So, it becomes more horribly likely each day that Babs will regress to Batgirl. As I've mentioned on various forums, my problem is this would be a complete regression of the character. Babs has outgrown the Batgirl costume (figuratively, literally perhaps, I'd imagine she'd have gained some weight), she is not Batman's sidekick and I don't think she'd ever want to go back to being that. Not to mention, they're having a 27/30/whatever year old calling herself "girl", or else they're deaging her, which is equally demeaning to the character. It's like making Dick Robin again.

My one hope is that DC must realize how confusing it would be to have redhead Kathy Kane running around as Batwoman, and redhead Babs Gordon being Batgirl despite the fact she's the more experienced superhero. It would look like Babs was Kathy's sidekick!

Also, it's more of the trend of DC going back to the past instead of moving forward, and reliving some idealized version of their childhood, which alienates younger readers, like me over here.

That said, as I've stated, if Babs becomes Batgirl, I am going to consider cutting back on DC Comics. If Cass is killed to do this, I will likely completely drop them. I will write a letter telling DC why. Or should I write it now?

On that subject,parsimonia 's post (community.livejournal.com/scans_daily/7193254.html#cutid1) cemented my resolve, and utterly depressed me for a night and day. The comments at the comic con really made me feel like "Wow, they don't care about me or respect me at all do they (by "me" I mean female fans, or fans with my tastes). The "catfight" comment really made my stomach turn, as well as the general tone. Especially that douchebag who yelled "who cares?" about Steph. How utterly rude.

Anyway, stress from scholarships and school also had me acting down, so I ended up telling Mom all my woes, including the comic ones, and how I was really upset that I might have to give up a big part of my life. Mom was mildly annoyed at my news about Babs (Birds of Prey is her favorite comic I've read her) but mostly attempted to console me in a way that made me feel pathetic. She also suggested I write a letter. And went on about how I'd make a comic someday and "show them" and they only listen to "their people" which was all very weird.

Apparently she told Dad, because he asked me "Now what's going wrong with Batgirl? Is there a new...artist or something?" And I had to explain. He was mostly like "huh."

I have no idea why Mom would mention it to him. Imagining the conversation is hilarious.

Mom: Caitlin's pretty upset about scholarships.
Dad: Uh huh.
Mom: And apparently this thing with Batgirl, it's got her down too.
Dad: What thing with Batgirl?
Mom: Oh, whatshername (Mom is bad with names) that...that...Oracle...she heard Oracle's going to be Batgirl again or something, maybe.
Dad: Oh. That's bad?
Mom: Yeah.
Dad: Oh.

My life: Nothing resembling normal.

So, lets not think of that unpleasantness. On to comic reviews!

Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader? Part One.

I actually really liked this. I think the difference is, unlike Grant Morrison's stuff, it's really more character driven than concept driven, which is why I like it better than his when they're both equally trippy. Also, it wasn't advertised as the "THING THAT WILL CHANGE ALL THINGS EVER!" just as a trippy little epilogue peice which it was. And finally, while it didn't make any sense, we had Bruce actually pointing OUT it doesn't make any sense, so we know it's not supposed to, it's not that we aren't on "the secret wavelength". And the no-sense-it-makes is presented as a mystery. "You're the world's greatest detective. You figure it out." I hope the payoff's good.

And I just love the really great character moments, like Joe Chill's comment (which was perfect) and Selina getting the cats to watch her car, Penguin and Mad Hatter being hat buddies, the Joker telling the kid he doesn't randomly kill people, he only kills people when it's funny, and poor Gordon. (Though I have no idea what Babs meant when she said "You can't just-" and Jim said "Sure I can, Babs." I actually thought she was going "you can't just PUSH ME LIKE THIS DAD DON'T FUCKING PUSH ME HOW DARE YOU WELD THOSE HANDLES ON THIS CHAIR WHILE I WAS ASLEEP!" which would have been GREAT.

And a whole lot of quotable lines too. I really liked the Catwoman one it was so...Selina. It was no-sense-making, yes, but it encapsulated the essence of Catwoman to me. And Alfred's story was just plain weird, but I liked it anyway. I find is odd Notdead!Bruce pointed out Alfred couldn't be the Joker because the Joker was sitting there when HELLO, Alfred was also sitting there too, by Dick, as the other Alfred walked down the aisle! Two Alfreds! Can the world contain that much awesome?

And Andy Kubert's art captures the old school perfectly, I love it.

Dad found this one and read it, apparently and he was all "What, why is Alfred the Joker and how did he die twice" and I explained it wasn't supposed to make sense and there's a second part and he said "Oh. I liked it then."

I did a review on BSR for this too: www.bigshinyrobot.com/reviews/archives/3970

4.5/5
 

Batman and the Outsiders special

Alfred! Yay, Alfred! I love you Alfred!

Now we've gotten out of the way, did I mention I like Alfred?

This was okay. I really liked the first few pages, with Alfred over the parents grave and being all wibbly, and then Bruce's secret "I'm dead" message, with the handwave "Dick and Tim will figure it out, no use talking to them" (Yeah, or maybe Tim will go crazy or something. Just saying).

