tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30563738420461984972024-03-15T18:12:35.967-07:00Exploring The Time LabA blog showcasing the characters, vehicles, items and pretty much anything else that involves Time Travel in DC comics.Erin S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15663158782066282265noreply@blogger.comBlogger2583125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056373842046198497.post-73228620686565061842022-03-30T13:19:00.010-07:002022-03-30T13:24:34.274-07:00Dc vs Vampires<p> I never planned on getting this series. I don't like Tynion's writing and I always knew it would just tick me off. But after seeing spoilers for #6 I have to make a comment.</p><p>SPOILERS AHEAD</p><p><br /></p><p></p>
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<p>First and foremost, I think this story is utterly wasted. Not just because of the plot holes and weird logic leaps. If Dick Grayson is the vampire king it should be compelling, he should keep his core personality and want to keep his family close to him. Not kill most of them and complain that he only wanted to keep a brother by his side afterward. Even having his siblings survive after Dick kills Bruce would have been compelling. </p><p>This is how I think we're supposed to read this: </p><p></p><ul><li>Dick kills Bruce because as a vampire Bruce would have been a threat to his rule. Because apparently Dick thinks he'd be able to overcome the desire to stay loyal to the vampire king.</li><li>Not hinted at in the text but I saw a fan claim Tim's intellect might also challenge Dick hence why he's killed. In text he doesn't seem to care.</li><li>Dick sees Damian becoming a problem if he's given the chance.</li><li>Despite breaking Cass' arm (BS) he sees her as a threat? I think?</li><li>Wants Jason to work for him because he sees him as the easiest to control. Kinda hinted at with Dick gloating he's so better.</li></ul><div>How it reads instead:</div><div><ul><li>Instead of planning to turn his family one by one Dick blatantly reveals himself. Luckily the others fight him one on one instead of teaming up on him. The former bothers me more because of the effort Dick went through to hide himself. He could have subtly drugged members and turned them. Yet the most unrealistic path is taken and Dick wins because the writer said so.</li><li>Damian and Tim have both shown their devotion to Dick in the past so him deciding they should die doesn't make any sense. Especially since vampires are supposed to stay loyal, at least until their conveniently not.</li><li>BS fan theories about Dick and Jason's relationship are put in because DC wants to hammer in these cliche plots with the subtlety of an airhorn. At least the fact Jason holds back is mentions again and he overpowers Dick. Out of all his siblings Dick choses Jason to turn. I feel like it's supposed to be for other reasons but it reads like he just decided who was his favorite. I saw a meme on this that had me laughing so hard I cried.</li></ul></div><!--more-->Erin S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15663158782066282265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056373842046198497.post-43202669509132336882022-02-09T08:46:00.005-08:002022-02-09T08:47:23.440-08:00Jedi and attachments<p> SPOILERS FOR STAR WARS SHOWS AND MOVIES</p><p><br /></p><p> <a name='more'></a> In the prequels we learned that attachments were forbidden for the Jedi. Padme translates this as them being forbidden to love. Which, despite Anakins' response seems accurate since the movies make it clear their relationship can't be public. (Though it's obvious Obi-Wan figured this out and only gets Anakin motivated to fight Dooku by asking what Padme would do.) The order is also against letting him go to his mother. Anakin was noted to have deep attachment issues. This issue is also brought up in Clone Wars with not just Anakin but Obi-Wan (who admits he would have left the order for Satine) and briefly with Ahsoka.</p><p>Then we have Star Wars Rebels two Jedi, Kanan and his padawan Ezra. Kanan had abandoned the Jedi teachings out of necessity because of order 66 and he doesn't get back to his roots until he starts training Ezra. But despite his student's obvious crush on Sabine he never gives him the no attachment talk. Partly because it would be hypocritical since he has a romantic relationship with Hera but the crew on the Ghost is a family. Hera got Kanan out of his head and helped him be a better person. His attachments saved him but when Hera is kidnapped he has Ezra make the recuse plan because he knows he's too close to do it.</p><p>Ezra has attachment issues like Anakin and likewise has lashed out due to his frustrations. His pull to the darkside happens because he's afraid of losing those he loves and his own perceived weakness (which he blames for Ahsoka's disappearance and Kanan's blindness.) He only let's go when Kanan gets out of his own depression and becomes his teacher again. At the end of the series Ezra becomes a Jedi because he gives up the temptation to rejoin his parents and sacrifices his time with his new family to stop Thrawn. Love in itself isn't bad. Possessive attachment is. Once Ezra let his love be selfless he found the perfect balance between Jedi and loved one. Or to put another way:</p><p>Anakins' love for Prime became possessive. He was willing to cross lines and do so without her say. When people called him out on it he lashed out on them.</p><p>Han and Leia, at least in ROTJ was selfess. Han got jealous of what he thought was a romantic relationship between Leia and Luke. Yet he stayed to comfort her ("hold me") and was willing to back off if she chose Luke over him.</p>Erin S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15663158782066282265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056373842046198497.post-64091129030973068152022-01-25T13:50:00.004-08:002022-01-25T13:50:59.125-08:00Jason Todd and Two-Face<p> SPOILERS AHEAD for current comics. </p><a name='more'></a><br /><div>
I haven't been reading Task Force Z, honestly, I finally got the first issue but haven't gotten around to reading it. I have been spoiled on Harvey's involvement and while I love the potential, I'm not sure if I'm liking the execution so far. For those in the know about Jason Todd lore this could, if handled right, be an amazing examination of another loose plot thread that writers have pretty much ignored. Post-Crisis his father, Willis Todd, worked for Two-Face and it was assumed Harvey killed him. This led to Jason as Robin lashing out at him and inevitably deciding to forgo revenge. In RHATO it was revealed that Willis is alive. <p></p><p>Tomasi wrote about Harvey knowing Bruce's ID. which I guess is still in play. We also have his obsession with the number two in Task Force Z with his twin employees and his <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crispin_and_Crispinian">Crispin </a>alias. As Robin Jason also used this to his advantage by pointing out he was the second Robin.</p><p>These story beats create a nice dynamic that could play out a number of ways. I'm not sure how canon currently works but Jason still could be under the impression Harvey killed his dad. Sure, we kinda had something like that with Cobblepot in RHATO but I always got the impression Two-Face knew his employees better. And if Willis is alive, it could create a more personal connection.</p><p>Harvey still could harbor an obsession based on the number 2 or realize this is Willis' son. But it seems like all that potential is being tossed out along with developments from RHATO to make what appears to be subpar friction. (Which could have been used with Nightwing since he's had an intense bias against Harvey since his Robin days when he was beaten to a pulp.)