Luthors, Waynes and Queens

Welcome, welcome.

I hope you are faring well.

Nice to see you at my place.

Feel free to stay as long as you like, and return any day.

Don’t fret. You can ask any questions and share some of your thoughts and opinions at any time, and you are sure to get an answer as soon as I get to what you wrote to me.

Here you’ll be able to find everything from some quotes with pictures accompanying them, short fragments of stories about different characters, my thoughts and opinions to everything in between.

This is where I keep all the things DC related and display them for others to see.

Today I successfully defended my thesis!

And the fun thing is that it was a demonstrative version of defense, so I got to include both classical literature (and modern to some extent) as I was supposed (and expected) to, and superhero material while presenting my work.

I am really glad everything I did sincerely impressed everyone present.

A lot can be said about «My Adventures with Superman» but one thing is certain: it is a prime example of good animated series that are being rarely created and released nowadays (at least about superheroes).

There is a good, consistent plot, the characters portrayals are crafted uniquely and therefore are memorable and recognizable, the art style of the series is pleasant to the eye.

And, what's more, in My Adventures with Superman we see a sunny, kind, a bit clumsy Clark who sees good in everything and everyone, and who believes in a better tomorrow even if it seems the world itself is ending, which to me is of utmost importance, because not as many Supermen as it may seem are portrayed this way.

But what is also worth acknowledging is the fact that Superboy is a part of MAWS's universe from season three on.

Now lets get to the elephant in the room, I really hope MAWS's Kon lives up to expectations and is just as great as he should be.

I've already gotten acquainted with a few Kons, and more often than not, they seem like they are completely different people (or half-kryptonians, I guess).

(Here is an example)

I'll talk about the deal with DC universes/worlds/Earths and variants of one and the same characters another time.

But I'd be happy if this Kon matched the way I imagine him.

And while we are at it, if (or when) Jon appears on the show, I hope for no less.

On unrelated note, I can't stress enough how interesting MAWS's portrayal of Lois is, not necessarily because it is what Lois really should be like, but because she is just... Well, something.

(Let's not talk about the fact she looks like Luz Noceda from the Owl House, though it isn't necessarily a bad thing.)

I really envy her energy, though, while all in all, there are quite a bit of things we are fairly similar in (ex. both petite and determined).

There are a lot of idioms in all languages that have to do with the names of animal species and at least one (or two depending on how you'd like to look at it) specifically with bats.

I think it is fair to say everyone heard the expression: "smb. is as blind as a bat. "

While working with Charles Dickins' novel «David Copperfield» (1849), I stumbled upon its contaminated version: "«...» is as blind as a brickbat."

In this case, we see a mix of "to be as blind as a bat" and "to be as hard as a brickbat".

To be fair there are a few definitions of «brickbat» starting from the ones explaining it as a piece of brick (sometimes specified as the one used as a weapon/missile), and ending with it being a term standing for insulting or very critical hurtful remarks (spoken attacks).

The word is fairly old and not too common nowadays.

But that's above the point, just a little prehistory, so to say.

Allow me to present to you the golden age DC villain called Brick Bat!

The man wore a lime green suit and a bat-cowl and threw bricks at people, and the bricks would then break up into poisonous clouds. He was a violent criminal robbing banks and the rich, and getting rid of unsuspecting innocent citizens.

He originally first appeared in Detective Comics or rather Police Comics (as of back then) #5 (Dec. 1941), in the part of this issue called #711, "The Brick Bat".

Now you know another fun, obscure non Batman related vintage forgotten villain!

P.S.: Do not ever confuse Brick Bat with Batbrick, because one of them is this old fellow, and the other is Bruce Wayne Batman's nickname (for example, Absolute universe's (or LEGO one's I guess). :)

The situation is a little similar to Batman/Man bat one.

I think there is a Gotham somewhere on a distant earth on a far away end of multiverse, where Clayface and Salmon Grundy are good friends.

As I invasion it: Clayface (Basil Karlo) is a former movie star from the forties (1940s), still alive to this day, since clay pretty much can endure a lot and even if dried out can be revived, and many artifacts from the days long gone that are still getting found are made of it. Since it is no good living when you have to commit crimes to stay seen and heard, and get punished for them, serving terms in prisons or in psychiatric institutions, every so often he lays low and once upon a time stumbles upon Solomon Grundy.

