#detective comics 533

[fancyhandsbakery]

Things in Detective Comics #533 (Dec 1983) "Look to the Mountaintop"

It's THE hug

Why does he look like that? Also, we should start saying stuff it again.

I just like this ad

[timdrake-yumm]

So I was reading an old comic, right? And I come across this pannel:

Which comes from this page of Detective Comics #533:

And basically I figured there are some pretty good red hood fic opportunities that could stem from this

Edit: I accidentally showed the same picture twice, but I’ve fixed it now

[mydarlingbat]

Detective comics #532

[jayladfanpage]

Neverwhere - Neil Gaiman // Batman: Legends of The Dark Knight #100 // Unknown // Detective Comics (1937) #533 // I get so jealous of euthanized dogs - June Gehringer // Batman (1940) #618

[annah-kitathryne]

Helena Bertinelli/Huntress Reading List/Completionist Guide

Helena Bertinelli is the Huntress of Prime Earth. She has existed as a character since 1989, and has appeared in her own series as well as multiple other series throughout the years. Most well known for being a Bird of Prey, she has a long history that tends to be hard to track. Instead of hunting down all of the issues, this guide has every one of her appearances in the attempt to follow her chronologically, but where her movements couldn’t be followed the natural passing of time was used to follow the story. 

This is both a reading list and a completionist guide. This means there will be times when the issue only has a cameo of Helena. For a casual reader this list may be a little much. If that is the case click [here] for a shorter list that can get you started on Helena. 

Moving onto Content Warnings. 

There will be mentions and depictions of Sexual Assault of Adults and Minors, Slavery, PTSD, and Murder. These are some of the big Content Warnings. That being said let’s get started. 

[Start Here]