</p><p>Harvey claims he wants to help people then calls out Jason for stealing hubcaps (tires) and wanting to prove himself/revenge on Batman. He also claims Jason wasn't at the top of his list and acts like Jason's record is worse than his. A few points.</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Yes, Harvey did do some good for Gotham, but Jason stealing was for survival. He was one of the people that needed help, he was a kid. Mentioning it is just petty.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Writers keep bringing it back, but Jason has moved past wanting revenge from Bruce a long time ago. Sometimes he tries to prove himself but that's not his only focus. In RHATO it just happened to work with his skill set to go undercover, to do things the others couldn't. He's not defined by it and will act how he sees fit. He's not shackled to Bruce's mindset.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>This is also rich since Harvey picked Jason and claims it's because he's changed. (Gun rule?)</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>I call BS. Every person in the DCU would want a former Robin to work on their team. As far as morally grey people go Jason is the best choice. (People might argue Slade, etc. but I see a lot of those people as villains anyway. They often have no moral code beyond a checkbook.) I'm also convinced Jason would be on the top of his list because he was Robin #2 and his connection to Bruce. So, Harvey has no moral high ground on that score.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Though I question Tynion's writing he claimed Jason had about eighty people on his confirm kill count a while back. I don't think that's accurate, but Harvey has been activated longer than Jason and killed innocents. Jason's also worked freelance for a government fixer and saved an FBI agent. Jason can be reasoned with while Harvey often uses a coin to decide his moral choices.</li></ul></div>Erin S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15663158782066282265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056373842046198497.post-71450056526062506062022-01-25T13:00:00.013-08:002022-01-25T13:02:30.329-08:00Blue and Gold<p>This was the book I was looking forward to the most (the long delay in my books arriving took away a lot of the interest I held in the other two titles I got.) After Booster was dragged through HIC and apparently shipped with the woman that tried to murder him seeing Jurgens back is definitely fantastic.</p><p>Spoilers Ahead for everything except the last two issue. </p><a name='more'></a><br /><div>
Let me get this out of the way before I get into the book itself : I think DC's 'everything is canon' approach sounds lazy and confusing. I haven't been following so I can't speak for execution across the board but does this mean Ted did die or remembers dying? What about Booster being a Time Master? I know Rip is showing up but this is already a headache considering characterization.<p></p><p>I will say that I prefer Jurgens Ted Kord over DeMatteis/Giffins' version especially the grating manchild they wrote in their BG run. The problem with Blue and Gold as a team is that in most cases one (usually Booster) gets their character development thrown under the bus for the others benefit and supposed comedy. That said Ted still can't balance his heroics and his job. Although his heart problem is solved.</p><p>I'm ecstatic that Trixie returned and partly annoyed/amused at her meeting the guys. For some reason Ted exclaims her name instead of Booster. Last time I saw them exchange lines Trixie told Ted and the JL off for their treatment of Booster. Ted threatened Booster during the Millennium event by implying they'd give him to Wonder Woman (who accidentally destroyed a Manhunter) then acted like Booster was immature for running away from them. Trixie didn't put up with his BS. and I always got the impression that if she was around for JLI all the schemes Ted roped Booster into would never happen.</p><p>The Theresa not Trixie thing reminds me of her aunt objecting to her nickname but like Booster she'll always be Trixie to me. I love her support of the guys and that for a change we don't have a one sided fanbase that hate the heroes 24/7. They still have their supporters which is actually a plot element. The JL sans maybe Batman (who says nothing though he likely still knows the truth) are jackasses. Hippolytra really has no right to judge Booster. This is a woman who set Artemis up to die to save her daughter. </p><p>The worst part for me is Booster's obsession with the limelight which feels like a huge step back. I keep expecting a twist but it's increasingly frustrating to read. Especially when Ted is repeatedly respected and played up as the competent one that needs to save Booster. I know Jurgens likes going back to Boosters' roots but I'm still waiting for his character development to return, even his skill as a fighter.</p><p>Amusingly the villain seems to respect them more than the JL. I'm curious how Rip and Jaime fit in but more than anything I want Booster to return to his pre-new 52 self.</p></div>Erin S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15663158782066282265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056373842046198497.post-79969972722525331922021-11-13T09:21:00.001-08:002021-11-13T09:21:16.656-08:00Reading List 2021<p>After being disappointed by comics in general I barely picked out any books this year. I'm expecting some through the mail like Nubia and Task Force Z but they still haven't shipped yet. I got Blue and Gold but haven't gotten around to reading more than a page though I'm thrilled Jurgens brought back a character. </p><p>I doubt I'll have enough comics to do a best and worst of list so I might just do reviews depending on how busy I am. Other than Blue and Gold I'm not really expecting much.</p>Erin S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15663158782066282265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056373842046198497.post-42251562711751146272021-08-19T13:18:00.002-07:002021-09-11T18:44:59.577-07:00Bad Batch Season 1<p>I love Star Wars Rebels, Clone Wars and the Mandalorian. Bad Batch doesn't come out as strong and I think I see why.</p><p>SPOILERS AHEAD </p><a name='more'></a>
The series follows on the heels of Clone Wars and explains some things about the somewhat hazy transition from the Republic and the Empire. Specifically how the clones are slowly phased out in favor trained recruits. The main problem I have with the series is the lack of interest it seems to have in developing most of its leads. Right now they all have pretty basic characterization, I've seen the core four guys referred to TMNT in terms of their basic personalities and I tend to agree. Beyond that we don't we get very much.<div><br /></div><div><b><u>Hunter:</u></b> While he gets more attention because of his bond with Omega his growth still feels very minuscule. He's learning to be part of a family and not just a solider but we never get a moment where the development is directed at anyone besides Omega. His struggle with Crosshair could have been promising but fell flat.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Echo:</u></b> He had development in Clone Wars but not much here. A bit of an outsider as he's the only Reg of the group and joined fairly recently when the show opens up. His history with Rex comes up a bit and he's responsible for Gregor escaping. I did like the small bit where he needed to pretend to be a droid to get money for his crew but otherwise not much.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Wreaker:</u></b> Gets some plot with his chip malfunctioning and tiny glimpses into his relationships with Tech and Crosshair. He's mostly a sweetheart towards Omega and the strong guy.