#robin 152

[horsechestnut]

It's nice that Bruce is adopting Tim and being all supportive with him, but could he maybe spare two seconds to figure out why the hell Cass has decided to become a serial killer?

[all-else-hippy-pip]

“A good thing to do before you go on ‘Taskmaster’ is to bone up on the mechanics of an egg.” - John Robins

[bonesbitchesboutcomicbooks]

Robin Vol 2 #152

Ofc Bruce is a Clash fan

[razorblade180]

Full Counter!!!

115% CD

Yunli:Bigger.

Robin, Fu, Sparkle: *exist*

152% CD

Yunli:*gaing merit* Bigger!

Sparkle:I like your attitude! *buffs*

249% CD

Yunli:We can get BIGGER!

Robin:Riiiiiiiiise Up Into My~

274% CD

Fu Xuan:I think that high eno-

Yunli:I’m ending this in one blow! BIGGER! *counter stance*

374% Critical Damage

Yunli:SWING YOU COWARD!

Kafka:*inhales*…..*fires g-*

726,000K

xxxxx

Kafka:*wakes up*….When is it your turn to fight these people?

Blade:*bandaging her* Believe me, I wish I was in your position.

[nightwingapologist]

Not only does Tim listen to punk, he has opinions about what is/isn’t classic punk because of course he does

Robin #152

[timdrakequotes]

Bruce: How’s the moving going? I know you ever really settled in after we converted the stables into an apartment for you… But with the adoption proceeding…

Tim: I’m cool with it. The mansion’s so big, I’ll have plenty of space to myself if I want it.

--Tim Drake with Bruce Wayne (Robin #152 – It All Comes Back Around)

[timdrakesbussy]

My SDV height + age hcs

(Quick note: I am a short girl, like not even 160 cm (5’3) so my perception of tall people may be different from yours. Also, I used metric system so if the feet and inches are wrong, do tell so I can correct it)

Bachelorettes

• Abigail

I actually like her to be so short that she made Sebastian look tall and Sam looked like a giant so maybe at most 160 cm (5’3) but I like her to be 155 cm (5’1). To me, she’s the youngest in the trio but not by much so maybe 21-22.

• Emily

She and Haley (and Leah) are the taller bachelorettes, definitely above 170 cm (5’7) not as tall as Haley but still pretty tall. I think she’s about 173 cm (5’8). She’s definitely one of the older bachelorettes and I like her a bit older than Leah so 31-32.

• Haley

The tallest bachelorette, she could be a model in the city due to her beauty and height. She’s at LEAST 175 cm (5’9) but she can be taller. A bit older than Abigail, so 23.

• Leah

One of the taller bachelorettes but still shorter than the sisters, 170 cm (5’7) is perfect to me. She’s a bit younger than Emily and Elliott but still one of the older marriageable character so 28-30 years old.

• Maru

Despite both Robin and Demetrius being tall, Maru is average at most. She’s not short but not as tall either, I think 165 cm (5’5) is perfect height for her. IMO she’s the youngest bachelorette and the youngest marriageable character overall, she’s a genius so I think she skipped grades and gets degree earlier. 19-20 years old.

• Penny

If Abigail is short, then Penny is tiny. Her and Pam are very short so they make many of the residents look tall, she’s no more than 152 cm (5’0). She’s slightly older than the ASS trio (+Alex and Haley) but she’s not part of the older marriageable characters so she’s about 24-25 years old.

Bachelors

• Alex

He’s a pretty tall and athletic guy, definitely above average so I think he’s about 183-185 cm (6’0-6’1). He’s the same age as Haley, Sebastian, and Sam (23 years old).

• Elliott

He’s built like those hunks in bodice ripper novel covers so he’s TALL, at the very least he’s 188 cm (6’2). He’s one of the older marriageable character and he’s definitely in his 30s, my hc is that he’s the youngest one in the trio of older bachelors so I think he’s about 32 years old.

• Harvey

He’s like a Slenderman, very tall and lanky. To me, he’s the tallest bachelor and one of the tallest characters. He’s actually 195 cm (6’4ish) but he has terrible posture so he looks 190-191 cm (6’3). He’s the oldest canon marriageable character and he has MD so he’s at least 34 years old but I think he’s 37.

• Sam

He’s above average but has long limbs that made him look taller, he’s 180-182 cm (5’11) but sometimes likes to claim he’s 6’0. Despite acting like a teenager, he’s 23.

• Sebastian

Robin might be tall but he did not get her genes on that one, the rest? Sure, especially his face but not height, sadly. I think 173 cm (5’8) is the perfect height for him, but sometimes I like to make him 170 cm (5’7) for shits and giggles. 23 years old.

• Shane

SHORT KING, shortest bachelor and at most he’s 165 cm (5’5). He’s in his 30s (34-36 to be more specific).