Huntress (1989) #1, #2 

Justice League America (1987-1996) #26 

Huntress (1989) #3 - #6 

Justice League America (1987-1996) #30, #31

Huntress (1989) #7 - #12

Justice League America (198-1996) #35 

Time Masters (1990) #1 

Huntress (1989) #13 - #19 

Justice League International Special (1990) #1

Justice League America (1987-1996) #42

Justice League International Special (1991) #2

Armageddon (1991) #2 

Detective Comics (1937-2011) #652, #653 

Robin III: Cry of the Huntress #1 - #6 

Justice League Europe (1989-1994) #47 - #50 

Detective Comics (1937-2011) #662

Showcase ‘93 (1993)  #9 , #10

Black Canary (1993) # 9 - #12

Green Arrow (1997-1998) #83 

Showcase ‘94 (1994) #5 

Robin (1993-2009) #6 

Showcase ‘94 (1994) #6 

Huntress (1994) #1 - #4

Robin (1993-2009) #17

Detective Comics (1937-2011) #686

The Batman Chronicles (1995-2000) #1 

Underworld Unleashed (1995) #2 , #3

Batman (1940-2011) #529

Batman: Shadow of the Bat (1992-1999) #49

Detective Comics (1937-2011) #698

The Batman Chronicles (1995-2000) #4

Batman: Shadow of the Bat (1992-1999) #53

Batman (1940-2011) #533

Detective Comics (1937-2011) #701

Robin (1993-2009) #33 , #34

Birds of Prey: Manhunt (1996) #1 - #4

Detective Comics (1937-2011) #703

Green Lantern (1990-2004) #81 

Robin (1993-2009) Annual #6 , #45

Genesis (1997) #1 - #4

Catwoman (1993-2001) #51 , #52 

Spectre (1992-1998) #62

JLA (1996-2006) #16 - #19 

Nightwing and Huntress (1998) #1 - #4 

Batman 80-Page Giant (1998/1999) #1 

Green Lantern (1990-2004) #103

Superman: Doomsday Wars (1998-1999) #1 - #3 

DC One Million (1998) #1 , #2 

JLA (1996-2006) #1,000,000 

DC One Million (1998) #3, #4

JLA Secret Files (1997-2000) #2

JLA (1996-2006) #24 - #26 

Hourman (1999-2001) #1

Nightwing (1996-2009) #26 - #29 

JLA (1996-2006) #27 

JLA/Titans (1998/1999) #1 - #3

Batman 80-Page Gaint (1998/1999) #2

The Batman Chronicles (1995-2000) #19

Detective Comics (1937-2011) #720

Batman: Huntress/Spoiler - Blunt Trauma (1998) #1 

Detective Comics (1937-2011) #721

 The Batman Chronicles (1995-2000) #14 

Robin (1993-2009) #65

Batman: No Man’s Land (1999) #1 

Batman: Shadow of the Bat (1992-1999) #83 

Batman (1940-2011) #563 

Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight (1989-2010) #116 

Batman: Shadow of the Bat (1992-1999) #84

Batman (1940-2011) #564

Detective Comics (1937-2011) #731

Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight (1989-2010) #117

Batman (1940-2011) #565

Detective Comics (1937-2011) #732

Batman: Shadow of the Bat (1992-1999) #86

Detective Comics (1937-2011) #733

JLA (1996-2006) #28 - #31

Martian Manhunter (1998-2001) #6 - #9

JLA (1996-2006) #32

Martian Manhunter (1998-2001) Annual #2

Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight (1989-2010) #119

Batman: Shadow of the Bat (1992-1999) #87

Batman (1940-2011) #567

Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight (1989-2010) #120

Nightwing: Secret Files and Origins (1999) #1

Batman (1940-2011) #568

Catwoman (1993-2001) #72

Batman (1940-2011) #570

Detective Comics (1937-2011) #737

Batman: No Man’s Land - Secret Files & Origins (1999) #1

Batman: Shadow of the Bat (1992-1999) #93

The Batman Chronicles (1995-2000) #18

Nightwing (1996-2009) #38 - #39

Batman: No Man’s Land (1999) #0

Batman (1940-2011) #573

Detective Comics (1937-2011) #740

Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight (1989-2010) #126

Batman (1940-2011) #574

Detective Comics (1937-2011) #741

Batman: Shadow of the Bat (1992-1999) #94

Batman: Gotham Knights (2000-2006) #1

Batman: Gotham City Secret Files and Origins (2000) #1

JLA: Foreign Bodies (1999) #1 

JLA (1996-2006) #34 - #41

JLA: Secret Files and Origins (1997-2000) #3