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Crosshair:</u></b> Despite becoming the antagonist of the story (at least the most personal one) he didn't factor in as predominantly as he should have. I think his chip was recovered after he was burnt? The show doesn't really explain his motivation that well at the end. Why does he think the Empire will want him back? Why did he decide to stay behind when there wasn't an apparent way off planet except with his fellow clones?</div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Tech:</u></b> He doesn't get a lot of emotional responses. Likes explaining things and logic although that doesn't make him a good leader (see part 1 of season 1 finale.) I've seen people guess that his eagerness to explain things stem from his need to be useful (when he pushes Hunter and Echo aside to try to explain what Sids' telling them) but the show it's self doesn't present much charaterzation.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Omega:</u></b> I like her personality but I hate how she's used. Remember how everyone used to think Ahsoka was a Mary Sue? I didn't get that in Clone Wars but I really get that with Omega. Even Crosshair was baffled why she calls the shots.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>They just so happen to know everyone</b>: Personally I found the side characters and guest appearances far more interesting than the leads. People like Rex turning up make sense as that relationship was already developed. Bounty Hunters make sense. Oh they also know the deserter Rex met that became a family man. Odd but okay. Kanan Jarrus/Caleb Dume gets his comic Kanan the Last Padawan series retconned and makes for a less interesting sidenote in someone else's story. Hera and Chopper also show up with Hera looking older than Caleb? Are we going to get baby Ezra too? What about toddler Sabine and Honor Guard Zeb?</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Unanswered Questions?:</b> How did Gregor survive being blown up? How does Rex actually know him?</div><div><br /></div><div>Why are are the Bad Batch so dense when it comes to order 66? They witness it go down. They know something is off about Crosshair and suspect they need to get their chips removed. Tech works on a device related to it that to the best of my knowledge never gets used or mentioned again. It takes Rex showing up for them to finally get it done because for some reason they didn't think it was important enough. And despite knowing the triggers they openly discuss it when Wreaker is struggling. (It's also weird to think that their telling Rex about the padawan that escaped that he'll meet that struggles with working with him because of said the incident their talking about.)</div><div><br /></div><div>Why do they constantly need to be saved? Usually by Omega. She saves them from Crosshair despite having no training. From slavers. Gets them out of debt with Sid. Somehow despite Sid explaining Omega struggling to aim due to her lack of arm muscles she able to aim perfectly not long after apparently because she can ignore distractions. Ahsoka and Ezra had reasons for tagging along on missions. Ahsoka was trained by the Jedi most of her life before she became Anakins' Padawan during a war. Ezra survived on the streets with only the force to guide him for seven years, lived on the Ghost during the start of the rebellion and trained as a Padawan himself. They were both fourteen when they start fighting in real combat situations. Omega lived on the same planet for most of her life.</div><div><br /></div><div>For all the grief fans gave Rebels it had far better character development in season 1. Take the Imperial Rampart from Bad Batch and compare him to Agent Kallus for example. Kallus is easily more memorable and while we don't have the full scope of his story in season 1 we get great insight on him. He takes pride in his work, is brave and skilled enough to fight the enemy on his own. Keep in mind he fights against enemies that are usually considered too much for standard Imperials to face, Zeb and Kanan, a Jedi. The most memorable thing Rampart does (without his superiors orders) is frame someone for murder. </div><div><br /></div><div>Both Bad Batch and Rebels are about the leads being family yet the latter comes across far stronger showcasing not just the core relationships (Omega and Hunter, Ezra and Kanan) but how the entire crew look after each other. I can only how BB improves because so far it has a ways to go to match the storytelling in the other shows.</div>Erin S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15663158782066282265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056373842046198497.post-15297930554504258012021-07-15T10:45:00.001-07:002021-07-15T10:45:10.996-07:00Confusion over the Loki ending<p>I've seen this debated over so this is my two cents.</p><p>SPOILERS AHEAD</p> <a name='more'></a> The popular "Loki got kicked into another TVA" theory is one I'm not sure I agree with. The TVA is supposed to exist outside of time. That's why Renslayer hasn't aged despite taking Sylvie as a child. It's why Sylvie had to go hundreds of years back into C-20 mind to find her memories on Earth. It's why Renslayer and Mobius had eons of friendship. The only variable that can change the TVA is it's creator The One Who Remains/Kang. He says that if Loki and Sylvie don't take over the TVA and instead kill him their just start the whole process over again. This has been hinted at in a couple of Mobius scenes.<div><br /></div><div>Loki makes a foreshadowing a comment on them being in a loop (because they keep reverting the their roles as prisoner and interrogator.) It might have also been a nod to Mobius being named after the Mobius Strip. Also the infamous scene in Renslayers' office where Mobius can't recall some of the trophies she has or leaving the rings on her table. Which seems to imply his memories were erased/he was reset. (The theory that there are other Mobius variants hasn't had much weight yet.) </div><div><br /></div><div>If this keeps happening the items around them remain the same while the people revert back to loyal servants to the TVA. Which makes me wonder how much Renslayer remembers since she knew Mobius left the marks, wouldn't explain the other items, kept prompting him where he wanted to go in the timeline and claims she was trying to protect him. Protect him from what? She might not have known the Time Keepers were fake but did Kang use them to imply Mobius was in danger? Why did Kang want Mobius to be at the pruning?</div><div><br /></div><div>Mobius not recalling who Loki is also implies Loki isn't important to the Sacred Timeline anymore. At least not to the point that Mobius, the previous Loki expert, recalls him.</div>Erin S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15663158782066282265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056373842046198497.post-47441625786070878612021-06-24T11:12:00.002-07:002021-06-24T11:12:23.882-07:00Some Loki Thoughts<p>I could literally go into essays on the themes of this show but I've heavily involved in a project that's really time consuming right now. Regardless I do have some thoughts.</p><p>SPOILERS AHEAD</p><a name='more'></a> Much like WandaVison and The Falcon and the Winter Solider a lot of the plot has been guessed by fans. The TVA is a shady organization, the other Loki variant is Lady Loki (technically true) and (most?) of the people working for the TVA are brainwashed variants. There are also a lot of theories about Kang and whether or not the Time Keepers exist.