pretty bird

I didn’t create the original post but I can still help! 

This page I found has all the episodes and didn’t ask me to turn off ad blockers or subscribe or anything 

Twenty four is just about that age where you start to leave most of the nuances of adolescence behind. It’s well within the age bracket where you go out, get yourself a job, grab yourself an apartment and if finances so deem it, pick a roommate to shoulder the weight of bills. If your roommate should be twenty four also, or at least within that age range there are several disputes you may run into with him or her that you ought to settle in a mature, orderly fashion.

Deciding whose turn it is to wash the dishes is not one of those things.

I’ve been getting quite a few ask’s about where/how to start reading the Batman side of DC comics, so I figured I’d just make one big post in case anyone else was interested.

This list is specially for getting to know the different Bat-Family characters, and (in my opinion) some of the very best Bat-books out there. While references to past story lines are in quite a few of these, they can still all be read and enjoyed on their own without prior knowledge of the character or having to know any Bat-history. 

So let’s start with the Bat-kids…..

Grayson (2014) - Dick Grayson undercover James Bond-style, so not your typical superhero comic, but a great take on the character.

Red Hood: Lost Days (2010) - In depth look into how Jason Todd went from Robin to Red Hood.

Red Robin (2009) - For all your Tim Drake needs, and one of the most under-rated comics of recent memory. 

Batman and Robin Vol.2 (2011) - Damian Wayne’s current run as Robin, with lots of cameos from other Bat-Family members, especially later on in this run. 

Batgirl: Year One (2003) - Barbra Gordon’s start as Batgirl (the best way to get a hold of this one is the collected version that comes with Robin: Year One, which is conveniently also great!)

Batgirl Vol.1 (2000) - Cassandra Cain’s time as Batgirl, with lots of backstory and character development. 

Batgirl Vol. 3 (2009) - Focuses on Stephanie Brown taking up the Batgirl mantel, with the help of Barbra Gordon as Oracle.

Batwoman: Elegy (2010) - Which is technically Detective Comics #854 -860, but for Kate Kane purposes, is easier to read as a collection.

And for the Bat-dad himself….

Batman Year One (1987) -  Yeah, yeah, we all know Batman’s origin, but this is hands down the best way to read it in comic form.

Batman: Court of Owls (2012) - Or in individual comic form, Batman #1 - 7 (2011). If you like this one, just keep reading onward! It’s the New 52 Batman, so it’s easy to follow and Scott Synder writes Bats very well.  

And general Bat-awesomeness …..

Batman: The Long Halloween (1997)  - Lot’s of great stuff with Jim Gordon and Harvey Dent.

Batman: The Killing Joke (1988) - especially if you’re a Joker fan, as this is one of his defining story lines.

Batman: Hush (2002) - Amazing story with so many great villains, but even more feels. 

If you’re new to reading comics, don’t worry about what’s canon and what’s not if you just want to get to know the Bat-Family. While the DC universe canon is a really fun thing to explore, it is not necessary when it comes to enjoying individual stories. 

That said, here’s the super-duper ridiculously condensed cliff notes version of DC canon in case you still want the basics before diving in…..

Is it from 2011 and up?… It’s officially canon and part of the current New 52 era (now sometimes called “DC You”, but rest assured, they’re one in the same) 

Is it from before 2011?…. It is not current canon, though much of this previous era heavily influences what is written today, and is still very relevant (particularly the 00′s and up), though not technically canon. 

Is it by Frank Miller?……. It’s not current canon, and sometimes never was during any era. So enjoy, but as it’s own separate thing. 

When I made the post, I was super lazy and didn’t include links to the comics themselves, just to wiki pages.

That was way rude of me. 

Let me redo this:

WELCOME TO THIS FANDOM! i hope you brought tissues

Okay, this is gonna get a little tricky for you because there is a lot of back reading, but honestly, it’s very 90’s and imho, most of it is pretty fun to read.

But here’s a rough chronology:

World’s Finest Three - This is basically the first time Tim and Kon meet and partner up on a mission for the first time.

