#stray rambles

Reminiscent.

will put it under a cut since it's looong!

Y'all don't know how excited I am for this.

Marvin is one of my favorite egos and I love him so much.

This is the stuff that makes me happy I decided to become a theorist. I absolutely love theorizing with y'all and reading theories that everyone has about these boys.

Mostly I felt it was just a weird but maybe palatable blip in Nightwing’s continuity. A decent concept with poor excecution (started by one Lobdell—also noticed a lot of people attributing the arc to him when he hasn’t even written for the book in months. It’s Dan Jurgens now, guys. Gotta say the Court of Owls bit was an interesting turn—at a glance at least). I mean, it’s tough when the big continuity-impacting event happens outside your own book. I feel bad for the trade collectors.

Anyway, micro-rant aside, there was one effect of this run that has impacted my subconscious in unexpected ways. I see Nightwing art everywhere, but somehow in the back of my brain I couldn’t really identify it as Nightwing the same way I see any instance of a red helmet and think: Red Hood. I took it for granted, I guess. Which was something I didn’t realize until chapter 82 of My Hero Academia: Vigilantes (spoilers, cos it’s endgame).

Koichi is up against a duplicitous villain whose motivations remain unknown, until this chapter reveals just what this man is up to. It’s full on Syndrome effect, orchestrating a situation that would paint him a hero. In the context of MHA, it makes perfect sense. Public approval ratings are a thing here.

Of course, nothing about his full costume reveal raised any flags. And this is a series that introduced the Batman to All Might’s Superman. Is a Batfamily fan, I should have noticed right? I didn’t.

Arguably, it’s maybe because it wasn’t in colour? Blue on black would definitely signal Nightwing, but when I read this chapter of My Hero Academia: Vigilantes I had a weird familiarty tickle my brain. But mostly, I went, “Huh interesting costume choice.” And left it at that.

Until I saw the translator’s tweet:

Am I blaming cultural osmosis of Nightwing’s effective disappearance from the main continuity? Maybe. But it’s really just a ramble and an appreciation for a story I’ve been enjoying and embracing the comics I love. And yes, I also missed the Death of the Family reference just one panel after this. A crime, because if this rant has proven anything it’s that I’m a Jason Todd fan who should have seen that, at least.

Great and Powerful Lord Anubis who guides the souls to the West.

Great is your strength, Endless is your power, Mighty in heart and mind and body.

You are the shepherd of the lost souls, you are the mender of the broken , you are the great embalmer of whom teaches and preserves many.

You hold the keys to the gates of the Duat, keeping those inside safe from those who would do them harm. You measure the hearts with utmost precision upon your scale so that each soul is given their due.

I long to be beside you, Father. Even to be knelt before you and allowed to utter worship and love fills my heart with joy and peace. 

I know you wish to see me hold my head up high once more, but often, i do not feel worthy to be called your daughter. I am a child of tragedy who has been bestowed a gift well beyond my worth. I was given parents that raised me with love and guidance beyond measure.  I was given rank. Protection. 

Had that great tragedy not occurred, where would i be now? Who would I be? what would i be?

You who protects and rules over the Duat. Who is both firm and righteous in his ways.

Keeper of Balance and Beloved of Countless, Keep me close to you even as words fail me. Keep my close even when my actions are incorrect.

Keep me and hold me close. Guide me.

I love you Dad