Archive of Our Own

Justice League member Icebreaker sexually assaulted me, says former sidekick Spark

By: Carole Bennett

Spark met Icebreaker when she was 19. She'd recently developed the ability to set fires at will and to produce heat from her hands, and she decided to test out her new powers by stopping a bank robbery in Civic City. Icebreaker, it turned out, was stopping the same robbery.

"I thought he was going to tell me to go home," says Spark. "I mean, he's on the Justice League, and I didn't even have a real costume yet. But instead he gave me directions, and it was like we just clicked."

Shortly afterward, Spark and Icebreaker formalized their relationship. Spark became Icebreaker’s sidekick and mentee, and Icebreaker used his Justice League connections and independent financial backing to provide her with armor, weaponry, training, and back-up. They had an easy relationship, they worked well together, and Spark learned a lot. Everything was going great—until, Spark says, one night four months into their partnership, when they were training.

According to Spark, while adjusting her stance, Icebreaker groped her breasts. When she moved away, he followed. Then, without any comment, he returned to training her.

It was the first time that Icebreaker touched Spark, but it wouldn’t be the last. During the three years that they worked together, Spark says that Icebreaker repeatedly made sexual comments and advances. Ultimately, Spark says that Icebreaker coerced her into a sexual relationship by threatening to withhold the resources that allowed her to function as a superhero in relative safety.

Continued on page A4

Transcript of JLA meeting, automatically generated

BATMAN: I officially call this meeting to order. Does anyone have a topic to put forward for—

GREEN ARROW: Are you really going to pretend this is a normal meeting?

BATMAN: If you have a topic for discussion, put it forward.

GREEN ARROW: I hereby put forward the fact that a JLA member sexually assaulted his sidekick for discussion.

BATMAN: Former JLA member. From a splinter team.

GREEN ARROW: He did it while he was working with us.

BATMAN: Allegedly.

GREEN ARROW: Are you fucking kidding—

SUPERMAN: I’m sure Batman is just doing his due diligence.

FLASH BA: We’re all upset about this, [GREEN ARROW]. But meetings are for action items. What is it you want us to do?

BLACK CANARY: Superman’s the one who brought up due diligence. Let’s figure out how this happened on our watch and fix it.

WONDER WOMAN: I agree. We need to know how we missed this.

FLASH BA: We missed it because she didn’t tell us.

GREEN ARROW: I know you’re not saying this is her fault.

FLASH BA: Of course not! But how were we supposed to know?

BATMAN: If it’s true, we should’ve known. I should’ve known.

SUPERMAN: An investigation, then. Into what happened and how we missed it. I assume you want to take point on that, Batman?

BATMAN: [NOISE OF ASSENT]

BLACK CANARY: Look, no offense, but is Batman the best choice to investigate this?

BATMAN: I can be impartial.

BLACK CANARY: That’s not... You’re going to have to talk to women, survivors, about sensitive topics. They need to feel safe, and they need to feel like they have a choice, and you can be [PAUSE] intimidating.

WONDER WOMAN: Why don’t you help him?

SUPERMAN: That’s a good idea. You’re a fantastic investigator.

BLACK CANARY: Fine. I’ll do the interviews. Batman can look into the records.

Text messages between Lois Lane and Clark Kent, 09/22/21

Can i run something by you?

Of course!

Perry wants me to do follow up on the Icebreaker situation

What kind of follow up?

Investigate. See if theirs more to the story

More?

Other victims. Institutional failures

God, I didn’t even think about other victims

So what do you want to run by me?

Its sort of a conflict of interest

Technicly i’d be investigating you

It’s an important story and you’re the best person for the job

And I hereby give you permission to rip into Superman if you need to

Can’t imagine it’ll come to that

But thanks

"Grown Adult Titans" group chat

Victor
Did you guys see this? http://picture-news-magazine.com/justice-league-member-icebreaker-...

Wally
Yeah, the JL is freaking out

Roy
Literally all Ollie has talked about all day

Donna
This is the first I’ve heard

Gar
What a total creep

Dick Grayson liked "What a total creep"

Dick
@Wally West How’s the JL handling it?

Wally
BM and BC are investigating

Dick
I can’t even imagine if something like this had gone down on the Outsiders

Chat between Donna Troy and Kory Anders

Donna
Don’t click the link Vic just posted in the group chat

I’ll tell you what’s in it if you want, but the article is rough

Kory
Thanks!

Donna
❤️

Interview between Black Canary and Spark, automatic transcription

BLACK CANARY: Thank you for agreeing to talk to me.

SPARK: Honestly, I’ve been expecting the intimidation visit. Might as well get it over with.

BLACK CANARY: Spark, I’m not here to intimidate you. I promise.

SPARK: I’m not Spark anymore.

BLACK CANARY: Okay. But for security purposes, that’s how the record’s going to refer to you.

SPARK: Fine.

BLACK CANARY: I want to talk to you because the League is trying to understand what happened, and how we missed this.

SPARK: You didn’t miss it.

BLACK CANARY: I’m sorry?

SPARK: [ICEBREAKER] wasn’t subtle. He talked about me with his team. [BLUE BEETLE TK] even saw us kissing once.

BLACK CANARY: Did they know that it was…

SPARK: Rape?

BLACK CANARY: Yes.

SPARK: [ICEBREAKER] is 20 years older than me. I was his sidekick. I feel like it should’ve been obvious that it wasn’t a good thing.

BLACK CANARY: You’re right.

SPARK: Look, I’ll talk to you if you want, but if you’re actually trying to improve things, you need to understand that this isn’t just about me.

BLACK CANARY: Who else is it about?

SPARK: I’m not going to talk about things I don’t have permission to, but [GREEN LANTERN GG] makes sexual comments about women constantly. And everyone knew when [GREEN LANTERN HJ] was dating a fourteen-year-old.

Chat between Donna Troy and Dick Grayson

Donna
Hey, Dick?

Dick
What’s up?

Donna
I wasn’t sure I was going to say anything, but I’ve been thinking

You know that stuff like that did happen on the Titans, right?

Dick
Stuff like Icebreaker? When?

Donna
Nothing that bad, but like, you must remember how Gar used to talk to the girls

Dick
I honestly didn’t even think of that

But you’re right, that wasn’t okay

Donna
I don’t want to make it seem like it was super traumatizing, because it was just Gar, and I think Kory and Raven and I all sort of understood that he didn’t mean anything by it, but it could get… uncomfortable. And what if he *had* meant something by it, you know?

Dick
You’re right

Donna
You’ve been typing for an awful long time there, buddy

Dick
It’s nothing

Donna
🙄

Dick
Fine, but if I end up sounding like an asshole I want some leeway

Donna
You? An asshole? Who could think such a thing?

