#batman/superman (2019) issue 6

[distort-opia]

This... is the most quintessentially Bruce as well as Superbat fucking interaction ever and it's just SO FUNNY.

"There will be secrets actually, we're just gonna be better at pretending we don't have any. But do not fear, Clark. It shall all be under control because you see... I have a plan."

[devine-fem]

i am BEGGING you to make that jondami ship guide. not because i need anything to make me ship them more than i already do but because they deserve to have their good moments highlighted

Jondami/Damijon shipping guide.

A collective guide to any cute moment between Jon and Damian in DC comics or motion pictures. Any moment that could make a reader like them more as a ship will be put all here in one Tumblr post.

• Superman (2016) Issues #10-#11

This is the first time they meet each other and they immediately knock heads. Jon’s lighter than life personality clashes with Damian’s cold personality and they don’t seem to get along but you can tell there’s something growing behind the eye rolling and tongue clicking… a friendship?

• Super Sons (2017)

This is the first of the Super Sons series, the series is really short but gold nonetheless. No Super Sons comic that I don’t like but this one is my favorite. They still are knocking heads and refuse to call each other partners but they grow and learn to be heroes together.

• Adventures of the Super Sons (2018)

They slowly start to get used to each other and this comic shows that Damian isn’t just straight up mean but is starting to somewhat ‘like’ Jon.

• Challenge of the Super Sons (2020)

The last main Super Sons comics. This one is fine but I love the others so much. These comics are essential to know Jon and Damian period, it’s the main comics of each others story and in a way they are important to each others development.

• Batman and Superman: Battle of the Super Sons (2022)

Now after all that reading treat yourself to a movie because Jon and Damian got their own movie. This is what started Jon and Damian for a lot of people and this is probably where a lot of you are from. This movie is great and fun. They made Damian wayyy nicer than in the comics and their friendship easier.

• DC Rebirth Holiday Special (2016)

Please find and read this. It’s so cute. I love it so much.

• Dark Nights: Metal issue #3 (2017 -2018)

They make a rock band in the beginning, its so cute.

• DCeased (2019)

• DCeased: The Unkillables (2020)

• DCeased: Hope at World’s End (2020)

• DCeased: Dead Planet (2020)

• DCeased: War of the Undead Gods (2022)

This is such a good series, and story in general please read it. DC peaked with this one and its so angsty. I don’t care what comphet was happening, Jon was there for Damian like no one else. I think Damian ends up with Cassie which is weird to me because Damian has never shown interest in anyone before but I excuse it since it’s not really gonna happen again since they were in a relationship just for the story to be more high stakes and sad. Jon and Damian’s relationship was at the forefront and for comic book readers DCeased made people see the potential in Jondami.

• DC’s Terror Through Time (2022)

This is so cute, please read this. It’s a halloween special and they switch uniforms <3!!

• DC Saved by the Belle Reve (2022)

They help a nonbinary person navigate school and it’s so damn cute.

• The age up incident.

(Disclaimer: You can pretend this never happens and I wouldn’t blame you for doing that.) A writer named Brain Micheal Bendis comes into the writers room for DC and ages up Jon in short. The story is that Superman goes missing (He travels to War World and gets stuck there) and Jor-El comes back to meet Jon and he takes him on a trip to explore space, then they get trapped in a wormhole, Jon gets stuck on Earth-3 and has to fight Ultraman. He’s stuck in a volcano for five or six years and becomes seventeen (we think) when he comes back. This was sad to me because it took away all the potential interactions for Jon and our ability to see him grow up, it was rushed and purposely so. Jon takes up the title of Superman somehow and starts to date some guy named “Jay Nakamura.”

• Superman: Son of Kal-El (2021) Issues: #1, #3, #6, #13, and #14.

He does get a boyfriend here and I think it’s amazing the fact he simply gets a boyfriend but no one really likes his bf so… and the are real reasons why Jay as a character is problematic BUT if you just don't want to see him with someone else than every time you see a pink haired twink, quickly skip.

• Super Sons (2017) Special

This is them reuniting after the age up and it shows how Damian reacts to it. I can’t actually find this and if anyone can please let me know where it is. I can only find bits and pieces of it scattered across the internet. All you need to know is that he doesn’t like the age up anymore than us since he says “I miss my friend.” which is really sad to me because the age up ultimately really hurts what people like about their dynamic as well as tarnish Jon’s character almost completely.

UPDATE: found it, it got attached to

• Dark Crisis (2022) till Issue #5

This is fine, after issue four Jon and Damian are not there anymore and if you read half the story just for jon and damian you might as well finish it.

• Green Lantern: Blackstars (2019) issue #2

They hug here. You’re welcome.

• Action Comics (2016) issue #1030

This is the best thing to come from the age up. This is so cute of them.

• Teen Titans (2016) Issue #45

i didnt really like this, im not gonna lie but it has some damian and jon interaction worth noting with jon being protective over damian.

• Flash (2016) Issue #797

jon defending damian. this is such a cute moment for them. jon talks damian up and says how hes the strongest person he knows and how hes misunderstood.

• Superman (2016) Issue #21

iconic damian and jon sleepover, so cute. so flipping cute. damians outfit is adorable.

• Legion of Super Heroes (2019) Issue #3, ?, ?

dont read this. its rlly bad but this is full of jon being the number one damian apologist, quality jondsmi moments over quantity. worth mentioning • Wonder Woman (2023) #3, #4, #5, #6, ? literally them raising a child together but their ages are a bit wonkey, i still dont personally know what age either of them are supposed to be there...

DC MEETS HANNA-BARBERA - Super Sons x Dynomutt

I’d say they aren’t exactly written right, well over all they are but their personalities are more relaxed and they care about each other a lot and will go out of their way to make sure the other is okay and protect them from danger, make them laugh etc, theres nothing wrong with this, its really cute but you can tell its not the typical jon and damian writers is all. I like it.

- Fandom

Artist that draw Jon and Damian:

(I don’t know any of these accounts intimately so if they’re problematic in any way than I am sorry in advance)

Sheiya Vlad

Pechaghtlecha

Corinthianrm0

Hobiiiebrown

spider-jaysart

arunneronthird

Twitter

Hokke

Gozer

@_1209E

YouTube

Justice Lords Animation

Japanese Animation

Super Sons Meme Animation

- Fanfics

Trust fall by Ididloveyou_once

Those Who Wait by InsaneTrollLogic

moving in stereo by TheResurrectionist

Reasons to Not Fall in Love by nanami

Growing Pains

These are fics I read and liked, I don’t have much. I don’t read a lot of Jondami fan fiction so I insist that you recommend your own fanfiction in the comments. (Don’t hate me for the self promo)

- Music (A silly lil playlist I made for them)

END

[cazzam]

THE NEW AND IMPROVED CASSANDRA CAIN READING GUIDE

Cassandra Cain is the daughter of assassins David Cain and Sandra Wu-San (better known as Lady Shiva), and was raised by Cain. She is an expert hand-to-hand combatant, and able to read body language to the point of interpreting complex thoughts, but learning to communicate better through speech and text. She has operated as a vigilante under the names of Batgirl, Kasumi, Black Bat, and Orphan, and is currently sharing the title of Batgirl with Stephanie Brown and Barbara Gordon.

Basic Reading

Batgirl (2000)

Batman: Gates of Gotham (2011)

Detective Comics (2016) #934-987

Batman and the Outsiders (2019)

Batgirls (2021)

Spirit World (2023)

Birds of Prey (2023)

Cassandra's major appearances are listed in chronological order (mostly) under the cut. My favorites are bolded.

No Man's Land

All issues collected in Batman: No Man's Land (2011) vol. 2-4. I recommend reading the entire event.

Batman (1940) #567 [first appearance]

Detective Comics (1937) #734

Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #120 [Cassandra takes up Batgirl mantle]

Azrael: Agent of the Bat #56-57

Batman (1940) #569

The Batman Chronicles #18

Azrael: Agent of the Bat #60-61

Robin (1993) #73

As Batgirl

Issues that are part of events may be confusing out of context.

Batman: Gotham Knights #2, 5

Batman: Gotham City Secret Files and Origins [first story]

Batgirl (2000) #1-2

Young Justice (1998) #21

Batgirl (2000) #3-11, 12 [Officer Down start]

Birds of Prey (1999) #27

Catwoman (1993) #90 [Officer Down end]

Batgirl (2000) Annual #1, #13-19

Harley Quinn (2000) #10

Robin (1993) #88 [first meeting with Stephanie Brown]

Batgirl (2000) #20, 21 [Joker: Last Laugh start]

Joker: Last Laugh #3

Supergirl (1996) #63 [transphobia cw, Joker: Last Laugh end]

DC First: Batgirl/Joker

Batgirl (2000) #22-23, 24 [Bruce Wayne: Murderer? / Fugitive start]

Robin (1993) #98

Batgirl (2000) #25-29

Batman (1940) #605 [Bruce Wayne: Murderer? / Fugitive end]

Batgirl: Secret Files and Origins

Batgirl (2000) #30-32

Batman: Gotham Knights #33, 35

Batgirl (2000) #33-38

Batman: Family #7

Detective Comics (1937) #782 [backup], 790

Nightwing (1996) #81

Superboy (1994) #85 [first meeting with Kon-El/Conner Kent]

Batgirl (2000) #39-44

Batman: Gotham Knights #42, 45-46, 48-49

Robin (1993) #119

Batgirl (2000) #45-47

Superman/Batman #5

Batgirl (2000) #48-50

Birds of Prey (1999) #61, 63

Batgirl (2000) #51-53

Solo #10 [third story]

Detective Comics (1937) #796 [backup]

Robin (1993) #127-128

Batgirl (2000) #54

War Games

All issues collected in Batman: War Games (2015). I don't recommend reading the entire event.

Detective Comics (1937) #797

Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #182

Nightwing (1996) #96

Batgirl (2000) #55

Batman (1940) #631

Batgirl (2000) #56

Nightwing (1996) #98

Batgirl (2000) #57

Batgirl in Bludhaven

Robin (1993) #132 [Fresh Blood start]

Batgirl (2000) #58

Robin (1993) #133

Batgirl (2000) #59 [Fresh Blood end]

Batman Allies: Secret Files and Origins 2005 [third story]

Batgirl (2000) #60-73

With the League of Assassins and Deathstroke

I don't recommend reading anything in this section except Batgirl (2008) #6.

Robin (1993) #148-151, 161-162

Supergirl (2005) #14

World War III #2

Teen Titans (2003) #43-46

Batman and the Outsiders (2007)

Batgirl (2008) [recap of this era. Bruce adopts Cassandra]

As Black Bat

Battle for the Cowl: The Network

Batgirl (2009) #1 [Cassandra gives Batgirl mantle to Stephanie]

Red Robin #17

Batman Incorporated (2011) #6

Red Robin #25

Batman: Gates of Gotham

As Orphan

The New 52 reboot changed Cassandra’s origins, personality, and relationships with other characters. Rebirth was a soft reboot that kept New 52 canon but brought back elements from the previous continuity.

Batman and Robin Eternal #1-9, 11-14, 17-26 [New 52]

Detective Comics (2016) #934-940 [Rebirth]

Batman (2016) #7 [Night of the Monster Men start]

Nightwing (2016) #5

Detective Comics (2016) #941

Batman (2016) #8

Nightwing (2016) #6

Detective Comics (2016) #942 [Night of the Monster Men end], 943-962

Red Hood and the Outlaws (2016) #15

Detective Comics (2016) #963-964

Batgirl and the Birds of Prey #15-17

Detective Comics (2016) #965-981, 983-987

Batman and the Outsiders (2019)

DC: The Doomed and the Damned [seventh story]

Batman: The Joker War Zone [second story]

Batman (2016) #104

Return of Batgirl

The Infinite Frontier reboot considers all past continuities canon.

