DCEU Exchange - Dear Author
May. 28th, 2019 05:36 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
pannyHello, dear author, and thank you so much for writing for me! I have tried to leave you at least a general idea of what I like about each ship/character and what I might be interested in reading for them. Some may have more written than others depending on how much I had to say and how many specific ideas I had, but rest assured that I want all of them desperately and already love you for sharing any one of these ships and/or favourite characters with me! I look forward to whatever you create!
If I've left prompts that don't speak to you, don't worry about it! There are plenty of things that I enjoy that I haven't specifically prompted for (and there's a reason that I leave a list of general likes) and I want you to write something that you enjoy and find exciting. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me through the mods. I try to be speedy about replying and never mind clarifying.
· Vic Sage
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Past Letter(s): Hurt/Comfort Ex
I have grown very fond of this grizzled, experienced Bruce Wayne who has already been through a lot, but is only now learning to cope with superhumans on both sides of the hero-villain line. There’s also something to be said for DCEU!Supes having a fairly troubled rise to heroism and going through a lot in a relatively short period of time culminating in dying and then coming out the other end of Justice League as the most hopeful version of the character we’ve seen in this continuity so far. I’m also pretty into just how quickly and intensely the relationship between these two develops both as enemies and then as friends - they know each other for such a short period of time, but the feelings are so much!
Prompts:
· Post-Justice League
I’m always interested in seeing fic exploring what might happen between Bruce and Clark after Justice League. How do things change between them now that Clark’s resurrected – as teammates, as tentative friends, as two people who maybe eventually get out of their own way long enough to become more than friends? What sort of threats do they have to face going forward – as a team, as partners, as individuals? How does the formation of the League and everything they’ve both been through affect their roles as Batman and Superman?
· Canon Divergence
You can set the divergence at pretty much any point in the DCEU and I will be happy; I am constantly fascinated by different interpretations of how things might have turned out differently for want of a nail. What if they met before Clark became Superman? What if Clark followed his interest in the Bat vigilante directly to Gotham City? What if they somehow encountered one another during or immediately after Black Zero instead of Bruce being left to stew in his guilt/rage for two years? What if the first meeting between Bruce Wayne and Clark Kent went differently? What if Bruce figured out who Clark was before the end of Batman v Superman? What if Clark caught on to Luthor sooner? What if Clark survived facing down Doomsday? What if Bruce (temporarily) died instead? What if Clark was resurrected in a different way? What if Clark was resurrected at a different point? The sky’s the limit!
· Identity Porn
Identity porn is one of my favourite tropes for superhero canons and I’ll never get enough of AUs exploring it for DCEU SuperBat. The messier the crisscross of feelings between identities, the better.
· Bruce Whump
Hurt/comfort is a diehard favourite of mine and I always love any version of Bruce Wayne getting a good dose of whump, but I especially love DCEU!Bruce whump. I’m open to pretty much any source of potential pain – emotional, physical, magical, spiritual – and I’m equally happy with the target being Bruce Wayne or Batman (or Bruce throwing himself between another target and danger in a fit of self-sacrifice and desperation, as you do). I have a number of my favourite sources of h/c listed in my Hurt/Comfort Ex letter, but don’t feel restricted by those – there are plenty of others that I enjoy!
Past Letter(s): Hurt/Comfort Ex, Fandom5K
While it was Orlando that ultimately sold me on Apollo and Midnighter being able to be integrated into the wider DC universe, I’m ultimately fine with you basing them on any version you want – from classic WildStorm to brand new The Wild Storm. I always love any versions of these two and would be very interested in seeing how they might manifest in the DCEU where the world’s general understanding of and relationship to superpowers and vigilantism are so fundamentally different from comics canon and evolves so rapidly over the course of the films.
Prompts:
· Origins
How do Apollo and Midnighter come into being in the DCEU? Are they created before or after Superman appears on the scene and metahumans become a known quantity? Are they together from the start or do they find each other later? What are they getting up to while aliens are invading, Doomsday’s stomping around, the Enchantress is flooding Midway City with monsters, and/or the world’s almost ending? Do they ever run into any of the DCEU main cast – how does that go?
