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Post by starlord on Nov 17, 2007 0:58:43 GMT -5
wow, what a total reversal from last issue's very introspective issue! As always, there was so much here that I can't list everything that I liked about it, although I could go line by line and just say, "loved it!" and it would be the honest truth. Bruce's reaction to Firefly when he realized what the arsonist had done was what I have been waiting for in this series and the first one. Bruce is still Batman, and that moment with Garfield showed us that. Underneath it all, The Bat still lives in his soul, and is obviously much closer to the surface than it has been in a while. Dick swore! That shocked me! Not that he would, actually, since I think many superheroes would swear more than they actually do, but I guess the fact that you put it in there was what shocked me more. I just didn't expect that from you. I have this image in my head of you, and now the saint part of that image has been crushed.  Then you followed it up with my second favorite scene: Babs and Tim. Wow! I felt guilty after she hung up. Extremely well written scene and probably would have been the high lite of this issue, had it not been for: Babs and Dick. *sigh*. Those little moments between them just keeps putting a sweet smile on my face, and a sadness in my heart over at DC. 5 stars as always. But then I would never expect anything less from you. Great job! |
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Post by HoM on Nov 17, 2007 11:04:40 GMT -5
Nice. That's all I can say. There are no words other than that. Perfect maybe. But I'm saving that for the finale  |
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Post by dragonbat on Nov 17, 2007 18:09:40 GMT -5
wow, what a total reversal from last issue's very introspective issue! I aim for balance... (Blush!) Uh-huh! It shocked Bruce too. Enough that he actually listened to the rest of what Dick had to say... er... sign. And if I were writing ME, I wouldn't be swearing. But Dick swearing at that point felt right. It was intended to shock and startle. You're telling me I accomplished my mission.  Thanks! Ah well. I suppose it's better this way. No more holding myself to impossibly high standards. Sigh... Yep. She was stressed, and anxious, but Tim WAS asking for it. Yep. I like 'em together too. (Shock of shocks ) Thanks! |
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Post by dragonbat on Nov 17, 2007 18:11:15 GMT -5
Nice. That's all I can say. There are no words other than that. Perfect maybe. But I'm saving that for the finale Thanks! That's all I can say. Thanks a million, maybe. But I'm saving that for when I have longer feedback. |
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Post by arcalian on Dec 15, 2007 22:46:17 GMT -5
That whole thing about choices would be really good....if this was the real world. In truth, what happened to Steph happened because the writers and editors were the ones who made those choices for her. But of course, there's no way for Bruce or Tim to know that.
I want to beleive Bruce won't die. But then, Alfred and Jason did..... :/
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Post by dragonbat on Dec 16, 2007 0:00:31 GMT -5
I try to avoid gratuitous death. |
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Post by starlord on Dec 18, 2007 9:43:49 GMT -5
Sorry it took me so long to read this, but the holiday's and all... Anyway, poor Bruce! I've never seen anyone go through so much in my entire life. This poor guy makes Helena's issue's in DC2 proper look like a cake walk.  Have to say, though, that my favorite part was everything Tim. It was a great moment between him and the rest of the bat-family (anyone else hear David shudder we use that term. ;D). Again, it was very honest and real. That's what I've come to expect in this title, and what I try to emulate in my books. Great issue! |
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Post by dragonbat on Dec 18, 2007 10:52:28 GMT -5
Thanks kindly!
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Post by arcalian on Jan 13, 2008 23:18:34 GMT -5
I could say a lot of things about this issue, all of them positive. But I'll stick to what, for me, was the central point.
99% of the time, any romantic relationship Dick is in, Babs, Kory, Huntress, whomever, doesn't matter; 99% of the time it goes south. Cuz the writers and editors make it do that.
This time it works, because why? The writer is going to damned well let it.
That is more important and wonderful than I can say.