Infinite Frontier #0

Batman Secret Files: The Signal

Batman: Urban Legends #3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 14

The Joker (2021) #3-4, 7, 11-12, 15

Detective Comics (2016) #1038 [backup], 1049, 1052, 1057

Batman (2016) #112 [main], 115-116 [backups]

Nightwing (2016) #85-86

Batman (2016) #117 [backup]

Batgirls #1-6

Task Force Z #8

DC Pride: Tim Drake Special

Robin (2021) #15

Detective Comics (2016) #1061

Batgirls #7

Catwoman (2018) #45

Batgirls #8-12

Batman One Bad Day: Two-Face

Tim Drake: Robin #4

Batgirls Annual 2022, #13-19

Lazarus Planet: Dark Fate [fourth story]

Spirit World (2023)

Birds of Prey (2023) #1- [ongoing]

Other Appearances

Ghost/Batgirl [Dark Horse Comics crossover]

Batman: Outlaws #2

Batman: City of Light [not recommended]

Justice League Elite [as Kasumi]

Wonder Woman (2006) #600 [second story]

Batgirl (2016) #50 [third story]

DC Festival of Heroes [first story]

Truth & Justice #6 [#16-18 digital first]

Alternate Universes

Tiny Titans #33, 39, 43, 45

Batgirl: Futures End

Convergence: Batgirl

Harley Quinn and the Birds of Prey (2020)

DCeased: Unkillables / Dead Planet #5 / War of the Undead Gods

Shadow of the Batgirl [YA graphic novel]

Dark Knights: Death Metal Robin King [backup]

Future State: The Next Batman #2, 4 [second stories]

Batman: Wayne Family Adventures [webtoon]

DC vs. Vampires

Dark Knights of Steel #9

Thanks for reading! If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

Last updated: May 16, 2023

[northoftheroad]

Dick Grayson reading in Rebirth and forward

In the last few years, there have been several comics where Nightwing is guest starring that I haven't picked up, so maybe I have missed some smashing comics in here; just saying. As usual, take this list for what it's worth – my personal interpretations and reflections. (Please note that there is a difference between cover date and when a book is actually published, and I might have mixed these dates in the list. I mostly use them to help my own thought process.)

I gather DC lets their creators play in any sandbox/Earth/continuity they want, which means it's a fool's errand to try to understand what, if any, stories from Dick's past are supposed to have happened in the current continuity. But I never claimed to be quite sane, did I...? Here is me, trying to piece together stories chronologically story-wise:

Nightwing vol 4 # 82. Flashbacks to pre-Dick John and Mary Grayson.

Batman vol 3 # 54. Has some flashbacks from when Dick was new in Wayne Manor. He has nightmares, climbs a chandelier, questions why Bruce took him in, and apparently doesn't know Bruce is Batman: nothing special but a few nice pages.

The Precedent. In Detective Comics # 1000 (2019). Bruce's hesitation before he lets Dick become Robin. Unclear if it's supposed to be in the current continuity.

Robin and Batman # 1–3 (2021-2022). A three-issue story that takes place in the days around Dick's twelfth birthday. It's about how Dick eventually chooses not to be "the dark" like Batman, but something better – the light, Robin. Not in the main continuity, but another version of how Dick became Robin (also a first meeting with the other original Teen Titans - in this version, they already had suits and code names when Dick first became Robin).

Batman: Urban Legends # 23

Hot pursuit. In Batman: Urban Legends # 23 (March 2023). Cute short story; Robin drives the Batmobile for the first time (his second year as Robin).

Batman One bad day: Mr Freeze. (2022) Probably not set in the main continuity, Robin is small and wears a winter suit.

Batman/Superman: World's Finest vol 1 (2022). One of my favourite books from the current era (written by Mark Waid). It has a different tone than other in-continuity books (in a good way), but it is connected; the first story arc is a prequel to Batman vs Robin and the Lazarus Planet event. Dick has been Robin for a few years in the book except for a few panels. My favourite issue is # 6, when Dick is lost in the past, works in a circus and solves a mystery.

Batman/Superman (2019) # 16–21 and Annual 2021 # 1 is an outstanding story with DickRobin, albeit not the main Earth version.

Nightwing vol 4 # 78. There are a few pages of flashbacks, what might be Dick and Barbara's first meeting, fighting bullies at school. The bully, Shelton Lyle, will later turn out to be the villain Heartless – Nightwing fighting him is a story that keeps getting set on hold.

Batgirl vol 5 # 14–17 (October 2017– January 2018). Guest starring Nightwing, including flashbacks to when he was Robin and Dick and Barbara were in High School. Nothing special.

World's Finest: Teen Titans (2023). New book about the Teen Titans (the original five plus Bumblebee) when they're starting, also written by Mark Waid. One issue has been published so far; Robin is struggling with combining Batman's distrust with leading the team.

Nightwing vol 4 # 92. Another couple of flashback pages, from Dick's time as Robin, when he took on more than he could chew and got hurt saving a guy's life. Alfred refuses to let Bruce into Dick's bedroom unless he removes the cowl "and leave your disapproval at the door".

"A little nudge". In Robin 80th Anniversary Special (2020). It's probably not the latest official story about how Dick left Robin to become Nightwing, but I wouldn't mind if it were. Dick leaves Robin by his own choice; Bruce is a bit of a jerk because he's not emotionally mature enough to say, "I know you've grown up and should move on; I'll be fine without you."

Nightwing vol 4 # 79. Flashback page of Dick leaving the Manor, saying, "He fired me, Alfred" (he's eighteen at the time). So evidently, Tom Taylor goes with that version in his writing.

Nightwing vol 4 # 39

Nightwing vol 4 # 39. Flashback to when Dick was a student in Blüdhaven, after leaving Robin and before he became Nightwing. He goes out to look for a murderer dressed in old workout clothes that looks a lot like his original Nightwing suit. Part of the best story arc of Nightwing vol 4, so don't miss it!

Red Hood and the Outlaws vol 2 Annual # 1. A team-up issue with Nightwing with a flashback to when Jason saw the Flying Graysons. And to their first meeting at Wayne Manor, which didn't go well because Alfred decided to give newcomer Jason Dick's bedroom because the Manor evidently suffers from a shortage of beds... <insert rolling eyes emoji here> Eminently skippable issue...

Nightwing Annual 2021

Nightwing Annual 2021 (2022). Part of the book is a flashback story. Dick, who lives at the Titans tower, talks about how Bruce fired him and got a replacement. But when Alfred asks him to visit (calling Bruce his father), he comes to see Jason, who complains about how it's impossible to live up to the standard Dick set as Robin. They take the Batmobile (with Alfred's blessing) and head out. It seems to be their first meeting, which makes RHATO vol Annual 2 # 1 obsolete.

Nightwing vol 4 # 89. A team-up with Jon Kent/Superman, starting with a few pages flashback to their first meeting when Jon was getting his powers. Dick is wearing his red New 52 Nightwing suit.

Titans (2016–2019). I think the series was pretty meh, though Annual # 1 and Special # 1 have badass Nightwing moments.

DC Rebirth Holiday Special (2016) # 1, has a nice Titans story but nothing of further importance.

Rebirth Nightwing # 1. Dick returns to being Nightwing after the Grayson run, all set to pretend to work for the Parliament of Owls (see Robin War, part of New 52).

Nightwing vol 4 # 1 (September 2017) – # 4. Better than Batman. Nightwing is working undercover with the Parliament, partnered with the new character Raptor who, it turns out, loved his mum and has a personal vendetta with Bruce Wayne because he took Dick from his roots.  

Monster men. A storyline with the villain Professor Hugo Strange in Nightwing # 5-6, Batman # 7-8, Detective Comics # 941–942 (and some more books I haven't read). Dick is temporarily transformed into a monster and later saves the day by jumping into a monster to administer some antitherapy. Nothing of future importance but some nice panels regarding how well Dick knows Bruce.

Nightwing vol 4 # 7–8 (January 2017). Rise of Raptor. Nightwing discovers that Raptor has been stalking Dick Grayson since childhood. Raptor abducts Bruce Wayne and puts him in a death trap, but Nightwing saves him when he jumps. I quite enjoy the Raptor stories, I have to say.

Nightwing vol 4 # 9 (January 2017). A team-up with Superman, who was not a guy he knew at the time since this Superman had come from the pre-Flashpoint universe and somehow merged with New 52 Superman (no, I still don't understand it). It mostly takes place in Dick's dreams. Known for a quote from Superman: "Of everyone I've met here, you're the least changed from the version I knew. Always confident, always kind, always cool. Dick Grayson – the multiversal constant."

Nightwing vol 4 # 10 (February 2017) – 14 (April 2017). Dick moves to Blüdhaven (I think people got their memories or stolen time back at some time in Rebirth, which would explain how he was new in the city here, but had lived and been a cop there (as in Nightwing vol 2) later in vol 4.) He volunteers for a program for teens at a community centre, where he meets Shawn Tsang/Defacer, an "art terrorist" Batman and Robin once fought back in the day. Nightwing works to prove she and Gorilla Grim aren't murderers.

Batman vol 3 # 16 (April 2017) Has a fun couple of pages with Bruce and Dick, Jason, Damian and Duke at Bat Burger; Bruce warns the boys to stay out of Gotham and out of Bane's way, which Dick, Jason and Damian, of course, disregard. The issue ends with Batman finding them hanging by their necks in the Batcave. In # 17, we see they survived, and Bruce has left them frozen with Superman at the Fortress of Solitude for safekeeping.

Nightwing vol 4 # 15 (April 2017). Dick and Shawn Tsang/Defacer start dating. Interlude with many guest stars whom Dick talks to about his new life in Blüdhaven.

Nightwing vol 4 # 20

Nightwing vol 4 # 16 – 20 (July 2017). Nightwing Must Die. Nice if you want to see Dick and Damian together again. Shawn is abducted while having a pregnancy scare, and Damian follows Dick to save her. (He went to Blüdhaven because he was upset people counted on Dick to become the Batman after Bruce's retirement, but later confesses he was unsure what his place in Dick's life was now.) Dick is cut with a knife made from the nth metal and see visions of himself from different realities. Villains: Professor Pyg and Doctor Simon Hurt, both from Dick and Damian's time as Batman and Robin.

Nightwing vol 4 # 21 (July 2017). Nightwing and Flash (Wally West) hang out, fights criminals and save each other's lives.

Nightwing vol 4 # 22–25 (August – September 2017). Blockbuster, the villain whose death in Nightwing vol 2 was a huge deal, is suddenly alive and   menacing Blüdhaven and Nightwing again. Dick is job-hunting and ends up taking a job as a blackjack dealer to keep an eye on Blockbuster, who had earlier sold him out to Tiger Shark, a villain Dick fought as Batman in Black Mirror. # 24–25 has a pretty badass fight, Nightwing vs a boatload of villains, and he also saves everyone by hotwiring a contraption to expand a bubble that freezes time. Shawn breaks up with Dick.

Nightwing vol 4 # 26–28 (October – November 2017). Spyral. Huntress/Helena Bertinelli, whom Dick met during the Grayson run (New 52 era), turns up. They work together on a case, ending up at the Spiral headquarter, and start a relationship. 

Batman vol 3 # 33–35 (December 2017 – January 2018). At Wayne Manor, Alfred tells Dick, Jason, Damian and Duke that Bruce intends to marry Selina while the latter two are on some mission in Khadym. Damian is upset because his mother is in Khadym, and Dick accompanies him there in the following issues. Some nice moments here and there, but I've never cared for Tom King's (the writer) grand Batman arc.

Dark Nights: Metal. Storyline 2017–2018. (including Nightwing # 29) where Batman discovers a Dark Multiverse.

Nightwing vol 4 # 30 – 34 (February 2018). Raptor's Revenge. Raptor gets involved in Nightwing’s fight with Blockbuster. Helena/Huntress breaks up with Dick. # 32 has flashback to Dick and Raptor at the circus and the death of his parents. 

