Okay, proper propaganda this time!
Cass and Steph are the duo of all time to me because of all their relationship has endured and how complicated they are.
Steph was really the first person to take Cass as she was. Babs would push her to be more normal (but I still love them and voted for them, to be clear), Bruce went into denial about her killing anyone and admitted he wanted her to be an "effective weapon", she intimidated Tim and was the first thought in Tim's head when it came to who a traitor in the Batfam would be because of her background-- all these relationships are interesting, but what makes Cass and Steph special to me was how Steph didn't try to make Cass something she wasn't.
She just wanted to train with her, and hang out, and even was the first person to not make her Dad issues a big deal
Cass was used to people reacting to what sheβd been through with pity, discomfort, fearβ¦but Steph just treats her exactly the same. Sheβs not uncomfortable at all. They help each other laugh about the crappy things that have happened to them. This is definitely the first time Cass was able to laugh about her trauma, and it must have been so cathartic for both of them. Steph was seriously down about her Dad but now sheβs bonding with her friend.
Ironically one of the obstacles their friendship has had to overcome is Bruce himself, as he didn't approve of them doing training together and actively tried to stop it.
The sad thing is? It worked. Both girls issues with their dads came up and clashed hardcore.
Cass defies his orders to hang out with Steph, and we see them bond some more:
But in the end, her worry over Steph's safety and Bruce's influence win out, causing Stephanie to lash out:
What I find interesting is how tormented about this Cass was. Cass even seeks Bruce out after this to confront him over it:
Anyway, Bruce convinces her Steph is just like Jason (she's not, also he blames Jason for his death as usual) and is doomed to die (incredibly subtle foreshadowing from DC who already decided to kill her and blame her for it) after this.
But what's so interesting to me is how their friendship is strong enough it overcomes all of this. When Steph becomes Robin, Cass is one of the few that truly believes she has what it takes and even correctly identifies that Steph's problem is she doesn't put much value on herself in battle, not that she's incompetent:
(She's also the only one who takes training Steph seriously apparently). Meanwhile, Steph is inspired and motivated by Cass so many times:
And even DEATH can't stop Steph from being there or Cass.
And of course we have THIS iconic panel:
Cass's grief over Steph really elevates it for me, she's the only one whose grief we see explored rather than a few mentions of Steph and then forgetting about her completely, and it's heartbreaking. It's messy. She blames Steph for her own death a bit (as she was primed to do so by Bruce) but also shows distress when ghost Steph blames herself.
They truly are the duo of all time. Despite DC valuing their relationships with men over each other at every turn, treating them like trash, and leaving some stuff unexplored, it manages to be such an interesting, crunchy, loving and enduring relationship.
And since there have been claims by others they're only getting votes because people ship them: I actually don't care whether they're friends or lovers, their relationship is what matters to me and always has. I never traditionally shipped them, I just love them together. They got me in love with comics. They're everything to me.
turnnoffyourmind
tangentwithtanner
areudirty
kaledo-art
