DKA Presents - "Batman Beyond: Stripped" Talkback - FINALE (January 24th)

[Reverend]

There are three left, with #72 being the final.
We may do a coda, depending on how much free time James has to scribble it down.

 

[ShadowStar]

Hmm... I hope it's specified how much time has passed between the climax and the funeral, but I guess it was only a few days. The cameo by the real Kara and the Legion was a very nice touch - a fitting way to end that branch of story. I'm very happy with the explanation for how Terry's return has gone down; it seems very logical and it prevents us from having to go off on a tangent with the McGuinness family when they haven't been in any of the strips so far.

Alfred's grave makes me wonder if we'll find out how he died. Is whatever Dick is about to tell Terry related to the death of Alfred? Or is it just a rehash of his transformation from Robin into Nightwing? I thought Nightwing's story was resolved in DKA #17...

OK, sorry for being really dense, but I have a couple of questions about the end of the strip. Was Nightwing the one that said, "She'll surprise you yet"? When Terry thanked Dick for looking after Dana, was he referring to when they rescued her from Scarecrow? And maybe this is because I haven't looked at the early strips for a while... but why did Max of all people have a "need" to wear the suit? That part left me confused.

A premature happy new year to you guys! Have a great New Year's Eve tomorrow! I bet you're both looking forward and not looking forward to finishing DKA off for good in 2008...

 

[Reverend]

Hmm... I hope it's specified how much time has passed between the climax and the funeral, but I guess it was only a few days.

I did mean to ask James if I should be putting in an "X Days Later" tag, but I forgot to bring it up. I think you get from the conversation only a few days have passed, so it's not a huge deal.

The cameo by the real Kara and the Legion was a very nice touch - a fitting way to end that branch of story.

It's just Kara & Brainiac 5, though you might recognise the guy giving her a funny look from behind from an earlier strip.

I'm very happy with the explanation for how Terry's return has gone down; it seems very logical and it prevents us from having to go off on a tangent with the McGuinness family when they haven't been in any of the strips so far.

It's a bit of a cheat really, although not as bad as a complete "reset button". Everything that happened did indeed happen, it's just everyone has selectively forgotten the bit about Terry being missing and all the reports and records to that effect have vanished. Not in a space-time reality altering kind of way, just in the sense that as you may not remember what you had for lunch last week, nobody exactly remembers anything specifically involving Terry since Price was turned over to the cops waaaaay back in Issue 12. Of course Bruce, Dick, Barb, Tim & Max all remember as they were outside reality when things were "fixed", though what Dana might know is up in the air as she's been more or less out of it since RotJ.

OK, sorry for being really dense, but I have a couple of questions about the end of the strip. Was Nightwing the one that said, "She'll surprise you yet"?

Yes indeed. My fault, I should have linked those bubbles.

When Terry thanked Dick for looking after Dana, was he referring to when they rescued her from Scarecrow?

Exactly.

And maybe this is because I haven't looked at the early strips for a while... but why did Max of all people have a "need" to wear the suit? That part left me confused.

That's actually a call back to the series. My memory isn't clear but I recall in one of the episodes (one of the "Big Time" eps I think) Max finds herself in possession of the suit and Bruce calls her up and says something like "Don't even think about putting it on". That's my recollection anyway.
She's been itching to know what it's like ever since she found Terry out and while she got a taste of it with that run in with Curaré, I think her thirst for the cape and cowl has been well and truly sated.
It's our little way of saying she's probably not going to be a Robin or a "Batgirl Beyond".

A premature happy new year to you guys! Have a great New Year's Eve tomorrow! I bet you're both looking forward and not looking forward to finishing DKA off for good in 2008...

Yes, there is finally a light at the end of the tunnel, though that might just be an oncoming train...

 

[Yarharhar]

A little nitpick, but could you guys add a 'previous strip' link on the page that has the current comic? I always have to go through like 2 or 3 links to find the strip archive (yes, I know this is pretty minor, but it is confusing).

 

[James]

Hmm... I hope it's specified how much time has passed between the climax and the funeral, but I guess it was only a few days. The cameo by the real Kara and the Legion was a very nice touch - a fitting way to end that branch of story.

In my head, I hoped the change of scene and pace would make it obvious, but my head isn't the best place to find objective perspective. Retrospectively, a lead in would be wise.

