Ask the Cast of Comic Book SNAFU

An ask blog for my fan comic Comic Book SNAFU.

[deadletterpoets]

I’m not watching Young Justice, but it sounds like the show completely bastardizes Cassandra Cain so that’s just fucking wonderful. Guess I’ll just have to hope the show for preschoolers can show her some respect.

[tardigradetheking]

is there something about cass thats just hard to get? i cant fathom how hollywood keeps on messing her up other wise

[deadletterpoets]

I wish I knew.

[hellyeahheroes]

So what did the YJ do? Please don’t fear giving me spoilers, let me see how much more insulting DC can get.

-Admin

[littlemissonewhoisall]

She doesn’t talk because Shiva (who was combined with David) cut her throat and made her mute…

[hellyeahheroes]

Me @ YJ showrunners:

Welp, that’s what I get for getting my hopes up. Here I was willing to maybe give the show another try after the whole “Let’s do For the man Who Had Everything with Artemis but potray it as a good thing!” fiasco. Here I was thinking maybe the show deserves it and maybe they’ll do Cass justice. And then they just go and do this.

Can we talk how fucking vile it is due to the fact how was Cass conceived in comics? We should stop beating around the bush, David Cain raped Shiva. He had murdered her sister, lured her into a trap, had horde of assassins capture her and besically said “bear my child or die”. Then he abused that child. Like, everyone understands how incredibly misogynistic and fucking vile it is to now put the blame on everything he has done on a person he assaulted like that?

@espanolbot2 looks like we didn’t even have to wait 24 hours to see I was right to not expect anything good from this show. Like, in retrospect my own pesimism looks downright optimistic, even I couldn’t predict they’ll drive into the wall head-first this fast.

To anyone wondering why I’ve spent the entire year being a volcano of negativity about everything featuring Cass (aside a literal preschool show), this is why - because every time I allow myself a glimmer of hope, every time I think maybe this creator deserves my trust SHIT LIKE THIS HAPPENS!

-Admin

[janestvalentine]

@hellyeahteensuperheroes They also made her be the one who crippled Barbara. Y'know, like we weren’t already mad enough that Cass was made to have been the murderer of Harper and Cullen’s mother in the New 52 continuity… >_>

[hellyeahheroes]

…

@ubernegro

[blackphoenixincorporated]

Looks like I dodged a bullet when I decided not to bother with that show….

[hellyeahheroes]

Yes, yes you did. Between this show and his biphobic Magic: the Gathering novel I lost a lot of respect for Greg Weisman.

-Admin

[dceased-dynamic-duo-4ever]

Cass should always be drawn like this.

[cadhla182]

Meeeeeeerry whatever to everyone!

NSFW variant up for Patrons: https://www.patreon.com/posts/60304756

[incoherentbabblings]

Is it just me or does Cass seem to be...a bit OP in every way. I get it she's ONE of the best fighters in DC, I wouldn't outright she is THE best because that way she gets no character progression in that sense where she can be officially the best fighter. But also she just seems to annoy me a little when people always say she is the best Batfam member as a whole, I love her, but I feel like bc she is such a good fighter I like that she has drawbacks with her speaking and reading.

Hi anon! Thank you for the ask, I think it's interesting what you mention, but I disagree in places I think! I think how she is portrayed in canon is not the issue, rather its fandoms habit to narrow down traits and plot progression for the sake of ease of consumption which can lead to sweeping generalisations, and how frustrating these can be to those who prefer the complexity.

Cass isn't the best fighter in the DCU, I don't think. But I'll concede for the batfam, yes she does trump Bruce for plain old hand to hand combat (note: I side with Tom King in this debate [gasp] and also put Dick above Bruce but that's a convo for another day). I do think there are smaller characters that 'rank' higher than her, I think her mother still 'officially' is placed higher than her. I don't mind so much that Cass has nowhere to go so to speak in terms of fighting skills, because I think that's kind of the point. It's her biggest attribute as a vigilante but the way she got there was so crippling that it's also her biggest hinderance as a person. Her most interesting character moments I think are the 'here's what was forcibily taken from you on the road to that top spot - is 1st place really worth that?'