Dick
Fuck you ❤️

Donna
❤️

Seriously, say your thing

Dick
I guess it’s just that it wasn’t just Gar?

Donna
What do you mean?

Dick
Like Bette Kane used to call me Legs

Or like. It seems really insignificant in the scheme of things but Tara used to say like really inappropriate things to me

Which I’m sure she was working through a *lot* of her own shit considering what Slade did to her, and I feel really bad even bringing it up

I guess I was the leader, so it was on me to make sure people understood things like that weren’t okay

Now you’re the one who’s typing too much

Donna
See this is why I wasn’t sure I wanted to bring this up

Because yeah, I’d hope that if you ever lead another team, you’d enforce boundaries on stuff like this

But at the time, we were all teenagers, and we were all dating each other, and yeah you were the leader, but you know the hierarchy was way more complicated than that

We were friends and family first, you know? Which was probably part of the problem

Anyway I guess what I’m saying is it was at least as much on me and Vic to call out that kind of thing as it was you

Did it bother you?

Dick
What?

Donna
The comments

Dick
It wasn’t like they were going to do anything about it. Or could

Donna
I mean Gar couldn’t have tried anything with me

Dick
Yeah, it bothered me

Texts between Dinah Lance and Zatanna Zatara

I know this is out of nowhere but has Guy Gardner ever made a pass at you?

Not sure I’d call it a pass but he’s definitely talked about my ass

Ick rhyming

Why did he say something to you?

Not today

Well if he ever does again I’m happy to spell his internal organs external

Interview between Black Canary and Green Lantern AR, automatic transcription

BLACK CANARY: Thank you so much for talking with me.

GREEN LANTERN AR: Sure! But I’m not sure what it is you think I can help you with.

BLACK CANARY: Like I said, I want to talk about your relationship with [GREEN LANTERN HJ].

GREEN LANTERN AR: But why?

BLACK CANARY: I’m investigating the League’s awareness and response to sexual harassment and assault.

GREEN LANTERN AR: But why are you talking to me?

BLACK CANARY: You just turned eighteen, didn’t you?

GREEN LANTERN AR: Do I look eighteen?

BLACK CANARY: You were magically aged.

GREEN LANTERN AR: By the ring. So that I could date [GREEN LANTERN HJ]. Because I wanted to. I mean, you married [GREEN ARROW] and he’s about 15 years older than you, isn’t he?

BLACK CANARY: He is. But we were still both adults.

GREEN LANTERN AR: I’m an adult.

BLACK CANARY: So you don’t feel that [GREEN LANTERN HJ] hurt you?

[PAUSE]

BLACK CANARY: [GREEN ARROW AR]?

GREEN LANTERN AR: He hurt me. I just don’t think he hurt me by dating me.

Interview between Superman and Lois Lane, transcribed by Lois Lane

LL: Can I get you on the record?

SM: Of course.

LL: What is the Justice League’s response to the allagations made by Spark?

SM: We take this matter very seriously. We’re conducting an internal investigation to determine how we failed Spark, and how we can prevent it from happening in the future.

LL: Who’s investigating?

SM: Batman and Black Canary.

LL: So the League is investigating itself?

SM: Yes.

LL: Isn't that a conflict of interest?

SM: Who else are we supposed to have investigate? There are secret identities at stake.

LL: That matters more to you than League members comiting sexual assault?

SM: Lois, time out for a second.

LL: Okay, we're off the record.

SM: Do you think we should be doing more?

LL: Yes.

SM: I know that an independant investigation would be better. But bringing someone else in really could put people in danger.

LL: I know.

SM: But?

LL: You're the ones who messed up. I don't know if you can be the ones to fix it.

Phone call between Dinah Lance and Oliver Queen, recorded by Brother Eye, automatically transcribed

OLIVER QUEEN: Hey honey.

DINAH LANCE: Hey. Just letting you know I won’t be home for dinner.

OLIVER QUEEN: Investigation?

DINAH LANCE: Yeah.

OLIVER QUEEN: You sound down.

DINAH LANCE: You remember when Hal was dating Arisia?

OLIVER QUEEN: Sure.

DINAH LANCE: That was… It was a little fucked up, right? Because of her age?

OLIVER QUEEN: Well, she’s an alien. And Hal said she was an adult. So I guess I assumed…

DINAH LANCE: So did I.

OLIVER QUEEN: Is she…

DINAH LANCE: I don’t know. But I was talking to her today, and for a second I just imagined, what if she looked her age? And the moment I did that… Ollie, she sounded like a kid.

OLIVER QUEEN: I can’t believe that Hal—

DINAH LANCE: Ollie. We have a teenage girl living with us.

OLIVER QUEEN: What are you saying? You don’t want him in the house?

DINAH LANCE: For now, yeah. I don’t want him around Mia.

OLIVER QUEEN: Don’t you think that’s a little extreme?

DINAH LANCE: Fuck you, Ollie.

Texts between Dinah Lance and Oliver Queen

I’m sorry.

Are you?

You were right.

Mia is more important than my friendship with Hal.

She’d fucking better be

We can’t be those people Ollie

People who overlook bad shit because it’s our friends doing it

Our friends can cause too much damage

I know.

You know I know.

❤️

mila is LOOKING AT THE GREEN ARROW RIGHT NOW @milimilima · 39m
green arrow is RIGHT OUTSIDE MY APARTMENT

mila is LOOKING AT THE GREEN ARROW RIGHT NOW @milimilima · 32m
green lantern is here too?

mila is LOOKING AT THE GREEN ARROW RIGHT NOW @milimilima · 30m
THEY’RE FIGHTING

mila is LOOKING AT THE GREEN ARROW RIGHT NOW @milimilima · 26m
did one of them get brainwashed again???

"OG Titans" group chat

Roy
Uh

Ollie and Hal Jordan had a fistfight last night

Dick
Isn't Hal some kind of villainous demigod now?

Roy
He got better

Wally
Did Hal say something mean about Bernie Sanders again?

Roy
No

You remember that girl he used to date, Arisia?

Apparently she was actually 14. She just looked older because of GL shit

Wally
Oh shit

That’s probably what this emergency JL meeting is about

Donna
Hal Jordan dated a fucking 14 year old?

Roy
That is what Dinah tells me

Donna
I feel like I’m losing my fucking mind

How the fuck do you do that and get a GL ring?

Roy
Well Guy Gardner has a ring, so I’ve suspected they’re not as choosy as they pretend to be for a while now

JLA meeting, automatic transcription

BATMAN: I hereby call this meeting to…

GREEN ARROW: For fuck’s sake, Batman.

SUPERMAN: I think we can dispense with the usual formalities. If no one else objects?

WONDER WOMAN: Green Arrow and [GREEN LANTERN HJ], you fought yesterday?

