DC OC Week

07/11/2025 - 13/11/2025 A fan run event celebrating original characters in the DCU!

[dc-oc-week]

Thank you for participating in DC OC Week!

And a quick reminder that we will continue to reblog your posts so long as you tag us at @dc-oc-week :)

It's been an absolutely wonderful week seeing people's amazing art, writing, and ideas regarding their OCs, and we'd like to give you the biggest virtual hug for everyone who participated!

If you'd like to suggest changes or make sure certain things you liked are there again next time, then fill out this form!

DC OC Week Feedback

Thank you again for such a great week!

[lost-kingsmen]

DC OC Week, Day 7: Superman

Gawain actually really looks up to Superman, and desperately wants to ask him a question or two or six about being a good hero. He’s stuck in the job, rather than having chosen it for himself, but he’ll be damned if he doesn’t do the best he can now that he’s here.

Unfortunately, Gawain also gets incredibly nervous around people he idolizes - like Superman - and his knee-jerk reaction is to shut up and not risk embarrassing his parents himself.

His brother Arthur teases him by threatening to flag down the hero and ask on Gawain’s behalf whenever he has to travel to Metropolis (once every couple of months, for prosthetic-related reasons), and Gawain is honestly terrified he’s going to do it one day.

@dc-oc-week

[lost-kingsmen]

DC OC Week, Day 6: Justice League

Though he isn’t a member of the Justice League, Gawain visited their orbital headquarters on a handful of occasions.

Zatanna referred to him as her ‘expert’ and brought him up to the station as a guest when the League came across a series of magical items and artifacts that stemmed from Sigil City but had been found in the hands of various low-level supervillains around the country. None of the items were passively dangerous, thankfully, and Gawain ran everything he saw and heard back through Lord Aetherius once he got back to Sigil City to be sure he hadn’t passed along any incorrect information. 

It was absolutely not a combined effort from Lord Aetherius and Zatanna to help shift the hero community’s perception of Gawain from ‘gimmicky bodyguard’ to ‘actual professional’ while simultaneously helping him achieve his long-surrendered dream of going to space. Not at all.

@dc-oc-week

[lost-kingsmen]

DC OC Week, Day 5: Mentor

Gawain has a variety of mentor figures, including Sigil City Police Chief Feolan Whelan, Mayor Aether/Lord Aetherius himself (though both will laugh it off if confronted), Zatanna, and more recently, Sir Justin, the Shining Knight.

Chief Whelan vehemently disagrees with Mayor Aether’s decision to essentially put children (first Gawain, then Arthur as “Ace”) on the front lines of a dangerous career like superheroism and makes that crystal clear whenever the subject is brought up. He also doesn’t think anyone else is better suited to make sure the darker parts of the city don’t eat these poor kids alive, and forcibly took them under his wing before Aether could even think to ask. And when Gawain breaks down in tears after comforting the ghost of a murder victim whose killer still hasn’t been caught, or Ace needs to just not be around people after a long day, Chief Whelan pulls down the blinds of his office, turns off the lights, and makes sure that no officers come knocking unless it’s a real emergency.

Lord Aetherius and Zatanna are both watching out for Gawain and his brother Ace in the magical community. Aetherius gave them as much magical protection and assistance as he could, such as giving Arthur as close to full invulnerability as he could and providing Gawain as much political immunity as he’s able within Sigil City’s supernatural community. Zatanna, in turn, gives them knowledge that Aetherius doesn’t have (he’s a wealth of it, but really only when it comes to Sigil City and its unique communities, specifically) and the connections with other magic users in the hero community to make sure Gawain and Arthur learn properly and aren’t going to get unnecessarily hurt.

Through Zatanna, Gawain was also introduced to Sir Justin. He finally had someone to talk to about feeling left behind - by people, by technology, by the passage of time, etc. - and the pressure of having such a heavy destiny dropped onto his shoulders with no warning, no guidance, and no real choice in the matter. Aside from simple conversation, Sir Justin helps Gawain refine his intense (but amature) swordsmanship with actual advice and experience in combat. Guinevere and Winged Victory, too, turned out to be fast friends.

@dc-oc-week

[lost-kingsmen]

DC OC Week, Day 4: Making up nicknames

Gawain has a jokingly-combative friendship with Ivan Callahan, another powerful spirit in Sigil City (sometimes called “Kadonnut” by certain branches of an obscure religious cult). Unless the situation or conversation is a serious topic, they almost never actually call each other by their names.