Azrael: Agent of the Bat (1994-2203) #63 - #65 

Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E (1999/2000) #8

The Batman Chronicles (1995-2000) #15

Batman: Gotham Knights (2000-2006) #7

Batman/Huntress: Cry For Blood #1 - #6 

Batman: Outlaws (2000) #1 - #3

Nightwing (1996-2009) #52

Wonderwoman (1987-2006) #164 - #167

Justice League: Justice League of Amazons (2001) #1

Justice League: JL? (2001) #1

Superman: The Man of Steel (1991-2003) #109

Batman (1940-2011) #586

Batgirl (2000-2006) #18 

Batman (1940-2011) #591 

JLA (1996-2006) #58

Detective Comics (1937-2011) #763

Joker: Last Laugh (2001) #5 

Robin (1993-2009) #95 

Joker: Last Laugh (2001) #6

JLA: Incarnations (2001-2002) #7

Detective Comics (1937-2011) #773

Batman: Gotham Knights (2000-2006) #34, #35 

Nightwing (1996-2009) #75

JLA: Welcome to the Working Week (2003) #1

Batman: Family (2002-2003) #2, #4, #8 

Batman (1940-2011) #609

Batman: Gotham Knights (2000-2006) #37 - #40 

Action Comics (1938-2011) #802

Batman (1940-2011) #617 , #619

Bird of Prey: Secret Files and Origins (2003) #1

Birds of Prey (1998-2009) #57 - #61

Robin (1993-2009) #120

Batman: Gotham Knights (2000-2006) #48

Superman/Batman (2003-2011) #5 

Outsiders (2003-2007) #8 - #10

The Adventures of Superman (1987-2004) #623

Gotham Central (2002-2006) #17 , #18 

Batman: Gotham Knights (2000-2006) #50

Birds of Prey (1998-2009) #64 - #66

Outsiders (2003-2007) #12

Birds of Prey (1998-2009) #67 - #80

Teen Titans (2003-2011) #21

Birds of Prey (1998-2009) #81, #82

The OMAC Project (2005) #2

Birds of Prey (1998-2009) #83 , #84

Detective Comics (1937-2011) #809

JLA (2005-2008) #117, #119

Birds of Prey (1998-2009) #85 - #87

Nightwing (1996-2009) #112

Birds of Prey (1998-2009) #86 

JSA: Classified (2005-2008) #3

JLA (2005-2008) #121

Birds of Prey (1998-2009) #88 - #91

Infinite Crisis (2005-2006) #5 , #7

Adventures of Superman (1987-2006) #648

Villains United: Infinite Crisis Special (2006) #1

52 (2006-2007) #1 

Robin (1993-2009) #148

Birds of Prey (1998-2009) #92 - #99

Nightwing (1996-2009) #127

52 (2006-2007) #34

Birds of Prey (1998-2009) #100 - #103

52 (2006-2007) #48 , #52

Birds of Prey (1998-2009) #104 - #108

Justice League of America Wedding Special (2007) #1 

Green Arrow / Black Canary Wedding Special (2007) #1 

Birds of Prey (1998-2009) #110

Green Arrow and Black Canary (2007-2010) #1

Detective Comics (19337-2011) #837

Gotham Underground (2007/2008) #2 , #7

Birds of Prey (1998-2009) #111 - #115

Countdown to Mystery (2007/2008) #6 , #8, #9

Birds of Prey (1998-2009) #116

Birds of Prey (1998-2009) #117 - #119

Huntress: Year One (2008) #1 - #6

Manhunter (2004-2009) #33 - #36

Trinity (2008-2009) #9, #13 , #14 , #50

Final Crisis: Requiem (2008) #1

Final Crisis (2008/2009) #3

Birds of Prey (1998-2009) #120 - #123

DC Universe: Decisions (2008) #3

Secret Six (2008-2011) #1 , #7

Batman and the Outsiders (2007-2011) #13

Birds of Prey (1998-2009) #124 - #127

Batman and the Outsiders (2008/2009) #4 , #5

Batman: Battle for the Cowl (2009) #1 , #2 

Batman: Battle for the Cowl: Network (2009) #1

Batman: Battle for the Cowl (2009) #3

Batman: Streets of Gotham (2000-2011)  #3 - #6 , #9, #13

Blackest Night: Batman (2009) #2

Batman (1940-2011) #693 - #695 , #697 

Azrael (2009-2011) #2

Detective Comics (1937-2011) #859 - #663

Justice Society of America (2007-2011) #38

Detective Comics (1937-2011) #864, #865

Red Robin (2009-2011) #12

Batgirl (2009-2011) #10 , 11

Birds of Prey (2010-2011) #1 - #4

Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne (2010) #3

Birds of Prey (2010-2011) #5 , #6

Superman/Batman (2003-2011) #78

Birds of Prey (2010-2011) #7 - #10

Brightest Day (2010-2011)