Others

Caroline: 47 years old, 162 cm (5’3)

Clint: 38 years old, 194 cm (6’3)

Demetrius: 48 years old, 196 cm (6’4)

Evelyn: 83 years old, 151 cm (4’11)

George: 82 years old, 175 cm (5’9)

Gil: 56 years old, 177 cm (5’10)

Gunther: 45 years old, 178 cm (5’10)

Gus: 54 years old, 179 cm (5’10)

Jas: 7 years old, 124 cm (4’0)

Jodi: 41 years old, 158 cm (5’2)

Kent: 42 years old, 190 cm (6’3)

Leo: 8 years old, 118 cm (3’10)

Lewis: 63 years old, 173 cm (5’7)

Linus: 58 years old, 176 cm (5’9)

Marlon: 53 years old, 185 cm (6’1)

Marnie: 51 years old, 160 cm (5’3)

Morris: 49 years old, 180 cm (5’11)

Mr. Qi: 36 years old, 187 cm (6’2)

Pam: 54 years old, 150 cm (4’11)

Pierre: 47 years old, 174 cm (5’8)

Prof. Snail: 67 years old, 167 cm (5’6)

Rasmodius: He either aged slowly so he’s old but looked younger or he aged normally, if the latter then he’s 50 years old. 192 cm (6’3)

Robin: 46 years old, 178 cm (5’10)

Sandy: 34 years old, 183 cm (6'0)

Vincent: 7 years old, 126 cm (4’1)

Willy: 55 years old, 183 cm (6’0)

BONUS

(Some) Expanded

Andy: 48 years old, 181 cm (5’11)

Claire: 26 years old, 166 cm (5’5)

Lance: 27 years old, 186 cm (6’1)

Martin: 16 years old, 176 cm (5’9)

Olivia: 50 years old, 163 cm (5’3)

Scarlett: 21 years old, 164 cm (5'4)

Sophia: 21 years old, 162 cm (5’3)

Susan: 42 years old, 168 cm (5’6)

Victor: 22 years old, 178 cm (5’10)

[legionofzoom]

OWEN MERCER READING GUIDE

Owen Mercer is the son of Digger Harkness (Captain Boomerang) and Meloni Thawne, having been conceived while Digger was trapped in the 30th century. Owen never got to learn Meloni was his mother, and it was never revealed how Owen was sent back to the 21st century.

Owen longed to meet his birth father, but when Digger was killed after a mission to assasinate Tim Drake's father Jack Drake, Owen took the mantle of Captain Boomerang, Jr.

Owen's time in comics was short, but eventful. He was a member of the Rogues, Suicide Squad, SSoSV and Outsiders; before he was killed in Blackest Night.

Owen Mercer is brothers with Bart Allen aka Impulse.

This list contains all the comics Owen had been in, in chronological order.

Happy reading!

Identity Crisis (2004) #3-6

The Flash #217, #219 (cameo)

The Flash (1987) Extra 1/2 (Takes place between #219 and #220)

The Flash (1987) #220-223, #225

Outsiders (2003) #32-38

Robin (1993) #152

Outsiders (2003) #39

Robin (1993) #153

Supergirl (2005) #9

Outsiders (2003) #40

Supergirl (2005) #10

Outsiders (2003) #41-42

Supergirl (2005) #11-12

Outsiders (2003) #43

Supergirl (2005) #13

Outsiders (2003) #44

Supergirl (2005) #14-15

Outsiders (2003) #46

Outsiders (2003) Annual 1

Supergirl (2005) #16

Checkmate (2006) #13

Outsiders (2003) #47

Checkmate (2006) #14

Supergirl (2005) #19

Outsiders (2003) #48

Checkmate (2006) #15

Outsiders (2003) #49-50

Outsiders: Five of a Kind - Nightwing/Boomerang (2007)

Suicide Squad (2007) #3 (cameo), #4-8

Manhunter (2004) #34 (cameos in #33, #35-36)

DC Universe Holiday Special (2009)

Blackest Night: The Flash (2009) #1-3

CAMEO APPEARANCES This is the list of comic book issues where Owen had cameo appearances. He had none to few lines in these issues and didn't have any impact on the events occured in them. They are also listed in chronological order.

52 (2006) #24, #33-34, #45

Countdown (2007) #39

All Flash (2007) In this one-shot, Owen captures Heat-Wave and Weather Wizard, two of the Rogues responsible for Bart's death.

Justice League of America (2006) #15, #17-18.

Robin (1993) #165 (Flashback only)

Catwoman (2002) #74

Salvation Run (2007) #2

Gotham Underground (2007) #1, #3, #6

Blackest Night (2009) #1

[frankenstein-ate-my-left-shoe]

okay i went down a rabbit hole of names and here’s what i found out

each name is either from their birth year's top 100 in indiana, or their decade's general US top 200 for their decade if it's before 1960

Steve:

in the 60s, Steven (with a V not a PH!!) was #11 on the most popular baby names list in the US.

specifically in indiana in 1967 (1986-19 years old), it was #15

Steve’s parents would definitely be in the top most common names in my mind:

in the 40s, Richard was the #5 most popular name, so good job naming Steve’s dad ‘Dick’, everyone, it’s entirely possible.

looking at the 40s list’s top 10, Linda at #2 stood out most for Steve’s mom.

