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Language:
English
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Published:
2022-04-10
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0
Chapters:
1/1
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36
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430
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Cope

Summary:

Bruce deals with current pain by returning to happy memories of the past. But the Riddler has read up on all the Wayne secrets, and is more than willing to use it against him. (short comic)

Notes:

I thought the whole "Martha in Arkham" storyline was mentioned way too casually to not be explored a teeny bit more in the movie, so of course I ended up, like the Riddler, coming up with my own conspiracies...

 

EDIT: I'm sorry for the broken images! My Tumblr acct got axed. I will try to fix when I can, but in the meantime if you want though, the zine where this comic (and others!) can be read called "This is NOT How it Was Supposed to Go!" is available to download and read for FREE here on myitch.io

(See the end of the work for more notes.)

Work Text:

Script: Riddler, masked: so this is why Batman never came to visit me, even after I asked soooo nicely (lifting a bound and gagged Bruce’s chin) I’d be more upset if you didn’t do such a charming job. What am I supposed to do now, Bruce Wayne?

Riddler, masked, leaning in closer: you know, you’ve given me a lot of pain and pleasure. (puts his hands on Bruce’s torso, Bruce twists away slightly) I’m just returning the favor. Bruce: (internally) they’ll be here soon they’ll take down this place and then it will burn

Bruce’s internal monologue: I’m not here, I’m somewhere else, just for now Superimposed over a picture of the Waynes enjoying a picnic together, the last panel focused on Martha embracing a smiling Bruce, her face obscured

Bruce’s monologue: somewhere safe, before— Panel of child bruce lying in a large bed, fallen asleep with an open book. Martha comes in to kiss him goodnight. At first he smiles, but the last panel he’s awake and tense, her hand gripping his side and a blurred and obscured effect on the image.

Far away shot of Martha sitting on a couch with two nurses standing in front of her, a dropped tray of food on the ground. Thomas Wayne, offscreen, to a concerned looking Bruce : she’s unwell. It’s for the best. But don’t be sad. We’ll see her every Sunday. Thomas kneels down to Bruce’s level, puts his hands around his face.: but if you love her, you’ll keep it a secret. You can do this, right? Bruce closes his eyes, the panel being obscured by black again.: Ok.

Image of the Batman looking upward into the face of the child bruce, floating above him and grasping his face, almost angelically. Back to the present scene, with the riddler talking to the bound bruce. The riddler’s text: What’s wrong Bruce Wayne? Don’t like me touching you, like your mommy did? Last panel of Bruce’s open eyes, indignant, a crackling of broken white brush strokes surrounding his face.

 

Notes:

Follow me at

Twt: @tithe_to_hell
Tumblr: tithe-to-hell

Note: This comic (along with a couple others I'm working on) are part of a Riddlebat zine I'm very slowly putting together! You can see info about it here if you like :D

Thank you for reading!