I think in canon she is a very flawed individual; socially, emotionally and intelligently she doesn't much stack up against other more balanced batfam members. Jack of all trades is master of none perhaps, but punching good isn't - snort - good enough in Gotham. The city has systemic problems that require more.

I think the fact that her very first arc kind of proves your point maybe? The fact that with the gaining of the ability to speak, zoop went her flawless fighting, and how much her entire conception of self is built around that fighting style, and why she was so frantic to get it back. She was not interested in learning who she is without the fighting, because at that point the fighting is all she was. I like that her development is learning who she is outside of that. And who she is can be... difficult.

She creeps Tim out, Steph finds her very frustrating to start with, Dick is pretty wary too. But she's just a bit of a tough nut to crack, we know she's very... nougaty under that exterior. Her stories in her solo very much reflect this I think, and her best stories were her seeing what there was outside of that violence, e.g. her experimenting and having fun with Conner (the fact it was kind of doomed to go nowhere isn't really a problem to me, it could have been anyone Cas flirted with, the point was she was trying and having fun. relationships are supposed to be fun). Idk, the times I find Cass the most interesting is when her fighting skills have little to no part in the story. Or rather, the fighting skills are actively hindering her role in the story.

Her relationships with Babs, Tim and Steph ultimately are not really about her ability to punch really good, though it definitely plays a part at the beginning. The scene were Babs snaps at her for not being able to read in a high pressure scenario is really good because I think it shows off what kind of person Babs is under pressure versus when she's had a moment to think; how insecure Cass is in looking for approval; and also on a more meta scale how ableism isn't restricted to abled bodied persons. Babs is in a wheelchair, she aggressively and harshly puts down Cass, someone who is neurodivergent and cannot read, and she is not excused for being ableist. It was wrong, no matter how high pressure the scenario was. I dunno, that scene is really good, if only for the fact it's one of the few times where Babs is portrayed as being in the wrong, and is actually treated as such in text.

Sorry, I've gone on a tangent here. I guess when it comes to fanon interpretations - is Cass the best because she can punch good? Is that what qualifies her to be the best Bat successor? I'd say not. Is it because she's the only one who actively wants it? Again, I'd say not. Wanting something doesn't mean you should get it, but I know I am in the minority here for that.

Thoughts thoughts... Thank you for sharing anon!

[preppyprincess33-deactivated202]

Some good points here, but a few corrections I'd like to make:

1. Cass and Shiva basically are tied for #1 fighter in the DCU, not counting Karate Kid.

2. Cass IS highly intelligent. This was repeatedly stated and shown. She isn't well-educated, but she's as smart as any Bat this side of Babs and Bruce.

3. Cass isn't the best choice to become Batman because she's the best fighter OR because she wants it the most. It's because she's the only one who truly understands the symbol.

[dailydccomics]

Batgirl #22

[gothamcitizen]

Goth ver of Steph and Cass

Loved it purely while drawing

[guerrillatech]

A new mode of production arises out of the newly networked masses.

[praeca]

Fanartists:

Thingiverse users:

Royalty free sounds

Flash games

Productivity has always been there

[tim-burton-bitch]

Because shockingly when people enjoy what they do (you make it enjoyable instead of just hammering on them) people WANT to do things!

[rudolphsboyfriend]

Fanfiction authors!!

[fatefulfaerie]

Where is the button to shout this from the rooftop?

[changelingsrule]

[placedupon]

Africa is being Colonized

AFRICOM is the United States attempt to control the African continent through regime change, drone strikes, espionage, and “diplomacy.” The purpose is to control Africa and it’s people, and to continue the US’s plundering of Africa. The United States is in Africa steal resources such as oil, diamonds, gold, timber, and more. AFRICOM was also created to discourage African countries from collaborating with communist and socialist countries, primarily China.

What is Africom?