· Post-Justice League
So, the world of the DCEU has had an interesting relationship with vigilante activity and now our heroes have made the decision to step into the light, to organize, to hopefully inspire as well as protect. I’m interested in how these two react to the changes going on in the world around them and if it affects the way that they live their lives and carry out their business at all. There’s always been an interesting relationship between these two and more traditional heroes (and “heroes”) in every iteration of their characters – whether on a meta or more directly interactive level, and always by design. Exactly what they want out of life and how they feel about the entire concept of “superheroism” varies from version to version. Our traditional heroes in this universe are already so different from other versions of themselves, it would be fascinating to see how that changes things for Midnighter and Apollo.
I absolutely adore Kate in the comics and would love to see how she might be integrated into the world of the DCEU. This is a very different Gotham City with a very different Batman in a world where superheroes are only just starting to step into the light. How does this affect Kate’s own vigilantism? How does it affect her relationship with Bruce/Batman? Which criminals does she most regularly deal with? How does she deal with/react to the series of events that take place over the course of the films and how they affect the world of the DCEU?
Prompts:
· Becoming Batwoman
DC Rebirth has done a lot of interesting exploration of what precisely the Bat symbol means to Kate, why she chooses to wear it, what things she chooses to do or not to do out of respect for what the symbol represents, etc. With the DCEU producing a very different Batman, I’d be interested in seeing how differently Kate conceptualizes her superheroic identity in this universe. Are the events that prompt her to put on the mask the same as her comics origin? What’s her relationship with Bruce like – do they work well together or is there some tension? Considering some of the methods that Batman was employing at the time of Batman v Superman, are there any differences in the kind of code that Kate follows when she fights crime?
· Batwoman vs. Batman
There have been a few occasions in the comics when, for one reason or another, someone has tried to pit Kate against Bruce and even use her to take him down. Usually these face offs occur reluctantly on Kate’s part (though that doesn’t stop them both from fighting pretty seriously when the situation calls for it) and they wind up as allies again eventually. Considering the differences in DCEU!Bruce, depending on their relationship, I could see a scenario in which Kate is legitimately convinced that Batman needs to be taken down and I think that it could make for a genuinely interesting confrontation.
· Vigilantism in Gotham
What’s it like being a vigilante in Gotham City in the DCEU? We’ve seen a number of differences both in terms of our heroes and our villains – how does this affect Kate’s experiences as Batwoman? Comics!Gotham is absolutely crawling in masks and capes – how many are actually active in the DCEU? How do events like the death of Robin, Superman’s rise to heroism, and the formation of the Justice League affect things?
Renee has been one of my favourite characters for forever and I would love to see how a version of her would fit into the world of the DCEU, especially as a character who has always had an interesting and complicated relationship with vigilantism. Up to you entirely whether at the time of the fic she’s working with the Gotham PD, has quit the force as she did at the end of Gotham Central, has taken on a career as a private investigator, or has taken on some vigilante action of her own.
Prompts:
· Gotham PD
A large part of the reason that I love Gotham Central so much is that I’m fascinated by how the folks at the Gotham City Police Department deal with a city full of villains and vigilantes and everything that comes with that – both in terms of unique dangers and challenges and with the frustration of the entire department knowing they might wind up calling Batman in to do their job for them and the complicated feelings they all have about that. Given the changes to both the heroes and villains of Gotham in the DCEU, I would be delighted to see an exploration of what being a Gotham cop is like and how Renee fits into that. Especially with things becoming increasingly more bizarre and beyond human limitations over the course of the films.
· Renee & Batman
Renee and Bruce have a history of general mutual respect in the comics and Renee has spoken about what seeing the Bat signal shining over the city means to her as a Gothamite. That being said, the Batman of the DCEU employs some differences in his crimefighting methodology, especially at the time of Batman v Superman. How does Renee feel about Batman in light of these differences? Bruce still seems to have a relatively friendly relationship with Jim Gordon and the signal still exists, but is Renee herself more or less likely to consider Batman and herself to be allies? Do they ever come into conflict over a case?
· Batman v Superman
So, Gotham has their Bat (and formerly had a Robin), but superheroism doesn’t seem to have been a burgeoning business in the DCEU. And then suddenly aliens attack and now there’s another caped guy across the bay, but this one can fly and shoot laser eyes. How does Renee feel about the arrival of Superman? Is his presence good or bad – helpful, dangerous, both? Does this opinion change after he, Batman, and Wonder Woman battle Doomsday together?
