InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "Come on Thunderchild!!"

claudie (flirting with modernism) (lipsofpoison) wrote in scans_daily,
@ 2009-05-06 16:54:00

Entry tags:

char: alfred pennyworth, char: batgirl/cassandra cain, char: batgirl/oracle/barbara gordon, char: batman/bruce wayne, char: jim gordon, char: leslie thompkins, char: robin/nightwing/dick grayson, char: superman/clark kent, publisher: dc comics, title: gotham knights

Gotham Knights #42
The gist of it is, Alfred becomes sick with a virus. Precautions are taken and everything is done to make him better. This issue did a great job of convincing me Bruce is a human being. I could have posted the entire thing, because I really did love it. It also shows how big an effect Alfred has on those around him. I thoroughly recommend this one.

I think it's actually really sweet that Bruce does listen and does remember when Alfred talks to him. It does show how much he still needs his 'father'.

A lovely little moment with Cass. It's so nice to see how Alfred touches all of them.

Bruce attempting to make chicken noodle soup for Alfred makes me all happy inside. He was always going to be a disaster area in the kitchen.

Also, him reading to him and Alfred already knowing the words. The hanf holding. Tim hanging out in the doorway. It seems Gotham Knights got it right when it comes to pulling together in times of crisis.

Babs on the phone with Dick reminds me how much I loved them together. Kissing into the phone. Also, her calling her Dad. And 'pumpkin'. Babs and Jim's relationship is always a highlight.

Alfred and Clark having tea together. I bet they gossip about Bruce. I knew I loved this issue.

Bruce and Alfred hugs! And Leslie and Dick hanging out in the corner.

DIAL UP
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kagome654
2009-05-06 11:18 am UTC (link)

I love Bruce not being able to make soup. It seems like such a random 'flaw,' like all those shoujo heroines who love to eat but can't cook.

The entire 'Batfamily' dynamic really shines in this sort of story. I wish there were more like it (only, you know, under happier circumstances).

Alfred is awesome, and seems to bring out the inner woobie in most characters he interacts with. Except for Damian. Considering 'Alfred the cat' I'm hoping Damian gets his punk ass in gear and starts treating Alfred with the respect he deserves. Hearing even a black sheep member of the Batfamily call him 'Pennyworth' instead of Alfred (or 'Alf') makes me sad.

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	parsimonia 2009-05-06 11:26 am UTC (link)
	Alfred the cat? (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

kagome654
2009-05-06 11:37 am UTC (link)

In issue #666 of Grant Morrison's Batman run future Damian had a tuxedo cat named Alfred (who seemed to be his only real confidant, which is both sad and adorable). Obviously it's not really 'canon,' but considering Morrison is planing to reference characters from that story in his 'Batman and Robin' run I'm kind of hoping it's some indication that Damian will warm up to Alfred eventually and stop being a little jerk to him. Decapitating criminals and almost killing Tim I can forgive, disrespecting Alfred...not so much.

Blaaargh, typos

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parsimonia
2009-05-06 12:21 pm UTC (link)

But wasn't there a story, possibly during the Return of R'as al Ghul arc, where Damian is in the Batcave and he gets into a fight with Tim, but he's actually looking for help, and then he runs into Alfred who is all nice to him and Alfred trips and falls, and Damian catches him, but Tim thinks he was hurting Alfred and goes on the attack, and then Alfred scolds Tim?
*post-run-on sentence gasp for breath* That must count toward warming up to Alfred.

I think I must have read #666 at some point, but I think I blocked most of it out.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	kagome654 2009-05-06 12:34 pm UTC (link)
	Haha, issue #666 was one of the few issues of Morrison's run (aside from the Club of Heroes stuff) that I actually liked. I assumed that scene in Robin would count as Damian warming up to Alf too, but by the time RIP came around Damian was back to calling him Pennyworth and generally acting like a little snot , so... (Reply to this) (Parent)

	sistermagpie 2009-05-06 01:14 pm UTC (link)
	I was just looking for that--yes. Alfred scolds Tim that Damian needs compassion rather than a punch in the face. Damian then starts attacking Tim, saying he's a poor little orphan looking for a father and I think makes a reference to the house maybe being his someday. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	kagome654 2009-05-06 01:23 pm UTC (link)
	Didn't Damian smash a painting over Tim's head in pure cartoony fashion? Good times. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	sistermagpie 2009-05-06 01:32 pm UTC (link)
	Yes! How could I forget? That was pretty much the first thing he did. That story probably showed Alfred the wisdom of Bruce spacing out the kids so he never had more than one underaged one at home at a time. (Reply to this) (Parent)

	batcookies 2009-05-06 04:11 pm UTC (link)
	"Obviously it's not really 'canon,' " Morrison will likely be treating it as written in stone. His Batman and Robin run is going to be introducing the villains that Damian fights in 666. disrespecting Alfred...not so much. The 7 year old polymath superninja asshole didn't just "disrespect" Alfred, he physically assaulted Aflred, knocking him out. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	kagome654 2009-05-06 04:35 pm UTC (link)
	Physically assaulting someone is very disrespectful, yes. :P (Reply to this) (Parent)

	jlbarnett 2009-05-06 08:17 pm UTC (link)
	You mean Morrison isn't done? (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	kagome654 2009-05-06 08:48 pm UTC (link)
	Oh no, he's on for a while yet. Batman and Robin is, iirc, plotted out for at least a year. And there was much weeping and gnashing of teeth (Reply to this) (Parent)

	parsimonia 2009-05-06 11:24 am UTC (link)
	I love this issue. So adorable. Poor Alfred, though. (Reply to this)

sistermagpie
2009-05-06 11:42 am UTC (link)

God this issue is adorable. (Is that zombie in the doorway Tim or Dick? It's hard to tell when the person looks like a zombie with glowing eyes.)

