with a chainsaw, a Martian, a green monkey scientist, a deranged whatever the hell Taz is, a suit wearing sentient AI and an immortal hockey mask wearing serial killer along with Steven and Garnet Multiversus can literally do the "I think we're gonna have to kill this guy, Steven." meme a reality

I think The Joker would have so much more fun trying to break Steven than Batman cuz Steve is a straight up pacifist so I can only imagine the fun The Joker would have just trying to get Steven to break poor kid's gonna need more therapy

[cyanide-sippy-cup]

I also just wanna take a moment to appreciate the way Stjepan Šejić writes the Gotham City Sirens, particularly in how he utilizes BDSM. Because first off, he is so right, Selina would be a BDSM aficionado. Girl wears a leather suit and carries a whip and her boyfriend wears a spandex bat mask. That's her gimp lmao.

But also, it's such a unique and interesting lense to view them through. I particularly like the way he uses it to peak into Harley's psyche. It's just such a unique way to view the abuse. Harleen is all about the sexual nature of their relationship and how he pushes through and creates/fills a hole in her psyche no-one else can. It's just a simple addition to the already existing toxic addiction many abusive relationships have, yet it feels like it changes everything about this dynamic. He has a mini-comic, which you can find at eyesfullofscars' post here. I highly recommend reading it real quick. It's good and also you'll know what I'm talking about.

It's called Submissive, and the general plot is that Ivy goes to Selina to get advice on how to save Harley and she's told she needs to replace Joker in Harley's mind until she can get over him. And it's just such a crazy unique way of looking at it. Like it answers a lot of questions that didn't really need answers and just adds an extra level of depth to the characters and topic. And he has a lot of good utilizations of both dry and outright comedy.

Also, he's just, like, an actually good BDSM author. The damage E.L. James did to bondage fiction is so frustrating, it's so nice to read the works of someone who actually knows what they're talking about and can make it good, sexy, and just straight up cool and interesting. I have not yet read Sunstone, but I've heard from peers that it's pretty good so take that as you will.

[froglover7789]

no bc when you think about it buzzed head selina is so everything. like. so many female characters in superhero media have longass hair that they just. leave out? of their mask? like girl be so real. ik that shit a hassle. and if they put it under a mask the never show em like braiding it or anything beforehand? or putting on wig cap? or both? like literally be SO real with me dude. i wanna see some girlies with dutch braids!! with cornrows!! with somethin thats not gonna fly round and get in the way!!! make female superhero hair more real or shave them all BALD!!!!

[marshmallow-hallow-art]

decided to be a little brave and post a small art dump

[incorrect-hs-quotes]

GCatavrosprite: i'M NEVER BEATING THE CATBOY ALLEGATIONS, mY ROOMATE PSPSPSPSED AT ME TO GET MY ATTENTION,,

Jade: Did it work?

GCatavrosprite: ........................

[torchickentacos]

(send this to ten other bloggers that you think are wonderful, keep the game going and make someone smile <3)

Your Hoenn/contestshipping propaganda is working is all I’m gonna say. One of these days I’ll watch it. I really respect your love and work in the fandom (and also outside of it?? You end up with so many popular posts how) 💜

AWWW THANK YOU!!!! I am always so honored when someone says that my propaganda is working. I still need to get around to making a list of which AG eps are actually worth watching (because it's a slog otherwise, oh my god, AG is so chaotic yet so boring at the same time). Maybe I'll start that later tonight. I'm trying to make posts on every ag ep as I watch it but that's... going slowly. I think I've done approximately five episodes in the last year. But really, thank you so much! I love pokeani tumblr and I'm just glad that people enjoy my pokeani thoughts when I post them lmao.

[cogentranting]

.

[damagedrot]

" like - THANKS. " she said easily enough crossing through the path he opened for her. ducking under his arm to make her way into the house. HER EYES PASSING BY HIS INFANT'S, " hey little dude. " she offered to the kiddo. not quite sure if she'd get a response, her mind more focused elsewhere anyways.

@jokethur . /. continued.

