The Robin inspiration

So I'm actually writing this on the 4th, when I said I wanted to reference some inspiration I'd had - but if I did, it'd give away a major plot point.

Hopefully by the time you read this, you'll know all about the resolution of issue 20 and the Crossover arc (Hey, you're ahead of me, I haven't written it yet! Ah, the joys of projecting into the future) so now I can talk about my inspiration.

When it comes to impersonating Robin, well, there's probably been more than a few occasions over the years... but one that sticks in my head particularly because it was in the 1960s (the spiritual home of my SG series) and also because it featured a woman doing the impersonating, is Jill St. John as Molly, in only the second episode of the Batman TV show.

In case you haven't seen the episode in question, naturally it's illegally available on YouTube (here's Part One, in which the impersonation takes place; here's Part Two, in which you sort-of see Molly unmask). What makes the episode so fun for me is actually (believe it or not) Burt Ward's performance. When he's playing 'Molly as Robin' he really does camp it up in a few places, and boy if that ain't kinky.

Anyway, when I was writing the (SPOILER!) Betty-as-Robin scenes in issue 20, I needed reference to remember what the heck the 'classic Robin' costume looked like. So I went looking for visuals, and then I remembered that episode. One quick YouTube search later and I was delighting in that scene again. That gave me all the visual reference I needed, and also Molly's delicious play acting as Robin ("Riddler, you fiend!" she says when she first turns up, Robin mask in hand) really inspired me to ensure that Betty-as-Robin took the 'role' seriously.

Here's a few gratuitous pics of the scene when Molly turns up dressed as Robin. Sorry about the quality, but they're just screen-grabbed from YouTube:

Molly confronts the Riddler, costume ready, mask in hand...

A knowing glance to her partner in crime... time to transform...

Ta-da... out goes Jill, in comes Burt, and he's happy to 'play the girl'.

Great stuff. If you haven't seen it, be sure to check it out.

2012 Update: As this post still gets hits - most likely people looking for the same memories I had - here's a couple of bonuses. One, this entire episode is on YouTube now, who knows how long for:

Second, here's another screengrab - the moment after Molly unmasks herself (which frankly, is a terrible, terrible piece of fakery, but at least she's pictured here, mask in hand):

"Maybe you could put that back on and we'll have a little fun..."

New release: Spider-Girl, issue #20

The Chameleon has finally been caught; Betty's mission is at an end. Unfortunately for her, growing feelings for Barbara mean that leaving this dimension may not be as easy as she had hoped....

Issue #20: Legends of the Dark Knight

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The Chameleon's locked up. Betty's done what she came to do. So what could delay her? What could possibly keep her in Gotham? Perhaps the love of a good woman... or a man who looks like a woman...? There's still a few twists in this tale yet.

Every single plot line from this arc (that I could think of... I certainly hope I didn't miss any) is wrapped up in this issue, which does mean there's a fair bit of exposition, but also plenty of sexy stuff too. If you really want to immerse yourself in the entire arc, I'd recommend re-reading everything (yep, everything - from issue #14) and I'm pretty sure you'll start to see the connections. It was, believe it or not, pretty much all planned.

Issue #20 marks the end of the road for Betty Brant's 'crossover' into another dimension, and the end of this arc. It's also time for me to pause in the tale of Spider-Girl, but that doesn't mean the series is done - far from it, I hope. For now though, I expect I'll be working on something else for a while. What will that be? I'm not entirely sure myself. Things are cookin'. We'll see what comes to the boil first.

I'm afraid of course that does mean, you won't be getting served up 13-20K words a week of new material! I'll still be around though, so if you want to get in touch, leave a comment or drop me an email.

There may be a couple of posts exploring this arc, by the way; I found the process of writing this quite fascinating, as well as taxing, exciting and trying at times. So if you're interested, I'll waffle at some point.

Remember if you haven't read all the issues of this arc yet everything's available, both at Maskingwriter (membership required) and now via steekr (just click and get the issues). If you enjoy, please do leave a comment below, and click on an ad for me.

Update on 20

... so work came down "like an anvil" this week, as they say, so hard that I'm actually going to be in work this weekend, probably both days, probably most of each day. Don't cry for me, I don't mind doing it, but it means I won't have time to edit 20 (and haven't had much time this week, either).