Batman vol 3 # 45–47 (June - July 2018). Booster Gold goes back in time to save Bruce's parents as a wedding gift. This completely alters the past, and for some reason, Dick becomes a Batman who fights a city of Jokers with lethal violence. Some amusing wackiness about what has happened to different characters – Selina is a serial killer, Tim has a menial job, and Jason has invented tires that give tire thieves a deadly shock of electricity, but nothing of future importance.

Nightwing vs Hush

Batman: Prelude to the Wedding. Nightwing vs Hush (2018) is a great issue for a Nightwing fan. Nightwing and Superman are taking Batman for a bachelor’s party, but Hush attacks them and he and Dick are transported to another universe (where Hush perishes, which hasn’t stopped him from turning up back in the main universe). Robin vs Ra's al Ghul has a tiny Nightwing as Damian's "good angel" on his shoulder, which is a fun but minor detail.

Batgirl vol 5 # 25. Takes place just after the failed wedding between Bruce and Selina. Barbara needs a friend; Dick takes her to the empty honeymoon suit. They talk as close friends about love, and Dick comes across as quite the romantic. Quite a nice story, in my opinion.

Nightwing vol 4 # 35

Nightwing vol 4 # 35–41 (February – May 2018)The Untouchable. My favourite arc of vol 4 so far, written by Sam Humphries (I'm sure he was supposed to stay longer because he talked in an interview about wanting to bring back Dick's Uncle George from Batman vol 1 # 22, but he only wrote the one arc). Includes some flashbacks to Dick’s time as Robin, and when he was a student post-Robin. He starts a new business, Grayson cross train studio.

Nightwing vol 4 # 42 (June 2018). Enjoyable one-shot. Damian tells his pets about how Dick saved him from capture in Tokyo. They pick up a dragon on the way.

Nightwing vol 4 # 43 (June 2018). Another enjoyable one-shot, with Dick, Damian and Roy Harper/Arsenal, bickering and fighting bad guys.  

Nightwing vol 4 # 44–47 (July – October 2018). The Bleeding Edge, a story arc with malevolent virtual reality and the "dark web". Feel free to skip it.

Nightwing/Magilla Gorilla Special # 1 (October 2018). As a crossover with a Hanna-Barbera character, presumably not set in the usual DC universe... But I rather enjoyed it; it was a nice little murder mystery and lots of thinking about the circus and Dick's parents. Though I wouldn't personally rush to the cinema for a movie about The Flying Graysons with gorillas as actors...

Nightwing vol 4 # 48–49 (November 2018). Harm's way, the conclusion of the Dark Web storyline. If you enjoy Nightwing on a motorbike and being a badass fighter, why not? I can't say the story made an impact or had consequences since Dick would spend the following two years (maybe half a year, in-universe) as Ric.

The Murder Club (in Batman: Urban Legends # 19–23, November 2022 – March 2023 ). Martha and Thomas Wayne turn up in the Batcave, apparently taken from the time before they were killed. The story has Bruce, Dick, Damian and Alfred and is good if one like the family feels. (Not sure if any story in Urban Legends is supposed to be "canon" for the current continuity, but time-wise, Damian is dressed in Robin colours, Alfred is alive etc.)

Batman vol 3 # 51 (September 2018). Dick stands in as Batman while Bruce is called for jury duty.

DC's Crime of Passion # 1 (February 2020), has some Dick/Barbara, nothing you can't miss, in my opinion.

Batman vol 3 # 54–55. # 54 goes between flashbacks from when Dick was new in Wayne Manor and apparently doesn't know Bruce is Batman and Nightwing trying to cheer up Batman after Seline dumped him. In # 55, Dick is shot in the head by KG Beast (just another of Tom King's plot points to make Batman as miserable as possible). In Batman # 56-57, Batman hunts down KG Beast. Again, these issues have some pleasant character moments. Still, I'm not a fan of the overall plot or the result for Dick (I've read that Tom King was open to healing Dick magically pretty much straight away, but someone wanted to "take advantage" of the situation...)

Nightwing vol 4 Annual # 2. Partly set just after Dick was shot. Bruce tries to jog his memory by showing him a video of when he was shot, further traumatizing him and leading to him storming out.

Nightwing vol 4 # 50 (December 2018) – 74 (November 2020). Dick lives in Blüdhave as "Ric" and has forgotten everything for approximately the last 15 years. He wants nothing to do with his former family and starts dating Bea Bennett. Meanwhile, four other people use his old suits to go out as vigilantes since the real Nightwing has disappeared. Besides the shot in the head, he is brainwashed (with the help of a magical crystal, if I understood correctly) to help his Talon grandfather William Cobb make him a Talon (he is, for a few issues). The Joker later gets hold of the crystal and makes Dick believe the Joker fostered him and that he is "Dicky boy". He fights the other bats before it's all over...

Nightwing vol 4 # 74 (November 2020). Dick starts to get his memories back.

Batman vol 3 # 99 (November 2020). Bruce gives Dick his Nightwing suit back after two years of suffering (for us readers) with Ric, Talons and Joker War, but not really worth reading for that.

Dark Nights: Death Metal. Reality-shattering, complicated storyline 2020–2021 with lots of evil Batmen. I have read very little of it, but Dick is newly back from "Ric". In Justice League # 53–57 (Doom Metal parts 1–5), he and some others are physically D&E-transformed while fighting. In Dark Nights: Death Metal The Last Stories of the DC Universe, there are some nice Titans moments (also, Batman performs a one-panel "wedding" with Dick and Barbara...)

Nightwing vol 4 # 78 – > (March 2021 and onward) The current run of Nightwing starts (writer Tom Taylor, art mostly Bruno Redondo). After the relaunch Infinite Frontier, parts of Dick's pre-Flashpoint history in Blüdhaven have been restored. He has, for instance, been a cop and lives in the apartment building he bought during Nightwing vol 2. In my opinion, the run is visually great and full of lovely moments between Dick and his friends and family, but it's overly sweet and kind of boring, though many people seem to love the writing too. 

Nightwing vol 4 # 78 (2021). Dick adopts a three-legged puppy (Haley/Bitewing) and is told he inherited Alfred's billions (he is currently richer than Bruce). He now lives in the block of flats in Blüdhave that was ostensibly destroyed in Nightwing vol 2.

Nightwing vol 4 # 80. Nightwing's first meeting with the villain Heartless, who steals hearts. That was 2021, and Dick still hasn't stopped Heartless or spent a lot of time chasing him because of so many interruptions.

Nightwing vol 4 # 82

Nightwing vol 4 # 81–82. He discovers he has an older half-sister, Melinda Zucco, conceived before John and Mary were married but brought up as the daughter of Tony Zucco. She is sworn in as the new Mayor of Blüdhaven. A big part of # 82 is flashbacks to the Grayson's and Melinda's backstory. Blockbuster, who should already be dead if what happened in Nightwing vol 2 is canon again, turns up as an adversary again (is later killed in # 94)

Nightwing vol 4 # 83. Dick announces The Alfred Pennyworth Foundation to make Blüdhaven a better place for everyone. The first goal is to ensure that no one lives on the streets a month later, "because it's getting colder".

Without a net. Unpublished tales from the DC vault # 2. (2021) One shot that is possibly supposed to take place in the current continuity; there's at least nothing to contradict it. Dick takes on a task because he feels he's the most qualified to dive 30000 feet from a flying castle (?!) into a lagoon.

Robin vol 3 # 5 (2021). The four former Robins chase after Damian, who has temporarily left Lazarus Island and wants to discuss what's happening. He gives them the slip – except Dick, who catches up with Damian and gives him a birthday present. They talk a bit, and Dick lets him go, telling the others that they will tell Batman "That we trust Damian and have faith in him." So a nice issue if you're looking for a few pages of Dick and Damian interaction.

Nightwing vol 4 # 84–86. Part of the crossover Fear State, where Scarecrow wants to control Gotham City using fear gas.

Titans Academy (2021–2022). I was never interested in picking up the book, but I guess it happened parallel to the Nightwing book until the start of Dark Crisis.

Nightwing Annual 2021 (2022). A tale of two brothers, Dick and Jason, now and then (when Jason was Robin). Dick refuses to believe Jason/Red Hood is killing people again and helps him clear it up, combined with a likeable flashback with Nightwing and JasonRobin.

Nightwing vol 4 # 88 (2022). Dick Grayson is targeted at the ceremony for starting to build Haven. It's kind of a nice issue if you like seeing what a great guy Dick is and his friends rushing to his side. Dick gets a new Nightwing suit made by Mr Terrific.

Nightwing vol 4 # 89, Superman: Son of Ka-El # 9. A team-up with Jon Kent/Superman, starting with a flashback to their first meeting when Jon was getting his powers.

"The Director" (in Batman: Urban Legends # 22-23). A story with Dick and Barbara takes place in Blüdhaven; not really my cup of tea, but readable.  

Nightwing vol 4 # 90–91, Dick's building in Blüdhaven is blown up, Barbara is kidnapped, and a master assassain comes after Dick. Guest starring Wally West/The Flash, guest villain KG Beast, the gut who shot Dick back in Batman # 55.

Nightwing vol 4 # 96–97. I think it's fair to say Dick and Barbara are a couple at this stage.

Nightwing vol 3 # 98

Nightwing vol 4 # 98 (2023). Dick gets his own imp from the Fifth Dimension, Nite-Mite. He ships Dick with Starfire but teleports friends and family in to wed Dick and Barbare. (Ok, I thought it was a rather fun issue...) Introducing Olivia, daughter of Blockbuster, who sold her soul to the devil Neron; Neron is on his way to collect her soul. Nightwing & Co save her.

Nightwing vol 4 # 99. Nightwing catches Tony Zucco, who is violating parole with attempted robbery. Melinda changes her last name to Grayson-Lin.

Justice League: Road to Dark Crisis # 1, Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths # 1–7 (2022). An event where the Justice League is presumed dead (Nightwing is sure they will come back), and super criminals attack en masse. Along the way, "the Great Darkness" tries to take Nightwing as its new host, but he fights it off. At the end of the event, the Justice League disbanded. I'm pretty fed up with big events (great art, though), but Dick is a central character, the first legacy hero, and the light in the dark for Batman. It sets him up as an important leader for the superhero community going forward.

Batman vs Robin # 3 (November 2022). Damian is possessed and recruits the four former Robins to fight Batman for him in this lead-up to the event Lazarus Planet. Dick gets the sword of sin, and Batman, waiting for him to attack, thinks, "Hand-to-hand, the toughest of them all". In the end, Batman pushes Alfred (or rather, some kind of replica of Alfred from the afterlife, as a spy for the demon Nezha) on Dick's sword to get him to hesitate so Batman can knock him out. (I should say I've only read this issue of the book. Damian and Bruce fighting got old a long time ago, IMO.)

Nightwing vol 4 # 100. Heartless stages a mass breakout from Blüdhaven's private prison, which is destroyed. Nightwing talks a lot of the escapees into changing sides. The Titans come to help. Guest villain again, KG Beast. Superman and Wonder Woman asks Dick to lead – not the Justice League, which currently is disbanded – but whatever kind of protection he chooses. Dick buys the destroyed prison to build a new Titans tower there. Dick and Bruce have a heartfelt talk by Alfred's grave, though it's debatable if "I love you, Dad" is in character for Dick to say.

Nightwing vol 4 # 101–104. The Titans work together to save Olivia from Neron. Including Dick getting superpowers like that of Superman, when Neron tries to tempt him. Back-up story of Nightwing and Jon/Superman, working a case at a circus.

Titans (2023). The adult Titans are working from Blüdhaven while the Justice League is (probably very temporarily ) disbanded in this new book. It's only been a couple of issues, but I've been enjoying it so far (though I have a hard time with the pairing Beast Boy/Raven, since I know them well from the NTT ear).

