Showing posts with label Robin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Robin. Show all posts
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Another Cass from my sketchbook
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
How does the introduction of Carrie Kelley into DC continuity affect Cassandra Cain?
Little or not at all.
By now everyone who reads DC comics knows Carrie Kelley, Robin-of-the-future in Frank Miller's famous The Dark Knight Returns (hyperbole! Rolling Stone magazine!), will make her in-continuity debut in Batman and Red Robin #19. The cover is a Miller homage complete with lightning bolt, but the interior pages DC's shown are more of a clever goof on his version of Carrie. And maybe Dan Clowes as well-- she looks like a cosplaying Enid Coleslaw. This Carrie is older than Miller's and kind of out of her timeframe, plus it doesn't seem she'll be an actual Robin.
While the continuity-minded might balk at introducing a character from the future when so many perfectly good characters from the current day don't seem to exist as yet-- for example, Lady Shiva hasn't given birth to Cass Cain-- but I've always liked Carrie. And the New 52 continuity doesn't have to proceed in the same way chronologically as the classic DC continuity. In fact, it's pretty obvious it hasn't.
The original Carrie Kelley was a fun Robin, the daughter of two neglectful parents who goes a-heroin' with a grizzled, middle-aged lunatic who's about as warm as a penguin's ass. Miller's teen girl dialogue is frequently groan-inducing-- probably from hanging out with Chris Claremont too much-- and Carrie's survival strains suspension of disbelief in a story that's at its breaking point almost from page one. But she won me over in the end as a bright contrast to the gloom and doom. But for a number of reasons that should be obvious, this Carrie isn't that Carrie. She may have some of the original's likability, but I find it unlikely she's going to be a true Robin.
She'd need lots of training, unless she just happens to be a highly-skilled martial artist. Which I doubt. Sure, they might be hinting at that by giving her a Damian connection of some sort, but Batman coming across a fully qualified rookie Robin isn't exactly what series writer Peter Tomasi calls "organic and heartfelt." More like serendipitous and shoe-horned. Unless he's making some kind of wicked joke on some already very sensitive fans. I refuse to believe in conspiracies and take the man at his word. DC has made some boneheaded decisions lately but I doubt anyone there is that cruel and/or dumb.
And making Carrie a true Robin would be cutting in line, right? If it's to be a female Robin, there's already a likely candidate in Harper Row who logically should have a shot. From what I've gleaned online, I've come to think they're positioning Harper for that role anyway.
While we're on that topic, I favor there being a female Robin. While it's already been done at least twice, it's worth going there again. Having a female Robin makes for a different kind of mentor-protege relationship between the two heroes and that deserves further exploration because it offers new story possibilities. And, after all, how many short, black-haired boys with acrobatic skills can there be in Gotham City?
Anyway, getting back to Carrie's affect on the continued non-existence of Cassandra Cain. I don't really see how the two relate.
Over at the Mary Sue, a few commenters have registered some unhappiness with Carrie's appearance. Mostly having to do with DC's continued refusal to use Steph and Cass in stories:
"And for HER, we get cheated out of Steph and Cassandra? AGAIN???"
"Cassandra Cain would slide nicely into Damian's role."
One person totally disagrees with me and rejects the idea of a female Robin (fair enough). Another writes he's more annoyed with Cass and Steph not being Batgirl again than with the possibility either of them have been replaced as potential Robins.
The last I tend to agree with a bit more than any of the others I read there. Cass has never been identified with the Robin role in the way Steph has. She was always Batgirl, the first to have her own solo title. Plus, I think of Robin as a lower ranking title. Batgirl has more autonomy (like the fully adult Nightwing before her, Cass received an entire city of her own to patrol and clean), whereas Robin is always a kid or teen apprentice of some kind. Why would Cass settle for being a Robin when there's no one short of Batman himself she can't beat in a fair fight? Also consider that Cass another well-established super identities of her own-- Blackbat/Black Bat. If we must have the original Batgirl in the costume, and given the plethora of Robins, there's really no reason we couldn't have had Cass as Black Bat-- at least until they de-aged Lady Shiva and gave us the in-story reason for it. But as Robin? No thanks. Even Red Robin would be more appropriate, and even that costume doesn't carry the status of Batgirl's, or offer the potential for creating her own legacy as does Blackbat's.
So introducing some college kid and having her wear a Robin costume at a party in no way impinges on Cassandra.
The "but Steph" arguments carry more weight with me. Still since there's no indication Carrie will be a ROBIN-Robin, and given that Harper Row fulfills a lot more of Steph's functions in the Bat-family, and considering Steph's promotion to Batgirl, it seems unlikely Carrie is an either-or substitute for Steph. I really doubt anyone at DC ever made the connection. Now if she were wearing a Spoiler costume, then I could definitely see cause for major alarm.
By now everyone who reads DC comics knows Carrie Kelley, Robin-of-the-future in Frank Miller's famous The Dark Knight Returns (hyperbole! Rolling Stone magazine!), will make her in-continuity debut in Batman and Red Robin #19. The cover is a Miller homage complete with lightning bolt, but the interior pages DC's shown are more of a clever goof on his version of Carrie. And maybe Dan Clowes as well-- she looks like a cosplaying Enid Coleslaw. This Carrie is older than Miller's and kind of out of her timeframe, plus it doesn't seem she'll be an actual Robin.
While the continuity-minded might balk at introducing a character from the future when so many perfectly good characters from the current day don't seem to exist as yet-- for example, Lady Shiva hasn't given birth to Cass Cain-- but I've always liked Carrie. And the New 52 continuity doesn't have to proceed in the same way chronologically as the classic DC continuity. In fact, it's pretty obvious it hasn't.
The original Carrie Kelley was a fun Robin, the daughter of two neglectful parents who goes a-heroin' with a grizzled, middle-aged lunatic who's about as warm as a penguin's ass. Miller's teen girl dialogue is frequently groan-inducing-- probably from hanging out with Chris Claremont too much-- and Carrie's survival strains suspension of disbelief in a story that's at its breaking point almost from page one. But she won me over in the end as a bright contrast to the gloom and doom. But for a number of reasons that should be obvious, this Carrie isn't that Carrie. She may have some of the original's likability, but I find it unlikely she's going to be a true Robin.