Eddie:

in the 60s, Edward was #29 on the most popular baby names list in the US, 'Eddie' by itself was #112, Edwin #155.

specifically in indiana in 1965 (1986-est. 21 years old), Edward was #42

There weren’t any other names that started with ‘Ed’ on the 1965 indiana list.

In my own personal headcanon though, with Eddie being short for Theodore, it’s a whole other story:

Theodore is #152 for the whole US in the 60s, and doesn’t appear in Indiana’s top 100 for 1965 BUT my headcanon is that his mom named him after her dad, who would’ve est. been born in the 20s. (Her in the 40s, Eddie in the 60s) and the name Theodore was #64 in the 20s.

the other Munsons:

Wayne was #49 on the 1930s list (taking into account Joel Stoffer’s age for this one, I’m thinking he’s Eddie’s dad’s older brother).

Albert was #47 on the 1940s list (i’m just assuming Al is short for Albert)

Eddie’s mom was harder, but when I thought about it, the first name that popped into my head for her was Margaret (#13, 1940s), but I think she’d go by Peggy, (#42, 1940s) which matches Wayne and Al’s location on the list.

the rest of the spicy six, indiana top 100, 1968 (seniors/est. 18 in ‘86):

Nancy: #47

Robin: #43 (actually surprised this was on the list!)

Jonathan (no really, this spelling specifically): #64

Argyle: not on the top 100 in California, or on the general 60s list

The Party, indiana top 100, 1971 (freshmen/est. 15 in ‘86)

Michael: #1

William: #10

Dustin: #103 for the US in the 70s, not on top 100 for indiana, 1971

Lucas: not on either US 70s or indiana 1971 list

Jane: not on either US 70s or indiana 1971 list

Maxine: not on either US 70s or indiana 1971 list

Erica (11 in ‘86, born 1975): #63 on top 100 for indiana, 1975

a few of the other adults i saw while doing this (general US 1940s list):

Joyce: #19

James: #1

Robert: #2

Karen: #16

Theodore: #98

Lonnie: #146 (again, was actually surprised this name was even on the list!)

[feh-alt-battle]

Poll 152 - F!Robin

Please do not criticize any art you may not like or compare one art to another in terms of quality, it's unkind and downplays the amount of work that the feh artists put into them. Please treat the feh artists how you would as any other artist - with kindness and with love.

Artists in order: Ueda Yumehito, Fujikawa Akira, Mayo, Yoshiro Ambe

Notes: Grima Robins are not included because Grima Robins get their own poll. Robin: Vessels of Fate is too new to qualify

[merthurallure]

My next submission for day two of @harringrove-flip-reverse-it ! This one is a mood board and a little drabble.

Prompt: Trope Subversion - Arranged Marriage

Title: Say You Will

Rating: G

Word Count: 152

Steve’s newest modeling job is full of surprises.

Steve probably should’ve paid more attention when his agent was explaining his newest job.

He’d only heard “new wedding line” and was expecting a normal shoot modeling a few different formal suits, and maybe posing with another model wearing some white gowns. It was only a little bit surprising that the other model ended up being another man, Steve had recently come out to the public so it made sense.

What really shocked him was the fact that it was his old high school rival, Billy Hargrove. And damn had he aged well.

Even more surprising were the sparks he felt when the photographer had them kiss, and the scrap of paper with a phone number written on it that Billy had slipped into his pocket. Apparently Robin was right when she had said all that anger was “clearly just repressed homosexuality”.

For once Robin being right was actually a good thing.

[ao3feed-brucewayne]

the day i finally ask for help (even though the thing i'm asking help for is so mundane)

by hazen_o7 i pulled an accidental all-nighter while reading batfam-centric fics when i suddenly remembered this one fic i read sometime in late 2023 (i think) where tim makes a tiktok acc where he makes and posts shit as red robin and eventually ropes in the other batfam into his videos and i am desperate to find it Words: 152, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English Fandoms: Batman - All Media Types, DCU, DCU (Comics), Batman (Comics) Rating: Not Rated Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Characters: Jason Todd, Cassandra Cain, Stephanie Brown, Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson, Damian Wayne, Tim Drake, Duke Thomas via https://ift.tt/wOmCeZY

[magnetothemagnificent]

I guess it's time I share my list of birds from this past Jewish year (I've been keeping two Big Year lists, Jewish year and secular year). All are from the US, except the last few which are indicated.