Books clearly set outside the main continuity

Future State: Nightwing # 2

Future State: Nightwing # 1–2 (2021), Future State: Gotham (2021–2022) As far as I'm concerned, DC's Future State titles are stories from possible alternate futures that will never come to pass. But it was nice to see Dick written as competent and tinkering with inventions. The Future State stories continued in Future State Gotham, where Dick used the enhancing drug Brane to gain an edge in the fight against the Magistrate and assorted villains and, in the end, sacrificed himself. It didn't seem worth reading, from what I've seen.

Future State: Teen Titans # 1–2. Another possible future book, it’s not as good as the Nightwing version, IMO.

Batman Beyond (2016) vol 6. Dick is the mayor of Blüdhaven and has a daughter who becomes Batwoman in this version of Batman Beyond. To my knowledge, he is in a number of issues starting with # 25. 

Batman/Catwoman, a 12-issue Black Label miniseries (2021–2022). Yet another book set in a possible future (or maybe an alternate universe). Dick is the Police Commissioner of Gotham. I haven't read the whole series, but Dick has a minor role.

In the Dark Multiverse, you can see Dick as a Talon, die during the Judas contract or be murdered by Damian if you like. (Tales from the Dark Multiverse: Hush, Teen Titans: The Judas Contract, and Deathstroke (2016) # 50.)

Titans United (2021) and Titans United: Bloodpact (2022) was two limited series that was probably published to lure in readers that liked the Titans tv show, though it wasn't a tie-in. Pretty entertaining Titans stories with different team members. The digital-first Titans: Titans Together book (2020) also didn't connect to what's going on in other books but was all right reading.

– – –

Posted on July 16, 2023. Time will tell if it will get edited/updated in the future. 

[jasontoddssuper]

Summer Kent title release dates and issue numbers

(Will also include his animateds and video games as i don't want to make a whole seperate post for that since it would feel too similar)

Sparks:Secret Origins-1983,ran for 66

The Last day Of Summer-1989,it's own special

Ember's Ashes-1989,ran for 156

Death of Superman-1992,it's own special

Reign of the Supermen-1993,it's own special

Steel and Superboy-1994,52 and 100 and he's an mc as John's protege and Kon's eldest sibling,mentor and mom figure

Robin,Batgirl(Cass' run)and Young Justice-1993,2000 and 1994,ran for 185,72 and 51 and is important to read the ones with him in them for context on his sisterly bonds with Stephanie,Cass and Cassie

Supergirls-2002,ran for 27

Ember/Red Hood-2006,ran for 33

We Are Robin-2007,ran for 12 issues and Duke becomes the 5th Robin at the end thanks to him

Batgirl(Stephanie's run)-2009,ran for 60 and appears enough to count as an mc

The Bird and The Dragon-2010,ran for 13

Red Hood and The Outlaws-2011,ran for 92

All New Teen Titans-2019,running for 55

New Ember Days-2024,will run for 64

Dead Sidekicks Force-2016,ran for 42

Wayne Family Adventures-2021,ongoing and he's major recurring character

Superman:The Animated Series-1996,was in various crossovers to Batman:The Animated series to show his friendship and eventual romance with Dick(Note:I specifically choose a verse where Jason dosen't exist and Summer is in Dick's generation to avoid creepiness)

Teen Titans(og cartoon)-2003,had 6 seasons and Dragon Rose and Pink Arrows are both canon to this verse,ending in a vee relathionship

Batman:Under The Red Hood-2010,movie adaption where he's the tritagonist like in the original comic

Injustice series-2013,two games and has him as The Eradicator on Clark's side and the sequel gives us Jaysumm as doomed soulmates

Lego DC Super Villains-2018,his legoverse debut

Lego Batman/Superman:Family Matters-2019,a mix between family sitcom and romcom(Jaysumm is the rom part ofc)

DC Superhero Girls reboot-2019,undetirmend number of seasons(but deserves at least 7)and has his Ember incarnation with a Black Lantern alter ego and Stephanie and Jason are the Batgirl and Robin here because they fit better than Babs and Dick(and Clark,Lois and Bruce get age lifts)

Red Hood and The Outlaws(Cartoon adaption)-2019,9 seasons,rated tv-14 in the same sense Fionna and Cake is and one of the weirdest cartoon's ever that's also praised as DC's best show.Has a chibi spinoff called Pocket Outlaws as of 2023

Lego DC:Ember-2020,a game of him as the protagonist and mashup of his various stories

Deaths in the summer-2020,movie adaption fusion of Ditf and Tlos that co-stars him and Jason

Summer Kent and His Spectacular Friends-2022,5 seasons and Summer is in his high school superhero cartoon protagonist era with a girlfantasy twist!The show puts a heavy focus on his girlhood(while still respecting his bigender transmascness)and relathionships with the other Superfam girls and other female Outlaws and has vibes and lore to it that you'd find in MLP and W.i.t.c.h.The only male characters who get consistant screentime are Clark,Jason,Eddie,Mathew(@theautisticcentre ),Thad and Lex

(I won't make this post even longer than it already is but he's also a major character in all the other Superkids' and Batkids' runs i created such as Kon's Power Boy,Mia's Supergirl,Duke's Signal and Cass' Batman and also Thad's Kid Flash!!)

[forevercloudnine]

Hey, I've been meaning to ask you some recs for Superman, just general reading and watching list if possible, I absolutely know about nothing of the character outside of some Mr. Mxyzptlk conflicts and some homoerotic stuff with Lex Luthor. Also I would be the most grateful if you could list some DC stuff with Clex(Superman x Lex Luthor)

💗💗💗 Sure! Here are a handful of my faves:

Legion of Super-Heroes (2006): Animated adaptation of a common plotpoint in Superman media, which is that a 31st century alliance of alien superheroes decide to take advantage of the invention of time travel and hang out with their favorite historical celebrity (guess who). If you were to watch one episode as a taste-test, I'd recommend S1:E3, "Legacy," where Alexis Luthor falls into the family habit of becoming obsessed with Superman. Lex also appears in-person during issue #13 of the tie-in comic, The Legion of Super-Heroes in the 31st Century (short run, loooong title).

All-Star Superman: Maybe the most iconic Superman comic. An alternate universe story where Superman discovers he's dying and has to figure out what he wants to do with his limited remaining time. Deceptively heartwarming and a huge love letter to the Superman mythos. If you were to read one issue as a taste-test, I'd recommend #5, where reporter Clark Kent interviews death row inmate Lex Luthor. There’s also a pretty decent animated movie adaptation.

Superman Red & Blue: One of DC’s many attempts to cash in on the iconic and unexpected success of Batman Black & White, but this cash grab has been nominated for like three Eisner awards, which is pretty decent. Each issue is an anthology of short stories-- my favorite, “For The Man Who Has Nothing,” is in #4 (which also happens to have a Mr. Mxyzptlk focused story, if that appeals to you).

If you’re interested in a story about Conner (the Superboy Lex made from his and Superman’s DNA) and his relationship with his “fathers,” I’d recommend “The Boy of Steel” in Adventure Comics #1-3, #5 (second half), and #6.

Also, Reign of the Supermen (2019) is a fairly popular animated movie condensing the comics where Lex created Conner in reaction to Superman’s death. Superman’s death itself was adapted in the imaginatively named The Death of Superman (2018). The pair were created as an endeavor to create a more comics-accurate adaptation to replace Superman: Doomsday (2007), which tried to cram everything into one movie and ended up just excluding Conner entirely. On the other hand, Superman: Doomsday has a scene where Lex gets shirtless and beats up a clone he made from Superman’s corpse while screaming “WHY DID YOU LEAVE ME?” before climbing on top of its unconscious body and calling himself its daddy. So sometimes comic accuracy isn’t everything.

“Superman: Brainiac”: Action Comics #866-870. Maybe this should have been my first recommendation, since it’s a pretty good baseline for the typical Superman status quo, plus an explanation of the destruction of Krypton and one of the most prominent Superman baddies (the titular Brainiac, who pops up in a lot of these stories). But also the only reason I REALLY like this story is because of a few scenes centered around the difference between Clark being an orphan who never got to experience his birth culture, and his cousin Kara being an orphan who witnessed their birth culture being exterminated. There’s a scene where Clark says “Kara made me realize I know a lot of facts about Krypton, but I still don’t know what I’m missing,” which always makes me sad. He’s memorized everything he can about his birth culture, but that will never recreate Kara’s experience of actually living in it-- which is emotionally complicated because obviously he had a great childhood and never had to experience his home being destroyed, but also he’s completely disconnected from his heritage and never even got to meet the loved ones that Kara is mourning.

New 52/Rebirth: I mostly read Superman comics for Lex, and I stand by my belief that the most fun portrayal of Lex is his doomed attempt at a redemption arc and the subsequent cosmic fallout in the current continuity. I’m going to reduce it to like three flagship stories-- if you enjoy them and want to read more of the context surrounding them I can give you a more detailed reading list, but I think these get the point across.

REDEMPTION ARC, KIND OF: Action Comics feat. Lex Luthor #23.3 and Forever Evil #1-7. Superman and the Justice League disappear after being defeated by their evil mirrorverse counterparts, leaving it up to Lex to save the world. After he does, he realizes he enjoys playing the hero and attempts to become one full-time by joining the Justice League. Justice League (2011) #30-50 are just Lex being rejected, blackmailing his way in, and getting rejected again for twenty issues or so.

BREAKUP ARC: After a long series of shenanigans, Lex has started wearing the Superman symbol on his chest and Superman has been reluctantly working with him in Metropolis. But all the rejection eventually comes to a head in “Imperius Lex,” Superman (2016) #33-36, when Superman’s continued inability to trust Lex causes Lex to get frustrated and breaks off their alliance, giving up on the idea that Superman will ever accept him as a hero.

COSMIC MELTDOWN: Okay so the shenanigans surrounding this plot are complicated, but to make a long story short, Lex finds the secrets of the universe while trying to cheer himself up by destroying his abusive father’s favorite bar in Justice League (2018) #2. By Lex Luthor: Year of the Villain #1 this knowledge has led him into becoming a higher being, but he’s still an insecure mess so he just uses his new abilities to travel between dimensions and screw over other versions of himself that seem happier than him (including a Lex who seems to have successfully married his Superman??? I’m not joking). Year of the Villain: Hell Arisen #1-4 is the story of how Lex ended up rejecting the new source of his power, but honestly you could just read #3, which is an interesting interaction between Lex and Joker where Joker gives Lex a very narratively-aware dressing down.

Obviously this is a narrow selection of Superman media, but I think it covers a lot of bases? This isn’t official content, but I’d also recommend Ookla The Monk’s song “Suprema Lex” (which is on Spotify, though I personally found it through this Clex edit on Youtube).

[androxys]

Androxys' 2023 Comics Wrapped

Happy end of 2023! To celebrate the turning of the year, I wanted to take a quick view back through the comics I read over the last twelve months. Turns out there's... a lot of them.

This isn't 100% perfect, mainly because I'm basing this off the metadata of when comics were added to my computer... I do think there are some comics I added at the end of 2022 but ended up reading in 2023. However, in the interest of being fair, this list won't count those, and is instead only the comics I can confirm I read in 2023.

By my tally, I read 977 comics in 2023 across 78 unique titles. If we assume each comic is 22 pages long, that's 21,494 pages of comics! Of course, some stories are shorter than 22 pages (as if they're splitting with a backup) and some are longer (prestige formats or one-shots). Based on some quick (and quite unscientific) math, I estimate that I spent around four days of my 2023 in the world of DC Comics. And you know what, I'll do it again.

Breaking down my Top 10 single titles, this year I read...