She'd need lots of training, unless she just happens to be a highly-skilled martial artist. Which I doubt. Sure, they might be hinting at that by giving her a Damian connection of some sort, but Batman coming across a fully qualified rookie Robin isn't exactly what series writer Peter Tomasi calls "organic and heartfelt." More like serendipitous and shoe-horned. Unless he's making some kind of wicked joke on some already very sensitive fans. I refuse to believe in conspiracies and take the man at his word. DC has made some boneheaded decisions lately but I doubt anyone there is that cruel and/or dumb.
And making Carrie a true Robin would be cutting in line, right? If it's to be a female Robin, there's already a likely candidate in Harper Row who logically should have a shot. From what I've gleaned online, I've come to think they're positioning Harper for that role anyway.
While we're on that topic, I favor there being a female Robin. While it's already been done at least twice, it's worth going there again. Having a female Robin makes for a different kind of mentor-protege relationship between the two heroes and that deserves further exploration because it offers new story possibilities. And, after all, how many short, black-haired boys with acrobatic skills can there be in Gotham City?
Anyway, getting back to Carrie's affect on the continued non-existence of Cassandra Cain. I don't really see how the two relate.
Over at the Mary Sue, a few commenters have registered some unhappiness with Carrie's appearance. Mostly having to do with DC's continued refusal to use Steph and Cass in stories:
"And for HER, we get cheated out of Steph and Cassandra? AGAIN???"
"Cassandra Cain would slide nicely into Damian's role."
One person totally disagrees with me and rejects the idea of a female Robin (fair enough). Another writes he's more annoyed with Cass and Steph not being Batgirl again than with the possibility either of them have been replaced as potential Robins.
The last I tend to agree with a bit more than any of the others I read there. Cass has never been identified with the Robin role in the way Steph has. She was always Batgirl, the first to have her own solo title. Plus, I think of Robin as a lower ranking title. Batgirl has more autonomy (like the fully adult Nightwing before her, Cass received an entire city of her own to patrol and clean), whereas Robin is always a kid or teen apprentice of some kind. Why would Cass settle for being a Robin when there's no one short of Batman himself she can't beat in a fair fight? Also consider that Cass another well-established super identities of her own-- Blackbat/Black Bat. If we must have the original Batgirl in the costume, and given the plethora of Robins, there's really no reason we couldn't have had Cass as Black Bat-- at least until they de-aged Lady Shiva and gave us the in-story reason for it. But as Robin? No thanks. Even Red Robin would be more appropriate, and even that costume doesn't carry the status of Batgirl's, or offer the potential for creating her own legacy as does Blackbat's.
So introducing some college kid and having her wear a Robin costume at a party in no way impinges on Cassandra.
The "but Steph" arguments carry more weight with me. Still since there's no indication Carrie will be a ROBIN-Robin, and given that Harper Row fulfills a lot more of Steph's functions in the Bat-family, and considering Steph's promotion to Batgirl, it seems unlikely Carrie is an either-or substitute for Steph. I really doubt anyone at DC ever made the connection. Now if she were wearing a Spoiler costume, then I could definitely see cause for major alarm.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Oops... looks like we need a new Robin!
Well.
I've always thought the whole idea of Robin is ridiculous anyway. While I like the original one, Dick Grayson, his stint as Robin is more camp than anything else. I mean, what is the purpose of using a child to fight crime? Even by the suspect standards of comic book logic, this is a hard dose of stupid to swallow. And look at their mortality rate. That pretty much bears out the idea having a youthful ward as sidekick is a terrible idea. Some of the later Robins worked a little harder to justify their place at Batman's side, especially this latest one. Who, in the interest of full disclosure, I hated.
I found him obnoxious and annoying. Granted, I've only read maybe two or three of the comics he's appeared in. But don't get me wrong-- I doubt he was supposed to be likable in any conventional sense. Usually I gravitate towards edgier, problematic personalities in stories, especially if they're tragic. In this case, he seemed grafted onto the story too late for me to develop any kind of sympathy for him or his overweening personality. Kind of like Kennedy in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She just rubbed me the wrong way and I never warmed up to her because she entered the story way too late and demanded a certain kind of attention that I, as a fan, just wasn't prepared to accord her because she hadn't earned it through experience. On the other hand, her lateness may be the very reason I never developed a like for her-- no time to get to appreciate her positive aspects or her inner pain and all that jazz.
Anyway, getting back to the Boy Wonder in question-- obnoxious character stuff can be pretty funny. In small doses. Plus, not every character has to be friendly or nice. That would be pretty boring. Characters "you love to hate" are just peachy with me. So noow that it's done-- and a little too late-- I'm reassessing my take on the most recent Robin. From various comments I've read and certain online essays, I realize for some people this little guy mattered. He was made of boy-wonderment. To you, the fans of this particular Robin, I admit I asked for his death in any number of Facebook comments, but now think I was wrong to do so. I'll be more objective and careful in the future.
But the main thing is-- who will be the new Robin? Because even though I think the very concept is asinine, we all know there must be a Robin of some sort. It's a Batman given.
I can only tell you who it won't be. And that's Cassandra Cain. For one thing, she more than likely hasn't even been born yet in the new DC continuity. Her origin could be reconfigured where she was born in some sort of artificial womb from an egg supplied by Lady Shiva and sperm from David Cain, then rapidly aged and trained in some science fiction-y way with the end result pretty much the same as before. But she's never been identified with the Robin brand. There's no real reason for her to become Robin and I wouldn't want her to. She could still have a slot as Black Bat without interfering with DC's Barbara Gordon plans and backstory.
What about Stephanie Brown? This is a sentimental pick of mine. I'd be happy for her fans if this happened and it would smooth over a lot of public relations hurt from the past few years. Steph has been a Robin before, so there actually is a precedent. But if she's to be a contemporary with Cass, then she also hasn't been born yet. Unless they do the fast-aging thing for Cass, in which case Steph is lurking somewhere around the DC universe. Steph is also more closely associated with the Batgirl and Spoiler identities, so it would make more sense to re-establish her as Spoiler, then maybe work her in as a substitute Batgirl at some point. But, hey, this is DC and story logic hasn't exactly been their strong suit for quite some time.
All that geeky junk aside, I think we all know the next Robin will be this Harper Row character. I don't know a lot about her, but she's a Scott Snyder creation and he's taking over as the main Bat-architect. Plus, the few images of Harper I've seen show her as some kind of sleuthing Nancy Drew-type in a dark tunnel of some kind, which establishes her credentials as a potential Batman protege. You average, ordinary, work-a-day person tends to stay out of dark tunnels and harm's way. Unless their average, ordinary, work-a-day job involves dark tunnels and harm. I doubt she's comics' answer to Ed Norton, so Snyder and DC must be positioning her for some purpose.
