DC '78 # 14:Teen Titans: Robin's Casebook (The Journal of Dick Grayson)

November 3, 1979

Normally I'm so tightly wound, but I do like to see the other side
on occasion. Mal's been excellent at booking diversified acts for
Gabriel's Horn, everyone from 'Scare Tactics' to 'The Electrics,
'The Familiars' to a 'Hawk & Dove' band! (Of course, our band,
'Rock, Paper, Scissors' gives it a go onstage once in a while, but
people aren't paying to hear me, Wally, and Roy play!)

But the real experience is when Duela drags me to CBGB's, or Lilith
takes me back to our old coffee shop for some spoken word or women's
rights music, or Karen and Mal bring me to Bradley's for some jazz!
That's what I like best--seeing new things through the eyes of my friends.

Because really, I don't sport taste of my own. My childhood was spent...
in other pursuits. Harsher environs. Bruce was great, but my education
was very one-dimensional. To be expected; you can't teach what you
didn't learn. The Teen Titans has served as the only place I've ever
developed as a real person--my only social outlet. The responsibility of
what I do weighs too heavily on me the rest of the time (and, according to
the others, even when I'm here.) 

Donna's friend from The Village, Bill Walko,
did up this cheesy drawing for our Christmas card this year.
I kind of love it.

Here, though...with my friends...my family...I'm safe to experience,
even experiment, with who and what I want to be. They broaden my
horizons, even if it doesn't seem like it. I suppose people see me as this
'together' guy--which I am--because I have to be. But under that surface
is an insecure kid....with issues like everyone else. Only I don't have the
luxury of tapping into them and exploring them. I have to be buttoned down,
the strong and professional one, or someone could get hurt.

Donna's the team's heart--The Mom. But there has to be The Dad, too.
Warm fuzzies won't save us from a death trap--someone has to deal
with the unpopular necessaries. I kind of hate being so rigid...but how
do you change midstream?

Barbara's good for me in terms of finding release--fun, outgoing, relaxed.
But I feel somehow like I need someone to completely pull me out of my
shell, or it'll never happen. Weird that I'm all about control but I want
someone else to be in control when it comes to something so...intimate.

I wish I could talk to someone about all of this sometimes, but after
Arkham, Hugo Strange, Professor Milo and all the rest we've dealt
with over the years, Bruce says it's too risky. Tells me I can always
turn to him or Alfred. He means well, but he doesn't understand--he
keeps everything inside and thinks it best.

Last year when the Titans and Infinity Inc. teamed with the Justice
League and The Justice Society, it was so cool to see the Earth 2
Robin in action. He's so filled out...confident, a real adult with a
uniform of his own. An individual.

His costume pays homage to his Bruce , but merged with his own
creation....still standing out on its own. It made me think it might be
time for a change. After all, I've been wearing this kid's outfit, the
outfit of a sidekick for over a decade now. I'm nearly out of college,
and I'm still wearing shorts. maybe the only male hero left who does.

Something to consider.

Speaking of change, the Teen Titans has taken on a life of its own!
Who would have thought that our little club for 'side kicks' would
evolve into something so substantial. Not only is our team at the
largest it's ever been, we have a West Coast affiliate team thriving
and now we're beginning another fully sanctioned team for training
new heroes, right here in New York City!

But with all good comes bad, like Cindy Duncan and the others
starting up a renegade Titans group; Teen Titans G.O.--an acronym
for Government Overthrow, of all things. I'm all for independence, but
these kids are asking for trouble. Not to mention, I don't want the good
work the Titans have done in recent years to be undone by bad publicity.
We barely survived the Swenson debacle.

These kids aren't ready; untrained, angry, rebellious. A bad combination.
They need our help, and they're sure not ready to do what they're doing.
Or is this just me acting as the world's policeman like Don Hall accused
me of? Maybe this is exactly how Bruce felt when we formed the Titans?