169 Superman/Adventures of Superman/Action Comics issues

128 Batman/Detective Comics issues

104 JSA issues

56 Suicide Squad issues

52 Birds of Prey issues

51 Manhunter issues

38 Harley Quinn issues

33 Aquaman issues

31 Azrael issues

27 Martian Manhunter issues

Here's the full breakdown of my reading, for those interested:

Arsenal (1998) #1-4 [4]

JLA/Titans (1998) #1-3 [3]

Knight and Squire (2010) #1-6 [6]

Monkey Prince (2021) #1-12 [12]

Poison Ivy (2022) #1-6 [6]

Shadowpact (2006) #1-25 [25]

The Question: Pipeline in Detective Comics (1937) #854-864 [11]

Trinity (2003) #1-3 [3]

Tempest (1996) #1-4 [4]

The Atlantis Chronicles (1990) #1-7 [7]

Aquaman (1994) #1-20 [20]

Aquaman: The Becoming (2021) #1-6 [6]

Azrael (1995) #23-46 [24]

Sword of Azrael (2022) #1-7 [7]

Batgirls (2022) #14-19 [6]

Batman (1940) #401-401 [7]

Batman: Cacophony (2009) #1-3 [3]

Batman: Death and the Maidens (2003) #1-9 [9]

Batman Chronicles (1995) #1-23 [23]

Batman: Gotham Knights (2000) #33-74 [42]

Batman: Turning Points (2000) #1-5 [5]

Batman: Killing Time (2022) #1-6 [6]

Batman: Urban Legends (2021) #23 [1]

Batman Beyond: Neo Year (2022) #1-6 [6]

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1994) [1]

Batman Incorporated (2011) #1-8 [8]

Detective Comics (1937) #469-479 [11]

Birds of Prey (1999) #22-55, #113-127 [49]

Birds of Prey (2023) #1-3 [3]

Infinite Crisis Aftermath: The Spectre #1-3 [3]

DC Festival of Heroes (2021) [1]

DC Power (2023) [1]

G'nort's Illustrated (2023) [1]

DCeased (2019) #1-6 [6]

Green Arrow (2001) #69-72 [4]

Green Lantern (1990) #76-77, #92 [3]

Green Arrow (1988) #104, #110-111, #125-126 [5]

Harley Quinn (2000) #1-38 [38]

JSA (1999) #1-87 [87]

Manhunter (2004) #1-38 [38]

Manhunter in Batman: Streets of Gotham (2009) #1-13 [13]

Martian Manhunter (1998) #0-17, #1000000 [19]

Martian Manhunter (2019) #1-12 [12]

Nightwing (1996) #107-124 [15]

Nightwing (2016) #100-107 [8]

Tim Drake: Robin (2022) #5-10 [6]

The New Champion of Shazam (2022) #1-4 [4]

Suicide Squad (1987) #31-66 [36]

Suicide Squad (2007) #1-8 [8]

Superboy (2011) #1-11 [11]

Superman: The Man of Steel (1986) #1-6 [6]

Superman (1987) #1-44 [44]

Adventures of Superman (1987) #424-467 [44]

Action Comics (1938) #584-658 [75]

Superman: Son of Kal-El (2021) #7-18 [12]

Superboy: The Man of Tomorrow(2023) #1-6 [6]

World of Krypton (1979) #1-3 [3]

The World of Krypton (1987) #1-4 [4]

Batman/Superman: World's Finest (2022) #1-11 [11]

World's Finest: Teen Titans (2023) #1-4 [4]

World's Finest (1990) #1-3 [3]

Swamp Thing Giant (2019) #1-7 [7]

Swamp Thing (2016) #1-6 [6]

Punchline: The Gotham Game (2022) #1-6 [6]

Joker: The Man Who Stopped Laughing (2023) #1-6 [6]

Wonder Girl (2021) #1-7 [7]

Nubia: Queen of the Amazons (2022) #1-4 [4]

Galaxy: The Prettiest Star (2022) [1]

Spirit World (2023) #1-6 [6]

Salvation Run (2008) #1-7 [7]

JSA All Stars (2003) #1-8 [8]

Dr. Mid-Nite (1999) #1-3 [3]

Animal Man (1988) #1-26 [26]

Solo (2004) #1-5 [5]

The Legend of Wonder Woman (2016) #1-9 [9]

JSA Returns (1999) #1-9 [9]

Teen Titans: Year One (2008) #1-6 [6]

Suicide Squad (2001) #1-12 [12]

[orphancookie69]

DC Universe: In Order!

Have you ever watched an animated Constatine? He is way cooler in animation and comic books...Anyways. I stumbled upon that movie first with my partner, and he told me that there is an order to the DC Universe and this movie was like way on the bottom of the list. We decided to watch it in order, but the order is not self explanatory. 

This is for your reference (and source): https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/guide/dc-animated-movies-in-order/

Order Up: 

1) Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox (2013)

We know these characters all have their own stories, but this is the point that they come together into their own grouping in this universe. This movie resets all the rules you think you know. 

2) Justice League: War (2014)

This is an important point they get back to later in the storyline. It helps to bring and keep these guys together. 

3) Son of Batman (2014)

This gets more into Batman’s story, but remember everything connects and leads to other things. 

4) Justice League: Throne of Atlantis (2015)

This is a call to action from the team that shows the underwater world but also adds to the team. 

5) Batman vs Robin (2015)

This explores the conflict that creates the super hero icons true selves, but we all have daddy issues. 

6) Batman: Bad Blood (2016)

This is pretty neat for seeing how big the Bat Family actually gets. 

7) Justice League vs. Teen Titans (2016)

This introduces the Teen Titans into universe and helps to (eventually) establish a younger and older set of heroes. 

8) Justice League: Dark (2017)

This is where you get more in the mix, Constatine’s group is pretty cool and works well with a group of supers. 

9) Teen Titans: The Judas Contract (2017)

A fun little installment from our youthful heroes. 

10) Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay (2018)

This universe is a little interesting as even vilians get to switch sides and join the party. It’s not a party until they show up...right?

11) The Death of Superman (2018)

This is a pretty iconic point in comics and animation both, it has even been said that Superman is being compared to Jesus.

12) Constantine: City of Demons (2018)

Really any of these that have Constatine are awesome. 

13) Reign of the Supermen (2019)

With the death of one superman, you get many revivals. Not unlike Jesus right? Sorry not sorry. 

14) Batman: Hush (2019)

Between Batman’s day job, child, night time hobby, and his new friends...its not like he needs more to do does he? 

15) Wonder Woman: Bloodlines (2019)

Some people get no back story movies, some get a lot. This is Wonder Woman’s back story. 

16) Justice League Dark: Apokolips War (2020)

The year starts to catch up with us now. This name, if you watched the movies in order, is mentioned more in the beginning. Its the big bads name and his effect on earth. 

17) DC Showcase: Constantine - The House of Mystery (2022)

While I do think this is in two collections, one in this set of films and two in the DC showcase collection, this picks up where no16 left off. 

I loved the animation, the old school lore, the comic book origins. A proper mix of characters. No 16 was supposed to be the last but they are adding to it. Which is awesome. I personally prefer this to MCU but I wonder if this wasn’t inspired by DCU? Have you seen any of these? Did you watch them in order because of this post? 

[subbyenbywitch]

2022 in review, part 6: comics & manga first reads

1. orcs! by christine larsen (2021)

this is frighteningly perfect. orcs as protagonists, cute (but not too cute for orcs) art, and just supremely powerful good boy energy. (yeah a lot of the protagonists aren’t boys, but i feel like all orcs have good boy energy regardless of gender.) also it’s kinda gay!

this filled a hole i didn’t even know could be filled (which despite being ace is oftentimes what i’m looking for with orcs, hey-o), with the only problem being that whenever i go out looking for more orc fiction i’m looking for this specific vibe and nothing else has it. woof.

(in all seriousness i wouldn’t want every orc story to have this vibe because that would make it less special, but still i want more of this than this and its immediate sequel, y’know?)

2. the witch boy by molly ostertag (2017)

given the title & author i am less than 0% surprised how strongly i vibed with this. this gave me so many gender feels.

3. batman/teenage mutant ninja turtles (2015-16) writer: james tyrnion iv / artist: freddie williams ii

a love letter to fans of both franchises. this is one of the all-time great crossovers between two totally separate franchises. it might be the best ever.

4. the adventure zone, vol. 4: the crystal kingdom (2021) writers: clint mcelroy & griffin mcelroy & justin mcelroy & travis mcelroy artist: carey pietsch

it took me a minute to get into adventure zone because i was so thoroughly spoiled by the frankly superior dimension 20, but it really does grow on you. and i think the crystal kingdom story is the first one where the comic adaptation actually noticeably improved upon the podcast. the ending especially was just so arresting seeing it in comic form, and it really had an impact on me that i don’t remember it having when i was listening to the pod.

5. superman: birthright (2003-04) writer: mark waid / artists: leinil francis yu & gerry alanguilan

not only is this the best verison of superman’s origin story i’ve ever seen, it’s one of the best superman comics i’ve ever read.

6. batman, vol. 2: the city of owls (2012) writers: scott snyder & james tynion iv / artists: greg capulo & rafael albuquerque & more

what made this so special is not just that it was the epic confrontation between batman and the court (and possibly his long-lost brother). it also had two side stories, one that showed that the new 52 version of mr. freeze is kind of a unique twist on the character, but i'm actually way more interested in the last issue of the volume. this issue featured a pair of super gay siblings named harper and cullen row. harper will eventually become the hero bluebird, but for now we just see her civilian life and how she first comes into contact with batman. and honestly, just seeing these two low-income queer siblings existing and being extremely relatable was such a joy.

7. avatar: tsu’tey’s path (2019) writer: sherri l. smith / artists: dan parsons & jay durresma

basically a drastically better version of the first movie with less human stuff. it couldn’t totally remove the shitty white savior stuff from the narrative obviously since it is following the same events, but it did at least push them off to the side as much as it could.

8. batman: hush (2002) writer: jeph loeb / artist: jim lee

i’ve been a batman/catwoman shipper since before i knew that shipping was a thing, so obviously i loved this. ivy being blatantly femdommy, and bisexual at that, was also extremely, extremely, extremely my jam. yes please. more of that, please.

9. pleasure & corruption, vol. 1 by you someya (2019)

*pounding fist on table in rhythm to words* more. boy. subs. more. boy. subs. more. boy. subs.

i do wish so many authors didn’t seem so convinced that subby boys always have to “deserve it” by being pervs or whatever in stories like this, it makes them way harder to relate to. but yeah. seeing a boy get tied up and bullied a bunch is extremely wish fulfillment imo. also, loveloveloved the heavy emphasis on bondage, obviously.

10. 5 seconds before a witch falls in love by zeniko sumiya (2021)

a super cute enemies-to-lovers yuri about a witch & witch hunter. hell yeah.

[phantom-le6]

Ramble of the month March 2024: Phase 5 of the Batman Begins-Led DCEU

With April set aside for an autism-centric monthly ramble and February utilised for phase 5 of my 90’s-based alternate MCU, March takes on the role of show-casing phase 5 of my hypothetical Batman Begins-led DC film-verse.  As DC is more prone to content reboots than Marvel, this latest phase will actually ramp up to just such a reboot, with “phase 6” actually being phase 1 of a new DC film-verse.  Unlike the real DCEU, that reboot will be better planned, but first let’s re-cap the previous four phases.

Phase 1:

2005: Batman Begins

2006: Man of Steel

2007: Wonder Woman

2008: The Dark Knight, Green Lantern

2009: The Flash, Man of Steel 2

2010: Aquaman, Justice League

Phase 2:

2011: Wonder Woman 2, Green Lantern 2, Green Arrow

2012: Hawkman, Batman/Superman, Aquaman 2

2013: John Constantine, The Flash 2, Suicide Squad

2014: Justice League 2, Green Arrow 2, Batman: The Long Crusade

Phase 3:

2015: Shazam, Man of Steel 3, The Atom

2016: Wonder Woman 3, Batgirl, Teen Titans

2017: Green Lantern/Green Arrow, Shazam vs Black Adam, Suicide Squad 2

2018: Justice League: Darkseid Rising, Aquaman 3, Doom Patrol

Phase 4:

2019: Superman: Doomsday, New Gods, Teen Titans: The Judas Contract

2020: Suicide Squad: Arkham, Knightfall, Green Arrow 3

2021: Reign of the Supermen, Green Lantern: Twilight, Knightsend

2022: Justice League: Armageddon, Teen Titans 3, Justice Society

Phase 1, of course, acts as a means of establishing the DC Universe for film fans prior to forming the Justice League.  Phase 2 then builds on that foundation while also causing a schism within the Justice League by adapting the “Tower of Babel” story arc into Justice League 2.  Green Arrow 2 then proves Batman’s point about safeguarding against rogue heroes, which some films in phase 3 follow up on.  Phase 4 then focuses on the falls of many heroes, some of which stay down and some of which return.  However, as phase 4 ended, Hal Jordan was revealed to have gone rogue, which phase 5 will pick up from.  This is how the phase 5 slate would shape up overall.