GREEN ARROW: Yeah, we fought.

GREEN LANTERN HJ: He attacked me out of nowhere!

GREEN ARROW: It wasn’t out of…

WONDER WOMAN: Ordinarily we would consider that a private matter, but Black Canary indicates that it was related to the subject of our last meeting.

BLACK CANARY: My conversations with Spark and [GREEN LANTERN AR] lead me to believe that [GREEN LANTERN HJ] had a relationship with a… well, with a child.

SUPERMAN: I thought that [GREEN LANTERN AR] was physically and emotionally aged by the Green Lantern ring.

BLACK CANARY: Physically, yes. Emotionally, I’m not sure.

FLASH BA: If you’re not sure…

BLACK CANARY: Is that our standard here? Any wiggle room in an obviously bad idea, and we’re off the hook?

FLASH BA: I just mean that our lives are complicated. We end up in situations that most people couldn’t imagine.

WONDER WOMAN: Which is why we have to be more vigilant against wrongdoing, not less.

SUPERMAN: I think we should hear what [GREEN LANTERN HJ] has to say about the matter.

GREEN LANTERN HJ: Canary is right that [GREEN LANTERN AR] was a child. I don’t think I could’ve known at first, but she’s right about that. That’s why things ended.

SUPERMAN: Canary, what did [GREEN LANTERN AR] say?

BLACK CANARY: She said that she’s not a child. But that [GREEN LANTERN HJ] did hurt her.

SUPERMAN: Do we have any kind of cognitive tests on her? Anything that could provide a definitive answer?

BLACK CANARY: I don’t think so. But no matter what, [GREEN LANTERN HJ] showed incredibly poor judgment.

WONDER WOMAN: I agree. We’ll have to decide how to respond to that.

BATMAN: I don’t see why our response should be any different than it was to Icebreaker.

FLASH BA: Icebreaker raped someone. We don’t even know if [GREEN LANTERN HJ] did anything wrong!

GREEN ARROW: Are you kidding...

SUPERMAN: Okay, everyone. We’re going to get this worked out, and we’re going to respond. But in the meantime, our response can’t be fistfights. Understood?

GREEN ARROW: If you do your job, it won’t have to be.

Chat between Arisia Rrab and Donna Troy

Donna
Hi Arisia! I don’t know if you remember me--I dated Kyle for a while?

Arisia
Hi Donna! I remember you.

Donna
I was surprised to see that you have an account. Don’t you spend most of your time in space?

Arisia
It’s how I keep in touch with my Earth friends!

Donna Troy liked "It’s how I keep in touch with my Earth friends!"

Donna
Okay, this may be a little bit forward, so I’m sorry, but I’m putting together a group chat for superheroes/vigilantes who’ve experienced assault or harassment, and I wanted to let you know you’d be welcome if you wanted to join

Nothing too intense, I just thought it would be nice to have a safe place to talk/vent

Arisia
That sounds like a really good idea! But I don’t think I’d belong in there.

Donna
Okay! Invitation’s always open if you change your mind

Phone conversation between Barbara Gordon and Dinah Lance, recorded by Brother Eye, automatic transcription

BARBARA GORDON: Hey, Dinah.

DINAH LANCE: Babs! Great to hear from you.

BARBARA GORDON. Uh-huh. Why did I have to hear from Bruce that you’re investigating the League’s sexual assault response?

DINAH LANCE: I mean technically you’re not on the League.

BARBARA GORDON: You haven’t called me or answered any of my messages in a week. You’re avoiding me.

DINAH LANCE: Look, it’s been hard. I knew it would be, but harder than I thought. And I didn’t want to put that on you.

BARBARA GORDON: How about I tell you if you’re putting too much on me?

DINAH LANCE: You really want to hear about this?

BARBARA GORDON: I understand confidentiality, but if you’re upset, yeah, I want to hear about that. You’re my best friend.

DINAH LANCE: I’ve talked to survivors before. I mean obviously, but I’ve interviewed them before. It’s just talking to people who’ve been hurt by people I know. It’s a lot. I feel like I’m angry all the time.

BARBARA GORDON: You at least seem to be handling it better than Oliver.

DINAH LANCE: Well, that’s its own can of worms. Hey, I know you hate this question, but are you okay?

BARBARA GORDON: You’re right, I do hate that question. I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.

Justice League officially bars Icebreaker from team in response to sexual assault allegations

By: Lois Lane

In a press release this morning, the Justice League of America announced that they would no longer work with Icebreaker, the Civic City-based superhero who was recently accused of sexual assault by his former sidekick Spark.

"The Justice League’s highest priority is to maintain the safety and wellbeing of those we serve, including our own members," the release stated. "In the interest of that safety and wellbeing, we have indefinitely barred Icebreaker from working with the League in any official capacity."

The JLA has also begun an internal investigation into the matter, led by Batman and Black Canary. "We take this matter very seriously," said JLA co-founder Superman. "We’re conducting an internal investigation to determine how we failed Spark, and how we can prevent it from happening in the future."

But some activists say that the JLA is not taking the allegations seriously enough. They cite the lack of official procedures to deal with reports of abuse as an area of particular concern.

See ICEBREAKER, A9

Untitled group chat

Donna
Hey everyone! I talked to you all about this individually, but this is the survivors’ group chat. I know there’s been a lot of talk about assault/harassment/abuse going around in our circles lately, and I thought it could be good for those of us with more personal experience to be able to talk about what’s happening without everyone in the cape community giving their input.

Uhhh, probably there should be some ground rules? So obviously don’t invalidate other people’s experiences--everyone’s feelings are what they are. Just generally be respectful of how other people are feeling and of the boundaries they set.

Also, Vegas rules feel like they should probably apply. What happens in group chat stays in group chat.

I’m sure we aren’t the only survivors in the community, so if you want to add someone that’s probably fine, but probably you should clear it with the chat first? And obviously also clear it with the person you want to add.

And… that’s all I guess.

Mia
hey everyone

when do we get matching t shirts?

Donna Troy, Firenza Hale + 1 other liked "when do we get matching t shirts?"

Firenza
Thanks for setting this up Donna

btw I’m Spark, for those who don’t know

Or I was anyway

Barbara
Hi Firenza. Nice to officially meet you.

I’m probably not going to talk much in here, but I’m glad this place exists.

Donna
However much you do or don’t want to talk is fine

Barbara Gordon liked "However much you do or don’t want to talk is fine"

Firenza
Oh actually, in terms of boundaries, I should probably mention I kind of hate the term survivor? I understand why people use it and it’s not like victim is a lot better, and I’m totally cool with people using it as a general term or to refer to themselves, but I’d rather people not use it about me

Donna
Absolutely

Kory
Hi Donna, Firenza, Barbara, Mia!

