dc comics fic recs

Recommending canon-based dc comics fics. submit recs via google form

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Welcome to DC Comics Fic Recs!

The purpose of this blog is to recommend & encourage canon-based DC Comics fanfiction. If you want to help, please submit a fic rec, reblog this post, & follow the blog!

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Fic rec: i'm sorry for all that i am by cherrystainedknuckles (princesscharmingx)

https://archiveofourown.org/works/76354336

Summary:

The entirety of the universe, trapped inside his body. That’s who he was, who he could be; an endless moment of possibility. When he was busy accidentally flinging himself into walls, that’s what he clung onto. The idea that there was something inside of him, past all this disgusting mess of bones and blood—that was all he could think about, sometimes, imagining who that person was, who that person could be. It was by the time that Grant joined the Titans that he created his sixth rule (not that the first five had really held up to the test of time, but they were time-honored Emerson classics, so they stayed cemented): Do not, under any circumstances, personify his inner self as a girl.

Continuity: Post-Crisis Era: Modern Age (1985–now) Comic/Comic arc: Between Titans (1999) #1 and Titans (1999) #18 Main Characters: Grant Emerson Main Relationships: Grant Emerson & Roy Harper Comment: Canon Divergent, Trans!Grant AU. It's an absolute gift of a fic and well worth reading! I love the references to the Damage 1994 series as well! Submitted by Conner @thrakaboom.

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Fic rec: GOOD OLD-FASHIONED SCHOOL OF LOVER BOYS. by orpheusaki (@damianbugs)

https://archiveofourown.org/works/46731859

Summary:

"There was someone, when I was younger," Bruce looks down at his hands, sounding almost out of breath when he says, "I think I might have loved him," Tim thinks he might have misheard for a second, but that's impossible, because there's no one sitting in the garden but the two of them and Titus. Then, Tim thinks Bruce must have misspoke, but that's also impossible, because Bruce doesn't misspeak. Which can only mean; I think I might have loved him. "Him?" Tim whispers for clarification, just to be sure. He's not sure why, but his heart is beating so loudly he can hear it in his ears. It's so loud in fact, he almost misses the way Bruce chuffs lightly, sounding amused when he replies, "Yes Tim. Him. A man." (Tim and Bernard get into an argument, Bruce tries to offer some advice.)

Continuity: Infinite Frontier Era: Current Era (2021–now) Comic/Comic arc: Post-Batman: The Knight (2022), Post-Batman: Urban Legends #4-6 (2021) "Sum of Our Parts" Main Characters: Tim Drake, Bruce Wayne Main Relationships: Tim Drake & Bruce Wayne, Bernard Dowd/Tim Drake, Minhkhoa Khan/Bruce Wayne Comment: a very heartwarming depiction of bruce & tim's relationship. i love the moment of resonance they share in it.

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Fic rec: put my mask on first (no, i don't want to talk about myself) by unexpectedchair (@faemorrigan) 🔒

link

Summary:

"Thank you," Jay said quietly, looking down at his feet. "For… for spending today with me. And actually, y'know, caring." It was two sentences, but it was so earnest and vulnerable that Jon had to hold back a wave of emotions at it. Once again, it was something. Jon smiled warmly, and pulled Jay into a quick kiss. Jon suddenly felt a wave of determination overcome him. To push that something, and to tell Jay- "I'm worried about you." -- Jay Nakamura has been dealing with pain alone for a long time. But, despite his best efforts to continue dealing with it alone, Jonathan Kent will do anything to break down his walls. It just so happens Jay likes Jon too much to keep him out forever.

Continuity: Infinite Frontier Era: Current Era (2021–now) Comic/Comic arc: Superman: Son of Kal-El (2021) Main Characters: Jay Nakamura, Jon Kent Main Relationships: Jon Kent/Jay Nakamura Comment: This was written by my wonderful friend mimo which I only found out when I got to the end! Great fic and a must read if you like Jay Nakamura.

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Happy Pride Month!! To celebrate, this June we intend to highlight at least one fic a day that features LGBTQ+ characters and queer relationships! If you have any favorites, submit your recs to us!!

Additionally, we would like to use this platform to draw attention to the #DCSoWhite campaign. The lack of black representation in DC comics is a serious issue and it extends to DC fanworks. For the length of this campaign (and beyond!) we will be posting fics that are centered around black characters and ask that you submit them to us as well! Furthermore, we encourage people to read, create, and share fanworks and comics that represent the black community and to financially support comics made by black creatives! You can sign the DCSoWhite petition here.