Phase 5:

2023: Justice League: World’s Finest, Nightwing, The Killing Joke

2024: Supergirl, Birds of Prey, Flashpoint

Compared to past phases, phase 5 is only half the size, and while the opening film deals with the issue of Hal Jordan becoming Parallax, most of the other films are one-shots or sequels to tell some interesting stories ahead of the Flashpoint film.  So, let’s start by taking a look at these various phase 5 films.

Justice League: World’s Finest (2023) Directed by The Russo Brothers

Superman/Kal-El/Clark Kent = Brandon Routh

Bruce Wayne/Batman = Christian Bale

Diana/Wonder Woman = Kate Beckinsale

J'onn J'onzz/Martian Manhunter = Chiwetel Ejiofor

Arthur Curry/Aquaman = Chris Pine

Kyle Rayner/Green Lantern II = Taylor Lautner

Wallace "Wally" West/Flash II = Calum Worthy

Green Lantern/Hal Jordan/Parallax = Ben Affleck

John Stewart = Derek Luke

Guy Gardner = Damian Lewis

Fire/Beatriz Bonilla da Costa = Selena Gomez

Ice/Tora Olafsdotter = Kristine Froseth

Dinah Lance/Black Canary = Malin Akerman

John Henry Irons/Steel = Aldis Hodge

Kara Zor-El/Supergirl = Dakota Fanning

Connor Hawke/Green Arrow II = Levon Hawke

Lex Luthor = Kelsey Grammer

Mercy Graves = Scarlett Johannsen

Koriand'r/Starfire = Elle Fanning

Dusk = Ella Balinska

Blackfire/Komand'r = Virginia Gardner

Ferro/Andrew Nolan = Garrett Wareing

Mon-El/Lar Gand = Milo Manheim

Brainiac-5/Querl Dox = Karan Brar

Saturn Girl/Imra Ardeen = Dove Cameron

Lightning Lad/Garth Ranzz = Tye Sheridan

Cosmic Boy/Rokk Kirnn = Dylan Minnette

Starman/Thom Kallor = Ty Simpkins

Dream Girl/Nura Nal = Sabrina Carpenter

Karate Kid/Val Armorr = Aramis Knight

Sensor Girl/Projectra = Angourie Rice

Amanda Waller = Viola Davis

Floyd Lawton/Deadshot = Christian Slater

Jaina Hudson/White Rabbit = Hayley Kiyoko

Eve Eden/Nightshade = Debby Ryan

Dr Pamela Isley/Poison Ivy = April Bowlby

Dr Niles Caulder/The Chief = Pierce Brosnan

Clifford Steele/Robot Man = Johnny Whitworth

Larry Trainor/Negative Man = Alessandro Nivola

Rita Farr/Elasti-Girl = Alyssa Milano

Mento/Steve Dayton = Nathan Fillion

Bumblebee/Karen Beecher = Kyla Pratt

Vox/Malcom Duncan = Donald Glover

This film is based on the events of the Justice League story arc The Final Hour, in which the Justice League and others try to stop an alien being called the Sun Eater from devouring Earth’s sun, only for Hal Jordan to ultimately sacrifice himself to save Earth by absorbing the Sun Eater and reigniting the sun.  The film version would be slightly different in numerous details, but by-and-large the main thrust of the story would remain the same.  The League would be the main focus, with Luthor, a few members of future super-team the Legion of Superheroes and a couple of others being heavily featured due to the story arc involved.  The Doom Patrol and Suicide Squad are also featured to lesser degrees during scenes showing the wider crisis in what is essentially a superhero disaster film.

Direction-wise, I’d put this film in the hands of the Russo brothers based on their work for the MCU, especially Infinity War and Endgame in the Avengers run of films.  Indeed, like Infinity War and Endgame, I also gave the Russos direction of Justice League: Armageddon to keep things consistent across both films.  In terms of cast, most cast members have appeared on prior films, with only the characters from Dusk down to Sensor Girl being new cast members coming in fresh on this film.

Nightwing (2023) Directed by Guy Ritchie

Richard Grayson/Robin/Nightwing = Patrick Schwarzenegger

Roland Desmond/Blockbuster = Adam Driver

Lady Elaine Marsh-Morton/Lady Vic = Florence Pugh

Talon/William Cobb = Evan Peters

Amy Rohrbach = Elizabeth Olsen

Elise Svoboda = Alexandra Stan

Gannon Malloy = Max Lloyd-Jones

Comissioner Gil Maclean = Michael Ealy

Mr Nice/James Nice = Sam Reid

In the first of our one-shot films, we get a solo outing for Batman’s original protégé Dick Grayson as he tries to clean up the corruption of Bludhaven by working for their local police force.  As the film progresses, Nightwing finds himself caught between local crime lord Blockbuster and a plot involving the infamous Court of Owls of Gotham legend.  Outside Patrick Schwarzenegger reprising the role of Dick Grayson, the cast is completely new to this DCEU, and in honour of his great work on crime-centric films, I’ve picked Guy Ritchie to serve in the director role.

The Killing Joke (2023) Directed by Christopher Nolan

Bruce Wayne/Batman = Christian Bale

Barbara Gordon/Batgirl = Bella Thorne

Tim Drake/Robin II = David Mazouz

The Joker = Willem Dafoe

Lucius Fox = Morgan Freeman

James "Jim" Gordon = Gary Oldman

Jeannie/Becky Moore = Georgie Henley

Comedian/Young Joker = David Corenswent

Patrolman Robert Moore = Grant Gustin

Mitch = Scott Eastwood

Murray = Drew Powell

Det. Harvey Bullock = Donal Logue

Det. Renee Montoya = Penelope Cruz

When DC and WB did an animated Killing Joke adaptation, they had the right idea in terms of expanding the story beyond the Alan Moore-written graphic novel.  However, they expanded it incorrectly by having an unrelated preceding 30 minutes that served more to facilitate Bruce Timm’s shipping of a Bruce-Barbara relationship than to make a well-expanded narrative.  This film begins with the Joker being apprehended, hatching his scheme in Arkham, and then a short while later, we get the original Killing Joke plot in the film’s middle.

The end is then expanded, first by taking from a prose novel adaptation I’ve read where Batman laughing with the Joker turns into Batman almost giving in to the temptation to kill Joker.  After this, Joker sees a woman who he thinks is the dead wife from his flashbacks and breaks out to “find the truth”.  When Batman confronts Joker for a third time, the question is left hanging as to whether the Joker’s past was true or not, and a post-credits scene sets up for Barbara becoming Oracle.  Direction-wise, I figure that only Christopher Nolan would do well adapting this material into a live-action narrative.  Casting-wise, the film is mostly existing cast reprising past roles, with only the characters linked to Joker’s back-story being fresh castings.

Supergirl (2024) Directed by Reese Witherspoon

Kara Zor-El/Supergirl = Dakota Fanning

Superman/Kal-El/Clark Kent = Brandon Routh

Cat Grant = January Jones

Jimmy Olsen = Rider Strong

Winslow Schott Jr. = David Henrie

Lena Luthor = Spencer Grammer

Zor-El = Henry Cavill

Alura Zor-El = Rebecca Hazelwood

Astra In-Ze = Rebecca Hazelwood

Non = Ryan McPartlin

Vartox = James Murray

Indigo/Brainiac-8 = Letitia Wright

Capt. Crispus Allen = Djimon Honsou

Det. Peter Foley = Matt Le Blanc

This film gives us a solo film outing for Supergirl that is partly based on the first season of the character’s Arrowverse TV show.  In other words, we see Kara starting out on her own life in another city and having to clash with her villainous aunt and uncle, as well as Indigo, a time-displaced villain in the Brainiac family tree.  For direction, I’ve picked Reese Witherspoon as I know in recent years she’s taken up production and is very passionate about female-led stories and story-telling, so I think she’d be a great fit to make a directorial debut on a character like Supergirl.

Birds of Prey (2024) Directed by Patty Jenkins

Dinah Lance/Black Canary = Malin Akerman

Barbara Gordon/Oracle = Bella Thorne

Cassandra Cain/Batgirl = Momona Tamada

Helena Bertinelli/Huntress II = Alexandra Daddario

Zinda Blake/Lady Blackhawk = Rita Ora

Det. Renee Montoya = Penelope Cruz

Noah Kuttler/Calculator = Tom Cavanagh

Scandal Savage = Katie Leung

Knockout = Ireland Baldwin

Thomas Blake/Catman = Luke Grimes

Floyd Lawton/Deadshot = Christian Slater

Bane = Rodrigo Santoro

For the penultimate phase 5 film, we’re giving the Birds of Prey super-team their chance to shine, albeit better than they did in the real DCEU.  More comics-accurate castings and character selections, including leaving out Harley Quinn (who, if you remember my phase 4 ramble, is killed off in the last Suicide Squad film).  In this film, we see Barbara recruit a number of street-level heroes to tackle a criminal group known as the Secret Six.  The film follows up on plot threads from Knightfall, Knightsend and Killing Joke, and also uses Cassandra Cain as Batgirl like in the comics, another elements the real DCEU Birds of Prey got wrong.  Patty Jenkins of the real DCEU’s Wonder Woman films helms the project from a directorial standpoint.

Flashpoint (2024) Directed by Robert Zemeckis

Barry Allen/The Flash = Matt Damon

Thomas Wayne/Flashpoint Batman = Jeffrey Dean Morgan

Oliver Queen/Green Arrow = Ethan Hawke

John Constantine = Matt Ryan

Jason Blood/Etrigan = Eddie Redmayne

Victor Stone/Cyborg = Ashton Sanders

Citizen Cold/Leonard Snart = Rob Lowe

Superman/Kal-El = Brandon Routh

Nora Allen = Cybill Shepherd

Eobard Thawne/Reverse Flash = Jake Gyllenhaal

Diana/Wonder Woman = Kate Beckinsale

Arthur Curry/Aquaman = Chris Pine

Billy Batson/Shazam = Zachary Gordon/Zachary Levi

Freddy Freeman = Chandler Riggs

Darla Dudley = Quvenzhané Wallis

Mary Bromfield = Halston Sage

Eugene Choi = Hudson Yang

Pedro Peña = Rico Rodriguez

Hal Jordan = Ben Affleck

Martha Wayne/Flashpoint Joker = Marg Helgenberger

Yo-Yo = Margot Robbie

During the events of Justice League: Armageddon, Barry Allen’s Flash became lost in the timestream.  When he gets out, he enters an alternate reality where Aquaman and Wonder Woman are at war, and many heroes are missing or dead, including Barry’s speedster alter ego.  Thus begins a mission to learn the truth of why events have changed, and the climax will reboot the DCEU.  While this film simply uses the title of Flashpoint, it’s based more on the DC animated version from the DCAMU as that’s the main Flashpoint story I’ve seen and recall.  Of course, the rest of the alternative DCEU I’ve laid out prior to this film alters some other aspects as well, including how Barry exits the timestream and why history was changed.  Direction-wise, I had to pick Robert Zemeckis just because as the guy who directed the Back to the Future trilogy and the 2009 Disney version of A Christmas Carol, he is probably the best director for anything with a time travel component.

This concludes our phase 5 for the alternate DCEU, and this specific version of the DCEU.  When I do phase 6 on my 90’s MCU, the first (and for now only) phase of my rebooted hypothetical DCEU will be hot on its heels.  So, until next time, ta-ta for now.