Callahan has called Gawain “Camelot”, “Your Majesty”, “Vegas”, and “Horseman”, and in return, Gawain has called Callahan such names as: “Cal”, “Snowman”, “Elsa”, and “Carpathia”.

Lord Aetherius wishes his knight would stop antagonizing the budding old god.

@dc-oc-week

[lost-kingsmen]

DC OC Week, Day 3: Childhood

Gawain actually had a very good childhood. He never had to worry about going hungry or missing out on school trips. He had a few close friends, and even numerous family members in the area that stayed an active part of his life from the day he was born to the day he died. His parents weren’t present for a lot of it, but it was a happy time in his life, and he has many good memories from it to look back on.

His aunt Bryony always took him out for ice cream after a test at school (either to celebrate a good grade or to cheer him up from a bad one). His great grandmother encouraged him to learn Welsh by giving him candy every time he spoke a full sentence of it with her (he got two if he translated a paragraph with no grammatical errors). When he won third place at a regional swing dancing competition, his uncle Lance and his best friends, Sabre and Victoria, were in the audience cheering him on. His 14th, 15th, 16th, and 17th birthday parties were all planned by his friends and hosted by his grandparents at the family estate because his parents were traveling and couldn’t attend.

There were plenty of things that…weren’t great…about Gawaiin’s childhood. He was raised by a short series of nannies until he was twelve because his parents were both ‘too busy’ to raise a child. He earned numerous scars from treatable injuries because he didn’t want his parents to see the hospital bills and blame the two friends he had, who they already thought were poor influences on him. His parents paid so little attention to his interests that they had no idea the ‘riding’ he did was American-style trick riding, or that the ‘decorative armor’ he bought was actual functional equipment for the HEMA events he helped put on and attend in the two years before his disappearance.

But so many others had it worse than he did, so Gawain has no room to complain, right? Right.

@dc-oc-week

[lost-kingsmen]

DC OC Week, Day 2: Home

Gawain’s childhood home was a six bedroom mansion in one of the richest neighborhoods of London, with a private back garden and a gated front drive. Despite all the space, it was usually empty but for a cook, a nanny, and Gawain himself, as Tom and Elaine were often either traveling for work or staying out late at work or network-related events. His favorite room at his parents’ home was the library - a two floor masterpiece of dark wood shelves with an extensive collection of books bought mostly for appearance (which made it easy to hide his sci-fi books from his father on shelves he knew were never touched).

But just as much of his childhood was spent at the Kingsmen’s estate in the countryside, which was owned by his maternal grandparents.

Family rumor claimed the estate had once belonged to the royal family of a tiny kingdom that was swallowed up by its larger neighbors somewhere in the 15th century, and it looked the part. Stained glass windows depicting family crests and suits of armor from bygone eras could be found in almost every room, and tapestries lined the halls as much as portraits of long forgotten ancestors. There were dusty cellars with locked doors no-one had opened in more than a century, and more than a few secret passages between rooms and floors.

Gawain spent most of his summer breaks at this estate, playing games with his cousins, friends, and close-aged uncle in the halls. He had his 16th birthday there on the grounds. He ompleted his motorcycle restoration project in the barn after his father refused to let him keep the ‘disruptive mess’ at their home. He broke his arm falling off a second floor balcony after leaning out too far to shout down to his uncle, and he got drunk for the first time in the wine cellar there after his first major fight with his father.

If you asked Gawain to think of ‘home’, he’d think of the Kingsmen estate.

About a decade after Gawain disappeared, his grandparents passed and ownership of the estate fell to his Aunt Bryony, who levered the building’s historical grading to complete a few renovations with a government grant and then opened its doors as a museum. Gawain felt more than a little sad to hear that the place he considered his home more than his parents’ house was a public space now, but a larger part of him is grateful that it wasn’t just sold off and potentially demolished for more modern real estate.

@dc-oc-week

[lost-kingsmen]

DC OC Week, Day 1: How did your OC get their civilian and alter ego names?

Gawain was named after a figure of Arthurian legend, as were a lot of people in his family tree (there's an Arthur, a Lance, even Elaine). As a writer, I liked the idea of keeping his name 'on theme' (and I just liked the sound of it).

As for how he got his 'hero' name in universe....well...he panicked.

Gawain wasn’t expecting to get mobbed by the press almost as much as his boss, Mayor Aether, was at the very first public appearance he made (though in retrospect, he probably should have). He was still a little dazed from realizing that he was standing eye-to-eye with this towering man who had to be 6’0” at minimum when the reporter asked for his name, and he couldn’t think fast enough to say anything other than “Gawain”.