I’m Starfire, though I think you all know that!

I’m getting a really great feeling from this group chat already!

Text messages between Dinah Lance and Bruce Wayne

When are we meeting about Hal again?

When there’s more information to work with.

What more information could we need?

I'm researching the maturation rate of Arisia's species.

I have interviewed Arisia and Hal and the people who worked with them

Everyone agrees that Arisia was a child before the ring aged her, and even Hal admits she was a child after

But Arisia says she wasn’t. We need evidence.

What if we never get hard evidence? We just let it go?

No. But the more evidence we have, the more likely it is that the League will act.

"unstoppable mofos in masks" group chat

Firenza
Love the name, Mia

Mia
thanks i was inspired

Donna
What do you guys think the JL should do about Hal Jordan?

Mia
send his ass to space jail

Firenza
Hard to do that if Arisia doesn’t want him there

Mia
true

Donna
If Arisia doesn’t want him punished, probably they should respect that

Firenza
It’s not just about her though. A lot of teenagers work with the League, they have to protect them

Kory
He DESERVES to be punished!

Firenza
It’s hard when the person who hurt you is a "hero"

Even if you want them to be punished, maybe you don’t want them to be in all the danger they’d be in if their identity got out, so you can’t go through the courts even if you wanted to

Plus I don’t know about anyone else, but for me it was really hard to even wrap my head around the fact that what he did wasn’t okay. Cause he’s a hero, right? Heroes don’t rape people

Barbara
For me it was the other way around. Heroes don’t get assaulted.

Mia
christ we’re all fucked up

still unstoppable masked mofos though

Texts between Stephanie Brown and Barbara Gordon

are they EVER gonna do something about hal freaking jordan???

Don’t ask me. If I were in charge he’d be booted by now.

isn’t dinah the one doing the investigation?

As far as I know she’s turned over everything she’s got on Hal.

Now it’s just waiting for the JL to actually do something.

Chat between Arisia Rrab and Donna Troy

Arisia
Donna.

Do you really think what happened with Hal was sexual assault?

Donna
I think it’s really possible. But I also think it doesn’t matter what I think

Arisia
I really thought I was an adult. But I’ve been reading all the coverage about Icebreaker and thinking about what I talked about with Black Canary.

Hal didn’t think I was an adult at the end. He said so. And I feel older now than I did when I dated him. A lot older.

I’m sorry, I barely know you.

Donna
It’s okay! I’m happy you reached out

I was in a relationship with someone who was a lot older than me, once. I wasn’t nearly as young as you were, but I was a lot younger than him, and I know that I didn’t realize how much that affected things until I got older

Arisia
It’s just hard for me to think of him that way. I loved him. I’m sure he loved me.

Donna
I loved my ex-husband. I still do.

I can’t tell you whether you were an adult when you dated him. But if you weren’t, it was wrong for him to do it even if you thought it was okay. Even if he thought it was okay

But that doesn’t make your feelings wrong

Arisia
He’s a good person.

He’s definitely had his ups and downs, but he always wants to help people. He really does.

Donna
I think if you talked to the group chat, you’d find a lot of people who have similar feelings to you

Arisia
I’m not ready for that.

But can I talk to you again, maybe?

Donna
Any time

Texts between Stephanie Brown and Barbara Gordon

i need your advice

On what?

so vicki vale came to talk to me as batgirl sniffing out a story on b

i didn’t talk to her, but the stuff she was asking about wasn’t like, wrong

What was she asking about?

b’s behavior towards his sidekicks

whether he’s abusive

which i mean, he is

Well, yes.

What’s the advice you need?

i don’t want to talk to vicki vale, but i’ve been thinking

with everything that’s happening

i mean b’s not icebreaker or anything, but should someone like… tell the jla?

Are you asking me to tell them, or are you asking if you should?

well would they even listen if you did? you were never his sidekick technically

They might, but it’s true that most of what I could tell them would be second hand.

so i guess i’m asking if i should tell them

Jeez, ask me something hard, why don’t you.

I think it depends on what you want to happen, and what you’re willing to put up with.

You’re right that a lot of B’s behavior is unacceptable, and god knows Alfred and I have never managed to rein him in. And I think at least some of the JLA is aware of how he treats the people around him, and ideally, they should do something about it.

But you should be prepared for the possibilities that a) the JLA doesn’t do anything about it, or b) the JLA *does* do something about it, and it affects your relationships with the other Robins/Black Bat.

i’d be doing it FOR the other robins and black bat

...which doesn’t mean they’d see it that way

ugh this is BULLSHIT

It is. But if you do decide to do it, I’m behind you 100%.

Chat between Miriam Delgado and Donna Troy

Miriam
Hey Donna!

Donna
Hey Miri! How are you? How’s Julienne?

Miriam
We’re both good! How are you?

Donna
BUSY, honestly

Miriam
OMG, tell me about it

And I don’t even have superheroics eating up my time anymore

Hey, so Roy told me you set up a group chat that’s just for current/former heroes who are survivors?

Donna
I did

Miriam
Could I possibly get an invite?

Donna
I’d have to clear it with the chat first

Miriam
You think they’d have a problem?

Donna
It’s just really important that everyone gets to have a say over who they share that space with. You know?

Miriam
Yeah, of course

Donna
Do you mind me telling them your name?

Miriam
No, go ahead. It’s not like it’s a secret

Chat between Kory Anders and Donna Troy

Donna
Hey, gotta run something by you

Kory
What is it?

Donna
Someone asked to join the survivors chat

We’re supposed to clear it with the group before we add someone, but in this case I wanted to talk to you first

Kory
Why?

Donna
It’s Miriam Delgado

She is a survivor so I didn’t feel like I could say no outright

But I know you have issues with her, for really valid reasons

So I wanted to give you a chance to say no without it being a public thing

Kory
I’m sorry, I don’t think I’d be comfortable if she was in there.

Donna
Of course

Kory
It’s not jealousy.

Donna
I didn’t think it was. You don’t have to explain yourself

Kory
It’s just that it’s not just about Dick. She abducted me, she posed for photos pretending to be me, she pretended to be Dick and kissed me.

I know she went through something terrible, and I do feel sorry for her, but I wouldn’t feel safe with her in the chat.

Donna
I completely understand

Hey, I was kind of out of commission for a lot of what happened, and I didn’t know about most of this until just now. Would you prefer I not be in contact with her?

Kory
I don’t care, but you might want to ask Dick. Unless he’s already said he doesn’t mind.

Donna
Oh shit

I’m such an idiot

Kory
If it helps, I had a similar moment a few years ago.

Meeting between Black Canary, Arisia Rrab, and Batman, Batcave security recording, automatic transcription

BATMAN: Do you have sample brain scans for other adults and children of your species?

