whats ur ideal characterization of the al ghuls ?
This might come across as more or less a biased perspective, but I'll try to put them into sections (littler parts so it'll be more digestible) and back up with actual evidence with canon materials as to avoid being completely fanon-y.
First, I'd like to admit my flaws that sometimes I do tend to fall to certain tropes. I'm a complete sucker for mother-ly/childish/fun Talia who has her own things going on (the run where she was the CEO of LexCorp? Love it), I like to see more of Ra's being some sort of radical environmentalist and I do appreciate it when Damian acts more or less like a kid with love for art and theater.
However, I also understand that I can't have everything, and that their lifestyle also dictates their characteristics, so I'll try my best to keep both things balanced.
First, let's get a few things out of the way. The al-Ghuls are strict, they're disciplined and certainly smart and strong. Whatever I'm saying next does not negate any of these things; they certainly do commit wrong-doings here and there, though I feel like when discussing about the 'correct' characterization of the al-Ghuls, I think it all falls down under a single issue.
I'd like to see them more emotional.
Contrary to popular beliefs, the al-Ghuls aren't 'unfeeling monsters'. In fact, I believe that the primary factor that drives them towards their goal is the fact that they're emotional beings, ruled by their love if not passion, among other things.
Ra's love for the environment drives him to raise an eco-terrorist organization, Talia's love for the men in her life ultimately leads her to her demise, not to mention how she conducted an international hunt for her mother's killer outside of Ra's knowledge, Damian's love for his parents destroyed him altogether.
One way or another, all of them were (I supposed, martyred) for their love of someone else, or something else. Doomed.
The best I could describe this is by using the 'White guy philosophy'. Like how, if you can't imagine Batman comforting children, then you didn't imagine Batman. You just imagine some guy in a bat costume beating up criminals.
Similarly, if you can't imagine Ra's crying over animals that died or mourning his family, or Talia saving women or children and comforting them and loving her family, or Damian willing to sacrifice himself for his family— then you didn't imagine the al-Ghuls. You, in fact, are seeing them through the rose-tinted glass of stereotypical vision.
Consequently, anything that implies them pursuing a relationship because of genetics, blood, power, or whatever is inherently revolting.
A part of me died whenever people emphasized how they (the al'Ghuls) only reproduce to acquire the 'perfect heir,' when nothing could be further from the truth. Ra's genuinely loves his wives, and he didn't press it when Talia (his favorite daughter, by the way, and by his definition, perfect) refused to lead the LoA. Talia genuinely loves Bruce and wanted to have a family with him, but alas gave it up when she saw how he was endangering himself for her.
Thankfully, Damian is 14. And I haven't seen such claims made about him.
It all ties back to the al-Ghuls being 'unemotional', that everything has some sort of ulterior motives for them. That the notion of them conceiving or starting a family doesn't have anything to do aside from some grand plot of bringing down humanity.
It also fuels a lot of other issues, a can of worms I'm opening for another day.
Ra's wouldn't seek out someone to produce the perfect heir, he wouldn't condone animal cruelty or even unjust terrorism. Talia isn't some seductress that lures men to feast on them or whatever, and she certainly wouldn't sit alright if she witnessed a form of violence. Damian isn't some stupid, spoiled brat that scream out, "I'm the blood son" every other second.
Make them romantic people. Make them kind. But also make them fight to be kind, make their kindness be the end of them. That their virtues are also the sins that condemned them to hell. They are demons on Earth because they are angels that were exiled from heaven.
Also, like, separate them from what they do? Let Ra's sometimes just take a walk at his many gardens and care for animals, let Talia travel the world and allow her to go on her own adventures and let Damian act however he wants to be.
I'm ending this now because I really don't want it to go far beyond what was expected, but here are some things I'd love to be more incorporated into their writings.
Thank you I've been trying to tell some of my friends this (especially with what Morison's run did on Talia).
