#war drums

[paper-birdies]

Happy pride month!

[itsmythang]

Crow: I'm sorry, as a three-time combat veteran in Iraq and Afghanistan, I bristle when a five-time draft dodger bangs the war drums in Washington, D.C.

[galaxymagitech]

So, I've finished War Games, and now it's time for me to make several rambling posts about it! I'll start with the prelude to War Games.

War Drums: Pre-Robin!Steph

For me, the highlights of War Drums are Detective Comics #790 (for the Bruce and Cass feels) and Steph's wonderful enthusiasm as Robin. I'll start with the first half, which takes place in Detective Comics #790-795.

Detective Comics #790

This is the comic where Cass and Bruce visit Jason's grave. We have comparisons of Steph to Jason (where Steph is the one that Bruce is perhaps not too late to save...oof, the foreshadowing), Bruce complimenting Barbara (not that it'll stop him from treating her absolutely terrible in War Games), and Bruce's absolute certainty that he (and his common target of projection, Cass) have gone too far down their path to be saved.

That being a normal life. Of course, only a few comics later, Bruce turns around and lets Steph be Robin. But that was, well, damage control. He let Steph be Robin because he thought it was the best way for him to keep her safe and give her what he couldn't give Jason. Cass, though, the girl he approved of scorning a normal life, the girl he originally gave a cave instead of a home, the girl he eventually was guilted into firing only to hash out his differences with her in a fistfight and then restore her to vigilante status...

This is a beautiful panel by the way. I'd do a redraw if I thought I could do it justice.

The Surrogate

Detective Comics #791-793

I don't actually have much to say about this storyline, except that it is horrifying and very powerful. Great Bruce and Leslie dynamics, setting the stage for their conflict growing in War Games. And the subject of teen mothers being brought back just before Steph is featured (and then killed) is very unlikely to be a coincidence.

I absolutely recommend this arc. It will frustrate you, and the ending is very unfair and upsetting, but it is, in my opinion, worth the read.

The Rotting

Detective Comics #794-795

I made a post about Catalina Flores in War Games, and this is a huge part of that (despite it not being War Games yet). If you want to explore her as a complex character, The Rotting is essential. If you don't want to think about her, or don't want to read anything where Tarantula takes on a heroic role, that's understandable, and these two comics are not for you. Independent of Nightwing (1996), this arc has a scary story, good ideas, and a protagonist it's easy to care about. In the context of Nightwing (1996), though, it's difficult to fully appreciate all of that.

Next Post — War Drums: Robin!Steph

[on-a-gutttzy-carousel]

[frogaroundandfindout]

On Jason Todd’s 18th birthday, Bruce is alone in the cave and thinks about calling dick or tim. Instead, Bruce takes Cassandra to his son’s grave and talks about what he was like. Jason wanted to prove something, just like spoiler, and while it’s too late for him it’s not for Stephanie. (Detective Comics #790)

[intermundia]

“Yes,” Anakin said crisply. “I was. I’m not anymore. I won’t be ever. Depends on your point of view.”

He said the last phrase with long familiarity. The training bond tugged, and Obi-Wan knew him, knew them.

“So it would appear.” Obi-Wan shook his head, and fought a yawn. He needed this day to end, the worst day of his life, worse than anything he could’ve imagined. “Were we successful? Are you safe from the Sith Master?”

Anakin looked thoughtful, and then grinned. “I think so, Master.”

The word made Obi-Wan cringe. “Should you call me that? I don’t know if I’m really your Master.”

“You’re my Master, always.” Anakin was adamant. “I am your Padawan. You feel this to be true.”

I was standing up, pacing, while reading this and I got to this last line and I actually squealed. I'm alone at home right now but even if I weren't I would have vocalized my excitement. I literally jumped up and down and had to grab my chest because I'm not wearing a bra. How are you doing this to me?!?!

thank you genuinely <333 getting questions about when i'm updating is nice in the sense that i appreciate knowing that people are interested, but it's very different as an author to know why, like what makes people excited and intrigued. it makes me excited too instead of feeling like i'm just letting people down all the time haha

[eraserdude6226]

I can hear the drums of war on the horizon!!

[bunnyhugs22]

I guess it’s time to start Manufacturing Consent (again)