ARISIA: I don’t think so.

BATMAN: We can probably come up with a reasonable facsimile using scans from similar species.

BLACK CANARY: Are you sure about this?

ARISIA: I want to know. Even if Hal… I mean, totally separate from that, I should know whether I’m an adult, shouldn’t I?

BLACK CANARY: Okay. Are you ready to start, Batman?

BATMAN: Initiating scan.

Icebreaker works with JLA heroes in first public sighting since sexual assault allegations

By: Evan Gibson

Amidst the chaos of Wednesday’s takeover attempt by Darkseid, the vigilante known as Icebreaker made his first public appearance since the sexual assault allegations against him in August.

Icebreaker teamed up with Geo-Force, the Atom, and at least one member of the Green Lantern Corps as part of a successful effort among Earth’s superhero community to turn back Darkseid’s forces. Notably, Geo-Force and the Atom are both members of the Justice League of America, which announced last month that they would no longer work with Icebreaker as a result of the allegations against him.

"The team-up was not planned," Superman told The Metropolitan. "In planet-threatening catastrophes, non-JLA heroes often independently arrive to handle the same threats as JLA heroes, and in this case, Icebreaker showed up in the same place as Geo-Force and the Atom. He remains barred from officially working with the League."

"unstoppable mofos in masks" group chat

Firenza
Before anyone asks, yes I’ve seen the news, no I don’t want to talk about it

Donna
❤️

Kory
❤️

Mia
❤️

Firenza
Actually you know what? Fuck this

Fuck them for working with him, and fuck him for showing up, and fuck everything because I can’t even be mad! Because he was helping save the world!

FUCK

JLA meeting, automatic transcription

BATMAN: I...

GREEN ARROW: Batman, if you say you call this meeting to order, I’m excavating the Batcave.

BATMAN: How do you propose we acknowledge the start of the meeting?

BLACK CANARY: How about this? Icebreaker is still fighting with the JLA, and Batman and I have determined that [GREEN LANTERN AR] is definitely still mentally a teenager. Thoughts?

[MULTIPLE SIMULTANEOUS VOICES—ICA SEPARATION FOLLOWS]

FLASH BA: We agreed that [GREEN LANTERN HJ] wasn’t [INAUDIBLE] for—

GREEN ARROW: How can Icebreaker be barred [INAUDIBLE] working with—

BATMAN: As I said before, [INAUDIBLE] the same that we did—

HAWKMAN: [INAUDIBLE] need to know more about—

WONDER WOMAN: One at a time!

[END ICA SEPARATION]

HAWKMAN: What is your evidence about [GREEN LANTERN AR]?

BATMAN: She requested a brain scan. I compared it to scans of humans and other species similar to hers. Overwhelmingly, her brain matched the scans of adolescents.

FLASH BA: I just don’t see how this changes anything. [GREEN LANTERN HJ] didn’t have a brain scan when he dated her, and he already admitted that he realized his mistake.

GREEN ARROW: Which is why we should have done something weeks ago.

BATMAN: As I said in our last meeting, I see no reason that we shouldn’t treat [GREEN LANTERN HJ] the same way we did Icebreaker.

FLASH BA: Oh come on, you just don’t like him!

BATMAN: I don’t let personal feelings cloud my—

HAWKMAN: I seem to recall fighting a swarm of robots because of your personal feelings.

BLACK CANARY: Why don’t we not go there.

FLASH BA: Of course. Because if we went there, you’d have to admit that you were involved with something less than ethical too. That we’ve all made mistakes.

ZATANNA: We have all made mistakes. That was a mistake we made together. But that doesn’t mean that we should allow abuse to flourish in our organization.

AQUAMAN: But is what he did the same as what Icebreaker did?

ZATANNA: Does it matter? What can we do about it, other than barring him from the League?

BATMAN: Or erasing his—

SUPERMAN: Batman. Not now.

WONDER WOMAN: There are several things we could do. Icebreaker’s ban is for life. We could bar [GREEN LANTERN HJ] for a shorter time. Or we could prevent him from working with younger members of the League.

BLACK CANARY: That part for sure.

FLASH BA: This is ridiculous. He’s not a predator. He made a mistake.

BLACK CANARY: And this will make sure he doesn’t make any more.

SUPERMAN: All in favor of a ban on [GREEN LANTERN HJ] working with JLA members, sidekicks, and Young Justice members under the age of 18?

[PAUSE]

SUPERMAN: The ayes have it.

BATMAN: We should vote on a temporary ban as well.

SUPERMAN: How long of one?

AQUAMAN: A year?

WONDER WOMAN: And then we’ll reevaluate.

SUPERMAN: All in favor?

[PAUSE]

SUPERMAN: The ayes have it.

GREEN ARROW: What does it matter if we ban him? It clearly doesn’t mean anything.

AQUAMAN: We can’t stop Icebreaker from showing up to catastrophes.

BLACK CANARY: We can refuse to work with him when he does. Otherwise, how is he even banned?

SUPERMAN: He doesn’t have access to the Watchtower, he can’t attend JLA meetings, we don’t supply him with equipment or uniforms. He can’t use our resources to do what he did to Spark.

BLACK CANARY: As long as people see him fighting with us, they’ll think that we don’t think what he did was a problem.

SUPERMAN: We’ve worked with villains before, when the situation was serious enough.

BLACK CANARY: Those are villains. When Batman works with the League of Assassins, everyone understands it’s a temporary alliance. But if he works with Icebreaker, it just looks like a League meeting.

HAWKMAN: I understand your principle, but when the entire Earth is threatened, can we turn away help?

GREEN ARROW: What are we defining as threatening the entire Earth? In our jobs, that could be every other Tuesday.

SUPERMAN: An immediate and pressing threat that makes itself known across the globe.

GREEN ARROW: So, OMACs yes, Deathstroke putting out ads for another villain team-up no?

WONDER WOMAN: I think that’s a reasonable standard.

BLACK CANARY: Fine. Fine. I guess.

Texts between Clark Kent and Lois Lane

Gonna need another statement from you

For the JLA Is Fucking Up article?

Thats the one

Feels like that’s all I do anymore

You did say i could rip into you

I have proof

I saved a screenshot

I know. I just wish there weren’t so much for you to rip into

Chat between Donna Troy and Dick Grayson

Donna
Hey, are you free to talk on the phone right now?

There’s something I think I should say to you, but I don’t think it should be via text

Dick
Everything okay?

Donna
Everything’s fine with me

I think I owe you an apology

Phone call between Donna Troy and Dick Grayson, recorded by Brother Eye, automatically transcribed

DICK GRAYSON: Hey, what’s up?

DONNA TROY: So you should feel free to just tell me to shut up at any time, okay?

DICK GRAYSON: Please just tell me whatever it is. I’m starting to get worried.

