Year One

The first storylines were relatively simple affairs. Some of the highlights are below with notes about their impact on future events.

Pre-Watchtower history starts in the community Lunatic Café, a place in Hypertime people from other worlds can slip in and out of. A Hypertime accident in our world created an alternate version of the actor Hugo Weaving. Hugo was unaware of this fact, but his creation and tie to another world makes him a dimensional nexus point – a tangible place where DC Nation broke off from the main DC universe. He was, in fact, one of the things that kept the Nation-verse from slipping back into the Hypertime ether, allowing to grow into its own world and his death in this world only strengthens its place in the timestream.

Hugo met our heroes when a wounded Nightwing fell into Hypertime during a flux and Hugo was about to save his life. At one point Starfire was able to breach the Hypertime wall and find the café and recognized Hugo from Nightwing’s story. A whirlwind courtship ensued and Hugo agreed to leave the safe confines of the café and enter our world – an event that shook Raven loose from her explorations and into our world. (Note: Relevant points of Hugo’s bio can be found in Starfire’s bio page.)

PLOTS:

“Loa-Down,”

The Loa, a Caribbean-based crime/mage group and enemy of the Suicide Squad, is stealing from seemingly random graves, starting in Gotham City. Batgirl put a stop to the Loa’s underlings, but not before being spotted by Renee Montoya. Green Arrow (via Oracle) offers to help shut down the operation. On further investigation, it is discovered the Loa are using ancient drug formulas to make real life (if non- or low-magical) zombie servants, including (as Catwoman discovered) local prostitutes and are trafficking more mundane drugs. After few scuffles, GA manages to track some of the Houngons, or magic user/priests in the gang to a younger son, Jean-Baptiste Dorismond in the Haitian embassy in Gotham who mixed cocaine with zombi concombre with the help of a coerced Poison Ivy. A sweep of the docks (defended by a unwitting zombie army) with Starman, Arsenal, Green Arrow (Ollie), Batman, Power Girl, Blue Beetle (Ted), Robin (Stephanie), Deadshot, Katana, Gypsy, Nightwing, the Birds of Prey, and Batgirl and rounded up enough to shut the ring down.

“Pictures,”

A tabloid reporter with a long angle lens manages to score a grainy photo of what appears to be Hugo Weaving and the Titan model known as Starfire despite efforts by her and Cyborg to prevent the picture’s publication. A real problem since Hugo Weaving is in the DCU, much older than our fair Hugo and very, very married! Time to fall back and punt! Oracle makes up the name and background of one “Wallace Anders,” in order to cover his tracks. His official public story is that he is a freelance writer from England Kory met at a party. (And hey, this is the world where Clark Kent’s mask is some glasses and the only guy with that goatee in Star City hasn’t been outted as Green Arrow, so cope. – ed.)

“Spoiled,”

As in the comic, Tim Drake needed to step away from being Robin because his dad found out. Batman replaced him with the angry daughter of a supervillain, Stephanie Brown aka Spoiler, and aka Tim Drake’s ex-girlfriend who he’s not on good terms with. Alfred, Barbara, and Dick had their reservations, with Dick being the most hostile. Oracle creates open channels for Tim to communicate with the Bat group and the Titans. Despite this, Dick begins training her with mixed results, including at one point Batman ordering her off patrol. The plot also shows a Batman becoming more and more insulated and seemingly uncaring from those he cares about, even the likes of Alfred. This plot foreshadows much of the troubles Batman has with "Brother I," "The Tribunal," and continued efforts to have the JLA trust him. Eventually, Stephanie is killed by Blockbuster in order to “get,” at Nightwing.

“Raven's Return”

Raven has been brought back to a flesh form by the Brother Blood cult which has her in thrall. She is forcibly married to Brother Blood in a ritual and then lashes out at the Titans but kidnapping Kory’s fiancee Hugo and takes him to an enclave in King's Canyon, Australia where he is tortured. Oracle tracks her while Kory single-handedly rescues him. Raven’s behavior during the escape makes the Titans believe Raven’s “attack,” was really a cry for help. See Year Two for a LOT more Church of Blood shenanigans.

