Read a fic re entry that used the phrase 'tomato, tomato', written as 'tomato, tom-ah-to' or something similar. It was kinda funny (/pos), but now I have the urge to add either: 'tom-ay-to, tomato' or 'tom-ay-to, tom-ah-to' to a fic. I don't know how I'd acheive this, but I think it'd be really funny
Does anyone have any sentient lazarus fic fic recs?? I've gone through the tag on ao3 but there's also some that don't use the 'sentient lazarus pit' tag. It's literally my favourite thing ever but I can't find new stuff to read 😔😔
Idm what character is the focus, usually I see it with Jason, but honestly I just want the lazarus pit to be concious.
I don't think I will ever stop being bitter about how the fandom treats Duke Thomas.
Either he's a sentient prop, a sounding board for the "main four" batboys or he doesn't exist at all.
Duke is a stubborn, smart, snarky little menace (literally every comic he's a main character in). He's got a life outside the Bats, he was literally part of a city wide Robin movement (We Are Robin), he's got great bonds with Cass and Damian (Outsiders 2019 and Robin War), implied to have solid bonds with Steph and Tim (Detective Comics and Urban Legends), doesn't give a flying fuck about Dick (it's hilarious, see Urban Legends) and roasts Jason all the time for no reason (also hilarious, New Talent Showcase 2017)
Bruce utterly adores him and is constantly talking him up/trying to bond with him (All Star Batman/Cursed Wheel, Outsiders, Batman 2011, Urban Legends and Batman and the Signal)
He's respected by seasoned heroes like Black Lightning and Katana, even antiheroes such as Lady Shiva like him. The man handled a Green Lantern ring, chilled and comforted a semi possessed Gotham Girl, and took on the Riddler as a lil kid.
Duke is complex, funny, strong and overall brilliant, it's crazy to me that people just brush him off as "the normal one."
I really dislike the way lazarus pit madness is used in fanon, specifically with Jason. To preface this, I will say that I do like some interpretations. I love sentient lazarus pit stuff, some authors write pit madness in a real interesting way.
I don't like when it's used as a cop out for some of Jason's actions. Regardless of whether its canon in comics or not, loads of fc use it as a way to excuse his actions post ressurection. To me, it feels like some people want to erase parts of his character for the sake of making him fit in with the Bats, or being more 'morally correct'. It's used as a way to absolve Jason of guilt over his actions.
The thing is, Jason is very traumatised. He literally died, and went through loads of shit before that. Surely its reasonable for him to be angry, and to take it out on others?
In doing this, people also tend to water down his emotional reactions and his response to trauma. There's a whole thing around being a 'good' victim, which boild down to internalising your trauma and not letting it affect others around you (from my knowledge). In removing the fact that Jason chose to do these things, you slowly make him fit into this narrative. Any reaction where he lashes out at others is reduced to pit madness, instead of it being anything complex. Victims can lash out at others, regardless of if they're lashing out at an abuser or not, and it's important not to dismiss those reactions. Not all trauma responses are palatable, they can cause harm to both the traumatised person and the people around them.
Another reason I tend to dislike this is its often combined with more traits that make Jason fit the 'good' victim narrative. Any outward reaction is blamed on the pit, whilst all inward reactions are all him. If he harms himself in any way, then that's him, but if he harms others, it's not. I get that it may not be written with that intent, but I can't help but read it that way. Yes, you can make him feel guilty and blame himself, yes you can give him mental health issues. But you should also recognise that he did choose to do these things.
Really, in absolving him of guilt, it feels like his character is watered down almost. He doesn't get a redemption arc as such, its simply 'the pits influence being reduced/controlled'. It removes some of the moral complexities of his character, often from the sole purpose of putting him with the batfamily and not having to look into the difference of ideologies.
It's not something that'll make me drop a fic just by being mentioned, but when a large part of his character resolves around how he feels guilty now that the pit is no longer controlling his actions, I will likely drop it. The thing is, it can be written well. I've read fic that take the trope and make it interesting and use it as a really good plot point. This is partly why I don't like when it's written in the way I described, because I don't find it an interesting plot point, I don't find it an interesting addition to the character. I simply see it as a way to absolve him of guilt, make him fit in with the Bats (and often the writers) moral code/ideology, and make him a 'better' victim who doesn't harm others because of trauma.