DONNA TROY: I’ve been thinking about what we talked about a couple weeks ago. How stuff like Icebreaker happened on the Titans.

DICK GRAYSON: Did something happen that I should…

DONNA TROY: Mirage. I started thinking about Mirage.

DICK GRAYSON: Oh.

DONNA TROY: I am so sorry.

DICK GRAYSON: For what?

DONNA TROY: For not… realizing what she did? I should've been supporting you, and instead she lived in my house.

DICK GRAYSON: It’s not like I wanted her to be homeless.

DONNA TROY: Dick, if you can’t feel safe in my home, then I’ve failed you as a friend.

DICK GRAYSON: Honestly, out of everyone, you were probably the best, back then.

DONNA TROY: I really hope that’s not true.

DICK GRAYSON: I mean, you kept her away from the wedding when I asked you to. You seemed to get that I was upset with her. You didn’t say anything bad.

DONNA TROY: Did people say things?

DICK GRAYSON: Just Pantha.

DONNA TROY: Great Hera.

DICK GRAYSON: Yeah, it was not great. But that's why I don't think you need to beat yourself up.

DONNA TROY: No offense, but I hope you hold me to a higher standard than Pantha.

DICK GRAYSON: [LAUGHTER] No worries there. But honestly, I was in charge, and I lived with her and worked with her too. It took me years to realize what she'd done. I knew that I hated it, but I just didn't…

[STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT PAUSE]

DICK GRAYSON: I guess I just thought of her as a hero. Someone trying to save the world just like us. Sometimes I think if it had been Poison Ivy or someone, I'd have figured it out a lot quicker.

DONNA TROY: That makes sense.

DICK GRAYSON: Does it? In my head it's kind of gibberish.

DONNA TROY: It's not. I promise.

DICK GRAYSON: I'm really glad that I can talk about this with you, actually. It's kind of been on my mind lately. You know. With everything.

DONNA TROY: I know the feeling. You can talk to me any time. I hope you know that.

DICK GRAYSON: I do.

DONNA TROY: I don't know if you'd be interested, but I started a group chat just for survivors in our circles. With everyone talking about it non-stop, I just thought there should be somewhere that we could get our reactions out privately.

DICK GRAYSON: That sounds like a really great idea, but I suspect I know some of the people in that chat, and I feel like it might be awkward.

DONNA TROY: You deserve to be there as much as anyone. Also… You never know. They might not mind.

DICK GRAYSON: Are there any other men? I don't want to intrude, either.

DONNA TROY: Not yet. But I don't want you to be alone.

DICK GRAYSON: Let me think about it.

DONNA TROY: Of course.

DICK GRAYSON: Donna? Thank you.

DONNA TROY: It is the literal least I could do.

DICK GRAYSON: Unfortunately, I think we're finding out every day how much less you can do.

~~hannah~~ @hannahidaho · 22m
hey @shaunatrek the gl is outside garrett hall right now

shauna when the walls fell @shaunatrek · 21m
Replying to @hannahidaho
Which GL?

~~hannah~~ @hannahidaho · 20m
Replying to @shaunatrek
i don’t know any of them but he has brown hair

~~hannah~~ @hannahidaho · 20m
Replying to @shaunatrek
just saw a red streak! i think the flash is here!

shauna when the walls fell @shaunatrek · 19m
Replying to @hannahidaho
Which Flash?

~~hannah~~ @hannahidaho · 18m
Replying to @shaunatrek
lol theres more than one?

Chat between Kory Anders and Dick Grayson

Dick
Hey so Donna told me about her group chat

She sort of invited me to join

But I don't want to do that if it makes things weird for you

Kory
It doesn't. I'm happy she reached out to you.

Would it be weird for you?

Dick
A little, maybe

I think I'd get over it

Chat between Barbara Gordon and Dick Grayson

Dick
I have a question and I don't know the tactful way to ask it, so I'm just gonna ask

Barbara
That's my preference.

Dick
Are you in Donna's group chat?

Barbara
I'm tempted to ask why you want to know, but that would give away the answer, wouldn’t it? Yes, I'm in it.

Why do you want to know?

Dick
She invited me to join, but I don't want to if it'll make things awkward for you

Barbara
Are we talking about the same group chat?

Dick
Sexual assault survivors of the caped persuasion?

Barbara
Now I have a question that I don't know how to ask.

Dick
I probably should've seen that one coming

Barbara
You don’t have to tell me.

Dick
Why don’t I just give you some key terms to help with the search you’re running

Sorry, that came off meaner than I meant it

Barbara
You’re not wrong, though.

Dick
This is not giving me a lot of hope that things wouldn’t be awkward

Barbara
Oh, it’ll definitely be awkward. But I’m not super vocal in there anyway, and I don’t want to be the thing that stops you from getting help or resources.

Dick
Have we finally reached the Mature Exes Who Are Still Friends stage?

Barbara
Why don’t we just start with "still friends" and see if we ever make our way to "mature"?

Dick
Manageable goals. Love it

"unstoppable mofos in masks" group chat

Donna
I have a question I'd like to throw to the chat

Would you be comfortable with male survivors in here?

Mia
are they unstoppable mofos in masks? because if not could be a problem

Firenza
I assume this is someone you know and trust not to fuck up too badly?

Donna
I do

Barbara
I'll vouch for him too.

Firenza
Then I'm okay with it

Donna
Mia, I’m assuming you were trying to say you don’t mind?

Mia
👍

Donna
And Kory already said she’s okay

Okay, I’ll add him

Mia
no fucking way

oh wow that was super not okay sorry

Dick
Hey Mia 😎

I assume you’re the one who named the chat?

Mia
like it?

Dick
It’s amazing

"unstoppable mofos in masks" group chat

Firenza
Hey, does anyone know anything about Lois Lane?

She approached me to talk to her for an article about the JLA's response or lack thereof

Her work seems good, but I wanted to be thorough

Barbara
Lois is on the up-and-up

Donna
She is JLA-adjacent, which is probably technically a conflict, but you know how that goes

Firenza
She actually told me that

Donna
Well I think she's a great reporter who's interested in the truth

Dick
This is a pro-Lois Lane household

Apartment

Whatever

Firenza
Okay, that's all very reassuring

Btw I know she's looking for other vigilantes to talk to, anonymously or otherwise

Texts between Barbara Gordon and Stephanie Brown

So, have you decided about Bruce?

nope

stuck in unending indecisive hell

I may have a compromise option for you. Or at least, something that you could do to test how you feel.

??

Lois Lane is doing a story on the JLA's general culture and response to abuse and assault. You could talk to her about your general feelings—and you could do it anonymously.

She probably wouldn't print specific accusations without more evidence, but you're not sure you want to do that anyway.