1. Ruby-crowned kinglet

2. American Robin

* Leucistic American Robin

3. Song sparrow

4. Rock pigeon

* Melanistic rock pigeon

5. Chipping sparrow

6. Hairy woodpecker

7. Mourning dove

8. Northern flicker

9. Eastern towhee

10. White crowned sparrow

11. White-throated sparrow

12 Savannah sparrow

13. House sparrow

14. European starling

15. American Crow

16. Common Raven

17. Gray catbird

18. Northern mockingbird

19. Canada Goose

20. Spotted Sandpiper

21. American herring gull

22. Marsh wren

23. Limpkin

24. Great white heron

25. Cattle egret

26. Anhinga

27. Snowy egret

28. Great blue heron

29. Black-crowned night heron

30. Wood stork

31. Common gallinule

32. Blue-gray gnatcatcher

33. Turkey vulture

34. Black vulture

35. Yellow rumped warbler

36. Tufted titmouse

37. Little blue heron

38. White ibis

39. Cooper's hawk

40. Cardinal

41. Green heron

42. Carolina wren

43. Palm warbler

44. Pine warbler

45. Sandhill crane

46. Carolina chickadee

47. Bluejay

48. Osprey

49. Chimney swift

50. Red-tailed hawk

51. Prairie warbler

52. American kestrel

53. Glossy ibis

54. Pied-billed grebe

55. Double-crested cormorant

56. Grey kingbird

57. Brown pelican

58. Fish crow

59. Royal tern

60. Bald eagle

61. Painted bunting

62. American white pelican

63. Common grackle

64. Boat-tailed grackle

65. Great-tailed grackle

66. American purple gallinule

67. American coot

68. Brown-headed cowbird

69. Tricolored heron

70. Mallard

71. Black-bellied whistling duck

72. Eastern kingbird

73. Yellow-billed cuckoo

74. Muscovy duck

75. American bittern

76. Ring-billed gull

77. American Pekin

78. Mallard-Pekin hybrid

79. Eastern bluebird

80. Yellow-bellied sapsucker

81. Red-winged blackbird

82. White-eyed vireo

83. Mottled duck

84. Broad-winged hawk

85. Dark-eyed junco

86. Brown thrasher

87. Sharp-shinned hawk

88. House finch

89. Eastern Phoebe

90. Downy woodpecker

91. Fox sparrow

92. Loggerhead Shrike!!!!

93. White breasted nuthatch

94. Red-bellied woodpecker

95. Brown creeper

96. Pileated woodpecker

97. American goldfinch

98. House wren

99. Barn swallow

100. Tree swallow

101. Black and white warbler

102. Red eyed vireo

103. Yellow warbler

104. Mute swan

105. Rusty blackbird

106. Common yellowthroat

107. Warbling vireo

108. Northern waterthrush

109. Veery

110. Swamp sparrow

111. Wood duck

112. American redstart

113. Orchard oriole

114. Greater Yellowlegs

115. Lesser Yellowlegs

116. Baltimore oriole

117. Hermit thrush

118. Wood thrush

119. Ovenbird

120. Indigo bunting

121. Black-throated blue warbler

122. Scarlet tanager

123. Worm-eating warbler

124. Northern rough-winged swallow

125. Blue-headed vireo

126. Northern parula

127. Prothonotary warbler

128. Philadelphia vireo

129. Blackburnian warbler

130. Magnolia warbler

131. Cedar waxwing

132. Blackpoll warbler

133. Yellow-throated vireo

134. Eastern wood pewee

135. Acadian flycatcher

136. Tennessee warbler

137. Caspian tern

138. Laughing gull

139. Forster's tern

140. American oystercatcher

141. Green-winged teal

142. Purple Martin

143. Least tern

144. Field sparrow

145. Killdeer

146. Grey-cheeked thrush

147. Rose-breasted grosbeak

148. Great-crested flycatcher

149. Swainson's thrush

150. Bay-breasted warbler

151. Chestnut-sided warbler

152. Willow flycatcher

153. Ruby-throated hummingbird

154. Peregrine falcon

155. Hooded crow IL

156. Laughing dove IL

157. Eurasian collared dove IL

158. Eurasian jackdaw IL

159. Common myna IL

160. Rose-ringed parakeet IL

161. White spectacled bulbul IL

162. European bee eater IL

163. Chukar IL

164. Short toed snake eagle IL

165. White stork IL

166. Little egret IL

167. Pygmy cormorant IL

168. Eurasian hoopoe IL

169. Alpine swift IL

170. Graceful pinia IL

171. Eastern Olivaceous Warbler IL

172. Tristan's Starling IL

173. Fan tailed raven IL

174. Eurasian black cap IL

Here's to at least 200 next year!

[thatgirlwithasquid]

Stranger Things F/F Pairings AO3 Ranking

Yippee! It's that time of year again!! So, here are the rankings for st femslash ships between the teens.