Birds of Prey (2010-2011) #11

Batman Incorporated (2011) #6

Secret Six (2008-2011) #36

Birds of Prey (2010-2011) #12 - #15

Batman (1940-2011) #713 

Convergence: The Question (2015) #1, #2

New - 52 

Batwoman (2011-2015) #2

Secret Origins (2014-2015) #8 

Nightwing (2011-2014)  #30

Grayson (2014-2016) #1 - #5 ,Annual #1 , #6 - #11

Batgirl (2011-2016) Annual #3

Midnighter (2015) #3

Harley Quinn (2014-2016) #20

Grayson (2014-2016) Annual #2 

Batman & Robin Eternal (2015/2016) #2 , #3

Titans Hunt (2015-2016) #1 

Grayson (2014-2016) #13 , #14 

Batman & Robin Eternal (2015/2016) #5 

Midnighter (2015) #8 

Batman & Robin Eternal (2015/2016) #17

Grayson (2014-2016) #16 

Midnighter (2015) #9

Batman & Robin Eternal (20115/2016) #18 - #20

Grayson (2014-2016) #17

Midnighter (2015) #10

Batman & Robin Eternal (20115/2016) #23 , #24 

Grayson (2014-2016) #18

Batman & Robin Eternal (20115/2016) #25

Midnighter (2015) #11

Grayson (2014-2016) #19

Midnighter (2015) #12

Grayson (2014-2016) #20 Annual #3

Rebirth 

DC Universe: Rebirth (2016) #1 

Nightwing: Rebirth (2016) #1 

Batgirl and the Birds of Prey: Rebirth (2016) #1 

Batgirl and the Birds of Prey (2016-2018) #1 - #4

Nightwing (2016-) #9 

Batgirl and the Birds of Prey (2016-2018) #5 - #13 

Nightwing (2016-) #26 - #28 

Batgirl and the Birds of Prey (2016-2018) #14

Nightwing (2016-) #30 , #31

Batgirl and the Birds of Prey (2016-2018) #15 - #22

The Hellblazer (2016-2018) #19 - #24 

The Unexpected (2018-2019) #3 , #4 

Green Arrow (2016-2019) #45

Aquaman/Justice League: Drowned Earth (2018) #1 

Detective Comics (2016-) #1000

Batman (2016-) #71 

Action Comics (1938-) #1011

Harley Quinn (2016-2020) #64 

Batgirl (2016-2020) #39 

DC Villains Giant (2019) #1 

Batman (2016-) #81 - #83

Birds of Prey: Sirens of Justice (2020) #1 

Birds of Prey (2020-) #1 

Batgirl (2016-2020) #50

Dark Knights: Death Metal (2020) #5

Infinite Frontier 

Infinite Frontier #0 

Detective Comics (2016-) #1034 - #1039

The Other History of the Dc universe (2021) #5 

Batman Secret Files; Huntress (2021) #1

Detective Comics (2016-) #1041 , #1042 , #1046

Robins (2021-2022) #4, #5

Detective Comics (2016-) #1047. #1049 - #1058 , #1061

Nightwing (2016-) #95

Batman: Dear Detective #1 

Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths (2022) #5

Batman (2016) #129

Nightwing (2016-) #98

Lazarus Planet: Dark Fate (2023) #1

[Current Present: July 2023]

Else Worlds and Others 

Harley Quinn and the Birds of Prey (2020) #1 - #4

Superman and Batman: World’s Funniest (2000) #1 

JLA: Act of God (2000-2001) #1

Future State: 

Future State: Dark Detective (2021) #1 , #3

Future State: Nightwing (2021) #1 , #2 

DCeased: 

DCeaased (2019) #3, #4

DCeased: Unkillable: #1

DC vs. Vampires: 

DC vs. Vampires (2021-2023) #2 , #10 , #11

DCAU: 

Superman & Batman Magazine (1993-1995) #1 , #4

The Batman & Robin Adventures (1995-1997) #19 

Justice League Unlimited (2004-2008) #20 , #22 , #27 , #31 , #36

Batman: The Adventures Continue Season Two (2021-2022) #3

Injustice: 

Injustice: Year Zero (2020-2021) Chapter #1 , #2 

Injustice: Gods Among Us (2013-2016) #6 , #7 , #9 , #11 , 12

Injustice: Gods Among Us - Year Two (2013-2016) #3 , #6 , #7 - #11 , Annual #1

Injustice: Gods Among us - Year Three (2013-2016) #2 , #6 , #9 - #12

Injustice: Gods Among Us - Year Four (2013-2016) #1 

Flashpoint: 

Flashpoint: Emperor Aquaman (2011) #2 , #3 

Flashpoint: Wonder Woman and the Furies (2011) #2 , #3

Flashpoint: Lois Lane and the Resistance (2011) #2

Convergence (2015) #6 , #7 

Tiny Titans:

Tiny Titans (2008-2012) #45

Bombshells: 

DC Comics: Bombshells (2015-2017) #6 , #10 , #16 , #17 , #18 , #26 

Bombshells: United (2017-2018) #36

Batman: The Brave and The Bold:

Batman: The Brave and The Bold (2009-2010) #11 , #14

All-New Batman: The Brave and The Bold (2011-202) #4

Lil’Gotham: 

Batman: Lil’Gotham (2013-2014) #3 , #5 , #6 , #8 , #10 , #12

Scooby-Doo: 

Scooby-Doo Team-Up (2018) #34

The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries (2021-) #5 , #12

Other Appearances (Crossovers) 

Batman Versus Predator II (1993/1994) # 1 - #4

JLA/Witchblade (2000-2001) #1

Avengers/JLA (2003/2004) #4

Other Characters to hold the name, Huntress: 

Paula Brooks

Helena Wayne

Carol Danvers (Amalgamverse)

Charlotte Gage-Radcliffe

>~<>~<>~<>~<

To the Helena Bertinelli fans I hope you enjoy! 

@inkareds​ I finished the complete guide if you want to check it out. 

If I made any mistakes or forgot something leave a comment, or send me a message. I tried to include everything, but I could have messed up. I will also try to update this as new Huntress stuff comes out, so the list may grow. 

[cowboysorceror]

PART I:

1. The Department of Truth, #7. / 2. "Fantine's Death," Les Miserables. / 3. The Department of Truth, #7. / 4. King John, William Shakespeare. / 5. The Department of Truth, #7. / 6. "A Refusal To Mourn The Death, By Fire, Of A Child In London," by Dylan Thomas. / 7. Detective Comics, #533. / 8. King John, William Shakespeare. / 9. Green Arrow: Black Canary, #4. /

[momachan]

Pre-Crisis Jason Todd becomes Robin, the Saga! 😄

Pause the video to read it.

Batman (1940-2011) #357. "Squid."

Detective Comics (1937-2011) #524. "Deathgrip."

Batman (1940-2011) #358. "Don't Mess With Killer Croc."

Detective Comics (1937-2011) #525. "Confrontation."

Batman (1940-2011) #359. "Hunt."

Detective Comics (1937-2011) #526. "All My Enemies Against Me!"

Batman (1940-2011) #364. "The Man Of A Thousand Menaces."

Detective Comics (1937-2011) #531. "The Face Of The Chimera."

Batman (1940-2011) #365. "Ruins."

Detective Comics (1937-2011) #532. "Laugh, Killer, Laugh!"

Batman (1940-2011) #366. "The Joker Is Wild."

Detective Comics (1937-2011) #533. "Look To The Mountaintop."

Batman (1940-2011) #367. "The Green Ghosts Of Gotham."

Detective Comics (1937-2011) #534. "Brambles."

Batman (1940-2011) #368. "A Revenge Of Rainbows."

Detective Comics (1937-2011) #535. "A Hole In A Quilt Of Madness."

[tiffanybluesclues]

HELLO! I'm making an obnoxiously long meta about the inconsistencies of Dick's and Bruce's relationship. I'm ALMOST finishes but I need an instance of adult-ish Dick Grayson saying that he didn't want Bruce to be his father pre-flashpoint

Also if you have instances of the writer hammering they're brothers pre-flashpoint that'd be cool as hell too, but I already got at least one instance of it (when dick goes to college)

Thank you in advance!!!! I'm still on the Kory-Bruce meta lmao I'm so annoyed he barely mentions her lmaooo

Somewhere in the decades and decades of pre-Flashpoint DC Comics, there may be an instance where Dick Grayson (as an adult or at least as a teenager) said he didn't want Bruce to be his father, but I've never seen it and I'm kind of glad I haven't because tbh based on what I *have* seen it would be Dick lying to himself.

I'm guessing the page that inspired your quest is this court scene from "Batman: Year 3" (1989)?

– Batman #439, 09/1989.

Maybe it was a modernized explanation for why Bruce took Dick in as a ward instead of adopting him – as opposed to the version in Batman #213 (08/1969), with the court saying Bruce couldn't adopt because he was a bachelor.