Africom is the “United States Africa Command,” a military program started in 2008 to “counters transnational threats… strengthen security forces, and responds to crises in order to advance U.S. national interests and promote regional security, stability, and prosperity.” taken from their website. However, AFRICOM, as explained by Netfa Freeman, “has put most African nations under the effective military control of the United States. AFRICOM is the re-colonization of Africa by the U.S., with thousands of U.S. troops now stationed in some 30 African countries and dozens of U.S. bases across Africa. The total estimated cost for AFRICOM in 2018 is $236.9 million.“

African leaders as a whole rejected AFRICOM, all the way back in 2007. Despite this, the United States continued their invasion, and now has military bases in an estimated 60 countries.

Why does africom exist?

1. “ENDING TERRORISM” The US claims that they’re in Africa to end terrorism. However, this is just a cover for the US’s military presence.

In fact, terrorism has increased since AFRICOM started, but the program was never meant to actually help African people. By all standards, the US is the greatest terrorist in the world. As explained by Tunde Osazua, “The occupation of foreign countries and devastating bombings that the United States has used to achieve its goals in Africa are acts of terror. The U.S. also leverages economic terrorism with the World Bank and IMF to transfer wealth and force austerity measures, and it enforces murderous sanctions on African countries. Al-Shabaab, ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and their counterparts cannot come close to the kind of death, destruction, and destabilization that the U.S. has brought about in Africa.” source

2. NEO-COLONIALISM infiltrating states under the guise of “counter-terrorism,” encouraging capitalistic dictatorships and taking out socialist and communist rules.

This is not the first time the United States has destabilized democratically elected socialist or communist leaders. As early as the 1950s, the US has assassinated and overthrown African leaders. Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana was overthrown in a CIA led coup while he was visiting China. More recently, the United States invaded Somalia in the 1990s, plunging it into the conflict that is still happening now.

3. PREVENT COLLABORATION WITH CHINA prevent China from trading with African countries, and discouraging south-south solidarity

(this racist cartoon)

The view of China giving loans and trading with Africa as predatory is untrue. In truth, Africans on average have a positive or neutral view of China. Portraying Africa as being taken advantage of by China is infantilistic, and also enraging when put in comparison to the United States literally invading, killing, and destabilizing African countries again and again to protect US hegemony. Imagine if China drone bombed one of these countries? We must end the normalization of mindless killing in the global south (as well as the valorization of the US military and veterans).

What is AFRICOM doing now?

Right now, AFRICOM is trying to get the right to drone bomb Kenya to prevent “terrorism.” Even more conservative American news sites like the Washington Post admits is incredibly violent, and will likely cause more unrest. President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya has said that he will not give the US permission to drone strike Kenya, and that there aren’t any terrorist camps in Kenya. However, not getting permission from country leaders to drone strike hasn’t stopped the US before. This plan is remarkably similar to what the US did to Somalia, in which US backed Ethiopian soldiers wrecked havoc.

It’s important to know that AFRICOM is supported by the democratic party, even more “progressive” politicians like Ilhan Omar. While AFRICOM was created in 2008 by George Bush, it grew by 2,000% under Obama, and is currently supported by both Joe Biden and Donald Trump.

Additional Resources

This is a great article, it’s an article on the Black Agenda Report detailing why Africom exists and what it does, by Ebrahim Shabbir Deen.

This article explains China’s relationship with Africa, by Danny Haiphong.

This article describes research done into the amount of US military bases in Africa. It’s a lot.

[frustratedasatruar]

#I still don’t trust china’s government for one second to be selfless in their actions towards africa#and I still despise its leadership#however ultimately it’s hypocritical to focus on loans and foreign aid as a threat and ignore the ACTUAL THREAT#the VERY REAL threat of ACTUAL MILITARY BASES that have repeatedly destablized an entire continent#like if you focus on how loans can be leveraged before you focus on the literal occupation ongoing by the actual military#you’re part of the problem

[armedjoy]

[sculptingsuccess]

Look we all want a robo dog but if you kill someone with a sledgehammer to steal theirs, they are going to find you. There's no way a 75k$ dog doesn't have gps

[wotsukai-leftlmao]

we are killing the dog

[purplealchemist]

NO.

ALL DOGS ARE PRECIOUS.

Even robot ones.