The eldrich horror that is Solomon Grundy is much older than him, but retaining his intelligence and being of a sound mind at times his memory stays restored, even if he doesn't seem to be able to always express his thoughts coherently, is someone whom Karlo finds himself able to relate to.

They have a lot to talk about – two supernaturally changed, remolded, created beings that at some point became immortal, and, maybe, to complain about as well, because not all changes are always for the better and when you have to adjust to them while you not always can for different reasons, especially coming from another era, it can be very annoying.

There is a belief that Lazarus Pit causes Pit Madness that may last a few days or the longest time, depending on a person submerged in it, as well as that the waters heal the wounded, resurrect the dead and even grant immortality, but it also keeps and shares memories of the people who once entered it. Some get to have these foreign memories after the Pit Madness period passes, and some do not. (It is safe to say most do not.)

Anyway, Ra's has been around for centuries holding onto all his knowledge and experiences he gathered through his life and does not intend to die, but what not many know is that, just like Thanagarians remember their past lives, he shares memories with all his versions across the multiverse.

Usually, it doesn't play any role in anything other than give him some advantage in situations concerning certain people.

His own memories, not the ones that come from his variants, are easier to access and are closer to him, so he doesn't get shaky with his facts.

No one even suspects that his mind is actually a very well organized infinite maze of a library.

But sometimes it all makes Ra's dread some meetings severely, and it is hard for him to explain himself without giving anything out when asked (as he doesn't always manage to hide his displeasure).

It is neither fun nor easy to be the Demon's Head...

I imagine Alfred has two telephone numbers, one is personal, that only the Bats know, and the other that is also known only to select few, but is for work specifically.

The second number, if dialed, automatically redirects you to the menu on the voicemail:

"If you are a superhero, dial "1", Agent A will be with you shortly. If you are a supervillain and still dial "1" I will be aware of that and answer you accordingly. If you are a supervillain, dial "2". This way, I'll know you are one and yet care about your own wellbeing. If you are new to superhero/supervillain thing and aren't sure of what to make of yourself, dial "3" and you'll get redirected to the hot line with a good specialist who will help you figure things out free of charge. When you know the answer to the question of what fraction you belong to, you may call the number again if necessary. And if you have no idea what this is all about and dialed the wrong number, please hang up and consider not calling again. All spam calls and trolls will be reported to the police department of their respective city in their state."

Yesterday, among all the usual things, one of our professors asked us, while giving us texts to work with individually: «Who wants to get Luthor?» And turning to me, continued: «Will you?»

I obviously agreed. Why would I not?

It seems it isn't hard to understand that I can be trusted with a Luthor. :)

Surely it wasn't really about any of the Luthors, but rather about Martin Luther (the one who created the 95 Theses and caused Lutheranism to emerge as a result of the reforms of the Catholic Church), since he teaches German, but it still was nice to hear him pronounce Luther as Luthor, and to be appointed one, even if the way his words sounded was unintentionally misleading.

(Though the task itself could hardly have been called interesting or fun.)

A couple of days ago I finally watched "The Crisis on Infinite Earths" (Arrowverse (Parts 1-5 (2019))) and, to be fair, there is a lot to say, both good and bad.

It is obvious that it has something that grasps attention, especially since the concept was revisited in, for instance in "Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths" (Tomorrowverse (Parts 1-3 (2024))), which can serve as a hint to what I am going say.

(A more obvious hint: Think Earth-12. If you remember, you remember.)

There were many nice cameos in Arrowverse's Crisis on Infinite Earths, including the one of "Smallville's" Clark and his own family (though I doubt it is really a part of the original "Smallville" continuity at least because what even is their world without a Superman and how would Martha Kent allow it to happen (Not assuming a possibility of the Red Queen replacing Superman as the part of the JLU)?), but I am going to talk about one in particular.

I am going to talk about the Earth-99 that Kara Danvers and Kate Kane visited in search of the Paragon of Courage, who was described as "The Bat of the Future".

Earth-99th Batman of the future (quite literally) is Bruce Wayne, and he is played by late great Kevin Conroy.

Now, here is a curious thing.

The Earth-99 Supergirl and Batwoman visited is in the future (which is easy to gather even from what was said before) and Bruce tells his cousin that he came to cross the line he swore not to and at some point started killing.

