DCU Holiday Special

[lipsofpoison.insanejournal.com]

As requested by ladymirth, scans from last years DC Holiday Special.



In A Day Without Sirens, there are posters up advertising a day without guns, knives, etc. Despite Jim Gordon's complete disbelief, there are 24 hours without a single 911 call and a downtrodden Jim is much cheerier when he meets Batman, who seems quite happy himself.









In It's a Wonderful Night, Dick runs into trouble while trying to hand deliver a special present for Tim. He then discovers Tim with Owen Mercer at a showing of 'It's A Wonderful Life'.









In The Night Before Christmas, the Teen Titans take a christmas break and go hang out. Tim is a bit emo and he and Cassie reflect at Rockerfeller Centre.









In Party Animal, John Stewart (Green Lantern) and Roy Harper (Red Arrow), are late for the Christmas party, which even Batman is attending. They bring Shaggy Man along to give S.T.A.R labs a break, who gets spooked by the singing. Let's face it, you would too. It all ends with a good partying.

Comments

[ladymirth.insanejournal.com]

Thanks for putting them up!

Huh. Not what I was expecting. The first two look promising (OMG, BATS CAN MAKE JOKES!), but um, Robin and Owen Mercer watching "It's A Wonderful Life" together? (What, they couldn't catch it on TV?) THAT was Captain Boomerang's favourite movie? Wat? It's like some sort of super-cheesy and bizzare fanfic.

Love the colors on the TT one. Although, is Tim supposed to be that much shorter than Cassie? He looks downright tiny.

The JLA one is precious! Beware Dinah's fruitcake! THEY HAVE A DISCOBALL! Wonder Woman bumpin' hips with Hairy guy! DINAH AND ZEE COMPARING FISHNETS!

Wait...who's Arsenal snogging?

[lipsofpoison.insanejournal.com]

I think it was Tim missing his Dad and wanting to be close to him, so he goes to a mostly empty movie theatre late at night to watch it and happens to run into Owen. While the favourite movie thing is cheesy as hell, I think it just about pulls together because it's Christmas and because it's meant to rot your teeth. Plus, it's nice to see Dick giving Tim one of his Robin suits, as he did it with Jason. It's a nice little tradition, especially with Tim's feelings on Robin in general.

Tim, I think, it actually pretty small. Not as small as depicted here, but I believe he's about 5'6", though don't quote me on it.

I loved Dinah and Zee dancing together.

Kendra (Hawkgirl). They were dating, I believe. He did say "pretty bird" when he saw her, which I found very funny.

[pepperspray101.insanejournal.com]

I'm not sure dinah and zee are dancing together as much as they're comparing fishnets...

[thehefner.insanejournal.com]

At first, the thought of Boomerbutt loving IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE filled me with WTF too... but the more I think about it, the more I love the idea. Even sleezy skeezeballs can have a nugget of gooey sentimentality buried in their slimy hearts.

[lipsofpoison.insanejournal.com]

It does add to the humanity of the character and show losses deeply effect both sides, especially when they're not total psychopaths.

[ladymirth.insanejournal.com]

I can buy Boomerang loving that movie. I can't buy Tim voluntarily watching his Dad's favourite movie with the guy who's wearing the costume of the man who killed him. Not that I want Tim to be a total dick to Owen until the end of time or anything, but in that time, in that place, no. Season of forgiveness or not. *shrug*

We saw Tim grieving for his Dad, but we never saw him actually healing. And now it's like he's totally over it, move on. >(

Maybe I'm just grouchy because the Batboys didn't hug. I was so sure they'd hug! Who doesn't hug at Christmas? =(

[lipsofpoison.insanejournal.com]

I swear I remember Tim doing a whole 'I won't judge him for what his father did' thing at one point, so it made a little sense. They were just two boys missing their fathers and that's what it boiled down to.

Over it? No way. Not after Red Robin #1 last month.

[ladymirth.insanejournal.com]

I swear I remember Tim doing a whole 'I won't judge him for what his father did' thing at one point

Well, if he did, it sure wasn't in his own book (or Teen Titans either, because I marathon read the entire v3 recently). In fact, in Robin #152, his own words were: "If I can't beat the hell out of his Dad, Junior would be the next best thing." Granted, the animosity cooled down after they worked together in the next issue, but after promising not to try and turn Nightwing against Boomy, he refused to even shake hands. "Civil is one thing, but you'll forgive me if I'm not ready for the other stuff yet."

Btw, does Owen know that it was Robin's father that his Dad killed?

Over it? No way. Not after Red Robin #1 last month
Huh? I thought it was a sign that he was way over his Dad's death to be able to take Bruce's name for himself like that.

[lipsofpoison.insanejournal.com]

To be fair, when was the last time opinions were kept the same in all the different books? It's like a yo yo of emotions with people half the time. That said, it could have been reading between the lines.

He didn't at the time, no.