Unless this dead kid comes back. His grandfather does that pretty often. Come to think of it, so does his dad.
I've always thought the whole idea of Robin is ridiculous anyway. While I like the original one, Dick Grayson, his stint as Robin is more camp than anything else. I mean, what is the purpose of using a child to fight crime? Even by the suspect standards of comic book logic, this is a hard dose of stupid to swallow. And look at their mortality rate. That pretty much bears out the idea having a youthful ward as sidekick is a terrible idea. Some of the later Robins worked a little harder to justify their place at Batman's side, especially this latest one. Who, in the interest of full disclosure, I hated.
I found him obnoxious and annoying. Granted, I've only read maybe two or three of the comics he's appeared in. But don't get me wrong-- I doubt he was supposed to be likable in any conventional sense. Usually I gravitate towards edgier, problematic personalities in stories, especially if they're tragic. In this case, he seemed grafted onto the story too late for me to develop any kind of sympathy for him or his overweening personality. Kind of like Kennedy in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She just rubbed me the wrong way and I never warmed up to her because she entered the story way too late and demanded a certain kind of attention that I, as a fan, just wasn't prepared to accord her because she hadn't earned it through experience. On the other hand, her lateness may be the very reason I never developed a like for her-- no time to get to appreciate her positive aspects or her inner pain and all that jazz.
Anyway, getting back to the Boy Wonder in question-- obnoxious character stuff can be pretty funny. In small doses. Plus, not every character has to be friendly or nice. That would be pretty boring. Characters "you love to hate" are just peachy with me. So noow that it's done-- and a little too late-- I'm reassessing my take on the most recent Robin. From various comments I've read and certain online essays, I realize for some people this little guy mattered. He was made of boy-wonderment. To you, the fans of this particular Robin, I admit I asked for his death in any number of Facebook comments, but now think I was wrong to do so. I'll be more objective and careful in the future.
But the main thing is-- who will be the new Robin? Because even though I think the very concept is asinine, we all know there must be a Robin of some sort. It's a Batman given.
I can only tell you who it won't be. And that's Cassandra Cain. For one thing, she more than likely hasn't even been born yet in the new DC continuity. Her origin could be reconfigured where she was born in some sort of artificial womb from an egg supplied by Lady Shiva and sperm from David Cain, then rapidly aged and trained in some science fiction-y way with the end result pretty much the same as before. But she's never been identified with the Robin brand. There's no real reason for her to become Robin and I wouldn't want her to. She could still have a slot as Black Bat without interfering with DC's Barbara Gordon plans and backstory.
What about Stephanie Brown? This is a sentimental pick of mine. I'd be happy for her fans if this happened and it would smooth over a lot of public relations hurt from the past few years. Steph has been a Robin before, so there actually is a precedent. But if she's to be a contemporary with Cass, then she also hasn't been born yet. Unless they do the fast-aging thing for Cass, in which case Steph is lurking somewhere around the DC universe. Steph is also more closely associated with the Batgirl and Spoiler identities, so it would make more sense to re-establish her as Spoiler, then maybe work her in as a substitute Batgirl at some point. But, hey, this is DC and story logic hasn't exactly been their strong suit for quite some time.
All that geeky junk aside, I think we all know the next Robin will be this Harper Row character. I don't know a lot about her, but she's a Scott Snyder creation and he's taking over as the main Bat-architect. Plus, the few images of Harper I've seen show her as some kind of sleuthing Nancy Drew-type in a dark tunnel of some kind, which establishes her credentials as a potential Batman protege. You average, ordinary, work-a-day person tends to stay out of dark tunnels and harm's way. Unless their average, ordinary, work-a-day job involves dark tunnels and harm. I doubt she's comics' answer to Ed Norton, so Snyder and DC must be positioning her for some purpose.
Unless this dead kid comes back. His grandfather does that pretty often. Come to think of it, so does his dad.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Is Cassandra Cain the new Batwing?
Someone new is coming to hang out with Batman, new to the current continuity. Grumpy Old Fan (I'm Cheerful Middle-Aged Fan, thanks for asking) at Comic Book Resources reports promise of a new Batwing in the DC solicits for April 2013: "'a new member of the Batman family' ready to be the new Batwing. I take it this last is not Stephanie Brown (because … well, you’ll see). Cassandra Cain, perhaps?"
That would make this comic book fan very happy indeed, but I seriously doubt it will be Cass. After all, her mother, Lady Shiva, is hardly old enough these days to have a teenaged daughter. A lot about the New 52 continuity makes little or no sense, so we can't discount this possibility entirely (they could give her a new mom, I suppose, or just fudge the timeline the way they've done with Barbara Gordon and all those Robins). It just doesn't seem very likely to me. Too much of a goodwill gesture from a company that hasn't been long on them regarding this character.
And what happened to the old Batwing? Must we always eliminate one character to make room for another? That just seems weird to me.
Grumpy goes on to theorize why the mysterious yellow-caped Robin could be Stephanie Brown, and that's slightly more convincing: "The solicit asks, 'On the darkest of nights, who is the one person Batman meets that could change his life forever?' Well, if Batman needs a new Robin, that flutter of yellow cape on Issue 19′s cover could reveal her. That’s right: The April solicitations could feature the triumphant return of Stephanie 'Robin' Brown!"
Cass and Steph bouncing back into the pages of DC comics in April? Grumpy breathes a little too closely to the flickering flame of hope with a joke that's all the funnier because it's so bitterly accurate about the kind of thing that happens these days at the once and (possibly) future home of Cass Cain. But I will make a solemn vow to start following the Bat books again if either of these characters makes her return in April.
That would make this comic book fan very happy indeed, but I seriously doubt it will be Cass. After all, her mother, Lady Shiva, is hardly old enough these days to have a teenaged daughter. A lot about the New 52 continuity makes little or no sense, so we can't discount this possibility entirely (they could give her a new mom, I suppose, or just fudge the timeline the way they've done with Barbara Gordon and all those Robins). It just doesn't seem very likely to me. Too much of a goodwill gesture from a company that hasn't been long on them regarding this character.
And what happened to the old Batwing? Must we always eliminate one character to make room for another? That just seems weird to me.