" your house is . . . wowzers. " it was half hearted, but she wasn't the best at complimenting someone else's home. her aunt's was a upscale Gotham abode. made for two. kept together by hired maids, && unfamiliar faces. coming through the home as frequently to conduct business with her uncle. her aunt was scarcely made to be there. but Lucy never really needed adult supervision. especially tonight.

hair, still bubblegum pink, with jaded pieces poking out here and there. she was good at adjusting, and easily found the kitchen after wrestling past their pets, " pizza - totally needed it. " she grabbed herself a slice. preferring the cold cheesy bread with pepperoni to microwaving it.

her eyes ducked down as her imaginary boyfriend entered the room. his glasses left on his nose even as he pushed them back over his eyes. Freddy had always been pretty introverted, but he was oogling her quietly the moment she first cut her hair, && applied that hair dye. saying that she looked like a celebrity, or an anime girl. she never understood his references, but he had trailed with her the whole way to Arthur's , " you think he has netflix? " Freddy asked.

" you think my aunt's --- gonna be pissed? " Lucy said instead. eyes looking around the room. Mapping out all the crooks and crannies, " she didn't see me leave. " she said that out louder for Arthur to hear.

" and . . . it's a look? " mentioning her hair. hands coming up to touch the strands. wrapping a small portion around her finger.

". yeah - you need to fix it. " freddy playfully jabbed at her. chuckling into his ninetendo switch.

[harleybarbarahandler]

Harley (a bad influence, no impulse control): lesson 1, $6 for water is ridiculous. you gotta just steal it!

Barbie (has no idea how the world works, may have accidentally developed a taste for stealing): okay!! ☺️

[just-an-enby-lemon]

Harley: *kidnnaped some random innocent guy* So I kidnnaped this guy so I could formally tell you guys that I'm a totally changed person and want to join your hero team. *dislocates the guy sholder and teaches him how to use it to scape the handcuffs* See I'm not only letting this civilian go free but when he's kidnnaped for realsies he'll know how to escape. So whacha y'all think am I in the team or not?

Batman: You're in. I'm proud of your redemption.

Ollie: What? Just like that?

Batman: She said she is good and I trust her.

Ollie:You don't even trust yourself.

Batman: Sorry, she is in. I also already agreed that Poison Ivvy, Catwoman, Penguin and Riddler should joint as well.

Ollie: Why? That's a massive security risk!!! Did you hit your head one time to many, Spooky?

Batman: Eh. Now I'm going to use my enormous fortune to have some fun and maybe kill Joker.

Clark: Jason. I looked under the mask. I know it is you.

Diana: Also you are not wearing hells. Bruce uses plataform shoes because he likes to feel tall.

Batman: I'm tall. Also who is Jason?

Diana: Exactally, kiddo. You've grown to be a tall man, Bruce on the other hand is what you guys would call a short king.

Ollie:*milldly disapointed* Also, who is Jason? Really?

Jason: Okay fine. But I only agreed with Harley. Selina was actual B, Riddler was Nightwing and I have no clue why, Penguin was Red Robin and I understand this one even less and Ivvy was Batgirl.

Diana: Please explain.

Jason: B lost a bet and now we all have a be Batman day.

Harley: Soooo am I in or not? *looks at Superman with puppy eyes*

Clark: *can't say no to puppy eyes* Sure.

Diana: Dear Demeter grand me your pacience.

[belliesandburps]

Most Kinkable Anime Bois Bingo Game

The “anime boi bingo card” thing is making the rounds.  And this time, I decided to play!  So, here are my current “Most Kinkable Anime Bois” set to Bingo for y’all!

Ignoring the usual bingo rules, see if at least five of ‘em match your own most kinkable lads, and lemme know in my inbox if you get bingo and who your bois were!  :)

[martyrbat]

harley's little black book #1

[moviegeek03]

A little help?

Hey all!

If you have some time to spare and love heroes and villains in pop culture, please consider taking this IRB approved research study on the psychology behind why we love heroes versus villains and more!