“Burning Down the House”

After being ordered to kidnap him as a distraction for Luthor, Black Knight One shows a picture of Roulette taking Connor Hawk to a place called “The House,” to battle for his life and her profits on a channel reserved for the JLA and JSA. It’s up to the older Green Arrow to rescue his son with Black Canary, Deadshot, and Huntress on back-up. During this time, Dinah and Ollie restart their relationship, which hits a speedbump during the http://community.livejournal.com/jla_watchtower/25356.html Zolomon murder plot when Dinah confronts Ollie about Joanna Pierce, a young lawyer he had a one night stand with who was killed (while he was dating Dinah). Amanda Waller continues to keep tabs on Black Knight One.

“Zoloman Murder,”

While recovering from the deaths of his unborn twins and the fracture in his marriage, Wally West is asked to attend two weddings. At the second of these, Hugo and Kory, he discovers that the wife of Professor Zoom has been killed in Keystone and http://community.livejournal.com/jla_watchtower/24160.html that he is the prime suspect. He returns to Keystone only to be arrested for first degree murder since it was an auto accident and Wally West was the one who repaired Mrs. Zoloman’s car breaks. Unbeknownst to our heroes, Wally was infected with a kind of sentient “brain spore,” which causes him to act erratically and lose memory, which is incredibly unhelpful. Despite this http://community.livejournal.com/jla_watchtower/25151.html the Rogues of Keystone refuse to believe he did it and want to see him cleared; going so far as to have Mirror Master break him out. Wally West then becomes a fugitive from the law. The Flash opts to become the Flash 24/7. Oracle, Nightwing, Black Canary, Green Arrow (Ollie), and Batman offer their help. Batman discovers the car was not tampered with by Wally – the breaks were, in fact, flash frozen. (Batman also shows even more erratic and insulting behavior.) Mirror Master and Captain Cold framed the Flash, knowing what Zoloman did to his family.

“Pharras.”

A Tamerean noble, Pharras, appears with an honor guard at Titan Tower looking for Starfire http://community.livejournal.com/jla_watchtower/30634.html and claiming it’s an emergency for her people. After some static from Changeling, Pharras comes to speak with Kory directly. http://community.livejournal.com/jla_watchtower/30634.html It becomes clear very quickly that he is a bigot sent from the newly settled “New Tamerran,” and that he wishes to take the Crown Princess back any way he can. He is also scandalized by Kory’s human husband and her pregnancy. He knocks out Hugo and Gar and kidnaps the objecting princess, http://community.livejournal.com/jla_watchtower/31143.html believing returning her to the company of her people will revive her senses. When Dick jumps in and takes charge, Hugo insists on coming, revealing a magical wedding gift enchantment on his ring to make him appear Tameranean. http://community.livejournal.com/jla_watchtower/31293.html Oracle and Nightwing appears to almost take over the line up for rescue until Cyborg reminds her who is in charge at Titan Tower. His leadership dissolves however as Nightwing appear. Black Knight One, Superboy (with Krypto), and Starman also volunteer to go on the mission. Pharras spends his time obsessing over “rebuilding,” the princess by finding her a “suitable,” husband (Admiral Ullas), making her queen, and focusing intently on her unborn child which is his final roadblock. Luum is born at this time late October 2004. http://community.livejournal.com/jla_watchtower/56220.html?thread=1047708#t1047708 at the end of the story Kory strips Pharras of his honor and Pharras escapes the Titans and kills himself.