Something that speaks volumes to me is that in the same story as the above court scene, in the preceding issue actually, Dick thinks to himself that Bruce was like father to him. There is no internal conflict in this statement, no thought about how he at some point didn't want this. "He was like a FATHER to me and I LOVED him." He follows that up with a sad reminder of the distance between him and post-Crisis Bruce: "...and though he could NEVER bring himself to say it, I know he loved me too."

– Batman #438, 08/1989 or 09/1989.

You're familiar with the college-send-off, so please keep it in mind when you read this scene with [regard to] Bruce and pre-Crisis Jason.

– pages from Batman #376, 10/1984.

Alfred's response makes sense, it's a good explanation. It's also a complete rewrite of history, so these two are lying to themselves – or, more likely, the writers are trying to emphasize the current day stakes and emotions at the expense of the past. With the above panels in mind, let's look again at how Bruce actually reacted when Dick left home...

– pages from Batman #217, 12/1969.

Oh suuuuure, he definitely didn't mope around feeling lonely and depressed at all – and closing up Wayne Manor and moving out was a ~totally~ chill and non-dramatic reaction to Dick leaving for college... lol, okay, Bruce. I guess 159 issues and almost 15 years can make memories faulty.

The following are two pages I saved because of their references to the history that Bruce and Dick share. I want to highlight the page on the left though, because on a single page this comic manages to pay respect to the long history between Dick and Bruce while also disrespecting Dick's role as a surrogate son in Bruce's life.

– pages from Detective Comics #533, 12/1983; The New Titans #61, 12/1989.

That final yellow panel is so rude to me lol, like how dare you say "for the first time" as if like-a-son-to-him Dick Grayson didn't happen.

Comics from the 60s and 70s were probably the peak time for the idea that Bruce and Dick were like brothers. As far as I can tell though, writers didn't really have other characters describe them as brothers. I've seen mentor & apprentice, friends, partners, guardian & ward, knight & squire, and (primarily when there are no other children in the mix) of course Dick is also described as Bruce's heir pretty often.

I feel like, compared to Batman comics, the 1980s Teen Titans comics were more willing to say Bruce and Dick had a father and son relationship. Donna even contrasts her sisterly relationship with Diana to the parent and child relationship of Bruce and Dick during "Who Is Donna Troy?"

– The New Teen Titans #38, 01/1984 (Donna); The New Titans #61, 12/1989 (Alfred); The Brave and the Bold #197 04/1983 (Golden Age/Earth Two Bruce Wayne).

At least they let Earth Two Bruce remain true to Golden Age vibes.

My headcanon is always that he is the Bruce who every Dick Grayson grew up with, regardless of era, regardless of rewrites. Here are some panels that kind of support that – a significant factor in how Dick views Bruce is that he had a "softer" version of him than the man we see now.

– Batman: Gotham Knights #26, 04/2002 (Barbara); Nightwing #134, 09/2007 (Dick in flashback); Batman #437, 08/1989 or 09/1989 (Dick again).

A repeated theme from Dick is that he is insecure about his place in Bruce's life, and in some instances Bruce even made it clear that Dick's role was as a soldier, or at best a partner, and that being part of his family was conditional.

– left: pages from Robin: Year One - Part 2, Part 3, Part 3, Part 4, 01/2001.

right: panels from Robin: Year One - Part 4, 01/2001; Batman: Gotham Knights #43 09/2003; Action Comics #613, 08/1988; same; Nightwing #134, 09/2007; Nightwing Secret Files #1, 10/1999; same.

With that underlying insecurity, and the deep love and loyalty that Dick has for Bruce, I think that by the time he came of age it's likely that Dick actively wanted Bruce to be his father.

The first 20 or so issues of Gotham Knights offered some great material about their familial relationship (leading up to the adoption storyline). In issue #14 Dick writes a letter that he still never send. I swear half the delay in my response was probably me deciding which panels to include from this because it is a gold mine for the kind of meta you're writing.

– panels from Batman: Gotham Knights #14, 04/2001.

& with that I've hit the image limit, but I'll reblog with some panels on the point about how Bruce and Dick were often described as friends (something I saw possibly just as often as ward and heir).