Young Justice: (Start with issue 0) This is where the majority of their interactions happen during their younger years and where their relationship grows from irritating acquaintances to best friends 5eva

Tim’s and Kon’s individual series: Are good for getting to know the character intimately, but they rarely appear in each other’s series

Teen Titans v. 3: This takes place when they’re older, after leaving Young Justice. A solid series, but you will come down with at serious case of debilitating feels in places. (Also, I would read Identity Crisis anywhere between issues 1-23ish)

Identity Crisis: Okay, so this isn’t about Tim or Kon directly, and it’s not for everyone, but this series does have an event that has an enormous impact on Tim. You could skim the book a wiki page, because there is some triggering-ish things in it? But the Tim-centric parts are the most relevant.

Final Crisis: Legion of 3 Worlds: Again, this isn’t a really necessary read, but there’s an important event, though you could probably just skim over the wiki page and get the gist, but there’s only 5 issues, so it’s not like it’s long or anything.

Red Robin: This is an great series. Marcus To’s art is basically the best and Tim trying to find some answers and his place in the world.

Superboy: The Boy of Steel: Okay, I cannot express how flipping amazing this series is. Francis Manapul’s art is just—I really love everything about this comic. Side note- read this between issues 1-7 of Red Robin.

There’s a few things that you can read for both Tim and Kon around this area, which you can find out on Tim and Kon’s wiki pages, and honestly, I’ve skipped around, just because there’s a lot of tie-in crap and I don’t give much of a crap about most of the things going on.

Superboy: This is Kon’s last series before the reboot, I personally found the art a complete letdown, but it’s Kon in Smallville, and there a few good moments.

Optional: Superboy and the Ravers: This takes place around the time of Kon’s first solo title. Horrifically 90’s in the best possible way, it’s a 19 issue series that’s just ridiculous but still kind of fun.

So, here’s all of the new links! Enjoy, make fanworks, and let’s continue to pretend the New 52 never happened!

being batman isn’t about anything other than being a hero. it’s not deeper than that. you’re trying to take something that is actually extremely simple, and give it more weight than it can take - you can’t start handling aspects of comic characters with real world gloves, because if batman is secretly a self-destructive urge that’s eating bruce inside out, then it’s fucked up that superman has the power to save everyone in the world at all times, and doesn’t because spends time with his family instead. and then it’s messed up that a space police force is given near-unlimited power, because police officers should not have a weapon of the level of the green lantern’s ring. and then i could go on for days about the number of things that crush not only batman, but every superhero ever, because superheroes were never designed to follow real-boy rules.

superheroes aren’t realistic. they are not real, and the laws they follow are cuttingly simple - and you can’t start going, “but actually, batman is a self-destructive urge bruce wayne is addicted to,” without creating the domino effect of ruining superheroes everywhere. why would someone as supposedly good as superman be best friends with batman if he never once tried to intervene in, if batman is slowly destroying bruce internally? and then you follow down that rabbit hole and you ruin superman, and then you follow that to everyone associated with superman and that ruins that, too, until you have a lot of superheroes that are worth some cardboard and dust.

FINALLY!

CONNER HAS COME BACK HOME!

Young Justice #1

My illustrious Mina, this is mainly for you, because I don’t want you to be stranded with no fic in nointernetland.

Close To Home - A murder mystery at Smallville High drives Kon to brush up on his detective skills – and his undercover work. He might need to call in some help. Good thing his best friend is an expert at both. 

Perennial - When he was nine years old, young Timothy Drake’s family decided to move to a small town in Kansas…

Scions - Tim Drake, the adopted son of Bruce Wayne, is proving himself to be an asset to Wayne Enterprises while managing to juggle a double life as a masked vigilante. His carefully constructed business plans shatter, however, when he meets Conner Luthor, Lex Luthor’s dilettante son, who is competing with him over a deal with Cadmus Labs.

Reconcilable Differences - (not so strong Tim/Kon, but a really good fic) - Kon becomes paralyzed and Lex decides it’s time to be a Dad. Clark bumbles about trying to be one too, so it’s up to Tim and Kon to go all parent trap on them.