So it could be a way of saying *something* without having to decide whether you want to say *everything* yet.

that's… an idea

i'll think about it

For those assaulted by a hero, wheels of justice turn slowly

By: Lois Lane

In August of this year, Spark, a former masked hero, came forward with allegations that she had been assaulted by her mentor, Icebreaker. Several months later, the Justice League of America met to discuss claims that the Earth’s local Green Lantern had a romantic and sexual relationship with a 14-year-old colleague. These stories rocked the vigilante community. The JLA launched investigations into both claims, and both Icebreaker and Green Lantern—the latter of which is a JLA founder—were barred from the organization.

But the vigilante community has settled back down remarkably quickly. Icebreaker fought alongside the JLA in last month’s Darkseid invasion. The Green Lantern has been seen teaming up with the Flash several times since his JLA ban. The JLA’s response to questions has been that these are not official collaborations, and that they will work with Icebreaker and the Green Lantern only in potentially world-ending circumstances. But some vigilantes question whether the JLA is truly interested in banning offenders at all.

"There’s no court of law for people like me," said Spark. "I can’t testify in court without giving my name and putting myself in danger. A JLA ban is the only kind of justice I’m ever going to get, and they can’t even do that."

Spark isn’t convinced by the idea that global threats justify lifting Icebreaker’s ban. "No individual hero is so vital that they can’t save the world without them. You know how I know? Because of Icebreaker, I’m not a hero anymore. And the world kept spinning."

"It’s not just Icebreaker and Green Lantern," said another hero, who spoke on condition of anonymity. (The hero in question often works with, but is not a member of, the JLA.) "There are serial harassers and abusers in and out of the League who everybody knows about, but nobody does anything about."

Spark agrees. "Even if you look at me and Green Lantern’s victim, none of that was secret. It’s just nobody did anything until someone went to the press."

See JUSTICE, page A13

Chat between Barbara Gordon and Donna Troy

Barbara
Got a minute to talk?

Donna
Sure

Barbara
I have to admit that I wasn’t expecting much out of the group chat when you invited me, but it’s turning out to be a really great resource. For me, and obviously for other people. And I was wondering if you’ve thought about formalizing it.

Donna
How so?

Barbara
Right now, people can only get into the chat if they know it exists from word of mouth, and the entire thing relies heavily on these specific people being okay with each other. But if there were a formal organization, we could provide resources that people could use anonymously. Or potentially sponsor multiple groups, so that if someone wasn’t comfortable with a mixed-gender chat, for example, or if there are personality conflicts, everyone could still get help. And we could do more. Match people with mental health resources. Provide advocacy and education.

Donna
That sounds like something the community could really use

I would need help with organization and infrastructure though

Barbara
Why do you think I said "we"?

Phone conversation between Diana Prince and Dinah Lance, recorded by Brother Eye, automatic transcription

DIANA PRINCE: Dinah!

DINAH LANCE: Hi Diana. Got a moment?

DIANA PRINCE: For you, always.

DINAH LANCE: Did you see the article in the Daily Planet?

DIANA PRINCE: I did.

DINAH LANCE: I already wasn’t comfortable with our choice, and this just settled it for me. You know that anonymous source, whoever they were, you know they were talking about Guy. He’s said the same shit to you he’s said to me.

DIANA PRINCE: He has.

DINAH LANCE: We need to be more proactive about this. Spark is right. We need to stop ignoring this stuff.

DIANA PRINCE: I’ve been thinking about this since that meeting too. I believe in pragmatism, but it didn’t feel right.

DINAH LANCE: I want the League to establish real protocols for this stuff. Rules with teeth. And I need you on my side. You and Clark and Bruce—if you’re united, people will agree.

DIANA PRINCE: I’m on your side. I’ll back you up.

DINAH LANCE: Thank you, Diana.

Chat between Kory Anders and Donna Troy

Donna
Am I a fraud?

Kory
What are you talking about???

Donna
Barbara came to me with this idea to turn the group chat into a real organization for resources and advocacy. She wants to run it together. And it's such a good idea, but who am I to run something like that? A group chat is one thing, but I'm barely a survivor. I was brainwashed a couple times, and yeah, some bad shit happened to me in other lives, but those were OTHER LIVES. I also assaulted people in other lives, so what does that make me? And in THIS life, I let a rapist stay in my house.

Kory
You’re not a fraud!

You’re a wonderful leader, and a very caring person, and that’s why Barbara came to you. And everyone in the chat has had different things happen to them, but they all still belong there.

And you WILL NOT feel bad about anything you did in another life.

Donna
Yeah, I know that’s not right

Okay. Okay. But what about the other stuff. Like with Mirage

I’m sorry, I shouldn’t bring this to you, but who else am I going to talk to about it?

Kory
You made a mistake. That shouldn’t stop you from doing a good thing NOW.

I promise you if you asked Dick he would agree.

Donna
Well I’m absolutely not going to ask him

Although

Chat between Dick Grayson and Donna Troy

Donna
Hey, do you want to help me and Barbara run a resource and advocacy group for survivors in the hero community?

Dick
Yes, obviously?

I’d run anything with you

Phone conversation between Clark Kent and Lois Lane, recorded by Brother Eye, automatic transcription

CLARK KENT: Hey. I read your article. It's great.

LOIS LANE: You knew it was coming. You're quoted in it.

CLARK KENT: I wasn't being sarcastic.

LOIS LANE: No, I know, I've just been anxious about how you'd respond, I guess.

CLARK KENT: Lois, we're…

[STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT PAUSE]

CLARK KENT: We're fucking this up, aren't we?

LOIS LANE: Yeah, you are.

CLARK KENT: I think I could use some advice.

LOIS LANE: Pick up Thai on your way home. We’ll talk about it over dinner.

"About Us" page at mssv.org

Masked Survivors of Sexual Violence (MSSV) is a resource and advocacy organization for current and former masked heroes who have experienced abuse, harassment, or sexual assault. Survivors in the hero community face distinct challenges. MSSV provides community, education, and support to help survivors meet those challenge, and lobbies for broader awareness of and effective response to assault in the masked community.

Leadership

Troia
Troia is the president and cofounder of MSSV. She has been an active superhero for 15 years.

Nightwing
Nightwing is the director of outreach for MSSV. During his 20 years in the superhero community, he has led the Titans and the Outsiders, and has served on and with the Justice League of America.

Oracle
Oracle is the cofounder and technical director of MSSV.

Phone conversation between Barbara Gordon and Dinah Lance, recorded by Brother Eye, automatic transcription

DINAH LANCE: Nice website you've got there.

BARBARA GORDON: Shame if something were to happen to it?

DINAH LANCE: Actually I was wondering how serious you guys are about the broader awareness and effective response thing.