So right now, don't expect 20 to be out this weekend. Sorry 'bout that. I will get it out as soon as I can.

As I've said before, the post-issue-20 future of the series (and my writing) is a little unclear. I'm not sure what I'm going to do next. I do have a variety of arcs, plotlines etc that I want to pursue with Betty. I also have ideas for non-SG stuff, including some unfinished M2F masking stories that I might go back to, or entirely new ideas.

I'd appreciate any thoughts you might have. While I know nearly all of you will just be thinking "I don't care, just write more stuff" it does influence my thinking if people really, really want to see 'X' or 'Y'.

Issue 20... is done!

About five minutes ago. Maybe not even that.

Right now - before editing, which could expand or contract this figure - 20,735 words, which I can barely believe, especially considering as far as I can tell, 13K of those words were written in the last week.

See what you can accomplish when the muse is with ya??

I've got a mix of feelings right now. It's been a big issue, but it's been a much bigger arc - I've been writing it for six or so months. Writing the last few scenes was kinda emotional. Don't worry though folks, I've left it on a suitable cliffhanger...!

All will be revealed... this weekend. Barring accident, injury, etc. Editing that many words will take some time, too!

New release: Spider-Girl, issue #19

The noose is finally closing in around the Chameleon; having set up a date with Bruce Wayne as 'Vicki Vale' he is about to discover that Vicki never existed. Meanwhile, Catwoman is out for revenge, and seeking Batgirl's help...

Issue #19: No Man's Land

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After last issue's rather giant plot twist... we come to a climax! The Chameleon cornered! Batman, Batgirl and Betty - none of whom are who they seem - team up together! There's a chase! A confrontation! A big old fight! This one, as they say, has got it all!!

To be honest I've thought for a while that this issue wasn't that good - but as I re-read and edited it today with fresh eyes, it read pretty well to me. Everything comes to a head this time out... but this ain't the ending, oh no, and the epilogue is a doozy. (Well, so far anyway.)

Remember if you haven't read all the issues of this arc yet everything's available, both at Maskingwriter (membership required) and now via steekr (just click and get the issues). If you enjoy, please do leave a comment below, and click on an ad for me.

Issue 20 - barring accidents - should finish off Crossover with a bang in about a week.

Houston, we have a very big issue

So I just looked and issue 20's over 16K words now, which is getting a little crazy... I'm in the last third, maybe the last quarter. Suffice to say there's some fun scenes in there which might, in some ways, be 'too much' - but I won't get to write this stuff again anytime soon, so what the heck.

I've actually moved two scenes from 20 across and into the end of 19, which means I have more of 19 to edit. That's about half-done. No promises but it might get released later today. Just have to get out of the writing groove on 20, really!

Er, 12K and rising

Looks like issue 20's turning into a bit of a big finale, with two of the many 'Bs' getting together at last. It's fun to write, and hence is progressing quick.

I wanted to post some reference that I was working with, but I just realised it'd give away a fairly major plot point, so I'll leave it for another time...!

19 will, I think it's safe to say, definitely debut this weekend. Which means it probably won't...!

Moving right along

As of right now (checks) issue 20 is 8,705 words long, and I haven't really gotten to the meat of it yet. As those of you who've read 18 will know by now, certain characters "have some 'splainin to do"... 19 mostly deals with the resolution of the main plotline, but 20 is where the soapy stuff is.

Which hopefully you'll like....

Anyway I still think I'll probably release 19 this weekend, even though I don't think 20 will be finished, the majority of it should be done. So look out for it.

If you've been thinking of ideas for where Spider-Girl as a series should go next, then now's the time to say. I have multiple storylines stacked up but if you have a brilliant idea, you never know, it might get incorporated.

Thanks for the clicks!

Hey all, just a quick note to say thank you if you've clicked on an ad over the last few months. I'm going to get my second payment from Google in about six weeks I expect (of $100).

In case you have any illusions that I'm 'rolling in clover' by the way, I'm not. Partially because of the incredibly weak dollar (great going to the US, crap when you're being paid in dollars) and partially to date, all that ad clicking = $200. So yeah, I won't be giving up the day job just yet!

However, it's more of a symbolic payment for me than anything else, and I really appreciate it on those terms. Please feel free to keep clicking, and I'll keep writing....