Vacation - (sequel to Reconcilable Differences) All it takes is a family vacation (with Tim too) and a little heat vision to get those two knuckleheads together.

Between Two Points - Tim has a cold. Kon is determined to stick around and keep him company. Tim is not quite down with this idea.  

Four Times Red Robin Didn’t Hug Superboy (And the One Time Kon Hugged Tim)  -  Drabble set, sequel to Between Two Points

Non Public Displays of Affection - This story is part of the Four Times Red Robin Didn’t Hug Superboy universe, but it also works fine as a standalone. You don’t need to have read that fic to read this one.

A Clarification of Range - Crossdressing for Justice

Containment - Sex Pollen

Night Watch - Tim watches Kon sleep and gets caught. Sort of.

Guy Talk - Kon tries to talk to Tim about normal guy things.

Steeple Height Into the Air - Makey outey time.

Already Drowning - Tim has no good explanation for his behavior.

The Electric Pull of Spring - Sex Pollen! Bonus JayToddz!

Don’t Bogart the Bat-logo, Dude - Kon has Bat boxers.

The Intermission - Tim teases Kon to great effect.

Undercover - Crossdressing for Justice!

And felt its very gladness - “I’m not denying anything, Superboy.”

Diversion - Tim is doing homework and Kon decides to bug him.

The Babysitting Job - Tim’s feelings for his best friend have been slowly forcing their way out into the world, but it’s not until Steph asks him to babysit on a night when he already has plans with Conner that everything comes out.

Back Forty Rendezvous - Tim and Kon sneak off for some fun in the sun, but someone or something keeps interrupting them.

And On the Third Night - Tim, Kon and a chilly hotel room in Norway. 

Kiss the Rain -  Normal World A/U - Farmboy Kon Kent is stuck at the Metropolis Museum while his estranged father covers the event of the season. The evening takes a turn when he bumps into runaway rich boy Tim, and embarks of a night of useless entertainment.

Drake - An ancient evil threatens once more, so a hero, along with his loyal sidekick, go on a quest to find the missing savior of two worlds. Or so the story’s said to go. (Really AU, crossover with Marvel, EPIC LONG)

Misdirection - Kon’s joking. Tim isn’t.

As A Whirlwind - (read after Misdirection) - Tim attempts to put things in perspective.

In Your Room - (after As a Whirlwind) - Kon pays Tim a visit. Porn ensues.

The Honey We Made - (after In Your Room) - Just start singing “I Think We’re Alone Now.” That’s close enough.

Crazy Like This - Kon doesn’t have issues so much as kinks.

Ante - Tim works *and* plays.

Things You Get Used To - Um. Kory’s… flowers. Are. Thing.

And Take Me Worlds Away - Tim and Kon have an actual conversation. And then do other stuff.

Keep This Feeling - Kon messes with his own head. Tim is helpful.

U and Me - Kon bitches, Tim moans.

Just What You Do To Me - Kon keeps it simple. Tim approves.

This Game We Play - Catlad!Tim

By Any Means Necessary - Catlad!Tim

In a World Without You - Tim tries to cope with Kon’s death → deleted scene

Dear Child - Honey, I cloned us a baby?

Three is Never a Crowd  - Conner/Tim/Kon

A Man in Uniform - Kon really likes Tim’s black and red Robin uniform.

I’ll Take You for a Ride - The R-Cycle is in for a show.

The Best Cure for Colds - Tim gets sick, and Kon comes to visit.

The One Who Keeps Me Steady - Good ol’ fluff

How to Make Your Pancakes Sweeter - Breakfast in bed.

The Missing Part of Me - Sleepy!Tim.

If the Dress Fits - Genderbender!

You Look Better Naked  - Naked time.

Time is All We’ve Got 

Save the Last Dance for Me - Tim becomes paralized and Kon comforts him.

And also -lazarus’s in progress fics:

300 Days a Year (Tim/Kon, High School AU)

All of Your Grace (Tim/Kon, kidfic!AU)

Incognito (Tim/Kon, undercover-crossdressing)

Rose-Colored Glasses (Kon/Tim/Connor)

You Taste Like Fire