These numbers are as of 5th March 2025

1. Robin Buckley/Nancy Wheeler with 8,885 works 

2. Robin Buckley/Vickie with 1,174 works 

3. Robin Buckley/Chrissy Cunningham with 862 works 

4. Robin Buckley/Heather Holloway with 274 works 

5. Barbara “Barb” Holland/Nancy Wheeler with 152 works 

6. Chrissy Cunningham/Nancy Wheeler with 95 works 

7. Robin Buckley/Barbara “Barb” Holland with 68 works 

8. Chrissy Cunningham/Heather Holloway with 57 works || Robin Buckley/Carol Perkins with 57 works 

10. Robin Buckley/Kali Prasad with 54 works

11. Kali Prasad/Nancy Wheeler with 53 works 

12. Robin Buckley/Tammy Thompson with 34 works 

13. Carol Perkins/Nancy Wheeler with 22 works 

14. Chrissy Cunningham/Vickie with 20 works 

15. Chrissy Cunningham/Carol Perkins with 18 works 

16. Chrissy Cunningham/Barbara “Barb” Holland with 13 works 

17. Eden Bingham/Chrissy Cunningham with 12 works 

18. Robin Buckley/Vicki Carmichael with 10 works 

19. Eden Bingham/Robin Buckley with 9 works 

20. Eden Bingham/Nancy Wheeler with 8 works 

21. Vickie/Nancy Wheeler with 7 works

22. Heather Holloway/Nancy Wheeler with 6 works 

23. Barbara “Barb” Holland/Carol Perkins with 5 works || Chrissy Cunningham/Tina with 5 works 

25. Barbara “Barb” Holland/Vickie with 4 works || Eden Bingham/Kali Prasad with 4 works 

27. Carol Perkins/Kali Prasad with 3 works || Carol Perkins/Eden Bingham with 3 works [NEW ARRIVAL!] || Chrissy Cunningham/Kali Prasad with 3 works || Barbara “Barb” Holland/Heather Holloway with 3 works || Chrissy Cunningham/Tammy Thompson with 3 works

32. Barbara “Barb” Holland/Kali Prasad with 2 works || Heather Holloway/Vickie with 2 works 

34. Heather Holloway/Eden Bingham with 1 work [NEW ARRIVAL!] || Heather Holloway/Kali Prasad with 1 work || Heather Holloway/Carol Perkins with 1 work || Tina/Nancy Wheeler with 1 work* || Carol Perkins/Tina with 1 work 

39. Tammy Thompson/Eden Bingham with 0 works [NEW ARRIVAL!]

* the issue with the Tina/Nancy tag being incorrectly made synonymous with Nancy Wheeler/Original Female Character(s) has been fixed!! I reached out to AO3 about the error and they seem to have sorted it. everyone say thank you AO3 volunteers!

Compared to last year... (see 2024 rankings)

the top 5 remain in the same ranking position

the largest increase in number of fics is: ronance, with 424 new works

the 2nd largest increase in number of fics is: bandcheer, with 253 new works

the largest increase in ranking is: cheerparty, with an increase of 6 places

the 2nd largest increase in ranking is: barb x vickie, with an increase of 5 places

Pairings with no ao3 tag:

Vicki Carmichael/Tina, Nancy Wheeler/Vicki Carmichael, Vickie/Eden Bingham, Vickie/Tina, Vickie/Vicki Carmichael, Heather Holloway/Tina, Heather Holloway/Vicki Carmichael, Eden Bingham/Tina, Eden Bingham/Vicki Carmichael, Carol Perkins/Vickie, Carol Perkins/Vicki Carmichael, Chrissy Cunningham/Vicki Carmichael, Barbara “Barb” Holland/Eden Bingham, Barbara “Barb” Holland/Tina, Barbara “Barb” Holland/Vicki Carmichael, Robin Buckley/Tina, Kali Prasad/Tina, Kali Prasad/Vickie, Kali Prasad/Vicki Carmichael, Tammy Thompson/Barbara “Barb” Holland, Tammy Thompson/Vickie, Tammy Thompson/Nancy, Tammy Thompson/Vicki Carmichael, Tammy Thompson/Heather Holloway, Tammy Thompson/Tina, Tammy Thompson/Carol Perkins, Tammy Thompson/Kali Prasad

Interested in other categories?

F/F pairings for the stranger things teens have a total of 11,932 fics on ao3. This is 733 less than F/M pairings and 36,113 less than M/M pairings.

[dailycass-cain]

How I Came to Appreciate Batgirl: Redemption Road More...

Once upon a time, I wasn't really fond of this story. I hated and loathed it. Since 2020 however, I gained a greater appreciation for the mini-series. Now it isn't on the top tier of Cassandra Cain stories, but I don't see it lower tier list anymore.

Why?

Well, I'm going to tell you, and maybe you'll appreciate this story too.

I fully confess this story more as a "Schrödinger's Cassandra Cain" story. There is a lot of bad in it, and yet there is a lot of good in it. First off, the one element I do enjoy is the art by Jim Calafiore.

