So here I am, disatisfied with Steph's latest treatment in Robin comics, right ? I mean, cool for Fabian Nicieza and his explanation, but man does it still make Tim look like a dork.  Love ya Tim, but zzzt! please don't turn into Batman.  As for Jason, well, at least you tried. I think you stunned him silly with that escape plan. Oh, but it was all Batman's idea?  *sighs*  Here's hoping he doesn't kick your ass too hard in Battle for the Cowl. 9_9 

lol, Anyways, I've been drawing Steph a lot as a result. Been in a Steph drawing mood.  Her story does intrigue me. I see all these little story possibilities that may be taken up Gotham Gazette, but hrm...not holding my breath on that account.

I think it's time for Spoiler to grow up! Namely, she needs a new name, something that doesn't tie her with her father's name "cluemaster."  She needs to grow beyond that.  I recall reading a drabble a long time ago. It was beautiful and very inspiring.  Story goes that Steph returns from Africa after learning from Dr. Leslie and ends up working like a nurse of sorts in Gotham City's poorest areas. She finds contentment there and fights some crime on the side, eventually picking up the name "Nightingale" in honor of Florence Nightingale and the bird that sings at night.  Anyone know which one I'm talking about? Let me know, cuz I can't find it anymore.  I thought it was fitting!

She was once Robin, and can't go back to that, so why not take up her own avian name?  Furthermore, Florence Nightingale was known as the Lady with the Lamp who nursed and brought comfort to wounded soldiers.  In this upcoming Battle for the Cowl, she could be the one beacon of light among the darkness left in the wake of Batman's disappearance since she has yet to become a dark depressed character herself..  Robin himself seems lost to the darkness, so why not let there be another beacon of light.  A lady with the lamp. A bird whose known for singing beautifully at night.  That would be fitting new name for Stephanie.

Hey, Dick Grayson's Robin came from Robin Hood and later from the bird Robin, so why not let Steph have two sources of inspiration, one of them from a real heroine and the other Avian?

That said, I was playing around on Open Canvas trying to come up with a costume that could be a mix between the Spoiler outfit and the Robin outfit but also find inspiration in nightingale, be it the nurse or the bird.
Don't forget to click on each pic!


Here's a simple lineart.  I wanted to keep her hood cuz it's just too cool and it's so very her.  I made the cape split in two to give it a wing-like appearance. But unlike Robin's scalloped cape, her's is smooth and almost dove-like. I semi-incorporated her girl Robin vest, making it almost like a skirt or just a long shirt but tried to not keep it busy since I took off two buckles and made the top one thinner.  I debated on keeping her Pirate style knee high boots but decided she should look sleeker now.  Her belt is a variation of current Robin's belt with utility pockets. I imagine Steph would have use of it anyways. Instead of her usual Spoiler mask, I gave her the Robin domino mask.  Like Robin she has to present a friendlier face.


Tada! Coloring was widely inspired by Deane Tripp's Spoiler purple/lavender costume, at least from what my memory gathered. But being that this is Gotham, Steph can't go sneaking around dressed in white. So I started with her signature purple and kept the nightingale's white under the cape and mostly on her vest/shirt.  Then I decided to go with black to make it even more like Robin's.  Problem with this of course is that it reminds me a bit of Huntress's outfit. Not my intention. May have to work on that. Third version was me trying the look with black knee high boots and purple pants.  Not sure which I like best.

Now, for fun I decided to add some RED.

First one was to look the most like a nightingale...white chest, red tipped wings and tail feathers. Kinda different, but hm...not sure.  The middle one makes me think of Red Robin without the R and gold buckles.  I also gave her a gold colored utility belt like Robin. The other one breaks up the red and is more Robin like.  Though, now that I think about it, it kinda reminds me of Damian...lol. Not my intention either I assure you. lol, maybe Damian should pick up the name instead of Robin. XD;;

anyhow. Just a few ideas tossed out here.  Who knows what Fabian Nicieza has in mind for Stephanie at the end of Gotham Gazette. Only time will tell. In the meantime I had fun with this. Yay for fanart and fanfics. :)

Tell me which one like you best? ^^ Any suggestions and ideas are welcome too. :)


P.S. all were drawn and colored on Open Canvas, so sorry for less than stellar coloring job. ^^; oh yeah and the funky anatomy. ^^;


EDIT: Omigod! I am totally remembering that story wrong! Funny how memory works that way...Anyhoo, the story that inspired this is Actions Which Bring Results. An AU by amarin_rose .  I HIGHLY recommend it! Great story guys! :D

Wow, I haven't done an oekaki in years!  And it would seem I haven't colored in months either.

Anyhoo, for those that don't know. Tis Cassandra Cain (Batgirl) and Stephanie Brown (Spoiler and once Robin).  I wanted to work on profiles, and wanted to draw them differently. Not sure I succeeded. They look the same except for different coloring, hairstyles and expressions.


Also the second time I've drawn Cass with short hair. I"m used to drawing her with longer hair.  I tried imitating the pixie haircut she's got in Batman and the Outsiders, but can't seem to pull it off on oekaki. weird. Hm, need to oekaki more....get back into the hang of coloring again.


In other news, I'm so sad to see Chris Batista go. He drew a beautiful Tim Drake and Robin.  Also drew a lovely teenage Spoiler. She actually has the body of a teenager and the costume looks great!  *sighs* This Joe Bennett though...Well, I wonder how good he is at drawing teenagers...(get the feeling we'll be getting an older than they're supposed to be Robin and Spoiler this month). *sighs*

Well, at least writing-wise, it won't suck. Fabian's been known to be a good writer and his comments/answers to the Robin QnA have been very interesting and positive.

*sniffles* if only Batgirl had a writer just as good...*tries not to cry* Oh, Cass! What is DC ultimately going to do with you?

Oh well. In the meantime, I'll be comforting myself by working on this pic...

(P.S. I haven't abandoned my fic, just tweaking the next chapter...)