“Drugs and Dolls”

Chaos is ramping up in cities. http://community.livejournal.com/jla_watchtower/41272.html Sober children are dying of magical, demon-related illness. Wonder Woman, Constantine and the Birds of Prey http://community.livejournal.com/jla_watchtower/41802.html investigate while most of the other heroes do damage control. Constantine in talking with a demon discovers the deaths have something to do with a metagene. If a human without a metagene takes it, they will die. Some mutate into giant monster-like creatures, http://community.livejournal.com/jla_watchtower/45289.html as Black Canary discovers. After her student, Lee, dies, Constantine and Huntress perform an exorcism to banish the demon causing the illness. While it’s unclear, it also seems as if the disease is a mutation off the virus Gar Logan contracted and was cured of. This virus strain becomes a deadly device in the hands of Ras Al Guhl, Vandal Savage, and Dr. Light in later stories.

“The Three of Us Forever,”

http://community.livejournal.com/jla_watchtower/74017.html , http://community.livejournal.com/jla_watchtower/74562.html and http://community.livejournal.com/jla_watchtower/74937.html ,
http://community.livejournal.com/jla_watchtower/76307.html In December, Two Face kidnaps Renee Montoya and scholars of the arcane so that he can perform a bizarre ritual, calling on an ancient “Two Face,” Amun-Loki (Yes, with blonde hair. The Styx gets mentioned too. – ed) and make her his wife – bound to him by Egyptian sorcery. Black Knight One rescued her early in Year 2.

“Those Meddling Titans”

http://community.livejournal.com/jla_watchtower/78042.html A woman named Isabel Bristol, the now elderly granddaughter of the Old West gunslinger, Angus “Lighting Fist,” Bristol is restoring her mansion to become a museum dedicated to heroes. She invited the Teen titans to come and see the museum and participate in a charity event before it opens to the public. Early in Year 2, she brings the Titans into her home, which she turns into a deathtrap. It is revealed that Bristol felt her kid-hero ancestor was being upstaged by the Titans. She was arrested.

Other Game Concepts:

• After riot and an attempted escape from Alcatraz, Hugo Anders and Koriand'r agree to have a child. They are married (7/30/2004) on Titan Island by Cyborg in a Tameranean ceremony in San Francisco and are soon expecting a child – Luum Simon Anders. Robin, Wonder Girl, Nightwing, and Oracle are asked to be Godparents.

• Richard Grayson and Barbara Gordon are married at Wayne Manor, July 14 2004. Before both weddings Nightwing and Starfire resolved the differences stemming from their former relationship.
  

• Wallace West’s wife Linda is attacked and miscarries their unborn twins April 2004. Shortly after Wally becomes infected with a sentient spore lifeform developed by Poison Ivy which causes erratic behavior and some damage to his memory and sanity. During this time he is romantically involved with Catwoman and Poison Ivy while still visiting the Graysons frequently. In December, his relationship with Ivy turns more serious as she agrees to alter his DNA (at his suggesting) so that she is no longer toxic to him as a “Christmas,” gift.

• Blockbuster was exposed in the media and brought down that way, but not before http://users.livejournal.com/_nightwing_/18240.html attacking Oracle via a seizure-inducing computer virus. Nightwing petitions the JLA for a mindwipe of Blockbuster because he knows his identity. The JLA opt for a “decoy,” plan of having “Dick Grayson,” (Martian Manhunter) out and about with Barbara Gordon while Nightwing fights Blockbuster’s thugs.

• Poison Ivy, because she despises the Loa and wants to keep the children she watched in “No Man’s Land,” safe, opts to help the Batman with botanical knowledge.

• Black Knight One defects from Checkmate and starts crusading as a hero unbeknownst to his bosses Amanda Waller and Lex Luthor. As “Jack Slater,” he is sent to check in on the Joker after an “escape,” (engineered by Luthor and Waller) and shore up the defenses of San Francisco Bay. He goes one step further in releasing information about Joker’s “at large,” status to the media. While doing so, he meets Starfire, who will become a longtime ally. He also mentions “losing someone close,” to him to Kory and Hugo which may be the prompt for his shift towards heroism.