The short piece about the event that was published in the Daily Planet later that week was at least a positive one. Mayor Aether pinned it up on a cork board in his office, to Gawain’s continued embarrassment.

@dc-oc-week

[coolsignpostlord]

I don’t think I posted this here… whoops!

[oc: betty temple]

[vampaurae]

dc oc week day 7: attending a gala

[dreadmothrosemary71]

DC OC Week Day 7 Gala/Batman

Deldroth looked at the invite he received in the mail with surprise, thankfully John had helped him regain control over his emotions other wise his tail might've wacked and damage the chair he was sitting in. His human identity, Kauko Harland, some how found himself invited to a Gala... a WYAN Gala all the way in Gotham of all places... Surely The Dark Knight would let it slide if he's invited to a formal event in his territory, but just in case he does set up a Blossomirain apology basket but didn't know exactly what the Bat would like so he began putting different items he could think of. Few recipes of Draken food (both with the Original and Earth alternative ingredients listed), collector's edition signed of a Blossomirain legend of a Romance between a past Queen of the Rakline and an exiled Wyrvoln Prince (both being from different Draken tribes), A little baggie with 20 Soul Flower seeds and the instructions to care for them (The flowers sacred to his people), A hand full of magic charms each one labeled to what they do (mostly protection), A small guide on how to build a Draken nest, Some local Chicago treats, and a few of his own feathers that he had molted. There! Hopefully The Dark Knight or one of his company will like the gifts. Then there was getting the proper clothing... He technically doesn't need them as his glamor also can cover those, he just need references and a good idea of what looked nice. Perhaps something that's a bit of a mix of Blossomirain and Earth fancy attire? That could work. He can also get there easily using the Zeta tubes. While he could try a cross country flight he's not to confident that he wont get lost along the way or need to take a few breaks to let his body rest. Luckily the next day he went to the Watch Tower and managed to encounter The Dark Knight, Batman, to hand him the gift basket and ask for permission to use the Zeta tubes to travel to and from Gotham for the Gala. Surprisingly the man allowed it (surprisingly the translation spell works with indistinguishable grunts) and accepted the gifts.

So That's how Kauko ended up in Gotham for a few days. Seeing the sights, the smog, the abundant crime, and of course attending the Gala with his Glamor showing Kauko in a regal yet modest tuxedo with some flower motifs and wearing jewelry made of silver and moonstone. He has a fun time trying the wine, listening to some of the upper class (except for the rude ones who criticized his books. Those are Blossomirain culture how dare they! You don't see him criticizing Homer now do you?) And the Waynes were all very nice to talk to. And to top it off the Gala wasn't even attacked as all the local rouges were currently behind bars for the moment. At lest till when everyone was leaving a strong magical signal flared for a moment before being swallowed by the cursed energy of the city leaving Deldroth unable to trace it. But he did notify Batman of what he felt before leaving the city.

[president-alpine]

Prompt: How did your OC become a villain?

Have a little story on how Henry became involved! Also tagging since I am late @dc-oc-week

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"I want to be the Mad Hatter." said Henry.

This one line made Jervis spat out his tea before devolving into a coughing fit.

"W-What?!" asked Jervis. "Do you understand what you're asking? Do you not see the news about my escapades against that confounded bat?"

"Yeah, and I want to be the Mad Hatter. Teach me how to control people like you do." said Henry.

Jervis stammered, his words stuck in his throat. Henry took this opportunity to continue.

"I can be a good lackey, I mean I have no one else to turn to and no one really knows I exist. Plus, I proved myself helping you out in stopping Batman and that nerdy boy wonder." said Henry.

This gave Jervis a pause. This little boy, Henry Maddox as he calls himself, was asking to become a rouge just like him.

Ever since he found him at the railroad yard while trying to escape the accursed Batman and his sidekick, he was nothing but helpful if a bit vicious. Henry was more than happy to lead the duo into the path of an oncoming train.

But it was strange to see a young boy so willing to throw away his chance of normalcy to be part of the rogues gallery. But then again, when Jervis did find him huddling alone in that train car, the boy instantly latched onto him like a bug.

"Are you sure that is what you want? Once you join, you can never be back to your normal life." said Jervis.

"What normal life? I was basically left to fend for myself with no home, no family, and no one to call a friend." said Henry. "At least if I'm a rogue, I get to be with you.

Jervis thought for a moment before nodding.

"Alright, you win. You can follow me to Wonderland, but would you be so willing to take the last name, 'Tetch'?" asked Jervis.

"Yes! Yes! A thousand times yes!" said Henry M. Tetch before hugging him.