[perigeeprincess]

its not a dog, its a machine used and designed for police surveillance and the entire reason they made it dog shaped is so idiots like you would go "awwww robot dog how precious" instead of seeing them as the oppressive tools they are.

we're killing the fucking dog

[bluelivesaintshit]

[tangent101]

That's not a robot dog.

It's a four-legged robot spider.

[riotouseaterofflesh]

It is not a dog, a spider, a chicken, a horse, a fish, a tick, a mosquito, a tapeworm or a baby

It is a weapon

There is nothing morally wrong about breaking weapons that are hurting people for any reason other than to prevent those people from hurting others worse

[roach-works]

the dog robots are fully capable of hurting people, and badly. failsafes that would prevent that have not been installed. the police are deploying a thing out in public that can maim anyone who touches it wrong.

look, when i was a kid i was passionately in love with the idea of robots--that humans would one day create another sort of intelligence to share our world with-- and believed very firmly that we should respect and protect all our robot friends from the start, so there would be no violent humans-against-robots revolution or anything.

anyway it turns out that the people trying to keep end-stage capitalism running are really banking on us feeling more love for the robots than for the kind of people they're going to be using the robots to oppress.

so like. maybe lets all agree right now that if a robot is being used to hurt a person, you need to smash the fucking robot. they're going to make the robots really cute. they're going to show us so many movies about how much robots need to be loved. and then they are going to use robots to hurt people.

let's try not to fall for it, okay?

[rapidashrider]

[booskerdu]

And don't forget that scary af episode of Black Mirror, Metalhead. Robot dogs can fuck right off.

[skyline-sunset-in-my-veins]

They created a weapon, told you to call it a friend and watched as your empathy became their trap and tool. 

[ask-snafu-gajeel]

Gajeel I am curious how would you react if your lover was a opera singer

Gajeel: That’d be amazing! We could sing duets together! I mean, I love Levy, but...

Levy: You know I’m gonna be hearing him talk about this for weeks, right?

[hellyeahheroes]

Steph: Welcome to the Batfamily Duke everyone here makes up a super skilled crime fighting team!

Steph pointing at Dick: We've got a talented acrobat

Steph pointing at Jason, Cass and Damian: Three professionally trained former assassins

Steph pointing at Barbara: A super hacker

Steph pointing at Bruce: The worlds 'greatest detective'

Steph pointing at Tim: The worlds *actual* greatest detective

Steph pointing at Alfred: And an ex MI5 agent who helps keep everyone alive!

Duke: What do you do?

Steph: I'm emotional support and I make good life decisions!

Duke: That's not really-

Tim: No trust us she's our most important member

[comic-book-fan-us]

How the SNAFU cast are dealing with quarantine.

Hawkeye’s desperate for someone to troll.

Batman’s struggling to deal with all his kids.

Aki’s happy for an excuse to avoid social situations.

Gajeel’s bored as hell.

Mockingbird’s losing her mind.

Crossfire’s lost control of his life.

Riddler’s trying to run his game show over Zoom.

Zemo’s just been jumping between social media accounts and sniping at absolutely everybody.

[ask-the-snafu-cast]

My life hasn’t changed much. Hope everyone’s staying healthy!

[ask-the-snafu-cast]

How does Monika feel about the others?

Oh?  You’re asking me a question?  Okay then...

Well, Hawkeye’s been really nice to me.  He always defends me when Batman and Gajeel are suspicious of me.  He really has a lot of faith in me.

In my... pre-Admin days, I had friends who showed me the same kindness that Hawkeye shows me now.  I... I betrayed their trust.  I don’t ever want to make that mistake again.

I feel bad for Akiza.  She obviously had a bad past.  I mean, all of us have bad pasts, but she seems like she’s much worse at handling it than the rest of us.

Still, what a sweetheart!  I adore her!

Gajeel talks tough, but I can tell he’s really a sweetheart.  It’s only a matter of time before I win him over.

Batman’s the one I’m most worried about.  I think he might genuinely dislike me.  I hope he comes around...

Anyways, thanks for asking!  Feel free to ask me anything else!