Grumpy goes on to theorize why the mysterious yellow-caped Robin could be Stephanie Brown, and that's slightly more convincing: "The solicit asks, 'On the darkest of nights, who is the one person Batman meets that could change his life forever?' Well, if Batman needs a new Robin, that flutter of yellow cape on Issue 19′s cover could reveal her. That’s right: The April solicitations could feature the triumphant return of Stephanie 'Robin' Brown!"
Cass and Steph bouncing back into the pages of DC comics in April? Grumpy breathes a little too closely to the flickering flame of hope with a joke that's all the funnier because it's so bitterly accurate about the kind of thing that happens these days at the once and (possibly) future home of Cass Cain. But I will make a solemn vow to start following the Bat books again if either of these characters makes her return in April.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Well, do you think we'll have a female Robin come April?
Here's a link to a highly speculative article on Comicbook.com discussing some possible changes in the Bat-family this spring. What do you think? Will Harper Row become the new Robin after... yuck... Damian Wayne finally gets his well-deserved death? Or is this a flashback to a gentler time when Dick Grayson wore the costume? Or will the new female Robin be...
Stephanie Brown?
Okay, sorry about that last one. Actually, I'd be very happy if DC did reintroduce Steph into continuity this way. Unfortunately, I can foresee a coming storm if DC does go the Harper Row route, because that means Steph's place as the first female Robin is no more. Another boot in the bum for that character and her long-suffering fans.
I don't read these New 52 books, so I'm not entirely sure how the Batman continuity works these days. Simple answer from my online searches seems to be, "It doesn't." I mean, no Steph, no Cass, car-loads of Robins and ex-Robins running around despite Batman's having been in action about 5 years or so. There are only two things I know for certain.
One, here comes something to do with Robin. And two, if this is a new female Robin, she won't be Cass Cain.
Stephanie Brown?
Okay, sorry about that last one. Actually, I'd be very happy if DC did reintroduce Steph into continuity this way. Unfortunately, I can foresee a coming storm if DC does go the Harper Row route, because that means Steph's place as the first female Robin is no more. Another boot in the bum for that character and her long-suffering fans.
I don't read these New 52 books, so I'm not entirely sure how the Batman continuity works these days. Simple answer from my online searches seems to be, "It doesn't." I mean, no Steph, no Cass, car-loads of Robins and ex-Robins running around despite Batman's having been in action about 5 years or so. There are only two things I know for certain.
One, here comes something to do with Robin. And two, if this is a new female Robin, she won't be Cass Cain.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Cass and Steph surface... in an art commission!
DC can consign their least-favored characters to oblivion, but they can't stop fans from asking for artwork featuring said characters. Well, actually, DC probably could demand people stop commissioning art of benched characters like Cass, but I'm afraid Pandora's already opened that box and Cass has flown out. Now she belongs to the ages (until DC's legal department informs me otherwise). Of course, Steph scores not one but two appearances because she's been both a Robin and a Batgirl.
What am I babbling about with mixed metaphors and meandering digressions? Cass as Batgirl in some brand new artwork. Rich Johnston at Bleeding Cool posted this piece by Nate Snareser just the other day, but I've been back at my job (dressed in Cass-appropriate black, I might add) and too busy to comment until now. And as one of the only Cass blogs still active on the net, it's my job to have an opinion on everything Cass that comes down the line!
I wish I could post the actual artwork here because illustrated posts provide more "pop" and I like them, but you'll just have to follow the link to look at this snazzy artwork yourself. It's appropriately epic, with just about everyone who's ever been a Batman, Batwoman, Batgirl or Robin coming at you bolder than love and nearly as bad-ass. I have no idea who a lot of these people are. I'm not up on all the alternate reality/timeline versions of all these characters and intense continuity is just not my forte. But I do know a thing or two about art, and this is some solid work. Well, I'm not going to critique it or anything. I'm just going to admire the effort and dedication it took for Snareser to produce this amazing piece.
The comments at Bleeding Cool are a fun read, too. Nate makes an appearance. He seems like a truly nice guy and I hope he's getting more of these commissions. True to Internet form, however, the bulk of the comments are taken up by two posters arguing over whether or not a third party should have posted a negative comment about the art.
What am I babbling about with mixed metaphors and meandering digressions? Cass as Batgirl in some brand new artwork. Rich Johnston at Bleeding Cool posted this piece by Nate Snareser just the other day, but I've been back at my job (dressed in Cass-appropriate black, I might add) and too busy to comment until now. And as one of the only Cass blogs still active on the net, it's my job to have an opinion on everything Cass that comes down the line!
I wish I could post the actual artwork here because illustrated posts provide more "pop" and I like them, but you'll just have to follow the link to look at this snazzy artwork yourself. It's appropriately epic, with just about everyone who's ever been a Batman, Batwoman, Batgirl or Robin coming at you bolder than love and nearly as bad-ass. I have no idea who a lot of these people are. I'm not up on all the alternate reality/timeline versions of all these characters and intense continuity is just not my forte. But I do know a thing or two about art, and this is some solid work. Well, I'm not going to critique it or anything. I'm just going to admire the effort and dedication it took for Snareser to produce this amazing piece.
The comments at Bleeding Cool are a fun read, too. Nate makes an appearance. He seems like a truly nice guy and I hope he's getting more of these commissions. True to Internet form, however, the bulk of the comments are taken up by two posters arguing over whether or not a third party should have posted a negative comment about the art.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
The Brave and the Bold: "Imasucker Proxy" edition
That's right. Comic book fandom. It's May 2006. Anyway, for a few more minutes it is. Come midnight it's gonna be June. A whole 'nother feeling. A new issue of Robin. The future. Yeah, ol' DC Comics fixin' to put out one more comic and everybody hopin' this one be a little more giddy, a little more gay because Cassandra Cain gonna make her post-"One Year Later" debut. Yep, all over town champagne corks is a-poppin'. Over at DC's offices the big shots is dancin' to the strains of Gwen Stefani and Pussycat Dolls. Down at the comic shops, the little folks is a-watchin' and waitin' for that new comic magazine to drop. They all tryin' to catch hold of one superhero story. To be able to say, "Right now! This is it! I got it! Cass is back!" 'Course, by then it'll be past. But they all happy, everybody havin' a good time. Well, almost everybody.
They's a few lost souls floatin' around out there. Now, if ya'll ain't from comics fandom, we have something here called "the Cass fan." Got a way of bein' chewed up by editorial and creative decisions so that they don't want no celebrating, they don't want no cheerin' up, and they don't care nothing 'bout no Tim Drake. Out of hope, out of rope. Out of time.