Doesn't it remind you of something?

Future... Kevin Conroy's Batman... Batman, who gets too close to breaking his oath... Year 2019...

Coincidence is that in 2019, in "Batman Beyond" (DCAU (1998-2000)), Bruce almost shots a thug and considers it a turning point, retiring from being the Caped Crusader of Gotham and in "The Crisis on Infinite Earths" (Arrowverse (2019)), in the future where Kara and Kate teleport to from 2019 a Batman with the same voice tells a story of him becoming a monster to finally win over monsters once and for all.

I find it to be a neat detail that can mean a lot or nothing at all.

Considering the fact that some Earths were named randomly in Arrowverse, Earth-99 may be an Earth-12 variant where Bruce never retired and got broken by his first killing and never encountered a Terry McGinnis.

My Jason Todd plush arrived today, and I am glad to have it.

It took me a while to figure out whether I really needed him, but in the end, I decided I did, and I do not regret it!

He is very small, just like I wanted him to be, and nice to look at.

I don't think it would be a good idea for anyone to have him attached to a backpack, but being a pocket size version, this Jason is perfect for anyone.

Unanimously the Fandom decided that universe granted Alfred Pennyworth immortality and I am not going to question it, because I can not disagree with the fact that as long as there is Alfred, the Bats are there and they are well. There can be different reasons named for his living forever in the first place, but one thing is certain: he should.

The Kents' role in Superman's life (and in Clark's by default) more often than not gets severely underrated, overlooked, and downplayed.

More often than not, we see Clark lose his father to a stroke (to name a few instances: in Richard Donner's Superman film series and in "Smallville" TV Series). Or he falls victim to some unfortunate accident connected to a natural occurrence (a tempest in "The Man of Steel"). Only "Lois and Clark's" and James Gunn's Supermen and the cartoon ones got lucky and kept their Jonathans.

And the only person who almost always stays there for him is his mother.

Yet, even without Pa, Superman has his own Alfred.

And this Alfred is his Ma.

Martha Kent stands for courage, for encouragement to dare and make difficult decisions, for ability to adapt, for flexibility, for wisdom (that may also border on the knowledge how to be cunning) and for her being knowledgeable in many things (having experience and vairous skills in numerous fields).

If Jonathan is a simple farmer, she always is more complex of a person and, unlike her husband, shows Clark how to find unexpected solutions, since life isn't a straight road without curves or obstacles. That is why she matters, that is why she is important.

Martha isn't a spare part in the mechanism that is Superman's life that lays there by a toolbox or in it, gets revisited and left behind. She is a necessity, which many unfortunately unfairly forget about.

Lois keeps Clark going, friends are there to guide him, but when everything is falling apart none other than his mother gives him strength (that is why he always turns to her when life gets rough). Superman shares both happiness and sadness with his Ma, finding good even in the little things. She knows him as the back of her hand, even if she always finds ways to surprise him.

Before I properly got to know about the circumstances of Damian's arrival at his father’s place and the long thorny way he made others go through becoming a member of the Bat-family, I imagined everything very differently and I still keep my own headcanon dearly in my heart.

So, let us see how the things were presented to us by DC, and then I'll get to my first impressions and conclusions that were made before I found anything out.

In the "Son of Batman" (2014) animated movie, it was shown that Talia decided to give Damian with his duffel bag on a stick to Bruce, saying he was completely his from then on and telling him to do whatever he deems necessary and right with their son, who's been raised in the League of Assassins and about whose existence Wayne didn't even know until then.

That's pretty much it.

All the interactions with Jason in the League and later on were completely ommissed.

(I still do not know the whole canonical story DC preferes, and, to be fair, don't have much interest in finding out.)

Now it's time for my take.

I always thought the things went something like this:

Talia, thinking her son had to learn a lot from his father to become the next Demon's Head when the time comes, sends Damian with Jason for his protection to Gotham.

Jason, sick and tired of being one of the members of the League, even if close to Ra's and Talia through Bruce, decides he isn’t going to return there after getting the little boy to Bruce. So, having all of his feelings piled up in him and his thirst for revenge and justice, completely not ready to face the Bats again, he takes up the identity of the Red Hood to act freely in Gotham and be safe from any attempts of finding him from the side of the League.