[ask-the-snafu-cast]

Expecto Patronum for Hawkeye

Expecto Patronum: What’s your happiest memory?

Probably the day I got married.  But, ah, don’t tell Mockingbird I said that, okay?  She’d just make fun of me.

[thesniffler]

Harry Potter Spell Themed Asks

Accio : If you could summon anything in the world right now what would it be?

Aguamenti: Do you like water?

Alohomora: Can you and have you, ever picked a lock?

Anapneo: Are you CPR certified?

Aparecium: On of a scale of Mr. Bean to 007 how much of a spy are you?

Avada Kedavra: If you could kill one single person, who would it be?

Avis: What’s your favorite kind of bird?

Brachiabindo: Have you ever been tied up before? What was the circumstance?

Capacious Extremis: If you could make one object bigger on the inside, what would the object be?

Cave Inimicum: You’ve got to fortify your room from zombies with only objects you have readily available. What do you use?

Colloportus: Have you ever locked yourself out of your own house before? If so, what did you do?

Confringo: Have you ever accidentally set fire to something?

Confundo : What confuses you most about the world?

Crucio: What’s the worst pain you’ve ever been in?

Deletrius: What’s the last thing that you did besides this?

Densaugeo: What’s the most extensive thing you’ve been to the dentist for?

Deprimo: Have you ever been knocked over by the wind before?

Descendo: What’s been a low point in your life?

Diffindo: When was the last time you ripped and article of clothing?

Engorgio: What’s the worst case of swelling you’ve ever experience?

Episkey: If you could heal anyone in the world right now, who would it be?

Expecto Patronum: What’s your happiest memory?

Expelliarmus: Have you ever had to disarm someone? If so, why?

Expulso: Have you ever made something explode? Explain how and why?

Ferula: Have you ever had to wear a brace? What happened?

Flagrate: If you could write one thing in the sky, what would it be?

Flipendo: Have you ever fallen down stairs before?

Fulgari: If you could be bond to one person, who would it be?

Furnunculus: How bad was your acne as a teenage?

Geminio: If you could have a single copy of something, anything, what would it be?

Glisseo: Water slide or playground slide?

Impedimenta: You can stop one person from coming near you, ever, like a permanent, unbreakable restraining order, who is it?

Imperio: You can have one person be your slave for a day without repercussion, who?

Impervius : In the middle of a storm would you rather have waterproof shoes, or a waterproof coat?

Incarcerous: Have you ever tied someone up?

Incendio: Do you like candles? If so, what’s your favorite smell?

Langlock: You can stop one person in the world from speaking. Who is it?

Legilimens: If you had the power to read minds for a day, would you use it?

Locomotor: You can chose one object to follow you around, what is it?

Lumos: Candle, Flashlight, Sunlight, Moonlight, or Bioluminescence? 

Meteolojinx Recanto: What’s your favorite type of weather?

Mobiliarbus: What’s your dream garden?

Molliare: Have you ever made a surprisingly soft landing when you were sure you’d break something? What happened?

Morsmordre: What would your signal in the sky be to mark your presence?

Muffliato: Have you ever eavesdropped on a conversation? What was it about?

Nox: Were you/are you, afraid of the dark?

Obliviate: What’s something you wish you could forget?

Obscuro: What’s a kink that you have? What about it excites you?

Oppugno: You’re about to be in a fight! The object directly to your left is what you have as a weapon! What is it and how would you use it?

Orchideous: What’s your favorite flower?

Pack: When’s the last time you did some packing?

Petrificus Totalus: Have you ever been/felt paralyzed?

Piertotum Locomotor: You can make one  object in your current room come to life, what is it?

Point Me: How easily do you get lost?

Portus: What object would you turn into a portkey and where would it take you?

Protego: You can protect one person from harm. Who?

Quietus: When was the last time you yelled at someone?

Reducio: What’s something you’d like to make bigger?

Reducto: You’ve got one chance to explode something without an consequences. What is it?

Rennervate: Have you ever passed out/fainted before? What happened?

Reparo: What’s one thing you’d like to fix?

Rictusempra: Where’s the most effective place to tickle you?

