Okay I almost forgot about intending to write a post about Gothic and themes of SA and CSA within it and the parallels between burning nun and Bruce but I remembered so here it is
this one a long one so yeah
First of all let's look at the most obvious textual examples
In the first we have Bruce talking about having "to fight off the advances of degenerate old teachers" followed by him admitting that he wasn't athletic or strong, implying that he couldn't fight those off. In the second, we have a very obvious imagery of the capuchins tearing the clothes off the young nun after Manfred gives in into sin. These two are the more known examples.
However, there is actually one other example of the in text allusion to SA and specifically CSA, and it happens before either Manfred or Batman even appear on page. I personally think it is a subtle foreshadowing to the next issue where the above Bruce panel happens.
Now, let's look at what were Morrison's inspirations when writing this story.
Manfred obviously takes a lot from the idea of Faust. In Goethe's work, Faust, who is somewhere around 50 yo at the time, falls for and seduces, with the help of Mephistopheles, a young girl Gretchen who is about 14 years old. As a result her life is ruined.
Another work, which is directly quoted within Gothic, is Don Giovanni. Giovanni in the opera is a known womanizer with hundreds of women "of all ages" that he slept with prior to the plot, and on the stage he attempts to assault Zerlina too. Within Gothic Manfred is clearly meant to parallel Giovanni, as one of his opponents is named Ottavio, same as one of the opponents of Giovanni in the opera.
Another work which seemingly inspired Morrison, and which I want to point out especially, is The Monk. I did find claims that was a source of inspiration, but couldn't find a quote supporting it, yet I feel the similarities between the plots are strong enough that it doesn't need official confirmation. Basically in the book a devoted monk Ambrosio is seduced into sin when a younger monk who reveals he is actually a woman, and then Ambrosio commits rape and murder (and, unknowidngly, incest). After that he makes a deal with Lucifer to escape the cage and punishment, and Lucifer complies, however, there's a loophole - Ambrosio only asked to get out of the cell. Lucifer then proceeds to float him high above ground and let him fall to the rocks, where he suffers for days before dying, damned for eternal suffering.
Now what happens in Gothic? Manfred, a devoted monk, is "seduced" into sin by a younger abbot (tho he doesn't reveal himself to be a woman), and then commits rape and murder.
Interestingly, there is also the parallel with the death of Ambrosio: when Batman first appears on page, he says that he is "the king of hell" aka Lucifer, and later, during his and Manfred's first fight Manfred falls from up high, but doesn't die yet, as he is immortal at that time, and only dies a few days later (from different causes)
(and also the fact that both "The Monk: a romance" and the "Gothic: a romance" share the "a romance" part of their title... could be nothing, but everything else considered...)
Let's also point out that Gothic literature in general often deals with themes of taboos and specifically SA, and it was evidently a big influence in creation of this arc. (there is a reason it's called Gothic and it's not just because of the cathedrall...)
So while the panel of Bruce talking about his childhood expereinces by itself, could, potentially, be dismissed as not evidence enough (though even then I wouldn't agree with the dismissal), the fact that there are other instances of allusions to SA on panel and in the other works Morrison draws parallels to makes the "Bruce was assaulted as a child" reading all the more strong in my opinion.
On second thought as I'm writing this I feel like this is too long so the parallels with the burning nun will be in the reblog key bye
Winner of this poll (finally) based on THIS vine, featuring...THE TWIN PRINCES! 🤭🤭🤭
I've had this idea in my head for like, three years. You guys. This took the whole first half of the critical role finale to colour lmaoooo. I had to do SO MUCH ERASING bc it's all on two pages so some stuff from the other panels crept in so I had to uh, I had to heckin. DO SOME SHENANIGANS. But we done em! And now I've posted them!
This takes place after Blaise quits Warlock studies, and before the Civil War happens. Pyros is wearing their warlock fit (Blaise has the exact same one and is more than happy to NEVER WEAR IT AGAIN) and Blaise is rockin that casual Prince Eric fit. He's probz just come back from riding or smth.
He has done this trick to Pyros many, many, many, many, MANY times and he ALWAYS falls for it. It brings Blaise so much joy. Every day Pyros WAKES UP (and Blaise only finds it FUNNIER whenever Pyros yells about Mom not loving him lmao)
Next up: Uno house arrest. I think you will all enjoy that one! And possibly some silly doodles in the middle lmao.
rip to vikita haters but some of us are just built different 😔😔 sorry you don’t stan deep edges and close holds and by far the best midnight blues of the current field