His massive breakdown over everything that's happened to him that resulted in him smashing a bunch of stuff said otherwise to me. He hasn't dealt with it as he should and now he's paying for it. "Tim Drake wouldn't have made that mistake, oh god, I'm Tim Wayne, oh god, what happened to me" doesn't sound like he dealt with it. Paraphrased of course.

[icon_uk.insanejournal.com]

No, AFAIK Owen doesn't know Robin's identity, so would have no reason to know why Tim was being so down on him. I also just can't see Tim being the sort of blame Owen for his Dad's actions, he doesn't judge Raven or Superboy for the actions of THEIR father's.

[ladymirth.insanejournal.com]

Their fathers didn't kill his Dad. That kind of thing doesn't easily submit itself to rational reactions. Tim's fair-minded, so he'd probabably try not to be a pillock to him on principle, now that he knows he's a good guy, but everytime he'd see that uniform he'd remember who it originally belonged to and it's established in canon that Tim now hates boomerangs the way Bruce hates guns.

[sistermagpie.insanejournal.com]

Huh? I thought it was a sign that he was way over his Dad's death to be able to take Bruce's name for himself like that.

I didn't take it as that. Though I honestly don't understand why with Tim writers seem to get into this whole "Wait, he's adopted by Bruce now...so he must be Tim Wayne!" when they've got the example of Dick Grayson never changing his name after he was adopted.

But I think in the Bat-family they generally just make it an ongoing thing that's actually more interesting for me. He's Tim Wayne because Damian makes him feel insecure about his place in the family, and he feels insecure about this sort of thing to begin with because of what happened to his parents. In Tim's case his dad issues were also always bound up in affirming his loyalty to one or the other and all that.

So yeah, I didn't see him over his dad at all, since most of his reaction to Bruce's death was guided by the way he's been reacting to deaths in the past. I would say the big step-forward moment on his dad for Tim, though, was in the Resurrection of Ra's storyline where he was tempted at the Lazarus Pit and Dick told him he had to let go and accept death. Now with Bruce he's found another way not to accept it (though he's also correct that Bruce isn't dead).

[lipsofpoison.insanejournal.com]

I think I love you just a little bit.

[sistermagpie.insanejournal.com]

It's the spirit of Christmas!

[superfan1.insanejournal.com]

Indeed!

[thehefner.insanejournal.com]

No, I hear that. One of the reasons I hate death in comics is that no one ever treats it like death. They only use it an an excuse to angst or swear vengeance, and then poof, next issue it's back to status quo. We rarely ever see characters realistically mourn, heal, or reflect (like the way the Birds did so wonderfully over Ted Kord).

As such, while I too share your frustration at them skipping that crucial step in Tim's recovery, I am heartened to see that they actually included this kind of moment, which would usually be ignored right alongside it! If that makes any sense.

Because ultimately, I'm sure Tim would get to this point with Owen eventually. And I think the awkward team-up with Owen in Robin's own book also laid the groundwork for this moment. Maybe someday someone can retcon in some inbetween healing to really sell his development to this point.

[fredneil.livejournal.com (from insanejournal.com)]

Why is Batman hanging out with Stan Lee?

[statham1986.insanejournal.com]

Stan doubles as Commissioner Gordon and/or my Grandfather, dependant upon what pair of glasses he's wearing.

[statham1986.insanejournal.com]

Somehow, the panel with Amy telling Eddie to drop dead endears her even more to me, even though I really wonder how she stays on the team with her attitude.

[404glitch.insanejournal.com]

Wally and Peej dancing together is hilarious.

[lieut_kettch.insanejournal.com]

Well, they're old JLI teammates. Just like Booster and Bea dancing off on the other side of the panel.

[404glitch.insanejournal.com]

Well yes, but wasn't Wally notorious for never looking Peej in the eyes?

[lieut_kettch.insanejournal.com]

As well as gropinh Bea's ass a hundred times in five seconds. And c'mon, with a costume like that, you're practically begging to have your chest stared at.

[pepperspray101.insanejournal.com]

I love the Teen Titans story. That art is gorgeous! Loved that Cassie was so much taller than Tim (I think this was the first time I liked her in a long time...) very cute. Jealous Eddie was funny, and I felt bad for him, but yay for Miss Martian giving him a kiss. Squee! It cemented me into a Eddie/M'ghan fan.

[lover_youshould.insanejournal.com]

Is Supes asking Batman for a dance? :D

[superfan1.insanejournal.com]

I like to think so, but batman playing the "I have two feet routine on him":P

[besamim.insanejournal.com]

For some reason my favorite panel is the one with the League members gearing up to take out Shaggy. "Why I oughta...!"

[werehawk.insanejournal.com]

Now if I can just get someone to post pages from Kyle's story from last year's DCU Halloween Special.

Please?

[scottyquick.insanejournal.com]

That is my absolute favorite Teen Titan story, bar none.

[kingrockwell]

Oh I love this issue so much, especially Babs' present to Jim (they are my two favorite Bat-characters, bar none). Zee and Dinah comparing fishnets has always been a fantastic visual gag, too!