· Post-Justice League
Superheroes are increasingly becoming a known quantity and now the Gotham Bat has allied himself with a whole bunch of them. How does Renee feel about these new developments? Do they change her job at all? Do they change her feelings on Batman? How do they play into her own perspective on justice and her frustrations with the potential ineffectiveness of the traditional avenues of crimefighting?
Past Letter(s): Multi-Fandom Trope Fest, Chocolate Box, Hurt/Comfort Ex, Fandom5K
One of my all time favourite pairings. I’ve already talked about how I might like to see each of their characters play into the DCEU individually, but I would be 100% down for them showing up as a duo. I am totally fine whether you want have them as an established relationship, get together within the fic, break up during the course of the fic, or if you want to set the fic post-break up. I honestly love their dynamic at every stage of their relationship.
Prompts:
· Vigilantism in Gotham
Does DCEU!Renee support DCEU!Kate’s vigilante efforts? Does she even know about them? Are they vigilantes together?
· Working a Case
Maybe while Batman’s running around during Justice League, the two of them have to hold the fort at Gotham while waiting to see whether or not the world’s going to end. Maybe dealing with the fallout of the destruction in Batman v Superman. Maybe the rise of superheroes in the public consciousness means a change to the types of threats they have deal with. Maybe even investigating into Batman or Superman themselves.
· Identity Porn
Always up for this trope in superhero canons. Renee, who has strong feelings about vigilante action in Gotham and about what role Batman should be playing, has no idea that her trust fund baby girlfriend is Batwoman. Or any other permutation of the trope that you can think of.
I loved the team up between Kate and Diana in the Batwoman comics – their dynamic, the way their strengths supported each other, the development of mutual respect between them, Kate trying super hard not to embarrass herself by fangirling Wonder Woman too hard. I would love to see some interaction between their DCEU counterparts.
Prompts:
· Batwoman & Wonder Woman
Kate and Diana team up to work a case or take down a threat. Maybe Kate’s dealing leftovers from Lex Luthor’s Superman obsession or something related to the fallout of Steppenwolf and Parademons only to find Wonder Woman already involved. Maybe Kate takes up an interest in all these new metahumans and actively investigates Wonder Woman. Maybe Diana takes an interest in the other vigilantes who’ve crossed paths with Bruce over the years. Maybe Kate runs into a threat that’s a little more supernatural/extraterrestrial than the norm and asks Bruce to send in one of his heavy hitters as back up. Maybe Kate Kane and Diana Prince meet at an event or party before trouble ambushes one or both of their civilian identities.
· Batwoman v Wonder Woman
I would also be interested in a situation where Kate and Diana come into conflict, even temporarily. The seemingly sudden spread of all these superhumans and preternatural threats is probably intimidating on some level and Bruce might not be the only one who gets Nervous about not knowing the weakness of someone with beyond human capabilities. And when there’s a threat that needs to be dealt with, Kate’s not one to play around.
Renee has a fairly predictable response when first meeting hot, ass-kicking vigilante women, but once she gets past that moment of damn, I think that she and Diana could end up with an interesting dynamic. I’d be very interested in the two of them having to work together and seeing the development of their dynamic both personally and professionally.
Prompts:
· Hiring Detective Montoya
For one reason or another, either Diana Prince or Wonder Woman seeks out Renee’s investigative skill.
· Circumstantial Team Up
Renee’s investigation goes sideways. Fortunately, Wonder Woman is also involved. They fight their way out of a dangerous situation.
· LexCorp Investigation
During the events of Batman v Superman, Detective Renee Montoya grows suspicious of Luthor or someone involved with him and can’t help poking around. During her investigation, she meets Diana Prince.
· Identity Porn
At some point, Renee meets and starts dating Diana Prince. She has no idea her new love interest is actually the hot Amazonian warrior on the news. At first.
I tend to lean towards O’Neil or Rucka characterization for Vic, but am generally open to whatever you’re most familiar/comfortable with or interested in writing. I genuinely don’t mind whether you choose to have him somehow take up the Question mantle in the DCEU and function as a vigilante in his own right, have him working as a television reporter whose investigative journalism gets him into all kinds of trouble, have him take up a career as a private investigator, or work him into the setting in some other way.