There's a grit Calafiore brings to this story. It helps balance the good and the bad. The good is that he draws a very scary Cass. That and I do enjoy the opening homage to a certain two-clawed Wolverine in the opening spread:

Now for the very title of the series, you can interpret "redemption road" as two-fold: in writer Adam Beechen redeeming not only Cassandra in the eyes of the Bat-Family but redeeming himself with readers for well turning her heel back in Robin #150 and "Titans East" (Teen Titans #42-47). Cause let's face it-- it was not a good story by any means and did neither Cass or Beechen any further favors (but I digress, Geoff Johns, plotted that all out and there are "reasons" for Slade getting away free).

You have those factors and this little tale. So at Wizardworld Chicago 2008 I attended a panel where the infamous Dan DiDio revealed that Beechen bugged him for pitches and the one of approved was this mini.

He also revealed Beechen was the only one pitching stories on Cass (which was a half-lie, if you've seen my "Lost Tales of Cass" post, you know Chuck Dixon had a fill-in issue of Detective Comics ready to go telling how Cass/Bruce mended).

Course, by this time period Dixon was exiting Robin and Batman & the Outsiders so, yeah it was a "half-truth".

That made me angry back then, but now I see the why, and I'm okay with it. In his original ways of writing Cass, Beechen's attempts were-- not good. This was his chance to show readers he had really looked into the character's history and fix these issues that he himself put in.

Think about it we came from this in Robin #152:

To this. Beechen calling out the grand problem within the Bat-books (even now it seems). Cass is important in the Bat-Family, SO TREAT HER AS SUCH. Which he does by having Alfred (of course) pointing these things out.

But Alfred isn't the only one being meta in this story. I didn't even realize it, until 2020, but there is one other character playing a meta part in this comic, Nightwing.

If there's one HUGE gripe with this particular volume it is the relationship of Cass/Dick in it. We went to them being brother/sister.. to well. We have Dick literally acting like a dick to her.

Then it hit me.

Who was writing Nightwing at the time period? Peter Tomasi. Who treated the character of Cassandra like what Alfred says? Then suddenly Dick's characterization here began making sense much more sense (when you have this going right after this series as if that writer was flipping off Beechen) in Tomasi's final page of Nightwing:

Cass was supposedly living in the Manor at this time (per this story). Funny how she was "forgotten" in Nightwing. I guess Tomasi was REALLY spiteful because he revisited this subplot during the New 52 Batman & Robin too with Bruce even twisting the knife further:

Though for Beechen's purposes he revisits on WHY Cassandra should be a key member of the Bat-Family. Not only that, but Cass goes thru a journey that explores the limits of the Bat-Family's underlying culture of vengeance. And she reaches a natural conclusion to this (more on that later).

So let's get to the real bad. No not the 90s designed goons of David Cain or Deathstroke. No not the David Cain characterization. I'm talking about #1's wall of text that would make even Brian Michael Bendis blush.

This is only one page of it in the issue. We got TWO.

Until this issue, we never really got a "defined" timeline of Cass's EVIL period. We just figured OYL, Supergirl #14, Robin #161-162, and Titans East was how it happened. Turns out we were WRONG. Did we really need to see these pages of text? Not really.

In all honesty, I think a simpler solution would have been just tiny panels of Cass seeing the various people she killed when drugged up. At the very least, it would put faces on those Cass was forced to do. You could feel her rage on why she's hunting Slade/David Cain then.

Plus it feels like we're missing something as Tim was basically like Dick in Titans East. But now he's changed. Why? There could have been panels of Tim showing care for Cass in this. Instead, he just feels muted throughout this mini.

The first issue ends with Cass confronting another mystery lady murdering some of Slade/David Cain's assassins. And again, a problem I have with this mini.

These "children of Cain" feel so nameless save for Marque, who is the opposite of Cass. She embraces the violence that she was taught and is David Cain's own Frankenstein Monster. Throughout the mini she just comes off as superfluous and edgy. Really edgy...

I really think Beechen missed a prime chance here in having Cass trying to save someone like herself. Someone unlike Cass, didn't realize life as much as she did. That finally, Cain cracked the code (with help from the Slade juice). And Cass could try to redeem her.

So this whole theme of redemption could be all over the place then. Marque throughout this just feels, meh. Speaking of meh say hello to meaningless male love interest #3 for Cass.

This subplot just feels pretty meh. I get the why Beechen tried it. The writer from Batman: City of Light attempted this. Dylan Horrocks with Black Wind during his run on Vol. 1, and Andersen Gabrych attempted this in his run with Zero (and let's face it we only remember his name because he died).

The whole love subplot just feels so unnecessary here. Again we could have more stuff with Tim helping her. Something. Instead, we get someone we care little about. Because A.) we've seen it before and are so over it.

B.) Compare it with Shadow of the Batgirl which did this right. It balanced everything by showing Cass being the focus here (you know the actual main character), and less on the intended male love interest (until later when she gets to know him, Erik, more as the reader does too)

Which leads to this positive in #2. In one page we are given Babs realizing what Cass has been up too and is all for her going on this quest (probably knowing where this will end). Which is again, a good contrast to where Babs and Cass are here. Babs knows Cass needs this.