The best part was Bruce telling Alfred that he was grateful to him and "You weren't like my father, you WERE my father. I was lucky enough to have two amazing ones in my life." Oh my god, that nearly killed me with the LOVE. I wanted to hug Bruce AND Alfred, and my heart, it BROKE.

Of course, then you realize "Um, why didn't you tell him this while you WERE ALIVE, Bruce?" and of course, realize he could never tell that to Alfred face to face, because he's too emotionally constipated. Oh Bruce.

Anyway, what we get next if not much happening, just a bunch of character introductions and Alfred being generally awesome as usual. It was a basic set up issue.

So, I'll probably get the next one, because ALFRED, though I debated it, as I don't really have any deep attatchment to the other characters, but hey, maybe that will change.

4/5


Booster Gold #17

Meh. Nothing really happened. The origin and omens thing was kind of hilarious, because it was Booster randomly recounting his history to his sister and Rip for NO APPARENT REASON. Heh.

2/5

Thaaaaaats all, folks!

andrensath whose lj I was scrolling because they friended me, got Spoiler on this quiz and I got...

which batman character are you? created with QuizFarm.com

You scored as Spoiler You are Spoiler. As Stephanie you're always setting out to prove yourself, and given any kind of encouragement, you tend to take it as blanket permission for being considered an expert. You're really only trying to help, but you're often left out of the loop (which you freaking hate) so it usually backfires on you. You're not stupid, though you sometimes act like it - you're just a little new at this. Sadly, it doesn't look like you really get the perspective you need until it's too late.   Spoiler 70% Dick 58% Barbara 55% Jason 55% Batgirl 48% Alfred 43% Robin 43% Batman 35%

...Spoiler! Though I may have been subconciously aiming to get her. Who knows. I am amused by random quizzes, they are fun.

Hah, I got Batman the lowest. And Dick as second, that's weird. And I am 55% Jason! Beware my murderous ways!

(some of the questions amused me. "Do you have an aversion to crowbars?" Yeah,  I wonder who that is. "Would you make and excellent stalker?" That's pretty much everyone, isn't it? Except possibly Alfred. But Tim most of all, that creepy little stalker boy.

Anyway, I finally framed and hung my Spoiler commissions. They sit proudly on my wall so I may stare at them googly eyed.

That is all.

So I have to review like 50 comics or something.

Or maybe just...*counts* ...seven. Okay, that's not so bad.

Finished!

And I decided to call it...

 

Kind of a happy-sappy ending, but if I can't have happiness in my comics, I'll have it in my fanfiction, dammit!

Huntress YO #4:

I keep forgetting to get this comic the week it comes out because I'm not used to bi-weeklies.

This comic is just so snappy, masterful and SMART. I am loving the art more and more, and Helena essential elegant darkness and badassery remains intact. I loved her meeting Babs. Sure, the meeting was unlikely and improbable, but I loved the exchange. Oh, happy pre-shot Babs. ("Maybe European women are more girly. I'll try to be girly.") And the artist just drew Babs so preeeettty.

I also liked the underwater fight, it was very well thought out, with the man dressed like the devil and tying Helena's hair to the pipe (OUCH!)

Also, Alfred snark at the end! "Mustaches show sophistication, Ms. Gordon." Oh, Alfred.

Next issue has an exciting set up, can't wait for Helena and Bats to meet.

5/5

Raven #5

Eh, it was sweet. Okay ending. I missed an issue, so...the art was more cluttered than usual this time around, too. Cool to see Raven kick ass in her own special way tho.

3.5/5

Blue Beetle #29

Step up from last fill in issue. Not anything spectacular, but a fun, solid issue that showcases Jaime's compassion (Jaime is my comic book boyfriend. I love him so) and has Peacemaker kicking open doors for no apparent reason. (Peacemaker is a textbook example of a slated for dead, outta date character reinvented into awesomeness. See, people, every character has the ptential to be great. No needless killings!)

4/5

Also:

I'm back from my trip! Ooh, I can't resist this meme millinium rex posted.

You know the deal here. Pick ten characters, either of your original creation or ten characters from one of your favorite fandoms, and list them out 1-10. Then answer the following questions. DON'T LOOK AT THE QUESTIONS BEFORE YOU PICK YOUR CHARACTERS - you'll ruin the whole game.

1. Cass Cain

2. Stephanie Brown

3. Barbara Gordon

4. Linda Danvers

5. Bart Allen

6. Jaime Reyes

7. Tim Drake

8. Diana Prince

9. Dick Grayson

10. Alfred Pennyworth

1. Four invites eight to dinner at their house. What happens?

Linda invites Diana to her house. Well, clearly, they would get along great. They would chat about having complicated origins and all that...until the inevitable "Let's fight each other and see who wins!" Wally (God) would give Linda her angel powers back for this for fun and she's suddenly go into judgement mode and they'd have a religious debate along with the fist fight and inevitably the whole block would be demolished.

2. Nine tries to get Five to go to a strip club.

Dick Grayson tries to get Bart Allen to go to a strip club.