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Fic rec: The Haunting of Cissie King-Jones by Earthshine (@radioactive-earthshine)

https://archiveofourown.org/works/60226030

Summary:

In a last bid to try to repair her shattered relationship with her daughter Cissie, Bonnie purchases an old mansion on a hill. Cissie wants to believe that her mother has changed, she wants to believe that she can move on from being Arrowette, but it's not just houses that are haunted and sometimes the dead aren't quite what they seem. Soon after moving into the Hayes Manor, an old mansion and site of a gruesome murder that took place in 1948 Cissie finds herself befriending one of the victims and together they find something that might be more than friendship - all the while Cissie unravels the mystery of 1948 while juggling trying to be a normal teenager. Should be easy, right?

Continuity: Post-Crisis Era: Modern Age (1985–now) Comic/Comic arc: n/a Main Characters: Cissie King-Jones, Greta Hayes, Bonnie King Main Relationships: Cissie King-Jones/Greta Hayes, Cissie King-Jones & Bonnie King Comment: AU. The best Cissie-centric fic I've ever read. Excellent story and characterization. AU in that Cissie doesn't join YJ and Greta's backstory is different, but otherwise strongly rooted in canon, exploring Cissie's trauma and relationship with her mother as she strives to move away from Arrowette. Submitted by anon.

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Fic rec: So We Can Rise Again by DCRealtime

https://archiveofourown.org/chapters/182905336

Summary:

January 1942. From the depths of despair, Terry Sloane finds new inspiration and new hope for the future - others', and his own.

Continuity: Pre-Crisis Era: Golden Age (1938–1956) Comic/Comic arc: Sensation Comics (1942) #1 Main Characters: Terry Sloane Main Relationships: n/a Comment: Canon Divergent AU. Rewrite of Terry Sloane's first story that sticks pretty close to the story but changes a few things and the three-dimesnionality Terry has in this... oooo I think about this fic often. CW for canonical suicidality and suicide attempt. Submitted by Conner @thrakaboom.

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Fic rec: my baby, you were a gift, one i have never regretted by xscintillate (@scintillyyy)

https://archiveofourown.org/works/40290927

Summary:

Janet and Tim, through the years. Because she loves her son, even if she isn't always the best parent.

Continuity: Post-Crisis Era: Modern Age (1985–now) Comic/Comic arc: Batman (1940) #436, Detective Comics (1937) #618-#621 Main Characters: Janet Drake Main Relationships: Janet Drake & Tim Drake, Jack Drake/Janet Drake Comment: Janet Drake foundational text. the author does a fantastic job in sympathetically building her character while remaining truthful to the comics. Part of the my baby, you are a gift series.

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Fic rec: mother's grief, father's shame by tazmilyvillage (@lichcurse)

https://archiveofourown.org/works/25624141

Summary:

In which Jason Blood swallows his pride and tries to put some water under the bridge.

Continuity: Set in Pre-Crisis with some Post-Crisis character details Era: Bronze Age (1970–1985) Comic/Comic arc: Post-The Demon (1972). References Seven Soldiers of Victory (2014) and Superman/Batman #81-84. Main Characters: Klarion the Witchboy, Jason Blood Main Relationships: Klarion the Witchboy & Jason Blood Comment: Really cool way to blend a bunch of different Klarion stuff! Very cute too. Submitted by Conner @thrakaboom.

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Fic rec: Orpheus Rising by ClockStrikesThree

https://archiveofourown.org/works/56098033

Summary:

When Kon died, his friends tried to bring him back. Cassie turned to a sham cult. Tim turned to science. They both failed. When Bart died, Tim and Cassie held each other back from the ledge. When Tim dies, Cassie does what she should have done the first time. She returns to her roots. She turns to the Greek gods. The Underworld. Or: Tim dies, and Cassie can’t handle it. She sets out to bring him back, Orpheus style.

Continuity: Post-Crisis Era: Modern Age (1985–now) Comic/Comic arc: Teen Titans (2003), pre-Final Crisis (2008) Main Characters: Cassie Sandsmark Main Relationships: Tim Drake & Cassie Sandsmark Comment: Canon Divergent AU. Incredible Cassie Sandsmark fic that is rich in comic references. Cassie's post-Infinite Crisis character is very interesting to me so I like how this fic is situated in that era. If you're a fan of her this is a must read fic!

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Fic rec: mom, am i still young? by azrael (@polyhawks)

https://cfaarchive.org/works/978

Summary:

Katar meets his mother broken and tired (and the days that follow).