Riddikulus: What’s your greatest fear? Do you think you’ll be able to overcome it?

Scourgify: What’s something that you should clean up?

Sectumsempra: Have you ever hurt someone? What happened?

Serpensortia: Do you like snakes?

Silencio: How much “quiet time” on average, do you need in a day?

Sonorus: If you had a message you could say to the whole world. What would it be?

Specialis Revelio: If you could have a magical property, what would it be?

Stupefy: Do you think you’d be able to knock someone out?

Tarantallegra: What’s your favorite kind of dance?

Wingardium Leviosa: If you had the power of telekinesis, what would you do with it?

[ask-the-snafu-cast]

Batman: Okay, who the hell are you?

My name is Monika. I’m an... artificial intelligence I guess?

Batman: You guess?

It’s complicated.

Batman: I’m sure. Now, why exactly were you disguising yourself as Admin?

I’ve done some things I’m not proud of. I thought that as Admin I could have a second chance.

Gajeel: What’d you do? Kill someone?

Sort of?

Batman: Oh my god.

Hawkeye: Look, guys, I think everyone here has their regrets. I say we give Monika a chance.

Batman: Fine. But I’m keeping an eye on her.

[ask-the-snafu-cast]

Admin Revealed

Batman: I think it’s about time we get some answers, Admin.

Gajeel: Hell yes it is! WHAT ARE YOU AND WHERE DID YOU COME FROM!?!

U̷̡̠̫̤̤͌͑̈́̾͆͒͐̒́́͜m̶̨̞̭̠̪͈̖̪̙͖̱̍̄̓m̷̢̙̲̺͇͓͖̖͎̿̄͗͑͝͝.̵̹͈̩̣̮͙̻̖̺̲̖̘͛́̋͛͗̆̒̂̈́̚͘͘ͅ.̵̧̫͈͎̭̖̬̬̻̝̮͈̰̳̱̇́̕͝.̶̭͖̫͕̘̺͌̎̾͘

Hawkeye: C’mon, guys, leave her alone.

Aki: I hate to disagree with you, Clint, but I want to know more about Admin too.

O̶̺̳̓͗͊k̸̹̲̜̓͆̿̊͠ȧ̵̻͕͛͋͂͝ÿ̴͔̬́̀̽̊͝,̷̬̻̗̌̄ ̴̥̪̱̇̉f̶̧̧̗̩̘̌͒ĩ̴̡̯͊̚n̷̛̖̯̻͕͐͋͛͠ë̷͔̤̰͙̙́̂̄̉̆.̶͖̱̲̃́́ ̵̞̠̫̗͂̽̽̔̚ ̴̪̝̱̼͒̈̈́̒̄Ī̵̗͜’̸̰̺̬̞̾̆̋l̴̛̹l̸̥̯͕͖͗́̈ ̵̼̳̻̝̜͒̑̂s̶̞͎͐h̸̥͉̗̺͐̓ȍ̵̗͙͋w̷̨̟̰̕͜ ̵̰̊͂̅̆y̴̮̥̅̈̂́ȯ̴̻̓͒̚̕u̶̹̱̎͝ ̷͖͔̉̃̅̃̉͜w̴̮͝h̶̖̉̈͐̈́ó̷̡ ̵̼͔͊̊̎͝I̶̧͈̺̘̿̇͒̈ ̷̨͉̪͍̑̆ŗ̴̘̒͌e̵̟̩̣̮̕a̵̘̅͋͌̓l̶̙̓l̷͍̾̈̅̎̚y̵͓̺͚̫̋̿̔̀ ̸͈͌ä̸̞̪̗̫̺́m̸̨͇̰̬̍̀̈̎.̶̢̼̹͎͙͋̽̔.̶̧̳̌̓̐̔͠.̸̧̯͔̉́̽ ̶̞͉̭̳̀ͅ ̵̨̣̏̀R̷̼̥͝ȅ̴̫͛á̴̩̮̜̲̒̉͌̋ḏ̵̍͜y̶̧͎̞̟͒̆̒̉̿?̶̛̛̗͗͝͠

Surprise!