The Lockbox

Ah, try as I might, I keep going back to the DCU. I swear, my relationship with the DCU reminds me of my relationship with an abusive ex: here I am hoping that this time will be different.

I have to admit, opening up a comic and knowing that Batman isn't Bruce Wayne still squicks the hell out of me. Maybe I'll get used to it. Maybe I won't. In all likelihood, I'll get used to it by the time they decide that it is time to bring back Bruce Wayne.

I am sort of split on what to think about Damian. He's a spoiled, self-important wiseass. And while I hate him alone, I think he makes a great juxtaposition to Bats!Dick. Even so, I wouldn't mind seeing him gone, though. I can't seem him remaining in the Robin role forever. He wants to be Batman and that's dangerous. I wonder if he'll have the self control to learn (doubt it) or if Dick can harness him (also doubt it). Damian really only looked up to Bruce.

Hmm, Bruce went on a bit of an adopting spree, didn't hee? First Dick, then Tim and Cassandra. Did he end up adopting Jason too? I can't remember.

Good lord. Barbara must be counting her lucky stars that her father is alive and well and she's never had to be ward or otherwise to Bruce. Geebus, Brucie. I know you had the money but did you really have to adopt all of them?

Oh and best description ever of Damien Wayne: murderous fruit of his (Bruce's) loins. HA.

Of course, after he's adopted/procreated, then he done goes and dies. Of course, he didn't really die but for most purposes, he's dead. Plus there's a corpse and so obviously he's Dead Dead (tm) even though he's not.

Damn comic books.

So Dick is now Batman though he never wanted to be Batman and Bruce pretty much told him not to be Batman. Then a bunch of stuff happened so basically Dick had to become Batman and chose his adopted-father's-real-murderous-loin-fruit as Robin while Tim-my-surname-is-now-Wayne AKA Red Robin goes hunting for proof that Bruce is alive SOMEWHERE.

All of which begs the question whether Dick goes by Dick Wayne or Dick Grayson. Because, frankly, I like Grayson; Dick Wayne just doesn't flow as well.

I'm honestly wondering how long this Batman Reborn arc will last.

I'm honestly not too disappointed with Dick-as-Batman so much as it always feels Dick-as-Batman rather than Dick-is-Batman. Dick and Tim have always been leaders of their respective teams and a lot of that is thanks to Bruce's influence on them as their mentor. Dick has proven, time and again, to be a great leader in his own right as well as in Bruce's absence and he commands just as much respect being himself than filling Bruce's shoes.

I think my biggest beef with Dick-as-Batman is that, well, now the Trinity is off. I mean, c'mon, Dick-as-Batman sitting up at the Big Table (tm) with Superman and Wonder Woman? Dick doesn't have the same chemistry with Superman and Wonder Woman though I know that in other books, they've both given him a great amount of respect.

Now for the million dollar questions: When is Bruce coming back (because we all know that it is a WHEN not an IF) and in what fucked up way will Jason come back? Because Jason can never stay dead, oh no.

So, I've wasted spent the precious few peaceful moments I have looking up just what the fuck happened in the DC Universe since I left it.

( CAPSLOCK NERDRAGE, read: spoilers )**HEAD ASPLODE**

And in the midst of this, I have to ask:

Where the fuck is Barbara?? What is happening with Oracle??

So after going into an uncontrolled NERDRAGE throwing a hissy fit over the fact that TPTB over at DC Comics Editorial (read: *coff*Didiot*coff*) were hell bent on making the Batfamily completely unrecognizable to me, I stopped reading DCU... I don't know how long ago. Long enough to make me miss Gail Simone's excellent run on Wonder Woman. (FINALLY! DC Editorial did something right by giving Diana to Gail, a woman who knows how to write a strong woman!!)

Of course, curiosity got the better of me and I decided to check what's up in the DCU now.

And in response, I am confused. Dick is Batman now? What? And people are okay with this? I also want to find out what's happened with Barbara and with Tim. Where is Bruce, anyway?

CONFUSED.

So the hubby got me and the sis started watching NCIS. And, as I tend to, I jumped gleefully back into loving a show. Why? Because it's so lovable. As far as TV shows go, I am a fan of the classic police procedural and am also a fan of ensemble casts with witty writing. NCIS is all that and a bag of chips so naturally, I fell in love with it.

And now this news about NCIS shopping around for a new, 30 something male agent to possibly add as a recurring character.

Uh. What? Why??

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

NCIS, as it is, is great. I have my doubts about its spin-off, NCIS Los Angeles. I still don't see the point of multiple CSI shows and while NCIS LA seems to be doing something right and making them a completely different branch of the NCIS, well... sorry, still doesn't fly. (Though I admit, I may just watch it for its toys. Hooo baby, those toys make the geek in me go yay.)

But NCIS being perfect as it is has the drawback of adding/taking things away from it precarious. As far as I'm concerned, NCIS has been at that great point of zen in a Jenga game. You've taken away what you could, rebalanced everything else and aaah... it stands. Perfectly. You know that taking away another block and putting up higher may just make the entire thing come crashing down -- and that's what I thinking adding another 30 something male character would do. I mean, come on. McGee is in his early 30s, DiNozzo's pushing his late 30s to maybe early 40s. The McGee and DiNozzo dynamic are enough to play off of Gibbs and Ducky in the testosterone department. (And yes, there's Palmer but I'm guessing he's supposed to be greenish and in his mid 20s at best.) What good could possibly come of adding another 30 something in the mix??

And my god, if they get rid of Tony or Tim, I am raising hell. :P

I've been sucked into the show NCIS. Actually, our entire family has: Hubby introduced us, Sis has stayed up nights to watch DVR'ed episodes and even the baby dances whenever she hears the opening theme. (Which, honestly, she hears at least twice if not three times a day.)

Now? Off to find fics. Sailing on the good ship McAbby.

And Gibbs/Ducky? Gibbs/Abby? Really? *dies*

LOL -- oh sometimes I forget how much I <3 Ded-poo. He's such a crack up.