<div><br /></div><div>Miss Minutes is a little weird, right? She's more than a silly bit of propaganda, if you check the devices the agents use she's listed as an icon and is on the button panel in the elevator. Her voice actress Tara Strong even confirms we're going to get more information on her. While I'm not certain what she is (a future A.I., something the Time Keepers created, etc.) especially after her vague exchange with Loki, I do think she plays a role in brainwashing the variants. </div><div><br /></div><div>Her constant appearance over the TVA, including a poster threating to "clean clocks" hints of her having a more important role. When Mobius asks if Loki bothered to watch the training videos it felt like an important plot point not just a "we have to explain it to the audience" moment. Loki mentions not being able to listen to much of the propaganda so what if that's how the TVA gets into everyone's heads? It would explain why there's so much of it despite the only people that get to see it are the TVA employees and the variants they bring in. And why bother with the variants they bring in if their going to "prune" them anyway?</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm also not sure how I feel about Mobius being a normal person because it feels like a good twist would be him being the only one that was created by the Time Keepers. Sure the field agents have been dehumanized with their names replaced with things like "C-20" and apparently the office grunts get to have a normal human name. Why would they give him the name "Mobius M Mobius?" (Yes, I know that's the characters' name in the comics but they might change that since he was also a clone.) It feels a little on the nose given the whole Mobius Strip/Infinity bit.</div><div><br /></div><div>Some have suggested he might be the big bad but that feels a little forced especially given his talk with Renslayer. While he does say some of the propaganda, such as telling Loki what his glorious purpose really is (which sounds like Renslayers' dismissing Mobius' suggestion that Loki can change) he also claims he doesn't see Loki as a villain. I don't think that's contradictory to the character because he's being brainwashed and his belief that Loki can change implies he's subconsciously fighting against his programming. Out of everyone we've seen at the TVA Mobius is the only one that's shown empathy and compassion. This is one of the clues that he has a stronger mind than most. (Ironically Loki admitted to admiring Mobius' intelligence before he latter starts spouting his belief in the TVA.) </div><div><br /></div><div>The scene in Renslayers' office has him subtly questioning the way things are (not meeting the Time Keepers, asking about the items he doesn't recognize) and of course the ring stains he doesn't recall leaving. Maybe Mobius was brainwashed multiple times and the warning he gets is actually a subtle threat to reset his mind if he fails. Here's my question if this is in fact what's happening (and not the multiple Mobius variants theory): Why go to all the trouble of brainwashing Mobius in particular? If it's the same guy why not replace him with another variant? I'm sure the rest of the TVA agents are considered replaceable. Why is he valuable in the eyes of the TVA?</div>Erin S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15663158782066282265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056373842046198497.post-18651554572242482312021-06-08T15:30:00.004-07:002021-06-08T15:32:02.546-07:00Pictures of Unmasked Red Hood<p>It <a href="https://news.toyark.com/2021/06/08/dc-multiverse-unmasked-red-hood-by-mcfarlane-toys-430754">looks</a> passable. If I could ever find these exclusives I'd get it when it comes out. Three Jokers will also have actions figures for the Jokers and the protagonists but I would have been fine with them not getting figures. Really getting figures of all the Robins as Robins would have been amazing. Though I'd want Jason to have his New 52 Robin costume, its such an improvement over the other one and people wouldn't confuse him with Dick.</p>Erin S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15663158782066282265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056373842046198497.post-32278397972390326042021-05-06T14:34:00.001-07:002021-05-06T14:34:14.696-07:00Blue and Gold<p>I almost didn't preorder this series because I thought King was writing it. I would have preferred a Time Masters series but it's still an improvement over HIC.</p>Erin S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15663158782066282265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056373842046198497.post-82819592729531287262021-04-28T08:15:00.003-07:002021-04-28T11:00:49.254-07:00This became relevant again<p>Honestly DC get some new, better written ideas that don't <a href="https://exploringthetimelab.blogspot.com/2014/02/why-i-dislike-dick-grayson-with-barbara.html">reduce </a>your characters. </p>Erin S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15663158782066282265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056373842046198497.post-84441860446871457582021-03-30T19:47:00.004-07:002021-03-30T19:49:51.213-07:00Batman Urban Legends #1<p>So this series is supposed to start a new direction for Red Hood. Can't say I'm excited since there have already been so many broken promises and false starts. But I'd be lying if I said wasn't a little excited about this series.</p><p>SPOILERS AHEAD</p><a name='more'></a><br /><div>From least interesting to most.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Outsiders The Caretaker</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>This is the story that I kept forgetting about. It's not bad but I feel like I missed out on too much of the plot. Maybe that will be fixed in the next chapters? I know enough about the characters to understand things like their powers but I don't think newcomers will.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>
<b><u>Harley Quinn New Roots</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Harley has been overused to the point she annoys me and I'm indifferent to her romance with Ivy. It's better than her relationship with Joker but it's hard for me to be invested when I don't care for Harley. This story is written well enough and seems to be setting up the new status quo for the characters. I'm not a fan of either becoming heroes or anti heroes though, especially not Harley. In different media she's tormented and tortured Robins so it's hard for me to buy a redemption arc much less her being besties with the family. It also makes the bats look bad for letting her work with them like it's no big deal when they treat Jason like crap when he does nothing wrong.</div><div><br /></div><div>So if you like the character, romance and the new direction you'll like this story. If not you can skip it.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><u><b>The Long Con</b></u></div><div><br /></div><div>I enjoyed this story, Grifter/Cole was a fun lead to follow. While I'm sure it will be explained later on I'm a little confused by two bits of the plot. </div><div><br /></div><div>1) Cole is someone that's good at lying and being a con artist right? I haven't read the character before but I think that should be a given because of his codename. Yet he never fools Batman with his lies and he can never come up with a good lie for Lucius Fox. He apparently does no research to learn who even works in HR and jumps in before learning who Lucius is working with and who their body guards are.</div><div><br /></div><div>2) Are Batman and Lucius trying to con him? We know they work together and both know who he is. I can't see Batman going after him and Lucius just shrugging it off.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Red Hood and Batman Cheer</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I'm conflicted with this story because there's definitely some nuances that you don't see in a lot of Jason Todd appearances. There's the direct parallels between Jason's childhood and Tyler. Alfred trying to talk some sense into Bruce (though I don't think his wording was always great) and make him realize Jason needs his father not Batman treating him like another criminal. It's great to see Jason being good with kids and being empathetic.