G. Gordon, spokesperson for 'The Revisionists.'
"Taking back America," indeed!

Nonetheless, sometimes I hear people like these Revisionists-- people
like Godfrey who want to change everything, control it--and I wonder.
I know they're bat-shit crazy (ha!) but beyond being dangerous loons who
want to sanitize everything and everyone to their specifications, part of
their message about unprepared teen heroes is on the money. There
needs to be some kind of regulation. Yet I know that's a slippery slope.

Of course, I want the kids trained for safety, and these agenda-touting
Revisionist bigots are worried about ex-cons like The Ant, immigrants
like Mas y Menos, black kids like Joshua, Jericho and Cindy (not to
mention her being a woman, I'm sure,) and Hot Spot who's an absolute
unknown quantity...except that he's a former H.I.V.E. Academy trainee!

(I wonder if they're just trying to stir things up--maybe they want the
attention? They could all have a place in the Titans...but I guess we--
I-- didn't offer it soon enough.)

I'm worried about stuff like the fact that the last time we saw The Ant,
he had been brainwashed by The H.I.V.E., and Cindy and Jericho are
mad because they feel neglected by the Titans. Not exactly instilling
my confidence in their effort.

Enough of the doom and gloom--on to more positive stuff. We put
out a feeler to Supergirl for membership, but she's laid down roots
with the Doom Patrol in Chicago. I appreciate loyalty, and we have
enough raw power on the team. Besides, she knows she's always
welcome.

All right...all that's out of the way...I guess I'm 'well' now!
On to the actual Case File.

Teen Titans Case Files # 69J

Mr. Jupiter and King Faraday got us on the horn to help with cleanup
after the Crisis. One of our tasks was to investigate the Time Warp in
Panama. Teen Titans East and West got yanked into a time displaced
doozy, and only the team-up for the ages could save them! (Man--I see
what Bruce means! All those years of puns have gotten to even me!)

So we saw 'cavemen' and other throwbacks from all ages...coexisting
in one place. Strangely enough, there were some dinosaurs and other
creatures there which shouldn't have been, but I guess that's no worse
than a mixing of Paleolithic Era beings and cavemen (homo sapiens)
and Neanderthals, as well as mixes of African, Spanish, and--see? The
rest of the gang was just like "Cool! Cavemen!" while I was stuck on
the endless record groove of "Time anomalies...yeesh!"

It was pretty radical, though; we met all these different kids....some
of whom had a sort of sign language, others who could grunt and emote
enough to discern meaning, and others who used sand drawings and
wall paintings to communicate. (And then we just kind of had Lilith
do her 'attunement' thing to help figure out the rest, with some help
from our resident caveboy.) But basically beating the snot out of
King Kull was a pretty obvious objective for everyone.

Still, meeting (hopefully these translated sufficiently) Anthro, Korak,
Bomba, Kong, Ur, and Mightor was a blast, and having them team-up
with Gnarrk was great for him. We all try, but he's so lonely here.

We took Kull's gem, left the Warp Zone, got decontaminated again,
and filed our report with CBI. Then we headed back for pizza at the
club before going our separate ways.

Sometimes this life I live is such a blast....I wish things could stay this
way forever. But the realist in me knows that's too much to hope for.
Just have to make do with enjoying the hell out of things while they're
so good.

Time for a quick workout before hitting the books and then heading
out on patrol. So, incenerator time for my short-lived journal entry
tonight. Sorry, my friend. Thanks for listening.

DC '78 # 11: Sons and Daughters of Metropolis

Although the people of Metropolis, Superman's adopted home

city, have come to appreciate the presence of the Man of Steel,

they have hardly become dependent on him.

A future-looking city, they are nonetheless aware

of reality and the demands on the Man of Tomorrow.

The city council, the police department, local

businesses and industry, and community leaders

all came together to develop, recruit, and retain

heroes and heroines that would look after the city

in conjunction with Superman, and, worst case scenario,

in his absence.

Lar Gand is a Daxamite youth who befriended
Superman in his youth back in Smallville. Lar

spent many years in the Phantom Zone due to

his deadly lead poisoning, until his friend made

good on his promise to cure him and set him free

(with the help of S.T.A.R. Labs and several

scientists from other planets.)