This here is Joel Bryan from Cass-O-Rama. That comic book he's steppin' out of is the home of one of those Cass stories. It's Robin's home. How'd he get so high? And why is he feelin' so low? Is he really gonna do it? Is this Cass fan really gonna jelly up the sidewalk? Well, the future, that's something you can't never tell about. But the past, that's another story...
One thing I did after I graduated from Muncie College of Business Administration was come up with an out-of-continuity version of the Teen Titans. You know, for kids. I loosely on the old school 1960s version of the team, but updated with 2000s style concerns and a warm and optimistic vibe rather than dark and cold. I drew a lot of character design sketches and even plotted the first six or so issues. Lots of goofy hijinks but plenty serious elements, too. Life isn't all fun and games, and I didn't want to deny that. Bullying, sexism, racism, drug abuse, homophobia, the search for identity and loneliness are all very real. I wanted to address these social issues, but show some smart, can-do, community-involved teens handling them as best they could. Not that tired cliche of "trying to find [their] place in this world," (generally used as an excuse for a lot of would-be tragic self-destructive behavior and acting out) but the other one about "trying to make this world a better place." And we put a little sand inside to make the experience more pleasant.
I guess my dream Teen Titans are kids who act as a super-powered Volunteer Committee, one committed to improving their world rather than the stereotypical sullen, confused, angry, selfish, rebellious type teens who end up fighting their adult mentors and all that. Kind of an antidote to the confused, angsty Supergirl and villainous Cass then current in DC continuity.
But it needed a set-up. My idea was having ultra-smart, ultra-capable but sometimes in-over-her-head Supergirl learning about the silent Batgirl of Gotham City and trying to befriend her, despite being warned off by Batman and even Superman. For her part, Batgirl is just confused about the whole concept of friendship. You can't beat anyone with it, so what good is it? She's also not sure she deserves friends-- this Cass is still wracked with guilt at having murdered, afraid Batman will find out about it and fighting that infamous death wish. All of this just makes Supergirl that much more determined to become her friend. She can't leave well enough alone.
This part of the story is probably derivative, but I wanted to plunge both characters into an almost impossible situation. Darkseid, sick of Superman and wanting to crush the Man of Steel's spirit by hitting him where he's most vulnerable (his human, caring heart) and expand his own power base, sends some of his soldiers to kidnap Supergirl. They find her during one of her attempts to communicate with Batgirl. A fight, and Supergirl is overcome via some sort of device that saps her of her self-confidence and self-worth, leaving her somewhat de-powered. They overmatch Batgirl and toss her aside but fail to reckon with her unstoppable will to fight on no matter what. Just as the minions of Apokolips leave in a Boom Tube, Batgirl leaps in.
Once in Darkseid's presence, Batgirl confounds the tyrant but can't elude his soldiers. She's tossed to the Female Furies for whatever use they see fit-- a training dummy or pet. Meanwhile, Darkseid and Desaad place the weakened Supergirl in a machine meant to bombard her with despair long enough to break her will. Then they plan to rebuild her psyche in the corrupt image of an Apokolipsian warrior and use her against Superman.
Batgirl spars with the Female Furies and comes off worst, but finds herself fascinated by their warrior ethos. She comes to admire them and desperately wants to join their ranks. She won't take no for an answer even if it means death.
Supergirl, suffering inside the machine where she's experiencing the death of Argo City over and over-- Darkseid wants to teach her the meaninglessness of hope-- suddenly comes to a calm place where she meets none other than Christopher Columbus, who claims he's there as a hero guide. Supergirl is aghast. Why couldn't it be Superman, Wonder Woman, Rosa Parks, Marie Curie, Indira Gandhi, Amelia Earhart, Patti Smith or anyone but Christopher Columbus. She calls him out for being the bringer of disease and misery for so many Native Americans. This Columbus protests he's not the Columbus of history but rather the idealized one from out-dated school books and outdated history lessons. The heroic one divorced from reality that millions of American schookids used to look up to. He's not even speaking Italian, for corn's sake.
Supergirl is less than convinced and still none too happy to have even the Platonic ideal of Columbus as her spirit guide, but it can't be helped. Their confrontation rekindles hope inside her and she realizes as long as she has even one little spark, one little ember of positive thinking left, she can stoke up the fire in her heart. Regaining her strength and mustering an amazing amount of willpower and innate self-confidence-- anything is possible-- she bursts from the machine and destroys it in the process.
Darkseid knows he's failed and his only recourse is the kill Supergirl. Pursued by his armies, Supergirl takes flight. She fully believes she has no chance of survival, but she's going to give it all she's got and create a legend among the battered spirits of Apokolips in hopes of inspiring them one day to revolt against Darkseid and throw off his chains of oppression.
Superman, having discussed with Batman the situation between the two girls, has gone looking for Supergirl and traced the Boom Tube particles back to Apokolips. He shows up in time to find a Batgirl joyfully waging her own futile combat against the Female Furies. Batgirl has found her own place of hope, which, ironically, is one of strife and warfare she is bound to lose in the end. Superman helps her rout the Furies, who grudgingly give ground and declare their respect for Batgirl as a having "potential" for greatness. With Batgirl safe, Superman is able to quiz her-- after a fashion-- about what's happened. He leaves her in the care of the Furies while he flies off to rescue Supergirl.
Supergirl is fighting her last stand. She's defeated dozens of Darkseid's best and now Darkseid himself is about to unleash a final, annihilating force against her when Superman appears. Together, the heroes defeat Darkseid, with Superman telling his young cousin how proud he is of her. Darkseid leaves to plot again. A quick rendezvous with Batgirl and the three head back to earth.
Batgirl and Supergirl forge their friendship, which will lead to the formation of a new Teen Titans team. Then they go their separate ways. For now.
And that's the story of how Joel Bryan climbed waaay up to the one hundred and forty-ninth issue of the Robin comic, and then fell all the way down but didn't quite squish hisself. You know, they say there was a man who jumped from the one hundred FIFTIETH issue? But that's another story.
They's a few lost souls floatin' around out there. Now, if ya'll ain't from comics fandom, we have something here called "the Cass fan." Got a way of bein' chewed up by editorial and creative decisions so that they don't want no celebrating, they don't want no cheerin' up, and they don't care nothing 'bout no Tim Drake. Out of hope, out of rope. Out of time.