</div><div><br /></div><div>I did like how the cops disliking how kids were wasting their childhood being taught to target practice with guns transitions into Robin Jason being told to target practice with the batarangs. Jason isn't excited about it, he feels like he'll never be perfect like Dick is (something that's also shown in present day when he says he was never the best.) He also seems to want to have an identity of his own as well as his own weapon to use. </div><div><br /></div><div>Bruce calls guns a cowards weapon which leads to another transition of him calling Jason in the past to a cop trying to talk a man off a ledge in the present. The man is high on the drug and his happy hallucination is spending time with his dad. It seems like too good a set up to miss between Bruce and Jason later on if one of them gets drugged.</div><div><br /></div><div>At the same time it's odd to see Bruce back to his "Red Hood is just a killer" mind frame since that sounds more like something he'd say in UTH. I thought they were on okay terms and while I'd be fine with them having problems I'd wish they'd address Bruce's wrongs more than Jason's. Bruce also doesn't seem to mind working with killers like Harley so it's just him giving Jason a hard time for apparently no reason. Plus I'm not sure why Bruce is acting like this when Jason states the compromise for working in Gotham in using rubber bullets. What's the problem then? </div><div><br /></div><div>Also why does Jason have a loaded gun when he makes a point of using rubber bullets? According to my online search people can die from rubber bullets but there's a 3% chance. Why does Andy decide to over share his hatred of his family with the Red Hood? It's like that scene in Mandalorian where the Imperial thinks it's a good idea to brag about his people killing everything the person leveling a gun on him loved. Why would you do that? Is there a new trend with writers thinking Jason will just shoot someone who's unarmed? Yeah he might be triggered but I never got the impression Jason was as affected here as he is with his PSTD from Joker. I mean I could see if they struggled for the gun or something. </div><div><br /></div><div>I did wonder if he breathed in the uncompleted drug since he gave the muzzle part of his mask to Tyler and drugs are thrown about when he enters the building. I also wasn't a fan of him dragging Tyler with him then leaving him in an alleyway hoping Oracle will save him in time if something goes wrong. It's still early but a lot doesn't make sense right now.</div>Erin S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15663158782066282265noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056373842046198497.post-47471243300863232202021-03-27T20:32:00.005-07:002021-03-27T20:32:53.643-07:00Truth and Justice # 4 (12 online) Spoilers<p> I'm not buying the last issue/pages online but I saw a spoiler I wanted to talk about. I'm mostly going to talk about another writer using this plot and talk about why it doesn't work.</p><a name='more'></a>
What is it with writers going back to plots that already failed with readers? The ones trying desperately hard to make Jason and Barbara a thing and in regards to this issue Talia thinking Jason makes the perfect heir for Ras Al Ghul?<div><br /></div><div>This idea has never made sense to me, why does it even exist? No really, what does it accomplish? It's already been established in nearly every bat title since Damian entered the picture that he's the actual heir. From what I remember from Tynions' run Ras Al Ghul didn't want Jason to be his heir, he didn't understand why Talia even chose him. The reasoning we were given didn't even make sense for why <b><i>she</i></b> chose him.</div><div><br /></div><div>Because he could do a never before seen B.S. move that she couldn't that literally punched the immortality out of the Untitled? (Then everyone expected him to still know how to do it when he had amnesia and he only did it when he remembered anyway.) How does that prove he's the right person to lead a group of assassins that want to "cleanse" the earth? Or fit Ras Al Ghul's obsession with his heir being connected to his bloodline? </div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Bruce was chosen, Ras wanted Bruce to marry Talia and continue the bloodline.</li><li>Damian literally is his grandson by blood and a direct link to the man he sees as worthy.</li><li>Tim was going to be forced to produce an heir with Ras half sister.</li></ul></div><div>Which brings me to why this plotline bothers me so much (besides it being nonsensical.) Tynion had Talia meet and deduce Jason was the perfect candidate when he was twelve (*1) Before she even met Bruce when Jason is literally a child and she instantly takes interest in him. It's an uncomfortable vibe not helped by the fact Chris refers to her as Jason's girlfriend.</div><div><br /></div><div>So are we supposed to assume by this that she kept an eye on him for years? That her interest is also to continue the bloodline with him? (*2) Was this (under Tynion) an attempt to link what happened under Winick? Or just to try to explain why Talia helped him at all because no one buys her having compassion for the kid Joker brutally murdered?</div><div><br /></div><div>Honestly I have no idea because I'm trying hard to understand what writers are trying to say and why they think this is a compelling story.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>*1 I've seen people claim Talia was Jason's age which really doesn't make sense and she's definitely not drawn as a child. The timeline might be different now but there's an age gap there either way.</div><div><br /></div><div>*2 Which doesn't even make sense given her devotion to Bruce?</div>Erin S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15663158782066282265noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056373842046198497.post-76886511787956196412021-03-25T14:48:00.002-07:002021-04-24T07:46:00.878-07:00I haven't liked a single panel I've seen<p>My new comics haven't come in yet so I've been looking at posted panels from the newest "definitely the future" DC issues. Maybe some of them are good but I hate everything I've seen so far. So I'm not holding onto a lot of faith for the future of DC Comics.</p>Erin S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15663158782066282265noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056373842046198497.post-30754613475971608462021-03-21T22:28:00.004-07:002021-03-21T22:28:48.941-07:00Truth and Justice #4 (10 & 11 online)<p> I decided to give this a try.</p> <a name='more'></a>
What's with stories adding never before mentioned friends of Jason's ? Wasn't he supposed to have been a lonely kid that couldn't trust easily thus why his relationship with the Outlaws was so special? In fact I recall Jason telling Artemis that he doesn't really have male friends except for Roy and Bizarro. In some cases I can excuse the inconsistency because Jason kept someone at arms length or the person did him a solid that he appreciated. <div><br /></div><div>But changing someone's origin to force in a friend that was supposedly like a brother? Saying that Jason was stealing to help Max when he met Bruce? This feels like a very forgettable story, not helped by the fact Max is already dead so there's little chance of him being mentioned again anyway. The writing doesn't capture Jason's voice, it comes out a little clunky. The art isn't a style I like although I will give the artist credit for making Jason move more like a Robin even if a couple moves look like something Dick would do.</div><div><br /></div><div>Scarecrow injecting Red Hood full of toxin? That's exactly why the exposed skin between the gloves and rolled up sleeves bothered me.