Acting as Mon-El, he is likely the most

powerful member of Metropolis' protectors,

with powers that mirror Superman's (Thanks to

Earth's sun.) Now finding his own groove and

established as his own person, Lar is infatuated

with traveling the globe to take in every experience he

can with his new lease on life.

From the Bottle City of Kandor, two Kryptonian natives

lend their might and technology to the city of their

savior when needed. Van-Ze and Ak-Var use telepathic

translator plugs to speak the language of whatever

nationality they might run across in the city's sprawling

and diverse makeup.

Jim Harper was a police officer on the streets back as early as WWII,

and he maintains his presence on the streets by day, and

in costume as The Guardian at night. He also diligently

continues the education and training of the next generation

of The Newsboy Legion, doing his best to keep the

new recruits out of trouble as he did their parents!

The Guardian's work ethic and persona are so remarkable

that he has influenced multiple new-generation heroes

and heroines to pick up his mantle and garb.

After meeting back up with their kids, the elder Newsboy

Legion members assisted with a Cadmus Project/DNA Project

incident that involved many of the Metropolis players. They

decided to stay around, and have been utilizing the New

Genesis tech bestowed upon their kids and Jimmy Olson

to assist in their sleuthing, crime-fighting, and adventuring.

All are successful in their individual business pursuits,

and have the capacity to run their businesses long distance

or from branches already established in the city.

Even Metropolis' hardest hit neighborhoods, the

'ghetto' and slums, produce determined and hardy

men and women who won't give up.

D'arius Stubing used his technological know-how

to invent sound-related equipment and weapons that

allowed him to assist Superman and Batman with

several cases. He found that, more important than

the aid provided in those cases, he was a true

force for change in his neighborhood, motivating

kids and adults alike with his spirit and poise.

He still dons a costume as inspiration, but his

real message of valuing your talents and making a

difference is on display every day as a motivator

and outreach coordinator on the streets.

 Fred Farrell, Jr. continues the proud lineage and legacy

of his father and grandfather as a captain, now in

the Metropolis Fire Department, District 5, Unit 11.

He relocated to Metropolis from Center City

when that town's dying industries led to a mass exodus of

the population, and the department suffered cutbacks.

He and all of his fellow Jakes are hard-working and

some of the bravest men and women Metropolis can

call their sons and daughters.



Metropolis boasts very futuristic designs as well as splendid
classic architecture, shaping its own identity separate from other
large, internationally-known destinations. It's a hodge-podge of
design and style that seems to work, making the city all at once
forward-stepping and quaint.



Gangbuster (Jose Delgado) is yet another resident

of the hard streets of Suicide Slum, doing his part

to curb the gang violence there. Between

Luthor and Intergang subsidizing hits and protection

with street-level gangs, the money is too good for many

disaffected youths to pass up. Jose spends his days

teaching kids how to protect themselves with boxing

and self defense classes at the Rec Center, and his

nights bringing an end to the gun violence destroying

his friends and family.

Teenager Davood Nassur, known as 'Sinbad' and also

'Sharif', is a Quraci youth who has had a tough

road of it. First developing telekinetic powers as a result

of the Metagene bomb, he also has the normal passions

and issues of every teenager. Add to that being a

United States as a refugee seeking political asylum,

yet being ostracized and assaulted as a result of

racism and anti-Middle-Eastern sentiment, he is at times

a volatile and unpredictable person. Nonetheless, he

has a good heart and has helped with many low-level

street crimes as well as some major cases.

He found an unlikely friend and mentor in one Inspector

Henderson, who has taken the boy on in an effort to set

things right.

Suicide Slum somehow can't be left behind, no matter how many residents
battle for improvements nor how many heroes spring forth to
combat the injustices there. Corruption and inhumanity are
too much for even a Superman to abolish, it seems.

The daughters of Jefferson Pierce, civic advocate and teacher,

as well as prominent hero Black Lightning, have followed in their

father's footsteps as super heroes.

Anissa and Jennifer Pierce (Thunder & Lightning, respectively)

have taken up the legacy of their dad in defending their

hometown, going up against the likes of The 100,

Intergang, LuthorCorp, and others.