Anyway, I am open to discuss this further and hear others opinions on this, but I don't want to argue with anyone. Polite discussion and light hearted debate is fine, but if it turns argumentative (either because of me or because of someone else), I'll simply ignore it. For my sake.
I've not edited this btw, it's late and I can't be bothered. I probably won't edit it tomorrow, but lmk if something doesn't make sense or if I've accidentally contradicted myself or repeated myself a load.
I think the pit madness can be used in a very interesting way, but all in all- Jason did those things, he reacted that way because he was hurting and didn't know how else to respond to the hurt and pain. Sure, if you wanna say the pit made him more impulsive or irrational (tho he's always been impulsive imo) or more violent, I can see it (but again I think the trauma of being beaten and betrayed and blown up would make him more violent, perhaps the pit only adding to the rage and hurt). But all in all, Jason did those things and if it's written off by the pit, how will he grow? How will he regret and change and understand? How will he heal?
The pit can be a very fun tool, but shouldn't be used as an excuse for his actions when his actions make him the complicated character so many love. He's a complex character that makes many traumatized people feel somewhat seen by the way he reacts and handles the trauma he's experienced through life (and death).
I hate the "good" victim trope, and further more hate when it's used on Jason. He did shitty things, he did things most disagree with, but HE did those things and he ends up regretting and growing from those actions. Along with that, he has views a lot (fandom or bats) disagree with but they're his views and beliefs and when those beliefs and the actions that stem from them are boiled down to the pit? It erases his character, and waters him down (as op said).
I love Jason's character for the morally grey and the complexity of him, and the pit can be used to make everything more complex and interesting instead of watering him down to fit the cookie cutter idea everyone wants him to be.
Again, I've read tons of fics where the pit is used in a beautiful way, so I'm not against it's use- just dislike the use of it to water down Jason and such!
Okay so I've been seeing stuff about the current dc boycott (dc blackout), and I'm gonna share where I like to get second hand comics/graphic novels. If you aren't sure what the boycotts about, I'll link the site for it here, because I can't explain for shit and don't want to mess it up. Edit: the boycott is now cancelled but the campaign is still up and you should still buy second hand (it's cheaper is nothing else)
I love buying things second hand, mostly because I don't have much money (I do pirate, but i like having physical copies as well). You don't have to do this for the boycott specifically, buying second hand is always a good choice imo. So, here's where I buy comics/graphic novels second hand:
1) World of books, this is a website that has a decent variety of books as well as graphic novels. Unsure about individual comics though. They do free shipping in the uk, which is where I am. Idk about other countries though. They also have discounts on sometimes!
2) Vinted, there's a decent variety of comics being sold on there, both individual ones and graphic novels. Pricing may not be the best depending on what you're looking for but it's still pretty good.
3) Charity shops. Its less common, but sometimes they'll have graphic novels or individual comics there.
4) Comicon stands. I'm pretty sure these are second hand, but at the last comicon I went to I was able to get some comics (Azrael 97 1-7 and Robin 91 1-5 (mini series)). The pricing was pretty good and I'll be looking at buying more when I go to my next con. Lmk if they're not second hand tho!
Places I haven't tried but have seen:
A) Ebay, I've seen some stuff there when looking for stuff online but I don't use ebay really.
B) Abe books. They have a used section on their website, but I've never bought from there before.
Really, if you search up 'second hand comic websites' or similar there's several options. Those 2 are just ones I've had a little browse on.
Love myself a Jason who has an ego or confidence or whatever I mean. I love a Jason who thinks he rocks and is the coolest ever and all his costumes are awesome and he has done no wrong. And he's right
Please use it/that on me PLEASE “it’s dehumanizing” anything to not be compared to as human PLEASE “you want to be referred to as an object” hear me out… “I’m woke but” if there’s a ‘but’ you’re not woke enough!!!
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