Continuity: Post-Crisis Era: Modern Age (1985–now) Comic/Comic arc: Post-Hawkworld (1990) #32, Pre-Hawkman (1993) #1 Main Characters: Katar Hol Main Relationships: Katar Hol & Naomi Carter Comment: banging my fist on the table because its so good and hurts so much and I love Katar and his mommy and OHHHHHHHH This could be exactly how it was!! Conner @thrakaboom.

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Fic rec: Frequency by cryptocism (@cryptocism)

https://archiveofourown.org/works/44727055

Summary:

The thing about all these clones, CRAYDL thought defeatedly, is that they really do look like him. The bossman, who could always be iterated a hundred times over. CRAYDL wasn’t expecting Plan B to feel so much like a betrayal. - After his confrontation with Max Mercury and Impulse in the speed force, Inertia disappeared into the lightning winds, and did not return. CRAYDL, after too long deliberating, finally activates the failsafes; created in case of the first Inertia's death. Because Project Inertia would always, inevitably, continue. But Thaddeus Thawne the Second is very much alive. And he can't help continuing just the same.

Continuity: Infinite Frontier Era: Modern Age (1985–now) Comic/Comic arc: Post-Impulse (1995) Main Characters: Thaddeus Thawne, Bart Allen Main Relationships: Bart Allen & Thaddeus Thawne Comment: Canon Divergent AU. A painstakingly canon-based Thad redemption AU. Genuinely one of the best fics I've ever read. Submitted by anon.

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Fic rec: Piercings of Engagement by theroleplayerwithin (@ tumblr) [lock]

https://archiveofourown.org/works/81332016

Summary:

Continuity: Pre-Crisis, Earth-1 Era: Silver Age (1956–1970) Comic/Comic arc: References Brave and the Bold (1955) #42 & Mystery in Space (1951) #88. Pre-canon. Main Characters: Katar Hol, Shayera Hol Main Relationships: Katar Hol/Shayera Hol Comment: Canon Divergent AU. I'm biased because it was written for me but I love it so much, I love how much devotion is shown and I think its hot and its really fun to see my what if/headcanon realized <3 Submitted by Conner @thrakaboom.

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Fic rec: alone, at the edge of a universe by thetwodoors

https://archiveofourown.org/works/80943426

Summary:

Bette knew what she was doing, and she’d been at it for a long time, so there was no reason for Christie to think anything was wrong. And Bette felt proud of that, because whilst there wasn’t much she could give back to Christie for her time and her love, there was this.

Continuity: Pre-Crisis Era: Bronze Age (1970–1985) Comic/Comic arc: Teen Titans (1966) #50 Main Characters: Bette Kane, Christie Connell Main Relationships: Christie Connell/Bette Kane Comment: Submitted by anon.

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Fic rec: primum non nocere by yorozuyas

https://archiveofourown.org/works/82742146

Summary:

Dick didn't particularly care about his presence at first, until it became evident the Batman was becoming a nuisance. It's not like the guy was evil, no, Dick's problem with him is the fact that more and more people are getting hurt as casualties of whatever war the Batman's waged with Gotham's rogues. Or: Dick Grayson is an EMT. He hates the Batman.

Continuity: Absolute Universe Era: Current Era (2021–now) Comic/Comic arc: Absolute Batman (2024) #6 Main Characters: Dick Grayson Main Relationships: n/a Comment: Submitted by anon.

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Fic rec: Implications by MsSolo

https://archiveofourown.org/works/202772

Summary:

Bart has sexuality angst. And general teenaged angst.

Continuity: Post-Crisis Era: Modern Age (1985–now) Comic/Comic arc: n/a Main Characters: Bart Allen, Tim Drake Main Relationships: Bart Allen/Tim Drake, Bart Allen & Kon-El | Conner Kent Comment: Perfect Bartisms. Submitted by anon.

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Fic rec: burning money by yutro (@gothamyth)

https://archiveofourown.org/works/62142145

Summary:

The first thing that Willis Todd does out of prison is an experience far more humiliating than all the years he’s just spent in Blackgate. A small mercy is, he supposes, that it is not Bruce Wayne who actually picks up the phone.

willis todd does not know how it felt to hold his son’s body as it grew cold. bruce wayne never held jason as an infant, nor at when he was five. whatever they say about april and the worth of money.

Continuity: Post-Crisis Era: Modern Age (1985–now) Comic/Comic arc: n/a Main Characters: Willis Todd Main Relationships: Jason Todd & Willis Todd Comment: This broke my heart. Submitted by @nolanfa