This here is Joel Bryan from Cass-O-Rama. That comic book he's steppin' out of is the home of one of those Cass stories. It's Robin's home. How'd he get so high? And why is he feelin' so low? Is he really gonna do it? Is this Cass fan really gonna jelly up the sidewalk? Well, the future, that's something you can't never tell about. But the past, that's another story...
One thing I did after I graduated from Muncie College of Business Administration was come up with an out-of-continuity version of the Teen Titans. You know, for kids. I loosely on the old school 1960s version of the team, but updated with 2000s style concerns and a warm and optimistic vibe rather than dark and cold. I drew a lot of character design sketches and even plotted the first six or so issues. Lots of goofy hijinks but plenty serious elements, too. Life isn't all fun and games, and I didn't want to deny that. Bullying, sexism, racism, drug abuse, homophobia, the search for identity and loneliness are all very real. I wanted to address these social issues, but show some smart, can-do, community-involved teens handling them as best they could. Not that tired cliche of "trying to find [their] place in this world," (generally used as an excuse for a lot of would-be tragic self-destructive behavior and acting out) but the other one about "trying to make this world a better place." And we put a little sand inside to make the experience more pleasant.
I guess my dream Teen Titans are kids who act as a super-powered Volunteer Committee, one committed to improving their world rather than the stereotypical sullen, confused, angry, selfish, rebellious type teens who end up fighting their adult mentors and all that. Kind of an antidote to the confused, angsty Supergirl and villainous Cass then current in DC continuity.
But it needed a set-up. My idea was having ultra-smart, ultra-capable but sometimes in-over-her-head Supergirl learning about the silent Batgirl of Gotham City and trying to befriend her, despite being warned off by Batman and even Superman. For her part, Batgirl is just confused about the whole concept of friendship. You can't beat anyone with it, so what good is it? She's also not sure she deserves friends-- this Cass is still wracked with guilt at having murdered, afraid Batman will find out about it and fighting that infamous death wish. All of this just makes Supergirl that much more determined to become her friend. She can't leave well enough alone.
This part of the story is probably derivative, but I wanted to plunge both characters into an almost impossible situation. Darkseid, sick of Superman and wanting to crush the Man of Steel's spirit by hitting him where he's most vulnerable (his human, caring heart) and expand his own power base, sends some of his soldiers to kidnap Supergirl. They find her during one of her attempts to communicate with Batgirl. A fight, and Supergirl is overcome via some sort of device that saps her of her self-confidence and self-worth, leaving her somewhat de-powered. They overmatch Batgirl and toss her aside but fail to reckon with her unstoppable will to fight on no matter what. Just as the minions of Apokolips leave in a Boom Tube, Batgirl leaps in.
Once in Darkseid's presence, Batgirl confounds the tyrant but can't elude his soldiers. She's tossed to the Female Furies for whatever use they see fit-- a training dummy or pet. Meanwhile, Darkseid and Desaad place the weakened Supergirl in a machine meant to bombard her with despair long enough to break her will. Then they plan to rebuild her psyche in the corrupt image of an Apokolipsian warrior and use her against Superman.
Batgirl spars with the Female Furies and comes off worst, but finds herself fascinated by their warrior ethos. She comes to admire them and desperately wants to join their ranks. She won't take no for an answer even if it means death.
Supergirl, suffering inside the machine where she's experiencing the death of Argo City over and over-- Darkseid wants to teach her the meaninglessness of hope-- suddenly comes to a calm place where she meets none other than Christopher Columbus, who claims he's there as a hero guide. Supergirl is aghast. Why couldn't it be Superman, Wonder Woman, Rosa Parks, Marie Curie, Indira Gandhi, Amelia Earhart, Patti Smith or anyone but Christopher Columbus. She calls him out for being the bringer of disease and misery for so many Native Americans. This Columbus protests he's not the Columbus of history but rather the idealized one from out-dated school books and outdated history lessons. The heroic one divorced from reality that millions of American schookids used to look up to. He's not even speaking Italian, for corn's sake.
Supergirl is less than convinced and still none too happy to have even the Platonic ideal of Columbus as her spirit guide, but it can't be helped. Their confrontation rekindles hope inside her and she realizes as long as she has even one little spark, one little ember of positive thinking left, she can stoke up the fire in her heart. Regaining her strength and mustering an amazing amount of willpower and innate self-confidence-- anything is possible-- she bursts from the machine and destroys it in the process.
Darkseid knows he's failed and his only recourse is the kill Supergirl. Pursued by his armies, Supergirl takes flight. She fully believes she has no chance of survival, but she's going to give it all she's got and create a legend among the battered spirits of Apokolips in hopes of inspiring them one day to revolt against Darkseid and throw off his chains of oppression.
Superman, having discussed with Batman the situation between the two girls, has gone looking for Supergirl and traced the Boom Tube particles back to Apokolips. He shows up in time to find a Batgirl joyfully waging her own futile combat against the Female Furies. Batgirl has found her own place of hope, which, ironically, is one of strife and warfare she is bound to lose in the end. Superman helps her rout the Furies, who grudgingly give ground and declare their respect for Batgirl as a having "potential" for greatness. With Batgirl safe, Superman is able to quiz her-- after a fashion-- about what's happened. He leaves her in the care of the Furies while he flies off to rescue Supergirl.
Supergirl is fighting her last stand. She's defeated dozens of Darkseid's best and now Darkseid himself is about to unleash a final, annihilating force against her when Superman appears. Together, the heroes defeat Darkseid, with Superman telling his young cousin how proud he is of her. Darkseid leaves to plot again. A quick rendezvous with Batgirl and the three head back to earth.
Batgirl and Supergirl forge their friendship, which will lead to the formation of a new Teen Titans team. Then they go their separate ways. For now.
And that's the story of how Joel Bryan climbed waaay up to the one hundred and forty-ninth issue of the Robin comic, and then fell all the way down but didn't quite squish hisself. You know, they say there was a man who jumped from the one hundred FIFTIETH issue? But that's another story.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Cassandra Cain comes back... as a Black Bat chess piece!
Being in Japan, I don't hear about these things until after everyone else so I'm like little brother, always tagging along, towing my little Radio Flyer wagon filled with dog-eared Batgirl trade paperbacks and wrinkled up comic books. So while I really don't want Cass-O-Rama to become some kind of aggregator site where I'm just compiling links to other people's blog entries and Tumblr posts about Cassandra Cain, sometimes it can't be helped.