I'm very happy with the explanation for how Terry's return has gone down; it seems very logical and it prevents us from having to go off on a tangent with the McGuinness family when they haven't been in any of the strips so far.

I'm glad that was cool for you - naturally we weren't going to really look deeply at Terry's resurrection and its massive implications for himself and his family, so finding a quickfire way of dealing with it without ignoring it was going to be slightly risky in regards to payoff. One of the reasons I liked using use the Spectre was because the potential power was so off the scale we had a reset button built into the story which actually was valid and not a cheat. He created an interesting situation and gave us an easy coda to boot.

A new year to you guys! Have a great New Year's Eve tomorrow! I bet you're both looking forward and not looking forward to finishing DKA off for good in 2008...

So are we. Not for nastiness sake, just simply to know we managed to do what we intended - and I think that's an important notion to carry in life; to finish what you start. It was a fun and educational experience. Statistically it had a big audience and I still get nice emails from people either asking advice (!) or simply saying they enjoyed it. So yeah, for a fun student project which got a little out of control, its been a blast messing with you.

A little nitpick, but could you guys add a 'previous strip' link on the page that has the current comic? I always have to go through like 2 or 3 links to find the strip archive (yes, I know this is pretty minor, but it is confusing).

I'm poke BB about that. We did use to run a link to the archive from the latest strip on the mainpage - but I think it got lost in the weekly updates.

 

[Mr. A]

Some really nice characters moments in strip number 69. Its good to see the last member of the Bat-family accepting Terry as one of their own and I'm always a fan of more "paneltime" for the ex-Boy Wonder. The older, wizened Grayson really is a great take on the character.

For his part, Terry somehow seems more mature, like he's finally grown into the Batman role. It's interesting to see his character arc since his first appearance in DKA.

Poor Tea. Her gaining JLU membership posthumously is an especially bittersweet touch and somehow having Kara at her funeral makes it all the more poignant (at least Brainiac 5 was there to console her...). Judging from the attention focused on her she must have been a fun character to write.
In a similar vein, as sad as it is to see Alfred's gravestone it feels right to see him acknowledged and mourned by those who were close to him.

Wow, looks like a blockbuster reveal coming up. Seems fitting for you to be ending the DKA universe by answering (at least) one of Batman Beyond's biggest hanging questions. I can remember dying to figure out what happened to Dick Grayson ever since Terry found his jacket in "Spellbound".

Honestly, "Stripped" is such a great companion to the DCAU I'm going to keep a copy of it next to "Return of the Joker". Its played out like a great little mini-movie and with so many continuity references to seemingly every corner of the DCAU and so many cameos (Deadman! Ma Kent!!!!!!!!) it feels kind of like a greatest hits tour.

As a side note, three cheers for the return of Ollie Queen's illegitimate tabloid reporter son!

Happy New Year and thanks again to the creators

 

[James]

Some really nice characters moments in strip number 69. Its good to see the last member of the Bat-family accepting Terry as one of their own and I'm always a fan of more "paneltime" for the ex-Boy Wonder. The older, wizened Grayson really is a great take on the character.

Funny how my most hated DCAU main character (Grayson) has become the star of virtually the whole of DKA, from his humble beginnings in DKA number 2 he's been a pivotal dramatic character in the whole thing. It's cool to end DKA with Dick given he was so relevant to the start.

For his part, Terry somehow seems more mature, like he's finally grown into the Batman role. It's interesting to see his character arc since his first appearance in DKA.

Death does that for you I guess.

Poor Tea. Her gaining JLU membership posthumously is an especially bittersweet touch and somehow having Kara at her funeral makes it all the more poignant (at least Brainiac 5 was there to console her...). Judging from the attention focused on her she must have been a fun character to write.

She was a rogue card to the BB mythos, so like Dick, she was fun because she was a guest who didn't naturally fix into the mix.

In a similar vein, as sad as it is to see Alfred's gravestone it feels right to see him acknowledged and mourned by those who were close to him.

Alfred was pretty relevant to DKA so once again, it seemed relevant to include him in the epilogue, albeit six feet under.

