Echo grew up in the Bronx, the child of immigrants from New Zealand, and lived a few streets over from his cousins (the quadruplet brothers who would later become the Bad Batch). He and his twin brother Fives had been on their own since college, after they lost their parents, and had managed well enough between the two of them.
He started his bachelor’s degree at Columbia in 1938, the same university where, two years later, he’d meet a first-year student named Riyo Chuchi. She was sharp and certain about many ideals, and they agreed on enough of them that it turned into something more. By the time he graduated in 1941 he was putting her name down as his emergency contact on his draft registration.
When the draft came that same year, Echo and Fives went together. Both were assigned to the 501st Infantry, with Echo as serial number 1409. They shipped out the same way they’d done most things: side by side. While he is away, he writes to Riyo every week without fail.
High quality art images, authors note, references, and taglist below the cut! ~
authors note: Hey guys!! So I know this isn’t much backstory written for Echo. That’s because he is one of the more main characters I will be telling the story about and didn’t want to give too much away! 💕 Hope that is cool with you guys. You can expect much more content about him in the future!! Also, I know not a ton of people ship Echo and Riyo. I personally love most ships Riyo is in, so no bias here! I just feel like their dynamic would fit a 1940’s setting really well. So in my mind it just makes sense for this AU! Hope you guys agree! Love you!!
I took some small creative liberties with his armor design! Now that I am seeing them side by side I am being overly critical of myself… Anyway I know I haven’t fed yall in a bit so here ya go!!
fully lined them because i get in the zone and can’t help myself 😅 i bet you guys can tell what screenshots these are redraws off!! also my handwriting is so god awful-
My work gave my an ipad and apple pencil (omg!!) so you know I had to test it by sketching my boy, Technology Bad Batch. I have a figure of him holding a sign on my desk, so I just used that as reference (that’s why he looks so wonky). I definitely have so much to learn with digital art. It will probably take me years to understand any of it.
Also sorry for the politically charged post…. you guys know what is happening in the world right now…
Hey guys.... so.... after AU day yesterday, I have become entirely obsessed with bartender Tech... please enjoy this mild thirst, especially you @immoralfibers!!
I also think I finally figured out how to do this digital art thing! I tried to limit my style at the start of @clonexocweek to be super simple and cartoony thinking it was be easier and faster given my corporate schedule. I was wrong. This more semi-realistic (?) style is WAY easier and faster to render, for me at least. It also looks way better IMO. Man, what someone can learn in a week!! Jumping from this to day one, it doesn't even look like I am the same artist. So thank you, @clonexocweek for allowing me to get out of my comfort zone and actually pick up adobe fresco and crank out some art. I still don't know when to smudge out my shadows and when not to BUT I feel confident that I have greatly improved.
Welcome to the masterlist for my Bad Batch World War 2 Era Alternate Universe: Copacabana!!!
The au is going to consist of several acts (like a play!) and will be composed of written chapters with illustrations, and maybe some comics too!
To kick us off, I am going to gradually reveal each character’s forties inspired design and give you a glimpse into their role in the universe! As each character is posted, their headshot will be revealed on the playbill below and their post will be linked in the “Meet the Cast” section. You can always come back to this masterlist to see the newest updates!
As always, I am very friendly, love mutuals, and LOVE Star Wars, so feel free to chat with me in the comments, via DM, or asks!! I will always reply and I am so beyond happy to have you all here!
Origins and Inspiration
All of this originated with from my post for this years @clonexocweek’s alternate universe prompt! After making the art for that challenge, I became WAY too inspired, and couldn’t stop thinking about it. Once I realized the real Copacabana club opened in New York City in 1941, the WW2 head cannons just kept bubbling up! Especially since the war ended in 1945, and the Bad Batch storyline starts right at the end of the Clone Wars!
As far as other inspirations, of course this is inspired by Copacabana by Barry Manilow (linked below), but it is also inspired by broadway and theater in general. Some direct inspirations were drawn from Hamilton, White Christmas, Captain America, and other wartime favorites! Music by Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and many more also serve to inspire this AU! And, of course, Star Wars and our favorite clones!