I love Bruce not being able to cook. There's a scene in Prodigal where Dick's making dinner and Tim talks about Bruce not being able to cook and Dick's all, "He could if he wanted to because he's awesome and he's Batman!" and Tim's like, "Well, he's been eating takeout since Alfred left." I think I just love the idea of Dick getting training from Alfred as well as Bruce. And Alfred sort of despairing at how hopeless Bruce is when faced with household tasks without even realizing it.

The panic Bruce feels at the idea of Alfred not being there is just epic.

Also I love Cass's attempts to buy the right card. Awww!

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	lipsofpoison 2009-05-06 11:43 am UTC (link)
	I believe it's Tim. He feels responsible for Alfred getting sick. I love that bit of Prodigal! I miss this stuff these days. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	sistermagpie 2009-05-06 01:35 pm UTC (link)
	Poor Bruce and Tim will get into a guilt-off. And I'm sure Dick will find a way to jump in there somewhere. "It's my fault Alfred got this virus! Mine mine mine!" "It's more my fault--he told me he didn't like the cave and I made him go down there. I MADE HIM GO DOWN THERE AND HE CAUGHT A CHILL!" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	lipsofpoison 2009-05-06 01:46 pm UTC (link)
	Those boys can guilt-over like theres no tomorrow. (Reply to this) (Parent)

	hyperactivator 2009-05-06 11:52 am UTC (link)
	Batman has two survival modes. Billionare with unlimited resources and worlds greatest butler and stranded in the wilderness naked with a spoon. Anything else and he's boned. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	oddpuppets 2009-05-07 10:48 am UTC (link)
	If you like, I have a brand new internets to give you. (Reply to this) (Parent)

	evilsneak 2009-05-06 12:34 pm UTC (link)
	So what was it that made Alfred sick? (Reply to this) (Thread)

	lipsofpoison 2009-05-06 01:38 pm UTC (link)
	It was a by-product of the Clench virus from Contagion that had gotten spread by batpoop. (Reply to this) (Parent)

	merseybeatler 2009-05-06 12:36 pm UTC (link)
	D'awwww. I've seen the scan of Bruce reading A Midsummer Night's Dream (act five, scene one...ugh!) but never knew the context. Sweet. (Reply to this)

lyraeinne
2009-05-06 01:24 pm UTC (link)

I've been making my way through Gotham Knights for the first time, and as much as I loved this entire, fantastic run this issue was undoubtedly one of the standouts. Not only is Bruce a human being, but he's a human being who knows when to pull in and be with his family, who thinks about and anticipates the needs of others, and who's aware of a world outside his own pain and anxiety. I miss this Bruce. And stories like these.

That, and it's just so freaking adorable to see him fail so miserably at basic tasks. Really, the whole issues could have been nothing but Bruce attempting to load the dishwasher and vacuum and do laundry and it still would have been win. <3

On another note, on first read I really thought Dick/Tim's zombie eyes was going to turn out to be some important plot point, and I was disappointed to get to the end and realize it was just weird coloring.

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	blake_reitz 2009-05-06 01:48 pm UTC (link)
	These are all great, but I love the Cass and soup ones the best. Both because I can imagine Alfred receiving their get-well gifts. Both being glad at how hard Cass had to try to write, and relieved that Bruce ordered out for soup. (Reply to this)

tanetris
2009-05-06 03:04 pm UTC (link)

I've seen the soup-making page before, and I never know whether to be more amused at the poignant gap in Bruce's skills, or annoyed that no one that good in chemistry can rightfully be that poor at cooking. While the matter of flavor does require some art, the basic process of turning ingredients into food is pure science. I'm not saying he should be able to produce great food, but certainly edible food, and there's little reason for the kitchen to become such a disaster. Of course, that's less visually satisfying and less hilarious. Like I said, mixed feelings.

As for the Cass page (which I have not seen before, and would not have understood anyway prior to the Super Steph Series), it is pure love.

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	lipsofpoison 2009-05-06 03:08 pm UTC (link)
	I was an A student at chemistry but I can't make chicken soup from a can. I can relate to Bruce, here. (Reply to this) (Parent)

	icon_uk 2009-05-06 03:48 pm UTC (link)
	While the matter of flavor does require some art, the basic process of turning ingredients into food is pure science. I'd say anyone who is has tried to consistently, and repeatedly, create even something as simple as a white sauce will tell you it's more than a science. (Reply to this) (Parent)

	queenanthai 2009-05-06 03:23 pm UTC (link)
	And all I can think of is "Does that soup recipe work? I kind of want to try it." (Reply to this) (Thread)

	brandiweed.livejournal.com 2009-05-06 03:59 pm UTC (link)
	Looks like it would. I could, however, see Bruce forgetting to take out the bay leaf and either he or Tim choking on it. Bay leaf is one of-- perhaps the only-- spice you really have to remove after cooking. For that matter, since the allspice berries are left whole I'd probably put all the spices in a tea ball so they could be fished out when it's ready. (Reply to this) (Parent)