Bruce doesn't. Dick SOOOOO doesn't. But Babs fully understands. And I do love me some Babs being a good mentor.

Another positive in this issue does is laying the groundwork on how David Cain/Deathstroke forged this partnership when Cass/Marque visit a former colleague of both men.

That these two knowing one another was hinted at in Batgirl Vol. 1 by Kelley Puckett himself when Cain told Bruce in #5 of a job that was beneath him, Slade, and Lawton's talents. So in that regard, that's a nice callback.

Speaking of callbacks, you can't have Cass hunting Slade and not have run into Ravager (who was also actively hunting her father too during this time period of DC). And here the two's interaction is hit or miss.

Rose equally has a grudge against Slade for pulling the same stuff that he did to Cass. So they can easily relate to the other. Also, you have a built-in Rose going to more extremes than Cass (thanks to Sean McKeever's underrated Teen Titans run character arc involving her).

This is why Marque again comes off as the third wheel in all of this. If you're reading DC Comics at the time (or even now). You want the Cass/Rose interactions here. You don't care about the gritty edgy third person who's ruining the antics between the other two.

Like literally, the tension between Cass/Rose should be all that you need. There's history between them both. There are similar goals each wants. But it comes off as meh throughout this due to Marque. I mean look at this panel below and tell me who sticks out as the sore thumb?

Cause then you have panel later on in the book that makes you want to fist pump with these two now that are Marqueless. Who doesn't want to read THAT?!

Look, the idea of Marque is intriguing but there should have been a clear subject spawned from Deathstroke/David Cain's alliance. An assassin. A roadblock. A hurdle. Not nameless ninja assassins with badly designed outfits.

If this was just Marque fighting Rose/Cass then at least the fight could have meant more meaning. A face to go along with someone who's being down there as Rose/Cass got away from their murderdads.

Because there's no weight to any of these fights which should have more impact. Instead, they come off as weightless. And more blood spilled by Marque because the EDGE MUST FLOW!

But if #3 has another problem is Dick really being a bastard. Seriously, WHAT THE HELL DICK?! But then again, I get it now on why Dick is acting as such. Just that this bad characterization does come at the expense of Nightwing. Like WOW.

So here I am bashing the heck out of this third issue, with very little good finding in it. Well, there is one other additional good. That's the opening page/panel when Cass is out (due to Rose from last issue).

Where does this love of Cass/Shiva together come from? This comic! Beechen of all writers laid the seed that Bryan Edward Hill in Batman & the Outsiders and Michael Conrad & Becky Cloonan on Batgirls would use. The hidden desire Cass has: she wants Shiva to be a mother to her. Yes, Barbara is a good mother too (and dammit where is she in this panel above?!)

Regardless, Beechen does understand a want Cass has that James Tynion opened (and failed at) while Hill fleshed out WAAAAAAY more. So much more that now this has to be the standard of their relationship now. Literally, this is just gold between the two of them now.

But if you want to know where this hunger for Cass/Shiva to have an actual daughter/mother relationship came? You can thank Adam Beechen for that!

#4 finally has the long-awaited fight between Cass and Slade with it well being quite lackluster thanks in due part to Marque and the nameless daughters of Cain.

But I do confess there are a few dialogue pieces in #4 I do enjoy. Like Slade twisting the mental knife to get the better of Cass here.

We get no cathartic scenes for either Rose or Cass here (everyone seems to get robbed of having them with Slade at this time period in DC). Just a rushed end to a rushed subplot.

Again, this could have been the point where Cass was reaching to Marque and that could have been the point for Slade to decide, "WHELP TIME TO EXPLODE AND RUN!" Setting up the next issue. Instead, these nameless kids all die and we the reader feel nothing for them.

When in fact we should feel more. But so it is comics and we get the abrupt ending of the Cass/Rose union. Because this is all we get of Slade and her after this issue. Which is a pity.

Again given how both have similarities with horrible fathers. There should be much pathos here between Cass/Rose. How Cass sees going down this path of vengeance can poison you still (as it is doing to Rose). With Marque being.. ugh.

If that wasn't enough we get again nameless male love interest and ugh. Yeah, I'm just not gonna post more of that. Other than Cass realizes just who Slade and her pop would target to announce their alliance but also hurt the heroes: Oracle.

Which makes complete sense. I just wish the comic did a better job with it like Bruce Wayne: Murderer did only now David Cain this time going after Barbara (as he went after Bruce in that event story). There's a lot of things this comic could have done better at.

#5 opens with Dick, Bruce, and Tim fighting Cass due to the former ratting out her plans to kill David Cain to the latter two. Still, it is kind of cathartic Dick getting punted.

...

I hate myself for enjoying that.

If you're expecting any sort of closure between Dick/Cass here you aren't going to get any in this series. Dick continues to be a dick to Cassandra in Frank Tieri's fill-in arc of Batman & the Outsiders #13-14. After that, Dick FINALLY stops acting so OOC.