[felinefinnart]

@dc-oc-week Day 7: Family

After getting married to Gus, Oswald decides to bring back the old family tradition of getting a portrait done, except he opts for just a photo this time instead of a painting. Not only does this portrait go up on the wall with the others in Cobblepot Manor, but Oswald keeps a smaller version on his desk at the Iceberg Lounge. He loves his family so much, so he likes keeping the photo around. 

Originally I was going to draw a bunch of portraits, but then I couldn’t be bothered so I just drew the one instead. I like to think that there’s portraits of Oswald and Frederick throughout the years on the walls of Cobblepot Manor. He would’ve gotten another one done after Edward joined his and Gus’ relationship, but Fred wouldn’t be in that one as he was busy on the day they took it. 

Also, this is the first time I’ve properly drawn Frederick (hence the concept art on the right). He’s Oswald’s trans son that Oswald had when he was 23. Oswald loves his son so much, even if he didn’t get to be in Frederick’s life for a chunk of his childhood. He tries to show his son that he cares as best as he can. Frederick also takes over the Iceberg Lounge when Oswald and Gus retire. 

[vampaurae]

dc oc week day 6: power swap

[dreadmothrosemary71]

DC OC Week Day 6 Bad Ending

Deldroth roared in agonizing pain as he tries to contain the sheer amount of magical energy that erupts from the over charged giant and unstable mana-crystal. There's still too many civilians panicking and other heroes are trying to fight and apprehend the Serpent's Coil Cultists that some how made it to Earth with a city grade MANA-BOMB. The fact that the most evil cult from his home planet decided to begin terrorizing Earth and successfully send personnel and what's basically the magic Blossomirain equivalent of a Nuke? It scares him. He can barely contain the blast as his limbs and scales blacken from Mana-burn from were he's trying to absorb the seer amount of magic to stop or at the very lest mitigate the damage. But he doesn't know how much longer he can hold on. Constantine and Zatanna were off on there own important missions else were and there team hoped to stop the cult before they could trigger the crystal's explosion. But it took longer to take down the cultists then they initially thought and one of them kicked off the reaction. The horrid sound of a crystal object shattering and the chaotic magic that was jam packed within now violently churning and howling like a boiler about to erupt. An old rummur from back home and the hope of this crisis being stopped sprang him into action as he sacrifices himself. In pain and agony he closes his eyes expecting the end... Till he heard trill laughter... He opened his eyes only seeing a singular entity that Constantine would likely call a powerful fae of some sort... "Awww... how Heroic... but tragic as well... you will not survive this Deldroth, Guardian of Chicago, Dragon Knight of the Justice League, Guardsmen of Avern'tha." The Fea Creature who begins to show more moth, and draconic traits spoke with an unsettling grin of sharp teeth. "But I can help you fix this, give you a second chance, Rewind time back enough for you to stop the Mana-Bomb from going off..."

BUT MY SERVICES DO HAVE A PRICE~ AND FOR THIS YOUR CONTROL OVER YOUR EMMOTIONS. Deldroth Knew that if he doesn't accept it wouldn't just be him that won't survive but many others as well... He takes the deal.

[vampaurae]

dc oc week day 5: day job

[felinefinnart]

@dc-oc-week Day 6: Bad Ending

After the death of his husband, Gus becomes obsessed with getting revenge. He doesn’t know exactly who was responsible, but he has a list of suspects. He doesn’t care if they’re innocent, he wants them all gone.

Decided to choose ‘Bad Ending’ for today’s prompt. I love this idea so much that I made it into an AU. The Bad Timeline AU!

Oswald gets murdered and Gus is the one that discovers his body. This completely breaks him. He can’t fathom that the one person who truly loved him and took care of him is gone. His husband. He often dreams about Oswald, and sometimes he could’ve sworn he can feel his presence. He breaks down in tears every time. 

Gus becomes a villain and often goes to Edward for advice on how to be a villain. He creates his own suit and develops it over time as he learns more. He plots elaborate schemes to try and lure the Batfam in so he can get his revenge. He doesn’t have much evidence that one of them killed Oswald, but he blames them regardless. 

Over time, Gus becomes more and more obsessed with revenge. He becomes very angry and impulsive, and he falls into a deep depression without Oswald around. He mistakes Edward for Oswald many times despite them being nothing alike. He misses his husband so much that he tries to convince himself that Oswald is still around, and he eventually becomes a shell of his former self.

This drawing doesn’t really have any specific context behind it. I just wanted to draw villain Gus looking cool lol. Also included the concept sketches :)