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Post by dragonbat on Jan 13, 2008 23:35:59 GMT -5
LOL! Can I get a show of hands from everyone who's ever been in an intense long-term relationship and NEVER had a fight with their S.O.? Show of hands from anyone in an intense long-term relationship who had one major fight (that didn't involve a discovery that one partner or the other was cheating, murdering, psychotic, abusive, etc) and decided that the relationship was over? (And didn't reconsider after calming down, I mean?) Yep. That's what I thought. Dick and Babs aren't going to throw the towel in over their first major disagreement either. Just shooting for realism... Thanks for the FB. (I was beginning to wonder if anyone was still reading this...) |
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Post by arcalian on Jan 14, 2008 6:34:31 GMT -5
Thanks for the FB. (I was beginning to wonder if anyone was still reading this...) Oh beleive me, I KNOW how that feels.... |
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Post by starlord on Jan 14, 2008 11:52:22 GMT -5
I may be late, but I always read this title, actually I always read anything that you put on here, Ellen. Of course, I try to read everything that everybody puts on here. This was another terrific issue and I, too, agree that it was nice to see Dick and Babs having their fight, and still being together in the end. It is reality. I tried to do the same thing with Ollie and Dinah when they went their seperate ways (kind of) However, I am intrigued the most on what Bruce is going to do. Here we are, standing at the threshhold, and I have to admit that I'm biting my nails with anticipation. Of course, that's because the writing is so well done, you can't not become emotionally involved with these characters. Another great job, Ellen. I'm looking forward to the ending... even though it means it will be ending.  |
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Post by dragonbat on Jan 14, 2008 13:44:17 GMT -5
I may be late, but I always read this title, actually I always read anything that you put on here, Ellen. Of course, I try to read everything that everybody puts on here. Blush! Well... we all know who I ship... And blush again! Bruce isn't sure himself at this point. Let's put it this way: I want him to be Batman again. I do. But I don't know how plausible that's going to be after everything. He's already been out of the costume for two years. He's nowhere near peak physical shape. It's going to take him months of retraining, and... well... unless he was 18 when he adopted Dick, I just don't know how he can be younger than his mid 40s at this point. Still... this IS Bruce we're talking about. Well... the ideas for part 3 are already starting to percolate... |
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Post by arcalian on Feb 13, 2008 23:12:36 GMT -5
I wonder how many of Batman's criminal opponents have cleared through their hearings with less fuss and were given more of a free pass, and no victims' family members were there to try to protest. Joker springs immediately to mind.
The revelation about the treatment was surprising, but beleivable.
Selina's little scene warmed the heart.
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Post by walnutcookie on Feb 14, 2008 0:19:16 GMT -5
Great ending to a great series. Love the cover.
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Post by dragonbat on Feb 14, 2008 1:30:46 GMT -5
I wonder how many of Batman's criminal opponents have cleared through their hearings with less fuss and were given more of a free pass, and no victims' family members were there to try to protest. Joker springs immediately to mind. The revelation about the treatment was surprising, but beleivable. Selina's little scene warmed the heart. Well, most of the time Joker doesn't get a hearing, he breaks out. I would agree with you when dealing with the likes of Harley, or Two-Face. Glad you liked it! |
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Post by dragonbat on Feb 14, 2008 1:31:36 GMT -5
Great ending to a great series. Love the cover. (Blush!) I'm glad you liked the ending. Take a bow, Ramon! |
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Post by HoM on Feb 15, 2008 12:40:20 GMT -5
Win.
This was made of win. Win and awesome and victory.
Bring on Part Three.
Every month, Ramon has busted his ass getting out some amazing covers for some amazing stories.
Hmm.
One thing though... I think I'm slowly coming over to Dave's view of Batman being a soldier and fighting a war, rather than him having a family. This entire series began to read like a family film more than a Batman story. There was more of balance near the start, but nearing the end it was all hugs and laughter, and I don't know, that's not how I see a Batman story, any kind of Batman story (and yes, I realize this was an Elseworlds).
If I had a glass though, right now I'd be lifting it to the best Elseworlds series on the DC2!
Brava, Ellen!
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Post by dragonbat on Feb 15, 2008 15:03:40 GMT -5
Well, more hugs than laughter. I understand where you're coming from, Charlie. Seriously, I do. It's just that there came a point where I had to choose whether I was going to go more with physical conflict or internal/psychological. Where I didn't think I could deliver actions sequences without distracting from the main plot.
Glad you enjoyed the story!