[somewherefornow]

BRUCE WAYNE & JASON TODD in DETECTIVE COMICS (1937) #533

[mekatrio]

also one more thing about that lame paper; this is also from the passage abt jason todd's history:

Determined to keep Batman and Robin II from becoming the homo-romantic duo again, Batman writers stripped away Batman’s affection for his sidekick.

like this is not true at all for both pre and post crisis LIKE

batman #385 + detective comics #533 (pre-crisis)

detective comics #575 (post-crisis)

like theres so many more examples aside from these like i think only after jason's death did batman's affection really take a dip? i think? (i did not read the devil drake's robin run so idk) like so much in this paper is straight up WRONG and this is just me nitpicking one (1) passage..... booooooo

[yesterdanereviews]

Men in Black (1997)

Film review #533

Director: Barry Sonnenfeld

SYNOPSIS: N.Y.P.D. detective James Edwards chases down a criminal that turns out to be an alien, but no one believes him, until a mysterious man dressed in black turns up, and ultimately wipes his memory. He does however, give him the chance to prove himself, and James becomes Agent J, the newest member of the Men in Black, a secret organisation that monitors and regulates alien activity on Earth. Meanwhile, an intergalactic threat that endangers the Earth emerges, and agents J and K must stop the alien menace and prevent the planet’s destruction.

THOUGHTS/ANALYSIS: Men in Black is a 1997 sci-fi film loosely based on the comic series of the same name. The film centres around a secret organisation (unsurprisingly) called the Men in Black: who monitor and regulate alien activity on Earth, while keeping their existence hidden from the public. NYPD detective James Edwards chases down a suspect which turns out to be an alien in disguise, but no one believes him. That is, until a man dressed in a black suit arrives and confirms his suspicion that aliens are real. The man wipes James’ memory, but gives him the opportunity to join the Men in Black. The best part of the film is definitely between agents J and K, as Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones fit in to their roles perfectly, and their chemistry is very entertaining. It’s perhaps a bit cliché with J being the streetwise, wisecracking cop, and K being the dry-humoured, grizzled veteran, but they definitely make the roles their own, and together they just work so well. The supporting cast also fit their roles well, and have very specific roles to play. The other plotline other than Agent K training J is one that involves a bug-like alien attempting to find a miniature galaxy that doubles as an energy source, and a diplomatic incident that threatens to end in the earth's destruction. It’s not as interesting a plot point than J and K’s development, and when the film moves towards the climax, the film does lose focus a bit. Nevertheless, it’s still an entertaining ride, and a comfortable runtime so that it doesn’t overstay it’s welcome.

The film makes considerable effort to create it’s world, and the sets, designs and effects all help build it up into something imaginative and fun. The Men in Black headquarters, and their weapons and gadgets are slick, the alien designs are varied and obviously have had a lot of effort put into them, and although the CG has obviously aged a bit since 1997, it still looks decent and doesn’t disrupt the enjoyment of the film. Add to this the recognisable soundtrack by Danny Elfman, and you have a very competent production all round. Apart from the film losing momentum near the end, Men in Black is a fun, entertaining film that gets the best out of it’s cast and those behind the scenes. It was also successful enough to launch a franchise, including sequels, an animated series, and video games. The film opens up plenty of possibilities to be explored, but never gets too heavy with the lore and exposition, and focuses on being an entertaining film that, while leans a lot on the buddy-cop trope and the rookie partnered with a veteran, it has enough of a twist on it, and amplified by the lead’s chemistry, it feels fresh enough. It still holds up as a good film with enough humour and action to make it worth a watch if you’ve never seen it before.