[thereasonsimbroke]

Deep Dive Into Batman's Recommended Reads And Beyond

In Ep. 583, Scott and I discuss a recommended comic reading list for Batman, the potential GTA VI $150 launch, Rotten Tomatoes scores being influenced by third parties, and more! Chapters 0:00:14 Introducing the Reasons I'm Broke podcast 0:01:12 Rumors of GTA 6 costing $150 at launch 0:06:02 Square Enix's profit declines and creative control issues 0:10:07 Unity's recent price changes and impact on indie developers 0:13:18 Popular games affected by Unity's pricing changes 0:21:19 Fan Feedback and Constructive Criticism 0:29:31 Grant Morrison's Complex Batman Run 0:34:06 Finding Middle Ground: Bruce and Damien's Dynamic Development 0:39:00 Batman Movies: Joker and Fight with Superman 0:46:33 Recommendations: Gotham City Sirens, Justice League Tower of Babel, Batman Hush 0:52:15 Disney+ and Hulu price increases, backlash from subscribers 0:56:08 Speculating on Password Sharing Restrictions 1:04:24 Companies Caught Red-Handed: Bunker Fifteen Example 1:06:43 Questioning the integrity of review sites and platforms. 1:11:41 Talking about the abundance of comic book covers and variants. 1:16:13 Udon Sale: Limited Edition Black and White Swimsuit Variant 1:18:24 Wrapping up the episode and thanking Scott 1:19:11 Exciting Game Club Announcement 1:21:25 Swimsuit Variants for Street Fighter Characters 1:23:48 Unique Home Decor Ideas: Using Photos as Wallpaper

FOLLOW/SUPPORT SCOTT: @LazyGamingGuys (LGG X) LazyGamingGuys' Channel (YouTube) Ronin Council (SoundCloud) As always, we appreciate your constructive Feedback, Suggestions, and Questions. You can also leave us an audio question on SpeakPipe. Thank you for the continued love and support! Enjoy the show. Daniel Podcast Awards 2019 || Games & Hobbies (Winner) Podcast Awards 2017 - 2018, 2020 - 2022 || Games & Hobbies (Nominated) Official Site FOLLOW US: - X | @ReasonsImBroke and @TRIBPod - Instagram - Pinterest - Threads - Tumblr - Discord Lounge - YouTube Channel SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts / iHeartRadio / TuneIn / Overcast SUPPORT THE POD: Getting $1's worth of entertainment and information each month? Support us on Patreon or visit our TeePublic storefront! SPREAD THE WORD: If you're enjoying the show, please head over to iTunes and leave us a rating and a review! Each one helps new Brokettes discover the podcast. Contribute to the Hero Initiative to offer assistance to comic creators facing difficulties. Show your support for the AFSP's efforts by donating to the Autumn Snyder Tribute Fund. CREDITS: Opening/Closing Jingles - Alex Scott Show Logo By - Opanaldiova

The latest episode of The Reasons I'm Broke Podcast!

[xanthezhou]

CASSANDRA CAIN READING GUIDE

We made you a warrior. You made yourself a hero.

Cassandra Cain is the daughter of assassins David Cain and Sandra Wu-San, and was raised by Cain. Her childhood training made her an expert hand-to-hand combatant with the ability to read body language to the point of interpreting complex thoughts, but also left her nonverbal, illiterate, and with limited social skills. Cassandra experienced her first kill when she was eight, and seeing the pain and fear the man felt as he died made her realize what she did was wrong and run away from her father. Years later, Cassandra came to Gotham, and during the events of No Man's Land became Batgirl with Bruce Wayne and Barbara Gordon's approval.

Basic Reading

Batgirl (2000)

Batman: Gates of Gotham (2011)

Detective Comics (2016) #934-987

Batman and the Outsiders (2019)

Batgirls (2021)

Cassandra's major appearances are listed in chronological order (mostly) under the cut. My favorites are bolded.

No Man's Land

All issues collected in Batman: No Man's Land (2011) vol. 2-4.

Batman (1940) #567 [first appearance]

Detective Comics (1937) #734

Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #120 [Cassandra takes up Batgirl mantle]

Azrael: Agent of the Bat #56-57

Batman (1940) #569

The Batman Chronicles #18

Batman: No Man's Land #0 [explains Batgirl costume design. Cassandra doesn't appear in this issue]

Azrael: Agent of the Bat #60-61

Robin (1993) #73

As Batgirl

Batman: Gotham Knights #2, 5

Batman: Gotham City Secret Files and Origins [first story]

Batgirl (2000) #1-2

Young Justice (1998) #21

Batgirl (2000) #3-11, 12 [Officer Down start]

Birds of Prey (1999) #27

Catwoman (1993) #90 [Officer Down end]

Batgirl (2000) Annual #1, #13-19

Harley Quinn (2000) #10

Robin (1993) #88 [first meeting with Stephanie Brown]

Batgirl (2000) #20, 21 [Joker: Last Laugh start]

Joker: Last Laugh #3

Supergirl (1996) #63 [transphobia cw, Joker: Last Laugh end]

DC First: Batgirl/Joker

Batgirl (2000) #22-23, 24 [Bruce Wayne: Murderer? / Fugitive start]

Robin (1993) #98

Batgirl (2000) #25-29

Batman (1940) #605 [Bruce Wayne: Murderer? / Fugitive end]

Batgirl: Secret Files and Origins

Batgirl (2000) #30-32

Batman: Gotham Knights #33, 35

Batgirl (2000) #33-38

Batman: Family #7

Detective Comics (1937) #782 [backup], 790

Nightwing (1996) #81

Superboy (1994) #85 [first meeting with Kon-El/Conner Kent]

Batgirl (2000) #39-44

Batman: Gotham Knights #42, 45-46, 48-49

Robin (1993) #119

Batgirl (2000) #45-47

Superman/Batman #5

Batgirl (2000) #48-50

Birds of Prey (1999) #61, 63

Batgirl (2000) #51-53

Solo #10 [third story]

Detective Comics (1937) #796 [backup]

Robin (1993) #127-128

Batgirl (2000) #54

War Games

All issues collected in Batman: War Games (2015).

Detective Comics (1937) #797

Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #182

Nightwing (1996) #96

Batgirl (2000) #55

Batman (1940) #631

Batgirl (2000) #56

Nightwing (1996) #98

Batgirl (2000) #57

Batgirl in Bludhaven

Robin (1993) #132 [Fresh Blood start]

Batgirl (2000) #58

Robin (1993) #133

Batgirl (2000) #59 [Fresh Blood end]

Batman Allies: Secret Files and Origins 2005 [third story]

Batgirl (2000) #60-73

With the League of Assassins and Deathstroke

I don't recommend reading anything in this section except Batgirl (2008) #6.

Robin (1993) #148-151, 161-162

Supergirl (2005) #14

World War III #2

Teen Titans (2003) #43-46

Batman and the Outsiders (2007)

Batgirl (2008) [recap of this era. Bruce adopts Cassandra]

As Black Bat

Battle for the Cowl: The Network

Batgirl (2009) #1 [Cassandra gives Batgirl mantle to Stephanie]

Red Robin #17

Batman Incorporated (2011) #6

Red Robin #25

Batman: Gates of Gotham

As Orphan

The New 52 reboot changed Cassandra’s origins, personality, and relationships with other characters. Rebirth was a soft reboot that kept New 52 canon but brought back elements from the previous continuity.

Batman and Robin Eternal #1-9, 11-14, 17-26 [New 52]

Detective Comics (2016) #934-940 [Rebirth]

Batman (2016) #7 [Night of the Monster Men start]

Nightwing (2016) #5

Detective Comics (2016) #941

Batman (2016) #8

Nightwing (2016) #6

Detective Comics (2016) #942 [Night of the Monster Men end], 943-962

Red Hood and the Outlaws (2016) #15

Detective Comics (2016) #963-964

Batgirl and the Birds of Prey #15-17

Detective Comics (2016) #965-981, 983-987

Batman and the Outsiders (2019)

DC: The Doomed and the Damned [seventh story]

Batman: The Joker War Zone [second story]

Batman (2016) #104

Return of Batgirl

The Infinite Frontier reboot considers all past continuities canon.

Infinite Frontier #0

Batman Secret Files: The Signal

Batman: Urban Legends #3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 14

The Joker (2021) #3-4, 7, 11-12, 15

Detective Comics (2016) #1038 [backup], 1049, 1052, 1057

Batman (2016) #112 [main], 115-116 [backups]

Nightwing (2016) #85-86

Batman (2016) #117 [backup]

Batgirls #1-6

Task Force Z #8

DC Pride: Tim Drake Special

Robin (2021) #15

Detective Comics (2016) #1061

Batgirls #7

Catwoman (2018) #45

Batgirls #8- [ongoing]

Batman One Bad Day: Two-Face

Other Appearances

Ghost/Batgirl [Dark Horse Comics crossover]

Batman: Outlaws #2

Batman: City of Light [not recommended]

Justice League Elite [as Kasumi]

Wonder Woman (2006) #600 [second story]

Batgirl (2016) #50 [third story]

DC Festival of Heroes [first story]

Truth & Justice #6 [#16-18 digital first]

Alternate Universes

Tiny Titans #33, 39, 43, 45

Batgirl: Futures End

Convergence: Batgirl

Harley Quinn and the Birds of Prey (2020)

DCeased: Unkillables / Dead Planet #5 / War of the Undead Gods

Shadow of the Batgirl [YA graphic novel]

Dark Knights: Death Metal Robin King [backup]

Future State: The Next Batman #2, 4 [second stories]

Batman: Wayne Family Adventures [webtoon]

DC vs. Vampires

Other Media

Batman: No Man’s Land: A Novel

DC Universe Online [video game, npc]

Injustice: Gods Among Us [video game, playable]

DC Legends [video game, playable]

Birds of Prey [movie]

Young Justice season 3-4

Batwheels

[penny-anna]

Heya! I was just wondering if you have any recommendations for Billy Batson (and friends, maybe) focused runs (or specific issues)? I'm trying to get a better handle on his character but there's like, 80+ years worth of content so I'm not sure which to start with. Are there any that you really like or think of as 'required reading'?

hello!!

so I'm also pretty new to DC comics & i haven't read everything I want to read yet - I'm currently working through the stuff recommended in this post.

however!! based on what I've read so far here are some recs:

Shazam! (2013): this is Billy's New 52 origin story & the arc the Shazam movie is based on. if you liked the movie version of the character this would be the starting point & it does expand on the movie plot quite a bit. that said personally I don't like it very much (I found both the art style & the characterisation kind of offputting) so if you've already seen the film I don't know if I'd recommend it. if you haven't seen the film I'd recommend watching that instead.

Shazam (2019): solo run featuring Billy & the Shazamily! if you like the movie this is where I'd recommend jumping in. mostly just whimsical adventures abt Billy & his many siblings exploring the 7 realms of magic. At one point they go to a dimension of only furries. Shazam teams up with Batman for an issue. Billy's estranged father comes back into his life & drama ensues!! not a huge amount of depth - it was kind of the reading equivalent of eating candy for me - but it was all a ton of fun & I really liked the way the arc w Billy's father played out.

Superman/Shazam: First Thunder: you might have seen a post going around w some panels feat. Superman calling out the Wizard Shazam - this is the comic that's from!! it's got some fun Superman & Captain Marvel team up action and then goes hard with the identity reveal. warmly recommended.

If you're interested there's also an animated short film loosely based on the above called Superman/Shazam: The Return of Black Adam. It doesn't have the same emotional punch as the comic but it does include a straightforward and accessible take on Captain Marvel's origin story - it was my introduction to the character and I think it's a pretty solid intro!

Convergence: Shazam!: throwback to classic!Captain Marvel published in 2015. very enjoyable & w really nice art - it's where these panels are from. short & sweet. also warmly recommended!