So here we are, reacting rather late to the Eaglemoss Black Bat white pawn (#028 in the set), with a release date of March 2013 (just in time for my birthday, hint hint). Retailing for a mere $15.99 and currently available for pre-order. If I wasn't posting this from work I'd have snagged a photo to show it off and make this post prettier. It's a nice little piece and quite a surprise considering Cass's status as persona non grata at DC Comics. She's got her fly-away hair, pointy domino mask, a serious but somewhat bland expression, her white forearm wraps the purpose of which eludes me and she's double-fisting some dangerous-looking batarangs so you know she's open for business. The sculptor has given her a muscular, not-too-exaggerated physique. That in itself is a minor miracle.
There's such a paucity of Cass-related merchandise out there-- as far as I know it consists of one incredibly ugly action figure from DC Direct, another half-assed one from Mattel, plus a Hero Clix piece, an Ame-Comi statue and an all-but-impossible-to-find teensy-tiny figure from a Batman blind-box collection here in Japan-- so this is a welcome treat for this Cass fan, and if I may be so bold, for all Cass fans. All twenty or so of us.
Who would've thought it? They must have been too far along in the production process to cancel it when all the buzz about Cass and Stephanie Brown being toxic started making the Internet rounds. And of course, there may still be time for someone high up at DC to buy them all and destroy them before they fall into the hands of anyone who might appreciate having a small memorial of Cass's last costumed identity. Indeed, of her very existence before they blotted her out.
Of course we have to address the elephant in the room-- apparently the set originally included Barbara Gordon as Oracle and what was possibly Stephanie Brown as Batgirl. Those are out, but Barbara is back in as the current Batgirl. No surprise there. Sorry Oracle and Steph fans. There's even less Steph merchandise out there than there is for Cass.
With #012 in the set being a rather bad-ass looking Katana, I'm going to try to get both of them and also #03 Damian Wayne Robin so I can pretend the two of them are kicking the crap out of that little snot.
So here we are, reacting rather late to the Eaglemoss Black Bat white pawn (#028 in the set), with a release date of March 2013 (just in time for my birthday, hint hint). Retailing for a mere $15.99 and currently available for pre-order. If I wasn't posting this from work I'd have snagged a photo to show it off and make this post prettier. It's a nice little piece and quite a surprise considering Cass's status as persona non grata at DC Comics. She's got her fly-away hair, pointy domino mask, a serious but somewhat bland expression, her white forearm wraps the purpose of which eludes me and she's double-fisting some dangerous-looking batarangs so you know she's open for business. The sculptor has given her a muscular, not-too-exaggerated physique. That in itself is a minor miracle.
There's such a paucity of Cass-related merchandise out there-- as far as I know it consists of one incredibly ugly action figure from DC Direct, another half-assed one from Mattel, plus a Hero Clix piece, an Ame-Comi statue and an all-but-impossible-to-find teensy-tiny figure from a Batman blind-box collection here in Japan-- so this is a welcome treat for this Cass fan, and if I may be so bold, for all Cass fans. All twenty or so of us.
Who would've thought it? They must have been too far along in the production process to cancel it when all the buzz about Cass and Stephanie Brown being toxic started making the Internet rounds. And of course, there may still be time for someone high up at DC to buy them all and destroy them before they fall into the hands of anyone who might appreciate having a small memorial of Cass's last costumed identity. Indeed, of her very existence before they blotted her out.
Of course we have to address the elephant in the room-- apparently the set originally included Barbara Gordon as Oracle and what was possibly Stephanie Brown as Batgirl. Those are out, but Barbara is back in as the current Batgirl. No surprise there. Sorry Oracle and Steph fans. There's even less Steph merchandise out there than there is for Cass.
With #012 in the set being a rather bad-ass looking Katana, I'm going to try to get both of them and also #03 Damian Wayne Robin so I can pretend the two of them are kicking the crap out of that little snot.
Monday, November 19, 2012
Cass versus the Robins!
I've shared my opinion on a couple of Marvel characters who could beat Cass. Cass defeated? Yes, it has to happen. Otherwise she'd just be invincible and never in any kind of jeopardy, which renders a lot of the external conflict comics are based on pointless. But as a Cass fan, I enjoy stories where she wins. And as the best pure martial artist in the DC universe, there are quite a number of characters she can beat. In fact, she could probably defeat any non-powered character other than Batman himself.
Ever since Adam Beechen threw a little possible romance in between Cass and Tim Drake in Robin issues 150-151 (July, August 2006), one of my little funny things to do is draw little doodles of Cass putting a variety of hurtings on a lovestruck Tim. Usually with the sound effect "BEECHEN!" While this would never happen in the comics-- they're just good friends-- it's pretty much how it would play out if the two did tangle. Because there's not a Robin past or present Cass couldn't whup with one hand tired behind her back. Here's how I see the various Robins against Cass:
Dick Grayson? He'd put up the best fight, but how much of one depends on which Dick she fights. Kid Dick from the Golden and Silver Ages would last no longer than any of the later Robins-- mere seconds-- but the older Nightwing Dick could stand toe-to-toe with Cass for a while before she'd inevitably knock him the hell out. After all, this guy substituted for Batman. Still, there's no way we can have a Dick Grayson who's just as powerful a fighter as his mentor-- otherwise why have a Batman in the first place?-- and the comics definitively establish Cass as being a formidable foe for the Caped Crusader himself. Therefore, Dick falls into third place in the Bat-family fighter pantheon behind Batman and Cass.
The caveat to this is if Dick cheats somehow. He's a bit brighter than Cass, and has to be because of his status as substitute-Batman, Batman being the World's Greatest Detective. Cass is no dummy. She's quite smart, actually. But Dick (despite being depicted as a complete idiot due to shaky writing at times) must be close to genius. My reasoning behind this is while Batman would no doubt train his kid army to be as skilled as possible in all aspects of their mission, he must also realize not everyone can excel at everything. He happens to be a polymath, but it's unreasonable for him to expect everyone else to be. Better to have them specialize. He started Dick's training before he figured this out and it's sort of traditional for a Robin to fill that role. So Dick has come farthest towards the all-around standards of his teacher, but Cass is a particularly sharp knife and we do not use such a knife as a hammer and expect it to cut when we need it to later. Cass needs a certain level of detective/brain ability but she's better as a pure fighter.