So, not yet the Red Hood, but having the plan in mind and having told Damian everything he knew about his family (Alfred, Bruce, and Dick (he isn’t yet aware of the existance of Tim as an addition to the family)), brings the little boy to the doors of the Wayne Mansion with all of his posessions, rings the bell and disappears in the shadows of the night.

Alfred opens the doors, sees Damian (like as if he was a small angry black kitten in a box), and invites him in.

This is how Bruce finds out he has a son with Talia (I actually fancy the idea of Damian being a genetically engineered baby of theirs created in a lab more than of him being actually born the natural way).

Jason, in his own turn, reconciles with his family in about a year of time after becoming the Red Hood and a successful Crime Lord, and after coming to terms with Tim having been taken in by his adoptive father soon after he died and with the fact that he wasn't ever really meant to be his replacement.

This course of events just seems right to me.

Everyone on the cast are earth ponies. Clark is like a secert alicorn who thanks to plot, magic and nonsense gotta hide his wings and horn.

Well, it really is an interesting thing to think about.

To be fair, I've had some thoughts of how I would arrange everything (if I were to do it), relocating the actions depicted in "Smallville" into a MLP universe's setting, for a while already.

Though, I have a bit of a different idea concerning such an AU. There should be a great deal of earth ponies involved, for sure, but why stop just at them? :)

So, a little less than two weeks ago, my Mom and I were talking about everything and anything and suddenly some subject came up which for some reason reminded me about an episode of «My Little Pony» in which Discord told Fluttershy that it was his turn to invite her to a teaparty at his place, since she always does so for him with her usual kindness and readiness to accept him for who he is accommodating things to what he might like most or for some reason require (Season 7, Episode 12 «Discordant Harmony»), which I told her about.

And you know what? She said it sounded an awful lot like Lionel and Martha from Smallville because of it being so easy to imagine them in such situation! A couldn't agree more!

There are differences, that much is certain, but still!

I didn't say it, she did so herself!

I am still really proud of the fact because it means that I am not the only one who thinks so and connected the dots this way.

Will be added later.

Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000)

The Dark Knight Trilogy (2005, 2008, 2012)

Batman (1989), Batman Returns (1992)

Batman Forever (1995), Batman and Robin (1997)

Smallville (2001-2011)

The Flash TV Series (2014-2023) (Partially)

DCAU (+ such animated movies as: “Justice League: Gods and Monsters” (2015) and “Superman: The Red Son” (2020)) (formally: 1992-2019/2024)

DCAMU (Partially) (including “Under the Red Hood”) (2013-2024)

Justice League 52 comic universe (Partially) (2011-2016)

Flashpoint animated movie and comic book (+ continuations concerning Tomas Wayne as Batman) (2013 (Animated movie), 2011 (main comic))

The Batman Adventures (some issues) (1992-1995)

Justice League Unlimited (a few issues) (2004-2008)

DC Feature Films Magazine Presents Bing Crosby (1950)

DC The Adventures of Bob Hope (some issues) (1950-1968)

DC The Adventures of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis (one issue) (1952-1957)

Batman: The Adventures Continue (some issues) (2020-2023)

Batman: Wayne Family Adventures (some of them) (2021-present)

Most of Snyderverse movies (except Suicide Squad sequels) (2013-2023)

My Adventures with Superman (2023-present)

Batman: Caped Crusader (2024-present)

Mat Reeves: The Batman (2022)

Richard Donner’s Superman film series (1978, 1980, 1983, 1987)

Superman Returns (Partially) (2006)

Lois and Clark: The New Adventures with Superman (1993-1997)

DC Superhero Girls (mostly) (2019-2021)

Teen Titans Go! (Partially) (2013-2025(?))

Gunn-verse (Partially (excluding Suicide Squad sequels and Peacemaker)) (2025-present)

Batman: The Brave and the Bold (2008-2011)

Justice League: Action! (2016-2018)

Beware The Batman (one episode) (2013- 2014)

The Batman (2004-2008) (Partially)

LEGO DC Animated Movies (including LEGO Batman Movie (2017))

DC Tomorrowverse (2020-2024)

Harley Queen (TV series) (one-two episodes) (2019-present (?))