Here we go back into the positives of this series. I do enjoy Cass scoping the eventual scene of the crime out. She looks at the evidence she's got and with her skills predicts how and where her father will try to take the shot at Babs.

These pages come to show that Cass indeed can be a fine detective on her own right (thanks to Babs, Bruce, and Tim teaching her). Knowing how and when the crime could occur before it even does with what she knows.

And so we get probably the second-best part of this series. These next two pages.

I mean it's not Damion Scott, but Calafiore does have the nice little details here and there. Also nice of Beechen to use TWO homages of Cass here. From this set-up shot from Vol. 1 from above too…

To Cain about to strike a Gordon down and once again, his daughter stops him from taking the killshot. There's a bit of poetry there.

So in some callbacks, the creative team does nail them. I have to confess other than Marque, #5 is probably the portion of the story where it actually gets good. Even if it does come at the small price of David Cain's characterization.

Look, yes David Cain is a monster, but there's a difference between monsters who aren't portrayed as human and the ones who are. Cain had a perfect balance of this in Vol. 1 The stuff in this volume (and until again Shadow of the Batgirl) David just is a complete monster.

In that regard, the pathos of the villain just feels more hollow. If save Slade talked to him while in prison. Told him he could perfect and deliver that perfect child soldier. Bring a reason for his life again. I'd buy that more than what we got here in Vol. 2.

Why going into the final issue why I go into that mindset. It helps the reasons flow better for the character then what we actually got. And the ultimate fight between the two is handled well.

I also love that both Babs/Bruce are doing crowd control here (both at this point knowing this is something Cass NEEDS). I love that Charlie sees what is going on and her first instinct is to help Cass.

It's a pity we never got more interactions between Charlie/Cass. If only there were some subplots that could have been dropped so we could have got that.

While we don't get the cathartic stuff with Slade we do get it with Cass going up against her father. Just unloading the life he never gave her with a fury.

It's an almost Return of the Jedi moment of Vader/Luke's final duel with Cass just unleashing it all on her own father who cannot defend himself against the rage of his child. And much like Vader/Luke there's that moment when the later realized what will happen if he continues.

Like Luke, Cass has that realization too. That if she has her vengeance what will it solve? All this pain. All this suffering that's she has dealt with these last few months. Will killing him solve it? Of course, we know the answer cause it's Cass.

No. Being a killer is not who she is. She is a hero. So she attempts to save her father, but well as we find out this is where Bruce and Tim were hiding. Waiting and watching to see if Cass would come to this realization.

And we come to the best moment of this comic where Bruce puts his batdad side full-on. I love that the focus is on Cass here. Hearing what Bruce is saying and you just see the raw emotion of her just cracking up wanting this so bad until...

The hug from her true dad with a proud brother looking on. If only you know a stupid tie-in didn't have to ruin the good moment making any readers go, "What the hell is R.I.P.?!"

Like seriously, I'm surprised no one has photoshopped that R.I.P. out of the panel. If you take it out. Damn does this work more. But by putting it in there. "Oh yeah, Bruce is about to die. ...." And that emotion just leaves you to do this.

So if any of you great Photoshoppers out there can take that R.I.P. out? That'd be just great.

So Batgirl vol. 2 looking under this lens isn't the worst Cass story, nor does have enough good to be amazing to recommend. It's just there with both good and bad. It's average.

Hence it is Schrödinger's Cass. It is exactly this. But it was worth talking about. Because it is a period of Cass that should be talked of more. Because it does redeem Adam Beechen with the character.

Along with redeeming Cass with the Bat-Family. It's just a pity only Frank Tieri decided to follow on this and NO OTHER WRITER. Sadly not soon after we'd be getting the teases that Babs would be back as Batgirl from the Blackest Night mini caps at the end of BoP and Nightwing.

For certain folk at DC already made up their mind with the character, and she wouldn't be Batgirl or apart of the Bat-Family that much longer. I guess they assumed this Volume would be considered a "gift". That Cass got closure... Ugh.

If you want to know more about DC meddling. Then see here when I go more into detail on that.

That said, Batgirl Vol. 2 gets a lot of bad rap, but it isn't all bad. It's highly flawed, but there is some good in it. … And here's me going all RoTJ fully with it. 😋

With that, I'm gonna call it a night. Because tomorrow there are things I hope for tomorrow. REALLY AMAZING THINGS for us Cass fans tomorrow at long last.

But not freaking Batman/Catwoman: Gotham War. That can go to hell...

[timdrakequotes]

Bruce: Is that your Gotham Police contact?

Tim: Yeah…you don’t mind, do you?

Bruce: Hey, I’ve got a G.C.P.D. contact, why shouldn’t you? Call me if you need help, okay?

Tim: I will… Thanks, Bruce.

--Tim Drake with Bruce Wayne (Robin #152 – It All Comes Back Around)