Wow, looks like a blockbuster reveal coming up. Seems fitting for you to be ending the DKA universe by answering (at least) one of Batman Beyond's biggest hanging questions. I can remember dying to figure out what happened to Dick Grayson ever since Terry found his jacket in "Spellbound".

There are a couple of revelations yet to come in regards to Dick. Will be interesting to see how they play out.

Honestly, "Stripped" is such a great companion to the DCAU I'm going to keep a copy of it next to "Return of the Joker". Its played out like a great little mini-movie and with so many continuity references to seemingly every corner of the DCAU and so many cameos (Deadman! Ma Kent!!!!!!!!) it feels kind of like a greatest hits tour.

It's funny how the death of Terry in DKA spurned an epic far greater than DKA itself, I'm thrilled its gone down so well and hasn't been either too laborious or too contrived. To be considered a fun companion to DCAU is a great honour, to be kept as a story next to ROTJ more so.

As a side note, three cheers for the return of Ollie Queen's illegitimate tabloid reporter son!

Glad to see someone spotted him!

Happy New Year and thanks again to the creators

Likewise A!

 

[ShadowStar]

Green Arrow's illegitimate tabloid son?! Was he the reporter present for Kara's "operation" earlier on? I also want to know what impact the Spectre is going to have on Bruce; he's now the host, which is a pretty significant role for him to be in. Please let that be covered in one of the remaining strips! And your comment about the "oncoming train" was far too negative a comment to go into a new year with, Kris. Be positive; DKA is going to go out with a bang!

 

[Jasmerrin]

Finally!

This was an amazing strip. Great resolution to the Stripped Series, and from the looks of it, we're finally going to get a resolution to DKA in general. The art was amazing, as well.

 

[James]

Green Arrow's illegitimate tabloid son?! Was he the reporter present for Kara's "operation" earlier on?

Yes. Whether or whether or not he has any relationship to Ollie will be open to speculation. Maybe he himself has no clue. There, a story unto itself.

I also want to know what impact the Spectre is going to have on Bruce; he's now the host, which is a pretty significant role for him to be in. Please let that be covered in one of the remaining strips!

So much to cover in so little time...

This was an amazing strip. Great resolution to the Stripped Series, and from the looks of it, we're finally going to get a resolution to DKA in general. The art was amazing, as well.

Thank you. Not basking in the kind words, just generally touched at how people have stayed with us despite our long breaks. I think I speak for Kris when I say how amazing it is that people would invest so much interest in this silly bit of fanfiction. It's really very cool.

 

[ShadowStar]

Kris hinted a while back that we may get to see Le Fey without her mask, but I guess he was just trying to mislead us... Still, he said something like, "What's behind the Le Fey mask? Funny you should ask...", and that makes me wonder what he meant...

Happy new year to everyone at The World's Finest!

 

[Reverend]

It's been a while so forgive me if I don't remember clearly, but I think James and myself discussed the possibility of showing her without her mask and that her appearance would tie in with her increased powers. I won't say what that is as I don't remember if it's discussed in the final strips, but there is a clue in what's already been shown. If not then remind me after we're done.
As for why we never did it, I guess it's one of those things that just slipped through the cracks.

 

[Mr. A]

What was behind LeFey's mask?...

Technically, Terry's fist (at least for a split-second or two, then it was in front of LeFey's mask).

 

[Reverend]

I think it's best that we didn't show it anyway because so long as the mask is on then her real face is as ugly/beautiful/scary/whatever as your imagination can conceive. Once we show you, then that's it, no more imagination.
Kind of like the monster movie effect. So long as it's a creepy noise and an ominous shadow then it's the most scary, soul freezing terror in all creation...until you actually see it and it's just a guy in a rubber suit...or these days a bunch of rendered polygons.

P.S. Next strip is done and has been sent off to James. Assuming he doesn't have me killed for rewriting all his snappy one-liners it should be up soon.

 

[James]

I think it's best that we didn't show it anyway because so long as the mask is on then her real face is as ugly/beautiful/scary/whatever as your imagination can conceive. Once we show you, then that's it, no more imagination.

I must admit, in my head I imagine you'd pull away the mask to find underneath it is - the mask. Ad infinitum. I always envisioned at this point there was so little humanity left to Le Fey what you see was her, which is why when she becomes godly in the middle of the story, the mask itself becomes so fluid.