The Fleischer Superman cartoons (Partially) (1941-1943)

DC League of Super-Pets (2022)

Smallville Rewatch Podcast: TalkVille (after rewatching Smallville (Partially)) (2022-present)

Gotham (TV series) (2014-2019)

Supergirl (TV series) (2015-2021) (in process of watching)

Additional:

I’ve read some bits and pieces of issues of the comic line “Batman: The Adventures Continue”, and it was nice to see Jason Todd in the DCAU style, though the stories, as far as I could gather, are a bit questionable. Also, I’ve read some more of the “Batman: Wayne Family Adventures”, which is always pleasant.

I’ve rewatched and reread the “Flashpoint” (which, for some reason, I liked a lot) and then some more stories that were connected to it through Thomas Wayne’s Batman (which I still have mixed opinions about). I watched some episodes (quite a few) of “Teen Titans GO!”, which I found to be a silly little show that shouldn’t be treated any other way, and it brightened some of my days quite a bit (I especially liked the episode with “the Pocket Robins” and the Penguins). I watched “Batman: The Brave and the Bold”, though I didn’t think much of it before, judging by what I’ve heard, here’s what I have to say: it is nothing like the DCAU TV Series, but it is fun to watch, and I liked it being original and true to itself (and the “Goodnight!” at the end of the last episode was a nice touch, because it was indeed nighttime when I was watching it, and I went to sleep after finishing it). Then I tried some more Batman animated series, and despite the way the 2004-2008 “Batman” is drawn, I found it pretty interesting, though I had to leave it unfinished for now due to some kind of lag. “Justice League: Action!” wasn’t bad, but the episodes were short, and there weren’t too many of them.

Before the premiere of James Gunn’s “Superman”, I’ve watched Richard Donner’s Superman film series (which had both its good and bad moments) and some more Superman-related projects. I was very pleasantly and unexpectedly surprised by “Lois and Clark: The New Adventures with Superman”. The TV series wasn’t anything you might expect because it has a great cast, an interesting plot, and almost no villains demanding any special effects (no aliens with fire powers, etc.). Yes, it was created by a woman who knew very little about how the DC comics presented the characters she was to work with and relied only on what she heard from others, but the result was fresh and new, with a smart Clark unafraid to troll Lois, the most perfect Lois, Perry, and the Kents known to the viewer, and so on. And I finally returned to “Smallville” after many long years and rewatched it (I’ve been at it from 24th or 25th of May to October 12th), though I dreaded the process, because the first time, I stopped at the end of season eight and didn’t manage to make myself survive longer without Martha Kent and the Luthors, and yet it was worth it. “Smallville” has many things I would have loved to be different, but all in all, excluding the finale, it is a great show! Gotham TV series was interesting as well, and there were things I liked a lot about the TV series (The Penguin, Butch, Fish Mooney, Harvey Bullock, and to some extent, Smart Nygma).

Now, about some disappointing things. The first thing is that “Beware The Batman” was something I can’t even figure out how to call, and “Harley Quinn” series is a parody and was not for me, despite the art style. After watching the Superman movies starring Christopher Reeve, I tried to give a chance to "Superman Returns", but no matter how many chances I gave the film, it was terrible at any given moment of the time it lasted, and the cast wasn’t the problem. The plot and the execution were. Then there was James Gunn’s “Superman”. It had its good points (a few), but overall it wasn’t my cup of tea at all. It wasn’t too well thought through, but I won’t explain anything in detail right now (maybe some other time). And last but not least, I am watching the Supergirl TV Series right now, and I have many problems with it, mostly more or less minor (and their Maxwell Lord is just chef’s kiss, but maybe I am biased because I’ve liked Peter Facinelli since who knows how long), but I don’t like season two from the get-go for numerous reasons, and I would really appreciate it if someone told me whether it ever gets better.

Also, this whole year I’ve been thinking of my own DC AU revolving around the fairy tales Lex, Lois, and others would tell Kon when he is still small to make him familiar with different things, but I am still working on it because there is never enough time. (I also have a lot of other stories on my mind, but more on them later.)

So, overall, it was a good year, and I managed to get acquainted with many DC projects that were interesting, and some I didn’t find to be to my liking.

It may seem like a lot judging by what I wrote, but really it wasn’t.

Happy New Year!

Let us hope the next one is even better than this one and will bring us many happy moments and good news!