[raindropsonroses123]

January Reads

Fiction

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas-2/5-fantasy romance; was hoping for a fun guilty pleasure given all the hype but was never able to get into it :/

How to Speak Dragonese by Cressida Cowell-5/5-children’s fantasy; listening to these excellent childhood favorites on audiobooks, David Tennant narrates, absolutely perfect

The Diviners by Libba Bray-4/5-magical realism 1920s NYC; strong prose and some very strong characters, found other characters/plot beats a little annoying, fun setting

The Project by Courtney Summers-3/5-cult mystery; well-written but didn’t get very invested until the end

How to Twist a Dragon’s Tale by Cressida Cowell-5/5

Nonfiction

Capitalism, Socialism, and Democracy by Joseph A Schumpeter-4/5-economics; a little difficult for an amateur to get through but brilliant insights, great prose, some incredibly stupid ideas

Comics

Batman: A Death in the Family

Batman (1940) #357-367

Detective Comics (1937) #524-533

can you tell I'm in my Jason Todd era

[jehault]

Since some times, Jason is overly dramatic about his batfamily. I needed a reminder of good times between Jay and Batdad.

He may be a loner but, if he needs, they will be there for him.

I'm pretty sure that Dick will be the first to come (big brother panicked for his little wing) XD

[lananiscorner]

there's been a lot of negativity cough, new issue, cough so for a breather - what would you consider the most heartwarming and/or the funniest thing that has ever happened to jason (any medium)? thank you and keep up the good work!!

Thank you for your ask, Anon.

Very good question! I haven’t read all of Jason’s material yet, but here are a few heartwarming moments that come to mind:

Batman: Arkham Knight: Bruce is a Good Batdad™, accepts his share of blame in what happened to Jason, and reaches out his hand in a gesture of peace and forgiveness.

Post Crisis: Dick hands Jason his old costume and his phone number and offers to be a Good Brother™, while Bruce smiles at them from the shadows.

Pre Crisis: Bruce actually uses his Words to express his Feelings and tells Jay that he wants to be like a father to him and that he knows he screwed up earlier. Fatherly hugging ensues.

Under The Red Hood movie: Jason’s first night as Robin.

[whothefuckisjasonpetertodd]

Detective Comics Vol 1 (1937) 533

We begin this issue with four crooks planning something. Fast forward one day, Barbara is finally leaving her father’s sickbed, five nights in, hopefully to get some rest. However, the crooks attack the hospital in an attempt to kill her dad and Barbara barely manages to call the police, before the hitmen cut the telephone lines, and Barbara passes out from the gas they pumped into the building just as she pushes her dad’s bed into an elevator to get him to the roof.

At GCPD, Bullock continues realizing what an utter jackass he’s been. He gets the message about the hospital and orders a SWAT team to be deployed. He also lights the bat signal.

At the manor, Jason is thinking about how Bruce told him he had no right to wear the Robin costume. He is utterly confused and the rejection still stings, but thankfully Bruce has gotten his cowl out of his butt and actually uses his words to explain his feelings and—gasp—apologize to Jason. He also tells him that he hopes Jason will one day look at him as his father. Can we please take this Bruce and let him knock some sense into the PostCrisis!Bruce? PLEASE? Also, holy shit, Jason is TINY in these panels. Good Batdad: 6

Later, Bruce sees the signal and hurries to the hospital, where he breaks up the group of thugs, takes out two of them, and finds Barbara and Jim, who is finally coming out of his coma. He manages to get them to the roof, where Babs helps him take down the remaining two assassins. All is well that ends well.

[sohotthateveryonedied]

All the Jason Todd (w/ Batfamily) Hugs I Could Find

⭐ Jason and Barbara: 

Batman Eternal #19

Batman Eternal #20

Batman: Three Jokers #2

Bonus:

Batman (2011) #17 (I know it’s not a hug but it’s still a cute moment okay)

⭐ Jason and Bruce: 

Red Hood and the Outlaws (2011) #18

Red Hood and the Outlaws (2016) #27

Detective Comics #533

Red Hood/Arsenal #3

Batman: Urban Legends #6

Infinite Crisis (2005) #3

⭐ Jason and Damian: 

Robin (2021) #5

DCeased: Dead Planet #2

DCeased: Dead Planet #5

⭐ Jason and Dick: 

Grayson #12

Bonus:

Red Hood and the Outlaws (2016) Annual #1

⭐ Jason and Tim: 

Batman: Urban Legends #6

Bonus: 

Batman: Wayne Family Adventures #2

Other Bonus: 

Batman and Robin Eternal #16 (it’s not a hug but forehead touches count because i say so)