Having been trained by the Justice League and Lightning

himself, Jeff still wouldn't allow his daughters to be so much

in harm'[s way if it weren't for the special measures of

protection he has in place. That, and the fact that he

knows better than to stand in the way of his

two bold and forceful daughters, so very much

their father's daughters!

The mechanical marvel known as Wonder Man was

rehabilitated and repaired by Superman using the

assistance of S.T.A.R. Labs' Dr. and Dr. Stone, as well

as replacement parts from some of his older Superman

robots located in the Fortress of Solitude.

Wonder Man continues his search for completion,

and to that end, the Red Tornado has sought to

help him form a civilian identity.

The Wonder Warrior was a magically-constructed

being from one of the 5thy dimensional imp Mr.

Mxyzptlk's hi jinks, but when the spell was undone,

Wonder Warrior remained unchanged and with a fully

formed history and identity. It was speculated that the

unconventional--and unpredictable--nature of chaotic

5th dimension magics are responsible for the bizarre

conundrum, but WW has been a valuable member in

the war on crime in Metropolis, including nearly being

killed during the alien Invasion as he protected the denizens

of Suicide Slum. His sweet nature and prim properness

make him quite a ladies magnet, but he has developed a

bit of a crush on the emotionally unavailable Thorn.

S.T.A.R. Laboratories and their Metropolis HQ has

provided invaluable assistance for Superman through the years,

including friendship in the form of Professor Emil Hamilton,

Dr. Jenette Klyburn, Dr. Karen Lou Falkner, and Drs. Silas

& Elinore Stone. In finding a common ground and

understanding, the Man of Might found not only a group

whose efforts have saved his live in emergencies, but

whose scientific endeavors have kept him--and the

citizens of Metropolis--safe from harm through preventative and

curative measures. They are definitely behind-the-scenes

warriors, no less effective due to their invisibility

Dr. "Kitty" Faulkner also became the transforming

combatant, Rampage, who--in time--was able to control her

changes and become a heroic figure on the city streets.

She was manipulated into the service of Lex Luthor at

one point, but quickly saw through his machinations and

sociopathy, and now is adamantly directed to bringing about

his downfall. This could prove problematic, since she

has become romantically involved with a woman named

Mercy Graves, who, unbeknownst to her, serves as

one of Luthor's bodyguards.

The Metropolis S.C.U. has specially trained

combatants for any and all types of crime

and meta human activity. Ably led by Captain

Maggie Sawyer and Detective Dan "Terrible" Turpin, the

tough-as-nails, take-no-prisoners duo are closer than

any married couple and have risked their lives for one another

and their fellow officers many times over.

Turpin is the only squad member who is aware of Sawyer's

wife, and he has become a favorite uncle to her daughter.

Anyone trying to lay waste to their city, super-powered or

not, had best beware the wrath of these two pit-bulls.

Lana Lang may have been a member of the jet set crowd

in Europe, but she is never far from her enchanted jewelry

which can gift her the powers of the Insect Queen.

When she sees trouble, she makes the switch to

her super-powered identity from her days in Smallville

(and her exploits with the Legion of Super Heroes.)

She uses her job as a TV reporter with WGBS to

get information on dangers as they occur.

Bibbo is the fisherman, bar-owner, and

Number One Superman supporter!

He keeps the riff-raff in line on the waterfront with

his sassy stories and a mean left hook.

Lois Lane, intrepid reporter, anti-corporation

bulldog, feminist, adventurer, and fighter

trained in a multitude of fighting styles and

disciplines! Also smart enough to surround

herself with other smart cookies and strong women,

like roommate extraordinaire, Julie Spence,

who accompanies Lois on many trouble-making--er,

fact-finding assignments and misadventures!

Although she and Superman have dated for long periods

here and there, Lois is a cosmopolitan gal,

and she likes to have her space--as well as her options--open.

She currently has several suitors she is occupied with,

when she has a spare moment to give.