I can't recall what other ideas we had, I know we talked about it, but retrospectively, that's how I see it.

As Kris says, I think its best left to your imagination - simply if it makes imagining what Terry's hand forces through even more icky.

P.S. Next strip is done and has been sent off to James. Assuming he doesn't have me killed for rewriting all his snappy one-liners it should be up soon.

I have more use for alive than dead Mr Bond.

 

[Bird Boy]

CLICK BANNER ABOVE FOR THE BRAND NEW EPISODE (January 3rd)
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[Bic]

Great job as usual, and I must admit, I actually find that last panel more interesting than Dick's story (which was really good). Now, I'm probably in the minority here, but the text is a tad small on a 42" 1920x1080 LCD monitor. Just thought you should know.

 

[ShadowStar]

Oooh, Dana knows! This should be interesting... As for Dick's story, I'm surprised that Alfred died like that, stopping a second-stringer, but I think that having him die saving Leslie is a touching way to seal his character's fate. We still don't know what happened to Leslie, though... I'm guessing that the business with Tim and the Joker had gone down by then, though I thought Commissioner Gordon was the only other person that knew about the night Joker died; wouldn't Alfred know? Anyway, that's besides the point. This was a great way of closing off Dick's part in the story. Now to see how Terry and Dana deal with this and what has become of Bruce... Was the twist with Alfred the one you guys were unsure of regarding how well it would go down with readers? 'Cause I thought it was fine. Um... and what happened to "The Batman will die"?

 

[James]

Great job as usual, and I must admit, I actually find that last panel more interesting than Dick's story (which was really good). Now, I'm probably in the minority here, but the text is a tad small on a 42" 1920x1080 LCD monitor. Just thought you should know.

The Dick story was never the intended one, but a truncated idea that would fit into one strip - and as you say about the text - there was so much lettering, the text had to be reduced in size to fit. There were around three different possibilities for Dick's outcome, all - in my opinion - far more interesting than this, but this was only added as an after thought given how many people were interested in total exposition before DKA ended.

Oooh, Dana knows! This should be interesting... As for Dick's story, I'm surprised that Alfred died like that, stopping a second-stringer, but I think that having him die saving Leslie is a touching way to seal his character's fate.

This was as I said, the forth alternative angle for Dick's issue with Bruce. At one point, there was a question as whether we would use it as a DKA epilogue and in that version, the dying kids played a far greater emphasis - Leslie go to save an orphanage from a new Joker toxin but die in the process and Alfred disobeys Dick and joins her in the quarantine area, helping to provide the extra hands Leslie needs (who is dying herself). Both died. I never used it because it just felt too contrived in a long played out tale (and as Kris pointed out yesterday, there is references to Leslie being around for a while at least in ROTJ). But it did ok IMO here. The idea was to show Alfred going out as a hero, but not the standard hero that superheroes marvel in - he risks his life to find a cure for children and just because they fail, doesn't make the heroism less real, but more evocative. The fact he puts Leslie's life before his own seems very Alfred to me - especially as there has always seemed to be a deeper bond there in DKA (and as I recall the BA comics), which makes this act more relevant to the series.

We still don't know what happened to Leslie, though... I'm guessing that the business with Tim and the Joker had gone down by then, though I thought Commissioner Gordon was the only other person that knew about the night Joker died; wouldn't Alfred know?

In ROTJ there is a line where Barb says Tim was helped by Leslie to recovery - so she must have known something! Actually, I place the flashback prior to ROTJ. I like to think the Batfamily disintegration in ROTJ was perhaps to do with the lack of Alfred to hold things together.

Was the twist with Alfred the one you guys were unsure of regarding how well it would go down with readers? 'Cause I thought it was fine. Um... and what happened to "The Batman will die"?

Wasn't Tea enough for you?

 

[ShadowStar]

Lots of interesting possibilities you played with there... but to be honest, what happens now with Terry and Bruce is more interesting than Dick. Still, it's poignant that he let Bruce down like Bruce let him down. And yeah, I thought you meant Tea (though I still think of her as Kara! partially because I like to believe that Kara crossed the line and killed Tea at the end of "Panic in the Sky", something that Clark would never do), but I wanted to hear it straight from the horse's mouth. I asked about a week or two ago if Tea was the intended one, but I didn't get a straight answer then.