[ladymirth.insanejournal.com]

I forgot to ask: what did Babs and Supergirl do to make Gotham crime-free for 24 hours?

[faile_neume.insanejournal.com]

They re-routed all the 911 calls to Oracle and Kara took care of any crimes. It was called "Siren Free Day" or something like that, it was supposed to be the Gotham community being nice to each other for the sake of the cops but it was just Babs and Kara taking care of anything that happened.

[faile_neume.insanejournal.com]

As much as I love the Teen Titans one, it seems weird to me that Tim will happily hang around with a RED DUDE and Cassie with her lasso without his mask on. Aren't Bats more paranoid about that sort of thing? Tim wasn't allowed to show Young Justice his face for ages.

I approve of Tim's coat though, it is quite lovely.

[lipsofpoison.insanejournal.com]

This was only last Christmas, so it's all pretty recent. So at that point, I think he's been seen without his mask before.

[faile_neume.insanejournal.com]

I didn't mean so much as being seen by the other Teen Titans, more by the public in general. Cassie and Eddie are hardly inconspicuous and might draw a whole lot of unwanted attention for someone with a secret identity.

[lipsofpoison.insanejournal.com]

You could argue that with most of the bats, though. Roy isn't big on his secret identity but Dick still hangs with him out of the mask, despite being very adamant no one knew who he was, even on his own team. Could put it down to 'how hard do you really look at people', especially in scarves, coats and in the dim winter light, I guess.

[faile_neume.insanejournal.com]

But Dick doesn't hang out with Roy when Roy is still in costume and Dick isn't. Cause that's practically what Cassie and Eddie are doing here. I don't really know, maybe I'm over analyzing it but it seems to go against everything I know about Bat!paranoia.

[lipsofpoison.insanejournal.com]

Roy's costume is a pair of sunglasses that often comes off. I doubt it really matters whether he's in costume or not. Cassie isn't in costume, though admittedly, I don't read much of Cassie so I don't know how public she is when she's wearing a different outfit and hat and to be honest, would you really believe it was KD at Rockerfeller Centre? I'd probably just right it off as 'no way'. Bat!paranoia is very subjective - as much as they say 'never use names', the amount of times they do is insane. I might be over analysing too, but okay.

[faile_neume.insanejournal.com]

Very very true on Roy's sunglasses. And Dick did date Kory, who was known as both a supermodel and crime fighter. Cassie has her lasso on her belt, and it's well, glowing. I guess anything in comic books is subjective, it still strikes me as off. On the other hand, the shipper in me really wants to know when was the first time Tim unmasked in front of Jaime and/or M'gann. (what? I can ship them both if I want)

[lipsofpoison.insanejournal.com]

I remember Dick going in disguise to Kory's apartment when he was seeing a therapist, but I've always thought, Kory was very high profile. Maybe it's because it's christmas - I know I wear glowing necklaces and earrings at that time so maybe she figured it was safe. I can see where you're coming from, but I think it's just about explainable. That and I like the idea Tim is showing trust to Jaime >.>

[faile_neume.insanejournal.com]

And did he make her sneak around when she stayed with him? I don't read much Nightwing but I remember something vaguely in Titans or some such. Hmm I guess, I don't really know much about white christmases so maybe she thought it was safer than being (slightly) powerless. My first reaction was "Jaime has seen Tim's face! YES" and then "wait, what about secret IDs" and then I went back to the first thought and wondered if it deserved fic.

[lipsofpoison.insanejournal.com]

I don't think she was subtle but then, Dick dispensed with costumes after the 80's too so maybe they're assuming too much on the public. I mean, Dick has seen Clancy in costume and he's been friends with her for years and she didn't notice because of a little eyemask? I think it's all subjective, but run with the fic, it's much cuter.

[faile_neume.insanejournal.com]

Yeah, I guess if you really think about the whole domino mask is kind of fail at keeping identities secret. Steph remarked once that she would have recognised Tim straight away without the mask. But do I really need to write more Tim!unmasking for Jaime? I am sure I should be doing things like school work. :(

[angel_gidget]

Kind of putting in another two-cents in, but Tim is also a public figure now as Tim Wayne, been on the cover of Fortune magazine and everything. If he wanted to pass off his presence as a rich playboy hanging around with other famous types, he could.

[toasty_fresh.insanejournal.com]

I really dislike the ending to the first one. It's so . . . lame.

[lipsofpoison.insanejournal.com]

I love it, personally. Explaining that Gotham even exhausts Supergirl.

[sistermagpie.insanejournal.com]

I think my favorite moment in this is Shag's considering returning a gift for store credit.

[salamangkiero.insanejournal.com]

STAINS. My brain totally went there. Bleach time!

[strangething.insanejournal.com]

Now all I need is a copy of that last scan big enough to use as wallpaper.

That would make my life complete, I think.

[angel_gidget]

Good Lord, how do I not have this?

From the Tim-Owen-Dick moment to Tim and Cassie being naive yet hopeful, this ish seems right up my alley. I really feel the need to scour the globe for it now.