BARBARA GORDON: It's half the point.

DINAH LANCE: Then I have a proposition for you.

Justice League of America meeting, automatic transcription

BLACK CANARY: I want to thank you all for coming today, and for welcoming my guests. I know the last few months have been stressful for everyone, and I'm hopeful that what I'm proposing will improve things in the long run.

SUPERMAN: What are you suggesting?

BLACK CANARY: When all this started, Batman and I were assigned to investigate. Well, here's what my investigation turned up: the problem goes beyond a few bad apples. It's systemic. We don't have any obvious or official way to report abuse. We assume that heroes aren't abusive, and when we see evidence to the contrary, we brush it aside or assume there's an explanation. We operate in ways that make it easy for people to commit abuse, and hard for them to talk about it. If we want to fix this, we can't just ban a few abusers. We need to change the way we do things.

AQUAMAN: The way we do things has always worked.

BLACK CANARY: Has it? The current system let Icebreaker assault Spark. It let [GREEN LANTERN HJ] date [GREEN LANTERN AR]. It's still letting [GREEN LANTERN GG] harass women.

SUPERMAN: What changes do you suggest?

BLACK CANARY: The thing is, I don't think we can change by ourselves. Part of the problem is that there's no oversight.

BATMAN: I assume that's why our guests are here?

TROIA: Nightwing, Oracle and I have created an organization to support survivors in our community. Black Canary asked if we would help the JLA to establish reporting and response procedures.

BATMAN: Procedures are a good idea, but why do we need your help to establish them?

NIGHTWING: Because you’ve been doing a bad job so far?

TROIA: It’s like Canary said. You’ve been going at this piecemeal, and that’s why Icebreaker took you by surprise at the Darkseid invasion, and it’s why you’re running to catch up with reports that you’ve all known about for a long time. An outside perspective can help. Especially a perspective from people who’ve been there.

WONDER WOMAN: I think it’s a good idea. We need to be doing more, and Troia is more than capable.

SUPERMAN: [CIVILIAN LL] told me early on that it was the JLA that made a mistake, and she didn’t think the JLA could be the one to investigate itself. After the last few months, I think she’s right.

NIGHTWING: You guys know us. You’ve known us since we were kids. We only want to help.

[PAUSE]

BATMAN: Let’s put it to a vote.

SUPERMAN: All in favor?

[PAUSE]

SUPERMAN: The ayes have it.

TROIA: Okay, then. Let’s get to work.

Phone conversation between Oliver Queen and Barry Allen, recorded by Brother Eye, automatic transcription

OLIVER QUEEN: Barry?

BARRY ALLEN: Hi, Ollie.

OLIVER QUEEN: I didn't think you were talking to me.

BARRY ALLEN: Getting schooled by children you used to babysit will sometimes change your perspective.

OLIVER QUEEN: No more team ups with Hal, then?

BARRY ALLEN: No.

OLIVER QUEEN: Is that what you called to tell me?

BARRY ALLEN: No. Just.

OLIVER QUEEN: Just?

BARRY ALLEN: I just don't… Somehow it's easier to wrap my head around him being a supervillain. How could he be our friend and also that guy?

OLIVER QUEEN: He wasn't trying to date us, so he didn't have any reason to screw us over.

BARRY ALLEN: It’s just hard to accept that he’s…

OLIVER QUEEN: A rapist?

BARRY ALLEN: I guess.

OLIVER QUEEN: Look, the world’s full of fucked up people who do otherwise great things. I don’t think the question to ask is how Hal could do that. The question I’m asking is how did we ignore it? It wasn’t a secret. It was right there the whole time, and you didn’t do anything, and neither did I.

BARRY ALLEN: He was my friend. He’s Hal.

OLIVER QUEEN: Yeah.

Texts between Barbara Gordon and Stephanie Brown

so you guys gave the jl a good talking to, huh

I wasn’t actually there for the meeting, but yes.

I’m cautiously optimistic.

is that better or worse than guardedly optimistic

About the same, I think.

i dunno

like i trust you and nightwing obvs, and youre not technically jl, but like

you’re still in the club you know?

Worried about our objectivity?

i just want something to change

We’re hoping that with a foot in the door, we can start setting up some procedures for the long term that will be more truly independent.

that makes sense

i’m rooting for you

How are you feeling about the whole reporting question?

setting it aside for now

talking to lois was good, and i liked her article

but actual reporting would be such a huge headache i’m not ready for

maybe if you guys actually get those procedures set up

We’re going to do our best for you.

"unstoppable masked mofos" group chat

Firenza
So, the JLA’s taking advice from you guys, I hear?

Donna
That is the plan

Barbara
We’ll see how it goes. The JLA has a spotty record when it comes to taking advice.

Dick
I am choosing to be optimistic! I think Batman’s taking it seriously

Donna
I think they’re all taking it seriously, honestly

I don’t know, even after all of this, I think most of us got into this gig because we were trying to do good

And maybe it’s taken them a while to understand how they were fucking up, but it matters to them now that they do

Firenza
I don’t know any of them as well as you guys, but I really hope you’re right

Kory
If anyone can do it, it’s Dick and Donna.

And Barbara too!

Mia
well sure

after all

they’re

Dick
Stoppable bare-faced ladies and gentleman?

Mia
i vote we kick dick out of the chat

Dick Grayson liked "i vote we kick dick out of the chat"

OP-ED

What super vision doesn't see

By: Clark Kent

Superman is good. I believe that.

More accurately, Superman does good. His actions speak for themselves: He has saved countless lives, both in and out of Metropolis.

But if Superman's actions speak for themselves, so do his inactions. The philosophical thought experiment about all the people Superman doesn't save is by now trite, but Superman, like all of us, has a responsibility to those he has power over. It’s one thing for Superman to fail to save a citizen from a car crash on the other side of the world; it’s another for him to fail to notice or act on abuses taking place within his own organization.

Superman, and the other leaders of the Justice League of America, bear some responsibility for those abuses, and they certainly bear the responsibility of making sure they aren’t repeated. So far, they have failed in that responsibility. Their response to the claims made about Icebreaker and the Green Lantern has been slow, haphazard, and weak. They have made no moves to prevent further abuse, or to ease reporting and recovery for the other victims who are almost certainly out there.

It’s comforting to believe that people who we admire are uniformly great. That heroes cannot be abusers, and that they cannot overlook abuse. But in the end, heroes are just humans like the rest of us—even those of them who are aliens. They are capable of having mixed motives, of abusing systems, of being biased towards their friends.

Systemic change is difficult—maybe more difficult than saving the world. We are all biased towards the status quo. Imagining a better way is an act of enormous bravery. One might even call it an act of heroism.

I believe Superman does good. I believe he is a hero.

It’s past time for him to prove it.