Well, clearly something criminal is going on at this strip club. It's actually a front for a drug operation or something. Dick convinces Bart to come, because he's lonely, and then they get attacked by naked samurai women. Dick pretends not to enjoy it, and Bart is just confused. He asks Dick over and over again what prostitutes are, which is awkward. In the end, Bart ends up destroying the entire bar running after Nightwing, who is trying to escape giving "the talk". The drugs are destroyed, and Dick makes a mental note to bring Tim next time instead.


3. You need to stay at a friend’s house for a night. Who do you pick, one or six?

Oh god such a hard choice...Steph, purely because she might be more willing to do illegal things. Plus she could teach me martial arts and stuff. Jaime would be tons of fun too.

4. Two and Seven are making out. Ten walks in. What is their reaction?

Tim and Steph are making out, Alfred walks in. He would not be surprised at all, and would probably leave politely, but mock them both later.

5. Three falls in love with six. Eight is jealous. What happens?

Babs falls in love with Jaime. Diana is jealous. BUT OF WHO? She suggests a threesome inevitably. Jaime is uncomfortable with this and bows out. Babs is worried Wonder Woman will crush her between her Wonder thighs. Editorial insists Diana stay a virgin. All are heartbroken.


6. Four jumps you in a dark alleyway. Who comes to your rescue, Two, Seven or Ten?

This confuses me. Who comes to my rescue or who would I want to? Would I want them to because I would be more likely to be saved? Or because I like them? Tim would most likely be in the position come to my rescue, and I guess he's the one I'd trust the most to save me. Steph would be the one most willing to jump into the fight without a second thought.  I'd like Steph to come so we could trade witty remarks. Alfred would be interesting. I'm not sure if ANY of them would fare well against Linda?

7. One decides to start a cooking show. Fifteen minutes in, what’s happened?

It would be called "Cass Cooks" and end in flames and horror.


8. Three has to marry Eight, Four or Nine. Who do they chose?

Babs has to marry Wonder Woman, Dick Grayson or Linda Danvers.

I guess Dick Grayson, since they have a history. Being married to Wonder Woman would probably irk Babs because Diana's so powerful and they are on vastly different perspectives and playing feilds, and Linda and Babs...I don't even know how those two would get along.

9. Seven kidnaps Two and demands something from Five for Two’s release. What is it?

Tim...kidnaps Steph...and demands something from...Bart.

Clearly Tim has been pumped full of Slade's Crazy Juice TM, leading to insane plans and evil monologues. He would demand Bart give him Cassie so he could have two blonde love slaves and make them fight when he feels like it. Bart is just confused because he barely knows Steph and how is he supposed to make Cassie do anything? While Tim and Bart argue, Steph, having figured her way out of being tied up, kicks Tim in the back of the head, drags him to the Batcave and gives him the antidote. All is well.

10. Everyone gangs up on Three. Does Three have a snowball’s chance in hell?

Please. It's Babs. Of course she does. SHE KNOWS ALL.

11. Everyone is invited to Two and Ten’s wedding except for Eight. How do they react?

Diana is obviously not invited to Steph and Alfred's wedding because she is the priest. She finds the pairing a bit unorthodox, but she is open to love of all types and happily presides.

12. Why is Six afraid of Seven?

Why is Jaime afraid of Tim? The way Tim is acting in Teen Titans right now, Jaime is deathly afraid his leadership will get them all killed.


13. One arrives late for Two and Ten’s wedding. What happens, and why were they late?

Cass has figured out Steph and Alfred are both Skrulls from their body language and rescued the real Steph and Alfred, kept in a giant spaceship near Gotham. As a result, the wedding turns into a giant kung fu fight, and Cass has fun.


14. Five and Nine get roaring drunk and wind up at your place. What happens?

I try to take advantage of Bart, with him being so damn cute and all, I can't resist. Nightwing stops me, and I slap him several times in revenge and then mock him about his old costume and fetish for red heads. In a drunken rage Nightwing calls Batman. I hide under the bed and yell at Bruce from the safe haven about how he treated Cass. Bruce is mad at Dick for taking up his time and takes them both home. I manage to get Barts autograph before they leave.

15. Nine murders Two’s best friend. What does Two do to get back at them?

Dick murders Steph's best friend...Cass? How did that happen? At any rate, Steph is very enthusiastic in her revenge, which involves dismemberment and gasoline. Tim is devastated when he finds out, but gets over it when Steph distracts him with hot threesome sex with her and Bart.

16. Six and One are in mortal danger, and only one of them can survive. Does Six save themselves or One?

Jaime saves Cass. He's far too good of a person not to.

17. Eight and Three go camping. For some reason, they forget to bring any food. What happens?

Diana offers to fly off and get food, but Babs, irate, yells that she's perfectly capable of getting food for herself. When Diana isn't looking, she uses her laptop to get food airmailed to them. Diana totally realizes this, but pretends not to, and commends Barbara's camping saavy.

18. Five is in a car crash and is critically injured. What does Nine do?

Bart in a car crash. Dick uses the medical resources available to help Bart, and calls every healer he knows, as well as Tim and Wally. Things are fixed in no time.