• Cassandra Cain and Tim Drake develop a closer attachment to one another. This includes Tim catching the garter and Cassandra catching the bouquet at Oracle and Nightwing's wedding.
  

• Deadshot is recruited to help on a few jobs by Huntress and they start an on-again, off again relationship which the other Birds consider a possible security breech. Deadshot is more smitten then Helena is. The relationship grinds to a halt when Deadshot is paid to kill the Penguin and Black Canary catches him. At that point, Waller taps him for a new Suicide Squad.

• Firefly goes on an arson streak in Gotham. One of the fire victims is Raimon, one of Helena’s students.

• Joker was moved from Arkham to Alcatraz briefly. This was at the request of President Luthor and Amanda Waller. Black Knight One provided the “Burning Down the House,” plot as a distraction – and then he is to break out the Joker as a PR coup against the heroes.

• Tim resumes his Robin duties October 2004.

• Barbara and Dick find out they cannot have children. Diana offers the healers of Themyscira to help. Meanwhile, Dick finds a vardo and begins to fix it in his garage as a sort of therapy.

• Supermodel Mari Jiwe Macabe is named Goodwill Amabassador to Rheelasia.

• Lex Luthor was elected to 4 more years.

• In August, Tarantula, who had been working for Blockbuster against his gangland enemies is discovered dead. It is discovered she was killed by Lady Shiva in response for her killing of Lady Vic. http://community.livejournal.com/jla_watchtower/27092.html (Dick Grayson was never raped by her, but it wasn’t through a lack of trying.)

• Nightwing keeps making comments like “who in the universe did we piss off…” Also Starfire’s insistence that he cannot know what it is to have a child in danger burns at him after Leslie’s declaration he and Barbara cannot have children.

• Changling confiders a chance to be “normal,” and takes it. http://community.livejournal.com/jla_watchtower/43164.html , http://community.livejournal.com/jla_watchtower/44777.html

• In September, Batman chose to remove Stephanie as Robin, but the girl defiantly went out on patrol anyway.

• Despite an attack on Oracle http://community.livejournal.com/jla_watchtower/60017.html , the criminal knowing his identity, and Black Canary suggesting the procedure by saying, “Don't want Babs becoming another Sue Dibny....” to Nightwing, the JLA vote “no,” on mindwiping Blockbuster in part because of Batman’s objections. http://community.livejournal.com/jla_watchtower/62915.html Instead they try for a “two places at once,” gambit with Nightwing/Dick Grayson and Martian Manhunter. In December, Stephanie Brown is killed on the orders of Blockbuster. The JLA shuts everything his name was ever attached to down and ask for his imprisonment to be isolation.

• In October 2004, a new villain arrives in Gotham. http://community.livejournal.com/jla_watchtower/55627.html His almost Joker-like manic behavior and bloody vigilante focus in Gotham’s Bowery District gain much attention. He goes by the name “Red Hood.” After this, Joker-eque crimes were happening in Bludhaven, including someone stalking and threatening Barbara Gordon-Grayson. Canary investigated and they were the work of two independent operators: Tad Ryerstad and Red Hood. These events and Black Knight One’s activities were being monitored by Deadshot on behalf of Amanda Waller.

• The same month, the Flash is cast for a movie “biography,” of his life with somebody named “Todd,” directing. Because of his mental state he is not much help on the set, focusing more on the lead starlet Monica Mayne (playing the Flash’s love interest “Lindy Wayne”). The production values, including Rainbow Raider as the villain, ensure this movie will be an embarrassment.

• Zatanna and John Constantine are on again, off again lovers.

• Diana offers to take Barbara to the Amazon healers so that the Graysons can have children. While there Dick is “on display,” because of his close relationship with the fallen Donna Troy. While Barbara is healed, he talks to Donna’s grave.

• Movie nights included "The Matrix."