</div><div><br /></div><div>While I like the concept of exploring Jason's fears, such as being buried alive, the voice and tone of the story doesn't work. The fear doesn't get a chance to linger and the narrative makes Jason more annoyed. Sure, we get told differently (literally in this case by the fake Batman) but it would have been better to be shown this instead. I've wanted to see this scenario for some time and this is disappointing. We're being beaten over the head with these supposed fears meanings instead of letting the visuals do the talking. The attempts at humor don't really help and I'm never fond of giving nods to bad stories like BFTC. Or the random white hair that's not always present. This doesn't read like a canon story but I wish it could have been stronger anyway.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Say What?: </b>Really? Jason tells everyone that he died? Also, why does everyone think he's Batman's sidekick if their constantly at odds?</div><div><br /></div><div>The sad part is that Bruce pretty much said what the fear toxin illusion said. </div><div><br /></div><div>Did anyone ever call him Jace? Is this the first time in canon anyone called Dick Golden Boy?</div><div><br /></div>Erin S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15663158782066282265noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056373842046198497.post-6335643112944251302021-03-21T21:44:00.001-07:002021-03-21T21:44:43.384-07:00Stuck at home<p> I got a surprise message from work.</p> <a name='more'></a>Turns out a co-worker caught Covid and said they hung out with me at work. I don't recall being too close to anyone and kept my mask on but just to be safe I'm on leave for awhile. I might use this time to read some comics to see if my interest returns.Erin S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15663158782066282265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056373842046198497.post-83546910333513027692021-03-21T21:32:00.012-07:002021-03-22T23:04:28.779-07:00A year of Comics in 2020<p>This was delayed a lot longer than I planned.</p><p>There wasn't a lot of stand outs this year and honestly it has me seriously reconsidering my pull list. I did plan on dropping all comics in 2021 but I have a few things to read coming up. Though I might shift to Star Wars comics and/or Manga entirely depending on what direction DC is headed. I'm not buying any of their events so I'm already saving some money.</p><p>This will be different from previous years. </p> <a name='more'></a> <p>I'm only going to have a few categories that I filled out a while ago and talk about why this was such a frustrating year in comics for me. There really weren't a lot of great moments for 2020, at least not in my pull list. The damage from previous stories still lingered heavily on character(s) like Wally West even with attempts to soft the blow of HIC since DC refused to entirely retcon it. The personality shifts with the TT acting like Damian forced them to behave the way they did and agree with his bad choices, which definitely wasn't the case. He didn't even face any real consequence for his actions and another writer had to retcon it being his response to what happened to family members (Dick, Alfred.) Which isn't why he took the team into a dark direction in the first place. </p><p>The era of the Dark Trinity ending just like all Red Hood team up books do, and partly because DC has to keep dragging the bat characters back into (Imho) subpar stories. The bat family act out of character in Alfred Pennyworth RIP, ignoring the real issues between them and pin the blame on someone/something else. Plot lines that really should be confronted, the actual conflicts between Jason and Bruce/Damian and Bruce, aren't addressed at all. For some reason everyone still thinks Jason is to blame for the friction when Bruce beat him for something he didn't even do. I have zero faith in this ever being brought up even with Roy, who knows exactly what happened, being back from the dead.</p><p>There was just so much wasted potential, good storylines being cut off for far less interesting ones. There were a lot of retcons that: 1) made no sense, 2) weren't enough to salvage the damage that was previously done, or 3) made the character(s) look worse. </p><p>I'm going to be honest, a big reason for the delay in writing this was because apathy finally set in. I mentioned this a few times when I spoke about quitting Marvel comics due to too many bad writing choices making me not care anymore. It started slowly but I think Three Jokers made me start to drop DC. I made myself read the beginning of issue #2 and never picked it back up again. I still haven't read some comics I had preordered after. So if some of the things I mentioned might of changed in a later issue I haven't gotten around to reading it. I still haven't decided if I'll finish it.</p><p><br /></p><p><b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>Most WTF Moment</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">:</span></p><p style="text-align: left;">Joker (one of them) claiming that Jason not only begged for his life but was desperate enough to offer to be his sidekick if he was spared. That just completely misses the point of Jason's character. Yes, Jason was a kid at the time but his defining part in Death in the Family was his defiance and how protective he was of his mom, even though she betrayed him. This is a kid that was literally close to death since he was a baby (not just because of his illness) because of where he lived. Someone that Bruce feared was never scared enough (UTH) that in the actual issue of the beating (DITF) fought back. Who was so loving and was so courageous that his mom (who sold him out) told Batman what a good kid he was with her dying breath.</p><p style="text-align: left;">That's why it's tragic, Jason was a hero and that still didn't save him. The retcon underlines why Jason is so off in Three Jokers. It acts like he's a scared little boy when that's not the character we've been following. Yes, he has PSTD but he's never been written like this. It also doesn't make sense. If it was true why would Joker wait until now to reveal it and not a) when Jason was dead to taunt the family or b) to get under Jason's skin when he returned?</p><p><br /></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><b>Most Emotional Issue: </b></div><p>Jason Todd doesn't open up to many people and even with his friends there are some things he prefers to deal with alone. When his best friend Roy Harper died Jason bottled everything up and no one that mentioned the death was able to get him to deal with it. After Bizarro and Artemis returned Jason mentions Roys' death in passing to Artemis and tells her the whole story. Pretty much everyone knew Jason was upset but only Artemis understood how to help him grieve. If you've read Artemis in other titles you know that she's not usually depicted as the most tactful of people nor the person you'd go for a shoulder to cry on.</p><p>Yet she just gets Jason, she knows what he needs and doesn't let him ignore his pain. She just holds him while he mourns and while providing him with enough privacy to do so. His façade slowly by surely collapses as the panels go on until he starts to let it all out. It speaks of a deep connection, far deeper than we've been shown from the bat family when it comes to Jason. </p><p><br /></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><b>Worst Character</b></div><div><br /></div><p>While Damian and his Titans did tick me off a lot another bat character took the crown this year. Writers and editors seem to find it difficult to write a consistent Barbara Gordon. Does she like certain members of the bat clan or does she hate them? She will blame Dick and Jason for not being around despite both of them having perfectly good reasons for being absent. She'll be incredibly dismissive to Dick then get together with him. (Sure the world was apparently ending but when is it not in the DCU?) She acts high and mighty to her dad for his actions while mind controlled but was fine dating the guy that previously framed Jim. </p><p>That fact that Three Jokers had <i><b><u>Batman</u></b></i> having to <i>explain</i> to a furious Barbara that Jason was traumatized by Joker still gets me. The fact that Bruce's character that is notorious for having trouble communicating with others when it comes to emotions, especially Jason, had to spell it out despite Barbara witnessing Joker triggering Jason is frustrating.