InsaneJournal

First, some random stuff. The guy Steph got pregnant with is Dean. This is the kind of guy Dean is, before you feel too sorry about what happens to him next.

It should be noted that this is the big Quake storyline in Gotham and Steph has just SAVED DEAN'S LIFE my tackling him out of the way of some falling debris.



So yeah, he abandons the girl he just screwed in the middle of an earthquake, after she helps him out. And no, I have no idea why Steph had sex with him. Presumably her self esteem issues and having been royally dumped by Tim at this point in continuity. (I used to suspect alcohol, but as we'll see in another story, Steph isn't a fan of drinking. As the daughter of a former alcoholic, I can relate. Once you see someone in your family almost ruin their lives for substance abuse, you get pretty turned off of all of 'em. At least, that's how I am)





We had some arguing about this on OSD, but basically, this guy abandoned her in the middle of an earthquake, left town, and while he was gone she had his baby and gave it up for adoption which broke her heart. Then he comes back, and acts like it's the most trivial thing in the world that she went through this, and asks to get back together. She was clearly taking out some frustrated feelings she had towards HERSELF for getting her into this mess (hence the "It's not HIM I'm mad at" line) but, she's human.

And yes, if the genders were reversed, I'd be fine with it, being a girl who's gotten in fights a few times myself. Also consider while this is someone who's trained, beating on a civilian, the training she's had at this point was solely a few tips from Tim. Also, clearly she was holding back a little, considering she's knocked out guys twice Dean's size no problem, the fact he's still concsious (though stupid enough to try to get back up) shows she's just trying to get him to back the hell off.

Yes, she's not reacting the best way here, but she's got flaws, and a bad temper is one of them.

But, what I want to note is Dean's eyes bugging out when she kicks him in his babymaker is HILARIOUS. Oh, Pete Woods. You can do it all.

Further on, Tim comforts Steph about getting fired.



But he calls her back later.



Yeah, that's the guys reporting her Dad's death. Sad! So the date is cut short.



And she kicks the phone. That's how Steph reacts to grief: Kicking phones and going after mothmonsters. She skips straight to the "anger" stage.

Now for Robin #40 (don't worry, getting to showcase stuff soon). Levral sent me these scans, I don't have this one.



Srsly, Steph? SRSLY KILLED? Batman has HIS city, Steph has HER mall. Okay.



 By the way, I have no idea what the hell is up with this pink paper. Steph's diary has yellow paper. Or beige. Don't see her as the pink paper type, assuming there is a type.



Yeah, just a little, Steph. I like how she calls them "gangstas".



So yeah, this girl just chased off a whole gang of full grown men with no more training than an "A" in Phys Ed. Yet somehow this incredible talent (not to mention having already showing an ability to successfully stalk people and foil evil plans with NO TRAINING) should not be encouraged.

Every hero needs a tushy cushy from time to time, Steph. Just ask Black Canary!



Steph actually figures out where the gang is headed and gets Tim to help her take them out later (the original Lynx is their leader). So not a loss for her at all here, sore ass aside.

Now, for the backups! First, the easier to read one. Steph was actually micolored a redhead originally in this one. (Seriously, colorist? Seriously? You couldn't look at oh, ONE SINGLE COMIC with her in it and see she was a blonde?) But that annoyed me so, I, um, recolored her hair blonde in Photoshop. It's not a great job, I just did a 50% transparent glaze of yellow, but at least I can tell who she is now. I just wanted to see if I could do it, okay? I also erased that black french cut undies thing she used to wear on top of her costume back then while I was at it.

Steph's relatives suck. But she is always there to foil their plans. (Note, this is one of three stories in the issue, so tho it's over seven pages, I assume it's 1/3 of the book)







I really like this art, which is why I felt moticated to (clumsily) fix the miscoloring. Steph looks cute, and it's very clean.





Yeah, not a fan of alcohol, though it could be partly the guy offering it. "Mom doesn't anymore either" implies Steph's Mom might have indulged a little too much in the booze as well as the meds once upon a time. That's also hinted at in Steph's YJ 80 page giant origin.



Note the detective work!



What is it with poor Steph and the creepy old guys? Like how her response is to plow into him. And the Spoiler shadow she has. Go, Steph! Justice!





Oh god. One has a Pikachu mask.



Steph likes elbowing people in the face.



HAHAHA. Massive ownage! Steph rocks!

Here's another little story, of how Steph (presumably) started setting her Mom on the right path in regards to meds. At least, I assume this is the beginning of their reconciliation, considereing there's no other story explaining it. Also, Steph has the worst luck with father figures. EVER. (Another three story Showcase)





I like how the gymnastics uniform was clearly partly Steph's inspiration for her Spoiler costume. Also, how judging from the compliments, her routine was great, but she's still not happy with it. Vigilantes hold themselves to high standards.





This is really the only time we get to see Steph interact with her school friends, outside of a snippet in the pregnancy arc when she tells off a couple of gal pals for thinking having a baby is cool. Oh, and the Robin/Spoiler Special, but I'm mostly referring to pre return.







Poor Steph. Also nice to get some background on how she learned her stuff.



I'm pretty sure that much cocaine would overload your senses and maybe kill you, but whatever.



Aww! And I guess that's when the healing started.

So anyway, that's Steph.

Who knows whats in store for the future. I think it's high time she got a miniseries, and was able to stand on her own. I'm hoping for her to get some respect and, I dunno, redemption. (an idea my friend boywonderiii and I had last night...assuming Tim is globetrotting as Red Robin and has too look in Africa, wouldn't it be cool if Steph showed him around? Maybe meet up with Efia? But that would require paying attention to Steph continuity, and Tim listening to Steph for five seconds, so probably won't happen. Would be cool though)

Also there's always the Batgirl/Spoiler ongoing or backup. :P


Hope you guys enjoyed! I will post scan new Steph when it arrives like always, so..it never ends, my friends!