Julie shows she's no victim, either



After constantly finding himself in dire threat after

dire threat, Jimmy Olson's constant calls for help on his

signal watch began to wear on Superman. Knowing he couldn't

be available at all times, he gave his best friend a far more

valuable watch; a modified H-Dial. Now, with every turn of the

dial, Jimmy transforms himself into a new and different super-

powered creation who's able to fend for himself.

Natasha Irons is a tech-genius who has a variety of costumes,

armors and abilities at her disposal. She and her uncle

run the Steel Works company, and share the heroic legacy

of her grandfather (Steel's father,) the Silver Age hero

known as "John Henry."

John Henry was actually southerner John

Wilson who was murdered on basis of skin color alone. His terrified 

family moved north and changed their name to 'Irons' to escape

persecution yet pay homage to John's heroic identity, and his

two children (Clay and John Jr.) would grow to be strong and proud.

Steel (John Henry Irons) spends time globetrotting with

his group, the Science Police.

Due to the prominence of Superman and the vastness of Metropolis,

the city seems under siege regularly, and all residents know that having an army

of heroes in residence isn't overkill, it's good common sense!

***

DC '78 # 10: Royal Flush Gang

The Royal Flush Gang started off as a simple

street gang that upgraded to costumes and gadgets.

After only causing minimal havoc for the Justice League,

they determined to up their game. They contacted an

investor and tech man via Intergang and not only

upgraded; they outsourced!

Now made up of multiple cells that all share

profits (along with motif, name, and weaponry,

safe houses, contacts, etc.)

the RFG are able to create a sense of confusion

regarding which members are in on a heist, making it

more challenging to figure means of defeating them.

Each gang sports a membership of 52, but the

main players are still the court card members.

The original team started a training center for bringing

street kids under their wing and then work them into

one of the groups when they are older and fully developed

in fighting skills and other necessary preparation.

Some of the tech supplied is quite enhanced, and

has proven able to take out even Superman and Green Lantern

on occasion. This shift in the RFG's formidability

drew the eye of Batman and the second Mr. Terrific,

after a JLA/JSA team up was barely able to defeat

two combined squads of the RFG.

What they discovered was that the tech was definitely not

of earth, and possibly not of this solar system.

Their chief leads now include either Weapons Master,

or--worst case scenario--Apokolips.

The RFG operates in rotation, but the various

squads do have stable home bases. They include

Midway City, Las Vegas, Washington D.C.,

 Los Angeles, Houston, Paris, and Edmonton.

With greater training, better weaponry, an

advanced network of shared information and

skills, and a determination to succeed at any cost,

the newly enervated RFG is the team to back.

That's exactly what their benefactor intended.

In the past, the RFG has had connections to

multiple 'Wild Cards' (a.k.a. behind-the-scenes

promoters and suppliers) such as the second Gambler,

Professor Fortune once again, Hector Hammond,

as well as other mysterious wealthy industrialists.

Members of the Gang don't tend to have a long shelf life,

finding ill-met ends or being incarcerated, but some of

the mainstays of the groups include Kerry, Queenie, Jack,

Tom Dillon, Joe Carny, Mona Taylor, Wanda Wayland,

'Deuce' Canyard, Ernie Clay, Melanie Walker,

David Essex (the father of the second Star Spangled Kid,)

and a handful more.

When some cities have had a RFG cell that gets sufficiently

busted up, the remaining members have been absorbed

into more successful cities or started anew in other

regions. Because of the severe territorial nature of the

gangs in Gotham, including the particular enmity between

the RFG and The Joker, there is no longer a Gotham cell.

There is speculation that the RFG is somehow

associated with an even larger organization known

as The Arcana, which does sport both Professor Fortune

and Felix Faust as members-- as well as a Who's Who of

mystics and business leaders from around the globe.

It's unknown if that rumor has a basis, or if The

Arcana may be behind the development and funding

of the Gang's expansion activity.

It's presumed that the 'stellaration' tech that originally enhanced

the gang members is still being used in some capacity

for new court members.