</p><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p></p>Erin S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15663158782066282265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056373842046198497.post-22576258769447870482021-01-01T14:19:00.000-08:002021-01-01T14:19:11.881-08:00I still plan on doing the best/worst list<p>But it might take me a few days to get it done because of work.</p>Erin S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15663158782066282265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056373842046198497.post-49118410068928987092020-11-10T08:38:00.000-08:002020-11-10T08:38:05.252-08:00I don't know if I want finish Three Jokers<p> I'm not sure what the point would be. We'll see but I don't really feel inclined to read more after the first issue.</p>Erin S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15663158782066282265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056373842046198497.post-62848950929525936112020-11-10T08:34:00.006-08:002020-11-10T08:39:05.342-08:00Mcfarlene Red Hood Will be available in single pack<p> <a href="http://thefwoosh.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=92953&start=2055">This</a> is good news because I did not want the two pack with red Nightwing. The only difference seems to be a darker color change for the jacket. No sign of pre-orders yet.</p>Erin S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15663158782066282265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056373842046198497.post-27495336236803291672020-10-29T17:45:00.005-07:002020-10-29T17:46:49.075-07:00New Wave from McFarlane<p>While I'm not interested in a couple <a href="https://toywiz.com/mcfarlane-toys-dc-multiverse-superman-bizarro-action-figure/">figures</a> there is one figure I was happy to see. It gives me hope of seeing one team completed.</p>Erin S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15663158782066282265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056373842046198497.post-54731191625299851962020-10-01T09:42:00.012-07:002020-10-01T09:48:47.016-07:00Short Review: Red Hood (and the) Outlaw(s) #48 Vol. 2<p>I haven't been reviewing issues for awhile, partly because of computer problems, but I decided to review this one out of order. Why? Well it's crammed into the last Outlaws arc so order really doesn't matter.</p><p>SPOILERS AHEAD </p><p></p><a name='more'></a>
The opening really drives home how evasive this tie in was by literally driving through the story it breaks the flow of. Given what I know about how DC has been handling things behind the scenes it further annoys me to see an event I have no interest in forced upon this title. I'm confused of the placement of this in the timeline too.<p></p><p>As nice as the flashback with Jason and Bruce was it pretty much confirmed my fears that we'll never see an actual resolution to the lingering threads from #25. DC never lets Bruce face the consequences of his actions, something that was already seen when Dick regained his memories and Bruces' behavior during that time was shrugged off. Honestly I would be fine if we just have a scene with Bruce revealing that he figured out the truth, apologizes and promises to work towards earning back Jason's trust. That would at least be something. But back to the flashback it's self, I'm surprised Ma Gunn would allow Bruce Wayne into her place. She brushed off his attempt to help her post-Crisis and has some things inside she'd want to keep out of sight.</p><p>Jason is restrained when dealing with Jokers' men, at least until he feels he can uses explosives. Which brings up the problem with the obviously rushed nature of the last few issues that this tie in is only making worse. People knowing things they shouldn't just to speed up the pace. Punchline somehow knows Jason rigged explosives that are going to go off soon. Which so happens to work for her plans. I can buy Joker and her finding out about Jason's past with Duela but not so much the explosives.</p><p>The big hyped fight between Dick and Jason--the one that Dick later brags about kicking Jason's ass--wasn't that long. Jason wasn't even doing bad, and he even comments about the other person being sloppy due to brainwashing. I'm glad Punchline didn't factor much although I wish Jason got a chance to hit her back. I like how he didn't give a damn who she was, half of the things she does seems to be explaining her name anyway. Jason just beat her to the punch.</p><p>I'm not reading any Joker War books (I've seen some scans) so I'm not sure why Jason has no real reaction to villains knowing their identities. Sure it came up in DOTF but after the fallout for that fizzled out no one really brought it up again. I do like how Jason instantly knew what it sounded like to beat someone with a crowbar and how that made him panic. Duela thanking him for trying to save her was oddly sweet given their past. The plan Joker put in place makes Jason think it's his fault for her dying while the real Duela is switched out. </p><p>While the speedy nature of this issue was a problem I did enjoy how Jason was written. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Did You Notice?:</b> Jason's anti-Batman shirt. I could totally see that as something Gunn gave him after Batman brought Jason to her home. It new clothes so he doesn't really care.</p>Erin S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15663158782066282265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056373842046198497.post-38757036755691431242020-09-27T10:24:00.003-07:002020-09-27T10:24:45.519-07:00Another Weird Pairing<div style="text-align: center;">The Titans Titans went to the future where Tim Drake is kissed by a blonde Batwoman...who's not Stephanie Brown but rather...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_rYd7VxZo36Galm-JWiDzHCry0qNQTDtdSOWNPWkvJCGCF_73JdNEnvemxbqpQ4HJg-7clnsV7jRlE-YftqefeBX9mIIruapsWMFmoDz-d3dn3t6dlN2l3Ktz8tVh-GVi23rYIIiBMzcR/s462/weirdpairing.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<a name='more'></a>
<img border="0" data-original-height="462" data-original-width="452" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_rYd7VxZo36Galm-JWiDzHCry0qNQTDtdSOWNPWkvJCGCF_73JdNEnvemxbqpQ4HJg-7clnsV7jRlE-YftqefeBX9mIIruapsWMFmoDz-d3dn3t6dlN2l3Ktz8tVh-GVi23rYIIiBMzcR/s320/weirdpairing.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bette Kane who in the original timeline was the first Bat-Girl and Dick Grayson's former love interest. This plot gets forgotten but Bette is still depicted as older than Tim in the main timeline. I'm not sure what Johns was going for here.</div>Erin S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15663158782066282265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056373842046198497.post-57311614975040941752020-09-27T10:16:00.000-07:002020-09-27T10:16:53.319-07:00Writers' Block: Geoff Johns writing vs. Jason's time on the Teen Titans<p>I was less than impressed with Johns writing on Three Jokers. I liked him on Booster Gold although he still had some flaws. I'm taking a look back at his first attempt to write Jason Todd in Teen Titans #29 and how that fits with the characters' past with the team.