Prompts:
· Vic Sage vs. Amanda Waller & the Suicide Squad
So, I never read New 52 Suicide Squad and am only familiar with Vic’s role in the book through osmosis, but I actually do love the idea of Vic going up against Amanda Waller and trying to expose the Squad – just, perhaps, executed a little differently. Maybe after the events of Suicide Squad, reporter!Vic starts digging into what happened in Midway City. I mean, Vic is clever, persistent, and is all about targeting corrupt people in power. I can also see him having a very strong negative reaction to the very concept of what Waller is doing, never mind the actual fallout of putting it into practise in the DCEU. Going up against The Wall, though? Vic’s in for a fight and I’d love to see them try to outwit each other.
· Vic Sage: Intrepid Reporter
With all the weird and surprising events that occur over the course of the films, there’s no way that Vic can resist sticking his nose in. He’s got questions! Maybe he visits Metropolis in the wake of Black Zero, hoping to meet the last remaining alien. Maybe he pokes around Gotham, hoping to scare up a certain Bat cryptid. Maybe he tries to get a good look at a Parademon. Knowing the way that Vic tends to get himself into hot water, he’s likely to stumble across the DCEU’s plot at one point or another.
· Vic Sage & the Justice League
How does Vic feel about the sudden surge in vigilantism? Does he meet any of the League members – either during an investigation or while indulging in some vigilante activity of his own?
· Vic Sage vs. LexCorp
Sometime around the events of Batman v Superman, Vic grows suspicious of Lex Luthor and decides that if someone’s going to ask the hard questions, it might as well be him. Unfortunately for everybody, even in the DCEU, Vic still gets most of his answers by breaking and entering.
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Unfortunately, their comic counterparts get precious little interaction. There is the Veitch mini series – and I’ll talk about that in one of my prompts – but that features a fairly unusual interpretation of Vic and the Question, though I did enjoy it as an out of continuity story line (and the art was super great). Even despite the lack of canon support, I’ve always felt that this could be a fun pairing. The DCEU, where Superman is a fairly new part of the popular consciousness, provides a perfect avenue for Vic's driving curiosity to lead them together, resulting in a lot of opportunity for stellar interactions.
Prompts:
· Vic Sage crushes on Clark Kent
Identity porn! I’m stealing some concepts from Veitch here. TV reporter Vic Sage comes to Metropolis to cover a story and the Daily Planet graciously sends someone to meet him. Oh no, it’s Lois Lane Clark Kent – the colleague that Vic has been nursing a long-time, awkward crush on. Or maybe they really are meeting for the first time and Vic falls for Clark’s Smallville charm. Meanwhile, the Question has suspicions that someone’s got it out for Superman and does some investigating of his own. Superman does not particularly like the way the Question does things and would like him to get out of his city, thank you very much.
· Vic Sage investigates Superman
Aliens destroy half of Metropolis and then one of them flies around in a cape saving cats from trees and you’re telling me Vic Sage’s not curious as hell about that? Superman suddenly finds himself followed around by a particularly insistent reporter. Meanwhile, Vic’s still very good at getting himself into trouble.
Here’s another case where the comics versions don’t get to spend a whole lot of time together. At least part of that is for reasons that the comics directly address – while they’re very different characters, there is enough overlap in their skillsets and character archetypes that if Batman’s there and playing both brains and brawn, Vic starts to feel…redundant. That being said, I always thought that they had an interesting dynamic, even if it was mostly defined by grudging respect. Very grudging in Bruce’s case (I think the nicest thing he ever said about Vic was “one of these days, he might actually be competent” – “Mr. Warmth”, indeed). I’d be very interested in seeing how a version of Vic that might theoretically exist in the DCEU would interact with DCEU!Bruce.
Prompts:
· Vic Sage investigates the Gotham Bat
TV reporter Vic Sage puts himself on the tail of Gotham’s most famous cryptid, perhaps spurred on by the Bat’s recent habit of branding criminals. His investigative strategy mostly consists of being places he really shouldn’t be. Occasionally, he might either punch someone in the face or get punched in the face. Bruce is Not Impressed.
· Vic Sage investigates Wayne Enterprises
Vic is assigned to do a report on WE and then he digs because he can’t not. He develops a sudden interest in the company’s CEO, who may have more going on than it first appears.