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Post by HoM on Feb 15, 2008 15:08:22 GMT -5
Yeah, you made the right decision, of course. A fight scene is only good if it is important to the plot, and if not, then it's totally stupid to include! Still, bloody brilliant!  |
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Post by starlord on Feb 18, 2008 0:32:38 GMT -5
I never know how to start, or what to say, when it comes to one of Ellen's stories. Mostly because there's just so much praise I can really give before it starts sounding redundant, and I fear that it loses the sincerity that truly lies behind every word. As always, I saved this for last, and sadly, I realized that this is the last chapter. It was a wonderful, and bittersweet ending to this story. The courtroom scene's were dead on. I mean, dead on! Being a court clerk, myself, I was amazed at how realistic that scene was written. In fact, I almost felt that I should have put more time down on my Time Card. Your persistence for accuracy is truly one of your many major strengths, and it makes your stories that more realistic, in a more than unrealistic world. I have to admit that as Bruce was leaving the courthouse, I was on pins and needles, waiting for some major twist, or tragic moment to spring out of nowhere. Silly me. I knew better. It isn't your style, and if it had happened that way, I would have been disappointed in you. Realism is your desire, at all times, and it shows to perfection. With all that being said, there was a moment that I really wanted to give you three stars for this. Why? Because it's over. That means that at this point, DC2 has nothing coming from you, and that is just unfair to this site. However, I didn't get the feeling that this story is over. It did not feel like the story of Bruce's battle from that horrific moment, nearly three years ago, our time, is over. It felt more like one door shut as Bruce was reaching for the next one to be opened. I hope this is the case. I really hope this is the case. If it is, than I can say that I will be desperately waiting for the next book to come out. And honestly, only two other writers have ever made me feel that way: David Eddings, and J.K. Rawlings. If nothing else, I hope that statement right there expresses just how amazing of a writer I think you are. Thank you for this story, this brilliant piece of fiction that has once again, given me the rush to want to continue to write, myself, and to do it so much better. Your excellence of this craft continually makes me try to reach higher, for that same mountain top. In conclusion, don't be gone too long... unless you enjoy making people suffer. 5 bright shiny stars. And 5 stars for Ramon, who once again out does everything he has done before with a piece that I would love to get my hands on and frame. It was magnificent! Thank you Ellen. Thank you Ramon. |
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Post by dragonbat on Feb 18, 2008 0:53:57 GMT -5
I never know how to start, or what to say, when it comes to one of Ellen's stories. Mostly because there's just so much praise I can really give before it starts sounding redundant, and I fear that it loses the sincerity that truly lies behind every word. Blush! I'm glad. That's what I was shooting for. The natural place for this story to end was with the court scene. I couldn't get it much beyond that without 'limping'. I actually had TWO legal eagles on this one. One's a law student I turned to when my usual beta advised she had too much going on in real life. Then, once that was done, my regular beta had the time to check it over. So, all things considered, that was one scene I felt reasonably confident over. Well... that, and gunning him down on the steps of the courthouse has already been done in "Blind Justice". Well, I'm hoping to do an NW arc soon... REALLY? ;D Stories have a certain momentum to them. Just like 'Locked' had to end with Bruce going to Arkham--because continuing on with the next bit would have been anticlimactic, 'Lost' had to end with the release. Otherwise, everything that comes next feels tacked on and anticlimactic. Basically, it would jump the shark. |
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Susan Hillwig
Staff 
I'm not crazy, my mother had me tested.
Posts: 1,612
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Post by Susan Hillwig on Mar 2, 2008 18:31:22 GMT -5
Wow. 16 chapters later, it's finally over. While there were some draggy parts in the middle of the series, all in all it was one heck of a story. Certainly not typical comic book fare (well, maybe an indie comic, but not superhero for sure) and that's what kept bringing me back: watching characters that we normally only see in "kick-butt" mode now having to deal with realistic, dramatic issues. And nobody ever acted in a way that seemed wrong for their personality -- you could only hope that, in the "real" DCU, they would all come off like that in a similar situation. Let's hope this NEVER comes up, though, as I'm also wondering if Bruce will be able to assume the Mantle of the Bat once more after what he's been through. However, you did imply that there will be a Part 3, so something will happen -- I'm figuring that, at the moment, the only thing that would get Bruce to put on the cotume once more would be if Dick was in a life-or-death situation. Whatever your brain cooks up, I'll be here to read it. |
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Post by dragonbat on Mar 2, 2008 20:44:48 GMT -5
Glad to hear it, Susie! And sorry about the lag in the middle, there. I DO want Bruce back in the costume, but I'm not sure how to get him there. When the bunny matures, glad to know you'll be on board for the rest!
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Thanks!