</p><a name='more'></a>Johns tries to come up with compelling ideas and retcons to make stories fit into his vision. Johns wrote DC a fan letter prior to working with the company to suggest Lex Luthor would be a better choice for the human DNA that fused with Superman's to create Superboy and retconned that change himself when he took over Teen Titans. When Judd Winick wanted to bring back Jason Todd Johns suggested it being a Jason from another universe...which misses the point of Under the Hood. We've already had stories of Batman reacting to a fake Jason Todd that were created to taunt him. This would be the first time the actual Jason would be able to voice how he felt since his death. <div><br /></div><div>Johns has some recurring traits and flaws in his writing that show up from time to time.</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Trying to make a character look sympathetic by having other character(s) treat said character badly. This has the side effect of making the latter (if their heroes at least) look unlikable.</li><li>Bringing back a lesser known characters just to kill or maim them. </li><li>Retcons. Some work better than others but when he doubles down on them to back up a portrayal he's using. He did this by hyping up how the formerly good Max Lord was evil, <a href="https://exploringthetimelab.blogspot.com/2011/05/writers-block-maxwell-lord-friend-or.html#more">retconned</a> all his positive traits to the point it became nonsensical and made for a far less compelling character.</li></ul><p></p><p>Johns has Jason as Red Hood attack Titan Tower just to test his successor Tim Drake. He alludes to Jason's past with the Teen Titans but retcons all the details to fit the narrative that Jason is the "bad Robin." Which I never understood, why make that connection if you're not even going to get the details right? Even with the changes it still makes the Titans themselves look bad.</p><p>After breaking into the tower Jason takes out Cyborg and Beast Boy saying this:</p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_k5ZJQ_pmuxjqH17aSLdPhRa9HnlnvXSO36qPkf_onhxEJ5ZCGtSI_FEMZM4RTS7b_5Pcqky1b-r3BViPX4y7UDdGBl52zTma6hn9BixO-kr5cyOcpMkRYBFUhLz8prXFK0_7C_kVfhR/s1093/retcons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1093" data-original-width="847" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_k5ZJQ_pmuxjqH17aSLdPhRa9HnlnvXSO36qPkf_onhxEJ5ZCGtSI_FEMZM4RTS7b_5Pcqky1b-r3BViPX4y7UDdGBl52zTma6hn9BixO-kr5cyOcpMkRYBFUhLz8prXFK0_7C_kVfhR/w155-h200/retcons.jpg" width="155" /></a></b></div><p></p><p><b><i>"Cyborg and Beast Boy. Their inseparable from what I remember. But days like this...everyon</i></b><b><i>e is </i></b><b><i>breaking apart. I never got to work with them when I was with the </i></b><b><i>Titans.</i></b><b><i>"</i></b></p><p>That's blatantly untrue. Sure Jason didn't team up with them the first time he worked with the Titans but they were with him when the team went to save Nightwing and Raven in Zandia. During a fight with the Brotherhood of Evil Gar even saved Jason from a burning tree.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIG1cc3S4ZxCS9xdHZvdjWYhVCdz08sT6VyYVjHjrEmsttVWBOa3NQfy4JNJ2VsZuBMPh8As0fw9rGb7TU30-q6qOMVFJ-2D0EaH-qNTfsYTjoKaRwXdiIrG6FQSWIC3LV7PhMDJA5ZRDI/s1093/retcons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></a></p><p>When Jason encounters Raven under Johns he has claims that:</p><p><b><i>"Raven on the other hand...I kind of felt sorry for her. Even if she used to lecture me. Tell me to </i></b><b><i>watch my anger. She said it made me prone to reckless and self-destructive beha</i></b><b><i>vior. She said it could get me killed. She was right."</i></b></p><p>This is pure B.S. of the highest order, the kind of writing that pointedly ignores what happened to paint Jason into a bad light. What actually happened showed what a highly capable hero Jason Todd was as Robin and a Titan. Arella, Raven's mother, was hurt by Bloods' followers and most of the Titans instantly assume she was killed. Jason was the only one that actually checked and gets Donna to confirm that Arella is alive. Jason agrees to play medic to her until they can get her help showing his maturity. During this time Raven was brainwashed by Brother Blood and Jason gets her to snap out of it long enough to heal her mother. He's never seen having a temper during this whole arc. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9_Rr4JbjgSicqzbG-7qeOdPm6l8JDKfYGk484uq6xHATGjzP7IpATADIra7JAQnQOV36BM1sloLQESnp2ZddXSelb-5bXF2A9ZSD_W1RlazvBVizDRNvY5GDHAbHtnGi0AXh-cI3INC7c/s517/Jasonplaysmedic+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="517" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9_Rr4JbjgSicqzbG-7qeOdPm6l8JDKfYGk484uq6xHATGjzP7IpATADIra7JAQnQOV36BM1sloLQESnp2ZddXSelb-5bXF2A9ZSD_W1RlazvBVizDRNvY5GDHAbHtnGi0AXh-cI3INC7c/w200-h198/Jasonplaysmedic+%25282%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><p></p><p>Not even in an earlier arc when he worked with Donna Troy, Speedy (Roy), Aqualad (Garth), Hawk (Hank) and Flash (Wally) does he ever show any problems with his anger. Quite the opposite as he's literally the only member on the team that's not dealing with personal problems. Jason even stops an enraged Donna from killing Hawk and gets her to realize that she has to step up as leader. Hell, Jason even tells her flat out that he's not Dick Grayson, he's a kid that's not ready for leadership.</p><p>Johns has Jason feeling bitter, not just about being replaced with Tim as Robin but over the fact he's not even among the others in the Titans' hall dedicated to the honored dead. He mocks the fact Kole gets a statue, which works for a meta nod to her short time with the team but doesn't fit his character. Tim's former hero worship of Jason is totally forgotten at this point which is a shame as it would have made for an interesting story. While Johns builds up Tim he never gives Jason any credit for the things he did and never even bothers to explain why Jason never got a statue. I don't think he ever bothered to give any excuse even after this issue and it's especially odd when you consider Dick Grayson is a founding member.</p><p>Given the links Johns has done with old canon (including alluding to canon fans wanted to forget with Booster Gold once losing his arm) and his habit of creating his own canon I think these changes were deliberate to reinforce the negative view DC wanted for the character. Although I still have trouble fitting his portrayal with the one Judd Winick was writing at the time. It's a little hard to see that Jason taking time out from his plans to pay Tim a visit and vent his problems to someone he sees as his replacement. More so that the character Winick via Alfred said hated "dress up" decides to don a Robin costume (with yellow tights) just to fight Tim. Then write out "Jason Todd was here" just to leave an impression before the Titans inevitably paint over it.</p><p>Jason is impressed with Tim and wonders if he would have turned out any different. There's potential in that line that gets realized in Red Hood and the Outlaws when Jason has a team of his own. But for the most part Johns take underlines the very real problem at DC when it comes to writing anti-heroes and especially Jason Todd. A lot of writers ignore who Jason was and try to rewrite history to make him something he's not. It gets worse when it comes to Three Jokers (which the creative team wanted to be canon before saying it depends on the readers) which further takes away Jason's positive traits and fails to show his strengths.</p></div>Erin S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15663158782066282265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056373842046198497.post-9950509870182642392020-09-26T08:55:00.001-07:002020-09-26T09:06:23.417-07:00I knew it<p>Almost two years ago I wrote <a href="https://exploringthetimelab.blogspot.com/2018/10/i-dont-know-if-ill-get-three-jokers.html#more">why </a>I worried about Three Jokers. What a disappointment.</p><p>It’s even worse when you remember they planned for this series to be canon.</p>Erin S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15663158782066282265noreply@blogger.com0