The specific origins of the tech used to create the individual

transports (giant playing cards) and the multiple androids

known as 'Ace' (following Fortune himself in the role

originally) are not known. Fortune has had several

criminal efforts with Professor Ivo, a master of android

creation, and that is one possible source.

***

DCU: 1978 Revamp--an Introduction

THE DC EXPLOSION:
DC '78

My first project for "Mash-terpiece Theatre' is a fantasy reimagining

of the entire DCU circa 1978. Consider it a retcon, a rebirth, a merging

of the past 75 years of history into a more manageable 40-year history.

The long-version of the name is "The DC Universe Retcon/Flashback

of 1978," or..."DC '78" for short!

How is this a mash-up?

Characters are paired in new and different ways, and all of the various

acquired properties of DC (Quality, Fawcett, Charlton) are being fully

melded for the first time (especially in a historical context.)

Also, characters from different time periods (everything post-1978)

are being merged with that time period, making for some interesting

mixes. A compressed timeline, if you will.

Although, I have to say that not much past 1987 made it in as

I haven't been very impressed. And thus, the desire to do this project.

The ultimate fan-fic shorthand.

Old and familiar names are reapplied to new teams and fresh concepts.

New line-ups, new names, new characters, new connections, and a

comprehensive crossing-over of all the multiple earths and all the many

retconned histories....with only my faves remaining.

For the most part!

Why 1978?

The year of 1978 was an exciting time for comics fans as DC Comics

had an expansive line and was growing exponentially. Fun new characters

and concepts, new art styles, a good bit more interaction and use of

history, the beginning of legacy characters, and the height of nostalgic

fan writers' arriving. So, before the axe fell!

The Seventies had brought about a new face in comics, with copious

amounts of strange and alluring real-world interests.

This was the era prior to multitudinous rapes and gratuitous murders,

not to mention graphic depictions of violence (even in mainstream,

unlabeled books.) Don't let the simpler times fool you, however.

There were story and character developments that occurred which

probably outraged the fans of that day's prior continuity in the

same way that me and mine were upset by much of the 1980s' and

1990s' developments.

There was the League's betrayal by Snapper Carr, the introduction of

a replacement Doom Patrol, Wonder Woman and Jean Loring

losing their minds, and of course the murders of Mr. Terrific, Iris Allen,

and several others. Speedy was a junkie, for crying out loud.

Changes, major ones even, but in my opinion,

 done better ...and for story content, not merely shock value.

It seemed more like family, not business.

Why 'eliminate' the last 35 years?

There hasn't been much to interest me (on whole) from those years,

and especially the nauseating, endless revamps and rewrites that

have existed since the Crisis have bothered me greatly.

"Multiverse Goodness" by Robert Sayre, FMI

 I especially hated the dark and dire

turn of extremist behavior and death that overtook the industry for

over a decade, still permeating to this day.

1978 was a good focal point for one of the last times comics were

truly fun, magical, simple, and accessible. I wanted to recapture that,

if only for a moment.

(And, from a logical point of view, Ted Knight having a 20-year-old son

in the 1970s makes a good deal more sense than having one in the year

2000! A forty year history of stories ('38 to '78) is a monumental play-

ground, and quite ample for doing a truncated version of DC (et al) and

their massive collection of characters!)

(There's another good reason for a lightening of the load!

The less-populated universe was a less-complicated universe.

You didn't need a manual to comprehend every character,

despite what Marv Wolfman and company thought!)

No character will appear in more than one entry, so some

of your faves will be missing from the spot you may expect

them to be in order to pull duty elsewhere.

Is it too many characters in one place at one time?

Nah...it's comics. We make it work!

DC '78 begins here! DC '78 # 1: Legion of Doom

***

DC '78 # 2: Titans East

There wasn't a damned thing wrong with Bob Rozakis'

Teen Titans dynamic, so I kept this team the same, with

only two notable additions!

Wonder Girl

Speedy

Harlequin II, the original, older, totally
cool Deula Dent...daughter of...well, the
original Harlequin, as it turns out, sillies!

Kid Flash

Bumblebee

Robin

Batgirl II (Barbara Gordon)

Mal as Hornblower

The depthly duo back together again.

***