& finally I'm currently reading The Power of Shazam from the 90s and while I'm not too far into it, in terms of post-crisis Billy content this is hitting all the right beats for me so far!! so if u want a Long Captain Marvel run to get your teeth into this would probably be the place to go.

(quick cw about the above, as it follows the classic origin stories of all the characters p closely it features Captain Nazi in a fairly prominent role, he shows up in issues 6 through 8.)

[wavne]

“MIRROR ON THE WALL,  TELL ME ALL THE WAYS TO STAY AWAY.”

while rocky  &  i have no intention to keep clark  &  bruce away from each other just for the sake of “angst” on our blogs,  there’s a natural element of separation  &  guilt in their relationship.  superbat prevails in any universe,  romantic or otherwise,  &  so does their tumultuous relationship.  sometimes they are at odds with each other over a single misunderstanding,  sometimes bruce denounces their partnership in a fit of anger,  sometimes clark has to act as bruce’s antagonist  &  vice versa.  the conflict always brings great distress in the both of them.  so much so that those around them will always notice  &  comment on it.  this specific anguish they carry is for the sole reason that they are not side-by-side,  that they are in some sort of vicious disaccord.  this is what the composition of art above is supposed to convey. 

despite their issues,  they still clearly love each other.  they’ve carried each other’s lifeless bodies,  they’ve watched the other’s children grow up.  detective comics,  unlike marvel comics,  has two flagship characters;  it’s clear that the two men cannot be separated from each other in any way without compromising a large part of their character.  from the very beginning of their world  &  ours,  it’s always been them.  just like the night chases the day  &  the day chases the night,  where you find superman,  batman is surely not far;  much like how @crimenight is never far from @superel​.  ♡

1.] Jacques-Louis David. Patroclus. 1780, Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, France. 2.] RYYZN. “Slow Down.” 2019. 3.] Eugène Delacroix. Combat de chevaliers dans la campagne. 1834, Paris, France. 4.] O’Hara, Frank. “Mayakovsky.” Meditations in an Emergency, Grover/Atlantic Inc., 1996. 5.] Gavin Hamilton. Achilles Lamenting the Death of Patroclus. 1760-63, National Galleries Scotland, Edinburgh. 6.] Pim Stones. “We Have It All.” 2015. 7.] Stoker, Bram. “A letter to Walt Whitman, sent on Valentine’s Day.” 1876. 8.] Roberto Ferri. Fallen Angel. 2011. 9.] Phantogram. “Black Out Days.” Voices, 2014. 10.] ​​Web-weaving, coined by Oumaima.

[eobeth]

Complete list of Reverse Flash comics 1963-2020 (updated)

I have revamped the list and brought it up to date. This is a list of every comic that Eobard Thawne aka Reverse Flash / Professor Zoom has been featured in. I have excluded reprint stories and flashbacks that have no plot relevance.

Reverse Flash Comics

The Flash 1963 – 1985

Issue 139 Menace of the reverse flash

Issue 147 Our Enemy the Flash

Issue 153 The Mightiest punch of all time

Issue 165 One bridegroom too many!

Issue 175 Race to the end of the universe

Issue 186 Time times three equals

Issue 225 Green Lantern Master criminal pf the 25th century

Issue 233 The deadly secret of the Flash

Issue 237 The 1000 year separation

Issue 281 Deadly Games

Issue 282 Mishmash

Issue 283 Flashback

Issue 284 Run Flash, Run for your life

Issue 300 A flash odyssey

Issue 321 Hell in the fast lane

Issue 322 Burning a speedster at both ends

Issue 323 Run Flash, Run for your wife

Issue 324 The slayer and the slain

DC Comics Presents:1978

Issue 1 Superman and The Flash: Chase to the end of time!

Issue 2 Superman and The Flash: Race to the end of time!

The Secret Society of Super-Villains 1978

Issue 12 The Plunder Plan

Issue 13 One earth too many

Issue 14 Crisis on Earth 3

Issue 15 The Wizard’s war of the worlds

Justice League of America 1979

Issue 166 The long way home

Issue 167 The league that defeated itself

Issue 168 The last great Switcheroo

The Flash 1993-2008

73-79 is one arc and you need to read all of it.

Issue 73 One perfect gift

Issue 74 Trust

Issue 75 Running behind

Issue 76 Identity crisis

Issue 77 Suicide Run

Issue 78 Blitzkrieg

Issue 79 The once and future Flash

Issue 146 Time like a river

Issue 147 Shooting the Rapids

Issue 148 Undertow

Issue 223 The RF vs the Rogues

Issue 224 reverse time

Issue 225 the final run

DC Universe Halloween Special 09 (its only one panel but it’s so Eobard)

The Flash: Rebirth 2009 (Eobard isn’t in all of these but they are one plot arc)

Issue 1 Lightning strikes twice

Issue 2 Dead Run

Issue 3 Rear view mirrors

Issue 4 Flash Facts

Issue 5 Mother, May I

Issue 6 Fastest man alive

DC Super Friends 2010

Issue 27 Double Trouble

Batman Beyond 2010

Issue 6 Hush Beyond Part 6: Deep Down. There is a Dr Thawne hired as a geneticist at the end of the comic but no implication that it is Eobard and the future is not far enough to be him, but time travel, so yeah, why not. The same Dr Thawne appears in Batman Beyond 2011 issue 8, still working for Cadmus.

The Flash 2010 Blackest Night

Issue 1, 2 & 3

Brightest Day 2010-2011 (Very minor parts)

Issue 0 Carpe Diem

Issue 7 The secret of life

The Flash 2011 – Brightest Day & Road to Flashpoint

Issue 7 What goes around, comes around

Issue 8 Reverse Flash: Rebirth

Issue 10 Case Two: The road to Flashpoint part 2

Issue 11 Case Two: The road to Flashpoint part 3

Issue 12 Case Two: The road to Flashpoint part 4

Flashpoint 2011

Issue 1, 4 & 5 specifically though you should read all of them for context.

Flashpoint: Reverse Flash

Time Masters: Vanishing Point

Issue 5 Reversing time

Issue 6 Start time/ end point

DC Universe Online: Legends

Issue 23 Victory! (It’s only one panel of Eobard trying to feed Barry to Killer Croc)

Flash 2015 N52 (this is all one plot)

Flash Annual 4

Issue 40 The end of the road

Issue 41 Yellow

Issue 42 Blood is thicker

Issue 43 Getting the drop

Issue 44 Bubble

Issue 45 Thunderdrome

Issue 46 End of the Hunt

Issue 47 Reunion

The Flash 2016 - 2021

Issue 7 Lightning strikes twice part 7: No more speedsters (Really minor, 1 panel)

Issue 19 Sins of the father pt 2 (The ending is the start of The Button arc that crosses with Batman)

Batman: Issue 21 The button pt1

Issue 21 The button pt 2

Batman: Issue 22 The button pt3

Issue 22 The button pt4

Issue 23 The color of fear pt 1: Hello

Issue 24 The color of fear pt 2: Run for your life

Issue 25 Running scared pt 1: Every breath you take

Issue 26 Running scared pt 2: One way or another

Issue 27 Running scared conclusion: I will possess your heart

Issue 46 Road to Flash war

Issue 81 Death and the Speedforce (only one flashback panel)

Deathstroke 2018

Issue 25 The Society

DC Nuclear Winter special 2019

The Flash 2016 – 2021 – Continued

Issue 88 Flash Age Prelude: Paradox

Issue 750 Flash Age 1: Extra size spectacular (They changed the numbering at this point, going from 88 to 750)

Issue 751 The Flash Age 2 (Eobard isn’t really in this one but it is part of the arc)

Issue 752 The Flash Age 3

Issue 753 The Flash Age 4: Search for Reverse Flash

Issue 754 The Flash Age 5: The last temptation of the Flash

Issue 755 The Flash Age Finale

Issue 756 Reverse Flash Family

Issue 757

Issue 758 Legion of Zoom

Issue 759 Finish Line pt 1

Issue 760 Finish Line pt 2

Issue 761 Finish Line pt 3

Issue 762 Finish Line pt 4

Tales from the Dark Multiverse

Issue 8 Flashpoint

[spawn-universe]

KING SPAWN SALES NUMBERS DEMOLISH THE AVENGERS’ RECORD

Series Launch Shatters Projections With Nearly 500K Orders

Tempe, Ariz., Aug 11, 2021 — The recent launch of Todd McFarlane’s new monthly comic book, King Spawn #1, has shattered sales records. With just under a half-million pre-orders by comic stores retailers, this marks the single largest new superhero monthly title launch in the comic book industry in the past 25 years based on the standard sales formula of the comic book industry (non-returnable, non-retailer exclusive sales).

Total pre-orders of 497K are bigger than any Marvel new monthly superhero launch, including Ironman, Hulk, Thor, or Captain America issue in the past quarter-century. McFarlane’s King Spawn #1 also topped any DC Comics new monthly title launch for the past two and a half decades, including Batman, Superman, Flash, or Wonder Woman.

No Avengers or Justice League character has debuted a monthly book with sales numbers like King Spawn #1 in the 21st century.

The Spawn character was first introduced in 1992, with the release of Spawn #1, to a record of 1.7 million copies that still stands today as the highest selling, creator-owned comic issue of all time. Published by Image Comics (the third largest comic publisher in North America behind Marvel and DC), the Spawn character also set a record as the longest running, creator-owned comic on the planet when issue #301 was published in 2019.

With its creator, McFarlane, announcing the expansion of a new “shared universe” at the beginning of this year, the initial title from that announcement, Spawn's Universe #1, hit stores in June to the largest sales from Image Comics since 1998. The first issue of King Spawn beat that number by two and a half times. This is an unprecedented level of sales for a character who has only been published in one book for the past three decades.

Spawn’s creator, Todd McFarlane, also owns the world’s record for most sales of a superhero book written and drawn by the same person, with Spider-Man #1 published by Marvel in the ’90s. During his time at Marvel, McFarlane was the visual creator of Venom, appearing in multiple titles and a successful movie for Sony’s film division.

McFarlane said, “The numbers that came in were much higher than what I had projected. With sales that now have a historical impact in our industry. It proves that the character Spawn and the world he lives in still resonates to fans almost thirty years after I first introduced him. But the biggest thing for me is having King Spawn becoming another example to the creative community that you can have creator-owned success outside of the two huge publishing giants, Marvel, and DC Comics. Every story that shows you can make a career on your own will hopefully inspire other talented people to try. As President of Image Comics, advocating for the creators has been our goal since its inception in 1992.”

King Spawn #1 will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, August 25:

King Spawn #1 Cover A by Puppeteer Lee - Diamond Code JUN210027

King Spawn #1 Cover B by McFarlane - Diamond Code JUN210028

King Spawn #1 Cover C by David Finch - Diamond Code JUN210029

King Spawn #1 Cover D by Sean Gordon Murphy - Diamond Code JUN210030

King Spawn #1 Cover E by Greg Capullo - Diamond Code MAY218952

King Spawn #1 Cover F by Brett Booth - Diamond Code MAY218953

King Spawn #1 Cover G by Donny Cates - Diamond Code JUN218205

King Spawn #1 Cover H 1:50 copy incentive Raw by Capullo - Diamond Code JUN218206

King Spawn #1 Cover I signed 1:250 copy incentive by McFarlane - Diamond Code JUN218207

Spawn #321 will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, September 1:

Spawn #321 Cover A by Björn Barends - Diamond Code JUN210250

Spawn #321 Cover B by McFarlane - Diamond Code JUN210251

Spawn #321 Cover C by Francesco Mattina - Diamond Code JUN210252

Spawn #321 Cover D by Barends 1:50 copy virgin incentive - Diamond Code JUN210253

Gunslinger Spawn #1 will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, October 6:

Gunslinger Spawn #1 Cover A by Booth - Diamond Code AUG210013

Gunslinger Spawn #1 Cover B McFarlane - Diamond Code AUG210014