So Dick has a shot at finding some weakness of Cass's to exploit. Not likely, however.
Jason Todd? Alive or dead, Robin or Red Hood, Cass can take him. He's a rawer form of Grayson, created as a mere substitute and as such, not to be taken completely seriously. I've always questioned the need for a Robin in the first place. Once we grant that first Robin, it takes effort to justify putting a child in danger and really puts Batman's judgement in question (even more so than disguising himself as a bat on the theory that criminals as a whole are a "cowardly, superstitious lot"). Still, most people expect Batman to have a Robin (even if you're not a comic fan, the phrase "Batman and Robin" rings a bell), hence Jason after Dick becomes Nightwing. Hand-me-down characters get harsher beat-downs than originals. That's just how it works.
Tim Drake? Not even a contest. If we posit a Dick Grayson defeat by Cass, and another one with Jason Todd, then obviously this later, lesser Robin has to fall as well. As a youngster, Tim Drake's not even as formed an adventurer as either of the previous Robins. Much less experienced. Yeah, he's become a fine Red Robin, but even now there's no way he could stand against Cass and her lifetime of violence and the resultant special abilities she possesses. In any story where he's even give her the slightest problem can be chalked up to writer error.
Stephanie Brown? Less of a fight than even Drake. In her own comic Cass has been shown to knock Steph out in a casual, off-handed way that smacks of zero effort expended.
Damian Wayne? Despite his having an upbringing similar to Cass's, she eats him alive, and the indigestion she momentarily suffers is the only difficulty she encounters. Tactical genius or not, raised by the League of Assassins and all that, he's still a child with a child's physique. Cass also has him on skill level. If he lives to adulthood, then we might see something amazing, along the lines of Cass versus Batman. But given his personality, what are the chances of that?
Ever since Adam Beechen threw a little possible romance in between Cass and Tim Drake in Robin issues 150-151 (July, August 2006), one of my little funny things to do is draw little doodles of Cass putting a variety of hurtings on a lovestruck Tim. Usually with the sound effect "BEECHEN!" While this would never happen in the comics-- they're just good friends-- it's pretty much how it would play out if the two did tangle. Because there's not a Robin past or present Cass couldn't whup with one hand tired behind her back. Here's how I see the various Robins against Cass:
Dick Grayson? He'd put up the best fight, but how much of one depends on which Dick she fights. Kid Dick from the Golden and Silver Ages would last no longer than any of the later Robins-- mere seconds-- but the older Nightwing Dick could stand toe-to-toe with Cass for a while before she'd inevitably knock him the hell out. After all, this guy substituted for Batman. Still, there's no way we can have a Dick Grayson who's just as powerful a fighter as his mentor-- otherwise why have a Batman in the first place?-- and the comics definitively establish Cass as being a formidable foe for the Caped Crusader himself. Therefore, Dick falls into third place in the Bat-family fighter pantheon behind Batman and Cass.
The caveat to this is if Dick cheats somehow. He's a bit brighter than Cass, and has to be because of his status as substitute-Batman, Batman being the World's Greatest Detective. Cass is no dummy. She's quite smart, actually. But Dick (despite being depicted as a complete idiot due to shaky writing at times) must be close to genius. My reasoning behind this is while Batman would no doubt train his kid army to be as skilled as possible in all aspects of their mission, he must also realize not everyone can excel at everything. He happens to be a polymath, but it's unreasonable for him to expect everyone else to be. Better to have them specialize. He started Dick's training before he figured this out and it's sort of traditional for a Robin to fill that role. So Dick has come farthest towards the all-around standards of his teacher, but Cass is a particularly sharp knife and we do not use such a knife as a hammer and expect it to cut when we need it to later. Cass needs a certain level of detective/brain ability but she's better as a pure fighter.
So Dick has a shot at finding some weakness of Cass's to exploit. Not likely, however.
Jason Todd? Alive or dead, Robin or Red Hood, Cass can take him. He's a rawer form of Grayson, created as a mere substitute and as such, not to be taken completely seriously. I've always questioned the need for a Robin in the first place. Once we grant that first Robin, it takes effort to justify putting a child in danger and really puts Batman's judgement in question (even more so than disguising himself as a bat on the theory that criminals as a whole are a "cowardly, superstitious lot"). Still, most people expect Batman to have a Robin (even if you're not a comic fan, the phrase "Batman and Robin" rings a bell), hence Jason after Dick becomes Nightwing. Hand-me-down characters get harsher beat-downs than originals. That's just how it works.
Tim Drake? Not even a contest. If we posit a Dick Grayson defeat by Cass, and another one with Jason Todd, then obviously this later, lesser Robin has to fall as well. As a youngster, Tim Drake's not even as formed an adventurer as either of the previous Robins. Much less experienced. Yeah, he's become a fine Red Robin, but even now there's no way he could stand against Cass and her lifetime of violence and the resultant special abilities she possesses. In any story where he's even give her the slightest problem can be chalked up to writer error.
Stephanie Brown? Less of a fight than even Drake. In her own comic Cass has been shown to knock Steph out in a casual, off-handed way that smacks of zero effort expended.
Damian Wayne? Despite his having an upbringing similar to Cass's, she eats him alive, and the indigestion she momentarily suffers is the only difficulty she encounters. Tactical genius or not, raised by the League of Assassins and all that, he's still a child with a child's physique. Cass also has him on skill level. If he lives to adulthood, then we might see something amazing, along the lines of Cass versus Batman. But given his personality, what are the chances of that?
Monday, October 1, 2012
Another Cassandra Cain doodle...
Back when DC abruptly changed Cass into a talkative villain, I came up with my own version. My Batgirl is pretty much the original silent, deadly version from the real comic, but in a kind of retro-Batgirl suit, minus the high heels (of course). As sort of an antidote to the dark Wonder Dog-eats-Wendy storytelling popular at the time, I had this idea of putting an ultra-violent Cass in a sunny, neo-retro-post-modern take on the Teen Titans, only this time headed by this socially aware super-achiever version of Supergirl. Other members were Wonder Girl based on the cheerful hedonist version from the original Teen Titans comic (she'd cause the more responsible Supergirl no end of headaches), a shaky, insecure version of Robin and Cyborg. Kid Flash, Speedy and others would come and go as the stories dictated. Yeah, it was a stupid idea, but writing scripts no one would see and doing little doodles on ATM receipts really kept my love for these characters alive when their actual caretakers seemed to be doing everything in their power to destroy them.
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